One thing I'm grateful for is that I don't feel guilty anymore when I want/need to relax or when I just don't want to do anything. The silent to-do list is real and it has haunted me for years. I spent years of my life without sleeping well, I used to feel that I couldn't sleep until I felt I was doing enough for the day, I felt I needed to rush things for the next day, the list goes on. In conclusion: I was never satisfied with the work done. Today, there is no burden. Everything I have serves a purpose, there's nothing to worry about except what I need and what I love to take care of. I don't have clothes that tell me "you're not enough", I don't have books that tell me "you're not an intellectual", I don't have things that tell me "you're such a mess". I don't feel as anxious as I used to, so I do one thing at a time and don't set unattainable goals for the day. I do what I can, I'm improving 1% every day and that's enough. Consistency is greater than quantity. It's unbelievable how my productivity has increased since I let minimalism into my life, I can proudly say I found my way to be happy and grateful for the life that I have.
Exactly! 👍 - The day I decided to give myself permission to do "what I can, when I can, if I can…and to h**l with everything else" was the best decision I ever made! (This is now my daily mantra.) As long as I can SEE what is on the to-do list, I can at least work on thinking of a plan, even if it takes days to actually GET to doing the item. Caring too much about what OTHERS think about MY own life is not going to make ME or my family happy. 😊
They could always walk out to a waiting friends' gang to declutter the space in their heads! Even in this age the onus of keeping a home smart (where everything you own is retrievable) is still on the lady! 🙄🙄
Well done! One of my dreams is to be a minimalist...I’ve started with decluttering my stuff and I’m loving my half of our bedroom. My kids now want to do the same to theirs! Set the example and your family will follow! Thank you for this amazing video!
I started during lock down in 2020. Every drawer, every shelf one by one. My house looks so much better. But still it is a way to go. Every time I start in a space again, I realise that I can let go things now, I was not yet prepared to let go of three years ago. I wish everybody this beautiful feeling of owning less and the cheer of gooing shoping without buying anything... Thank you very much for sharing with us!
🚪 I feel very blessed I found you!!! I am on a slooooow minimalism journey with a messy husband and four messy kids, my youngest being 5 months old (so I'm still in the not being able to wash my hair stage). Even though it's going slow, you and your story really inspire. I do feel daily pressure to get everything done everyday, and I just realized I need to give myself grace and accept that I can't do everything, especially with a tiny baby (and a troublemaker toddler!!) and that most of the pressure is from myself. Trying to do and be it all is exhausting. I need to take a minimalist approach to life as well as my home. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for being you. 😊🙏
Your daily goals even now, with small children, is to keep them fed, slept, cleanish, but most importantly make sure they know you love them. Anything else is a bonus at this stage.
🚪 I love that the less I have the less I need to be genuinely satisfied and happy, and the more I learn I never needed much to be fulfilled in the first place
Love your videos! ❤️ I started decluttering almost 2 years ago and never looked back. I'm struggling with emotional items from my mom now, she passed away December 2019. My step dad lives in the house but I'm not ready to go through her items yet. The major benefit of living with less is by far how easy it is to clean my house and keep it clean. We have a 3 bed 3 bath ranch with a finished basement. Takes me 2 hours on a Saturday morning to clean and I do small stuff during the week. We all pitch in. Husband and 10 year old son. I no longer over buy at the grocery store either. I make a meal plan for the week and that's all I buy.
I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, big hug‘s. You’ve just got to give yourself the time that you need. 🤗 I’m glad to hear that the weekends are much easier for you, that’s definitely a big benefit for families!
My best friend passed suddenly 3 years ago. I have a whole new perspective on grief, which is to let go of everyone else's expectations. Don't struggle with those sentimental items. Wait for a time when it's not a struggle. You feel what you feel; that's real. Unless one's feelings present a danger to themselves, I think we need to realize that grief takes its own time. Unless there's an urgency because of costs for a storage locker, I'd say give yourself time.
🚪 Your videos are sooooo helpful! I didn't even realize I was an emotional hoarder until I started watching your videos!!! Your channel and all the work you have done with filming and editing and adding all the bells and whistles is such a blessing!!!
I’m thankful that minimizing materialism has shown me that stuff stands in the way of spending time with my family, children, myself, others, etc. Thank you for sharing your journey ♥️
Another great video 😊 My family have been living as minimalists for the past decade. Life is definitely more peaceful. We all enjoy slow mornings before school and work.
I started to live by the third quote 😅 I reduced the silent to do list and I am making everything easier for anyone to clean up. I want nothing to do 😅
I am working toward minimalism and one of the biggest benefits I have seen so far is the lack of panic when someone decides to drop by or whatever. I don't have to worry as much about "is it clean" which has made me socialize a lot more at home. That has a benefit for money and health because I am not eating out as much and there is less peer pressure to drink or consume more than I normally would.
