FIRST 13 THINGS I DECLUTTERED as a MINIMALIST / Confessions of Minimalism / Emily Wheatley Vlogs

[@cathycirina-chiu6972]

When I first read Marie Kondo, one of the concepts she talked about was so freeing for me---the idea of getting rid of things that kind of defined who we used to be, or maybe fantasized we would be someday, and for me this really spoke to my books. I had so many books from grad school, and then a whole bunch of books about topics that I thought I would need to learn for work or like self-improvement books. I can't tell you how freeing it was to let hundreds of books go and let go of some outdated and fantasized versions of myself. We are not static beings, we grow, we evolve, we change and sometimes part of that is letting go and maybe even grieving someone we used to be or thought we might be, and embrace who we are in this season of our life.

[@gloriajenkins5049]

this is soooo me!

[@cherylsykes660]

I never “became a minimalist”, it was a lifestyle in which I was raised. Long ago, I grew up in a nomadic military family, and when my father was transferred to a different military base, we packed our few possessions and bugged out. I have always “traveled lightly”, in every part of my life, and owning more than I need, brings me stress.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Love that! Thanks for sharing Cheryl!

[@victoriaoshea4865]

That's super interesting 🤔 Are you grateful for that? Or...?

[@cherylsykes660]

@@victoriaoshea4865 Good question. For me personally, I am grateful for learning, independence, self reliance, and that possessions are not necessary for a well lived life. I can understand that some might feel somewhat resentful of the insecurity, or uncertainty of that lifestyle.

[@dorisjking8937]

@@theedgyminimalist I love your content, however, can you not use the word "cutthroat?" It's a trigger word for some. Thank you kindly...💖💖💖

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

That’s such a helpful share, thank you. It makes me conscious of the stress levels of those I know, with everything stuffed into their houses, and how seldom the link is made between the weight of stuff and the ‘weight’ on us. One of my friends turned down a plumb job in the US because she said she couldn’t face the pack up and house move, with all her kids wanting to hang onto everything they’ve ever owned. It’s a literal weight on our lives.

[@alinacash786]

1) I no longer have magazines 2) photos have changed and Alexa is a good idea 3) very few decor pieces 4) no DVD and no CD but still have records 5) no small appliances 6) not many cookware pieces 7) only an art collection 8) no collections except I ended up with the family photos--needs to go 8) some pillows 9) a small box of nostalgia 10) books were eliminated (too heavy) 11) clothes/shoes due to weight loss 12) old tech is gone 13) I need to do another purge of seasonal items Divorce eliminates a lot!!

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thank you for sharing with us Grace!

[@drew2364]

Appliances is a limit to 5

[@trekkie-cat]

Good challenge! Makes me rethink what I have!

[@ellenhawkins128]

I do a “palette-cleanser” every couple months by removing wall art, pillows, throws, anything visual other than necessary furniture pieces. I live with it for a few days, just enjoying the white space, then I bring a few things out, trying new placements. It refreshes the space and helps me to see new possibilities in our space. We’re in a big open space style house, and everything in the living, dining, kitchen, and outside deck can be seen from all viewpoints. It can get visually-cluttered fast.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Ooooh i like that idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@Quadrant14]

Ellen, I love colour , life is colour.

[@laurabittman6799]

Thank you for some reminders. After a couple of moves we have decluttered a lot, especially books, linens and excess kitchen/tech items. Even not trying to be minimalist, there is always more that can go. We went through so many photos yet they are still a challenge. I will take your comments about nostalgia to heart. Another challenge is our maximalist 18 year old.

[@TM-zq7qx]

I really love these ¨podcast¨ style videos, that I can watch while doing stuff: decluttering, doing dishes, ironing, cleaning...It keeps me going and motivates even more. So, thanks!

[@theedgyminimalist]

Oh I love that!

[@rsnj4501]

Parts of my life are minimal (wardrobe, photos, books, gadgets) but I love my colorful decor items I’ve collected from around the world. Being a minimalist can mean different things to different people.❤️

[@cherylsykes660]

I agree with you, possessions are subjective. Sounds like you enjoy and place great value on your decor collection, therefore those items are not clutter.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Exactly! Being a "minimalist" is so personal to each person. Because what might bring value to one person, may not for another.

