I think spreading the message of minimalism among the younger generation is very important. Once you have crossed the 40s or 50s, have a large house with associated possessions, the biggest opportunities and benefits of minimalism are gone. But not starting to accumulate in the first place, in your 20s and 30s, that can lead to a very different life with more disposal income for adventures and experiences. You're doing a great job with your channel!
I started my minimalist decluttering journey a year ago. My son had moved out so i took the opportunity to use his old room as a place to sort and declutter. Sad to admkt it became a junk room. I started off as many ppl suggested with my closet and then bathrooms. Trouble is I've cleared out those spaces before several times so it didn't actually motivate me to move on to more difficult challenges. Today i am going big! I am decluttering my son's old room (now my declutter junk room), reclaiming it and making it a space to bring me peace of mind. I am confodent that in completing this task i can spread that motivation to the rest of my home. As you suggested here, Sarah, i visualized how i want that space to be, look, and feel. Thank you
"This is YOUR path"...indeed it is. As always an excellent video and great tips. Sarah, you are gold. Please continue to enlighten us with your wisdom. And dont ever stop making RUclips videos. God bless.
An important lesson I learned about decluttering, is not to dump your problem on someone else. It can be easy to offer your unneeded items to someone else, but many people accept things they don’t want out of a sense of obligation. I try very hard to only offer something I want to declutter to someone else if I know it is something that they have wanted/need. Instead I’ll donate items so that someone who really wants it will get it.
I've been going through a LOT of minimalist channels, and yours is definitely way up there! Love the emphasis you place on the emotional and preparational aspects of decluttering yourself toward minimalism.
I’m on this journey as well and I want you to know this video is a favorite! What you’re sharing is such excellent, well thought out advice. Thank you! ❤️😘
My Goal is to have a functional Space that is convenient for me and makes sense. The reason why alot of people waste so much time cleaning is that they clean by stuffing as much as possible in a cupboards and bins that they have to wiggle and move a bunch of jammed items to access and look for what they want to use. Then they have to put it all back. There is a difference between having a clean space and having a functional space. Ask yourself does this item where it is make sense? and Is this item layout functional or can I make more frequently used items or projects in a more functional layout? To fix this the Gap Principle works well. Cupboards and drawers should not be completely full and have a gap of wiggle room so everything can be accessed easily without moving and shifting any items. Even a Cup on a desk with pens and pencils should have space in it and not be stuffed with 40 pencils and pens because you have to dig around to use an item. Instead have a few pens or pencils a marker maybe a ruler and scissors with plenty of space. Certain items you use the most or projects you are working on can be put in shallow containers on a shelf with no lid on it to just grab and use an item you need quickly and easily. I also think that deciding how many duplicates of food or an item you want to store in your space is good because it prevents impulse buys and hundreds of dollars of expired food to be thrown out and duplicates to he bought due to forgotting about duplicates in the back of a dark cupboard each year. Buying one multivitamin bottle at a time instead of bulk makes you healthier because new vitamins are at maximum effectiveness while old 3 year old vitamins are less effective.
Such a great post! I was thinking about my mum's home the whole time when I read what you wrote. Her home is so complicated, and she has to move so many things just to get to the things she need... like a tetris. I have a fear that my home will end up like that if I go on buying things. I would hate it. Anyway, I started getting more minimal by getting rid of clothes because my drawers were so full, and it was a problem to take things out and put things in. So annoying! Some air and some empty space is much better. 😊 I am glad I could get rid of things I don't need, or like, anymore. Now it isn't crowded. We have a beautiful and more peaceful home now. 😊
After 20 years of accumulating a certain style in the home I am now decluttering what I can. But I can’t just get rid of furniture that I bought to buy new styles, so I’m not sure how to visualize a space with the old furniture I have, but I’m trying
Great point, Diane! Maybe you could try to use your current furniture as part of your visualizations? For example, if you have a bookshelf, visualize your bookshelf with the ideal amount of items on it. If you have a dresser or drawers of some sort, imagine how easy it would feel to get what you need if they weren't too crowded and if the items in each space had enough space to breathe. Does that help?
