Extreme Declutter - Basement is DONE! [Extreme Declutter Series Part 10]

[@KelleeYouPersonalOracle]

Erica you are the real deal. You’re one of my favorite tubers because you’re so relatable. Real change takes time. You are doing it!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Kellee Bentzen ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Hejhej-jh2iy]

Amazing video!!! ​@@EricaLucasLoves

[@lacioftheland5627]

The change I have seen in YOU over the last few months is amazing. You look happier and healthier. And your house looks good too.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Laci of the Land ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jessicaderstine4061]

This!!

[@kellyharris4639]

I thought the same thing!!!! You look so much more relaxed and your face looks lighter! I’m going back to my basement right now to tackle my “craft” space so I can move a better cabinet in and the old cabinet out

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Kelly Harris yes Kelly! Do it!

[@Cristien84]

I was just going to say the same thing! I've been watching your vids for a couple of months now but wauw I know I felt so much lighter after the decluttering. But to actually see the change in someone other than me, is amazing!

[@TanjaHermann]

Look at what you've gained!!! An office, a school room, a sun porch, an improved dining room etc. I think reminding ourselves during the decluttering process what we are gaining helps keep us from depairing over what we are giving up and what has been lost (mostly money spent unwisely). Congratulations and keep up the good work! You are an inspiration to many!

[@ColleenMarble]

We do something we call "Austerity February." It came about at a time when finances were a wee bit tight due to an unexpected tax bill, so we implemented a no-nonessential-spending rule and took an axe to the budget. That year, Austerity February bled over into March and April. But during that time we reevaluated EVERYTHING, and we decluttered, sold stuff, adjusted the budget, went through the papers and basically rebuilt our household management systems. It worked so well that now we do it every year (2020 will be the 6th or 7th year, can't quite remember). It's a good counterbalance to the extra expenses of the holidays, and it forces me to really tackle the paper stuff on an annual basis at the very least. And every year, I usually find ways to save money by switching providers (insurance, cell phones, etc) or dropping unnecessary expenses, for example. Each year, it becomes easier and easier as those habits have started to bleed over into other months of the year.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Colleen Marble that’s incredible!

[@ajgarbalosa8426]

Great idea

[@sharonritchie7115]

That’s an AWESOME idea! Definitely implementing this!

[@staceykersting705]

Yes! A huge part of the decluttering is STOP SHOPPING. As I 'found' stiff I didn't remember having, I realized a lot of the problem was buying stuff I either already had, or didn't need. You don't need yet another shirt in your fave color!

[@caryncarson643]

I have struggled to come up with a phrase to describe a cluster of goals I have for the year. Household management systems! That’s it. Thank you.

[@valeriej291]

While watching I thought, “Oh, there’s a rug under there?!” “There’s a fireplace in that room?!?” Just goes to show how clutter detracts from a space. It’s an awesome room to learn in now. 💪🏻 Keep up the good work. 🙌🏻

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Valerie J ya right?! Awesome natural light, fireplace, rugs. It’s an awesome room now!!!

[@audreysavard3248]

It remember me when I was teen. My room was messy. When I declutter it, I saw I was using a cardoard for a rug and my true rug was in the pantry.

[@historianlaura]

Erica you can see how this has affected you, you glow, smile and have a really positive energy. Don’t be too hard on yourself re paperwork and the other areas left to do you have achieved so much. Wishing you all seasons greetings

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Laura Brennan thank you! ❤️

[@k.s.thompson5766]

Congratulations! I remember how overwhelmed you were and how easy it would have been to just toss your hands in the air and just give up. I always say, "One bag, one box, one shelf, one room at a time".

