Ep. 272 | Hidden Clutter

[@MWtheMonke]

The no ad thing makes me have huge respect for you guys.

[@DoodleDoo]

Does it matter though? You could just use an adblocker extension or skip over the ad parts of a video.

[@karengreene1999]

If I had learned this at 16 or 17 I could have saved a fortune in money spent on trivial things.

[@Emilia-zz7sc]

I just learned this at 17. Lucky me ig

[@brooklyn7405]

After decluttering 90% of my possessions, I’ve decluttered all my social media’s and then just deleted those apps off my phone and it is so freeing to not be addicted to clicking on things and mindlessly scrolling and wasting time. My screen time went from 7hrs to 1hr and I’m so happy and much more productive without social media and I feel free.

[@AndiGee]

What you do instead now?

[@ashley.darling]

I deleted my social media’s too. And by doing so, I’ve already read five books this month!

[@brooklyn7405]

@@AndiGee To fill up the empty time I used to waste, I now to fill it with more productive things that I need to get done, I also do work on my career (like learning more about it, getting certifications etc.), I also do reading which I’ve dearly missed, listen to podcasts, and just overall being better with personal growth

[@brooklyn7405]

@@sarag596 Trust me I’ve been decluttering for about four years now, I feel like it truly would never end, because I’m always trying to declutter and get rid of useless things. It’s freeing each time and I’m sort of glad I can keep decluttering to some point cause it just feels like to help those in need

[@beckspace]

@@sarag596 read book goodbye things by fumiyo , it will help you a lot

[@gwenj5419]

There's no difference putting stuff in a landfill or letting it stay in your house and your home becomes a landfill. The only true problem is when you continually dump stuff and then just buy more stuff.

[@rachgeorgia9993]

I stopped watching news a few years ago. I watched a bit during the beginning of COVID and will occasionally watch if there is a local weather event I need to be aware of. I’m a highly sensitive person and found I couldn’t watch the news without getting quite upset and affected.

[@lindaalaureano]

I haven't had a TV for the last 6 years . You can put your TV in the closet then give it away.

[@embercoetzee5171]

I've been on my minimalist journey for about 2.5 years. I've finally rid myself of 85% of my stuff and deleted most of my social media. i have so much more time and energy these days because i'm not possessed by stuff. Decluttering helped me find myself

[@ecotwin]

I do the phone photo cleanup daily - once a day I go through and delete at least 10 pics! Waiting in line at grocery stores is a good time to do this :)

[@megansjoquist459]

"You've been sold the void". This ranks with quotes by my personal hero Henry David Thoreau. Thanks Joshua and Ryan for your ongoing inspiration.

[@liisaelts7522]

Not really from a minimalist, but Max Brooks has a chapter in his World War Z book, where the main message from a sailsman is that fear sells. In sense that fear to live without something is what makes people go and buy products one doesn't actually need. It what got me to actually look at what stuff is on sale and realize that this weird zombie book just taught me better lesson in economics than my parents. Mind-blowing moment for me.

[@sarahtorgerson8533]

I've been listening to all these podcasts since November. I work in retail, and you guys have gotten me through the holiday season without buying "stuff". And.. As I have been decluttering life, I got rid of my retail job as of February. I couldn't handle how my job was contributing to everyone's future laundry and chores. And ultimately clutter. Then.. there's the fast fashion dilemma. I can't do it. I'm totally on board with the less in now challenge for February!

[@kelss1]

"Minimalist don't get rid of important things" Read that again.... light bulb! So so true. You get rid of the junk and keep the important things to you. It really is that simple and not that simple all at the same time.

[@s.aura.h8084]

I have a box of clothes I’ve been trying to sell for years... I was doing exactly that! ‘But it’s worth £x amount, I can’t just give it away! But you’re totally right, it’s causing me more distress just sitting there taking up space than if I just let it go... I have some reevaluating to do. Another great episode as always! I look forward to next weeks 😁

[@TonyCook7]

Charity

[@sct4040]

If you donated the clothes, someone will be able to use them instead of being in the landfill.

