Family Minimalism: "Avoid This ONE Decluttering Mistake!!" | BEFORE & AFTER Minimalism with Kids

What is family minimalism, and how can it change your life? Here is a snapshot of the before and after results from extreme decluttering and getting rid of 95% of our stuff. If you're wondering what a minimalist lifestyle looks like when you have kids, take a gander at this minimalist mom and her family of 4 and how they practice simple living as a family. With tips and the #1 decluttering mistake to avoid if you want to create a clutter-free home with kids, this video is packed with inspo!
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***Marissa's sizing:
- Height = 5'6"
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► 👕 SECONDHAND CLOTHING ITEMS:
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► FAVORITE DECLUTTER + ORGANIZE STUFF:
👟 Shoeboxes - free :)
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ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
Along my journey to let go of 30 years of clutter, I accidentally became a minimalist and it was life-changing.
Before, I was an emotional hoarder with nothing but the clutter from lost loved ones - and $25,000 of debt - to my name. Now I have a beautiful home in Europe, a happy family, live debt-free, and - best of all - wake up to a life that I’m EXCITED to live every day.
My mission is to help you conquer your clutter and simplify YOUR way to a happier and better life. HERE'S OUR STORY: atozenlife.com/about-a-to-zen...
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#familyminimalism #minimalism #minimalist

[@elizabethfox3769]

I really appreciated your last point about not approaching minimalism as a means of threat or control. This strongly applies to both kids & adults alike because no one wants to feel that their personal belongings (and their attachments to them) are under threat - that's the #1 way to lose trust and partnership with your loved ones. So thank you for bringing that up! 👍

[@simply.clutterfree]

I feel the same about the mess now. I don't get anxiety about it because I know where everything lives and that it won't take long to tidy.

[@AtoZenLife]

Such a liberating feeling!

[@Lesh004]

My husband and I are more minimal now than we were before we had our son. Now that he’s almost 4 he has seen a lot of declutters. He now will say “get rid of” “give to boy” or “throw away” on items. He has actually asked to do it on his own as well. He especially loves to give toys away when he sees the kid getting them. I’m always so proud of how quickly he is to get rid of things. He knows that bringing a new toy home means passing on toys he no longer uses. Another pro to this is he can pickup himself. He will come and say “mom I clean me room!” “New toys for me” that meaning toy rotation. 🙌🙌🙌 And when I say “I need to vacuum” he knows that’s his cue to pick up all his toys and the dog toys. I know if we weren’t on a minimalist journey it wouldn’t be this easy. There would be too much for him to pick up. And he would feel as overwhelmed as I was before I started on my journey. A messy house gives me stress and makes me anxious. Minimalism has really helped me live in the moment. I can tackle tasks rather than shutting down and doing nothing.

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

It makes a HUGE difference for kids to see other children receiving their discarded toys and appreciating them. I also think it's cool, whenever developmentally appropriate, when kids realize they can sell their toys and make money to buy something new, whether it's a new toy or something else they need that's practical. I remember selling a bunch of my old toys I was done playing with at a neighborhood garage sale and being able to buy a second-hand, child-sized saddle so I could ride my horse more safely and comfortably. It was an excellent trade off for me, and I learned a valuable lesson about turning an unnecessary possession into something I really needed.

[@debbieachatz2870]

I minimized my Minimalism KZbin channels and you are #1 with the few I now follow. So happy to have you back and keep me on my journey.

[@susanreed8640]

Love your channel!!! Thank you! A granny here so a little different perspective, but the concept is a lot of the same. In all honesty, I got a little freaked out when the grandbaby equipment started pouring in to our house. Our very own bouncer, walker, stroller, pack-n-play ... We are later in life grandparents and the days of kid theme were far gone. How did make room for it? We striuggled a bit, but then ... we got ruthless and got rid of other junk we didn't want any more. Whalah! Space for our new phase of life:) Besides the normal gramma and grampa dates, now, when we get the "hey, can you ..." call or text, we can put together our BUD (back up daycare :)) in 15 minutes. I said I wasn't going to be a "drop in daycare" gramma, but reality is we slowly put it away because we have so much fun. And we do that very easily. It doesn't overrun our whole house when he is not here. Like you said, it is our "beautiful mess" - a little area where all the fun (folded up) grandbaby, now toddler, stuff goes, and it makes us smile, not feel overwhelmed.

