Of course stuffed animals have feelings!! Also, thank you so much for making a declutter video that is sympathetic and doesn't bash people for having clutter! So many books I read and talk shows and opinions in general demonize people with clutter and say, in so many words, "You don't need any of that crap! Get rid of it all!" But that only makes me angry, afraid, and ashamed.
You're so welcome. :] And I agree: IMHO, making someone feel ashamed is not only mean, it is also (in the long run) not an especially effective motivational strategy. Thanks for the comment! - Mike
Yes! And I DO need that ... precious thing to me. Once I saw a show where the forced a man to throw away all the books he had read, no more books in his house! O_O The sacrilege! I love my books, and I could never throw them out! I practically hissed at the TV. No more books in the house? What kind of a house is that, I ask you!? :)
Re Stuffed animals with feelings: I work in a big retail store and I always say "I'm so sorry!" as I put stuffed animals into the bags. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Couldn't agree more about the stuffed animals. ^^ I think it's also important to keep the decluttered state. Once it's all been sorted one might start slacking again and before you know it's back to how it was. Inventory lists help keeping it sorted, or at least that's what works for me. It has always been "now where did I put the other items of that sort?" which resulted in "I'll put these away later on"... So at one point I simply took the time to make a file featuring cabinets, shelves down to the smaller boxes within them and listed what's inside (or at least which type of item) so if new stuff comes around or I need something specific within a few minutes I'll just go "ctrl + F" instead of turning the entire place upside down.
This is literally the most helpful channel on UA-cam. I go to college next year and I will technically be an adult in 10 days I would be lost without the channel.
I'm sure many people know the hanger trick for clothes. Hang all of your clothes backwards, when you wear an item turn the hanger back to the front. After 6 months, get rid of anything that is still hanging backwards. This of course doesn't include special occasion clothes like suits n ball gowns. This could work for t shirts as well. Put them all in one drawer with another drawer left empty. When you wear a shirt, put it in the empty drawer. After 6 months, get rid of any t shirts left in the original drawer.
when going through boxes make sure to mark on the top or side (masking tape and a sharpie work good for this) that you've gone through this box, the date and what kinds of things are inside. that way you don't end up going through the box again during this cleaning session. i did this when i moved and it saved me some time. also if you are like me and decide to start organizing or rearranging a bedroom make sure you either leave your bed open so you can sleep if you don't finish in time or do just a little at a time. i've rearranged my room in the past and gotten about halfway through and needed to sleep but couldn't because my bed was leaning against a wall. and of course stuffed animals have feelings! anyone who's ever read the velveteen rabbit or winnie the pooh could tell you that!
What worked for me: getting my partner to do it for me, so that all I have to do is categorize stuff presented one at a time and occasionally decide whether something can be tossed or not. My partner doesn't have the anxiety I do for dealing with my clutter, so it goes a lot easier for them. In return, I do stuff for them which is not as much of a pain for me as it is for them. Mutual win.
I feel as though another important lesson is knowing when to not go overboard with throwing things out. I find myself buying the same things over and over again and yet my parents and grandparents seem to have spare everythings.
Awesome video guys! I have also been cleaning up my clutter and I'm almost done! and I totally feel the same way Em! Toy Story has made it so difficult! I wish I had a nieghbor like Bonnie to give them to, so that I know they would all move on to an awesome new home!
If you're going to look into a storage unit or space off site, make sure you have a plan for that stuff for the future. For example, you're moving, someone is moving out, you'll be getting more space or less clutter soon ect. Storage units are meant to be temporary, not a new permanent money sink. On top of that, if you're thinking of putting it in storage, especially if it's indefinite, do you really need it anyway?
