The KonMari Method + Clutter Free Home

The KonMari method is a category-by-category organizing system created to simplify your life. These books were written by Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo. In her books she seeks to help you organize your home by decluttering it. She gives you tips to make it easy to detach yourself from items you don’t need. This has come hand-in-hand with both of my diagnosis because it’s helped me be able to see which material things are important versus those that are not. She suggests to surround yourself with things in your home that spark joy. These are two of Marie Kondo books and they both relate to the KonMari method The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up

 

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Since my surgeries for my rare disorders In 2013 Life Began with Chiari + Syringomyelia looking back overtime it’s all given me a chance to be present and to live in the moment. I like to keep things that have significance to my family. While minimalism isn’t for everyone, I think that to a certain extent we all want to free ourselves from the chaos that clutter can create. The KonMari method also suggests that you begin with your closet. This is all in an attempt to encourage you to begin to simplify and organize your home. She mentions starting with your closet, but I think it’s just a matter of starting somewhere! I also think the truth behind our attachment to things may be emotional or sentimental. What I like to do with my little ones is to only keep clothes they will benefit from in the short months to come. Otherwise, I’ll pass it on to someone else or take it to my local Goodwill. So, once something has served it’s purpose in my home, anything from toys no longer being played with, it’s donated and out the door. Also keep in mind the intention for why something came in to your home, does it continue to serve a purpose in your home?

The older kids and I will also go through toys multiple times a year, such as before and after birthdays. As occasions like these can bring lots of new things that can cast a shadow over our older belongings. Also holidays or a move can be a great time for cleaning out clutter. At times even things that are given to the kids as gifts that are not necessary or they already have, will instead be given to a child in need. My little ones will be fully aware and this serves as a teaching lesson in giving back.

It’s simple …

⇒ declutter your home

⇒ change it to simplify

⇒ organize it

⇒ leave only those things that spark joy

⇒ get rid of old/bad habits + turn your home into a clutter-free space

It’s changing your relationship with things you own, taking control and freeing space in your home and your life. I believe this method will help you process things as being just that, things. I also remind myself to remove the guilt that can come from letting things go and see them as something that no longer serves purpose in my life. Once you begin to change this behavior of surrounding yourself with stuff, you’ll shop more consciousness and truly surround yourself with meaningful objects. Otherwise you will continue to label things as “necessary” and never let go of anything.

Hope you’ve had a great weekend.

-Ana

 

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Tips On Thrifting

If there’s one thing you should know about me, is that, I. Love. Thrifting. I am frugal, not to be confused with being cheap. So, I consequently have developed a good eye for finding good quality things. Which by the way you can also thrift online, heard of Thred Up? And I don’t go just because my tribe has grown to where it’s at. I go because I love the hunt and the thrill of a good find. So, here are a few things to keep in mind on your next trip to the thrift store and if you have never gone – you must!

⇒ Charge your phone and eat.

⇒ Be sure you have cleared out space in your car, for large items.

⇒ Wear comfortable shoes and take a hands free bag/purse, this will make browsing easier.

⇒ Know your people’s sizes! I have the sizes saved in my phone, especially the kids, they are constantly outgrowing their clothes.

⇒ If you’re in search of a table or desk don’t be hesitant to go to a thrift store before going to a department store. And if you are in the hunt for a furniture piece measure the space at home and take the measuring tape to the store with you.

⇒ Start in the furniture section. If you like something, let the store associate know right away. They’ll bring it to the back of the register area and reserve it for you.     

 ** DO NOT buy anything such as throw pillows or mattress’, can you say bedbugs?!

In search of a console table, I picked up this Pier 1 Imports beauty, regular price $229.95. Goodwill price $30.00

⇒ Carry or load everything in your shopping cart, even “maybe items” and don’t put it back unless you’re absolutely sure you don’t want it.

⇒ There’s no need to touch every single clothing item on the racks, just keep an eye out for good fabrics, such as denim/chambray, cotton, silk, linen, etc.

⇒ Inspect/check items thoroughly.

⇒ Know good quality brands as well, here are a few of my personal favorites.

• If you’re pregnant,  Liz Lange Maternity from Target, A Pea In The Pod, Gap Maternity or Old Navy Maternity.
• For women, Old Navy, Gap, Joe Fresh from Nordstrom, BP. from Nordstrom, Lush from Nordstrom, A New Day from Target or Merona from Target.
• For men, True Religion, Gap, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Banana Republic, Dockers or Kenneth Cole Reaction.
• And for kids, Gap, Baby Gap, Hanna Andersson, Old Navy or Cat and Jack from Target.

⇒ Search off season too, say start looking at Winter sweaters for the family in the Summer. Just remember to size up.

⇒ Thrift stores like Goodwill have a color system, this specific color is assigned each week and will have a percentage off. So, what may have cost you $3, if it’s within the color assigned for the week, may only cost you say $1.50!

⇒ I come from a smoke-free environment and appreciate smoke-free environment items. So, if it has a cigarette smell, don’t buy it!

⇒ If you like accessories, take a look at their jewelry case, you may be pleasantly surprise of what you may find.

⇒ Every thrift store is different, yes they technically carry the same things however I’ve found that the area will influence the donations the store receives. I have three stores I generally tend to visit the most and have found that “A” will be best to shop for my husband, “B” for the kids and “C” for furniture.

⇒ Lastly when I arrive home, I like to remove all tags and put in to wash ASAP.

And like all things, have fun!

-Ana