Exactly. So many people are dead set on wearing clothes in their usual size. I have shirts and pants and dresses and sweaters in so many different sizes because I go thrift shopping and when you’re shopping at a thrift store it isn’t the size in the tag that matters. What matters is whether or not it fits, it looks good on MY body, and it feels good to wear.
Thank you to all those who shared where they are in their decluttering journey in order to help us all. We all have at least one, two, or three of these challenges (or more...I’m raising my hand🤚🙋♀️🤦♀️😁). It really helps to know you are not alone and to hear problem solving strategies are helping others. Best of luck to us all on our journey!
Ronald I love your kind approach when giving advice. This type of video is such a good idea and you offered some great solution’s. I am glad you will be doing more of them as they will really help people. Here are few more tips for Pamela that work: 1. Hanging like clothing with like (e.g. jeans and trousers together. 2. Hanging the bulkiest and longest items like coats and long dresses or suits at the end furthest away from the door, that way you don’t feel swamped or claustrophobic as you walk in to your closet. 3. If you use a wardrobe, hang long clothing to the outer left and right sides so the clothes you first look at when you open the doors are the shorter items, that gives the illusion of space. 4. Paring items together in colour order e.g. all the pink shirts, then all the blue etc. creating visual conformity. 6. Pack away bulky hoodies and sweaters into flat pack bags in spring/summer to make more space for items you are more likely to use. 7. Keep shoes in a separate shoe organiser so it creates a boundary (so shoes are not strewn all over the floor area) and a natural limit as to how many you can fit into the space. 8. Only keep clothing that fits in the moment (you could have one extra storage organiser for sentimental items you don’t wear but you want to keep e.g. your wedding dress). 9. For items that don’t fit now, but you feel you may fit into later, set a limit on number you keep and a time limit for how long you will keep them before checking back (if they still don’t fit in say three months then donate them). I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and other commenters.
Such good ideas! I think another great tip for decluttering is that if you come across something that you forgot you even had, automatically declutter it. You likely haven’t used it in quite a while and it’s not worth the space it takes, books, clothing, anything.
I've been downsizing my book collection, and I've gotten rid of at least 20 cartons of books. The criterion I used when choosing what to save was whether the book could be easily borrowed from the library or inexpensively replaced at a used bookstore or online. My books are mostly nonfiction and used for reference, but I know which ones I use most because they are the least dusty!
Great idea! I too like to read and had books before I decluttered. I decided to start a book journal instead. As I'm reading a book, any points that strike a chord with me get the corner of the page turned down. When I finish the book, I then write the title and make notes off the turned down pages and write them in the journal. This way, I can go back over what I've read and what I liked about the book(s). Yes, this means I do have a small box of book journals but that takes up way less space than a bookcase full of books.
This is a great idea! I’ve also seen this done digitally in a note taking software like Notion or Evernote, and then those notes become searchable and easier to find. You’re absolutely right though. It takes up way less space than a bookcase filled with books!
I do the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter clothing rotation. Every time I get my next seasons clothes out and put the others away, it feels like I have a whole, new wardrobe! And I feel like I'm greeting an old friend :) It really makes a difference and I feel like I treat my clothing better because of it. Blessings!
i like how you remind to respect people in the comments as they share their real life, thank you Pamela for sharing for inspiring others too :) and congrats for your journey :)
Oh my gosh! Even though I've been decluttering for some time now, I ASPIRE to be like Pamela in terms of books! 😩😩😩 I really enjoyed this viewer video. Thanks, Ron!
Glad this video found me. Thanks for walking in your journey of helping others in this way. The recommendations you offered the lucky clients helped me think about how to approach decluttering. I specifically learned that storage is not for display!
You said something to her that I know I’ve heard you say many times before but they really struck me this time. Thank you for adding this type of video - to you and the followers who shared.
One thing I found about paring down my clothes to just the things I love to wear is that I am so happy to get dressed each day. I limited items that are "out" for use to three of each major type - 3 heavy shirts, prs of pants, sweaters, dresses, etc. Some extras are packed in one bin at the top of my closet along with out of season items in a second bin. I will use the extras when things need replacing. It's a bow to limited budget and feels good because the extras are also only items I love wearing.
