I Decluttered 30 Years of Stuff...Here's What Happened.

[@AtoZenLife]

Please give this video a like 👍 and find out more about Clutter GPS here: atozenlife.com/clutter-gps

[@tehilash7292]

The church of minimalism😉

[@cherylhartl3749]

This is the one of the best videos I’ve seen about why clutter happens, how to approach it and the benefits that you can experience after you declutter your home. You have a way of speaking about the subject without being “preachy”, I guess that’s the best way I can explain it. You are so genuine and realistic in the way you present yourself, it’s like listening to my best friend telling me now decluttering worked for her. You’ve made decluttering sound achievable and easy to do, not so complicated that I keep putting it off. I also, love the term “Realistic Minimalism”, I want to be minimalistic, but I also enjoy having clothes and kitchen things……

[@charisli3542]

I’m a consumer researcher. We did a research of declutterers and heard everyone saying it had changed their lives. It’s now being published. I wish I had interviewed you too!

[@nicoleh3703]

I usually buy something to commemorate a special day for me every year, but since I've started decluttering like crazy, I decided to just treat myself to an ice cream today. I realize I just don't need more stuff in my house! Plus, it's catching on in my household!

[@cleopatrablackwell3414]

Coming from a background of being adopted twice during childhood and being surrounded by toxic families. I realized at 27 half of my belongings were gifts from people who had hurt or abandoned me . When i declutter all these things that carried so much pain i felt freedom . Those people couldnt hurt me anymore because i had permanently severed the physical ties.

[@terrilloyd3691]

I understand the need to get rid of things from toxic people. Good for you. Keep the things that give you good energy! You will feel better. I’ve done the same in my house. Feels great! Also, less to deal with and my house is so easy to clean. ❤

[@autorinmitkatze]

It feels so good to let go of things from toxic people. When I broke up with my first boyfriend and ended a toxic relationship, I gave away all the things he had given me, from plush doggie to jewelry, and it felt so relieving.

[@SusanMurphy-xn5hl]

❤

[@innocentshorti]

incredible read - thanks for sharing your story!

[@giuliannaborges9]

❤❤❤

[@jenniemurphy1242]

I’m 74 years old and have a husband with dementia. I’ve been interested in the simplifying lifestyle for may years. And it’s been especially helpful now more than ever to keep a calm and stress less environment. You videos Marisa help keep me motivated to clear the clutter(mentally, physically and emotionally) and focus on the simple pleasures of life.

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you and happy to be helpful, Jennie ❤️

[@lawrup]

Thank got cluttering didnt kill you

[@lawrup]

​@@AtoZenLifehey im 21 and going to waste 7 years and got no girlfriend and my body away till it rots i dont care if im look frail the only thing that Matter is the fate of humanity

[@JoshC-End-Abortion-Fear-God]

Praying for your situation

[@alissabird3506]

Girl, you are a survivor !

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you! That’s why I’m so passionate about this 🙏

[@mindyindy4628]

Totally agree about the Brave Little Toaster car junkyard scene.... One of the scariest and most disturbing things I saw as a kid, but for some reason I kept watching it.

[@dstarkus3693]

What I appreciate most about this video is how transparent and real you are about being sentimental over things that have come to you from other people and the related trauma responses. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and how you moved through it. I can really relate to this part of your work. I'm also realizing how much of the clutter in our home is aspirational -- for the project I want to do, kids activities (both things they already like or I want them to explore) and keeping things for the larger house we're saving for.

[@AtoZenLife]

So much clutter is aspirational and collected with the best of intentions. Wishing you the best on your journey 🙏

[@patriciaheraty7380]

Aspirational clutter is the stuff that sweet dreams and nightmares are made of: hence, you can decide whether the aspiration-object is something your future self will use (an inspiration to move forward) or whether the aspiration-object is a remnant of past expections (imposed by other's values & expectations, society, social media & advertising, etc.). Decluttering the physical is the visible (end-of-the-process) part. REAL decluttering has to happen in the heart & mind as well as in the physical world. (Sometimes one happens before the other, sometimes both happen at the same time.) The more filled your heart and mind are, the greater the load you carry. It's OK to unburden yourself! In fact, you owe it to yourself to unburden yourself. It's the only way to feel the strength you have actually been using to carry the load. Reclaim your strength! Make the strength available to yourself and deserving people, activities, etc. Feel the freedom and lightness you deserve.

[@JoshC-End-Abortion-Fear-God]

Cool video

[@SusanMcBrayer]

Glad to hear other people cry when going through the sentimental items from our parents and other ancestors. It's hard, but I keep reminding myself, "This item is not the person." I have my memories without the actual item to remind me of them.

[@MyFocusVaries]

And the item is not their love for you or your love for them. ❤️

[@clairedaines508]

You can also take pictures of the item. Matt Haig of Hoarders recommends this, along with writing down the item's history, makes a wonderful heirloom to pass on to your descendants.

[@lleocttx2326]

Ohhh, I so agree! It was very hard for me, too. Until I declared to all of them out loud, “I have an expiration date, too, I will find homes for you as best I can, but none of us can be here for ever”. Utterly illogical and ridiculous, but it worked for me.

[@cocomuhly]

“People can just decide to sell their stuff?” Isn’t it amazing and horrible how the way we were raised stays in us so strongly that we sometimes can’t see outside of it? We try to break the cycle but so many things can run deep.

[@greatful1512]

❤️

[@freespirit3891]

Very deep. Especially at my age of 75. My parents and grandparents were during the great depression. My dad the youngest born in 1928. Nothing was thrown out. If it couldn't be fixed, it would be saved for possibly fixing something else. Clothes for fixing others or quilts. Dad was a carpenter so I got to 'straighten nails'. Our NOT TO get rid of things is very ingrained. May all those who need help along the way be able to find your site and be inspired along the way. ❤

[@aliceb1348]

@@freespirit3891 I hear you!!! My dad, born 1905, used to have me remove nails from boards to save for future use-95% of which were never used. He would have me patch his pants and darn socks, even when he could afford new clothes. I didn’t mind though, and at 68 try not to waste anything. Still, I only want to save sentimental things.

