21 Life Changing Minimalist Experiments to Try in Your Home

[@Meyersci]

My TV was stolen in a burglary many years back. Instead of watching TV in the evenings, I started going to a stretching class at the YMCA in the evenings. Then I had the energy to walk two miles in the mornings, then added a step aerobics class before stretch class, and eventually I joined a diet program. In two years I had missed dozens of reality shows but I had lost 100 pounds!

[@ChristysChannelYall]

I’ve done most of these over the past 3 years or so. Life has been much less stressful. I’m a bit strange by other’s standards. I don’t have a bedroom. I have 20 year old twins still at home trying to get on their feet so I gave them each a bedroom. I have a Japanese sleep mat and tatami mat that folds up and I put it in the corner each day and sleep on it at night. The closet by the front door is mine. Since I don’t have a lot of clothes it is perfect size. The small amount of coats we own just hang on an attractive coat tree by the door. We got rid of our dining room table and just put stools at the bar. It is a perfect place to eat and the dining room has my small floor desk and my plants. We only have one couch and TV in the living room. We are very minimalist, but it is SO peaceful to come home. I’m not constantly cleaning like I used to have to do and I have more time for things that actually matter to me.

[@shirleyrankin-zf6nv]

I like how you think outside the box .I also have a Thia sleeping matt

[@razsbags]

I’m removing the desks & keeping tables on wheels, most of the furniture on wheels. I have to move the coat rack to the door nearest the exit. Love tatami mats & futons.

[@bitrudder3792]

@@razsbags - I love things on wheels! It makes cleaning under and around them so easy, and I can work on things in different places.

[@bitrudder3792]

I tried to convince my husband that we should use our big square coffee table as a dining table, and sit on the floor like the Japanese do. 37 years later, I am really sorry I lost that battle. Neither of us have an easy time getting up and down from the floor anymore. Use it, or lose it. And frankly, the coffee table is not needed to eat a meal, but it is very sturdy and beautifully designed solid wood, and we still have it today.… But in truth, its main benefit is aesthetic and to set coffee and tea on when people come over.

[@PlentitudeIsland]

Same. 2 kids have bedroom each. I have a very large couch and a basket for my pillows and comforter. When I get up ... I let bed air out while I get ready and then put my bedding in that basket. I have a TV armoire ( I got rid of my TV many years ago) that is my closet. I call it my invisible bed room and I ❤ it.

[@sonyad7723]

I LOVE empty corners!!!! My bedroom is a room for a bed! It has ONLY my bed, my bed-side table & in 1 corner my kitty's bed. 2 of the corners are completely empty! NO dresser, bureau, nothing, no matter what you call it! Lol all of my clothes hang up in my closet (that isn't a walk-in, it's a "normal size" closet) and I use the top shelf for white plastic bins I bought for my socks n undies. I WILL admit that my bedframe is a GORGEOUS storage drawers bedframe from pottery barn (in off white, but without the headboard), bc I'm a complete bookworm, but wanted to get away from bookshelves in my livingroom, so 5 of the 6 drawers are all of my books, and a couple other items (like my jewelry box sits on top of my books in 1 drawer) And the last drawer is all of my yoga supplies (back rollers and items to work the knots out of my muscles that I use various ones every night) which stretching and staying flexible is also important to me. But here's something funny! U ready? Everyone wants to full up corners the second they see an empty one! Why is that??? I actually think that's why I LOVE them empty soooo much! Bc they tend to collect clutter and any and everything so fast/first! My friend came over to see my new apartment and saw only my bed & bedside table (and kitty bed) in my bedroom (not ever any wall decor, btw in my bedroom) but I LOVE it this way!!! And I have a beautiful pink super soft microfiber blanket over a white sheets and pillows base. With puffy soft pillows! And my pj's laid out and I even sometimes give myself "turndown service" like a hotel! Lol But my friend just saw an empty corner and asked me (next time I was over her house) if I wanted "that chair" for my bedroom (from her 2nd guest bedroom) bc I her mind my empty corner needed to be filled!!! Lol I will disagree with hand washing dishes if you have an energy/water saving dishwasher available to you though. It's a total waste of a TON of water ( some like 2 or 3 GALLONS for every minute of hand washing the water is running if I remember correctly???) Vs the less than 2 gallons for the ENTIRE CYCLE to run the energy star dishwashers! And a LOT of our USA country is always in a water conservation or drought these times/years now.

[@valerierogers9609]

I took a road trip once; brought very little, few clothes, mug, and the dog. I recall how much at peace I was that night in a motel, sitting drinking tea in my one mug 😊

[@cathyellis248]

Thank you! My life has changed since following you. I feel more peaceful, and less anxious, angry or sad. I can cope with life. My husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so now I'm free of clutter and extra work, and am able to concentrate on being his carer. Thank you again!

[@shallimolinda]

Good for you! My husband has MS and mom Alzheimer's. Most of the caregiver literature was overwhelming to read. Until I was gifted Teepa Snow's "Dementia Caregiver Guide". Looks like a minimalist guide to the six levels that our loved ones flow back and forth in their journey. Best wishes to you in your self-care as you journey through this season of life⚘️

[@bitrudder3792]

@@shallimolinda - i’m sorry to hear that you’re going through that, we had our own experience with my father’s dementia. I did just listen to a very interesting interview on the topic of Alzheimer’s, Dr. Gundry was interviewing someone. Very recent, perhaps you can find it. There is hope in restoring some of what has been lost, Even after symptoms have shown themselves. Such a ticking time bomb, that disease. But there are important things we need to know about helping others with it and preventing ourselves from going down that same path.

[@shaynaformity1384]

Instead of buying plastic bins, white bankers boxes are recyclable/biodegradable option, and they cost less (10 for about $20). Bankers boxes are designed in such a way that they're incredibly sturdy even without taping them as you would have to do for other types of cardboard boxes, and they stack nicely. They don't look great, but they're fine for storing things temporarily. And they're easy to label, just write directly on the box.

[@ps0195]

This is a great idea!!

