Shockingly Common Decluttering Mistakes | How to Avoid These Minimalism Traps

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Today I want to share some common decluttering mistakes, in hopes it helps you pursue minimalism!
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[@eviozyra6300]

One thing for me was realizing that I'll never be a minimalist and I dont want to be, thats just not who I am. I like decoration, I like having memories on show in my house, I like clothes and dressing in different styles. I dont like the asthetic of a minimalist home. But I wanna make sure that everything I own I really use or that has a place and purpose. And I want to stop buying things without thinking/without planning.

[@AgapeLove878]

Excellent.

[@veronicabone8835]

I feel the same. I'm very passionate about my memories and objects of my past. You see my brother passed away in January of 2021 and his widow threw away a legacy dating back to our granddaddy like it was nothing. I guess it wasn't to her. I'm sad and I'm mad as heck about what she did.

[@ameliasv222]

I totally agree. There's a big difference between hoarding and genuenly enjoying the stuff you keep. A lot of my clothes used to be my mom's or aunt's from the 80s. I even have some dresses from when my grandma was 20. I use those, I love them. I'm so glad they kept them. And they didn't keep everything, they were good quality and they loved them too. This process is different for everyone, but for me and my family our history is important and it's not just words and stories, it's good quality, important stuff.

[@anonymous-hl9rv]

To me it seems that the minimalist videos out there aren't really about having little stuff, it's true that they constantly get rid of lots of stuff, but why do they get so much in the first place?

[@jenniferpearce1052]

@@veronicabone8835 Oh, that is so hard. Family treasures should be offered within the family. I'm so sorry her way of dealing with grief didn't help you.

[@joannafoster3423]

"An object does not equal a person." Yes! This is huge!

[@ElinLesser]

Yeah, that was a huge breakthrough for me when I thought about it that way!

[@maureensamson4863]

@@markvarley2962 Not poor ! Just blessed !!

[@melenelewis2955]

Enjoyed your video. I am 67yrs old......I used to clear out anything that was not used in the last 3 months, but have slipped up on doing that for the last few years..,,.now I am thinking - when I die I don't want to leave a mess for someone else to clear out. Time to get on track again!

[@ElaineEC]

I’ve been decluttering and downsizing. For me the biggest mistake was trying to declutter all at once. Some things I should sell/donate/toss are just too hard to do. So I did a round 1 declutter of the things that were easy to remove. I’m working on round 2 now and things that were too hard to get rid of last time, are much easier this time. I think for some of us, taking it in steps is less painful.

[@Amtran727]

Yes, exactly! This is what I have been doing. Making several passes through closets, shelves, etc. I get rid of a little more with each pass.

[@anntrope491]

Planning a timed event...take a couple bags, boxes out of each space to a exit staging area...then toss, recycle it all. Then do this again for donate items. Stuff to shred...etc...

[@bellaluce7088]

@@Amtran727 Totally agree! Onion method for the win! ; - D Clutter clearing is like any skill. Giving yourself opportunities for early success builds confidence and motivation to continue. : - )

[@victoriajohnson3034]

My downfall was keeping items for others. Either their storage, they might need later, they don't want me to let it go, they will feel bad if i let it go. I wasnt living my own life.

[@KittenCasserole]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. It is really important to find the strategy that works for you. I’m ✨severely✨ disabled, very weak, and I have to plan every time I stand. So I don’t have the capability or stamina to ever clear out a closet. But I’ve learned that I can declutter one or a few items each day. Like recently, I threw away the pile of small boxes that have accumulated over the past few months. I’ve accepted that I’ll never declutter as quickly as abled bodied people, but I’m still really happy with my slow progress

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you so much for sharing. I love this comment, because it's so true that some decluttering books and strategies don't tend to take disability or other life circumstances into account. Thanks for sharing your strategy--it sounds like a great way to approach decluttering!

[@javelinaflips-annie5000]

Congrats on your progress 🎉

[@madhumitadevivlogger4781]

Encourging very much....u r very brave

[@cynthiamarston2208]

I do that to and I am able! Plus i seem to buy second hand items for pleasure that fill the emptied space. Im not that cluttered. Just sensible. Some things have really come in handy i held on to and saved me money i dont have.

[@denisealexander7317]

Great positive and encouraging attitude. Thank you! 💙

[@killamoosdraree730]

It's so nice how you never say "throw it away" or "get rid of it" and instead say "declutter it". Most of the "clutter" in my home is family heirloom type objects. Some have actual value and others are just pretty to look at. Because of this, I have learned that the true way to avoid clutter in my own home is to stop buying non-consumable items. The people in my life who want to purchase a gift for me know that they can always buy me something I can eat or drink but that I do not need anything that will stick around for longer than that. I think the most common mistake people make in decluttering is buying more to fill the empty looking decluttered space. If you are one of those people, and find yourself in the never-ending loop of clutter, consider saving up and only purchasing quality items that you really need, or truly love (think artwork) instead of taking advantage of deals that trick you into buying more clutter (think bulk items; buy 2 get 1 free; or free shipping for orders in excess of $100 that con you into buying more items that you would not have otherwise purchased). If you're like me and tried to "organize" your clutter by using "storage" bins, take a minute to think about how long ago you accessed the items stored in that bin. If it's been over a year, then it's really not a "storage" bin. It's likely a clutter bin that needs to be decluttered. Once decluttered, consider bringing any donatable items and the bin itself to your local charity. If it was a memory bin, then please enjoy the memories it evokes and take the time to revisit it more often in the future or consider displaying some of the memories in your home on a rotating cycle the way holiday decorations are enjoyed. Above all, remember that we are all humans none of us perfect. A little clutter gives a home a "lived in" feeling. Enjoy creating spaces for yourself that make you feel good!

