I'm not a real minimalist but I recommend to people try to live some time without that item or think about when it was the last time they've used it. It's a good clue to declutter. Second tip: just keep one unit (when possible) of each item. Rgds. Irene from Brazil
My tip would be: the moment you start decluttering, also keep count of what you are buying from that moment on. Write it down and reassess every month if you are happy with it. Because the biggest mistake I think is throwing away your stuff to buy new things.
My minimalist tip for someone who is just starting out: If you're having a hard time getting started or don't know where to start, just pick one shelf or drawer. When that has been decluttered, pick another shelf or drawer. The small steps add to bigger steps and will inspire you to keep going.
My tip for people new to Minimalism is “your things do not define you; in fact, they may confine you!” Thank you, Vera. Beautiful video and important messages as always 🪶🌊🌸
My tip would be to make sure every single item in your house has a purpose and a home, a place for it to be and to make sure it brings joy and serves you in some way every time you use it or look at it, also don't compare yourself with others because you are unique and have to make minimalism work for you! :)
One tip - take "before" and "after" photos of all the spaces you declutter. I look at my old photos for inspiration/motivation whenever I need it. Another tip (one that I live by) is: whenever you get the urge to buy, declutter a small space (related to the category of purchase if possible) and you'll feel way better that you did this instead.
First off, I love your waves and your natural hair colour is beautiful!! I worked for years as an Executive Assistant and the people I worked for who managed to always get loads of work done were the ones who slotted in time in their schedules where they wouldn't have meetings. It made them more productive by being able to reset themselves and gave them time to get organized.
Meetings are time wasters. We would have meetings to prepare for a meeting to prepare for that meeting. A full forty hour work week can be trimmed to thirty hours and produce more by nothing more than cutting out meetings. They tend to be more of a bitch session than anything moving the company forward.
This is one of my favourites of your recent videos. Thank you. One thing I have said to friends who are interested in minimalism is to just think of one thing that you wish wouldn't keep happening, like misplacing keys, or not having a place for a specific item and a convenient spot for it. I know this is more an organizational tip but the satisfaction one gets from that is what I then say is how one can feel about one's entire environment when we have just enough, and a place for everything. That's my keep life simple tip, especially for those who seem to be anxious about becoming minimalists.
Your hair looks lovely, Vera! I really struggle with tip #7...that contentment thing! It does always feel like you are not doing enough in today’s world. Still working on that! My tip would be this: You never really “finish” becoming minimal in my opinion. You never “arrive” so to speak. It is a continuous process and decluttering is a constant recurring task. If you are waiting to be “done” it will be frustrating so enjoy the journey.
Hi Vera! I enjoyed your video as always. My tip would be “ Stop Browsing”! That leads to stuff we don’t really need and in the end we will end up decluttering it! Take care my friend.❤️
I only ever browse when I need something. I grew up with parents being very mindful about spending, and I'm a student myself at the moment with not a lot of money, so when I notice I miss something in my life (like good fitting jeans or certain kitchen utensils I always wish I had during cooking) I'll start browsing for good deals. Browsing just for the fun of it has never made sense to me.
It also wastes time! 😊 To the 'Stop Browsing' comment. What great tips from everyone here. Thank you Vera for a great video and opening up the discussion
For sentimental items. Take a picture and keep those pictures in a special album, journal or computer file. This is great for so many items that hold dear memories you like to remember sometimes. Worked very well for me for letting go of my parents' things, and for my son's first shoes, kindergarten art etc.
I love tip number 2. If it’s not a clear yes then it’s a no! 👍🏻 my first tip to someone starting out is to stop shopping and try to remove one thing or one bag a day depending on how much clutter they have but definitely stop the flow into the house. Beautiful video as always ☺️
Thanks Tina! Yes that's a great tip :) If we focus on decluttering, but there's still a stream of stuff going in, it's going to be a never-ending battle haha.
#7 and #9 both resonate with me! As far as a beginner's tip, it would be, "Define what it means to you. Then list how you will achieve what you define as minimalist. Remember that it's a philosophy, not a Dumpster, that makes minimalism a lifestyle and not the latest thing."
The one thing that I can recommend is to downsize on the space that you live in.. currently I am living in a duplex house and planning to get into a small apartment, that way I will be able to pursue a more minimalistic lifestyle by doing lesser chores and managing a smaller house would not be that cumbersome.
My first thought when watching this video: "Wow! Her hair looks fabulous!" Then I knew why. Maybe we're born with what suits us best (?) My tip: keep what you need and what's beautiful and makes you happy
My tip for a beginner is to stop browsing. I agree with what u said, even when I browse I find many things that I feel I need about which otherwise I was unaware of.
Vera, I’m so grateful for your videos. I started out watching thinking I could never be a minimalist and now a new opportunity has opened up for me to see myself better served by my things and less controlled by them. Your affect is so calm and compassionate and the lack of judgement you’ve created in the videos has really encouraged me to look at things differently.
Great video. Thanks! My tip would be to remember it's not about owning less things but being more intentional about living - so sit down and do a gap analysis between where you are now and who you want to become + why.
I would say that if you live with someone who does not want to join you on your journey, then accept that early on and just try and lead by example. It will save you a lot of upset and stress!
Okay I thought you were going to say “when you want a new item, wait one year before buying it” and I was like GIRL 😂😂 this makes more sense though. Great vid!
I think my best tip for someone starting out is to categorize what they can live without, dont focus on item by item when you first start, focus on an entire category you can bring right to zero!
I applaud you for going natural with your hair. My adult daughter has similar features to you, fair skin, blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. For many years she dyed it, but she looks beautiful without all the chemicals. I did a so I already thing several years ago. I cut out skincare products, cosmetics, nail varnish, hair dye, perms and unnecessary harsh chemicals. I now use a simple gentle goats milk soap for my skin, wash my hair only when required, and the basics. I have no grey hair although I am now a grandmother, my skin is wrinkle-free, I no longer suffer from dry or flaky skin. I have my hair trimmed once a year for the split ends, the rest of the time it is usually up. My natural waves have returned to my formerly straight hair, my skin oils protect my skin from damage and dryness. I stopped using sunblock and only get occasional sun now, and my skin is thanking me for it. Btw, I do not sunbake. Not only am I saving money on needless beauty items, my skin and hair health has vastly improved. My health has improved too. I no longer suffer skin irritation, and my vitamin D levels are good. I no longer expose myself to potentially harmful chemicals.
