Great tips Leslie. I'm a professional organizer in Madison, WI. Memories, whether good or bad keep us attached to our stuff. If you are a sentimental person the decluttering process can be more challenging. I've asked clients if they can hold the memories in their hearts AND let the item go to a new home. Sometimes it helps to snap a photo before letting something go. Once you purchase an item, it's a sunk cost. Holding onto stuff you've never used just because of the money spent doesn't make sense if it makes you feel bad every time you see it. I wish you all the best with your decluttering.
When you cried over the lemon plates & your success on RUclips- I thought I was looking in a mirror! I get upset several times a week on sentimental things, I love it! Makes me feel like I’m really feeling this life. On the garage selling of our personal things, once when I was younger & had a garage sale, I put little notes on my items I cared about to tell the new owner the history. For example, the outdated 80’s sweater had a tag that read, ‘this sweater went to The Rolling Stones concert in St Louis in 1989, good times!’ I had the best time selling my items this way, so many comments & great conversations. Some may have thought ‘how bizarre’ - but I didn’t care, I was reminiscing as my items went to new homes. Keep up the great work Lesley!!!
What perfect timing. I just told me husband I will be doing a total decluttering of the house. He will be retiring in a couple years, and we want to move into a smaller home and travel. So no better time than now. I'm telling the kids get what you want now. We are at that point in our lives where I do not feel I have to pull out pretty special dishes to have family gatherings. Just being able to be together makes those paper plates look beautiful.
Dear, if something brings you joy, with a thing as simple as a lemon plate, then for goodness sake, don't get rid of it. You are important too, your feelings and memories are important. We love your realness, and love your videos!
Leslie, keep those lemon plates, they are beautiful and mean so much to you. I moved a year ago, after getting out of a 17½ year abusive marriage. I got rid of so much stuff but find I need to get rid of so much more. It's amazing how much better you feel after letting go of things you don't need anymore. I love your idea of cleaning "areas". Thanks for sharing so many useful tips.
Awesome video! My husband and I lost parents within 5 months. We also moved my Mom to live with us (she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3/19 and will be 87 in July). So emotional selling 2 houses and the thought of discarding stuff was tough. Slowing we have been donating. Dad’s military uniforms (he was in the Navy for 21 years) Navy group/ veterans took them also his K of C cloak and hat etc the K of C took it back. We donated to the veterans and Habitat for humanity. Someone who took stuff in the neighborhood took 2 truck loads. Knick knacks etc. were donated to floral shop. The Catholic Church took many items. A lot was given to family but a lot came north. My house is full but slowly we are getting rid of things. This video is encouraging me to start! Thank you!!
Great tips. I am in the middle of decluttering my house right now. It can be overwhelming! Please know that you are loved and we are praying for you and Jason. My heart goes out to you! 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Your lemon plates are delightful. Hang on to them. You will use them again someday!!! Thanks for always being so honest. Dementia is horrible 😢 Unless you have to deal with it personally, people have no idea how it can suck the life out of you. I speak from experience. God bless Jason and you!
Absolutely! Is something happening your life, where people are making you feel like you need to get rid of items you love? Just like I said in this video. Sometimes, you just don’t want to get rid of things that mean something to you, even if no one else could care less! You just go right ahead and love those items! 💕
Keep the lemon plates they mean something special. I actually love dishes too and about 10 years ago I started using China for every meal. We have one son and he won’t ever want or use. I put them in dishwasher. Most younger generation don’t care about China or crystal. So.we are enjoying it every day.
A trick i use for sentimental items. I pick it up. First emotion i feel. If it's sadness, regret, anger, any bad emotion, it goes away!!!! I also allow myself a couple minutes to feel those feelings and say goodbye to them before the item goes into the donation box or trash can.
Those lemon plates are keepers. I have a lot of sentimental things. I'm in a condo building and have been policed by one of the very old neighbors so I can't control my environment.
You are so right. We are just putting new carpet in our four bedrooms and closets. If I didn’t use it, it’s gone except for a few things. Felt so good. Cleaned out closets too. Keep what you love❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My husband has Lewy Body too and I am decluttering due to safety concerns. Thanks for this encouragement! One of the first things I did was box up stuff for my niece that belonged to my mom.
Whoa! Those plates were gorgeous! They would look so nice with the floral centerpiece on the table! I'm a terrible person to have around when you declutter pretty things!!
Hard to let you of sentimental items ...but we don't have enough space for everything in our lives...and you could keep photos of things that you need to let go of....x
I have had some tableware and glassware sets in the past that I no longer used, but was a little sad to part with. Where I was able to without leaving an odd number (in some cases, perhaps one item had already been broken), I kept a single item and re-purposed it - a plate as a decorative picture, a glass as a vase, etc. That way I still had the memories 😊
We all need to de-clutter on a regular basis while we are healthy enough to do it. As we age, it’s harder physically, emotionally and mentally. I honestly think we lose the ability especially when dementia is involved. We are getting rid of my late in-laws items some 6 years after death and my mom’s stuff cluttered our home when she went to assisted living. We need to work on our stuff next.
Great advice! Im retired and grew up in the family inheritance mindset. Doesnt matter if it has monetary value or usefulnes...it was great grandma's. Its not what I use either. But I know my children don't want it so I need to find a place for it to go. Its not easy these days. Salvation army doesnt want it either!! My decisions need to be brutal so that I dont live as a hoarder.
