Getting rid of stuff is similar to getting rid of toxic people. Both are just products of habits and it's painful to drop them. But your life changes in a good way by doing so.
Minimalism is the way to go! To what level you decide to take it, is up to the individual. My bedroom has just a bed and small a corner table to put my pillows and blankets when changing the sheets. My closets are designed to use up all the space. I Keep all my clothes and personal care items in there. It takes no more than 10 minutes to mop and make the bed. My living room has no coffee or end tables. I have 1 ottoman. Kitchen is simple as well. As we age and mobility can become a challenge; having less furniture to trip over and less "stuff" to deal with may help a person stay in their home longer.
Loved your father’s quote! I have a similar one that’s a reminder for myself: “Status is when you buy something you don’t want, with a money you don’t have, just to show people you don’t like, someone you are not”.
"Carefully organized clutter is still clutter." Well said! This has been a HUGE obstacle since I hadn't realized how much of a problem "organized clutter" created until I had to move 3 times within a 5-year period. It was so exhausting wondering, "where is this item?" I've learned and have deeply come to appreciate that If there's not that much stuff, life is less stressful. It's also so much easier to locate things. Now that I've started the process of minimizing, it's so refreshing knowing exactly where everything is. Now, if only I can teach my patients this to decrease their cortisol levels!
I just decluttered 150 physical books. That was HARD. But I want to keep books I love, will read, or are too beautiful to get rid of. I still have 400 books but 😂
Books are the single catagory of things that would free up the most space in my home but are hardest for me to part with. I can really relate to this struggle.
Well done ! I love my books, too ! So hard to part with! Thankfully, over time ( decades), probably half are gone. But my current amount needs to be cut in half. Gotta do it so next time I move, it’s easier ( plus my next home will be smaller).
My fantasy self loves dresses but practical me wears jeans and t-shirts or sweaters. I let go of 2 dresses with tags but I'm still struggling to let the rest go.
It’s a process for sure. I struggled to let go of many of my old clothes as well, especially those that had tags in them. Remember to go at a pace you’re comfortable with and eventually you’ll get there!
Bit by bit. My habit is greater in crafting and books. I have to admit my hobbies come in waves and what I intend to make or read sometimes doesn't come to fruition. I have been trying to use what I have and give myself small money allowances (e.x. based on the page count of the books I finish towards future books.) Clothes have been easy for me, though I kept my scrubs for now as I am going into further education and may need them when I get out. So bit by bit and we will all get there.
That 'fantasy self' one really hit home with me. I would consider myself quite far in to being a minimalist, but if I'm honest with myself, I do still have some items that I'm only keeping around because they reflect who I /want/ to be, or how I want others to perceive me, not who I am. Thanks for a great video.
I’ve been struggling with “fantasy self syndrome” for years now! As a matter of fact it’s one of the main reasons why I decided to start minimalism. Realizing It definitely helped declutter big spiritual blockages too.
I watched Guilt and Obligation like three times. I feel so guilty letting go of things, yet they collect dust in the back of my closet. And the Past Connections gave me feels too. I lost my husband to a drunk driver in 2004. Letting go of things that were his is still one of the hardest things to do. I still have some of his clothes. Getting rid of them makes me feel like I'm getting rid of him. I know it has been 17 years but it is still hard. Thank you for your videos.
I am so sorry for your loss. Maybe you can select a few to keep and let the rest go to someone who needs it. After my dad passed away,we,the children chose to keep a t shirt and a pair of pants each. Then as the years went by,we gave them away when it no longer hurts . He is forever in our hearts.
I lost my son in an accident too. I still have all his clothes and toys. Everything else can go first I don't know how to let go of these. I completely understand the feeling of getting rid of their stuff feels like getting rid of them. 💝💝💝
With the mass content produced by female minimalists on CZcams, it was easy to overlook this video in the search suggestions. Adhering to male stereotypes in my mind, I pondered on what a male could teach me on minimalism (considering that most of my male family members, colleagues, and associates do not shop or accumulate items to the same degree as my female family members, friends, and co-workers). However - THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE VIDEOS I'VE WATCHED ON MINIMALISM! Thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts, and reasoning behind many of our self-destructive habits. While some of the information was similar to other videos, your reasoning and logic was different and it is appreciated!
I can really recommend The Minimalist Mom. I discovered her recently and her information has been so valuable for me. (for me it's the opposite I always tend more towards female creators haha. But this video was great too😊)
@Rayanna Well said! I really like his style and presentation. I'm glad he threw in the videos of all his clothing to show that he has gone through some of the experience on his own. I'm on my own decluttering journey and as I make videos of the process, it's definitely harder to watch some other videos where they already seem to have it all together! ...because I don't!🤣😂
@MoonGirl Yes, I've learned so much from The Minimal Mom, and Dana K White! They are helping me so much! I like going back and watching their older ones that show how they started out with so much and how the process takes years to get where they are now. I'm on my own decluttering journey and as I make videos of the process, it's definitely harder to watch some other videos where they already seem to have it all together! ...because I don't!🤣😂
Rayanna: I definitely recommend watching some of his other videos. He has quite a few. I’ve enjoyed many different YT content makers on this topic, but his approach has helped me more than many others (and I watch a lot of them)!
Tell them you would prefer cash or a giftcard in the future, or a donation to a charity in your name. I wind up selling an expensive gift, it felt more like a burden than a gift.
this is a hard one too but continuing to state that you prefer experiences or gift cards or no gift at all, eventually they start to get it and if they don't, i don't feel guilty about getting rid of the item. the sentiment was received when i felt gratitude.
Organizing things, like spending time ironing, is a quiet opportunity to contemplate the meaning of life and the mysteries of the universe. Same for being stuck in traffic. I wish I was more disorganized as I find tidying up a relaxing activity.
Letting go of vintage things I've collected (in an effort to "save and preserve' them) and never used or displayed. They are currently in a pile in a spare room waiting to be placed on eBay. I still struggle as I go through each item to photograph it for selling and think "omg...this is so cute. Why am I getting rid of it?" haha. I've come to realize that I can appreciate things without owning them.
I'm entering motherhood for the first time, due in 4 weeks. I began my minimal journey after finding out that I was pregnant. It's been stressful but rewarding to see my home & wardrobe become more practical, finding clarity through the progress. :)
That's great. Many years ago when my son was born I decided to buy just one major toy for him at Christmas. The first piece was a handmade wooden truck he could sit on when he was a year old. Plus a few small toys in his Christmas stocking. Now he is a father and that is what he and his wife do for their children, although they do buy other toys during the year. They have a minimalist home that is always clutter-free.
you should upload every video to Spotify. your voice is so calming. it would be great to listen while on a walk or working out. you can use distro kid it's like 20 bucks a year.
I in no way want to become a minimalist but I do want to reduce the amount of stuff I have and feel there is a happy medium out there for me. I’ve watched many videos, listened to podcasts and read books and you are the first person that has not only made sense to me, but I’ve been able to identify with everything you’ve listed. Although I fall into all categories the three that really resonated with me are #1 #4!!! and #6.
