The REAL Reason This Room is a DIRTY MESS ...

[@tamanda2]

I don't agree that your channel is having an identity crisis. You are being your authentic self! If we are honest, too, we have many of the same struggles sticking with routines, falling off the wagon, being busy because life is happening, and then also have times of success, sticking to routines, maintaining systems. It is all part of life. I love how real you are!!! Keep being you! Share what you want to!

[@mrsi82]

I know it's difficult for you to share, but it's actually good to find real homes with real life messiness on here. It's encouraging and your overall journey has been so motivating! We got this!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Thank you!!

[@darcyrobb3692]

Erica Yes keep it real… I like when you show the mess & where the breakdown happens- Id like to see more when you declutter & dtop it off with your homeschool group or thrift store; I do think You need to tackle & complete the bsmnt declutter , been waiting to see that! Remember more flat surfaces allows clutter/trash build ⬆️ up ⬆️ 🤗🙂🇨🇦🍁

[@kimberlyfake9127]

I love your channel and your willingness to share real life. I like how you share your steps working through areas. Progress not perfection! One step at a time. You are doing great and you’re an inspiration. Don’t change your channel. Our bedroom is a mess. I have never been able to make our bedroom a sanctuary. It has always been a dumping ground. I just don’t know where to go with the stuff. It is our bedroom/office.

[@GoingGreenMom]

​@@EricaLucasLovesTotally agree. Love that you keep it real. Thinking through the breakdowns is probably the most helpful for me. But figuring out the systems is something most people don't cover and is the most ongoing part of the process.

[@ChristianAnneSmith]

Yes, one of my favorite things about your channel is how you share these moments and your struggles, and witnessing how you work through them. Life is always in flux. You’re still an expert to me, even when you’re learning right alongside us. Keeping it real is wonderful.

[@lynneplis4793]

I think you should keep on being who you are. Your channel is a window into normal family life. In an age where most of what we see is fake, where channels are designed to make us feel inadequate, you are real.❤

[@janego2018]

Well said!

[@lesliestanleyangles]

Yessss!!! 100% agree!!

[@jeanettekvinlaug2772]

The fact that your house is not perfect after 5 years of minimlism is the main reason I subscribed to your channel. I love the real life, the ups and downs. The teachings and the vunerable, tough times, and the fun, easy times. The mess and the systems. And I really love when you think out loud. Either it is declutrering, or lsomething else, like today.

[@faithfisher2951]

Agreed!

[@haten4]

Absolutely stay with the reality! You can be an expert and still struggle sometimes. This is way more motivating than showing already clean, made-up fake rooms. It gives us hope ❤

[@zsuzsannabak1530]

Agree.

[@zsuzsannabak1530]

Plus your reality is not that bad. I mean you've declutterin so much, it just need to adjust time to time.

[@judyellen4412]

I don’t know if this has anything to do with any of this but I have seen some photos from the 60’s and 70’s and nothing is perfectly organized in the homes from back then and nobody cared. Even decorated Christmas trees didn’t look that great. That is just how things were. Also, a lot of women were the homemakers and didn’t work outside the home. I don’t know how we got to this point that we feel bad when a room is not in apple pie order 24/7. Erica, I think you are doing a fabulous job even if your bedroom is messy and has a billion socks. lol I think we all need to keep things in perspective. I love your channel, your commentary and your humour. Keep up the good work. You are doing a lot right because it seems to me your family is happy.

[@0570dev]

I love your 'in apple pie order' quote. 😊

[@lear635]

Your insight is on point & begs the question "How did we get here?", as you said. Great food for thought.

[@jessicaderstine4061]

I think a piece of how we got here is that we literally have more stuff in our spaces than the housewife of the 60-70's. A piece of that is reflective of post-Great Depression we didn't have enough, must save everything.

[@bethstratton3391]

Erica, please don’t get down on yourself. We all avoid doing things sometimes that is natural. Like you said, you have three children and so much going on, also you deserve to carve out some time in your day for your yourself. You are an amazing person, remember we can’t do all the things, all the time. The fact that you have put your routine back in place is fantastic. You have nothing to forgive yourself for, believe me you did so amazingly well with your house. Remember just how far you have come in recent years. When you show reality and real life that is when I relate to you the most. Your tips and passion are so beautiful.

[@LoriJantzi]

I would love for you to collaborate with Dana K White from a slob comes clean. Her method is life changing and eliminates making a bigger mess and touching items multiple times before it ends up in its home. Just a thought. I’m proud of the progress you have made over the years. You have come a long way.

[@lookinglassminiature]

I love that you show your real life and the mess that comes with it. It makes the wider community feel less alone with the daily struggle of keeping a home clean and tidy. I love your bravery and honesty. I also like watching you talk through making decisions. It is very helpful. Thank you Erica. You are one of the best channels on KZbin for being authentic.

[@susieque933]

Your home is far more reliable to me than all the “perfectly” clean houses that people are “cleaning”! I think your channel helps us figure out our own homes. I love your channel 💕

[@annbeth6730]

Everyone in the home is old enough to pick up after themselves. You shouldn’t have to pick up after everyone.

[@terez1158]

If you choose to show you enjoying your Self, your home, your children, and your family, it all fits into your channel on simple living and decluttering. Because you are showing your life as the effect of all the work you put into your home. Your channel is not to be boxed into only one subject, it is yours. Show whatever you feel like sharing that you feel inspired to share. Joyfully❤

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Love that!

