i MASTERED decluttering once I learned this!
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- #decluttering #organization #changeyourlife #lifereset
Decluttering has been a journey and in this video we talk about the thing I learned that helped me to finally master decluttering. I share lessons and tips for how to understand why decluttering can feel so overwhelming and what to do about it all while showing you clips of my extreme bathroom decluttering, decluttering my closet, decluttering my room, and generally just decluttering my entire life! I hope you enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00- intro and welcome
00:39- how i started decluttering
01:17- decluttering can be overwhelming
01:55- finding your decluttering layer
02:21- first (and easiest) layer of decluttering
03:05- 2nd layer of decluttering
03:31- 3rd layer of decluttering
04:17- 4th (and hardest) layer of decluttering
05:38- how to deal with each layer + layer 1
06:40- how to deal with layer 2
07:17- how to deal with layer 3
09:18- how to deal with layer 4
10:13- how I’m still working through the layers and mastering decluttering
11:20- next steps
I started saving nice things "for the future" when I was about 25 years old. I'm now almost 70 and I haven't used that stuff! So I'm asking myself, how old do I think I have to be before it's ok to use the nice things?
I would say it’s time to start using all your nice stuff!!! ❤️
Use it now. Get rid of your boring stuff.
Omg this is me too, I hear you. Looks like we are looking for a perfect version of ourselves. We need to enjoy our things, tomorrow is not assured❤
Use the stuff you love and give the stuff that no longer work for you for someone else will want and bring them joy❤
I used to have that same issue. I wasted so much money and time shopping for things I never used. I now only buy things I plan on using in the present bc tomorrow isn’t promised.
The hoarder in me: "Maybe my house is just too small" 😂😂
Haha lol that's me too !!!😅
🤣🤣🤣 Um…no, lol
In all fairness, we are having that issue too.
This is Me! 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
Declutter book Declutter at the Speed of life talks about this and using the container concept
My grandmother would buy nice things and put them away. She would buy sheets and towels and put them in a trunk never to be used. We always had the same sheets for months on our bed, of course, they were washed once a week, but she never used the new sheets or put out the good towels and face cloths. When she passed, all that stuff was so old that it almost disintegrated upon touching it. I found that I was doing the same thing until my husband pointed it out to me that I was buying nice dishes and towels and other things only not to be used. Now, I buy things for my house and myself and use it immediately. Life is short, what are you saving those things for? Someone to find after your departure only to either use it themselves or give it to the goodwill or someone else.
I’ve seen a few of these stories and it’s wild that we do that. It makes me sad to think we can go our whole lives never actually enjoying the moment bc we “save it for later”.
This is me. I use some, but I have a LOT of unused/ muultiple items
Really like the info this speaker is relaying. She doesn't ignore the psychological factor. Many decluttering speakers ive listened to don't address the psychological aspects beyond a tiny amount. It's important to include possible mental blocks we declutterer people often have. And then implement the ways we can effectively and sensitively work through them. I can think of several things right now, which Ive been unable to let go of until now. Successful reworking of outlook thanks to this speaker. I'm very grateful.
This mind set also comes from poverty, never having enough, or thought of it will keep you buying things just to say you can, and never use it 🙏🏾😢❤it was in my family too.
Nowadays you might as well give them away or sell it on eBay cause goodwill charges such ridiculous prices lol.
My favorite question to ask is, "how would I feel if this spontaneously combusted?' If I wouldn't be sorry (or if I'd be secretly glad) then that item should probably go.
Love this!!!!
Similarly, when in doubt about a piece of clothing, I think: if I spotted a stain or a tiny hole in this, would I be relieved to have a reason to get rid of the object, or do I love it enough to keep wearing or try to repair it? On a gut level, you know what you really love.
This is fantastic! Thank you!
I remember feeling relief when a dish smashed as I was sorting out the kitchen (getting ready to declutter). That made me realise how much I wanted to let stuff go and made it easier to get rid of things. I still need to make another pass over the contents of my kitchen cupboards, but I'm pleased with how much I've let go and donated to charity already.
I found myself envious of the people who lost their homes in the fire in a nearby town. Now what does that tell you?!
"No matter where we are in life, no matter our age, we are just in time to live the life of our dreams."
I LOVE this sentiment!
Thank you!!! It’s my life affirmation! 🤗
THIS!! Caused me to IMMEDIATELY subscribe and click on the notifications button!
I ❤that sentiment,too
I started watching this on my tv but came to my phone to comment. I’m about 5 minutes into the video. When you said something about your marriage, I quickly thought “oh she’s married very young” nothing too deep, just a quick thought. Then you said you’re 43 and my mind is blown! Girl what?! You barely, barely look 25! 💕💕💕
🥹This is too sweet, thank you so much! Yes, girl- I am grown, grown!!! 😂
Hi, I agree with you! I had a similar reaction to her and her appearance. I thought she MUST be very young. Then she told us her age, and I was astonished! She looks quite young and lovely. Her skin is great and her complexion is flawless. Her teeth are gorgeous, too. (I am quite jealous.)
My first reaction was wow, this woman has it together and how beautiful she is. Look at that smile, it’s perfect. And he skin! What a beautiful soul to get to the essence of a problem and give us a pathway to solve it.
It don't Crack! Lolol I'm 5'1, 116 lbs andmy 13 year old is more developed and taller than me (and I have 4 other children). When I tell them I'm in my 30s they're like, "Oh.." 😂😂 always thinking I'm 12 😭😭
Incredible looking woman, agreed!!
I finally decluttered only to realize that my home was still a mess because I have too many friends who are hoarders and have gotten into the habit of storing their stuff at my place. Seriously, I have entire rooms I can't use, and people refuse to get their stuff for years while expecting me to store them for free. It's actually costing me a few hundred dollars a year to cope with not being able to use entire rooms of my house.
This New Year's Day I let everyone storing their trash at my house have two months' notice that I'll be disposing of it. One person got mad at me for being petty since I have such a big house, so I explained that I wasn't going to start charging them a storage fee. Another told me to sell his stuff and give him the money, but I refused to take a volunteer position when my time is already spoken for...by me.
