I think, if I was moving to a new place tomorrow, would I take this with me? If the answer is no, out it goes. This keeps me honest and has been tremendously helpful in my latest decluttering.
That’s what I did when I moved. When I bought my house and my offer was accepted, that’s the day I started decluttering and just getting rid of stuff. Some of that meant even getting rid of furniture and I made local nonprofits very happy with my donations!
You said something in a past video that has stuck with me. “Be ruthless.” I grew up in a house of low level hoarders, so I am prone to those tendencies. I always tell myself, “be ruthless! You don’t need that!”
Whenever I'm decluttering a room, I keep a big laundry basket nearby. Anything that goes in a different room goes in the basket, and I take care of it when I'm done with the room. That way, I can really focus on that one room and not get distracted by taking things to every other room in the house.
My decluttering tip is to watch your videos. Seriously it’s so inspiring. I watch 10 things to toss then get stuck in to what I need to toss. It’s really helps me get motivated ❤️ thanks Melissa and Chad
I set a timer and commit to decluttering for a manageable amount of time, 15 min is my usual. I easily get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I need to do overall (work, kids, pets, bills, etc), so this breaks it down for me. I just keep chipping away at the enormous iceberg and over time I see real improvement. Your videos help me get motivated and you offer great tips. Thank you.
I to be very organized. Now both sets of parents are gone and my loving husband passed... Now I have this home with yours,mine and ours...STUFF !!!! 32YRS ++++. It's been hard on just feel like one one thing ripped from you.....now watching your videos , I come to realize it's my past..... I need to look forward and let other people enjoy our things. Maybe your readers will realize it's just stuff... No one can take your memories from you......
Theresa Morgan sorry to hear about the all your losses.... give yourself time. May the memories guide you forward, and you'll always have memories. May God bless you and your day.
my decluttering routine happens every few months when I shop or for every seasonal change. because I need to store my new stuff, I finally feel I can get rid of old stuff. no guilt, just chuck em' out. and it feels relaxing! but I do tend to keep the odd stuff in my tool cabinet till it's declutter time (every 12 months). that's just stuff like screws, nails, hangers, etc. if i don't use it in a year, I can afford to buy some if needed. so for now, chuck em' out!
You put into words about my husbands things. He passed almost three years ago. My memories will do. It’s just stuff ,you helped me see. And it’s ok to cry as I pack it up...
Victoria Bell that is a lot of pain to just toss away without feeling love for him. could you try and keep some little things in a memory box and donate the rest? my mom always kept my late dad's watch, wallet and sunnies in a memory box. she eventually got the courage after a few years to donate his clothes but one shirt that still hangs in her wardrobe.
Kärt Laas .... well then I must be weird as well. Lol lol. I love to declutter and throw things away...! Lol. I love being organized from my drawers to my closets to just everything !! I completely get it!
I have been de cluttering for the past 3days. New year, making changes, getting rid of the old, feeling fresh & productive. And I took 2wks off form work. Yay me! Happy New Year!
TO ALL PARENTS WITH TOY CLUTTER! I work at a preschool and have done so for several years. Our trick to having the toys we have last longer, and to avoid our small storage area from becoming a disaster area is two fold. First, you can rotate toys out. Not exactly getting rid of them (unless you have tons coming in), but when your kids get new toys one trick is to keep an eye out for those toys that have fallen by the wayside. Something they used to play with but has lost that sparkle that new toys have. Instead of throwing them out immediately (especially if your kids are very young) just collect them in a bin and stash them in the garage or closet for a month. If they ask for that toy or notice that it is missing, then bring it back out into the play area. Anything left behind can be donated :) Another thing to do is to separate toys by season. Sometimes toys have a specific time and place to be used (squirter guns and water toys are an example). Just like we become tired of having decor that remains through the season, kids become bored with the toys that their friends are no longer playing with, or something that they can't bust out in the dead of winter. Pack the ones that are not being used frequently away. When the new season comes back, it's like having a mini Christmas all over again. You can relive old memories and see what they still want or what they are willing to give up. (Another tip is to keep toys in reserve, so when they go to the store and they insist on having a new thing each time; just let them know there is a surprise for them at home instead and they will be thrilled with their "new" toys!) HOPE THIS HELPS :)
my decluttering secret isn't much of a secret but I do it OFTEN. Anytime I'm bored and want to do something productive I declutter. I may only get rid of one or two things but still super helpful to prevent a huge spring cleaning once or twice a year that is too overwhelming.
Personal experience for me has been that waiting to pee before I've finished a certain task just creates more mental road block and can sometimes create a situation where I just shove into a basket some things that I would otherwise have discarded. Waiting to get lunch when genuinely hungry seems to also create more of a roadblock rather than assist with the project at hand. Waiting to get a snack, however, I have found to be effective in helping get the task completed the way I intended. I also find that not letting myself have any lunchtime entertainment -- texts, phone games, tv, podcasts, etc. - makes my brain feel more clear and accepting of going directly back to the task at hand once I've finished eating; also, clearing the plates/food containers, etc. completely somehow also contributes to a more clear-headed feeling when I return to complete the task. Thanks for the great video series! Yours has become my go-to source for motivation.
I have 3 kids and what I do is in July we go thru all toys and toss anything broken, then on Dec 20th Santa leaves a laundry basket for each kid and they help Santa's elves out by putting the toys they don't play with into the basket so before Christmas eve Santa picks up the basket and replaces it with new toys. My black hole is a plastic tote next to my bed and declutering clothes is easy because I dont pay for clothes I take what I dont wear anymore and I donate it to a place that gives clothes to people.
My mother came up with this little phrase when we helped her get rid of many items, for the move from her home to a smaller apartment: "Tell the item 'thank-you' and kiss it good-bye". Gratitude is a great catalyst to moving on.
We're doing a massive decluttering because we will be downsizing to a condo that 1/3 of the square footage of our big family home. One thing that is helping me is what I call "Do It Now." Whenever I identify something that needs to go, I "do it now." I do this even if I must take time to clean or wrap it up, or take a photo of it so I can hold onto the memory, or carry the item down or up a flight of stairs. Items that go end up in one of three places: the trash, our recycling area, or my car (so we can donate it). I didn't always do this. It used to be that when I saw things that needed to go (but I didn't want to take the time to do what they needed or get them where they needed to go) that I'd leave them for another day. But what I found is that I thought about these items again and again, every time I encountered them. That added to my mental and sometimes emotional clutter (if the item held an important memory). So now, if I'm decluttering and I see it, out it goes. This is working much better.
One tip that I have been using for years is to only touch the mail ONCE! I don't go get my mail until I have a few minutes to actually file things where they belong. One of my biggest clutter holes has always been a pile of mail that I need to go through. Some things would sit for weeks or even months. I needed to read something (or wanted to) so it just sat there until I had time, which I never had. Now, as soon as I bring it in, I put the bills where they belong, throw out the junk mail and if I need to read something, I sit and read it and then file accordingly. It has helped me so much over the years to do this. Seems like a small thing but it turned out to be a big thing for me!
The most inspiring things to get me to clean is ready the comments. Not many people do it but I think it is inspiring hearing what other people say and do. Your videos are also really inspiring. Thanks so much!!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⚾️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⚾️⚾️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
in my opinion the best way to declutter is to first become selfless. a total detachment from "your" life. birthday cards, yearbooks, old journals. they have served their purpose in my life. and i had to let them go. i adopted the philosophy of minimalism around 2 years ago and got rid of everything. it is a very liberating experience to not be weighed down. it is very joyous and freeing, i would recommend to anyone. love your videos, keep up the great work.
Every couple of months, my husband and I go through everything in our apt. And decide what we can throw out, donate or sell that we don't want or use anymore. At least once a year, my 6 year old and I go threw her room and find toys to sell or donate in order to make room for new toys. And she feels good about keeping her room clean and giving toys to other kids. We do the same thing with clothes. Things come into the apt. All the time and things just end up collecting. Suddenly, it's too cluttered. So it's important to go through everything now and then and get rid of things that sit there and are never used.
