A clean sweep: Getting rid of your clutter
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- Опубликовано: 21 апр 2018
- Are you buried under mounds of stuff? There's an entire industry dedicated to helping Americans get rid of things they don't really need but hold onto anyway. Still can't bear to part with your stuff? There's another industry that will actually keep an eye on your stuff for you! Barry Petersen meets members of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), who help clients declutter their lives, and with Andrew Mellen, called the "Most Organized Man in America."
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Truth be told: The less stuff you have the less worries & stress you have!
I DONT KNOW IM OVERSTUFFED !!
CORONA HAS NOT HELPED CHARITIES HAVE CUT THERE HRS AND ,
I HAVE RESCUE CATS TO TEND TO BEFORE I WORRY ABOUT THE STUFF DARN !!!
Indeed
@@gerryshafer5954 offer up. Put your stuff on there for free and see who will take it
Dad was a "collector" not a hoarder. It took us nearly a year to sort through his "collections" after he died. We rented a gymnasium to hold his estate sale. I do not wish to leave my survivors with such a burden. Stuff is not a legacy.
I could use a small gym to just sort through my brother's storage bldg stuff. He and our mother passed away 3+ years now. I am just not mentally and emotionally ready to deal with it. I will not leave my niece this chore when I pass.
That's about what I said when the guy was asked to give one sentence to get people to clear it out: "Don't leave it for your family to handle."
You could've donated it to a bonafide charity. Burden? Please.
@@bethnorris1361 sounds like you never had to sort thru a deceased loved one’s stuff. It is an incredible burden aside from the emotions involved. Charities are not coming to your home to get things for the most part, especially now. They also don’t need to sort thru any worthless or damaged items, these charities have enough work.
been there done that.
“ I make myself rich by making my wants few”- Henry David Thoreau
Profound statement. I needed that. Thank you
But, wasn't he given his bed, his meals, everything w/o asking, by his mother?
i’m currently reading walden by him for school and it really changes the perspective on what kind of stuff you really have to have in life.
@@erisstephens3086 ..What Richard said (comment above yours)
My grandpa, "WWII veteran" and Georgia farmer till dementia took him, told me that "junk was something you keep for twenty years, and throw it away two weeks before you need it".
Love and miss you grandpa horne💙🙍
Best comment!
Yup. That happens.
edit: then you have to buy it again.
Isn't That the truth! God bless grandpa.
respect to gramps
Great Comment!!
I became a minimalist and it was the best decision ever!
“Set yourself free. It’s just stuff. It’s...just...stuff.” That statement alone is very purposeful.
Could understate family in the same way. They're just humans.
Profound statement...
Well my stuff is my great great grandmas stuff... Hard to toss, and add the fact younger people have little interest in history, heirlooms ( no matter the value ) and photos, albums, are you kidding?. They don't even want to see their baby pictures. So on it goes. But I have not given up...my goal is to die with only a shoebox full of belongings, period!.
Keith, brilliant idea.
Where are you? I am in Southern California...
3 years ago I sold everything and moved into an RV. I now live and travel in 160 square feet and have never missed anything I got rid of form my former life. We are addicted to crap we don't need!
Do you have a blog or website, I would be very interested to know the cons and pros of living in the RV, thanks.
Wow, I only wish. I'm 70 now.
I grew up in terrible clutter, I hated and left at 16. Then, somewhere, it came about in MY Home.
I think trauma has something to do with it. Many kisses, last was my husband of 17 years in 2010, left with dementia. I feel surrounded, imprisoned...
not FREE. I've tried and tried but it's more overwhelming than...
Ever. Wasted time stressing over it, family doesn't like it...idk
How wonderful that you totally Freed yourself.
I know it's not just me, bc I've said a long time Look at the storage sheds everywhere !!! .WHY
But, is not how I wanted to live.
Alone, with stuff...
God Bless All 💙
@@roxybuell9898
Roxy, I'm sorry for what you've been going through,
I have some hoarders in family history and my own problems (not out of hand, thankfully, not thanks to me, tho - finances are tough and husband is tidy)
I just have incredibly hard time getting rid of my childhood and youth crap...
Anyway
I found _Psychology in Seattle_ here on yt, have an episode with an expert in hoarding, I think anyone should listen to, be it to get more empathy to others or to themselves...
Look it up, it might at least help ypu feel a bit better
Stay safe, all the best.
I lived in a small caravan for a few months, we don't need nearly everything we have.
Yeah when camping in a tent you feel free and wonder why you need all that stuff in the house.
Great segment. I've been a minimalist since I left home at 18 (nearing 70 now). For years this preference and belief that "less is more" was considered odd by many people. Now there are TV shows and magazine articles and CBS Sunday Morning segments about how clutter is a problem. I feel vindicated. I wasn't a freak; just a little ahead of the curve.
cool! you are a genius!
@@edp2506 ha! Not quite but thanks for the compliment.
I grew up with clutter and promised myself to be different, I did pretty good until I found myself alone, and kids are gone. Now my clutter is my friend I guess, but now I don’t want to leave someone to clean up my clutter, because I have been at estate sales where the people are overwhelmed trying to get rid of 30, 40 years of accumulated stuff. So I will work on this the rest of my life. Wish me luck. Ha! Ha!
@@marilyn48ful I wish you luck. If your experience is anything like those of the people I have helped, decluttering will give you a new lease on life, give you fresh ideas about what you want to do with the rest of your life. It's as if the clutter makes it impossible to see new directions.🧡
For those who have inherited a collection and have no idea of what to do with it, I’m sharing what my cousins did with their Mother’s rather large collection of chickens, they boxed them up, drove them to the church where her first memorial was held and let everyone know they were welcome to take one or more pieces to remember her by, what was left was boxed up again and taken to her second memorial and again, they offered what was left of her collection to those in attendance. They had very little left of that collection to donate. I just think it’s the best idea I’ve heard of to get rid of a much treasured collection. I hope to not leave my children with a bunch of stuff to go through and discard or donate, that shouldn’t be their job.
What bothers me is when I have to go buy some of the very items that I had gotten rid of.
