How I Stay Clutter-Free & Why I LET IT GO

Today I am sharing how I stay minimalist by letting go of things I don't need each month. I talk through the items and go over why it's important for me to let go.
How I stay minimalist letting more go: • How I Stay Minimalist ...
How I stay minimalist Before and after letting go: • How I Stay Minimalist ...
How I stay minimalist Let it go: • How I Stay Minimalist ...

[@micheleohmer4117]

This quote is spot on! "Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions" I find the more I make definitive decisions about my belongings the easier it gets to maintain our decluttered spaces. I don't keep just in case items because they are then in a category of unused clutter.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Michele, I love that quote! I hope you have a nice weekend.

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

So funny. This thought also just recently hit me as well. Clutter is pretty much just deferred decision making. Idk why I used to be so scared to make decisions like it was the boogie man or something. Lol. Seems so irrational to me now. 😅😅

[@susan5661]

I have become somewhat ruthless about purchases. If I get it home and find I don’t 100% love an item. I quickly return it without guilt or regret.

[@shannontorrens1]

This is such a great habit Susan. =)

[@simply.clutterfree]

Once you've decluttered enough that you're content with your simplified home - it's so important to maintain it with regular decluttering 🥰🥰🥰

[@shannontorrens1]

So true!

[@sallycroft2191]

The biggest way I can stop bringing things into my home is having minimal spending weeks or months. The lure of advertisements via gmail, mail, on vlogs are constant reminders to buy more "stuff" Also, having a saving goal of something I need is another reinforcement and reminder not to bring in "stuff" into my home. Some may call it mind games, but it truly does help me keep extra things out of my home.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Sally, I can relate to this on so many levels. As soon as I watch or consume any social media I immediately feel like I need a whole different wardrobe and need to do all kinds of projects on my home. When I stay away from the stores and instagram I don't feel I need anything lol.

[@eleanorbuck715]

Thanks to you and your mom, my daughter and I decluttered over 100 hard to part with items that are being donated this coming week! I've been decluttering for the past 30 years and am still not done yet....I'm trying to stay out of stores for a while. Remembering how much money we saved during the pandemic when we couldn't leave our homes! 💖

[@shannontorrens1]

That is awesome!

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Exactly...life is in a state of flux. Different items are used in different times of life. I have to say that when the maximum declutter is done, my eyes seem to catch on things that I thought I would never declutter, but as time went by, my attitude changed. Thanks Shannon!

[@shannontorrens1]

I have felt the same way. As time goes on it is so much easier to find things we are not using. I hope you have a great weekend.

[@Iquey]

"something about these books scare him" yooooo I thought I was the only one!!😂 I swear it's the art style for the animals' faces!!!

[@karenk380]

Lol, I had to pause and go reorganize in the bathroom because you inspired an idea in my head. 😁We're trying to be eco friendly and minimal. I have some very thin shirts that need to go but instead of tossing, they will be rags first, so I needed a place for them. we won't need paper towels for a very long time. It makes for some clutter in the vanity , but life is about balance. I gave the rags a place to live by reorganizing and decluttering. 👍 I enjoy listening. Even though I know what needs to be done, it is good to have someone reminding me and inspiring me to get to it. I think it is time to get rid of the toys, he is a grown up now.😮 Even if there were ever grandkids, if they come to visit we can play with the tupperware.😉

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Karen, yay for decluttering a space in the vanity! Yes kids LOVE tupperware, measuring spoons and pots and pans lol.

[@MsRuthie]

One time I asked my seven-year-old son to go through his toys and make a stack of toys that we could give away. After about an hour, his give-away pile consisted of two things: a tupperware lid, and half of a plastic easter egg. 😂

[@shannontorrens1]

Haha I love that!

[@quickflip7185]

🤣

[@deidrecampbell9454]

Thank you Shannon. I love your what I decluttered this month video and the way you explain your thinking behind letting go of each item. I find them inspiring and motivating.

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Deidre, I will be sure to keep making these videos. I appreciate you telling me they are helpful because that is my hope for them.

