Extreme Declutter Results (👋 95% is GONE!) | Before & After » HOARDER TO MINIMALISM Family of 4

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  • Опубликовано: 1 апр 2021
  • Well, here it is - my sad hoarder to minimalist family journey. What started off as a KonMari declutter turned into an extreme decluttering of my entire life. I hope to help others who are on their own minimalism journey by sharing these before and after decluttering results from our journey to family minimalism. I can honestly say becoming a minimalist mom has profoundly changed my life and made us much happier, calmer, and freer as a family. While the 30 years of sentimental clutter and toy clutter were the hardest to get rid of, they were also the most rewarding! Yes, I sold EVERYTHING (well, I donated and gave away a lot, too) and our minimalist family of 4 moved to Europe to meet up with our 20+ in-laws. I hope to share a 2021 minimalist home tour soon, as well.
    If you think decluttering is hard YOU ARE NOT ALONE! But I know if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO! Take care and big hugs and lots of healing.
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    __________
    ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
    I was an emotional hoarder who couldn’t let go. My husband grew up poor in rural China. Now we are a happy & debt-free minimalist family living our dream life in Europe.
    Minimalism changed my life - now I want to help YOU unclutter your happiness!
    OUR STORY: atozenlife.com/about-a-to-zen...
    __________
    NOTE: This description may contain affiliate links; these links allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no additional cost to yourself. While this channel may earn a small amount when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links.
    #minimalism #minimalist #extremedeclutter
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Комментарии • 7 тыс.

  • @angelaayala296
    @angelaayala296 3 года назад +1895

    "That empty space is actually full" - Absolutely beautiful. I'm crying.

    • @Venus-bb7cd
      @Venus-bb7cd 3 года назад +26

      Yes! That definitely resonated with me. I recently realized I like open echoey spaces...even in a home. They just feel cleaner.

    • @toniamcdonald1838
      @toniamcdonald1838 3 года назад +10

      Me too.

    • @abundancerelaxation199
      @abundancerelaxation199 2 года назад +9

      I’m crying too

    • @khan_rukayya
      @khan_rukayya 2 года назад +5

      same here😭😭😭that sentence💔💔💔 was so heart touching

    • @tohilola
      @tohilola 2 года назад +1

      I hope one day, I'll like you 🙏 Love it!🥰

  • @LisaIsabelle
    @LisaIsabelle 3 года назад +2375

    This isn't minimalism. This is therapy. ♥

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +161

      Maybe a bit of both. 😉

    • @TheNerdistheWord
      @TheNerdistheWord 3 года назад +46

      Same thing?

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +36

      @@TheNerdistheWord ✨👏✨

    • @TheNerdistheWord
      @TheNerdistheWord 3 года назад +105

      ❤️ Marie Kondo deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for how she’s changed so many lives. She gives incredible perspective when so many of us struggle to get rid of things we hold so dear and cause such frustration.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +33

      @@TheNerdistheWord I would 💯 vote for that!

  • @mrsp5713
    @mrsp5713 Год назад +64

    Currently crying. Here I am two years later after you published this video and it just the right time for me. Thank you for your vulnerability.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @tanyakopel
    @tanyakopel Год назад +328

    My mom passed two and a half years ago. We still haven't touched her things. It feels so overwhelming. I don't know where to start even. This was very inspirational to me. Thank you.

    • @ylime5544
      @ylime5544 Год назад +7

      Wishing you all the best.♥️

    • @dunjabakic4012
      @dunjabakic4012 Год назад +14

      It helps when someone who loved her is with you while doing this. When my father died, I was paralised and depressed for years. All I was able to do is to get rid of his dentures. I mean what...? Then something happened in me and I did the same as Marissa.

    • @Cole_Cross
      @Cole_Cross Год назад +18

      I've been at it for 3+ years with my gma's OCD clean neat hoarding (child of cold war style hoarding--bags rubber bands paper everything..neatly stored for 70-80 years) It's a goldmine of vintage sales however after 3 years, I'm over it. I set a timer now and do about 20 mins at a time. If i can do more, great! Some days I don't do anything. Usually the hardest part is starting. Find a box, just one, and dump it. Flatten the box (don't do like i did and have a pile that's still sitting there--after working in vet med and being a stock manager I have a special hatred of packing supplies) OR keep box and make a donate pile that goes IMMEDIATELY into the car. Have a trash bag ready. If you cant let go, take a picture and make a lil hardback book for the shelf. Ask yourself "will this item help me lead the life *I want to lead?" (not considering anyone else but you, your mental health and life goals) if the answer is no, don't look back.

    • @ashleydobson1532
      @ashleydobson1532 Год назад +4

      @@dunjabakic4012 agree! Having another person there to empathize and motivate it so important 💙

    • @ashleydobson1532
      @ashleydobson1532 Год назад +1

      💙💙💙

  • @coritellastory
    @coritellastory Год назад +275

    This video is what content should be. it's not always about education. it's a story worth telling. so many empty videos but this one is UNFORGETTABLE

  • @sisu411
    @sisu411 3 года назад +802

    I'm not a hoarder. I have a "normal" amount of stuff. But sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by all the things in my apartment. I started decluttering during the first lockdown. I'm still on it. And I feel soooooo free already...

    • @myrtheweehuizen3209
      @myrtheweehuizen3209 3 года назад +9

      I've lived out of a suitcase for years and can still feel overwhelmed 🤣 But owning less and only what I love makes me feel so much lighter!

    • @jimnjele.bean-dayone3505
      @jimnjele.bean-dayone3505 3 года назад +3

      Wow...I love you opening comments..."I'm not a hoarder. I have a "normal" amount of stuff"....Funny, I wonder what a "Normal" amount of stuff is, looks like, etc and I also wonder how long it takes to get rid of it....

    • @peaceofmindofpeace1650
      @peaceofmindofpeace1650 3 года назад +8

      Yes it's a wonderful feeling 😊😊😊
      I bought a bigger house in other area of the country but I feel unhappy. I am going back to the city I love.
      I had a traumatic experience few years ago. I'm currently also struggling with bullying behavior at work and very tired but what makes me happy is that I am selling this place. Cleaning my stuff. Getting rid of extra stuff and I will move back to a new appartment. Simple life is better for me.
      Three big, light rooms are better than a big house for me personally.
      I created a beautiful place here and I hope that the buyer will enjoy it but I am gone to my sweet serene appartment.
      Less is more fits me perfect. Whether in a big or small house.
      Minimalism can be applied anywhere
      🙏🏡😊

    • @Catbooks
      @Catbooks 3 года назад

      @@new-lviv Very true words, both sentences. No matter what the learning from it is, it's valuable.

    • @norahelaine6041
      @norahelaine6041 3 года назад +7

      Honestly, having things makes me feel trapped and gives me anxiety. I don’t care for things. I recently went to the Caribbean for an entire month with my husband and toddler son. I didn’t want to return. My only thought was to coke back for my photos off the wall. Otherwise, I didn’t have to set foot back home. I’m former military plus I grew up poor...it could be those two things that have shaped my life this way. I’m used to frequently living out of a duffel bag and being ready to uproot without notice.

  • @juno4477
    @juno4477 Год назад +122

    This was so powerful! My sons father left when I was 4 months pregnant and I have had sole custody. We had to move 5 times before finding our forever home and I hauled all this stuff from house to house even spending so much money on storage units. Last yr my son who is now 6 was diagnosed with ADHD combine type. Everything I read talked about the negative effects clutter can have on ADHD. So for the past yr I have been working diligently to decluttering and just recently came to the realization that when I first had him we didn’t have a lot so through fear I held on to everything we had. Now as my house becomes less cluttered I’ve seen improvements in my son and how freeing it is to let go. I know my story is very different but hearing yours is very empowering thank you for sharing your journey.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад +1

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

    • @sandylova12
      @sandylova12 10 месяцев назад +1

      It is a great motivation!!😊

    • @ncallen9582
      @ncallen9582 8 месяцев назад +1

      ADHA isn't real. We all have different personalities and strengths. America has an obsession with diagnosis and putting people in boxes.

