Today I'm sharing my unconventional approach to decluttering. I'm sharing 5 ways to get to a clutter free home. Click here for a clean & tidy home! www.youtube.com/@tarynmaria_?sub_confirmation=1 Join my mailing list for emails that will make your life easier eepurl.com/iB2aE2 Decluttering playlist: ruclips.net/video/_St9jcbHTJc/видео.html Time saving cleaning hacks playlist: ruclips.net/video/UBE4zX00wGc/видео.html Cleaning Routines playlist: ruclips.net/video/X_RMuFRn9Ak/видео.html
One of the decluttering "rules" that I've never agreed with is, "If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it." There are many things I don't use every single year that I still use sometimes, and some of them could be quite expensive or downright difficult to replace. As long as you have space for them without having to rent a storage unit (big money waster!) it's a perfectly good idea to keep those items.
This was a great message! I decluttered my home 2 years ago and decided that I wanted to make it easy to clean- that was my main motivation and with clean countertops and minimal “stuff” I am successful in my mission. People come over all the time and tell me how clean and nice my house looks- it’s all bc of decluttering!
Exactly! For this same reason I stopped watching 2 declutter YT queens (1 minimalist, 1 organiser) coz they seem to post declutter videos of their own houses way too frequently than expected! It is only obvious that they are not checking their buying pattern but just getting more content material for their videos 😂 In this matter, the Arrow Cottage lady is the most sincere minimalist + organiser who lives her philosophy and not just creating content to be in the game of YT..
I am 66 and I go through every drawer, closet, cupboard in the house every year. I started doing this before decluttering was a thing. To me it was just managing my house. If I came across something that we didn’t use or need it got donated. It was a time to wipe things down and reassess if an organization system was working or not. And also, never underestimate the power of a cereal box or any cardboard box for that matter. They are great dividers in drawers. I still have one in my utensil drawer that holds corn cob holders and chip clips. I agree with you. We need to stop overthinking this and just do what feels right to you 😊.
I agree with all you said in your video. Decluttering or minimalusm should not be the meaning of life. It should be the mean to have calm and good life
I have a special hatred for clutter because I grew up in a VERY cluttered house where I had to walk through hallways and rooms sideways and objects were prioritized over the comfort of people. I knew I hated it but when I became an adult I had NO idea how to live differently even when I was out of that house. I'm finally learning the skills to do it and changing the ingrained ways of thinking that I've had since childhood. The feeling of freedom I get now when I let go of things and create functional, relaxing space is just amazing.
This video was such a joy , no more guilt that I’m not shifting enough stuff . I do need to get rid of a fair amount but I love my books and collections xx
One thing that can help if you live with someone who isn’t into decluttering, is using organization systems to reduce the visual clutter. I put my husband’s extensive CD collection into fabric covered boxes that match our bookcase. Now I look at neat boxes instead of three shelves full of CD cases and don’t feel the need to nag him about decluttering them (which is never going to happen).
Great messages today! One of the reasons I really enjoy your channel is that you are NOT a minimalist. I am not, nor is my husband and it would be stressful for us to try to get to that level. I AM working on simplifying areas we use daily, thinking through processes and stopping the flow of things into the house. Your videos have been so helpful in those areas. Had to add that I am actively de-cluttering (Swedish Death Cleaning following your tips) as we have been married 50 years this year and our youngest daughters rock collection is still in the garage! :))
Whatever you do, please give your daughter a chance to claim her rock collection before getting rid of it! 😅 My mom threw mine away without asking (I had moved far away & didn't have space for everything right away) and honestly I still haven't quite gotten over it decades later!
Same here! I like things, while also disliking clutter that makes it hard to clean! It doesn’t mean I dislike my stuff. I just want a place for things where they go back as easily without having to unload the whole space.
I commented something similar to Millennial Meg during her closet declutter video. She was stuck on whether to declutter some of the items and I reminded her that this was her own personal closet that only she had to manage so there's no harm in keeping items if unsure and if she has the space. I also let her know that, after several rounds of decluttering, the decision usually becomes more clear if you get sick of handling things that you never use.
LOVE this video! I am NOT a minimalist! To me, so many homes I see online feel more like offices, too barren & cold for my tastes. I have decluttered a good bit & could definitely do more, but I enjoy my things. I feel as if you’ve given me permission to feel ok about my maximalist preferences. Thanks!
The women on some of these decluttering channels are constantly decluttering because they are always bringing in new stuff. Some of these channels have been around for years and they are still decluttering every day, mountains of stuff. The thing about decluttering is that you have to stop buying new stuff, otherwise it's pointless. You would be better keeping everything and not decluttering/purchasing new items every day of your life. And you would save lots of money. Also this idea that if you have more than one, get rid of the extras. If you have space, keep the extras. Better than buying another one if you need it.
I do think decluttering is an ongoing process but I am now at the point where it is pretty quick. Every couple months I take a pass at the junk drawer in the kitchen and find a few things to remove. At the change of season I take a quick pass through the clothes to see what I haven't worn or what looks tired, etc
Great message. I have unsubscribed to so many channels who preach decluttering only to show their home cluttered over and over again. I feel like they either are messing up their space for content or are just not good at following their own advice. I don’t have time for that nonsense. I’m a very organized person and like to watch these videos to relax before bed, not to be annoyed. Keep up the good work, glad I found your channel.
