If You Want to Simplify Your Home, Start Here! (7 things to do first) | minimalism + simple living

[@AtoZenLife]

Comment with your favorite tip for SIMPLIFYING your home, and if you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Click betterhelp.com/atozenlife for a discount on your first month of therapy.

[@tania4726]

Wonderful video and tips for starting off the new Year✨😁! 🎉

[@olivemaycards]

Treating stores more like art museums helped me see that just because I find something attractive or appealing doesn’t mean I need to own it. I’m glad these beautiful things exist, I feel good having seen them, if I reeeeally need to I can take a photo and share it with a friend, but I don’t need to possess everything I like.

[@laurab4652]

This!!! So well said!

[@elisemariecollinsyoga5905]

Great idea! A store is an art museum 🤔

[@poodlegirl55]

As. a senior who doesn't have the stamina for deep cleans or declutters I just do a little every day. I can always find something to throw out, get rid or of clean. I mark dates on my food and rotate so I don't have stuff going bad and I wipe out my fridge every week before going to the store. Your house is lovely, I hope you are enjoying it.

[@MsVanja17]

Eyes full of tears… I’m sorry to see that, it’s perfect example how all look perfect for us from this side. Everyone fight with different situation in life.

[@AtoZenLife]

🙏❤️

[@Tux.Penguin]

The clumsy bump with the cabinet at 8:46 reminds me of myself. Your choice to include this clip in the edited video increased the relatability and light humor. 😊

[@AtoZenLife]

Glad you appreciated that! 😂

[@janetmcgee4525]

Although I've been decluttering for many years, videos like this get me moving and give me new ideas. Thank you, Marissa.

[@AtoZenLife]

You are so welcome and thanks for watching, Janet!

[@ruthhedagerkristensen9497]

Its so nice to see a little more of your beautiful home!

[@Kate-lo1in]

When I open a drawer, cabinet or closet to get something I do a quick check to see what has gotten in there that needs to go. Quick and easy to keep up once the initial declutter was done. 0:15

[@AtoZenLife]

Great idea 💡👏

[@quoththeraven13]

I just love this kind of video…relaxing AND inspiring! 🥹

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you ☺️🙏

[@TheKatelinn]

I do trash bag therapy regularly, its such a great feeling to fill it up. Even today, we went to the dump with 6 binbags and one broken mirror. Came home with a Christmas tree, but its just staying until Jan 6th ❤ 🎄

[@amandah.6042]

I really enjoy your content. This video is perfect for this time of year when society wants us to fill it with stuff. I'm just tuning out the noise. We got our daughter one gift. My husband and I don't buy each other gifts. We are spending time in a mountain cabin and going on a Christmas train. Wishing you health and healing! 🙏🏼❤

[@karenanddan]

The third segment about shifting your mindset is golden! I've watched that part 3 times already. I'm writing that down in my 2025 planner. I love your channel, content, and your home. Lord willing, we will be repainting our interiors in the new year. Relaxing, peaceful, and dreamy are the words I'm focusing on for the atmosphere for our home.

[@AtoZenLife]

Wishing all the best for you and lots of success with your goals in 2025 🙌

[@goddessmel8518]

I'm also a regular wardrobe curator, doing a complete try on and review every season. I use a similar 5-bin/bag method, including a traveling suitcase that I facilitate in my Buy Nothing group. I'm about to do a spring/summer clear out and get a bag moving over the holidays while my neighbours have time to do their same with their wardrobes. By using a traveling bag - rather than just donating to a local op shop - I know the items are going to someone who wants and will wear them, plus I have the opportunity of trying out new things when the bag comes back to me without spending money on something new. As I've worked on identifying my personal style and identifying the items I need to make my wardrobe work for the life I have, it's easier to only take items that fit my guidelines (or have a chance to try them out for a week or so before laundering and returning to the traveling bag for the next person if they're not right for me).