I totally get the lemon plates. LOL My son will be 43 in August, and my daughter will be 40 in February. I can't throw out their toddler clothes. I tried to do it about 20 years ago, and I fell to pieces. I've decided to put on my big girl panties, keep some of the clothes with special meaning, and give the rest away. The ones that I DO keep, are going to be cut into swatches and I'll make a couple of table runners and/or other crafty items with them. Along with some of my teenaged grandchildren's toddler clothes that I ALSO can't throw away. LOL
I am definitely working through this myself right now. I am the person who took all my heirloom family items, from both mine and my husband's side, so we have so many things that may or may not get used but they are definitely sentimental...they're three or four or five generations old. The other funny thing is, if I clean a space and put things aside to donate, if I don't donate them right away I'll see them again and go "oh no why am I getting rid of that"🤣
Oh my, sentimental part is most definitely the hardest! My heart was truly going out to you as I watched. It was perfect that you were wearing the Rejoice sweatshirt. We will continue to rejoice for our Lord and Savior…it is He who keeps us moving. I believe that our showing emotions and sincere appreciations for all of our life’s blessings are signs to him of the love and dedication we have for all He gives us - and, no, not just the”things” we have…but the moments we have. I do hope my words makes sense🤍
I'm going through decluttering, too, and that "will my family want this after I'm gone" question guides many if not most of my decisions. My linen closet no longer houses enough sheets, pillows and blankets to make pallets for the entire group of grandchildren if they're staying here all at once. Being prepared for their visits meant so much to me, but the pandemic hit and they moved from being a group in their late teens to preteens up to young adults and one young teen. They're never going to pile in on us for a week or even a weekend. Instead of crying over lost times, I'm trying to savor the memories as I make throw away or donate decisions. Occasionally, when I come across a note or drawing a grandchild made for me, I'll snap a photo or Facetime a grandchild and share a moment of laughter with them, ask them if they want me to keep it for them (answer is always no), and then take the appropriate action. Right now, as our lives are changing so quickly in ways I don't want to detail yet, it's comforting to have agency over some decisions and feel as if I'm preparing us for the next difficult steps.
Awesome advice! My problem is like you said. Feeling sad about expensive items that I’ve gotten. When I pay to have a picture custom framed in non glare glass with beautiful matting and nice frames, I think people are going to pay a lot. They aren’t. Im not a clutter bug. I like simple. The other day when I was cleaning out my clothes closet, I finally decided to throw away my wedding dress! It was from 1966. It was stiff, and had turned yellow over time. I lost my husband 7 years ago. 😢 Every time I cleaned out that closet, it was in the very back, and I’ve been meaning to toss it. I have beautiful pictures of our wedding, and my 2 grown boys are not going to want it. I felt bad for a few minutes. It was the right thing to do.
I’ve only watched your channel about yours and Jason’s journey with LBD b/c of our nearly identical situation. When this came up on my alerts, it rang true to where I am as well! I don’t need more. I need less! Great job!
Love this video! This may sound strange but getting rid of things that you don’t use is good for my soul. I know everyone doesn’t feel this way, but to me it feels so GOOD! We will be moving from our country life in a few years into town, and it will be a wonderful feeling to have less to pack up. ❤
Oh girl, I am just like you, when it comes to being sentimental about decluttering my house! Selling toys of my grandkids even makes me sad and my oldest is only 15 years old. Ha ha! Thanks for all the tips. I love your videos!
I like the tip Progress over Perfection. We moved 2 years ago & I have been slowly getting rid of the things that we no longer use. I agree that there are just some items that we need to keep till we can emotionally part with them.
Yes, I have a lot of emotional attachment to things so decluttering is hard. I have been thinking of taking a picture of the item and writing a short blurb of the story behind the item (on the computer) for my nieces & nephew & their children. On a personal note, are you going to counseling or a support group-you have so much on your plate.
The best way I have found to declutter is to move. I just moved within the last year from 3000sq ft home to a 1100sq foot home. My new home was our 2nd home for a year until we decided to move there permanently. We had purchased all new furniture, kitchen items, bedding, towels, you name it, when we bought it. We sold 90% of what we owned in our old home. We used marketplace, garage sales, gave many things to family and friends and anything that didn’t sell was donated to a Boy Scouts yard sale and Goodwill. It felt AMAZING!!! Since we don’t have a basement or a garage, we did rent a 10x10 storage unit. In that unit are some decor items, kitchen items from the old house, 2 large bins of pictures, 2 bikes, 3 suitcases, 3 bins of holiday decor and 3 small pieces of furniture that I will use in our next home (We will eventually move to a 3 bedroom home to accommodate family visiting us)There are some other misc must haves. I also have a shelving unit for our trips to Costco because our current home does not have much storage. I had 35 days from start to finish to do all of this. I am a very organized person so that helped. My houses have always been meticulously maintained but it is incredible how many items fit in cabinets and other pieces of furniture. I went from 2 full size closets for just myself and my husband having his own full size closet, to both of us sharing just one and it isn’t even full. It was very difficult to part with some things but that’s what they are…just things. My recommendation is take a picture of it. This a great way to still have it forever❤️ Decluttering helps with your mental health😊
I understand your plate obsession. Mine is pitchers. Whether I'm at Crate & Barrel, thrift stores, garage sales, I always look at the pitchers. I pick them up, carry them around, think I'm going to purchase them, and eventually put them back.