[@CindDJo]

You are right on girl. I can't think of a children's show that didn't have some sort of traumatizing lose.

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

I think, Decluttering is like trying to get fit - so hard in the beginning, but getting easier every time, then becoming easy and in the end, its your new normal, especially, when your view on stuff changes and you dont let any surplus enter your home. It truly becomes easy if you just keep on doing it!

[@Miss_Annlaug]

Trauma often leads to hoarding. It's very hard. I have a family member who had very heavy loss and unsafety trauma, and they became a full hoarder ❤❤❤❤❤ i hope you all can find healing! All of you❤

[@peghendel1088]

What a great ending of 2023, looking forward to 2024. I'm well on the path to decluttering but find is like an onion, always another layer to process! My adult children are pleased that we are dealing with stuff from 53 years of marriage so they don't have to! My friends are shocked at what I have let go of (things from grandparents) but I did it with love, and still have the memories. These are things that only mean something to me, not useful or necessarily pretty. thank you!

[@AtoZenLife]

Love this so much, thank you for sharing! 🙌

[@MissDaisy559]

I lost my mother to cancer at 14, (1974)and my father to cancer at 26, (1986). I was one of seven but the oldest daughter. I had a sister one year younger and five brothers. I am blessed to have all the siblings going through this with me. Were you an only child? If so, it’s amazing knowing what you went through all this and now, thanks to KZbin, you can tell your story. You are such an inspiration to many. Thank you!

[@AtoZenLife]

I have a younger sister! I’ve mentioned her here and there - she was a mortician and then a hospice nurse. I think it’s amazing we both help people who struggled like us in different ways. ❤️🙏

[@Jane_Moss]

@@AtoZenLifelove your videos so much. They have been adding a layer of support and direction for me at a hard time. I’m responding here because I always thought about going to mortuary school and I thought it’s super interesting the you mentioned this about your sister!

[@muircaileag3]

@@AtoZenLifethat’s a deep insight, and is what makes your channel so emotionally accessible. It can’t be easy but the work you do is more important than you can imagine. Losing a mother can be insurmountable for a young girl, but you’ve come out the other side and that is such an inspiration for others. I kept my mother’s get well cards for 40 years before I could look at them again and say goodbye. She died of ALS when I was 32 and had 3 very young children. My divorce soon followed because I realized she had been my biggest supporter, not my ex. It was a traumatic time and the rug was pulled out from under me as I grieved. What you bring to this work is the wisdom that comes from surviving loss. The irony is that your need for connection pushed you to create something that offers comfort and meaningful connection for others. I have been following your channel for several months but for some reason this post sums it all up: reset. Thanks once more!❤

[@lindabourcet1349]

Happy birthday! Decluttering has changed my life as well. I am finally tackling my sentimental items and hobby supplies. I am glad I did all the rest of my house first as it is easier than I imagined. It turns out most of my sentimental stuff wasn’t that sentimental after all. I thought of what would happen to it after I died and what I wanted to leave behind. As for my hobby (quilting), it was surprisingly easy to let things go once I found out HOW. I couldn’t give things away to strangers but I could give them to fellow quilters. I made up prizes and put together raffle items for our guild Christmas party and for 2 quilt retreats and for the group I make charity quilts with. Seeing the joy on their faces as they won my stuff gave me joy. If it is hard to let go of precious or useful things,find a way to make gifts. I used baskets and bags and made the stuff look attractive. The joy of decluttering was combined with the joy of playing Santa. Definitely a win-win.

[@AtoZenLife]

What a fantastic journey, I loved how you figured out solutions that fit well with you and your priorities! Selling and giving in Buy Nothing groups was extremely healing and helpful for me as well. Cheers to you!

[@patchulli89]

That sounds great! I have a lot of hobby supplies too and got completely stuck in the decluttering process, because that part is so difficult, so I decided to do other areas first...

[@patchulli89]

Our local Kindergarden luckily takes a lot of these things and the kids create stunning stuff with wool, fabric and other material. What is important there is not the created product, but the process. Having a lot of different material is great for the kids and the teachers... Just dropping this off for other people with too much hobby-supplies😅

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

Stopping worrying g about stuff clears so much time and mental capacity.I remember having a spine surgery several years ago and did not want to get help afterwards because of my unorganized home. Only closest friends were allowed. It was not even thaaat bad. But it was also very hard to keep on top of things with limited mobility, energy and a lot of pain.Having my 5th this year while not having any surplus stuff. My apartment is organized even on the worst days bc there is simply not enough stuff for it to get messy. If I return needing a mobility aid, there will be plenty of space to move around. If I need help, people can find stuff easily. Cleaning only takes a few minutes. When my father died, i just took a staple of his fabric handkerchiefs - because he always had a clean, ironed one handy. They are totally my Dad and dont take any space, but spark a lot of memories. It really, really is a deep relief for me and keeping it up for over 10 years now.

[@dustyflats3832]

I have my dad’s hat-it is totally a Pop memory. Mom it was her scarves.

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

oh thats nice. Its strange to, to me, these handkerchiefs represent the personality of my dad.@@dustyflats3832

[@margaret1336]

Yes I call Dad’s handkerchiefs my inheritance!❤❤

[@jcheema313]

Yes. Decluttering. Some days, disabilities paralysis kicks in, i can't. However, i keep trying and pushing... 😮😊

[@Zuzia-l5b]

Oh, this is the sadest, most heartbreaking video I have ever seen... I grew up in horder home, went through many difficult and tragic loses, I know how it feels. I became minimalist even before I knew that word existed. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@miriammcconnell6465]

You were totally speaking directly to me. I have had so much loss (people), and hanging onto things as if to keep control and to hold onto anything. Random tokens of family that have passed won't bring them back, nor do they contain that person. Having permission to let things go is HUGE since many of us were raise not to waste anything. But when everything has value, nothing does. I am on a minimalist journey and your content means so much!!!

