Hoarder to Minimalist | Ep 2 "Kon Mari My Closet"

[@sarahelizabethfoster]

Hi! I'm approaching my 6th month of Konmari. I did my 330 square foot NYC apartment, then gained the confidence to konmari and get rid of a storage unit in New Jersey, then gained the confidence to go to my parent's house in Houston and Konmari 24 boxes of childhood school papers and sentimental items (I had to ship 12 boxes to NYC to continue working on), and then decided I had the confidence to let go of my music studio near Times Square in NYC that's 350 square feet and have been Konmaring that and will be out of there tomorrow! I wish all my stuff had been in one location because with my space constraints I've had to do konmari in 4 locations separately. Then bring remaining items into my tiny apartment, combine them with my apartment items and redo Konmari per category with the new and old items. This has created so much extra work and I often ask my husband if Marie Kondo had been coaching us I wonder what she would have recommended we do with these kinds of tight spaces. Now...this all leads me to some advice I'd like to offer. I just found your channel and never leave comments, but I have compassion for your goal and can see from your house tour that you have a massive job on your hands. It can be done! Believe me! But...I think I'm seeing a flaw in how your approaching things that could lead to you not finishing. It is essential to tidy by category and not location. It seems like in your home things are stored in really random places. When you start on clothes you have to obsessively look through your whole house, car, garage, deep in every closet, absolutely everywhere and pull out and bring together every single piece of your wardrobe in one place. Tell yourself if you find a hidden item later it will go straight in the donate pile and that will motivate you. Then start the one by one process. Also, it really helps if you do a little pile of favorites first so you can look at that pile when you're holding the different items and kinda feel if they live up to the standard of love your favorites have set. In the couple of konmari videos you have you said, "I'm gonna do this closet," or, "I'm gonna do konmari till I get through every room in the house." But remember you go by category, not room. Because you have a massive project on your hands and you don't have Marie Kondo there to guide you I would highly recommend reading both her books, the second Spark Joy is fantastic too and obsessively follow the books methods and don't deviate. Every time my husband and I started deviating we ran into trouble and I had to get the books back out and reread and refresh. You cannot trust your own ideology because that got you into this mess. (I hope I don't sound too harsh, I'm pretending in my head I'm talking to me before I started the process) My life has completely been changed, I wish I had the energy like you to make videos on this. The most I've been able to stop and do is a few pictures. There is a women on KZbin called TJs Ways and I loved watching her through the process. She was unique because like you, she really had a lot of stuff. This made her videos much more fun to watch! And one last thing that might save you time in the long run. Since your stuff is everywhere in random locations, why not start your process by saying, this is the pen area, and every time you find a pen you put in in your office in a pile, and do the same for every different item. So group your categories first. For instance, when you find glasses in a box, take them straight to the kitchen, break down the box and put that in the garage and move on. Don't spend precious energy feeling mad at yourself for finding stuff you didn't know you had, or energy trying to decide whether to keep it because you're not on the glasses category yet and you will lose that energy. You and your husband could go on a grouping marathon first just to get the categories going and get more open floor space for the sorting. Also, it is essential to start by doing the vision work that Kondo talks about. Write out your "whys" with your husband because you will need those to find strength when you don't want to keep going. And make sure you do as much as you can with your husband (but not your clothes). I see so many women doing the process alone and it makes no sense to me. I also had my husband read the books too so he could take ownership of the process. So I hope this is helpful! Just trust in the system so you don't rebound! Wishing you luck! (Remember, you only have to do this once in your life!) and wish me luck on my studio move out and final month of konmari where I finally have everything in one physical space. I'm then going to have to start right back at clothes and do things that one final time and then it's over! Freedom!

[@MessyMinimalist]

Wow, thank you for the comment and the suggestions! Really great feedback, and you're right - I've been doing it room by room and I can already see this biting me in the butt...I think the idea of having boxes with things categorized around the house is intimidating to me (because the mess it makes in the short term), but realistically, I know things often need to get messier before they can get clean. I appreciate the time you took to write all this! :) I'm off to go investigate TJs ways now!

[@debrakelly2500]

Really wish my husband would get on board with this process!! :-(

[@candyluna2929]

Sarah Elizabeth Foster WOW you are on fire 🔥 🔥 🔥 that's awesome!!

