Erica, this video is polished and professional, as though your "you-tubing" skills have grown along with your "minimalish-ness" but I would NOT have wanted to follow your journey any other way. You have an awesome balance: vulnerability that doesn't get lost in people-pleasing, research that doesn't get lost in paralysis, big goals that allow for baby steps, and desire to improve while enjoying love and life in your family right now. You are brave and smart and I am encouraged by you.
“ I can make this easier by...”. As an ESL teacher, I use sentence frames all the time. They work so well with students, it never occurred to me to try it on myself. Thank you so much!
I am not a minimalist in everything but have been decluttering so much. I have family in the hospital and I'll be heading back to work. I am trying to minimize my makeup of all things. It's something I do everyday. My hair, skin and makeup. The amount of products or steps. The decluttering has helped me not have so much anxiety in these times.
I take notes too when I read non-fiction, it helps me remember the key concepts afterwards. It's also a great way to jot down how to apply the concepts to your own life as you think of them instead of trying to remember them for later.
I know and understand the rock theory. I call it doing the hard things first. My essential is to make my daughter and granddaughter safe in my home. But my home is overwhelming with stuff! Depression and anxiety. So I spend more time in my garden, where my heart heals. I can provide home grown salads and fruit. But I do little things, I vacuum and keep clear and clean a space for my granddaughter. I clean the kitchen and bathroom. The rest is done in chunks! It’s all I can manage for now.
I understand the overwhelming with stuff. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I read somewhere (trying to do this for myself too) if you do a job, no matter how small, reward yourself after like we do with children. So if you start with 5 or 10 minutes on something every day preferably in the morning so it’s not in the back of your mind all day e.g. drawer, shelf etc. then reward yourself with gardening without the guilt. Also if you have family or a friend that could help you that would make it easier too. Hope this helps and best of luck. 👏👍💐 Mary.
Wow Erica, the graphics in this video were next level, and I was hanging on the edge of my seat to hear your conclusion after the jars analogy!!! 👏 Loved this whole thing!
I must read those books. I’ve been meaning to read essentialism. It’s funny how we unintentionally make things harder for ourselves with additional steps. That’s why I stopped filing stuff. Now we have a lidded bin for the year. All receipts, invoices, etc go in there. The only things I actually file are things like government documents. At the end of the year I go through the box. It takes maybe an hour. I file any important receipts and most other things either get shredded or placed in a file with the year on it which I’ll be able to shred at a later time. It sounds messy but because everything goes in the box in chronological order, it isn’t hard to find something if we do need it.
We do the same with our credit card statements and other bills that are paid on-line. We write when we paid it and store it in a box in a cabinet above our fridge (which is too high to use regularly anyway). If something comes up and we need to access any paper work, we take down the box and find the item. As it is all stored chronologically, like an archeological dig, it is easy to find. At the end of the tax year we go through it and shred most or place it with yearly tax info in a stapled, labeled brown paper bag. When we no longer need that tax info, it goes in the burn barrel (or it could be shredded. Easy Peasy and usually we never have to reference anything so no need to file folders, labels, etc.
Running the dishwasher every night (even if it seems like you could fit something else in it) and unloading first thing in the morning is really life changing. It's so much easier for me than always wondering if it's clean or dirty or needs to be run. Doing it at the same time every day made a huge difference to me. When we go on vacation with my extended family we run it at the cottage after every meal.
When I got my cats 2 years ago, I couldn't keep anything in the sink or they would get into it. I run the dishwasher every other night and empty it in the morning while they are eating their breakfast. It's amazing how life changing taking those simple steps can be. I've also started "evening chores" every night which are: clean up dinner dishes and run dishwasher, divide out cats' food for next day, get coffee ready so all I have to do is push a button the next morning, and wipe down the counters & island. Usually takes 10 minutes and my morning self is always grateful to start the day with a clean kitchen and easy coffee.
I make cleaning bathrooms easier still.. I have my cleaning products in each bathroom... Then I don't have to physically go and fetch a cleaning caddy from eg downstairs and take it up 2 floors to the top floor bathroom. The cleaning products are just always where I need it so I can do it when I am in a bathroom and have 5 mins.
@@bonnieinthespirit6373 unfortunate it is difficult to follow your cleaning descriptions🤔. They were written in a very cryptic style. But your comment also has no connection to the video theme which was "finding ways to make mundane jobs you have to do, easier." Your comment more suits a video about favorite cleaning products/recipes and routines! 😉. Do you know the you tuber "Scandish Home"? Her channel might interest you.. I love her🤗! She has loads of natural homemade cleaning product ideas which I use and love 😊. Best wishes.
