1. Get Started Earlier 2. Evaluate Everything 3. Scan for Dust 4. Challenge Tendencies to Collect and Hoard 5. Practice Letting go 6. Donate and Sell Stuff 7. Embrace Friends and Family
Thanks to your ongoing support and encouragement, I have now successfully decluttered over 75% of our home and have completely transformed my mindset around material possessions, for this I am truly grateful ❤
DUST! YES! Great point about dust being an indicator that you aren't actually using the item. I also consider dust when shopping. "Is this something I love enough to DUST regularly!?" - it's really helped curb my impulsive shopping 😊
I'm sitting here laughing my head off over this very timely video. I have lived in this 3000sf house for 36 years now. It has tons of closets. In about 3 years I want to move into a nice one bedroom apartment and cut down to only the stuff I need - "Walden style". PERIOD. I started recently buying boxes every week, filling them and taking them to charity shops and Goodwill. I have hardly made a dent - but I'll get there. The furniture and bigger stuff I'll send to a local consignment shop or sell online. How bad has my junk collecting been over the decades? Just this afternoon I was poking around in a downstairs storage closet and spotted a very large unopened cardboard box containing "something". I don't have a clue what is in that box. It was something I ordered from somewhere, shoved the box in the closet after it arrived and forgot I had it. THAT is why I'm starting NOW. 3 years from now when I sell the house, I should be ready for moving.
My husband and I are moving next month to a 748 sq ftt home on a 24 acre piece of land because I would rather take care of nature than a bunch of stuff. I love the suggestion about that which is gathering dust...I am using that strategy! Dusting is no longer how I want to spend my life.
I looked at our mantle filled with beautiful vases that we've collected and told my husband, "I didn't retire so I could dust." We're finding new homes for most of the vases!
We'll ALL be moving eventually - whether up to Paradise or down to ....., best be ready, right? 🙂While I have decluttered probably 95% of things, I have also started to deliberately use up the things I kept - no more saving things for special occasions. Every day is special.
Since starting to watch your videos in May 2023, I’ve cut my household monthly spending by $2800-3,000! I haven’t even been trying as hard as I could be. I listen to your videos almost every morning as I’m getting ready for the day. They keep me motivated and on my minimalist path. Thank you! Please keep making videos!
Every time I have moved it has been a colossal pain in the butt. I've now decluttered 80% of my stuff and have vowed that the next time I have to move it will take no more than a weekend to pack, and one load in a small U-Haul to move. I am trying for "minimalish."
My husband and I are snowbirds with 2 homes in different states. We made the decision to downsize to just one home. We are lucky to have a few months to sort and pack before our 1400 sf northern home goes up for sell. Thankfully, I’ve been minimizing stuff since 2020, and my declutter muscles are strong. It’s actually fun to walk around and pick the best of the best items with happy memories that serve as well - only these will come with us to our southern 1600 sf home. I will be able to gift things to neighbors and friends too. An older neighbor who always takes care of the neighborhood trash can and street leaves will get the leaf blower. Another neighbor couple will get their pick of all our gardening paraphernalia. It is so liberating!
I’d like to add a tip: Declutter again while you unpack. Personal anecdote: We moved this summer, and while the house is bigger, there’s far less storage space. Between houses, we lived out of our 17-foot camper for 5 weeks and came to a new appreciation for what matters to us. As I’ve unpacked, I’ve realized I have too many books and cool trinkets and items for hobbies that are phasing out of my life. Even if you’re not moving, you could pack up a category of items for a month or two to discover what you miss from the boxes and let go of the rest. Hope someone finds this helpful!❤
I'm moving next year and I've done this several months ago with some items. I haven't reached for any of them yet so they will most likely be let go before the move.
When I was preparing to move overseas, rather than making a decision about each and every item based in its individual value, I set parameters around what to pack. The only items I packed were the ones that were a part of defining our family culture - board games and thriftiness, or were handmade family heirlooms - handmade quilts and pillow cases. I gathered everything that met the criteria in one room of the house for the packers to pack. I packed everything we needed to set up a basic kitchen in one checked suitcase. Everything else was donated or sold. What a weight came off my shoulder.
I had so much stuff in my garage from a move 9 years ago. I had 40+ boxes & have been through at least 35. I unpacked all & have kept 1 box of stuff (but will go through again in 6 mos) but I have zero patience to try & sell anything so I have donated to charity - there were some really good items & probably worth some good money but to me I just bring to charity or I have also just put at the curb of my home for anyone to take - an d most have gone & the items that did not went again to charity. I had 2 desk & 2 coffee tables & all were taken by someone. It feels really good to clear it out & my goal it to park my vehicle this winter in the garage.
My mother just moved into a senior citizen micro-apartment. In helping her declutter, I ask “Are you going to use this item on a regular basis?” Since she can no longer bend and lift, having stackable bins filled with items stowed away in a closet is not practical anymore for her.
Just moved, and everything you're saying rings true! We akso purposefully chose a small size moving truck to both save money and force us to declutter. I'm so glad we did!
My water heater burst last month, and I had to clear out everything in my bedroom side of the house so they can remove & replace all the wood floors. This has been a blessing in disguise because it's allowed me to only bring back what I want to keep, and nothing else. Books, cd's, clothing and nicknacks have been all donated to charity. Feels so good!
I started decluttering two years before I downsized. Now every piece I have in the new home is used. No excess pieces gathering dust. Minimalism in the new home is great - more time to activities I enjoy.
The timing of your video is perfect. We are retiring and selling our home. We were planning on 2024, but we decided to go for it now. We have had an intense two weeks to purge, organize clean and get it ready. I have realized over the years how little we really need and have been focused on mindful living. Asking myself why I want something, do I need it and is there something else I may have that will do the job. Life is about living, our experiences and the people and all the joy they bring. Keeping perspective about where our values are placed will surely steer us toward these intangible joys of life. Thank you for your wisdom, support and sharing your knowledge.
We're not moving but having moved 3 times in the last 10 years, I have learned to just stay open to the possibility that life could throw us an unexpected opportunity and we would need to be ready. That keeps me in declutter mode along with keeping our home fresh and updated. This year we've been painting room by room. I love a freshly painted room and the process helps me evaluate everything in the room and declutter what we no longer need.
