Erica, I see something very different than what I’m hearing you say … I’m seeing an exceptional teacher and Mom who tried to find the very best resources for her kids to learn. She realized that each child learns differently and some of those amazing resources are not the best for each of those children. But you know your kids’ learning styles so well because you are intimately involved and invested in their learning. I think you are amazing … you should be proud of yourself and not disappointed in your decisions. Congratulations. Your family is so very fortunate to have you!!
This must have been the sweetest comment I read on the internet this week. 💖 Thank you for sending out positivity and gifting someone grace who struggles 🌸
That is exactly what I was thinking. Don’t feel bad about the money because what you may have spent, will be a blessing to others who may not have been able to afford it. You are doing great Erica! You are such a good mom!
Nice job Erica! As always, I love how honest and transparent you are. I’m a homeschooling mom too and we’ve all bought things that we end up not using. As we plan for the next year, we just have to remember all of our lessons learned from previous year, including our need for curriculum or discernment what we don’t need to buy! Maybe has a spot in the basement for next year’s curriculum and only put what you know you want to get through this year in school room.
Erica, you basically run a private school for 3 Kids. Imagine how much it would cost to outsource an education that empathic, individualised and adaptive as the one you provide for your three scolars! Of course I get the financial guilt, but the education that you provide for your Kids has so much value in comparison. And it‘s only reasonable to spend money on that and learn on the way. I think you do a fantastic job!🎉
I found a way to let go of the monetary guilt…..Recently, my husband and I paid off all of our debt…it felt okay donating items once they were officially paid for. They served their purpose and I felt no guilt once I realized they were paid for. Your son will be over the moon with your hard work, momma! Great job!
As a retired teacher, I understand how exciting it is to find new materials to teach units, concepts, etc. I did not homeschool, but I bought/made numerous materials to improve my teaching. I do not regret the untold amount of money and time I spent helping children learn. It was so hard to part with everything but, hopefully, some young, new teachers have benefitted from what I collected over the years.
It must be hard homeschooling. 3 kids at 3 different levels with different learning styles. You are a very conscientious teacher. Your kids are very fortunate that you can meet their needs. ❤
Have you considered framing the quarter map? This is what I chose to do with sentimental baby stuff ("coming home" clothes, hospital bracelet, hospital hat, footprints, etc.). The shadow box hangs on our wall, takes up no space, and is a very lovely boost to walk by in our hallway every day.
Good for you for finally giving your kids the closet to use for themselves. I've watched you struggle with the homeschooling inventory for a while now, lol, and I have to admit that it gives me stressful feelings to see those overflowing piles. I've had moments where I felt the primal urge to reach through the screen and try to convince you to pack it all up and give it away without thinking about it or looking at it. You've been trying to organize clutter because it's expensive and therefore not junk. However, we can all see that you've reached the point where you've accepted that even useful things can be clutter if they are sitting forgotten in storage. To let go of the guilt of not using everything in the closet is a big step. Pat yourself on the back for having made such a positive step. Thanks for sharing.
Erica, I am cheering you on! No shame, no guilt. Just a loving mom who is pouring herself into her children as their teacher. You would have words of grace and understanding for another homeschool mom in your place. Extend that kindness to yourself. :)
You did a great job. Now to implement your boundary method to put it all away. Having everything in one room will actually be easier because you will see it all. You won’t have to think about what you have upstairs.
I love how you talk through your process and decisions. It's so helpful! Also, I was SHOCKED when you said how much the homeschool books cost😱I had no idea. When I first started my minimalism journey 10 years ago one thing that really helped me with just in case items was: If I came across the item again during another round of decluttering and didn't remember the item, I let it go. I told myself that my brain only remembers the important things. So if I don't remember, my brain made the decision for me that I really don't need it 🤷♀️
When I have decluttered curriculum that I haven’t fully used, I always tell myself it’s still cheaper than a private school education! We are second generation homeschoolers, I’ve graduated 3 of my six. Enjoy the time with them. You are doing a GREAT job!
I’ve struggled with financial guilt over unused homeschool supplies. Letting them go required shifting my mindset to being grateful I had things to bless others with. As in, maybe I’m the channel some needed resource can flow through to a family that needs it and can’t afford it. When I donated things with a blessing and a prayer that they would be found by someone who appreciated them, it was much easier and left me feeling good and not guilty. It works with all kinds of things. Sending good vibes and encouragement to you. ❤️
One more thought on all those books you tried, but they didn't work for your kids. That's a good thing! In a public school, once the books are purchased, that's it. You're stuck whether they work or not. Yes, it's money spent, but that's the cost of being able to make the right choices for your kids vs the school system making one choice for all kids.
Erica you did a phenomenal job! I can only imagine the decision fatigue! You have not wasted a cent because you have blessed other homeschooling momma's! I love how you do reverse decluttering! Now go take a nap you deserve it! 😴 ❤
Erica, you did amazingly. I am so proud of your progress in this area today. I remember your last home school closet declutter took you more than one day and you were so overwhelmed. This time you did it all in one day and made such fantastic decisions far more easily. Moving forward, it might be a better idea to limit the space in which you store your homeschool resources in the homeschool room downstairs. That way you’ll create a more intentional storage boundary for all your learning resources. Plus, it won’t overwhelm you or the space in which your children learn and use on a daily basis. This means you can go through all your school materials on a more regular basis (one a month perhaps) and keep better track of what you have chosen to keep.
I'm a few minutes in. The "I forgot this was here" thing. Maybe take a picture of the interior of the closet and tape it to the inside of your planning notebook or something. If you're visual, be visual. I also LOVE lists. I'd make an inventory list of everything that's in there and put it in your binder downstairs. Add columns for subject or unit or level. Highlight it, make notes, make it useful for you! I would love to do this for you. Too bad I'm on the other side of the country. =)
As a fellow homeschool mom, I get how HARD this is. I have a 4 year gap between my boys and with curriculum being so expensive, I hold onto most of it for my youngest. Unfortunately, my boys are two different learning styles so I either have to adapt the curriculum to fit their different learning capabilities or try something new... it can get to be overwhelming. You did an amazing job!!! All that donated curriculum tho... you're blessing so many families who need it ❤
I homeschool my 6th, 5th, and 2nd grader. You did amazing! That was not an easy task, but you are going to bless so many with your donate/sell pile. The cost of homeschool curriculum is no joke!
I keep thinking of things from my child rearing days in the 1960’s that may (or not) help you. I didn’t homeschool my boys but they didn’t have lots of toys, books, puzzles and all their stuff had to live in their room. They could bring things out to play with but not all at once. They played outside most of the time. Our house belonged to mom and dad and they got to live there until they were 18. My oldest did very well in school until 3rd grade. His young teacher said he would just sit and stare out the window at the flag pole when he could have been doing his work. He brought home loads of homework that he cried over. One day I paid a surprise visit to his classroom. And I got my answer. The teacher had no control over her loud and unruly students. The room was a mess with clutter and she kept yelling at them while she and I were talking and kept switching the lights on and off as her signal to be quiet. Well, our son managed to barely make it through that year and the next year had a teacher who had taught me in first grade. She was 60 years old, very calm and organized. Her sparsely decorated room was very intentional. The kids respected her. It was quiet and orderly. Of course, he thrived. That flag pole in second grade was his escape from the chaos.