[@bitrudder3792]

Cardboard boxes contain glue that is delicious to cockroaches and they can feed off of it, and nest in it. So if you want to store things in cardboard boxes, be careful not to store them in garages, Attics, basements, or anywhere for a long period of time without inspection, keeping them dry and clean at all times. Those little buggers can travel with you from one place to the next, and pesticides are not sustainable either. I have not tried diffusing with essential oils in and around Cardboard boxes, but that might be helpful. I am super careful about my cardboard boxes now. The problem is more evident in humid climates, but it can happen anywhere.

[@me4011]

If you store in basement plastic is best in case or rare wet event. Many people have storms or water backup where belongings are stored including me, can be never or once in a lifetime but in cardboard all things would be ruined and garbage

[@bitrudder3792]

@@me4011 - that’s true, and airing out your things stored in plastic regularly is a good idea if you do that. We live in an area that does not have basements because the water table is so high. (when I was growing up, a neighbor built a bomb shelter because of the cold war fears of a nuclear attack - it was always full of a couple of feet of water at the bottom and very nasty and never musical.) It’s very expensive to create a basement that can keep the water out, so people just don’t do it. The local hospital systems do it but… Guess what happens to them during the flood? All I can say about that is… It’s really good for certain businesses but have to go in and restore everything. I think it’s probably OK if you live in a very dry climate, but if you live in a damn planet… Not so much.

[@molee8863]

​@@bitrudder3792Yes, I learned that on a pest control website too. 😊

[@Goldiloxandthe3bears]

I love that even your videos are minimal; they are short and concise!

[@Jennifer-bs6oy]

What a nice compliment

[@kjmav10135]

I used one of each necessity in my kitchen for one month. One plate, bowl, spoon, knife, fork, etc. Everything I used fit into one small cabinet and one drawer in my huge kitchen. I was fine! I got rid of about 2/3 of my kitchen stuff, and then after that, found myself getting rid of more as time went on. Now, if I need to find the vegetable peeler, it is EXTREMELY easy to locate!

[@eileenlehonnyberg1576]

A vegetable peeler seems redundant if you have a knife…

[@kathleen6288]

@@eileenlehonnyberg1576 You must be a real pro with the knife. I NEED a peeler.

[@kjmav10135]

@@eileenlehonnyberg1576 I lose a lot less veg if I use a peeler. Also, it’s much, much faster.

[@lauramitchell6725]

Kathryn J Maverick: Sounds like you could move to a smaller house now!🤣😂😅

[@kjmav10135]

@@lauramitchell6725 I did!

[@hikerliz]

One comment about the dish washer. I learned the hard way. I hardly ever ran my dish washer and then one day when I did it leaked. The repairman said if it isn’t ran at least a couple of times a month, the seals will dry out and crack. This was years ago, so maybe the modern dishwashers don’t have this issue, but thought I would share

[@alexiasherman3358]

I haven't used my dishwasher for 10+years, however I do run it thru a rinse cycle once every other month.

[@bitrudder3792]

Yes, it’s a good idea to remind people to run the dishwasher occasionally. Just like you need to run your car periodically, and pretty much anything else that you want to keep in good condition. If you have a gas fireplace, you should turn it on every month To prevent clogging issues. And after you turn it on, look for condensation on the glass in front of the fireplace, if that’s the kind you have, and make sure it dries out before you turn off the gas.

[@TKCTSTN]

Exactly what happened to some friends. They ended up using it for storing big bags of snacks like chips, never dreaming the gasket would dry rot.

[@molee8863]

Yikes, I never use my dishwasher 😮. I only handwash. I guess I'm overdue.

[@winonadavies9201]

This video made me laugh! My 30 year old daughter told me months ago that I was a minimalist, and I didn't think she was right. But I am already doing most of these ideas other than clothes (almost all of which other than underwear is thrifted or home sewn). My rule has always been that if it's not getting use, there's no reason to store, care for, and haul it around. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@Momma_AL]

I was laughing while watching this too for the same reason. I don’t have a TV, have 1 coffee cup, have very few place settings, have only 1 book left (my Bible), have very few clothes, no decorative items except my plants because to me it just looks like clutter, very little furniture, everything he mentioned EXCEPT washing dishes by hand. I tried it and hated it and I refuse to do that.

[@chicasandy9439]

😮🎉​@@Momma_AL

[@pamelabrown4941]

When my son was little and we moved into our place we didn’t have a tv at all for one year. Best year ever. We now have a tv but we had so much fun that year.

[@simply.clutterfree]

I've done this before and "quarantined" items in the basement. The items weren't missed and were easy to declutter later. 😊

[@JohnTheRevelator11]

Yes! It works so good!

[@ps0195]

I just re-organized and decluttered my kitchen here in our apartment. I have only 4 things on the counters…2 very small items and my husbands percolator, which is used about all day, lol. My large island has NOTHING on it which is a miracle! It feels so amazing! I’m never going back!!!

[@mauraronda1265]

I’m a makeup artist. Since I am doing minimalism for me personally I have one bag that is In The bathroom. It’s filled with my fave products. Nothing more. It is so easy to do my makeup each day and I know where everything is. Funny how you don’t need so much in life. Own less and feel better and look better❤

[@AleksandraA111]

I've been minimalist for ages, so I do like this video! To be honest - I don't have any television, we don't need it as a family of 3! Love using public transport, going by walk or cycling! My son has only small cabinet for toys, less then all children we know! And I have a little, really little kitchen (5sq m) and never wanted bigger one - I have all I need there! We are happy as a family, because things are not valuable for us!

[@franmcdonald4702]

I love listening to Joshua! I eliminated maybe 35% of my clothing, boxed them up, set them in the garage, and forgot about them. One year later I went through them and only saved 3 things out of the 50 items. I need to repeat the process.

[@williamclark1244]

I already do much of what is listed: halved the decor, I own two mugs (one for a guest), less furniture, got rid of most books, left a corner empty, glass food containers reduced to ones I use weekly (no plastic containers), two place settings (one for a guest), hand washing dishes for over a decade, no kids - no toys, three kitchen appliances (getting rid of one), simplified homemade meals, unsubscribed from email lists and hotel-living in my bedroom. I live in AZ and I will walk some places when it isn't too warm but I just can't do their public transportation. It's too unreliable and their schedule is a mess.

[@-living4jesus4ever-]

What if you have more than one guest? :) Way to go with all your minimizing!