Books: Can't remember where I heard it or read it, but most studies show that if you don't read a new book within a certain amount of time, you never will. You had an interest in the story/topic, but once that interest fades, it usually does not come back strong enough to get you to pick up a book. If the books that you have are age-appropriate, give your extras to a teacher. Most ELA teachers have classroom libraries for students to borrow books between library visits. Consider eBooks for fiction. Non-fiction, in my opinion, requires paper for proper annotations, highlights, etc. Clothing: Capsule! Efficiency is key. Storage: Know someone who works at an office? Ask them to save a few of the printer paper boxes for you. You can use these to organize and store various items until you can upgrade to a better looking storage solution.
Great value add to this conversation Serafin! You hit the nail on the head about books and our interest fading over time if we don’t read them soon enough. This idea is true for anything “new” we buy. Thanks for this. Hope it helps someone reading through the comments!
I use curtains on bookcases to eliminate visual clutter. 1 is behind a Japanese blue curtain that is beautiful to look at. I do the same with my pantry rack.
For the books… I made three piles and sorted them; books I haven’t read, but really wanted to, books I read and love and will read again, and books I read and won’t read over and over. Then I donated all the later category and challenged myself to read two new books a month until my first pile was gone. And then I stopped buying new books for a year (I was doing a no buy year anyways), there are a ton of little free libraries in my neighbourhood, so whenever I felt the itch for a new book, I just went for a walk around the neighbourhood and found a new to me book, and then put them back when I was finished.
Fabulous video - one of the VERY best that I have seen/heard. Please continue. I have places but they are small and manageable. For minimalists, I found great ways to use the height in closets and cupboards so that my tiny kitchen is always ready. Keep it up - sooooo good!! Goals - those are what keep us going. Things in this world are so easy to access that if we need them we can get them so let the store, library, etc. manage them. That saves my time and energy for what I want to do!!
I just went through my books, too! I have a bit of a different dynamic, because I’m a homeschooling mom of 8, and our curriculum is literature based… so, I HAVE TO keep many of them. So, those I needed to keep, I digitalized. I donated the physical books and got the kindle or audible version! ❤ Just an idea that may help with the books you haven’t read but don’t have space for, or the books you LOVE and don’t have space for. 😊
Great video! 2nd comment here: Books: I enjoy the books I’m studying to be on my top shelf for a visual reminder I need to work through them. Clothing: Someone I knew kept her clothing from her husband as a priority. Good Marriage advise maybe. Love the Four categories for rooms.
I don't have a bookshelf yet but am making do with open shelving. To reduce the visual clutter, I've put my books into baskets placed on the shelves. It made things more uniform. I also categorised each basket - fiction, subject specific etc. :)
I’m happy I was able to help you Georgina! Would love to see how things come along as you start to work through your space! I’m here if you need additional help at all!
Awesome Tina! I would love to know how it all works out for you. Feel free to shoot me an email! Also you can watch the progress Pamela made with her book clutter here: th-cam.com/video/q_mjUcNZGBQ/w-d-xo.html
Your Space looks real calm....Nice. Books get or give them away. If you are really going to read them go check them out from the library (from the list you have made of these books).Clothes you will have to be hardcore here if you really want visual space. YES! donation bag always...
An additional question to determine whether you keep or donate a book: is it available as an e-book (Kindle, Kobo, iBook, etc.) and/or from your library? If it is, I have been able to let go of many physical books even ones that I have read many times and know I will read again.
Thank you for making this video, it was soo helpful to see other people's spaces and your advice was great! I'm currently a bit over my regular weight(I'm normally consistent) would you recommend putting my too tight clothing out of sight for the moment?
I have a hard time getting rid of the clothes because I don't know a GOOD place to donate them to and don't have ppl in my life who can use them. I'm an introvert and don't even want to drive into trying to sell them. It's difficult to quickly get rid of them, so they just sit in my closet. Any suggestions?
