Are books and knickknacks clutter? - Day 29 - 30 Day Declutter Challenge

[@FrancesThompson-d9k]

I decided to tell everyone who might want to buy me a present "no stuff! Gifts have to taste good, smell good or grow in the garden" It works , no clutter

[@bethheerten1132]

I tell my kids that "I can always use more daffodils bulbs".

[@FrancesThompson-d9k]

@@bethheerten1132 Me too xx

[@starlaarts9385]

I have done the same this year. I told everyone I do not want "stuff" Please give me something that can be used up or gift cards.

[@clairehampton7431]

Same! Since college, I said "You don't have to get me anything BUT if you really want to (bc some people just can't help it) you can get me socks, journals, stamps, or stationary." ALL practical! I don't want anything that collects dust.

[@sofiabonaccorso799]

​@@bethheerten1132That is honestly adorable!

[@808Blessed1]

Hi Cas and Everyone!! So sad that it is coming to an end. I really enjoyed these daily challenges.

[@willsx2]

Me too, I will probably replay some of the series to motivate me to go farther

[@Nithrade]

Me too! But I also need a daily video telling me to move the decluttered stuff out of my house now!

[@SM-rm3yw]

Me too!

[@tonette11000]

I'm going on repeat. There were days family, etc, were over, so I missed days. I want to do this every day UNTIL IT'S HABIT.

[@kellyaguilar9766]

Just starting over here too. Still need more to go.

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

I'm sad this is almost over. I plan on rewatching it and decluttering more.

[@tamaraham6446]

Me too! I keep in mind that I'm going to revisit all the days that apply to me and go more rounds until I'm clear!

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

I'm sure Cass will have another challenge for us! 😁

[@cellgrrl]

When this is over, I plan to just pick it up from the beginning and give it another go. I did a great declutter about 3 years ago and everything I thought still looked pretty good, then when I looked closer, I found some outdated, useless things...gone! I was surprised how much was outdated.

[@christybee8959]

She has other challenges (including a 30-day challenge) in her playlist. 😊

[@lindaaustin-morin7781]

Very recently my 9 year old granddaughter started reading Harry Potter. She was very excited to share what she learned. A few minutes later I came downstairs carrying my Harry Potter, hard cover collection, and stacked them at her feet. “They are now yours. I hope you enjoy reading them as I did” Her smile was everything. and I felt such joy gifting them to her.

[@SheilaEnglish2]

That is the best outcome of decluttering 😃

[@kaitlyng8343]

I have a love of “fun” socks. I like ones with animals and funny things. I had quite a few pairs. Well, one Christmas my husband got me a “sock of the month” club. At first I was stoked, but then I realized that I liked to be the one to pick out the fun socks and I didn’t like a lot of the pairs I got. Well…then he got me a second subscription the next year. I then have had to tell him and everyone else that I no longer need or want socks lol😅

[@kerryf9796]

Oh boy do collections happen! After my mom died, dragonflies held meaning. The next thing I knew people were giving me dragonfly things... dragonfly bracelets, dragonfly prints, dragonfly ceramics, dragonfly PLACEMATS!!! After the placemats, I knew I had to get rid of most these things. The thing is, I find it loses it's meaning when they are EVERWHERE. Just a few cherished dragonfly items are a lot more special!

[@busolaawoniyi4632]

The collection issue is so real! I told my husband 4 years ago that i wanted pjs for christmas....well, every birthday, mother's day and christmas since then I have received pjs. I finally came to the end of my rope last week as my dear husband presented me with pjs for my birthday. I thanked him for the present and said "please do not get me pjs again unless i ask for them". please let people knoq if you don't absolutely love a repetetive gift so that you don't wake one day with 50 set of pjs.

[@Clutterbug]

That's so true! If you don't say anything, it can get outta control😄

[@juliejohnson2113]

It helps me to take a picture of a room, drawer, bookcase, etc, and that helps me overcome clutter blindness!

[@laurabotts4064]

Very good idea. I'm going to start taking pics of areas in my home as well. Pictures don't lie.

[@kimreed2489]

Great idea...I love that!!! :)

[@PrincessofErised]

My sister found a large antique rooster figurine for her kitchen and it looked awesome. Let's just say for the next few years (10) she was given one on EVERYTHING that could ever go in a kitchen. One day she chucked the lot and was asked but why?? She said to everyone's shock, "I don't like chickens". lol

[@Clutterbug]

😂

[@alyssarelwood]

I have chickens. And there are several people in my life who heard that I got them and then dumped all their chicken decor on me. Sigh.

