KonMari: Books and Papers

The second KonMari category is BOOKS.  This category was fairly simple for me because I only just started purchasing real books last year so I didn't have very many that needed to be sorted through.  Because the category includes magazines, textbooks, phone books, etc. I ended up with quite a bit in my pile.  But, I was able to throw out most of it without even a glance and only kept a handful of books.  I really only kept two books (#Girlboss and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) and the others I brought to work to add to the mini-library a few of my co-workers and I have started.

My before pile consisted of lots of magazines I never read through, a few text books, and a few old planners/journals.  I kept #Girlboss because it is one that I absolutely love and re-read whenever I'm feeling unmotivated and I hadn't read The Immortal Life yet but will be reading it for my book challenge this year.

The third category is PAPERS.  I had a tough time getting around to this category because I wasn't looking forward to sorting through everything.  I had three expandable folders and two drawers full of receipts, check stubs, instruction manuals, warranties, old contracts and legal documents, etc.  Just the thought of going through it was overwhelming but once I started, it wasn't that difficult.  It also helped that one of the expandable folders apparently got wet during this weekend's crappy weather (rain came in through the window near the area where I placed all the papers I was going to sort through) so I just chucked it.  I don't have a "before" photo because I didn't bother to take one since I just wanted to throw away that yucky folder which was starting to smell like mildew.

I got rid of most of the papers and only kept two of the expandable folders, which really don't have much left inside of them.  The purple one is for the birth certificates, shot records, passports, and this school year's report cards, awards and certificates and the blue folder holds all my sewing patterns which I plan to get back into using once I've cleared everything else out and have more room to lay out my fabric and sew.

In these two categories I was able to get rid of about three boxes of books and one 13 gal. trash bag full of papers.  I don't plan on letting my books or papers accumulate again.  I've actually purchased three new books since decluttering, but they are placed in the mini-library at work.  I bring only the book I'm currently reading in and out of the house now and papers I throw away once I'm done with them.  Eventually I want to start scanning all the certificates, awards, kids' drawings, etc. but those are considered to be part of the SENTIMENTAL category, which is last.

Up next is the KOMONO category, which is basically everything else that isn't clothing, books, papers or sentimental items.  Komono items include CD/DVDs, makeup and skincare products, cleaning supplies, electronics, stationery supplies (which will probably be hard for this planner addict), kitchen items (pots and pans, dishes, etc.), food items, and everything in between.  Komono will surely be the biggest category to go through, but I found a printable KonMari checklist over at JuJu Sprinkles which breaks down the Komono into subcategories which are much easier to go through.

I'm hoping to start on Komono this weekend if I can find the time.  It is really hard to put everything in a pile on the floor when you have (at least) four other humans going in and out of the room, trampling over everything and getting in the way (or complaining that YOU'RE in the way).  Wish me luck!

KonMari: Clothes

The first category to work through with the KonMari method is clothes.  I figured it wouldn't be so bad as I had already given a bunch of clothes away throughout 2016 but I was really surprised at how much more I was able to get rid of after following the KonMari method.

In our room, Joey and I had a closet, 6-drawer dresser, 3-tier shelf, stand alone clothing rack (which extends to more than our closet width), and a heaping pile of clothes in the far corner of our bed.  After pulling all my clothes and piling them up on the living room floor, I was able to see how much I still had after all the purging I did last year.  Once I held every item, asked myself whether or not it sparked joy, and separated it into the yes and no piles, I downsized dramatically.

 All the clothes I owned (minus the ones in the laundry) piled on the floor, our 6-drawer dresser (of which my clothes took up half of the drawers), all the hangers that used to hold my clothes on the stand alone rack (lined up on the 3-tier shelf I mentioned).

Once I got rid of the items that didn't spark joy, I was able to fit almost all of my clothes (underwear, socks, tops and bottoms) in a little 6-drawer cart and less than 2 feet of closet space (dresses and outerwear).  The only clothing items I couldn't fit in here are my workout clothes and swimwear which are in a separate shoe box (I'll give them a permanent home once I finish decluttering everything else).  I was able to disassemble the stand alone clothes rack and put it into storage, which freed up so much more space in our bedroom.  I'll be taking that 3-tier shelf out soon too, once Joey goes through all his crap that's piled on top of it.  I'd like to get rid of the big 6-drawer dresser as well, but that will have to come later as I still have makeup, papers, and other random things in there at the moment.