[@s.aura.h8084]

@@sct4040 I would never put them in the landfill

[@Iquey]

If you're already a minimalist but still have hella digital clutter, you can do the mins game with digital clutter. It helps make it low pressure and less daunting if you are worried about a massive "pile" of files and megabytes.

[@melinaverbeeck9643]

Genius!

[@claudiaflausch4721]

That's such a simple Idea, But I have never thought of it! I'll try it!

[@Chariots1981]

Great idea! I think I could go on for over several years doing the game though... :(

[@visionnowministries7898]

I think this one is the most relevant minimalist video I’ve watched/heard. Thank you. I’m on day 26 and I’ve never gone this far into less!

[@SS-wm5kb]

Thanks to you two, I sold most of my nice high-end corporate wardrobe to a consignment store and made a couple hundred dollars. I was holding onto clothes that I hadn't worn in forever or that no longer fit because I paid a lot of money for them. What they wouldn't take, I donated to a nonprofit thrift shop. I haven't worked a corporate job in over a year and when I go back, I'll be wearing my capsule wardrobe. It feels SO GOOD to have a cleared out closet with clothing I actually wear!

[@beckspace]

hidden clutter for me it's like hidden message to do list , to take care off ,and taking up my mental space

[@alfienykabutler5919]

Yesssssss

[@NinaHMartin]

This was great, I'm 16 years old and it was really helpful to hear your advice

[@annieheath986]

Having just listened to The Social Dilemma which I found to be very enlightening I realize we are no longer the customer being sold a product, we are the product being sold to the advertisers. Your video is a marvelous follow-up. I will see things with my eyes open from now on.

[@adnanhussain.z2986]

I did my decluttering before watching this video and cleared about 500 things... In one day

[@ryant4729]

Spent 17 years at the office, day Two down less then one drawer of only what I may need! boxes(17) of old paperwork I would never need ever, feeling is amazing

[@AwokenEntertainment]

This podcast is refreshing for my brain.. respect

[@ikik4268]

Ryan in glasses! So cuuuuute!))

[@rjansen4475]

Digital clutter had become MY biggest weight over the past couple of years!! thankfully I'm getting through it and I'm almost finished. I had over 10 hardrives, memory sticks and even floppy discs of history I was carrying around like a dark snail. It's taken a long time to get through, but wow the anxiety that came with the burden of all that uncurated information was immense! Having items I've purposely scanned is not a burden, even knowning that I may NEVER look at them again, they've been sorted in my mind and I've made my peace with them. They were only scanned if they had some sort of value.

[@rabianadeem9903]

Just started living my life..bcz i have realized what greed is doing to us. You guys are doing great job.huge respect for you.

[@universaltruth2025]

Many of us were also sold the ‘void’ by our own families (as well as peers & marketing) during childhood & growing up. That void is not easily filled but self awareness of it certainly helps.

[@sumaiacosta136]

I'm a very happy person. Just very recently I started consuming material on MINIMALISM. I found out I'm a minimalist by nature. By watching your videos and podcasts, I understand where all the lightness of my life comes from. God is my main source of happiness.

[@wakeupstylellc]

I didn’t know you guys had a podcast, I’m late to the party. Thank you for making these. I have started my minimalist journey about 2 years ago. It has been difficult with depression. You don’t feel like sitting and decluttering. You just want to sit and watch something that makes you laugh. I am slowly getting back to understanding my habits, letting go of things, selling on Depop. People don’t talk about how long it takes so you can feel that you are a minimalist. But last week I went to target and I only bought what I needed. And that day I found out that despite the fact that I have so much to get rid of, I am a minimalist.

[@rachgeorgia9993]

I’ve had the opposite reaction with depression. I feel I don’t have attachment to many material things when my depression is quite bad. However I don’t impulsively get rid of anything. I will put things in my spare room and when I’m feeling “better” i decide what I really want to get rid of.

[@judylloyd7901]

Good for you!! 👍👍👍😁

[@QOrtiz]

Great podcast. I started my process 3 years ago. Your packing party was perfect. I was so creative with how I used the items I unpacked in my space to where I didn’t need to take much out. This last time I decluttered, I held the question, “if I move to another country, what would I actually keep?” Now everything I would sell, give, or things I’m undecided about letting go are all in one area.

