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[Mominohio]

I haven't read the book,  but have heard it discussed here many times.

One thing I have done,  which may or may not be part of her methods, is to Pre determine a certain location and amount of space I will dedicate to something.  When that space is full (hopefully just comfortably full and not jammed), I have to let the rest of that item go.

So,for example, if I'm tackling kitchen utensils, I might decide that the only space I'm going to dedicate to them is the utensil crock on the counter and one small drawer.

Next I will look at all my utensils laid out and try to realistically determine how many of each type of item I really use. I might find I have way more wooden spoons than spatulas,  but in reality I use the few spatulas much more . I can then let go of those things that I realize I don't use.

Sometimes I think many of us keep too many things because we come from a place of having little or were raised or influenced by people who came from that. Seeing everything you own of a particular category all spread out in one place can really put into perspective how out of control our consuming has been. When you have some of your like items stored in the kitchen, some in the dining room hutch, some in the basement and a few in some boxes in the garage, you can really not fully comprehend all of that item you have. 

[Mominohio]

Also, to help with givin things up you want to keep for sentimental reasons, it can help to try to move some of those things on to friends and family so they aren't really gone.

For example give the kids a lot of Christmas ornaments for their home as a reminder of their childhood. Pass on a few of great grandma's teapots you inherited to some cousins or nieces who will treasure them.

If all else fails know that even donating to the local thrifts will make someone excited to have what was cluttering and complicating your life. Might make it a little easier to let go of some things.

[Still Raining]

It may sound silly but her suggestion that we honor the discards by thanking them gives some relief.  Blessings to memories.

[151949]

When I was younger - pre back issues and arthritis - I used to spring houseclean. Everything you can imagine was scrubbed or laundered and every cupboard, drawer, nook, shelf and cabinet was totally cleaned out and decluttered. Fortunately, every spring my DH (the hoarder) had to go to a 9 day convention out of town so that was my opportunity to really get something done. I even washed every wall in my house. I only had those 9 days so I had to be very organized and I would set goals for each day and  - even if I was still cleaning late into the night - I never stopped until I reached the goal. 

I would be so exhausted when it was done but it was also so worth while.The whole house would be so clean, and when you walked in from outside the house smelled so fresh. Now that I can no longer clean like this I do the best I am able - but it's not the same.

[gidgetgh]

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@Julie_23 wrote:

Hi, @gidgetgh -- thanks so much for your reply.  I'm definitely the opposite in that I tend to hold onto things and am not very organized!  At the moment, anyway. 

Other times in the past that I have de-cluttered, it wasn't the KonMari method so I am hoping to have continued success with this (vs. on/off).  Though, I know it's a continual process.

You made so many good points, by the way.  Mindset being one of them.  The desire/want and need/necessity to do so are both there; but, I still struggle with letting things go.  Even if they don't bring joy.  I'm not sure why that is.  I will certainly keep in mind what you said about soul-searching.

Is there anything in particular you recommend to help in getting in/staying in the right mindset?  I tend to get stuck in my head sometimes and be overly sentimental about things (ie, not only sentimental about an item but the box the item came in as well).  

Thanks again for your reply.  I'm definitely more of a beginner in this and what you wrote really helped.

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@Julie_23- I really wish I had some wise words for you on how to let go of things, but I don't. I'm emotionally attached to some things and I would never, ever, ever get rid of them. Some of them are trivial. An example....my mom loved to to go the casinos in Mississippi and Atlantic City. We live in Atlanta so trips were infrequent. She had a little white envelope ( the kind the bank gives you when they give you cash. Just a plain envelope). She had written some figures on it, keeping track of her money. When she passed away, I got the envelope and divided the cash that was in it between my dad, sister and me as she'd asked. And what did I want?  I wanted the envelope. She passed away over 6 years ago and I still have that envelope and will never get rid of it. My mom's family was very poor. And that envelope with her little gambling money just represented a lot of different things for me. So I kept it. 

But, just speaking for me, I don't think it's right (again for me) to assign that level of importance and attachment to everything. I don't want all that "stuff" in our house. I have no children. When I pass away I don't want my niece and nephews to be overwhelmed by all my belongings. 

One thing I've done on a few things that has worked is to take a picture of an item that I don't necessarily want to keep but have some attachment to.  I just take a picture with my phone and when I scroll through my pictures on the phone, there it is. That seems to be enough for me in many cases. I still have the memory.  That will never be gone. But I don't have the clutter. 

