The KonMari Method -- Mementoes

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Before watching, place your bets in the comments below on how long it took me to complete 'mementoes'. :P
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The previous KonMari video, decluttering my attic (which is also where this one takes place), can be found here:
• KonMari Method -- 'Kom...
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Thank you for your support, and I hope I can help you get your shit together!
Laura

[@TwoGrainsOfGold]

I really appreciate your authenticity in this video ♥️ When I did the Kon Mari method the first time in 2016, I didn’t reach a “click point” either, but the MAGIC did begin because I had a flashback of what I TRULY wanted my life to look like! Eventually by 2018, the *magic* led me to resign from my job as an Operations Director and begin a course or study in Psychology. I’m now working on my doctoral studies to become a clinical psychologist - something I have wanted to do since I was a teenager. I have given away all but 2 of my Finance textbooks from my MBA days, both are on behavioral finance. It’s the behavioral component that *sparks joy* and now about 3.5 years later I think I might be close to my “click point” because even though I do have a few extraneous things, they do actually have a purpose. I must add that her 2nd book “spark joy” helped with the refining process. Happy journeying 💕😇

[@Moonwynd5]

First, this was a genuine and heartfelt video...I found myself empathizing with you without even knowing what you were going through...and since this is an older video, I am glad to know you are doing ok today :) As far as this category, Mementoes, goes...I am sort of dreading the day when I get to this point. When I was looking at your attic, all I could think was that I easily have 10 times that amount in boxes and totes in my basement. I save every...single...memento. I mean, some of the stuff in my boxes/totes is junk...who needs eleventy old computer mice with connections that they don't even have on computers today. That stuff will now be easy to just toss. But my mementos...oy. When you were going through the biscuit tin...imagine that times 100...I will want to stop and remember each little item I find...cards, letters, items...I think it will take me a week to KonMari my mementoes...because I am trying to figure out what items I really want to keep and hold on to...that tell the story of my life...and that maybe my daughters can have one day that will help them not only know the story of their dad's life, but that might even help tell the story of their own lives as well. As always, your vlogs are just a sweet joy to watch :)

[@HowToGYST]

Yup, mementoes is definitely a tough one. I'd advise doing it in chunks of time, with plenty of drinks, snacks, and stretching breaks. Make yourself as comfortable as you can, because one of the things I still remember from that was how terribly uncomfortable I was and how badly my back was aching. But there's no point worrying about it 'til you get there. You may find it much easier than you think. There were plenty of categories that I was dreading that turned out to be some of the easiest and quickest. You've just gotta get stuck in and hope for the best. 🙂

[@goonsie1]

I am currently reading KonMari & using your videos as a sort of touchstone to reality. Thank you for both making me feel human and inspiring me to tackle the inevitable. I will most likely Not be thanking my purses or other such inanimate objects...and Will most likely be hanging on to ALL old letters & photos as I have a TERRIBLE memory. ;0) Will let you know how it goes.

[@petmomful2260]

Your video was so heartfelt. I just want to say that for those of you who have a lot of happy mementos to go thru, be glad because my childhood was quite bad and I do not have happy mementos to go thru. My mom and dad did not save our stuff, go to our games, appreciate our good grades, or anything. Maybe that can give you a different perspective, in a good way. You are so lucky to have happy childhood mementos. All I have is mostly bad memories. I made sure the lives of my kids were better and I sure do enjoy my grandkids! lol I wish everyone the best in their decluttering adventures! I am decluttering my stuff, and constantly trying to declutter my heart and mind of bad memories!