I wanted to say how much i appreciate you! Sharing this information and your perspective is so helpful to me and others. I recently stumbled upon videos about these subjects, and i am down the rabbit hole for real. You and 'minimal mom ' i gravitate to most often. When i hear people say the word ' rule' about anything, but specifically this topic, my brain deletes it, apparently. I hear ' suggestion'. I am literally changing my home right now. Well, changing my life, really. I am grateful indeed! 😊
This is why I like your videos! I'm slowly working on decluttering and I've found other channels, but it seems like it's their way or the highway... Like one said to get rid of all excess dishes, don't use your dishwasher and hand wash everything!! 😳 Like no, I'm not going back to washing dishes for 2 hours when I can load the dishwasher in 15 minutes and spend that time doing something else! Also, sentimental items, if it's sentimental to you, you don't need to get rid of it for the sake of "decluttering"!! I've seen people ask about certain things and other people respond and say that if you don't want to declutter it, you don't have to and then the creator will respond and almost be mad that someone suggested keeping something and they aren't "following" their rules 100%... I honestly don't get it. Do I want to declutter? Yes! Do I want to be a miminalist? Nope! Their homes are so boring and completely deprived of personality! I would go crazy in a place like that! But that's the thing, everyone is different and does things differently. Do what works for you! 😊
I've watched many different videos about decluttering and minimalism. The bottom line for me is this: there is no official way to declutter, there are no official rules and as long as your home is functional/not dangerous, you do you. I consider myself minimal-ish. I am decluttering things I will never use and keeping the things I truly love and use. I like to think I'm curating my life!
I'm decluttering to make sure that my son doesn't have to ask, 'why in the heck did she keep this'? I've cleared three estates -- and I asked that question at every turn, one estate in particular was a nightmare requiring the largest dumpster possible-- multiple times-- because of black mold (family member was a hoarder). I'm not bored with my wardrobe-- I love everything I wear and it suits my current season of life. I'm paring it all down even further because I am still susceptible to marketing ploys (but getting better). Once I'm gone, my son will know that everything in my house was either something that I used or something that I loved having in my living space. I've already alerted him to things which are of value, even if not readily apparent to him.
Fantastic and comforting message! When you read Kon Mari, Swedish Death , Four Box or the one by Fly Lady, you come to believe you have to do it their way. When....their way may not work for you!
Exactly. Not every item is going to "spark joy" but if it's useful then no reason to get rid of it. It's very wasteful getting rid of things that do not "spark joy." Maybe that works for millionaires but if it works and it's good enough, no reason to get rid of it just to replace it with something more "joyful." A lot of decluttering seems to be a hobby for rich people, poor people need to hang on to things.
This video is so perfect. Definitely not something I ever thought of. Everything I have has a home 😊. I kept feeling that I should get rid of more things but just didn’t feel like I had anything. I do have things set aside for donation so decluttering is now a slow roll. You have taken the pressure off. I also get so tired of my current clothes so I need more than just a few pieces but I have room for my clothes so you have made my day!!! I feel like I just had a therapy session 😂. Thank you 🙏!
Great video! This is the conversation we need to have around decluttering. It is important that we keep in mind our own objective and be realistic and honest about our life situation, our personality and things we like or need to improve. Keep what you like and can (for whatever reason - personal or practical) and simplify parts of your life that will help you enjoy and manage what you have kept.
Bravo on your first point about the clothing! I have clothes and accessories from decades ago. I even have an evening bag from the 1960s which was a hand me down when I got itt and I’m still using it! When I get dressed or buy something new I rarely have to buy jewelry, shoes, bags, belts, etc. to go with them because I just shop my closet. Also I am short and to get something that looks good and fits well is not easy. I keep wearing my classic clothes (like my Burberry trench I’ve had over 20 years) and update with a few selected trends to look current. Not to mention most items from the past were much better made than the fast fashion polyester nightmare we’re experiencing now.
I appreciate your perspective. My mom is sort of the opposite of a hoarder; she has plenty of storage space, but on a whim she will get rid of things (including food) that she has suddenly decided she doesn't need or want-- then she'll change her mind later & wind up buying replacements. I think one of the reasons I'm a bit of a low-level hoarder is because when I was living at home she would throw out some of my things--stuff which she saw as junk or damaged items--without consulting me. It's made it harder for me to have a healthy relationship with things, because not only do I want to firmly control my stuff, but I am afraid to part with anything that I might want or need later.
Yes i agree. This is how i feel about my clothes. I like clothes and rotate in every way. I am trying to be mindful in all of this. Curating my things. One better in, one lesser out. 😊
Thanks 4 sharing these awesome tips n points! Everyone is on a different walk of life! Our lives r filled with "chapters" where each stage will become new n different! Evaluating what things r needed n used will always be changing according 2 what chapter in life that we r living in! MOST people have accumulated more stuff that we actually "need"! Life is just full of choices! Enjoy using what U have until U feel that it's Not needed anymore! 😉😃 No pressure, No stress! 💞
I just decluttered throughout my house to show buyers I do have plenty of space for all that is needed. In the process, I realized I keep decor items after I change out, thinking I will pull them out again in the future. 90% of the time, they stayed in bins!
