During my Swedish death cleaning, as I neared the end, I had a pile of things, I just didn’t know where I wanted to put it, my drawers and closets where so perfect as they were, so one day I just threw it all away, or donated it, I just got tired of decisions too so it surprised me I haven’t missed one thing…. 😂
Always great when you don’t remember what it was in the first place. Same thing happened to me. Let go of some previous “keeps” five years ago, and I have thought about them maybe once since then?
Well said! In this series, I have often thought: curriculum purchases are ‘possible resources’. You have to buy it in advance - but you can’t predict the future, and exactly what will work, for each learner. Not everything you buy will be used - every purchase is part of the greater investment, that of homeschooling your children. As part of that wonderful investment, not a cent is ever wasted! It would be a waste of your time and energy, and of your children’s, to use a part of the greater curriculum ‘library’ that proves unsuitable, just because you bought it. So nothing has been wasted! Back in the day, I did a stint as a Sunday School Superintendent- I have thought about this A Lot!
Today I realized that our cousin will soon be literally swallowed up by her cluttered condo. She is the former victim of abuse and is going through a particularly difficult family situation right now. Your channel could be so helpful for her, but unfortunately she is deaf. I hope that your video today can guide us when talking with her. So far, we have never commented on the state of her condo. In part this is because the other issues at the home are so much more pressing. But I think more importantly, I don’t want to pressure her to take steps she may simply not be ready for. Her being deaf already seems to authorize other relatives to dismiss her decision-making abilities in every aspect of her life. Instead, I want to treat her like the well-educated and intellectually curious person she is. I think having followed your journey since the beginning is providing some of the guidance I need. Please keep posting!
For me, my mental health is prioritized when I don’t have stashes of stuff in my home that are “to dos”. Either that need to be organized, or need to be sold, or need to be organized. It is worth it to me to immediately sort through that stuff, donate the majority immediately and have a very small amount to organize later because I can’t stand seeing bins of stuff to do. Or piles of stuff in my home. It brings me a lot of stress.
I love that you are so honest about your struggle with letting go of things and why you are struggling. It is so refreshing to see the decluttering and the decision making live. It feels like we, the watchers are a part of the process.
I understand this very well. At the beginning of my minimalism journey, I still kept many things and my keep piles were often bigger than the go piles. I still further declutter piles that were keep piles. Keep peeling the onion! Hugs!
You are amazing when you talk through why or why not something should be decluttered! It is helping me to think in a more productive way about the stuff in my house.
Erica, two minutes in you had me decluttering. I even went into the dreaded ATTIC!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot thank you enough. The "talk through" is what I need. PS I miss my mom too!❤🩹
Could you add “look at curriculum cabinet” on your daily reset list for like Sunday. And inside the cabinet door have a sheet with the boxes of activities you could add and if it’s something you think is manageable for the week you can pull it out and mark it off. If it’s not, close it up and move on with the week. But that way you open the cabinet and you look for 5-10 min at the list and see/remember what’s there. I’m totally an “out of sight, out of mind” person. So I have to remind myself to go look and put my eyes on it so that things get used.
For school items that you store out of site, make a list and keep the list in sight as a reminder. Then you can cross off items as you use them. That's been my solution.
Wow that was a fantastic go through on the stuff again. You are so generous in all you give to your community, charity and this TH-cam community too. Thanks for talking through the questions, emotions and the answers. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏💪👍🙏💐
Oh bravo Erica ! I was beginning to wonder if you were truly floundering with your decluttering . However your recent losses in your family and the strength to carry on was definetly being put where you knew you needed to. Im very impressed with your strength and tickled to see you moving forward .
Having moved a lot, I know it is costly to move our belongings, so when I am decluttering and I have a dilemma about what to keep, I ask myself if I would pay to move it? Most of the time, it's an easy "NO" Another strategy I heard from Dana White: if it's a maybe, it's a NO.
Great job Erica you’ve come a long way. The lost money is hard to swallow but you can’t get it back. In our generation we were also taught not to waste. So donating unused items seems like a waste of our money spent. But the peace of mind you get from not worrying about how to manage an item can be priceless. ❤😊
Great Job Erica, These decisions were really well considered and thought through. You did amazingly well to give yourself the grace and time to re-evaluate your choices about what was best to keep. Personally, as a long time viewer of your channel, I always thought that the closet you stored all your educational supplies, curriculum and materials was far too big, as it enabled you to keep far more than you could realistically ever use in one year. Even when you took into consideration that your children are of different ages and thus at differing learning stages. It has always seemed from watching that you kept so many educational materials because you highly value education and sort to really priorities it as a result. Therefore, as a mum you wanted to provide for every interest and need your children might have. I think this is true for many mum’s. The problem is this can lead to worrying about doing or providing enough to give children the best start in life. Which leads to guilt if mum’s feel they haven’t provided the things necessary to achieve this. So mum’s often buy too much in the hope of covering all the education bases from as many perspectives as possible. This can be trapping and lead to excess and guilt or shame feelings. This is hard, especially when education is something everyone judges or has an opinion on. I wonder if you can maybe give your opinion on this in someway in a future video about maintaining and storing home-schooling materials, supplies and equipment.
