Is decluttering the first step in minimalism?
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Decluttering was my first step in minimalism but it is not the step I would recommend starting with on a minimalism journey. The principles of minimalism are tools, decluttering is a tool, and decluttering motivation often is associated with minimalism.
Decluttering gives us a clear space and a clear mind and motivation to declutter comes when we are fed up with stuff.
#minimalism #declutter #squarespace #ad
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True or false: every mom has a gift bag full of OTHER GIFT BAGS and tissues they received and saved for gifting themselves. 🤔😂
@@ThingsAbove333 👀 😂
Not just moms! My collection started in highschool.
@@ThingsAbove333 😂😂😂
Me! 🖐
@@kirbyw.3451 Ahead of the curve, I see! 👏
First question to ask yourself when decluttering is Do I really want to dust or care for this item for the rest of my life? That question changed the game for me. So long knick knacks that were given as gifts!
I "decluttered" yesterday by unsubcribing to emails and vlogs that no longer applied to the season we are in.
Erica, staying here tho! Your talks are so inspiring to keep me decluttering my life and things!
I need to get to the point of only taking two items from the library - I still take an armful home and then I get hit with fines when I inevitably go overtime. : (
Way to go! Digital clutter feels so good to get rid of, too.
i put my socks in a mesh delicate laundry bag and throw it in the wash! then they all stay together.
That is one of the "Life Hacks" that I thought was truly revolutionary! No more lost single socks!
Same! Been doing this for 7 years, ever since my first was born. In that amount of time, we have lost exactly 2 socks.
Sock solution I discovered for us. All white socks that are the same style. That way you don't have to match the socks because they're all the same. And depending on shoe sizes, multiple kids can wear the same socks 🤷🏼♀️
Love that!
1 step further : only buy black socks, that way you don't see every stain ;-)
I done black socks awhile back and gave or threw the rest away.
@@agh10620 my husband also does all black socks! He did choose ankle socks and a longer style (crew?), But it really does make finding socks easier haha.
@@mandy_wingwoods I've never had white socks stain 😂 but my husband has.all black socks haha.
😅 ‘tupper.... ware the hell is the lid?’ 😄
Erica, I think you started the right way because you had to learn what you were spending on. When we are spenders we don't realize we are out of control. When you started you found multiples and that made you realize what you were doing and you wanted to stop. Anyway I think you are terrific and you are doing great.
I buy the same all black socks so they are never missing a pair and I don't waste time matching them up.
I do it the same way and when one gets a hole there is no need to toss a good one because it has no partner.
And me! Saves time & effort.
When I started to purge our belongings it was out of survival.
We held onto everything before that. I was ready to down size but my husband wasn’t. So I patiently waited for both of us to be on the same page. With 11 kids it was so overwhelming to manage everything. Even the boxes you have in storage. You have that one kid that’s looking for something and opens every box and throws it all over the basement.
The time has finally come to purge our house. I cannot even count the garbage bags worth of stuff we donated. I wish I had kept track. I believe that my husband loves the fact that I become a minimalist because the house is so less stressful. The kids have their Lego play area, but the rest of the house takes maybe five minutes to quickly pick up and it looks good. My husband is seeing the benefit to our family being minimalist.
It was really hard at first. It was overwhelming. It was difficult to let some things go. Now I look for things to donate. If one of my teens throws their stuff on the living room floor...I just look at them 🤨 and say do you really want to do that. 😋 You may never see it again. 🤪 Ha ha... I’m loving the purging and I look forward to it now.
P.S. I don’t touch the kids bedrooms. That’s their area⚠️
Man I only had 2 kids, but some how I got that one kid that’s looking for something and opens every box and throws it all over the basement too. 😂
Logically, I would say stop buying first but Realistically, I didn’t embrace minimalish living until I started Decluttering and it smacked me in the face just how much money I wasted and how much extra I had in my home.
I agree, I didn't realize how much money I was wasting until I had to load it up and get rid of it.
Same, but I did realise early on that if I didn’t stop buying the decluttering would be never ending.
And the worst part was realizing that all that *money* that was wasted on silly unnecessary things was once *time* that you invested making that money. Such an eye opening and freeing revelation!
Same. The decluttering made me realize how much money I wasted and reduced my desire to shop greatly.
I started with economy and then when we were moving we did a declutter and sold or gave away a lot of stuff which made me realize we had too much. It felt so good to live in a house ready to sell and I wanted that feeling in our new house as well... I think it’s hard to stop the influx of things 😬 but we’re trying to bring home less.
