Konmari'd Paperwork

All. The. Papers.

The day started at 00.00 o'clock and since E was awake for a few hours I started to collect up all loose paper from around the house as well as known containers of documents.

When I woke up next time in the morning, I sorted them into categories. There were legal documents, study materials, loose art and notes, other artist's prints, paper for arts and crafts, notebooks, and certificates.

I started by shredding TAFE notes but I think I broke the shredder. The shredded paper to go into the compost or otherwise as bedding material. It was taking so much longer than I first thought but going to the bin got easier as well.

Even though the amount was a lot (bin almost filled), the only obvious paper that were removed were the immediate ones on the floor and shelve. Most were from files that already had designated location, or in the boxes inconspicuously stored in plain sight. So even when everything got finally put away, the room didn't look done at all from other boxes and furniture needing a place to be stored. Stones getting played with are till scattered all over the house.

Different categories in their piles, empty folders, empty boxes, a small space just for the pack of postage stamps.

I've been feeling it all day too. Why bother if it makes no difference? It took a lot of effort to recognise the empty boxes and files as 'job complete'. To acknowledge the bin filling up one item at a time. And then for M to comment 'It doesn't look done' would have stopped me all together in the past. Why bother if nobody recognises the efforts? As much as it is important to acknowledge the task is not yet complete, it is important to celebrate the small wins. So even though outwardly there is even more clutter, I see there is one empty shelf, another has been filled with neatly organised study materials, and the manuals and documents are now easily accessible.

At the end of paper-sorting...

One of the shelves - workbooks and materials from seminars and workshops attended.

Boxes stacked for now, to be sorted next time.

For this round, the ability to keep track of my finances (bills, taxes, accounting) will be the real test on whether this effort has made a lasting impact, rather than the state of the immediate space as that's another category all together.

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.