Brilliant summary vlog!.. as I have said before..love your channel! You are so "sensible." Totally agree "influx of items" is the key to keeping you home decluttered. And just decluttering to the point where you are not overwhelmed or stressed by your stuff and can clean easily... NOT "decluttering for the sake of decluttering." If you feel like "retail therapy" ( which I do about 3x year).. I keep a list of aĺl Birthday, Xmas stuff I need to buy and buy this throughout the year, but also search for this stuff on my list when I feel like "shopping" eg I start dry good food shopping for Xmas in September, fill freezer in November.. so by 1st Advent weekend I have finished ALL Xmas shopping except the fridge/fresh produce shop. I wrap ALL Xmas gifts, plus Santa socking gifts, make Advent calendar in the October school half term when my kids are at their dads for a week...1) this spreads the costs over the year, 2) reduces stress because not under time pressure near the event 3) it stops last minute impulse buying, 4) makes "retail therapy" not a waste of money.. because I use it to hunt for things I need/use, and most importantly for me 5) means I relax and ENJOY the Christmas season with my kids, just having fun the 4 weeks of Advent.. it is ALSO for ME, my favourite time of the year. As a kid, I always just saw my mum stressed, ratty, frustrated, exhausted around the Christmas period.. and I always promised myself I would not be like that when I became a mum!.. and I am not.. I relax and have fun with my kids at Christmas.
Wow, love your approach to Christmas! I need to try some of your suggestions this year. I love that time of year so much but it does get stressful and this would help a lot.
Very interesting insights. I agree, the shopping part is very hard. I write anti-shopping lists now. It's a habit I got into at Christmas - or just after, really. As I am packing all the decor away, I write a 'do-not buy list' of items I have plenty of, but I may think I need if I see them on sale in the year/out thrifting. For many years, I was buying reels of beautiful ribbons and tissue paper in the lead up to Christmas, hardly using them, packing them away, then buying more. I also had way too many strings of lights. I write the 'do not buy' list and pin it into my Filofax between November and December. It has really helped as an anti-shopping list! Particularly as Christmas stuff is out of sight 99% of the year, it is easy to forget what you have - could also be done for Halloween and Easter, if they are particularly celebrated by decorating in a home. Or used for any area where there is no space or need - e.g. cosmetics/clothing/cleaning products, if these are particular issues when shopping. 🤩
I really needed to hear this today thank you I am 70 and our children are raised and gone. I have committed to decluttering and my daughter has agreed to help me. I am a person if I have one and like it then I have 2 or 3 I am really trying to get this in order so I can use the things I have while I am still able. I like your approach so much
I get bored with clothes too. My approach is to have a more limited number of tops that I rotate through. When I get tired of something, I've worn it a lot! I donate it to thrift and buy something "new" at thrift. I rarely buy anything new.
Exactly my parents have a house 3x the size of mine with tons of closets and built ins. They can have way more stuff than my family and live comfortably, I agree with your closet too, we have all four seasons and I like variety. I go through my closet once a year and turn everything backwards on the hanger, I estimate I wear about 98% of my clothing.
I just love your videos, they always resonate with me. You are so realistic and down to earth and..... not extreme at all. I stopped viewing some minimalist content on other channels because it was almost religious in their message that we all need to own and use as little as possible. Not so with you, just tips and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your insights !
I agree totally with constantly declutterring and buying new, there is not even m in minimalist how most of them name of chanel is. Also buying minimalist things, one color all house and i always say if you think about you that your lifestyle is minimalist and buy things and home look like other minimalist so you get in trap of marketing 🤷🏻♀️ That why you are only RUclips that i look on this theme, you live your lifestyle and not be „book minimalist“. Practicall advices 👌🏼
Every season I make myself wear everything in my closet. Sometimes I wonder why I have not been wearing something. Other times I wonder why I still have it. I take unwanted items to work or a friend who passes them on to her niece. This also helps me realize how much I have, reducing my urge to shop.
I make a point to wear all my clothes that I keep. I turn the hangars backwards when worn then choose from the others. If you like, have room and use it all you do not need to rid. I have found things that do not fit well, so out they go.
Keeping things because you have the room will come back to bite you when you are downsizing or moving. Also, as we age, we have less ability to manage the piles of stuff that accumulated because there was the ability to store it.
i wanted to have more space in my wardrobe. We have 4 seasons here so instead of getting rid of stuff i like i simply store everything that is not for this season in boxes and rotate my clothes seasonally
I have room for everything I have and it's organized nicely. My son plans to move home to help take care of his dad and if he does, I will have to figure out what to do with the silver and dishes from my mom and grandma. That would be a challenge for me.
What about if you have kids and experience the deluge of items every Christmas and birthday, the deluge of 2” worth of school paper ever weekday ? What to do?
