You need to understand the drivers of clutter in your home | 8 Causes of Clutter

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Today I want to share some of the most common causes of clutter, in hopes that it will help you prevent future excessive clutter in your life. I also think thinking about these factors helps me in the decluttering process, and in my pursuit of minimalism. Let me know what you think of these factors in the comments below!
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[@janiec3915]

Thank you for this video. I'm 52 and I've been lugging around belongings of my deceased parents for the last 16 years. After my parents died, their belongings I inherited were these "precious treasures" and now they are just stressful "things" that have taken up so much space in my small home and causing me a lot of stress, anxiety and frustration. Over the last three years I have gotten rid of a lot of it but now I'm down to the old photos, letters and albums that all I do is just move around a reorganize out of guilt and obligation. I'm getting there, though! Thank you again for having such informative and valuable content.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

Your videos are so peaceful, relaxing, and informative. They’re like enjoying a cup of herbal tea in a summer garden, listening to Mother Nature breathe softly.

[@lilyd30047]

Feeling called out on the scissors! 100% me. I noticed when I went from owning a few cheap sunglasses to one pair of nice sunglasses I stopped misplacing them.

[@shirleygermain5707]

I have learned these past 2 years of decluttering is if you love it, show it. Items I once loved I knew the memory was better. Keeping them in boxes stored away wasn't loving them to me, and I really like the memory of my Grandmas's handwriting in my head. I didn't need to keep the letter in a box stored away. It won't be the same meaning to my son when I die and will just get tossed anyway.

[@susanlynn6545]

You can make a quilt, and the handwriting is imprinted on fabric.

[@cait_r.e._art]

On the compliments. I rotate my wardrobe just a little from winter to summer and in my winter wardrobe is a maroon coat that seems to drum up compliments every single year even though i have warn it for 5 years but those compliments are even better for me because it shows how timeless that piece is. It makes me feel like a small wardrobe is easier to keep up because you just need a few timeless pieces.

[@ElinLesser]

It’s so smart to find and use those timeless pieces - and it also goes to show that you really don’t need something new to get compliments. Such a great point/example!

[@HeronCoyote1234]

If you stick with basic pieces, and switch out accessories (scarves, jewelry, for instance), no one notices it’s the same white shirt and black slacks you’ve been wearing three times a week for ten years.

[@Stevie6636]

Spot on..

[@sandywilliams848]

My dressy winter coat is a long green wool. I am certain that my parents gave it to me before my dad died over 20+ years ago. Makes it hard to part with, too. 😕

[@kimgordon3695]

@@HeronCoyote1234 🙋🤣 former retail /:finance Mgr. ☑️

[@williamclark1244]

Explains why delivery trucks are always blocking my driveway to make deliveries. They assume that no one is home because the car is in the garage unlike all the other houses on my block that have parked cars in the driveway.

[@angelasagenda]

😂 lol; funny observation but so true! Same thing going on in my neighborhood

[@gaillesarge9779]

That part about shopping really resonated with me. The anticipation, the novelty-seeking - and then the reality that actually owning the thing can be not as exciting as the quest for it was. Really brilliant, the way you analyzed that phenomenon, thank you!

[@SlowGaze]

I often forget that decluttering is just a means to an end; eventually I will have less and less use of it. We do what makes us feel good - that dopamine hit is strong! - and if I have an emotional tie to shopping, replaced by an emotional tie (or high?) with decluttering, there's one more step... forming an emotional bond with having enough. With connecting with others. With saying no. Thanks for sharing, loved the video xoxo Diana

[@kimgordon3695]

Appreciate this! #ThankYou Diana

[@stevekerp1]

Excellent ... lots of wisdom here. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Most of life is distraction.

[@kristincheever2145]

Thank you! #8 is the most difficult and important point. I think as a woman, I have such guilt about decluttering these objects but they bring me no joy. It’s something I’m working on… I really enjoy your channel. ❤️

[@ancac4362]

Ever since I've discovered you I was impressed by your channel, the way you speak ( your calming voice and your paced tone), your overall appearance and the quality of your videos. Your realy are a slice of light :)

[@celestevandervlis8592]

Just wondering, how much space do you have in your house? Here in The Netherlands we don't have that much space. A lot of American KZbinrs talk and show their minimal spaces but they actually have a lot more space than what we have to deal with. So, genuinely curious to know as I watch your videos all the time :)

[@sophielog1876]

Wow, there were so many takeaways! I think I will have to listen to it again in a while. I think the hardest thing for me to get clear about what to do with them are nostalgic objects….