I find it can be helpful to find someone specific who would like the thing you're struggling to get rid of because of sentimental attachment. So toys etc. go to younger cousins, or my mum who then gives them as presents to family friends. Books go to friends, or more specifically one friend who works as a librarian at a school which desperately needs new books. I don't know if it's just me, but I find it much easier to give toys and books away to specific people than to just give them to a charity shop (I don't have this problem with clothes!). It feels more personal, so it's less like you're throwing them out and more like you're re-homing them, and you feel more certain that they're going to somebody who really wants them and will look after them. Try to feel happy about the new lease of life they'll get.
Agreed. I had a lot of clothes that I didn't want to give away, but found it much easier to give them to my step-sister as hand-me-downs. Same thing with stuffed-animals and one of my cousin's kids. It really does make it feel less like you're just completely getting rid of things.
I've done this with costume items and other objects of my sister's that I grew attached to and then eventual obtained possession of. Due to space issues, I eventually had to get rid of them, but giving them away to random strangers felt wrong. As a result, I found a few friends who needed/would use them and take good care of them.
I get attatched to stuff easily, so if I don't need something anymore but I want to keep it, I give it to someone who will provide my beloved item with a great new home. :) Feels more like adopting instead of abandonment. :P
Yup this is what I've done to my old Keyboard which is sentimental to me since it's the keyboard where I started learning real pieces. I sold it to a friend (who desperately needed a keyboard) and a year later, He told me that his little brother broke one of the keys :( I died a bit in the inside :(
I love how "just keep swimming" has become a saying ;). It also helped me to have a purging destination spot that was separate from my apartment, but still in my way. My hallway is separate from my apartment (just one room across the hall that only is being used during the day) and there is a little storage space there too. Everything I put in that hall or in the storage space, I thought of it as already gone, like the hallway was the outside garbage bin and just waiting for the trip on the car to donation. So I could feel the relief and have it separate, but still be kind of bothered by it when I walk in and out of the house so I felt more eager to clear it out.
Tip: as you go along, make some kind of inventory/list of where you've moved everything to, so you don't have to create a giant mess again when you can't remember where you put something :)
DAYUM these are good! I will definitely use your tips, thank you! And I love the way you present them, the exact amount of info and illustration for every tip. Brilliant.
hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to uncover declutter home try Skyarza Declutter Expert Star (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.
A friend of mine had a thing about teddy bears that had been thrown out, she felt they were sad and had to rescue them, I thought there were other reasons behind it, she was an accountant and is really a very cool lady, I never said anything about the teddy thing. I like stuffed animals too, and they are very important in our lives.
One tip I used when trying to clear out my closet and get rid of clothes is after I wear an item I will turn the hanger the opposite direction of the others. Then after a predetermined amount of time whatever wasn't turned around I would get rid of. Hope this helps my fellow clothes hoarders.
+Radish Raccoon I find it helpful to keep a few key items that can be worn for various occasions. For instance, a dress that's nice enough for a formal setting, but casual enough for a friend's party. A blouse that's casual enough to wear on a normal day, but professional enough for a job interview. If it can be used in multiple situations, keep it. If it's something really over-the top that you had to get as part of a wedding party or something, chances are you're not going to use it enough for it to be worth keeping around.
Ha, thanks for the comments :) I guess maybe a combination of the two is a good way to go; only keep it if looks awesome, or you can't afford to get rid of it (because you only have the one or whatever). Re the tagging- yeah it sometimes doesn't let me tag people either, so I'm not sure it's a phone thing. Weird.
I needed this video so much today - i've just come home from travelling (well house-sitting, it feels like travelling) and I managed to live for a couple of weeks out of a suitcase so I don't need all the stuff that is cluttering up my house. My plan is to spend 10 minutes a day when I get home from work tidying and sorting before I sit down and watch tv or read. As you say Emma, a little time should add up to some good results.
You're so not alone on the stuffed animals thing. I know they don't REALY have feelings, but I feel like they do! Toy Story made this even harder for me.
Stuffed animals do have feelings! In fact I'm pretty sure I hear Peanut the Elephant silenty crying and whispering my name from under the bed sometimes. This was really helpful! I'm moving next week and I'm currently going through boxes and my closet to get rid of things.
