I strongly believe that decluttering is a longterm, neverending process. As we progress through life, hopefully changing as necessary, the "things" we hold dear also change. I am coming to terms with this. Every day I find that some things I couldn't let go yesterday, today I have no problem letting go of. I have boxes for each of the thrift stores in town. Each has it's specialty. As I come across items I no longer need or want, they go into a box. When the box is full it goes to the thrift store. I works for me. I think the trick is to find the method that works for you. Then, work it! Good luck!
Right, it's also never ending because nobody just has stuff stop coming into their home. We have menus and flyers left on our front porch EVERY DAY. It's not worth calling or emailing every sleazy real estate agent leaving flyers, and we like some of the menus for takeout LOL so every day we have to declutter our porch of flyers. We're trying to do zero waste in the kitchen (and it falls over into elsewhere), like our biggest receptable is for composting, it's not even close. I use a gallon glass jar for our landfill trash - the stuff that can't be recycled, composted, donated, or sent to the hazmat or the metal recycler. That basically means it's largely plastic wrapping on things like beans, frozen food bags, shipping bags, etc. It takes us about 3-4 months to fill our outside landfill trash bin to take to the curb. LOL. Even the blue-and-white and gray Amazon shipping bags can be recycled where we live.
I’m offering Death Cleaning in my role as an End of Life Companion. It’s fitting for me to offer this service as I’m going through numerous items that belonged to my late mother….items I asked her to go through when she was healthy and she refused. My goal is to help others to NOT have to deal with the aftermath as I am. It’s not fair to leave everything for your loved ones to go through.
Love, “It’s not fair to leave everything for your loved ones to go through.” To help make it easier for me to let go I’ve have asked my children and grandchildren to let me know if there is something of mine they truly would like when I pass, that I’m presently using and I jot down the item in a specified notebook along with their name beside it. Not all items previously jotted in notebook have made it to my passing to be be dispersed as there is so much joy in seeing someone’s delight in receiving that special item they have admired and desired to own.
@@gloriaedington3442, that’s wonderful. You are showing love to your loved ones in this act. Plus, as you lighten your load of material belongings, you’re giving yourself emotional peace. God bless you!
I'm a member of the "Take Your House Back" course. It has Dana K. White from a "Slob Comes Clean", Cas from "Clutterbug", and Dawn from the "Minimal Mom." Their (ADD) All Day Declutters are super helpful to get my rear in gear 😂
I highly recommend Cas (Clutterbug). She helped me understand what works for ME. Even the way I declutter. It’s really all about understanding yourself at this point of time in your life. I don’t declutter and organize the same way as I did when I was raising kids, so it always changing but Cas works best for me across the board.
@@Izabela-ek5nh I wore clean clothes everyday (leggings and a tank top so they roll up small). Reused my 2 hoodies and 1 windbreaker. Switched between 2 pairs of sneakers and 1 pair of sandals. Washed all my clothes halfway through my trip.
Wow! you are a true educator. Although, I am finish with my heavy decluttering, I still discard things on a daily basic. The most important lesson, I got from this experience is I have to live my life right "Now". Forget the past, it is gone and it will never comeback and the future is only anticipated. If an object is not useful to me right now," I LET IT GO" What I needed to understand has a human being I am in a constant change and I need to adjust to my present situation. I am changing all the time and by holding on to my"stuff" I am not in harmony with my present situation. With love 💟and gratitude🙏
There is or was a woman that everyone followed dubbed the Fly Lady. She had a great ritual for the evenings about not going to bed with the sink full of dirty dishes. And for an ADHD or OCD brain her method could really be good. Might be something you would like if you are washing dishes three days later so that you can cook. This video was great. I hadn't heard about some of these and may need to implement at least a week of the 30 day challenge. Maybe every other week would work for staying motivated.
Method - BTN (better than nothing) Better to declutter one drawer, one stack of paper, and not wait for the motivation to tackle a room. Something is better than nothing.
I retired in 2019 and since that time I have kept track of the number of boxes of things that I have donated which is now 74. I "inherited" stuff from my brother and both parents who had separate households. I am considering moving to a smaller house with my husband, but to do that I still have a way to go with decluttering. One of my "habits"/"I don't know what to call it" is that part of me seems to enjoy excess and disarray that the rest of me doesn't understand or enjoy. I think it came about because both of my parents were ultra tidy and as I grew up were always shaming me about all my clutter. I do miss them but in part it was liberating to not have someone judging my choices and that is part of what keeps me having a hard time letting things go. Taking a picture of an item before donating it has had limited result because it is the feel of the object in my hands that I enjoy. My husband has been VERY patient with me through all of this. My goal right now is to be ready to move house by June '24. I get something done every week and focus on each day and avoid thoughts about how I'm going to get it all done. That's all I can do.
I retired and moved in 2020. Getting ready I didn’t want to get out of bed because I was overwhelmed and somewhat depressed. I would tell myself: “It’s okay. You only have to do a little bit.” I did a lot.
I went through my kitchen yesterday. I had gone through it 3 weeks ago and I took another load to goodwill today that I hesitated on 3 weeks ago. I figured if I had not even thought about those things in 3 weeks, I don't need them. I feel great now!!😊
I feel like even if the rest of our house wasn't minimalist, I'd still want a minimalist kitchen. It is so much less work to maintain a kitchen the less you own or store in there. It was such a huge change in kitchen maintenance to minimize down to the bone on the cookware, utensils, dishes, plates, etc. But what happened was we barely own enough to fill the dishwasher now, so we do the dishes by hand every day as part of the "clean-up." And I'm now washing dishes as I cook and prep. Another great way to keep things tidy.
I've used various methods myself, and am still in the process of going through what my husband and I have accumulated over 44 years here. Some areas go fast, others, not so much! Dana K White is a favorite. Her comment that even getting rid of one thing is progress has helped me not feel totally overwhelmed. I am making progress!
So well said, I hope you are going through those 44 years of stuff with your help mate. Mine passed and I have been trying to go through 36 years of our life together and more from before we met. The every day areas of the house I use have been the easiest, but the memorabilia has been the hardest. Thank you for your comment it gives encouragement.
She's my favorite too. Her method just makes a lot of sense to me, and it works even for general daily tidying, not just full bore decluttering. I think she's a zionist, though, she is deleting my comments.
I like the term Essentialist. I'm working on the Spark Joy and Death Clean ideas in combination to thin out the things that I have accumulated from family, heirlooms and such, that have been foisted upon me to "take care of" for posterity. In truth, no one is all that interested in most of these and they sure don't spark joy, just dread weight of responsibility. In the end, monthly trips to Habitat stores to drop off and dump runs spark the greatest joy ever!
Being the youngest of several children, I have watched loved ones struggle so many times. The heartache of getting rid of memories is real. No way do I want the ones I leave behind to go through that gut wrenching sadness. I consider it my final gift to leave as little to do as possible with my "stuff ". As is said "Life is for the living." TYFS and God bless.
I'm very glad you continue with this subject matter. Though I have downsized and decluttered, there are still things I need to deal with. I'll breathe better when I have achieved this.
Good Morning. I think all of the names of the processes just means living well. I have tried them all and I still find that I have more than I need. I truly have donated more than I have now. Living well all depends on me. Some rooms have much less but the things in that room work well for me. Previously I could have fed everyone I know. These days I am much happier to let others do the dinners and get togethers. Yes I have more than one piece of each item. There's nothing wrong with having a four piece set in my kitchen rather than a twenty piece set. Essential, Minimal, the words are words, feeling well in your space makes your life meaningful and well. Enjoyable. You make the limits. Eventually we get there where it's nearly perfect. As humans we will always fiddle, fidget, trying for perfection. The phrase that applies to the beginning and end of this process "Let it go". Wish I could sing loud and on key.
I'm keeping it simple, but using some of all the methods you mentioned. I'm getting rid of everything I possibly can. I've been through every room in the house, garage, and barn, several times. I was moving large volumes out early on, now it's down to the tough decisions. I'm determined to keep going until there's virtually nothing left that I can live without.
I found that gamifying the decluttering process worked the best for me. In 2021, I did The 30 day Minimalist Game every month for the full year (almost 500 items gone per month), and then after that, I made up my own games to keep me motivated and on track. It worked great for my ADHD brain. 😊❤️
I think one thing that dramatically helped as well is that I got very strict about what came in. For a long time I decluttered but still went shopping. I didn't make much progress in those years 😂
Guarding against replacing things with more things is crucial if you are actually decluttering. Putting a full stop on non-necessary purchases for a month, or twelve, is a good plan for everyone.