@@asafaust8869 Or knowing you have an item that you need & can't figure out where you put it - in all your stuff!!??
@@asafaust8869 You don't get rid of stuff you are using! This is about stuff not being used, in storage, in closets, in piles, under the bed, in the back of cupboards, things you have forgotten you have.
My Mom passed away a few years ago, she was the neatest, cleanest person I knew. BUT, she collected glass objects, endless Crystal Vases, multiple dishes, cups, saucers, candles holder. UGH! A set of dishes that she bought in Europe that she never used....Granted, it was her 'thing' she loved it all...I've kept one or two items, but slowly sold 80% of it over the last few years. And did the same, gave each person that attended her memorial a small memento she had collected...It's been a process and allot of work.
@@texasmimi5566 I am always working on stuff in my garage and fixing and tinkering with things. I have what many consider clutter, which it is, until I use it. So you cant say dont get rid of stuff your using because you may use it in the future!
After a while, you'll find that when you own enough stuff, your stuff kinda owns YOU. So set yourself free. It's just stuff.
This was great, been searching for "how to declutter your house fast" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Vanonnor Tenhloe Equalizer - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my friend got great results with it.
This was great, I've been looking for "how to get rid of clutter when moving" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Vanonnor Tenhloe Equalizer - (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my friend got excellent success with it.
Tyler Durden agrees
I went minimalist a few years ago and it was the biggest life-changing event I've ever been through. My life is so much simpler now, I have a lot more money, I live in a 600 square foot studio with lots of room to breathe. A word of advice. Don't separate your clutter into piles that you will donate. Just GET IT OUT of your dwelling-place. Throw it OUT. Even if you don't need it, it will all end up in the landfill eventually. Instead, adopt a minimalist lifestyle and don't buy things that end up in landfills. Done and done.
Truth. Just got to get rid of it.
Although with intention to sell, you wouldn’t and more would pile up.
Meh. I want to play basketball when it warms back up. I already don't own anything I don't use.
And I'd rather not just fill landfills. That's why people donate.
@@a012345 exactly
Yep toss it out already! I did donate 3 bags of clothes but tossed everything else.
I'd live to but my husband sees the empty space and makes sure he fills it! He's a hoarder and I'm a minimalist stuck trying to find places for his stuff.
I am the "throw it out!" queen! I went minimalist a few years ago. People joke that every room in my home looks like a hotel room. That's because I have very LITTLE, and I mean VERY little in each room. But my house guests *always* want to come back ....because it's so roomy and peaceful in my home. You know why? Because the rooms are so airy/empty that new energy flows freely. New energy, is free to flow IN, because it doesn't have to make its way around clutter and books, and knick knacks and junk. I got rid of all that stuff years ago. And guess what, It's just stuff. Get rid of it! Take it from an old wise woman. Let it go. I've lived long enough to see numerous friends buried. And I've never seen one friend who was buried with knick knacks, clothes, shoes, purses, or pots with missing lids. YES, if you're reading this, I'm talking to YOU!! Get rid of it dear. Save yourself, NOT your stuff.
I want to be you when I grow up!!
Amen :~)
Good job too help others with clothes
I need to move in with you
SockPuppet Granny Amen. I have a few! And when I say a few I mean a few on the hallway lol, pictures on the walls, that’s my clutter tolerance. I don’t even have a coffee table, I have a couple little ones that I can pull out if needed, I don’t have appliances that I use 4 times a year on the kitchen counter. I LOVE having room in my house to walk around, play with the granddaughters, (we pull their stuff out of the garage cupboard each weekend and then put it BACK when they leave). I hear you. It’s so pleasant when friends come over, we buss out the card table, play board games, people can MOVE AROUND and not feel stifled. Let it go! 💪lol
I remember as a child hearing my Pastor say "We buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like".
I have Just completed cleaning out “the junk room.” It took me 10 days to get it done. It was an emotional trip...40 years worth to be exact! Boxes of cards, letters, tax returns, college papers, books, wrapping paper (threw it all in recycle), an incredible amount of stuff! Just stuff. I was so tired each night. I am deeply thankful to say, the last of the recycle and trash is going out today. I shredded about 15 sacks of old financial documents and paper items, etc. that I read through and consciously said a final farewell to and then boom...shredded and gone! Pictures! 😱 I kept pictures for a day when I can put them together for my sons, nieces and nephews, etc. and let them go. They can either keep them or throw out. Gave away huge sacks of clothes and nice shoes that I will never wear again yet someone will. I included blankets, sheets, pillows, and old but clean towels. Honestly, I feel as though I’ve lost hundreds of pounds of personal weight! I said Goodbye to my past and I am done! Talk about liberating!! What I thought would take “forever,” took less than two weeks. 👍🏼💪🏼
Ann Leslie, you are inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Ann Leslie
Your post is so inspiring. I too, am in the midst of decluttering a lifetime of collecting junk. I do not want to leave that burden to my family after I’m gone. I get so caught up with the sentimental objects, but I know my time is limited to get it done. You’ve inspired me to keep at it and do what I am able each day. Bless you.😊
Good for you, Ann! You have set yourself free from emotional baggage as well as physical clutter and that is not easy. Celebrate even small successes as you go forward. :-)
Ann Lesl
Thank you for inspiring all the people whom need to do the same tasks.
“Trauma-based accumulation.” That smacked me square between the eyes. It makes so much sense! That’s going to give me a whole new way to look at my stuff, and give me the courage to let it go.
Good luck! Best wishes. You can do it.
@@xelamercedes Thanks.
Matt Paxton & Peter Walsh are good experts 👍
Loved when she said “been meaning to have garage sale for 10 years”. I can relate
I started de cluttering. 1 room at a time. 1 wall at a time. 1 hr/ 1 week. Simple and easy. So far progress is good. You only need a desire and take baby steps.
+arif ali Well put!! I just saved your comment to help motivate me--I have ADD and lots of clutter : (
Truth! I agree baby steps or it gets overwhelming
Great way to do it!
Cheering for you! I am on my way to taking baby steps on decluttering my apt. I have started on my bedroom.
