How I Stay Clutter-Free After 5 Years LET IT GO!

This is how I stay minimalist after 5 years by continuing to let it go. I am going through everything I decluttered this month and explaining my why. My mom is joining us today to give an update on her decluttering journey.
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[@jennyjenkins877]

Shannon, I'm more like you when it comes to decluttering. I'm very logical about it and just want to get it gone once I've decided it needs to go. It's great that you're including your mom in some videos because she offers another perspective that people with sentimental attachments and the desire to find the right people to pass along the items can relate to.

[@bethbranson9050]

Shannon, The only thing I love more than your great videos, is your Mom and the humor between you two!!😂❤ Looking forward to your garage declutter!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Beth! I am happy you are here =)

[@Kate42]

I can relate to what your mom said about getting the items to the right people. It's hard sometimes but you're both doing really great, especially after five years. Good for you guys!

[@connieclark3562]

I am almost 70, no grandkids, and I thoroughly enjoy you declutterring kids’ stuff. Keep it up! And it’s so interesting how you are teaching the kids by example to let go of things. Start small, with toys, though I do realize that it is hard for them to do that.

[@RMFtheclumsy]

We had a box of fishing stuff (some even in original packaging) in our tool closet for.... almost 30 years, and none of us go fishing. In the Great 2020 Tool Closet Purging, which decluttered half of it, that box was somehow spared. After watching the whoooole Shannon & Mom playlist, (ladies, you're a great combo, it's like Lucy & Viv up on the roof) I finally decided to get rid of that box. Today I went to a Sunday flea market and just gave it to the guy, who sells old fishing stuff there, and said "If t's junk, just throw it out".

[@laurenpigott885]

I love watching you two! 1- It makes me miss my mom 2- Your two philosophies really highlight some generational difference in passing things on that remind me of what I have seen in my family Great video- looking forward to the garage video!

[@debbiehawkes7120]

I agree with mum. Things that are special , you should try to find someone who really wants them as they can be irreplaceable and there are people out there. I’m like her, I always try , if doesn’t go get rid of it as least you tried

[@razsbags]

Good for you. Keep at it! Thanks for the motivation! I love it when Cathy is on. Both of you could be actors on TV. I can see both of you in sitcoms - your Mum as in an I Love Lucy or The Golden Girls even though she is not that old. You are very good at explaining the reasons for decluttering for everyone. No other channel has decluttering for 65 year olds which I will be next month. I think I followed in my mother’s footsteps who was a shopaholic until she retired, except I changed to thrift shops & saying yes to people who wanted to donate things to me. Now I have two adopted pet chickens I bought cheap, but one laid an egg yesterday & they will be useful free ranging in the garden plus fun to watch & saved their lives. Better to collect plants & trees for the environment & edible than too many indoor things that need to be sorted & cleaned. Finding the right people to donate to is important if possible - like finding a good home for a stray animal.

[@colinkaak9874]

A hint for those Costco socks. Use them as cleaning rags, or stretch them over the bottom of your Swiffer broom instead of a swiffer pad. Great as a quick sweeper substitute. You can wash and reuse, saving money on those expensive pads.

[@katbunn957]

As an older person, I certainly understand how ur mom feels about getting things to the right ppl. My granddaughter does NOT understand and tends to get upset with me about my thoughts on it !! 😢

[@kathleenj1158]

Hi Shannon! I find that these monthly decluttering videos are really motivating me. It was so fun having your mom with you here on this one. ☺️❤🙋‍♀️

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Kathleen, I am so happy they are motivating =)

[@leslieaz8361]

I always love seeing your mother on your videos. She is so sweet and funny!

[@amonralice]

Five years, wow! Almost two here. 😊 And your mom is such a sport. ❤

[@catherinelain1370]

I am just like your mom. Love to find a home for my items first. I have always been a garage sale person so lots went that way as well. But thank you Shannon for giving us the “why” behind your decisions. You have motivated me to keep weeding out things. Also, I did what you did with my son when he was little. Periodically, he went through his toys and we donated them. My dad made him a Toy Box with his name on it and he only kept what would fit into it beside a few stuffed toys. Did the same thing as you with the books. Love your videos with you and your mom. You two always make me smile! ❤

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Catherine for sharing your story and what has worked for you =) I hope you are having a great weekend!