I’m saying damn! Nailed it! When he said you have all the kitchen stuff because maybe your fantasy self wants people to look at you as a good cook. That’s absolutely true. I can’t tell you how much stuff I bought for “ other people” yes, I bought it for me, but the goal is to impress someone else. I hate to say it- but it clicks with low self esteem.
Its hard to get rid of perfectly good items because its just going to landfills while there can be potential alternative uses for the materials that are thrown away. I think recycling and donation education should be more present. For instance, one of my just incase items is old jeans to use for patching my favorite jeans.
Fantasy self items were my sneakiest holdovers. Even after multiple rounds of decluttering and the 'Mins game' I realized I was still holding onto some 'ideal me' items. Luckily decluttering the obvious stuff makes it harder for those Someday and What If type items to hide. I was finally able to let go newly obvious items like my old soccer cleats for a league I was maybe going to join one day (nope!), and a battery alarm clock for when I finally banish my phone from my bedroom (finally accepted it's never gonna happen 🤷♀️🤯)
this guy is sweet. although i usually post cr-ap and like to poke fun and make content creators feel miserable, but i feel that this guy doesn't deserve such a thing. his smile is awesome, but he fake smiles too often.
Decluttering is not the issue for me - its what to do with it after decluttering it! TRying to sell it online results in me holding onto the things for much longer, donating it is ideal but I dont want it to just end up at a landfill if goodwill cant take it.
Give it to a small charity that has a thrift store. They are much less likely to send it to the landfill than Goodwill. I give my donations to a thrift shop that supports pet rescue.
For me it’s the security thing. My family was homeless for a time when I was a kid. I have such a hard time letting go of anything sentimental because it feels like letting go of my history and security.
Love your channel Ronald. I actually have thought about that concept of money has already been spent - so as a reframe, I tell myself I would like to “buy something “ for myself sometimes and that is to “buy “the release of something that is neither service me or making me feel good. So I go into my closet and say “I’m going to buy you a 30 dollar item- let’s get rid of that sweater that is itchy and you know you don’t want it”. That way I feel like somehow I am not being wasteful.
I struggle because growing up, I was so deprived of everything. I didnt own a cell phone until i was 21. When I started earning, I went all out and bought everything I wanted. At 29, I bought my dream car. At 30, I've decided to slow down and stop my overconsumption. I'm not in debt but I could save a lot more and own a lot less. 2022 is going to be my year of minimalism.
Im still working on my minimalist life journey… I’ve learned that the more you practice getting rid of stuff by selling, donating, etc… the easier it becomes. It’s definitely a work in progress.
I had to replay this video several times because it hit home and I wanted to be sure to have the concepts you presented, ingrained to help me adjust my mindset. Thank you so much for explaining in such a logical manner and I enjoy hearing your soothing voice.
These are all good points, as usual. Another thing that you might not think of given your relative youth is that many older people grew up in the 1930s Great Depression - or were close enough to it to have horror stories from family members about it. They knew viscerally what it was like to lose everything and/or not be able to buy anything due to poverty, so they tend to cling to EVERYTHING they own. Also, now on fixed income, they can't easily replace stuff. Old habits die hard.
'You should get rid of anything that is not serving you, adding value to your life, or is used enough to justify it taking up space in your space' - R.L. Banks. I loved how used the word space to define our space. It goes beyond the home and office and into heart and mind. It puts a new framework on it. When I look at my Yoga clutter I feel happy. It's not invading the corner of my room. But something else would be, even if I had the physical space to keep it.
I’m really happy you picked up on this! You’re absolutely right, the clutter in our life goes beyond the physical things we can see and when we shift our perspective a little bit I can and will have a major impact on your journey! Keep growing and learning!
I am also starting my journey to declutter! I think the hardest part about owning less is because we add so much sentiment to each item and its hard to let it go
I agree, it's very informative and his voice is so soothing it's like medicine. "Orgainised clutter is still clutter" I'm decluttering now! Best wishes from Ireland.
"The struggle is REAL" someone once told me that and I will ALWAYS remember that statement!!!!! Living with LESS will bring you so MUCH more!!! Awesome video as a fellow "minimalist"!!!... Kudos!!!
I just discovered your channel today, and love listening to you. Everything you say makes so much sense, and you touched on everything that I have trouble dealing with. It makes me and I’m sure everyone else realize we aren’t the only ones dealing with owning too much. I always feel so good when I get rid of stuff, whether donating, or hauling it off to the resale shop.
So wise and insightful, Ron! These are points that I often have to remind myself...stuff is just stuff (all but the essential) and should never be given that much weight. I took a break from social media, including youtube, to recenter and now that I'm carefully and intentionally returning, I am thrilled to see your growth and how many more people you are reaching...well deserved!!
I’m glad you enjoyed this Katie, but I’m happy you took the necessary time you needed for yourself. That’s extremely important and I’m sure you’re glad you did that! Also thank you for being apart of this community! I appreciate you! Keep growing and learning!
It’s difficult living de cluttered when you’re an artist. So many pencils, markers, paints, brushes, other utensils, and the thing is, you use them all. The thing is organizing and accepting that I guess. It was a struggle for me for a long time
I just moved and was extremely overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I own. I’m also struggling with getting a cohesive wardrobe so I plan to explore that. Other than that, I’m on a shopping hiatus, especially for hair products, makeup, and cute knick knacks .
Keep working and learning. That’s the important thing! Keep pushing forward and you’ll eventually break through. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
Thank you for another helpful video, Ron! I'm in a years long process of decluttering; it's hard. I live in a very small house and after I bought my 3rd clothing rack I felt so overwhelmed (actually, I felt like I lost my mind). I finally realized that lack of storage wasn't my problem--too much stuff was! (I'm now down to 1 clothing rack!) One of the things I still struggle with are art/craft supplies and the projects that are the result. For example, I love to plan out, buy fabric for and sew myself dresses. I definitely don't need more dresses but I enjoy making them--so what do I do? I sew a few things for others but only certain things for certain people as not everyone appreciates homemade gifts. Anyway, I still haven't figured out how to reconcile my love of crafts with a desire to be more of a minimalist.
"Fantasy Self" wooooooo. You came with deep truths and my ego could not take it😂😂😂. Thank you so much for this video! I'm doing a deep clean out and this has been really helpful!
I’m glad this resonated with you Kate! Our fantasy self can create a major roadblock on our decluttering journey so I’m happy this caught your attention and is helping you! 🙌🏾
This video was one of the most helpful videos I have watched on decluttering. I have been decluttering for a while, but felt like I had hit a roadblock recently. Your video gave me some things to think about. Thank you!