Start small and finish one area totally instead of jumping around. I found I didn't get overwhelmed if I didn't look at the whole room; today I will clean out the dresser drawers, tomorrow the closet etc going in order around the room. Finish one area completely, don't jump from one to another. Did my entire house using this strategy
"CLUTTER IS NOTHING BUT DEFERED DECISIONS."
A friend suffered a terrible house fire some years back - everything was lost. About a year later, she said, despite losing some things that were irreplaceable, it was the best thing that ever happened to her. The sense of emotional lightness and freedom was invaluable. Makes me think I should just load important docs and photos to a cloud & let everything else go. Sort of a “managed” non-fire house fire.
I know exactly the feeling. It’s truly empowering.
@@teriw56I've told myself that same thing. What would I really miss if a disaster erased all my "stuff". I want to achieve that without the disaster.
We park our cars on the street because we can’t put our clutter there.
“Clutter is nothing more than deferred decisions,”. .....This is well said.
Deferred decisions are exactly why I have piles. I TRY to " handle it once" like Steven Convey says. But when I can't decide, I pile.
Never saw much in the garage that WASN'T junk. And I had some good stuff in there.
@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 most people where I live rather fill their garage with stuff and park outside. Ridiculous.
My biggest pet peeve is people in my subdivision parking on the street because their garages are full of stuff
My mom was a hoarder, the "someday garage sale" was a constant source of denial and justification to accumulate more and more useless junk. If you have been meaning to do a garage sale and haven't within a month, just donate the items and get it over with.
GUILTY
Just have one of those junk businesses haul it away. Most of our donations end up in landfills. Donating "stuff" is a feel-good but mostly useless act.
My father had us go through our closets every year. His rule was if you haven’t used something in over a year get rid of it. Chances are you’re never going to use it since you probably didn’t even remember you had it. In a household of 6 this was a great way of getting rid of clutter.
I do the same
My Dad said 2 years, but the same benefits.
I recently donated 6 bins of clothing and accessories, and am in the process of getting rid of old furniture. It’s a great feeling de cluttering your life.
Some furniture is antique and worth alot some is not. Make certain that you get old furniture appraised before getting rid of it. I sold a vintage piece for way under market value and I'm still kicking myself about it.
it really feels good! I love seeing tables empty and clean except for one lamp. Closets that aren't stuffed to the gills are wonderful too.
Amanda H ~ exactly and I'm not fond of giving away clothes to 501 charities who pay their CEO big bucks.
Nelphoto- yes well you would feel good, you've been brainwashed by the richest to feel bad about "owning things."
@@Meekseek Life must be very dull being so cynical as you are. Lose the cynicism and choose instead to be happy. You can't be both.
If you dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to get rid of things you will get organized. The mess wasn't done in a day so you have to have a method to conquer that problem...
Small steps... works every time... it is all about the mind game...
I need an organizer, a counselor, some strength, energy, and helping hands. I use to be the person who was organized and knew where everything was. But health issues, mental issues, and loneliness has changed my life.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Just do say two square meters every day. Be quick, no dillydallying or how you spelletjes it. Donated and recycle the same day.
Like Daphne said a lil at a time and no Dilly dallying. I know how you feel when emotional and physical and medical limitations get you to a point where you are so tired and before you know it...the day has past and you got a brain freeze just thinking about where to start or what to do when you try and start. I have chronic illness so I understand. Start with one area that doesn't need much work but is a functioning space. Say for instance your bed room closet or dresser drawers. (Even if it's a walk in). Take a big garbage bag for throw away items a small bag (donate bag) and what you keep you leave in closet. Start with one lil area. If you have extra bags laying around in closet just pirge the extra bags first. Don't touch things more than twice if you have to. Have hangers available if you are keeping and it needs to be on a hanger. Just hang it right up instead of putting it down and picking up again to hang. Think about do you like the item? If yes, is it your size and do you remember last time you wore it? Clothing, shoes, jewelry. If its your size, only keep if it just needs a button. If it's torn throw away. If you don't like it, put in donate bag if it's in good condition and theow away if it's not. Do your shoes the same way, scarves etc. Only keep in hand for enough time to answer the questions and keep moving. Do not start to remenisce. If you have a walk in closet, just do say all the loose bags or boxes first. Then maybe work on the over head area. Next time left part of closet. Then later that evening the right. Maybe only spend 45 min doing this per area. Before you know it, viola, closet done in a day or day and a half. Kitchen drawers too are easy. You don't need 3 kinds of knives different knives (3 pearing knifes, 3 carving knifes, etc) I'm purging my home right now along with mentally and emotionally purging. People places and things sometimes has just GOT TO GO in order to make life better for you. Be well...blessings.
Baby steps, and do not look at anything for to long or you will keep everything.
@@arswift2 great advice!
I once bought a ton block of compressed clothing from the Salvation Army. I opened it up, sorted it, and took it to an unemployed relative in Mexico. She started a clothing business! It was awesome... for her and the rural neighborhood that had no shopping and little money. In sorting, I was amazed at how few bad items were in there, mostly decent clothing.
I wish ours would do that. So much smelly, gross stuff there. Can't find anything. Can't even MOVE the hangers on the racks.
Only walk in there to get movies or books the library doesn't have and I can't get free here. They're at least somewhat organized.
Rebecca Treeseed how big is a ton of compressed clothing?
I start spring cleaning first week of January - 20 walls, 20weeks, done by Mother's Day. I keep a notebook journal, make scheduled To Do lists and cross things out to feel productive and accomplished. It also takes away overwhelmed feelings. It's really easy once you have the system down. I used to run an in home day care in the 1990s.
Love that idea
This sounds great. Have you written this out anywhere for how you do this? I'm recovering from a hoarder home and try my best to not repeat the same patterns. I'd love to hear more on how people live well.
1 word: KONMARI!!! 2 years on from her tidying marathon and my home is still blissful! You can do it!!
Personally watching a&e hoarders is a great motivation to clean house. I love that show.
