I swear, Netflix or some other streaming service in the US is seriously missing a golden opportunity to attract viewers by not trying to find a way to contract with Peter's Australian show & make it available to audiences in the US...as well as the old eps. of Clean Sweep from TLC, bc we all would flock to these programs if only we could access them !
Peter Walsh is responsible for helping me flip that switch in my brain- when he said, "you're not honoring your loved one's memories by keeping this stuff packed away in a dusty box!" I'm so thankful for the show, Clean Sweep!
I adore Peter, but don't sell yourself short. You were the life-changing motivator in my life. I watched a lot of different UA-cam organizers and declutter(-ers?), but it's your personality and ability to make me feel like a friend is beside me, cheering me on as I go, that has changed my world. Thank you for all that you do. And remember that you and Peter are not only in the same sandbox, but together, the two of you are building the most beautiful sand castle. ❤
I on the other hand noticed he kept interruptng Cas and not actively listening to her input... I felt he was not appreciating her gratitude at all! A bit prideful if you ask me... which is not ideal for a Catholic. Im slightly disappointed with this interview given it was probably Cas's top 10 favorite experiences... She was so happy and excited to talk to him!!
@@Evey108Interesting. I didn’t see it that way. I took him to wanting her to know that it’s not about him but about what she did with the knowledge he provided. He doesn’t want anyone to idolize him, idolatry if we are thinking in biblical terms. On the other hand, when you feel someone has changed your life completely, it can be overwhelming. There were definitely awkward moments but many people are uncomfortable with lots of praise.
Cass, my moment was when you looked me straight in the eyes (yes, I know you were looking at the camera, but that's not what it felt like) and said "you can't organize your way out of having too much stuff." I felt like you'd shot me. I was stunned. I'd tried to get my stuff sorted, more organizers, more storage, and I'd heard other organizers telling me to declutter, but the WAY you said it was the first time it ever penetrated my haze of excuses. I wasn't failing, I didn't suck, I just had TOO MUCH STUFF. So much that no person could ever organize it to fit in my house. It was life changing. You're my Peter. Thank you.
When our youngest son was outgrowing his baby clothes (and he was our last) I knew I needed to get rid of most of the baby things, but it was a struggle. So I found a charity through a friend, that desperately needed baby things. It made it so much easier to let go, while thinking about keeping other babies warm, and helping other Mamas.
Wow! TLC is losing money not having Clean Sweep on a streaming platform. Peter Walsh is a treasure. Cas, YOU are a treasure for all you share here. Thank you Cas and Peter for this conversation. As far as TV goes, I still have regular antenna TV. I like it. 😊
I am kind of glad you said this cause I was so confused by his demeanor. Cause I’m very expressive of my gratitude myself so my feelings would have been so hurt if I was her 😂😂
Hey now! Let us NOT tresh Marie Kondo! No way is she "fluff". I watched Clean Sweep and Clean House and all those shows for YEARS, WISHING that I could get Peter Walsh or Niecy Nash to come and help me... while I sat drowning in clutter. It was not until I found Marie Kondo's "Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" that I thought I could do it MYSELF. Over a few months, dozens of bags of trash and donations left my house every week. And only after that, did any organization or even minimalism seem like a possibility. Marie Kondo is a perfect jumpstart for an overwhelmed "project brain" that has tried many systems and failed at each of them. She gave me hope.
Maria Kondo was my introduction to decluttering, and for that I will be eternally grateful. She made it accessible and easy to understand for so many of us.
Peter Walsh!!!!! You changed my life so many years ago! I had no idea what happened to you. The idea that I wasn’t honoring my relatives by keeping stuff in a box in the basement, changed everything for me. Thank you thank you thank you sir! You have made a difference for the better! ♥️
I'm a mom of 6, with unmedicated ADHD, and a hoarder for a mom. I wasn't raised learning how to get rid of things, much less clean. Add ADHD in, it's just.. HARD. Your videos have been incredibly transformative for myself, and my entire family. You are *my* Peter Walsh. I don't comment on UA-cam videos, but felt the need to let you know what a difference you've made in my family's lives. I'm not nearly where I want to be, but I am GETTING there. I have the tools now, and it is thanks to you. So THANK YOU ❤
I’m only at the 8min mark and already it feels like I’ve been emotionally whacked across the room…I am that mother who adopted a baby girl from overseas when I was 39 wanting a son next and my husband wasn’t interested and our marriage fell apart a few years later after 25 years, which was deeply traumatizing for me and our daughter. I only have a few boxes I carry from house to house but the MEANING behind those boxes of baby things and photos are SO powerful that 30 years later, writing this brings tears to my eyes. That period of motherhood was pure bliss with a baby in my arms at a time when most women were sending their “babies” off to college…OMG, I love the insight Peter had into the depth of a person’s attachment to the meaning of the stuff…gees, I’m gonna cry. Sheesh…am crying..
Go find some babies to hold and love! And maybe some moms to mentor. I am astonished at the hunger for wisdom in this new generation of moms. I see them trapped By all the stressors and all the expectations going on around them of how parenting is supposed to be and how their health is suffering in the imbalance of it all. Even if you could just babysit so people could go out as couples again to recharge and rest. Find the babies!
Cas, thank you so much. I enjoyed your program today. I think Peter is the Mr. Rogers of decluttering. He's so calm and easy to approach and understanding. ☺️💗
This was a great interview, and I can see how Peter Walsh has gotten his success. His humble nature and warmth brings charm to his interaction. He lifts up others even in the darkest of places.
I feel like I really got to know you Clutterbug in this interview. This was an excellent interview. I agree with you about dollar stores. We have outsourced our creativity to slave labour and became stupid in the process. We began to devalue "homemaking" and replaced it with consumerism.
I am an older woman and trying to down size our home...I have been following you for several years now...and I really enjoy and appreciate all that you have done for people out there in this messy world....I am not a minimalist at all...My family have been a messy family. thats for sure...lol.....but I find for organization and decluttering you have to make up your mind and just do it!! Being older like I am with health issues....I go through my home...room by room...I start at the door way to the room...from top to bottom of the room I look around clock wise....I see what needs to be done...then I first take out the trash....then I start to declutter through the room...than organize what needs to be organized...then I clean everything clock wise...by dusting from top to bottom...then flat surfaces..then the floors.....and stand in the door way look around the room...and smile at a job well done!! And move to the next room! :D
Your dedication to the room by room process is amazing. If you find yourself plateauing, try the Month Game and the Onion process. In the game on Day 1 offload 1 thing, day 2 offload 2 more things, till almost 500 things are gone on Day 31. Onion process - 25 min every day offloading obvious things across the whole house, diving deeper and deeper into what you really need to keep.
Getting older and having health issues is a great motivator for me when it comes to cleaning and re-organizing my home. I figured out that I wanted my home to support me and my life instead of the other way around. I’m actually looking at an art reproduction piece on my wall right now thinking… It’s time for it to go. I like it. I don’t like the frame. I’m finished with it. I don’t need to look at it anymore. It will hang on the wall for a while because I’m not done with my plans for this space, and I am working on filling my car with some other things to take to the donation place, or to reachhome. But I love that I have mentally checked it off my list, I don’t need to try to design around it. Yesterday I finally was able to mentally release three pieces of furniture, sturdy as all get out, practical, on wheels like I love it. They’re just not very useful right now, they take up space in a small area and I would not probably want them if I moved because they don’t have doors on them and I still have two left that do have doors on them. (They make great night stands with storage in a guest bedroom). Those take up more space so they are going before the artwork. It’s a very enjoyable process, curating the stuff. Making room for myself. Knowing that I won’t have so many heavy boxes to move whenever we change the carpet Or actually move house. My body just doesn’t bounce back from that sort of abuse like it used to. I end up at the chiropractor, spending money for damage incurred by stuff that I could have and should have let go of a long time ago.
Omgosh .. "making room for MYSELF" .. oh how I love that sentence! .. I've had to make so much room for stuff that there's no more room for me .. literally! That's going to become my new decluttering mantra, "making room for me". We had a gorgeous chocolate lab puppy that as he grew so did all our stuff until he became underfoot in the way because there simply wasn't anymore space for him to move around in. As he'd look around for someplace he could fit into you could see it in his eyes that he felt like we just didn't have room for him anymore. It was sad, and he passed right before his 6th birthday. Now many yrs and miles later I feel the same way he did. My only issue is after all the decluttering I don't have the skills of organizing what's left. The subject of declutterring has been run into the ground!!! We get it already!!! How bout we all move on to how to organize the keepers? Not everyone has a talent for finding 'homes' for stuff.
