Things I'm learning as I journey towards minimalism: 1. Minimalism looks different for every person 2. Minimalism is a lifelong process 3. Things still get messy (but oh so much easier to clean up!)
I follow the advice of William Morris, one of my favorite artists (19th Century, English): "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
@@Ad-Infinitum Yes! I work in the field of maternal & child health, so anything with lead in it or on it is automatically neither useful nor beautiful in my eyes.
Thanks for this post. It is good for Seniors to seriously consider minimalism. If you are holding onto things for your kids.....don't. Their likes are probably different from yours. Don't hold onto those papers, report cards of kids, drawings, etc......they don't want them. Ask first though. Don't leave all of these things for your kids to have to go through once you are gone. I love my kids dearly but I know that if I do this, my house will be sitting two years from now, probably with half of everything still there. Do them AND you a favor and take care of it now. I'm 70 and after putting it off for a long time, I'm trying to minimalize now.
I’m doing the same thing. I am 60, and trying to quickly minimize. My parents are 95 and 85....and still live in their VERY cluttered home. I realized that we will be presented with a huge job someday, and I refuse to leave my children (and now grandchildren) in the same predicament in the future.
Reid Johnson that was my husbands mom. She had all their report cards that just got junked when she had to downsize. Thankfully my mom is getting rid of stuff now. And so am I!
When my Mom was 65 she offered the possessions she wanted to pass down to us 5 kids. She kept the jewelry she enjoyed wearing and some heirloom pictures. When she passed 15 years later it was so much easier to go through her belongings because we already knew what was important to her and what was excess clutter. She had been happy knowing items she valued were passed on and since items were taken she seemed pretty pragmatic about the ones no one wanted. I think a lot of the items she had kept just in case one of us kids would want them someday because many of things we didn’t take went into her next yard sale. I am so grateful Mom took the time to go through the important stuff.
I just turned 65 and am doing the same thing. I have way too much stuff and I don't want to leave it for my son to have to go through. Oh, but what a big and tedious job downsizing is. 🤷♀️
My Mother-in-Law had an Anniversary Clock that she brought to the US when she moved here from Europe. I always admired the clock and when she passed away my husband brought it home for me. The problem was that I did not have a great relationship with my MIL and every time I looked at that clock I was always reminded of how she treated me. The clock didn't mean much to my husband so I decided that although the clock was lovely it just made me feel bad every time I looked at it. Once I donated it I was so happy that it was out of my life. I don't think that you should hold on to anything that gives you negative feelings.
Kathy M. Ugh... I'm nearing the same situation. My husband wants his mother's dining room table, chairs & china cabinet. She was not a nice person & was extremely unpleasant toward me, so needless to say I don't want these big reminders of her sitting in my home.😝 I've not had this hard conversation with him yet.
Exactly! Had to do the same thing recently and it wasn't even expensive it was a coffee mug that I had had since I was in my late twenties I am now 67 I did not like the saying she had on it which said, "God gives you a push, then the rest is up to you." I did not agree with that statement and also she was an exceedingly perfectionistic stryver with OCD who herself was very pushy and did not approve of me because I was not her which is why her son married me. She passed a few months ago and even though it's a beautiful mug I threw it in the trash and felt really good about it. It certainly did not spark joy in my life
Also with clothes.. if you wore a specific shirt or something that you wore when something bad happened to you, you should get rid of it so it doesn’t remind you of that bad time every time you see it or wear it
I started last year decluttering watching you on Clean My Space. The main problem for me was attachment/sentimental items. Things that people bought me was the hardest to get rid of because I felt like if they knew it would hurt their feelings by getting rid of them. Especially if the person had past on felt the need to keep. The reality of clutter hit me when I seen the burden placed on some of my family members when their parents past away. So much stuff mountains of it left to their children to go through and dispose of. That was an eye opener for me because, I personally didn't want my husband or children to be put in that perdictment. Best key advice was if you have not used it in a year you probably won't. 2nd was if the item doesn't have a steady home toss it. 3rd don't buy items you don't really need.
I decluttered my clothing by counting my shirts, pants, personals, blouses, leggings, tank-tops, sweaters, everything! I found that I had collected clothing by the ton. So, after using the Konmari method, I further reduced my stash of clothing down to 4 levis, 4 slacks, 10 shirts, 10 blouses, 10 leggings, 5 tank-tops, 4 sweaters, 10 pair of socks, 10 personals, 5 bras, 5 purses, 2 wallets, and so forth. Who needs 30 blouses? I donated ALL the extras to a charity thrift store. If something wears out, I plan on thrift store shopping to replace that ONE items. BTW, this is my fall/winter clothing. Next month I plan on doing the same thing with my spring/summer clothing. It is a huge relief to not own tons of clothing, now I get to wear only clothing I love.
Mary C N Hatch I did the same, but I kept 12 of each item, pants, skirts, long sleeve button downs , short sleeve tops, sweaters, jackets. When I buy new items I get rid of older ones. There’s always at least one thing that I’m no longer wearing.
One of the best things I read/heard about minimalism was that it’s not about the # of items you have, but that each item is an intentional part of your life/space. Since then I’ve thought of myself as trying to live intentional instead of minimal.
I found that cleaning and organizing so much stuff was stealing my life. I also thought about what I could have done with all the money I spent on those things. I notice a difference in how I feel when a space is clutter free.
We are currently listing our house and we had to take so much out just to make it looked staged better so we were kind of forced into minimalism! The feeling I get now when I look around my space is so much calmer and less cluttered! My advice would be to pretend you are moving! Lol
I went thru the same thing. I sold my house and actually had to rent a pod for all my crap. Needless to say I've been in my new home for almost 3 years and all the boxes were stacked in the gargage. I kept one box of pictures that I plan to scan. The rest of the boxes I didn't even go thru because for almost 3 years I didn't miss one single thing. Called Vets of America and they came and took all the boxes. I can now fit my car in the garbage with room to spare!
@@Nicola2209 that sounds like death cleaning now i wanna live like im going to died any day so the only thing that I buy is consumables and keep what I use like if i have to buy frying pan i have to sent out the replacement that is not working otherwise i wouldnt have to get another.
I started slow decluttering last year, something I try to do now is, whenever I buy anything, I must get rid of at least one, possibly two or more of possibly similar items. Keeps things under control.
I live with less stuff because this way I need to buy less, clean less, organise less, declutter less, I don't need so much money so I can work less and live more, sleep more, enjoy my life! I can walk through a drug store and think in most of the aisles "I don't need that". I have one bar of soap for my hands, body and hair. I don't need hairspray, lipstick, nail polish, perfume or dozens of cleaning products. I make my deodorant from scratch as well as my cleaning products. Today I have sewn ten cleaning cloths from an old bedsheet and two old T-shirts. So even if I'm decluttering, I just reuse and upcycle my things.
I want to get to a place somewhat like where you are. Just dialed back a bit. Like shampoo and conditioner. Do I need five sets? Probably not. I want to have less clutter. I looked around my home the other day and thought “I have a lot of items for just one human being.” It’s ridiculous.
