The BEST Decluttering Tips For Anyone Who’s Overwhelmed
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- Опубліковано 3 чер 2024
- Whether you’re struggling to figure out how to start decluttering when you’re overwhelmed. Or if you’ve been decluttering for a while, but are still feeling overwhelmed then you’re in the right place.
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In this video, I'm sharing my top tips to help you start decluttering-even if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the whole idea.
// Watch this video next ⇩
A Practical Guide To Decluttering And Owning Less
• A Practical Guide To D...
10 Ways To Declutter Sentimental Items
• 10 Ways To Declutter S...
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:47 Tip #1
2:03 Tip #2
3:10 Tip #3
4:26 Tip #4
7:50 Tip #5
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// A B O U T
Hey! I'm Ron Banks! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my channel!
I'm a content creator, speaker, writer, and coach. I talk about all things minimalism, personal finance, and changing the way you think, so you can change the way you live. Whether you're confused about where to start or have a solid grasp on things, I have you covered with helping you take your life and finances to the next level! New videos every week!
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Do you feel overwhelmed when decluttering? What are your biggest frustration with it?
Am I doing something wrong? I subscribed but did not receive the PDF. Thank you.
Honestly I feel very relieved when I can declutter/throw things away; there's something freeing about it. The biggest frustration I have with decluttering is when people disagree or insist on keeping something that I didn't find valuable. (This is why I have to do it alone!)
Same here. Subscribed to you mail list but didn't get a link to any PDF. Thanks!
You should have received an email shortly after you subscribed with a button to download the PDF. Please let me know if you do not see it.
@@RonaldLBanks Sure! It's been about an hour and I haven't seen anything. Double checked my spam and trash. Made sure you not on any list that would've prevented it from showing up. I'll give it a while longer?
I’ve watched alot of decluttering videos and this one was one of the best advice-wise. ”If someone offered you money for the item, would you be willing to part with it?” And ”if you lost it would you be actively trying to replace it?” Are such great questions to get to the heart of your genuine attitude towards an item! Thanks for this video! :)
I like these questions because they're a great way of reassuring some doubts you may have, like "I can't live without this" or "what if I need this in the future?" Because they show that sometimes you can live without something and that you can always buy it back if you really needed something. If anyone is having trouble parting with sentimental items, like me, it's more to do with the sunk cost fallacy, where you've stuck with keeping something you feel like it will invalidate your time with that item if you throw it away. Advice that has helped me throw things from my childhood is, just take a picture. The picture can be a prompt for your memory and you can always look back and it takes no physical space. Sometimes we can get sentimental over such unimportant things. For me, I can't even remember what I threw away but I knew it was "sentimental" to me at the time.
Agree - infinitely better than ‘sparks joy’
I really need to declutter my bedroom and my house 🏡
I’m trying to use this with buying things “if I didn’t buy it today, would I go home and buy it online tomorrow?”
Completely agree. I love the compassion and real lived experience. And Ronald’s question of how I can appreciate the things that matter most to me - that’s really the decisive question that brings me to the crux of the problem. One of if not THE most intelligent decluttering content creator/s out there. I feel seen. Wholeheartedly thank you to you, Ronald 🙏☺️
The place to start in decluttering is to stop shopping!
I’ve be depressed for YEARS, but in more recent times I’ve decided that I want to LIVE. People were talking but I was too intimidated by the task…. People have offered to help but never did or just did the dishes which I keep up with myself for the most part…..
But I hired a house cleaner to finally get the ball rolling…. I didn’t pay for enough time, but she put a dent in it and it ended up feeling better in here already.
I challenge myself to continue the process and maintain the level that she and I achieved for the whole 4 weeks until I’m scheduled to see her again for my next clean. And she said she will help me pull it together, I just gotta keep it up
My husband says all I'm doing is moving stuff from one place to another, then back a few months later. No, organizing clutter does not clear the clutter.... it's still clutter and the self disgust of how the house feels is still there. This is really hard!!
I have OCD AND ADHD, and tend to overbuy almost everything. I am 82 and still am cluttering. BUT I did go through the storage building and hauled quite a few items to the Salvation Army recently! It was a good decision!
god bless you
Congrats! I saw this and I deal with adhd and ocd as well! Hope you’re doing well!
@@MDWLRK7 It has become more pronounced since i got older, and I am 82. I cannot take Adderall, so have to tough it out.
You got this! Proud of you.
overbuy… oof, good word. I have next to no money but still somehow find a way to do exactly this.
I am inspired. I wish you had a UA-cam channel and took us on your declutterring journey with you. (No pressure.) ☺️
I so relate to overwhelm and the frozen zone. I walk into the basement of my parent's house, shake my head and walk out again. And I'm so overwhelmed with grief. I miss them both so bad.
I know that place, too. It took me about 7 years to declutter the bulk of what I’d taken from my mother’s house just after she died. When I’d tried to before, a year or two after her death for example, I opened a bin of her quilting fabrics, and it smelled like her house, which I hadn’t expected. Immediately I burst into tears from the wave of grief I felt, and closed the bin. Good news: last spring I went through 20+ storage bins of her stuff and gave most of it away. You will get to that place too, sometime. You may need some more healing to do much with their stuff. Are you able to take a little out of their house and sort it at your house? Would that make it easier for you? I hope your situation gets easier for you. 🙏
Is it possible to take out the items that need to go to a new home where they can be used and appreciated instead of sitting in a box? Maybe that category will help you make a little progress . Peace be with you.