    • @EmL-kg5gn
      @EmL-kg5gn 6 месяцев назад +2

      Thank you for sharing this. I have adhd and even though I struggle to take care of my things no matter how hard I try, I didn’t realise that clutter might be affecting me more than most people. Maybe I shouldn’t expect myself to manage as many things as others can? It’s difficult because I’m sentimental but in the long run it would be much easier if I didn’t have as many things to keep track of and keep tidy. Thank you for working so hard to give your son a good start in this aspect of life!! Decluttering isn’t an easy process and it’s hard to work through those kinds of fears, I imagine it would be even harder as a parent. It sounds like you’re doing really well and I hope you’re proud of yourself and your son!

  • @kbh94
    @kbh94 Год назад +41

    I made the mistake of watching your video while putting my makeup on...I was not prepared for the outflow of tears your beautifully deep words would bring forth. But they were brought forth. And I'm grateful that they were. I see there is hope for those traumatized by painful childhoods who now seek comfort in boxes filled with things. I'm moving right now from a 4600sq.ft. home to an 800 sq.ft. apartment and I'm feeling so stuck and so torn because my things cannot fit in my new place. How I had them spread out in my home will not do in a small apartment. So I'm forced to sell, donate, and throw out. Which I believe will be good for me in the long run, but right now I'm feeling emotionally devastated for having to declutter and get rid of boxes filled with 28 years worth of things. Your video inspired me that healing is possible...and decluttering may be painful now but it will be worth it later. Thank you.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @ladyann7001
    @ladyann7001 3 года назад +429

    The trigger warning in the beginning was wonderful and respectfully given. Thank you.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @BusinessTipsWithYulianna
    @BusinessTipsWithYulianna 2 года назад +615

    I am not a hoarder. I have a “normal” amount of stuff. But sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by all the things in my house. I started declutering during the lockdown. I am still on it. And I feel sooooo free already....

    • @rowanfranck4111
      @rowanfranck4111 2 года назад +39

      i would argue that hoarding is socially encouraged and enabled, and if anything, 90+% of people living a "modern western lifestyle" are hoarders

    • @altanaeliza
      @altanaeliza 2 года назад +26

      Sad but true. Consumerism at it's peak in this modern world

    • @Fverheijden
      @Fverheijden 2 года назад +2

      L

    • @raysi6931
      @raysi6931 2 года назад +2

      Same

    • @lindass5966
      @lindass5966 2 года назад +6

      @@rowanfranck4111 I'm not a hoarder, neither were my parents. I throw stuff out all the time. I do keep clothing until it has holes in it though. This video did give me more ideas though

  • @awoocow6026
    @awoocow6026 Год назад +35

    I am 23 and I lived with a hoarding grandmother and in general messy parents. We always had crap and I always felt so suffocated. I am living with my fiance and I've noticed that since our relationship started I have slowly but surely added junk to our house. It sucks. I want to get rid of it lol, but I also grew up poor so I now that I can finally afford things, it is hard to stop. But it's not healthy for me. I am trying to minimalize my setting and create a relaxing space that is fresh, peaceful, but also full of creative possibility. Thank you for this, didn't realize I needed to see it.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

    • @edithgruber2125
      @edithgruber2125 11 месяцев назад +3

      Thank you for your comment, I can really relate. Same situation here. I grew up with my grandmother in the same house and as a WW2 survivor, she was a hoarder, too. She had experienced hunger and material scarcity in her youth so she was collecting everything and buying in bulk once conditions improved. I'm still struggling with keeping my flat tidy because of the impact that had on me. I understand that my grandmother's trauma caused her behaviour, I don't blame her. It's just something I have to overcome. I found some of the tips on this channel useful, like starting with short decluttering sessions of 10-15 minutes, one drawer / box at a time.

  • @kapow.
    @kapow. Год назад +76

    I'm so glad that you acknowledged how sentimental items can be, and how it can be a VERY long, emotional process to let things go. A lot of cleaning videos seem pretty flippant about 'purging everything we own!' I'm glad that someone addressed the issue of GRIEF slowing things down. 💙

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @elizabethallen9770
    @elizabethallen9770 2 года назад +352

    🚪65 years of holding onto things because it was instilled in me that throwing away parents belongings meant you didn’t love them anymore. But after watching many stories like this I know now that I could have been living the life I wanted instead of living my parents life of holding onto objects. Thank you for sharing and helping me begin my journey. ❤️❤️❤️🚪😊😊

    • @Therealhousewifeofreno
      @Therealhousewifeofreno Год назад +23

      I can relate. I bought my parents house after my mom passed. Getting rid of things has been hard for me because my mom valued her things so much. But it’s been suffocating me for 5 years. So this summer I started getting rid of things and it has been so freeing!

    • @Jake-co3wk
      @Jake-co3wk Год назад +7

      OMG - I am living my parents' life with their objects!!! Thank you for your comment.

    • @lesiokM
      @lesiokM Год назад +3

      Same

    • @pgmaxtwo
      @pgmaxtwo Год назад +1

      🚪

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @lindalrb3864
    @lindalrb3864 2 года назад +429

    I did this four years ago. But before I let anything go, I took pictures of items I wanted to remember. It sure made the stress of letting go a lot easier. Blessings

    • @Annnabannanna
      @Annnabannanna 2 года назад +20

      I don't even have storage for that :)

    • @samanthafreeman4315
      @samanthafreeman4315 2 года назад +15

      I did that with some things. I dont even have those photos anymore because I learned that I didn't even need that anymore.

    • @girlpower5703
      @girlpower5703 2 года назад +7

      I let my sneakers go and clothes. It makes me happier

    • @toothfairy5352
      @toothfairy5352 2 года назад +16

      For me I hoard pictures, I currently have 43,000 pictures on my phone and almost 1,300 videos. & that’s just on my latest phone 😞. I waste £7 a month for 2tbs to store photos I never look at 😞.

    • @toothfairy5352
      @toothfairy5352 2 года назад +5

      @@girlpower5703 thanks, this give me reassurance it’s gonna be worth it

  • @erindurie4913
    @erindurie4913 Год назад +31

    🚪I've been on my KonMari decluttering journey for 3 years and am still nowhere close to being done. It is very difficult to confront and be honest with yourself. You are an inspiration and watching your videos is motivating me to putter along my journey after being stuck in a rut. Thank you! 🙏

    • @dr.christopherjohnson4178
      @dr.christopherjohnson4178 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @michalinaopaczynska3003
    @michalinaopaczynska3003 3 месяца назад +3

    I think this is my favourite video on minimalism, a short piece of art. I can feel the calm and healing coming from this video

  • @Scratchync
    @Scratchync 3 года назад +306

    🚪🚪🚪🚪
    I started my journey this year. After years of loss, bankruptcy, divorce, a fire, more loss, illness, etc...... I am FINALLY starting to let go of the "things" that weigh me down like an anchor 😢😢

    • @ms.anonymousinformer242
      @ms.anonymousinformer242 3 года назад +7

      The more time you put into it, it goes away quicker. But the more time that goes by IN BETWEEN working on decluttering ....well that slows down the progress. I went from having an entire basement worth of stuff in 2012 to 1 room full in 2015....fast forward... I am still working on a rooms worth of stuff , that is split up between 3 areas. The main bedrooms, living ,dining areas are between 99% decluttered, and on its way to minimalism style....just still getting there with those areas.

    • @taniayager3361
      @taniayager3361 3 года назад +10

      We entered our life with nothing and we will leave our lives with nothing. That is something I always refer to! I've decluttered several times but I aim to purge myself of all the junk hopefully for the last time. After all do we really need all these things which also clutter our minds?

