So I recently picked up a copy of 'The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Marie Kondo. It's a bit of an odd pick for me, I'd probably already consider myself tidy people. Always striving to do better but essentially a person who understands how to clean and how to organize a space.
But SERIOUSLY this book? TOTALLY amazing! Marie Kondo, along with Jolie Kerr, is now right up there as one of my new favourite cleaning idols. (Don't know Jolie Kerr? Then you haven't lived. Her tips on cleaning faux fur trim with corn meal will change your life!)
Getting home around 7pm on a Friday night after work, I immediately set to reorganizing my shoes. (WHAT AN EXCITING LIFE I LEAD!)
You may be thinking 'why shoes?' The answer is that shoes seems like a nice finate thing. And also, I had the mistaken notion that I don't really have that many pairs of shoes.
But SERIOUSLY this book? TOTALLY amazing! Marie Kondo, along with Jolie Kerr, is now right up there as one of my new favourite cleaning idols. (Don't know Jolie Kerr? Then you haven't lived. Her tips on cleaning faux fur trim with corn meal will change your life!)
Getting home around 7pm on a Friday night after work, I immediately set to reorganizing my shoes. (WHAT AN EXCITING LIFE I LEAD!)
You may be thinking 'why shoes?' The answer is that shoes seems like a nice finate thing. And also, I had the mistaken notion that I don't really have that many pairs of shoes.
I was so terribly wrong.
Anyway! Kondo's method is that you must first pile everything of a particular sort (in this case shoes) into a heap in the middle of your floor. Or, if you're me, your bed with a far too small towel underneath it. Then, you must pick up each pair of shoes and ask yourself 'does this spark joy?' If the answer is yes, it stays. If the answer is no, then you thank the item for it's service and you let it go.
I am such a crazy hippie. This appeals to me IMMENSELY. It also solved the problem of 'oh my aunt gave these to me when I was 13 but I`ve never worn them' or 'these were so expensive but they hurt every time I wear them'. The answer to these questions is `thank you for your service`and then to put them into the donation pile.
End result? A FAR more manageable number of shoes to move! One for winter and one for summer. Which might still be too many shoes but is a vast improvement.
Anyway! Kondo's method is that you must first pile everything of a particular sort (in this case shoes) into a heap in the middle of your floor. Or, if you're me, your bed with a far too small towel underneath it. Then, you must pick up each pair of shoes and ask yourself 'does this spark joy?' If the answer is yes, it stays. If the answer is no, then you thank the item for it's service and you let it go.
I am such a crazy hippie. This appeals to me IMMENSELY. It also solved the problem of 'oh my aunt gave these to me when I was 13 but I`ve never worn them' or 'these were so expensive but they hurt every time I wear them'. The answer to these questions is `thank you for your service`and then to put them into the donation pile.
End result? A FAR more manageable number of shoes to move! One for winter and one for summer. Which might still be too many shoes but is a vast improvement.
TADAH!
Next, because I was now on a weird cleaning high, I decided to tackle all my underthings. Socks, Bras, Undies, stockings, legwarmers, etc!
Next, because I was now on a weird cleaning high, I decided to tackle all my underthings. Socks, Bras, Undies, stockings, legwarmers, etc!
Now, this seemed like an easy task! But Marie says that you mustn't 'ball up your socks like potatoes' because your socks work hard for your feet and should have a nice place to relax in your drawer.
I will admit, i had been potatoing my socks. I felt terrible.
I also took the opportunity to throw out 75% of my underwear. Marie Kondo is right, of course, though i did feel pretty silly asking a thong if it sparked joy. not for my butt, unfortunately.
End result? Happy underthings!
I will admit, i had been potatoing my socks. I felt terrible.
I also took the opportunity to throw out 75% of my underwear. Marie Kondo is right, of course, though i did feel pretty silly asking a thong if it sparked joy. not for my butt, unfortunately.
End result? Happy underthings!
Sleep well, my beautiful socks and underwear. Enjoy your rest.