I hear ya! For everyday school papers I try to recycle those every week (I snap pics of artwork). For Christmas I try to ask for experience gifts or things they truly need (boots, etc.)!
Most people have a category where they are a maximalist - or not a minimalist as Taryn said. It may be clothes it may be books it may be something else. But 2 main questions do you have the space. Are those items being used?
When people tell you that you need to declutter your closet, please keep in mind that there are people who insist that there's no excuse for having more than 10 items of clothing for the entire year. As if keeping more than that is some kind of sin. It's a cult mentality. I don't want or need to belong to a cult.
SAME HERE WITH CLOTHING! Nothing more absurd to follow a rule to rotate the same 5 outfits “just because”! I have 2 walk in closets. One is current plus all my shoes. The other has mine and husbands off season clothes as well as extra linens, holiday decor, and suitcases. Why would I toss that stuff THAT WE NEED just to have an empty closet?
One way I’ve quit buying so much on Amazon from those “must have” influencer videos - I go straight to the 1,2, and 3 star reviews. Often that’s enough to stop me. Also keep in mind influencers MAKE money when they shop. They get a business write off and commissions off of sales. The rest of us are SPENDING money. Even if the influencer says they bought items with their own money (not sponsored) they more than make up for their purchases in sales from us. I don’t fault the system, it’s fair because YT influencers are providing us a valuable service, saving us hours of time by bringing to our attention their best purchases. They spend a lot of time and effort making these videos, testing out products, etc. and they SHOULD be compensated well. But we as consumers need to remind ourselves that buying endless similar items from all the stores is not OUR job. For us, it can end up cluttering up our drawers with the same pinky peach blush we bought the last 10 times.
I hv come to the conclusion that sustainable decluttering is to limit buying new things to a very large extent. Extreme questioning yourself before buying anything new means not much inflow of things which is the sustainable way to have less things.
We declutter and get rid of our stuff so when we drop dead...and we all will...our families dont need to deal with our crap. If you know that struggle... you know. Yes our stuff may end up somewhere else, but at least it's being used and not shoved in our drawers and cupboards.
LOL, my husband is exactly like yours, grown up in communism, brings home everything and keeps everything :)). Actually, a big problem, stuff just grows and grows, I don't have anything to declutter anymore, and kids have minimum stuff, but he just brings home everything...
Actually, no, it doesn't. Statistically, 80% of clothing donations to secondhand shops goes to the landfill. They get way more than they can sell, and most of the stuff that doesn't sell can't be recycled. That's just a fact. So if you would wear the clothes you have, you might as well keep it instead of forcing it on a charity that'll end up having to pay to have it hauled away to the landfill.
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
Today I'm sharing my unconventional approach to decluttering. I'm sharing 5 ways to get to a clutter free home. Click here for a clean & tidy home! www.youtube.com/@tarynmaria_?sub_confirmation=1
Join my mailing list for emails that will make your life easier eepurl.com/iB2aE2
Decluttering playlist: ruclips.net/video/_St9jcbHTJc/видео.html
Time saving cleaning hacks playlist: ruclips.net/video/UBE4zX00wGc/видео.html
Cleaning Routines playlist: ruclips.net/video/X_RMuFRn9Ak/видео.html
Mature approach! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
One of the decluttering "rules" that I've never agreed with is, "If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it." There are many things I don't use every single year that I still use sometimes, and some of them could be quite expensive or downright difficult to replace. As long as you have space for them without having to rent a storage unit (big money waster!) it's a perfectly good idea to keep those items.
For sure!!
This was a great message! I decluttered my home 2 years ago and decided that I wanted to make it easy to clean- that was my main motivation and with clean countertops and minimal “stuff” I am successful in my mission. People come over all the time and tell me how clean and nice my house looks- it’s all bc of decluttering!
Love that! ☺❤
You are so right about the need to STOP BUYING STUFF! I see some decluttering "experts" who seem to constantly have new stuff to deal with.
It's so hard but it's the number 1 thing that has to happen :)
Exactly! For this same reason I stopped watching 2 declutter YT queens (1 minimalist, 1 organiser) coz they seem to post declutter videos of their own houses way too frequently than expected!
It is only obvious that they are not checking their buying pattern but just getting more content material for their videos 😂
In this matter, the Arrow Cottage lady is the most sincere minimalist + organiser who lives her philosophy and not just creating content to be in the game of YT..
I am 66 and I go through every drawer, closet, cupboard in the house every year. I started doing this before decluttering was a thing. To me it was just managing my house. If I came across something that we didn’t use or need it got donated. It was a time to wipe things down and reassess if an organization system was working or not. And also, never underestimate the power of a cereal box or any cardboard box for that matter. They are great dividers in drawers. I still have one in my utensil drawer that holds corn cob holders and chip clips. I agree with you. We need to stop overthinking this and just do what feels right to you 😊.
For sure! Thank you so much for sharing!
