10 Things That Changed From Swedish Death Cleaning
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2023
- Swedish Death Cleaning Motivation: • Swedish Death Cleaning...
Swedish Death Cleaning Vs. Decluttering: • Swedish Death Cleaning...
Swedish Death Cleaning at 65 Years Old: • Swedish Death Cleaning...
Decluttering with Swedish Death Cleaning: • Decluttering with Swed...
I started decluttering with my mom about 4 years ago. We have made so much progress on their home but more importantly are the mindset shifts that have occurred from decluttering. It's amazing how much has changed simply from decluttering.
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I was just wondered how old your mom is. I’m 64 and I have been trying to follow Dawn for a couple years, but I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and I am often not very good feeling very good at all which means I can literally usually make it to the bathroom and back to bed.
So it’s sad and it’s hard. I can’t stand my bedroom. It’s worse than it’s ever been in my entire life!
Hard to sleep in a place you’re so unhappy.
Actually, I do have an update I did recently in the last week get diagnosed with adult ADHD, and actually besides that PTSD so as soon as I get on meds for ADHD, which will be in August, I’m hoping to be able to do some more things each day, Without getting sidetracked! 😂❤❤❤
@@Nan-59 My mom is 67 and since decluttering her room is much more simplified and has a feeling of calm when you are in there.
@@Nan-59 Wow! Diagnosed at 64! I was diagnosed at 36, with autism level 1 and ADHD Inattentive. Finally understood why I have always struggled to keep my space organized and decluttered. Once I find a "home" for something, I always make sure it stays there and gets put back there. But I have the hardest time finding functioning "homes" for things! Definitely need to declutter around here.
Have you tried a grounding mat for your bed? I highly recommend it!! I was incredibly skeptical about grounding, and bought a mat for our bed with full intention of returning it. But I've noticed such a difference in my allergies and back pain!! I hope you find someone for your physical ailments. No one should have to live in pain.
@@Nan-59 I have FM as well. Moving is good for us. Try 5 mins a day and then maybe you'll get where you can do 10. Baby steps.
One of the reasons I appreciate your mom's presence in your videos is the opportunity to witness the process she went through, from a person emotionally attached to her stuff to a person who is free of that mindset. Seeing her change from one video to another is such a privilege. Thank you for letting us into your lives.
It shows us that we can change our mindsets as well ❤
Yes!!! She is such a joy to watch too, she adds some funny to it and she's just real. I love it!
You are so lucky to have a daughter that helped you. How long would it have taken if she didn't? I am facing this at this point in my life and my daughter is across the country so no help is available.
@@christinaroseman9926try to set a timer for just 10mins a day. Let things stack up a bit then take the lump to be donated or given to homeless shelter. I believe in you!
@@christinaroseman9926Try zooming or FaceTiming with her while you declutter. The most important part of decluttering is having her hear your stories. 💞
When I have a hard time getting rid of an item, I tell myself to bless someone who might need it.
I call it Life Cleaning. So much freedom!
As much as Swedish Death Cleaning is about not burdening your children/other relatives, I think it benefits the person doing the decluttering just as much!
Yes! I agree with this so much. I hear a lot of people say "who cares about leaving stuff" but I feel the decluttering process allows the person doing the decluttering to see all their stuff they have saved and go through all the memories. They get to relive their lives through their stuff before making the decision to save or declutter it. =)
@@shannontorrens1 Totally! And they themselves get a chance to live with the freedom of less stuff which is also such a gift.
This is so true. The reverse can be true when family members want you to store stuff. I figure if they are adult and have a home with any storage space - they can store their stuff. I ask, " Would you like this? If the answer is yes, give them a month to pick it up - then get rid of it.
Of course!
I’m at the stage where I don’t want to leave my stuff for my family to sort after I’ve gone. My dad was a hoarder and clearing his home was a nightmare. I love the relationship that you and your mum have. Watching your videos is very helpful for me, thank you 🙏
Three cycles of life: Wanting stuff. Accumulating stuff. Getting rid of stuff.