I had a storage space for a while. I am so glad I got into a situation where I can fit all my belongings into where I live. I will never pay for storage again. I don’t buy anything unless I have a real need for it. Now I spend money on experiences rather than stuff, even when it comes to the kids in my family. I rarely give them individual gifts. Instead, when we have a party, we create something together or we do fireworks or I take them somewhere and they have fun. Creating memories is more important than hanging on to belongings.
MiamiPush2theLimit I think your idea about gifts for children is spot-on I grew up with not a lot of money and a disabled sibling and my parents gave us small gifts but I don't remember probably 10% of those but I do remember all the Fantastic times they took us to cheap places and made us feel special and the daddy-daughter dates and all of those wonderful memories those last forever but stuff gets thrown away or broken
Very true and a great idea.
It works for friends too. Instead of giving a good friend a' thing' as a gift, consider instead giving an experience.... like take them on a day trip to somewhere they might otherwise not visit - you will both enjoy the shared fun and it becomes a cherished memory to be recalled between you in your future, or buy them an introductory lesson in a sport or hobby you suspect they might enjoy. These are all life-enriching experiences that stay in the memory long after the novelty of owning more "stuff" wears off.
MiamiPush2theLimit if I buy an item I donate two items
@@teresasjackson2233 Yes!! That's the trick. I have been doing that for several years now and it works. Btw, I was shocked by the statistic mentioned in this video that the market for hiring people who advise "clutterers how to declutter is a BILLION dollar industry. Amazing!
I just finished “decluttering” my home.....the feeling....is “freeeeeeedom” never knew how much more relaxed I am!
I’ve never lost sleep over something I’ve let go of while decluttering.
Nor have I. I've made a few mistakes along the way, but they are minimal compared to the benefits of living decluttered.
Same. I started a radical decluttering 12 months ago. Bit of a blip due to serious illness in the family but no i haven't missed anything yet. When i had all the stuff i wouldn't be able to find it anyway when i needed it so would have to buy another! More clutter! My home is tidier and above all easier to keep clean. I'm also better off because i don't just buy something without real thought anymore.
I have only regretted getting rid of one item. I recently found a picture of the item I took before I got rid of it. I don't regret it anymore. It didn't look as good as my memory said it did.
I have. Every toy I owned from childhood and my grandparents stuff....would be worth a fortune now.😲
“Clutter is nothing more than deferred decisions” - that’s a bar
Sometimes I think a lot of us don’t want to get rid of stuff because we may not have had a lot of stuff when we were younger. Maybe our families couldn’t afford “stuff”
Heaven Marie ..... I Know what you are saying, so therefore, exactly the Reason, for Helping Other's, with What YOU have.We really only Need so much.
verrrrry true...
My sentiments exactly!!!!
Well said....growing up with out many things can certainly feed the clutter monster....
Not me. I like my stuff a lot better than I like my family, who has proven they can't be relied on repeatedly. People like that are about 50% of the reason there are so many drug addicts and alcoholics.
People buy to avoid dealing with the pain, disappointments, insecurities, feelings of lack.
Absolute truth. I've done it for years until i realised the stuff i was buying to fill a hole was just filling up my house, emptying my bank account and i was still miserable. Stuff does not make you happy. Wish i'd have realised that 20 years ago!
@@equisader I totally understand! I have gotten much better with acquiring things, but it's a struggle. I buy for others as well 😔
Absolutely true 😥
I buy things like toys that hold memories because we are just memories.
I had too many clothes because I could never make a decision on what to purge. I would spend too much time looking through everything and waffling. One January 1st I turned all the hangers around backwards. I told myself if I wore something it would go back in the right way and at the end of the year anything still on a backwards hanger would go. I really started enjoying my clothes more, wearing different things. Sometimes I would wear something and think, this doesn't feel good, I'm getting rid of it. At the end of the year about 1/3 were still backwards and I just gave them away. I did it for three years and now just keep what I need.
poodlegirl55 same here. I would pick up one thing and come up with 3 reasons I should keep it. I might gain weight. I might lose weight. They might come back in style. I might not have money to buy new ones if I needed. All kinds of excuses. I would frustrate myself, waste 15 minutes with one item and give up
Yes...I might wear it. Try my method it worked. Takes all the drama out of it. I DIDN'T wear it in a year, bye-bye. Took 5 minutes.
What a great idea!
I've been using the if I didn't wear it in a year method for years now, but then I kicked it up a notch by keeping clothing space in the closet to 2 ft of space. If I purchase anything that doesn't fit into that space, I have to purge or sacrifice something to take out so the new item can stay. I've only had 2 ft of clothes in the closet for 12 yrs now. Feels GOOD.
When I was homeless due to having to leave my violent husband I had one holdall of clothes and toiletries but it was so liberating. However, due to the stress of divorce I became really ill and put on weight. Once I got my stuff back and a new place to live I ended up becoming a hoarder. Plus being ill meant I had time for hobbies so ended up with more stuff and paying for storage for 4 years. I am now sorting and Decluttering and using up what I have but it's taken me 9 years to recover and I hope the purge will help my energy levels and health. It can be a long process but learning to value yourself and your life is more important than putting a value on things.
Moving to a smaller home helped me realize just how much we had. I got rid of everything, and feel so much better for it. I still want to downsize and we're at bare minimal now. My family is grateful for the changes we all made.
2:00 Love the quote in this video... This is not a hoarding situation, it's an accumulation problem.
There’s definitely a difference. I’m not remotely hoarding, I’m simply too tired and stressed to deal with it. But if someone else came and asked what could go where, and they did the handling of it all, and didn’t try to go 1,000 miles an hour, but at a reasonable pace, I could do that and toss a great deal, and donate a lot as well. It’s just too much to do alone. I can’t stay focused. I just get anxious. If I could blink it all away, I would.
I also say “if you can’t lay your hands on it, you don’t really own it”. I end up buying another because it’s easier than trying to find what I know I have….somewhere. You don’t own what you can’t find…but eventually it owns you, that’s for sure…
It's the same thing
I love Andrew Mellen! His organisation triangle and his weekly chore schedule changed my life. I’m finally on top of everything!