@@TheNewRetiredMeYes, and it took me a bit too long to figure that part out. 😂 I started decluttering in 2016 after seeing The Minimalists documentary. But I didn't make big shifts in simplifying my home until I started doing the Minimalist game every month in 2021 AND stopped shopping. Another great video thanks Tim! 😊
What worked for me is the 30 bags in 30 day challenge. One plastic grocery bag a day for 30 days. That included donating items and throw away items. One piece of furniture counts as 1 bag. Since the challenge I keep decluttering by keeping a box in the garage and donate when there is a good amount. Big items we put for free in front of our house. Even getting rid of a few items makes a huge difference when you waste alot of time looking for an item. I am not a minimalist but I am very comfortable with the amount of things I have. Love your videos ❤
I been in decluttering mode for a few years. It feels so good to get rid of things I don’t need. It’s a struggle when your household includes other adults. I know a few people who hoard everything have a hard time letting go of anything. Their entire life every aspect is chaotic. No peace. That tells me a lot.
I completely agree. My grown son and I share a place right now and I decluttered, while he did not and he also has hoarding tendencies. There was a lot of compromise along the way and I had to let go of him letting go of his excess as long as it stays in his room. Our place looks great now. I let go of probably 80%+ of my stuff and feel so free now.
Any method that motivates you is the right one, I did the Minimalism Game (31 day) challenge with a friend about 4 years ago. Nearing retirement at that point and anticipating an eventual move, I thought it might make sense to lighten my load. I was able to meet the challenge without too much trouble. It is amazing what you can accumulate over the years and tuck into draws and bookshelves and closets and garages. It was a good start, Now that I am retired, I did a big declutter of my wardrobe to better suit my new lifestyle. What clothes that remained had their hangers turned backwards so I could see over time what is not being worn. A donation bag sits in my closet and once it refills, I take it for donation, And on and on it goes 🙂
I LOVE the swedish death cleaning method. Having cleared out the homes of both of my parents (they were divorced so each had their own homes) and my parents-in-law , i absolutely do not want to leave this to my own children. I am now retired too and what is important to me now is clarity, not clutter. Its so liberating. And its ongoing, so much less pressure.
@@DenyDefendDepose2 thankfully no😊 and don’t get me wrong, MK’s method achieves great results, but I found it overwhelming. It’s really about an ongoing process, one that I started with my bedside drawers, and going through, keeping only products you actually use and editing everything. I have kept only 4 “outfits” for wearing around home( as opposed to 20 odd sets of tat) The overriding thing for me is “do I want my family to have to do all of this”. Old birthday cards, I take a picture of the beautiful ones and then dispose of them. Sentimental items from my kids childhoods I have packed and then given to them( after editing). But this is over approx 2 years and I’m still going. I have so much more room and a much better understanding of what I do and don’t need. It’s cathartic.
I really enjoy your take on decluttering. Last year i got rid of almost 2000 items. Doing better this year, already 2230 and going strong. Doing several methods. Now concentrating on death cleaning especially which things my family and friends will get. I'll write names on notes. Hard for me right now is Christmas items. But I'm doing the sparks joy method and if not out it goes. My cousin's daughter took one of my villages which made me very happy.
Hadn't given it any thought until you mentioned it. Considering the entire house, the kitchen is the most organized. Still have plenty in there to go through and get rid of but it is like night and day comparing the kitchen to the other rooms. Love that you talked about different methods. Anything helps. I implore all of you to set aside even 10 minutes a day to go through and get rid of. Don't wait until you are in my situation, overwhelmed, grieving and staring at 40+ years to work through. Don't leave that burden to your mate, family, friends or paid strangers.
So sorry for your loss, I totally understand because I am in a similar situation. Take some time to yourself away if you can. Enjoy the emotions that can flood you when you are sorting through life. I am so glad we had started going through stuff before my husband passed away. I pray you, find peace in your decluttering journey.
Yes!! Her method is great for those of us who already feel overwhelmed by their stuff and all the to-do's and may also have little time and/or energy to do something about the situation. Her "No-Mess Method" is the complete opposite to the KonMari Method which has never appealed to me. I live in a small home and don't have the space to pull everything out from one whole category and then risk not having the time or energy to go through it all. I would also feel completely overwhelmed and drained of whatever little energy and motivation I had to start off with so it would not be feasible for me. I'm glad you mentioned her 😎🌺
I’ve been watching declutter/ minimizing videos for 5 months now (I’m pretty decluttered and fine tuning and on to hard stuff like photos at this point). This is the first I’ve heard of 5s. Perfect logical concept and is more beneficial to where I am now, reevaluate. Thank you for the new information.
Love this video! I have done the 30 day challenge... in reverse. 30 things on day one, 29, 28, etc. The idea was, I had more momentum and stuff on day one :)
This method is similar to the Flylady system. She breaks down the house each week of the month. ie: kitchen, entryway, master bedroom, bathroom plus one extra room, dining/living rooms. Then you have list of items to do…
Tip...if you do the Mins game (the number of items per the number of that day, for 30 days) Start at 30 and do a count down to 1...it's a lot smoother to get through I have found.
I was going to suggest that 😊 I'm not into games and challenges myself (decluttering and getting things in order feels like enough of a challenge as it is... 😞) but I've heard and seen others who have done the Minimalist Challenge backwards and have found it helpful and easier to do that way. One of them is Mika Koontz from the YT Channel "Life As I Write": ruclips.net/video/6kdb9EIXVbM/видео.html
I used Marie Kondo's method when I first retired and made quite a bit of progress. I've tried swedish death cleaning and I may come back around to it. Currently I find Dana K White's method the most practical and sustainable. As others here have said, I do not want to leave my kids with the type of mess my parents have left me with. I am also assuming that I will have at least one more move before I die, and will not have room for 50+ years of stuff.
This video was very motivating for me. I've been retired for 3 years and decluttered at that time, but I have not done the "1 in - 1 out" step, and I have much more than I need. I've found a church in my hometown that has a "Clothing and Household items" pantry that is free to anyone who needs those things. Many people are struggling right now and if I can help by donating my items there, it will be a blessing for someone else. Thanks Tim, for the nudge! Here I go!
I keep my travel stuff inside my suitcase. I always take a soap container, I cut a 1/4 of my soap bar and a 1/4 of facial soap bar. And a lil exfoliate scrubber. Sometimes the soap in hotels are good ( with natural ingredients and don't make my skin itch) and I always take a plastic bag to keep my dirty clothes in away from the clean ones. ( I don't want my clean clothes to smell. One sm brush and the Toothbrush cover. And my favorite crossbody bag to keep essential in while walking around. All these things are always kept inside my suitcase. So I know where they are.
All I can say is everyone has to pick some method of decluttering. An acquaintance died suddenly and it took 4 months for her family to remove everything in the home to get it ready to sell. Finances weren't labeled in a file let alone trying to figure out which key opened what lock. I now am using the app todist and glad for it. Thanks and keep up the good work!!
This was helpful my youngest bought a house took his furniture he had here so I want a crafting room so I painted over last few days I used to be able to do it in a day… just sayin lol now it’s time to move the things in and it’s awful there is so much packed into the spare room now I need to move and declutter at once but I’m glad you talked about the many different ways to approach this task thank you so much wish I had another set of hands but I’ll get it done. Lol
I have utilized many of the decluttering methods you mentioned but I don't feel I have to follow one to the exclusion of others. I like the idea of discarding items that haven't been used in a certain time period. I recently got rid of eight pictures which had been in a cupboard since I moved into my current home. I have lived with blank walls and I have decided I like them but it took me twelve years to come to that conclusion! Other items might be discarded within a few weeks. I try to avoid holding on for 'some day'.
It took me 30 some odd years to acquire a lot of these things, and no way will things be given or disposed of in one day. This idea that we must declutter after retirement is nothing more but a marketing move. I don't agree with either of these methods because it doesn't work with people who are true clutter bugs. Many items that hold sentimental value is not the same as old news paper articles or random kitchen items. It takes time to let go of stuff. Sometimes these retirement videos ( not yours) seem to rush you as far as cleaning, traveling, and enjoyment. Heck, I just want to get up in the morning and enjoy a cup of coffee ☕ and just be glad I made it to retirement, when so many of my coworkers didn't. Enjoy the moment. 🎉 Rush hour is over! Good video!
Decluttering methods only work for those who want to declutter. :) True hoarders have a much more difficult problem than just clutter. Thanks for wartching!
@@TheNewRetiredMe I wasn't talking about hoarders. I was referring to all the stuff one has and how it takes time to get rid of stuff. When one steps back and sees what one has accumulated, it can be overpowering. I'm referring to all these retirement vids that seem to direct one to do an immediate downsizing. I guess that is my issue with retirement videos.
@@bagobeansI understand. It is kind of like gaining weight (for me) it creeps up on you. You don’t really notice it until it’s out of control. And getting rid of it is a lot harder than accumulating it. :)
I like that you have reiterated the different methods of organizing/decluttering. In reality, they all work but, as you said, we all have to choose what will work in our homes with our lifestyles. I combine many of what's available. All of us have hectic lives and fall short of sustaining any system in my opinion. But we can use parts of all of these ideas to keep our homes tidy.
I did the Minimalism Challenge game in January for a couple of years. It jumpstarted the little bit at a time and noticing things day to day mentality. I have done pretty much all of them on clothes. Other than the Minimalism game. Lol. I didn't have enough clothes to do that before I found it. I haven't thought about using lean principles for decluttering, but I absolutely love it. Lol. I learned about 5S and such at a previous job, and read Lean Farm last year and have tried to work it into my gardening, will definitely have to think about this around the house. It might help my kitchen issues a bit.