So true! I am at the stage of getting rid of stuff. 😂
I’ve done Swedish Death Cleaning in our basement. Got rid of TONS! Now I’m starting on the upstairs! I’m 62. My parents passed away in 2020 and 2021. My parents had a beautiful home. They had beautiful things. BUT THE BASEMENT!😱 The multigenerational stuff!! My sister and I took what we wanted from the home, but sold and donated ALOT! The hardest part was taking my parents beautiful and expensive clothing to the Salvation Army. My husband and I took that task and cried all the way home. My sister and I were so grief stricken and traumatized by all the stuff. So we decided that we were not going to do that to our kids. We are now just going through the tons and tons of old photos!😱😱
My daughter has been out of state for 4 yrs and moved back to town. She came to my house (I'm 65 w\4 bedroom PACKED house) and told me we NEED to do the Swedish Death Cleaning in my home. She thought I would be upset (I do have a hard time of letting go). But I feel I am ready to LET GO of a lot and move forward. Thank You Both for posting this video. It was perfect timing for me 😘
I’m the only surviving member of my family of origin. It’s been difficult emotionally to declutter the family heirlooms, but I realize that no one is going to want this stuff when I’m gone. Great video, very informative.
yes I'm also the last person in my Mother's family alive. Things they wore or were cherished by them keep memories alive in a way that pictures in a computer would not.
🙏🥀
I am the only remaining member of my family of origin also. I have extended family and younger family but my parents and siblings are gone.
I'm "Mom's" age and I'm doing the Swedish Death Clean, as well. You know you made a breakthrough when you put everything out for a yard sale and don't sell ANYTHING! And I had NICE STUFF! LOL! The thrift store was much more welcoming of the haul. But now that I'm planning round two, everything looks like junk to me and I'm not bothering with selling this next batch!
I love watching the two of you discuss the before and after of your homes. Admitting that she felt threatened when she was first approached about decluttering is the kind of honesty I so appreciate from your mom. The fact that you, Shannon, were able to back off and let your mom make the decisions initially, I'm sure, made it so much easier for her to slowly become more and more "divorced" from her possessions.
Yes, I don't find many people talking about how hard it can be to declutter for some people. For someone like me it's easy most of the time, but there are a lot of people that don't want to get rid of anything and it can be a very slow process. =) We all have to arrive at the decision to declutter in our own time. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
My mom had told me that if dad passed before her (which he did) that I was not to pressure her to get rid of his things. She would do it when she was ready. I didn't say a word about it after he passed, but she decided on her own in just a couple of months that it was time. Mom was a bit of a hoarder, so I was surprised, yet so proud of her strength.
@@pamwood3956Hi! What a very special & beautiful consideration that you honored your Mom's wishes at such an important time.
I completely understand what a gift this can be for your loved ones. I have just recently had to urgently move my parents into our home. A few weeks later my dad passed and now mom is with me forever gratefully. However, my brother took over the task of clearing their house. Dumpsters were filled. A total of 50 yards not including the stuff that was given away and kept to take here. It was a massive undertaking and the mental, emotional and physical stress was devastating. Big eye opener. I will not do this to my children. Death cleaning has begun. Thank you for all you share. It’s a great help to not feel so alone.
I love the relationship that you have with your mom! Way to go Cathy for how far you’ve come in your downsizing! About a year and a half ago I had to help my parents downsize and move from their duplex into a nursing home. The burden of decluttering mostly fell on me which caused a lot of hurt feelings, especially because we didn’t have a lot of time and had to make quick decisions. Please don’t leave your children with the burden of your stuff!
It's so hard when decisions have to be made quickly and a lot of stuff that means something can get lost in the shuffle. =)
I feel your pain, @bethlarson1108! I, too, had to declutter decades of possessions from my parents’ home when we had to move to a smaller apartment last year. It helped that my parents were physically away from the old house and didn’t care about the stuff that was left anymore. But I had to deal with the financial guilt of throwing “good stuff” away, the temptation to keep usable just-in-case household items, and even just the fatigue of making decision after decision. So yes, please don’t leave your children with this burden!
