I shared all about how to do the Konmari Method with little girls and little boys, but I should have included a warning: once you start Konmari, you just want to keep going. I wish I would have discovered Marie Kondo’s book in July and not August but que sera sera and I’ll just have to be patient as we Konmari our way through our house, one category at a time.
Clutter is overwhelming. For many of us, it is hard to fathom tackling it – like shoveling in a snow storm! The Konmari Method claims that you will deal with clutter once and for all – but you still have to go through it that once. Here’s how I am approaching my Konmari:
Kondo recommends you start with a vision of how you’d like your home to be, how you’d like to live. So start dreaming and come up with some “goals.” My goals include keeping only things that bring joy to my family, reducing our stuff by 50% and finishing the Konmari Method in 6 -12 months with the majority happening by January. I need the long “deadline” because I don’t anticipate we will be able to get all our outdoor stuff done before the snow flies, but you never know. My vision includes feeling lighter and needing less time for cleaning and tidying, leaving more time for relaxation. I’m still working on my vision – it’s hard to think when you’re weighed down by so much stuff! I also found it helpful to consider what my vision doesn’t include. For example, Kondo empties her bathtub of all products after each shower and empties her handbag daily. Things like that are not important to me and won’t be happening! I don’t expect a picture-perfect show home – we still need to live! I don’t envision buying new things that spark joy or otherwise redecorating. After all, I’m focusing on making do, and besides, I will need some time for the whole Konmari experience to gel before I can make good long-term decisions about home decor.
Make a list of all the categories, with sublists under clothing and “komono” (miscellaneous items), adding any categories that might be relevant to you. For example, I added holiday decorations, camping stuff and work stuff to my komono list. You can find Kondo’s list and order of categories on Pinterest or just buy the book!
Slot the categories into months, considering what your calendar holds for the next 6 months. By breaking the decluttering into chunks, it isn’t quite as intimidating. Kondo has a recommended order for tackling clothes, so I further subdivided them and slotted them in by week in September. The point is to break it down as much as you need to to get manageable chunks in times that actually work in your life.
Doing my kitchen in the beginning is not Kondo’s recommendation but it is what worked for me. I needed to declutter my pantry heading into Fall anyway, and decided to do it with a Konmari twist (which means I was ruthless… in a peaceful Japanese way)! Even though I can shove everything “away” in cupboards, that doesn’t mean everything in the cupboards sparks joy! Grab a coffee, promise not to judge me and read on for before/after shots of my Kitchen Konmari.
And that concludes my Kitchen Konmari Tour! I still need to go through the fridge and freezer but I had to wait for garbage day (today) because I know there are freezer burnt mysteries that are going to have to go, but all in all, I am so happy with the results! I donated SIX large bags just from these cupboards alone. I’m flabbergasted. In a good way. My post-Konmari kitchen may not be fit for a show home but it is palpably peaceful and that sparks some serious joy!
Wow! Your before pics made me wince… Excellent work!!
Kathy MacDonald
Wow..you been busy, girl! Looks awesome!
Holly Gilchrist
Looks great. Incidentally , I found a $15 chapters card when I was tidying my wallet and the book was on sale for $15… A $0.75 book sparked some joy in me so I ordered it 🙂
Shannon Ebbesen
I love that the bunny cups made the cutU0001f600 It looks great…and peaceful…
Andrea Brown Seretny
Looks awesome! I just started the book!
The Spirited Thrifter
Tell me about it!! Now for the REST of my house!
Cathy Pattison
Not only will you feel less stress, you will save time and money. More time for yourself, family and friends and more money for thoughtful expenses. Plus, everything is easier to keep clean.
Martie Grant
Love it! I have KonMari’d both my kids rooms and now onto the dreaded bonus room!! Maybe I need wine while I work?!
Riki Green
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing pictures of your home! I love before and after pictures.
The Spirited Thrifter
I would be having buckets of wine if I wasn’t doing Whole 30 right now (maybe that’s a good thing)!
The Spirited Thrifter
Thanks Riki! It’s not an updated reno’d kitchen but it still deserves some Konmari love!!
Martie Grant
I didn’t get to their clothes yet but my daughter wants to fold her clothes like I do 🙂
Riki Green
Looks a lot like mine, Nicole.
Colonygal
Thanks for the inspiration! Before you mentioned Komari a few posts ago , I was in the dark, suffering and overwhelmed. Thank you for putting Konmari in my path!
Kare
I love how your “kitchen catch-all” corner transformed. I just finished the book and did my clothes last night. I have a day off tomorrow and will move on to books and papers soon. Great job with your home!
16 Comments
Okay. I am sold. I need to read this book.
Wow! Your before pics made me wince… Excellent work!!
Wow..you been busy, girl! Looks awesome!
Looks great. Incidentally , I found a $15 chapters card when I was tidying my wallet and the book was on sale for $15… A $0.75 book sparked some joy in me so I ordered it 🙂
I love that the bunny cups made the cutU0001f600 It looks great…and peaceful…
Looks awesome! I just started the book!
Tell me about it!! Now for the REST of my house!
Not only will you feel less stress, you will save time and money. More time for yourself, family and friends and more money for thoughtful expenses. Plus, everything is easier to keep clean.
Love it! I have KonMari’d both my kids rooms and now onto the dreaded bonus room!! Maybe I need wine while I work?!
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing pictures of your home! I love before and after pictures.
I would be having buckets of wine if I wasn’t doing Whole 30 right now (maybe that’s a good thing)!
Thanks Riki! It’s not an updated reno’d kitchen but it still deserves some Konmari love!!
I didn’t get to their clothes yet but my daughter wants to fold her clothes like I do 🙂
Looks a lot like mine, Nicole.
Thanks for the inspiration! Before you mentioned Komari a few posts ago , I was in the dark, suffering and overwhelmed. Thank you for putting Konmari in my path!
I love how your “kitchen catch-all” corner transformed. I just finished the book and did my clothes last night. I have a day off tomorrow and will move on to books and papers soon. Great job with your home!