[@marisaalvarezmedina6650]

Joshua and Ryan, I love you both. You add value to my life, I am on your list of private subscribers and I listen to all your podcasts, have read your books, watched your films...they are entertaining , curious and helpful. I wish I could add value to your lives with this comment , many kisses from Spain🇪🇸

[@alanbirkner1958]

You guys are great. I cut up worn out clothes for rags or art projects. I take a big bag of my stuff and my neighbors stuff to Goodwill each week. My kids(in their 40's) give me their old clothes to wear. I buy two new clothing items in a year. I continue to play the minimalist game. Tina

[@breec3346]

I’ve had hidden clutter in my one dresser drawer I never touched lol I just decluttered my clothes in that drawer and did a full clothing inventory and shoes inventory and I now own 57 items of clothes including shoes!! So happy I own just what I need!!!

[@sct4040]

Everyone has at least 1 junk drawer.

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

One answer to Lauren’s question is how I chose to handle photos. This was SOOO freeing. And this same technique can be used for handling photos of sentimental items. I Only keep the best ones I want. Discard the rest. (I gave over 2,000 photos to my mom and our grown children with the instructions to toss anything they don’t want). I have one photo album for each child including their weddings and their children. One album combined for my husband and I from our childhoods to marriage. And one of family memories then and now. These albums could also contain the photos of SENTIMENTAL items in the appropriate album. This means I only have 5 small albums that each hold 80 photos. I took an additional 20 photos (for each person and our family) from those categories and they are stacked one behind another in beautiful frames. Every 6 months or so, I rotate the picture in front of the frame to the back. This gives me 20 photos in each frame to last about 10 years of seeing my photos for each person or our family activities. My holiday photos are used as holiday decor. So they are stored in our ONE container of Christmas decorations.

[@eightyninetreasure]

My hidden clutter is stuff that’s been at my Mom’s home. It’s been there a few years and now I’m here so I can sort it out. Another thing I want to declutter is defending or explaining myself, “Don’t take things personally” - from the 3rd Agreement. This tends to mess me up.

[@sarahtorgerson8533]

One great book for this is Byron Katie's, "Loving What Is." Game changer for not taking life personally and decluttering the mind of thoughts that consume you.

[@eightyninetreasure]

Sarah Torgerson Ohhh thank you for the recommendation.

[@feathersky860]

Thank You For Makin’ Me THINK About My Stuff

[@Loveflower244]

Very informative! Makes me want to declutter now!

[@A222Z]

I have continued to do the '30 day challenge' on a daily basis as well. It makes decluttering more Fun, plus it keeps me continuously going thru containers, drawers, etc. & consolidating as well as finding better methods of storing/displaying. (If i miss a day, bc life happens, i do it w/the next day).

[@terrirafiq9329]

I'm slowly chipping away at my physical possessions, but my attention was recently brought to my digital clutter. So far I've deleted over 150,000 emails (old mailing lists, Yahoo groups etc), and still have about 30,000 more to sort through. Thank goodness for filters. It's so freeing.

[@JureJerebic]

Old papers and documents can be a big one. Actually let me sort that out today...

[@ShroomFactory]

A good trigger to go thru photo album: set some time each Sunday.... I do this and transfer files from my phone to a hard drive... Haven't figured out a trigger to sort the hard drive yet tho! lol

[@kiransethi0907]

You guys are doing a great job...by educating the world about over consumption and saving the mother earth.

[@Iquey]

A good trigger for people who have a million photos, if you have a moment to yourself, and like are like lonely or hungry but don't know what to eat, you can go through your photos. It's a strange thing that fills up your time and your emotions, giving you a moment to feel things, and I think it wakes up the decision making part of your brain. Instead of emotional eating, you can look at your old photos, in(at least the ones on your phone, ready to access) (before Facebook or Instagram spams you with an unwanted "memory") and you'll feel very emotionally full. Then when it's time to actually eat, you'll be able to choose something that you actually want to eat instead of reaching for the easiest junk food to grab.

