Thank you so much for the inspiration. At my workplace, all employees have been encouraged, since last year, to periodically to de-clutter stuff from our homes that we no longer need, but could be useful to others. Our boss set up a facebook site, auctioning off these items. The money collected at the end of the year goes back into our community to the kids at Christmas time. Through the local food bank, our boss gets the names of all those who have requested help and we buy gifts for the children. Last year, we had Santa come into our store, and we had prepared close to 300 gift bags to give out to all the children who visited the store on that night. It was a big hit with the community. This year, we hope to do even more. We also sell 50/50 tickets every month of the year and that money also goes to this same cause. It feels good to see the smiles on the little ones faces. :)
This was a much needed video for me, I'm only in my early 20s but have somehow acquired 4 large boxes of "sentimental" items. Most of the items were things my mother kept when I was a child (old drawings, photos, school work etc) but I went through a brief hoarding period where I kept far too much of my own useless stuff. Now I'm just fed up of the space they take up, we aren't low on storage space but I can't stand seeing unused boxes of stuff stacked up in my cupboards! After watching this video I'm going to pull out all of the boxes and do a massive purge. Thanks for motivating me Melissa!
My husband and I had a huge discussion over why we have so much clutter. We finally made the connection that both of us spent a great deal of time with our grandparents growing up. I was with mine every weekend, every holiday and they babysat me frequently. His grandmother practically raised him and because they all grew up during the Depression, they never got rid of anything because it was wasteful and that's what they taught us. Never be wasteful..hang on to it until you find a use and getting rid of something that someone gave you is rude and disrespectful. It's next to impossible to break that habit. We're slowly getting there. It's a long hard process where some days, I only make it through half a drawer...if that. Baby steps.
YES - that's a common mentality that a lot of us were taught. Times are different now and I think being mindful consumers will help us in the long run only get what we NEED and not hang on to the things that we don't. And it's totally OK to have special, sentimental items, just not a house full of them!
I have a small very old travel/storage trunk that was in my family for a long time. My great aunt gave me when I was 10 or 11, I still have it 40 plus years later. I restored it and it is very sweet looking. My rule for keeping other memorabilia over the years is that I only keep what will fit in the trunk. To be " trunk worthy" it must be something that I love to periodically, look at, wear, or use, or, is an heirloom to be passed on. Every few years I go through the contents of the trunk and re-evaluate it, Some times I have to take something out to make room for a new, old treasure. I might be moving in the next few months so it is time to re-evaluate the contents again. Having a finite sized space to put these items in, has helped to keep less of it!
What worked extremely well with me was my "Memory-Box" with items reminding me of my late husband. Instead of keeping just everything or placing the stuff somewhere visible I took a wooden box which I once decorated for my husband with rustic art and put only IMPORTANT things in there. The biggest item is his jersey which I kept for the smell of him (like Monk keeps Trudi's pillow ;-) ). The wooden box is in the cupboard and I only take it out in sentimental moments. The remaining time there's nothing visible that might remind me of him since I know that he is here with me when I need him. But, as I said, this works with me.
I love books but my lifestyle has been hectic. I finally gave up holding on to at least five boxes of books that apparently aren't worth anything to a local used bookstore. They, too had too many of the books I had. I donated them to the thrift stores. All in great condition! I did have a hard time. But in the end of my day, I actually felt a sense of relief. So invigorating!
I learned the importance of hard copies of really important photos after my grandparents died. We have no idea where they kept their digital photos, and still don't to this day, so our only photos from them are the hard copies. My grandma only printed a few of the best each year. I'm eternally grateful for that. So don't get rid of all of your hard copy photos. Digital things can disappear.
I can't part with a candle from my dad who is no longer in my life that says "I love you". I don't really have anything left that I should part with. Nowadays, I give myself cred for being rather effective on my yearly home purge, but when I was younger I held on to EVERYTHING! Random rocks I found that resembled hearts, gifts I never liked, school notes, stickers, glass marbles, you name it.. Once I got rid of all of it, I felt.. Clean! 👌
I have one drawing which I made when I was 5 yr old. It's a horse in motion which I had draw without copying a picture. Since the day I did it I knew who I will be - and I'm an artist. Greetings from Poland xoxo
My keepsake is a little green toddler Frankenstein figurine I found in my Brother's desk after he passed away from Cancer. It's tiny, and I keep it in my purse. When I am rummaging through it, and find it, it makes me smile. We loved Halloween, and he passed away 2 weeks after it, so it's an appropriate way to remember him. He'd approve! :) Many thanks to you and your husband for your videos. Your suggestions have been inspiring, informative, and enjoyable. Mazel-Tov for 2017!
Another way to think of whether to keep something or not is to ask yourself "Does this item still bring me joy when I use it/touch it/see it?" If yes, keep it, if no, let it go. I am currently spring cleaning using the KonMari method and I kid you not, my house is losing weight, lol!
I pre-ordered your book and love your video's. Thank You for sharing with me. I have made a junk journal out of my sentimental pictures, post-cards, colorings that were given to me, etc. It turned out really nice. I enjoy your video's Melissa and they have changed the way I clean. I grew up with my dad raising me and as far as learning the proper ways of cleaning, etc. your videos have inspired me to keep a neat and clean household. I would love to win a basket or Skype but am so excited for the clean my space book to come in. I feel more organized and have a clean house. Your videos have also helped many young people that I show your videos too. They are helping students ages 16-24 as they are learning there trades. I really admire the different ways of cleaning and arranging and organizing. The questions that I had for you I would like to ask you at a later time. Thank you for the videos and your time on making them. You are Awesome Melissa Maker! Thank You Very Much! :-)
I am 3 days into my de-cluttering adventure thanks to your tips and videos. One surface, drawer or closet each day and progress is being made. Thank you, Melissa!
This one is so hard for me, I lost 6 people including my parents in my twenties and I live in a studio! I'm getting there though, a little more gone each year. Thanks for this video!
Thank you. Needed this. The bit about them wanting you to be happy really helped. My mother was an only child and both her and her mother passed when I was a child. So have way to much inherited stuff. I don't think I will be at the cull to one box stage any time soon. But might aim to halve and organize. Its a start.
My grandma had a great idea for photos. She loves taking millions of them but knew that she wouldn't want to store them all forever and neither would I, so when I turned 21 she made a special album for me that showcases all her favourite photos of me from birth right up to the week before. It had a photo of all the special events and people in my life but it was condensed chronologically into one album that she gifted me. It is such a beautiful album and keepsake without being so much clutter.
Thank you for this! I have a tendency to keep gifts that I didn't like or don't want, because I feel guilty for getting rid of them. It was so helpful to hear you say that the person who gave you those gifts wouldn't want you to feel burdened or weighed down with guilt.