[@EricaLucasLoves]

K.S. Thompson ❤️

[@susanshanks2407]

You must feel such a weight lifted off your shoulders. Your children must find it a joy to learn. You did a fantastic job.😍

[@hannahcrumley3103]

🌟What a beautiful outcome! And what a wonderful reward for sticking with it!!!!🌟 I’ve been at it for about 6 months, and finally someone in my family has caught the decluttering bug... last night my 19 year old cleaned out our sports closet and part of our basement- without even telling me until he was done ! That was such a boost for me to see him do that! I love watching your progress & process - I think you will be inspiring a lot of people to declutter and get their lives back!😉👍🏼

[@susanshanks2407]

Hannah Crumley what a nice feeling when someone in your family gets it. It's like a warm hug.😍

[@hannahcrumley3103]

Follow up on my comment.... so my son sat my husband down and told him how frustrated he has been with the volume of stuff in our home🤯crazy how he gets it! He challenged my husband to remove a trash can or a box to donate /day from our basement until we are done! I’m beyond happy about this turn around!💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽🙌🏼

[@labradorite8256]

Years to accumulate, months to dispose of, that's not bad.

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

OMG I THOUGHT BATMAN WAS A TOY OR POSTER 😱😱😱 THEN HE MOVED 😂😂😂 Tell him his disguised worked & the baddies won't see him coming! 💪💪💪

[@EricaLucasLoves]

EmmaAppleBerry lol 😂

[@AmyJBrowne]

Erica I’m only a few minutes in and I am sooo proud of you for taking back your life. You are inspiring us all to do the same. Now back to the video lol

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Amy J Browne ha Amy!!! Thanks for sticking around. :) ❤️

[@AmyJBrowne]

Erica no problem. Again one of my favorite channels and realistic too. I honestly never noticed the windows or fireplace before. Wow!! Good job. We decluttered and organized our laundry this weekend. Even my hubby was like I’m glad we did this. He’s coming around 👍🏾 as always I look forward to the next video.

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

"For now I'm just gonna shove it in here" SO RELATABLE seriously ive done the same to paper clutter since i was born essentially lol over the years ive accumulated plastic tubs of the stuff multiple large moving boxes bin bags etc. Best advice i got was to scan everything. Keep only the physical copies you truly need like medical insurance in a single binder folder max one per person or if you have a business one for that business or one for renovating or moving or whatever. And then shred everything else. If you cant scan something anything not just paper then take lots of pictures of it then decide if you really need its physical self (this helps with sentimental stuff and stuff you might still like and might still be useful but you dont actually need or use enough to keep it) basically if your on the fence and taking pictures of stuff or scanning it doesnt help you get rid of most of the physical stuff then just put it aside and maybe the next time you do a full declutter youll be ready to either put it to true use or let it go.

[@jenniferwright8355]

I agree about the photos, I made an album entitled Sentimental and I can look at them to jog my memory whenever I want. :)

[@moonglow7710]

That was a big job! The insertion of the older pictures of you and your hubby into the explanation of your process made watching fun!

[@sarahhill8650]

What a gift you have given yourself and your family. I have loved this series and it has motivated me for sure. Great job! Side note, legit had no idea you had a fireplace down there.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Sarah Hill that’s a popular comment today!!! It’s a gas fireplace. :)

[@jamieweymouth2101]

Seeing your kids reading together on the chair brought tears to my eyes!!! Job well done. You’ve done an amazing job, thanks for taking us on this journey with you.

[@rosmariekdittmer-jerzy1044]

Erica you are amazing. You accomplished much! ..... and all this without any New-Year-Resolutions!!!! Incredible Woman!!!!! I moved from our 2500 sqft Home to a 2 BR, LR/Kitchen/DR combination and was thankful for a Second-Hand-Store in the next town. They accepted everything - that was a Blessing for me. Next year it's on to 60 years of photos and 60 Years of Correspondence. You inspired me when you mentioned "papers to go through" - thank you for that. Merry Christmas to you and your Family.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Rosmarie K Dittmer-Jerzy happy new year! I’ve never been one to set New Years Resolutions. It’s too exhausting to meet them. 😂

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

So proud of you. The guilt over money spent, space taken up, misuse or disuse of purchased ... it's debilitating. And it's necessary to forgive ourselves and resolve to do better. You got this.

[@elliesorota8911]

Love that when you're done there's still a sticker on the fireplace. so relatable! I appreciate so much seeing a home in process that doesn't end with everything looking matchy-matchy and pristine. This is real life and it just says so much that you left that little sticker there. I can so relate! And I consider it done too - looks fabulous!

[@alexanderlasen8461]

I love being a part of your decluttering journey and see how it affects you in such a positive way. Love from Finland!

