Practical ways to own less stuff | minimalism

[@ghostfacewasssup]

Subbed as soon as she started talking bout decluttering her kids toys but ASKING them first. Such a good smart mama

[@evelyndecosta2391]

Thanks. Great video. It’s okay to have empty cabinets! 😊

[@learnbetterdobetter]

That is SUCH a good distinction, just-in-case vs. just-for-when. I had puzzled over getting rid of stuff, and have got rid of stuff that I then found I needed, because I was fuzzy on this. So this video was very helpful, thank you.

[@carolynaddiego2353]

Wonderful suggestions! Thank you. ❤

[@schnder1]

You are very inspirational and wise beyond your years. I wish I would have taken this path much sooner and been more insightful at a younger age. I am grateful that I see it clearly now. It's amazing how much. time and money we waste on insignificant things. Thank you for your message.

[@KatieElizabeth77]

Absolutely, I agree. It is insane how much meaning we put on things that are not truly important. 🤍 thank you for watching!!

[@kaedama.]

Well said. ❤ You’ve got a great perspective on this, it’s exactly what I needed to hear. Great tree, btw. ☺️

[@seventiesmom8045]

First time seeing you - every item makes complete sense, and you deliver your message in such a calm, soothing manner. Very nice :)

[@Thegratefulnurse]

I recently tried having a conversation with my family about not exchanging gifts at Christmas because it’s usually something we don’t want or don’t need and I am working on decluttering my house. The response I got I was completely shocked. Basically I was told that’s how they show love and what they would like to do anyway, what do you do with that when you were telling people you don’t want gifts you don’t use them or need them and they insist on giving them anyway?

[@kellycrowson9855]

I had the same reaction with my family. My mother especially said that’s the only way she knows how to do Christmas. I think it may take some time for them to understand. But I believe it will eventually sink in. I’m in the process of writing a letter (because that’s the best way for me to say everything without leaving anything out) of the reasons why we are choosing to do this and the benefits of it. Good luck to you and your family. Happy holidays!

[@KatieElizabeth77]

I think it definitely takes time for people to understand why we would want no gifts. The Christmas season has been advertised to be only about the accumulation of stuff and this change can be such a shock to family. This idea of it being the only way people can show love is sad to me. It then becomes more about the giver than the receiver when we are saying we don't need anything and they keep on insisting. My only advice if they keep on insisting is to explain why you are making a change and hopefully they can respect your reasons. Or if you want, you could give them a very intentional gift idea that you could actually benefit from. Even a gift card to a favorite restaurant or something like that. Then they can give and you don't accumulate things you don't need. I hope this helps. Merry Christmas! 🤍

[@helenascribe210]

We've slowly been going this way. Now, instead of gifts, we go on a family vacation. Now that my sons are adults, this is a great way to reconnect. So instead of sitting in front of the TV on Boxing Day this year, we'll be zip lining over the Costa Rican rainforest 😁

[@juliastrom9218]

Give the gifts to someone that would use the item. I just say hey, I got this (enter item) and I thought you would like it. If I don’t know anyone that would like it, I find a place to donate it. I now try to leave these things in my car. I don’t even want to bring them in my house.

[@RoyalLyn1]

Ask for experience gifts, like concert tickets, a dinner together, sth you do with them or sth that gives you joy without accumulating items (massage coupon eg) or things you "needed" anyway, like your favorite perfume (that you would have refilled anyway). I stop buying stuff in summer and add these things to my gift list. so I can always name sth I need around christmas or birthday times.

[@SKH1991]

I’m so glad I found your channel. I’ve watched almost every video you have so far. You’re helping me so much. 🖤

[@KatieElizabeth77]

🤍 I am so glad to hear this. I wish you all the best. 🤍

[@SKH1991]

Thank you so much. I wish you the best as well.

[@KatieElizabeth77]

@@SKH1991 Thank you! 🤍

[@LanaMinimalist]

Great video! I love your tree 🎄

[@Kayla-n7l3d]

Loved this video!

[@KatieElizabeth77]

🤍🤍

[@YesiIbarra]

I'm so excited for your channel growth! You're doing an amazing job. ❤

[@KatieElizabeth77]

Thank you for your sweet comment and for your support. 🤍

[@d.p.4354]

Thank you for being so inspiring. I must say my big problem is to give away stuff which have value (for example a good second or third set of dishes given to us as present for our wedding) and might be a replacement in the future and so preventing me to buy new stuff later on... After all, I would like to be more minimalist also to consume less and therefore do not have the need of working too much in order to afford more stuff. So the stuff I alteady have might help me consuming less in the future... if that makes sense to you... I would really like to get your opinion about this :) Thanks, Dona

[@KatieElizabeth77]

I totally see your mindset with this! I think if it is something you could see yourself using and needing it would make sense to keep it. But I can imagine keeping a backup of everything would become a huge amount pretty quickly. A lot of times we hold onto things out of almost a "scarcity/just in case I need it" mindset and that can build up pretty quickly as well. I think the key is to be honest with yourself about whatever item you are thinking about. Like in the case of dishes: if you feel like there is a pretty good chance your dishes will break or you tend to have to go through new dishes often, then it might make sense to keep an extra. But, if you are talking about something else that there is a very low chance of you needing a backup than you could bless someone else with the backup/extra items that you truly do not need. I also want to say minimalism is about keeping the right amount for you. There is not a right or wrong way. The minute it starts becoming clutter and excess, that is usually a sign to let go. This question took me a minute to think about so I hope it helped in some way and it made sense! Let me know what you think. 🤍

[@avbeasley]

What kind of pup is that? So adorable! ❤

[@KatieElizabeth77]

He is a sheltie mix :)

[@nichgracious7824]

Hi there beautiful, let me just share with you what I did for so many years. About Christmas, I don't have Christmas decor in my house, rather I have nice plants in front of my front yard that grows up to 6ft, and every Christmas that plant becomes a Christmas tree and I add lights and any DIY decor, any recycled stuff. Takecare.

[@falongreen350]

Could you link your Christmas tree? I have been looking for one just like that!

[@KatieElizabeth77]

It is from Ikea! I wanted a more sparse looking one and I found it at IKEA and it was not too expensive! Very simple. :)