I have my old baby doll from when I was little that I know I should get rid of, but I haven't done it yet. One of my most prized possessions is my grandfather's address book. He passed suddenly when I was 9 and I'm 46 now and still miss him. I keep the book on my headboard so it's always close. I love to look at his handwriting. Plus, his old address is in there as well as my grandmother's (after they just met and were dating). They only lived a couple streets away from each other in NYC. It's fun to think about all the fun things they did in the city while they were dating. My grandmother didn't have a lot of money back then (in the 40s), but was ALWAYS dressed nice. She would rent fancy dresses to go out on her dates with him and then rush back to the store on Monday mornings to return them before work. I will never part with that book. Thx, Heather
Thanks so much for this video. I recently did go through all my sentimental stuff and used the "one box rule". Very freeing! If only there was a way to help my husband do the same. His parents recently downsized to an apartment and we ended up with a lot of their stuff. They kept everything! When they pass on it will be so much harder for him to part with their things. His motto seems to be- if we can cram it somewhere we don't have to get rid of it. As for me I can't ever get rid of a set of ceramic elephants that belonged to my grandmother. They hold a lot of memories for me. I should part with more of my son's baby stuff. It will probably mean little to him later on and it's taking up a lot of space in his closet right now.
"You will never, ever, go out to dinner with a bunch of friends lugging a box of photos." I work at Applebee's, and I have had many a person bring in shoeboxes of photos and sit there and flip through them with friends and family. It happens!
Thank you for this video, my grandma recently passed away and we spent three days going through greeting cards, it was a very long and hard process. One that made me look at my own habits, I no longer keep cards unless they are especially special to me. I don't want to burden anyone else with things that aren't treasured dearly by me or them.
I cannot bring myself to part with my jewelry box. My great grandfather made it for me - made from scratch, hand painted, and absolutely beautiful. I will keep it with me forever and hopefully pass it on.
Great timing on this video for me. I just moved and have a lot of boxes to go through that sat in a garage for way too long. I have a ton of books and old school paper that I'm going to say goodbye to. I can't let go of some of the dolls I collected as a child. I'm going to try and apply all of your useful tips, I think they'll be a great help. It is definitely hard and emotional getting rid of sentimental items but it feels good to reclaim some space and to accomplish reducing your clutter. Please wish me luck because I'm going to need it.
Yes, digitising is the way to go, look forward to that video. Old CDs, DVDs, books, art, so much can be be digitised and it makes getting rid of that stuff so much easier. I am certainly a digital hoarder but at least my physical space is very clear and clean ;D
I can't part with my hubby's military uniforms and camos. He said they will never fit, and has no need for them, but for some reason it's more of a proud and sentimental items to me. He wore them thru the year of deployment and it reminds me of the year we didn't see each other and learned to only communicate for our relationship. (Pre-Face Time days). They are a symbol of his strength and duty to the country and I won't let them go. Semper Fi!!
This was perfect timing. We are moving and I keep packing and moving all the sentimental stuff. My parents passed away and I inherited their sentimental stuff!
My great grandmothers watch. It hung on a chain around her neck and has beautiful painted flowers on the back. She died when I was only 5 or so but wanted me to have that watch for my 16th birthday. I've had it cleaned and it still runs. The other item is the letter my dad wrote to me when I left for college and the letter he wrote me when I got married and moved away. I'll keep them forever.
I have a precious moments doll from my uncle that he gave me as a girl. It is the only thing I have from him so I will never get rid of it. I have some poetry journals I need to go through and put on my laptop. But there is alot of them and I don't have the will power with a toddler around
Very nice video. I cant absolutely let anything given by my hubby go away easily and rest everything else I can work with :) Thanks for the motivation though...memories box..here I come!!!
I love your videos! I will be sharing this with my mom. We both had a really hard time when my grandmother passed. It's been a few years and my mom is finally able to take boxes of stuff to donate. The stuff I can't seem to get rid of is paperwork. I have boxes of stuff from school, cards, letters. My husband doesn't understand why I have every movie ticket I've ever gotten. :-) I'm working on it. I've started scanning and taking pictures of things before I get rid of them. This has helped.
This is the Very first time to Comment on a video on youtube ever. I would like to say everything you talk about was very true for me. I'm currently in the process of moving. I have been packing and deluttering my possessions. I when through my sentimental just this week. I did give up a few things, but when it came to photos and my own artwork from 6th grade. I just couldn't do it. Now with the few helpful tips you share I think I can give up a little more. Thank you so much!
I had trouble getting rid of artwork that my four kids made. At some point I realized that I could use a lot of it for wrapping paper for gifts. Grandparents and other relatives greatly appreciated the wrapping and money was saved purchasing less store bought supplies.
I absolutely cannot part with my hardcopy photos... I don't have very many (1 shoe box) so I feel like it's not that much of a burden. Something I should part with, my old diaries. They always bring me down when I reflect on them but they're still my memories and I never want to forget that. Thanks for the video though, gives me a bit of a kick in the butt to do something about that stuff! :)
Your video's have become my work buddy. I keep them turned on while I am at work to listen to that way when i get home I am motivated to clean. Keep up the great work!
Hello Melissa, thank you for all the good work you do to improve our lives :) I, too, have sentimental clutter. I have casserole dishes from the 1950's...turquoise, avocado, mustard yellow, olive green. I like the look of them and never use them. I always use my pyrex casserole dishes, but oh, the colors of those old casserole dishes...
the best soLution ever is just taking photos of these items! i use it everytime i find cLutter when cLeaning up! im the type of person who hoLds on to their sentimentaL items a Lot.. esp when i was a highschooL student.. after moving a Lot i've Learnt what important things i can keep in order to not increase my work!
So many great tips! Decluttering changed our lives in so many incredible ways and even made space for our family to take a cross-country road trip. xo!
The absolute thing I cannot ever get rid of is a necklace that was my moms. My dad bought her gold charms to put on it every once in a while so it has almost 10 on there, she passed away right before I turned 3. I'm hoping to take one of the charms off and wear it on my wedding day! I have a lot of stuffed animals from when I was a kid and little knick knacks that I know I need to get rid of and it's hard, but i'm going to try to soon!
This video came out at the perfect time! I'm moving to the US from Japan in about a month. It's just too expensive to ship, well, 'anything' across the Pacific, so I need to get rid of practically everything. I know I need to be ruthless but I have a weak spot for sentimental items. Your video gave me inspiration and encouragement as always. Thank you so much for sharing!
i remember when i was a kid i saw one of my drawings in the bin. i broke down really bad and i never ever drew my parents drawings again. ofcourse me and my sister gave them 10 every day so they eventually had to clean out, but they could have been a little more careful with the disposal :P it broke my 6 year old heart lol
Most helpful clutter free video I have ever seen! Thank you so much for this, I will definitely be using the one box rule for all my high school and child hood clutter that is taking up space in my room.
I have kept small notes and chocolate wrappers that are pretty, etc and so what I'm doing is putting them all in a scrapbook. I've never done it before and so it's a great way to use all the stationary people have given me that I never use either~
Heads up about greeting cards...both giving and receiving: Greeting cards (nice looking ones too) are 2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree. You are happy that you can give them and still stay in budget. They are happy to get them. But no-one feels badly when after the initial smile...they are parted with.
Can you make a video just like this with your mom? My biggest task is the family's stuff I struggle with all the memories especially now that they are starting to leave the nest. Thank you for all your videos. It is wonderful to have them when I easily get off track, and the feeling of a job well done is fantastic.
