Over the last few months, I have been trying out some different experiments to make my life better. Some have been amazing, some have been epic failures. When I heard about Tidying Up on Netflix, I was not planning on doing anything other than be nosey but life doesn’t work that way.
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What is Tidying Up?
Tidying Up is the latest Netflix special that has everyone raving and throwing stuff out if it doesn’t spark joy within them. The series is based on the best selling book by Japanese decluttering expert, Marie Kondo. Within days of the show appearing on Netflix, my social media was filled with pictures of black bin bags boxes of stuff that were being binned or given to charity because they didn’t “spark joy” in people. Her method, the KonMari method, is based on a lifetime of organising and years spent as an attendance maiden in a Shinto shrine. Although a lot of people think the method is about throwing stuff out, it’s really about what you want to keep and organising it properly in your home.
How has it affected me?
First of all, I am aware that I made a big deal about not watching TV but this programme seemed like it could be a good show. I am not the type of person that throws things out easily because I know what it is like to go without. A few years ago, I was homeless and flat broke. I have literally clawed my way up from rock bottom to where I am now. I have a lot of stuff that doesn’t spark joy because of the time when I got it or I don’t want to throw it out because I don’t exactly have the finances to replace it. For example, I have a mountain of dinner plates and most of them are mismatched because they are second hand and I received them when I was trying to get back on my feet. They do not spark joy but I have never replaced them because there isn’t anything wrong with them other than the memory I have attached to them. What the programme has done for me is give me permission to get rid of the second-hand stuff that people gave me when I was at my lowest.
How can it work for you?
I have a mountain of stuff to get rid of (and replace) now, which isn’t a bad thing. Chipped mugs have been given the boot and anything that is in good nick has been donated to charity shops. But, I refuse to get rid of anything for the sake of getting rid of stuff. I know there have been a lot of complaints because people are getting rid of loads of stuff and then regretting it. I know, I feel you. When I was getting back on my feet, I had a massive shoe collection and I had to sell loads of my shoes to help cover important stuff. I still wake up at nights in a cold sweat at the memory of selling my shoes to pay the bills.
What will happen now?
Once I have everything organised and replaced, I will be donating around 90% of it to charity shops. The other 10% is stuff that would be no use to anyone. What I am looking forward to is having matching things for when people come around. When my mum comes for dinner, we eat of mismatched plates and it makes me feel like I’m a student, not a married woman with children. And I’m sure plenty of people will feel the same about changing and upgrading their stuff. I have no intention of following the rule about only having 30 books (lol!) and my DVD collection will probably continue to grow. I’ll probably try to grow my shoe collection again. What can I say? It sparked joy within me.
Have you seen Tidying Up yet? Or have you read the books? Let me know in the comments section. And don’t forget to check out my other posts about my recent self-improvement kick-
This book was life changing! My mother in law gave it to me for christmas a few years back and it has helped so much! I haven’t seen the Netflix show but am looking forward to watching it!
I haven’t read the book, a quick search of Amazon showed a few books by Marie and I wasn’t sure which one to get, but I will be getting a copy to help with the clutter. The Netflix show is really interesting and worth a watch to see her in action.
I’m pretty diligent at throwing away stuff I dont need regularly. I have been meaning to watch that show and after reading if your experience, I sure will.
I tend to throw things away when I know I that they are completely done but I hold on to other stuff. It is definitely worth a watch.
I really need to check this show out. I would love to learn a thing or two about cleaning the house!
It is a great show and will inspire you to get rid of those things that you are on the fence about that are taking up room in the cupboards.
I love watching NetFlix and I’ve never heard this movie I will find this movie sounds it is a great movie. thanks for sharing
It is a Netflix exclusive so I don’t know how much longer it will be on for. But it is great show for the new year clear out 🙂
I did watch Tidying Up and she just enforced some practices I already knew I needed to do. It was definitely a strong reminder to get rid of my stuff that I no longer need or wear.
I think we need that reminder from time to time, but it was a great show 🙂