[@williamclark1244]

@@-living4jesus4ever- if I have two then they get to use the mugs or place settings- if more than two guests we are going out. lol

[@Newbill17]

These are some great ideas. I took a break from the channel but recently came back. I’m not inclined, even as a single man, to go quite as far as you, but I like the challenges and reminders that we can and probably should live with less. Count our blessings (in a secular kind of way for me), and give more to others. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@RachelSWhite]

I was born and raised in Maine. Left for 16 years living in Florid, Georgia, and SouthCarolina. Came back and realized how many clothes are absolutely necessary for all seasons here and also forgot how I was raised: you have summer clothes and winter clothes and you store them away for months accordingly. I remember this as far back as 3 yrs old because it was always a surprise to see the things you were fond of when it was time to rotate. I gotta get back to that. And the key to success here is keeping basic or classic pieces that don't go out of style such as a wool peacoat or white cotton t-shirts.

[@PlentitudeIsland]

Love the Hotel bedroom idea. A few months ago I decided to set up my whole house like a simple but beautiful Air B n B. Im half way there. Love it !

[@patdennis2586]

Having a “time will tell” box for testing out less is the BEST experiment ever and eliminates the power struggle between “keep” and “let go” people in the house or voices in your head!

[@kfergy65]

I love this video! I was overwhelmed by boxes after my mother died. I didn’t know what to do with the “stuff” let alone my own. Then Hurricane Ian came along, I was in the Daytona Beach area, and poof… “almost” no more stuff, less than two 4’x4’ storage units left. Of that, I’ve gotten rid of over half. I have two pair of black pants, two pair of casual, blouses, two pair of shoes. It’s been since October. I’ve relocated, I have my office set up in the living room, I bought an ottoman for the dog for tummy rubs and a tv so I can have a fireplace in the background. A mattress, a chest of drawers in the bedroom. I do use my dishwasher, mainly for the dog plates. I keep my keurig on the kitchen counter. I am SO incredibly happy without all of the stuff! I donated five boxes last week of stuff. My goal is no more boxes that don’t have significant meaning or purpose. The things of my mother’s that I’m keeping are things that I am using or truly love and have meaning, it’s not just keeping it because it was her’s. I have that in her dog that keeps me company every day. There is nothing wrong with repeating messages, sometimes we need to hear them more than once to have it sink in. Thank you!!! K-

[@kakylong2]

Joshua, My Hubby & I minimized our kitchen last yr & we loved it. In Oct, I got hurt & was bedridden for 5 1/2 months & had back surgery. My Hubby has done everything to tske care of me & I couldn't thank him more. In this time of not maintaining our kitchen, we have gained 3 new coffee mugs, a few extra bowls & just stuff. I was given permission to start doing a few light duty things. I've started getting a few things cleaned up, but it will take time to get it back in order. Thank you for this challenge. 😊

[@thebarky1988]

Although I ask the questions you mentioned, I add one additional question. “ How much energy do I want to put into maintaining this item”. Like many out there I work full time and like a nice tidy home. I also like seasonal items and other decor. Asking myself “ do I want to put the energy into this item” I found I was able to separate out many items and find them a home. Although I probably have too much stuff, I definitely decluttered. Thanks Joshua, your channel is one of my favorites. 😊

[@bitrudder3792]

Exactly! Asking how much time it takes to maintain some thing is huge. Asking yourself if you’re gonna remember to do it, ditto. Asking yourself if the square foot that it takes up on the floor is going to annoy you after a while versus having the space clear and free, ditto.

[@calliebolstad1345]

Love the idea of “test your assumptions.” I think our assumptions often hold us back from doing/changing so much!

[@-living4jesus4ever-]

13 years of marriage with four kiddos under 9-never owned a TV and we all LOVE it!!! We have a display we’ll intentionally watch a wholesome family movie on once in a while but mostly we play all sorts of games, activities and are outside for family fun!!! 🎉😀

[@mary-janejenkins9560]

We gave up tv in 1998 life was busy with 5 children and activities 25 years later still tv free and none of the children have tv as they say they’d rather live life than watch pretend life ❤

[@vitaactiva_official]

I grew up with „only“ one TV for our household. Since I moved out at my parents home, I never had a TV again. If I want to watch a movie, I just use my computer. We are a family of 4

[@tom-detzkeit]

That sounds wholesome 😇

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Notes: 1- I first did project 333 several years ago and on repeat since ❤ love the results! 2- 1 TV - decades ago. ❤ totally agree. 3- Halve decorations. Just did this, kept for a month just in case then donated the lot and don’t regret it at all. ❤ 4- no buy challenge - need to try 5- favourite coffee mug - downsized to 6 mugs all the same. ❤ love the results 6- less furniture - love❤ got rid of some extra lamps, mirrors, books, bookshelves, end tables that were just taking up space. 7- limit makeup options ❤ I downsized but could go further here. 8- less tv watching ❤️ 9- clear off kitchen counters -2 years ago, quickly followed by bathroom counters, bedroom surfaces, living room surfaces. ❤ wonderful results 10- half of books gone. 90% are gone and the keepers are on kindle now- less asthma and 3 bookshelves are gone. 11- leave a corner empty -thinking about this - I haven’t replaced any furniture I got rid of so I suppose I am. 12- limit Tupperware to 8 -❤ I bought a set of 8 glass containers 2 years ago. Love! 13- one place setting per person - didn’t work well with company - we settled on 6 settings even though it is just the 2 of us. 14- hand washing dishes- hated this, back to running the D/W every night, empty every morning. 15- rotate toys -❤ years ago when the kids were small. Worked great 16- kitchen gadgets - I tossed duplicates and kept the ones I really used ❤ 17- A simplified meal plan -❤ I kept 4 simple favourite recipes per protein that I keep in my fridge freezer ie ground beef, chicken thighs, fish, pork and Sunday dinner options. The pantry was limited to what I needed for those meals plus breakfast and lunch. So much simpler 18- unsubscribe from email lists - need to do 19- unplug 1 day a week from work and responsibilities -❤ Sabbath rest 20- hotel living in the bedroom - want to try 21- use public transport and give the car a rest for a week. Tried, never again. Our bus schedule is hit & miss, and it’s very difficult & time consuming to get the needed transfers to access grocery stores, library, doctor, pharmacy and even the local hospital. A 5 minute drive to the grocery can take 2-3 hours to get there and back.