🚪 My husband and I are on our decluttering journey towards minimalism. Today we just delivered our fourth carload to the donation center. Already our home feels lighter and I am sleeping better. Thanks for sharing your videos I have been binge watching and doing this with the guidance of people like you! 😁 Why has it taken me this long to get doing this?🤯
🚪We've always lived in small spaces so always decluttering. We live with my in-laws currently and we only have 3 rooms worth of things. Our main goal is moving to Europe so totally relate. We want to relocate to 🇦🇹 and eventually 🇩🇪.
Having suffered the effects of PTSD for decades without understanding it, and about the past 5 years with some awareness of it, I am now steadily decluttering the flat I share with my 7 year old and she is sort of on board. Christmas just made things harder - grandparent who knew we wanted less but still 'bought a few things' but we're keeping going. 2 weeks ago I found I had the headspace to identify my strengths and also what I dislike about my current job ... and to decide to start my own business with a development plan over the next 4 years. Your videos truly inspire, encourage and motivate me and my little girl watches them as avidly as I do 🤗 Thank you, Marissa.
It's Francine Jay actually, and her book is The Joy of Less so joy definitely comes in there somewhere! She was the first "professional" minimalist I ever came across. I learnt a lot about life in general from her and owe her a lot. Her books are well worth reading. And your journey is well worth following - thank you! So glad you are enjoying life in Germany with your family.
I am horrified because I misread her name, and I’ve been spelling it wrong this entire time!!! 😱😱😱 thank you for letting me know in a kindly way, take care! ✨
Someone make this video a PSA on TV and even in school. 😅 But seriously, people need this reminder. I need this reminder. From a young age, we’re taught and/or learn to just consume. It’s sad, but we live in consumerism (advertisements, billboards, etc.). We consume so much and waste so much. Great points. Thanks for your informative, helpful, and inspiring videos! 😊
THE RACOON! HAHAHA 😍 For me, as an adult ADHD, minimalism is pure therapy. It's not the only thing, but the greatest changes in my life and diagnose came after starting my minimalism path!
Hello Marissa. I wuld like to thank you because after seing few of your videos, I bought Mari Kondo's book. In english (I'm french). Th ebook is better looking than the french one, and it makes me study english languege, that I enjoy and wuld like to use it more daily with italian. However. I decluttered things one by one, and when I tied my socks, it brought me so much joy to see my favorites. One of the F. And indeed, imagining that my house could be full of the items that bring me joy is amasing. So thanks to Mary Kondo and you for your videos and happiness and all. Mouak mouak :)
I love your channel Marissa and I´ve got to admit, this video is my favorite until now, I feel super inspired! I have 3 kids and also live in Germany and it hs been very hard to me to declutter because nor my kids nor my husband want to have less stuff, but I see it is possible evertime I see your family, thank you!!! Greetings from Hamburg, Cristina
You've inspired me to do the same. I' started last year but I still feel like I still can't let go of a lot of things 😌 I know it's a process that is why your videos are really great help. Thanks 😊
It makes your home feel like your on holiday. Always clean. Lots of space. House and belongings all look nicer when there’s less. Everything in the house is what a love not like. MUCH nice to look at.
🚪 our family has been working on decluttering since August. I wish the decluttering process + good habits would be faster; but learned it takes time! Every item removed is so worth it!
@@cultureal9544 it’s getting so much better and just feel so free and more peaceful (time, money, mind, family dynamic, etc). It’s a life journey and now that i had a taste of it I will continue further into minimilism that’s for sure. My family is also seeing the benefits and are picking up some of the good decluttering habits. We even started to see that “some areas of our small house picks itself up”… highly recommend this life style.
@@sylviesoucie9310 good to hear how minimalism has helped you too. Reminding myself that empty space is already filled with LOVE and space for activities.
My wife started reducing clutter from watching your videos (I love it! Thank you from an Indiana Dad/husband). Like Mr. Zen, it was definitely more so my wife, but I’ve also upped my game. My BIG THING I’ve noticed: I’m less irritated about having other families over. Since we don’t have layers of stuff instantaneously exploding out all over the house, courtesy of our friends’ children and our children playing, I have much less stress. Looking forward to enjoying entertaining once again!
Hey Marissa! I discovered your channel just today, and I'm already hooked! I am so inspired and excited to start my own minimalist journey! Thank you so much!
Great video Marissa! I love the dragon curtains! In my house, we have our Mexican touches (a table runner and some embroidery on a pillow). It’s an ode to our time amidst the Mexican culture ❤️
I took Marie Kondo's advice and started right away by selling her book after I read it. So freeing to have almost nothing!! Love your lounge room, Marissa. I want to buy the same lounge but maybe in the black.
I thought about giving it away, but for the purpose of my blog and my UA-cam channel I actually referred to it quite often, so that’s why I kept it! 😂 By lounge do you mean sofa/couch?
Women are considered responsible for the condition of their homes. Even if their mates are compulsive hoarders. Kathy B. We are trained by our culture to be responsible for making sure other people are fed and clothed. Also making sure things are put away, found, or cleaned.
