To keep me motivated during the process, and not get overwhelmed.. I go back and visit my kitchen "junk" draw.. that place where my innitial inspiration came from. I realize now that when I used to TRY and tidy I was simply moving my STUFF around, never actually asking myself if it brought me joy. NOW I have ROOM and I honor what I have by giving it a space. It looks so neat and organized... it gives me such JOY, not to mention peace of mind. I want to feel that way everywhere I look. I need to do things in sections since I am recovering from a broken hand... but I just keep at it and the more I do, the better it all looks, and the more free I feel. Marie Kondo is now my Patron Saint of Joy! Just picturing her smile makes me want to make that extra effort to maintain that Space... which is SO EASY once things have their own designated space.
After a mega de-clutter about 5 years ago, I can say that I have only thought of one or two items that went, and it wasen't a oh-no, it was a oh, ya, gone. smile.
This is a very important videoclip to watch! Adding to that, I have two places in my home, both containing extra-things that have to go in time: 1.Things to Consume. 2.Things "To Do". For the rest, my home is completely decluttered and each and every thing has its own home, forever, definitely. Just what I use currently. I have decluttered in my own manner. For example, I am not a minimalist about clothes and kitchen tools. Such things, I buy when I find exactly what I want, because I cannot find them exactly when I need them. I have my own tastes... I know exactly what I want and what I do not want. So, when I find, I buy, because I know I will make much use of that thing. On the other hand, I had things I didn't know I needed so much until I bought and used. Such as a peeler, in the old days, when it was a brand new thing, for example. So, I "waste" money on lots of things, but I keep an eye on them. Some go away sooner, others later, considering how much use I make out of them. I find it important to wear clothes that I love and to have kitchen ustensils that save me lots of time and energy. My time is important and I can take more benefit from it than working useless in the kitchen. There is a lot of work going on in the kitchen and there is so much time sucked in there. Beyond that, I have mentally oriented my brain to embrace the empty spaces and to find it unconfortable when there is any clutter. Decluttering is a way of living for me, which gives me perspective upon the core important things and priorities in my life. I can say that decluttering physically, mentally and emotionally cured me from depression and helped me start to build a life. A real life.
I am enjoying your channel. My dear Dad always said think hard about what you're about to buy. BECAUSE!! Next year they'll come up with a better, newer, cheaper more modern version. So if it's not totally necessary think hard before buying. Yeah well sometimes DAD! 🙄 but I do try HARD.
So many great tips! I really like the idea not creating more of a physical attachment to things while decluttering, that can make a huge difference for some people!
Yes! In the video I'm about to upload I talk about how memories aren't in things. You don't have to own something to hold onto those memories. That was a big eye-opener for me - knowing I could let go of something without letting go of the actual experience.
I've begun the process. I'm chipping away the perimeter with the plan to work toward my final goal of decluttering and organizing my craft area. My crafts include a little bit of jewelry ( which crossed over, sometimes, to my scrapbooking (which has a LOT to supplies), also sewing/quilting...with boxes and boxes of photos to be sorted and organized. Additionally, since I kiddo moved back home, and straight into the middle of my craft room, all the crafting stuff is migrating to my living room. Under consideration - moving the couches and tv to the dining room, and repurposing the living room as the craft room. Chip chip chip...
Over the course of my 70 years, I've lost count of how many times I've tossed something, only to find a week later that I could have used it...and I'm not talking about clothing, but odds and ends; things that would have been helpful in say, repairing something, or making a makeshift gadget for something I didn't have. It makes clearing out 'stuff' like stray binder rings, odd-sized elastic bands, plastic clips, assorted nails, screws, cotter pins, light-switch chains, etc. rather difficult. Every house has to have, IMO, a "junk" drawer. I always say, "A house isn't a home without a junk drawer." ;-) Cheers!
I'm not bothered by junk or clutter. Don't really focus on it. I have regretted tossing stuff. Most recently the snap in cover to a battery compartment on my AB pro. Sigh.
The big problem with us is the exit. My DH is getting old and the car is always full of his business stuff so we have to empty the car before putting in the stuff. Big enough that my two oldest children decided to come and visit every other week and empty my decluttering in their car. I'm loving this. Also, when I have stuff all over the place, like on our bed, my DH is nice enough to help me out when I'm about to cry I'm so tired (one time he offered we sleep near the fireplace downstairs and I took him on his offer). Nicole
@@HowToGYST - I'm in Ontario Canada. I tried that and they only come for furniture. But when a foundation (like Juvy Diabetes) decides to do a run, they call you up, set a date, and pick up anything except clothing. But we did solve the problem. My kids will come regularly until I'm finished. I send them pictures to see if it's enough for a pick-up or not. Works well. Nicole
I did what you said about doing small areas instead of categories as Marie Condo said. My biggest issue is antiques I collected when I had a house with a better set up for displaying them. They were costly and they were shopped for with my Mother who died shortly thereafter. I consciously know that taking pictures is as good as the object for memories but now living on disability I find it hard to sell on the cheap. I think I must get it all out and have someone give a price and take it all at once. Piece by piece is too painful.
You have to do that, Carmen. It is so healthy for your sanity. Your mother passing shows it clearly that we are only passengers in this world. Our short lives we need to live peacefully. Take care!
Yes my mother loved antiques and so now I have a few things that I can’t decide how to get rid of them. They are not really donation things. They are kind of specialty items.
Some knitters have a disease called "startitis". Basically you start many things and don't finish. In my case I have "startitis snailicus finishitis". I start a lot, take my darn sweet time and take forever to finish. I'm getting better though. Several doses of HowToGYST videos, blogs and a few KonMari books later and there is hope for my condition. Great video! Keep my meds coming please! :)
It took me a while to realize that I was never gonna be completely at ease with the level of decluttering I am currently working towards. I had to accept the discomfort and move through it. I accept the fear I have about letting go but I am not going to let that fear stop me. I decided to be brave and just do it anyway. Keep in mind that the fears I have are mostly old programming so I'm making a conscious choice to operate outside of my comfort zone. I am employing radical trust that my minimalist future will be good. Thanks for all your guidance Ms. Laura. 🍀
How wonderful that you're facing your fears head on, Andrea. Celebrate all the little victories along the way (of which there will be many, both big and small). Each day is a step forward. Keep pushing! I have full faith in you. x
How brave.. and wise... you are. You are taking a courageous step into a more expansive reality. It is our attachments which hold us back and keep us limited. Only when we are free of all our attachments can we truly KNOW our real Greatness People often say that money is the root if all evil... BUT this is not the case. It is one's ATTACHMENT to money which creates our misery. We are already COMPLETE within our True SELF. We need nothing more to make us complete. WE ARE the THAT of *I AM THAT*.
Very true! I’ve made these mistakes. I also got rid of a lot of clothes that didn’t spark joy but didn’t realize that I was leaving myself without enough clothes for work and the winter months (mostly hand-me-downs and gifted clothing). I loved the benefits of having more space, but I also felt so dumb when I realized my mistake. Plus, I wasn’t in a good financial situation to buy lots of new clothes. That was a couple of years ago. I’m ready to do it again while also keeping in mind the question, “do I need this (even though it doesn’t spark joy)?”
I got lucky and was able to donate a bunch of my at-the-time newly deceased husband's winter clothing to a protest that I couldn't attend and that went on through the winter. I felt it was a win-win and filled his pockets with little goodies for them all.
Mistake number 9 is me! I get to the point where I just want EVERYTHING out! Luckily, I have a friend who comes to help me declutter, and he always makes me question throwing things out which he knows I love. It makes sense afterwards, but at the time I just want to get rid of it all.
My parents getting rid of my things without my consent, or standing over me and making me choose which things I "wanted" to get rid of, means that even seeing a commercial for a TV show like "Hoarders" can give me an anxiety attack. Up until a few years ago, I don't think I could have watched this channel.
Same :---) but mostly with clothes. My mom got rid of so many of my clothes, when she knew I paid a lot for them, and/or really loved them, and/or they were brand new, I feel very uncomfortable whenever she enters my room now. I'm so glad she works in another city now and only comes home 1-3 times a month.