It took me 3 years to not buy anything that i dont want or need. I saved so much since then, and I am proud to say that i am no longer tempted when I see a sale (whether be it online or in the stores). It feels great! :)
I’ve been trying to do minimalism just to reduce the stress of picking up and less time as a family. When we bought the house I had just transition into working more hours and now had a 40+ minutes commute. My husband was not working locally etc. most of our things just went into the garage. Basically it’s been a stressful 5 years of feeling I’m not getting anywhere in cleaning and organizing our home. I started with the Komari method and have been taking baby steps at declutter and donating things that just don’t work in our new home. I just keep hearing the one saying“All this stuff was once money.” It’s helped me to walk away from the Target dollar section, stores and even Starbucks(for that daily coffee).
This may sound really strange but, work with me. 😂As your space is now, messy or not. Take a photo of the room from as far away that you can get. Get an app like Aviary that can flip / mirror your photo. You’d be amazed at how you see your room differently when it’s just mirrored. The clutter you were used too now stands out. This works for rearranging furniture too. You get a whole new perspective just by taking a photo. ♥️
My best tip is that I only buy things I absolutely LOVE! I also go through the interrogation process with every purchase I make. I am much happier when things aren’t cluttered, so that’s a big motivator!
My one tip for beginners to do seasonal declutter for example I have a hard time letting things go but I noticed if I do a spring cleaning go through all my stuff see what i have and do it again in the fall time. Repeat every year I feel like it really works for me. Even if you dont declutter those items eventually after doing so many times and seeing all you have you start to see where you can cut down. That what helped me.
My cleaning journey started in 2017. I had a half day job and loved every moment of having more time at home. Watching your videos have really improved how I clean how my home looks and just being able to do it without being overwhelmed. I am now back to full day work but I feel more confident to manage my home and work than before. I managed to declutter alot, the one thing I still struggle with is my closet. I have so much sentiment, memories and goals in there. Half of the clothes in my closet I don't wear, but I just can't let it go...
Great advice! I thought I knew everything about decluttering, but you gave me new things to think about. Thank you! I personally find that decluttering, like any healthy habit, has to be cultivated over time and treated as a lifestyle.
My best tip is to go section by section every day or every day off you have. I started with my kitchen cabinet, then next day my makeup collections, then next day my clothes etc. Take it slowly so its not a exhausting at the end of the day
We are all minimalists in training in our house. I caught the minimalist bug first and the best way to promote it is to live by example. My new year's resolution this year was to use up all my cleaning products before I purchase more. So far so good. Start small and things will get easier. My whole family is very slowly following my lead. It makes life so much more enjoyable without emotional and physical clutter.
I learned a lot through an online program called Dressing Your Truth. I donated all the clothing that no longer did anything for me. The closet is really sparse now but everything works together and works for and on me! What a relief.
@@ASMRwithSofia I always did, too, but it wasn't enough. I thot I'd seriously decluttered this spring and again this fall, but this time...I kept going. I've been filling a grocery bag ever 2-3 days since October! My place, and esp my drawers and cabinets, is so much more spacious. Still working on it!
Minimalism has helped me save money for my home in a way that I couldn’t before. Also a tip for reducing waste, saving money is to use reusable fabric towels instead of paper towels. Not only helps with saving, also helps the environment. I wash them all the time and keep clean ones handy.
Speaking of good news, filling voids can be filled with the gospel, which literally meabs good news. The news that is good is that Jesus loves you and died and was resurrected on the third day 👐
The main enemy to minimalism is emotional attachment. Some things are good to keep; Some things aren't. It's up to me to find the difference, And what is true value for me.
I can totally relate to what you've said, especially after leaving my marital home of 25+ years and downsizing to a condo. I am trying to detach. Best wishes to you!
Minimalism/Decluttering has been In the back of my mind for some time. As I started watching you-tube videos I found myself tossing this and that in bi s to give away. I have not kept count, but my home is so much easier to clean and so much more comfortable. My husband has even started with his closet and I didn’t even have to prompt him! The clean, open spaces feel so comforting and freeing!
15 mins a day. It is enough to get something done but not enough to be overwhelming. If you get rid of something , get rid of it ASAP! I find if I don't donate something right away it tends to creep back into my house.
I'm not, nor will ever be a minimalist. But I moved into a new space 6 months ago and decided to fill it with only items that I love. Everything has its place and I love all the things I have.
I haven't become a minimalist yet. But, I want to for many reasons ranging from environmental to ease of cleaning to spending less to just having a more peaceful home. My feelings of insecurity are holding me back because I dont feel like I might be able to replace things if I needed to. Love videos like this because they are inspirational and getting me closer.
When we cut our cable we stopped watching so much tv- that plus I stopped buying magazines at the checkout and those 2 things made a HUGE difference on what I purchase now. We purchase about half or less what we used too because we aren’t bombarded with constant ads about things we didn’t need.
I am not a minimalist, but I do live with less stuff now then I had a few years ago, I love to declutter and see clear empty spaces, still have some problem areas but I’m working on them. Live with what makes you happy after all it’s your home.
I love asking myself "would I be happy to give this away, if I knew it would make someone happier to use it than me?" because it really makes me think about others instead of having excuses for me to keep it :)
Enjoyed your video, started minimalism several years ago. It is so worth it. We've been married almost 45 years and in our house over 40 years. One of our goals in minimalism is not to leave our children a hot mess to deal with in the future. Not being morbid, just another act of parental love❤️
I'm still working on reducing clutter. My tip is don't try to follow someone's else's footprint to minimalism. We all lead different lives and need different things. I've gotten rid of things after watching vloggers and then regretted it because i was trying to copy cat their home. It's not entirely about how much stuff but how useful it is, the stress it produces, and the purpose it serves.
My biggest tip is make sure everything has a place. It's the stuff that doesn't have a home that hangs around for ages and creates clutter. If you can't find a good place for it, it probably doesn't belong at all! My second is quick regular daily "resets" where everything gets put away. So much easier to do if you don't let layer upon layer build up.
I'm so glad you mentioned that, because I also saw that comment on your video and it bothered me too! We are a family of 4 living in a large house but we are also trying to adopt a more minimalist lifestyle. I love the openness of our house but dont want to fill it with clutter. Looking back I think our house may have been a big too big but we also feel grateful to have it, we are in a great school and enjoy the space. Not everyone has to live in a tiny house to appreciate less stuff :)
Same, I found out about and started to appreciate minimalism after buying a big house with a huge yard, but keep it as if it's staged for sale. And keep all closets and drawers only half full. Keeps my head clear!
23rd!!!! LOL I read through the comments and in agreement with a lot which was said. The important thing is start with one area. Stay with that area until it is finished before moving to the next. In the past, I have been guilty of moving items from one area to another and, then that next area became cluttered. It's easy to get disorganized. It's smart to plan things out in your mind on what to do next. Even writing a check list helps and as you complete it, albeit, an hour, a day, a week or a month, cross it off and feel good about getting it accomplished! Thank you for your tips and suggestions, as ALWAYS! 👏🏼
Before I went clothes-shopping this year I tried a new method: I made a list of items that I needed, and items that I would like, and when I was in the shops I was super critical of everything and it really helped. I came home with exactly what I wanted, and going in the shops with a clear idea of what I wanted helped me to not be too tempted by everything, instead of walking around idly I just went straight for what I came for
I have been working on just having what i really love and need since 2015. I had my son that year and moved across an ocean and we had so much stuff!!!! it was exhausting to unpack move organize and starting a new job, in a new country and then a new baby? Gosh everything was overwhelming. 4 years later and we are still working on minimalising and letting go of stuff we held on to for too long. But we went from having too much stuff for a 3 bedroom house with a two car garage, to a 1bed and den apartement with our son, well we will atleast(our stuff is still in transit, but we are pretty sure we can fit this 15foot container in here. But we are also already planning what we are letting go of once it gets here. :D I am very proud of me and my husband and we are sincerely more focused on what is important in our life through this journey! i can only recommend it.