Honestly I can't answer either questions because I am having so much anxiety trying to declutter. Like I already know what I can throw out for sure or donate. I don't need my DVDs or Books. I can put them on my computer and with books I usually don't read it more than once. I used to, but not anymore. However besides those items, heirlooms and nicknacks around my room that I use to "decorate" I am having so much trouble parting with. Who needs an 1950s Barbie lunch box, or a telephone that had all 9 numbers in a circle but you push it. It technically works, but we don't own a homephone. I just enjoy how they look on my shelf. I also have little Owls and bears that just sit there because they were my grandmas but I love them. All of these were my grandmas. And it's all on my shelf. She is still alive, but is very old. But they're taking up too much room, and I know I don't need it, but I can't throw them away. Like I like to display my nicknacks. Then I have all these random things that I just don't need. I just don't know how to part. I wish I could pay you to come here and tell me to get rid of things that I know I don't need. However I have a fiancé for that, who in your last video I said was a total organizer and he throws so much out. I know I'm not a hoarder, but not being able to let go of these things makes me feel like one. 1/4 to 1/3 of the things(I thinks that is the correct math, but not a lot, but just enough since I don't have real storage) in my room have to go. And it's hard.
Thank you for your support. I'm going to give myself a two week deadline to get rid of stuff I know I have to get rid of and always say I will but never do. I haven't touched it in months, maybe years. Then after those two weeks I can start going into the really hard stuff. I just have I just have unused clothes, tons of heels I don't even wear, books, purses that im sure goodwill will enjoy. And texts books that I can sell. Going through the process of seeing what to keep or donate is hard. However my nicknacks are the worst, they are literally collecting dust. I know I don't need them. They're just taking up storage. Those might take a little over two weeks to let go. I know I can keep some, but not everything she has given me, it's not possible. Wish me luck, tomorrow after class is my first day I'm going to start.
The video was so funny Melissa.. nice work !! It was also very educating. I could under extreme circumstances but wouldnt like to part with official photos that captured important moments of my life.. For example school graduation, uni graduation, sports achievements and so on.
My husband and I had to par down all our belongings because we're living with my mom. It's him, our daughter and I in a bedroom. That makes for tight quarters. We do have a lot of stuff in storage but living in the bedroom and having reduced our clutter has me thinking about all the stuff we have sitting waiting for us in our storage unit and shuddering. I think once we move I'll be purging as I unpack. Books is the biggest clutter we have, I'm a book hoarder big time. I love the feel of books in my hands and I reread my favorite authors constantly. I have a tablet and an e-reader but I still buy books. I own entire libraries of specific authors.... Two cleaning questions: 1. My husband and I have a foam mattress topper. What's the best way to clean it? 2. Is there a way to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up?
Oooh Melissa - I am scared to venture into the next installment of Spring Cleaning 2015 as you are exposing all of my sentimental clutter in this one!! I knew it was coming...I just didn't feel ready but I know I've got to move forward. This is a great series and I will stay tuned...after I read every single card ever given to me LOL!!
Very helpful. One day I'll be able to let go of the ugly pajamas my late grandmother bought me :) It's a good reminder. She wouldn't be upset at all :D
I recently did the painful task of scanning all my cards although I did keep a few sentimental ones from people who passed away. I also scanned five Sterilite (large) bins of family pictures. I did the same with our school yearbooks to clear up space. I scanned all my artwork as a kid & I'm doing the same for my kids as well. When I declutter, I always ask myself, will my kids care (want) for this when I die? Or I look at things & tell myself, I don't want to leave all this junk for my kids to "dump" when I die. These 2 things help me release a lot of things...!
Haha! I can see why! We are moving and we did a LOT of spring cleaning ... And now I've realised that the decluttering process is important not just for the sake of clearing up your home but also psychologically it helps a lot. I felt so much lighter once I got rid of stuff that I wasn't using and was just gathering dust in my closet. Thanks so much for your videos! I'm gonna check out that tshirt now. It's a good reminder to keep things simple in life 😄
wow this came at a time when I"m doing this very same thing but I've accumlated 50 years of stuff. I actually took a big step and ebaying items weekly now from 2 bedrooms. I had taken one soft filing box and stored most of my things in it and it went at the top of a closet. One day I"m sure I can part with them. I went through ---- trying to part with any of the artwork from my now 27 and 29 year old children. I finally parted with 75% of it. I actually have ebayed this past week my first baby dolls clothes, etc. I ebayed last year Barbie stuff from my own with dress going for nearly 70 dollars. One barbie dress and it was lost in my basement, no use to me now. I'm stuck now on parting with clothes, purses and shoes to clean out. Sentimentally, I don't know why but lately, I"m finally letting alot of things go I never would have thought possible.
***** yup. I don't think I need 3 baby dolls anymore. I actually researched Ebay and those sell better for parts and restoration right now. I can really see how your mom feels. It's so hard for us to part with our kids artwork.
Yes I do. When my dad died 3 years ago I got a bunch of his baseball and rock band shirts. I had them made into a quilt. It's beautiful and I love it BUT I still have the fabric scraps from the parts of the shirts that weren't used. I cant throw them. I have so much guilt. As if I'm throwing him away. It tears me apart everytime I look at those fabric scraps.
I have started parting with hard copy pictures that are just scenery, that I prolly took to show family what the place looked like, it hard to get rid of the china painting things that my grandmother made or how about all of the stuff my mother has kept since the 1940's that may be worth money, you know you see those people that bought something at a junk sale and turned out to be worth hundreds! My dad just passed so I'm trying to touch all of his favorite shirts one more time before they go off to the VA extended care facility
I have a hard time with old diaries. This past year I let old VHS's, the outfit I wore to out wedding rehearsal dinner, old theatre costumes, and so much more! I don't miss any of it. I've been committed to living with only what I need and love, and those things didn't make the criteria. I have videos about it on my channel if anyone needs a little inspiration.
So great and true. My one thing for both questions is my Walkman. I just can't but should. I have a hard time getting rid of my kids things. Thanks for the videos
LOL - listen, if it has a lot of meaning for you then keep it! But if you are just keeping it for no other reason than you can't let it go, ask yourself why...
Hi, liked all the ideas and tips. One more trick for those greeting cards about which we are on the fence, whether to let go or not -- we can take their photos or scan them, so that now we have a soft copy of those and then we can let them go. If we feel we can always read or see them afterwards. :-) This can also be applied for some gift items (just show pieces or stuff like that) about which we feel to through or not to through. Simply, take a picture of that and you can let it go.
Oh my goodness! I couldn't believe it when I saw that jewelry chest. I have the exact same one. It was my mother's and it sat on her dresser the whole time I was growing up. I used to like to sit and look through it. Now it's sitting on my dresser and I do use it and don't plan on ever getting rid of it.
Hi Melissa...house has so much stuff to get rid of that belonged to my parents and hubby's parents....and you are right...no need to keep it all....this is gonna be a huge job but...yard by yard it's hard but inch by inch it's a cinch. Wish me luck! This was a very inspiring video! Thanks! oxoxox
A little turtle figurine I bought for my grandmother just before she passed. It always is the last thing in my car during a move, and I take care to keep it safe. One thing I have trouble getting rid of is some of my earliest artwork. Not from my childhood, but my early 20s when I first started taking classes, they are just awful but the part is hard!