[@longislandwife]

Those chairs are incredible. They make the dining room

[@amandalynnblaze9799]

You have been one of my favorite KZbinrs for so long and have inspired me so much with becoming a go-getter and creating my own channel. Thank you so much for being an incredible force of authenticity

[@dena-mo118]

I so love your words of encouragement. Giving up "things" is a struggle. Being a former teacher and never knowing if you would ever get supplies in the future, tends to set into place habits that are exactly the opposite of where I want to be. I recently cleaned out a linens storage. I think I could do more, but I'm proud of what I did do. Baby steps. Thanks Marissa for your example and encouragement.

[@MarleneFast]

Your channel is my absolute favorite on KZbin! I have no children and thought this wouldn’t pertain/interest me - but every time I watch another episode you inspire me and make it seem so easy! I LOVE your channel! Thank you so much. ❤️ Keep on doing what you’re doing!

[@kaw8473]

I completely agree on small appliances; I promise you don't need a nuwave oven. Something I find interesting is digital clutter because I take pictures of my 15 month son every day and now I've spent quite a bit of time decluttering video clips and pics.

[@emgbelike4957]

Do you just delete them or arrange them properly.

[@meh5069]

@@emgbelike4957they can be uploaded to google photos, and then deleted from your phone. That’s the easiest way for me!

[@a.b.6573]

I just found your channel and I really needed to hear this. I'm a mom to 4 (ages 11-1) and have been on our minimal journey for about 7 years. Lately our house feels like it's been so ridiculously cluttered again (kid garbage on the floor) and I was really questioning our progress, but I just cleaned up the floor in about 15 minutes. We're still going to do some additional rounds of getting rid of stuff, but it reminded me of how far we have come! Thank you!!❤❤❤

[@bonnieinthespirit6373]

Hey’ !.. to help clean ... try the weekly home blessing. Or crisis 101 ., 5x5 speed clean ( with Steph from Canada) FLYLADY - marla showed me how to declutter 15-/+ per week per area ( like deep clean after. Declutter) Mimimal mom - really Declutter Marissa too. She’s got hers down pat. And still shares. I feel like I’m there. Except I did quarantine bins - I looked in them - ?? And now I want to bring it back in my home.-. I carried to donation 8 bags & 3 bags of trash I’m being motivated with Steph 5x5 speed clean to get to the roots of my issues. Just to encourage you.. with children!! I busted my back cleaning while my kids made more messes for me. I worked to shift jobs3-2am & 4:30 up fix crock pot for family dinners, got dress for part-time job 5-9:30am We got thru this time period. But I like how I tweet FLYLADY cleaning, Declutter. My house is always ready for Unexpected company. I clean enough in 5 mins whole house. With pets n hubby !

[@rosepistilli223]

O man- one year olds.... I have five kids and my 18 month old is insanely messy. She doesn't even play with the toys we have she likes to take all our dishes and food out of cupboards😂😂😂 when I watch minimalism videos I always find that their youngest is four or older and their like man it just got so easy it must be the minimalism!! It's not ONLY minimalism that keeps houses easy to manage- big kids are awesome!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@micheleohmer4117]

I like to take photos of things I sell and donate. Weeks or months later, I try to see if I can remember what the items were. It feels so satisfying NOT to be able to remember most of it-and shown me they were the right things to let go. I haven't missed any of it.

[@magnhildmaggiharral3718]

I've been waiting for this! Please do more videos on how to share the joy and vision of minimalism with kids. I have 4 kids, ages 4-14 and two of them are pretty good at being willing to part with stuff, but one is super sentimental and wants to keep everything.

[@Meg-eq2md]

my partner and I are quite minimal, mainly because I do not like cleaning and having our home very simple helps me to keep our house tidy all the time and clean as well with little effort. I have noticed that we are now suddenly getting many comments from family members since becoming pregnant that our beautiful home will automatically become a hot mess when baby arrives and we have more kids... frustrating. beautiful video! obviously it is possible to keep a tidy home with kids. who would have though ;)

[@amiyoshida2841]

I love that you added that last point. Thank you for sharing your experience with minimalism as a mom! It almost seems impossible, but happy to see that theres a way.

