You are so inspirational and funny 😆 thanks for your tips! I have five kiddos (plus my hubby of course) and all of the clutter here is a constant thing. I’m always trying to decide what to keep what to give away.
I kept my junior prom dress. It's gorgeous, i felt beautiful in it, and I picked it out with my mom. She passed away after I got engaged but before I bought my wedding dress, so we never had that mother-daughter moment. I agree that memories don't live in things, but some items elicit powerful emotions and memories and can and should be held onto.
Completely agree. I lost both of my parents at a young age and I need to have some physical possessions that bring back their memories because memories fade and that is so painful.
I agree. I don't think it is necessary to "get rid of" all sentimental items that "don't serve a purpose." Having a few items, or maybe it is just one , that have strong emotional ties isn't wrong in my opinion. It is just one or maybe a few items. Not that big of a deal. Beautiful story about your prom dress. Take care.
My first huge deck utter involved going through my Mom's things after she passed. I called it an archeological dig. It got me primed for going through my home of over 30 years, downsizing to an apartment. I was happy that more was donatable than trash. Sentimental thoughts had to take a back seat to practicality. Those items were put in a separate pile to be given a more thoughtful look. My Dad was glad so much of my Mom's things went on to help a family that had just lost everything in a fire. Nice outfits were put together, along with jewelry, for women trying to move out of poverty. They were used for job interviews, and other professional appointments.
I took a lot of things from my mother's home when she passed, and while they're sentimental to me, my son doesn't hold those same feelings because he wasn't alive when we were making the memories that were attached to these things. I have decided to tell him that while they hold great memories for me, I won't be mad if he donates them to someone who will take/buy them because they spark their own wonderful memories.
I paraphrased Joshua Becker’s definition of minimalism: “Minimalism is about identifying what’s important in life, and removing the things that are distracting us from them.”
Thank you!!!! I think we have all fallen pray to “the decluttering/minimalistic craze” on you tube. You are shedding light on being an individual and keeping what is important to you. Some are comfortable with 4 sets of everyday dishes in the cabinets. For others it would make them nuts 🥜! Yes, so as you said “you do you”. Personally, shoes speak to me. 🤣 just sayin’
I love your #3 - "Don't be a minimalist" - I love decluttering but there are things I also like on my shelves that some may say are junk. It's our home, our memories, I don't want to hide everything in a box because I'm trying to live in a "pinterest home" Thank you for being real about it.
This is the first time I have every commented on any video. My daughter and granddaughter both have went to a minimal life style and they want to help me. As I tell them I lived the minimal life style as a child it was called poor. Which is ok because my parents did the best the could. But your video made me smile and happy to see you keep all your kitchen utensils. Yes I need to declutter some things and find out what are truly things I love. So now is the time to get serious about 55 years of accumulated things in my home. Your suggestion will be used. But my husbands stuff may be a little hard. So thank you for making a grandma not feel guilty about loving to cook with all my gadget’s. So my “Journey” begins little steps. Thank you. Not a minimalist but do need to take a step forward.
Last year in 2022 I decided I was going to donate to a local shelter at least once a month. So I kept a box to put stuff in when cleaning and decluttering. I’m so happy to say that I did it! I took it as soon as the box was full. Believe me it didn’t take long. In fact I went more than I thought I would. It was stuff to bless others with. So glad I did it! I’m definitely not a minimalist. Lol
Thanks for the encouragement....I divided my decluttering to individual task (e.g. hall closet, coat closet, book shelf, ect....) I tell my family "I'm eating and elephant one bite at a time!!!" I'm in week six and it feels so good. I have found that we took such good care of items we bought over 45 yrs of marriage that it was hard to part with perfectly good things that were used once or twice....but here's to moving forward!! 4 trips to donation center so far....
Thank you for us hoarders that get overwhelmed. My piles get put in a box and pushed away from my field of vision. I forget so I drop off a few items on the way to the grocery store daily, yes daily. It’s easier for me to forget.
You might find benefit from a hoarders heart, Dana k white from a slob comes clean, maybe Erica Lucas's. Dana in particular has a no mess, progress and only progress system that is really helpful.
Omg … the keep the faith comment … this week my husband agreed to declutter the meat slicer (that has been used once since we moved in together 10 years ago!) 🎉🎉
I'm way older than you but I'm finally getting my home decluttered. I have lots of stuff that I consider precious. I put out all of my precious items and got rid of everything else. Now wherever I look I enjoy the item, the placement and the memory. Anything else is something that just makes me happy. I've been able to remember and enjoy my memories so much more. Now the closet is a whole nother problem LoL 😂
My friend turned me on to June’s Journey about a year ago👍🏻 I am on a declutter journey this year because I don’t want my son to go through what I just went through with my parents’ home, they saved EVERYTHING! It’s going to take me a long while because I’m on the pace of one drawer, one cupboard, one closet at a time!!
I've been watching a lot of decluttering, cleaning, minimal"izing" vlogs lately, and this is my favorite! Yes, I do need 4 whisks, several rubber spatulas, etc. But, I also use them. I need 3 sets of measuring spoons. I cook A LOT, including for a large harvest crew. I saw one you-tuber say you only need 5 pots and pans (I love her videos, BTW)--but I use 5 pots or pans for one meal, many times. Thanks for the realism.
Oh my gosh! My Husband literally had 40 of those (he is in fact German) and we recently got rid of them after arguing over them for years. Put them on the German version of Craig’s List for free and some young 20 year old came for them and was so so excited. Made my husband really happy to see that and he never regretted the decision
I love that you touched on “ maybe your not a minimalist” I’m definitely not. At all. But I don’t love clutter and messes either! Definitely a great video with great tips! ❤️
I am and I'm not. Lol. I am so glad this was touched on as well. I go through stages of collecting and purging. I found Minimalist Mom awhile back and she really helped me to get to the point I don't get as easily overwhelmed, as I used a lot of her tools. I did make the mistakes of decluttering things I actually used and my kids used. It was quite painful, as I live in an area that is not super easy to replace things. I am a lot more like Christine and have a lot of hobbies and seasons, therefore need to keep a lot of stuff. I don't know why, as a grown woman, I REALLY needed permission to be me. Maybe I needed to know it's ok to learn new skills but to balance them in my own way? Anyway, thanks to Christine, Dawn and Cas! Sincerely, The Minimalist Hoarder
I've been decluttering too! First time in 8 years! It's been a journey! I have one more cupboard to go. I am not an impulse buyer. I solve that by shopping on Amazon for things I want, then putting them in the "save for later" area until I decide if I really need it! I have 90 items in there now! :/ Some items have been in there for a year. I guess I need to declutter my Amazon "save for later" area too! 🤣 Love from Texas ❤
I’m not a minimalist, but I don’t like stuff for the sake of stuff. Unfortunately I had to settle 2 estates in one year, and ended up with so much stuff. I was letting go of my mom, my childhood home, a longtime family home, and I was overwhelmed. I have things of theirs in the house,but in places they belong, but when it came down to papers, sentimental items, etc I’ve gotten it down to one box per person. If the box is too full, I sort thru again. As years go by, I’m ready to get rid of more and more stuff.