One thing I just canʻt bear to let go of is my grandmotherʻs white porcelain dishes, my "share" of them, since we split them up six ways, years ago. She had one child and a set of 12 plates, saucers, cups, everything!! I guess back in the day she cooked for threshing teams and needed them from time to time. I have them carefully stored inaccessibly above my refrigerator now; thatʻs where I keep the dishes I must keep for sentimental reasons. Theyʻre not taking up much space, and they themselves are minimalist, white-on-white, from around 1900. She bought them when she was single and worked as a telephone operator. I canʻt imagine being without them.
They sound wonderful. Do you use them? Are they better than the dishes you use every day? I’m not a fan of keeping things that I don’t use so I would get rid of the dishes I got at a department store and use the precious dishes instead.
I think this is more about having a reminder of your grandmother than the dishes. The dishes are the physical embodiment of a memory of a person, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. My suggestion is to get a plate mount for a wall and place your favorite piece on the wall somewhere in the home you frequent. It will become a reminder of the person and respect to them without being clutter and it’s use can now be wall art.
this sounds like a well thought out and valid reason to keep and item. you know the truth better than anyone else if an item brings you joy. no need to explain why you kept them.
@@olivemaycards 2️⃣nd this. These have meaning, they had a purpose, so give them purpose now. so use them for yourself. Enjoy them every day. As they wear and break, so it is. When there are just a few left-- keep those and give them center stage. Life is for living. Now they will have a cherished purpose in your life :)
Just in case items. When March 2020 hit and the virus was just getting started made me cling to everything. Now even today I am struggling because that panic is still in my head. Things are a lot more back to normal for my family but that uncertainty holds me from getting rid of things.
Quite Buddhist. To each their own. Well, I am really happy for people who find more peace and clarity with all this decluttering enthusiasm. Maybe I'm heading there myself though still fighting against the idea. I have stopped buying stuff for me basically altogether. But. I don't see a big point in frantically getting rid of the things I own. A. Likely the things don't mean as much to anyone else. (If it looks like they do, I'm happy selling and donating.) B. Repurposing and revamping things is really fun. C. In a way I feel people are betraying themselves if they either just give up on fantasizing or then (another angle) just get rid of the fantasy items with a mind set "out of sight, out of mind". I think it's OK that people are reminded of their past thoughts and learn to smile to them. Maybe it keeps the future fantasies lesser too. This video is great anyway! Good argumenting and what a pleasant voice!
My advice for the just in case items: Put all of them in a bin in your basement or attic and leave the for 6 months to a year. Everything you didn't take out during this period is going to the trash or is donated or sold if possible.
I grew up in poverty and I'm certainly not rich now...so even though I know it's illogical to let go of things I don't need, it still makes me feel panicky.
Wow, i feel so busted and exposed! Oh My gosh! Fantasy self, past connections, just in case, sentimental ,WOW, you got me on so many things! Ouch, but i needed to hear it. 😮❤
I appreciate your love Teresa! Thank you so much!! This community is growing every day and I’m happy you decided to join. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
@@RonaldLBanks You Sir are the absolute best that I've seen about minimalism, finances & even deep soul searching self- enlightenment! Truth & hope shine from what you are doing! You are a GIFT to this world... Especially during these uncertain times! May GOD bless ALL that you do!
The fantasy self point does resonate with me. There are so many items that are in my house that have never been used or barely used because there was a fantasy of having all these dinner parties that never occurred. It is really hard to let go of those things.
I will reduce my stuff from 276 to 200 this weekend. You reminded me of some helpful thoughts I had known and forgotten. Thank you and have a great weekend ❤️
I’ve been on this journey for 2 years now and I’m 64, and still removing, donating and giving stuff away. There’s a few thoughts that have spurred me on to make the decision that this task must be completed by the end of this year. The first aha thought was “how much longer am I going to spend on clearing out stuff”, the longer I eek the process out, the longer it’s going to take to know me! All the stuff creates a vail over us, maybe because something happened in the past which we don’t want to deal with. And secondly life is for living and until you clear the mental head space you can’t move on, so give yourself a deadline, clear out the past and create a new you, one you are more comfortable with.
That’s exactly it! I’m very happy this resonated with you and has you motivated to start your journey! If you ever have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m here to help!
Hi Ronald …. I recent found your channel and I’m really enjoying it. I’m an avid follower of minimalists and have achieved a much more pared down look for my home and wardrobe. Your point about organising really resonated with me. I do tend to spend a lot of time organising and then reorganising and buying new containers. The look I like the most is simple with clear spaces and I hadn’t actually realised that I need to stop organising and only keep those things I truly love or need. Thank you
I’m all for it! I tend to declutter fine, but then I want to buy more. So I’m working on that. Mine was because I’d felt like I’d finally “made” it. Like I finally can afford it.
Organized clutter is still clutter. I've had to realize this over the years. I've organized everything, but still looking for where certain things are. I am over it. I've been slowly decluttering for 2 years, but have been making significant progress this year. It's tough decluttering, when you live with someone who isn't on that journey with you yet. I'm trying though.
I have a video I did all about how to live with a non-minimalist. Here is a link is case you haven’t seen it. Some valuable information that may help you out in your situation: czcams.com/video/DdBhVFGJhiI/video.html
Oh my gosh you said Tetris - I have been named the Queen of Tetris by friends who call on me to organize and fit more into a given space than anyone else can and still have it be organized and "findable" like a room or storage unit or car or moving truck. LOVE that you said "Carefully organized clutter is still clutter. It doesn't matter how creative you get or how good you are at playing Tetris and making a whole lot of stuff fit in a small space. If you don't need or use it, it's clutter." My life has been about that and it no longer is. Still have the skills but not the need! Excellent!
reason 9: the climate you live in. I live in central Europe. It does not happen often, but it can get - 10 °C and below. And I need clothes to keep me warm when this happens. Likewise, it can get hotter than 40 °C and I need to take precautions if this happens. Both scenarios are so seldomly reality, some winters I don't wear my giant coat once. But I don't know when the next extreme weather phenomanon will come. They usually last a few days maximum and then I don't need my giant coat for. the next 3 years. But I rather have it than get sick because I wasn't properly dressed for the season.
I rarely click on the Like button because I'm selective of what gets saved on my list of Liked videos (i.e. videos I may want to watch again). This one definitely earned a spot on my list. Hello from a new subscriber.
It’s been so hard for me to let go as I grew up poor. With very little. Now I realize I need to let go to ensure I’m happy because all the stuff does is stress me out.
You made me starting today to declutter myself and especially many (if not most) of my items. I subbed and activated the bell for future videos - after I watched 10 videos straight of you. But this one here made me start to be (at least in the beginning) more minimalist. Thanks Ronald!
You can definitely do it Thomas. Don’t worry so much about how long it takes, but rather enjoy the process and learn what you can as you do let go. Also, welcome to the community. I’m glad you decided to subscribe. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
@@RonaldLBanks Thanks! I will try my best. I might get the first big step done during the coming weekend. I might give an update if you are interested. :)
I find the best way to get rid of sentimental items is to take a picture, and send it to a cloud service like Amazon photos. The picture will pop up from time to time in your "on this day" feed. You may even see it more often and have a nice moment with that memory than if the object is still squirreled away in storage.