[@daCubanaqt]

Agree with you on hand washing dishes. It also wastes so much water!

[@Bessie66]

We had a letter this week thanking us how much we raised by donating furniture to a local project - minimalistic living really does help 👍

[@Nylonresonance]

I agree with every point except for the cooking utensils. My grandma hangs on to every single item. Her mother used mason jars, which require a huge stock pot, special utensils, a variety of jars, extra lids, etc. Also, in this day and age where both mother and father have to work, being able to meal prep and use an air fryer or slow cooker is an enormous benefit. Tools and cooking equipment are areas where it is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

[@bitrudder3792]

Mason jars are great for all sorts of things. Premade soup mixes make it super easy to start a homemade soup on the crockpot before you leave the house. My mom used to make yogurt on the cheap with Fleischman mustard jars and her electric skillet. Mason jars would do the job. Just pre-measuring carbs like rice or pasta is helpful if you’re trying to be mindful of carbs but don’t want to get rid of them all together. When I make homemade broth from the carcass of a chicken or a turkey, I put it into freezable jars. They’re great for mixing up a salad dressing quickly. Some make great alternatives to glasses. Some people even make salads in them, and you can repurpose a rice pudding cup or buy a special device to isolate the dressing from the salad just up under the lid, until you’re ready to eat the salad. We make a special condiment called Chile Ajo, And little mason jars are great for storing them as well as repurposing spice jars. I think minimalism is great for people who want to live in Klaus Schwab’s great reset where you don’t own anything and you’re happy (or else). If you want something you rent it from some rich transnational company. But everyone will have a universal basic income to go buy some sort of Soylent Green at the grocery store. Or better, it will be sent to you so you don’t have to leave home. I’m sorry, that’s a little bit of a rant but… It’s perfectly OK to have things because You use them to make a positive impact on your life. And if the things that you do require stuff to do them, have the stuff. And use it.

[@petrine5]

My family has always only had one TV😊 I’ve always thought it kind of weird to have several in your home because watching TV is and was a family-thing. Greetings from Denmark😊

[@bitrudder3792]

We have guests who enjoy having their bedroom like a hotel. That includes their own TV to chill out with and unwind. We started the trend when hubs started upgrading his televisions and it seems silly to throw away perfectly working TVs. Guests really appreciate it.

[@louisetilbury3443]

I’ve been working on minimising my home. We’ve got rid of huge amount of black bags of clothes, toys, cds, dvds, decor. Every week I’m donating stuff, selling stuff (the income is needed). As a family of 6 our home has been extended to the maximum. I’m sick of cleaning and tidying. So anything I don’t want to clean goes! 😂 the sense of freedom is powerful and ignites you to do more. Thank you.

[@rshe11boy2]

Timestamps: 0:00 - Inspiration 0:52 - How to Conduct a Minimalist Experiment 1:31 - 21 Minimalist Experiments to Try 1:48 - 1. Project 333 2:10 - 2. Keep One Television 2:29 - 3. Halve Your Decorations 3:06 - 4. Try a No-Buy Challenge 3:24 - 5. One Coffee Mug 3:40 - 6. Less Furniture 3:58 - 7. Limit Make-up Options 4:16 - 8. Watch Less Television 4:44 - 9. Clear off your kitchen counters 4:52 - 10. Remove half of your books from a space 5:16 - 11. Leave a corner empty 5:50 - 12. Limit Tupperware to 8 containers 6:13 - 13. One place setting per person 6:31 - 14. Hand-washing dishes 6:54 - 15. Rotate some toys out 7:22 - 16. Kitchen gadgets 7:51 - 17. A Simplified Meal Plan 8:14 - 18. Unsubscribe from Email Lists 8:34 - 19. Spend one day a week unplugging from work and other responsibilities 8:50 - 20. Try Hotel-living in your bedroom 9:12 - 21. Spend a week only using public transportation or walking instead of driving a car 9:40 - Test your assumptions

[@ss-ht6uz]

Thanks

[@serenarobak3640]

Thank You

[@cathyf6156]

This is how I ended up minimizing. I put the things I thought I didn't need in a bag or box and put it aside for a certain time period. If I didn't go into the bags or boxes, I gave them to Goodwill or Salvation Army. I've been good about keeping new items out of my home. Having space in your home is very peaceful!

[@StunGun100]

OMG , it's so nice to actually have a list of things to try and do thank you Joshua. It's hard enough to focus on improvements without first knowing what to improve !!

[@JoshuaBecker]

You can do it!

[@mahjabeenkhan4597]

Thank you so much!

[@elizabethnelms2564]

We had one tv as we raised our children. It helped us to spend our free time together.

[@leebradford6283]

I’ve been doing most of these (work in progress) the last 2-3 years and omg it is so much better and easier, every day, week, month and year!

[@Mrshereforethemusic]

What a way to end my day. Will sleep peacefully tonight, knowing I can get rid of even more things I do not need. ❤️

[@kennedyjames007]

This is awesome because “out of sight” is normally a way to hide clutter and defer decluttering but this is turning that around to being a positive step towards disposal.

[@raynacurtis]

Project 333 changed my life. Seriously. I did go with 33 items for 3 months (I did not choose to include shoes or jewelry...but I did include accessories like scarves and regular clothing items) and it made life so much easier and my small closet so much less cluttered. When the three months were up, I opened the box I used to store my extra clothes, and it was like having a whole new wardrobe. Interestingly, I wound up keeping most of the items that I had been using for the previous three months but as winter was ending and summer was starting, I swapped out a few others.

[@stefs3460]

I am no minimalist especially with clothes but I felt a little better after watching this because I don't buy anything besides food and toiletries most months and have never in my life lived in a house that had more than 1 tv!