Wow, I relate. It’s so hard to part with what feels like tiny pieces of who our loved one was. It’s beyond challenging to push our emotions aside. Tip: take pictures of things that you know you do not need or even want but that feel sentimental. This keeps the item with you just enough, and takes up no space.
Lisa I am so sorry for your loss and for everyone's losses. I miss my mom, too, and I think about her every day.
Don't push yourself to do anything while you are still in a state of grief.
I hope you're doing much better
How do you not have more subscribers? This is the best video on decluttering. I have ADHD and most videos or tips are for people who think neurotypically. This video made me feel seen. You gave realistic and functional tips in a compassionate and calm way.
100% agree. Ronald is a hidden gem who should have way more followers because his viewers can feel seen/heard and empowered with crystal clear advice, delivered without a hint of judgement or shame.
Drowning in stuff currently, wish me luck
This honestly really helped me. I'm going through a dark sort of period. It's definitely a time of big changes in my life, and I've neglected my spaces so much during this time that the mess and clutter ended up getting overwhelming.
Thank you Ronald. I have moved twice since a bad break up and moved that man's photos, cards and other crap around with me each time. I finally threw it out and saw the garbage men take it away. I felt like shouting! Why hadn't I thrown it out before? Honey, who knows? It's gone now and I feel so much better emotionally just not having that mess in my space. Again, thank you Ronald. You made a difference today.
I love this! Change that creates a noticeable difference in our lives. Keep going my friend. I’m rooting for you.
You did it when you were ready, perhaps without even being conscious of that. Good for you 😊
Thank you for making this for those of us who aren’t hoarders or chronically messy but who do get overwhelmed and let things get out of hand. I also get stuck in the frozen zone.
Decluttering is not organizing. Bam. You put words to my very issue. I very often get bogged down in the lower level details (organizing) instead of keeping to the higher level issues (decluttering). Declutter first, then organize. I've got this!!! Thanks for putting things in perspective.
I just had an "Ah-ha" moment when you said, "The feeling of overwhelm stems from looking at all of the clutter in your life as one complete project" Holy Cow that was an eye opener! Thank you! What a God Send you are!
Tip #1: Start in the place that will make the most difference. Best. tip. ever!
Two weeks ago I decided either the clutter has to go, or I do (and leave my husband to live like a hoarder). I sat down an made a list of EVERYTHING that needs to be done in/to our house, breaking down the list by room. Then I chose three rooms I want to do a preliminary declutter on -- basically, getting rid of broken things, empty boxes and trash -- by October 6th (5 weeks): the kitchen, the front room/entry, and the dining room. I started in the place that would make the most difference to me -- the kitchen, since I wanted to be able to cook healthy meals. It has taken me two weeks, doing a little each day, but the kitchen is both decluttered AND organized. I filled several boxes of kitchen items to sell or donate, and two contractor bags of things that can't be repaired, recycled, sold or donated (and old food that was shoved in the back of the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet). I got rid of a lot of things that my husband would have insisted on keeping, but he hasn't seen those things in TEN YEARS, so we just don't need them!
That is awesome! What a testimony!
Yesterday, I got a box out of an armoire that was FULL of magazines over the last few years. I always keep magazines thinking there is some golden nugget advice in them. I asked myself, "If you need any information/tips/advice, can you find it on the internet?"
I threw the whole lot - minus ONE - into the recycling bin.
Paused just to say what a lovely intro! You come across as a wonderfully warm and personable human being. Just wanted to say.
I concur
I never heard anyone identify difference between decluttering and organizing! Wow! Now I understand why I never get very far in this process
Right! When he said that I was like wow, there definitely is a difference
I’m 73 yrs old. At this age all my stuff means nothing. I always say I could get in my car with my dog and Never look back!! I can walk away from it all. It’s very freeing. I have a 400 sq ft garage apt. I keep a donation bag on the floor of my closet. Anything new comes in something else has to go.
Great tips! A phrase I heard which is like your 'frozen zone' is 'paralysis by analysis' ... we can overthink things to the point of not making any progress.
“We hide our clutter by organizing”. Why didn’t I realize this?!? Wow that hit me hard! Thank you - I finally know what I need to do, and it has NOTHING to do with everything having a home, etc.
What's the saying? When the student is ready the teacher appears. There's a reason I came across this today and what you're saying is so different than other organizers and soooo helpful. Thank you so much. I have the day off today and I'm planning on spending it implementing all of this.
Thank you for this video. You are the only person that I could listen to and make sense of the tips. My mother was a hoarder. A very clean organized hoarder. She filled every bedroom in a four bedroom house, 4 storage units outside, and a garage from floor to ceiling. When she passed away it took my 3 siblings and myself weeks working everyday to go through it. We had a large yard sale and then donated the things that were good and threw away tons of things that were useless. My bother got the house in their will. He couldn’t bear to get rid of anything that was t left in the house. He felt like it would be a betrayal to my parents, however, he was a hoarder too. He past away a year ago and once again me and my 2 sisters were left to go through his clutter and part of my parents clutter. It was so hard to go through the massive amount of tools, plumbing supplies, gadgets etc. I made a decision then that I would not leave my kids with that burden. I have closets that haven’t been opened in years. I know there’s a lot of things I need to get rid of. Your video is the first and only video that made me feel like I can and want to get started. I’ll get your materials and get started. Fingers crossed….Wish me luck! 😬
The best advice I’ve ever heard on decluttering- If someone offered you money for it would you sell it? Perfect
You had me at “let’s face those stressful and frantic feelings you have head on”🤘🏻🤙🏻🙌🏻 Felt your positive energy immediately, thank you!!! The world needs more people who spread this kind of positivity and love!
