Marie kondo

Precisely, Elegran

Same for me Elegran

It isn't clutter, it is work in progress, or materials for work that will be in progress when I have finished the things that are in progress now. If I threw it out I would have thrown out my life.

My house isn't tidy

If I got rid of all my clutter, I don't know what I'd do with myself all day. My clutter is, like rubysong's, stuff I need for the various hobbies I have. OK, so I may not have used some of them for a while (can't actually do 50 things at once....yet), but they all get used eventually. And yes, jigsaws too. And my kitchen larder is always full of no end of ingredients so that if I want to make a cake or dessert, I've got everything to hand. If I haven't used the coconut essence for several months it doesn't mean I don't want it!
I'm currently looking for a storage unit for my dining room where I can organise all my sewing and knitting paraphernalia, something like a tall, deep bookcase with drawers at the bottom, and 4 or 5 shelves that I can fill with attractive storage boxes. So I will organise my clutter. But it is NOT being thrown out! So there

Yes my house is clean. My time in the Wrens suffering First Officers rounds then many years in married quarters having to deal with Navy out musters made sure of that. (Was given a copy of the How Clean is Your House book several years ago but had the answers anyway. Toothpaste to clean your hat, fill in holes in walls etc). Also have always hated clutter, place for everything etc. It is not as tidy as I would like since my daughter and grandson moved in but it does not take long to tidy up. The reason for the loft conversion, see earlier post. Have always enjoyed keeping house, knowing where everything is etc. (I know exactly where to find Mum's letters written to me over thirty years ago, where all the theatre programmes are that we have kept over the years, where my family history stuff is). I did not realise that people used books to tell them how to de-clutter. To me it is simple, clear as you go and get shot of what you do not want or need. The thing I need help with is cooking, hate, loathe and detest it. Anyone able to suggest anything, apart from employing a cook, number one on the list if we ever come up on the lottery.

Same for me rubysong,

All my clutter treasures give me pleasure. When I get rid of things I usually end up wishing I still had them. None of it is very valuable but it's amazing how often I can produce something that is needed. Village pantomimes and New years eve I get lots of requests from friends for things. Also I have various hobbies which require things, craft things, sewing things, jigsaws, cake decorating, family history and things I'm involved with in the village. DH says he would love a tidy house but he also has hobbies and "stuff".

Scoff away, she's got a huge following so clearly The University of Stating the Bleeding Obvious doesn't have many students!

I take it your houses are immaculately clean and tidy? For very many people she's been a godsend

And yes, I'm a fan too.

With you there Petra!

It's genius, isn't it? Clear out stuff you don't use, you don't need, you don't want and hey presto! you have a tidy organised house. Whoever would have thought it.
She must have gone to that uni that I'm always quoting: It's called the University of stating the bleeding obvious.

I read the book (there's also a lot about her online) and tackled my house. I found it incredibly therapeutic, the charity shop has benefited and it's such a feeling of relief to have cleared years of clutter!
The method is a bit but the basic ethos is you only keep things that give you pleasure.
Just the attic to tackle now.

I definitely recommend it to GNs, it's amazing how much more relaxed I am now things have been sorted and tidied.

Well,I managed to do my chest of drawers and half of my wardrobe a few months ago! The clothes have stayed in neatly folded rows in the drawers which I rather like!
However, each day I look at two huge book cases, higgledy piggledy with books and that must be my next task I think!
I can't manage to empty a whole thing at once as she recommends - just in case it ends up staying all over the floor as I might not have time to finish!
The hardest bit is letting go - actually getting rid of stuff!
Good luck with yours.

Thanks Soon. I joined after the thread you recommended. I have started reading it. Didn't know that kondo had been on gransnet, makes sense now as to why she keeps getting a mention. I have started to read the old thread.
Would like to know if any of you took her advice and managed a good clear out!

oops! now had a better read of your first line!

www.gransnet.com/forums/webchats/a1206347-Keep-calm-and-declutter-Q-A-with-tidy-expert-Marie-Kondo

I am pretty sure there is another thread that discussed her. I will have a look tomorrow.

I have never heard of her but maybe you could get the book from the library or a Kindle version so it does not end up in the garage/loft and become part of the problem. We had to clear our loft last year as we had it converted. Had to be quite ruthless in getting rid of stuff to either tip or charity shop. Felt quite agreeably purged after that. Take it a cupboard at a time then start on the garage and leave the loft until after winter when you could use the garden to sort through. It was one of those jobs that seemed insurmountable when thinking about how to tackle it but once we started it went really well.