I had a couple of totes full of pictures. Over the years, every time I went to purge some of the pictures , an overwhelming sadness took over my emotions so I would walk away. Just last week , I had my adult children go through the pictures and take what ones they wanted. Surprisingly the following day, I purged the big totes of old photos. Now I am scanning the remaining pictures on to a SD card so I can view the photos on my digital frame. ❤️ Thanks for sharing your motivational tips on organizing.❤️
This video is encouraging for me. Thanks. I was thinking about Jason's military clothes. I've seen quilts make from high school sports t-shirts they participated in. Could you find somebody who would do that with his military clothes? That way you still have have the memories but with something Jason could use.
I've been decluttering my home, yes it's not easy but getting easier. Some were sold but most donating. I figure that someone else can use and love. It feels good to declutter however when I look back it seems more stuff multiplied when I wasn't looking. Thanks for the inspiration. Moving forward.
That’s interesting that Jason has a military closet. My dad was in the US Army for 30 years; retired as a CSM. I have some of his uniforms. It’s difficult to part with a lot of those clothes as I am an Army Brat as those are my memories too. I have his boots from Viet-Nam and some fatigues, and BDUs came later. I have his red scarf and I remember my mom ironing it back in the 1960’s. He was a red leg, field artillery. I have his Class A’s too. I collect plates too, some American like Syracuse, but my favorite are Hutchenruether and Rosenthal from Germany.
Just what I needed, Leslie. I have so much clutter, & almost everything is sentimental because I always preferred using, & decorating with, collectibles or pass-alongs. I have very little mental or physical energy because of some medical issues, so I can understand how hard decluttering is for you. I hope your ongoing project will help motivate me. You have much more on your plate, so if you can do it, surely I can! You & Jason remain in my prayers, especially that the infusions will become more effective. You're an inspiration, and I appreciate you and your vlogs. I'm glad, btw, that you gave yourself permission to keep the lemon plates.😊 Love to both of you.
This was a miracle that I found this video! I have 2 declutter project to start and I have put it off everyday after I look at it. I think I am overwhelmed with these two big projects and one is the very same thing as your storage area. We have one too! I look and it and say tomorrow. Like where to start. I know when I finish this disaster I will feel so much better. I am going to give it another try using some of your tips. The garage sale is not going to happen because I just do not enjoy all the work you put in for the amount you make and the shoplifting that goes on. I rather give it away. I have heard about market place on Facebook but I have never bought anything or even seen what they sell. Not sure how to use that system. I have used Craigslist. Thank you again Leslie for the work you put into these videos. I share the same struggles you have. You have a talent for decorating too. Amazing!
I'm so appreciative of this video. You zeroed in on the specific things I needed to hear. Tho I don't own a kite surfing board (lol), BUT... I DO have my own version of that and I am now giving myself permission to eliminate this (these) from my home and life . As you said, "The money has already been spent." Thanks for the inspiration. ❤
Thanks for this, Leslie. I needed a little encouragement to get rid of some of my clutter this weekend. Like you, I store things in closets and that's where they stay. There is so much to let go of now. And I do agree that the sentimental part is the hardest. They say once you let go of something, you won't even think about it again. I hate to admit this, but I have regretted some of my decisions in giving certain things away. But, as the Swedish death cleaning process is trying to teach us, you can't take it with you, so let it go before your kids are sifting through the junk. Love your channel.
Excellent video Leslie. I cleaned out my Mother's things and most was paper. She saved every card she ever received. I bagged up 13 large trash bags and that stuck with me. She and my sisters loved having lots of little knick-knacks, but I never did. Too much to dust. I moved a few times which helped to clear out alot of junk, but I started thinking...what would my adult children deal with when I pass? I got rid of everything I do not use. If something comes in, something goes out. I am satisfied in what I have. It is enough. It is morbid and I thought I was alone, but it keeps me on top of things annually going through things including papers!
Not morbid, realistic. My sister and I are cleaning out my folks' house. My mom had mental problems and some of that manifested in shopping and hoarding. The small areas she left for my dad where crammed with his tools and belongings. There was/is an unbelievable amount of stuff in their small house. And we haven't even gone in the crawl space, which was used as auxiliary storage. Anyway, I don't want my kids to have to face what we are having to do right now. Thanks for letting me share.
Great tips, progress not perfection! What a great help. Sentimentality does make cleaning out hard. Just because it is expensive . . . Yep that is a trap.
It’s difficult to get rid of sentimental items even if I don’t see myself using them. My mom and grandmother both loved dishes and stemware. It’s a lot but hopefully over time I can let them go without feeling guilty. Love your videos and how genuine you always are. I hope you have a great week.
Same here with the dishes, China cups, etc. and mom and grandma had at least three of everything besides dishes, since they lived through the depression.
I am a very sentimental person so I totally understand where you're coming from. It's not even my stuff and you got me welling up! My dad bought me a bracelet. It turned my wrist green, but I cannot and will not get rid of it. I'll never wear it but..its my dad... There's a cupboard for everything ... sort of....😉
New subscriber and I'm going through your archives, enjoying every one. You are beautiful inside and out! One thing I wanted to see was an "after" photo of your buffet and storage room. I have been getting rid of clothes, decor, etc. for 3 years now and it feels great! Like losing weight!