    • @Scratchync
      @Scratchync 3 года назад +5

      @@taniayager3361 , what I hoard/clutter is my children's baby items, favorite baby outfits, photos, etc... I know WHY I do it. It is because I do not even have a baby photo of myself or any childhood memories. All were lost due to my irresponsible parents. Its important to me that I keep memories for my children. That's the only thing I really keep an excess of. So... now that they are graduating college, moving out, etc.. they can decide what they keep for themselves and what they get rid of/donate💞💞💞.
      Interestingly enough..... since I watched this video and posted this comment we lost roughly 90% of everything due to a hot water heater breaking😥😥😥. All of my keeping things for my children was for naught. We ended up losing it all anyways😥

    • @haesooklee4088
      @haesooklee4088 3 года назад +1

      Same here too
      Very slow.

    • @brittanybarnard5470
      @brittanybarnard5470 3 года назад

      This🙌🌱⚘💕

  • @veronicaposteraro9936
    @veronicaposteraro9936 Год назад +471

    Bravo! “The clutter in your space is a mirror of the clutter inside your mind “. As a psycologist I can say that much people posses many things to fulfill there sense of emptyness. Your story inspires other people to learn to let go and be free. Collect moments not money nor objects. God bless you 🙏🏼

    • @TanglesunTamed
      @TanglesunTamed Год назад +8

      Yes but when you let go of the clutter in your home, what happened to the clutter in your mind?

    • @gbarthg
      @gbarthg Год назад +1

      What are "people posses"? Separate groups of people riding horses? And what's a psycologist? Someone who can't spell his or her own profession?😇

    • @TheCharmingCatherine
      @TheCharmingCatherine Год назад +14

      @@gbarthg seems like this is not her native language (neither mine) but we all get the meaning I'm sure. I'd love to see YOU practising a foreign language and then receiving this kind of dehonestating comments!!!

    • @viridia1526
      @viridia1526 Год назад +4

      @@gbarthg : people don’t have to spell right to be educated. My dads a mechanic but can’t spell english right, its not his first language so i don’t expect him too. why are you being so unnecessarily condescending? Does it make you feel better about yourself?

    • @bohochic2459
      @bohochic2459 Год назад +2

      @@gbarthg - Your unkind and unnecessary comment does not belong here, or anywhere, for that matter. You certainly picked the wrong emoji. An "Angel" is certainly not becoming for someone who lacks grace.

  • @sheilahill5492
    @sheilahill5492 Год назад +25

    Collect moments not objects. OMGOODNESS this is exactly what I needed to hear today. I'm struggling so hard everyday to get rid of things as I try to declutter things I don't even need. I have things from my Dad, He passed away 15 years ago. I love your story and the fact that you were raw and open about your heart felt feelings. Your Dad keeping things and hoarding and keeping boxes. My Dad did this. After I married my husband, he was also a closet hoarder. I've wanted to be a minimalist for about 5 years. I applaud you for your openness and honesty. I'm going to follow your journey.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @SherryOsborne
    @SherryOsborne 8 месяцев назад +1

    I've been watching your videos for awhile but had not seen this one yet. When I tell you that I sobbed through the whole thing, I'm really not exaggerating. Thank you. I think I needed this.

  • @drawingstyle6327
    @drawingstyle6327 2 года назад +378

    Amazing story!
    Traveling to another country with just suitcases will definitely force you to minimize.
    I traveled for 5 month. When I put everything in storage I saw how little I owned, and felt sad. There was a part of me that felt like by that time in my life I should have more to my name. It gave feelings of being unsuccessful.
    When I came back from my trip, opened my storage, and my first thought was, "what is all this junk?"

    • @adorablecats9891
      @adorablecats9891 Год назад +19

      😂

    • @altanaeliza
      @altanaeliza Год назад +14

      Amazing that you changed so much

    • @Charlotte-bc7vj
      @Charlotte-bc7vj Год назад +5

      So true!

    • @tiftyme
      @tiftyme Год назад +13

      You will be amazed about what you can live without.

    • @tamarevans9025
      @tamarevans9025 Год назад +9

      We are CONDITIONED to be consumers of quantity, not quality. It's a vicious cycle and difficult to break away from, good for you! You shook up your life and are better for it.

  • @strangertobluewater
    @strangertobluewater 2 года назад +150

    The cleaning part resonates with me the most. If you have things, you have to clean around them, which can take hours. If you have nothing, there is nothing to clean around. The space maintains itself. When you start freeing up all this time for yourself, and to give to others, you can really start living.

    • @MeditateandManifestwithJonnie
      @MeditateandManifestwithJonnie 2 года назад +14

      I’ve been thinking about this too. The amount of time I spend cleaning vs actually living my life is insane.

    • @mw87675
      @mw87675 2 года назад +2

      @@MeditateandManifestwithJonnie ☝️that part!! 100% agree.

    • @markfish8403
      @markfish8403 2 года назад +3

      You effen rock lady! I hope that you actually exist and that this is not just rhetoric. I'm ready to ditch half my shit, give nice stuff away and make my own path. Sentimentality has been stretched. Life and love has been neglected. Its actually better to be the weird lady with 7 cats than be the lonely lady with a 9 million dollar collection of rare vases from the Ming Dynasty that dies alone and bored. Am I wrong? Cheers from beautiful Colorado!

    • @janik8812
      @janik8812 2 года назад

      have you tried it ?

  • @nikkipage9132
    @nikkipage9132 Год назад +35

    I am 64 and on year 9 of downsizing. Now I am getting to the last of what we accumulated. My husband passed last year. It is really hard to get rid of things he wrote on. And I have way too many hard copy pictures. It was very helpful to see what you had and went through. It really helps.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

    • @calisongbird
      @calisongbird 10 месяцев назад +3

      @@dr.christopherjohnson5046stop spamming the comment section 😡

    • @Yogaforallworld
      @Yogaforallworld 9 месяцев назад +1

      Come to India @ Rishikesh near Delhi and feel of joy and love.......!

  • @auntylinda7640
    @auntylinda7640 Год назад +20

    So much of our emotions are connected to the 'stuff' we fill our homes with. Decluttering IS emotional, but it is worth it. To grieve properly for loved ones sets us free to love those in the present. Much love to all who read this xxx ps 💖 Lau Tzu

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад +1

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @weegirl85
    @weegirl85 Год назад +128

    I didn't realise I was a hoarder until one day I had to move a house! I believe my habit of hoarding came from I was growing up poor and everything always meant something and/or could be reuse/useful. It took me a while to get that habit out of my system. It was like a rehab! Decluttering was one of the best decisions I've made as it helps me being more organised. Before, it drained me, mentally and physically. My brain is now organised too! 😊

    • @ellissastewart7141
      @ellissastewart7141 Год назад +4

      Same here Summer! Can totally relate to the reuse or better keep it just in case. I want an organised mind too!

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @PlayboyReita
    @PlayboyReita 3 года назад +217

    I'm a grown ass German guy sitting here and crying. I totally felt what you said, we moved from 120 to 60 qm and had several breakdowns bc of all the hoards we have.
    Thanks for reassuring that my decision to decrease my stuff and not buy anything this year was right.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +15

      Thank you for your kind words. ✨❤️✨ Glad you are are doing well with your downsizing, as well as making the decision to do it for your well-being!

    • @solidstate9451
      @solidstate9451 2 года назад

      Do Germans cry less than other nationalities? I never noticed...

    • @PlayboyReita
      @PlayboyReita 2 года назад +6

      @@solidstate9451 of course I can't speak for all Germans but where I come from I'd say yes. From childhood on we're taught to see things rational and judging before deciding how to feel. But we cry often bc of anger 🤣

    • @solidstate9451
      @solidstate9451 2 года назад +1

      @@PlayboyReita I'm from the south of Germany. I've seen many men cry.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @hermindshewrote2024
    @hermindshewrote2024 Год назад +5

    Beautiful story ❤

  • @Ingrid-jx7iz
    @Ingrid-jx7iz Год назад +16

    🚪I’m decluttering my home right now ( my Moms house and our childhood home of 20+ years) and this video is just what I needed. It’s intimidating to declutter 10,20 years worth of items but once you get started it’s such a freeing thing. Happy for your success. Your children will surely look up to you as they get older and appreciate that.