[@emailme6785]

Hello from Australia. Thanks for your video. You just inspired me to declutter my cupboard full of plastic storage containers. 2 boxes going in recycling & 1 box going to charity. Already on to the next cupboard as not much sparking "joy" but wasting valuable storage space. I feel inspired it's not just me that feels overwhelmed by clutter we don't use or need. Blessings on u for helping people worldwide 😀

[@HowToGYST]

Sounds like you're making great progress! Ride that motivation train right to the end of the track! 😁

[@jacquiworth5323]

Thank you Laura for being such an inspiration. I am from Far North Queensland Australia. I have started the KonMarie method. Thank you for welcoming us into your home. Xx take care 😘

[@erbadkitten]

You have become such an inspiration for me. I found your videos after I read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up. I love how you take such a realistic approach to the process. I have also found it easier to deal with an area at a time when it's full of "random shit" (which really deserves it's own category. ) I have not gotten to mementos yet... I'm just not ready or there yet. But I'm actually looking forward to it. I have moved too much shit around for the last two decades. But I realized as I was setting those items aside, how much emotional baggage I've been lugging around in tangible items I don't need or want in my life. But I always felt I had to keep everything that had sentimental value. Now I don't. So that's progress. Thanks for letting us go with you on your journey. It's been amazingly helpful to my own! :)

[@HowToGYST]

What a lovely comment. Thank you so much, you've really brightened my day! Delighted to hear your KonMari journey is going well. Keep up the great work and you'll have sentimental items knocked on the head in no time. =)

[@carmenhays7997]

Thank you for your authenticity on this leg of the journey. You encouraged me to go beyond the sock drawer and I am 2/3 of the way through my at studio which is a big undertaking. I have put in twelve hours so far. I think I had to tackle the biggest first to see the accomplishment.

[@HowToGYST]

That's great! Actually being able to see a visible difference is such a huge motivator! It's easy to feel discouraged when all the changes are small or only happening behind cupboard and closet doors. Another big benefit? It can only get easier from here on in! WUHOO!

[@patriciawilliams208]

I'm doing mementos and have been doing mementos for weeks now. The letters are the hardest. Years and years of letters from friends and the memories attached to them. I'm not even going to look at photographs yet. I very much appreciated your honesty and willingness to get 'down and dirty' . And thank you for the summing up and comments. They do inspire me.

[@KhaosKobold]

I found your videos kind of randomly searching through KZbin a few days ago and now I also read the book and will start tomorrow with the KonMari Method. At the moment I am a little afraid especially of the categories books (I have sooo much of them) and papers (also many big frightening piles) but watching your journey has me motivated to try it and gives me hope that I can do this. Thank you so much. I really look forward to watching your other videos

[@HowToGYST]

You can do it! It will be tough going at times, but it's so worth it. Make sure you're comfortable when you do it (I often made the mistake of hunching over on the floor) and take regular breaks. If you keep plugging away at it, you'll be done before you know it! Good luck!

[@ElleChick]

I want to congratulate you on completing the KonMarie Method. Just like you, when I was finished I didn't feel done. I now keep a box in my garage and as I tidy up I ask myself does this item still bring me joy. If it doesn't it goes in the box and when the box is full I take it to a donation store.

[@HowToGYST]

+Michelle Chick Great idea! That's pretty much what I plan on doing after I've gone through the Method one more time. I know I can definitely weed out some more things, and then I'm hoping it'll just be a matter of maintenance. It's great to hear that other people didn't feel 'done' though. Makes me feel like less of a loser. ;) Congrats to you too!

[@bonitajordan6825]

This category is difficult. Yesterday the memento shelves, all 10 of them were divided into keep, donate, share and sell. I could open a wee shop of my own. If I feel “ stuck” I take a picture, ponder for 24 hours and decide then on the items fate.

[@marilyngandhi4213]

Hi Laura, I am starting again with my decluttering and thanks so much for sharing with us all :)

[@eleanoratrainor]

The nature of living our lives is about accumulations ....and as we go through each passage of our lives ...we are forever changing our desires, dreams and aspirations when we are truly living our lives. Congratulations for your commitment, awareness and sharing your personal journey inspired by the KonMari Method.🙏 while nourishing your soul - We heal when we feel- At one move in my life, I shredded 7 years of paperwork related to my professional creativity and program developments . I plummeted into such a state of depression, coming through into the other side of fully realizing I was more than and less than my perceived sense of self. This last move, I again embarked eliminating not only mountains of paperwork ( 200 charts of clients), but personal and household items ...a journey of a full year, which will take more time than I have anticipated. Through this process, I’m facing not only my impermanence, but the big picture of how short our lives are, including my adult children and my aging spouse. Through this cleansing, I see myself moving into recreating myself, which I believe is “ our lives “ when we fully live to our fullest, as we learn to detach from our material possessions and manifestations of our creations. It is bitter sweet, rich and simultaneously painfully freeing 🙏 This is the physical reality of this plane, as we grapple with the the limited time of our existence here.

