Thank you for normalizing the small closet! I am so over seeing all the influencers with garage-sized walk-ins. My tiny-closet home has taught me that I am actually much happier with less stuff instead of more storage. ❤️
Right?!?! And the worst is when they state that their room or closet is tiny, but it's actually (at least) triple the size of what you have!! My closet might be a tiny bit bigger than Caroline's (or the doors just open wider, not sure), but I split it with my 12 year old!! I have recently lost 47lbs and have needed new clothes, but I have definitely over consumed a bit. A lot of the time it's sizing issues because I think I'm still bigger than I am, but I really think some of the companies are making all of their sizes bigger now.
Caroline, I love your content but especially the room makeovers and now, these “ cozy chores.” You have such cute stuff, I think you should start wearing them on your vids. ❤
I really appreciate, treasure even, your "lack of consumption" lately. With your no-buy room makeovers, organizing without all the acrylic bins, and here normalizing a NORMAL size closet. It's so damn refreshing and wholesome. Ive been moving this way myself for the last couple of years, just buying less and "making do" and my overall satisfaction and peace has multiplied. Thanks for all you do ❤
It occurred to me today to tell you that you have not given up on your acting dream, you refined it, adapted it and tailored it to be a uniquely you acting career. You are being yourself but your experience in performing has most likely contributed a great deal to the awesomeness that is your channel. Bravo!
I have had so many people over the years ask me if I ever regret not fully utilizing my theatre degree. I look them in the eye and say “are you kidding me? People think I’m smart, funny, and they think I actually like them…I am a phenomenal actress!”. I do actually use my training on the daily! 💃
My two best tips are 1) do your de-cluttering when you’re feeling particularly ruthless and un-sentimental and 2) keep things from your ‘maybe’ pile in an out-of-reach bag/box for a little while and see if you go looking for anything specifically. You’ll probably forget you even had any of it.
@@Caroline_WinklerThat would bis so nice. I would love to do my chores while watching and hearing you doing your chores and you are talking about random stuff! And you looked so cute in that dress from your mum. ❤
“I’m addicted to an idea of my future self that doesn’t exist and never comes”….wow, same!! Not sure I ever thought about it before but yes, very relatable!
This is so sweet. And it’s really how I feel! I love being alone and I probably talk to myself too much, which is why it feels easy to talk with just a camera there. But I love making a little retreat or date for myself. And I hope it inspires others to try it too!
@@Caroline_Winkler It's one of my favorite things about your channel. There are just a couple of other channels I watch religiously because they are also run by introverts just doing their introvert thing. I am overwhelmingly the most introverted person I know, and it's something I've really struggled with because I come from a very social family in a very social culture (deep South). I spent years trying to force myself to be more social in order to be "well-rounded" and "a good friend", and it left me feeling perpetually exhausted and disconnected from reality. But watching other people express their introversion on UA-cam (other people's solitude, by its nature, is not something you really get to observe in real life) feels like it has given me permission to actually live the way I need to live. After decades of life feeling like a constant slog, I now wake up each morning excited to start the day, and life is better than child-me I ever could have imagined. And what do you know: it's actually made me a far better friend, because now I can connect more deeply and genuinely enjoy other people's company occasions that I do it. For the first time in my life, I look forward to seeing people. I even love making small talk with strangers - it's crazy!
@@halleyorion I totally understand you, I am the same. Love being alone with myself, I have a room for myself at home, call it office/ boudoir/ craft room.. and spend hours there. Covid times forced me to stop rushing and doing and made me adopt a new rythm, much more adapted to who I am. I do less, see fewer people and when I see my friends, enjoy them more. And lastly, I NEVER refrain to tell people when I need to be alone. And funnily enough, Just like you, I hated talking to strangers... now I can do it ( well, not too much for too long though😂..... but still, a huge progress!!)
Samsies. I was like Is this an ad or does she just love these? And I realize both can be true. Also so happy to hear this review about skims I'm at the age where a good bra is just a necessary comfort and skims was on my try list. Thanks for making it easy. I'll pick one up!
In Sweden, the nature protection cooperation has actually come out with the "6 items a year" challenge just last month. This challenge does not include underwear and socks, but all other clothing items. There's enough clothes on this earth right now to dress/clothe 6 generations! It's insane! My advice is that if you do really need to buy a new piece of clothing, please take time to look second hand!
I agree it's enough, do they still recommend the same number for size fluctuations like pregnancy or weight changes that are up or down several sizes? I want to gauge my own purchases, I lost weight and am finding it hard still figuring out what's going to work best for me. So many clothing brand stores near me have closed, so it can be difficult to try things on first.
Wow that is amazing! I had no idea. But i am fully onboard. there also has been a great added benefit to just working on my impulse to buy everything i want. even if you CAN afford it, there is something to leaving a little coveting to be desired. and if you're still yearning for it a year later, it's even more exciting to dive in and treat yourself after patiently waiting
Caroline, I hope your followers don't mind me speaking for all of us, but I'm here because listening to you do literally anything is awesome. It's somehow entertaining and light with these deep and insightful truth bombs being plopped in. You make whatever content you love making. I'm fairly certain we're all here for it.
The Indyx app just changed my LIFE - catalogued my whole closet today and realised I have NO excuse to say I've nothing to wear. I feel pretty minimal but still had 130+ items, including accessories, shoes, etc. Now preplanning outfits and seeing the whole wardrobe at a glance is FAB.
I've been using Indyx for 5 months and I agree, it is life changing 👌 It's very helpful to see what I actually never wear, and to discover that I already own several items that are similar to something I wanted to buy. Plus it's great for creativity!
Former yarn developer here! I saw you noted a baby alpaca allergy but the sweater was predominantly mohair, which is known for being quite itchy. Baby alpaca has no lanolin and is on the higher end of the softness scale so it’s likely the mohair that bothered you! There are sometimes guard hairs with alpaca that can feel pokey, but just FYI, you probably want to avoid mohair more!
true lanolin allergies are relatively rare, it’s usually a sensitivity to the fiber itself but there are so many types! Stick to merino and lambswool if you still want wool, or wool/cotton blends.
Hi Caroline, I noticed the drawers on your dresser were dragging a bit, and wanted to share that if you rub a candle on the runners on the bottom of the drawers and also on the ledge inside the carcass, this will help. I find tea lights the easiest as they have a flat side. Loving your work x
I like to use wax paper for this project. I've never used candles or soap, because the wax paper works so well, I've never tried anything else. Here's to accomplishing things in different ways. 😊
I love that Caroline addresses the fact that it's not "just" about being a slob, or whatever. That there is an emotional component that needs addressing and contending with. ❤ That's one of the many traits that makes her unique and great to watch
I've been buying, wearing and purging shoes and clothes for over 50 years and it only stopped when I retired. It was surprising how little I needed to consume once I was off the corporate treadmill. But the purging is unbelievable - the amount of things you accumulate. Many items never used. Some clothing still with tags on them. I think it was a kind of a distraction from all you had to do that you couldn't control. It made me feel better to be able to buy something. It was a struggle to donate my suits. They were nice. My goal now is to open the closet doors and see everything I have, shoes and all. Nothing stored in bins or boxes. After watching this video I wanted to get started again, but it's midnite so it will have to wait. Enjoying your videos Caroline, especially no cost decorating!
Before I moved abroad, I got rid of most everything I owned from my chronically disastrous room. Both living out of a backpack for months and coming home to a much-emptier room made me realize how much more manageable life feels when there’s just less stuff in it
@@Caroline_Winkler I have been moving both locally and internationally and I must say, the latter is even better bcs international shipments are expeeensive 😂 it also helps not having mom’s attic around 😂
Absolutely in for this. Moving internationally is the thing that taught me to admit to myself what is the stuff that I need and use. The ony question is can I keep up this mindset when I'm staying in one place for long?
😵💫 ~ I broke out in a mini-cold sweat when you mentioned the "storage container" - thinking you were just mentioning those large plastic tubs; but then realized you were referring to a "storage UNIT" (now I'm in a full on "cold sweat" 😨!) --- like the one I have had & paid for - for 23 years 🤯 - shoot me! I started decluttering it about six months ago; but got overwhelmed & have relegated it to a lower priority! God give me strength to get that sorted out ... 😳 (😭)!!! SO THANK YOU FOR THE REALITY CHECK ✅ --- I need to empty that damn storage unit ASAP!!! 🫡
@@Jess38044 ` Thank you; it's really weighing on me - but I need to stop making excuses or simply ignoring it until the monthly bill comes due & just dig in and check this off of my "To Do List"! Thank you for your support ... 🥰
@@Caroline_Winklerjustine is wonderful, honest and helpful. Have watched her for quite some time. Also, Diane in Denmark is good for decluttering and clothing swap parties with friends. She is definitely worth watching.
