Organizing zones, unpack, and declutter! || Minimalism Journey continues...

Unpacking more boxes and sorting out random boxes of stuff on our minimalist journey. But when I'm done unpacking and decluttering, life feels simple again. Simple living is intentional and purposeful but we still live among boxes in our house. We have 50(ish) boxes left to unpack and decide what to keep, what to donate, what to sell, what and how to declutter.
#minimalism #declutter #extremedeclutter
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Erica Lucas focuses on inspiring people to make positive changes that make life simple. She does through various forms of media including videos, books, social media, digital downloads, courses, and more. Visit Erica's website for more information and follow her on social media.

[@AtoZenLife]

Ahhhh, the missing label maker makes its debut. ✨😌💄✨

[@CarolyneMacMillan]

It's interesting for me watching you sort out your seasonal decorating items. I'm from New Zealand and we seem to have very different ways of welcoming the new seasons from how you do. We don't really celebrate Easter or Halloween the way you do and we don't have Thanksgiving at all. Our family has a medium sized box of Christmas decorations left after we decluttered them a year ago. Just one box. I do like to mark the changing of the seasons but I don't really use manmade stuff for that. My kids loved to collect things for each season from the outdoors. We collect leaves, cones and seeds for autumn decorations, (fall for you, even that is different lol ) and I love the way the Hydrangea flower heads turn that deep red as they die off in autumn. Summer we collect sea shells and those fluffy rabbit tail things you get at the beach. You can make some great hanging mobiles using seashells and feathers etc. Spring it's new indoor pot plants and cut flowers from the garden. Winter we have our rock collections out, maybe with feathers and interesting things we found earlier in the year. Winter is when we would love to have our Christmas decorations out but Christmas for us comes in Summertime.

[@johnandkitty]

I am so proud of you and how far you've come since the days in the basement of your old house when you really didn't even know where to start. You are now confident, calm, and purposeful. I think I will miss the basement unpack videos when you are all done.

[@24carrotgold8]

When the decluttering is all done, I want to see a series of beer making videos starring Andy 🍺👍😋

[@EricaLucasLoves]

He would do that!! Maybe I should start a channel for him.

[@susanspianostudio7057]

Yes!!

[@stephaniechesser902]

I love how you said “if I’m not using it presently why am I keeping it“ 🥰

[@terrystarnes4413]

I have been decluttering for a couple of years & I’m getting sick of “stuff”! I have started getting more aggressive to relieve my stress. It surprised me how “stuff” can cause so much anxiety!

[@jeno264]

... and also surprising how freeing it feels to let the 'stuff' go!!

[@vzeimen]

When we moved, I went through all my pictures in frames and if I couldn't part with the picture but wasn't going to hang them again, I got rid of the frames and put the pictures in a photo album. Takes so much less room, I've never missed the frames and was able to donate them to an artist friend I have that was happy to get them.

[@jemma50]

Excellent idea, Vicki! I have done this with some of my art as well. ♥

[@marlenejohnston4854]

Too many frames collected in this video. Definitely should declutter most of them!

[@griselleisara3799]

Almost there. Just when I think I have a lot of stuff. Here comes Erica. With the rest of her stuff. Very relaxing to watch.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Seriously. How do we still have stuff. Lol

[@terrabos5582]

I’m not sure why, but I find watching you declutter and organize very relaxing and satisfying. Love your channel!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Thank you!

[@stephaniechesser902]

Putting zones in your basement is like doing a bullet journal for the basement LOL 😂

[@EricaLucasLoves]

😂😂😂

[@danabrown2391]

Yay! More decluttering! its too short! Can't wait for the next one!

[@donnajohansen5915]

Yes, I agree. Always enjoy your videos.

[@darcyrobb3692]

Agree too short! I love all Erica's videos,such a journey❣

[@MarkFarfan]

Recently went through a move myself! As much as we tried to declutter before moving, we still keep finding things that we can ditch. My lower back wishes we had done a better job decluttering BEFORE moving :p

[@EricaLucasLoves]

YES!!!