[@ninimacs2244]

love you and your channel! every time i watch your videos i think to myself that it would be such a shame to cover up those beautiful floors with a lot of furniture or carpets. to me minimalism is making the things shine that you already have instead of drowning them in clutter. greetings from germany :)

[@AtoZenLife]

Hi there! We sure do love our floors (although they squeak like crazy 🤣) thanks for watching!

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Love the reality and the easy fast pickups and not being 100% perfectly clean 100% of the time.

[@patriciaramos6655]

Marissa I just love your videos, they give me so much calm. I have to say I have stoped watching minimalist channels, cause almost all of them are leaving minimalism! but your minimalism is so practical! and that makes an enormous difference. Thank you for your great content

[@rylieklein8952]

Your channel has inspired me so much to be the person I want to become. I have more time than ever to go hiking, cook delicious food, and more that i used to spend maintaining things I didn’t even like. You have helped me so much to be less anxious and learn to live a better lifestyle! 😊

[@ms.schnapp7415]

Wow, great content and delivered in a very organized fashion. I especially like your tip to not lead with a threat or fear❤

[@justenough1519]

Hi - I have been watching your channel for quite some time and must say that your recent videos really speak to me. I'm a mum of two and I have started my minimalist journey during the 2020 lock down. I was never a one for lots of things, but I was so surprised on how little do we actually need. I love to travel and owning less makes packing much easier. I feel that the key is in setting up your priorities and only have things that resonate with those. Thank you for your content 🙂

[@rosie52111]

Just sharing in case any one else is stuck in a rut: my husband is usually less excited to declutter, and 85% more likely to want to hold on to stuff for the “what if” days…I had been feeling overwhelmed and knew it was time for a whole house re-declutter. I got him to watch HOARDERS episodes with me, lol and the motivation came back for me and him, and we were able to let go of even more things. Now I feel like I can actually breath easier, the stuff was just haunting me even though it was “out of site”

[@georgiagarton5844]

oh my gracious. why have I only just discovered your channel?! your content is immensely helpful!

[@kylelin1201]

You’re exactly what I am looking for!!! Oh my gosh! I am a father of 3! And I thought how do I embrace this idea? Then you popped up! Thank YOU!

[@AtoZenLife]

Happy that you found me 😁👍

[@elisabethpatterson9417]

Great video Marissa! I love your practical videos. :) Thanks for the graphics about cortisol.

[@wongmusicmakers]

Hi Marissa! I came across this channel during my Winter Break (I’m a teacher). Being a mom, wife and raising a 7-year-old in a space less than 1000 square feet is no easy feat. In short, you provide a much needed vision for minimalist-to-be families. I couldn’t picture it until I started to see your videos and learned from your process. You having kids and an average size “American” space (for some parts of the country) puts everything in the real. There is a layer of work we all need to face and overcome! ❤ I hope to put that vision in play for me and my family… so we can reap the true BENEFITS of a home with more space… so we can focus on what matters. Keep doing what you do! Exciting 🎉

[@zoeycat2646]

I love watching your channel because I enjoy seeing your home. It just makes me feel peaceful. 😊

[@liveby.eunhye]

Now that I have a kid (and another coming), minimalism "for families" is what I search now. Thankful that you're here! Appreciate your channel all the more than before!❤

[@AtoZenLife]

Happy to have you as part of our KZbin family ☺️🙏

[@lilianpoberezny4933]

I do so love your enthusiasm in your videos. Our children have all flown the nest now but I can always pick up new things from watching you. Yes please to what you eat in a day or maybe a week.