[@chalkdust1]

I have noticed that, unlike other animals, when the sock is carefully folded in with its mate and left alone in a darkened drawer it is chaste and celebate. Instead it is the single sock, randomly scattered about the house, which ignores its proper partner and breeds! (Especially under beds.) Maybe David Attenborough could explain why?

[@eleanormarshall5210]

🤣

[@Celcey24]

Personally, I love the realness- it's the reason why you're the cleaning/organizing/decluttering channel I'm subscribed to (and have been for years; since well before you moved to Maryland). From the start, your problems were the same as my problems, even though we're at very different stages of life. Never be ashamed that mess still happens- it's part of life, and you sharing that part of your life has made such a positive impact on me. You succeeding (and make no mistake, no matter how many messes form, you HAVE succeeded) means that I can succeed, even if I'm not there yet. So please never lose that! That being said, I also enjoy when you make videos from a more 'expert' point of view, but your house doesn't have to be perfect for you to make those videos. Make whatever video is going to be the best for you that week, whether that's most convenient, most fun, or whatever else. I've never watched a video of yours and though "gee, what a waste of time!"

[@glendaw5221]

I love the process in the videos. I identify with your “still getting messy”. So I loved this video. I especially like it when you go through your thought process.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

It surprises me still when we get messy.

[@cathyellis3074]

Dear Erica, thank you for sharing this video. To be honest, it was rather painful to watch. Poor you! I really love your videos, I follow you since years (because of minimalism) and your family is lovely! As you are! Thank you for being mindful to our nature, to reduce plastic and recycle and to raise your kids like that! THANK YOU! I was very sad to see you struggle like that and I wonder if you appreciate a little advice? Let me call it the "Touch once Method". You often triple your work by handling everything 3-4 times! This means - regarding your bedroom, prepare 3-4 boxes or bags - one for donate, one for garbage and one for dirty laundry, kids-stuff etc. - Do not place it on the bed! All the stuff goes right into the RIGHT boxes. AND - you NEED to remove the boxes to their place RIGHT AWAY. If you need another box - get one... but EVERYTHING needs to go into a box right away! (Seeing all the socks I would really advice you to place a nice laundrybox (dont buy one - I am sure you can find one) in the bedroom. (Maybe penalty for you and your husband if a sock or underware etc. lands on the floor! - A little piggybank?) You have a nice clean bedroom now. So - the "Touch once method" starts here! If you remove socks - they go into the laundry-bin (or better - into the laundry-room which is right beside your bedroom!) This takes 1-2 seconds more!!! Medicin - into the bathroom! 2 seconds! Books into the shelvs - 1-2 seconds. You know what i mean? (Maybe a little box with stuff which belongs into the kitchen - and which is emptied every DAY in the morning when you walk downstairs...) You really need to handle things RIGHT AWAY. Imagine: There is NEVER anything on the floor ... how easy to vacuum.... The next trick is - NEVER walk empty handed! When leaving the bedroom you take glasses down to the kitchen... etc. etc. I also think that your kids are old enough to help you. Get your son to take his books back to his room RIGHT AWAY! The houses in America are really big! Which means more to clean, but also more space to organise and store everything! You should celebrate that! And please, put sorting-Boxes into your laundry-room! I have a tine space in my bathroom to do my laundry and I have 2 boxes for dark and light laundry. And done! As soon as one box is full I wash the laundry. You have such a lovely laundry-room! I would sell my mother in law for that!!! :-) Dont throw stuff on the floor! Or it will never look tidy! Hope this is helpful. Here in Europe we have a saying: Sometimes you can not see the woods because of all the trees. Sometimes it is much easier to see things from a distance. Sending loads of love from Austria!

[@oliviadearth7741]

I agree with a lot of others, I watch your channel to watch you on your journey of minimal-ish life ," through your life". I've dropped a lot of channels that don't seem realistic. You treat your channel like we are a friend hanging out! It's real and I love it! You don't have to do anything special, you take us with you on your journey in this life and through your experiences, trying to live mindful and minimal-ish with family and life.Hearing you talk out loud your thought process of making decisions is my favorite part and the biggest benefit of your channel. I think it helps us All! TY❣️

[@LilaVert-FR]

There's a lot of value in your video showing that after 5 years, you still have messes and dirty rooms *sometimes*. I think it helps people realize that decluttering is not the end goal, but just a tool. 5 years ago, you wouldn't have been able to take care of your bedroom in such a small amount of time, it would have taken days (and tears). Now, it just felt like a breeze. I must say the number of socks was quite impressive !

[@sandylucas4279]

I would like to offer you an easy solution. I am a natural born organizer and I do not do well with clutter. Anyway, notice how many times you touched a single object. My motto is: touch an item once, maybe twice (i do like to display and admire cards for a week when there is a birthday or on holidays, when the week is up I throw them away). What I just watched, here's an example, A child hands you a picture that they drew for you, you hold it, thank them and probably hugs are given. You then put the picture down on the nearest table. You didn't hang it up, or move it to a memory bin, or nonchalantly throw it away in a black garbage bag. You set it down, only to come across it again when you decided to clean your bedroom. Now you handle the picture again by tossing it into a huge tote, then, in this case, you picked it out of the tote and set it down on your bed and said you needed a memory bin. Now the pile of pictures has nowhere to go because you have to sleep in your bed and, as you said, you don't have a memory bin. Again, you pick up the picture and transfer it back to the same spot you first placed it days or weeks before. Can you see where I am going with this? The point is, when your going to clean and come across clutter, you have to have a plan in place. (Dana K White's method would be perfect for you.) In my opinion, you have to manage the stuff you choose to keep right away, in order to not get overwhelmed by your stuff like you did in your bedroom. For instance, you wouldn't let a gallon of ice cream sit on your counter for a week before deciding what to do with it. No, you have a plan and a freezer to put it in. If you know you want to keep special mementoes from your family add a memory bin to your next shopping trip (although, if I remember, you saved many bins in your basement). Meanwhile, create one place until you purchase the memory bin or, for now, use your huge tote. Once you get the memory bin you'll know where to find all your treasures to place them in the bin. When the bin gets too full to keep the lid closed declutter it. You can only keep what the bin can hold. The bin is the bad guy not you. The next time you get a card from your hubby or your child creates a picture for you that you want to keep, or you come across something from your mom or brother, you immediately have a place for it to go. No more piles of clutter in your bedroom or anywhere else in your home. All because you touched it once and had a plan in place. If you are unsure of wanting it or not you can create another bin for those Unsure things. When that Unsure bin gets too full you can declutter that one too. It's a lot easier than most people make it out to be. I hope that was helpful. XO