I love that we're starting to see this type of decluttering and effort to slow clothing consumption (even as TikTok has pushed fast fashion to its extreme). Another favorite UA-camr of mine is Leena Norms and she has TONS of videos about decluttering, re-purposing, and lately re-sewing her clothing as a demonstration of how we can be more creative, sustainable, and happy with our wardrobes. Clothes should be fun!
I watched this video earlier today, then went for a walk and saw 2 garbage bags on someone's lawn that said "FREE women's clothes, size S & M. Please take the whole bag." So I just did my "shopping" for the season lol I wonder if they had just seen your video too!
I know this is a super specific topic request, but I would love for you to create a video focused on LAMPS and room lighting. It would be great to explore different types of lamps + discuss their overall impact of ambiance in a room.
I used to have problems getting my donations to the donation center, too. So I had to reframe the project in my mind: "the project isn't complete until the donations have been delivered." And since I'm so motivated to complete tasks, it's worked every time! I worked several retail jobs about 20 years ago and the quality of clothes has gone down SO MUCH. I would love to see the pendulum swing back towards higher quality clothing options.
I do what I call job doubling to get my act together. If I take out the rubbish, I’ll pick up the branch cutters and chop up some sticks, etc. for the organics bins for a few minutes. Works for the donations too. ❤
@fionaschiffl8065 That might work for me! My donation place is normally out of my way, but I do have an appointment in that part of town next week. Just need to get the donation bag sorted and in my vehicle before I forget about it... again. 😂
I really love that you talked about fast fashion. I disagree with the idea that if something is not worn within a year then you will never wear it. I actually love rediscovering clothes that I have not worn for a few years. It may be that my style has changed and thus something that didn't appeal to me for a while does now, or that I didn't have the right clothes to style the thing before and now I do. It's been that way for several clothes my mum gave me when I was a young adult and now my style has changed so much.
I've been tracking my wardrobe inventory in an Excel/Google Sheets for about four years now and yes I do really love seeing data trends and what pieces I already have enough of or which colors I gravitate towards, an added benefit is before I add an item to my shopping cart I think "If I purchase this, that's going to be an extra few minutes of cataloguing it" and that can be enough for me to say it's not worth the minor dopamine rush of buying it.
@@jamielynn-bb8rhThere’s few applications in your phone that do that. For example StyleBook & Indyx . They’re great because you not only get the information, but also you can add photos and my favorite part is the cost to wear. I been doing it for like 8 years. And I can go back to items I was wearing a specific day.
bahaha i love the extra punishment of having to catalogue it. let me tell you - i have NEVER been the excel type, but it's been stupidly fun and feels so constructive
Intense but impressive... I need to do this. I recently saw a pair of burnt orange pants that fit perfectly. They also came in forest green which I also liked. I bought the orange pair since I knew I didn't have orange pants. Opened my winter tote and right on top, orange pants, with the tag on them, that I bought on clearance last spring.... 🙄
The mood lighting, the personable conversation, the genuine tips! I didn’t expect to find a video that made me like and subscribe so fast! I like your style and your approach to giving advice. An easy watch. A comfortable watch. Inspired healthier habits. Thank you :)
The book decluttering at the speed of life changed the way that I view stuff and the things around me. It's incredibly practical. Like, so practical and helpful. It truly can help you make a difference in your living space if you are struggling with any amount of unnecessary things. ❤️
"im addicted to the idea of my future self." That hit home - I love clothing and it makes me so happy to have beautiful pieces. Thanks for this video, the wake up call is nice.
My husband and I are also on a more natural & sustainable fabrics journey. Sorting out my clothes by fabrics really helped me slim down my closet! Because if items I was on the fence about were more elastane or polyester, I was able to let it go like Elsa immediately. Also, we are big on thrifting good quality clothes instead of buying everything new because the pieces simply last longer (and are cheaper).
Nice. 😊 Keep in mind that Viscose isn't considered a natural fibre (since it doesn't grow like this on trees or somewhere), but chemically it actually is! It's made from wood and comparable to paper. The textile version of paper if you will. 😅 I like it even more than cotton, bc. it's even softer. (More than flax/linen and wool anyway, I (unfortunately) can't stand the feel of wool on my skin.)
@@FrogeniusW.G.I love viscose too! I knew it was not a natural material, but I read somewhere that it absorbs moisture better than cotton. Sometimes I don’t like it when it’s too sheer. But overall - a very pleasant tactile experience 😊 It also feels weirdly rigid when wet 😂 Btw, clothing brands started adding it to sweaters, I wonder if they last long.
@@olenabitencel is viscose made in a closed loop process with sustainably grown trees :) and yes, wet viscose feels really weird. Viscose and cotton are less stable when wet and linen is actually stronger than wet (but nobody makes linen t-shirts in my price range). Hemp is also quite nice in t-shirts if you find it
@@FrogeniusW.G. The chemical compound is organic, but it's made into a goop that's extruded into yarns like polyester, acrylic and nylon are. It was first used for stockings in WW2 so the silk could be used for parachutes. It has a wonderful drape and doesn't wrinkle much.
"How did I put my entire outfit on backwards?!" I love Caroline. This video spoke to me on so many levels. A how to video with some therapy thrown in. Now I'm off for a ruthless cleaning out of my closets.
Over a year I'm watching this channel and Caroline I noticed you've changed a lot, less anxious and seems like having more fun doing these videos, with all new ideas. Love it and thanks for doing chores almost alongside :)
I love the cozy chores idea! Also just a thought - another influencer I watch added a 15min break in the middle of her vlog for a mini productivity sprint. She put a timer on the video and played background music while she filmed herself folding laundry and encouraged viewers to do a quick chore they’d been putting off. And then at the end she came back and finished out the regular vlog. I found it super motivating to get off the couch and do some dishes. Just a thought!
You're such a sunshine in my life. Please understand how much you inspire me to keep accepting myself for all of the quirks and smirks I also possess. You make money from your personality which, to me, is SO much better than being an actress. I don't want you to act like any character other than you because you are literally a treasure to watch and grow with. We love you. I'm so grateful I've been witness to this adventure you're on. Thank you for opening your heart to your internet family! We see you and celebrate you sister!
I love how you put it about the storage unit, paying for our guilt. I have one I’m paying for that’s mostly from my grandmothers things when she passed a few years ago. I’m not ready to part with it, even though I haven’t been to the unit for 2 years! I think mine is more sadness of letting go that I’m not ready for, but you put it well when you said we aren’t living with the items because you’re right
Longtime follower who never comments but I think you're spot on about the storage containers, with one experiential caveat - and I don't have one, so I'm not saying this defensively - that it's a privilege to have not only the space you need to live comfortably but also to have living close relatives (especially your parents) who own their own homes. I'm relatively young (30's), both of my parents and all of my close relatives are dead, and what I inherited from most of them was stuff I didn't need or want (and thankfully was able to come to terms with parting with) but there's furniture I do love, family heirlooms I have no place for as I live in a tiny apartment with my wife and several pets. We're working on figuring out how to make those things work in our place but some are just too big/awkward/etc for small apartments and I've seriously considered a storage unit for the meantime until we're ready to relocate somewhere bigger. That said, if anyone's got any ideas on how to approach this problem, I'm all ears!
Couple of tips I got from others that helped- putting things up on the Buy Nothing Facebook Group in your city. I’ll put up something like “casual clothes for size X female” or “business clothes” and it will be gone instantly. A tip to reduce consumption is a “cool down” spreadsheet for items that I’m eyeing but are not necessities. I’ll track the price, the link, the date I first wanted it, and check in every now and then to see if I still want it. Most things I forget about within a week or so, and don’t think are cute later 😅
Something that saves me time looking in my closet is organizing my clothes by color too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be rainbow order but grouping similar colors is really helpful!
yas, mine is color run too....I always am like I have wayyy too much black and then grey. It' helps me visually see if I am lacking a certain hue :) or a bit too much on a certain one~ I was so glad to read your comment :)
My tip is to let go of the ‘perfect’ way of declutterring items, like holding onto something until it can be perfectly responsibly donated or disposed of - sometimes it’s best for your mental health to just get rid of it. Still working on this myself!
More cozy chores please!! I can read about decluttering all day, but super helpful to see someone who isn’t a pro-organizer or whatever just do it. You’re keeping it real, girl! Thank you for the peeks into your process ❤
I took out my winter clothing yesterday and counted my 100% cashmere sweaters. I own 24! All but two are from thrift stores for $6 each! I wear them all. Some as pajama tops or “walk the dog” sweaters, and am not especially careful with them because of how inexpensive they are. Linen is another fabric to look for. Looks betterthan 100% cotton when it’s a little “rumpled” and also really easy to source in thrift stores.