[@sandiewhite874]

Erica, congratulations on such a good job. It is exhausting, but so worth it. Briefly, I started my de-cluttering about 3 years ago and have maintained it pretty well. I am a 73 YO retiree and I live alone in a mobile home. I started watching the Clutterbug vlogs and got inspired. I have never been a "pack rat", but my space is limited to kitchen cabinets and 4 closets. I've lived in this home 20 years, so it doesn't take long to figure where I had to stash things. My closets were packed to the gills. So I started at one end of my home and worked to the other with no help except some muscle to get stuff out to my car to either donate or toss. BTW, I was dealing with two bad knees while doing this. It took me close to a year, but I dealt with it all, including paper clutter and craft supplies. When I was done, it was like a terrible weight was lifted off my shoulders and my anxiety level changed drastically, for the better. I'm getting ready to start at one end and go to the other doing maintenance and reorganizing this month. I got my encouragement from Clutterbug, and your story and journey will encourage others. It changes lives, for sure!

[@mandarn80]

I have watched hundreds of declutter videos and yours are my favorite by far!! You are so real and you share your emotions that go along with the process. You are amazing!! Also, I'm still watching the video and had to pause because I'm at the part where you are showing you and your hubs at the navy ball. Gorgeous!!! Thank him for his service and thank you for serving on the home front!! I'm an Air Force wife and we move about every 2 1/2 years. In one of your other videos when you said you had moved a lot, I wondered if you all were military. I just love you and your personality and I know that we could be friends :)

[@anata.g.4966]

So much fun to see all the light coming in this room. It is shown on your faces. You did an amazing job! I am so glad for you and so proud you did it even when it seemed endless

[@mommathriftvlog5375]

The thing I love about your videos and that helps me so much is how you talk through your struggles and reasoning with us. Your processing has helped ME to process decluttering way better! I loved your comments in a previous video about "don't decide what to donate, decide what to keep!" That has helped SO much!!! Yesterday I was sorting through outgrown baby clothes (my baby is 7 months old, he is our 8th child so holding onto everything for more children isn't a super high priority! 😅) I knew he had a lot of things outgrown that weren't my favorite and I hardly or never dressed him in them. I looked at the piles before me and my first thought was to pull stuff to donate. Instead I said, "what do I want to KEEP?" That made it so simple! I kept my absolute favorite baby clothes and the rest I felt so great about decluttering. I thought it was going to be so hard, especially since he might be my last baby. It wasn't, thanks to the mindset change! I ended up with over 100 items just from nb-6/9 months clothes! And I tried to be super minimal in his clothing to begin with! Thanks for sharing your journey! It's not easy to make yourself vulnerable and open to the world your clutter! But I'm glad you did! You've done great and helped a lot of people along the way!!! ♡

[@MelindaLee]

I can see a change in you from that first day. Your eyes were so sad and down and your heart smiled but there was a sad heart. These months later, you let your hair down, literally. You have a cool new space, your children see their mother shine like the moon and warm them like the sun. God bless you and your family. I'm so proud of you!!!

[@Bo-ru4ow]

Wow Erica! This is just awesome! You truly are a HERO! You should wear a little cape! 😊 You achieved so much these last months and have every reason to be proud! Thanks to your videos and Karen Kingston's amazing book "Clear your clutter with feng shui" I started my very own decluttering project a few weeks ago. Normally, I'm not a feng shui sort of person - but hey, it worked and your videos kept me going. Donated tons of clothes, sold and donated more than 800 books (hundreds of them are still there... well 🙄) and ALL my paper clutter. Started on the living room on Saturday and am looking forward to a holiday season in a clutterfree atmosphere in my little flat which does not seem so tiny any more since I started to get rid of stuff. And it was such a great experience to let go on one hand and rediscover and reevaluate so many treasured things and give them the place they deserve in my home which is becoming more of a home every day. Your honest and out of real-life videos helped me very much to keep going and navigate through rough patches - I always thought: "Ok,Bo, you work long hours. You are tired and it's late. But hey, if Erica can do it with 3 kids, a puppy, a house and homeschool going on - so can you. Just go on!" Thank you, Erica! If you want to, I will send you a little video as soon as I am finished - then you can see for yourself what you have inspired! Greetings from Germany! 🙋

