I'm now a seasoned, experienced declutterer and I think your last point is indeed the most important: there are no actual rules! Declutter when you want, how you want and where you want. You are the boss of your stuff! (At least that's the goal😅).
So funny about the tools! My husband is not as much of a handy man as I am (he's a programmer), so most of "our" tools are actually mine. In fact, he gave me an amazing power drill for Valentine's one year because he knew how much I wanted one, more than jewelry, chocolate, or flowers lol Just shows everyone is different, and I'm glad you take those negative comments in stride!
lol 😂 I’m with you! I’m trying hard to not be paralyzed about recycling EVERYTHING and be ok with just tossing such things. It’s a struggle but today I was able to toss things- missing game pieces, random papers, etc. 😮💨 Practicing my “throw it out” muscles 💪🏼 🗑️
I don’t share my minimalism with to many people but our house has been simplified for years. I’m still decluttering my emotional items and I finally got rid of my stuffed animal dog from when I was a baby. It was rough but I’m glad I did it. I’m 54 yrs old. I still have a few things left to declutter that are sentimental.
#10 on your list, don't rush, take your time. It's funny, I have a pair of stretchy black pants that are so worn out, about 20 years old. I rarely wear them because when I do, I look like I'm wearing old, faded, worn out pants. I say to myself "get rid of these pants". Then I put them in the wash and hang them up and wear them again after months, and go through the same routine. Today I will put those pants into my declutter bag. (and not pull them out) Love MOM
Hi Kathy! You have done a very good job decluttering, I enjoy watching you and Shanon so much, you inspire me to not become a hoarder. I wish you and your family happy holidays 🎄
You have inspired me so much, Kathy! Thank you for joining Shannon on occasion. It’s a different task for our generation. SO overwhelming! Your initial struggles to let go and then the way you have actually embraced decluttering are a great example for me and so many others! Much appreciated. You are so brave!!
@@marthavanderpool6829 Thank you! It's much easier to declutter now, but, sometimes it's still hard to let go of things. I will think of certain things for over a year or more before actually clearing it out. Then, I never regret it or miss it. Happy Holidays!
I got rid of a ton of Christmas decor in Sept. so it was so easy to decorate this year. AND, my home looks as festive as it ever did! We did downsize to a much smaller tree this year. We’re in our 70’s so it’s much easier to handle. Love you❤️🎁🎄
I followed your suggestions and when I decorated for Christmas last year, I also declutterred. Everything was already out to do this project. How nice it was this year to take the Christmas decor out and all was everything I use. 😊 Thanks
One thing to do while decluttering is to stage any bins or baskets you find to use for organizing. Don't go shopping yet. When you need a bin or basket shop from your house first.
Its an ongoing process that needs to be repeated to maintain I go through my home twice a year and have year-round donation bins I'm always shocked at how much sneaks in I love your content Thank you!!!
Shannon you nailed it today. I have the week to myself and started pulling things out of closets and cupboards in every room room after buying storage bins before decluttering. I’ve made every mistake on your list. Now my house is a mess and I’ve overwhelmed myself…. What a mess. Lol
Shannon, this is such good advice. I'm fairly certain I have made almost all of these mistakes. I learned early on to declutter slowly. When I finish with a drawer, a closet or a cupboard, I allow myself time to appreciate and enjoy each newly decluttered space. It truly is rewarding, and life seems to get easier.
Thanks for your help.I have been de-cluttering one drawer/shelf/cupboard/item type at a time. I then put the items for gifting in a box OUTSIDE my front door, where it is moved to the car, then to the recycling or op shop
#1. This weekend I've worked on all decluttering and hit a lot of areas. I think I did great even though I may have been a little scattered. I wanted to grab easy stuff wherever I saw it. Every drawer, closet and cabinet.
First I decluddered my main closet. Then a storage chest of purses, then pillows and blankets, then dressers, then mismatched items like clothes and underwear. Finally I am now going through all my thousands of pictures from my grandparents, parents and my immediate family. That will be the hardest for me.😊
The two most common mistakes I make are jumping from spot to spot (not staying focused) and procrastinating. I got a lot of decluttering and organizing done in 2024 but there's still more to do. I'm going to try and make some more progress in 2025. Thanks for more inspiration! Have a great week! 🎄🎄
I just moved back into our home today after being in various airbnbs for 6 weeks. There was a fire in the upstairs apartment we got alot of water damage. I feel so overwhelmed with clutter it's making me shut down. I considered myself a minimalist.
