Simply..Kondo-ing and The Friday Fling....

29/1/2015

And gently does it....with Marie Kondo (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying).

I found sorting through jewellery so tiring! (Sounds like I have lots of 'jewels'. I haven't!) It wasn't identifying what brought me joy - that was easy - it was having to decide what to do with what was left, until I remembered that it is actually very easy to give it away. I have a little pile which needs cleaning and/or mending....so not quite finished there.

In all categories I find it really useful to ask myself Would I buy it if I saw it for sale today?

This is proving to be particularly helpful in books. With the book in my hand I always know the answer to that question straight away.

I love my books (currently 500 - 600. Soon to be reduced!).

I took them all off the shelves, though not all at once as I wouldn't have been able to walk across the room, and I even brought those from the studio and the guest room and beside the bed into the study. A good chance to clean the shelves.

I found that, just that as Marie Kondo suggests, the very act of moving them and handling each one made me aware how many were.... moribund is the word that came to mind! Dead. Just sitting there because they were sitting there!

Who wants moribund books hanging around?

The difference when I rearranged them and put them back was amazing. Both I and the books were refreshed (I'm beginning to sound like Marie Kondo!)

I worked quite hard at it.

Did you?

But I'm so glad I did it.

Are you?

It got worse....

..and then it got better. Much better! Positively singing!

It was a good way to spend a few snowy days.

Views from the front porch.

14 Comments

Alison

29/1/2015 06:29:09 am

Hi Freda,

Your bookshelves look vibrant and colourful -- like the colours of your garden and flowers. I'm speechless! It's beautiful -- definitely a testament to the power of the Kondo way.

I was so glad when I went through my books. Moribund is the perfect word to use for books that are hanging around "just in case". I love books and yet there were so many that the ones that are the treasures (for me) were lost in the crowd. Now they aren't lost anymore.

I've been going through papers today. It's drudgery, and also good to get through. Lights are appearing at the end of the paper-filled tunnel. What a relief.

Freda

29/1/2015 06:39:13 am

It's so encouraging to feel I'm not doing this on my own! I'm glad your treasures are not lost and good luck with the paper-filled tunnel..

Swissrose link

29/1/2015 04:01:23 pm

What a great word, moribund, I know just what you mean! It feels lovely to have everything cleaned, sorted, dusted, rearranged - and less of it, even I had to admit (not easy with books where I always had a "more is better" attitutude - no I didn't have a deprived childhood but I just couldn't seem to get enough books, thank goodness for wonderful school libraries!!). Beautiful though it looks, however, I won't be colour-sorting my books… lol
You hit a chord with the jewellery. Over the years I have been given some beautiful jewellery as gifts and I found that I wanted to wear it more than the motley collection of costume jewellery I had. I got rid of most of it that was either meh or decidedly shabby and also the fancy jewellery boxes the "real" stuff came in. A re-used plexiglass box now houses the things I love and as I can see it all at a glance, I change it out most days and really consciously enjoy the selection - which also looks pretty… :) Sparks of joy whenever I open the drawer!!

Freda

29/1/2015 08:35:04 pm

Within each shelf I couldn't stop myself from sorting by colour! Here's to plenty more sparks of joy..

Angela link

29/1/2015 07:16:06 pm

Hi Freda,

I love your bookshelf! It looks amazing, and so colouful! What a success.

I was a bit naughty with the Kondo way ... I currently have all my clothes sorted into seasons, and have three drawers for the out-of-season clothes, which isn't the Kondo way. I'll be fixing that soon, but was keen to see how her folding and storing methods worked, so I rearranged all Leo's drawers! His t-shirts and jeans are now standing on their sides, instead of folded on top of each other with the ones at the bottom never seeing the light of day. I know you're supposed to start with your own things first, but I couldn't help myself, and he seems to think it's a good system! Can't wait to address my clothing arrangements.

Freda

29/1/2015 08:37:17 pm

My husband has yet to be convinced! When I'm finished mine I'll be tempted to 'help' but...I'm glad Leo likes the system.

elaine link

29/1/2015 10:46:47 pm

My - what a task! I have reduced my books down to four shelves full. But I do regret getting rid of so many when I can't find the one I am looking for.

Freda

30/1/2015 01:05:58 am

I still have so many! I tell myself if I really really regret one I shall buy another copy. Took four big bagfuls to charity shops this afternoon in the hope they will do someone some good out there.

cath

29/1/2015 11:35:52 pm

Your books on the floor reminded me how it meant a leap of faith taking chaos as a starting point years ago when working at implementing change, and trusting the creative process of working through that. It has become the way I do things nowadays, you can still witness it in small when looking at my desk at different moments of the day.

Freda

30/1/2015 01:11:55 am

I trust you are happy that you took that leap?

cath

31/1/2015 12:35:45 am

Oh yes I am.

Elizabeth

30/1/2015 02:24:14 am

Beautiful books and shelves, and front porch view, Freda! Today I reviewed Kondo's five categories and realized with pleasure that I am finished with clothing, books, papers (done, done, and done!) and making good progress with miscellany and mementos. More to do! It was interesting how some books fall into mementos category.

Freda

30/1/2015 04:08:40 am

Well done Elizabeth! I'm looking forward to having papers dealt with...planning to use the garden incinerator tomorrow (unless it's too windy...)

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14/7/2017 05:04:30 am

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Simply..Kondo-ing and The Friday Fling....

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