It's really easy to properly take care of cashmere. All you need is linalol (wool fat? Idk ho it translates) and hand wash it in cold water every 3-4 wears. Depill with an electric debobbler as needed. Even if the cashmere was inexpensive, it's smart to give it the longest life possible. The right treatment will also make the wool softer and softer.
where i live there's an organization that leaves a bag to fill in everyone's mailbox! they also tell you when they'll be passing by your street again to pick up the bags if that doesn't work for folks or you have more stuff to give, they have the option of reserving a time for them to drive by to pick up your donations it's really great!
I now have a designated drawer where I put items to donate. Whenever it gets full, I'm prompted to take them to Goodwill or wherever else. And in the time it takes the drawer to get full, I'm able to make up my mind about any "maybe donate" items, which is handy.
love this idea~ currently my whole dresser is a "to be donated" drawer since I've gained weight and I'm finally accepted by the time I lose it all this will be out of style anyway LOL. Literally doing it this weekend.
I never leave comments for ANYTHING!! but this video was so insightful and touched on sooo many issues I have in relation to consumerism, self image, happiness and fulfillment that I had to say thank you! I love your videos and looking forward to trying the spreadsheet to give me insight, pause for thought and control over my shopping habits. Sending love from here in the UK xoxo
Yeah I'm sold. I recently replaced all of my bras with the uniqlo wireless but there's not much variation in style so now I know what I'm getting next. Although will probably check poshmark and other reseller sites first
@@vaderladyl Ew. I had no idea. I also was tempted enough to go to their site, but when I saw that little bra for $100 CAD, I said: no thank you. Now, having read your comment, I understand why they charge such a ridiculous amount. I also know that money is not going to the people making them. Thanks!
As soon as I started this video I just got a fire under my butt and started getting rid of things. I got rid of at least 30 items that I haven’t worn in YEARS! Thank you!
Thank you for this. I’m a hoarder most of my life when it comes to clothes. One day after my cancer surgery & treatments are done, i found i got no clothes that fit me as i dropped from 65kg all the way to 30kg in 6 months. I thank my hoarder self for keeping all the clothes i wore in my high school days when i was skinny. Then as i unload all of those “vintage” clothes from the 80s & 90s, i loaded all my fat clothes into boxes & gave them all away. Now i only buy 5 pcs of clothes a year max. However, i do still got those sentimental clothes that i don’t know what to do w/. Now i know thanks to you.
I don’t wear anything unless it’s 100%cotton, 100%cashmere and 100%linen! I broke up with Poly & Ester and synthetics a long time ago 🤣🤣🤣🤣 best thing I ever did for my wardrobe
I’ve noticed that on fast fashion sites, full polyester or mixed fabric items with polyester stay stocked on websites. It seems more people are seeking out better quality or natural fabrics. 100% wool, cashmere, cotton, leather, lyocell, linen clothing items sell out quicker if at a decent price.
23:27 I have a tip for getting stuff out of the House and to the donation store. I put the bags in my entrance and when I'm going out shopping, I take the bag with me and hand it to a donation store right before I go shopping for food. I've also heard another good tip: To only allow yourself to declutter an area of your home if you finish it completely (meaning you have to donate the stuff you decluttered after decluttering, or you are not finished decluttering that area 😊)
During the corona period, when all the stores were closed, I sold my clothes online. That went very well. I had a lot of things that I hardly wore and got good money for them. In the end it was around €2500. In return, I bought a pair of sacond hand diamond stud earrings and a very good quality solitaire ring. The ring became a pendant. It was an investment, new it would cost me about 10000€ or more. So decluttering was the best thing that could have happened to me. And I conquered my shopping addiction. Now I only buy things when I really need them.
Caroline! You are a teacher, a leader, a holistic coach, and an entertainer. I found you a few weeks ago and since then, your videos are a regular go to for me on my interests in design, decoration, thrifting, and well as decluttering and all the issues around our space, our clutter, our collections. It's been a lightning bolt for me, as someone who has been the emotional keeper of family scraps/memories and as someone whose strong interest in various creative pursuits including fixing up furniture, vintage/thrifting, and home decor has been historically blocked/thwarted/complicated/undermined by my inability or unwillingness to EDIT (for a lot of emotional/psych even trauma reasons that I'm sure many subscribers will relate to...) EDITING is the key to all of this, even creative & manageable was to accomplish the task in our spaces as well as in our heads. You got me out of a funk yesterday with this latest video, and I immediately went through all my clothes (which I've been slowly circling for weeks/seasons!) and made my closet & dresser a thing of functional beauty. I discovered a number of items I didn't know I had, one with tags still on, and basically thrifted my own collection for material for projects as well as made a huge donation pile. One of the biggest insights to this latest video I found was the maybe pile. It's not all or nothing. Once we've done this hard inventory, we can keep that cozy ragged item for a treat. And the review of learning about fabrics & planning to invest is a game changer too. Thank you for all you do & the ways you work to create & share your methods and ideas.
I really like the statement about "Pick your areas where you have a lot." That's something I've been working on for the past few years. I had an abundance of clothing of all kinds and went through a major declutter. I realized that I love dresses and am just going to have a lot of those (still decluttered them though) but I don't also need tons of shoes, coats, purses, etc. It's ok to have a collection, just curate it and focus on the areas you love the most.
cozy body doubling chats are so nice as a fellow neurodivergent person ! i'm making pumpkin gnocchi + sauce from scratch while listening / watching along + it's like domestic hanging w friend ! love to see all the ways you express caroline !!!
Not sure if anyone has already suggested this, but some charities do free at-home pickups. You either hand it over to them or you leave it outside your house, and they come and get it. Neatly solves the issue of never getting around to taking the stuff to Goodwill! As someone who's been living digital nomad life for the best part of the last five or six years, I've done so many clothing purges. Living out of a suitcase really shows you the things you wear on a regular basis and what stays rolled up in the bag for the duration. It also keeps you from buying new things because there just straight-up isn't any space for them, so I rarely buy new clothes. When I do, I only buy high-quality, timeless things in flattering tailored cuts because they last, and as Caroline said, I want to be a chic bitch everywhere I go. I also do have a go-to tailor that I take things to when I love the piece but it doesn't fit quite right. If it doesn't fit right, you won't wear it, so I find that extra investment to be worth it with things I'm going to keep for 5+ years at least. Also, I absolutely love the Cozy Chores/lifestyle/vlog content you do, Caroline. I like your design content too, but videos like this feel much more personal.
In 2020 when I started working from home, I donated 80% of my work attire. Now I go into the office two days a week and dress casual. I am so much happier, less stressful and my closet looks well organized. 😁. If I buy something, I get rid of 2-3 items. Shopping is not fun anymore.
This is so relevant to what I just started doing!! My husband and I had a Monthly $200 budget that goes into a fund if not spent for various clothing pieces (save up for formal pieces/wedding guest outfits etc) but I have a spending problem so I always feel the need to drain the $200 on whatever. I started doing the mindset that if I only allow myself to buy 1 item each month, and invest in a higher quality piece as close to $200 then it would likely last longer and I also would pay attention to that brand, if it lasts, and would feel plenty more motivated to return it if it isn’t perfect! It’s only been 2 months but I am feeling a lot less managed by my possessions and I really have enjoyed feeling like it’s almost self care investing in higher quality pieces for myself. ❤
Ohhhh I have scoliosis too. Now I feel even more connected to you. I’m so sorry to hear you had so much back pain. I actually decided against the corset and got surgery and I never suffered from aches but it was super weird to have such big surgery at like 14 and obviously I have a huge scar and titanium in my spine. Thanks for sharing and greetings to your back! 💕
We love these videos! I’ve been practicing minimalism for the past 5-6 years and it helps me be intentional about what I purchase and if I need it in the first place. This decluttering could be a series! ❤
I love your "cozy chores"! I am 72 y.o. and really enjoy you and your channel. You make me smile every time. Justin is a keeper! Keep up the good work, I need you!❤
The segment about keeping things others have gifted to you out of obligation is so so valuable. As someone who loves giving gifts, I like to flip the script and ask myself: "Would I want someone to keep something I gifted to them out of guilt?" The answer is: "absolutely not!" The concept of an object not containing the relationship has been life changing for me. I am also more thoughtful about the gifts that I give now too. Thank you Caroline!!
Yes, cozy chores!!! I am one who struggles with health issues, adhd, perfectionism.....lots of things that make chores super difficult. When I remember it, I think of one of my best friends (who sadly moved booooo), who used to get herself a fancy coffee, light the candles, put on good music and get so much done. I would copy her (because I don't know what the heck I'm doing, this is also why I'm always on UA-cam lol) and then I would get lots done.....chatting on the phone at the same time was also nice, I really forgot about that!