One item a day decluttering was a great way for me to get out of a decluttering slump. I did it consistently for about a year. One item, one decision and I was done for the day. This method helped me to build and strengthen my decluttering habit. My mistake: In the beginning I thought I had to declutter exactly the way someone on TH-cam said to declutter. So I felt like what I was doing was wrong. I now know it's MY journey, MY home. Thanks for the video. You offer tips and advice, but no set-in-stone rules.
I watch your videos because they validate my feelings about decluttering. Funny tho, my husband, the packrat, started watching with me, and now HE is decluttering! Thank you!
All great tips. Clearing the phone, photos and numbers no longer needed are good ones. The last new phone I purchased, I took the time to group numbers for easier retrieval. Example; All friends are under F - their name, relatives are under R - their name, home maintenance, AC, plumber, etc are under H - their name, doctors are under M - their name. It makes finding a number easy and not have to remember what name I connected to them.
Lots of Christmas 🎄 decor didn’t make the cut this year at my house either. I find I enjoy the holiday decorations so much more when we put out so much less. It’s just easier and no longer a chore like it was in the past.
@Toni-747 If you can declutter the Christmas stuff you're not using before Christmas so others who don't have much could buy them or get them from a Buy Nothing group.
I am declutterring my large home as my husband passed away and I’m selling and downsizing which is fine but my problem is getting rid of the items to charity, I’m in England and the charity shops are much smaller here and quite often they are always full and can’t take the donations.
Hey Shannon, these are some great decluttering tips! Yes, there are no rules! We all have to do what we can that fits with our schedule and lifestyle! Thanks for sharing!💖
I’ve been holding on to some of my daughter’s sports Tshirts from HS. I let them go this weekend by giving them to my daughter-in-law to give to her mom who still teaches in the school district where the shirts are from. I know the schools need shirts & pants when students have “accidents.”
My husband and I are decluttering our things. Some I have given to family and friends. Other things I have given to thrift stores. Plus we threw away things too.
I realize I have been following you a long time, I remember all the past videos, I remember actually I asked my husband to watch your husband declutter his closet,about a month afterward we decluttered his…
So glad that you mentioned that because I was thinking the same thing I’m like overwhelming myself and thinking all I gotta do this. I gotta do this. I gotta do that so you’re right. I’m glad that you’re talking about this. Thank you very
My biggest mistake was trying to get completely decluttered before starting to buy bins. Sterilite doesn't change their molds frequently, the 6-quart run about $2 a piece, and the stack of empties doesn't takes up less room than two boxes unless there are an excessive amount. Banker's boxes can stand-in for roughly that size of tote. I did haul-off and buy nine large/cheap totes from the hardware store without knowing how many I'd use, but that should work itself out.
Hello, Yes! I actually filmed a Christmas decor video about how I am making our home cozy this season, and I am going to start working on that today. I am excited to share that because I love making our home feel cozy and warm. I hope you are having a nice weekend. =)
What I now struggle with is Tupperware, I use to sell it and over the yrs I accumulated a few expensive pieces that I haven’t used in yrs but a fearful to get rid of. Mainly because Tupperware in Australia is no more and if I get rid of it and want it again, it will cost more to buy it back. I hate being stuck between a rock and a hard place🥺
Great video. All practical and sound tips! I agree, don’t do too much at one time. Or try Dana K White’s Decluttering at The Speed of Life no mess method. It really works.
After reading book titled The Elite Society's Money Manifestation, I finally understood why so many people struggle with money. It reveals stuff that most people don’t even know about how money really works. Has anyone else read it?
There were a few instances where I decluttered too much - threw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. I can't get these items back because they're not produced anymore and there are no alternatives available to replace them. It still bugs me now and then but that's life :P But all in all there were no major mistakes, luckily, and I've been at the maintaining stage for quite a while. One of my new year's resolutions will be to make less bad buys, since for whatever reason I'm still somewhat prone to these, even though at this point I'm almost overthinking every new purchase ^^;
Thank you for sharing your decluttering experience with us! I agree it can be so hard to get decluttering 100% right. Sometimes, we hold onto things for way too long and there is that rare occasion when we declutter something that we find out we need.
I just wanna say that everything you said here is wrong. 😂 Just kidding. If only you thought the same way as those super smart commenters. Lol! People are seriously uptight.
I would have liked someone to put a list of the "mistakes" into the comments so I wouldn't have had to listen to her choppy speaking. Still, I appreciated the information she gave us.
The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/shannontorrens12241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare!