In my best Whoopi Goldberg in the “Ghost” movie: “Vera, your hair is gorgeous, gurl!” 💁🏾♀️ 💚 Next . . . Timely video because I am feeling crowded by stuff, so I need to reset with decluttering and lessen commitments.
Hahaha I love that, thanks Teresa! Actually, I recently watched Ghost again, they finally added it to Netflix. Such an awesome movie, I loved it so much :D Good luck with the decluttering and decreasing commitments! And have a lovely weekend.
So true! One thing I do that helps me stay off the hype train is to maintain a "wish list" of non-essentials I'm tempted to buy. I keep this in Trello, but you could write it down as well. I'll usually wait at least a week to reassess whether I still even want to buy that item on the list, and many times the answer is "no - glad I saved that money."
Your hair is so beautiful, I thought you plaited it to get it like that! I always thought I had boring "mousey" blonde hair so I spent hundreds of pounds every year having highlights. When my hair started to go white at the temples I decided to stop dying my hair and was surprised to discover my natural hair colour is prettier than I had assumed!
Thanks for sharing! :) Yes I had a very similar experience.. Very curious what it will look like when it's grown out completely. Also, these curls just came out haha, so I didn't have to do anything to get them (just NOT do the things I usually did before, like blow drying)
Your hair is so beautiful Vera ❤ I love seeing it down like this. Also thank you for the reminders. I always feel so inspired after watching your videos
My tip is be open to change, embrace the possibilities that minimalism can bring to your life. Don't let the emotions override, "oh, I need to keep Aunt Mary's clock, even if it adds no value to my life". Really like your One Year Test idea, that's a great tip! Your hair looks lovely, really suits you Vera.
August 2023 Hello, I enjoy all of your videos. I’ve watched so far so extremely helpful :-) As all the tips are absolutely amazing and helpful I think the best one to prevent stuff from building up again, is to pause, not browse, and ask yourself do I really need this why do I really need this, and give it to one or two day test, ask yourself where you will be in the year if this thing is in or out of your life, etc. Thank you 🙏 so much 💖
i love my cleaning routine. i use alliteration to guide me! for example on mondays i clean the microwave and all the mirrors. on tuesday-/the toilets; weds i do a wash and i wash the windows; thurs toilets again! friday the floors (vacuum & wash) no chores on the weekend
Hey dear 🙏 I have learned and started minimalism after watching your videos, more than 2years now. But still I am learning it and improving. One tip I follow very honestly in my home is, if an item is not used for a whole year, it hardly has any use in our life and I donate or discard it 🙂 Another I would like to add is, 1in and 2 out. And this rule is for every category, games apps, shoes, dresses, utensils etc. Loads of love to you from India 💝💝
Lovely as ever, Vera! My tip for beginners: Yep you ARE probably going to make "mistakes" when you declutter, especially at first! You may even regret letting go of some things a bit. BUT DON'T BE AFRAID OF THAT :) Minimalism didn't teach me how to perfectly know everything I want and need, but it definitely taught me how to be ok with the decisions I make, and to emotionally move on so much easier from the less than positive decisions. (Hint, if there's something you TRULY treasure, hide it away from where you're decluttering, so that psychologically you know you're keeping something safe!) Mostly, you won't even think about the things when they're gone though :) Sorry for the long comment
My tip would be to just breath, and dive on in! Once you get started it gets easier! I love your tips today. It is time to definitely unfollow a few others on social media, stop browsing, and I love the cleaning schedule! I am adding that to my bujo today!Thanks for keeping me focused and intentional this year. Loving your content! You have hair like mine! I would have never guessed. Lol❤❤❤
You look sooo good with this hair! I really liked also the new location in your bedroom at the beginning. Everything seemed more cozy and friendly ♥️ great video!!! Have a nice day 😉🌻
Browsing has actually opened my mind to a lot of things especially in the past. It helped me cope with a lot of negative things too. Helped me stay awake while I nurse my child, helped me stay focused and find the right crowd. It's also a great way to spark creativity when I feel empty. Whenever I need something and I don't have money for it, I look for ideas on how I can make it from what I already have. This is actually how I found "minimalism" hehehe. So I guess, intentional browsing with a time limit is okay 😊
I highly recommend reading Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki. He spoke to so many of my normal fears and attachments about minimalism. While I watched and followed a lot of youtubers it was his words that have inspired me to really go for it.
My tip would be: It should give you peace and help your life flow better. It's not a competition. Nor is it something you do once to tick everything off the list and then get bored with it.
Note to self....this takes time and don't tackle everything at once. I have been knocking areas out a little at a time. It can become overwhelming if you do too much at once.
Superb Vera.. please elaborate more on how to stop purchasing online due to anxiety that items will be needed multiple times in 1 year but actually the items are not required.for example nursing outfits.
I struggle a lot on saying "no" to people as well... Your tips about it (in another videos too) are very helpful in this journey. It should haven't been so hard, right?!
Happy to hear it was helpful :) Yes haha I think we're kind of conditioned to want people to like us and to try and avoid disappointing people, however we should feel okay to say yes to things that really excite us, and to say no to things that don't. :)
This is such a great value video! A wonderful reboot or fresh start. And your hair is beautiful (and always has been). 😊 Your beauty is truly inner and outer. Thank you for your practical tips, calming, kind presence and encouragement. 😃
Hi Vera, hope you are doing well. I know that many people talk about knowing your 'Why?' before you begin a minimalist journey. Now that I have been pursuing minimalism for nearly two years, I like to ask myself some 'How?' questions when considering a purchase: 'How will I pay for this?', 'How will it make me feel to see this in my space every day?', 'How will I store it?', 'How will I use it?' and then, 'How will I dispose of this if somewhere down the line, I realise I've made a mistake?' These questions really help to rein me in and curb my spending. x PS. Aah, a Rituals lipstick. I loooove Rituals! Am I right in thinking they are a Dutch company? Over here, when shops were open, they always offered you hot or cold tea in summer/winter. They treat customers well in there.
