Chapter 5 The magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life

Do you believe that tidying has a magic effect? What about at home? Work? In my life, when my home and office are in order, I feel efficient. I can manage activities, projects, and simple tasks better. A pet peeve of mine is having to look for something. I want to be able to place my hands on items quickly!

Put your house in order and discover what you really want to do (p. 174). Kondo argues that putting your house in order is a great way to discover yourself, “At their core, the things we really like do not change over time. Putting your house in order is a great way to discover what they are” (p. 175). And, "tidying is a way of taking stock that shows us what we really like" (p. 177). Finally, "your real life begins after putting your house in order" (p. 203).

Letting go is even more important than adding (p. 177). "Eliminate what you don’t need by confronting each of your possessions properly" (p. 183). Kondo infers that "being surrounded by things that spark joy makes you happy" (p. 200). I believe this to be true, 100 percent. In my office and home, I want the essentials. I am not interested in the superfluous.

Work/life/home balance? Did I just coin a new term? "Tidying ought to be the act of restoring balance among people, their possessions, and the house they live in" (p. 190).

Believe it or not, Napoleon finds joy in this small bin

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Chapter 4 Storing your things to make your life shine

A place for everything and everything in it's place. We've all heard that a key to keeping tidy is to designate a place for each thing. Kondo describes the essence of effective storage as this: Designate a spot for every last thing you own. If you don't have designated spots for items, you may suffer from rebound. No need to purchase expensive organizing tools. Kondo states that the main equipment for storage is actually deciding where everything goes and actually putting it there. How's that for a concept!

Choose your belongings, then consider storage. Storage solutions are really just prisons within which to bury possessions that spark no joy (p.131). The key is to go through items and see if they spark joy. If not, then donate, recycle, etc. Once you learn to choose your belongings properly, you will be left with only the amount that fits perfectly in the space that you currently own (p. 133). Store all items of the same type in the same place. In other words, don’t scatter storage space (p. 138). Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong (p. 142). Kondo also suggests that you spend some time appreciating your belongings (p. 168).

Here is one trick that I use EVERYDAY. I empty my bag. It makes it easier to keep my stuff nice; plus I don’t have to go searching through bags looking for my belongings.

Small purse and work bag keeps things tidy

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Chapter 3 Tidying by category works like magic

My wardrobe is pretty simple.  I never waste a moment trying to decide what to wear. I don't spend money on things that just don't suit me. Don't get me wrong... I enjoy clothes.

How did I get to this place of peace? I tidied by category!

Shoes (3)
1. Black patent leather clogs
2. Black cowboy boots
3. Brown cowboy boots

Jacket/blazer (1)
4. Denim

T-shirts (7)
5. Lavender v-neck
6. Lavender v-neck
7. Grey/black crewneck
8. Grey crewneck
9. Dark grey crewneck
10. Black crewneck
11. Long sleeve dark grey crewneck

Sweaters (12)
12. Grey cotton cardigan
13. Grey cotton cardigan
14. Grey wool cape from Ireland
15. Grey wool/cotton crew neck
16. Grey wool rollneck
17. Black cotton cardigan (3/4 sleeve)
18. Black cotton cardigan
19. Black cardigan sweater lined with cheetah fabric
20. Navy blue sweater with side zipper
21. Yellow cashmere crew neck
22. Yellow wool cardigan
23. Purple wool cardigan

Bottoms (9)
24. Denim pencil skirt
25. Grey tweed skirt
26. Black polyester pencil skirt
27. Black lightweight wool pencil skirt
28. Grey lightweight wool pencil skirt
29. Black double serge wool pencil skirt
30. Black knit wool circle skirt
31. Grey double serge wool pencil skirt
32. Black long wool skirt

Total: 32. Please note that fitness clothes, sleep wear, unmentionables, and jewelry are not part of the count.

Just a few items does the trick

These are all of my favorite things! Here are the most important part of the story:

• Everything fits beautifully
• Everything matches
• I wear all of it
• I stick to a simple color scheme. Grey all day everyday. Say what you like ... I love it!
• I know my true style and can tell you about it in just a few words

However ... When I put the contents of my closet into words, it seems like a lot. 

What about a 10-piece core wardrobe? 

This refers to 10 items that you wear day in an day out. Going to the opera? That outfit doesn't go into the count. Seem extreme? Some say, "liberate yourself with a 10 item wardrobe." Watch this TEXx Talk video to find out more about ... the narrator states it will change your life!

• Link to video: http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/The-ten-item-wardrobe-%7C-Jennife

I just might give it a go! Please let me know what you think.

Stay tuned...

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Chapter 3: Tidying by category works like magic

When tidying, follow the correct order of categories. Kondo suggests that your tidying festival should start with the easy things first (clothes) and end with the hard (mementos) (p. 65-66). Kondo states that by starting with the easy things first and leaving the hardest for last, you can gradually hone your decision making skills, so that by the end, it seems simple.