    • @ArmintaHodges
      @ArmintaHodges 2 месяца назад

      Amen sister;) I’m on my journey as well after loosing my both parents year before last. Cleared their things with an estate sale, then kept too much. Now I’m decluttering my home. Photos were them most daunting task so we’ve taken that one head on. Getting close to wrapping up that project. We put them all on an SSD drive. It’s been a year in the process but really moving along now;) 🙏🏼 for your success in your journey, Sincerely;)

  • @krystinaz
    @krystinaz 3 года назад +281

    “Collect moments not objects” I love that 💕 what an amazing transformation and life style

    • @mamabjoe
      @mamabjoe 3 года назад +5

      Yeahhh I love that statement too

    • @Danuxsy
      @Danuxsy 2 года назад +2

      This is why I only own a computer because there I can have an infinite amount of experiences!

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @legeekdelavoix5769
    @legeekdelavoix5769 3 года назад +77

    If I could hug my self 5 years before and say "this is not ok, but it will be". Wow...This bring me to tears. Thank you!

  • @fmanerd321
    @fmanerd321 Год назад +8

    Oh my gosh....your background is so similar to mine. My Mom passed away from cancer in May 2021 and I received a lot of her things. My Dad is a hoarder, but he calls himself a "collector". Growing up I would receive items that I was not allowed to open or play with because they would be worth something in the future. I have a lot of stuff I need to go through and it is the start of a journey. Thank you for sharing your story, it is very encouraging for me.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

    • @sherrainehiggs7380
      @sherrainehiggs7380 Месяц назад

      My Mom oasses away from cancer 2021 too. Very challenging year.😢

  • @roxy4158
    @roxy4158 Год назад +2

    My husband of 52 years and together for 60 years died September 2019. He was my first and only love since age 15!! I'm alone in a 4,000 square foot home. I did gather beautiful china silver crystal ornate mirrors and fine furniture. All just stuff!! I'm not attached to anything. I have given away donated and sold many things. Still a long way to go. The memories are in my heart.

  • @mariebotha4478
    @mariebotha4478 3 года назад +323

    I lost my mom in September 2020 and my step Dad in Jan 2021...cleaning up their home honestly was hell...I have vowed to never clutter,so that my kids don't ever have to go through what I had to.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +39

      This is a HUGE motivation for lots of us who have gone though the same. Big hugs, Marie, sounds like you had a lot to deal with and process in a short period of time.

    • @ladybayside7547
      @ladybayside7547 3 года назад +15

      My Dad died in June 20, he kept everything it seems, such a huge job to clear it all up. We sold the house just after Christmas. I was absolutely done in.

    • @amberoleary5466
      @amberoleary5466 3 года назад +19

      *hugs* from an internet stranger. I too lost my mom in September, and going through her house was a very emotional time.

    • @tgmtn
      @tgmtn 3 года назад +15

      My condolences. Look into Swedish death cleaning. I’ve mentioned it to my parents & started doing it myself.

    • @robynyoung711
      @robynyoung711 3 года назад +7

      Read Swedish Death Cleaning.

  • @rociodeleonpantoja
    @rociodeleonpantoja 2 года назад +133

    You don’t know how much I’ve cried over watching this video. My mom is a hoarder, I moved out for the first time a year ago because it was affecting me. It destroyed my relationship with her. I wished I could help her, but I decided to move on with my life and not feel guilty for not helping. I struggled with it and tried to help her for years, and she became defensive and infuriating every time. I wished I could send her this video, but she only speaks Spanish. Thank you so much for making this video with such respect and understanding towards people with this. Thank you so much!

    • @MountainKoi91
      @MountainKoi91 2 года назад +3

      If she likes reading, maybe find that book in Spanish and send it to her???

    • @madhatter909
      @madhatter909 2 года назад +7

      you can go to settings and have it switched to Spanish. Just click on the little wheel.

    • @skypoem5153
      @skypoem5153 2 года назад +11

      Sometimes, hoarding is often related to trauma. Perhaps she needs support from a trauma therapist, who speaks spanish. A book , or a youtube video, or support from you will likely not meet her needs unfortunately. It's good you stepped away, and recognized it was affecting you.

    • @jadenalexis820
      @jadenalexis820 2 года назад +4

      I feel this on a personal level and this time with my dad. His terrible hoarding habit (and throwing fit when we throw it away stuff even if the thing looks like garbage) literally destroyed our family. We can’t do a simple DIY interior and was worse to the point none of us wants to go home because the house is huge mess. We all decided to rent and live our life peacefully on our own and it was the most liberating thing ever.

    • @SUNROSE7878
      @SUNROSE7878 2 года назад +2

      @@jadenalexis820 good for you. I can imagine how freeing that is. Omg, I completely understand. You have to move on. 👍👍👍👍

  • @brendasanchez-ic2ld
    @brendasanchez-ic2ld Год назад +3

    I'm currently decluttering and it's difficult but I'm tired of stuff. Thank you for sharing.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson4178
      @dr.christopherjohnson4178 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @katuranix8390
    @katuranix8390 Год назад +18

    My mom always said “keep that, you monthly be able to use it later” I kept EVERYTHING. And none of it had sentimental value but I couldn’t seem to give it away. It was always her voice in my head telling me to keep it. It drives her nuts now how I can let things go but I’m still working on decluttering things.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @crazygreenlady7907
    @crazygreenlady7907 3 года назад +40

    My mum always tries to pass things to me that she has hoarded, she wants me to sell them because she feels they have value. Selling them consumes my time and mental strength and clutters my house whilst I await a buyer. I have learnt to say to her 'I don't need more money, I need more space in my home and in my head', and then I tell her to donate the item to the charity shop. I do not want to pass hoarding behaviour onto my own daughter so I am fighting it as best I can.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +4

      Yes, selling isn’t for everyone! I’m glad you are standing your ground. ✨

    • @S_H9260
      @S_H9260 3 года назад +4

      I filled a small dumpster just last week with things from my house. Lots was mine, but lots was my mother's or her parent's that she either"gifted" me or just chose to store in my house (that's a whole other story).
      I had sorted out items to sell but when the dumpster arrived I realized I didn't want to deal with any of it any longer so in it went. It feels so good being free of all the stuff and the guilt attached to it all.

    • @elizarock655
      @elizarock655 2 года назад +1

      Yes seeing people say they made money from their clutter just throws another mental obstacle in the way. Where did all the family possessions go during the moves? I was surprised how good this video was as I expected it to be privileged rich people showing off how they could afford to dump everything and buy things only when they need them.

  • @prettyladie8327
    @prettyladie8327 3 года назад +85

    When she said “ If I could go back and hug my myself & say...It’s not ok, but it’s going to be”......Tearssssss

    • @maike2356
      @maike2356 3 года назад +5

      Same here...can't stop crying :') healing tears..

  • @justDave3453
    @justDave3453 Год назад +1

    A beautiful story, told in a truly heartfelt manner. Your voice is full of emotion and you carry such an important message, Thank you.

  • @alec78uk4
    @alec78uk4 Год назад +3

    Actually you don't think about things your getting rid of, you think about the things your keeping just keep things that spark joy

    • @dr.christopherjohnson4178
      @dr.christopherjohnson4178 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @ShhhandGiggles
    @ShhhandGiggles 2 года назад +69

    I am so inspired by your video.
    I became homeless at 17 just before entering college. I worked three jobs to be able to afford living on campus year round for 5 years. I brought my entire bedroom (sans furniture) with me to college and my possessions accumulated from there.
    When you are so close to losing everything, how do you find peace in parting when those things? So I collected. And collected. After college I bought a storage unit.
    Here I am 12 years post college and still have a storage unit. For what? What could I possibly still need in there when I don't even set foot in it until I want to add to it? I tell myself, "when you buy a house you won't have to buy this or that." Such a waste of money. Of my peace.
    I'm in a small one bedroom apartment with my husband and 2 years old and just started to declutter my closet creating a small capsule wardrobe. It seems neverending! I'm in the process of selling items as well.
    But after watching this I'm feeling so motivated to free up my soul again. I need to. So thank you for sharing your journey.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  2 года назад +8

      I think stories like yours are so much more common than people realize! Wishing you lots of luck and cheering you on in your decluttering journey. ❤️

  • @Jeannes1234
    @Jeannes1234 3 года назад +135

    This was a very inspirational video. I am a hoarder. One thing I’ve noticed that hoarders seem to have in common is loss. The loss creates such a hole that you want to hold on to anything and everything that reminds you of the people you have lost.