I agree with all you said in your video. Decluttering or minimalusm should not be the meaning of life. It should be the mean to have calm and good life
For sure ☺
I have a special hatred for clutter because I grew up in a VERY cluttered house where I had to walk through hallways and rooms sideways and objects were prioritized over the comfort of people. I knew I hated it but when I became an adult I had NO idea how to live differently even when I was out of that house. I'm finally learning the skills to do it and changing the ingrained ways of thinking that I've had since childhood. The feeling of freedom I get now when I let go of things and create functional, relaxing space is just amazing.
It really is such a great feeling! Great job!!
This video was such a joy , no more guilt that I’m not shifting enough stuff . I do need to get rid of a fair amount but I love my books and collections xx
Aww thank you Tracy! ❤
One thing that can help if you live with someone who isn’t into decluttering, is using organization systems to reduce the visual clutter. I put my husband’s extensive CD collection into fabric covered boxes that match our bookcase. Now I look at neat boxes instead of three shelves full of CD cases and don’t feel the need to nag him about decluttering them (which is never going to happen).
What a great idea to turn the CDs into decor like that!
Great messages today! One of the reasons I really enjoy your channel is that you are NOT a minimalist. I am not, nor is my husband and it would be stressful for us to try to get to that level. I AM working on simplifying areas we use daily, thinking through processes and stopping the flow of things into the house. Your videos have been so helpful in those areas. Had to add that I am actively de-cluttering (Swedish Death Cleaning following your tips) as we have been married 50 years this year and our youngest daughters rock collection is still in the garage! :))
You are not an empty nester unless they take their stuff with them
Love that! Thank you so much! ❤
Whatever you do, please give your daughter a chance to claim her rock collection before getting rid of it! 😅 My mom threw mine away without asking (I had moved far away & didn't have space for everything right away) and honestly I still haven't quite gotten over it decades later!
@@mayLibertyprevail1a Good advice! She is visiting this summer and it is on my list of things to do while she is here. :)
Same here! I like things, while also disliking clutter that makes it hard to clean! It doesn’t mean I dislike my stuff. I just want a place for things where they go back as easily without having to unload the whole space.
Love your advice. It’s realistic and guilt-free 😊 Thank you!
You are so welcome! ☺
One of my favorite videos. If you have the space, keep what you want…👏👏👏👏👏👏👏. I am decluttering things I don’t use anymore.
Awesome! Thank you so much! 😊 ❤️
I commented something similar to Millennial Meg during her closet declutter video. She was stuck on whether to declutter some of the items and I reminded her that this was her own personal closet that only she had to manage so there's no harm in keeping items if unsure and if she has the space. I also let her know that, after several rounds of decluttering, the decision usually becomes more clear if you get sick of handling things that you never use.
Great advice!
Agree. One thing that I felt was important, was to have an," I don't know" pile/box. Set aside, I can decide on a later day .
LOVE this video! I am NOT a minimalist! To me, so many homes I see online feel more like offices, too barren & cold for my tastes. I have decluttered a good bit & could definitely do more, but I enjoy my things. I feel as if you’ve given me permission to feel ok about my maximalist preferences. Thanks!
You are so welcome! ☺
The women on some of these decluttering channels are constantly decluttering because they are always bringing in new stuff. Some of these channels have been around for years and they are still decluttering every day, mountains of stuff. The thing about decluttering is that you have to stop buying new stuff, otherwise it's pointless. You would be better keeping everything and not decluttering/purchasing new items every day of your life. And you would save lots of money. Also this idea that if you have more than one, get rid of the extras. If you have space, keep the extras. Better than buying another one if you need it.
I agree - stopping the inflow is the only way!
I do think decluttering is an ongoing process but I am now at the point where it is pretty quick. Every couple months I take a pass at the junk drawer in the kitchen and find a few things to remove. At the change of season I take a quick pass through the clothes to see what I haven't worn or what looks tired, etc
I suggest calling it the utility drawer, or tool drawer, it is both more accurate and more respectful of the space and items.
Awesome!
Great and MATURE approach 👍🏻👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you!
Great message. I have unsubscribed to so many channels who preach decluttering only to show their home cluttered over and over again. I feel like they either are messing up their space for content or are just not good at following their own advice. I don’t have time for that nonsense. I’m a very organized person and like to watch these videos to relax before bed, not to be annoyed. Keep up the good work, glad I found your channel.
Thank you so much!! ☺
I wanted to say how much i appreciate you! Sharing this information and your perspective is so helpful to me and others. I recently stumbled upon videos about these subjects, and i am down the rabbit hole for real. You and 'minimal mom ' i gravitate to most often. When i hear people say the word ' rule' about anything, but specifically this topic, my brain deletes it, apparently. I hear ' suggestion'. I am literally changing my home right now. Well, changing my life, really. I am grateful indeed! 😊
I'm so glad to hear this - thank you so much!! ☺❤
This is why I like your videos! I'm slowly working on decluttering and I've found other channels, but it seems like it's their way or the highway... Like one said to get rid of all excess dishes, don't use your dishwasher and hand wash everything!! 😳 Like no, I'm not going back to washing dishes for 2 hours when I can load the dishwasher in 15 minutes and spend that time doing something else! Also, sentimental items, if it's sentimental to you, you don't need to get rid of it for the sake of "decluttering"!! I've seen people ask about certain things and other people respond and say that if you don't want to declutter it, you don't have to and then the creator will respond and almost be mad that someone suggested keeping something and they aren't "following" their rules 100%... I honestly don't get it. Do I want to declutter? Yes! Do I want to be a miminalist? Nope! Their homes are so boring and completely deprived of personality! I would go crazy in a place like that! But that's the thing, everyone is different and does things differently. Do what works for you! 😊
For sure! Everyone is different and we should all do what we are comfortable with :)
I am very slow at decluttering, but the most important was, to stop the inflow (almost 3 years ago).