Hi!! I'm doing well, thanks for asking :) And yes I love those questions before making a purchase! Actually I didn't know but it turns out that it is a Dutch brand.. haha. I also love going on there, there's yummy tea and it smells really good. Although I find some of their products way to expensive, others are quite doable. I mostly enjoy their sakura scent.
Thank you. I like the way you explain things and the way you phrase your words. Comparing myself to others on the social platforms, watching what they do-oh my! How time consuming that can be. That is perhaps why I need rest! Thank you for your videos. Time for me to think about what I want to do moving forward.
Look forward to seeing your natural colour grow out. I think it's good to embrace your natural colour while you still have it. The chores tip was good - I was thinking of doing a schedule but wasn't sure if I could stick to it. One thing I wish I did was take photos of the stuff I decluttered as I really like being able to look back and see the difference.
My First Step would be to talk to somebody. Talk about, what is important for you, talk about what is making you happy. And talk about what makes you struggle, and suddenly you know where to start with decluttering and simplifying. For the"no browsing", that would make me unhappy, because I like to look at beautiful things, craftsmanship etc. My way is, to browse online, put everything in my cart, reviewing my Cart and thinking where I would put all this and what I would discard instead. Realizing there is no space, I already have so many beautiful things and these things are sooo expensive, I give them a last glance and say goodbye, deleting the cart.
There are a few sales magazines I browse. I’m not tempted to buy because they are, over the moon unattainable, but I classify them as a museum visit or an afternoon in a park fun. One blogger mentioned that when he wanted a taste of luxury he would dress nicely and visit swanky hotels and have a drink - coffee, tea, beer or liquor. He would soak up the atmosphere and then read the paper or a book. He said this took care of his desire for grandiose things without the expense or chore of owning and maintaining them.
Love your hair! After years of fighting my hair, once I found products that enhance it, I embraced it! Love your natural colour. My moto of never live to regret anything you say or do also goes for live to regret buying something. If we think before we say or do/buy, we will be happier.
Vera your hair is amazing... so beautiful.....welcome to the curly girl world 👩🦱 🤗 I would say to someone starting out on the minimalist journey “one baby step at a time - even if that just means 5 mins per day or 5 mins a couple of days per week”. I would say “keep the things you love and can’t be without. For the other things ask yourself if you use the item ‘now’ or have a firm definitive plan to use it in the future - if no then let it go - most items are easily repurchased if you do suddenly find you desperately need it (or borrow one). “ I would say: “decluttering is a lifelong adventure- you will need to do it again and again and you will find your needs will change as you change” . I would say: ‘get rid of unwanted stuff mindfully: sell or gift first. Charity shops (in UK) get so much stuff the excess often ends up in landfill - so only give them your unwanted items as a last measure “. I would say: “buy the best quality item you can afford and cherish and use it”. The last thing I would say is “don’t get into debt to buy a fashion item!”. Hmmm sorry Vera.... I know you said ‘one tip’..... I think 🤔 I must have had a lot to say! 🤣🖐x
Excellent video and tips Vera. My weakness is buying too many Cds and books, have loads I haven't even played or read yet (too easy to buy with Amazon). One thing I did last year was come completely off Facebook, haven't missed it at all. I love your hair too.
Always enjoy your videos. The beauty and simplicity. Thank you. One tip to beginners ... Be kind to yourself along the way. Transformation is one step at a time and is not a heavy push to finish.
I love your natural hair! I looks waay healthier and happier and you seem much more confident! I also love this video. I really need to stop and think for a while before I make a decision because often I regret after I take extra commitments, in fear that I might disappoint. I need to stop doing this, and also I have to work on impulse buys. This was a great video, thank you so much! ❤️
Your hair looks great! And it will look even more awesome when its its natural colour, from what i can see thats the sort of colour that gets a bit lighter in summer and a bit darker in winter, and will have a warm dark-blondish shine to it. Its so pretty! And i like that the bottle shampoo has your name on it. 🙂
Thanks so much Nina! Yes the bottles are really cute haha. Also, I honestly don't know what my hair color is going to do since it's been so long since I've seen it hahaha. We'll see.
@@SimpleHappyZen The weather in Zurich was about 8C today. The birds in my street were singing and chirping to their their hearts content. I also wore a light puffer type jacket today (never wear down ones.). Especially as I read they pluck the feathers from the geese, whilst they are awake. Found this horrifying. So my bedlinen is good organic cotton plus duvet. Enjoy your snow. Our Alps are still covered in thick white snow. But will be for some time.
Advice: give everything a home! I save so much time keeping things I use every. day in one spot! 2nd: always keep a donation box to the side so it is easy to get stuff out regularly w/o having to set up only when the mood hits. Money: budget for your expenses. Set aside. Put in a separate account or money folder. Car, house repairs, pet fees, if you have kids. It's all going somewhere. Dont forget to pay yourself, too. Eat at home. If you can reuse glass jars or baggies instead of buying new always. Eat cheap meals! Simple meals. It will probably benefit your health, too. Amazon: if you must, put your money on a gift card. That way it is all taken out at once and not in globs whenever they ship. Then when you're out, you're out! I use gift cards as a way to keep my money separate, too. Hope that helps someone!
I would say to a beginner to assume the condition of a minimalist. Now, it’s common to hear “I’m not a minimalist, but I like their lifestyle” and “I don’t like labels”. I believe it doesn’t make any sense and it just shows the lack of commitment with ourselves.
You look like your glowing and I love your hair! Also, I agree with the cleaning. Doing a little each day or week really minimizes the stress of getting it done.
My advice would be to go slow and not expect that you will flutter your whole home, or basement or garage in a few days. You will just exhaust yourself. It takes time to change habits and start new routines
My tip...error on the side of keeping things...don't be in a rush or too harsh with yourself...that can create regrets...you can always get rid of an item but usually you cannot get it back if you get rid of something and regret it. So go slow and 'be kind and gentle' with yourself. I struggled with having some 'harsh' internal voice. That is how I 'motivated ' myself in the past. And to avoid any feelings ( especially difficult ones like sadness, loss, guilt, regret) the feelings that can come up when decluttering. So if I felt any sort of hesitation in decluttering an item I would just say not now, maybe later. Sure enough when I came back to that item on another 'round'/ layer of decluttering that category, when I looked at the same item and before felt 'pressure ' and torn or mixed feelings about decluttering, I would now instead feel excitement, joy, peace, contentment, and satisfaction when I would think about letting it go. It was a completely different experience then if I had decluttered it the first time. So I recommend not forcing or pushing yourself when decluttering. Decluttering from a place of peace is so much more satisfying, beneficial and enduring in every way in my experience.
