Thanks for watching this video, I’m so excited to announce that the Simple Happy Zen online course is now open for registration! ✨🌱 simplehappyzen.teachable.com/p/in-love-with-your-life The course is called “In Love With Your Life | 20 Weeks to simplify your life and amplify your happiness”. This program is the most in-depth and valuable content I’ve created so far. It’s a great help for anyone who wants to simplify their life and create more of what they love. I am beyond excited , join me and click the link to sign-up or get more info. Much love, Vera
I'm glad you're so smart to get out of the tradition, the rigid lifestyle that forces ppl to conform or else. I love the freedom, and the simplicity of life so we can enjoy it to the fullest without concern about "competing with the Jones...". One question, how do minimalists give gifts 4 Christmas?
Something I learned about myself is that when I am attracted to something to buy, what I'm really attracted to is the color and pattern. Many times I tell myself, "Yes, I love it, but does that mean I have to OWN it." Most of the time, it's "No." I satisfy myself by looking at art.
Me and my husband had to start minimalism. There was one time he was like I DONT HAVE SHIRTS TO WEAR! I counted all his shirts that night and counted 74 shirts and 8 pants. I told him afterwards, he was very disappointed with himself. We started to sort out his clothes, sold some and then donated most. Now he has 15 shirts and is very happy with it. He gets to wear all of them in 2 weeks (just in time for laundry) and we have so much closet space! IT is the way to go
Swedish Death Cleaning really hit home for me when my mother passed. She had SO much stuff. It was crazy. I realized that if i were to die suddenly my children would have to go through the same heartache and they might not love the same things i love, looking at you Mom and your 257 shot glasses from around the world, 5 boxes of craft supplies and literally hundreds of dollars worth of yarn 😊 my mom was a knitter. I decided to do it for them. I did a ton of purging and donating and general downsizing. Another thing that helped me get into a minimalist mindset was doing a capsule wardrobe.I was so happy with the results and began to notice i didn't want to buy new things and rather enjoyed the almost Zen look of my house with simple functional furniture and clean shelves. I noticed i was more calm and relaxed and...well...happy. I'm not a radical minimalist but shop with more focus, don't buy things i don't really need, and have recently been slowly practicing more natural cleaning, natural makeup, and natural fiber clothing. It's a gradual process. It doesn't happen overnight. Be gentle with yourself.
my grandma is a hoarder :( when the time comes it's going to be a horrible distressing time :( i hope i have the courage to deal with it. It's probably one of the reasons I like minimalism, growing up i hated losing things, and too much clutter makes me super stressed.
I just started out decluttering my closet and I just got very overwhelmed. Watching this makes me feel better, so I'm gonna take my time and not rush it. Thanks for this very helpful video!
Since the beginning of the year, I've gotten rid of approximately 3/4 of my 'stuff'. I took small steps so as not to become overwhelmed, a bag or 2 a week. Savers and the Goodwill have had a good year...lol. I feel so much lighter and less stessed. Take that 1st step towards reclaiming your life. Good luck!
One thing that helps me when I’m evaluating what I want to keep is asking myself “Would I buy this again? Would I be willing to pay full price for this?”
I'm so grateful that I found your channel I can almost call myself a Sentimental hoarder. I love collecting things (like my father do) and because of that stuff keep finding its way in to my home and because I put sentimental value on almost everything I own, it feels impossible to declutter my home. But the amount of stuff I own has now otten out of hand. I have alot of stuff I don't know where to put and that makes cleaning my home very time-consuminhg and stressful. I really hope your videos will help me get my home under control
Good tip is to take every single thing out of your closet. So many times I’ve tried to minimize my closet but until I took everything out I didn’t get anywhere. I forced myself to deal with it on my bed -hanging clothes first, shoes the second folded things last. It’s so much easier to get dressed!
Sentimental items are the hardest- even as a child I had a mound of stuffed animals from family up to my teenage years because I felt so bad if I threw them out. Silly to look back on but now I’m pretty content with what I have. I bought pieces that make me truly happy, are functional and don’t have much storage so I can’t clutter even more. It’s hard with a toddler because it doesn’t always stay clean- but at the end of the day everything has a place
I love minimalism and it is making huge changes with my HSP and BPD and the time I spend cleaning, worrying, etc. I am not done by I am in the process of being rid of about 50% of my hobby items, it is my biggest category. Loved this, as always, and the way you are so NON-judgmental makes me listen even more to these videos. You are such a sweet person and so respectful ❤
This lifestyle is easy for me bc I hate clutter. Clutter makes me so stressed out and I start throwing anything in the trash. I don't set myself up with the donating stuff bc I know I'll never get around to doing it.
I moved back in with my parents 7 months ago and haven’t unpacked/cleaned my room since then because of how overwhelmed I’ve been by all of my stuff. I’m trying to declutter as I go, and this video is helping me kick start this journey, so when I do save the money to move back out, I have less stuff I’m taking with me.
Vera, This was the best minimalism video, I have ever watched .... I live as you do, and I really believe the gift that comes from minimalism is your shift in thinking, I never buy anything without careful thought, I find I want for not much, and just happy for what I have. Anyone beginning minimalism will Learn so much from this video. Great Job, you are top on my list, I love when you put a new video up.
You always put a smile on my face, when I have free time, I binge watch your past videos... they are so inspiring. I am having a wonderful weekend, hope you are as well
I’ve started to declutter my stuff after years of buying random things. I’m glad I came in contact with minimalism. This lifestyle opened my eyes, i’ve been saving so much money and I always thing properly before I buy something new.
Done some de cluttering and it feels great. I have more space in my wardrobe and my garage feels more like a workshop. It's a start. I wish I discovered minimalism in my teens. A saying that resonates from my high school camp really hits me these days. " A snail carries his house on his back ". Thank for hearing me out.