I love your sharing about the lemon plates The sentimental things are more challenging When cleaning out, I think “ have I used this in the last 6 mos - 1 yr When sorting -Put like with like - and get rid of duplicates I also think to store things where I’d use it -make designated areas - a baking area, a crafting area… I have a mixing bowl set of 3 that I use the larger bowl most - so I store the set upside down in the cupboard
You are so cute. I get sentimental too. Since my husband died in Dec. of 2021, it's so very hard. All those tools, screws and stuff I don't even know what they are, I don't know what to do with them??? The clothes were easy. I understand getting very emotional 😭
Agree on areas concept! Been doing it for a few years. Meanwhile, I have several donation boxes next to me that for various reasons have not yet made it to the donation site. Months! I think this is my sign to call for the pickup. My attempt at perfectionism was keeping me from progress! Thanks for the inspiration! 👍✨😊
Before I retired, I had a company that uncluttered hoarders’ homes, requested either by a relative or the city or county. The homeowners problem was they thought they had a house full of treasures. I mean, broken hangers, 10 year old paints, skeins of yarn holding decades of dust, a grandmother’s chewed up wedding dress, dollar store items and more. When extended family came to decide what to do with the items, they requested that 90% of the contents go to the local dump. They could not wait to get rid of all that stuff and often they did not want to go through it. It’s a sad illness for all.
I agree with you, Leslie. We have lived in our home for 40 years! So you can imagine the collection of stuff. 2 kids ( grown and flown) 2 deceased sets of parents plus our own stuff. We would like to move in a year or two, so we have been doing a massive decluttering. It’s a daunting task, but so satisfying. Keep up the good work! Question though, for your husband, wouldn’t certain things help bring comfort to him? (ie;military items, etc. ).
I’ve decluttered. But I’m not dead yet! I have things that I like. Here’s what I think about Swedish Death Cleaning…if our house hasn’t been sold before we die, our daughter will inherit a property worth, in today’s value, at least $500,000. She can clean it out. 😊
Haha very true! I also have to remember I have an audience of all house sizes, income levels, etc. when my Dad passed away, getting rid of all his stuff was aHUGE chore, and I definitely didn’t get a 500,000 dollar house! 😛
Also, prices are high on the East coast. We’re in a Maryland suburb. And our house is just a 3 bedroom rancher on a small wooded lot. We’ve been here 25 years and have practically rebuilt it over the years. But you really can’t even buy a brand new townhouse here for $500,000. 😮
HA! The plates. Oh my goodness. My mother is the SAME way. She had so many plate sets. I live next door to my parents, and not only did she have multiple plate sets in hutches (plural) and their basement, but she was also storing them in mine. I kept telling her that some day I was going to get a dumpster and just start pitching things. I'm not a true minimalist, but I'm somewhat close. I can't stand clutter and having things I don't use...just in case. I was half kidding with her but half not. I think it's finally sinking in, and she's now in a decluttering mindset. She's gotten rid of some of the sets, and we're having a garage sale in a month. She's got more ready to go there. She's also after my dad to start on his workshops (again - plural). He will go to the home stores and just buy stuff without knowing if he already has it at home. That's how I ended up with probably 8 hammers at my last house! You are not alone, and yes - it helps to think, "would anyone want this someday?" I would imagine that helps to start getting down to the items that really mean something.
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Great tips Leslie. I'm a professional organizer in Madison, WI. Memories, whether good or bad keep us attached to our stuff. If you are a sentimental person the decluttering process can be more challenging. I've asked clients if they can hold the memories in their hearts AND let the item go to a new home. Sometimes it helps to snap a photo before letting something go. Once you purchase an item, it's a sunk cost. Holding onto stuff you've never used just because of the money spent doesn't make sense if it makes you feel bad every time you see it. I wish you all the best with your decluttering.
When you cried over the lemon plates & your success on RUclips- I thought I was looking in a mirror! I get upset several times a week on sentimental things, I love it! Makes me feel like I’m really feeling this life. On the garage selling of our personal things, once when I was younger & had a garage sale, I put little notes on my items I cared about to tell the new owner the history. For example, the outdated 80’s sweater had a tag that read, ‘this sweater went to The Rolling Stones concert in St Louis in 1989, good times!’ I had the best time selling my items this way, so many comments & great conversations. Some may have thought ‘how bizarre’ - but I didn’t care, I was reminiscing as my items went to new homes. Keep up the great work Lesley!!!
I get this! With illnesses and injuries i have moved to minimalism. Less stuff to clean, move, and maintain.
What perfect timing. I just told me husband I will be doing a total decluttering of the house. He will be retiring in a couple years, and we want to move into a smaller home and travel. So no better time than now. I'm telling the kids get what you want now. We are at that point in our lives where I do not feel I have to pull out pretty special dishes to have family gatherings. Just being able to be together makes those paper plates look beautiful.
Totally agree !!!
Yes it’s hard to get rid of stuff but I love the memories I have from the years it made me happy ❤
The sentimental part of it paralyzes me sometimes, lol.
☮️💖🙏
Dear, if something brings you joy, with a thing as simple as a lemon plate, then for goodness sake, don't get rid of it. You are important too, your feelings and memories are important. We love your realness, and love your videos!
Leslie, keep those lemon plates, they are beautiful and mean so much to you. I moved a year ago, after getting out of a 17½ year abusive marriage. I got rid of so much stuff but find I need to get rid of so much more. It's amazing how much better you feel after letting go of things you don't need anymore. I love your idea of cleaning "areas". Thanks for sharing so many useful tips.
