Organizing by color only makes sense if color is is part of the item’s use. I don’t say, “I’d like to read a purple book today”, but I do sometimes need a blue shirt or a red lipstick. Kids may be looking for the green crayons. It can also be used if there is no other logical reason to organize something -like stuffed animals.
Yeah, but I forget authors/titles but I am a visual person and can remember the cover/spine color. So I organize my personal books that way so I can find that one book about the girl who rode a polar bear....not the golden compass but the one based on the psyche myth.
I'm a firm believer in glass food containers, but my elderly mom was super happy to receive our plastic ones.:) She likes light weight items because her hands aren't as strong anymore.
This made me smile when I saw it. I asked my elderly Mom just last week why she makes her breakfast in the microwave with cheap plastic containers instead of the nice glass bowls I use. She said the exact same thing. The glass is too heavy and gets hotter than the plastic when she goes to take it out of the microwave. I never thought about that.
I wanted to keep my mother-in-law's Tupperware, but I learned that plastic is not a good thing to pass down. But, as you said, some people really appreciate the donation for various reasons.
@@sandytaylor8482 I agree, plastic wears out and deteriorates over time. The thing is my mom has 40+ year old Tupperware that she keeps on using, because "they're still good". And their ages old plastic cutting board looks terrifying. I don't think she'd accept me buying her anything new, as they could well afford to renew their containers. It's more of a moral issue to the war time generation I guess. You bought something so you should keep on using it until it breaks. But she will accept second hand containers.
How do you find books if they're organized by color?! I know we have more than some small towns have in their library, but. . .I need my cookbooks all together. I find it easier if fiction is together and if I'm looking for a philosophy book I don't want to look through my home decor or books about art.
This video was bang on! So true! The one situation where I like to use the cheap plastic containers is when I am giving food away and don’t want it back - giving away leftovers after a pre-Covid big family gathering, taking a dish to church for a funeral luncheon or taking a meal to a shut in. They are perfect for those situations. Otherwise I use glass.
That's why I keep a stack of Cool whip containers. Other than that we are going with glass and tossing the plastic. (Actually we pass it on to college students who can use it.)
Or just soak it for a while (talking maybe a half hour max) in the sink with a dab of Dawn and filled with water. Rinse with hot water (you can run your fingers around once if you want to) then toss in the dishwasher. No stains.
I hand wash mine with soap and cold water. Then do an extra rinse with hot, or dishwasher if I have enough for a full load. No stains, no white build-up. Also whiteness can form from putting them in the microwave, which won't come off cause its melted plastic, in case anyone was curious🤔
I’ve always been an “essentialist”, keeping what is useful/beautiful, preferably both whenever possible. I prefer to create a living laboratory that honors and supports the life forms it shelters. I love to design every day as an exploration of the art/business/science and spirit of structures and how we all relate to them. Beautiful appearance is an outflow of function and feeling. I appreciate people who assist others in finding clarity and well being in home/work/gathering spaces. You’re a true Facilitator, and that’s such a blessing.
This video is actually more inspiring to declutter than all the declutter/organization videos I've ever seen. Storage units aren't the only way we keep paying to own stuff: the more stuff you have, the bigger house you need (bigger mortgage, bigger taxes, bigger utility bills, etc.), the more you have to clean up or around, the more money you have to spend on organizers (chests, closets, containers, shelves, etc.). Everything you own costs you something each day you own it. I loved the bit about the shoes - just because you have a place for everything doesn't mean you don't have too much. Grew up moderately poor (if we didn't have extended family to lean on, we would have been), so owning stuff is very emotional to me, and a lifetime of not being able to buy replacements if needed also makes it hard to let go of stuff. This is the first time I've seen you on TH-cam, and I definitely will be watching more!
As a grandchild of people who went through the great depression I grew up with grandparents that kept WAY too many things as do my parents. This I do believe has caused a lot of us to lean towards minimalism. Now I’m most definitely not a minimalist but it’s looking better all the time. As you get older and realize how much money and time you spend on caring for stuff, instead of actually going or doing other things you really want to do well..... all I can say is your day will come, I promise you! That being said, I really love my pretty shoes, dresses, and jewelry! I pared way down but still have a lot! 😊
I’m not officially a minimalist, but I love modern apartments with streamlined furniture and not too much extra stuff. Some people say apartments like mine look like an office or hotel lobby, but that’s my style! I grew up in a house with so much old crap and knickknacks and there wasn’t a clear path through any room in the house. My elderly mom moved away from my childhood home a couple years ago and left a lot of old stuff behind and she had a TV from every decade since the 60s! I just moved into a new apartment and I’m constantly organizing and getting rid of whatever crap I don’t need!
Yes! I like my stuff. I work hard for my stuff and being home a lot more than I used to be, it's nice to have my stuff. My house is not cluttered. But I will not give up the things that I love. Thank you for chiming in on that.
Yes, Kay! I agree with all of these. I cringe so hard when I see rainbow items in a pantry or fridge. I always think if they bought all the different colour cans or similar just for the aesthetic and they will ultimately get wasted. Also, the "organising on a budget" but it turns out they bought half of amazon. I'm like dude, "on a budget" implies cheap, like using an old shoebox, not spending $500 at the container store
Speaking of shoeboxes, I am in the process of covering some with pretty gift wrap purchased at the Dollar Tree or from Estate Sales, or with Christmas wrapping paper for seasonal item storage or donations to Good Sammaratin(sp). I refuse to buy decorated boxes at places like Hobby Lobby, Ross or Marshall's when I have the items already in my home.
Yes, even people that need to see what they have can use glass, loosely woven baskets or wire baskets, all of which can be sourced with some hunting at thrift stores.
In defense of putting the kale on a shelf, rather than in the crisper drawer, though... Sure, you can eat your kale five days later than I*could* have... But a week after that is when I'll rediscover mine (hopefully before it develops language skills and walks away). You follow food science: I'll follow behavioural science :D
@@iloveprivacy8167 ^ THIS. The crisper drawer might as well be the compost bin. If produce goes in, mulch comes out. It matters not that the drawer is transparent. Not one whit.
I appreciate your videos. I love how you stressed not to judge others in this one. I find myself judging myself for not decluttering 'as well' as others do. I still have a bit too much makeup, even after getting rid of half! We are all works in progress, and we do the best that we can. I gave myself 6 months to use my current makeup and have baskets inside my drawers to separate things as I use it. After 6 months I will know exactly what I use and what I haven't touched. Then I will declutter again. That takes some of the pressure off myself to do it all at once, and makeup is seasonal, so once my color pallet lightens up for spring and summer, I will have a better idea of what I actually use. Thanks for your help! I do feel like your speaking directly to me in some of your videos!
Some people like me love to micro organize. Some people like to macro organize. I totally agree that you should not micro organize if that don’t work for you it only get you stressed and unorganized in the end. I so agree on the shaming people because they own stuff
I just threw away 2 dozen colorful pairs of socks that I'd been keeping for several years. I was convinced I would wear them again, they were so pretty. Nope, have to wear diabetic socks now. It was a moment but I did it.
When we get a medical diagnosis that requires changes to how we live our lives, grief for how our lives used to be is normal. That can manifest in keeping things that are no longer needed or even useless. That you kept those real cool socks is very understandable. I still haven't got rid of my blazers and work slacks and skirts that I haven't worn for over 10 years because I can no longer work due to disability. They don't even fit me anymore! It's hard to get rid of things when they have such a heavy emotional meaning. Cheers! ~ Anastacia in Cleveland
I enjoyed this, and I pretty agree with you on everything. The plastic lid thing got to me a long time ago, combined with a friend who keeps reiterating the dangers of cheap plastic. My glass bowl with lids collection is growing nicely. I keep my refrigerator in a practical, neat way, keeping my veggies, meats, etc. where they need to be and not where they look the cutest. I know I will never be a minimalist, and I have no desire to be. I do need to declutter some areas simply to make better use of expensive square footage. Good video!
My partner and I consider our home to be minimalist, but I love cooking and doing cooking experiments. The kitchen is my lab and work area, so I need ALL the tools and gadgets! 😆
PREACH!!!!!!! I resonated with every point you made especially that of possession-shaming. If you have all that you need and find that you have extra, get rid of the extra. The. cost of ownership is much higher than many truly grasp whether the cost is financial, mental, time, or emotional. The only issue I have with people owning items is when unneeded items are. bought on credit or in any way detract from their children. I was raised by parents who one is a hoarder and the other bought and cared for a lot of items that he enjoyed while they both told me and my siblings we couldn't have new shoes for school. That is a breaking point for me.
Here in the UK our fridges have egg holders in the door and everyone stores their milk in the door of the fridge! I do know about storing raw meat on the lowest shelf of the fridge (to avoid dripping onto uncooked food like cheese or sandwich fillings).
but, in general, aren't refrigerators in the UK a bit smaller than US ones? I mean, most of ours would make a decent sized clothes closet lol. Smaller fridge probably more efficient at maintaining temperature.