First of all, I wanted to say that your hair looks beautiful today. Secondly, you made great progress revisiting these items. I hope taking the extra time with these items made it even more enjoyable to have the top of your staircase neat and tidy. Great work! ❤
Great video, Erica, I hope you know how much I consider you a friend! I've been with you through this journey and it's so true, it is important to continuously revisit decisions because the process is like the layers of an onion! We keep going deeper and our rationale changes over time and seasons. Thanks for continuing to share!! 💞
Since you are aware that items "disappear" in the closed storage system. Consider a planning time when you look into it. Similar to looking at groceries to see what you have before shopping. Maybe every other Wednesday or the day before you go to the library where information can you have can be augmented by the library visit. Please do not shame yourself, share them. This is why you are going through this stuff. Best wishes!
Deckluttering craft supplies in our basement. One container down, five to go. This house needs to be be better than it is now and it will take one container at a time. Not stressing it. Just doing it.
With delivery times being so short, you could consider not pre buying anything except for the semester or quarter you are in for school. Perhaps your oldest could help choose 1 teachers pay teachers subject each semester that interests him instead of buying ahead.
Wow, Erica you are reading my mind. It's aLl about the questions you are asking yourself. Same for me. I love that you say your feelings out loud. I listened to you for 3 minutes and connected with you right away. I can't wait to watch your "anxiety " video. Please keep going. I wish we could have coffee and share. Don't think I'm crazy... I'm 75 yrs old and just started decluttering my small apartment. You go girl.!! See you again soon. Mindy
Great video Erica! I love when you talk through the emotions and reasoning! I have decluttered a lot so I no longer watch a lot of TH-camrs I did at the start but I feel you continue to grow and develop your decluttering process/muscles and love learning more through you! Keep the videos coming , you are such an inspiration! ❤
It is clear to me that our lives are very far apart in terms of how they are set up - but I LOVE the way you think things through aloud here because now I can see how I could move forward with my own decluttering. I know that I will have to go through a Keep pile repeatedly. It won't be a "one and done" thing. These questions will be very handy for me to use, so thank you for this video!
I would love to see some sort of shopping haul. I watched you for 4 years now in this minimal journey. I've seen you unpack, organize, declutter, clean out.....where are you getting these items you are decluttering? And are you putting as much thoughtfulness in your purchases?
👍💜💜💜 Managing less is the way to go! That's why I don't have much left. I've got the last bits to decide on, then I'm free again 🎉 I go through cycles of having next to nothing, and it feels so good to have some stuff, just not a lot of stuff. Only enough to make you happy and utilize everything ❤
Good job. I know you are someone who likes to be prepared for all so it must be very difficult to talk yourself out of or through the what ifs in life.
Very helpful questions that get at the heart of why it may or may not make sense/be worth keeping something. A great reminder of how decluttering is not always a "once and done" process. Thanks, Erica! 👍
That was an excellent video. I watch a ton of decluttering videos and I'm not sure I've ever seen someone go through a keep pile twice. I'm sure having that pile there was a little annoying but the few days between seem necessary to let your brain process some decisions. Thank you for sharing!
I like how you talk things through. I think your to hard on yourself sometimes. You have done a great job. I have watched you from the beginning and I like how you talk through your decisions. ❤️
I've followed you from the beginning and I've noticed that the hardest part for you is school stuff and there always seems to be so much of it and it overwhelms me I can't imagine that it wouldn't overwhelm you. I know back in the day you spent lots of money on school stuff that you ended up having duplicates and triplicates and you'd get so frustrated. Maybe it's time to simplify your home schooling materials in the sense that do kids really need that much material. Life is full of learning and you are a very good teacher but this seems to come up over and over again. Concerning the money, what works best for me is Letting Go and giving it to God and repenting meaning I change and stop buying so much stuff. Then I stopped the cycle.
We take one tote and use it as to do’s, projects, crafts etc. so it’s all in one place and as it comes in from library, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts etc. it all goes in that tote. Then access it when it goes with a lesson or use on rainy or snow day etc.
Great video Erica! Your questions help me figure out so many things! I like this when you talk to us like one on one and explain it in such a way that I don’t feel dumb and it gives me a greater understanding to do things.
When that money spent idea appears twist it to remind yourself that you spent the money, it won't come back by keeping it. If it was wasted money, it was wasted before.
