No one tells middle aged people these times in their lives are coming, and what a shock! We are planning on retirement in two years and I found your discussion about what is not going with us on our downsizing adventure extremely helpful. This thought never even crossed our minds! Gardening equipment, bicycles, superfluous furniture, etc. are probably not going with us. I appreciate your mention of a temporary storage building for contemplation time during unexpected grief. ❤ ☕️
Thank you for addressing deep grief. I did not realize how much grief has impacted my de-cluttering. Little by slow, little by slow has been my motto. I didn't stop completely, but I was careful not to let go of the personal stuff too soon. Slow progress is still progress!
Dining room downsize... I gave away the top half of the china cabinet, but kept the bottom half for storage. I kept the dining table, but gave away very thick and hard to store table pads. I replaced all tablecloths, (which used to take me hours to wash, iron, and store) with linen placements. I gave away all formal "serving pieces" , and instead invested in pots/pans that go from oven/stove directly to the table beautifully. Half of the dining chairs.... I put to good use in other rooms.
a little off-topic but a great quote "Guilt will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay" Ronald L. Banks' father
"A little bit of knowledge...goes a long way". I will declutter at the speed of light, once I learn Why some things are bad for my health, safety... and especially the health of my grandchildren and children. For example, when I learned that there was dangerous lead in my mugs, dishes, and glasses.. .I disposed of them immediately. Most of my candles, toiletries, teflon kitchen pans, plastic food storage tubs were loaded with "forever" chemicals, that can cause cancer. It was easy to declutter my pantry and frig , when I learned which foods were full of bad chemicals. This year, I even learned that most chocolates have dangerous levels of lead and cadmium. . Safer, healthier food, housewares, and even furniture and clothing can be more expensive. So this is causing me to buy a lot less of everything... which is a good thing. that means I have fewer things to deal with, as I am downsizing. I desperately wish I had known these health and safety risks decades ago, when I was raising my children. But at least now, I can be 100% safer with my grandchildren.
Very impressive efforts! I am now thinking about the "things" I think I need to keep! If it is bad for me, spouse, family or peoples of the world and our environment, there is no longer an argument! Out it goes!
Chemical perfumes in products cause asthma for many people. Also Clean My Space youtube channel by professional cleaner has videos on DIY totally non-toxic cleaners and the best and most efficient way to clean all areas of your home.
@@maryweavergouwens4737 What also motivates me is knowing that my extra things are desperately needed by others - a local organization helps people move into permanent housing (from being homeless) and they desperately need kitchen stuff and bedding and towels and other small housewares (another org is supplying furniture).
I remember my grandmother happily getting rid of everything at a garage sale. When she died she had already given me a few photos and jewellery pieces which i am glad to have. My mother also gave me the art pieces my grandmother painted. I'm learning to paint now so they're useful as well as sentimental.
I am grieving the loss of my spouse to dementia, and am now getting ready to move across the country closer to family. We have a 55x75 shop full, and most I do not want to get rid of.
Another important reason to start a long time out is that I think for everyone decluttering is an "onion" process (a layer at a time). You declutter one layer, and living with what remains helps you figure out what else you don't need/use, so you declutter the next "layer", live with what remains, etc. I am a minimalist and I am still discovering aspects of my stuff. (but nobody is coming between me and my rainbow vacuum......at least until I get to permanenly live forever in a place with no carpet).
I found room for a case of tri-fold paper towels (sturdier and MUCH more space efficient than rolls) in the linen closet because we don't have lots of bedding). also room for my beloved rainbow vacuum.
I am planning a move, and have been considering what to do with my Rainbow vacuums. I rarely use them, (actually never) but do not want to give them up. I used them for years, now I have a HEPA wet-dry vac that works as well. OK, I am talking myself into giving the Rainbows away.
@@deawallace3584 Do mention that the recipient should clean the piece (plastic, flared cup shape that had many slits) should be cleaned each time with a stiff toothbrush. Also our local vacuum shop (sells and repairs) owner (in his 70's) says he likes the old rainbow D series more than the newer E series.
pantry: i have one cupboard with three shelves as a panty. i tell you, to keep a certain turnaround and use up the food regularly, this is still very much space.