I'm actually very organised, and I'm proud to say that my small space is absolutely clean and decluttered (thanks to your channel), but I still wanted to watch this video because I'm just about to sleep and organising videos help me relax, especially if they are from you 😊 Thank you
And I do exactly what you said in your last tip. I set a goal to first clean out an area, and then go eat or take bath, and I always put on music and kind of dance my way around the space.
Clutter is a delayed decision. As soon as it comes into your home give it a home . Unwanted Gifts can either be exchanged for something else( put it in my car ) , regifted,( place in closet with gift wrap)or donated ( place in car to donate .,, there are donations centers everywhere especially in supermarket parking lots) - 5 Min put away sessions are great and not overwhelming - my black hole is paper I try to shred it immediately or place it properly... I try to go through my paperwork weekly or minimum monthly . -
Thrifting_Bee I had my closet mirrored doors fall on me( that was frightening) I watched some Kon Marie youtube videos ( they were raw and real .. tj’s way really helped I can also recommend the messy minimalist , my new me ...but by that time I completed my journey ) no need to read or listen to her book as seeing ppl go through the process really helps It’s been 18 months and I feel sooo much better and never again will I do that’s ... it’s been life changing For your paperwork I would buy a shredder ( $40-$50) and get rid of stuff ... I had 5 boxes of receipts and other stuff... I am down to 1/2 a box and now if I need something I can actually find it Commit to 5-10 Min s sessions with the tv on ... have lots of boxes Categorize them Action / shred / trash / file Then just file them in the appropriate box then go shred ( it’s such a great feeling ) Now go through a box 5-10 Min sessions are fine daily .., often times once you get started you will feel that you should continue for an hour .
Lashlove16 listen to the podcast "organize 365" (she has a you tube channel too). She has the perfect fix for paper clutter. It's called a Sunday basket and she has a routine n rules that you have to follow with the Sunday basket, and if you follow them it solves your paper clutter for good! It's so amazing, it literally has changed my life!
For as long as I can remember, my mother has been storing loads of stuff under every bed in the house. When moving into my own bedroom, once I got a bed on a proper bed frame, I didn't want to store anything under my bed. To me, it's usually just junk to be forgotten about and get in the way of cleaning. But nope, without even asking my my mother went and bought several underbed bins to force upon me. I knew it would be a fight to get her to return them, so I gave in and decided to use them exclusively for the storage of a single type of item I access frequently, but not constantly: wigs. Two years later, the underside of my bed is still clean, organized, and storing nothing but wigs. I am quite proud of myself, because I can't say the same for literally every other square inch of my living space.
Ours was our big bonus room. We finally decluttered it and made it a school for my 3 girls as I go part time. The girls love it and when my husband and I have work we can do it there too. Thankful for this space now. No junk room
To declutter I use the 30•60•90 rule. Will I reuse this in 30 days? Do I need this in a few months? Will I wear this next season/ year? If I get more negatives than positives time to let it go. I also consider is it broken and will I realistically fix it - if not toss it.
Loved your tips! I read somewhere about if you have something special to remember take a picture of it and then it will be easier to part with. So I have 3 sons (ages 21, 21, 19) who still live at home with me. I have just gone through my house and decluttered. I am going to get a tote bin for each son and put things (art work, trophies, pictures etc) for each son in their bin. When they move out their bin goes with them and it is up to them to decide what to keep. Of course I have a few special items I will keep for me.
Ok here's a weird one - I put the item in question in the middle of the floor in a busy area of the house for at least a day. If I (and other members of the household are instructed accordingly) take the time to step around it or find a place for it - where it can belong and live to keep it safe then I know I really care. If it's just annoying and getting on my nerves then I know it can go and I'll be fine with that.
I play your videos in the background while I'm cleaning! Similarly, I keep cooking videos on as I prepare food. If I want background noise, I make sure that it isn't distracting but rather inspiring me to continue the task at hand. Plus, I often catch tips I can implement right there in the moment.
My secret to decluttering, aside from finding motivation in your videos & remembering how immaculate, in order everything in my life used to be is... my daughter came over a couple years ago, we were going thru some stuff I got for her to see if she wanted and by the time we got to the garage she said "omg, please don't die, you have alot of crap" so I hear her very nonexcited voice repeating that phrase and the other after she hadn't been in town or by in about 6 months one time..."holy cow it looks like a retail store in here" referring to my house. I know this is long- sorry, but finally, my secret to this is picturing the next big holiday, say Easter now. And me hosting it for my whole family since it's long past my turn. Think of them all here and when I look around, what I'd be embarrassed by or they'd look at and think how messy or disorganized something is. Or taking photos of a room, look at them whenever, see the reality and what I see thru photos is alot I'm not pleased with and know I can do better.
I love the con mari method. It works so well! I tottaly agree with the wait until you buy tip that you mentioned it has saved me alot of money and alot of space
If we don't love it or use it often, it HAS to go! Between having a small home and taking a summer trip a couple of years ago that resulted in living out of our car for nearly a month, we have realized how little we actually need. The kids' toys are the hardest. My youngest is often gifted with stuff from grandparents and has a hard time getting rid of stuff he loves when he got stuff he didn't ask for. Serious challenge in that department! Thanks for the videos!
My entire house was feeling like a black hole, but for last 3 months I have been working hard to change that. Every day I work on something by setting a 15 minute timer.
My secret is definitely to have a one question conversation with myself about whether to keep a particular item. That sentence is, “do you ACTUALLY NEED/WANT this?” Obviously, the answer dictates what I do with it. I implemented this strategy because I would find myself saying, “oh well I might need this item for some obscure occasion, like a wedding or a dinner party or whatever” and then I end up talking myself into keeping it, and of course, it would just end up not being used and perpetuating the clutter. Not only does this method decrease the amount of stuff I keep when I declutter, but it cuts the time I spend decluttering down SO much, making it manageable and not so overwhelming. ❤️
Thanks for the video and the motivation! My clutter black hole is our smallest bedroom. We don't use it for anything specific like a den/office or bedroom, so it becomes a catchall or a way station for things I don't know what to do with or are on their way to the thrift store. I'm gonna tackle it soon; already started.
Learning to decluttering my things, took a portion of a room and in 1-2 weeks came back, then started coming back to get rid of more, more often. Gave me better prospective and started learning what was important and necessary over not valuing personally. I'm much closer to my goal and having a clean space makes it easier to clean and function. It helped to clarify in other areas more easily what I need vs things not useful to me that can be useful for others. I learned it's ok to ask for help when needing help to decluttering certain area or pile of things as I might be to attached. I learned that simplifying and having less gives me more time and energy to put toward other things I want to do and spend time w those around me. End of the day to be loved by people will be what gives more to me then buying stuff or filling voids at store . Hope this is helpful to someone else as the process is one change built upon another and don't try to be just like someone else as you values and end goal is yours and doesnt mean because you didn't get down to a certain amount of things doesn't mean you have not succeed. To define success for yourself and what individually you want is more important then comparing where u are vs where others are.
As someone who is only two years into this whole minimalist outlook, I’ve found that starting out I would get kinda upset and even angry, why did I buy this? Why do I have to do all this? Blah blah, blah! But now, I think that maybe I was just more indulgent or had more blessings, that I am lucky I have this opportunity to not clean my space (lol) but to really help people, threw donations, of some really great stuff that my family no longer needs. Thinking of how happy others will be makes the job not a job, but a nice experience 💕
I recently moved in a small one bedroom apartment that has NO built in closets. I have had to be very thoughtful and creative about what to keep and where to store it. Kon Mari might be a bit over the top in some ways but her suggestions to collect all like items before decluttering, only keeping what you love or use and the folding methods have all been quite helpful to me.