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

H & M will take old clothing in any condition and send it for recycling. I think they have a box in store where you can drop it off or you can give to the staff and they will give you a thank you voucher towards an in store purchase. I don’t shop there but I’ve gone in to drop clothing off that is in too poor a shape for a donation centre. I live only five minutes from a store so it’s convenient for me.

[@valerie718]

Yes and I here the store will give you a 10% coupon

[@ivanajukicgloban6627]

I think decluttering constantly is crucial...but with time it will be less and less stuff and it will consume less of your time.

[@sandihumeniuk4462]

I am the queen of returns! It’s an ongoing joke in our house that when the stores change their return policy, it’s likely because of me! Now, I am working on mastering, intentional buying! Very few returns… But very few purchases!

[@marybacker6743]

Your hair situation makes you relatable😊

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Mary, I was laughing as I was editing this video. By the end my hair looked like I had just rolled out of bed haha.

[@hollieford8890]

I love your hair. It's beautiful whether it's unruly or not.

[@carlabrown3274]

I agree with you that decluttering continues even if I work extremely hard not to bring in more stuff. Maybe the person who called it a "hamster wheel" was not responsible for small children and has a more static life in terms of possessions. But as a parent, I think it is part of life. Plus I prefer to declutter in waves so I can do it with less heartache and in some cases, I can find a better place to bring the item. We each have our own decluttering journey.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Carla, I agree with this. If I lived alone I would probably only have to declutter once a year. Having a family or even multiple people sharing a home causes more items to arrive out of nowhere.

[@rosemariealvarado9902]

Don't know why your video helped me to realize who I can ask if they want my deceased husband's clothes. It's been extremely hard to dispose of them. I wanted someone to have them who knew and loved him. It will be 2 years in April and I haven't regretted keeping them with me. They are very nice and nearly new because all his work clothes were donated after he had a massive stroke . Thank you for all your hard work to inspire and encourage us in our journey.

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

You can have the favorite shirts made into pillows. Perhaps you could donate his clothes to a college which lets guys have them for job interviews and first jobs?

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

Oh boy, do I understand the hair thing. LOL!!! I’m on spring break starting this afternoon, so my goal is to organize my garage. I’ll probably declutter quite a bit, as well. We moved in November to another rental that has a much bigger garage. I haven’t organized the garage since we moved in. It’s soooo time! :) I’ve been a minimalist for about 2 years, now, and I’ve loved it! Levi is just over a year, already?? Wow!! Hugs from Chino! :)

[@shannontorrens1]

I hope you have a fun Spring break! We are also going to be organizing the garage more. I did one video on a small section, but there is a lot more work to be done.

[@frazzledmomof4824]

Spring break for us this week. I deep cleaned my bedroom on Monday. My daughter got sick on Tuesday then me on Thursday. I found this video helpful. Can’t wait to organize and declutter a little bit every day once I’m feeling better. You were cracking me up with your hair.

[@lauriecampbell1378]

Thank you for talking about project clutter! I haven't found anyone else who has addressed that in their videos. My husband and I are currently working on our upstairs which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. We completely removed everything in that area in order to refinish the hardwood floors. Then we decided we should paint the walls and the trim while the rooms were empty. All this activity comes with materials and tools coming into our house. Also, we have rental properties which we have remodeled three of over the past five years. I like that you addressed returning items that you can't or didn't use from your projects, I think part of our clutter is from over-buying (to save us a trip to Home Depot later) and letting those extra things pile up.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Laurie, the clutter seems to multiply so quickly with projects and I know what you mean by getting materials you think you need and then there are all these extras. But nothing is more annoying than running out of something in the middle of the project. It's hard to find the perfect amount. =)

[@bonessam9618]

Once again, Shannon, I love these videos! I hate watching videos where they declutter things, but don't tell you why. I don't know why, but I love the thought process behind it. I absolutely agree to be more mindful as to what you bring into the home as it's just more stuff to get rid of down the road or just more stuff to clutter up your home. I don't have kids at home, but I know it's especially a revolving door with their stuff/clothes. They just grow so fast! Enjoy your day, and have a beautiful weekend!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you for being here and I am so happy this video was helpful. I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

[@jonareyes3221]

That is true,,,CLUTTER CREEPS IN !! I don’t know how but it’s true! Thanks for all the motivation Shannon ❤ your channel 😊

[@janeburke5272]

Here in UK, sometimes I chop up my children's old cotton clothes to use as dusters. My mum says she remembers her mum doing that during WW2!