[@dixydarlin56]

Over the years I've periodically decluttered junk - small improvement, definitely good. But this week I only kept the very best/most needed and decluttered all of the rest, including perfect good things. Very different mindset. Simplifying is the best preparation I know for heading into a challenging life season.

[@jmsl_910]

yes. i did this too just b fire we retired, downsized & relocated. it was very centering

[@va1445]

The whole section on guilt - I needed to hear that! Guilt is probably the #1 obstacle in my decluttering. I grew up poor, as did my husband which makes it so hard to get rid of things. I need to post "Just because you feel guilt about decluttering something doesn't mean it's wrong." Thanks for the great video - I am now a subscriber.

[@peggysola3405]

This guy Joshua Becker, if you go on KZbin you can check him out also. He's an expert on decluttering. He help me out alot, Idk what I would done without him.

[@meg-so4ev]

grief

[@Eliilea]

Also, if money is the trigger. I safed the most money after i decluttered about 70% of my stuff. I was just so much more aware of what i spend and did not want to bring new stuff in my house that i would declutter again soon. And i'm much more aware of what i already have and don't buy double... Maybe this thoughts help you as well.

[@oasissenioradvisorslouisvi1613]

I've taken pictures of my kids projects. It would be cool to make a photo book for those moments of nostalgia

[@ElinLesser]

So smart!

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

My sister will declutter clothes, which she has way too much of, and will put them in her car to donate. It's been over a year and she still has all those bags in her trunk. So, if you are going to take the time to do all this work and it's hard to part with things, give yourself a deadline to taking action.

[@freudianslip000]

This happens with my sister too! We're an ADHD family, and it can be SO hard to complete multi-step/multi-day processes. What I started doing was just asking her if she'd like me to drop them off at the donation center for her. It took a little convincing at first (the old "I should be able to do it myself" guilt), but now it's something I do for her if she's been decluttering that benefits both of us - she gets to check it off the list as a completed job, and I get to do something simple and nice for my sister.

[@muf9399]

@@freudianslip000 That's very kind of you to help your sister.

[@abigailryder8315]

I am just like this person! I have discovered that having a willing accountabillibuddy who is going to check in (like weekly for example) helps a lot!

[@bbqmamag8287]

Taking the time to feel good about what you just decluttered is a total must. Feel all the emotions associated with it…then let it go and move on the the next decluttering task is key! Thanks for your insights and reinforcing what we already know and need to do! 👏🏻😆

[@shawna620]

Yes, putting things away for a while in a storage container then revisiting that container a few months later has worked for me as I go through my son's pictures & paperwork. I go through a container & toss a huge pile, then later I toss again.

[@sl9906]

I’ve heard about asking those who love to give gifts to ask them for the gift of an experience. They get to show you love in a way that is easy to receive, doesn’t require decluttering, and creates a happy memory that may last a lifetime

[@helenparker1870]

Memorabilia may become really important to you as you age, as older people often remember things from earlier in their life better than more recent events.

[@longtimelurker6504]

This has helped me Sooo much with the emotional, sentimental objects that I want to declutter but feel guilty about. Thank you so much!

[@alanbirkner1958]

I have some dishes from my mom, ash trays from my dad, and utensils from my dad's folks. My husband had things from his folks. There's a difference between having and using things you like and feeling like you must keep every thing someone touched. Tina, Al's wife

[@lauriedixon9661]

I find pulling all my items out of one space and focusing on what I use regularly and what I really love is better for me. I am left with a pile of don't use, don't need for this season of my life or don't like anymore and it's easier to declutter those items. I like to view my items from a perspective of gratitude rather than a perspective of depriving myself. I find it really emotionally painful and exhausting making decisions about what I don't want. As the items leave, part of your identity moves away and you are left with a more authentic sense of self.

[@bellaluce7088]

YES to this!!!! "...focusing on what I use regularly and what I really love is better for me." Analysis paralysis and decision fatigue are real, and with ADHD executive function challenges to boot, decluttering felt literally impossible to me for years. Assuming EVERYTHING can go unless I use it or love it was a surprisingly calming mindset shift!

[@GiselleBel]

That's a great thought, so well said! I like to have a little goodbye routine (you know, the kind that takes a few seconds) to certain items that I find particularly tough to get out of the door. I usually think something like: "Yes, you served me well, and now it's time to go. Bye. Go.", as I put it into the donate/chuck container. Others might like to add a Thank You in there, I'm good without.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

I found that it's much easier to choose containers and space allowed before i start decluttering. It either fits or doesn't and i feel powerful instead of loss.