@@briannab5296 - I’m so glad you found something encouraging in my comment! And you are right, we hear so much about decluttering and not how to organize the keepers. I think THAT process also had to evolve with you, to fit your needs and desires. You can start that during the declutter process as well, at least that is how I’ve done it. And capitalize on your own strengths to support any weaker areas. Examples: I’m good at visualizing, bad at remembering things I put into infrequently opened storage. I ”discovered” lost pj’s in my dresser yesterday 🤣, and my “lost” pedicure items where I had sensibly put them in a bedside table because the edge of the bed makes it easier to prop up and work on my feet. My closet works best when everything is visible except undergarments and socks - I sort bras by comfort level, and long underwear by whether the top has spaghetti straps, is sleeveless or other length of sleeve. That is what works for my brain and priorities. On the strength side, I can visualize how I want to FEEL and FUNCTION in a space, and slowly work toward those goals with patience even if it takes a few years (like a garage with wall-mounted shelving and walls painted to add some aesthetic flair to ugly, loud, colorful tools!) It took a dream of spider-web-free storage to simplify garage cleaning, a dream of being able to walk to a shelf, get the thing I wanted EASILY, and put it back EASILY, lots of plans on graph paper, help from the ELFA design folks at the Container Store (who are skilled at the measurements of their products, with years of helpful tips ready to share), years of saving and waiting for sales, working wall-by-wall, making sure no storage interfered with car doors opening…I’m SO happy with the result (but ongoing decluttering is STILL a must…hubs and his tool fascination! His stuff keeps creeping out of his area!) A relative is good at auditory processing: I wouldn’t organize my life around surround-sound and tv’s in every corner, but it suits HIM. I’ve corralled like-with-like for the most part. I can describe success pockets around the house, but I’m not done. I’m still percolating in my brain about various categories, or I’ve dismantled some systems that were 👌🏼 before, but not great, or the usefulness came to an end, etc. (Like being done with homeschooling). Resurrecting stored music as we get involved in that again. Any expensive organizing options have been true workhorses, evolving over decades, but a lot of my choices are super-inexpensive and minimal. It might take my brain awhile to figure out the best way to repurpose organizers, and there trial-and-error involved, I don’t mind. But if that drives you crazy, that probably isn’t going to be YOUR organizing strategy. I like using spices in cooking, nice oils and vinegars. Insist on easy access. Thus, those items are on turntables in cabinets, and I use them for supplements, fridge condiments, laundry room things. I have pre-sort laundry bins in my closet so I can grab a basket and not have to sort and separate before washing a load. Clean towels are in inexpensive plastic baskets that fit under bathroom vanity sinks (tiny linen closet stores other things). I’m always thinking “where is the logical point of use?” I use very few products for personal care, leaning natural/organic, and store guests toiletry leftovers in small plastic bins in cabinets, for guests who forget things. I hang my hairdryer on a hook inside my closet, and hair gel is in reach in a clear shoe organizer on the back of the closet door. Oddments of various kinds live there instead of in the cavern under the sinks. An older cd drawer/tower sits in the water closet with extra tp, fem hygiene items, little sudoku books, in reach of the toilet. More storage if bathroom items is in a wall-mounted “head-knocker” cabinet above the toilet. I have (way too many) travel accessories in stacking modular plastic boxes. Gave away lots of kitchen items and fancy crystal and glassware to make it easy to access everything that remained. Put lightweight takeout storage containers in an old modular plastic storage container on a top shelf because it is light-weight. Ditto with paper goods (but need to pare them down, weight-wise). Top shelves have always been the place for things we don’t use often, but I added “safe” and “easy” and “no ladder required” to my organizing must-haves. I was thinking big letting go of an old roll top desk with sentimental value. Tough call. I got it all the way to the front hall (which had some width to it.) Percolated on it for a month or so. It’s not very tech friendly but it has a functioning lock and looks nice. Bingo. It is perfect for storing and using my disc planners, punches, papers, forms, trimmers, etc. Tried it out. It’s a keeper for the foreseeable future. Less clear is the home office dilemma. Percolating. Outdoor strategy: we sometimes have hurricanes => avoid garden ornaments, use pots sparingly, have enough room inside for garden furniture when hurricanes hit. Guest room strategy: I don’t like it when I’m afraid of knocking over precious decor when I visit others. Keep guest room minimal. Paperwork - I embraced the Freedom Filer system, which is easy to modify to my needs, and you use it to get things done, keep needed papers where you need them, set up a predictable routine to purge or archive papers of different types. I incorporate flexible poly hanging binders for things like health and auto records, address books, individual accounts (with all the FF categories separated by top tabs). Requires thinking up front that saves time and stress and accidental shredding of important papers later. Is this anything close to what you mean by “how do you organize what’s left?” If you start a YT channel on this topic, I’d subscribe! Maybe commenters’ feed back would have the right ideas to spark your latent organizing talents. I learn so much from others in comments!
I absolutely loved watching Clean Sweep with Peter Walsh. Sure miss that show. It really is too bad that they wouldn't release those shows on regular tv or digital. 😕 I'm so happy for you Cas you got this interview with Peter.
I had twins born two months early and they slept in cardboard boxes on folded blanket mattresses until their grandmother came to visit and bought them basinets. They were fine in the boxes.
I've never heard of him before until your interview tonight I randomly found on UA-cam. This is so sweet and touching how you shared how his work has impacted you.
Peter's audio book "Loose the Clutter, Loose the Weight" was life changing for me in terms of getting me to understand to root of my clutter problem and moving forward with the decluttering process. I agree with the host, Peter is the real deal. He's truly gifted!
He’s 100% correct. I spent my career as an organizer. These “issues” arise from deeply ingrained compulsions and habits. It isn’t as easy as teaching people how to fold their clothing properly. “It’s never about the stuff.”
I saw Peter Walsh like over a decade ago on Oprah, & I can still recall his greatest gem of advice that has helped me since: Think about how you want to use the space, rather than focusing on the stuff.
I read his book IT’S ALL TOO MUCH, years ago, and got rid of 8 kitchen sized garbage bags of stuff that summer. The only decluttering- organizing book I’ve ever read that made a difference, I still remember phrases of his run through my head when it’s time to declutter.
Peter Walsh was the first organizer who spoke to me. Thank you for bringing him on. I appreciate his kindness and empathy in this hard predicament in my life. I needed this today as I'm trying to get rid of lots of stuff. I remember them pull everything out of a room and going over things one by one with people and getting to the root of the why they were hanging on to everything.
I’m starstruck..Peter transformed dealing with and ‘outing’ the hidden coping mechanism of hoarding. Gen X’rs felt like it was the first ‘real’ attention given to addictions and mental health. Thank you Peter for your dedication!
This will be me if I ever meet you Cas! I owe everything to you. The peace I have gained since finding you and following your tips a couple months ago is truly invaluable. I'm in NC, USA BUT if I ever see you in person I'm gonna hug you and just never let go ❤😂
When I saw that you got to interview him, I was sooo excited for you. I have been watching you since way back when you had a channel with another name and know that this is a big bucket list moment for you.
Everything comes down to psychology, in my opinion. Discerning people’s traumas and motivations. I know I’ve struggled with clutter because it makes me feel secure, and that I’ll somehow ‘float away’ without it. For me, it’s such a connector to past generations and cultural influences, and it’s a matter of just how much do I need in order to honor a connection. Any of it, all of it, or somewhere in-between. 😊
It's taken me years to slowly declutter, but every time I throw things away or donate, I think about Clean Sweep and Peter Walsh's kind words to the hoarder. He always got to the heart of the problem. So sweet.
Decluttering is a lifelong process for most people - all come from different starting points, different challenges to deal with along the way, different abilities to envision the end game of routine decluttering. Like you, I keep on decluttering. For me, it is also a journey that involves self-discovery. 😊 And a lot of enjoyment in my decluttering accomplishments!
Love the discussion that describes the product vs the promise and the quote: . . . Your soul is littered with all of these unfulfilled promises . . .” Thank you both.
America really needs Peter Walsh! We need a great show thats just a good show to watch,no agenda but organization. The TV networks don't seem to know what we all want to see. We really wanted/needed to see the tears and emotion of these people and not just a small part of what really went on. The people that have a problem with clutter need to see others and what they are feeling!
I agree! You can’t go through the smallest town without seeing huge storage company with tons of crap people are paying to store there! It’s really a shame!
Love that they've both seen children spontaneously dance and twirl in recently cleared spaces. It sums up their messages about the benefits of clutter clearing so well! : - ) Personal transformations AND dramatic space makeovers are the best! TV Execs: please release the old and new shows!
I remember watching Clean Sweep... one episode, Peter made someone get rid of ink pens by throwing them basketball style into a bucket... if the person missed the bucket, you didn't get to keep the pen. I remember thinking how painful that would be for me to get rid of my pens. Years later, with the help of Clutterbug, Minimal Mom, and a slew of other UA-camrs, while I still have an extensive pen collection, it is curated down to my favorites.
Gosh I have soo many pens. I never thought about them actually until now. As I know I'll use them at some point if I don't already, I honestly don't know which ones I've used recently or not i just grab whatever nowadays as they're all pretty high quality art pens etc. But gosh I have sooo many. I never thought to declutter those... hmm. Well darn. Lol
My greatest motivation to declutter has been having to pack up 42 years of accumulated stuff and move it to a new house two miles away. Thank you for all the times you have motivated me to let it go!❤😊
I can so agree, I am doing that now too. We are about to move and I know I am still holding on to too many things for my fantasy self but omg, I’ve let go of so much stuff the donation trips to the thrift shop and trash are many!