[@kristindowner9897]

We have a large family: 13 grownkids/23 grandchildren (plus all their spouses) My step to minimize the dishes was to go with 20 pc open stock plain white Corelle. 20 plates fit in the space Of 5-6 pieces of stoneware, plus it all fits in one dishwasher load after dinner! Beyond 20 servings at a gathering- it’s paperware all the way; afterall we want to minimize workload & maximize the relationships! 😂

[@daniellecarney1487]

Thank you. I have been going minimalist for about the last year. I really like your concrete, detailed examples and how many you list here. I would love it if you did a video ( a couples video?) about living with semi- hoarder spouses and older kids. It was easy when the kids were little- just take the stuff out. It’s never been easy with my husband, who keeps a packed garage, office, closet , and kitchen.

[@donnav]

I totally agree! My husband and 19 year old son are this way as well. I have minimalists my personal possessions so much but it’s been a struggle as I am generally the one who manages the inventory in our home and does the cleaning.

[@donnav]

*minimalized not minimalists

[@deborahpellerito6117]

Yes

[@bitrudder3792]

@@donnav - I think that ongoing conversation is really helpful, when you can strike the right note with the person you’re talking to. As in, not speaking with anger and frustration so much as a genuine plea for a way to solve the problem of the huge burden it places on you as the one responsible for cleaning… Showing them the damage, if there is any, of pests or dampness or ruination to objects stored and ignored. Promoting the importance of safety, if the hoarding is a trip hazard in any way at all, or makes it hard to quickly get out of the building in case of a fire. If the problem isn’t that severe, you could try the strategy of needing something that you know has been stored, and if they are tempted to go purchase the item instead of find it you can talk about wasting money. You can continually praise situations in your house where you can easily get things and easily put them away, especially if your family members don’t put things away because it’s too difficult to do so because nothing has a real place, or the real place is hard to get to. You could start a digital photo album of their stuff, if sentimental attachment is a big deal. You could bring it out and maybe play it on a TV or computer screen periodically, so that when they are ready to get rid of it they’ll know that they have been enjoying it all along without actually having to touch the thing. It’s not a bad idea to do that for insurance purposes, either. If the horde has to do with unfinished projects, you could try throwing yourself into helping them finish the project even if it seems unworthy to you. Without any judgmental attitude or getting cranky in the process. If they don’t really want to do the project but don’t really want to let go of the Junk to do the project with… it’s a simple fact that you can bring up in a nonjudgmental way when you find that there’s a project you want to do that you cannot do because they’re rejected project is in your way. I think it’s important to kindly stress how you might feel shoved out of the way, demeaned, less than, their stuff that they clearly aren’t dealing with. But not often and not in A rude way. That usually makes people shut down. I would never stop selling the joy of freedom of movement and cleanliness and the need for people to give and take in a shared space. It’s an uphill battle, and if you’ve got a hoarder who’s clinically in big trouble, you probably need a professional to help. Most hoarders are trying to fill the void of a loss. They just haven’t figured it out yet. And they don’t realize what they are doing to others… Because to recognize that would mean that they have to face the loss that they are trying to suppress and smother. With younger ones, it can just be imitated behavior, laziness, or a sense of hopelessness because any attempt to tidy up is ruined by the hoarder. If this is going on, that’s another powerful reason for the order to get his act together. Impact on children. I think male teens/young adults can benefit from Jordan Peterson’s rules for life, to help them get out of that perspective of going along with whatever is happening around them. I hope your problem is not severe with them. My husband and I both have some tendencies to hold onto certain kinds of things. A lot of things have left the building over the years, I think a regular evaluation is needed, and regular purges to go with them. And I recognize the losses, both personal and societal, that are motivating me to keep certain kinds of things. Nagging each other doesn’t help the situation, L O L! Expecting the other person to be sharp and clear on these topics at all times is not helpful either. Being clear about the outcomes that we want and facilitating a path to achieve them, one by one, is what works for us. When we don’t have that clarity, we get stuck. Or when the project represented by the stuff is outside the other persons knowledge base, ditto. Getting older does not help the situation either. Or rather, health issues that may come along as we get older don’t help. So talking about health issues might also be a helpful tool when it comes to encouraging certain people in the family to deal with getting rid of stuff, especially if help and assistance is offered. And it’s good to remember that not every day is a good day to do this. Some days I have used the “Swedish death cleaning“ mindset. I’ve checked in with our daughter when purging anything that I was holding onto believing that she would have a sentimental attachment to it someday. She’s over 30 now so… If she says she doesn’t want something, I’m OK finding another home for it and I won’t worry that she will change her mind later. You see, I really didn’t take a whole lot of things from my mom‘s estate, but even that stuff I did take was more than my little house could handle, and over the years nearly all of it has left the building. It would’ve been a lot easier if I had not received anything to speak of beyond really practical things that I use regularly.

[@donnav]

@@bitrudder3792 wow! Thank you for all the tips! I think the “death cleaning”concept is phenomenal and I use it often. We have one child (well he’s 19 now 😁) and whatever we have now or take on from our parents he may one day have to deal with. I don’t want to do that to him. I recently helped my parent downsize..that was super hard as they hung on to way too much stuff over the years, so many delayed decisions! I was careful not to take anything I didn’t have a real use for or truly treasured. They moved in October but I am still helping my mom go through things. I think my husband is starting to come around a bit. Especially to the idea of not leaving things for our son to deal with. I had my mindset shift about 10 years ago and it’s taken this long to see any shift in him. To be fair I definitely did nag him way more over the years than I do now. Which I know didn’t help matters but I didn’t realize that at the time. The whole thing is definitely a process and a journey. Thank you for taking the time to respond and for all the encouragement and ideas 💛

[@anniinthewoods8287]

Exciting experiments =) Feels so good to have less ♥️ Over the years, I went from four boxes of kitchen supplies to half a box. Now I am working on wardrobe and books. Interestingly, my priced books were actually a stressful silent to do list. I let go of the idea of needing to be an expert in so many areas. Instead I focus on what I really enjoy learning about. The relief of decreasing all those work books is immense! Thx Joshua =)

[@sunnystring64]

Thank you for affirmation! I still need it, because I still feel quite lonely living a minimalist life... No 16: in her first stage of dementia, my mother was totally overburdened with all hundreds of items in the many drawers in her kitchen. Also my father was increasingly overwhelmed by organising all the thousands of books, letters and things my parents accumulated during their life in their big apartment. They had to let go almost everything. Now they live an utterly minimalistic life in one room in a retirement home. While ageing, the power and importance of minimalism seems to increase tremendously! Because life itself is a natural process of minimalism. It forces us to let go relentlessly: things, dreams and finally our life. I would love to know your wisdom about minimalism and ageing!