[@gwenjenkins155]

I think your comment may help me. I feel completely powerless with having no choices but to get rid of my stuff. Its sad, i know its just stuff- thanks for sharing your control strategy.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

@@gwenjenkins155 makes process faster and far less heart wrenching. Another good trick, if you want room to grow, turn one container upsidedown empty in the space. It stays empty for future needs.

[@susanbertrand8620]

As the eldest and a daughter, there is a lot of family pressure to keep stuff. I trashed an old raffle quilt from my Grandmother that was literally disintegrating, I received actual anger from several family members. Fortunately I took a few photos of the damage for reference.

[@nocturnalintern4150]

I get it, but in the interest of keeping the peace, it might be easier to give those kind of things to other family members to deal with in the future. 😅 They might decide to use it for a pet.

[@BarbaraDr2023]

Your job is not to be the historian or archivist of a family. You can put memorabilia in a box and rotate between family members

[@CadetRedShirt]

On the memorabilia bit, i collect a really pretty postcard whenever I go somewhere new. I have roughly 100 postcards in a binder that I can probably condense into the most memorable tings I would like to keep, but its way better to me to have those than other types of memorabilia (ie fridge magnets and tshirts/hats)

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Maybe treat day out to reward each room declutter. Pedicure, movie, lunch with friend!

[@michellearamis]

So many good points. The biggest hurdle for my family was getting rid of stuff my parents/grandparents dragged here from their home country. Completely useless things, but trying to get rid of them triggers tantrums, "But we brought it all the way from ______!" and "This was so important to Grandma that she sold her engagement ring to get money to ship it across the ocean!" I have no attachment to stuff in general, so it drives me crazy. I dread the possibility that someday I might be the one who has to deal with the bins of rotting clothes and moldy knickknacks that fill every available space in their houses.

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

If that's a problem you worry about, check out Swedish death cleaning

[@kutanra]

Agree with the other reply. Check out "The gentle art of swedish death cleaning". Its a great book you can gift them, maybe soften it by saying you bought the book for yourself and at the end it does say "pass this on to loved ones to help them too"

[@schoo9256]

I'd put the book in your bathroom where they might read it when they visit, rather than give it to them. By giving it to them you're basically bringing up two things people are very touchy about: Death and cleaning. Otherwise follow Dana k whites example and let the container be the bad guy--you can only fit so much on x shelf.

[@alanbirkner1958]

I fill a box every week for Goodwill or another thrift shop. I have one small container for each craft supply. One shelf for books about crafts. I get rid of stuff and more comes. More rummage sales, more trash picks, more thrift shop finds- there is always more. Tina, Al's wife

[@olive4naito]

I'm not minimalist but still gotta deal with other people's clutter, lol! It's just nice to be able to declutter and have an esthetic living space!

[@scatherall4866]

“Learning to live with doubt is very helpful.”

[@sonnywind540]

Die zehn Größten: Nr.2 Childhood! This was my reason for following your channel E.L.😊 With every video I learn a lot! Thank U very much Elin!

[@margarethawk3073]

You help me see that in the long run, the material objects are just that, material objects!When we die we can’t take them with us anyway and if we look at it in this perspective, it helps!

[@peggysola3405]

Yes, very true. We are ONLY on this earth temporary. We can't take it with us in Heaven. When we go up to Heaven, we will have something better!!! 🤗🙌🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@gwenjenkins155]

But, what about “might need”?!

[@sarahbaud1776]

I think being intentional about what you have around you in your life allows you to let go of things that do not serve you but could serve others, family members, friends, those in need. For me, the term minimalism can sound stark and scary because it can make you feel guilty about having for example meaningful objects that make your heart sing on display. I am working on making sure that all my storage areas are decluttered and organized and having a strict policy of not bringing anything into the house that is not needed specifically for a purpose (replacing a frying pan, glassware or clothing items). Your comments about how certain decisions are emotional are very important to consider. My goal is living an unburdened life style that allows me to be open to new possibilities. For me minimalism is unburdening.

[@chrisperrucci76]

Such a thoughtful & thought-provoking, comprehensive video! Thank you as always🤍

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@npkrn6764]

Often because of space it is difficult to bring a category together. Or if things from one category are on different floors or rooms, it seems like a waste of time to transfer stuff from one area to another. Therefore, I don't do that. I had a ton of things to throw away and donate on my 2nd floor -- one unused bedroom upstairs was more or less a storage area. I'm not risking injury carrying it all downstairs so I bagged it up and threw it out my window down to my back patio. The thick black contractor bags are perfect for this and don't break - especially if you throw out bags first with soft things... then heavier bags can be tossed out on top of the softer items. I did this with probably 30 bags and it was definitely quicker, and safer than carrying heavy bags down a flight of stairs. I don't have help so if youre alone in a massive purge, we HAVE TO do it in the quickest, safest way possible. Maybe my idea if you have a 2nd floor will help someone ?! I hope so! Oh, and then I employed a junk hauling company to come and get all of it and take it away. I don't have a pickup truck or big men in my life to do it so I'm so thankful there are companies to help - so take advantage of hired help! Sure it costs money, but its so worth saving your back instead of risking injury or falling, and your time is worth it too.