@@PARoth2011ow what you mean about the fantasy self. It’s a wonderful process to come to terms with that. I remember realizing that I was never going to make beautiful photo albums with collages and decorations, and giving all of that stuff to a family member who did like doing it. Getting rid of small appliances because my fantasy of learning how to repair them wasn’t really going to happen. Getting rid of beautiful patio furniture for the same reason (I’m kind of regretting that still, Those beautiful Smith and Hawken chaises). I am about to do that with my fabrics and sewing things. I have an amazing, functional, well-maintained vintage sewing machine that definitely deserves a place in my home because I use it for mending regularly, and for changing the length on different curtains according to what room they are in. I even made some new curtains for a cabin a couple of years ago. I had a fantasy that I would be able to sew as well as my mother, creating the perfect fitted and lined bodice on a sundress like she made for me when I was young. Things like that. But now I’m facing the fabric/clothing-for-fabric-harvesting stash that I have been keeping in order to teach myself (without buying more fabric) how to sew on all of these new stretchy wiggly fabrics. I really want a wardrobe that uses better quality fabrics, colors that actually look good on me instead of whatever is in style in a given year, and is finished in a somewhat professional way so that it holds its shape. I’m learning about stabilizing tape, and how it helps create nice seams that don’t twist around when using these wiggly fabrics. How to use my existing machine to create plain fabric with subtle decorative stitching. Will my fantasy of helping my friends learn how to sew ever happen? The only way I will find out is by trying now that I have cleared enough space to do that. My childhood skills have come back pretty quickly for basic sewing and the kind of clothes I want to make for myself are pretty basic so I am encouraged. The trickiest thing to remaster for me right now is the “perfectly smooth neck line.“ We will see how the friend thing goes. I was able to have my daughter over a few weeks ago to do a down and dirty alteration on a strapless bathing suit top that came off of her during her last trip to an ocean! She was happy to report that it stayed in place for her most recent outing to the beach! I loved teaching her how to use a zigzag stitch on stretch fabric if she didn’t have elastic thread. But the real test will be when I decide that I will not be using a lot of these fabrics, because I don’t like the color, because both I and my friends have learned how to sew on that type of fabric, etc. When I can answer the question of how much I should keep of spent bedsheets for making the initial version of a new pattern or design…Before using the expensive and pretty fabric.
I fell in love with Peter Walsh way back in the Clean Sweep days. I'm fangirling so hard right now. I'm so happy for you that you got to do a podcast with him.
What an amazing episode. I'm Australian and love Peter's TV show. He seems so caring on the show and really does help people with the reason why people are holding on to things they don't need. He really has changed soo many lives. Thanks for sharing Cas and having such a great chat with Peter ❤
I'm in Australia as well and like you I love Space Invaders. I re-watch some of the episodes from time to time. It seems I'm on an endless quest of getting rid of junk and watching the show at the beginning of the day helps set me on the right path.
Mr. Peter Walsh, Wow! I have no words to describe this man ! Wow is really all I can think about him…. If I could only get started, my life, the life of my children the lives of my grandchildren etc. could be so different, Sincerely with 😮 to you Peter AND CAS! Linda, Pa.
Such a refreshing breath of fresh air this Hostess was. Humble, open & knowledgeable. I will definitely tune in to her other podcast. I bought “Let it go” on Audible before show was over. So ready for the freedom that I hope change will bring.
I haven’t watched all of this yet but have to comment that I love how Peter knows what is going on when he walks in a cluttered room or interacts with a family. I’ve been looking at your videos Cass and several other organizers here on YT…for several years now. I’ve just started trauma therapy this spring and I’m realizing I have filled the room that my Mom lived in before the Lord called her home. Yesterday I had the epiphany that I self-sabotage that same space that I’ve turned into a studio for painting and photography by buying more props for still life. I will get it decluttered and organized and I appreciate this video so much!!
Wow, great self realization. It does seem as though trauma and grief are behind so much. Insecurity as well, seeking defined identity through objects. Bless you as you continue your process.
I always remember in clean sweep Peter Walsh helping people deal with the sentimental things they held onto. You are not honoring anyone by having items stored in a box in the basement. I remember him saying give it a place of honor or let it go. I am actually starting to help others declutter and the few people I have helped so far always ask what do I need to buy to organize! I personally feel all these perfect pinterest closets make some people feel bad about themselves. Cas this was such a great podcast!
Wow! Great episode CAS! What a coup to have Peter Walsh! I’m an Aussie, but you inspire me! All of your funny stories, the crazy pants, just your personality 🩷
Just love listening to Peter Walsh! Glad you got a chance for him to come on your podcast. He too deeply affected me way before minimalism came along. I constantly question what comes across the threshold of my home. Donation bins are always around and I think they recognize me at the charity shop. I am only this way because of his tv shows and books.
I love that you feel recognized at your donation shop. I was feeling that way as well, and there was one day when I saw an attractive but rusted looking brown wrought metal table pedestal as I drove up to make my regular donation. I made a verbal compliment about it as I was bringing in my boxes of stuff and the attendant offered it to me for free. I topped it with a 36 inch glass round table top and it has been my back porch dining table for years, probably a decade now. Sometimes I interchange it with a slightly larger glass table from a pedestal inside.… Either way, I have Pictures of family and friends enjoying themselves around that table over the years. And a lot fewer boxes of stuff at my house.
My mother kept nearly all the belongings of her parents and my father when they passed away. When she had to downsize into an assisted living apartment I was the one who had to deal with the possessions 4 people left behind. Many items were physically too big and heavy for me to move by myself, it was exhausting and absolutely gut wrenching. Today I have one item per deceased loved one and constantly think "If I die my kids and best friend will have to sort through my crap, how easy can I make it for them?" Morbid? Yes. Will they appreciate it? I hope so. Thank you both for bringing awareness to so many people, you are saving so many people all the anguish I went through.
I loved clean sweep. It was an era of watching shows that made me more productive and helped the psychology of why I kept things I didn’t need. I listened to Peter intently to learn and change. Another show I know forward and backward is Neat, a Canadian show.
Thanks so much for having a podcast with Peter Walsh. His 31 days/steps to organizing was a great help to me in the past, and I've adapted it in different ways. but I forgot about it until now. I agree with what was said about TV. I don't have one anymore, but use my computer and watch what I want when I want. The quality of what I watch far outweighs TV. I truly enjoy your channel as well. Thanks for all you do. 😊
Thank you Peter Walsh! I also have been a big fan since Clean Sweep. I even got to meet you at the garage sale for our neighbor down the block who had participated in the Clean Sweep show in Denver, CO. It has been years of progressing and our move to our 'senior' home across town was the final big incentive. It is getting better and better. Thank you both.
CAS, I LOVED Clean Sweep also BECAUSE of PETER WALSH. He was the only real substance behind the "pretty transformations." I still remember his words, too. PETER WALSH is THE EXACT THING MISSING from the HGTV or TLC house shows. They ALWAYS skip completely over the boxes, the sorting, the how and why. They ALWAYS cut to the designer-curated florals and baskets and pillows, and you have NO IDEA how they got from point A to point B. That's why I watch you!! Someone has got to teach people step by step how to deal with the lifetime of stuff and how to make decisions and progress. THANK YOU for this interview. I love it. 💖
I have followed Peter Walsh for YEARS, and his were the first books on decluttering that I ever read. When I realized that my mother and aunt are both hoarders, I started decluttering like crazy. I realized that if I had EVERYTHING, my kids would not know what was most important to me. Within a couple of months I got rid of over 130 boxes and bags of books, clothes, and household items.And I have learned that decluttering is a lifelong process - as my kids get older, and as I move into different phases of my life, I declutter more and more. I'm by no means a minimalist, but my home is not cluttered, and we have everything we need, especially what is most important to us. Loved this podcast with two of my favorite organizers!
I really needed to listen to this today. Peter Walsh is one of the most inspirational human beings of our time. I am so glad I stumbled across this via clutterbug who I recently started following. Peter was the reason I joined UA-cam when he did the 30 days of decluttering years ago. Dealing with the death of several family members and being inundated with "stuff" again I know I have work ahead of me. Short term emotional pain for a better future. Thank you Cass and Peter.
To me, one of the most impactful things that Peter eluded to on clean sweep was, It’s not the THING that evokes a sentiment, it’s the actual memory that’s dear to you. In that case, get rid of this thing , that’s cluttering up your here and now, but take a PICTURE! I’ve used that technique time and time again. It’s really helped. I adore Peter, and YOU CAS!
He's my hero too. Since Clean Sweep. My hubby would always, "honey your boyfriends on tv right now" if Peter was on the TV. 😄 he just knows what he's talking about, he knows the mental reasons why people hoard. He's the best.