I’m in the U.S. and we had egg holders in the door of the fridge when I was a small child in the 70s! I forgot all about them until now! Haven’t seen one since!
I had to pay for a storage space in Oklahoma after my Mom died because I didn't have space in my tiny apartment in New Jersey. I moved back to Oklahoma in November 2016, and within two weeks I had cleared out the storage room.
I watched a TH-cam video where some mom bought cereal that had green bits in it just so she could have a green cereal in her ROYGBV pantry. Worst part is that she said she’s never going to eat it 🥴
I wonder if that’s the same woman who stores her husband’s Mr Coffee machine that he uses every day, but leaves her colored Keurig on the counter even though she never uses it, just because it “looks pretty.” Never clicked off a video or channel so quickly.
I came to a similar conclusion several years ago, but not just about storage units, but everything you own: you don't stop paying for it when you buy it, if it takes up space in your house/car/life, you are paying for it every day. It's just my husband and myself, in the largest home in our neighborhood, and since we are both on the verge of being hoarders, I often long for a larger home for our stuff, but I just don't think that's responsible. I get ill at the thought of having to pay a larger mortgage/utility bill/tax note because I can't let go of stuff :/
My mom always had storage units, and in every state she lived in, got a new one, and abandoned every single one when she left and then stopped paying, resulting in collections and forfeiture of the items. So much money wasted and heirlooms lost. I vowed never to get a storage unit.
I totally agree about storage units. There is a time for them but to just put things in there and pay a fee every month seems ridiculous. I like how you tell it like you see it. It's refreshing! You are so delightful to watch. Keep up the good work!
My brother put a bunch of stuff in his after my Mom died in 2006. He died in 2015 and my sister-in-law still has it. I have a few things in there I've been wanting to get out since I moved back in November 2016, and we just can't get together to clean it out.
Storage units are good for small apartment dwellers. We pay less for housing costs and use a storage unit for larger beach or park items (folding tables, boards, tents), luggage and tools. We go in and out of our storage regularly, it’s just an extension for us. In Honolulu many are located by a freeway ramp so you can grab your gear and head off the beach. But I agree that it should not be in lieu of decluttering. Need to review what’s in the storage too and let go.
This is by far the best video ever on TH-cam...a perfect ten for content....perfect ten for your delivery!!!!!!! You have such common sense (common sense is far from common). I am a 73 year old soprano from the Metropolitan area and I spent my life up until five years ago singing. I would love to hear you...any links to performances??? or maybe add some singing to these videos. I hope that covid will soon be history so that you and all young wonderful and dedicated performers like you can get back to performance. Love ya and many thanks....including all the funny lines...too many to pick out....even my husband stopped and watched!!!
I loved this, you crack me up! I totally agree about rainbow order! And can we please stop labeling clear containers?! I can see it's cheez its I don't need a label, and what do I do if I decide to buy wheat thins next time? Do I change the label or am I forever obligated to buy cheez its? Obviously I'm not talking about flours, rice or other things that can't be distinguished from like items.
appreciate your comments about being able to own more things, i do agree i need to like all my clothes...i have built an inventory, do not shop often...so i like to have lots of options
I’m a work in progress and this is basically how I declutter. I go through stuff and get rid of obvious stuff and organize the rest. Then set an appt in my calendar for 3 months later. I have another look and it’s really obvious which of those things I’ve kept because I’m using them and which I’ve kept because I MIGHT someday in the mist-shrouded future use it once. And then I can pounce. If I do it any sooner, I can convince myself I just hadn’t had enough time to use things and, if I do it any later, I’m back at square one because I’ve lost the urge to purge.
Ugh, I felt this! So often, I have bought organizers (baskets, cabinets, tubs, etc.) for stuff and then regretted it - should have just gotten rid of the junk! lol
I JUST within the past week finally cleared out all my old makeup, and now what used to take up several drawers now can fit in one little drawer organizer and it is SO LIBERATING. Literally, if you're even thinking about this-- DO IT. I was the most hesitant about getting rid of eyeshadow pallets (because they do such a good job making them look like a luxury product) but i was able to pry out the pans of the colors i actually want and use and put them in a magnetic pallet from makeup forever, so now i literally just have one eyeshadow pallet that is ONLY made up of colors i use. (also once you start prying the pans out of an eyeshadow pallet, you see that the pallet itself is just cardboard or plastic packaging-- it kind of breaks the spell.)
I have a closet just for seasonal decor. Monthly we pick up and clean our current decor items and replace them with more seasonally harmonious things. It keeps the whole property fresher looking. The secret is to stack the seasonal decor containers in seasonal order and put the shelves in seasonal order and use inside the closet door with shoe organizers and hooks..... All in seasonal order. What I noticed after a few years is that I created more balance between how many Christmas and Halloween things I have with more spring and summer things. Since everything seasonal has to fit in that one closet I figured out how to have a big pop of seasonal color and decor with very few items that fold flat or roll for storage. That's why it takes me only about 45 minutes to dramatically decorate for Christmas.
Seriously asking-do people who Declutter to the extent that they only have a few towels, dishes, etc. not experience hurricanes, floods, winter storms, etc. where they have no electricity or water for days at a time at the same time having a giant mess to clean?
Or enough extra to share with others during these times? I shared blankets and pillows with the local makeshift warming center during our recent ice storm. I was glad I had them to give!
So, I am one of those people who has decluttered to that extent. I do live in a hurricane zone so what I do is...I have an area in my pantry that contains all of the hurricane stuff and extra stuff. This way it doesn’t mix in with the regularly used items creating more for me to manage on a daily basis. I’m a single parent who has to work a lot and I also have BAD ADHD. I have to live with only the minimal amount of stuff or I become very anxious and will literally continuously clean when I’m off work, so this is how I manage. Just my 2 cents :)
Yes, yes we do. Major city in a developed country with a temperate climate. No extreme weather events, good infrastructure. We have 10 bath towels for a family of four, plus a beach towel each. It's plenty for us. If you live in an area where you need more, then keep more.
Or a Hot Water Bottle bursts, or you're poorly and mess the bed, or it's a cold/damp day and you can't get the sheets dry (even with a dryer, they darn thing could break down!). Madness xx
Personally I have one set of bedding. It gets washed and put back on the bed in the same day. If an accident happens (been doing it this way for 15 years and none so far, through sickness and many hot water bottles) then I'd strip the bedding throw a towel down to sleep on top of and grab a blanket, pj's or coats to keep warm. I'd buy new bedding the next day if needed. I grew up with very little and know I don't need a lot. Why keep spare bedding in case of an accident that might happen? I don't keep crutches in case I break a leg.
I use the plastic storage containers in the freezer. I cook in large batches and freeze the leftovers in portion size containers for later use. I only have 3 different sizes so finding the lid to match is not a problem. Glass containers are great for storing and reheating the next day, but they take up too much space in the freezer. Glass containers usually don’t nest very well and they are heavy. I can see benefits of both types of containers. Just limit the variety of brand and size, and the plastic containers nest and store beautifully. By the way, I never cook in my plastic containers and if I rarely get stains, I pitch them.
Yes, variety works best. You just gotta give them a proper home and take care of them like dishes. The Weck storage jars, though smaller and pricier, do tend to nest a bit better than the Pyrex ones.
Yes, I have only one type of storage container in pint and 1/2 pint size in an oblong shape, that way the lids always fit, they stack well when clean and stack well when stored in the fridge.....small space needs double organization
I have to say, decluttering has made a huge impact in our home. You don't realize how much ""stuff" you have that will eventually be passed on to your unsuspecting family. I have had to clean out my m-i-l's houses multiple times, and it is not a pretty task. I think it is generational, but I am glad that my kids will not have to deal with my things!! It is an individual decision, and I am SO glad I am doing it! You do you...and you do have some perrrrty stuff! LoL!
That’s funny about the eggs in the door. Growing up, we had a refrigerator that had the built in egg holders in the door. Like twelve actual oval/egg shaped molds in the door. Science figured out best zones for food storage and that was phased out I guess.
If you have unwashed farm fresh eggs, you can leave them on your counter for weeks and they will not spoil. The outer birth membrane protects the egg from spoiling.
I just responded in another comment about this. We has one of these egg holders in our fridge in the 70s when I was a kid. I forgot all about those until I read that comment!
I just did a total reorg of my pantry ... and yes it needed extreme help. BUT I did not go for labelling everything. Just things that look similar. Like flour, icing sugar, corn starch. Because in their nice new clear canisters you cannot differentiate them. But I too practice the K.I.S.S method. Also I truly appreciate how you said not to shame people for what they do decide to keep. I have kitchen dishes for every day and I also have a set of dishes that i keep (and use) for special occasions. I also have my Grandma's dishes. To hear a lot of organizers, I should get rid of things that I do not use regularly. But they are beautiful AND I do enjoy having and using them occasionally. Thanks so much for an entertaining poke at the too rigid organizers out there. 😊
We live un a small 1 bedroom unit with VERY limited storage space... off season and seldom use items are in a storage unit in our building.. like portable AC from oct to april live there. The christmas tree stand. Big portable cooler. The golf bag. Camping stuff. Etc. No space in our apartment for this stuff.
