What I Got Wrong About Minimalism...

[@kathryngarcia8800]

Something I have multiple of: reading glasses! If you are of a certain age, you would relate! Very important to have in each room! Great thoughts & video today. 😊

[@robynwells8249]

Yes reading glasses!!!!!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Love that!

[@bobbigore5367]

YES, SARAH! I LOVE A NUANCED APPROACH!! Reflection, learning, and growth all very evident here and I find myself coming to the same realizations, especially regarding decor and using money to support local artists. There's a balance between leaving a small footprint in your wake and enjoying the space that you live in. In my opinion, your best video yet. I just feel your personality coming through more and you seem so comfortable. Maybe that's growth, too! Cheers, from a similar-aged Illinoian minimalist.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Aww thanks so much! I really appreciate this so much, and it's great to hear from a fellow Illinoian minimalist! :)

[@maryf7224]

Yes, I also so appreciated this video for All the above reasons. Growth indeed!

[@sl9906]

I always love your videos and your perspectives. Thank you! ❤

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Aww thank you! You are so kind!

[@sandrafromscotland]

Thanks Sarah always interesting to listen to you 👍 For me, containers are good to create boundaries and be an actual functional container for items like a cutlery divider but decanting everything into matching fancy containers does not interest me. For example I keep a clear box in the cupboard with breakfast ingredients oats, flaxseed and a dried fruit in the packaging they came in. This shows that we evolve over time, some thoughts change and some thoughts are deepened. Absolutely agree on minimising the burden of our belongings. My minimalist lifestyle still resonates deeply with me.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Absolutely, Sandra! I feel that way about organizers now too!

[@beckyunderwood4220]

It’s also important to support local bookstores as well as authors. These stores act as important community centers, and our towns are poorer without them! Thanks for your discussion of these issues ❤

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Yes indeed!

[@SlugcatEmporium]

I like how many items on this list place priority on quality of life and how much you can personally enjoy your space and possessions.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Yes indeed!

[@juliem.3936]

Love the honest look back and wisdoms! Totally agree with scissor duplicates!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you!

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Hi Sarah I think we all change, grow and reflect. We also have more than one pair of scissors. Thank you for sharing your thoughts❤❤

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

That is very true, Cathy!

[@jennierollins8789]

Excellent on all levels. ☮️🌍🌲🌷

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you so much!

[@jennierollins8789]

Circumstances are always changing. 🌷

[@ryanreeves3165]

Re second-hand shopping. I used to work in an office, and while I've never been one to follow trends, frequently bought blouses at a "nice" mid-level department store. I sometimes paid $60-$80 dollars for one blouse only to wear it once. After washing it I discovered it wasn't perma-press. I moved to Colorado and my fellow legal assistants talked about their thrift store finds. I discovered I could spend the same $60-$80 on 10 or 12 items I liked, go home, wash them and maybe 6 would work out for me. I donated the others back and ended up with 6 items I loved. Can't argue with that!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Love that! I have definitely done something similar when testing out new second hand finds!

[@robynwells8249]

I always enjoy your content. You are one of my favorite KZbinrs. I moved on from minimalism years ago. At 64 I want to be efficient and if that means having multiples of something so be it. Scissors definitely! It’s rare when I haven’t been thankful for a backup to something: sheets, towels, the list does on. On storage containers, I like them when they corral like things together, so I can see things at a glance, and objects don’t get lost. What I don’t do is take things out of one package and put it into another. I think it’s called decanting.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you! That is a great approach!

[@TraceyT161]

Awesome video. I loved the part about thinking through buying books vs borrowing them from the library. Love your videos overall.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you so much!

[@amyli092]

I'm really glad I decided to watch this video! Your videos have always been practical and helpful, so I'm excited to see what else has changed with you now that you're making content again. Thank you for making this video, Sarah! It's good to see you again 😊

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Aww thanks, Amy! It's great to see you again!

[@DW...]

Great video‼️

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you!

[@susanrikimaru6630]

I’m a library girl, but I really appreciated what you had to say about reasons to buy books.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Libraries are awesome!