Garage sales don't yield enough for the amount of energy you expend. Give it away for heaven't sake!
ABSOLUTELY!!! IRS gives better deductions than you make in a sale also
True donate it and write it off. You can go online to say Easter Seals and use their guidlines for an idea
D.N. - Always thought having a garage sale would be fun, but not anymore. For one thing, I understand you need lots of help because; (1) There's a lot of theft by people who come to your sale; (2) No matter what you price an item, the "professional" garage sale types want to negotiate. So, you spend all your time talking to people who want to buy your item for 50 cents rather than one dollar.
D.N. -- Years ago, I stopped going to garage sales because prices high, but MAINLY because I can't believe how many people put out their stuff without bothering to clean it up, first. I'd be so embarrassed to do that. It often looks like people just took junk from their garage that has been sitting for years, full of dust and dirt, and it's not as if they price it low.
And, btw, have you noticed (in the US) how NO garage sales have books for sale? At most, they have childrens' books. Decades ago (I'm old), that was not the case. Nowadays, it's a sad commentary on the fact that people don't read. (And, no, I don't think these people are holding onto their books; they've never had any).
@@arx754 Lots of book owners donate their books to libraries, charities, etc., rather than sell them. That is what we do and most of my friends to that too.
I had to clear out our family home of 54 years, along with 10 years of my personal stuff. Even though I had 3 haulers come and take things away, I ended up needing 4 storage lockers. Last year I got down to the last one. I am going to work the locker every other Saturday from October to December to get it from a 10x10 to a 5x7 closet.
My brothers cleared out our parents home in 2 weeks after our Mom passed. ")
momof2 Perhaps they were not attached to anything as that is very fast. It took my parents over a year to clear out my grand parents house. Whilst they were alive I kept telling grandad to wear the nice stuff we had all bought him but he kept saving it 'for best' and nan too wore the same old stuff. It all ended up being given to charity. They went through the War so valued and took care of things but they told us not to buy them anything. They valued our time visiting more.
Fourthgirl Well done! Doesn't matter how long it has taken you the point is that you did it. Some people can just chuck stuff but others of us need to go thru snd sort it and let go emotionally. I hope you enjoy the freedom and space.
I think of those in the nursing homes, that came from big farmhouses, that just had a stand with shelves and a drawer and shared a closet with another resident. For myself, being the only family member left, I had junk from decades to get rid of, takes a lot of energy and many hours from one's life handling thousands of objects. It's hard to find anyone to come for junk even when it is free, they have their own junk to contend with, I guess.
Fourthgirl - well done!
When I was young, I wanted things, everything. As I grew older and wiser I realized that "things" do not make me happy and started getting rid of a lot of it. I don't miss anything I either donated, sold, or threw away.
CBS Sunday morning show is great, look forward to this every week
This is a difficult issue for people like myself with health problems that leave you with little energy. Add to that memory problems, there is a tendency to keep some objects that others would dispose of because they have the memories. For me, the memories don't come unless I see the objects to help trigger the memories
I've been thinking about the last sentence in your comment. If you need an object to have a memory maybe you could use a blank book or have a computer file in which you record the memory that goes with the object and then give the object away if there's no other reason for keeping it. Too I'd like to offer this idea: if you have to have an object or item to keep the memory associated with it, maybe that memory isn't so important anymore and it might be time to be more involved with the present and create new memories.
Lori L what I have done since I’m the same way is take a picture of the item then keep a journal and attach the picture and right a paragraph about the memory of that item!! I was able to part with so much stuff and still I can look back and remember 😊
Are the memories happy ones? Do they make you feel better? I have watched these shows and people say what you are saying but what they are remembering is sad or terrible. If the memory it triggers is sad you need to get rid of the object. They have more power than you think.
I understand the health issues making it difficult to physically move things out. Maybe photos of most of the items that trigger happy memories will suffice so you can let go of the items themselves.
Wow that is very deep. I wonder are you getting treated for the memory problems? I have that too. I’m getting a 3 hour assessment on Thursday. I want to get a diagnosis and a plan if there is one. Fir me having too much stuff makes me more confused. I’m only keeping the sentimental stuff. Most of it is clutter
Minimalism is freedom, everyone has its own minimalism! ;)
I found the underlying root of my CONSTANT buying. I tried to fill a void, it was a coping mechanism for my codependency and my emotional trauma. Loss of parent, emotional neglect in my childhood was never dealt with. So I turned to coping mechanisms. Eating disorder, Shopping, being overly friendly, everyone walking over me... Now it gets easier to Part with stuff. Unfortunately the pull to buy is strong, as I still suffer from the trauma. So... It's ongoing work. But it is very important do find a reason why you are buying so much and why you need or want to get rid of stuff.
Hope you are enjoying life now 💕
Join a kindness group; a medical clown, visit little kids , visit hospitals, join a charity group. Doing acts of kindness is the most fulfilling and rewarding.
For some of us, the struggle comes from living in a world of plenty after being raised by Depression/War era parents. We are making rubber band balls in a society drowning in rubber bands. Not repairing or saving everything (even packaging because it might be useful) always comes with a pang of guilt. I almost resent prosperity - it deprives us of the joy of being resourceful. The struggle is real. 🙄
I am in the middle of getting rid of clutter that piled up for my whole life. Took me months already (since I am a full time worker, mom, wife and house-owner) -with a garage, but with three cars parking on the street, because there is no space left in that garage...
I appreciate those videos. They keep me going! Thank you!
Good luck to you, Vani! You will be/are an inspiration to your child(ren).
*Today is the first day of the rest of your life!*
When I was a kid our basement was empty. Now 60 years later my basement is full. Full of things I'll never use again.
Bet there's some money to be made.
The merchant class has been exploiting this tendency in humans for years. Since we've never needed all the stuff they want to sell, they create desire. It's pretty insidious.
Stupid comment ^. No one is forcing anyone to part with their money to buy stuff they don't need.
Brilliant remark.truth spoken!
@@billwilson5341 while that may appear true and reasonable to some,the subliminal manner in which consumption is fed is very real.