@@KJong-gz5hv I don't live in the US either! :)..my family and I live in a city house in Europe.. That's why we have 3 stories.. Densely populated cities means houses use vertical space! :)... I loved my old appartement with one bathroom, but it got to small with kids, and houses always have multiple bathrooms.. More to clean though unfortunately!
Love these ideas that allow for each person to assess how he or she functions best. We use a one touch system for our mail; from left to right the recycling bin, the file cabinet, the shredder. I keep the shredder for last because older statements can be removed from the file and shredded when current ones come in.
This is so timely. I was definitely trying to "revolutionize" my entire house today and I was getting overwhelmed and overthinking every task. Erica, you are my favourite youtuber. I always look forward to your videos.
It is when you collect everything of one item together. in my case eg scissors, I had kitchen various sizes, sewing, paper, general, small. nails.I labelled a few added the sharpener. I now have a box in a convenient place.and throughout duplicates
Great video, Erica! I too am a lazy kitchen person. Running the dishwasher at night and emptying it each morning while my coffee brews has been a game changer! Thanks for your review of the book and sharing your takeaways. This has me thinking about areas where I can make some changes.
Paper Clutter! 😩 I've taken most of my paper organizer from Dawn @The Minimal Mom. 👍 Incoming paper all goes to my desk until I deal with it on Tuesday Paperwork Day. I've got an Action Items clipboard (hanging on a command hook off the side of my desk) for things I need to deal with. I have a hanging file basket on my wall for these 5 categories: To Pay, Paid, Receipts, To File, and Tax Paperwork. I have a basket in one of my desk drawers called Time Will Tell (this is specifically Dawn's idea!). Anything I'm not sure I will need and isn't any of the above categories goes in here and sits until I decide I don't need it sny more. This completely elliminates that random pile of papers. And then I have 3 plastic file boxes for long-term files. There is no other place but our basement for these so that is why I have the hanging file category "To File" on the wall above my desk, so that when that's full I can make the trip downstairs to file it all away.
Hi! I follow Minimal Mom also. I'd like to know what are the categories of the 3 plastic file boxes for long-term files. I have so many "long-term" files and am looking for a good way to pare them down. Thank you.
@@nlgb4202 I found awhile ago a rainbow filing system. I spent theoney up front to get colored hanging files (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). This way you can eliminate file folders bc you just have 1 hanging file per thing. Red is Medical -1 file per family member Orange is Income and Taxes -retirement -stocks -current year tax info -last 7 years of filed taxes Yellow is Insurance (House, Auto, & Life) -homeowners insurance policy -any paperwork related to our house -auto insurance policies -a file for each vehicle owned -one file for all our sold vehicle paperwork -life insurance policies -I also include jury duty paperwork here Green is Bills & Banking -monthly paid bills -bank statements plus carbon copies of checks, if you keep them -mortgage info -a file for each credit card that you have -student loans would go here -a file for all credit cards that have been closed (I always ask when closing accounts for them to mail me a letter that shows I close the account and I file these here) -fraud notices (aka identity theft) Blue is my husband's Purple floral are mine -we each keep our school transcripts, job info, family tree, church membership, any miscellaneous we want to keep and doesn't have a place elsewhere. (Although miscellaneous is probably memorabilia and should be filed in a different way.) I hope this helps!
@@jennylhenry78 Hi again! Yes that clarifies it tremendously. Thank you so much. Are you by any chance referring to the Freedom Filer filing system? I bought that also, but don't use it exactly as recommended. I see you have about as many files as I do, and I keep them (try to) very much like you do, but I don't color coordinate them. I think I am going to consider doing that as I think that will be another layer of "organizing" which I am trying desperately to do. Thank you so much for your response and for sharing your idea. Nancy in Texas ;-)
@@nlgb4202 hi Nancy! It isn't a freedom filer. I actually do not remember where I found the color coding, but I moved around the colors from what was suggested bc it worked out better for me and I only set up the categories we needed. I also made a printout of the color with the title name and then listed what files were in that category. I taped this in the front of my clear file bin so I can easily find what I'm looking for (which we all know isn't very often haha). I definitely think the colors help. I just keep any extra hanging files at the end of each color's category in case I need to make another. And the plastic tabs with the paper that fits in them in a baggie in the front of the bin so I'm never searching for them. 👍
@@jennylhenry78 Sounds like you have perfected your system and can start your own YT channel. I'm going to take some of your ideas, because I think our minds work alike. Thank you so much for sharing your system and for replying. If you think of anything else I should know, please let me know. If I stumble on a gem, I'll do the same. Have a wonderful weekend,Jenny, and thank you again.
