When I first heard of Marie Kondo, I had to smile. Why did I not think of this decades ago as a sideline business? I was a neat one as a young child. My clothes were hung or folded into dresser drawers. I made my bed every morning and took off my shoes in the house. I was also a list maker as soon as I was able to write.
Some folks would say I was OCD- obsessive compulsive disorder, however I detest labels except the practical: I am a female human born on planet earth. We can stop at that. I started chores at home early and by fourth grade was washing and ironing clothes, scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen and dusting and vacuuming the living and dining rooms. I thought about being a housekeeper—my maternal grandmom was one and proud of her work, but I decided my talents there would stay practical, I had a life to pursue.
I remember in my thirties living as a minimalist, everything had at least two functions. Need to buy a new blouse? Donate one or two. Then Hank and I bought a house together and combined our two spaces together. He refused to part with anything, and I do mean anything. On his dresser was the taillight to a sixties Cadillac! I worked harder to donate, let go and declutter my spaces. This continued to a second home—yes, a larger one and Hank added more stuff. Luckily a move to a small condo allowed me to sell a lot of furniture at commission.
A move to Florida to a larger space meant more stuff, but I persevered and after he died, I got back to minimalism for the entire house. Now granted, I would rather him here with me, I declutter in his honor.
So, Marie has a specific flow to declutter, mine is different I will note an overview than a numbered list of my way. You choose yours. In my kitchen are four cabinets for food of ingredients to make personal care items. Then One large for pots and pans, one for plates and bowls, storage containers, one for glassed, mugs, a small Magic Bullet, an espresso pot, one for empty jars to fill. One for my hot water bottle and parchment paper for castor oil packs, full and empty wine bottles, one for a fire spray—home version, one for too many reusable bags two small for towels, one for ecofriendly garbage and compost bags, dust pan and broom and batteries. And the typical junk drawer—rubber bands, clips, scissors, flashlight, Velcro, corkscrew, package opener.
Here's my list of 6 in order:
1. Clothes and shoes: an ongoing process, too worn and it becomes a pajama top or cut for castor oil packs. Need another, then donate two. Leave good shoes on park benches—it works!
2. Books: another ongoing one and it has changed over the decades. Now I take mine to Elaine, the book vendor at the Sunday outdoor market.
3. Bathrooms: mine are pretty lean but I occasionally open a drawer and know toss some items since I buy or make non preservative personal care organic stuff. And occasionally the under the vanity needs a straightening.
4. Kitchen: I take it regularly, probably monthly and tackle a cabinet a day. Small appliances not used in a year are given away or rarely trashed.
5. Furniture: I took care of the a long time ago, but sometimes see a chair or small table that needs a good home and I have a friend I can call. She loves to repaint, repurpose or repurpose and either keeps it or sells it as markets.
6. Nostalgia: always last and easy for me. I take a photo or two and say goodbye. Somewhere in a landfill are books I have authored, paintings and poems of mine and photos—lots of photos.
Have fun. It is an amazing feeling of freedom and trust me; your children do not want your stuff. Make their life easier after you leave this earthly presence and helps Momma Earth in the meantime.
This is great