tidying up.

As everyone’s been discussing and praising the KonMari method, I wanted to find out what the fuss was all about, so I requested The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo from the library. Given its popularity, it took a while to arrive…just in time for us to leave town.

I’ve been a huge de-clutterer, reducer, downsizer for years. Curious as to what all the fuss was about, I looked forward to reading it in hopes of learning some new ideas. Just a few pages in, I started to get frustrated with her methods. In her descriptions, I got the feeling that she worked with mostly single women or single women still living with their parents. The lifestyles of these people (handbags?) did not resonate with me and the issues in my home at all. And talking to each item, thanking it was a bit too much for me.

That being said, I realized that I have actually already put into practice many of her ideas such as keeping all like items in one place. Except that often it is two places – linens for the girls’ wing go in their bathroom and linens for my room go in the master bath. The girls’ books go in their hallway; family books go in the living room. But overall, I keep like things all in one place.

I have gotten good at getting rid of things. I feel no remorse for tossing (or rehoming) things. In our downsize from house to apartment, many, many things were sold, given away, tossed. But we still have too much.

And tidying once isn’t effective. As my tastes and needs change, I need to repeat the process. Each room (and yes, room since I keep like things together) gets a deep-clean once a year. And I find more things to get rid of. A vest that I liked for years but now haven’t worn for two. A pair of shoes that served their purpose but are no longer useful. A juicer that I liked but no longer need.

And keeping shampoo in the cabinet instead of the shower? That wouldn’t work for me and definitely wouldn’t work for my kids. Drying dishes on the veranda? Obviously she doesn’t have a houseful of teenagers coming and going every day.

Annoyed as I was at many of her ultimatums and absolutes, I hope that her reassurance that tossing is okay and her advice on how to tackle messes – not spot-by-spot, but by category – helps out people looking to move away from the clutter. Reducing our material possessions always makes me feel lighter and happier!