I experience a slightly different problem. I never got anything new. I only got my sister's old stuff. We were pretty short of money; I think my dad drank most of the money. My mom was extremely frugal, and was a depression child. Even now, at 63, I feel much guilt when I buy ANYTHING! I have decided to go to a counselor and see if I can get over this, and relax and enjoy my life a bit more.
I really needed this today, thank you! I’ve hit a speed bump in my decluttering, and now it just feels like a ‘have to’ instead of ‘want to’. Even though I actually ‘need to’!! Especially the bit about wasting energy listing things for sale-I have so many other things I’d rather spend my time doing, and I’m not going to lose any sleep over the paltry amount of $$ I ‘might’ have made. Cheers!
I liked your medicine box. I had a similar box that I found 35 years ago that fit my sewing machine drawer perfectly. It is so true that you don't need to go out and buy special organizers.
Living in a small apartment I had to get rid of sooo much of my cooking baking stuff when I was pregnant. I just didn’t have room to store boxes of things like ice cream machines & cake making stuff. Even though there were things I used on a semi-regular basis, I knew I would have much less time to make food (much of it very labor intensive) after my baby was born. So I gave it to family members/donation places. It’s been about 3 years and I still miss making some of those things! But I felt much better when you said by the time I want it again in the future it will probably be updated. And that made me feel hopeful! I just collected so many things (some were sentimental) but I totally have different priorities and when my son is a little older and we can move to a bigger place I can get back to it! Every once and a while I just felt dumb for getting rid of so much stuff, but you clearly explained why I shouldn’t feel that way. Thank you!
Aw, I'm so glad you found the video helpful. Mixers and other small appliances are always updated with new features, faster motors, etc., and they're getting cheaper and cheaper all the time. So you definitely won't have trouble finding suitable replacements when the time comes. And like you say, your priorities have changed. Look forward to the experience of baking with your son. After all, it's not the cookie cutters and bread makers you're going to remember, it's the time spent with your child and the memories (and cakes) you'll make together. 🙂
I agree that decluttering in chunks is the best way to do so. It's kind of progressive decluttering, because every month I hit a different area. I have a whole laundry basket full of items I designated as "out of here" in January-- they sit for a month or two- if untouched I bag them up for my fav. thrift shop. We also have a "swap shop" at our dump ( Open April - Oct) where I bring many housewares I no longer want. Of course, I also get lots of coolstuff there too--- all free! The ultimate in recycling !
At the moment I'm decluttering old textbooks from college, some of them mostly unread, but I won't work in my field again and moved them already twice around the country. Hope I won't regret it, feels weird at the moment...
I've been to the point before where I'll be at work and just the thought of going home and having to deal with or look at the stuff I've had anywhere from 15-30 years just made me want to go home and pitch everything and start over.
Great video! I think I struggle with most of these but especially the "I should at least try to make money on this" one... I’m not on a fixed income and I always wonder about that “maybe I need it later” situation because for me that has actually been the case a few times. I think this is why I have trouble with donating. I have a large comic book collection from when I was younger but most of the comics that I have, have little to no resell value but I feel that I spent a lot of time and energy and money collecting them, so I feel bad about just giving them away. Any advice? Sorry for the long comment…
Great points! There is nothing that throws me into a panic attack faster than a claustrophobia-inducing pile of clothes on the bed! I love the tip about packing the giveaways in the car ASAP - I do that, too, and its almost a liberating feeling just to get it out of the house! Have a great weekend!
Yes, even just getting them out of the house makes such a big difference. Otherwise you can't really see visible progress because you still have the same amount of stuff in your home. Hope you have a great weekend too, Gleanne!
For me it was getting rid of the bookshelves, books, movies, tv shows and games but after getting rid of all I now have all of that media in digital form on my computer hard disk drives and ereader which makes us have the stuff still but in a more manageable matter plus I now get rid of one media as soon we add another so that way we do not clutter our digital life as well making things organize and maintain :)
Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I agree 100% with donating / selling. It’s easy for me to decide to get rid of items, but then it goes in the donate bin or sell area and stays there sometimes for months. I’m trying to get better with setting time lines and more realistic goals with these areas.
You are very on point about taking it one step at a time. Once I finished KonMari's book, I tought that "all in one swoop" meant that I had to declutter my life in ONE DAY. By the end of it, I was crying over my komono pile, unable to keep going. It wasn't as physically scrutiating as it was emotionally - even tho it implicated a big physical struggle too, because of the sheer amount of plastic bags with crap I didn't needed that I had to pull out of the house - . I do not recommend anyone to try to KonMari their life in one day.
Cecilia Martínez Solano Konmari doesn't suggest to do it in one day. Have you ever watched any of her videos helping other people? It takes at least a month. It is just doing it asap and without stalling. Once you overcome a category the rest just follows.
Great video I think about the losing steam you should do a simple declutter for 10-15 with a timer ...then do a major declutter Kon Marie style as then you have things in a somewhat of an order . When I did the Kon Marie method I ran daily to the charity shop . It was satisfying and motivated me to do more . Also most organizers can be jewelry boxes / boxes from product you buy like phones / make up / electronics ( majority of my organizers are that )
Yes, always start with baby steps. They'll still eventually get you where you want to go. And I agree on the organisers. Shoeboxes are great too. And the boxes that gadgets come in.
My problem is a feeling of abandonment because of a recent situation where I had to move after 7 yrs in a family home, I literally couldn't give up my stuff, it was gut wrenching at the time! After 6 months I am now facing mountains of stuff, I have made some progress, just to be able to function. I appreciate your advice and what seems like permission to do it on my schedule. And I will monitor where I am at to avoid the pitfalls. Thank you!
well said about the selfish thing, totally on with that one, i gave all my surplus items away, and i can,t or wouldn,t have got much any way so why not let someone else enjoy them, bless them etc i asked myself have i enough and its always the same a big resounding yes, i buy what i need and that also includes treats etc because we all need treats but there is a big difference between need and want and entitlement, a whole new subject but thanks for you seem to be the only who mentions selfishness but its so true cheers Lv Jacqueline xxx
My 'mistake' is keeping things I've decluttered and asking family if they'd like it...and then I have to remind them to pick come and pick it up because I'd rather it not hanging around long after the rest is in the bin or already at the op shop...or I feel 'guilty' that I am 'passing the buck' so I'll pay postage to get it to them. Eg: It cost me $AU40+ to send some decluttered hangers, doll & doll clothes, vintage bakeware, jewellery etc. to my daughters down south. Same again...I will be posting off an expensive king comforter, matching cushions, watch and some hangers to a sister up north. I know I will have reached decluttering equilibrium when I can take it all to the op shop without thinking I should have offered it to family, or friends, first.
For three years I have done Peter Walsh's 31Days2GetOrganised youtube course...and the last two years I have shared it with my Clutter Free tribe on FB Messenger which is the only reason I haven't decluttered Facebook. We do three mini sessions each week rather than one each day...well I do and Tribe 'watch' on from the sidelines...or march to their own drums. It keeps me accountable anyway.
Ive been watching quite a few videos on KonMari and decluttering lately. This has been the SINGLE MOST HELPFUL video I have come across!!! THANK YOU!!! Especially your comment about being selfish! It was jarring to hear, but it has been very helpful in helping me let GO! Thank you!!! I live your videos!!
OMG, yes, on garage sales: "Is it really worth it?" I never made the "big bucks" others boasted about and I realized it was because I never accumulated the high-end abundance that they did...once I realized they were actually losing money and I was losing time, no more garage sales!
hi i don,t know if this is your thing, but when something is on special offer we would normally buy 1 or 2 but all of a sudden now we buy 10, depriving someone else of a good buy, that really grates on me, but also how we have maybe 6 bottles of shampoo under the sink, realistically that would take 3 years before we get round to using it all up, cait flanders does something on this and i thought wow why am i stocking up to keep it for years i have given those shops my money to store it for them, i wait till its nearly finished then repurchase, i have also stopped buy gimmicks and those amasingly new things that will transform my life, life the fantastic conditioner that actually makes my head itch like mad and then i go back to my original one, i am on a rant sorry haha loveJacqueline
The "What if..." scenario definitely applies to me when it comes to clothes. I have sorted through some stuff already but I need to do another overview. No sense in keeping stuff you won't get to wear, especially if it's been over a year. Better for someone else to make use of it. You had some great points to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing your awesome wisdom as always. 😊
The clothes thing is a real difficulty for me as well. Trouble is, I have lost and gained weight many, many times over the years and, as much as I don't want to face the idea that I may need those fat clothes again, I also don't want to have to spend money on buying clothes if/when I do regain. Again.