ClutterBug YOU ARE CHANGING MY LIFE little by little. I am just starting and it’s been a long strenuous journey to get to this point. One year ago I found Dana white who first blew my mind with the container concept. That my house is a container and it’s not more storage I need it’s less stuff. I took 18 bags of stuff out of my house at that point, but with three kids, stuff just kept coming in and though I had made progress and changed some mindsets I have these rooms and closets that so much stuff is thrown in and hid in while I’m Telling myself I’ll get to that later really I am just hiding clutter and about three weeks ago i was so depressed and feeling like a failure because I tried and still couldn’t get it right, I came across your channel and YOU are little by little changing my life with all of your free content, and as a struggling 33 yr old mother, with a temporarily disabled husband, 3 kids (my oldest son just moved out so 2 small girls at home) and now another on the way, I don’t know what I would do without you. When I don’t feel like doing anything because it seems overwhelming and just too much I put on your podcast or UA-cam videos and I get up and start moving to just make something better and I’m giving myself a break so I have to say I couldn’t do it without you! just as much is Peter has changed lives you are changing lives I’m still fighting poverty and food insecurity but there is light at the end of the tunnel because I too am an entrepreneur with ADD and you are showing me it is possible and I don’t have to look like everyone else or be like anyone else. and honestly a year ago when I first came across Dana White minimal mom in Clutterbug. I was a little intimidated by you but that’s only because you were calling it as it is and I wasn’t ready to hear it and now that I am ready to hear it. YOU ARE CHANGING MY LIFE AND NOT JUST MINE, BUT MY CHILDREN’S AND MY FAMILIES LIFE BECAUSE I DESERVE A CLEAN HOUSE AND A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY MY CHILDREN AND MY CHILDREN DESERVE CLUTTER, FREE BEDROOMS, AND PLAY ROOMS. WE AREN’T FULLY THERE YET BUT NOW I KNOW WE DESERVE IT AND THAT’S BECAUSE OF YOU, AND OF COURSE THE GRACE OF GOD
Yes mari kondo got me started on my most significant decluttering journey but it left me needing more after I got rid of what I call the base layers. Even then I had to follow my own authentic guidance while incorporating some of her techniques ie the folding was very helpful. As I decluttered the deepest layers I was looking for emotional help w the process abd just couldn’t find it. I hired a Kon Marie consultant for a zoom session and it was lovely conversation but in no way helped me. I’ve come to see my entire life as my journey to simplify and process my past emotions - so all my journaling sound baths meditations garden time food podcasts etc are supporting me to process and let go. I will see if peters book is available as an audiobook bc appreciate his understanding of the inner transformation journey most have to embark on beyond just what sparks joy. Thanks to you both!🎉 Ps - so I’m very grateful to mari kondo but her work could only take me so far on my decluttering journey.
Yes that's it exactly. I was trying to get my mom to read it but she thought it sounded like to much fluff. It's not though- it's just that her criteria for decluttering is not for everyone We all need criteria for getting rid stuff; Marie Kondo has one set of criteria but I've since moved on to find other criteria that fit me better
Loved this so much! Peter has been in my life for years. Clean Sweep first got me started on the organization of my own home when my boys were young and my house was filled with toys, sports gear, etc. It helped save my sanity. Thank you for having Peter on your podcast. 🥰
I am so glad I saw this I’m drowning in stuff and empty with connections. I want to have people over again. I started by clearing the living room and had people over. I’m now inspired more to live in the present and move away from holding onto the past so tightly.
Cas and Dawn and their “types” are my faves. But something that I’ve taken from Marie K that has helped me is the idea of collecting “like” items. I know that Marie says to gather EVERYTHING in that category in your entire house. But if I get most or half (or everything in that part of the house) it really helps me to process through what I need to keep or purge. I will definitely come across other items in that category in the garage or basement but since I’m in this for the long haul, and I’m kind of doing Dawn’s “onion method,” I don’t mind reprocessing the same category. Also, as I work I’m putting things away (Dana from a Slob comes Clean) so those “categories” will grow again. But like I said… I’ll catch them on the next “pass through” the house. The reality is, is that we will always be decluttering and reevaluating our stuff, so don’t let perfectionism ruin the journey.
That’s the hardest part; beginning, and doing a little at a time…peeling layers…I tend to want to do a big chunk at a time but when I have time-I avoid or get too overwhelmed to begin. Even a few items is progress!
It’s so true that we need to process things differently at different times, different stages, or even when it comes to different types of things. Being aware of the physical limitations of the space you have to work with… That might dictate that you just deal with what’s in front of you. When you have a little more space, it’s easier to gather like items together. Sometimes, for psychological reasons, we need to see how much duplication we’ve done. And then we can decide for practical reasons what to keep and what to toss. For me, decluttering sometimes comes after long periods of thought. Then I feel a release at every level, and objects leave that I thought I had to keep before. Holding up a value is another approach that I use. I have values of being able to walk freely without tripping on anything. I have values of feeling serene and peaceful in my space. I have values, especially as I’m older and less flexible, that anything in a lower cabinet should be something I could get out with one hand and with one reach/pull motion, and to put it away just as easily. I have a value that says laundry should be easy to do with her a little friction in the way… So I sacrifice space in my closet to sort clothing as it comes off of me (and taught hubs to do this also with fair success). Things are separated by hand wash/special care, hot wash tumble dry and ignore until you feel like sorting it, dark delicate, whites and lights delicates, towels and sheets. Like that. And I try to do a load or two every day or so and I hang nearly everything up to dry with a possible cold tumble to shake out wrinkles. No folding just hanging. Simple. A long winded example of why I don’t have dresser drawers full of clothing that I don’t wear. I can see what I have and remove what is no longer working. So organizing by values has served me. Next project involves testing How realistic it is for me to make a lot of my own clothing, and how to embrace my serenity values versus my frugal values versus whether or not my fantasy ideal is realistic. Some balance of that needs to be settled. And happily, they needed decluttering to make that even possible to discover is so close to being achieved. My goal of having a sauna for health purposes meant that I couldn’t park my car in the garage for a while. One of my values is to be able to put my car in the garage without any impedance. I had to sacrifice one and it ended up taking a lot longer than I planned which was so frustrating. And then hubs started buying things that would have to sit on the floor of the garage like a yeti cooler and a generator, when I had organized all that we needed off the floor (have you ever tried to lift a yeti cooler? Yikes! That’s a two person job at least!) Juggling values is an ongoing project.
@@CopingwithGrattitude Definitely. I once read a book by a lady (The Messy Manual) she believed that the key to a tidy house was what she called “Tiny Minutes.” The FlyLady recommends, “5 Minute Room Rescues”
@@CopingwithGrattitude (I didn’t mean to hit send. 😄) Sometimes when I don’t know where to start, I’ll set the timer for 5 minutes and straighten up and wipe and dust one room. Then I’ll do three more rooms. It always makes me feel better.
Fantastic podcast. I watched Clean Sweep with my boys religiously. As much as I love Peter, you were the one that helped me conquer my paper clutter … You are the queen 👸
I swear, Netflix or some other streaming service in the US is seriously missing a golden opportunity to attract viewers by not trying to find a way to contract with Peter's Australian show & make it available to audiences in the US...as well as the old eps. of Clean Sweep from TLC, bc we all would flock to these programs if only we could access them !
Yes same in UK😊
I'm in Australia... never seen it... but going to hunt it down!
Maybe UA-cam should pick it up as an enticement for us to subscribe? Just saying’ UA-cam.. 😊
Peter’s quote was from William Morris: ”Keep only that which is useful or that you believe is beautiful.”
You can view anything you want if you have a VPN. ;-)
I still remember the first time Peter said “If it’s so important to you, then why is it lying on the floor?”
“Just because your mother gave it to you doesn’t mean you have to keep it.”
-my favorite Peter Walsh quote
Peter Walsh is responsible for helping me flip that switch in my brain- when he said, "you're not honoring your loved one's memories by keeping this stuff packed away in a dusty box!" I'm so thankful for the show, Clean Sweep!
Love that quote!
When he said to one participant, "That painting is not your mother and it is not your love for your mother."
Wow. Such freedom.
Plato: "One of the most important things in life is not to have the most, but to need the least."
I adore Peter, but don't sell yourself short. You were the life-changing motivator in my life. I watched a lot of different UA-cam organizers and declutter(-ers?), but it's your personality and ability to make me feel like a friend is beside me, cheering me on as I go, that has changed my world. Thank you for all that you do. And remember that you and Peter are not only in the same sandbox, but together, the two of you are building the most beautiful sand castle. ❤
Agreed! Love Cas! ❤😊
I’m soooo sorry Cas! 😢Praying for you , and your famiy!
That gentlemans demeanor is why people open themselves to him. He seems lovely. And i adore Cass.
I on the other hand noticed he kept interruptng Cas and not actively listening to her input... I felt he was not appreciating her gratitude at all! A bit prideful if you ask me... which is not ideal for a Catholic. Im slightly disappointed with this interview given it was probably Cas's top 10 favorite experiences... She was so happy and excited to talk to him!!
@@Evey108Interesting. I didn’t see it that way. I took him to wanting her to know that it’s not about him but about what she did with the knowledge he provided. He doesn’t want anyone to idolize him, idolatry if we are thinking in biblical terms. On the other hand, when you feel someone has changed your life completely, it can be overwhelming. There were definitely awkward moments but many people are uncomfortable with lots of praise.
Cass, my moment was when you looked me straight in the eyes (yes, I know you were looking at the camera, but that's not what it felt like) and said "you can't organize your way out of having too much stuff."
I felt like you'd shot me. I was stunned. I'd tried to get my stuff sorted, more organizers, more storage, and I'd heard other organizers telling me to declutter, but the WAY you said it was the first time it ever penetrated my haze of excuses. I wasn't failing, I didn't suck, I just had TOO MUCH STUFF. So much that no person could ever organize it to fit in my house. It was life changing.
You're my Peter. Thank you.
Yessss!!! Thissss!