Im trying to inform everyone who may not know this but i noticed in this video you have a malm dresser and there has been 2 recalls issued from ikea because 8 kids have died and over 90 injured. I own 2 of them and they are refunding me and picking the up for free. I have a toddler and there is no way i want those in my house. I just wanted to let you know from one mommy to another. Their website has all the details. ❤ i love your videos!
good video. I have a 2 drawer filing cabinet, for years I was looking for a 4 drawer filing cabinet. finally it dawned on me to purge my 2 drawer filing cabinet rather than buying a cabinet with more drawers.
Junk drawer in kitchen is the black hole I agree with that one tip you made regarding little ones. I have been doing that with my kids since they were very little (they are 5 and 3 now)..... I periodically will go through their toys with them and have them donate the broken or less loved toys. And I explain to them they are giving away their toys to other children so it will make other children happy. And in turn, knowing that actually makes my children happy. When decluttering my own stuff, I tend to ask myself if the item brings me joy or not so if not, I get rid of it. My husband's stuff, I let him declutter it himself. The junk drawer situation is his problem actually, lol.
What really gets me in the mood to start decluttering is watching one of those home remodel shows, where everything looks so neat and tidy at the end. Seeing that really makes me want to have a nice tidy, decluttered home, too. I then decide what I want to declutter first, for example the drawers in my office. So I will work on those and after I done with them, I'll tidy up my office and make it look reall nice. If I feel like I want to reward myself after, I'm gonna go to a store and find something nice that would fit into the space, like a little succulent or a drawer divider (if I need it). Like this I tackle all the areas of my home that really need decluttering but I dont pressure myself into doing it. If for some reason I really dont feel like decluttering, then I just don't do it that day, but make sure I do it within the next week or so.
I used to rotate toys for my kids since they were toddlers too. I learned that I can easily tell when they lost interest in any of the toys in a rotation or two. That was a sign for me to swap toys with with cousins or sometimes donate.
Remodeled kitchen forced me to a get rid of so much stuff. I called local charity and got rid of dishes, coffee cups, drinking glasses and pots n pans. I kept only cooking utensils that I use. Feels so good
I think decluttering is a continuous work in process. I love to declutter and have things visually neat and organized. With 2 small kids and a baby on the way, it makes it so much easier to quickly grab things your looking for when everything is easily accessible, labeled, and in its place. The toy rotation totally works for us. I’m happy to say that our “black hole” is actually getting smaller and smaller with each declutter session we have. Pretty soon there won’t be a black hole anymore. 🙌🏽
I so wanted that Marquee board that you have, sat on it for a while, and I actually found one while Christmas shopping, and snagged it for 3 bucks! I start off doing your 3 wave method... If it doesn't have a home, or haven't used it within a month, toss or donate it... Keeps things in check, and clean!
When I am decluttering & organizing I have a large trash can for trash, a big box for donations, a basket for stuff I'm keeping, and a basket for the consignment store. I start at the north end of the room & work my way around the room going thru every nook & cranny, Drawers & cubbys, closets & chests & cupboards. I'm a professional organizer. So I can get thru a room in about 4 hours unless I'm working with a hoarder...but that's a totally different ball of wax!
My closet & cabinets around the tv are the black holes of our home. I'm gonna be doing a deep clean & declutter of EVERYTHING next week! I'll be planning it out this afternoon while doing the laundry. The only declutter tip I can think of is to just get things put away immediately & to only buy something if you a ctually need it.
My clutter black hole is in my guest room closets and my garage and sometimes my pantry 🤫 thank you so much for these videos. My biggest goal for this year is to be more organized. I want my home to be as nice and clean as yours one day and everyday!
I recently bought your book "Clean My Space" and found the simple instructions motivating I especially enjoyed reading about your past history as a slob! That is me to a T! In addition to following your easy instructions on thorough cleaning I would add steam cleaning the carpets and regularly as having to move everything helped me declutter
I too have an under the stairs black hole of clutter. It's going bye bye this month. Thanks for your videos and I appreciate the high quality, thanks Chad.
I don't have a storage, exclusive for the things “I have but I don't use“, except a small box which I plan to throw soon,so this helped me a lot when decluttering. I still have some paintings though which I need to sell.
When I need to declutter, I set the timer for 15-30 minutes and accomplish as much as I can in that time. When the timer rings, I can either stop without guilt or keep going. I often keep going because the initial 15 minutes gave me the motivation to get started. If I do choose to stop, I have at least accomplished something (and it is amazing how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes! When it comes to children's artwork/projects, knick knacks, anything with sentimental value, I have found that taking a picture helps. I take a picture of the item, then get throw out or give away the item (as the situation warrants). I have the picture to remind me of the item, but don't have to hold on to things which need to be cleaned, etc. The pictures can even be printed into a book at places like shutterfly and snapfish; this is especially great with children's artwork.
Paperwork declutter! Every new year, I go to the Post Office and got one of those HUGE Priority Mailing envelopes...the really strong ones. I take all of my receipts and paperwork, sort through what I will need for Taxes, and put them in the envelope, and toss what has accumulated that I don't need (grocery store receipts end up there for some reason!). Then, once my taxes are done, I print a copy of my Tax Return and put it in the Envelope, and seal it. Since it is recommended that you save your Tax Returns for 7 years (yes, I still do that), I write the year on the outside of the Envelope and store it in a tote box. Once it's in the box, I pull the oldest (7 years old) envelope, shred everything, and I'm done. Keeps it neat and in one place.
My black hole room is my extra room/craft room - things just get tossed in there to "deal with later" - I'm in the process of decluttering now, but I have to be in the right mood.
I found a lot that reassessing storage (like you say decluttering rather than buying more storage to accommodate) was my main problem. Now that we’ve stopped looking at things this way it helped so much
My go to method is divide and conquer. Its usually one type of stuff a day and if i feel like it ill go through another type (books, clothes, shoes, accessories etc.)
I declutter in phases. If there is something I can't decide on getting rid of, I put it somewhere I can see it everyday. That way when I'm ready for the next phase it's easier to decide what to do with it. It's easier for me to do a little at a time consistently so I don't get overwhelmed or burned out. I get excited about the area I get to tackle the next day.
I've been decluttering like crazy since before Christmas! My problem with decluttering - hanging onto the stuff you've picked out to try and sell it and make up some of the money that was spent on these items, rather than just donating them. Once I can get past the emotion side of "the kids are growing up" and "this was a gift" I tend to box things and set them aside, post on fb bst groups, and wait. Well, this week I am done waiting. I want this stuff out. This isn't even all of it. SO I am giving people a couple days, and if they don't get it, i'm taking it to either goodwill, value village, or once upon a child if it's worth money.
I just came across this video, yes I know it’s 3 years old but it’s well worth the watch, especially the unexpected laugh out loud I made when she opened the door to the “ dark hole “ only to find her husband(?) sneaking eating the chips!😂 loved this!
I dont really have a set rule or nothing like that. But! when i decide to do some decluttering i keep telling myself to be BRUTAL!! And almost force myself to give away anything i haven't worn or used in the last 2 months or so! Sometimes it is hard but im always happy when im done!
i have been working hard to get organized i love to declutter when i have some down time and my basic house chores are done i put on some clean with me videos or music then i fond my self starting to clean and declutter
When i helped my mom declutter her closets the rule i kept going back to was, "if you wouldn't even remember you have something & would go out & buy another one when you need it, you should probably let it go."
Ours is in the office closet and our attic . I find that it helps me not to save a whole magazine, but to thumb through and tear out my folded corner pages and recycle or toss the magazine, also a large envelope on kitchen counter to put our daily receipts in.
I have retrograde amnesia after a series of strokes and brain surgery (lucky enough to remember the family I’d seen as far back as 4mo before the surgery tho) so letting go is difficult “This is a part of my life I don’t even remember!” So I started taking fotos of things I was worried about letting go of before donating them. Apparently I used to be ace at letting go. My wedding dress was a size 0, taken in 4 times and my 5’ self knew any children I had with my 6’8” husband weren’t going to be that short; so I donated it. Going through a foto album I discovered a thank you note in the personals I’d cut out and saved from a bride (along with her wedding announcement & foto from the newspaper) thanking the donor, what mudita!!