[@lauramitchell6725]

It was an EXTREMELY helpful suggestion.🙌🏻

[@amandazplace5663]

Outstanding!! Do you do house calls to train husbands? Asking for a friend.😜

[@ritacooke3175]

Hubby is such a sweetie bear!!!! ❤

[@dianegriffen2756]

That's a true Mary Poppins bag, I was waiting for the ladder. 😅 I love and appreciate when you talk us through your process of a real life situation. Please don't beat yourself up, like you say, you've got so much going on. At times like this, I encourage you to look back at where you were at the start of this channel; one 'clutter basket' is nothing! Good to see Andy again. Blessings.

[@patriciagalanakis4540]

I think real life tackling a home with 3 kids and 2 adults is what this channel should show. You’re real, so keep it real!

[@wendyrobertson2524]

Your authenticity is welcome and honestly why I am still here after finding you attempting to tackle the clutter a few years ago. In this age of influencers who show and promote things that are often not achievable or sustainable for most people, it's good to see someone who promotes things being good enough and that living is more important than a perfect house. Not for nothing, you've had some major loss and grief isn’t a linear thing. Grant yourself some grace. You deserve it.

[@CindyClough]

It's been a little while since I have tuned into your channel, I had to declutter KZbin for a while... I can see such a difference in your demeanor, Erica! You seem calmer & certainly, your home is so much more peaceful! I like the mind shift you shared at the beginning of this video - thank you! Also, I think it's helpful for viewers to see you cleaning up the space - it shows you're human, and you are teaching viewers HOW to clean/declutter. If you can show cleaning out your last house before your move to this home, you can show anything! I always thought you were so brave to show that! You gave hope to so many viewers!!

[@ntay7884]

Thank you so much for sharing real life. The tip my mom taught me for clothes that have been worn but not yet ready for laundry: "In side out.' Hang it up inside out, put shirts in the drawer it belongs, in side out. When I see clothing in this manner I know I have had it on for a short time before, and I don't have a pile anywhere. When I look for an item it's exactly where it should be.

[@lauramitchell6725]

ILOVE THIS!👍

[@terez1158]

Plus, i love your humor and your perspective ❤

[@christined2495]

Erica, your my favorite channel on utube. I have followed you from the beginning. I am retired and it’s just me and my hubby, so my house once I weeded thru belongings and stopped buying a lot of unnecessary items my house stayed minimal, you on the other hand are a young mom of three, two dogs, a husband, a homeschool teacher to your children, you have a utube channel, you grow your own veggies, OMG your a busy gal, your in a different phase of life then I am, but I so envy your time of life , enjoy the now. Children grow up we learn through our sorrow as the poem says, your kids love to play and enjoy their toys too, your absolutely fine, and please dont change the channel xo

[@nancybrower8608]

I like you just the way you are. No fake, just a real house with a husband, three kids, and two dogs. I will continue, too, watch your videos. God bless you. ❤

[@Elemiriel]

Maybe doing a video where you give a quick update on the state of the house every day for a month, then edit it together to SHOW the ebb and flow you're talking about. It sounds so interesting and relatable, and who knows? might help you understand your own systems better?

[@kristinagrace1536]

We all are not perfect...we all struggle with maintaining our homes. It is refreshing to see real life messes and clutter. I say keep doing what you are

[@jennaalce4016]

Long time subscriber here along on the same simple living journey as you since summer 2019 when I had my 3rd kiddo. At the moment I watch this, my upstairs is in good shape and will be easy to button up tonight. At this same moment, the basement is in a heap and I'm just ok with that. I love seeing your content with realistic spaces and resetting those spaces. It's real life! You're doing great

[@terez1158]

I stop the video at 5:30seconds to say that anything you share in your videos is valuable. I love it ALL. And i love YOU. YOU ARE VALUABLE, ERICA, MY FRIEND. that's why i come over and watch you. You are very grounding to me and i LOVE coming over to your channel, actively looking you up and checking in with you ❤️ You are wonderful and beautiful, Period.❤

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Wow, thank you!

[@charmin78]

I like how you process out loud.

[@JL-hn6hi]

Erica, I appreciate how you experience an issue, figure out how to approach it, and end up victorious. Your ability to be insightful, and analytical, and to implement pragmatic solutions is a gift that not everyone has.

[@sarahstevens9965]

I love your channel how it is please don’t change. No ones house/ home is perfect. Your room isn’t that bad. I’ve had 3-4 days of not doing any tidying due too illness and my whole house has blown up too. Once you start and you’ve tidied up your be suprised how quickly you got it done. It’s pretty satisfying.