[@bellaluce7088]

I never took to Marie Kondo's advice to thank every object before parting with it (!), but it's a GREAT tip for sentimental items. Acknowledging the feelings associated with an object or the good intentions of the giver then reminding myself that I get to KEEP those even without the object really helps. PHOTOS of selected items are also a good way to retain the memory without the actual stuff.

[@texasstardust6010]

I watched this, it came up on my feed, but I'm not a minimalist, and while I understand all about " de- cluttering ", I think it's gone too far , just my opinion. I've had, in the past had to spend more money to get something I needed, because I thought I'd" probably not need it in 6 months or a year " Wrong. Lol. And then it was double in price. I'm just different, and while we can't save or store " everything " , I think there's a balance, and I think perhaps that's where your part about the underlying issue about clutter. I'm not into the Marie Kondo folding and all that, but certain things she has make sense. I think it's good to have Memory Bins, that are waterproof, to store keepsakes that aren't displayed, etc. I'm finding that in this day and time, it's all about having a " throw- away " mentality and people have lost touch with why History matters, among other things.

[@studenttime1650]

Decluterring should just be about just JUNK or DUPLICATES of household items too many potato peelers (10), an old moldy food, old blouses, t shirts w stains, old drawer liners that aren't effective, 200 pairs of white socks the kids out grew. . I am a documentary producer and this entire TEAR DOWN BLDGS that are over 10 years old that are HISTORICAL because DEVELOPERS want to make a fortune off cramming humanity into card board poorly made 800 unit bldgs has changed us so radically we don't even see who started this fad. It's THAT mentality that started this. People are being forced to live in cubicles. (200-300 sq ft).And its about the HIERARCHY deciding THEY CAN have HUGE MANSIONS w TONS of STUFF (think Kardashians) while the rest of us should fall into line living in blue tents or tiny cubicles called apts. In other words getting the masses to ACCEPT this mentality Remember Grandma &Grandpa has a beautiful home where every one returns and shares history albums and not ALL elder homes are cluttered. Some had been maintained because family came visited their families and would help groom the trees clear out their garbage and have a nice family dinner. It was a beautiful way to connect and feel grounded. DEVELOPERS, KONDO FADS, PSYCHO BABBLE THERAPY ($180.00 an hr ) that says you need to find ways just to please you yourself disconnect from family. I could go on and on. Gone are our roots our ties and connections to what matters. These DECLUTTER so called experts are making a ton of $$$ by having their site watched.Don't forget that. Yes they have TOTALLY GONE APE SH.T on this throw EVERY THING OUT. MEANWHILE people are finding HEIRLOOMS EVERYWHERE that someone stupidly trashed as it had no value (they thought). You can watch that show "ANTIQUE ROADSHOW" they prove the folly. IF your don't want something you can sell it and at least get the value back by receiving some monetary value.... rather than let GOODWILL overprice and profit in millions off your very priceless items that had real meaning to you.... I totally agree you, Marie is a millionaire off her concept based actually on Japanese not having much after WORLD WAR II and making the best of it. Also its part of the Buddhist religion to keep things simple which is one style as we all know called " minimalism." Great for some. But I despise these SHEEP FOLLOWING FADS that the internet starts MARKETING ON OVERWHELM then all the sheep follow the leader off a cliff. Lol

[@texasstardust6010]

@@studenttime1650 ....Thank you . I loved reading your reply. I concur with you....Family History and History in general is to be revered. Yes, the whole Marie Kondo thing went crazy , as you stated. I am not into FADS , and rushing into the newest one that takes nothing into account with Real Life and ones History. People who understand why History matters, know that decluttering should employ the Respect and Revereance, as you stated.

[@texasstardust6010]

@@studenttime1650 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯💯💯💜.... SPOT ON. ABSOLUTELY . I can't add much more. YOU STATED TRUTHS. COMPLETELY agree. Yes. People thinking about living in " tiny houses". No thank you. Again, as you stated.... who came up with that ??? It's nonsense. I suggest you print this out and send it to every Congressperson, and Developer in your area. It's an eye opener. God bless you !!

[@studenttime1650]

@@texasstardust6010 Hey ! You're the one COURAGEOUS enough to actually say something. I'll follow you lead, we'll tackle this "masses moving to TINY HOMES" and "PUP TENTS" issue together, power in numbers💖😊You ARE the TEXAS STAR🌟💫 and I LOVE IT! YOU are so RIGHT! GREAT IDEA! Seripusly, you KNOW OBAMA, TRUMP, SENATORS, BUSH FAMILY, CLINTONS, on and on. Do you think theyll live in a "TINY HOME?" Doesnt matter what political side of the spectrum it's a really about Priviledge and wealth vs. The little guy and middleclass just like in the dark ages. They're convincing us to toss out our history (family albums even) along w our precious heirlooms w this extreme mind set. While CONTAINER STORE is making a fortune in selling organizational cubicle "stuff" by the thousands. Lol!🤣🤣🤣 "Were not going to take it anymore!" as our theme song. Lol!