Hi Erica, this was good. I find if I''m not sure or I have decided to keep the items, like you have waited a day or so, and have a second sweep, you can get rid of much more again that you thought you may keep. Jo from Australia xxx
That was great. I'm truly decluttered after several years and IT IS life changing. BUT things have a tendency to creep back in so every now and then I have to take a fresh look at things and do a donation drop off. My nemesis has been trying to find the perfect donation "home" for everything and now that I only have little bits to declutter, I can fall back into that trap. NOPE! To the thrift store drop off it goes. Someone else will be blessed. 🙏
Hi Erica! I think part of the problem with you forgetting that you have things like some of the school stuff you talk about in this video is that you don´t have enough/right storage for it IN the schoolroom. I know you liked the bookshelves you have there alot when you got them but are they really functional for what you use them fo now? A place for everything and everything in it´s place... I think that also means that we all need good and enought space for everything that we choose to keep. Sometimes it´s not the amount of items we have that is the "problem" it´s that it´s placed the wrong way for the potential user. If you had large shelves all over the two walls where your bookshelves are now more items could have their own place without being stacked and potential forgotten under something, it would be easy to see everything and your kids might have it easier to put stuff back. You would also be able to store everything in the same space and know how much you have. Perhaps even some of the things you store in the diningroom coud fit in the larger shelves. Yes, new shelves would cost money tho so do buying stuff over again because it´s "hidden" or if it´s bought, gets lost in some closet and never become used.
Love this! I find asking yourself and evaluating your emotions is similar to Marie Kondo's method where she tells her clients to see if it "brings them joy" (or basically, what value does it add to your life and if it will be beneficial in bringing it forward in your life). And I'm glad you face these emotional attachments head on because it helps you put into perspective the things you own, and the struggle is absolutely real. I used to hoard until I was in college, and then realised I really hated clutter and the stress that comes with it, so now I usually only buy things that I really want, and if there's no more attachment or need for it, I let it go. My mum is the hoarder in our house (we grew up with the "we may need it in the future", and never used said items in decades), and my dad is the de-clutterer & organiser, and I try to be more like my dad instead of keeping things "for the sake of keeping". I'm still trying to get rid of stuff every now and then, and I hope one day to have just what I need & like to use. This also influences my buying habits, do I buy something just for the sake of buying? No. As an ADHD person I use things I actually like to motivate me to use something, so I tend to buy the "nicer looking thing" (e.g. a fancy looking kettle, a pink computer monitor) despite it being slightly pricier, but it being the *only* thing of its kind I own and use every single day. In that way, I won't have something I own just because of its necessity, and it would lead to more satisfaction in the long run, without me always seeking something to desire out there, while having the thing "just because it's cheaper and more practical". So, spend a bit more, but buy less because I have something I like and need at the same time. And when I see something that looks nice but I don't necessarily need (a cute dress), I am less likely to get it because I have already curated my long-term wardrobe prior which I am genuinely happy to wear daily, and am not going to get roped in into any trends, or the "spend less on cheap clothes that won't last/ I don't like but they were cheap" habit.
You made a few really good points. I have decluttered my place several times during moving periods. 2 places ago I got everything sorted except for the kids stuff and clothing I kept from when I was a few sizes lower than I am now. I couldn’t bring myself to throw any of it out so it’s in the storage cage and I never go there. It’s outa sight outa mind and can stay that way 😂. The issue I have is the piles of stuff I don’t know where to put as this place doesn’t have the storage inside that I once had. My son also moved back home and he has accumulated so much stuff but it’s not a problem. It’s all contained in his room which is the master bathroom. I found smart storage solutions for my clothing and I have ikea storage shelves which house my things. My issue is that I put aside things to sell and never do it. I now know why I can’t get rid of these things. It’s because I paid good money for these things and I don’t like to waste. I also fear selling items due to being ripped off on eBay a few times. Just like the time I sold a pair of Chanel shoes and the person said they never arrived and canceled the with their bank. They did get the shoes cause they sent me a message saying thanks for the free shoes. That was a disappointing and expensive experience. I guess I should try to sell the stuff and hopefully no one will rip me off again or just donate it all like I usually do. So yes Erica! I’m listening to you 😊❤
I love your helpful thought process!! I have considered reverse decluttering and this deeper dive will immensely help my decision making. Thank you so much for all you do and share, Erica. ❤😊
I love listening to you think out a solution to a problem. I have probably over 1000 stamp sets from Stampin' Up from when I was a demonstrator more than 14 years ago. I plan on taking each shelf with a "declutter everything" manta and hopefully get rid of a lot of items that I haven't used in years. I want to make cards again. I want to scrapbook again, even if all I do is scrapbook my dd's Catalina Island trip with Girl Scouts of Utah in Fall 2008. I want my craft room to be useable not a shrine to the past.
Yes! I agree with others that your ability to take us through the process is top-notch! I do enjoy your being able to break down the decisions required while you speak with us - but I wouldn't want you to think you needed to more or less of that. I like your content because you're naturally a person who will on occasion come to a block - then question yourself - take yourself back to the sorting process you put in place before taking on the task - to remind yourself the rules of the game. I honestly forget that - and can come to an item which requires that foundational thinking or to be acted on further - and I'll just sort of stop. Put it aside. Come back to it later. So, watching you go through that exact process - but deal with it differently and more effectively is a learning lesson for me when I come to those moments - so thank you.
Punitive is another feeling that comes up with the notebooks. Because of the shame and $ guilt, we then punatively make ourselves keep them and use them.
This was a very thought-provoking video, thank you! It would be interesting to hear if you have similar questions that help you decide what school stuff/books to buy. It probably is an adhd thing, but I often struggle with having a thinking pause before buying something, maybe questions can help with that. By the way, I don't know if you've considered printing materials as you need them (parts or chapters) It may be easier to forget about them, but maybe if you have a list of what you have on the computer?