Place every item of clothing in the house on the floor. Are you overwhelmed by the sheer volume of garments? How many items would you have in this pile?!

TONIGHT! 

I am going to create my fall capsule wardrobe. I'll have 30 items in the pile. I'll send you a complete list of items next week! Photos included!

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Chapter 2: Finish discarding first

The first subtitle is, "start by discarding, all at once, intensely and completely" (Kondo, 34). Kondo lays out a complete system for tidying, arguing that this is the only way to create a clutter-free environment. There are several steps to the process. For example, visualizing the way you want to live is the first step in tidying. Then comes answering some tough questions and hard work. Kondo suggests a six-month time frame for this process.

Selection criterion: does it spark joy? 
I think that the BEST part of Chapter 2 is the following statement that addresses when to keep/discard an item. "Take each item in one's hand and ask: "Does this spark joy?" If it does, keep it, If not, dispose of it" (Kondo, 41). This doll was given to me. It does not spark joy in my heart. Out it goes.

Got my eyes on you... 

Kondo's method is based on sorting by category, not by part of the home. She suggests getting ALL of the items in a category in one place then sorting. Kondo suggests starting with things that are easier to discard first and finishing with the tough stuff last. This way, you can actually make progress.

• Clothes
• Books
• Papers
• Miscellaneous (komono, in Japanese)
• Mementos

I have started the process in my house. What to do with the discarded items? Typically, I donate to a local thrift shop. I feel fortunate to be able to donate. Let objects go with gratitude (Kondo, 61). The more recent items, however, will be sold by may daughter at a tiny yard sale tomorrow. She needs to learn the value of a dollar. I'll post pictures next week.

I have developed a solution for the china cabinet problem from last week. No one in the family wants the furniture, so I am going to sell it. Yes, you read right. I am going to sell it BUT the money gained from the sale will be donated in my grandmother's memory to her temple in Racine, WI. I feel this act represents a small token of appreciation for her life.

Until next week! Please meet me at Chapter 3.

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Chapter 1: Why can't I keep my house in order?

The first subtitle is, "You can't tidy if you never learned how" (Kondo, p. 10). This section goes on to discuss that Kondo is asked if people actually need lessons in being tidy. We in Extension know that yes, people do need lessons. Being tidy is just is one facet of maintaining a healthy home.

Let's create a dramatic change Let's apply the KonMarie method! Kondo basically encourages putting the home together "in one fell swoop. ( in Japanese, the term is ikki ni, or 'in one go.'" Changing habits will require a change in thinking. She argues that this change in thinking can evolve from a dramatic change in the home environment. Kondo states that we should aim for perfection.

Storage experts are hoarders
My favorite part of Chapter 1: "A booby trap lies within the term storage." Have you ever cleverly stored items, only to be forgotten and surprised at the contents at a later date? Maybe, like Kondo, you then realized that you didn't need the items. Before deciding where to put an item, Kondo argues that first, one must identify if the item is REALLY wanted.

My own booby trap
I have a china cabinet that belonged to my grandmother. I do not even recall how it came to be in my possession. It's in the front hall of my house. I don't have room for it.

China cabinet in the hallway

The china cabinet is jammed full of things that are rarely or never used. For example, we received these candlesticks as a wedding gift 15 years ago. Used a handful of times. Out of sight, out of mind.

Bottles, bowls, upside down porcelain baby, teacups, saucers, and who knows what else

The problem with the china cabinet is that it is heavy with emotion. My grandmother died a very untimely death. Later in the book, Kondo talks about those items that are sentimental. I have contacted my Dad to let him know that I no longer want the cabinet. We are coming up with a solution that suits both of us.

Sort by category, not by location
In terms of the rest of the home, where to begin? Kondo suggests tiding by type of item, not by place. For example, tidy all of the clothes, then books, etc. etc. Regardless, of the type of item, tiding must begin with discarding. 

Make tidying a special event, not a daily chore
Kondo also believes that tiding should not be done every day. Instead, tidying should be done just once. This is the big discard event. We are still responsible for "daily tidying," that is, using something and then putting it back.

Kondo states that she does not tidy her room as it is already tidy. "Although not large, the space I live in is graced with only those things that speak to my heart. My lifestyle brings me joy. Wouldn't you like to live this way, too? It's easy, once you know how to truly put your house in order" (Kondo, p. 31).

Until next week! Please meet me at Chapter 2.

Reference: Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Gina Peek's Book Club

My new fun book? The life-changing magic of tidying up. This book fits into heathy homes programming under the principle, "Keep it clean."

Each week, I'll focus each chapter and show you how I have applied it to my own home. I'll have pictures and quotes from my family.

Please join me! Consider checking the book out from your library. I purchased mine as a Mother's Day gift to myself.

Trixie Belden: Too tired to tidy

Reference: 
Kondo, M. (2014). The life-changing magic of tidying up. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.