Abundantly Minimal Perfect idea I have a bookcase which is loaded with games and books that no one has read in years that is what I will focus on. Great advice thanks
Just have to comment on how well your videos are done. From finding your channel from the Dr Bronners 18-1 use video up to now the quality is amazing. You guys are a great inspiration.
I’ve started with the 1:1 rule, but easily made it into a 1:8 rule instead. I don’t have that many multiples, but I have many, many things that I need to eliminate. I’m hoping to be down to 1:1 by summer 2020!
Abundantly Minimal I read somewhere that if you take a picture of the item and keep it in one photo album you still basically have the memory. Although, I have not succeeded at this yet
Great question, Cheryl! Family heirlooms are tricky. My personal approach fits with the tip from the video "keep the best, declutter the rest". If there are a large number of heirlooms, sometimes people think that all items must be kept to remember a person by, but that can get very overwhelming and the more we keep, the more it dilutes the value of each one. Quality over quantity. Of course, this is a highly personal topic, so do what feels right to you.
I say...take a picture😊 of item then donate it ....therefore someone who loves it just as much will want it😊 and use it.😊 Im big on taking a *Picture of things that im ...Emotionally... Attached too....and then i ... Donate it because i know there is someone out there...who truly!!! ....needs it.😊 Some People like to Sell their Clutter...if you have the patience and time to do that...then that's a good idea as well😊 I just love ...donating mines😊 I heard once...if you had a ..fire...besides your loved ones....💛 what items!... would you grab on way out of the fire...? Then that's the thing that is the most! Important ....look around .....what thing /item would you...grab...in case of fire? Well that's the only thing thats important ! 😊 Good luck to us all... Especially the ones like myself who was collecting ....Stuff!.. From....NOT....having...from my childhood and teens.... So i had always...vowed...that when i got...grown!....i would always have whatever i...wanted!..... I should have said...i will always have whatever i.... NEED!.... Not...Want....Want ! Just accumulates!...."CLUTTER"!!! Always get only what You ...NEED....not....Want. P.S ... Love From Brooklyn N.Y 👍🏿👍🏿😊
Paper clutter isn't in my vision for our home. I have digitalised hundreds of the important ones during Covid-19. I took very fast pictures of them with my phone and named them with dates of the paper and the headline. Then I placed them in named folders. I feel so much better without the papers! 😊😊😊 If I need the information I still have it, but now without collecting dust or taking up space in our cabinet. I did the same with drawings and paintings. Just a few could stay. Now I have about 25 instead of 5000. 😁😊😊
Keep the best, declutter the rest 😍 I love it!! Especially helpful in thinning out large collections
You rock, Vera! Thanks for stopping by!
My two fave minimalist RUclipsrs know each other! 💗
I think spreading the message of minimalism among the younger generation is very important. Once you have crossed the 40s or 50s, have a large house with associated possessions, the biggest opportunities and benefits of minimalism are gone. But not starting to accumulate in the first place, in your 20s and 30s, that can lead to a very different life with more disposal income for adventures and experiences. You're doing a great job with your channel!
If I could love a comment more than once, I would! I agree with everything you said, Tanja! Thank you!
So true!
I started my minimalist decluttering journey a year ago. My son had moved out so i took the opportunity to use his old room as a place to sort and declutter. Sad to admkt it became a junk room. I started off as many ppl suggested with my closet and then bathrooms. Trouble is I've cleared out those spaces before several times so it didn't actually motivate me to move on to more difficult challenges. Today i am going big! I am decluttering my son's old room (now my declutter junk room), reclaiming it and making it a space to bring me peace of mind. I am confodent that in completing this task i can spread that motivation to the rest of my home. As you suggested here, Sarah, i visualized how i want that space to be, look, and feel. Thank you
I'm so proud of you! That is wonderful! You've got this!
Thank you.. I’ve found your ideas to be realistic and very helpful.. I appreciate your help.👏❤️
I'm so happy to hear that, Carole! Thank you!
"This is YOUR path"...indeed it is. As always an excellent video and great tips. Sarah, you are gold. Please continue to enlighten us with your wisdom. And dont ever stop making RUclips videos. God bless.