For sure!
Agree 💯. I stopped acquiring during the pandemic. Now I'm focusing on outgoing instead of incoming.
I've watched many different videos about decluttering and minimalism. The bottom line for me is this: there is no official way to declutter, there are no official rules and as long as your home is functional/not dangerous, you do you.
I consider myself minimal-ish. I am decluttering things I will never use and keeping the things I truly love and use. I like to think I'm curating my life!
Love it!
I'm decluttering to make sure that my son doesn't have to ask, 'why in the heck did she keep this'? I've cleared three estates -- and I asked that question at every turn, one estate in particular was a nightmare requiring the largest dumpster possible-- multiple times-- because of black mold (family member was a hoarder). I'm not bored with my wardrobe-- I love everything I wear and it suits my current season of life. I'm paring it all down even further because I am still susceptible to marketing ploys (but getting better). Once I'm gone, my son will know that everything in my house was either something that I used or something that I loved having in my living space. I've already alerted him to things which are of value, even if not readily apparent to him.
Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic and comforting message! When you read Kon Mari, Swedish Death , Four Box or the one by Fly Lady, you come to believe you have to do it their way. When....their way may not work for you!
Exactly. Not every item is going to "spark joy" but if it's useful then no reason to get rid of it. It's very wasteful getting rid of things that do not "spark joy." Maybe that works for millionaires but if it works and it's good enough, no reason to get rid of it just to replace it with something more "joyful." A lot of decluttering seems to be a hobby for rich people, poor people need to hang on to things.
Thank you so much!! I think there are so many ways you could do it and you just have to see what works for you ☺
Thank you! And wasteful too, to get rid of something and then buy something new.
This video is so perfect. Definitely not something I ever thought of. Everything I have has a home 😊. I kept feeling that I should get rid of more things but just didn’t feel like I had anything. I do have things set aside for donation so decluttering is now a slow roll. You have taken the pressure off. I also get so tired of my current clothes so I need more than just a few pieces but I have room for my clothes so you have made my day!!! I feel like I just had a therapy session 😂. Thank you 🙏!
I love it! Thank you so much! 😊
Great video! This is the conversation we need to have around decluttering. It is important that we keep in mind our own objective and be realistic and honest about our life situation, our personality and things we like or need to improve. Keep what you like and can (for whatever reason - personal or practical) and simplify parts of your life that will help you enjoy and manage what you have kept.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Bravo on your first point about the clothing! I have clothes and accessories from decades ago. I even have an evening bag from the 1960s which was a hand me down when I got itt and I’m still using it! When I get dressed or buy something new I rarely have to buy jewelry, shoes, bags, belts, etc. to go with them because I just shop my closet. Also I am short and to get something that looks good and fits well is not easy. I keep wearing my classic clothes (like my Burberry trench I’ve had over 20 years) and update with a few selected trends to look current. Not to mention most items from the past were much better made than the fast fashion polyester nightmare we’re experiencing now.
Thank you for sharing! So agree about items from the past being so much better!!
Very good message! You're the first that I made sense FOR ME. Thank you 🌺
You are so welcome!
I appreciate your perspective. My mom is sort of the opposite of a hoarder; she has plenty of storage space, but on a whim she will get rid of things (including food) that she has suddenly decided she doesn't need or want-- then she'll change her mind later & wind up buying replacements. I think one of the reasons I'm a bit of a low-level hoarder is because when I was living at home she would throw out some of my things--stuff which she saw as junk or damaged items--without consulting me. It's made it harder for me to have a healthy relationship with things, because not only do I want to firmly control my stuff, but I am afraid to part with anything that I might want or need later.
Thank you for sharing!!
That's my problem too. I always think of what if I need this someday? I'm trying to change my mindset to ...can I live without this?
Yes i agree. This is how i feel about my clothes. I like clothes and rotate in every way. I am trying to be mindful in all of this. Curating my things. One better in, one lesser out. 😊
Exactly!! 😊
I like your tips. I actually keep a list of things I need but I need to make sure I actually have it with me before buying something. Thanks!
Awesome!
I appreciate that you are deep down an environmentalist. You do think about the planet ultimately. Thank you for sharing it here and there.
Thank you!!
