That is the question!
Following a comment from someone who suggested I take a look at the Konmari method (by Marie Kondo) I duly bought the book. I can’t say I’m disappointed, because some of the things she writes really make sense.
Declutter, just get rid of those things you don’t use or want anymore. Sounds simple right? Well… Although I found good reasoning in a lot of what she said, here are but a few of my problems!
1 – if I go by her methods to declutter my clothes (i.e. if it doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it) I probably wouldn’t have anything left to wear apart from black tie attire…
2 – don’t hold on to something just because you have a sentimental attachment to it. Well, this kind of brings me back to problem 1… A lot of clothes I have stashed away I keep due to a sentimental attachment. My dad bought me that cashmere jumper, all on his own (hence it was kind of the wrong colour), so it sparks joy, but I don’t wear it – mostly because who with children has the time to wash cashmere…? I also have a lot of his old jumpers left, and I wear them on really cold winter days where I need to put something on top of my own jumper that I’m already wearing. Similarly I have shirts from my grandmother, that I don’t necessarily wear, however find it really difficult to give away because – yes you guessed it – they spark joy when I hold them.
Maybe my “sparks of joy” are different to most people. Maybe that’s part of my problem, that it’s sentimental things that spark joy in me rather than.. erm… I don’t really know.
So yes, I am decluttering my clothes, there are so many things I don’t need. This also brings me to another point! My style (or lack of it). I see so many friends when I go up to London, or when I do the school run, that seem to have a defined sense of style, and they always seem so confident in what they’re wearing. One of my friends literally shops every week (mostly online and she might send a lot back, but it still counts), and every time I see her I’m in awe, and almost jealous!
I say almost, and let me explain to you why. I have kids, so a) I know I don’t have time to shop a lot, and well, lack of funds due to their necessities doesn’t help matters – and b) sometimes when I moan to my husband about it, he tells me he’s incredibly lucky to have a wife who doesn’t fuss about her appearance or what she’s wearing every day, that and the fact that I can get ready in the same amount of time as him, if not less. This isn’t to say that I think any less of my amazing friend, because she is truly amazing. I am still in awe of her, and jealous – perhaps for reasons I will never understand. It’s probably to do with the fact that even though she’s a shopaholic, she still has less clutter than me… *insert embarrassed smiley here*
So without blabbering on too much, I devised my little method. Firstly, as I was not at home when I started reading the book, I decided that anything that I truly liked I must be able to remember – so I started listing some things. I got to seven items… (Note I am not including underwear or socks here, at the rate we amass odd socks I simply can’t! It also doesn’t include previously mentioned black tie attire, or jackets and hats).
So – from me to you, I am making a start. Wish me luck and pray I am not naked the next time I see you! And Marie, I am sorry, I would most definitely be that client who failed…
Isa xxx
p.s. I honestly don’t think Marie Kondo has children…