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Post by italianlady on Sept 23, 2015 21:11:38 GMT -5
What do you mean the rules are different for paper retention? Do you mean they have actual rules like they have recycling rules in some places or rules as in "the way most people do it there"?
I organize my hanging clothes in the way I've done it for years and it works really well for me. I go left to right and have jackets, sweaters, overshirts, vests, shirts by type, sleeve length and fabric, regular dresses by sleeve length, skirt and top sets, skirts, pants and top sets, pants, dressy dresses, my husbands dress shirts, his dress pants, his suit, his winter jumpsuit for warmth. He only has two pair of dressy pants and three dress shirts, so my clothes take up the whole closet. His work clothes are folded in his dresser.
I have duplicates of some things, but the are mostly things I use as well. I keep an extra can opener because you never know when one will break and the one I use broke last month so I threw it out and used the new one I keep on hand for that. I have to buy another one when I remember and I'm at Walmart. I have lots of measuring cups but when we are cooking big meals it's pretty handy to not have to wash one every time we need to use it. I also have 11 frying pans. Yes, 11. I use them all some nights when there are three cooks in the kitchen and we are cooking big meals. They are stored neatly and all in good shape and I have them grouped by size, except for my cast iron which is in the baking pantry because of space and we mainly use those two for baking except for frying chicken. I go through about twice a year and get rid of kitchen things that are broken or we are just not going to use. Sometimes we get a gift of something we probably won't use but we keep it a while just to be sure, and if after about a year we haven't used it, I get rid of it. So, there are times I do need multiples of things even though it may seem like excess, but it's not.
I will have to look into the book though and see what she says about papers. I use a file box and also a decorated cardboard box to hold them before they are filed, and all mail and papers to keep go in it, then are filed. I have an area for birth certificates, social security cards, marriage license, those kind of documents, then anything legal which I keep for at least three years afterwards, bill receipts which I keep for an entire calendar year and then toss, pay check stubs which I do the same with, receipts for expensive things or repairs to the house or car, a health insurance and medical bills section with files in it for different topics, car insurance and car, sentimental papers, and finally at the back are our old tax returns. I may take them out and just put them all in a box by themselves.
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Post by procrastinator on Sept 23, 2015 21:33:52 GMT -5
I mean that I honestly do not know what the financial record retention recommendations are for people in Japan. Or France or Australia. Or wherever. I live in the US. The IRS is a US entity, not an international one. Kondo argues that almost all papers can be disposed of. Maybe that works for Japan. I honestly don't know.
So I would just say that if you read her book, you look up what the recommendations for personal finance records retention are for your country.
The book may not be for you. I know there are people here who tried it and didn't care for it. It's working for me. I personally have too much stuff. I only know what works for me. I was giving examples, not hard and fast rules.
It sounds like you have a functional system so maybe this book is not going to be helpful.
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Post by wynken on Sept 23, 2015 22:37:37 GMT -5
I watched a couple of Marie Kondo's video lectures. (45 min and other was about 60 min) The lectures were similar though the translator differed in their approach. Yes the key points got covered. Later there were Q&A sessions which were interesting. On necessary things that didn't spark joy (like the can opener) keep it if you know you need it. Each video had a query about hoarder. Yes it worked for hoarders. She has personally worked with hoarders. (The following is my version of the q&a) vid 1. To the question asked compassionately about a friend - she said to introduce her 'spark joy' concepts to the person, and see if the person responded. That they could use process and be helped by it. vid 2. To the person who asked in a I want to get this other person & hoard under control sort of way, she said it wouldn't work. You could only use this process with your own possessions.
To people at her lectures, she says just to get started, and gives the info someone posted above on sequence and the process.
I don't have the book, haven't started the process, but it is colouring my thoughts and approach to things.
The next book gives more space to folding techniques, and getting rid of unwanted things and answers questions people have asked her in response to her book. That is my understanding I have read the promotional material already out there right. You may prefer to wait for that book.
