My KonMari Journey - Introduction & Getting Started


"Transform your home into a permanently tidy, clutter-free space and be amazed at how your whole life changes" 
Marie Kondo

Last year I heard and read a lot about this very popular (and best-seller) book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Japanese organising enthusiast, Marie Kondo and her KonMari MethodI was inspired and had to get my hands on the book and read it for myself, so I bought it for my birthday. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked, line and sinker and wanted to make a start straight away. I found a few YouTube videos from people who have shared their journey (A Young Mum and Lisa Stevens are my favourites) and it inspired me to start my own journey. I am now ready to make positive changes to my home and my life, using the 'KonMari Method'. Will you join me? 



via
Let me start by introducing my self...Hi, my name is Charlene and I am a sentimental & emotional hoarder. I own a lot of 'stuff' - stuff my friends and family won't see when they come over for a visit, because I am very good at hiding it. I have stuff that I have kept over the years and find it hard to part with it, in fear that I might need it later or if I do get rid of it, the moment or item will be erased from my memory forever. I know that sounds silly, but hopefully I am not the only one who feels and thinks this way. Having a lot of stuff also plays a huge part in my anxiety and depression, making me feel very overwhelmed when I am bombarded with clutter, even though most of it is hidden away in containers (or cupboards). Clutter is still clutter, regardless if you can see it or not. Mentally, you know it is there. 

Since moving into our new home in August 2015, I have been on a mission to get everything organised. The inside of our home is pretty good, although there is some unnecessary 'clutter' hidden away in the cupboards, and there is that ONE room, you know the one you keep the door closed because you are not ready to face it or don't know where to start - yes - I have one of those rooms - it's my office, also known as my dumping ground and I hate it!

What makes it even harder, is that the office is not in the house, it is a room off the garage outside, so it really is 'out of sight, out of mind', but I know it's there and I know what's in it. It is full of containers with 'stuff' I have yet to go through, simply because I'm not ready, that is until now. I don't plan on moving anytime soon, so there is no reason for me to keep stuff in boxes, and letting it take up valuable space in my home, life and in my mind!

Over the years, I have completed a number of de-clutter and organising challenges, to help ease my anxiety and depression, and for a moment once I have finished the challenges, I feel great, however each time I do these challenges, I am amazed at how much 'stuff' I continue to accumulate.  It seems like as soon as I get rid of stuff, more stuff comes back into my home, feeling like I am constantly chasing my tail and I get so overwhelmed by it all. 


Marie Kondo says when you tidy and organise by location, you are only fixing the problem for a moment, and then you find yourself relapsing, because you haven't tackled the reason behind why the clutter is there in the first place (deep, I know, but I totally get it)

The KonMari method encourages you to sort by category, not by location, and there is a system to this process too. Sorting by category allows you to see EVERYTHING you own (in each category) and you are able to tackle it quickly, rather than finding bits and bobs in different areas of your home. 

The categories as Marie Kondo states in the book are:
  • Clothes
  • Books
  • Paper
  • Komono (Miscellaneous) 
  • Sentimental. 
Each category has a list of sub-categories, to ensure you do a thorough purge of your belongings. You are asked to put everything on the floor, so you can see the full magnitude of what you own (which will probably shock you), you are to touch everything at least once and keep only the things that 'SPARK JOY'. I will be discussing this in more depth as I work through each category.

The KonMari Method can take up to 6 months to finish (depending on how much stuff you have) and I plan to follow and complete it fully and be surrounded by the things I love and that 'spark joy'.  My goal is for all my belongings to have a home, so I am not tidying every day. I also hope that it will help me change my way of thinking. Now, I don't know if that means I won't be a sentimental hoarder after this challenge, I guess we will just have to wait and see.

I am super excited about this journey and I would love for you to follow along in this process, better yet, join me - Subscribe to my Blog, so you don't miss a post and together we can tidy our homes and change our lives, once and for all. I will also be sharing my journey on my Facebook page, and Instagram, so be sure to follow me there too. Together, we can do this! Today is the day!

Next: My 'KonMari' Journey - CLOTHES 
Charlene

Linking up with Jess at IBOT
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36 comments

  1. I would love to be less cluttered at home. Seeing some parts of our home makes me hyperventilate with anxiety. My problem is that I live with other people and the clutter is theirs not mine. With growing up kids with space and minds of their own, and a husband who likes to collect things to sell on EBay for extra pocket money, I am fighting a losing battle in that department. Some days I feel as though I should build a granny flat and live out the back! LOL.