I'm now a seasoned, experienced declutterer and I think your last point is indeed the most important: there are no actual rules! Declutter when you want, how you want and where you want. You are the boss of your stuff! (At least that's the goal😅).
So funny about the tools! My husband is not as much of a handy man as I am (he's a programmer), so most of "our" tools are actually mine. In fact, he gave me an amazing power drill for Valentine's one year because he knew how much I wanted one, more than jewelry, chocolate, or flowers lol
Just shows everyone is different, and I'm glad you take those negative comments in stride!
I'm succeeding. I threw away 1 thing today. Should be done in 200 yrs 😁
😂
Keep up the good work!😜
Haha! It's an ongoing process. =)
Great job! 😉 I reversed some of my recent decluttering by buying more holiday decor than I had planned. I love it so it's hard to resist.
lol 😂 I’m with you! I’m trying hard to not be paralyzed about recycling EVERYTHING and be ok with just tossing such things.
It’s a struggle but today I was able to toss things- missing game pieces, random papers, etc. 😮💨 Practicing my “throw it out” muscles 💪🏼 🗑️
I don’t share my minimalism with to many people but our house has been simplified for years. I’m still decluttering my emotional items and I finally got rid of my stuffed animal dog from when I was a baby. It was rough but I’m glad I did it. I’m 54 yrs old. I still have a few things left to declutter that are sentimental.
#10 on your list, don't rush, take your time. It's funny, I have a pair of stretchy black pants that are so worn out, about 20 years old. I rarely wear them because when I do, I look like I'm wearing old, faded, worn out pants. I say to myself "get rid of these pants". Then I put them in the wash and hang them up and wear them again after months, and go through the same routine. Today I will put those pants into my declutter bag. (and not pull them out) Love MOM
Hi Kathy! You have done a very good job decluttering, I enjoy watching you and Shanon so much, you inspire me to not become a hoarder. I wish you and your family happy holidays 🎄
You have inspired me so much, Kathy! Thank you for joining Shannon on occasion. It’s a different task for our generation. SO overwhelming! Your initial struggles to let go and then the way you have actually embraced decluttering are a great example for me and so many others! Much appreciated. You are so brave!!
Haha I know how that goes. I find more things to declutter every time I revisit an area that has already been decluttered. It's an ongoing process. =)
@@elizabethsingh2740 Thank you, happy holidays!
@@marthavanderpool6829 Thank you! It's much easier to declutter now, but, sometimes it's still hard to let go of things. I will think of certain things for over a year or more before actually clearing it out. Then, I never regret it or miss it. Happy Holidays!
I got rid of a ton of Christmas decor in Sept. so it was so easy to decorate this year. AND, my home looks as festive as it ever did! We did downsize to a much smaller tree this year. We’re in our 70’s so it’s much easier to handle. Love you❤️🎁🎄
I followed your suggestions and when I decorated for Christmas last year, I also declutterred.
Everything was already out to do this project.
How nice it was this year to take the Christmas decor out and all was everything I use. 😊 Thanks
One thing to do while decluttering is to stage any bins or baskets you find to use for organizing. Don't go shopping yet. When you need a bin or basket shop from your house first.
I love that idea! That is a great tip for making the most of your home.
I did a declutterring marathon yesterday. Took 6 hours. Satisfied so far.
Wow! You must have accomplished a lot!
Its an ongoing process that needs to be repeated to maintain
I go through my home twice a year and have year-round donation bins
I'm always shocked at how much sneaks in
I love your content
Thank you!!!
Shannon you nailed it today. I have the week to myself and started pulling things out of closets and cupboards in every room room after buying storage bins before decluttering. I’ve made every mistake on your list. Now my house is a mess and I’ve overwhelmed myself…. What a mess. Lol
Oh no, this is exactly what I did when I first started. I am sure you will get it under control soon. =) I hope you have a nice weekend.
Snuki- I've done that too. You can do it. Small wins! Good luck! 🍀🍀🍀
You can take pictures of sentimental items and make a small memory book.
Only keep the things you need, use, and love. I love Sundays with Shannon! 😊
That is the best way to declutter!
Shannon, this is such good advice. I'm fairly certain I have made almost all of these mistakes. I learned early on to declutter slowly. When I finish with a drawer, a closet or a cupboard, I allow myself time to appreciate and enjoy each newly decluttered space. It truly is rewarding, and life seems to get easier.
Thank you for the little reminders. I cleared off my side table by the couch while you was talking!
That's wonderful, it's so satisfying to clear things off!