I totally agree with the storage unit thing. Whenever I’m thinking about getting rid of something I think about how long I have stored it and not used it and usually i come to the point of getting rid of it because it’s like I didn’t even have it to begin with. And if I find I need it again, I can just buy it :) love the channel ❤️
I remember one minimalist saying you couldn’t have books! I love books! They are very important to me, and I have mine in bookcases and organized. No books?. ?
Your channel is unquestionably in my top 5 favourite channels of all time, of all video genres. I LOVE videos like this! Finally someone telling it like it is!! Leave the showroom in the showroom! Not everything has to be a goddamn rainbow! And what you said about the cosmetics collectors from beauty guru youtube circa 2011... could not be more true!!!
I think it's great for kids. It looks pretty, but would be hard to find things. The best I get for book organization is like, tall books on the taller shelves, so I can't really judge. 😂
Really enjoyed your video. It was so funny. I agreed with just about everything you said. I am Minimalish . I like my home to look like someone lives in it without tripping over stuff and cleaning all the time. Thanks
Really enjoyed this video. I try not to judge people on what they have or what they don’t have. It’s not any of my business. But I can be a bit judgmental when it comes to cleanliness.
Loved this video! So much yes about these. I've stopped watching a lot of minimalist stuff because of the shaming, even though I trend towards minimalist 🤷♀️
I'll never be a minimalist, but even if I were tempted I'd never put it online because of all the territorial gatekeeping "real minimalists" do. It's so weird that some people can make something so simple into a controversy. Also, I like the way these super organized fridges look, but who has time to decant milk and juices? Or prep produce to put into pretty bins, when you're drastically shortening their shelf life for aesthetics? All the containers look awesome, but what do you do when only 2/3 of the items fit? I'm constantly tweaking mine because our food supply changes depending on budget, trying new things, bulk shopping, etc. It's just so impractical for my life. Props to people who can maintain that level of perfection without losing their minds though!
That level of perfection is boring and a waste of time in my life. I’d rather go bike riding or visit friends or try a new recipe. Some people like to organize refrigerators to that degree
I tried to change over to glass, but my hands are weak, and the glass is too heavy. I got a set of rubbermaid vented ones, and they stack and the lids snap together. They have cleaned up well thus far. Glass is always preferable, but my plastic hurts less when I drop it on my toes! PS: I used to be a Tupperware lady, and I can't even do the lids on them anymore!
I’m a plastic girl, too. I’m a Rubbermaid fan - the ones that only have 2 sizes of lids (not counting the pretty useless tiny container) for a variety of sizes of bottoms. They all stack together, take very little space, are lightweight but thick and sturdy, and they clean up beautifully. I use them strictly for storage and never cook/reheat in them - it’s heating foods in plastic that’s dangerous - and if there’s tomato or curry involved, a dab of Dawn, filling with water and letting sit in the sink for a bit before rinsing and putting in the dishwasher does the trick. And I’ve never lost a lid. I have had one set in one home for 10 years and they look brand new - and I’ve never lost a lid. I love glass, but it’s heavy (and shatters when dropped on stone or tile), takes up a huge amount of space and the lids don’t stack well and are, frankly, not very good. I do, however, agree about cheap plastic containers. And what’s up with people who save cottage cheese, sour cream and Cool Whip containers?
The only way I can justify a storage unit is for people who have baby items and plan to have more kids, but their current kids have outgrown for example their crib, changing table, swing.
My niece puts those things either in the loft or garage [dismantled and well wrapped] and then gets them down right before a new baby arrives. She makes a list/takes photos so she knows exactly what she has.
My bookshelf is loosely in rainbow order because it’s really easy for me to remember the covers visually so I can usually find what I need. I’m actually not great at remembering authors or even titles, so it’s the closest thing for me. Also they’re rainbow order within genre separations (fiction, nonfiction, schoolbooks, young adult because I’m an angsty teen at heart & my partner’s not) so when you’re looking at one or two shelves at a time it’s very easy to find what you need.
You are truly the best organizer because you have pertinent reasons for doing the things you do. Rules for their own sake is bad. The refrig science is key! Have the things you need and want and love them for your own reasons. All your suggestions make so much sense! Thank you Kay!
Loved this video! I've been told so many times to get rid of my CDs because they take up a lot of space, but that won't be happening - the clothes can go before the music does!
I'm the same way 😂 My closet is as basic as can be. My music and books, though? I'll fight you. I don't go out a lot, so I don't need a lot of clothes but want to enjoy my time at home!
Yes indeed! I didn't get The Home Edit, I just think it's unmanageable madness. I saw once that they had separated blocks of LEGO by colour in a house with young Children 😶 I am with you all the way in the suggestions! Xx
Ah! So THAT’S where that came from! I’m on a general sort of “women’s stuff” site and a couple of months ago there were several proud photos of kids play areas tidied up with huge (and hugely expensive) racks of bins that hang at an angle with each bin holding a separate color of LEGO. I once innocently asked if it wouldn’t be more useful to sort by size/shape and was immediately attacked for non-support. I see now that I threatened their slavish devotion to a TV show with what was just a serious question. 😂😂
@@Lucinda_Jackson Oh Lucinda, I feel for you hun! I can't be a part of Facebook groups anymore - any question is IMMEDIATELY taken as some sort of personal attack, even though that was the furthest thing from your mind! I completely agree with you, it looks stunning but is completely unworkable. I think if I had spent hours painstakingly separating Lego pieces by colour, I would cry if little hands starting mixing them up in play! Who wants a Mother like that?! There's a reason our Parents didn't do any of this nonsense! Xx
@@kaelaleedaley So, so true! Most moms are just glad when kids pick their stuff up and kids MIGHT see the sense in separating by size/utility. But expecting them to illogically sort hundreds of tiny pieces by color is guaranteed to end badly! Now I wish I’d just come back and said that! 😂
You are hilarious! I'm with you on the rainbow color coordinating of everything. Its a no for me. I wanted to start an organizing business (I'm still considering it.) so I thought let me start in my own closet. Rainbow color coordinating is not for me. Not in my closet or anywhere in my home. For me, it's hard to keep up with. So that did not last long at all. Lol....
i don’t normally comment but Kay you work so hard !! always uploading great content on both channels! love your personality and work ethic! killin it girl🥰
I love you channel. Your style is awesome; so engaging to listen to. I only use organizing by colour for my scrapbooking supplies. I realized when I was ready to to add embellishments to a page, I didn't look at and think, "I need a word sticker/a flower, something girly, etc,' - I would look at the page & think... it needs more blue. Couple that with the fact that so many of my stickers & things can fit into multiple categories, colour is the most logical way. It's the only thing that's worked for me long term. Thank you - you have finally motivated me to do a purge our my storage unit (I got one as part of my apartment). I know the Christmas stuff needs to stay there, but there are other items that definitely need to be dealt with. Yes to the cheap plastic food containers!!! I've been replacing mine with glass. Thank you for the comments about the not shaming people! I. Like. My. Stuff! I get so tried of people I love telling me I have to get rid of things (ok, specifically craft supplies).
Thank you. You’re right, clutter shaming isn’t helpful. Plus, I have NO desire to be a minimalist. I lived with one set of sheets for several years and it was awful.
Amen on the rainbow organizing!! And the gorgeous fridge. Just me agreeing. Some people love it and I'm a very visual person. Just can't rainbow my books, scraps,etc into little bitty boxes either. You always have great things to say in your hysterically funny way!! I learn soo much too. Prayers for an easy move and that all will be well!
Loved this video!!! Way before social media and organizing accounts (maybe 25 years ago) someone recommended just a handful of paper files with really broad titles such as house, cars, taxes, medical. It changed my life!!!!!
THANK YOU for your advice about the whole minimalism thing! I struggled to "become a minimalist" for several years, thinking it was such a fresh new idea and the answer to my organization problems. It wasn't. It was just going from one extreme to another (or attempting to). I'm now working to achieve balance and to "right-size" my belongings. It's different for everyone, but I realized I want to have *enough* stuff for my home to function well and for me to be comfortable and relaxed in my own space, but edited down to a level that my home feels light, airy and uncluttered.
100% agree but I do use the inexpensive plastic storage for freezer (cooked grains, homemade meals, etc.) I have glass for day to day. I heat from freezer just long enough to free from the plastic and then put on dish. But I’m also the kind of person who has it all neatly stored and never lose a lid - like I can’t understand why people find it so hard to do that - a place for everything and everything in it’s place :-). I’d love a video on science based fridge organization if you haven’t done one already. I know the door thing and lowest shelves should be the coolest since heat rises but I struggle keeping veggies fresh long enough to eat them - perhaps it’s because I take too long to eat them 😂
Same with the plastic for freezer meals... Lightweight, non-breakable containers have their place (beach, hiking, camping). Otherwise, 100% glass ftw, even for school lunches.
