I'm catching up on your old videos. Just wanted to say I love your relationship with your husband. Its so heart lifting and healthy. Weird comment I know but I wanted to tell you anyway
Your shed doesn’t look like too much stuff to tackle (I was imagining worse!). Now that there are two of you would it make more sense to drag literally everything out on to the grass and then ONLY put back the things that you are keeping. Might not be right for you.... it’s just the way I would tackle it. That way you don’t have to keep putting stuff back in and out as you do it in stages, and you will have a big satisfying result quickly.
My dad was an army chaplain and would often be deployed. When he came home it would take some adjustment to get used to life in the home again. My advice would be to follow what your hubby feels comfortable with while adjusting to minimalism. You have grown in so many ways that took months to figure out how to process and release things, and he is jumping into decluttering the shed in a weekend. I’m so impressed that he was able to jump on board so quickly just realize that you have been on this journey longer than he has and it may take time for him to process as well. ☺️ My mom would become a ‘new’ person while my dad was deployed and it always took time to process not only what was missed while he was gone, but also catching up to her new way of thinking.
Andy was AWESOME. I imagine living in the tight quarters of a Naval ship has prepared him mentally for minimalish life. Wish I could get my hubby on board with the concept. I just minimize my stuff and household stuff and let him be. And when Andy put the dandelion over your daughters ear - melt my heart.
I've been working on my stuff and the kids' stuff for years (about 9 years, decluttering, trying not to accumulate, decluttering some more) and hubs is finally coming along for the ride. He's much more deliberate about sorting and doesn't let go of much but at least he's willing to look at the stuff. And some days he surprises me and lets go of a bunch of stuff that I expected him to keep. So keep at it. Don't get discouraged (and suggest, but try really hard not to nag). Your husband will see the benefits eventually :)
You two compliment each other well. What an awesome journey you are going down. Your life will be so much more fulfilling as the years come and kids grow. If I could make a suggestion, with your new move coming and kids getting a good age to start new house, new rules. Example, kids chores, make beds, help with house and lawn chores. It may seem hard at first and some resistance from the kids, though in the end getting a daily structure for them will benefit you and your hubby in the future. Both my boys served in the Navy 😍 It is great to see the softer/fun side of military people. Best of luck on your move. God bless
Truly the shed is not bad at all. That bed will go super quick on FB marketplace. $10 items not worth the time. $100+ absolutely. Also I post stuff for free all the time on our neighborhood page and put it out on the curb with the address. No matter what it is usually gone within 10 min. Highly recommend. Someone would have grabbed that fencing. So things don’t end up in the landfill. Just another option..... great job guys!
Leslie Eldon my neighbor was throwing away a handmade wooden trash can which was cool and I made him take it out of the can and set it on the curb. 2 days it sat (we are ina low traffic area). I posted on our page and it literally was gone immediately. Just goes to show. Free always gets taken.
I agree, put it to the curb if you do not want . Every month starting in may we have big garbage, that is when I start my free garage sale. It is amazing how everything will go. Nothing ends up in the landfills from my place. Such a great feeling.
Yes definitly put it on the curb! In the last month I have picked up 2 large outdoor dining tables and 4 chairs! All dated but in good condition! Which means I can wait another year to buy new patio stuff and put that money towards other goals.
I love that you’re so honestly documenting your journey. So often people show a ‘journey’ that is so perfect and sanitised that it makes learning and improving seem impossible. I think it’s amazing that you’re beginning to lower your waste. We all produce too much but the emphasis on zero waste is often somewhat off putting as it seems so unrealistic. I’m really looking forward to watching and learning alongside you.
You guys are so young and you’ve already learned so much about spending less on “stuff.” I’m 62 and wished I had learned much earlier to not collect “stuff.” Now I’m decluttering and we’ve lived in this house for 36 years!😳. But it feels so good to let it go and bless someone else who may need our extra stuff! Thanks Erica for your posts! You’re so honest and sweet:))
I’ve moved sooo many times in my adult life!! But, made the mistake of moving everything with all the time...I did get rid of clothes & kids toys...but, everything else I would drag with every move!!
I thought my pack rat hubby was on board when he gave permission to declutter his bookcase, but when I said its ready for the op shop he said put it in the roof!! 🤦♀️
Yep, if only I knew then what a waste of time, money, space that clutter takes away ~ yikes, all those items I have recently decluttered. 70 years old and 34 yeas in this one house and 49 years of marriage and finally seeing the wisdom and necessity of ‘less.’
When deciding whether to sell or donate things I always weigh up the 'cost' of my time, energy and space vs $$$$. For me, the money I spent on that item has long since gone and I've lived without it for this long that I just donate it in whatever is the easiest and most environmental way I can. I just don't have the mental energy to deal with taking photos, advertising it, negotiating price, arranging pick up etc etc. Most often I just want things out of my life
Look at you go! So proud of you. This is so motivational, like you have kids, a husband, a dog a whole lot going on and your able to still grow like this 💕
Yussss yussss yusssssssss!!!! Another decluttering video, I've been waiting for this!! A few side notes: -Erica, you are getting really toned! 🔥 -Andy's personality compliments yours amazingly! I'm so impressed with his attitude and willingness to help you and the family! You make a awesome team. Great job Andy!! And amazing job Erica on leading your family down the minimalism and zero waste rabbit hole, your family will be better off for your actions. 💕
My heart goes out to you. Military life is like no other. You have done a great job while hubster was away. And your husband is a jewel. God bless you all.