Thanks for the video, Tim. There are so many methods out there, I think each of us just has to figure out what works best for them. I don't like making more messes to clear us messes. So, I like the Dana K. White method of decluttering. She's on RUclips and has written several books, as well. My husband's favorite method is to neatly stack all of the clutter because then, it's really not clutter any more...it's neatly stacked...see? Got it...nope...doesn't work for me.
I love the idea of the to do list. Decluttering has been an ongoing process for the last 12 years. Even though I go through my cupboards and closets spring and fall. I keep finding things I need to get rid of. I love the idea of the to do list. As always your videos are so informative.
The only one I wasn´t familiar with was the 5-S idea, it was interesting to get to know a new concept so thank you for that. Perhaps you are also familiar with the idea of inventory (Minimal mom) - how much stuff we are willing to have in our life and maintain.
I have found a sort of mish mash of different styles works for me. I use Kon Mari as far as decluttering in categories goes. Before her I would go room to room, but with things like books it helps me a lot to see them all together and declutter the pile. I think for a lot of people decluttering is going to be something that takes a good amount of time. The onion method (decluttering in layers) is pretty much how I got through my whole place. You go through a category and declutter it, then go back through it later. Once you sit with a newly decluttered category of items for awhile you see where you still can let go of more. I'll admit it took me three years to completely declutter my place. I started with a house that had my stuff, my kids stuff, my parents stuff, and my grandparents stuff. It was total insanity and a lot of work to scale all of that down to what reasonably fits into a two-bedroom apartment.
I sort of did that too, I started doing more Konmari category decluttering once the entire house was more "under control." We had so much stuff that it took nearly 10 months to declutter our house, it was exhausting. But once we decided where things were kept, we could make decisions about which one of whatever it was to keep and pick and choose among the stuff that was stored.
@@DenyDefendDepose2 I have a problem with gauging how much I have and what is too much. I relied on the "onion method" a lot. it's where you declutter in layers. I had a huge stationery collection and thought if I organized it it would be fine. What I realized was I simply had far too much and needed to let go. But it took me a couple tries to get it down to what was reasonable. Like I decluttered 75% and took what was an entire moving box to a friend who has three daughters and love stationery. But once what was left sat for awhile I realized I still had far too much and had to declutter 75% again. it ended up taking me three years to get my place to where it is now. it was a slow process for me, but also kept me busy during covid. =)
Hello Tim! This is one of my favorite subjects. One book that I really enjoyed reading is by Brooks Palmer. Clutterbusting. He shares stories of people that he has helped to declutter. There are deeper issues why some things are buried in a closet. He offers insight, and has a few RUclips videos. Also worth mentioning is Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. She explores how the clutter affects you in specific locations in the house. Knowing these things can keep you inspired on your journey.
I like this video. I have been trying to follow ur videos since u started.very informative. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for your videos. I’m from just outside Philly,Pa. So Yo from friend in Philly. Keep up video s please.
When I first heard the words SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING two years ago I thought it was about those crazies who clean furniture to a spit shine. I watch a lot of RUclips self help videos but always steered clear of this topic. It wasn't until a month ago that I learned the truth. I realized that I had been working towards that goal all along.😂 -Robin
Thank for for introducing me to a new decluttering system. I am very familiar with all of them except the 5S system. I’ll have to give that one some consideration.
Oh my gosh your comment on having numbers next to apps and your need to address or eliminate them is exactly something I do. Your frequency that you check them on average is right in line with me, lol and I too think it could be like OCD.
That's why I recently stopped using the dishwasher cause I'd let dirty dishes sit in there to fill it to save water and electricity, but i'd need something and have to take it out and wash it not to mention it starts to stink, so now I lust wash what I use every time by hand and that works
I decided at the beginning of this month to do the daily declutter..1 item on day one, 2 items on day 2, etc. Day 7 I got rid of about 15 items from the junk drawer. About half were charging cables that I have no idea what they go with. My son explained something about USB-A cables and USB-C cables. He went through them and gave me 3 that I should keep. The rest he said to throw out. Other misc. things went out as well. I can't seem to limit myself to getting rid of a certain number of items each day. So far I have gotten rid of more. I am now focusing on one small area at a time.
I like how you summed up different methods to decluttering. One thing that helped me was get all like items together in one spot when decluttering. I stored the same like items in different rooms and the basement. An example throws. I had 13 when I put them all in one place. I lived alone so this was an eye opener to the fact I stored things neatly and out of sight.
Hi Tim and your lovely Mum. Really enjoyed watching, big thank you. One of the areas I have a problem with, is parting with books. It’s a bit better, as I now have a Amazon kindle. But miss the smell and the excitement of opening a new book. It’s strange it seems to be different things, for everyone. I don’t tend to hold on to clothes and shoes. So that’s not a problem area. Keep up the good work. Best wishes from a wet and miserable uk.
Something I would add about konmari is that it relies heavily on an internal sensory experience. If you've ever looked into mbti personalities you can see why it won't work for everyone. Like the way she runs her hands across the clothes and explains how it makes her feel would be my weakest function. I naturally gravitate towards "how does this fit into the bigger picture/my life?" intuitive type of thinking. I need less external stress not more! 😂 Dragging everything out by category, touching it and making all the decisions at once is an overthinkers nightmare. So I didn't find it helpful. The methods I do prefer is the Dana K White container concept, if it doesn't fit comfortably it goes, the clutterbug system (butterfly, visual and easy) and living in each space to see how it flows day by day. I don't really want much "dead space". My angle is trying to build a life from my vision and whatever works with that I go with. Leave the rest. Reverse engineering in a way.
I LOVE that you are doing these videos Sir! I used to have a decluttering business and found that men are more in need of these ideas and change of mindset than women (surprising, no?). I enjoy watching your process! I also found with more reluctant clients that suggesting 70% fill of space was helpful for some. Keep whatever they like/want/need as long as it doesn't fill more than 70% of the allocated "container" (ie: a box, a shelf, a drawer, a room, or a garage is a container, too) 👋
Great show Tim. When my wife get home I am going to have her watch this again with me. We started decluttering last year, but now our closets and garage look about the same. I really appreciate both of your podcasts.
Hi there Tim, 😊 Nice practical conversation about your thoughts on Christmas giving. 🎄 Isn't it funny how we think of all these things that actually cause undue angst rather than being able to focus more on the actual meaning of the holiday. I remember my own family conversations a few years back and how by limiting our spending we still managed to have a great Christmas. With the never ending barrage of extended big sales, it's no wonder so many over the years take months or more to regain control of budgets after paying for some of these expected high end gifts. Your message is right on it. Good advice and nice to have the reminders and ways to help manage the stress that we shouldn't put on ourselves and others. It's always the part of the holidays that I believe many people don't look forward to. It has historically been tough wrangling for myself at times over how best to accomplish these tasks every year. Thanks 😊 Also, thanks for sharing some of the childhood memories that you've experienced.
Love, love your videos. You have an eloquent way of dispersing your information. Decluttering is an ongoing thing in my life. I really like the 5S method you presented. On my to do list is to go through all my emails and bookmarked items on my computer. I did read Marie Kondo's book a few years ago and I use her method of folding clothes. My husband even likes that method! The Swedish Death method sounds appealing. I don't want my daughters to go through the tedious task of going through our things. I read somewhere that it is helpful to give things to your loved ones (things that they truly would like) while you are still alive so you can see your things being put to good use. I am looking forward to seeing more decluttering videos.
You need to turn off notifications on your apps. That way you'll never see any new messages. I only turn on notifications for my Messages, Phone Calls, and Emails. Every app otherwise has OFF notifications. I like Dana White's method, it primarily focuses on not making a bigger mess during a declutter, especially helpful if you have a lot of stuff to get rid of. If you empty out your entire closet onto the bed or a table (a la Kondo), what happens if you get called away or you have to leave? You're left with a big pile of clothes or whatever. If you just look at each item one x one while in the closet, just make a decision for each individual thing. The 5S method sounds great. It seems to presume that people have dedicated spots for every item, and most people, even those who end up decluttering, don't. That was the key for me to maintain a tidy house ALL THE TIME - make sure everything we own has a dedicated storage spot. Otherwise, we'd fall off the wagon! Great video.
I use a bit of most of these strategies. In some areas, I need to reevaluate and get rid of more. It’s definitely a process, but I take my time so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Its good to see older people like me talking about this. I cant relate to the young people who have maybe acumulated things for 2-3 years that they need to get rid of.
My method probably most closely resembles Marie Kondo's, but I do some of all of them. I never hear anyone use the expression "taking inventory", but I feel that's what Marie is saying. I'm a believer of pulling everything out and seeing just what and how many of the same thing I have. I call it "taking inventory" and then more appreciating what I keep and also disposing of the excess. Also, I'm more mindful of being able to find oddball items like electronics cables when I need them. I'm at the 'maintenance' stage rather than full-on decluttering, but I have a new project, and am seeing quite a few things, like sweaters I can get rid of as I never touched them this past winter. I'm going to launder them and donate them now. -Speaking of To Do lists. When I went through my office supplies, I found a To Do List paper pad. I laughed, but I started using it for things I don't want to do, but need to do. It's been surprisingly helpful. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy listening to you.