I've actually been doing pretty good with this. I've cleared off my kitchen counters, cleared out my bathroom, and just konmaried my and my husband's underwear drawers. When I did my bathroom, I had three bags full of makeup I don't use, brushes, etc...I gave them all to a friend. Problem gone! LOL She could have taken them right to a dumpster and tossed them in and since I don't know about it, I don't care! I don't miss any of it. I try to focus on one space at a time and just work on that. It's been a lot easier to let things go a little at a time. I've just been brutally honest with myself and that has made it easier to get rid of things I just don't need. One of these days we need to meet up for lunch. :) Stay warm!
Crud. I am soooo good at many of these...and then we get to the saving-clothes-that-are-too-dang-small and my failing there more than overshadows my winnings in other areas! And I'm not even talking about my fave items from a size down, I'm talking the gamut of usual ladies' sizes. I am like an elevator, size-wise...rarely still, always headed up or headed down, but rarely still. But all the same, do I REALLY need a bin of clothing I couldn't possibly wear unless I lost 50 lbs? Probably not. Eek, definitely something I need to work on there.
K H-C, I have the same problem. I seem to fluctuate between 2 sizes. I keep the other size, but only the best things. Luckily I have a closet in my basement where I can store them. But I have to be ruthless sometimes!
I have the same thing, sizes 6 through 14 saved and I'm a size 16 right now. I went through all those clothes tossing ones that didn't spark joy, and then put them in a box organized by size. The smallest clothes are on the bottom, and I put papers between the layers to label the sizes. I limited myself to one (large) box, and had to get rid of some clothes to make it fit. If I move up to a size 18 I will have to get rid of the smallest clothes to make room for the 14s. One box. I also put a deadline. If I haven't moved to a 14 by that date, I get rid of the 6s, and make a new deadline. Part of me knows I'm never going to make it back to a 6, but it's hard to give up hope.
I recently had to loose over 100 lbs for health reasons. Im having trouble getting rid of my larger clothing for fear that I might gain the weight back. I got rid of smaller clothing when I moved 3 yrs ago. I now regret that. There's just no winning.....
I have this fear too! But I’ve just had to trust in myself and my want and need to be healthy that I will keep up good habits and keep the weight off. Got rid of all my bigger clothes the other day and I feel great about it and am not looking back 😊 but don’t go to weird, unhealthy lengths for fear of putting it back on (like fasting on fruit for a day??) lol just live well 😊 and congrats!
What has worked for me is to put together a capsule wardrobe for the smaller (or larger size) and put it in a Tupperware and mark it with the weight range and store it away for a year. If I don't cycle back to that weight in the year I re-asses. You can usually fit a capsule wardrobe into a small suitcase or vacuum bag
In my years of donating I only remembered two things I got rid of; however, they were tied to the memory of something that made me happy. I'm glad I don't have them anymore. I didn't need them I have a photo of them now and it so so much better. Donation amnesia is real!
Great video with great tips. I have 2 problems: 1) I hate buying something that I already had. 2) I have a "spooky" drawer in my husband's hand me down beautiful antique buffet. Every time I start to clean or organize that drawer the phone will ring with really bad news (usually a death or accident). Another funny thing is whenever I have company over with kids for some unknown reason those kids always snoop in that drawer only (including my own kids). So from now on that drawer will continue to be unorganized and just a mess.
I used to have that issue too, until one day I read something that changed my perspective: the money is gone, whether you keep the item or let it go. Keeping something doesn't bring your money back, and it doesn't make you feel any better about having spent it. I hope that helps!
I’ll definitely need practice on this issue 😅. I realized while I was cleaning out my college stash that if I don’t buy these things in the first place I won’t waste the money and I won’t feel guilty later on. It’s easy to be self-critical when it comes to the stuff we have. But we also need to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we make, we grow and learn by making mistakes
I've shared this elsewhere but...Regrets? If I've gotten rid of a thousand things, and only truly regretted one of them, that's a pretty good success rate. If I bake a thousand cookies (ha! As if!) And one is inedible, burnt/charred/crumbly....I wouldn't give up baking. I wouldn't decide there's no point to the activity. I'd still feel pretty good about my baking abilities. If the baking example doesn't appeal, translate this to any activity...knitting, sewing, running, playing basketball....if you tried for a thousand hoops and missed one, for example Changing your thinking to this really changes the game.
Biggest struggle.. giving myself permission to let go of things that I once really wanted but now no longer do. Also letting go of things that I have been given to caretake. Family things, from books to fancy teacups to furniture. Somehow I feel Like I am not honoring their memory if I don’t keep their stuff.
I am so guilty of wanting to do it all in a day. Not just de-cluttering, but cleaning. I'm working on allotting an hour or two if I'm really getting bit by the cleaning bug, and want to do a deep clean, because I will not stop and be burned out by the end of it. The way I found to do a good declutter (even if a mini-one, not a full on kon mari) is to go bit by bit. Clear the computer desk, put the pens in my pen/pencil drawer, stationary bits in stationary box, etc... If there is anything without a shadow of a doubt I do not want, into the donate bin it goes. If I question it, just put it away until it's time to go through that bin or box. Another is to be patient. You will back peddle a few times, and maybe struggle with being neat if that is your goal (mine is).
I've been divesting myself of books. If it's something I could get on Kindle or at a library if I wanted to read it again, it goes. But I have some books that are long out of print; those I'm keeping.
It's not always true that something will be better or more readily available in the future. What it may be, though, is far more than you can afford if you get rid of it now. Mine was Sennelier pastels. My stepfather gave me his unused set when I was in high school and had the spare time to goof off with my personal art projects. As time went by, I didn't have as much time, so I gave my set to an artist friend. Then I became disabled, got back into art, and decided to get myself a new set of Sennelier pastels like what I'd had before. What I didn't know was that the set of 100 full-size pastels in the beautiful wooden box would cost $250. That i didn't have, because nobody makes off like a bandit as a disabled person. I made do with cheaper pastels, but I'm not happy about that. The cheaper ones weren't as good in quality, and didn't have something so seemingly simple as paper wrappers to keep my hands clean while I handled them. They also didn't come in as many colors. I was lucky to find a 64-count set, when i'd had a far larger set before. I will never stop regretting that I gave up those pastels because I was temporarily too busy from being a single mom to have time for art. I regret not comprehending how valuable of a gift my stepfather had given me, either. So sometimes you can get rid of something that you don't realize you need to hang onto, because it's too valuable NOT to hang onto.
You could change your POV here. That might help you to Let Go more easily. Consider... your friend was an artist ... and it is very likely that that person really appreciated that thoughtful gift. It certainly was not a wasted gesture. Sometimes it is good to just pass things along. Sometimes I give things away rather than sell them even though they have some value because it just feels right. You never know how some small, kind, heartfelt gesture might benefit you down the road. We are all here to serve one another selflessly. The truth is... when we give freely to 'others' we are really giving to ourselves. It is one of the great mysteries of this world. Spread the Joy.
I definitely know where you're coming from, but at least you gave them to an artist, who hopefully used and appreciated them rather than having given them to a thrift store.
Biggest problem I have is wanting to have a clothes swap party and not doing it in years! I have already donated a bunch of clothes and given clothes to friends. Instill have more and want to have a party then I will finish. I will let you know after I do it.😀
Hi Jenna! Yes, I always try keep it in mind when I'm struggling to decide whether or not to get rid of something. When I know someone else will love it and look after it more, it makes the decision easier.