I love listening to your wise words. Decluttering is a continuous process.
I revisit items and find I no longer have the attachment I once had to them. My other goals are to desire less and not use shopping to soothe emotional pain. I am enough. I have enough.
I listened to this 2 days ago and was the ONLY video advice that helped me. Today 3 boxes of videos and books, 4 boxes of clothing and 2 boxes of kitchen stuff to a thrift store that supports homeless. I avoid the big organizations where the CEOs make triple digits off of donations and look for churches and thrifts that help people who are struggling. I'm a crafter, so next is to cut down on a few of my crafts and related items and reduce my load! THANKS for your ideas!
I'm a crafter and have had items I'll never used. I did start going through them and I donated some (still working on it) to the local library who run crafting programs of various types for different age groups and the local preschool who needed things for the kids to do. I got some much needed space to actually do crafts, got rid of things I wasn't really going to use and they received items they needed to spread smiles. I found it easier to get rid of surplus craft items when I knew it was going to places where people would use and enjoy them.
The frozen zone: avoiding feeling more overwhelmed. This is spot on, but I had never considered it before I heard you say it.
1) Start in the place that will make the most difference.
2) Dont confused decluttering with organising.
3) Focus yourself on one thing at a time, break down into smaller projects.
4) Stop second guessing yourself, make confident decisions.
4a) Test them against your values.
4b) Have enough information to make a decision, you dont need to know everything.
5) Realise that this is a positive thing. Taking things that dont belong in a space and putting them where they belong.
THANK YOU! 🎉❤🎉
Mind blowing! I never realized that there is a difference between decluttering and organizing. I see now that this has been a key factor in my cycle of giving up! Thank you!
Thank you, I'm in the middle of decluttering. It is overwhelming, I am stunned by how much 'stuff' we have. I started in the cellar where we have just been 'dumping' things. I don't want to hide it anymore, but the sheer amount of it is ... overwhelming
Managing your overwhelm is definitely key! It can prevent us from making a ton of progress on our journeys for sure! I’d love to help you with that if you’re open to it! I really want you to succeed! I’m rooting for you!
Yup I’m headed to the basement myself. Lord have mercy I’m with you! I’m going for one corner, ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN THE CURRENT STATE. I’m going to start with garbage, broken stuff etc. Then sort and declutter. I am in LOVE with learning how to make confident decisions!!! Asking If I donate it will this help me stay true to my core values has been a GAME CHANGER!!!! Adios paralyzed procrastination!
I started 6 years a go . I am in heaven my house bigger than before easy to clean. I HAVE TIME FOR MYSELF MORE THAN BEFORE. Don't give up guys keep go. ❤
You can have a mental rule or write down a mental rule for things. You could make a flow chart. This can help prevent decision fatigue, which after that runs out, you'll be more susceptible to overwhelm because of some science stuff. A caveat is that you should never throw something you know deep down you'll regret throwing.
The cellar is just where I started last week! It felt so freeing. I worked on one space, one area at a time.. and got quite a bit done. 8 bags of clutter out to the side walk to let someone else benefit from my decluttering. In 2 days most was gone! Just letting it go was so much easier than trying to reap any payment or listing for a fee, I will be back down in the cellar in a day or 2 to clear another area.
I've lived in the same house for 35 years, and inherited my mom's estate, my kids left stuff when they moved out, and I have lots of my own stuff. It's overwhelming! Especially my Mom's and family antiques are so hard to let go. I start out, and then get stuck. Your tips are SUPER HELPFUL!!! Thanks so much Ronald!!
Me too !!!! Have some of parents and grand parents !
I have the same struggle. What I started doing is keeping a journal on my phone. I take pictures of the things I need to let go of, and then upload the pictures with a story in the journal about the history & importance of the item. Then I let the item go to a new home where it can be properly appreciated & I have the journal entries to reflect on the memories and meaning. This has really helped with some of my more “emotional attachment“ clutter.
I feel your pain, we have a lot of stuff and it creates clutter big time and we want to keep it all
Very good advice. I am a procrastinator and don’t always finish what I start. Thanks 🙏.
@sarah I would highly, highly recommend hiring a professional organizer!! Even if you have to scrape from other priorities financially, I think you'll find it worth every penny. That is A LOT to try to do on your own, vs. with someone who is skilled and does this all the time with lots of various types of people and situations!
I just want to say your personality and entire demeanor is so calming and chill while also providing really good advice. I loved your quote about “ how we hide our clutter by organizing to feel less overwhelmed, although the clutter is still there and the overwhelming feeling is still there.” That’s so true and as someone that is usually overly organized and neat I find that I am always constantly having to reorganize what I have even though I usually only use like 25% of what I own more then a couple times every few months. I always compare my house to a hotel room, even though my house is tailored to me and what I find ascetically appealing I’m constantly reshuffling my shit around every week, where as a hotel room when I check in no matter how bad I mess the place up I can get it neat and tidy in 5-10 minutes at most. I would like for my home to fit the same narrative. Anyways Love the energy my dude, glad I found your channel. Subscribed.
I love your personality. You make this feel way less stressful, so, thank you for this video!