[@studenttime1650]

@@texasstardust6010 🤣🤣🤣🏘🏡

[@Andrea-eg6ro]

Thanks for the tips Elin, always so helpful & I love your honesty about where you are in your decluttering journey! ☺️

[@itube032]

Thank zou for this great video and ideas. I like that your home isn't an empty white box without style, it looks very warm and comfort.

[@catkozia6565]

I want to downsize because I have too much stuff which I feel is causing me stress but I also have to downsize because I lost my husband of almost 33 years this year and I have all his stuff and lastly but not least, I am planning on retiring in a few years and plan on living in the country of my birth which is not the US and I can’t take much with me for obvious reason. I also realized that too often I was buying stuff for emotional reasons.

[@dhmill761]

Wonderful video. So true and I needed to hear this. Thanks ❤️

[@ellengstamp2730]

Thank you so much!!! I love your videos!!! I am so stuck in the “what if” thoughts and sentimental attachments.

[@mettamia2008]

Wow! Impressively thorough. Thanks so much for taking the time to share.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

New to your channel. Gonna go check out your other videos. You are a calming voice of practicality.

[@user-ge5dk8qv9p]

Thank you, Slice of Light!

[@MultifacetedMrs]

Really enjoyed and appreciated this, thank you 🪴

[@latebloomer7607]

Thank you for all of this

[@tammygravelle1283]

Just found your channel and now am a new subscriber! Thank you for your calming and informative content.

[@ElinLesser]

Yay! thank you! And welcome!

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

What a thoughtful video. Thank you ❤

[@juliaalencar9722]

amazing content. you go so in depth into the themes. i love the examples and how you explain everything. thank you!

[@marthatreasure9232]

Love your style. Great tips, thank you!

[@samanthahays4829]

Great video trying to unlearn the memorabilia mindset!

[@maryrose1216]

The “what ifs” is such a big thing for me. Thank you for explaining it.

[@BagLadyy_]

Followed immediately! You have such a calming aura and channel, you’ve helped me feel better and more motivated about the mountain of stuff we’ve accumulated in my family home since we’ve been moving from rental to rental. We bought a house a few years ago and it feels like we cant even enjoy it or eachother cause things have piled up from when we were all kids and we didn’t even realize. This is definitely helping me change that guilt mindset into motivation for the airy, spacious and full home life ahead. Thank you💕

[@lannt2225]

thanks for your video, it was really relaxing to watch

[@cheerfulstrength940]

So right! The old ways of thinking about stuff can be really problematic. Societal scripts, guilt, expectations etc etc 🙏🏽💙

[@cammiehupp3049]

Thank you!!

[@Sophie-kn3gh]

Great video!

[@amandazacharias4790]

Love your videos!

[@vzimmer1951]

Never declutter other people's things except in the case of very young children.

[@blacksquirrelhomestead]

When do you think kids need to get involved?

[@vzimmer1951]

@@blacksquirrelhomestead mine got involved at abt age 4 with toys. When something had not been played with for quite a while I would ask them if they would like to donate it to a child that didn't have toys. Many times they would just say yes. If they weren't sure they wanted to get rid of it I would ask them if we could put it in storage so if they missed it we could fig it out. On occasion, they would decide they wanted to keep it as a keepsake. Most of the time, after a few months they just said it could go away. Then we moved on to clothes. By lower elementary school they got pretty good at just deciding on the spot.

[@blacksquirrelhomestead]

@@vzimmer1951 we've been doing similar. I told him about donating to kids who need toys too. We've also agreed that if he can fill a basket with toys, he can have 5 bucks towards his new Ghostbusters costume 😉 That worked the best so far. He's only 5.

[@vzimmer1951]

I have not had to pay. My kids are 15 and 14. I have friends who have paid their kids, but I did not have to do that.

[@blacksquirrelhomestead]

@@vzimmer1951 I look at it as extra work above and beyond their normal chores. It's mentally difficult for me to make all those decisions. Whay goes and what stays. I think at some point, we'll do a garage sale and they can sell it themselves.

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

The point on nostalgia is so important. We just moved into a house with painted walls (after renting for 13 years) and I realized that putting up all of my memorabilia would return me to essentially living in a shrine to the past. I have decided that one picture each of my important people is enough. With memorabilia it’s also a very easy theme of decorating that really does not have a style, and it’s so easy to just keep adding stuff to that collection. I just don’t want to be around that much stuff.

[@clairedriscoll8628]

What about a digital picture frame, which can be turned on and off whenever you want to and can show hundreds of photos and Memories as and when

[@user-th5jm1nb4g]

The only items I allow myself to purchase is clothing. For many, many years I wore rags as I never had a decent income....I didn't own a car, cell phone, and worked too many jobs to make it. I finally can now establish a wardrobe an feel and look beautiful for a change. I wasted my youth looking drab in rags, I will buy clothes I love and love my clothes!

[@Lili-cc7pz]

I love your sweater!!

