Eliminate the Clutter Forever!

Highlight from episode 376. Watch full episodes of The Minimalists Private Podcast: / theminimalists
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[@TheMinimalists]

What clutter would you like to eliminate from your household?

[@isabellebechade6988]

I would like to eliminate many "things" from our small storage room, especially very old electric appliances or cell phones that my husband wants to keep "just in case"

[@clairejackson1865]

I want to eliminate all clutter and simplify so I have more time to do the things I want to do rather than have to do.

[@Nancy-md7qr]

Clothing

[@lizmandelaine6863]

Everything I’ve (and generations before me) attached meaning to and saved to share and enjoy with loved ones amidst a future that hasn’t “materialized” (irony, anyone..? 🤣)

[@falongreen350]

Gifts I’ve been given but feel guilty to get rid of. I have a family that looks for said items and would get offended if I told them i donated or sold said item. Working on that🤦‍♀️

[@mercymamo5420]

“To love something isn’t just to want it around, it’s the willingness to spend the time and energy necessary to take care of it “ thanks T.K.

[@thevibrantlotusstudiollc8227]

❤

[@ashleylinkey6443]

I really like TK’s explanation of setting boundaries and expectations. That was very helpful. Thank you!

[@conqueringclutterwithbethr8000]

When my kids were growing up I told them that the family areas of the house: living room, dining room, kitchen was a shared space that we all had to keep tidy. Their bedrooms were personal space that they managed. Food and dirty dishes were not allowed in the bedroom. If they wanted me to come into their rooms the floor had to be clear for walking. Setting boundaries was very helpful.

[@juliesieben8148]

Say it louder for the people in the back, T.K.!!! I absolutely LOVE what you said. I have 3 daughters and I OFTEN tell them, if you want to keep this, you have to take care of it. I also LOVE when T.K. said that about his father waning some say and being able to ask questions if he is going to invest HIS money into something T.K. wanted. Such good advice!

[@Shiryone]

Bam, TK! If you love/want the stuff enough you need to be willing to manage them. Home run.

[@Carolmaizy]

TK- you expressed your thoughts eloquently. Thank you for sharing and explaining this today.

[@RadCenter]

T.K. gets it.

[@minimalistgecko4867]

I'm very glad that this message is constantly reinforced by the Minimalists: expressing your needs for intentionality while remembering how intentional your relationship is to maintain!

[@amonralice]

Well said, TK. And big clutter hugs to the messy minimalist. 🤗

[@susanb2171]

When the people who live with you do not respect your feelings and the importance you place on how you want to live creates so many disagreements that you are having emotional and mental breakdowns then it's time for them to examine why they feel their thinking is the only way.

[@charhutchings]

Also Jessica, as a mom of 4, I was thinking that maybe you can set up an expectation together for certain spaces in your home. Maybe if the kids have a play area they can keep it as tidy or as messy as they like- then help them observe how they feel in the space when it is messy and they will probably learn quickly that they like to play when they have more room and can find things. Then set up boundaries that in the shared family spaces it stays tidy so everyone can be comfortable and you can even have your own space somewhere that’s just for you. Also the idea of a “quarantine” bin is really helpful for kids to declutter. They can put toys in there that for a month or longer to see if they really missed it. It is hard for kids to get rid of their treasures but sometimes they don’t remember or care about it when it’s gone for awhile. And Yes! It is very reasonable for everyone to have jobs even at a young age. You do so much of the housework but everyone lives there and helps out. I love watching the Minimal Mom on KZbin as well for advice on this kind of thing. Remember to work through it with love.

[@theresetaylor7207]

One thing felt so good today, I had a charity bag put through my door and I had nothing to put in it! I am absolutely clutter free and so happy. My house work is done in no time and everything has a place even though I will have items along the way to take to the charity shop I am now in control

[@american_kid]

Just a thought.....at what point should the people in your home respect the way you want to live if you are required to respect that they do not want to live like you?

[@kristalahaye3766]

I got a rid of a lot of just in case items over the years by putting them in a box. When that box sat in a place for whatever length of time I would send it off to the thrift store. People dont remember what is in the box. I have been decluttering for years and my husband recently said how much he enjoys living in our home with less.