So true! If our house is messy and someone comes over, they judge me---not my husband. And here I've been decluttering for a few years now, & I'm the only one in my house who cleans every day. He's the one who refuses to declutter and wants to keep absolutely everything "just in case we might use it some day". All the clutter for his hobby must be all over the living room and must not be touched. Large ugly decor must stay on display because a family member gave it to us. I leave for work in the morning & the kitchen is spotless. Come home & it's a big mess. That's when company comes over lol....right before I get home & I'm the one who's embarrassed. Doesn't even bother him. It's so unfair.
@@JamieM470 sounds like he needs to listen to you, sounds a very selfish person. Putting his needs before yours. You can only live that way for so long
@@JamieM470 i think if you don't calmly confront him on this subject you are going to explode one day and he's going to say "where the hell did this craziness come from?" Or go on strike ! You can only put up with that shit for so long.
I think there may be a misconception out there on what minimalism is, and perhaps that leads to some of the criticism you receive? It seems that some people think that minimalism means not having _enough_ things, so that they're missing out. In other words, that you remove so much of your belongings that you have nothing to do anymore or any stuff left that lets you do what you want. From what I see on your channel, your entire family seem to have exactly what they want, and I believe that is the point. You have exactly what you want, and nothing more. And that is liberating.
You have inspired and helped me so much with your UA-cam channel. I love all of you videos! I've managed to fill my entire large car with stuff to donate and it feels so good to let it all go! Thanks a million!
I am having a never ending battle with my husband and his family over our 5 year old's toy addiction. We live in a four-bedroom house, one of which is entirely dedicated to our daughter's toys. It's called a playroom, but that's a misnomer because you cannot actually play in there. It's just a place to store toys. When no one is home, I will go in there and back up a box of toys that our daughter won't possibly miss. But my husband worries that she will notice. So our compromise is that I put a date on the box and we have to wait one year before it can be taken out. I don't know how a child could possibly want or need so many toys. In any case, my efforts are futile. My husband and his family constantly buy her new toys. She has a similar supply of toys at her grandparent's home. They are from the former Soviet Union, which is probably why they enjoy buying toys for her so much. They probably believe this is normal for Americans. I try to tell them that it is not normal and that I've never seen a child with so many toys. But they don't seem to believe me. They think I'm just using that as an excuse because I'm a lazy mom and I don't feel like picking up after my kid. Anyway, this information empowers me to get serious and to put my foot down. I have long suspected that it is unhealthy for my child to have so many toys. This confirms it.
Your videos are always so exciting and informative to watch , love your energy and all I’ve learnt from you !! Thank you. 10+ years I’ve been on this journey & I agree with all the points
🚪spending less time cleaning is a benefit I am after! We have been purging a lot over the last year, but we have a lot more we would like to get rid of! We have 3 kids and are quite busy, cleaning is the last thing we want to spend time on! Great video!
That 2010 study speaks to the fact that women are more bothered by clutter because traditionally, women are the ones doing the bulk of the chores, including cleaning
My maintenance guy just suggested a realistc looking rubber snake for my balcony. He swears by it. They get used to plastic owls etc., but move out when a snake is around.
Pigeons: I live in Pennsylvania, the building where I used to work had a problem with pigeons. They got artificial owls, (I think they were inflatable), and placed them outside the office windows. Apparently they were effective, the pigeons seemed to avoid those windows.
I find it crazy how many people have a massive hoarding problem. Like can’t park car within their own garage because of stuff being stored. We don’t have a garage. I spend less time cleaning in my tiny granny flat and more time creating memories.
Not only the garage, but some people have multiple storage units! Often it’s hard for people like us to deal with our own clutter, and then we inherit clutter from multiple family members, and then just just keeps adding up and adding up. 😞 Less cleaning is definitely a benefit!
I've only just started cleaning up my stuff. and it feels liberating. I love to listen to my records and now have the time to do so. I also learned to play chess, which is quite a challenge. and we now pay almost twice as much on our loan every month. by increasing the repayments we are now 3 years ahead. my goal now is to have it paid off even before the end of next year. this was with the bank's calculation only in 2027
Before I could label myself a minimalist, I was already living the life with spending less, buying less, using less - moving more, thinking more and doing more. But I love my old things. Fortunately I have enough room for them
This is what we are needing to do. We are in a rental right now after selling our house and it’s quite a bit smaller so a bunch of stuff is in storage. I am planning to get rid of a bunch. We are also planning a move in the near future to a potentially larger place but I don’t want to have unnecessary things.
Another benefit of minimalism (not to be morbid) is there will be less stuff people have to deal with if something happens to you. After my mom died there was so much stuff to go through and decide what to keep, what to get rid of, etc. It was physically and mentally exhausting.
