Is Your Stuff Holding You Back?

Understand the signs that your stuff is holding you back from reaching your clutter-free goals. In this video, I discuss the emotional attachments we form with our possessions and how they can impact our lives. It’s time to recognize when it’s time to let go and how to do it with confidence. Whether you’re feeling burdened by clutter or just curious about embracing minimalism more fully, this video offers a path to freedom and clarity.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:22 Why do we hold on to things?
4:17 Signs to look out for
5:43 5 actionable steps you can take today
5:52 Step 1
6:22 Step 2
7:25 Step 3
8:11 Step 4
10:47 Step 5
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#ronaldlbanks #minimalism #decluttering #ownless

[@RonaldLBanks]

What are you planning to decluttering next? What impact will it have on your life?

[@WorrierKitten]

Clothes that don't fit my today's body. I think this could be the start of my ultimate self-love journey. It's been a long time ❤

[@extrememinimalism]

My bed frame.

[@kallistoindrani5689]

I'd love to declutter some of my body weight.

[@marlyking1972]

Decluttering subscriptions. Keeping the ones I truly enjoy on a regular basis that add value to my life, including your channel on youtube. I appreciate you. Thanks for all the inspiration that help me on my minimalist journey .

[@ros8986]

I think people hold on to stuff because we think stuff gives us material security.

[@SavannahBakly]

My core values are inner peace, friendships, family, freedom & happiness

[@RonaldLBanks]

Love it!! Thanks for sharing.

[@bluegypsy71]

😢My dining room table is my “DUMPING” table…there’s so many piles on it that I have not been able to eat mindfully at a table for MONTHS…I know that I’m using it as the excuse not to tackle the bigger scarier things like starting a business, having people over, journaling, etc. It’s my pseudo crutch to justify my procrastination…freeing it up will give me a beautiful spot to enjoy a healthy meal, to invite others in or to use as a nice reading spot, place to implement goals through writing and FREE up my mind from using it as the excuse not to do things.❤

[@BhatiDiwani]

Very inspireing, thanks a million. I sorted out clothes that I haven't worn for at least two years and books that I haven't read or that I won't read again right away. 10 items in total. I'm proud of myself 😅

[@tinapullen6421]

My craft supplies are a big issue for me.

[@florindagonzalez5700]

I've started removing things and clutter and my room is looking more and more like your background. Cleaning is so easy now. My mind is calm. Ive started feeling bored even since I am not using my time organize, reorganize, etc. Being bored is good. It can allow me to make art maybe. I hope so.

[@goldengriffon]

The detachment mentality is a huge game-changer. Especially since there is a danger to overly focus on the precious few possessions that remain (or precious few relationships, hobbies, etc.) once we've tarted minimizing. Realizing that you will be okay if something moves on and out of your life is a very liberating feeling, though can be scary at first (perhaps because the word "detach" is often mistakenly interpreted as "casting off"). But the things that really benefit your life and are of high value typically stay around effortlessly anyway. So if I learn to detach from things (and situations and preferences, etc.) only to discover something leaves my life, I try to relax and trust that it was for the best.

[@Sidtrav2017]

Would love a house tour! Just to show how you function with less in the kitchen, baby space, closet and other places. I struggle with holding onto “extras”. Owning 6 towels when I only need 2 for example. My daughter having so many toys when she only plays with half , etc.

[@ros8986]

kids and toys - I heard there are studies that show that children with fewer toys develop longer attention spans, are more creative with the toys they have, etc.

[@romif1413]

I agree with Ros8986 and would like to add that having many toys to choose from can actually be stressful. Just as a quick FYI:)

[@Percussion-Barbie]

Ive heard of people cycling through toys. They set out a few, then when their kids lose interest they switch them out, and store the old toys to cycle back in next time. I believe theminimalmom here on youtube has great tips.

[@MsDoglover02]

There's a storage unit place by my dad called Justin Case!

[@RonaldLBanks]

😂 It's catchy! I wonder if the name was intentional!

[@tomsmith3045]

All of your content is inspirational, I think largely because it's so genuine, and kind. This one I especially enjoyed, and can relate to the overlapping diagram. One thought on that, that might help people, when deciding what's relatively "easy" to de-clutter is an area where it's easy to decide where things go an where there are clear places for each. Books were great for that - keep, sell, donate. But I'm realizing that sometimes things like "tools" are tough, because it can be a lot of work to organize the "keep" pile. Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks for the content.