Yes, yes, yes!! I have streamlined a number of tasks at home and in my car. Keeping things where I use them and only handling things once where possible!
Super message! Thank you! Well done Erica. It's awesome to watch how a person CAN change life skills and habits....you give others hope through perseverance and enthusiasm for life!
I am currently reading Essentialism, ordered one for my brother yesterday! I was glad for the previews of effortless. Alot of what you had to say are "Words" that came up in my journal today! "GUILT & Eliminate". You added to my word "Perspective" and filled in a few blanks on my own question list. I have enjoyed your content very much and hit the subscribe button today. Love to go with you on your walks!😇💞 Great Job!
Love the swim gear idea! We have a community pool, and we just bought a boat, and I’ve had trouble separating what I need when because I have it all lumped together with my pool gear. I’m going to use an extra rolling drawer thing to organize boat/lake gear in the garage! Thanks so much!
Totally agree with the dishes! I hated the dishes but it makes it so much easier to just load it as you go. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read these books :)
I have a basket in the linen closets for the ironing chore, it contains iron, steamer, spray bottles, starch spray. I take out the whole thing and drag out the board.
I cheat and keep the ironing board set up in my spare room! I just won't iron if I have to set it up - so childish! I listen to podcasts or watch minimalism videos while I iron (P.S. I have only cotton or linen clothes because of allergies so have to iron a LOT)
Butterflies of the world, unite!! We're not messy, we just organize differently. Out of sight is literally out of mind for us, which is why everything must be within our line of sight or we forget it exists. I removed the cabinets in my kitchen because of this. We have small drawers in the kitchen but I've discovered that my husband has been storing things in them that don't belong (he is also a butterfly). So I have to declutter the kitchen next! lol Can you explain more about your online papers process? Do you print them out to deal with them? I use a task list on my computer to keep track of them.
Effortless is my one of favourite.s..... another one is “practice”... efffertless & Erica ....two of my favourites...💕...beautiful content... thanks as always.. the pure peace & calmness & clarity as u talk, see ( so vividly opposite when emotional while decluttering, solving issues) is so motivating, inspiring... god bless u & urs
Tidying up the kitchen in the evening doesn't sound like much, but it made a big difference to me. I come to a clean kitchen in the morning and have a cup of coffee first ... and then I empty the dishwasher😁. Of course, tidying up my kitchen also helped ... and of course your videos, which keep motivating me.😊
I'm the same, the less I see the better. I sold all my wall art, I do not miss it! Too many years of too much stuff...now it's gone and I love it. When I get stressy I say what else can go???
I so wanna read the book now! I googled it and unfortunately it costs around 15% of my salary in my country, so extra thank you for the insights on the book and what you've learnt ❤️ I loved this video! Clear and concise
I love the systems you’ve set up that works for you. I’m sure it’s made a huge difference. I still have yet to read essentialism I need to check it out 🙂
I need to read those books, especially effortless. I keep our swimsuits and swim towels in a corner of our closet. I got tired of nobody being able to find their suits.
I will definitely be reading these. I like making things easier, I have done it for my daughter's guitar practice and many other things around the house.
Minimalish suggestion: write IN the book! That way, you only have 1 book and not an added notebook. It is also good modeling for your kids when they get older. Writing in books is a great way to interact with them and have your notes right next to the text. Even better: use highlighters AND a pen.
Cool. Maybe I need that book. I've been thinking for a while that my essentials were still more than I can accomplish. I can't put my filling cabinet, swim stuff, or desk where you did, though. My kids would be raiding it or dumping it out constantly. So many of my categories have that problem.
Re your bathroom kit - it seems a bit 'busy' to me. Of course we are all different but I wonder if you used vinegar, and some baking soda to clean EVERYTHING if you then would only need one cloth, one spray bottle of vinegar full strength, and one shaker of baking soda? Vinegar kills most germs, baking soda scrubs where necessary, and one cloth is all you need - change cloths daily. I have been using these two things (vin/bksda) for all cleaning and have had zero downside.
Erica, this was great content! I really like your book-reviews because I can not get myself to read non-fiction books… I read minimalism from Joshua and Ryan but that was it. Maybe you can do other ones from time to time? And your examples worked great to illustrate the take-home messages you got from that book!
Just signed up! All that junk just goes straight to my recycling bin anyway. Never even gets thru my door. Glad there's an option to stop it at it's source.
Paper for me is the always a nightmare. I have places dedicated to such things. But somehow that junk drawer of mine fills up. Place is looking great btw. 😊
What helped us is all paper goes into one cabinet in one room. I have categories, drawers, folders and bins to sort it but we don't keep any paper in any other room. Period.