[@candyluna2929]

Debra Kelly my husband wasn't really interested. I didn't tell him much about it just that I was gonna be decluttering. a few days later, I am still on it and the apartment is.looking better. He starts to declutter his area too. don't fuss and DONT get rid of his stuff without asking him. I did so good with my stuff!

[@debrakelly2500]

Iadama- that is awesome. Everytime I donate more and more of my stuff as I declutter my own things my husband tells me, "You're going to regret getting rid of all of that!" He's always afraid that he "may need that someday."

[@petmomful2260]

I am very neat and organized. I think it is because my childhood was full of abuse and it was awful. It comforted me to sort thru and organize my stuff, and I had control over that ONE thing in my life. I had less anxiety that way. My sisters have always made fun of me for it. They have come to my house and laughed because my cans are all lined up in the kitchen cupboard. My cousin said, "What is wrong with her?" But I definitely think it makes my life easier. I need direction, tho, so I am going to retry Flylady. I like your videos, your challenges, your honesty. I like to see how others do it. And I judge no one, we are all on a different path. I had 4 kiddos in a small house so I know how hard it is to keep up. At one point, I was in college full time, had 4 kids, and a part-time job! Good luck and keep up the good work!

[@bodicleanair]

Yay...congrats! You regained your closet. On to the next--I'm binge watching your episodes.

[@MessyMinimalist]

There's only a couple so far, so you may have to wait until this thursday to get another! :-D Thanks for watching!

[@woodenkat8971]

'Do your own research' thank you for not repeating a thousand other youtubers! Love your conversational style with the footage of action. You inspire me to do the work and not just watch youtube videos!

[@sarahaubrey320]

it's so nice to see a realistic approach to this compared to someone strictly following the method because it's not entirely reasonable for everyday people. thank you for being so open with us

[@dontreadmyprofilepicture5209]

"Oh cool, that's where that stuff is" I love this!

[@MindOfMine.]

I discovered you a while ago but now I'm binge-watching and subscribed. The way you talk to us, it's so entertaining and at the same time so real. This is what KZbin video's should be like. It's not just the topic but the way you are in front of the camera that lets us keep watching! Thanks for sharing this journey with us!

[@abbygee]

You're hilarious! So happy I found your channel. Definitely subscribed.

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thanks Abby! I'm glad you found it too :) Thanks for subscribing!

[@lifewithmrsclark]

Abby Gilligan Agreed! I'm binge watching to catch up!

[@lauriehester4682]

These are the most real videos I think I've ever seen on youtube. You go girl!

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you!! :)

[@meganlewallen8121]

This is random but I have the same scarf- the green and orange one- I wore it as a shawl during our November wedding back in 2012. Similar tastes! Love your channel!

[@raydineseltzer5555]

Love your videos please keep them coming.I have been decluttering for over a year now and I still have enough stuff for three family's and I am single.I do not know where it is all coming from, Keep up the good work it will pay off.

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you! And I'm right there with you - my last move took two large moving trucks and we were only coming from a 2-bedroom home. The movers couldn't believe it (and frankly neither could I). Most of that junk is in our garage now, which I'm working my way towards clearing out! :)

[@dazywings]

You crack. Me. Up! "Do you love it, or is it just fine?...Because who wants a closet full of just fine? ...What does fine even mean? How are you doing today? Fine. How was your day? Fine. Oh. Ok." LOL. Your video's are awesome! And now I'm watching your KM videos a second time, I subbed, and now I want to get back to my KM journey again. Started. Stopped. Got more messy...yeah. My house is just....fine...and very messy...and I can't wait for more Joy Sparking videos, because I need the inspiration!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, I'm glad you're enjoying my videos! :) Thanks for watching and subbing -- And good luck! :)

[@alimcc773]

That tank top hanger around 5:38 needs to be in my life! You just saved me a ton of space. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@Magdalena76h]

Rachel! I am trying to tackle our hoarding problem and have been watching videos on You Tube all day and since I found your channel I've just been watching one after another - you are so fresh and energetic and natural! Thank you!! I am sitting on my living room floor in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, watching your episodes while I go through boxes of "stuff" which I put aside months ago in a "clean up" to "go through later"... well, it's finally LATER!!! Thank you for your engaging and fun episodes!

[@pauaolson]

Oh my soul I love you! You have totally inspired me to go through my whole house!!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha - Yay! I'm glad you feel inspired!! :) Go girl!