[@gailhenshaw9019]

What is the "why" behind your decisions? I missed that. Thanks

[@LilliaClariss]

Love when your mum is in the video. Many greetings from Germany

[@Julie-gz2lx]

I identify with your mom sooo much! Your journey is very motivating. ❤️

[@aliblue3605]

Love your mom’s input, so fun. Fun to see you both together.

[@samantha_budhu]

My parents are the same way as your Mom, they want to give the items to the right person. I’m like you, I just donate it! 💕

[@melodieschellenberg906]

It’s really fun to see how you’ve decluttered over time, and now seeing your mom decluttering is inspiring and fun! Kathy cracks me up!

[@kakylong2]

Shannon & Mom Cathy, Great video. We've been on a journey to minimalism & I've been talking about it to my Mom & she has slowly been going through things. It's so freeing getting rid of things.

[@shannontorrens1]

That is awesome!

[@eg7647]

I did not make my kids declutter and it was a HUGE mistake. I now have tons of stuff in my attic and in their childhood bedrooms and have to deal with it all now. It is better to pass things along while someone else can use it. Even toys degrade, discolor and breakdown over time. Teachers can use old watches to help children learn how to tell time. Teachers also go to library sales to buy discarded or donated books so the books are reused again and again.

[@kellyatkinson8105]

Inspired! I finished this episode and took 26 articles of my clothing out for donation!

[@ritadyer9295]

Now I’m working on decluttering books too. Mine and the kids! For now they are on our building.

[@carolynoquinn4573]

Your Mom is so pretty!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you =)

[@sallydansereau1270]

Decluttering is a good life skill that I am glad to have developed. Your videos and another few favourite KZbinrs have helped tremendously. Thank you ☮️

[@shannontorrens1]

I am so happy to hear that =)

[@Sunshine-fy4fz]

You both have a great mindset about letting things go, even if you have a slightly difference process. I understand the thought process about wanting to make things available to someone who would want and appreciate certain items, yet you need to give yourself a deadline; otherwise you will become the "warehouse for unsold goods" - which is the opposite of decluttering. Love your relationship - makes me miss my mom (she passed when I was a young mom) while at the same time bringing back treasured memories of spending time together.

[@elainemurphy2873]

You and your Mum are so inspirational! Thank you

[@Toni-747]

Hi Shannon and hi to your mom! Love it when she joins you❤ You two make a great team😅

[@OrganizedWithJoy]

Hi Shannon! I love seeing what people are decluttering! I'm sharing a similar video tomorrow! I will never understand why people think they should express their concern about what we are choosing to declutter! Always love seeing your mom join you, and really enjoyed hearing about some of her decluttering journey! Thanks for sharing!💗

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Joy, thank you for being here! I hope you are having a nice weekend =)

[@lucystrider728]

You two are so funny and helpful! Also you both have gorgeous hair! I am getting better at not worrying as much about whether I could sell something because generally the money is just not worth the hassle or the delay in decluttering. I sometimes look up on line if I think it might be really valuable, but usually for every $300 item somebody else is selling it for $10, unless it is new in package and collecter special thing about it, which is almost never the case. Much rather have the space and organization in my house. The donated items potential worth I realized are much less than I would pay someone to come and do this for me, and it hurries this overwhelming process along so nicely to just give it away! It also puts some nice items where someone who needs them can get them. I also save money now by being very picky about getting anything else to go in my house. Lesson learned!

[@chris_perea]

Your warning at 3:00 made me laugh so much Shannon😂😂😂I love checking in with you ladies. Have a great week🤗🤗🤗

[@shannontorrens1]

Haha, thank you for being here =)

[@bonessam9618]

What an awesome surprise to see you load on a Sunday. Happy dance. 😊 Hi, mom, Kathy. Hi Shannon. I hear you about keeping/wearing something that is worn out/got your use out of. I have to giggle as I'm wearing a shirt right now that needs to go, but gosh darn, it's so comfy! I promise that instead of washing it, I will throw it out. It has a few small holes, and the seam to the arm just ripped. Oh, and it has bleach stains from me cleaning the bathroom with bleach that I rubbed up on. Lol. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I'll be looking forward to the garage clean out.

[@islandgirl21131]

Yes I totally get your mom and actually feel happy when someone wants my decluttered items.