I feel much better now, and although I'm sure I'm going to hear more about it I don't see that I have any legal obligation to care anymore when they can't be bothered to care either.
I have a similar situation. My garage and storage room are full of all of my grown children's stuff. I like the solution you've come up with and am going to present it to my kids (27-43 yrs old)
@@saundraandrade9019 It will make you unpopular for a little while, but it demonstrates the self-respect essential for respect for others. I can tell you from personal experience, though, that children sometimes don't realize how much we're imposing on our parents. My parents responded in kind by bringing a box of my baby clothes I didn't even know was stashed at their home and giving it to me as a birthday present. My husband was ticked, but it made me happy because I realized that they understood how ridiculous the situation is. I want to enjoy their company, not be a burden.
Yes to this. My mom’s friend left a couple of boxes of stuff at my mom’s house for a decade and I was like if she hasn’t needed it by now then she doesn’t need it and it got trashed when we moved my mom.
I firmly believe that while we help others, you also gotta do what works for you! Can't love others well if you aren't loving yourself- and getting your space functioning for you is a form of self-love.
Sell my things and give me the money 😂😂😂😂😂 somebody went to Costco and bought the audacity in BULK
I’ve been decluttering for well over 10years. Started as merging two households into one and then purging what we don’t need, etc. I started to hardcore declutter about 5years ago when I realized I still couldn’t keep up with the house work. I’ve had two key takeaways - first I needed to find my “clutter threshold” and second, I realized I was buying things to “temporarily fill a need” instead of just buying the better item up front. So I was never truly happy with what I owned. Now I buy with intention. If I have to wait a little longer, so be it.
This is SOO good!
Yes!!!
I’m just gonna say. Birthday cards is what I love I kept now. My grandparents died and that is mainly what I have left over from them talking to me directly their handwriting and words they actually chose for me as I can feel like I can read that and have them there with me for a moment. I’d think long and hard before throwing away letters from family and people you’ll always love and miss
Love this! Definitely don't think that things you still go back to are clutter- especially not hand written notes. Keep those memories!!! I was talking about the stuff that we have no attachment to and don't know why we're holding on to it. 💕
This is my weakness, I can’t get rid of cards, pictures or obituaries 😢
Those are the hardest to get rid of but the photo idea is a good one as paper and ink fade with time.
I wish I'd realized this... what a wonderful way to keep them close.
I totally get your thoughts! I took my grandmother cards and ones given to my mother and aunt by my grandmother cut the important words out and part of picture I liked and glued a collage onto an plain box from Hobby Lobby and gifted it back to them. They were amazed and grateful. Now the cards can be ‘seen’ and have a useful purpose. Cheers!
Doing this for my mother. She has been doing this for other people and family. She deserves an uncluttered safe space.
Awww, I love this! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Very hard to do it for your parents, unless they are ready to make a change. Though, most elders don’t think clutter is not healthy 😕
I recently lost 123lbs. I’m currently in the process of moving. I just rid of a construction size bag of clothes that I really loved or never got to wear. I kept them thinking that I can tailor them, but it would basically be reconstructing a whole new garment. I had to remind myself that I now have the opportunity to enjoy the clothes that actually fit me now.
I moved from size 1x, then 16, 14, now 10-12
These clothes are too good for Goodwill. Looked around at church, assistant yoyth pastor is a vit larger than I, so two shopping bags and handful of things on hangers, she'll save $$$ and I have space.
Congratulations
Congratulations!!! That's so inspiring! Sounds like you are enjoying a whole new life!💜
I’m proud of you! I know your health is better because of what you’ve accomplished (physical and emotional).
Girl, I just donated my dad's tuxedo a few weeks ago. He's been gone almost 25 years. I kept one of his sweaters and I use his old scissors and shears when I sew. Those things make me feel close to him. The rest didn't. My mom - I kept her nurse's cape and a housedress she used to love hanging out in. Those two things make me feel close to her, and celebrate who she was. But it takes time to realize what those few things are and pare down the rest.
Love this! It sometimes takes a while to figure out what is most valuable to us.
Yes!!!! My mom passed away in my late twenties. I felt like I was obligated to hold on to her things: 1- because mamaaaa!!! 😭and 2- as the only girl in the family I was expected to be the Chief Mama Memory Protector. 🙄 So it was really hard to declutter her things. ON TOP OF THE FACT that she was the family historian and the eldest daughter of the daughter! So she had her things, granny and pawpaws things, my brothers things, ALL THE THINGS!
C L U T T E R - C I T Y
It was hard but I made a lot of headway. Still a journey tho... Thank you so much for your videos!
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's a shared bond that none of us really want to have but helps us to understand what each other is going through.
Wow!!! Yes, that's a lot. Being the one who feels duty-bound to manage all of the memories is quite a heavy load. So proud that you've made some headway!!!
Someone told me "other peoples stuff is not your burden"...it helped so much dealing with all my mums stuff after she passed. I still have a few things I need to let go...a few bits of antique furniture I have no space for. They will go, I'd rather someone else get use of them than they collect dust, take up space in my mind and home. ♥️
I extend my most sincere condolences for the loss of your parents.
Thank you for mentioning why you kept their belongings in storage. It has been three years since losing my mom in law. I had a very hard time parting with her things, and my late father in laws things as it was like losing them all over again or like disrespecting them by letting their belongings go. I realize it is okay to let someone else enjoy the pieces, whether furniture, knickknacks, or clothing. I also realize I have to have my own things around me, which align with who I am and not live "in someone else's house, living someone else's life."
It has taken over three years to unload three storage units and to clear out my own house but I am 90 percent done and I am starting to feel like my old self again. The time it took to fuss with all the stuff was overwhelming, time consuming and depressing.
That’s a lot of loss. I lost my mother 10 years ago (I was 35 and her passing was unexpected). I found that it put things in perspective for me. If I can live without my own mother, I can live without mere possessions. It’s been a good reminder as my children get older as well, and the pull of their artwork and baby clothing feels overwhelming.