[@sallieredman7349]

I struggled with a clean house when my kids were small. Too much stuff. Too many obligations. I was stressed. I wish I had that time back. Now the house is tidy and quiet. The children are grown. I like when you reflect while you declutter and talk about what you are thinking. I do love seeing the “reveal”.

[@josephdaly2015]

Erica I know this was a tough and vulnerable video to make but please, please don’t be cross, annoyed, disappointed or feel shame about the room. This is a real lived in house, not a show house. I know this keeps it real for me, knowing all you’ve done over 5 years and so many items gone, that it can still get messy and a little overwhelming. You have a very busy life, being a wife, mam, teacher, gardener, taxi, KZbinr, etc. You are amazing 🤩 Thanks for encouraging me and many others and giving us grace and don’t forget to give yourself grace too. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇‍♀️👏👍💪🙏💐🦮🐶

[@lorainkyusa]

Please keep your channel as "Real" as possible!! I've been watching you since you began your journey, and you have inspired me and lifted me up more times than I can count! I don't wish to watch a channel that has everything "perfect" because to me that is artificial and not what I'm looking for. It's always so great to she hubby help you with a smile 😊 All our lives are crazy busy, Always make time for what is important to you. Always allow grace in your life. Noone on this earth is perfect. I like your declutter videos, your vegetable garden and cleaning videos. But in reality anything you wish to share I'll be happy to join you! Have a blessed day Erica!! ❤

[@hayleywilliams211]

A friend of mine said to me and it really helped… “it’s okay if your house looks like you live in it”. I like the feeling of solidarity it gives me to see another mum struggling with the same constant flow of messes and restructuring organisation which is inevitable with kids. Your messes help me feel less alone in my messes

[@trixiejoh]

Something struck me in this video: you said there was a lot going on so you couldn't find the time to care for this room. NOT HAVING TIME FOR is something I hear a lot when working with people (I'm a psychologist). There is another way of looking at it: time is time, there is not more or less in a day, a week, a month, a year. But it's how and what we prioritize. Thinking that way it gives back power to the person "I didn't prioritize xyz. There were other more important things." Now you are sitting in the drivers seat of the car that is your life. "Not having time" leaves us kind of powerless, we are dependent on another resource. Take back your power! You're doing great.

[@brandidubach5339]

I do not feel your channel has lost its identity at all. I love all the videos you have been creating and sharing. You are an inspiration because you are real and vulnerable. You show that even though you have been at this for 5 years, life still happens, and things get out of control. And that it's ok, you just have to jump back in where you left off and pull it back together. I also feel like because of all the work you have done, it is much easier for you to pull it back together. Which is also another great lesson. I appreciate you and thank you for being real and showing us what real life looks like, it helps me know it's OK if I fall off my path and that I don't have to feel like a failure. I say keep on keeping on.

[@zsuzsannabak1530]

Dear Erika, I've been following you since you changed the channel to a minimalist topic. I'm amazed how much you've changed inside of you and outside in your home etc. It has been a great encouragement for me. Your Will power is astonishing. Regarding the content, I love as it is. Sometimes decluttering, organizing with you, sometimes teaching us systems... and all kind of household topics. Every video has a good point or a perspective I've never thought of. Love your style. Plus your house is not messy at all. Needs a little adjustment as we all do. Best regards from the Caribbean.

[@janetmeyer7729]

Real life! Keep showing real life. Thank you for caring so much. 😊

[@laurawardle2516]

I absolutely love your realism. I also have three kids and one dog and have been minimal for a decade, and it's still a daily process. Life happens! Real life messiness is what most of us are here for, i expect. I watch everything, no matter what. Love cleaning and decluttering alongside you. :)

[@AnitaHelton-cz1zp]

Thank you for being vulnerable with us. I am glad to see someone who is real. I don’t want to watch a video of someone who doesn’t have occasional struggles with keeping her house clean. It helps the rest of us whose houses are not perfect.

[@amysmith8348]

Our bedroom has always been so packed with stuff. I have boxes of books (stuff spilling out), our dresser piled with things, and a closet with decades of childhood history we’ve been carrying with us the last 13 years of marriage. It’s been a gradual process, of unlearning our bad habits, and of going through and being realistic about what we keep. It’s all a process. ❤️

[@angelhowell5420]

This video just shows the reality that maintaining never really ends. It’s a constant process and if we have a phase where we let something go for a bit this is what happens and is totally normal. Yes, decluttering makes things much easier to maintain but we still have to stay on top of daily maintenance or it just creeps up. This is life, you’re showing real life and how to get back to a more manageable place. Good work ❤️

[@carolcraig6042]

Erica - please keep doing what you do! No need to change a thing! What I most love about your channel is that you do indeed post real situations in your home. I giggled right along with you about finding all those dirty socks!!!🤣 Life gets messy & so do our homes. I’m right there with you as you talk through the mental blocks we ALL experience in keeping life moving forward. Your channel is the perfect mix for me of showing what we all go through, debunking our heads, & developing strategies, habits, and helpful tips to navigate the clutter that always arises. Your channel is one of the most helpful and RELATABLE ones I subscribe to! Thank you for the wonderful content you provide!❤️

[@natashatierney9243]

Love the working on spaces, with the over chat ❤

[@kimking3466]

Erica, your channel is one of my favorites BECAUSE you are real, and you deal with real issues, like the rest of us. I have drifted away from the channels where they are already cleaning a cleaned house and seem to have all of the time to keep it perfect 24/7. That is not real life! I can relate to your thought processes and having to change habits them because they don't work. Sometimes life is about putting out the current fire, and there is no time or energy to deal with anything else. I am enjoying your journey and I love your videos. Also, congrats to your husband on his retirement!