You are heroes!! 🤗🤗🤗 I just moved to the other end of Germany and had to declutter my flat and basement. Having no husband I had to wrestle my stuff out of the multiple arms of multiple spiders the size of something that escaped from the film sets of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones combined... BUT: I got rid of sooooo much stuff. And it feels soooo good. Look forward to that, Erica!!! You're doing great. Actually, I was shocked at the amount of stuff I accumulated over 10 years. Despite being super-eco-non-plastic-low-waste and in Europe where the flats and houses are smaller...donated a lot to refugees but there was still so much left I did not want to give to another person because it was tattered/ugly/20 years old...
Oh my gosh, I am loving your husband, lol, funny guy. So happy you have him back home again. Loved his attitude about everything. Keep up the good work. :)
You are smiling and laughing SO much! We live near an army base and raised 3 beautiful daughters who, of course, all became military wives! I sure have a HUGE appreciation for all that our military families go through on behalf of our country! THANK YOU!!!
I am not an American, I am Canadian, but my grandfather and great-grandfather were, lumberjacks between Massachusetts and Quebec, way back when. THANK YOU for your service, and please tell your hubby THANK YOU for your service from me as well.
You and your husband are so adorable, it's such a treat to see him embracing all the changes you've made and your respect for him as he embarks on this journey too.
Glad I found you through The Minimal Mom. I'm decluttering our home too and your videos are very encouraging. Just like April G said, I post items for free on local FB pages like Buy Nothing, Freecycle, or just the local yard-sale pages and put them out at the curb. Items I would have considered trash are always taken by someone. Much better than going to the landfill and you end up helping out a total stranger! WIN WIN!!
my husband of 21 years is a boarder line hoarder...he gathers until I can't maneuver in my home and then he tosses or hides it somewhere ...I am a minimalist ...and I adore my hubby he spoils with cooking and grocery shopping he also does laundry he is my personal STUD except for the hoarding ....however I am excited we are about to downsize and retire and he told me we need to declutter lol...BEST DAY EVER
Erica, bless your heart for making reference to trying to adopt a "less waste lifestyle". I have been contemplating in the last days to write a comment regarding some of the statements made in your last video I struggle with and which revolve around the issue of creating waste. For me, the principle of "chuck it if it can be replaced for xy-amount of $$$" and which the minimal mom topped by saying "get rid of it here and buy it new/ again in the new place" are leading straight to the overflowing landfills, oceans etc. that we have created. And it is not only wasteful but a minimalistic delusion to have only a few dishes, but drawers full of paper plates ..... I know that keeping onto things only to save them from being wasted is no solution either :-)) and I guess it is a very fine line that each of us has to define for himself/ herself. I am VERY happy that your journey is evoking these impressions, emotions and that you are - in all the challenges and constraints you are under currently - allowing yourself to self-reflect. Chapeau, my lady!!! I am looking forward to your thoughts, ideas and plans. Take care and enjoy your husband and family being complete again!!! BR from Isabelle in Zurich, Switzerland, who in the home country of Nespresso & Co. uses the simple Italian "Caffettiera" for her morning coffee. :-)))
Erica, I’ve been watching your channel since the homeschooling days and it just keeps getting better and better! I’m so happy your hubby is home. Love watching you both work together!
Erica Lucas I’m actually enjoying the new direction immensely! My youngest is just starting high school, but I just love your outlook and way of sharing and teaching others. You’ve made your life an object lesson for us and I love it and am learning so much! I play your minimalism videos and and am working to do the same tasks as you are doing them. Love ya and love your channel! Keep up the great work! ❤️
I love that you are focusing on reducing waste! When I declutter I usually put things that are not worth donating on the street a couple of days before trash pickup and in many cases people pick up most of the stuff. It doesn't require any extra effort on my part and it reduces the amount of stuff that goes to the the landfill.
The movie Apollo 13 had a great analogy for the mental, emotional and physical energy we spend decluttering. One astronaut is trying to figure out how to reactivate the capsule for re-entry, and keeps telling the engineer he needs more electrical power. The engineer finally yells at him "You keep telling me what you need, and I'm telling you what you've got." The hard part of decluttering is needing more energy of all kinds than our bodies can provide, and having to learn to cope with that. Scolding ourselves does nothing to increase our energy. Kindness and grace for ourselves helps us cope. Somehow when we were younger, when we bought all those things, we thought we'd have unlimited energy for dealing with it. Boy were we wrong!
I absolutely cannot wait to hear what you have to say about your waste produced and how to minimize it. Minimalism lead me down my eco-minimalist path and I care deeply about what I bring into my home from how it was produced, packaged, and sold by (locally owned vs. big corporation). Once you go down this road it's a real eye opener and so glad you're choosing to do your part in reducing your waste.
Surprisingly, around here, if I set some things out by the road I want to trash, some people will come and get it. Win, win. Lol! When we had our front porch rebuilt, my husband took lots of the good wood pieces and built me a gardening/potting table and a new picnic table. It was AWESOME of him! ❤
Lol!!! We did that in May!!! I think you live close to me bc I’m in Jersey (PA is a pretty big state now! Lol) and it’s getting humid & hot over here!! God bless you for doing it now!!