[@patriciacomerford30]

Such a beautiful person and you told your story so well❤

[@munirasultana2313]

Just Loved the way You Talk ❤️‍🩹

[@brendasparks6234]

Great video, thanks

[@allison2579]

Thank you for taking the time to share your insight! I've been looking to declutter and live a more simplified life.. slowly. I do believe in keeping quality pieces / things that I would use consistently.. which brings me to my question, where is your sweater from? I know it doesn't exactly go with the theme of the video, but I love how simple and pretty it is! I'd love to know. Thank you!

[@kroelie8139]

I like your humbleness

[@jmsl_910]

you have such a lovely demeanor.

[@honeybee2356]

De-processing what society has taught us ** This is a great point! God bless ❤

[@elanahammer1076]

Thank you for your advice. I am not a perfect house keeper but I prefer my lair neat and tidy. Be well 🤔❤️🇺🇸

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

On the part about sharing your journey with others, this would probably be really helpful when it feels bad to not have all of the framed pictures up that you did before. I have thought about what my family would think about the fact that I moved to this new house and didn’t put up any of the old memories that would remind me of them. I have even found myself blaming it on Covid, explaining that I needed less stimulant around me. It would probably be good to share the fact that you’re reframing your surroundings so they know that’s why the pictures are getting put away. Thank you for the video!

[@42kellys]

I am just about to declutter so it is helpful. I have done some in the past but I still have too much and I live in rented houses so I may have to move anytime and I have far too many boxes and moving is such a nightmare because I need help and packing is really stressful for me. Ultimately, this is one of my reasons for decluttering. The other is that I actually still have many of my thigs in the cardbord boxes I moved with. I keep moving into smaller houses and I have no way to unpack them. Also, rented hosues are sometimes not adequetly furnished so lack of proper furniture makes it hard too to unpack and place my stuff. Even so, I feel my stuff is burdening down my life. And I find t extra hard to get rid of things. I could throw out whole boxes if I did nto look into the. But once I do it all becomes difficult.

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and insights.👍👍❤

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks for the comment :)

[@bellaluce7088]

I discovered the mistake of thinking I need to sort clutter before consolidating & moving it out of my living space by chance after speed-cleaning for a friend's visit. Asking the simple question "Will I need this soon?" and putting everything else in boxes gave me early access to the GREAT feeling of living in a nice space. Very motivating! I also got insight into how much of my stuff I don't actually use (most of it!)!

[@bellaluce7088]

This won't appeal to everyone, but because I have no garage and am unwilling to pay for a storage unit again (years of $$ wasted!), I invested in several metal shelving units (one over 6 feet tall!) and a combination of plastic and cardboard banker's boxes to consolidate my clutter and free other spaces for living. Needs must, and I needed to not see junk everywhere I looked!

[@helenascribe210]

Memorabilia has been a way to connect with a family member who has dementia.

[@CatherineWhelanCosten]

good tips...thank you

[@meghanlozada]

“Process of de-brainwashing ourselves”. So good 😊 I actually have to break a sweat to NOT buy things and bring more stuff into my home. It’s ridiculous!

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

It is hard to not want to shop. In order to declutter though, slowing the buying helps a lot.

[@reducepricroryhrywtby]

I paid a man to clear my garage it looks lovely, fresh and light

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

I was not expecting that point on obsessive compulsive disorder! But that seems very important, the idea that stopping yourself from living in what if thinking helps train your brain away from obsessive compulsion. I like to think if you are living a ton of What Ifs you’re trying to live all these separate lives but you are only meant to live one good one.

[@ashleygonzalez32171]

I have been on a decluttering journey for years and happy to say that once the feelings of shame and discomfort of donating the expensive items passed… everything else came easy. I love donating because it leaves the house instantly and I don’t stress about adding to the landfill. Most of the items were never used that I donated and that discomfort and shame of wasting money was hard to get over… but although I’m sad I wasted money… I feel happier that someone enjoyed what I once just was hoarding.

[@essvirk3467]

Your watch is beautiful🥰

[@kroelie8139]

New subscriber, thank you so much

[@AgapeLove878]

Oooo you lost me on "not decluttering enough " actually for some incremental approaches can be best. I have found that they lead to ability to let go of stuff easier. Kind of like body building. It's a rewiring of the Neuro circuitry and for most , this takes time. To go in too fast can be a trauma in and of itself. This is not to discount the benefit of freeing ones time by releasing clutter and stuff from ones environment. If it is not approached from looking at the whole holistic perspective ... And tackled from the root ... So going slowly can be just the right recipe for some. It's not a failure ... It's a process and processes and rationales are unique to the expierencer.

[@OkieDokie294]

I agree the sometimes you need to do it incrementally. Especially when starting out. Baby steps!

[@annaalm18]

I really liked tip no. 1:) I have decluttered already a huge amount of stuff. But am a bit frustrated because there are things I would like to get rid of because we use them rarely, however we do use them from time to time and there is no substitute for it that could do the job as well as the other item...

[@maureenchristensen2959]

Thanks for your help, but was wondering if you could link the other video you mentioned?