Thank you and condolences on your loss as well. 💜 The trauma of loss really does a number on our sense of reasoning.
I have come to terms with that realization as well that letting their stuff go doesn't equate to letting them go. I think I always knew that mentally, but my heart/healing had to catch up with it. But it has been a weight and it's time to fully heal. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
That's such a good and healthy way to look at it! It's always amazing to me to see how differently we all process grief. 💜
@@katiejon17wow-this is a super powerful way of thinking about things. My mind is kind of blown because I’ve listened to SO many decluttering videos/podcasts/audiobooks etc, and not a single person has ever mentioned this, which is surprising. I’m sorry for your loss, but think it’s amazing that you were able to come to what I consider a pretty profound realization, that I want to thank you for sharing x100000. I’m lucky enough to still have my parents with me, but have been struggling with clutter/overwhelm for as long as I’ve lived on my own. I’m also very ADHD, which certainly doesn’t help things-but I spent SO much time just LOOKING for things….and now I’m thinking about my parents’ ages and how that wasted time looking for things-and honestly, the time spent wasted due to the overwhelm caused by clutter (which makes cleaning much harder and a longer process!).
So you’ve kind of lit me up and inspired me to be ruthless in my decluttering-which luckily I’d already planned on doing for half of today!
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom!
@@Hmy8799 I’m happy it helped! I shut down my YT channel a few years ago and I’m toying with getting it back up. There’s so much discussion for all of us to have. And certainly when we choose to live minimally, our finances also improve without even trying. ❤
Thank you for showing your real home in its real state.
🤣🤣🤣 Yes, it gets messy! That’s part of life.
#3 Layer is also a key to spending money wisely. Discovering how much you buy for your ideal or fantasy self but don’t actually use is a real eye opener.
I lived in St. Louis. Loved it!
Oh my goodness, yes- that is SUCH and eye-opener! Also made me realize I wasn't treating myself the way that I deserved.
St. Louis is a fun, undercover gem!
i took a huge tub of photos, art work, certificates, documents and scanned them all and put them on an external hard drive. A lot of work, but well worth it.
I need to do this too!!!
Me too, what a relief!!!!🤗
The taking a picture idea is a superwoman level solution. 💪
Take pictures and then print them on photo paper or regular printer paper. Put them in a photo album and write a little blurb or the story of the memory with the date of each experience.
Then, you really can let go of the actual item. The memory is what is important. 🥰
♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Love this!
This. The hardest thing for me to get rid of has been my son's stuff from when he was a kid. This is going to help me break through today. Thank You! 🙏🏽💙💙💙💙💜🌎🕊️
Also take before and after photo of each area as you are working on declutter.
Taking pictures of sentimental items can help make it easier to let go
❤️❤️❤️
it's called"Take a picture of the memory and let it go"
I’ve been saving things since 2005. I started selling all those things on eBay and Mercari during the pandemic. 400 listings and 2 garage sales later I’ve finally decluttered my life.
Woohoo!!! Congratulations!!! I imagine it feels SOOO good and freeing!
I sell on all the platforms and it’s taking awhile. I decided not to go back to my bargain stores.
I donate to a charity called IRIS that sets up apartments for new immigrants and refugees.thinking how that blanket..towels ..chair..desk etc will help a family that has fled war famine poverty etc..makes me feel good about letting it go.these people often flee w nothing except the clothes on their back.they have nothing....and a lot of us really have too much stuff.
Oh, I love that! Thanks so much for sharing! 🫶🏽
Great idea! The university in my community has a program that supports young adults moving out of the foster care system and into an apartment or a dorm. They accept gently used small appliances, bedding, and furniture. I'm sure there are similar programs in other communities.
Wish they had that in the UK.
@@VeeBee81 when my mum moved back to the uk in her 80s..she was helped by a charity that helps the wives of ww2 veterans.maybe search there..or w charities that help the elderly.I found the IRIS charity after extensivenonline search..they werent easy to find.also try churches charity or salvation army.
I attended a talk at our local library, on refugees in our area. They had a list of needed items. Even though I’ve been a minimalist for a number of years, I still had items and pieces of clothing that I could donate. The coordinator of the group (this is through the state) mentioned that the Afghan women we’re welcoming are excellent seamstresses. I happened to see that Joann’s had a sale on Brother sewing machines (50% off). I just wish I could have bought more than one.
Thank you for saying with Layer 4 - there’s no set time to release items. It’s good to hear from the perspective of someone that understands that an emotional loss is the hardest to deal with when trying to declutter.
❤️❤️❤️
Another component to this is donation. Donate the items you really can’t use that you know someone else would really love, but donate to a cause that is close to your heart for me It was donating to a local, battered women shelter, and a domestic violence, safe house, because I went through domestic violence, this gave me a sense of purpose and love.❤
So true. I really love this component of donating to places that mean something to you- makes it a lot easier 💜
Scout troop or small private preschool would be so happy with craft supplies.
Great video! If you need a little more incentive to declutter, calculate how much of your mortgage payment is spent each month for the space taken up by clutter. Say if you have a 1800 sq. ft. house and a $2000 mortgage you are paying $1.11 per month ($2000/1800) for each sq. ft. of your home. If you have a 12 x 12 ft. room full of clutter, that is 144 sq. ft. You are paying 144 x $1.11 = about $160 a month for that cluttered up space!
It’s too early in the morning for that much math 😂😂
Oooh, I love this!!! Really puts it in perspective...and, ouch!
😂😅
OMG I’m thinking you must be an engineer! LOL
@sharondalynnewton7562 Ha Ha! You caught me!
