Tidying Up

I have the goal to get my home organized and de-cluttered this year.  We just have so much stuff.  I would love to be a minimalist if possible.  I really believe that seeing all this clutter and stuff in my home is a cause of stress for me and if we had less things laying around it would help a lot.  My home has become unorganized chaos. 

I found a show on Netflix called "Tidying Up" and decided to watch it.  The show is about Marie Kondo, a Japanese author and organizing expert who goes into homes teaching families about her "Konmari method" of cleaning.  This show really helped me to discover different tips and tricks for organization. 

Her recommendation is to first go through clothes.  Take all of your clothes and put them on the bed.  Take the time to hold each piece of clothes and if it doesn't bring you joy don't keep it.  If it does give you joy keep it.  I started by going through my closet and managed to get rid of a lot of clothing I didn't like or I hadn't worn in a long time.  My closet looks so much nicer.  Then I went through the drawers.  She taught a way to fold the clothes and how to put them away.  I had always stacked my clothes facing down and on top of each other.  She actually recommends putting clothes away face up.  I love this way because I'm able to see every piece of clothing instead of having to rummage through the shirts to find what I want. 

I did the same for my daughter's drawers.  She always took a shirt out but managed to unfold all other shirts in the process and it's apparently not easy for a 7 year old to know how to refold those clothes.  Now she can see each shirt that's in her drawer and pull out what she wants. 

She then suggests going through books, paper, komono (kitchen, bathroom, garage and miscellaneous), and then sentimental items last.  With each category gather all of the belongings and only keep the things that "spark joy."  She's not pushy with having to get rid of things and respects those things that are sentimental.  For the things that we decide to keep she recommends finding appropriate storage.  I already took her advice on clothing and I will use some of her teachings towards the other items too. 

I'm determined to make my house look more presentable.