Just want you to know, I absolutely love your channel. As a newly widowed military wife and mom of a brand new baby during a pandemic there’s a LOT of silence and sadness in my house and I play you (and dawn of the minimal mom) In the background all day. I learn a lot and feel less alone! And it’s helpful with the weird decluttering my newly widowed and mom life suddenly has brought. Thank you so much for sharing your Journey :) it’s honest fresh and real!
Yeah, but then she said, "I'm gonna go through these clothes to make sure I don't want to keep anything." So she did say at first that she wasn't going to keep anything, but then she reneged and started considering each item all over again. I agree with you that the assertiveness is the way to go, and don't go back on what you say. :-)
@@mjcossel6136 good question. I meant I needed to check for things that aren’t clothes that need keeping. The movers packed us so anything could have ended up in there. Sorry I wasn’t clear about that!
Please don't listen to people's negative or critical comments! You're awesome, entertaining, and inspiring. I love that you're donating to ladies that can really use those clothes!
Oh my gosh you literally made me cry when you said your intention was to not feel shame about things you shouldn't feel shame about! You are experiencing and communicating so much victory! Love love love your channel!
The Life Tidy Agreed. I felt the same way when she said that. I follow your channel as well as Erica’s. Thank you for videos and sharing your minimalist journey and process as a woman in her fifties. I’m 36 and I enjoy your content and your channel very much.
Did you see the delight she shared when she knew that box was her “wedding shoes”? Tears began welling up in me and I said “Erica keep those”. In other words they they still “spark Joy”!!!
@@AtoZenLife I should have completed my above thought....the person did not buy - when he picked up the bag, he realized it was "heavy" - from then on - everything gets checked.
This video has inspired me to go to the garage and get rid of the bin of clothes that I have hung on to for 20 years and have moved 10 times. No more! The box stops here 😅
@@doublea6252 I'd be surprised if clothes from the early 2000s were in demand yet. Maybe in another 10-20 years, if they're sought after brands or the like. Generic stuff is quite hard to sell, even if vintage (and good shape, of course).
@@MrGrumpyGills shockingly, it is back in fashion...sadly!🤣 The current trends are definitely not my style for sure! Hopefully, with a Poshmark closet online she could do very well!😁👍
Love that you felt good giving away those "brand new with tags" jeans. Instead of lamenting over the money wasted, you can imagine the woman who receives that pile of clothes, and the look on her face when she sees brand new things!! That's a good feeling (for both of you)! :)
Others will probably disagree with this but if the wedding shoes bring you joy and you are going to keep them ...why not use them as decor somewhere in your home (maybe in your daughters room) so you can feel that joy every time you look at them. :)
put stained stuff in a bag and label "rag-out", and donation centers will recycle them. Also, the yellow Planet Aid boxes can take them, that way they get recycled into rags rather than go to the landfill.
Hygge is hard to describe, because it's a feeling. I can have hygge with a cup of tea and knitting or when I watch a movie or when I do the disses.I hygger alone or with others. Hygge is when you feel comfortable with what you do. I am Danish and hygger every day.🇩🇰🥰
Having homeschooled 6 children and moved 8 times, I can totally understand your journey. What helped me the most was picturing the sort of home I wanted to live in. I now have that. No 'stuff' lying around on surfaces, easy to clean, and I only kept that which was useful or beautiful. Since I no longer homeschool (my last child at home is now in high school) I don't need all the paraphernalia that goes with it, which has freed up alot of space. I have enjoyed watching you de clutter ☺️.
If there is a domestic violence shelter they always need Womens and children’s clothes as many times they flee with only the clothes on their backs. God Bless
Honestly, I LOVE these videos. I am so excited to see you finish decluttering but also a little sad that one day there will be no more boxes to watch you open!
I love how genuine you are! One comment you made about clothes that are too small really hit home. When I started on my journey I heard the phrase “fantasy self”. Wow! So many clothes I had stored away were for a fantasy me that would NEVER exist again. Purging at that point was so easy. Just accepting that living in the NOW is so much better. No more fantasies OR “babysitting” things has taken the decision process to whole new level. TYFS REAL LIFE!!
I absolutely loved what your intention is-to not feel shame about things you shouldn't feel shame about, how powerful! For the shirts, sometimes your local animal shelter takes them so they can make into cleaning rags/towels, etc. (along with old towels and rags)...not all shelters do this so I would ask first if you want to go that route. Love love love this channel!
Supporting with kindness in the comments . . . YES indeed. Not sure of the motivation to be anything other than kind to you when you are helping us so much! Stay strong and take those comments with a grain of salt
My 5 granddaughters are coming to visit next week and I had promised them before Christmas that I would let them see and maybe play a little bit (carefully) my wedding dress,veil and shoes! And I am 64 and been a minimalist since 1984. ❤️👍. It’s about keeping the things that give joy, by eliminating the other stuff so there’s room to keep the keepers!
I remember loving playing princesses in my mum’s wedding shoes. I did wreck them but they had several years use instead of sitting unseen in a box. I believe my older cousin did the same with my mum’s wedding dress.