I did a modified Maria Kondo method, I look through every piece of clothing, but did not pull out everything and pile them in the middle of the room. It was amazing how much clothing I had in my small closet. -Pretty much 99% of all my office clothes went to sell and donate. I toss and donated all synthetic materials. -Most of the office shoes, to my chagrin was disintegrating. Didn’t wear for 15 years, 😮 so, tossed. -Sold most of my handbags, all 100% leather, still in great condition. - Donated some winter coats. - Replaced husband’s worn tee shirts. Tossed his worn shirts. It feels liberating. Now to the books 😮.
I retired in June 2020 from the biggest Library system in the state. I probably read every book on decluttering. Marie Kondo’s clothes folding method got me a whole empty drawer! And made me aware of what makes me happy. Mark Brunetz book Take the U out of Clutter helped me to not beat myself up about where I was at and gave some good advice. The Swedish Death Cleaning book helped me consider my kids, but since I’m probably not going anywhere soon, it wasn’t too helpful. The book that was amazing to me was Dana K. White’s book: Decluttering at the Speed of Life. Her book helped me so so much. Going a little bit at a time, being aware of the container concept (everything is a container, like a drawer, a cupboard, a room, your house…) helped me make choices. Which really nice dishes do I keep? What antique furniture do I get rid of? Then Cas at Clutterbug helped me figure out how to organize it. I’m thankful for the journey and exceptionally grateful to Dana K White from a Slob Comes Clean.
So enjoyed and appreciated this video, my first of yours. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how you choose to fill your time. I’m 70, retired for 12 years, and am just getting over a bad case of flu (had the vaccine, wear mask when out, all that). Over the years, I had gradually allowed myself to fill much of my time with online games. I was unable to play while ill and uninterested as I began to recover. Instead, I began to watch RUclips, learning about aspects of others’ lives, learning the values and philosophies that infuse their lives and fuel their pursuits. I’m in the process of adding intention as I redirect my energies now and feeling almost immeasurably more satisfied. Pursuing this has refueled my cleaning, organizing, and decluttering work, which had come to a standstill. Hearing your decluttering journey has further inspired me! Many thanks for sharing, and I’m eager to learn your next steps!
Hi Tim, I have heard of all these methods of decluttering over the past couple of years. I listen with interest, and perhaps I am more motivated by Swedish Death Cleaning as I do not want to burden my dear cousin and her daughter when I go. Basically, I have used my own method of decluttering, and that is to remove all items I no longer want including dramatically down sizing my collections of Irish Belleek porcelain and Australian studio art glass by 80% each. I have also removed 18 pieces of furniture from my home and donated them to a Christian charity shop in town. I have had hundreds of trips into town with bags and bags of donations over the past couple of years. I am nearing the end of my decluttering journey, as my home now is very minimal with only furniture that I actually use and is decorated tastefully throughout. Every item has a home, and it is always returned to that place. Also, since decluttering most items (around 80% in total) I am no longer purchasing new stuff to bring back into my home. The only time anything new comes into the house is because I need to replace something... recently a new fridge/freezer and a sofa, but the old ones were taken away (one in one out!). I would like to add that it makes cleaning the house very quick which is delightful, and it is okay to have empty spaces in a room. Thank you, Tim for sharing your thoughts, and as always, I really enjoy your videos. Blessings from Aussie Gloria 😊
My clothes are all on hangers in my closet hanging on one long rod. Everything I wear I wash and hang on the right side. After 3 or 4 months I will start removing clothes from the left that I didn't wear and take them out and donate. I have way too many clothes I don't wear.
I have followed most of the methods for several years now and downsized easily last year. Going to give the 5S a go ! Thank you for your time & videos.
My dad emptied my grandparents’ house by putting most of their stuff in his garage attic. My sisters and I got a double whammy when we moved him to a nursing home. We do not want our kids to live a similar experience with our stuff. My husband and I try to be mindful of what comes in and goes out of our house. It’s an ongoing project but feels good to get rid of things we don’t want or need. Our lives are constantly changing and what we own today may have no value to us in a couple or few years!
Great video Tim, yes I think you have a really great group following you, and foe a good reason. I don’t know if you remember Peter Walsh’ he had a show called clean sweep ‘ and was on Oprah. He is my favourite decluttering person… there is a episode that he moves into a couples house… lol! Worth the view , it opened up my eyes for sure… love how you get to the point, and keep it interesting…. Have a great week.😊
Thank you for another great video. 33 items of clothing is a lot. Backpacking and tramping has taught me you really don't need more than 6 to 12 main articles of clothing, exclusive of undies and foot wear. I have done a 14 day cruise with a day and a half over seas commute on each end and took a backpack and small carry on bag I checked each way, 55L worth total. I could have taken less and fit in 40L and ditched the checked wheeled luggage. If it is enough for 2 weeks it is enough to substantiate travel indefinitely. Travels with less are so much more enjoyable. Thank you again for researching and presenting this material in videos.
I guess I made up my own method that worked for me when we retired to a smaller home. No big totes or bins, no cardboard boxes, no storage. I neatly put things in closets and cupboards, starting with my favorite things and when I said that's enough....everything else was donated. Just knowing that I never need to clean out an attic, shed, basement or garage again for the rest of my life is very freeing. Everything I own I can see and keep neat. If things are in storage and you don't use them why keep them?
I started out with the Kondo method. That got rid of quite a bit of clutter and piles of collections. Next was, 1 in and 1 out. That included getting rid of an over abundance of clothes, jackets, sweaters and coats. I have only recently been thinking about cleaning and taking care of one room a day throughout the week. In doing that, I will eventually have everything in its place and I will be able to see the quantity of items and then cull those as well. Also remembering not to buy anymore unneeded items. Great insight Tim. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I am decluttering with Dana K White and clean with The Fly Lady app. The 5S method looks interesting and yet I can see the overlap with all the systems. The Kon Mari method did not work at all for me and I had 3 piles of things in my living room for a few months. Where the no mess Dana K White method works the best for me as there is “progress only progress”.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I strongly believe that decluttering is a longterm, neverending process. As we progress through life, hopefully changing as necessary, the "things" we hold dear also change. I am coming to terms with this. Every day I find that some things I couldn't let go yesterday, today I have no problem letting go of. I have boxes for each of the thrift stores in town. Each has it's specialty. As I come across items I no longer need or want, they go into a box. When the box is full it goes to the thrift store. I works for me. I think the trick is to find the method that works for you. Then, work it! Good luck!
GREAT COMMENT ! ! ! 👍🏻
I am with you on that
Right, it's also never ending because nobody just has stuff stop coming into their home. We have menus and flyers left on our front porch EVERY DAY. It's not worth calling or emailing every sleazy real estate agent leaving flyers, and we like some of the menus for takeout LOL so every day we have to declutter our porch of flyers.
We're trying to do zero waste in the kitchen (and it falls over into elsewhere), like our biggest receptable is for composting, it's not even close. I use a gallon glass jar for our landfill trash - the stuff that can't be recycled, composted, donated, or sent to the hazmat or the metal recycler. That basically means it's largely plastic wrapping on things like beans, frozen food bags, shipping bags, etc. It takes us about 3-4 months to fill our outside landfill trash bin to take to the curb. LOL. Even the blue-and-white and gray Amazon shipping bags can be recycled where we live.
Great comment. Exactly how I feel too!
Yepper! This fits the Swedish Death Cleaning model, as Tim explained in the video. 😀
I’m offering Death Cleaning in my role as an End of Life Companion.
It’s fitting for me to offer this service as I’m going through numerous items that belonged to my late mother….items I asked her to go through when she was healthy and she refused.
My goal is to help others to NOT have to deal with the aftermath as I am. It’s not fair to leave everything for your loved ones to go through.
Love, “It’s not fair to leave everything for your loved ones to go through.” To help make it easier for me to let go I’ve have asked my children and grandchildren to let me know if there is something of mine they truly would like when I pass, that I’m presently using and I jot down the item in a specified notebook along with their name beside it. Not all items previously jotted in notebook have made it to my passing to be be dispersed as there is so much joy in seeing someone’s delight in receiving that special item they have admired and desired to own.
This is a very special service for others. Being an End of Life Companion is truly a calling. Thank. you for sharing.
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@@gloriaedington3442, that’s wonderful. You are showing love to your loved ones in this act. Plus, as you lighten your load of material belongings, you’re giving yourself emotional peace. God bless you!
@@TheNewRetiredMe, you’re welcome. It’s an honor to help others as they prepare to leave this world.
I'm a member of the "Take Your House Back" course. It has Dana K. White from a "Slob Comes Clean", Cas from "Clutterbug", and Dawn from the "Minimal Mom."