[@ChristysChannelYall]

I don’t think I even own 500 things. I would probably be down to getting rid of pens, paper clips, uneaten food from the pantry. Hmm, I think I’ll start the game today and see how long I can play before I run out of stuff to get rid of.

[@kirstinkeppler9043]

My sister and I are doing the Minimalist Game this month and I'm still going on Day 30! I've cleared out so much junk from my crawlspace, I plan to continue in February too.

[@tink5337]

I started the minimalist game in January. I never stopped. After a few days, I was not satisfied doing just the number expected for the day. I've gotten rid of somewhere around 65-70% of my belongings (not including furniture, but I don't have much of that anyway).

[@Carolmaizy]

As I got older I started making my own rules for my personal life. Only I get to decide how many of something I want in my home, and how I go about doing things. It's very freeing. Trust yourself to set your own boundaries. Once you practice that, it builds confidence and brings peace. Thank you, gentlemen, you rock.

[@AkS143joyful]

The Stanton Family played this again on Saturday! But we did it in one day. So we used Post Its for each day of February and got rid of all of the items in the game in a few hours. Now our home is decluttered and the garage is back to its two car space self. :) So fun!

[@Jo-hello]

I would love to watch that happen! Wish you had a channel! 🙂 nice work too!! 👍

[@AkS143joyful]

@@Jo-hello Thank you! You can check out Rachael the Messy Minimalist on KZbin She is awesome! If you start on her first video you can see her change in the 2 years.

[@trailertrish]

instead of attempting to cull my facebook i just started a brand new one and have slowly added the friends i miss when i realize i miss them. way easier for me bc all those brands and ads and groups tempting me was too much mental/digital clutter. i couldnt help but mindlessly scroll and succumb to what i saw and bought stuff i never would have if it wasnt put in front of my face on a screen. also, now with less friends theres less to see so i dont scroll for nearly as long bc it isnt holding my attention. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@bigb853]

You will never fill that void. Dam. How freeing. 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤓Ryan rocking those specs.

[@melissalee1709]

Such great ideas and I turned off the news a couple years ago. I feel so much less stress and am less irritated by the things in this world that are idiotic or deeply depressing. I've chosen to focus on the things I CAN change in my own life and community and pray for the areas I have no control over in the world.

[@petmomful2260]

I have noticed, after watching many of their videos, that Joshua interrupts Ryan almost every time he talks and is making a point. I would like Ryan to finish his point.

[@lindaalaureano]

Yes. I agree. He never gets thru reading a list without interruptions while we wait . Read the complete list first and then follow up with comments.

[@leeibbertson1184]

This podcast episode is so deep that I need to listen to it a few times, which I’m looking forward to.

[@kerrypattison-christie1166]

I’ve listened to so many podcast over last 2 weeks. Ryan’s comment on the power of now is also relevant as it deals with the “pain body” where we identify too much with our physical pain. This would help with getting gone all those medical papers we accumulate. Thanks so much from the uk guys You are currently charging my life 😃✊✌️🤩✌️✨

[@barathpa]

to keep check on photos, go for it every once a month if you casually take photos. if you take photos regularly, then check it every Sunday

[@fatima-sc7fl]

I can't believe I've only just found your podcast. I have soo much to catch up on

[@cherylverdon3077]

"There is no void." Brilliant.

[@Carolmaizy]

I've been decluttering in general for a couple years, so have little to discard at this point. I just did my own challenges last week- 100 items, on two separate days. Im at the point where I'm discarding pens, markers,old keys, etc. Towards the end I was counting journal (did I really write that nonsense back then ?) and notebook pages, saved magazine articles, old bills. Its a fun challenge, and does help you get rid of junk. Now that Ive adopted a more less is less lifestyle I can't believe I once had so much stuff in closets, cabinets, boxes, and piles, just gathering dust and creating stress.

[@maryssa8593]

Mental clutter and drama is a big one for me right now. I’m in the process of getting married in May, buying the house my fiancé and I rent and also being a mom of three boys, one of which is in school. My goal for this year was just to be intentional and disciplined. If I give myself too much it can make my head space worse with “clutter” and then it cascades a bunch of other problems. Simplifying my mental space is a huge hurdle for me though. But only if I keep it that way will I stay stuck!