One thing with clothes that I love is Thread up, you’re not actually going to make much money if you’re not sending designer brands BUT anything they don’t want to sell gets recycled rather then thrown away. I also love that it cuts down on the decision matrix for me. I ship them all clothes and leave them the sorting and grading of if it is worth keeping. Clothing production is actually really resource heavy and know how much gets thrown out by donation centers (for good reason) makes me want to send it to places where I know if it isn’t going to be used it won’t end up in a landfill
I'm glad you mentioned the inbetween phase between decluttering and actually getting it out of the house. I use to get frustrated by it but have made peace with it being part of the process.
Ahh, she lost me at the wedding shoes. I decluttered mine years ago. Yeah, it was a nice memory, but they didn't need to sit around. I actually used mine for years until they were too beat up to be functional. And I can still see them in wedding pictures.
Erica you are brilliant! In Europe we can donate/recycle our clothes, bedding etc that are no good to donate "as clothes"... But can be donated "as recycle fibers" ... Maybe see if that is possible near you!...that would be an alternative to trashing them... But if not, as you say, don't feel guilty trashing clothes that can not be donated to wear by someone else!.. When all other alternatives have been exhausted we have no choice. X
We recycle fibers in the US as well, but usually you need to drop them off rather than our usual curbside pick up for other recycling. I googled Annapolis Maryland, and the county website lists recycling centers that accept textiles.
@@Dashzap same in Europe.. We drop them off at special recycle bins or centers. Great that the US does that to.. Thanks for the insight x... Hopefully Erica will see your comment😊
Old t shirts that are too tatty to donate make excellent rags to use for really dirty jobs. My husband uses them for cleaning his bicycle and polishing shoes.
So excited you are touching everything and going through each item. You could of easily ended up with another ‘crawl space’ scenario in the basement. Look how far you have come☺️
Seeing those wedding shoes made me laugh. I have saved my dress, and was 'thinking' about the shoes. So I put them aside to think about them. Then, my dog grabbed them and, well, now they're in the recycling. LOL So, decision made for me. I've opted to frame the wedding dress -- I like fiber art and my dress is hand beaded.
Just a suggestion for future old clothes. Keep a small bin of things in case your daughter ever decides she wants to learn to sew. My 10 and 8 year old girls love cutting up random fabric and sewing (sometimes that means stapling and taping 😆) clothes for their dolls.
Hi Erica just wanted to let u know that u r helping me declutter my house. I remember your basement in your last house and u have come so far from them. Your journey inspires me. Best wishes from Australia 😀❤🇦🇺
You seemed to be having fun decluttering the last clothing box. Did Andy like his blanket? I can't declutter at the minute as we're in lockdown in Belfast with only essential shops open and I live in small house. Hopefully lockdown will end soon. Thank you for making me smile and bringing joy into this very worrying time.😷😘
I visited Ireland in 2019. It's a beautiful country. Everyday I wear my wearing my Claddagh ring I brought at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. It was one of my most favorite places I saw while in Ireland. Here's wishing for better times indeed and lockdowns to be a thing of the past!!!
You should know that you are a ROCKSTAR declutterer!!!! You are funny ,smart,generous and real....never let any shallow people make you feel bad about your life and your decisions...the world is a better place with people like you in it!!!!
Thank you , thank you , thank you...for telling us not to feel ashamed for throwing away a shirt that has no value. I honestly last week felt guilty for doing that same thing...you are a rock star lad
Windex! I once inadvertently held a marker in my hand while crossing my arms across my chest. To my horror I realized too late the cap was off. I had a large black circle of ink on my chest. It soaked through my bra as well. A co-worker suggested I soak the garments in windex. Voila! The ink neutralized and was removed👍🤗
THANK YOU for DECLUTTERING SHAME! On the lighter side, I have been frequently wearing stuff that is not even worthy of donating. AH-HA!!! New laundry-sirting-process now includes holding garments up to light to check for thinning fabric and holes and using bright light to look for stains. I remember the day that I saw myself in the mirror at the gym and realized that my yoga pants had worn so thin that everyone could see I was wearing LEPPARD PRINT PANTIES. I would rather wash/store/wear a few favorite and flattering yoga pants. Bye-bye to the non-flattering, embarrassing, clothes that I would not even give away. It is time to be kind to myself because I deserve to wear the best of what I already own and not waste energy or drag myself down with stuff I know better than to give away. I am enough.
A lot of op shops here (Australia) take all unwanted clothes/linen etc, they resell what is good and cut up the lesser quality to be bagged and sold by weight. People like mechanics can then purchase the bags of rags :)
I found out that H&M will take old (clean) clothes to be recycled. So whenever a sock gets a hole or a pair of jeans rip, I wash them and put them in a garbage bag and when it’s full, I take it to H&M.
@@deborahgate965 It's one of many things people don't tell you when you're pregnant. Like, who knew, after delivering a baby, in a day or three you kinda deliver again? I was glad my sister told me beforehand that I would loose a big chunk of old blood etc!
Well done Erica.....love your channel. Would like people to be nicer to you and other you tubers who are trying their best......if you don't like it.......don't watch it.......don't slag people off for their efforts ☘
you're getting closer and closer! WOW! What will it feel like once there are no more boxes to unpack? A whole new chapter in the adventure can begin...