That's such a lovely little memento! Trust me, I know...those pieces of art we showed in the video...they aren't nice but I was so proud of them and worked so hard on them, I totally know the feeling.
I keep very little sentimental clutter each of my kids have one box each the only thing I would never part with is my fav baby grow from each of my kids I only keep one each its a lovely reminder of how small they use to be ! What I really need to part with is jewellery I have been given over the yrs alot of it got broken over time and really needs to pack it's bag and leave lol
I'm just imagining your family and friends watching this video and seeing some of their stuff in that pile, wondering why you still have it... :) Good tips, definitely putting those to mind before I move in two months.
My boyfriend is THE WORST about this! He's kept a tin of bacon-flavored mints (untouched) for three years just because his sister gave them to him because she thought they were funny. His sister is alive and they see each other often. He finds a reason to keep *everything* and it drives me insane.
Well photos and travel tickets I put in a scrap book. Birthday cards I keep for a month and then I toss or put it in my scrap book it, and holiday cards I keep it for the season and then toss it or Scrap book it if it was a great card. My dad always gives me jewlery that I wouldn't normally wear, but I keep it and wear it only around him. I have a guy friend that has a habit of giving small stuffed animals with his gifts. I finally had to tell him to Stop It! Yes to the digital photo scrap book!
hi Melissa !! i'll definitely do some sentimental cleaning back at my parent's house, they really need to clear up some space! Anyway, since i've been following your tips my house looks 10 times better , even if it's not always spotless clean. Thank you!! One BIG question though : i live in a small attic , how can i effectively clean my windows without dripping loads of water to the floor ? thanks again :)
I can't part with the letters my husband and I sent to each other while we were engaged and he was away at basic training (USAF). Lucky for me they don't take up much space! What I need to part with and don't know how...a portrait my deceased grandmother painted of me at age 13. She was just trying her hand at portraits and it's not very good. I have many of her other paintings displayed but this one sits, covered, in my closet. I've lugged it around from house to house for 20 years! Am I a horrible person for not wanting it?
You should put it for sale online. No one has to know its a portrait of you, and someone may find some true beauty in it (even if by technicality it's no good). If someone loves it and put it on display in their home or building, then I think that would be the best tribute to your grandmother!
Way too late here, but I think taking a picture is the solution to things like this. It's silly to let it take up space if you don't like/want it, but as long as you have a picture, it's not really gone.
Hello, Melissa! Thank you for making the video. I believe I am ready to declutter some of the sentimental items tomorrow. :') I hope you don't mind for me to ask, but what is the name of the music track that you use to play as the background in this video? I think I would like to hear the track while I'm checking my sentimental items. Thank you.
Can't get rid of the jewellery my great auntie gave me. When I was born, my mum and dad took me to her house and on the way there she passed away :( she sooo wanted to see me. As for something I have to get rid of but can't... I dunno... Probably photos. I'll get back to ye. Thanks for this amazing video! I'll get sorting sentimental stuff soon :)
One item I can't part with is the first photo I ever took...its bad, I'll never be a photographer.. But I can't throw it away. It's of a family member lunging towards the camera, it's blurry and non-descript to anyone else, but it's my first photo. Another item I should get rid of is my wedding dress, but haven't managed it so far. Other than the dress all other sentimental items my husband and I have managed to contain in one super cool mirrored suitcase. It works great to put that limit on things, whatever we keep must fit in there. Great video, thanks for the continued tips.
I have no problem chucking cards, I've kept a few (like 10) that were made by my kids, or some from my husband etc. but otherwise out they go. My problem is some of my kids favorite toys - they're adults and I have stored this stuff b/c I don't know, am i nuts? I made photo albums with old photos of grandparents and great grandparents with dates and places they were taken. I made one for each of the kids too. Those albums have highlights of the family throughout , it was alot of work but I'm so glad I did it. STill have tons of stuff/junk I need to unload though.
I have scanned all of my cards into Evernote. I love Evernote! That way I leave go of the sentiment and the guilt of throwing them away! LOL. I now don't even have to use the scanner for my iPhone. In the Evernote app I just make the correct setting, document in this case, and it just scans, sizes and keeps. I then put in the proper folder.
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Thank you so much for the inspiration. At my workplace, all employees have been encouraged, since last year, to periodically to de-clutter stuff from our homes that we no longer need, but could be useful to others. Our boss set up a facebook site, auctioning off these items. The money collected at the end of the year goes back into our community to the kids at Christmas time. Through the local food bank, our boss gets the names of all those who have requested help and we buy gifts for the children. Last year, we had Santa come into our store, and we had prepared close to 300 gift bags to give out to all the children who visited the store on that night. It was a big hit with the community. This year, we hope to do even more. We also sell 50/50 tickets every month of the year and that money also goes to this same cause. It feels good to see the smiles on the little ones faces. :)
that's awesome and inspiring!!
Good idea
This was a much needed video for me, I'm only in my early 20s but have somehow acquired 4 large boxes of "sentimental" items. Most of the items were things my mother kept when I was a child (old drawings, photos, school work etc) but I went through a brief hoarding period where I kept far too much of my own useless stuff. Now I'm just fed up of the space they take up, we aren't low on storage space but I can't stand seeing unused boxes of stuff stacked up in my cupboards! After watching this video I'm going to pull out all of the boxes and do a massive purge. Thanks for motivating me Melissa!
Good work ErinRachel - you can do it!!!
I have always donated the front of the cards to my children's school. They use the front to make holiday cards. A good way to recycle.
My husband and I had a huge discussion over why we have so much clutter. We finally made the connection that both of us spent a great deal of time with our grandparents growing up. I was with mine every weekend, every holiday and they babysat me frequently. His grandmother practically raised him and because they all grew up during the Depression, they never got rid of anything because it was wasteful and that's what they taught us. Never be wasteful..hang on to it until you find a use and getting rid of something that someone gave you is rude and disrespectful. It's next to impossible to break that habit. We're slowly getting there. It's a long hard process where some days, I only make it through half a drawer...if that. Baby steps.
YES - that's a common mentality that a lot of us were taught. Times are different now and I think being mindful consumers will help us in the long run only get what we NEED and not hang on to the things that we don't. And it's totally OK to have special, sentimental items, just not a house full of them!
I have a small very old travel/storage trunk that was in my family for a long time. My great aunt gave me when I was 10 or 11, I still have it 40 plus years later. I restored it and it is very sweet looking. My rule for keeping other memorabilia over the years is that I only keep what will fit in the trunk. To be " trunk worthy" it must be something that I love to periodically, look at, wear, or use, or, is an heirloom to be passed on. Every few years I go through the contents of the trunk and re-evaluate it, Some times I have to take something out to make room for a new, old treasure. I might be moving in the next few months so it is time to re-evaluate the contents again. Having a finite sized space to put these items in, has helped to keep less of it!
