50 THINGS TO DECLUTTER TODAY!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 бер 2023
- MY INSTAGRAM: / elinlesser
MY PATREON COMMUNITY (find out more info here): / elinlesser
Today I'm sharing 50 things you can declutter today to help you (and me!) on the journey towards minimalism! :)
DISCLAIMER- Some links found in this description may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission on purchases you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links--it's just one more way to support my channel!
Tip for decluttering your vases: use it as a reason to buy someone in your life some flowers. Give them flowers in one of those vases. 🥰
Love that creative and giving thought!
I take mine to a local flower shop, they reuse them.
Great idea! Also works for old wine bottles, pickle jars, etc
bring flowers to someone in the hospital.
Omg I love this idea!
GIVE BLANKETS (and some bed pillows) TO LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER FOR DOG BEDS!! THEY ALSO LIKE BIG TOWELS!
Great idea! Also, if you live in a region that gets below freezing in the winter, keep an old blanket in the trunk of your car, and make sure other family members have one in theirs. That also comes in handy for propping up delicate items you're bringing home.
YES
Or, try to help people who need blankets.
@@jeme7339people normally have higher standards than dogs, most homeless shelters don’t accept used stuff
I was wondering about this. Would feel better donating stuff than tossing it
I’m proud for having an almost bare house, cabinets. Donated 85% of house content, after became a widow, and feel so good. I do not miss anything
It’s pretty easy listening to some of the items to declutter, that we can just walk around the house with an empty garbage bag and get rid of them, but we do not hear enough about the ways or organizations to donate or recycle through. Landfills are FULL. Plastics are floating in our oceans and being consumed by our sea creatures.
We need to ask more from the beauty business for recyclable containers, as old or expired makeup/beauty products are a big part of garbage, with of course, clothing, linens etc being the worst offenders.
Donated 85% of house content? You are my hero! Well done!
Almost time to downgrade the house. 😊
@@remyb8887 be mindful when you buy, I barely buy anything anymore.
Very nice to share the feelings about decluttering 85% of your belongings. I've been doing this recently and the joy I get in giving totally outweighs the sentiment of the items I was keeping! I'm soon to turn 71and have a lifetime of beautiful "stuff", which has become a burden of excess! The more I donate, the freer I feel...❤❤❤ 🥰
I love that you touched on things in a realistic way. You don't regularly hear someone say "declutter your just-in-case underwear" but you know, we all have it and we just don't talk about it lol!
haha it's true!
It is so true! When she said that I was like- yep I have some that are too small that I keep just in case. What in the world! They’re getting tossed!
I’m dying😂. She said that and I literally was wearing my “just in case undies” because I haven’t done my laundry in two weeks.
You can take old linens like towels and bath mats, sheets, etc., to your local animal shelter. I donated all of my small hotel size shampoos, bar soap, etc., to a local homeless outreach program. Glasses 👓can go to charity organizations. Office supplies can go to your local schools, same with art supplies, crafting items, video cameras/cameras, etc. For vintage or quirky garments, local theatre groups or theatre departments. You can sell items, gift them, donate them, etc. Obviously, garbage gets thrown out - not donated for other people to deal with.
We live in a cold and snowy climate, and we keep extra blankets and emergency gear just in case of power outages. It is going to be individually determined.
Omg I love all the ideas, that way people who actually need all of those things will get them 🙌🏻
Yes the local animal shelters take your old clothes and towels
💞🙋
Thanks, came here to mention towels to animal shelter and human shelters can use them too.
Just FYI the mylar emergency blankets are good for emergencies, camping, ground protection and picnics. If they get ripped I use them to cover outdoor plants. Hej from Sweden.
They soooo appreciate it.
Excess mugs can be given away as gifts, Easter time pop in a chocolate egg, Xmas time fill up with candies, wrap with cellophane and add tinsel and gift card. Birthday fill up with some coffee and tea bags, hot chocolate sachets and mini marshmallows, wrap in cellophane and curly ribbon with gift card.
So basically pass on ur clutter to others
I still use CDs! My car has a CD player and I love to listen to my collection while driving, lol. I love so many of these other ideas, though!
Tip for takeout containers: If you don’t want to throw them all away and want to get more uses out of them, keep a small stash somewhere separate from your other containers for when people visit and you want to send them home with leftovers OR keep a small stash in a bag in your car for when you visit other peoples homes and they want to send you home with leftovers :)
Pefect tipp! :)
I bring them back and get them refilled instead of getting another new container.
Take your own container for takeout, and ask the place to fill it. Most places are happy to do it, at least in Sweden. I know the US has some wacked "food safety rules" but mom and pop places might be happy, those containers are expensive.