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YaddaYadda
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Joined: August 2015
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Post by YaddaYadda on Sept 24, 2015 7:17:21 GMT -5
ponygirl, are you my doppelganger? I love the quote you posted. I have enough art supplies to last a lifetime (if I could find them when I am looking for them, UGH) and office supplies...omg. Horse stuff...came across two old bridles from a horse I had put down 28 years ago. Memories are all they contain yet when I look at them they bring sadness and regret. Then think to toss (they are not in good shape and should I try and revive them? For what?) seems somehow dishonoring. It is so hard!!!
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Post by Jannie on Sept 24, 2015 8:42:10 GMT -5
I used to work for the US federal government. A lot of people wonder, how long should they keep tax and Social security records? The simple answer is three years. If you filed/sent in your tax return and received a refund, if due, and haven't got any letters after three years, the return is basically dormant, unlikely to be auiditted or reviewed. But, if there's anything you are not sure about, keep the return "forever". If you want to re-open any kind of IRS or Social Security record, you will need "evidence", which means copies of tax papers, paystubs and tax documents, bank records, medical receipts, the whole enchilada. Also, the Feds can re-open and audit any tax year they want, at their option. Technically, they must be looking for "fraud". That's where you need to keep your own copies.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 24, 2015 16:24:40 GMT -5
ponygirl, the post you made on whether something sparks joy is simple, clear, and inspiring! can i just go for what sparks joy and what doesn't, without reading the book? how about if you write on your experiences with konmari and i just use what you write? i see that it probably works best for hoarders like me, and i live alone, so that part is easy. i too have tried other methods but never stuck with any of them; that is a fault in me rather than the methods. but something in the fact that she is shinto buddhist resonates with me - since i would say my spirituality is animism anyway. that's why i think her method and thoughts (deemed "crazy" and "ocd" by many Americans) would make perfect "sense" to me. has anyone had success with just using a few of her principles and NOT following the entire book? there is a long waiting list at our library - like 6 months long - so if i wanted the book before than i would have to buy it. i can get a book + shipping on amazon for 10 to 12 bucks; i wouldn't mind "wasting" that money as i have wasted sooooo much more. thoughts, anyone? can i watch her on youtube and get the gist? : ie is she free with her info, or do you have to buy the book for best effect? there are things i like that i am reading in the posts on this thread about konmari; i am grateful and hopeful to read how well it is working for the people using it. maybe i could be one? or is this the next self-help fix it thing and i am fooling myself, because any method is only as good as my willingness to stick with it? Thank you! You can just start, and it will resonate with you as it has with me! I started even before I read the book. I have not viewed any videos nor do I plan to. I believe that will muddle the individual thought process, imho. I've read all the other recent posts since you posted this, and I believe you have the basic concept without my adding anything more at this time. I do believe that having the book to which to refer would be greatly helpful. I refer to it and read key passages before each 'session' I do, especially if it's been a few days since I've worked on my clutter. See, the beauty of KM is....it's not deciding what to discard...it's determining what to keep! It does work best if you can get a whole...or most...of a category together. For example, if you are on clothing...try to get all socks and hosiery in as close to one place as you can. The reason it works is because you are exposing all to the light...and can see exactly what you have. Which, by the way, will be shocking to most of us. The sheer number of possessions in any given category is truly astounding. If you can't do this, then do it by section...say, one drawer. The HUGE caution is: Do not try to store anything until you have the keepers. If you do, things will get muddled fast and you will be starting over...again and again. All this being said, I go back to what I always say: Doing something is better than doing nothing! Keep me posted! Love, Pony PS - I do hope you get the book.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 24, 2015 16:26:30 GMT -5
ponygirl, are you my doppelganger? I love the quote you posted. I have enough art supplies to last a lifetime (if I could find them when I am looking for them, UGH) and office supplies...omg. Horse stuff...came across two old bridles from a horse I had put down 28 years ago. Memories are all they contain yet when I look at them they bring sadness and regret. Then think to toss (they are not in good shape and should I try and revive them? For what?) seems somehow dishonoring. It is so hard!!! I think I am, !!! Your posts have resonated with me, too.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 24, 2015 16:27:50 GMT -5
There are a zillion KM groups on Facebook. Proceed there with caution. As with anything online...it can be a time suck.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 24, 2015 16:38:16 GMT -5
Just think... ...having a home with everything in that home being an item which sparks joy in your heart or is useful and needed.