Thank you for #6! Certain decluttering RUclipsrs drill into your head their way is the only way and some people start following them so blindly they forget to think for themselves. All the your points were great advice :)
My rules: For every one thing that comes in- 2 mist go out 2. Schedule a donation pickup at your door every month. Put a bin in your garage and fill it every single month. 3. PLUS Everyone must put 3 things in the bin every month. Amazing difference!!! Been doing this for 6 years now!!! 🙌
I love gardening, hope to return to papercafts, and love clothes and accessories - that’s what I have a lot of. I buy almost everything I wear used. Thrift store shopping is like therapy for me (it’s been lovely finding little treasure while going through my newly diagnosed breast cancer journey). Do I need 15 handbags and 30 statement necklaces ( all bought used or gifted to me)? No, but they bring me so much joy.
When your daughter is done with that dress, you can give it a new life. Sit down with a seam ripper and carefully disassemble the gown. Use the beautiful fabric to make you and your daughter beautiful scarves. Or, use the fabric to make beautiful throw pillows for you and your daughter. Keep the pretty dress fabric and happy memories in active use in new forms. Or, of course, you could donate it to a prom dress swap in your area for girls who can't afford a dress.
#3 was especially helpful to hear! I realized recently that I am actually not a minimalist, I was obsessively purging stuff from my house in an attempt to feel some sense of control when dealing with a few rude, pushy individuals ("if I don't have anything out, there's nothing for them to mess with..."). Switching gears and working on the relationship mess means I'm freer to enjoy my space and the stuff I love (still cleaning it up, though!). The "clutter" isn't always physical objects- sometimes it's mental and emotional. "Make space for happiness" by Tracy McCubbins is very helpful in figuring out what you're actually dealing with in those cases!
Great video! I especially love the 'no impulse buy' tips, for most people this ends up being clutter and wasted money. 48 h to think about it is a brilliant tip!
I've been working on the "touch it once" idea, although I heard it described as the "OHIO" principle: Only Handle It Once. Easier said than done, but hugely helpful!
I love the what you just said! If everything is sentimental then nothing is sentimental! I have a habit of hanging on to things for far too long thinking that if I don’t, it’s almost like “losing a part of myself or my loved one.” 🌻
A year ago, we had to buy a new furnace and ac. It was $6500 installed. Thankful for our savings accounts, but man, it sucks to use it for useful stuff 😐
i started declutering years ago and the only thing I regret giving up is music . I wish I kept it cause I am now buying songs I used to own cause I miss them !!
🇨🇦Not a minimalist but strongly dislike clutter and everything has a home..PUT IT THERE! One touch system works very well. Married to "Justin Case" and "Some Day." Yup same person. It's not easy. Thanks for your fun and helpful videos.
I love that game! It's the one I play while hiding in the bathroom. LOL! You having fun with the smile spoons while cooking plus the budget meals are what brought me here last year. 🙂 A flood in the second story bathroom that flooded/destroyed the first floor dining room was a real wakeup call. It showed us how much clutter we really have because everything was stored in the basement, rendering the basement unusable as a play room the whole summer. I'm tackling one cupboard, one small area a day. We're having a big garage sale this summer and whatever doesn't sell, is getting donated.
My husband had the same size mugs. He never used them the last two years of his life and no one was allowed to use them or do anything with them. Now they belong to my son and he loves to use them. They are currently packed away along with many other things as we are preparing to make a move from Virginia to Oklahoma as soon as we have the money saved up to get an apartment or house, hire a moving company, and budget for food, motel, and snacks for the trip there, and still have enough to get food and turn on utilities when we get there. We have my daughter, son-in-law, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law helping us find a place within our budget.
i absolutely needed this video this week! I am re-doing my craft space after a similar housing disaster of sorts. Once I was free to put it all back together, I just froze...it was so overwhelming. But I took a step back and have been doing it one step at a time and you are so right!! Also, I can never have too many spatulas.
I've been decluttering for the last several months and still have more to go. I started when we brought out Halloween decor. Perfect time to declutter that. Then I did it again with Christmas decor. I prefer decluttering during winter months rather than doing "spring cleaning."
I keep my husband's one root beer float mug in the freezer compartment of our refrigerator! Always a frosty mug and I do not have to make a space in the cabinet!
When I watch RUclips videos they suggest things to buy from amazon. I click on it , if I like it. Then I put it in the cart and then hit save for later. Then every few weeks I check out the save it stuff and see if I really want or need it. If not I delete it. Most of the time I delete the stuff. Saves me a lot of money.
I take one spot- like a kitchen junk drawer- and declutter. Next spot might be my shoes since I have changed jobs and need to get rid of all the heels I used to wear for work. It's not overwhelming and doesn't take much time at all.
I'm a minimalist. Because I have ADD and OCD and too much stuff actually gives me anxiety. The rest of my family.... maximalists! lol! I started just after Christmas with the "23 items out by 2023". I'm pretty sure the challenge wasn't "23 trash bags of crap out my 2023" lol! I think I'm on trash bag # 6....and a big box! I'm feeling quite accomplished!
I’ve been decluttering one drawer/cabinet at a time so it’s easier while doing it but also easier to drop off the donation instead of making so many trips back and forth to the car. I definitely struggle going through my clothes but my fiancé gets rid of his so easily. Then I am the opposite with getting rid of everything else.
after loosing several family members in 2022 I have been watching declutter videos and the swedish death cleaning. So you can declutter before you die so your family is not burdened with going through your stuff. My problem is I love knic knacs and they are everywhere in my home. Going to keep working on that~~~
I can so relate. Last year, two weeks after I organized and purged our storage room, after a basement septic disaster I spent all summer re organizing...all summer. Why did it take all summer? Because I was pregnant with #9. Finally finished in September and two weeks later IT HAPPENED AGAIN. This time I was just about to have a baby and my babysitter was back in school. 😭😭 The beginning of your video gave me PTSD.