What worked extremely well with me was my "Memory-Box" with items reminding me of my late husband. Instead of keeping just everything or placing the stuff somewhere visible I took a wooden box which I once decorated for my husband with rustic art and put only IMPORTANT things in there. The biggest item is his jersey which I kept for the smell of him (like Monk keeps Trudi's pillow ;-) ). The wooden box is in the cupboard and I only take it out in sentimental moments. The remaining time there's nothing visible that might remind me of him since I know that he is here with me when I need him. But, as I said, this works with me.
I love books but my lifestyle has been hectic. I finally gave up holding on to at least five boxes of books that apparently aren't worth anything to a local used bookstore. They, too had too many of the books I had. I donated them to the thrift stores. All in great condition! I did have a hard time. But in the end of my day, I actually felt a sense of relief. So invigorating!
I learned the importance of hard copies of really important photos after my grandparents died. We have no idea where they kept their digital photos, and still don't to this day, so our only photos from them are the hard copies. My grandma only printed a few of the best each year. I'm eternally grateful for that. So don't get rid of all of your hard copy photos. Digital things can disappear.
I can't part with a candle from my dad who is no longer in my life that says "I love you". I don't really have anything left that I should part with. Nowadays, I give myself cred for being rather effective on my yearly home purge, but when I was younger I held on to EVERYTHING! Random rocks I found that resembled hearts, gifts I never liked, school notes, stickers, glass marbles, you name it.. Once I got rid of all of it, I felt.. Clean! 👌
I have one drawing which I made when I was 5 yr old. It's a horse in motion which I had draw without copying a picture. Since the day I did it I knew who I will be - and I'm an artist. Greetings from Poland xoxo
My keepsake is a little green toddler Frankenstein figurine I found in my Brother's desk after he passed away from Cancer. It's tiny, and I keep it in my purse. When I am rummaging through it, and find it, it makes me smile. We loved Halloween, and he passed away 2 weeks after it, so it's an appropriate way to remember him. He'd approve! :) Many thanks to you and your husband for your videos. Your suggestions have been inspiring, informative, and enjoyable. Mazel-Tov for 2017!
Another way to think of whether to keep something or not is to ask yourself "Does this item still bring me joy when I use it/touch it/see it?" If yes, keep it, if no, let it go. I am currently spring cleaning using the KonMari method and I kid you not, my house is losing weight, lol!
I pre-ordered your book and love your video's. Thank You for sharing with me. I have made a junk journal out of my sentimental pictures, post-cards, colorings that were given to me, etc. It turned out really nice. I enjoy your video's Melissa and they have changed the way I clean. I grew up with my dad raising me and as far as learning the proper ways of cleaning, etc. your videos have inspired me to keep a neat and clean household. I would love to win a basket or Skype but am so excited for the clean my space book to come in. I feel more organized and have a clean house. Your videos have also helped many young people that I show your videos too. They are helping students ages 16-24 as they are learning there trades. I really admire the different ways of cleaning and arranging and organizing. The questions that I had for you I would like to ask you at a later time. Thank you for the videos and your time on making them. You are Awesome Melissa Maker! Thank You Very Much! :-)
I am 3 days into my de-cluttering adventure thanks to your tips and videos. One surface, drawer or closet each day and progress is being made. Thank you, Melissa!
This one is so hard for me, I lost 6 people including my parents in my twenties and I live in a studio! I'm getting there though, a little more gone each year. Thanks for this video!
Oh my goodness...that is a lot of loss for you. But it sounds like you are making it happen and kudos to you for that!
Thank you. Needed this. The bit about them wanting you to be happy really helped. My mother was an only child and both her and her mother passed when I was a child. So have way to much inherited stuff. I don't think I will be at the cull to one box stage any time soon. But might aim to halve and organize. Its a start.
My grandma had a great idea for photos. She loves taking millions of them but knew that she wouldn't want to store them all forever and neither would I, so when I turned 21 she made a special album for me that showcases all her favourite photos of me from birth right up to the week before. It had a photo of all the special events and people in my life but it was condensed chronologically into one album that she gifted me. It is such a beautiful album and keepsake without being so much clutter.
That's SO sweet!!!
Thank you for this! I have a tendency to keep gifts that I didn't like or don't want, because I feel guilty for getting rid of them. It was so helpful to hear you say that the person who gave you those gifts wouldn't want you to feel burdened or weighed down with guilt.
I believe that 100%! I hope it helps you :)
i am a crazy scrapbooker with literally thousands of pictures of my three-year-old twins. i really needed this video!!
I have my old baby doll from when I was little that I know I should get rid of, but I haven't done it yet. One of my most prized possessions is my grandfather's address book. He passed suddenly when I was 9 and I'm 46 now and still miss him. I keep the book on my headboard so it's always close. I love to look at his handwriting. Plus, his old address is in there as well as my grandmother's (after they just met and were dating). They only lived a couple streets away from each other in NYC. It's fun to think about all the fun things they did in the city while they were dating. My grandmother didn't have a lot of money back then (in the 40s), but was ALWAYS dressed nice. She would rent fancy dresses to go out on her dates with him and then rush back to the store on Monday mornings to return them before work. I will never part with that book. Thx, Heather
Thanks so much for this video. I recently did go through all my sentimental stuff and used the "one box rule". Very freeing! If only there was a way to help my husband do the same. His parents recently downsized to an apartment and we ended up with a lot of their stuff. They kept everything! When they pass on it will be so much harder for him to part with their things. His motto seems to be- if we can cram it somewhere we don't have to get rid of it. As for me I can't ever get rid of a set of ceramic elephants that belonged to my grandmother. They hold a lot of memories for me. I should part with more of my son's baby stuff. It will probably mean little to him later on and it's taking up a lot of space in his closet right now.
"You will never, ever, go out to dinner with a bunch of friends lugging a box of photos." I work at Applebee's, and I have had many a person bring in shoeboxes of photos and sit there and flip through them with friends and family. It happens!
Thank you for this video, my grandma recently passed away and we spent three days going through greeting cards, it was a very long and hard process. One that made me look at my own habits, I no longer keep cards unless they are especially special to me. I don't want to burden anyone else with things that aren't treasured dearly by me or them.
100% - great point!
I cannot bring myself to part with my jewelry box. My great grandfather made it for me - made from scratch, hand painted, and absolutely beautiful. I will keep it with me forever and hopefully pass it on.
I love your "All you need is Less" t- shirt, Melissa. You are very inspiring!
Great timing on this video for me. I just moved and have a lot of boxes to go through that sat in a garage for way too long. I have a ton of books and old school paper that I'm going to say goodbye to. I can't let go of some of the dolls I collected as a child. I'm going to try and apply all of your useful tips, I think they'll be a great help. It is definitely hard and emotional getting rid of sentimental items but it feels good to reclaim some space and to accomplish reducing your clutter. Please wish me luck because I'm going to need it.
Yes, digitising is the way to go, look forward to that video.
Old CDs, DVDs, books, art, so much can be be digitised and it makes getting rid of that stuff so much easier. I am certainly a digital hoarder but at least my physical space is very clear and clean ;D
Good - you seem to be a very clear and strategic thinker when it comes to cleaning and organizing!