[@porcelina956]

I keep my declutter pile/box on the porch as I live in Minnesota, and we don't really use it because it is either too hot or too cold. Things I am letting go of a comforter and shams set I haven't used since we got married and got a new comforter 10 years ago because it was a just in case. A lamp, worn out rags to recycle, a candle that gives me a headache.

[@rosywilson3076]

I wish I could like this twice! I really struggle with the ‘not bringing things in’ bit!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Rosy, I hope you have a great day!

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

I have learned to NOT but things that are not on my list. Even then, I may wait a few days. Went from thinking of shopping as a hobby or recreation or retail therapy to a once a month activity or a once a week curbside grocery pick up. Staying out of the stores has given me time and money to travel and enjoy my garden.

[@katiemcevoy]

Great video! I have realized after baby #4 that I do not need a lot of baby stuff. They grow out of it all so quick! Our first we had WAY too much!😆

[@lhydrenn8980]

You are such an inspiration!!! I always watch your videos over and over for motivation! Please continue inspiring us🙏🥰😘

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Homelifelearning]

I read the same article and thought the same as you. Especially when you have kids they grow out of toys, books and clothes. I'm no longer bringing 20bin bags to the charity shop at a time but like you things leave my home regularly.

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Angie, I am so happy to hear I am not the only one who thought that sounded so weird in the article. Like declutter once and never shop again LOL. I personally don't see that happening for our family, but like you mentioned I only have a handful of items each month and a lot of them are kid stuff since they go through things more often.

[@mollyflayer13]

the bottles was so real. i used to have 12 different bottles for my daughter. it just ended up making more dishes. now i have 3 10oz used for actual bottles, and 3 5oz used for sippy cups.

[@juliemix3373]

Shannon, this was very helpful in reminding me to be very vigilant as I'm going through my home every day as to what I no longer want or need. Thank you.

[@shannontorrens1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KatyInNH]

My husband hates to return things that don’t work - I am the return queen - I hate to “leave money on the table”! I

[@juliab628]

My husband doesn't like to do that either . So I'm more than happy to do it! And this is funny cause my family has even nicknamed me that name..."the return Queen."

[@KatyInNH]

@@juliab628 When I was in high school, my first work was as a grocery store clerk.. The things people would return was amazing - like 4 week old milk that wasn't bad but they said they couldn''t drink it all and the guy returnning a steak because he said he overcooked it, and on and on! I have no issues at all returning something that is defective or something that isn't what we thought it was after all. Most people just don't want the hassle, but I would rather have the money in the bank! Thanks for your story! Pinky sisters! 😀

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

I save ALL the receipts and most places are good about taking returns.

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

@@KatyInNHGreat story about returns from the other side!!!

[@alyssaamundson4265]

Love seeing your monthly declutters! I'm decluttering all the time to stay minimal. I'd love to see what amount of toys you have for your 1 year old son. I have a 16 month old and I've kept her toys fairly minimal with a couple larger items.

[@kellyatkinson8105]

Wonky Donkey is such a cute book, my grand babies love it 😊

[@paigeandrews5647]

Do you have "little library" by your local schools or parks? That way he could trade the scary books for something else! We love utilizing little libraries!

[@jennyjenkins877]

Haha your hair had a mind of its own today! I'm going to throw mine up in a ponytail and get to some spring cleaning.