Do not get rid of the dress---not sure of what tips you will hit but always consider if it takes up too much room and I am quite sure that skimpy sheath will not take up too much room in a box even if it is never worn again. Now that both mother and child wore that dress it is the story of 2 lives. We had that issue in our family of 5 girls. My mother's 50's black satin sheath with large roses filing down the side was worn again by one of my sisters in the 80's. The items bulkiness should be a consideration for any declutter project.
Oh my gosh this is a perfect video for me to watch today, thank you!! My house literally has a pile of "stuff" in every room cause I tried to do it all. I appreciate your tips and tricks to decluttering!
If you haven’t already, look up Dana K. White’s no mess decluttering method. It’s simple and life changing if you can train yourself to follow it. I still don’t follow it perfectly, but it’s making a world of difference.
I love your videos, and I agree with the majority of what you said here…but as someone with ADD, if I followed your touch things once rule, I’d be spinning in circles with my arms full.
OMG! It absolutely drives me crazy when my family try to help clean. I'll watch them pick things up and move them around. I'm always asking them why do you pick it up and move around, then have to pick it up again to put it away? Why move it twice when you can just pick it up once put it where it belongs the first time?? Makes sense to me too! LOL 👍🤗👍
I just found your site. I must say, you are the most helpful, honest, and interesting of all the decluttering people I've heard. Thanks for the advise, I am a substitute teacher, nearly full time, I don't have the energy after chasing little kids to do much in the evenings. The do it in small sections and times is best for me. That do it all at once is too hard, and kills your back for going to work the next day. I look forward to viewing your other videos. Thank you for your ideas.
Decluttering is a PROCESS - like you said its not a "one and done" - I have hundreds of dolls (I am NOT a minimalist) but my drawers are cleaned out and it gives me peace -organization is more important to me - EVERYTHING needs a place and you don't need 20 of them (except dolls) glenda
I need to do as you suggest, and not try and tackle a huge project. Just tackle small things at a time. I start then wanting to clear a room and get overwhelmed. Thank you for the great tips!
November 2020 I decided to declutter. No really this time! I honestly didn't feel like I started making progress until late 2021. And mid 2022 my family and I noticed a huge difference. My husband noticed I wasn't cleaning near as much and the house looked cleaner. My only expectation for me to declutter was for my house to not be in a constant state of complete chaos. Little did I know that it would give me more time to spend with my two toddlers. I didn't have to be cleaning constantly, I would spend less on things I don't need. I would be a lot more mindful of the things I bring into the house... And I'm a lot better at giving things away. I really didn't expect for my mental health to be better off for it. I could go on, but those are the highlights! Dana K white and the secret slob and you have really helped me get my life together and I really appreciate all your advice!
I'm moving out of state soon and so decluttering/packing/prepping for an estate sale. But I refuse to give up my 3 soup ladles and 4 gravy ladles. I love soup. I could live on soup.
I hear ya with the clothes. I’ve decluttered for years and I do get rid of a few clothing items a month but I love my clothes and they make me happy. I don’t spend all day in my closet trying to choose an outfit. I go in and grab something lol 😅
I never used to declutter clothes because I am quite tall and never could find stuff that fit well or I actually liked when it did fit....so I kept everything because it worked 'good enough'. Now I have found a couple brands of clothing that I love!! So almost my entire closet is full of those items and I wear everything. When any of those get worn out, I get rid of them. I have 4 sweaters that are still in good shape that I have been wearing around Christmas for about 10 years. I don't care if anyone else thinks my clothing is in style. I just wear what I love, and am comfortable in.
This is super helpful because when I look at all the stuff as a whole, I get overwhelmed and play on my phone, LOL. I like the idea of working on it in small bites and coming back around to the area.
Yes clothes is something I can’t. And I’ve decluttered my clothes 100’s of times and each time I miss all of them and buy more. I literally did it again a few months ago. This time I won’t. Yes I donate clothes often when I don’t need ir like something anymore snd I should be okay with that but when I see other people decluttering and loving it I do it knowing it’s not right for me. 😢
Handle it once. Yes for declutter. But for cleaning...not so much for me. Lol. I have a DT round flexy container thing that I put dirty dishes in when I’m not up to washing them. That way my sink stays clear even on the tough days when I can’t deal with it. Except utensils. I have a ceramic thing I keep in the sink and they stay over in the corner in the sink. I usually do wind up dealing with it about every other day or so tho (or maybe a few times a week. Lol). But I don’t cook much (or in elaborate ways etc) so there’s that. 😅😅 It’s a life saver for me. I handle them a few times. Rinse a bit. Put in bucket. Set aside. Come back later to wash. I guess in a way that’s a minimalist concept tho. Such as have a simple, workable system. Have a place for everything. Do quick tidying. Etc. I think it would be messy tho if I didn’t have a plan and just had dirty dishes laying around here and there. 😅😅 And Bcuz my goal is “have a usable sink” most days.
Your right about getting rid of the things you don’t need or haven’t used in years. I do do that and so does my husband he has so much stuff in our storage building, I wish this spring we can go through it and get rid of the things we don’t really need or haven’t used in year’s.Thank you for sharing your video with us.
Food for thought , thank you. i have come over from leaf like on a tree, spreading some love and subscribing, liking and commenting, looking forward to watching your vids, just coming off a 30 day declutter myself it has been so freeing and housework is so much quicker for me these days as i dont have to deal with things taking up valuable real estate in my world.
I like to leave things in my cart when online shopping to avoid impulse buys. Many times, I will come back and decide I don't even want it. Kitchen stuff... I have a lot of it. I use, love it all and cooking is my passion so it's not going ANYWHERE!