Their (ADD) All Day Declutters are super helpful to get my rear in gear 😂
Her methods have completely changed the way I declutter and the way I keep up my home. The container method alone had done wonders!
I highly recommend Cas (Clutterbug). She helped me understand what works for ME. Even the way I declutter. It’s really all about understanding yourself at this point of time in your life. I don’t declutter and organize the same way as I did when I was raising kids, so it always changing but Cas works best for me across the board.
Dawn helped us downsize from a 1600sf to a 650sf house in retirement. I follow all three of these ladies now.
Me too. However, never participate in the ADD. Lots of things to do on Saturdays. @@cheryllovestoread
I have not done the course, but I was going to recommend these three as well! You can get a lot from just watching their channels for free!
I went on a 3 week trip to Europe this summer with a carryon and a small duffel bag. I will never travel with a big suitcase ever again!
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I always wonder how you guys do it. I need fresh clothes every day when travelling 😳 and different shoes depending on weather. How??
@@Izabela-ek5nh I wore clean clothes everyday (leggings and a tank top so they roll up small). Reused my 2 hoodies and 1 windbreaker. Switched between 2 pairs of sneakers and 1 pair of sandals. Washed all my clothes halfway through my trip.
@Izabela-ek5nh And extras for "choices".
Wow! you are a true educator. Although, I am finish with my heavy decluttering, I still discard things on a daily basic.
The most important lesson, I got from this experience is I have to live my life right "Now".
Forget the past, it is gone and it will never comeback and the future is only anticipated.
If an object is not useful to me right now," I LET IT GO" What I needed to understand has a human being I am in a constant change and I need to adjust to my present situation.
I am changing all the time and by holding on to my"stuff" I am not in harmony with my present situation.
With love 💟and gratitude🙏
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There is or was a woman that everyone followed dubbed the Fly Lady. She had a great ritual for the evenings about not going to bed with the sink full of dirty dishes. And for an ADHD or OCD brain her method could really be good. Might be something you would like if you are washing dishes three days later so that you can cook. This video was great. I hadn't heard about some of these and may need to implement at least a week of the 30 day challenge. Maybe every other week would work for staying motivated.
Thank you! I'll see if I can find her online.
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@TheNewRetiredMe The Fly Lady still does videos. Livestream at 11am and 3 pm.
FB page, too.
Method - BTN (better than nothing) Better to declutter one drawer, one stack of paper, and not wait for the motivation to tackle a room. Something is better than nothing.
love it!
I retired in 2019 and since that time I have kept track of the number of boxes of things that I have donated which is now 74. I "inherited" stuff from my brother and both parents who had separate households. I am considering moving to a smaller house with my husband, but to do that I still have a way to go with decluttering. One of my "habits"/"I don't know what to call it" is that part of me seems to enjoy excess and disarray that the rest of me doesn't understand or enjoy. I think it came about because both of my parents were ultra tidy and as I grew up were always shaming me about all my clutter. I do miss them but in part it was liberating to not have someone judging my choices and that is part of what keeps me having a hard time letting things go. Taking a picture of an item before donating it has had limited result because it is the feel of the object in my hands that I enjoy. My husband has been VERY patient with me through all of this. My goal right now is to be ready to move house by June '24. I get something done every week and focus on each day and avoid thoughts about how I'm going to get it all done. That's all I can do.
Wow. That's really cool.
I retired and moved in 2020. Getting ready I didn’t want to get out of bed because I was overwhelmed and somewhat depressed. I would tell myself: “It’s okay. You only have to do a little bit.” I did a lot.
I use Dana K. White’s container concept
that sounds simple and practical!
I went through my kitchen yesterday. I had gone through it 3 weeks ago and I took another load to goodwill today that I hesitated on 3 weeks ago. I figured if I had not even thought about those things in 3 weeks, I don't need them. I feel great now!!😊
I feel like even if the rest of our house wasn't minimalist, I'd still want a minimalist kitchen. It is so much less work to maintain a kitchen the less you own or store in there. It was such a huge change in kitchen maintenance to minimize down to the bone on the cookware, utensils, dishes, plates, etc. But what happened was we barely own enough to fill the dishwasher now, so we do the dishes by hand every day as part of the "clean-up." And I'm now washing dishes as I cook and prep. Another great way to keep things tidy.
I've used various methods myself, and am still in the process of going through what my husband and I have accumulated over 44 years here. Some areas go fast, others, not so much! Dana K White is a favorite. Her comment that even getting rid of one thing is progress has helped me not feel totally overwhelmed. I am making progress!
I recently subscribed to her channel when I realized so many of my own viewers were also watching her. I've really enjoyed what I've seen so far!
So well said, I hope you are going through those 44 years of stuff with your help mate. Mine passed and I have been trying to go through 36 years of our life together and more from before we met. The every day areas of the house I use have been the easiest, but the memorabilia has been the hardest. Thank you for your comment it gives encouragement.
@@TheNewRetiredMeis the channel just called Dana k White? Or what is it called? Thank you!
@@hmp9468her channel is a slob comes clean
She's my favorite too. Her method just makes a lot of sense to me, and it works even for general daily tidying, not just full bore decluttering. I think she's a zionist, though, she is deleting my comments.
I like the term Essentialist. I'm working on the Spark Joy and Death Clean ideas in combination to thin out the things that I have accumulated from family, heirlooms and such, that have been foisted upon me to "take care of" for posterity. In truth, no one is all that interested in most of these and they sure don't spark joy, just dread weight of responsibility.
In the end, monthly trips to Habitat stores to drop off and dump runs spark the greatest joy ever!
oh boy! we idenifiy with that felling as well!
Being the youngest of several children, I have watched loved ones struggle so many times. The heartache of getting rid of memories is real. No way do I want the ones I leave behind to go through that gut wrenching sadness. I consider it my final gift to leave as little to do as possible with my "stuff ". As is said "Life is for the living." TYFS and God bless.
No way do I want the ones I leave behind to go through that gut wrenching sadness. -- Good point
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I'm very glad you continue with this subject matter. Though I have downsized and decluttered, there are still things I need to deal with. I'll breathe better when I have achieved this.
us as well!
Good Morning. I think all of the names of the processes just means living well. I have tried them all and I still find that I have more than I need. I truly have donated more than I have now. Living well all depends on me. Some rooms have much less but the things in that room work well for me. Previously I could have fed everyone I know. These days I am much happier to let others do the dinners and get togethers. Yes I have more than one piece of each item. There's nothing wrong with having a four piece set in my kitchen rather than a twenty piece set. Essential, Minimal, the words are words, feeling well in your space makes your life meaningful and well. Enjoyable. You make the limits. Eventually we get there where it's nearly perfect. As humans we will always fiddle, fidget, trying for perfection. The phrase that applies to the beginning and end of this process "Let it go". Wish I could sing loud and on key.
I sing that same line a lot!
I'm keeping it simple, but using some of all the methods you mentioned. I'm getting rid of everything I possibly can. I've been through every room in the house, garage, and barn, several times. I was moving large volumes out early on, now it's down to the tough decisions. I'm determined to keep going until there's virtually nothing left that I can live without.
I found that gamifying the decluttering process worked the best for me. In 2021, I did The 30 day Minimalist Game every month for the full year (almost 500 items gone per month), and then after that, I made up my own games to keep me motivated and on track. It worked great for my ADHD brain. 😊❤️
I think one thing that dramatically helped as well is that I got very strict about what came in. For a long time I decluttered but still went shopping. I didn't make much progress in those years 😂
Guarding against replacing things with more things is crucial if you are actually decluttering. Putting a full stop on non-necessary purchases for a month, or twelve, is a good plan for everyone.
@@TheNewRetiredMeYes, and it took me a bit too long to figure that part out. 😂 I started decluttering in 2016 after seeing The Minimalists documentary. But I didn't make big shifts in simplifying my home until I started doing the Minimalist game every month in 2021 AND stopped shopping. Another great video thanks Tim! 😊
so cool to do that!
@@akontarini 😊❤️
What worked for me is the 30 bags in 30 day challenge. One plastic grocery bag a day for 30 days. That included donating items and throw away items. One piece of furniture counts as 1 bag. Since the challenge I keep decluttering by keeping a box in the garage and donate when there is a good amount. Big items we put for free in front of our house. Even getting rid of a few items makes a huge difference when you waste alot of time looking for an item. I am not a minimalist but I am very comfortable with the amount of things I have. Love your videos ❤
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I been in decluttering mode for a few years. It feels so good to get rid of things I don’t need. It’s a struggle when your household includes other adults. I know a few people who hoard everything have a hard time letting go of anything. Their entire life every aspect is chaotic. No peace. That tells me a lot.
I completely agree. My grown son and I share a place right now and I decluttered, while he did not and he also has hoarding tendencies. There was a lot of compromise along the way and I had to let go of him letting go of his excess as long as it stays in his room. Our place looks great now. I let go of probably 80%+ of my stuff and feel so free now.
sad but true!