I have been striving to minimalism for few years now. And usually after decluttering few months past i find more and more things to get rid of. So it is a long journey. And it is very hard to move from minimalism of things to minimalism in life. and the feeling of buying something new remains and brings joy after some time of having this thing because when you have less, every new purchase is more thoughtful and less likely will be forgotten in the pile of other stuff.
also... easiest option for step 1 in minimalism... buy less and use up what you own. not everyone can set aside time to purge what they can but if someone is consumption minded, switching your mindset from acquiring items to utilizing items you already own can be really freeing both emotionally by being creative as well as financially. I've had periods of aggressive acquisition with hoarding and still have chronic disorganization. but since the pandemic, i've decided i'm going to "shop my house" and see how many items i can use up while not spending money. so far, in 2 weeks i've gotten rid and used about 5 large uhaul sized boxes of stuff and made a cat tree from trees that were cut down from my property that would have cost well into the $800 range if i bought it outright. sure, i still have spent money on tools and supplies for the cat tree but my purchases were very intentional for my lifestyle both now as well as my future. so basically 1. spend less 2. use what you have 3. if you have to buy something or acquire something, make sure its intentional for something that will be used right away as well as benefit your future. if you can't bear to purge for various reasons (grief, divorce, job loss, mental health condition etc) start inside your mind and your habits. your actions and results will follow
I know our local thrift shop has been happy. I've been dropping stuff in their donation spot every Sunday. Good China and stuff. I hardly tossed anything. Most things are usable but were just taking up space and making me clean more.
Thank you for giving examples of "Why" because I have obviously "over thunk" it. I'm moving for the 5th time in 24 months, going smaller each move. I have played the minimalist game in 2017. That was HUGE, a great kick start. I'm becoming lighter mentally.
@@SimpleHappyZen the minimalist game really gets you thinking about your stuff by about day 15 when you're scrambling to find 15 items but you get past the 20th day and you pick up momentum as you Roll Along
It's currently a lockdown in the UK, where I live, from Covid-19 pandemic. All of the non-essentials shops are temporarily closed and I find it helps not to be tempted on buying things I don't need. I now find doing my artwork is much better than shopping. I think it's better I can only treat myself with chocolate.
I'm so grateful that I found your channel 😊❤ I can almost call myself a Sentimental hoarder. I love collecting things (like my father do) and because of that stuff keep finding its way in to my home and because I put sentimental value on almost everything I own, it feels impossible to declutter my home. But the amount of stuff I own has now otten out of hand. I have alot of stuff I don't know where to put and that makes cleaning my home very time-consuminhg and stressful. I really hope your videos will help me get my home under control 😊❤
Thank you! Today I was telling my mom about how cleaning stresses me out and being to cluttered and she recommended a minimalistic life style and I knew i had to try it out! Recently I’ve decided to start borrowing books from the library and getting rid of old ones that I don’t want anymore! The only time I plan on buying now is if there is a specific book I want that is not in my library or when I get a gift card! Thanks for helping me on my journey ❤
Thank you for this! Just subscribed today. As my husband and I will be moving to our home in the next 8-10 months, I've outlined that the bigger space doesn't mean that we stuff the place with more stuff. It's open concept on the main floor with a 9' ceiling, and I want to have that feeling of space and breathability. Also, I see how many things right now aren't used and haven't been used in a very long time... Blessings to you! Can't wait to get into the minimalist lifestyle with the new house!
That sounds amazing! A good opportunity to start with a clean slate 🙂 Like you said, it's good to embrace the empty space and not fill every inch with stuff. Good luck with everything and let me know if you get any questions along the way!
I'm a prepper and I did get rid of anything that was cluttering my home. Furniture, clothes, shoes, makeup, books. I only kept things that I actually use in a daily basis, AND food and supplies for one year. There is a space for the preppings and it doesn't get in my way on everyday life. It is possible. I can't imagine being a prepper without being a minimalist. Life would be a big hoarding, I guess.
I have been a maximilist for a long time. Clutter messes up my life too much. I had a shopping problem, as well I identified. I can't think straight with too much clutter in my room and I can't even sleep. I made my desk way more less of a mess when I went to the gym and thought about how I should clean my desk...and then minimilism showed up so that was a nice attraction. Heard it around sometimes but didn't pay attention to it much...but I wanna start being a healthy and minimilist lifestyle this year :)
Great video as always! I have actually considered myself to be a minimalist for quite some time now. However, I still enjoy regularly reviewing my life in the things around me to see where clutter is creeping in. Yes, clutter is that little pest that will keep creeping in unless you actively keep it out of your life! Be careful! Minimalist can fall right back into the trap of materialism. It's so easy! But, keep in mind how happy purposeful intentional living makes you. Don't let clutter creep back into your life. Great video, I always enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.
Same here. I found this so easier to follow. I am just starting the journey to minimalism and decluttering. This has come to me at right time. Thank you😊
I like minimalism yet there are things which are your way. like for me, I love cds, and keep them as a collection. they don´t take my whole apartment, some covers even decorate the walls, but I believe the most important part is to keep the things you use like for me listening to my albums.
I just moved to another country, and I had to get rid of almost all my stuff bc I just had one 23kg carrier where I could only bring some clothes and my books, so starting a minimalist lifestyle is thankfully easy for me, thanks for the tips!
I am trying aesthetic minimalism where I only want things that are truly beautiful preferably with meaning. Looking at each purchase from the perspective of true beauty rather than just function increases the joy associated with each item.
