By showing your “before” house, which was a very brave and honest thing to do, you relate to so many people that think getting their homes under control is an impossible task. My home was not as cluttered as yours, but there were times I felt many of the things you spoke of - the worst was not feeling comfortable letting people in at times. Then I was able to get more in control of my house, and I’ve never gone back to the way it was. One thing is to realize you aren’t really getting your house in order just for the benefit of being able to have other people over. It’s so you can enjoy your own home every day. Such a stress reducer!
Well said! It IS a present to ourselves! Plus if we aren't having anyone over, it doesn't give us the excuse to let it all go because "nobody will see it." WE will see it and live in it!
Your 'before' house was cluttery...yet every photo showed smiling. active, happy kids! And your 'after' house makes for a happier you, too! Rock on Mom! Bravo!!! ;-)
Hey if your reading this, please know that things might be bad and getting worse but I promise you all that things WILL get better if you just keep going and try look at the good things in life. It's very unfair on people like us to go through this and we shouldn't but we are all in this together. Thank you for reading this and have an amazing day ❤❤❤
Thank you! I don't know what else to say. I've been watching organizing and decluttering videos for about 3 years. Until now I haven't gotten what I was needing from them. Depression is such a big part of it and anxiety. I'm fighting it so hard. Instead of decluttering I go spend money. I don't have money or room for the crafts I make. I just discovered you a couple of days ago but I have to say you are getting to the roots of my problem. Thank you! Hugsssss!
Hey Rachel, everything you say is so true!!! What I loved most in this video was the sentence "I love having the dishes done" instead of "I hate doing the dishes" :)))
I have had MS for 20 years with debilitating fatigue. I eventually learned to also use the method of telling myself to just get “something” done each day so that I wouldn’t get so overwhelmed and depressed. Also, just taking the extra few minutes to put things away helps in the long run.
I've had MS for the same amount of time. I'm fortunate to be able to still be walking but fatigue and cognitive issues have destroyed the person I once was. So thank you for this video contecting the dots between depression and clutter. The idea of just doing one thing, instead of giving in, is great. Thank you.
"Morning Me" hates a messy kitchen! When it is time to start breakfast, and I still need to clean up from yesterday's dinner, Morning Me is not happy! I remember that when I look at the kitchen after dinner. Truthfully sometimes I don't care about Morning Me and her needs! But I am still working on making this a permanent habit. I am getting there though!
Thank you the video. My favorite parts that I want/need to remember: 7:35 "Anything worth doing is worth doing partially." "Any step forward, no matter how small, is still a step forward." 7:52 "When the dishes are done, life doesn't seem quite as overwhelming." "Seeing the evidence that you accomplished something gives a great boost to your self-confidence." 8:25 "It doesn't matter if it's going slowly. It's still progress"
Thanks for your encouragement! You described me exactly! I'm right smack in the middle of this. I'm trying to get rid of the clutter and have 1 room done, but I have soooooo much more. My depression and anxiety did get worse as my house got worse and I even felt it happening, but I still let it go. I'm thankful that you are posting videos to encourage me to get my house decluttered.
Great tips Rachel! And Thank you for addressing the link between clutter and anxiety and depression. For me, minimalism isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about having greater mental capacity for what matters most in my life and energy too. I want more of those things and less stress, worry, overwhelm, fatigue, negative thoughts etc. I really appreciate you making this video xx
Exactly, for me the same anxiety and depression when I have to much. I had lot of trauma behind to .uch staff because my grandmother was a hoarder and this affects me a lot. This series really open my eyes about anxiety and too much staff.
The ironic thing about clutter is that it usually starts out with incredibly good intentions by going "therapy retail" shopping...it does feel sooo good to go out and shop and find great deals and get out of your depression for a short time....but eventually it more often than not(for me)leads to more depression plus guilt on top of that because I have spent money on unnecessary items that were not really needed not to mention nowhere to put it!! Dollar Tree is my number one bad habit....I love to watch the haul channels and it's a challenge to find the wishlist items everyone is hunting for....where do they put everything??Lol....like you said,It doesn't happen overnight,but thank you for the encouragement to try to start living clutter free!!✌️💜☮️💜
The stress and anxiety over dishes is the stuff of nightmares! Literally! I've been making sure my dishes are done and put away before I go to bed every night for awhile now. I haven't always done that, but since I decluttered all but 2 place settings for my husband and I, it has been easy. No stress. No pressure. So I was surprised when I woke up in the middle of the night last night with this overwhelming feeling of anxiety mixed with relief that my dishes were done. In that moment, I knew if that day's dishes had not been done, I would not be able to face them the next day and they would go undone forever. I was aware that I had done them, but the thought of my dishes ever piling up again filled me with such anxiety. Of course, I only have a few dishes, so how bad could it get, but in the middle of the night, reason wasn't part of the equation.
When my mom was older and living alone she got rid of everything that wouldn't all fit into the dishwasher together. She said that even if it didn't get emptied, or only partially emptied there was never more than a few items in the sink.
We cannot acquire enough coordinated baskets, boxes and bins to put things in to give us the calm environment we long for." Thank you for explaining why I still feel weird when I buy these.
I can not believe I didn't find you earlier. It's been only 4 days since you were a suggested video. This was no accident. If I would have known about you a year ago, I wouldn't have wasted my time watching anyone else. You really get it. I dont feel I'm watching a obsessively clean person who decided to make a UA-cam channel. I feel I'm watching a person who really understands it. Thank you so much.