@@shegoeslightlydirect collaborations aren't the best option with the current situation (Covid-19). If you watch A Hoarder's Heart's channel, you'll see that she has enough on her plate decluttering-wise. But both Erica and A Hoarder's Heart are on a good way and it's encouraging to watch their journey. I definitely recommend both channels ❤️
@@christinabo63 on some of the hoarders tv shows I've watched, hoarders meet up to better understand their attachment to belongings. It can be a realisation to hear another's reasons for keeping things. Social bubbles are important - limiting contact, as most states + provinces are opening slowly.
Glad your husband is back and on board with your journey! My husband of 39 years is on board with me and the minimalist life! Wished we had started out this way, but I never look at the negative side of things, I think of the positive side and think what a Blessing to live with less! May God continue to Bless you and your family!
I recently had the same issue with waste; what helped me a lot was researching my local waste management and recycle centers and finding out what the best way to get rid of things. it. has. helped. a. lot. It's amazing what you find out!!
It's amazing what just gets thrown in a shed and garage. We just had a social distance visit to my parents who we haven't seen for 6 months, my dad has been really productive during lockdown. I was super amazed at what he has managed to clear out during this time. Hopefully it doesn't all get filled up again
I usually spray for bugs before cleaning the shed or garage , and we haves possibility of snakes too, we live in the country on a peninsula out in a lake. All you’ve decluttered this year will make moving so much easier. 👍🏻🥰 It’s sweet to see dad put the flower in her hair. 💖
I just recently cleaned out and painted a studio area on the back of my house. It took me a couple of months to do it. The heavy things that I couldn't take out by myself my son and I lifted out together we put these things under our carport to store while I swept and shop vacuumed the walls and the floor. It was a wood working studio at one time so there was wood dust what seemed like everywhere! Then I caulked seam after seam! Removed two doors to refinish them. Replaced some ceiling tiles. I had to make a plan before during and while I was working on the renovation. I did throw a lot of stuff away in the trash can and made two trips to our local landfill with things that wouldn't fit in the garbage can. But it was well worth it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your channel! Think about buying a bidet for the bathrooms as it reduces the amount of toilet paper you have to buy as well as saving trees and your local sewer workers will love you. Composting all kitchen scraps for your new garden will be extremely beneficial for the environment and will be a great teaching tool for the kids. Setup is a bit tedious but it has great rewards. When you brush your dog, collect the hair and tie little clumps to the trees for the birds to use as nesting material. You will always have tons of trash because kids produce trash but I love that you've already reduced your paper towel usage. I encourage you to start slow and just be mindful of the things you do buy and think ahead of how you will dispose of it. Good luck!
When I think you've run out of decluttering content for videos, you find another pocket. The stuff just keeps coming! I have enjoyed your journey!! You're an inspiration!
Love the king size bed chat. I've been trying to get my husband on board to get rid of the T.V. cabinet. The one that holds the old square, big back T.V.S, that's Amish made and cost us $1200.00 (our flat screen sits on top of it). He's sentimentally attached to it. It was the first big purchase we made for our new house so it stays for now until we downsize to a smaller house in a couple of years.😊 Found your channel through minimal mom. My husband got out of the navy in 1993. So your welcome home video brought back memories. 😁
You are very fortunate your husband is with you in this gigantic project. Mine won’t go through anything. If I try to encourage him to go through his stuff he gets angry and says, “Just throw it all out!”. I had to adjust my expectations and focus on my stuff. I certainly have a lot of it. But in all probability there is no beautiful clean home in our future. Still, hope springs external.
You did great in the shed, looking forward to se more videos! I totally agree about waste, it’s crazy amounts even though we sort everything We can, use reusable bags and so forth.
ohhhh, I thought I was blessed when my house came with a huge storage shed- now, not so much. Also a project you guys reminded me I need to do. Thanks soooo much-lol
I love that you are being real. I have to go through my basement...... ( can you tell it’s haunting me) sigh.... I am really enjoying you right now. I’m ssooooo with you.
My husband only started to declutter the attic and garage as a way to fill empty spaces in the house!! I’m not kidding! Once he saw the merits of having less things in the house, he finally took initiative to declutter the attic and garage. It’s still an ongoing process but he’s gotten rid of a lot of things.
We have a Keurig Duo machine that I love. On weekends or when its cold we brew a pot of coffee. Other days we use our refillable k-cup. Grounds are great composted. I keep a few pods on hand if I have to "fly out the door" but thats the only time I let myself use them. Curb alert the way to go for everything you are not keeping. Usable items avoid the landfill which is overburdened. Many people make their living picking up "junk" and recycling/selling the components for scrap. You've come a long way! Carry on!
For military families ( thank you for your service) minimalism is the best way to be. For your Keurig just get the permanent K cup, and fill it with your coffee of choice.
Good luck my shed is worse i just shut the door on it your amazing erica your drive and i know its real when you have a meltdown of all the processes and coming to terms with the whole declutter
I know it feels so good to get this she’d started and it may be hard to have to do it in phases but just like with your homeschool stuff it may take a couple or tries to finish it. I know I’m far more likely to want to get it out of the house (in some way) than my husband so it takes me remembering that I’m much more sold on the concept of minimalism and he has to see the effects over time to be on the same page- it’s often frustrating but necessary.
Here where I live good stuff doesn’t last long on trash curb! I put out an over the toilet shelf rack and it was gone in 5 minutes! Pickers and salvageable materials take care of a lot.
