Kondo-izing closet

[rodeosweetheart]

Wow. I know we had a thread a while back on The Magic of Tidying Up and now that I have hit a part time level of work, I have been going through the house and organizing things and trying to catch up with old projects/clutter/stopped up energies/unpacking/repacking. I started with my clothes closet and with the socks, specifically. I have now done all the clothes and am thrilled with her method. I have also found I am so thrilled with the method that I take the time to rehang/refold/restraighten the things there. I also found I had many less clothes than I thought I had--but a zillion too many hangers, which I am taking to Goodwill. There was much less to throw out than I thought and a very reasonable and peaceful number of garments.

But I loved the book's guidance--it seemed kind of dumb at first, the folding thing, but I am finding that respecting the spirit of the object is very grounding and pleasant. It also meant that when looking for new clothes at the thrift shop, I can pass up most as I can see they are nice or great but intended for someone else, that they have the pleasure, as I know exactly what I need--i.e. no more pashminas, I am set and will probably share a few with others. Going through the Kondo process, I got a much better grip on what I had and what I needed, and now plan to do a massive ironing session. I actually LOVE to iron, and this will be so pleasant when I am done. I also found nifty potpourri bags made out of saris at our health food co-op and filled them with the potpourri I brought back from this wonderful island store in SC--I bought a box of it to de-mustify the closets of our fixer upper foreclosure house. That house smelled incredible. . .

[freshstart]

you did very well!

I did my clothes, I've gained weight but I kept one size down, but removed these clothes and stored in the basement. According to her I probably should've gotten rid of them, but I've gone up and down one size so many times, I kept them. I keep meaning to youtube her folding method as I have not got that down pat. And I would want to get rid of an item that gives me no joy but I kept letting money get in the way, as in, "but this cost only $8 and I may never find something again for that price so why am I getting rid of it if it fits?" I was not a good student or rather, I read the book at a time when I really was not ready to be fierce.

Even though I kept one size down, getting it out of my closets and dresser felt great. I have four empty drawers and my closet is not crowded.

[rodeosweetheart]

I know what you mean about the old clothes that you want to fit again. I am keeping some summer stuff for now and if I can't wear it next summer, then out it goes. But since I am going to be losing weight this winter, I will need those clothes then and I know they will fit.

But I did get rid of some things that did fit but did not bring me joy--if they were still wearable I sent them to Goodwill because someone else will be able to get joy in it. I find it's much easier to get rid of things if I visualize them bringing joy to someone else--that it is my role to be a pass through person, to bring someone else this nice object that is not right for me. It makes it a lot easier to let it go.

How cool to have four empty drawers! And my closet is not crowded anymore, either, and I finally bought wooden coat hangers for the coats.

[freshstart]

lol at the hangers. I have wooden ones for the coats too and that closet was the easiest one to do, if it didn't fit, it went into the homeless coat drive. We have two coat closets, one designated for my folks, one for me and the kids. Mine is sparse, neatly stacked bins of dog things, organized cleaning items and coats on wooden hangers. My dad keeps trying to shove coats they will never wear again on plastic hangers, hung in my closet every which way. I keep moving them back to their area with threats that if they show up again, they are being donated. The one area I successfully completed is not getting ruined by their crap. Now that it is winter, I love grabbing my lone winter coat that I like and it fits and looking at my beautifully Kondo-sized closet.

at first read, I thought she was a nut ball with the talk about clothes having feelings and not to ball your socks because they need to rest. Then I read somewhere an interview about what organizing came to mean to her at such a young age and why she ended up the way she is and it made sense. I don't agree that my socks needs to rest but I respect her beliefs.

[pony mom]

My winter closet is more bare than summer; all of my turtlenecks and sweaters are folded and very few things are hung. I unfortunately lost weight and donated a few lovely pairs of corduroy pants that were a bit loose to begin with, and I have a few pairs of shorts that were falling off me as well. I'll keep the shorts just in case...