Yes, I have too much stuff. A lot of it’s “organized” a lot of it is squeezed in, and some is overflowing. 😕
I’m in tears! What a precious story he shared from his first show-by letting go of the baby items, she was able to help someone else!!l❤❤❤
When our youngest son was outgrowing his baby clothes (and he was our last) I knew I needed to get rid of most of the baby things, but it was a struggle. So I found a charity through a friend, that desperately needed baby things. It made it so much easier to let go, while thinking about keeping other babies warm, and helping other Mamas.
Wow! TLC is losing money not having Clean Sweep on a streaming platform. Peter Walsh is a treasure. Cas, YOU are a treasure for all you share here. Thank you Cas and Peter for this conversation. As far as TV goes, I still have regular antenna TV. I like it. 😊
As a Brit, I’m loving the North American effusiveness meets Australian emotional containment.
I am kind of glad you said this cause I was so confused by his demeanor. Cause I’m very expressive of my gratitude myself so my feelings would have been so hurt if I was her 😂😂
Congratulations, Cas on getting this interview! I think we all love Peter!!! Thanks for this!!
Hey now! Let us NOT tresh Marie Kondo! No way is she "fluff". I watched Clean Sweep and Clean House and all those shows for YEARS, WISHING that I could get Peter Walsh or Niecy Nash to come and help me... while I sat drowning in clutter. It was not until I found Marie Kondo's "Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" that I thought I could do it MYSELF. Over a few months, dozens of bags of trash and donations left my house every week. And only after that, did any organization or even minimalism seem like a possibility. Marie Kondo is a perfect jumpstart for an overwhelmed "project brain" that has tried many systems and failed at each of them. She gave me hope.
Maria Kondo was my introduction to decluttering, and for that I will be eternally grateful. She made it accessible and easy to understand for so many of us.
Me too! 😊
Same here
❤ Peter❤ His book "It's all too much" is what got me started down the decluttering path when I had 4 kids 4yo and under. Absolutely love his approach
Peter Walsh!!!!! You changed my life so many years ago! I had no idea what happened to you. The idea that I wasn’t honoring my relatives by keeping stuff in a box in the basement, changed everything for me. Thank you thank you thank you sir! You have made a difference for the better! ♥️
I'm a mom of 6, with unmedicated ADHD, and a hoarder for a mom. I wasn't raised learning how to get rid of things, much less clean. Add ADHD in, it's just.. HARD. Your videos have been incredibly transformative for myself, and my entire family. You are *my* Peter Walsh. I don't comment on UA-cam videos, but felt the need to let you know what a difference you've made in my family's lives. I'm not nearly where I want to be, but I am GETTING there. I have the tools now, and it is thanks to you. So THANK YOU ❤
I’m only at the 8min mark and already it feels like I’ve been emotionally whacked across the room…I am that mother who adopted a baby girl from overseas when I was 39 wanting a son next and my husband wasn’t interested and our marriage fell apart a few years later after 25 years, which was deeply traumatizing for me and our daughter. I only have a few boxes I carry from house to house but the MEANING behind those boxes of baby things and photos are SO powerful that 30 years later, writing this brings tears to my eyes. That period of motherhood was pure bliss with a baby in my arms at a time when most women were sending their “babies” off to college…OMG, I love the insight Peter had into the depth of a person’s attachment to the meaning of the stuff…gees, I’m gonna cry. Sheesh…am crying..
Go find some babies to hold and love! And maybe some moms to mentor. I am astonished at the hunger for wisdom in this new generation of moms. I see them trapped By all the stressors and all the expectations going on around them of how parenting is supposed to be and how their health is suffering in the imbalance of it all. Even if you could just babysit so people could go out as couples again to recharge and rest. Find the babies!
God Bless!!!!!!!!!
Cas, thank you so much. I enjoyed your program today. I think Peter is the Mr. Rogers of decluttering. He's so calm and easy to approach and understanding. ☺️💗
😂 As I listening I started to clean around me😂😂 the power this podcast has ❤❤
This was a great interview, and I can see how Peter Walsh has gotten his success. His humble nature and warmth brings charm to his interaction. He lifts up others even in the darkest of places.
I don't know why this didn't pop up in my feed 6 months ago, but it sure was a joy to listen to this conversation as I'm decluttering today!
I feel like I really got to know you Clutterbug in this interview.
This was an excellent interview. I agree with you about dollar stores. We have outsourced our creativity to slave labour and became stupid in the process. We began to devalue "homemaking" and replaced it with consumerism.
I am an older woman and trying to down size our home...I have been following you for several years now...and I really enjoy and appreciate all that you have done for people out there in this messy world....I am not a minimalist at all...My family have been a messy family. thats for sure...lol.....but I find for organization and decluttering you have to make up your mind and just do it!! Being older like I am with health issues....I go through my home...room by room...I start at the door way to the room...from top to bottom of the room I look around clock wise....I see what needs to be done...then I first take out the trash....then I start to declutter through the room...than organize what needs to be organized...then I clean everything clock wise...by dusting from top to bottom...then flat surfaces..then the floors.....and stand in the door way look around the room...and smile at a job well done!! And move to the next room! :D
Your dedication to the room by room process is amazing. If you find yourself plateauing, try the Month Game and the Onion process. In the game on Day 1 offload 1 thing, day 2 offload 2 more things, till almost 500 things are gone on Day 31. Onion process - 25 min every day offloading obvious things across the whole house, diving deeper and deeper into what you really need to keep.
Getting older and having health issues is a great motivator for me when it comes to cleaning and re-organizing my home. I figured out that I wanted my home to support me and my life instead of the other way around. I’m actually looking at an art reproduction piece on my wall right now thinking… It’s time for it to go. I like it. I don’t like the frame. I’m finished with it. I don’t need to look at it anymore. It will hang on the wall for a while because I’m not done with my plans for this space, and I am working on filling my car with some other things to take to the donation place, or to reachhome. But I love that I have mentally checked it off my list, I don’t need to try to design around it.
Yesterday I finally was able to mentally release three pieces of furniture, sturdy as all get out, practical, on wheels like I love it. They’re just not very useful right now, they take up space in a small area and I would not probably want them if I moved because they don’t have doors on them and I still have two left that do have doors on them. (They make great night stands with storage in a guest bedroom). Those take up more space so they are going before the artwork.
It’s a very enjoyable process, curating the stuff. Making room for myself. Knowing that I won’t have so many heavy boxes to move whenever we change the carpet Or actually move house. My body just doesn’t bounce back from that sort of abuse like it used to. I end up at the chiropractor, spending money for damage incurred by stuff that I could have and should have let go of a long time ago.
Omgosh .. "making room for MYSELF" .. oh how I love that sentence! .. I've had to make so much room for stuff that there's no more room for me .. literally!
That's going to become my new decluttering mantra, "making room for me".
We had a gorgeous chocolate lab puppy that as he grew so did all our stuff until he became underfoot in the way because there simply wasn't anymore space for him to move around in.
As he'd look around for someplace he could fit into you could see it in his eyes that he felt like we just didn't have room for him anymore. It was sad, and he passed right before his 6th birthday. Now many yrs and miles later I feel the same way he did.
My only issue is after all the decluttering I don't have the skills of organizing what's left.
The subject of declutterring has been run into the ground!!! We get it already!!!
How bout we all move on to how to organize the keepers? Not everyone has a talent for finding 'homes' for stuff.
@@briannab5296 - I’m so glad you found something encouraging in my comment! And you are right, we hear so much about decluttering and not how to organize the keepers.
I think THAT process also had to evolve with you, to fit your needs and desires. You can start that during the declutter process as well, at least that is how I’ve done it. And capitalize on your own strengths to support any weaker areas.
Examples:
I’m good at visualizing, bad at remembering things I put into infrequently opened storage. I ”discovered” lost pj’s in my dresser yesterday 🤣, and my “lost” pedicure items where I had sensibly put them in a bedside table because the edge of the bed makes it easier to prop up and work on my feet. My closet works best when everything is visible except undergarments and socks - I sort bras by comfort level, and long underwear by whether the top has spaghetti straps, is sleeveless or other length of sleeve. That is what works for my brain and priorities.
On the strength side, I can visualize how I want to FEEL and FUNCTION in a space, and slowly work toward those goals with patience even if it takes a few years (like a garage with wall-mounted shelving and walls painted to add some aesthetic flair to ugly, loud, colorful tools!) It took a dream of spider-web-free storage to simplify garage cleaning, a dream of being able to walk to a shelf, get the thing I wanted EASILY, and put it back EASILY, lots of plans on graph paper, help from the ELFA design folks at the Container Store (who are skilled at the measurements of their products, with years of helpful tips ready to share), years of saving and waiting for sales, working wall-by-wall, making sure no storage interfered with car doors opening…I’m SO happy with the result (but ongoing decluttering is STILL a must…hubs and his tool fascination! His stuff keeps creeping out of his area!)
A relative is good at auditory processing: I wouldn’t organize my life around surround-sound and tv’s in every corner, but it suits HIM.
I’ve corralled like-with-like for the most part. I can describe success pockets around the house, but I’m not done. I’m still percolating in my brain about various categories, or I’ve dismantled some systems that were 👌🏼 before, but not great, or the usefulness came to an end, etc. (Like being done with homeschooling). Resurrecting stored music as we get involved in that again.