[@kathy3178]

You are totally rocking it! Basement looks amazing. I remember how happy I was when I decluttered my old house. We were a family of 3 living in an 1000sqft house. We had twice the amount of stuff that would fit in the house. Earlier this year we moved about 700 miles away. We were able to fit everything in a 6ft by 12ft trailer and the back of an F150. This house we are renting is 1250sqft. We are not filling it up with a bunch of stuff. We are being more careful about what comes in here. I did the KonMari on the initial declutter. She has you go through all the paper at once. That was a lot easier to shove it in a box, and go through at one time. I got rid of a lot more than if I had tried to do while doing other decluttering. Can't wait to see what you accomplish in the New Year! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

[@loreneknight9755]

Wow...super duper. You should be proud, not to mention lighter, free, peaceful, calm, satisfied, joyful & focused!!! It's HARD going through it...but soooo worth it when we get done with that one project. It spurs us on to the next one. It builds momentum. I need this. I think we ALL do. Keep on fighting the good fight!!!!

[@rhodz.md.]

Congratulations, Erica! I'm so proud of what you have accomplished by persevering. Thank you for showing us too the "shoving it here" moment. Decluttering need not be perfect. We just need progress.😊 P.S. I just noticed that this room has windows! 😊💕

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Rhodelie Matbagan real life! We all just shove stuff someplace for later, right?!

[@Wundertastisch]

Thank you for your honesty and showing that part of the stuff ended in your crawl space and stuffed in cupboards. Decluttering is a process and your transparency is super refreshing. You are doing amazing!!!!

[@sarahsuero]

Persistent feels good, huh? Your mastering yourself and taking ownership of your home. Looks good on you! ✊🏻

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Selestine Overholser awesome thing to say!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@StillWatersASMR]

You’ve done an AMAZING job, not just in your house but in your own head. I think that’s totally healthy to say “you know what, papers can be my next big task next year”. There’s no point burning out. Stop and enjoy what you’ve done. :)

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

I have a lot of paper declutter to get too as a 2020 goal. Thankfully my 2019 goal was not to bring anything into the house i didnt need or havent wanted for years (so no impulse etc even if it was cheap or whatever) & do not buy anymore stationary paper etc and instead use digital notes etc instead for groceries reminders etc.

[@broadmeadowfarm233]

I think it's great that you know your limits. You have made huge leaps and bounds in your home, but it's now the Christmas season and you know it's time to pause. I loved your comment to your husband, "in the future we will do 1 box at a time". There is a season for the massive huge purge like you've done in your house and there is also time to do just 1 box at a time. Keep up the good work. It's inspiring to watch your journey.

[@OneBlessedMess]

It is so satisfying to watch this transformation, Erica! You're doing so well with this minimalism journey!

[@lindamusser7370]

The kids melt me. The finished basement is so satisfying especially after seeing the Before. There is hope!!!

[@annapower1833]

Binge watching your older shows and loving them all! Thanks for sharing your journey of decluttering and going through the emotions that go with it. You’re an inspiration Erica.

[@glendaw5221]

You are such a good mom!! I admire your perseverance, and transparency. I’m 70 so in a different place and purged a ton when I downsized. Still a ways to go. I really enjoy your videos because of you! Much better and uplifting than Netflix!

[@lufe7775]

I am so happy for you Erica. Finally you can see the result of your hard work. XOXO from FL

[@lyndapayne3298]

I applaud you!! You stuck with it & it was a huge challenge & remember it's not a marathon it's a journey of discovery & you're doing so amazingly well. You read the books & watched heaps of videos & carried on & then came to the conclusion that it wasn't quite right for you so you tweaked it so you felt happy to carry on in a way that you made it work for yourself & it worked! I don't know you but I'm so proud of you & you are a 'real' declutterer not some youtube fake with a perfect show home & I can relate to you. I've taken away so many good things from your videos, you are a hard worker & when you decide to do something you seem to just get on with it. I think you were just at the end of how much more you could take & decided NONE!!! btw, you have the most beautiful hair!! xxx

[@chrisanderson6330]