[@elizabethn.6249]

❤ we all love you! I've been with you from the beginning. Through you, I have also found others. Dana from a slob comes clean, has been at this for 14 years! She's still not "done". But you are still helping those with ADHD, and those for whom decluttering is going to be a life long journey. Don't forget all those other folks who are just FINDING you & are grateful. My kids are grown & gone. I don'thomeschooling, but watch all the videos you do on that, for the friendly voice as I work. You aren't 1 dimensional, your channel need not be 1 dimensional! You have followers because you are you. You don't need to change, your channel doesn't NEED to change, but it can. It works because you are you. Just do that. Love and gratitude from michigan.

[@courtneybiter8115]

I appreciate your honesty and am loving your real life videos. I’ve seen you go through some really tough times. I feel like you’ve found your spark again and are rediscovering your tried and true habits. We’ve all been there when life has been too much and we let go of our routines. Thank you for sharing!

[@dewryce1121]

Perfection is not a realistic goal for most people and videos that show this but not the process to get there are demotivating. To me they come across as more of a humble brag rather than helpful or encouraging. I come to your channel for the realism and having you talk out your thoughts as you have them while going through the process. That’s what I identify with and learn from the most.

[@Stonegrow]

I'm in the process of decluttering my home at the moment and understand that feeling of not wanting people to see that you are not on top of things but I think we have all been there. I love how supportive your husband is.

[@debbieray7563]

I love and appreciate when you show the real messes of life. When you talk through things makes me feel like we are on the journey together.

[@janego2018]

As for kid's drawings, you could have them create memory binders where they put their favourite paintings into sheet protectors. They are still that age where they love flipping through their creations.

[@LinaMahoney357]

I really appreciate the videos that feel real... real messes, what happened to cause them, and your process to clean them, but especially the steps you take to keep them from building up again. I really love your self grace and when you talk through that and remind us that we are human with real lives.

[@sandiekirkland4501]

I hate watching videos where the house looks like it has already been cleaned. I appreciate you being vulnerable and sharing.you should never be embarrassed. This is what real life looks like! Decluttering is my favorite thing to watch.

[@3TXSisters]

Our bedroom is the last place I clean, too. Therefore, it often gets skipped because I run out of steam. I'm determined that it needs a higher priority, we're worth it. I love your videos, anything you want to create is wonderful. Your process of talking it out is so helpful. Take care, Linda 🦋

[@shannanbogner5459]

I really appreciate you being “real” as life happens.

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

I’ve enjoyed watching The Minimal Mom hush her rooms. I would really enjoy seeing you do that also. (Hushing-take everything out of the room except the heavy furniture. Living with it for 24 hours. Only bring back what you really want in the room. Nothing else comes back in the room.)

[@monaminchau4798]

Our house mostly looks uncluttered, although it really isn’t. The main difference is that our floors are just for walking and nothing else. We have enough surfaces above the floor to deposit items on. Most importantly, there are enough trays, baskets, and garbage cans around each room to keep clutter confined to just those areas, to be dealt with later. We also give our laundry baskets a great workout, quickly picking up bigger items that belong elsewhere. Uncluttered floors create a great illusion of tidiness 😉 Keep showing us the reality of daily life with a young homeschooled family. Don’t compete with those KZbinrs who create a show home which they mess up a bit for the sake of a video. Keep it real, and we will keep watching!

[@lauramitchell6725]

Amen to this! So many of these channels say, “first go around and pick up all of the trash.” Wait,what? I have a trash can in every room,I also don’t litter outside so I’m certainly never going to throw trash on the floor in my own home!!!!!!!! (I also would never allow a visitor to do this in my home,so why would I allow my children to? I would also be mortified if they thought that this was okay and did it at someone else’s home!)

[@KnineFeline]

Hi Erica, I want to say, first and foremost, that I always enjoy and look forward to your content. I have enjoyed your journey from minimalism to simple living and meaningful/mindful lifestyle and it has been such a beautiful journey. You mention feeling like your channel is in identity crisis. Lean into the mission statement for your channel, "Slow & Simple Living". Don't forget the "living" part - you are kind enough to show your living tasks, struggles, accomplishments and goals. That's the key factor that makes your channel so unique. You feel lost, but as a viewer, from this side of the screen, it all flows and makes sense. 1) Creating and implementing systems for simple life and remain organized 2) Making the tough decisions and giving space and grace to the process 3) The human element - it's not easy, but you're an excellent example of being able to do hard things. These are all things you know and have said, and that's what the channel reflects so well. I hope you receive the clarity you are seeking, but I will cheekily respond with - "but Erica, you're not lost". 😇😇😇🤩🤩🤩

[@janeorr3074]

I took my friend to my room to show her the mess. She said she does the same thing...her room is always last. She works from home and her office is in a corner of her room. It seems very common to do our room last. She also has a steamer in her room. (like you have an ironing board). I start with clean sheets and making my bed. Then clean clothes go on the bed for sorting folding. I watch your show because it is real. We have a cat that likes laundry clothes that are piled up. Best wishes! Thank you!