[@ConspiracySmurf]

Thanks for being so honest about your end result and your plans to do it again because I'm still working on round one but totally see myself doing it again after I have less to consider and I'm a seasoned vet with a plan...I have eliminated 70% of the house and I still have too much stuff, I'm definitely not going to ever be a minimalist. I like stuff. I call it treasure. I could easily be a hoarder but instead I binge watch Hoarder shows and other people doing Konmari and then I get up and clean something. Since I watched Marie Kondo on Netflix in January I have not had one zero day. I purge or organize something every day and it's working. It's a lifestyle now. It's a habit that replaced "I'll just put this here for now and take care of it later..." No. Do it right now. Put it away. Throw it away. Get up off your butt. You know what else happens when you do all this? You might lose a few pounds. I know some of you count steps. Pick up after yourself. It's that easy. :)

[@TheMorningtrain]

Forget about congratulating you on konmari completion of round one. I want to say my admiration goes to you for giving up chocolate for entire year. Please do a video about that. I want to know more - how? Why? Pros and cons? Difficulty level?

[@HowToGYST]

Ha ha. It's been over a year and a half now. I can certainly record a video on it if you'd like. =)

[@HowToGYST]

For you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYa3gnd-bKl_d9k =)

[@tbaker4171]

Thank you for sharing! I too am struggling through the process and can tell I will need to do it more than once. As a teacher, paper is the hardest category!

[@HowToGYST]

Stick with it! It's tough at times but well worth it! You can find my KonMari playlist (including the paper category) here: kzbin.info/aero/PL25FgX463_ih5GIRf62EpwbbwGHLc7WxK Hope it helps. =)

[@dinaatjuh]

I bought the book, read the first chapters. Using your videos as extra motivation. :)

[@HowToGYST]

Hurray! Delighted to hear they're motivating you. 😁

[@fionawhelan522]

I had that same first planner as you! Mine's long gone, what a blast from the past 😄 well done on completing your first round of konmarie,!

[@HowToGYST]

+Fiona W Thank you! The more I think about it, the more pleased I am with my efforts. I put a huge amount of work into it over the past few months, and I've definitely seen a pay-off. But it's still a work in progress. ;) I thought I was so special with my planner that nobody else had, but it turns out loads of people had it. Ha ha. I love seeing things that suddenly bring back a whole flood of forgotten memories. :D

[@robbien.3964]

How to Get Your Shit Together I didn't catch whether or not your first planner ended up staying or going. I was almost 19 before I had anything other than just a calendar. I used that first planner until it fell apart at which time I threw it away. Within the last couple years I saw one of the same model (different color) at Goodwill and it just thrilled me to pick it up and remember my first organizer.

[@HowToGYST]

It stayed! :D

[@farahdyer-steel3877]

not able to get my hubby to understand that with momentoes, you need to look and hold each item, remember its history and only THEN make a decision what to do with it, I can't just throw it all out willy nilly

[@EvieVermont]

Farah Dyer-Steel good luck

[@jonellhickok6525]

Great 😊👍🏻Thanks so much❗️❗️😍I am 73 yrs old🎈💥💓 Just getting started 🙆This was my first Viedo I saw of yours ❗️will look at others 😉 Thanks😍 JoNell

[@HowToGYST]

+JoNell Hickok I think you mean 73 years young. ;) Hope you enjoy the other videos, and thanks so much for watching. Let me know how you get on. =)

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

Great job! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@HowToGYST]

+Annie Peroutka Thanks for watching. :D

[@pearsonchick]

Laura, I'm just watching this now again for motivation as I get ready to do sentimental items at home. Being a few years after this was posted, was the big life change moving to the States? I wonder! 😄 If only we could see years ahead at times of stress. ❤

[@HowToGYST]

It was!