Erica, something I appreciate so much is you come off real. What I needed was it’s okay not to get it all done (paper can wait till next year) and recognize the accomplishment, take pride in it. I don’t take time to give myself credit for what I’ve done, I’m thinking of what didn’t. Taking time to acknowledge the accomplishment is what I hope to take away from this particular video. Thank you. I’m still working on our small space (a 31 foot travel trailer). I have requested my husband’s help because he is frustrated with it getting cluttered again. I let him know I can’t do it by myself, he has to be a part of the team in keeping it clutter free. He needs to help with his stuff. I just keep moving it. I think he was nervous about my donate bag but there is too much stuff in the trailer some of it needs to find a new home to be enjoyed by its new family.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

You cannot do it all! Or all at once! I’m glad you asked for help. Maybe start a donate box and live without it for a few weeks? Then you know you are ready to get rid of it when you don’t miss it.

[@terryk6458]

Wow! Congratulations! The light in this room is amazing...and a fireplace!?!

[@poodlegirl55]

She just called it the basement. Now it has windows and a fireplace and is awesome.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

poodlegirl55 I think I need a new name for it now. School room?

[@poodlegirl55]

@@EricaLucasLoves Family Room.

[@calliedaly1940]

I’m so wildly excited for the progress you all have made! The schoolroom looks so awesome! I’m also so excited that you aren’t done. For kids drawings I’ve heard this as a tip. I can’t remember from where sorry. Each kid has a tub where the put art as the year goes by. At the end of the year ( typically a school year ) that tub is gone through and a special handful of drawings etc are kept. They are put in a separate filing drawer/plastic bin in hanging file folders by year. As they grow older it could be less art and more things like papers they have written, poems etc. I hope this helps with the kids. I found Marie Kondo helped us be more strict with paper. But we still have about 24” of filing. That’s down from a huge 4 drawer filing cabinet. I can say taking boxes and bags of stuff to shred was a joy for me. I was so damn excited. Now mail gets stored and routed daily. A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!!

[@emmi3785]

This is definitely not long - in my opinion. :D I usually feel your videos are too short. Like in this I would have liked that speeded up part would have been slower so that I would have had time to enjoy things getting organised. I understand in other videos the need to be fast, since you have plenty of things in your life, but let us enjoy you a bit longer, if possible, please!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Em mi wow ok! I have two more planned soon - paper and pantry Declutters I will keep that in mind!

[@susanpeterson9558]

Good job!!! My stepfather has a saying if your going to eat an elephant take small bites. I've been on a cleaning spree and I do one closet, one cabinet, one drawer at a time and I get inspired to do more because it looks so neat and clean. Keep up the good work and remember if you haven't seen it or used it in a year you probably won't miss it when it's gone.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

SUSAN PETERSON right you are!!

[@sravish443]

Congrats on another accomplishment! It took me 1 year to get everything done. This process takes time, and it results in learning a lot about yourself. A clean home is just a side benefit. My favorite part of the video was your son’s face when he found another new toy in the box. I love the look of excitement on children. ❤️

[@elizabethcallihan9971]

I started decluttering our basement crawl space. Many years of papers, holiday stuff, paint,etc... You are inspiring to watch! Wanna hear something funny? I found a box of canceled checks from the 1980s! I think I might have a paper problem.

[@rikkigriffin7800]

I have followed the entire series and I am ALMOST FINISHED with my ENTIRE HOME thanks to your motivation. Amazing job!!!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Rikki Griffin that is so wonderful!!! How much have you donated?

[@rikkigriffin7800]

@@EricaLucasLoves I drive a suburban and i filled that thing up FIVE times with donations!!!! I so look forward to more of your videos!

[@melissahoneybee8493]

Ive been reading the other comments and basically agree with them all. Such a transformation of both the space and you. You’ve created a practical and pleasant space in which your children can learn. I especially love those little moments of you interacting with your children. You are so loving and they are so obviously happy and secure and they are so good to each other! Happily sitting together to read and play. Its such a pleasure to watch. Well done to you and your husband.

[@bethkelly8425]

You have done so well! Be proud of yourself! I think your goal of waiting to begin again next year is great! Take time of and reflect on everything you have achieved in a short space of time. And come the new year have a fresh set of eyes and feelings for continuing. You are doing fantastic!!