I put things away when I'm done with them - I don't wait and do it all at once. I've never liked clutter, so that's just always worked for me. I have found that fewer 'trinkets' or decor items has made my life so much easier as well. I used to think every surface needed something on it, but have found my space is far calmer (therefore, so am I) for having fewer 'things' on surfaces. My one downfall, however, is plants. I love gardening and houseplants, so I have quite a few plants on windowsills (we made our windowsills wide when we renovated our home for this specific reason), the mantle, etc. That is what I decorate with, for the most part, but people have told me that our home feels cozy with the plants as decor. It's not for everyone, but we like it. Plus, they're good for the air in our home!
It's amazing how quickly clutter can build up. Doing a regular purge helps to get a real idea of how much we tend to get that we don't really need or want. It's a good first step in adapting new habits.
When you go through your things, if it's something sentimental but you know it no longer has a place in your life ... take pictures of that item. That way you can still "see" the item and enjoy the memories associated with it but it no longer takes up square footage in your home or life.
My best advice is BACK TO ZERO: take all items that don’t belong in a basket and put them back. Plus your mom’s advice ONLY 3 ITEMS PER SURFACE. It helps minimize every mess
I have custom made shelves on either side of my husbands huge sized tv and I only have two things per shelf that’s as good as I can get at being a minimalist 😁
Years ago I starting decluttering and having certain rules in my life, like every six months go throw everything and whatever we haven’t used, would get donated or thrown away. Another rule, everything should have a place in our home. Last and more important, once everything has a place and its cleaned and organized, its easier to follow the routine and build good habits. I cannot agree with you more, it’s an outgoing thing, you have to constantly be on top of it:) great video!
I already do this even with eating. I ask myself do i really feel hungry or am i just bored.. and most of the time am bored or i need some water . Helpful tips 👍 and my tip wud be not to check out things online . It just makes u want more and more.
Minimalism was such a mindset shift for me. I now say no to being super busy and yes to more time with my family. It is okay not to have every minute of my day scheduled out. It is okay to have free days.
Everywhere there're toiletries and cosmetic products. I realized I only need a couple: soap, shampoo and aloe vera cream (for when I burn myself by accident: touching hot pan or stove, sun burn). I go right away and slather, thick layer and the irritation is gone in minutes.
First off, thanks for sharing! I'm just beginning the minimalist life and taking "baby steps"! I'm currently working on selling, donating and repurposing items in my home! I have a ton of clutter, I always have! Something I picked up from my Mom! From my files to my kids school items/health records to furniture and random items. My problem is that I'm a visual person and I love to display my items! We're getting ready to paint our walls and have removed pictures from my dining room and living room. Since we've done this, I feel a sense of calmness and relaxation, so I'm considering having fewer items on my wall and keeping only the things that bring me joy! I'm confident that I can do this, and am excited to continue on my path to become a minimalist! ♡
My husband comes from a family that has a habit of keeping EVERYTHING! I want a more balanced lifestyle which makes cleaning and caring for my home easy with less clutter. For example, my husband and I decluttered out over stuffed bookshelf, we had books everywhere, down to three shelves and the space above our fireplace.
I am so guilty of not washing clothes and putting them away where they belong. Consequently I have way too many pairs of slacks, shirts, sweaters and hoodies than my space will allow. I have started to declutter by washing and putting things away. My first project was to sort t-shirts into keep, donate, repurpose piles. Next will be slacks. I had already cleared out my tall and long dressers of all the clothes that went into the drawers and never came out to wear. That was last Fall. I also got rid of all the socks that had no match and the ones that didn't fit well. I need to do this in every room of my house! Time to live a more minimalist life!
I decluttered last year as much as I was comfortable to do. I'll never be minimalist but I do like everything in its place and a place for everything. Now I'm very mindful of what comes into my home which has the added advantage of saving us a lot of money. Minimalism isn't for everyone.
I am by no means a minimal living person but embraced the 20% empty space concept and have loved the mental lightness since. Thanks for sharing more amazingness Melissa and CMS family!
My best tip is to take photos of things. Half of the reason you need to buy things is a sense of ownership. So when I go shopping and I see something I like, I take a photo with my phone and I convince myself I own it. To clear clutter, I do the same thing - take photos and then let go of the item. I still then have the photo to remind me (worked really well when getting rid of my teddy bear collection - very difficult and heart breaking but I still have the memories in the form of photos - digital so they don't take up space). Hope this tip helps someone.
My minimalism journey started about three years ago. The most important questions for me has been: do I use it, do I like it, do I need it. Far from being where I want to be, but also much closer at being there. I don't really a goal for my decluttering, other than making my life easier.
I believe in purging, and decluttering, and am currently in the process of purging every category of my belongings, and I've made significant progress, but I also like a home to look 'homey.' When I come home from a hard, long day at work, I don't want to feel like I'm coming home to a hotel room. To me, a house needs to look like a home, lived in, but clean and organized, not a building with a couch, bed, and a few other items around. I've seen that on so many channels, where the homes look like they're staged and on the market. I believe in a happy 'medium.'
i like less and i like a tidy space, and i finally bought a gather basket from goodwill to help pick up the little things in order to put them in their homes at night. the chore is now easier for the kids to tidy as well.
I soo understand that empty space reasoning. Sometimes I get into someone’s home and there’s a LOVE candle and HOME lettering in the bathroom/living room and cheap reproduction “paintings” in the bedrooms and there’s just cheap junk everywhere. I don’t know how to decorate, but I know that junk doesn’t belong next to my grandfather’s icons. And those things are not even that cheap when you add them all up.
There are millions of videos on this topic. This is one of the few that is actually useful and relatable. I used to be addicted to shopping. Now I can walk through 4-5 stores and buy almost nothing. I get what I need, the things on my list, rather than everything that appeals to me in the moment, or is cheap enough that it doesn’t matter if it’s not exactly my size or color or style.
Natural disasters taught me to minimalize. Had quakes in Cali, hurricaines in FL. & moved to NY just in time for superstorm Sandy. I no longer replace lots of things lost, excepting furniture.
I got rid of our beds and dining table. We sleep on the floor now. I kept my two sofa. One in sitting room one in bedroom. It has made a huge difference. More space for my children to play, i find keeping things clean and tidy is so much easier. It has spiralled me to more decluttering and being more mindful of things.