I can't part with my hubby's military uniforms and camos. He said they will never fit, and has no need for them, but for some reason it's more of a proud and sentimental items to me. He wore them thru the year of deployment and it reminds me of the year we didn't see each other and learned to only communicate for our relationship. (Pre-Face Time days). They are a symbol of his strength and duty to the country and I won't let them go. Semper Fi!!
This was perfect timing. We are moving and I keep packing and moving all the sentimental stuff. My parents passed away and I inherited their sentimental stuff!
Moving is the BEST time do do this. You will make the right decisions :)
Do you have a sentimental item you that just can't imagine ever throwing away?
Thanks for this video! I have alot of sentimental pieces I dont use. Im ready to de-clutter!
My great grandmothers watch. It hung on a chain around her neck and has beautiful painted flowers on the back. She died when I was only 5 or so but wanted me to have that watch for my 16th birthday. I've had it cleaned and it still runs. The other item is the letter my dad wrote to me when I left for college and the letter he wrote me when I got married and moved away. I'll keep them forever.
Jaene Canales Good luck with it - I know you can do it! daysleeper724 those sound very special - what nice gifts!
I have a precious moments doll from my uncle that he gave me as a girl. It is the only thing I have from him so I will never get rid of it. I have some poetry journals I need to go through and put on my laptop. But there is alot of them and I don't have the will power with a toddler around
***** I have a box full of 60+ dalmatian dolls I collected as a kid. They're in a closet at my parents' house. xD
Very nice video. I cant absolutely let anything given by my hubby go away easily and rest everything else I can work with :) Thanks for the motivation though...memories box..here I come!!!
I love your videos! I will be sharing this with my mom. We both had a really hard time when my grandmother passed. It's been a few years and my mom is finally able to take boxes of stuff to donate. The stuff I can't seem to get rid of is paperwork. I have boxes of stuff from school, cards, letters. My husband doesn't understand why I have every movie ticket I've ever gotten. :-) I'm working on it. I've started scanning and taking pictures of things before I get rid of them. This has helped.
This is the Very first time to Comment on a video on youtube ever. I would like to say everything you talk about was very true for me. I'm currently in the process of moving. I have been packing and deluttering my possessions. I when through my sentimental just this week. I did give up a few things, but when it came to photos and my own artwork from 6th grade. I just couldn't do it. Now with the few helpful tips you share I think I can give up a little more. Thank you so much!
I love how you always make time to comment to viewers.Love your videos xxx
Always ;)
I truly appreciate your fearless approach to this topic.
I had trouble getting rid of artwork that my four kids made. At some point I realized that I could use a lot of it for wrapping paper for gifts. Grandparents and other relatives greatly appreciated the wrapping and money was saved purchasing less store bought supplies.
I absolutely cannot part with my hardcopy photos... I don't have very many (1 shoe box) so I feel like it's not that much of a burden. Something I should part with, my old diaries. They always bring me down when I reflect on them but they're still my memories and I never want to forget that. Thanks for the video though, gives me a bit of a kick in the butt to do something about that stuff! :)
Your video's have become my work buddy. I keep them turned on while I am at work to listen to that way when i get home I am motivated to clean. Keep up the great work!
Hello Melissa, thank you for all the good work you do to improve our lives :) I, too, have sentimental clutter. I have casserole dishes from the 1950's...turquoise, avocado, mustard yellow, olive green. I like the look of them and never use them. I always use my pyrex casserole dishes, but oh, the colors of those old casserole dishes...
the best soLution ever is just taking photos of these items! i use it everytime i find cLutter when cLeaning up!
im the type of person who hoLds on to their sentimentaL items a Lot.. esp when i was a highschooL student.. after moving a Lot i've Learnt what important things i can keep in order to not increase my work!
Love watching your videos Melissa. This one is perfect. Definitely inspires me to start doing some spring cleaning.
I am glad to hear!
So many great tips! Decluttering changed our lives in so many incredible ways and even made space for our family to take a cross-country road trip. xo!
WOW - that's amazing!
The absolute thing I cannot ever get rid of is a necklace that was my moms. My dad bought her gold charms to put on it every once in a while so it has almost 10 on there, she passed away right before I turned 3. I'm hoping to take one of the charms off and wear it on my wedding day! I have a lot of stuffed animals from when I was a kid and little knick knacks that I know I need to get rid of and it's hard, but i'm going to try to soon!
That necklace is a perfect example of a justified sentimental keepsake.
This video came out at the perfect time! I'm moving to the US from Japan in about a month. It's just too expensive to ship, well, 'anything' across the Pacific, so I need to get rid of practically everything. I know I need to be ruthless but I have a weak spot for sentimental items. Your video gave me inspiration and encouragement as always. Thank you so much for sharing!
OH WOW - and you are going to be much more limited for space. I think you can do it and do it well, Yumiko Suzuki ! Safe and happy moving!
i remember when i was a kid i saw one of my drawings in the bin. i broke down really bad and i never ever drew my parents drawings again. ofcourse me and my sister gave them 10 every day so they eventually had to clean out, but they could have been a little more careful with the disposal :P it broke my 6 year old heart lol
Awww....I agree, parents have to be sensitive about this process!
Most helpful clutter free video I have ever seen! Thank you so much for this, I will definitely be using the one box rule for all my high school and child hood clutter that is taking up space in my room.
I have kept small notes and chocolate wrappers that are pretty, etc and so what I'm doing is putting them all in a scrapbook. I've never done it before and so it's a great way to use all the stationary people have given me that I never use either~
Heads up about greeting cards...both giving and receiving:
Greeting cards (nice looking ones too) are 2 for $1 at the Dollar Tree. You are happy that you can give them and still stay in budget. They are happy to get them. But no-one feels badly when after the initial smile...they are parted with.
Good point - cheaper cards are the way to go!
I can't get rid of cards from my mom and grandma. I know their handwriting will be a comfort somehow someday.
I decluttered quite a bit after watching your previous "free isn't really free" video. Thanks for the inspiration. x
My darling young son gave me a giant pear cookie jar for Christmas. He insists it stays on the kitchen counter.
That's adorable - and that's special!
MustardSeedish maybe he is telling you he wants you to make cookies for him or with him. That makes memories!
sounds like you read "The life changing magic of tyding up" by Marie Kondo.
I live by that book now. it's literally life changing 😍
Can you make a video just like this with your mom? My biggest task is the family's stuff I struggle with all the memories especially now that they are starting to leave the nest. Thank you for all your videos. It is wonderful to have them when I easily get off track, and the feeling of a job well done is fantastic.
I love your grandmas necklace!!!
LOL - it's not real gold, I think it was just some costume jewelry :) but thank you!