[@britalves3655]

oh man I felt so free when I donated my instant pot too! I was so happy to hear you say this! I felt the exact same way.

[@AtoZenLife]

Bravo 👏

[@creatorschild8247]

This is exactly me! Im sooooo overwhelmed, stressed & depressed from my clutter. Even though it’s killing me…. The overwhelming anxiety of getting rid of it stresses me out…. Even though I know deep inside…… I may feel stressed getting rid of it at the moment….. in a short while after I do….. I feel such relief & freedom. Im going to try real hard next week to start getting rid of hordes of stuff….. as I realize the stress of living with it is far worse…. As it’s every second of every day. Please pray for me to be strong & determined 🙏🏼

[@paulabroadway1697]

Nailed it! Growing up with a schizophrenic hoarder parent, it can be almost impossible to know what "normal" really is. We knew something wasn't right, but children can't label it much less fix it, even as the influence lingers into adulthood. Fast forward many years, and I found FlyLady. Her methods allowed me to crack the shell on how to part with stuff. Your videos have been so helpful in picking up the next chapter of decluttering and getting to the bottom of issues... as well as the back of the closets! 😁 Thank you!

[@beans4853]

Interesting. My mother coped with her stress by going on a garbage spree, just dumping everything in sight. Made me want to keep everything! Thankfully, I managed to move back to MO of a middle ground and hope to be a better example to my children. I help them declutter constantly and explain the why and how of the benefits to having less and letting go of what you can't manage. I talk to myself at the same!

[@dustyflats3832]

😂😂my MIL was sooo addicted to garage sales that my FIL used his hard of hearing to ignore her gestures as they flew by garage sale signs. He said we will have to deal with the mess when they are gone and the whole huge walk up garage was so full-I don’t know how we did it.

[@marycochrane9921]

Hands down, this is by far one of THE BEST videos on decluttering, and I watch them all! You get to the heart of why we hang onto too much stuff! You are inspiring. Thank you for sharing your past and how you are overcoming.❤

[@alyssamillionaro]

In my childhood/youth environmental issues were a great topic. My father wanted to produce almost no trash, we tried to recycle everything and to re-use stuff (clothes for rags, icecream boxes to be useful boxes later on etc). It took me a while to find out that it is ok to throw away things, because I always wanted to find a new usage for an item.

[@chey8721]

Oh, I can relate. My late Mom never bought my sisters and I clothes to wear at home, loungewear as we call it now. We wore our old clothes and old school uniforms (skirts in this case). And yeah we used our old clothes as rags.

[@MyFocusVaries]

Thank you for sharing your story again. You've come through so much. When my friend died of cancer, it made me think, why are we burdening today's life with "just in case" items that we store for tomorrow's life? We don't need to stock up.

[@cherylperkins7538]

Some things YES we do. Pay attention to the news, the stock market is due for a correction. Many will be caught without enough food and supplies. I sailed through the pandemic and was in want of nothing. But it means organizing a lot. Stay watchful

[@doyourememberanna]

I totally relate to the movies traumatizing me 😭 I still struggle with humanizing objects.

[@nancyrawson132]

I have to add the story of "The Little Match Girl" and "A Dog of Flanders" to your list of stories and movies that deeply affected me - and scared me - as a child growing up in a toxic family. I was always an outsider in my own family - and I held on to things because I could not process my grief of never feeling as though I was wanted. I put my emotional energy into things because, as a child and later as an adult, I mistakenly believed that "things" couldn't hurt me!

[@staceg2003]

One big problem I have with decluttering is anger. I feel like decisions are left to me - we acquire stuff, and I have to manage it. If I get rid of something that we haven't used in 5 years, suddenly it's in demand, and it's my fault for getting rid of it. But I'm being a pain in the neck if I ask people to make decisions on their stuff. It's not a good feeling. I feel defeated before I start. My daughter left a bedroom full of stuff when she moved out, and she moved two states away, so I guess it's up to me to sort her old clothes and books and everything else? Maybe anger is the wrong word. Frustration. That being said, I have been slowly chipping away at the stuff that is personally mine, and I have absolute zero guilt now about getting rid of my unused stuff.

[@Smithpolly]

I think "anger" is probably the right word.

[@edennis8578]

No, I get it. You're angry because you're being used and treated like an unpaid servant. My first marriage was like that. I left before I strangled him. One woman he dated after the divorce actually complained to me about what a slob he is! No kidding, lady!

[@beckiejani7782]

My tough-@$$ mother would say, you have two months (or whatever time) to get this stuff out of MY house or it's our the door!

[@JS-ns8dr]

I feel the same way

[@TheBeautifulUniverse]

Your daughter’s stuff goes straight into the bin/donate. She didn’t need it when she moved out, she won’t need it now. Boom. Done. Wash your hands of this anger. It’s not yours to carry.

[@dayday8332]

4 years ago I listened to 11 people in the space of a year and a much loved pet. I freaked out and moved to my mother’s for 4 months just to be close to her! Mind you I am married with a child. I enrolled my son in school at my mom’s and helped my husband move us towards family. Grief does crazy things to people. Thank God my husband is a great person and understood and was willing to change with me. I got interested in minimalism shortly after as things no longer had as much a place of importance to me.