Any expensive organizing options have been true workhorses, evolving over decades, but a lot of my choices are super-inexpensive and minimal. It might take my brain awhile to figure out the best way to repurpose organizers, and there trial-and-error involved, I don’t mind. But if that drives you crazy, that probably isn’t going to be YOUR organizing strategy.
I like using spices in cooking, nice oils and vinegars. Insist on easy access. Thus, those items are on turntables in cabinets, and I use them for supplements, fridge condiments, laundry room things.
I have pre-sort laundry bins in my closet so I can grab a basket and not have to sort and separate before washing a load.
Clean towels are in inexpensive plastic baskets that fit under bathroom vanity sinks (tiny linen closet stores other things).
I’m always thinking “where is the logical point of use?”
I use very few products for personal care, leaning natural/organic, and store guests toiletry leftovers in small plastic bins in cabinets, for guests who forget things.
I hang my hairdryer on a hook inside my closet, and hair gel is in reach in a clear shoe organizer on the back of the closet door. Oddments of various kinds live there instead of in the cavern under the sinks.
An older cd drawer/tower sits in the water closet with extra tp, fem hygiene items, little sudoku books, in reach of the toilet.
More storage if bathroom items is in a wall-mounted “head-knocker” cabinet above the toilet.
I have (way too many) travel accessories in stacking modular plastic boxes.
Gave away lots of kitchen items and fancy crystal and glassware to make it easy to access everything that remained. Put lightweight takeout storage containers in an old modular plastic storage container on a top shelf because it is light-weight. Ditto with paper goods (but need to pare them down, weight-wise). Top shelves have always been the place for things we don’t use often, but I added “safe” and “easy” and “no ladder required” to my organizing must-haves.
I was thinking big letting go of an old roll top desk with sentimental value. Tough call. I got it all the way to the front hall (which had some width to it.) Percolated on it for a month or so. It’s not very tech friendly but it has a functioning lock and looks nice. Bingo. It is perfect for storing and using my disc planners, punches, papers, forms, trimmers, etc. Tried it out. It’s a keeper for the foreseeable future.
Less clear is the home office dilemma. Percolating.
Outdoor strategy: we sometimes have hurricanes => avoid garden ornaments, use pots sparingly, have enough room inside for garden furniture when hurricanes hit.
Guest room strategy: I don’t like it when I’m afraid of knocking over precious decor when I visit others. Keep guest room minimal.
Paperwork - I embraced the Freedom Filer system, which is easy to modify to my needs, and you use it to get things done, keep needed papers where you need them, set up a predictable routine to purge or archive papers of different types. I incorporate flexible poly hanging binders for things like health and auto records, address books, individual accounts (with all the FF categories separated by top tabs). Requires thinking up front that saves time and stress and accidental shredding of important papers later.
Is this anything close to what you mean by “how do you organize what’s left?”
If you start a YT channel on this topic, I’d subscribe! Maybe commenters’ feed back would have the right ideas to spark your latent organizing talents. I learn so much from others in comments!
@@briannab5296 PS Condolences on your sweet dog.
I love that you lost weight. I'm happy for you and hopeful for me. You deserve to feel good in your body
My daughter and I loved watching that show! Peter made a huge impact us! Thank you Peter!
Peter is so underrated. He’s definitely an OG in the decluttering space.
I adore Peter. I have all the old Clean Sweeps on VHS. He's my hero.
I absolutely loved watching Clean Sweep with Peter Walsh. Sure miss that show. It really is too bad that they wouldn't release those shows on regular tv or digital. 😕 I'm so happy for you Cas you got this interview with Peter.
Some episodes are on UA-cam
I had twins born two months early and they slept in cardboard boxes on folded blanket mattresses until their grandmother came to visit and bought them basinets. They were fine in the boxes.
So sweet 💜 I was born full term at 6 lb 1 oz in '67. I slept in a drawer for quite awhile. 🤗
I put my twins in dresser drawers! Lol
I've never heard of him before until your interview tonight I randomly found on UA-cam. This is so sweet and touching how you shared how his work has impacted you.
Peter's audio book "Loose the Clutter, Loose the Weight" was life changing for me in terms of getting me to understand to root of my clutter problem and moving forward with the decluttering process. I agree with the host, Peter is the real deal. He's truly gifted!
He’s 100% correct. I spent my career as an organizer. These “issues” arise from deeply ingrained compulsions and habits. It isn’t as easy as teaching people how to fold their clothing properly. “It’s never about the stuff.”
I love Peter Walsh, he is sooo honest and very very helpful.
A genius. ❤
YES! Long live the King of Organizing. I do wish I could rewatch Clean Sweep.
I saw Peter Walsh like over a decade ago on Oprah, & I can still recall his greatest gem of advice that has helped me since: Think about how you want to use the space, rather than focusing on the stuff.
I read his book IT’S ALL TOO MUCH, years ago, and got rid of 8 kitchen sized garbage bags of stuff that summer. The only decluttering- organizing book I’ve ever read that made a difference, I still remember phrases of his run through my head when it’s time to declutter.
I loved watching this! I remember watching on TLC and didn’t understand why the show didn’t continue. Cas, I am in awe of your story.
Love Peter Walsh and wish we could see more of him in the US
Peter Walsh was the first organizer who spoke to me. Thank you for bringing him on. I appreciate his kindness and empathy in this hard predicament in my life. I needed this today as I'm trying to get rid of lots of stuff. I remember them pull everything out of a room and going over things one by one with people and getting to the root of the why they were hanging on to everything.
I’m starstruck..Peter transformed dealing with and ‘outing’ the hidden coping mechanism of hoarding. Gen X’rs felt like it was the first ‘real’ attention given to addictions and mental health. Thank you Peter for your dedication!
This will be me if I ever meet you Cas! I owe everything to you. The peace I have gained since finding you and following your tips a couple months ago is truly invaluable. I'm in NC, USA BUT if I ever see you in person I'm gonna hug you and just never let go ❤😂
Times 2❤
YES! Cas was my inspiration. She helped me open my eyes to cabinets of stuff I had. Because my mother told me I needed to keep it. THANK YOU,CAS!
When I saw that you got to interview him, I was sooo excited for you. I have been watching you since way back when you had a channel with another name and know that this is a big bucket list moment for you.
I'm also in The Carolinas! Cas!!! WE NEED YOU TO COME VISIT US IN THE CAROLINAS!!! LOL! ~🙏💙🙏~
Everything comes down to psychology, in my opinion. Discerning people’s traumas and motivations.
I know I’ve struggled with clutter because it makes me feel secure, and that I’ll somehow ‘float away’ without it. For me, it’s such a connector to past generations and cultural influences, and it’s a matter of just how much do I need in order to honor a connection. Any of it, all of it, or somewhere in-between. 😊
It's taken me years to slowly declutter, but every time I throw things away or donate, I think about Clean Sweep and Peter Walsh's kind words to the hoarder. He always got to the heart of the problem. So sweet.
Decluttering is a lifelong process for most people - all come from different starting points, different challenges to deal with along the way, different abilities to envision the end game of routine decluttering. Like you, I keep on decluttering. For me, it is also a journey that involves self-discovery. 😊 And a lot of enjoyment in my decluttering accomplishments!
Love the discussion that describes the product vs the promise and the quote: . . . Your soul is littered with all of these unfulfilled promises . . .” Thank you both.
America really needs Peter Walsh! We need a great show thats just a good show to watch,no agenda but organization. The TV networks don't seem to know what we all want to see. We really wanted/needed to see the tears and emotion of these people and not just a small part of what really went on. The people that have a problem with clutter need to see others and what they are feeling!
....the WHOLE world does...and in a jiffy !!! :) helene
I agree! You can’t go through the smallest town without seeing huge storage company with tons of crap people are paying to store there! It’s really a shame!
❤ Thank you Cas & Peter!! The gift of this episode is much appreciated!! ❤
God bless you two precious generous amazing people !!!!!!!!!
I loved Clean Sweep! Peter Walsh is amazing. I’m so happy you were able to interview him, I know he’s your idol ❤️
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." ― William Morris
Love that they've both seen children spontaneously dance and twirl in recently cleared spaces. It sums up their messages about the benefits of clutter clearing so well! : - )
Personal transformations AND dramatic space makeovers are the best!
TV Execs: please release the old and new shows!
They forgot to add that kids do somersaults in clean rooms!😃
Adults twirl too. Lol
Gosh that’s so powerful about the lady with the baby clothes - so relatable aswell! Very thought provoking - thank you!
I remember watching Clean Sweep... one episode, Peter made someone get rid of ink pens by throwing them basketball style into a bucket... if the person missed the bucket, you didn't get to keep the pen. I remember thinking how painful that would be for me to get rid of my pens. Years later, with the help of Clutterbug, Minimal Mom, and a slew of other UA-camrs, while I still have an extensive pen collection, it is curated down to my favorites.
Dana from A Slob Comes Clean did a whole video about... pens!! 🖋🖊🖋🖊
Gosh I have soo many pens. I never thought about them actually until now. As I know I'll use them at some point if I don't already, I honestly don't know which ones I've used recently or not i just grab whatever nowadays as they're all pretty high quality art pens etc. But gosh I have sooo many. I never thought to declutter those... hmm. Well darn. Lol
I love my specialty pens for calligraphy, pointed pen, fountain. I can’t let them go. Other pens can go. I love ink too.