[@louisegray300]

But after getting rid of “need that just in case” nearly always ended up needing it!!! I triple check and do over long time before getting rid of those “need in case” because I can’t count the times AFTER I threw out a box of screws, or other items not used in long time but might need later - ended up needing! And some of those - now trashed - items were discontinued so had to throw out the whole appliance, Etc!!! DANG!!! So I keep a “junk drawer” and I ain’t throwing out until 1,000 sure won’t need it- but still am worried.

[@stamps4fungin]

The Minimal Mom calls that a "Time Will Tell" box. Love it.

[@katc4291]

I love what TK said in the end!

[@NataliaCopeland]

Jessica stop organizing their clutter for two weeks, three weeks. Then have another conversation with your husband.

[@margauxevans4298]

I want to thank you for keeping me in check. I listen to almost all of these lately and I just love them❤

[@bridgetg2661]

Wow! TK speaks so well - thanks for a great response 😊

[@VerenaTraill]

The clutter I would like to eliminate from my household is paper clutter, including online email clutter. Even though I may have the paper clutter behind some filing cabinet, articles I've ripped out of magazines, or emails I haven't gotten to, etc., I KNOW it's THERE and it drives me crazy! So, I've started culling through everything, and now my husband and I have gotten to the point where we don't need a four-drawer filing cabinet anymore. I find that even if something is "hidden", it still creates a "mental clutter stress and anxiety" in me, and I feel so much better when it's gone......

[@sueciviero3866]

I just hired professional organisers / cleaners to help me. Cleaning properly by first addressing clutter when you are mentally ill can be very difficult. I am ready to make changes. At 61, I realise I have ADHD. It explains why I have had empty closet space, empty drawers and belongings on every surface. With impaired frontal lobe executive function, people often have trouble following through with tasks, remembering, and have an out of sight - out of mind impairment. Getting people to create a system for me to follow will help. I struggle with the clutter every day instead of eliminating it. It sounds so simple but clutter blindness is real. Waking from it is horrifying - but the necessary stage before addressing the problem.

[@longashl]

TK is spot on!

[@jessmarie7082]

This has been one of my most favorite videos! So good!

[@elyt]

Wow TK. Very well said. 👏Love you guys and the whole team! 🤍

[@9catlover]

Wow this was really meaningful and deep. i think i am the worst clutterer/ hoarder due to having so many hobbies and i am also guilty of feeling that i need to buy organising boxes to 'manage' it all. But i think in order to get rid of something, you also need to know how much of that something do you have. Like i love sewing and painting...if i don't organise my threads, fabric, sewing tool etc - then i might keep buying more of it. organising it ( i am trying now) will make me realise i don't need more. it also might make me realise how out of hand it got. This summer i am making pallet wood shelves to keep it all organised, then i might start getting rid, and donating

[@marianmcgill7263]

Those were the best answers ever to that question. So glad I live alone right now but if I ever live with others I know how to approach that situation. Love you guys so much.

[@mermeow]

I suggest to the caller to check out Dana K White's "Container Concept" & Clutterbug (Cas) on KZbin for organizing styles. Sounds like she's a hidden (Ladybug or Cricket) & her husband is a visual (butterfly or bee) organizer. 😺

[@claxtontree]

T.K.'s story of his talk w/ his dad showed me something relating to each of your experiences. Seizing the opportunity to express how you feel & come to an understanding from another person's perspective. It's good when the timing is just right to articulate your feelings & have that ah ha moment.

[@CozySophie]

Lol I just love the thumbnails you guys do for your videos, fun, creative and minimal.❤ I also always wear all black, can't go wrong, the best!

[@ajohonly3721]

Playing this as a I go through my closet and setting my old clothes and bags free .

[@introvertssolitarypursuits3463]

I've been venturing into the Emergency Preparedness side of KZbin recently ( with good cause, I was caught off guard in a power - and water due to power issue - outage right in the middle of a winter blizzard) and though I am learning a lot, the the 'stocking up' side of the prepper community is making me more than a little overwhelmed. Any minimalists here have any advise on navigating this in a more, i guess, minimalistic way?