[@araineacutebrownnurse7315]

My shopping addiction lead to horrible hoarding and clutter 😩🥴😵‍💫 Today i began a clutter free life. This is such a great video ! Thank you!

[@allisonmiller3148]

Don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to get to a point that you can really see a difference. I’ve been at it for 6+ years and I still have days that I’m surprised at how much we still have in my home that needs to be curated further.

[@marijarop4380]

I recommend watching the channel "Hoarders Heart". Miss Heart is such a wonderful person going through the process of decluttering her hoarded home

[@TanzaniteHayley]

Congratulations and good luck on your new journey! I have decluttered a lot of my stuff and now I have to help my boyfriend do the same. I still have a long way to go but we will get there xxx

[@Jasmine-vy8ig]

ME TO. NOW IAM FREE . MY HOUSE BİGGER AND EASY TO CLEAN. AND YOU WİLL HAVE TIME MORE THAN BEFORE FOR YOURSELF. 👍💖👏

[@vanessamay3689]

Cleaning the bench tops and removing everything from there before going to bed has been a good declutter project on my journey. Our linen cupboard fills me with joy as I have been able to declutter so much unwanted linen. Most went to an animal rescue shop. Still have areas including the closet to keep at.

[@ChiefsFancave]

I have seen many other videos about decluttering (to little avail) but your videos are getting through to me. I enjoy your calm delivery and that your videos themselves are uncluttered. The ideas you present really make sense. Thank you for your help, now I just have to make it work in my life.

[@margarethawk3073]

Thank you! I think you hit the nail on the head! Our focus should not be on stuff but things or people that really matter! But yet I tend to accumulate! I have a job ahead of me that little by little I hope to let go of things!

[@jeanniestaller797]

My biggest obstacle is my husband. He wants to hold on to virtually everything! He hides things so I can't get rid of it. I'm trying to focus on what is just mine to declutter but much of our stuff is "ours" that I can't get rid of without his input. We're always buying new tools, etc because he can't find the ones we have.

[@Livingthefreelife]

I just found your channel through this video, thank you so much for this. I’m currently on a major decluttering journey so this is really helpful 🥰

[@Shylaoutdoors]

Love love love this video 💖

[@ninamady5861]

Thank you so much for your help..i really enjoy listening to your wisdom...xx

[@krisvanallen]

“That is a beautiful sweater. It really compliments your eyes. You have a great eye for what looks good on you!”

[@amandasymon4363]

Thank you - Really enjoyed this video - You have really helped me. I am still sorting through items belonging to my late mother and father. It is such a painful process - My art room is full of their things and I really want to be able to use it. I know I really need to be more emotionally intelligent - You have helped 🙏❤️

[@jasminplagge8820]

Wow, that's really well spoken and brought to the points, and such a good reminder, thank you for it (I am on this journey). 👍😊

[@helenebedar7636]

...ahhh...talking about minimalism, decluttering...shows that there is an important open wound that is exciting in our society and that needs to be healed. Thank you for reassuring...if you mention a cause, it means not only one person has..this problem ;) thank you!!

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Thank you for sharing some reasons for clutter. Helpful ❤

[@melissa1488]

I feel like social media, Instagram has a lot to do with wanting more then what you need. It’s become more about showboating.

[@lizzabbott]

Lovely video ! Calming & helpful / informative. Thank you !! Oooooh ... your dog is so sweet & adorable ! Your home is beautiful ! Yepp ! I still have more decluttering to do ! So freeing & empowering ! I love it! Since I’m a life long non-driver, GETTING the items OUT to donation is more of a challenge, but I do it pretty faithfully. Feels great ! Wow whenever I hear that # of items that a typical American household has, I am SO curious to know what MY # of possessions is !! I figure it’s gotta be way below that. I’m an empty nester, in my early 60s. Have moved several xs over the years , & downsized a few xs... always doing a big purge with each move, AND in between. Still more to do tho!! Having excellent vids like yours to watch gives me terrific tools and inspiration to keep me making progress !! I hope you have a great day ! Liz

[@christycg]

what a nice informative video! i'm currently helping declutter my parents house and they are having a hard time letting go of things.. like our childhood items and legos. i'm also moving into a new house and I am trying to restrain from buying new objects and find things secondhand, like you!

[@KittenCasserole]

Great video, as always ❤️

[@aleithea2715]

Excellent video. Thank you sooo much.