Depending on your location, try things like a local Buy Nothing Group where you can ‘gift’ things such as clothing to others in your local area. Another solution if you just want to just get rid of stuff quickly is get all the clothes, put them in a box, put them outside your home and write free on the box. You can post a post on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist (or something similar) that says free clothes with a pic and with an address in the description. Someone will come and get the box(es) and you never have to interact with them in person. If that doesn’t work, sometimes, you just got to let the stuff go. I know thrift stores are not ideal but sometimes for the sake of a peace of mind, just donate them to thrift stores. Make a promise that you’ll work to not get back into a position as you are now again and just let it go!
@@hobbytinkerer6736 I have put things out with a FREE sign on it. I once put out a chair with a free sign and it was taken in 5 minutes. Depending on the neighborhood, you can even find a goggle translation for the word, free.
👉 Submit Your Space: www.ronaldlbanks.com/conquermyclutter
Ohhhh, I am late to submit photo
for Pamela, you deserve clothes that fit you know, don't stress about the size
Exactly. So many people are dead set on wearing clothes in their usual size. I have shirts and pants and dresses and sweaters in so many different sizes because I go thrift shopping and when you’re shopping at a thrift store it isn’t the size in the tag that matters. What matters is whether or not it fits, it looks good on MY body, and it feels good to wear.
Really lovely of you to remind everyone of how vulnerable it makes people to show their space xx
Thank you to all those who shared where they are in their decluttering journey in order to help us all. We all have at least one, two, or three of these challenges (or more...I’m raising my hand🤚🙋♀️🤦♀️😁). It really helps to know you are not alone and to hear problem solving strategies are helping others. Best of luck to us all on our journey!
Ronald I love your kind approach when giving advice. This type of video is such a good idea and you offered some great solution’s. I am glad you will be doing more of them as they will really help people. Here are few more tips for Pamela that work:
1. Hanging like clothing with like (e.g. jeans and trousers together.
2. Hanging the bulkiest and longest items like coats and long dresses or suits at the end furthest away from the door, that way you don’t feel swamped or claustrophobic as you walk in to your closet.
3. If you use a wardrobe, hang long clothing to the outer left and right sides so the clothes you first look at when you open the doors are the shorter items, that gives the illusion of space.
4. Paring items together in
colour order e.g. all the pink shirts, then all the blue etc. creating visual conformity.
6. Pack away bulky hoodies and sweaters into flat pack bags in spring/summer to make more space for items you are more likely to use.
7. Keep shoes in a separate shoe organiser so it creates a boundary (so shoes are not strewn all over the floor area) and a natural limit as to how many you can fit into the space.
8. Only keep clothing that fits in the moment (you could have one extra storage organiser for sentimental items you don’t wear but you want to keep e.g. your wedding dress).
9. For items that don’t fit now, but you feel you may fit into later, set a limit on number you keep and a time limit for how long you will keep them before checking back (if they still don’t fit in say three months then donate them).
I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and other commenters.
Such good ideas! I think another great tip for decluttering is that if you come across something that you forgot you even had, automatically declutter it. You likely haven’t used it in quite a while and it’s not worth the space it takes, books, clothing, anything.
That's what I do. Great tip!
This is an excellent tip Crystal! This will cut down on a ton of unnecessary clutter we all have!
I love how you approached this video with kindness and patience. Looking forward to more!
I used a pair of curtains inserted into my bookshelf to conceal what was stored on the shelves.
I do the same.
I've been downsizing my book collection, and I've gotten rid of at least 20 cartons of books. The criterion I used when choosing what to save was whether the book could be easily borrowed from the library or inexpensively replaced at a used bookstore or online. My books are mostly nonfiction and used for reference, but I know which ones I use most because they are the least dusty!
Excellent video! This series is going to be very helpful to your audience. Well done.
Great idea! I too like to read and had books before I decluttered. I decided to start a book journal instead. As I'm reading a book, any points that strike a chord with me get the corner of the page turned down. When I finish the book, I then write the title and make notes off the turned down pages and write them in the journal. This way, I can go back over what I've read and what I liked about the book(s). Yes, this means I do have a small box of book journals but that takes up way less space than a bookcase full of books.
I do the same thing.
This is a great idea! I’ve also seen this done digitally in a note taking software like Notion or Evernote, and then those notes become searchable and easier to find. You’re absolutely right though. It takes up way less space than a bookcase filled with books!