[@debrablue7011]

We need an eternal perspective as we live in this temporal life experience. Thank you for your insight. It's appreciated and we'll worth pondering.

[@robertneville2022]

I just have moved 3 months ago. While waiting for my stuff to be shipped from my old house I've realized I am a minimalist When my crap gets here I'm having a great big yard sale

[@9FatraBbits]

Great tips and ideas. I’ve never had a dishwasher and really enjoy my peaceful time washing my few dishes. I look out the window, be calm, appreciate the meal. Thanks.

[@cmb8703]

I need to do the 30 day no television. I went almost 20 years with no television and then with COVID pandemic I started watching again!!!! Now it’s rare that I go a day without any televison!

[@JasonBedient]

I've started a no buy year. I messed up twice but I have curbed my desire to find deals online. I'm shopping so much less.

[@JoshuaBecker]

You've got this!

[@shaynaformity1384]

I loved my no buy year so much, I'm doing another one. Instead of saying I made mistakes, I say I made conscious decisions to buy things during that year, but they only totaled about $200! I consider that a major win. Without having to consider purchases, I would have made many small impulse purchases that would have added up to more than that.

[@dawnprosser8758]

I have been using 1 coffee mug for years. One my daughter gave me. I love the ideas. I’m curious what is the breakfast and lunch you have every day?

[@kellyhurley6247]

We are curious too

[@georgec2894]

I have a situation where friends and family who have visited my place once or twice will consistently berate me for not having enough stuff. Kitchen appliances, utensils and clothing are their favourites - even though I have lived here for 7 years and don’t miss anything I don’t have. “You need to grow up and get yourself a toaster/microwave/kettle/some new clothes…” regularly gets thrown at me” Why would I need such things if I haven’t missed them for almost a decade? 😂 If you are different to your social/family circle it will always create friction - you can change your friends, granted, but the pool of friends who accept minimalism is still incredibly small and thus you will sacrifice other characteristics of their personality (for example, different hobby interests, live further away so less time to meet etc.) - and so the more different you are, the more you inevitably have to sacrifice or you just spend more time alone like I often chose to do.

[@shirleyrankin-zf6nv]

There is nothing wrong with spending time alone 😊 just live the way you want to live .Don’t respond to there comments just smile and change the subject

[@briannab5296]

'It's better to be alone than to wish we were alone' 😉

[@teresamunoz91]

I tried project 333 and didn't think I could do it but it was much easier than expected. I used less than the 33 items of clothing and shoes I picked out. I'm sure it helps that I spend most of my time wearing work clothes 😂 I once gave up watching TV for a month. It was a bit hard. I also gave up social media last month for 30 days, deleted tiktok for good. Still have instagram but only use it a 15-20 minutes a day. I definitely want to have one day a week where I don't use any screen time

[@joannalin2313]

Thank you Joshua for all the wonderful simple living ideas. It's inspiring!!!!(sister in Christ, Joanna Lin, CA.)

[@Michelle-bw1xg]

This is one of my favorite videos that I will watch many times. So many great ideas, approachable, and do-able in a context of "try it out" while boxing some things up that can later be de-owned if not missed/needed. I can do this at my pace while making time to work on other goals at the same time. Thank you!

[@mayshu893]

Thank you for this video as well as your others. I had to laugh to myself about the furniture & decor because I’ve inadvertently been living this way since October. I made a very quick major move to a different state so I left my stuff in the other state. Before I left I got rid of all but 3 pieces of furniture (they’re heirlooms that I want), plates, glasses, most utensils, most towels & sheets, most clothing, files of paperwork, books, cds, videos, etc….even a couple of pieces of art! After staying with family for a short bit, I found my own place I had 2 tray stands, stadium chairs & an air mattress! I now have a desk, 2 area rugs (to dull sound) & a small bathroom cabinet! It’s been very enjoyable to be able to intentionally consider what I want in my home now!

[@briannab5296]

This almost perfectly describes my own living situations for the past five years!!

[@dianakertz6806]

Thank you Joshua you’re the best! I haven’t watch tv since the end of 2020, and let me tell you, my life is so much better. Now, come to my house and help me with the rest ❤😘 I am decluttering my clothes first. Thank you! You and your relaxing voice helping me a lot

[@shirleyliggett776]

I enjoy listening to your utube, lots of great tips. I enjoy cooking and baking which I do a lot and I think life is too short for doing dishes. For us, dishwasher is convenient, hot water and Eco detergent kills everything, dries the dishes thoroughly and all my boys need to do is put it away. 🌻🙏💖😊

[@lauramitchell6725]

This house didn’t come with a dishwasher and I’m not going to mess with the custom cabinets to put one in. ( like awesome,chunky drawers instead of standard cabinets.) It’s just my husband and I and neither one of us minds hand washing. (we never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.) HOWEVER, if I had one,I’d use it!!! Especially to really clean everything that I buy second hand!😂👍

[@briannab5296]

After three years of struggling with lack of mobility and excruciating pain from severe osteoarthritis in my left hip, I realized a dishwasher would be a blessing, so our angel of a landlord graciously installed a dishwasher and it has been wonderful having the help. There's still a lot of stuff that can't go in it that requires hand washing, but with my new hip replacement I'm getting caught up on so many things. I just purged & washed out & rearranged the freezer in the fridge and it was so satisfying that I actually open the door to gaze inside with a delicious feeling of accomplishment.

[@lauramitchell6725]

@@briannab5296 🙌🏻🥰

[@briannab5296]

@@lauramitchell6725 .. 🥰

[@razsbags]

Ditch the cushions & store jumpers in the cushion covers. Roll up blankets as bolsters. Fill a duffle bag with your sheets, towels or clothes & use as a bolster. Haven’t watched TV this year but have watched KZbin & only one TV program online. Sewing & growing food were things that everyone did.

[@peggybohmann5601]

I have done so much decluttering over the past 2 years and haven’t used my dishwasher in almost 2 years. I also recently stopped using the microwave and no longer buy paper towels. I have never been more satisfied!