THANK YOU THANK YOU especally for the comments on What if? I'VE USED THAT, yes, TO STALL MY OWN LIFE! thanks for these kind of ideas I have noT SEEN on other videos. ... and, few steps. THANKS!
Your 1st point explanation was really inspirational and I'm probably gonna internalize that message to help get me through my own spring declutter/moving house. Thank you!
With my health issues, I have little energy but I have 1 major mess in my bedroom. All my craft supplies and some of my dishes are in here.....I have begun. I set a 10 minute work time. Then I rest. It may take me a year but I WILL finish, lol!!
Start wit the simplest solution! Boy don't we all want to buy those fancy boxes and think it's going to help and then that becomes part of the Clutter LOL
Or RUclipsrs buy the bins/boxes first and then declutter. How do you know what, how many, size etc. It’s like picking out an outfit for someone you’ve never met. Then the next video is inevitably a haul. Oye!!!
SO very excited to have found your channel! I'm going to have fun going back to your first video and catching back up to present. Decluttering, planners.... did I say I'm excited? lol ;)
I usually box up my stuff and have one big yard sale, once a year on the same date. Whatever is left after the sale gets donated, it never comes back home. I make a bit of cash and get rid of everything in the end. Anything I want to get rid of throughout the year gets tossed in a box, and when the box is full I mark it "yard sale" and set it aside in the garage for my yard sale day. Then on the day of the sale I can just throw the boxes in the car and take em to sell, It's all together and ready to go. You can even toss a price tag on stuff as you put it in the boxes if you want to save some time on yard sale day.
Come on Sunday! I need another Laura video. Outta whack not waking up to ur video last Friday. Love the length of this by the way. So many great strategies! Thank you 😘
Selling stuff is a major pain and when I donate to our local charity I can claim a huge tax benefit [USA]. And someone who needs the stuff can have it.
Currently sitting in mistake #2. I had time off today and my bed now is covered in a pile of clothes, my closet is half emptied and now I'm sitting next to that bed pile looking at it all a little intimidated. Thanks so much for these tips and reminders!
Grab small piles of about 10 items at a time, or separate out into categories (eg. t-shirts, blouses, etc.), and just keep going through each. You'll get there!
To see all my clothes at once I hung them all in one closet, with un-hangable things on the floor. I spent a couple of days collecting everything and then finally konmaried it. Because it was in one closet, I could close the door on it while in progress. If your stuff won't fit in one closet, you could use a guest room bed or study floor, etc. The point is to assemble your pile somewhere you can walk away overnight if need be.
My bed is covered in paperwork I need to sort though/toss/shred/keep. I got rid of the file box the papers were in (yay!) but ran out of time and now I have all these piles of papers keeping me from my bed. :-(
I use my laundry room counters as a sorting station. I put boxes there and go thru everything. Then I can shut the door and start again the next day. It does not cause a problem.
My basement!!! I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF. Truly. But in the process of getting things out to sort, moving things about, and my subsequent sadness, I now have a basement that is filled with clutter. Though there is less "stuff", My momentum to put things away is non existent. My ultimate goal was not to make the space liveable. My goal was to declutter to (one day, eventually) move out. And for some reason, I have had zero motivation to condense things and put them away, such as to make a nice space. Maybe because I know it will be temporary? I simply don't know.
My mistake was/is not subcategorizing stuff enough, and making it less overwhelming- especially with digital de cluttering.. oh boy it's kicking my ass right now
Just found your channel and you are too funny (USA compliment). I need to declutter so badly. I have been holding onto stuff for 30 years. My husband and I keep talking about getting rid of the crap we hold onto, like rusty tools that I think I can get clean again. Sicko huh. Anyway thanks for the advice I will start small.
My regret from decluttering 2 years ago... letting people into my home. I let them see my storage nook and explained the process, just to give them my sewing machine and hundreds of dollars worth of art supplies. Never again. It's all in the trash now that I'm decluttering more zones in my home. The woman who took all that stuff from me spent all her time lying and gossiping about me to the rich family in my (now previous) church. I was lied about and publicly humiliated, from the pulpit, during a sermon, bcz of that one woman, so, shame on her and, never again. Into the trash it all goes. I have no car and I make good and healthy choices for myself and my life.
I don’t collect shampoo/lotion/etc, but I did when I was much younger. My mother would always buy these items on sale and stock up, or find out they didn’t work for her, and build up a stash. The way I broke the habit was I found ONE brand that works for me and just stuck to that ONE product. When I run low I just replace it. I don’t waste money experimenting and I don’t worry about getting a good deal-I save money simply by buying less STUFF. I’ve used the same facial cream for the past 12+ years, no stash here 😉
Yes! There's a huge amount to be said for finding what works for you and running with it. Cuts down on a LOT of excess and unnecessary decision making. Can save you quite a bit of money too!
My biggest struggle is: where do I get started? What room or area is most important? I’m like a hummingbird that zips from rom to room with all the mess and just cannot get started.
Sewing Patriot The method is not about area but categories. I didn’t do all of my clothes at ones but I divided it up into smaller categories. T-shirts in One, shirts in one, dresses in one etc. I live in a small place, so I can’t do it all at once. But I still had the revalation that gets me rolling.i suggest that you start with the biggest pile that you can through the most out of. The next one will become easier to grasp.
What did I store our medications in? 3 large Tupperware style plastic containers I was going to donate to the thrift store. It uses containers we weren't using. Yes, I did say 3. Son & I share 1 and disabled hubby has the other 2.
When I did the Komarie method, I didn’t buy any storage containers or dividers. I freed up so many boxes that I actually have some spares now 😊
To keep me motivated during the process, and not get overwhelmed.. I go back and visit my kitchen "junk" draw.. that place where my innitial inspiration came from.
I realize now that when I used to TRY and tidy I was simply moving my STUFF around, never actually asking myself if it brought me joy.
NOW I have ROOM and I honor what I have by giving it a space.
It looks so neat and organized... it gives me such JOY, not to mention peace of mind. I want to feel that way everywhere I look.
I need to do things in sections since I am recovering from a broken hand... but I just keep at it and the more I do, the better it all looks, and the more free I feel.
Marie Kondo is now my Patron Saint of Joy! Just picturing her smile makes me want to make that extra effort to maintain that Space... which is SO EASY once things have their own designated space.
"...you're worrying about possibly worrying about something some time in the future..." Ha! Brilliant.
After a mega de-clutter about 5 years ago, I can say that I have only thought of one or two items that went, and it wasen't a oh-no, it was a oh, ya, gone. smile.
This is a very important videoclip to watch! Adding to that, I have two places in my home, both containing extra-things that have to go in time: 1.Things to Consume. 2.Things "To Do". For the rest, my home is completely decluttered and each and every thing has its own home, forever, definitely. Just what I use currently. I have decluttered in my own manner. For example, I am not a minimalist about clothes and kitchen tools. Such things, I buy when I find exactly what I want, because I cannot find them exactly when I need them. I have my own tastes... I know exactly what I want and what I do not want. So, when I find, I buy, because I know I will make much use of that thing. On the other hand, I had things I didn't know I needed so much until I bought and used. Such as a peeler, in the old days, when it was a brand new thing, for example. So, I "waste" money on lots of things, but I keep an eye on them. Some go away sooner, others later, considering how much use I make out of them. I find it important to wear clothes that I love and to have kitchen ustensils that save me lots of time and energy. My time is important and I can take more benefit from it than working useless in the kitchen. There is a lot of work going on in the kitchen and there is so much time sucked in there. Beyond that, I have mentally oriented my brain to embrace the empty spaces and to find it unconfortable when there is any clutter. Decluttering is a way of living for me, which gives me perspective upon the core important things and priorities in my life. I can say that decluttering physically, mentally and emotionally cured me from depression and helped me start to build a life. A real life.
I am enjoying your channel. My dear Dad always said think hard about what you're about to buy. BECAUSE!! Next year they'll come up with a better, newer, cheaper more modern version. So if it's not totally necessary think hard before buying. Yeah well sometimes DAD! 🙄 but I do try HARD.
So many great tips! I really like the idea not creating more of a physical attachment to things while decluttering, that can make a huge difference for some people!
