Ep. 219 | Spring Clutter

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

“ . . . we’re afraid of being forgotten “. Such a great observation. I just realized that this is why I am keeping most of my sentimental belongings. I’m fantasizing about someone going through my things and seeing: That I had some accomplishments, that I had a variety of interests, that I had many friends, and on and on. I’m in tears because it just boils down to being seen and remembered. And truly our legacy should be our life in action and words ; not our stuff. This weekend, I’m going to be cleaning out the edited version of myself I wanted a descendant to find, and then just keeping things that are truly just for me.

[@zoeykoffin6848]

Wow, so deep! I realized I've been doing this too. I recently lost my mother and she kept Everything. She wanted to be remembered and eternalized through her stuff. Unfortunately I had to let go of most of it because it either didnt work or had no use for me. I kept what mattered most and what I didnt want to part with.

[@pattic.9376]

My mother passed earlier this year, and I am slowly going through her things. Her home became a receptacle for other deceased relatives' furniture, etc. My parents believed that everything had value, was worth $$$...I am the family historian, so will keep family pics, documents, etc., but am finding homes for numerous other items that I cannot/will not hold onto - I have permission to let these items go! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences - much appreciated!❤

[@lorraineturton4485]

I am pleased with the fact that you mentioned not "pushing the idea of minimalism" on people. You said "setting an example". I learned this process through transitioning from being a person tragically affected by extreme poverty and loss , which caused me to gather items like a squirrel stocking up on winter food (Lol :-)) to understanding the "psychological reasons of why I gathered so much in the first place". It was because I suffered such deprivation, hunger and loss that I never wanted to return to such a tragic state. Once I fully analyzed and comprehended the "real life needs" I "actually had at that time", then I could address them and make the gradual steps to "improve my life" on all levels. Now I live a simple, peaceful life. I know that circumstances will arise which require more, but now I see it for what it truly is, my "perception is clarified".

[@jessicagomez1760]

I have influenced my mom and friends to minimize their belongings. My mom every few months asks me to "help" her declutter but really I just sit in a corner and just motivate her with tiny remarks if she really wants/needs something and that's it. I am her little minimalist fairy lol she still has a good amount of things but if those things make her feel happy, they are enough for her and that is OK.

[@HosCreates]

Congratulations on being a positive enabler !

[@PeaceDayCortez]

I got rid of 6 large garbage bags of things today listing to one of your other books. I’ve been a fan for years and still purging bit by bit. 💕

[@anthonylangford8575]

It's a great feeling 🙂

[@amylukenash4048]

I spring clean every day. I have a messy family so I’m always cleaning. My husband and I both work from home so our home is also an office. The only big purge I have left is the one car garage. I’m hoping to start tackling that next month. It’s too cold to be in there. Once it’s fully purged it won’t be a storage area at all. I want to make it my mud room. I hope to tackle that room one hour at a time. Not sure it will take too long but now that I changed my mindset and things don’t come into the house like they use to it should never get like that again. When I tell people I’m a minimalist they are intrigued and want to know more. I tell them to listen to your podcasts and read your books. You two are hero’s to me. I hope one day I could actually help others become minimalist too.

[@loreneknight9755]

Way 2 b, Amy. I'm in that process now...& forevermore. This is a journey that doesn't end...till your dead. But seriously, the most important part is to keep @ it. Every day. I've been @ it for a long time, tninking I would be done in a specific time frame. I was getting a little anxious & crazy, putting this pressure on me. Then, I stepped back, examined the process, prayed & really looked @ me, my expectations & my goals. This is kinda like the " eating the elephant thing", one bite @ a time. Anyway, Amy, keep your eyes on the prize. We're doing it, sister. Yes!!

[@amylukenash4048]

Lorene Knight exactly. I think the same way. Knowing it’s a forever lifestyle helps and I can move at my own pace. I definitely work better on sunny warm days. In the winter I’m more likely to slow down. Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll get faster. I do the #minsgame every month. Nice to meet u.

[@Reegs01]

I really look forward to the release of these episodes, it makes my day to know the journey I'm on is worthwhile and supported by others.

[@johnfahland7350]

"We are scared of being forgotten"...…. You nailed it right there in that short statement.

[@vanessalappin]

I have been interested in minimalism for a few years and have definitely let go of a lot physically and mentally. My family would always hate it when i asked to get rid of a toy or a random peice of junk from when i was little but i have noticed an extreme amount of change in how they see stuff and last week they decided to start a major delutter and decorating the house. we have started doing things we have been procrastinating about for ages! It feels amazing being minimalist or on a journey to minimalism because there is less stress in our lives and my mental health has improved in many aspects!!!

[@mickeynorth4023]

Currently going though our house and getting rid of the things to make room for the things that matter. Going through the process with my parter and son (8) is really helping bring us closer together which is a nice benefit. So glad we found you guys. Really adding value to us all as a family

[@MandySam13]

I’ve been on my Minimalist journey for almost 18 months now. But I draw inspiration from you both today, as much as I did when I first started. Thank you Josh & Ryan for helping me stay on the path!