Awesome video! My husband and I lost parents within 5 months. We also moved my Mom to live with us (she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3/19 and will be 87 in July). So emotional selling 2 houses and the thought of discarding stuff was tough. Slowing we have been donating. Dad’s military uniforms (he was in the Navy for 21 years) Navy group/ veterans took them also his K of C cloak and hat etc the K of C took it back. We donated to the veterans and Habitat for humanity. Someone who took stuff in the neighborhood took 2 truck loads. Knick knacks etc. were donated to floral shop. The Catholic Church took many items. A lot was given to family but a lot came north. My house is full but slowly we are getting rid of things. This video is encouraging me to start! Thank you!!
Area-cleaning YES ❤️❤️❤️❤️😍tell Jason We love him❤️❤️❤️❤️🤴
Great tips. I am in the middle of decluttering my house right now. It can be overwhelming! Please know that you are loved and we are praying for you and Jason. My heart goes out to you! 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Quilts can be made from clothing- consider having someone make quilts from Jason's uniforms - as you are ready. ❤
Your lemon plates are delightful. Hang on to them. You will use them again someday!!! Thanks for always being so honest. Dementia is horrible 😢 Unless you have to deal with it personally, people have no idea how it can suck the life out of you. I speak from experience. God bless Jason and you!
Dandlions are little puddles of sunshine. First food for the bees.
Also the unsung edible,old cookbooks include them.🎉
I really do think that there are things we own that we need to keep. Period.
Absolutely! Is something happening your life, where people are making you feel like you need to get rid of items you love? Just like I said in this video. Sometimes, you just don’t want to get rid of things that mean something to you, even if no one else could care less! You just go right ahead and love those items! 💕
I am being told I have too many books & I need them! Thanks so much for your support -
That’s what she said.
Keep those lemon plates Leslie! Love your videos!💜💜
Nice video. I appreciate that you do not have a bunch of background music. Thanks for sharing and being so genuine.
I love all of your tablescapes! Keep the lemon plates!
Keep the lemon plates they mean something special. I actually love dishes too and about 10 years ago I started using China for every meal. We have one son and he won’t ever want or use. I put them in dishwasher. Most younger generation don’t care about China or crystal. So.we are enjoying it every day.
I love those lemon 🍋 plates..keep them. Sending you lots of love hugs prayers and kindness 💛🍋💛
A trick i use for sentimental items. I pick it up. First emotion i feel. If it's sadness, regret, anger, any bad emotion, it goes away!!!! I also allow myself a couple minutes to feel those feelings and say goodbye to them before the item goes into the donation box or trash can.
You were a great inspiration on my gloomy Monday morning.
Absolutely ❤love ur sweet words and smile no mater what happens around u
Those lemon plates are keepers. I have a lot of sentimental things. I'm in a condo building and have been policed by one of the very old neighbors so I can't control my environment.
You are so right. We are just putting new carpet in our four bedrooms and closets. If I didn’t use it, it’s gone except for a few things. Felt so good. Cleaned out closets too. Keep what you love❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Great tips! TFS! Blessings to you! ✝🕊🙏🏼💖
My husband has Lewy Body too and I am decluttering due to safety concerns. Thanks for this encouragement! One of the first things I did was box up stuff for my niece that belonged to my mom.
Good advice! We gotta remember this is a lifelong process !
I wouldn’t have gotten rid of the lemon plates either. They are beautiful!
Whoa! Those plates were gorgeous! They would look so nice with the floral centerpiece on the table! I'm a terrible person to have around when you declutter pretty things!!
I love those lemon plates. U go girl. Thanks for a great video. 💐💐💐
Hard to let you of sentimental items ...but we don't have enough space for everything in our lives...and you could keep photos of things that you need to let go of....x
I have had some tableware and glassware sets in the past that I no longer used, but was a little sad to part with. Where I was able to without leaving an odd number (in some cases, perhaps one item had already been broken), I kept a single item and re-purposed it - a plate as a decorative picture, a glass as a vase, etc. That way I still had the memories 😊
THOSE LEMON PLATES ARE GORGEOUS! I WAS YELLING AT YOU THROUGH THE INTERWEBS TO KEEP THEM!! lol Glad you could hear me! lol XO
We all need to de-clutter on a regular basis while we are healthy enough to do it. As we age, it’s harder physically, emotionally and mentally. I honestly think we lose the ability especially when dementia is involved. We are getting rid of my late in-laws items some 6 years after death and my mom’s stuff cluttered our home when she went to assisted living. We need to work on our stuff next.
Great advice! Im retired and grew up in the family inheritance mindset. Doesnt matter if it has monetary value or usefulnes...it was great grandma's. Its not what I use either. But I know my children don't want it so I need to find a place for it to go. Its not easy these days. Salvation army doesnt want it either!! My decisions need to be brutal so that I dont live as a hoarder.
So funny, i plant dandelions for making detox teas.
I totally get the lemon plates. LOL My son will be 43 in August, and my daughter will be 40 in February. I can't throw out their toddler clothes. I tried to do it about 20 years ago, and I fell to pieces. I've decided to put on my big girl panties, keep some of the clothes with special meaning, and give the rest away.