[@username00009]

I’m in a similar position as you, and the best advice I’ve come across is to pretend the power is out or the water is off and figure out what you truly need to survive for up to three weeks. Perhaps consider items that you could use in everyday life AND emergencies.

[@dawnmireles2912]

It is the one area in my home that I allow myself to have more than I usually would have in my home. I just make sure it is organized, rotated, and I make sure there is thought in what I put on these shelves. Mistakes have been made along the way but I am on an ongoing trek to make it what I “need” it to actually be. I will not get myself in a position that I was in during power outages and COVID empty shelves. It is worth having a room or area dedicated to this for peace of mind. So just because.

[@elisabethladwig8029]

T.K. nailed it and tied it up with a bow. Such helpful and enlightening perspectives.

[@ginabove1701]

When my Grandchildren come over to play, they put away whatever they were playing with before getting something else out. We have very few toys, games and books at our house so it is easy to keep organized. When they outgrow an item, it goes to other children they know, who are younger and we either create or buy new ones.

[@marin.s]

This is one of the best highlights I have seen from you guys! Truly *cheff’s kiss*

[@ikxrlxi2895]

That's really good advice Sir. Plain and simple and to the point

[@sarahlockridge7879]

Acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems today.

[@anthonylangford7797]

The hardest part of being a minimalist is when the partner/spouse is completely the opposite. Her hoarding turned me into a minimalist.

[@ginakessler2372]

Thanks for another great message! Keep on keeping on is my motto, you guys are great . I start my morning off with you two everyday either on my cell while handwashing my dishes or while my TV is on in the background. And I overheard something like were would you two be like in 5 or 10 years from now ? I believe you both will still be doing great things and changing life's and hopefully a brand-new movie and it will stay ! (Period) I know you are a writer so ,I probably got alot of messed up stuff here lol 😂 anyways thanks for all you guys do . Have a great Thursday!

[@SK-jp2ok]

I’m a long time listener, I Love your content, thank you for your work that adds so much value to my life 🙏

[@rg-mi5hh]

Just now finishing a declutter on kitchen items. A few things for Valentine's Day like a heart cake pan, a heart mug, a bear cake pan, and many others were donated. Someone will enjoy them instead of them sitting around here just getting shuffled. With just a few things gone, the kitchen is easier to find things and easier to manage.. Letting seasonal things go right before the holiday helps donation centers and us. 👍

[@belle108jc]

Wowza, thanks so much Joshua- I have to tackle eliminating my dvd dilemma rather than organizing them. Blessings to you, TK, & Ryan!

[@muchadoaboutkovu]

What great advice to put up boundaries for the things you need to do like laundry and dishes. I am going to start that.

[@sinkintostillness]

I think you have to try and explain what it is you are feeling. There's always compromise to be had on both sides. When I talked to my husband about the "silent to do list" that each item sends out to me it made my perspective a lot clearer. I also listen to his reasons for hanging on to things, then we try to find a solution we're both happy with. A working example I can give is little knick knacks/sentimental items. He inherited an old desk, which doesn't really fit with our decor etc, but getting rid was not an option (for him). It has a display cabinet as the upper section, which I have now creatively displayed his hoard of "stuff" in, with the mentality that if he doesn'tenjoy looking at it everyday then perhaps it should move on. (I suppose this is cluttercore - but not to my husband!) The desk has been placed on a wall in our spare room, creating an office space and organised with all his papers etc he just HAS to hang onto. As a result a chest of drawers in our bedroom is no longer needed, and I have created a clearer space which is a sanctuary of sorts for myself whilst balancing his need to have these items.

[@nataschabraun2656]

You are great,TK!

[@anthonylangford7797]

My wife and me recently separated, after she left the clutter disappeared.

[@marialopez4105]

I have the same issue but the only difference is my kids. They are adults.

[@kswear]

Love this. I really need help with ADHD and eliminating clutter. I know exactly how beneficial it would be for me! While I’m at work or if I have to get in bed - I know exactly what steps I need to take, in order, and the random burst of energy to do it. But as soon as I get home, it feels like a bunch of fog has been blown into my brain. A brick wall right behind my eyeballs. Ugh, I really dislike it. I know what’s on the other side of this and I want it!