Love seeing your adorable husband and child in your video. Jack is certainly a little Andy. ❤️❤️
Woah to what you just said about $1 to spend and now, $1 to save💥
😂😂😂😂😂 the shot of the hubby eating a sandwich is great! 😂😂 You guys crack me up.
I’m with you, I’m excited to get the Christmas boxes out so I can declutter more than last year, so excited!
I did so each person had their own color, DH white, eldest son black, youngest son gray, all the same type. Mine also white but small size.
I decluttered 10 Christmas boxes down to 5 last year...Will see how it goes this year...
I love how you don’t put pressure on what is a lifetime journey, not a definite end date. Finding your “WHY”, and as you said sticking to your values is the first step. I’ve decluttered over the years, and felt I was finally done. Well... last week I realized I had way too many extra hangers. I need some to air dry clothes, but I got rid of over 20! I also donated some dresses because working from home now I don’t need as many corporate clothes as I used to. Adapting to lifestyle changes! BTW, wash the socks in a laundry bag 😁
If socks and tupperware lids meet they melt togetter and re-appear as dryer lint. It´s true, I know it for a fact ; )
On a somewhat related note, I found 150 tea lights scattered around the downstairs cupboards. 150. Anybody know how many BTUs of heat I can get out of that this winter? 😜😂
Thanks, as always, for sharing what you’ve learned on your journey. I think I’ve always been a bit of a minimalist, due to growing up with a father who had hoarding tendencies, but there are some areas of my life I’ve found that could use some decluttering through your channel. Although we’ve never met, you’ve become a regular part of my life and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all you share.
You should be very pleased with where you are. In the beginning I was here with you and you have definitely come a long way! Great job...you have worked so hard and at first you were doing it all alone.
I disagree with not letting someone de clutter first, instead finding your values first, Erica.
I think the journey of de cluttering makes you better aware of your values. The literally hands on approach.
When you are in a mess, you cannot find true value. You need a clear(er) visions first. So a cleaner environment. So starting with de cluttering, just like you did, is a very very intuitive and well done strategy.
I really enjoy our little chats Erica. I just scheduled the final payment on one of my credit cards (I don't mind saying I'm a little giddy!) 2 more to go!! Woohoo!🎉
"Just buy stuff that solves problems" good line.
Just make sure it is a problem you actually have, not one the advertisers tell u u have 😉
There's a quote about not all progress is physical and that applies here. The inner work preceeds the physical declutter. Let us not forget that admist all the physical stuff. Perhaps also, a disconnect is experienced when the physical decluttering is done apart from/without the inner work... to quesiton and examine your values and needs. To sit with and know yourself not seeking to avoid or numb the self...
I don’t comment much, but I do adore your videos. ♥️🍂
Minimalism is a mindset. In my opinion it is a routine that matters first and is the best start. Having a routine in the mornings (or whenever one gets up). Getting dressed, making the bed. Daily cleaning schedule, plan for laundry etc. It helps framing the daily living. And then declutter and everything else one wants to do to live "lighter".
I'm so excited to declutter too! I just moved into a new apartment, and we have a private room in the basement, the previous renters left a bunch of stuff in there. I was so happy to clean and declutter!
The very 1st steps was when my husband and I moved to another state to a smaller home with a major pay decrease. That's an extreme, I know lol. From packing, to not being able to shop anymore it was a transition to say the least. It started this process in a very small way. Then thankfully Marie Kondo was getting popular (this was Dec 2 years ago) so videos on youtube of Minimalism and "50 things I don't buy anymore" started popping up. I finally watched one out of curiosity and I felt like I got to know and was able to process Minimalism in video for 3 weeks. I feel the step right before action was mentally processing my "why" or reason. I watched hours of video in and during this process. I am also a go with gusto person so I spent hours a day doing it. I was tired of excess and seeing stuff that I didn't use or enjoy. I also don't want a lot of stuff. That is what Minimalism looks like for me. Getting down to the reasoning and appreciating the rules that made sense but enjoying the full freedom that there was no way to go wrong on this journey is the reason I believe it's been a success and life changer for me without stress. I love how how this looks different for all of us :)
I wanted to add that i don't think Marie Kondo is Minimalist but from her popularity at that time Minimalist videos and those not buying anymore videos popped up. I only ended up watching one thing from Marie Kondo- how to fold clothing. I also only finally watched The Minimalists half way through that year. I followed the videos of people who shared their experiences and applied what applied to me.
Our Christmas decorations now after decluttering a few years ago are a couple of Nativity scene Christmas cards that I use all year round as bookmarks and place on the shelf in December and a potted Poinsettia plant that stays in the dining room all year round by the window. I think of those lovely things we gave away and happy that they are now lighting up someone else's Christmas.