The one thing I haven't done is hang my clothes the way she recommends, with longer and heavier items on the left and lighter to the right, or by color. My clothes are divided into sections: work, casual, rewear, coats. My sweaters and T-necks will be placed in the back of the row after they've been worn and hung items will have the hangers turned right way around (my way of seeing what I've worn).

It seems that most people who have Kondoed have stuck with it.

[awakenedsoul]

I read the book, too. I initially folded things the way she suggests, but I recently went back and redid them the way my mom taught me. I just like how it looks better that way. I just did my drawers the other day, and I feel like a million bucks! It's amazing the effect it has on the psyche. My closet still looks pretty good. I don't have a lot of stuff, but I do tend to slip into messy drawers and cupboards, if I'm not careful.

Next I have to tackle my back shed. I think having a clean and tidy environment is an incredible way to give yourself a boost. I feel so much happier and energetic when my home is at its best.

So glad you are doing this with your new free time rodeosweetheart!

[rodeosweetheart]

It's funny, awakenedsoul, this is about ALL I am doing with my free time--organizing, declutttering, tidying, and yes, reading books for fun, and going to the movies. I just finished The Bite of the Apple by Chrisann Brennan--really interesting. And got to see Guys and Dolls on the big screen and marvel at Brando singing.

Ponymom, it is really encouraging to hear that other people have kept things Kondoized. She says that is true, but it's good to hear from someone you know that it's true.

[freshstart]

It's funny, awakenedsoul, this is about ALL I am doing with my free time--organizing, declutttering, tidying, and yes, reading books for fun, and going to the movies. I just finished The Bite of the Apple by Chrisann Brennan--really interesting. And got to see Guys and Dolls on the big screen and marvel at Brando singing.
.


this sounds great; a combination of productive and fun

[pony mom]

If you go on Youtube there are many videos of women Kondoing their closets and homes. I was a bit surprised by the amount of clothes I had when it was all laid out---I'm SHOCKED at how much other people have. Even when pared down most still had more than me. And makeup! I don't think I've owned the amount some had in my lifetime. So much money spent and wasted.

A few of these women have shown videos of their "hauls" from stores, so I wonder if they will maintain their uncluttered lives or fall into their old consumer habits.

I'm really glad so many people are caught up in tidying up. She really made it easier by deciding what to keep instead of choosing things to discard.

[Teacher Terry]

When I was younger I really was into collecting antiques, etc & definitely had too much stuff. The past 15 years as I have aged I want less & less stuff around me. I don't want a bare house but just a right amount. I wish my hubby was more like me but he is not so I just contain his junk to his spaces such as his office, garage & shed. If he dies before me that crap will be gone. i also have gotten better about getting rid of things people have given me if they are dead. I don't need a bunch of things to remember them by-1 or 2 favorites will do.

[awakenedsoul]

[QUOTE=rodeosweetheart;223256]It's funny, awakenedsoul, this is about ALL I am doing with my free time--organizing, declutttering, tidying, and yes, reading books for fun, and going to the movies. I just finished The Bite of the Apple by Chrisann Brennan--really interesting. And got to see Guys and Dolls on the big screen and marvel at Brando singing.

I'm happy for you. That sounds really healthy.

[rodeosweetheart]

Thanks, Awakened!

[Reyes]

I am quite proud of my closet right now. So much so that my wife is tired of hearing about it:-) I have really streamlined my belongings and have my clothing items (pants, shirts, suits, shoes, scarfs, underthings, tights, jackets, literally everything) to about 110 pieces. Nothing magic about the number, just where I landed. The work I do requires professional attire and I've gotten it down to three intermixing suits, skirts, and blazers/sweaters. I just purchased wooden hangers (just because I like them:-) and am deciding if I will use those or just stick with the cheap ones.

[Teacher Terry]

I think I want to trade you for my hubby who never gets rid of anything:~). Good job!