    • @foxinfj3472
      @foxinfj3472 3 года назад +10

      thx for sharing that. it helps me have insight. sorry for your losses.

    • @woudgy
      @woudgy 3 года назад +9

      I'm interested to know whether we are using the word "hoarder" the same way. The two people I have known who were hoarders suffered from a compulsive behaviour tied to anxiety, and filled their living spaces to the point where they had to sleep in a section of their bed, they could not safely navigate the rooms of their house on a day to day basis without taking time to shift piles of items around, and whole rooms became inaccessible. One of the two people lost access to his basement and did not have hot water for nearly a decade because he simply could not access the hot water tank. Is this the level of hoarding you suffer from? If not, I would suggest that instead of calling yourself a hoarder, you call yourself a person who hoards things, or who had trouble letting go. I'm not trying to be disrespectful-it's just that one of the characteristics of hoarding that set it apart from OCD is that the person does not typically see that their behaviour is a problem. In addition, it is very difficult when you have family members who suffer from the mental disorder of hoarding to talk to other people about it, when the public has such a poor understanding of what it is really like, and every third person tells you, "oh yes, I'm a bit of a hoarder myself."

    • @letyourheartshine7448
      @letyourheartshine7448 2 года назад +3

      Yes and my personal reason in mourning was, I told to myself,
      I have no control about losing beloved peoples because of death, but I can control objects to not lose them...
      it’s time for me now to let go of everything that I don’t need anymore and to heal my pain,
      to be thankful for this precious moment that I was able to enjoy with this persons. I hope than I will be able to fully enjoy my present again becaus life is so short and present is the most important time in life.

    • @diannedelledera3096
      @diannedelledera3096 2 года назад +2

      YES!!

    • @dorismahoney1440
      @dorismahoney1440 2 года назад +3

      Seems like the older folks didn't have millions of nick knacks and trivia around.

  • @lorae7
    @lorae7 Год назад +15

    I really love this. I am suffering the same with so much stuff ended up with from my mom and dad. I’ve donate and donated and donated and feel I will never be free from the bondage of stuff - it’s so overwhelming. Thank you I needed to hear this

    • @GloryDaze73
      @GloryDaze73 Год назад +4

      You will be okay. Just start slow and follow the process bit by bit. Have gratitude for the things that have served you and your parents well. Release them with joy and donate or sell them. Don't feel guilty for letting go your parents possessions, Because you will honour them with your memories and the love in your heart you have for them. Release yourself from the prison of joyless possessions.

    • @lorae7
      @lorae7 Год назад +5

      @@GloryDaze73 Thank you - It is so overwhelming when you end up with so much stuff. I have been trying to get rid of things for 3 years now. Two large donation trucks came by and I have made many drop-off to goodwill and I still have stuff. haha It's like a nightmare. My mom and dad had so much stuff it's just unreal. and it makes me want to have an empty house with nothing but a bed and a table. I'm so sick of "stuff". haha Thank you for your words of encouragement. This video has given me a dose of energy to keep trying

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @SRLevine7
    @SRLevine7 8 месяцев назад +1

    LOVE the before and after! I went through something very similar when I lost my sister a while back. She became a hoarder at the end, and I wanted to take as much of her stuff and fit it into my tiny apartment and even thought about getting a two-bedroom apartment so I could store all of her stuff in one of the rooms so I would have a piece of her to hold onto. It wasn't until I watched the Minimalism documentary and started following the Minimalists on RUclips that I was finally able to let go of her things and a bunch of other stuff I had been holding onto that I wasn't using. I got rid of 95% of my stuff over the course of 7 months, and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. As Joshua Fields Milburn would say, "the memories are not in our things, they are inside of us"

  • @tanyaratti
    @tanyaratti 3 года назад +58

    Don’t waste your time looking back; You’re not going that way. 💛

    • @pihla01
      @pihla01 3 года назад +1

      Wow, that really spoke to me. Thank you for this.

  • @crystinanna7829
    @crystinanna7829 3 года назад +126

    Wow. When I clicked on this I had no idea it would be a beautifully edited, painful, yet hope-filled story. The way you wove decluttering into telling a story about the deeper issues of grief and letting go was powerful. I felt like I was listening to a beautiful children’s audio book that would help give hope and help to others who dealt with loss and grief at a young age. 💙💜

  • @dallassukerkin6878
    @dallassukerkin6878 6 месяцев назад +2

    This is a journey I started but did not finish.
    The hard hurdle is that nearly all the 'clutter' are the collections and favoured things of my late wife - letting go of these physical ties to her is incredibly difficult; much harder than I would ever have imagined before I became a widower.
    I need to do it, I know, but I made a small start nearly ten years ago, stalled out, and now the garage, loft and shed are full of objects wrapped in her memories ... and the prospect of taking the step of moving those things on to other peoples lives is heart-breaking to me.
    EDIT: Okay, I am half way through this video and the suspicious stinging and pricking at the corners of my eyes tells me there is a good deal of 'resonating' going on between our hostesses life path and my own.

  • @bulletproofhappiness1111
    @bulletproofhappiness1111 Год назад +1

    i come from a family of pathological hoarders(half of they lives they lived in ukraine oppressed by russians and having very little things even food was a scarcity, so later it became an obsession to keep everything (even broken things); i remember being embarrassed to invite school friends to come to my birthday because boxes reached the ceiling…i promised i will get rid of it all when i grew up…and turned into a young woman with shopping addictions (among others); being single i felt lonely and a failure and instead of dealing with it, i became obsessed with shopping, spend most of my income on beautiful clothes i had nowhere to wear…..and was overwhelmed because of the piles of things around me…thank you for sharing your journey…i started watching with a bit of skepticism and ended up crying tears of joy….you are an incredible inspiration for all of us!

  • @SomeYouTubeGuy
    @SomeYouTubeGuy 3 года назад +127

    I LOVE how your home looks now. I find empty space so calming.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +8

      Thanks, Nathaniel. ✨🙌✨

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @judithyoung3
    @judithyoung3 3 года назад +211

    My beautiful son died in July 2020, two days before his 28th birthday. He died a distressing death due to toxicity from illegal and prescription Oxycodone. I still have a lot of his belongings in my loft, all his school and college books, paintings, his keepsakes, his keyboard and microphone. He was my heart, and I just don't know what to keep and what to get rid of. If I make a memory box it won't be big enough :( Nine months after his death I need to start decluttering my whole house, I just can't touch his things without falling apart.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +81

      I’m sorry for your loss, it sounds like this was very recent and raw...give yourself time. Remember it took me 30 years, and other people here in the comment section have been doing it for five, 10, or more years. Hugs and healing to you. ✨

    • @tarabooartarmy3654
      @tarabooartarmy3654 3 года назад +29

      Oh my goodness, I can imagine what you are going through. I had a child attempt suicide and ended up intubated and in the ICU and I was terrified I was going to lose him. Thankfully, I did not. I wish I could give you a hug. I don’t know how I’d ever let anything go.