Sono felicissima di guardare ogni tuo video mi danno tanta serenità 😍 grazie, è qualche mese che ho iniziato il minimalismo e ne sono felice perche ora ho molto più tempo da dedicare hai miei bambini e ha mio marito ❤️
The wives and the husbands having different reactions to clutter does not surpise me at all. Nature programmed women to keep the living environment safe, clean and healthy (prevent sickness) A very important role and though it has changed and comes in different forms now with modern live, you can still see this instinct back in women, especially when it comes to the home.
I love the decluttering I've done over the years, though I am worried now that I'm pregnant with all the baby stuff coming in. Ideally I'd want to declutter items as soon as the baby grows out of them, but I know I won't be able to be as on top of it.
🚪 😊. I love your videos 😊! I started my journey to less clutter in 2017. I think we reduced our home by way more than 50%. It’s really calming now that there is less on the shelves to seek you attention. I did not like Mari Kondos book at all. I read it a few months ago and was glad that I only borrowed it from the library. I did not like that all you do not want is trash and nobody else needs it. Why should I trash all the good things, that are fully functional and still good, only because I have too much stuff? And the second thing I did not like is that she writes that only her own method works for all. People are so different. No strategy works for all. Did you read Joshua Becker or Brooke McAlary? These are books I love with lots of good tips how and why to declutter. Greetings from a German 🇩🇪 living in Sweden 🇸🇪 😊
I love Joshua! With every book, there is stuff you take away and stuff you reject, I think - most important is to find what works for you. 🤗 (I thought I would looooove Swedish Death Cleaning and...let’s just say I didn’t. 😉 Waving from Germany 🇩🇪!)
Just had a realization. Often in your videos you ask one of your boys a question, and they pause before answering. To some people it might come across like they are a bit "slow." But I think they are taking that pause to make sure they reply in the questioner's language. Do you find them putting together sentences using words from German, English, and Chinese?
They unfortunately don’t speak much Chinese, yet. They are super big chatterboxes, so I think that it might be more of they get distracted by the camera videotaping them. 😅 A lot of the times I have to tell them, don’t stare at the camera! Be natural, etc. Didi in particular is very aware when he is taped...his head will swivel like an owl 🦉 to stare (it’s hysterical.)
Good point, thanks for the suggestion. I had no idea raccoons were not indigenous (maybe I should get a wild boar, my husband was chased by one in the forest. 🐗 j/k 🥲)
When my space is uncluttered I don’t mind actual cleaning. It becomes quite satisfying.
One thing I'm grateful for is that I don't feel guilty anymore when I want/need to relax or when I just don't want to do anything. The silent to-do list is real and it has haunted me for years. I spent years of my life without sleeping well, I used to feel that I couldn't sleep until I felt I was doing enough for the day, I felt I needed to rush things for the next day, the list goes on. In conclusion: I was never satisfied with the work done.
Today, there is no burden. Everything I have serves a purpose, there's nothing to worry about except what I need and what I love to take care of. I don't have clothes that tell me "you're not enough", I don't have books that tell me "you're not an intellectual", I don't have things that tell me "you're such a mess". I don't feel as anxious as I used to, so I do one thing at a time and don't set unattainable goals for the day. I do what I can, I'm improving 1% every day and that's enough. Consistency is greater than quantity. It's unbelievable how my productivity has increased since I let minimalism into my life, I can proudly say I found my way to be happy and grateful for the life that I have.
Exactly! 👍 - The day I decided to give myself permission to do "what I can, when I can, if I can…and to h**l with everything else" was the best decision I ever made! (This is now my daily mantra.) As long as I can SEE what is on the to-do list, I can at least work on thinking of a plan, even if it takes days to actually GET to doing the item. Caring too much about what OTHERS think about MY own life is not going to make ME or my family happy. 😊
*The men probably didn't feel as much stress from the clutter because they didn't feel the internalized responsibility to take care of it.*
Like it went on the women’s “silent to do list” but not theirs. 😞
Amen.
Yea, just don't touch their beers though
Absolutely
They could always walk out to a waiting friends' gang to declutter the space in their heads! Even in this age the onus of keeping a home smart (where everything you own is retrievable) is still on the lady! 🙄🙄
Well done! One of my dreams is to be a minimalist...I’ve started with decluttering my stuff and I’m loving my half of our bedroom. My kids now want to do the same to theirs! Set the example and your family will follow! Thank you for this amazing video!
That’s great that you get your kids on board so easily, good luck! ✨🍀✨
The glow on your face when you said your marriage was better due to minimalism - chefs kiss!!!
😘👌
I started during lock down in 2020. Every drawer, every shelf one by one. My house looks so much better. But still it is a way to go. Every time I start in a space again, I realise that I can let go things now, I was not yet prepared to let go of three years ago. I wish everybody this beautiful feeling of owning less and the cheer of gooing shoping without buying anything... Thank you very much for sharing with us!
My benefit was learning to live more in the present ...not in the past or even for all my 'one day's' ( future).
