Can the KonMari method of tidying really change your life - week 9

I'm not proud of this but it's been nearly four months since I last worked on my KonMari checklist.  For two months I was on a roll and then I hit a giant roadblock - aka life!  But, I'm hoping to jump on the bandwagon again because I've learned that this method isn't easy but it's SO worth it!  All the work that I completed in the first 8 weeks has still held up!  My drawers are still neat with nicely folded t-shirts and my closet still makes me smile when I walk in.  I call that a huge victory!  But, just because I won a couple of small battles didn't mean I had won the war with clutter.  I still have a long way to go but I'm committed to seeing this through till the end.  I would love to have you join me!

This challenge is based on Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing!  Read it, take notes, take a deep breath, and then dive in!  We all deserve to live in a place that brings us joy!

This week's challenge involved electronics and music.  When I originally read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:  The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing I wasn't sure I could clean out the way she mentioned in her book.  Marie (yes, I totally feel like I would be on a first name basis if I happened to meet her!) focuses on categories.  In my previous purge life, I focused on rooms.  I wanted to go through and organize the whole room - top to bottom, left to right...  My focus and drive would last for approximately one room and then I was ready to give up.  Since what I was doing wasn't working, I thought I would give the KonMari method a try.  After seeing quick results, I was hooked. So, if the thought of electronics and music sounds a bit weird, it is, till you give it a try!

Order is dependent on the extremely personal values of what a person wants to live with. - Marie Kondo

For this week's challenge, I went around and grabbed every cord and electronic device that I could find.  Only once they were all gathered together did I begin to make the decision whether to keep or toss.

We had cords in multiple drawers, on multiple counters, and plugged in at various places around the house.  This was one area that was driving me crazy!

Old cameras...so many old cameras!   

To truly cherish the things that are important to you, you must first discard those that have outlived their purpose. 

- Marie Kondo

To be completely honest, I wasn't sure what to do with the old cameras and a few other electronic items.  And, I have one more area to clean out that I'm confident will have even more un-used electrical equipment.  With these items, I put in a box to deal with all at once at a later time.

With the above items out of the way, I was ready to tackle what we actually used.  Mari mentions in her book to visualize how you want things.  This was so easy for me as I had dreamed about this tiny space for some time!

Before you start, visualize your destination.
1. Identify your goal.
2. Identify why you want to live like that - ask yourself "why?" 

- Marie Kondo

Electronics are a way of life.  This is something that will not change.  What needed to change was the way our family approached the way we stored our electronics.  After evaluating what we had, I created a simple charging station.  This has been a game changer!  No more "mom, have you seen my charger?!" or wires all over the kitchen counter.  This area is definitely one of my favorites!

 My hubby also installed USB outlets - allowing us to charge all the devices in one spot.

 I found the charging station here, the wifi printable here, and the vase at the Target dollar spot!  It's perfect for all those extra cords and headphones!

To get rid of what you no longer need is neither wasteful or shameful. 

- Marie Kondo

Marie also shares a couple other tidbits that I wanted to pass along to you:

* Discard all your empty electronic boxes!  "Turning your space into a storage shed for empty boxes costs you more than what you could earn selling an appliance in a box."

* Toss cords that you cannot identify!  "If you need it, it's quicker to buy a new one."

While I worked through this week's challenge, I was left wondering "why do we have so much stuff?!"

*TRUTH STATEMENT - We have WAY too much stuff.  We know this and have known this but working through this method has exposed this on a grand scale.  I don't share this with you to show how much we have but merely to show you how much stuff accumulates if you don't deal with it.  I'm sharing in hopes that someone will be encouraged and begin taking back their life from their stuff.  We all deserve to be surrounded by only things that we love and bring us joy!

Question: Why do we have too much stuff?
Answer: Because we do not accurately grasp how much we actually own. - Marie Kondo

It's true.  Until you gather like items together, there's really no way to truly see how much you have.  Going through this process hasn't been easy but it's something that I'm committed to.  Less truly is more!

Thank you for stopping by and checking in to see how the progress is going!  I've missed working on the challenge the last few months but am anxious to continue!  If you are working through de-cluttering and organizing - stay strong!  We can do this!  It really is worth it!

Next week is digital clutter!  This will be a tough one.  If you have any ways that keep your digital clutter under control, please comment!  I could use some fresh ideas!  And, in case you've missed any of my journey, you can find the previous weeks' links here:

week 1 - seasonal/holiday

week 2 - clothes
week 3 - clothes, cond't
week 4 - children's clothes
week 5 - books
week 6 - paper
week 7 - paper, cond't
week 8 - office supplies

I also recapped my first few weeks on the KonMari journey and you can read more of that here.

If you are still wondering if The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing book is right for you, I urge you to at least read it and give it a try.  I was at the point where I knew my current method wasn't working and thought I might as well give it a shot.  I've got a long way to go but I know it will be worth it!  Join the journey with me!

Gig 'em and God bless! 

Holly

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