[@corinnestauffiger5693]

Thank you for the statement, that inherit „things“ can really be a burden for family and friends. Happens to my husband and me at the time. My father-in-law passed away a year ago. My inlaws used to keep things, like everything...my mother-in-law was completely overwhelmed by all the stuff in the house without her husband. So now we have to deal with it. And sometimes I feel really angry, that I have to deal with stuff that is not even mine. We already have a lot and started to purge, but now I feel kind of „sabotaged“ by my inlaws stuff. My husband is doing well and keeps sorting and purging but it uses so much energy. I sweared to myself that I won‘t do that to my children. And I am really grateful that my dad started to sort his things years ago and keeps doing it, so there won‘t be much to deal with when the day comes. You are also right that you have to be emotionally ready. It took my mother-in-law a year to decide, that she now is ready to sell the house. Even it was hard to wait, we tried not to push her and now she decided on her own. Looking forward when the house is empty and sold...hope she an we will feel a lot more free at that moment.

[@amara560]

My MIL is a hoarder (no exaggeration) and I dread the day she'll pass. I hope it will be many years in the future, though she has her health struggles. I love how Swedish death cleaning is making its way into the public eye. It can be a real burden when the elderly pass away and loved ones need to deal with not only losing that person, but also going through all their stuff.

[@carylmaluping9632]

And it's Josh and Ryan again... Loved it. Great conversation

[@mukamikanyoko1168]

Thanks for making us sort out our items....especially first in our minds......before anything else.

[@loreneknight9755]

Loving this. So important 2 let us know, this isn't for everyone. Find out what your purpose, expectations & goals are. Get to know yourself. Loving this!!!

[@amanjotkaur6881]

I am so glad you mentioned that we need triggers for our memories. I do indeed fear that I will forget my memories but you’re right, we can curate them. Great conversation!

[@rainbowflower8388]

I am super proud of my family. They moved from a 4bed, 2 1/2bath with a 2 car garage to a 1 1/2bed and 1 bath with NO GARAGE. Obviously I moved out but our garage used to be filled with stuff all the way to the ceiling. They had a week to downsize and they all got rid of a bunch of stuff. My mom was inspired by Marie Kondo (sorry, I didn't hear about you guys back then) and even my autistic brother who is super possessive of his stuff got rid of a bunch of things. It worked out great because as they were moving out smaller, my husband and I were moving into a bigger place (as in we lived in 1 room and moved into an entire apartment). We got some free furniture from .y parents so it helped all of us. Now it's my turn to minimalize stuff but the problem is that 80% is my husband's stuff.

[@anthonylangford8575]

Had a final sort out and give away earlier. Had a pair of boots ready to be included but changed my find as it's a big 'just in case'. These boots are great in snow. Here in the UK we don't anymore get proper snow but I remember 7 or so years ago we did and my 'what if we get snow next winter?'. Don't being torn between two minds had a 'just in case' battle. All the other 'Just in case' stuff I said bye bye to!

[@courtneyglasco2216]

You can do the 30 day minimalism game as much as you want. Keep going until your happy ☺

[@phyliciajoykloes]

It's been a while since I listened to your podcast. Good topic as I've been living life rather than questioning the things I own. It's time for some decluttering again.

[@billcoleman2227]

I just completed an office reorg complete with EVERYTHING paperless. It's amazing and totally worth the effort.

[@kellyjposadas3277]

Hahaha whenever I hear simpletons I laugh too it like a nickname with a little dark humor

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Excellent info, I needed to hear the part about not trying to push minimalism off onto others...my daughter.

[@jkfroghouse13]

ALWAYS a great "listen"...love pithy!!!

[@sleepysartorialist]

To respond to Katie’s suggestion, Good On You is actually a more reliable app than Better World Shopper. They also do a great job of exposing the breadth of the ethics of a brand, not just one or two points and recommendations for alternatives when they don’t think a brand is doing well enough. They also follow up periodically to see if brands have improved at all. Edit: Good on you is clothing focused but I could see them expanding with enough user support and VC

[@LINDAOZAG]

A flood did it for me. Got rid of everything, boom!

[@HosCreates]

Lots of people in their 80s lived as children in the great depression, then during ww2. Don't try to take away their extras just in case or they panic. Just help them use up the things and emphasize that if the don't need it they can help someone else out

[@ЕленаПопушой-е9щ]

You are perfect 😌thank you for sharing it with us...🙏

[@M1MEDIA]

So if you start influencing the majority of people and everyone stops hyper-consumerism (here's hoping) what do you think will happen to your country's (and other country's) economy which is measured by consumer spending?

[@dragonscorpio2864]

I needed this❤️Thank you🌼

[@EM-gn9rp]

Simpleton, I resemble that remark.

[@slane_design]

Take pictures of those items the kids made, then sift through and save a few key 'precious' pieces.

[@shubhk8329]

First. I want my gold medal now.

[@synthozy]

Where can I find the book for shipping?

[@katrinsteinarsdottir1092]

How do you remain such a great friendship?

[@jessicagomez1760]

Being a good listener and practicing empathy with people who can reciprocate those same values/abilities is key.

[@lea_theminiaturepoodle5995]

I love Swedish deathcleaning!

[@ktrudy1]

Love u guys!!!😍😍😍

[@heyyitskj5437]

Why are you guys up so early omggg

[@elizabethstart7466]

She can sell some of it.