[@nancie7487]

I think I did something wrong because all I have left is two pairs of Pajamas and a robe. I think I need to go through everything again. I hate wearing clothes.

[@MessyMinimalist]

Haha! I hear ya! Can't we all just go naked? On another note...I walked through my house recently and imagined getting rid of the furniture I didn't like...I ended up (theoretically) not having a dining table, chairs, or any lighting fixtures... I guess sometimes you have to keep things even if you 'hate them'. ;-)

[@carolinedrinkwater8237]

Yes, that's I go by do I need it, then do I like it enough to have it? Can I live my life without it or is it just that if I do is it really inconvenient? e.g. My computer do I keep it loads of time in maintenance, on the other hand if I don't have it, I can't back up anything from my phone, work, music, and files. However there's a huge difference in how expensively you need it, an office computer is nothing like a gaming computer. Contrarily to advertising, the best and worst computers are the hardest to maintain. The average computer is the easiest to maintain and does more fast enough from the worst and avoids hugely intense gaming from the best. Most video/ photoshopping software don't take as much out of your computer as one is sold to believe. Having said that, I spend way too much time and effort either gaming or maintaining my computer so I'm looking for ways to reduce my computer use to less computing only when necessary and definitely choosing the games that I like can play less of at one time.

[@KittyMelon3]

"and a bib!" got me in stitches hahahaha! too good, let the binge continue!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha - there aren't that many videos yet so you better pace yourself! ;-) xoxo

[@KittyMelon3]

I konmari-ed my wardrobe today! got rid of about half of it after my first try. thank you for being so inspirational!

[@LuckyYogi]

Love your videos! My mom and I are subscribed to you. I told my mom about minimalism a few weeks ago. I don't own a ton of stuff, but I want to be much more organized, don't want to keep tidying, and decided to downsize. So been researching on minimalism. It's been so freeing and calming as I get organized and everything has a home :) after telling my mom this and about minimalism, my mom told me she looked into it and found you. So now. We both watch you and oh my gosh, I love your videos. So funny, honest, and extremely helpful. Also. Cathartic. Watching you get organized, after one video, I'm like OK, I'm doing it. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[@lenamillsaps6031]

Seriously just binged watched most of your videos. You are hilarious and someone that's easy to relate to! I feel like most people on here and instagram make things too perfect so im loving your channel and how real you are! Keep them coming, girl :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you!! I agree, I give a lot of side-eye to some of these channels. No hate, but just find them a little staged. Thanks for watching! :)

[@ashleyrobinson3298]

I know I’m a year late, but I’m already in love with your videos 😂 you are hilarious and SOO relatable

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, thank you! And better late than never, right? ;-)

[@michellecleek8236]

I am loving your channel, and watching your progress! This is my second year of organizing and purging and I've come a long way. It's inspiring to see others like yourself go through this process, and thank you for keeping it real! Now I realize I'm not the only one like this!

[@weezee111]

I love this. You are the closest thing to my process of hoarder to minimalist with kids! Can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@MessyMinimalist]

I'm glad you're enjoying them! :) Thanks for watching!

[@serenitynoworganisingvanco370]

Just started re-watching some of your videos. I cannot believe how far you have come in only 6 months! Well done! Looking forward to much more.

[@jackiebaker1678]

I absolutely love all the colors you have painted the walls in your house!!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

Oh thank you! :)

[@Me-mw5zx]

Yeah, you did it! 💃 I'll have to admit, my closet is the hardest thing for me. I have a hard time of letting go of clothes...idk why, but I do. I have a lot that I love, but hoping that they'll come back in style...so that I can wear them again...lol... Or I just love the material. Thought about repurposing them, but I can't bring myself to cut them...lol... I haven't tackled my closet yet. I just know that it is going to be hard and I don't even want to get rid of anything, yet anyways...lol... Anywho, here's a tip that's worked for me. Once you clean something be sure to pick up every day and schedule an appointment for once a week to clean a certain space in your home. As for the closet, if you purchase a new item then you should get rid of one or two. Lol...I know, who am I to be giving you advice on the closet, right? Lol... I know this, but I don't practice it...lol... Guess, that I really should... Hoping that your videos will inspire me to tackle it...lol... I've read almost all of the book while waiting for my husband at the dentist office... That's why I'm inspired to purge my house of unnecessary items... I'm doing my closet last, because I know that it is the toughest. I find talking to my clothes to be silly, but I just might have to try it. Lol... Anywho, thank you for sharing! Keep your videos coming! Maybe, I you'll inspire me to tackle my closet soon! One could only hope...lol...💕💕💕

[@KURAE54]

This video left me wanting to give you a high five!! Clothes are the bane of my existence. Great job. Thanks for sharing.