@@EricaLucasLoves it hurts less every time. It’s amazing. I go through a box or bin once and then a few weeks later do a second pass and almost every time, I find more stuff to let go of.
You can use those pink bags to organize games! Put the game and instructions inside, and if you want, you can cut the picture on the front of box out to fit inside so you can see what it is. Takes up much less space, and keeps the games in better condition!
Erica, I have been watching you since you started your minimalism journey. I love that you are 'minimalish' and so real. I can totally relate to what you are going through and have been decluttering along the way, too! I love to see how your mindset has changed over the last year. I decluttered some clothing today that is too big! (The other journey my husband and I are on is a healthy lifestyle). Love to watch your channel!
I am just thoroughly enjoying your box unpacking. I feel like I moved with you. You have grown sooooo much from the teary lady I watched trying to declutter your last home xx Stef UKxx
I am so inspired -- it would have been so hard for me to get rid of the pink storage bags. I would have thought, maybe I can use these for something. In all reality, if I need a storage bag, I'm sure I could just use a plastic bag! I really like your videos.
Not sure if you have H&M stores down there, but you can bring textiles( clothing/shoes/towels/blankets) that are worn out to be recycled. And they will give you a 15% off coupon to their store for each bag that you bring in if old/worn out or used textiles. I live up in Boston and we have donation bins all over the city ( the big metal donation bins) where you can put old/worn out textiles as well, so see if your town has anything like that. Great job decluttering to BTW. I just did all my clothing and had to keep two pairs of bigger sized pants, and 3 pair smaller sized pants and 4 pair smaller if capris. I hate to keep so much extra, but always worry that we won't have the extra income when needed. Especially if I gained a few, eek. You are doing aw some and I love living minimalish as well :)
I went back (again) to your videos 1 year ago. Nice progress since then. You are one that keep inspiring me and so I keep being inspired too. Our home is organized, but not enough. My challenges are the sentimental, emotional items. I REALLY need to let go, really do. It will take a little time, it will happen though. Thank you for your great videos.
Yes, yes, yes to donating to a shelter! If it's possible to wash and hang clothes on hangers, they will be treasured by anyone looking for clothes that are ready to wear.
There is a large donation place that starts with the letter "G" that recycles textiles if they cannot be resold in their store. No shame, you are doing an excellent job! 🙂
I know that shame feeling and end up hanging on to stuff. Good to hear it said! It´s OK to trash a ratty shirt. I also thought oh no-100 ppl are going to comment that it should go here or there-but if they watch you long enough it´s clear you know these things and abide! I´m glad you are though with yet another box.
This video helps us to remove that clothing clutter we have saved for years in hopes that we will lose 50 pounds. Love how you said it, “When I lose 4 dress sizes, I’ll go out and treat myself to new clothes.” I’ve decluttered clothes a few days ago and now I’ll go back and look at that pile I saved for “when I lose weight.”
Great job decluttering 😃 i would suggest asking the place your donating to if they would like you to wash them. I always wash before donating unless they are brand new with tags.
Love this series and collab! Thank you! I really enjoy the different ideas everyone brings. I’m picking up some great tips.❤️ lol I am 64 and I have been a minimalist and clothing capsule fan for decades and I still have my wedding shoes, veil and dress! And yes feet expand over the years, babies and even age. 😜 Per your comment on the shaming for tossing stuff out, I don’t get why people think tossing stuff is like rehoming beloved pets. I’ve seen comments on various channels especially the minimalist channels that seem to imply a rigid set of rules from the number of items to recycling everything including half used makeup. I think that’s nuts and prevents people from sharing success and progress. Heaven help the makeup channels that declutter and don’t carefully list where everything goes. My motto is “ my home is Not a final resting place for my unwanted junk!” I do my best to donate GOOD stuff, but I refuse to offload my trash for others to have to dispose of. I care about the charities I donate to. So I toss it. If our local recycle takes it, sure I recycle but making it easy to simplify and minimize is more important than creating a new set of rules that just stop people from letting go. And you’re right about the 2 steps. It keeps the process moving and prevents regrets.
Erica, just a thought, but could you display your wedding shoes in a clear perspex box in your clothes closet so you get to see them often but with no dusting added to your routine?
I feel like she's already decluttered 80% She had A LOT of stuff, but more importantly she's raising kids. Minimalism doesn't need to be a percentage or a fashionable thing. It's defining what's not making your life any easier.
Oh really? And your criteria matter HOW EXACTLY in her life? I’ve been enjoying minimalism since 1984 when I read Don Aslett’s Clutters Last Stand and started tossing. Probably before you were born. It’s like peeling an onion and even when you think you know it all, tossed it all, minimized it all- life changes and needs change and suddenly there’s more to let go of. Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of things that spark joy as the Kondo gal says, it’s about making room so the joy stuff can shine!
Hi Erica! Thanks again for an inspiring video! I always try to watch your videos before I get down to the business of decluttering my things. Quick idea for you: There are drop boxes to recycle clothes throughout the US. It's nice to avoid additional landfill items while giving potential new life to materials. One caveat though ... if it becomes too onerous to find and deposit the clothes to be recycled, it's best to through them away rather than give you more stress. Happy 2021 to you!