Parent of a little child... and Amen! about the toys, toys and more toys! This mom is also a minimalist...sometimes I think my head is going to explode. But my husband and I are on the band wagon of out with the old, in with the new :) whew!!!
I have a hard and fast rule - when I get/buy something, I give away something. I find decluttering very therapeutic. Also, if I buy something and never use it within a year, it goes to charity. Love your videos!
This was a great video. I needed to hear this message! Thank you. My black hole is kitchen pantry and bedroom closet. I don’t have any secrets. That’s why my house is a hot mess!
Decluttering when you are angry really helps to let things go. I suggest dividing your projects into small task. And try to get the whole family involved . I loved decluttering on a three day weekend.
While I declutter I love loading up a decluttering/clean with me UA-cam playlist from my fave contributors - like Clean My Space, for example :) I need background noise to feel focused, but I find this keeps my headspace on point
Enter the Black Hole...with Creepy Carl! Bwah ha ha ha!!! 😂 Yay! He’s back!!!! So made my day! And finding out about the whole tattoo thing...This video is awesome! Thanks for the tips! Happy New Year❣️
Do you need a $300 motorcycle helmets that's never been used? Yeah another rule is don't buy something just because the guy your dating is into it, borrow one and keep it moving :)
My favorite way to declutter is keeping a box handy while I'm washing the laundry and I throw clothes in it that need to be donated and when it's full I drive thru Goodwill!
Thanks - i have several black holes. I can deal w some now (Jan 2019) some will need to be cleared in the Spring! I try very hard to declutter as I go... I get rid of something in the kitchen (if I notice when cooking). I have a box in the guest room and I go put it in ASAP. I take the box to donate when full.
Thank you for your knowledgeable videos. I decluttered the spare room today. Going to tackle my daughter's toys tomorrow when she's at school. Awesome advice thank you :)
I usually try to donate as much as I can. I’m always going through my clothes and donating them either to goodwill or family or friends. I don’t keep anything that is broken and unable to be fixed. I toss any of my kids toys that are missing pieces or broken. It always feels nice to me to get rid of stuff.
I take care of mail as soon as it comes into the house. Junk mail goes in the burn barrel, bills get opened and put into our "bill box" and a magazine or catalog that I want to look at goes right on the table next to my chair.
My black hole is my hallway closet and my desk. My decluttering secret is to know your problem areas and sort through them on a monthly basis. In my opinion, it's unavoidable to have no clutter, especially when living with two small children. But if it's looked though and cleaned every month, there's less of a chance of a big pile up.
My black hole is an extra dresser I have, that I like to keep in the living room, which is mainly for throw blankets, but its become a catch all for crayons, candles, and extra coloring books. Working on moving everything of that stuff out over the weekend.
I am constantly decluttering. I have a big pink bin just under my coffee table and whenever I find something I don't need/want/use, it goes in, and when the bin is full, I sort through, toss what needs the garbage, my sister takes what she loves, and the rest is donated. It usually ends up that at least one thing goes in every day.
Melissa, you look absolutely perfect in this video! ❤️ I am waiting for my in-laws to finally move out. Then EVERYTHING in the whole house will be evaluated and declutterred - KonMari style. Been stuck in a rut because of having 4 adults in a small 1.5 bed flat...
Lol I'm currently getting rid of my black whole which is my walk in closet. My parents and sister think that because I was the youngest child got to store their unwanted items in my closet ugh totally ugh now lol so now my mom and I after 10 years of looking at it are rummedging through it and i am so happy cause I'm 21 this month and i will have my dream closet and library cleaning is the best therapy 🖤
My black hole is the breakfast bar. It is always filled with papers from the kids that we didn’t throw away yet that just get piled up. My New Years resolution is to keep my house clean.😬😬😬😬😬🥨🥨🥨😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬
I definitely do the waiting, if it’s online I’ll leave it in my cart for at least a week. If it’s in stores I’ll put it back and go back in a few weeks if I still want it. Usually by then, I don’t want it anymore. I also follow the KonMari method, and ask myself if x item truly brings me joy and if it doesn’t spark that joy, I’ll donate it.
When we think "I spent money for this item" and you try to hang on to it but need to get rid of it...just tell yourself that the money has already been SPENT!! You're NOT having to spend $$ NOW so get rid of it now. It's a matter of mind-over-matter when doing this dreaded task of clearing our clutter. 😃
i have been decluttering lately and the thing that is helping me with clothing is limit myself to 10 summer tops and ten of each kind of idem did this with winter stuff also it helps with laundry
Before: I used to work inside the mall so my eyes are always stimulated with products, food and drinks that are pleasing to the eye, not to mention that you have to keep "the appearance" that you are earning a decent amount of money in front of your co-workers so whatever they are buying, I bought it, too, without giving much a thought if I actually need it. Today: I have chosen to work at home, so just like magic, the temptation to buy stuff is gone! I look at my closet, and I felt I have too much clothes to wear that I sold some of them online and I give the rest as gifts to friends or relatives. Just to add Melissa's tip about distractions -- for me, decluttering works if you do not feel stressed, because clutter is honestly for me, also a state of mind. I just realized that when I was still working in that mall, I felt so stressed at all things in all levels to the point that I eat, drink and buy stuff mindlessly as a stress reliever. What I do is save a specific day (a rest day, a holiday, or even file a vacation leave!) for me to just declutter. But it's true, there should be no TV, no visual distractions because you will be looking at things one by one to see if the item can fit into your life. But since it's a thought process, for me I do not rush it. What I do is I look at clutter then pick out the items I think I really need and love (it has to be both, actually, hehehe) , and then sift through the rest (not all!) into the "halfway house/30-day test" bin. I make it a goal to get rid of at least 5 articles in whatever I am decluttering, because nothing will happen if I won't get rid of stuff. Another tip -- if you cannot remember who bought the item, it needs to go. If you cannot remember what it is for, get rid of it. If you cannot remember why you are keeping it, it needs to go. And if someone in the family is in a purge rampage, don't jump in and help out immediately. You may end up more of a distraction than part of the solution and you may disrupt the person's thought process. Let others do their purge thing and do your own thing. Well, my house is actually in the middle of a decluttering and organizing session because we want to have a designated play area for my nephew and niece and we are sifting though different items to get rid off. My and my sister are taking turns so we won't get tired easily and we still have jobs to do, so I hope this sharing helps. :)
Our black hole is our "office", which is basically just a storage room too. My secret to decluttering though is to not think about it too much when I'm getting rid of stuff. Do it fast, no regrets
I think, if I was moving to a new place tomorrow, would I take this with me? If the answer is no, out it goes. This keeps me honest and has been tremendously helpful in my latest decluttering.
That's a great way to declutter!
Yep, I use this technique too! Sometimes I tell myself:"what if I need to move overseas, will I pay to take this crap with me?" ;)
If I were shopping right now... Would I buy this again?
That’s what I did when I moved. When I bought my house and my offer was accepted, that’s the day I started decluttering and just getting rid of stuff. Some of that meant even getting rid of furniture and I made local nonprofits very happy with my donations!
This is great.
You said something in a past video that has stuck with me. “Be ruthless.” I grew up in a house of low level hoarders, so I am prone to those tendencies. I always tell myself, “be ruthless! You don’t need that!”
This is the rule that has helped me! Be Ruthless and throw it away or donate it.
Whenever I'm decluttering a room, I keep a big laundry basket nearby. Anything that goes in a different room goes in the basket, and I take care of it when I'm done with the room. That way, I can really focus on that one room and not get distracted by taking things to every other room in the house.