I’ve cut my items in half a few times in the last 20 years. I’ve had friends and relatives ask if they could have dibs on items IF I didn’t want them. As a hairstylist 40 years, I have heard first hand ‘gift guilt’. I’m physically disabled now and have watched my apartment fill up again and it’s driving me crazy. I can’t reach over my head anymore so I hired a house cleaner to help me move all items lower. I guess I could rent out my to the ceiling kitchen cabinets for storage!
I agree that everyone has tendencies to hold on to things that we don't use and will never use for a variety of reasons you mentioned. BUT. For me there is an additional complicating factor that I don't see being talked about. I've had experiences that have "vindicated" my hoarding tendencies. I've held onto things "just in case", and then one day the perfect reason rolled around that made me say "See, THIS is why I held onto this". I've had instances where I finally achieved aspects of my fantasy self. I held onto something, and one day I became the person that used it and felt proud that I stuck it out. The problem is I realize these "vindicating" experiences are very few and far in between. But the experiences where that did happen definitely make it extra hard for me to try to get rid of things.
I love how relatable you are! You have a very well-spoken and non-judgmental way of explaining things. All of these reasons hit home for me! Thank you for this amazing video!
A year after first watching this video I tried searching for it again based on something I remember hearing and it was the “Fantasy Self” issue. Such a relatable and helpful realization 👍🏼
I've been decluttering for so long that I don't find much great info that's useful for me at this point. This was fantastic. I took lots of notes and can use this not only with my life coaching clients but with my decluttering clients as well. Less clutter. More freedom.
Wow! Fantastic video. You're really an amazing speaker and this was very inspirational. I'm going to revisit these points over the weekend while I clean house! Thank you!
You are such a Blessing! Mine problem is the just in case mindset. I'm getting better and am still working on it. Ronald it's so very hard but making progress.
really loved that Fantasy Self, it's sooo true and the root of many unnecessary purchases. For me it's = Ego. Accept yourself and you'll accept owning much much less stuff ;)
Awesome video man. Agree with the points entirely. I've struggled and still do but I'm getting there. Especially with stuff I had bought but not used or not used much. I felt like I should keep it as I had spent money on them. Thanks for the advice!
you just blew my mind and gave me the answer for the situation that I have been overwhelmed by, it's not about organizing first, it's about purging first, really purging. omg THANK YOU. I feel like I kept hitting this truth here and there but it didn't hit home for me until you explained it the way you did.
I love that this resonated with you! Im excited for you! If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask! Keep growing on your journey my friend!
I'm struggling for 2 reasons. 1) I refuse to accept that I will never be the size I once was in my 20s... I keep hoping that one day I will regain my small frame 2) the money I spent on it. It's easy to get rid of the cheap stuff but when I spent good money on it I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.
your videos get recommended to me on occasion and even if the title stands out, I always find myself avoiding it anyway. it's like I know that I need a reality check but I am afraid to confront it just yet, so I won't watch the videos. I watched this video and it's amazing. as it turns out, it is exactly the reality check I was dreading but it feels good to get real. I've loaded up my queue with more of your videos. you're a class act, Ronald Banks!
Thanks for sharing these ideas Ron. Always love hearing what you have to say! I struggle most with feeling like I MIGHT use something in the future. Usually it's something I just kind of like now, but once loved. Usually a home decor piece or an item of clothing. These are the two most difficult categories for me to declutter, and the things that I am most tempted to purchase! I appreciate you sharing!😊💗
I recently started decluttering and have two bin bags full and I'm still in the process. However there were some items I put aside not to give, but having listened to your video I realise they fall into fantasy self, guilt, or "just in case" or better organisation. I'm glad I listened to this video because I'm now more determined to revisit those items and get rid of those too Edit: in the end I went full on and had over 20 full bin bags of stuff that I got rid of and my wardrobe and clothing area still looks full 😲😅 planning a round 2
Ty for this! Very helpful! 💕 Fantasy self is in so many areas! My clothes, kitchen stuff, art stuff, yard/garden stuff, books & more. Wow… the decluttering journey continues.
What’s your biggest roadblock when it comes to owning less?
Anxiety. I get overwhelmed by my things and feel paralyzed to do anything. 😓
Definitely attachment to beautiful (decorative) things I've accumulated over the years- art etc.
I think I will need / read / wear / use it soon...
@@beccyvc5743 ditto
Thinning clothing is hardest for me. Even harder because Covid has interrupted what clothes I might have worn but didn't. I trust I can be brave soon.
Getting rid of stuff is similar to getting rid of toxic people. Both are just products of habits and it's painful to drop them. But your life changes in a good way by doing so.
Love this. Thank you for sharing!!
🙏
great way to put it.
Great scenario
Minimalism is the way to go! To what level you decide to take it, is up to the individual.
My bedroom has just a bed and small a corner table to put my pillows and blankets when changing the sheets.
My closets are designed to use up all the space. I Keep all my clothes and personal care items in there.
It takes no more than 10 minutes to mop and make the bed.
My living room has no coffee or end tables. I have 1 ottoman.
Kitchen is simple as well.
As we age and mobility can become a challenge; having less furniture to trip over and less "stuff" to deal with may help a person stay in their home longer.
Loved your father’s quote! I have a similar one that’s a reminder for myself:
“Status is when you buy something you don’t want, with a money you don’t have, just to show people you don’t like, someone you are not”.
Boy that's a message! That's the one!
"Carefully organized clutter is still clutter." Well said! This has been a HUGE obstacle since I hadn't realized how much of a problem "organized clutter" created until I had to move 3 times within a 5-year period. It was so exhausting wondering, "where is this item?" I've learned and have deeply come to appreciate that If there's not that much stuff, life is less stressful. It's also so much easier to locate things. Now that I've started the process of minimizing, it's so refreshing knowing exactly where everything is. Now, if only I can teach my patients this to decrease their cortisol levels!
Agree, moving makes you acutely aware of how much you own and what you own.
I just decluttered 150 physical books. That was HARD. But I want to keep books I love, will read, or are too beautiful to get rid of. I still have 400 books but 😂
Books are the single catagory of things that would free up the most space in my home but are hardest for me to part with. I can really relate to this struggle.
Wow. You did great! Way to go.
Well done ! I love my books, too ! So hard to part with! Thankfully, over time ( decades), probably half are gone. But my current amount needs to be cut in half. Gotta do it so next time I move, it’s easier ( plus my next home will be smaller).
My fantasy self loves dresses but practical me wears jeans and t-shirts or sweaters. I let go of 2 dresses with tags but I'm still struggling to let the rest go.
It’s a process for sure. I struggled to let go of many of my old clothes as well, especially those that had tags in them. Remember to go at a pace you’re comfortable with and eventually you’ll get there!