[@NoneYa-pg6dk]

Wow. The intro definitely hit hard. A few years ago, my husband and I allow too many people in our lives, where I felt exhausted. Him and I are introvert. I cannot stay home all day, but a drive to get coffee will make my day better. Anyways, I conversed with my husband if we should cut or limit ourselves to the people that we’re associating with. Slowly but surely we just stopped seeing them and we still enjoy their company when we’re in the same space, but it’s not a constant outing for us. What I’ve accomplished is saying no more often to people, now I’m practicing saying no to myself. Currently working on balancing out my yes and no’s.

[@monicacreates]

I've got rid of everything that I didn't really liked the last years, but after watching Less is now I was really inspired and dig into those 'I like them but I still have too many things so these will have to go' things and it felt good. To hold on to things just because you like them still can be a burden, just the things that really bring you consistant joy is the things you should keep.

[@SarcasmIsMySecondName]

I discovered your channel thanks to the fact your activity was mentioned in one of coursebooks for English learners. There is a reading about minimalism and how to have less stuff. Since I am a teacher of English who's always been crazy about lots of different gadgets and aids, I subscribed straightaway because I really believe that unclattering is exactly what I need. Thanks for raising awareness and doing such a great job, you guys!

[@Sky-Child]

I love the idea of getting rid of various old photos and putting the best ones on a digital photoframes :)

[@Anna-rq5ls]

AMEN in my life to every single odes of this episode. Thsnks

[@goddessjava3752]

You guys are so dope. I just fuckin love your authenticity

[@DionneWard]

I have started the 30 day today and I have always been such a hoarder and Shopping addict ....I am already starting to walk around and noticing items! 😂

[@JimmieHammel]

When I was trying to cut down on my subscriptions, I made a list of them on a whiteboard along with their prices. I considered each one individually, asking if that service brought me added value in relation to their cost. Then I ranked those subscriptions in order to how much value I thought they brought. I eliminated a few subscriptions easily. I had been hanging onto them because they were cheap, but i hadn't actually been using them. A few subscriptions, I was able to reduce the price by downgrading to a basic subscription. For my most expensive subscription, which brought me the most guilt, I realized it also happened to be the subscription which brought me the most value. This enabled me to reduce the guilt I felt about spending money on something "unnecessary."

[@paigalina129]

A response to prompting looking at photos. What works for me is birthdays by going through my photos when it is someone's birthday. Plus on my phone I added birthdays to my contacts so they appear on my calendar. This helps me with 1) I remembering the birthday 2) I get to see photos of that person and delete ones that are not my favorite ones and 3) habit stack (atomic habits) since I'm going through photos I would then get rid of duplicates and see other birthdays in the month and snowball the tidying of photos. Hope that helps!

[@arrahslichenmyer4986]

I like what was said that the minute something is bought, the environment is hurt.

[@karentaylor6301]

As soon as it was manufactured it hurt the environment IMO LOVE YOU GUYS

[@angierice1849]

I just discovered this KZbin channel, I’m really enjoying and getting motivated to clear out items that don’t serve me any longer. Thank you 😊

[@alisonthompson4511]

Re: reviewing your photos. Birthdays and New year's Eve are a lovely time to reminisce~!

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

I’ve been playing the minimalism game which I find really helps. My biggest challenge is my storage room which is all hidden clutter. I can’t sleep at night thinking about it. As one of three people living in my home it’s very hard as I can only declutter my own things but the majority of stuff is my husband’s and son’s.

[@alanbirkner1958]

My daughter moved in with us after more than 20 years away. She has ADHD. I sit with her and we sort together. Tina

[@natashyas4149]

We've been sold the void. When we show up empty, we'll never be filled up by chasing.

