I am 73 and we have been in our home 45 years. I did a preliminary clean up of our basement about a year ago, but it definitely still needs more. Hoping to not have to leave for a long while, but I see myself physically slowing down, so I am going to ”pretend” that a move is imminent and start cleaning out more now. I had to take care of my mom’s condo when she passed and she was much more organized than I have ever been. It was still a tremendous amount of work. I really don’t want to leave a huge mess for my son or daughter, so I had better start now!
6-8 years ago I found your channel and started slowly decluttering my condo over time. I have been disabled my whole life and while my condo is pretty user-friendly I needed to make it easier to clean and find things. Less stuff also means safer for me! I intended to renovate my home to accommodate my increasing mobility needs. The HOA nixed that so I am now readying my home to move to a condo with a flatter outside and an easier inside. Decluttering early made it much easier to come to that decision. Moving is still hard, but you really helped me!
I am so happy to hear that!! You did all the work and made it easy for your future self to make a good decision for comfort and wellbeing. I’m so proud of you!’
Packing up a box... in a past episode, Gayle demonstrated taping around the "middle" of the box too. (not just the seams of the box). I think of it like putting a "belt" all around the middle of the box, for added support). Her advice is perfect. I have used her technique countless times now in packing up boxes for moving/shipping. So Gayle, it would be great if you demonstrated this technique again, for viewers who may not seen this much older video.
About using old blankets, sheets during in the moving van.... I spread them over my good furniture (sofas, chairs, tabletops, dressers, mirrors, large art) to protect the wood finish, upholstery, or glass. Moving companies have quilts they use to protect some furniture but those quilts are not always clean. They also shrink wrap some upholstery, but my old sheets etc give an extra layer of protection. Also, when I get to the new place, I am always putting heavy boxes on the table tops, or sofas etc to unpack. So the old bedding laid across a table or sofa will help avoid scratches or stains. I can donate the old bedding to an animal shelter, after I am all unpacked.
Only for the person who lived with that animal, not for the people around it. When my brother and sister in law past away i don’t feel responsibel to let there cat live in my house.
@@debora4446 I hope you might try to find a loving home for the animal in honor of your brother and sister in law and their love for that animal. I think people should also try to make living arrangements for their animals if they should die before their animal does, if they are able to.
I have 5 foster dogs all over 8 yrs old (and two are bonded pair of 13 yr old sisters to help out a neighbor who’s brother died suddenly in January (after losing her sister as well); she was too overwhelmed to try to find them a good home). So, as a good neighbor (and Christian), I will. But, all my fosters are from overflowing shelters being forced to euthanize in days because of all the sudden deaths going on and no one is making wills or has a plan on paper or tell their friends family to provide for their pets!! It takes 5 mins to do this. 😡
@@smoofollowingqalroundthewo206 Thank you for what you are doing and I totally agree that if possible arrangements for our animals should be made if that is possible..some people are too old or sick or have unforeseen circumstances to do this.
Hey! I thought I d share too, in relation to pets. My dog of 8/9 years is a foster/ refuge dog. She’s now living out her final days. Except I keep finding more info to keep her around. Mostly it’s prayer. .. she’s been on CBD for 2 years . As of yesterday - she’s on L- taurine.. for the liver to detox the poison, & process food . She eats now Chicken , I buy cooked chicken at the store , we eat for 4 days . She gets 6 pcs. De boned chicken . Pedilyte. Baby food beef, chicken. Sweet potato, anything to get nutrients in her. I got soft chew fir immune system , she gets 4 a day. . Laundry is 2-3 times a day now. Puppy pads , table cloth between the bed sheets . Her bed is queen size. She’s keeps both of in her sight. At most all times! One of us has to stay with her. Her hind legs quit working now . By the mid day. The nose bleed is now frequent through tout. The day n night hours. .. she’s been a good pup. Never could get her age for when we got her. She needed a home . I’d raise n cared fir 2 dogs til they passed. 2013. I guess Ozzie been here since 2014... I’d guess she’s of been 3/5 yrs old then . She looks so young. And always quiet. Loved to ride. & camp out in the suburban. It’s been over 6 mos. since she been in the suburban. .. well, thanks for letting me share. It’s been a hard past 3-1/2 weeks around the clock to tend to her . And tears we share. She’s been our joy ... now. She needs us . Sometimes I wish we had care fauciltiies for pet care . Lol. ❤❤😎☕️🔑🌈🎁🎁
Today I wrote a note to someone saying that I played this game to develop problem solving skills. Then I thought I better get started on my real life problems - the decluttering - then I did 2 hours on it. I feel so good now 😀
Omg I feel this topic so personally. I moved from Montana to South Carolina with 3 dogs and what I could fit in my Corolla… everything DID go!! Talk about prioritizing. Oy.