[@sononym1]

I think we can just give a family heirloom to another family member. It seems wasteful just throwing it away.

[@peggysola3405]

If I get rid of anything, I just donate. Somebody else can enjoy it if they need it.

[@helenstewart2085]

A problem I have with a lot of decluttering videos is the need!!!! To buy containers, to store the items in your bathroom drawers etc. The 333 project is wonderful for clothes, discovered by not counting my farm work clothes, that I wear one outfit a week. So need only a few tweaks for each season.

[@margiepool7778]

Hello. Are there any suggestions or tips on how to keep car organized/decluttered?

[@amyrugg2540]

I feel like guilt can be a way of your mind saying, hey let's think this through. I do feel its very possible to be missing something we havent thought of and its your subconcious way of trying to get your attention and think something the whole way through. It doesn't hurt to ask yourself questions to dig deeper. Maybe journal about it. Why do i feel guilty? Am i really different now or will i end up filling up my life with this again? Why did i collect this? What was my goal when i bought this? Does this help me reach future goals? Is this helping me get to those goals, why or why not? Is this item really honoring a memory or is there something better? Ultimately its our life and we get to choose how to live it. We can honor others memories more by how we imitate anothers qualities or tell stories than any object could ever do.

[@amyrugg2540]

Right now im struggling with letting go of books. There is a world of possibilities in them for me and i want to say yes to them all. I have gotten rid of a lot but i still have a lot too. The problem is i accumulated much much more than i could read and now they have become a reminder of being behind. But i am still interested in so many of them. I know the ones i got rid of i never think about but i was ready to let go of those. Do i keep them as proof to myself of who I am? Do they make me feel like im well read or wise or creative or interesting? Would i feel empty if they were gone? I would feel it was a sad waste. Perhaps i think i would regret not having read more of them. The only good the books are doing for me is if im reading them and the convience of being now free and available to read. The only way i see out is to read or at least try to read the first 50-100 pages before donating. The ones i have little interest in i will donate.

[@moongoddess5394]

@@amyrugg2540 I've done a lot of decluttering over the years, but like you, I still have a large number of books. I really enjoy my library of books and although it will no doubt take me years to read them all (if I ever do), I don't feel at all guilty about owning them or giving them space. I love reading and I've incorporated a reading habit into my life now so I think I have a realistic plan for getting through them. One thing I've learned over the years is to get rid of things only when I am good and ready to do so. I don't care what other people say. Then when I do let something go, I never regret it, because it's the right time for me.

[@craftdipper]

@Amy Rugg ... Your last sentence is so true! We honour the people we loved and have lost by the way we live our lives; by allowing their example and their love to influence us. This is so much more far reaching than keeping multiple objects that belonged to them.

[@amyrugg2540]

@@moongoddess5394 I've felt guilty to get rid of books. I know i have excess. I have multiple of the same types of books because i wasnt sure which to buy, i have more cookbooks than i can handle. Recently i decided i felt guilty of how inactive my books are. I simply have too much and i know i still do.. but i choose to make more of a habit to read them, i plan on getting down to 10 favorite cookbooks so i can fully enjoy the ones i have, and as for multiples im hoping i can wittle those down. I also have a collection of books to read for studying how to write. I plan on keeping those all for now, but my plan is to actively comb through all my books, read the backs, read the first 50-100 paged to make sure im being active with my things and sure i know what i have and want. And all the others, fiction and non-fiction, Im planning on reading and putting to use too. ☺

[@Lola.sweets]

Random question! Love the art piece in the background. Who is it by please?

[@hrh4773]

I love your jumper and cardigan. Where did you purchase please?

[@lechatbotte.]

I have a friend who has tons of stuff, much of which she hasn’t seen in years yes years. She gets into the boxes to remove it and bam her emotional attachment takes over. I started moving stuff with her five years ago. Some items are still there, she won’t move them. She is in that vicious cycle things go out more comes in.

[@cultureal9544]

Have you watch hoarders on tv?

[@baruchben-david4196]

Personally, I don't think you just declutter once. You declutter. Your life goes on. At some point you may decide you've got clutter - so you declutter again. And so on. You might unwittingly acquire clutter as you go along; but also, your idea of what you can live without can change, especially if you find how good life can be without the clutter.

[@ravenravella1000]

You are so smart

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

I regret not being able to retain two of my geography projects - both were pasted up on display boards for school opening day. I retained my 16+ biology and geography project and the one for a 14 day school cruise (4 large packed foolscap folders). I have more of my father's work folders, particularly his art work when in primary school in the 1930s and I do remember what is in them all. My various projects remind me of my progress, struggles and chart my improvement. Everything I have will be dumped , placed in a skip, regardless of the money value or family history.

[@TheresaTV1]

I find that taking photos of things like this in order to hold onto the memories without holding onto the objects is really helpful. At least now that we have digital photography that doesn’t cause physical clutter, lol. I took regular film photos of all of my science fair projects, etc. when I was younger so I didn’t have to hold on to the actual project boards. If there is something really special that you want to keep, have it framed and put it up on your wall. But there is a definite limit to how much stuff from the past you can hold onto before it affects your quality of life.