I’ve been decluttering for about 2 years. It’s been getting so much easier now. I noticed that some things are harder than others to get rid of. My weak spot is all of my office/craft supplies
I hear you on the craft supplies! I’m a serious crafter! Have an entire room dedicated to the hobby. Nope not gonna do it! Lol
Lol, we can never have enough craft supplies...that we never use🫣😂😂
I, too, have a weakness for office supplies/stationary/crafts. 😂
Same! The main improvement I've made is to stop looking at stationary and crafting supplies, even when there's a sale :)
I thought I was going to need counseling to get rid of my craft supplies, but it turned out to be easier than I thought. I didn’t know about the layers then but looking back, I did go through the layers. I got rid of duplicates. I looked at what my current interest were, and got rid of items associated with crafts I no longer enjoyed or did. I got rid for old patterns with sizes that no longer fit & were outdated styles. For the sentimental stuff, I picked a spot and only allow myself to keep what would fit in the designated space. That made me decide what was really important to me. What made it easier was donating some supplies to teachers. Giving things to people that I knew would use and enjoy them. I sold some items, which put some money back in my pocket. When I start slipping, I remember my reason why, which was to make space for what I really enjoy. Now I’m realizing I need to watch the lack mentality-not wanting to throw things away because I could use it to make something. What can I say…I see treasures in trash. I own it. I just have to be mindful about that. If I’m not making anything with it…I don’t have a current project or use for it, I let it go so I don’t end up going down that rabbit hole.
Something my DinL OFTEN says when she visits my house is, "your house is so peaceful." I believe what she's really noticing is the clean kitchen surfaces, the lack of clutter throughout & the calming effect created by having an easily maintained home. It pleases me, for her, that she has found a place of respite. ♡
Clean is so peaceful!
I like how this factors in emotional intelligence. Great video, thanks for the helpful tips.
Yes it does. I really think many times we have to know and understand the "why" behind things in order to change.
Thanks for the advice. I am on a working on leveling up in life and I truly feel that my clutter is distracting and weighing me down. (Crazy but True)
Actually, it’s not crazy at all! I actually have another few videos talking about exactly that! Best wishes as you work to get rid of the clutter!
Not crazy at all!
Not crazy at all. I'm currently feeling the same way.
Same!! It can feel suffocating and causes me anxiety which is my motivation to go through the tough process.
I don’t know why this came across my feed. Think God is trying to tell me something.
He might be...💜
I KNOW God is telling me something and now it’s time to be obedient 😅
Same here🥴
You too huh‼️🤣🫶🏽🙏🏽
Same. Lots of great advice.
I have a craft room that is taking over my life. I can’t get into it and when I do squeeze my way in there, I can’t create anything so after I heard your video, I took an Imaginary pencil and I split the room up into six imaginary parts and I’m going to start cleaning it as soon as I press the send button and thank you for sharing how to declutter. Pray for me I’m going in.😂😂😂 11:50
Hi? Are you still alive?
Yes, we all want to know how you made it out?!?!😂
What a brilliant way to divide up your space and start getting it in order.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 yes I’m alive but I have to be honest. I cleaned one corner of the room and started a mess on the other corner of the room but I’m still alive. I’m so sad. It’s funny. I am so sad that I can’t get this room clean.🤣🤣🤣
@@robinrice1540 😂😂
Hey! Don’t forget sometimes we hang onto things for positive vibes as well! Some folks have tshirts, socks, hats, etc. that they use as memories of fun events or times where they did something memorable. BUT, they are taking up unnecessary space. 10 shirts from The Bahamas!!!! 30 pair of Christmas socks???? Come on now! Let it go. Keep 1 or 2!
Very true!!!! Thanks for that reminder. I think that could fit in happy memories (layer 2). Hmmm…thoughts?
Agreed! BTW…we need to get rid of some cards!!!!! And some doggone tshirts!!!!! Grrrr. Round 4 of decluttering in the Patterson household! Kristi let’s do some things!
I have a t-shirt that was bought on holiday 44 years ago. I could just about squeeze into it, but I would never wear it and haven't since I was a teenager. I think it's time it went to the great rag pile in the sky!
I personally tried to change my shopping habits by instead of buying everything that i am interested in, i would take a picture of it and if i keep going back to that picture or can't stop thinking about it then i might actually buy it but it often results in me not buying it and helps me to keep my space.
Love this so much!!! Great idea!
I love how you describe the emotional feelings of why we keep stuff on a deeper level than the “ use keep donate” philosophy.
Thank you. I realized that for me there was an emotional component to it and I needed to figure out "why" I was feeling so attached to things.
I just found your channel today. I've already listened to this post twice, and I know I will be listening to it again. My best "Aha!" moment came when I listened to Dana K White's channel, and she explained her "container" definition. definition. Your house is a container. It has a limited size and volume. Then she breaks it down even further. Each room in your house is a container. Each closet, drawer, shoebox is a container. You can only fill each container with the amount of stuff that fills that space. Whatever does not fit must find another home, be donated, or trashed. I'm paraphrasing quite a bit, but once I got that I could not just keep stuffing my containers to overflowing, it became easier to pick out what was most important to me to keep in that container. Six trashbags of clothes were, quickly, donated. It's still a slow process for me, but it's getting better and easier. Good luck to everyone going through this process.
That is a really brilliant strategy! Thank you so much for breaking it down. Glad you found the channel! 😉
“This is what we’re actually working with “ 😂😂😂thank your for showing what moving really looks like !! For being real !❤. Great video !!
🤣🤣🤣 Thank you!!!! Moving is UGLY!
Great tips about getting rid of deceased family members' things. The stuff makes me feel sad and that's a great reason to simply get rid of it. Thank you! And yes, they've been gone for 20+ years now. Again, thank you so much!
Aww, you're so welcome!
Bring the family to go through maybe? I know that I don’t need my mom to keep all my grandmothers things for me for the future- I can look through right now, and choose the heirlooms that call to me specifically. That way I have things hers that holds meaning for me as a person…and nothing more 💜
Wow! The layers are a perfect way to describe my clutter traumas. Thank you!
💛
@@kristidoingthingsI have a storage unit also..with a piano from 1930s my great grandmother gave me and I used to play flawlessly. I haven't had a house yet to put it in and I'm almost 50. I love my piano..sadly it costs me $80 a month to keep it. I really don't want to let go of it.
This is my hardest decision.
I totally relate to this I have moved between MA and SC twice in the last 5 years. I have two storage units in MA. I finally said enough is ENOUGH. I booked a flight and took off work so I can spend 2-3 days clearing out my storage and moving on. These are great tips to get me thru it. Thank you ❤
Get it, girl!!! Love this!
