5 DECLUTTERING mistakes | MINIMALISM for beginners | Watch this before you declutter!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Do any of these mistakes surprise you?

[@robertolaggo9141]

Yes, absolutely. Everything you said, could be said in 20 seconds.

[@anadecozar9562]

Your advice is brilliant, Angela! I've been a minimalist for 7 years - I started with clothes that didn't fit. I think, generally speaking, our homes in England are a lot smaller than those in the USA and mine was bursting at the seams! I only wish that I had taken photographs of my progress.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes I think you are right on home size! And I just love that idea of taking a photo. Makes so much sense! I’m so happy to have documented at least part of our personal decluttering journey here on YT!

[@Sunshine-fy4fz]

So great - pointing out the difference between organizing and decluttering! Organizing clutter is self-defeating. You need to edit out what you don’t need or use on a regular basis, and then you can start to organize what is left.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Absolutely! One definitely needs to come first! ❤️

[@KristiBranstetter]

Decluttering is a process.... My space is my space... I love books and keep my collection to one bookshelf. Clothes are the bain of my existence... I have actually gotten rid of tons of clothes over the years. I am much better but still could do better. Otherwise, I am doing well when it comes to decluttering for me. I am really happy with my progress!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s awesome! Sounds like awesome progress! ❤️

[@lormor460]

This is so true. Great video. Decluttering can take time. Our journey begun in 2014 when we moved to a smaller house. Then 2 more times after that. Then I discovered these videos and went hog wild. I enjoyed the freedom of being free of things that were stressing me out. I can only take my journey part way, though, as my husband is not a minimalist. He doesn’t bring in a lot, really, but he won’t let go of many things. Every little step toward your goal is a victory and gives one a natural high to where getting rid of things is more fun than buying new things 😊

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Totally agree! It is a freeing feeling to get rid of the clutter! As long as we are mindful in the process and not just throwing out things/ donating them just for the sake of doing so! ❤️

[@lisah5741]

Wow. Someone has told you about me. This video seems made for me, especially the storage segment. My apartment complex discounted storage units for only $25 a month. But I'm not going to do it. I wish I was able to let go of CDs, handbags and books. It's a slow process I think. Thank you for your videos.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

You can do it! It might be slow, but that’s ok! Just keep moving in the direction you want to go. ❤️

[@MusikGirl23]

Yeah. I still have physical cds for teaching music purposes. I’d like to donate them further (now that I have it all on iTunes/my iPod) but one of the classrooms I teach in does not have an accessible plug for my iPod player, so I have to use their cd player.

[@anadecozar9562]

Your advice is brilliant, Angela! I've been a minimalist for 7 years - I started with clothes that didn't fit. I think that, generally speaking, our homes in England are a lot smaller than those in the USA and mine was bursting at the seams before I started decluttering! I only wish that I had taken photographs of my progress.

[@denisekirshenbaum7798]

I am really loving your videos. They’re very helpful. I’ve been decluttering since October and have made a lot of progress but still have more to do. I’m so happy to finally be letting things go. Our house is looking much better.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Wonderful! Happy to hear that you are making progress! ❤️

[@francinebasis8721]

Excellent guidance on creating a happy home. Thank you for your videos.❤

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@cell.9205]

Stumbled upon your video and this really spoke to me. I definitely tackle on too much at once, feel defeated, and then I end up organizing instead of decluttering because I can't shake away the mindset that "this is new, this will come in handy later or someday". It really doesn't help that I have 3 kids and I always feel the need to have some "spares" or "excess" in the event the kids lose their things. Any encouragement or advice on how to 'keep enough" or change this mummy mindset will be greatly appreciated!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It can be a very difficult cycle to get into! Maybe try packing up anything you would consider ‘excess’ or ‘someday’ items and do some testing over the next months to see if you need to pull anything out. That might help you realize how little you actually pull out and/or need! ❤️

[@JaneH3675]

Look up Dana K White. She also has methods for decluttering that helped me a lot.

[@thecross2429]

This is really good amd i havent heard most of these points before. I have shared this with others. Thank u so much for these points!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you for watching, and sharing! ❤️

[@thecross2429]

❤️Thank u and you are welcome. I am a new viewer on your site and am enjoying getting to know you and your ideas😊

[@olgabergere]

This video is so useful 🤗💛💛💛 Thank you a lot for your advices and kind words ✨✨✨

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@chantalberube1246]

Love your philosophy about it. Thank you so much.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@makebahenry2049]

I am truly overwhelmed.