Honestly the most informative declutter video ive seen. Love all of the advice and recommendations especially when it comes to not buying things until I hit a certain weight. Will definitely apply this perspective and mindfulness when it comes to purchasing new clothes and decluttering my own closet going forward ❤
When I am buying clothes, I am ruthless! When I am in the changing room, I give myself literally seconds to decide does it make me feel amazing. If there is any doubt or hesitation, I move on no matter how great the deal is etc. It was hard to start but is addressed the fact there were clothes in my closet I never gravitated to because there was something about them that I really didn’t like. The other thing I do in the changing room is really move around with that item - what I mean here is if I reach up, does it ride up and not be comfortable, if I bend over, do my boobs fall out etc!
Congratulations, Caroline for learning these lessons while you are young. It will become even easier once you retire. I'm "76," and I'm still holding onto clothing "just in case." You have convinced me to let go of more stuff. I'm going to contact my local women's shelter to see if they'd like some almost-new clothing. Most of these women have left their homes with almost nothing. And I wonder how you could donate to all those hurricane victims with your beautiful clothing? Thanks, Caroline...and your wonderful family...for being so awesome. Hugs and kisses from Coos Bay, Oregon.
Caroline, thank you for being so open about your scoliosis and showing your xrays! I have it as well and it makes me feel good to know I am not the only one and to share about it with others. If you would ever feel like speaking about it more I would be happy :)
Ok I’m in the fashion design industry so I can give you a tip about sweater longevity. You may think you want 100% cashmere because that sounds fancy, but cashmere is terrible in terms of durability and anything 100% cashmere isn’t going to last long, especially in a capsule wardrobe that relies on you to wear it quite often. What you actually want is cashmere with a small amount of synthetic fibers blended in. This will help to strengthen the cashmere fibers, prevent color fading, prevent shrinking/stretching, and make your sweater easier to hand wash vs dry clean. You won’t feel the difference at all and it’s such a better choice for items you plan to wear often.
@@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267 You can reclaim yarn from an acrylic blend sweater by deconstructing it. You'll need a seam ripper and something to wind the yarn into a skein. You can then knit the yarn into new items.
oh I strongly disagree about cashmere..yes you have to baby them....however I have a few better quality pieces I wore A LOT and they pretty great after 7 years..But I only wear them like 4 till 6 month in a year and dont mind about pilling! so big yes to good cashmere 💙
I literally folded all of my week's worth of laundry while watching this super cozy and comfy video. And you made me want to go through my whole closet as well. I'm currently at home dealing with some viral infection and I just need some stuff to do, that wouldn't make me feel tired but occupied me enough to go through another day of stuffy nose. Seems just like a plan for me. Thanks a lot ❤
Another great thing to consider is buying secondhand first. If you research the piece, material, what you are looking for, most of the time you can find it secondhand. Better for the planet, and a great way to get a high quality item at a fraction of the cost new. Good work!
Never skip a Caroline Winkler video. ❤ You’re always a refreshing breath of fresh air. For a large part, thanks to you, my room has become a place I actually enjoy spending time in. One always walks out of your videos with food for thought, too. Keep at it!
Caroline, believe it or not, you are pretty much a minimalist (other than the clothing, which you are working on). All minimalism is, is surrounding yourself with only what you actually use, and what makes you happy. From everything I've seen in your videos (and I've watched most if not all), you definitely do live like that. 🙂 Minimalist the aesthetic is different, and also extremely subjective. But minimalist the lifestyle, you're already pretty much there!
love this video.I've seen soooo many decluttering videos that just show people getting rid of few items and refilling their closet in a few months - without talking about real life issues like gifts, sales, itchy material, sentimental items, fluctuating weight, and so on - this is officially my fave decluttering video - and the GUILT that comes with all of this. I didn't have the ability to buy clothes growing up so I used middle school/high school all throughout college and grad school, so I would say that I don't have a shopping issue - I had a style issue. I bought and tried many things because I didn't know what my style was once I had income. Now that I know that, i can ruthlessly declutter and buy only from trusted sellers with good quality.
This is my biggest struggle right now. I still have clothes since my final years of highschool and I'm 30 now. Not necessarily because I wanted to keep them, but because I convinced myself I'd have a garage sale that I've never had. It's starting to take over my life and I never wanted this. I love how you talked about keeping your guilt. It's time for me to get rid of my guilt so I can be less stressed. If the garage sale is daunting, I think it's time to just ~let go~. I needed this video, thank you!
That feeling when you’re typing out ideas of what to put on this sheet coz it’s a brilliant idea and then she says she has a link in the bio to the one she’s got so I don’t have to start from scratch 🎉🥰🥰🥰
Please more of this content. You do an amazing job of giving my ears a “talk break”. Makes listening while doing chores more pleasant and I’m totally motivated!
Indyx is a game changer. I'm a stats girl, I'm easily motivated to do something if I can catalogue it. Above all, the overview of the costs per wear motivates me to wear more of my clothes and not always just the same five.
8:29 this is the best skims ad I've ever seen. I've never been so inspired to even go to the skims website and now I want a whole drawer of skims products
In my twenties, I could fit everything I owned in the back of my Datsun pickup. Ten years after getting married, I needed a moving van. Now I'm extremely selective about acquiring things.
I live for all of your videos, but these casual vlog type videos are my favourite ❤ they’re comforting while being educational. Cozy chores is the perfect way to describe it! Please do more! 🫶
Thank you for normalizing the small closet! I am so over seeing all the influencers with garage-sized walk-ins. My tiny-closet home has taught me that I am actually much happier with less stuff instead of more storage. ❤️
Right?!?! And the worst is when they state that their room or closet is tiny, but it's actually (at least) triple the size of what you have!! My closet might be a tiny bit bigger than Caroline's (or the doors just open wider, not sure), but I split it with my 12 year old!! I have recently lost 47lbs and have needed new clothes, but I have definitely over consumed a bit. A lot of the time it's sizing issues because I think I'm still bigger than I am, but I really think some of the companies are making all of their sizes bigger now.
frankly it's not even something i want. the giant closet makes me feel a little icky :/
Caroline, I love your content but especially the room makeovers and now, these “ cozy chores.” You have such cute stuff, I think you should start wearing them on your vids. ❤
@@mombythectotally hear that, I’ve lost weight too and it’s weird to have clothes from smalls to larges in the wardrobe.
So true!!!
I really appreciate, treasure even, your "lack of consumption" lately. With your no-buy room makeovers, organizing without all the acrylic bins, and here normalizing a NORMAL size closet. It's so damn refreshing and wholesome. Ive been moving this way myself for the last couple of years, just buying less and "making do" and my overall satisfaction and peace has multiplied. Thanks for all you do ❤
It occurred to me today to tell you that you have not given up on your acting dream, you refined it, adapted it and tailored it to be a uniquely you acting career. You are being yourself but your experience in performing has most likely contributed a great deal to the awesomeness that is your channel. Bravo!
you are very sweet. thank you to all you guys who have championed me all this time
I have had so many people over the years ask me if I ever regret not fully utilizing my theatre degree. I look them in the eye and say “are you kidding me? People think I’m smart, funny, and they think I actually like them…I am a phenomenal actress!”. I do actually use my training on the daily! 💃
@@pollydolly9723 hahaha! hilarious! ❤
I thought the same thing after her Bombas and cleaners "commercials"!! I totally think she could write for and be on SNL❣️❣️❣️
@@margotjones7168 100%
My two best tips are 1) do your de-cluttering when you’re feeling particularly ruthless and un-sentimental and 2) keep things from your ‘maybe’ pile in an out-of-reach bag/box for a little while and see if you go looking for anything specifically. You’ll probably forget you even had any of it.
Omg rage cleaning is excellent advice!
I follow the out of reach rule with putting it in my trunk and drive around with the items for months….😂
Tip 1 is so so true! You really do have to be in the right mood/mental space to be effective.
I did the 2 with some of my clothes, and never reached out for it again, so true. We don`t need half of what we got.
Inspirational! Thanks!
Love it…more Cozy Chores, please!
so glad! I would love to make more Cozy Chore videos!
@@Caroline_WinklerThat would bis so nice. I would love to do my chores while watching and hearing you doing your chores and you are talking about random stuff! And you looked so cute in that dress from your mum. ❤
Yes please! ❤❤
Yay! Love this series idea! ❤
Cozy chores, yes please. Your mom’s vintage dress is gorgeous too.
“I’m addicted to an idea of my future self that doesn’t exist and never comes”….wow, same!! Not sure I ever thought about it before but yes, very relatable!
The thing I enjoy the most about you Caroline is that you have so much fun by yourself in your home, being yourself.
This is so sweet. And it’s really how I feel! I love being alone and I probably talk to myself too much, which is why it feels easy to talk with just a camera there. But I love making a little retreat or date for myself. And I hope it inspires others to try it too!
Same.
@@Caroline_Winkler It's one of my favorite things about your channel. There are just a couple of other channels I watch religiously because they are also run by introverts just doing their introvert thing.