Too bad we don’t live near you. I could use the bed! Lol! Do you feel it’s easier for y’all to declutter & become minimalish because you are preparing to move? My husband tends to hold onto things so it has been challenging at times. All the stuff gives me anxiety so I have been working on him slowly. It has been 9 months since I started our declutter. I often use the idea if I was moving would I want to pack & unpack this? We may never move, but It feels so good to see our progress. Love your channel!
I wanted to share my low waste tips. I'm not doing all of these perfectly, but if you add one to your life, you will definitely produce less waste! 😉 My best tips for lower waste: - Think very carefully about all new purchases, their packaging, and their lifecycle/disposal/repairs; - Make some t-shirt rags for cleaning and soft ones to use as handkerchiefs when no one's sick; - Switch to bar soap, body wash, and shampoo (sea sponge underneath keeps them from getting sludgy); - Ask what you can easily do without that produces waste (for example, cheese strings, bottled juice, or single sheet face masks); - Choose clothing that doesn't contain plastic (polyester, microfiber, and acrylic release particles of plastic into the environment when you wash them); - Use your electronics until they break; - Repair things rather than replace them whenever possible in your situation; - Reduce ordering online if it makes sense for you; - Buy loose produce whenever possible; - Look at the packaging of the things you buy (metal and cardboard are easiest to recycle) (for example, I buy chocolate bars wrapped in aluminium foil and cardboard); - Write to your government to ban common single use plastics; - Buy secondhand or borrow whenever it makes sense (library or friends?); and - Join your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook to give and receive free things (including furniture and kids' clothes).
I caught myself starting to judge on how much stuff you had and have and then I remembered when we moved into our house 20 years ago I had half of the garage full of stuff I had bought for my someday house and NEVER used it. Now every few years I have a “if we were to move, what would I take with” cleaning mood and if I wouldn’t take it, I wouldn’t keep it. Now we have a countdown (6 years) to when our kids finish high school and we plan to move I only buy things that I would want to use in our new house in a new state. We just finished a major remodel and took 5 packed car loads to the recycle center, 2 full dumpsters and 3-5 trips to Goodwill. Now all that is left is my husbands office, the garage and ........ my remaining craft supplies.
I would love to see a video on yours and your husband's conversations about minimalism! What are his thoughts? Where is he on the minimalist spectrum, etc?
Awesome about the k-cups. IMO, they taste awful too, so we grind our own beans and use a french press. It isn't a snobby thing, it's what most people do in other countries, and the taste is so much better. (Everyone is different, but my favorite whole beans are 8 O'Clock)
My husband is such a coffee snob, but I can't do a decent pour-over to save my life and I hate cleaning the french press so we rarely use either of those. We use refillable k-cups with fresh ground beans for the vast majority of our coffee.
I think it is great that Hubby is on the same page with you about all of this. The one thing I would add is this- If it hasn't been used in the past year, then it never will be. BTW- Have you checked in to getting a roll-off dumpster? Not being mean, but just wondering.
![DECLUTTER Before the Move [Part 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qUNOcmBuqtw/mqdefault.jpg)
![DECLUTTER Before the Move [Part 2]](/img/tr.png)
![DECLUTTER Before the Move [Part 1] || Moments of Intentional Living in Minimalism](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Nu9Ykqwobl8/mqdefault.jpg)
![EXTREME DECLUTTER || Minimalist Journey Continues in the Attic [Part 1]](/img/1.gif)
I'm catching up on your old videos. Just wanted to say I love your relationship with your husband. Its so heart lifting and healthy. Weird comment I know but I wanted to tell you anyway
In under a second your hubby went from a hunky worker to the knight in shining armour for his little daughter princess. That's so sweet! 💓
Your shed doesn’t look like too much stuff to tackle (I was imagining worse!). Now that there are two of you would it make more sense to drag literally everything out on to the grass and then ONLY put back the things that you are keeping. Might not be right for you.... it’s just the way I would tackle it. That way you don’t have to keep putting stuff back in and out as you do it in stages, and you will have a big satisfying result quickly.
Kate - Yep, that's the way to do it.
My dad was an army chaplain and would often be deployed. When he came home it would take some adjustment to get used to life in the home again. My advice would be to follow what your hubby feels comfortable with while adjusting to minimalism. You have grown in so many ways that took months to figure out how to process and release things, and he is jumping into decluttering the shed in a weekend. I’m so impressed that he was able to jump on board so quickly just realize that you have been on this journey longer than he has and it may take time for him to process as well. ☺️ My mom would become a ‘new’ person while my dad was deployed and it always took time to process not only what was missed while he was gone, but also catching up to her new way of thinking.
So true. Thank you for your service too! He is so ready to move and be together every day again. To figure out how to get back to land life. :)
❤
Always cracked me up when my nieces (Goddaughters) would play school on summer vaccation...
They will.be 15 & 18 in September!!!!!! :'(
Andy was AWESOME. I imagine living in the tight quarters of a Naval ship has prepared him mentally for minimalish life. Wish I could get my hubby on board with the concept. I just minimize my stuff and household stuff and let him be. And when Andy put the dandelion over your daughters ear - melt my heart.