Me too! Covid isn’t helping since I don’t go anywhere
I feel your comment in my soul! Who I fantasize about being is not who I am, but who I am is pretty damn cool. We just have to own it 😉
Bit by bit. My habit is greater in crafting and books. I have to admit my hobbies come in waves and what I intend to make or read sometimes doesn't come to fruition. I have been trying to use what I have and give myself small money allowances (e.x. based on the page count of the books I finish towards future books.) Clothes have been easy for me, though I kept my scrubs for now as I am going into further education and may need them when I get out.
So bit by bit and we will all get there.
That 'fantasy self' one really hit home with me.
I would consider myself quite far in to being a minimalist, but if I'm honest with myself, I do still have some items that I'm only keeping around because they reflect who I /want/ to be, or how I want others to perceive me, not who I am.
Thanks for a great video.
"organized clutter is still clutter" That hit different!
I’ve been struggling with “fantasy self syndrome” for years now! As a matter of fact it’s one of the main reasons why I decided to start minimalism. Realizing It definitely helped declutter big spiritual blockages too.
I watched Guilt and Obligation like three times. I feel so guilty letting go of things, yet they collect dust in the back of my closet. And the Past Connections gave me feels too. I lost my husband to a drunk driver in 2004. Letting go of things that were his is still one of the hardest things to do. I still have some of his clothes. Getting rid of them makes me feel like I'm getting rid of him. I know it has been 17 years but it is still hard. Thank you for your videos.
🍃☮️🍃
I'm so sorry you went through this. I admire your courage!
I am so sorry for your loss. Maybe you can select a few to keep and let the rest go to someone who needs it. After my dad passed away,we,the children chose to keep a t shirt and a pair of pants each. Then as the years went by,we gave them away when it no longer hurts . He is forever in our hearts.
Your precious husband is still there with you, we may not be able to see our beloved after they pass but they are with us.
I lost my son in an accident too. I still have all his clothes and toys. Everything else can go first I don't know how to let go of these. I completely understand the feeling of getting rid of their stuff feels like getting rid of them. 💝💝💝
With the mass content produced by female minimalists on CZcams, it was easy to overlook this video in the search suggestions. Adhering to male stereotypes in my mind, I pondered on what a male could teach me on minimalism (considering that most of my male family members, colleagues, and associates do not shop or accumulate items to the same degree as my female family members, friends, and co-workers). However - THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE VIDEOS I'VE WATCHED ON MINIMALISM! Thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts, and reasoning behind many of our self-destructive habits. While some of the information was similar to other videos, your reasoning and logic was different and it is appreciated!
I can really recommend The Minimalist Mom. I discovered her recently and her information has been so valuable for me. (for me it's the opposite I always tend more towards female creators haha. But this video was great too😊)
@Rayanna
Well said!
I really like his style and presentation. I'm glad he threw in the videos of all his clothing to show that he has gone through some of the experience on his own.
I'm on my own decluttering journey and as I make videos of the process, it's definitely harder to watch some other videos where they already seem to have it all together! ...because I don't!🤣😂
@MoonGirl
Yes, I've learned so much from The Minimal Mom, and Dana K White! They are helping me so much!
I like going back and watching their older ones that show how they started out with so much and how the process takes years to get where they are now.
I'm on my own decluttering journey and as I make videos of the process, it's definitely harder to watch some other videos where they already seem to have it all together! ...because I don't!🤣😂
Rayanna: I definitely recommend watching some of his other videos. He has quite a few.
I’ve enjoyed many different YT content makers on this topic, but his approach has helped me more than many others (and I watch a lot of them)!
I find it hard to declutter when people love giving gifts. Especially with clothes!
Tell them you would prefer cash or a giftcard in the future, or a donation to a charity in your name.
I wind up selling an expensive gift, it felt more like a burden than a gift.
this is a hard one too but continuing to state that you prefer experiences or gift cards or no gift at all, eventually they start to get it and if they don't, i don't feel guilty about getting rid of the item. the sentiment was received when i felt gratitude.
I always ask for consumables - wine, food, skincare etc. Saves me from buying it and I get a little reminder of the people I love in my day to day.
I normally give edible ou usable gifts, such as the person's favorite hygiene products.
Organising clutter is still clutter.
So, soooo true. I should remember this more frequently 🙂
Love this channel, thank you, Ronald!
Organizing things, like spending time ironing, is a quiet opportunity to contemplate the meaning of life and the mysteries of the universe. Same for being stuck in traffic. I wish I was more disorganized as I find tidying up a relaxing activity.
Letting go of vintage things I've collected (in an effort to "save and preserve' them) and never used or displayed. They are currently in a pile in a spare room waiting to be placed on eBay. I still struggle as I go through each item to photograph it for selling and think "omg...this is so cute. Why am I getting rid of it?" haha. I've come to realize that I can appreciate things without owning them.
I'm entering motherhood for the first time, due in 4 weeks. I began my minimal journey after finding out that I was pregnant. It's been stressful but rewarding to see my home & wardrobe become more practical, finding clarity through the progress. :)
That's great. Many years ago when my son was born I decided to buy just one major toy for him at Christmas. The first piece was a handmade wooden truck he could sit on when he was a year old. Plus a few small toys in his Christmas stocking. Now he is a father and that is what he and his wife do for their children, although they do buy other toys during the year. They have a minimalist home that is always clutter-free.
Sounds so fun for the children. Selfish
you should upload every video to Spotify. your voice is so calming. it would be great to listen while on a walk or working out. you can use distro kid it's like 20 bucks a year.
I in no way want to become a minimalist but I do want to reduce the amount of stuff I have and feel there is a happy medium out there for me. I’ve watched many videos, listened to podcasts and read books and you are the first person that has not only made sense to me, but I’ve been able to identify with everything you’ve listed. Although I fall into all categories the three that really resonated with me are #1 #4!!! and #6.
I’m saying damn! Nailed it! When he said you have all the kitchen stuff because maybe your fantasy self wants people to look at you as a good cook. That’s absolutely true. I can’t tell you how much stuff I bought for “ other people” yes, I bought it for me, but the goal is to impress someone else. I hate to say it- but it clicks with low self esteem.
Its hard to get rid of perfectly good items because its just going to landfills while there can be potential alternative uses for the materials that are thrown away. I think recycling and donation education should be more present. For instance, one of my just incase items is old jeans to use for patching my favorite jeans.
Financial Simplicity has actually been so rewarding
Fantasy self items were my sneakiest holdovers. Even after multiple rounds of decluttering and the 'Mins game' I realized I was still holding onto some 'ideal me' items. Luckily decluttering the obvious stuff makes it harder for those Someday and What If type items to hide. I was finally able to let go newly obvious items like my old soccer cleats for a league I was maybe going to join one day (nope!), and a battery alarm clock for when I finally banish my phone from my bedroom (finally accepted it's never gonna happen 🤷♀️🤯)
I have one of those alarm clocks. I am still afraid that I won't wake up without my phone's alarm (cause I can set 20.of them )
this guy is sweet. although i usually post cr-ap and like to poke fun and make content creators feel miserable, but i feel that this guy doesn't deserve such a thing. his smile is awesome, but he fake smiles too often.