The ones that I DO keep, are going to be cut into swatches and I'll make a couple of table runners and/or other crafty items with them. Along with some of my teenaged grandchildren's toddler clothes that I ALSO can't throw away. LOL
I am definitely working through this myself right now. I am the person who took all my heirloom family items, from both mine and my husband's side, so we have so many things that may or may not get used but they are definitely sentimental...they're three or four or five generations old. The other funny thing is, if I clean a space and put things aside to donate, if I don't donate them right away I'll see them again and go "oh no why am I getting rid of that"🤣
Oh my, sentimental part is most definitely the hardest! My heart was truly going out to you as I watched. It was perfect that you were wearing the Rejoice sweatshirt. We will continue to rejoice for our Lord and Savior…it is He who keeps us moving. I believe that our showing emotions and sincere appreciations for all of our life’s blessings are signs to him of the love and dedication we have for all He gives us - and, no, not just the”things” we have…but the moments we have. I do hope my words makes sense🤍
I'm going through decluttering, too, and that "will my family want this after I'm gone" question guides many if not most of my decisions. My linen closet no longer houses enough sheets, pillows and blankets to make pallets for the entire group of grandchildren if they're staying here all at once. Being prepared for their visits meant so much to me, but the pandemic hit and they moved from being a group in their late teens to preteens up to young adults and one young teen. They're never going to pile in on us for a week or even a weekend. Instead of crying over lost times, I'm trying to savor the memories as I make throw away or donate decisions. Occasionally, when I come across a note or drawing a grandchild made for me, I'll snap a photo or Facetime a grandchild and share a moment of laughter with them, ask them if they want me to keep it for them (answer is always no), and then take the appropriate action. Right now, as our lives are changing so quickly in ways I don't want to detail yet, it's comforting to have agency over some decisions and feel as if I'm preparing us for the next difficult steps.
Thank you! I needed to be reminded of letting go. The clutter causes me so much anxiety and I don’t need these things! ❤
Maybe it’s too late but if you still have Jason’s military wardrobe a great way to make use of it is to make a quilt!
Awesome advice! My problem is like you said. Feeling sad about expensive items that I’ve gotten. When I pay to have a picture custom framed in non glare glass with beautiful matting and nice frames, I think people are going to pay a lot. They aren’t. Im not a clutter bug. I like simple. The other day when I was cleaning out my clothes closet, I finally decided to throw away my wedding dress! It was from 1966. It was stiff, and had turned yellow over time. I lost my husband 7 years ago. 😢 Every time I cleaned out that closet, it was in the very back, and I’ve been meaning to toss it. I have beautiful pictures of our wedding, and my 2 grown boys are not going to want it. I felt bad for a few minutes. It was the right thing to do.
Sorry for your loss,but thanks for sharing that story it helped me.🎉
Love the plates.
I’ve only watched your channel about yours and Jason’s journey with LBD b/c of our nearly identical situation. When this came up on my alerts, it rang true to where I am as well! I don’t need more. I need less! Great job!
Love this video! This may sound strange but getting rid of things that you don’t use is good for my soul. I know everyone doesn’t feel this way, but to me it feels so GOOD! We will be moving from our country life in a few years into town, and it will be a wonderful feeling to have less to pack up. ❤
I spent 3 weeks cleaning out areas and had a yard sale. Everything that wasn't sold went in my car to the thrift shop!
I loved your "lemon plate" story. Definitely hold on to those 6 plates.
Love it Leslie!!! Blessings!!!
I LOVED that video…it got me excited about tablescaping. I understand our emotion🥰🤗👏💜
Great ways to get rid of clutter. I am trying but due to health issues it is really slow. 😊❤😊
Oh girl, I am just like you, when it comes to being sentimental about decluttering my house! Selling toys of my grandkids even makes me sad and my oldest is only 15 years old. Ha ha! Thanks for all the tips. I love your videos!
I like the tip Progress over Perfection. We moved 2 years ago & I have been slowly getting rid of the things that we no longer use. I agree that there are just some items that we need to keep till we can emotionally part with them.
Yes, I have a lot of emotional attachment to things so decluttering is hard. I have been thinking of taking a picture of the item and writing a short blurb of the story behind the item (on the computer) for my nieces & nephew & their children. On a personal note, are you going to counseling or a support group-you have so much on your plate.
Progress not perfection!!👍🏻👍🏻
Yes, control the controllable!!
Awe, those Lemon plates!! ❤
It feels sooo good to declutter! For me, it keeps me in a good headspace!! Great tips!! ❤
This was like a beautiful motivational talk from Mama. 🥰♥️☀️
The best way I have found to declutter is to move. I just moved within the last year from 3000sq ft home to a 1100sq foot home. My new home was our 2nd home for a year until we decided to move there permanently. We had purchased all new furniture, kitchen items, bedding, towels, you name it, when we bought it. We sold 90% of what we owned in our old home. We used marketplace, garage sales, gave many things to family and friends and anything that didn’t sell was donated to a Boy Scouts yard sale and Goodwill. It felt AMAZING!!! Since we don’t have a basement or a garage, we did rent a 10x10 storage unit. In that unit are some decor items, kitchen items from the old house, 2 large bins of pictures, 2 bikes, 3 suitcases, 3 bins of holiday decor and 3 small pieces of furniture that I will use in our next home (We will eventually move to a 3 bedroom home to accommodate family visiting us)There are some other misc must haves. I also have a shelving unit for our trips to Costco because our current home does not have much storage. I had 35 days from start to finish to do all of this. I am a very organized person so that helped. My houses have always been meticulously maintained but it is incredible how many items fit in cabinets and other pieces of furniture. I went from 2 full size closets for just myself and my husband having his own full size closet, to both of us sharing just one and it isn’t even full. It was very difficult to part with some things but that’s what they are…just things. My recommendation is take a picture of it. This a great way to still have it forever❤️ Decluttering helps with your mental health😊
I understand your plate obsession. Mine is pitchers. Whether I'm at Crate & Barrel, thrift stores, garage sales, I always look at the pitchers. I pick them up, carry them around, think I'm going to purchase them, and eventually put them back.