[@estherlathem3861]

A year or so ago my husband and I built a “library “ on the wall of our stairwell. I used Dana K White’s container concept to put my books back- I decluttering over a thousand books. And have let go of more then fifty more since. Does that count for today? Lol. Five more gone today!! Love this challenge!!! So grateful!!🇨🇦💝🎉

[@cynthiaclark4990]

I have missed a few days but have continued to declutter. I inherited part of my grandmother's bell collection. So for years I would get a bell from someone. I am so proud of my family and friends. When I told them I had enough bells, they stopped giving them to me. 😊

[@cellgrrl]

Good first start. How about choosing a handful of teasured bells, and then take some nice clear photos of the rest, and then donate them?

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

My husband gave me a Pandora bracelet with two charms. I don’t really care for bracelets and knew I wouldn’t ever wear it but I could see from that moment on every birthday, anniversary, and Christmas my gift would be a charm I didn’t want. So a few days after receiving it I let him know this type of thing wasn’t for me. I felt a little badly about it but he appreciated me telling him so he didn’t keep getting me something I didn’t want. He was able to return the bracelet and charms.

[@ruthanderson1375]

I totally understand. Maybe he didn’t know what to get you, and asked someone at work for ideas. Very common for men to ask ladies for ideas. It’s the thought that counts 🥰

[@EmpressSolstice]

I don’t have my own collection but because of your story, I now realize that I am enabling one. My sister loves elephants and I just realized that for every occasion I get her some type of elephant.

[@cellgrrl]

Ah, dust collectors! Good on you to no longer enable. For this reason I don't collect anything.

[@heatherburrill]

I do this too but I give them cards with the image on it instead, mostly because I wouldn’t want to inflict that on me. I love rabbits but I know that collection would really multiply 😂 it is hard though because when you see something that reminds you of someone, then that is a good time to give a gift.

[@ams91681]

I have decluttered a whole truck load. The inside and truck bed of my husband's truck was fully loaded!

[@gwenellison5386]

Good for you! That's fantastic. =)

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

Wow! Good for you! 🤗

[@vickieden5022]

That is fantastic !! That must feel great! I'm about to rent a dumpster and put it in my driveway. I have soooo much that needs to go !

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

@@vickieden5022 Yes! Get it done, Vickie! Clear out the clutter! 🤗 Free yourself!

[@elisebb3765]

This one came on the perfect day! Our tall grandson came for a visit; and I put him to work taking all of my boxed collectables off the top shelf of a closet that I can't reach anymore. We boxed them up and they are ready for a good donation center!!! Yay! I've been wanting to do this for a long time! Thanks, Tyler!!! LOL! Cherished Teddys were one of the sets that I let go of today!

[@juliab628]

priceless, hahaha Here is a story for you, Cass. About 15 yrs ago when our daughter was 8 yrs old, we were in SD on our annual summer family vacation. Browsing the giftshops there, we ended up in one that was FULLY teddy bear themed. The lady there had a real teddy bear obsession. So anyway, she kept trying to talk my daughter into certain um, bears but we made it out without buying one. Years later, our daughter, who is now 24 ((still)) remembers the scary teddy bear lady. Yes, the collection issue/obsession is REAL. This can also happen with other things that people find out that we love. I know that they mean well, but it becomes awkward when people find out that you love something..( like tea) and then they give you all kinds of flavors that are just not yummy. I am thankful to have developed the mindset now where I have ditched the guilt in letting things go that do not suit me. Our homes are deserving of a peaceful atmosphere :D

[@heatherburrill]

I love knitting, so now my family buys me yarn to make them something specific. Makes things much easier for me 😊 and for them. Because who wants guilt handmade gifts in their home.

[@Clutterbug]

Great idea!

[@elizlom]

Yes that is how I got a cow creamer collection.

[@Clutterbug]

Lol!

[@journalwithne5376]

This has been the best series ever! Me and hubby have tried for years to do the “daily quarter of an hour”, and it’s never stuck. But just reducing it to five minutes and having a clear goal has worked wonders. We’ve tackled SO many doom piles! Still a long way to go, but now it doesn’t feel insurmountable. I’m making the five minutes a rest-of-my-life habit.

[@tonette11000]

I, too, worked on doom boxes while watching Cas. 9 doom boxes gone! Poof.

[@journalwithne5376]

@@tonette11000 wow! Well done!

[@donneverae3050]

I have so much more I want to declutter -- maybe I'll make my own 31-day declutter for October!

[@noemisolano4748]

@donnevera3050 That's a great idea!! 30 day declutter challenge for October.

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

Awesome idea! There's always something we can get rid of. Decluttering never ends! 🤗

[@LoriSchlick-re8np]

That's a great idea. If you make one up, PLEASE share it with all of us. It might help keep others going too. ❤️

[@karenjaros327]

I put each of these as a monthly reminder on my phone to revisit each day each month but am also making a short list of personalized alternative decluttering tasks (things that I need to make progress on that didn’t fit exactly any of these. So if something is still in good shape I will swap it with something on the list I’m making. I’m surprised how well this method has been working.