Thanks for the "questions" to ask ourselves. We are getting ready to move soon, ourselves.
When my husband and I got married, I put a tub in our utility room. I told him it was there and if there was anything he didn't want, need, like, used, or couldn't wear to put it in the bin. Once it got full I would be taking it to Goodwill. This still gave us a chance to "go back and get it" if we needed to. After 16 years, there has only been 1 time that he/I went back to get something out. He repurposed said item and is still using it today. 🙂
I REALLY like this idea!!! Thanks so much for sharing! Good luck on your move 😊
@@kristidoingthings Thanks! Hope you get settled in soon to your new place.🙂
I absolutely love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing it. ❤️😊
Whew!! The first layer is ME with mail, but I honestly fit in layers 1 thru 3. I glad I've stumbled upon this video today because I've been thinking about decluttering for a while and this my PUSH to do so!!!!
Woohoo!!! You got this!!
As a rule, I really love to declutter. Even so, I get bogged down at times (okay, pretty often lol) and then search for a thought-provoking channel to refocus. There are some good videos out there, but yours is one of the BEST I’ve seen. Thank you for explaining your concept of declutterring layers. It’s an excellent way of understanding the process. I haven’t yet looked to see if you already have, but you should definitely write a book!
Aww, thank you so much! I haven’t, but I’m loving the idea!
OMG! Thank you for this. I sometimes feel like we are the only ones that have our home looking cluttered. Thank you, love your content!
Aww, you are definitely not the only one!!! And thank you so much! 💜
Sis...... The holding on to family stuff HIT so hard . And I thank God for using you to speak to me.... ❤❤❤❤❤
It is a real challenge! So glad it helped!
Storage units are... Difficult. After my first husband died, I moved back to Kansas but was paying for storage in California until I could finally afford to go back out there and deal with it. I donated a bunch of it to Salvation Army, had somebody haul away a whole other bunch of it, shipped back about five or six large boxes of things I wanted to keep, then took the remainder to the nearest dump. It was a big 'ol pain. What I should've done was gone back, shipped what I wanted to keep, then stop paying and let the storage company auction off everything else. "But that's bad for your credit!" I can hear people saying. Eh. Is it? If you're in a stable place and it's unlikely anything will need a credit check any time soon, whatever. It rebounds eventually.
THIS!!! 🙌🏾
I always thought you could cancel the unit and they charge a ‘clean out fee’ and they make money either way.
Mail is the biggest clutter for me. It took two days to shred all of this stuff lol.😂
I have been there!!! At one point I had BOXES of it. My husband rolled his eyes at me so many times as he helped me shred it. 😂😂😂
Great advice. I have gone through layers of cleaning our over decades. I’m almost 60. Raised 6 children. Married 20 yrs. I like what you have to say here. One category I made up was “props.” This is the delusional category. Hahahaha Things we keep for a life we don’t actually have. I had some home bread making things. I was never going to use them, but I saw myself as a home made bread maker. Lol it was this weird glass tube for long, thin loaves and some other things. I do make home made bread occasionally. A regular bread pan is fine. I didn’t need all this extra things way back when our small house was over crowded. I don’t miss it at all.
Sounds like you've made SOOO much progress! Congrats! 🤗
I learned a lot in this video. ☺ Calling unwanted items "foolishness" reminded me of my mom. ❤ She used that word in the same way... meaning something that was a waste of time or energy. One of my decluttering questions now is going to be, "Is this just foolishness?" Thank you!
Hahahaha!!!! "is this just foolishness" is my favorite line!
This is the best declutter video I've ever seen. The 4 layers hit it on the head.
I'm so glad you enjoyed and it resonated with you!!! It is literally how I think about all of my clutter now!
I've had the same issue with my mom's stuff since she's passed. It feels like you're letting go of her memory. I've slowly been learning objects are not memories, the life we had with her is. So our basements have been cluttered for years. And all it does is make me sad, still to this day, seeing her life in boxes. It's basically ruining her memory for me. It's been a huge process to get through.
So glad to hear that you’re coming to terms with how to best hold on to her memory in a way that doesn’t overcrowd your home 🫶🏽
This is THE BEST VIDEO on decluttering that I’ve come across!!! You touch aspect on the emotional connections we have with things, and do an amazing job at breaking it down with categories. Thank you!!!❤
Oh my goodness, thank you SOO much! I am so glad that it is resonating with you.
THIS IS GOOD. ESPECIALLY THE QUESTIONS. I TELL PEOPLE THAT DECLUTTERING IS A PROCESS THAT MUST BE DONE IN BITE SIZE PIECES OR THEY WILL GET OVERWHELMED AND STOP ALTOGETHER. MANY FEEL BAD BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT NEEDS TO BE DONE BUT THEY DON’T HAVE THE ENERGY TO DO IT. ONE MUST HAVE A STRATEGY, A TIMELINE, AND EITHER AN AUDIOBOOK OR SOME GOOD MUSIC TO SET THE ATMOSPHERE SO THEY CAN GET THAT ONE CORNER OR THAT ONE BOX DONE TODAY. THANK YOU. 😊😊😊😊😊
Yes!!! A little bit at a time works wonders!
I am in all 4 layers. 😢😅😂🤣 I, too, have a storage unit I'm going through... it's taken me three years to get to almost done (after an unwanted divorce 😭). My son's been helping me through most of it, but most of the stuff is mine. And most of the "treasures" I saved for both my sons (things I inherited), they don't want... and I don't blame them. We can't push things on our kids. And we can't hurt ourselves with storage units that cost us money for No Good Reason. 😅 Good Lord Above. Anyway, I'm slowly but surely getting through stuff. I bring a few bins home, paw through them to make sure there's not some kind of paper I should shred or some treasure worth bazillions - 🤣 - and then I GLADLY THROW this stuff in the trash. It feels GREAT. I was donating it before, but that was adding another step, and I decided that I don't have time for that either - besides, I don't need to make the CEOs at Goodwill rich on my dime, because we know they Don't pay their employees enough - so I'm fine with tossing my stuff, new or used, I Don't Care. It makes me feel free and happy.