[@louisegray300]

It’s time to eliminate ADHD as a psychiatric disorder!! FACT: organization is VITAL to Living and To Success! It’s a lie unorganized scientists, Etc. succeed because they’re a disheveled mess! Disorganized businesses/individuals fail. ADHD IS NOT A DISEASE!!! BRINGING ORDER IS NECESSARY 🏆💪❤️

[@kswear]

@@louisegray300 I don’t think it’s a disease, it’s not. I’m so happy for you that you don’t struggle with it.

[@margauxevans4298]

I'm only part way through but I have a thought- my apologies if it is touched on! Common areas of a family home should be shared appropriately. So I would advise the person asking the question to sit down with her family and talk thru what things are triggering for her to have in shared spaces and try to compromise. For example; it's the children's responsibility to either tidy or remove thier toys from the family area. Or maybe your husband doesn't put his boots in the closet, but doesn't have a particular reason for doing so and may be willing to try and eliminate the item from sight for the sake of everyone's sanity. If that makes sense lol sorry

[@AbdullahMulazim]

you had me laughing about the containers to organize/hide your stuff in.......ha ha ha

[@kriscanmanifest]

"I'm gonna buy more stuff to put my stuff in." lol

[@mastandstars5869]

TK is fantastic

[@dougmoring7321]

A friend's brother in law has never thrown out anything. Every car he's ever owned is in his backyard. Every newspaper and empty coffee can and everything else he's ever owned is in his basement. Another friend is older and could not go down in his basement. When he was moving after living in their home for over twenty years, he discovered his wife had filled the basement with her purchases. It required five of those big Got Junk? trucks to haul it all off. He also had to get rid of furniture that had been in a storage unit for over twenty years. They could have bought all new furniture with the money they paid in storage fees. My wife and I are the opposite. We are minimalists. My books are the last thing that I have too many of. Finally been able to gradually get rid of a lot of them. Swedish Death Cleaning, is a good book about getting rid of your junk so your children don't have to. It's very freeing to get rid of your clutter.

[@pinkroses135]

My godawful clutter coffins 😂 and most of their contents tbh

[@mupqueen1]

My rule if one new thing comes in two things go....I don't hold onto stuff anymore as the day will come and it will probably be thrown out by kids....not good to keep stuff-weighs you down ( only keep things that are important)

[@arlettasloan6453]

I think there was some very good advice in this. However, I also think that sometimes when a person- especially a female person- says the things that she said, it means more like that they are literally being given full responsibility, actively being told no one will help and, yet, getting all the blame for when things are not just as everyone else wants them. Because, personal history. When I live alone, my place is clean and clutter free. When I live with other people, it is not and they blame it on me. But, their place is worse, when they are not living with me. So ...

[@elaineclaire7063]

My only obstacle when it comes to decluttering is bringing in new items, so they always say that everytime you declutter an old item, you can replace it by buying a new one? i am not sure if forever exist in decluttering - my aunt has this habit of hoarding furniture - she even wouldnt mind purchasing a 15 bucks wooden table set for her plants when she already own a couple of unused tables? an old fridge that needs to be thrown out but its still inside to store their food?! I don't understand.

[@carochan86]

Maybe do the minimalist game? See how far you get with it. If you don't get all the way through at least you got rid of some things you no longer love .

[@PulpParadise]

"I have to buy some stuff to manage my stuff." I don't know how much you guys look at your competitors' videos, but some of the people in this genre are selling a TON of things (with affiliate links). I watched a video earlier today where the KZbinr cleaned out a space before introducing a whole slew of new items back into it. The rest of the video was good, but that aspect had me metaphorically scratching my head.

[@dgb19691]

en español por favor los subtitulos

[@plumalynne1399]

Should you have a yardsale first and try to get some money or donate??

[@sarahporter1687]

Sure why not , do a one day yard sale and whatever is left over, donate, and have fun

[@nuttavut2528]

❤starter like