Yes! In the video I'm about to upload I talk about how memories aren't in things. You don't have to own something to hold onto those memories. That was a big eye-opener for me - knowing I could let go of something without letting go of the actual experience.
I've begun the process. I'm chipping away the perimeter with the plan to work toward my final goal of decluttering and organizing my craft area. My crafts include a little bit of jewelry ( which crossed over, sometimes, to my scrapbooking (which has a LOT to supplies), also sewing/quilting...with boxes and boxes of photos to be sorted and organized. Additionally, since I kiddo moved back home, and straight into the middle of my craft room, all the crafting stuff is migrating to my living room. Under consideration - moving the couches and tv to the dining room, and repurposing the living room as the craft room. Chip chip chip...
Over the course of my 70 years, I've lost count of how many times I've tossed something, only to find a week later that I could have used it...and I'm not talking about clothing, but odds and ends; things that would have been helpful in say, repairing something, or making a makeshift gadget for something I didn't have. It makes clearing out 'stuff' like stray binder rings, odd-sized elastic bands, plastic clips, assorted nails, screws, cotter pins, light-switch chains, etc. rather difficult. Every house has to have, IMO, a "junk" drawer. I always say, "A house isn't a home without a junk drawer." ;-)
Cheers!
I'm not bothered by junk or clutter. Don't really focus on it. I have regretted tossing stuff.
Most recently the snap in cover to a battery compartment on my AB pro. Sigh.
The big problem with us is the exit. My DH is getting old and the car is always full of his business stuff so we have to empty the car before putting in the stuff. Big enough that my two oldest children decided to come and visit every other week and empty my decluttering in their car. I'm loving this. Also, when I have stuff all over the place, like on our bed, my DH is nice enough to help me out when I'm about to cry I'm so tired (one time he offered we sleep near the fireplace downstairs and I took him on his offer). Nicole
There are some thrift stores that will collect items from you, so that's another option. 🙂
@@HowToGYST - I'm in Ontario Canada. I tried that and they only come for furniture. But when a foundation (like Juvy Diabetes) decides to do a run, they call you up, set a date, and pick up anything except clothing.
But we did solve the problem. My kids will come regularly until I'm finished. I send them pictures to see if it's enough for a pick-up or not. Works well. Nicole
For me it has always been the what it's. We went through a house fire and being broke and man is it ever hard to get out of that mindset.
I did what you said about doing small areas instead of categories as Marie Condo said. My biggest issue is antiques I collected when I had a house with a better set up for displaying them. They were costly and they were shopped for with my Mother who died shortly thereafter. I consciously know that taking pictures is as good as the object for memories but now living on disability I find it hard to sell on the cheap. I think I must get it all out and have someone give a price and take it all at once. Piece by piece is too painful.
You have to do that, Carmen. It is so healthy for your sanity. Your mother passing shows it clearly that we are only passengers in this world. Our short lives we need to live peacefully. Take care!
Yes my mother loved antiques and so now I have a few things that I can’t decide how to get rid of them. They are not really donation things. They are kind of specialty items.
I always bite off more than I can chew... very motivated on the beginning, but not much of a finisher. I run out of steam and/or motivation.
Some knitters have a disease called "startitis". Basically you start many things and don't finish. In my case I have "startitis snailicus finishitis". I start a lot, take my darn sweet time and take forever to finish. I'm getting better though. Several doses of HowToGYST videos, blogs and a few KonMari books later and there is hope for my condition. Great video! Keep my meds coming please! :)
😂 Hilarious! And believe me, I suffer from it too! Still working on a cure. 😉
Donna B - I understand completely!! What I do is have 2 knitting projects on the go and when I get fed up I swop them... happy knitting!!👍
I combat this disease by instituting Finishing Friday where I HAVE to finish things and am not allowed to start new.
@@leslieinadress Finishing Friday - what a great idea! Love it!
@@leslieinadress Fly lady? Me to!
It took me a while to realize that I was never gonna be completely at ease with the level of decluttering I am currently working towards. I had to accept the discomfort and move through it. I accept the fear I have about letting go but I am not going to let that fear stop me. I decided to be brave and just do it anyway. Keep in mind that the fears I have are mostly old programming so I'm making a conscious choice to operate outside of my comfort zone. I am employing radical trust that my minimalist future will be good. Thanks for all your guidance Ms. Laura. 🍀
How wonderful that you're facing your fears head on, Andrea. Celebrate all the little victories along the way (of which there will be many, both big and small). Each day is a step forward. Keep pushing! I have full faith in you. x
How brave.. and wise... you are. You are taking a courageous step into a more expansive reality.
It is our attachments which hold us back and keep us limited.
Only when we are free of all our attachments can we truly KNOW our real Greatness
People often say that money is the root if all evil... BUT this is not the case. It is one's ATTACHMENT to money which creates our misery.
We are already COMPLETE within our True SELF. We need nothing more to make us complete.
WE ARE the THAT of *I AM THAT*.
Very true! I’ve made these mistakes. I also got rid of a lot of clothes that didn’t spark joy but didn’t realize that I was leaving myself without enough clothes for work and the winter months (mostly hand-me-downs and gifted clothing). I loved the benefits of having more space, but I also felt so dumb when I realized my mistake. Plus, I wasn’t in a good financial situation to buy lots of new clothes. That was a couple of years ago. I’m ready to do it again while also keeping in mind the question, “do I need this (even though it doesn’t spark joy)?”
You really hit the nail on the head, I love listening to you it really helps and keeps me inspired to declutter and make my life less chaotic
I got lucky and was able to donate a bunch of my at-the-time newly deceased husband's winter clothing to a protest that I couldn't attend and that went on through the winter. I felt it was a win-win and filled his pockets with little goodies for them all.
Mistake number 9 is me! I get to the point where I just want EVERYTHING out! Luckily, I have a friend who comes to help me declutter, and he always makes me question throwing things out which he knows I love. It makes sense afterwards, but at the time I just want to get rid of it all.
My parents getting rid of my things without my consent, or standing over me and making me choose which things I "wanted" to get rid of, means that even seeing a commercial for a TV show like "Hoarders" can give me an anxiety attack. Up until a few years ago, I don't think I could have watched this channel.
Same :---) but mostly with clothes. My mom got rid of so many of my clothes, when she knew I paid a lot for them, and/or really loved them, and/or they were brand new, I feel very uncomfortable whenever she enters my room now. I'm so glad she works in another city now and only comes home 1-3 times a month.
As a parent I am teaching my kids to hold their stuff with a light hand. I don't typically get rid of their things without their knowledge .
I experience a slightly different problem. I never got anything new. I only got my sister's old stuff. We were pretty short of money; I think my dad drank most of the money. My mom was extremely frugal, and was a depression child. Even now, at 63, I feel much guilt when I buy ANYTHING! I have decided to go to a counselor and see if I can get over this, and relax and enjoy my life a bit more.
I really needed this today, thank you! I’ve hit a speed bump in my decluttering, and now it just feels like a ‘have to’ instead of ‘want to’. Even though I actually ‘need to’!! Especially the bit about wasting energy listing things for sale-I have so many other things I’d rather spend my time doing, and I’m not going to lose any sleep over the paltry amount of $$ I ‘might’ have made. Cheers!
I liked your medicine box. I had a similar box that I found 35 years ago that fit my sewing machine drawer perfectly. It is so true that you don't need to go out and buy special organizers.
Living in a small apartment I had to get rid of sooo much of my cooking baking stuff when I was pregnant. I just didn’t have room to store boxes of things like ice cream machines & cake making stuff.
Even though there were things I used on a semi-regular basis, I knew I would have much less time to make food (much of it very labor intensive) after my baby was born.
So I gave it to family members/donation places.
It’s been about 3 years and I still miss making some of those things!
But I felt much better when you said by the time I want it again in the future it will probably be updated. And that made me feel hopeful!
I just collected so many things (some were sentimental) but I totally have different priorities and when my son is a little older and we can move to a bigger place I can get back to it!
Every once and a while I just felt dumb for getting rid of so much stuff, but you clearly explained why I shouldn’t feel that way.