Loved this! Thank you so much for this. I have so much stuff it's ridiculous that I bought like you said because it was cute or is really cheap on sale (just on a whim & to be buying something) and it's just sitting around never been used or touched. From clothes to knick knacks. You name it. Its SO overwhelming. I've been really depressed. This really helped me and now I'm going to do some major major decluttering. Thank you so much!!!
Me and my hubby both decided to buy a condo as our forever (i hope) home and it really forced us to think hard before we buy anything because of limited space and storage. "Will i have a place to store it?" "Will it fit the space?" "Do we really need this or is this just a want?" We usually ask this together before deciding on any item before buying. I believe that not buying clutter in the first place is the easiest way to keep a clean home and it saves money too haha 😊
Yes, Americans, the great crap collectors and buyers, who get bored with their crap and need to change it out every few years to update the style and then throw it in the garage in a box where it sits until they move. I am a bona fide born-and-bred American and was totally guilty of this.
My pro tip for minimalism is ... Do it gradually.. that way you won't feel as much emotional stress as you get rid of things that were once so meaningful to you. I'm on my 3rd purge of the year and each round of cleanup makes me feel so much happier now, rather than stressed out! Couldn't have done it without your previous videos about decluttering.
I rearranged my cupboards to hold my kitchenaid mixer and as my husband wintered down in Texas this year I don’t drink coffee and bread is the devil 😈 I took the coffee maker and breadbox off of the counter it looked great!
I always had trouble getting rid of clothes and toys I had (but they were completely useless lol) When decluttering for the first time I just kept telling myself "things are just things" and it really helped me let go of all these things I really didnt need or even remember I had!
Loved your video. Its a very true that minimalism, cleanliness are not things that happen overnight or in one day. Its an ongoing process and needs practice and mindfulness.
Knowing what you actually allready have and what you want to have before you go shopping really helps. After KM I know this and my shopping have become so much more mindful vs finding something that’s cute etc and then trying to find a home/purpose for it. For my clothes it has meant completely ignoring clothes with certain colors no matter if the model, purpose etc matches as something I would have gotten. And looking for more clothes in other colors that make me happy unlike the colors I no longer buy and have donated long ago.
Our method for clothes is one in, one (or more) out. If we get something new (which is usually on sale, we love a bargain), we pick something we don't wear any more or is a bit tired, and we donate or recycle it. Having the "Do I need it? Do I love it?" mindset when shopping is also helpful.
I knew a lady once, who lived extremely minimalistic. When she brought something into her home, then something had to go. If she brought 2 items in- then 2 items had to go. When she bought new shoes, she threw out a pair. She was never married & had no children- which helped greatly in this lifestyle choice.
Clutter messes with my creativity. As a person who is probably older than most people watching this video, I can tell you that a lot of things you thought you had to have - when you are older you will wish you had the $ in the bank rather than the outdated clothes, stereo, etc. taking up space. It really doesn't require a lot to live. The small things are what make life great - a glass of tea (okay, I really mean wine), a good book, listening to good music, good conversation to go with that glass of tea/wine (most likely talking about the good book you just read), etc. Learn to appreciate nature . . . it's miraculous and more beautiful than any picture you will buy.
I would ask myself if I wanted to use the energy to move "this" to wherever I was going to move next. I used to move...alot and I moved everything physically myself. I averaged moving every 9 months for about a four or five year period. It made it really easy to pass by useless stuff. (Plus moving so often forced me to go through things quite often and I would have boxes going to Goodwill with each move). I know most people don't move that often, but at least posing it as a hypothetical question of, "If you had to move soon, would you want to have to add that to the packing?" might help.
I'm moving one state away in 3 months and this is my current purge status of thought. Lol. I've gotten rid of so much stuff since January with this thought process!
I'm someone that has a LOT of interests and hobbies. Something that has helped me is to give each thing a container or bag to keep stuff in. That way I keep my crafts and hobbies manageable and I know what I have and am more mindful of anything I want to buy because I have limits for myself.
Something that has helped me save space and money is waiting. If I see something I like or want, but I don't know if I need it that badly, I wait. If it's still on my mind a day or so later and I still want it, I get it. This is such a money saver for me, as I am a sucker for anything that makes promises, especially skincare products. SUCH a money sink for me!
Less stuff makes cleaning so much easier! I thought that I'm f***ing terrible when it comes to having nice space, but I just had too much stuff. I've struggled so long and all I had to do was to declutter. Thank you Melissa! It all started with one of your videos.
My best tip for minimalism is stay off Amazon and stay out of the stores.
Donna Hamstra
😀👍
So true!!
Save 100% when you don’t buy anything that’s on sale!!?
Donna Hamstra easy said, we have the freaking cell in us and when we are bored we shop.
👍
Things I'm learning as I journey towards minimalism:
1. Minimalism looks different for every person
2. Minimalism is a lifelong process
3. Things still get messy (but oh so much easier to clean up!)
Erika Bloedorn so true .
Love #3
True!
I wish everyone knew this!
#1 was key for me.
I follow the advice of William Morris, one of my favorite artists (19th Century, English):
"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
As long as it's not covered in lead...
That quote actually made me feel something.
Thank you for sharing ❤
@@sidellvillafranco6349 You're welcome!
@@Ad-Infinitum Yes! I work in the field of maternal & child health, so anything with lead in it or on it is automatically neither useful nor beautiful in my eyes.
Very helpful quote, Ms. Applegate.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this post. It is good for Seniors to seriously consider minimalism. If you are holding onto things for your kids.....don't. Their likes are probably different from yours. Don't hold onto those papers, report cards of kids, drawings, etc......they don't want them. Ask first though. Don't leave all of these things for your kids to have to go through once you are gone. I love my kids dearly but I know that if I do this, my house will be sitting two years from now, probably with half of everything still there. Do them AND you a favor and take care of it now. I'm 70 and after putting it off for a long time, I'm trying to minimalize now.
My parents are 71. They're minimizing and I'm so thankful! Absolutely true.
I’m doing the same thing. I am 60, and trying to quickly minimize. My parents are 95 and 85....and still live in their VERY cluttered home. I realized that we will be presented with a huge job someday, and I refuse to leave my children (and now grandchildren) in the same predicament in the future.
Reid Johnson that was my husbands mom. She had all their report cards that just got junked when she had to downsize. Thankfully my mom is getting rid of stuff now. And so am I!
When my Mom was 65 she offered the possessions she wanted to pass down to us 5 kids. She kept the jewelry she enjoyed wearing and some heirloom pictures. When she passed 15 years later it was so much easier to go through her belongings because we already knew what was important to her and what was excess clutter. She had been happy knowing items she valued were passed on and since items were taken she seemed pretty pragmatic about the ones no one wanted. I think a lot of the items she had kept just in case one of us kids would want them someday because many of things we didn’t take went into her next yard sale. I am so grateful Mom took the time to go through the important stuff.
I just turned 65 and am doing the same thing. I have way too much stuff and I don't want to leave it for my son to have to go through. Oh, but what a big and tedious job downsizing is. 🤷♀️
My Mother-in-Law had an Anniversary Clock that she brought to the US when she moved here from Europe. I always admired the clock and when she passed away my husband brought it home for me. The problem was that I did not have a great relationship with my MIL and every time I looked at that clock I was always reminded of how she treated me. The clock didn't mean much to my husband so I decided that although the clock was lovely it just made me feel bad every time I looked at it. Once I donated it I was so happy that it was out of my life.