[@heathercheatham2598]

Amen!!!

[@sonyachavez7976]

I have watched you for awhile. You started with so much and have stuck through this horrible year. I know it's still hard knowing for sure what to declutter as you are only renting now. I've enjoyed watching your confidence grow. Great work. Glad you got your man home now and that he's helping so much. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy new year!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

He is home for a Christmas!!! ❤️

[@lindaroyal8161]

I really like the suggestion of "Zones" that's a great idea, also by putting all like items in the zones, you'll see exactly how much of each zone you have and may want to down size even more, at least it will be organized with like items and then you can tackle one zone at a time to pack in bins. Labeling is also good, no sense in having to continually open bins to see what's inside. Maybe later can even color code the bins to pertain to each zone, you'll know when something is out of place. It's a Win/Win. You're getting there! I REALLY like your hair pulled back, gives us a chance to see your pretty face and beautiful eyes.

[@Lisawhatshersname]

I love the zones too, it reminds me of a kindergarten set-up, or a pre-school. It just makes so much sense! When things have a home, it's so much easier to put them away

[@familycarr398]

I could watch an hour of this. This is my jam. Keep it up!

[@emilasmith4279]

Glad to hear label maker was found! I’m on my second brother one. Wore my first one out. Seriously if there is a fire I’m grabbing mine on way out door. I love mine so much. I always use Staples rewards toward buying more tape. By the way you can save tape by just typing in a few spaces then type the next bin label. I usually can get around 10 in a run. Then just cut them apart. The machine wastes tape by about 1 inch or so at beginning and end. By putting several in one string you waste less tape. Mine will tell me when buffer is full. Just backspace if you were in middle of word. 😀. Great resorting and zoning. Less of a mess that way!!! Have a great weekend!! Hugs from Ohio. 💜🌸💜🌸

[@marieskee22]

I was gonna make the same suggestion about the label maker! Saves tape!

[@KatyInNH]

Years ago when I bought a label Maker, the only had m tape. When I last checked, it was the cheapest per inch by 2x. Something to consider when buying a label maker.

[@Rachel_seethegoodandbeautiful]

You’ve made such solid progress! Well done on putting your keep items into bins, too. Items worth keeping are worth proper storage, not cardboard boxes that are prone to damage. Here’s a take it or leave it suggestion: rip off the product labels (Sterilite, Rubbermaid, HDX, etc.) from all your bins and enjoy a little less visual clutter.

[@madzabinga8382]

Honestly, I think Andy has more beer supplies than a micro brewery. I think he should consider going through it with a fresh set of eyes, and eliminate anything he is not going to get around to using in the next 6 months. He is likely overwhelmed with the amount of stuff and might be more successful with beer making if he dialed it back to what he realistically has time and energy for now, not 5 years down the road.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Yes. He ended up with a bag of trash already.

[@catharinabra]

I think so too!

[@myminimalchaos]

If you are putting books into a clear bin, make sure the spines are placed facing outward so you can see the name of the book through the clear plastic so you don't need to dig. 🤗📚

[@vintageresalemama903]

Hi, Erica. One thing that I did this summer was to downsize the number of picture frames I had. i had accumulated so many different sized frames and different colors of wood over the past 25 years. It seems that every time I got a new family picture I also bought a new frame. SO I bought two large, 3" binders and some acid-free photo sleeves so that I could get rid of about 75% of my frames but I could have all of the photos in the binders. Amazon sells different sizes of photo sleeves; I bought several 8 X 10s and also 5 X 7s and 4 x 6s. I now have my most prized family photos in these two binders, safely filed inside the acid-free photo sleeves. I can rotate them seasonally into pictures frames which I can hang on my walls or display on my shelves. I also still have several other photo albums and also one large tote with more pictures, but I can deal with them as time permits. Good luck in your journey!