I think that the reducing your buying is great... but I think one knows more about that by decluttering.. you know at the amount of money you’ve spent that you are now decluttering. I find that as I went thru the declutter I realized the money I didn’t need to spend... but it was the decluttering was made me more aware of the unnecessary spending ...
Good point.
Exactly, I find that one leads to the other.....in both directions.
One does lead the other. If you're fed up by stuff and you start rage purging then you realize how much money you wasted and decide to stop the extra spending.
Or if you have a thought you might want to start decluttering your stuff then I'd agree that one should stop the extra buying first and then began to clear things out.
I started decluttering using the FlyLady 27 Fling Boogie and made great progress, but then Marie Kondo’s first book came out and I amazed myself with how much I let go. For a while after that, I could barely walk into a big box store without being disgusted by the excess. I needed to go through the process to realize that I needed to spend more intentionally, but I think it’s different for everyone.
For the Tupperware issue, I cleaned out and got rid of all my old Rubbermaid containers. Bought new ones where the lid stacks on the bottom, easy find I think they are called. When washed, the lids are stacked on the bottom and containers stack inside one another in top of the lids that lock into each other. Game changer! No more missing lids!.
I’m looking forward to going through Xmas decor I have an what I don’t or won’t use this year will get donated. I have nearly 40 years of Xmas decor plus items that were my parents since they have passed. Being artistic makes my minimalism more difficult but I’m working through that too. Thanks for all your inspiration!
"I had the dollar to spend, now I have a dollar to save." This has helped me so much. I might have to make a post it note and put it in my wallet.
I love this video, I was thinking about this topic this week too!😊
Thank you for being real!❤
Love how you keep it real ❤️ love your channel ☺️
You are so right. I love your videos!
you are such an honest person thank you
Watching realistic videos like this is so helpful. It makes me believe its actually achievable by mortals. I have seen other decluttering videos by people who didn't seem to have any clutter in the first place. 😕
My spending has never been an issue thankfully however the tendency my mother handed to me was to hold onto everything never change things never get rid of things etc so i had to relearn how to be and exist with things. Thankfully it was far easier for me to nip those habits in the bud but for my mother its extremely hard to rip out roots that have cemented for decades.
Yes. I grew up with 'spend very little but throw nothing away' it took decades but the house is pretty clutterred now. Mother finally did declutter some work stuff 10 yrs after retirement, and is finally ready to get rid of a lot more. I cant wait to help her and get rid of a lot of the partial crockery sets and unused best dishes and... just so much stuff!
You're describing my mother!
What a great way to explain it so that those who are just getting started don't feel pressure to fit into a specific mold!
Erica, you and your hubby are so lovely 😊 me and my hubby have been married 25 years and I hope we come across as happy with each other as you two.
I love your honesty. I am one of those people who loves decluttering. We are as you so aptly put it, minimalish. Like you in some areas we are very minimalist and in other areas, not so much.
Brilliantly said. Every word.
I just love your videos they make me smile everytime
I just love your videos and honesty
I'm looking forward to your Christmas decluttering!
I think a great first step is to stop bringing in more stuff. I tell people I gave up “recreational shopping.” It’s a game changer because when to just go to the mall or craft store it’s a pretty sure deal that you will come home with something. I do shop but it’s more intentional. It doesn’t mean I don’t go off course but now it isn’t such a big deal because it’s occasional. ❤️❤️
I would have to agree. It wasn't until I started tackling my finances that I started tackling my clutter. Once I minimized my debt, credit cards, and spending, I decided to start focusing on my belongings. I sold, or got rid of, more than half of my things when I was on the tail end of my debt, and it helped me get through it. The minimalism-ish lifestyle has helped me regain control of my life, and it's awesome! Thanks for another great video
You would be so proud of me in my new home. I declutter twice. Everything just looks empty and we even have empty shelves.
I love this video! You are so wise and gentle in all of this. I firmly believe evaluating and knowing the "why" of it all makes the decluttering easier. Thank you! Please keep it coming.
I pin socks together with large safety pins. In drawer, pull out one sock you get the pair. I put the pin on the bureau and when ready to wash Repin them as a pair. Now when laundry is done pairs stay together. Another option is get several pairs in same style and color they can mix and match.
I really liked this one, Erica 😊
Thank you Jenny!
"Minimalish" ?! Spectacular ! Bless your heart for sharing all of this. I so look forward to you. ♥
Andy is so funny in the camera ! Thank you for this inspiration. It makes more sense now .