Thank you!
Aw, I'm so glad you found the video helpful. Mixers and other small appliances are always updated with new features, faster motors, etc., and they're getting cheaper and cheaper all the time. So you definitely won't have trouble finding suitable replacements when the time comes. And like you say, your priorities have changed. Look forward to the experience of baking with your son. After all, it's not the cookie cutters and bread makers you're going to remember, it's the time spent with your child and the memories (and cakes) you'll make together. 🙂
I agree that decluttering in chunks is the best way to do so. It's kind of progressive decluttering, because every month I hit a different area. I have a whole laundry basket full of items I designated as "out of here" in January-- they sit for a month or two- if untouched I bag them up for my fav. thrift shop. We also have a "swap shop" at our dump ( Open April - Oct) where I bring many housewares I no longer want. Of course, I also get lots of coolstuff there too--- all free! The ultimate in recycling !
Patrice Kilham reusing is great 👍
At the moment I'm decluttering old textbooks from college, some of them mostly unread, but I won't work in my field again and moved them already twice around the country. Hope I won't regret it, feels weird at the moment...
Me this morning at 1 am ! Clothes, laundry baskets everywhere! Eeek
I love that I can put stuff in my front yard and put a sign "for free" on it.
Some great tips, thank you!!
I only have to find a way to get off the couch and get some S done... :/
Hi Laura!
Just wanted to let you know I find you so much fun to watch! Very informative, too. 😁
I've been to the point before where I'll be at work and just the thought of going home and having to deal with or look at the stuff I've had anywhere from 15-30 years just made me want to go home and pitch everything and start over.
Great video! I think I struggle with most of these but especially the "I should at least try to make money on this" one... I’m not on a fixed income and I always wonder about that “maybe I need it later” situation because for me that has actually been the case a few times. I think this is why I have trouble with donating. I have a large comic book collection from when I was younger but most of the comics that I have, have little to no resell value but I feel that I spent a lot of time and energy and money collecting them, so I feel bad about just giving them away. Any advice? Sorry for the long comment…
You are 100% spot on about the garage sales.
Great points! There is nothing that throws me into a panic attack faster than a claustrophobia-inducing pile of clothes on the bed! I love the tip about packing the giveaways in the car ASAP - I do that, too, and its almost a liberating feeling just to get it out of the house! Have a great weekend!
Yes, even just getting them out of the house makes such a big difference. Otherwise you can't really see visible progress because you still have the same amount of stuff in your home. Hope you have a great weekend too, Gleanne!
As I senior, ATAD always works( A thing a day) I have play the mins game several times a year and have actually gotten hubs to join in.
For me it was getting rid of the bookshelves, books, movies, tv shows and games but after getting rid of all I now have all of that media in digital form on my computer hard disk drives and ereader which makes us have the stuff still but in a more manageable matter plus I now get rid of one media as soon we add another so that way we do not clutter our digital life as well making things organize and maintain :)
Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I agree 100% with donating / selling. It’s easy for me to decide to get rid of items, but then it goes in the donate bin or sell area and stays there sometimes for months. I’m trying to get better with setting time lines and more realistic goals with these areas.
You are very on point about taking it one step at a time. Once I finished KonMari's book, I tought that "all in one swoop" meant that I had to declutter my life in ONE DAY. By the end of it, I was crying over my komono pile, unable to keep going. It wasn't as physically scrutiating as it was emotionally - even tho it implicated a big physical struggle too, because of the sheer amount of plastic bags with crap I didn't needed that I had to pull out of the house - . I do not recommend anyone to try to KonMari their life in one day.
Cecilia Martínez Solano Konmari doesn't suggest to do it in one day. Have you ever watched any of her videos helping other people? It takes at least a month. It is just doing it asap and without stalling. Once you overcome a category the rest just follows.
Sezen Bayrak yes, I misunderstood and made a mistake. Now I know better.
Just a suggestion... If you can change locations while filming.. Like your kitchen looked amazing. The existing one is beautiful too. Thank you
Great advice! Another hindrance to getting started...watching to many HTGYST videos and not actually GYST 😂😂
😂 You must complete one task before you can watch another. 😜
@@HowToGYST 😂😂😂 nooooo
Love this step about what is actually worth it? A few dollars or helping someone else?
Great video
I think about the losing steam you should do a simple declutter for 10-15 with a timer ...then do a major declutter Kon Marie style as then you have things in a somewhat of an order .
When I did the Kon Marie method I ran daily to the charity shop . It was satisfying and motivated me to do more .
Also most organizers can be jewelry boxes / boxes from product you buy like phones / make up / electronics ( majority of my organizers are that )
Yes, always start with baby steps. They'll still eventually get you where you want to go. And I agree on the organisers. Shoeboxes are great too. And the boxes that gadgets come in.
My problem is a feeling of abandonment because of a recent situation where I had to move after 7 yrs in a family home, I literally couldn't give up my stuff, it was gut wrenching at the time! After 6 months I am now facing mountains of stuff, I have made some progress, just to be able to function. I appreciate your advice and what seems like permission to do it on my schedule. And I will monitor where I am at to avoid the pitfalls. Thank you!
well said about the selfish thing, totally on with that one, i gave all my surplus items away, and i can,t or wouldn,t have got much any way so why not let someone else enjoy them, bless them etc i asked myself have i enough and its always the same a big resounding yes, i buy what i need and that also includes treats etc because we all need treats but there is a big difference between need and want and entitlement, a whole new subject but thanks for you seem to be the only who mentions selfishness but its so true cheers Lv Jacqueline xxx
I make mistake 6 and 7! I've had crap on my porch for weeks. Today is the day!
My 'mistake' is keeping things I've decluttered and asking family if they'd like it...and then I have to remind them to pick come and pick it up because I'd rather it not hanging around long after the rest is in the bin or already at the op shop...or I feel 'guilty' that I am 'passing the buck' so I'll pay postage to get it to them.
Eg: It cost me $AU40+ to send some decluttered hangers, doll & doll clothes, vintage bakeware, jewellery etc. to my daughters down south.
Same again...I will be posting off an expensive king comforter, matching cushions, watch and some hangers to a sister up north.
I know I will have reached decluttering equilibrium when I can take it all to the op shop without thinking I should have offered it to family, or friends, first.
For three years I have done Peter Walsh's 31Days2GetOrganised youtube course...and the last two years I have shared it with my Clutter Free tribe on FB Messenger which is the only reason I haven't decluttered Facebook. We do three mini sessions each week rather than one each day...well I do and Tribe 'watch' on from the sidelines...or march to their own drums. It keeps me accountable anyway.
Ive been watching quite a few videos on KonMari and decluttering lately. This has been the SINGLE MOST HELPFUL video I have come across!!! THANK YOU!!! Especially your comment about being selfish! It was jarring to hear, but it has been very helpful in helping me let GO! Thank you!!! I live your videos!!
*love
OMG, yes, on garage sales: "Is it really worth it?" I never made the "big bucks" others boasted about and I realized it was because I never accumulated the high-end abundance that they did...once I realized they were actually losing money and I was losing time, no more garage sales!
Well done. Struggle with things one spent a lot of money on. Or “hand me downs” from relatives, especially if they have passed.
OMG, I so needed to hear everything said in this video. Thank you for having this difficult conversation.
I hope it was helpful! 🙂
hi i don,t know if this is your thing, but when something is on special offer we would normally buy 1 or 2 but all of a sudden now we buy 10, depriving someone else of a good buy, that really grates on me, but also how we have maybe 6 bottles of shampoo under the sink, realistically that would take 3 years before we get round to using it all up, cait flanders does something on this and i thought wow why am i stocking up to keep it for years i have given those shops my money to store it for them, i wait till its nearly finished then repurchase, i have also stopped buy gimmicks and those amasingly new things that will transform my life, life the fantastic conditioner that actually makes my head itch like mad and then i go back to my original one, i am on a rant sorry haha loveJacqueline
The "What if..." scenario definitely applies to me when it comes to clothes. I have sorted through some stuff already but I need to do another overview. No sense in keeping stuff you won't get to wear, especially if it's been over a year. Better for someone else to make use of it. You had some great points to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing your awesome wisdom as always. 😊
The clothes thing is a real difficulty for me as well. Trouble is, I have lost and gained weight many, many times over the years and, as much as I don't want to face the idea that I may need those fat clothes again, I also don't want to have to spend money on buying clothes if/when I do regain. Again.