Hi, you are rocking the decluttering, I'm a little stuck because we're in lockdown again(3time) so everything is shut and I don't have room to make a staging area,
I still struggle with sentimental items along my minimalist journey....thank you for making the statement I don’t have to feel guilt about keeping an item that is special-I’ve gotten ride of a lot and have a lot to go, but some items I will never give up by choice
Cool beans! Progress!!! So why not make a deep shadow box and display your wedding shoes on your wall in bedroom? That way you can enjoy them until they start to deteriorate. If you wait, you’ll open the box stuffed in the back of your closet and find deteriorated ones. Tfs!! 💜🌸💜🌸
Great job of decluttering. I’ve put a plastic garbage bag in a key location that forces me to question any item that I’m keeping or should donate. Can’t believe it but that bag is almost packed and starting a new one! We have no kids that could get into the bag, so it’s in a safe place. What is the background music playing,?it’s very catchy,thanks.
So happy for you to finish unpacking all the clothes boxes. Been watching since you started your Declutter series and I can relate in so many ways to how and why ir got this way. Thanks for the motivation to tackle it all.
I used to keep clothes wishing and hoping that I would fit into them again but now I have that different mindset as well. If I lose the weight that I want I will reward myself by buying some new clothes. Donating them also makes me feel good that instead of the clothes sitting in my closet for months or years someone can be wearing them now. A few years back I lost a lot of weight where my clothes started falling off of me. That time was the easiest to declutter clothes. Nothing feels better than donating clothes that are too big for you.😂
Great video! I laughed out loud at your comment about the spider! I also love that you saved your wedding shoes. I've been married 27 years and still have my gown and veil but this made me realize I have absolutely no idea what happened to my shoes 😂 Love all your videos, keep up the good work!!
When you pulled out your wedding shoes, I thought about mine for the first time in years. I acually used them up, wore them to the office for two summers and had much use of them😊. Very sensible I guess. Where are your wedding shoes ladies?
Just want you to know, I absolutely love your channel. As a newly widowed military wife and mom of a brand new baby during a pandemic there’s a LOT of silence and sadness in my house and I play you (and dawn of the minimal mom) In the background all day. I learn a lot and feel less alone! And it’s helpful with the weird decluttering my newly widowed and mom life suddenly has brought. Thank you so much for sharing your Journey :) it’s honest fresh and real!
I love your assertiveness when decluttering. You go in there with a decision made BEFORE you open the box. That's the trick!
Yeah, but then she said, "I'm gonna go through these clothes to make sure I don't want to keep anything." So she did say at first that she wasn't going to keep anything, but then she reneged and started considering each item all over again. I agree with you that the assertiveness is the way to go, and don't go back on what you say. :-)
@@mjcossel6136 I like to be sure something sentimental or something I want to keep isn’t left behind. All part of my process.
@@EricaLucasLoves I can understand that, but then why announce that you're not keeping any of it at the beginning? That's the part I don't understand.
@@mjcossel6136 good question. I meant I needed to check for things that aren’t clothes that need keeping. The movers packed us so anything could have ended up in there. Sorry I wasn’t clear about that!
@@EricaLucasLoves Thanks for taking the time to clarify that! Really appreciate it. :-)
Please don't listen to people's negative or critical comments! You're awesome, entertaining, and inspiring. I love that you're donating to ladies that can really use those clothes!
Oh my gosh you literally made me cry when you said your intention was to not feel shame about things you shouldn't feel shame about! You are experiencing and communicating so much victory! Love love love your channel!
I take these risks in talking about stuff like that. I feel vulnerable but I hope it helps someone to hear words like that.
The Life Tidy Agreed. I felt the same way when she said that. I follow your channel as well as Erica’s. Thank you for videos and sharing your minimalist journey and process as a woman in her fifties. I’m 36 and I enjoy your content and your channel very much.
@@susieq2334 Thank you! 😊
@@EricaLucasLoves Hi. Weird question-but what WOULD you feel guilty about in this process? Any legitimate thing/stuff/decision? 🤗❤️
Did you see the delight she shared when she knew that box was her “wedding shoes”? Tears began welling up in me and I said “Erica keep those”. In other words they they still “spark Joy”!!!
Check the pockets of everything before you get rid of it, because you never know how much money might be hiding! I found $50 from high school once...😅
My honey was selling a computer bag and forgot there were hard drives in the pockets - turn everything inside out!
@@kathleencremmins286 😱😱😱 What happened? Did you figure it out? Did the buyer tell you??? What was the ending?
@@AtoZenLife I should have completed my above thought....the person did not buy - when he picked up the bag, he realized it was "heavy" - from then on - everything gets checked.
@@kathleencremmins286 Whew, thank GOODNESS! 😭 I’m glad you updated me, this is the stuff nightmares are made of...
Oh my gosh yes check things to make sure they are empty.
This video has inspired me to go to the garage and get rid of the bin of clothes that I have hung on to for 20 years and have moved 10 times. No more! The box stops here 😅
"The box stops here." I LOVE that!!!
And now they are technically vintage!! You could make some good money reselling them!!😁
@@doublea6252 I'd be surprised if clothes from the early 2000s were in demand yet. Maybe in another 10-20 years, if they're sought after brands or the like. Generic stuff is quite hard to sell, even if vintage (and good shape, of course).