I don't think that you should hold on to anything that gives you negative feelings.
I agree!
Kathy M. Ugh... I'm nearing the same situation. My husband wants his mother's dining room table, chairs & china cabinet. She was not a nice person & was extremely unpleasant toward me, so needless to say I don't want these big reminders of her sitting in my home.😝 I've not had this hard conversation with him yet.
Exactly! Had to do the same thing recently and it wasn't even expensive it was a coffee mug that I had had since I was in my late twenties I am now 67 I did not like the saying she had on it which said, "God gives you a push, then the rest is up to you." I did not agree with that statement and also she was an exceedingly perfectionistic stryver with OCD who herself was very pushy and did not approve of me because I was not her which is why her son married me. She passed a few months ago and even though it's a beautiful mug I threw it in the trash and felt really good about it. It certainly did not spark joy in my life
Also with clothes.. if you wore a specific shirt or something that you wore when something bad happened to you, you should get rid of it so it doesn’t remind you of that bad time every time you see it or wear it
Kathy M. 💯
I started last year decluttering watching you on Clean My Space. The main problem for me was attachment/sentimental items. Things that people bought me was the hardest to get rid of because I felt like if they knew it would hurt their feelings by getting rid of them. Especially if the person had past on felt the need to keep. The reality of clutter hit me when I seen the burden placed on some of my family members when their parents past away. So much stuff mountains of it left to their children to go through and dispose of. That was an eye opener for me because, I personally didn't want my husband or children to be put in that perdictment. Best key advice was if you have not used it in a year you probably won't. 2nd was if the item doesn't have a steady home toss it. 3rd don't buy items you don't really need.
I decluttered my clothing by counting my shirts, pants, personals, blouses, leggings, tank-tops, sweaters, everything! I found that I had collected clothing by the ton. So, after using the Konmari method, I further reduced my stash of clothing down to 4 levis, 4 slacks, 10 shirts, 10 blouses, 10 leggings, 5 tank-tops, 4 sweaters, 10 pair of socks, 10 personals, 5 bras, 5 purses, 2 wallets, and so forth. Who needs 30 blouses? I donated ALL the extras to a charity thrift store. If something wears out, I plan on thrift store shopping to replace that ONE items. BTW, this is my fall/winter clothing. Next month I plan on doing the same thing with my spring/summer clothing. It is a huge relief to not own tons of clothing, now I get to wear only clothing I love.
Mary C N Hatch I did the same, but I kept 12 of each item, pants, skirts, long sleeve button downs , short sleeve tops, sweaters, jackets. When I buy new items I get rid of older ones. There’s always at least one thing that I’m no longer wearing.
Great job, Mary and Wendy!
Great job!
Mary C N Hatch ......you are right!....who needs a jammed closet full of clothes that you hardly ever wear ! 👍
One of the best things I read/heard about minimalism was that it’s not about the # of items you have, but that each item is an intentional part of your life/space. Since then I’ve thought of myself as trying to live intentional instead of minimal.
I like that...intentional living!
This is the way.
Yes! Picking up regularly makes you so aware of what you own! Decluttering regularly makes such a difference :)
The thing that really worked for me : Constant Decluttering And stay away from stores ans sales!
Yes! I finally figured out the 'constant decluttering' part...YAY!
I found that cleaning and organizing so much stuff was stealing my life. I also thought about what I could have done with all the money I spent on those things. I notice a difference in how I feel when a space is clutter free.
My mother always said: Never leave a room empty handed. Put everything back where it belongs.
Good advice. Although thays my weakness lol
Absolutely! Your mom is the best 👌🏽🥰
We are currently listing our house and we had to take so much out just to make it looked staged better so we were kind of forced into minimalism! The feeling I get now when I look around my space is so much calmer and less cluttered! My advice would be to pretend you are moving! Lol
Or pretend you are prepping to go to a nursing home.
Mich Rogers A while back I took a similar approach. I started asking, "If I had to move on short notice, how difficult would it be?”
Good advice
I went thru the same thing. I sold my house and actually had to rent a pod for all my crap. Needless to say I've been in my new home for almost 3 years and all the boxes were stacked in the gargage. I kept one box of pictures that I plan to scan. The rest of the boxes I didn't even go thru because for almost 3 years I didn't miss one single thing. Called Vets of America and they came and took all the boxes. I can now fit my car in the garbage with room to spare!
@@Nicola2209 that sounds like death cleaning now i wanna live like im going to died any day so the only thing that I buy is consumables and keep what I use like if i have to buy frying pan i have to sent out the replacement that is not working otherwise i wouldnt have to get another.
I started slow decluttering last year, something I try to do now is, whenever I buy anything, I must get rid of at least one, possibly two or more of possibly similar items. Keeps things under control.
I love this!
I live with less stuff because this way I need to buy less, clean less, organise less, declutter less, I don't need so much money so I can work less and live more, sleep more, enjoy my life!
I can walk through a drug store and think in most of the aisles "I don't need that". I have one bar of soap for my hands, body and hair. I don't need hairspray, lipstick, nail polish, perfume or dozens of cleaning products. I make my deodorant from scratch as well as my cleaning products. Today I have sewn ten cleaning cloths from an old bedsheet and two old T-shirts. So even if I'm decluttering, I just reuse and upcycle my things.
I want to get to a place somewhat like where you are. Just dialed back a bit. Like shampoo and conditioner. Do I need five sets? Probably not. I want to have less clutter. I looked around my home the other day and thought “I have a lot of items for just one human being.” It’s ridiculous.
@@katarinaramos97 You can do it. Just start where it is easy for you. And step by step you will get there!
It took me 3 years to not buy anything that i dont want or need. I saved so much since then, and I am proud to say that i am no longer tempted when I see a sale (whether be it online or in the stores). It feels great! :)
I’ve been trying to do minimalism just to reduce the stress of picking up and less time as a family.
When we bought the house I had just transition into working more hours and now had a 40+ minutes commute. My husband was not working locally etc. most of our things just went into the garage. Basically it’s been a stressful 5 years of feeling I’m not getting anywhere in cleaning and organizing our home.
I started with the Komari method and have been taking baby steps at declutter and donating things that just don’t work in our new home.
I just keep hearing the one saying“All this stuff was once money.” It’s helped me to walk away from the Target dollar section, stores and even Starbucks(for that daily coffee).
This may sound really strange but, work with me. 😂As your space is now, messy or not. Take a photo of the room from as far away that you can get. Get an app like Aviary that can flip / mirror your photo. You’d be amazed at how you see your room differently when it’s just mirrored. The clutter you were used too now stands out. This works for rearranging furniture too. You get a whole new perspective just by taking a photo. ♥️
Cool Idea!
I did that ...but instead I took a slow video of my whole entire place and saw more clearly what had to go!
Thanks, Ane, for the tip and app recommendation!
What an interesting concept! It’s like getting a fresh set of eyes 👀
@@theresamichele7328 -So true!
Could you consider minimizing that music🙈
Linda D oOoF
I couldn´t agree more!!!
And all this talking....far too much.