We've been slowly phasing out our plastic food containers for glass. My husband loves a particular brand of jelly/jam that comes in containers that are perfect for single serving amounts of food, so we have a shelf of them to use, and didn't have to buy new containers. We also occasionally pick up one or two at the grocery store (the pyrex glass containers) as we toss the plastic containers that are beyond "repair". Reusing glass jars, though, has been awesome!
"It's okay to have things". Thank you for saying this! I've gotten inspired by watching some minimalist videos, and fortunately, the main channels I watched don't force "textbook minimalism", and say it's all based on your life and what serves and brings you joy. But I know for myself, that, while I like a clean space, a sparse space isn't for me lol. It's helped me declutter and be more intentional, but it's okay to have things!
I could organize this way but I went digital. I have a M.A. in literature so I think I qualify as a reader. I remember the spine color of almost every book I’ve read in the last 20 years. Probably not useful to make judgments about people being readers or not based on this because it’s more about how your brain organizes information.
Some people love it! I personally have organized my music Scores by color but only because I remember what color goes with what collection because the way they are typically published. But they are not in ROYGBIV order 😂
I think a lot of this was just really practical advice. As a person who did not learn or grasp how to organize things in my youth, I have had to learn a lot from outside sources. A lot of things I learned work well for me but a lot of it didn't and for such a long time I would try to force it to work in hopes that I was just doing it wrong but no! It's just not efficient or practical for me. Feeling validated and also in awe of how beautiful you are. Have a great day thank you for making this video
I hav been trying to declutter. There are some items that were given to me that I really want to keep but don’t need them to live. I was so relieved to see your video. I’m keeping the things that make me feel good when I see them.
Cheap plastic containers are great for stuff other than food and they are great for packing lunches and traveling with messy things. Love them. Tue trick is to recognize when the container has to go to the garbage. Glass is also heavy and can put a lot of pressure on your pantry or fridge shelves.
I do watch minimalist and decluttering videos but I haven’t found the kind of judging you’re talking about (tho’ I’ve heard of it). The ones I watch are almost all Christian and so there seems to be a different focus. I want the amount of stuff that makes life easy....easy to clean, don’t have to fight with stuff to reach what I really want, etc. My favorite minimalist quote is, “I don’t seek to get more done but rather to have less to do.” I’m a full-time medical student in my early 50s. I need everything else in life to be easy and not being a slave to the stuff I spent hard earned money on in the past is the first, best thing I can do to make life easier. I found you thru the Minimalist Mom’s March promo so I’m guessing you must be a fan of her even if you don’t agree with every bit of what she chooses (I don’t). I enjoy you so far and have subscribed.
Completely agree with the storage unit thing. We have them everywhere here and I always wonder, how much stuff do people have?! I do my closet by color, but that’s it. Yes! We made the change to glass food storage this year, other than cereal and snack storage. So much easier to clean. 😊
Storage units are so interesting. From what I've read they didn't exist a few decades ago and now they are everywhere and apparently making tons of money from everyone storing for years. And I say that as someone who is probably going to be renting one soon (renovations).
@@elizabethanstuff4430 Makes absolute sense for renovations or moving! 😊 Seems like every time we turn around there’s a new storage place. I guess there’s a want or need since there’s so many.
The color coding everything is so silly. It’s not realistic long term. Also the dynamic spaces you mentioned.. nobody can keep it the same way day in day out. I never understood storage units for indefinite periods. It’s like ppl who can’t decide to purge stuff they won’t see for months or years... I agree with you! No harm
The books turned backwards drives me a bit nuts! Someone on tv who did this explained it was done because of copyright issues....not for aesthetic reasons.
thank you so much! finally someone taking all the pressure out of this organizing mania…. It is simply not realistic, not with kids, dogs, husband, work… just trying to be perfect and having a catalogue house…. anyhow it is groundhog day every morning. Again thank you speaking out if my heart… hi from Germany
Yes! My pet peeve is organizing books by color on bookshelves. If you are a serious book person, alphabetical order by author so you can find what you need.
This is one of your most entertaining videos..... I absolutely adore that before you spill the tea you explain why everything is OK before you knock it... lol. Many of these rang true so it was actually an extremely helpful , in addition to entertaining, video. Thank you!
We're getting ready to change our storage unit from storage to seasonal. We have a tiny apartment. So putting in the camping stuff, Christmas, Gardening..etc...has been a help.
I feel this struggle! Especially if your unit doesn't have storage. Our first condo had no storage unit so we stored some extra stuff at my mother-in-law's place. Luckily, she as a giant basement! It's tough with teeny (but cute) apartments!
Organizing by color only makes sense if color is is part of the item’s use. I don’t say, “I’d like to read a purple book today”, but I do sometimes need a blue shirt or a red lipstick. Kids may be looking for the green crayons. It can also be used if there is no other logical reason to organize something -like stuffed animals.
that is exactly the tool I was thinking about when I saw the the tag line
Your kids don't organize their stuffed animals by genus and species?
Yeah, but I forget authors/titles but I am a visual person and can remember the cover/spine color. So I organize my personal books that way so I can find that one book about the girl who rode a polar bear....not the golden compass but the one based on the psyche myth.
for smaller kids, colour organizing their books can be super helpful. They remember the front cover/spine colour but cannot yet read the tittle.
It depends on how your brain works. My friend does eveything by color, because it’s her strongest sense.
I'm a firm believer in glass food containers, but my elderly mom was super happy to receive our plastic ones.:) She likes light weight items because her hands aren't as strong anymore.
Yeah, that’s a problem for anyone with arthritis or anyone who commutes with their meal-prepped lunch. 🙁
This made me smile when I saw it. I asked my elderly Mom just last week why she makes her breakfast in the microwave with cheap plastic containers instead of the nice glass bowls I use. She said the exact same thing. The glass is too heavy and gets hotter than the plastic when she goes to take it out of the microwave. I never thought about that.
I wanted to keep my mother-in-law's Tupperware, but I learned that plastic is not a good thing to pass down. But, as you said, some people really appreciate the donation for various reasons.
@@sandytaylor8482 I agree, plastic wears out and deteriorates over time. The thing is my mom has 40+ year old Tupperware that she keeps on using, because "they're still good". And their ages old plastic cutting board looks terrifying. I don't think she'd accept me buying her anything new, as they could well afford to renew their containers. It's more of a moral issue to the war time generation I guess. You bought something so you should keep on using it until it breaks. But she will accept second hand containers.
That reminds me....I have a bunch of plastic food containers I need to "spirit" out of mom's kitchen. Time to make cookies and use them distribution!
How do you find books if they're organized by color?! I know we have more than some small towns have in their library, but. . .I need my cookbooks all together. I find it easier if fiction is together and if I'm looking for a philosophy book I don't want to look through my home decor or books about art.
Exactly
I don’t think the rainbow book people use their books 🙃
💯% right
@@PamsPrettyPlants lol I agree.
Thank you! I have three paleo cookbooks. It's so much easier to grab the three of them together and leave Julia and Betty off to the other side.
This video was bang on! So true! The one situation where I like to use the cheap plastic containers is when I am giving food away and don’t want it back - giving away leftovers after a pre-Covid big family gathering, taking a dish to church for a funeral luncheon or taking a meal to a shut in. They are perfect for those situations. Otherwise I use glass.
My favorite storage method now is Press'n'Seal. Bang it right over whatever dish the food is in already. No leaks, contents visible -- bing bang boom!
That's why I keep a stack of Cool whip containers. Other than that we are going with glass and tossing the plastic. (Actually we pass it on to college students who can use it.)
The dislikes are the rainbow order fans who saw you coming for them
HaHaHa
LMAO!!
That's it! I'm so glad Kay addressed that.
🙋🏼♀️ meee but I didn’t dislike the vid tho 😆
LMAO the rainbow crew is finna cancel me!
FYI, if you spray your Plastics w/cooking spray prior to storing leftover Red anything, it won't stain the containers 😉.
Or just soak it for a while (talking maybe a half hour max) in the sink with a dab of Dawn and filled with water. Rinse with hot water (you can run your fingers around once if you want to) then toss in the dishwasher. No stains.
I hand wash mine with soap and cold water. Then do an extra rinse with hot, or dishwasher if I have enough for a full load. No stains, no white build-up. Also whiteness can form from putting them in the microwave, which won't come off cause its melted plastic, in case anyone was curious🤔
I’ve always been an “essentialist”, keeping what is useful/beautiful, preferably both whenever possible. I prefer to create a living laboratory that honors and supports the life forms it shelters. I love to design every day as an exploration of the art/business/science and spirit of structures and how we all relate to them. Beautiful appearance is an outflow of function and feeling. I appreciate people who assist others in finding clarity and well being in home/work/gathering spaces. You’re a true Facilitator, and that’s such a blessing.