Why is it considered "burning through it" if they all happen quickly when the other option is likely forgetting you own them? I challenge myself with that often
Thanks for sharing Erica it is helpful 👍 You got me thinking! Using your example of the extra notebooks. I wonder if a question to ask and find a solution for is items you have extra of, because they were in different places and now you've centralised them, that you will use them if that timeframe is using them in the next 6 months, could a place be created in the homeschool room for them? Before going shopping check your inventory. Maybe that's coming from me thinking it would save me from going to buy more as I don't like shopping! For your need to see it and have an easy solution for children to use and put away it's shelves and clear plastic containers, the ones you have that are clear with a handle each side no lid. Like a sturdy bag 😂 That's what seems to work for you and your family from what I've seen and in the clips you showed at the end of this video. I recall that you don't like the visual stimulation but the functionality of it works.
Do you have them do some type of journaling? I remember in elementary they had us do that to practice handwriting and vocabulary? Plus it teaches them to put their words and thoughts down.
When more than one person has access to something on a shelf, in a drawer, etc., the area always needs tidying from time to time. I think it's proof that God has a sense of humor, plus teaches us patience. No two people under the same roof seem to have the same sense of organization. Tidying, a never-ending fact of life.
Thank you, Erica. This was so helpful. I have never thought of decluttering as what to keep but rather what to get rid of this day. Also, revisiting what you kept as you find homes for it. So helpful... thank you!
Ask yourself have i enough before i buy an item and if the answer is yes there is no need to buy it, this leasson i did for one year and it saved me buying and then taking it all to the charity shop, you have to break the cycle otherwise its same old same old
I think the unused notebooks are a struggle to declutter because it's guaranteed that you'll need them at some point. Therefore, they're not a just in case type of item, they're backstock. If I remember correctly, you have an office supply closet where they could be stored until needed.
I know this is an extremely obvious suggestion, but would it be helpful for you to use your local library exclusively for a certain period of time (maybe throughout this spring and summer) without bringing in any more books or materials since I can tell you have a lot of overwhelm with these items? No guilt, no cost, no overthinking. Also, would it be helpful to have one dedicated shelf on a bookcase per homeschooling subject (math, language arts, history/social studies, science, and then one or two shelves for special kits/activities) without separating by age or grade or kid? I feel like one of the bigger IKEA Billy bookcases would help you with storage and access; you could clearly see everything and grab it easily, too--and if it doesn't fit, it (or something else in its place) has to go.
But isn't using using one of the packaged science stuff just as easy as Google or going to the library? You have a wheel. Why go looking for another one?
During my Swedish death cleaning, as I neared the end, I had a pile of things, I just didn’t know where I wanted to put it, my drawers and closets where so perfect as they were, so one day I just threw it all away, or donated it, I just got tired of decisions too so it surprised me I haven’t missed one thing…. 😂
That’s amazing!! It must have felt so good!❤
@@EricaLucasLoves it was freeing, I haven’t thought about that like until your video today… sometimes we just get so tired of decisions
I probably wouldn't even remember what I threw out or gave away even if I wanted to miss it, lol. Decluttering is funny that way.
Always great when you don’t remember what it was in the first place. Same thing happened to me. Let go of some previous “keeps” five years ago, and I have thought about them maybe once since then?
Consider this... all the money spent was used to buy GIFTS for other people. A generous thought that hopefully removes any guilt. ❤
Oh wow! I quite like that!!
Love this sentiment!!!!
Well said! In this series, I have often thought: curriculum purchases are ‘possible resources’. You have to buy it in advance - but you can’t predict the future, and exactly what will work, for each learner. Not everything you buy will be used - every purchase is part of the greater investment, that of homeschooling your children. As part of that wonderful investment, not a cent is ever wasted! It would be a waste of your time and energy, and of your children’s, to use a part of the greater curriculum ‘library’ that proves unsuitable, just because you bought it. So nothing has been wasted! Back in the day, I did a stint as a Sunday School Superintendent- I have thought about this A Lot!
Today I realized that our cousin will soon be literally swallowed up by her cluttered condo. She is the former victim of abuse and is going through a particularly difficult family situation right now. Your channel could be so helpful for her, but unfortunately she is deaf. I hope that your video today can guide us when talking with her. So far, we have never commented on the state of her condo. In part this is because the other issues at the home are so much more pressing. But I think more importantly, I don’t want to pressure her to take steps she may simply not be ready for. Her being deaf already seems to authorize other relatives to dismiss her decision-making abilities in every aspect of her life. Instead, I want to treat her like the well-educated and intellectually curious person she is. I think having followed your journey since the beginning is providing some of the guidance I need. Please keep posting!
For me, my mental health is prioritized when I don’t have stashes of stuff in my home that are “to dos”. Either that need to be organized, or need to be sold, or need to be organized. It is worth it to me to immediately sort through that stuff, donate the majority immediately and have a very small amount to organize later because I can’t stand seeing bins of stuff to do. Or piles of stuff in my home. It brings me a lot of stress.
