tidying habits
Does it spark joy? The Konmari method (coined by Marie Kondo from her name) advises us to examine everything – and that is everything – in our homes and seriously ask ourselves if each object really gives us a buzz of joy. If it doesn’t, then off it goes… FROM https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
Be nice to your socks Whatever we may think about people who commune with inanimate objects, this is one of the book’s charms. Part of the method is to treat our belongings with respect; Kondo is appalled at how some of her clients treat their socks – rolling them up in balls and knotting tights in the middle (oops!). They do a good job and should be treated better, she tells us, so should be folded carefully, and allowed to rest after a job well done. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
A place for everything The method is as simple as knowing what to keep and knowing where to put what you keep. So designate a spot for everything. If everything doesn’t have a home your house will become cluttered again pretty quickly. ‘Effective tidying involves only two essential decisions: discarding and deciding where to store things,’ says Kondo. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
Learn to fold well ‘Folding is really a form of dialogue with our wardrobe,’ she says. By folding our clothes properly – and Kondo gives detailed instructions on the best way – we treat our clothes with respect; they’ll look better, last longer and we are able to see at a glance what we have. She favours drawers, especially cheap see-through plastic ones and recommends organising the contents of our wardrobes so we can see what we have at a glance https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
use this one - change header Thank your shoes Remove your shoes when you come home at night, thank them for a hard day’s work, and store them away. Same goes for handbags. When Kondo returns home, she thanks her shoes, puts them away, empties her handbag, empties her purse of receipts and anything collected throughout the day, discarding or putting everything away where it belongs. Hence her house – and her handbag – remain uncluttered and she can find everything when she needs it. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
Keep surfaces clear Kondo hates to see shampoo bottles and other clutter left out on surfaces. She thinks it’s just as easy to get into the habit of putting everything away and getting it out when you need it. This means not having to clean the gunky mess that these things create. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
merge with previous two? Keep the sink clear Same goes for clutter that collects around the kitchen sink. Have a cupboard under the sink reserved for sponges, cloths and washing up liquid rather than leaving it to clutter up the worktop. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
Storage is not the answer ‘Most people leap at storage methods that promise quick and convenient ways to remove visible clutter,’ says Kondo. But simply putting things away only ‘creates the illusion that the clutter problem has been solved.’ https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/housekeeping-the-japanese-art-of-decluttering-stsetivw-vs~47052274
Hire some help Decluttering even part of your house can be a daunting prospect, so sometimes hiring a professional can help immensely. Just as you’d ask a carpenter to design storage for you, it’s worth investing in an expert who can help to make the job less overwhelming. Look for organisers who are part of a professional body as this will ensure they adhere to a code of ethics and have public liability insurance. For more ideas, check out the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers’ (APDO) Spring Clearing Week, which runs from 1 to 7 April 2019. Tell us… Are you planning to declutter during Spring Clearing Week? Did these tips help you to feel less overwhelmed? Share your thoughts in the Comments section. FROM: https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/planning-to-declutter-your-home-heres-how-to-get-started-stsetivw-vs~107321230
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