Great tips! My hubby and I are moving and we went through each room, top to bottom, to clean and either donate, recycle or discard items we don’t need. It’s been a lot of work but we feel unburdened by having less stuff! Your tips through out the years has helped me immensely. I no longer buy stuff because I am bored!🤣
It was my last move that finally made me realize I had far more stuff than I needed. I wasn’t really downsizing, but I was moving to a house with a smaller kitchen - less storage space - so I knew I needed to be selective about what I took. I hadn’t actually intended to start my minimalism journey at this point, but it is where I ended up. Still on the journey.
Your words resonated with me in my soul: 1) Choosing to keep something means to choosing to keep carrying it. Yes! I have failed to fully understand the weight of my possessions. They are heavy in my life. 2) Wahoo to "the dust test." * Thank you so much. Those two phrases are really helpful to me.
I like what you said about dust. If I find that too much dust has accumulated on anything I evaluate if it's worth keeping because it obviously isn't getting enough use. Once when I was shopping for a coffee table I saw one that was beautiful but had many ornate cutouts and immediately thought to myself, " I'm going to have to use a pipe cleaner to keep it dust free. This is a definite no".
It’s not a move precisely but I’m in the middle of getting a painter to do the whole condo; ceilings,walls, closets, doors and trim. Dh & I had to move most of the furniture out onto our decks or down in our storage closet to live for a week while the mostly empty space inside gets painted. We are minimalistic thankfully but this has been another good time to handle each thing and decide if it’s worth keeping in order to put back. A lot was donated and more yet will be as we move back inside.
Perfect timing. We are moving in about 3 months and I have begun donating, selling, and giving things away. We are downsizing, and I am thrilled. As they said in Frozen, Let It Go!
I'm moving! when? I have no idea, but I'm enjoying getting rid of my stuff. Every time I want to buy something, I remember that I'm going to move and quickly put it back. 😅
Ahhh Joshua, i have dust everywhere! I'm in an apt and they are doing construction everywhere! Moving in November thank God. I've been here 7yrs so decluttered alot.
The timing of this video couldn’t be more perfect. I’m actually in the process of decluttering for a move! So I was shocked to see the title of your video! You read my mind! 😅 I’ve moved multiple times in my life too, and it’s definitely an eye opener to see just how much we accumulate. Moving is such a great way to let go of baggage we forgot we even had!
@@bex438 awww thank you so much! I'm going to need it! I've got so many books it's a bit overwhelming! I've been taking stacks of them out and leaving them in "little free libraries" around town! P.S. good luck with your move too!!!
Great reminder...I have started decluttering/ downsizing over past few years ( collecting stuff x 30+ yrs) with my purpose of " reduction" for a future move". Struggles for sure at times...but finally seeing "empty space" and what joy.
Then stick around for more, this channel is great! I always learn something from Joshua. He challenges his viewers to simplify our lives by owning LESS STUFF!😊
We've been in the same house for over 30 years. With downsizing a probability in the next 2-3 years, this video is a good place for me to start. Got to get hubby on board LOL. As always, Joshua, your video is right to the point and very helpful. Thank you!
I moved earlier this week, and I I'm currently in temporary housing until I can get into something even short term, so most of my stuff is still packed up in boxes. I definitely decluttered as I packed - used the "is this important enough to pack up and move to a new place and have to find a home for it in the new place?", which helped a lot. I'm sharing the dust tip with my mom - my parents are trying to declutter their house, and the dust one applies to almost everything that doesn't have a real home in their house, including a lot of the clothes in their closets.
I have moved 4 times in 7 years - each time decluttering and downsizing more and more. Between donating and just putting things out at the curb it amazes me how much stuff can be accumulated over time. I actually looked forward to getting rid of the excess. I still declutter regularly.
Joshua, Great video. We had been decluttering, but an illness stopped us in our tracks for the past 10 months. We are ready to get back at it. We needed this video to inspire us. Thank you. 😊
We have already bought our retirement home which is smaller than our current home but a little bigger than we had anticipated. We love the area and the home is beautiful. As I have a health condition and suffer with anxiety I have been slowly decluttering for the past few years when I’m able. Our son just got married so eventually he and his wife will have their own place and we will move into our new home. I CANNOT take all this clutter with us. First off it won’t fit but more importantly I don’t want anything in my new home that I don’t love or doesn’t serve a purpose. Joshua your videos have been truly inspirational.❤️🙏
We've been following you for a while now. Always learning something new. We are still in the process of minimizing and it is hard, when we get stuck, we return to your videos and get back on track and motivated. We have read your books and everything you say about owning less and getting rid of things you don't need or use is true. We have missed very very few things we have gotten rid of and when we do miss them I really think it is more sentimentality than any kind of need. If you are thinking about going for it and finally getting rid of things and more things I encourage you to read Joshua's books and follow his you tube videos.
We are in the throes of selling and moving and I am desperately trying to declutter, this vlog could not have come at a better time. But my goodness - 24 years worth of possessions are weighing heavy. Your thoughts and perspectives are a breath of fresh air. Giving me "permission" to remove items that I no longer want for our new life but have been saving as they were gifts, or for frear that we would need them for an emergency! Now I realise that the emergency is real - it is that we are buried under an earthquake of our own possessions! Every box I donate or part with helps. Thank you so much for your channel and loving "things that matter" as my bedtime reading. Believe it or not, reading your books quotes my panic about the sheer volume of our possessions and allows me to part with things that I thought were essential but now I see are just stuff. Thank you and God bless Becker family. I really couldn't do it without you!
This video came into my life at the perfect moment! I’m in the midst of packing for an international (transatlantic) move, and I’m a percussionist so I’ve got LOTS of valuable instruments that require custom-made boxes and lots of protection. No way would I have been able to do this alone and my close friends have provided valuable support because my family is in the U.S. and can’t be here to help. Thanks for the great videos!🙏🏽
I have been watching your videos for the last two years or so. They have been of immense help. I shifted to my new home a couple of months back. Though it is a bigger one I decided to downsize before shifting. I started systematic decluttering about 5 weeks before I let movers and packers start their work. I feel great after at least 30% less belongings in my spacious present accommodation. Cleaning has become easier with almost no surface clutter. Finding what I need is easier as every item now has a "home".