[@j.m.7056]

Melissa, this is a powerful video! Your personal story told with love is lifesaving for not only you but for anyone who views it! Thank you so much. ❤❤❤

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks so much for watching and take care ☺️

[@jocelynfullmer2472]

Marissa ❤

[@Ahhposition]

This is so spot on! As a 68 yo, I get so sentimental over stuff from my dead family members, even though I had such a happy childhood & I didn’t lose my parents until they were in their 90’s. But I always feel so much better after decluttering.

[@Ualalalalalala]

I feel this, in our culture is very common to inherit dishwear sets, old ones, carpets, blankets, paintings etc. Basicly anything and everything, so my grandmother got her mothers things, then her sisters, and when my grandparents die, all their stuff came into our house, however we also had donated things from family, friends etc. Growing up poor, when we got a house it was an avalanche of stuff, and my mother would keep everything, because being poor you cant exacly afford buying it, so it was always usefull to have backups just in case, the problem with these backups, is that at some point it accumulates too much " trash ", recently ive been helping my mother declutter tons and tons of books, basicly same origin, from family, friends etc, problem is theres a lot of nonsense books, books she would never read in a life, but she still keeps it just in case it will ever be needed....this constant state of survival and keeping things we think might help us at some point, suddently applies to everything, i always understood the blankets, clothes, etc, but the never ending dishwear, etc Ive started a few months ago, slowly minimizing my things, my personal things, also because i intent to move out eventually, and will probably only be able to have 1 or 2 baggs with me on the road. But just trying to get rid of 6 giant piles of books has been incredibly stressfull and drainig... but seing my personal room slowly becoming emptier feels like a weight is being lifted off.

[@Itallnew]

I have always sort of the opposite issue. I have always been of a minimalist mindset, even before I knew what it was called….even as a child my room was very minimal as I am super sensitive to visual clutter and can easily feel completely overwhelmed . But after some pretty traumatic events over the years, I just don’t get attached to much at all…I see everything as junk that will end up in a landfill someday. I also don’t want to burden my children with all my stuff when I’m gone…been there done that with other family members and it’s SOOOO incredibly overwhelming and emotionally draining. I feel like nothing truly matters anymore other than our relationships with our family and my faith. EVERYTHING, even people are only temporary, and we are here for just a brief moment… we came here with only ourselves and we will leave the same. It’s only the lessons we have learned and the love and experiences we have had that matter.

[@MyFocusVaries]

I relate to your perspective. I did a major purge during COVID after my friend died of cancer. Storing things "just in case" seemed so pointless after seeing her die suddenly at a relatively young age. Burdening our today with things for an imagined tomorrow is pointless (because even if we live a long life, we don't need to stock up for it).

[@sunshine3914]

I feel the same. My father always said that he “came into this world with nothing, & would leave with nothing”. He was a minimalist who had done alright for himself, purchased a large piece of land to grow on & acquired some large pieces of equipment… of which I could actually use right now. But after his death, 18 years ago, I blocked everything completely out for over 5 years & have no idea where anything went, even the life insurance. I don’t feel any connection to anything I own, yet I don’t have the energy to get rid of any of it.

[@larajohnson8656]

Your story is amazing. You seem like an example of “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.” So brave of you to live your life. Keep going. And I suppose this is true for all of us, isn’t it?

[@brianandalyssagilliam1013]

I’ve seen a handful of your videos over the past year or so, but honestly didn’t like the style of video and would click off within a few minutes….. however the authentic and meaningful video you posted today had me captivated from start to finish! Job well done and I will keep watching! 👏

[@christyp4264]

I think what also motivated me is when you see the homes of billionaires they are very minimal and these are people that can buy what they want. Minimalism is truly a luxury

[@lisagagnon6712]

Omg I’m so glad you are healing . We all have stories and thanks for sharing . That is a lot of trauma. God Bless you

[@saraperkins8072]

Thank you for all you do. I hope your Christmas was amazing. Today I decided to raid my time will tell bin and anything that had been in there a month or more, got put into a bag for donation. I feel free because since I started decluttering in February and finished in October, my house feels... Comfortable. Everything has a purpose. I look at or use everything in my home now and it feels good. I want to spend time here at home. I could not have done this without decluttering and finding the things that work for me and make me truly happy.

[@AtoZenLife]

Our Christmas was great, hope yours was too! Sounds like you’ve made amazing progress, well done 🤗

[@dean4125]

alcohol is evil. my brother just died from it on May 20. he was only 39. he left behind 3 kids. I still cant believe he is gone. there is not a day go by that I dont think about him. and wish there was something I can do to help him. we tried over the years. but his alcohol addiction got the best of him. looking at alcohol just sickens me now

[@AtoZenLife]

I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙏

[@djb1164]

Taking photos of sentimental items makes it WAY easier to let them go.

[@puppypoet]

I am torn between gratitude that someone else understands the pain of losing too many people in a short amount of time, and heartache that you experienced that because it has really left traumatic scars on my heart.

[@AtoZenLife]

❤️‍🩹

[@jackieblue6116]

This was a gift to me at the perfect moment on the perfect day. I took this week off to start decluttering and I’m paralyzed so watching KZbin. And your video popped up. 🙏🏼 Thank you.

[@AtoZenLife]

Cheering you on! 📣

[@jannekh2]

Cheering you on your journey. When I started, I would take a drawer out and sort it on my lap while watch KZbin. Best of both worlds.

[@jcheema313]

Yes. Decluttering. Some days, disabilities paralysis kicks in, i can't. However, i keep trying and pushing... 😮😊😅

[@jackieblue6116]

@@jannekh2 Great idea 😊

[@ardethellis8930]

I love that you got rid of your slow cooker and the instant pot and kept the rice cooker. I kept my InstantPot and got rid of the slow cooker, yogurt maker, and rice cooker. Having a plant-based diet I cook a lot of beans and a wide variety of grains. I really appreciate that you often stress that minimalism looks different for everyone.