[@goddessmel8518]

I own very few 'knick knacks' and don't display these types of items in collections - makes cleaning surfaces so much easier and also helps my husband's allergies without these dust collectors around. We also use drop bowls or trays to keep things together that might otherwise get misplaced, or to corral items we need to use each day (e.g. my husband keeps his medications on the kitchen sideboard rather than the bathroom drawer so he doesn't forget to take them; I've corraled these into a clear lunchbox that lost it's lid).

[@ravenstormchild6491]

Sending love and blessings, dear Marissa❤

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you, I appreciate it! 🙏❤️

[@mcanultymichelle]

Your new home is looking stunning. You’ve always had good taste. yep that’s what I did. I sold my house and moved to a new place so I can just be simplified. and I did that modeling your home in Europe. I thought that was so beautiful. But this home is even more beautiful that you have.

[@LaLayla99]

I just bought my first house this past summer and I'm working on doing one room at a time. The house was built in 1900, so it has very little closet space, which I'm seeing as a good thing! I really don't want to clutter up my house, so I won't be able to shove things in the back of the closets and forget about them. I have to purchase furniture for every room, so I'm being very deliberate in how each room will be used and what I actually need to fulfill that use.

[@dianaklien1560]

My favorite tip: Have an easily accessible (but not in the way) box, bag, cabinet/drawer, hamper or whatever already designated for donations. I find it easy to pop something in even if it is just one item. Before, I would wait for when I was “decluttering” instead of taking the whatever out as soon as I recognized it as something I didn’t need or want anymore. And just like clutter on a flat surface, once I put one thing in I will soon find another thing to put in.

[@poodlegirl55]

I keep mine right in my car because the thrift I donate to is right by my grocery store. I just got into the habit of looking over to see how full the box is every time I go to the store.

[@thesender6793]

I’ve been doing that too for the last couple of years, and it makes such a difference between “should” get rid of an item and actually getting rid of it.

[@dianaklien1560]

@Yes, that works (if you have a trunk).

[@MichelleJones-p4e]

Thanks for this video. I just needed someone to tell me where to start, and you did: with my entry way. And, I made a pledge to myself: starting 1-1-25, no buying from Amazon until I am completely decluttered! I expect it to take 2 years. I should save money, space and time. 😁❤️🌹

[@AtoZenLife]

That’s amazing and wishing you the best of luck!!! 👏

[@paigebecker6446]

At this point in my life, starting over in a cabin in the woods sounds pretty good!

[@LynnetteOrtiz-dk9my]

Marissa, I really enjoy the content you choose to share on your channel. I totally use to do #6 & buy things because I liked it. I am reaping those consequences in the form of clutter now! Ahhhh! Your channel has helped me on my decluttering journey this year. It's been slow but sure. I'm trying hard to only keep to my own things because my husband though he has verbally claimed how the clutter gives him anxiety, he still buys into the sunk-cost fallacy. Your content is very helpful & your delivery is calming. I appreciate you❤ I like the esthetics of your home also. So peaceful & serene☺️

[@LynnetteOrtiz-dk9my]

I meant to say that I have adopted #6 change shopping habits. I am very thankful that I've changed my mindset also!

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks so much, Lynette, I completely believe that you (and your husband) can take back control of your spending and simplify your house!

[@allein1001]

I don't have much of an entryway; there is a closet across from the door and I have a narrow hanging shoe holder in there for the shoes I wear most often. I use a pretty candle jar from Bath & Body Works for my keys on a small table by the door. (The candle was a gift in a scent I wasn't a fan of, so I exchanged it, and while I liked the scent I picked, I also partly chose it for the color of the jar in anticipation of using it for that purpose after the candle was gone. ☺) You can also look for something called museum gel to stick to the bottom of drawer organizers so they don't shift around when you open and close the drawer. It's removable and won't damage surfaces.

