Day 4: Starting on Clothes

Here is a link to the authors website: http://tidyingup.com/ 

2/2/16
Quotes from the book and notes:
We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of. (pg 41)

I actually go through my clothes at least once a year, and had a yard sale this past summer and got rid of lot's of things, so it shouldn't take too long.  I have avoided letting go of several items which I will be sharing with you today.

Tidying order for clothes (pg 65):

Tops (shirts, sweaters, etc.)

Bottoms (Pants, skirts, etc.)

Clothes that should be hung (jackets, coats, suits, etc.)

Socks

Underwear

Bags (handbags messenger bags etc.)

Accessories (scarves, belts, hats, etc.)

Clothes for specific events (swimsuits, kimonos, uniforms, etc.)

Shoes

What things will bring you joy if you keep them as part of your life? (pg 66)

The most important points to remember are these: Make sure you gather every piece of clothing in the house and be sure to handle each one. (pg 68-69)

Loungewear pg 69-70 (gulp) "What you wear in the house does impact your self image."  I do enjoy fuzzy warm unattractive pajamas and loungewear.  I'll keep some because they do bring me joy and warmth, but I will invest in some new more attractive sleepwear in the future. 

I've decided I'm going to create a photo book on shutterfly of mementos that I'm keeping and items I'm letting go of.  I think it will help my family know the history behind some of the things that I love.

Here is the closet before:

empty pretty sock drawer huh?

and I don't think I have that much clothes! 

I put on my bed all my socks, pantyhose, bras, underwear, bathing suits, shorts, t shirts, pants, tops, sweaters, dresses, workout clothes, and pajama's.  

This took me over three hours and the final result was four big bags to donate, one garbage bag, and one small pile of nice spring/summer items for a yard sale.

I've noted some items that I kept but that need to be replaced, like some new bras.

I also noted some memento's: My fathers tan B Altman Sweater, My mom's dress that she wore to my sisters wedding, and the dress that I spent too much money on for my daughters graduation that I didn't like how it looked on me. but I'm waiting to deal with them, as Marie suggested and I'm putting them in the hall closet for now.  I'm also waiting to take an after picture of the closet, because I put  everything back but didn't "arrange" it.   Marie suggested to wait to do that till after you have finished discarding from your home and only have left what brings you joy.

Tomorrow I will do my coats, shoes, bags, purses, scarves, hats, and gloves.  Please leave me any comments or suggestions you may have and let me know if your on this journey too! 

Day 3: Typing the bold print & making notes continued

Here is a link to the authors website: http://tidyingup.com/ and book:

2/1/2016

For reference, I'm going to continue typing the bold print from the book "The life-changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo.

The moment you start focusing on how to choose what to throw away, you have actually veered significantly off course (Pg. 39)

Noting: I hate to admit it, but I'm already doing this in my mind and wondering how I'm going to part with certain items that no longer bring me joy!

We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of. (pg 41)
(This is HUGE it's the key behind keeping the right mindset we have to have!)

Take each item in one's hand and ask "does this spark joy?" if it does, keep it.  If not, dispose of it.
(pg 41)

Noting: I'm not going to be throwing my items away unless they're broken or stained.  I'm going to donate some items, sell some on Ebay, and have a yard sale.  I want to use the money to buy some new things like dishware and art for my home when I'm finished tidying up.

Keep only those things that speak to your heart.  Then take the plunge and discard all the rest.    (pg 42)

Always think of category, not place. collect everything that falls within the same category at one time. (pg 43)

People have trouble discarding things that they could still use (functional value) that contain helpful information (informational value), and that have sentimental ties (emotional value).  When these things are hard to obtain or replace (rarity) they become even harder to part with.  (pg 45)

The best sequence is this: clothes first, then books, papers, Komono (misc stuff), and lastly, mementos. (pg. 46)

It's extremely stressful for parents to see what their children discard (pg 48)
(especially unworn clothes that you paid lot's of $ for, but I'm getting better at not getting mad, because I know I've made the same mistakes and if they say they won't wear it now, they won't ever wear it!)

To quietly work away at disposing of your own excess is actually the best way of dealing with a family that doesn't tidy (pg 52)
Noting: (Matthew 7:5 NIV)
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.)

The urge to point out someone else's failure to tidy is usually a sign that you are neglecting to take care of your own space. (pg 53)

Noting: Page 59-61 What to do when you can't throw something away 

To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. (pg 61)

So here we go! tomorrow is my official day to start since my daughter doesn't have school today I want to do something fun with her instead.  I hope your reading along and that you find this blog helpful and encouraging.  Leave a comment if you get a chance!