💐 I always enjoy your talks! 😊. You are an amazing person! As you were talking, the thought came to me that your husband, being in the army, must be an expert in basic organization. I, in my own home, like to have things under the surface as in drawers, cupboards etc., super minimalistic and organized, but on the surface I love beautiful decorating and coziness. Years ago I read what I believe is one of THE most entertaining and funny books on organized and minimalistic thinking ever! It’s “CLUTTERS LAST STAND” by Don Aslett. It will absolutely change your thinking and helped me tremendously! Keep up your fantastic quest. You are doing GREAT!!! 😊❤️👍👏🌸
I will check that out!!
I bought all 3 of his books so long ago,(maybe 15-20 years?) and wore them out literally rereading them so much. But when I got into French style decor, I started buying things again until I discovered minimalism 3 years ago, which is more than just decluttering and now I am a cosy minimalist, I have some decor on end tables, but not lots of extras waiting in cupboards, except some Christmas in two bins.
I really enjoyed Clutter’s Last Stand. It is hilarious but so true. It is the only book I regretted decluttering and repurchased it when I found it at a Library sale.
The hubby makes me laugh 😆. You’re awesome Erica, and the kids are adorable. Thank you for sharing your family with us. 💗
I found a pair of dirty socks and underwear in my kid’s book once! 😱🙈😂 Thank you SO MUCH for showing your IRL messy house! Keeping it real here, folks!
😂😂
For the sock problem. Start buying all the same colour a colour for each kid. Or white with a coloured stripe then they all go with each other. 😃 my friend does this. I haven’t yet as I’m not on the ball enough. Haha but it sounds great.
MinimalisH is FUN! & Andy is adorbs! Thank you AmErica & Andy! xoxo
Thanks for keeping it real with the current status of your house! Love your realistic, humble approach to advice giving. Happy Thanksgiving to the Lucas Clan! P.S. Andy cracks me up!
You are so realistic and fun. I too am Minimalish and have
been most of my 40 years of marriage. Done a lot of decluttering lately as I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and it makes less work. Also when we retire we are downsizing to one bedroom so we can afford holiday in Florida a Every year with my Sister. Keep up the good work. Stay safe and well.
Erica, thrift shopping is such a great way to get what you need without spending a lot. Second hand shopping is my first choice when wanting to buy something. I recently bought a brand new custom made sofa on FBMP for $80!!! I sold my dining table on there and paid for a new table on great sale because I couldn’t find what I wanted second hand.
I think minimalism is a mindset not a look however an organised clean and curated home often has a certain look and feel & decluttering and minimalism often bring about that look.
Which can be annoying when people think you only have one of everything and its all modern monochrome lol
however im also glad theres certain looks associated with decluttering and minimalism like kon marie for example
because it gives you something to aspire too and also know what you like what you dont and you can pick and choose what works for you before committing and have that goal actually visualised in front of you makes it worth the fight.
Great video
I put up our Christmas tree early. Like you, excited with the prospect of decluttering the excess decorations and ornaments. Success. I'll have one less box to put away in the new year.
One thing I do is one color socks for the girls and one color sock for the boys lol that way if one goes missing or worn you still can find a mate
I love to declutter.
My daughter bought all white socks when her boys were little, that way always had matching socks,lol
I agree with you that a first good step is to stop buying unnecessary things and bringing them into your house. Sometimes, you need to do a bit of decluttering to give you the motivation to stop buying.
Certainly agree Anna! Decluttering can really fuel the passion to not re-fill your life with things you don't need! It's almost a beautiful cycle.
Yup, I'm excited to get the Christmas stuff down, only to declutter though!
I'm still in the thick of trying to get minimal-ish. My journey started like this:
LOTS OF CZcams MOTIVATION ON EACH OF THESE 4. I DID RESEARCH FIRST😄
1)only clothing that fit and I loved
2)getting debt free (halfway there!)
3)thinking about purchases from a standpoint of their intended shelf life and experience versus stuff
4)decluttering
Obviously these weren't isolated. They overlapped
Well said Erica! Cute hubby promo😊
Beautiful wreath on your door 🥰
Tks. HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Maureen 🇮🇪 Ireland 💕💕
Creating a picture of what you want your life and space to be is essential before you start to declutter, but know that the vision may well be changed and refined in the process. Progress, not perfection, give yourself grace, and accept what comes to your life as you go. Happiness can never be over-rated...seek it, work at it, do not feel apologetic about prioritizing happiness for yourself and your family. Live the life YOU want with the people you love.
Great video😊... Yes minimalism is different for everyone and is ongoing...and is definitely a tool to make life simpler and stress free(er)!