Thank you, Joshua! I like to go back to your videos, no matter how old they are, because I still find meaning and inspiration when I need it. Today is my planned decluttering/tidying day. I am not moving, but part of my small property was remodeled. It forced me to move stuff around, almost like when one is moving out of the house. The remodeling gave me an opportunity to realize and reevaluate everything I own, and honestly, I don't need to in the first place. So, things will be going away today, and my life will be a bit lighter and simpler from this afternoon. Thanks again!
The idea of moving can be a great kickstart to decluttering, even if we aren't in the process of moving currently. It's a good way to consider what we really want/need. Thanks for the video!
I have been decluttering for years and reducing what I bring in for years. However, when my younger sister passed away early this morning after a long battle with cancer, it gave me a renewed resolve to keep reducing. I'm compiling things I think other family member may want but will not burden them with anything they don't.
I'm so sorry for your loss! 😥 I began my decluttering journey a year and a half ago, before my father-in-law passed away from cancer. Having a simplified home has made the journey with family, less burdensome and stressful.
I had to move from the house I rented a month before I was supposed to leave (long story). It was crazy. While I was decluttering so many things kept appearing. Everything takes up space!!! A friend came to the rescue, but her garage was full of my stuff. I saw the terror in her eyes. I've been working nonstop, decluttering my stuff. I have sold some, gave away a ton but there is still more. It's so hard and I'm so tired. In my next house, I will definitely have less.
We recently sold our home and downsized to a home with half the square feet. It took months of decluttering, donating furniture to the Salvation Army, and having our kids (now grown and moved out) go through their stuff or it got tossed. We have since helped two of our kids move apartments. With each move, I am reminded of the burden of our "stuff." Thanks for your content!
This came at an impeccable timing. I'm moving soon and your suggestions are so relatable as I prepare for the move. Thank you for sharing this excellent video.
I’m really enjoying your talks as I learn to get rid of all this extra stuff we have acquired. We moved to a smaller house 8 months ago. 1 bedroom is full of stuff still in boxes and the so was the garage. I started about a month ago very aggressively going to work in the garage because as a man, it’s my domain to put it order first. The extra stuff in the bedroom belongs to my wife and 3 children. I’m gently trying to encourage them to declutter what’s in there …. But I figure I need to start by showing the example first. I’ve been working at it every chance I get and I’m starting to capture a vision of what I want the garage to look like. It’s was a gloomy 2 car garage w unpainted drywall with lots of old nail and screw holes and some crappy shelves badly positioned. So far I have taken everything out several times to work on it. I have torn out all the old unusable shelving, primed and painted the ceiling and walls and installed new lights. And install new metal suspension shelving above the garage door. And a couple more sturdy shelves high along the walls. I’m now purging the many totes and bins we have filled over the 26 years and 3 kids. I’ve been battling 2,types of abdominal cancer, GIST (diagnosed 1 year ago)and Metastatic Appendiceal cancer and under going chemo therapy since Jan of this year. I am Active Duty military who regularly exercised and ate resonably well but I find that now, more than ever, my strength and ability to move, fix and maintain the things that need repair is often diminished and I’m learning to balance working on things and allowing my body to rest so I can beat this cancer. Your calm nature is very helpful to me! As I watch your videos I’m encouraged to go about decluttering in a reasonable and thoughtful way rather than letting myself become angry and stressed over all the stuff we have that I’m too tired to look at, purge and move or organize. Sometimes I’m successful at enjoying the process and learning to be content with the progress I make, no matter how small. Other times I’m discouraged and stressed. I have a very strong sense that tools, hiking/camping gear, guitars, firearms and other sporting equipment won’t mean anything to my wife and kids when I die. Therefore I feel a strong desire to get rid of everything unuseful to the household now so it is not a burden when we eventually move again. I don’t know how long I’ll live or whether I’ll be alive during the next move but I’m optimistic and pray God brings me through this. In the mean time, I focus on my family and trying to bring a sense of peace during this time for us all. Thank you for your content! I’ve begun watching often my morning devotions.
Love the Dust Test!!! We've been in our current home more than 30 years now. I'm absolutely terrified of downsizing one day. I keep bringing up that we should be doing our Swedish Death Cleaning now, while we're still able to, but my wife seems less interested in getting rid of our excess than I am.
It’s not going to get easier, you’ll always wish you’d started a year ago! You can start with *your own personal stuff* right now. Over time your wife might come around too, but even if she doesn’t you’ll be better off for decluttering your own things and the stuff that no one cares about.
@@olivemaycards Great suggestion and I have started to an extent. Trouble is "stuff no one cares about" aka things that miserably fail the Dust Test, become "hers" when I want to get rid of them. I'll continue with stuff I have control over!
I am an example of your "worse-case scenario", right on the brink of hiring one of those hoarder fixer-uppers. When I contacted one, the gal asked that I take pictures to send to her. I was so shocked and depressed to see the 'whole picture', that I froze up. Understand that I am a novice collector from the early 1980's. I still have a dress I wore as a flower girl in my cousin's wedding in 1961. Yeah, really. Now, I am in my last home, and am caretaker for my non-ambulatory hubby and 10 (yes) cats we took in that were either feral or from a shelter. So forget about the 'dust factor'; we're covered with cat fur and dander. Lost cause there. But I will listen to as many videos I can to glean ideas and get encouragement. I've already burned out one vacuum cleaner, chocking out the 2nd and have a 3rd on standby. Wish me luck!
Yes moving put me right in front of all our belongings, we had to tackle closets and a basement full of things, seasonal & the “just in case we need later” and sentimental and photos. Still downsizing post move as it takes/took much longer time than expected to go through stuff after 36 years of raising our family in our house. Grateful to have been forced to downsize rather than leave for others to do.
We moved 6 times the first 10 years of our marriage. We have lived in our current home for 13 years now, and I find myself wishing we were moving so I could REALLY declutter the way I want to. I have done well in the house, but not in the garage or shed. I think I need to try The Minimalist's packing party out there. 😂
I needed to see this today, my house is on the market but I'm struggling with the idea of moving due to the memories and stuff in this house! Thanks for the tips on making that an easier release!