[@kaettananunyabiz903]

I totally identify with this. You lose people, their things become a link to them,even with pets. I inherited the majority of things i have from a beloved grandmother and my shopaholic-hoarder mother. It took me some years of serious introspection and grief processing to realize i didn't have to feel guilt over getting rid of things, just remember the love and laughter. As for the blackout? I lost a year at least, it's autopilot. We are human,we do it. Kudos to you for coming through it so well. Happy birthday,and thank you!🎉

[@Leah-bs8mr]

Thanks for this video, decluttering is therapeutic. A few years ago I gave to goodwill my designer high heels collection, most of which were barely worn if at all. One day I decided that wasn't who I was anymore and although I still liked many of the heels I wanted to let go. After that good experience I just started like you said to be more intentional with my purchases and if they bring me enough joy to add to my home. It really has made me a better person and made me a more generous person as well.

[@GenerationJonesi]

This is similar to a trauma response shared by many hoarders. They're trying to hang on to people, which translates to hanging on to stuff. Purging clutter is definitely a positive move, but I hope you got/get some grief counselling. No one deserves to have to carry that weight around by themselves. Sending you good wishes!

[@rangerlove7]

Thank you for this video. I’m your age but grew up with depression era parents who kept everything, especially my mom. She’s now going through her stuff so I don’t have to when she’s gone, but she calls me every few days asking about if I want this or that thing and I tell her every time the only things I want are the tea cups my grandmothers left me and likely that’s it. Though I do appreciate the ask. And on my side, I learned the art of holding onto all the things “just in case” from her and I’m still trying to unlearn it. So stories like yours are very helpful to people like me who are still trying to get to the point of freedom. ❤

[@dustyflats3832]

Yes, hang on to things ‘just in case’. Both our families were not rich and parents were before or right after depression era. We have both lost our parents now. Dreadful several years right in a row and we need to release what’s weighing us down. lol, you never seen so much stuff as my in-laws had 😂😂 and FIL even joked that it would be our mess to deal with someday-Ugh! It was a lot. Also all the fearful people acting like they are preparing for Armageddon on KZbin puts you in the mindset of hoarding. I’m not to the point where I need food freeze dried packed in Mylar bags that will last 20 years😅, if things get that bad we will probably be gone anyways. I need to unload stuff.

[@ellenradford8582]

We are moving to a smaller house and I am trying to declutter and downsize. I need all the help i.can get!

[@Lemur92]

Very touching video! I am a big fan of owning less. I decluttered a lot. But now, with a baby at home, I get so many gifts and piles of stuff come back to my house. Great reminder to make it a priority to get rid of things again. In my friend- and familybubble nobody understands that. Every piece of furniture at my parents house and the house of my parents in law is stuffed. I get the feeling of not being able to breathe correctly when I see all this stuff 🙈

[@dustyflats3832]

Ugh, I know and we had to sort through all of it when they all passed one after another. I miss them all. It was painful times. What I wanted to say is I’m going to speak with my SILs as they like to give gifts at Christmas-nothing extravagant, but stuff and tell them we very much appreciate the gesture and then hint for future gifts to be consumable as food for us, the chickens or the garden. 😂😂I got more Books!😂😂

[@jennifermarie8707]

I understand! I find it's easier to get rid of extraneous stuff as soon as it comes in rather than to wait even a few days

[@beenajacob4020]

This week gave away a huge Turkey & accompaniments from a posh restaurant and an elite cake which came home as corporate gifts.. i especially love "decluttering" food stuff.

[@richheruk]

I'm looking forward to doing this after Christmas - my husband received a hamper from work full of food we won't eat. I get really anxious when there's too much food in the house.

[@haileyreign]

Over the past few months, I've realized that I have a problem with gifts. I end up keeping gifted items because giving it away will make me ungrateful, not because I actually want it. Happened a lot during childhood. I now realize it was an attempt to give me a better childhood than what my family had. I wasn't attached to "stuff" back then & I'm still not. Anytime I said I didn't need or want something, they became upset. I internalized it & just accepted what I was given to make them happy.

[@dustyflats3832]

lol, every Christmas is the same. My SILs give my husband and I small gifts and used books, games. I so carted the bag of books out the door and the games will follow. Just hope they don’t ask questions. What I need to do is let them know how much we appreciate the gestures, but to give us only items we can consume as I Really have no room.

[@JamieM470]

A gift that comes with a price----"You must keep this forever, cherish it, store it, display it, maintain it, or I will be CRUSHED and think you are a horrible person!" is not really a gift. That's a huge price to attach to a "gift". It feels like a form of control and power over my life, dictating to me what I should feel, how I should decorate my home, how much inventory I should be forced to store and maintain in my own home. It builds hurt and resentment along with the overwhelm of too much stuff...in addition to a feeling of panic and dread when they visit! This is no way to treat someone you love! A true gift is something that is thoughtfully chosen and freely given to demonstrate love and appreciation. The GIVING of it is the gift; not the eternal display and storage of an item. I struggle with a good response when someone complains about a "gift" they gave me and they don't see it displayed in my home. "Oh, I didn't realize it came with a hefty eternal price tag!" sounds kind of snippy lol. Maybe Marissa would have a good way to reply to folks like that. If anyone does, I'd sure appreciate it :)

[@chelliebean5773]

I can't believe that I am hearing this. Hearing you describe your situation is like hearing my own voice and feelings. Because this happened to me, it was so bad that I hated getting phone calls because it was bad news. When I lost my grandmother, who raised me but was my rock and my best friend. For a year I felt like a walking shell of a person, I was no longer alive, like you said putting on a mask and then at the end of the day just empty, not sleeping. Then it was back to back deep losses, then my Dad getting terminally sick and being a caregiver throughout his 8 year ordeal. My life of being organized to a fault fell into one of disorder that i am still fighting my way to decluttering. Retail therapy and eating was my treatment. I am currently fight my way back to not only being healthy mentally and physically, but getting rid of the clutter. Between prayer, good family and friends, and seeing these videos helps so much.