Hi Vera your life will be so much easier now you’ve embraced your curls 😊 I’m a curly girl too !! You have so much wisdom thanks for sharing. My tip would be baby steps first while organising then you can see how much you really have and either donate, sell or give to charity ❤️
Thanks so much Therese! Haha yes I'm going to declutter my hair straightener and I couldn't be more excited about it. And thanks for sharing your tip too! Have a lovely weekend
Hi Vera! Gorgeous hair (by the way)...To answer your question.......For someone just starting out with minimalism - Take a little time to pause and identify your "why". Hope you are having a great day:) Jeff- USA/Cleveland, Ohio
I would create a spreadsheet with the names and locations of all my items. I'm a few decades older than you, and I now find that my memory is lacking sometimes. Even so, using a spreadsheet can give you a good snapshot of items you may need to reorder or replace. If you do by chance lose something, just pull up your document and run the search function.
Oh it's totally normal to not realize your hair is wavy and just think it's "frizzy"! Function of beauty is great, u should look into some wavy hair tips if you are ready to transition! There's a lot of great curly hair youtubers, curly penny (she is trying to produce less waste and has a nice sustainable routine) there's a wavy youtuber I just can't remember the name right now that might have the exact wave type as you, I'll try and remember and post it here later
I find the Tody app very helpful for a cleaning schedule. It's great for any recurring tasks (cat's flea treatment, finances etc). There's similar apps out there too.
I recently found it helpful by thinking if I had to get up and move what would be the first things I would grab or want to take with me and then I asked my self truly why didnt I want the other stuff?
Thanks for watching! 😊🍵 If you could give one tip to someone who's just starting out with minimalism, what would it be? 👇👇
They should look at the detergents cabinets, understand if they really need all that to keep a clean house 🏘️
Like you said stop browsing. It makes big difference.
What I am doing, just one thing a day. I’ve gotten rid of about 80 items big and small and so far I haven’t missed anything 😊
I'm not a real minimalist but I recommend to people try to live some time without that item or think about when it was the last time they've used it. It's a good clue to declutter. Second tip: just keep one unit (when possible) of each item. Rgds. Irene from Brazil
To try to live a simple life with only the things that they actually need and use , and getting rid of whatever hasn’t been used in years .....
Tip: don’t get rid of your stuff to be “minimal” get rid of your stuff because it doesnt have/add purpose in your life :)
Completely agree :) Thanks Claire
My tip would be: the moment you start decluttering, also keep count of what you are buying from that moment on. Write it down and reassess every month if you are happy with it. Because the biggest mistake I think is throwing away your stuff to buy new things.
Totally agree! Thanks for sharing, enjoy your weekend!
My one tip for new minimalists would be " to take it step by step, give yourself time"
One of the best! :)
Yup it is slow growth that's steady and is organic
My minimalist tip for someone who is just starting out: If you're having a hard time getting started or don't know where to start, just pick one shelf or drawer. When that has been decluttered, pick another shelf or drawer. The small steps add to bigger steps and will inspire you to keep going.
Amazing, love it! :)
I recently started to get rid of some of my goals and simplify them. It gives me more mental space and energy to concentrate on what's really matters.
That's awesome!! :)
My tip for people new to Minimalism is “your things do not define you; in fact, they may confine you!”
Thank you, Vera. Beautiful video and important messages as always 🪶🌊🌸
Love it, thanks for sharing! Haha I also love the name Jedi Bunny
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you so much, Vera 💞 I really appreciate you and all you do - the Force is with you! ✨
My tip would be to make sure every single item in your house has a purpose and a home, a place for it to be and to make sure it brings joy and serves you in some way every time you use it or look at it, also don't compare yourself with others because you are unique and have to make minimalism work for you! :)
Yes! :) Great advice
One tip - take "before" and "after" photos of all the spaces you declutter. I look at my old photos for inspiration/motivation whenever I need it. Another tip (one that I live by) is: whenever you get the urge to buy, declutter a small space (related to the category of purchase if possible) and you'll feel way better that you did this instead.
Absolutely love both tips! Thanks for sharing Jill
So true, this productivity drive on the internet is crazy and kind of goes against living in the moment and enjoying the small things.
I completely agree :) Thanks Lynby, enjoy your weekend!
First off, I love your waves and your natural hair colour is beautiful!! I worked for years as an Executive Assistant and the people I worked for who managed to always get loads of work done were the ones who slotted in time in their schedules where they wouldn't have meetings. It made them more productive by being able to reset themselves and gave them time to get organized.
Thanks so much Francine! :) And I love that story
Meetings are time wasters. We would have meetings to prepare for a meeting to prepare for that meeting. A full forty hour work week can be trimmed to thirty hours and produce more by nothing more than cutting out meetings. They tend to be more of a bitch session than anything moving the company forward.
This is one of my favourites of your recent videos. Thank you. One thing I have said to friends who are interested in minimalism is to just think of one thing that you wish wouldn't keep happening, like misplacing keys, or not having a place for a specific item and a convenient spot for it. I know this is more an organizational tip but the satisfaction one gets from that is what I then say is how one can feel about one's entire environment when we have just enough, and a place for everything. That's my keep life simple tip, especially for those who seem to be anxious about becoming minimalists.
I love that tip, such great advice! :) Thanks for sharing Christine. And I'm happy you enjoyed this video :) Have a great weekend!
Yes!!! I finally found a perfect spot for my purse!
Your hair looks lovely, Vera! I really struggle with tip #7...that contentment thing! It does always feel like you are not doing enough in today’s world. Still working on that! My tip would be this: You never really “finish” becoming minimal in my opinion. You never “arrive” so to speak. It is a continuous process and decluttering is a constant recurring task. If you are waiting to be “done” it will be frustrating so enjoy the journey.