[@HerCupOfSIMPLE]

Morning ladies!! Always good to start the day with you and your mom!😄🤗💝

[@shannontorrens1]

Good Morning! I hope you are having a good weekend ❤😍

[@tgayer1]

Your mom’s office before photo reminded me of my dad...except multiply the stuff times five or ten, he had a huge desk, two tall bookcases, and a wardrobe, but he always had a card table set up for additional workspace! Wish I knew about minimalism before my parents passed away. My dad had a hard time parting with things, so when they died, we auctioned off the house and contents so we wouldn’t have to sort through and get rid of everything ourselves.

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

If I can let things go to people who will really appreciate them it is so much easier for me. I’ve sold quite a lot on Kijiji (Canada’s version of Craig’s List). The buyer gets a great deal, it’s picked up from my home and I get a little money for it. During Covid I would list on a Buy Nothing Group for my city. I would leave items at my front door at a prearranged time and it would be picked up by someone who was so appreciative. It worked out so well and I didn’t have to have contact with anyone.🥰

[@michelleneuman579]

These are my favorite. It just helps to think through the why!

[@sharonshmuel3386]

Always great to see you & Mom together ❤ loved this & looking forward to garage declutter. Have a great week ahead ❤

[@wandrousvindella716]

My hubby has a wind suit ! It's now on the Airstream. Great advice to direct items to the right place. Animal shelters, homeless, ReStore, Salvation Army, women's shelters. Love watching you two together~

[@DebbieLinville]

Y’all are doing great ! I am looking forward to seeing your decluttered garage !

[@sallydansereau1270]

Just decluttered my supposedly decluttered closet and got a whole box of donations ready to go.

[@juliedavidson5596]

I am so looking forward to the garage video. Thank you for sharing ladies. Love your videos.

[@NLY1WAY4U]

This getting it to the right people was a super help for my daughter and some of her many questionable donation items. Taking items to a donation center that supports a good charity is key to me.

[@laurabotts4064]

Love seeing you two together. Decluttering as you go I would imagine - makes it easier to part with unneeded stuff and it's much easier gradually rather then starting when you're at "the bottom of the pile." Just maintaining sounds great ! I totally understand how it works but I still haven't decluttered my home. I know what a lot of the things are that need to go and I have a picture in my mind of the final outcome. I'm determined I WILL get it done ! ! I want my home to feel like a safe, relaxing space. I enjoy your videos and tips and look forward to more coming out.

[@lateonaname]

The ratfink is awesome 😊 I don’t know how you have your paper things listed but include “ephemera” and “junk journaling” in the description - thats where it’s going to help to get them into the right hands

[@lakequeen64]

Hi Shannon,my Son loves your hair style,we just enjoy watching you and your mom ,what fun you have together ♥️❤️Thanks for sharing your video.Please say hi to your mom from my son and I.Have a great week 🤗

[@shannontorrens1]

Oh thank you so much Terry, that is very sweet. I will make sure to say hi to my mom from you. Sometimes she reads the comments as well ❤ I hope you had a nice weekend.

[@kristina4944]

Have you ever heard of someone having the opposite mindset? I’ll be ready to get rid of something, but if I find out it’s off value to someone else I begin to see the value in it myself and keep it. I hate that my mind works that way! 😖

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Kristina, yes! Actually I have met a lot of people with that mindset which makes it harder to let go =)

[@lindaroyal8161]

Yeah the garage declutter, it will be a fun one!

[@leahtreck1083]

Aloha, can totally relate. I love you both. Thank you💕.

[@sheila3205]

My Daughter loved going to the Library.

[@simply.clutterfree]

Yes!!!!! Hi Kathy!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@arielgudzyuk9866]

Shannon we need a hair tutorial 😍 I am in love with your hair cut and the way you styled it!!

[@christined2495]

I understand your mom , when I donate I drive out of the way to a cute little thrift store where the proceeds go to women who have been abused, and need to start a new life I have a goodwill closer but I can’t imagine my things on the shelves of goodwill for some reason…

[@francinehogsett3065]

I love watching you and your mom….you 2 are so cute 😊❤️

[@Tubewomen]

Hi you two together are great to watch ❤❤

[@MarySmith-zn5dz]

Hi mom! Great to see you.

[@LibbyWithnall]

I think one of the hardest lessons is to let go of bad purchases.

[@laurie2715]

This is a really helpful video , thank you Shannon ! I feel the same as your mom , I really prefer to get certain items to people I know will use them eBay sounds like a great option this way , I would love a video from yourself or mom on how to sell on eBay . I feel like your mom would explain it so well ! 👏😕🌿

[@micheleohmer4117]

It is always neat to see what you have decluttered. I went through my pj"s after you mentioned the stretched out pajama top. I would rather keep only 3 nicer ones rather than a dozen old stretched out ones. We can take clothes to our recycling center if they are 50% or more cotton, they turn them into rags. I also appreciate the why because we often rationalize keeping things we no longer need or use.