[@cosmicpolitan]

The clothes category was a breeze for me, and I'm completely stuck in books. I am more than happy to get rid of books, but only after I have read them. I donate all my books to the local library when I'm finished. Konmari says if you haven't read those books by now, then you never will. And she might very well be right, but I am stuck at this point. I've convinced myself that I WILL READ THEM, BY GOD, if it's the last thing I do. ha ha

[@HowToGYST]

Maybe set a deadline. Pick out 5 books, for example, and tell yourself that, by the end of X date, you have to donate any you haven't read. Then pick another 5 after that, etc.

[@ConspiracySmurf]

Did you read them? It's been 2 years. I'm your accountability fairy....lol....time to donate them. I love my books....well I did...I had tons...my whole life....I'm down to six. Six. I see them all lined up Konmari style, rainbowed, short to tall rising to the right and they spark joy now when I look at them. All of the others are a click away to be read for free online, downloads for Kindle, you can buy the actual book on Amazon, etc, or visit a library or used bookstore and find it again. You don't need them. The knowledge and stories are in your head or in the cloud....just keep the ones that touched your soul, made you who you are and spark joy. Consider the world your storage unit and tell the books they are not gone from your life or trash, they are just stored further away from you. Not everything can be on your desk, some things are in closets or offsite but they still exist and you still have access. Trust me...I know the feeling of comfort from books, the look, the smell...do it, it's worth it. The new look and smell of clean shelves does something to your spirit and mind on the other end of the warm fuzzy spectrum and makes you feel light, grounded, and that you are on top of your life and have your shit together just knowing where your stuff is and having no more stuff than you can manage and keep sanitary. Time to do some Spring cleaning now. :)

[@ConspiracySmurf]

Also I've spent the last 24 hours cleaning out a file cabinet of Taxes from 2006-2019 and everything that goes with that...a file cabinet STUFFED till it BROKE open and fell apart. Cry for me, too. lol It was the last of my "Paper" to KonMari and I've got that cabinet plus another one condensed down to one small letter size plastic file box that is rainbow organized and I designed and printed labels free from Avery labels website. I'm feeling pretty awesome in spite of the whoopin' I just took realizing how many times I moved dragging multiple copies of the same notices and bills. Two hefty bags full of absolute trash.

[@cjtaylor9178]

I was doing this method also but had stop and pack up a couple of rooms for painters. Now I am doing a mix of methods😳 Started with clothes, easy right? Well not if part of it is your deceased spouses. Quite emotional. But after going thru the clothes, donating, repurposing etc I feel that I did not do an adequate job and will definitely go through the clothes again. Perhaps it’s a sign that I began with way way too much stuff. Books were much easier. Onward...

[@MySelfa1]

Hi! I am doing momentoes tomorrow. Last category! The most difficulties I found with kitchen. I had many pretty plates and mugs and it was very hard to let go the part of them. But I did it. And you know what? I am going to do Konmari method one more time soon. I love how it really changes my mindset. I like your channel very much and I appologize for my English.

[@HowToGYST]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with your English! 🙂 HUGE congratulations on making it so far with the KonMari Method. I found the kitchen a struggle too. Wishing you lots of luck for tomorrow. Remember to get comfortable and have lots of snacks on hand. Take regular breaks too. YOU CAN DO IT!

[@MySelfa1]

Thank you, you are so kind! I like your videos because you're so funny and you are telling us all how it is. My husband is exactly like yours - he does not want purge anything. He doesn't love tobasco souce but he have kept hair products and deodorants from 2008... :D Have a wonderfull day! :) Greetings from Latvia!

[@HowToGYST]

Ooh, I've never been to Latvia. What's it like? We're about to move from Ireland to America so my husband has finally decided to let go of the Tabasco sauce! Hurray! Ha ha. Actually, we're both about to spend the weekend ruthlessly decluttering to make the packing process so much easier.

[@MySelfa1]

Good for you both! That's already a progress! I spend half a day declutering momentous. I'm tired and also I am not feeling the click of an accomplishment. And I know why. Because that ALL is clutter. Loved one but still - clutter. Old diaries, fotos etc. I don't need them but would be sad if I have to purge them. :( You asked about Latvia. It is nice country, very green. We have a lot of forests, meadows. The summers are very short (about 2 mounths). I have never been in Ireland. To be honest I have been only in Lithuania. Thank you for answering. Most youtubers never answers.