Absolutely love that advice Alison, thanks for sharing! And have a lovely weekend
Hi Vera! I enjoyed your video as always. My tip would be “ Stop Browsing”! That leads to stuff we don’t really need and in the end we will end up decluttering it! Take care my friend.❤️
I agree, thanks Lucy! Have a wonderful weekend 🤗
I only ever browse when I need something. I grew up with parents being very mindful about spending, and I'm a student myself at the moment with not a lot of money, so when I notice I miss something in my life (like good fitting jeans or certain kitchen utensils I always wish I had during cooking) I'll start browsing for good deals. Browsing just for the fun of it has never made sense to me.
It also wastes time! 😊 To the 'Stop Browsing' comment. What great tips from everyone here. Thank you Vera for a great video and opening up the discussion
For sentimental items. Take a picture and keep those pictures in a special album, journal or computer file. This is great for so many items that hold dear memories you like to remember sometimes. Worked very well for me for letting go of my parents' things, and for my son's first shoes, kindergarten art etc.
Great tip!
I love tip number 2. If it’s not a clear yes then it’s a no! 👍🏻 my first tip to someone starting out is to stop shopping and try to remove one thing or one bag a day depending on how much clutter they have but definitely stop the flow into the house. Beautiful video as always ☺️
Thanks Tina! Yes that's a great tip :) If we focus on decluttering, but there's still a stream of stuff going in, it's going to be a never-ending battle haha.
#7 and #9 both resonate with me! As far as a beginner's tip, it would be, "Define what it means to you. Then list how you will achieve what you define as minimalist. Remember that it's a philosophy, not a Dumpster, that makes minimalism a lifestyle and not the latest thing."
Love it! :) Thanks Barbara
The one thing that I can recommend is to downsize on the space that you live in.. currently I am living in a duplex house and planning to get into a small apartment, that way I will be able to pursue a more minimalistic lifestyle by doing lesser chores and managing a smaller house would not be that cumbersome.
Sounds great, good luck with the moving plans!
My first thought when watching this video: "Wow! Her hair looks fabulous!" Then I knew why. Maybe we're born with what suits us best (?)
My tip: keep what you need and what's beautiful and makes you happy
Haha thanks so much! :) And a great tip!
@@SimpleHappyZen You're welcome, and God bless you Vera 😙
My tip for a beginner is to stop browsing. I agree with what u said, even when I browse I find many things that I feel I need about which otherwise I was unaware of.
Stop browsing - Yes! One thing, start now & do one thing a day. Your hair is lovely as are you. This was really helpful thanks
Thank you so much Trudi. Have a Happy Sunday!
Vera, I’m so grateful for your videos. I started out watching thinking I could never be a minimalist and now a new opportunity has opened up for me to see myself better served by my things and less controlled by them. Your affect is so calm and compassionate and the lack of judgement you’ve created in the videos has really encouraged me to look at things differently.
Aw thank you for your kind words! 🤗🌼 So happy you're getting value from my videos. Happy to have you around!
I went paperless years ago and have never looked back!
I love it! Thanks for sharing Tom
My tip: minimalism looks different for each of us. Do what works for you and your circumstances x
Great advice! :)
Great video. Thanks! My tip would be to remember it's not about owning less things but being more intentional about living - so sit down and do a gap analysis between where you are now and who you want to become + why.
Amazing advice, thanks Emily!
I would say that if you live with someone who does not want to join you on your journey, then accept that early on and just try and lead by example. It will save you a lot of upset and stress!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Lisa. Have a Happy Friday!
Okay I thought you were going to say “when you want a new item, wait one year before buying it” and I was like GIRL 😂😂 this makes more sense though. Great vid!
Hahaha THAT would be commitment 😂😄
Same!
Like, noooooooo, I refuse to go without a toaster for a year! 😆
I think my best tip for someone starting out is to categorize what they can live without, dont focus on item by item when you first start, focus on an entire category you can bring right to zero!
Luv your natural waves💖
Everything should have it's own place, you will save sooo much time NOT having to look for it🙄
Thanks so much!! :) And yes haha that's very true
I applaud you for going natural with your hair.
My adult daughter has similar features to you, fair skin, blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. For many years she dyed it, but she looks beautiful without all the chemicals.
I did a so I already thing several years ago. I cut out skincare products, cosmetics, nail varnish, hair dye, perms and unnecessary harsh chemicals.
I now use a simple gentle goats milk soap for my skin, wash my hair only when required, and the basics.
I have no grey hair although I am now a grandmother, my skin is wrinkle-free, I no longer suffer from dry or flaky skin. I have my hair trimmed once a year for the split ends, the rest of the time it is usually up.
My natural waves have returned to my formerly straight hair, my skin oils protect my skin from damage and dryness.
I stopped using sunblock and only get occasional sun now, and my skin is thanking me for it. Btw, I do not sunbake.
Not only am I saving money on needless beauty items, my skin and hair health has vastly improved.
My health has improved too. I no longer suffer skin irritation, and my vitamin D levels are good.
I no longer expose myself to potentially harmful chemicals.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like less is more is working out well for you in the area of beauty too! :)
In my best Whoopi Goldberg in the “Ghost” movie: “Vera, your hair is gorgeous, gurl!” 💁🏾♀️ 💚 Next . . . Timely video because I am feeling crowded by stuff, so I need to reset with decluttering and lessen commitments.
Hahaha I love that, thanks Teresa! Actually, I recently watched Ghost again, they finally added it to Netflix. Such an awesome movie, I loved it so much :D Good luck with the decluttering and decreasing commitments! And have a lovely weekend.
I love the one year test - the hype train can be so tempting sometimes!
Exactly! :)
So true! One thing I do that helps me stay off the hype train is to maintain a "wish list" of non-essentials I'm tempted to buy. I keep this in Trello, but you could write it down as well. I'll usually wait at least a week to reassess whether I still even want to buy that item on the list, and many times the answer is "no - glad I saved that money."
Your hair is so beautiful, I thought you plaited it to get it like that! I always thought I had boring "mousey" blonde hair so I spent hundreds of pounds every year having highlights. When my hair started to go white at the temples I decided to stop dying my hair and was surprised to discover my natural hair colour is prettier than I had assumed!