Our very good friends moved continent's 11 months ago, they packed up some of their belongings and had them shipped to their new home. It still has not arrived 😱😱😱😱😱😱. They have bought the bare minimum to be able live, they miss a few things, but also admitted that they no longer remember everything they packed, we really don't need as much as we think we do in order to survive and thrive. My father in law has just sold his house and moved. He had been in this home for just under 50 years. It has taken him over a year to get rid of all of the junk in it. When I say junk I am being honest, he is the type of person that keeps old mugs that the handle has broken off to some day glue it together, text books from 40 years ago that are completely outdated now, and a huge vinyl collection but no record player 🙄. My parents are on a similar path 🤦 they have zero intention of downsizing or letting go of all of the useless old junk that just sits under a thick layer of dust in the garage. I sincerely hope that i do not burden my child or my husband with a ton of my possessions, so I do a regular purge of things that no longer suit my life or needs.
I am moving this week. This was great. I’ve been reading your book, The Minimalist Home, to help me keep your tips in the back of my mind while I pack. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
My biggest problem is saving paper items..letters. cards, articles, notebooks records of almost everything. Literally piles beyond piles, files and boxes. Reading Tame the Paper Tiger. Your input.
This video comes at great timing! I am about to move, maybe in about 6 months. This will be the first time with my family and also the first time for my son. I adopted minimalism 3-4 years ago. Unfortunately I had a relapse these two years. I bought things (with intention though) and declutter less. Deep down in my heart, I know we need to declutter once or twice before we move. I just don’t have the motivation to start early. It’s time for me to kick start.
We’re in the middle of a radical transition: moving from one continent to another after retirement. In 2 days time, the shipping company will be collecting our stuff from this house we’ve lived in for the past 25 years (in Asia) to our new home in Ontario. We started decluttering early but not enough… You bet we evaluated everything: is it worth shipping or should we discard? Donating to recycling and selectively to friends has helped, but the hardest was to agree on our approach to moving. Hubby is a maximalist (let’s take everything along that can be useful in future, including all his DIY tools) whereas I wanted to go light and start from scratch… we had to reconcile our diametrically opposed approach daily… It was exhausting and fraught with angst. What with cataloging the content of boxes… I’m so glad we’re reaching the shipping point, the point where we get the place to a state of minimal furnishing for giving it a fresh coat of paint. Ahem, we’re not selling but renting the apt out. I intend to ENJOY moving in at the other end!
I moved 5 times in 3 years, and it's amazing how much of the stuff I 'had' to keep for the first move had been thrown out by the 5th one!!! Since then, I've made a practice of going through all my belongings systematically once a year so they don't build up too much - I just do a drawer or a shelf or a box at a time, so it isn't overwhelming, but it does help keep things thinned down. And I have a permanent 'donate' container for anything I find between decluttering sessions. I also keep a donate box to hand when I'm unpacking in my new home, to catch anything that missed the pre-move cull! It's so much easier to get rid of things if they have never been given a place to live in the new home.
Great video, Joshua. Thanks again! While I am not planning on moving I played the scenario in my head and found 3 books that can go soon (from my very minimalist home::))
I wish I touch each item 4 times during a move. We have stuff in boxes from our move into our current home - 9 years ago! Yes, more decluttering this weekend.
Such an encouraging video Joshua. I'm moving soon and needed extra impetus to keep going getting rid of stuff. So much has gone, more needs to go🏡. I so want my new home to feel light. Thanks for your message today ☺️
Thank you Joshua, your videos are just so spot-on. Rich with valuablepertinent information, motivation, and so practical. They are the perfect length to listen to and then put them into action. Much appreciation ❤
After my mum passed away, dad agreed to move closer to us. I’m doing this we had to pack up the house. I discovered my mum was a secret hoarder. We cleared every cupboard out and tried to declutter before the move with the immediate items. A year on and we are still going through boxes but it is an emotional thing to do. Exhausting too. Your videos acknowledge this and I know we will get there eventually.
Hey Neighbor! Great episode!..just moved 10 minutes away from Fletcher Heights to Ventana Lakes to DOWNSIZE! your clips are always SO APPERECIATED! Phil. 1:3
1. Get Started Earlier
2. Evaluate Everything
3. Scan for Dust
4. Challenge Tendencies to Collect and Hoard
5. Practice Letting go
6. Donate and Sell Stuff
7. Embrace Friends and Family
Thanks to your ongoing support and encouragement, I have now successfully decluttered over 75% of our home and have completely transformed my mindset around material possessions, for this I am truly grateful ❤
Great job!
Thank you for sharing this information and insight. SO helpful!
DUST! YES! Great point about dust being an indicator that you aren't actually using the item. I also consider dust when shopping. "Is this something I love enough to DUST regularly!?" - it's really helped curb my impulsive shopping 😊
I'm sitting here laughing my head off over this very timely video. I have lived in this 3000sf house for 36 years now. It has tons of closets. In about 3 years I want to move into a nice one bedroom apartment and cut down to only the stuff I need - "Walden style". PERIOD. I started recently buying boxes every week, filling them and taking them to charity shops and Goodwill. I have hardly made a dent - but I'll get there. The furniture and bigger stuff I'll send to a local consignment shop or sell online.
How bad has my junk collecting been over the decades? Just this afternoon I was poking around in a downstairs storage closet and spotted a very large unopened cardboard box containing "something". I don't have a clue what is in that box. It was something I ordered from somewhere, shoved the box in the closet after it arrived and forgot I had it.
THAT is why I'm starting NOW. 3 years from now when I sell the house, I should be ready for moving.
My husband and I are moving next month to a 748 sq ftt home on a 24 acre piece of land because I would rather take care of nature than a bunch of stuff. I love the suggestion about that which is gathering dust...I am using that strategy! Dusting is no longer how I want to spend my life.
Congratulations on your move. I prefer a smaller home with acreage. Nothing like seeing nature in its full glory.
I looked at our mantle filled with beautiful vases that we've collected and told my husband, "I didn't retire so I could dust." We're finding new homes for most of the vases!