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    1. You can have your own 'She Cave' - that would be pretty awesome Leanne! I get anxious when I see clutter around my home too...hopefully by the end of this journey, all the clutter will be gone. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Good on you Charlene! We have just spent our summer break de cluttering and there's a pile of junk ready for the councils hard collection this week. It feels so good to start the year de cluttered and I'm hoping to keep it that way all year too! Will be reading your experience with interest. I love this approach that if it doesn't spark joy, it goes! Xx

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    1. Thank you Shannon. De-cluttering is definitely a great way to start the year. I am looking at things around my home and know they won't be here for much longer. I can envision what my house is going to look like at the end of this journey and I am super excited.

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  3. Confession: For years I kept my notes from all 6 years of college. I need this. Haha.

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  4. I need this book! This sound fabulous! I have a Feng Shui book that I adore, same principals of clutter too!

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    1. It truly is amazing Haidee! I had a Feng Shui book when I was flatting, it seems so long ago now!

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  5. I'm working on decluttering too! All the best with your journey!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie. Right back at ya! De-cluttering is good for the mind, body and soul!

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  6. I'm in a similar boat to Leanne. I have all these people in my house who collect their own amount of clutter. These school holidays, however, I've been dealing with my own little messes. By location. I have Marie Kondo's book, so I know about sorting by category and in order. I just feel like that's a bit overwhelming! I figure if I can start the year off with getting my little piles (or not so little) of junk that have been stashed into corners all tidied up that's a pretty good way to start the year.

    I need to declutter my body before I can declutter my clothes, so that's going to be my focus before I head into realms unchartered!

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    1. Yes Tracy, it is very important to go through and deal with our own messes/clutter before we tackle other peoples. Good luck with your journey Tracy.

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  7. I seem to constantly be decluttering, especially my clothes, but I never fully finish this task, I just seem to do the easier items! I'll be following your journey with interest!

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    1. I have just shared the first category - Clothes - see it here: http://www.teacherbytrademotherbynature.com/2016/01/my-konmari-journey-clothing.html
      It will make a difference!

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  8. I have been on the KonMari bandwagon for a few months now. Possibly I will have nothing left by the time I'm finished but I love it. I have found her philosophy to be true - physical clutter is emotional clutter. Good luck, I'll be interested to see how you go!

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    1. Thank you Denise! It's such an inspiring book, I am so glad I bought it. It will definitely be life-changing for me - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

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  9. My office needs a big-time de-clutter, mostly old files, kids old school-work etc - so I guess that is the paper de=clutter. I will get a hold of the book (more paper!) as I've heard lots of good things about it. As we get ready to head into the school year I feel like I don't want to drown under the weight of general busyness and stuff coming through the door.

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    1. Paper is definitely a big one for me. I am not looking forward to that category! ha! My daughter has finished primary school, so I would like to sort and create a special keepsake with bits and bobs from the past 5 years...not every single thing I have kept. Should be interesting.

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  10. I want to read the book. I've read many blogposts sharing about the method but I reckon the book would get me motivated to declutter more.

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    1. I do recommend reading it yourself, just so you get a feel for what Marie Kondo is saying. It will definitely motivate you Rebecca - would love to know what you think.

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  11. I've seen a few friends sharing posts about this but I didn't look into it further. It sounds really interesting and I do like that it works on why you keep things as well as the actual things. Good luck with the decluttering!

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    1. Thank you Tegan. That is why I was drawn to the book...I need to tackle the WHY!

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  12. OH my goodness when I first started reading this post, I shook my head and thought 'not this lady's book again' and then I read on. I am thinking I need this. I cannot deny the stress I have felt on recent days as I have 'attempted' with some success to cull photos. Yes, photos. They are my dearest possessions because...memories!! I think I need to check this out further. Many thanks for sharing. Denyse #teamIBOT

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    1. Thank you Denyse. Yes, the book is very popular and for good reason too. Photos are going to be a HUGE category for me - they are my weakness. I live vicariously through photos and have A LOT.

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  13. Have fun Charlene1 I did it in the summer and it felt wonderful but I confess I've been slipping so I'll be checking out your progress.

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    1. Thank you for your support Moderate Mum! Maybe you can follow along with me and see how you get on.

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  14. Wow...a lot of people seem to be doing this. I am a bit of a hoarder too and my partner is just messy. Not sure if I can get myself through this!

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    1. The KonMari Method is definitely popular at the moment, a lot of people like to de-clutter their homes at the beginning of the year. Follow along, and if you feel inspired, jump right in! I would love for you to join me :)

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  15. Completely intrigued by this method and I can't wait to see more!

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  16. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with this journey! Good luck!

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  17. This is a great idea Charlene, I look forward to reading more about how you go! xx

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    1. Thank you Nicole! Watch this space for more KonMari goodness!

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  18. I saw a photo of Marie with her new bub the other day and thought of you straight away, ha ha :)

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  19. Love your enthusiasm.
    Do think the 'touching everything' is a big part of this success

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