Thanks for sharing! :) Yes I had a very similar experience.. Very curious what it will look like when it's grown out completely. Also, these curls just came out haha, so I didn't have to do anything to get them (just NOT do the things I usually did before, like blow drying)
Your hair is so beautiful Vera ❤ I love seeing it down like this. Also thank you for the reminders. I always feel so inspired after watching your videos
Thanks so much Sophie! 🤗🌺
My tip is be open to change, embrace the possibilities that minimalism can bring to your life. Don't let the emotions override, "oh, I need to keep Aunt Mary's clock, even if it adds no value to my life". Really like your One Year Test idea, that's a great tip! Your hair looks lovely, really suits you Vera.
Thanks so much Jo and I love your advice!
August 2023
Hello, I enjoy all of your videos. I’ve watched so far so extremely helpful :-)
As all the tips are absolutely amazing and helpful I think the best one to prevent stuff from building up again, is to pause, not browse, and ask yourself do I really need this why do I really need this, and give it to one or two day test, ask yourself where you will be in the year if this thing is in or out of your life, etc.
Thank you 🙏 so much 💖
i love my cleaning routine. i use alliteration to guide me! for example on mondays i clean the microwave and all the mirrors. on tuesday-/the toilets; weds i do a wash and i wash the windows; thurs toilets again! friday the floors (vacuum & wash)
no chores on the weekend
Hey dear 🙏 I have learned and started minimalism after watching your videos, more than 2years now. But still I am learning it and improving. One tip I follow very honestly in my home is, if an item is not used for a whole year, it hardly has any use in our life and I donate or discard it 🙂 Another I would like to add is, 1in and 2 out. And this rule is for every category, games apps, shoes, dresses, utensils etc. Loads of love to you from India 💝💝
So happy my videos have been helpful for you in your minimalism journey! And I love your tips
Lovely as ever, Vera!
My tip for beginners:
Yep you ARE probably going to make "mistakes" when you declutter, especially at first! You may even regret letting go of some things a bit. BUT DON'T BE AFRAID OF THAT :) Minimalism didn't teach me how to perfectly know everything I want and need, but it definitely taught me how to be ok with the decisions I make, and to emotionally move on so much easier from the less than positive decisions. (Hint, if there's something you TRULY treasure, hide it away from where you're decluttering, so that psychologically you know you're keeping something safe!) Mostly, you won't even think about the things when they're gone though :)
Sorry for the long comment
🤗💕
My tip would be to just breath, and dive on in! Once you get started it gets easier! I love your tips today. It is time to definitely unfollow a few others on social media, stop browsing, and I love the cleaning schedule! I am adding that to my bujo today!Thanks for keeping me focused and intentional this year. Loving your content!
You have hair like mine! I would have never guessed. Lol❤❤❤
Thanks so much, and thanks for sharing your tip! Happy you enjoyed today's video and found some value in it :)
You look sooo good with this hair! I really liked also the new location in your bedroom at the beginning. Everything seemed more cozy and friendly ♥️ great video!!! Have a nice day 😉🌻
Thanks so much Kiki, that's nice to hear :) Have a Happy Monday!
Always ask Why. Why do I have/want/keep this?
That's one of the most important questions! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen yup 'know your why'.
Browsing has actually opened my mind to a lot of things especially in the past. It helped me cope with a lot of negative things too. Helped me stay awake while I nurse my child, helped me stay focused and find the right crowd. It's also a great way to spark creativity when I feel empty. Whenever I need something and I don't have money for it, I look for ideas on how I can make it from what I already have. This is actually how I found "minimalism" hehehe. So I guess, intentional browsing with a time limit is okay 😊
I absolutely love hearing you. Great attitude and positive
Thank you so much Larry! :)
I highly recommend reading Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki. He spoke to so many of my normal fears and attachments about minimalism. While I watched and followed a lot of youtubers it was his words that have inspired me to really go for it.
Great tip, I've read it too and loved it! My favorite minimalism book so far.
My tip would be: It should give you peace and help your life flow better. It's not a competition. Nor is it something you do once to tick everything off the list and then get bored with it.
YES! 💕💕💕
Note to self....this takes time and don't tackle everything at once. I have been knocking areas out a little at a time. It can become overwhelming if you do too much at once.
I agree :)
Thank you Vera, This was my favorite video in your channel and I’ve been following for a while, great job.
That's so lovely to hear, thanks so much! :)
Love all your videos! Clean & fresh background. Calming voice and great videos.❤️
Thank you so much! :) Happy to hear it
Superb Vera.. please elaborate more on how to stop purchasing online due to anxiety that items will be needed multiple times in 1 year but actually the items are not required.for example nursing outfits.
I struggle a lot on saying "no" to people as well... Your tips about it (in another videos too) are very helpful in this journey. It should haven't been so hard, right?!
Happy to hear it was helpful :) Yes haha I think we're kind of conditioned to want people to like us and to try and avoid disappointing people, however we should feel okay to say yes to things that really excite us, and to say no to things that don't. :)
@@SimpleHappyZen exactly!! I hope I manage to improve this skill .. thanks for the encouragement ✨💜✨
This is such a great value video! A wonderful reboot or fresh start. And your hair is beautiful (and always has been). 😊 Your beauty is truly inner and outer. Thank you for your practical tips, calming, kind presence and encouragement. 😃
Thanks so much for your kind comment and for all the support! :) Have a wonderful rest of your weekend
Hi Vera, hope you are doing well. I know that many people talk about knowing your 'Why?' before you begin a minimalist journey. Now that I have been pursuing minimalism for nearly two years, I like to ask myself some 'How?' questions when considering a purchase: 'How will I pay for this?', 'How will it make me feel to see this in my space every day?', 'How will I store it?', 'How will I use it?' and then, 'How will I dispose of this if somewhere down the line, I realise I've made a mistake?' These questions really help to rein me in and curb my spending. x PS. Aah, a Rituals lipstick. I loooove Rituals! Am I right in thinking they are a Dutch company? Over here, when shops were open, they always offered you hot or cold tea in summer/winter. They treat customers well in there.
Hi!! I'm doing well, thanks for asking :) And yes I love those questions before making a purchase! Actually I didn't know but it turns out that it is a Dutch brand.. haha. I also love going on there, there's yummy tea and it smells really good. Although I find some of their products way to expensive, others are quite doable. I mostly enjoy their sakura scent.