[@KDiG812]

That's what I plan to do! 👍

[@monamorgan9452]

NO ITS NOT ENDING!!! My fellow declutter buddies, I think we need to do this challenge , well, forever👍🏻😁 It’s only 5-10 minutes a day, how hard will that be. I’m putting it on “ Repeat”👍🏻 I’m pretty well an organizer already, I have ADHD and OCD. But this has been fun. So like me, let’s continue decluttering❤

[@elizabethcallihan9971]

DECLUTTER RINSE REPEAT

[@ines4242]

I have so much clutter I feel like if I am doing it everyday for only 5 minutes it will get me closer to my goal.

[@juneclements2111]

I once purchased a salt and pepper shaker set that was the Pillsbury dough boy and a Funfetti cupcake. It was cute and I used them when I was cooking. Well the family saw them and started giving me salt and pepper shakers for every occasion. I put a stop to it and said no more please.

[@tallmeadows]

Collections!! I once said I like owls. 😮 I got so many, in all forms, even a huge owl lamp, I couldn’t see a space without one. Today….. I have ZERO owls in my house. 😂

[@sharontesi4273]

Oh, my gosh, the collections! I finally told friends I'd like to stop gift giving because I had too many knickknacks. It was a hard conversation, but it was like a weight had been lifted.

[@ewilson9435]

I believe that is why I didn't like Christmas presents from in-laws at Christmas never liked the items.

[@jackieo8693]

I've been trying to hint this to family.

[@sharontesi4273]

@@jackieo8693 I just came right out and said it nicely-- that I didn't need more things. Once I did it for one friend, it was easier for the next. I'd had a health scare (I'm fine-- but it took 2 months to know) and it got me thinking about leaving my kids with all of it-- used that in my explanation, too.

[@sharontesi4273]

@@21cormorants I did! One friend and I stopped, then she stopped with another friend (well, sort of-- they exchanged bottles of wine instead 🤣). I think it's all in how you approach the subject. I just ASKED if we could stop because I had too many things (I'm also older and my husband had passed away so I had been dealing with his things & mine). My friends are great people---I actually think it was freeing for them as well.

[@lindaleight5291]

Our last name is Leight, pronounced Light, so one my phone message I said, You have reached the LEIGHTHOUSE. So guess what we have a collection of...

[@sharontesi4273]

@@lindaleight5291 Oh, no! 🤣

[@celticsurfersully13]

It was snowmen for me! After I had received over 100 adorable china snowmen I put a stop to it, It took a few yrs, but I kept saying I no longer want to collect snowmen.☃☃☃☃☃⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄⛄

[@Clutterbug]

Good job!

[@ohiostatekat]

My sister Patty acquired a pig collection. Same thing.. we all thought she liked them. Finally when she threw her husband out did she tell us that HE was the one who started the pigs because he called her a pig. It was horrible because she is beautiful and not overweight. She won’t even eat pork now!!

[@betsytodd216]

I started getting cat everything starting in middle school because I liked our family cats. My husband got lots of frog stuff cause he had aquatic frogs. When we got married and set up our apartment we got rid of our collections. I kept just a carving my grandpa made for me and a big cat towel (which was basically unused since it 'might get dirty,' till as an adult I decided I was going to enjoy my nice things by using them). It's true keeping just a couple things makes them more special.

[@SpellFinder]

My accidental collection is merch from The Nightmare before Christmas movies. Do I like the movie. No. Did my best friend in highschool love the movie and I bought a hoodie to fit in yes. Has my dad been buying me merch ever since for over 15 years. Also yes.

[@Clutterbug]

Oh wow! It may be time to have a chat with Dad😄

[@dawnwilson8017]

People have been gifting my mother tea pots for decades! She never collected tea pots. Someone saw a tea pot on her shelf and it took off. It turns out the one she had wasn’t even hers, it was mine 😂

[@Nithrade]

That sounds horrible! Your poor mother. Sometimes I'm glad to be German and having no problem telling people what I do and don't want. 😂

[@alyssarelwood]

That happened to me with tea. I don't even drink tea (coffee 4 life!) but I must seem like a tea person because I get all these fancy sets and holders and pots and different kinds of tea. Even with people who know me and have never seen me drink tea.....

[@Rosannasfriend]

Ladies… We’re almost done! Day 29 of 30! Incredible. We all deserve a round of applause.

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 🤗

[@midsouthhomestead7527]

👏❤👏

[@christinequintana881]

A little behind but will check up this week. 😂 about the Teddy 🐻. Just thinking that we all need to vow to stop the unwanted gift giving. I'd much rather have a phone call or a lunch date with a friend.