    • @tammiemcdaniels4838
      @tammiemcdaniels4838 3 года назад +43

      My son just went to Jail on Mothers Day 2021. He will celebrate his 30th and the next 15 birthdays (or more) in prison. I feel as though I have lost him. His addiction has taken his life in ways that death never could. I have requested his things from the various people who have them. I'm terrified I'll hold onto them the way I'm holding onto the depression, anger, and sadness I feel. I'm raising his youngest child. I've had her since she was born. I know I need to be strong for her, but I feel this terrible loss. I also know how fresh my loss is, but more importantly, I know how I deal with the emotional baggage around his addiction. I tend to hold it all in close and tight. I'm afraid that if I stop hurting, I'll lose what little I have left of him here. He's in another state which makes it even more difficult to deal with. I know that he hasn't died and there is a chance for me to see him again. I can say I have a better vantage point than others but, the loss, pain, and sorrow are all the same. I will pray for you and your family.

    • @tarabooartarmy3654
      @tarabooartarmy3654 3 года назад +12

      @@tammiemcdaniels4838 I am so sorry foe what you’re going through. I can imagine how very difficult that would be. You are in my prayers. You and your whole family.

    • @burstallpass4394
      @burstallpass4394 3 года назад +20

      Judith, I am so sorry. There is nothing like the loss of a child. I lost my 18 year old in an aircraft collision almost two years ago. I am still unable to let go of his possessions. I am here listening to this vlog and I will start with one thing today. Be patient with yourself. One of my son's friends wanted his drum set shortly after he died and when I parted with it, it was unbearable. His friend had to return the set to me when he moved out of country to go to college and it made me feel better. The drum set will stay for a while. Give yourself time...day by day.

  • @raebean6018
    @raebean6018 Год назад +4

    Watched this for the new year, and am reassessing all my possessions again. It's truly a therapy now.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @emilianodiaz-page4233
    @emilianodiaz-page4233 11 месяцев назад +1

    Marisa I’ve been subscribed to your channel for a long while and decided to rewatch your videos. This video is so beautiful, therapeutic and hopeful. Thank you for being a positive force in this world.

  • @frankcoffey
    @frankcoffey 3 года назад +89

    Blank space is elegant in a home, think of it as a “possession” and an expensive one at that. Divide the square footage of your home by the value and find out just how valuable that blank space is. You can redecorate a room simply by removing objects.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +9

      That is a really good insight!

    • @jesril3172
      @jesril3172 3 года назад +3

      I didn't allow my husband to buy furniture. Coz when we have less things, easy to clean. The house will be neat , clean and beautiful with less things.

  • @patriciaheraty7380
    @patriciaheraty7380 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for your disclaimer at the start and for sharing. I am sobbing at the end of this. Everything, everything you shared about the holding-on is mirrored in my life. Your videos have given me incredible support as I am finally making some progress in my own journey. THANK YOU and may you and your family be blessed as you surely are.

  • @kensiblonde4203
    @kensiblonde4203 9 месяцев назад +2

    I’ve been doing this for the past several years. Difficult I inherited two packed homes. I’m down to one box full of stuff I truly love.

  • @rosaquinnhere
    @rosaquinnhere 2 года назад +116

    I'm trying to break the cycle of my family's hoarding habits. A lot of my clutter is objects that I feel I can't part with because they have been handed down to me. But bit by bit I am slowly letting them go and trying not to feel guilty about it. I know that my life and my happiness is more important than objects.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  2 года назад +5

      Wishing you all the best with this, Rosa!

    • @solidstate9451
      @solidstate9451 2 года назад

      Stuff can have unfortunate accidens.

    • @shmataboro8634
      @shmataboro8634 2 года назад +1

      @@solidstate9451 I was just going to suggest inviting a visit from a waggy tailed large dog. ☺️

  • @madisonpeppers8204
    @madisonpeppers8204 2 года назад +59

    I was very shocked by the intense emotional response this video inflicted upon me. Clearly, there’s something here for me that resonates. And I think it was a message I’ve needed to hear for a long time. I think I might finally be ready to start letting go, too. Thank you for sharing. 💛

  • @OneDayAtATime1277
    @OneDayAtATime1277 8 месяцев назад +2

    Beautiful, thank you for sharing your story! Blessings on your healing journey ❤️

  • @AlabanzaMusic
    @AlabanzaMusic Год назад +5

    This is the most amazing, honest, decluttering towards minimalism video I have ever seen. This hit home and am at that point now of letting go even more. Thank you so much!

  • @Michele-gk4ef
    @Michele-gk4ef 2 года назад +58

    This is my first ever comment I made on RUclips. I cried, only a few moments after you started telling your story. I'm also a emotional hoarder, from different reasons, but with the same results. My house isn't dirty but packed with tons of things that have no purpose. I have them just to have them and now they have me. I had tiny little thoughts about what that says about me and why it feels like a burden to own that much stuff, because I once wanted it and I had paid for it. I own 90 Tshirts. Just Tshirts. 90. For what? I don't even know. The fact that I burst out in Tears hearing you calling this behavior by its name made me realise that I have to work out why I am doing this and that I have to stop. Thank you for opening my eyes. You brought me a huge step forward on my personal healing journey. ❤️

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  2 года назад +8

      Welcome to my channel, and you are in good company here with us. ❤️ Myself and others are cheering you on! 📣 Good luck walking through the door and starting your journey.

    • @hazelsegnitz3254
      @hazelsegnitz3254 Год назад +5

      I visit boxes of moment’s and Memories stored away for years and each time I return I wonder why ? for a brief moment I remember fondly of things past then wonder who will do this when I’m now longer here🤔my husband, children ? many of these items won’t hold the same sentiments as they do for me (they don’t have the same need to hang on to things as I 🤣) so , next time the boxes surface I will say goodbye to them and store anything outstanding in my memory and a much smaller box ! I hope your Journey is as successful as my own , Good luck ! 🤗

    • @roxy4158
      @roxy4158 Год назад +5

      One step at a time. My motivation was after the death of my husband of 52 years and the fact that I didn't want to burden my children after my death. My husband had 103 dress shirts and over 150 golf shirts most designer labels still with price tags!!! Italian suits and expensive leather shoes I sold some but mostly ended donating several trunk loads of his things.
      Now the large items like heavy solid wood furniture from Italy bought for $20,000.00 but i can't even sell for $500.00!!! People today live in small condos and do not have the space.
      What to do? Just do I drawer at a time. One box at a time. Only do what you can handle emotionally. You will get there and you'll be happier. I haven't regretted parting with anything because the memories are carried in my heart. Memories need little space.
      Be blessed ❤

  • @martinafrilund
    @martinafrilund 3 года назад +106

    ”That empty space is actually full” Love that!

  • @torir4491
    @torir4491 6 месяцев назад +1

    Your videos are just amazing. I feel like someone finally understands my clutter. I haven't had anyone pass but i swear I just get SO emotionally attached to every single little thing that it hurts to get rid of any of it. Using your videos to help me make a better life and tackle this clutter.

  • @melanieh2279
    @melanieh2279 3 года назад +86

    This is the most beautiful minimalism video I've seen! I feel for you Marissa. I have also lost my mother to cancer and lost a lot of loved ones and I'm in my 20's. I am also a recovering hoarder and on my minimalism journey. Thank you, this message has really touched my soul today.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @elizabethm193
    @elizabethm193 3 года назад +48

    I love your video ,. I can relate. My adoptive mother died 25 years ago and I have no family whatsoever aside from two children with health issues. It is tough being alone, without help, and clinging onto clutter. I am currently going through the decluttering process in order to have less mental and physical stress. Thank you.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @citygirlfarm
    @citygirlfarm 7 месяцев назад +1

    I wanted to tell you that your children's room is beautiful. I believe that having minimal items in their bedroom, your children probably have a greater attention span then children who have the visual impact of so many things constantly mentally speaking to them. What an excellent gift of love for your children.

  • @8080pc
    @8080pc Год назад +3

    I'm in tears hearing your story but its therapy at the same time. My brother found out I was going minimalist as he couldn't find most of the stuff his family gave me through the years. Still working on it.