I've been working on my stuff and the kids' stuff for years (about 9 years, decluttering, trying not to accumulate, decluttering some more) and hubs is finally coming along for the ride. He's much more deliberate about sorting and doesn't let go of much but at least he's willing to look at the stuff. And some days he surprises me and lets go of a bunch of stuff that I expected him to keep. So keep at it. Don't get discouraged (and suggest, but try really hard not to nag). Your husband will see the benefits eventually :)
You two compliment each other well. What an awesome journey you are going down. Your life will be so much more fulfilling as the years come and kids grow.
If I could make a suggestion, with your new move coming and kids getting a good age to start new house, new rules. Example, kids chores, make beds, help with house and lawn chores. It may seem hard at first and some resistance from the kids, though in the end getting a daily structure for them will benefit you and your hubby in the future.
Both my boys served in the Navy 😍
It is great to see the softer/fun side of military people.
Best of luck on your move.
God bless
What was his reaction to the house?
Would love to know this too!
Truly the shed is not bad at all. That bed will go super quick on FB marketplace. $10 items not worth the time. $100+ absolutely. Also I post stuff for free all the time on our neighborhood page and put it out on the curb with the address. No matter what it is usually gone within 10 min. Highly recommend. Someone would have grabbed that fencing. So things don’t end up in the landfill. Just another option..... great job guys!
I agree. Nothing I have placed on the curb lasts more than a couple hours, I don’t even advertise.
Leslie Eldon my neighbor was throwing away a handmade wooden trash can which was cool and I made him take it out of the can and set it on the curb. 2 days it sat (we are ina low traffic area). I posted on our page and it literally was gone immediately. Just goes to show. Free always gets taken.
I agree, put it to the curb if you do not want . Every month starting in may we have big garbage, that is when I start my free garage sale. It is amazing how everything will go. Nothing ends up in the landfills from my place. Such a great feeling.
that's what I was going to say: curb before garbage for any "maybe" items :)
Yes definitly put it on the curb! In the last month I have picked up 2 large outdoor dining tables and 4 chairs! All dated but in good condition! Which means I can wait another year to buy new patio stuff and put that money towards other goals.
I love that you’re so honestly documenting your journey. So often people show a ‘journey’ that is so perfect and sanitised that it makes learning and improving seem impossible. I think it’s amazing that you’re beginning to lower your waste. We all produce too much but the emphasis on zero waste is often somewhat off putting as it seems so unrealistic. I’m really looking forward to watching and learning alongside you.
Hear hear!
“So, Andy, tell us how your journey to minimalism has been this first week”...
“A little sweaty”
😂😂😂😂
That is about right!
You guys are so young and you’ve already learned so much about spending less on “stuff.” I’m 62 and wished I had learned much earlier to not collect “stuff.” Now I’m decluttering and we’ve lived in this house for 36 years!😳. But it feels so good to let it go and bless someone else who may need our extra stuff! Thanks Erica for your posts! You’re so honest and sweet:))
I’ve moved sooo many times in my adult life!! But, made the mistake of moving everything with all the time...I did get rid of clothes & kids toys...but, everything else I would drag with every move!!
I thought my pack rat hubby was on board when he gave permission to declutter his bookcase, but when I said its ready for the op shop he said put it in the roof!! 🤦♀️
Yep, if only I knew then what a waste of time, money, space that clutter takes away ~ yikes, all those items I have recently decluttered. 70 years old and 34 yeas in this one house and 49 years of marriage and finally seeing the wisdom and necessity of ‘less.’
that's awesome though. Good for you for tackling such a big project. So many memories
Thank you for choosing to include the husband/wife discussions. It helps me feel like we're normal!
When deciding whether to sell or donate things I always weigh up the 'cost' of my time, energy and space vs $$$$. For me, the money I spent on that item has long since gone and I've lived without it for this long that I just donate it in whatever is the easiest and most environmental way I can. I just don't have the mental energy to deal with taking photos, advertising it, negotiating price, arranging pick up etc etc. Most often I just want things out of my life
I agree.
Look at you go! So proud of you. This is so motivational, like you have kids, a husband, a dog a whole lot going on and your able to still grow like this 💕
Yussss yussss yusssssssss!!!! Another decluttering video, I've been waiting for this!!
A few side notes:
-Erica, you are getting really toned! 🔥
-Andy's personality compliments yours amazingly! I'm so impressed with his attitude and willingness to help you and the family! You make a awesome team. Great job Andy!! And amazing job Erica on leading your family down the minimalism and zero waste rabbit hole, your family will be better off for your actions. 💕
So glad your husband is home to support you through all of this.
I can so see my partner using a dish towel as a sweat rag! Love the way you show your family as you are without any "airs or graces"! Thank you.
My heart goes out to you. Military life is like no other. You have done a great job while hubster was away. And your husband is a jewel. God bless you all.
You've waited so patiently for him tonget home, gave him a week off, now put him to work! Love it, I was so happy to see this video go up!
Thank you for your service sir🇺🇸
You are heroes!! 🤗🤗🤗 I just moved to the other end of Germany and had to declutter my flat and basement. Having no husband I had to wrestle my stuff out of the multiple arms of multiple spiders the size of something that escaped from the film sets of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones combined... BUT: I got rid of sooooo much stuff. And it feels soooo good. Look forward to that, Erica!!! You're doing great.
Actually, I was shocked at the amount of stuff I accumulated over 10 years. Despite being super-eco-non-plastic-low-waste and in Europe where the flats and houses are smaller...donated a lot to refugees but there was still so much left I did not want to give to another person because it was tattered/ugly/20 years old...