[@leeannparker6626]

I know you are on a KZbin break at them moment, but your videos are still making me smile! 😊

[@simply.clutterfree]

This is great story. I hope more families realize how little they actually need in terms of stuff. ⭐

[@mmk82758]

The last minute of this video is such great advice. Thank you!! ❤

[@bridgetg2661]

Love your videos! Cleared out fridge while listening to it today before work ❤ thanks for all your heard work 😊 💕 from Australia 🇦🇺

[@samanthahays4829]

Love your videos, I also feel horrible about food waste! Meal planning has helped me and also giving unused scraps to our chickens! 😊

[@kat_thefruitbat]

Thank you so much for stressing the importance of directly involving your kids and doing so in a positive manner! 👏❤️ In a recent video, Cass from Clutter Bug briefly touched on how to declutter with your kids, and I commented there about one of the negative parts of my childhood, which was the fact that my mom would declutter our (my own and my brother’s) personal belongings in secret. I’m sure she thought she was doing the right thing by maybe “sparing us” from the decision-making process of decluttering, but in reality (when we inevitably got older and noticed our things going missing), it actually inflicted lasting damage on us in the form of trust issues, hoarding tendencies, and an overall turbulent relationship with “stuff”. Based on my experience, I think it’s so important for people to directly involve their kids so they can experience the positive impacts of minimalism right alongside their parent(s). In terms of decluttering, I believe you will strengthen your relationship with your kids if you respect their autonomy by letting them decide for themselves what they no longer want, need, enjoy, or cherish, and you can be there as a guide to show them the hows and whys of these necessary life decisions. Love and appreciate all that you do, Marissa! 🤗❤️

[@palestblue]

Your videos are such an inspiration and have helped me so much. Thank you for all the amazing advice and for sharing your life lessons with us ❤

[@bonnieinthespirit6373]

Great sharing! We are still moving forward Declutter ing. Taking care of the home front. Meal plan !

[@jejrstans]

Great video! Excellent tip for parents not to use fear to get rid of things. Both my parents keep EVERYTHING because their parents didn't respect their things and got rid of things that mattered to them when they were younger. I've kept things more for fear of "what if" or "just in case". The PAPER though! I'm still slogging through that. It's better!

[@l.a.w.79]

Love watching you and I hope to get to where you are!! Decluttering is slow going! And yes, I totally agree about what we say to children. I don’t have any but witness parents threatening a lot😢

[@kennethbailey9853]

You Always Bless myself and the World.

[@AtoZenLife]

What's been YOUR biggest family minimalism before and after or "a-ha" moment? Read all the pros, cons, & tips here: atozenlife.com/family-minimalism/

[@nima999]

Thaaaaanks for your hard work and sharing with us!!!

[@daniamani2799]

I find it so hard with this toddler stage to truly declutter! Also, we only have 1 kid right now and know that we would like one more child in the semi near future. I feel like I have to keep EVERYTHING for the “just in case” needs of the next child. ❤

[@margielor1579]

Your videos are my go to so I can relax and get motivated to organize my own life too 👍❤️

[@brendagrant9133]

Paper clutter and flat surfaces! 😢look forward to your videos each week! I love what you said at the end about kids and their toys and how to teach them to declutter

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Oh yes the toys! My kids definitely play longer now that we decluttered toys.

[@rosie-rv9ll]

Gosh, I just love your channel ❤

[@claremiller9979]

I'm sending this one to my partner. We're getting ready to move and whilst our new home isn't much smaller than our current one, it's still a great opportunity to downsize our clutter. The part about your son's teeth grinding is why I want to send this to him though, because our oldest child has a lot of anxiety and also lives in the most cluttered state. I haven't been good at helping her control what comes into her room, or the shared play areas she shares with her sister, and her room is so overwhelming for me - I can only imagine it must be negatively affecting her too. She did such a great job yesterday going through a big pile of jewelry that she never uses (she's eight, and has no use for it anyway!) I was so proud of her for the effort she did make. I know this is something we can do together and even if we don't get our stuff down to 6 suitcases, we'll at least save some money on moving costs and not have to deal with a mountain of stuff which won't even all fit in our new home.

[@jdmccoy1999]

Just found your channel and subscribed. I like your style of video, very informative and you have an excellent speaking voice. You are definitely not like the other minimalist KZbinrs, I agree with your assessment on that.

[@Beccafly08]

I always enjoy watching your videos, such good information with a positive and calm feel! It would be great if you could do a video aimed at kids that shares the benefits of minimalism for their point of view that I, as their parent can share with them. I work on my own things, striving for minimalism, but I feel like if they could see someone else talk about how it would be something they would benefit from and even enjoy, they would be more likely to get on board and help move our family that direction.

