“Spark joy.” Marie Kondo
You got the bug too Spidey?
Unless you have been under a rock the last few months, you would have heard of the KonMarie method of tidying up that has hit the world.
A diminutive Japanese woman has found her obsession with tidying up houses has become a huge ‘thing’ around the world.
In its essence, her method is to surround yourself with the things that spark joy in your life. In her words, “If you hold it and you feel ‘Ting!’ that is the joy.”
If what you are holding on to has memories attached, but the item could be excess, she encourages you to remember the memories. They will be with you in your heart and mind, thank the object, then let it go.
Sounds easy?
No!
First of all, I think I’d need a month off work to go through things.
Secondly, I think I’d find it really tough to be so brutal with my ‘things’ A lot make me feel ‘Ting!’!
But, I do get where she is coming from.
I look around a lot of our house and the clutter is all stuff I think we should keep or have, but it hasn’t been moved for months, or years even.
Really, I think if it went, I would feel so much less cluttered in my brain too.
I made a start on shoes and coats. I did my undies and socks. I’ve gone through jeans and leggings.
I have about three bags full of things I have said thank you and goodbye too.
There is so much more.
The rest of the wardrobe. Hubby Dearest’s wardrobe. The Kids wardrobes…
The attic is stuffed with suitcases full of my older Indian outfits and the kids baby clothes.
Do I really need to keep them?
I’m never going to wear them again. The only thing I really want is a couple of the kids early outfits, first shoes etc, and our wedding outfits.
That’s it.
I have boxes of paperwork, from my own old school work to uni work, to miscellaneous stuff that is just there.
Needs to go.
The kitchen. Oh, the kitchen.
Packed with gadgets and spices I have never used, dishes that just sit in a cupboard and need washing if I ever want to use them, enough saucepans to cater for an army – thanks mum, but I don’t think I’ll ever cook that much!
And the special crockery for visitors… never used!
The bathroom. Well, that just needs a gutting out!
And the linen closet. It needs a sort out, a tidy up and a rejig.
But the one thing I really can’t agree on is her premise that less than 30 books are ideal.
She’s not got a clue, has she? Or she didn’t finish her sentence. It should have been “Ideally keep it to less than 30 books-helves!”
But then again, my books spark joy. I feel that ‘Ting!’ when I hold so many of the books I have. Three bookshelves so far, and I could easily fill a fourth with the books piled around my room…
So yeah, I’d love to jump on the #KonMarie bandwagon… if someone wants to give me the time, and a huge skip to throw my accumulated junk into!
So tell me, are you a hoarder like me or a minimalist? Will you be giving the KonMarie method a try?
Rachael Stray | https://rachaelstray.com/
Jan 28, 2019 @ 15:57:51
Just keep going Ritu. Tackle i area by area even just 30 minutes here and there. I’m on a decluttering mission myself and honestly I am feeling so much better for getting rid and organised! I still have my clothes and the kitchen to tackle. But we are getting there. My new IKEA storage unit is keeping my sanity, when I get overwhelmed with how much I have to sort out I just go and look at how beautiful it is and I feel better!
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 16:02:58
So much stuff Rachael…. 😳
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Rachael Stray | https://rachaelstray.com/
Jan 28, 2019 @ 16:17:37
I know!! I felt like I was drowning and there’s just me and the hubby.
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 16:37:33
I just need time… And no others disturbing me! #nevergonnahappen
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thereluctantpoet
Jan 28, 2019 @ 03:28:01
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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thereluctantpoet
Jan 28, 2019 @ 03:27:25
Ouch, My Dear! Too close to home!! A month? You must be a speed demon!! LOL! Great post, Ritu!!
xoxoxo
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 06:44:25
Lol! There’s a lot to do!
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Rae Longest
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:48:26
As 2019 approached, I got serious about change! With changes, came downsizing. The past two weeks I have been giving away “things” big-time! All I ask is that the recipient give the “thing” a good home, and if they sell it or throw it away, don’t tell me! I loved the video I saw from this person!
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 06:43:55
I just want the time, you know, to really sort my ‘things ‘ out!
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Rae Longest
Feb 01, 2019 @ 02:13:00
Yes, you don’t want to discard something you will want back badly later!
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Ritu
Feb 01, 2019 @ 07:31:56
Exactly. Currently have three different black bags in various states of fill… Slow n steady!
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willowdot21
Jan 27, 2019 @ 21:54:48
Could you hold this rock up while I crawl out? I am that one person who has not heard of this woman.💜💜💜🤭😨
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:15:48
Holding up rock… Go search her up sis lol!!!
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willowdot21
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:16:17
Yes Mark will do 💜💜💜
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:18:21
I’ll be Mark if you want sis 😉
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willowdot21
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:26:37
Sorry I meant “Yes Marm” will do 🤭 and I have not even had a drink tonight 🤭🤭
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 06:43:04
🤭
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syl65
Jan 27, 2019 @ 16:50:16
Tidying on the weekends as best as I can..
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 17:46:33
Gotta fit in Little snippets!