Decluttering my closet was the easiest for me but it wasnt at first. Only when I got fed up with the thought that Ive nothing to wear when my closet was full was when I realized enough is enough. Called my girlfriends and gave away like 80% of the stuff i didnt wear and the rest I donated. It felt amazing and then I finally saw I had so many nice clothes and outfits that werent visible in the initial chaos of my closet! I gave away so many books in 2020, i think like up to 70 or more. Some i gifted away, most i donated. I only buy books if they re not available for my ereader, although I will never give away my Stephen King shelve (altho even from that collection I sold about 7 8 books that I knew I will never reread). I do tend to clutter up jeans and mugs, my boyfriend has forbbided me to buy anymore mugs 😅 i have so many nice, interesting cute mugs and I swear I use only ONE plain glass mason jar mug all the time. And i never have coffee and rarely have tea so I almost neverrr use those cute mugs. But they re so lovely and I dont know to whom I could donate them even if I wanted to. My parents are such hoarders, especially my dad, i really dont enjoy most of their house, just so many things hanging everywhere. Even the outside of the house and the yard is filled with so much crap, I honestly dont know how they can live like that 😭 it could be such a lovely home, has so much potential but they just like stuff. My mom is more open to throwing out most of it but my dad isnt. He has more clothes than Ive seen in my life, not even a regular woman has so many clothing items. Tools? He has tools from the 90s he never uses. Kitchen stuff? He has bought so many pans and knives and plates, it drives my mom crazy.. he always buys, never throws out. And he s retired, never goes out anymore, not with this covid he leaves the house even less. Where the f is he gonna wear those clothes anyway?! 😓🙄
I was turned on to minamalism when searched you tube for "living simply" .thats when a saw a few videos on minamalism and omg.I thought this is brilliant you mean people actually live like this where have i been all these years.Darn it.I wish i knew about this years ago.Well, its never too late to start and so i did.And yes i have also discovered it is a process.I think my youngest daughter is entertaining the thought but my other two girl think their mom has gone off the deep end.Even still i love this life style.
Thank you so much. Your video helped me a lot. I have just started in a low pace. I hope to get rid of unnecessarily items and eliminate them asap. Now I’m done with living room. Next plan is kitchen and bedroom.
So I have OCD and am very perfectionist. It is very hard to keep track of stuff when you have a lot of clutter, and you forget where you place things. I find this produces ongoing anxiety and makes it hard for me to progress. So many pending projects and long lost photos, videos, contacts, files and clutter in general. So I think this lifestyle is for me
I love this video. It provides excellent information for me, who is decluttering as I'm moving into a studio apartment. 8.08 to 8.50 is such a great speech and so true. Thank you.
Okay so I’ve struggled with minimalism. As a Sales Executive in DC, I didn’t grasp the concept of living this way. I have been living by stress, materialism, consumption and spending. This makes so much sense. Anyway first video. Thank you for posting.
I am starting this journey, and think, moving slower is better. I am now forcing myself to wear every clothing item - and discovered ( to my shock) that i do not like turtlenecks or crew necks. I found myself all day long pulling on the neck to loosen it ..i felt it was chocking me ..so NOW , I know ,never to buy this style again, and put them in a box for SPCA to resell for charity
I've gotten rid of a lot of clothes that I don't wear or won't wear or doesn't fit any more. I've cleared up a full dresser and a tote. I did however replace a few items of clothing. It made my room much better. I still have some items that I don't use but have sentimental value. So that's the hard part.
I am 14 and I live with my parents. They like clean house, but when I am talking about minimalism then they freak out like I am talking about killing someone... they are often mad at me because our house is a mess, (my room is always clean and organised) I don’t know how to describe that situation, it is just so difficult... I really wish that I could have my own apartment when I grow up, I will be minimalist and live my life my own way.
Thanks for sharing your story, I did find some resources when googling for 'how to be a minimalist when you live with your parents', so maybe that could be helpful for you, like this one: www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/7ywzwm/how_to_be_a_minimalist_when_living_with_your/
Simple Happy Zen Thank You for the advice, I really appreciate that. This made me think that this really is their house, their life and their lifestyle they are living with. I can’t be mad at them because of that and the stress they are going trough at the work right now. 😊 (sorry about my english, this isn’t my main language)
I'm getting married and my sole aim is to have minimalistic space. I can't wait for this Corona to get over and start our new phase with clear mindset 😄
Wow Vera, This video was spot on. Enjoyed hearing these tips again. The coathanger method works well for me regarding clothes. I have no trouble decluttering nor do I attach sentimentality to things. Think this stems from my childhood, as my parents lived in a few different countries. Have also changed countries myself but now will stay put in Switzerland. A peaceful and also uncluttered country, where we are surrounded by such beautiful nature all around us. Kind regards and all the best for your newsletter.
I somehow could hear you were Dutch (even though your english is sooo good and you don't really have an accent) but it was confirmed for me when I saw the Holland & Barrett kortingskaart, haha. Super leuke video's en je hebt er een sub bij!
I had extreme levels of OCD so constantly when I try to do a whole spring cleaning kinda thing. Go through all my stuff it gets super overwhelming due to my anxiety. I never know where to start and lots of random shit is had for me to get rid of for nearly no reason. I honestly don’t need all this shit, most of it is just clutter and taking up space. I have a 2 bedroom apartment and I don’t use the second room because it’s been a storage room but I want it to be a gaming room. I gotta really go into there and downsize all that stuff I’ve held onto over these years
I am delighted to have a home that is fun and interesting to live in. So, I have more than I "need." I believe this whole concept is a desperate attempt to quiet the erratic lifestyle of today. Bombarded we resort to an isolation of our few belongings to simplify and bring order and sense to our out-of-control activities of our world and lives. Very interesting that we have more yet crave less in our personel lives to slow down the frenzied lives we lead to be successful and keep up with expectations imposed upon us. As you enjoy your stark contrast of emptiness and boring staleness, I prefer to enjoy my maximulism and enjoy my life and things that bring me joy and color - just as travel does. Unique and pictureness with many, many things to observe and take pleasure in! It is ok to have a mess if you see it that way but am certain many geniusness, artists, and performers had mess in their lives and it did not impead the final mark of enrichment and pleasure they enjoyed as well as others who were in the end enchanted with the final end which began with a mess!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the video 😄 Happy digital decluttering! When I did it, I just did it for an hour here and there. It was actually a lot less work than I imagined.