Thanks 4 sharing these awesome tips n points! Everyone is on a different walk of life! Our lives r filled with "chapters" where each stage will become new n different! Evaluating what things r needed n used will always be changing according 2 what chapter in life that we r living in! MOST people have accumulated more stuff that we actually "need"! Life is just full of choices! Enjoy using what U have until U feel that it's Not needed anymore! 😉😃
No pressure, No stress! 💞
For sure - thank you so much! ☺
I just decluttered throughout my house to show buyers I do have plenty of space for all that is needed. In the process, I realized I keep decor items after I change out, thinking I will pull them out again in the future. 90% of the time, they stayed in bins!
Great job!
Brilliant summary vlog!.. as I have said before..love your channel! You are so "sensible."
Totally agree "influx of items" is the key to keeping you home decluttered. And just decluttering to the point where you are not overwhelmed or stressed by your stuff and can clean easily... NOT "decluttering for the sake of decluttering."
If you feel like "retail therapy" ( which I do about 3x year).. I keep a list of aĺl Birthday, Xmas stuff I need to buy and buy this throughout the year, but also search for this stuff on my list when I feel like "shopping" eg I start dry good food shopping for Xmas in September, fill freezer in November.. so by 1st Advent weekend I have finished ALL Xmas shopping except the fridge/fresh produce shop. I wrap ALL Xmas gifts, plus Santa socking gifts, make Advent calendar in the October school half term when my kids are at their dads for a week...1) this spreads the costs over the year, 2) reduces stress because not under time pressure near the event 3) it stops last minute impulse buying, 4) makes "retail therapy" not a waste of money.. because I use it to hunt for things I need/use, and most importantly for me 5) means I relax and ENJOY the Christmas season with my kids, just having fun the 4 weeks of Advent.. it is ALSO for ME, my favourite time of the year.
As a kid, I always just saw my mum stressed, ratty, frustrated, exhausted around the Christmas period.. and I always promised myself I would not be like that when I became a mum!.. and I am not.. I relax and have fun with my kids at Christmas.
Wow, love your approach to Christmas! I need to try some of your suggestions this year. I love that time of year so much but it does get stressful and this would help a lot.
Very interesting insights. I agree, the shopping part is very hard. I write anti-shopping lists now. It's a habit I got into at Christmas - or just after, really. As I am packing all the decor away, I write a 'do-not buy list' of items I have plenty of, but I may think I need if I see them on sale in the year/out thrifting. For many years, I was buying reels of beautiful ribbons and tissue paper in the lead up to Christmas, hardly using them, packing them away, then buying more. I also had way too many strings of lights. I write the 'do not buy' list and pin it into my Filofax between November and December. It has really helped as an anti-shopping list! Particularly as Christmas stuff is out of sight 99% of the year, it is easy to forget what you have - could also be done for Halloween and Easter, if they are particularly celebrated by decorating in a home. Or used for any area where there is no space or need - e.g. cosmetics/clothing/cleaning products, if these are particular issues when shopping. 🤩
Such as great idea! Thank you for sharing! :)
My entryway is a problem. That's where I "drop off" stuff when I get home. Good points mentioned. I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Thank you so much! ❤️
I really needed to hear this today thank you I am 70 and our children are raised and gone. I have committed to decluttering and my daughter has agreed to help me. I am a person if I have one and like it then I have 2 or 3 I am really trying to get this in order so I can use the things I have while I am still able. I like your approach so much
Thank you so much!!
I get bored with clothes too. My approach is to have a more limited number of tops that I rotate through. When I get tired of something, I've worn it a lot! I donate it to thrift and buy something "new" at thrift. I rarely buy anything new.
I love thrifting clothing too!
Exactly my parents have a house 3x the size of mine with tons of closets and built ins. They can have way more stuff than my family and live comfortably, I agree with your closet too, we have all four seasons and I like variety. I go through my closet once a year and turn everything backwards on the hanger, I estimate I wear about 98% of my clothing.
Thank you for sharing! 😊
I just love your videos, they always resonate with me. You are so realistic and down to earth and..... not extreme at all. I stopped viewing some minimalist content on other channels because it was almost religious in their message that we all need to own and use as little as possible. Not so with you, just tips and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your insights !
You are so welcome! 😊❤️
I agree totally with constantly declutterring and buying new, there is not even m in minimalist how most of them name of chanel is. Also buying minimalist things, one color all house and i always say if you think about you that your lifestyle is minimalist and buy things and home look like other minimalist so you get in trap of marketing 🤷🏻♀️
That why you are only RUclips that i look on this theme, you live your lifestyle and not be „book minimalist“.
Practicall advices 👌🏼
Thank you!!
You offer a refreshing, unique insight...and I just subscribed. 😊 thanks
Welcome, Sharon -I'm so glad you are here! ☺
i love your advice
Thank you so much!
Great tips and practicality!!
Thank you! ☺
Great Video, thank you so much!!!
You are so welcome Heidi!
I really like your take on the clothing.
Thank you!!
you have a good point, l never thought about decluttering in that way
Thank you, Debra!
Brilliant advice! Such a refreshing perspective, thank you.☺️
You are so welcome!!
This was a great video!
Thank you, Cheryl! ☺
I like the idea of not decluttering as a way of life.
