Organizing clothing with the KonMari method

The KonMari organizing method has been around for a couple of years, but some of its ideas and methods can still be confusing for some people looking to live a more organized life. Here is how the KonMari method can help you get organized, starting with your clothing:

What is it?

According to the KonMari method, organizing should not happen room by room, but item by item. In this way, people are able to properly organize and find a home for one specific item, which may be scattered throughout a home. Clothes are recommended as the first item to start organizing. Organizing begins by collecting all of the like items together and laying them on the ground so you can get a good look at what you have. Then, you go through each item to determine whether or not it makes you happy or “sparks joy.”

Karen, at Calm Order recommends to start with areas with the least amount of attachment. Clothing may not necessarily be easy for some. Sometimes it is going through the pantry or kitchen which may just be an easier place to start.

Often, we hold on to items for sentimental or practical purposes. Maybe the item of clothing was on sale, or a gift. Regardless of how or why you got it, if it doesn’t make you happy or you never wear it, you should simply donate it. The KonMari is based on only owning items in your home that have meaning and bring you joy.

Items should be organized and put in a place that is easy to find and access. Fancy storage solutions aren’t always the answer, and extra drawers and cupboards may encourage more clutter instead of stopping it. The KonMari method encourages people to focus on the folding and storage of items to prevent clutter. If items are special to you, you should treat them well. For example, your cloths should be folded and stored in a way that prevents them from getting wrecked or wrinkled and is easy for you to find and wear.

How is it done?

The unique KonMari method has attracted a lot of popularity for its complex steps and ability to significantly increase storage. Whether it is a t-shirt, pair of pants, or socks, any article of clothing you own can be folded using the KonMari method. This guide provides step by step illustrations of how you can fold your clothes using the KonMari way.

Once your clothes are folded properly, they need to be properly placed in your closet or wardrobe. Instead of organizing by colour, the KonMari method organizes clothing by light and dark clothing. For example, keep heavier winter sweaters separated from light summer blouses. This will also help you find clothes and pick out your outfit easier because similar items will all be placed together.

Clothes in drawers are not stacked on top of each other but stored vertically. This way, it is easier to see what clothes you have and prevents shirts or pants from getting lost at the bottom of your drawer. By folding items in the precise KonMari way, you’ll also cut down on wrinkles, so everything is ready to wear when you need it.

Where else can you use this method?

The KonMari folding method can be used to help you organize your clothing for a vacation or a home move. Use the folding method to save space in your suitcase when you travel and prevent your clothes from getting too wrinkled before you reach your destination. You can even store your folded items in storage cubes.

Clothes can also be folded using this method when you’re packing up your belongings before moving. You will be able to fit a lot more items of clothing in a box or plastic bin by stacking your shirts, pants, and other articles of clothing vertically instead of horizontally. You will also be able to easily see what items you have stored in what box, and quickly transfer the clothing after your move back to your wardrobe or closet.

The KonMari method can help with organizing more than just your clothes – its basic principles can be applied to any item in your home. However, in order to make sure your newly-organized items stay organized, you need to ensure that you continue to keep clutter down. Remember to only keep items that bring you joy and make sure that every item has a proper and easy to access home. The KonMari method is not meant to help with one-time organization, but help you stay organized for the long term.

Are you ready for your summer vacation?

Summer is here, and that means many Calgarians are getting ready to head out on their summer vacations. Any summer trip, whether it is a quick weekend getaway or month abroad, requires a lot of planning. Below, we’ve outlined some of the steps you will need to complete to ensure you have everything you need before you leave! 

Make lists

Lists can help you keep track of every stage of your trip. To prevent you from getting confused, make sure that you separate your lists by subject. For example, keep one list for just the items you need to pack and another for what you need to do before you leave.

When you’re putting together a “to do” list, or a list of items to pack, make sure that you keep them in a place that is easy to find. You don’t want to lose it before you even start! Consider using a task tracking app like Trello or Awesome Note. You can also create a list on a white board and hang it in your office, kitchen or bedroom. This way, anyone can easily add or check off your items and tasks as you complete them.

Pack smart

One of the most essential parts of an organized trip is packing smart. Before you start pulling out your items, make sure you consider what the weather is predicted to be like at your destination, what activities you will be doing, and how you will be travelling. Do you need to consider baggage restrictions on a flight, or have limited room in your vehicle? From here, you can put together your packing list, and use it to make sure that all of your items are accounted for.

When your packing items, consider using packing cubes or storage compartments to keep your items organized, compact, and easy to find. Packing cubes are smaller, rectangular fabric containers that can fit a variety of items. For example, you can use one to store all of your shirts so they are neatly folded and easy to find. Storage containers and bags with smaller compartments and pockets can also help you keep like items with like, and help you fit more items in your bag.