Thanks for your help.I have been de-cluttering one drawer/shelf/cupboard/item type at a time. I then put the items for gifting in a box OUTSIDE my front door, where it is moved to the car, then to the recycling or op shop
#1. This weekend I've worked on all decluttering and hit a lot of areas. I think I did great even though I may have been a little scattered. I wanted to grab easy stuff wherever I saw it. Every drawer, closet and cabinet.
First I decluddered my main closet. Then a storage chest of purses, then pillows and blankets, then dressers, then mismatched items like clothes and underwear. Finally I am now going through all my thousands of pictures from my grandparents, parents and my immediate family. That will be the hardest for me.😊
It sounds like you are doing amazing!!! I hope you are having a nice weekend.
The two most common mistakes I make are jumping from spot to spot (not staying focused) and procrastinating. I got a lot of decluttering and organizing done in 2024 but there's still more to do. I'm going to try and make some more progress in 2025. Thanks for more inspiration! Have a great week! 🎄🎄
It sounds like you are off to a great start! Good luck with your decluttering this year!
@@shannontorrens1 Thanks!
I just moved back into our home today after being in various airbnbs for 6 weeks. There was a fire in the upstairs apartment we got alot of water damage. I feel so overwhelmed with clutter it's making me shut down. I considered myself a minimalist.
Oh no, I am so sorry that happened to your home. I am thinking of you. ❤
One item a day decluttering was a great way for me to get out of a decluttering slump. I did it consistently for about a year. One item, one decision and I was done for the day. This method helped me to build and strengthen my decluttering habit. My mistake: In the beginning I thought I had to declutter exactly the way someone on TH-cam said to declutter. So I felt like what I was doing was wrong. I now know it's MY journey, MY home. Thanks for the video. You offer tips and advice, but no set-in-stone rules.
That's a great idea! It can't fail to work.
It is great that you found a decluttering method that works for you!
4:52 oh my gosh do you still have that my child doll?!! I loved this dolls growing up and my mom only got my older sister one 😂
I watch your videos because they validate my feelings about decluttering. Funny tho, my husband, the packrat, started watching with me, and now HE is decluttering! Thank you!
That's so great! I love hearing stories like that.
Woohoo! That's a win!!
All great tips. Clearing the phone, photos and numbers no longer needed are good ones. The last new phone I purchased, I took the time to group numbers for easier retrieval. Example; All friends are under F - their name, relatives are under R - their name, home maintenance, AC, plumber, etc are under H - their name, doctors are under M - their name. It makes finding a number easy and not have to remember what name I connected to them.
Hi Shannon! Just doing daily decluttering now & a deep dive after the holidays! Some Christmas decor won't make the cut!❤🎄
Lots of Christmas 🎄 decor didn’t make the cut this year at my house either. I find I enjoy the holiday decorations so much more when we put out so much less. It’s just easier and no longer a chore like it was in the past.
That is great! I think decluttering is a great New Year's Resolution! I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
@Toni-747 If you can declutter the Christmas stuff you're not using before Christmas so others who don't have much could buy them or get them from a Buy Nothing group.
@intherockies thank you! I will do that!
I am declutterring my large home as my husband passed away and I’m selling and downsizing which is fine but my problem is getting rid of the items to charity, I’m in England and the charity shops are much smaller here and quite often they are always full and can’t take the donations.
Hey Shannon, these are some great decluttering tips! Yes, there are no rules! We all have to do what we can that fits with our schedule and lifestyle! Thanks for sharing!💖
It is all about finding what works for you!
I’ve been holding on to some of my daughter’s sports Tshirts from HS. I let them go this weekend by giving them to my daughter-in-law to give to her mom who still teaches in the school district where the shirts are from. I know the schools need shirts & pants when students have “accidents.”
My husband and I are decluttering our things. Some I have given to family and friends. Other things I have given to thrift stores. Plus we threw away things too.
Love the “no rules” to declutterring advice 🙏🏼- less pressure! I’ve been on the struggle bus of decluttering for YEARS 😅
It can definitely be a journey! =)
I realize I have been following you a long time, I remember all the past videos, I remember actually I asked my husband to watch your husband declutter his closet,about a month afterward we decluttered his…
That's wonderful! I just told my husband that I think it's time we look through his drawers again. =)
Fantastic ideas thanks for sharing I appreciate it so much❤
Thanks for the ideas
So glad that you mentioned that because I was thinking the same thing I’m like overwhelming myself and thinking all I gotta do this. I gotta do this. I gotta do that so you’re right. I’m glad that you’re talking about this. Thank you very
Thank you Shannon for inspiration! Always helps me. Hope you have a wonderful week! ❤
Thank you! I hope you have a nice week too. =)
Setting a schedule, perhaps a day or two, per area, is effective and efficient 👍my husband and I love your videos. Thanks a lot, Shannon! 😊
You always have great tips!