Any method that motivates you is the right one, I did the Minimalism Game (31 day) challenge with a friend about 4 years ago. Nearing retirement at that point and anticipating an eventual move, I thought it might make sense to lighten my load. I was able to meet the challenge without too much trouble. It is amazing what you can accumulate over the years and tuck into draws and bookshelves and closets and garages. It was a good start, Now that I am retired, I did a big declutter of my wardrobe to better suit my new lifestyle. What clothes that remained had their hangers turned backwards so I could see over time what is not being worn. A donation bag sits in my closet and once it refills, I take it for donation, And on and on it goes 🙂
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I LOVE the swedish death cleaning method. Having cleared out the homes of both of my parents (they were divorced so each had their own homes) and my parents-in-law , i absolutely do not want to leave this to my own children. I am now retired too and what is important to me now is clarity, not clutter. Its so liberating. And its ongoing, so much less pressure.
God bless you for taking on the task so your loved ones are not put in that position.
@@Preparingforyourpassingllc thank you so much xxx
What is the method exactly? Is it like Kondo where you pile everything you own on the bed and go through it before you get exhausted?
@@DenyDefendDepose2 thankfully no😊 and don’t get me wrong, MK’s method achieves great results, but I found it overwhelming. It’s really about an ongoing process, one that I started with my bedside drawers, and going through, keeping only products you actually use and editing everything. I have kept only 4 “outfits” for wearing around home( as opposed to 20 odd sets of tat) The overriding thing for me is “do I want my family to have to do all of this”. Old birthday cards, I take a picture of the beautiful ones and then dispose of them. Sentimental items from my kids childhoods I have packed and then given to them( after editing). But this is over approx 2 years and I’m still going. I have so much more room and a much better understanding of what I do and don’t need. It’s cathartic.
@@bexp436, you are most welcome. :-)
I really enjoy your take on decluttering. Last year i got rid of almost 2000 items. Doing better this year, already 2230 and going strong. Doing several methods. Now concentrating on death cleaning especially which things my family and friends will get. I'll write names on notes. Hard for me right now is Christmas items. But I'm doing the sparks joy method and if not out it goes. My cousin's daughter took one of my villages which made me very happy.
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Hadn't given it any thought until you mentioned it. Considering the entire house, the kitchen is the most organized. Still have plenty in there to go through and get rid of but it is like night and day comparing the kitchen to the other rooms. Love that you talked about different methods. Anything helps. I implore all of you to set aside even 10 minutes a day to go through and get rid of. Don't wait until you are in my situation, overwhelmed, grieving and staring at 40+ years to work through. Don't leave that burden to your mate, family, friends or paid strangers.
So sorry for your loss, I totally understand because I am in a similar situation. Take some time to yourself away if you can. Enjoy the emotions that can flood you when you are sorting through life. I am so glad we had started going through stuff before my husband passed away. I pray you, find peace in your decluttering journey.
I have the best of intentions…😵💫then I feel crazy over it all & stuff more in my drawers. And it’s so stressful.
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thank you for sharing your thoughts
Dana K. White 's no mess decluttering method - she has a RUclips channel too 👍
Yes!! Her method is great for those of us who already feel overwhelmed by their stuff and all the to-do's and may also have little time and/or energy to do something about the situation. Her "No-Mess Method" is the complete opposite to the KonMari Method which has never appealed to me. I live in a small home and don't have the space to pull everything out from one whole category and then risk not having the time or energy to go through it all. I would also feel completely overwhelmed and drained of whatever little energy and motivation I had to start off with so it would not be feasible for me.
I'm glad you mentioned her 😎🌺
I’ve been watching declutter/ minimizing videos for 5 months now (I’m pretty decluttered and fine tuning and on to hard stuff like photos at this point). This is the first I’ve heard of 5s. Perfect logical concept and is more beneficial to where I am now, reevaluate. Thank you for the new information.
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Great message Tim! Thank you for sharing your journey on essentialism!
Who knew there were so many methods? Thanks for the inspiration.
Love this video! I have done the 30 day challenge... in reverse. 30 things on day one, 29, 28, etc. The idea was, I had more momentum and stuff on day one :)
I think that’s brilliant!
wow! such a cool idea!
I've just watched several episodes of the TV program "The gentle art of Swedish death cleaning". It is very, very good!
This method is similar to the Flylady system. She breaks down the house each week of the month. ie: kitchen, entryway, master bedroom, bathroom plus one extra room, dining/living rooms. Then you have list of items to do…
Tip...if you do the Mins game (the number of items per the number of that day, for 30 days) Start at 30 and do a count down to 1...it's a lot smoother to get through I have found.
That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
@@elainespiliotis7729 you're very welcome. I've been doing that game once a year for spring cleaning for almost 15 years now.
I like that!
I was going to suggest that 😊 I'm not into games and challenges myself (decluttering and getting things in order feels like enough of a challenge as it is... 😞) but I've heard and seen others who have done the Minimalist Challenge backwards and have found it helpful and easier to do that way. One of them is Mika Koontz from the YT Channel "Life As I Write": ruclips.net/video/6kdb9EIXVbM/видео.html
I thought I’d read about all the decluttering options out there, but you mentioned two I was unfamiliar with. Thank you.
I’m a clutter bug who was married to a clutter bug for 21 years. The struggle is real! Thanks for all the great info! 🤗
I used Marie Kondo's method when I first retired and made quite a bit of progress. I've tried swedish death cleaning and I may come back around to it. Currently I find Dana K White's method the most practical and sustainable. As others here have said, I do not want to leave my kids with the type of mess my parents have left me with. I am also assuming that I will have at least one more move before I die, and will not have room for 50+ years of stuff.
This video was very motivating for me. I've been retired for 3 years and decluttered at that time, but I have not done the "1 in - 1 out" step, and I have much more than I need. I've found a church in my hometown that has a "Clothing and Household items" pantry that is free to anyone who needs those things. Many people are struggling right now and if I can help by donating my items there, it will be a blessing for someone else. Thanks Tim, for the nudge! Here I go!
Not heard of the 5S. Another tool in the box. Thanks.
I keep my travel stuff inside my suitcase. I always take a soap container, I cut a 1/4 of my soap bar and a 1/4 of facial soap bar. And a lil exfoliate scrubber. Sometimes the soap in hotels are good ( with natural ingredients and don't make my skin itch) and I always take a plastic bag to keep my dirty clothes in away from the clean ones. ( I don't want my clean clothes to smell. One sm brush and the Toothbrush cover. And my favorite crossbody bag to keep essential in while walking around. All these things are always kept inside my suitcase. So I know where they are.
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All I can say is everyone has to pick some method of decluttering. An acquaintance died suddenly and it took 4 months for her family to remove everything in the home to get it ready to sell. Finances weren't labeled in a file let alone trying to figure out which key opened what lock. I now am using the app todist and glad for it. Thanks and keep up the good work!!
This was helpful my youngest bought a house took his furniture he had here so I want a crafting room so I painted over last few days I used to be able to do it in a day… just sayin lol now it’s time to move the things in and it’s awful there is so much packed into the spare room now I need to move and declutter at once but I’m glad you talked about the many different ways to approach this task thank you so much wish I had another set of hands but I’ll get it done. Lol
😅 you mean that we only got one pair of hands? well, I need more pairs to go though all...
I have utilized many of the decluttering methods you mentioned but I don't feel I have to follow one to the exclusion of others. I like the idea of discarding items that haven't been used in a certain time period. I recently got rid of eight pictures which had been in a cupboard since I moved into my current home. I have lived with blank walls and I have decided I like them but it took me twelve years to come to that conclusion! Other items might be discarded within a few weeks. I try to avoid holding on for 'some day'.
It really is a long-term, sometimes life-long, process!
It took me 30 some odd years to acquire a lot of these things, and no way will things be given or disposed of in one day.
This idea that we must declutter after retirement is nothing more but a marketing move.
I don't agree with either of these methods because it doesn't work with people who are true clutter bugs. Many items that hold sentimental value is not the same as old news paper articles or random kitchen items. It takes time to let go of stuff.
Sometimes these retirement videos ( not yours) seem to rush you as far as cleaning, traveling, and enjoyment. Heck, I just want to get up in the morning and enjoy a cup of coffee ☕ and just be glad I made it to retirement, when so many of my coworkers didn't. Enjoy the moment. 🎉
Rush hour is over!
Good video!
Decluttering methods only work for those who want to declutter. :) True hoarders have a much more difficult problem than just clutter. Thanks for wartching!
@@TheNewRetiredMe I wasn't talking about hoarders. I was referring to all the stuff one has and how it takes time to get rid of stuff. When one steps back and sees what one has accumulated, it can be overpowering. I'm referring to all these retirement vids that seem to direct one to do an immediate downsizing. I guess that is my issue with retirement videos.
@@bagobeansI understand. It is kind of like gaining weight (for me) it creeps up on you. You don’t really notice it until it’s out of control. And getting rid of it is a lot harder than accumulating it. :)
Great information Tim! Very motivating... Thanks for taking the time to share!