You are the only Minimalist I’ve seen who links the ‘self’ to decluttering eg core values. Excellent stuff!
I can honestly say I have not watched another UA-cam video that came even CLOSE to as aptly encapsulating how I struggle with my clutter AND then went on to provide me with such awesome tips and wisdom to overcome my mental obstacles. Bravo. Thanks so much. Keep up the awesome work 💪🏻
I am a writer and have not been doing so lately for various reasons. Starting this video and hitting number one: The Frozen Zone, stopped me in my tracks…”instead of something, we do nothing… Oh. My. God. I opened a video on decluttering, and found gems of wisdom for my writing blocks! Thank you, Ron, for the awesome tips on decluttering…in ALL bits of my life…including my precious writing. Sending you a big hug with oh-so-much gratitude! ❤
That’s wonderful! Happy writing I wish to you.
You speak my language! I'm a professional organizer and I see the resistance people have to declutter all the time. My example of something I had a hard time letting go was one of the onesies and baby blanket from my first son. I was decluttering baby clothing that he has already grown out of and I found this onesie that brought all the feelings back to me. Of course I put it on my nose to smell it and remembering the time when he was little. I noticed even feeling anxious about it and I asked myself why. In that moment I felt guilty of letting go something with emotional value, so I made a plan. I chose 1 blanket and 1 onesie and 1 more item to put in a plastic bag and into his memory (mementos) box. By doing this I felt that I still was keeping something special from the time he was a baby, but didn't need to keep all his closet. It also felt great when I donated the rest of the clothing to babies that really needed them and were benefit by my son's clothing. So it was a win -win.
Or maybe 3 or 4 items to keep😮
This is a perfect example of playing to your heart. Of course you don't want to let go of the things you hold precious to you! But you figured you didn't need all of the items. This is very impressive.
My issue is where to take the things that are still valuable but not sellable. Like a food processor with some parts missing or wall art that is a bit outdated.
@@christinekoech2105I think "wall art" is kind of subjective and what seems valuable to you might not appeal to anyone else. But I know the feeling of not wanting to just throw it out. I had several large paintings in frames from when I lived in a house and I loved them, but there was no wall in my new apartment big enough for any of them. It hurt to think of tossing the, so I photographed them and put them on Craigslist and Free to Me. I decided to leave the listings up for one month, and if they were not taken, I'd recycle the frame and get rid of the art. It felt better to me knowing that people had had a chance to rescue them if they liked them. Only one was taken, by the way. 😅 But it felt better doing that then just tossing them OR keeping them while I tried to find someone who liked them. 😊
@@christinekoech2105 i have seen people do quilts with old clothing they have some emotional attachment to
I am so overwhelmed with my stuff, but my biggest roadblock is the regret I feel for items I had decluttered in the past and wish that I didn't. So now I keep everything. Many years ago, I got rid of a box full of Polly Pockets. The original ones, from the 90s. I only kept 3 that were extra special to me. But now whenever I think about all the ones I got rid of (which is surprisingly often), I feel a pang of loss and deep sadness. I've consumed sooo much decluttering advice, but this mistake that I did - I just can't get over, so I hold onto everything, afraid that I would regret getting rid of it :(
I feel your comment so deeply. When I was a child growing up my mother use to get rid of my things even things that were special to me without my consent or even awareness and it wasn’t until I would be frantically looking for it .. she would pretend she had no idea where said item was (even though she knowingly threw it away/donated it) I would spend days searching and to no avail I would give up and be deeply sad by this other times I would see boxes or bags in her car or room and I would sneak to search them and find items that were mine from clothes to toys ex: my Polly pockets or little pet shops and I would steal them back and hide them well this developed to such a severe insecurity I would use my school backpack to bring all my most special things to school with me I would fill my locker at school and my bag to ensure I would not lose the most valuable items to my heart today this has made me develop over spending habits I am currently struggling with a large sum of debt due to my over spending on random things because I’m learning I still have this insecurity which also makes it very very hard to donate things as I hold emotional value to everything I own and I attach memories to objects so I understand where your coming from I have 40 webkinz from my childhood that I carry around apartment to apartment when I move that I could not bare to get rid of and I myself have gotten rid of things that I still have memories of it definitely is not easy and I feel if you have very strong memories with something or something makes you feel very good then you shouldn’t get rid of it but I guess the challenging parts would be to decide what does have those feelings and what is causing those feelings just because of past regret
So much good information! One thing I find challenging is letting go of things I acquired for an imagined future me. Getting rid of these things feels like acknowledging my failures. Of course, looking at them is a constant reminder as well. Ultimately, after the initial pain, letting go feels like a relief, and an acknowledgement that trying to imagine a future often means being less present. Not a trade off I’m willing to make.
Always great ideas and context! Thank you again!
I can relate to this so much
Amen to this comment! Well said, as I’m in the same boat especially the acknowledging of our failures part. Very insightful. Thanks for sharing how you’ve handled these mind obstacles as you went thru your own process. 👍
Wise words!
This is what I concluded about my stuff Regarding my business. That if I put them out of sight that it meant that I had failed. Iwant them where they should be not out in plain sight as a reminder of not having used them in over a year. Thank you!
Thank you so much! Last time I decluttered (2020) I was in a mental space where I was absolutely ready to part with a lot of things and it felt so good that I wanted to continue doing it but didn't because of the lack of time I had at that moment.