[@sarahfrancescutti9873]

This has been amazing!!! My biggest takeaway was to just focus on 5 items and 5 minutes! Definitely easier to approach some areas that I had been avoiding. While I didn't declutter while watching but you got into my head so I found myself naturally decluttering throughout my day!

[@juliavivian4573]

My mom had alllll the bells. It was exactly like what you said. Got one, then gifts came in until there was an entire area of bells. And then she had Boyd's bears and angels everywhere! She still has in boxes that she hasn't used in years. My mother in law has an entire area in their barn of little village pieces, boxes and boxes, that she doesn't want, but they were gifts and she can't bring herself to get rid of them. They've probably been there for 15-20 years. I wish I could shout from the rooftops "you don't have to keep it!!"

[@sandylucas4279]

I can relate to your grandmother and her teddy bears. When I was about fourteen years old a male friend gave me a small porcelain panda bear. It was cute, I cherished the gift and displayed it on a shelf in my bedroom. My next boyfriend noticed it and bought me one. As I stayed with this second boyfriend I continued to get a panda bear for every occasion. Then friends noticed my collection and they too gave me panda bear items. I had children and they gave me panda bears. I even had a friend whose daughter saw a panda bear in a souvenir shop while on vacation and asked her mother to buy it for me. This went on for years. I had a curio cabinet filled to the brim with panda bears. I tried giving subtle hints that I would prefer something different, however I continued to get more panda bears. My collection got out of hand. At forty-nine yrs old I finally donated the entire collection to a consignment shop and made a little money from it. Thankfully, I no longer receive panda bears! Thank you Cas for the month long challenge!

[@theresapalmer7892]

This one really hit home. I have been an unrequested collector category twice in my life. You do have to be careful when you say that you like something because you will likely end of with more of them from family and friends. It starts innocently. The other lesson to learn here is about your own gift giving. Choose wisely, it doesn't need to be a physical thing.

[@sharlagil4031]

Oh god. It's rubber duckies for me. I thought it would be a cute bathroom theme once... that was 20 yrs ago and I still find them everywhere. I even got some "custom" ones for a wedding gift. 🤦‍♀️

[@Flowerchild782]

First there were Precious Moments figurines, then watermelon salt and pepper shakers. Pink flamingos, boyd bears and the latest was foxes. I still love the foxes but I started lining them up the staircase and the kids have realized it’s a joke now. To get up to the guest room you have to run the gauntlet of the foxes. I have always told my family if I get stuck on something they don’t enjoy receiving anymore PLEASE tell me before the next gift giving event occurs. It’s all good. No feelings are hurt and no more of that disappointing gift.

[@pamelafoustqualls9021]

So far, i have purged 13 boxes, kid table & 2 chairs, and an annoying musical toy!!!

[@AnnaSinitsyna]

There is nothing like getting rid of annoying musical toy. It is better than therapy

[@Jess-737]

I brought all my decluttered books to the Little Free Libraries across my city (the ones where you can take or give books for free in a miniature cabinet size outdoor library). I had too many books to fit into one, so I drove to several. The ONLY way I was finally able to convince myself to declutter the books was to do that.

[@Clutterbug]

I love that!

[@Laurel-h6c]

Since I went through the books already, I went through my Fall seasonal decor. I had so many things I haven’t put out for years and some sad florals. I reduced from to tubs to one. I feel lighter. Thanks

[@bethheerten1132]

I did that this week. I was tasked with decorating some tables at church for a fall brunch so I got out ALL my bins labeled "Autumn Decor". The gal helping me decorate had a ball going through them and I took the opportunity to PURGE! (Our tables looked lovely by the way.)

[@dawnprince278]

I need to do that too! I love fall and have as many totes as i do for christmas !😮 i hav to tell myself no more fall items!

[@elizabethwagner7880]

My parents started a spoon collection for me when I was an infant. Growing up whenever anyone went somewhere they got me a spoon. When I was in high school and college I was blessed with several travel opportunities and got a lot of spoons. In my mid twenties I downsize to one spoon for each place I’d actually been and wanted to remember that way. I now have a small display in my dining room I love.I also love that my mom did a notebook with my collection full of stories behind who got what spoon from where which I continued and kept.

[@HoneyBB1313]

Mine is cats... you say one time when youre 5 that your favorite animal is cats and you have a few pet cats throughout your life and everyone thinks youre obsessed with cats. Nevermind the fact that when I was 7, I said my favorite animal is an elephant and gravitated toward elephants ever since. I love cats, but I don't want to decorate with cats. It makes me feel like people don't know or listen to me. I give my cat gifts away a couple months after I get them.

[@Nithrade]

Maybe it is better that way. It's easier to part with them, right?