I’ve been with you during this decluttering journey. I enjoy less stuff but my mindset change is the best. Very freeing. I’m 75 and our kids are thrilled we are making decisions they won’t have to. ( like I did with my parents)
I’m 73 and my girls are also thrilled I don’t still have a gazillion books! (And other stuff)
What a tremendous gift your mom gave you Shannon. When my sister died, I collapsed from the exhaustion of cleaning out her hoard.Recently, I moved my mother from her upstairs apartment to a downstairs one and wound up in the hospital from stroke-high blood pressure from dealing with all of her stuff. It is cruel and unfair of us to keep our stuff that someone else has to dispose of when we die. When I die, it will take my son about an hour to go through all of my stuff and chuck it. I swedish death cleaned before the book was even written because I wanted to live a minimal and simple, clean life.I feel calm and always know exactly where everything is. Shannens mom's house looks amazing and she even looks younger and lighter and happier. Our stuff clutters our minds and makes us feel and look stressed without us even realizing it. Now she has the free time to enjoy her family.I am so impressed because I remember watching her start the decluttering process when she was having a hard time letting go.I am SO impressed with how far she has come. Great job ladies!
Agree whole-heartedly!
The before and after of her kitchen is awesome. Before the kitchen looks dated and old fashioned. But just clearing out the spaces and counters, makes it look fresh and not dated!
I totally agree!
Oh gosh I relate! Last year we renovated and extended a small stone barn in our garden for mum to live in. And she moved in last November. I would not let her bring much with her because she had a 3 bed house, attic, garage and shed. Now she has a living kitchen open area and a bedroom and bathroom. We did manage to make a small attic cupboard(!) and a boiler cupboard. They are now stuffed. As time went by she would give me a list of more stuff she wanted every time I went to the house. Some I resisted hard and won. But mostly I lost. However, the barn still looks nice, mainly because I refuse to knock holes in the new plaster to hang up all the embroideries in mismatched frames.
But of the slog of clearing the house to get ready for sale. I'm doing it on my own despite some health issues that really destroy my energy. 65 years they lived there and I don't think they ever threw anything away. Nothing. There were so many ornaments that nothing got dusted for decades and last week I spent too long there moving and boxing stuff and didn't think to wear a mask. I've set off allergic house dust mite asthma. It's been a tough week. I still can't breath properly. So much china. But not really nice stuff. Much of it is chipped and cracked. Endless odds and sods glasses. Clothes going back to the year dot. The outfit my mum wore to my wedding in 1985! The overcoat my dad bought before I was born. I have been weighed down with it all.
I'm betting there now. Mainly books and kitchen pots and pans left inside now. And furniture but I can get that taken away when I'm done. I still have to venture into the garage, shed and attic, except no one can fit through the hole as it's so small so I've arranged with a tall skinny builder to help me unload that space. Apparently there's more china up there and a suitcase of my own baby clothes (I'm 60). I'm worn out with it all and the state of the house now I can see the walls and floors etc isn't good at all. But tired or not, the minute I sell the place I am going to start on my own. No more will I keep clothes and shoes I can't wear in the hope I might one day. No more ornaments. I don't want anymore clutter. No more never used china in the sideboard. I can't wait to start. My problem is my husband is a natural clutterer and hoarder. But I'm not going to let him win!
I lost over the china. I have now pretty much brought over all mum's china but I bought a nice new cabinet for it, not the old, dark and dingy one she had before. I got it out for visitors in spring but the plates and cups are so small mum asked me not to do that again as people prefer a mug of tea now!
I have no idea why I have told you all of this😂😂😂 I think your video just struck a chord really hard with me today. Thank you.
Wow!!! The old pics of your Mom and Dad's home!!!
I know I was even shocked when we found those photos. I knew there was more stuff, but when you see the pictures side by side its a big transformation.
I wanna hug your mom!❤ This is the first video of yours I’ve seen. I’m one of those middle aged folks she referenced in the video who was left to clean out a horrific mess after we moved my elderly parents out of their home if 50 years. I adore the mindset shift! Also, has anyone pointed out that your mom looks YOUNGER and LESS STRESSED in this video than all the “before” shots?!? I’m serious! She looked anxious, burdened and older! Now she looks fresh and younger and relaxed. It’s amazing. 😊
I would just like to congratulate your Mom on the changes she has made in her house and with her mind set.