I love that you are so honest about your struggle with letting go of things and why you are struggling. It is so refreshing to see the decluttering and the decision making live. It feels like we, the watchers are a part of the process.
Wonderful! I will keep filming those thoughts then!
You are SO GOOD at processing in real time on camera, and it is SO HELPFUL!
Agreed! 🎉❤️👍🙏💖
I understand this very well. At the beginning of my minimalism journey, I still kept many things and my keep piles were often bigger than the go piles. I still further declutter piles that were keep piles. Keep peeling the onion! Hugs!
You are amazing when you talk through why or why not something should be decluttered! It is helping me to think in a more productive way about the stuff in my house.
My main takeaway from your videos is talking through what to keep. It has made what to keep or declutter so much easier for me. Thank you so much.
And I find that it serves to imprint it on my mind, so going forward, I am more aware of what I already have, need or don't have space for.
Yes, I agree completely!! ❤
Erica, two minutes in you had me decluttering. I even went into the dreaded ATTIC!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot thank you enough. The "talk through" is what I need. PS I miss my mom too!❤🩹
Could you add “look at curriculum cabinet” on your daily reset list for like Sunday. And inside the cabinet door have a sheet with the boxes of activities you could add and if it’s something you think is manageable for the week you can pull it out and mark it off. If it’s not, close it up and move on with the week. But that way you open the cabinet and you look for 5-10 min at the list and see/remember what’s there. I’m totally an “out of sight, out of mind” person. So I have to remind myself to go look and put my eyes on it so that things get used.
I'd suggest monthly or when you do the next section of lesson planning, but I like the id3a
For school items that you store out of site, make a list and keep the list in sight as a reminder. Then you can cross off items as you use them. That's been my solution.
Reading this, I realized that I did a version of this! Have it in my planner and reference it more often 👍
Wow that was a fantastic go through on the stuff again. You are so generous in all you give to your community, charity and this TH-cam community too. Thanks for talking through the questions, emotions and the answers. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏💪👍🙏💐
Oh bravo Erica ! I was beginning to wonder if you were truly floundering with your decluttering . However your recent losses in your family and the strength to carry on was definetly being put where you knew you needed to. Im very impressed with your strength and tickled to see you moving forward .
Thank you! Maybe I should make a video for that. I am definitely struggling with letting go nowadays because of the grief.
I also like hearing and seeing you process, because it's similar to what I go through.
I love hearing your process as you think through.
Me too
Having moved a lot, I know it is costly to move our belongings, so when I am decluttering and I have a dilemma about what to keep, I ask myself if I would pay to move it? Most of the time, it's an easy "NO" Another strategy I heard from Dana White: if it's a maybe, it's a NO.
Maybe you can put a reminder in your callendar to use the sience kits. That way you can put it away but know that you won't forget to "use it up".
Great tip!!
Great job! You've inspired me to go back through my pictures again.
Please look up Dana K White, her no mess decluttering system is what you need. Even and especially for piles like these!
Great job Erica you’ve come a long way. The lost money is hard to swallow but you can’t get it back. In our generation we were also taught not to waste. So donating unused items seems like a waste of our money spent. But the peace of mind you get from not worrying about how to manage an item can be priceless. ❤😊
Great Job Erica, These decisions were really well considered and thought through. You did amazingly well to give yourself the grace and time to re-evaluate your choices about what was best to keep. Personally, as a long time viewer of your channel, I always thought that the closet you stored all your educational supplies, curriculum and materials was far too big, as it enabled you to keep far more than you could realistically ever use in one year. Even when you took into consideration that your children are of different ages and thus at differing learning stages. It has always seemed from watching that you kept so many educational materials because you highly value education and sort to really priorities it as a result. Therefore, as a mum you wanted to provide for every interest and need your children might have. I think this is true for many mum’s. The problem is this can lead to worrying about doing or providing enough to give children the best start in life. Which leads to guilt if mum’s feel they haven’t provided the things necessary to achieve this. So mum’s often buy too much in the hope of covering all the education bases from as many perspectives as possible. This can be trapping and lead to excess and guilt or shame feelings. This is hard, especially when education is something everyone judges or has an opinion on.
I wonder if you can maybe give your opinion on this in someway in a future video about maintaining and storing home-schooling materials, supplies and equipment.
First of all, I wanted to say that your hair looks beautiful today. Secondly, you made great progress revisiting these items. I hope taking the extra time with these items made it even more enjoyable to have the top of your staircase neat and tidy. Great work! ❤
Great video, Erica, I hope you know how much I consider you a friend! I've been with you through this journey and it's so true, it is important to continuously revisit decisions because the process is like the layers of an onion! We keep going deeper and our rationale changes over time and seasons. Thanks for continuing to share!! 💞
Thank you for being here today!!
Keeping things out of guilt because family or someone close gave it to me was a huge thing to get over and so freeing to let go of.
I really like how you walk us through the decisions. Very logical.
