I donated some items to a thrift store recently and then ended up shopping there a couple weeks later. I wondered what it would be like seeing the items I had donated on the shelves. I was surprised how happy it made me! They had one of the pitchers, which had a snowy scene painted on it, as part of a display of wintery items. I found other items in the various sections for kitchenware and decorative glass decor. The thought that someone else would see them and use them brought me contentment. When I went back a few weeks later, most of it was gone. Those things were now serving a purpose elsewhere.
I love your story. I saw a baby blanket and for a split second wanted to buy it, then remembered it had been mine. Hopefully someone else got the same joy that needed it.
I especially liked the question would an item be happier living with someone else! I never thought about how happy someone might be if an item of mine that's just OK for me may be perfect for them!
Your first point about what kind of emotions you are experiencing is so good! If you have an over abundance of things that bring you joy they still can cause you stress. Too much of amazing clothes / toys / kitchen gadgets can make you stressed too.
Thank you. You have given me the motivation to sort through my kitchen drawers. I realised last week how crazy it was to have my cake decorating things in drawers when I use the stuff about every 4-6 weeks, and things I use daily are tumbled and jumbled together in a too-small drawer. The cake decorating things will be moved to a space that takes a little more effort to access, and the everyday items will get the chance to spread out a little. I'm off to do it right now.
Things that don't have a designated place might not belong in my home. Whoa! Never thought of it that way! I will think of that as I declutter more things. I am still decluttering Christmas decor. So glad for the weekend so I can concentrate on it more.
HI Sarah, I like the fireplace background. I have made progress in cleaning out more paper clutter and trying to organize my art supplies. And I have used these very questions as I go thru the items.
Love these tips!! You've encouraged me to let go of a punch bowl I've been keeping without knowing why! Also, I like the fireplace spot. :) Love your videos!
My mother's friend dropped in to see her with a gift she had purchased at a second hand store. Funny thing was, my mother had donated that very item the week before. They had a good laugh. I try to keep that in mind when I'm tempted to buy gifts that I'm not sure are needed and wanted.
Really enjoyed your thoughtful approach. Wonderful questions. Congrats on your move! We also have a second bedroom, and it does take discipline not to turn it into a storage room :)
Hi Sara, it's Mel. Fantastic vid (I always enjoy your content!) and this is hands down the best set of questions I've seen for helping to declutter. Asking when will I use something next is the most powerful of the five for me, even moreso than when have I used it last as it totally sidesteps guilt I have over not having used something. Also, as I transitition from 'normal' vision to low vision, it now takes me substantial effort to read papers and books. Reading has been a challenge for years, but there were books and forms I wasn't comfortable making a decision to clear out before because I hadn't committed to when I'd use them next. Now that my vision has changed so much, it's easier for me to decide which books I can pass on to new homes, which art supplies I'm not interested in learning how to use for my new situation, and which forms and documents I no longer need or am willing to look up again in the unlikely circumstance I need the information again.
Your way of spreading the message is so captivating that the background does not really matter to me lol. I use all of this questions while decluttering. My most common reflections are related to "spark joy" and "fantasy self". I also need to get rid of decor and furniture that do not match the aesthetic and functionality I want for my home anymore.
Often when I have something that I want to discard, I will put it on my social media to see if any of my friends or family want the item, before I will bring it to a thrift store. I recently had a small kitchen appliance that I hadn't used in probably over a year, so I was going to bring it to the thrift store, but I asked my mother-in-law if she had any use for it first, and it turns out it's something that she actually finds a lot of value in! It makes me so happy that I could give it to her and see the joy that it brings her :)
Hi Sarah. I can relate to #3 I have an indoor rebounder that I like using when I use it but don't use it as often as I think I should and I've been considering letting it go but then I do the 'but hop' thing! But I could use it, I will use it, OK I'll set a day & time & use it then & if I don't then thanks, farewell but I haven't done that yet! Funny really because I find it so easy with most things but have stuck on this one!
Hi, Sandra. I passed along an unused rebounder last year to the perfect person, and it made me so happy. A mom responded to my freecycle offer. Her son is on the autism spectrum, and the rebounder gives him the physical and emotional release he needs from some of his symptoms. A perfect, win-win transaction!