Decluttering is not the issue for me - its what to do with it after decluttering it! TRying to sell it online results in me holding onto the things for much longer, donating it is ideal but I dont want it to just end up at a landfill if goodwill cant take it.
I recognise that...
Maybe you could try giving it away for free on facebook marketplace or craigslist? It's usually a lot quicker than trying to sell
Give it to a small charity that has a thrift store. They are much less likely to send it to the landfill than Goodwill. I give my donations to a thrift shop that supports pet rescue.
Depending on what you are getting rid of, doctors offices (toys), homeless shelters, foster programs, and libraries are all good spaces to donate.
Man, the amount of peaceful vibes in your voice and expression made me subscribe almost right away.
Awesome! Welcome to the community my friend! Glad you decided to subscribe!
My fantasy self and identity is tied to many things I own; however, as I age I must let go as my ability to do certain things have gone.
Moving is a great time to see how many things you own and let go of things that may not fit in your new setting.
I've started just by getting rid of a few items every day in the morning and it is truly adding up
For me it’s the security thing. My family was homeless for a time when I was a kid. I have such a hard time letting go of anything sentimental because it feels like letting go of my history and security.
Love your channel Ronald. I actually have thought about that concept of money has already been spent - so as a reframe, I tell myself I would like to “buy something “ for myself sometimes and that is to “buy “the release of something that is neither service me or making me feel good.
So I go into my closet and say “I’m going to buy you a 30 dollar item- let’s get rid of that sweater that is itchy and you know you don’t want it”. That way I feel like somehow I am not being wasteful.
I struggle because growing up, I was so deprived of everything. I didnt own a cell phone until i was 21. When I started earning, I went all out and bought everything I wanted. At 29, I bought my dream car. At 30, I've decided to slow down and stop my overconsumption. I'm not in debt but I could save a lot more and own a lot less. 2022 is going to be my year of minimalism.
Im still working on my minimalist life journey… I’ve learned that the more you practice getting rid of stuff by selling, donating, etc… the easier it becomes. It’s definitely a work in progress.
I had to replay this video several times because it hit home and I wanted to be sure to have the concepts you presented, ingrained to help me adjust my mindset. Thank you so much for explaining in such a logical manner and I enjoy hearing your soothing voice.
Yes i love that
True that.
Same here a really great peptalk for me
These are all good points, as usual. Another thing that you might not think of given your relative youth is that many older people grew up in the 1930s Great Depression - or were close enough to it to have horror stories from family members about it. They knew viscerally what it was like to lose everything and/or not be able to buy anything due to poverty, so they tend to cling to EVERYTHING they own. Also, now on fixed income, they can't easily replace stuff. Old habits die hard.
'You should get rid of anything that is not serving you, adding value to your life, or is used enough to justify it taking up space in your space' - R.L. Banks. I loved how used the word space to define our space. It goes beyond the home and office and into heart and mind. It puts a new framework on it. When I look at my Yoga clutter I feel happy. It's not invading the corner of my room. But something else would be, even if I had the physical space to keep it.
I’m really happy you picked up on this! You’re absolutely right, the clutter in our life goes beyond the physical things we can see and when we shift our perspective a little bit I can and will have a major impact on your journey! Keep growing and learning!
This channel always makes me feel so much peacefulness
I’m glad I can bring you a sense of peace Rachel! Keep growing!!
I am also starting my journey to declutter! I think the hardest part about owning less is because we add so much sentiment to each item and its hard to let it go
You're good Ronald. This is the most rational and reassuring voice on this topic. Thank you.
I agree, it's very informative and his voice is so soothing it's like medicine. "Orgainised clutter is still clutter" I'm decluttering now! Best wishes from Ireland.
"The struggle is REAL" someone once told me that and I will ALWAYS remember that statement!!!!! Living with LESS will bring you so MUCH more!!! Awesome video as a fellow "minimalist"!!!... Kudos!!!
Thank you! Glad you found value in this!
I just discovered your channel today, and love listening to you. Everything you say makes so much sense, and you touched on everything that I have trouble dealing with. It makes me and I’m sure everyone else realize we aren’t the only ones dealing with owning too much. I always feel so good when I get rid of stuff, whether donating, or hauling it off to the resale shop.
Thank you so much Karen! Welcome to the community as well. Glad you decided to subscribe. If you have any questions at anytime don’t hesitate to ask!
So wise and insightful, Ron! These are points that I often have to remind myself...stuff is just stuff (all but the essential) and should never be given that much weight. I took a break from social media, including youtube, to recenter and now that I'm carefully and intentionally returning, I am thrilled to see your growth and how many more people you are reaching...well deserved!!
I’m glad you enjoyed this Katie, but I’m happy you took the necessary time you needed for yourself. That’s extremely important and I’m sure you’re glad you did that! Also thank you for being apart of this community! I appreciate you! Keep growing and learning!
It’s difficult living de cluttered when you’re an artist. So many pencils, markers, paints, brushes, other utensils, and the thing is, you use them all. The thing is organizing and accepting that I guess. It was a struggle for me for a long time
Art supplies are worth it
Certain things are not "clutter".
Gifts are always hard for me to get rid of because I feel guilty, ungrateful but you are definitely helping me see it differently x
I’m glad this video is challenging your thinking Shirley. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
I just moved and was extremely overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I own. I’m also struggling with getting a cohesive wardrobe so I plan to explore that. Other than that, I’m on a shopping hiatus, especially for hair products, makeup, and cute knick knacks .
Thank you, Ron. Good reminders for me - I struggle with identity clutter, scarcity mindset, and guilt. Always working on it!
Keep working and learning. That’s the important thing! Keep pushing forward and you’ll eventually break through. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
🥰
Thank you for another helpful video, Ron! I'm in a years long process of decluttering; it's hard. I live in a very small house and after I bought my 3rd clothing rack I felt so overwhelmed (actually, I felt like I lost my mind). I finally realized that lack of storage wasn't my problem--too much stuff was! (I'm now down to 1 clothing rack!) One of the things I still struggle with are art/craft supplies and the projects that are the result. For example, I love to plan out, buy fabric for and sew myself dresses. I definitely don't need more dresses but I enjoy making them--so what do I do? I sew a few things for others but only certain things for certain people as not everyone appreciates homemade gifts. Anyway, I still haven't figured out how to reconcile my love of crafts with a desire to be more of a minimalist.
Why not sell homemade dresses on etsy? 😊
Yes! Maybe even accept custom orders :D
Just in case items are my nightmare. I'm glad u told me to stop holding them
"Fantasy Self" wooooooo. You came with deep truths and my ego could not take it😂😂😂. Thank you so much for this video! I'm doing a deep clean out and this has been really helpful!
I’m glad this resonated with you Kate! Our fantasy self can create a major roadblock on our decluttering journey so I’m happy this caught your attention and is helping you! 🙌🏾
So glad to find you. Nobody has explained the emotions connected to your stuff. They say: donate, trash or save. But, many of us do feel guilty.