I am overwhelmingly the most introverted person I know, and it's something I've really struggled with because I come from a very social family in a very social culture (deep South). I spent years trying to force myself to be more social in order to be "well-rounded" and "a good friend", and it left me feeling perpetually exhausted and disconnected from reality.
But watching other people express their introversion on UA-cam (other people's solitude, by its nature, is not something you really get to observe in real life) feels like it has given me permission to actually live the way I need to live. After decades of life feeling like a constant slog, I now wake up each morning excited to start the day, and life is better than child-me I ever could have imagined.
And what do you know: it's actually made me a far better friend, because now I can connect more deeply and genuinely enjoy other people's company occasions that I do it. For the first time in my life, I look forward to seeing people. I even love making small talk with strangers - it's crazy!
@@halleyorion I totally understand you, I am the same. Love being alone with myself, I have a room for myself at home, call it office/ boudoir/ craft room.. and spend hours there. Covid times forced me to stop rushing and doing and made me adopt a new rythm, much more adapted to who I am. I do less, see fewer people and when I see my friends, enjoy them more. And lastly, I NEVER refrain to tell people when I need to be alone.
And funnily enough, Just like you, I hated talking to strangers... now I can do it ( well, not too much for too long though😂..... but still, a huge progress!!)
Nobody advertises stuff as good as you, I actually love watching it and don't skip
Ah thank you ❤
Samsies. I was like Is this an ad or does she just love these? And I realize both can be true. Also so happy to hear this review about skims I'm at the age where a good bra is just a necessary comfort and skims was on my try list. Thanks for making it easy. I'll pick one up!
In Sweden, the nature protection cooperation has actually come out with the "6 items a year" challenge just last month. This challenge does not include underwear and socks, but all other clothing items. There's enough clothes on this earth right now to dress/clothe 6 generations! It's insane!
My advice is that if you do really need to buy a new piece of clothing, please take time to look second hand!
Tbh. I think that's more than enough. I like this number.
I wish more people thought like this!
I agree it's enough, do they still recommend the same number for size fluctuations like pregnancy or weight changes that are up or down several sizes? I want to gauge my own purchases, I lost weight and am finding it hard still figuring out what's going to work best for me. So many clothing brand stores near me have closed, so it can be difficult to try things on first.
Wow that is amazing! I had no idea. But i am fully onboard. there also has been a great added benefit to just working on my impulse to buy everything i want. even if you CAN afford it, there is something to leaving a little coveting to be desired. and if you're still yearning for it a year later, it's even more exciting to dive in and treat yourself after patiently waiting
I love a good thrift store find. And I kind of really don’t like shopping new mostly.
I love the 12-items-per-year approach. more realistic than establishing a budget.
“I’m addicted to an idea of my future self” Wow. I needed to hear that ❤️ 27:56
Caroline, I hope your followers don't mind me speaking for all of us, but I'm here because listening to you do literally anything is awesome. It's somehow entertaining and light with these deep and insightful truth bombs being plopped in. You make whatever content you love making. I'm fairly certain we're all here for it.
Came here to say this ❤ I don't know how I found her stuff but she's just the full package
The Indyx app just changed my LIFE - catalogued my whole closet today and realised I have NO excuse to say I've nothing to wear. I feel pretty minimal but still had 130+ items, including accessories, shoes, etc. Now preplanning outfits and seeing the whole wardrobe at a glance is FAB.
whoa i have never heard of this, excited to check it out!
omg I need this! that sounds amazing
Sounds good!! I personally use the (free) open wardrobe app. Which is guess is similar? Catalogueing is a bit of work but very addictive!!
I've been using Indyx for 5 months and I agree, it is life changing 👌 It's very helpful to see what I actually never wear, and to discover that I already own several items that are similar to something I wanted to buy. Plus it's great for creativity!
Saaame I downloaded it two weeks ago and love it!!!
Former yarn developer here! I saw you noted a baby alpaca allergy but the sweater was predominantly mohair, which is known for being quite itchy. Baby alpaca has no lanolin and is on the higher end of the softness scale so it’s likely the mohair that bothered you! There are sometimes guard hairs with alpaca that can feel pokey, but just FYI, you probably want to avoid mohair more!
+1 here. Mohair always bothers me, so try a pure alpaca scarf and see if that’s a problem. If not, it’s totally the mohair.
Omg love this comment. Would love to wear any kind of wool again, but the lanolin makes it a no-go for me.
+1 Uncertified Fiber Dork™️ here: alpaca is one of my favorite fibers, mohair is one of my least faves.
@fakesidekick wait. Are you saying I could have a mild allergy to wool?!? I've been suffering through the itch and it could be an allergy?!? 😂
true lanolin allergies are relatively rare, it’s usually a sensitivity to the fiber itself but there are so many types! Stick to merino and lambswool if you still want wool, or wool/cotton blends.
Yes please! I would love if you keep doing a cozy chores series. It’s so motivating to help me organize my own stuff!
Hi Caroline, I noticed the drawers on your dresser were dragging a bit, and wanted to share that if you rub a candle on the runners on the bottom of the drawers and also on the ledge inside the carcass, this will help. I find tea lights the easiest as they have a flat side. Loving your work x
Soap also works for this issue.
I like to use wax paper for this project. I've never used candles or soap, because the wax paper works so well, I've never tried anything else. Here's to accomplishing things in different ways. 😊
I love how this comment section is full of guardian angels. Love this tip
You are such a gem. You’re like the cousin I never had growing up.
i love cousins. would be honored
I wish I had cousins…like ones I knew and wanted to be around. That would be awesome. Can you adopt cousins? Would you cousin-dopt me? Both of you?
@@debblouin heck yeah, what’s up adopted cuz?🙌🏼
That’s so sweet. I had to move away from all my cousins and other family members at the age of 4! Caroline makes a great extra cousin.
"cozy chores" series sounds DELICIOUS!!!
I love that Caroline addresses the fact that it's not "just" about being a slob, or whatever. That there is an emotional component that needs addressing and contending with. ❤ That's one of the many traits that makes her unique and great to watch
She needs a show with assistants and kraft services.
I've been buying, wearing and purging shoes and clothes for over 50 years and it only stopped when I retired. It was surprising how little I needed to consume once I was off the corporate treadmill. But the purging is unbelievable - the amount of things you accumulate. Many items never used. Some clothing still with tags on them. I think it was a kind of a distraction from all you had to do that you couldn't control. It made me feel better to be able to buy something. It was a struggle to donate my suits. They were nice. My goal now is to open the closet doors and see everything I have, shoes and all. Nothing stored in bins or boxes. After watching this video I wanted to get started again, but it's midnite so it will have to wait. Enjoying your videos Caroline, especially no cost decorating!
I am in total agreement with everything that you’ve said here. Well put.👍🏻🙂🇨🇦
Before I moved abroad, I got rid of most everything I owned from my chronically disastrous room. Both living out of a backpack for months and coming home to a much-emptier room made me realize how much more manageable life feels when there’s just less stuff in it
LOVE. moving is such a great opportunity to cut down. i think living in tiny NY apartments and moving all the time really helped me
@@Caroline_Winkler I have been moving both locally and internationally and I must say, the latter is even better bcs international shipments are expeeensive 😂 it also helps not having mom’s attic around 😂
Absolutely in for this. Moving internationally is the thing that taught me to admit to myself what is the stuff that I need and use. The ony question is can I keep up this mindset when I'm staying in one place for long?
😵💫 ~ I broke out in a mini-cold sweat when you mentioned the "storage container" - thinking you were just mentioning those large plastic tubs; but then realized you were referring to a "storage UNIT" (now I'm in a full on "cold sweat" 😨!) --- like the one I have had & paid for - for 23 years 🤯 - shoot me! I started decluttering it about six months ago; but got overwhelmed & have relegated it to a lower priority! God give me strength to get that sorted out ... 😳 (😭)!!! SO THANK YOU FOR THE REALITY CHECK ✅ --- I need to empty that damn storage unit ASAP!!! 🫡
wishing you all the luck and strength with it. I'm sure once you're done you'll feel a weight lift from you!
😬🫠🥹 I’m with you… we’ll get it together! 💪🏽
@@Jess38044 ` Thank you; it's really weighing on me - but I need to stop making excuses or simply ignoring it until the monthly bill comes due & just dig in and check this off of my "To Do List"! Thank you for your support ... 🥰
@@thecorbettchronicles ~ Awe, thank you - I know I'm not alone & I wish you the best too, if you are dealing with something similar ... 🥰
@@ShellyBomb yessss that's the spirit! Even if you just sort through a little bit each day, that's fantastic progress :D
Justine Leconte has a great channel to learn more about fashion, fast fashion and material types. Well done Caroline for tackling this topic
was looking for that comment👏
Oh great recc, I’ll check her out!
It is a good start, but the sponsor of this video is a fast fashion company owned by billionaires 😕
@@Caroline_Winklerjustine is wonderful, honest and helpful. Have watched her for quite some time. Also, Diane in Denmark is good for decluttering and clothing swap parties with friends. She is definitely worth watching.