  • @Bubbles36911
    @Bubbles36911 3 года назад +64

    Baby girl when we leave this planet all we can take with us is our precious memories. Your decluttering process was the first step to make sure that when you leave many many decades from today your mental "trunk" will be so full, you wont be able to close it. You just became a hero, a personal source of inspiration. I'm a stranger, but I'm proud of you. Hugs from FL.

    • @patriciacole8773
      @patriciacole8773 3 года назад

      We take our character with us. It needs to be transformed from sinner to holy. Or different. By studying God’s character, the Holy Spirit can create Christlike attributes in our hearts. Even so that we can obey the Ten Commandments. Including the fourth. Exodus 20:8-11 which is the most controverted.

    • @souadasou
      @souadasou 3 года назад +3

      Your soul will leave this planet and your body will be buried under ground you will take nothing but your good deeds ,

    • @Monsterkruemelchen
      @Monsterkruemelchen 2 года назад

      That is so beautifully said, omg! I am tearing up reading this!

  • @jh2419
    @jh2419 3 года назад +135

    I am struggling so much. Lost both my parents and my sister and have all their stuff. It makes me sad to look at it but sad to throw it away so I have every cupboard stuffed full. I need to be brave and let go.

    • @suann9790
      @suann9790 3 года назад +16

      I am so sorry 💕 for me it is a lot easier when you consider that you are actually rehoming the things that aren't healthy or helpful for you to keep anymore. They can bring a lot of joy in another person's home and 'live on' at a new place. Sending much love and healing your way ♡

    • @jenniferleclair2227
      @jenniferleclair2227 3 года назад +6

      Love and light

    • @Zm54321
      @Zm54321 3 года назад +10

      Sorry for your loss. I can’t relate, but I can totally understand. If I may suggest one way to let go, is by starting small. For example keep only 5 things for each one that they loved/used the most or remind you of them. Once you let go of part of their belongings, it would be relatively easy to let go of the rest. Though, I’m not for letting go of everything. I enjoy keeping small pieces that are easy to store away or can be displayed like the items in this video, or even big stuff that I can continue to use such as an easy chair. I hope the future holds so much happiness for you, even when remembering your dear ones.

    • @shirleymeador9956
      @shirleymeador9956 3 года назад +5

      I am sorry for your losses.. I have objects that are sentimental too. They live in your heart, and mind no one can ever take that away from you. I have a lot of thing I am attached too ad well. I am a very emotional and creative soul so I understand. I am working on getting rid of things too. 🎶🐎⭐

    • @erinnicole5748
      @erinnicole5748 3 года назад +7

      I'm right there with you. I lost my Mom in 2019 and I'm an only child. So every single thing she had is in my living room/bedroom/kitchen and one small storage unit. She didn't own a ton, thankfully, but I'm having a hard time doing anything with it. I just recently came out the other side of debilitating PTSD due to her passing, and the insane depression. It's hard to even think about getting rid of any of it, but I know my Mom wouldn't want her stuff stressing me out or clogging up my house.

  • @DR3itmatters
    @DR3itmatters 10 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you for this! Burst into tears. Most helpful declutter video on the emotional aspects of why we save/attach.

  • @user-vn4gr5bk5n
    @user-vn4gr5bk5n 11 месяцев назад +1

    You are so inspiring Marissa. Thankyou for sharing your journey in the raw ❤ So happy to see you are moving onwards and accepting but not getting stuck in the difficulties of your past. You have helped you, your family and many of us. May you all have many joyful experiences ahead, you certainly deserve then.

  • @cheybuttaa
    @cheybuttaa 2 года назад +195

    Wow! Out of all the minimalism videos I have watched throughout the years, I would have to say that this is the one that is inspiring me to finally make that change! Thank you for your transparency and for sharing your story.

  • @jordanxfile
    @jordanxfile 2 года назад +8

    I cried watching this... And I don't cry that easily. Thank you.

  • @eva-louisekhalil9639
    @eva-louisekhalil9639 Год назад +4

    We’ll done on your epic transformation! I am still a hoarder and recently Ilstarted my journey to declutter. I halved the amount of clothing I own and have cleared all the books I no longer read. I definitely feel MUCH better finally having a space which bring a me peace instead of stress.
    My journey has just began and I know it will be challenging but worth it.
    Thank you for sharing your experiences and for being brave enough to show us what “normal” used to look like to you previously.

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @sarahselway9341
    @sarahselway9341 9 месяцев назад +2

    Best minimalism video ever. Thank you for sharing your journey and the beauty of your life now❤

  • @love3V07
    @love3V07 Год назад +74

    I am in the start of my decluttering. I went into depression and started buying unnecessary "things" five years ago. Now, I just went throught a bag of clothes and thanked every single item before it goes to donation. Thank you! Your story is very inspiring and if there's a RUclips award, you got it!

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @KK-vb3xo
    @KK-vb3xo 2 года назад +242

    "Collect MOMENTS not objects" 💕 This is so powerful. I felt it deep within. Thank you for sharing your story and being so honest ❤
    I subscribed to your channel right after watching this video!

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  2 года назад +7

      Welcome to the family, thank you for your kind words and for watching! ❤️

    • @asmairfan705
      @asmairfan705 2 года назад +3

      Can you help me in selling our eastern clothes(Pakistani formsl/informaldresses).I have lot to whom i m emotionslly attached

    • @junesia6609
      @junesia6609 2 года назад +4

      That's exactly what i did right after this video - LIKE and SUBSCRIBE

    • @mderivas7486
      @mderivas7486 2 года назад

      Also you don't loose things (to rubbery for instance) you don't have 🤣

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @christygardner3829
    @christygardner3829 10 месяцев назад +1

    In tears ❤️ thank you for sharing this!!!

  • @halessahmcraze2178
    @halessahmcraze2178 11 месяцев назад +2

    This is speaking to me on so many levels. I really appreciate you

  • @oneworld42
    @oneworld42 3 года назад +544

    Hello
    I am from Germany. When I try to sell my stuff, almost nobody wants to pay for it, even when it was never used.
    I give it for free but some things nobody even want for free!
    We Western people are drowning in stuff and more stuff.
    We should think twice before buying something new and keep in mind that it will be trash on our planet, when we throw it away.

    • @anastasiadyhring
      @anastasiadyhring 3 года назад +51

      I live in Norway and have totally the same situation. After decluterring I have some really good quality ,totally and expensive clothes which just don’t feet me or I have never worn them and don’t like them anymore. I tried to sell cashmere jumper which costed 200 euro for the price of H&M clothes and nobody wants to buy. Then I also wanted just to give it away to those who really need clothes and nobody wanted them 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ it is also stupid to throw them away....

    • @BlanCamCZ
      @BlanCamCZ 3 года назад +13

      Maybe there could be some charity shops?

    • @jitulvslife03
      @jitulvslife03 3 года назад +6

      @@anastasiadyhring Can u send them to India? Will pay for shipping...and besides.

    • @bazosmarek7981
      @bazosmarek7981 3 года назад +22

      I am in Germany too and I am struggling too to sell something here :D Crazy.. no just clothes...everything.. because everything is cheap in shops :)

    • @elizabethdouglas9163
      @elizabethdouglas9163 3 года назад +23

      I so agree, I'm in the UK and people don't seem to want good quality pre loved stuff and I hate having to throw things away.

  • @hannahparker8287
    @hannahparker8287 2 года назад +121

    I am a hoarder and now I find it so hard to get round my house as stuff gets stuck under my electric wheelchair 😓.
    This gives me hope and motivation, thankyou 💖

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  2 года назад +23

      Yes! Mobility is so key, clearing your space can definitely help. ❤️

    • @trob9100
      @trob9100 2 года назад +3

      I feel you Hannah. Categorize and take it 1 item at a time. Don't give up!