Ooooh, good one 👍
🚪 I feel very blessed I found you!!! I am on a slooooow minimalism journey with a messy husband and four messy kids, my youngest being 5 months old (so I'm still in the not being able to wash my hair stage). Even though it's going slow, you and your story really inspire. I do feel daily pressure to get everything done everyday, and I just realized I need to give myself grace and accept that I can't do everything, especially with a tiny baby (and a troublemaker toddler!!) and that most of the pressure is from myself. Trying to do and be it all is exhausting. I need to take a minimalist approach to life as well as my home. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for being you. 😊🙏
Kids will appreciate your spending time playing one toy with them for an hour, than see you cleaning STUFF for an hour.
Your daily goals even now, with small children, is to keep them fed, slept, cleanish, but most importantly make sure they know you love them. Anything else is a bonus at this stage.
🚪 I love that the less I have the less I need to be genuinely satisfied and happy, and the more I learn I never needed much to be fulfilled in the first place
Love your videos! ❤️ I started decluttering almost 2 years ago and never looked back. I'm struggling with emotional items from my mom now, she passed away December 2019. My step dad lives in the house but I'm not ready to go through her items yet. The major benefit of living with less is by far how easy it is to clean my house and keep it clean. We have a 3 bed 3 bath ranch with a finished basement. Takes me 2 hours on a Saturday morning to clean and I do small stuff during the week. We all pitch in. Husband and 10 year old son. I no longer over buy at the grocery store either. I make a meal plan for the week and that's all I buy.
I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, big hug‘s. You’ve just got to give yourself the time that you need. 🤗 I’m glad to hear that the weekends are much easier for you, that’s definitely a big benefit for families!
My best friend passed suddenly 3 years ago. I have a whole new perspective on grief, which is to let go of everyone else's expectations. Don't struggle with those sentimental items. Wait for a time when it's not a struggle. You feel what you feel; that's real. Unless one's feelings present a danger to themselves, I think we need to realize that grief takes its own time. Unless there's an urgency because of costs for a storage locker, I'd say give yourself time.
🚪 Your videos are sooooo helpful! I didn't even realize I was an emotional hoarder until I started watching your videos!!! Your channel and all the work you have done with filming and editing and adding all the bells and whistles is such a blessing!!!
I’m thankful that minimizing materialism has shown me that stuff stands in the way of spending time with my family, children, myself, others, etc. Thank you for sharing your journey ♥️
The word freedom comes to mind. Living more simply definitely brings time to enjoy the important things in life. Thanks for all your videos.
Another great video 😊 My family have been living as minimalists for the past decade. Life is definitely more peaceful. We all enjoy slow mornings before school and work.
One of the most informative videos on Minimalism I have seen!
I started to live by the third quote 😅 I reduced the silent to do list and I am making everything easier for anyone to clean up. I want nothing to do 😅
Nice 😆👍.
I am working toward minimalism and one of the biggest benefits I have seen so far is the lack of panic when someone decides to drop by or whatever. I don't have to worry as much about "is it clean" which has made me socialize a lot more at home. That has a benefit for money and health because I am not eating out as much and there is less peer pressure to drink or consume more than I normally would.
🚪 My husband and I are on our decluttering journey towards minimalism. Today we just delivered our fourth carload to the donation center. Already our home feels lighter and I am sleeping better. Thanks for sharing your videos I have been binge watching and doing this with the guidance of people like you! 😁 Why has it taken me this long to get doing this?🤯
🚪We've always lived in small spaces so always decluttering. We live with my in-laws currently and we only have 3 rooms worth of things. Our main goal is moving to Europe so totally relate. We want to relocate to 🇦🇹 and eventually 🇩🇪.
I love that you said emotional hoarder cause that’s me but I’m starting to declutter and organize my house and life
Having suffered the effects of PTSD for decades without understanding it, and about the past 5 years with some awareness of it, I am now steadily decluttering the flat I share with my 7 year old and she is sort of on board. Christmas just made things harder - grandparent who knew we wanted less but still 'bought a few things' but we're keeping going. 2 weeks ago I found I had the headspace to identify my strengths and also what I dislike about my current job ... and to decide to start my own business with a development plan over the next 4 years. Your videos truly inspire, encourage and motivate me and my little girl watches them as avidly as I do 🤗 Thank you, Marissa.
Glad you are working towards that balance - it’s going to be so worth it for you and your daughter! My lil guys is also 7, tell her we said “hi” 🤗
@@AtoZenLife ❤️
It's Francine Jay actually, and her book is The Joy of Less so joy definitely comes in there somewhere! She was the first "professional" minimalist I ever came across. I learnt a lot about life in general from her and owe her a lot. Her books are well worth reading. And your journey is well worth following - thank you! So glad you are enjoying life in Germany with your family.
I am horrified because I misread her name, and I’ve been spelling it wrong this entire time!!! 😱😱😱 thank you for letting me know in a kindly way, take care! ✨
decluttering my youtube. notifications off. thanks for the tips and inspiration.