[@brianandamysmith438]

Yessss!! Why do people do this!? Not collections but I posted on Facebook once a video of an otter eating fish while I was at the zoo and now people send me otter videos...all the. Time. Thankfully it's not cluttering up my house... Just my time but I'm here for it so it's okay 🤣

[@HoneyBB1313]

@@Nithrade you'd think so, but when I receive the cat gifts I still feel a bit offended that the person giving it to me doesn't know or want to accept that I don't want cat decorations, even though I've said numerous times what I actually would like. So then it's like, I give them a gift they like and they give me something I have to get rid of, so basically I end up with nothing.

[@LoriSchlick-re8np]

​@@HoneyBB1313I'm sorry your friends and family aren't listening to you. Even though you basically get nothing, try to remember that they are least thought of you. In their heart it was something they thought was meaningful.

[@Nithrade]

@@HoneyBB1313 Okay, I certainly can understand that. I wouldn't feel seen either if someone gave me a gift I had told them before I don't like. Yuck! In Germany we would say: Das ist nur rausgeschmissenes Geld.(That's just trashed money.) and gifts have the purpose to bring joy to the giver and the receiving one... hm. I just imagined you getting elephants. I love them too but never told anyone. I could never declutter them and some might take up a lot of space. 🐘😁

[@queenofputrescence5167]

You will be happy to know that I have maybe 20 books that I have hung on to as a minimalist. But one of the books I hung on to is yours!

[@maryschneider8154]

I had a herd of teddy bears when I moved into three rooms and a bath. I have seasonal bears out but I edited out any I really didn’t like until I now only have Boyd’s Bears that were given to me. I still have any too many but they are alternated so I don’t get bored with them. I donated some to a soup kitchen who was looking for donations at Christmas. Some child got a toy that year that had been well loved. 😊

[@SheilaEnglish2]

A “herd” of teddy bears - I like that 😄

[@starlaarts9385]

Oh my goodness yes, I have an unwanted collection. For my birthday one year, my guy gave me a lighthouse with the note "you are the light of my life" I apparently overemphasized my enjoyment of said lighthouse (because I thought it was so sweet) That year between my October birthday and Christmas he went lighthouse shopping and I ended up with 33 lighthouses or lighthouse themed items😂. I do not like lighthouses that much. Every person who has seen them and said "oh, you collect lighthouses." I have said NO I DO NOT. Don't you dare gift me a lighthouse! 😅 Oh, and I asked if it would be alright to declutter a few things he gifted me and he acted like i wanted to give away the puppy.

[@tonette11000]

Mom said no more knickknacks. So we got creative after that. For her birthday, I wrote her a card: Roses are red, Tulips are pink, Put on your shoes, We're going to see The Big Fat Greek! Us girl family members then took her to see Big Fat Greek Wedding in the theaters. Omgosh. It had been years since she's been to the cinema. We got candy and popcorn, we sat her in the middle of us, and had a riot of a time. I'm surprised they didn't tell us to leave. Great memories!

[@JuanitaNance]

Txs Cas!!! You've inspired me to STOP my Angel collection! I'm going to keep my angel collection in my heart💞💞💞

[@karenstairs8273]

I have a little shelf in my hallway that I put books I am sharing with others. If no one takes them in the month I bring them to a "Little Library" near by.

[@heatherj3030]

I made it about 15 days, and then had to drive 1500 miles in 2 days. To be honest, I was so exhausted, and had a bunch of other stuff come up, that I forgot about the challenge. I'm going to go back to day one and start again. I really do want to change habits! Thanks Cass for doing the challenge for us.❤

[@caro2983]

Cas, you are so right about accidental collections. Years ago I found a cow that I thought was cute and I started receiving cows as gifts. Luckily the gifts petered out after a couple of years and the collection never got very large. I recently sent my last one to Good Will. I am not that person anymore and it is ok to make room for who I am today. Love your content!

[@mysoulcalledlife]

I don’t want the challenge to be over yet 😢 I loved this, Cas. This was such a gift. 1 day left.💖🙏

[@jimthechaosbunny]

The collection thing is so true! These days i ask people to give me experiences instead of objects. It helps a lot!

[@ruthmanor70]

If someone wanted to build a little library to put on their property for people to take a book or leave a book, that would be a plus for their neighborhood. Start by putting a few books into it, get the word out with flyers, and see what happens.

[@BLK2000]

Same Cass!! I keep getting OWLS all the time for gifts, cuz 10yrs ago i had an owl perse and said i liked owls, yea, sure, why not.....little did i know, every Christmas and b'day, its OWL CITY FRIENDS!!!!

[@laurasimpson7650]

I have less than 1% of the books I used to have.....literally only have 1 shelf full. So freeing.