[@helenemassart8765]

Nice video! And yes, super important to lead by example and get our kids involved! 🥰❤️

[@AtoZenLife]

So good to see you here, Helene! Thanks for watching. 🥰

[@mojyoqueen350]

When I was a very young child [3 or 4 years old] my parents forced me to get rid of some of my favorite toys. I was crying and begging them, but they remained unshaken. I haven't got rid of any toy since that accident. I am 20 now. So if you are a parent and you don't want to traumatise your kids don't put their beloved things into a giant black big back, so they will never see them again.

[@halessahmcraze2178]

Thank you so much for this video, I feel like I'm suffocating in my house and Ive bebe having a lot of health issues. Thank you so much

[@simply.clutterfree]

Happy to see you back on Sundays 💖

[@AtoZenLife]

Happy to be back!

[@noelcarter2100]

I love this because I do want my family to become a minalmist, but didn’t know where to start! I’ll start with my own stuff 🧡

[@jessykeim]

I would love to hear you talking in German. Greetings from a city near cologne 🙋‍♀️

[@suziesuzie74]

It's very true that there can be several ways to practice minimalism . Some families are considered minimalists while others think that it's still lot's of stuff. It's all just relevant for people by themselves and other ones should not compare. We have kitchen, dining -and living room fully clutter free always so only thing I do is to swipe the floor and surfaces when needed . But that's something I learned already from my parents. When I was a child, nobody was allowed to bring toys or other stuff, food etc to the living room and kitchen and dining room were cleaned up immediately after eating. No dishwasher so no dishes waiting to go there. Dishes were done immediately after eating. There was no snacking or clutter in those times. And it was same thing in my friends homes. Times have changed with families, specially when eating habits have changed there is snacking now and people are buying more stuff. I was devastated in the very beginning when I moved to US and saw how much stuff people have here in their garage😵 ( and they can also rent separate storage too).

[@thewestsidegirl]

Yes make the room guest- ready

[@JackieLien]

Do I see a rug?! 😜 so good to have you back. We’re starting to family plan and want to continue minimalist values for our growing family.

[@AtoZenLife]

Yes you do! And it will be discussed in a video soon. 😉

[@beghtela]

Cool to find out you have an SLP background! I’m an SLP who is working toward a minimalist approach to treatment-I often remind myself that I’m the magic, not the therapy materials/activities!

[@vivianavera2418]

Hola me encantan tus videos a pensar de que no entiendo nada de nada ingles me pero me encanta ver tu forma organizarte y el.orden que tenes

[@CocoAzoitei]

I suspect I have ADHD and I really, Really, REEEEALLY! have a huge block around paper clutter and organisation and completing accounts and budgeting in general. It makes me extremely terrified and emotional. Please could you make a very detailed video about tackling this area specifically? I know you have your budgeting bundles and do talk a bit about it in your videos but I’m not yet in a position to be able to take advantage of those. I need an A-Z for dummies! of getting on top of your budget/accounts/paperwork with a heavy dose of understanding and emotional support! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@AtoZenLife]

This is a big challenge for a lot of people a I will put your suggestion on the list ❤️

[@CocoAzoitei]

@@AtoZenLife thank you!! ❤️

[@bhawanasehgal8784]

Your videos are always so informative and relatable as i too have 3 girls. Pls can you make a video on organising school bags and books ? Love from India 💝

[@JanniSchaldemose]

Did any other 90’s kids think they where getting a text at 10:53 min? 😂

[@gingerbrigite]

Please more videos about meal planning and saving money, maybe some recipes idea :)

[@mishypeas2959]

Another great video - thank you 🎉 I was wondering what you do about school books (I’ve heard German schools require an especially large amount of notebooks!) also study books for you learning a language. Would also love a book and toy tour , I’m a minimalist mum of 4 but do struggle with the never ending school supplies, bags etc. love from Wales ❤

[@AtoZenLife]

Waving 👋 from Germany!

[@filausopoako]

Great ideas. Wife is the same. Watching from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Lulu-oi9ue]

My tiny home takes 30 minutes to clean soo easy. I declutter regularly and I’m about to start my spring cleaning. One thing I’m not minimal with is my daughters love of stuffed toys or books.