[@acpfeiffer6057]

What system do you have for not needing paper towels? I'm trying to get into using rags instead but I'm struggling with the hassle of taking them to the washer all the time. I'm afraid that if I leave a pile to do later I will forget 😅

[@bitrudder3792]

@@acpfeiffer6057 - I think paper towels are necessary for those occasions when a bottle of something sticky falls on the floor and breaks in a shattered mess. But as for dealing with dish cloths in general, it’s really not that difficult. Dedicate some for your kitchen, put a basket on the counter or a dish pan under the sink to hold the dirty ones. Let the soiled cloth air dry before you put it into the “laundry hamper“ of your choice. Once a week, do a hot sanitizing load just for those things. Tumble dry on high. (And you’ll have to decide whether you want microfiber cloths or not because they shouldn’t be washed in anything that could clog the fibers or overheat them, even though they are awesome at picking stuff up). And that’s it. Heck, I’ve even read about people who are so extremely conscious of the environment that they use a bidet in the toilet and wipe themselves with washcloths afterwards. Then they wash those cloths like you might wash diapers. Same idea. To me the main idea is to never put a bunch of wet cloths together And let them sit for a week. Gross. And sanitize the heck out of them. I’m not germ phobic at all.… Even as a nurse. But an intelligent use of soap and heat and water and plumbing has Saved more lives than doctors ever could.

[@smokypoo]

Love the idea of these being experiments Joshua! The NO buy challenge is definitely the hardest for me😶. For me, your best advice which has resonated with me in another video is, instead of how much to I keep , it's how much do I need and the rest, well...Much love from France.

[@user-j_2thaLOmaps]

Oh my thank you, Joshua! A great reminder as I try to tackle my wardrobe. PS: The last part was funny😂

[@janethunt4037]

A plant is a great way to fill a corner. It adds life to the room without adding furniture that attracts more objects.

[@julieanderson814]

Thank you for this. It resonated with me so much. I'm early in my journey to simplify and declutter and appreciate the perspective you provide. The blooper at the end of the video!

[@auberjean6873]

Hiker Liz same thing happened to us when we stopped having parties due to Covid19. Our dishwasher seals dried up but I love the sense of accomplishment and meditation doing the dishes gives me, plus we gained valuable space in the dishwasher for our mixer.

[@thepioneerhomestead]

Great ideas!!! Thank you for the positive encouragement…truly believe things like this make a more peaceful home. 🏡 Have a blessed weekend…and don’t cut your home decor in half!😂🤣😉

[@heidibastawros8722]

I’m going to try the no buy challenge this month! Love this idea.

[@ramship59]

Yesterday I cleaned a 2 drawers after listening to this video, Its not easy, but feels good to clear spaces,

[@nancie7487]

I need this on a loop so I can listen to it all the time or I will forget what I'm suppose to do !!

[@bonniehafeman9757]

Another good message. Thanks. Amen. You are appreciated.

[@Marilynlovesebiking]

Great ideas. We do quite a few of these things. We only use one TV. Which I do not watch. And I eat the same breakfast everyday! Mugs, ha. But I have reduced them. I do need to downsize photo frames. I definitely want to do the do not buy anything for a month except groceries.

[@andeeanko7079]

Number 11 - buying something just to fill an empty corner or space is so foreign to me! 😅 Happy to say I'm already minimalist, but could do with getting rid of a bit more.

[@lisapriester5170]

I leave a corner of my bedroom empty to remind myself of my mission to become minimalist! There’s been several times I think of adding a chair or large plant but I say to myself… no, that would take away my reminder!

[@janetstonerook4552]

I needed this inspiration today. Especially regarding the kitchen issues. I live alone but often have a messy cluttered kitchen with a sink full of dirty dishes waiting to be loaded into the dishwasher. It's silly that I leave so much of it out when i might go for months without overnight guests. I'm going to stash all but a couple of place settings, mugs, pans etc. And hand wash my daily dishes and leave them on the drying rack for the next meal. Hey, i can always get some items back out if unexpected guests show up!. 😊

[@valerie718]

We always hand wash our dishes and use the dishwasher for a snack drawer! Our grandkids love it and our big kids think we are funny.

[@julialegrande2443]

Thank you so much for the tips. I'm in the process of letting things go and doing better "this time" than I've done in the past. I love these tips in combo with a few other handy tips I've collected! I'm becoming a fierce warrior in slaying clutter!

[@Cat-ik1wo]

You are so right. Been doing this for a year! And I am left with more space, time and peace. Even more, I don't like to shop anymore! Other than food. But going to the store is easier and quicker. I am focused and only go to the isles that have what I need on my list. I say no to temptation. I am on guard with my list. And that list is curated before I go to the store. The biggest change for me is realizing what it is that gets in my way. Wandering around the store. I am surprised I no longer like to shop. I got there. I spend only if its a need. I learned how to be content. I took my power back into my own hands. It took me a year to do this. I learned there is a muscle in my brain that can become strong if flexed. Mind over matter.

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

I love the experimental approach. Lol. It all started with “use it or lose it.” Turns out, once I tried all the products I already had and most I didn’t even like or cooked all the food/recipes that sucked etc. 😂😂 Of course I know this type of experimenting is a step further. Lol.

[@irinelstegaru4658]

Thank you Joshua, I will try these suggestions starting with my tea mug and my clothes. You are inspiring and I love your thoughtful guidance through this extremely difficult process of decluttering.P.S. I love that little clip at the end behind the scenes!

[@shannonlupyczuk8362]

Thank you for this! These are amazing suggestions and, funny enough, we've already implemented a few just prior to seeing this. This is a fantastic video - short, concise, and truly valuable. I'll be sharing it so that my loved one might also benefit from these challenges.