Now I'm almost forced to, because I'm moving countries and I feel so overwhelmed that I freeze. Thank you for your words, I feel like most people talk about their lives and what items they'd declutter but very few talk about the headspace you have to be in, in order to tackle this process. Less of all people who get easily overwhelmed like us 🤣
My strategy right now is (let's say I'm organizing the living room) I either physically empty the room or close my eyes and imagine the room completely empty.
Then I imagine what I want it to look like and once that's done, I look at the material things that I have, one by one and I realize that IT TAKES SPACE and for example, for decorations, I end up realizing that surfaces really don't need to be cluttered with stuff... They look so much better without all that (and mentally feel much better too!)
Also I try to picture drawers and cabinets, and try to visualize them without the covers (kind of like an x ray) and yes, the objects are hidden when you store them inside, but that doesn't mean they don't take up space. So I try to keep only what's absolutely necessary, because then I end up with tons of duplicates and most end up either expiring or gathering dust!
I hope I explained myself well enough!
Thank you for your wise words!
For anyone afraid of later regretting getting rid of something: Yes, you may at some point think to yourself "I really wish I had kept that." Honestly, you might. But keep this in mind: anyone I have talked to, heard from etc, myself included, has always said that moment passed, they moved on and don't remember the item and that having a peaceful, decluttered home is worth potentially having that thought every once in awhile. I promise you, it is. Also, I had that moment with two different pieces of clothing. I completely forgot about them, but they were actually still at my parents' house and I came across them a year or two later. I was so excited and immediately took them home. Guess how many times I wore them after that? Zero. I ended up getting rid of them again. You can trust yourself when you make the decision the first time.
I love the simplicity of your messages. Thank you.
I regretted it once and really needed it. But it was only once.
We were raised with that crippling fear; "What if I'll need/want it later?" In the last 4 decades that's happened maybe twice that I can remember, but the fear still limits what I'm willing to get rid of!
@@user-ov4wr5yu4rwhat was it? If you feel like sharing
No one talks about the high you get from actually using or needing that item you kept. I’ve had that feeling a few times and it’s really satisfying. People always mention the cost of the item but for me, it’s more about sparing the hassle of acquiring another one.
However that’s NOT enough reason to keep everything that could possibly be of use in the future. You are trading the feelings of possibly being a hero a few times for the everyday majority of time ease of living in a clutter free environment. There’s no comparison, but I still need to remind myself!
I strongly feel that if I have the storage containers I desire, I could start. Otherwise, I'm just moving things around. That's organizing. I want to keep everything... that's the issue. I hate getting rid of something with "potential". It's too much. I go to bed every night feeling like a failure. It's worse when I have a fibromyalgia flare...I really don't want to do anything. Pray for me.🌼
UPDATE: I'm improving. I make it a point to get rid of at least one thing a week.
I am guilty of point two! I am just starting to actually declutter now and what alarms me is how many duplicated items I have! I have 6 saucepans - can someone tell me why I need 6 saucepans? I live alone! 😆
You had plans to cook up a storm? You never had enough at home? You don't have time to wash pots in the week? Only you know! We are all the same, in way or another!☺ Happy decluttering!👍
I honestly feel like this video gets to the root of decluttering. It really is a mental health thing for me where I can let parts of my house get so bad, but fail to do anything about it because i feel overwhelmed. Those parts made me feel stressed every time i see it, but when I see it, i do nothing. It's a hurdle I must over come. Starting very slow and in a part where I can visually see helps. Like dishes. I used to hate doing dishes, now it makes me happy because once it's done, it's done and there is no more sink clutter. Everyone handles this their own way and this is a good video about that.
I just dive in and try to work fast to help keep me from second guessing myself. Once it's in the donate box and outside, it isn't allowed to come back in.
Watching decluttering videos has helped retrain and Reprogram my brain. I agree that the goal is to be able to easily find the things we DO need, use and love. All the clutter is in the way of more time for fun things, an easier to clean home and my mental and physical health.
The "frozen zone" is a great way of explaining something I have always talked about, I'm glad to have learnt an actual phrase for it. Decluttering must be one of the biggest stumbling blocks for detail-oriented people because they like to go through every single item and go down memory lane with every item before deciding to give it away or throw it away. Your videos have some really useful tips so hopefully, this year can be a breakthrough year for decluttering. P.S. you do kind of look like Frozone :)
Haha!! I’ve heard that before! But hey I’m happy you found value in this my friend. Also I’m confident that you’ll make a ton of progress on your decluttering journey this year. If you need help and want all the tools you need check out my Clutter To Clarity Starter Kit. More info here: www.ronaldlbanks.com/starterkit
Tip #2 is exactly what I needed to hear. Anyone with a workshop will tell you that “I can’t throw that out, I could use it for something!” Meanwhile it’s a flippin broken door knob “that can be salvaged for parts.” Funny thing is, I didn’t even replace it with the same knob! Lol
Today, I watched eight declutterring videos. This being the last. No need to go further as this video told me more and made understand what is needed to approach the clutter. Thank you for the clarity. Now I will see how well I put this to use.
You have to declutter before you organize. Dang, already having some problems.
Good luck!
Lol
I started with the following
* throwing out damaged and unused things as I came across them
* I made a commitment to think hard about buying new things
- I have an amazon account, and during the lockdown, this is where I bought new things.
- I create a new private list, "Thinking About". Items needed to be on the list at least a month before buying any of them.
Several things on the list are still there, and several have been removed; very few were bought.
A helpful step was moving home. The new place has a garage.