I do the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter clothing rotation. Every time I get my next seasons clothes out and put the others away, it feels like I have a whole, new wardrobe! And I feel like I'm greeting an old friend :) It really makes a difference and I feel like I treat my clothing better because of it. Blessings!
Yes!! It almost feels like you’re shopping your own wardrobe every time you rotate it and pull the next seasons clothes out to place in your closet!
Really like the idea of this video and will be interesting if there will be a follow-up video to see how these people got on with your advice.
10:05 is gold. Love the message of exercising intent and purpose in what items we choose to take up space in our home. ❤
i like how you remind to respect people in the comments as they share their real life, thank you Pamela for sharing for inspiring others too :) and congrats for your journey :)
Oh my gosh! Even though I've been decluttering for some time now, I ASPIRE to be like Pamela in terms of books! 😩😩😩 I really enjoyed this viewer video. Thanks, Ron!
Glad this video found me. Thanks for walking in your journey of helping others in this way.
The recommendations you offered the lucky clients helped me think about how to approach decluttering.
I specifically learned that storage is not for display!
You said something to her that I know I’ve heard you say many times before but they really struck me this time. Thank you for adding this type of video - to you and the followers who shared.
You have given great advice. You understand how to approach a task.
One thing I found about paring down my clothes to just the things I love to wear is that I am so happy to get dressed each day. I limited items that are "out" for use to three of each major type - 3 heavy shirts, prs of pants, sweaters, dresses, etc. Some extras are packed in one bin at the top of my closet along with out of season items in a second bin. I will use the extras when things need replacing. It's a bow to limited budget and feels good because the extras are also only items I love wearing.
Books: Can't remember where I heard it or read it, but most studies show that if you don't read a new book within a certain amount of time, you never will. You had an interest in the story/topic, but once that interest fades, it usually does not come back strong enough to get you to pick up a book. If the books that you have are age-appropriate, give your extras to a teacher. Most ELA teachers have classroom libraries for students to borrow books between library visits.
Consider eBooks for fiction. Non-fiction, in my opinion, requires paper for proper annotations, highlights, etc.
Clothing: Capsule! Efficiency is key.
Storage: Know someone who works at an office? Ask them to save a few of the printer paper boxes for you. You can use these to organize and store various items until you can upgrade to a better looking storage solution.
Great value add to this conversation Serafin! You hit the nail on the head about books and our interest fading over time if we don’t read them soon enough. This idea is true for anything “new” we buy. Thanks for this. Hope it helps someone reading through the comments!
Closets look neater when each color is organized. I put all the whites, blacks, and other colors together. It makes a difference.
Love this little series! It’s so helpful to hear your thoughts
I use curtains on bookcases to eliminate visual clutter. 1 is behind a Japanese blue curtain that is beautiful to look at. I do the same with my pantry rack.
Absolutely do the rotation! It works well for me. 😄
For the books… I made three piles and sorted them; books I haven’t read, but really wanted to, books I read and love and will read again, and books I read and won’t read over and over. Then I donated all the later category and challenged myself to read two new books a month until my first pile was gone. And then I stopped buying new books for a year (I was doing a no buy year anyways), there are a ton of little free libraries in my neighbourhood, so whenever I felt the itch for a new book, I just went for a walk around the neighbourhood and found a new to me book, and then put them back when I was finished.
I respect and appreciate the quality of your work! (To Becky - 👍)
If I am looking at the right one, then it's fixed.
@@beckyowens8232 Thanks for letting me know!
I saw your original comment Marlene! Thanks for catching that for me!
@@RonaldLBanks No problem!
Fabulous video - one of the VERY best that I have seen/heard. Please continue. I have places but they are small and manageable. For minimalists, I found great ways to use the height in closets and cupboards so that my tiny kitchen is always ready. Keep it up - sooooo good!! Goals - those are what keep us going. Things in this world are so easy to access that if we need them we can get them so let the store, library, etc. manage them. That saves my time and energy for what I want to do!!
I just went through my books, too! I have a bit of a different dynamic, because I’m a homeschooling mom of 8, and our curriculum is literature based… so, I HAVE TO keep many of them. So, those I needed to keep, I digitalized. I donated the physical books and got the kindle or audible version! ❤ Just an idea that may help with the books you haven’t read but don’t have space for, or the books you LOVE and don’t have space for. 😊
As a student, I needed to have a physical book that I can write in the margin of. I make notes and comments.