[@anitajohnson782]

I agree with the returning things, sometimes you don't know for sure until it's insitu, especially home improvement things. I live in Australia and we have a big hardware chain store called Bunnings. My husband jokes with me that I buy things we don't need so I have an excuse to visit Bunnings again 😊

[@juliab628]

I mistakenly deleted my first comment so here I go again. I LOVED the (3) bottle story. I am certain you must be an inspiration to your close friends locally as well as everyone here! I cannot imagine having the mindset that we do now, back when our kids were that age...back then I kept everything thinking I would need it out of fear. I love being on this journey now of not overthinking the final place for where our unused and unneeded items go, keeping a continual mindset of letting things leave, and being mindful and intentional in what we shop for and bring in. It all just comes full-circle after being on this journey! The result=a peaceful home I cannot believe it has now been a full year plus a bit more since Levi was born?! Seems like yesterday

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Julia, Congratulations on the 100 items decluttered! That is the great thing about writing it down, you can see how much progress you are making. That is my goal too and peaceful home that works for us not the other way around. I hope the warmer weather is headed your way soon. This has felt like the longest winter ever lol. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

[@juliab628]

@@shannontorrens1 🤗☕️

[@janeburke5272]

My mum remember s so much less clutter when she was young due to strict clothing rationing from beginning of WW2 right through to 1950's. One bonus of that time, I suppose

[@sable747]

Hi! Thank you! I’m back on my decluttering journey. I found this helpful! 🤗 we also have a move pending! I really want to evolve into the type of person that doesn’t have to have a big move to get me the motivation to get the stuff out! 😅

[@cantocant2346]

Great video!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thanks!

[@tgayer1]

I’m not really tempted to purchase non-consumables anymore...except maybe craft supplies! Although, I went into Dollar Tree for one item last week, and came out with said item! 💪

[@sarahthatcher123]

I really appreciate these videos on the process of continuing to declutter items as I have already done several rounds of the the bigger more ‘dramatic’ declutters and I just don’t have nearly as much to declutter anymore. I still enjoy watching some big dramatic declutter videos but I don’t really relate to them as much. I really relate to these smaller more ‘maintenance’ type videos you provide. This is where your videos are so helpful and encouraging and help me to stay motivated and ‘on track’ with maintaining what I’ve already done. I’m finding this ‘maintenance’ decluttering really has its own set of ‘muscles’ ( mindsets) that need to keep being practiced/ worked so that it will continue to get easier to do and more ‘automatic’ so it becomes just a normal part of life. Just like things such as vacuuming or running the dishwasher.

[@sharonfox5643]

I subscribed a few days ago. I love your down to earth and common sense approach in decluttering. I retired in August of 2021. I've gone through my closet twice and purged a lot. It's gotten easier and I know I don't need half of what I still have. Thanks for all the tips and explaining the "whys". It makes it easier for us to follow. Love your Mom!!

[@amonralice]

Hey, Shannon. The hair doesn't want to let go. 😄 Great idea with the basket but, in my case, I try to let go of stuff I don't need immediately by getting them out of the house there and then.

[@darcyrobb3692]

Im the same . Here & there I do a pass through my home & anything needing decluttered must go that day or no later than the next day! Must go!🍁🇨🇦😉

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Alice, I should have mentioned that. In the past I have always put everything straight into the back of my car and dropped it off right away. I am saving it all so that way I can share everything in these videos. =) I hope you have a nice weekend.

[@amonralice]

@@shannontorrens1 You too. 🤗

[@amonralice]

@@darcyrobb3692 Yeah, exactly. And then there's that "rule" where you don't touch twice the things you declutter. 😉

[@susanstephens4892]

Thanks for the motivational pep talk!

[@rebeccarendle3706]

So true with your baby bottle example..some need more or less of something depending on the individuals lifestyle!. the key point is "how much do we actually NEED" .. which is always down to lifestyle.. Eg for clothes,..I calculated what % of time I wear what type of clothes eg sleep, casual, sport, smart or work.. then how often I wear them before washing eg underware x1, tops x1, trousers x3 etc.. and then include how often I do the laundry eg only on weekends because I work out of the house during the week, and I include vacations... so we need 14x pants, socks for a 2 to 3 week holiday with almost no washing while away. Everyone is different because we all have different lives.. so each person needs to "analyse their lifestyle" to determine what they "need"..and then you have an accurate number that will work for you!