This is a BIG deal and not a lot of people do it.
I am in my sixties as well and I am very organized but have been going through my “stuff” and have got rid of a lot of it.
My husband got on board with it too and let go of a cargo trailer full of stuff he had been keeping for years.
It is so freeing!
Love your Mom, Shannon. You are fortunate to have her.
Yay! What a big step getting your husband on board. Thank you for being here and I hope you have a nice weekend. =)
We live in a 2BR condo, friends live in huge houses and feel no need to declutter. Tina, Al's wife
Hi Shannon! I'm in the middle of Swedish death cleaning! The kids don't want anything! 😂 But I love your channel. Love your mom, I'm in her season of life! Both of you are such an inspiration 💖
It's wonderful you got your parents on board with this.
We are currently downsizing by 80% and your mother/daughter videos have encouraged me so much and helped me interact with my kids through the process. You laugh through it. 😆
When Shannon asked about the socks....so cute!
Yes Swedish Death Cleaning is about love really. We love our family enough not to burden them with lots of work when we are gone. It’s a loving gesture but it’s also great to enjoy our simplified space while still alive. It’s a gift to our family & ourselves! Instead of cleaning all the time we get to enjoy more fun time with our kids and grandkids! Love this video!!
Shannon, your mom looks so light and free, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. You are both glowing of light, laughter and accomplishment! Thanks for all you do! 😊
A minimal wardrobe = you get to wear your favorites every day!
I'm 73. We moved to a 2BR condo 20 years ago. I've never had much stuff, because my mom was a hoarder. Our disabled daughter moved back after 20 years
away, she got rid of 75 boxes of stuff. I haven't worn a skirt in 5 years. I have nice black slacks and nice tops. Tina, Al's wife
Loved this video and love to hear from your mom. I’m 61 and have been decluttering for about 5 years. It takes some time, energy and motivation but is so worth it.
Thanks for sharing!!
oh my, if you did nothing other than get all those magnets off the refrigerator... wow. That was so much visual clutter that it made me dizzy ! Now your kitchen is so inviting, soothing, friendly, and looks clean. With clutter, it makes you wonder what is underneath or behind things, especially in a kitchen. I'm loving the " after " pictures. So much better ! Good for you. Good job.
I can't love this enough❣️
💗💗💗💗
My mom passed away in 2006 at the time I had 3 teenagers and lived in another state......
It took us all summer to clean out her house going every other weekend
I also had a full-time job.... So the majority of her things went in my basement (what I couldn't sell in a yard sale I had there) for 12 years!!
When I was finally able to go through it all my mother in law passed just as I was finishing up my mom's.....
My mother in law was the true definition of a hoarder!!! It's taken us 4 years to clean out their home 😔😔
When I think of the time it's taken I'm constantly purging my own house so my kids don't have to! I'm so glad your mom isn't resisting you 💗 bcuz this is the best thing she could ever do for YOU💗💗💗 and not to mention the time you have to spend together 🥰🥰
I LOVE that your mom realizes how freeing it is to declutter and let the material things go. My mom never got there. Great job Kathy.
Cathy, you have never looked more beautiful. You are an awesome inspiration. Kudos to you and your fab Shannon.
Wow, thank you!
First of all your mom looks SO pretty! I’ve watched your channel for a long time and I’ve seen her grow more comfortable in front of the camera. I think she is a wonderful example of Swedish Death Cleaning to parents of adult children. Her house looks fabulous!!
Thank you so much!
I feel this video very much! I have been on a serious decluttering journey since February 2021. I finally let go of some of my grandparents and parents' stuff. I am pretty proud of myself so far! Your videos have been a help to me.
Wonderful!
@KristiBranstetter. I love your comment. Thank you for reminding me it is a journey. 🌼
In Shannon and Cathy's early days of decluttering Cathy's possessions, Shannon was always so gentle and patient. I guess she learned that from Cathy. Lovely.