My soul needed this this morning. We have a very busy schedule and I never feel like we have time to get our house back in order. I NEED to purge some things!
Hi Rachel, I enjoyed your “scientific” approach to this topic. It was very interesting and how I like to approach things. The paralysis and anxiety of too much stuff. I get it. I’m working at reducing my stuff. BTW…I sent you a DM about this Thursday’s show. Please take a look and respond so I know how to plan. Denise
🦋 you’ve really nailed the psych-social issues & rationalizations so well. I’m identifying too much here! So instead of getting down to declutter, I’m telling myself I need to study more!🤦🏻♀️I whole-heartily agree that its not just tidying & organizing; it must result in a manageable & comfortable & easy pickup! This distinguished your approach in my opinion. Thanks so much!✝️🌻🇺🇸
I’m a new subscriber (last week). I suffer from depression and anxiety as well as a few health issues and my home has become such a mess so full of clutter. I am working on my bedroom and though it’s going to take longer than I wanted it to it’s getting there. Thank you for your tips and your encouragement
Thank you. I’ve been struggling for over 6 years with this. I have 2 boys and a husband. I can’t put into words why and how I feel. I thought something was wrong with me, that this was an only me problem. Thank you.
I’m amazed at the before photos of your house, as compared to the way it is now. You really are a shining example to us all! I do suffer periodically from depression and I once read that, if you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, just tidy one drawer (any drawer!). This certainly worked for me, and continues to help me if I’m going through a bad patch.
You are the most realistic vlogger on this subject. I love how all of your stuff has meaning to you and your family from your furniture to you decorations on the walls. Every video I see on simplifying or minimalism, they have these perfect homes ( and they all look the same). You can tell they have the money to get rid of all their stuff just to buy aesthetically pleasing, matching furniture, dishware....tons of plants it just to get the minimalist look. It's so fake to me and unattainable.
Thank you! You convinced me to throw away an old water filtration pitcher with a broken lid and donate a knife set that was a gift that I felt obligated to keep.
Rachel, this is possibly my favorite video of yours so far. It's just so supportive, backed up by research, and with some simple, small ways to get started. Perfect! 💕 Thank you for this!
Rachel, you are wonderful. Thank you for all your content, it's always practical, real, and heartfelt. I've been especially enjoying your videos lately. Have you filmed a video about your story? What got you started towards minimalism? I know you touch on this a lot (including in this video) and call yourself a recovering messy. But a story video about your journey would inspire so many! Let me know the link if you already have such a video. If not, it's a request!!!! Thank you and God bless you and your family.
I REALLY needed this!! I've watched a ton of decluttering/minimalism videos but you put a little of a different spin on yours and I really enjoy them. Your way doesn't seem so overwhelming!
Again, Rachel, watching your videos is a gift to me today. How beautiful the way you acknowledge the tiny steps, the one dish done! Once I worked out a schedule plan, linking specific tasks to specific days of the week. In the second week of trying that out, I realized on the bedroom-tidying-up-Tuesday that I didn't have the energy to clean the way I said to myself I should. But I truly wanted to honor my commitment. It was then that I discovered a powerful thing: I am the one defining what it means that a task is completed! So I was able to give myself permission to define that on that day, when I was depleted of energy, 10 minutes of bedroom-tidying-up-Tuesday were enough. So much joy emerged from that shift! And with that, more energy... It's about agency, empowerment on our own terms, isn't it?
I suffer from anxiety and depression but I don't let my house end up like the rubbish tip I keep it clean and very tidy my son's say I am ocd but cleaning my house even though I have the two conditions make me feel alot better about myself ..
I am always happy to see your new videos post! I feel like you are my friend offering love and encouragement as I continue to gain control of our home. My family and I are starting to see and feel the benefits. I was always mostly tidy and organized, but spent so much time managing my stuff that I missed out on better things and became completely overwhelmed. I have been able to slowly let go of things that I really don’t need in this season of life. Just 2 daunting areas left. Our bedroom and the walk up attic (very anxious about these as there are a LOT of sentimental items in both areas.) Thank you again for the work that you do to help us gain control. On a side note I would LOVE to hear more about your tattoos. They are very unique and eye catching! Do you mind to share their significance? ❤️
Thank you Kimberly! My arm tattoo: I have a line for each of my children. The black lines are my living children (6), with their first initial on the inner part of my arm and the white lines are miscarriages (4), with a heart on the inner part of my arm. 🥰
When my kitchen and dishes are overwhelming, I tell myself to just not get more behind. So just wash whatever I'm using now. I give myself permission to now do the dishes already standing around, just wash what I'm using now. Just put away what I'm using now. Really helps!
Just what I needed today. I did a major declutter last Fall, getting rid of excess furniture, books, knickknacks, etc. One of the tough things left is two boxes of sentimental items. The other tough item is 4 tote bags of mostly junk mail. I'm not 100% sure what is in the tote bags. Everyday, I tell myself to just grab a handful of stuff from the tote bags & deal with it, but there is so much it is overwhelming.
Do like you said. Get a small pretty tray or shallow box, doesn't need to be fancy. Decide how many times per week you will work on it and put it on your calendar. On those days grab a small handful, put them in your box and set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes. If you've made it through all of your stack you can grab a few more. If not you stop. You start taking little bites out of it. It takes longer to avoid junk mail than it does to quickly sort out and dispose of it. Having a letter opener speeds things up in case there are envelopes you need to check. Good luck!