[@11Renee11]

I see that minimalism varies from casual to extreme. I've got my wardrobe and beauty items down to very basic. However, photo albums and art supplies are still an issue for me.

[@bjwilliams]

@@theedgyminimalist always a true minimalist before I knew the word, from a child. Only recent photos on my phone, and Google photos. No photo albums..put older photos in a plastic container-done. Cannot look at pics of the past, makes me sad crying for old memories, people who passed.\ on my mantle fireplace- have grandparents, mother, sister "Happy" pics who passed.💗. Have grandchildren-2, sports pic. By laptop 3 great- nieces tiny pic. My son's family puzzle pic on frig!+great-great nephew! Confess- after divorce 40 yrs ago, moved to new state= I burned all pics with ex, my son had his own little album. New beginning for me, today people just delete & unfollow, lol.

[@BlondeQtie]

you don’t have to be sad that you are not part of the „minimalist gang“. that’s fine! there are other trends and lifestyles and none is superior to the other. in fact, maximalism is also trending right now.

[@janelleespinosa6247]

So many ways to declutter and let things live on. This is looking like more and more people are grasping that the planet cannot hold many more "things". It does feel good to have less and need less. Your channel helps with the closet part of that. At the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I bought 1 bra and 1 pair of workout shoes for myself, a huge difference in just a year. Workout shoes should hot be ill fitting as you know from pregnancy. As a matter of fact,a good pair of sneakers is important for many reasons! Great video!

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thanks so much Janelle!! Not going to lie, I did buy some baby clothes in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale :-I

[@fippy]

Like a previous poster, I never "became a minimalist", it was how I was raised back in the 1960's because my father was a miner which meant when he was moved to another mine we packed up our few things and moved to another town with no fuss. Even now I can't stand clutter and excess, for me it's just something I have to dust, clean and wash. Quote of the day. There is no better feeling than waking up to a clean kitchen.

[@theedgyminimalist]

I could not agree more on the kitchen quote! :-)

[@linnulman7138]

Since I watched this yesterday, I've been thinking that "brings joy" and "brings value" are not necessarily the same thing. The way you describe value is going to change my summer declutter to do better for myself.

[@theedgyminimalist]

That is great to hear!

[@drawingout.net-vmcg]

Lovely to listen to you tell your back story around your minimalist journey Emily! I've decluttered similarly over the years except for my partner. He's still here and is a total maximalust.. 9 wooden spoons in our kitchen for stirring and mixing. Tried hiding them...close to divorce.. gave in gracefully!!! Have learned to compromise. 😊 It's fine though. I'm keeping him!!!

[@SandravdB1976]

First: you look amazing! Second: like your first channel, I also love this channel, you're doing a great job! Sending you a lots of love and light from The Netherlands 😘

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thanks so much Sandra! :-) Hello to the Netherlands!

[@KKOhNoYouDidnt]

I decluttered my house years ago and wanted to donate my Grandmother's beautiful hankie collection but so thankful I kept a few, one that I used at my own Mother's funeral. It was very comforting to hold and use to wipe the tears compared to a simple tissue. Im glad you kept a small nostalgia box, might be something in there to pass down to your twins!

[@ronnie-lynn]

I have minimal in all areas of my home minus my plants. I have a large plant collection. I love them, caring for them, and watching them grow. They are my home decor and my pride and joys! 🪴🫶🏻

[@theedgyminimalist]

Same! Lots of plants still. They literally bring life to a space :-)

[@diysai]

How do you make sure they're looked after when you're out of town?

[@ronnie-lynn]

@@diysai how long are you out of town for!? I’ve left mine for the longest 21 days. I’ve lost a few that are more needy and it’s left me with the hearty ones that can make it! But my plants are used to being watered thoroughly. I take them to the sink soak them but then I let them dry out completely and that’s what they are used too.

[@wegotthis5175]

Love the studio set up, and great video!

[@theedgyminimalist]

Glad you liked it!