[@leat7749]

Wow, you have achieved so much! And it shows in your face, your glowing and holding your head up higher 😊 A former nanny tip on sharpie marks etc: make the perpetrator clean up with you. They won't actually get it clean, but while you are at it, give them a cloth and make them "clean" it alongside you. I have even done this with 18-month olds - never had to scrape zinc cream of the couch again!

[@connieseward8773]

What a lovely, pleasant room for homeschooling. Great job, mom!

[@daniellerodda5111]

The progress is completely stunning! As you said, a real victory! You have a lot to be proud of in this accomplishment. You show so much bravery in sharing this journey on YT.

[@TuckersMom23]

ERICA!!! Great job!!! You have to be very proud of the new home school room!!! You are so real and so motivating! Some people just don't understand how difficult it is to mentally declutter ... I'm learning to let go of guilt with your help! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!!!

[@Joybug_51]

Super job. Just be careful about procrastination. It's a slippery slope from " I'll get to it" to " It has gotten away from me." Going forward now that you have a good idea of how much time various tasks require, you might want to schedule yourself once or twice a week for specific planned tasks. I am retired and seem to have all the time in the world, but unscheduled tasks invariably get away from me in the midst of everyday life. My weekly calendar always includes a blocked put morning for maintenance tasks like paper declutter, closet straightening, or organization. Keep on keeping on!

[@kaldeeisme]

Your videos and commentary have been helping me sooo much. Thank you.

[@augustineschaefer5522]

I just watched the whole beginning. It was so fun to watch the transformation of your other spaces as you were filming. Glimpses of sunroom or refreshed dining room that weren’t part of the main topic. Thank you for sharing.

[@LivingWithEve]

Watching this again just brings me back. You have come so far!!!

[@annetteroberts9169]

You are an inspiration !! Thank you for sharing your real life. I plan to go through my entire house next year; I will be an empty nester the week of Christmas (my daughter gets married the 21st). I will need a couple of weeks to recoup since we are doing EVERYTHING. But....2020 is the year of new living for me!!! Thank you again

[@monastrand]

This room is the dream! The color on the walls is so beautiful too, you have done a formidable job and should be as proud as you can get!

[@suddenlythree]

I love your decluttering videos so much, thank you for sharing your journey. Watching your kids help and seeing you become lighter and lighter as you purge is amazing. I've been on the decluttering journey for 3 years and my biggest minimalist joy is seeing empty draws. It feels so clean and free. Can't wait for your 2020 videos. Much love xx

[@mishajoy25]

You are inspiring all of us in our decluttering journeys! This is amazing!! You seem so much brighter and free! I want to feel the way you are looking!! One thing that has helped me with tackling paper clutter is separating the sentimental papers from the regular old file cabinet type paperwork. Most of the regular paperwork can go!! We almost never look at any of it again. I used the Konmari method on my regular paperwork and have a small plastic file bin of things to keep. It was so FREEING to shred and recycle boxes and totes of paper I moved around with me from house to house for 10 years! I didn't need every OB release form from every appointment during my pregnancy what was I saving all that for exactly! I'm still working on sentimental papers... It seems that slowly working through it has caused me to achieve more progress than thinking I needed to do it all at once someday when I had tons of time (someday is not coming!). I'm finding the more I look through the piles & boxes (there are many!!) the more I'm able to part with so it's very slowly getting smaller and less daunting/emotional. I stop when I hit a wall and move onto something else for a week or two. I'm trying to focus on the physical items not holding the memories and not needing duplicates of memories/sentimentals. I get to decide what's special and I don't need every card or every photo - only the best are going to stay. My goal is to get down to a curated collection that I can visit and enjoy with happy moments and memories!! Boxes of stuff I don't remember or cannot find is not respecting those items or those memories for me. Here's to a productive & freeing 2020 with less stuff & more joy!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@syarifafatimaha]

These videos makes me glad I'm only have hand me down things and only buys food 😂

[@FieldsFullHouse]

You did it! You did it!!! Watching your journey has been amazing and so encouraging! Ok and your basement is huge!!!! It looks incredible too!