My decluttering tip is to watch your videos. Seriously it’s so inspiring. I watch 10 things to toss then get stuck in to what I need to toss. It’s really helps me get motivated ❤️ thanks Melissa and Chad
I set a timer and commit to decluttering for a manageable amount of time, 15 min is my usual. I easily get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I need to do overall (work, kids, pets, bills, etc), so this breaks it down for me. I just keep chipping away at the enormous iceberg and over time I see real improvement. Your videos help me get motivated and you offer great tips. Thank you.
I to be very organized. Now both sets of parents are gone and my loving husband passed... Now I have this home with yours,mine and ours...STUFF !!!! 32YRS ++++. It's been hard on just feel like one one thing ripped from you.....now watching your videos , I come to realize it's my past..... I need to look forward and let other people enjoy our things. Maybe your readers will realize it's just stuff... No one can take your memories from you......
So sorry for your losses- but yes, absolutely- the memories are forever.
Theresa Morgan sorry to hear about the all your losses.... give yourself time. May the memories guide you forward, and you'll always have memories. May God bless you and your day.
my decluttering routine happens every few months when I shop or for every seasonal change. because I need to store my new stuff, I finally feel I can get rid of old stuff. no guilt, just chuck em' out. and it feels relaxing!
but I do tend to keep the odd stuff in my tool cabinet till it's declutter time (every 12 months). that's just stuff like screws, nails, hangers, etc. if i don't use it in a year, I can afford to buy some if needed. so for now, chuck em' out!
You put into words about my husbands things. He passed almost three years ago. My memories will do. It’s just stuff ,you helped me see. And it’s ok to cry as I pack it up...
Victoria Bell that is a lot of pain to just toss away without feeling love for him. could you try and keep some little things in a memory box and donate the rest? my mom always kept my late dad's watch, wallet and sunnies in a memory box. she eventually got the courage after a few years to donate his clothes but one shirt that still hangs in her wardrobe.
I know I'm weird, but I love decluttering ☺️
That makes me weird too I guess!
I wish I did
So I'm weird too. For me decluttering, or at least going through my stuff, makes me relaxing.
We decluttered during Christmas holiday. Our house looks better and both it and we, feel better.
Kärt Laas .... well then I must be weird as well. Lol lol. I love to declutter and throw things away...! Lol. I love being organized from my drawers to my closets to just everything !! I completely get it!
I have been de cluttering for the past 3days. New year, making changes, getting rid of the old, feeling fresh & productive. And I took 2wks off form work. Yay me! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Nadia!
TO ALL PARENTS WITH TOY CLUTTER! I work at a preschool and have done so for several years. Our trick to having the toys we have last longer, and to avoid our small storage area from becoming a disaster area is two fold. First, you can rotate toys out. Not exactly getting rid of them (unless you have tons coming in), but when your kids get new toys one trick is to keep an eye out for those toys that have fallen by the wayside. Something they used to play with but has lost that sparkle that new toys have. Instead of throwing them out immediately (especially if your kids are very young) just collect them in a bin and stash them in the garage or closet for a month. If they ask for that toy or notice that it is missing, then bring it back out into the play area. Anything left behind can be donated :) Another thing to do is to separate toys by season. Sometimes toys have a specific time and place to be used (squirter guns and water toys are an example). Just like we become tired of having decor that remains through the season, kids become bored with the toys that their friends are no longer playing with, or something that they can't bust out in the dead of winter. Pack the ones that are not being used frequently away. When the new season comes back, it's like having a mini Christmas all over again. You can relive old memories and see what they still want or what they are willing to give up. (Another tip is to keep toys in reserve, so when they go to the store and they insist on having a new thing each time; just let them know there is a surprise for them at home instead and they will be thrilled with their "new" toys!) HOPE THIS HELPS :)
I have done this. GOLD!
I decluttered after reading Marie Kondo's "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up"! Truly a great read and a total game-changer for my home!
my decluttering secret isn't much of a secret but I do it OFTEN. Anytime I'm bored and want to do something productive I declutter. I may only get rid of one or two things but still super helpful to prevent a huge spring cleaning once or twice a year that is too overwhelming.
Personal experience for me has been that waiting to pee before I've finished a certain task just creates more mental road block and can sometimes create a situation where I just shove into a basket some things that I would otherwise have discarded. Waiting to get lunch when genuinely hungry seems to also create more of a roadblock rather than assist with the project at hand. Waiting to get a snack, however, I have found to be effective in helping get the task completed the way I intended. I also find that not letting myself have any lunchtime entertainment -- texts, phone games, tv, podcasts, etc. - makes my brain feel more clear and accepting of going directly back to the task at hand once I've finished eating; also, clearing the plates/food containers, etc. completely somehow also contributes to a more clear-headed feeling when I return to complete the task. Thanks for the great video series! Yours has become my go-to source for motivation.
I have 3 kids and what I do is in July we go thru all toys and toss anything broken, then on Dec 20th Santa leaves a laundry basket for each kid and they help Santa's elves out by putting the toys they don't play with into the basket so before Christmas eve Santa picks up the basket and replaces it with new toys. My black hole is a plastic tote next to my bed and declutering clothes is easy because I dont pay for clothes I take what I dont wear anymore and I donate it to a place that gives clothes to people.
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing Samantha :)
Samantha Stevens why in July? Seems like a big gap?
You don't pay for clothes?
Great idea!
I want to know how that works! :) Homemade maybe?
My mother came up with this little phrase when we helped her get rid of many items, for the move from her home to a smaller apartment: "Tell the item 'thank-you' and kiss it good-bye". Gratitude is a great catalyst to moving on.
We're doing a massive decluttering because we will be downsizing to a condo that 1/3 of the square footage of our big family home. One thing that is helping me is what I call "Do It Now." Whenever I identify something that needs to go, I "do it now." I do this even if I must take time to clean or wrap it up, or take a photo of it so I can hold onto the memory, or carry the item down or up a flight of stairs. Items that go end up in one of three places: the trash, our recycling area, or my car (so we can donate it). I didn't always do this. It used to be that when I saw things that needed to go (but I didn't want to take the time to do what they needed or get them where they needed to go) that I'd leave them for another day. But what I found is that I thought about these items again and again, every time I encountered them. That added to my mental and sometimes emotional clutter (if the item held an important memory). So now, if I'm decluttering and I see it, out it goes. This is working much better.
One tip that I have been using for years is to only touch the mail ONCE! I don't go get my mail until I have a few minutes to actually file things where they belong. One of my biggest clutter holes has always been a pile of mail that I need to go through. Some things would sit for weeks or even months. I needed to read something (or wanted to) so it just sat there until I had time, which I never had. Now, as soon as I bring it in, I put the bills where they belong, throw out the junk mail and if I need to read something, I sit and read it and then file accordingly. It has helped me so much over the years to do this. Seems like a small thing but it turned out to be a big thing for me!
I needed this tip. Thanks!!
oh thank god you have a Monica's closet too!Mine is the attic out of sight out of mind!
The most inspiring things to get me to clean is ready the comments. Not many people do it but I think it is inspiring hearing what other people say and do. Your videos are also really inspiring. Thanks so much!!!!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⚾️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⚾️⚾️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
in my opinion the best way to declutter is to first become selfless. a total detachment from "your" life. birthday cards, yearbooks, old journals. they have served their purpose in my life. and i had to let them go. i adopted the philosophy of minimalism around 2 years ago and got rid of everything. it is a very liberating experience to not be weighed down. it is very joyous and freeing, i would recommend to anyone. love your videos, keep up the great work.
Every couple of months, my husband and I go through everything in our apt. And decide what we can throw out, donate or sell that we don't want or use anymore. At least once a year, my 6 year old and I go threw her room and find toys to sell or donate in order to make room for new toys. And she feels good about keeping her room clean and giving toys to other kids. We do the same thing with clothes. Things come into the apt. All the time and things just end up collecting. Suddenly, it's too cluttered. So it's important to go through everything now and then and get rid of things that sit there and are never used.