Every season I make myself wear everything in my closet. Sometimes I wonder why I have not been wearing something. Other times I wonder why I still have it. I take unwanted items to work or a friend who passes them on to her niece. This also helps me realize how much I have, reducing my urge to shop.
Love that! I also make myself wear things that I have :)
I make a point to wear all my clothes that I keep. I turn the hangars backwards when worn then choose from the others. If you like, have room and use it all you do not need to rid. I have found things that do not fit well, so out they go.
Thank you for sharing!
Hm... when you have a lot of something, and have an organized space for it, is it really "clutter"?🤔 good point!
Thank you! 😊
Keeping things because you have the room will come back to bite you when you are downsizing or moving. Also, as we age, we have less ability to manage the piles of stuff that accumulated because there was the ability to store it.
i wanted to have more space in my wardrobe. We have 4 seasons here so instead of getting rid of stuff i like i simply store everything that is not for this season in boxes and rotate my clothes seasonally
Thank you for sharing!
Excellent video!
Thank you!! ☺❤
I have room for everything I have and it's organized nicely. My son plans to move home to help take care of his dad and if he does, I will have to figure out what to do with the silver and dishes from my mom and grandma. That would be a challenge for me.
Thank you for sharing!
What about if you have kids and experience the deluge of items every Christmas and birthday, the deluge of 2” worth of school paper ever weekday ? What to do?
I hear ya! For everyday school papers I try to recycle those every week (I snap pics of artwork). For Christmas I try to ask for experience gifts or things they truly need (boots, etc.)!
Most people have a category where they are a maximalist - or not a minimalist as Taryn said.
It may be clothes it may be books it may be something else.
But 2 main questions do you have the space. Are those items being used?
Thank you for commenting!! :)
When people tell you that you need to declutter your closet, please keep in mind that there are people who insist that there's no excuse for having more than 10 items of clothing for the entire year. As if keeping more than that is some kind of sin. It's a cult mentality. I don't want or need to belong to a cult.
Thank you!!
SAME HERE WITH CLOTHING! Nothing more absurd to follow a rule to rotate the same 5 outfits “just because”! I have 2 walk in closets. One is current plus all my shoes. The other has mine and husbands off season clothes as well as extra linens, holiday decor, and suitcases. Why would I toss that stuff THAT WE NEED just to have an empty closet?
Thanks for sharing!!
Lesson- if you have room then keep stuff you don’t need or use, my parents did that and cleaning out their home was a nightmare
Omg your accent ❤️ are you from Wisconsin?
So funny - I'm from upstate NY but the accent is SO similar!! ☺
One way I’ve quit buying so much on Amazon from those “must have” influencer videos - I go straight to the 1,2, and 3 star reviews. Often that’s enough to stop me.
Also keep in mind influencers MAKE money when they shop. They get a business write off and commissions off of sales. The rest of us are SPENDING money. Even if the influencer says they bought items with their own money (not sponsored) they more than make up for their purchases in sales from us.
I don’t fault the system, it’s fair because YT influencers are providing us a valuable service, saving us hours of time by bringing to our attention their best purchases. They spend a lot of time and effort making these videos, testing out products, etc. and they SHOULD be compensated well. But we as consumers need to remind ourselves that buying endless similar items from all the stores is not OUR job. For us, it can end up cluttering up our drawers with the same pinky peach blush we bought the last 10 times.
It’s true, definitely have to be careful and mindful about these kinds of things! Thank you!
I hv come to the conclusion that sustainable decluttering is to limit buying new things to a very large extent. Extreme questioning yourself before buying anything new means not much inflow of things which is the sustainable way to have less things.
I agree!
I want to be a minimalist, but it's hard to part with certain things
For sure!
It's nice that you still fit into 20 year old clothes. Good job!
Love it! Thank you!
Lesson - if you bought it keep it forever, let your kids deal with it when you are moving or passed on
Lesson - buy it if you need it or want it and have space for it,
I want to get rid of a bunch of clutter so I can display my collections better 😊😅😂
For sure!
We declutter and get rid of our stuff so when we drop dead...and we all will...our families dont need to deal with our crap. If you know that struggle... you know. Yes our stuff may end up somewhere else, but at least it's being used and not shoved in our drawers and cupboards.
Thank you for sharing!
Lesson - if decluttering is hard and you are putting pressure on yourself, don’t declutter
LOL, my husband is exactly like yours, grown up in communism, brings home everything and keeps everything :)).
Actually, a big problem, stuff just grows and grows, I don't have anything to declutter anymore, and kids have minimum stuff, but he just brings home everything...
Interesting! Seems to be a mindset that is really hard to change!
Lesson - just have 1 space in home that is clutter-free and rest of it messy and cluttered
Lesson - move your clutter to new spot in home
decluttering means someone else will wear it.
Actually, no, it doesn't. Statistically, 80% of clothing donations to secondhand shops goes to the landfill. They get way more than they can sell, and most of the stuff that doesn't sell can't be recycled. That's just a fact. So if you would wear the clothes you have, you might as well keep it instead of forcing it on a charity that'll end up having to pay to have it hauled away to the landfill.