I appreciate this comment sooooo much. I grew up in the sixties exactly the way that you stated. We played mostly outside and when we played inside,we got out one board game,played it with siblings or neighbors and then put it all back in the box.(I’m 65 and still have our family’s original games of Clue,Monopoly,Life,Risk,Mille Bournes,Rook, etc. because they didn’t get wild and ruined.)😖 When I played by myself,it was usually colored pencils,crayons,clay and other creative stuff. And lastly,I agree,children don’t learn or thrive in chaos.👍
Wow! I remember last time you oranized/decluttered that closet and I know that I, back then, was wondering about how you would be able to remember to look for everything in there. I’m a teacher and a mother, neither in my home or at my job can I remember (or remember when I actually need something) resources that I store away. There are so much that one could use, but that doesn’t mean that I can use all of it. We have to choose, and be kind to ourselves and know that what we choose to use is good. And let go of the guilt or the fear of missing out (on some potential way/resource that might eventually be good). The way we work is the way the kids will learn, not with all the potential resources. 💙 Good work you did! Greetings from Sweden
I commend any parent who homeschools their children! I have know for years i don’t have the patience, but watching this video makes me realize I couldn’t handle the planning that goes into it either. God bless homeschool parents!
I was feeling all the guilt, financial and emotional the whole time I was decluttering my room tonight -- but I have to remind myself I clearly have an abundance that other people can use, they can appreciate it more than I currently am keeping it shoved in closets and under beds. Thank you for this video, it really urged me to keep going. I still have a long way to go but we just keep on going....
Erica you are such a fantastic mom. This video actually really touched me, not because of the declutter but because it is evidence of how thoughtful of a mom and teacher you are. Your kids are so lucky to have you ❤
As someone who’s not homeschooling I’m seeing a pattern in these declutters that there is always a % of curriculum that is tested and then doesn’t suit the kids. Maybe if you actually reframe your thinking on homeschool budget and allocate a % or $$ amount as “test” cost and then if it doesn’t work it’s ok as it always the expectations that some would move on…
I've done a lot of work on myself this past few years and one of the things I have battled repeatedly is shame. I have finally come to realize the only purpose of shame is to show us where to take action, and then it's purpose is done.First evaluate if what you are feeling is a valid mistake made worthy of your time or just self flogging.If it is a true mistake made, evaluate what you can do to grow and change,take that action as best you can to move forward,and let it go.You have made the change, and are very intentional in your choices now. Even before that change your decisions to purchase and keep things came from a place of prioritizing your children's education, and anyone teaching children recognizes that what you think might work for your children may in fact not suit them and that is okay and a part of the natural process to let some things go not fully used.Look how much you have to give to others who will get use of these items and LET THE SHAME GO. It helped you to grow past and make changes in your life,and is now done. YOU'RE NAILING IT. You've built a beautiful life for your family and come so far, and I hope you see that and forgive yourself for keeping an organized stash of potentially useful resources for a bit longer than necessary due to it not suiting your personal organizational style and the very natural human desire to postpone a task you knew would involve some uncomfortable decisions and emotions. This is how we move forward,and you are doing so consistently and helping others to do the same.Well done, mama, you're doing amazing .Be proud.❤
How excellent that you find resources that you children can learn from. It is so excellent that different methods are available for different types of learners!
I have watched your videos for several years and you have done a great job in your decluttering journey! When I heard your concern about finding homes for the items you kept due to the limited space in your school room, the first thing that came to my mind was the container concept by Dana K. White. Everything is a container and we must make choices based on what will fit in that container. Your homeschool room is a container. Blessings to you as you continue on this journey.
Wow! That closet was way more full than it appeared. Thank you for doing that as a video, because even though I don’t have homeschool junk, I feel like it applies to anyone’s junk so very helpful, inspirational and maybe as a work along for me.
I printed SO MUCH STUFF in my early homeschooling days, but after doing this OVER AND OVER, I finally learned to only print what I was using RIGHT THEN and keeping a checklist of available options in my planner, so I didn't forget about the digital files.
I like the way you decide to declutter this space, kinde to yourself. I think you shouldn't judge yourself because of things you buy or print or whatever, that was just the best decision in those season of your life. Now it's another so you just take different decision. Good for your 😊
You made me laugh with your volcano laminated study. I understand the emotions and mental struggles to make all those decisions. You did an amazing job. And, yes, I had the same Dollar Tree USA maps.
I recently went thru all my leftover items. AAR and AAS and math etc and identified (my frustration over) the lack of resale value as well as a buy back program in the homeschool world like colleges have. Doing one more sell attempt and then I'm done storing them. Also, wanna remind you that the data of what didn't work/get used is just as valid data as what did work. And you HAVE learned from it. Past Erica has been punished enough!
That was a big job! I think if you have all materials in the space you use for schooling you will keep a better handle on the inventory, plus you have learned a lot about how to teach and your children's learning styles to potentially not have this overstock in the future!
OMG Erica!!! I am SOOO happy your video popped up on my screen that I can’t even begin to tell you. I have just started my decluttering journey this past January and watching your videos is like looking in a mirror! I was a teacher for 20 years, but had to leave because I suffer with severe depression. I’ve had a really tough time since I went off work (17 years now) and I have been dealing with non-stop stress ever since. Like off-the-chart, non-stop stress…here’s just a ‘smattering’ of things that happened in the last 17 years… •had to sue the insurance company as they refused to pay my Long Term Disability benefits for 5 years •‘technically’ I won…but lost my beautiful 1857 log cabin along the way. I managed to get it back - but the whole insurance ordeal ended up costing me HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars and destroyed me financially, emotionally, physically & mentally •during the same time, I was battling with Hydro (17 years ago and I was paying $600 A MONTH- YEAR-ROUND. And I live alone!!!) Long story but they cut my hydro off on 4:30 Friday afternoon of a Thanksgiving weekend…and on that cold, wet miserable weekend, my 14 year old yellow lab, who was the love of my life, died in my arms snuggled up under the covers. I was (still am) devastated. Then His best friend, my Rotti, died of a broken heart a year later almost to the day • So… about the Hydro… I ended up living without any hydro- alone & out in the country, for over a year- I had a coal oil lamp. •my mom had a double lung transplant •my sister’s a drug addict •my mom got sick in winter 2019 & then again winter 2020. I stayed with her in the hospital 24/7 for 8 weeks, then 4 months doing ALL of her care. Then Covid hit and they kicked me out. I got back in and she died in my arms (AFTER the attending physician went against HER wishes and turned off her I.V. forcing her kidneys to fail) •a massive flood came through my property at 5’ high doing HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars damage. Another insurance company battle- and they gave me 1/3 of the damages & left the mess for me to clean up (which I’m still doing 6 years later) •my beautiful ❤️ -horse (heart horse =the ‘special one’ ) tragically died from an accident a couple days after Christmas….and it was because of something I did. No living with that. 💔💔💔 OMG…I could go on and on and on…but I’m sure you get the picture. 😢 Needless to say….I haven’t been coping with life very well…and I let EVERYTHING go in my house, barn, shop & property. I didn’t do any housework (well VERY minimal). I just haven’t had have the energy (or desire) to care about anything. I started just throwing things on top of different piles. But….I HAVE started and have been sticking to it. I’ve got 3 - 20’ hay wagons FILLED with stuff for a soon-to-be garage sale- and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg! I probably have 100 boxes of manipulatives and teaching resources that I bought that are in the shop that will have to be done eventually… but for now, I’m starting on the house! I have 4 large totes filled with ‘paper’ stuff that I have to go through - and that’s a really tough one for me for a few reasons…. there may be an upcoming lawsuit against the Teachers Union for failing to help me with my LTD claim, so alllll that paperwork has to be saved. The insurance company harassed me SO badly that they were ordered not to contact me anymore by my lawyer and my doctor. It got to the point that every time I got a letter from them (every week- in addition to the daily phone calls and emails) demanding things from me, to the point that I was diagnosed with PTSD because paperwork - especially from them- caused me to completely shut down and I couldn’t handle it anymore. So everything just got thrown into a box. My cognitive functioning skills - things like decision making, organizing, sorting, staying on task, memory, adhering to timelines- everything I used to be very proficient at- have deteriorated significantly due to the illness & meds (and a bit of stress!) -and they are the skills that are crucial to me being able to do this. So there’s that element. And then there’s the money thing. 😞 I am making 60% of the wages I was making when I went off work 17 years ago. It doesn’t go up one cent. I just renewed my mortgage….and I’m JUST SCRAPING by. So for me, that ‘money thing’ is HUGE. I’d love to give it all away…but I had tens of thousands of dollars of Teaching Resources and manipulatives in my basement when the flood went up to the ceiling, and since I was only given 1/3rd of the actual amount, I had to choose where to spend the little I had. My brand new, still-in-the crate $8000 Propane Boiler- gone. An electric Velux skylight ($1700) gone. My tractor ($50,000- they gave me $15,000.) I couldn’t replace things!! So the money issue is a real ‘wall’ for me. I’m getting tired of eating peanut butter & jam for 3 meals a day! 😢😢😢 I guess I’m telling you all this because as I watched 2 of your videos, I felt like YOU would GET me…because I swear…it’s like we are walking through my house doing all this, and I am experiencing all the exact same feelings as you have. I’m not there yet…and I won’t be for awhile …and that is okay! I couldn’t have thrown out some of the resources that you did. I just know I couldn’t do it. But it will come!!! Another issue I face is that I have 100 varied interests- and tons of artsy projects that I have got the supplies rounded up to do…but LIFE keeps interrupting me, and I never seem to have time to GET to them! 🤪 I keep telling myself , “Soon. Soon.” ☺️ And I’ve started ‘rewarding’ myself recently. If I put in a few solid hours of work, (cleaning/decluttering) then I get to do one thing I ENJOY (like tonight I stained a pair of antique snowshoes! 😊👍 Seems to be a good motivator!!! Anyways, thank you for making all these videos!!! Two down, and how many more to go? ☺️ You are going to become my ‘inspiration’ and whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed I’m going to call a Time-out and go watch one of your videos!!! Thanks for listening to me blab on and on! Baby steps but at least I’m going forward now instead of the way I’ve been headed for the last 17 years!! Happy decluttering! Patti
Put that map that your son and mother did into a frame and post it on the wall In your son's room.That would be a fantastic art piece that they would see every day.