@@MrGrumpyGills shockingly, it is back in fashion...sadly!🤣 The current trends are definitely not my style for sure! Hopefully, with a Poshmark closet online she could do very well!😁👍
(Hugs blanket) "Oh, I hope there's no spiders in here!" LOL!!! Thanks for the laugh - AND the organizing.
Love that you felt good giving away those "brand new with tags" jeans. Instead of lamenting over the money wasted, you can imagine the woman who receives that pile of clothes, and the look on her face when she sees brand new things!! That's a good feeling (for both of you)! :)
Others will probably disagree with this but if the wedding shoes bring you joy and you are going to keep them ...why not use them as decor somewhere in your home (maybe in your daughters room) so you can feel that joy every time you look at them. :)
Why not wear them on a date night? If you love it, wear it.
@@spiral5650 they don't fit Erica anymore after having kids.
Love the idea of displaying them, like Cinderella's slippers! :)
@@megan2176 , yes! That's exactly what I was thinking :)
I love how you say "support each other with kindness". If only more people did that. You are a blessing.
P.s. I'm minimalish too
Yeah! What does the word mean to you?
Thanks for the anti shame comment. Perfect is the enemy of the good.
put stained stuff in a bag and label "rag-out", and donation centers will recycle them. Also, the yellow Planet Aid boxes can take them, that way they get recycled into rags rather than go to the landfill.
Thank you- I did not know this!
Hygge is hard to describe, because it's a feeling. I can have hygge with a cup of tea and knitting or when I watch a movie or when I do the disses.I hygger alone or with others. Hygge is when you feel comfortable with what you do. I am Danish and hygger every day.🇩🇰🥰
"I refuse to feel shame..." What a great way to start a fresh new year! I'm using that for my new mantra. 🥰
Great!! I have to consciously decide to feel shameless or it finds me and brings me down.
Having homeschooled 6 children and moved 8 times, I can totally understand your journey. What helped me the most was picturing the sort of home I wanted to live in. I now have that. No 'stuff' lying around on surfaces, easy to clean, and I only kept that which was useful or beautiful. Since I no longer homeschool (my last child at home is now in high school) I don't need all the paraphernalia that goes with it, which has freed up alot of space. I have enjoyed watching you de clutter ☺️.
If there is a domestic violence shelter they always need Womens and children’s clothes as many times they flee with only the clothes on their backs. God Bless
Honestly, I LOVE these videos. I am so excited to see you finish decluttering but also a little sad that one day there will be no more boxes to watch you open!
I love how genuine you are! One comment you made about clothes that are too small really hit home. When I started on my journey I heard the phrase “fantasy self”. Wow! So many clothes I had stored away were for a fantasy me that would NEVER exist again. Purging at that point was so easy. Just accepting that living in the NOW is so much better. No more fantasies OR
“babysitting” things has taken the decision process to whole new level. TYFS REAL LIFE!!
Yes! Clearly I have boxes of fantasy self stuff.
I absolutely loved what your intention is-to not feel shame about things you shouldn't feel shame about, how powerful! For the shirts, sometimes your local animal shelter takes them so they can make into cleaning rags/towels, etc. (along with old towels and rags)...not all shelters do this so I would ask first if you want to go that route. Love love love this channel!
Supporting with kindness in the comments . . . YES indeed. Not sure of the motivation to be anything other than kind to you when you are helping us so much! Stay strong and take those comments with a grain of salt
My 5 granddaughters are coming to visit next week and I had promised them before Christmas that I would let them see and maybe play a little bit (carefully) my wedding dress,veil and shoes! And I am 64 and been a minimalist since 1984. ❤️👍. It’s about keeping the things that give joy, by eliminating the other stuff so there’s room to keep the keepers!
I remember loving playing princesses in my mum’s wedding shoes. I did wreck them but they had several years use instead of sitting unseen in a box. I believe my older cousin did the same with my mum’s wedding dress.
One thing with clothes that I love is Thread up, you’re not actually going to make much money if you’re not sending designer brands BUT anything they don’t want to sell gets recycled rather then thrown away. I also love that it cuts down on the decision matrix for me. I ship them all clothes and leave them the sorting and grading of if it is worth keeping. Clothing production is actually really resource heavy and know how much gets thrown out by donation centers (for good reason) makes me want to send it to places where I know if it isn’t going to be used it won’t end up in a landfill
I'm glad you mentioned the inbetween phase between decluttering and actually getting it out of the house. I use to get frustrated by it but have made peace with it being part of the process.
I love your reaction when you opened your wedding shoes! It’s easy to see that that they are still something that adds so much value to you life.
Yes, she lit up! Putting them out on display may give her daily joy.
I'd love to see her daughter play with them because shoes age and might not be wearable later.
Ahh, she lost me at the wedding shoes. I decluttered mine years ago. Yeah, it was a nice memory, but they didn't need to sit around. I actually used mine for years until they were too beat up to be functional. And I can still see them in wedding pictures.
I’m just not ready to part with them. :)
@@EricaLucasLoves I hope your kids can enjoy playing with them! That will give you even more good memories with them!
@@mjcossel6136 my daughter loves looking at our wedding pictures so I will probably add them to her dress up bin. :)
Erica you are brilliant!