[@ShoppingwithRina]

I’m cleaning while listening to u

[@dianacryder7523]

While there's some great information here, I had trouble sitting through it because I see disaster ahead for people taking advice from those who haven't yet experienced the wholeness of life. First of all. Your last decluttering mistake needs to be moved ahead to #1 to give balance as you move through the rest. Also, I haven't seen a minimalist video (and I've seen a lot) that goes far enough in talking about guilt. We shouldn't keep things due to guilt and we also shouldn't get rid of things due to guilt. Lastly, I haven't yet seen a minimalist that is old enough to understand memorabilia, its purpose, or give advice on how to manage it. It's a disaster. We don't destroy history, nor do we destroy evidence. Memorabilia is something we keep for old age and for future generations. It's something we review periodically to assess its relevance and importance. Memorabilia is like photos but tells a more complete story. It sparks memory differently. Photos and memorabilia spark memories that can't be drawn up at will and may be needed as we age. When we revisit it the question we ask is, "Is this something I want or need to remember or that my children and grandchildren might want/need in the event of my death?" Memorabilia aquaints us with our family history and helps us learn about ourselves through our ancestors. We need to be selective in what we keep so as not to burden our inheritors but not so much that they experience excessive loss.

[@KC-gu6bi]

I agree. I'm finding this video helpful but I'm clearly only getting rid of things that I got recently. After you lose your parents, and your kids start growing up and leaving home, it's not so easy to give/toss the evidence that they were once such a huge part of your life. For me, I also watched my grandmother slowly lose her memory to dementia. It was having things around that she recognized that calmed her. My mom would show her old family photos and bring her a doll that she still had from childhood for her to hold. Those things comforted her. I guess the key is just to remember to keep only a few key things. But it's hard to know what those key items are beforehand.

[@dianacryder7523]

@@KC-gu6bi Exactly. There are a few scenarios in life in which memorabilia becomes important, like early death, dementia, divorce, and other family loss and separations/divisions, in which memorabilia becomes important. All bringing up questions that our children and/or grandchildren may need the answers to like, who were my parents, what happened to divide our family, etc., etc.. Will it help you remember or your family deal with loss by answering questions they didn't have opportunity to ask or give comfort to someone experiencing early loss, including loss of self through dementia or brain trauma. We tend to forget that our lives will change and in unexpected ways because our lives are the people in them who are both mortal and unpredictable. I like the container concept for memorabilia. Choosing as large a container, for each person, that you can store in an out of the way place to contain important memorabilia, keeping and reviewing what will fit and what will be relevant and meaningful to you and yours.

[@studenttime1650]

YOY ARE SOOOO RIGHT

[@lilstars5599]

I always thought I was good at decluttering. But after inheriting my mums entire life of stuff and downing in it for 12 years. I felt like such a failure when I became a mum. I realised I could never make a space, like the top of my drawers, look nice, because there was just too much stuff!!! I'm very deep into the process of decluttering and minimalism now. Guilt is gone. I'm ADHD & autistic, I've got a small house and little kids. I feel so free now I've gotten rid of I'd say close to 70%. My background is conservation and Land Management. So sending stuff to landfill was my biggest hurdle. Therefore, the stuff I couldn't donate or sell, was garbage. I was keeping us surrounded by garbage. My kids will inherit this garbage. Learning about Swedish death cleaning was amazing for me. Then Clutterbug types helped sooo much with organising. I'll never look like a minimalist, I like big old furniture and photographs on the wall. But my drawers, wardrobe linen closet, laundry system. They're finally working for me.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Ask the people in your life to not pass things or purchase for you for 12 months. Find a new way to celebrate holidays without gifts!!!

[@comfort-and-joy]

I love asking for consumables for holidays, like chocolate, food, wine, etc!

[@artfullfox9]

I got the Mari Kondo book put it on the shelf and now it's part of my clutter, not read it yet... 😏

[@narelleworks8448]

If I had a minimalist house I would have time to visit the memorabilia that would be limited and organised. It beats useless and meaningless decore bought because I wanted a room to look like someone’s room on KZbin or instagram, etc.

[@cefcat5733]

Poverty causes clutter. You tend to hang on to everything you get as a gift or find. Hobbies can also cause clutter. Having kids causes clutter. The house is never big enough to hold their things from age 0 to 25. Sprouting plants causes you to keep too many containers. I have knitted a few things but a time to knit comes so seldom. Things which could be repaired stack up too. Also, if you don't have a car, imagine that, how do you get things to the recycling center? Once you buy something, it is there. Also, trying to change the look of your home just to have a better day, you end up with so many different towels for kitchen and bath. Thrift shop and Red Cross could maybe help. Remember, things get dusty. Buy it, increase your at-home workload. I take out glass jars to the glass container each day. 2 more cupboards to go.

[@nocturnalintern4150]

Wait. In what universe does one consider and another encourage: "decluttering" an old heirloom family photo? No space for it on a wall or behind a shelf unit in your garage or basement? No mention of offering it to a relative? I'm speechless. 😢