@@marshabrubaker185 you're welcome. If you can put 3 of the bags of junk mail out of sight. Not buried, lol, but where you don't see them daily so they won't mock you. By making the task seem smaller it's more approachable. Also if there is stuff that should be shredded check to see if your city or a business has free shredding. My city does a quarterly "Shredfest". It's drive through, no contact, free and up to 6 bankers boxes per person.
@@renel7303 Good suggestions, Rene L. I've had the tote bags in the living room in sight all the time with the thought it will motivate me. It hasn't. I just found out from a friend that the UPS Store does shredding, but I'm not sure if there is a limit. Thanks again for your ideas.
@@marshabrubaker185 UPS stores charge typically $1 per pound. That's pretty standard. You'd probably want to go through removing all the envelopes and things without your personal information. The police sponsor our local free shredding events as ID theft protection. You might check with them to see if something is available locally. Some of the office supply stores shred and sometimes have coupons or specials where you can get up to 5 pounds free. You can also get a decent shredder for $20 to $30 on sale.
I love your videos. Everything is so relatable!! I'm in process now of getting rid of one category at a time. Toys are a huge category I've held onto and I'm getting rid of the last of the toys tomorrow. Clutter has stolen my life taking so much focus and stressing. I felt relieved to hear you say it is a very emotional process when letting go. But I'm finally ready
Thank you. I felt bad for only doing 10 minutes of sweat for yesterday, but that’s all I could do. You’re right, it’s better than not doing it. Excited to look at the PDF
Definitely need this I have tubs of clean clothes and boxes and don't know what to do with all the full bins please help me start one day one box at a time God bless you 💜💜💜 New subscriber
I identify with you. I am still in the process. Thank you for this video. I feel pretty bed when I look at family and holiday photos from years back. I wish I had done better. Bless you for this video. I am working towards a better normal.
Hi Rachel. Thankyou so much, this makes so much sense. Plus you've been there that really helps . What you say is so true of all my guilt thing going on. Mine I relized my self was saving rubbish which really was fit for the bin or recycling but I felt so bad in it going to land fill I thought I could save the planet by myself by finding a use for it...but guess what I never do any of it as iv got no energy for it or I'm too low. My realization of this over recent time has helped me. Listening to you has been brilliant as your explaining me there all over . Bless you thanks again 🙏😇
i really appreciate your approach to decluttering. I agree with self care too, and appreciate your encouragement to tune into ourselves, and being kind to our future self.
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, I am going through the same situation nowadays, my house needs renovation, furniture issues, and messy house all the time, I continously work at home,but not successful in organising home, so facing depression and anxiety
I am sooooo grateful for you and your videos. You have helped me start decluttering so much better than hoarding videos ever did (they were just depressing).
Tyvm so much for this. I've always kept a clean house because that's the way I was trained. I've been slowly making peace with myself over the years, and I know the value of a tidy home as far as mental health goes, but I've never done any of it with the thought that I'm giving my future self a gift, that it can be a form of self-love rather than just part housework part self-care. I want to hug you with SO much gratitude, but I'll subscribe instead.
Love this, you are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing what you've learned. I cleaned up my kitchen last night, put several things away that l have been keeping out. Took a nicnak off my stove & threw it away. It felt good. 😊💕
Thanks. You have been motivating to me. And I am starting now, at 10:51pm. Lol...until midnight. I want to and I have enough energy. Thanks so 10:41 much
Oh my GOODNESS! You are the kindest and most lovingly encouraging person that I have found on UA-cam!!!! Thank you for your sweet words. They are a balm to my soul! God bless you!!!
New subscriber. Thank you for your excellent content. I also do the kitchen AM& PM. In addition to that, I make my bed. The rest of the day is ‘gravy’😊 What gets done, gets done👍🏼
New subscriber here! I’m just loving all of your videos and look forward to each new video you put out. I have always been a neat person, however my home has always been full of stuff-too much stuff and I can see how it affects my mental and emotional health. I’m done maintaining all of these things that aren’t important to me or my family! I have been making big strides this year in letting things go and it feels so good. I’ve been noticing how much easier it is to keep my home tidy, even with 3 kids. With each cleared space my heart is happier and lighter. We let the piano go this week- the piano that was beautiful and looked lovely in our living room but that nobody played. It made me incredibly happy !
So I started doing what you suggested- I started in my kitchen, one cabinet at a time. I take a before picture and send it to my friends and say hey this is what I’m working on, then send them the after pictures and they are amazed! This stuff really works. I started 7 days ago and have decluttered 4 cabinets and made one trip to the goodwill- didn’t want to keep the extra stuff around too long!
It’s so emotional. Mostly for me it’s about the fact that I feel like a failure every time I try to declutter, clean and organize and I don’t get it done. My husband gets bad anxiety when he comes home and the house is not picked up. He steps in and cleans but I still feel like a failure.
