Momentum is building (a.k.a. To Konmari or not to Konmari?--that is the question)

Back in March, my mom sent me this article about a decluttering trend from Japan that was quickly gaining a worldwide following. She likely thought of me when she read it because Tony and I were trying hard to make the most of our Sunday mornings (while the big kids were at Sunday School and Sebastian was still taking a morning nap) to clean out and declutter our garage, bookshelves, you name it.  At the time, I thought the article was an interesting read, but it seemed that Marie Kondo's methods were a bit extreme. Indeed, her technique is unorthodox...go through EVERYTHING in your home; do it by category (she lists them in her book), not room; keep ONLY the things that "spark joy"...  I thought, "This sounds like a lot to tackle."  But when I actually began reading her book recently, it was like my decluttering clouds parted and the sun came out. In no time at all, I began to daydream about how neat, tidy and uncluttered my home could be one day and how I can finally part with things I've been holding on to since high school (and before--eek!). It was like she was speaking my language (in Japanese AND English)! Kondo's methods are not for the faint of heart, but she gives sound and reasonable advice and answers to age-old decluttering dilemmas in a way I've never seen or read before...plus she brags that her clients never relapse! Needless to say, she got my attention!

Until now, I've been pretty loath to dive in headfirst to a full-out decluttering of our home because I'm a bit of a neat-nik...and the idea of multiple rooms in our house looking disorganized (even for a short while)...did not sound appealing to me. But then I starting hearing my Grandma Lonia's voice in my head...praising me for my naturally "minimalist" lifestyle (no doubt reinforced by my time living in Japan)...and then I remembered that I really do want less, not more (stuff) in life. So maybe the "Konmari" methods are, in fact, meant for me!

For example, I might one day win the paper battle in the kitchen...

And under my bed (ahhh)!

I haven't officially started to "tidy up" (as Kondo calls it) our home, but here are a few examples of the things I thought of while reading the book:
That toaster oven that we haven't used in three years? See ya!
The trophy I was awarded at age 13 for being the top female swimmer on my swim team in Hawaii? Fare thee well and good riddance!
Those old door screens that we've never and will never use? Ciao!
Countless t-shirts, old winter coats, nearly empty bottles of lotion, random storage baskets, piles of paper and boxes of things from multiple moves that are still making our over-sized garage feel cramped?? Your days are numbered!!

Lucky for me, there was a community-wide recycling event in our town recently, so I was able to toss quite a few of the aforementioned items plus nearly 20 cans of old paint that the previous homeowners left in our garage. It felt great to get rid of all of it!!

The guy in front of me in line was dumping old lamps and old carpet/rug padding. Woohoo!

As you can see, visions of clutter-free closets and a neat, clean garage are making me salivate! And I really think that the momentum is building for Tony and me to tackle our possessions in a way that will result in a more organized and zen-filled life for us. Could these daydreams come to fruition in our near future? Quite possibly...and I can't wait!!