[@AtoZenLife]

Sending hugs your way and wishing you the best on your healing journey! 🙏

[@sailorssmallfarm1867]

This is such a powerful testimony. Thanks for sharing it. Lol - The island of misfit/lost toys in Rudolph - for sure. And my adult daughter told me Velveteen Rabbit was the reason she still has a giant box with about 100 stuffies in it - they might be alive. She is 28 and knows they're not, but you know....

[@eloquentlyemma]

My main source of guilt came from the fact that none of my childhood possessions ever meant very much to me. It was traumatic at the time but it made decluttering in later life very easy. I now consider myself to be an intentionalist rather than a minimalist and value the limited number of possessions I have.

[@patriciaheraty7380]

I'm a "mindfulist", that way my aspirations and intentions only come into my home when my mind and to-do list are ready to work on them ;-)

[@freespirit3891]

I liked his solution of the square peg in a round hole 😂. I have just recently found your channel. Been married 54 years (full of ours and our kids stuff) and inherited a heck of a lot of stuff when we bought my 2 sister's share of our father's house. With your tips, I have set aside 15 minutes in am and pm to take a small bite out of it. I've been working on the laundry/missing clothes room and think I just about have it covered. Been at it for a month, but your encouragement really helps. It's hard going thru your own stuff and having parents stuff on top of it. This has made me realize we don't want our kids to have to do the same thing. ❤ & 💋's Thank you so very much, eventually I'll be that freespirit.

[@AtoZenLife]

Right? That baby was so smart 😂. Glad to have you here and cheering for you on your decluttering journey!

[@azylisemiku6117]

Damn... Sometimes the algorithm does things right. ^^' Thank you so much for sharing... This explains so much. I havent finished the video yet. But I am slowly getting over losing my family, losing loved ones, losing the life I thought I could have. And I started decluttering a week ago. Thank you. I feel so much less alone thanks to this.

[@Isabella-yh8ls]

Thank you for sharing so openly. You are an amazing inspiration.❤️

[@I.A20]

Thank you for your bravery in opening up and sharing. Happy 2024.

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks for watching and let’s have an amazing 2024 🙌

[@anniekegler796]

Man does this video speak to me. Thank you for being so transparent. There are so many days that I feel like I'm drownding. This gives me hope and the permission to let go.

[@TiffanyClarkChannel]

You are the right person the universe put in front of me when I needed it most.

[@AtoZenLife]

❤️🙏

[@carbenyos]

I follow you and enjoy your content. I'm 90% clutter-free( meaning I use almost everything I have, very few just-in-case items) but I'm still listening to you- and not letting clutter into my spaces. Also, no more aspirational clutter- at most one small easy project at a time. So sorry you never got to play with the beautiful Barbie dolls! I've heard the same from other vloggers. You're amazing!

[@notmyrealname6272]

That person you mentioned, that message finding you at the right time-well that was you, just now. ❤ Thank you -and happy birthday!

[@AtoZenLife]

Glad the message found you and take care ! 🙏

[@marthavanderpool6829]

This is a masterpiece. Brava. And thank you.

[@AtoZenLife]

🙏❤️

[@michellehamric6856]

A belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy Birthday! It's so wonderful to see how you were able to take all the bad things that happened to you at a young age and were able to turn it all around for the good. CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done!

[@CatherineValentineAuthorPoet]

Brave Little Toaster! I don't even remember it that well, but every time I see an image of it it fills me with dread. I don't even understand why.

[@franklin5083k]

Hands down BEST declutter motivating video ever. Your authenticity makes you genuine and relatable. Thank you. I needed this. ❤

[@peoplehavesameminds]

I hope that everything you experience in your life would just be good things from now on

[@whitechocolate072]

When I found your videos I decided to start decluttering, I have to say I became overwhelmed. I decided to start small as you suggested, I started with the bathroom cabinet (no emotion). I take one subject and I decluttered. Last weekend, I finished shredding my paper it took me over 2 weeks a little bit per day to do everything. I filled 3 bin bag. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it did wake up something in me I started to feel lonely/depressed/anxious. I spoke about that feeling with my spy. She said I have to change the way I feel from feeling lonely to making space for people to come into my life. I realized that feeling when I understood that my clutter was filling up the emptiness of my life. My psy give me tools to help me; I'm on sick leave for the past 3 weeks due to anxiety and depression. I'm getting better and your videos contribute to help me getting better and making me understand how to continue decluttering and that I'm not alone. I read the comments and I can see how many persons are in the same situation I am. Thank you, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! 🎉

[@stephb1221]

Phew, Marie Kondo… when I first read the book, I was appalled and threw it on the shelf lol. Picked it up again after my divorce and it still took time for me to accept and attempt but finally began going through things. It’s been a couple years but the effort has snowballed, bags and boxes have been flowing out of my house. The immense pressure of all those things and the value I’d assigned to them (and somehow burdened those things with the same trauma keeping me from parting with them… yikes, psychology), it has been such a relief once letting go that I’m continually purging items every week. It isn’t the answer for everyone, I’m sure, but for me it’s been such a huge relief, ultimately because I’ve been severing ties to negative experiences in the past and walking more freely and easily into the future.