Sounds like you need a landing at the front door for the mail, with a recycle bin for the junk mail, also a shred bin for your addresses. Unless, you take all the mail to your desk upstairs everyday and NOT put them on your kitchen counter. The least steps the better. I like my mail on my desk, next to the waste basket and shredder.
Hey. Im.watching a different video of yours in the tv, too lazy to gwt the remote and see which one doesnt matter. U were ckeaning the fridge, mentioned your son drinks A LOT of milk. Also mentioned in another video about someone having asthma. There is a link to Dairy and asthma. Check it out. Especially since u are also on a Health Kick (awesome!!). You can make your own milk, like rice or oatmeal for almost free. Free is good. Hahah
Yeah you found it! =) Over here in Germany it´s common to put dishes where they belong: into the dishwasher. It´s easy and the kitchen is tidy all the time. I wonder all the time why Americans pile them up in their sinks. I think it´s so interesting how people from different nations do things different - but still we are all the same. And we all need to find our essentials. I want to thank you for the video! Love from Europe ♥
Americans pile them up because we are too lazy to empty the dish washer before the meal. Duh. If the dishwasher is empty you can put them in and things will be tidy. Also we have too many dishes so the dishwasher gets full and there isn't enough room for the rest of the dishes.
Im from the U.K. & I agree with you. The overview I get from many of the youtube videos that I have watched is that American's in particular have so much of everything i.e. space, large cars, appliances that we could only dream of having so much choice when buying, wonderful supermarkets & home stores etc. yet many people make tasks so difficult, inefficient & are very wasteful. They live in a warm climate at least in summer & insist on using the dryer to dry everything!, I find it weird they have huge gardens in suburban areas more often than not yet dont utilise them well. The would find the U.K. hard with small houses, cars, parking spaces & lack of choice in relation to stores & items. It's interesting how people live differently and things that are important & essential are not to others.
Another take from an American who sees Greek-born and raised men pile dishes in the sink (and has tried to get them to put dishes directly in the dishwasher): This isn’t about nationality. Rather, it’s about willingness to commit to efficient routines.
I am an American and we have always emptied our dishwasher and put dirty dishes directly into it. I think that’s basically for two reasons: it is a habit of ours (we have never piled dishes in the sink) and we have somewhat minimized our dishes.
Erica, this video is polished and professional, as though your "you-tubing" skills have grown along with your "minimalish-ness" but I would NOT have wanted to follow your journey any other way. You have an awesome balance: vulnerability that doesn't get lost in people-pleasing, research that doesn't get lost in paralysis, big goals that allow for baby steps, and desire to improve while enjoying love and life in your family right now. You are brave and smart and I am encouraged by you.
“ I can make this easier by...”. As an ESL teacher, I use sentence frames all the time. They work so well with students, it never occurred to me to try it on myself.
Thank you so much!
I am not a minimalist in everything but have been decluttering so much. I have family in the hospital and I'll be heading back to work. I am trying to minimize my makeup of all things. It's something I do everyday. My hair, skin and makeup. The amount of products or steps. The decluttering has helped me not have so much anxiety in these times.
I take notes too when I read non-fiction, it helps me remember the key concepts afterwards. It's also a great way to jot down how to apply the concepts to your own life as you think of them instead of trying to remember them for later.
As I watch your show. I see what you have done well. Teaching those beautiful children has been your greatest gift. A+ mama!
I know and understand the rock theory. I call it doing the hard things first.
My essential is to make my daughter and granddaughter safe in my home.
But my home is overwhelming with stuff! Depression and anxiety.
So I spend more time in my garden, where my heart heals. I can provide home grown salads and fruit.
But I do little things, I vacuum and keep clear and clean a space for my granddaughter.
I clean the kitchen and bathroom.
The rest is done in chunks! It’s all I can manage for now.
Every Day Just a few minutes is less scary and draining than one room completely in one sitting.
You can do it! And gardening is soothing and healthy!
I understand the overwhelming with stuff. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I read somewhere (trying to do this for myself too) if you do a job, no matter how small, reward yourself after like we do with children. So if you start with 5 or 10 minutes on something every day preferably in the morning so it’s not in the back of your mind all day e.g. drawer, shelf etc. then reward yourself with gardening without the guilt. Also if you have family or a friend that could help you that would make it easier too. Hope this helps and best of luck. 👏👍💐 Mary.
I love the summer pool storage!! 👍That could also easily covert into fall/winter gear for outdoor play too (gloves, hats, extra layers, etc).