Hey Sarah I would call you by your last name but I don't know if you want people to know that. I am David Swanson and I think it's so cool you were my teacher and now almost have 20k subscribers. So congratulations and I hope your new job is doing well.
Hi David!! It is so great to hear from you! Thank you for all of your kind words! It is pretty crazy to me that the channel is doing so well. It is something you hope for and work for but you never know if something will work out! I hope high school has been going well for you this year! :)
I love your fireplace area for filming so far. I have the guilt cabinet full of items inherited from Mom and Grandma. I don't use the items; they are not my style. We don't entertain with fancy dinners. The items themselves don't have guilt attached to them; but feel guilty if I was to get rid of them, which I would like to do. I have offered these things to my grown children; they don't want them either. So this has been a dilemma. I am in pretty good shape with my own things. Thanks for the tips.
Could you possibly keep just a handful of these guilt items rather than a full cabinet? Sometimes keeping fewer items allows each item to be remembered better.
I always used to feel guilty about decluttering gifts that I got from various people ... I'm getting better at it but I still always have second thoughts.
I completely understand. There have been several gifts that I struggled a bit from decluttering, although I was ultimately happy about letting it go once I did!
I liked the fireplace. I also panicked a little when I saw you holding up your jacket in the snapshot. I always thought it looked nice on you, but of course, if it didn't fit you or your lifestyle anymore it'd be appropriate to declutter it. :)
How do you approach getting rid of duplicates? I try not to hold onto too many things that are similar to each other, but when I declutter them, I sometimes get into mind games where I'll think I'd need to keep it. In other cases however, I won't even question the process and just donate it anyways. Thanks for sharing your tips on this video btw! :)
Great question, Amy! If I have duplicates, I always let go of the worst one, with the key intention being, life is short, why use the worse version of an item if you already have something much better in reserve! The only exception I would say is if you have duplicates of something that doesn't last very long at all, such as only lasting a year or so!
Soundwise I'd say that the fireplace (just compared them back to back) might be a better spot, as there's a bit of an echo here:) (I feel like it isn't extremely off-putting tho and it could be fixed in post, if that's something you'd want to do). The sound is kind of "bouncing" in the other spot as well, but it stays closer (well at least according to my ears lol)
Think items should bring joy but be practical as well and used on a regular basis. Living in a four seasons country means one needs more winter clothes. But these must bring joy whilst wearing such as keeping you warm and protected from harsh weather. But one coat and jacket are really more than enough.
Always love the videos, but not inspired by the background showing a door and shoes, it felt a bit messy. I liked the fireplace, or a plain wall with a plant?
Thank you so much for your feedback, Jilly! I was wondering if anyone felt like it was messy with the door and shoes, so you confirmed my suspicions! Thanks!
I donated some items to a thrift store recently and then ended up shopping there a couple weeks later. I wondered what it would be like seeing the items I had donated on the shelves. I was surprised how happy it made me! They had one of the pitchers, which had a snowy scene painted on it, as part of a display of wintery items. I found other items in the various sections for kitchenware and decorative glass decor. The thought that someone else would see them and use them brought me contentment. When I went back a few weeks later, most of it was gone. Those things were now serving a purpose elsewhere.
That is wonderful!! This happened to me before too! :)
I love your story. I saw a baby blanket and for a split second wanted to buy it, then remembered it had been mine. Hopefully someone else got the same joy that needed it.
Mel McKane lol I’ve wondered if people ever accidentally buy back their old stuff.
@@IJustWantToUseMyName ...I really wouldn't doubt it. :)
*I've found that the less stuff I own, the less my stuff owns me*
I especially liked the question would an item be happier living with someone else! I never thought about how happy someone might be if an item of mine that's just OK for me may be perfect for them!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that!
Your first point about what kind of emotions you are experiencing is so good! If you have an over abundance of things that bring you joy they still can cause you stress. Too much of amazing clothes / toys / kitchen gadgets can make you stressed too.
That is so true! Especially when items are packed together and tough to get to what you need!
Sarah this is a good color for you. Love your videos.
Thank you so much, April!
Thank you. You have given me the motivation to sort through my kitchen drawers. I realised last week how crazy it was to have my cake decorating things in drawers when I use the stuff about every 4-6 weeks, and things I use daily are tumbled and jumbled together in a too-small drawer. The cake decorating things will be moved to a space that takes a little more effort to access, and the everyday items will get the chance to spread out a little.