Your hair is beautiful!! Love when people embrace their natural hair or looks :)
Thanks so much Jennifer! :) Have a Happy Sunday!
Thank you. I like the way you explain things and the way you phrase your words. Comparing myself to others on the social platforms, watching what they do-oh my! How time consuming that can be. That is perhaps why I need rest! Thank you for your videos. Time for me to think about what I want to do moving forward.
You're very welcome, I'm happy the video was helpful for you :)
I am new to your channel and I am completely enamored with the fact I found you! Finally somebody who thinks the way I do👏♥️👏
Wow thank you Maria, welcome to the channel! :)
Look forward to seeing your natural colour grow out. I think it's good to embrace your natural colour while you still have it. The chores tip was good - I was thinking of doing a schedule but wasn't sure if I could stick to it.
One thing I wish I did was take photos of the stuff I decluttered as I really like being able to look back and see the difference.
Yes that's so great! I wish I had done that :) But I had finished most of the decluttering before I started my channel..
My First Step would be to talk to somebody. Talk about, what is important for you, talk about what is making you happy. And talk about what makes you struggle, and suddenly you know where to start with decluttering and simplifying. For the"no browsing", that would make me unhappy, because I like to look at beautiful things, craftsmanship etc. My way is, to browse online, put everything in my cart, reviewing my Cart and thinking where I would put all this and what I would discard instead. Realizing there is no space, I already have so many beautiful things and these things are sooo expensive, I give them a last glance and say goodbye, deleting the cart.
I like the top one the best because the words are simpler and lets us see you better😊
We also divide up the chores. We do a big chore day Sunday and a small chore day Wednesday
There are a few sales magazines I browse. I’m not tempted to buy because they are, over the moon unattainable, but I classify them as a museum visit or an afternoon in a park fun. One blogger mentioned that when he wanted a taste of luxury he would dress nicely and visit swanky hotels and have a drink - coffee, tea, beer or liquor. He would soak up the atmosphere and then read the paper or a book. He said this took care of his desire for grandiose things without the expense or chore of owning and maintaining them.
Awesome, thanks for sharing! :) Actually, I did the hotel thing too hahaha
@@SimpleHappyZen more proof it works 😃
Love your hair! After years of fighting my hair, once I found products that enhance it, I embraced it! Love your natural colour. My moto of never live to regret anything you say or do also goes for live to regret buying something. If we think before we say or do/buy, we will be happier.
Thanks so much! :) And that's good advice
You look really refreshed, your hair looks great too. The 1year rule is fab!xx
Thank you so much! :) Yes my short break really helped, so I'm feeling good.
Vera your hair is amazing... so beautiful.....welcome to the curly girl world 👩🦱 🤗 I would say to someone starting out on the minimalist journey “one baby step at a time - even if that just means 5 mins per day or 5 mins a couple of days per week”. I would say “keep the things you love and can’t be without. For the other things ask yourself if you use the item ‘now’ or have a firm definitive plan to use it in the future - if no then let it go - most items are easily repurchased if you do suddenly find you desperately need it (or borrow one). “ I would say: “decluttering is a lifelong adventure- you will need to do it again and again and you will find your needs will change as you change”
. I would say: ‘get rid of unwanted stuff mindfully: sell or gift first. Charity shops (in UK) get so much stuff the excess often ends up in landfill - so only give them your unwanted items as a last measure “. I would say: “buy the best quality item you can afford and cherish and use it”. The last thing I would say is “don’t get into debt to buy a fashion item!”. Hmmm sorry Vera.... I know you said ‘one tip’..... I think 🤔 I must have had a lot to say! 🤣🖐x
Wonderful advice :) Thanks for sharing Maria!
Tip to stop browsing is good advice 😊
Excellent video and tips Vera. My weakness is buying too many Cds and books, have loads I haven't even played or read yet (too easy to buy with Amazon). One thing I did last year was come completely off Facebook, haven't missed it at all. I love your hair too.
Thanks for sharing Nigel! Have a lovely Sunday
You inspired me a lot for this beautiful life. I watch your videos regularly. Thank you.
Aw thank you so much 🤗
Always enjoy your videos. The beauty and simplicity. Thank you. One tip to beginners ... Be kind to yourself along the way. Transformation is one step at a time and is not a heavy push to finish.
Absolutely love that tip, thanks Joan! :) Have a Happy Friday!
love it ❤️
I love your natural hair! I looks waay healthier and happier and you seem much more confident! I also love this video. I really need to stop and think for a while before I make a decision because often I regret after I take extra commitments, in fear that I might disappoint. I need to stop doing this, and also I have to work on impulse buys. This was a great video, thank you so much! ❤️
Thanks so much Ralu and I'm happy the video was helpful for you :) Have a lovely day!
My suggestion for new minamalist is when decluttering focus and finish an area before moving onto another
That's a great tip :) Thanks for sharing Karen
My gosh your house is so clean!
Thanks for the tips they are helpful. Your hair looks so beautiful : )
Haha thank you so much :)
Great info Vera! I like your natural hair! Trying to say no more often and being content!
Thanks so much Michelle! :) Good luck with your goals of saying no and being content :)
Your hair looks great! And it will look even more awesome when its its natural colour, from what i can see thats the sort of colour that gets a bit lighter in summer and a bit darker in winter, and will have a warm dark-blondish shine to it. Its so pretty! And i like that the bottle shampoo has your name on it. 🙂
Thanks so much Nina! Yes the bottles are really cute haha. Also, I honestly don't know what my hair color is going to do since it's been so long since I've seen it hahaha. We'll see.
I should really STOP Browsing and shouldn't hold my phone when I'm bored!! Thanks again Vera and love your hair!!!
Thanks so much, have a lovely day!
I LOVE your hair! It's great to see you embracing your waves and color.
Thank you so much Joan! :) I'm excited about it too. Lots to learn, but it's a fun journey
An excellent video----thank you for the idea of a reset during this time of pre-spring!
Thanks so much Anne! :) Have a Happy Monday!
Thoroughly enjoyed this Vera.
Certainly resonated with me.
Thanks for sharing.
So happy to hear it :) Thanks and enjoy your weekend! We're going to have LOTS of snow here...