[@karenpage9383]

Erica, I only found you a few months ago but you are a fresh breath of air in a world of minimalism/decluttering videos! I absolutely love to hear your rationale for your decisions, whether that is to keep, get rid of, or just how to keep organized or tidy. I'm naturally OCD and organized... like micro organized. But then 2020 happened and I live in the country where I feel like we saw bigger shortages in stores. We were already the type to keep a couple extra of things on hand because running to the store one way is 30 mins and ain't nobody got time for that when you realize you are missing an ingredient for a recipe! That said, now we have more back ups than I'm used to. In addition, we started hobbies I didn't have before... gardening, canning, herbal remedies... all of which I love, but the tools and components of which take up space. I feel so overwhelmed by all the stuff despite converting our unused dining room to extra kitchen space. Did I mention we also got pet rabbits and I lost my guest room so the house bunnies could live their best lives ever? Then last October we found out my dad has stage 4 prostrate cancer and a long past due visit to him overwhelmed me because he's become something of a pack rat and until just recently was unwilling to part with anything, burdening me and my brother when he passes to go through 80 years of stuff, including ALL of the possessions of my mom who passed 16 years ago because he wouldn't part with anything then either. I set out in 2024 to do a Swedish Death Cleaning of my own house because I do not want to burden my only child with 50 years of crap. Your techniques have been SO helpful for me and I've already done a 2nd pass on the easy rooms. Then my son had 2 hospital stays and emergency surgeries in the course of 12 days, and my house is flat out trashed... despite purging so much, despite having cleaning routines, despite hubby helping... hell, despite us not being here because we spent almost every moment at the hospital. How?!? Life. All ended well, but I'm overwhelmed by the house we came home to. Hearing that you had it get away from you too makes me feel better! I'll continue to watch your vids as long as you talk through your content because I value your take on life!!!

[@karenpage9383]

Just had a thought... I imagine that it must be hard coming up with big decluttering videos when you have already simplified your home and lives so much. Yes, stuff always comes in, and yes, seasons of life change, but the day to day doesn't necessitate a big declutter when you are living somewhat minimally. With that in mind, would you be open to helping others declutter in their homes? I'm guessing many folks who follow you now missed out on your initial journey. It would be good to see you address a currently cluttered home now since your methods and philosophies have evolved since you started on your own home 5 years ago. Maybe start with friends and family, so you already know the personalities of the folks you'd be working with and filming, and when comfortable expand to those in your community. I know I really like watching Dana K White do the 1 hour better videos with other people, and channels like Space Makers and The Carla Project, especially since those declutters usually start with a place that is a hotter mess than my own! LOL Anyway, just a thought for possible content!

[@beachlover4413]

I love it when you share your thought process when decluttering, your cleaning schedule, toys and books your kids (and you) love that are worth buying, and how you run your household. I don't find it helpful when someone says they are going to declutter and they speed thru a room throwing things in boxes and bags without talking about what or why. I don't get any valuable info for myself to help me make the decisions that I have to make. We are all human and we all have times when our houses fall apart no matter how organized we are. It is nice to see your sweet family. Andy is such a sweetheart!

[@leighbrown2395]

I trust you/your channel 100% precisely because you show and share topics like this. Real goes a long way!!! Thank you for being vulnerable and trusting US.

[@MyBlessedNest]

I love your channel as is! I appreciate hearing you think through things and process on camera… it’s very helpful! I love that is is real life as it happens. I have two tips for you that have worked great for me. 1. Install a few hooks for partially worn clothes that will be worn again. I have five Hooks on the back of our bedroom door that I put my robe and pajamas that I will wear again and any sweaters or clothes that I will wear again and my husband has six hooks behind the door of our bedroom that he puts clothes he’s gonna wear again, his belts and sometimes a hat. 2. Have an open bin, box or any container… the key is just that it doesn’t have a lid … I put mine in my closet it’s actually a basket. Use this for keepsakes that are important to you that day that you’re cleaning through them to keep. Then when you have the bandwidth or time or feel like it go through that and you can decide on which things you really wanna keep long term. Then you can put them in your keepsake box. The point is the temporary holding container is open so it’s easy to throw stuff in. Happy Tuesday! 💓💓💓

[@mainadress5326]

Erica, this is the reason I watch your channel. I love watching you tackle these messages. You are amazing.

[@terryruiz7417]

There always seems to be a room that ends up a catch-all. For me, a corner bedroom/office. Sooner or later, my inner voice says,"Enough!" And I tackle it. Life happens. Living with others "in training" perpetuates the problem. You did well!

[@peggyloomis5746]

I love that despite your declaration about stopping the self flagellation, you acknowledged that you still did “beat yourself up” a bit on the way. It was a revelation to hear you say this out loud! I also try so hard to be kinder to myself, but when it’s all said and done I notice that beside my satisfaction is an awareness of some residual guilt. I’ll keep trying if you will! Thanx!

[@alenescoblete5540]

Your successes and challenges reflect mine and those of all your real-life viewers. We need to see the good, the bad, and the messy because that’s real life. We follow you because you’re you, so just keep making videos without second guessing yourself.

[@catherinecarney2507]

I'm at 11:20, my favorite line, "More socks. I don't think those are our socks. They're not." 🤣 I love how Andy is willing to adapt his non-minimalist self to you so you both find common ground.

[@thisisbethm]

How supportive you and your husband and you are of each other warms my heart. I love seeing happy couples! Plus your content is good. It’s always inspiring even though I’m not a minimalist, it helps me tone down my wanting to save everything.

[@TracyisCrafty]

Love a messy to tidy video it helps motivate me to get going on my messy bedroom clothes avalanche on dresser. We all tend to neglect our bedroom because no one will see it until we get fed up with the mess and how it makes us feel. Erica we are friends so I get it, no shame in giving us a real life scenario to demonstrate your excellent sock sorting technique and how to train your husband demo. Thanks for sharing your videos with all your friends, sending hugs from the UK.