I'm off to do it right now.
YES!! That is amazing!! I'm so excited for you!
Hi Sarah this are very good questions to ask yourself. we like your fireplace as your background for filming.
Thank you, Cathy! I'm glad you like the fireplace location!
Things that don't have a designated place might not belong in my home. Whoa! Never thought of it that way! I will think of that as I declutter more things. I am still decluttering Christmas decor. So glad for the weekend so I can concentrate on it more.
I'm so glad it was helpful, Laura!
Great insights and hugely helpful!
Thank you so much, Maryrica! I'm glad this was helpful!
Best wishes to you and your new place. Like the spontaneity of your filming backgrounds. Even when you're settled changing it up regularly could work.
Thank you, Gerri! I am eager to see what new locations work well! :)
Great video as always - I loved the way you approached downsizing from many perspectives - emotion has a lot to do with it.
Thank you, Kalla! I'm happy it was helpful!
You are the best in giving examples on which lets me know that it should not be at my house! Thanks.
I'm so happy to hear that, Judy! Thank you!
You look pretty in that color! I loved seeing your beautiful fireplace behind you as you were filming! Thanks for another helpful video!
Thank you, Lisa! :)
HI Sarah, I like the fireplace background. I have made progress in cleaning out more paper clutter and trying to organize my art supplies. And I have used these very questions as I go thru the items.
Thank you, Jenny! It is exciting to hear about your progress!
Love these tips!! You've encouraged me to let go of a punch bowl I've been keeping without knowing why! Also, I like the fireplace spot. :) Love your videos!
YES! That is wonderful! Thank you for the kind words!
Wow, great questions!
Thank you so much, Kerry!
My mother's friend dropped in to see her with a gift she had purchased at a second hand store. Funny thing was, my mother had donated that very item the week before. They had a good laugh. I try to keep that in mind when I'm tempted to buy gifts that I'm not sure are needed and wanted.
That is a great story! It is a helpful perspective to keep when thinking about gifts.
Really enjoyed your thoughtful approach. Wonderful questions. Congrats on your move! We also have a second bedroom, and it does take discipline not to turn it into a storage room :)
Thank you!! Spare rooms can be tricky!
Hi Sara, it's Mel. Fantastic vid (I always enjoy your content!) and this is hands down the best set of questions I've seen for helping to declutter. Asking when will I use something next is the most powerful of the five for me, even moreso than when have I used it last as it totally sidesteps guilt I have over not having used something.
Also, as I transitition from 'normal' vision to low vision, it now takes me substantial effort to read papers and books. Reading has been a challenge for years, but there were books and forms I wasn't comfortable making a decision to clear out before because I hadn't committed to when I'd use them next. Now that my vision has changed so much, it's easier for me to decide which books I can pass on to new homes, which art supplies I'm not interested in learning how to use for my new situation, and which forms and documents I no longer need or am willing to look up again in the unlikely circumstance I need the information again.
Thank you for your kind words, Mel!
Your way of spreading the message is so captivating that the background does not really matter to me lol.
I use all of this questions while decluttering. My most common reflections are related to "spark joy" and "fantasy self". I also need to get rid of decor and furniture that do not match the aesthetic and functionality I want for my home anymore.
Thank you, Sandra! Sparking joy and fantasy self are great topics to use!
Often when I have something that I want to discard, I will put it on my social media to see if any of my friends or family want the item, before I will bring it to a thrift store. I recently had a small kitchen appliance that I hadn't used in probably over a year, so I was going to bring it to the thrift store, but I asked my mother-in-law if she had any use for it first, and it turns out it's something that she actually finds a lot of value in! It makes me so happy that I could give it to her and see the joy that it brings her :)
YES! That is the best!
Very useful tips👌
Thank you so much, Munira!
Hi Sarah. I can relate to #3 I have an indoor rebounder that I like using when I use it but don't use it as often as I think I should and I've been considering letting it go but then I do the 'but hop' thing! But I could use it, I will use it, OK I'll set a day & time & use it then & if I don't then thanks, farewell but I haven't done that yet! Funny really because I find it so easy with most things but have stuck on this one!