[@Bunnybubbles]

Thank you for speaking gently.

[@SirMopy]

dang.. because of your videos I'm thinking so much about my life, future and mental health.. kudos! do deal with your own self and thoughts is really important and i get it know.

[@sandyruelas7387]

I am currently decluttering my kitchen. It is always messy, and I'm so over it! It stresses me out so by minimizing I hope the stress also goes away.

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

My last attempt at decluttering was in the kitchen, today. I only got rid of a few things. I'm a bit depressed, as I realise what took me several hours over a few days, was basically just "stuff shuffling". I'm going to revisit it in a couple of months. Next stop, the LAUNDRY ROOM.

[@zennoodle]

I have been decluttering since discovering this channel almost 2 years ago. I have made many strides and thank you Ron. These collection of videos have provided clarity for myself and clarity for my path ahead. While I still have a lot of stuff its definitely disappearing at a higher rate than the years before just leaving it in storage. The extra money also helps too. Overall a win/win situation at every angle!

[@TheMennomilist]

Loved your father's saying to you and how it has stuck with you and impacted you in your life. Love the signs you gave!

[@laurielansue4131]

I'm glad I wear a lot of the same things in and outside of work. I wear jeans everyday...just different colours and a lot of black tops. My shoes are comfortable but cute and go with everything. I also do not like "comfortable pants" so no changing when I get home or weekend wear etc.

[@user-rd5hp7xf1c]

Ronald, this is my first visit to your KZbin channel. My problem is I am constantly getting rid of items (which of course means I had too much to begin with) but if I box anything to donate or pass on to someone that could use it my husband gets concerned. Case in point I always wanted white dishes. I have a perfectly good set of blue willow that partly belong to my mother and mother-in-law. I purchased the white dishes about 3 years ago but now I realized I could have survived without having to store more dishes. I want to donate them to a charity but my husband just doesn't understand that I'm 73 and want to get rid of excess while I still can. I don't want the burden of more for myself or my family if I pass.

[@lynneplis4793]

Great way to start the morning with your inspiration.

[@EcomCarl]

👏 Absolutely spot on! Emotional attachment can be a major roadblock when it comes to decluttering. Recognizing and addressing these underlying emotions is key to achieving a clutter-free and goal-oriented lifestyle🧘‍♂

[@northstar4851]

What self knowledge did you uncover?

[@elizagal7451]

Enjoying your thoughtful approach. I’m not quite where I want to be but I know a “project” must come close to number one of one’s priorities to ever get it done. Right now I have 3 main projects and right-sizing is number 3😆. But I always loved the story of a man who became so overwhelmed by his whole life that he just shut his apartment door, left and never returned. Pretty drastic but wonderful to fantasize (for me anyway )

[@autobotdiva9268]

so far, got my 22 year old with adhd to donate 43 t-shirts. still have a mountain to go

[@cherylpeterson1]

I talked to my friend who has been a realtor her whole life. I said I want to invite her over for coffee. I plan to ask her to be gut honest (I need that & I can handle it) about my home, decor, etc. Now I need to clean, get rid of many things so I can enjoy my home. I have no hoarding, just crowded shelves. My life has changed so much in 10 years, and I want to live in the home for the 2024 Me.

[@eniola5088]

For me, it because i think i can use it at a future date. I have too much stuff 😫

[@natashyas4149]

I love your videos. Thank you, Ron. My core values:Faith. Family. Friends. Health. Personal growth. Also, I have a really hard time setting firm physical boundaries for stuff. Sentimental items are hard to let go of. As well as books - with the digital age and people getting canceled (ex Dr Seuss) - it's hard to let go b/c what if I can't find that book (etc) again? Just a very practical issue I have.

[@KittyLovesGlover]

i have a hard time getting rid of things a lot because of the sentimental value in them. how do i throw out stuff someone gave me, especially my parents, grandparents, family?? sentimentality is a gift. and a curse. :(

[@smokypoo]

Hi Ronald, thank you, your video is just in time for me as I'm struggling to own less😅.💪 But I'm persevering ❤. We are not our stuff or our job title. Fear is the root of so many issues in our lives and society just encourages us in that. And that frozen zone is exactly what I'm in right now. Much love from France 😊

[@khayshastudio]

I've been in the frozen zone all the time I look at my clutter. :( This video showed up on my YT just in time! Badly needed to declutter my shits

[@jennyjenkins877]

1:15 Thanks for sharing your dad's words of wisdom. I see where you get it from now!