Sure thing. ☺️
Someone make this video a PSA on TV and even in school. 😅 But seriously, people need this reminder. I need this reminder. From a young age, we’re taught and/or learn to just consume. It’s sad, but we live in consumerism (advertisements, billboards, etc.). We consume so much and waste so much.
Great points. Thanks for your informative, helpful, and inspiring videos! 😊
THE RACOON! HAHAHA 😍
For me, as an adult ADHD, minimalism is pure therapy. It's not the only thing, but the greatest changes in my life and diagnose came after starting my minimalism path!
Hello Marissa.
I wuld like to thank you because after seing few of your videos, I bought Mari Kondo's book. In english (I'm french). Th ebook is better looking than the french one, and it makes me study english languege, that I enjoy and wuld like to use it more daily with italian. However. I decluttered things one by one, and when I tied my socks, it brought me so much joy to see my favorites. One of the F. And indeed, imagining that my house could be full of the items that bring me joy is amasing. So thanks to Mary Kondo and you for your videos and happiness and all. Mouak mouak :)
Wonderful I’m so glad you’re finding you joy ✨. Hugs and take care. :)
I love your channel Marissa and I´ve got to admit, this video is my favorite until now, I feel super inspired! I have 3 kids and also live in Germany and it hs been very hard to me to declutter because nor my kids nor my husband want to have less stuff, but I see it is possible evertime I see your family, thank you!!! Greetings from Hamburg, Cristina
You've inspired me to do the same. I' started last year but I still feel like I still can't let go of a lot of things 😌 I know it's a process that is why your videos are really great help. Thanks 😊
It makes your home feel like your on holiday. Always clean. Lots of space. House and belongings all look nicer when there’s less. Everything in the house is what a love not like. MUCH nice to look at.
🚪 our family has been working on decluttering since August. I wish the decluttering process + good habits would be faster; but learned it takes time! Every item removed is so worth it!
It DOES take time - more time than most UA-cam videos show LOL. Best of luck. 🙌
How is your one year progress?
@@cultureal9544 it’s getting so much better and just feel so free and more peaceful (time, money, mind, family dynamic, etc). It’s a life journey and now that i had a taste of it I will continue further into minimilism that’s for sure. My family is also seeing the benefits and are picking up some of the good decluttering habits. We even started to see that “some areas of our small house picks itself up”… highly recommend this life style.
@@sylviesoucie9310 good to hear how minimalism has helped you too.
Reminding myself that empty space is already filled with LOVE and space for activities.
7:38 when u tears up, and ur voice trembling, I feel the pain, and I want to cry too!
Thanks, friend 🤗
Marissa Zen - Family Minimalism u know in therapy group, ppl become friends so quickly because we share and understand each other.
My wife started reducing clutter from watching your videos (I love it! Thank you from an Indiana Dad/husband). Like Mr. Zen, it was definitely more so my wife, but I’ve also upped my game.
My BIG THING I’ve noticed: I’m less irritated about having other families over. Since we don’t have layers of stuff instantaneously exploding out all over the house, courtesy of our friends’ children and our children playing, I have much less stress.
Looking forward to enjoying entertaining once again!
You see, it’s little things like that that add up to make minimalism so amazing - well done! 👏
I’m working on my kids and husband to put items back where they’re supposed to go
Hey Marissa! I discovered your channel just today, and I'm already hooked!
I am so inspired and excited to start my own minimalist journey!
Thank you so much!
Great video Marissa! I love the dragon curtains! In my house, we have our Mexican touches (a table runner and some embroidery on a pillow). It’s an ode to our time amidst the Mexican culture ❤️
So happy for you and your family! Thank you for sharing your light!
Thank you so much, and thank you for being here and watching! ✨
🚪 Three year journey. Yay! Feels great! 😁
I took Marie Kondo's advice and started right away by selling her book after I read it. So freeing to have almost nothing!! Love your lounge room, Marissa. I want to buy the same lounge but maybe in the black.
I thought about giving it away, but for the purpose of my blog and my UA-cam channel I actually referred to it quite often, so that’s why I kept it! 😂 By lounge do you mean sofa/couch?
🚪I have been on my journey since 2019 and I’ve had my ups and downs.
This was the most inspiring video in a long time. Thank you 🙏🏻
Women are considered responsible for the condition of their homes. Even if their mates are compulsive hoarders.
Kathy B.
We are trained by our culture to be responsible for making sure other people are fed and clothed. Also making sure things are put away, found, or cleaned.
Sadly backed by science. 😞
So true! If our house is messy and someone comes over, they judge me---not my husband.
And here I've been decluttering for a few years now, & I'm the only one in my house who cleans every day. He's the one who refuses to declutter and wants to keep absolutely everything "just in case we might use it some day". All the clutter for his hobby must be all over the living room and must not be touched. Large ugly decor must stay on display because a family member gave it to us. I leave for work in the morning & the kitchen is spotless. Come home & it's a big mess. That's when company comes over lol....right before I get home & I'm the one who's embarrassed. Doesn't even bother him. It's so unfair.