[@maddie1519]

OMGI wish I would anew about those Disney buttons I totally would have bought them

[@greatauntlizbethg9137]

I forget where I heard it, but keep a few (or in your case one each) toys in the 'outgrown' category for when they are sick, fretful and not up to their current development level of activity

[@mrsgreen888]

What a beautiful lady your mom is!

[@jwoo222]

Yay, Kathy!

[@samantharowley125]

I've gotten into the habit of always having a donation bag near the front door. Seems lately, I've been making donation trips every 1-2 weeks. Whittling away these items one by one.

[@authenticallyamber99]

Regular decluttering is definitely the key! I do that too! Time to schedule another Salvation Army home pick up! Thanks for sharing! I’m the same way as Cathy when it’s a valuable item… you want reassurance that someone will cherish your treasure. 😎

[@katbunn957]

I didn't know Salvation Army did home pick ups any more !! 😮

[@katbunn957]

Just found ur channel, subscribed--love ur content and personalities 😊

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Kat for being here and subscribing that means a lot =)

[@Iinfiniteknowing]

wow you ladies are looking fabulous 🌺

[@juliemix3373]

Shannon and Mom, this was fun. I love when you talk about each item. Nice see both you smiling faces. Cheers

[@tanyajohnston8262]

I wish I was closer but I’m in Ontario, I love making junk journals and those Mickey Mouse items, buttons, clips, whatever would be great. If your mom has not gotten rid of them yet, she old add “great for junk journaling” an someone might buy.

[@jennifersosebee8761]

So true. My mom has socks like that and they are awful.

[@jennifersosebee8761]

Also I love your videos with your mom!

[@nacole93]

Your mom is the best. So funny

[@MsButterflyJan1976]

Don’t throw the socks away. Take the socks back to Costco and get your money back even if you wore them. They will refund you if dissatisfied.

[@shannontorrens1]

I was wondering about this. Thank you!

[@lorisiccia5914]

guys from American pickers would love vintage car / racing passes and any americana items....maybe even the cufflinks

[@kellyatkinson8105]

My next step will be to donate all the party gowns I’ve not worn in 15 years and then the extra comforters.

[@carolann811]

Your mom is one of a kind. Also love your content :) But it's extra special with grandma included.

[@mysticalgoddesstarot]

I got rid of 99 percent of the books years ago

[@rebeccarendle3706]

Fun vlog. But if the boys want the cuddly toys to "go the grandmas house" you should at least check with them again before you get rid of them all, otherwise they may be upset if they get to grandmas house and only 1 cuddly toy is there. You can say grandma can't have it all so the others are going to be donated for other kids to love.

[@arlineswardson6012]

Ha ha. I love those Costco socks! I just turn them inside out and then back.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Arline, I made it through a whole season doing that but then recently they started to get so balled up even that stopped working lol.

[@arlineswardson6012]

@@shannontorrens1 Well if mine start doing that, then they’re getting tossed out, too!

[@shannontorrens1]

I hope yours last! =)

[@nolasavedmysoul]

Homeless shelters are always in need of socks 😊 unless they have holes in them of course. Love the videos with your mom!

[@shannontorrens1]

These are really unwearable. That is the only reason I am getting rid of them. I was actually thinking of taking them back to Costco and telling them the situation, but it's not about getting my money back it's the fact that these are really not wearable. =(

[@juliab628]

​@Shannon Torrens That makes perfect sense. But, you are braver than I am because I take everything back to Costco that ends up unsuitable. I just want every $$ back for things that don't work out, lol Have you noticed that there is a greater percentage these days of poorly made items?

[@shannontorrens1]

Yes Julia! It drives me nuts, lately everything falls apart in a matter of months. My mom got me some kitchen towels for Christmas and within a month all the seams were falling apart. Everything is like that lately too.

[@juliab628]

@Shannon Torrens That's terrible :( Yes, I think about back in the old days, when they would do laundry on one of those scrubbing rack things by hand... Today's linens would never hold up on that! Of course back then, they probably used those good flour sack towels and they were even repurposed from flour and such and still...probably held up for a long time!