Personal responsibility!
Bill Wilson Not forcing exactly but making a need for buying. Furniture and white goods used to be made to last several decades not just one or less. Where does all the broken stuff go? Not all is recycled. Stuff and clothes are mass produced and of less value Eg stone washing jeans. It's just wear and tear before they have been worn, even more stupid are ripped jeans. Levi originally made jeans as robust work wear. No longer. I was annoyed that my £50 Fat Face jeans wore a hole after only 6 months. I will mend them, eventually! Had to buy another pair! But jeans should last for years. Another reason why women buy more clothes is our fluctuating body shape and it's so very difficult to get a pair of trousers or jeans to fit if you have hips and a bottom. British made clothes used to be better made and fit pear shaped ladies like me. Nowadays with everything outsourced and made overseas the patterns seem to be for the Asian shape of slim legs, no bottom but too much fabric on the stomach area. Even chains known for quality like M+S no longer produce decent stuff. Perhaps we will have to go back to making our own clothes but sewing machines aren't what they used to be either. I hope the younger generation who live minimally due to travelling will turn this madness around. For myself I am in the process of Letting Go snd using up. Old clothes make great quilts but patchwork fabric is big business especially in America. I love it but it rather defeats the object using new fabric. One company has rake over the whole town wirh fabric shops. It's great to have choice but today we gave too much.
Very powerful statement at the end. "It's just stuff". Very good.
I really wish if I could work with clutter control companies. I really love cleaning and also change people lives
If only our military could drop pallets and bundles of clothes and recycled household stuff instead of bombs on wartorn areas we could help rebuild areas. The folks in Syria could use clothes, kitchen stuff etc. Clothes and things to impoverished parts of the world.🤔
If only people would do for themselves. If only governments would get out of people's lives so that they *could* do for themselves.
I DO believe people would find it easier to de-clutter if they knew their belongings would go to needy persons - where ever they may be.
No, they don't need the junk either. It will just be large piles of junk dropped and not helpful to them. Lots of info online can be searched on this and the disadvantages this causes.
We ship pallets of used goods overseas daily.it is big biz believe it or not.used clothing being one.
There are collections for the refugees here in the UK by Aid Convoy. I feel good knowing my stuff will go to people in need of the things that are not needed by me.
The Syrian refugees, I meant, who are currently in Greece.
Paying cash also helps. The pain of letting go of the crisp green bills in the hand will slow down the madness. ;)
I strongly agree-I am going to make this change I just decided
doesn’t work for me
Right
@@Littleathquakes It worked for me
Yes and no. If you get great points, it's worth it to use a card. You get cash for buying stuff *you never carry a balance on.* So, free money.
You can put any restrictions on it you want. Like they lock it down over 100.00.
Kids should learn all about cards early and how it works. I did. Nothing teaches them about money and percentages like THEIR money. I guarantee you, they'll know % better than they get at school when you tell them, "Oh, your own business? That's 15% in taxes...." and put that away for them right off? Use it for school or a down payment on THEIR house when they grow up. Make damn sure the house is THEIRS, not a wedding gift. They'll be divorced soon enough. Make sure that other person never lived there a day after marriage (yes, it's from Day 1). Then, they can never touch it.
Plus, all the deductables are in one place, on a statement. Easy to file. Easy to find.
The most helpful advice. Don't think of what to get rid of. Think of what you will keep.
Growing up, my mother always had a huge heavy duty brown paper bag from the Salvation Army. As we kids grew out of clothes or stopped playing with certain toys, into the bag it all went. When it was full, she requested a pickup and they brought her another bag. Nothing has to pile up like in this video.
I’m going to go through my entire room before my senior year starts. I hate having so much clutter. It’s always been hard for me to throw things away or donate them because a lot of people I grew up around are hoarders. Now I’m just trying to get rid of things and get past the emotional aspect of parting with those things.
I have health issues which slow me down more every year and so time is very important to me and I hate wasting it looking for things. I decided to make a spreadsheet of the locations of every item I own. It took a couple of days to do. Now I can search the spreadsheet in seconds and find anything. This is especially useful for planning future projects. Also, I can now take a leisurely look at items on the spreadsheet and decide whether or not I really need them.
What an excellent idea
What a great idea! I'm helping someone declutter, so I'll be doing this for her.
I heard from somewhere that clutter is a sign of depression. Clutter then would make sense. Besides all geneses have cluttered desks.
I am a genius and I do not have a cluttered desk, or any other area of clutter. Why? Because I'm a genius!
REALLY?!? All "geneses"--which means 'origins,' or 'coming into being'--have cluttered desks? How can something intangible have a cluttered anything???? By the way, not all GENIUSES have cluttered desks, not by any means.
UPDATE:
Mission accomplished...
Well almost...
I emptied my storage unit and I no longer pay someone to store my
'delayed decisions'.
Now I have a full storage bin at my apartment and a living room full of guests.
But I am thinning the pile every day.
Thanks to all for your input. Those that have spoken to me thru email.
Mega thanks !
I now have a cottage industry RE the joys of post clutter living.
The benefits include
1.one less monthly bill
2.joined gym lost 23 lbs
3. active again in. Toastmasters Int"l-
public speaking group and earned my Distinguished Toastmaster Award
4. shopping for new wardrobe
5. Back to playing ice hockey after seven year hiatus.
6. Back to teaching English as second language
7. taking cooking classes at local community college
Greatest benefits to clutter free lifestyle are clearer thinking, better decision making and sense of freedom.
Next up.
21years at the bank is enough. What's my next life challenge?
Back into the dating pool.
Without a good woman to share the new experiences life is a bit bland.
Age 55 is a great age to jump start the next phase of life.
Who'da thunk all this from
tossing and donating stuff I wasnt even using.
Pretty good trade!
Tim
Blog will be up after Thanksgiving.
tfronimo@yahoo.com
Great stuff Tim and congrats on all your achievements. Any you tube channel coming up perhaps?😉
@@carolinesergon347
Thanks Caroline. Probably after the New Year.
Wow, that's fantastic. And hope it keeps going well for you.