[@karentaylor6301]

Love this YES YES YES

[@alfienykabutler5919]

Say it twice 🏃🏿‍♀️🧘🏿‍♀️

[@noxykhanyile4323]

Hi guys, found out today about you and literally searched all over for you. I know people say you saying the same thing...and for me I say if that same thing is the thing important why add. Please keep it up and I want to be a minimalist and have a meaningful life with others. Thanks, love from south African.

[@TheMinimalistsPodcast]

Welcome aboard!

[@heidieho4470]

Todd Glass told a story about printing the album for the coffee table. If a friend saw a gift in the “decluttered items book of memories” and he was scared 😱 he was offended, friend said with Joy..” ooo I made the book.”

[@ymb6987]

I love this episode-much needed as I re-think my books and forms of media that I engage in. I am tackling these pockets of hidden clutter to free myself and live more intentionally. Thank you Josh and Ryan for sharing your transparency!

[@teresaprice5070]

May I assert that Cal Newport's book, "Digital Minimalism," provided some of the best advice concerning the curation of digital clutter? Liberation! 😍

[@Pandorash8]

My late husband would clear his photos whenever he was sat waiting. Like in line at the DMV or for me to get ready to go somewhere. I on the other hand never clear my photos and I am overwhelmed by the volume to go through...

[@A.I.-]

Goal Clutter = Having too much Goals. Subscription Clutter = Subscribed to too many Channels.

[@functionallycool]

Kids art is the hardest thing for me. I keep one box for each and the kids put things in there they want to keep. Then when it’s full, we all go through them and I let them decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Then repeat. It allows them the ability to “choose” what brings value to them over time.

[@ktrudy1]

My cell phone has replaced my books, computer , home phone and tv and maybe more that I can’t think of right off ❤❤❤

[@CorrieCharlotte]

Waiting in lobbies is my look at old photos trigger

[@jannekebrouwers6342]

Museums have also a great amount of art / artifacts in storage, much more than even is on show, so I never really understood that particular curating analogy.

[@ArtyAntics]

We share our services with friends, so if a show we want to watch comes up on Netflix (like Less is More 😉) we borrow the account for a month or so. Then we return the favor for another service.

[@masoodmoghaddami7314]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the great wisdom.

[@rowddyone2013]

love watching you guys

[@joshuamorris2908]

Thank you!

[@kalebwhittingstall441]

Saying hi from Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Would love to join the online city.

[@gillianwalkermusic2820]

Me too, Kaleb! Let's start up a local here in Saskatoon!

[@nancyfritz7159]

Me too!

[@baijayantighosh4391]

There is no void . You have been sold the void - ❤️ .

[@elaine-65]

New follower from central NC . Used to listen to podcasts now discovered you on KZbin . Makes my 10 mike treadmill run go by fast. Josh , David Bowie . Ryan hard rock band like Nickleback. Yes I love Nickel back.

[@cats-uk]

This is kinda off topic : how come everyone else has to wear headphones on their show. But these guys don’t and their audio is still great!

[@TonyCook7]

Ryan is cluttering my mind with “mmmms” in response to things. Lol

[@alfienykabutler5919]

I love Ryan's mmmms and wows. He is a great speaker, listener and encourager.

[@trustdeuniverse9057]

Lol, he kept getting interrupted. Also, I find it distracting to have so many advertisements about their website/meet ups/#s. Ironic.

[@brg2743]

Nothing wrong with mmmmmm's. Good listening skills!

[@ZumieZumes]

Omg!! I love Tobe!! I love that you gave Eat a shout out! ❤️❤️

[@amdonut8091]

Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge.

[@lynnemcnab1500]

Saskatchewan is listening!

[@CurtisSheeran]

I love you guys. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@izzycassells]

I've been so unhappy at work for so long, but I'm too scared to let it go :(

[@saradarwish8418]

When I was 14,I read the life changing magic of tidying up by marie kondo, this book put me on the path of minimalism without knowing If any young people out there who wish to have a simple guide for simpleliving , read this book, I'm a huge konmari method fan.

[@monnykaflor]

Thanks for a great show! 🙌🙌🙌

[@Oatmilllk]

I LOVE THE INTRO!

[@harrykimerdman2659]

I can hear many women saying, but I don't want my home to look like a museum, lol.