Thanks for your encouragement, my dear. I am subscribed! 💐🙏🏽🤗🥰
Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you’re here! ❤️❤️❤️
Storage has eaten up thousands of my dollars 🤦🏽♀️ Sounds like you are working your way through things! It’s a process but so worth it. (I am also a firm believer of throwing things away. I love donating but if it’s gonna stay in my home too long, I’d rather just get rid of it by any means necessary.)
Your layers make so much sense, this is my first time seeing your channel. The beginning pan with you and your husband made me laugh. My current stage of dealing with layers is the 4th layer. My father passed away 2 years ago, we had an estate sale but there were many items that the 3 of us kids wanted to keep. Some items we had no room for, so I moved them down to my work warehouse (I own a small business). This has allowed me time to get over the sentimental aspect of all these items. I have some in my home and coming to realize that some of the items I don't want and neither do my siblings. I have plenty of other things bringing nice memories and I am incorporating them into my decor. But having the place to put things has allowed me to deal with the sentimental stuff. Thank you for your clarity and sharing your journey to help the rest of us, you are a beautiful lady!
Thank you so much!!! I appreciate your kind words.
So sorry for your loss. It can be so hard to know exactly what to do with those belongings but it's good you're finding what you want and coming to terms with what you're willing to let go. 💛
Same, I love the truth shot. ❤ and you’re such a cute couple.
When my mother passed away at 91, my brother and I gave away her furniture and clothing to neighbors and charity. She had a 45 year old plant that my brother replanted in 4 pots and gave to siblings and cousins. Her knitted throws and some articles of clothing I made small throw pillows for my brother and grandchildren.
What a sweet video, so practical, too. Beautiful attitude. Well done.
I am in the “WTF was I thinking?!” stage.
No joke. When I get mad and disgusted with myself, I purge … A LOT.
I literally drop off donations to Goodwill at least once a week.
I stay out of stores & “shop” at home.
I have saved soo much money doing so.
I now HATE accumulating objects and LOVE empty spaces & GROWING savings.
How my mind has changed!
LOL!!! I'm loving this stage you've added! Once you start and are serious about it, it really changes your whole mindset.
That made a whole lot more sense than “does it spark joy”!
That may be enough for some people. But I always need to know "why am i like this?!?!" LOL! Glad you enjoyed 💜
i got so overwhelmed i got depressed and stopped my journey of decluttering which compounded it. Thanks for talking about the fourth layer , the heart. ,this explains why moving or geting rid of thing that were m y mom's was so very hard while onlookers kept saying you need ot get rid of all that. It felt like someone was ripping my heart out
Aww, I completely understand. It's incredibly painful when it feels like that is all we have left of our loved one. You'll know when it's time. 💜
Girl, your decluttering system with layers and questions is 🔥! I haven't heard anyone else have a process like this. Looove it!
Thank you so much!!! I think a lot about the why of things and finally realized what had been holding me back.
Thank you for this. I’m definitely a stage two hoarder and working on clearing out my house. I actually now love throwing stuff away. I just have a whole lot of stuff so it takes time but I’m on my way.
Proud of you!!!! Starting is the hardest part.
💖 your approach for layer 4. I help a lot of people declutter, and I usually have them put together 1 or 2 clear bins, which I call "memory bins." the goal of these bins is to put in all the memories that don't have a place in your house decor, and once a year, you pull them out and enjoy and relive those memories. This forces a limit on what one can keep - only those memories that are most important and ensures that the person actually revisits the items. Some people need tactile memories, and that is what the bins are for. If folks don't need tactile memories, I recommend they follow your advice on taking a picture and letting the item go. there are many people out there who will treasure that item, display, and enjoy it, and not keep it in a box.
This is sooo true! Thanks for sharing from your expertise!!! I know your clients find it so helpful. 🤗❤️
I watched so many decluttering videos and yours just sinks in differently. Thank you for sharing. Your authenticity feels very comfortably.
Aww, thank you so much! I am very glad that you enjoyed and that it translated well. I am not a decluttering channel but I really thought the mental/emotional process of this journey for me needed to be shared.
@@kristidoingthings And that is what helped me and what I needed, your focus on the mental and emotional process. That is the root which led to the clutter. 🙏💛
Aww I will never ever let go of my child's artwork, especially when I just put it in a folder and it barely takes up space ❤ But I do love your video!
Thank you so much! And it's okay! It's not clutter that you need to let go of if it's valuable to you! Enjoy the artwork 💜
Hi Kristi! I subbed right away when you said your background was fake and you showed the real deal 😂 I related to that so much. All of these decluttering "layers" haunt me but I am learning to let go fast and furiously as I get older. Truth is... we don't ever think about nor miss the things we declutter. 💯💯💯
Hahaha!!! It was such a mess!
And you are so right. We don't miss the things, but get so scared to let it go. My new saying to myself is "I don't need this!" (I mean unless, of course, I do. 😂 But I usually don't.)
Those are good questions to help make the decision about what to keep and what to let go. Something that helped me to see things differently was to ask myself if I was selflishly keeping something that someone else would find to be a blessing to have in their home.
Ooh, that’s a really good question!
I'm cleaning up a basement and I've been holding onto paperwork. Sometimes I come across old bills. Well it just seemed weird, the length of time I had them. So, just to move them I started a 'burn skid.' This includes any paper product you can put in a fire, some of it you can't. Then the skid goes outside. The rest just goes in the garbage. That's quite a bit of garbage. You know the first garbage layer just goes kinda quick. My husband saw me breaking down tons of boxes and hauled them away!
Sounds like you got a lot accomplished!!! I love that- a "burn skid". You must live somewhere you can burn things easily.
Hi Kristi!
Found your channel after several decluttering & re-organising attempts that failed because of anxiety that takes over completely! Started getting mad & feeling defeated and useless because it is just stupid!
Thank you for this video, I think it is going to help a lot.
P.S.: Love your energy & demeanour ❤
Aww, I am so happy that you found it helpful and it made sense for you. Don't give up. It takes some time, but just keep etching away at it and eventually you'll get there!