Consume. Consume. Consume. A New mindset is needed in this culture.
Love these episodes to inspire and motivate me to get going and rid of unecessary stuff, awesome!👍🤗
Thank you for this! It has made me feel better about my mess. I look well organized and tidy compared to these over the top clutter piles. I moved seven yrs ago. A big downsizing.
But I still moved too much. Now my days are numbered and I need to purge again, so as not to leave my heirs a disaster.
My coastal cottage will be sold furnished. But, so many personal things still need to go. Im looking at my my home now as a potential rental unit. I’m so grateful to not have giant piles to deal with 🙏🏼
I paid 1-800-got junk to remove the stuff in my apartment, when I moved to a beautiful furnished apartment in safe clean and beautiful Queretaro, Mexico at 79. I always kept my clutter in Rubber Maid boxes covered in Mexican serapes. I never sell anything, and will give it away, orpay to have it removed. My Queretaro apartment is 100% furnished, includes all utilities and wifi, and maid service, with a king size bed, and a fantastic view of most of Queretaro. It is less expensive than the USA and safer. I thank GOD!
Very good video!!! Decluttering your place is a wonderful pathway to a peace of mind. Thank you so much.
I hate to admit that I have been paying storage for 2 yrs and never use anything in storage.
I think I can safely say that I dont need ANY of it but...
as soon as I open the storage unit, the problems begin.
"How can I get red of my high school letter jacket or old books, this was moms this was a gift from dad,
those old National Geographics are still good.
so goes the modern American attachment to stuff.
i think its one part cinditioning, one part laziness, one part lack of a plan and also a bit of a spiritual battle.
i propose Henry David Thoureau as a patron 'saint' of declutterers.
he said, "simplify simplify, simplify."
Tim Fronimos old books and magazines like your National Geographics can be recycled placed in to bins at your local landfill.
Tim, I don't have a storage space (any more) but I do have stuff that I need to part with. Your comment is mine. It is the memories of the stuff that makes it hard to part with it. I've started taking photographs of some of it and find that makes it easier to part with the stuff. I have no one to pass the stuff on to. Good luck to you, my friend.
@@billwilson5341 I was thinking the same thing. If we have pictures of our "things" we can still look at the pictures and have those memories without hanging on to those things that take up valuable space, cost money if you pay for storage, and cause anxiety. My memory isn't so great and I always think I have to hang on to something to keep the memory. Taking a picture of it is a great idea!
Tim Fronimos ......Take a Pic of the Sentimental item's, Donate item's NOT being used.Add-up WHAT you Spend on a Storage-Unit.You could SAVE that money, or BUY something NEW, with that money, holding onto thing's that you'll Never USE again.Good Luck !! ☺
Take in one bin with you....what ever fits in it, and you can close the lid on it determines what is most important to you, then get rid of the rest, or hire someone to do it for you.
Yeah, I gave almost everything when I retired to move in take care of my parents. Their stuff half organized in garage, my stuff and then I started a charity trying to save the stuff from neighbors that were being evicted even before the pandemic. Now I have more stuff than ever but am helping the community by giving it away for free at the local foodbank. Have begun to dig my way out and it does feel great! Although I am a true believer in the creativity outof chaos, spent 37 years as a Children's Librarian where everything was in order except my desk. One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries! A.A. Milne
“Set yourself free!”. I love it!
Awesome...Just stuff. Keep important things or take pictures and save that. I agree. Love this.
Throwing away or donating stuff really is liberating. And sometimes, when you talk to friends about it, they might have the same problems and you can encourage each other on your journey.
Or they might even need some of the stuff you're setting free. Needing as in using it, not just waning to have it.
This video was just what I needed to continue decluttering :)
I have started putting items outside my house with a Free sign and it goes to a new home. Feels good.😊
"Set yourself Free" I'm so ready to do that.
I just need to stay away from thrift stores. Been cleaning out the junk I BOUGHT. I will make this work.
I started getting red of stuff, because I am 69 retired and we are thinking of moving, and my husband said in 10 years we can think of moving. So we need to get rid of stuff, lots of stuff. I just say ok and he has taken 4 trips to goodwill this week. I am on my way.
Miracles upon Miracles, A Million Little Miracles. God is so good to this young man. He is working hard to get himself back. God bless you, young man, and God bless your family for being right there with him and loving him.
I have always made intentional purchases; Just buying what I truly want and need. And I donate or give away things that are not serving their purpose anymore. I could never live in chaos as I have always been neat, clean, and organized. It's amazing to me people live like this! "Clutter is nothing more than deferred decisions." Good statement!
"The stuff you own, ends up owning you" - Tyler Durden
I knew I was really onto the BETTER life of decluttering...when it took two seconds one day to finally throw out a dining room chair that was missing a rung and the other rung was off on one side...it went with the garbage this morning...I don't miss it...thank God...NOW I'm on my way out to the garage for day 3 on decluttering this area of our house...who knows...maybe, we will actually get a vehicle in again☺
I've never understood that. Maybe get rid of the junk and get a nicer car? :) I have a Dodge Challenger with a HEMI. There's NO WAY it's going outside.
I'm a minimalist that lives with a clutter bug hubby and a hoarder kid.. I'm always a toss it if its not in use kinda person. let the energy and air flow.. a healthy space is organized, clean, and spacious
Thank you for this. Lots a great quotes and looking in Napo.
I went to donate to my local goodwill and they couldnt take any more stuff becase they 75 to 100 8ft tall bins filled to the roof with the GARBAGE that people dump on them. They told me they dont have the manpower to go thru all that stuff. They also said a majority of it ends up in landfills. So people quit donating your garbage to goodwill under the guise of doing something good.
me and Goodwill have become "best buddies"!
i go to goodwill to purchase things i need.like shoes or winter clothes
@@kauntroap6339 I find really neat accent pieces....cute kitchen aprons...picture frames....stuff like that...my friend in NY area finds REALLY cool stuff ...probably because the garment factories donate...
I started a 15 item wardrobe in January best life changing choice I've made! At first I was not content but over time I have adapted.