@@MyNancyw Some places have wacked "food safety " rules and they can't allow that, but mom and pop places will probably bend the rule. 🤐
If they are the ones with lids I put them in the bottom of fridge door shelves. You know, where the soya sauce leaves a mess.
Tip for decluttering the Tupperware: Take someone a meal in it (infirm, lonely, sick, etc friend or family member)
True! But that’s typically how I end up with too many…people have done this to me hehehe 🤭
@@AMcDub0708 Consider yourself blessed ☺️
I only buy plastic containers and pans that have the same lid. Found a brand that has 3 sizes, stackable, and all 3 sizes use the same lid. All my pans use either 28cm or 20 cm lids, saves space and makes it fast to find a lid.
Nice ideas, but I have yet to meet the elderly person that can actually open the Tupperware container.
I have some in the back of my cabinets. Why? because I can’t open them.
I now buy cheaper, non-Tupperware containers.
@@shinnam no plastic containers
I used to declutter like crazy. After a couple of such years, now I am in the moment, when I try to truly wear and use things out before buying anything new. I am trying to reuse the items I already have and repurpose them whenever possible.
I agree. Better to reuse and repurpose what you already have first! It gives me so much joy! Even shoes; I try to alter them so they fit better. Be crafty!
@@rubyus7332 yes! With shoes and clothes it's like shopping your wardrobe and truly it requires creativity. Internet might help, like Pinterest 🙂
Old iPhone boxes are great as drawer organizers. And bath mats that you're replacing are great for a dog crate; wash and donate to a vet's office or animal shelter. Same with bath towels and blankets.
"Just because I have a thought doesn't mean it's true."
So true!
By far my favorite declutter tip!!
Yes ~ I've heard something similar before...
"Feels aren't always reals!"
Apple boxes make great drawer dividers. Very sturdy and no need to buy drawer dividers.
Living in Minnesota during 4 season days, waking up to winter temps, spring mornings, summer afternoons and fall evenings makes for extremely cluttered closets.
I’m an anti-plastic warrior. I think plastic is stressful and depressing. No quarter, no questions asked. If I can live without some item that’s made of cheap plastic, out it goes! If it’s an essential item and I can replace it with glass or wood or ceramic, I think it’s well worth the extra dollars.
Plastic is ridiculous both for clothing and for food
Use the takeout boxes to sort your kitchen drawers, so you don't have to buy organizers
New or partially used hair products, cosmetics, creams and lotions, etc., are highly appreciated found in a donation center such as Goodwill or at homeless shelters or battered women's shelters. When I left an abusive relationship and lived in a women's shelter I came with nothing. There was a closet we could search for personal care items and another for clothing, including socks, shoes, and under garments. You can't fully know the value of any of these items until you have none. Passing unwanted items on to these resources is a gift beyond words. You never know who needs something. 🌻 Thank you for your inspirational video! ❤❤❤
I , too , left with nothing ! Thanks for sharing your experience....😊😊
We tend to shop at the same florist and they take back the vases to reuse them. I just took a box to them today. I run them through the dishwasher to sanitize them before giving them back. They are glad to take them and reuse them. Saves them money from buying vases and gets them out of my house.
Great idea.
I was a florist and I appreciated when people did that , if they gave me a few I’d give them free flowers
My local florist gave me a gift certificate for donated vases.
A couple of days ago I threw out a pair of shoes I really liked, but they gave me blisters. I was still sorry I did it until I found your video. No more regrets now, thank you! 😊
Found a pair of shoes I wore 20 yrs ago that I will never wear again and do not fit - out!!
I agree wth most of these items, except for having just one sheet of sheets, My mashing machine just broke, but I keep 3 sets of sheets plus, I like having an extra blanket on hand too for extra cold nights.
Personally , I like to have one or two extra sets of sheets + extra pillow cases which I change often . Wash one set , hang out to dry on warm sunny days , air the bed , then put on the next set . Also keep a third set of bedding & a few sets of towels for guests . We have dogs so like to have fresh , " dog-free " linens for company , even if they too are dog people . 🐾🐾💟
Thank you for this WAKE UP call!! Everything you mentioned applied to me. I am drowning in NOSTALGIA!! Almost all the items I have kept are motivated completely by memories. Now my grown children don't want their old toys/dolls so I have boxes of those to go through. Will try to just give some boxes away without even opening them. That would be a blessing. Working on it!
DITTO TO ALL! Me, too!!
My current goal is to donate all old toys in time for Christmas. What’s not suitable for donating I’m going to toss. It’s just so hard to throw away anything with eyes! Lol!
Backup underwear is so funny but true. The original electronic/phones and their boxes is something I just went thru, ugh.