5 years ?! Holy cow i have been watching you for 5 years ! Seems like yesterday you tackled that old house you were buried in home school items in the basement!
I hardly ever comment on videos, but those „anxiety“ videos you do, Erika, are so helpful and valuable for my own decluttering problem zones… Thank you so much!
Just think all the home school parents you'll be blessing that their kids might be interested in as well. ❤ You are doing a great job with decluttering. Great video as always!
Thank you for sharing your process, Erica. What I learned today is we need to budget for [pick a category] with the expectation that a certain amount of money spent will be on items that we end up donating/trashing and that's OK. We're human, we make mistakes. We and our children grow and change. We learn about each other and ourselves. You're spending money on material goods but it's also an investment in growth. I hope we all give ourselves some grace.
I really appreciate hearing your thought process in decluttering. I listened to you while cleaning today. I was able to stay on task longer because you were "with me".
Have you considered getting a bookshelf to go under the white board in your school room, use it for your teacher supplies and this stuff, storage and a charging station in one. You can do a second pass of the stuff you’re keeping, there’s obviously a reason you think you need it now. Can you use the paper as scrap,drawing paper or shred it to use in the garden mixed in with the soil.
Good job Erica. We don't do homeschooling in the Netherlands. But stuff accumulates quickly with other things too. It helps to see other people struggle with it as well. Simone
Great job erica!! I did a very similar declutter last week & I can relate to the strain of so many decisions being made. For me, many of my materials had been free/giveaways from other teachers so I didn’t have the financial guilt but I did have the constant second guessing of “well, what if we could use this in the future?” You did amazing!! And your donations to your homeschool co-op will be such a blessing to so many families ❤
Good job Erica! As an elementary school teacher, you can appreciate that we also have tons of resources that sit in our homes and classrooms going unused as well. In 23 years I have taught almost every grade from K to 8. That means I have resources for K to 8. Some gets used, but most does not. Lots of money spent. You just need to move on. I find I cannot even give most of it away. Every one is realizing the power of owning less. Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see what you do with the home school room!
Thank you for your realistic approach. I have so many materials too that have not been used, but because money was spent, it's hard to get rid of. However, my unsed or gently used materials can be a blessing to another family.
WOW! I am so glad I found your channel. I was feeling your pain as you were decluttering too! You are so real and I feel the same as you when it comes to homeschooling and wanting to use everything, but the kids don't need everything. I have found that if I have too much, I don't remember I have it or I don't use it by the time my kids has passed the grade to use it. I have donated a lot of books (school stuff and centers that I have created) to the library. You did great! Thank you!
This was a massive job and I'm so happy for you. Watching your decluttering journey as a recently completed homeschooling mom, gives me courage and tools to tackle the projects that need to begin in this next phase of my life. Thank you for such fantastic resources presented with such transparency and humility....and the growing kindness you have toward yourself especially in these last hard months. I always love your videos and look forward to the next installment.
Wow that was an epic declutter. I loved you talking through the letting go. The real time thinking is exactly what i need to hear. There is not enough decluttering videos doing this. It is so powerful and helpful to see the real work and the real struggle and to be able to relate to the really hard part of decluttering…… the decision making and everything it makes you feel. Thank you for sharing the emotional side of it in real time. It was so motivating for you to have a great reason to move it all out. i really liked your method. You had a good strategy. I liked that you decided it was all gone and you were looking for what to keep. You also had an exit plan for your declutter piles. I give you a lot of credit for keeping going. That was a lot of decisions all at once. I feel I would have had to do it in chunks of time. You did so well and congratulations on knowing you were done and asking for help to carry it downstairs. You cant use all your mental and physical strength up in one day. Congratulations on an epic declutter 🎉❤😊
You did a great job. It’s got to be hard decisions for home schooling items. You know how your kids learn so that’s the great advantage of home schooling. You can change it up for the way they learn. Your a great momma.
Take a bow Erica you did absolutely fantastic 🙇♀️👏 The give away pile is a gift (as someone else said) forward which shows your generosity. You prove time and time again that your children are priority. Take a well earned rest after all that work. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏👍💪🙏💐🐕🦺🦮
As a homeschool mom to four I feel your anxiety about declutterring school stuff. My youngest graduated last year and I still need to declutter school stuff. I still feel that overwhelmed feeling thinking about school stuff that didn’t get used.
This was helpful to me as a homeschool mum. For 5 years we've stuck with one full curriculum and next year, I'm branching out to try different things so it was so interesting to hear you talk about finding what works for certain kids. That's the hardest part of homeschooling for me. You may not realize how far the "ripples" of your videos go to help people. In reality, you're wasting far less than you realize by helping others both by giving extras to your co-op and by your audience learning from your experience..... bless you❤
This helps my decluttering muscles better than any single channel. I'm going through grandkids' stuff (workbooks, games, puzzles, etc.) as I'm watching. One of them is testing out the little kid stuff. They are all homeschooled, and I get to help.
Super enjoy your videos. I am very happy that you were moving your school materials down into your classroom. You are much more likely to use them there than in an upstairs closet. Actually, the materials that you purchased and either didn’t use, or used only slightly, is really an expression of your love for your children. It’s never a waste. Good luck. 😀👏👏👏🏆
Following their curiosity and having the fun of Researching is top level education!! You are not only Incredible at facing your own growth in decluttering, you Always impress me with your gift as an educator.