There is something that shifts in your mindset as you get older. You realize that relationships and experiences are what's important. Stuff really loses its value and allure as you hone in on what's really important. Great video, guys! Loving the Dynamic Duo!!! ❤
Well said!
I’m not really into fashion, but I figured out what colors look best on me. I’ve found that I eventually end up liking these colors best but don’t always realize it in the store, so understanding it better has helped me save time shopping and finding pieces I actually like long term!
I'm 69 and have been thinking about cleaning out more things lately, My siblings and I had to clean out my parents house after they passed away. They had lived there over 40 years. My Dad saved every nut and bolt that he found! We didn't know what went with what sometimes, cords and such as they saved those too. I'm ready to get rid of somethings that I do not use anymore and don't think our daughters would want so thanks for this video. I will have to watch more!
Your mom is a joy! So proud of her changes. You two are blessed to be together so often.
Always include the comment about how much easier it is to clean without unnecessary items around, not to mention easier access to items you keep and use.
I don’t want to leave my daughter with my cluttered house after I die. But I’m so overwhelmed and don’t know where to get started. I have a lot of “just in case“ items that I can’t let go of too.
Thank you for the inspiration. I’m going to watch all your videos and hopefully it will put a spark in my tail to get it done.
Same with me. I have started small, maybe a thing or two at a time.
I have a friend that hired an organizer. She is the only daughter and her parents had health issues and needed to move out of their home.
I watch my grandson 3 days a week at my home. I won't have any more grandchildren, so when he outgrows something, I give it away. Clothes & toys go to the Goodwill. Larger items are put at the front of our yard with a "free" sign on it. He doesn't need a stroller anymore. I put it outside and less than 2 hours later, another grandmother picked it up to take her 1 month old grandchild for walks. I'm glad I got that space eater out of our garage & also help someone else.
Yay! that is such a wonderful mindset to have =)
I love watching your videos. I’ve been slowly decluttering for 5 years now since I took a trip to Australia and realized I didn’t use a lot of the clothing I brought with me. It started as a purge and has turned into a “do you want to take this with you if you moved houses” declutter. I prefer to think of it this way vs the Swedish death cleaning method, less morbid.
The mindset shift has been incredible. I’ve been able to emotionally let go of things that I realize aren’t important to me to make space for the things that are. This shift has also moved into all parts of my life, from clothing to sentiments, food to food waste. It has helped us save money! I also think more critically when I’m buying something.
These videos are definitely contagious! And I love that you share this journey with your mom.
I’m so happy I’m doing this while I’m young and hope to pass this mindset onto my child, such an important lesson.
Thank you! ❤
Love the simplicity of your house right now…..I’m 63, and hubby 66…..it’s been through videos like yours, that I have been watching the past 4 years that lead me to also do my Swedish death clean…..I first started than eventually hubby got on board….it’s made our lives soooooo much easier to manage…..I too love to now see “empty spaces”…..thanks for the inspirational videos….❤️❤️❤️👍
I can remember your mom's resistance in the beginning and how you had to push her out of her comfort zone. It's amazing how far she's come and your dad too!
Passing along items to someone who can use them now not only improves their life -- it also frees YOU to better enjoy your life.
Your videos have been very helpful for my family. My husband is from a hoarder family and he’s really into decluttering now, after seeing how much it’s helped my anxiety and overall happiness. I started a few years ago, and he started seeing the results and wanted to join in! Now the kids are into it as well. An amazing mindset shift. Ty!
Yay! I love hearing that. Decluttering and letting go of the extra stuff has helped so much with my anxiety too.
I wish this could be true in my case. When my late husband saw an empty space I had decluttered & cleaned his mindset was 'yay, another clear surface I can drop crap onto' so my joy at what I accomplished was always short-lived.
Unfortunately now living with my older brother he has the same mindset and see's empty spaces as so empty & lonely. I guess guys just have some warped sense of 'feathering' their nest in their own sloppy way ... but the visual-overload- anxiety it gives me is unbearable.