What keeps me in the right mind set is that I just love how our house looks. We have lots of stuff still. Our house is very comfortable. But every closet and drawer isn't bursting at the seams with clutter. I know where everything is and that's my click point. It's just how I'm wired. 

If you're on Facebook, let me know and I'll give you the name of a great Konmari page. Lots of before and after pictures. You have the power in you to do this. You just have to want it. 

[gidgetgh]

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@LinaL wrote:

@Julie_23

"...will you please share your best tip?"

Follow the book to the letter for the big "clean".

Even the seemingly stupid stuff about thanking your objects. It has a purpose, even for those of us who don't anthropomorphize objects.

As for " maintenence", I don't empty my bag every night.  But, I do put other things (especially clothes) back more often than I used to. 

Her method is so simple and so genius. It worked for me and everyone I know (quite a few people) who did it faithfully. You just can't do it partially, though. You have to do everything she says. 

It's been several years and I've never relapsed. There's nothing to relapse to. 

The folding of clothes (all items) is brilliant. 

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@LinaL- I loved your post. I also thank my things as I donate them. It felt a Little weird at first, but now it comes naturally. 

Last year, when we sold my parents house, a few months before my dad died, the day before the closing I walked through each room by myself and I  took a picture and thanked the room (out loud) for the joy it had brought my family. 

And, like you, I don't clean my purse out every night. No way. Waste of time. 

I love how she tells you to fold, organize the closet. 

And I agree. Her method is simple and genius. 

[software]

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@ceekay wrote:

There used to be a show (maybe on TLC?) called "Clean Sweep" and their organizer was a guy named Peter Walsh.  He has a book on organizing I got from the library.  I have also read the KonMari book.  Along the lines of "does it bring you joy" his question was always "is it the item or the memory?".  If it is the memory, take a picture and move on without the item.  Interesting way to look at things and it helped a lot when we helped my mom move out of her house into an apartment (after 45 years in th house).  I try to apply both concepts to organizing.  But, not quite ready to let go yet...  I did try her clothes folding method.  Does seem to take up less space. 

Good luck - no real tips for you but I know a number of people who follow the KonMari method successfully.

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This ^^

But then you have to organize the pictures!!

Leave them on a memory card, or print them & make a collage for your wall or burn them to a disk.    My parents passed within a few weeks of each other & they had previously been living together at home.....a big home!   So glad they weren't pack rats but there was still a lot of STUFF to handle.     I had to take pictures, there was no way I could keep a lot of it.    

It's things.

You can't take it with you.

@Julie_23

[Julie_23]

Wow, I was completey blown away by everyone's thoughtful replies. Thank you, thank you. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate all of your input.

(@gidgetgh -- I'm not on facebook, but I took your insights to heart and will give this de-cluttering a go.  Thank you again!)

Much appreciation to you all.

[gidgetgh]

@Julie_23- as the book says, hold each item in your hand.  Give thought to each item as to why you'd want to keep it.  Say it out loud if you have to.  Line those spatulas up on the counter like I did and give an honest look.

Best of luck to you and please check back.

[mousiegirl]

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@Julie_23 wrote:

If anyone is familiar with this method, will you please share your best tip?  (Perhaps the suggestion of hers that really clicked with you and you found the most helpful.)

For instance, mine would be this:  with regards to 'clothes' -- I find those emotionally charged so I would recommend starting first with, say, towels or socks (as the 'clothes').

And, too, is there a specific youtuber you found helpful?

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@Julie_23  I also have a difficult time giving anything away, but due to lack of space, I have been doing this all year, and am ready for a truck to pick it all up.  I began because I was running out of room for just about everything.  I was shocked at just how many clothes I had of DD's from when she was little, and how many I had.  I ended up with about twenty fifteen gallon bags of clothing, about the same in books, shoes,  candles,. and misc.  I always thought I would sell the clothing on ebay, but right now, given the price of what things are selling for, it wasn't worth the trouble.

Around here, I have discovered, most won't pick up unless there is furniture, very upsetting given the amount and value of what I have to donate.  If we had to deliver, it would take a weekly drop off until it was gone, so hope it won't come to this.

I bought compressor bags from HSN, and stored all of DD's clothes that I couldn't part with, they all look brand new, so if she can't use them one day, she can dispose of them.