[@fayewhite7541]

So proud of you! You are awesome to get so much clutter gone & prettied things up in the process. All this with three kids & homeschooling. You give me hope Erica 🥰😊🙏

[@angie9182]

I'm jumping for joy with you!! You did it!! You can see the relief in your body language! So pumped to see more!

[@bluegrassgirl2972]

You're doing great! Keep at it! When I retired from homeschooling, I had plenty to shed and it was from the last one's Sr year! People donated to us thru the years plus all the stuff we purchased. I donated to others and public libraries. Yes, 30 yrs of schooling = a lot! All things we own require maintenance. I like to say to myself, "this gets to stay! " The thoughts of "I have to get rid of..." is self defeating.

[@c.wrightcreativeautochtone2574]

I was recommended this video. I had every emotion watching this video. I don’t have clutter issues or three kids or I’m imagining lots of moves with a military family. I also don’t homeschool. I imagined how having all this would lead to having more. It’s great you were able to organize and prioritize and de clutter. I enjoyed your video. Your kids look like they enjoyed it to. I’m going to go find and watch your other videos.

[@sandimartin5663]

You know you think it's just a basement but since you were able to put all the homeschool stuff in one spot and actually helped your whole home. It looks awesome you worked so hard and did so good.

[@KM-nq7ez]

Looks WONDERFUL!!!! Well done 👏👏👏👏👏

[@jennifermeadows5193]

I found your videos a few days ago and so far I’ve removed 9 trash bags from my house. I’ll donate that load tomorrow. Stuff that was going unused and unwanted but I didn’t think I could let go. It’s felt so good letting go and watching your videos has helped so much! I’ve learned a lot from you and just want to say thanks! Keep up the good videos and I can’t wait to see results like this. Have a blessed day!

[@gaelburke3972]

Wow! Fantastic progress and a job well done. Your children will thrive in their homeschool room!

[@simplejoyfilledliving]

Wow Erica! It looks terrific! And you look SO happy!

[@salami144]

Not only your basement looks good. You also look so much better now! I am happy that you've gone through that big process. It was so much worth it!

[@lovecookie96]

Wow this is so exciting! I've been following since the beginning and I knew with your obvious fire and dedication you'd get it done! It must feel like such a relief to know this space is accessible.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Tobin Moore thanks for sticking around!! I am super happy. :)

[@saraevanswilson4814]

Erica...When we moved and realized we downsized as well. We put all of our papers into a big box and when we had time sat and went thru it. Had a large trash bag for anything that wasn't needed. Boxes for each area of paperwork that needed to be kept. So at the end all our paperwork was in it rightful container and easily to be put away in its designated location.

[@melaniehumphreys6445]

Awesome job! We have been working on our basement for a few years and it’s amazing how much extra living space we have now. Creating zones with a purpose really helps. We have a TV space and a much smaller storage space. We are working on a new bathroom, and next star wars collection display hall, reading corner and art space for me. I found it inspiring when I heard the quote a home is for living not for storage. Good for you to stay focussed on your goal at hand and let your husbands items, sentimental and paper wait until 2020. It’s so easy to get side tracked. I love the space you all created! 👍😁

[@rebeccam1027]

I know this is an old video, but your journey is helping me work up to dealing with so many years of stuff I haven't been able to get rid up, but it just warehoused in my house. Almost all surfaces are clear now. Kitchen is decluttered. One of the last hurtles I have is dealing with organized, but packed cupboards--thinking I'll need all that because of the pandemic. Thanks for the encouragement!!

[@gingerflorey9169]

Just started watching a few weeks ago. But you have inspired me to declutter my own home after not moving in the last 26 years. Your journey is showing on your face and I feel your calmness. Continue on and so will I. 😀🎄

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Ginger Florey ginger!!!!! I’m so happy for you!! How are you starting?? What did you tackle so far?

[@ajgarbalosa8426]

Looks beyond great. Please take us along on all your decluttering projects. You should never worry about the length. There is always something to take away from your struggles that we can learn from with our own home

[@EricaLucasLoves]

AJ Garbalosa thank you for these words. ❤️

[@dlweaver4329]

That is just fabulous!!!!What a great space,and how well you are using it with your children. It is a blessing to set a goal and accomplish it.You did a great job,and are inspiring! It is a blessing to have the freedom,of spirit this kind of letting go gives. I hope you give yourself a lot of credit,for seeing and feeling what you needed to do,for you to be able to give yourself some peace:-) God Bless Donna

[@theretiredlife7185]

Congratulations. The joy radiating from your face is infectious. Youve inspired me. Study, then rumpus room.