Since you are aware that items "disappear" in the closed storage system. Consider a planning time when you look into it. Similar to looking at groceries to see what you have before shopping. Maybe every other Wednesday or the day before you go to the library where information can you have can be augmented by the library visit. Please do not shame yourself, share them. This is why you are going through this stuff. Best wishes!
Deckluttering craft supplies in our basement. One container down, five to go. This house needs to be be better than it is now and it will take one container at a time. Not stressing it. Just doing it.
With delivery times being so short, you could consider not pre buying anything except for the semester or quarter you are in for school. Perhaps your oldest could help choose 1 teachers pay teachers subject each semester that interests him instead of buying ahead.
Wow, Erica you are reading my mind. It's aLl about the questions you are asking yourself. Same for me. I love that you say your feelings out loud. I listened to you for 3 minutes and connected with you right away. I can't wait to watch your "anxiety " video. Please keep going. I wish we could have coffee and share. Don't think I'm crazy... I'm 75 yrs old and just started decluttering my small apartment. You go girl.!! See you again soon. Mindy
I learn so much when connecting with you. Thank you, Erica!
Great video Erica! I love when you talk through the emotions and reasoning! I have decluttered a lot so I no longer watch a lot of TH-camrs I did at the start but I feel you continue to grow and develop your decluttering process/muscles and love learning more through you! Keep the videos coming , you are such an inspiration! ❤
It is clear to me that our lives are very far apart in terms of how they are set up - but I LOVE the way you think things through aloud here because now I can see how I could move forward with my own decluttering. I know that I will have to go through a Keep pile repeatedly. It won't be a "one and done" thing. These questions will be very handy for me to use, so thank you for this video!
It’s also fun to pick out a “new”notebook if you should need to..
I would love to see some sort of shopping haul. I watched you for 4 years now in this minimal journey. I've seen you unpack, organize, declutter, clean out.....where are you getting these items you are decluttering? And are you putting as much thoughtfulness in your purchases?
This was a great video!! As you were making decisions, I could see you visibly feeling lighter and looking lighter!! ❤
A glass fronted cabinet might be the answer to making the space fleet and other things you own visible, so you remember that you have it.
Really appreciate how to thought and stepped out your decisions
👍💜💜💜 Managing less is the way to go! That's why I don't have much left.
I've got the last bits to decide on, then I'm free again 🎉 I go through cycles of having next to nothing, and it feels so good to have some stuff, just not a lot of stuff. Only enough to make you happy and utilize everything ❤
You did an amazing job getting through the closet stuff and reducing it even more on the second round. ❤️🙏
Good job. I know you are someone who likes to be prepared for all so it must be very difficult to talk yourself out of or through the what ifs in life.
Thanks Erica for talking through this next step(s). This is very helpful! God bless you and have a great day!
Very helpful questions that get at the heart of why it may or may not make sense/be worth keeping something. A great reminder of how decluttering is not always a "once and done" process. Thanks, Erica! 👍
That was an excellent video. I watch a ton of decluttering videos and I'm not sure I've ever seen someone go through a keep pile twice. I'm sure having that pile there was a little annoying but the few days between seem necessary to let your brain process some decisions. Thank you for sharing!
I like how you talk things through. I think your to hard on yourself sometimes. You have done a great job. I have watched you from the beginning and I like how you talk through your decisions. ❤️
I've followed you from the beginning and I've noticed that the hardest part for you is school stuff and there always seems to be so much of it and it overwhelms me I can't imagine that it wouldn't overwhelm you. I know back in the day you spent lots of money on school stuff that you ended up having duplicates and triplicates and you'd get so frustrated. Maybe it's time to simplify your home schooling materials in the sense that do kids really need that much material. Life is full of learning and you are a very good teacher but this seems to come up over and over again. Concerning the money, what works best for me is Letting Go and giving it to God and repenting meaning I change and stop buying so much stuff. Then I stopped the cycle.
I’ve definitely done that this last year! My mindset changed first about school and now the stuff is catching up 😂
@@EricaLucasLoves ❤🙏
We take one tote and use it as to do’s, projects, crafts etc. so it’s all in one place and as it comes in from library, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts etc. it all goes in that tote. Then access it when it goes with a lesson or use on rainy or snow day etc.
Feel like I'm sitting there on the floor with you...😊
I felt like that too. ❤
You could add a list on the inside of the school cabinet- I now have a list on the inside of my doors so I can find things easily.
You “could” use some of the stuff but “will you” and thus your question about what would your life would look like without it.
Definitely the seed of discussion on this one!
dear erica, great job & very inspirational! just what i needed, thank you! love from germany
Great video Erica! Your questions help me figure out so many things! I like this when you talk to us like one on one and explain it in such a way that I don’t feel dumb and it gives me a greater understanding to do things.
That is great to know!
This was an amazing video. Thank you!!!❤❤❤
When that money spent idea appears twist it to remind yourself that you spent the money, it won't come back by keeping it. If it was wasted money, it was wasted before.
But also to consider this process when making a decision to buy items that might need to be declutter later on.
Yes these are very important questions. It's like the icing on the cake of decluttering. Thank you.