[@KatyInNH]

The great thing about albums is that you can grab and go if there was an evacuation and take them with

[@juanitaturner7019]

Label maker found!! I’ve come to realize that pretty much all of the stuff in our basement...not needed. We are thinking of moving in the next year so my goal is to clean out the basement before we move. You have come so far in your decluttering which you should be proud of yourself.

[@poodlegirl55]

When we retired to a smaller house with no basement I vowed not to store things. It took three years of remodeling and decorating the house, but anything left went away and I have nothing in the shed or garage. I have zero totes. It's a load off my mind.

[@kaylafaircloth74]

Thank you for recording while you were going through these decluttering videos. You've discovered a lot about through these journeys and you've lost a lot of items but gained a lot of perspective. Watching you evolve has kept me motivated since you're very first video! Thank you

[@lorenet.2182]

Make a copy of the inventory sheets and put in a binder. Number the sheets and the boxes. If Andy is looking for something it’s much easier to page through the binder. We do this for our Christmas and it’s so much easier.

[@davidmitchell1304]

Label all four sides of a bin.

[@kathalinehansen7078]

And the top, if putting on lower shelves. And use pictures or drawings on labels to see from distance.

[@joeseatat]

I always label at least two myself, sometimes the top.

[@DipityS]

That was wonderful! You have no idea how much I needed to see someone diving into the mess and wrestling it into some order - I honestly felt like my head of clearing as I watched. I think watching your hubby put together his hobby so it's cared for and ready to use is very satisfying, just like you putting the seasonal décor into order so it's ready to hand when you want it. Caring for the things you love - having them ready to use for the purpose you bought them and to lend you joy. I love it!

[@liatori6214]

I am relaxing and watching Erica!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Yeah!!! I’m trying not to stresslax. Still have stuff to do for next week.

[@kaylafaircloth74]

Once you get your minimalish house perfect you'll be able to pack your own house before you leave it'll be less chaotic when you have less "stuff"

[@mai_world]

Amazing job, Erica!!! I'd keep a key or box cutter to help slice the tape to quicken breaking down the boxes.

[@AtoZenLife]

The light at the end of the tunnel! You are so close! ✨💡✨

[@AtoZenLife]

I wonder if it looks like that crazy blue light in the far side of your basement. 🤔 😂

[@stowie5790]

I’m glad you are “zoning” the items in the basement. It was stressing me out with the random placements of items. 😂 I learned my own lessons when I moved a couple of months ago. I decluttered and pack according to where things were going to go in the new house but then my daughter came over to help me pack and she was ruthless. She filled one box after another and was so fast, I couldn’t keep up! I’m still finding interesting items as I slowly unpack. Other than the frenzy of the first couple days, I have unpacked one box a day. This way I’m not overwhelmed.

[@rebeccarendle3706]

Great work Erica😊 Maybe just stick labels up on the walls above your piles so you guys knows which pile is what while you are sorting... Then if you need to move the piles around, while unpacking and sorting the rest of your boxes, you just move the labels with them and everyone knows where the piles still are! I have 2 sentimental boxes for each child... I do a file box, with a hanging file for each year from birth to 20yrs for my kids which, now set up, is easy to just drop things into eg pictures they want to keep, photos out of frames you want to keep (but not keep the frame and hang anymore). Also each kid has a "lumpy" memory box ie just a big box, where non-flat stuff go in eg, christening candle, birth bracelet, baby shoes, etc... So easy, and you can then put the sentimental stuff that you find with further unpacking directly into the relevant persons box!.. So are sorting as you go!

[@HelenaSousaFerreira]

Hey, congrats on finding that elusive label maker! :D

[@sylviacontreras3566]

I love the changes in YOU as you progress! I noticed those shelves are still hanging around. You’ve made that decision already. Throw them in the declutter box. 😍. Also remember to get stuff out to the trash after each session. I promise it will be less overwhelming! Great job, Erica! You got this!