@@SimpleHappyZen The weather
in Zurich was about 8C today.
The birds in my street were
singing and chirping to their
their hearts content. I also
wore a light puffer type
jacket today (never wear
down ones.). Especially
as I read they pluck the
feathers from the geese,
whilst they are awake.
Found this horrifying.
So my bedlinen is good
organic cotton plus duvet.
Enjoy your snow. Our Alps
are still covered in thick
white snow. But will be
for some time.
Advice: give everything a home! I save so much time keeping things I use every. day in one spot! 2nd: always keep a donation box to the side so it is easy to get stuff out regularly w/o having to set up only when the mood hits.
Money: budget for your expenses. Set aside. Put in a separate account or money folder. Car, house repairs, pet fees, if you have kids. It's all going somewhere. Dont forget to pay yourself, too.
Eat at home. If you can reuse glass jars or baggies instead of buying new always. Eat cheap meals! Simple meals. It will probably benefit your health, too.
Amazon: if you must, put your money on a gift card. That way it is all taken out at once and not in globs whenever they ship. Then when you're out, you're out! I use gift cards as a way to keep my money separate, too.
Hope that helps someone!
I would say to a beginner to assume the condition of a minimalist. Now, it’s common to hear “I’m not a minimalist, but I like their lifestyle” and “I don’t like labels”. I believe it doesn’t make any sense and it just shows the lack of commitment with ourselves.
We can make our own rules :)
@@SimpleHappyZen oh, yes, and they will be alll based on the fact we are minimalists, not the opposite, which takes us to the same discussion. ;)
You look like your glowing and I love your hair! Also, I agree with the cleaning. Doing a little each day or week really minimizes the stress of getting it done.
Thanks so much Sheila!
Great ideas! I so enjoy your videos.
Thanks so much Krista 🤗🍵
My advice would be to go slow and not expect that you will flutter your whole home, or basement or garage in a few days. You will just exhaust yourself. It takes time to change habits and start new routines
Yes, small steps, you'll reach big goals :)
Love the hair, Vera! Great to see you embracing your natural curls :D
Thank you so much Dianne! :) I was so surprised when the curls came out hahaha
It looks stunning - you've got a whole chilled, beach vibe look happening - love it! 😍 The future is curly 😁❤️
The waves look nice!
Thank you so much :)
Vera you feel so fresh and relaxed in this video, glad to see you had a good bit of time off, and your natural hair is so beautiful
Thanks so much for yor sweet comment Ann and I LOVE that advice you shared!
My tip...error on the side of keeping things...don't be in a rush or too harsh with yourself...that can create regrets...you can always get rid of an item but usually you cannot get it back if you get rid of something and regret it. So go slow and 'be kind and gentle' with yourself. I struggled with having some 'harsh' internal voice. That is how I 'motivated ' myself in the past. And to avoid any feelings ( especially difficult ones like sadness, loss, guilt, regret) the feelings that can come up when decluttering. So if I felt any sort of hesitation in decluttering an item I would just say not now, maybe later. Sure enough when I came back to that item on another 'round'/ layer of decluttering that category, when I looked at the same item and before felt 'pressure ' and torn or mixed feelings about decluttering, I would now instead feel excitement, joy, peace, contentment, and satisfaction when I would think about letting it go. It was a completely different experience then if I had decluttered it the first time. So I recommend not forcing or pushing yourself when decluttering. Decluttering from a place of peace is so much more satisfying, beneficial and enduring in every way in my experience.
Your videos are the best! And, I just love your hair. It suits you well!
Thank you so much Daina :)
Great video of fabulous advice thank you so much for all you do.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the video! :)
Hi Vera your life will be so much easier now you’ve embraced your curls 😊 I’m a curly girl too !! You have so much wisdom thanks for sharing.
My tip would be baby steps first while organising then you can see how much you really have and either donate, sell or give to charity ❤️
Thanks so much Therese! Haha yes I'm going to declutter my hair straightener and I couldn't be more excited about it. And thanks for sharing your tip too! Have a lovely weekend
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you same to you 🤗 your hair will be much healthier without the hair straighteners !
I would say “don’t over think it- just start!” Haha need to follow my own advice better 😅
Hahaha 😄✌
Hi Vera! Gorgeous hair (by the way)...To answer your question.......For someone just starting out with minimalism - Take a little time to pause and identify your "why".
Hope you are having a great day:)
Jeff- USA/Cleveland, Ohio
Thanks Jeff! :) And that's a very important one :) Have a wonderful rest of your weekend
I would create a spreadsheet with the names and locations of all my items. I'm a few decades older than you, and I now find that my memory is lacking sometimes. Even so, using a spreadsheet can give you a good snapshot of items you may need to reorder or replace. If you do by chance lose something, just pull up your document and run the search function.
You are a very beautiful person and your hair really looks perfect. Whatever you are doing it’s working for you.
Thanks so much Deborah for your sweet comment :) Have a lovely day
The video was absolutely fantastic, like always. And your new hair style is just stunning. Love you
Aw thank you so much 🤗🌺
I love your hair like that! It looks great!
Thanks so much Yolanda! I'm still figuring some things out but so far I love it too. Now hopefully I can get a haircut soon :D
Oh it's totally normal to not realize your hair is wavy and just think it's "frizzy"! Function of beauty is great, u should look into some wavy hair tips if you are ready to transition! There's a lot of great curly hair youtubers, curly penny (she is trying to produce less waste and has a nice sustainable routine) there's a wavy youtuber I just can't remember the name right now that might have the exact wave type as you, I'll try and remember and post it here later
Thanks! Yes there's great information out there :) I must have watched 100 wavy hair routine videos hahaha.
Vera, you are simply stunning with your natural waves! :)
Thank you so much Natalie :) Have a Happy Monday!
I’m glad you’re back!
Thanks so much Mary, me too! :)
I find the Tody app very helpful for a cleaning schedule. It's great for any recurring tasks (cat's flea treatment, finances etc). There's similar apps out there too.
I recently found it helpful by thinking if I had to get up and move what would be the first things I would grab or want to take with me and then I asked my self truly why didnt I want the other stuff?
That's a very interesting one! Thanks for sharing and have a happy Friday!