[@leastidyworld4365]

Easy for me is when clothes are too small. (That hasn’t always been the case but I got used to just seeing it that way that your clothes are meant to fit you now, not in the past or an uncertain future.) Hard is everything sentimental and books as well. Basically, everything is hard to get rid of. 😆😆😆

[@bgar9818]

I still have cd’s I started buying when I was 12 and up, I’m 42 now lol. I doubt I’ll ever get rid of them.

[@zenabraithwaite1934]

Food for thought. I never aspire to being a minimalist but I do want to pare down things a bit in some areas and definitely get rid of stuff that I know I won't use. In terms of nostalgia I do like to keep some stuff as my Mum has dementia and being able to refer to actual items is important, even when you haven't got dementia these things still help recall memories.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Yes definitely. That means it's bringing you value.

[@dovile.n.g]

Omg 🤣 just got rid of my last batch of Vogues yesterday! And i also had stacks and stacks! Sentimentally, kept the first one I ever bought in 2006 😍 just 1 🙌

[@theedgyminimalist]

Oh wow, so crazy! Yea it's a hard one to do but feels good after right!

[@cynthiahoz3948]

Hello Emily, My best advice is for parents to resist the urge to over-indulge children (or themselves) with items they think will bring happiness. Just say no! You will thank yourself later in life😊

[@bjwilliams]

I am the grandmother, and I never liked 'stuff', as a child or teaching 5th grade, now retired. Gave all my tools, materials to younger teachers! I donated dvd player, all DVD's and CD's to Goodwill. Stream everything. People say my house is peaceful; I removed (ALL) carpet, every lint= put in wood floors, clean look!

[@esm6000]

Another great video, Emily! I’ve never had family photos sitting out but rather 14 albums documenting my children’s lives😳. After cleaning out both my parents and my in-laws homes after their passing, I consciously chose not to burden my kids with even albums of well organized pictures so for Christmas several years ago, I downsized photos. I made 1 album for each of my 3 sons…..and they and their wives loved it. I also downsized my albums from 14 to 3. My grandkids love the albums, and at the end of each calendar year, I upload my photos from that year to an app and have a book made……another thing the grands love because it’s mostly about them. I love the fact that these books are small and don’t take up much space but the joy it brings me to sit with this next generation and look at pictures is priceless.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Such a great idea. I do love photo albums. My Mom has been making them all our lives and so fun to go and look back at them. Photo albums are more intentional I feel like, you have to sit down and take time to go through them.

[@karstmama]

I try to keep clutter down by getting a small thing when traveling and using the small travel tchotchkes as Christmas tree ornaments. They go up and are caressed and the memories are discussed, then they go away after 6 weeks or so.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Yea, great approach.

[@susannovak8263]

You might want to check your devices. I am able to successfully raise and lower the volume on my phone/iPad without any problem.

[@allyirvine7537]

Got to watch this documentary and get some of this minimalist motivation. Love the idea and it must be freeing both physically and mentally. Your home style is as sleek as your fashion style Emily, no surprise. Got to get an Echo Show for sure. Enjoyed hearing about your angel collection…can relate 😍

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thank you Ally! Yea the documentary should still be on Netflix and I think they even came out with a sequel since.

[@quangpham464]

I was obsessed of keeping and collecting things. I was wasting a lot of money for them. I have about 800 pens, a lot of books , clothes since i was a kid. . Also i could not convince myself to delete the same photos on my phone. Because i think it’s kind of memory even the ugly ones. After watching a bunch of videos about minimalism . I decided to let them go. I put all my books , pens , clothes ,… most of stuff that i don’t you or need them any more by the side of street for who needs. And i feel so so much better because now i can focus on myself more.

[@kristincheever2145]

I would love to know what your fav fashion books are! Thank you for this video, I’m in the process of going through EVERYTHING and I listen to The Minimalists pod cast every day. I still slip sometimes and buy something I regret but I’m getting better… 🤗

[@theedgyminimalist]

We all do, I still do the same as well. I will maybe do a video on some good Fashion books but my favorite is rstyle.me/+fBT-jcF6T8vhuxl4L0Owjw (my affiliate link)

[@Dm777-7]

Thank you! This was great. You affirmed that it is okay that I put away every framed photo in my house. 😂 Now to convince my husband about the dvd’s and tapes. 😳

[@theedgyminimalist]

Haha the dvd's are a hard one :-)

[@janetjaken1389]

Did the same. We recently moved and when we came to the photos that were hanging on our walls we both looked at each other and said Let's not hang these. That started an avalanche of decluttering.