[@cheyennesutton2055]

Rachel, you are an inspiration. Your ideas make a lot of sense. Thanks for the great information!

[@klangherz]

I found you by accident. I was browsing through recommended videos and ended up on your channel somehow. I immediately fell in love with your motivation that even I feel proud of the progress you have made. Keep up the good work. I send you many greetings from Germany.

[@liefengeltj3]

I just found your videos and what i love about u is that you're reacting so real... like actually how i would react by finding random things etc. You're also rly funny and spontanious. Keep up the good work! :D

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha - thank you! :) I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@bridgettebaker4112]

This is my life. So glad I found your videos. We moved into our home 6 months ago and still have stuff in boxes.

[@MessyMinimalist]

:) Welcome! It took us months to get through our boxes. It makes you question if you really need that extra stuff... ;-)

[@melissamcguire8980]

You are awesome! I am so glad i came across your channel. Since the trailer, I was stoked to watch your videos. I poured myself a glass of wine, and taking notes as I tackle my house tomorrow. I am feeling inspired. Thank you for being so real!

[@MessyMinimalist]

hehe, thanks! Glad I could inspire you! Good luck!

[@cjc9088]

I just found your channel and I'm so inspired! Thank you for sharing your journey...I am embarking on the same journey and I'm overwhelmed! You give me hope and so I will begin. Thanks. Cate

[@MessyMinimalist]

Good luck to you!! :)

[@jennamurphy9614]

This was helpful in an odd way. I've been hymming and hawing over blazers I own and when i saw what looked like one in your closet i thought "oh that's the kind of blazer I want!" So now it's really easy to donate the ones i have.

[@GlamourNNail]

I'm like you. Naturally messy and have a hard time organizing. I'm trying to organize various parts of my home and get things the way I wish they were. It's so hard to stick to it once you get something in order too! I feel like my biggest challenge is not getting lazy once I fix an area. I get something good and then forget to do the maintenance on it. Fortunately, it's usually easier to fix an area that I have previously worked on. I saw your laundry room video first and came back to watch in order since there aren't too many yet. ;) Good luck on your journey! I'm still on mine, probably always will be, but I can tell I've improved over time.

[@MessyMinimalist]

Hey there! No doubt you have improved, it's just sometimes hard to see our own improvements. I also struggle keeping areas clean once I've cleaned them once, but I have noticed that the less possessions I have in that area (or just in general), the easier it is to clean. That's why I'm determined to keep purging! Good luck :)

[@marissaadams6746]

After watching your first video and your latest house video...i feel totally Inspired. You're cleaning with me right now lol

[@Junbuggg33]

OMG, you rock! I was looking for some help on becoming a minimalist (as I also suffer with the same affliction as you & am trying to turn over a new leaf), I stumbled across your 6 month update video. I loved it & immediately subscribed to your channel. I am so looking forward to going through all your videos & continuing to follow your journey while I get started on my own.

[@courtnie924125]

these videos are great :) trying to give myself a push and with a toddler cleaning can be hectic. watching your videos are really helping me!!!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, oh gosh I hear ya!! Having a toddler seems to make everything a little harder... ;-) I swear mine makes a game of adding extra messes. hehe

[@courtnie924125]

for sure. you put one thing away they take out 8 more a haha

[@roseyhome]

Loved this!! I am just starting out on my minimalism journey too. I have too much stuff! I’m drowning in it! I have a humungous closet that needs sorting. That’s the next job. Wish me luck xx

[@CrankyBubushka]

Awesome! You are so inspiring to me and I love your videos!!! I am going to watch them all.

[@natalierodriguez4303]

Rachel, you are so cute! I love your openness and honesty, and can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@farahdyer-steel3877]

I'm going to look for some of those coathangers that you can put multiple items on, that'd be very useful for our wardrobe

[@MessyMinimalist]

They're awesome! I love mine

[@DonnaBrooks]

The deer antler was funny! Somehow we all end up with things and have no idea from whence they came or why they are where they are!