I have committed to take items that I have not used in there to the tip in November, a year after I moved in.
Things I feel I want to work on
My home has what I want in it, but I still keep spotting things out of place.
E.g. my desk is often cluttered with paperwork - working on the paperwork sooner rather than letting it build up before I tack it may be the next step.
I infrequently spend time sitting still to meditate; I often sit still to watch a TV series or UA-cam - is this clutter in my head, procrastination or providing input and knowledge to work from?
The place I feel overwhelmed is decluttering my head and finding clarity of goals.
Yes, don't give up!☺
Great advice without being pushy or trying to make a person feel guilty or inadequate to make decisions. Declutter slowly…well, pick a space or closet or subject like clothing…winter, summer, too small, too big, etc. A hobby that is no longer a hobby.
I'm in the middle of a L-O-N-G divorce, so it's hard for me to know what I could/should get rid of without repercussion. Your video helped me realize I need to label what is mine to get rid of, GET RID OF THAT STUFF, and anything I question can be put in boxes and stored elsewhere until the ink is dried on the paperwork. I was definitely 'stuck,' and your video has helped me see a clear path on how to move forward, thank you so much!
Have been minimalist for years, yet this week as I sort and pack for a move to a smaller home I feel overwhelmed because I am finding things I want to get rid of, and being disabled I feel frustrated because its hard to lift things, and the woman who usually comes to help me is gone for ten days.
So learning to NOT get discouraged is something I am learning to deal with as I remind myself that it all will work out fine.
Often times I think the elderly, the disabled who want to declutter and be more minimalist, get ignored by those teaching how to declutter etc. Unlike many, I at least have paid help much of the time.
Hope all is well now, Ms. Beth.
Same but I give up everything almost, I don't keep anything if I am not using.
I wish I can help you. I hope your helper came back. ❤
@@Jasmine-vy8ig Yes, my help has returned 😃
Love some points you made. We always say "we might need this one day" and years later, we never used it.
We did a home office cleanout a few years ago, and that was where I had my boxes of "stuff" from my kids' early days. I think I had every drawing on every scrap of paper that my kids drew for me, along with their elementary school papers etc. Decluttering that was very emotional - my kids were adults - son graduating from college, daughter starting law school - when I did this, I felt like I was getting rid of their early years at a time when I also felt like I wasn't really needed any more.
I thought about my own mom, and things I know she's kept, and thought about the eventual day that I will have to go through her stuff ... and realized that if the art work I drew when I was 5 was not part of her possessions, it wouldn't bother me, and figured my kids would feel the same. So I kept a few favorites, and let go of the rest.
I suppose when letting go of children’s drawings etc you could take photos of them so you still have them just not taking up the physical space.
@@frockinjGreat idea!
I almost relapsed I've been so overwhelmed with moving into a new house with a herniated disc. This video helped me. Kept me from losing my mind. Thank you Sir.
I love the examples and analogies you use in your videos. I think it's the poet in you 😅 it's refreshing!
Thank you!! 🙌🏾 Sometimes I have to watch and make sure I don’t get too poetic though. There have been a few times where I’ve caught myself 😅
@@RonaldLBanks haha! don't hold back too much :)
Greetings from New Zealand. This video was really helpful. I always seem to do the "organizing clutter" thing. It never really dawned on me that it was just organizing clutter, not decluttering. That was a real "aha!" moment. The problem with just organizing the clutter is that it doesn't take long for it all look cluttered again, and eventually the idea of decluttering gets stressful because you think " why bother, its doesn't last". Thank you 😊
Organizing is not decluttering and I may not know everything but having enough information can be sufficient in making an informed decision. These two points really resonated with me. Tfs
I’ve been utilizing this method of going slow and tackling small spaces- it truly works. I’ve let go of a lot and plan to this week as I pack to move. Thanks so much
Thanks, such an insightful video to a problem that is hardly talked about
I’m really happy this resonated with you Juan!
I am decluttering my MIL’s entire house, and she has dementia. The intent was to get as much done while she was visiting relatives out of state. Well, I started what I thought were the “smaller” projects or areas, and while it was easy to get rid of what I thought was not sentimental, I found myself getting overwhelmed by the amount of paper clutter and how time consuming that process is alone. I feel like I was burning myself out quickly while trying to declutter AND organize at the same time (I ❤️ to organize and was uncomfortable with leaving piles/or throwing stuff in piles to organize later 🙈). Feel like that is where I keep getting stuck. Making decisions for someone else who is not able to make decisions is not easy. I’m trying to adopt the mindset of decluttering from a SAFETY perspective and saying to myself that I’m doing this to only HELP my MIL so that she doesn’t trip over things or get hurt if she tries to open one of the “avalanche” closets. And I think it will be helpful to remove the time constraint I seemed to have placed on myself for getting so much of her huge house done in such a short period of time. Not giving myself enough credit for what I was successful in doing. And making a plan to even break it down into smaller pieces that I can do daily vs trying to get an entire space decluttered, organized and spiffy cleaned.
Loving the content on your channel. 💜
Ronald Banks has saved my sanity! I have read every book there is in de cluttering. None come close to Mr. Banks ingenious methods. He breaks everything down so you understand why you do what you do is wrong! He makes everything simple, yet all his commentary is on point. I thought I was the only person on the planet who felt overwhelmed with this de cluttering task. Mr. Banks showed me that the way I feel is how everyone feels when faced with the decluttering task! The step by step chapters are worth a million dollars. Mr. Banks explains the psychology behind decluttering.HE MUST BE A MIND READER. Everything he says pertains to me. Do yourself a favor, listen to Mr. Banks generous advice. You’ll live happy ever after!