Organizing digital things is I think one of the hardest ones for me. Do you have any tips on what the delete and what to keep? Also on how to organize what to keep would be really grateful. I like the way how you've divided and presented this video. You've earned a new subscriber. :)
Thanks so much, that's nice to hear :D About organizing digital stuff, I usually just make folders based on what makes sense to me and then organize everything by category or date (or both). But the best thing to do is go through your files and especially pictures and delete everything that's blurry, unflattering, or just doubles. I decreased my photos from about 10.000 to 4000 and I look at them now more than ever
@@SimpleHappyZen Thank you for your reply. :) 2000's - 2019 - 07 Juli - 22-07-2019. That's the structure of how I've organized my pictures and videos by date. How do you also organize them by category as well? Maybe an idea for a future video if you haven't already. I'm definitely interested to see what you can come up with.
@Leto85 I have a problem with dates because I don't remember them. So I have my folders by what I enjoy. For example I have one folder that says Family. Then under folder that I have more folders. For example, I have one for each of my grandchildren, then inside of their folder I have the year file and put all the pictures that I have taken for that year, I don't worry about the month. If there is more than one grandchild in it, I usually make a copy for the other child's folder. In the future, they can just copy their own folder without having to go through a bunch of them. I have a file for trips, then under that folder, I have individual folders of the trips we made with the year attached. For example: Seattle 2017. I also have a holiday file, then under that file is the individual holiday file, then of course inside that is the year of the holiday. It's seems like a lot of folders, and took time to create but that is what helps me and works for me. Everyone is different, so play around with stuff until you find what works for you.
I have an e-mail address that is just for junk mail, I give it to people who want it so I can get a discount or some other reason I have to give an e-mail address for something I don't really want to bother with. The inbox can get messy if I leave it for too long but I can usually delete hundreds of junk e-mails in there every now and then to keep it clean. I give out my important e-mail address to the places I either want or need to communicate with.
Thanks for watching this video, I’m so excited to announce that the Simple Happy Zen online course is now open for registration! ✨🌱 simplehappyzen.teachable.com/p/in-love-with-your-life The course is called “In Love With Your Life | 20 Weeks to simplify your life and amplify your happiness”. This program is the most in-depth and valuable content I’ve created so far. It’s a great help for anyone who wants to simplify their life and create more of what they love. I am beyond excited , join me and click the link to sign-up or get more info.
Much love,
Vera
I'm glad you're so smart to get out of the tradition, the rigid lifestyle that forces ppl to conform or else. I love the freedom, and the simplicity of life so we can enjoy it to the fullest without concern about "competing with the Jones...". One question, how do minimalists give gifts 4 Christmas?
i believe your tongue ring is making it harder for you to speak
0⁰⁰11¹1¹qq¹
Something I learned about myself is that when I am attracted to something to buy, what I'm really attracted to is the color and pattern. Many times I tell myself, "Yes, I love it, but does that mean I have to OWN it." Most of the time, it's "No." I satisfy myself by looking at art.
That's very relatable to me, I do that too 😄 Also with souvenirs when I'm on vacation. Works like a charm 😊✌🏻🌷
@adventure Times Ooooh enjoy!! 😎
Awesome idea
My father was wealthy, but went through the depression. I was brought up do you just want it or do you need it? I do have a lot of stuff and hobbies.
That’s a wonderful insight, and suggestion!
Me and my husband had to start minimalism. There was one time he was like I DONT HAVE SHIRTS TO WEAR! I counted all his shirts that night and counted 74 shirts and 8 pants. I told him afterwards, he was very disappointed with himself. We started to sort out his clothes, sold some and then donated most. Now he has 15 shirts and is very happy with it. He gets to wear all of them in 2 weeks (just in time for laundry) and we have so much closet space! IT is the way to go
Love that story!!!
😂
😳 74 shirts
As I’ve gotten older ( I’m only 37) I’ve found that living a minimalist lifestyle is so much more fulfilling than I ever would have thought.
So glad to hear it :D Keep it up and enjoy it!
True
I'm 38 and I know it would make me feel the same way, just starting on that journey, I cant wait!
Swedish Death Cleaning really hit home for me when my mother passed. She had SO much stuff. It was crazy. I realized that if i were to die suddenly my children would have to go through the same heartache and they might not love the same things i love, looking at you Mom and your 257 shot glasses from around the world, 5 boxes of craft supplies and literally hundreds of dollars worth of yarn 😊 my mom was a knitter. I decided to do it for them. I did a ton of purging and donating and general downsizing. Another thing that helped me get into a minimalist mindset was doing a capsule wardrobe.I was so happy with the results and began to notice i didn't want to buy new things and rather enjoyed the almost Zen look of my house with simple functional furniture and clean shelves. I noticed i was more calm and relaxed and...well...happy. I'm not a radical minimalist but shop with more focus, don't buy things i don't really need, and have recently been slowly practicing more natural cleaning, natural makeup, and natural fiber clothing. It's a gradual process. It doesn't happen overnight. Be gentle with yourself.
Loved reading your comment, thanks for sharing! :)
my grandma is a hoarder :( when the time comes it's going to be a horrible distressing time :( i hope i have the courage to deal with it. It's probably one of the reasons I like minimalism, growing up i hated losing things, and too much clutter makes me super stressed.
I like the idea of getting rid of the things that give you a feeling of burden. I could handle getting rid of 60% of my stuff!
Same I could get rid of around 75%
Great job
Be sure to donate/ give away stuff that has value for other people if u can!
I just started out decluttering my closet and I just got very overwhelmed. Watching this makes me feel better, so I'm gonna take my time and not rush it. Thanks for this very helpful video!
So happy it was helpful! :) Good luck, you can do it!
My wife was a minimalist it was very easy for her to get rid of my personal belongings but for her things that was another story .
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That's not fair. I'm sorry.
Was?
😂😂
That's NOT minimalist..that's narcissism..controlling your life to the max up to what you can own. Sigh!
Since the beginning of the year, I've gotten rid of approximately 3/4 of my 'stuff'. I took small steps so as not to become overwhelmed, a bag or 2 a week. Savers and the Goodwill have had a good year...lol. I feel so much lighter and less stessed. Take that 1st step towards reclaiming your life. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your story Claire, that's amazing! 🤗🌱
Claire Gibbons Thx that's a great idea, I'm gonna try it..... 1or 2 bag weekly....