IKR ambient or aesthetic sounds would have been better
Funny. I didn't even notice it, lol.
My best tip is that I only buy things I absolutely LOVE! I also go through the interrogation process with every purchase I make. I am much happier when things aren’t cluttered, so that’s a big motivator!
My one tip for beginners to do seasonal declutter for example I have a hard time letting things go but I noticed if I do a spring cleaning go through all my stuff see what i have and do it again in the fall time. Repeat every year I feel like it really works for me. Even if you dont declutter those items eventually after doing so many times and seeing all you have you start to see where you can cut down. That what helped me.
My cleaning journey started in 2017. I had a half day job and loved every moment of having more time at home. Watching your videos have really improved how I clean how my home looks and just being able to do it without being overwhelmed. I am now back to full day work but I feel more confident to manage my home and work than before. I managed to declutter alot, the one thing I still struggle with is my closet. I have so much sentiment, memories and goals in there. Half of the clothes in my closet I don't wear, but I just can't let it go...
Great advice! I thought I knew everything about decluttering, but you gave me new things to think about. Thank you!
I personally find that decluttering, like any healthy habit, has to be cultivated over time and treated as a lifestyle.
My best tip is to go section by section every day or every day off you have. I started with my kitchen cabinet, then next day my makeup collections, then next day my clothes etc. Take it slowly so its not a exhausting at the end of the day
We are all minimalists in training in our house. I caught the minimalist bug first and the best way to promote it is to live by example. My new year's resolution this year was to use up all my cleaning products before I purchase more. So far so good. Start small and things will get easier. My whole family is very slowly following my lead. It makes life so much more enjoyable without emotional and physical clutter.
I learned a lot through an online program called Dressing Your Truth. I donated all the clothing that no longer did anything for me. The closet is really sparse now but everything works together and works for and on me! What a relief.
Dressing Your Truth...valuable insights into clothing and everything else as well. Recommended
I declutter and spring clean at least 3 times a year
Same , specially because we have kids and with clothes and toys...
@@ASMRwithSofia I always did, too, but it wasn't enough. I thot I'd seriously decluttered this spring and again this fall, but this time...I kept going. I've been filling a grocery bag ever 2-3 days since October! My place, and esp my drawers and cabinets, is so much more spacious. Still working on it!
Minimalism has helped me save money for my home in a way that I couldn’t before. Also a tip for reducing waste, saving money is to use reusable fabric towels instead of paper towels. Not only helps with saving, also helps the environment. I wash them all the time and keep clean ones handy.
We accumulate so much stuff, we just need to stop and ask what void are we really filling.
Good point and advice! I know the void that I am filling and am still struggling... Good news: I am taking small steps to move forward now😊
So so true, but I am afraid to find out.
Speaking of good news, filling voids can be filled with the gospel, which literally meabs good news.
The news that is good is that Jesus loves you and died and was resurrected on the third day 👐
The main enemy to minimalism is emotional attachment.
Some things are good to keep;
Some things aren't.
It's up to me to find the difference,
And what is true value for me.
I can totally relate to what you've said, especially after leaving my marital home of 25+ years and downsizing to a condo. I am trying to detach. Best wishes to you!
Literally my mother. She was upset when I told her I didnt want my grandmother's expensive China
Minimalism/Decluttering has been In the back of my mind for some time. As I started watching you-tube videos I found myself tossing this and that in bi s to give away. I have not kept count, but my home is so much easier to clean and so much more comfortable. My husband has even started with his closet and I didn’t even have to prompt him! The clean, open spaces feel so comforting and freeing!
15 mins a day.
It is enough to get something done but not enough to be overwhelming.
If you get rid of something , get rid of it ASAP! I find if I don't donate something right away it tends to creep back into my house.
Yes! I've done that
When shopping, ask yourself before you buy something....is it a need or a want? I find this helps me.
I'm not, nor will ever be a minimalist. But I moved into a new space 6 months ago and decided to fill it with only items that I love. Everything has its place and I love all the things I have.
You are a minimalist in your own way with just keeping the things you love. :-) Only keeping happiness in your life.
I haven't become a minimalist yet. But, I want to for many reasons ranging from environmental to ease of cleaning to spending less to just having a more peaceful home. My feelings of insecurity are holding me back because I dont feel like I might be able to replace things if I needed to. Love videos like this because they are inspirational and getting me closer.
When we cut our cable we stopped watching so much tv- that plus I stopped buying magazines at the checkout and those 2 things made a HUGE difference on what I purchase now. We purchase about half or less what we used too because we aren’t bombarded with constant ads about things we didn’t need.
I am not a minimalist, but I do live with less stuff now then I had a few years ago, I love to declutter and see clear empty spaces, still have some problem areas but I’m working on them. Live with what makes you happy after all it’s your home.
Ana C Lopez i don’t need a title . I too try to live with less .
Best comment!!!
It's refreshing to see more open space. That is what makes me want to keep it that way.
I love asking myself "would I be happy to give this away, if I knew it would make someone happier to use it than me?" because it really makes me think about others instead of having excuses for me to keep it :)
Enjoyed your video, started minimalism several years ago. It is so worth it. We've been married almost 45 years and in our house over 40 years. One of our goals in minimalism is not to leave our children a hot mess to deal with in the future. Not being morbid, just another act of parental love❤️
I'm still working on reducing clutter. My tip is don't try to follow someone's else's footprint to minimalism. We all lead different lives and need different things. I've gotten rid of things after watching vloggers and then regretted it because i was trying to copy cat their home. It's not entirely about how much stuff but how useful it is, the stress it produces, and the purpose it serves.
I always take in how the room makes me feel and how can I declutter and improve or change the way the room feels to me once I’m done 🌸
My biggest tip is make sure everything has a place. It's the stuff that doesn't have a home that hangs around for ages and creates clutter. If you can't find a good place for it, it probably doesn't belong at all!
My second is quick regular daily "resets" where everything gets put away. So much easier to do if you don't let layer upon layer build up.
My best tip: stop shopping! 😉
You still can shop as long as you remove the old item. If you buy 1 item you remove 1 to balance out.
@@jadejade5303 that is so true!! When I buy items, that's what I do as well. 😉
BUT I "NEED" IT!!!! 😂😂😂😂🙈😭
I went thru a situation like that myself, and for a short time, I enjoyed the negative space.
Then I started to miss my stuff, so, back up it went!
Stop shopping unless I loose my vision, but you are right.
I'm so glad you mentioned that, because I also saw that comment on your video and it bothered me too! We are a family of 4 living in a large house but we are also trying to adopt a more minimalist lifestyle. I love the openness of our house but dont want to fill it with clutter. Looking back I think our house may have been a big too big but we also feel grateful to have it, we are in a great school and enjoy the space. Not everyone has to live in a tiny house to appreciate less stuff :)
Same, I found out about and started to appreciate minimalism after buying a big house with a huge yard, but keep it as if it's staged for sale. And keep all closets and drawers only half full. Keeps my head clear!