[@JoanDam248]

Great idea to put things in zones. And even better to get rid of all the trash. It will give more space. I guess you will always find something to donate, now your declutter muscle has grown so much 😊❤️

[@kaylafaircloth74]

You can also use that crafting paper as a tablecloth that you can homeschool on or arts and craft on

[@rebeccaofpollywogflatts8976]

Doing my own declutter while listening to you. Thank you for the motivation.

[@Aphantys]

I love how your hair looks like that. Finay Andy can organize his beer making stuff!! Go Andy!!

[@crazycroney]

When you label do the long and the short side so depending on how you stack them it’s visible.

[@harrietgrove1833]

I work as a professional organizer and I put a label on all four sides plus the top on any bins or boxes. That helps assure that my client knows what is in each bin and that my client does not have to be careful when re-stacking or re-storing bins. If that seems wasteful, then follow April’s suggestion and at least label one short side and one long side.

[@catharinabra]

You look soo much like Becca in this intro! OMG I saw a comment about the labelmaker before I started watching and got so excited for you! These are my favourite videos, why do they always seem so short? I don’t want it to end! 🌟

[@EricaLucasLoves]

More to come!

[@glockenrein]

Zones is a truly great idea. Getting stuff in one place and then going over it again makes things so much easier.

[@kaylafaircloth74]

I am doing the challenge Ashlynn just posted...first day get rid of one thing second day two things three things on the third day until 30 days when you're getting rid of 30 things which eventually equals 442 things. I started it a week ago and I am trying to rush to get it sorted and our before Christmas . I am at 407 items !!!! I need to update in Ashlynn's comments. Love your videos!!

[@Shepz963]

These videos are never long enough ❤️ I’m excited for your ultimate picture frame declutter at the end, and then when you are done unpacking I would recommend going through all your boxes again for a second round and organization and consolidation!

[@littlemouse9900]

Smart idea using the clear bins and inventory sheets for the beer making stuff!! 👌

[@CG-gm8fe]

One day you will grow out of all that seasonal decorations stuff....and free yourself from it...after all its not a shop your running. I love your videos.

[@3388sdwyer]

Great job with the editing of this video! So much improvement!

[@ceciliefranciska899]

It’s like you said, if you haven’t missed it for six months you probably don’t need it. What helps me is to shift things around and say that I will give all away but I’m allowed to keep just a few favorites.

[@shonapape4451]

You could use one of the large cardboard boxes to “contain” all of your wall hangings/frames then you can stand them all up (which will take up less space) without fear of them falling over and becoming damaged. Love your unboxing videos x

[@lynnlogan8357]

I wanted to keep watching! More, more. Love you guys. Blessings to your family. 😊❤️

[@sandywlaschin3878]

This reminds me of how far I have come. Now to help my teen daughter to see the light.

[@ALi-bn6bf]

Thanks! Labeling the outside of bins really helps. I’ll often make a short bulleted list and tape that on the outside of the bins. I’ll even hand write the list in very large font. It’s really helpful, especially when I can see the bin but it’s not easily accessible.

[@minimalzebra]

Good declutter and reorganize.

[@tambaldocarletti]

Now you could downsize your seasonal things...

[@KISSESFROMAFRIEND]

I love using zones!

[@hrlm8080]

I've been watching for some time, and it looks like a very large part of your stuff is seasonal decor and othr decorative items. I know this happens a lot when one has kids, but paring down in this area would lighten your load. I like how bins are used to organize like things, but reducing the number of bins over time would make your next move more manageable.

[@littlemouse9900]

Growing up as a kid my mom had one apple box for each holiday, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Easter shared a box. Idk how she did it I have 5 boxes for Halloween and 4 for Christmas but I guess that's a difference between a hoarder and a non hoarder 🤣😂

[@denver1865]

Wow! You must feel so good now! Agree with your husband about clear bins--I have to be able to see what's stored inside!