[@samanthafischer1130]

If you let it sit a little bit before pouring you'll get more color separation

[@Bakerswife27]

The bottles made me laugh. We have three too. We were giving a bunch and the three we kept were all the same brand and I haven't really felt the need to keep more/buy more.

[@labradorite8256]

My son commando crawled. No matter how clean your floor is, you'll find out it's always dirty when they commando. I had a great need for bibs, long ones that dragged under him as he crawled and saved his clothes 🤣.

[@PHBRNTGGR2]

Definitely returns are a declutter! Costco is the best… they even take back used broken stuff from years ago. (Keurig sp?) Love your videos- you are my favourite declutterer! 🤣 I too am continually getting rid of stuff. I even took some stuff to donation today. When I came home, I immediately found more. 🤣

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you for being here! That is what I love about Costco. =)

[@ShoppingwithRina]

This is amazing

[@bohochic2459]

Hello Shannon! Look forward to watching your videos. 💜🪻💜

[@shannontorrens1]

Yay! Thank you!

[@pamelaflickinger2160]

Good afternoon, Shannon! I have been enjoying your contact for quite some time and I am a new subscriber today. Thank you for all you do very much appreciated.

[@pamelaflickinger2160]

Content

[@shannontorrens1]

Hi Pamela, thank you for being here and supporting my channel by subscribing =)

[@mishti06]

Ask at your local thrift shop about donating unwearable items. I know the ones near me (I'm not in the U.S) actually sell bags of 'rags'. So they might be able to use them. Also consider Craigslist etc. I do weaving..and likewise people and crafters might be able to use these worn out fabrics for projects. Less for landfill!!!

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Shannon, do you a have sentimentals box for your children? I had excess of scrapbooks, blankets, bks, baby rattles, etc. They are adults but do not want them, but they were hurt thinking I would get rid of them! Ugh!

[@shannontorrens1]

I have a folder for each of my boys where I am saving one or two paper things per year, like art or awards. Then I have made them each a baby book of their first year of life. As of right now I don't have a box of things and maybe that is because they are still young and using most of their kid stuff. I guess my idea is when they become adults we can go through the few things I have saved and either I will want it as a memory of them being little or they will want it to show their kids.

[@MS-sr6mj]

You can use old clothes to clean. I wipe down a sink or a toilet with them before I toss them. One last use! 😊

[@harrietlovejoy3424]

Can’t believe it’s already time to pass on baby items! Seems like I was just watching you get rid of your last child’s things , saying “if we have another baby” and now it’s that baby’s things that are going!

[@shannontorrens1]

Hello Harriet, time is flying by. I am trying not to get attached to these baby items and also trying to soak in every moment as it goes by. I hope you are having a great day.

[@dannyh9010]

Subscribed!

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

Lol. You were very kind. I’ll just say...why should I have to pay for crap products? Not my fault if the product sucks. (Esp the ones that make so many false promises...and where is the line with actual fraud I wonder?). 😅😅 Lol. But at any rate, I guess some folks might like giant spotlights. Ha ha. But I think it’s important to “vote” with our dollars when possible so these manufacturers will more likely up their product game. Sometimes they improve anyways but not always. Reminds me of a coffee pot that I bought a second one of later. It was good but they had made a tweak in the updated one that bumped it up to excellent. I didn’t complain about it but I’m sure someone did. 😅😅 Speaking of haircuts. Lol. I recently got desperate and accidentally used the scissors when I thought I was using thinnig shears on some parts of my hair...oops 😅😅 (my hair is a thick, wavy mop that can get really hard to manage. It can be like trying to tame a dragon lol). Long story shorter...went to a wonderful stylist and she fixed me up with a super cute and easy cut. Wound up being a kind of longer top layer thing with a shag at the bottom...a little shorter than I had planned for. I wonder how it is that it took me over 54 years to find the most perfect for me hairstyle. 😅😅 It was a real issue tho. Struggling to not clog drains. Matted tangles painful to brush out. Heavy on my head. A pain to clean up after. Hair all over the place. Instead of a style a blob. Crazy hair and frizz. Etc. No regrets. Wish I had done it sooner. Lol. My weak spot with bringing stuff in is pretty much just the thrill of the thrift store hunt. I don’t think it’ll ever stop being a “sport” for me, but I still can put way more limits on it. Seems like the urges aren’t as often anymore and I no longer bring in near as much. I’m not that way with other things but oh my thrift stores tho. Lol.