[@noemisolano4748]

Hi Cas, I want to thank you for this 30 day declutter challenge. Thank you Cas for helping me get rid of a pair of sandals that I kept saying to myself I'm going to wear these sandals. But I never did. I remembered what you said ripe off the bandaid and declutter 🤣🤣🤣 what you said gave me the boost I needed to say goodbye sandals. For me decluttering took a little longer because I work during the week. But four years later, yes four years, I have decluttered 399 of my things!! Wow I didn't know I had that much stuff!! I shredded 15 bags yes 15 bags of papers. That paper shredding took a while but I did it. I wish my husband was on board because he has our entire house full of his belongings and a lot of it he doesn't use. Decluttering is a journey but like Cas said you just need five minutes a day to declutter 5 things. 🙂 Great timing to put up this video before the holidays.

[@bethheerten1132]

Ah, yes, the papers. I used to save my shredding for when my grandson came. Although he disliked loud noises when he was young, he loved the act of running papers through the shredder. I guess in his mind it was a "power tool". I have since gotten the little boy across the street to come have cookies and a shred-fest a few times. He loves it too.

[@ColleenJoudrey]

when I was 10, I told someone that the wolf was my favourite animal and boy did my friends and family run with it. They also had a hard time differentiating a wolf from a domesticated sled dog which just upped the accessibility to buying these gifts. When my husband and I were 20, we bought a home and he suggested that he liked a Japanese style decor so the lunacy began again with another theme.

[@Taleri]

Your grandmother's story reminded me of the single time I told my mother I thought a certain salt and pepper shaker set was cool. From then on, she thought I collected salt and pepper shakers and kept giving sets to me. There were SO MANY!!! It took forever to get her to stop giving me any more. For some reason my mother also thinks that I love the Pillsbury Doughboy and gave me a set of Pillsbury Doughboy bookends for my last birthday. WHY?!?! She did not take it well (as in, she was extremely offended) when I asked her to stop with the doughboy gifts (this was not the first).

[@emmamunday8563]

I have been following this and thought I was doing pretty well until my husband left me around day 20. That really sharpened my focus. I have a chronic illness and I am now a single mum to 4 children. I must have taken 25 bags of rubbish out (and no it wasn't his stuff)

[@princesasdensueno9247]

wishing you physical, spiritual and emotional healing ❤

[@everythingthathinders6922]

I'm so sorry. 😔 What a gift, though, to be on this journey and find some healing in this process. May you continue to heal. 🙏

[@Katnip7770]

So sorry to hear. It’s a painful situation. Hang in there, keep busy (and with 4 kids, that’s plenty to keep you busy) and most importantly, be kind to yourself.

[@brg2743]

I am so sorry. God bless this woman. She needs your help. 🙏

[@JILLCritterologist]

So sorry you have to deal with this on top of the ongoing challenge of chronic illness. HUGS and prayers. Take it a day at a time, an hour at a time, focus on your kids, take time for yourself (including time to continue decluttering your home so your environment isn't stressful).

[@michellepreston5710]

Ha ha! OMG! I had the cow collection! 😂😂😂 I got a cute cow something once and my mom just ran with it, alllllll the way….. even after I told her I didn’t want anymore. I can’t even tell you how many cows I’ve donated through the years. Down to a couple favorites now and that’s it. lol.

[@rhonmarquess3146]

Books are HARD! I love my books. But! I found 11 books to donate & give my daughter. Amazing! And I don't want tomorrow to be the last day of this. 🧡

[@durgan5668]

Just emptied a '4 shelf bookcase', and gave it, and the books to a thrift store. I did this exact thing: Will I read this again? And found around 40 books to let go of. I love books, but common sense trumps clutter. Altogether, around 100 items left the house this morning. I meant to donate the books to the county library, but this saved me a trip across town, and they're selling a bag of books for 2 bucks at the library, they have plenty.

[@frogwindy]

I went through the hard purge if 1000 books down to 200 & just went through again a few weeks ago. I love books but my new place was smaller. I drove around dropping in Little Library boxes in the area & donated most at the Library. Was great to be free even though it was hard....ps. never let anyone know you like FROGS! soon your house will become a giant Lily pad! 😅

[@Clutterbug]

That's amazing, I'm sure they appreciated the books!

[@nataotti346]

Cas we want more ! More than 30 days ! Think of some short daily declutter ideas daily !! Love

[@jenniferh2594]

This is me and my Diamond Paintings, my youngest started the hobby, it looked interesting, she bought me one as a gift and I completed it, enjoyed it and now I have about 20+ diamond paintings hanging around my apartment waiting to be completed and displayed 😂😂😂

[@lgraps]

After 10 minutes I only found one book to give away (a duplicate), so I turned to my real problem: magazines and newspapers. Quickly found four to recycle in five minutes, and that's even after having quickly skimmed them. I may need to spend five minutes a day on that pile every day in October!