I use the top part of the iPhone box to hold small items ( like pen, chapstick, nail file) in my bedside table drawer 😊
@@malihagarden7062 I do too. They are really great boxes to reuse for organizing!
When I receive gifts I won't use, I place it all in a special drawer or cupboard, like a gift drawer, you can place specials you pick up at the store during the year in there, for people you have in mind for special occasions. I then regift my gift to other people. You save money that way and just make sure you don't give it back to the same person and that the new person doesn't have contact with the gift giver. I do tell people not to buy certain things for me, but they still do, so this is how I deal with it.
Tip for decluttering excess kitchen/dining items (appliances, accessories, cookware, bakeware, utensils/gadgets, flatware, glassware, cups/mugs, dishware, etc):
Post-it notes or painter's tape. Leaves no residue and can be cut into small strips.
-Take a day to clean and put everything away.
-Loop strips around cup/pot handles or narrow necks of flatware/utensils/gadgets/containers. Or place them on food-contact surfaces of cookware/bakeware/dishware.
-As you use things, toss the strips.
-After whatever reasonable time you determine to be sufficient, pull out anything that still has a strip and select what needs donating, selling, or gifting.
You can break this up by use-category or kitchen section. I like the all-at-once method myself.
Quick & Easy Tip:
STOP CALLING IT A JUNK DRAWER!
Words affect us, A LOT.
If you call it a 'Junk Drawer', it becomes a place we stash 'What-If' stuff and 'I Don't Have Time To Analyze This Right Now' stuff. Also, stuffed in a drawer it becomes 'Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind' and forgettable; that's how it degrades to crap-storage and chaos, making it hard to find anything in there.
BE MORE INTENTIONAL!
Start calling it a 'Utility Drawer'. It makes it more purposeful and you'll be more likely to only put things in there that have a purpose.
If you need a place to hang onto the crap, try a small open basket or dish somewhere you frequent, like a natural drop-zone.
With it open, you'll see what's in there frequently; with it small, you'll be forced to process and empty it more frequently.
Cookware/Bakeware Safety and Old Towel Tip:
This is especially for old tea/kitchen towels, but also excess hand/bath towels that aren't 'crusty', just no longer wanted.
Recently I've learned that scratching 'reactive' cookware and bakeware (pots, pans, cookie sheets, etc) can impact both food taste/safety and cookware/bakeware longevity.
'Reactive' means chemically-reactive to salts or acids in food.
This includes aluminum, copper, cast iron, and non-stainless steel are the main ones, but even though enameled metals are nonreactive, if they get scratched or chipped they leave the underlying metal exposed and the cookware and the food put in it become vulnerable.
Apart from damaging food taste and appearance, the metal itself then can dissolve, creating pitting and eventually holes big enough to leak. This should warn us to handle cookware carefully:
-When prepping recipes, be mindful of reactive foods that would be better held in non-reactive cookware/bakeware/containers, like pyrex, porcelain, enamelware, or stainless steel; google to learn which foods are high-acidic.
-When cooking, don't use metal utensils with reactive cookware; use wood, nylon, or silicone to avoid scratching the food-facing surfaces.
-When cleaning, avoid abrasives and rough scouring pads; soak with hot lightly-soapy water and use GENTLE bristle brushes or silicone scouring pads.
-Don't run through the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is too harsh for reactive cookware.
-When storing, avoid or pad interior food-facing surfaces to avoid scratches, and place things gently to avoid dents and chips.
This last thing, storage, is where old towels come in. They can be cut into slightly oversized squares/rectangles to pad nested cookware/bakeware, thereby extending the use of the items.
Also there are scrapers that you can scrape most of the stuff off and put it in the garbage disposal or wherever
Old shampoos you don’t like can be used to clean your toilets
Great tip!
I had to chuckle about the "back-up underwear". Nice to know I'm not the only one who's done that!
I use iPad boxes etc as drawer dividers.
Towels and blankets to animal shelters. Call them first to find out if they accept them, but where I live, they are definitely welcome.
Phyllis always used to give her stuff to me. Only as of late, I figured out that it was because she did not want it or she wanted to declutter.
I do have sentimental clothing, glad I am not the only one that struggles with letting go of those and random vases 🤣
Dang, I wasn't expecting to be so called out but I guess most of us have these excess things like the backup underwear.
My boyfriend still uses the comforter that he had in high-school.
He's 53.
The comforter is now a thin blanket. I can't wait until it completely disintegrates.