Agree about the kitchen stuff I have a ton of kitchen equipment and no one is allowed to touch them or get rid of everything my husband is like you have four sets of measuring spoons and I need them cause I make a lot from scratch so in one day I have one for wet one for dry then I throw them in the sink and decide to make something else so now I need another one it just works or if some are dirty from today and I haven’t ran the dishwasher for some reason not full yet whatever then I need a clean one and yes I could wash it but I hate dishes so I don’t 😂 this is one area I don’t budge with getting rid of stuff I have a whole storage rack in my basement because say you see a bunch of air fry recipes and now you want one. You buy one then don’t use it for a long time. I know when I come across air fry recipe again I will buy another one so instead of wasting money I keep it in my storage and then when I want to use it I just go get it and I’m not buying another one again
Was trying to find a way to let you know privately that YOU TUBE stopped my subscription to you and stop notifying me of your vids FOR NO REASON!! I have been following you and your beautiful family for over 3 years and the past month or so, I'm not getting ANY notifications that you have posted, like, NONE, ZERO, NONE!!! Just letting you know!! Love you Christine and family, love your eyelash extensions, your eyebrow threading, but most of all your family! Rogue was the perfect addition to your family!! Keep the socks away!! ♥
We lost our house to a fire nearly a year ago, and I've found that my attachment to things has significantly decreased. We've replaced the necessities, but my desire to just accumulate things for the sake of having them is almost non-existent. There were a lot of things that we never decluttered because we might use them someday or they had a supposed sentimental value. I can't remember what most of those things were now, and having a lot less stuff to clean is really nice. Also, there's no such thing as too many rubber spatulas haha! I love the small ones that are made to be used in different shapes of containers, I found a set of Nightmare Before Christmas spatulas at TJ Maxx and they HAD to come home with me.
Also, when I got married, folks gave me duplicates of things ( 3 crockpots- still makes me laugh) I forgot all about them. When we downsized- I donated 2 of them. They were still in the original boxes, never used. We also had 4 fake Christmas trees- no idea why!!!! Never used 3 of them!
I have always had a donation bin. I’ve been decluttering for years. And I can quickly get rid of something instead of letting it sit somewhere and take up space. In the box it goes. My craft room is the priority now. Work on a little bit at a time. I am down to half of what I had stored in it and can freely move without knocking anything o er. I’ve worked on my attic twice and am looking at a third time soon. It’s funny how you can clutter something up without realizing it though. The toy room was just cleaned out after Christmas. 4 bags! A new toy storage system and now I don’t feel anxiety when I look into it.
O my goodness christine,the dress is beautiful, so glad your daughter got it ,was hoping you would show a picture of her,great tips on the decluttering.
I’m not a minimalist by any means but I hate clutter. And after moving this last time I realized how much crap I had accumulated over the years and how much money I’ve wasted. Luckily I’m not sentimental so it’s been easy getting rid of stuff. However, I’m still finding things I need to get rid of so I constantly have a donate and dump pile. I just try to go through one thing daily like a cabinet, box, drawer, shelf, whatever. Then start over again Because I’ve learned it’s a constant process.
I will never stop shopping online for that exact reason... i have so many items in my 'save for later' section... i will go through the list every few months deleting all the things i thought i wanted but then im so glad i didnt buy it. I'm also getting my groceries online now as well. I will add all the things to my cart and then go around the fridge/freezer/pantry and see if i really need it and my cart makes sense for planning meals. In the store you just want to grab what looks good but then complain because you cannot put meals together. Good advice!
I need the declutter IG with a partner video! Every time, I declutter my things, my husbands things explode into all the cleaned out spaces. Love Junes journey
We had a set of 12 beer mugs with certain horses on them and a Christmas motif that my husband picked up from someone's garbage. The shelf broke and several of them got broken but he will not let go of the remainder. It really is frustrating! I follow Dana K. White of A slob comes clean and she has great advice - similar to what you just said. Good luck with the clean up!
I shouldn't laugh but you brought back some memories for me when i went thru our garage with my mom and dad's stuff, my grandmother's stuff and then my mother in laws stuff. So your advice is absolutely right. Where were you and computers in the 70's :-)
My husband also had a growing collection of Maßkrug and I talked him down to keeping 3 of them. Neither of us will ever drink a full liter of beer on our own so it seems a bit silly to have even that many but I still have more shoes than feet so I leave him be.
this! i feel like finding a compromise in decluttering is the main thing when someone doesn't live alone.. it's unfair for one person to dictate the other what to get rid of, especially if they are sentimental to that item, while holding onto items of their own. One has to find a middle ground, and let your partner/ spouse have a few items of their own that we think "need to go", because, i can guarantee, they feel the same way about a few of our things :)
Me too clothes, shoes & purses. I declutter before moving to Austin from California. Mostly gave to my friends. In the Kitchen I downsized from 4 of everything to 2 for baking. I cook and bake as well. Collect cookbooks and manage to gift to friends about 10 of them.
#AD This video was sponsored by June’s Journey. Download June’s Journey for free now cherrypicktalent.cc/FrugalFitMomJJ
😂i loved the breaking news!!!
I played June's Journey for quite a while. I still go back to it occasionally but now I play Merge Dragons a lot.
I am currently addicted to June’s Journey. Only on level 52 however.
Cool 😎 Used your link to Download 👍
You are so inspirational and funny 😆 thanks for your tips! I have five kiddos (plus my hubby of course) and all of the clutter here is a constant thing. I’m always trying to decide what to keep what to give away.
I kept my junior prom dress. It's gorgeous, i felt beautiful in it, and I picked it out with my mom. She passed away after I got engaged but before I bought my wedding dress, so we never had that mother-daughter moment. I agree that memories don't live in things, but some items elicit powerful emotions and memories and can and should be held onto.
Completely agree. I lost both of my parents at a young age and I need to have some physical possessions that bring back their memories because memories fade and that is so painful.
I agree. I don't think it is necessary to "get rid of" all sentimental items that "don't serve a purpose."
Having a few items, or maybe it is just one , that have strong emotional ties isn't wrong in my opinion. It is just one or maybe a few items. Not that big of a deal.
Beautiful story about your prom dress. Take care.
My first huge deck utter involved going through my Mom's things after she passed. I called it an archeological dig. It got me primed for going through my home of over 30 years, downsizing to an apartment. I was happy that more was donatable than trash. Sentimental thoughts had to take a back seat to practicality. Those items were put in a separate pile to be given a more thoughtful look.
My Dad was glad so much of my Mom's things went on to help a family that had just lost everything in a fire. Nice outfits were put together, along with jewelry, for women trying to move out of poverty. They were used for job interviews, and other professional appointments.