I love your tips and love your sentimental side as I am sentimental and I love making my house a home!
I do love a good tablescape
Oh Leslie this hit home . I have so much since my husband went to be with Jesus I find myself hanging on to so much . Thank for this video 💕
I had a couple of totes full of pictures. Over the years, every time I went to purge some of the pictures , an overwhelming sadness took over my emotions so I would walk away. Just last week , I had my adult children go through the pictures and take what ones they wanted. Surprisingly the following day, I purged the big totes of old photos. Now I am scanning the remaining pictures on to a SD card so I can view the photos on my digital frame. ❤️ Thanks for sharing your motivational tips on organizing.❤️
Yes, that is my problem: the sadness I feel when going through old photos. Great idea to let my kids help me and take what they want.
I have so many pictures!!
This video is encouraging for me. Thanks. I was thinking about Jason's military clothes. I've seen quilts make from high school sports t-shirts they participated in. Could you find somebody who would do that with his military clothes? That way you still have have the memories but with something Jason could use.
Very nice words of encouragement! Thank you and may God’s blessings be with you and your precious family…….🍃🌸😊🌸🍃
Such a great video, Leslie, thank you!
Xoxo ❤
I've been decluttering my home, yes it's not easy but getting easier. Some were sold but most donating. I figure that someone else can use and love. It feels good to declutter however when I look back it seems more stuff multiplied when I wasn't looking. Thanks for the inspiration. Moving forward.
That’s interesting that Jason has a military closet. My dad was in the US Army for 30 years; retired as a CSM. I have some of his uniforms. It’s difficult to part with a lot of those clothes as I am an Army Brat as those are my memories too. I have his boots from Viet-Nam and some fatigues, and BDUs came later. I have his red scarf and I remember my mom ironing it back in the 1960’s. He was a red leg, field artillery. I have his Class A’s too.
I collect plates too, some American like Syracuse, but my favorite are Hutchenruether and Rosenthal from Germany.
Hi Leslie, Love the way you adore your dog! Sooo cute. Blessings🥰💕❤💓💕🐶🐕😍
Just what I needed, Leslie. I have so much clutter, & almost everything is sentimental because I always preferred using, & decorating with, collectibles or pass-alongs. I have very little mental or physical energy because of some medical issues, so I can understand how hard decluttering is for you. I hope your ongoing project will help motivate me. You have much more on your plate, so if you can do it, surely I can!
You & Jason remain in my prayers, especially that the infusions will become more effective. You're an inspiration, and I appreciate you and your vlogs. I'm glad, btw, that you gave yourself permission to keep the lemon plates.😊 Love to both of you.
This was a miracle that I found this video! I have 2 declutter project to start and I have put it off everyday after I look at it. I think I am overwhelmed with these two big projects and one is the very same thing as your storage area. We have one too! I look and it and say tomorrow. Like where to start. I know when I finish this disaster I will feel so much better.
I am going to give it another try using some of your tips. The garage sale is not going to happen because I just do not enjoy all the work you put in for the amount you make and the shoplifting that goes on. I rather give it away. I have heard about market place on Facebook but I have never bought anything or even seen what they sell. Not sure how to use that system. I have used Craigslist.
Thank you again Leslie for the work you put into these videos. I share the same struggles you have. You have a talent for decorating too. Amazing!
I'm so appreciative of this video. You zeroed in on the specific things I needed to hear. Tho I don't own a kite surfing board (lol), BUT... I DO have my own version of that and I am now giving myself permission to eliminate this (these) from my home and life . As you said, "The money has already been spent."
Thanks for the inspiration. ❤
Thanks for this, Leslie. I needed a little encouragement to get rid of some of my clutter this weekend. Like you, I store things in closets and that's where they stay. There is so much to let go of now. And I do agree that the sentimental part is the hardest. They say once you let go of something, you won't even think about it again. I hate to admit this, but I have regretted some of my decisions in giving certain things away. But, as the Swedish death cleaning process is trying to teach us, you can't take it with you, so let it go before your kids are sifting through the junk. Love your channel.
Excellent video Leslie. I cleaned out my Mother's things and most was paper. She saved every card she ever received. I bagged up 13 large trash bags and that stuck with me. She and my sisters loved having lots of little knick-knacks, but I never did. Too much to dust. I moved a few times which helped to clear out alot of junk, but I started thinking...what would my adult children deal with when I pass? I got rid of everything I do not use. If something comes in, something goes out. I am satisfied in what I have. It is enough. It is morbid and I thought I was alone, but it keeps me on top of things annually going through things including papers!
Not morbid, realistic. My sister and I are cleaning out my folks' house. My mom had mental problems and some of that manifested in shopping and hoarding. The small areas she left for my dad where crammed with his tools and belongings. There was/is an unbelievable amount of stuff in their small house. And we haven't even gone in the crawl space, which was used as auxiliary storage. Anyway, I don't want my kids to have to face what we are having to do right now. Thanks for letting me share.