I love your energy and relatability! Keep it up gurl!❤. Ok hold up! I just got to the part about your parent’s stuff!! My mom passed when I was in my 20s, my dad in my 40s, my office is literally cluttered with ALL of their stuff?!!! IDK what to do with it!! I love it! Some of it is literal treasure!! I’m trying to clean up!! Thank you for this post! Very timely
Thank you so much!! 😊
Yes, free shredding days!! We have these every now and again, they are so helpful! Free!
Great video!
The best thing ever!!! Thank you much. 😊
I love this video!
I've been working on decluttering....started with the garage. I let my husband do this..
My kids are 9 and 7. Throwing away their baby items is so hard! I had to walk away.
Next thing, my kids went through their own dressers and closets..I just gave them the keep or donate pile directions and walked away. They did great.
My next goal is my own closet and dresser. Im in the 3rd layer with this.
Sounds like you've come up with a really good system for yourself!!! Hmm...maybe you can let your hubby and kids help with some of the closet stuff too...???
I’m kinda in all the layers but didn’t identify them until now. Your questions are super helpful and practical. Thank you. I’m certain this is helping a lot of people as it is for me.
Aww, thank you so much! I really believe the “why” is so important
You're SO RELATABLE! Thank you so much for validating the feelings and actions I've kept private all these decades. What a relief!!! ❤
So glad it’s been helpful!!! You are not alone ❤️
Ma’am you hit the nail on the head with describing the layers. This is exactly what I think of the items I want so desperately to get rid of. I am going to use your suggestions , because I never thought of it like this. I am sure this is going to help me so much to get rid of STUFF. Thank you so much for making and sharing this video. 😊
So glad it’s helpful!!! It’s definitely helped me!
Thank you for this! I really like the questions, "Would I buy this again?" and "How does this make me feel?" Those questions will help me get through my personal clutter. I have lived in my home for 30 years and have lots of stuff in all of the layers. I am struggling with the fourth layer though. I have a lot of my ex-in-law's stuff--hand-painted china which is too beautiful and precious to throw away, and historical military items from Papa, one of the last living Tuskegee Airmen. My children, their grandchildren, are grown and living in other states, and my ex-husband, their son who lives in a small apartment, are happy to leave this stuff in my house. They really don't care about it but I feel I that somebody should. I feel stuck.
So glad it was helpful! As you look at their things, I hope you remember that you deserve to live and enjoy your life too. ♥️
Just donated two boxes of blouses ! I am only keeping what I wear ! I’m going to continue !
Woohoo!!! 🙌 It feels so good to let things go.
Omg the MAIL. Me too, so much! Thank you for sharing that!
You’re so welcome! Glad to know I’m not the only one!
I struggled with decluttering all my life. Nothing seemed to help. Until one day, when I just realized what I had was an unhealthy attachment to... useless stuff. To be honest, it was almost like a spiritual awakening. Why was I so attached to all that stuff? It was worthless and I always wasted energy trying to organize it, to find new ways of storing it. I was a slave to my own junk. Useless, insignificant objects that I couldn't throw away because I was too emotionally tied to. For example, I had so so many things from my grandparents who passed away. Why did I need so many of them? Were my memories of them depending on objects? Would giving up that stuff mean I would forget they ever existed? Obviously not. So I ended up only keeping my grandma's earrings and grandpa's mug. That's it. I had tons of newspapers and magazines that I kept with the intention of using in my DIY projects, but I never got the time to actually do those projects. I kept telling myself I HAVE to keep them and use them somehow because it's recycling and it's a good thing. It actually added a lot of pressure on me because every day I saw them was another day I would blame myself for not DIYing. Sooo toxic. Eventually I just gave them to a recycling company. It's still recycling, I don't have to do the entire process myself. It's honestly the best feeling ever. To finally understand that stuff is just stuff, unimportant, and I am above it. I am the one that matters.
So helpful tome, thank you.
How freeing to no longer be a slave to "stuff". It's amazing how when we finally let go, we realize how much these things that we thought were so vital were actually only serving to hold us back- plus we don't even miss them when they're gone. Yes, you are the one that matters! So happy for you!!!
To me too!
“Where I am in my life, would I buy this? I LOVE that!! I’m in the process of moving and needed this.
So happy that it helped! ❤️
This is so interesting how a lot of these things like mail are 1st world problems - I wonder sometimes with less access to things if I would still have a clutter problem
Oooh...Definitely an interesting question!
I LOVE your layers!!! GREAT explanations of each!!!
For layer 4, I recommend if people have multiple items from a past away loved one(s) they are trying to declutter. Think of the memories the items bring up. Every life has its ups AND downs. So only keep a few of the items that bring up the VERY BEST memories of your loved one!
The Minimal Mom had a vid on CZcams where she explained how she had these dolls as a child and she loved keeping them in pristine condition. Whenever her younger cousins came over she got anxious about some of her dolls bc of how they played with their own dolls, and wanted to hide them.
Then as an adult, her mother 1 day suddenly brought her the bin of all her childhood dolls for her own girls.
She looked at them and the happy memories were there as well as the anxious feelings about her cousins ruining them. Instead of giving them to her girls, she decided that she didn't want to see them in her house and think of those anxiety thoughts all the time whenever she see she kids playing with them, so she donated them to charity!
Much like my story of a person who broke into my house while I was sleeping...(long story cut out)... I never wanted to see that same bedroom again. I changed my entire bedroom from blue & green plaid to pink and white. I even got rid of my side table.
And the old bed set? I brought it to an animal shelter in a different city than the one that I volunteered at (just to make sure that I would never see it again!)
I love that! Keeping the very best memories!!! So often we only remember the good things and don't realize why we have mixed feelings about an item.
Your video here just showed up for me this very morning.
With Con Mari & Swedish Cleaning 'officially' makes sense.
But, another day for that.
Putting my clean laundry away.
Meh.
As long as I can put my outfit of the day together, then I can put my clothes away later.
Or not.