Thank you, Vaishali! You are so kind and your words mean a lot to me!
An important lesson I learned about decluttering, is not to dump your problem on someone else. It can be easy to offer your unneeded items to someone else, but many people accept things they don’t want out of a sense of obligation. I try very hard to only offer something I want to declutter to someone else if I know it is something that they have wanted/need. Instead I’ll donate items so that someone who really wants it will get it.
Absolutely, Alexa! This is actually a video topic I have planned for the spring!
I've been going through a LOT of minimalist channels, and yours is definitely way up there! Love the emphasis you place on the emotional and preparational aspects of decluttering yourself toward minimalism.
Thank you so much, Jenn! I really appreciate that!
@@AbundantlyMinimal Just worked through your Types of Declutting Guilt e-book, and it was very helpful! Keep up the great work. 💗
I’m on this journey as well and I want you to know this video is a favorite! What you’re sharing is such excellent, well thought out advice. Thank you! ❤️😘
Thank you so much, Cassy! I'm really happy to hear that!
My Goal is to have a functional Space that is convenient for me and makes sense. The reason why alot of people waste so much time cleaning is that they clean by stuffing as much as possible in a cupboards and bins that they have to wiggle and move a bunch of jammed items to access and look for what they want to use. Then they have to put it all back. There is a difference between having a clean space and having a functional space. Ask yourself does this item where it is make sense? and Is this item layout functional or can I make more frequently used items or projects in a more functional layout? To fix this the Gap Principle works well. Cupboards and drawers should not be completely full and have a gap of wiggle room so everything can be accessed easily without moving and shifting any items.
Even a Cup on a desk with pens and pencils should have space in it and not be stuffed with 40 pencils and pens because you have to dig around to use an item. Instead have a few pens or pencils a marker maybe a ruler and scissors with plenty of space. Certain items you use the most or projects you are working on can be put in shallow containers on a shelf with no lid on it to just grab and use an item you need quickly and easily.
I also think that deciding how many duplicates of food or an item you want to store in your space is good because it prevents impulse buys and hundreds of dollars of expired food to be thrown out and duplicates to he bought due to forgotting about duplicates in the back of a dark cupboard each year. Buying one multivitamin bottle at a time instead of bulk makes you healthier because new vitamins are at maximum effectiveness while old 3 year old vitamins are less effective.
That is a great goal!
Such a great post! I was thinking about my mum's home the whole time when I read what you wrote. Her home is so complicated, and she has to move so many things just to get to the things she need... like a tetris. I have a fear that my home will end up like that if I go on buying things. I would hate it. Anyway, I started getting more minimal by getting rid of clothes because my drawers were so full, and it was a problem to take things out and put things in. So annoying! Some air and some empty space is much better. 😊 I am glad I could get rid of things I don't need, or like, anymore. Now it isn't crowded. We have a beautiful and more peaceful home now. 😊
After 20 years of accumulating a certain style in the home I am now decluttering what I can. But I can’t just get rid of furniture that I bought to buy new styles, so I’m not sure how to visualize a space with the old furniture I have, but I’m trying
Great point, Diane! Maybe you could try to use your current furniture as part of your visualizations? For example, if you have a bookshelf, visualize your bookshelf with the ideal amount of items on it. If you have a dresser or drawers of some sort, imagine how easy it would feel to get what you need if they weren't too crowded and if the items in each space had enough space to breathe. Does that help?
Abundantly Minimal Perfect idea I have a bookcase which is loaded with games and books that no one has read in years that is what I will focus on. Great advice thanks
You are the best Sarah 🥰 such a feel good video .... very realistic
Thank you, Payal! You are the best! :)
Abundantly Minimal Awww 💓
Just have to comment on how well your videos are done. From finding your channel from the Dr Bronners 18-1 use video up to now the quality is amazing. You guys are a great inspiration.
Gosh, Angelo, thank you so much! I really appreciate that!
Thanks for this video! The Roadmap download is excellent.
I'm so happy to hear that, Sharon! Thank you!