[@sandrajiggins6303]

Your soul looks lighter! Love the inspiration you are giving me.

[@katburns5773]

I started my decluttering journey about 6 years ago when I started my senior year in high school. I was tired of the amount of stuff I had to clean up because nonoke respected my space and I'd come home from school to someone having been in my room (my mom or little brother who was 6 at the time). I had started with paper because that's what cluttered most of my room. I was always writing and bringing home school work so there was a lot from years of writing and school. Things I wanted to keep I typed up and the things I didn't I just shoved in a burn pile. After I graduated I had gotten married and we moved in with different people the next couple of years so I had put off getting rid of anything. I had started back up when we got our first apartment and by that time my oldest was 6 months old. Flash forward we had moved into another apartment and then into our own house and very little got decluttered through the years because by this time we had 3 littles 4 and under and one on the way. I hadn't really intentionally gotten rid of stuff until about a year and a half ago. I had done challenges and repeated some over and over, but it wasn't until I tried to get my husband to stop bringing stuff in that I was starting to see progress. He's still not totally on board, but we've definitely lessened what we've brought in especially having 4 children.

[@mynaja00]

rewatch crew 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

[@ahulagirl10]

This is the hardest type decluttering, I think! It looks so amazing! You are blessing your family and your home!

[@talliamilley3702]

So happy for all of the extra space your family has now! Eagerly anticipating the progress videos you'll post in the new year!

[@turtlechelle3304]

It was funny watching puppy’s face as you were cleaning up the shredded paper towels....”who could’ve possibly done that?!” kinda look he was giving

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Turtle Chelle that guilty puppy look

[@turtlechelle3304]

Erica Lucas yes! 😂

[@Juliealdean]

You are so lucky to have a basement to put all that stuff in. Basements are not commonplace here in Australia and your houses are huge. I consider my house to be large but in America it would be considered tiny. I have been living in my home for almost 18 years, 5 children, youngest 17 and 3 of them are currently at home, 2 moved back with their stuff a few months ago. I have been decluttering for almost 6 months and there is still is more to do. I love watching videos like yours, it is so motivating and it is great to see how far you’ve come. You have done an amazing job so far.

[@denisetaylor3332]

WELL DONE!!!!!! it looks amazing. So much more lovely space for your children to spread their wings! 💕

[@michelehice8338]

Wow ..I think it's a great home school space..you cleaned and declutter that basement fast..I thought it would take alot longer than 2 months..your home is so lovely..and I bet the children love their new space..again awesome job

[@heidicripps5366]

Congradulations!!! It looks AMAZING!!!! You should be so proud of what you and your family has done. You inspired me to declutter alot these past few months and it's so freeing. This video deserves 1M+ likes!!!

[@aliciab77]

Live plants would look amazing on top of the fireplace. The tile floors are beautiful.

[@SunnyShire]

WOW!! Looks great!

[@debbiebaughman1402]

Great Job!!!! You are much happier now than before you started. You can see it in your eyes!!! They have a sparkle to them!!! Lookin good!!! "Happy Happy"

[@misswittank9224]

Wow! Good job. That's like building a whole new room on your house.

[@wanttobeasage2952]

It is a joy watching someone get their $#!7 together.

[@rebeccarendle3706]

You must be so proud of your achievements... That you made such a change in 2.5mths... Incredible!.. I am into my 3yr..and stillnot done.. But each time I go back it is easier. I have the money guilt to.. You are such an inspiration xx

[@bethc8809]

Omg Erica! It looks fantastic!!! If you want, you can take the store labels off your bins. It sounds silly, but it's something that makes the room feel more like you own it fully, and it further reduces visual clutter because the eye catches on it. 💛

[@karenadams8439]

How exciting! You put in so much hard work. Remember this feeling of being cleared out and how much work it was to get here and you will keep it clear in the future! 😊