[@AtoZenLife]

Cool, thanks for sharing all the ideas and tips! 👏

[@dawnwilson8017]

Good idea using the makeup sponge to keep the containers in place. I’ll try that myself 😄

[@AtoZenLife]

It was the perfect size! 😂

[@joyousdog1]

I use a skinny wedge-shaped one to stop the annoying rattle of coins in the coin slot in my car.

[@yasminminusculi4235]

You are my inspiration! Greetings from Spain ❤️

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you so much and cheers from chilly Chicago 👋 🥶

[@sharelle7307]

Your new home is looking lovely ❤

[@satujuntunen8475]

Excellent points and reminders! It really got me going again, tackling all the little details around the house, countertops, our miniscule hallway! Thanks!😊🤩

[@AtoZenLife]

You are welcome and cheers! 👏

[@ravenstormchild6491]

Best tip: don’t believe the sunk cost fallacy.

[@AtoZenLife]

YES, don’t buy into that!!!

[@thesender6793]

That is the most difficult part for me.

[@ear1421]

I love that you have outlets in your drawer.

[@quoththeraven13]

Oh my gosh, the 00:48 is sending me 🤣

[@AtoZenLife]

Hahaha, glad you liked that! Who HASN’T felt like that, right??? 😅

[@donnarakitzis2719]

Wise advice

[@julietannOsfan1972]

Great tips. A kettle is something that is usually used every day in a British kitchen. I can’t imagine anyone putting it in a cupboard. Just curious, why do people in the US call it a tea kettle & not just a kettle? I don’t have children but when my niece & nephew were little we had low coat hooks that they could reach. A lot of people don’t seem to do this & then they moan that their children don’t put their coats away.

[@zdzislawaprzyborska5653]

finally some tells honestly about how to simplify your life

[@Kate-lo1in]

Good stuff 🎉

[@AtoZenLife]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@madi9726]

i think i have less stuff than this, but a lot less storage. i could declutter a little bit more, but more than that i think i need storage or a different floor plan 🫠

[@kristiewinston8007]

Really good advice!

[@RandyBailey-k2e]

AKA Kenneth Bailey Your home is so Beautiful as it is. 😊

[@wilhelmina8843]

This message is because you deserve the engagement. Great content that even long time declutterers can refresh on. (Spell check says declutterers isn’t a word but that is what I am 😆)

[@oksanalarue6217]

I am so happy to see I’m not the only one hitting myself in the face with cabinet doors!!! Nice to belong 😂😂😂😂

[@AtoZenLife]

Glad I'm not alone 😜

[@sarahdavis7566]

Do you have a link for your couch? It’s exactly what we’ve been looking for.

[@AtoZenLife]

Hi there! It's this one from IKEA: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/morabo-sofa-grann-bomstad-golden-brown-wood-s29317758/#content FYI, if you have the space I would go with this L-shaped one instead: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/morabo-sofa-with-chaise-grann-bomstad-golden-brown-wood-s19575880 We had that one in our previous home, but sadly it was too small for our current space! You can't go wrong with either, it was so nice we bought it twice. ☺

[@BookloverFantasy92]

I’ve been declutterring for years, and every time I do, I go a bit further. I’m still not happy with the level of stuff we have, but getting there. Kids toys is the hard one, because they have control over them.

[@user-uo2fn4kk2t]

The house is amazing

[@AtoZenLife]

Thank you 🙏

[@Catplanty]

I definitely need to declutter my basement after the holidays… it’s like Monica’s secret messy closet. My flat is organized and it’s really easy to keep up with it, but the basement seems to magically make stuff appear 😭 also need to get my boyfriend to just throw stuff away since he keeps empty cardboards and packages in the basement in case he wants to sell his stuff one day 😭

[@lmack6596]

12:16 My cat's horrified to see you throwing away such a precious commodity! 😅

[@marieschmidt5550]

I have a question, want do yoi recommend when there isn't much stoarge space and that's why you have no other option than to use the countertops? I have a very small already simplified kitchen, but need to use countertops anyways. Any suggestions? Great video! Thanks

[@RachelAnn27]

Where did you buy your dining room set?