This video is actually more inspiring to declutter than all the declutter/organization videos I've ever seen. Storage units aren't the only way we keep paying to own stuff: the more stuff you have, the bigger house you need (bigger mortgage, bigger taxes, bigger utility bills, etc.), the more you have to clean up or around, the more money you have to spend on organizers (chests, closets, containers, shelves, etc.). Everything you own costs you something each day you own it. I loved the bit about the shoes - just because you have a place for everything doesn't mean you don't have too much. Grew up moderately poor (if we didn't have extended family to lean on, we would have been), so owning stuff is very emotional to me, and a lifetime of not being able to buy replacements if needed also makes it hard to let go of stuff. This is the first time I've seen you on TH-cam, and I definitely will be watching more!
As a grandchild of people who went through the great depression I grew up with grandparents that kept WAY too many things as do my parents. This I do believe has caused a lot of us to lean towards minimalism. Now I’m most definitely not a minimalist but it’s looking better all the time. As you get older and realize how much money and time you spend on caring for stuff, instead of actually going or doing other things you really want to do well..... all I can say is your day will come, I promise you! That being said, I really love my pretty shoes, dresses, and jewelry! I pared way down but still have a lot! 😊
Same💕
I’m not officially a minimalist, but I love modern apartments with streamlined furniture and not too much extra stuff. Some people say apartments like mine look like an office or hotel lobby, but that’s my style! I grew up in a house with so much old crap and knickknacks and there wasn’t a clear path through any room in the house. My elderly mom moved away from my childhood home a couple years ago and left a lot of old stuff behind and she had a TV from every decade since the 60s! I just moved into a new apartment and I’m constantly organizing and getting rid of whatever crap I don’t need!
Yes! I like my stuff. I work hard for my stuff and being home a lot more than I used to be, it's nice to have my stuff. My house is not cluttered. But I will not give up the things that I love. Thank you for chiming in on that.
Yes, Kay! I agree with all of these. I cringe so hard when I see rainbow items in a pantry or fridge. I always think if they bought all the different colour cans or similar just for the aesthetic and they will ultimately get wasted.
Also, the "organising on a budget" but it turns out they bought half of amazon. I'm like dude, "on a budget" implies cheap, like using an old shoebox, not spending $500 at the container store
Shoeboxes for the win!
Speaking of shoeboxes, I am in the process of covering some with pretty gift wrap purchased at the Dollar Tree or from Estate Sales, or with Christmas wrapping paper for seasonal item storage or donations to Good Sammaratin(sp). I refuse to buy decorated boxes at places like Hobby Lobby, Ross or Marshall's when I have the items already in my home.
@@texasmimi5566 that sounds nice and you can make them look however you like 👍
I organize my fridge by product. Dairy with dairy, cold cut items together (sandwich making is easy), etc.
Yes, even people that need to see what they have can use glass, loosely woven baskets or wire baskets, all of which can be sourced with some hunting at thrift stores.
Best statement ever : "child of science...I can eat my kale 5 days later than you" awesome :):):)
In defense of putting the kale on a shelf, rather than in the crisper drawer, though... Sure, you can eat your kale five days later than I*could* have... But a week after that is when I'll rediscover mine (hopefully before it develops language skills and walks away).
You follow food science: I'll follow behavioural science :D
@@iloveprivacy8167 ^ THIS. The crisper drawer might as well be the compost bin. If produce goes in, mulch comes out. It matters not that the drawer is transparent. Not one whit.
The scissors..."I got rid of them during the attack." Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Great video.
I appreciate your videos. I love how you stressed not to judge others in this one. I find myself judging myself for not decluttering 'as well' as others do. I still have a bit too much makeup, even after getting rid of half! We are all works in progress, and we do the best that we can. I gave myself 6 months to use my current makeup and have baskets inside my drawers to separate things as I use it. After 6 months I will know exactly what I use and what I haven't touched. Then I will declutter again. That takes some of the pressure off myself to do it all at once, and makeup is seasonal, so once my color pallet lightens up for spring and summer, I will have a better idea of what I actually use. Thanks for your help! I do feel like your speaking directly to me in some of your videos!
Some people like me love to micro organize. Some people like to macro organize. I totally agree that you should not micro organize if that don’t work for you it only get you stressed and unorganized in the end. I so agree on the shaming people because they own stuff
I just threw away 2 dozen colorful pairs of socks that I'd been keeping for several years. I was convinced I would wear them again, they were so pretty. Nope, have to wear diabetic socks now. It was a moment but I did it.
I read that one of the most requested items homeless people ask for is socks.
When we get a medical diagnosis that requires changes to how we live our lives, grief for how our lives used to be is normal. That can manifest in keeping things that are no longer needed or even useless. That you kept those real cool socks is very understandable. I still haven't got rid of my blazers and work slacks and skirts that I haven't worn for over 10 years because I can no longer work due to disability. They don't even fit me anymore! It's hard to get rid of things when they have such a heavy emotional meaning. Cheers! ~ Anastacia in Cleveland
@@barbarag1382
So much for no shaming...
Yes but for hygiene reasons they have to be new and still in the packaging.
Dust with them before you throw away
Amen to the shaming of owning stuff. I lean minimalist but even I think it’s ok to have stuff you don’t use everyday
I enjoyed this, and I pretty agree with you on everything. The plastic lid thing got to me a long time ago, combined with a friend who keeps reiterating the dangers of cheap plastic. My glass bowl with lids collection is growing nicely. I keep my refrigerator in a practical, neat way, keeping my veggies, meats, etc. where they need to be and not where they look the cutest. I know I will never be a minimalist, and I have no desire to be. I do need to declutter some areas simply to make better use of expensive square footage. Good video!
My partner and I consider our home to be minimalist, but I love cooking and doing cooking experiments. The kitchen is my lab and work area, so I need ALL the tools and gadgets! 😆
Right on. I mean, how can anyone in their right mind not have an assortment of spatulas for a variety of applications?
To me minimalist is what I need. Essential. If a baker needs 47 spoons, then cool. That’s essential. 😃👍
PREACH!!!!!!! I resonated with every point you made especially that of possession-shaming. If you have all that you need and find that you have extra, get rid of the extra. The. cost of ownership is much higher than many truly grasp whether the cost is financial, mental, time, or emotional. The only issue I have with people owning items is when unneeded items are. bought on credit or in any way detract from their children. I was raised by parents who one is a hoarder and the other bought and cared for a lot of items that he enjoyed while they both told me and my siblings we couldn't have new shoes for school. That is a breaking point for me.
Here in the UK our fridges have egg holders in the door and everyone stores their milk in the door of the fridge! I do know about storing raw meat on the lowest shelf of the fridge (to avoid dripping onto uncooked food like cheese or sandwich fillings).
but, in general, aren't refrigerators in the UK a bit smaller than US ones? I mean, most of ours would make a decent sized clothes closet lol. Smaller fridge probably more efficient at maintaining temperature.
I’m in the U.S. and we had egg holders in the door of the fridge when I was a small child in the 70s! I forgot all about them until now! Haven’t seen one since!
I store my raw meat in a drawer in the middle of the fridge. Definitely not leaking anywhere.
I used to work at a storage facility. Your comments are spot on. And some of these people spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars to keep “stuff”.
I had to pay for a storage space in Oklahoma after my Mom died because I didn't have space in my tiny apartment in New Jersey. I moved back to Oklahoma in November 2016, and within two weeks I had cleared out the storage room.
I watched a TH-cam video where some mom bought cereal that had green bits in it just so she could have a green cereal in her ROYGBV pantry. Worst part is that she said she’s never going to eat it 🥴
I know exactly what video you're talking about. If that one worked your nerves at all, don't watch her other "organizing" videos.
Probably not even healthy if it's colored.
I’m sorry WHAT!? 😂😂😂 that is bananas
I wonder if that’s the same woman who stores her husband’s Mr Coffee machine that he uses every day, but leaves her colored Keurig on the counter even though she never uses it, just because it “looks pretty.” Never clicked off a video or channel so quickly.
@@PamsPrettyPlants some people take aesthetics to a whole new level 😂
Hi. You had me at the storage unit, lol!! I tell my clients they're paying "rent for their stuff" and then fail to visit it.
I came to a similar conclusion several years ago, but not just about storage units, but everything you own: you don't stop paying for it when you buy it, if it takes up space in your house/car/life, you are paying for it every day. It's just my husband and myself, in the largest home in our neighborhood, and since we are both on the verge of being hoarders, I often long for a larger home for our stuff, but I just don't think that's responsible. I get ill at the thought of having to pay a larger mortgage/utility bill/tax note because I can't let go of stuff :/
My mom always had storage units, and in every state she lived in, got a new one, and abandoned every single one when she left and then stopped paying, resulting in collections and forfeiture of the items. So much money wasted and heirlooms lost. I vowed never to get a storage unit.