This video was one of the most helpful videos I have watched on decluttering. I have been decluttering for a while, but felt like I had hit a roadblock recently. Your video gave me some things to think about. Thank you!
One thing I just canʻt bear to let go of is my grandmotherʻs white porcelain dishes, my "share" of them, since we split them up six ways, years ago. She had one child and a set of 12 plates, saucers, cups, everything!! I guess back in the day she cooked for threshing teams and needed them from time to time. I have them carefully stored inaccessibly above my refrigerator now; thatʻs where I keep the dishes I must keep for sentimental reasons. Theyʻre not taking up much space, and they themselves are minimalist, white-on-white, from around 1900. She bought them when she was single and worked as a telephone operator. I canʻt imagine being without them.
They sound wonderful. Do you use them? Are they better than the dishes you use every day? I’m not a fan of keeping things that I don’t use so I would get rid of the dishes I got at a department store and use the precious dishes instead.
Just keep them you owe no one an explanation.
I think this is more about having a reminder of your grandmother than the dishes. The dishes are the physical embodiment of a memory of a person, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. My suggestion is to get a plate mount for a wall and place your favorite piece on the wall somewhere in the home you frequent. It will become a reminder of the person and respect to them without being clutter and it’s use can now be wall art.
this sounds like a well thought out and valid reason to keep and item. you know the truth better than anyone else if an item brings you joy. no need to explain why you kept them.
@@olivemaycards 2️⃣nd this. These have meaning, they had a purpose, so give them purpose now. so use them for yourself. Enjoy them every day. As they wear and break, so it is. When there are just a few left-- keep those and give them center stage. Life is for living. Now they will have a cherished purpose in your life :)
Just in case items. When March 2020 hit and the virus was just getting started made me cling to everything. Now even today I am struggling because that panic is still in my head. Things are a lot more back to normal for my family but that uncertainty holds me from getting rid of things.
Quite Buddhist. To each their own. Well, I am really happy for people who find more peace and clarity with all this decluttering enthusiasm. Maybe I'm heading there myself though still fighting against the idea.
I have stopped buying stuff for me basically altogether. But. I don't see a big point in frantically getting rid of the things I own.
A. Likely the things don't mean as much to anyone else. (If it looks like they do, I'm happy selling and donating.)
B. Repurposing and revamping things is really fun.
C. In a way I feel people are betraying themselves if they either just give up on fantasizing or then (another angle) just get rid of the fantasy items with a mind set "out of sight, out of mind". I think it's OK that people are reminded of their past thoughts and learn to smile to them. Maybe it keeps the future fantasies lesser too.
This video is great anyway! Good argumenting and what a pleasant voice!
My advice for the just in case items: Put all of them in a bin in your basement or attic and leave the for 6 months to a year. Everything you didn't take out during this period is going to the trash or is donated or sold if possible.
I grew up in poverty and I'm certainly not rich now...so even though I know it's illogical to let go of things I don't need, it still makes me feel panicky.
Your smile is the 80% of your outfit 😁 You just need that grey shirt...
Wow, i feel so busted and exposed! Oh My gosh! Fantasy self, past connections, just in case, sentimental ,WOW, you got me on so many things! Ouch, but i needed to hear it. 😮❤
I just found this guy & he's TERRIFIC! Awesome content & FABULOUS delivery! Wondering why he doesn't have a million subs? Love & blessings from N.C.
I appreciate your love Teresa! Thank you so much!! This community is growing every day and I’m happy you decided to join. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
@@RonaldLBanks You Sir are the absolute best that I've seen about minimalism, finances & even deep soul searching self- enlightenment! Truth & hope shine from what you are doing! You are a GIFT to this world... Especially during these uncertain times! May GOD bless ALL that you do!
The fantasy self point does resonate with me. There are so many items that are in my house that have never been used or barely used because there was a fantasy of having all these dinner parties that never occurred. It is really hard to let go of those things.
I will reduce my stuff from 276 to 200 this weekend. You reminded me of some helpful thoughts I had known and forgotten. Thank you and have a great weekend ❤️
I’ve been on this journey for 2 years now and I’m 64, and still removing, donating and giving stuff away. There’s a few thoughts that have spurred me on to make the decision that this task must be completed by the end of this year. The first aha thought was “how much longer am I going to spend on clearing out stuff”, the longer I eek the process out, the longer it’s going to take to know me! All the stuff creates a vail over us, maybe because something happened in the past which we don’t want to deal with. And secondly life is for living and until you clear the mental head space you can’t move on, so give yourself a deadline, clear out the past and create a new you, one you are more comfortable with.
This video is tearing me apart. In a good way. Almost like destroy to rebuild your true self. 6 mins in and I’m ready! Whoa 🤯 Thanks
That’s exactly it! I’m very happy this resonated with you and has you motivated to start your journey! If you ever have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m here to help!
Love the fact that you wear saucony. So underrated!
Hi Ronald …. I recent found your channel and I’m really enjoying it. I’m an avid follower of minimalists and have achieved a much more pared down look for my home and wardrobe.
Your point about organising really resonated with me. I do tend to spend a lot of time organising and then reorganising and buying new containers. The look I like the most is simple with clear spaces and I hadn’t actually realised that I need to stop organising and only keep those things I truly love or need. Thank you
I’m all for it! I tend to declutter fine, but then I want to buy more. So I’m working on that. Mine was because I’d felt like I’d finally “made” it. Like I finally can afford it.
That idea about gifts is awesome. So helpful.
Happy this is helping you Lizzie! Keep growing on your journey!
Organized clutter is still clutter. I've had to realize this over the years. I've organized everything, but still looking for where certain things are. I am over it. I've been slowly decluttering for 2 years, but have been making significant progress this year. It's tough decluttering, when you live with someone who isn't on that journey with you yet. I'm trying though.
I have a video I did all about how to live with a non-minimalist. Here is a link is case you haven’t seen it. Some valuable information that may help you out in your situation: czcams.com/video/DdBhVFGJhiI/video.html
@@RonaldLBanks Yes, I watched this previously, but will give it a watch again. Tough journey, but WE WILL GET THERE! Thanks! 😊
Oh my gosh you said Tetris - I have been named the Queen of Tetris by friends who call on me to organize and fit more into a given space than anyone else can and still have it be organized and "findable" like a room or storage unit or car or moving truck. LOVE that you said "Carefully organized clutter is still clutter. It doesn't matter how creative you get or how good you are at playing Tetris and making a whole lot of stuff fit in a small space. If you don't need or use it, it's clutter." My life has been about that and it no longer is. Still have the skills but not the need! Excellent!
reason 9: the climate you live in.