[@ReneeDennis-x8h]

Is the beginning of this video your home in Germany or your new one? The sofa looks the same.

[@AtoZenLife]

Our new home! We got a smaller version of the IKEA sofa that we had because we loved it so much. The bigger L-shaped one didn’t fit in this space, unfortunately 😄✌️

[@TheSnugglery]

Divas run around their whole house cleaning for 3hrs while A to Zen life videos auto play in the distant background 👁️👄👁️

[@AtoZenLife]

Love that 😂❤

[@daryljohnson9010]

👍

[@Smallworld2024]

0:56 super funny 😂

[@AtoZenLife]

Haven't we all felt that way at one point or another??? 😂

[@blackforestwanderer]

I notice a really strong need to buy something the week before my period. I call it hormone shopping. Since I became aware of it, it is easier to resist. Does anyone else experience this? Dear Marissa, hope everything is fine now, and I wish you a happy Christmas holiday. Greetings from Germany 😊.

[@charmin78]

How old were you when you started saving “good boxes” because you believed you might need it later?

[@AtoZenLife]

Oh my goodness, as long as I can remember? The reasons when I was a kid are different from the reasons now, but the instinct was consistent 😅

[@mmybickers]

Me: "But... I would never eat an elephant; they're sentient." XD

[@AtoZenLife]

😂

[@genxrants]

What do you do when you have a large family but limited counter space?

[@EricMoore790]

She is pretty

[@DevilishFailure]

I always struggle with getting rid of the items I sorted out and start to feel bad because they might end up in landfill so I cling on to them :/

[@AtoZenLife]

Schedule a time/date on your calendar to get it out! 👏 📆

[@DevilishFailure]

@@AtoZenLife But out where? In my area donations are not welcome anymore because so many people are trying to get rid of their stuff... Would love a video on that topic, how to find organisations that take care of all of your "trash"

[@aysuncag7596]

🫶⭐️🌟👏

[@AtoZenLife]

🙏❤️

[@M_SC]

Step one: have a big entry hall with a closet Not that useful

[@karins.4798]

I'm following your chanel for years now. The translation with AI in German is horrible!! If it is not possible to watch in English I definitly leave. So sorry!!!

[@AtoZenLife]

That’s awful! Maybe you can just turn it off?

[@user-qs5xp2ex4m]

Ja man kann die deutsche Übersetzung im Untertitel ausschalten. Ich schaue es immer auf Englisch...

[@karins.4798]

I tried it, but it does not work. Maybe you can do something about this. I am really sorry but this is unbareable.

[@karins.4798]

​@@user-qs5xp2ex4mvielleicht kenne ich mich zuwenig aus. Kannst du mir sagen, wie ich das genau mache? Die Sprache in den Einstellungen ändern hat nicht funktioniert. Wenn ich auf cc klicke, kann ich nur die Untertitel auswählen. Danke !

[@user-qs5xp2ex4m]

@@karins.4798 Einstellungen - Untertitel (da sind meine auf Englisch) mein Ton ist aber auch auf Englisch. Es gibt ein paar neue Handys, die automatisch ohne nachfragen alles auf deutsch übersetzen. Also ggf muss man das im Handy selbst ändern.

[@janaminerva]

Wtf why would you want to eat an elephant 😢 That must be the stupidest metaphor I've ever heard

[@Catplanty]

It’s a metaphor for „one step at a time“ so calm down 😅 also people eat all kinds of animals 😒

[@ashleaspruce8185]

@@Catplantythank you❤

[@phatwombat4241]

So clinical. That’s not a home. You may as well just live in an empty room.

[@elainesteward3130]

Don’t yuck someone else’s yum….unkind

[@AtoZenLife]

Also, we just moved here 3 months ago and are slowly settling in. Haste makes waste!

[@christybee8959]

Geez. They just moved. Your comment is unkind.