Wow Erica, the graphics in this video were next level, and I was hanging on the edge of my seat to hear your conclusion after the jars analogy!!! 👏 Loved this whole thing!
If you follow Frugal Fit Mom, you're not lazy! You're efficient!
I must read those books. I’ve been meaning to read essentialism.
It’s funny how we unintentionally make things harder for ourselves with additional steps. That’s why I stopped filing stuff. Now we have a lidded bin for the year. All receipts, invoices, etc go in there. The only things I actually file are things like government documents. At the end of the year I go through the box. It takes maybe an hour. I file any important receipts and most other things either get shredded or placed in a file with the year on it which I’ll be able to shred at a later time.
It sounds messy but because everything goes in the box in chronological order, it isn’t hard to find something if we do need it.
We do the same with our credit card statements and other bills that are paid on-line. We write when we paid it and store it in a box in a cabinet above our fridge (which is too high to use regularly anyway). If something comes up and we need to access any paper work, we take down the box and find the item. As it is all stored chronologically, like an archeological dig, it is easy to find. At the end of the tax year we go through it and shred most or place it with yearly tax info in a stapled, labeled brown paper bag. When we no longer need that tax info, it goes in the burn barrel (or it could be shredded. Easy Peasy and usually we never have to reference anything so no need to file folders, labels, etc.
Running the dishwasher every night (even if it seems like you could fit something else in it) and unloading first thing in the morning is really life changing. It's so much easier for me than always wondering if it's clean or dirty or needs to be run. Doing it at the same time every day made a huge difference to me. When we go on vacation with my extended family we run it at the cottage after every meal.
When I got my cats 2 years ago, I couldn't keep anything in the sink or they would get into it. I run the dishwasher every other night and empty it in the morning while they are eating their breakfast. It's amazing how life changing taking those simple steps can be. I've also started "evening chores" every night which are: clean up dinner dishes and run dishwasher, divide out cats' food for next day, get coffee ready so all I have to do is push a button the next morning, and wipe down the counters & island. Usually takes 10 minutes and my morning self is always grateful to start the day with a clean kitchen and easy coffee.
I’ve been doing this for quite a while- makes it so easy!
I make cleaning bathrooms easier still.. I have my cleaning products in each bathroom... Then I don't have to physically go and fetch a cleaning caddy from eg downstairs and take it up 2 floors to the top floor bathroom. The cleaning products are just always where I need it so I can do it when I am in a bathroom and have 5 mins.
@@bonnieinthespirit6373 unfortunate it is difficult to follow your cleaning descriptions🤔. They were written in a very cryptic style. But your comment also has no connection to the video theme which was "finding ways to make mundane jobs you have to do, easier." Your comment more suits a video about favorite cleaning products/recipes and routines! 😉. Do you know the you tuber "Scandish Home"? Her channel might interest you.. I love her🤗! She has loads of natural homemade cleaning product ideas which I use and love 😊. Best wishes.
I (don't live in US) just have 1 bathroom.
How is that for easy.
@@KJong-gz5hv I don't live in the US either! :)..my family and I live in a city house in Europe.. That's why we have 3 stories.. Densely populated cities means houses use vertical space! :)... I loved my old appartement with one bathroom, but it got to small with kids, and houses always have multiple bathrooms.. More to clean though unfortunately!
Love these ideas that allow for each person to assess how he or she functions best. We use a one touch system for our mail; from left to right the recycling bin, the file cabinet, the shredder. I keep the shredder for last because older statements can be removed from the file and shredded when current ones come in.
I am a butterfly too!!!!! ❤️ No wonder I love all your videos and systems. 🤣
This is so timely. I was definitely trying to "revolutionize" my entire house today and I was getting overwhelmed and overthinking every task. Erica, you are my favourite youtuber. I always look forward to your videos.
It is when you collect everything of one item together. in my case eg scissors, I had kitchen various sizes, sewing, paper, general, small. nails.I labelled a few added the sharpener. I now have a box in a convenient place.and throughout duplicates
Watching you makes my life easier! Thanks
Great video, Erica! I too am a lazy kitchen person. Running the dishwasher at night and emptying it each morning while my coffee brews has been a game changer! Thanks for your review of the book and sharing your takeaways. This has me thinking about areas where I can make some changes.
Paper Clutter! 😩
I've taken most of my paper organizer from Dawn @The Minimal Mom. 👍
Incoming paper all goes to my desk until I deal with it on Tuesday Paperwork Day.
I've got an Action Items clipboard (hanging on a command hook off the side of my desk) for things I need to deal with.