If stuff is in storage for months and years and you never use it, then it obviously don’t need it! Why waste the money?
I totally agree about storage units. There is a time for them but to just put things in there and pay a fee every month seems ridiculous. I like how you tell it like you see it. It's refreshing! You are so delightful to watch. Keep up the good work!
My brother put a bunch of stuff in his after my Mom died in 2006. He died in 2015 and my sister-in-law still has it. I have a few things in there I've been wanting to get out since I moved back in November 2016, and we just can't get together to clean it out.
I have a client that has her label maker labeled "label maker", lol
Lol!!! Sounds just like my sister-in-law!
😲
I think I did that once to my old one when I was checking if it still worked. It died the next week and got sent to tech recycling.
Labelling the label maker is just the fun of it, tho :)
Haha that’s cheeky...
Storage units are good for small apartment dwellers. We pay less for housing costs and use a storage unit for larger beach or park items (folding tables, boards, tents), luggage and tools. We go in and out of our storage regularly, it’s just an extension for us. In Honolulu many are located by a freeway ramp so you can grab your gear and head off the beach. But I agree that it should not be in lieu of decluttering. Need to review what’s in the storage too and let go.
This is by far the best video ever on TH-cam...a perfect ten for content....perfect ten for your delivery!!!!!!! You have such common sense (common sense is far from common). I am a 73 year old soprano from the Metropolitan area and I spent my life up until five years ago singing. I would love to hear you...any links to performances??? or maybe add some singing to these videos. I hope that covid will soon be history so that you and all young wonderful and dedicated performers like you can get back to performance. Love ya and many thanks....including all the funny lines...too many to pick out....even my husband stopped and watched!!!
I quit using plastic containers between 2 & 3 years ago. I love my glass.
after moving we did the storage unit, then eventually looked what was in it, stuff to throw away
I loved this, you crack me up! I totally agree about rainbow order! And can we please stop labeling clear containers?! I can see it's cheez its I don't need a label, and what do I do if I decide to buy wheat thins next time? Do I change the label or am I forever obligated to buy cheez its? Obviously I'm not talking about flours, rice or other things that can't be distinguished from like items.
Totally agree about rainbow order. And labeling things that are OBVIOUS, or like you pointed out, might change frequently.
Yeah, labelling white powders is essential as I can attest after trying to make cheese sauce with icing sugar 😝
@@sheilaenglish7329 LMAO! Very true! Salt and sugar...WE NEED TO KNOW 😂
appreciate your comments about being able to own more things, i do agree i need to like all my clothes...i have built an inventory, do not shop often...so i like to have lots of options
“ you might not need the stuff you’re organizing “. That is so true for my family !
I’m a work in progress and this is basically how I declutter. I go through stuff and get rid of obvious stuff and organize the rest. Then set an appt in my calendar for 3 months later. I have another look and it’s really obvious which of those things I’ve kept because I’m using them and which I’ve kept because I MIGHT someday in the mist-shrouded future use it once. And then I can pounce. If I do it any sooner, I can convince myself I just hadn’t had enough time to use things and, if I do it any later, I’m back at square one because I’ve lost the urge to purge.
Same, I have a bad case of just in cases and anxiety. Takes me forever to get rid of things.
Ugh, I felt this! So often, I have bought organizers (baskets, cabinets, tubs, etc.) for stuff and then regretted it - should have just gotten rid of the junk! lol
When Kay starts clapping in a rant, you know it's serious!! 🤣 Excited to see your new apt and your new organizing solutions
I JUST within the past week finally cleared out all my old makeup, and now what used to take up several drawers now can fit in one little drawer organizer and it is SO LIBERATING. Literally, if you're even thinking about this-- DO IT. I was the most hesitant about getting rid of eyeshadow pallets (because they do such a good job making them look like a luxury product) but i was able to pry out the pans of the colors i actually want and use and put them in a magnetic pallet from makeup forever, so now i literally just have one eyeshadow pallet that is ONLY made up of colors i use.
(also once you start prying the pans out of an eyeshadow pallet, you see that the pallet itself is just cardboard or plastic packaging-- it kind of breaks the spell.)
I have a closet just for seasonal decor. Monthly we pick up and clean our current decor items and replace them with more seasonally harmonious things. It keeps the whole property fresher looking. The secret is to stack the seasonal decor containers in seasonal order and put the shelves in seasonal order and use inside the closet door with shoe organizers and hooks..... All in seasonal order. What I noticed after a few years is that I created more balance between how many Christmas and Halloween things I have with more spring and summer things. Since everything seasonal has to fit in that one closet I figured out how to have a big pop of seasonal color and decor with very few items that fold flat or roll for storage. That's why it takes me only about 45 minutes to dramatically decorate for Christmas.
I've been staring at some of my eyeshadows since highschool and highschool keeps getting further away... Definitely need to get rid of a lot of it
I just did this and it was really hard to throw that OG Urban Decay Naked palette but this isn’t a museum and it was time 😅
Girl same 😂 it gets easier the more you see how dry it all gets as the time passes haha. Then you make room for more 😍
I worry about eye makeup bacteria. Eye gunk can transfer, then grow and really do terrible things. Then it goes back near your eye.... Shudder.
@@PamsPrettyPlants, ohmygosh! I'm 'vintage', I saw that palette on a friend's dresser and hunted for one of my own on Mercari, lol!
*leans over and opens trash can for Grace* 😂 YOU GOT THIS
I haven’t watched You Tube in a long while. You look great, and I love your hair. Have a “whatever-God-you-worship-moment!” Cracked me up.
Seriously asking-do people who Declutter to the extent that they only have a few towels, dishes, etc. not experience hurricanes, floods, winter storms, etc. where they have no electricity or water for days at a time at the same time having a giant mess to clean?
Or isolating during a pandemic and all the kids move home😊
@@helenascribe210 lol true.
Or enough extra to share with others during these times? I shared blankets and pillows with the local makeshift warming center during our recent ice storm. I was glad I had them to give!
So, I am one of those people who has decluttered to that extent. I do live in a hurricane zone so what I do is...I have an area in my pantry that contains all of the hurricane stuff and extra stuff. This way it doesn’t mix in with the regularly used items creating more for me to manage on a daily basis. I’m a single parent who has to work a lot and I also have BAD ADHD. I have to live with only the minimal amount of stuff or I become very anxious and will literally continuously clean when I’m off work, so this is how I manage. Just my 2 cents :)
Yes, yes we do. Major city in a developed country with a temperate climate. No extreme weather events, good infrastructure. We have 10 bath towels for a family of four, plus a beach towel each. It's plenty for us.
If you live in an area where you need more, then keep more.
People that feel they only need 1 set of sheets per bed ? What do they do when the kid, cat, or dog throws up on their bed @ 2:00 AM? 😳
👍🏼
Some of us have no kids or pets to worry about.
Or a Hot Water Bottle bursts, or you're poorly and mess the bed, or it's a cold/damp day and you can't get the sheets dry (even with a dryer, they darn thing could break down!). Madness xx
Night sweats.....
Personally I have one set of bedding. It gets washed and put back on the bed in the same day.
If an accident happens (been doing it this way for 15 years and none so far, through sickness and many hot water bottles) then I'd strip the bedding throw a towel down to sleep on top of and grab a blanket, pj's or coats to keep warm. I'd buy new bedding the next day if needed.
I grew up with very little and know I don't need a lot. Why keep spare bedding in case of an accident that might happen? I don't keep crutches in case I break a leg.
I use the plastic storage containers in the freezer. I cook in large batches and freeze the leftovers in portion size containers for later use. I only have 3 different sizes so finding the lid to match is not a problem. Glass containers are great for storing and reheating the next day, but they take up too much space in the freezer. Glass containers usually don’t nest very well and they are heavy. I can see benefits of both types of containers. Just limit the variety of brand and size, and the plastic containers nest and store beautifully. By the way, I never cook in my plastic containers and if I rarely get stains, I pitch them.
Yes, variety works best. You just gotta give them a proper home and take care of them like dishes. The Weck storage jars, though smaller and pricier, do tend to nest a bit better than the Pyrex ones.
Yes, I have only one type of storage container in pint and 1/2 pint size in an oblong shape, that way the lids always fit, they stack well when clean and stack well when stored in the fridge.....small space needs double organization
I have to say, decluttering has made a huge impact in our home. You don't realize how much ""stuff" you have that will eventually be passed on to your unsuspecting family. I have had to clean out my m-i-l's houses multiple times, and it is not a pretty task. I think it is generational, but I am glad that my kids will not have to deal with my things!! It is an individual decision, and I am SO glad I am doing it! You do you...and you do have some perrrrty stuff! LoL!