[@kaylafaircloth74]

Absolutely love your videos it just takes me forever to watch them because I have to constantly stop to do mommy stuff but I love you!!!!

[@connieverbeck1110]

Go Team Lucas!!!! 👍💖

[@thestrugglingperfectionist]

I love love love these unpack videos and I’m not sure why - just very satisfying! If I lived closer to you, I’d totally want the dish on where you donate to... your donations are so cute and you’re so generous! Friendly hint on the label maker: instead of printing everything out individually, I simple put 2 spaces b/n my labels to be printed and it saves so much in tape. The other way I felt like I would be cutting so much wasted space off the ends. Keep up the great work. Ps don’t those funky colored bulbs in the corner drive you batty?! 😆

[@Guessgal5]

Omg I’ve been looking forward to this video for a while! Congrats on all of your progress! Keep up the great work and thank you for the motivation!

[@leeadams1685]

Great idea for decluttering zones! If it were me, I just would want to get rid of it all....lol.... for me keeping up with more stuff just means more of my time I waste. You're doing great!

[@alenescoblete5540]

Your decluttering/organizing stamina is impressive! On a different video you recommended writing intentions and brain dumps. I found them helpful. Thank you.

[@tashainjena]

Haven't finished watching, and this may come up later in the video, but while Andy is making an inventory, you might want to number the box, then put a copy of what is in that box in a binder. That's what I wanted to do when we moved, but my stepdaughter packed most of our stuff, since she was moving in the house and we didn't have time to do it ourselves. It is all in the shed now, to be gone thru whenever I have time.

[@katjahuette3681]

Now its way more organized! Well done! I enjoy your channel since you started your declutter journey. Merry Christmas from Germany! 🎄🎄

[@minnesotagal507]

I donated another clothes basket full of kitchen ware today, felt good !

[@StillWatersASMR]

I hadn’t realised how invested I’d gotten in your label maker 😂 so glad you finally found it! Where was it hiding?

[@reneea7811]

Ha! Yes! Tell us where it was!!! in a bathroom box??? 😆😆😆

[@shearrermadness]

Me too! Was happy to hear it was found 🤣

[@reneea7811]

Erica said elsewhere in the comments that Andy just came up from the basement with the label maker in his hands 😋

[@simplejoyfilledliving]

Yay! You found the label maker!

[@culturepopauctions148]

That lamp would be cute for the boys room

[@sarahhart7260]

Merry Christmas Erica! You got your label maker!!🌲🎅🏼❤️🎄

[@Lisawhatshersname]

I'm following your journey, going back through older videos. So. Much. Decor! Wow! But if it's not something you're using, you're right, what is it doing there? You're so right!

[@pixi78]

Love watching you guys sort through your stuff and declutter. Perhaps after Christmas you could go through all the Christmas stuff and see if there is anything there that you no longer want?

[@sinkintostillness]

It's like the Konmarie method of gathering all like items together in one place so you can see what you actually have in each category.

[@emilyzbytovski2361]

For wall hanging family photos....unless they are a professionally taken photo, the only prints that are on the wall have been printed out on regular paper. Printers are much better than they used to be so no one can tell if they are on photo paper or not. With that being said when I decide to swap out pictures I just shred them knowing that the original is properly stored either electronically or in a photo album !

[@VS-fo9py]

Great idea about the zones. I’m going to use that with my own decluttering I need to tackle.

[@sarahsorenson1818]

Love when Andy joins! Love watching your journey of decluttering. Keep up the great work!

[@myxochi]

Looking at your videos and seeing your decor and wall hangings reminds me of when I had a 3000+ square foot house. We are now building a little house that is open concept (no walls).This has forced us to become minimalish as we have to get rid of so much. It’s amazing how much sentimental is in things we display on our walls. Good luck with minimizing yours as well.

[@LivingWithEve]

My husband is doing this right now with his LEGO room. Organizing with the label maker. I am shocked out how organized he is.