One thing that helps me when I’m evaluating what I want to keep is asking myself “Would I buy this again? Would I be willing to pay full price for this?”
Great questions, very helpful! :)
This is so helpful thank u!
Great mindset
I'm so grateful that I found your channel I can almost call myself a Sentimental hoarder. I love collecting things (like my father do) and because of that stuff keep finding its way in to my home and because I put sentimental value on almost everything I own, it feels impossible to declutter my home. But the amount of stuff I own has now otten out of hand. I have alot of stuff I don't know where to put and that makes cleaning my home very time-consuminhg and stressful. I really hope your videos will help me get my home under control
Ive been de-cluttering my place lately. It makes me feel a lot lighter and less stressed.
Awesome! Good for you 🌱🤗
Good tip is to take every single thing out of your closet. So many times I’ve tried to minimize my closet but until I took everything out I didn’t get anywhere. I forced myself to deal with it on my bed -hanging clothes first, shoes the second folded things last. It’s so much easier to get dressed!
I’ve been decluttering my closets and my kitchen cupboards.
That's great, feels good huh? 😄
Sentimental items are the hardest- even as a child I had a mound of stuffed animals from family up to my teenage years because I felt so bad if I threw them out. Silly to look back on but now I’m pretty content with what I have. I bought pieces that make me truly happy, are functional and don’t have much storage so I can’t clutter even more. It’s hard with a toddler because it doesn’t always stay clean- but at the end of the day everything has a place
I am that teenager 😂 I thought I was the only one with the stuffed animal problem.
I love minimalism and it is making huge changes with my HSP and BPD and the time I spend cleaning, worrying, etc. I am not done by I am in the process of being rid of about 50% of my hobby items, it is my biggest category. Loved this, as always, and the way you are so NON-judgmental makes me listen even more to these videos. You are such a sweet person and so respectful ❤
Thank you so much Linda for your sweet comment 🥰🌱 Hope you're having a good weekend!
This lifestyle is easy for me bc I hate clutter. Clutter makes me so stressed out and I start throwing anything in the trash. I don't set myself up with the donating stuff bc I know I'll never get around to doing it.
What is motivating me is I'm so tired of the time I spend looking for things.
I moved back in with my parents 7 months ago and haven’t unpacked/cleaned my room since then because of how overwhelmed I’ve been by all of my stuff. I’m trying to declutter as I go, and this video is helping me kick start this journey, so when I do save the money to move back out, I have less stuff I’m taking with me.
Good luck with decluttering as you go, you're doing great! 😄✌🏻🌷
Vera, This was the best minimalism video, I have ever watched .... I live as you do, and I really believe the gift that comes from minimalism is your shift in thinking, I never buy anything without careful thought, I find I want for not much, and just happy for what I have. Anyone beginning minimalism will Learn so much from this video. Great Job, you are top on my list, I love when you put a new video up.
Thank you so much, your comment brought a big smile to my face 🥰🌷 Hope you're having a nice weekend!
You always put a smile on my face, when I have free time, I binge watch your past videos... they are so inspiring. I am having a wonderful weekend, hope you are as well
You are a real inspiration thanks so much
I’ve started to declutter my stuff after years of buying random things. I’m glad I came in contact with minimalism. This lifestyle opened my eyes, i’ve been saving so much money and I always thing properly before I buy something new.
That's amazing, way to go! :)
Done some de cluttering and it feels great. I have more space in my wardrobe and my garage feels more like a workshop. It's a start. I wish I discovered minimalism in my teens. A saying that resonates from my high school camp really hits me these days. " A snail carries his house on his back ". Thank for hearing me out.
I have been striving to minimalism for few years now. And usually after decluttering few months past i find more and more things to get rid of. So it is a long journey. And it is very hard to move from minimalism of things to minimalism in life.
and the feeling of buying something new remains and brings joy after some time of having this thing because when you have less, every new purchase is more thoughtful and less likely will be forgotten in the pile of other stuff.
That's very true for me as well 😊 purchases are well thought out and researched beforehand, and they add value in one form or another 😊
also... easiest option for step 1 in minimalism... buy less and use up what you own. not everyone can set aside time to purge what they can but if someone is consumption minded, switching your mindset from acquiring items to utilizing items you already own can be really freeing both emotionally by being creative as well as financially. I've had periods of aggressive acquisition with hoarding and still have chronic disorganization. but since the pandemic, i've decided i'm going to "shop my house" and see how many items i can use up while not spending money. so far, in 2 weeks i've gotten rid and used about 5 large uhaul sized boxes of stuff and made a cat tree from trees that were cut down from my property that would have cost well into the $800 range if i bought it outright. sure, i still have spent money on tools and supplies for the cat tree but my purchases were very intentional for my lifestyle both now as well as my future. so basically 1. spend less 2. use what you have 3. if you have to buy something or acquire something, make sure its intentional for something that will be used right away as well as benefit your future.
if you can't bear to purge for various reasons (grief, divorce, job loss, mental health condition etc) start inside your mind and your habits. your actions and results will follow
Excellent tip! Thanks for sharing Colleen
I know our local thrift shop has been happy. I've been dropping stuff in their donation spot every Sunday. Good China and stuff. I hardly tossed anything. Most things are usable but were just taking up space and making me clean more.
That's great, I'm sure they are happy 😀
Thank you for giving examples of "Why" because I have obviously "over thunk" it. I'm moving for the 5th time in 24 months, going smaller each move. I have played the minimalist game in 2017. That was HUGE, a great kick start. I'm becoming lighter mentally.
Wow, that's great. I decluttered everything in stages organically, so I never experienced something like the minimalist game. Must be great 😄
@@SimpleHappyZen the minimalist game really gets you thinking about your stuff by about day 15 when you're scrambling to find 15 items but you get past the 20th day and you pick up momentum as you Roll Along
Sounds so interesting! And thought provoking like you said 😄
It's currently a lockdown in the UK, where I live, from Covid-19 pandemic. All of the non-essentials shops are temporarily closed and I find it helps not to be tempted on buying things I don't need. I now find doing my artwork is much better than shopping. I think it's better I can only treat myself with chocolate.