Create an itinerary

Your summer vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so make sure you know where you need to be and when! Make sure to record important times for travelling, tours, excursions and meet-ups for your vacation before you leave. You can use the calendar in your phone or an agenda to keep track of addresses and times. Apps like Google Trips and TripCase can store all of your important travel information, as well as any documents you may need like tickets and reservation confirmations.

If you are travelling with other people, make sure they have access to a copy of the trip itinerary, so everyone is on the same page. Apps (like the ones listed above) and phone calendars having sharing functions that allow you to share your itinerary and information with travel mates. 

Prepare your home

Even though you are leaving home behind, it’s important to make sure that everything is prepared for when you leave. Make arrangements to have a neighbour, friend or family member check on your house periodically over your vacation. A list of what to check for, as well as any keys or passcodes needed should also be gathered and provided for whoever is watching your home. Any outdoor items like toys and patio furniture should be properly stored. It is a good idea to give the inside of your house a quick clean, so everything is in place for your return.

Any arrangements for pick-ups from airports, train stations or bus stops should also be made beforehand. Let a family member or friend know about your travel plans and provide contact information in case of an emergency.

Before you get away for rest and relaxation, make sure you are ready for your trip by making lists, packing smart, creating an itinerary, and preparing your home. By completing these tasks ahead of time, you can enjoy a stress-free vacation this summer!

Camping done right!

Camping: this one small word encompasses a lot of tasks, including shopping, packing, cleaning, setting up, and cleaning up. Camping is a summer vacation that requires a lot of management and organization. Below, we've got suggestions on how you can pull off your camping trip in the most efficient and organized way. A summer vacation spent camping can be busy, but it can also be fun and relaxing!

1.     Make a list – and check it twice!

The key to every major organization process is to make a list. When you’re preparing for a camping trip, it’s important to take the time to think about everything you’re going to need, from food to clothing to entertainment. Camping is also about more than just packing for the trip – it also includes making sure your home is clean and secure before you leave, and that you have any maps, snacks, music, or other items for the drive. One long list can be overwhelming, so try breaking your list down into different sections, like breakfast food, or campfire snacks, or what to do before you leave. Once your list is completed and you have finished packing, make sure to give it one more look over to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything important. You can find an online checklist for camping here.

2.     Pack like items with like

Once you’ve determined what items you need to bring, you’ll need to start packing them in your trailer or RV, or into travel bags/bins. Pack together items that are similar. When you’re camping, this might not be as simple as putting all clothes in one bin. For example, consider packing all warmer clothes for during cool nights and mornings together, and lighter clothes for warmer temperatures together. This way, you can quickly find the clothes you need, whatever the weather may be. When you’re packing food, put all the items that need to be kept in a fridge or cooler together, and all items that can be stored at room temperature in one container. You can also pack food by meal type. Keep all breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack items together so they’re easy to all pull out when you need them. When you go to unpack at your campsite, this process will be a lot easier because all the items you need for specific activities or tasks will be sorted together. When you are figuring out what items to put together, think about what makes sense to you and your camping mates and the type of camping you are doing. Different systems will work better or make more sense for you than it will for others!

3.     Label, label, label!

Tenting, RVing, and trailer camping all use a lot of equipment and items that can be hard to keep track of when you’re packing and unpacking them. Store items in clearly marked containers, in a system that makes sense to you and your family or friends. For example, use clear boxes with easy to read labels that identify clothes, food, or toys. You can also use colour coordinated boxes, and store all cutlery and plates in a green bin, and all swimming gear in a blue bin, or whatever you may have. If you’re tenting, consider using glow-in-the-dark tape or brightly coloured bins to label and store your items so they’re easy to see even when it is dark out. Labelling all your items and storage areas will help you find items easier, and make the packing and unpacking process more efficient!

4.     Be practical

It’s important to make sure that you have all the items you need, but it’s also important to make sure that you don’t over pack. The cramped spaces of RV’s and trailers, not to mention tents, don't allow for a lot of storage space. Try not to take up valuable room with non-essential items, so before you begin the packing process,  go through and “declutter” the items you are ready to pack first! Most campgrounds have laundry facilities and potable water, so it isn’t always necessary to bring so many items like clothes, disposable cutlery, and disposable plates when you can easily reuse a select few items for the duration of your trip. Make up a meal plan ahead of time for breakfast, lunch, and supper, and purchase the food that you need for those meals (as well as a few snacks!) but don’t go overboard when you’re shopping. While you want to make sure you have enough food, it’s unnecessary to buy food that you “think” you’ll need. It isn’t worth packing out a lot of food when you will end up packing it all home, so shop wisely. If you are camping with others, consider splitting up the grocery list, and allocating a portion of the items for each person to buy and bring out.

Camping requires a lot of planning, packing, and unpacking, but the more organized you are before you leave, the more time you’ll have to relax in the great outdoors!