[@pppetra]

Watching this. Wondering how one gets this much stuff.. also... Wondering how having a one year old child occupies one entire large bedroom and a big closet. As well as half of the space in bathroom and pantry. Not to mention floor space in the living room with toys that were used today... Adding loads of moves and 2 children, the exhausting no sleep and the gifts.. IT maken Total sense now.

[@everdreamcosplay]

The organizing was soooooo satisfying. Congrats on taking a big step toward finishing your unpacking and finding everything its home. The end is in sight!

[@amandabartell1502]

Where did you finally find your label maker? I missed you finding it lol 😁👍 xx

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Andy just came out of the basement one day with it! 😂😂😂

[@amandabartell1502]

@@EricaLucasLoves brilliant 😂😂😂

[@victoriaet53]

So glad you have tidied your basement you must be able to really see his far you have come now !! And it is so much easier to de clutter in a tidy area - it makes such a difference if you bin and thrift as you go along. Well done !

[@Jo-hello]

I found this so satisfying to watch. I think you made so much progress this session! It’s looking much more organised and clear. I’m watching for motivation because I’m going to sort out our garage before we move 🙂 Thankyou for all your inspiring videos! Xx

[@Globalyork]

Just the most satisfying videos ever! You're doing brilliantly 🙌🏻

[@annetteweston6954]

Your still going ....I can not believe you still have that much stuff but again I see the two items per box they did, at least it was to bigger ones this time

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

YAY awesome job! Love the video! Feel free to post the whole hour of decluttering hahaha i absolutely watch hour long ones! For example lynn whites sort of videos

[@lhumpy190]

You guys are really making headway. So exciting to see the end in sight. Well done!!

[@sheilak4493]

I love those trays... I so wish I lived close to you 😄

[@madeleinesvensson-m3y]

I love seeing it all come together! You’re doing such a good job!

[@tanyajohnston8262]

I have been decluttering for a couple years. It appears never ending and I am always surprised how much more I have to get rid of even if I really never kept a lot of stuff. I am loving less stuff. I am a Nana but have also decluttered grandchildren stuff since they really don't play with it all. I have more to do there. Sentimental things, I won't keep unless I have it displayed and/or used since it is not much good in a box. I have gradually gotten rid of a lot there also but kept a few key items that is displayed or used and I love.

[@wininmimi5434]

Love your hair fixed like that!

[@megana5658]

I laughed out loud when you scooted the plastic totes with your butt 😂 me too girl, me too.

[@donnab8010]

Zone areas. Awesome tip. TFS

[@xylindria9077]

You seem to have a lot of decor phrases and sayings. What if you snapped a photo then wrote them in your journal later? And donated the ones that just don’t fit the decor?

[@ibraidhair]

So great to see you making progress! Way to go! Also, I'm soooooo glad I started my journey years ago when I first got married. It would have been much harder with kids, and 10 years of accumulation. Just the thought of having to move all that stuff stresses me out. lol

[@carolynashman6227]

My first thought was had you found the label maker- yippee nothing better then finding the missing item

[@anamcdowell9478]

👏👏👏👏👏 GREAT JOB!!!!

[@dianepedersen8651]

I moved a year ago and did lots of downsizing, decluttering, selling, and donating before the move and as I unpacked. I’m now revisiting every bin and box and trying to get rid of half. If I’m not using it, let someone else have it. Even sentimental items. If they just sit in a bin, get rid of it.

[@pattiharrison1211]

You two are doing so awesome! Good job! ♥️

[@jennylhenry78]

The label maker is found! Where did you finally find it?! Also, zones... brilliant! Nice organizing Andy! Did he decide to declutter that lamp? Keep it up!

[@abreathofairwitherin6173]

Wow awesome job. We really can see the effort and you are genuinely closer.

[@jennaalce4016]

Already thinking to this time next year, when your decluttering is long done, and you can show us all your open space and the man cave. Keep plugging along guys! We are all here for it 👍👍