31:40-45, 37:05 is a good thought exercise regarding your priorities; where does each item rank versus the space? If you want a real challenge, imagine moving into a 45 by 8.5 ft tiny home while subtracting wall and furnishings space, and keeping safety walkway/escape paths empty (with exit windows/doors). (Don't forget the space plumbing, central heating/cooling, and electrical require.)
I think Ed and his next of kin are so right to start now working on reducing pantry items and other stored items. A year out is being good to yourself and reducing stress later. Food-wise in the freezer and food cupboard I try to have only what I'll use up in a fortnight. It is a help to me. G Ire PS Ed's parents were impressively proactive!
A message to my younger self = i would have appreciated the little that i had & embraced it instead of feeling deprived. .. i would have embraced minimalism, although that would have been opposite of what society was telling us to do. Minimalism & Atomic Habits have been game changers financially for me & in all areas of my life.😊
When I was in my early 30s, an older friend commented “We spend the first half of our adult life accumulating things and the last half getting rid of them.” I wish I had taken more heed to that comment.
Being allowed to purchase any thing on the list, but only being allowed to purchase things written on to the list before you leave home helps with budgeting.
Ed - I think each video title should include the words "full-time professional organizer" because that is one thing that sets Gayle apart from most of the youtubers doing organizing/decluttering videos.
Ed, could you give us updates as you downsize your pantry? I am a home cook like you, but even storing spices drive me crazy, they take up so much room. It might just be those small jars get on my nerves. Larger bottles (like for olive oil) do not bother me. I try to remember spices are FOOD, and will expire just as food would. But spices are so expensive, I find myself stocking up when they go on sale. and then they are difficult to store. any advice would be appreciated. Also, Gayle. I have downsized my dining room to just the basics (I commented below on dining room downsizing). But now I also am putting the word out there to relatives, that when I actually move out....who wants my large dining room table and sideboard and 8 chairs? If more than one family wants the furniture, I will have them literally toss a coin.
Cas said your stuff is not a cat, you don’t have to rehome it.
😄
No one tells middle aged people these times in their lives are coming, and what a shock! We are planning on retirement in two years and I found your discussion about what is not going with us on our downsizing adventure extremely helpful. This thought never even crossed our minds! Gardening equipment, bicycles, superfluous furniture, etc. are probably not going with us. I appreciate your mention of a temporary storage building for contemplation time during unexpected grief. ❤ ☕️
Thank you for addressing deep grief. I did not realize how much grief has impacted my de-cluttering. Little by slow, little by slow has been my motto. I didn't stop completely, but I was careful not to let go of the personal stuff too soon. Slow progress is still progress!
Everyone here is waving pompoms for you!
Dining room downsize... I gave away the top half of the china cabinet, but kept the bottom half for storage. I kept the dining table, but gave away very thick and hard to store table pads. I replaced all tablecloths, (which used to take me hours to wash, iron, and store) with linen placements. I gave away all formal "serving pieces" , and instead invested in pots/pans that go from oven/stove directly to the table beautifully. Half of the dining chairs.... I put to good use in other rooms.
Yay!!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
a little off-topic but a great quote "Guilt will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay" Ronald L. Banks' father
"A little bit of knowledge...goes a long way". I will declutter at the speed of light, once I learn Why some things are bad for my health, safety... and especially the health of my grandchildren and children. For example, when I learned that there was dangerous lead in my mugs, dishes, and glasses.. .I disposed of them immediately. Most of my candles, toiletries, teflon kitchen pans, plastic food storage tubs were loaded with "forever" chemicals, that can cause cancer. It was easy to declutter my pantry and frig , when I learned which foods were full of bad chemicals. This year, I even learned that most chocolates have dangerous levels of lead and cadmium. . Safer, healthier food, housewares, and even furniture and clothing can be more expensive. So this is causing me to buy a lot less of everything... which is a good thing. that means I have fewer things to deal with, as I am downsizing. I desperately wish I had known these health and safety risks decades ago, when I was raising my children. But at least now, I can be 100% safer with my grandchildren.
Very impressive efforts! I am now thinking about the "things" I think I need to keep! If it is bad for me, spouse, family or peoples of the world and our environment, there is no longer an argument! Out it goes!
Chemical perfumes in products cause asthma for many people. Also Clean My Space youtube channel by professional cleaner has videos on DIY totally non-toxic cleaners and the best and most efficient way to clean all areas of your home.