As longtime (30+ years) minimalists we have really enjoyed watching your videos and I finally subscribed! (big smile) We adhere to Bea (Bay ya) Johnson's Zero Waste Home motto of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot (and only in that order). Refusing to bring UN-needed items into our home is #1. And knowing a real need from a want. In this video of yours at the 2:20 mark the noting of children and toys was spot on. Our son was the youngest grandchild and an only child, so we had to have some firm rules in place. Books were always welcomed as were experiences, but toys were limited to Legos, a few Match box cars, paper and crayons. Various studies show that in the last twenty years, two working parent homes have more toys, often bought by patents out of guilt of being away from the child(ren) so much, and not wanting to say 'no' to their child(ren). And that it sets a child up to become an adult who buys stuff much the same way some people eat when not hungry, but as a way to address boredom or even loneliness. Even as long time minimalists, as we prepare to move from 700 square feet to 500 square feet, we are now downsizing a bit and donating and giving away items we really do NOT need.
Yesterday I decluttered the corner cupboard in my kitchen where I keep my teas and water bottles/cups/straws. I am donating a kitchen size trash bag of all of the extra containers, and got rid of several boxes of teas that one way or another got in there. Those corner cupboards hold a lot. But now I only have in there what we really want and need. My very last area to declutter in my entire home is the bottom corner kitchen cupboard, the one many of us have that has turned into an abyss. I know what is in there, but I need to figure out the best way to utilize the space, such as putting lesser used but needed items in the way back, possibly on a tray or bin for easier access. tfs 🥰💐🌞🌵🌷🏜️💗🥰💐🌞🌵🌷🏜️💗
I have recently found your channel and need it so much. With the pandemic I also had a water break in the house. Since I have moved back in I am having a hard time unpacking and organize my rooms. This is the best video to help me. I will keep watching. Thanks for the guidance. 🙏😊🥳
You know what I am appreciating about you...did I tell you this already? It's that your house is OLD. My house is OLD. It has got cracks on the walls, old moulding, etc. Usually these cleaning vids are women who live in homes that are less than 20 years old. Cleaning a hundred year old house and cleaning a 2- decade old house is VERY DIFFERENT.
Thank you! When I first started, I was told that people wouldn't follow me without a trendy home. It is different! But I have to tell you - I would love to have a home that's only 20 years old! 😂 It was such a romanized idea, moving into an old house and fixing it up. I suppose all houses are going to have issues... but this is a doozy. LOL
Wow i have looked at so many video's..This one was so helpful.You have such a calming tone to your voice.Love your honesty with pics to show . AWESOME AWESOME!
My boyfriend is moving out soon into his own flat. I am a hoarder and he exacerbates the problem is he's just as bad. I've been in a cycle of decluttering and acquiring. Except his moving out soon has made me want to get my home in order. I will have a spare cupboard and book shelf when he leaves. So some stuff can be put away. Anything else I want to declutter. Then I want to save instead of shopping. I really hope I can change as my home would be much nicer.
I used to have a TON of clutter. I got to a point where I had to get rid of stuff, not just simplify. I would donate a bunch of stuff and as I saw the newly cleared off wall space or floor space. Each time I had to sit in the discomfort of the cleared space. It was a caccoon or safety blanket. I had to adjust to having more visible floor space. It was not a easy feeling.
I just wanted to say I found you two weeks ago and I'm really glad I did. This particular video was very helpful to me because I have ADHD and I tend to bounce around to things. I listened to your advice and really stuck to one thing at a time as far as cleaning things out. Today it was finishing cleaning out books. And I'm done with that. Now I've done several other things in my house, one thing at a time, and I expected to take me several months to get to where I want to be and most people we come in my house and say well it's not cluttered well in my mind it is. I have way too many things and I just don't need them. I don't feel guilty about taking them out I haven't missed any of them and I do really like when I look around and see this face or that space with cleared space (amazing) or I open a cupboard or a drawer and I can put things away in there! (Instead of opening it and saying oh my God there's no room in here. ) You're just very helpful and I am really appreciating it thank you
By showing your “before” house, which was a very brave and honest thing to do, you relate to so many people that think getting their homes under control is an impossible task. My home was not as cluttered as yours, but there were times I felt many of the things you spoke of - the worst was not feeling comfortable letting people in at times. Then I was able to get more in control of my house, and I’ve never gone back to the way it was. One thing is to realize you aren’t really getting your house in order just for the benefit of being able to have other people over. It’s so you can enjoy your own home every day. Such a stress reducer!
This is so true, thanks Dell!
Well said! It IS a present to ourselves! Plus if we aren't having anyone over, it doesn't give us the excuse to let it all go because "nobody will see it." WE will see it and live in it!
Yes, I agree! Thank you for being real. Gosh did I need this ♥️
Your 'before' house was cluttery...yet every photo showed smiling. active, happy kids! And your 'after' house makes for a happier you, too! Rock on Mom! Bravo!!! ;-)
Hey if your reading this, please know that things might be bad and getting worse but I promise you all that things WILL get better if you just keep going and try look at the good things in life. It's very unfair on people like us to go through this and we shouldn't but we are all in this together. Thank you for reading this and have an amazing day ❤❤❤
Thank you! I don't know what else to say. I've been watching organizing and decluttering videos for about 3 years. Until now I haven't gotten what I was needing from them. Depression is such a big part of it and anxiety. I'm fighting it so hard. Instead of decluttering I go spend money. I don't have money or room for the crafts I make. I just discovered you a couple of days ago but I have to say you are getting to the roots of my problem. Thank you! Hugsssss!
Hey Rachel, everything you say is so true!!! What I loved most in this video was the sentence "I love having the dishes done" instead of "I hate doing the dishes" :)))
I have had MS for 20 years with debilitating fatigue. I eventually learned to also use the method of telling myself to just get “something” done each day so that I wouldn’t get so overwhelmed and depressed. Also, just taking the extra few minutes to put things away helps in the long run.