23rd!!!! LOL I read through the comments and in agreement with a lot which was said. The important thing is start with one area. Stay with that area until it is finished before moving to the next. In the past, I have been guilty of moving items from one area to another and, then that next area became cluttered. It's easy to get disorganized. It's smart to plan things out in your mind on what to do next. Even writing a check list helps and as you complete it, albeit, an hour, a day, a week or a month, cross it off and feel good about getting it accomplished! Thank you for your tips and suggestions, as ALWAYS! 👏🏼
This is why some people love moving , they only take what they need and feel like their life is fresh again
Before I went clothes-shopping this year I tried a new method: I made a list of items that I needed, and items that I would like, and when I was in the shops I was super critical of everything and it really helped. I came home with exactly what I wanted, and going in the shops with a clear idea of what I wanted helped me to not be too tempted by everything, instead of walking around idly I just went straight for what I came for
I have been working on just having what i really love and need since 2015. I had my son that year and moved across an ocean and we had so much stuff!!!! it was exhausting to unpack move organize and starting a new job, in a new country and then a new baby? Gosh everything was overwhelming. 4 years later and we are still working on minimalising and letting go of stuff we held on to for too long. But we went from having too much stuff for a 3 bedroom house with a two car garage, to a 1bed and den apartement with our son, well we will atleast(our stuff is still in transit, but we are pretty sure we can fit this 15foot container in here. But we are also already planning what we are letting go of once it gets here. :D I am very proud of me and my husband and we are sincerely more focused on what is important in our life through this journey! i can only recommend it.
I put things away when I'm done with them - I don't wait and do it all at once. I've never liked clutter, so that's just always worked for me. I have found that fewer 'trinkets' or decor items has made my life so much easier as well. I used to think every surface needed something on it, but have found my space is far calmer (therefore, so am I) for having fewer 'things' on surfaces. My one downfall, however, is plants. I love gardening and houseplants, so I have quite a few plants on windowsills (we made our windowsills wide when we renovated our home for this specific reason), the mantle, etc. That is what I decorate with, for the most part, but people have told me that our home feels cozy with the plants as decor. It's not for everyone, but we like it. Plus, they're good for the air in our home!
The Japanese are so good at the minimalist lifestyle, especially the traditional way they had their homes. So cool and so less stressful😊
I have that same sweater. I wore it all winter, love it!
I like the video, but I hate the backgroundmusic, it drives me crazy 😫
Petra Petranell after reading your comment now it’s all I can hear! Lol
I agree. Its distracting.
I didn't even hear it. It must have been pretty minimalist.
Agreed!!
My tip is, if you buy a clothing item, one older or unworn item has to leave that same day.
It's amazing how quickly clutter can build up. Doing a regular purge helps to get a real idea of how much we tend to get that we don't really need or want. It's a good first step in adapting new habits.
When you go through your things, if it's something sentimental but you know it no longer has a place in your life ... take pictures of that item. That way you can still "see" the item and enjoy the memories associated with it but it no longer takes up square footage in your home or life.
That is such a good idea!
My best advice is BACK TO ZERO: take all items that don’t belong in a basket and put them back. Plus your mom’s advice ONLY 3 ITEMS PER SURFACE. It helps minimize every mess
I have custom made shelves on either side of my husbands huge sized tv and I only have two things per shelf that’s as good as I can get at being a minimalist 😁
Hmm
Years ago I starting decluttering and having certain rules in my life, like every six months go throw everything and whatever we haven’t used, would get donated or thrown away. Another rule, everything should have a place in our home. Last and more important, once everything has a place and its cleaned and organized, its easier to follow the routine and build good habits. I cannot agree with you more, it’s an outgoing thing, you have to constantly be on top of it:) great video!
I already do this even with eating. I ask myself do i really feel hungry or am i just bored.. and most of the time am bored or i need some water . Helpful tips 👍 and my tip wud be not to check out things online . It just makes u want more and more.
Minimalism was such a mindset shift for me. I now say no to being super busy and yes to more time with my family. It is okay not to have every minute of my day scheduled out. It is okay to have free days.
Where is your home do you need to live with less?
The closet!
Every room!! Seriously!!
Clean My Space Husbands closet space. He seriously has more clothes than me and insists on hanging all of his t shirts!
Everywhere there're toiletries and cosmetic products. I realized I only need a couple: soap, shampoo and aloe vera cream (for when I burn myself by accident: touching hot pan or stove, sun burn). I go right away and slather, thick layer and the irritation is gone in minutes.
All of it
First off, thanks for sharing! I'm just beginning the minimalist life and taking "baby steps"! I'm currently working on selling, donating and repurposing items in my home! I have a ton of clutter, I always have! Something I picked up from my Mom! From my files to my kids school items/health records to furniture and random items. My problem is that I'm a visual person and I love to display my items! We're getting ready to paint our walls and have removed pictures from my dining room and living room. Since we've done this, I feel a sense of calmness and relaxation, so I'm considering having fewer items on my wall and keeping only the things that bring me joy! I'm confident that I can do this, and am excited to continue on my path to become a minimalist! ♡
Minimalism allows me to know where are my things are because every thing has its home
My husband comes from a family that has a habit of keeping EVERYTHING! I want a more balanced lifestyle which makes cleaning and caring for my home easy with less clutter. For example, my husband and I decluttered out over stuffed bookshelf, we had books everywhere, down to three shelves and the space above our fireplace.
I am so guilty of not washing clothes and putting them away where they belong. Consequently I have way too many pairs of slacks, shirts, sweaters and hoodies than my space will allow. I have started to declutter by washing and putting things away. My first project was to sort t-shirts into keep, donate, repurpose piles. Next will be slacks. I had already cleared out my tall and long dressers of all the clothes that went into the drawers and never came out to wear. That was last Fall. I also got rid of all the socks that had no match and the ones that didn't fit well. I need to do this in every room of my house! Time to live a more minimalist life!
Why the music when your talking?
It is totally annoying and distracting! Minimize it!!!
You’re
I decluttered last year as much as I was comfortable to do. I'll never be minimalist but I do like everything in its place and a place for everything. Now I'm very mindful of what comes into my home which has the added advantage of saving us a lot of money. Minimalism isn't for everyone.
I purge regularly. That helps me keep more mindful of my space. I also shop more purposely, that helps me keep in better control.
I want to be just like you when I "grow up"! Lol
I am by no means a minimal living person but embraced the 20% empty space concept and have loved the mental lightness since. Thanks for sharing more amazingness Melissa and CMS family!
My best tip is to take photos of things. Half of the reason you need to buy things is a sense of ownership. So when I go shopping and I see something I like, I take a photo with my phone and I convince myself I own it. To clear clutter, I do the same thing - take photos and then let go of the item. I still then have the photo to remind me (worked really well when getting rid of my teddy bear collection - very difficult and heart breaking but I still have the memories in the form of photos - digital so they don't take up space). Hope this tip helps someone.
Thank you! When I go to my closet and keep skipping on wearing certain clothes I just donate them. I too have improved.
Now when I buy things, I make sure I’m absolutely in LOVE with it.. and if I’m not, or even second guess it once, I put it back on the shelf.
I own a big house too big for me to keep clean and tidy, so listen to tips like your has help me a lot in minimize de staff I have. Thank you.
My minimalism journey started about three years ago. The most important questions for me has been: do I use it, do I like it, do I need it. Far from being where I want to be, but also much closer at being there. I don't really a goal for my decluttering, other than making my life easier.