After all, I put THIS outfit together; so I will be successful putting my next outfit together again.
In other words, good video for me.
Thank you.
Blessings now.
You are so welcome!!! I am so glad that you found it helpful and it inspired you. Blessings to you too 💜
This is one of the most helpful and practical decluttering videos I have ever see.
The layers make total sense and helps to sort and separate an overwhelming problem. The question are simple and and seem actionable.
Great great job simplifying the problem, it’s is exactly the approach needed for people struggling with clutter!
Aww, I am so glad. I really believe that we have to understand the WHY of our actions before we can start to fix the symptoms.
This is right on time for me. Also, I appreciate how well-produced this video is. You really DID that, Ms Kristi. Thanks!
Aww, thank you so much!!! 🤗 Happy to hear that you enjoyed!
I like having a memory bin. The bin is the limit to how much stuff I can keep and if I want to add something to the bin and there isn't room, I have to let go of something else.
Because not everything that is sentimental is something that you want to display or use. I have things like my first baby doll, my grad cap and gold cord, my wedding dress, my son's first sleeper, etc. (my wedding dress was not big and poofy, and I'm not worried about it staying in perfect condition, we've been doing anniversary pictures while I'm wearing it every 5 years and it's held up fine so far)
Love this idea! I’ve been thinking of doing that for my memories.
Oh my days, your manic laugh when you're panning around your place - I lost it! Laughed with you. Good on you for showing this and sharing your techniques.
😂😂😂 So happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
43 ?! - You look amazing! I love the layers explanation - so helpful!
Yes, girl- 43! Thank you so much!!!
So glad the layers explanation made sense!
I've been in my house for 23 years, from 45 to 68 years old. I have been through many changes in lifestyle in those years and being in 1 place for so long the clutter has just added up. Time to clear the cutter! Thanks for you help!!
you can do this!!! 💜💜💜
I love your attitude. Thank you for hitting on the reasons we keep stuff. Loved the whole video.
thank you so much!!! So happy you enjoyed it! 🤗
Love the transparency it’s comforting honestly cuz I’m really trying to
Hang in there! You can do it. What do you feel is your biggest struggle?
I'm trying so hard to get my life together, I've binged like half of your videos over the last day and a half. Your goals are just so realistic, they don't feel super unattainable like many of the other financial/lifestyle creators I've seen. Super excited to watch your channel grow!
Aww, thank you so much!! I am so happy that it's resonated with you and made you feel like you can achieve these things. You've got this, girlie!!!
When things belonged to your parents ( esp clothes and personal items) who have passed away, I realised that those things were not my parents, so I cld toss them, I kept a few special things. And never make the mistake of putting your parents stuff in paid for storage, you will still be paying for it in many years time rather than make the decisions.
Amen to all of that!!!
Sis. I had to stop and pause at 1:14 because OMG you got me with that beautiful background and congratulations on your new move. Thank you so much for your honesty and transparency with your decluttering journey🥳
Thank you so much! Girl, I couldn't record the WHOLE video in front of my packing mess 😂😂
I lost one grandparent in high school. My mom kept her house as is for ten years not cleaning it out and then she passed away (was a hoarder) since 2019 I’ve been selling and donating her stuff and my grandma’s. Then my dad’s mom passed in 2020 and it’s been another four years of getting rid of things and sorting through two estates so glad we’re at the tail end of it :)
Wow!!! You've gone through and gotten through a lot!!! I am sure it feels like a weight lifted to have sorted through most of those items. Hopefully you kept a few sentimental ones. 💛
Very insightful. I’ve been decluttering for years and making progress, but in the past couplefew weeks I’ve finally reached the point where I could reapproach the things my late husband left behind when he passed a couple of years ago. I had no problem letting these things go, but dealing with them brought waterworks the likes of which I thought I’d gotten past. They weren’t hard to let go so much as not so simple to let go. I couldn’t wholesale toss them because I had to read every paper and make decisions and capture information I wouldn’t ever be able to access again if I decided to toss them. So the past few weeks have been a challenge. The good news is I think this may have been the last of it.
Kristi, I am verry happy that your channel is growing! I discovered you about 2 weeks ago and you had about 8.000 subscribers and now you have over 9.000! Keep going you have such great and meaningful videos! ❤️🙏
thank you so much!!! I am really excited to see it moving and know that people are finding the content helpful!
Thank you so much for this advice! ❤ I am starting to declutter and this video helps me.
Aww, I’m so glad 🤗 Happy Decluttering!!! You have to come back and let me know how it goes.
Thank you so much for this video! Keeping some memories digital is a great advice and I wish I had this option back in the day. The only thing I regret not having is a postcard from my grand grand mother who passed away when I was very young and whom I never met because she lived in another country but long story short I tried to draw the picture it had on it when I was a kid and lost it in the process, I wish I could have taken a picture of it but I had no camera at the time😢 Hearing your story just brought that random memory back, thank you so much again! ❤
Aww, so glad you found it helpful!
SO GLAD I FOUND YOU!!! For such a time as THIS!!! These are great questions! Writing them down because I’m graciously navigating ALL FOUR layers: ready to be FREE!
You've got this!! I'm rooting you on. 😉
Hi, new here. I just let go of 200 bits of make-up I kept for 15 years and never touched. I was so attached to them
but in my late 40's I only wear lip gloss, eye liner and mascara. I donated it all and feel fantastic about it.
Welcome ✨✨ Love this!!!
Thank you for the inspiration, I'm now going through the stack of mail that's been sitting on my desk for way to long ! And I love your decluttering questions, very helpful.
The MAIL!!!! Lol! Glad to know I'm not alone. So glad you found it helpful!!! 💛
Girl, you're on point!! In the process of moving right now, and it's super hard ,especially in your 50's😢
Best of luck with your move!!! Hopefully decluttering will make your new space lighter for you 💛
OMG, thank you! Very enlightening and useful! OK, now I'm aremed and ready to tackle my home! We seriously downsized 5 years ago and we've been "cluttered" since,
both in our home and our paid storage. This is so helpful and inspirational.
You got this!! So glad you found it helpful!!!