I've had MS for the same amount of time. I'm fortunate to be able to still be walking but fatigue and cognitive issues have destroyed the person I once was. So thank you for this video contecting the dots between depression and clutter. The idea of just doing one thing, instead of giving in, is great. Thank you.
"Morning Me" hates a messy kitchen! When it is time to start breakfast, and I still need to clean up from yesterday's dinner, Morning Me is not happy! I remember that when I look at the kitchen after dinner. Truthfully sometimes I don't care about Morning Me and her needs! But I am still working on making this a permanent habit. I am getting there though!
Thank you the video. My favorite parts that I want/need to remember:
7:35 "Anything worth doing is worth doing partially."
"Any step forward, no matter how small, is still a step forward."
7:52 "When the dishes are done, life doesn't seem quite as overwhelming."
"Seeing the evidence that you accomplished something gives a great boost to your self-confidence."
8:25 "It doesn't matter if it's going slowly. It's still progress"
Your “before” photos help me feel like you know what worked, not just for you, but for you when your house looked like mine. ❤️
Thanks for your encouragement! You described me exactly! I'm right smack in the middle of this. I'm trying to get rid of the clutter and have 1 room done, but I have soooooo much more. My depression and anxiety did get worse as my house got worse and I even felt it happening, but I still let it go. I'm thankful that you are posting videos to encourage me to get my house decluttered.
Great tips Rachel! And Thank you for addressing the link between clutter and anxiety and depression. For me, minimalism isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about having greater mental capacity for what matters most in my life and energy too. I want more of those things and less stress, worry, overwhelm, fatigue, negative thoughts etc. I really appreciate you making this video xx
Exactly, for me the same anxiety and depression when I have to much. I had lot of trauma behind to .uch staff because my grandmother was a hoarder and this affects me a lot. This series really open my eyes about anxiety and too much staff.
Clean after usage, and return to its place. It makes us feel good. Every time.
The ironic thing about clutter is that it usually starts out with incredibly good intentions by going "therapy retail" shopping...it does feel sooo good to go out and shop and find great deals and get out of your depression for a short time....but eventually it more often than not(for me)leads to more depression plus guilt on top of that because I have spent money on unnecessary items that were not really needed not to mention nowhere to put it!! Dollar Tree is my number one bad habit....I love to watch the haul channels and it's a challenge to find the wishlist items everyone is hunting for....where do they put everything??Lol....like you said,It doesn't happen overnight,but thank you for the encouragement to try to start living clutter free!!✌️💜☮️💜
I can relate to you ❤
Everything you said in this video is spot on!! I am experiencing all of this right now 😫 I'm so overwhelmed and don't know where to start 😫🥺😔
The stress and anxiety over dishes is the stuff of nightmares! Literally! I've been making sure my dishes are done and put away before I go to bed every night for awhile now. I haven't always done that, but since I decluttered all but 2 place settings for my husband and I, it has been easy. No stress. No pressure. So I was surprised when I woke up in the middle of the night last night with this overwhelming feeling of anxiety mixed with relief that my dishes were done. In that moment, I knew if that day's dishes had not been done, I would not be able to face them the next day and they would go undone forever. I was aware that I had done them, but the thought of my dishes ever piling up again filled me with such anxiety. Of course, I only have a few dishes, so how bad could it get, but in the middle of the night, reason wasn't part of the equation.
When my mom was older and living alone she got rid of everything that wouldn't all fit into the dishwasher together. She said that even if it didn't get emptied, or only partially emptied there was never more than a few items in the sink.
We cannot acquire enough coordinated baskets, boxes and bins to put things in to give us the calm environment we long for." Thank you for explaining why I still feel weird when I buy these.
So true. Anything is better than nothing. Thank you.
A little progress is still progress. 🥰
"Life at Home in the Twenty-first Century" is a great book. It shows the whole US has a cluttter problem. Thanks for your post.
"When the dishes are done, the rest of life doesn't seem as daunting." (Nourishing Minimalism)
I can not believe I didn't find you earlier. It's been only 4 days since you were a suggested video. This was no accident. If I would have known about you a year ago, I wouldn't have wasted my time watching anyone else. You really get it. I dont feel I'm watching a obsessively clean person who decided to make a UA-cam channel. I feel I'm watching a person who really understands it. Thank you so much.
Thank you, that means so much to me!
My soul needed this this morning. We have a very busy schedule and I never feel like we have time to get our house back in order. I NEED to purge some things!
Hi Rachel, I enjoyed your “scientific” approach to this topic. It was very interesting and how I like to approach things. The paralysis and anxiety of too much stuff. I get it. I’m working at reducing my stuff. BTW…I sent you a DM about this Thursday’s show. Please take a look and respond so I know how to plan. Denise
🦋 you’ve really nailed the psych-social issues & rationalizations so well. I’m identifying too much here! So instead of getting down to declutter, I’m telling myself I need to study more!🤦🏻♀️I whole-heartily agree that its not just tidying & organizing; it must result in a manageable & comfortable & easy pickup! This distinguished your approach in my opinion. Thanks so much!✝️🌻🇺🇸
I’m a new subscriber (last week). I suffer from depression and anxiety as well as a few health issues and my home has become such a mess so full of clutter. I am working on my bedroom and though it’s going to take longer than I wanted it to it’s getting there. Thank you for your tips and your encouragement
Thank you. I’ve been struggling for over 6 years with this. I have 2 boys and a husband. I can’t put into words why and how I feel. I thought something was wrong with me, that this was an only me problem. Thank you.