In Europe we can donate/recycle our clothes, bedding etc that are no good to donate "as clothes"... But can be donated "as recycle fibers" ... Maybe see if that is possible near you!...that would be an alternative to trashing them... But if not, as you say, don't feel guilty trashing clothes that can not be donated to wear by someone else!.. When all other alternatives have been exhausted we have no choice. X
I will research!
We recycle fibers in the US as well, but usually you need to drop them off rather than our usual curbside pick up for other recycling. I googled Annapolis Maryland, and the county website lists recycling centers that accept textiles.
@@Dashzap same in Europe.. We drop them off at special recycle bins or centers. Great that the US does that to.. Thanks for the insight x... Hopefully Erica will see your comment😊
@@Dashzap awesome thank you!!
Old t shirts that are too tatty to donate make excellent rags to use for really dirty jobs. My husband uses them for cleaning his bicycle and polishing shoes.
So excited you are touching everything and going through each item. You could of easily ended up with another ‘crawl space’ scenario in the basement. Look how far you have come☺️
Seeing those wedding shoes made me laugh. I have saved my dress, and was 'thinking' about the shoes. So I put them aside to think about them. Then, my dog grabbed them and, well, now they're in the recycling. LOL So, decision made for me.
I've opted to frame the wedding dress -- I like fiber art and my dress is hand beaded.
great job- so nice to explain that you don't need to feel guilty about keeping clothes you might 'someday' fit back into!!!
Isn't it the best feeling, seeing the bottom of that box?!
Just a suggestion for future old clothes. Keep a small bin of things in case your daughter ever decides she wants to learn to sew. My 10 and 8 year old girls love cutting up random fabric and sewing (sometimes that means stapling and taping 😆) clothes for their dolls.
Your attitude and tone and message are so helpful! TFS 😊
Hi Erica just wanted to let u know that u r helping me declutter my house. I remember your basement in your last house and u have come so far from them. Your journey inspires me.
Best wishes from Australia 😀❤🇦🇺
Wedding shoes! I have mine displayed in my china hutch. ❤️
One of my favorite memories from childhood is wearing my mom’s wedding shoes for dress up.
You seemed to be having fun decluttering the last clothing box. Did Andy like his blanket? I can't declutter at the minute as we're in lockdown in Belfast with only essential shops open and I live in small house. Hopefully lockdown will end soon. Thank you for making me smile and bringing joy into this very worrying time.😷😘
I visited Ireland in 2019. It's a beautiful country. Everyday I wear my wearing my Claddagh ring I brought at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. It was one of my most favorite places I saw while in Ireland. Here's wishing for better times indeed and lockdowns to be a thing of the past!!!
You should know that you are a ROCKSTAR declutterer!!!! You are funny ,smart,generous and real....never let any shallow people make you feel bad about your life and your decisions...the world is a better place with people like you in it!!!!
I dont know what I'm gonna do when you finish decluttering ....lol
I don’t imagine it either. Still feels like a ways away.
Me neither. Erica is a lifeline.
I do love how real you still are.
Thank you , thank you , thank you...for telling us not to feel ashamed for throwing away a shirt that has no value. I honestly last week felt guilty for doing that same thing...you are a rock star lad
Windex! I once inadvertently held a marker in my hand while crossing my arms across my chest. To my horror I realized too late the cap was off. I had a large black circle of ink on my chest. It soaked through my bra as well. A co-worker suggested I soak the garments in windex. Voila! The ink neutralized and was removed👍🤗
Thanks for the tip. I have never heard this before.
THANK YOU for DECLUTTERING SHAME!
On the lighter side, I have been frequently wearing stuff that is not even worthy of donating.
AH-HA!!!
New laundry-sirting-process now includes holding garments up to light to check for thinning fabric and holes and using bright light to look for stains. I remember the day that I saw myself in the mirror at the gym and realized that my yoga pants had worn so thin that everyone could see I was wearing LEPPARD PRINT PANTIES. I would rather wash/store/wear a few favorite and flattering yoga pants. Bye-bye to the non-flattering, embarrassing, clothes that I would not even give away. It is time to be kind to myself because I deserve to wear the best of what I already own and not waste energy or drag myself down with stuff I know better than to give away. I am enough.
Thank you for this - I don’t know why I am not wearing my better clothes- kind of like not using the good China or the living room couch!
YOU ARE ENOUGH. Love this! ❤️❤️❤️
A lot of op shops here (Australia) take all unwanted clothes/linen etc, they resell what is good and cut up the lesser quality to be bagged and sold by weight.
People like mechanics can then purchase the bags of rags :)
I found out that H&M will take old (clean) clothes to be recycled. So whenever a sock gets a hole or a pair of jeans rip, I wash them and put them in a garbage bag and when it’s full, I take it to H&M.
My feet also became 1 size bigger after having a kid. And I'm keeping my weddingshoes, even if they don't fit anymore.
It's something I was never told about before having kids. First baby I was the same, second baby I went up half a size and third baby one size more.
@@deborahgate965 It's one of many things people don't tell you when you're pregnant. Like, who knew, after delivering a baby, in a day or three you kinda deliver again? I was glad my sister told me beforehand that I would loose a big chunk of old blood etc!