I enjoyed watching all of your different hairstyles in this video.
Haha! I have had so many different hairstyles throughout the years. Long, short, bangs, no bangs, curly, straight LOL.
My biggest mistake was trying to get completely decluttered before starting to buy bins. Sterilite doesn't change their molds frequently, the 6-quart run about $2 a piece, and the stack of empties doesn't takes up less room than two boxes unless there are an excessive amount.
Banker's boxes can stand-in for roughly that size of tote. I did haul-off and buy nine large/cheap totes from the hardware store without knowing how many I'd use, but that should work itself out.
Happy holidays Shannon to you and your family 🎄🎄
Happy holidays!
10 great suggestions!❤
I hope they are helpful! Have a nice weekend. =)
Great video.
I will do a declutter after new year. Thanks for the tips.
Take care❤
Yay! I hope they help. =)
Omg you have my drowsy doll!!! I saw her in your box! that I am not getting rid of!!!lol my fav doll as a child 😂
My wedding bouquet was mostly silk flowers (allergies) and 28 years later I still have it somewhere 😮
Very well said! ❤
Love your channel!
Thank you for being here =) I hope you have a nice weekend!
Another great video Shannon ❤
Are you going to have a Christmas decor video?
Love your channel Shannon ❤
Hello, Yes! I actually filmed a Christmas decor video about how I am making our home cozy this season, and I am going to start working on that today. I am excited to share that because I love making our home feel cozy and warm. I hope you are having a nice weekend. =)
Thank you for the helpful tips!
I hope they help you on your decluttering journey!
I did the same with my wedding bouquet and I decluttered it because I have a big frame with my husband and the bouquet ☺️.
What I now struggle with is Tupperware, I use to sell it and over the yrs I accumulated a few expensive pieces that I haven’t used in yrs but a fearful to get rid of. Mainly because Tupperware in Australia is no more and if I get rid of it and want it again, it will cost more to buy it back.
I hate being stuck between a rock and a hard place🥺
Great ideas.
Thanks for watching!
Your updo at 13:15 was so beautiful!
Oh Thank you!
Great video. All practical and sound tips!
I agree, don’t do too much at one time. Or try Dana K White’s Decluttering at The Speed of Life no mess method. It really works.
Great tips!
After reading book titled The Elite Society's Money Manifestation, I finally understood why so many people struggle with money. It reveals stuff that most people don’t even know about how money really works. Has anyone else read it?
I will look for it. Thanks for the info.
I had to watch on mute today so thank you for listing out all the rules and including clips to keep it visually interesting.
Thank you for watching =) ❤
Will do
There were a few instances where I decluttered too much - threw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. I can't get these items back because they're not produced anymore and there are no alternatives available to replace them. It still bugs me now and then but that's life :P
But all in all there were no major mistakes, luckily, and I've been at the maintaining stage for quite a while.
One of my new year's resolutions will be to make less bad buys, since for whatever reason I'm still somewhat prone to these, even though at this point I'm almost overthinking every new purchase ^^;
Thank you for sharing your decluttering experience with us! I agree it can be so hard to get decluttering 100% right. Sometimes, we hold onto things for way too long and there is that rare occasion when we declutter something that we find out we need.
Shannon, such a pretty green top or dress! Where do you find such pretty, feminine things? Thank you!
Thank you! I actually found that on Amazon of all places. =)
I love to declutter but my husband doesn’t! It’s so hard to get rid of stuff with him! 🤣
I have my own toolbox. Don’t like my husbands messy, greasy stuff. A girl needs her own tools!🛠
A fine example by your toolbox critics of…… assuming making an a$$ out of those viewers…..!!
Decluttering to slow for wouldn’t work for me cause I would never see progress.
Different strokes for different folks.
I just wanna say that everything you said here is wrong.
😂 Just kidding.
If only you thought the same way as those super smart commenters. Lol!
People are seriously uptight.
Haha! I appreciate your good sense of humor. =)
I would have liked someone to put a list of the "mistakes" into the comments so I wouldn't have had to listen to her choppy speaking. Still, I appreciated the information she gave us.
I said I have a free printable that you can download so you don't have to "listen to her choppy speaking" Seriously... Why watch LOL.