Thank you for making this video.
Decluttering is not organizing. I now know where I got lost in my journey.
OMG! Ronald, you are a genius! I am in the process of de-cluttering and packing up my whole house for a Countrywide move. And I have asked myself many times, why is this taking so long?! Truthfully oh, the answer is I have a lot more stuff and a lot less people to help me this time around. So I have been searching UA-cam for advice and truthfully yours is the best! Even the graphics are awesome! Simple easy to understand. You are amazing!🎉🎉🎉😊🎉🎉🎉
I was listening to this video while organazing my room and it finally motivated me to put on the donation pile a extra Rosary that I have on my desk that everytime I'm cleaning is there, I don't need it and didn't know where to put it, but I felt guilty donating it. Finally I got rid of it.
Another tip that works for me: I always check the donation box before taking it to the donation place and that helps me to declutter faster since I know in case I put something there and then change my mind I can just take it back and most of the time I never need it so I donate it anyways.
Things like a few exquisitely hand sewn dresses my grandmother made for my mother when she was little, around 1940. The blanket she came home from the hospital in. I don’t want them but I really do value them. I’m stuck and don’t know what to do. I don’t want to keep them but I’m very attached to them.
I’m trying to build up the courage to declutter. It affects my anxiety heavily whenever I try to start. Even when working with a limited scope/area as a project, I get overwhelmed with the amount of decisions I have to make, and scared that I can’t take it back, and I made the wrong choice. I feel anxious, overwhelmed, like I can’t do it by myself. But I want to be able to do this on my own. Another conflict is sell vs. donate. A lot of the things I’m liquidating have some value, but many items not enough value to justify the process of trying to sell them. I end up keeping them because maybe later I will feel less attached to their value, and more willing to give them away.
These points really helped me stay mindful about my struggle. Thank you.
You have such a clear way of communicating your thoughts. Great video.
Thank you my friend! I’m glad you enjoyed this!
3:28 Well said, and thank you for the 'aha' momment. This is also why many do not follow through on other goals and projects as well - viewing the task as one giant thing to do, versus breaking it up into bite sized chunks.
I just got rid of 2 boxes of paper,books,notes AND sold my tiny microwave.
I don't know what it is about this video but this one makes me want to actually get up and DO sth. I've watched a lot of clean-with-me types of videos or how-to-declutter, but this one really got me. I really do appreciate it.
From bulky ones that makes a big difference!! Tysm!!
Super 👌. One of the less critical and more sympathetic view of the problem of mindless hoarding & cluttering and sensible solutions..... very constructive opinions.
This was so powerful because it was honest and relatable. I’ve literally been decluttering and remove the pretty containers/baskets too.
Thank you for not cluttering my mind with a long video with a lot of fluff. Straight to the point and filled with great information ❤
I am currently thinking of declutterring a 2m tall, 2m wide shelf that I have had in my room for years. There are 25 squares in total within it (5x5) and I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit. I constantly say “I’ll do it in the next school holidays” which is at the end of the year so I can push it on to a later date but at the same time want to do it now. The 2 week holiday is coming up so I’ll try and start then.
My game plan is to keep very sentimental items such as things that were passed down to me or important life stuff, awards/trophies and only certain stuff I really like. As you said, if I was willing to sell it or if I lost it would I even try and find it that’s what is gonna help me a lot!
I was thinking of putting a few (2-3) of those ikea wall mount shelves to display the few items I keep and then have some cool displates or paintings to fill the wall. Hopefully I remember to come back to this comment when I’m done!
Dear Mr. Ronald, Where do you get all this wisdom??? It surely helps me, even if I think that I have come far at the process of decluttering and yet, I know (to be at peace and genuinely happy) I need to keep on going. You give me the encouragement and keys to do so; thank you SO MUCH! Have a lovely Spring! helene (a mom of 4)
This makes more sense to me than any other of the decluttering videos I’ve watched! Thank you so much!
I also wanted to add, that I don't have a difficult time letting go of stuff. The reason stuff accrued was I really didn't have any motivation to get rid of it but I do now. I have been selling locally at consignment stores and on Facebook Marketplace, and once I've made the decision to get rid of something, and it sells, the feeling of cash hitting my palm is a great feeling! Lol😂
I face this daily. I used to save things because I thought there would be a use for them, or that they were too valuable to throw out. I still do that, but on a much smaller scale. Now? I just want to keep stuff that makes me happy.
I'm with it 100%... Thx buddy. I have spent the last 3 days, non-stop (just to eat and sleep) decluttering my room. The amount of clothes I have is unbelievable! I have a mountain of clothing to sell/donate/use for a cool blanket/ throw out all together; however, im getting down to the last few things and it's getting hard. And I still have three bags of laundry to do and then declutter from that ...AHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Everywere Iook in my house there's more clothes.... I almost feel a little guilty for wasting so much $$$ on things I do not use/wear/need. As I'm getting to the end of what's left , i feel stuck....