[@karenharris3123]

Dearest Erica, LIFE! LIFE! That’s what you’ve been dealing with and sometimes things get away from us. Look how well and quickly you were able to pull your room back together; identify areas that you need to focus on - your own memory/keepsake box - and help Andy sort out his stuff too!! You have come so far! Your channel is growing organically; you’re living a simplified life with your family. It’s going to change and develop. When I think back to when I first started watching you when you were drowning in clutter, I see how far you have come. I still love your decluttering videos- and as your life continues to grow and evolve that will obviously continue- but when you show how you manage your schedules, your family etc, it’s a great encouragement to those who have not advanced as far along the path and who may be tempted to stop when their homes are not “Pinterest worthy” . You keep it real. Keep on sharing your honest, open and real-life simple living. You are a blessing and a gift. xxx❤️

[@annaanthony7530]

I love watching your decluttering and organizing videos because they're honest and messy. Your comment about the sleeping bag was so relatable! "That's good enough" has become my mantra, helping me pick battles and practice grace, especially when housekeeping feels like an uphill battle. Thank you for sharing your minimalish journey.

[@lesliestanleyangles]

I absolutely love that you have always been real and authentic❤❤ I also truly appreciate that you show your home in its natural way of being. In our society, so many people try to live up to “Instagram perfect” lifestyles, homes & aesthetics but it’s just not reality. I love that you give us real life and super helpful tips that are easily applicable in our own homes! Thank you for being you, showing life as it truly is & for taking the time to make these videos! I have been following you from the beginning and decluttering and simplify my life, right alongside of you! 💗I’m so grateful for the light you put into this world!

[@pppetra]

Thank you for showing up with you being you. I struggle keeping the house somewhat decent. Last Tuesday i cleaned the downstairs (took 5 hours but i nailed it. It even had shiny places). 30 minutes later the floor was covered in sand, footprints from sweaty feet, juice on the table, the floor, a chair, the window and the planks where we had plants at the window. The justice was in the radiator. While i dealt with that one kid peed in the pants cause the toilet was occupied, where another kid peed on the clothes trough the small gap between the seat and the pot. The sand is still there. I just do not have it in me to do it again (cause it will be here for like 4 to 5 months). Give yourself grace. You are doing a lot! It was just stuff. Not 85 used pieces of cutlery and empty bottles, pizzabodems and leftovers. Also i noticed how uprooted i still am from losing my mom almost 4 years ago. (Followed by my best friend, my closest uncle and my faithmentor. Basicly everybody i could turn to when in need.) I really feel like this lost 4 year old trying to play for the first time in a place the others know each other. Rearranging me and my life while keeping everything afloat. I feel like drowning but nobody notices, everything is just hard and a lot. I just need to spent time grieving and i have low energy a lot. We have an office in the attic, my husband used it and he switched jobs in februari. I have not cleaned there since that day..

[@joannafoster3423]

My favorite videos of yours are doing exactly what you did here... watching you declutter, clean, and organize and talking us through it. This is real life! Thank you!

[@Saforra99]

so cute -- your husband's excitement about you having even vacuumed around/under the dog bed :) + the discovery of the extra pair of shorts! Great work!!

[@beth58025]

I prefer this type of video (where you're actively solving a problem and chatting) to the videos that are more informational (where you're outlining very specific techniques and occasionally showing clips for examples). I've noticed that I tend to skip over the ones that are you, talking to the camera, giving information. I love the ones like this one, where you take us along while you get things done. Either way, you're doing a great job! No need to feel shame.

[@lisamisterek7683]

Erica, this is EXACTLY what I want to see - real life. There are plenty of experts out there already. This is one of my favorite videos you've done. I like the idea of putting all the stuff in one big bin and going from there - the socks totally cracked me up! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability.

[@chazychaz7581]

This is the most helpful video I have seen in a long time! 🙏❤️ Struggling depression, this overwhelm is how I feel every day. And seeing your process was so soothing. Please continue this path for your channel, show us the real life, not a photoshopped version 😁👍 Greetings from Denmark

[@susanschmidt2252]

I think you’ve had a ton of change the last 5 years, being minimalish is the least of those changes imho. I love you. I love your family. I love how real and authentic and honest you are. You keep doing you and listen to your heart. You’ll find the answer.

[@becpark2289]

The reason I keep coming back to your channel is not see a perfect space or daily life but to see real life and how you talk yourself through your decisions. I love how little changes you make help so much. Life isn’t a one and done and neither is your journey. Keep sharing you and your thought processes ❤️

[@tamaratorres6368]

I’ve been with you since the beginning, I just want you to know that I’m proud of you & that you are enough. Never doubt yourself! Progress isn’t perfection. It means you’re trying. Lord, knows you are trying. Keep on.. You’ve got this!!

[@cristinas4398]

🧡🧡🧡 Erica, I've been here for a long while. You're one of the few channels which survived my many "subscription declutters" (I unsubscribed). I have Oh-SOOOO-enjoyed your videos in every era and from every perspective you've experimented with. I'm not sure I can pick one format over another, because they're ALL so helpful. But I'll say I was shocked at HOW on-target this video was for me at this time. I've been so happy with my mostly-minimal little house and I've been getting some slow routines back into my week as best I can with a chronic illness which is getting healed thanks to God. But recently, a friend lost her sister to cancer and brought me tons of clothes. They fit but they're too short for me. Out of respect, I've kept them, looking for the "right" time to donate them & hoping she doesn't realize she never sees me in them. Then, stuff started piling up. Improving health meant taking on a little more & a little more... But that sucks up all the energy I was sinking into my gentle housekeeping. I've felt unable to approach my new piles. They're moderate, but distressing visually. It bothers me a lot. I kept asking the same question as you: How did I let it creep back? I hadn't brought anything new or used into the house except food for almost a year! So your videos are so comforting, so guiding, so welcome and appreciated and loved in every format you choose to present!