Congratulations! I'm jealous.
@@sherirussell7426me too! ❤
more garden, less house - exactly my cup of tea. also prefer to have my neighbours some meters away 🙈
We'll ALL be moving eventually - whether up to Paradise or down to ....., best be ready, right? 🙂While I have decluttered probably 95% of things, I have also started to deliberately use up the things I kept - no more saving things for special occasions. Every day is special.
U made me laugh 😂😂😂
I don't even have a place move to but I've started sorting and packing. Once I find a place moving in will be a joy.
Since starting to watch your videos in May 2023, I’ve cut my household monthly spending by $2800-3,000! I haven’t even been trying as hard as I could be.
I listen to your videos almost every morning as I’m getting ready for the day. They keep me motivated and on my minimalist path. Thank you! Please keep making videos!
Wow, that’s amazing! Way to go 😄
Which of his videos are you listening to in the mornings? 🤔
Great job! Keep it up! You are an inspiration to us all!
Every time I have moved it has been a colossal pain in the butt. I've now decluttered 80% of my stuff and have vowed that the next time I have to move it will take no more than a weekend to pack, and one load in a small U-Haul to move. I am trying for "minimalish."
My husband and I are snowbirds with 2 homes in different states. We made the decision to downsize to just one home. We are lucky to have a few months to sort and pack before our 1400 sf northern home goes up for sell. Thankfully, I’ve been minimizing stuff since 2020, and my declutter muscles are strong. It’s actually fun to walk around and pick the best of the best items with happy memories that serve as well - only these will come with us to our southern 1600 sf home. I will be able to gift things to neighbors and friends too. An older neighbor who always takes care of the neighborhood trash can and street leaves will get the leaf blower. Another neighbor couple will get their pick of all our gardening paraphernalia. It is so liberating!
We’re getting ready to move from the Bay Area too!! We’re actually upsizing-I have my UA-cam channel stuff.
I’d like to add a tip: Declutter again while you unpack.
Personal anecdote: We moved this summer, and while the house is bigger, there’s far less storage space. Between houses, we lived out of our 17-foot camper for 5 weeks and came to a new appreciation for what matters to us. As I’ve unpacked, I’ve realized I have too many books and cool trinkets and items for hobbies that are phasing out of my life.
Even if you’re not moving, you could pack up a category of items for a month or two to discover what you miss from the boxes and let go of the rest.
Hope someone finds this helpful!❤
I'm moving next year and I've done this several months ago with some items. I haven't reached for any of them yet so they will most likely be let go before the move.
Yes!
Yes, it was helpful; thank you!
When I was preparing to move overseas, rather than making a decision about each and every item based in its individual value, I set parameters around what to pack. The only items I packed were the ones that were a part of defining our family culture - board games and thriftiness, or were handmade family heirlooms - handmade quilts and pillow cases. I gathered everything that met the criteria in one room of the house for the packers to pack. I packed everything we needed to set up a basic kitchen in one checked suitcase. Everything else was donated or sold. What a weight came off my shoulder.
I've been going through my clothes AGAIN! Have 3 boxes ready to donate. Feels great!
I had so much stuff in my garage from a move 9 years ago. I had 40+ boxes & have been through at least 35. I unpacked all & have kept 1 box of stuff (but will go through again in 6 mos) but I have zero patience to try & sell anything so I have donated to charity - there were some really good items & probably worth some good money but to me I just bring to charity or I have also just put at the curb of my home for anyone to take - an d most have gone & the items that did not went again to charity. I had 2 desk & 2 coffee tables & all were taken by someone. It feels really good to clear it out & my goal it to park my vehicle this winter in the garage.
This gives new meaning to the expression, 'Move it or lose it!'
My mother just moved into a senior citizen micro-apartment. In helping her declutter, I ask “Are you going to use this item on a regular basis?” Since she can no longer bend and lift, having stackable bins filled with items stowed away in a closet is not practical anymore for her.
The dust trick is brilliant!
I had a former boss who would say everyone should move every 5 years. She said it would be a good way to keep clutter under controlled.
Just moved, and everything you're saying rings true! We akso purposefully chose a small size moving truck to both save money and force us to declutter. I'm so glad we did!
My water heater burst last month, and I had to clear out everything in my bedroom side of the house so they can remove & replace all the wood floors. This has been a blessing in disguise because it's allowed me to only bring back what I want to keep, and nothing else. Books, cd's, clothing and nicknacks have been all donated to charity. Feels so good!
Agree!! Anytime I declutter I ask myself would I keep it if I was moving … somehow it isn’t exactly as effective as actually moving, but it helps!
I started decluttering two years before I downsized. Now every piece I have in the new home is used. No excess pieces gathering dust. Minimalism in the new home is great - more time to activities I enjoy.
The timing of your video is perfect. We are retiring and selling our home. We were planning on 2024, but we decided to go for it now. We have had an intense two weeks to purge, organize clean and get it ready. I have realized over the years how little we really need and have been focused on mindful living. Asking myself why I want something, do I need it and is there something else I may have that will do the job. Life is about living, our experiences and the people and all the joy they bring. Keeping perspective about where our values are placed will surely steer us toward these intangible joys of life. Thank you for your wisdom, support and sharing your knowledge.
We're not moving but having moved 3 times in the last 10 years, I have learned to just stay open to the possibility that life could throw us an unexpected opportunity and we would need to be ready. That keeps me in declutter mode along with keeping our home fresh and updated. This year we've been painting room by room. I love a freshly painted room and the process helps me evaluate everything in the room and declutter what we no longer need.
Great tips! My hubby and I are moving and we went through each room, top to bottom, to clean and either donate, recycle or discard items we don’t need. It’s been a lot of work but we feel unburdened by having less stuff! Your tips through out the years has helped me immensely. I no longer buy stuff because I am bored!🤣
It was my last move that finally made me realize I had far more stuff than I needed. I wasn’t really downsizing, but I was moving to a house with a smaller kitchen - less storage space - so I knew I needed to be selective about what I took. I hadn’t actually intended to start my minimalism journey at this point, but it is where I ended up. Still on the journey.