That’s funny about the eggs in the door. Growing up, we had a refrigerator that had the built in egg holders in the door. Like twelve actual oval/egg shaped molds in the door. Science figured out best zones for food storage and that was phased out I guess.
If you have unwashed farm fresh eggs, you can leave them on your counter for weeks and they will not spoil. The outer birth membrane protects the egg from spoiling.
I just responded in another comment about this. We has one of these egg holders in our fridge in the 70s when I was a kid. I forgot all about those until I read that comment!
I just did a total reorg of my pantry ... and yes it needed extreme help. BUT I did not go for labelling everything. Just things that look similar. Like flour, icing sugar, corn starch. Because in their nice new clear canisters you cannot differentiate them. But I too practice the K.I.S.S method.
Also I truly appreciate how you said not to shame people for what they do decide to keep. I have kitchen dishes for every day and I also have a set of dishes that i keep (and use) for special occasions. I also have my Grandma's dishes.
To hear a lot of organizers, I should get rid of things that I do not use regularly. But they are beautiful AND I do enjoy having and using them occasionally. Thanks so much for an entertaining poke at the too rigid organizers out there. 😊
We live un a small 1 bedroom unit with VERY limited storage space... off season and seldom use items are in a storage unit in our building.. like portable AC from oct to april live there. The christmas tree stand. Big portable cooler. The golf bag. Camping stuff. Etc. No space in our apartment for this stuff.
I totally agree with the storage unit thing. Whenever I’m thinking about getting rid of something I think about how long I have stored it and not used it and usually i come to the point of getting rid of it because it’s like I didn’t even have it to begin with. And if I find I need it again, I can just buy it :) love the channel ❤️
Sometimes I think, “what would The organized soprano do?” Then I get rid of it.
Thank you for the “no shame” category. Great insights!
I remember one minimalist saying
you couldn’t have books! I love books! They are very important to me, and I have mine in bookcases and organized. No books?.
?
I hate it when folks store the books page sides out. So annoying
@@lumiere7216
Yet another sign of non-readers
Keep your books. The way cancel culture is going, Amazon doesn’t burn your favorite book or author, they simply delete it from your e-library. So sad.
Your channel is unquestionably in my top 5 favourite channels of all time, of all video genres. I LOVE videos like this! Finally someone telling it like it is!! Leave the showroom in the showroom! Not everything has to be a goddamn rainbow! And what you said about the cosmetics collectors from beauty guru youtube circa 2011... could not be more true!!!
It annoys me no end to see books arranged by the colour of the covers. GAH!!
I love books, used to have a lot. I organized them by topic, not color. Cause I was using them.
This content is a breath of fresh air, because colour coordinated books, never made sense to me.
How sad to be annoyed by how people arrange their books.
I think it's great for kids. It looks pretty, but would be hard to find things. The best I get for book organization is like, tall books on the taller shelves, so I can't really judge. 😂
It only matters if you want to USE the books - not just LOOK at them...
Best home organization video I’ve ever come across! Thank you for logic over frivolous trends 🙏
Really enjoyed your video. It was so funny. I agreed with just about everything you said. I am Minimalish . I like my home to look like someone lives in it without tripping over stuff and cleaning all the time. Thanks
Really enjoyed this video. I try not to judge people on what they have or what they don’t have. It’s not any of my business. But I can be a bit judgmental when it comes to cleanliness.
I don't enjoy organizing, but I follow organizers thinking they will inspire me, but honestly, this rant is giving me life.
Loved this video! So much yes about these. I've stopped watching a lot of minimalist stuff because of the shaming, even though I trend towards minimalist 🤷♀️
I'll never be a minimalist, but even if I were tempted I'd never put it online because of all the territorial gatekeeping "real minimalists" do. It's so weird that some people can make something so simple into a controversy. Also, I like the way these super organized fridges look, but who has time to decant milk and juices? Or prep produce to put into pretty bins, when you're drastically shortening their shelf life for aesthetics? All the containers look awesome, but what do you do when only 2/3 of the items fit? I'm constantly tweaking mine because our food supply changes depending on budget, trying new things, bulk shopping, etc. It's just so impractical for my life. Props to people who can maintain that level of perfection without losing their minds though!
That level of perfection is boring and a waste of time in my life. I’d rather go bike riding or visit friends or try a new recipe. Some people like to organize refrigerators to that degree
I tried to change over to glass, but my hands are weak, and the glass is too heavy. I got a set of rubbermaid vented ones, and they stack and the lids snap together. They have cleaned up well thus far. Glass is always preferable, but my plastic hurts less when I drop it on my toes! PS: I used to be a Tupperware lady, and I can't even do the lids on them anymore!
The Rubbermaid Brilliance ones are the best plastic containers I've found. I'm a Pyrex gal, but keep plastic for a couple of things.
I love those vented containers too. I have RA so I understand the heavy stuff causes pain. Those containers travel better and store easier.
I’m a plastic girl, too. I’m a Rubbermaid fan - the ones that only have 2 sizes of lids (not counting the pretty useless tiny container) for a variety of sizes of bottoms. They all stack together, take very little space, are lightweight but thick and sturdy, and they clean up beautifully. I use them strictly for storage and never cook/reheat in them - it’s heating foods in plastic that’s dangerous - and if there’s tomato or curry involved, a dab of Dawn, filling with water and letting sit in the sink for a bit before rinsing and putting in the dishwasher does the trick. And I’ve never lost a lid. I have had one set in one home for 10 years and they look brand new - and I’ve never lost a lid.
I love glass, but it’s heavy (and shatters when dropped on stone or tile), takes up a huge amount of space and the lids don’t stack well and are, frankly, not very good.
I do, however, agree about cheap plastic containers. And what’s up with people who save cottage cheese, sour cream and Cool Whip containers?
I always wonder if those that trend declutter use it as a way to go out and buy different stuff to refill the space.
i do that with my clothes lol. ugh
It's such a good marketing ploy for a generation with too much stuff. How else will they get people shopping unless they throw their stuff away?
I love decluttering, but on an as needed basis!
The only way I can justify a storage unit is for people who have baby items and plan to have more kids, but their current kids have outgrown for example their crib, changing table, swing.
My niece puts those things either in the loft or garage [dismantled and well wrapped] and then gets them down right before a new baby arrives. She makes a list/takes photos so she knows exactly what she has.
My bookshelf is loosely in rainbow order because it’s really easy for me to remember the covers visually so I can usually find what I need. I’m actually not great at remembering authors or even titles, so it’s the closest thing for me. Also they’re rainbow order within genre separations (fiction, nonfiction, schoolbooks, young adult because I’m an angsty teen at heart & my partner’s not) so when you’re looking at one or two shelves at a time it’s very easy to find what you need.
This is how I organize my shelves!
I agree with everything you say!!! My concern would be with the storage unit for people with "big things" hobby. Such as skiing, hunting, etc.
I agree with you 100%.
You are truly the best organizer because you have pertinent reasons for doing the things you do. Rules for their own sake is bad. The refrig science is key! Have the things you need and want and love them for your own reasons. All your suggestions make so much sense! Thank you Kay!
I bought tupperware used on ebay. They have a lifetime warranty. I don't do all glass because of I'm clumsy.
I am clumsy too 😂 I’ve dropped my snapware glass containers a lot! They are pretty sturdy
Loved this video! I've been told so many times to get rid of my CDs because they take up a lot of space, but that won't be happening - the clothes can go before the music does!
I'm the same way 😂 My closet is as basic as can be. My music and books, though? I'll fight you. I don't go out a lot, so I don't need a lot of clothes but want to enjoy my time at home!
@@ladywytch129 Marie Kondo got her books down to 40. I was happy to get mine down to 400.
Yes indeed! I didn't get The Home Edit, I just think it's unmanageable madness. I saw once that they had separated blocks of LEGO by colour in a house with young Children 😶 I am with you all the way in the suggestions! Xx
Ah! So THAT’S where that came from! I’m on a general sort of “women’s stuff” site and a couple of months ago there were several proud photos of kids play areas tidied up with huge (and hugely expensive) racks of bins that hang at an angle with each bin holding a separate color of LEGO. I once innocently asked if it wouldn’t be more useful to sort by size/shape and was immediately attacked for non-support. I see now that I threatened their slavish devotion to a TV show with what was just a serious question. 😂😂
@@Lucinda_Jackson Oh Lucinda, I feel for you hun! I can't be a part of Facebook groups anymore - any question is IMMEDIATELY taken as some sort of personal attack, even though that was the furthest thing from your mind! I completely agree with you, it looks stunning but is completely unworkable. I think if I had spent hours painstakingly separating Lego pieces by colour, I would cry if little hands starting mixing them up in play! Who wants a Mother like that?! There's a reason our Parents didn't do any of this nonsense! Xx
@@kaelaleedaley
So, so true! Most moms are just glad when kids pick their stuff up and kids MIGHT see the sense in separating by size/utility. But expecting them to illogically sort hundreds of tiny pieces by color is guaranteed to end badly! Now I wish I’d just come back and said that! 😂
You are hilarious! I'm with you on the rainbow color coordinating of everything. Its a no for me. I wanted to start an organizing business (I'm still considering it.) so I thought let me start in my own closet. Rainbow color coordinating is not for me. Not in my closet or anywhere in my home. For me, it's hard to keep up with. So that did not last long at all. Lol....
i don’t normally comment but Kay you work so hard !! always uploading great content on both channels! love your personality and work ethic! killin it girl🥰
golly gee 🥰 TYSM
I love you channel. Your style is awesome; so engaging to listen to. I only use organizing by colour for my scrapbooking supplies. I realized when I was ready to to add embellishments to a page, I didn't look at and think, "I need a word sticker/a flower, something girly, etc,' - I would look at the page & think... it needs more blue. Couple that with the fact that so many of my stickers & things can fit into multiple categories, colour is the most logical way. It's the only thing that's worked for me long term.