[@alicias7820]

Frogs! So many frogs! I did declutter them a few years ago and hide the few that I love in a very small cabinet that is low the floor. I get to enjoy the memories they hold, but no one buys me more because they can't see them.

[@kay-win2014]

Accidental collection? Yes! Courtesy of my sweet, attentive, loving husband. I told him years ago I wanted to curate a collection of Ruby red dinnerware that was produced in a local factory where my late father worked. I eventually ended up with all kinds of beautiful DECORATIVE pieces in a China cabinet. It was a hard conversation letting him know that’s not what I ever wanted, but we let them (and the cupboard) go. To avoid another accidental collection after finding an adorable ceramic rooster for my kitchen (because we live on a farm, have chickens, and it complements the colors in the room), I have consciously avoided acquiring anything else with a chicken or rooster on it just so no one gets the wrong idea. 😂

[@cristina.mtz.bravo1982]

I am going to miss seeing you and working with you every day 😢 thanks for this challenge Cas, you are awesome ❤

[@BallroomLilliesandHydrangeas]

Yeah, she is!!!

[@CheriJ11]

Because I watch these videos when I go to bed at night, I haven’t declutterred along with you, even though I’ve watched every video. But I’m still building my decluttering muscle because today I found myself saying in my head “5 minutes, 5 things” every time I walked into a room! And I have started to decluttering! Thank you, Cas, for getting into my brain!! ❤

[@Clutterbug]

That's awesome!

[@stephanieg2000]

I'm a teacher and every "themed" classroom I've had has turned into a crazy collection of student gifts: sloths, flamingoes, owls, etc. I have to change every two years or so just to unload the collections! LOL I knew a principal whose office was covered in FROGS.

[@trishahutchinson3485]

Our Pastor said the same thing about his lighthouse collection! He had ONE in his office, people saw them and started buying them for his birthday, Christmas, everything and now he has way more than he wants! How do you tell people to Stop 🛑?!

[@vivian9803]

You say, "Please, stop." 😉

[@CS-yy3hv]

😂😂😂 The stories at the end!!

[@jessicakelly6682]

I liked Unicorns as a little girl and my stepdad bought me one every year. He continued to do that and I haven't liked Unicorns since I was 12 lol I'm now 49! But I just donated them all and he finally started making me things instead.

[@sjsmith4053]

Just 1 odd side affect....i came out with " crazy pants" and my daughter looked at me oddly then burst out laughing?! Is it not said in uk? Shall we start a trend?

[@UnicornAngelEyes]

YES!!!! Let's get is trending in the UK.

[@lesleyharris525]

Yes, we can all be weird together. 😂. ❤

[@anitasmith3063]

Maybe next time we do a series we should all wear crazy pants!

[@SheilaEnglish2]

My English mother was gifted a lot of royalty themed coffee table books, just because she was English. In her 80s she said, “I’m not even a royalist” 😆

[@MayraSignorelli]

I have a shelf in my library with a small collection of "mates" (Mate is a traditional Argentinean beverage, and the container in which you drink it is called the same). I started displaying them because there were too many at home. Though it wasn't intentional, I like how it looks, but I've no intention of make this collection grow. Some time ago, someone told me "oh! you like mates!!" and I wasn't ready to give a response... just praying he'll not gift me another mate. But now, after listening to your grandma story and reading all the comments here, I'm ready to say "I like these, but I don't want more, thank you".

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Oh. wow. I was stunned how easy it was to let go of 5 knickknacks, I thought it would be 'painful' but it was actually relieving. I had an angel collection, as of today I am down from over 30 to 4 angels and most were gifts (which is why I will not be taking pictures).

[@BrandyPeacock-ps3xx]

My last name is Peacock. Can you guess what everyone gives me? It has been so much fun, but after 13 years I packed it all up and have gone in a total different direction! Your bedroom curtains were my inspiration. ❤️

[@michellegleave2550]

YES! People see one thing in your home and suddenly you are the cow lady! So so true!

[@stowie7733]

The day I have “not” been waiting for…books…I love them…hate to give them up…yet, just by coincidence…I am moving my bookcases around and need to empty the shelves to do that, so I will be able to whittle down on the the number I own. Although I am sorry the challenge is over, I realize I can start over next month and do it all over again, since it is only 5 minutes/5 items…and I can rewatch all the videos back to keep me inspired!! As for the collection…mine was cats…once people realized I liked cats (due to becoming a cat mom with a couple of kittens), I got all sorts of cat stuff…and some were downright awful. When I downsized and moved into my forever home, I told everyone that I had to give lots of cat stuff away and I needed to stop the collection. Thankfully it worked and now I only keep what brings me happiness when I look at it. Thanks again Cass for a great series!!