When my husband and his brother had to go clean out their mother's apartment because she could no longer live on her own, (she had alzheimers pretty bad at that point), a little bit later on she was asking them what they had done with her ironing board, which she hadn't had to use in many years. So that's the kind of thing I think they were talking about on the video, where the person just doesn't have their mind working well like they used to.
Another reason to take a break is that keep/toss changes based on the whole collection - whether to declutter a particular tshirt depends on how many other tshirts you have.
Gayle - you always tell people to go for smaller storage solutions (bins) and I am realizing that my 36 inch duffel bags were not the best choice because they are VERY heavy when filled with cotton and wool clothes. Years ago I had 10 gallon bins and they were a great size. My (newer) 36 x 15x 15 does not seem that huge but it really is.
I still have my yearbooks but am contemplating tossing them. Went to my first high school reunion and never again. What works for one person doesn't work for another.
32:47 If Mom decides who she wants to get what and gives it now, there will be less confusion and arguments after the time when the family will need to move them. She will know the person she wants has the item.
When Mom asked us to pick what household items we wanted to inherit Mom dutifully wrote each of our names on a sticky note on the bottom of the items. Mom told me later my twin sister was caught switching my item to HER name. All in good fun. Let's hope it stays that way.
Great focus. I’m probably a few years from moving but keep trying to thin things out. Will really spend time on this tittle - I already know the answer and have been getting closer to wrestling this beast into submission. One thing to consider as we age, when my dad had a stroke and my folks’ home was being evaluated whether he could return, I am sure the amount of stuff in the rooms was one factor. My sister and I had to get rid of 40+ years of accumulation in that house just a few years later. I want to be sure as I age, my home is not a liability to me (falls, trips, too much to oversee or keep clean).
Hello Gayle. Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. I absolutely agree that the worst way to declutter is to use cardboard boxes, when there's so many other storage solutions out there. 👍👍😊😊
The onion method is that we declutter, live with the stuff for a while, then often people declutter more. It is (at least for me) working towards the best, for me, stuff situation.
I love the way this site emphasizes decluttering and organizing to increase happiness. You are so upbeat.
I am 73 and we have been in our home 45 years. I did a preliminary clean up of our basement about a year ago, but it definitely still needs more. Hoping to not have to leave for a long while, but I see myself physically slowing down, so I am going to ”pretend” that a move is imminent and start cleaning out more now. I had to take care of my mom’s condo when she passed and she was much more organized than I have ever been. It was still a tremendous amount of work. I really don’t want to leave a huge mess for my son or daughter, so I had better start now!
6-8 years ago I found your channel and started slowly decluttering my condo over time. I have been disabled my whole life and while my condo is pretty user-friendly I needed to make it easier to clean and find things. Less stuff also means safer for me! I intended to renovate my home to accommodate my increasing mobility needs. The HOA nixed that so I am now readying my home to move to a condo with a flatter outside and an easier inside. Decluttering early made it much easier to come to that decision. Moving is still hard, but you really helped me!