You two are so cute together! I admire how he seems to just jump in this journey. It must be quite a change for him.
Oh my gosh, I am loving your husband, lol, funny guy. So happy you have him back home again. Loved his attitude about everything. Keep up the good work. :)
You are smiling and laughing SO much! We live near an army base and raised 3 beautiful daughters who, of course, all became military wives! I sure have a HUGE appreciation for all that our military families go through on behalf of our country! THANK YOU!!!
I am not an American, I am Canadian, but my grandfather and great-grandfather were, lumberjacks between Massachusetts and Quebec, way back when. THANK YOU for your service, and please tell your hubby THANK YOU for your service from me as well.
You and your husband are so adorable, it's such a treat to see him embracing all the changes you've made and your respect for him as he embarks on this journey too.
Glad I found you through The Minimal Mom. I'm decluttering our home too and your videos are very encouraging. Just like April G said, I post items for free on local FB pages like Buy Nothing, Freecycle, or just the local yard-sale pages and put them out at the curb. Items I would have considered trash are always taken by someone. Much better than going to the landfill and you end up helping out a total stranger! WIN WIN!!
Welcome! My neighbor took the wet vac, the fencing, a stool, and more. I was happy he wanted them.
my husband of 21 years is a boarder line hoarder...he gathers until I can't maneuver in my home and then he tosses or hides it somewhere ...I am a minimalist ...and I adore my hubby he spoils with cooking and grocery shopping he also does laundry he is my personal STUD except for the hoarding ....however I am excited we are about to downsize and retire and he told me we need to declutter lol...BEST DAY EVER
that is really nice that you focus on all his good qualities
Erica, bless your heart for making reference to trying to adopt a "less waste lifestyle". I have been contemplating in the last days to write a comment regarding some of the statements made in your last video I struggle with and which revolve around the issue of creating waste.
For me, the principle of "chuck it if it can be replaced for xy-amount of $$$" and which the minimal mom topped by saying "get rid of it here and buy it new/ again in the new place" are leading straight to the overflowing landfills, oceans etc. that we have created. And it is not only wasteful but a minimalistic delusion to have only a few dishes, but drawers full of paper plates ..... I know that keeping onto things only to save them from being wasted is no solution either :-)) and I guess it is a very fine line that each of us has to define for himself/ herself. I am VERY happy that your journey is evoking these impressions, emotions and that you are - in all the challenges and constraints you are under currently - allowing yourself to self-reflect. Chapeau, my lady!!! I am looking forward to your thoughts, ideas and plans. Take care and enjoy your husband and family being complete again!!! BR from Isabelle in Zurich, Switzerland, who in the home country of Nespresso & Co. uses the simple Italian "Caffettiera" for her morning coffee. :-)))
Erica you look so happy to have Andy home ❤️
I haven’t even watched a minute of this video and I’m laughing so hard. I love the dynamic the two of you have ❤️
"when's it my turn to hold the camera" Love it!
Erica, I’ve been watching your channel since the homeschooling days and it just keeps getting better and better! I’m so happy your hubby is home. Love watching you both work together!
Hi Penny! I’m thinking of creating a sub channel for the homeschool stuff. I miss sharing that and it’s not a fit here. :)
Erica Lucas I’m actually enjoying the new direction immensely! My youngest is just starting high school, but I just love your outlook and way of sharing and teaching others. You’ve made your life an object lesson for us and I love it and am learning so much! I play your minimalism videos and and am working to do the same tasks as you are doing them. Love ya and love your channel! Keep up the great work! ❤️
I love that you are focusing on reducing waste! When I declutter I usually put things that are not worth donating on the street a couple of days before trash pickup and in many cases people pick up most of the stuff. It doesn't require any extra effort on my part and it reduces the amount of stuff that goes to the the landfill.
The movie Apollo 13 had a great analogy for the mental, emotional and physical energy we spend decluttering. One astronaut is trying to figure out how to reactivate the capsule for re-entry, and keeps telling the engineer he needs more electrical power. The engineer finally yells at him "You keep telling me what you need, and I'm telling you what you've got." The hard part of decluttering is needing more energy of all kinds than our bodies can provide, and having to learn to cope with that. Scolding ourselves does nothing to increase our energy. Kindness and grace for ourselves helps us cope. Somehow when we were younger, when we bought all those things, we thought we'd have unlimited energy for dealing with it. Boy were we wrong!
“One of ‘ems the teacher, I dunno.” Every mom on every weird kid game play. 😅
Progress is being made! That's great. I can see how happy you are that your hubby is home!
Oh my goodness! Your husband is awesome.
So glad to see real couple discussions.... and compromise. He needs to steal your camera on occasions....lol
I love that he just jumped in and going with it!
I absolutely cannot wait to hear what you have to say about your waste produced and how to minimize it. Minimalism lead me down my eco-minimalist path and I care deeply about what I bring into my home from how it was produced, packaged, and sold by (locally owned vs. big corporation). Once you go down this road it's a real eye opener and so glad you're choosing to do your part in reducing your waste.
Great to see you get help with decluttering💕😘🦋
Surprisingly, around here, if I set some things out by the road I want to trash, some people will come and get it. Win, win. Lol! When we had our front porch rebuilt, my husband took lots of the good wood pieces and built me a gardening/potting table and a new picnic table. It was AWESOME of him! ❤
Love your channel Erica, and Andy....Thank you for your service! I so respect all military!