I live in central Europe. It does not happen often, but it can get - 10 °C and below. And I need clothes to keep me warm when this happens. Likewise, it can get hotter than 40 °C and I need to take precautions if this happens. Both scenarios are so seldomly reality, some winters I don't wear my giant coat once. But I don't know when the next extreme weather phenomanon will come. They usually last a few days maximum and then I don't need my giant coat for. the next 3 years. But I rather have it than get sick because I wasn't properly dressed for the season.
Donating and decluttering while I'm listening to this video. Thank you for the inspirations!
I rarely click on the Like button because I'm selective of what gets saved on my list of Liked videos (i.e. videos I may want to watch again). This one definitely earned a spot on my list. Hello from a new subscriber.
It’s been so hard for me to let go as I grew up poor. With very little. Now I realize I need to let go to ensure I’m happy because all the stuff does is stress me out.
Ronald, thank you for this video. It's so difficult to tap into the thoughts and patterns that define our behavior.
It definitely is, but when we do crack that code the result is amazing. Keep growing and learning on your journey my friend!
You made me starting today to declutter myself and especially many (if not most) of my items.
I subbed and activated the bell for future videos - after I watched 10 videos straight of you. But this one here made me start to be (at least in the beginning) more minimalist.
Thanks Ronald!
But it's still hard to declutter old stuff though. I might need some time, but I can do it! I hope.
You can definitely do it Thomas. Don’t worry so much about how long it takes, but rather enjoy the process and learn what you can as you do let go.
Also, welcome to the community. I’m glad you decided to subscribe. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
@@RonaldLBanks Thanks! I will try my best. I might get the first big step done during the coming weekend. I might give an update if you are interested. :)
Funny this comes in my feed. I was just saying today less is more. And I need to declutter Even more than what I've done over the past year.
I can't express enough gratitude. Been looking for you!! Glad I didn’t give up.
I find the best way to get rid of sentimental items is to take a picture, and send it to a cloud service like Amazon photos. The picture will pop up from time to time in your "on this day" feed. You may even see it more often and have a nice moment with that memory than if the object is still squirreled away in storage.
I’ve cut my items in half a few times in the last 20 years. I’ve had friends and relatives ask if they could have dibs on items IF I didn’t want them.
As a hairstylist 40 years, I have heard first hand ‘gift guilt’.
I’m physically disabled now and have watched my apartment fill up again and it’s driving me crazy. I can’t reach over my head anymore so I hired a house cleaner to help me move all items lower. I guess I could rent out my to the ceiling kitchen cabinets for storage!
I agree that everyone has tendencies to hold on to things that we don't use and will never use for a variety of reasons you mentioned. BUT. For me there is an additional complicating factor that I don't see being talked about. I've had experiences that have "vindicated" my hoarding tendencies. I've held onto things "just in case", and then one day the perfect reason rolled around that made me say "See, THIS is why I held onto this". I've had instances where I finally achieved aspects of my fantasy self. I held onto something, and one day I became the person that used it and felt proud that I stuck it out. The problem is I realize these "vindicating" experiences are very few and far in between. But the experiences where that did happen definitely make it extra hard for me to try to get rid of things.
I love how relatable you are! You have a very well-spoken and non-judgmental way of explaining things. All of these reasons hit home for me! Thank you for this amazing video!
In one word: sentimentality! This was really helpful! Thank you❣
A year after first watching this video I tried searching for it again based on something I remember hearing and it was the “Fantasy Self” issue. Such a relatable and helpful realization 👍🏼
I've been decluttering for so long that I don't find much great info that's useful for me at this point. This was fantastic. I took lots of notes and can use this not only with my life coaching clients but with my decluttering clients as well. Less clutter. More freedom.
Wow! Fantastic video. You're really an amazing speaker and this was very inspirational. I'm going to revisit these points over the weekend while I clean house! Thank you!
Thank you so much! I’m really happy this resonated with you Jesse! Keep growing on your journey!! 🙌🏾
The insights that I am getting from your video's have hit the mark again. Thank you for posting these videos.
You’re very welcome Tammy! I’m glad this is helping you. If you have any questions please reach out!
You are such a Blessing! Mine problem is the just in case mindset. I'm getting better and am still working on it. Ronald it's so very hard but making progress.
really loved that Fantasy Self, it's sooo true and the root of many unnecessary purchases. For me it's = Ego. Accept yourself and you'll accept owning much much less stuff ;)
Was just keeping a 'just in case' item when you said it. Made me think. Thanks!
Fantasy self....ouch! Makes me think in a new way! Thanks!!
That’s goal! To challenge the way you think so you can change the way you live. I’m glad this resonated with you Sallie!
Awesome video man. Agree with the points entirely. I've struggled and still do but I'm getting there. Especially with stuff I had bought but not used or not used much. I felt like I should keep it as I had spent money on them. Thanks for the advice!
you just blew my mind and gave me the answer for the situation that I have been overwhelmed by, it's not about organizing first, it's about purging first, really purging. omg THANK YOU. I feel like I kept hitting this truth here and there but it didn't hit home for me until you explained it the way you did.
I love that this resonated with you! Im excited for you! If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask! Keep growing on your journey my friend!
I'm struggling for 2 reasons. 1) I refuse to accept that I will never be the size I once was in my 20s... I keep hoping that one day I will regain my small frame 2) the money I spent on it. It's easy to get rid of the cheap stuff but when I spent good money on it I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.
your videos get recommended to me on occasion and even if the title stands out, I always find myself avoiding it anyway. it's like I know that I need a reality check but I am afraid to confront it just yet, so I won't watch the videos. I watched this video and it's amazing. as it turns out, it is exactly the reality check I was dreading but it feels good to get real. I've loaded up my queue with more of your videos. you're a class act, Ronald Banks!
Really enjoyed your video ...one of the best I've seen on the psyche behind the clutter 🥰
Thanks for sharing these ideas Ron. Always love hearing what you have to say! I struggle most with feeling like I MIGHT use something in the future. Usually it's something I just kind of like now, but once loved. Usually a home decor piece or an item of clothing. These are the two most difficult categories for me to declutter, and the things that I am most tempted to purchase! I appreciate you sharing!😊💗
I recently started decluttering and have two bin bags full and I'm still in the process. However there were some items I put aside not to give, but having listened to your video I realise they fall into fantasy self, guilt, or "just in case" or better organisation. I'm glad I listened to this video because I'm now more determined to revisit those items and get rid of those too
Edit: in the end I went full on and had over 20 full bin bags of stuff that I got rid of and my wardrobe and clothing area still looks full 😲😅 planning a round 2
Great points Ron. My husband is the one who struggles with some day items and sentimental items. Although he is starting to let go.
These were great points. Loved the video and the calm vibe. ✨
What an awesome low-budget way to support lots of tomatoes. Thanks for sharing. 🍅
Ty for this! Very helpful! 💕 Fantasy self is in so many areas! My clothes, kitchen stuff, art stuff, yard/garden stuff, books & more. Wow… the decluttering journey continues.
The best talk about minimalism I’ve heard. Every point makes sense, and most hit home hard. Great job.
Thank you Terry! I’m glad you enjoyed this!