Dude, you were so fan girling and it was cracking me up but I loved it!
Cas, I love that you got this interview, and keep in mind you had the same effect on many of us!!! Thank You❤
He is so humble. THAT in itself makes him endearing.❤
Amen! Covet is such a powerful word and so glad this was brought up
You two made me cry so hard. Then I was finally able to grab a bag and start. Thank you a thousand times! ❤
My greatest motivation to declutter has been having to pack up 42 years of accumulated stuff and move it to a new house two miles away. Thank you for all the times you have motivated me to let it go!❤😊
I can so agree, I am doing that now too. We are about to move and I know I am still holding on to too many things for my fantasy self but omg, I’ve let go of so much stuff the donation trips to the thrift shop and trash are many!
Crazy how we are motivated to decluttering as we are planning to move. As if packing up isn’t stressful enough🙁
@@PARoth2011ow what you mean about the fantasy self. It’s a wonderful process to come to terms with that. I remember realizing that I was never going to make beautiful photo albums with collages and decorations, and giving all of that stuff to a family member who did like doing it. Getting rid of small appliances because my fantasy of learning how to repair them wasn’t really going to happen. Getting rid of beautiful patio furniture for the same reason (I’m kind of regretting that still, Those beautiful Smith and Hawken chaises).
I am about to do that with my fabrics and sewing things. I have an amazing, functional, well-maintained vintage sewing machine that definitely deserves a place in my home because I use it for mending regularly, and for changing the length on different curtains according to what room they are in. I even made some new curtains for a cabin a couple of years ago. I had a fantasy that I would be able to sew as well as my mother, creating the perfect fitted and lined bodice on a sundress like she made for me when I was young. Things like that. But now I’m facing the fabric/clothing-for-fabric-harvesting stash that I have been keeping in order to teach myself (without buying more fabric) how to sew on all of these new stretchy wiggly fabrics. I really want a wardrobe that uses better quality fabrics, colors that actually look good on me instead of whatever is in style in a given year, and is finished in a somewhat professional way so that it holds its shape. I’m learning about stabilizing tape, and how it helps create nice seams that don’t twist around when using these wiggly fabrics. How to use my existing machine to create plain fabric with subtle decorative stitching. Will my fantasy of helping my friends learn how to sew ever happen? The only way I will find out is by trying now that I have cleared enough space to do that. My childhood skills have come back pretty quickly for basic sewing and the kind of clothes I want to make for myself are pretty basic so I am encouraged. The trickiest thing to remaster for me right now is the “perfectly smooth neck line.“ We will see how the friend thing goes. I was able to have my daughter over a few weeks ago to do a down and dirty alteration on a strapless bathing suit top that came off of her during her last trip to an ocean! She was happy to report that it stayed in place for her most recent outing to the beach! I loved teaching her how to use a zigzag stitch on stretch fabric if she didn’t have elastic thread. But the real test will be when I decide that I will not be using a lot of these fabrics, because I don’t like the color, because both I and my friends have learned how to sew on that type of fabric, etc. When I can answer the question of how much I should keep of spent bedsheets for making the initial version of a new pattern or design…Before using the expensive and pretty fabric.
Your so right Peter!!! TY for helping other organizers when they can’t speak for themselves
It was wonderful to listen to Peter Walsh again. I loved Clean Sweep!
I fell in love with Peter Walsh way back in the Clean Sweep days. I'm fangirling so hard right now. I'm so happy for you that you got to do a podcast with him.
What a great podcast. Peter is so Australian :) We have huge trouble accepting compliments over here 😂
Not just over there. Over here as well. 😂😂😂😂
8 minutes in and this is already one of my favourite things I've seen on UA-cam. Wish i could watch Peters shows here in the UK!
What an amazing episode. I'm Australian and love Peter's TV show. He seems so caring on the show and really does help people with the reason why people are holding on to things they don't need. He really has changed soo many lives. Thanks for sharing Cas and having such a great chat with Peter ❤
I'm in Australia as well and like you I love Space Invaders. I re-watch some of the episodes from time to time. It seems I'm on an endless quest of getting rid of junk and watching the show at the beginning of the day helps set me on the right path.
Mr. Peter Walsh, Wow! I have no words to describe this man ! Wow is really all I can think about him…. If I could only get started, my life, the life of my children the lives of my grandchildren etc. could be so different, Sincerely with 😮 to you Peter AND CAS! Linda, Pa.
Such a refreshing breath of fresh air this Hostess was. Humble, open & knowledgeable. I will definitely tune in to her other podcast. I bought “Let it go” on Audible before show was over. So ready for the freedom that I hope change will bring.
I haven’t watched all of this yet but have to comment that I love how Peter knows what is going on when he walks in a cluttered room or interacts with a family. I’ve been looking at your videos Cass and several other organizers here on YT…for several years now. I’ve just started trauma therapy this spring and I’m realizing I have filled the room that my Mom lived in before the Lord called her home. Yesterday I had the epiphany that I self-sabotage that same space that I’ve turned into a studio for painting and photography by buying more props for still life. I will get it decluttered and organized and I appreciate this video so much!!
Wow, great self realization. It does seem as though trauma and grief are behind so much. Insecurity as well, seeking defined identity through objects. Bless you as you continue your process.
I always remember in clean sweep Peter Walsh helping people deal with the sentimental things they held onto. You are not honoring anyone by having items stored in a box in the basement. I remember him saying give it a place of honor or let it go. I am actually starting to help others declutter and the few people I have helped so far always ask what do I need to buy to organize! I personally feel all these perfect pinterest closets make some people feel bad about themselves. Cas this was such a great podcast!
Wow! Great episode CAS! What a coup to have Peter Walsh! I’m an Aussie, but you inspire me! All of your funny stories, the crazy pants, just your personality 🩷
TY Peter for ur humility and politeness, there really is enough room…
Just love listening to Peter Walsh! Glad you got a chance for him to come on your podcast. He too deeply affected me way before minimalism came along. I constantly question what comes across the threshold of my home. Donation bins are always around and I think they recognize me at the charity shop. I am only this way because of his tv shows and books.
I love that you feel recognized at your donation shop. I was feeling that way as well, and there was one day when I saw an attractive but rusted looking brown wrought metal table pedestal as I drove up to make my regular donation. I made a verbal compliment about it as I was bringing in my boxes of stuff and the attendant offered it to me for free. I topped it with a 36 inch glass round table top and it has been my back porch dining table for years, probably a decade now. Sometimes I interchange it with a slightly larger glass table from a pedestal inside.… Either way, I have Pictures of family and friends enjoying themselves around that table over the years. And a lot fewer boxes of stuff at my house.
My mother kept nearly all the belongings of her parents and my father when they passed away. When she had to downsize into an assisted living apartment I was the one who had to deal with the possessions 4 people left behind. Many items were physically too big and heavy for me to move by myself, it was exhausting and absolutely gut wrenching. Today I have one item per deceased loved one and constantly think "If I die my kids and best friend will have to sort through my crap, how easy can I make it for them?" Morbid? Yes. Will they appreciate it? I hope so. Thank you both for bringing awareness to so many people, you are saving so many people all the anguish I went through.
Huge fan of Peter Walsh and clean sweep!! Need the reruns!
I am so thrilled you have Peter Walsh on your show! I am struggling with clutter and it does have a story.
It's all too much was the first declutter/organize book I bought about 15 years ago. He is great and we all appreciate you, Cas.
I loved clean sweep. It was an era of watching shows that made me more productive and helped the psychology of why I kept things I didn’t need. I listened to Peter intently to learn and change. Another show I know forward and backward is Neat, a Canadian show.
Peter’s book “It’s All Too Much” changed my life
Thanks so much for having a podcast with Peter Walsh. His 31 days/steps to organizing was a great help to me in the past, and I've adapted it in different ways. but I forgot about it until now. I agree with what was said about TV. I don't have one anymore, but use my computer and watch what I want when I want. The quality of what I watch far outweighs TV. I truly enjoy your channel as well. Thanks for all you do. 😊
Thank you Peter Walsh! I also have been a big fan since Clean Sweep. I even got to meet you at the garage sale for our neighbor down the block who had participated in the Clean Sweep show in Denver, CO. It has been years of progressing and our move to our 'senior' home across town was the final big incentive. It is getting better and better. Thank you both.
TY Peter for ur kindness to beginners, … other organizers
Clean sweep was a saving grace for me as well. Thank you Peter Walsh!! And thank you, Cas for your calm voice in my ear. 🙂
CAS, I LOVED Clean Sweep also BECAUSE of PETER WALSH. He was the only real substance behind the "pretty transformations." I still remember his words, too. PETER WALSH is THE EXACT THING MISSING from the HGTV or TLC house shows. They ALWAYS skip completely over the boxes, the sorting, the how and why. They ALWAYS cut to the designer-curated florals and baskets and pillows, and you have NO IDEA how they got from point A to point B. That's why I watch you!! Someone has got to teach people step by step how to deal with the lifetime of stuff and how to make decisions and progress. THANK YOU for this interview. I love it. 💖
I have followed Peter Walsh for YEARS, and his were the first books on decluttering that I ever read. When I realized that my mother and aunt are both hoarders, I started decluttering like crazy. I realized that if I had EVERYTHING, my kids would not know what was most important to me. Within a couple of months I got rid of over 130 boxes and bags of books, clothes, and household items.And I have learned that decluttering is a lifelong process - as my kids get older, and as I move into different phases of my life, I declutter more and more. I'm by no means a minimalist, but my home is not cluttered, and we have everything we need, especially what is most important to us. Loved this podcast with two of my favorite organizers!