[@belle6219]

With the price of food going up, reducing food waste is a high priority for me now. I'm establishing what to keep in my pantry as staples and what fresh ingredients to buy to supplement and use up my pantry stash so it doesn't go to waste. Cooking for one is a challenge. I'm learning to cook smaller batches and to use up leftovers in creative ways. I'm guilty of having wasted so much food in the past and have to work through that and other food-related emotions. And I'm adjusting to having a very empty refrigerator because I buy only as much as I know I will eat.

[@cozzy8910]

I clearly understand the beautiful mess. Deep and out of this lifestyle, even messy time comes, still stuff is under control.

[@sharonshmuel3386]

Hi Marissa ! Fantastic content & I agree with you 100% - I just watched a Xmas 🎄 video on YT - so much decor 😳was wondering how you do this ? We celebrate Chanukah 🕎 🇮🇱 at around the same time as Xmas. Your last comment was very good advice lol ❤

[@-MEL16-A.O.C]

Hello I'm decluttering the house after my 6 yo's birthday party so a big THANK YOU 😉💪🙏🙏🙏😁😂 Biiiises from France

[@miriamroxana]

Hi, I love your channel and you have the loveliest personality, I have a question, how do you explain your lifestyle to friends and family whom may be at the other end of the spectrum (people who have accumulating tendencies), so that they don't try to push their consumerist lifestyle on you? If you have already addressed this issue in one of your videos which one is it?

[@skipperallen205]

I agree I believe in having everything that you love if that’s a RL coat , not a goodwill coat, you can …it’s do you need 10 of them .. also you can buy high quality item just buy them only on sale.. and don’t want to be anyone else or their lifestyle be yourself.

[@Starseedzisi]

This is the first time I watched your video and I am surprised that I heard 弟弟和哥哥 哈哈哈 it lights my day up. Thank you for sharing.

[@AtoZenLife]

🤗

[@teochick]

Interesting how you talk about that you never intended to be a minimalist family. I usually say I became minimalist - or is in the process of becoming one - by accident. If it hasen't been for my special needs son, I would probably still have a lot of stuff laying around. But my son simply demands too much of me, so I don't have time to deal with a lot of items. And he gets easily stressed and confused and can't focus, if there's stuff around him. At first it irritated me, that I had to remove so many of my items, but when I noticed what it (also) did for me, the choice was even easier and today I'm happy that my son forced me to become a minmalist.

[@1evom_2nd]

This is so helpful! Soon it's Christmas. How many gifts will you give your kids each? And how can I give them only few gifts = 1 each without disappointing my kids?

[@TheMennomilist]

Messes give me stress but we have been minimalist since I was first pregnant with my first child over 16 years ago now. The fact that my kids have been so content with little and it hasn't been so bad for the messes at all. . .that I actually don't know how people just buy loads and loads and have to clean all that up all the time. You and I are similar. . I didn't know I was a minimalist until a few years after becoming one! Haha. Congrats on how you handle it all!! That is so interesting that you guys used to grind teeth. I'm a mom of two teen boys and they each fit all their clothes in one a half drawers (small drawers too). I am thinking about getting them a bigger one since they are getting big (my eldest is now about 5'9" like me and will probably get bigger. . so the drawer room is smaller inside for him than it was 5 years ago)! Love that you have a clutter bucket. I do a similar thing. I have a corner and then put them in an attic before sending things off to donate. Oh man I don't have a slow cooker and sometimes wonder if they are worth it, but I haven't needed one this long, so I might as well not get one. You are so cool. I am glad to "meet" another minimalist mom! You are sooo right about the threats. That is awful to think people would threaten that. I sometimes start decluttering and say to my sons, "Have you used this lately?" They will be like, "Oh no. I don't need that. You can donate it if you want to." If they say, "Yeah I use it." I leave it alone. haha. Sometimes they declutter their rooms on their own and say, "I don't really need this anymore. I'm ready to let it go." It's so cool!!

[@jennyksslr]

For our leftovers, My husband used to say I could turn anything into an omelet 😅

[@sorrybae7420]

This is so true, I do believe that clutter is can give you anxiety and stress. Too much "stuff" stresses me out. Btw, what brand is you shopping trolley at 6:58 ?