I'm actually very organised, and I'm proud to say that my small space is absolutely clean and decluttered (thanks to your channel), but I still wanted to watch this video because I'm just about to sleep and organising videos help me relax, especially if they are from you 😊 Thank you
And I do exactly what you said in your last tip. I set a goal to first clean out an area, and then go eat or take bath, and I always put on music and kind of dance my way around the space.
Thanks for watching Monalisa!
Clutter is a delayed decision. As soon as it comes into your home give it a home . Unwanted Gifts can either be exchanged for something else( put it in my car ) , regifted,( place in closet with gift wrap)or donated ( place in car to donate .,, there are donations centers everywhere especially in supermarket parking lots)
- 5 Min put away sessions are great and not overwhelming
- my black hole is paper
I try to shred it immediately or place it properly... I try to go through my paperwork weekly or minimum monthly .
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Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Clean My Space hope you are well in your pregnancy
These are hard lessons I learned after being a hoarder and unorganized for all my life .
Lashlove16 I have so much paper clutter! If I piled it up it would attack me! How do you get motivated to deal with it?
Thrifting_Bee
I had my closet mirrored doors fall on me( that was frightening)
I watched some Kon Marie youtube videos ( they were raw and real .. tj’s way really helped I can also recommend the messy minimalist , my new me ...but by that time I completed my journey ) no need to read or listen to her book as seeing ppl go through the process really helps
It’s been 18 months and I feel sooo much better and never again will I do that’s ... it’s been life changing
For your paperwork I would buy a shredder ( $40-$50) and get rid of stuff ... I had 5 boxes of receipts and other stuff... I am down to 1/2 a box and now if I need something I can actually find it
Commit to 5-10 Min s sessions with the tv on ... have lots of boxes
Categorize them
Action / shred / trash / file
Then just file them in the appropriate box then go shred ( it’s such a great feeling )
Now go through a box 5-10 Min sessions are fine daily .., often times once you get started you will feel that you should continue for an hour .
Lashlove16 listen to the podcast "organize 365" (she has a you tube channel too). She has the perfect fix for paper clutter. It's called a Sunday basket and she has a routine n rules that you have to follow with the Sunday basket, and if you follow them it solves your paper clutter for good! It's so amazing, it literally has changed my life!
For as long as I can remember, my mother has been storing loads of stuff under every bed in the house. When moving into my own bedroom, once I got a bed on a proper bed frame, I didn't want to store anything under my bed. To me, it's usually just junk to be forgotten about and get in the way of cleaning. But nope, without even asking my my mother went and bought several underbed bins to force upon me. I knew it would be a fight to get her to return them, so I gave in and decided to use them exclusively for the storage of a single type of item I access frequently, but not constantly: wigs. Two years later, the underside of my bed is still clean, organized, and storing nothing but wigs. I am quite proud of myself, because I can't say the same for literally every other square inch of my living space.
Ours was our big bonus room. We finally decluttered it and made it a school for my 3 girls as I go part time. The girls love it and when my husband and I have work we can do it there too. Thankful for this space now. No junk room
To declutter I use the 30•60•90 rule. Will I reuse this in 30 days? Do I need this in a few months? Will I wear this next season/ year? If I get more negatives than positives time to let it go. I also consider is it broken and will I realistically fix it - if not toss it.
I love listening to de-cluttering vid's while cleaning or de-cluttering!!! It keeps me motivated & moving!!!!
Loved your tips! I read somewhere about if you have something special to remember take a picture of it and then it will be easier to part with. So I have 3 sons (ages 21, 21, 19) who still live at home with me. I have just gone through my house and decluttered. I am going to get a tote bin for each son and put things (art work, trophies, pictures etc) for each son in their bin. When they move out their bin goes with them and it is up to them to decide what to keep. Of course I have a few special items I will keep for me.
Ok here's a weird one - I put the item in question in the middle of the floor in a busy area of the house for at least a day. If I (and other members of the household are instructed accordingly) take the time to step around it or find a place for it - where it can belong and live to keep it safe then I know I really care. If it's just annoying and getting on my nerves then I know it can go and I'll be fine with that.
I play your videos in the background while I'm cleaning! Similarly, I keep cooking videos on as I prepare food. If I want background noise, I make sure that it isn't distracting but rather inspiring me to continue the task at hand. Plus, I often catch tips I can implement right there in the moment.
My secret to decluttering, aside from finding motivation in your videos & remembering how immaculate, in order everything in my life used to be is... my daughter came over a couple years ago, we were going thru some stuff I got for her to see if she wanted and by the time we got to the garage she said "omg, please don't die, you have alot of crap" so I hear her very nonexcited voice repeating that phrase and the other after she hadn't been in town or by in about 6 months one time..."holy cow it looks like a retail store in here" referring to my house. I know this is long- sorry, but finally, my secret to this is picturing the next big holiday, say Easter now. And me hosting it for my whole family since it's long past my turn. Think of them all here and when I look around, what I'd be embarrassed by or they'd look at and think how messy or disorganized something is. Or taking photos of a room, look at them whenever, see the reality and what I see thru photos is alot I'm not pleased with and know I can do better.
I love the con mari method. It works so well! I tottaly agree with the wait until you buy tip that you mentioned it has saved me alot of money and alot of space
kay hardy what do you mean by the " wait until you buy tip" please
If we don't love it or use it often, it HAS to go! Between having a small home and taking a summer trip a couple of years ago that resulted in living out of our car for nearly a month, we have realized how little we actually need. The kids' toys are the hardest. My youngest is often gifted with stuff from grandparents and has a hard time getting rid of stuff he loves when he got stuff he didn't ask for. Serious challenge in that department! Thanks for the videos!
My whole house is a black hole!! Lol
175Boomer me too 😭
Same
My entire house was feeling like a black hole, but for last 3 months I have been working hard to change that. Every day I work on something by setting a 15 minute timer.
175Boomer same!
I literally came down to the comment section to say this very thing 😆😂
My secret is definitely to have a one question conversation with myself about whether to keep a particular item. That sentence is, “do you ACTUALLY NEED/WANT this?” Obviously, the answer dictates what I do with it. I implemented this strategy because I would find myself saying, “oh well I might need this item for some obscure occasion, like a wedding or a dinner party or whatever” and then I end up talking myself into keeping it, and of course, it would just end up not being used and perpetuating the clutter. Not only does this method decrease the amount of stuff I keep when I declutter, but it cuts the time I spend decluttering down SO much, making it manageable and not so overwhelming. ❤️
Thanks for the video and the motivation! My clutter black hole is our smallest bedroom. We don't use it for anything specific like a den/office or bedroom, so it becomes a catchall or a way station for things I don't know what to do with or are on their way to the thrift store. I'm gonna tackle it soon; already started.
I love listening to your videos while decluttering
Learning to decluttering my things, took a portion of a room and in 1-2 weeks came back, then started coming back to get rid of more, more often. Gave me better prospective and started learning what was important and necessary over not valuing personally. I'm much closer to my goal and having a clean space makes it easier to clean and function. It helped to clarify in other areas more easily what I need vs things not useful to me that can be useful for others.
I learned it's ok to ask for help when needing help to decluttering certain area or pile of things as I might be to attached.
I learned that simplifying and having less gives me more time and energy to put toward other things I want to do and spend time w those around me. End of the day to be loved by people will be what gives more to me then buying stuff or filling voids at store .
Hope this is helpful to someone else as the process is one change built upon another and don't try to be just like someone else as you values and end goal is yours and doesnt mean because you didn't get down to a certain amount of things doesn't mean you have not succeed. To define success for yourself and what individually you want is more important then comparing where u are vs where others are.
As someone who is only two years into this whole minimalist outlook, I’ve found that starting out I would get kinda upset and even angry, why did I buy this? Why do I have to do all this? Blah blah, blah! But now, I think that maybe I was just more indulgent or had more blessings, that I am lucky I have this opportunity to not clean my space (lol) but to really help people, threw donations, of some really great stuff that my family no longer needs. Thinking of how happy others will be makes the job not a job, but a nice experience 💕
I recently moved in a small one bedroom apartment that has NO built in closets. I have had to be very thoughtful and creative about what to keep and where to store it. Kon Mari might be a bit over the top in some ways but her suggestions to collect all like items before decluttering, only keeping what you love or use and the folding methods have all been quite helpful to me.