Oh my goodness!! I soooooooo needed to see this today!!! Thank you!!!! 🤗❤️
Keep those lemon plates! Yes,sentimental stuff is hard,no matter the reason!. Love all your content sweet Leslie ! Hugs from Blue Springs 😊❤
Great tips, progress not perfection! What a great help. Sentimentality does make cleaning out hard. Just because it is expensive . . . Yep that is a trap.
Love this! Thank you for the tips.
It’s difficult to get rid of sentimental items even if I don’t see myself using them. My mom and grandmother both loved dishes and stemware. It’s a lot but hopefully over time I can let them go without feeling guilty. Love your videos and how genuine you always are. I hope you have a great week.
Same here with the dishes, China cups, etc. and mom and grandma had at least three of everything besides dishes, since they lived through the depression.
Leslie keep the lemon bowls. You’ll know when to let them go.
I am a very sentimental person so I totally understand where you're coming from. It's not even my stuff and you got me welling up! My dad bought me a bracelet. It turned my wrist green, but I cannot and will not get rid of it. I'll never wear it but..its my dad... There's a cupboard for everything ... sort of....😉
Good tips!
Thanks for the video love you and Jason...I have things I need to let go of also ..I give alot to family but I need do do another declutter
Im having a horrible time with the sentimental aspect! We are moving and we don't want to take anything we don't need!
New subscriber and I'm going through your archives, enjoying every one. You are beautiful inside and out! One thing I wanted to see was an "after" photo of your buffet and storage room. I have been getting rid of clothes, decor, etc. for 3 years now and it feels great! Like losing weight!
Thank you so much 😊
I love your sharing about the lemon plates
The sentimental things are more challenging
When cleaning out, I think “ have I used this in the last 6 mos - 1 yr
When sorting -Put like with like - and get rid of duplicates
I also think to store things where I’d use it -make designated areas - a baking area, a crafting area…
I have a mixing bowl set of 3 that I use the larger bowl most - so I store the set upside down in the cupboard
Thank you very much needed to hear this message 😊🌺🌺
This is a great video. Thank you 🙏🏼
Bees sip dan first flower
Loved this video. I’m glad you kept the lemon plates. They clearly bring you joy! Therefore they are worth keeping.❤
You are so cute. I get sentimental too. Since my husband died in Dec. of 2021, it's so very hard. All those tools, screws and stuff I don't even know what they are, I don't know what to do with them??? The clothes were easy. I understand getting very emotional 😭
Agree on areas concept! Been doing it for a few years. Meanwhile, I have several donation boxes next to me that for various reasons have not yet made it to the donation site. Months! I think this is my sign to call for the pickup. My attempt at perfectionism was keeping me from progress! Thanks for the inspiration! 👍✨😊
Before I retired, I had a company that uncluttered hoarders’ homes, requested either by a relative or the city or county. The homeowners problem was they thought they had a house full of treasures. I mean, broken hangers, 10 year old paints, skeins of yarn holding decades of dust, a grandmother’s chewed up wedding dress, dollar store items and more. When extended family came to decide what to do with the items, they requested that 90% of the contents go to the local dump. They could not wait to get rid of all that stuff and often they did not want to go through it. It’s a sad illness for all.
I just stumbled upon your channel today !!!! I just love it!! Thank you !🩷
Thank you so much 😊 So happy you found it! ❤️
I agree with you, Leslie. We have lived in our home for 40 years! So you can imagine the collection of stuff. 2 kids ( grown and flown) 2 deceased sets of parents plus our own stuff. We would like to move in a year or two, so we have been doing a massive decluttering. It’s a daunting task, but so satisfying. Keep up the good work! Question though, for your husband, wouldn’t certain things help bring comfort to him? (ie;military items, etc. ).
I wish I could go to your rummage sale!😊
Great ideas that are usable!
Awesome, thank you 🙏!
I’ve decluttered. But I’m not dead yet! I have things that I like. Here’s what I think about Swedish Death Cleaning…if our house hasn’t been sold before we die, our daughter will inherit a property worth, in today’s value, at least $500,000. She can clean it out. 😊
Haha very true! I also have to remember I have an audience of all house sizes, income levels, etc. when my Dad passed away, getting rid of all his stuff was aHUGE chore, and I definitely didn’t get a 500,000 dollar house! 😛
Also, prices are high on the East coast. We’re in a Maryland suburb. And our house is just a 3 bedroom rancher on a small wooded lot. We’ve been here 25 years and have practically rebuilt it over the years. But you really can’t even buy a brand new townhouse here for $500,000. 😮
HA! The plates. Oh my goodness. My mother is the SAME way. She had so many plate sets. I live next door to my parents, and not only did she have multiple plate sets in hutches (plural) and their basement, but she was also storing them in mine. I kept telling her that some day I was going to get a dumpster and just start pitching things. I'm not a true minimalist, but I'm somewhat close. I can't stand clutter and having things I don't use...just in case. I was half kidding with her but half not.
I think it's finally sinking in, and she's now in a decluttering mindset. She's gotten rid of some of the sets, and we're having a garage sale in a month. She's got more ready to go there. She's also after my dad to start on his workshops (again - plural). He will go to the home stores and just buy stuff without knowing if he already has it at home. That's how I ended up with probably 8 hammers at my last house!
You are not alone, and yes - it helps to think, "would anyone want this someday?" I would imagine that helps to start getting down to the items that really mean something.