[@janetjaken1389]

It is so freeing to get rid of stuff. I try to get rid of something every day.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Great practice!

[@williamclark1244]

I rediscovered the library. If it's a book that I absolutely know I will reference often I will then purchase it but that has been extremely rare. As for DVD's I only kept six from my collection because I found that they were the only movies that I watched. I still do often enough so I'm keeping them until I purchase them digitally.

[@gwenj5419]

Also with Libby, you can do digital library books.

[@CorinnaOnTheRun]

Great angel collection story. Useful example for me to picture the concept.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Glad it was helpful! :-)

[@NicoleWiliamson622]

The electronic photo display is a great idea! I have so many frames that I dont like, but keep since I love the photos. I am interested in how you do/ plan with "kid" clutter. (Toys, ride ons, arts and crafts etc)

[@theedgyminimalist]

I plan to do some videos on just that topic cuz I think a lot are curious. Thanks Nicole!

[@anniegum4582]

This is exactly what I needed to hear in order to take my decluttering to the next level. I have a lot of objects from my late grandmother and I have not, for 10 years even opened the boxes. So I will be brave and start giving them away. Thank you so much for this video, it is such a big contribution to me. I appreciate you. 🙏💛

[@theedgyminimalist]

That is great, I'm so happy that it helped you!!

[@zeearchers720]

Helpful, but I think you could have shaved some time off it’s length-lots of repetition about the angels and nostalgia, etc.-in the interest of minimalism? Kind of sounded like you were still processing… Anyway, I’m old and getting older by the minute. After growing up in a military family that moved nearly every year, I never expected to keep anything from my childhood and learned to travel light. I moved into the plywood camper on the back of my hippy boyfriend’s ’48 Dodge pickup at 19 and lived happily with damned near nothing for over a year. I’ll cut to the chase: at age 72 I’ve come to the conclusion that life is a cycle of accumulation and elimination. Some cycles are longer than others, but everything speeds up at the end. It doesn’t matter what you keep or toss, and it REALLY doesn’t matter what other people think about it. Live your life, love those you love with a wide open ferocity, forgive all the hurts generously, and cherish the private moments in nature that are all your very own. There. That’s an abundant minimalism. Good enough. ❤️

[@achaley4186]

I am not a minimalist, BUT, I have never had any problems with letting go of stuff. 🙂❤️🙏🏼👍

[@merijaan4418]

lovely, clear and well-modulated voice.. Nice content too.

[@christinedisneyqueen5746]

I really like this video. I feel very motivated to get rid of things that do not add any value to me life! Now, I have to stop bringing in new merchandise! 😆😊

[@jdunne4124]

Great video as usual. I'm not a current minimalist but I'm working towards that. Last year I had to clear everything out of my mother's large home that she had lived in for 35 years. There was a LOT of stuff. I'm slowly selling things on eBay and Poshmark; it inspired me to start to get rid of most of my things as well. I can't wait to be at the end.

[@robinsmith4499]

Downsized our furniture, discovered a whole drawer of CD’s. I had to fight my husband on letting go of them. We don’t have away to play them. 😳 He explained the car has a CD player! 🤬 I won. 🤣

[@janicevin4207]

Similar process for me but on a longer time span! When I think now about all the stuff that I was lugging around when moving, stuff that went from storage to another storage place!!!

[@theedgyminimalist]

I know right, the amount we hold on to.

[@jackiebrown6577]

It’s easy for my hubby, but not me. But I’m learning. 😆😉. Thank you!

[@jainthorne4136]

I'm a voracious reader averaging 4 books a week and lived in a family of readers. At one point I owned over 6k books. Then I moved towards minimalism. I now have about 300 books which may seem like a lot to some people but to me is exactly what I want. They are books that I tend to reread or some that are connected to my mother. We traded books back and forth and would underline and write comments in the margins to each other. When I open those books, my conversations with my mother bring me joy. As for what I got rid of....shoes. I used to own 19 pairs of boots. Countless shoes of all kinds. Now I have three pairs of shoes that suit me perfectly--a pair of flat, black sandals for spring and summer, a pair of short black ankle boots for fall and winter and a pair of allbirds for year round comfort.