I am so happy to hear that!! You did all the work and made it easy for your future self to make a good decision for comfort and wellbeing. I’m so proud of you!’
Packing up a box... in a past episode, Gayle demonstrated taping around the "middle" of the box too. (not just the seams of the box). I think of it like putting a "belt" all around the middle of the box, for added support). Her advice is perfect. I have used her technique countless times now in packing up boxes for moving/shipping. So Gayle, it would be great if you demonstrated this technique again, for viewers who may not seen this much older video.
Agreed. I used this technique in my recent move and it worked like a charm.
Welcome back Ed. We missed you ❤
About using old blankets, sheets during in the moving van.... I spread them over my good furniture (sofas, chairs, tabletops, dressers, mirrors, large art) to protect the wood finish, upholstery, or glass. Moving companies have quilts they use to protect some furniture but those quilts are not always clean. They also shrink wrap some upholstery, but my old sheets etc give an extra layer of protection. Also, when I get to the new place, I am always putting heavy boxes on the table tops, or sofas etc to unpack. So the old bedding laid across a table or sofa will help avoid scratches or stains. I can donate the old bedding to an animal shelter, after I am all unpacked.
We ALL move someday, one way or other. Best to be prepared.
Animals are not disposable. Animals are family.
Only for the person who lived with that animal, not for the people around it. When my brother and sister in law past away i don’t feel responsibel to let there cat live in my house.
@@debora4446 I hope you might try to find a loving home for the animal in honor of your brother and sister in law and their love for that animal. I think people should also try to make living arrangements for their animals if they should die before their animal does, if they are able to.
I have 5 foster dogs all over 8 yrs old (and two are bonded pair of 13 yr old sisters to help out a neighbor who’s brother died suddenly in January (after losing her sister as well); she was too overwhelmed to try to find them a good home).
So, as a good neighbor (and Christian), I will. But, all my fosters are from overflowing shelters being forced to euthanize in days because of all the sudden deaths going on and no one is making wills or has a plan on paper or tell their friends family to provide for their pets!! It takes 5 mins to do this. 😡
@@smoofollowingqalroundthewo206 Thank you for what you are doing and I totally agree that if possible arrangements for our animals should be made if that is possible..some people are too old or sick or have unforeseen circumstances to do this.
Hey! I thought I d share too, in relation to pets. My dog of 8/9 years is a foster/ refuge dog. She’s now living out her final days. Except I keep finding more info to keep her around. Mostly it’s prayer. .. she’s been on CBD for 2 years . As of yesterday - she’s on L- taurine.. for the liver to detox the poison, & process food . She eats now Chicken , I buy cooked chicken at the store , we eat for 4 days . She gets 6 pcs. De boned chicken . Pedilyte. Baby food beef, chicken. Sweet potato, anything to get nutrients in her.
I got soft chew fir immune system , she gets 4 a day.
. Laundry is 2-3 times a day now. Puppy pads , table cloth between the bed sheets . Her bed is queen size. She’s keeps both of in her sight. At most all times! One of us has to stay with her. Her hind legs quit working now . By the mid day.
The nose bleed is now frequent through tout. The day n night hours. .. she’s been a good pup. Never could get her age for when we got her. She needed a home . I’d raise n cared fir 2 dogs til they passed. 2013. I guess Ozzie been here since 2014... I’d guess she’s of been 3/5 yrs old then . She looks so young. And always quiet. Loved to ride. & camp out in the suburban. It’s been over 6 mos. since she been in the suburban. .. well, thanks for letting me share. It’s been a hard past 3-1/2 weeks around the clock to tend to her . And tears we share. She’s been our joy ... now. She needs us . Sometimes I wish we had care fauciltiies for pet care . Lol. ❤❤😎☕️🔑🌈🎁🎁
Today I wrote a note to someone saying that I played this game to develop problem solving skills. Then I thought I better get started on my real life problems - the decluttering - then I did 2 hours on it. I feel so good now 😀
Good for you! 2 hours is a solid work session!