[@katbunn957]

​@@shannontorrens1 When enough ppl take things back, it gives Costco feed back to their buyers !! 😊

[@mondfalkin3781]

💞

[@MR-rw3vc]

😊

[@marathonmom7963]

Good video 😅

[@adrianaricalde2905]

If your mom appears in the video, I will watch it for sure

[@donnagrifford7142]

Yippee 👏👏👏🥳

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Donna! Thank you for being here =)

[@juliab628]

Kathy....lol..lol..lol...""I'll take that home to my house....OKAY, I'll take that to my house too...." This would exactly be my mom's reaction. I wonder if a Grandma has a soft ( softer spot ) for her grandbabies? ((Smiles)) And Levi, so cute...on the run to catch up with older brothers already..No rest for the weary! P S. I truly don't care where ( any) item goes...even if I probably should🤭 GO US!!!

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Julia, I had to laugh when she said she would take some of the items LOL. This is why most of the time I don't tell anyone what I am decluttering (or at least I didn't before making these videos). Levi is going everywhere now! It's hard to keep up. I hope you are having a good weekend. =)

[@juliab628]

@@shannontorrens1 😊😊😊😊😊😊TY! You, too!

[@nancybonarowski5427]

Shannon, I love the color of the wainscoting behind you in this video. Could you tell me the brand and the color?

[@shannontorrens1]

Provence Blue by Behr paint =) It is kinda a muted blue/green color.

[@lindatawera8013]

Time will tell Kathy if you questioning about whether or not maternity pants 👖 should go 😉😄

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Linda, that is our family joke. As soon as I declutter all the baby stuff that is when the next one will come lol.

[@cjw8817]

Do you just throw old worn out clothes in the trash? That's what I have a problem with. Putting stuff in the landfills.

[@shawnaford5540]

Depending where you live there may not be textile recycling. Everything ends up in the trash eventually.

[@cjw8817]

@@shawnaford5540 I never heard of textile recycling. I'll look into it. Ty

[@shawnaford5540]

@@cjw8817 There is a one charity on my community ( they have a bin) that accepts torn sheets, shoes, purses, belts. I know I had a stack of years of ripped sheets until I found the “right place”.

[@katbunn957]

When my old clothes get holes, I wear them just around home and outside for yard work. One day years ago, I wore a really holey shirt outside in my front yard and my neighbor offered to buy me a new shirt ! 😂

[@cjw8817]

@Kat Bunn thank you but that doesn't really help me.

[@altheapereira2374]

If you are decluterring every month that means every time you declutter you get more things so that way you have something or the other to declutter every month. Your decluttering exercise is a waste then.

[@diannefitzgerald5569]

Not necessarily. It is like peeling an onion, one layer at a time!

[@rosywilson3076]

Shannon doesn’t say she brings things in to replace what is being decluttered! Just that things always creep in, especially with growing children, so she has to keep moving things out 😊

[@shannontorrens1]

As you can see most of the items are actually kid stuff (that was the joke). And to tell you the truth I was going to have a what we buy in a month and every time I go to make that part of the video I can't because we literally barely ever buy anything. I saw a video But First Coffee made about all her Amazon purchases and I thought oh maybe I can make that video so I went to my Amazon history and I bought 9 things in a whole year. So yeah I am not bringing much in. If you watch this series you will see that. =)

[@lb9549]

Shannon I love your videos! Everyone buys things. It's part of life. But instead of buying AND keeping old, it's an evolving process for those of us insisting on living with less. Shannon motivates us to immediately get rid of what she doesn't need.

[@marathonmom7963]

Gradma don’t bring nothing home donate now Look let that stuf go because you be cleaning and trading stuffs Sell it and make money donate to the animals shelter so they can help the shelter there are a lot of shelter that need new bed or cagey and food and water

[@AR-td7cn]

If your constantly letting go of stuff, you must be constantly shopping. I don't shop for clothes unless an item is beyond repair. I hate shopping.

[@shannontorrens1]

No, as you can see with everything I am decluttering its all stuff I have had a really long time or it doesn't work anymore. Like maternity pants? An old PJs top that I had over 10 years. Also kid stuff. Honestly even if I never shopped again I would still have stuff to declutter every month because my kids grow out of stuff and life is always evolving. We are almost never shopping which is how I am able to save so much money =)

[@libSta_OBX]

You two inspire me so much. I look forward to your videos! Hugs and love from afar (OBX)😊❤

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Libby!