Im trying to inform everyone who may not know this but i noticed in this video you have a malm dresser and there has been 2 recalls issued from ikea because 8 kids have died and over 90 injured. I own 2 of them and they are refunding me and picking the up for free. I have a toddler and there is no way i want those in my house. I just wanted to let you know from one mommy to another. Their website has all the details. ❤ i love your videos!
good video. I have a 2 drawer filing cabinet, for years I was looking for a 4 drawer filing cabinet. finally it dawned on me to purge my 2 drawer filing cabinet rather than buying a cabinet with more drawers.
Junk drawer in kitchen is the black hole
I agree with that one tip you made regarding little ones. I have been doing that with my kids since they were very little (they are 5 and 3 now)..... I periodically will go through their toys with them and have them donate the broken or less loved toys. And I explain to them they are giving away their toys to other children so it will make other children happy. And in turn, knowing that actually makes my children happy.
When decluttering my own stuff, I tend to ask myself if the item brings me joy or not so if not, I get rid of it. My husband's stuff, I let him declutter it himself. The junk drawer situation is his problem actually, lol.
What really gets me in the mood to start decluttering is watching one of those home remodel shows, where everything looks so neat and tidy at the end. Seeing that really makes me want to have a nice tidy, decluttered home, too.
I then decide what I want to declutter first, for example the drawers in my office. So I will work on those and after I done with them, I'll tidy up my office and make it look reall nice. If I feel like I want to reward myself after, I'm gonna go to a store and find something nice that would fit into the space, like a little succulent or a drawer divider (if I need it).
Like this I tackle all the areas of my home that really need decluttering but I dont pressure myself into doing it. If for some reason I really dont feel like decluttering, then I just don't do it that day, but make sure I do it within the next week or so.
I used to rotate toys for my kids since they were toddlers too. I learned that I can easily tell when they lost interest in any of the toys in a rotation or two. That was a sign for me to swap toys with with cousins or sometimes donate.
Remodeled kitchen forced me to a get rid of so much stuff. I called local charity and got rid of dishes, coffee cups, drinking glasses and pots n pans.
I kept only cooking utensils that I use. Feels so good
I think decluttering is a continuous work in process. I love to declutter and have things visually neat and organized. With 2 small kids and a baby on the way, it makes it so much easier to quickly grab things your looking for when everything is easily accessible, labeled, and in its place. The toy rotation totally works for us. I’m happy to say that our “black hole” is actually getting smaller and smaller with each declutter session we have. Pretty soon there won’t be a black hole anymore. 🙌🏽
I so wanted that Marquee board that you have, sat on it for a while, and I actually found one while Christmas shopping, and snagged it for 3 bucks!
I start off doing your 3 wave method... If it doesn't have a home, or haven't used it within a month, toss or donate it... Keeps things in check, and clean!
When I am decluttering & organizing I have a large trash can for trash, a big box for donations, a basket for stuff I'm keeping, and a basket for the consignment store. I start at the north end of the room & work my way around the room going thru every nook & cranny,
Drawers & cubbys, closets & chests & cupboards. I'm a professional organizer. So I can get thru a room in about 4 hours unless I'm working with a hoarder...but that's a totally different ball of wax!
My closet & cabinets around the tv are the black holes of our home. I'm gonna be doing a deep clean & declutter of EVERYTHING next week! I'll be planning it out this afternoon while doing the laundry. The only declutter tip I can think of is to just get things put away immediately & to only buy something if you a ctually need it.
My clutter black hole is in my guest room closets and my garage and sometimes my pantry 🤫 thank you so much for these videos. My biggest goal for this year is to be more organized. I want my home to be as nice and clean as yours one day and everyday!
I recently bought your book "Clean My Space" and found the simple instructions motivating
I especially enjoyed reading about your past history as a slob!
That is me to a T!
In addition to following your easy instructions on thorough cleaning I would add steam cleaning the carpets and regularly as having to move everything helped me declutter
Haha love it, Creepy Chad under the stairs
Plan a extended family dinner. Best motivator I’ve ever had!
I loved your tattoo anecdote.
Our black hole is the dining room. Working on decluttering this room now.
CNReed81 true here too lol
CNReed81
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I too have an under the stairs black hole of clutter. It's going bye bye this month.
Thanks for your videos and I appreciate the high quality, thanks Chad.
I am so proud of myself I finally decluttered my crafting nook.
Lisa Macfarlane Way to go Lisa!
I don't have a storage, exclusive for the things “I have but I don't use“, except a small box which I plan to throw soon,so this helped me a lot when decluttering. I still have some paintings though which I need to sell.
When I need to declutter, I set the timer for 15-30 minutes and accomplish as much as I can in that time. When the timer rings, I can either stop without guilt or keep going. I often keep going because the initial 15 minutes gave me the motivation to get started. If I do choose to stop, I have at least accomplished something (and it is amazing how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes!
When it comes to children's artwork/projects, knick knacks, anything with sentimental value, I have found that taking a picture helps. I take a picture of the item, then get throw out or give away the item (as the situation warrants). I have the picture to remind me of the item, but don't have to hold on to things which need to be cleaned, etc. The pictures can even be printed into a book at places like shutterfly and snapfish; this is especially great with children's artwork.
Paperwork declutter! Every new year, I go to the Post Office and got one of those HUGE Priority Mailing envelopes...the really strong ones. I take all of my receipts and paperwork, sort through what I will need for Taxes, and put them in the envelope, and toss what has accumulated that I don't need (grocery store receipts end up there for some reason!). Then, once my taxes are done, I print a copy of my Tax Return and put it in the Envelope, and seal it. Since it is recommended that you save your Tax Returns for 7 years (yes, I still do that), I write the year on the outside of the Envelope and store it in a tote box. Once it's in the box, I pull the oldest (7 years old) envelope, shred everything, and I'm done. Keeps it neat and in one place.
My black hole room is my extra room/craft room - things just get tossed in there to "deal with later" - I'm in the process of decluttering now, but I have to be in the right mood.
I found a lot that reassessing storage (like you say decluttering rather than buying more storage to accommodate) was my main problem. Now that we’ve stopped looking at things this way it helped so much
My go to method is divide and conquer. Its usually one type of stuff a day and if i feel like it ill go through another type (books, clothes, shoes, accessories etc.)
I declutter in phases. If there is something I can't decide on getting rid of, I put it somewhere I can see it everyday. That way when I'm ready for the next phase it's easier to decide what to do with it. It's easier for me to do a little at a time consistently so I don't get overwhelmed or burned out. I get excited about the area I get to tackle the next day.
I've been decluttering like crazy since before Christmas! My problem with decluttering - hanging onto the stuff you've picked out to try and sell it and make up some of the money that was spent on these items, rather than just donating them. Once I can get past the emotion side of "the kids are growing up" and "this was a gift" I tend to box things and set them aside, post on fb bst groups, and wait. Well, this week I am done waiting. I want this stuff out. This isn't even all of it. SO I am giving people a couple days, and if they don't get it, i'm taking it to either goodwill, value village, or once upon a child if it's worth money.
I just came across this video, yes I know it’s 3 years old but it’s well worth the watch, especially the unexpected laugh out loud I made when she opened the door to the “ dark hole “ only to find her husband(?) sneaking eating the chips!😂 loved this!
I dont really have a set rule or nothing like that. But! when i decide to do some decluttering i keep telling myself to be BRUTAL!! And almost force myself to give away anything i haven't worn or used in the last 2 months or so! Sometimes it is hard but im always happy when im done!
I started decluttering. I love it.
i have been working hard to get organized i love to declutter when i have some down time and my basic house chores are done i put on some clean with me videos or music then i fond my self starting to clean and declutter
When i helped my mom declutter her closets the rule i kept going back to was, "if you wouldn't even remember you have something & would go out & buy another one when you need it, you should probably let it go."