I have a hanging file basket on my wall for these 5 categories: To Pay, Paid, Receipts, To File, and Tax Paperwork.
I have a basket in one of my desk drawers called Time Will Tell (this is specifically Dawn's idea!). Anything I'm not sure I will need and isn't any of the above categories goes in here and sits until I decide I don't need it sny more. This completely elliminates that random pile of papers.
And then I have 3 plastic file boxes for long-term files. There is no other place but our basement for these so that is why I have the hanging file category "To File" on the wall above my desk, so that when that's full I can make the trip downstairs to file it all away.
Hi! I follow Minimal Mom also. I'd like to know what are the categories of the 3 plastic file boxes for long-term files. I have so many "long-term" files and am looking for a good way to pare them down. Thank you.
@@nlgb4202 I found awhile ago a rainbow filing system. I spent theoney up front to get colored hanging files (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). This way you can eliminate file folders bc you just have 1 hanging file per thing.
Red is Medical
-1 file per family member
Orange is Income and Taxes
-retirement
-stocks
-current year tax info
-last 7 years of filed taxes
Yellow is Insurance (House, Auto, & Life)
-homeowners insurance policy
-any paperwork related to our house
-auto insurance policies
-a file for each vehicle owned
-one file for all our sold vehicle paperwork
-life insurance policies
-I also include jury duty paperwork here
Green is Bills & Banking
-monthly paid bills
-bank statements plus carbon copies of checks, if you keep them
-mortgage info
-a file for each credit card that you have
-student loans would go here
-a file for all credit cards that have been closed (I always ask when closing accounts for them to mail me a letter that shows I close the account and I file these here)
-fraud notices (aka identity theft)
Blue is my husband's
Purple floral are mine
-we each keep our school transcripts, job info, family tree, church membership, any miscellaneous we want to keep and doesn't have a place elsewhere. (Although miscellaneous is probably memorabilia and should be filed in a different way.)
I hope this helps!
@@jennylhenry78 Hi again! Yes that clarifies it tremendously. Thank you so much. Are you by any chance referring to the Freedom Filer filing system? I bought that also, but don't use it exactly as recommended. I see you have about as many files as I do, and I keep them (try to) very much like you do, but I don't color coordinate them. I think I am going to consider doing that as I think that will be another layer of "organizing" which I am trying desperately to do. Thank you so much for your response and for sharing your idea. Nancy in Texas ;-)
@@nlgb4202 hi Nancy! It isn't a freedom filer. I actually do not remember where I found the color coding, but I moved around the colors from what was suggested bc it worked out better for me and I only set up the categories we needed. I also made a printout of the color with the title name and then listed what files were in that category. I taped this in the front of my clear file bin so I can easily find what I'm looking for (which we all know isn't very often haha). I definitely think the colors help. I just keep any extra hanging files at the end of each color's category in case I need to make another. And the plastic tabs with the paper that fits in them in a baggie in the front of the bin so I'm never searching for them. 👍
@@jennylhenry78 Sounds like you have perfected your system and can start your own YT channel. I'm going to take some of your ideas, because I think our minds work alike. Thank you so much for sharing your system and for replying. If you think of anything else I should know, please let me know. If I stumble on a gem, I'll do the same. Have a wonderful weekend,Jenny, and thank you again.
Yes, yes, yes!! I have streamlined a number of tasks at home and in my car. Keeping things where I use them and only handling things once where possible!
Super message! Thank you! Well done Erica. It's awesome to watch how a person CAN change life skills and habits....you give others hope through perseverance and enthusiasm for life!
I am currently reading Essentialism, ordered one for my brother yesterday! I was glad for the previews of effortless. Alot of what you had to say are "Words" that came up in my journal today! "GUILT & Eliminate". You added to my word "Perspective" and filled in a few blanks on my own question list. I have enjoyed your content very much and hit the subscribe button today. Love to go with you on your walks!😇💞 Great Job!
This made so much sense to me. This was a great video and I appreciated the examples.
Im a butterfly to! Minimalism and accepting my habbits and finding solutions that work for me. Have changed my life!!!!
I cannot believe how FAR you have come!!! You are a true inspiration to me. GIANT HUGS!!!
Love the swim gear idea! We have a community pool, and we just bought a boat, and I’ve had trouble separating what I need when because I have it all lumped together with my pool gear. I’m going to use an extra rolling drawer thing to organize boat/lake gear in the garage! Thanks so much!
Two many big rocks!!! Yes! I am always in survival mode.... Especially lately. The basics are even too much. I really try to do bare minimum.