[@AndreaJKAPU]

Amazing job! I know that its a huge time commitment for a small part, but hopefully all the time and effort will quickly snowball into a huge amount of progress. Excited to see how it all goes. :)

[@ceciliefranciska899]

Binge watching again. Love this videos

[@breakmydreams]

Great job on your closet :) lol...I love all the odd stuff you found in your closet as well :P Thank you for the links to the closet hangers as well :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, thank you! I still giggle about the bizarre stuff from in there. And the hangers are awesome!

[@aevanoparaiso7429]

I need to start to do the same that you are doing... I liked your videos, very real and inspiring. :)

[@DonnaBrooks]

Just some info that may interest folks: I remember that the creator of the KonMari Method said she has people start with their books b/c they are usually the easiest things with which to part. Then on to clothes, then papers, and last of all, sentimental items. This made a lot of sense to me. I can't remember where electronic equipment fits into that sequence.

[@TheDessertPlease]

Just subscribed, loving your videos on decluttering - very genuine and nice to watch!

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you - I'm glad you're enjoying them. :) And thanks for subbing too!

[@cathy2142]

i love your videos! you are so bubbly and cute! i love all the odd surprises you found at the end!

[@jennifercahill7397]

I've been seriously decluttering since the start of this year as well thanks to the Marie Kondo book. Hope it is going well and definitely interested to see how you are doing. I come from a family of hoarders and live with a pack rat so I know how overwhelming it is. Trying to get these behaviors out of my system because I truly do better when things are clean and organized!

[@MessyMinimalist]

I hope it's been going well with you too! I've had ups and downs since I started, but mostly it's all good! One issue I'm starting to realize I have is just moving things around sometimes. Even If I intend to declutter, I often move an item and don't actually deal with it. I'm trying to get better!

[@jennifercahill7397]

Pretty good, though I have to work around messy ADHD hubby. I'm hoping it will eventually rub off on him but quick cleaning when I get home is helping a lot. Just re-decluttered my closet and have another big bag of clothes. I still have a lot but baby steps. It will take time to be more natural to do I think.

[@WholeFoodSpark]

The closet is definitely a good place to start!! You're so funny... can't believe there was a santa in your closet! 😂

[@MessyMinimalist]

hehe ;-)

[@Myrdreth]

Christmas decorations and an antler? :D We had a bunch of tech stuff in our closet. Motherboards, battery cables, keyboards...don't ask me why. Unique accessories instead of belts and scarves? :P

[@chaank1069]

I instantly subscribed. Pls make more vdos. Thank you. Would love kids toys decluttering vdo.

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@PeeweeM80]

New subscriber from Northern Ireland. You are hilarious and I love your accent. Happy tidying!! :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

Hey there! I didn't even know I had an accent, but you're not the first to say that! ;-) Thanks for stopping by!! (and for subbing!)

[@pattiecake11]

Can't wait to see all your videos!!

[@lorayejones4777]

We need to do this at our house. Thanks for showing me how. Today is a good day to start. Not only do we have junk drawers, but junk rooms more than one.(3) plus bedroom. Question how do I get husband involved? We are almost horders.😊

[@MessyMinimalist]

Hey there! I think there are a few ways to get your husband involved, but it depends on his level of 'mess'. Is he pretty messy too? Does he have trouble getting rid of items? I think the first step is to just bring it up and see if he wishes the house were cleaner. Before change can happen, I think everyone needs to agree there is a problem. But I'm no expert...! ;-) Good luck to you!!

[@jennyduncan5420]

Your Bernie shirt brought ME joy, as does mine---KEEPER!

[@MessyMinimalist]

Haha :-) I'm glad!

[@SimcredibleProduction]

Haha I love your thoughts on just "fine", it's so true we keep so many of just fine stuff. Does your cami shirt hanger stretch the straps? I have a whole drawer on camis that I would love to hang but don't like them to stretch.

[@MessyMinimalist]

It doesn't stretch the straps (not that I've realized anyway!) But I have them in rotation quite a bit so it doesn't seem like any of them are just sitting for months at a time. Also - for nicer tanks/camis - I use special hangers with velvet from amazon. amzn.to/2uji66F. They're relatively cheap and by far the BEST hangers I've ever owned.

[@Lyss589]

You are so freaking funny! Binge watching your videos!

[@kerrielynlilio]

Why did it take me so long to find you!!!!!??? Love your videos!

[@MessyMinimalist]

:) I'm glad you found me!

[@cathy2142]

0:54 so funny! love it!