I love Justine ❤
I love that we're starting to see this type of decluttering and effort to slow clothing consumption (even as TikTok has pushed fast fashion to its extreme). Another favorite UA-camr of mine is Leena Norms and she has TONS of videos about decluttering, re-purposing, and lately re-sewing her clothing as a demonstration of how we can be more creative, sustainable, and happy with our wardrobes. Clothes should be fun!
I watched this video earlier today, then went for a walk and saw 2 garbage bags on someone's lawn that said "FREE women's clothes, size S & M. Please take the whole bag." So I just did my "shopping" for the season lol I wonder if they had just seen your video too!
Yesss!!!
I know this is a super specific topic request, but I would love for you to create a video focused on LAMPS and room lighting. It would be great to explore different types of lamps + discuss their overall impact of ambiance in a room.
yes! I second that super specific topic request!! lamps and where to put them.. the struggle is real
Yesss lighting is so important and can affect a space so much
I used to have problems getting my donations to the donation center, too. So I had to reframe the project in my mind: "the project isn't complete until the donations have been delivered." And since I'm so motivated to complete tasks, it's worked every time!
I worked several retail jobs about 20 years ago and the quality of clothes has gone down SO MUCH. I would love to see the pendulum swing back towards higher quality clothing options.
I do what I call job doubling to get my act together. If I take out the rubbish, I’ll pick up the branch cutters and chop up some sticks, etc. for the organics bins for a few minutes. Works for the donations too. ❤
@fionaschiffl8065 That might work for me! My donation place is normally out of my way, but I do have an appointment in that part of town next week. Just need to get the donation bag sorted and in my vehicle before I forget about it... again. 😂
@@quietlychaotic you totally got this!!
I really love that you talked about fast fashion. I disagree with the idea that if something is not worn within a year then you will never wear it. I actually love rediscovering clothes that I have not worn for a few years. It may be that my style has changed and thus something that didn't appeal to me for a while does now, or that I didn't have the right clothes to style the thing before and now I do. It's been that way for several clothes my mum gave me when I was a young adult and now my style has changed so much.
I've been tracking my wardrobe inventory in an Excel/Google Sheets for about four years now and yes I do really love seeing data trends and what pieces I already have enough of or which colors I gravitate towards, an added benefit is before I add an item to my shopping cart I think "If I purchase this, that's going to be an extra few minutes of cataloguing it" and that can be enough for me to say it's not worth the minor dopamine rush of buying it.
Ooh I want to try this!! Great idea. 💡
@@jamielynn-bb8rhThere’s few applications in your phone that do that. For example StyleBook & Indyx . They’re great because you not only get the information, but also you can add photos and my favorite part is the cost to wear. I been doing it for like 8 years. And I can go back to items I was wearing a specific day.
bahaha i love the extra punishment of having to catalogue it. let me tell you - i have NEVER been the excel type, but it's been stupidly fun and feels so constructive
😂😂
Intense but impressive... I need to do this. I recently saw a pair of burnt orange pants that fit perfectly. They also came in forest green which I also liked. I bought the orange pair since I knew I didn't have orange pants. Opened my winter tote and right on top, orange pants, with the tag on them, that I bought on clearance last spring.... 🙄
The mood lighting, the personable conversation, the genuine tips! I didn’t expect to find a video that made me like and subscribe so fast! I like your style and your approach to giving advice. An easy watch. A comfortable watch. Inspired healthier habits. Thank you :)
The book decluttering at the speed of life changed the way that I view stuff and the things around me. It's incredibly practical. Like, so practical and helpful. It truly can help you make a difference in your living space if you are struggling with any amount of unnecessary things. ❤️
I have that on Audible! It's phenomenal.
Love Dana and Cas!
"im addicted to the idea of my future self." That hit home - I love clothing and it makes me so happy to have beautiful pieces. Thanks for this video, the wake up call is nice.
My husband and I are also on a more natural & sustainable fabrics journey. Sorting out my clothes by fabrics really helped me slim down my closet! Because if items I was on the fence about were more elastane or polyester, I was able to let it go like Elsa immediately. Also, we are big on thrifting good quality clothes instead of buying everything new because the pieces simply last longer (and are cheaper).
Nice. 😊
Keep in mind that Viscose isn't considered a natural fibre (since it doesn't grow like this on trees or somewhere), but chemically it actually is! It's made from wood and comparable to paper. The textile version of paper if you will. 😅
I like it even more than cotton, bc. it's even softer. (More than flax/linen and wool anyway, I (unfortunately) can't stand the feel of wool on my skin.)
@@FrogeniusW.G.I love viscose too! I knew it was not a natural material, but I read somewhere that it absorbs moisture better than cotton. Sometimes I don’t like it when it’s too sheer. But overall - a very pleasant tactile experience 😊 It also feels weirdly rigid when wet 😂 Btw, clothing brands started adding it to sweaters, I wonder if they last long.
"letting go like Elsa" 😂😂
@@olenabitencel is viscose made in a closed loop process with sustainably grown trees :) and yes, wet viscose feels really weird. Viscose and cotton are less stable when wet and linen is actually stronger than wet (but nobody makes linen t-shirts in my price range). Hemp is also quite nice in t-shirts if you find it
@@FrogeniusW.G. The chemical compound is organic, but it's made into a goop that's extruded into yarns like polyester, acrylic and nylon are. It was first used for stockings in WW2 so the silk could be used for parachutes. It has a wonderful drape and doesn't wrinkle much.
"How did I put my entire outfit on backwards?!" I love Caroline. This video spoke to me on so many levels. A how to video with some therapy thrown in. Now I'm off for a ruthless cleaning out of my closets.
Every time I watch your video, I have the same thought, I love you and wish I had someone like you in my life. ❤️❤️❤️
too nice to me 🥺
Oh I see you’re crazy. My kind of crazy 😊
Same!
Me too !
Over a year I'm watching this channel and Caroline I noticed you've changed a lot, less anxious and seems like having more fun doing these videos, with all new ideas. Love it and thanks for doing chores almost alongside :)
I love the cozy chores idea! Also just a thought - another influencer I watch added a 15min break in the middle of her vlog for a mini productivity sprint. She put a timer on the video and played background music while she filmed herself folding laundry and encouraged viewers to do a quick chore they’d been putting off. And then at the end she came back and finished out the regular vlog. I found it super motivating to get off the couch and do some dishes. Just a thought!
Wait that sounds like such a good idea, what s her channel name 👀
You're such a sunshine in my life. Please understand how much you inspire me to keep accepting myself for all of the quirks and smirks I also possess. You make money from your personality which, to me, is SO much better than being an actress. I don't want you to act like any character other than you because you are literally a treasure to watch and grow with. We love you. I'm so grateful I've been witness to this adventure you're on. Thank you for opening your heart to your internet family! We see you and celebrate you sister!
cozy chores and chat may be my new favorite thing
I love how you put it about the storage unit, paying for our guilt. I have one I’m paying for that’s mostly from my grandmothers things when she passed a few years ago. I’m not ready to part with it, even though I haven’t been to the unit for 2 years! I think mine is more sadness of letting go that I’m not ready for, but you put it well when you said we aren’t living with the items because you’re right
Longtime follower who never comments but I think you're spot on about the storage containers, with one experiential caveat - and I don't have one, so I'm not saying this defensively - that it's a privilege to have not only the space you need to live comfortably but also to have living close relatives (especially your parents) who own their own homes. I'm relatively young (30's), both of my parents and all of my close relatives are dead, and what I inherited from most of them was stuff I didn't need or want (and thankfully was able to come to terms with parting with) but there's furniture I do love, family heirlooms I have no place for as I live in a tiny apartment with my wife and several pets. We're working on figuring out how to make those things work in our place but some are just too big/awkward/etc for small apartments and I've seriously considered a storage unit for the meantime until we're ready to relocate somewhere bigger.
That said, if anyone's got any ideas on how to approach this problem, I'm all ears!
Couple of tips I got from others that helped- putting things up on the Buy Nothing Facebook Group in your city. I’ll put up something like “casual clothes for size X female” or “business clothes” and it will be gone instantly.
A tip to reduce consumption is a “cool down” spreadsheet for items that I’m eyeing but are not necessities. I’ll track the price, the link, the date I first wanted it, and check in every now and then to see if I still want it. Most things I forget about within a week or so, and don’t think are cute later 😅
Something that saves me time looking in my closet is organizing my clothes by color too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be rainbow order but grouping similar colors is really helpful!
yas, mine is color run too....I always am like I have wayyy too much black and then grey.
It' helps me visually see if I am lacking a certain hue :) or a bit too much on a certain one~ I was so glad to read your comment :)
My tip is to let go of the ‘perfect’ way of declutterring items, like holding onto something until it can be perfectly responsibly donated or disposed of - sometimes it’s best for your mental health to just get rid of it. Still working on this myself!
