    It has finally gotten colder here in Houston, and it feels like fall! Or winter! The city goes a little crazy when it gets cold… we sometimes forget how to drive… or how to leave the house… ;) Do be aware that Texas can be 80 degrees one day and 40 the next. It’s a gamble every day to know what to wear! But I think that just makes life a bit more interesting. On to our clothes... the KonMari Method™ was created by Japanese organizer Marie Kondo and is explained in her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” Instead of organizing room by room, she encourages readers to organize by category, starting with your clothes. At this time of year as the weather changes, we obviously start wearing different types of clothes. Where do you keep your seasonal items? Are your winter sweaters in boxes? In separate closets? Way up in the rafters of your main closet? Marie recommends NOT using seasonal storage for your regular clothes. On the other hand, large items like a ski jacket or snorkeling gear are fine to store elsewhere. But clothes… clothes should all be kept in your main closet(s) or dresser(s) all year round. Why? Most people forget about those items, and they become wrinkled and unused. If this is you, then I highly recommend that you go through all of your clothes, choose the ones that “spark joy”, and organize them in a way that gives you access to all of them year-round. Now let me share a little secret about my own closet. You see, I love novelty, and I tend to get used to my clothes. Over time, my clothes don’t bring me quite as much as joy as before. So I do actually take away seasonal clothes and store them elsewhere for a few months. Then, as the weather changes, I eagerly bring out the seasonal clothes. And they bring me SO MUCH JOY, y’all! Usually, I've forgotten that I own certain items, so it’s kind of like shopping and getting new clothes all over again! Since Marie’s method is all about bringing more JOY into our lives, I think that she would approve. :)  Fall is upon us, and with it comes cozy fall sweaters! You may also be thinking about fall cleaning and getting your home ready for the holidays... Feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone. Getting physically organized helps with our mental well-being. Spending some time organizing can decrease your stress and overwhelm this season. However, the act of organizing can be very overwhelming, too. So where to start? And how to proceed? Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizer who created The KonMari Method™ in her book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." She recommends that you always begin with your clothes. Why not start with one small category - your fall sweaters. You know you're excited to see these old friends! ;)  Step 1: Make a pile Remove all of your sweaters from the closets, drawers, etc. Check every room of the house and any boxes where you may store seasonal items. It is important to find ALL of your sweaters before you begin. Step 2: Top Three Pick out your favorite three sweaters from the pile. Hold them. Notice the joy and positive feelings you get when you hold them. As Marie Kondo would say, do they "spark joy"? Those are the feelings that you want to replicate. Step 3: One-by-One Now, go through the pile and pick up one sweater at a time. Notice how it makes you feel. Do you feel joy? Do you love it? Do you want to put it on and wear it all day? If so, keep it with confidence! Do this with each item. Step 4: Reflect Are you unsure about your feelings? Ask yourself WHY you are having a hard time deciding whether or not to keep a sweater. What is getting in the way? Was it a gift? Was it expensive? Did it used to be your favorite? Take the time to reflect on the "why". You can journal or talk it out with a friend, too.  Step 5: Fold & Store Have you tried folding and storing your sweaters vertically? It makes it easier to see them all at once, and it reduces wrinkles! Click here for a great thirty-second youtube video that demonstrates how to fold using the KonMari Method. The video was created by KonMari Consultant Ann Dooley of Simple Joy with Ann. Step 6: Gratitude
Donate those sweaters that no longer support you today. Be grateful for the support they have you in the past. Great job! You have just finished your first tidying session! Now, pick a sweater and enjoy the rest of this fall day. :) |
AuthorMy name is Laura, and I love all things organizing! Archives
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flourishorganizing@gmail.com (832) 781 - 0353 Houston, Texas |