We ALL can do this.
There is no way on this lovely Earth...that keeping 'stuff' in containers, boxes, bags, piles, drawers, closets, trunks, bins, baskets, et al...suffocating...buried...squashed...stagnating...deteriorating...rotting...is bringing us joy.
It's not.
So, why not open all those suckers up...let 'em breathe...give them some light...then, dive in and find out if anything (and there will be very little, trust me) that you have hidden and squirreled away...truly brings you joy.
I can tell you this...once you dump out, open up, flip the lids, and disrupt the piles...you will shock the living heck out of yourself into brutal reality.
Nothing in there...nothing for the most part...is worthy of your precious mental tending that is keeping you paralyzed.
As MK says, there are only two reasons why we can't let go: An attachment to the past or a fear for the future.
I've decided that there is no way I'm going to live like this any longer. No flipping way.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 24, 2015 16:42:07 GMT -5
There's this guy on one of my KM Facebook groups...he posted a photo this week of a huge quantity of empty plastic storage bins...really large ones. It was really uplifting. He said that all of the stuff that was in those bins was gone...trashed or donated. He couldn't believe he was holding onto all that stuff. For what?!
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YaddaYadda
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Joined: August 2015
Posts: 62
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Post by YaddaYadda on Sept 24, 2015 16:48:42 GMT -5
My junk just sucks the life out of me. I don't enjoy much of anything and I am too old to be losing years to junk. I keep reading every night (I'm slow) and I keep plugging away. It seems ridiculous that I need to share this journey with others who understand but it really DOES help! I need that feeling of not being alone. Years ago I went to a therapist and she asked me what I wanted. I said I wanted FREEDOM. She asked me what did freedom mean to me and I didn't know. Now I am learning I want freedom from the life sucking piles of stuff, to be able to live life rather than fear it or fear someone seeing my house. We hide it. There is a lot of shame in our situations and the journey is to understand why and come out on the other end.
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jeweltea
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Post by jeweltea on Sept 24, 2015 17:09:28 GMT -5
Yes, it is true that all this stuff is really life sucking in so many ways. I can't believe how many hours I have spent the last few months getting rid of stuff and I still have more to go.
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Post by peaceandfreedom on Sept 24, 2015 22:09:54 GMT -5
Ponygirl, all I can say after reading your most recent posts above is, "Preach it, sister!" You are much farther ahead than I am in this, but my limited experience has already convinced me.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Sept 24, 2015 23:22:35 GMT -5
I am using the method on a downstairs bathroom that has a shower and a closet. Cabinet under the sink was cluttered, closet was cluttered. Little by little I am clearing out this room! Tonight most things came out of the closet and only what is useful will go back. Things that are useful spark joy for me! It's the storage space for my painting supplies, and painting a piece of furniture or a room sparks joy! It's also where I store the dog and cat food and treats and flea meds, all that is useful for the pets and sparks joy! Now under the sink cabinet is clean, uncluttered, and I can easily pull out the food. The closet is almost done, with only useful things in it, plenty of room for the things that are there. I have tossed three small grocery bags full of things from the cabinet and closet that do not spark joy! Expired pet meds for pets who died years ago! Oldest med expired in 2009.
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Post by ponygirl on Sept 30, 2015 15:59:20 GMT -5
You gals bring my joy! So, so true...this stuff we hoard...it is truly lifesucking. Even if we don't see it (read: it's buried/stored/hidden)...it sucks the mental life out of us. Because...WE KNOW IT'S THERE. It's like background noise...always murmuring. Until we can get our spaces cleared, that noise will remain.
Y'all are doing so good. I have to say, though, that I'm not as far along as it sounds. I've truly only begun using the KM method, and I'm still on clothes. Yep. Sigh. I have so much. I've donated, consigned (not much there), and discarded so much; however, what I still have...and still haven't been able to dig to...is truly embarrassing. I can't believe I've done this to myself over all these years.
Joyinvirginia, things that are useful spark joy for me, too! I can't wait to get what I really love and use...and nothing else!
Not much progress this week, although I have another donation bag going. Digging out more clothes...
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