Well done Erica.....love your channel. Would like people to be nicer to you and other you tubers who are trying their best......if you don't like it.......don't watch it.......don't slag people off for their efforts ☘
For every one negative comment, I enjoy 1,000 amazing comments. I’ll take the bad to get the good. Spread love. ❤️
"A different mentality now" - That's so awesome. You have changed!
Fun video. My feet went up 3 sizes after having my kids.
you're getting closer and closer! WOW! What will it feel like once there are no more boxes to unpack? A whole new chapter in the adventure can begin...
I think we will do another pass of what we chose to keep. The pile still feels too big.
@@EricaLucasLoves it hurts less every time. It’s amazing. I go through a box or bin once and then a few weeks later do a second pass and almost every time, I find more stuff to let go of.
@@thehealingvibration it’s definitely getting easier for me to let go.
You can use those pink bags to organize games! Put the game and instructions inside, and if you want, you can cut the picture on the front of box out to fit inside so you can see what it is. Takes up much less space, and keeps the games in better condition!
Erica, I have been watching you since you started your minimalism journey. I love that you are 'minimalish' and so real. I can totally relate to what you are going through and have been decluttering along the way, too! I love to see how your mindset has changed over the last year. I decluttered some clothing today that is too big! (The other journey my husband and I are on is a healthy lifestyle). Love to watch your channel!
I laughed out loud when you said, “we hit the clothes, they’re mine, & I don’t want them” 😂
I am just thoroughly enjoying your box unpacking. I feel like I moved with you. You have grown sooooo much from the teary lady I watched trying to declutter your last home xx Stef UKxx
I’m like a different person!
Absolute role-model stuff.
Pen stain: rubbing alcohol or hairspray!
You are amazing. Good for you. Your mind shift has been very motivating for me. Well done you!
I am so inspired -- it would have been so hard for me to get rid of the pink storage bags. I would have thought, maybe I can use these for something. In all reality, if I need a storage bag, I'm sure I could just use a plastic bag! I really like your videos.
I love your videos! My goal is to be minimalish. ❤️
Halleluyer! Congrats on getting through clothes boxes!
I would let her play dress ip in them and take a picture of her wearing them. Then when they wear out you have 2 sets of good memories.
Not sure if you have H&M stores down there, but you can bring textiles( clothing/shoes/towels/blankets) that are worn out to be recycled. And they will give you a 15% off coupon to their store for each bag that you bring in if old/worn out or used textiles. I live up in Boston and we have donation bins all over the city ( the big metal donation bins) where you can put old/worn out textiles as well, so see if your town has anything like that. Great job decluttering to BTW. I just did all my clothing and had to keep two pairs of bigger sized pants, and 3 pair smaller sized pants and 4 pair smaller if capris. I hate to keep so much extra, but always worry that we won't have the extra income when needed. Especially if I gained a few, eek.
You are doing aw some and I love living minimalish as well :)
I went back (again) to your videos 1 year ago. Nice progress since then. You are one that keep inspiring me and so I keep being inspired too. Our home is organized, but not enough. My challenges are the sentimental, emotional items. I REALLY need to let go, really do. It will take a little time, it will happen though. Thank you for your great videos.
Sentimental is so hard - I’m STILL letting go from mementos from loved ones I lost decades ago. Good luck! ❤️
Seriously.. I need to declutter clothes ASAP!!!
Yes, yes, yes to donating to a shelter! If it's possible to wash and hang clothes on hangers, they will be treasured by anyone looking for clothes that are ready to wear.
There is a large donation place that starts with the letter "G" that recycles textiles if they cannot be resold in their store. No shame, you are doing an excellent job! 🙂
I know that shame feeling and end up hanging on to stuff. Good to hear it said! It´s OK to trash a ratty shirt. I also thought oh no-100 ppl are going to comment that it should go here or there-but if they watch you long enough it´s clear you know these things and abide! I´m glad you are though with yet another box.
This video helps us to remove that clothing clutter we have saved for years in hopes that we will lose 50 pounds. Love how you said it, “When I lose 4 dress sizes, I’ll go out and treat myself to new clothes.” I’ve decluttered clothes a few days ago and now I’ll go back and look at that pile I saved for “when I lose weight.”
Great job decluttering 😃 i would suggest asking the place your donating to if they would like you to wash them. I always wash before donating unless they are brand new with tags.
Yay! You have made so much progress about being decisive. I hope you have a great 2021!
Love this series and collab! Thank you! I really enjoy the different ideas everyone brings. I’m picking up some great tips.❤️ lol I am 64 and I have been a minimalist and clothing capsule fan for decades and I still have my wedding shoes, veil and dress! And yes feet expand over the years, babies and even age. 😜
Per your comment on the shaming for tossing stuff out, I don’t get why people think tossing stuff is like rehoming beloved pets. I’ve seen comments on various channels especially the minimalist channels that seem to imply a rigid set of rules from the number of items to recycling everything including half used makeup. I think that’s nuts and prevents people from sharing success and progress.
Heaven help the makeup channels that declutter and don’t carefully list where everything goes.