@@maryweavergouwens4737 What also motivates me is knowing that my extra things are desperately needed by others - a local organization helps people move into permanent housing (from being homeless) and they desperately need kitchen stuff and bedding and towels and other small housewares (another org is supplying furniture).
I remember my grandmother happily getting rid of everything at a garage sale. When she died she had already given me a few photos and jewellery pieces which i am glad to have. My mother also gave me the art pieces my grandmother painted. I'm learning to paint now so they're useful as well as sentimental.
I am grieving the loss of my spouse to dementia, and am now getting ready to move across the country closer to family. We have a 55x75 shop full, and most I do not want to get rid of.
Love this encouragement toward downsizing. Thanks
Another important reason to start a long time out is that I think for everyone decluttering is an "onion" process (a layer at a time). You declutter one layer, and living with what remains helps you figure out what else you don't need/use, so you declutter the next "layer", live with what remains, etc. I am a minimalist and I am still discovering aspects of my stuff. (but nobody is coming between me and my rainbow vacuum......at least until I get to permanenly live forever in a place with no carpet).
Now This is What it's All About ! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤
I found room for a case of tri-fold paper towels (sturdier and MUCH more space efficient than rolls) in the linen closet because we don't have lots of bedding). also room for my beloved rainbow vacuum.
I am planning a move, and have been considering what to do with my Rainbow vacuums. I rarely use them, (actually never) but do not want to give them up. I used them for years, now I have a HEPA wet-dry vac that works as well. OK, I am talking myself into giving the Rainbows away.
@@deawallace3584 Do mention that the recipient should clean the piece (plastic, flared cup shape that had many slits) should be cleaned each time with a stiff toothbrush. Also our local vacuum shop (sells and repairs) owner (in his 70's) says he likes the old rainbow D series more than the newer E series.
pantry: i have one cupboard with three shelves as a panty. i tell you, to keep a certain turnaround and use up the food regularly, this is still very much space.
31:40-45, 37:05 is a good thought exercise regarding your priorities; where does each item rank versus the space?
If you want a real challenge, imagine moving into a 45 by 8.5 ft tiny home while subtracting wall and furnishings space, and keeping safety walkway/escape paths empty (with exit windows/doors). (Don't forget the space plumbing, central heating/cooling, and electrical require.)
I think Ed and his next of kin are so right to start now working on reducing pantry items and other stored items. A year out is being good to yourself and reducing stress later. Food-wise in the freezer and food cupboard I try to have only what I'll use up in a fortnight. It is a help to me. G Ire
PS Ed's parents were impressively proactive!
I love listening to you guys every week
A message to my younger self = i would have appreciated the little that i had & embraced it instead of feeling deprived. .. i would have embraced minimalism, although that would have been opposite of what society was telling us to do. Minimalism & Atomic Habits have been game changers financially for me & in all areas of my life.😊
"Goodbye Things" by Fumio Sasaki is my new favorite book - a great book on minimalist ideas.
When I was in my early 30s, an older friend commented “We spend the first half of our adult life accumulating things and the last half getting rid of them.” I wish I had taken more heed to that comment.
@@TheDriftwoodlover true that! It was good advice, right?
Being allowed to purchase any thing on the list, but only being allowed to purchase things written on to the list before you leave home helps with budgeting.
Ed - I think each video title should include the words "full-time professional organizer" because that is one thing that sets Gayle apart from most of the youtubers doing organizing/decluttering videos.
There is so much room on the Earth. Why do we as a culture force elderly people to live in a postage stamp sized living area?
Love seeing Franklie 😺
Ed, could you give us updates as you downsize your pantry? I am a home cook like you, but even storing spices drive me crazy, they take up so much room. It might just be those small jars get on my nerves. Larger bottles (like for olive oil) do not bother me. I try to remember spices are FOOD, and will expire just as food would. But spices are so expensive, I find myself stocking up when they go on sale. and then they are difficult to store. any advice would be appreciated.
Also, Gayle. I have downsized my dining room to just the basics (I commented below on dining room downsizing). But now I also am putting the word out there to relatives, that when I actually move out....who wants my large dining room table and sideboard and 8 chairs? If more than one family wants the furniture, I will have them literally toss a coin.
Great plan!!