I've actually been doing pretty good with this. I've cleared off my kitchen counters, cleared out my bathroom, and just konmaried my and my husband's underwear drawers. When I did my bathroom, I had three bags full of makeup I don't use, brushes, etc...I gave them all to a friend. Problem gone! LOL She could have taken them right to a dumpster and tossed them in and since I don't know about it, I don't care! I don't miss any of it. I try to focus on one space at a time and just work on that. It's been a lot easier to let things go a little at a time. I've just been brutally honest with myself and that has made it easier to get rid of things I just don't need. One of these days we need to meet up for lunch. :) Stay warm!
Oh I think I've done all of these. My garage floor would indicate that- stacks of decluttered things that I haven't got out of the house yet.
Crud. I am soooo good at many of these...and then we get to the saving-clothes-that-are-too-dang-small and my failing there more than overshadows my winnings in other areas! And I'm not even talking about my fave items from a size down, I'm talking the gamut of usual ladies' sizes. I am like an elevator, size-wise...rarely still, always headed up or headed down, but rarely still. But all the same, do I REALLY need a bin of clothing I couldn't possibly wear unless I lost 50 lbs? Probably not. Eek, definitely something I need to work on there.
K H-C, I have the same problem. I seem to fluctuate between 2 sizes. I keep the other size, but only the best things. Luckily I have a closet in my basement where I can store them. But I have to be ruthless sometimes!
I have the same thing, sizes 6 through 14 saved and I'm a size 16 right now. I went through all those clothes tossing ones that didn't spark joy, and then put them in a box organized by size. The smallest clothes are on the bottom, and I put papers between the layers to label the sizes. I limited myself to one (large) box, and had to get rid of some clothes to make it fit. If I move up to a size 18 I will have to get rid of the smallest clothes to make room for the 14s. One box. I also put a deadline. If I haven't moved to a 14 by that date, I get rid of the 6s, and make a new deadline. Part of me knows I'm never going to make it back to a 6, but it's hard to give up hope.
I recently had to loose over 100 lbs for health reasons. Im having trouble getting rid of my larger clothing for fear that I might gain the weight back. I got rid of smaller clothing when I moved 3 yrs ago. I now regret that. There's just no winning.....
I have this fear too! But I’ve just had to trust in myself and my want and need to be healthy that I will keep up good habits and keep the weight off. Got rid of all my bigger clothes the other day and I feel great about it and am not looking back 😊 but don’t go to weird, unhealthy lengths for fear of putting it back on (like fasting on fruit for a day??) lol just live well 😊 and congrats!
This is me, in reverse. So, you’re not alone. It’s the toughest category I deal with in the decluttering process.
What has worked for me is to put together a capsule wardrobe for the smaller (or larger size) and put it in a Tupperware and mark it with the weight range and store it away for a year. If I don't cycle back to that weight in the year I re-asses. You can usually fit a capsule wardrobe into a small suitcase or vacuum bag
@@TJAnderson brilliant
In my years of donating I only remembered two things I got rid of; however, they were tied to the memory of something that made me happy. I'm glad I don't have them anymore. I didn't need them I have a photo of them now and it so so much better. Donation amnesia is real!
Great video with great tips. I have 2 problems: 1) I hate buying something that I already had. 2) I have a "spooky" drawer in my husband's hand me down beautiful antique buffet. Every time I start to clean or organize that drawer the phone will ring with really bad news (usually a death or accident). Another funny thing is whenever I have company over with kids for some unknown reason those kids always snoop in that drawer only (including my own kids). So from now on that drawer will continue to be unorganized and just a mess.
My biggest problem is “this doesn’t spark joy but it was EXPENSIVE”
😖😓😱
I used to have that issue too, until one day I read something that changed my perspective: the money is gone, whether you keep the item or let it go. Keeping something doesn't bring your money back, and it doesn't make you feel any better about having spent it. I hope that helps!
I’ll definitely need practice on this issue 😅. I realized while I was cleaning out my
college stash that if I don’t buy these things in the first place I won’t waste the money and I won’t feel guilty later on.
It’s easy to be self-critical when it comes to the stuff we have. But we also need to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we make, we grow and learn by making mistakes
I love the idea of adding dates to boxes. 👍
I've shared this elsewhere but...Regrets? If I've gotten rid of a thousand things, and only truly regretted one of them, that's a pretty good success rate. If I bake a thousand cookies (ha! As if!) And one is inedible, burnt/charred/crumbly....I wouldn't give up baking. I wouldn't decide there's no point to the activity. I'd still feel pretty good about my baking abilities.
If the baking example doesn't appeal, translate this to any activity...knitting, sewing, running, playing basketball....if you tried for a thousand hoops and missed one, for example
Changing your thinking to this really changes the game.
Biggest struggle.. giving myself permission to let go of things that I once really wanted but now no longer do. Also letting go of things that I have been given to caretake. Family things, from books to fancy teacups to furniture. Somehow I feel
Like I am not honoring their memory if I don’t keep their stuff.
The what ifs are definitely a road block sometimes.
Thank you for this encouragement to move forward.
You're very welcome. Hope it helps. =)
I am so guilty of wanting to do it all in a day. Not just de-cluttering, but cleaning. I'm working on allotting an hour or two if I'm really getting bit by the cleaning bug, and want to do a deep clean, because I will not stop and be burned out by the end of it. The way I found to do a good declutter (even if a mini-one, not a full on kon mari) is to go bit by bit. Clear the computer desk, put the pens in my pen/pencil drawer, stationary bits in stationary box, etc... If there is anything without a shadow of a doubt I do not want, into the donate bin it goes. If I question it, just put it away until it's time to go through that bin or box. Another is to be patient. You will back peddle a few times, and maybe struggle with being neat if that is your goal (mine is).
I've been divesting myself of books. If it's something I could get on Kindle or at a library if I wanted to read it again, it goes. But I have some books that are long out of print; those I'm keeping.
Great way to do it. I do something very similar myself. 🙂 How many would you say you've gotten rid of so far?
It's not always true that something will be better or more readily available in the future. What it may be, though, is far more than you can afford if you get rid of it now.
Mine was Sennelier pastels. My stepfather gave me his unused set when I was in high school and had the spare time to goof off with my personal art projects. As time went by, I didn't have as much time, so I gave my set to an artist friend.
Then I became disabled, got back into art, and decided to get myself a new set of Sennelier pastels like what I'd had before. What I didn't know was that the set of 100 full-size pastels in the beautiful wooden box would cost $250. That i didn't have, because nobody makes off like a bandit as a disabled person. I made do with cheaper pastels, but I'm not happy about that. The cheaper ones weren't as good in quality, and didn't have something so seemingly simple as paper wrappers to keep my hands clean while I handled them. They also didn't come in as many colors. I was lucky to find a 64-count set, when i'd had a far larger set before.
I will never stop regretting that I gave up those pastels because I was temporarily too busy from being a single mom to have time for art. I regret not comprehending how valuable of a gift my stepfather had given me, either.
So sometimes you can get rid of something that you don't realize you need to hang onto, because it's too valuable NOT to hang onto.
You could change your POV here. That might help you to Let Go more easily. Consider... your friend was an artist ... and it is very likely that that person really appreciated that thoughtful gift. It certainly was not a wasted gesture.
Sometimes it is good to just pass things along.
Sometimes I give things away rather than sell them even though they have some value because it just feels right.
You never know how some small, kind, heartfelt gesture might benefit you down the road. We are all here to serve one another selflessly.
The truth is... when we give freely to 'others' we are really giving to ourselves. It is one of the great mysteries of this world.
Spread the Joy.
I definitely know where you're coming from, but at least you gave them to an artist, who hopefully used and appreciated them rather than having given them to a thrift store.