[@ibtihalakdogan6855]

You can have carpets minimal looking carpets while maintaining the minimalism at home…at least it will look like home 🏠 this looks like you now you packed up and moving tomorrow to another place which doesn’t feel comfortable in my opinion especially for kids 😢 ..thanks for sharing your experience though it’s really helpful 🧡

[@HannaGeorgia]

Would love to watch a video about the amount of clothes your boys have… I have an 2,5 year old and I am a bit overwhelmed of how much he really needs…

[@marie-soleildobie7495]

Yessssss me too! 🎉

[@kaleighsue8463]

PREACH, SLP! Healthy modeling for children for the win! 🥰

[@AtoZenLife]

Woohoo! And I love your avatar pic 😂 Fellow anime fan?

[@kaleighsue8463]

@@AtoZenLife Yes, I am! I also love that meme, haha.

[@paulalawrence4609]

Can you show us your command center, please? Have you gone into more detail on how to handle paper clutter?

[@chloeruegg2352]

Good Morning Marissa. Must tell you how one minimal change in my husband’s and my life has been: our eating schedule. We eat breakfast around 10am, lunch is a snack of cheese, yogurt, bread, and dinner is around 530p. We STOP eating at 6pm! It’s not only easier to figure out meal plans but we’re also feeling healthier for it. (We do have the luxury of working from home and setting our own hours.) At the moment, I’m going thru my hoarded collection of paper memorabilia. I have a postcard collection from my aunt who passed in 2001; I have love letters between my father and my mother, both of whom are gone; and I have cards and notes from my own kids who are now adults. This all has been so difficult to pare down. It’s been going very slowly because of all the memories … and the tears. Any suggestions you might have would be very welcome. ❤

[@thevegetablequeen]

Create a specific place to store those special papers, such as a memory box. Keep what fits in the container.

[@OdinsSage]

If they are precious you don't have to get rid of them. No need to force yourself unless there is some immediate reason to pair down. But if you're determined to get rid of them or pair down you scan/take photos of everything, then pick 1 or two of your favourites from each category (like your favourite postcard from your aunt, one of your favourite sets of letters between your parents, a particularly notable note or letter from each kid, etc) and keep them in a special place or maybe consider framing and displaying them. You could also create books of these sentimental papers by organizing them in a binder like you would a photo album or scanning them digitally and having a book printed through something like shutterfly. Lots of options are available to you, the key is to be thoughtful about the process and not rush anything (if you have the freedom to do so)

[@heyjude5027]

scan or take pictures of them then discard. Wonderful things stays in our hearts and minds, not in clutter.

[@chloeruegg2352]

Thank you so much Amanda, Odin and Hey Jude. So good of you all to respond. Your giving me an idea I hadn’t considered - scanning. Also containing it all in a fashion such as the binder or maybe a memory box that might be a little bigger than what I have. Thank you all. 🥰

[@mithudholey4929]

Please Merissa, make a video on Minimalist Hair and skincare routine updated version...🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MJ-cz5gx]

I still have my baby teeth. And I've kept my kids too. I don't know why, but for some reason it's precious to me 😅

[@manna1864]

i totally get it. i want to be a minimalist but i live with my mom who doesn't like t let stuff go.....its a challenge.

[@jvisser4848]

Do you have a room that is yours? Then you can do you there. Compromises for the rest.

[@saraellaluv]

Everything looks great but it would be nice and enriching to add maybe a pop of colour to the children's bedroom just a thought it looks very institutionalised. Just a thought.

[@silmuffin86]

Thank you for this video! Dealing with kids stuff is definitely the hardest part for us. My 7yo daughter is especially attached to her stuff, and she'd keep every piece of paper scrap or tiny kinder egg toy! I sometimes make small stuff disappear and she doesn't notice, but I can't do that with bigger toys, sure enough she'll look for them the day after. Maybe because we move a lot (she's 7 and she has lived in 2 US states, Germany, and UK), and she feels secure with her stuff around? I don't know... But good for you for being able to involve your kids in the process!

[@angustheterrible3149]

Maybe you should let her enjoy her toys while she's still young enough to like them instead of literally stealing them from her behind her back and chucking them. What the heck. Stop forcing this minimalist stuff on your kid. Glad I didn't have to grow up with an untrustworthy parent like you.

