The goal of tidying is to make room for meaningful objects, people and experiences. I can think of no greater happiness in life than being surrounded only by the things I love.
— Marie Kondo
Has anyone tried the Marie Kondo Method of untidying? If you’ve managed to pare down your possessions to only those that spark joy, are you inclined to go to her site and buy more things?
For instance, this organized desk set for only $50:
Or this cheese knife for $156:
I had a good time today looking to see what she thinks spark joy, but Andy and I can tune out clutter if we’re absorbed in a project. What we need are materials to play/create things with.
I do like having my living space reasonably uncluttered, and that’s no problem. I have more storage space than “junk”. I am gradually discarding/recycling some of it, not because it bothers me, but just in case the virus or something else snuffs me out. I would like to be considerate to Kaitlin or anyone else stuck with my stuff after I am gone.
But there’s no hurry, my main priority is to put important papers and information together so they can be easily recognized and dealt with. The rest can easily be tossed without them having to make decisions.
March 23, 2020
I have bursts of “sifting/sorting” – I just finally got a big bin ticket (we have different garbage bin sizes) for an awkward object that wouldn’t fit in the usual medium sized bin. It’s now in said bin, with another useless object. But I’m not sure when I will put that bin out…tomorrow is garbage day (essential service, apparently)
Now, I’m pleased I didn’t completely bin a lot art supplies, stuff I was sure on the last “sift/sort” could just go…but decided to give them another chance. It’s not like I didn’t have enough 🙂 but now I have extras…
Given the present circumstances, it’s probably a good idea to have extras. One never knows.
No, I have not tried the M K method and probably never will. I have been trying to get rid of things for a good while. And sending some home with the girls now. I just hate for them to have to deal with a big mess…there is a story behind that statement but would take all day to tell it.
I used to kind of worry about all my fabric, but now one of my daughter has started quilting and she will take what she wants, and both girls will want my sewing machines…Roger has done sent son-in-law home with some stuff that he will want.
My house will always be cluttered…there is always stuff to do. But if I have been away from sewing a while, and left a mess. I have to straighten everything up before I start.
Doesn’t it feel good to give things to someone who will use and appreciate them? I’m doing some of that now with the local Freecycle. It keeps us from feeling isolated.
I realize now that I was even minimalist as a child. have been having conversations with the marine. some have made me laugh right out loud!
so that part isn’t a problem.
I did learn from MK to ROLL my underwear! it takes up much less space.
but I have lost some respect for her I think. she seems to have fallen into the capitalist greed obsession. a paring knife for $156? I shouldn’t judge.
but I thought she was about a simpler way of living. not selling things and making more and more money! guess I was wrong. she falls into the category of Never Having Enough! (even tho it’s always neatly organized!)
I think the site is funny — people can monetize anything if they have a mind to. Not my cup of tea.
I like her method for folding underpants. And I read one of her books. Beyond that, the women definitely does not spark joy when I see her videos or photo. I mean who else beside Marie advises a reader to tear out the pages we like from books and throw out the rest?
I’m more apt to scan them into my computer or photocopy them, then give the undamaged book away.
Not sure what her method is but occasionally I will get in the mood to de-clutter. It doesn’t make me want to go out and buy more though and if I did it wouldn’t be for items that expensive. I’m a bit on the thrifty side 🙂
That’s the funny part, how expensive her products are. And they’re consumer items, not things you can use in crafts and projects. I love the way you decorate for the changing seasons, with simple, heart warming things, many that you’ve made yourself.
I’m not sure what her method is but I do occasionally de-clutter. It doesn’t make me want to go out and buy more stuff though. Even if I did it wouldn’t be for things that were that expensive. I’m a bit thrifty 🙂
I don’t need to organize except for a few drawers that are a mess. the don’t know what to do with stuff that gets stuck in those 3 drawers. if I don’t use something I get rid of it.. I nearly fell out of my chair at that knife price. all my dividers and organizers are things that other things came in. like my sugar and flour and corn meal live in Maxwell house coffee cans.
You’re a woman after my own heart!
We have been cleaning out and only keeping what we really need or like. What gives us “joy”, we really started this after having to clean up the estate of my b-in-law when he died. A very neat hoarder, but one that required over 60 truck trips to the transfer station and another 15 to the donation center in the town he lived in. We decided that we didn’t want to do that to others and this year, the garage will be our next big target when the weather gets a little nicer.
That’s a big job! We have it easier because we live in a 1000-square foot apartment so have never been able to accumulate much. Friends of ours had a big house and it was a horrendous job downsizing when they moved into a 3-tier retirement community.
Mom does not follow that Marie lady’s plans. The older she gets, the more of a minimalist she has become. She is always trying to reduce “extra” stuff around here. But inevitably, once she tosses something, she finds reason to still have it:)
Woos, Lightning and Timber
That’s the problem! My grandmother was a saver. Even if she hadn’t used something in years she would say, “It might come in handy some day.” And sometimes that’s true, especially if one is inventive.