Honestly I can't answer either questions because I am having so much anxiety trying to declutter. Like I already know what I can throw out for sure or donate. I don't need my DVDs or Books. I can put them on my computer and with books I usually don't read it more than once. I used to, but not anymore. However besides those items, heirlooms and nicknacks around my room that I use to "decorate" I am having so much trouble parting with. Who needs an 1950s Barbie lunch box, or a telephone that had all 9 numbers in a circle but you push it. It technically works, but we don't own a homephone. I just enjoy how they look on my shelf. I also have little Owls and bears that just sit there because they were my grandmas but I love them. All of these were my grandmas. And it's all on my shelf. She is still alive, but is very old. But they're taking up too much room, and I know I don't need it, but I can't throw them away. Like I like to display my nicknacks. Then I have all these random things that I just don't need. I just don't know how to part. I wish I could pay you to come here and tell me to get rid of things that I know I don't need. However I have a fiancé for that, who in your last video I said was a total organizer and he throws so much out. I know I'm not a hoarder, but not being able to let go of these things makes me feel like one. 1/4 to 1/3 of the things(I thinks that is the correct math, but not a lot, but just enough since I don't have real storage) in my room have to go. And it's hard.
I know how hard it can be...I really do...and you don't have to do it all at once. But you can try - dip your toe in the pool - and go from there!
Thank you for your support. I'm going to give myself a two week deadline to get rid of stuff I know I have to get rid of and always say I will but never do. I haven't touched it in months, maybe years. Then after those two weeks I can start going into the really hard stuff. I just have I just have unused clothes, tons of heels I don't even wear, books, purses that im sure goodwill will enjoy. And texts books that I can sell. Going through the process of seeing what to keep or donate is hard. However my nicknacks are the worst, they are literally collecting dust. I know I don't need them. They're just taking up storage. Those might take a little over two weeks to let go. I know I can keep some, but not everything she has given me, it's not possible. Wish me luck, tomorrow after class is my first day I'm going to start.
You can do it!
The video was so funny Melissa.. nice work !! It was also very educating.
I could under extreme circumstances but wouldnt like to part with official photos that captured important moments of my life.. For example school graduation, uni graduation, sports achievements and so on.
My husband and I had to par down all our belongings because we're living with my mom. It's him, our daughter and I in a bedroom. That makes for tight quarters. We do have a lot of stuff in storage but living in the bedroom and having reduced our clutter has me thinking about all the stuff we have sitting waiting for us in our storage unit and shuddering. I think once we move I'll be purging as I unpack. Books is the biggest clutter we have, I'm a book hoarder big time. I love the feel of books in my hands and I reread my favorite authors constantly. I have a tablet and an e-reader but I still buy books. I own entire libraries of specific authors....
Two cleaning questions:
1. My husband and I have a foam mattress topper. What's the best way to clean it?
2. Is there a way to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up?
1.Google
2. Shaving cream or vinegar wipe.
This video was great. I love that your channel goes beyond the obvious things that other TH-camrs seem to cover.
Oooh Melissa - I am scared to venture into the next installment of Spring Cleaning 2015 as you are exposing all of my sentimental clutter in this one!! I knew it was coming...I just didn't feel ready but I know I've got to move forward. This is a great series and I will stay tuned...after I read every single card ever given to me LOL!!
You CAN do it!
Favorite most helpful video yet, thank you!
I can't live without my scrapbooks and planner. I could live without half the junk in my house.
I am glad to hear that - and you are right - you can start to look at things as junk and it actually becomes easier to part with it.
Very helpful. One day I'll be able to let go of the ugly pajamas my late grandmother bought me :) It's a good reminder. She wouldn't be upset at all :D
I do the same with my pjs
I recently did the painful task of scanning all my cards although I did keep a few sentimental ones from people who passed away. I also scanned five Sterilite (large) bins of family pictures. I did the same with our school yearbooks to clear up space. I scanned all my artwork as a kid & I'm doing the same for my kids as well. When I declutter, I always ask myself, will my kids care (want) for this when I die? Or I look at things & tell myself, I don't want to leave all this junk for my kids to "dump" when I die. These 2 things help me release a lot of things...!
OH WOW - that's a lot of work! Good work!
Such a great topic! I can clean all day long but when it comes to sentimental stuff I always want to hold on to it.
Yep...it's a hard one!
I love your tshirt! And kind of appropriate for this video too... Where did you get it?
Hi Ana - the shirt is from Joe Fresh! When we saw it we had to get it!
Haha! I can see why! We are moving and we did a LOT of spring cleaning ... And now I've realised that the decluttering process is important not just for the sake of clearing up your home but also psychologically it helps a lot. I felt so much lighter once I got rid of stuff that I wasn't using and was just gathering dust in my closet. Thanks so much for your videos! I'm gonna check out that tshirt now. It's a good reminder to keep things simple in life 😄
wow this came at a time when I"m doing this very same thing but I've accumlated 50 years of stuff. I actually took a big step and ebaying items weekly now from 2 bedrooms. I had taken one soft filing box and stored most of my things in it and it went at the top of a closet. One day I"m sure I can part with them. I went through ---- trying to part with any of the artwork from my now 27 and 29 year old children. I finally parted with 75% of it. I actually have ebayed this past week my first baby dolls clothes, etc. I ebayed last year Barbie stuff from my own with dress going for nearly 70 dollars. One barbie dress and it was lost in my basement, no use to me now. I'm stuck now on parting with clothes, purses and shoes to clean out. Sentimentally, I don't know why but lately, I"m finally letting alot of things go I never would have thought possible.
Wow - good work - look at you go!
***** yup. I don't think I need 3 baby dolls anymore. I actually researched Ebay and those sell better for parts and restoration right now. I can really see how your mom feels. It's so hard for us to part with our kids artwork.
I've been using the one box method for years. It helps so much.
Yes I do. When my dad died 3 years ago I got a bunch of his baseball and rock band shirts. I had them made into a quilt. It's beautiful and I love it BUT I still have the fabric scraps from the parts of the shirts that weren't used. I cant throw them. I have so much guilt. As if I'm throwing him away. It tears me apart everytime I look at those fabric scraps.
You could use them to stuff a pillow/toy/doorstop? That way they can be kept and used :)
I have started parting with hard copy pictures that are just scenery, that I prolly took to show family what the place looked like, it hard to get rid of the china painting things that my grandmother made or how about all of the stuff my mother has kept since the 1940's that may be worth money, you know you see those people that bought something at a junk sale and turned out to be worth hundreds! My dad just passed so I'm trying to touch all of his favorite shirts one more time before they go off to the VA extended care facility
Great video Melissa. Love the tips. I've just started copying old photo CDS and passing the disca onto family. Can't wait until the rest are done 😊
My sentimental item is my black-kitty cat stuffy named "Dusty." I decluttered a lot of stuff from home earlier this year, but Dusty had to stay!
Hi Melissa. Thanks for the tips. Awesome video. Melanie, a fan from Australia. ☺
I knew that I had to come to this one day ... thank you for the helping hand 👍
three wave kitchen cleaning video please!!!
I have a hard time with old diaries. This past year I let old VHS's, the outfit I wore to out wedding rehearsal dinner, old theatre costumes, and so much more! I don't miss any of it. I've been committed to living with only what I need and love, and those things didn't make the criteria. I have videos about it on my channel if anyone needs a little inspiration.
There you go - great work Patricia Keele !
I have the same problem! And I never want to get rid of stuff, because I have a horrible memory! Although I do seem to remember the important times!