I took a lot of things from my mother's home when she passed, and while they're sentimental to me, my son doesn't hold those same feelings because he wasn't alive when we were making the memories that were attached to these things. I have decided to tell him that while they hold great memories for me, I won't be mad if he donates them to someone who will take/buy them because they spark their own wonderful memories.
I paraphrased Joshua Becker’s definition of minimalism:
“Minimalism is about identifying what’s important in life, and removing the things that are distracting us from them.”
I love that story about your dress from high school! So sweet that your daughter got to wear it.
Thank you!!!! I think we have all fallen pray to “the decluttering/minimalistic craze” on you tube. You are shedding light on being an individual and keeping what is important to you. Some are comfortable with 4 sets of everyday dishes in the cabinets. For others it would make them nuts 🥜! Yes, so as you said “you do you”. Personally, shoes speak to me. 🤣 just sayin’
I love your #3 - "Don't be a minimalist" - I love decluttering but there are things I also like on my shelves that some may say are junk. It's our home, our memories, I don't want to hide everything in a box because I'm trying to live in a "pinterest home" Thank you for being real about it.
This is the first time I have every commented on any video. My daughter and granddaughter both have went to a minimal life style and they want to help me. As I tell them I lived the minimal life style as a child it was called poor. Which is ok because my parents did the best the could. But your video made me smile and happy to see you keep all your kitchen utensils. Yes I need to declutter some things and find out what are truly things I love. So now is the time to get serious about 55 years of accumulated things in my home. Your suggestion will be used. But my husbands stuff may be a little hard. So thank you for making a grandma not feel guilty about loving to cook with all my gadget’s. So my “Journey” begins little steps. Thank you. Not a minimalist but do need to take a step forward.
Last year in 2022 I decided I was going to donate to a local shelter at least once a month. So I kept a box to put stuff in when cleaning and decluttering. I’m so happy to say that I did it! I took it as soon as the box was full. Believe me it didn’t take long. In fact I went more than I thought I would. It was stuff to bless others with. So glad I did it! I’m definitely not a minimalist. Lol
Thanks for the encouragement....I divided my decluttering to individual task (e.g. hall closet, coat closet, book shelf, ect....) I tell my family "I'm eating and elephant one bite at a time!!!" I'm in week six and it feels so good. I have found that we took such good care of items we bought over 45 yrs of marriage that it was hard to part with perfectly good things that were used once or twice....but here's to moving forward!! 4 trips to donation center so far....
Thank you for us hoarders that get overwhelmed. My piles get put in a box and pushed away from my field of vision. I forget so I drop off a few items on the way to the grocery store daily, yes daily. It’s easier for me to forget.
You might find benefit from a hoarders heart, Dana k white from a slob comes clean, maybe Erica Lucas's. Dana in particular has a no mess, progress and only progress system that is really helpful.
Omg … the keep the faith comment … this week my husband agreed to declutter the meat slicer (that has been used once since we moved in together 10 years ago!) 🎉🎉
I'm way older than you but I'm finally getting my home decluttered. I have lots of stuff that I consider precious. I put out all of my precious items and got rid of everything else. Now wherever I look I enjoy the item, the placement and the memory. Anything else is something that just makes me happy. I've been able to remember and enjoy my memories so much more. Now the closet is a whole nother problem LoL 😂
My friend turned me on to June’s Journey about a year ago👍🏻 I am on a declutter journey this year because I don’t want my son to go through what I just went through with my parents’ home, they saved EVERYTHING! It’s going to take me a long while because I’m on the pace of one drawer, one cupboard, one closet at a time!!
I've been watching a lot of decluttering, cleaning, minimal"izing" vlogs lately, and this is my favorite! Yes, I do need 4 whisks, several rubber spatulas, etc. But, I also use them. I need 3 sets of measuring spoons. I cook A LOT, including for a large harvest crew. I saw one you-tuber say you only need 5 pots and pans (I love her videos, BTW)--but I use 5 pots or pans for one meal, many times. Thanks for the realism.
Oh my gosh! My
Husband literally had 40 of those (he is in fact German) and we recently got rid of them after arguing over them for years. Put them on the German version of Craig’s List for free and some young 20 year old came for them and was so so excited. Made my husband really happy to see that and he never regretted the decision
What might be one persons junk is other peoples treasures. Way to go guys.
Did he keep one or two?
@@asavannah7439 yes he did. We kept a few. But literally gave 40 away, we literally had that many
I love that you touched on “ maybe your not a minimalist” I’m definitely not. At all. But I don’t love clutter and messes either! Definitely a great video with great tips! ❤️
Same here, am not a minimalist. Just want to clean, but..yes…get rid of the item if I won’t use or need.m
I am and I'm not. Lol. I am so glad this was touched on as well. I go through stages of collecting and purging. I found Minimalist Mom awhile back and she really helped me to get to the point I don't get as easily overwhelmed, as I used a lot of her tools. I did make the mistakes of decluttering things I actually used and my kids used. It was quite painful, as I live in an area that is not super easy to replace things. I am a lot more like Christine and have a lot of hobbies and seasons, therefore need to keep a lot of stuff. I don't know why, as a grown woman, I REALLY needed permission to be me. Maybe I needed to know it's ok to learn new skills but to balance them in my own way? Anyway, thanks to Christine, Dawn and Cas! Sincerely, The Minimalist Hoarder
“If everything is sentimental, nothing is sentimental.” Yup!
Thumbs up is confetti and had changes several colors
I've been decluttering too! First time in 8 years! It's been a journey! I have one more cupboard to go. I am not an impulse buyer. I solve that by shopping on Amazon for things I want, then putting them in the "save for later" area until I decide if I really need it! I have 90 items in there now! :/ Some items have been in there for a year. I guess I need to declutter my Amazon "save for later" area too! 🤣 Love from Texas ❤
I’m not a minimalist, but I don’t like stuff for the sake of stuff. Unfortunately I had to settle 2 estates in one year, and ended up with so much stuff. I was letting go of my mom, my childhood home, a longtime family home, and I was overwhelmed. I have things of theirs in the house,but in places they belong, but when it came down to papers, sentimental items, etc I’ve gotten it down to one box per person. If the box is too full, I sort thru again. As years go by, I’m ready to get rid of more and more stuff.
