Does Decluttering Always = Minimalism?

[@annlynch593]

We downsized and every week try to find more stuff we can donate. I love that simpler look. I love excess room in my closet, on my bookshelves, and on my kitchen counter. Removing odd stuff has become a fun hobby of mine.

[@katyjoywells]

I love that!

[@donnav]

I consider myself a minimalist but I’m absolutely sure many people would not agree. My home is full of stuff but I try to live with intention and only keep things that add value to my life. I also live with two other people who do not have the same mindset as me in this regard and it can be harder to declutter some things so I try to focus on my personal possessions. I want to live more simply and eliminate the excess that distracts. Clutter to me can be physical or mental/emotional. I totally agree that it’s not a destination. Thank you for this great video!

[@katyjoywells]

Well said! 💕🙌

[@paulaosta]

@@katyjoywells I love your shirt! Please can you tell me where the green shirt is from?

[@shannonbrown7488]

I grew up between both extremes of clutter, with my mother being a hoarder, and my grandmother being excessively clean which has left me completely confused as to how to find balance. When I first moved away from my mother I swore I would NOT live like her, and the only example I knew other than hers was my grandmothers so I tried to go to the other extreme, perfectionism which no surprise did NOT work. Now I'm working on balance, having a clean home but not obsessing on perfection. A suggestion here for a video idea. How finding perfection in having a clutter free home does NOT mean happiness. As I've gotten older I find that I do not want to spend time in my grandmothers perfect home as it's not a very happy place. Sure she's obtained the perfect home so many would like to have (I should point out she also has a maid) but it feels more like a doctors office than a home, a place you go to have an exam, not relax. No pets, no hobbies, nothing that might make a mess and you can't just sit down have a glass of tea, and relax.Not a happy place, and not a place you want to visit. Having grown up in the extremes I've discovered I don't need to be a slob, but spending every waking minute (as my grandmother does) dusting, and cleaning and attaining perfection does not mean happiness. In fact she's missed many happy moments working on perfecting her home (doing absurd things like ironing sheets) rather than spend it with family and being happy, and ended up with a place that's cold and uninviting.

[@hollyb5432]

The more I declutter the more I resonate with minimalist values. My home will never look like someone robbed me, but I've found that my threshold for clutter, particularly visible clutter, continues to decrease.

[@katyjoywells]

🙌🙌

[@nataliegoode3942]

Thank you for the reminder, I hyper focus on the endgame, get overwhelmed and shut down. Looking at your living space with nothing extraneous on the floor and cleared surfaces gives me a jolt of serotonin, and makes my brain happy. Side note: I’m an esthetician and I’m staring at your beautiful, glowing skin🥰

[@katyjoywells]

Thank you and keep up the good work! 💕

[@jeanneclark6930]

Great points - very helpful!!!! We can declutter AND feel relaxed!

[@katyjoywells]

Absolutely! 🙌

[@belllchina]

Good video for starters very well described,thank you

[@katyjoywells]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindakleiner5734]

I found your site a few months ago and have been enjoying your content. Thank you.

[@katyjoywells]

I'm so glad to hear that! 💕

[@nonnieTerri]

Once again so reasonable! Appreciate your videos.

[@katyjoywells]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@Meemee-mo5it]

Great information, ideas or reminders regardless of where we are on the journey. Thank you Katy. 💚

[@katyjoywells]

You are so welcome!

[@ryanpegoraro2697]

Hi Katy i just so absolutely love all of your beautiful videos so very very much you are such the most sweetest beautiful gorgeous woman decorater ever in the whole wide world i love you Katy.

[@margejuhnke2993]

Thank you for sharing. Great advice.

[@katyjoywells]

I'm so glad it resonated with you!

[@oursweetiebirdshome]

Loved this so much! Thank you! ❤️

[@katyjoywells]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@lormor460]

I have decluttered mostly everything, however, I’ve hit a roadblock on some things. I do know, keeping just what I love and not extra has helped stop buying new stuff 👌

[@michelesusanne1]

Look at your local library for a book called:The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. It is very eye opening and so helpful!

[@katyjoywells]

It's totally normal to hit those roadblocks but it sounds like you've made amazing progress!

[@petergeorge4415]

Yes! We may declutter and NOT BE a minimalist; let's say... preferring the term "simplicity " is more what I am aiming for (or am?!!) with intentional consumerism!! :)) Dear Ms Katy, you say it SO WELL, it is personal and it goes with one's value...It should guide, not define: lovely!!! I feel uncomfortable to be "labelled" a minimalist; I respectfully correct the person/friend saying " I like simplicity and what is meaningful to our family life and me" with....intention. ;) Thank you for this reassuring video...for so many people, I am sure! helene :))

[@katyjoywells]

I'm so glad that resonates with you! 💕

[@MagicalMandi]

Minimalism like so many things is a spectrum. We should all make minimalism work for us on our own terms. Minimalism does not mean 0. It's so much more than Pinterest perfect bedrooms.

[@katyjoywells]

Absolutely!

[@nancyfeeser4653]

Yes, I declutter but do not consider myself minimalist.

[@katyjoywells]

💕

[@jillnelson8746]

We all make mess… might you please modulate sound in videos? Great content-I believe would be better conveyed if you could work on lowering your voice from nasal to chest-more melodic plus greater authority conveyed. ❤Again great content 🎉NAILED IT! I now know why I have avoided me minimalist -who wants to shrink themselves better association is calm plus peace ☮️ power with focus 🧘🏼‍♀️is ME

[@ritathainey-clement8222]

😅😅😅 oh brother!!

[@lynnblauser3099]

I also agree that her content is right on, perfect! But I certainly do not agree with your critiquing of her voice: she comes across with great authority to me but in a kind way. And she doesn't need to be more melodic or less melodic she's perfect just how she talks and sounds. Maybe you should put it on closed caption so you can read it instead of having to hear her voice. Just sayin'

[@donnav]

@@lynnblauser3099 totally agree!

[@belle6219]

It may seem mean to others, but she is making very direct and valid observations about the unintended effects of her tone of voice. She has a nasal tone which sounds childish, immature, and inauthentic. It conveys anxiety which isn't in alignment with her messages. She would be wise to consider why she still sounds like a child rather than the mature adult woman she is. Therapy and speech therapy would help.