Biggest problem I have is wanting to have a clothes swap party and not doing it in years! I have already donated a bunch of clothes and given clothes to friends. Instill have more and want to have a party then I will finish. I will let you know after I do it.😀
Swap parties can be great. Best of luck with it!
Such a great point about letting things go so that others may use them and find value in them. That's a new (to me) and motivating perspective.
Hi Jenna! Yes, I always try keep it in mind when I'm struggling to decide whether or not to get rid of something. When I know someone else will love it and look after it more, it makes the decision easier.
THANK YOU THANK YOU especally for the comments on What if? I'VE USED THAT, yes, TO STALL MY OWN LIFE! thanks for these kind of ideas I have noT SEEN on other videos. ... and, few steps. THANKS!
Your 1st point explanation was really inspirational and I'm probably gonna internalize that message to help get me through my own spring declutter/moving house.
Thank you!
With my health issues, I have little energy but I have 1 major mess in my bedroom. All my craft supplies and some of my dishes are in here.....I have begun. I set a 10 minute work time. Then I rest. It may take me a year but I WILL finish, lol!!
I love your accent. Don't lose it. Where are you from in Ireland?
Kildare originally. Thank you. 🙂
Start wit the simplest solution! Boy don't we all want to buy those fancy boxes and think it's going to help and then that becomes part of the Clutter LOL
That's exactly it.
Or RUclipsrs buy the bins/boxes first and then declutter. How do you know what, how many, size etc. It’s like picking out an outfit for someone you’ve never met. Then the next video is inevitably a haul. Oye!!!
SO very excited to have found your channel! I'm going to have fun going back to your first video and catching back up to present. Decluttering, planners.... did I say I'm excited? lol ;)
I usually box up my stuff and have one big yard sale, once a year on the same date. Whatever is left after the sale gets donated, it never comes back home. I make a bit of cash and get rid of everything in the end.
Anything I want to get rid of throughout the year gets tossed in a box, and when the box is full I mark it "yard sale" and set it aside in the garage for my yard sale day. Then on the day of the sale I can just throw the boxes in the car and take em to sell, It's all together and ready to go.
You can even toss a price tag on stuff as you put it in the boxes if you want to save some time on yard sale day.
Good advice - I will keep it in mind as I start my own decluttering which is way overdue
Oh, best of luck!
Adore your enthusiasm and brightness.
Thank you. Just trying to spread a bit of positivity. 🙂
Come on Sunday! I need another Laura video. Outta whack not waking up to ur video last Friday. Love the length of this by the way. So many great strategies! Thank you 😘
Oh, the wifi was against me for the last one and I just couldn't get it to upload on time. Sorry! But today's is already up. 🙂
You must have been in my home. I am still watching your video and it is all to true. Thank you.
my mum had an old chocolate box from the 50s which she used to keep her important paperwork.x so recycling was about then too.!! ☺
I love your channel, it has been a big help to me today!! Can’t wait to watch more:)
GOOD advice helping me know there are things that I will no longer use!!
So delighted you found it helpful, Judy. 😁
Selling stuff is a major pain and when I donate to our local charity I can claim a huge tax benefit [USA]. And someone who needs the stuff can have it.
With the added bonus of all those warm, fuzzy feelings. 🙂
It's so much easier to declutter somebody else's stuff!!!
😂 That's because there's no emotional attachment to it. 🙂
SO TRUE....
Currently sitting in mistake #2. I had time off today and my bed now is covered in a pile of clothes, my closet is half emptied and now I'm sitting next to that bed pile looking at it all a little intimidated.
Thanks so much for these tips and reminders!
Grab small piles of about 10 items at a time, or separate out into categories (eg. t-shirts, blouses, etc.), and just keep going through each. You'll get there!
To see all my clothes at once I hung them all in one closet, with un-hangable things on the floor. I spent a couple of days collecting everything and then finally konmaried it. Because it was in one closet, I could close the door on it while in progress. If your stuff won't fit in one closet, you could use a guest room bed or study floor, etc. The point is to assemble your pile somewhere you can walk away overnight if need be.
My bed is covered in paperwork I need to sort though/toss/shred/keep. I got rid of the file box the papers were in (yay!) but ran out of time and now I have all these piles of papers keeping me from my bed. :-(
I use my laundry room counters as a sorting station. I put boxes there and go thru everything. Then I can shut the door and start again the next day. It does not cause a problem.
Those are awesome! Thanks for sharing! I just shared content this morning on what not to do when decluttering❤❤🔥
My basement!!! I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF. Truly. But in the process of getting things out to sort, moving things about, and my subsequent sadness, I now have a basement that is filled with clutter. Though there is less "stuff", My momentum to put things away is non existent. My ultimate goal was not to make the space liveable. My goal was to declutter to (one day, eventually) move out. And for some reason, I have had zero motivation to condense things and put them away, such as to make a nice space. Maybe because I know it will be temporary?
I simply don't know.
Love this !
Thank you. 🙂
My mistake was/is not subcategorizing stuff enough, and making it less overwhelming- especially with digital de cluttering.. oh boy it's kicking my ass right now
Just found your channel and you are too funny (USA compliment). I need to declutter so badly. I have been holding onto stuff for 30 years. My husband and I keep talking about getting rid of the crap we hold onto, like rusty tools that I think I can get clean again. Sicko huh. Anyway thanks for the advice I will start small.
My regret from decluttering 2 years ago... letting people into my home. I let them see my storage nook and explained the process, just to give them my sewing machine and hundreds of dollars worth of art supplies. Never again. It's all in the trash now that I'm decluttering more zones in my home. The woman who took all that stuff from me spent all her time lying and gossiping about me to the rich family in my (now previous) church. I was lied about and publicly humiliated, from the pulpit, during a sermon, bcz of that one woman, so, shame on her and, never again. Into the trash it all goes. I have no car and I make good and healthy choices for myself and my life.
Well that sound truly awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Good riddance to them!
Oh Laura! You did *not* just box up that amazing rainbow jumper did you?! 😮😆😆😆
😂 Of course not! 😂 It's a baby blanket. But don't worry, it was just something I grabbed for the video. I took it straight back out. 😂
Thank God. You are our rainbow unicorn mother.
😂 OK, but I'm not cleaning up after ye. 😜
Thanks to you and KonMari, we're learning to clean up after ourselves!!! 💚🦄
Thank you.
You're very welcome. Hope it helps!
Your videos are always great! I love your style and your sense of humor.
Thank you for the advice!
Thank YOU for watching and being so lovely. 😘
I don’t collect shampoo/lotion/etc, but I did when I was much younger. My mother would always buy these items on sale and stock up, or find out they didn’t work for her, and build up a stash.
The way I broke the habit was I found ONE brand that works for me and just stuck to that ONE product. When I run low I just replace it. I don’t waste money experimenting and I don’t worry about getting a good deal-I save money simply by buying less STUFF. I’ve used the same facial cream for the past 12+ years, no stash here 😉
Yes! There's a huge amount to be said for finding what works for you and running with it. Cuts down on a LOT of excess and unnecessary decision making. Can save you quite a bit of money too!
My biggest struggle is: where do I get started? What room or area is most important? I’m like a hummingbird that zips from rom to room with all the mess and just cannot get started.
Sewing Patriot The method is not about area but categories. I didn’t do all of my clothes at ones but I divided it up into smaller categories. T-shirts in
One, shirts in one, dresses in one etc. I live in a small place, so I can’t do it all at once. But I still had the revalation that gets me rolling.i suggest that you start with the biggest pile that you can through the most out of. The next one will become easier to grasp.
Haha, I know have time to do the things I want to do so the clutter is being used! I have never had too many clothes as I make mine.
What did I store our medications in? 3 large Tupperware style plastic containers I was going to donate to the thrift store. It uses containers we weren't using. Yes, I did say 3. Son & I share 1 and disabled hubby has the other 2.
I just love your bunch of shit bag! I want one! Thank you for this awesome advice.
You are just awesome!!! Loving your channel xx the best practical real advice out there!!
Wuhoo! Thank you, Sarah! 😁