Thank you for #6! Certain decluttering RUclipsrs drill into your head their way is the only way and some people start following them so blindly they forget to think for themselves. All the your points were great advice :)
My rules:
For every one thing that comes in- 2 mist go out
2. Schedule a donation pickup at your door every month. Put a bin in your garage and fill it every single month.
3. PLUS Everyone must put 3 things in the bin every month.
Amazing difference!!! Been doing this for 6 years now!!! 🙌
I love gardening, hope to return to papercafts, and love clothes and accessories - that’s what I have a lot of. I buy almost everything I wear used. Thrift store shopping is like therapy for me (it’s been lovely finding little treasure while going through my newly diagnosed breast cancer journey). Do I need 15 handbags and 30 statement necklaces ( all bought used or gifted to me)? No, but they bring me so much joy.
It's always a good day when Christine uploads! ❤
When your daughter is done with that dress, you can give it a new life. Sit down with a seam ripper and carefully disassemble the gown. Use the beautiful fabric to make you and your daughter beautiful scarves. Or, use the fabric to make beautiful throw pillows for you and your daughter. Keep the pretty dress fabric and happy memories in active use in new forms. Or, of course, you could donate it to a prom dress swap in your area for girls who can't afford a dress.
#3 was especially helpful to hear! I realized recently that I am actually not a minimalist, I was obsessively purging stuff from my house in an attempt to feel some sense of control when dealing with a few rude, pushy individuals ("if I don't have anything out, there's nothing for them to mess with..."). Switching gears and working on the relationship mess means I'm freer to enjoy my space and the stuff I love (still cleaning it up, though!). The "clutter" isn't always physical objects- sometimes it's mental and emotional. "Make space for happiness" by Tracy McCubbins is very helpful in figuring out what you're actually dealing with in those cases!
Great video! I especially love the 'no impulse buy' tips, for most people this ends up being clutter and wasted money. 48 h to think about it is a brilliant tip!
I've been working on the "touch it once" idea, although I heard it described as the "OHIO" principle: Only Handle It Once. Easier said than done, but hugely helpful!
I love the what you just said! If everything is sentimental then nothing is sentimental! I have a habit of hanging on to things for far too long thinking that if I don’t, it’s almost like “losing a part of myself or my loved one.” 🌻
Great tips! The sentimental one always gets me. I feel like I'm throwing part of the person away.
OMIGOSH!! I didn't know anyone used as many kitchen tools in a pickle crock as me! We are twinning!!
A year ago, we had to buy a new furnace and ac. It was $6500 installed.
Thankful for our savings accounts, but man, it sucks to use it for useful stuff 😐
A full lifestyle declutter takes months. Give it time and keep going.
It's been years for me. LOL!
It honestly never ends
i started declutering years ago and the only thing I regret giving up is music . I wish I kept it cause I am now buying songs I used to own cause I miss them !!
Woah.😳 The tip to only buy what you intended…. 🤯😮 well that just blew my mind! What a great idea!
🇨🇦Not a minimalist but strongly dislike clutter and everything has a home..PUT IT THERE! One touch system works very well. Married to "Justin Case" and "Some Day." Yup same person. It's not easy. Thanks for your fun and helpful videos.
I love that game! It's the one I play while hiding in the bathroom. LOL!
You having fun with the smile spoons while cooking plus the budget meals are what brought me here last year. 🙂
A flood in the second story bathroom that flooded/destroyed the first floor dining room was a real wakeup call. It showed us how much clutter we really have because everything was stored in the basement, rendering the basement unusable as a play room the whole summer. I'm tackling one cupboard, one small area a day. We're having a big garage sale this summer and whatever doesn't sell, is getting donated.
My husband had the same size mugs. He never used them the last two years of his life and no one was allowed to use them or do anything with them. Now they belong to my son and he loves to use them. They are currently packed away along with many other things as we are preparing to make a move from Virginia to Oklahoma as soon as we have the money saved up to get an apartment or house, hire a moving company, and budget for food, motel, and snacks for the trip there, and still have enough to get food and turn on utilities when we get there. We have my daughter, son-in-law, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law helping us find a place within our budget.
i absolutely needed this video this week! I am re-doing my craft space after a similar housing disaster of sorts. Once I was free to put it all back together, I just froze...it was so overwhelming. But I took a step back and have been doing it one step at a time and you are so right!! Also, I can never have too many spatulas.
And if they have wooden handles they don’t last. Also I have some where the edges get torn. Good to have extras.
I've been decluttering for the last several months and still have more to go. I started when we brought out Halloween decor. Perfect time to declutter that. Then I did it again with Christmas decor. I prefer decluttering during winter months rather than doing "spring cleaning."
I keep my husband's one root beer float mug in the freezer compartment of our refrigerator! Always a frosty mug and I do not have to make a space in the cabinet!
When I watch RUclips videos they suggest things to buy from amazon. I click on it , if I like it. Then I put it in the cart and then hit save for later. Then every few weeks I check out the save it stuff and see if I really want or need it. If not I delete it. Most of the time I delete the stuff. Saves me a lot of money.
I take one spot- like a kitchen junk drawer- and declutter. Next spot might be my shoes since I have changed jobs and need to get rid of all the heels I used to wear for work. It's not overwhelming and doesn't take much time at all.
I'm a minimalist. Because I have ADD and OCD and too much stuff actually gives me anxiety. The rest of my family.... maximalists! lol! I started just after Christmas with the "23 items out by 2023". I'm pretty sure the challenge wasn't "23 trash bags of crap out my 2023" lol! I think I'm on trash bag # 6....and a big box! I'm feeling quite accomplished!
I’ve been decluttering one drawer/cabinet at a time so it’s easier while doing it but also easier to drop off the donation instead of making so many trips back and forth to the car. I definitely struggle going through my clothes but my fiancé gets rid of his so easily. Then I am the opposite with getting rid of everything else.
"Love people, not things", or "Don't love anything that can't love you back!".
after loosing several family members in 2022 I have been watching declutter videos and the swedish death cleaning. So you can declutter before you die so your family is not burdened with going through your stuff. My problem is I love knic knacs and they are everywhere in my home. Going to keep working on that~~~
I can so relate. Last year, two weeks after I organized and purged our storage room, after a basement septic disaster I spent all summer re organizing...all summer. Why did it take all summer? Because I was pregnant with #9. Finally finished in September and two weeks later IT HAPPENED AGAIN. This time I was just about to have a baby and my babysitter was back in school. 😭😭 The beginning of your video gave me PTSD.