Your words resonated with me in my soul: 1) Choosing to keep something means to choosing to keep carrying it. Yes! I have failed to fully understand the weight of my possessions. They are heavy in my life. 2) Wahoo to "the dust test." * Thank you so much. Those two phrases are really helpful to me.
I love tip #3 about the dust! 🤯🤦🏻♀️😂😂. I’m not moving but this is an excellent tip! Thanks!
I like what you said about dust. If I find that too much dust has accumulated on anything I evaluate if it's worth keeping because it obviously isn't getting enough use. Once when I was shopping for a coffee table I saw one that was beautiful but had many ornate cutouts and immediately thought to myself, " I'm going to have to use a pipe cleaner to keep it dust free. This is a definite no".
It’s not a move precisely but I’m in the middle of getting a painter to do the whole condo; ceilings,walls, closets, doors and trim.
Dh & I had to move most of the furniture out onto our decks or down in our storage closet to live for a week while the mostly empty space inside gets painted.
We are minimalistic thankfully but this has been another good time to handle each thing and decide if it’s worth keeping in order to put back. A lot was donated and more yet will be as we move back inside.
Perfect timing. We are moving in about 3 months and I have begun donating, selling, and giving things away. We are downsizing, and I am thrilled. As they said in Frozen, Let It Go!
I'm moving! when? I have no idea, but I'm enjoying getting rid of my stuff. Every time I want to buy something, I remember that I'm going to move and quickly put it back. 😅
Ahhh Joshua, i have dust everywhere! I'm in an apt and they are doing construction everywhere! Moving in November thank God. I've been here 7yrs so decluttered alot.
I am moving to Florida next weekend! And I have been slowly decluttering and donating for two weeks. Thank you for this video
I'm not moving any time soon, but I love the tip about if dust has collected, you should let it go.
The timing of this video couldn’t be more perfect. I’m actually in the process of decluttering for a move! So I was shocked to see the title of your video! You read my mind! 😅 I’ve moved multiple times in my life too, and it’s definitely an eye opener to see just how much we accumulate. Moving is such a great way to let go of baggage we forgot we even had!
Me too! Good luck with the move 👍😊
@@bex438 awww thank you so much! I'm going to need it! I've got so many books it's a bit overwhelming! I've been taking stacks of them out and leaving them in "little free libraries" around town! P.S. good luck with your move too!!!
Great reminder...I have started decluttering/ downsizing over past few years ( collecting stuff x 30+ yrs) with my purpose of " reduction" for a future move". Struggles for sure at times...but finally seeing "empty space" and what joy.
I can't believe this ❤ I'm moving next month and have been looking for a UA-cam video on how to get organized for a move. THANK YOU 💗 😊
Then stick around for more, this channel is great! I always learn something from Joshua. He challenges his viewers to simplify our lives by owning LESS STUFF!😊
Still decluttering and enjoying your inspirational video
We've been in the same house for over 30 years. With downsizing a probability in the next 2-3 years, this video is a good place for me to start. Got to get hubby on board LOL. As always, Joshua, your video is right to the point and very helpful. Thank you!
I moved earlier this week, and I I'm currently in temporary housing until I can get into something even short term, so most of my stuff is still packed up in boxes. I definitely decluttered as I packed - used the "is this important enough to pack up and move to a new place and have to find a home for it in the new place?", which helped a lot. I'm sharing the dust tip with my mom - my parents are trying to declutter their house, and the dust one applies to almost everything that doesn't have a real home in their house, including a lot of the clothes in their closets.
I have moved 4 times in 7 years - each time decluttering and downsizing more and more. Between donating and just putting things out at the curb it amazes me how much stuff can be accumulated over time. I actually looked forward to getting rid of the excess. I still declutter regularly.
Joshua, Great video. We had been decluttering, but an illness stopped us in our tracks for the past 10 months. We are ready to get back at it. We needed this video to inspire us. Thank you. 😊
Thanks a lot, Joshua for this video! Another important consideration is the maintenance hassle of an item.
We have already bought our retirement home which is smaller than our current home but a little bigger than we had anticipated. We love the area and the home is beautiful. As I have a health condition and suffer with anxiety I have been slowly decluttering for the past few years when I’m able. Our son just got married so eventually he and his wife will have their own place and we will move into our new home. I CANNOT take all this clutter with us. First off it won’t fit but more importantly I don’t want anything in my new home that I don’t love or doesn’t serve a purpose. Joshua your videos have been truly inspirational.❤️🙏
I just moved from a small town in Ecuador to the capital Quito, last weekend. I wish I had watched this video before moving - very useful information.
We've been following you for a while now. Always learning something new. We are still in the process of minimizing and it is hard, when we get stuck, we return to your videos and get back on track and motivated. We have read your books and everything you say about owning less and getting rid of things you don't need or use is true. We have missed very very few things we have gotten rid of and when we do miss them I really think it is more sentimentality than any kind of need. If you are thinking about going for it and finally getting rid of things and more things I encourage you to read Joshua's books and follow his you tube videos.
We are in the throes of selling and moving and I am desperately trying to declutter, this vlog could not have come at a better time. But my goodness - 24 years worth of possessions are weighing heavy. Your thoughts and perspectives are a breath of fresh air. Giving me "permission" to remove items that I no longer want for our new life but have been saving as they were gifts, or for frear that we would need them for an emergency! Now I realise that the emergency is real - it is that we are buried under an earthquake of our own possessions! Every box I donate or part with helps. Thank you so much for your channel and loving "things that matter" as my bedtime reading. Believe it or not, reading your books quotes my panic about the sheer volume of our possessions and allows me to part with things that I thought were essential but now I see are just stuff. Thank you and God bless Becker family. I really couldn't do it without you!
Thank you so much for this! I even got goosebumps when you talked about the tip of looking for dust. This mentality is great do declutter easier
First in the morning is to watch your videos every Saturday.Its a great encouragement to me .
This video came into my life at the perfect moment! I’m in the midst of packing for an international (transatlantic) move, and I’m a percussionist so I’ve got LOTS of valuable instruments that require custom-made boxes and lots of protection. No way would I have been able to do this alone and my close friends have provided valuable support because my family is in the U.S. and can’t be here to help. Thanks for the great videos!🙏🏽
My husband and I have moved 13 times in 27 years of marriage...it has definitely helped us on our journey towards minimalism.