😆 🤣
Lol😂
My hubby was running a company out west from 2006-09. He accumulated,😮 among other things, 7 pairs of really good cowboy boots. We've been living in St Petersburg ,Fl since then. He's still clinging to 3 pairs. Last Thanksgiving he wore a pair to my cousins in the country. Several times he complained how they were hurting his feet . They're still in his closet 🙄. Since downsizing to this home here storage is very limited. He's slowly coming around but these are so painful for him to let go of cause they're really high quality.😊 It's time to start appealing to his sense of logic to part with another pair , after all, we just dust them off periodically. 😅
Wash and dry it on full-blast daily to help it along. 😂
@@ladycactus110 great idea!!! 🤣
An idea on the throw pillows that I have found so good is just have a couple on the couch but order pillow covers for the season or my mood to change up the look of the room. Takes up less space and it’s a fun way to redecorate.
My kids moved out last year and today I started to declutter the attic. I already gave them a heads up that anything that belongs to them, will go into each of their rooms and they have until Christmas to go through it all and make decisions on what they want to do with it. Today I tossed three bags of old and duplicate photos, notebooks, calendars, and gift wrap and made a donation box with all kinds of things that I will drop off tomorrow. My husband is going through the luggage tonight. I have ideas for other things to get rid of now too. It’s going to be so nice!!
Keeping items for sentimental reasons: take a picture! I've done this with coffee mugs before donating them, and clothing I can't wear any longer but reminds me of good times. I have a rather extensive photos section on my hard drive. If I'm feeling nostalgic, I just browse my photos.
My husband is the same way about boxes the technology comes in! We are slowly working on his “collection” lol
Along that line , I returned an " ancient " broken kitchen faucet in the original box w/ the original receipt to the store where I'd bo't it ; the box said " lifetime guarantee " . They kindly honored the replacement , no problem . The sales person was surprised ( impressed ? ) that I 'd kept the box . Saved me $100 + !
girl. I am with you on the toaster!! last year, when I started this whole decluttering journey, I decided to get rid of mugs, duplicate kitchen utensils, WAAAAY TOO MANY crock pots, and I put my can opener and toaster in the cupboard above my glasses/cups (b/c there was actually space after getting rid of the other items!!) I felt like I had climbed a mountain after that. Every time I walk in the kitchen, even if it needs spot cleaned/trash taken out/floors swept, I feel like it isn't so bad now that ONLY TWO ITEMS that previously took up space are not there anymore!
For some reason, my siblings gifted me throw blankets three Christmases in a row 😂 On top of that they gifted me a blanket hoodie 🫠 I’m already dreading next Christmas. They can’t stop gifting me pyjamas either 😭
What is backup underwear?? I wear ALL of mine every day!!!!😂
Sentiment is a good reason to keep things. Don't get rid of something that you love or are not ready to let go.
I am part way through this video and feeling so good about myself because I do many of these things during spring cleaning and fall switch over. Who knew that what I learned from parents who lived through two world wars and the Great Depression would show up again in the 21st century? Keep spreading the good messages!
If you have an old towel,cut it into rags after washing it,put the rags folded into a bag and take them to the place that changes your oil for you...last time my oil change was "on the house"!
Our local Humane Society takes old towels & they are so appreciative to get them!
I have a lot of old food in my upright freezer, including an uncooked turkey from Thanksgiving 2021 - that I just know I'll probably never make. Offered it to a friend & she's picking it up on Sunday! Thanks for the nudge! 😍
I recently got rid of some of my coffee mugs. I loved them, but I have limited space. Surprisingly, the extra space in cabinet provides more joy.
Tech boxes actually have codes and such that are required if the item is stolen😁
Then write the code down and get rid of the box. That said, I've never once needed one of these codes, so not worth keeping all the boxes just in case.
Another tip … all those small hotel soaps ashampoos and conditioners take to soup kitchen or shelter
Extra sheets are always good !
People don't think when they're sick or something
I’ve pretty much got rid of most of this. I just do a reset every school holidays, as I’m a Teacher so that’s when I can revisit our home and declutter through the rooms. Because I have 4 kids there are always things coming and going as they grow.
The iPhone box is great for storing make up and jewellery
Love these for drawer organizers too!
@@lindsaykar5477 me too lol
Blankets are just... blankets. No truer words were ever spoken.
I’m decluttering (and will clean) my best friend’s fridge while listening to this. I used to live here, and he has me over for meals several times a week, so I know what needs to go, other than the obvious expired foods and science experiments. Thank you for the inspiration.
Great video! I've been looking to declutter more because I still felt overwhelmed and thought I had decluttered everything I could. Boy was I wrong 😂 So thanks!