I started Swedish death cleaning about a year ago. My mother (a shopaholic) just moved into a care home. The amount of stuff we cleared was overwhelming and pointless, it has made us more determined to keep decluttering.
I still have to declutter my wardrobe, I will get there.
The craziest thing I got rid of after holding onto for 40 years was a tupperware melon baller.
Your mom is so adorable. I am in the same chapter of life. Lots of good points❤😊
Thank you so much!
I think this video was so valuable to show people how your mom’s thought processes have changed. It is contagious!
I did a huge clean out and organizing last August. Spent vacation time organizing photos and putting them in albums and throwing bad ones away. Bags of old clothes and shoes to donation, and felt really good. I don't have a lot of family heirlooms, but I use nana's China and silver! It's not packed away in the garage anymore! My sister and brother in law were the keepers of the family's heirlooms. They died 7/ 7/22 in a tragic house fire. The house burned to the ground. Nothing left. Nothing important and it's heartbreaking to have lost my sister because nothing is more important than family! 😢 she had just retired and had a lot of plans to sort and clean. Miss her so much 😢 she is the treasure I can never replace.
Your mother's home has so many wonderful storage areas. It's full of storage space. I'm proud of her for decluttering so much in regards to that statement. It has been/would be so easy for her to keep it all and she is still choosing simplicity. Way to go Mom!
Though I'm older than your Mom, I had the same mindset of buying backups or "just-in-case items." I like your Dad's attitude about letting the stores store the items.
My husband and i lost our home in 2007 to a tornado. Shortly afterwards i realized i felt SO FREE without all the stuff! Now after all these years i have all this stuff again and I'm in the process of getting rid of it!!
I have loved watching the two of you in this process. I worked with my mom many years ago to get through a room filled with fabric and magazines and it was a process! That was about 20 years ago and I've been working on clearing out my stuff since then.
I recently (yesterday) realized that I could donate fabric to a group who makes quilts for charity. I have about 15 boxes of fabric (not small boxes, like banker box type boxes) and this morning I've emptied 3 to donate.
And I'm watching you and your lovely mother!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.
My mom passed away about 7 years ago. She was a SAVER. Luckily, my dad was more minimalistic. So it wasn’t hard getting rid of things. Although, I’ve probably hung onto too many family “heirlooms”. 😬 I’m 57, my hubby is 59 and we’ve been slowly getting rid of things so we don’t overwhelm our kids.
I have been on my decluttering journey for a few years now. I don't replace anything immediately. I wait to see if I really miss it. So far I haven't replaced anything. I make do with other items. I thought I would miss the electric fry pan but when it quit working I threw it out and now use a pan on the stove.
I just love watching your videos. I wish you live by me to help me declutter my house . Thank you for inspiring me to clean my house. Both of you are amazing. Have a great day.
I think your mom and I are long lost twins as far as how she used to buy clothing, little mirrors, cosmetic bags etc. I can totally relate to her.
I'm 70, an aspiring reseller, and have been coming 'round to this sort of mindset in the last several months. I have to say, your video has truly inspired and excited me to de-clutter in earnest. I have a lot of stuff, much of which was bought as an "investment" for the the future. Well, the future's here and now's the time to sell/donate/give it away. I have no children, so that is no burden on them, thank goodness; just my husband and me. Thank you for your very timely mental stimulation, Shannon and Cathy.
Shannon & Mrs. Cathy, This is awesome! I remember watching your Mom clean all of this. It's such encouragement to see it. We are in the process of decluttering, too, because we do not have children to leave anything too. So it's up to us. Keep the videos coming. 😊
I would love to hear more about how how your mom overcame that threatened feeling. My mom and my grandmother both have homes that are filled to the brim and feel threatened/criticized when someone is trying to help them declutter. I have only been invited to help my mom once when she was trying to declutter old cell phones (she has kept every cell phone she ever had and the accessories). It ended with her in tears and wanting to keep them in case of emergency.
