I don’t read a lot of organizing books because I’ve always thought that the best way to get organized is to simplify. But while I used to be so much better at getting rid of clutter and making thoughtful purchases, having four young kids in the house has really challenged my ability to stay organized.
A few months ago, feeling exasperated by clutter and the constant chore of daily clean up with kids, I picked up Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I thought I was pretty good about decluttering, but after reading Kondo’s book, I was astonished to look around my house and see how much stuff we have that we don’t use and don’t love.
Kondo’s method is like nothing you’ve heard before. Forget everything you thought you knew about decluttering! It’s not about finding the right containers or even finding a place for everything. In fact, for Kondo, tidying isn’t something you should have to do every day or even every week. If you do it right and do it all at once, you don’t need to get organized ever again.
The book is really a fun and useful read, but if you’re anxious to get started right away and see what all the magic is about, eBay has partnered with Marie Kondo to develop 15 brand new tidying tips created exclusively for eBay. You can download the tips at eBay.com/sellitnow, featured in the “People Want What You Got” section.
I read that the average household has 52 extra or unused items worth over $4,000. I didn’t think this could possibly be true of my house until the kids and I began the tidying up process and I was amazed at how much “stuff” was hiding in plain sight all around our house. With eBay, we are turning a lot of the items we’ve discovered while decluttering into extra cash for the holidays.
My kids and I started our tidying up adventure with our clothes. Keeping Kondo’s tips in mind, we were ready to keep only the items that sparked joy.
Though I like to keep our bedrooms nice and tidy, I have to admit (hanging head in shame) that when I open my dresser drawers, they often look like this, which sparks anything but joy:
The kids’ drawers looked even worse, but after following Marie Kondo’s tips, we got them looking like this:
The kids were on board once I told them that they could keep any money they made from selling their clothes/toys on eBay after we finished decluttering. I had three really motivated little helpers!
We found clothes, handbags, and shoes that we didn’t love or use anymore but that were still in great condition to sell to eBay’s global community of 157 million active buyers. I had sweaters and dresses from Anthropologie, JCrew, and CrewCuts that had been pushed to the back of the drawers and forgotten about. These, along with previous generation technology, sell easily and well on eBay. We’ve already sold three of the five items we listed this week!
To make it even simpler, eBay Valet is a professional selling service that condenses the selling process into three simple steps: visit ebay.com/valet, request and print a free postage-paid shipping label, and ship items in any box. The Valet experts will showcase your items in the best light, in front of the largest online shopping audience. It’s safe and quick and the easiest way to make some extra cash!
I was feeling so overwhelmed with the daily tasks of keeping things organized with kids, but once I got started with the KonMarie method of decluttering, I was surprised at how easy it really is to declutter. Once we decided what we could part with, I was especially pleased by how easy it was to make some extra cash by selling our unused items on eBay and with eBay Valet.
Now my bedroom looks like this, I’ve got some extra money tucked away for holiday spending, and I couldn’t be happier!
This post was sponsored by The Motherhood and eBay. All opinions are entirely my own. I have been a happy eBay user for many years and I read Marie Kondo’s book independently of this post!.
Kme1981 says
What a great idea! I love the idea of only keeping the things that spark joy and selling the rest on eBay. Genius! When I home schooled I bought all my books and things in eBay. Now I’m going to try to resell! Awesome post!
Allison says
I love that idea too! How wonderful to live in a house with only things that spark joy in you – definitely makes for a happier home. Thanks for commenting – enjoy your extra eBay cash!
Kara says
I have some things I want to sell, but do you really think Ebay is better for selling than craigslist? I think I’m going to stick with craigslist for bigger items, but I’m wondering about ebay for clothes and things like that.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I have used both craigslist and eBay and I have had success selling and buying things with both. However, eBay wins extra points for me because it’s so much easier. Not only does it seem to take so much emailing back and forth for a craigslist sale and then making actual plans to meet somewhere, but I’ve had it happen more than once that I drive to the designated meeting point and the person never shows up so after all that I’m back to square one. That never happens with eBay – and I’m loving eBay’s new valet service where they literally take care of all of it! So, that’s my two cents. Good luck with your sales 🙂
Brenda says
One closet down and five bags of “stuff” less clutter. Now I just need to figure out the EBay selling.
I can’t stop looking at my closet…it feels soooo good.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Woohoo! The eBay thing is way easier than cleaning out the closet so you’ve got the hard part out of the way.
Lyndsey says
I love the drawer idea. Why didn’t I ever think to stack my clothes sideways? This book sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I know, right? It’s pure genius! That’s always been why my drawers end up so messy – I have to dig through the stacks to find what I’m looking for. Not anymore!
Katrina Jackson says
This post is an answer to my thoughts lately! I have ordered this book now and it is on it’s way. I declutter a lot at my house but the bags of unused clothes tend to hang around and stress me out! It’s a good idea to try and sell them! Otherwise we have the DI up here that is great for donations. I can’t wait to read this and start simplifying. Hoping it will help me feel less overwhelmed!
Katherine says
I love this post! My drawers are always so messy, and so are my kids! I have heard about that book and want to try it. Your drawers just look so happy! Plus, I have gobs of stuff to sell on ebay – maybe I’ll try that ebay valet. Have you had much success?
LauriAnn says
I am intrigued about the EBay valet service. As soon as I get my de cluttering process rolling I think I am going to check it out. It sounds more my speed than normal eBay transactions. I also can’t wait to read Kondo’s book!
V Ross says
I’ve heard about this book from several sources recently. I’ll be checking out the Ebay idea soon. What great ideas!
Jen V says
You should check out my friends site: http://www.lindsayrossblog she is also a photographer – but is so much more. She is going through the same process having read the same book! You two have a lot in common. She is incredible.
Kristy says
I should really read this book! One thing I did learn from the tips is how to fold tee shirts, I’ve been doing this with my husbands shirts, and his drawer stays organized longer and he can always find the shirt he is looking for.im looking forward to learning more!
Kristy says
I should really read this book! I learned the tee shirt tip online a while back, & I’ve been doing it in my husbands drawer, it stays organized when I fold them this way! Love it!
Bre says
I started to read this book just a day before you posted this on the blog. Currently my room looks like a war zone with all the clothes everywhere but I’m pretty excited to get it all tidy and possibly make some money.
Jamie says
Every year, around this time, I want to go through the kids’ rooms and de-clutter before Christmas…I can never get motivated though. What do I do with everything?! EBAY!! Thanks for the helpful tips…
TJ says
I’ve found that I never have enough room in my kitchen drawers for all my table cloths/ runners for each season of the year and holidays. Then my friend showed me how she folds them and hangs them on a nice plastic hanger so they fit in a closet. They never need ironing and they are easily accessible. I love it!
Kayla says
What a great idea to sell stuff on eBay. I am almost finished reading this book and I am excited to start implementing it in my house. I don’t know if I will start thanking my socks for a job well done everyday, but I did like the overall premise of only keeping things you love.
Jamie Robinson says
Both ways sound fantastic! I am definetly one that likes organization and declutter or dejunking and making money at the same time is even better!
jane says
I love this post. And the top of your dresser was impressively tidy even in the “before” shot! Love your style, girlfriend! xx