I’m amazed at the before photos of your house, as compared to the way it is now. You really are a shining example to us all!
I do suffer periodically from depression and I once read that, if you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, just tidy one drawer (any drawer!). This certainly worked for me, and continues to help me if I’m going through a bad patch.
You are the most realistic vlogger on this subject. I love how all of your stuff has meaning to you and your family from your furniture to you decorations on the walls. Every video I see on simplifying or minimalism, they have these perfect homes ( and they all look the same). You can tell they have the money to get rid of all their stuff just to buy aesthetically pleasing, matching furniture, dishware....tons of plants it just to get the minimalist look. It's so fake to me and unattainable.
Thank you AJ! I really appreciate that! ❤️
Thank you! You convinced me to throw away an old water filtration pitcher with a broken lid and donate a knife set that was a gift that I felt obligated to keep.
Rachel, this is possibly my favorite video of yours so far. It's just so supportive, backed up by research, and with some simple, small ways to get started. Perfect! 💕 Thank you for this!
Rachel, you are wonderful. Thank you for all your content, it's always practical, real, and heartfelt. I've been especially enjoying your videos lately.
Have you filmed a video about your story? What got you started towards minimalism? I know you touch on this a lot (including in this video) and call yourself a recovering messy. But a story video about your journey would inspire so many! Let me know the link if you already have such a video. If not, it's a request!!!! Thank you and God bless you and your family.
Thank you. 😊 I'll have to make that video.
I REALLY needed this!! I've watched a ton of decluttering/minimalism videos but you put a little of a different spin on yours and I really enjoy them. Your way doesn't seem so overwhelming!
Again, Rachel, watching your videos is a gift to me today. How beautiful the way you acknowledge the tiny steps, the one dish done! Once I worked out a schedule plan, linking specific tasks to specific days of the week. In the second week of trying that out, I realized on the bedroom-tidying-up-Tuesday that I didn't have the energy to clean the way I said to myself I should. But I truly wanted to honor my commitment. It was then that I discovered a powerful thing: I am the one defining what it means that a task is completed! So I was able to give myself permission to define that on that day, when I was depleted of energy, 10 minutes of bedroom-tidying-up-Tuesday were enough. So much joy emerged from that shift! And with that, more energy... It's about agency, empowerment on our own terms, isn't it?
I suffer from anxiety and depression but I don't let my house end up like the rubbish tip I keep it clean and very tidy my son's say I am ocd but cleaning my house even though I have the two conditions make me feel alot better about myself ..
Thankyou 💕
This is MY STORY.
Overwhelmed
Guilty
But shopping to cope 🙄🙄🙄
I am always happy to see your new videos post! I feel like you are my friend offering love and encouragement as I continue to gain control of our home. My family and I are starting to see and feel the benefits. I was always mostly tidy and organized, but spent so much time managing my stuff that I missed out on better things and became completely overwhelmed. I have been able to slowly let go of things that I really don’t need in this season of life. Just 2 daunting areas left. Our bedroom and the walk up attic (very anxious about these as there are a LOT of sentimental items in both areas.) Thank you again for the work that you do to help us gain control.
On a side note I would LOVE to hear more about your tattoos. They are very unique and eye catching! Do you mind to share their significance?
❤️
Thank you Kimberly!
My arm tattoo: I have a line for each of my children. The black lines are my living children (6), with their first initial on the inner part of my arm and the white lines are miscarriages (4), with a heart on the inner part of my arm. 🥰
When my kitchen and dishes are overwhelming, I tell myself to just not get more behind. So just wash whatever I'm using now. I give myself permission to now do the dishes already standing around, just wash what I'm using now. Just put away what I'm using now. Really helps!
Just what I needed today. I did a major declutter last Fall, getting rid of excess furniture, books, knickknacks, etc. One of the tough things left is two boxes of sentimental items. The other tough item is 4 tote bags of mostly junk mail. I'm not 100% sure what is in the tote bags. Everyday, I tell myself to just grab a handful of stuff from the tote bags & deal with it, but there is so much it is overwhelming.
Do like you said. Get a small pretty tray or shallow box, doesn't need to be fancy. Decide how many times per week you will work on it and put it on your calendar. On those days grab a small handful, put them in your box and set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes. If you've made it through all of your stack you can grab a few more. If not you stop. You start taking little bites out of it. It takes longer to avoid junk mail than it does to quickly sort out and dispose of it. Having a letter opener speeds things up in case there are envelopes you need to check. Good luck!
@@renel7303 Thank you! I will start small, do a bit at a time and take the papers to the recycling center.
@@marshabrubaker185 you're welcome. If you can put 3 of the bags of junk mail out of sight. Not buried, lol, but where you don't see them daily so they won't mock you. By making the task seem smaller it's more approachable. Also if there is stuff that should be shredded check to see if your city or a business has free shredding. My city does a quarterly "Shredfest". It's drive through, no contact, free and up to 6 bankers boxes per person.
@@renel7303 Good suggestions, Rene L. I've had the tote bags in the living room in sight all the time with the thought it will motivate me. It hasn't. I just found out from a friend that the UPS Store does shredding, but I'm not sure if there is a limit. Thanks again for your ideas.