[@EFN86]

I love the list. I need to go back through my house but mostly the kitchen... It's starting to really bother me. We moved in 3 years ago and our kitchen size is half of what our old house had. It's tiny, and we are a larger sized family that's still growing, #6 will be here early May. Our house was fully decluttered when we moved in, and we fit snuggly in the kitchen. I am not sure if we are suffering from the kitchen creep (extra coming in), or because I have replaced some of the old smaller appliances, the baking dish, the pots, and the pans with larger ones. Either way it's worth looking into, and reevaluating what's truly needed and what's not. Maybe it's been long enough that I will be willing to let go of more. Now if only my kids would stop walking down to grandma's and inspecting her cupboards. 5 years without a toaster and my 6 year old discovered the one at grandma's and now he is asking for a red two slot toaster for his birthday coming up in May 😅 it's the only thing he is asking for too.

[@teresamoore3671]

😂that’s so funny ❤

[@jennyarnett6533]

Lol my kids went to my parents one day and dad was using the toaster and it nearly scared them to death! I didn't realize they had never seen one before! Haha The kids are 14, 11, 8, and 5. 😂

[@bethcormier9459]

These are all excellent ideas and easy to implement. Thank you, Joshua.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Great video! Gives newbies a great easy stress-free place to start!!

[@helen1859]

Loved these ideas👍. I'm currently clearing out more books (the most difficult category for me to declutter) and ornaments.... thank you for your video, it's given me the impetus to crack on! Also I'm going to try the hotel bedroom experiment, it sounds great 😃.

[@heidibastawros8722]

I just did that bedroom experiment a few days ago and I love it.

[@inadobinda1166]

Thank you! Just the push I needed to go through my tupperware

[@carolannstevens5814]

Love this!!! I am a minimalist since 2021. Thank you!

[@sabrinafair4965]

I have always handwashed the dishes I inherited a dishwasher in my latest place used it once now I use it as a cupboard to store stuff 😀

[@carolemmwilliams-UK]

Great vid and great ideas. Thank You Joshua I will most certainly be trying a number of them The one relating to clothes,would be a challenge, so I will leave that one for now. Stay Blessed 😁

[@bonniehafeman9757]

2010 was fun and I was very excited to have learned that truth. Simply do it better. You are appreciated. Thanks. Amen.

[@Back_To_Basics]

Such a great compilation of actionable ways to reduce clutter and live simply! I’ve tried the no buy challenge last year to be more intentional with my spending and have started tracking my expenditure. This year I’m starting project 333 with a capsule wardrobe and giving away two items of clothing with every new piece that I bring in. It’s a slow process, but one that I hope will stick in the long run. Thank you Joshua for making these videos..🙌🏼

[@bitrudder3792]

I’m working on clothing as well. A lot has gone out to donation especially after big events like hurricane Katrina and Harvey. Removing anything that isn’t in my color palette, or a pattern/print that looks a little bit garish on me, ditto. My challenges that there’s a whole lot of ugly out there in the stores and I don’t need to throw away one ugly thing just to only have to buy another ugly one because that’s what available. So, I’m loving the space between my hangers, loving having everything fit, but even though I’ve been very careful and caring for my clothes, most of them are getting so close to their expiration date. Other people would’ve tossed them by now. But I’ve got a problem: I can’t stand what is in the stores most of the time. So, with the price and poor selection in terms of fabrics & garments today, using some of these hideous things to practice my sewing skills and get them back up to snuff. It makes zero sense to spend money on fabric I’m going to be making mistakes on anyway. As for the things that are made of fabric that I really like, I will be experimenting with redesigning things in fabrics that I like, both from my current stash and fabric stores and resale shops. Some of these redesign projects are easy and well within my wheelhouse right now. Even so, I’m starting with pajamas first, L O L!

[@ettamargason7709]

I stopped TV 5 years ago and never brought it back. I don’t miss the news particularly!

[@elizabethszwed7851]

This is doable. Thank You so much.❣️

[@kristinolan7240]

We are moving and I'm implementing a lot of these ! 🎉

[@teresamoore3671]

Me too. I’m a minimalist but my family aren’t. So we are going through everything and asking ourselves if we want to put this particular item in our new home. We have taken so many things to the charity shop and recycled things that were filling our space. We had broken phones that were 12 years old. Apparently there were photos on the phones they were going to transfer 🤦‍♀️ when are you going to transfer them, in another 12 years 😂Admittedly we didn’t have 4 or 5 van loads like Joshua, not even 1, but the items were really bothering me. Good luck with your move. 🎉❤

[@kristinolan7240]

@@teresamoore3671 Thank you! That means a lot !

[@asianangel5400]

I laughed when Josh said the no buy month. I literally have been doing this not because I want to , but simply because the cost of living and inflation has forced me to budget my money more carefully. the tips are great. I have incorporated most of these things in my life.. The only thing i collect is TY beanie baby bears and dvds. Other than I am very minimal because I have ADHD and the less I have to distract me the better. I enjoy my simple life over all.

[@gifttanz]

I do a challenge every few months and now I have an ongoing time out box that sit in my spare room. When I see something now I think I can live without I put it in the time out box for a month. If I don't think of it or end up needing it I donate it / sell it.

[@briannab5296]

I've always called that my 'use it or lose it' box. Right now I have several 'time-out' boxes of my dishes. My brother & I share an apt but he pointed out most of the dirty dishes are mine. I realized he was right. I love & miss my dishes and I won't be getting rid of them, just giving them some time-out til I have a place of my own.

[@briannab5296]

... "spare room"?? What's that?? 😳

[@briannab5296]

@@gifttanz .. I was just kidding around abt the spare room, which most don't have but sorely need. But I appreciate your response, as I too sleep in the living room for a whole lot of reasons.

[@gifttanz]

@@briannab5296 oh no I always take things literally Dx

[@frogsofindia]

Oh boy... I don't know about the 8 tupperware experiment. That's gonna be a hard one for me... We did the no buy month earlier this year, and my husband loved the end result haha. We also removed our kitchen chairs and made our table really low, so we all sit on yoga mats now. Makes the kitchen area much more spacious. I want to tackle the bed next... Lots more ideas for me to try! Thank you!

[@racquelstewart6527]

Joshua I would like to know what you have breakfast & lunch each day...meals can be very overwhelming to me

[@munirasultana2313]

Loved your video 💟

[@fiddlejillm]

This is great - thanks for all the ideas! I love little challenges and now have ideas to carry me through the rest of 2023 (and beyond).

[@JoshuaBecker]

Well beyond :)

[@ritaseymour8116]

Nice to see you smiling. THANKS