Spring Cleaning- A Survival Guide: Books, Papers, and Miscellaneous Items
In the previous post, we learned how to clean out our closets using the KonMari method. “A feature of the KonMari method is that you clean by item and not location” -Marie Kondo (Tidying Up 2018). This article is going to focus on cleaning and organizing other troublesome areas that tend to be cluttered.
Books
The next category in this method is books. Much like the clothing category, you will want to place all your books in one location. This helps you visualize how many books you own, and it may help you realize how many you can get rid of. The process is easier if you go through and pick which items you absolutely cannot live without. Then, make a pile for donating and another pile for trash. If a book is damaged or missing pages, then it can instantly go into the trash pile. Simple right?
Papers
You will want to follow the same procedure with the paper category. Now this category focuses on offices and everyone’s infamous “junk drawers”. Keep only important paperwork and file it away according to category. Everything must have a specific home and be easily accessible to you. Shred or throw away anything that is miscellaneous or may have expired (i.e. coupons).
Komono
The next category is referred to as “komono” and it is the largest category in the KonMari method. This section includes the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and everything else miscellaneous. Take one room at a time and completely empty out the area. Follow the same steps as before and take inventory of all your items. Store the items that spark joy for you and organize them in a way that suits your lifestyle. Then, throw away or donate whatever excess items you have.
Sentimental Items
The final category in the KonMari method is sentimental items. By this point you should be a pro at deciding what items spark joy for you. The sentimental items are saved for last since they are the hardest to let go of. I really resonated with the idea of choosing a fun storage box to house the sentimental items that mean the most to you. This way they are easily accessible and opening the box will put a smile on your face.
Minimalism
Now if you want to take your spring cleaning to another level, I’d suggest looking into Minimalism. “Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom”. Everyone’s definition of Minimalism is a little different. For some, minimalism is living with only 100 items. For others, minimalism is keeping items that really mean something to you. But everyone agrees that Minimalism is the idea of letting go of materialistic practices in order to live a more meaningful life. Whether you want to simplify your lifestyle or just be more organized, it all starts with making a mess and sifting through the chaos to really put things into perspective.