The 6-drawer cart I'm currently using now, our closet space now (Joey's stuff is to the left, to the left), clothes really do just look so much nicer when folded properly.

Going through my accessories was a breeze because I instantly knew which pieces I loved because I wear them constantly.  I had one of those hanging jewelry organizers but I hardly ever touched the things I put on it.  The pieces that sparked joy were the ones I kept on my side table next to my bed.  I got rid of most of the items and kept only one pair of sunglasses (the cute cat-eye ones in the bottom corner from Bando.com next to my regular glasses), and about 6 necklaces.  They're currently in that little brown box and also don't have a permanent home yet so I don't really have an "after" photo for you.

My biggest hurdle in this category was shoes.  If you've been following along for a while, you'd know that I have a major shoe addiction.  Browsing JustFab was like checking my email - something I had to do every single day.  It finally got to the point where I had no more room in my shoe closet and had to start storing shoes in my bedroom (which was obviously overflowing with clothes already).  I had actually put off this sub-category for a few days because it was freaking me out just thinking of having to go through my shoes.  Once I finally dug into it, and separated the ones that sparked joy from the ones that didn't, it felt SO good.

All of my shoes on the floor and in the boxes (some of which are still brand-new, never worn) before and my happily organized shoe closet after.

All in all, I got rid of three bags of clothing, a shoe box of accessories, two bags of purses, and about 30 pairs of shoes.  Honestly, I didn't think that starting this would make that much of an impact but I'm glad that I was wrong.  My bedroom feels much more open and spacious, not cramped and cave-like which it did before.

So far, I seem to be on track with my progress.  The next category is books and I know that one will be easy since most of what I read is digital and I only started collecting actual books last year.  Plus, I can think of only two right now in my mind that I know for sure I'll be keeping.

What about you?  How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?  How much space do your clothes take up?

An Preview of Posts to Come

 

Lighthouse Rights by Night by Jonas Claesson

Like I've mentioned before, this year's theme is CHANGE and I'm going balls to the wall with it right now.  That being said, I thought I'd give a little "heads-up" just to let you know what to expect in the near future.


//  KonMari

I (finally) read Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up last week and have begun the process of decluttering and organizing using the KonMari method. 

I'll be posting my "before and after" photos of everything, category by category.  The posts will be spread out (obviously) because decluttering a house is quite an undertaking, but I hope you'll read and follow along with my posts as I know some of you are looking to declutter and organize as well.  Also, those of you who have read the book and follow the KonMari method, please please please comment with any tips, tricks or encouragement you may have because I'd love to connect and get inspiration and wisdom from you!


//  52 Lists

I've also mentioned previously that I started The 52 Lists Project in my own little DIY way.  After starting, I went ahead and purchased the 52 Lists for Happiness book (yes, the actual book with actual money) and I really can't get enough of either.

The list prompts in each book make it easy for you to start jotting things down and they really make you think and reflect.  Some lists I can finish in a day, some lists take some time for me to complete, but they all allow me to really put my heart and mind into them which makes me so happy.  I'd like to share my happiness by posting photos of my completed lists each week here on the blog so that maybe one of you will be inspired to write and reflect on your own list.


//  Giveaways

It's been a long time since I've done a giveaway around here and that's something I want to start again.  I'm changing and this blog is going to go through some changes too.  I'd like this to be a place that inspires, teaches and entertains you in some way.  And since I'm trying to be more "don't just talk about it, be about it", I'd like to host more giveaways to get you involved and give you something to react to.  I mean, wouldn't winning the actual KonMari book inspire you to declutter more than just reading about someone else doing it?


I've got lots more ideas in my head that I'm not ready to put down on paper just yet, but these are the few that I'm able and ready to begin so be on the lookout for them!