I've sold jewelry or given it away. I've kept one or two extra big blankets because we live near Chicago. I even keep one extra coat in case someone is stranded at the
airport. I go to the e-recycling about once a month. Tina, Al's wife
I have a problem with the iPhone/iPad boxes. They are so nice. They remind me of the joy of buying something expensive and cool🌟
So helpful, as I’m currently in the middle of the 30 day minimalism game! I had to keep pausing to go dig out the items that you mentioned.
I keep a donation basket in my trunk so I can take it when I need to go to get groceries & donate on my way😃
Can you share info on the game? 😊🤘
what is the 30 minimalism game?
@@jmsl_910 You get rid of 1 thing on day 1, 2 things on day two, so on and so forth until you get rid of 30 days on day 30. It was created by 'The Minimalists' they're also on UA-cam and have documentaries on Netflix.
😅 you are hitting me right where I live over and over! The boxes for previous cell phones, the bath mats.....
I use taller empty bottles instead of jars for dry legumes.tall bottles don't take up the horizontal space in the cupboards
I’m so going to do this. My sister passed away and it’s so hard to let go of her things. Only way I’m doing it is giving to the needy. Also my makeup is 20 years old! Mary Kay. Gone today. And baby stuff is hard. Pictures great idea to remember. God bless❤️🙏
Omg you just don’t know. You hit on so many things I really needed to hear. I do have dresses I’ll never wear again but keep them cause it was for a special anniversary or something. You are so right. Thank you!!!
Aw, thanks, Colleen!
Okay, the one thing about getting rid of clothing: try to use it up instead. First the older stuff often has really good fabrics, not that synthetic stuff that falls apart after 5 washes. If you like the piece, screw fashion, and wear it anyhow. I have some loud print silk jackets I had made in the 90's, the gen Zs always go crazy for them. Our used clothes often get shipped to developing countries and become waste there, and cheap used clothes make it difficult for people to make a living sewing traditional clothes.
Sometimes I take pictures of things and that way if I want to cruise down memory lane, I'll just go to the album where I keep such photos. Win-Win!! I've Decluttered but I still have the memory. 🎉
Yesterday I found my old scarves that I thought I had decluttered. I’ve only missed one of them sooo I guess that’s my sign to declutter the ones I didn’t think about or missed. It’s not like it’s a huge amount, I’m talking about decluttering 3 out of 5 but now when I found them I’m like ”I want to use them”. Since it is fall here I think I’m giving them 1 month and if I haven’t used them in october they have to go.
You were speaking to ME. Literally all of the items you mentioned are what I’ve been trying to declutter…but have a hard time parting with some of it. And YES, I just got rid of my iPhone box that I’ve held onto for two years now. I ALWAYS hold onto them and I’m not sure why either, except for the same fact that you mentioned.
This is the best most helpful video I’ve seen on decluttering.
The mugs is my problem 😭😭😭 I have so many but I don’t want to get rid of any of them!
UPDATE: I let go of 15 of them… I still have 25 left 😂 but my cabinet looks a lot more organized and less cramped so that’s a plus.
Retired teacher here. I took pictures of them and my cookie jars and donated them.
I disagree with giving away your collection of mugs because it took awhile to get them unless they were like really pathetic. Learn how to display them because replacing them with always cost more.
@@TheRhythmOfLife1972 I really didn’t like letting them go but being in my 70’s I felt I had to just save my grandmothers and mothers fine China and other family keepsakes for my granddaughters. My daughter in law is not a fan of keeping too much but she does use my China now which makes me happy so it was a hard compromise. I dis use them for years at holidays and wish I had had a family member or friend to give them too. Minimalism is going to far nowadays and people are missing out.
Plastic containers: only buy container that have the same lids. I found stackable containers in 3 sizes, and they all use the same lid. Same goes for pans: all my cookware uses either 28 or 20 cm lids. Never have a need for more than 4 lids. I don't get any new (used ) clothes unless I get rid of something I already own.
When I lived in a 20 square meter apartment I never bought anything unless I knew where I was going to store it.
I have asked loved ones to please not send me cut flowers as a gift. I have lots of flowers outdoors and it seems like a waste of money. I've gotten rid of a lot of extra vases but i could probably stand to do that again. 😊
I will keep this one to view it every 6 months
Got rid of all my plastic ware, and bought glass instead, it keeps food better. God bless and love to all.
Many of your suggestions fit easily into the 3 Rs. Reduce what you bring into your space. Pass items along to others (directly or through a donation centre) so they can Reuse them. Recycle as much of the remainder as possible. My local Kidney Foundation (in Ontario, Canada) accepts old clothes and sewing scraps for recycling. I am always finding new ways to recycle just by talking with others!