I really like that you plan to reassess all the keep items while you are finding a home for them in your homeschool room. Decluttering is such a process, and I also liked that there was a clock in the room you were working on. I believe that took you an hour and a half to tackle that massive closet. You did such a wonderful job. Try to let go of that guilt you feel and you should replace that feeling with pride and joy because that was a massive task, and you did it! ❤ If you have memory boxes for your children, that might be a good place for the US quarter sentimental map that belongs to your son. ❤
Every school item is a symbol of your Love as a mom. Every single one is a shining gem of love. and now you are passing them on to people who very likely wouldn't have been able to afford to try them. You save so many people the cost (and guilt) of spending money to try a program. Either it works for them or they save money not having to pay to try it and they can move on to find what does work for them. It is a gift of grace, through and through; the abundance of God moving through your loving hands and spilling onto others. We know there is an ocean of grace in every item you are passing on. Every single purchase is flooded with grace and hidden divine direction; none of it was wasted. ... And I am always very proud of you when you know that you want to keep something. You are so brave to face these emotionally daunting tasks. Happy Amazon roar. 😲 😊
Erica, I am so proud of how you faced your anxiety and didn't allow it to take over. I know you kept more than you wanted to/thought you would, but that's ok! You touched everything and have a better sense of what you have, and you've been able to fulfill a want/need your son has expressed which (from what I can see) has always been your top priority. You did great work here and you have come so far; I am so so proud of you and your progress!
My homeschool stuff is always a problem, and I've been decluttering regularly for 6 years now. I did a MAJOR homeschool cleanout a month ago now that I have two high schoolers.
Doubt you will see this, because I’m watching this over a week after you released- but your process helps so much!! Makes me feel like I’m not alone on this journey. Wish I could’ve given you a big hug a couple times. Way to go momma!
You did it Erica you're ok 👏 Good words to hear because it's hard doing a big project like that. I appreciate you sharing the beginning and the middle. I would be interested in seeing a video of the end part, where you donate the items, put the trash in the bin (we are fortunate here as all the paper goes in the recycling bin for pick up) and lastly the process of finding a place in your homeschool room. As it shows the whole process and how much work it takes to get it all done. I like to see a space and think what is the purpose of it and try to keep all items in one place so as to avoid not using items designed for that purpose. As you shared, you need to see it. From watching you for a long time, I think you are pulled between a visually appealing space, a practical functional space and a visually overwhelming space. I understand that trying to find the balance can be difficult. I say functional not fancy 😂 To help you make it easier in the last steps, try using the laundry basket method for rehoming items you did recently. Try putting the item away not down so you don't have to pick it up again. I realise I am just an observer giving you ideas and it's easy for me to say on this side of the screen as I'm not the one making all the decisions. You keep learning so much about how your children learn and how you operate. I bet your son is chuffed to have the space. You're a smart woman Erica keep going 😊
Good for you, Erica! Life is a time to learn, grow, evolve. No one said it would be easy. You have learned how best to teach each child, and been willing to adjust as best suits them. It's wirth every penny you've invested, whether hits or misses. You're a terrific parent.
I've experiences that feeling of a sore throat when anxiety is high. It's almost like heart burn feeling in your throat, weird, but maybe that's why your throat was feeling like that. You're doing great!!
Hi - hope you have a blessed Easter! Your observation about needing to see things to remember them makes me wonder if you've taken the Clutterbug quiz? I found it incredibly helpful for me for easy-to-maintain organization methods that make my life so much easier.
Yippee 🥳 Awesome job! 👏👏👏👍💞 Donating 2 other Homeschool families is a HUGE BLESSING, Erica! When I used 2 stress, worry or fret over things in life my sweet Dad (lives in Heaven now) used 2 say ..... "None of this will even matter in 5 years, Honey"! I've found that 2 b so true countless times! 😉😉Thanks 4 sharing! Blessings 2 U n Ur sweet family! 💞✝️
I'm retiring from homeschooling as my youngest graduates in May. My goal is to sell the high school books/curricula I have kept by early summer. If they don't sell, then they will be donated. When my mission is accomplished, I will completely clear out 2 mostly-filled IKEA Billy bookcases.
Hi Erica! You did amazing letting go of all of that ❤ the funny thing is as I was watching this video this afternoon my girls were cleaning their bedroom and bringing down their old school books for recycling too!
You did an amazing job. I tackled a similar project a few weeks ago as I began making plans for our youngest daughter's Senior (!) year and had to face the reality that our homeschool will be closing in a little over a year.
I remember your older videos when you first went through school supplies. You have come SUCH a long way. I understand the financial guilt and I also struggle with it sometimes, but as you said we won't get our money back anyway. And the way I tell myself to see it is that I relieve the giult by letting it go, so I don't see it anymore and don't get reminded over and over I wasted this money.
I just found your video and I can't even begin to tell you how you have made me look at decluttering in a totally different light, and I'm beyond thrilled. "Keep what you want", so simple but I know the "I might need it later" is lurking in my head, however, you've pointed out so many truths that I sure I can do this and reclaim my life! I know I'm going to start today. I have too much stuff. Things I spent money on, but don't use our haven't used in years, it's time for it to go!! THANK YOU!!
Take a step back and look at how far you’ve come! Remember the homeschool basement! You not just have a closet! Your declutter muscles have grown so much! I’m planning on decluttering my Kindergarten classroom this summer. I’ve accumulated so much. It’s tough!
As a homeschool mom…I totally understand getting rid of curriculum…I did this recently…then I made an inventory spreadsheet so I could check what I had before purchasing new….took about a week to do but it has proven so helpful. Also, there is some Homeschool mama out there praying the Lord will help her get what she needs for school…you will bless someone greatly❤❤❤
When I did Family Child Care (In my home) some of my storage was in bins in the basement. On the 3rd Saturday of the month I would be getting my next month of curriculum/theme items ready. That is when I got to see what I haven't used or always love using and see what I could do to make the next month of learning fun and engaging! It was like a treasure hunt. I loved being creative with my stash of learning equipment, props and books! When you are donating keep in mind that you are helping another Family expand their learning. So you are sharing your wealth of knowledge with them. Your kindness in donating items is a wonderful gesture that is more than you know. It is worth more than you paid for an item. When I retired I donated over two thousand children's books. I felt really good when I saw the faces of the children when I would bring a box of books to the many different child cares I went to. It made my heart happy!!!
❤❤ you should be proud of yourself for doing all that in one sitting. Think of the happiness you will make by giving these things to people who have need of them.
Thank you for talking your way through decluttering, its so helpful to hear hiw you are making decisions. I definitely need to try the reverse declutter method in my home. I thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Have a blessed day!
Job well done! I have done home daycare for 17 years. Over the years I’ve have purchased so many items for preschool that I’ve never used. So many good intentions. I’m getting rid of so much. My age group now is primarily infants through 3 years old. Trying to simplify!
Erica, I see something very different than what I’m hearing you say … I’m seeing an exceptional teacher and Mom who tried to find the very best resources for her kids to learn. She realized that each child learns differently and some of those amazing resources are not the best for each of those children. But you know your kids’ learning styles so well because you are intimately involved and invested in their learning. I think you are amazing … you should be proud of yourself and not disappointed in your decisions. Congratulations. Your family is so very fortunate to have you!!
Exactly what I was thinking!
I love this so much! I agree. I was thinking "wow, how cool is it that her kids get to learn just the way they learn best!"
Yes, this! ❤
What a lovely thing to say. ❤
This must have been the sweetest comment I read on the internet this week. 💖 Thank you for sending out positivity and gifting someone grace who struggles 🌸
As a homeschool mom, I can imagine that all of those donated resources will be an enormous blessing to another family in your coop.
I’m actually excited to give them away now that it’s been two days!!
I went through the same thing on spending money on unused homeschooling stuff.
I was thinking that you could get the quarter maps professionally framed in one or two frames to display on the wall somewhere.
That is exactly what I was thinking. Don’t feel bad about the money because what you may have spent, will be a blessing to others who may not have been able to afford it. You are doing great Erica! You are such a good mom!
Nice job Erica! As always, I love how honest and transparent you are. I’m a homeschooling mom too and we’ve all bought things that we end up not using. As we plan for the next year, we just have to remember all of our lessons learned from previous year, including our need for curriculum or discernment what we don’t need to buy! Maybe has a spot in the basement for next year’s curriculum and only put what you know you want to get through this year in school room.