[@amber4759]

I don't remember what my first 13 things were but I definitely remember my first thing of my journey and where exactly I wanted to start decluttering it in my closet and I decluttered a bunch of clothes

[@petermurdoch7540]

A minimalist video that I can relate to.

[@theedgyminimalist]

That's so great to hear!

[@lilsprugga]

To me, a pot plant is a nicknack.

[@stunning6213]

im trying to be a minimalistic person since the start of this year and one thing i realised is that you don't have to have all things needed in white because minimalism is abt living life with lesser things (?) maybe having neutral-colored things when you're trying to become a minimalist just helps to make it easier for me to control my urges to buy things😆 i guess, having too much colors on things you wanna have when you're tryna become a minimalist feels overwhelming 😆 idk if im making sense

[@theedgyminimalist]

Makes sense. Definitely correct in that you don't have to have everything white neutral, you can have whatever suits you and soothes you. I think just for most the neutral work best but that doesn't mean it's the rule :-)

[@karolmolpus9536]

Did you keep nostalgic things for your kids?

[@fulanitatita7190]

Would love for you to do a show and tell of the books you have left (especially curious which the fashion ones are)!

[@ingethiels1446]

I have a lot of Tupperware boxes, a lot of closets and my hobby is collecting Xmas ornaments.... need I say more 🙊🙉🙈 Great 13 to start with! Btw 1.You look fab 2.love the set-up & 3.those books you showed even match 1and 2. Smells like #MinimalistPerrrfection 🤔😜 Greetings from tiny 🇧🇪 Inge 😘

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thank you Inge! I do still have my Xmas ornament collection from childhood but I bring those out every year :-)

[@ingethiels1446]

@@theedgyminimalist Eeuhmm... I'm thinking about buying a third Xmastree, which is very, very unusual in Belgium 🎄🤪

[@melissad7855]

I've been getting to minimalist for several years (Joshua Becker follower), HOWEVER my husband is a collector and not a minimalist. No interest in decluttering his stuff. That's tough. (And your book The Subtle Art of Not Giving...is a great read!)

[@theedgyminimalist]

Ahh that is hard when your partner isn't a minimalist. Maybe someday he'll come around.

[@suzannecross4089]

It’s so tough when the spouse isn’t really on board! I’ve spent years decluttering my stuff….but it’s time to move on to his belongings and shared stuff🥺

[@karolmolpus9536]

I'm starting soon, just didn't know where to start 🤣

[@TheBipolalola]

Damn it I hate how much I needed to hear this but thanks

[@laurennguyen1008]

We sold our 2 longtime houses (primary 28 years, lake house 20 years) a couple years ago. That was a lot of work and downsizing. I still have a lot of things from my mom and grandma but I had shelves built in my small living room and display there and on the shelves in the large master bedroom closet. Those are my two favorite rooms. I cleared out most of the same categories as you.

[@theedgyminimalist]

It's emotional and difficult yet cleansing at same time.

[@gwenj5419]

But do they really mean a lot to you if they live in a tote, unseen, year after year? Taking a digital photo helps me get rid of the physical item.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Yes me too!

[@kathryndalton9867]

I've got thousands of photos which I want

[@elizabethlarose4368]

When you “ got rid of them” what method did you use, sell, give away, donate toss or recycle.

[@theedgyminimalist]

All of the above, depending on what it was and the condition.

[@arista022002]

Hi Emily, your video is inspiring me to declutter :)) which I will do after I watch your video

[@theedgyminimalist]

Yay! That's great!

[@Quadrant14]

you have a room like a room Stanley Kubrick may have used in a noir film, sparse and only black and white..........Emily, thanks but no thanks

[@lyndagabriel6539]

Thanks for this! While I was listening, I let go of some houseplants, inspired by you. I think it has an emotional component because my late mom was a big plant person (also a minor hoarder, tbh)... but now I no longer have ones that I don't really want! Looks better already! Also good to hear about the electronic/cords pile... it's been on my todo list for a while now... one thing I do now, every new e-thing that comes in, a little id tag goes on the cord.