Hanks for all your ideas.
I have been watching your videos for the last two years or so. They have been of immense help. I shifted to my new home a couple of months back. Though it is a bigger one I decided to downsize before shifting. I started systematic decluttering about 5 weeks before I let movers and packers start their work. I feel great after at least 30% less belongings in my spacious present accommodation. Cleaning has become easier with almost no surface clutter. Finding what I need is easier as every item now has a "home".
I just watched Cas from Clutterbug's video on self-sabotage during a move. This is perfect timing.
Thank you, Joshua!
I like to go back to your videos, no matter how old they are, because I still find meaning and inspiration when I need it.
Today is my planned decluttering/tidying day. I am not moving, but part of my small property was remodeled. It forced me to move stuff around, almost like when one is moving out of the house.
The remodeling gave me an opportunity to realize and reevaluate everything I own, and honestly, I don't need to in the first place. So, things will be going away today, and my life will be a bit lighter and simpler from this afternoon.
Thanks again!
The idea of moving can be a great kickstart to decluttering, even if we aren't in the process of moving currently. It's a good way to consider what we really want/need. Thanks for the video!
I always find your videos helpful!
I have been decluttering for years and reducing what I bring in for years. However, when my younger sister passed away early this morning after a long battle with cancer, it gave me a renewed resolve to keep reducing. I'm compiling things I think other family member may want but will not burden them with anything they don't.
I'm so sorry for your loss! 😥
I began my decluttering journey a year and a half ago, before my father-in-law passed away from cancer. Having a simplified home has made the journey with family, less burdensome and stressful.
I feel sorry for your loss. All the best to you 🍀
I’m moving to Germany in 10 days I have decluttered so much but still have so much more to go. My husband has a hard time letting things go.
I had to move from the house I rented a month before I was supposed to leave (long story). It was crazy. While I was decluttering so many things kept appearing. Everything takes up space!!! A friend came to the rescue, but her garage was full of my stuff. I saw the terror in her eyes. I've been working nonstop, decluttering my stuff. I have sold some, gave away a ton but there is still more. It's so hard and I'm so tired. In my next house, I will definitely have less.
We recently sold our home and downsized to a home with half the square feet. It took months of decluttering, donating furniture to the Salvation Army, and having our kids (now grown and moved out) go through their stuff or it got tossed. We have since helped two of our kids move apartments. With each move, I am reminded of the burden of our "stuff." Thanks for your content!
This came at an impeccable timing. I'm moving soon and your suggestions are so relatable as I prepare for the move. Thank you for sharing this excellent video.
I’m really enjoying your talks as I learn to get rid of all this extra stuff we have acquired. We moved to a smaller house 8 months ago. 1 bedroom is full of stuff still in boxes and the so was the garage. I started about a month ago very aggressively going to work in the garage because as a man, it’s my domain to put it order first. The extra stuff in the bedroom belongs to my wife and 3 children. I’m gently trying to encourage them to declutter what’s in there …. But I figure I need to start by showing the example first. I’ve been working at it every chance I get and I’m starting to capture a vision of what I want the garage to look like. It’s was a gloomy 2 car garage w unpainted drywall with lots of old nail and screw holes and some crappy shelves badly positioned.
So far I have taken everything out several times to work on it. I have torn out all the old unusable shelving, primed and painted the ceiling and walls and installed new lights. And install new metal suspension shelving above the garage door. And a couple more sturdy shelves high along the walls. I’m now purging the many totes and bins we have filled over the 26 years and 3 kids.
I’ve been battling 2,types of abdominal cancer, GIST (diagnosed 1 year ago)and Metastatic Appendiceal cancer and under going chemo therapy since Jan of this year. I am Active Duty military who regularly exercised and ate resonably well but I find that now, more than ever, my strength and ability to move, fix and maintain the things that need repair is often diminished and I’m learning to balance working on things and allowing my body to rest so I can beat this cancer. Your calm nature is very helpful to me! As I watch your videos I’m encouraged to go about decluttering in a reasonable and thoughtful way rather than letting myself become angry and stressed over all the stuff we have that I’m too tired to look at, purge and move or organize. Sometimes I’m successful at enjoying the process and learning to be content with the progress I make, no matter how small. Other times I’m discouraged and stressed. I have a very strong sense that tools, hiking/camping gear, guitars, firearms and other sporting equipment won’t mean anything to my wife and kids when I die. Therefore I feel a strong desire to get rid of everything unuseful to the household now so it is not a burden when we eventually move again. I don’t know how long I’ll live or whether I’ll be alive during the next move but I’m optimistic and pray God brings me through this. In the mean time, I focus on my family and trying to bring a sense of peace during this time for us all.
Thank you for your content! I’ve begun watching often my morning devotions.
We are in the midst of this right now! Thank you for the video.
Thanks for this! The tips will be helpful for my upcoming move.
Love the Dust Test!!! We've been in our current home more than 30 years now. I'm absolutely terrified of downsizing one day. I keep bringing up that we should be doing our Swedish Death Cleaning now, while we're still able to, but my wife seems less interested in getting rid of our excess than I am.
It’s not going to get easier, you’ll always wish you’d started a year ago! You can start with *your own personal stuff* right now. Over time your wife might come around too, but even if she doesn’t you’ll be better off for decluttering your own things and the stuff that no one cares about.
@@olivemaycards Great suggestion and I have started to an extent. Trouble is "stuff no one cares about" aka things that miserably fail the Dust Test, become "hers" when I want to get rid of them. I'll continue with stuff I have control over!
What a beautiful video! Thank you!
Good advice as usual. Our lease is up next year. Time to get decluttering.
You got this!