Day 2: Reviewing & outlining what I've read

1/31/2016

Hello friends,

Here is a link to the authors website: http://tidyingup.com/ and book:


Here we go into day #2.
I want to go back through the book and type the sentences that are in bold for reference:

Start by discarding, then organize your space, thoroughly, completely, in one go. (pg 1) 

A dramatic reorganization of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective.  It is life transforming.  (pg 2 &3)

When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order too. (page 4)

They are surrounded only by the things they love, (pg. 5) This is the first contradiction I see in bold type.  I share my home with three other people, I won't end up loving everything I see in every inch of my home.  I'll just have to love "my" spaces in our home, and appreciate what brings my family joy in the rest of the house.

I think this sentence should be bold: "Success is 90 percent dependent on our mind-set".(pg 5) the right technique is using the KonMari method. (paraphrase pg 5)

Noting: tidying is different then cleaning.

People cannot change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. (page 15)

Noting: Marie references a book called "The Art of Discarding by Nagisa Tatsumi" (page 15) that I'd like to read too.

If you tidy up in one shot, rather than little by little, you can dramatically change your mind-set. (pg 16)

If you use the right method and concentrate your efforts on eliminating clutter thoroughly and completely within a short span of time, you'll see instant results that will empower you to keep your space in order ever after. (pg 17)

Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination.  The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order. (Pg 21)

A booby trap lies within the term "storage"(Pg 22) My husband calls me the tub queen! (more on that on another day though.)

Putting things away creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved. ( pg 23)
"Tidying must start with discarding."

Tidying up by location is a fatal mistake. "Tidy by category, not by place".
This is what I've been doing for years without success I might add.

Noting: I'm a "can't throw it away" or let it go type of person for sentimental reasons or for guilt in wasting money. (pg 27)

Effective tidying involves only two essential actions: discarding and deciding where to store things.  Of the two, discarding must come first. (pg 28)

I think this should be in bold " There are two types of tidying - daily tidying and special event tidying" I love the idea that I'm working on a special event, it makes it that much more exciting!. (pg 29)

Your goal is clearly in sight.  The moment you put everything in it's place, you have crossed the finish line. (pg. 31)

Noting: Quickly equals 6 months to complete (July 2016)

Tidy in the right order, Do not even think of putting your things away until you have finished the process of discarding. (pg. 35)

Think in concrete terms so that you can vividly picture what it would be like to live in a clutter-free space. (pg 36.)

Noting: My personal mission statement: I will be able to find and wear only things that I love and that fit me properly.  I will be able to use craft supplies that are in good working order and find them quickly and efficiently.  I will have better time management and be able to clean my house faster and afford more time to craft or relax and read.  By freeing my space of unwanted stuff I will free my mind and let go of the past to start a new future.  

Day 1: Reading "The life-changing magic of tidying up"

 1/30/2016
Hello,
My name is Karen and I am a 49 year old stay at home Mom (SAHM).  I'm married to a wonderful man and we have two girls, one in college; and one in middle school.  We have a large home that contains way to much "stuff".   I have been simplifying, selling, and donating  "stuff" over several years but still have entirely too much stuffy "stuff"!
  It could be that my favorite shopping places are thrift stores and yard sales, and if it's a great find ~well~ then I have to buy it.  The other reason is that both sets of grandparents and parents have passed away and we inherited lot's of "stuff" from several homes on both sides of the family.
  A friend told me about the book she was reading called "The life changing magic of tidying up" the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing, By Marie Kondo.  I was excited just by reading the title!  All the things I need - decluttering, tidying, organizing...Yes. I'm doing that already...but what I need is the life changing magic part.  One thing I discerned immediately, is that while I'm Christian and have faith in God, from what my friend was telling me this was going to be a very secular book.
  I tried to take the book out of the library, but was three people deep waiting on the kindle version, so I decided to purchase the book for myself yesterday 1/29.  I went to the gym and spent 99 mins on the treadmill reading.  I read more last night, and this morning I spent another hour on the treadmill reading and finally completed the book with a cup of tea in a comfy chair this afternoon.  I enjoyed the book, and I'm very inspired.   I have concerns for Marie and some of her methods, and yet I'm going to give this a go and keep you posted on my progress.  Today is Saturday, so tomorrow being Sunday is not a good day to start.  Monday is a "teacher work day" at my daughters school, so the official start day for me will be Tuesday Feb. 3rd 2016.  I hope you will follow my progress & hold me accountable.  I also hope that you will find this blog inspiring and join me on the quest to declutter!