[@conniepleasantnails]

Nice timing of this video. I did a mini edit of my closet last week and a mini edit of my kitchen. I have gotten rid of some of the same of your 13. I have to go through my paper/photo stuff. Cards people give me, old photos, appliance manuals, old letters. 🤦🏻‍♀️ It’s actually not a lot but I recently watched a KZbin moving to another country and she did it in 5 suit cases. I found this so inspiring and it encouraged me to keep condensing things out that I don’t even ever think about. I’m going to have a nice little bundle to donate tomorrow. I like art but we don’t really have any wall space our place is small. I try to use purposeful things to create some design details. Like a printed shower curtain and a colorful diffuser reed jar or a cute bowl sitting in the kitchen on the open shelf that’s interesting looking, but useful. Thank you for the added inspiration today. 💕🏡

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thank you so much for sharing with us Connie! Good luck on your continued journey with decluttering. Sounds like you're off to a good start.

[@conniepleasantnails]

@@theedgyminimalist Have a beautiful weekend ☀️

[@glendabillingsley6996]

You are a saint to my mental health and beauty. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, intentionality and succinct suggestions. Your modus operandi is so elegant and as a fellow empath, (Emotionally connect to people, emotions, energy, things too easily) I’m indebted to you for your insightful navigational strategies.

[@darlene2861]

I just found your channel, this video was very helpful and interesting to me. I love your studio set up as well. Thank you.

[@belkyhernandez8281]

As a child of immigrants I have nothing from my family's life. I would love to have things from their life.

[@jessica5657]

So helpful! Thx! About to pair down myself ( not a minimalist, but this guide will still help me de clutter and get rid of a lot! )

[@coffeeNlemoncheesecake]

My parents were minimalists big time ,but I ended up not being one because they always threw my toys away bad idea on their part.

[@reneegardner1742]

❤

[@TheWTFcassy]

I love this channel! Thanks for making videos!

[@peace-a]

With your cd's, did you donate, throw them away, or sell? I have quite a few of 80's and 90's music that may have some value.

[@susannovak8263]

They don’t. If you want to get rid of them, do it whichever way works for you.

[@larrycepeterson1827]

Will you share the details for your jumpsuit?

[@mochamollybradbury247]

What is the name of the documentary that you watched?

[@coffeeNlemoncheesecake]

Minimalism is easy for people to that are not sentimental I repeat not sentimental about things. And they are the type that don't bond very well to people or they don't like change.

[@susannovak8263]

Nope, not true. You might want to do a little homework on that one.

[@lindascull6327]

Loved this--Thanks Emily!!Helpful!

[@pinayinuk]

So nice to know

[@Ellie-ty7ib]

I love purging and have struggled to understand why everyone isn’t the same. Even so, it is amazing how easy it is to accumulate unnecessary things. This video was helpful reinforcement to question collections. It might be time for me to go through my cookbooks collection. 🤔

[@theedgyminimalist]

Glad it was helpful Ellie! Good luck with the cookbook purge!

[@judithroers9655]

Very helpful video.

[@theedgyminimalist]

Thanks Mama!!

[@danadascenzo7761]

😊

[@brass1951]

"yah" "yah" "yah"

[@aidedeco]

TFS

[@JesusGodHolySpirit3]

My head hurts from your voice shit i mean i turn it low and it still weirdly loud why is your personal audio sooo loud I have it turned down soo low on KZbin and on the computer and your voice is insanely loud my head.

[@wendyzullo4533]

I would love to know how you got rid of these things. Did you donate to certain organizations or sell on specific sites that you can recommend?

[@bjwilliams]

I put things on the curb with neighbor's help. People picked it up. The rest I donated to Goodwill. Donated furniture to Cancer store, nobody picks up anymore. Gave furniture to neighbor, I was going for a clean modern look_ less is better! Garage is empty, city picked up! I have a gardener, don't need tools, I don't do repairs, I pay workers for that!

[@bernadettecostantino9156]

Cannot listen to this. Too many umms, ahs, and especially “you knows” uncovered