Erica, you basically run a private school for 3 Kids. Imagine how much it would cost to outsource an education that empathic, individualised and adaptive as the one you provide for your three scolars! Of course I get the financial guilt, but the education that you provide for your Kids has so much value in comparison. And it‘s only reasonable to spend money on that and learn on the way. I think you do a fantastic job!🎉
I found a way to let go of the monetary guilt…..Recently, my husband and I paid off all of our debt…it felt okay donating items once they were officially paid for. They served their purpose and I felt no guilt once I realized they were paid for. Your son will be over the moon with your hard work, momma! Great job!
As a retired teacher, I understand how exciting it is to find new materials to teach units, concepts, etc. I did not homeschool, but I bought/made numerous materials to improve my teaching. I do not regret the untold amount of money and time I spent helping children learn. It was so hard to part with everything but, hopefully, some young, new teachers have benefitted from what I collected over the years.
It must be hard homeschooling. 3 kids at 3 different levels with different learning styles. You are a very conscientious teacher. Your kids are very fortunate that you can meet their needs. ❤
Thank you!
What a great video. You did so much! And your son has his closet now!
"Part of decluttering is acknowledging past decisions and past versions of yourself and letting them both go." - Wise woman Erica Lucas
Have you considered framing the quarter map? This is what I chose to do with sentimental baby stuff ("coming home" clothes, hospital bracelet, hospital hat, footprints, etc.). The shadow box hangs on our wall, takes up no space, and is a very lovely boost to walk by in our hallway every day.
Good for you for finally giving your kids the closet to use for themselves. I've watched you struggle with the homeschooling inventory for a while now, lol, and I have to admit that it gives me stressful feelings to see those overflowing piles. I've had moments where I felt the primal urge to reach through the screen and try to convince you to pack it all up and give it away without thinking about it or looking at it. You've been trying to organize clutter because it's expensive and therefore not junk. However, we can all see that you've reached the point where you've accepted that even useful things can be clutter if they are sitting forgotten in storage. To let go of the guilt of not using everything in the closet is a big step. Pat yourself on the back for having made such a positive step. Thanks for sharing.
Erica, I am cheering you on! No shame, no guilt. Just a loving mom who is pouring herself into her children as their teacher. You would have words of grace and understanding for another homeschool mom in your place. Extend that kindness to yourself. :)
FANTASTIC job recognizing each child's learning profiles and getting rid of stuff that does not support them.
You did a great job. Now to implement your boundary method to put it all away. Having everything in one room will actually be easier because you will see it all. You won’t have to think about what you have upstairs.
I love how you talk through your process and decisions. It's so helpful! Also, I was SHOCKED when you said how much the homeschool books cost😱I had no idea. When I first started my minimalism journey 10 years ago one thing that really helped me with just in case items was: If I came across the item again during another round of decluttering and didn't remember the item, I let it go. I told myself that my brain only remembers the important things. So if I don't remember, my brain made the decision for me that I really don't need it 🤷♀️
When I have decluttered curriculum that I haven’t fully used, I always tell myself it’s still cheaper than a private school education! We are second generation homeschoolers, I’ve graduated 3 of my six. Enjoy the time with them. You are doing a GREAT job!
I’ve struggled with financial guilt over unused homeschool supplies. Letting them go required shifting my mindset to being grateful I had things to bless others with. As in, maybe I’m the channel some needed resource can flow through to a family that needs it and can’t afford it. When I donated things with a blessing and a prayer that they would be found by someone who appreciated them, it was much easier and left me feeling good and not guilty. It works with all kinds of things. Sending good vibes and encouragement to you. ❤️
One more thought on all those books you tried, but they didn't work for your kids. That's a good thing!
In a public school, once the books are purchased, that's it. You're stuck whether they work or not. Yes, it's money spent, but that's the cost of being able to make the right choices for your kids vs the school system making one choice for all kids.
Great perspective!
Erica you did a phenomenal job! I can only imagine the decision fatigue! You have not wasted a cent because you have blessed other homeschooling momma's! I love how you do reverse decluttering! Now go take a nap you deserve it! 😴 ❤
Erica, you did amazingly. I am so proud of your progress in this area today. I remember your last home school closet declutter took you more than one day and you were so overwhelmed. This time you did it all in one day and made such fantastic decisions far more easily. Moving forward, it might be a better idea to limit the space in which you store your homeschool resources in the homeschool room downstairs. That way you’ll create a more intentional storage boundary for all your learning resources. Plus, it won’t overwhelm you or the space in which your children learn and use on a daily basis. This means you can go through all your school materials on a more regular basis (one a month perhaps) and keep better track of what you have chosen to keep.
I'm a few minutes in. The "I forgot this was here" thing. Maybe take a picture of the interior of the closet and tape it to the inside of your planning notebook or something. If you're visual, be visual. I also LOVE lists. I'd make an inventory list of everything that's in there and put it in your binder downstairs. Add columns for subject or unit or level. Highlight it, make notes, make it useful for you! I would love to do this for you. Too bad I'm on the other side of the country. =)
As a fellow homeschool mom, I get how HARD this is. I have a 4 year gap between my boys and with curriculum being so expensive, I hold onto most of it for my youngest. Unfortunately, my boys are two different learning styles so I either have to adapt the curriculum to fit their different learning capabilities or try something new... it can get to be overwhelming. You did an amazing job!!! All that donated curriculum tho... you're blessing so many families who need it ❤
You are a blessing to those you donate to. It’s not wasted money, it’s a generous gift.😊
Yes to framing the quarter map!
Wow, thank you for the honesty and not editing out all the self-talk!
I homeschool my 6th, 5th, and 2nd grader. You did amazing! That was not an easy task, but you are going to bless so many with your donate/sell pile. The cost of homeschool curriculum is no joke!
I keep thinking of things from my child rearing days in the 1960’s that may (or not) help you. I didn’t homeschool my boys but they didn’t have lots of toys, books, puzzles and all their stuff had to live in their room. They could bring things out to play with but not all at once. They played outside most of the time. Our house belonged to mom and dad and they got to live there until they were 18. My oldest did very well in school until 3rd grade. His young teacher said he would just sit and stare out the window at the flag pole when he could have been doing his work. He brought home loads of homework that he cried over. One day I paid a surprise visit to his classroom. And I got my answer. The teacher had no control over her loud and unruly students. The room was a mess with clutter and she kept yelling at them while she and I were talking and kept switching the lights on and off as her signal to be quiet. Well, our son managed to barely make it through that year and the next year had a teacher who had taught me in first grade. She was 60 years old, very calm and organized. Her sparsely decorated room was very intentional. The kids respected her. It was quiet and orderly. Of course, he thrived. That flag pole in second grade was his escape from the chaos.
I appreciate this comment sooooo much. I grew up in the sixties exactly the way that you stated. We played mostly outside and when we played inside,we got out one board game,played it with siblings or neighbors and then put it all back in the box.(I’m 65 and still have our family’s original games of Clue,Monopoly,Life,Risk,Mille Bournes,Rook, etc. because they didn’t get wild and ruined.)😖 When I played by myself,it was usually colored pencils,crayons,clay and other creative stuff. And lastly,I agree,children don’t learn or thrive in chaos.👍
Wow! I remember last time you oranized/decluttered that closet and I know that I, back then, was wondering about how you would be able to remember to look for everything in there. I’m a teacher and a mother, neither in my home or at my job can I remember (or remember when I actually need something) resources that I store away. There are so much that one could use, but that doesn’t mean that I can use all of it. We have to choose, and be kind to ourselves and know that what we choose to use is good. And let go of the guilt or the fear of missing out (on some potential way/resource that might eventually be good). The way we work is the way the kids will learn, not with all the potential resources. 💙
Good work you did!