    • @Julien-ne4pv
      @Julien-ne4pv 2 года назад

      you certainly need an electric wheelchair ;)

    • @Authorthings
      @Authorthings 2 года назад +16

      I kept things as a kid with animals faces on them. I was worried they would be hurt. I kept so many things as a kid that I now realize was hoarding. My mom found a dead mouse in my room and old chicken bones. I couldn't tell you why it happened, but sometime around high school I started watching organization videos because I was enveloped with other people's stuff, my own stuff, and my mom's stuff (she held onto things too). My grandpa died (her dad) and there was millions of dollars worth of junk stacked to the ceiling. I think it runs in my family.
      Anyways, I started organizing and slowly, very slowly getting rid of stuff. I started getting rid of the "old me" and that helped a lot. I wanted to be a new person. I continued on with something called "decluttering" and eventually found minimalism. I don't consider myself a minimalist, but I have minimized a lot. I threw away everybody else's "problems" (old makeup they wanted to throw away and I kept, old sheets they were throwing away and I kept, anything they thought was "bad" and I thought was "good.").
      I continued on with actual trash. Stuff that was expired, broken, torn, stained (I had originally kept stuff that had old dog poop on it because I was afraid to get rid of it and throw it away). So glad I tossed it.
      Here I am almost 11 years after I started my journey. It is possible and I had a huge breakthrough about 7 years ago. Marie Kondo helped me with my clothes. I took pictures of my old stuff. My house is clean now. It's a breath of fresh air. I wish you the best in your journey. Just one thing at a time.

    • @jasminewhitehead1752
      @jasminewhitehead1752 2 года назад +3

      Take it one day at a time. One item At a time. Its going to be okay.

  • @bismyno1
    @bismyno1 Год назад +1

    This is the most beautiful story and the best explanation of the benefits of De cluttering and minimalism.

  • @lubnan08
    @lubnan08 Год назад +2

    Minimalism is saving my life. I never want to own as much stuff as I did. I now try to constantly remove excess and reduce how much I bring in. 🚪

    • @dr.christopherjohnson4178
      @dr.christopherjohnson4178 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?

  • @maevebeilile9697
    @maevebeilile9697 2 года назад +69

    After watching a lot of minimalist videos, Yours resonated with me most. I have held onto objects because they’re attached to people that I once loved who have passed on and now realize that I can still be attached to those people without holding onto their possessions. Thank you for sharing your story and helping people like me.

  • @mariah3654
    @mariah3654 3 года назад +102

    Great quote: "I am done putting things in boxes."
    Thank you for putting this together & sharing your journey. Nice that you were able to move to Germany.

  • @jaaanska
    @jaaanska Год назад +3

    I love the clean and airy aesthetics of your home! It’s hard to make minimal scape look cozy but you did it!

  • @jacoblawrence6580
    @jacoblawrence6580 Год назад +4

    Such a wonderful and touching video! I am currently going through my grandparents pictures, letters, cards etc. They were raised during the great depression and saved everything. I mean everything. My parents save everything too. I am trying to declutter as much as we can.

  • @dlogan74
    @dlogan74 3 года назад +49

    I’m a born minimalist, but this gave me new appreciation for people in my life who are not. Thank you for sharing your story.

    • @louisegogel7973
      @louisegogel7973 3 года назад

      ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    • @chocolateearrings
      @chocolateearrings 3 года назад +1

      Did your parents raise you as a minimalist? Are your parents minimalist?

  • @vrijheid-ui8bc
    @vrijheid-ui8bc 3 года назад +138

    Sometimes I thing what my family will find after I'm dead, going though my personal stuff. What value the stuff will have to them? Probably none, beside a few items that will reminds them of me. This thought makes decluttering much more easy.

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +4

      I 💯 agree!

    • @goldstory66
      @goldstory66 2 года назад +5

      Wow! Even I have similar thoughts while decluttering.

    • @CyaMh88
      @CyaMh88 2 года назад +5

      There is a method called Swedish Death Cleaning (which is not as brutal as it sounds) which has exactly this thought as a premise.

    • @angelababbitt6870
      @angelababbitt6870 2 года назад

      I feel the same way!❤️

  • @racheldallas6028
    @racheldallas6028 2 месяца назад +1

    This video is exactly what I needed to hear. I am sobbing my eyes out right now. Thank you so very much ❤

  • @trisadam
    @trisadam Год назад +1

    Beautiful story, your family is gorgeous and I can 100% say that both of your parents are smiling down at you!

  • @cynthiashepherd7008
    @cynthiashepherd7008 2 года назад +99

    Thank you. I am 55 and single, and it is truly a "process" to minimized and declutter. I plan to move from my condo to a small home, but I'm giving myself 1 to 3 yes to do it. Thank you for sharing.

    • @liviaramirez1096
      @liviaramirez1096 2 года назад +2

      When you finish the main part, come to México to Take a different air.

  • @jacqcarp1203
    @jacqcarp1203 Год назад +170

    This was absolutely beautiful. I’m currently a grieving daughter and it’s so hard to let go. I will be moving soon and I’m ready to declutter. Thank you 🙏

  • @anazechner5833
    @anazechner5833 Год назад +5

    Hi Marissa,
    first of all, thank you for this touching video. I have been living in my "memory boxes" for almos 20 years now and you just encouraged me to let go of those days that will never come back. I hope someone will benefit from the lovely things I have kept just for the memory. It is time to enjoy life without having to live in the past. Thank you once again ❤

    • @dr.christopherjohnson5046
      @dr.christopherjohnson5046 Год назад

      Hello, I hope you're safe over there? I hope this year brings happiness, prosperity, and love all over the world, I would love 💚us to be good friends in honesty and in trust if you don't mind. I'm Doctor Christopher Johnson from San Francisco, California, where are you from if I may ask?❤

  • @lisajustice3157
    @lisajustice3157 Год назад

    This is what I needed! My eyes are painfully open! Thanks

  • @yoursprinx
    @yoursprinx 2 года назад +54

    i must say, i'm super appreciative of you for including a very inclusive list about trigger warnings! it's an important journey, but it's also good to remember people aren't at the same point that you are.

  • @feyHiker
    @feyHiker Год назад +1

    🚪I have hoarder tendencies but have never gotten as bad as the horrors on that show with the same name thankfully, but the "I might need it someday" has been a problem for letting go of stuff. I have been good and am getting better at letting things go, with the help of many good videos on decluttering on RUclips, Now that my car is falling apart and won't pass another inspection I won't be replacing it which means I have about five weeks to haul the bulky, heavy stuff out of here. Your videos have been very helpful and inspiring. Now when I pull something off a shelf and think, I might need this . . .until I see the empty space and then get more excited about that space and want that space more than what just left it. Thank you for your great videos and motivation!

  • @ekinozcan3399
    @ekinozcan3399 10 месяцев назад +2

    You are so strong! This is the first video I saw from you and I’m flabbergasted. All the best to you and your family ❤

  • @l.a.w.79
    @l.a.w.79 3 года назад +146

    Geesh i stumbled upon this and it was inspiring. Now to get started

    • @AtoZenLife
      @AtoZenLife  3 года назад +11

      I’m rooting for you. ✨👏✨

    • @ethicalconsumerpodcast6712
      @ethicalconsumerpodcast6712 3 года назад +3

      You go girl!

    • @virginiastewart1523
      @virginiastewart1523 3 года назад

      Same here, I found this whole looking for something else, but I'm so glad I stopped & watched!!
      We have such a tiny apt, and so so SO MANY boxes and totes of "stuff"! I want to declutter but also am not sure where to start... however, maybe the gratitude idea will help, never thought of doing something like that. Thank you so much for your amazing video!

    • @virginiastewart1523
      @virginiastewart1523 3 года назад

      Oops, typo.. while not whole!

  • @lynettebodell6803
    @lynettebodell6803 2 года назад +79

    You are a beautiful storyteller. I love your clarity, simplicity and beauty! Thank you for sharing

  • @doreendyson9350
    @doreendyson9350 11 месяцев назад +2

    Absolutely amazing story you’ve been through more loss than most people yet gained so much more in other ways God bless you xxx and thank you for sharing xx