And you are so right.. Decluttering becomes more fun, the more and longer you do it! ... I am on round 3 of my stuff... Since starting my decluttering journey in January 2017 when my husband moved out... Finally I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel I can breath again.
Except digital clutter.. Which is planned for spring 2021. .. That I left until after all the rest... Then I will tackle photos first and make year albums for the kids... Then lastly do the rest of the digital clutter and declutter my office and computers at work... Which will probably be done in 2022.... As a single working mum I now give myself realist time goals so I don't feel under pressure and get disappointed and discouraged when things take longer because "life gets in the way" !
Nice improvement on the quality and editing with this video! I think focusing on that (even if there's a bit less quantity)...will help your channel grow faster!
I started following you somewhere near the beginning of your decluttering journey...and have seen all of those videos! Great job!! 😉🎉🎉
Oh, the part where you became cartoon like...lol... was really cool!
Love
it is fun
I started with using what I had and really thinking hard before I bought more.
I pin socks together... seem like it is time consuming but lot less than hunting for them
I find it harder to think clearly when there is clutter around me, so I need to start with decluttering. I tackle the deep thinking and evaluating more serenely and with better results after some of the clutter is gone. Everyone is different in this regard, I suspect, but decluttering first is what works for me. :D
💕
I still need to box up my Halloween decor and I was excited to decorate a little early for Christmas but I still havn´t. The halloween stuff is at least piled in one spot at least.
declutter Christmas Decoration? How is that even possible? and how many boxes of them? I am looking forward to how you do it. I do enjoy watching you and your family. thank you for sharing your experiences.
I agree, stop buying first! Unless someone is either wealthy or a recovering hoarder and wants to just do a giant purge and donate everything. That pause in incoming stuff can help take stock of what you do have and give the opportunity to use up things you already have/be less wasteful. I almost made a game out of it at first. Like, how many of each thing do I have (dental floss or pens, for example), and how long will it last before spending more money? Then, once it's all gone, buying less and keeping things simple/minimal from there on out. I did do a big donation purge of some certain categories though, like clothing that didn't fit and reference books from my former career.
I gained clarity on my values through the decluttering process. I don't know if, at the beginning, I would have had sincere, personal answers to how I want to spend my time and money.
Edit: I'm also still very much in the process of both decluttering and clarifying my values!
Andy reminds me of Gary sometimes on camera! 😂
You are cute as a button! The end was so adorable!
Tupperware lids. Your cupboards are empty enough to store them with the lids on. I consider myself being a minimalist since I was a kid. Never liked the clutter, and I was lucky enough that my mom didn't stop me when I had a bout of straightening things up. So it's very interesting to me to see people who are struggling with the concept of less is more, finding the "easy way of living", as I call it, by rationality and logic.
There's "my" Erica! Just a content suggestion: I think consumerism/hoardingishness is a form of depression - as most addictions are. You've danced around that... but I think you'd have great things to say more directly - and I don't see others doing it, much. No one would judge you. You're often alone with the kids, unhappy with your body, comparatively isolated (homeschooling), etc. I'd have wanted to hit Target with a vengeance too.
The socks! I have 6 children and I hate socks! I have a medium large size tote full of unmatched socks. Inside are gallon ziplock bags labeled for each person. I get it down twice/ month and dump out bags to look for matches. I always find a lot. Occasionally I do a purge, but I hate socks.
I swear socks have some strange reverse magnetism to them when it comes time to sorting... the matching pairs always end up so far apart and difficult to find! I find it challenging just doing it for me... for 6 children you must be a super-woman! That's amazing!
I’m sure I missed this but what about the house u gave us a tour of? Is it going to be a move?
I think it was even at the end of that video that they decided it was too big for them and they would have to pay for the moving expenses themselves.
I watched this all the way through-went to select next video and it only shows that I watched it half way. I´ve been noticing that for over month on other stuff I watch too-sometimes not showing I watched but couple minutes. So I hope the stats are correct for your views if this happens to other ppl.
What does Christmas look like in your house now?
Me after milimalish i walk into shop. Like something, but does it match with my waredrobe. Maybe. Do i need it. NO. Do i want to spend the money. NO. I walk out of store.
Awesome!!
It just clicked when you said a dollar to save not spend!
I'm not a minimalist and I'm not going to be one but I've enjoyed watching your journey you're doing a good job you have a beautiful and wonderful family stay safe and God bless you all
I think first step is stop buying!
Yes. I'm still struggling with that. Only buying what we really need, not buying all the stuff I can find rationalizations for :-/
@@mandy_wingwoods yes it is hard. It’s a big mindset shift that takes time s