I love that your first tip is to dance yourself. I always buy myself a bottle of bubbly when I reorganize and declutter my closet.
What a good idea to use up a bottle of champagne I never get around to opening!
@@ayelaii make it a party
More cozy chores please!! I can read about decluttering all day, but super helpful to see someone who isn’t a pro-organizer or whatever just do it. You’re keeping it real, girl! Thank you for the peeks into your process ❤
I took out my winter clothing yesterday and counted my 100% cashmere sweaters. I own 24! All but two are from thrift stores for $6 each! I wear them all. Some as pajama tops or “walk the dog” sweaters, and am not especially careful with them because of how inexpensive they are. Linen is another fabric to look for. Looks betterthan 100% cotton when it’s a little “rumpled” and also really easy to source in thrift stores.
It's really easy to properly take care of cashmere. All you need is linalol (wool fat? Idk ho it translates) and hand wash it in cold water every 3-4 wears. Depill with an electric debobbler as needed. Even if the cashmere was inexpensive, it's smart to give it the longest life possible. The right treatment will also make the wool softer and softer.
EXCELLENT TIP about putting donation items in your car. That's so good! I'm going to have to start doing that!
Wait - Caroline has a fireplace in her bedroom?! How did I not know this 🤯 so cozy!
She’s got a bedroom makeover video where you can see her tiling it and making it look so good! Can’t remember which one it was but highly recommend
it's true! it's non functioning :/ but i still enjoy it!
where i live there's an organization that leaves a bag to fill in everyone's mailbox! they also tell you when they'll be passing by your street again to pick up the bags
if that doesn't work for folks or you have more stuff to give, they have the option of reserving a time for them to drive by to pick up your donations
it's really great!
I now have a designated drawer where I put items to donate. Whenever it gets full, I'm prompted to take them to Goodwill or wherever else. And in the time it takes the drawer to get full, I'm able to make up my mind about any "maybe donate" items, which is handy.
✨
love this idea~ currently my whole dresser is a "to be donated" drawer since I've gained weight and I'm finally accepted by the time I lose it all this will be out of style anyway LOL. Literally doing it this weekend.
I never leave comments for ANYTHING!! but this video was so insightful and touched on sooo many issues I have in relation to consumerism, self image, happiness and fulfillment that I had to say thank you! I love your videos and looking forward to trying the spreadsheet to give me insight, pause for thought and control over my shopping habits. Sending love from here in the UK xoxo
That skims bra is totally working for you, I've never been so tempted by a sponsored product!
me too. And I also hate anything related to the Kardashians, who are co founders of the brand.
Yeah I'm sold. I recently replaced all of my bras with the uniqlo wireless but there's not much variation in style so now I know what I'm getting next. Although will probably check poshmark and other reseller sites first
@@vaderladylYou can try seamless bras from Marks and Spencer. The quality is top-notch.
If it wasn’t for it being owned by the kardashions then I may buy 😢
@@vaderladyl Ew. I had no idea. I also was tempted enough to go to their site, but when I saw that little bra for $100 CAD, I said: no thank you. Now, having read your comment, I understand why they charge such a ridiculous amount. I also know that money is not going to the people making them. Thanks!
As soon as I started this video I just got a fire under my butt and started getting rid of things. I got rid of at least 30 items that I haven’t worn in YEARS! Thank you!
Thank you for this. I’m a hoarder most of my life when it comes to clothes. One day after my cancer surgery & treatments are done, i found i got no clothes that fit me as i dropped from 65kg all the way to 30kg in 6 months. I thank my hoarder self for keeping all the clothes i wore in my high school days when i was skinny. Then as i unload all of those “vintage” clothes from the 80s & 90s, i loaded all my fat clothes into boxes & gave them all away. Now i only buy 5 pcs of clothes a year max. However, i do still got those sentimental clothes that i don’t know what to do w/. Now i know thanks to you.
I don’t wear anything unless it’s 100%cotton, 100%cashmere and 100%linen! I broke up with Poly & Ester and synthetics a long time ago 🤣🤣🤣🤣 best thing I ever did for my wardrobe
I’ve noticed that on fast fashion sites, full polyester or mixed fabric items with polyester stay stocked on websites. It seems more people are seeking out better quality or natural fabrics. 100% wool, cashmere, cotton, leather, lyocell, linen clothing items sell out quicker if at a decent price.
@@Abbyyena very true Abbyena…… fast fashion really is not for me 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🍁🍂
23:27 I have a tip for getting stuff out of the House and to the donation store. I put the bags in my entrance and when I'm going out shopping, I take the bag with me and hand it to a donation store right before I go shopping for food. I've also heard another good tip: To only allow yourself to declutter an area of your home if you finish it completely (meaning you have to donate the stuff you decluttered after decluttering, or you are not finished decluttering that area 😊)
During the corona period, when all the stores were closed, I sold my clothes online. That went very well. I had a lot of things that I hardly wore and got good money for them. In the end it was around €2500. In return, I bought a pair of sacond hand diamond stud earrings and a very good quality solitaire ring. The ring became a pendant. It was an investment, new it would cost me about 10000€ or more. So decluttering was the best thing that could have happened to me. And I conquered my shopping addiction. Now I only buy things when I really need them.
Caroline! You are a teacher, a leader, a holistic coach, and an entertainer. I found you a few weeks ago and since then, your videos are a regular go to for me on my interests in design, decoration, thrifting, and well as decluttering and all the issues around our space, our clutter, our collections. It's been a lightning bolt for me, as someone who has been the emotional keeper of family scraps/memories and as someone whose strong interest in various creative pursuits including fixing up furniture, vintage/thrifting, and home decor has been historically blocked/thwarted/complicated/undermined by my inability or unwillingness to EDIT (for a lot of emotional/psych even trauma reasons that I'm sure many subscribers will relate to...) EDITING is the key to all of this, even creative & manageable was to accomplish the task in our spaces as well as in our heads. You got me out of a funk yesterday with this latest video, and I immediately went through all my clothes (which I've been slowly circling for weeks/seasons!) and made my closet & dresser a thing of functional beauty. I discovered a number of items I didn't know I had, one with tags still on, and basically thrifted my own collection for material for projects as well as made a huge donation pile. One of the biggest insights to this latest video I found was the maybe pile. It's not all or nothing. Once we've done this hard inventory, we can keep that cozy ragged item for a treat. And the review of learning about fabrics & planning to invest is a game changer too. Thank you for all you do & the ways you work to create & share your methods and ideas.
Chore Chats / Cozy Chores is great 🤎
I really like the statement about "Pick your areas where you have a lot." That's something I've been working on for the past few years. I had an abundance of clothing of all kinds and went through a major declutter. I realized that I love dresses and am just going to have a lot of those (still decluttered them though) but I don't also need tons of shoes, coats, purses, etc. It's ok to have a collection, just curate it and focus on the areas you love the most.
29:43 I did the dishes while I watched this. Thanks for the body double!
cozy body doubling chats are so nice as a fellow neurodivergent person ! i'm making pumpkin gnocchi + sauce from scratch while listening / watching along + it's like domestic hanging w friend ! love to see all the ways you express caroline !!!
Not sure if anyone has already suggested this, but some charities do free at-home pickups. You either hand it over to them or you leave it outside your house, and they come and get it. Neatly solves the issue of never getting around to taking the stuff to Goodwill!
As someone who's been living digital nomad life for the best part of the last five or six years, I've done so many clothing purges. Living out of a suitcase really shows you the things you wear on a regular basis and what stays rolled up in the bag for the duration. It also keeps you from buying new things because there just straight-up isn't any space for them, so I rarely buy new clothes. When I do, I only buy high-quality, timeless things in flattering tailored cuts because they last, and as Caroline said, I want to be a chic bitch everywhere I go. I also do have a go-to tailor that I take things to when I love the piece but it doesn't fit quite right. If it doesn't fit right, you won't wear it, so I find that extra investment to be worth it with things I'm going to keep for 5+ years at least.
Also, I absolutely love the Cozy Chores/lifestyle/vlog content you do, Caroline. I like your design content too, but videos like this feel much more personal.
In 2020 when I started working from home, I donated 80% of my work attire. Now I go into the office two days a week and dress casual. I am so much happier, less stressful and my closet looks well organized. 😁. If I buy something, I get rid of 2-3 items. Shopping is not fun anymore.
This is so relevant to what I just started doing!! My husband and I had a Monthly $200 budget that goes into a fund if not spent for various clothing pieces (save up for formal pieces/wedding guest outfits etc) but I have a spending problem so I always feel the need to drain the $200 on whatever. I started doing the mindset that if I only allow myself to buy 1 item each month, and invest in a higher quality piece as close to $200 then it would likely last longer and I also would pay attention to that brand, if it lasts, and would feel plenty more motivated to return it if it isn’t perfect! It’s only been 2 months but I am feeling a lot less managed by my possessions and I really have enjoyed feeling like it’s almost self care investing in higher quality pieces for myself. ❤
I love your editing and narration style so much.