Greetings from Sweden
I'm so glad I'm not the only one to go through all these emotions when decluttering, it's one of the most exhausting things I experience.
I commend any parent who homeschools their children! I have know for years i don’t have the patience, but watching this video makes me realize I couldn’t handle the planning that goes into it either. God bless homeschool parents!
I was feeling all the guilt, financial and emotional the whole time I was decluttering my room tonight -- but I have to remind myself I clearly have an abundance that other people can use, they can appreciate it more than I currently am keeping it shoved in closets and under beds. Thank you for this video, it really urged me to keep going. I still have a long way to go but we just keep on going....
Erica you are such a fantastic mom. This video actually really touched me, not because of the declutter but because it is evidence of how thoughtful of a mom and teacher you are. Your kids are so lucky to have you ❤
As someone who’s not homeschooling I’m seeing a pattern in these declutters that there is always a % of curriculum that is tested and then doesn’t suit the kids. Maybe if you actually reframe your thinking on homeschool budget and allocate a % or $$ amount as “test” cost and then if it doesn’t work it’s ok as it always the expectations that some would move on…
I've done a lot of work on myself this past few years and one of the things I have battled repeatedly is shame. I have finally come to realize the only purpose of shame is to show us where to take action, and then it's purpose is done.First evaluate if what you are feeling is a valid mistake made worthy of your time or just self flogging.If it is a true mistake made, evaluate what you can do to grow and change,take that action as best you can to move forward,and let it go.You have made the change, and are very intentional in your choices now. Even before that change your decisions to purchase and keep things came from a place of prioritizing your children's education, and anyone teaching children recognizes that what you think might work for your children may in fact not suit them and that is okay and a part of the natural process to let some things go not fully used.Look how much you have to give to others who will get use of these items and LET THE SHAME GO. It helped you to grow past and make changes in your life,and is now done. YOU'RE NAILING IT. You've built a beautiful life for your family and come so far, and I hope you see that and forgive yourself for keeping an organized stash of potentially useful resources for a bit longer than necessary due to it not suiting your personal organizational style and the very natural human desire to postpone a task you knew would involve some uncomfortable decisions and emotions. This is how we move forward,and you are doing so consistently and helping others to do the same.Well done, mama, you're doing amazing .Be proud.❤
How excellent that you find resources that you children can learn from. It is so excellent that different methods are available for different types of learners!
I have watched your videos for several years and you have done a great job in your decluttering journey! When I heard your concern about finding homes for the items you kept due to the limited space in your school room, the first thing that came to my mind was the container concept by Dana K. White. Everything is a container and we must make choices based on what will fit in that container. Your homeschool room is a container. Blessings to you as you continue on this journey.
Yes! I would love to see how she walks through what she is going to keep in her homeschool room. I struggle with this often.
Wow! That closet was way more full than it appeared. Thank you for doing that as a video, because even though I don’t have homeschool junk, I feel like it applies to anyone’s junk so very helpful, inspirational and maybe as a work along for me.
I printed SO MUCH STUFF in my early homeschooling days, but after doing this OVER AND OVER, I finally learned to only print what I was using RIGHT THEN and keeping a checklist of available options in my planner, so I didn't forget about the digital files.
I like the way you decide to declutter this space, kinde to yourself. I think you shouldn't judge yourself because of things you buy or print or whatever, that was just the best decision in those season of your life. Now it's another so you just take different decision. Good for your 😊
You made me laugh with your volcano laminated study. I understand the emotions and mental struggles to make all those decisions. You did an amazing job. And, yes, I had the same Dollar Tree USA maps.
I recently went thru all my leftover items. AAR and AAS and math etc and identified (my frustration over) the lack of resale value as well as a buy back program in the homeschool world like colleges have. Doing one more sell attempt and then I'm done storing them.
Also, wanna remind you that the data of what didn't work/get used is just as valid data as what did work. And you HAVE learned from it. Past Erica has been punished enough!
That was a big job! I think if you have all materials in the space you use for schooling you will keep a better handle on the inventory, plus you have learned a lot about how to teach and your children's learning styles to potentially not have this overstock in the future!
OMG Erica!!! I am SOOO happy your video popped up on my screen that I can’t even begin to tell you.
I have just started my decluttering journey this past January and watching your videos is like looking in a mirror!
I was a teacher for 20 years, but had to leave because I suffer with severe depression.
I’ve had a really tough time since I went off work (17 years now) and I have been dealing with non-stop stress ever since. Like off-the-chart, non-stop stress…here’s just a ‘smattering’ of things that happened in the last 17 years…
•had to sue the insurance company as they refused to pay my Long Term Disability benefits for 5 years
•‘technically’ I won…but lost my beautiful 1857 log cabin along the way. I managed to get it back - but the whole insurance ordeal ended up costing me HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars and destroyed me financially, emotionally, physically & mentally
•during the same time, I was battling with Hydro (17 years ago and I was paying $600 A MONTH- YEAR-ROUND. And I live alone!!!) Long story but they cut my hydro off on 4:30 Friday afternoon of a Thanksgiving weekend…and on that cold, wet miserable weekend, my 14 year old yellow lab, who was the love of my life, died in my arms snuggled up under the covers. I was (still am) devastated. Then His best friend, my Rotti, died of a broken heart a year later almost to the day
• So… about the Hydro… I ended up living without any hydro- alone & out in the country, for over a year- I had a coal oil lamp.
•my mom had a double lung transplant
•my sister’s a drug addict
•my mom got sick in winter 2019 & then again winter 2020. I stayed with her in the hospital 24/7 for 8 weeks, then 4 months doing ALL of her care. Then Covid hit and they kicked me out. I got back in and she died in my arms (AFTER the attending physician went against HER wishes and turned off her I.V. forcing her kidneys to fail)
•a massive flood came through my property at 5’ high doing HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars damage. Another insurance company battle- and they gave me 1/3 of the damages & left the mess for me to clean up (which I’m still doing 6 years later)
•my beautiful ❤️ -horse (heart horse =the ‘special one’ ) tragically died from an accident a couple days after Christmas….and it was because of something I did. No living with that. 💔💔💔
OMG…I could go on and on and on…but I’m sure you get the picture. 😢
Needless to say….I haven’t been coping with life very well…and I let EVERYTHING go in my house, barn, shop & property. I didn’t do any housework (well VERY minimal). I just haven’t had have the energy (or desire) to care about anything. I started just throwing things on top of different piles.
But….I HAVE started and have been sticking to it. I’ve got 3 - 20’ hay wagons FILLED with stuff for a soon-to-be garage sale- and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg! I probably have 100 boxes of manipulatives and teaching resources that I bought that are in the shop that will have to be done eventually… but for now, I’m starting on the house! I have 4 large totes filled with ‘paper’ stuff that I have to go through - and that’s a really tough one for me for a few reasons…. there may be an upcoming lawsuit against the Teachers Union for failing to help me with my LTD claim, so alllll that paperwork has to be saved. The insurance company harassed me SO badly that they were ordered not to contact me anymore by my lawyer and my doctor. It got to the point that every time I got a letter from them (every week- in addition to the daily phone calls and emails) demanding things from me, to the point that I was diagnosed with PTSD because paperwork - especially from them- caused me to completely shut down and I couldn’t handle it anymore. So everything just got thrown into a box. My cognitive functioning skills - things like decision making, organizing, sorting, staying on task, memory, adhering to timelines- everything I used to be very proficient at- have deteriorated significantly due to the illness & meds (and a bit of stress!) -and they are the skills that are crucial to me being able to do this. So there’s that element. And then there’s the money thing. 😞 I am making 60% of the wages I was making when I went off work 17 years ago. It doesn’t go up one cent. I just renewed my mortgage….and I’m JUST SCRAPING by. So for me, that ‘money thing’ is HUGE. I’d love to give it all away…but I had tens of thousands of dollars of Teaching Resources and manipulatives in my basement when the flood went up to the ceiling, and since I was only given 1/3rd of the actual amount, I had to choose where to spend the little I had. My brand new, still-in-the crate $8000 Propane Boiler- gone. An electric Velux skylight ($1700) gone. My tractor ($50,000- they gave me $15,000.) I couldn’t replace things!! So the money issue is a real ‘wall’ for me. I’m getting tired of eating peanut butter & jam for 3 meals a day!