[@cathywoofter1331]

Thank you so much for learning the easiest way to declutter. I've learned so much. Just 5 minutes has made such a difference in my small trailer!! This is a great new HABIT!

[@Clutterbug]

I'm so glad!

[@dakota2144]

So sad that the challenge is coming to an end😔; Have looked forward to watching on a daily basis and finding lots of things that have been laying around without the LOVE. I like the idea that I read about continuing the 31 days in October. Thank you, Cass!!

[@janabuchheit3389]

I hear you loud and clear. As a mother, my kids always struggled with any gift for me. The saying "I have everything I want" was not good enough for them. As a gift to my children, I found a collectible item group. I'm a big Arkansas Razorback fan. Problem solved, right? Wrong! For everything and anything, I got something Razorback related. The tradition carried on with my grandkids. I ended up dedicating an entire room for the collection. As you may have guessed, my room became so full, little things started trickling out like a bad stomach virus. It was out of control. I recall telling everyone to stop. I had enough. They didn't believe me until I started boxing parts of it up. There's boxes upon boxes in storage. I saved my most cherished ones in my room but packed up the others. I didn't realize by helping them come up with an easier approach for gifts that I would be suffocating myself.

[@anaschulz8084]

Thank you so much Cas for EVERYTHING you do! I truly like you as a person, you are relatable and funny ( my favorite trait in people ) Above all, your insights into making your home an easy place to manage and keep clean. Thank you!!!

[@kategraham6792]

✅done Todays one was sooooo hard. I love books and always wanted a room filled with books from floor to ceiling and a leather chair like in a rich persons personal library in a mansion in the old days 😍😅 9x nicknacks 13x bible study notebooks 12x books

[@sammym1311]

My last name is Angell - so I've had to be ruthless over the years to only keep the ones I absolutely love...a few more at Christmas... but that's it!

[@andreaodell8769]

CAs, this morning we took 4 bags of clothing and 6 boxes of kitchen and household items to church for a missions project! You helped! So far I am up to 11 books to go! This is such a gift! Thank you so much! I feel better, I sleep better. My life is getting easier the more I declutter.

[@katefree9539]

The first four days, I was in the hospital for colon surgery, but I still got it all done!!!! Thank you!!!

[@jeanineskitchen2607]

god bless thats amazing! pray you heal 100%

[@katefree9539]

I loved this 30 day challenge. I declutter often, but this gave me new areas and formed a habit that makes me feel so free!!! Thank you!!!

[@Nithrade]

I can attest to that. It certainly happens. My landlady found some ducks cute once. Decades later her home was overflowing with them. All presents of people who took the easy way out when getting gifts for her. To this day I think of her when I see a decorative duck. She even had a holder for her toilet brush shaped like a duck! I never told anyone how much I liked elephants. Just imagine! Day 29! Whohooo!

[@cblazgoogle3844]

🤣🤣 I have had unicorn, matchbook covers, and shot glass collections.. thank god I got rid of them 30 years ago🤣🤣 they weren’t too big.. but I just got tired of them👍👍and got rid of books years ago.. I love that I can get audiobooks from my library👍👍

[@saubery2707]

I found 20 books that I am done using and some Knick knacks that I am done with too. Thanks Cas for this 30 day challenge.

[@Paperista]

Agree on books. As a book blogger, not only do I purchase books, but am given advance copies from publishers. It is a lot of books. I understand loving books. However, I could easily be crushed by my tbr (to be read) pile. So, I don't keep books. Well, I have a few, less than 10 that I permanently keep, some of the classics. Other than that, I read, review, and box for the children's hospital thrift store. Other people can read them for less money, and I can help out kids. Something to remember, writers write...often...they need to stay relevant; it is their income. New books are always coming out...released every single Tuesday actually. If someone is a collector, perhaps a kindle would be better. Thanks for the video.

[@JenOooo]

A clutter collection is apt! It's wild how we jump to such conclusions and how it can literally consume someone's home!! Gift your time or an experience, create memories 💝

[@larkiameade9251]

I love teddy bears too. I have a corner for them. My best friend bought me all of them over time. He outdid himself and bought me a seven foot panda bear for Christmas one year. Yes 7 feet tall! I told him that he has won the award for best friend ever and that he didn't have to buy another bear for me again. Lol

[@jamierohde5496]

I have been there and it was puzzles. I quickly found out how it got started. I declutterred them and donated them to other people and RMHC.

[@SheilaEnglish2]

As a teacher I got a lot of apple themed gifts. I really didn’t want them at home so I bought shelves at a garage sale for my classroom and displayed them there.

[@marciabenjamin2841]

Thank you so much Cas! You're now a part of the family. I'm gonna miss seeing you everyday! It's been a process but I can see progress all around me already. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!