[@northstar4851]

Love your dad’s advice so much I wrote it down! I’m okay giving up clothes and tchotchkes. Crafting identity, too. But lovely old dishes, thick towels and high count sheets…! I imagine myself as a generous, prepared, host. Facing that I like to have a few friends at a time, and we’re around the fire pit in good weather, is hard, and I wonder why. Seeing how your steps work for me…

[@eyeballs306]

Heard that saying with sin vs. guilt …very interesting

[@RonaldLBanks]

Yes! My dad has shared this expression with me using sin dozens of times over the years as well.

[@kharab31]

I just hate throwing stuff away I never used or barely used

[@Jean-ni6of]

I need help!

[@mettamia2008]

Donate useable items. Take them to a homeless shelter or a ministry. They'll be used and appreciated, not wated.

[@mjs4663]

I have so much clutter because I am poor. I can't afford to replace things so I tend to hold onto a lot "just in case". Or "I can't donate/trash that, it's valuable", but then be so overwhelmed by the chaos I just can't get things together enough to list them for sale.

[@tomasdagonbert6252]

I finally got rid of old t shirts that carried sentimental value and some sort of identity (band tshirts I bought at concerts etc) most of them had lost shape or a bit small and washed out, some of them over ten yo so they have served their value by far, I bought ten black-greyish good quality tshirts that go with anything :-) moving on to long sleeve and shirts next

[@charlesblack1086]

Thank you. I so need to follow your advice. I will.

[@abbeys6123]

Great thought provoking video.

[@amychen2504]

My husband has his office clothes when he hasn't worked in an office since 2019... !! Maybe I should show him this ;)

[@BPe-ie9je]

i notice i get rid of best stuff first. odd

[@chrishendren1]

Fantastic video and so true. Love the design of the room also

[@dee-clutteringqueen5881]

Your best for me yet😊

[@yardboy3955]

I broke my emotional attachments to my stuff years ago. I was wasting money buying more than I needed. I got rid of a lot of stuff and keep a minimum amount now. Less is better. I think women accumulate and keep more stuff than men but I’ve seen men with too much stuff too. First thing I did was cut back on buying stuff I don't need. I stop buying things to make me happy and accepting and accumulating free stuff and exchanging gifts also. I’m little less happy now but free of stuff.

[@misorixious]

I hold on to stuff cause I like them simple as that

[@honglenglee]

I am trying to declutter my previous collections, mostly figurines. But I do feel guilty of letting them go. I feel that I have moved on from them. They are my past season hobbies. How do I go about that?

[@lisalamphier1410]

My home is sparsely furnished and neat as a pin, surfaces are clear, no clutter anywhere. Just don't look in the closets or cabinets. I have six pairs of boots and it rarely snows.

[@ZirandaHope]

Lol

[@amandad145]

I realised just yesterday my botanical journals that i have been making for 6 years were making me sad. The memories associated with them are heavy not the drawings but it brings emotion that i no longer want in my life The most recent one is about 10 months of drawings and painting that i did in a hard phase of life . I do not want this weight in my life. It is strange how heavy these journals are for me. The are going in the trash asap

[@chefEmersonWilliams]

Our condo!

[@kekiboo]

Uhm hi, I've been waiting for the decluttering kit. I'm planning to start this June

[@fallanwashere4532]

I travel a lot but I also love to cook so I have 30 + spices that I need to get rid of, I love all these spices and I want to use them all so I have decided to make medicine balls and other healthy treats to store in my freezer to get rid of the spices, also to minimize the amount of jars I have

[@babysisdolls3336]

lol yes it is....but it's related to my side hustle ....and future sales..

[@thirdeyenation9849]

I just cleaned off my dining room table( dump) today and found $2.

[@shirleyburnham2782]

I'm thinking of bare walls, so pictures will need to go next x

[@aaronaustrie]

I hope this helps me

[@elistia]

My problem is that I want to get rid of stupid responsibly and where I live is super limited as far as options. Just throwing stuff away feels awful. Don't really know what to do...feel hopeless. I have gotten rid of some stuff thru our freecycle program but having to meet with people to give them what I have is so nerve wracking.