[@bels5635]

Great video! You are such a funny and entertaining person!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying my videos! :)

[@katja6228]

Good job, Rachel. And greetings from Germany!

[@simplylou5124]

I actually went through my clothes last week, donated 11.2 lbs. Ya, I'm weird, I weighed the bag. Now I wish hubby would do the same!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

lol! That's awesome :) What did you use to weigh it, a bathroom scale? I need to get my hubby to do the same as well...! Half his clothes don't even fit..!

[@malmal8863]

To be honest, this channel makes me feel so much less like a freak. It's hard to resolve a problem when you're hiding from it

[@homelifetogether6781]

You look like Molly from The Bachelor, and you're just cute as punch 🙌🏼 Loving your Kon Mari series 🤗

[@Nicole-tc8lj]

Thank you for the captions, I appreciate the extra effort you went to :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

No problem! I still need to caption the rest of my videos, but it's something I've been trying to do. (I think I only have 3 captioned so far). Someone very close to me is hard of hearing, so I know first hand how helpful captions can be. :)

[@sylvamascotto717]

I would love to help you and your open honesty is REFRESHING

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you :)

[@rosia5860]

You're so funny and real, new sub 👍

[@MessyMinimalist]

;-) Thanks Rosi! ...And thanks for subbing! :)

[@TheMainDaniels6]

This was awesome one step at a time

[@malmal8863]

Feel the bern!

[@rosierose5735]

Well, if you can become an minimalist who is organised anyone can!😂seriously, this is brilliant, I'm am very neat but I have lots of friend who are not and I get stressed for them!😂 I don't do all the saying good bye to stuff, I'm just like have I used this recently? Yes/no and that's the answer. It's a process, the more you do the more you will want to get rid of things, your house is great, to have free space and to know where things are make life so much simpler. I'm loving watching you, you're funny! 👍🏻

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, thank you! Every week I feel like progress is being made -- and as you said, it feels great to simplify the spaces! Thanks for watching :)

[@sierraelizabeth3817]

“I don’t know if this has been in a baby butt, so I’m gonna throw it away.” Literally those exact same words passed my lips when I was doing my own decluttering. 😂🤣

[@Bellavanacoffee]

Feel the Bern!

[@simplylou5124]

I weighed myself alone, then weighed myself holding the bag. It just felt heavy and I'm curious! 😄

[@MessyMinimalist]

Love it! :) Good idea

[@cathy2142]

i wish you would have shown you go through ALL of it but in fast speed with fun music!

[@CallieRoseMartinsyde]

Well done! Starting with one closet is a great way to dip your toes into the paring down project. I'm looking forward to seeing more!

[@caroldorsett7859]

Thanks for the motivation 😄

[@blushedpinup]

OMG!!! The Disinitgrating Purse!! YAS!!! New sub here!! LOOOOOVE IT!!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha! Thanks for subscribing! :)

[@thaliamessmer6835]

you're so funny. I love watching!!

[@MessyMinimalist]

thank you!!

[@candyluna2929]

"how are you?- FINE-" that's a George Carlin moment

[@mariavolkhonskaya712]

Great job!

[@CarlaBaku]

You are adorable (I can say that 'cause you're the age of my kids...) and I'm looking forward to seeing where else your journey takes you.

[@heatherlycke]

I love your videos!

[@fridalove7010]

Best channel ever! :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you!! :)

[@MyFreshRose]

I see someone mentioned tjsways down below, loved her! I also love watching my great challenge and stilakiss33. They have their own take on decluttering with my great challenge always tackling home projects as well but they might be worth taking a peek. Also I love watching more of the decluttering process or a speed through of it. Just something to think about maybe trying in some videos :)

[@angiehal1670]

I’m not gonna have any clothes left after I go thru them ☹️

[@notmtvorbet]

you should watch clutterbug she has so many great tips for purging stuff

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check her out!

[@Lillbetlayne]

Not able to dig too far through comments, you mention going by zones, not categories-is this an intentional change from the book method?? I remember obsessively going theough the house for all scraps of clothing when I read that she asked people to toss whatever clothes they didn't find for their first joy-finding tidying session... :-)

[@MessyMinimalist]

You know what - it's not TOTALLY intentional, but I've been running with it. I've been called out on it a little, because you're right - the method says to be pretty strict about categories, not zones. The first time I went through my wardrobe a year ago I did the same where I went through my WHOLE house. This time, I started blending it into the 'rachel method'. ;-) Basically, I realize I don't have the discipline right now to trash my house and have piles of categories sitting about, so I'm first going through everything and giving it the "does it spark joy" test. I know it's not the right way, but I only have a few hours every couple days to work on this stuff, so it's the best I can do. :)

[@Lillbetlayne]

Messy Minimalist understandable. I've done both. But I do feel it's part of the reason it sticks. Did you finish all the categories once then?