[@HowToGYST]

Latvia sounds very like Ireland! =) Don't worry about Mementoes, you did the best you could. Maybe leave it a month or two and then go back and see if there's anything else you're happy to let go of. It sounds silly, but I often found it easier to get rid of things after I'd told myself I could keep them. I hope that makes sense.

[@susanpeterson9947]

This video is several years old now. I’m curious to know if you feel better about the amount of belongings you kept, or if you still feel your journey is incomplete, or if you have gone back and purged more. I have just begun my journey and am incorporating some (not nearly all) of Marie’s methods. I figure it’s my work to do and I am entitled to do it my way.

[@HowToGYST]

I did it once more about a year after this and got rid of more. Happy overall but it could probably be pared down a bit again.

[@Lizbetstyle]

I haven't finished the method yet, but I feel I will revisit some of the past categories at least once or twice. Usually something will come to mind to get rid of a day or two after I complete a category. I'm not looking forward to momentos.

[@HowToGYST]

+Lizbetstyle It was definitely the toughest category for me. Not necessarily because of any emotional attachment, but just the length of time it took. I possibly should have spread it out over 2 or 3 days but, to be honest, I just wanted to get it over and done with! How far along are you? How are you finding it?

[@Lizbetstyle]

How to Get Your Shit Together I'm about 1/2 way through the Komono. Had planned on going through all the categories in the basement this month, but I got sick on Nov 30th and even though I'm better, my voice still hasn't recovered. I wanted to film the declutter for my channel so it looks like another week or so before I'll get started. Luved going through the clothes, accessories, shoes. Hated going through the paperwork - had 17+ bags of discard/shred, but at least I'll never have to deal with my hubby's papers from 1963 again. Ha. Luved going through the kitchen - did the utensils and pots and pans, will finish the glasses/plates when I change back from the holiday dishes. Looking forward to all the house decor/knick knacks (that and the tools are what is in the basement). Dreading momentos. There is just sooooo much but since I don't remember what is in the many, many boxes maybe it won't be too bad.

[@HowToGYST]

+Lizbetstyle Ugh, I hated the kitchen! I'm a terrible cook/baker, so very little in the kitchen brings me joy. But my husband enjoys it so wanted to keep everything. Argh! I suspect that the reason 'komono' is so broad and long is that, by the time you get to 'mementoes', you're pretty happy to just chuck everything in the bin and call it done. Ha ha.

[@szytrelfa593]

Well done! I am exhausted watching you.

[@HowToGYST]

😂 It was tough going, especially the first day. But worth it!

[@jamesbriggs5740]

I am not looking forward to mementos. I have not gone through some of that stuff for over four years. I need to finish papers first. Slowly working on komono. Kathy B.

[@myname-ed6dg]

HOW do you decide what "really" gives you joy? So many mementoes....hard to let go.

[@HowToGYST]

I guess it's the same as everything else -- you hold it and see how you feel. A lot of mine evoked very happy memories and prompted a little stroll down memory lane, so I kept those. If something brought back sad or painful memories, I let it go. Or if it was something I knew in my heart of hearts I was never going to look at again (old school notes, for example), I let those go too. Remember that you're not obliged to get rid of anything. If it all makes you happy, keep it. 🙂

[@armeyf]

Is there no holiday decoration?

[@HowToGYST]

They're not sentimental so I covered those in a previous video where I cleared out all the non-sentimental items in the attic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3mTZH6Qf52YpKM =)

[@TwoHeartsOneRoof]

Crickey your attic is not that bad at all, ours is double that and there is stuff at my parents! lol!

[@HowToGYST]

I'd done a big clear-out not long before this video, so it was a lot worse! 😂

[@mariaclevy5972]

2.5 days?

[@HowToGYST]

+Maria Clevy Ha ha. Thankfully, no. But it certainly felt like it!

[@EvieVermont]

Sorry your mood is down...