I'm starting tonight! Thank you so much☺
Wow, that's great Carmen! Good luck! 😄✌🏻🌱
How's it going so far? I'm starting this weekend! Baby steps....
Good luck to both of you!! 🤗🌿🌷
Me too
I'm so grateful that I found your channel 😊❤ I can almost call myself a Sentimental hoarder. I love collecting things (like my father do) and because of that stuff keep finding its way in to my home and because I put sentimental value on almost everything I own, it feels impossible to declutter my home. But the amount of stuff I own has now otten out of hand. I have alot of stuff I don't know where to put and that makes cleaning my home very time-consuminhg and stressful. I really hope your videos will help me get my home under control 😊❤
This sounds so familiar 😊 how is it going?
Thank you! Today I was telling my mom about how cleaning stresses me out and being to cluttered and she recommended a minimalistic life style and I knew i had to try it out! Recently I’ve decided to start borrowing books from the library and getting rid of old ones that I don’t want anymore! The only time I plan on buying now is if there is a specific book I want that is not in my library or when I get a gift card! Thanks for helping me on my journey ❤
Thank you for the minimalist guide. My favorite thing about this guide to minimalism is enjoy the things you value instead of youe posessions.
This would have been so helpful when I started my journey over a year ago. You broke it down so simply and perfect!
Thank you mariela 😄🌱✌🏻 Hope you're having a nice weekend!
if this is how my teacher teach, i would've had A's on all of my subjects
Super exciting and informative video for the beginners like me.....it inspired me as much as I can't wait for the next morning.....
So happy to hear it! :)
Thank you for this! Just subscribed today. As my husband and I will be moving to our home in the next 8-10 months, I've outlined that the bigger space doesn't mean that we stuff the place with more stuff. It's open concept on the main floor with a 9' ceiling, and I want to have that feeling of space and breathability. Also, I see how many things right now aren't used and haven't been used in a very long time...
Blessings to you! Can't wait to get into the minimalist lifestyle with the new house!
That sounds amazing! A good opportunity to start with a clean slate 🙂 Like you said, it's good to embrace the empty space and not fill every inch with stuff. Good luck with everything and let me know if you get any questions along the way!
I'm a prepper and I did get rid of anything that was cluttering my home. Furniture, clothes, shoes, makeup, books. I only kept things that I actually use in a daily basis, AND food and supplies for one year. There is a space for the preppings and it doesn't get in my way on everyday life. It is possible. I can't imagine being a prepper without being a minimalist. Life would be a big hoarding, I guess.
I have been a maximilist for a long time. Clutter messes up my life too much. I had a shopping problem, as well I identified. I can't think straight with too much clutter in my room and I can't even sleep. I made my desk way more less of a mess when I went to the gym and thought about how I should clean my desk...and then minimilism showed up so that was a nice attraction. Heard it around sometimes but didn't pay attention to it much...but I wanna start being a healthy and minimilist lifestyle this year :)
Great video as always! I have actually considered myself to be a minimalist for quite some time now. However, I still enjoy regularly reviewing my life in the things around me to see where clutter is creeping in. Yes, clutter is that little pest that will keep creeping in unless you actively keep it out of your life! Be careful! Minimalist can fall right back into the trap of materialism. It's so easy! But, keep in mind how happy purposeful intentional living makes you. Don't let clutter creep back into your life. Great video, I always enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much Big Len and thanks also for sharing your thoughts with the rest of us! 🤗🌿
This video has inspired me to start the journey of the minimalist lifestyle. Thank you.
So glad to hear it 😄✌🏻🌱 Good luck!!
Same here. I found this so easier to follow. I am just starting the journey to minimalism and decluttering. This has come to me at right time. Thank you😊
Omg, I feel like I have finally arrived home. That's the guidance I needed in my life at this moment. Thank you so much for your work.
I look forward to your videos every week Vera. You create calm resolve for me to stay on my path...and tips to assist my journey. Thank you
Aw, that's lovely, thanks so much for letting me know 😄🌺 Good luck with everything!!
Well done! I start decluttering in a room, corner, small space (bin, drawer, shelf etc.) A whole house or big space feels too overwhelming.
I totally understand. Starting small is a great idea :) Good luck and happy decluttering!!
Try watching a few episodes of Hoarders, that should do it
I like minimalism yet there are things which are your way. like for me, I love cds, and keep them as a collection. they don´t take my whole apartment, some covers even decorate the walls, but I believe the most important part is to keep the things you use like for me listening to my albums.
Your videos have inspired me. I have been going through drawers and cupboards, getting rid of lots of things. Wonderful feeling afterwards!
So glad to hear it and congrats on all your progress already! :D
Please help me
Wow, you have Ganesha on your table
Have just found your video/channel - ADORE IT. Thank you so much for being here with such relevance, quality and beauty.
Wow, thank you for that lovely compliment 🥰
Hey Vera, I am a beginner and this video was useful for me. I am still in the decluttering process. Thanks for this video. Have a great week ahead! 😊
So glad the hear the video was helpful for you! Happy decluttering! 🤗✌
I just moved to another country, and I had to get rid of almost all my stuff bc I just had one 23kg carrier where I could only bring some clothes and my books, so starting a minimalist lifestyle is thankfully easy for me, thanks for the tips!
That sounds great, good luck on your adventure! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you!! ♡
I am trying aesthetic minimalism where I only want things that are truly beautiful preferably with meaning. Looking at each purchase from the perspective of true beauty rather than just function increases the joy associated with each item.
Thanks for sharing Monique, that's an interesting way of looking at it 😊🌱
oh I agree. I still love some decor even it is without functions.
I recently became minimalist and actually I followed a lot of your tips!