[@seven_of_nine79]

Thank you for the great summary of your decluttering story! Your message and advice has helped me a lot over the last couple of months. Although I can not call myself a minimalist yet, and I don’t know if I would ever be one, still, the letting go of unnecessary stuff and trying to change my bad habits, has really improved my everyday life. I just take it slow, one step at a time, and am excited to see where my journey will lead me. So far, my goal has been to simplify my little family’s life, and although it’s not perfect (that’s an unattainable measurement anyway), everyday life has been getting much easier. Thank you so much for that! 💐 Wishing you also all the best for your birthday 🍀🍀🍀 Regards from Germany 🇩🇪

[@__berichh5375]

Thank you for talking about this. When I had deaths in my family I had to take on all this stuff. I can really relate to just laying in bed if not working. Thank you. This happens quite often

[@mhtammi]

So many of us go through dark times and struggle through on our own. The more we talk about it the more we can help each other. Let’s normalize being honest about how we are doing.

[@wanderlustchicklmtlori]

My favorite AtoZ video yet! Thank you for this! 🥰

[@PraveenSrJ01]

Mine too 😊

[@fatimanayani888]

I'm so grateful this video came on my feed. Definitely not to the same scale as your loss, but I did lose my dad to cancer when I was 21 and was a full time college student. All I could do was work, or sleep, and nothing without a mask. My parents had me later in life, so my dad was 71 at the time. I'm 25 now, and my mom is turning 70 in a few months, and despite the blessing of her good health (knock on wood) the knowledge that my childhood home, born and raised, will be my responsibility doesnt leave me for a day. What to keep, what to go, how to cope....it's comforting seeing someone who has experienced such loss at about the same age I was. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@AtoZenLife]

I’m sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your story with me. I think stories like ours are much more common than people realize, and we shouldn’t have to feel so alone. 🫶

[@annsalty5615]

Interesting observation on movies! Our place has clutter areas but not the whole house. Places where we stuffed and saved things we stopped using. Now taking me the past several months to carefully go thru things and make those hard decisions. It is not easy but SO worth it! Am thankful though we did not inherit 'stuff'. I have seen people do that and just squeeze it into small spaces, causing hoarding and hygiene issues because they could not clean around it. The mice move in. The dust mites. The mildew.

[@dustyflats3832]

I don’t have mice and bugs, but I do have inherited stuff. Our folks went one every year, it was awful times. I can’t look at pictures and can’t throw them out so I think I will have them scanned and give originals to nieces. We live in the smallest home we ever owned and no basement or garage and don’t see a move or addition in this economy and taxes. I have come to the truth of the matter that things I have been keeping were either because it was owned by our loved ones or I was waiting to move. Tomorrow I will begin with blinders on.

[@annsalty5615]

@@dustyflats3832 Scanning or taking digital photos of old pictures is what I did too! And I threw out a bezillion photos of people not in my current or past life, like cousins. It took time to sort thru all of it but really made a big difference. Good luck! And I would also suggest taking pictures of the stuff you inherited and then donating. Make space to live. Another idea, I inherited all my mother's inexpensive jewelry and old but nice sweaters. I took all the jewelry and buttons off the sweaters, put in a crystal jar. Its like an art piece on the shelf and also gives me warm memories of her, instead of hidden in a box. I may do something similar with an old set of silverware that is too much trouble to sell, not worth it, but might make an art piece out of it. I keep it out of obligation.....and I do not know why. Nobody cares.

[@SusanBame]

Your comments about loss and the children's stories -- so true. We're conditioned to think that we just can't part with things. (I'm one who, with three siblings working full time for two weeks, four times in a year, had to clean out our parents' house and barns before the property could be sold. Our mom literally kept everything. Some of the stuff we were getting rid of had been there for 100 years or more.) We've also been conditioned to believe conflict is bad. I've got a master's degree in conflict resolution and can see the great benefits and growth potentials in doing conflict in a good way. There must be a story here, a transformative story, a loss-is-good story to tell here. Hmm...I'll have to ponder on that one. Thanks for the inspiration. "Loss" and grieving the loss has been a huge theme in my life.

[@zeitgeist888]

Always amazing to hear your story and how much heartbreak at such young age you had to endure. Happy Birthday.

[@jbridges9574]

Truly! I hope when you look back on it now that you see how much internal strength you have.

[@elisasuarez9314]

As someone who was born and still lives in a small south American country such as Uruguay, and someone who always liked american and european minimalism (which for us down here is just normal life because we can´t afford to have 20 T-shirts or 10 jeans), I was shocked by your story two years ago when I first saw one of your videos! I would love to read a book of it 💕

[@kims914]

I’m a little late in watching this video. Hope this Happy Birthday reaches you! Thank you for all the help and tips!!!!

[@KristiBranstetter]

I always liked to hang on to things. But, after my mom passed away in December 2009, I felt a need to try to hang on to as many things as I could. It was a difficult time. Finally, in February 2021, it was time to start letting go. I feel so much better about letting go these days even after being laid off from my job this year.

[@leander27va]

I love every single video of yours but this has been the most special to me and is at the right time. And you probably just saved my life with it too. I have just recently lost the closest person in my life, my best friend, my dad and I just realised that although in my own home I'm a minimalist and do a good job keeping it that way, in my parents' home I just cannot let go of even the most trivial item if it reminds me of dad and or it was an important part of his own life as I feel I lose him completely. Having watched your video I realised the danger of this and will think it over and over again whether an item should be kept or not. Thank you so much again for sharing all this.

[@aliceb1348]

Good luck with your efforts!

[@belindaresor.78]

Thank you for this beautiful introspection, that many people can identify with.

[@indiabilly]

Thank you for your honesty, I know it takes bravery to be open about these things, It has taken years for me to understand the influence and trauma that makes over shopping a default for me, I have ADHD so I have to be constantly aware and resisting or the bad habits come back instantly . It’s tiring, I don’t have a big sentimental attachment issue, I seem to need 1 spare of essential items- I think because I am forgetful due to ADHD so I get anxiety if I am down to the last dish soap etc, but it becomes more of an issue when it comes to hobby supplies so if I do some sewing I’ll replace everything with something else so the pile of fabric and threads gets bigger not smaller….