😢😢😢
I guess I’m telling you all this because as I watched 2 of your videos, I felt like YOU would GET me…because I swear…it’s like we are walking through my house doing all this, and I am experiencing all the exact same feelings as you have. I’m not there yet…and I won’t be for awhile …and that is okay! I couldn’t have thrown out some of the resources that you did. I just know I couldn’t do it. But it will come!!! Another issue I face is that I have 100 varied interests- and tons of artsy projects that I have got the supplies rounded up to do…but LIFE keeps interrupting me, and I never seem to have time to GET to them! 🤪 I keep telling myself , “Soon. Soon.” ☺️ And I’ve started ‘rewarding’ myself recently. If I put in a few solid hours of work, (cleaning/decluttering) then I get to do one thing I ENJOY (like tonight I stained a pair of antique snowshoes!
😊👍
Seems to be a good motivator!!!
Anyways, thank you for making all these videos!!! Two down, and how many more to go? ☺️ You are going to become my ‘inspiration’ and whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed I’m going to call a Time-out and go watch one of your videos!!!
Thanks for listening to me blab on and on!
Baby steps but at least I’m going forward now instead of the way I’ve been headed for the last 17 years!! Happy decluttering!
Patti
Also, I love the noises and funny faces you're making in the process...very relatable and entertaining!
I agree! I find her to be so cute!
Put that map that your son and mother did into a frame and post it on the wall In your son's room.That would be a fantastic art piece that they would see every day.
5 years ?! Holy cow i have been watching you for 5 years ! Seems like yesterday you tackled that old house you were buried in home school items in the basement!
I hardly ever comment on videos, but those „anxiety“ videos you do, Erika, are so helpful and valuable for my own decluttering problem zones…
Thank you so much!
Just think all the home school parents you'll be blessing that their kids might be interested in as well. ❤ You are doing a great job with decluttering. Great video as always!
Thank you for sharing your process, Erica. What I learned today is we need to budget for [pick a category] with the expectation that a certain amount of money spent will be on items that we end up donating/trashing and that's OK. We're human, we make mistakes. We and our children grow and change. We learn about each other and ourselves. You're spending money on material goods but it's also an investment in growth. I hope we all give ourselves some grace.
Wow! Congratulations on a job well done! Was cheering for you the whole time!
I really appreciate hearing your thought process in decluttering.
I listened to you while cleaning today. I was able to stay on task longer because you were "with me".
Have you considered getting a bookshelf to go under the white board in your school room, use it for your teacher supplies and this stuff, storage and a charging station in one.
You can do a second pass of the stuff you’re keeping, there’s obviously a reason you think you need it now.
Can you use the paper as scrap,drawing paper or shred it to use in the garden mixed in with the soil.
Good job Erica. We don't do homeschooling in the Netherlands. But stuff accumulates quickly with other things too. It helps to see other people struggle with it as well. Simone
Wow! Wow Wow!!!!!! I am boggled at your awesome success.
Great job erica!! I did a very similar declutter last week & I can relate to the strain of so many decisions being made. For me, many of my materials had been free/giveaways from other teachers so I didn’t have the financial guilt but I did have the constant second guessing of “well, what if we could use this in the future?”
You did amazing!! And your donations to your homeschool co-op will be such a blessing to so many families ❤
Good job Erica! As an elementary school teacher, you can appreciate that we also have tons of resources that sit in our homes and classrooms going unused as well. In 23 years I have taught almost every grade from K to 8. That means I have resources for K to 8. Some gets used, but most does not. Lots of money spent. You just need to move on. I find I cannot even give most of it away. Every one is realizing the power of owning less. Keep up the good work! I can’t wait to see what you do with the home school room!
Awesome job as always. The state quarter map looks like it might be good to frame and hang up to enjoy those memories.
Thank you for your realistic approach. I have so many materials too that have not been used, but because money was spent, it's hard to get rid of. However, my unsed or gently used materials can be a blessing to another family.
WOW! I am so glad I found your channel. I was feeling your pain as you were decluttering too! You are so real and I feel the same as you when it comes to homeschooling and wanting to use everything, but the kids don't need everything. I have found that if I have too much, I don't remember I have it or I don't use it by the time my kids has passed the grade to use it. I have donated a lot of books (school stuff and centers that I have created) to the library. You did great! Thank you!
This was a massive job and I'm so happy for you. Watching your decluttering journey as a recently completed homeschooling mom, gives me courage and tools to tackle the projects that need to begin in this next phase of my life. Thank you for such fantastic resources presented with such transparency and humility....and the growing kindness you have toward yourself especially in these last hard months. I always love your videos and look forward to the next installment.
Wow that was an epic declutter. I loved you talking through the letting go. The real time thinking is exactly what i need to hear. There is not enough decluttering videos doing this. It is so powerful and helpful to see the real work and the real struggle and to be able to relate to the really hard part of decluttering…… the decision making and everything it makes you feel. Thank you for sharing the emotional side of it in real time. It was so motivating for you to have a great reason to move it all out. i really liked your method. You had a good strategy. I liked that you decided it was all gone and you were looking for what to keep. You also had an exit plan for your declutter piles. I give you a lot of credit for keeping going. That was a lot of decisions all at once. I feel I would have had to do it in chunks of time. You did so well and congratulations on knowing you were done and asking for help to carry it downstairs. You cant use all your mental and physical strength up in one day. Congratulations on an epic declutter 🎉❤😊
You did a great job. It’s got to be hard decisions for home schooling items. You know how your kids learn so that’s the great advantage of home schooling. You can change it up for the way they learn. Your a great momma.
Take a bow Erica you did absolutely fantastic 🙇♀️👏 The give away pile is a gift (as someone else said) forward which shows your generosity. You prove time and time again that your children are priority. Take a well earned rest after all that work. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏👍💪🙏💐🐕🦺🦮
As a homeschool mom to four I feel your anxiety about declutterring school stuff. My youngest graduated last year and I still need to declutter school stuff. I still feel that overwhelmed feeling thinking about school stuff that didn’t get used.
This was helpful to me as a homeschool mum. For 5 years we've stuck with one full curriculum and next year, I'm branching out to try different things so it was so interesting to hear you talk about finding what works for certain kids. That's the hardest part of homeschooling for me. You may not realize how far the "ripples" of your videos go to help people. In reality, you're wasting far less than you realize by helping others both by giving extras to your co-op and by your audience learning from your experience..... bless you❤
This helps my decluttering muscles better than any single channel. I'm going through grandkids' stuff (workbooks, games, puzzles, etc.) as I'm watching. One of them is testing out the little kid stuff. They are all homeschooled, and I get to help.
Super enjoy your videos. I am very happy that you were moving your school materials down into your classroom. You are much more likely to use them there than in an upstairs closet. Actually, the materials that you purchased and either didn’t use, or used only slightly, is really an expression of your love for your children. It’s never a waste. Good luck. 😀👏👏👏🏆
Following their curiosity and having the fun of Researching is top level education!! You are not only Incredible at facing your own growth in decluttering, you Always impress me with your gift as an educator.