Thank you - you have finally motivated me to do a purge our my storage unit (I got one as part of my apartment). I know the Christmas stuff needs to stay there, but there are other items that definitely need to be dealt with.
Yes to the cheap plastic food containers!!! I've been replacing mine with glass.
Thank you for the comments about the not shaming people! I. Like. My. Stuff! I get so tried of people I love telling me I have to get rid of things (ok, specifically craft supplies).
Finally someone said what needed to be said!👌🏼Word girl!👏🏼💯
Thank you. You’re right, clutter shaming isn’t helpful. Plus, I have NO desire to be a minimalist. I lived with one set of sheets for several years and it was awful.
Can't imagine getting by with 1 set of sheets. I would never have made it through menopause!
I got Arrow containers on Amazon. High quality thick plastics with only rectangular lids that fit all. Like my mother used use to freeze vegetables.
I thought I was alone! Every last trend, I feel you 100%!!!
Amen on the rainbow organizing!! And the gorgeous fridge. Just me agreeing. Some people love it and I'm a very visual person. Just can't rainbow my books, scraps,etc into little bitty boxes either. You always have great things to say in your hysterically funny way!! I learn soo much too. Prayers for an easy move and that all will be well!
Loved this video!!! Way before social media and organizing accounts (maybe 25 years ago) someone recommended just a handful of paper files with really broad titles such as house, cars, taxes, medical. It changed my life!!!!!
THANK YOU for your advice about the whole minimalism thing! I struggled to "become a minimalist" for several years, thinking it was such a fresh new idea and the answer to my organization problems. It wasn't. It was just going from one extreme to another (or attempting to). I'm now working to achieve balance and to "right-size" my belongings. It's different for everyone, but I realized I want to have *enough* stuff for my home to function well and for me to be comfortable and relaxed in my own space, but edited down to a level that my home feels light, airy and uncluttered.
100% agree but I do use the inexpensive plastic storage for freezer (cooked grains, homemade meals, etc.) I have glass for day to day. I heat from freezer just long enough to free from the plastic and then put on dish. But I’m also the kind of person who has it all neatly stored and never lose a lid - like I can’t understand why people find it so hard to do that - a place for everything and everything in it’s place :-). I’d love a video on science based fridge organization if you haven’t done one already. I know the door thing and lowest shelves should be the coolest since heat rises but I struggle keeping veggies fresh long enough to eat them - perhaps it’s because I take too long to eat them 😂
Same with the plastic for freezer meals... Lightweight, non-breakable containers have their place (beach, hiking, camping).
Otherwise, 100% glass ftw, even for school lunches.
We've been slowly phasing out our plastic food containers for glass. My husband loves a particular brand of jelly/jam that comes in containers that are perfect for single serving amounts of food, so we have a shelf of them to use, and didn't have to buy new containers. We also occasionally pick up one or two at the grocery store (the pyrex glass containers) as we toss the plastic containers that are beyond "repair". Reusing glass jars, though, has been awesome!
I so appreciate your smart realism. Thank you for your kind sanity!
"It's okay to have things". Thank you for saying this! I've gotten inspired by watching some minimalist videos, and fortunately, the main channels I watched don't force "textbook minimalism", and say it's all based on your life and what serves and brings you joy. But I know for myself, that, while I like a clean space, a sparse space isn't for me lol. It's helped me declutter and be more intentional, but it's okay to have things!
I love a little sass moment! Keep them coming!! 🤣👍🏽
Thank you for the commentary concerning makeup and storage units!
I can't stand books that are organized by the color of the spine. The only people who do this don't read their books.
I do genres, then by author. If there's a series, they are in series order.
Science books are organized by topic.
I could organize this way but I went digital. I have a M.A. in literature so I think I qualify as a reader. I remember the spine color of almost every book I’ve read in the last 20 years. Probably not useful to make judgments about people being readers or not based on this because it’s more about how your brain organizes information.
I’m a reader and I organize books by colour!
@@sheilaenglish7329 I hate it when folks store the books page sides out. So annoying - Grrr Ahhhh
Some people love it! I personally have organized my music Scores by color but only because I remember what color goes with what collection because the way they are typically published. But they are not in ROYGBIV order 😂
You’ve got a balanced approach to organizing. 👏🏽 Nicely done.
I think a lot of this was just really practical advice. As a person who did not learn or grasp how to organize things in my youth, I have had to learn a lot from outside sources. A lot of things I learned work well for me but a lot of it didn't and for such a long time I would try to force it to work in hopes that I was just doing it wrong but no! It's just not efficient or practical for me. Feeling validated and also in awe of how beautiful you are. Have a great day thank you for making this video
I hav been trying to declutter. There are some items that were given to me that I really want to keep but don’t need them to live. I was so relieved to see your video. I’m keeping the things that make me feel good when I see them.
That is the key, they make your feel good not guilty
Cheap plastic containers are great for stuff other than food and they are great for packing lunches and traveling with messy things. Love them. Tue trick is to recognize when the container has to go to the garbage. Glass is also heavy and can put a lot of pressure on your pantry or fridge shelves.
It makes total sense what you are saying.
Preach it, pretty lady!! Agree totally! I always look forward to your posts!
I do watch minimalist and decluttering videos but I haven’t found the kind of judging you’re talking about (tho’ I’ve heard of it). The ones I watch are almost all Christian and so there seems to be a different focus. I want the amount of stuff that makes life easy....easy to clean, don’t have to fight with stuff to reach what I really want, etc. My favorite minimalist quote is, “I don’t seek to get more done but rather to have less to do.” I’m a full-time medical student in my early 50s. I need everything else in life to be easy and not being a slave to the stuff I spent hard earned money on in the past is the first, best thing I can do to make life easier. I found you thru the Minimalist Mom’s March promo so I’m guessing you must be a fan of her even if you don’t agree with every bit of what she chooses (I don’t). I enjoy you so far and have subscribed.
Instant subscribe
Completely agree with the storage unit thing. We have them everywhere here and I always wonder, how much stuff do people have?! I do my closet by color, but that’s it. Yes! We made the change to glass food storage this year, other than cereal and snack storage. So much easier to clean. 😊
Storage units are so interesting. From what I've read they didn't exist a few decades ago and now they are everywhere and apparently making tons of money from everyone storing for years. And I say that as someone who is probably going to be renting one soon (renovations).
@@elizabethanstuff4430 Makes absolute sense for renovations or moving! 😊 Seems like every time we turn around there’s a new storage place. I guess there’s a want or need since there’s so many.
The color coding everything is so silly. It’s not realistic long term. Also the dynamic spaces you mentioned.. nobody can keep it the same way day in day out. I never understood storage units for indefinite periods. It’s like ppl who can’t decide to purge stuff they won’t see for months or years... I agree with you! No harm
The books turned backwards drives me a bit nuts! Someone on tv who did this explained it was done because of copyright issues....not for aesthetic reasons.
thank you so much! finally someone taking all the pressure out of this organizing mania…. It is simply not realistic, not with kids, dogs, husband, work… just trying to be perfect and having a catalogue house…. anyhow it is groundhog day every morning. Again thank you speaking out if my heart… hi from Germany
PREACH!
Yes! My pet peeve is organizing books by color on bookshelves. If you are a serious book person, alphabetical order by author so you can find what you need.
This is one of your most entertaining videos..... I absolutely adore that before you spill the tea you explain why everything is OK before you knock it... lol. Many of these rang true so it was actually an extremely helpful , in addition to entertaining, video. Thank you!
We're getting ready to change our storage unit from storage to seasonal. We have a tiny apartment. So putting in the camping stuff, Christmas, Gardening..etc...has been a help.
I feel this struggle! Especially if your unit doesn't have storage. Our first condo had no storage unit so we stored some extra stuff at my mother-in-law's place. Luckily, she as a giant basement! It's tough with teeny (but cute) apartments!
Love you...such a refreshing take on organizing! We are individuals...and our houses should reflect that...without judgement from others! Thank you!