Hi Erica, this was good. I find if I''m not sure or I have decided to keep the items, like you have waited a day or so, and have a second sweep, you can get rid of much more again that you thought you may keep. Jo from Australia xxx
Amazing second pass!
That was great. I'm truly decluttered after several years and IT IS life changing. BUT things have a tendency to creep back in so every now and then I have to take a fresh look at things and do a donation drop off. My nemesis has been trying to find the perfect donation "home" for everything and now that I only have little bits to declutter, I can fall back into that trap. NOPE! To the thrift store drop off it goes. Someone else will be blessed. 🙏
This is amazing Erica! Ur thinking & talking it thru these items is so so helpful!! Ur a decluttering rockstar!!👍🏻👍🏻
Erica, your hair looks so great.
Hi Erica!
I think part of the problem with you forgetting that you have things like some of the school stuff you talk about in this video is that you don´t have enough/right storage for it IN the schoolroom.
I know you liked the bookshelves you have there alot when you got them but are they really functional for what you use them fo now? A place for everything and everything in it´s place... I think that also means that we all need good and enought space for everything that we choose to keep. Sometimes it´s not the amount of items we have that is the "problem" it´s that it´s placed the wrong way for the potential user.
If you had large shelves all over the two walls where your bookshelves are now more items could have their own place without being stacked and potential forgotten under something, it would be easy to see everything and your kids might have it easier to put stuff back. You would also be able to store everything in the same space and know how much you have.
Perhaps even some of the things you store in the diningroom coud fit in the larger shelves.
Yes, new shelves would cost money tho so do buying stuff over again because it´s "hidden" or if it´s bought, gets lost in some closet and never become used.
Love this! I find asking yourself and evaluating your emotions is similar to Marie Kondo's method where she tells her clients to see if it "brings them joy" (or basically, what value does it add to your life and if it will be beneficial in bringing it forward in your life). And I'm glad you face these emotional attachments head on because it helps you put into perspective the things you own, and the struggle is absolutely real. I used to hoard until I was in college, and then realised I really hated clutter and the stress that comes with it, so now I usually only buy things that I really want, and if there's no more attachment or need for it, I let it go. My mum is the hoarder in our house (we grew up with the "we may need it in the future", and never used said items in decades), and my dad is the de-clutterer & organiser, and I try to be more like my dad instead of keeping things "for the sake of keeping".
I'm still trying to get rid of stuff every now and then, and I hope one day to have just what I need & like to use. This also influences my buying habits, do I buy something just for the sake of buying? No. As an ADHD person I use things I actually like to motivate me to use something, so I tend to buy the "nicer looking thing" (e.g. a fancy looking kettle, a pink computer monitor) despite it being slightly pricier, but it being the *only* thing of its kind I own and use every single day. In that way, I won't have something I own just because of its necessity, and it would lead to more satisfaction in the long run, without me always seeking something to desire out there, while having the thing "just because it's cheaper and more practical". So, spend a bit more, but buy less because I have something I like and need at the same time. And when I see something that looks nice but I don't necessarily need (a cute dress), I am less likely to get it because I have already curated my long-term wardrobe prior which I am genuinely happy to wear daily, and am not going to get roped in into any trends, or the "spend less on cheap clothes that won't last/ I don't like but they were cheap" habit.
You made a few really good points. I have decluttered my place several times during moving periods. 2 places ago I got everything sorted except for the kids stuff and clothing I kept from when I was a few sizes lower than I am now. I couldn’t bring myself to throw any of it out so it’s in the storage cage and I never go there. It’s outa sight outa mind and can stay that way 😂. The issue I have is the piles of stuff I don’t know where to put as this place doesn’t have the storage inside that I once had. My son also moved back home and he has accumulated so much stuff but it’s not a problem. It’s all contained in his room which is the master bathroom. I found smart storage solutions for my clothing and I have ikea storage shelves which house my things. My issue is that I put aside things to sell and never do it. I now know why I can’t get rid of these things. It’s because I paid good money for these things and I don’t like to waste. I also fear selling items due to being ripped off on eBay a few times. Just like the time I sold a pair of Chanel shoes and the person said they never arrived and canceled the with their bank. They did get the shoes cause they sent me a message saying thanks for the free shoes. That was a disappointing and expensive experience. I guess I should try to sell the stuff and hopefully no one will rip me off again or just donate it all like I usually do. So yes Erica! I’m listening to you 😊❤
Completely awesome talkthrough! Thank you💕
This is like a therapy session, I have a LOT of the same feelings about items and decluttering, too. I feel ready to move on from more things now.
Very useful thank you
I love your helpful thought process!! I have considered reverse decluttering and this deeper dive will immensely help my decision making. Thank you so much for all you do and share, Erica. ❤😊
I always end up giving away our science units…. I just don’t do science that way either. I don’t think we ever will…. 🙃🙃🙃🙃
Very useful, thank you 🌸
This video was awesome. Talking through the whys is something i really need to do.
Love how real you always are!