[@CoftheIsland370]

I like the idea of a container limit. Angela, I’ve checked out the Minimal Mom ( you’ve mentioned her several times)… your content and methods are better. You don’t need to mention her.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Awe, you’re so sweet! I reference her often because she is probably type most well known minimalist KZbinr and I figure a lot of people know who she is and maybe found my channel through hers! ❤️

[@CoftheIsland370]

@@ArrowHillCottage Your channel came up on my feed and I think it may have been because I watch decorators Nick Lewis and Garrett LeChic. I recently deleted The Minimalists so that may be the other reason. Those guys were too much talk and I wasn't doing any action.

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

I like them both!

[@MegaTippee]

Really liked what you said about the difference between decluttering and organizing! I love both. I am having a struggle letting go of some of my mom's possessions.. She passed away just before the covid 19 shutdown and I handled her estate. She taught the Bible and has tons of notes... Which are not easy to read, and this sentimentality and attachment has been hard for me. Any suggestions? I 😘 ved what you said about fear and sentimental objects becoming a strong persona attachment! Very insightful! I am ready to let go of a lot!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure this is a difficult time, coupled with the sorting of the estate. As far as the research/ notes that your mom has for teaching the Bible. That was her life’s work…and what a noble one!! I would take comfort in knowing that the knowledge she has was passed on to many others, who will carry that information forward. If you personally do not feel compelled to read them, I wouldn’t feel bad about letting them go…as I said, that information has been passed on and her ‘voice’ will live on through the people she taught. ❤️

[@MegaTippee]

How very kind of you and true! I am sorting through what I personally want to study and even pass on, but eliminated what isn't really practical to keep. Some of the devotional books I am keeping but giving away my own,same," newer " copies that could be passed on and donated. It is going to take time, like you said... If I really am not going to really read them, I can eliminate them, and I think I will have perfect peace, and not be emotionally attached in a wrong way, Thank you so much for your time encouragement.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Yes !

[@debbievonklock5504]

What do you suggest about cleaning products.? Do you have a trick to how many cleaning products you should have and rags or microfiber she should have? I love your channel❤

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Just like anything else I recommend figuring out what works for you! We have a ‘container’ that holds all of our sprays and cleaning products and I bring it from room to room while I’m cleaning. But I know a lot of people who really like keeping their products in the rooms themselves (bathrooms, for example) ❤️

[@charmingintrovert3240]

I have found that a gallon of white vinegar, distilled water, spray bottle, a small variety of my favorite essential oils and a box of baking soda are all that is needed to do most of the cleaning in our home. These get the job done with a fraction of the cost and more importantly clutter than having a separate cleaning solution for every task.🏡

[@helendoolan5242]

Great content - thank you. Found the background music distracting and annoying though.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Ok thank you for the feedback. I try to keep it really quiet as background - because I feel like some people would be bored just hearing me talk! Ha!

[@kristyleavitt8007]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@amychen2504]

I *hate* the storage industry. Such a bad use of resources. People just put off decisions. The main thing I'd see them useful for is temporary storage while people are between homes.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Yes, so true. So much money is wasted on storing things that aren’t even cared about!

[@crystalprice7858]

A lot of people spend more money paying the rent on the storage unit than what the items inside the storage unit are worth.

[@JaneH3675]

Very wise words from our Lord and Saviour: And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15 . . . God is so wise. He knows our possessions do not define us. He blesses us with things we need for life and not to burden us with the care of so many possessions. This scripture helps me to let go.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Great reminder! Thank you! ❤️

[@dorishamilton1635]

You are excellent!!! Thank you❤❤❤❤❤

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@newfoundlandfloraldesign]

Thank you 😊

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@bechannel582]

You're almost at 10k subs!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’m so excited for that milestone! I am planning some sort of celebration / giveaway! ❤️

[@tynerappel3892]

Very good advice

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you!

[@milda0820]

💖💖💖

[@lovethick]

2:58 I didn't know there is a difference between decluttering and organizing.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh yes, a very big difference! ❤️

[@makebahenry2049]

What are the 5 stages?

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Hi! sorry I missed this comment! I talk about the 5 stages of minimalism in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJTbgWxvp5uYh5Y

[@user-mc4pe1uo6d]

I have failed

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It’s not failure unless you give up trying! ❤️

[@user-mc4pe1uo6d]

You are a good teacher.