@@JamieM470 sounds like he needs to listen to you, sounds a very selfish person. Putting his needs before yours. You can only live that way for so long
@@JamieM470 i think if you don't calmly confront him on this subject you are going to explode one day and he's going to say "where the hell did this craziness come from?" Or go on strike ! You can only put up with that shit for so long.
Minimalism...a complete life change for the better.
💯
I like that you give statistics
Thanks for sharing the progress of 5-year minimalism!
Thanks for watching. ✨
I think there may be a misconception out there on what minimalism is, and perhaps that leads to some of the criticism you receive? It seems that some people think that minimalism means not having _enough_ things, so that they're missing out. In other words, that you remove so much of your belongings that you have nothing to do anymore or any stuff left that lets you do what you want. From what I see on your channel, your entire family seem to have exactly what they want, and I believe that is the point. You have exactly what you want, and nothing more. And that is liberating.
This was so informative and truthful! Thank you for sharing. 😊
Thank YOU for watching! ☺️
🚪Decluttering as I am enjoying this video.
YES DECLUTTER EVERYTHING
Omg. The lightbulb 💡 moment for me was - the silent to do list 😞😢💗
Hearing it out into words like that from F.S. was 👍. So spot on.
You have inspired and helped me so much with your UA-cam channel. I love all of you videos! I've managed to fill my entire large car with stuff to donate and it feels so good to let it all go! Thanks a million!
If you need to get the pigeons away from your window, put a fake snake in the window sill🤭 👍👍 love your videos!!! Thank you!
I am having a never ending battle with my husband and his family over our 5 year old's toy addiction. We live in a four-bedroom house, one of which is entirely dedicated to our daughter's toys. It's called a playroom, but that's a misnomer because you cannot actually play in there. It's just a place to store toys. When no one is home, I will go in there and back up a box of toys that our daughter won't possibly miss. But my husband worries that she will notice. So our compromise is that I put a date on the box and we have to wait one year before it can be taken out. I don't know how a child could possibly want or need so many toys. In any case, my efforts are futile. My husband and his family constantly buy her new toys. She has a similar supply of toys at her grandparent's home. They are from the former Soviet Union, which is probably why they enjoy buying toys for her so much. They probably believe this is normal for Americans. I try to tell them that it is not normal and that I've never seen a child with so many toys. But they don't seem to believe me. They think I'm just using that as an excuse because I'm a lazy mom and I don't feel like picking up after my kid.
Anyway, this information empowers me to get serious and to put my foot down. I have long suspected that it is unhealthy for my child to have so many toys. This confirms it.
Your videos are always so exciting and informative to watch , love your energy and all I’ve learnt from you !! Thank you. 10+ years I’ve been on this journey & I agree with all the points
Thank you so much, it is the best video I have ever seen about minimalism!
🚪spending less time cleaning is a benefit I am after! We have been purging a lot over the last year, but we have a lot more we would like to get rid of! We have 3 kids and are quite busy, cleaning is the last thing we want to spend time on! Great video!
That 2010 study speaks to the fact that women are more bothered by clutter because traditionally, women are the ones doing the bulk of the chores, including cleaning
Unfortunately science-fact! 💯
Stringing up some fishing line can cause reflections that can deter some birds from an area.
Thanks for the tip!
🚪 It's been a slow process but little by little I am getting there - emotional clutter is HARD.
What adorable children!
My maintenance guy just suggested a realistc looking rubber snake for my balcony. He swears by it. They get used to plastic owls etc., but move out when a snake is around.
Pigeons: I live in Pennsylvania, the building where I used to work had a problem with pigeons. They got artificial owls, (I think they were inflatable), and placed them outside the office windows. Apparently they were effective, the pigeons seemed to avoid those windows.
Great video 💖 I think you summed it up very well.
✨🙌✨
Wow What are the odds it was the exact same day?! Insane! ✨
🚪This is gonna take a while, but I look forward to getting it done.
I find it crazy how many people have a massive hoarding problem. Like can’t park car within their own garage because of stuff being stored. We don’t have a garage. I spend less time cleaning in my tiny granny flat and more time creating memories.
Not only the garage, but some people have multiple storage units! Often it’s hard for people like us to deal with our own clutter, and then we inherit clutter from multiple family members, and then just just keeps adding up and adding up. 😞 Less cleaning is definitely a benefit!
I've only just started cleaning up my stuff. and it feels liberating. I love to listen to my records and now have the time to do so. I also learned to play chess, which is quite a challenge. and we now pay almost twice as much on our loan every month. by increasing the repayments we are now 3 years ahead. my goal now is to have it paid off even before the end of next year. this was with the bank's calculation only in 2027
Before I could label myself a minimalist, I was already living the life with spending less, buying less, using less - moving more, thinking more and doing more.