[@susan7029]

Really great insights thank you😁

[@s.sflower]

@9:37 wow that's so true and amazing advice!!!! Thanks so much for these videos 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@ravenravella1000]

Smart and insightful....thank you! I find that a creative wardrobe and knowing how to present and carry it, as a whole Being, doesn't only attract compliments, but seems to light people up, create a rapid connection, even though it may be fleeting, and inspires a sincere exchange of smiles and even touch, at times....not all connections have to be deep and lasting.....when they are momentary yet electrical, they can be satisfying and memorable! I have found that some of those who promote minimalism, also suffer from a personal presentation that also seems, uncreative, colorless, bland and unimaginative. I recall going to the theatre in upstate NY once, and everyone looking homogenously, in a cookie-cutter mode of self presentation, who showed up for the show....visually depressing! Clutter is DEFINITELY a trap for me, but also would be the fear to make a colorful, messy splash in the world, through many artful and spiritual ways. Art....fashion....beauty.....dance....theatre....cinema....music......communal creativity, ALL help us to sustain and find hope, in what can commonly be interpreted as an increasingly difficult existence.

[@bellebb8673]

I agree! Not being wasteful doesn't mean you have to live your life surrounded only by beige and black! So BORING!

[@ravenravella1000]

@@bellebb8673 Oh YEAH!!!

[@audreymeyer5616]

Great tips!

[@joanwayling2354]

Love your information 😊

[@brendasparks6234]

Such a great video

[@munirasultana2313]

Loved your video 💟

[@stelladowsett7151]

Thank you,that’s made me think!!!!!

[@roxannesteed4675]

I'm making inroads on decluttering, started with my clothes, they are easier to part with. But books....oy, I have a hard time letting go of them - though I've run out of space and know I need to get rid of even MORE than I've already parted with. Why are some categories of stuff so hard to part with??

[@ingridlarsen1299]

I loved this video. I even watched it twice😍

[@ElinLesser]

Aw, thank you!!

[@juanitab7076]

great video

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

Great thoughts. Reminded me of the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic

[@a.m.2206]

Thanks for these insights! By the way, your hair looks so good and healthy! I'm very curious what hair care products you use ...

[@daphnevanemmerik4711]

Maybe there is coming an item how to take care of our skin and hair in a minimalistic way?

[@susanwinn934]

Spot on!!

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

I link stuff to people on an extreme level. With every relationship that didn't work out, I would move get rid of all my stuff and buy all new things just to start over and that is an expensive unhealthy habit to have. Minimalism is making me see the errors of my ways and I'm trying not to attach things to people.

[@SugarMamma]

I love this! Definitely the perfect motivation to stay on top of the clutter. I made this video about how to feel financially secure in these crazy times! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2m5eKZ5l7-Blac xxCC

[@deborahcole1045]

you spend the first half of life getting, you spend the second half to get rid of

[@Sophie-kn3gh]

👍

[@mijadelsol]

The scissors is seriously a problem of my kids stealing and losing them drives me mad

[@Laurelise]

What do you do for work? I noticed you use a lot of ABA lingo and was just curious if you're involved in that field!

[@nadinehildebrand8035]

I have so much clothes wy i am not happy ??and say to me i have enough but my brain don't understand it...that i will stop it...8month i don't buy nothing ....bit now it go the same way before...hard way

[@nadinehildebrand8035]

Artist see new clothes in another light ...but 3 cloth go in 3 thingsmust go out (clothes)

[@loida6837]

The clutter in our home

[@Fair-to-Middling]

In regards to the cultural trend against repeating, I have been noticing some disturbing collecting going on with WIGS. Yes, wigs! I haven't bought one yet, but have been considering giving it a try. Today women don't just own one though, they own lots and lots of them. These new wigs are better than just a few years ago. Women now have different hairstyles and different colors for every day of the week or even month. In addition, I always thought you could buy one and wear it a long time. Nope. They usually only last a short time. This then leads to buying more and more. I don't mean to put down anyone with hair loss (I suffer from it too). I just don't understand the necessity of having more than one or two at a time.

[@kimgordon3695]

Wrong channel

[@nadinehildebrand8035]

No car :)..bus and train and bike and my feets

[@judylloyd7901]

It's not the schools' responsibility to train children on how to tidy their rooms!! 😳🤪🤪

[@nijolepetronyte4945]

Hi, I've sent you a collaboration offer to your email. Hope to hear from you soon 😊

[@hjbondeson]

Slowly working through your videos and very much enjoying them. I'm learning so much about the how+the why of minimalism and I love getting to the root of my motivation. Thank you for the work you do, it is positively impacting my life and my family!🤍🤍

[@kimgordon3695]

6:00 💞 theNEXTfactor™

[@kimgordon3695]

Brilliant Elin!