Do not get rid of the dress---not sure of what tips you will hit but always consider if it takes up too much room and I am quite sure that skimpy sheath will not take up too much room in a box even if it is never worn again. Now that both mother and child wore that dress it is the story of 2 lives. We had that issue in our family of 5 girls. My mother's 50's black satin sheath with large roses filing down the side was worn again by one of my sisters in the 80's. The items bulkiness should be a consideration for any declutter project.
Oh my gosh this is a perfect video for me to watch today, thank you!! My house literally has a pile of "stuff" in every room cause I tried to do it all. I appreciate your tips and tricks to decluttering!
Me too! Help 😂
If you haven’t already, look up Dana K. White’s no mess decluttering method. It’s simple and life changing if you can train yourself to follow it. I still don’t follow it perfectly, but it’s making a world of difference.
I love your videos, and I agree with the majority of what you said here…but as someone with ADD, if I followed your touch things once rule, I’d be spinning in circles with my arms full.
OMG! It absolutely drives me crazy when my family try to help clean. I'll watch them pick things up and move them around. I'm always asking them why do you pick it up and move around, then have to pick it up again to put it away? Why move it twice when you can just pick it up once put it where it belongs the first time?? Makes sense to me too! LOL 👍🤗👍
I just found your site. I must say, you are the most helpful, honest, and interesting of all the decluttering people I've heard. Thanks for the advise, I am a substitute teacher, nearly full time, I don't have the energy after chasing little kids to do much in the evenings. The do it in small sections and times is best for me. That do it all at once is too hard, and kills your back for going to work the next day. I look forward to viewing your other videos. Thank you for your ideas.
My like today goes to Dave for letting go of the mugs. I remember the first time you tried, I think that was before the kitchen renovation 🎉😂
Thanks 😂
I find I can take a photo of sentimental things and this helps me get rid !
I love to cook also and completely understand needing several of the same things.
Decluttering is a PROCESS - like you said its not a "one and done" - I have hundreds of dolls (I am NOT a minimalist) but my drawers are cleaned out and it gives me peace -organization is more important to me - EVERYTHING needs a place and you don't need 20 of them (except dolls) glenda
I need to do as you suggest, and not try and tackle a huge project. Just tackle small things at a time. I start then wanting to clear a room and get overwhelmed. Thank you for the great tips!
I clean out my closet. I got rid of clothes I don't wear any more. I took all the buttons off. Cut up some old tops for sewing\ quilting I do.
November 2020 I decided to declutter. No really this time! I honestly didn't feel like I started making progress until late 2021. And mid 2022 my family and I noticed a huge difference. My husband noticed I wasn't cleaning near as much and the house looked cleaner. My only expectation for me to declutter was for my house to not be in a constant state of complete chaos. Little did I know that it would give me more time to spend with my two toddlers. I didn't have to be cleaning constantly, I would spend less on things I don't need. I would be a lot more mindful of the things I bring into the house... And I'm a lot better at giving things away. I really didn't expect for my mental health to be better off for it. I could go on, but those are the highlights! Dana K white and the secret slob and you have really helped me get my life together and I really appreciate all your advice!
I'm moving out of state soon and so decluttering/packing/prepping for an estate sale. But I refuse to give up my 3 soup ladles and 4 gravy ladles. I love soup. I could live on soup.
Too many
The thumbs-up was purple with confetti.
I use the 48 hour rule when I purchase things on Amazon. No more just buying stuff in the heat of the moment.
I like June’s Journey, too. I’ve been playing it for 4 years 🤦♀️
I hear ya with the clothes. I’ve decluttered for years and I do get rid of a few clothing items a month but I love my clothes and they make me happy. I don’t spend all day in my closet trying to choose an outfit. I go in and grab something lol 😅
I never used to declutter clothes because I am quite tall and never could find stuff that fit well or I actually liked when it did fit....so I kept everything because it worked 'good enough'. Now I have found a couple brands of clothing that I love!! So almost my entire closet is full of those items and I wear everything. When any of those get worn out, I get rid of them. I have 4 sweaters that are still in good shape that I have been wearing around Christmas for about 10 years. I don't care if anyone else thinks my clothing is in style. I just wear what I love, and am comfortable in.
So many great tips! Those smiley spoons are really cute! Decluttering is very stressful and overwhelming for me because there is so much to do..
This is super helpful because when I look at all the stuff as a whole, I get overwhelmed and play on my phone, LOL. I like the idea of working on it in small bites and coming back around to the area.
I have discovered that with some sentimental items I can take a picture of it and then get rid of it.
What, smile spoons?! Yes!
Yes clothes is something I can’t. And I’ve decluttered my clothes 100’s of times and each time I miss all of them and buy more. I literally did it again a few months ago. This time I won’t. Yes I donate clothes often when I don’t need ir like something anymore snd I should be okay with that but when I see other people decluttering and loving it I do it knowing it’s not right for me. 😢
Handle it once. Yes for declutter. But for cleaning...not so much for me. Lol. I have a DT round flexy container thing that I put dirty dishes in when I’m not up to washing them. That way my sink stays clear even on the tough days when I can’t deal with it. Except utensils. I have a ceramic thing I keep in the sink and they stay over in the corner in the sink. I usually do wind up dealing with it about every other day or so tho (or maybe a few times a week. Lol). But I don’t cook much (or in elaborate ways etc) so there’s that. 😅😅 It’s a life saver for me. I handle them a few times. Rinse a bit. Put in bucket. Set aside. Come back later to wash. I guess in a way that’s a minimalist concept tho. Such as have a simple, workable system. Have a place for everything. Do quick tidying. Etc. I think it would be messy tho if I didn’t have a plan and just had dirty dishes laying around here and there. 😅😅 And Bcuz my goal is “have a usable sink” most days.
Your right about getting rid of the things you don’t need or haven’t used in years. I do do that and so does my husband he has so much stuff in our storage building, I wish this spring we can go through it and get rid of the things we don’t really need or haven’t used in year’s.Thank you for sharing your video with us.
My husband has the same attachment to the same mugs and I just don’t comprehend!!