[@sarahk802]

My heart goes out to you, and it breaks hearing what you have been through. It sounds like you have experienced symptoms of trauma or PTSD. Sadly, I can relate to your loss and pain. I feel that minimalism protects me from dangerous attachments that could easily trigger the disappointments and broken dreams of my past. When I was 19 I found a book by the Dalai Lama at the library and later took refuge in Buddhism, which has saved my life multiple times. Renunciation from worldly obsessions and delusions is critical to gain true happiness and lasting freedom from suffering. I send you so much love and wishes for healing and peace!

[@daisyjones5062]

Thanks!

[@AtoZenLife]

Wow, thanks so much for the kind support Daisy ☺️🙏

[@linda__christine2100]

Wow! You are so amazing. I recently found your channel. You have come so far in your life, from what you have explained. I’m so happy for all you’ve done. I want to be minimalist because living with too much is taxing on the mind, soul, and emotions, and probably even health.

[@sheilaabrahams1322]

Thanks!

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks so much for your generosity and support 🙏❤️

[@LisaHerzchen]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey!

[@mariarooney6262]

This is such an exciting video to watch. Thank you for sharing this. I can relate totally. I never connected the movies or shows we grew up with and how that affected us. And yes, Marie Kondo changed my life in decluttering. I loved it, how revolutionary. I will always use her method. The emotional attachment to things is gone just asking myself “do I Love it”. That’s all I need to ask myself still after all these years. You surely get it. I even recently thought that I want to read her book again. Again, thank you. I hope this helps so many people who are sincerely looking for change in this area. ❤️

[@jandkhilbert]

You are so right about Toy Story, Toaster movie and theres also Suzie the little Blue Coup cartoon and then the childrens book The Little House I do cherish memories of the past but when i talk my memories they are negative! Yes stories and emotions with this stuff and dreams of projects never started or finished toting around with me for 25 years! Love your sharing! ❤ I've got to declutter this year, for my peace of mind and to respect my husbands hard work of providing a home, not a storage unit God bless 🙌

[@PatrickKniesler]

Thank you. This video helps me rationalize the degree of clutter we have. Its more than we need, but there are so few things we're attached to.

[@TRex-os1uy]

Thank you for sharing so much. It was raw, it was real. I appreciate you and what you're doing here.

[@shannonflood255]

So kind of you to share….. I so relate to your story❤ it’s amazing how you’ve triumphed.

[@kisherefilm]

Do the same with social media and KZbin, these are the real things cluttering our minds giving us less capacity for stuff! You mention social media and emails in this video, which made me think! Great video though, I know how much maintaining a social media presence and youtube channel can impact your MH

[@gingerbreadfarm]

Many thanks and a big hug💝

[@tamarap387]

So happy to finally see what led you to be the beautiful minimalist you are today! Thank you!

[@amy2284]

Thank you for sharing. I lost by dad at 11 and 23 when I lost my mom. I lost two other siblings in the next 15 years - it’s so difficult and I have become a minimalist 5 years ago for the reasons you have said. I wanted to hold on to my family stuff till I realized that the stuff wasn’t what I was sad about but losing my family. I realized I will never get over it - all I do now is move forward. My Christian faith has really helped as well as realizing I can hold an object from my parents and I don’t have to hold on to everything.

[@emmalarson]

Been working on decluttering for probably two years now & the hardest part has been breaking the shopping addiction. I even have a few decluttering videos on my channel here. The KonMari method really helped me go through my clothes and it's wild how once they're out of sight I don't even remember what they were. Got everything listed on eBay & have made a few sales so it's nice to clear stuff out while putting cash in my pocket. I definitely have too much but I'm doing it in spurts to not be overwhelmed. I'm not aiming for minimalism per se but more conscious buying and prioritizing experiences over stuff. Love this & it's incredible what you went through to get where you are today!

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

I really want to say thank you. I have really found your frankness and honesty incredibly helpful since I found your channel. I am such a “just in case” person and I love things, but I realized that right now my things are causing more distress than joy. Clothes is a big one for me, I am a maximalist through and through, especially in how I dress, but I realized I have a lot of things that, don’t work for me, that I bought because it was cute and at the thrift store (having dressing rooms open again has really helped), so the other day, I went through a large portion of my closet and I have set aside an entire laundry basket of things for donation! When my husband came home and saw, he told me how proud he was of me, because he knows clothes is a hard spot for me. I’m also going into the new year with a very low/no buy intentions and cutting my caffeine consumption, mostly to see if it helps with health things. But thank you and happy birthday!

[@nicole_patricia]

I can completely empathize. I lost my father at 22 when he was 50 years old. My brother wanted nothing to do with my father’s belongings. He had more than most due to my stepmom passing away a few years prior and my dad kept all of her stuff. My mother wouldn’t help, she would just criticize the clutter, completely unaware it could be a trauma response. I’ve been decluttering for years bit by bit and only have a few tubs of stuff left. But has been difficult letting go, it’s all I have left of him.

[@MyFocusVaries]

Though it's hard to realize, you have your love and your memories, which are in your heart and mind, not in the items they left behind. ❤️

[@nicole_patricia]

@@MyFocusVaries thank you. I know you’re right. Setting a new goal to give 1% a day to let more go in 2024. ❤️

[@dustyflats3832]

It’s been 7 years for dad and 6 for mom and I Totally understand. I have family pictures that I can’t look at, mom’s books or notes she wrote. I decided I’m having a bonfire for all the end of life paperwork tomorrow. Many books and others are going out. Then it’s furniture that I was keeping in case we moved and I don’t see that happening in this economy anymore. Office clothes and things I haven’t seen in years. I’ve decided to retire early and stuff needs to move on.

[@gracemeneses9217]

Happy birthday ! Your story has been of great help to many.😊