I really needed to listen to this today. Peter Walsh is one of the most inspirational human beings of our time. I am so glad I stumbled across this via clutterbug who I recently started following. Peter was the reason I joined UA-cam when he did the 30 days of decluttering years ago. Dealing with the death of several family members and being inundated with "stuff" again I know I have work ahead of me. Short term emotional pain for a better future. Thank you Cass and Peter.
To me, one of the most impactful things that Peter eluded to on clean sweep was, It’s not the THING that evokes a sentiment, it’s the actual memory that’s dear to you. In that case, get rid of this thing , that’s cluttering up your here and now, but take a PICTURE! I’ve used that technique time and time again. It’s really helped. I adore Peter, and YOU CAS!
Thank you! I just cleaned my kitchen! This was a great conversation to listen to.
Im watching the opeing minutes of this video, youre just talking about who Peter Walsh is and I'm crying. So excited for you!!
Here in France I had the luck to watch one season of Space Invaders 🎉🎉. Peter Walsh is incredible, and healing those people.
Wow, France is looking crazy these days. It’s nice to know there’s a reason to go visit there now! I would definitely go and watch that series there!
I love how authentic both you and Peter are! It’s so refreshing!
He's my hero too. Since Clean Sweep. My hubby would always, "honey your boyfriends on tv right now" if Peter was on the TV. 😄 he just knows what he's talking about, he knows the mental reasons why people hoard. He's the best.
I'm so glad you had this oportunity, it was a great episode. Thanks!
OH. MY. GOSH! you are so lucky to talk to him! I also am a mega fan of his from all he has done. Great interview Cass!!
ClutterBug YOU ARE CHANGING MY LIFE little by little.
I am just starting and it’s been a long strenuous journey to get to this point.
One year ago I found Dana white who first blew my mind with the container concept. That my house is a container and it’s not more storage I need it’s less stuff. I took 18 bags of stuff out of my house at that point, but with three kids, stuff just kept coming in and though I had made progress and changed some mindsets I have these rooms and closets that so much stuff is thrown in and hid in while I’m Telling myself I’ll get to that later really I am just hiding clutter and about three weeks ago i was so depressed and feeling like a failure because I tried and still couldn’t get it right, I came across your channel and YOU are little by little changing my life with all of your free content, and as a struggling 33 yr old mother, with a temporarily disabled husband, 3 kids (my oldest son just moved out so 2 small girls at home) and now another on the way, I don’t know what I would do without you. When I don’t feel like doing anything because it seems overwhelming and just too much I put on your podcast or UA-cam videos and I get up and start moving to just make something better and I’m giving myself a break so I have to say I couldn’t do it without you! just as much is Peter has changed lives you are changing lives I’m still fighting poverty and food insecurity but there is light at the end of the tunnel because I too am an entrepreneur with ADD and you are showing me it is possible and I don’t have to look like everyone else or be like anyone else. and honestly a year ago when I first came across Dana White minimal mom in Clutterbug. I was a little intimidated by you but that’s only because you were calling it as it is and I wasn’t ready to hear it and now that I am ready to hear it. YOU ARE CHANGING MY LIFE AND NOT JUST MINE, BUT MY CHILDREN’S AND MY FAMILIES LIFE BECAUSE I DESERVE A CLEAN HOUSE AND A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY MY CHILDREN AND MY CHILDREN DESERVE CLUTTER, FREE BEDROOMS, AND PLAY ROOMS. WE AREN’T FULLY THERE YET BUT NOW I KNOW WE DESERVE IT AND THAT’S BECAUSE OF YOU, AND OF COURSE THE GRACE OF GOD
Yes mari kondo got me started on my most significant decluttering journey but it left me needing more after I got rid of what I call the base layers. Even then I had to follow my own authentic guidance while incorporating some of her techniques ie the folding was very helpful. As I decluttered the deepest layers I was looking for emotional help w the process abd just couldn’t find it. I hired a Kon Marie consultant for a zoom session and it was lovely conversation but in no way helped me. I’ve come to see my entire life as my journey to simplify and process my past emotions - so all my journaling sound baths meditations garden time food podcasts etc are supporting me to process and let go. I will see if peters book is available as an audiobook bc appreciate his understanding of the inner transformation journey most have to embark on beyond just what sparks joy. Thanks to you both!🎉
Ps - so I’m very grateful to mari kondo but her work could only take me so far on my decluttering journey.
Yes that's it exactly. I was trying to get my mom to read it but she thought it sounded like to much fluff. It's not though- it's just that her criteria for decluttering is not for everyone
We all need criteria for getting rid stuff; Marie Kondo has one set of criteria but I've since moved on to find other criteria that fit me better
Loved this so much! Peter has been in my life for years. Clean Sweep first got me started on the organization of my own home when my boys were young and my house was filled with toys, sports gear, etc. It helped save my sanity. Thank you for having Peter on your podcast. 🥰
I am so glad I saw this I’m drowning in stuff and empty with connections. I want to have people over again. I started by clearing the living room and had people over. I’m now inspired more to live in the present and move away from holding onto the past so tightly.
Two of my most favourite organizing professionals!!
...and two of the most Planet/people loving human beings!!! helene :)
Wise words from both of you. Thanks for having Peter Walsh on. He makes things real.
Cas and Dawn and their “types” are my faves. But something that I’ve taken from Marie K that has helped me is the idea of collecting “like” items. I know that Marie says to gather EVERYTHING in that category in your entire house. But if I get most or half (or everything in that part of the house) it really helps me to process through what I need to keep or purge. I will definitely come across other items in that category in the garage or basement but since I’m in this for the long haul, and I’m kind of doing Dawn’s “onion method,” I don’t mind reprocessing the same category. Also, as I work I’m putting things away (Dana from a Slob comes Clean) so those “categories” will grow again. But like I said… I’ll catch them on the next “pass through” the house.
The reality is, is that we will always be decluttering and reevaluating our stuff, so don’t let perfectionism ruin the journey.
That’s the hardest part; beginning, and doing a little at a time…peeling layers…I tend to want to do a big chunk at a time but when I have time-I avoid or get too overwhelmed to begin. Even a few items is progress!
It’s so true that we need to process things differently at different times, different stages, or even when it comes to different types of things. Being aware of the physical limitations of the space you have to work with… That might dictate that you just deal with what’s in front of you. When you have a little more space, it’s easier to gather like items together. Sometimes, for psychological reasons, we need to see how much duplication we’ve done. And then we can decide for practical reasons what to keep and what to toss. For me, decluttering sometimes comes after long periods of thought. Then I feel a release at every level, and objects leave that I thought I had to keep before. Holding up a value is another approach that I use. I have values of being able to walk freely without tripping on anything. I have values of feeling serene and peaceful in my space. I have values, especially as I’m older and less flexible, that anything in a lower cabinet should be something I could get out with one hand and with one reach/pull motion, and to put it away just as easily. I have a value that says laundry should be easy to do with her a little friction in the way… So I sacrifice space in my closet to sort clothing as it comes off of me (and taught hubs to do this also with fair success). Things are separated by hand wash/special care, hot wash tumble dry and ignore until you feel like sorting it, dark delicate, whites and lights delicates, towels and sheets. Like that. And I try to do a load or two every day or so and I hang nearly everything up to dry with a possible cold tumble to shake out wrinkles. No folding just hanging. Simple. A long winded example of why I don’t have dresser drawers full of clothing that I don’t wear. I can see what I have and remove what is no longer working. So organizing by values has served me. Next project involves testing How realistic it is for me to make a lot of my own clothing, and how to embrace my serenity values versus my frugal values versus whether or not my fantasy ideal is realistic. Some balance of that needs to be settled. And happily, they needed decluttering to make that even possible to discover is so close to being achieved. My goal of having a sauna for health purposes meant that I couldn’t park my car in the garage for a while. One of my values is to be able to put my car in the garage without any impedance. I had to sacrifice one and it ended up taking a lot longer than I planned which was so frustrating. And then hubs started buying things that would have to sit on the floor of the garage like a yeti cooler and a generator, when I had organized all that we needed off the floor (have you ever tried to lift a yeti cooler? Yikes! That’s a two person job at least!) Juggling values is an ongoing project.
@@CopingwithGrattitude Definitely. I once read a book by a lady (The Messy Manual) she believed that the key to a tidy house was what she called “Tiny Minutes.”
The FlyLady recommends, “5 Minute Room Rescues”
@@CopingwithGrattitude (I didn’t mean to hit send. 😄) Sometimes when I don’t know where to start, I’ll set the timer for 5 minutes and straighten up and wipe and dust one room. Then I’ll do three more rooms. It always makes me feel better.
@@bitrudder3792 Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I read it twice. So wise. 🙏🏻
I'm not crying you're crying, wait we're both crying. I'm so happy for you Cas and love you too Peter. ❤❤
Fantastic podcast. I watched Clean Sweep with my boys religiously. As much as I love Peter, you were the one that helped me conquer my paper clutter … You are the queen 👸