Omg I feel this topic so personally. I moved from Montana to South Carolina with 3 dogs and what I could fit in my Corolla… everything DID go!! Talk about prioritizing. Oy.
Wow! That’s a journey to tell!
@@TheClutterFairy the less I talk about it, the better 😂😂 but honestly it was cathartic to leave it all
Yay! Thank you for this topic. I'll be moving in 9 months so I can start prepping now.
When my husband and his brother had to go clean out their mother's apartment because she could no longer live on her own, (she had alzheimers pretty bad at that point), a little bit later on she was asking them what they had done with her ironing board, which she hadn't had to use in many years. So that's the kind of thing I think they were talking about on the video, where the person just doesn't have their mind working well like they used to.
Another reason to take a break is that keep/toss changes based on the whole collection - whether to declutter a particular tshirt depends on how many other tshirts you have.
Great info as always! I shared your contact info with a friend this week!
Gayle - you always tell people to go for smaller storage solutions (bins) and I am realizing that my 36 inch duffel bags were not the best choice because they are VERY heavy when filled with cotton and wool clothes. Years ago I had 10 gallon bins and they were a great size. My (newer) 36 x 15x 15 does not seem that huge but it really is.
Love this!!!
KEEP YOUR YEARBOOKS!! You will be glad when you go to your first reunion and all the reunions after that.
I still have my yearbooks but am contemplating tossing them. Went to my first high school reunion and never again. What works for one person doesn't work for another.
@@laurenh7893 I just went to my 55th and I wish I had had mine.
32:47 If Mom decides who she wants to get what and gives it now, there will be less confusion and arguments after the time when the family will need to move them. She will know the person she wants has the item.
When Mom asked us to pick what household items we wanted to inherit Mom dutifully wrote each of our names on a sticky note on the bottom of the items. Mom told me later my twin sister was caught switching my item to HER name. All in good fun. Let's hope it stays that way.
This video is so helpful! Thank you so much!☺
In my moving experiences, no matter how much you get rid of, you'll wish you got rid of more.
yes, but it's best to keep what you're not sure of. you can only get rid of it once.
I'll just have to pretend I'm moving soon. 😅
Great focus. I’m probably a few years from moving but keep trying to thin things out. Will really spend time on this tittle - I already know the answer and have been getting closer to wrestling this beast into submission. One thing to consider as we age, when my dad had a stroke and my folks’ home was being evaluated whether he could return, I am sure the amount of stuff in the rooms was one factor. My sister and I had to get rid of 40+ years of accumulation in that house just a few years later. I want to be sure as I age, my home is not a liability to me (falls, trips, too much to oversee or keep clean).
Excellent point! Often doctors won’t let you go home if the house is too cluttered to safely navigate with walker or cane.
Really enjoyed this video ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Watching and decelerating 👍👍👍👍 🤣🤣
Hello Gayle. Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. I absolutely agree that the worst way to declutter is to use cardboard boxes, when there's so many other storage solutions out there. 👍👍😊😊
thank you guys💕💕💕💕
When I'm looking for a new place to put things lately ... sometimes I have temporarily stopped making keep~toss decisions.
Great show!
Pat in Colorado
Great ideas ❤🎉😊
I cleaned out my closet when I redid the flooring there. I love my uncluttered closet. Unfortunately, it's all in the office now. *sign*.
Yes Amen!😁
What is the onion method plz?! I am new here.
The Minimal Mom on the Onion Method
ruclips.net/video/PA2NAoKNxUs/видео.html
Think of layers when people reference onions. 😉🙂
The onion method is that we declutter, live with the stuff for a while, then often people declutter more. It is (at least for me) working towards the best, for me, stuff situation.
Gayle, I'm in South Africa. I would love to talk to you. 🤣
I’m ready! Let’s schedule!!
❤❤❤
Fumio Sasaki is my housemate🤣