That's awesome!!! :)
Trying to take a nap but all i wanna do is get up and sell my stuff and get it out of here lol
Decluttering my closet was the easiest for me but it wasnt at first. Only when I got fed up with the thought that Ive nothing to wear when my closet was full was when I realized enough is enough. Called my girlfriends and gave away like 80% of the stuff i didnt wear and the rest I donated. It felt amazing and then I finally saw I had so many nice clothes and outfits that werent visible in the initial chaos of my closet! I gave away so many books in 2020, i think like up to 70 or more. Some i gifted away, most i donated. I only buy books if they re not available for my ereader, although I will never give away my Stephen King shelve (altho even from that collection I sold about 7 8 books that I knew I will never reread).
I do tend to clutter up jeans and mugs, my boyfriend has forbbided me to buy anymore mugs 😅 i have so many nice, interesting cute mugs and I swear I use only ONE plain glass mason jar mug all the time. And i never have coffee and rarely have tea so I almost neverrr use those cute mugs. But they re so lovely and I dont know to whom I could donate them even if I wanted to.
My parents are such hoarders, especially my dad, i really dont enjoy most of their house, just so many things hanging everywhere. Even the outside of the house and the yard is filled with so much crap, I honestly dont know how they can live like that 😭 it could be such a lovely home, has so much potential but they just like stuff. My mom is more open to throwing out most of it but my dad isnt. He has more clothes than Ive seen in my life, not even a regular woman has so many clothing items. Tools? He has tools from the 90s he never uses. Kitchen stuff? He has bought so many pans and knives and plates, it drives my mom crazy.. he always buys, never throws out. And he s retired, never goes out anymore, not with this covid he leaves the house even less. Where the f is he gonna wear those clothes anyway?! 😓🙄
I was turned on to minamalism when searched you tube for "living simply" .thats when a saw a few videos on minamalism and omg.I thought this is brilliant you mean people actually live like this where have i been all these years.Darn it.I wish i knew about this years ago.Well, its never too late to start and so i did.And yes i have also discovered it is a process.I think my youngest daughter is entertaining the thought but my other two girl think their mom has gone off the deep end.Even still i love this life style.
Thanks for sharing your story! I hope minimalism continues to bring you and your family lots of wonderful things :)
Thank you so much. Your video helped me a lot. I have just started in a low pace. I hope to get rid of unnecessarily items and eliminate them asap. Now I’m done with living room. Next plan is kitchen and bedroom.
Very helpful thank you.
You're very welcome! :)
So I have OCD and am very perfectionist. It is very hard to keep track of stuff when you have a lot of clutter, and you forget where you place things. I find this produces ongoing anxiety and makes it hard for me to progress. So many pending projects and long lost photos, videos, contacts, files and clutter in general. So I think this lifestyle is for me
Thank you. I have started doing your advice. A little at a time and uncluttered my mind also. Your awesome.
Thank you so much James!
Truly inspiring - want a nd need are not same. Hurrah for Minimalism!
Thank you! :)
And how wonderful it is when your wants and needs do align! Minimalism is a great tool for that. Great video, Vera!
Less is more unless we are talking about books and DVDs and hamsters then more the better 😍
Hahaha 😄
True that.
Cats too hahahaha
i lost it at hamsters lol
And Netflix and cats and a room for you “like I guess a small place for you to go to”.
I love this video. It provides excellent information for me, who is decluttering as I'm moving into a studio apartment.
8.08 to 8.50 is such a great speech and so true. Thank you.
Okay so I’ve struggled with minimalism. As a Sales Executive in DC, I didn’t grasp the concept of living this way. I have been living by stress, materialism, consumption and spending. This makes so much sense. Anyway first video. Thank you for posting.
Hi Vera loving the magic of minimalism quote that’s my new mantra 🤗
Haha I really love it myself as well 😄
Im going go declutter my room today
Good luck!! 😄✌🏻
OK JUNGKOOK
Great video as always Vera. I learn so so much from your channel 😊💖
Thank you so mcuh Pranisha 🤗🍃 Have a great week!
I am starting this journey, and think, moving slower is better. I am now forcing myself to wear every clothing item - and discovered ( to my shock) that i do not like turtlenecks or crew necks. I found myself all day long pulling on the neck to loosen it ..i felt it was chocking me ..so NOW , I know ,never to buy this style again, and put them in a box for SPCA to resell for charity
Watch next 👉 HOW TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME and create space + Printable guide! 🏡 ua-cam.com/video/MzyuyAtPoA4/v-deo.html
I've gotten rid of a lot of clothes that I don't wear or won't wear or doesn't fit any more. I've cleared up a full dresser and a tote. I did however replace a few items of clothing. It made my room much better. I still have some items that I don't use but have sentimental value. So that's the hard part.
That's great, making lots of progress! Sentimental items are the trickiest in my opinion. Maybe the photo tip can help you out!
@@SimpleHappyZen thanks. I have a long way to go still. Lol
I am 14 and I live with my parents. They like clean house, but when I am talking about minimalism then they freak out like I am talking about killing someone... they are often mad at me because our house is a mess, (my room is always clean and organised) I don’t know how to describe that situation, it is just so difficult... I really wish that I could have my own apartment when I grow up, I will be minimalist and live my life my own way.
Thanks for sharing your story, I did find some resources when googling for 'how to be a minimalist when you live with your parents', so maybe that could be helpful for you, like this one: www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/7ywzwm/how_to_be_a_minimalist_when_living_with_your/
Simple Happy Zen Thank You for the advice, I really appreciate that. This made me think that this really is their house, their life and their lifestyle they are living with. I can’t be mad at them because of that and the stress they are going trough at the work right now. 😊 (sorry about my english, this isn’t my main language)
I'm getting married and my sole aim is to have minimalistic space. I can't wait for this Corona to get over and start our new phase with clear mindset 😄
yes I'm stuck where to start.thanks for this video
You'll get it! :)
Thank you for this video.💜
Thank you so much I wish 🙏 I could learn more
Wow Vera, This video was spot on.
Enjoyed hearing these tips again.
The coathanger method works
well for me regarding clothes.