I really like that you plan to reassess all the keep items while you are finding a home for them in your homeschool room. Decluttering is such a process, and I also liked that there was a clock in the room you were working on. I believe that took you an hour and a half to tackle that massive closet. You did such a wonderful job. Try to let go of that guilt you feel and you should replace that feeling with pride and joy because that was a massive task, and you did it! ❤
If you have memory boxes for your children, that might be a good place for the US quarter sentimental map that belongs to your son. ❤
Every school item is a symbol of your Love as a mom. Every single one is a shining gem of love. and now you are passing them on to people who very likely wouldn't have been able to afford to try them. You save so many people the cost (and guilt) of spending money to try a program. Either it works for them or they save money not having to pay to try it and they can move on to find what does work for them. It is a gift of grace, through and through; the abundance of God moving through your loving hands and spilling onto others. We know there is an ocean of grace in every item you are passing on. Every single purchase is flooded with grace and hidden divine direction; none of it was wasted. ... And I am always very proud of you when you know that you want to keep something. You are so brave to face these emotionally daunting tasks. Happy Amazon roar. 😲 😊
Erica, I am so proud of how you faced your anxiety and didn't allow it to take over. I know you kept more than you wanted to/thought you would, but that's ok! You touched everything and have a better sense of what you have, and you've been able to fulfill a want/need your son has expressed which (from what I can see) has always been your top priority.
You did great work here and you have come so far; I am so so proud of you and your progress!
My homeschool stuff is always a problem, and I've been decluttering regularly for 6 years now. I did a MAJOR homeschool cleanout a month ago now that I have two high schoolers.
I agree! If I can't see it, I forget I have it. Great job!
It’s a real issue when it comes to stuff 😂
Great job Erica!! You now only have the items that match your kids' learning style which is the ultimate goal!! And your son gets his own space too!!
Doubt you will see this, because I’m watching this over a week after you released- but your process helps so much!! Makes me feel like I’m not alone on this journey. Wish I could’ve given you a big hug a couple times. Way to go momma!
Oh, bless you. We homeschooled 30 yrs, I gave away so much through the years. Sometimes I was like a kid in a candy store purchasing curriculum.
Appreciate your honesty and acknowledging the financial guilt and emotions of decluttering. Very helpful that you talk through it.
Amazing job Erica! As a homeschool mom of 2, I would have loved to take a look at your donated pile. Bless you for donating all of that!
You did it Erica you're ok 👏 Good words to hear because it's hard doing a big project like that. I appreciate you sharing the beginning and the middle. I would be interested in seeing a video of the end part, where you donate the items, put the trash in the bin (we are fortunate here as all the paper goes in the recycling bin for pick up) and lastly the process of finding a place in your homeschool room. As it shows the whole process and how much work it takes to get it all done. I like to see a space and think what is the purpose of it and try to keep all items in one place so as to avoid not using items designed for that purpose. As you shared, you need to see it. From watching you for a long time, I think you are pulled between a visually appealing space, a practical functional space and a visually overwhelming space. I understand that trying to find the balance can be difficult. I say functional not fancy 😂 To help you make it easier in the last steps, try using the laundry basket method for rehoming items you did recently. Try putting the item away not down so you don't have to pick it up again. I realise I am just an observer giving you ideas and it's easy for me to say on this side of the screen as I'm not the one making all the decisions. You keep learning so much about how your children learn and how you operate. I bet your son is chuffed to have the space. You're a smart woman Erica keep going 😊
Good for you, Erica! Life is a time to learn, grow, evolve. No one said it would be easy. You have learned how best to teach each child, and been willing to adjust as best suits them. It's wirth every penny you've invested, whether hits or misses. You're a terrific parent.
I've experiences that feeling of a sore throat when anxiety is high. It's almost like heart burn feeling in your throat, weird, but maybe that's why your throat was feeling like that. You're doing great!!
Hi - hope you have a blessed Easter!
Your observation about needing to see things to remember them makes me wonder if you've taken the Clutterbug quiz? I found it incredibly helpful for me for easy-to-maintain organization methods that make my life so much easier.
Yippee 🥳 Awesome job!
👏👏👏👍💞
Donating 2 other Homeschool families is a HUGE BLESSING, Erica!
When I used 2 stress, worry or fret over things in life my sweet Dad (lives in Heaven now) used 2 say ..... "None of this will even matter in 5 years, Honey"! I've found that 2 b so true countless times! 😉😉Thanks 4 sharing!
Blessings 2 U n Ur sweet family! 💞✝️
Lol, I just tossed my beyond the code for the same reason.
Great job!
Brava! That was a big job and you did it! 🎉
I am the same. If it is not out in the open I forget about it. It is so hard to let go of things and declutter-really admire you!
I'm retiring from homeschooling as my youngest graduates in May. My goal is to sell the high school books/curricula I have kept by early summer. If they don't sell, then they will be donated. When my mission is accomplished, I will completely clear out 2 mostly-filled IKEA Billy bookcases.
Hi Erica! You did amazing letting go of all of that ❤ the funny thing is as I was watching this video this afternoon my girls were cleaning their bedroom and bringing down their old school books for recycling too!
You did an amazing job. I tackled a similar project a few weeks ago as I began making plans for our youngest daughter's Senior (!) year and had to face the reality that our homeschool will be closing in a little over a year.
I remember your older videos when you first went through school supplies. You have come SUCH a long way.
I understand the financial guilt and I also struggle with it sometimes, but as you said we won't get our money back anyway. And the way I tell myself to see it is that I relieve the giult by letting it go, so I don't see it anymore and don't get reminded over and over I wasted this money.
Yea!👏 Most of the decisions seemed to be centered around what's best for your kids. Stand proud that you are a successful homeschool mom/teacher.
Well done lovely lady, you should be very proud of yourself. This was a big task today xxx ❤
I just found your video and I can't even begin to tell you how you have made me look at decluttering in a totally different light, and I'm beyond thrilled. "Keep what you want", so simple but I know the "I might need it later" is lurking in my head, however, you've pointed out so many truths that I sure I can do this and reclaim my life! I know I'm going to start today. I have too much stuff. Things I spent money on, but don't use our haven't used in years, it's time for it to go!! THANK YOU!!
You have been kicking butt lately, Erica!
Take a step back and look at how far you’ve come! Remember the homeschool basement! You not just have a closet! Your declutter muscles have grown so much! I’m planning on decluttering my Kindergarten classroom this summer. I’ve accumulated so much. It’s tough!
As a homeschool mom…I totally understand getting rid of curriculum…I did this recently…then I made an inventory spreadsheet so I could check what I had before purchasing new….took about a week to do but it has proven so helpful. Also, there is some Homeschool mama out there praying the Lord will help her get what she needs for school…you will bless someone greatly❤❤❤
When I did Family Child Care (In my home) some of my storage was in bins in the basement. On the 3rd Saturday of the month I would be getting my next month of curriculum/theme items ready. That is when I got to see what I haven't used or always love using and see what I could do to make the next month of learning fun and engaging! It was like a treasure hunt. I loved being creative with my stash of learning equipment, props and books! When you are donating keep in mind that you are helping another Family expand their learning. So you are sharing your wealth of knowledge with them. Your kindness in donating items is a wonderful gesture that is more than you know. It is worth more than you paid for an item. When I retired I donated over two thousand children's books. I felt really good when I saw the faces of the children when I would bring a box of books to the many different child cares I went to. It made my heart happy!!!
❤❤ you should be proud of yourself for doing all that in one sitting. Think of the happiness you will make by giving these things to people who have need of them.
Thank you for talking your way through decluttering, its so helpful to hear hiw you are making decisions. I definitely need to try the reverse declutter method in my home. I thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Have a blessed day!
I don't think it was wasted money - it was learning what works for your family. Not a waste, a lesson.
Thanks for sharing your reverse declutter process.
Job well done! I have done home daycare for 17 years. Over the years I’ve have purchased so many items for preschool that I’ve never used. So many good intentions. I’m getting rid of so much. My age group now is primarily infants through 3 years old. Trying to simplify!