Konmari'd Closet

The bulk task of the larger items was my next microcategory. I cheated because there are quite a bit that needed a wash so this isn't the entire collection.

It was interrupted many times, which I'm realising more of how important the peaceful space is to be able to listen to the clothes. Toddler wanting to be involved was tolerable at the start, which it gradually became frustrating for both of us.

I did find a funny in one of the drawers:

Secret masculine has come out of the closet.

This was the final pile from the closet, some drawers, the car, and beside the bed.

With the multiple interruptions, these are the final results.

The joyous rise to the right.

Heavier pants (both long and short) in the back, rolls of leggins in the front.

Sparkle Dresses to the front.

Two lonely pajama pants.

I am parting with 1 1/2 small shopping bags for the bin, and one large rubbish bag for donation.

Konmari'd Shirts

That plastic box in the corner...

According to the KonMari method, it is recommended to start with clothes. As I move onto the next microcategory of clothing items, one of the things I need to do is to make space where these clothes can live. Since moving out of the main bedroom 1 1/2 years ago, t-shirts have lived in a suitcase and then a plastic box, pants have a small drawer that not all of them fit, and jackets have stayed in the main bedroom not migrating with me. Small sized baby stuff are in boxes ready for Christmas trip and taking up more space in the meantime.

I took footage of my sorting process but it only took my upper half of body (oh dear), so I will need to purchase a proper tripod in the near future if I am to film again.

I did take a folding video, one-handed. You can give it some love over on Instagram:

Do you #KonMari ? I started a blog for my #declutter journey. SpaceStuffSorted.blogspot.com.au How could I possibly share the messages of calmness, restfulness, that you are enough, without modeling it myself? Follow my journey about truth, awareness, and growth about holding on and letting go.

A post shared by Mariko Hulme (@hulme.mariko) on Oct 29, 2017 at 8:21pm PDT

One large plastic tub of shirts are now in two small-sized drawers. One for thicker material and larger-sized t-shirts, and one for more flimsy material and also singlets.

So now that the t-shirts have a home, I also have some pram accessories with no home, as well as a few extra soft toys floating around the place.

Konmari'd Underwear (Mostly Socks)

It is suggested in the Konmari method "Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo, to start with clothes. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the large pile (which I attempted previously), I decided with the sub-category of underwear to start with. To inspire the question of 'does this spark joy?' I added a few drops of Joy blend into the diffuser.

Starting pile.

Some were easy decisions. Worn-out elastics and ones with holes. Bra straps without a bra. A pack of unopened brand new stocking to give away as the ones currently in use are still in good condition.

As a collector of socks, I love them all but don't have the energy to mend all. I also parted with a few which I accidentally bought a size too small and they never fitted me properly. It gave me an opportunity to thank each pair for the joyous memories, before placing them onto the discard pile.

This is how I want to feel with any sock choices.

Husband's sexy gifts caused more head-chatter, which forced me to focus back onto me - does this item give me joy? No, I'm not going to answer whether he likes it, his opinion doesn't matter. I surprised myself at how many lacy frilly things gave me joy, and parted with more complicated strappy stringy items.

End result of the sock drawer.

The choice of this storage location came about from the time when I intended to never use the main bedroom again, which was a decision from a year and a half ago. So this section will probably remain like this until the time comes to sort out the furniture.

Recognising Conditioning

They say a pattern is formed earlier in life, and that assumptions about life is made during strong emotions. The very early memory will less likely have details of specific events. And most events either lose details or become forgotten with time, unless prompted.

I had forgotten these two events for a very long time, and a few days of active questioning for them to surface. Both events are from when I was about 8 or 9.

One was mum making a decision for me to part with a clothing item. I didn't particularly like it nor it fitted me properly because I got too big. I don't remember the exact conversation about it, just mum expressing her frustration and me not liking the entire experience. I decided not to have any more opinions about what I wear, and it was from then on confirmed over and over that she didn't approve my own choices of clothes.

Second was a strong desire to just pull everything out from all the drawers and cover the entire floor with my stuff. And then I went into fear about the consequences of what if I really did, which made me not take that action. I already didn't like putting things away, and then stayed in fear about the imagined consequences of doing something about it.

I have yet to come to the earliest memories of why I don't like cleaning, or tidy spaces. It may even not be from this lifetime. I have read some theories about how hoarding could be from a life of poverty.

Before sundown, before we got eaten too much by mosquitoes, I pulled out a few weeds.

Welcome to Space Stuff Sorted

Sorting out space stuff... literally all the stuff in this space I occupy.

I've been challenged by the concept of tidiness, treating things I own with respect, all my life.

This blog will be used as a tracking journal for progress with how my relationship with my personal items, how I occupy space, and the improvements and challenges along the way. Along with my photos and videos, I may also share other's articles and products I come across.

This is some of the photographs I've taken this morning around the house, as well as outside space and inside the sheds. This is day 1.