It sounds like they're actual hoarders which needs psychological help
This is one of the first steps in deciding a house is too much….we now live and travel in a motorhome. 2 people, 4 plates/forks/knives, books on a Kindle, etc etc. As another popular TH-cam channel says: less junk, more journey. 👍
I love that! I have dreams of doing something like that when I get older and don't have little kids. My husband says little kids in a tiny home sounds like his personal hell on earth LOL.
You two are the perfect tag team! I wish you could tour around and help people! The feeling threatened thing is huge!
I love the videos showing your mom's journey. Dealing with years and years of stuff is so overwhelming and it's hard to change your mindset. She's doing great and is very inspiring not to mention hilarious!! It's great watching your sweet friendship with her too. Thanks for sharing!
I am in a very similar place as your Mom. As I'm in a space and see something that I don't use, it's gone! It feels really good.
I’m taking a break from cleaning to watch you guys !! 😂😊. I wish you guys were here. ❤
Having pitched all my unwanted belongings over a similar timeline, I enjoyed using this video to look back at how my mindset has changed. I once hoarded those shoe-filling wads of paper in a bag behind my bed. Because I MIGHT NEED THEM SOME DAY. I had massive psychological barriers to getting rid of things, and I wouldn't let anyone go near my stuff. I was so defensive that I pushed people away so they wouldn't threaten my worthless junk stash. Now I come home and find that my husband's thrown out a pile of my just-in-case things, and all I feel is relief and gratitude.
It is great to see how much your mom's mindset has changed since the first videos. It is inspiring.
I totally agree!
Shannon and Kathy,
The love and respect you show each other with a huge dose of humor is inspiring on so many levels. Just a joy to watch and be a part of.
I can see my mom going though similar feelings of being threatened by the idea of getting rid of all the stuff but also seeing how good it is to let some of the excess go. Each truck load I take out of their house is a small victory for me. Layer by layer. This load was mostly canning jars! So many, but they were all in use for many years. But that was also years ago. Small steps.
So fun to hear about the decluttering journey for you and your mom. 🤗
I love watching you and your mom. Mine died very young when I was 24 and was sick since I was 17, so I never got to have these kinds of experiences or a relationship as an adult (Well, I was an adult but you know what I mean.) I’m glad she’s so willing to share her journey. I love the video when she went through all of her socks because I somehow have collected a ton of them as well! “You know; you’ve got to have a lot of socks!” 😂
i really relate to your comment, i wish i would have had these opportunities with my mom.. similar situation .. my mom was gone early so no adult interactions & experiences
my husband and i got married in our mid-30s and had 2 apartments full of our own stuff. we combined our stuff and got rid of a ton of stuff but my husband is emotionally connected to boxes and boxes of his childhood and young adult possessions. we’re now in our early 40s with no kids but coming to the realization that we will be taking care of his parents in the next few years. there’s no way we can keep all of our stuff AND store all of their stuff, too. he’s slowly coming around to going through his stuff and gently suggesting to his parents that we need to help them decluttering, too. i watch your videos within earshot of him and he usually comes to finish watching the video with me. 😅 thanks for sharing y’all’s decluttering journey!
I LOVE the series you do with your mom. You two are so great together. So much love and humor. I appreciate how you disclose that it's taking years to go through your parents' stuff. I have a small place but it has taken me two years of decluttering to get where I am now and I am still working on it. It happens in layers and over time. People need to understand you likely will not just plow through your stuff in a week and be done.
Thank you Shannon and Cathy! It does motivate me by watching your videos to just keep decluttering. I started the process a long time ago. And friends called me to help them. Very resistant to let go because of emotional attachment and memories of the clothes and items. It is so freeing once you finally let go. I do not have anything in my attic, no basement and have nothing stored under the beds and on top of shelf in closet. Winter clothes on top bar, summer clothes on bottom bar. I finally realized I wear uniforms- the same items all the time. I had to come to terms with my fantasy self when shopping too, Cathy -LOL. Love you two together!! You make me laugh! ❤ Cathy
I always had trouble getting rid of stuff. So I would stack things in the middle of my living room. After dodging the boxes for Several days or weeks, I finally got sick and tired of looking at them! I never looked at them again, just took them to Goodwill! Don't miss them!