I’ve started with the 1:1 rule, but easily made it into a 1:8 rule instead. I don’t have that many multiples, but I have many, many things that I need to eliminate. I’m hoping to be down to 1:1 by summer 2020!
Props to you! That is a wonderful goal!
You are such an inspiration and help!
Thank you so much, Sheila! You are always so kind!
Great info and ideas to get started. I am starting out the new year with a new plan. Thanks!
That's awesome, Donna! I wish you luck!
Merry Christmas to you both xx
Thank you, Michelle! Merry Christmas to you too!
Abundantly Minimal xxx
The most difficult things are sentimental. They trigger memories for me, so I don’t want to let go. 💔
Absolutely! An important question is to reflect about how we can trigger the memories in other ways that are non-stuff related.
Abundantly Minimal I read somewhere that if you take a picture of the item and keep it in one photo album you still basically have the memory. Although, I have not succeeded at this yet
Yes that can be hard. I took pictures of some things. Then I can look back at the picture instead.
You and this video are very nice. I liked so much!
I'm in this process since 2013 (from Brazil).
Thank you so much, Maria!
Hi Sarah such great tips I like the one where you say keep the best and declutter the rest. Happy Winter Solstice.🌲❤
Hi Cathy! I'm glad you liked that tip!
Thanks Sarah ! This helped me realize what I want to bring with me into my new space and new perspectives on minimalism..
I'm so glad to hear that, Abby!
Sarah, thank you! This was also encouraging and helpful for me as well ~ one of your successful decluttering followers 🦉✅💕
Aww, thank you, Enni!
I've watched many a minimalist / Decluttering videos...this young lady is by far the....BEST!👏👏👏
Love from Brooklyn N.Y 😊
You are the sweetest! Thank you so much!
@@AbundantlyMinimal 🙏😊🙏
I have learned so much!! ❤️❤️
I'm so happy to hear that, Lisa!
Thank you
Thank you xx
You are welcome!
Do you have suggestions for when you receive family heirlooms that do not fit in your minimalist space?
Great question, Cheryl! Family heirlooms are tricky. My personal approach fits with the tip from the video "keep the best, declutter the rest". If there are a large number of heirlooms, sometimes people think that all items must be kept to remember a person by, but that can get very overwhelming and the more we keep, the more it dilutes the value of each one. Quality over quantity. Of course, this is a highly personal topic, so do what feels right to you.
Something that worked for me was to offer items to other family members. They were very happy to receive them.
I say...take a picture😊 of item then donate it ....therefore someone who loves it just as much will want it😊 and use it.😊
Im big on taking a *Picture of things that im ...Emotionally...
Attached too....and then i ...
Donate it because i know there is someone out there...who truly!!! ....needs it.😊
Some People like to Sell their
Clutter...if you have the patience and time to do that...then that's a good idea as well😊
I just love ...donating mines😊
I heard once...if you had a ..fire...besides your loved ones....💛
what items!... would you grab on way out of the fire...?
Then that's the thing that is the most! Important ....look around
.....what thing /item would you...grab...in case of fire?
Well that's the only thing thats important ! 😊
Good luck to us all...
Especially the ones like myself who was collecting ....Stuff!..
From....NOT....having...from my childhood and teens....
So i had always...vowed...that when i got...grown!....i would always have whatever i...wanted!.....
I should have said...i will always have whatever i....
NEED!....
Not...Want....Want ! Just accumulates!...."CLUTTER"!!!
Always get only what You ...NEED....not....Want.
P.S ...
Love From Brooklyn N.Y 👍🏿👍🏿😊
Paper clutter isn't in my vision for our home. I have digitalised hundreds of the important ones during Covid-19. I took very fast pictures of them with my phone and named them with dates of the paper and the headline. Then I placed them in named folders. I feel so much better without the papers! 😊😊😊 If I need the information I still have it, but now without collecting dust or taking up space in our cabinet. I did the same with drawings and paintings. Just a few could stay. Now I have about 25 instead of 5000. 😁😊😊
Congratulations, Stina! That is a huge accomplishment!
Thank You so much
Very good tips sarah
Thank you, Badrool! I hope you are well!
👏🏽👏🏽