Totally agree with the dishes! I hated the dishes but it makes it so much easier to just load it as you go. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read these books :)
I have the same problem with pool clothes and toys, now you gave me great ideas. Thank you
I have a basket in the linen closets for the ironing chore, it contains iron, steamer, spray bottles, starch spray.
I take out the whole thing and drag out the board.
I cheat and keep the ironing board set up in my spare room! I just won't iron if I have to set it up - so childish! I listen to podcasts or watch minimalism videos while I iron (P.S. I have only cotton or linen clothes because of allergies so have to iron a LOT)
This was sooooooooo good Erica!!! You really got me thinking!!!
BTW, I'm a bee. I love it organized but I need to see it or I forget it.
Thank you for this wisdom shared.
I will take it to heart.
Butterflies of the world, unite!! We're not messy, we just organize differently. Out of sight is literally out of mind for us, which is why everything must be within our line of sight or we forget it exists. I removed the cabinets in my kitchen because of this. We have small drawers in the kitchen but I've discovered that my husband has been storing things in them that don't belong (he is also a butterfly). So I have to declutter the kitchen next! lol
Can you explain more about your online papers process? Do you print them out to deal with them? I use a task list on my computer to keep track of them.
I'm so glad that your so organized cause I go crazy looking for stuff and wondering why I can't give it a home.
Excellent! Positive attitudes change everything.
I just finished listening to "Essentialism" - thanks for sharing about his other book! I'll have to check it out!
Effortless is my one of favourite.s..... another one is “practice”...
efffertless & Erica ....two of my favourites...💕...beautiful content... thanks as always..
the pure peace & calmness & clarity as u talk, see ( so vividly opposite when emotional while decluttering, solving issues) is so motivating, inspiring... god bless u & urs
I hope you still introduce yourself in every video! Thanks for all you do for us watchers
Great video. Can we also mention how nice it is to see your family photos on the wall and not in a crawl space?
Tidying up the kitchen in the evening doesn't sound like much, but it made a big difference to me.
I come to a clean kitchen in the morning and have a cup of coffee first ... and then I empty the dishwasher😁.
Of course, tidying up my kitchen also helped ... and of course your videos, which keep motivating me.😊
Great video - I would take labels off the bins/ containers! So much better visually.
I'm the same, the less I see the better. I sold all my wall art, I do not miss it! Too many years of too much stuff...now it's gone and I love it. When I get stressy I say what else can go???
Wow! I love the swim station!!!!
I so wanna read the book now! I googled it and unfortunately it costs around 15% of my salary in my country, so extra thank you for the insights on the book and what you've learnt ❤️ I loved this video! Clear and concise
This is great!! Fellow reader here! 🙋 I will check out these books for sure!! 🙂
I love the systems you’ve set up that works for you. I’m sure it’s made a huge difference. I still have yet to read essentialism I need to check it out 🙂
I need to read those books, especially effortless. I keep our swimsuits and swim towels in a corner of our closet. I got tired of nobody being able to find their suits.
I've actually seen those decomposition notebooks on earthhero as well
You are such a good teacher!
I will definitely be reading these. I like making things easier, I have done it for my daughter's guitar practice and many other things around the house.
Thank you for sharing!! Just the motivation I needed!
Minimalish suggestion: write IN the book! That way, you only have 1 book and not an added notebook. It is also good modeling for your kids when they get older. Writing in books is a great way to interact with them and have your notes right next to the text. Even better: use highlighters AND a pen.
I couldn't do this! Writing in books 📚 is like sacrilege for me!
@@francesrevetria8914 agree 100%
Love, love, love this video! Thank you Erica!
Oooo thanks for reminding me about Greg’s second book!!! I had been waiting for that!!!!
Very smart organizing. Looking forward to more basement declutering.
Oh my gosh, Erica. This was just awesome. I loved the way you laid it out; the examples you gave were so helpful. Thank you.
Cheers.
Canyou do a video showing how you do your up-do’s (hairdos). I love your hair and it looks so pretty up! I need some ideas for my long hair. Thanks!!
Great suggestions! Love that you shared this! Thank you!
This video is well done. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Good ideas.
That's two audible credits spent! Thanks for the tips xx
This was great! Thanks!
Cool. Maybe I need that book. I've been thinking for a while that my essentials were still more than I can accomplish.
I can't put my filling cabinet, swim stuff, or desk where you did, though. My kids would be raiding it or dumping it out constantly. So many of my categories have that problem.
I love your hair pinned back like that. I need to do that. Too adorable🙋❤❤❤
Re your bathroom kit - it seems a bit 'busy' to me. Of course we are all different but I wonder if you used vinegar, and some baking soda to clean EVERYTHING if you then would only need one cloth, one spray bottle of vinegar full strength, and one shaker of baking soda? Vinegar kills most germs, baking soda scrubs where necessary, and one cloth is all you need - change cloths daily. I have been using these two things (vin/bksda) for all cleaning and have had zero downside.