So great and true. My one thing for both questions is my Walkman. I just can't but should. I have a hard time getting rid of my kids things. Thanks for the videos
LOL - listen, if it has a lot of meaning for you then keep it! But if you are just keeping it for no other reason than you can't let it go, ask yourself why...
thank you for this! I'm doing this because I don't want to leave this for my kids to do...Thanks again!!
Hi, liked all the ideas and tips.
One more trick for those greeting cards about which we are on the fence, whether to let go or not -- we can take their photos or scan them, so that now we have a soft copy of those and then we can let them go. If we feel we can always read or see them afterwards. :-)
This can also be applied for some gift items (just show pieces or stuff like that) about which we feel to through or not to through. Simply, take a picture of that and you can let it go.
Oh my goodness! I couldn't believe it when I saw that jewelry chest. I have the exact same one. It was my mother's and it sat on her dresser the whole time I was growing up. I used to like to sit and look through it. Now it's sitting on my dresser and I do use it and don't plan on ever getting rid of it.
No way! That's really cool!
awesome video, soo helpful and much needed for all of us! x
Hi Melissa...house has so much stuff to get rid of that belonged to my parents and hubby's parents....and you are right...no need to keep it all....this is gonna be a huge job but...yard by yard it's hard but inch by inch it's a cinch. Wish me luck! This was a very inspiring video! Thanks! oxoxox
A little turtle figurine I bought for my grandmother just before she passed. It always is the last thing in my car during a move, and I take care to keep it safe. One thing I have trouble getting rid of is some of my earliest artwork. Not from my childhood, but my early 20s when I first started taking classes, they are just awful but the part is hard!
That's such a lovely little memento! Trust me, I know...those pieces of art we showed in the video...they aren't nice but I was so proud of them and worked so hard on them, I totally know the feeling.
I keep very little sentimental clutter each of my kids have one box each the only thing I would never part with is my fav baby grow from each of my kids I only keep one each its a lovely reminder of how small they use to be ! What I really need to part with is jewellery I have been given over the yrs alot of it got broken over time and really needs to pack it's bag and leave lol
:) That's so cute, Ann marie White ! I have gotten rid of some jewelry, I don't miss it...
I'm just imagining your family and friends watching this video and seeing some of their stuff in that pile, wondering why you still have it... :)
Good tips, definitely putting those to mind before I move in two months.
LOL - I thought about that too...but I know a lot of them have gone through the same, specifically my mom, sister and BFF...
My boyfriend is THE WORST about this! He's kept a tin of bacon-flavored mints (untouched) for three years just because his sister gave them to him because she thought they were funny. His sister is alive and they see each other often. He finds a reason to keep *everything* and it drives me insane.
My husband is the same. I've literally (in our garage) got the garbage Can, poured a glass of Wine and started tossing! LOL
Well photos and travel tickets I put in a scrap book. Birthday cards I keep for a month and then I toss or put it in my scrap book it, and holiday cards I keep it for the season and then toss it or Scrap book it if it was a great card. My dad always gives me jewlery that I wouldn't normally wear, but I keep it and wear it only around him. I have a guy friend that has a habit of giving small stuffed animals with his gifts. I finally had to tell him to Stop It! Yes to the digital photo scrap book!
love this series, very motivational for spring cleaning!! hope you have more planned!
Glad to hear! We have a couple more coming!
hi Melissa !! i'll definitely do some sentimental cleaning back at my parent's house, they really need to clear up some space! Anyway, since i've been following your tips my house looks 10 times better , even if it's not always spotless clean. Thank you!!
One BIG question though : i live in a small attic , how can i effectively clean my windows without dripping loads of water to the floor ? thanks again :)
I can't part with the letters my husband and I sent to each other while we were engaged and he was away at basic training (USAF). Lucky for me they don't take up much space! What I need to part with and don't know how...a portrait my deceased grandmother painted of me at age 13. She was just trying her hand at portraits and it's not very good. I have many of her other paintings displayed but this one sits, covered, in my closet. I've lugged it around from house to house for 20 years! Am I a horrible person for not wanting it?
You should put it for sale online. No one has to know its a portrait of you, and someone may find some true beauty in it (even if by technicality it's no good).
If someone loves it and put it on display in their home or building, then I think that would be the best tribute to your grandmother!
You can take it to a pro photo service center and ask for an art slide they it is normally about 15.00 then you have a single slide or cd
Way too late here, but I think taking a picture is the solution to things like this. It's silly to let it take up space if you don't like/want it, but as long as you have a picture, it's not really gone.
Hello, Melissa! Thank you for making the video. I believe I am ready to declutter some of the sentimental items tomorrow. :') I hope you don't mind for me to ask, but what is the name of the music track that you use to play as the background in this video? I think I would like to hear the track while I'm checking my sentimental items. Thank you.
Love 💘 her sweater!!
Just what I needed to hear before a big international move!
Can't get rid of the jewellery my great auntie gave me. When I was born, my mum and dad took me to her house and on the way there she passed away :( she sooo wanted to see me. As for something I have to get rid of but can't... I dunno... Probably photos. I'll get back to ye. Thanks for this amazing video! I'll get sorting sentimental stuff soon :)
Let us know how it goes FairyTaz !
You should probably keep the jewelry from your great grandma, no offense mellisa, but some sentimental things would be nice to keep.
jewelry is small , so,,,,,i'd keep
Flowerperson Minianer I am keeping some she gave me - some I really just don't like!
Can absolutely understand getting rid of the stuff you don't like, don't mean as much or aren't really worth much money. Power to ye melissa :)
I take a pic of any cards or items and then I have the memory on a digital pic rather than taking up space. ❤
Great video! Cant wait for the digitizing session!!
your videos are really helpful....i struggle big time with decluterring 😔
looking forward to your digitizing video, i need that big time
One item I can't part with is the first photo I ever took...its bad, I'll never be a photographer.. But I can't throw it away. It's of a family member lunging towards the camera, it's blurry and non-descript to anyone else, but it's my first photo.
Another item I should get rid of is my wedding dress, but haven't managed it so far. Other than the dress all other sentimental items my husband and I have managed to contain in one super cool mirrored suitcase. It works great to put that limit on things, whatever we keep must fit in there. Great video, thanks for the continued tips.
I have no problem chucking cards, I've kept a few (like 10) that were made by my kids, or some from my husband etc. but otherwise out they go. My problem is some of my kids favorite toys - they're adults and I have stored this stuff b/c I don't know, am i nuts? I made photo albums with old photos of grandparents and great grandparents with dates and places they were taken. I made one for each of the kids too. Those albums have highlights of the family throughout , it was alot of work but I'm so glad I did it. STill have tons of stuff/junk I need to unload though.
That's GREAT - I have a lot of cards...That's not nuts...maybe ask your kids for help deciding what to get rid of?
I have scanned all of my cards into Evernote. I love Evernote! That way I leave go of the sentiment and the guilt of throwing them away! LOL. I now don't even have to use the scanner for my iPhone. In the Evernote app I just make the correct setting, document in this case, and it just scans, sizes and keeps. I then put in the proper folder.