[@lyndarossi933]

Words of wisdom! Another good video Sarah 😊

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thanks so much!

[@cynthiaakacyndsmith6539]

Art Fairs are also a great place to purchase items for Decor, and\or pottery, and many other things. Honey, spices mixes, lotions and bath and beauty I save all year to spend on the local Art Fair. Typically out door decor items . There are also musicians, and authors.. You have many good and valid points. Thank you for being honest with your self and all of us.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

That is a great point about art fairs!

[@robynwells8249]

A good friend is an author by night and teacher by day, so I definitely buy books. Plus I love to pass books on to people.

[@kathryngarcia8800]

Love to pass books along, or put into a "Little Library" box nearby.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

It is a great feeling to pass a book on to someone else who you know will love it or need it!

[@robynwells8249]

@@AbundantlyMinimal I love when someone is over and they share a book they would like to read and I say I have it, it’s yours. And I always pass books on to my daughter.

[@nataliesutherland5584]

Like purses is something we only need one of at least that's my opinion

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I totally agree with this! I'm the one that even brings my utility purse to weddings lol

[@Shiryone]

It's cool to hear how you've shifted your mindset, while at the core of it, you are still holding on to your values. I try to incorporate "useful" wall art, like hanging a pretty trivet on in wall when not in us, a wall basket that holds my tea bags, a coat track made out of reclaimed wood...all add personality, decor, and functionality.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I love that idea of useful wall art! I am a big fan of items made from reclaimed wood as well!

[@shananigans0117]

My parents are stressed about the amount of stuff in their house- but both their parents passed away and they inherited my grandparents things and are too sentimental to throw it away. It’s 3 households worth of things in 1 house.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

I'm so sorry that they have to go through that.

[@minimalistsmanaged]

Love your perspective here Sarah - Minimalism definitely deserves a nuanced approach - it looks different to everyone :) Instant sub! Looking forward to more of your videos :)

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you so much! Welcome to the channel!

[@minimalistsmanaged]

@@AbundantlyMinimal :D

[@jennyjenkins877]

I would love to see an apartment tour and how you're living in that transitional space, whether you've kept anything boxed up or put in storage and might consider decluttering it, etc.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

That is a great idea! I think I might only have a few videos left until the move, but I will likely address this in the pre-moving video! :)

[@donnaw1835]

Scissors is the first thing I thought of as well!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Great minds think alike :)

[@Siures]

I thought about bed sheets of which multiples are just practical for a family… My approach to decorating changed when we moved into our forever home last year. I bought a decorative piece for the first time in 10 years! I still prefer self made things from my kids and plants but I get decorations now. And I have more grace about clutter know because I know a family home is in constant change. Kids grow. Sometimes we have a paper box for weeks around for them to play with. Sometimes they need new clothes when the old are still around somewhere. But two weeks later the box is gone, filled with clothes for the little cousin. I think it also is true for single persons. Life changes and it’s OK. But overall I still think that without minimalism I would have drown in clutter, tasks and constant chores now. It’s still very present and I am still reducing in general.

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Yes to all of this!

[@rubytuesday7225]

Nice to see you Sarah. Thanks for the update. I was wondering if you could come and stay with me for a while please?😂😂 I am totally out of my depth, so much clutter. 🙏

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you! While I can't come to your house, I do have a lot of past videos that might help! :)

[@rubytuesday7225]

​@@AbundantlyMinimal Thanks Sarah, I know you do 💐

[@francinehogsett3065]

You are so smart 😊❤️

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Thank you, Francine!

[@feylights166]

I am definitely a book-buying person lol. I want to support authors, and I just like having shelves of books 😊 I will periodically go through and delcutter some, but books (and manga--big anime and overall Japan nerd here lol) are the aread I am more "maximalist". I will buy used copies, too, especially if the books have been out a few years, but I often preorder new releases from favorite authors. I do have an ereader, as well.

[@thebestwillow]

I have very fragile skin, so we have moisturizer in every room.

[@thebestwillow]

I definitely prefer having more than one pair of underwear!

[@AbundantlyMinimal]

Haha of course! There are so many items that we need more of!