My motto is “ my home is Not a final resting place for my unwanted junk!” I do my best to donate GOOD stuff, but I refuse to offload my trash for others to have to dispose of. I care about the charities I donate to. So I toss it. If our local recycle takes it, sure I recycle but making it easy to simplify and minimize is more important than creating a new set of rules that just stop people from letting go.
And you’re right about the 2 steps. It keeps the process moving and prevents regrets.
Agreed about the rules. The important thing is letting go!
loved how you said -- as we support each other with kindness in the comments... wow, that's how we should live in all regards. Thanks
I love that you're part of your local Buy Nothing group now!!
Woohoo! Way to finish off the clothing boxes!
Erica, just a thought, but could you display your wedding shoes in a clear perspex box in your clothes closet so you get to see them often but with no dusting added to your routine?
LAST-BOX-OF-CLOTHES!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!
Clearing out stuff having a de clutter is a good feeling
Love your videos. I keep waiting for the day that you’ve had enough and get rid of 80% of what you’ve kept.
...especially the sentimental piles
Why "80 percent" sounds more like your idea of minimalism then hers.
Andy and I talked about the Decluttering we think we do after we unpack and evaluate what (and why) we kept it
I feel like she's already decluttered 80%
She had A LOT of stuff, but more importantly she's raising kids. Minimalism doesn't need to be a percentage or a fashionable thing. It's defining what's not making your life any easier.
Oh really? And your criteria matter HOW EXACTLY in her life? I’ve been enjoying minimalism since 1984 when I read Don Aslett’s Clutters Last Stand and started tossing. Probably before you were born. It’s like peeling an onion and even when you think you know it all, tossed it all, minimized it all- life changes and needs change and suddenly there’s more to let go of. Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of things that spark joy as the Kondo gal says, it’s about making room so the joy stuff can shine!
can"t wait to see what you do with all your piles that you have created. good declutter video!
Good job Erica! Someone will be grateful to get those clothes especially the ones that were never used.
First! I had that diaper bag...memories!
Great declutter pile. I am so excited to see your basement box-free someday soon!
Great video, as usual- thanks for the motivation!
Hi Erica! Thanks again for an inspiring video! I always try to watch your videos before I get down to the business of decluttering my things.
Quick idea for you: There are drop boxes to recycle clothes throughout the US. It's nice to avoid additional landfill items while giving potential new life to materials. One caveat though ... if it becomes too onerous to find and deposit the clothes to be recycled, it's best to through them away rather than give you more stress.
Happy 2021 to you!
Sometimes animal shelters like old clothes, and other linens.
Great video - I just joined my local Buy Nothing group and I was already a part of my Freecycle group - such a great way to pass along items
Hi, you are rocking the decluttering, I'm a little stuck because we're in lockdown again(3time) so everything is shut and I don't have room to make a staging area,
Great Job Erica and wonderful to donate where needed. Thanks for sharing !!!!
I still struggle with sentimental items along my minimalist journey....thank you for making the statement I don’t have to feel guilt about keeping an item that is special-I’ve gotten ride of a lot and have a lot to go, but some items I will never give up by choice
Another great video, Erica! Greetings from Riga, Latvia
Greetings!
Cool beans! Progress!!! So why not make a deep shadow box and display your wedding shoes on your wall in bedroom? That way you can enjoy them until they start to deteriorate. If you wait, you’ll open the box stuffed in the back of your closet and find deteriorated ones. Tfs!! 💜🌸💜🌸
Great job of decluttering. I’ve put a plastic garbage bag in a key location that forces me to question any item that I’m keeping or should donate. Can’t believe it but that bag is almost packed and starting a new one! We have no kids that could get into the bag, so it’s in a safe place. What is the background music playing,?it’s very catchy,thanks.
So happy for you to finish unpacking all the clothes boxes. Been watching since you started your Declutter series and I can relate in so many ways to how and why ir got this way. Thanks for the motivation to tackle it all.
Just 39 more boxes to go. Lol 😂😂😂😂😂. Omg. I will die. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Then another round of decluttering what we chose to keep!
@@EricaLucasLoves 👍🏼👍🏼
Woohoo another box done 🙌
I used to keep clothes wishing and hoping that I would fit into them again but now I have that different mindset as well. If I lose the weight that I want I will reward myself by buying some new clothes. Donating them also makes me feel good that instead of the clothes sitting in my closet for months or years someone can be wearing them now. A few years back I lost a lot of weight where my clothes started falling off of me. That time was the easiest to declutter clothes. Nothing feels better than donating clothes that are too big for you.😂
Way to go Erica!!!
Great video! I laughed out loud at your comment about the spider! I also love that you saved your wedding shoes. I've been married 27 years and still have my gown and veil but this made me realize I have absolutely no idea what happened to my shoes 😂 Love all your videos, keep up the good work!!
When you pulled out your wedding shoes, I thought about mine for the first time in years. I acually used them up, wore them to the office for two summers and had much use of them😊. Very sensible I guess.
Where are your wedding shoes ladies?
Erica there are places that accept old/dirty/damaged clothes for recycling! H&M is one of them
Zara now also accepts clothing for recycling
I think you did amazing and are such a blessing to others. ❤
Good girl for saving your Wedding shoes! 👠👠These were the closest color for your shoes!😊