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

I can’t believe Levi is already one year old.😳 Where has the last year has gone?

[@jpardee7636]

You had better keep those windshield wipers be because in the future you may not be able to buy them at all.

[@susannovak8263]

I’m pretty sure windshield wipers are still being manufactured.

[@jpardee7636]

If they are made in China they could be in short supply.

[@lorietobler8051]

Wonky donky is good for teaching about special needs

[@MSKCCooke]

This is great! Thank you! I hate that a lot of things I need to get rid of end up in a landfill but it seems to be unavoidable sometimes. Wanted to ask how your Mom is doing on her journey. Is she keeping up with it, or like many (of us) slipping back into having too much stuff?

[@gbk1t]

Oh no ! I love wonky donkey 😂

[@margaret1336]

Stop justifying why you get rid of your stuff! We should really have to justify keeping stuff. You do you!❤❤

[@shannontorrens1]

I am not justifying it just explaining in case it can help someone else to see why I Declutter things 😊

[@laureygreider7617]

Goodwill takes threadbare wrecked clothing to sell for rags, keeps them out of landfill...

[@goulash64]

Just an FYI: you declutter a room or a drawer; you don't declutter an object like a pair of shoes. You get rid of shoes when you declutter your closet.

[@shannontorrens1]

I guess my definition is different 😊

[@hookedbydonean]

❤️🇨🇦🧶

[@karengoodchild7510]

Don’t declutter your hair !!! X

[@dianneperry2903]

The only thing that I disagree with is the bibs. When you say that I don't need them, I don't want them. We didn't need them in the first place. People gave them to you or gave them to your baby thinking you were going to use them. They spent their hard-earned money on you and your kid and it's like you're just throwing it away. That would hurt my feelings if you threw them away or just donated them. I think you would have to kind of watch how you show things that you were going to donate, especially if people gave them to you thinking that they were really going to get used as a gift. 😢🥴😂

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

If someone’s gift to me is something I can’t use or doesn’t fit my life...if it means that much to them, l’ll gladly give it back to them. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t agree that we always have to be beholden to keeping a gift. Perhaps they should’ve been more thoughtful about what they gave me in the first place? But even then I don’t take that so personally either. I don’t believe in holding people hostage with my gifts. When I give it away, I relinquish all control over it so after that, it’s totally up to them.

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

I have learned that when I give a gift to someone, it is theirs to do with whatever they want. If I have not gotten it right, I will gladly give them the receipt to get exactly what they would use.

[@shannontorrens1]

We used them but we didn’t need that many. Don’t worry they were all second hand to begin with. Someone gave me a lot of second hand baby stuff. I didn’t get any gifts and I didn’t have a baby shower 😊 so no one’s feelings will be hurt.

[@eunicem1542]

Your video should nlbe called: decluttering children's stuff

[@shannontorrens1]

You can watch one of my other 12 or so videos on this. It's what I declutter every month...

[@nancyelizabeth8364]

Seriously why be so rude so annoying

[@lennyburdick3192]

Returning stuff is a pain, but a good idea!

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

So worth it to get the money back!

[@eunicem1542]

You concentrate too much on children's things

[@shannontorrens1]

I share what I declutter every month. That is all I was decluttering, I don't make this stuff up it's my life.

[@susannovak8263]

eunice m - what a peculiar comment. When you have three children, you’re going to have a lot of children’s things to get rid of as they grow. Also, I’m not really sure you watched the whole video. Shannon got rid of a lot of things that belong to her and her husband.