I ask myself.....do I NEED it? Or do I WANT it? There's a difference. Don't buy yourself something if it Sparks joy. It's just more clutter.
I don’t like the sparks joy question. Everything a hoarder has sparks joy.
I believe in purging, and decluttering, and am currently in the process of purging every category of my belongings, and I've made significant progress, but I also like a home to look 'homey.' When I come home from a hard, long day at work, I don't want to feel like I'm coming home to a hotel room. To me, a house needs to look like a home, lived in, but clean and organized, not a building with a couch, bed, and a few other items around. I've seen that on so many channels, where the homes look like they're staged and on the market. I believe in a happy 'medium.'
I have more time for the things I love, ie playing with my daughter, cooking healthy meals, being outside
Melissa great answer on moving to a bigger house.. clutter makes me wonky.. it literally depresses me 😢
I agree. Visual chaos is very unsettling to me. I just wish my husband understood this.
@@dianeo haaa ditto
i like less and i like a tidy space, and i finally bought a gather basket from goodwill to help pick up the little things in order to put them in their homes at night. the chore is now easier for the kids to tidy as well.
I soo understand that empty space reasoning. Sometimes I get into someone’s home and there’s a LOVE candle and HOME lettering in the bathroom/living room and cheap reproduction “paintings” in the bedrooms and there’s just cheap junk everywhere. I don’t know how to decorate, but I know that junk doesn’t belong next to my grandfather’s icons. And those things are not even that cheap when you add them all up.
I have some bare walls I rather enjoy. Clutter on walls makes me anxious too.
There are millions of videos on this topic. This is one of the few that is actually useful and relatable. I used to be addicted to shopping. Now I can walk through 4-5 stores and buy almost nothing. I get what I need, the things on my list, rather than everything that appeals to me in the moment, or is cheap enough that it doesn’t matter if it’s not exactly my size or color or style.
I'm new to your channel- love the content. I find the background music nerve wrecking & not calming in the least.
Too many ads as well.
@@debbieduggan6796 that's how they make money.
Natural disasters taught me to minimalize. Had quakes in Cali, hurricaines in FL. & moved to NY just in time for superstorm Sandy. I no longer replace lots of things lost, excepting furniture.
I got rid of our beds and dining table. We sleep on the floor now. I kept my two sofa. One in sitting room one in bedroom. It has made a huge difference. More space for my children to play, i find keeping things clean and tidy is so much easier. It has spiralled me to more decluttering and being more mindful of things.
Loved this! Thank you so much for this. I have so much stuff it's ridiculous that I bought like you said because it was cute or is really cheap on sale (just on a whim & to be buying something) and it's just sitting around never been used or touched. From clothes to knick knacks. You name it. Its SO overwhelming. I've been really depressed. This really helped me and now I'm going to do some major major decluttering. Thank you so much!!!
Me and my hubby both decided to buy a condo as our forever (i hope) home and it really forced us to think hard before we buy anything because of limited space and storage.
"Will i have a place to store it?" "Will it fit the space?" "Do we really need this or is this just a want?" We usually ask this together before deciding on any item before buying. I believe that not buying clutter in the first place is the easiest way to keep a clean home and it saves money too haha 😊
Yes, Americans, the great crap collectors and buyers, who get bored with their crap and need to change it out every few years to update the style and then throw it in the garage in a box where it sits until they move. I am a bona fide born-and-bred American and was totally guilty of this.
I just filled a bag of clothes for donation during this video - easy!
My pro tip for minimalism is ... Do it gradually.. that way you won't feel as much emotional stress as you get rid of things that were once so meaningful to you. I'm on my 3rd purge of the year and each round of cleanup makes me feel so much happier now, rather than stressed out! Couldn't have done it without your previous videos about decluttering.
I rearranged my cupboards to hold my kitchenaid mixer and as my husband wintered down in Texas this year I don’t drink coffee and bread is the devil 😈 I took the coffee maker and breadbox off of the counter it looked great!
Brenda Ramsbottom Lol. Bread is the devil ! Yes, I know. !!
I always had trouble getting rid of clothes and toys I had (but they were completely useless lol) When decluttering for the first time I just kept telling myself "things are just things" and it really helped me let go of all these things I really didnt need or even remember I had!
Loved your video. Its a very true that minimalism, cleanliness are not things that happen overnight or in one day. Its an ongoing process and needs practice and mindfulness.
Knowing what you actually allready have and what you want to have before you go shopping really helps. After KM I know this and my shopping have become so much more mindful vs finding something that’s cute etc and then trying to find a home/purpose for it.
For my clothes it has meant completely ignoring clothes with certain colors no matter if the model, purpose etc matches as something I would have gotten. And looking for more clothes in other colors that make me happy unlike the colors I no longer buy and have donated long ago.
Working,reviewing, purging and organizing and reorganizing a closet at a time over the year each year....helpful and paced well.
Our method for clothes is one in, one (or more) out. If we get something new (which is usually on sale, we love a bargain), we pick something we don't wear any more or is a bit tired, and we donate or recycle it. Having the "Do I need it? Do I love it?" mindset when shopping is also helpful.
I knew a lady once, who lived extremely minimalistic. When she brought something into her home, then something had to go. If she brought 2 items in- then 2 items had to go. When she bought new shoes, she threw out a pair. She was never married & had no children- which helped greatly in this lifestyle choice.
Clutter messes with my creativity. As a person who is probably older than most people watching this video, I can tell you that a lot of things you thought you had to have - when you are older you will wish you had the $ in the bank rather than the outdated clothes, stereo, etc. taking up space. It really doesn't require a lot to live. The small things are what make life great - a glass of tea (okay, I really mean wine), a good book, listening to good music, good conversation to go with that glass of tea/wine (most likely talking about the good book you just read), etc. Learn to appreciate nature . . . it's miraculous and more beautiful than any picture you will buy.
I would ask myself if I wanted to use the energy to move "this" to wherever I was going to move next. I used to move...alot and I moved everything physically myself. I averaged moving every 9 months for about a four or five year period. It made it really easy to pass by useless stuff. (Plus moving so often forced me to go through things quite often and I would have boxes going to Goodwill with each move). I know most people don't move that often, but at least posing it as a hypothetical question of, "If you had to move soon, would you want to have to add that to the packing?" might help.
I'm moving one state away in 3 months and this is my current purge status of thought. Lol. I've gotten rid of so much stuff since January with this thought process!
I'm someone that has a LOT of interests and hobbies. Something that has helped me is to give each thing a container or bag to keep stuff in. That way I keep my crafts and hobbies manageable and I know what I have and am more mindful of anything I want to buy because I have limits for myself.
Something that has helped me save space and money is waiting. If I see something I like or want, but I don't know if I need it that badly, I wait. If it's still on my mind a day or so later and I still want it, I get it. This is such a money saver for me, as I am a sucker for anything that makes promises, especially skincare products. SUCH a money sink for me!
Less stuff makes cleaning so much easier! I thought that I'm f***ing terrible when it comes to having nice space, but I just had too much stuff. I've struggled so long and all I had to do was to declutter. Thank you Melissa! It all started with one of your videos.