Hello friends — how was your first Monday of the year? Ready to tackle the months ahead? I’m excited to share progress on a long-running mission: decluttering our home using the KonMari method.
Last fall I picked up The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up after reaching a breaking point with clutter. With two small children, the house often feels chaotic, and I wanted a practical, lasting solution. The KonMari approach gave me clear guidelines and a fresh way to think about what I own, so I dove in.
I wrote about my first impressions in an earlier post and received a variety of reactions — which is fine. The core principles of decluttering and choosing what truly brings value are useful even if the author’s tone feels intense to some readers.
I’m not aiming for perfection — I won’t empty my purse every time I walk in the door — but the method helps keep things manageable. With a baby to watch and a toddler to chase, I need realistic systems that reduce daily stress. The KonMari process, done category by category, offers that kind of structure.
I began with clothing in the master closet, paused to paint kitchen cabinets and enjoy the holidays, and now I’m back at it. Each month I’ll share progress on the first Tuesday — I’d love for you to follow along and try this with me.
If you plan to follow the KonMari method seriously, I recommend reading the book for her rationale and the recommended order of categories. Understanding the sequence makes the process far more effective.
After sorting tops and bottoms, I tackled shoes and purses over the weekend. Purse sorting was simple — I’ve used the same bag for a decade — so the extras were easy to let go. Shoes required more attention: they had overflowed and needed to be handled one pair at a time.
The Before Pictures:
Although I had reduced my wardrobe earlier, the closet had become disordered during holiday travel and the shoes were spilling everywhere. I also had a couple of storage tubs on the top shelf: one for swimsuits and cover-ups, and one for maternity clothes. Those two tubs are the only seasonal items left in the closet, which I appreciate because it prevents seasonal swapping and digging under the bed.
I also needed to return to KonMari folding — the book explains it and it really makes a visible difference. You’ll see the improvement in the after photos below.
How I declutter using the KonMari method:
All of my shoes gathered in one place …
- Pile items together by category. I collected every pair of shoes from around the house so nothing was missed — even the new rain boots left in the living room.
These shoes didn’t make the cut. Broken pairs were trashed and the rest were donated.
- Handle each item and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Hold the shoes in your hands and decide. Keep the pairs that truly serve you or bring happiness, and let go of the rest by donating or recycling what’s usable and discarding what’s irreparably worn.
- Clarifying “spark joy”: for me, usefulness can equal joy. A pair of old slip-ons I wear while working in the garage may not be fashionable, but they protect my feet and are easy to slip on — that practical value is worthwhile.
- Touching each item matters. Looking at a shelf won’t trigger the same decision as handling each piece. When I pick up a shoe and consider it, I focus on that single item and can make a clear choice. That hands-on step was a turning point in my decluttering.
These are the shoes I kept. Some clearly need replacing — I made a list of pairs to buy soon. I don’t shop for clothing or shoes often; I’d rather invest in home decor sometimes — but maintaining a functional shoe rotation matters.
- Return kept items to their designated space. I used stackable cubbies to store shoes. It might not be the most aesthetic solution, but it’s practical and affordable for now. You can refine storage later if needed.
Once I commit to an area it’s hard to stop — the satisfaction of removing items you don’t use is genuinely motivating. That said, life with small children means frequent interruptions, so progress happens in realistic, bite-sized sessions.
I organized my tops by type: plaid button-downs, blouses, and cardigans/jackets.
I appreciate this approach because it doesn’t feel endless. Sorting by category gives closure — when I finish shoes, I know shoes are done. The remaining items in the closet are what I wear and love; everything else has been removed or donated.
Next Month’s Topic:
On the first Tuesday of next month I’ll share how I decluttered books and papers. Books should be straightforward since we’ve already reduced our collection over the past few years, though gathering them from around the house will take time.
Papers are a different challenge. Paper clutter accumulates endlessly, and I’m guilty of stuffing stacks into boxes and forgetting them. I have several boxes of paperwork in my office that need to be sorted, recycled, or archived properly. That will be a major focus.
Homework:
Does the amount of stuff in your home feel overwhelming? Join me on this decluttering journey. It’s easier and more motivating with accountability and friends.
Get the book and start with your closet. If you can also begin sorting books and papers, that’s extra credit. Marie Kondo suggests it can take about six months to work through a whole home, so be patient — this is a long-term effort but a rewarding one.
More posts you may enjoy:
- How to KonMari Your Inbox
- Decluttering Books and Papers: The KonMari Method
- How to Organize a Linen Closet