Officially we have until 21st June to prepare for summer proper – its start is signalled by the arrival of the Summer Solstice, (longest day and shortest night) and it is ushered firmly out by the Autumn Equinox on around the 23rd September, where the sun crosses the equator from…
Browsing CategoryDiscarding
10 tips to make moving house less stressful
We’re not. Moving, that is. We need to really – we’re a bedroom short meaning that every time we have family to stay, we shunt the cot into our room and have a noisy night of disturbed sleep where I worry that the toddler is waking the guests, I worry…
Lamps, paddles, a sculpture of boxes, and some peace of mind.
Odd Job Jon finally made his appearance, drill in one hand and selection of screws and nails in the other. So after various ailments (his, mine, and the baby’s) I was finally able to spend an afternoon rejigging the hallway. Below I’ll explain what changes we’ve made and what the…
What happens when I work with a client?
Many people I speak to seem to be quite curious about what actually happens when I work with a client to declutter their space. People thinking about inviting me into their home obviously want to assess: That they’ll get value for money Whether it’s worth the ‘risk’ of starting what…
The reluctant tidier?
A while ago I was preparing to work on the papers category with a client (who gave her blessing for me to share this experience with you). We’d completed clothing very efficiently together, and books had also been quite straightforward. She had been effusive about the benefits she was already…
Eight Magazines
I did something very small but very significant this week. I got rid of eight magazines. Before you close this page thinking ‘well she got boring quickly’, read a bit further. During my KonMari tidying journey, I’ve got rid of many more items in one go, but I’ve found these…
The Power of the Pile
One of my favourite principles of Marie Kondo’s tidying method is that of collecting items together in one place before starting to joy check and discard. Clients often question this, identifying (correctly) that it takes a lot of time to remove books from bookshelves or paperwork from folders, especially when…
Do you Osouji?
I hope you enjoyed Christmas and are now relaxing with those who are dear to you. It can be an exhausting time, and definitely one of accumulation and consumption. The Christian roots of Christmas place it quite clearly as the beginning of an era, but as an annual event…
Having a KonMari Christmas
The festive season is nearly upon us, as evidenced by the FABULOUS selection of sweets in the supermarkets and nativity displays springing up around the island. It’ll be my first Christmas in Malta, though not my first away from the UK, and I’m eager to continue the KonMari lifestyle as…
Six things to do with discarded items
‘Take each item in one’s hand and ask: ‘does this spark joy?’ If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it’. Marie Kondo As you work through the KonMari process, you’re likely to find yourself getting rid of hundreds of items. Marie Kondo herself once consulted a couple…