[@21cormorants]

I’ve heard of people having “yard sales” where they list that they’re putting stuff out for free in their front yard on FB marketplace, and people come by and pick up what they want and need until it’s mostly gone, and then they get rid of the rest in other ways (donation, etc.) I don’t know if that would be a feasible option for you, or maybe even a friend’s house to do that if you can’t where you live. Or a free stuff bench at some condos, etc… a little at a time? In any case, I hope you can find a solution that suits you and feels less nerve wracking! Wishing you the best of luck!

[@elistia]

@@21cormorants I appreciate the input. I'm not on FB but I'm sure I can find someone who might be willing to help me out on this. On the plus side, I have been able to donate/ give away quite a bit. I'm not really worried about making money off stuff at this point. I'm just trying to get free. 🤣

[@21cormorants]

@@elistia that’s great! Yeah I’m not on FB either - but the idea is a “free yard sale” really appealed to me when I heard it! I donated some stuff a while back and when I saw it on the donation shop’s floor, the items looked like they’d been through hell! Getting stuff directly into someone’s hands who can use it is a great priority, and making sure it arrives in the nice condition you’ve kept it in is so important too! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been finding ways to get items to their new homes!

[@loraraicheva3644]

What about a situation when you have just the things you and your family need and use and you still feel like it's too much?

[@21cormorants]

Do you feel like it’s too much stuff for the space you have? Too much visual clutter and “noise” when you see it? Depending on what’s the root of the feeling of “too much” would be a great start. If it’s too much for the space might mean needing to find ways of downsizing, or storage improvements, for example… visual “noise” might mean finding ways of just making things appear a Little more cohesive whilst being able to keep the same amount, by contrast… etc. wishing you luck; I’m in a similar boat!

[@loraraicheva3644]

@@21cormorants we actually do live in a small apartment and it's tree of us + a doggy . There is no visual clutter at all (it only overwhelms me when we make a mess by everyday living) , but I want the same feel for when I open a drawer or a closet , and this is hard because we have nothing that we are not using 😭

[@pointedlogic]

Do you have any videos or advice on resisting the accumulation of stuff? I personally feel that decluttering later gives me an excuse to acquire now. The temptation to collect (especially around hobbies and special interests) is a big challenge for me!

[@slimsyd2421]

i'm curious on the workout routine, dude is cut

[@OmegaRejectz]

What's the link to that book decluterring video?

[@RonaldLBanks]

Here's the link the the before and after video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5DQm4iZg796eLM I've also updated the description to the video and included the link.

[@JureJerebic]

How do your black Cuts shirts seem shiny, which exact model is that?

[@LinzyMakesPlans]

I tried several times in different browsers to download the PDF that is a freebie but wasn't able to...i get an error with google and safari is there another way to get the PDF that you can email thanks so much for the video i found it very helpful ❤

[@RonaldLBanks]

Please send me an email and I'll share the core values worksheet with you. It's unclear to me why you are getting an error, but I'm happy to email it to you.

[@Quawanaful]

🤚🏾

[@RonaldLBanks]

I'm this resonated with you my friend!

[@startpage717]

Email or I. will just empty everything (!)..*not a good idea, lol). This spring, I will give myself at LEAST a week to slowly go through ALL my emails and unsubscribe, delete, or spam things...*and keep them under Control. Phew...😏

[@pameladorrel2452]

✋🏿

[@stephaniealbrecht4278]

Hey, in some areas I am struggle with letting in others I don’t. But I have another issue of letting go! I often buy things because I think I need it and then I regret the buy and then I have anxiety and have the I need to declutter again. This is at the moment my „little devil“. Do you have an idea how to break this cycle?

[@RangerGains93]

My daughters toys is hard to let go :(

[@Malekfahad420]

Hey Ronald, really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with Best Quality Editing in your videos better than your Editor with good pricing and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail which will help your videos to reach to a wider audience ? Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@cherylpeterson1]

Do people stuff their homes because of their empty lives??? Is it an excuse to isolate, not invite people in???

[@doctork1708]

Your house looks sterile, and if that’s what you like, go ahead.

[@PeiPeisMom]