But I love my old things. Fortunately I have enough room for them
This is what we are needing to do. We are in a rental right now after selling our house and it’s quite a bit smaller so a bunch of stuff is in storage. I am planning to get rid of a bunch. We are also planning a move in the near future to a potentially larger place but I don’t want to have unnecessary things.
Yes, take care of it now and it will pay off in spades ♠️ later. ✨
Less stuff. More happy 😃 🚪
Another benefit of minimalism (not to be morbid) is there will be less stuff people have to deal with if something happens to you. After my mom died there was so much stuff to go through and decide what to keep, what to get rid of, etc. It was physically and mentally exhausting.
Thank you for sharing 🙏 I‘m on my decluttering / minimalism journey since last October and it feels great ☺️🚪 Greetings from Munich 🌻💚
Minimalism gave me more time to garden and I yell A LOT less 😆
🚪 found you this week and love your videos :)
Sono felicissima di guardare ogni tuo video mi danno tanta serenità 😍 grazie, è qualche mese che ho iniziato il minimalismo e ne sono felice perche ora ho molto più tempo da dedicare hai miei bambini e ha mio marito ❤️
🚪 this is an amazing journey. Your video is exactly the kind of inspiration i was looking for to move forward. Thank you so much
🚪 I'm on a journey to minimalism..... Our family didn't have tons of stuff to beginn with but we aim for a even more simple life.
Good luck finding the right balance for your family!
I’m trying to be a minimalist
My 5 year mark is in august.
Woohoo, congratulations! ✨ It’s weird, I know a LOT of people hitting 5 years this year...what incredible synchronicity. 🤔
@@AtoZenLife That is wonderful!
🚪 started last month. Having a huge garage sale this weekend.
Yesssss number 8 🌈🌸💗
Yep! All the junk is mine. My spouse came with no baggage 🤪
I loooved this video. Thank you so much!
Another great video thanks for sharing.
Btw I love white spaces - makes me feel so calm...
Happy 5 year!!!! 🚪🥰🥳🥳🥳love your videos.
🚪 Started a couple of weeks ago. Already have thrown/donated a lot of items.
✨🙌✨
Thank you 🚪
The wives and the husbands having different reactions to clutter does not surpise me at all. Nature programmed women to keep the living environment safe, clean and healthy (prevent sickness) A very important role and though it has changed and comes in different forms now with modern live, you can still see this instinct back in women, especially when it comes to the home.
You are an excellent speaker. You could do a TED talk.
You can put netting up so the pigeons can't come on your balcony
Minimalism allows for more quality time with friends.
I love your videos
🚪My life is less stressful and I feel like I have more time and energy, and money.
💯
I love your videos! 🚪Thanks!
🚪I’m off contract, now that the school year is over. I can concentrate on finishing my garage. We need to fit a car in there. I have until August. 😁
Good luck 🍀👍
I love the decluttering I've done over the years, though I am worried now that I'm pregnant with all the baby stuff coming in. Ideally I'd want to declutter items as soon as the baby grows out of them, but I know I won't be able to be as on top of it.
Do it for your child. Youl’ll do fine.
55 minutes? Wow, that just doesn’t happen to me at all
Love your style! What is the brand of your flooring?
🚪 😊. I love your videos 😊! I started my journey to less clutter in 2017. I think we reduced our home by way more than 50%. It’s really calming now that there is less on the shelves to seek you attention.
I did not like Mari Kondos book at all. I read it a few months ago and was glad that I only borrowed it from the library. I did not like that all you do not want is trash and nobody else needs it. Why should I trash all the good things, that are fully functional and still good, only because I have too much stuff? And the second thing I did not like is that she writes that only her own method works for all. People are so different. No strategy works for all.
Did you read Joshua Becker or Brooke McAlary? These are books I love with lots of good tips how and why to declutter.
Greetings from a German 🇩🇪 living in Sweden 🇸🇪 😊
I love Joshua! With every book, there is stuff you take away and stuff you reject, I think - most important is to find what works for you. 🤗 (I thought I would looooove Swedish Death Cleaning and...let’s just say I didn’t. 😉 Waving from Germany 🇩🇪!)
Just had a realization. Often in your videos you ask one of your boys a question, and they pause before answering. To some people it might come across like they are a bit "slow." But I think they are taking that pause to make sure they reply in the questioner's language. Do you find them putting together sentences using words from German, English, and Chinese?
They unfortunately don’t speak much Chinese, yet. They are super big chatterboxes, so I think that it might be more of they get distracted by the camera videotaping them. 😅 A lot of the times I have to tell them, don’t stare at the camera! Be natural, etc. Didi in particular is very aware when he is taped...his head will swivel like an owl 🦉 to stare (it’s hysterical.)
Vid starts at 2:40
I don’t think German pigeons would know what a racoon is! They don’t exist in Europe! Try a model sparrowhawk 🦅
Good point, thanks for the suggestion. I had no idea raccoons were not indigenous (maybe I should get a wild boar, my husband was chased by one in the forest. 🐗 j/k 🥲)