I purged m stuff 4 years ago & i am so glad i did it.
I have taken the past 2 months and the last two weeks especially because I had it off work and gotten rid of so much stuff and organized what I have. I want to live on one floor of my house instead of two. We are not garage sale people. I hired 1 800 Junk and I don't regret paying for it because I feel so free and the stuff is gone. Now I am working on getting out of debt, the plan is 3 years fore going any large finance crisis. I can do it. You can do it.
Sounds like a Good Plan
I watched this all the way through, and just as I watched the last sentence, an ad came on, suggesting I buy more stuff.
Our stuff represents those who are
gone and everything that means something of value to us that can never be replaced releasing my self of it is like releasing myself of my blood and guts and those I love!
Wow! I’m doing better than I thought. I’m in the process of decluttering now. I can’t believe people don’t have room to park their cars in their garages! We have our cars in our garage and a few other things, that’s it. So, that makes me feel better. I think it’s a mindset change that needs to happen. Once I changed how I looked at all the stuff I had, I decided to declutter and I am feeling a lot better about it now. Took me years to get here though! Good luck to all trying to declutter. Remember, the less you have, the less you have to organize. 😉
The social worker hinted at it, but a huge part of this issue is poverty/financial stress. The reason people buy more when there is a sale and keep things they aren't using is that we fear when we need something, we won't be able to afford it.
So true. My parents were immigrants and grew up in a 3rd world country so once they moved to the U.S., they bought everything that is on sale so they "saved" which wasn't ever the case because a lot of that crap piled up. It was so frustrating.
I grew up well off and I loved stuff growing up!!! I wanted stuff then and I want jjunk now! The poverty/stress reason is not always true.
@@VelveteenRabbit77 I think its because you can't rely on people. Lots of people have worthless families, the kind you never talk to, only call when they want something and are mean/rude and totally unsupportive the rest of the time. Two-faced. My stuff and my dogs are way better and more loving than that. In fact, some people make a legal effort to make sure their mooching families don't use their house as a free garage sale if they die. Seen it happen.
A few years ago we did a major clean out of the house and got rid of a LOT of stuff..like the sandwich machine nobody used, the hand crank ice cream machine, and other stuff. My garage is a bit full but I do woodworking and some of the machines take up space. The next big project: Christmas stuff. Boxes of decorations we haven't used in a decade. We don't really need 10 containers of ornaments.
What is a sandwich machine? I don't think I've heard of that unless it has another name.
@@smithsmith9379 It is a product designed to fix a problem that doesn't exist..well for me. You take 2 pieces of bread and butter the outside and put cheese inside. Then you put it in the machine, it toasts it and cuts it into 4 pieces. We were given the machine by my in-laws, it sat for 5 years in the cupboard and then migrated to a garage sale and somebody else's house.
Thanks, you learn something every day :-)
Absolutely!!! I did a major clean out of my Christmas decorations. It's my fav time of year and my fav decorations!! I went from 8 big plastic totes and cut it down to 4. I was so proud of myself!!!! Lol
I think the woodwork stuff is fine! You USE it. I do crafts myself, I have them neatly put away, but you don’t do it EVERY DAY, you know? It doesn’t mean junk it. I mean, woodworking is projects. Unless you haven’t used it in like 5 years, and you’re truly never going to again. I’m on your wagon about Xmas stuff. It gets collected over the years, then you use less after awhile. That’s my project this year when I put away. If it didn’t get used THIS year, goodbye!
I looooove purging. It’s so liberating. Watching him makes me want to help others declutter. But I don’t think I have the patience.
Excellent vid. Addresses the underlying problem unlike most others. Example: "The thrill of the hunt (shopping for stuff we don't need)", etc. Thanks.
People can take pictures of stuff they have an emotional attachment too.😊 and then...DONATE.😊
P.s. God Bless Us All🙏
FIRE SIGN
photo not= thing!
Or just keep it.
I was always organized and very neat and clean. 15 years ago we had a house fire and lost 98% of our stuff. This started my journey on only owning what I use. 2 years ago I had to get rid of all the things my Mom wasn’t able to use due to Alzheimer’s Disease. It was so emotional. I had 3 huge haul away trailers that I filled. This made me rethink what I have and if I haven’t used it in a year or more I donate it. My plan is to sell my house and build a 1200 sq foot house and put items I truly use and that serve me in it. Thank you for this great video made me think more about what I have and why.
Thank you for the pep talk ❤️
I used to definitely have too much stuff because I did not have much with my parents. Had stuff I never looked at or used. Moved to Tucson AZ little over a month ago. Purged big time. I tried on all my clothes. Kept what fit & I love. Kept only decor I love. I actually have blank walls which I have never had. Was good at filling up every wall space. I know what I have & where it is. Asked people have you ever went and repurchased something because you cannot find it & find it later, then have 2? They all said yes including me.
Watching my sister who is a multimillionaire buy property and barns to keep everything she's ever bought and much stuff from family that died, has been an eye opener for me on purging useless items. It does bring her great joy and comfort to be able to collect items as memories, so I do not judge her. It's her right to keep everything. And it all is very organized. So, to each his own. Purging isn't for everyone.
Agreed. My uncle kept a great collection and we all are so glad he did. Takes up several barns, and not one person resents it or sees it as a burden, but as an amazing memory for us all. But he did carefully choose what he kept, it wasn’t chaotic, random bits of anything and nothing, but well-chosen things, and took good care of every single piece of it. We highly value it.
Clutter is clutter no matter how much its worth or how neatly its stacked
Two years ago I decided that I would only buy things that I really needed. No more good deals, no more "oh this may be a good present for someone for Christmas in 7 months", no more impislive buying. Of course, I'm not 100% successful (the impulsive buying is the most difficult to resist), but I'm proud of myself for not having added things in my home these last 2 years
I totally agree with the garage being used for storage. My home has a two car garage, my car has only been parked in it for 2 of the 24 years I have lived here. Various members over the years have used it to store their stuff.
Thank you for sharing this is what I need motivation to set myself Free it’s just Stuff.