Lol!!! We did that in May!!! I think you live close to me bc I’m in Jersey (PA is a pretty big state now! Lol) and it’s getting humid & hot over here!! God bless you for doing it now!!
Roadtrip over and go help her! Like a collab! 😍 💕
@@shegoeslightlydirect collaborations aren't the best option with the current situation (Covid-19). If you watch A Hoarder's Heart's channel, you'll see that she has enough on her plate decluttering-wise. But both Erica and A Hoarder's Heart are on a good way and it's encouraging to watch their journey. I definitely recommend both channels ❤️
@@christinabo63 on some of the hoarders tv shows I've watched, hoarders meet up to better understand their attachment to belongings. It can be a realisation to hear another's reasons for keeping things. Social bubbles are important - limiting contact, as most states + provinces are opening slowly.
Glad your husband is back and on board with your journey! My husband of 39 years is on board with me and the minimalist life! Wished we had started out this way, but I never look at the negative side of things, I think of the positive side and think what a Blessing to live with less! May God continue to Bless you and your family!
Love the interaction between you and hubby..great job
You’re glowing with happiness now that hubby is home. It’s so sweet to see.
I recently had the same issue with waste; what helped me a lot was researching my local waste management and recycle centers and finding out what the best way to get rid of things. it. has. helped. a. lot. It's amazing what you find out!!
It's amazing what just gets thrown in a shed and garage. We just had a social distance visit to my parents who we haven't seen for 6 months, my dad has been really productive during lockdown. I was super amazed at what he has managed to clear out during this time. Hopefully it doesn't all get filled up again
I usually spray for bugs before cleaning the shed or garage , and we haves possibility of snakes too, we live in the country on a peninsula out in a lake. All you’ve decluttered this year will make moving so much easier. 👍🏻🥰
It’s sweet to see dad put the flower in her hair. 💖
I just recently cleaned out and painted a studio area on the back of my house. It took me a couple of months to do it. The heavy things that I couldn't take out by myself my son and I lifted out together we put these things under our carport to store while I swept and shop vacuumed the walls and the floor. It was a wood working studio at one time so there was wood dust what seemed like everywhere! Then I caulked seam after seam! Removed two doors to refinish them. Replaced some ceiling tiles. I had to make a plan before during and while I was working on the renovation. I did throw a lot of stuff away in the trash can and made two trips to our local landfill with things that wouldn't fit in the garbage can. But it was well worth it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your channel! Think about buying a bidet for the bathrooms as it reduces the amount of toilet paper you have to buy as well as saving trees and your local sewer workers will love you. Composting all kitchen scraps for your new garden will be extremely beneficial for the environment and will be a great teaching tool for the kids. Setup is a bit tedious but it has great rewards. When you brush your dog, collect the hair and tie little clumps to the trees for the birds to use as nesting material. You will always have tons of trash because kids produce trash but I love that you've already reduced your paper towel usage. I encourage you to start slow and just be mindful of the things you do buy and think ahead of how you will dispose of it. Good luck!
When I think you've run out of decluttering content for videos, you find another pocket. The stuff just keeps coming! I have enjoyed your journey!! You're an inspiration!
Love the king size bed chat. I've been trying to get my husband on board to get rid of the T.V. cabinet. The one that holds the old square, big back T.V.S, that's Amish made and cost us $1200.00 (our flat screen sits on top of it). He's sentimentally attached to it. It was the first big purchase we made for our new house so it stays for now until we downsize to a smaller house in a couple of years.😊
Found your channel through minimal mom. My husband got out of the navy in 1993. So your welcome home video brought back memories. 😁
Look for a picture of the king bed back when it was set up.
So happy to see Andy in your videos!
You are very fortunate your husband is with you in this gigantic project. Mine won’t go through anything. If I try to encourage him to go through his stuff he gets angry and says, “Just throw it all out!”. I had to adjust my expectations and focus on my stuff. I certainly have a lot of it. But in all probability there is no beautiful clean home in our future. Still, hope springs external.
Love that your husband is so on board with minimalism and decluttering!exciting Erica!❤️❤️❤️
You did great in the shed, looking forward to se more videos! I totally agree about waste, it’s crazy amounts even though we sort everything We can, use reusable bags and so forth.
You guys work really well together. Some really good communication going on there :) it’s a pleasure to see.
Don’t forget one man’s trash is another man’s treasure
ohhhh, I thought I was blessed when my house came with a huge storage shed- now, not so much. Also a project you guys reminded me I need to do. Thanks soooo much-lol
You and your husband make a great team!! Good job guys!
You have a nice and funny hubby !
I love that you are being real. I have to go through my basement...... ( can you tell it’s haunting me) sigh.... I am really enjoying you right now. I’m ssooooo with you.
Loved the clip of your hubby and your daughter.
I'm feeling this too.
My husband only started to declutter the attic and garage as a way to fill empty spaces in the house!! I’m not kidding! Once he saw the merits of having less things in the house, he finally took initiative to declutter the attic and garage. It’s still an ongoing process but he’s gotten rid of a lot of things.
We have a Keurig Duo machine that I love. On weekends or when its cold we brew a pot of coffee. Other days we use our refillable k-cup. Grounds are great composted. I keep a few pods on hand if I have to "fly out the door" but thats the only time I let myself use them.