Great video! 2nd comment here:
Books: I enjoy the books I’m studying to be on my top shelf for a visual reminder I need to work through them.
Clothing: Someone I knew kept her clothing from her husband as a priority. Good Marriage advise maybe.
Love the Four categories for rooms.
I don't have a bookshelf yet but am making do with open shelving. To reduce the visual clutter, I've put my books into baskets placed on the shelves. It made things more uniform. I also categorised each basket - fiction, subject specific etc. :)
Keep up the great work man. Great new series.
Very helpful..I have a similar book situation that has overwhelmed me. Great tips. Thank you.
This is very motivating !
Like the idea to divide the objects according to their use and then start decluttering.
Makes decluttering a multipurpose room so much easier to manage! I’m glad you found value in this Irina!
Ron this was great. You gave great tips and ideas for both ladies. 👍👍❤
I’m going to use your book pile strategy with my video game collection. Thank you!
Thank you!
I’m happy I was able to help you Georgina! Would love to see how things come along as you start to work through your space! I’m here if you need additional help at all!
thanks, I just got the worksheet and subscribed
That was great advice that I will also be using for my own book collection.
Awesome Tina! I would love to know how it all works out for you. Feel free to shoot me an email! Also you can watch the progress Pamela made with her book clutter here: th-cam.com/video/q_mjUcNZGBQ/w-d-xo.html
Your Space looks real calm....Nice. Books get or give them away. If you are really going to read them go check them out from the library (from the list you have made of these books).Clothes you will have to be hardcore here if you really want visual space. YES! donation bag always...
I loved this! Great idea!
Great video! Love the new series concept. 👏🏻
Thank you Rebecca!!
Great idea for a series! 👍🤓👍
Great pieces of advice!
Great video! So many great suggestions. Looking forward to more in this series 😀
An additional question to determine whether you keep or donate a book: is it available as an e-book (Kindle, Kobo, iBook, etc.) and/or from your library? If it is, I have been able to let go of many physical books even ones that I have read many times and know I will read again.
Great question Lesley! This is an important one to ask as well!
I almost sent in a photo but put my paperwork all in one area and got through the boxes.
Love that you were able to conquer your paper clutter! If you need help with anything else let me know!
@@RonaldLBanks Will do!
Very helpful thank u so much for sharing 🙏
Awesome! I’m happy you found value in this Destined!
This is a great idea.
Love it! Thanks!
I’m glad you enjoyed this Alina! More to come!
Pamela's before are most peoples after!
You want believe the progress she made in a single weekend! Check it out here: th-cam.com/video/q_mjUcNZGBQ/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for making this video, it was soo helpful to see other people's spaces and your advice was great!
I'm currently a bit over my regular weight(I'm normally consistent)
would you recommend putting my too tight clothing out of sight for the moment?
Most of my books are about health, exercise, food, herbs and Nonfiction.
And if like me you live 400 miles from an Ikea you can buy Sauder cabinets from Walmart in a pinch.
I have a hard time getting rid of the clothes because I don't know a GOOD place to donate them to and don't have ppl in my life who can use them. I'm an introvert and don't even want to drive into trying to sell them. It's difficult to quickly get rid of them, so they just sit in my closet. Any suggestions?
Depending on your location, try things like a local Buy Nothing Group where you can ‘gift’ things such as clothing to others in your local area. Another solution if you just want to just get rid of stuff quickly is get all the clothes, put them in a box, put them outside your home and write free on the box. You can post a post on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist (or something similar) that says free clothes with a pic and with an address in the description. Someone will come and get the box(es) and you never have to interact with them in person. If that doesn’t work, sometimes, you just got to let the stuff go. I know thrift stores are not ideal but sometimes for the sake of a peace of mind, just donate them to thrift stores. Make a promise that you’ll work to not get back into a position as you are now again and just let it go!
@@hobbytinkerer6736 I have put things out with a FREE sign on it. I once put out a chair with a free sign and it was taken in 5 minutes. Depending on the neighborhood, you can even find a goggle translation for the word, free.