Goodwill accepts fabrics even in poor condition; you don't even have to launder or repair them. Clothes, linens, curtains, anything. What they can't clean and put on sale, they sell by the pound to textile recyclers, keeping it out of the landfills. Just consolidate in a bag or box and drop it off at a Goodwill.
Old make up- call up your local mortuary and see of they want it. It can't be donated to a thrift store but gently used and clean make up can go to mortuaries
I’ve been decluttering for so long and trying to only keep things I love and use and before I knew about minimalism I had no idea I was already doing these things. Also my obsession with coffee mugs was so bad and I’ve gotten rid of so many but my husband still wants me to get rid of more 😅
I also let go of the excess pillows on couch and bed.
You shared so many ideas that aren’t often mentioned or are the ones that I tend to struggle with…bottles, belts, old calendars/day timers
Lol, my eyes just strayed to the burned out candle sitting 10 inches away… ok you got me!
Unhungry artwork, candles, bad news underwater etc. these and the rest all spoke to me louder than any other video I have listened to. Believe me, I’ve listened to them all. Please please make more like this.
Great video! I definitely struggle with decluttering throw blankets. I crochet a lot and definitely have tooooons of blankets, but they all have sentimental value! Possibly gifting them to loved ones might be the way to go here. Happy Friday!
or donate to elderly senior homes
@@sekayiperkins7448 that’s a great idea as well!
Take pictures of them before you give them away. Thar way you can always look at them and relive your memories that quilt brings back to you.
I donate my extra crochet blankets to Goodwill. Someone shopping might love one for themselves or a new baby
Donate to places like McDonalds houses, Cancer patient centres. Sick and old people feel the cold.
iPhone boxes and iPod cases work well for drawer organizers!
I get a bit taken aback at how tiring it is to declutter. I really get decision fatigue in deciding what to get rid of. I’m the shopaholic of the family but my husband is a bit of a hoarder. He likes to hold on to things forever, so I don’t usually want to ask him if its ok to get rid of things because if they are his, he’ll generally say no. Even if he has multiples of the same thing and they are all worn out. I can get rid of things but I usually have to think carefully about it - I have got rid of clothes and shoes in the past and then regretted it and spent more money trying to replace them.
Lately I've been using what I call 'The Puttering Method'.
Basically, I set my goals so low they're barely goals at all.
I 'putter' or tidy a little at the edge of things, telling myself I'll just take a few minutes to do a little teeny bit.
The hardest part of decluttering is pushing past that devilish inner voice that tries to argue with you to even start and sometimes just to continue. It's like having an argument all through the effort, which makes the work harder. And if the work is HUGE, it's a real slog to get through; it's really hard to take on or see through a task with too large a scope.
So just tell yourself you'll do a little bit, maybe as much as a square foot of decluttering, organizing and cleaning.
Your inner voice will relent. You can always come back to it later or tomorrow or whenever; or you can maybe do a bit more, if you get drawn into it. I've been astonished at how much I got done just because I was enjoying the process and didn't stop.
As for what to keep or toss, best thing I heard recently is to not try to decide what should GO, but what should STAY.
Just go through a pile of things and pull out the things that should stay (maybe think about why) and put them away organized. At some point, you'll find what's left isn't all that important.
It comes down to space having value, but not all stuff has sufficient value to eat up that space.
We PAY for square footage, whether in the home, the car, or off-site in a storage facility. We PAY for it not just in emotional cost or safety, but in actual DOLLARS. Upkeep, volume, etc.
I figured long ago that I have paid for an item multiple times over just to store it when it goes out of sight, is forgotten, and it degrades with time. All of it breaks down over time or goes out of fashion or becomes obsolete through upgrades. It's cheaper to buy it when needed than store it for rare use.
@@chris...9497 Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I will give your technique a try!
Small but brilliant ideas which are there in front of you but never think of getting rid of it...
I love the shape of your kitchen ❤ I went from a decor maximalist to a minimalist in less than 2 weeks. I also now have a capsule wardrobe (even though I wasn’t a maximalist in my wardrobe) I have less than 30 items all up. I took 5 boot loads of stuff to donate to the op-shop. I removed some pieces of furniture too that are yet to be passed on. I also decluttered my spice rack,condiments and pantry. My kitchen drawers didn’t need decluttering as they were already minimal so was my fridge. The only thing left to go through now is my toolbox (yes I have a toolbox) lol
If you have too many vases florists will usually love for you to donate the vases to them
Keeping clothes and other things for the memories: Take photos of them and create a Special Memories photo folder and store them in there, and then you can let the object go. Vases are often welcome at the local rest home or hospital. Wear the shoes you are not sure about keeping for half a day and then decide, because our feet change as we age, and also if body weight changes. Sell or donate or trash formula: If you could only sell it for $5 in a yard sale or online sale then it is not worth the time to process, so move it on - and if it shows wear (or needs repair) then trash/recycle it, because no-one is going to buy it, either from you or a charity shop. The big one for me is: If my house burnt down with everything in it and I was setting up again, would I buy one of these?