Curb alert the way to go for everything you are not keeping. Usable items avoid the landfill which is overburdened. Many people make their living picking up "junk" and recycling/selling the components for scrap.
You've come a long way! Carry on!
So nice to see you working together, so sweet
For military families ( thank you for your service) minimalism is the best way to be. For your Keurig just get the permanent K cup, and fill it with your coffee of choice.
Loved when Andy said “When is it my turn to hold the camera?”
Ranger with his toy just wants to play. So funny .
Love that he is on board with it all.
“Sweaty”.....good answer!
I would like to know what Andy thought of all you work on decluttering while he was away.
Way to go, Andy, for jumping onboard with Erica's decluttering. The more you declutter, the easier it is.
Good deal! Can't wait to see when you finish it.
Good luck my shed is worse i just shut the door on it your amazing erica your drive and i know its real when you have a meltdown of all the processes and coming to terms with the whole declutter
Oh my goodness! You two are SO adorable! I love it! I’m only about 2mins into the video, but I just had to comment! Great vibes already!
I know it feels so good to get this she’d started and it may be hard to have to do it in phases but just like with your homeschool stuff it may take a couple or tries to finish it. I know I’m far more likely to want to get it out of the house (in some way) than my husband so it takes me remembering that I’m much more sold on the concept of minimalism and he has to see the effects over time to be on the same page- it’s often frustrating but necessary.
Here where I live good stuff doesn’t last long on trash curb! I put out an over the toilet shelf rack and it was gone in 5 minutes! Pickers and salvageable materials take care of a lot.
Too bad we don’t live near you. I could use the bed! Lol! Do you feel it’s easier for y’all to declutter & become minimalish because you are preparing to move? My husband tends to hold onto things so it has been challenging at times. All the stuff gives me anxiety so I have been working on him slowly. It has been 9 months since I started our declutter. I often use the idea if I was moving would I want to pack & unpack this? We may never move, but It feels so good to see our progress. Love your channel!
I wanted to share my low waste tips. I'm not doing all of these perfectly, but if you add one to your life, you will definitely produce less waste! 😉
My best tips for lower waste:
- Think very carefully about all new purchases, their packaging, and their lifecycle/disposal/repairs;
- Make some t-shirt rags for cleaning and soft ones to use as handkerchiefs when no one's sick;
- Switch to bar soap, body wash, and shampoo (sea sponge underneath keeps them from getting sludgy);
- Ask what you can easily do without that produces waste (for example, cheese strings, bottled juice, or single sheet face masks);
- Choose clothing that doesn't contain plastic (polyester, microfiber, and acrylic release particles of plastic into the environment when you wash them);
- Use your electronics until they break;
- Repair things rather than replace them whenever possible in your situation;
- Reduce ordering online if it makes sense for you;
- Buy loose produce whenever possible;
- Look at the packaging of the things you buy (metal and cardboard are easiest to recycle) (for example, I buy chocolate bars wrapped in aluminium foil and cardboard);
- Write to your government to ban common single use plastics;
- Buy secondhand or borrow whenever it makes sense (library or friends?); and
- Join your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook to give and receive free things (including furniture and kids' clothes).
If you power wash the fence, please film that!! Nothing I love better :D Great job with the shed!
I caught myself starting to judge on how much stuff you had and have and then I remembered when we moved into our house 20 years ago I had half of the garage full of stuff I had bought for my someday house and NEVER used it. Now every few years I have a “if we were to move, what would I take with” cleaning mood and if I wouldn’t take it, I wouldn’t keep it. Now we have a countdown (6 years) to when our kids finish high school and we plan to move I only buy things that I would want to use in our new house in a new state.
We just finished a major remodel and took 5 packed car loads to the recycle center, 2 full dumpsters and 3-5 trips to Goodwill. Now all that is left is my husbands office, the garage and ........ my remaining craft supplies.
Guess who’s happy to be home 💕
There is a reusable metal k cup On line that’s even better then the plastic one. Thanks for all the laughter while making the video. 🥰
I would love to see a video on yours and your husband's conversations about minimalism! What are his thoughts? Where is he on the minimalist spectrum, etc?
"When's it my tien to hold the camera?" LoL. That cracked me UP.
He’s funny
I can’t wait to see a comparison between your move in box count and your move out box count now!!
Every time we declutter and organize, I feel really convicted.
We are beginning to sell our heavy furniture since the cost is too high to move. Anything replaceable will be sold off.
Welcome home sailor!!!
Awesome about the k-cups. IMO, they taste awful too, so we grind our own beans and use a french press. It isn't a snobby thing, it's what most people do in other countries, and the taste is so much better. (Everyone is different, but my favorite whole beans are 8 O'Clock)
My husband is such a coffee snob, but I can't do a decent pour-over to save my life and I hate cleaning the french press so we rarely use either of those. We use refillable k-cups with fresh ground beans for the vast majority of our coffee.
Is that my kitchen towel as a sweat rag? YUP...lol
I think it is great that Hubby is on the same page with you about all of this. The one thing I would add is this- If it hasn't been used in the past year, then it never will be.
BTW- Have you checked in to getting a roll-off dumpster? Not being mean, but just wondering.
I love Andy's NC State tee shirt, I am from North Carolina but now live in the mountains of Virginia.
He is correct. It's really easy to re screen windows and screen doors 👍 easy diy fix
Your trashed items are lessons learned. You’ll do better in the new house with your new habits and outlook.