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syl65
Jan 27, 2019 @ 21:16:06
And every little snippet counts!
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 21:17:32
Oh yes!!!
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syl65
Jan 27, 2019 @ 22:59:22
😊
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lifewithlisa9
Jan 27, 2019 @ 14:55:07
I really need to try this!!!
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 15:08:06
I’m doing bite size chunks… Its the only way for me!
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lifewithlisa9
Jan 27, 2019 @ 15:33:30
Definitely makes it more manageable that way!
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 17:46:43
Oh yes!
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Bee
Jan 27, 2019 @ 14:34:26
I have moved on average every 3 years since I am 18 (am 48 now) that is my Marie Kondo 😁. You naturally sort things out when you have to do your moves yourself and actually lug the boxes full of stuff around. There is something good in everything, I guess 🙋
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 15:06:40
Very true. I wish we had to move for that reason alone 😂
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OIKOS™-Publishing
Jan 27, 2019 @ 14:30:07
Great idea, indeed! But on the book front really brutal. 😉 Too brutal for me too.I have not been under a rock (only in Germany – lol), but here I read first time about Marie Kondo’s advice. Thank you, Sis! Have a nice rest of the Sunday, and a wonderful beginning of the new week. Michael
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 15:06:12
Here’s to sparking joy Bro!
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OIKOS™-Publishing
Jan 27, 2019 @ 15:28:00
:-))
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colinandray
Jan 27, 2019 @ 13:20:41
I prefer the simple rationale “If you have not used it in the past three years and/or if it has no tangible sentimental value … donate it … recycle it … garbage it!”
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 13:40:20
That is good too… If you remember to do it!
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colinandray
Jan 27, 2019 @ 14:06:19
Having seen the stress experienced by an executor of a will, regarding the legal process of determining market values to ensure an even split among the beneficiaries … and the boxes of “god knows what” that all must be sorted and valued to avoid a law suit later …. I feel it is my responsibility to ensure that my executor has an easy job of legal compliance as possible. That works for me!
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 14:07:16
Wise words!
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fancypaperblog
Jan 27, 2019 @ 11:21:20
She is pretty brutal on the book front. Not sure I can. Or will! She would have Spidey gone you know …
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 11:36:11
No… He sparks joy!!!!
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fancypaperblog
Jan 28, 2019 @ 19:16:39
I might keep my husband do…he barks joy…😄
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Ritu
Jan 28, 2019 @ 19:40:28
😂
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Carol Anne
Jan 27, 2019 @ 10:26:43
I cleared out some of my old books lately, I hated doing it but it had to be done! 😀
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 10:27:44
It’s a hard task!
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eloisedesousa
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:38:24
After moving house three times in the past five years, I found I have no choice but to throw the things that don’t make me ‘Ting’! But the books…oh the books remain untouched and the five big plastic containers holding them will not be thrown unless someone wants his/her body to join the clutter in the skip! You’re so right – 30 bookshelves should be sufficient. 😜
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:45:05
Just about, right!? 😊
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eloisedesousa
Jan 27, 2019 @ 10:12:25
Right!
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Losing the Plot
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:12:24
I have been going through a declutter. Small areas or 15 minutes at a time, and gradually I am seeing the tide turn. I am beginning to win.
Mostly it hasn’t been too bad, there’s been the odd wrench but nothing too bad. Setting a time limit really helps
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:16:11
Yes I have to do it in bite sized chunks!
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robbiesinspiration
Jan 27, 2019 @ 07:33:47
I cleared out a lot of books this past holiday. I sent about 9 bags of children’s books to charities and the schools. This, of course, was merely to make space for the books that were in piles on the floor due to space constraints and our Christmas haul.
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:15:41
I did that 3 years back when we decorated the kids rooms. I think I gave 8 huge boxes of books to the charity but I still have 3 large bookshelves filled!
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robbiesinspiration
Jan 27, 2019 @ 07:32:13
I am a minimalist with exceptions. Haha, beat that! I only hoard books, dolls and African art. Oh, and interesting rocks and shoes. Maybe fondant art tools and other pits and pieces. But with everyone else’s stuff I am very ruthless [giggle]
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:14:38
Hee hee… Your lists of must haves must still use up a bit of space!! I wish I was able to live like that!
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April Munday
Jan 27, 2019 @ 07:28:04
I don’t think she can be much of a reader if she thinks 30 books is enough. I did a good job of getting books out of the house last year, but I couldn’t even contemplate 30 books as an aim. The very thought is making me feel unwell.
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:13:33
Me too April… It I guess if our books spark joy then it’s okay!
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CarolCooks2
Jan 27, 2019 @ 05:29:19
I am a minimalist except for books and my kitchen bits…Everywhere else I keep nothing which doesn’t go Ting…It comes with moving around a lot since we retired and realising we really don’t need so much 🙂 It took me a number of years to get to that stage though and when the kids are at home…Different story…haha
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Ritu
Jan 27, 2019 @ 09:12:53
Oh my… The accumulations of children 😳
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