Food for thought , thank you. i have come over from leaf like on a tree, spreading some love and subscribing, liking and commenting, looking forward to watching your vids, just coming off a 30 day declutter myself it has been so freeing and housework is so much quicker for me these days as i dont have to deal with things taking up valuable real estate in my world.
I like to leave things in my cart when online shopping to avoid impulse buys. Many times, I will come back and decide I don't even want it.
Kitchen stuff... I have a lot of it. I use, love it all and cooking is my passion so it's not going ANYWHERE!
Agree about the kitchen stuff I have a ton of kitchen equipment and no one is allowed to touch them or get rid of everything my husband is like you have four sets of measuring spoons and I need them cause I make a lot from scratch so in one day I have one for wet one for dry then I throw them in the sink and decide to make something else so now I need another one it just works or if some are dirty from today and I haven’t ran the dishwasher for some reason not full yet whatever then I need a clean one and yes I could wash it but I hate dishes so I don’t 😂 this is one area I don’t budge with getting rid of stuff I have a whole storage rack in my basement because say you see a bunch of air fry recipes and now you want one. You buy one then don’t use it for a long time. I know when I come across air fry recipe again I will buy another one so instead of wasting money I keep it in my storage and then when I want to use it I just go get it and I’m not buying another one again
I see your smiley spoons and I raise you my eleven fountain pens. ...they're all different though. Some people have hundreds!
Your Breaking News segment was si funny!
Was trying to find a way to let you know privately that YOU TUBE stopped my subscription to you and stop notifying me of your vids FOR NO REASON!! I have been following you and your beautiful family for over 3 years and the past month or so, I'm not getting ANY notifications that you have posted, like, NONE, ZERO, NONE!!! Just letting you know!! Love you Christine and family, love your eyelash extensions, your eyebrow threading, but most of all your family! Rogue was the perfect addition to your family!! Keep the socks away!! ♥
Yep! Just bought 2 pairs of cowboy 🤠 boots 👢 NEED
I saw your UIL medal- we are new to Texas and my kids are now experiencing all things UIL 😄
That dress is gorgeous!!! Need pics of both of you!
We lost our house to a fire nearly a year ago, and I've found that my attachment to things has significantly decreased. We've replaced the necessities, but my desire to just accumulate things for the sake of having them is almost non-existent. There were a lot of things that we never decluttered because we might use them someday or they had a supposed sentimental value. I can't remember what most of those things were now, and having a lot less stuff to clean is really nice. Also, there's no such thing as too many rubber spatulas haha! I love the small ones that are made to be used in different shapes of containers, I found a set of Nightmare Before Christmas spatulas at TJ Maxx and they HAD to come home with me.
Those mugs again!! 😂😂 My husband is attached to his way too many tshirt collection.
Also, when I got married, folks gave me duplicates of things ( 3 crockpots- still makes me laugh) I forgot all about them. When we downsized- I donated 2 of them. They were still in the original boxes, never used. We also had 4 fake Christmas trees- no idea why!!!! Never used 3 of them!
I have always had a donation bin. I’ve been decluttering for years. And I can quickly get rid of something instead of letting it sit somewhere and take up space. In the box it goes. My craft room is the priority now. Work on a little bit at a time. I am down to half of what I had stored in it and can freely move without knocking anything o er. I’ve worked on my attic twice and am looking at a third time soon. It’s funny how you can clutter something up without realizing it though. The toy room was just cleaned out after Christmas. 4 bags! A new toy storage system and now I don’t feel anxiety when I look into it.
I would love to see your wedding registry and what you still have!
O my goodness christine,the dress is beautiful, so glad your daughter got it ,was hoping you would show a picture of her,great tips on the decluttering.
I’m not a minimalist by any means but I hate clutter. And after moving this last time I realized how much crap I had accumulated over the years and how much money I’ve wasted. Luckily I’m not sentimental so it’s been easy getting rid of stuff. However, I’m still finding things I need to get rid of so I constantly have a donate and dump pile. I just try to go through one thing daily like a cabinet, box, drawer, shelf, whatever. Then start over again Because I’ve learned it’s a constant process.
I will never stop shopping online for that exact reason... i have so many items in my 'save for later' section... i will go through the list every few months deleting all the things i thought i wanted but then im so glad i didnt buy it. I'm also getting my groceries online now as well. I will add all the things to my cart and then go around the fridge/freezer/pantry and see if i really need it and my cart makes sense for planning meals. In the store you just want to grab what looks good but then complain because you cannot put meals together. Good advice!
I need the declutter IG with a partner video! Every time, I declutter my things, my husbands things explode into all the cleaned out spaces.
Love Junes journey
We had a set of 12 beer mugs with certain horses on them and a Christmas motif that my husband picked up from someone's garbage. The shelf broke and several of them got broken but he will not let go of the remainder. It really is frustrating! I follow Dana K. White of A slob comes clean and she has great advice - similar to what you just said. Good luck with the clean up!
Lol! Celebrating with you over here over the mugs. :)
Laughing because one of the you tube ads was for Homegoods. It's
like they are arguing with you 🤣
My parents would have never let me wear such an 'immodest' dress to a high-school dance. You were lucky. 😉 It's really cool.
Well, I wore a shrug over it so my back and shoulders were covered 😜
I play June's journey for almost 3 or 4 years now. It's funny.
I shouldn't laugh but you brought back some memories for me when i went thru our garage with my mom and dad's stuff, my grandmother's stuff and then my mother in laws stuff. So your advice is absolutely right. Where were you and computers in the 70's :-)
My husband also had a growing collection of Maßkrug and I talked him down to keeping 3 of them. Neither of us will ever drink a full liter of beer on our own so it seems a bit silly to have even that many but I still have more shoes than feet so I leave him be.
this! i feel like finding a compromise in decluttering is the main thing when someone doesn't live alone.. it's unfair for one person to dictate the other what to get rid of, especially if they are sentimental to that item, while holding onto items of their own. One has to find a middle ground, and let your partner/ spouse have a few items of their own that we think "need to go", because, i can guarantee, they feel the same way about a few of our things :)
Me too clothes, shoes & purses. I declutter before moving to Austin from California. Mostly gave to my friends. In the Kitchen I downsized from 4 of everything to 2 for baking. I cook and bake as well. Collect cookbooks and manage to gift to friends about 10 of them.