I always think if my house /apt burned/ caught on fire none of it would be important but your life as well, it’s a little harsh but makes it easier to let go as well.😊❤
i keep electronic boxes it’s easy to fit. when packing to move . when you live in a apartment living is temporary . some electronics are so oddly shaped is easier to keep the box
I used to keep the box for both moving and resale, but I just don't have the storage space. The boxes and styrofoam inserts has no place to sit out of sight.
I've determined that resale isn't worth my time; not counting storage or taking it to UPS (no car), I get back so little cash that it's not worth the effort. And there are ways to move without damaging things.
On top of all that, it's a fire hazard.
I finally got past keeping the boxes and found it freeing.
1 Shoes - I only own four pairs so not a problem here!
2 Artwork I've never hung - I just repainted/patched holes, so I now refuse to hang ANYthing new lol
3 Moving - Haven't moved in 15 years, and I recycle any cardboard I get
4 Frozen meals - Haven't purchased frozen meals in years due to their high salt content
5 Old condiments - I rarely get condiments nowadays to cut back on plastic. Doing good with this list so far! :)
6 Super expired food - thank God I shop for just myself and keep the bare minimum in the fridge
7 Stained t-shirts - I only have two and they're my work/painting t-shirts
8 Backup underwear - with my tiny closet, I wear everything, including my backups lol
9 Old cookbooks - not in my house are we getting rid of cookbooks! :D
10 Hair accessories - just went through my collection recently. everything i own i use on the regular
11 Gifts that you don't use - we're very specific w/our Christmas lists in my family, so I rarely get a gift I know i'll never use
12 Plants - I have only two and they're both nearly dead so....we're good there, too?
13 Hair products you never use - I live by the "always have a backup" rule. That way, if I run out while in the shower, I'm covered!
14 Expired makeup - no makeup use here, except for an eyebrow pencil
15 Broken belongings - just replaced some dryer-shrunken oven mitts.
16 Burned out candles - don't buy candles like I used to. Now I buy tapered (less waste) instead of glass or votives
17 Empty bottles - recycle recycle recycle! i take all my glass recycling to a fire hall that has a container outside where they get money for collecting glass
18 Unworn sweaters - no problem here. Not a fan of sweaters in general. I'm always too hot!
19 VHS/DVDs - I kept four or five VHS tapes that are my favorite childhood movies. Everything else was donated years ago
20 Excessive mugs - I only drink hot chocolate in the fall/winter. Never use them any time of the year, so I only own two
21 Old phones/other tech - I have three dead TVs in my basement; only because it's so hard in my area to recycle them...
22 Boxes items come in - my parents save all this. It stresses me out, so I don't!
23 Excessive pillows - no problem here. I live by myself so I have one comfy living room pillow, and two I use on a nightly basis
24 Excessive throws/blankets - my house is 625 sqft, so I don't have room for a lot of these anyway
25 Excessive bathmats - why would people have more than one at a time? this just seems weird to me
26 Worn out towels - was thinking about this the other day. I own three that I rotate through, and they're not crusty, per say. But they are ready to be switched out
27 Old wallets - I use mine until it can be used no more. Just replaced it the other day, in fact
28 Outdated phone cases - i only get one case per phone, so when that phone goes, so does the case.
29 Extra nail clipper - I know where everything is in my space, so having extras of these has never crossed my mind
30 Excessive tupperware - not a problem here. just did that in January!
31 CDs - haven't owned one of those for YEARS
32 Old video games - don't own a gaming system. Now if I found a working Atari, that would be a different story!
33 Knick-knacks collecting dust - everything I own has its place/purpose. Nothing extra from vacations etc for me
34 Unused picture frames - as I don't hang much on my walls, this one isn't a problem, either
35 Duplicate tools - my place isn't big enough for duplicate anything, so all my tools are contained in one place
36 Little extra appliances - I only own five and use all of them - hand mixer, hand blender, air fryer, blender, mini toaster oven