[@andica1214]

Erica, we want to see you being YOU! Whether it’s “I’m Super Erica 🦸🏻‍♀️, my house is spotless, and I’ve got it all together” or if it’s “I’m Erica, I’ve fallen behind on my chores (because I’m busy with 3 kids’ extra curricular activities, the family got sick with the flu, or I’ve been mentally exhausted), but now it’s time to put big girl pants on and get this house back into shape!”. We love you at every stage! I personally have a hard time being gentle to myself. If my house is a mess, I automatically start telling myself what a horrible mom/wife I am! But then I watch you, and see how even when you’re overwhelmed with clutter, you are just nice to yourself! And it gives me the confidence that I too can handle my mess! I started watching your videos when you started cleaning out your basement with all those boxes! YOU have been my inspiration and motivation to downsize and go into a simpler, minimalish living. You’ve also, without knowing, given me tools to use for this process! (Books, other KZbinrs, or just a different POV, a different way to look or attack a problem). And even though I too have been at this for 5ish years, I still struggle at times. My house gets out of control. And it’s comforting to know that my inspiration goes through the same struggles.

[@siameseire]

I love your "in the process of life" videos. We love feeling the sistership/ brotherhood and Being with you when you have time. HOnestly, every video you do is my favorite kind of video because you are in it and you are a wonderful Real mentor and etherfriend.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

thank you so much!!

[@siameseire]

@@EricaLucasLoves 💛

[@kimmieobrien8108]

I appreciate that your home looks like most of ours. If we're to live and enjoy our homes they will get messy and maybe dirty in some spots.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Yes!!

[@fionamainey7686]

We recently added a new basket to our bedroom called Clothes Purgatory. They are neither clean or dirty but in their own container and easy to re-wear until they go into laundry. Folding your ironing board down reduces places for you to dump things. Do you have a bin in your room, closet or ensuite for trash? Maybe a caddy for books. Once it is full you can go through and return to bookshelves they belong. Get kids to match socks so you can put away.

[@plantsbythemoon9049]

Erica, give yourself grace, plenty of grace. If we're here, we all get it! Dawn, the Minimal Mom would probably tell us to evaluate and reduce inventory. Keep peeling that onion. Love you! ❤ 😊

[@plantsbythemoon9049]

Great job by the way!

[@hellosteph9206]

Hi! I've been here since the basement in the old house. I LOVE the basement decluttering series, and any declutter videos. I don't benefit from "decluttering tips" but LOVE just straight decluttering videos. I would love to see. Decluttering videos with talking through, room cleaning videos. Higher quality video and lighting I think would be a big step up for your channel too (like a video camera rather than your phone) ❤️❤️❤️

[@andreadotson7853]

Erica, I love hearing you take a space and walk through cleaning and organizing it. This helps me think of areas in my home that I can work on and change also. I like that you keep working through the same things, BECAUSE THAT'S REAL LIFE! I enjoy you talking about repurposing sentimental things, like rebinding the old books of your husbands. Would love to see what you keep in your car for emergencies and traveling :)

[@Char-lei]

I love your channel because its real. I have 3 kids, all grown now and only 1 adult child left at home. My house was chaos most days. They're only small once. It really does go fast. Far more important than mess! Now that they're not here daily my husband and I still have mess! Things like the kitchen are a daily tackle. Watching you sort tour messed always inspires me to go and tackle some of mine (and I have no excuse for mine other than its a house and we live here! I jave decluttered and cleaned, I'm mostly minimal and yet they happen. It's life!

[@ShastaAdam]

I cannot connect with a *perfect* house. Thank you for continuing to share your expert advice as you live it.

[@Melihoneybee88]

Hi Erica, I usually never comment. BUT I have to say I am following for many years and love all your videos. I especially love the daily things you talk through and, oh boy, can I relate. Please continue and don't feel bad about things like this video. It helps me and I bet many others to feel more calm about their own messes because they are a normal thing. You should see our office right now.. It's even messier than your bedroom was. You pinpoint so well why these things happen and I am so grateful for sharing these. Keep up your awesome work. I really love your channel and you. God bless you and your family ❤ greetings from Germany 😊

[@ahavilan7033]

What I enjoy most about your channel is how “real” you are and how you talk through everything. I’ve been with you from the very beginning and seeing how far you’ve come is inspiring. I tend to work through a problem area in my house and watch you work through one of your problems too. ❤ just keep it real my friend. ❤❤❤

[@pameehanson3866]

Spot on and please NO guilt. I learned something from Minimal Mom that helped me. When she has a messy area she uses the 5 “F”’s can’t remember them all but one was Floor and in her video she started her area by picking up the stuff on the floor ( not the dog hair 😂) the rest of the stuff and stopped to me that was hugh, if we can’t do it all at once as the floor tends to be my flat space. It changed how you saw the room, she only removed the homeless items from the floor and no cleaning. So I started using that in my declutter journey and felt impressed to share with you ❤. It also makes you not feel the guilt 😮. Love your channel and please never stop being Erica, love your family, we are in this together ❤️🏡🐕🐕😵‍💫