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I like that you have reiterated the different methods of organizing/decluttering. In reality, they all work but, as you said, we all have to choose what will work in our homes with our lifestyles. I combine many of what's available. All of us have hectic lives and fall short of sustaining any system in my opinion. But we can use parts of all of these ideas to keep our homes tidy.
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My filters are 1) am I using it 2) does it bring me joy 3) do I have a place for it.
I did the Minimalism Challenge game in January for a couple of years. It jumpstarted the little bit at a time and noticing things day to day mentality. I have done pretty much all of them on clothes. Other than the Minimalism game. Lol. I didn't have enough clothes to do that before I found it.
I haven't thought about using lean principles for decluttering, but I absolutely love it. Lol. I learned about 5S and such at a previous job, and read Lean Farm last year and have tried to work it into my gardening, will definitely have to think about this around the house. It might help my kitchen issues a bit.
Where is the minimalist challenge on You Tube?
Thanks for the video, Tim. There are so many methods out there, I think each of us just has to figure out what works best for them. I don't like making more messes to clear us messes. So, I like the Dana K. White method of decluttering. She's on RUclips and has written several books, as well. My husband's favorite method is to neatly stack all of the clutter because then, it's really not clutter any more...it's neatly stacked...see? Got it...nope...doesn't work for me.
good am. enjoy your channel
I love the idea of the to do list. Decluttering has been an ongoing process for the last 12 years. Even though I go through my cupboards and closets spring and fall. I keep finding things I need to get rid of. I love the idea of the to do list. As always your videos are so informative.
The only one I wasn´t familiar with was the 5-S idea, it was interesting to get to know a new concept so thank you for that. Perhaps you are also familiar with the idea of inventory (Minimal mom) - how much stuff we are willing to have in our life and maintain.
Yes! Love that one too.
You are so relatable! I'm still decluttering my home. It sounds weird, but parts of the house "call" to me to be decluttered. It is always a process.
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I have found a sort of mish mash of different styles works for me. I use Kon Mari as far as decluttering in categories goes. Before her I would go room to room, but with things like books it helps me a lot to see them all together and declutter the pile. I think for a lot of people decluttering is going to be something that takes a good amount of time. The onion method (decluttering in layers) is pretty much how I got through my whole place. You go through a category and declutter it, then go back through it later. Once you sit with a newly decluttered category of items for awhile you see where you still can let go of more. I'll admit it took me three years to completely declutter my place. I started with a house that had my stuff, my kids stuff, my parents stuff, and my grandparents stuff. It was total insanity and a lot of work to scale all of that down to what reasonably fits into a two-bedroom apartment.
I sort of did that too, I started doing more Konmari category decluttering once the entire house was more "under control." We had so much stuff that it took nearly 10 months to declutter our house, it was exhausting. But once we decided where things were kept, we could make decisions about which one of whatever it was to keep and pick and choose among the stuff that was stored.
@@DenyDefendDepose2 I have a problem with gauging how much I have and what is too much. I relied on the "onion method" a lot. it's where you declutter in layers. I had a huge stationery collection and thought if I organized it it would be fine. What I realized was I simply had far too much and needed to let go. But it took me a couple tries to get it down to what was reasonable. Like I decluttered 75% and took what was an entire moving box to a friend who has three daughters and love stationery. But once what was left sat for awhile I realized I still had far too much and had to declutter 75% again. it ended up taking me three years to get my place to where it is now. it was a slow process for me, but also kept me busy during covid. =)
Hello Tim! This is one of my favorite subjects. One book that I really enjoyed reading is by Brooks Palmer. Clutterbusting. He shares stories of people that he has helped to declutter. There are deeper issues why some things are buried in a closet. He offers insight, and has a few RUclips videos. Also worth mentioning is Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. She explores how the clutter affects you in specific locations in the house. Knowing these things can keep you inspired on your journey.
Excellent resources! Thanks for sharing!
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Ah, yes, 5S. Brings back factory work memories! Along with Lean & 6Sigma.
I use a modified version of 5S and it works well.
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Thank you for sharing!
I like this video. I have been trying to follow ur videos since u started.very informative. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for your videos. I’m from just outside Philly,Pa. So Yo from friend in Philly. Keep up video s please.
Thank you!
Thanks. Good stuff. I am doing 3,3,3 challenge currently.doing well with it
Useful. Thanks
Wonderful video, as always ❤
When I first heard the words SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING two years ago I thought it was about those crazies who clean furniture to a spit shine.
I watch a lot of RUclips self help videos but always steered clear of this topic.
It wasn't until a month ago that I learned the truth. I realized that I had been working towards that goal all along.😂
-Robin
funny how we all do similar mistakes!
Thank for for introducing me to a new decluttering system. I am very familiar with all of them except the 5S system. I’ll have to give that one some consideration.
Thank you, Sir. :)
Oh my gosh your comment on having numbers next to apps and your need to address or eliminate them is exactly something I do. Your frequency that you check them on average is right in line with me, lol and I too think it could be like OCD.
It's a blessing and a curse! LOL
@@TheNewRetiredMe amen to that a curse and a blessing ha ha ha
Very helpful, I've not heard about a few of these. The Marie Kondo Method for some reason just clicked for me and helped a lot.
very helpful!
That's why I recently stopped using the dishwasher cause I'd let dirty dishes sit in there to fill it to save water and electricity, but i'd need something and have to take it out and wash it not to mention it starts to stink, so now I lust wash what I use every time by hand and that works
Thanks for a great video.
Thanks so much!!! :)
I think I will do the 30 day minimalist way backwards, it will be easier and faster for me.😅
I decided at the beginning of this month to do the daily declutter..1 item on day one, 2 items on day 2, etc. Day 7 I got rid of about 15 items from the junk drawer. About half were charging cables that I have no idea what they go with. My son explained something about USB-A cables and USB-C cables. He went through them and gave me 3 that I should keep. The rest he said to throw out. Other misc. things went out as well. I can't seem to limit myself to getting rid of a certain number of items each day. So far I have gotten rid of more. I am now focusing on one small area at a time.
I like how you summed up different methods to decluttering. One thing that helped me was get all like items together in one spot when decluttering. I stored the same like items in different rooms and the basement. An example throws. I had 13 when I put them all in one place. I lived alone so this was an eye opener to the fact I stored things neatly and out of sight.
I think that’s a solid idea!
Hi Tim and your lovely Mum. Really enjoyed watching, big thank you. One of the areas I have a problem with, is parting with books. It’s a bit better, as I now have a Amazon kindle. But miss the smell and the excitement of opening a new book. It’s strange it seems to be different things, for everyone. I don’t tend to hold on to clothes and shoes. So that’s not a problem area. Keep up the good work. Best wishes from a wet and miserable uk.
Nothing wrong with real books! :)
Something I would add about konmari is that it relies heavily on an internal sensory experience. If you've ever looked into mbti personalities you can see why it won't work for everyone. Like the way she runs her hands across the clothes and explains how it makes her feel would be my weakest function. I naturally gravitate towards "how does this fit into the bigger picture/my life?" intuitive type of thinking. I need less external stress not more! 😂 Dragging everything out by category, touching it and making all the decisions at once is an overthinkers nightmare. So I didn't find it helpful.
The methods I do prefer is the Dana K White container concept, if it doesn't fit comfortably it goes, the clutterbug system (butterfly, visual and easy) and living in each space to see how it flows day by day. I don't really want much "dead space". My angle is trying to build a life from my vision and whatever works with that I go with. Leave the rest. Reverse engineering in a way.
isn't that true! we all are different!
I LOVE that you are doing these videos Sir! I used to have a decluttering business and found that men are more in need of these ideas and change of mindset than women (surprising, no?). I enjoy watching your process! I also found with more reluctant clients that suggesting 70% fill of space was helpful for some. Keep whatever they like/want/need as long as it doesn't fill more than 70% of the allocated "container" (ie: a box, a shelf, a drawer, a room, or a garage is a container, too) 👋
Great show Tim. When my wife get home I am going to have her watch this again with me. We started decluttering last year, but now our closets and garage look about the same. I really appreciate both of your podcasts.
Thank you! And good luck with your progress!
Hi there Tim, 😊 Nice practical
conversation about your thoughts on Christmas giving. 🎄 Isn't it funny how we think of all these things that actually cause undue angst rather than being able to focus more on the actual meaning of the
holiday. I remember my own family conversations a few years back and how by limiting our spending we still managed to have a great Christmas. With the never ending barrage of extended big sales, it's no wonder so many over the years take months or more to regain control of budgets after paying for some of these expected high end gifts. Your message is right on it. Good advice and nice to have the reminders and ways to help manage the stress that we shouldn't put on ourselves and others. It's always the part of the holidays that I believe many people don't look forward to. It has historically been tough wrangling for myself at times over how best to accomplish these tasks every year. Thanks 😊 Also, thanks for sharing some of the childhood memories that you've experienced.