Ours is in the office closet and our attic . I find that it helps me not to save a whole magazine, but to thumb through and tear out my folded corner pages and recycle or toss the magazine, also a large envelope on kitchen counter to put our daily receipts in.
I have retrograde amnesia after a series of strokes and brain surgery (lucky enough to remember the family I’d seen as far back as 4mo before the surgery tho) so letting go is difficult “This is a part of my life I don’t even remember!” So I started taking fotos of things I was worried about letting go of before donating them.
Apparently I used to be ace at letting go. My wedding dress was a size 0, taken in 4 times and my 5’ self knew any children I had with my 6’8” husband weren’t going to be that short; so I donated it. Going through a foto album I discovered a thank you note in the personals I’d cut out and saved from a bride (along with her wedding announcement & foto from the newspaper) thanking the donor, what mudita!!
Parent of a little child... and Amen! about the toys, toys and more toys! This mom is also a minimalist...sometimes I think my head is going to explode. But my husband and I are on the band wagon of out with the old, in with the new :) whew!!!
I have a hard and fast rule - when I get/buy something, I give away something. I find decluttering very therapeutic. Also, if I buy something and never use it within a year, it goes to charity. Love your videos!
This was a great video. I needed to hear this message! Thank you. My black hole is kitchen pantry and bedroom closet. I don’t have any secrets. That’s why my house is a hot mess!
Decluttering when you are angry really helps to let things go. I suggest dividing your projects into small task. And try to get the whole family involved . I loved decluttering on a three day weekend.
Love your channel all the way from Cape Town, South Africa.
Happy new year!
Much love from Toronto!! Happy New Year!
While I declutter I love loading up a decluttering/clean with me UA-cam playlist from my fave contributors - like Clean My Space, for example :)
I need background noise to feel focused, but I find this keeps my headspace on point
Enter the Black Hole...with Creepy Carl! Bwah ha ha ha!!! 😂 Yay! He’s back!!!! So made my day! And finding out about the whole tattoo thing...This video is awesome! Thanks for the tips! Happy New Year❣️
Do you need a $300 motorcycle helmets that's never been used? Yeah another rule is don't buy something just because the guy your dating is into it, borrow one and keep it moving :)
My favorite way to declutter is keeping a box handy while I'm washing the laundry and I throw clothes in it that need to be donated and when it's full I drive thru Goodwill!
As far as decluttering is concerned, my motto is: if in doubt, throw it out! Loved the vid, by the way!
Thanks - i have several black holes. I can deal w some now (Jan 2019) some will need to be cleared in the Spring! I try very hard to declutter as I go... I get rid of something in the kitchen (if I notice when cooking). I have a box in the guest room and I go put it in ASAP. I take the box to donate when full.
I turn on an episode of hoarders and then end up throwing out about 1/3 if my things. It’s a very motivating show.
Thank you for your knowledgeable videos. I decluttered the spare room today. Going to tackle my daughter's toys tomorrow when she's at school. Awesome advice thank you :)
That consumer guilt thing is SO REAL, I have to remember that phrase.
I usually try to donate as much as I can. I’m always going through my clothes and donating them either to goodwill or family or friends. I don’t keep anything that is broken and unable to be fixed. I toss any of my kids toys that are missing pieces or broken. It always feels nice to me to get rid of stuff.
I take care of mail as soon as it comes into the house. Junk mail goes in the burn barrel, bills get opened and put into our "bill box" and a magazine or catalog that I want to look at goes right on the table next to my chair.
My black hole is my hallway closet and my desk. My decluttering secret is to know your problem areas and sort through them on a monthly basis. In my opinion, it's unavoidable to have no clutter, especially when living with two small children. But if it's looked though and cleaned every month, there's less of a chance of a big pile up.
My black hole is an extra dresser I have, that I like to keep in the living room, which is mainly for throw blankets, but its become a catch all for crayons, candles, and extra coloring books. Working on moving everything of that stuff out over the weekend.
I find decluttering so therapeutic.
Greetings from South Africa
I am constantly decluttering. I have a big pink bin just under my coffee table and whenever I find something I don't need/want/use, it goes in, and when the bin is full, I sort through, toss what needs the garbage, my sister takes what she loves, and the rest is donated. It usually ends up that at least one thing goes in every day.
Melissa, you look absolutely perfect in this video! ❤️ I am waiting for my in-laws to finally move out. Then EVERYTHING in the whole house will be evaluated and declutterred - KonMari style. Been stuck in a rut because of having 4 adults in a small 1.5 bed flat...
Lol I'm currently getting rid of my black whole which is my walk in closet. My parents and sister think that because I was the youngest child got to store their unwanted items in my closet ugh totally ugh now lol so now my mom and I after 10 years of looking at it are rummedging through it and i am so happy cause I'm 21 this month and i will have my dream closet and library cleaning is the best therapy 🖤
My black hole is the breakfast bar. It is always filled with papers from the kids that we didn’t throw away yet that just get piled up. My New Years resolution is to keep my house clean.😬😬😬😬😬🥨🥨🥨😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬
I definitely do the waiting, if it’s online I’ll leave it in my cart for at least a week. If it’s in stores I’ll put it back and go back in a few weeks if I still want it. Usually by then, I don’t want it anymore. I also follow the KonMari method, and ask myself if x item truly brings me joy and if it doesn’t spark that joy, I’ll donate it.
When we think "I spent money for this item" and you try to hang on to it but need to get rid of it...just tell yourself that the money has already been SPENT!! You're NOT having to spend $$ NOW so get rid of it now. It's a matter of mind-over-matter when doing this dreaded task of clearing our clutter. 😃
i have been decluttering lately and the thing that is helping me with clothing is limit myself to 10 summer tops and ten of each kind of idem did this with winter stuff also it helps with laundry
Before: I used to work inside the mall so my eyes are always stimulated with products, food and drinks that are pleasing to the eye, not to mention that you have to keep "the appearance" that you are earning a decent amount of money in front of your co-workers so whatever they are buying, I bought it, too, without giving much a thought if I actually need it. Today: I have chosen to work at home, so just like magic, the temptation to buy stuff is gone! I look at my closet, and I felt I have too much clothes to wear that I sold some of them online and I give the rest as gifts to friends or relatives.
Just to add Melissa's tip about distractions -- for me, decluttering works if you do not feel stressed, because clutter is honestly for me, also a state of mind. I just realized that when I was still working in that mall, I felt so stressed at all things in all levels to the point that I eat, drink and buy stuff mindlessly as a stress reliever.
What I do is save a specific day (a rest day, a holiday, or even file a vacation leave!) for me to just declutter. But it's true, there should be no TV, no visual distractions because you will be looking at things one by one to see if the item can fit into your life. But since it's a thought process, for me I do not rush it. What I do is I look at clutter then pick out the items I think I really need and love (it has to be both, actually, hehehe) , and then sift through the rest (not all!) into the "halfway house/30-day test" bin. I make it a goal to get rid of at least 5 articles in whatever I am decluttering, because nothing will happen if I won't get rid of stuff.
Another tip -- if you cannot remember who bought the item, it needs to go. If you cannot remember what it is for, get rid of it. If you cannot remember why you are keeping it, it needs to go. And if someone in the family is in a purge rampage, don't jump in and help out immediately. You may end up more of a distraction than part of the solution and you may disrupt the person's thought process. Let others do their purge thing and do your own thing.
Well, my house is actually in the middle of a decluttering and organizing session because we want to have a designated play area for my nephew and niece and we are sifting though different items to get rid off. My and my sister are taking turns so we won't get tired easily and we still have jobs to do, so I hope this sharing helps. :)
Our black hole is our "office", which is basically just a storage room too.
My secret to decluttering though is to not think about it too much when I'm getting rid of stuff. Do it fast, no regrets