I am an example of your "worse-case scenario", right on the brink of hiring one of those hoarder fixer-uppers. When I contacted one, the gal asked that I take pictures to send to her. I was so shocked and depressed to see the 'whole picture', that I froze up. Understand that I am a novice collector from the early 1980's. I still have a dress I wore as a flower girl in my cousin's wedding in 1961. Yeah, really. Now, I am in my last home, and am caretaker for my non-ambulatory hubby and 10 (yes) cats we took in that were either feral or from a shelter. So forget about the 'dust factor'; we're covered with cat fur and dander. Lost cause there. But I will listen to as many videos I can to glean ideas and get encouragement. I've already burned out one vacuum cleaner, chocking out the 2nd and have a 3rd on standby. Wish me luck!
Yes moving put me right in front of all our belongings, we had to tackle closets and a basement full of things, seasonal & the “just in case we need later” and sentimental and photos. Still downsizing post move as it takes/took much longer time than expected to go through stuff after 36 years of raising our family in our house. Grateful to have been forced to downsize rather than leave for others to do.
We moved 6 times the first 10 years of our marriage. We have lived in our current home for 13 years now, and I find myself wishing we were moving so I could REALLY declutter the way I want to. I have done well in the house, but not in the garage or shed. I think I need to try The Minimalist's packing party out there. 😂
Thank you for this very timely advice.
I needed to see this today, my house is on the market but I'm struggling with the idea of moving due to the memories and stuff in this house! Thanks for the tips on making that an easier release!
Great tips.
I think about the people in Hawaii right now who have lost everything in those wold fires.
Our very good friends moved continent's 11 months ago, they packed up some of their belongings and had them shipped to their new home. It still has not arrived 😱😱😱😱😱😱. They have bought the bare minimum to be able live, they miss a few things, but also admitted that they no longer remember everything they packed, we really don't need as much as we think we do in order to survive and thrive. My father in law has just sold his house and moved. He had been in this home for just under 50 years. It has taken him over a year to get rid of all of the junk in it. When I say junk I am being honest, he is the type of person that keeps old mugs that the handle has broken off to some day glue it together, text books from 40 years ago that are completely outdated now, and a huge vinyl collection but no record player 🙄. My parents are on a similar path 🤦 they have zero intention of downsizing or letting go of all of the useless old junk that just sits under a thick layer of dust in the garage. I sincerely hope that i do not burden my child or my husband with a ton of my possessions, so I do a regular purge of things that no longer suit my life or needs.
I am moving this week. This was great. I’ve been reading your book, The Minimalist Home, to help me keep your tips in the back of my mind while I pack. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Perfect timing as I am mining this weekend. Thank you!
Thank you for the much needed advice. Going to start looking at things that don't need to go with us in the next move.
Excellent info!
My biggest problem is saving paper items..letters. cards, articles, notebooks records of almost everything. Literally piles beyond piles, files and boxes. Reading Tame the Paper Tiger. Your input.
Great video. Moving 'eventually' ... that 'start early' is now my mantra.
Great advice. God bless
This video comes at great timing! I am about to move, maybe in about 6 months. This will be the first time with my family and also the first time for my son.
I adopted minimalism 3-4 years ago. Unfortunately I had a relapse these two years. I bought things (with intention though) and declutter less.
Deep down in my heart, I know we need to declutter once or twice before we move. I just don’t have the motivation to start early.
It’s time for me to kick start.
I wish you all the best in the process.
Greetings from Camilla in Denmark ☀️
What a timing .moving out of country in two months.❤❤
We’re in the middle of a radical transition: moving from one continent to another after retirement. In 2 days time, the shipping company will be collecting our stuff from this house we’ve lived in for the past 25 years (in Asia) to our new home in Ontario. We started decluttering early but not enough… You bet we evaluated everything: is it worth shipping or should we discard? Donating to recycling and selectively to friends has helped, but the hardest was to agree on our approach to moving. Hubby is a maximalist (let’s take everything along that can be useful in future, including all his DIY tools) whereas I wanted to go light and start from scratch… we had to reconcile our diametrically opposed approach daily… It was exhausting and fraught with angst. What with cataloging the content of boxes… I’m so glad we’re reaching the shipping point, the point where we get the place to a state of minimal furnishing for giving it a fresh coat of paint. Ahem, we’re not selling but renting the apt out. I intend to ENJOY moving in at the other end!
Incredibly useful tips Joshua :) I'll definitely be sending this video my mums way who is just about to move :)
My family is preparing to move and we are so excited for the opportunity to pare down. Your videos are totally inspiring!
I moved 5 times in 3 years, and it's amazing how much of the stuff I 'had' to keep for the first move had been thrown out by the 5th one!!! Since then, I've made a practice of going through all my belongings systematically once a year so they don't build up too much - I just do a drawer or a shelf or a box at a time, so it isn't overwhelming, but it does help keep things thinned down. And I have a permanent 'donate' container for anything I find between decluttering sessions. I also keep a donate box to hand when I'm unpacking in my new home, to catch anything that missed the pre-move cull! It's so much easier to get rid of things if they have never been given a place to live in the new home.
Thanks you advice
So grateful to have your videos !!!!❤😊👌🏼✅
Great video, Joshua. Thanks again! While I am not planning on moving I played the scenario in my head and found 3 books that can go soon (from my very minimalist home::))
I wish I touch each item 4 times during a move. We have stuff in boxes from our move into our current home - 9 years ago! Yes, more decluttering this weekend.
Such an encouraging video Joshua. I'm moving soon and needed extra impetus to keep going getting rid of stuff. So much has gone, more needs to go🏡. I so want my new home to feel light. Thanks for your message today ☺️
Thank you Joshua, your videos are just so spot-on. Rich with valuablepertinent information, motivation, and so practical. They are the perfect length to listen to and then put them into action. Much appreciation ❤
Lots of good points here
always lovely to hear from you. hopefully i'll be able to really take your advice to heart one of these days.
After my mum passed away, dad agreed to move closer to us. I’m doing this we had to pack up the house. I discovered my mum was a secret hoarder. We cleared every cupboard out and tried to declutter before the move with the immediate items. A year on and we are still going through boxes but it is an emotional thing to do. Exhausting too. Your videos acknowledge this and I know we will get there eventually.
Hey Neighbor!
Great episode!..just moved 10 minutes away from Fletcher Heights to Ventana Lakes to DOWNSIZE! your clips are always SO APPERECIATED! Phil. 1:3
as always, this video is arriving right on time, thank you JB