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Love, love your videos. You have an eloquent way of dispersing your information. Decluttering is an ongoing thing in my life. I really like the 5S method you presented. On my to do list is to go through all my emails and bookmarked items on my computer. I did read Marie Kondo's book a few years ago and I use her method of folding clothes. My husband even likes that method! The Swedish Death method sounds appealing. I don't want my daughters to go through the tedious task of going through our things. I read somewhere that it is helpful to give things to your loved ones (things that they truly would like) while you are still alive so you can see your things being put to good use. I am looking forward to seeing more decluttering videos.
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You need to turn off notifications on your apps. That way you'll never see any new messages. I only turn on notifications for my Messages, Phone Calls, and Emails. Every app otherwise has OFF notifications.
I like Dana White's method, it primarily focuses on not making a bigger mess during a declutter, especially helpful if you have a lot of stuff to get rid of. If you empty out your entire closet onto the bed or a table (a la Kondo), what happens if you get called away or you have to leave? You're left with a big pile of clothes or whatever. If you just look at each item one x one while in the closet, just make a decision for each individual thing.
The 5S method sounds great. It seems to presume that people have dedicated spots for every item, and most people, even those who end up decluttering, don't. That was the key for me to maintain a tidy house ALL THE TIME - make sure everything we own has a dedicated storage spot. Otherwise, we'd fall off the wagon!
Great video.
cool thoughts
I use a bit of most of these strategies. In some areas, I need to reevaluate and get rid of more. It’s definitely a process, but I take my time so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Great video, Tim! It was very thought-provoking and motivational. Thumbs up.
Thank you!
Awesome information! Thanks so much. Have a blessed week❤
Its good to see older people like me talking about this. I cant relate to the young people who have maybe acumulated things for 2-3 years that they need to get rid of.
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I’ve been decluttering for three years now. It feels good each year, I start each January and It starts when I start spring cleaning.
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My method probably most closely resembles Marie Kondo's, but I do some of all of them. I never hear anyone use the expression "taking inventory", but I feel that's what Marie is saying. I'm a believer of pulling everything out and seeing just what and how many of the same thing I have. I call it "taking inventory" and then more appreciating what I keep and also disposing of the excess. Also, I'm more mindful of being able to find oddball items like electronics cables when I need them. I'm at the 'maintenance' stage rather than full-on decluttering, but I have a new project, and am seeing quite a few things, like sweaters I can get rid of as I never touched them this past winter. I'm going to launder them and donate them now. -Speaking of To Do lists. When I went through my office supplies, I found a To Do List paper pad. I laughed, but I started using it for things I don't want to do, but need to do. It's been surprisingly helpful. Thanks for your videos. I enjoy listening to you.
I did a modified Maria Kondo method, I look through every piece of clothing, but did not pull out everything and pile them in the middle of the room. It was amazing how much clothing I had in my small closet.
-Pretty much 99% of all my office clothes went to sell and donate. I toss and donated all synthetic materials.
-Most of the office shoes, to my chagrin was disintegrating. Didn’t wear for 15 years, 😮 so, tossed.
-Sold most of my handbags, all 100% leather, still in great condition.
- Donated some winter coats.
- Replaced husband’s worn tee shirts. Tossed his worn shirts.
It feels liberating.
Now to the books 😮.
Very helpful Tim, and motivating. Love the photograph over your left shoulder. Peace.
Thank you! That's a photo I took in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Absolutely love it!
@@TheNewRetiredMe Beautiful!
I retired in June 2020 from the biggest Library system in the state. I probably read every book on decluttering. Marie Kondo’s clothes folding method got me a whole empty drawer! And made me aware of what makes me happy. Mark Brunetz book Take the U out of Clutter helped me to not beat myself up about where I was at and gave some good advice. The Swedish Death Cleaning book helped me consider my kids, but since I’m probably not going anywhere soon, it wasn’t too helpful. The book that was amazing to me was Dana K. White’s book: Decluttering at the Speed of Life. Her book helped me so so much. Going a little bit at a time, being aware of the container concept (everything is a container, like a drawer, a cupboard, a room, your house…) helped me make choices. Which really nice dishes do I keep? What antique furniture do I get rid of? Then Cas at Clutterbug helped me figure out how to organize it. I’m thankful for the journey and exceptionally grateful to Dana K White from a Slob Comes Clean.
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So enjoyed and appreciated this video, my first of yours. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how you choose to fill your time. I’m 70, retired for 12 years, and am just getting over a bad case of flu (had the vaccine, wear mask when out, all that). Over the years, I had gradually allowed myself to fill much of my time with online games. I was unable to play while ill and uninterested as I began to recover. Instead, I began to watch RUclips, learning about aspects of others’ lives, learning the values and philosophies that infuse their lives and fuel their pursuits. I’m in the process of adding intention as I redirect my energies now and feeling almost immeasurably more satisfied. Pursuing this has refueled my cleaning, organizing, and decluttering work, which had come to a standstill. Hearing your decluttering journey has further inspired me! Many thanks for sharing, and I’m eager to learn your next steps!
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Hi Tim, I have heard of all these methods of decluttering over the past couple of years. I listen with interest, and perhaps I am more motivated by Swedish Death Cleaning as I do not want to burden my dear cousin and her daughter when I go.
Basically, I have used my own method of decluttering, and that is to remove all items I no longer want including dramatically down sizing my collections of Irish Belleek porcelain and Australian studio art glass by 80% each. I have also removed 18 pieces of furniture from my home and donated them to a Christian charity shop in town. I have had hundreds of trips into town with bags and bags of donations over the past couple of years. I am nearing the end of my decluttering journey, as my home now is very minimal with only furniture that I actually use and is decorated tastefully throughout. Every item has a home, and it is always returned to that place. Also, since decluttering most items (around 80% in total) I am no longer purchasing new stuff to bring back into my home. The only time anything new comes into the house is because I need to replace something... recently a new fridge/freezer and a sofa, but the old ones were taken away (one in one out!).
I would like to add that it makes cleaning the house very quick which is delightful, and it is okay to have empty spaces in a room.
Thank you, Tim for sharing your thoughts, and as always, I really enjoy your videos. Blessings from Aussie Gloria 😊
My clothes are all on hangers in my closet hanging on one long rod. Everything I wear I wash and hang on the right side. After 3 or 4 months I will start removing clothes from the left that I didn't wear and take them out and donate. I have way too many clothes I don't wear.
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I have followed most of the methods for several years now and downsized easily last year. Going to give the 5S a go ! Thank you for your time & videos.
Good video. Thank you. Blessings to you.
Thank you dear cousin
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Heck no, I’m making my spoiled only child earn his inheritance.😂
LOL.
My dad emptied my grandparents’ house by putting most of their stuff in his garage attic. My sisters and I got a double whammy when we moved him to a nursing home. We do not want our kids to live a similar experience with our stuff. My husband and I try to be mindful of what comes in and goes out of our house. It’s an ongoing project but feels good to get rid of things we don’t want or need. Our lives are constantly changing and what we own today may have no value to us in a couple or few years!
Great video Tim, yes I think you have a really great group following you, and foe a good reason. I don’t know if you remember Peter Walsh’ he had a show called clean sweep ‘ and was on Oprah. He is my favourite decluttering person… there is a episode that he moves into a couples house… lol! Worth the view , it opened up my eyes for sure… love how you get to the point, and keep it interesting…. Have a great week.😊
Thank you for another great video. 33 items of clothing is a lot. Backpacking and tramping has taught me you really don't need more than 6 to 12 main articles of clothing, exclusive of undies and foot wear. I have done a 14 day cruise with a day and a half over seas commute on each end and took a backpack and small carry on bag I checked each way, 55L worth total. I could have taken less and fit in 40L and ditched the checked wheeled luggage. If it is enough for 2 weeks it is enough to substantiate travel indefinitely. Travels with less are so much more enjoyable. Thank you again for researching and presenting this material in videos.
I guess I made up my own method that worked for me when we retired to a smaller home. No big totes or bins, no cardboard boxes, no storage. I neatly put things in closets and cupboards, starting with my favorite things and when I said that's enough....everything else was donated. Just knowing that I never need to clean out an attic, shed, basement or garage again for the rest of my life is very freeing. Everything I own I can see and keep neat. If things are in storage and you don't use them why keep them?
good method! excellent thinking! Thank you for sharing. I really liked that you just picked up your favorite items and that was enough!
@@akontariniThat was much easier to my brain than thinking of what I should get rid of. It seems more positive to focus on what you want to keep.
I started out with the Kondo method. That got rid of quite a bit of clutter and piles of collections. Next was, 1 in and 1 out. That included getting rid of an over abundance of clothes, jackets, sweaters and coats. I have only recently been thinking about cleaning and taking care of one room a day throughout the week. In doing that, I will eventually have everything in its place and I will be able to see the quantity of items and then cull those as well. Also remembering not to buy anymore unneeded items. Great insight Tim. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I am decluttering with Dana K White and clean with The Fly Lady app. The 5S method looks interesting and yet I can see the overlap with all the systems. The Kon Mari method did not work at all for me and I had 3 piles of things in my living room for a few months. Where the no mess Dana K White method works the best for me as there is “progress only progress”.
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This is such great information that I really needed to hear today!
Thank you so much for sharing! 👍👍