Many amazing tips! I find myself obsessing about a difficult decision, usually for me that is a certain book to keep or donate. But one tip i have for others and myself is to build up your decision making muscle in other areas and come back to a difficult area when you have built up more confidence and know how to lean into your intuition. That way you can make those decisions with confidence and strength 💪. I found that i was able to make a few rounds through my books this way but i guess i still need another 'declutter strength training' to come back around to declutter some harder items to let go of.
yes, yes, yes! thank you 😀
That’s an ingenious strategy, gaining strength and confidence in a different area purposefully so that you are able to tackle the problem areas… 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Thank you for your videos. I kept buying craft stuff . Emotionally abusive husband passed 16 yrs ago and I found it a relief to be able to do something I wanted to do and feeling the freedom to purchase stuff even though I was the only worker in the family. Now I have abundance of stuff… I also tend to declutter more than 1 place at a time.. I’m learning that I can let go of memorabilia kept over years from family and friends. I started with throwing out all the cards I have rcvd over the years.
I actually watched this video yesterday, but came back the next day to say thank you! This one idea about organizing clutter opened my eyes on why this process is so hard for me. I was thinking primarily about the digital clutter, but the real one is also hard to organize. Now I see, where I'm stuck. There's no need to do it. Organization goes after decluttering!
Wonderful video as always. I think you are one of the best and smartest people on utube. You make my day!!
Great video, thanks!
Both my wife and I are packrats, which has made our house a lot less livable. I’m about three years from retirement and decided to start a decluttering with a goal of being fully decluttering by retirement. Luckily, I’ve been able to work from home, so I’ve finally started to do a little each day. I’ve gone my living room cleared up enough that I can do yoga in it now and have most of the stuff off of the ground. I am also working on the dozens of plastic white drawers from an earlier attempt at organizing/decluttering, which you adeptly advise not to do!.
One advantage I have over my younger self is that I have a lot of interests that “I’d pursue someday”. Well, I can more clearly see what I will never do and am making great progress.
Thanks for your validation that I’m on the right track. Doing a little bit a day, without backtracking, has been the key so far, and as I see improvements in what we can do in our house, it gives me the motivation to continue.
You are right...I keep reorganizing...but refuse to throw things away that I never use.
This is possibly the best decluttering video i have seen, your style of explaining is first rate. Thank you so much.
Two pieces of advice you gave stood out to me because I don't remember ever hearing them before, are if I lost this item, would I try to replace it?, and to think of decluttering as simply moving items from a space they don't belong into one they do belong. For some reason my brain really likes those!
Good tips, I agree to focus on one area at a time to clean up, declutter and organize. It keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.
Recently moved in with my sister to a new apartment. It's bigger than my old place, but the combination of both of our things has caused conflicts... Two couches, two silverware organizers, two TVs, two of everything. I've been meaning to downsize and there's no better time! Also, I think another good skill to learn is selling items. It's better than throwing good things away and you can effectively trade that money you earned from selling that one item and turn it into an item that is more personal or useful (or save it, invest it, or put it into a Certificate of Deposit). I have yet to learn this skill effectively (I feel like I'm holding things with the hopes of selling them one day).
This is excellent. I'd add one thing: grief. we will do just about anything to not face or feel grief, including clutter, chaos or hoarding. if you want a peaceful home, acknowledge that some clutter may require big emotions to process
Ronald, you had lots of valuable points! Great video! I have been frozen for a spell now! So close, but at a plateau! Paper stuff, sentiment, some unwanted things that I hate to just throw at a second hand store. I can see that comming! Financial advisor paper clutter, past papers from going through a divorce! Scary, what if we throw away an important paper! I have came a long way baby! Not finnished, anxious! The process is so slow! Anyway, maybe by end of summer?Oh, please, has to be sooner! I will leave you in my turmoil! Thanks for listening! The people in my world are not much into this topic, Odd one who is, does not talk long about it. They are very matter of fact about it. Easy for them!🤐
Another thing is i build up an idea of going through a box, cupboard or drawer as being so mind numbing and difficult, but i think the habit of sorting through items without any pressure to declutter is invaluable. Even if you just sort you have done something and your on the right track. More often when doing this at least a few items will stand out to you that are obvious junk or unused.
Best I’ve seen on decluttering. Simple and doable.
I’m not even two minutes in, and I relate so much, I always pause and feel stuck when I’m trying to clean, but when he mentioned the frozen zone, I never felt more seen
I love that you get right to it, with no aimless babbling or going off on tangents. VERY HELPFUL. Thanks 🙏🏼❤️
I like the simplicity of Your message
Thank You....
Thank you so much!!
There was an outfit from high school that ive been keeping in my wardrobe for YEARS. I've had a goal to lose weight so i could take a picture in my old outfit, post it, and get a sense of accomplishment. Honestly, it's kind of a funny, unique motivator! HOWEVER, I have realized that in doing that, I have held on to ALOT of clothes from high school (even a shirt form middle school!) because of this attachment issue. So this is what I plan to do....take the outfit from High school and put it in a box and still look to it as a motivator for losing wait. EVERYTHING ELSE from forever ago, I need to get rid of! That totals probably like 10 shirts, 4 pairs of shoes, and several pairs of shorts. While I'm at it, I'm gonna get rid of almost all of my tshirts cause i have too many just in general! I look forward to decluttering these items that should have been retired a long time ago :)
On second guessing: I had four sweaters all in the same color - a color that happens to be *my color*. You know, the one that makes your skin glow and everybody say ‘you look great today!’ Turns out though - only one honestly fit me well, and the others just allowed me to further delay laundry, and further stress me out. This one was so hard for me, but so needed!
Beautifully said, thank you!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!!