My KonMari Journey: KOMONO - Miscellaneous Items 2


Welcome to 'My KonMari Journey' series. Over the next few months I will be sharing my progress, as I make my way through the KonMari Method, based on the best-seller book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Japanese organising enthusiast, Marie Kondo.

Today I am sharing: KOMONO (Miscellaneous Items 2)


If you are new to my blog, Welcome! In case you missed it, be sure to read my Introduction and Getting Started post, so you know what the KonMari Method is all about and the reasons why I am doing it.

In a nutshell, Marie Kondo has four rules she recommends people follow when doing the KonMari Method:
1. Tidy in one shot, as quickly and completely as possible.
2. Sort by category, not by location
3. Selection Criterion: Does it 'spark joy?'
4. Order of tidying: Clothes, Books, Documents (Paper), Miscellaneous items (Komono), and Momentos (Sentimental)

As suggested in the book, I will start doing the KonMari Method with my own 'stuff' first, then I will work though the kids items, because I am too sentimental and would find it hard to part with their things right off the bat. I also need to get my head around this new process of de-cluttering, tidying and organising, so hopefully when it comes to purging my kids stuff, it will be a lot easier (well, let's hope so).

*******

The fourth category of the KonMari Method is KOMONO (Miscellaneous). Now for me, this category is probably bigger than the Paper category. Do you remember in my Introduction post, I mentioned I felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I had stored in containers sitting in my office, well majority of them fit into this category. I have containers of miscellaneous items - that I haven't really touched for the past 3 years and includes stuff I have kept for over 10! This category may take some time, however I will be following Marie Kondo's recommended order (see below) and will hopefully (fingers crossed) find a new home for everything and only "keep things because you love them, not 'just because'" (Marie Kondo) - which is totally why I always rebound, and why I NEED the KonMari Method in my life.

Over the next couple of weeks or however long it takes me, I will be tackling Komono (miscellaneous items 1) which includes:
  1. CDs, DVDs 
  2. Skincare products 
  3. Make-Up 
  4. Accessories 
  5. Valuables (passports, credit cards, etc)
  6. Electrical equipment and appliances (digital cameras, electric cords, anything that seems vaguely 'electric')
  7. Household Equipment: Stationery & Crafts
  8. Household supplies (expendables like medicine, detergents, tissues, etc) 
  9. Kitchen goods/food supplies - EATING - COOKING TOOLS - FOOD - FOOD STORAGE
  10. Other - 

     As always I will be keeping these three rules in mind when doing my purge:

    1. Tidy in one shot, as quickly and completely as possible.
    2. Sort by category, not by location
    3. Selection Criterion: Does it 'spark joy?'



    *******

    Today I am sharing: KOMONO (Miscellaneous Items 2)

    As you may already know, the KOMONO category of the KonMari method is huge. It is made up of many items and it is different for everyone. Now that I am at the end of the KOMONO category, I thought I would share some of the extra items that Marie Kondo has mentioned in her book before getting stuck into one my of biggest KOMONO items - Teacher Resources. 

    These are items that you may have kept 'just because' - by now you will notice that Marie Kondo doesn't keep things 'just because'. They either spark joy or have a use or purpose. So here are 10 things for you to purge (if applicable). 
    1. Gifts - when we receive gifts from family, friends, colleagues, kids etc...we feel obliged to keep it all, however there is no point in keeping something you are never going to use, right? The 'spark joy' moment occurred when you received the gift - if you don't use the gift, thank it and pass it on to someone who will.  
    2. Mobile phone packages - I was one of those people who kept the mobile phone packages and everything that came with it 'just in case' - I found several when I was purging my Electronics. I have only kept my iPhone case because it's perfect for storing some of my smaller items in my drawer. The rest I purged and it felt great.
    3. Unidentified Cords -  I came across quite a few 'miscellaneous' cords when I tackled my Electronics. As long as all of the items we use in our home had a cord, anything left over was discarded (or donated). 
    4. Spare buttons - you know the extra buttons that come with jeans and cardigans etc...have you ever used them? 
    5. Electrical Appliance Boxes - keeping old electrical appliance boxes 'just in case' you want to re-sell the item or use it for moving is just taking up precious space in your home. When I went through my kitchen cupboards, I found a couple of empty boxes that were just sitting there...fair to say, I had a little giggle and put them straight into the recycling. 
    6. Broken TVs and Radios - if you're not using them or they are not working - get rid of them.
    7. Bedding for the guest who never comes - when I did our Linen cupboard, I did think about bedding for guests, however, we hardly ever have guests stay but if we do, they end up bringing their own bedding. If we need to, we just use the extra bedding we have for our own beds. No point in having a cupboard full of sheets and blankets that are never going to be used - they will just get smelly after a while. 
    8. Cosmetic samples saved for trips - I used to collect small soaps, and travel shampoo and conditioners but I never used them and they just expired, so in the bin they go. 
    9. Products from the latest health craze - If you don't fully use it, "discard them with the conviction that you are healthier for having bought them" (Marie Kondo, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)
    10. Free novelty goods - there are so many novelty items that may seem awesome at the time but really, do you use it? will you use it? Does it 'spark joy'? - if not - purge.

    Do you have any of these items scattered around your home? Today is the day to purge the items that no longer spark joy! 

    Good luck. 
    Charlene

    Note: I will be doing  a 'KonMari with Kids' series once I have finished my own KonMari journey. Watch this space or  Subscribe to my Blog, so you don't miss a post.



    *******

    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.


    If you would like to give the KonMari Method a go, and you don't have the book - Here is a checklist of the second party of the fourth category - KOMONO - Miscellaneous Items 2. Click the image below and Save/Print. You can also view my previous checklists HERE.

    FREE PRINTABLE


    Don't Miss A Post - Subscribe Today!
    * indicates required




    Select Your Email Option Below

    2 comments

    1. I just love what you're doing and every time I read a blog post of yours I get inspired to start. Just the thought is so overwhelming!! Some of it has to do with the fact we have ZERO storage in our house .. :/

      ReplyDelete
    2. I'm with Maria, every time I read about your KonMari journey I want to start my own! I think it's time to just do it...

      ReplyDelete

    Back to Top