37 Fancy outfits - no problem here; i hate clothes shopping!
38 Guidebooks - Haven't gotten one of these from AAA in years...
39 Backup suitcases - why does everyone need backups of backups? Just use one until it wears out...
40 Extra vases - I don't have ANY vases, so this one is easy peasy
41 Extra sheets - I own only two sets, and I hate top sheets
42 Scarves you don't use - I don't use scarves, period
43 Clothes you never use - I do this regularly at the end of each set of seasons when I pack them away until the next round
44 Excessive hangers - I do the opposite. If I have more clothes than hangers, I declutter the clothes
45 Old belts - haven't worn a belt since my elementary school uniform days
46 Specific kitchen gadgets - Love my kitchen tools. Though I did declutter some things, I cannot part w/my kitchen stuff
47 Excessive jewelry - did that last summer and have successfully kept the collection small
48 Clothes kept for memories - I have only one item and that's my college sweatshirt that I STILL wear every fall
49 Old calendars/planners - don't use either
50 Undue guilt and negative self talk - why, of this whole list, do I feel called out? hahahaha!
Great list!
Always love your videos. I feel so seen with this one. LOL I’m a long time minimalist, but I have to admit to having the back up underwear. 😂 And the extra hair accessories. Oh my!! Thanks for the extra push. 😊
Great video, currently undertaking the biggest declutter of my life! So true about plants, I used to have so many, i was running out of places to display them. I've got it down to about 10-15 small to midsized plants. It's hard letting those go because you nurture them and bring joy, but yes, they can get out of hand. Lots of other good tips. Going to keep going and work on the mugs today!
I completely relate to the keeping the boxes things where kept in. Time to let them go 😂
I’ll keep my Tupperware and get rid of the cheap plastic ware.
Wish I could save this video, on my personal list, so I can watch it again and again.
Send it by text to yourself
Click on the the three vertical dots on the right of the video and click SAVE to your playlist.
I keep the boxes my phones come in too and I don't know why but I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this!
So maybe for those people who have roommates or boarders and they aren't there anymore. That's when to take inventory and declutter and feel better about your space. Also having multiples might be for gifts received and not wanting to part with them because they were a gift. Guilt clutter. Lots of ideas, reasons sprang to mind watching your video. Can't wait to start your list .
Backup underwear. Ah-ha, raising my hand here! 🤣
Yes I have kept too many electronic device boxes, They're such nice boxes LOL! It's probably time to get rid of them.
Another decluttering tip, go through the spice cabinet. There are probably several old spices in there that have expired and you really shouldn't use. Ditto for spices that you never use but sounded good at the time that you bought them. Out they go.
Talk about Soooooo Good! This vid is such a motivational BOOST. I am famous for starting in one area, getting it 3/4th of the done and leaving it for later... which can be too much later... This will be get back on the decluttering train!
You got this!
I have a 'Puttering Method' that I elaborate on in a reply to a comment further down from here.
The short version is to narrow the scope of the work to a teeny goal.
I think of about a half to a whole square foot at the edge of a much larger job. It gets me past the inner voice that argues with me even starting; such a small bit of work keeps it from even starting with me, and I can continue or come back to it as the mood strikes me.
The funny thing is, I get sucked in and do more than I intended! What started as a passing 'putter' of a few minutes turns into 30 or 40 or more minutes. You wouldn't believe how much can get done in that time!
The hardest thing to do is tackle a really enormous job. But scale it down to almost nothing, and you end up getting a lot done. It's the "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time" idea. I just find one little bite easily moves to the next and the next.
What keeps me going isn't a big job's guilt for either creating it or procrastinating about it. And it's not the need to finish because I had to explode the mess to sort/cull/organize it, or complete the job before it crystalizes in place into a separate problem. No, what keeps me going is the excitement of seeing progress: some cleared floor, an ability to find things easily, coming across something buried or hidden for too long.
@@chris...9497 So good! Thank you for chiming in. I use that idea with biz related things and will look to use it with my decluttering process!
I have been working on some of these very things. I have quite a long way to go but slow and steady has been working. Thank you for the inspiration to keep going.
Just in time for spring cleaning! A lot of these are great tips. I was actually considering buying a new plant today but then I thought about where I would place it. That basically told me not to bother with getting another one. Thirty two plants just may be my cutoff. LOL I agree with you about the bedding. I invested in a really good set of sheets and got rid of all the rest. I tried digitizing my music but sometimes the file cannot be found so I haven't gotten rid of my CD's just yet. I need to find out why this keeps happening. I really don't want to have to repurchase the digital version of everything. I have way too much music to do that.
Great tips!!! I am thrilled to say that I have decluttered many of these things already. I only ever had one bath mat. I didn't know people even kept more than one. Ha Ha!
A challenge I have sometimes is not knowing the best way to “get rid” of something. For example, with extra wallets, am I donating them or putting them in the trash? I hate the idea of throwing a leather wallet in the garbage even if it doesn’t look nice anymore.
For me,it was money belts! 😂
Mom would never stop teasing.
Sharen