Erica, this was great content! I really like your book-reviews because I can not get myself to read non-fiction books… I read minimalism from Joshua and Ryan but that was it. Maybe you can do other ones from time to time? And your examples worked great to illustrate the take-home messages you got from that book!
Thank you.
Thankyou again for wisdom and a great video
Excellent video. I am constantly working on “process improvement” I have heard of these books but have not read them. I think I may need to read them.
Are you growing veggies on your deck in bags? What are those? How cool
Another winner.
Really good!
Love this!
and i did direct mail to get rid of junk mail. it reduced junk mail 98%
Just signed up! All that junk just goes straight to my recycling bin anyway. Never even gets thru my door. Glad there's an option to stop it at it's source.
@@candicewaller403 PS, it takes about 3 months to cycle through the list removal.
@Jenny Henry - what are the categories of 3 Long-term files ? This sounds like a good method to me.
Erica: that was a great video!
make it easier get rid of more things so i dont have inventory to think about it. or keep in clear bin so i can see whats in it.
Thank you!
This sounds like an awesome book!
I love your videos. That’s all🥰
I am a butterfly with the same fear of if I put it away I will forget it.
Video idea- I think you should interview a minimalist who has older children or teenagers and get some good advice for the rest of us. 😊
Paper for me is the always a nightmare. I have places dedicated to such things. But somehow that junk drawer of mine fills up.
Place is looking great btw. 😊
The trick for me is opening the mail next to the paper bin. There are few documents I have to keep!
What helped us is all paper goes into one cabinet in one room. I have categories, drawers, folders and bins to sort it but we don't keep any paper in any other room. Period.
@@leyrotis great idea
@@poodlegirl55 same… lol but first it lands in the junk drawer. 🤦🏻♀️ working on it. 🥰
Brilliant 👍🏼✅❤️
TY for sharing!
Sounds like you need a landing at the front door for the mail, with a recycle bin for the junk mail, also a shred bin for your addresses. Unless, you take all the mail to your desk upstairs everyday and NOT put them on your kitchen counter. The least steps the better.
I like my mail on my desk, next to the waste basket and shredder.
Hey. Im.watching a different video of yours in the tv, too lazy to gwt the remote and see which one doesnt matter. U were ckeaning the fridge, mentioned your son drinks A LOT of milk. Also mentioned in another video about someone having asthma. There is a link to Dairy and asthma. Check it out. Especially since u are also on a Health Kick (awesome!!). You can make your own milk, like rice or oatmeal for almost free. Free is good. Hahah
I was watching your sentimental videos.. What was your major for bachelor and master degrees?
Yeah you found it! =) Over here in Germany it´s common to put dishes where they belong: into the dishwasher. It´s easy and the kitchen is tidy all the time. I wonder all the time why Americans pile them up in their sinks. I think it´s so interesting how people from different nations do things different - but still we are all the same. And we all need to find our essentials. I want to thank you for the video! Love from Europe ♥
Americans pile them up because we are too lazy to empty the dish washer before the meal. Duh. If the dishwasher is empty you can put them in and things will be tidy. Also we have too many dishes so the dishwasher gets full and there isn't enough room for the rest of the dishes.
Im from the U.K. & I agree with you. The overview I get from many of the youtube videos that I have watched is that American's in particular have so much of everything i.e. space, large cars, appliances that we could only dream of having so much choice when buying, wonderful supermarkets & home stores etc. yet many people make tasks so difficult, inefficient & are very wasteful. They live in a warm climate at least in summer & insist on using the dryer to dry everything!, I find it weird they have huge gardens in suburban areas more often than not yet dont utilise them well. The would find the U.K. hard with small houses, cars, parking spaces & lack of choice in relation to stores & items. It's interesting how people live differently and things that are important & essential are not to others.
Another take from an American who sees Greek-born and raised men pile dishes in the sink (and has tried to get them to put dishes directly in the dishwasher): This isn’t about nationality. Rather, it’s about willingness to commit to efficient routines.
I am an American and we have always emptied our dishwasher and put dirty dishes directly into it. I think that’s basically for two reasons: it is a habit of ours (we have never piled dishes in the sink) and we have somewhat minimized our dishes.
Hey friend!
You face is thinner! Plus, great video! 🌹
I was soooo distracted by the clutter behind you. Such a shame.
Maybe you should learn how to focus on what’s important.