@@marshabrubaker185 UPS stores charge typically $1 per pound. That's pretty standard. You'd probably want to go through removing all the envelopes and things without your personal information. The police sponsor our local free shredding events as ID theft protection. You might check with them to see if something is available locally. Some of the office supply stores shred and sometimes have coupons or specials where you can get up to 5 pounds free. You can also get a decent shredder for $20 to $30 on sale.
I love your videos. Everything is so relatable!! I'm in process now of getting rid of one category at a time. Toys are a huge category I've held onto and I'm getting rid of the last of the toys tomorrow. Clutter has stolen my life taking so much focus and stressing. I felt relieved to hear you say it is a very emotional process when letting go. But I'm finally ready
Thank you. I felt bad for only doing 10 minutes of sweat for yesterday, but that’s all I could do. You’re right, it’s better than not doing it.
Excited to look at the PDF
You are always so encouraging!
Positive self talk, so important. Another great video. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing those pictures! This is my fight too!
I am off to do my dishes. See you in the next video! Thank you
You give us so much hope, thank you
I've seen the UA-cams based on this book. Absolutely fascinating information.
Definitely need this I have tubs of clean clothes and boxes and don't know what to do with all the full bins please help me start one day one box at a time God bless you 💜💜💜 New subscriber
I identify with you. I am still in the process. Thank you for this video. I feel pretty bed when I look at family and holiday photos from years back. I wish I had done better. Bless you for this video. I am working towards a better normal.
i love that ‘ future me’. thanks ❤️
Thank you for a before look at your house. You’re telling us the true, realistic journey.
Hi Rachel.
Thankyou so much, this makes so much sense.
Plus you've been there that really helps .
What you say is so true of all my guilt thing going on.
Mine I relized my self was saving rubbish which really was fit for the bin or recycling but I felt so bad in it going to land fill I thought I could save the planet by myself by finding a use for it...but guess what I never do any of it as iv got no energy for it or I'm too low.
My realization of this over recent time has helped me.
Listening to you has been brilliant as your explaining me there all over .
Bless you thanks again 🙏😇
i really appreciate your approach to decluttering. I agree with self care too, and appreciate your encouragement to tune into ourselves, and being kind to our future self.
Rachel, thank you for being so open and honest. I really appreciated this video. Thank you!
I love your videos, they are so helpful. You make so much sense and your calm presenting style is like a balm to the soul! ❤
Thank you so much for this wonderful video, I am going through the same situation nowadays, my house needs renovation, furniture issues, and messy house all the time, I continously work at home,but not successful in organising home, so facing depression and anxiety
Hi, this is a powerful video ,I am struggling at the moment and this made me feel I can manage small things to make a difference . Thank you xxxx
I am sooooo grateful for you and your videos. You have helped me start decluttering so much better than hoarding videos ever did (they were just depressing).
I haven't read that book but their UA-cam videos are great. Thanks for sharing.
Great video, Rachel! So gentle and caring. Nourishing and nurturing minimalism.
I just found your channel by some miracle. ✨🙌 Thank you so much!
You are terrific! Thank you!
I feel the anxiety building up just watching this video and thinking about all the things I have to do 😞
This has hit home like other video hasn't. Thanks for sharing this amazing insight.
Tyvm so much for this. I've always kept a clean house because that's the way I was trained. I've been slowly making peace with myself over the years, and I know the value of a tidy home as far as mental health goes, but I've never done any of it with the thought that I'm giving my future self a gift, that it can be a form of self-love rather than just part housework part self-care. I want to hug you with SO much gratitude, but I'll subscribe instead.
Great talk. Thank you
OMG...this is totally relatable. I thought I was alone 😔
Best resource I've found on this topic.
This is the best video…thank you so much!
Love this, you are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing what you've learned. I cleaned up my kitchen last night, put several things away that l have been keeping out. Took a nicnak off my stove & threw it away. It felt good. 😊💕
A big part of my issue is the sorting.
Thank you so much for the before photos! So brave and inspiring
Each of your videos is a real pep talk to keep going, a big thank you to you.
Thanks. You have been motivating to me. And I am starting now, at 10:51pm. Lol...until midnight. I want to and I have enough energy. Thanks so 10:41 much
I'm currently reading Life at Home for my anthropology class! Too funny!
Thank YOU !! one small step every day ... I can do this ... thank you !! Love from here xo xo
What a wonderful video . Thank you 🙏😊 so honest and so so helpful. Take care and have a good week. ❤️🇬🇧
Thank you for this, I agree with other viewers, is so refreshing to watch a real person with genuine advice. Keep up the great inspiring work.
Oh my GOODNESS! You are the kindest and most lovingly encouraging person that I have found on UA-cam!!!! Thank you for your sweet words. They are a balm to my soul! God bless you!!!
New subscriber. Thank you for your excellent content. I also do the kitchen AM& PM. In addition to that, I make my bed. The rest of the day is ‘gravy’😊
What gets done, gets done👍🏼
I love referring to it as gravy - so true!
New subscriber here! I’m just loving all of your videos and look forward to each new video you put out. I have always been a neat person, however my home has always been full of stuff-too much stuff and I can see how it affects my mental and emotional health. I’m done maintaining all of these things that aren’t important to me or my family! I have been making big strides this year in letting things go and it feels so good. I’ve been noticing how much easier it is to keep my home tidy, even with 3 kids. With each cleared space my heart is happier and lighter. We let the piano go this week- the piano that was beautiful and looked lovely in our living room but that nobody played. It made me incredibly happy !