Thanks for sharing!!
Oh cool, I so need this. I have been dumping so much in my house but not enough. Working on too many projects at once. I look forward to this video.
You can do it!
I’ve actually made a print out for house supplies. Like toothpaste , washing powder etc. I have one in the cupboard and one on the go. When I do my monthly shop I replace the thing that is missing .
Buying something new to wear, hanging it in your closet (and never wearing it), and looking at it like a piece of art. (mind-blowing wake-up call 🤯)
I just donated over 25 furniture items which were no longer serving me and not wanted by my adult children either. It feels great and the garage is next on my list of reducing many decades of our life's journey which I am ready to leave behind, so I can discover and embrace my new self in my final chapter of my life's journey. Be well and may peace be with you.
I get so frustrated with myself decluttering I always feel I should have it done in 1 day . I keep hearing from people like you that it was a matter of years to get where you are.
Love this topic! I’m on my own Swedish Death Cleaning journey. I love the two of you working together! So insightful and encouraging. I’m e been helping my mom a bit as well, and now she’s helping my sister. 🕊☺💕
To borrow a phrase from Star Trek: "Space...the final frontier." The space we discover when we declutter is so worth the effort,
Pink is so your mom's color. I'm trying to start this journey. Still trying to get through the guilt of the money spent and letting go of the fantasy self. She spends all her time wearing linen and wandering the beach in New England.....however, the real me is firmly landlocked in Kentucky.
If the day comes when you are walking the beach in New England, you can treat yourself to some linen clothes. BTW, the beaches in DE are great, and we have several outlet centers to buy that linen!
Hi Wendy, I laughed reading this because I also have these same fantasy self images. I imagine myself living in Hawaii or NY and needing all the clothes that would go with those destinations lol. But I am a mom and I don't need fancy clothes right now haha.
I love your low key methodical approach to adopting the declutter mindset! The generational clutter bomb stops here!
When my mom passed and we had to clean out her house, we found the local Hospice thrift shop so encouraging and welcoming. Now I have a box on the go all the time and I don’t wait for the right person to give things to. Someone is out there who would love it.
That's so wise! A fresh breeze, and it is not about death, but better life. Your mother is a charm. 👍😍😍👏👏
This is a great gift from a parent!!! It made me angry and interfered with my grief and the memory of my mother to deal with all her CRAP!!!
Love the minimalist philosophy! Love this channel! Love you guys!!
Thanks so much!!
I didn't have that many clothes when I worked, now that I am retired I have even less.
when storing bar dial, always open package to let it dry out. lasts longer when you use it
I love the two generations sharing the experience of minimalism! Shannon you took the exact right approach-support & encouragement without pushing. Your Mom has come so far in her journey. I really like how it all lead to simplified wardrobe for her as well.
Yes! Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful week =)
I wish I had a daughter to help me, one son wants things but his wife will pitch it😢, other son lives in Asia. So, I look for people who will value and appreciate the item and "gift" it to them even if not related
I think it’s wonderful that also your mom decided for herself instead of leaving it to you. Beautiful 😊
Great suggestions! I tell myself that keeping an object is not the only way to remember someone. You don’t have to hold onto the mug, the sweater, the ornament from your relative or friend; hold their memory in your heart, not an item in your home.
Your mom's home looks so much classier now. I bet she feels better about herself living in the simplified version of her house.
The Difference in the kitchen before an after was absolutely amazing. It looks so great so simple, I love how all the stuff was taken off the fridge.!
Thanks for the inspiration. My mom died 8 years ago and whatever I couldn’t decide what to do with was put in our basement. It flooded 2 months ago and we are now ready to move stuff back in. I want to let most of it go. I mean, I didn’t want to look at it for 8 years. Right? Yes.
This is great. Thank you both. I just decluttered my master bathroom. Wow! That felt so good
Wonderful!
You two are such a great inspiration for people. We actually helped my mom and her husband to move several times, with each move, more had to go as their living spaces changed. It was a massive job and I no longer keep things I am not using for that reason.