I have no trouble decluttering
nor do I attach sentimentality
to things. Think this stems from
my childhood, as my parents lived
in a few different countries. Have
also changed countries myself
but now will stay put in Switzerland. A peaceful and also
uncluttered country, where we are
surrounded by such beautiful
nature all around us. Kind
regards and all the best for your
newsletter.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video Hazel! 😄🌱
I needed this.. thank you❤
Just cked out the minimalist game - sounds great. I started out by getting rid of a few things every day.
Your voice and personality are very hypnotic. Thanks for the videos. 👍😇
Thank you Siyabulela :)
Any other tips when I have to move out in a few weeks and taking the opportunity to start the minimalist lifestyle?
Hi Sarah! Feel free to check out both my Minimalism playlist, and my Decluttering & Home playlist. Lots of info to find there :)
Thanks Vera for your tips.
You're very welcome!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Loved your video 💖
Thank you so much Munira 🤗🌿🍵
Plz share ur closet tour.....thanks for the video helped alot......to start and how not to burden ur self with it
You're very welcome Laila 🙂 And thanks for sharing your suggestion!
Your ideas are so well thought out. You're a smart cookie! Thanks for the vid girl
Watching you over and over. It’s helping me sooooo much! Thank you for sharing such useful information. 😊
Yay, so glad to hear it :D
I somehow could hear you were Dutch (even though your english is sooo good and you don't really have an accent) but it was confirmed for me when I saw the Holland & Barrett kortingskaart, haha. Super leuke video's en je hebt er een sub bij!
Hahaha ja ik kom graag bij de Holland&Barrett 😄 Dankjewel en welkom!!! 🌺✌
Loveee your channel! So helpful and you make it easy to do✨👍🏼
That's a wonderful compliment 🥰 Thank you!
I dont wanna get rid of all the stuff i have i just want that clean minimalist look bruh
😂 I don’t think it’s that easy.
I had extreme levels of OCD so constantly when I try to do a whole spring cleaning kinda thing. Go through all my stuff it gets super overwhelming due to my anxiety. I never know where to start and lots of random shit is had for me to get rid of for nearly no reason. I honestly don’t need all this shit, most of it is just clutter and taking up space. I have a 2 bedroom apartment and I don’t use the second room because it’s been a storage room but I want it to be a gaming room. I gotta really go into there and downsize all that stuff I’ve held onto over these years
i have been practicing minimalism, especially with clothing...friends commented...later gave me more clothes.
Sell them.
My `why` is to eliminate emotional baggage before it consumes meeeee
It's great you were able to identify your why! Good luck with minimalism, let me know how it goes!
I am delighted to have a home that is fun and interesting to live in. So, I have more than I "need." I believe this whole concept is a desperate attempt to quiet the erratic lifestyle of today. Bombarded we resort to an isolation of our few belongings to simplify and bring order and sense to our out-of-control activities of our world and lives. Very interesting that we have more yet crave less in our personel lives to slow down the frenzied lives we lead to be successful and keep up with expectations imposed upon us. As you enjoy your stark contrast of emptiness and boring staleness, I prefer to enjoy my maximulism and enjoy my life and things that bring me joy and color - just as travel does. Unique and pictureness with many, many things to observe and take pleasure in! It is ok to have a mess if you see it that way but am certain many geniusness, artists, and performers had mess in their lives and it did not impead the final mark of enrichment and pleasure they enjoyed as well as others who were in the end enchanted with the final end which began with a mess!
A great video ❤
Excellent video👌
Very thought provoking👍
I have a lot of digital clutter🙈It's just so time consuming to go through...
Thank you for sharing✌💛☺
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the video 😄 Happy digital decluttering! When I did it, I just did it for an hour here and there. It was actually a lot less work than I imagined.
Great video and content. Now how can I get my spouse and kids onboard. Can you personally talk to her? LOL. Thanks for sharing!
This video was a great help. Again, only problem is that noone here wants used things, even most churches won't take donations!
Hiii I’m a new viewer and new subscriber just now!
Hi Red Bacea, thanks for saying hi and welcome to the channel! 🤗🌱
Organizing digital things is I think one of the hardest ones for me.
Do you have any tips on what the delete and what to keep? Also on how to organize what to keep would be really grateful.
I like the way how you've divided and presented this video. You've earned a new subscriber. :)
Thanks so much, that's nice to hear :D About organizing digital stuff, I usually just make folders based on what makes sense to me and then organize everything by category or date (or both). But the best thing to do is go through your files and especially pictures and delete everything that's blurry, unflattering, or just doubles. I decreased my photos from about 10.000 to 4000 and I look at them now more than ever
@@SimpleHappyZen Thank you for your reply. :)
2000's - 2019 - 07 Juli - 22-07-2019. That's the structure of how I've organized my pictures and videos by date.
How do you also organize them by category as well?
Maybe an idea for a future video if you haven't already. I'm definitely interested to see what you can come up with.
@Leto85 I have a problem with dates because I don't remember them. So I have my folders by what I enjoy. For example I have one folder that says Family. Then under folder that I have more folders. For example, I have one for each of my grandchildren, then inside of their folder I have the year file and put all the pictures that I have taken for that year, I don't worry about the month. If there is more than one grandchild in it, I usually make a copy for the other child's folder. In the future, they can just copy their own folder without having to go through a bunch of them.
I have a file for trips, then under that folder, I have individual folders of the trips we made with the year attached. For example: Seattle 2017.
I also have a holiday file, then under that file is the individual holiday file, then of course inside that is the year of the holiday.
It's seems like a lot of folders, and took time to create but that is what helps me and works for me. Everyone is different, so play around with stuff until you find what works for you.
I have an e-mail address that is just for junk mail, I give it to people who want it so I can get a discount or some other reason I have to give an e-mail address for something I don't really want to bother with. The inbox can get messy if I leave it for too long but I can usually delete hundreds of junk e-mails in there every now and then to keep it clean. I give out my important e-mail address to the places I either want or need to communicate with.
That's very clever :) Thanks for sharing!
I love the plants in your home :)
Thank you so much 🤗🌸 Plants are the best
Thank you So much! Have a wonderful 2023! 🫶🏻
You too Julie! :)
I love you minimalism.