Wonderful! ❤️
So I started doing what you suggested- I started in my kitchen, one cabinet at a time. I take a before picture and send it to my friends and say hey this is what I’m working on, then send them the after pictures and they are amazed! This stuff really works. I started 7 days ago and have decluttered 4 cabinets and made one trip to the goodwill- didn’t want to keep the extra stuff around too long!
Wonderful Londa!!
It’s so emotional. Mostly for me it’s about the fact that I feel like a failure every time I try to declutter, clean and organize and I don’t get it done. My husband gets bad anxiety when he comes home and the house is not picked up. He steps in and cleans but I still feel like a failure.
You always give me hope Rachel! Thank you!
As longtime (30+ years) minimalists we have really enjoyed watching your videos and I finally subscribed! (big smile)
We adhere to Bea (Bay ya) Johnson's Zero Waste Home motto of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot (and only in that order). Refusing to bring UN-needed items into our home is #1. And knowing a real need from a want.
In this video of yours at the 2:20 mark the noting of children and toys was spot on. Our son was the youngest grandchild and an only child, so we had to have some firm rules in place. Books were always welcomed as were experiences, but toys were limited to Legos, a few Match box cars, paper and crayons.
Various studies show that in the last twenty years, two working parent homes have more toys, often bought by patents out of guilt of being away from the child(ren) so much, and not wanting to say 'no' to their child(ren).
And that it sets a child up to become an adult who buys stuff much the same way some people eat when not hungry, but as a way to address boredom or even loneliness.
Even as long time minimalists, as we prepare to move from 700 square feet to 500 square feet, we are now downsizing a bit and donating and giving away items we really do NOT need.
Thank you so much 4 this!🙏🏼🥰 TRULY!
Another really helpful video. Thank you!
I just found your channel and love it already after only 2 videos.
Yay! Thank you!
Yesterday I decluttered the corner cupboard in my kitchen where I keep my teas and water bottles/cups/straws. I am donating a kitchen size trash bag of all of the extra containers, and got rid of several boxes of teas that one way or another got in there. Those corner cupboards hold a lot. But now I only have in there what we really want and need. My very last area to declutter in my entire home is the bottom corner kitchen cupboard, the one many of us have that has turned into an abyss. I know what is in there, but I need to figure out the best way to utilize the space, such as putting lesser used but needed items in the way back, possibly on a tray or bin for easier access. tfs 🥰💐🌞🌵🌷🏜️💗🥰💐🌞🌵🌷🏜️💗
I have recently found your channel and need it so much. With the pandemic I also had a water break in the house. Since I have moved back in I am having a hard time unpacking and organize my rooms. This is the best video to help me. I will keep watching. Thanks for the guidance. 🙏😊🥳
You hit the nail on the head in this video. Thank you ❤️
You know what I am appreciating about you...did I tell you this already? It's that your house is OLD. My house is OLD. It has got cracks on the walls, old moulding, etc. Usually these cleaning vids are women who live in homes that are less than 20 years old. Cleaning a hundred year old house and cleaning a 2- decade old house is VERY DIFFERENT.
Thank you! When I first started, I was told that people wouldn't follow me without a trendy home.
It is different! But I have to tell you - I would love to have a home that's only 20 years old! 😂 It was such a romanized idea, moving into an old house and fixing it up. I suppose all houses are going to have issues... but this is a doozy. LOL
PTL Rachel…you are so encouraging; you look great. Thank you for sharing 💯💌!
Thank you, Rachel! Great tips and encouragement!
❤️❤️❤️
Wow i have looked at so many video's..This one was so helpful.You have such a calming tone to your voice.Love your honesty with pics to show . AWESOME AWESOME!
My boyfriend is moving out soon into his own flat. I am a hoarder and he exacerbates the problem is he's just as bad. I've been in a cycle of decluttering and acquiring. Except his moving out soon has made me want to get my home in order. I will have a spare cupboard and book shelf when he leaves. So some stuff can be put away. Anything else I want to declutter. Then I want to save instead of shopping. I really hope I can change as my home would be much nicer.
I really needed this. Thank you.
Love your transformations- I absolutely love your videos
I used to have a TON of clutter. I got to a point where I had to get rid of stuff, not just simplify. I would donate a bunch of stuff and as I saw the newly cleared off wall space or floor space. Each time I had to sit in the discomfort of the cleared space. It was a caccoon or safety blanket. I had to adjust to having more visible floor space. It was not a easy feeling.
Thanks! Great video!
I just wanted to say I found you two weeks ago and I'm really glad I did. This particular video was very helpful to me because I have ADHD and I tend to bounce around to things. I listened to your advice and really stuck to one thing at a time as far as cleaning things out. Today it was finishing cleaning out books. And I'm done with that. Now I've done several other things in my house, one thing at a time, and I expected to take me several months to get to where I want to be and most people we come in my house and say well it's not cluttered well in my mind it is. I have way too many things and I just don't need them. I don't feel guilty about taking them out I haven't missed any of them and I do really like when I look around and see this face or that space with cleared space (amazing) or I open a cupboard or a drawer and I can put things away in there! (Instead of opening it and saying oh my God there's no room in here. )
You're just very helpful and I am really appreciating it thank you
That's wonderful Trinity! I'm so glad! ❤️