[@grinning_owl]

Like you, I have a hard time dealing with piles of categories sitting around the house. Mainly, because I don't have enough room to accommodate such piles. I find it's easier to begin by throwing away items I consider to be obvious trash. Which is a judgment call that is not necessarily the same for everyone. My "tossing step goes like this: Every time I open a drawer or a cabinet, I look for anything I consider obvious trash, and especially if it's large and takes up valuable space. For example: In our laundry room, I found an empty box that once held a 9x12 Pyrex dish with a zippered insulated travel pouch. My original reason for keeping the box was to keep the dish and carrier dust-free and so that I could stack something else on top of it, since it was a pretty sturdy box. But, like you, I am terrible at returning things to their proper home, or I forget which spot I initially chose for that thing. Therefore, the Pyrex dish with its carrier ended up on a different shelf. The original box lay empty for years until I ran across it about a week ago. It was inside a storage cart that had 4 wire storage drawers. The cart sat next to our clothes dryer and had to be moved because our washing machine sprung a water leak and I needed to mop the floor beneath the cart. When I pulled out the drawer that contained the empty box, I had forgotten that years ago, I had "chosen" (hahaha) a new home for the Pyrex dish. So, when I realized the box was empty, I asked myself, "Why am I keeping this empty box?" So, I immediately went outside and threw it into our recycling bin. That box took up a lot of space, which now houses something that needed a home. I've been doing the "tossing method" for quite a while now and it's slowly paying off. If I encounter any item in a cardboard box or plastic store packaging, I remove the item and toss the space-gobbling box or packaging. In fact, I now make it a habit to do that as soon as I arrive home from shopping. When I finally get to the "purging step", I will have a lot less trash to deal with. In the meantime, the De-cluttering project doesn't seem as overwhelming. Sorry for the lengthy post. I don't know how to tell a short story. :)

[@susanfletcher3329]

You go girl

[@Lisa6812]

You are hilarious! LOVE YOUR VIDEO'S. New to your channel. Barbieri6 from IG xoxo

[@NinaMohr]

You are sooo coool! Thanks for this video! So charming! :-)

[@angiep7836]

Was that a Tigers hat?

[@ashleysears83]

My stuff wouldn't make it back into the closet... :/

[@ceehunka7344]

lol I have the other half of the antler horns

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, maybe they'll find each other again one day...!

[@carris3ringcircus390]

YAY!! you tickle the shit outta me. lol. "I'm Fine" :)

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha - glad you like my videos! ;-) xo!

[@aliciasteele7129]

saw the Bernie hat, hit SUBSCRIBE!

[@MessyMinimalist]

haha, thanks!!

[@petmomful2260]

I am going to make a big sign that says, "Does this bring me joy?" and hang it in my office so I see it everyday and am reminded to get rid of things!!!!

[@nuhazabreen8862]

Subscribed ! Your super funny !

[@MessyMinimalist]

Thank you! :)

[@DonnaBrooks]

I just want to ask people to PLEASE give away your items and don't throw perfectly good things into the landfill! Not only are there charities to which you can donate items, but here are some other ideas: 1) Have an exchange party. Have people bring clothes, toys, shoes, books, even photos of furnishings that they no longer want and work out exchanges. They don't even have to be one for one. You might have a lamp you want to get rid of that I need, and I may have a bookcase someone else wants, and they may have some clothes you want. So you get the clothes, I get the lamp, and the third person gets my bookcase. You could even have a party every month at different people's homes. This builds community, reduces consumption (you aren't buying MORE stuff to replace what you don't like), saves money, and is better for everyone, including the planet and people and animals you may never see who are harmed by our industrial processes that make "stuff". 2) Consignment stores are a way to make some money off your donations, esp. if you have vintage clothing or other unusual items. 3) Some churches run Free Stores in areas with high rates of poverty and homelessness. This allows people who can't even afford to shop at thrift stores to shop for free among your donated goods.