Great video! Love it 😊
I love listening to you think out a solution to a problem. I have probably over 1000 stamp sets from Stampin' Up from when I was a demonstrator more than 14 years ago. I plan on taking each shelf with a "declutter everything" manta and hopefully get rid of a lot of items that I haven't used in years. I want to make cards again. I want to scrapbook again, even if all I do is scrapbook my dd's Catalina Island trip with Girl Scouts of Utah in Fall 2008. I want my craft room to be useable not a shrine to the past.
Yes! I agree with others that your ability to take us through the process is top-notch! I do enjoy your being able to break down the decisions required while you speak with us - but I wouldn't want you to think you needed to more or less of that. I like your content because you're naturally a person who will on occasion come to a block - then question yourself - take yourself back to the sorting process you put in place before taking on the task - to remind yourself the rules of the game. I honestly forget that - and can come to an item which requires that foundational thinking or to be acted on further - and I'll just sort of stop. Put it aside. Come back to it later. So, watching you go through that exact process - but deal with it differently and more effectively is a learning lesson for me when I come to those moments - so thank you.
Punitive is another feeling that comes up with the notebooks. Because of the shame and $ guilt, we then punatively make ourselves keep them and use them.
Wow that is so true ❤
Haven't watched your channel in awhile. Are you expecting #4?
Great video !
This was a very thought-provoking video, thank you! It would be interesting to hear if you have similar questions that help you decide what school stuff/books to buy. It probably is an adhd thing, but I often struggle with having a thinking pause before buying something, maybe questions can help with that. By the way, I don't know if you've considered printing materials as you need them (parts or chapters) It may be easier to forget about them, but maybe if you have a list of what you have on the computer?
Fabulous video
This is a decision overload for me. I can only spend a little bit of time on stuff. I would get nothing done if I did things this way.
It is tons of decisions! I was very motivated to clear off the floor. But dividing it would have been easier.
Could you take the doors off the cabinet in the family room so you see the stuff? Would that help with remembering?
That's exhausting!
Why is it considered "burning through it" if they all happen quickly when the other option is likely forgetting you own them?
I challenge myself with that often
Thanks for sharing Erica it is helpful 👍 You got me thinking! Using your example of the extra notebooks. I wonder if a question to ask and find a solution for is items you have extra of, because they were in different places and now you've centralised them, that you will use them if that timeframe is using them in the next 6 months, could a place be created in the homeschool room for them? Before going shopping check your inventory. Maybe that's coming from me thinking it would save me from going to buy more as I don't like shopping! For your need to see it and have an easy solution for children to use and put away it's shelves and clear plastic containers, the ones you have that are clear with a handle each side no lid. Like a sturdy bag 😂 That's what seems to work for you and your family from what I've seen and in the clips you showed at the end of this video. I recall that you don't like the visual stimulation but the functionality of it works.
Do you have them do some type of journaling? I remember in elementary they had us do that to practice handwriting and vocabulary? Plus it teaches them to put their words and thoughts down.
When more than one person has access to something on a shelf, in a drawer, etc., the area always needs tidying from time to time. I think it's proof that God has a sense of humor, plus teaches us patience. No two people under the same roof seem to have the same sense of organization. Tidying, a never-ending fact of life.
I could film a whole video on guilt on unused homeschool materials😭😂❤️👊🏽
Right?! 😂
👚👚👚Erica I love the top you are wearing . Is it navy blue? Was it an Amazon purchase? Your house is looking great, love the videos.
Hi! Yes it’s navy blue - Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B09K7Y6W38/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_MGYZB2K4WSZX3BVTVKMX?linkCode=ml2&tag=homeschoolhap-20
@@EricaLucasLoves thank you.
Thank you, Erica. This was so helpful. I have never thought of decluttering as what to keep but rather what to get rid of this day. Also, revisiting what you kept as you find homes for it. So helpful...
thank you!
Many of the TGATB units were at one point free. I think you should feel free to pass on those printed units. Don't trash them! :)
Ask yourself have i enough before i buy an item and if the answer is yes there is no need to buy it, this leasson i did for one year and it saved me buying and then taking it all to the charity shop, you have to break the cycle otherwise its same old same old
I think the unused notebooks are a struggle to declutter because it's guaranteed that you'll need them at some point. Therefore, they're not a just in case type of item, they're backstock. If I remember correctly, you have an office supply closet where they could be stored until needed.
I know this is an extremely obvious suggestion, but would it be helpful for you to use your local library exclusively for a certain period of time (maybe throughout this spring and summer) without bringing in any more books or materials since I can tell you have a lot of overwhelm with these items? No guilt, no cost, no overthinking.
Also, would it be helpful to have one dedicated shelf on a bookcase per homeschooling subject (math, language arts, history/social studies, science, and then one or two shelves for special kits/activities) without separating by age or grade or kid? I feel like one of the bigger IKEA Billy bookcases would help you with storage and access; you could clearly see everything and grab it easily, too--and if it doesn't fit, it (or something else in its place) has to go.
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Put a list on the cabinet to remind you that you own it.
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if you have a dollar tree they have them
But isn't using using one of the packaged science stuff just as easy as Google or going to the library? You have a wheel. Why go looking for another one?
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