Ohhhh I have scoliosis too. Now I feel even more connected to you. I’m so sorry to hear you had so much back pain. I actually decided against the corset and got surgery and I never suffered from aches but it was super weird to have such big surgery at like 14 and obviously I have a huge scar and titanium in my spine. Thanks for sharing and greetings to your back! 💕
We love these videos! I’ve been practicing minimalism for the past 5-6 years and it helps me be intentional about what I purchase and if I need it in the first place. This decluttering could be a series! ❤
I love your "cozy chores"! I am 72 y.o. and really enjoy you and your channel. You make me smile every time. Justin is a keeper! Keep up the good work, I need you!❤
Amen!
The segment about keeping things others have gifted to you out of obligation is so so valuable. As someone who loves giving gifts, I like to flip the script and ask myself: "Would I want someone to keep something I gifted to them out of guilt?" The answer is: "absolutely not!" The concept of an object not containing the relationship has been life changing for me. I am also more thoughtful about the gifts that I give now too. Thank you Caroline!!
Opening yt while taking a break from my own closet declutter and seeing that you just posted this 3min ago is incredible satisfying
wow i feel this through the universe
This was one of the most authentic and helpful closet declutterring vids I’ve ever watched. Thanks girlie, and well done!
Yes, cozy chores!!! I am one who struggles with health issues, adhd, perfectionism.....lots of things that make chores super difficult. When I remember it, I think of one of my best friends (who sadly moved booooo), who used to get herself a fancy coffee, light the candles, put on good music and get so much done. I would copy her (because I don't know what the heck I'm doing, this is also why I'm always on UA-cam lol) and then I would get lots done.....chatting on the phone at the same time was also nice, I really forgot about that!
ADHD and perfectionism! I feel that!
Yes yesyes
Welcome to having a more intentional wardrobe! I've been buying very few things for a few years now and my wardrobe has never felt better 😊
Honestly the most informative declutter video ive seen. Love all of the advice and recommendations especially when it comes to not buying things until I hit a certain weight. Will definitely apply this perspective and mindfulness when it comes to purchasing new clothes and decluttering my own closet going forward ❤
i'm so glad it felt so helpful! I've really gotten on a kick with this recently and was really excited to talk about it all
When I am buying clothes, I am ruthless! When I am in the changing room, I give myself literally seconds to decide does it make me feel amazing. If there is any doubt or hesitation, I move on no matter how great the deal is etc. It was hard to start but is addressed the fact there were clothes in my closet I never gravitated to because there was something about them that I really didn’t like. The other thing I do in the changing room is really move around with that item - what I mean here is if I reach up, does it ride up and not be comfortable, if I bend over, do my boobs fall out etc!
Congratulations, Caroline for learning these lessons while you are young. It will become even easier once you retire. I'm "76," and I'm still holding onto clothing "just in case." You have convinced me to let go of more stuff. I'm going to contact my local women's shelter to see if they'd like some almost-new clothing. Most of these women have left their homes with almost nothing. And I wonder how you could donate to all those hurricane victims with your beautiful clothing? Thanks, Caroline...and your wonderful family...for being so awesome. Hugs and kisses from Coos Bay, Oregon.
That dress of mom’s is truly precious. I miss the 80s & 90s 😊
Caroline, thank you for being so open about your scoliosis and showing your xrays! I have it as well and it makes me feel good to know I am not the only one and to share about it with others. If you would ever feel like speaking about it more I would be happy :)
Ok I’m in the fashion design industry so I can give you a tip about sweater longevity. You may think you want 100% cashmere because that sounds fancy, but cashmere is terrible in terms of durability and anything 100% cashmere isn’t going to last long, especially in a capsule wardrobe that relies on you to wear it quite often. What you actually want is cashmere with a small amount of synthetic fibers blended in. This will help to strengthen the cashmere fibers, prevent color fading, prevent shrinking/stretching, and make your sweater easier to hand wash vs dry clean. You won’t feel the difference at all and it’s such a better choice for items you plan to wear often.
This is awesome advice! I've been wanting to learn more about clothing fibers, do you have any recs for online sources?
And it will never be recycled, because it is a mix.
@@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267 You can reclaim yarn from an acrylic blend sweater by deconstructing it. You'll need a seam ripper and something to wind the yarn into a skein. You can then knit the yarn into new items.
oh I strongly disagree about cashmere..yes you have to baby them....however I have a few better quality pieces I wore A LOT and they pretty great after 7 years..But I only wear them like 4 till 6 month in a year and dont mind about pilling! so big yes to good cashmere 💙
Synthetic fibers don't aren't biodegradable.
You are the smartest, coolest woman on UA-cam. If you'd ever consider collaborating I think I'd pass out.
I literally folded all of my week's worth of laundry while watching this super cozy and comfy video. And you made me want to go through my whole closet as well. I'm currently at home dealing with some viral infection and I just need some stuff to do, that wouldn't make me feel tired but occupied me enough to go through another day of stuffy nose. Seems just like a plan for me. Thanks a lot ❤
So good! Understanding the link between people pleasing and hoarding (GUILT) was a huge game-changer in being able to let things go.
great way to put it! Your words will resonate with me when I go through my next declutter :)
@@dunnamac This means so much to me! Thank you for sharing! x
Another great thing to consider is buying secondhand first. If you research the piece, material, what you are looking for, most of the time you can find it secondhand. Better for the planet, and a great way to get a high quality item at a fraction of the cost new. Good work!
Never skip a Caroline Winkler video. ❤ You’re always a refreshing breath of fresh air. For a large part, thanks to you, my room has become a place I actually enjoy spending time in. One always walks out of your videos with food for thought, too. Keep at it!
Caroline, believe it or not, you are pretty much a minimalist (other than the clothing, which you are working on). All minimalism is, is surrounding yourself with only what you actually use, and what makes you happy. From everything I've seen in your videos (and I've watched most if not all), you definitely do live like that. 🙂 Minimalist the aesthetic is different, and also extremely subjective. But minimalist the lifestyle, you're already pretty much there!
love this video.I've seen soooo many decluttering videos that just show people getting rid of few items and refilling their closet in a few months - without talking about real life issues like gifts, sales, itchy material, sentimental items, fluctuating weight, and so on - this is officially my fave decluttering video - and the GUILT that comes with all of this. I didn't have the ability to buy clothes growing up so I used middle school/high school all throughout college and grad school, so I would say that I don't have a shopping issue - I had a style issue. I bought and tried many things because I didn't know what my style was once I had income. Now that I know that, i can ruthlessly declutter and buy only from trusted sellers with good quality.
Velvet hangers are where it's at. I went for Black Velvet bc Alannah Myles is my vibe.
They do save so much space and nothing falls of them!
This is my biggest struggle right now. I still have clothes since my final years of highschool and I'm 30 now. Not necessarily because I wanted to keep them, but because I convinced myself I'd have a garage sale that I've never had. It's starting to take over my life and I never wanted this. I love how you talked about keeping your guilt. It's time for me to get rid of my guilt so I can be less stressed. If the garage sale is daunting, I think it's time to just ~let go~. I needed this video, thank you!
That feeling when you’re typing out ideas of what to put on this sheet coz it’s a brilliant idea and then she says she has a link in the bio to the one she’s got so I don’t have to start from scratch 🎉🥰🥰🥰
Please more of this content. You do an amazing job of giving my ears a “talk break”. Makes listening while doing chores more pleasant and I’m totally motivated!
Your mom’s dress is so cool. I had a similar dress in the early 90’s!
I've started my own journey of getting a smaller wardrobe that I love and will last. This definitely helped get me more on track!
Indyx is a game changer. I'm a stats girl, I'm easily motivated to do something if I can catalogue it. Above all, the overview of the costs per wear motivates me to wear more of my clothes and not always just the same five.
8:29 this is the best skims ad I've ever seen. I've never been so inspired to even go to the skims website and now I want a whole drawer of skims products
In my twenties, I could fit everything I owned in the back of my Datsun pickup. Ten years after getting married, I needed a moving van. Now I'm extremely selective about acquiring things.
right? i think we basically expand our possessions to fit our storage (and budget). but if i get a little more intentional, that's not necessary!
Your sincere and open, expressive energy is something that is always so refreshing for me and I really enjoy watching your videos 😊
Would love to see more "cozy chore chats"! Actually, I love watching all your video's INCLUDING your ads! LOL You're a hoot!
I live for all of your videos, but these casual vlog type videos are my favourite ❤ they’re comforting while being educational. Cozy chores is the perfect way to describe it! Please do more! 🫶