[@silmuffin86]

@@angustheterrible3149 she does not enjoy her toys. In fact she has toys she hasn't played with in ages. And her bedroom is everything but minimalist. We are actually not that minimal ourselves, we just try not to buy useless shit like most Americans do. As an Italian born and raised I joke we are minimalists in the US, normal people in Europe 🤣 I've never seen houses so big and so full of stuff before living in the US

[@rachelle2227]

I feel like surely minimalism would work for some kids with their toys, and not for others? Certainly kids don’t need as many toys as they have, but some kids likely have different interests in different toys that come and go. I loved Playmobil as a kid, and I didn’t play with it as much when I first got it as I did years later, for instance, when I got more sets, so therefore more play scenarios. I have a baby that needs a lot of stimulation, and I found that she got happier when I got more toys for her to go between. She doesn’t have a long enough attention span to be happy with little toys (she’s 9 months old). She loves to dump out toys too, and wouldn’t be happy with doing it with only one basket of toys. I can definitely see how it would be easier for her to have less toys when she’s older.

[@mtheron100]

I consider us a minimalist family, but as I'm prepping for another move, I just want to toss everything! Bought a uncomfortable couch(don't buy furniture at 38 weeks pregnant when you are tired!) and the only way it's comfortable is with oh so many pillows behind your back. With 4 kids, needless to say they all end up on the floor. Think I need to do some trash bag therapy today.

[@storyofcoreytherabbit1927]

I like your videos very much

[@faithhomeschool2789]

I love your channel. I don't consider myself minimalist but we downsized, donated and reorganized 5 years ahead and life is so much better. We are happy in our space and it reflects us not what others think we need. Paper clutter is the worst, I hate it. Yes anything can be made into stir fry

[@xiuhtecutli5675]

I'm the only one living a minimalistic Lifestyle like yours in our household... Kids will hopefully follow one day but my hubby prolly won't... Ever. 😅

[@PovertyPear]

Still working on the project of minimal-home-project

[@AtoZenLife]

🙌

[@PovertyPear]

@@AtoZenLife thank you for both inspiration, motivation and for sharing the journey.

[@lisawallace2237]

Nobody talks about her to declutter/ minimize with kids who love their stuff. It feels like a constant battle to get my daughter (13) to minimize.

[@cairoanderson7944]

If it's about keeping it tidy, maybe you could focus on setting boundaries in regards to how much she can handle. As I have a physical illness my daughter can only keep what she can take care of herself, because she has mental health issues it isn't much, so I put her legos and extra art supplies in storage and we either rotate or just wait until she is in a headspace where she can handle it. If it's about sentimental items, you could offer the idea of taking photos of items for memories sake or a memento box. (See "let the boundaries be the bad guy" from The Minimal Mom on youtube). You could offer her money for every 20 items she lets go of, or an experience like going to the movies, aquarium or an activity she is keen on as a reward, etc

[@victoria9663]

The underwear in the book is priceless 🤣

[@AtoZenLife]

I should have shown the one with the dead ants who found the melted chocolate inside 🤢😂 🐜

[@victoria9663]

@@AtoZenLife LOL!! I'm also a boy mom so I understand 😆

[@USA1492]

I would be interested to see what this would look like for a family that didn’t school outside the home.

[@AtoZenLife]

Most of the other minimalist moms homeschool, like The Minimal Mom and Erica Lucas

[@MariluCohen]

also Avital from the parenting junkie!

[@DP-ur7zn]

That was a very helpful video!!! I have 4 boys 1,5 to 7 years old and I am having a hard time decluttering their clothes!! I’m keeping clothes for the younger ones, but Im having a hard time remembering what I have stored. Any tips?

[@Siures]

Lists on the boxes. I write down: „season (if needed), size, and sometimes WHAT is stored, and sometimes what I might need new (because the trousers are ripped or something). I go through everything twice a year (weather change cold - warm) so I can switch clothes for the season, look what fits whom and store the rest away with new lists. One big box for one size is usually enough to get a kid through a season and still manageable. As my kids are really close in sizes now I don’t have „in between“ boxes anymore but just one or two (as winter stuff is bulkier) off-season boxes for sizes that might still fit in the next season and a few things I thrifted or got as hand me downs to grow into.