Hi, Sandra. I passed along an unused rebounder last year to the perfect person, and it made me so happy. A mom responded to my freecycle offer. Her son is on the autism spectrum, and the rebounder gives him the physical and emotional release he needs from some of his symptoms. A perfect, win-win transaction!
I can totally relate to that struggle!
Hey Sarah I would call you by your last name but I don't know if you want people to know that. I am David Swanson and I think it's so cool you were my teacher and now almost have 20k subscribers. So congratulations and I hope your new job is doing well.
Hi David!! It is so great to hear from you! Thank you for all of your kind words! It is pretty crazy to me that the channel is doing so well. It is something you hope for and work for but you never know if something will work out! I hope high school has been going well for you this year! :)
Thanks for the great questions👍
You are welcome, Marianne!
Great tips!
Thank you, Alexa!
I love your fireplace area for filming so far. I have the guilt cabinet full of items inherited from Mom and Grandma. I don't use the items; they are not my style. We don't entertain with fancy dinners. The items themselves don't have guilt attached to them; but feel guilty if I was to get rid of them, which I would like to do. I have offered these things to my grown children; they don't want them either. So this has been a dilemma. I am in pretty good shape with my own things. Thanks for the tips.
Could you possibly keep just a handful of these guilt items rather than a full cabinet? Sometimes keeping fewer items allows each item to be remembered better.
@@AbundantlyMinimal Thank you. Great suggestion and something to think about.
I always look forward to your videos. Congratulations on your new home!! I love that fireplace, so pretty!😎👏👏👍👌🔥
Aww, thank you Ashlee!
Love your videos-thank you! 😊☀️👏🏻
Thank you, Robin! :)
I always used to feel guilty about decluttering gifts that I got from various people ... I'm getting better at it but I still always have second thoughts.
I completely understand. There have been several gifts that I struggled a bit from decluttering, although I was ultimately happy about letting it go once I did!
I love that almost red color on you! Looks good on your skin tone, also do you every do the Project 333?
Thank you, Katie! I have not ever done Project 333, but I will be trying a new minimalist clothing approach soon! :)
I liked the fireplace. I also panicked a little when I saw you holding up your jacket in the snapshot. I always thought it looked nice on you, but of course, if it didn't fit you or your lifestyle anymore it'd be appropriate to declutter it. :)
Thank you! I am not decluttering the jacket at all, I just needed a prop for the thumbnail image! I love that jacket! :)
How do you approach getting rid of duplicates? I try not to hold onto too many things that are similar to each other, but when I declutter them, I sometimes get into mind games where I'll think I'd need to keep it. In other cases however, I won't even question the process and just donate it anyways. Thanks for sharing your tips on this video btw! :)
Great question, Amy! If I have duplicates, I always let go of the worst one, with the key intention being, life is short, why use the worse version of an item if you already have something much better in reserve! The only exception I would say is if you have duplicates of something that doesn't last very long at all, such as only lasting a year or so!
Soundwise I'd say that the fireplace (just compared them back to back) might be a better spot, as there's a bit of an echo here:) (I feel like it isn't extremely off-putting tho and it could be fixed in post, if that's something you'd want to do). The sound is kind of "bouncing" in the other spot as well, but it stays closer (well at least according to my ears lol)
Thanks, Elliott! I appreciate your feedback! I have a few more spots I will be testing, but I agree that the fireplace is a great spot!
@@AbundantlyMinimal you're welcome^•^. Yay, that's gonna be interesting:)
If you put more stuff in that space it will have less of an echo... :-)
Think items should bring joy but
be practical as well and used on
a regular basis. Living in a four
seasons country means one needs
more winter clothes. But these
must bring joy whilst wearing such
as keeping you warm and protected from harsh weather. But one coat and jacket are
really more than enough.
That is very true!
🖐🏼🙂
Hi, are you effected by the shutdown? I Wish you the best. Bye
I have not been affected by the shutdown, but I am frustrated for everyone who is.
Someone tell me I don't need 500 purses🤪
Always love the videos, but not inspired by the background showing a door and shoes, it felt a bit messy. I liked the fireplace, or a plain wall with a plant?
Thank you so much for your feedback, Jilly! I was wondering if anyone felt like it was messy with the door and shoes, so you confirmed my suspicions! Thanks!