In order to make sure things don't get cluttered too quickly, I'd also recommend asking "why" whenever you consider buying something new. "1 in, 1 out" is good sometimes, but if you are prone to buying random unnecessary objects, before you make a purchase, make a rough list of what it will be used for, when you're going to use it, if you already have something equivalent at home, etc. Not only will this keep your house clutter-free for longer, but you'll also save some money.
Right now my parent's dining room is stacked 6 ft high with boxes. I reorganized them while my parents were on vacation so that they were sorted by category, fingers crossed it helps! I want them to be able to have Thanksgiving in their dining room instead of on collapsible tables like last year!
It helps me to get my momentum going by having a "keep," "definitely get rid of/donate/throw out," and a "maybe" pile. Then, you can sustain your momentum and not get caught up on a decision about one object. Just keep going and then go back to the "maybe" pile on another go-around.
If you do turn to ebay, garage sales, or similar as part of decluttering, remember your goal. Your goal is not to turn a profit, it is to get rid of said items (and hopefully "minimize loss"). No one cares if that is a perfectly good coffee mug for which you would pay $3, take the 25 cents and let it go.
You're not alone with the stuffed animals thing, I am the same exact way! Always have, possibly always will. It just shows how much you care about things outside of your personal world, so don't see it as a bad thing.
i try to imagine that i'm going on the run, and anything that i don't think about immediately at this thought, well, i have to say bye to it basically, in one way or another. i do have a weakness though, and that weakness is _books_. i'm not letting those go. and instead of buying souvenirs when i go somewhere, i just use the money to see an exhibition or something, create memories. i think someone i know called it _memory invest_, that's pretty much what it is. _who even needs fancy decorative stuff that's only bound to gather dust..._ is what i tell myself when i spot something pleasing to the eye but ultimately useless.
I am the same way with my stuffed animals! I have something of a collection and believe it or not it's only like a 1/4 of what I originally had as a kid but still a large sum. I keep thinking I should donate some... Christmas is coming up, after all. Also, my tip: lists, lists, lists! It's rewarding to cross off items as you go. Even things as simple as "eat lunch" among all the "clean out containers in closet" and "organize junk drawer." Helps keep you motivated.
This is so helpful, you are awesome and I'm a new subscriber! I feel the same way about stuffed animals girl, I feel you. Love the numbers games....for some reason quantifying the mess makes it easier to deal with
It's okay Emma, my stuffed animals have feelings too. But did you read my mind? Today my family and I are using the day off to clean! I like how this video gives you a way to attack clutter with out going crazy *cough* little brother's room *cough*.
I love these tips! I'm a bit of a pack-rat, but I hate being one! These are good tips to make a semi-daunting task seem easier. Also, I totally agree that stuffed animals have feelings!
Super awesome video! Great tips. But something I don't often see dealt with is how to de-clutter your space when your space is way too small (a studio apartment or tiny dorm room, for instance).
As someone living in a tiny dorm room, these are a couple of things that helped me. 1. This my second year living in a dorm, so I had a much better idea of what I did and didn't need and would and wouldn't use. Mere experience helped me cut down on two huge boxes worth of stuff. Generally speaking, if you're not using it at least once every couple weeks, you don't need it. (There are some exceptions of course, but this is a good starting point.) 2. Since I am at college and living at my mom's house during the summer, and they have space, I did leave quite a few boxes there with various things. For instance, I have some clothes there so I don't need to bring any when I visit, and I don't have as many here to find space for. Idk if you have any place like that to keep your extra stuff, but it really helped me personally, and is worth looking into. Best of luck. DFTBA. :)
I had a small room when I was a student (which is fairly recently, and it feels super weird to talk about not being a student anymore) and my solution, one huge closetwall. I put one big closet on one wall, and kept all the others empty, that helps a lot with the clutter-y feel of a room. All my stuff went into boxes, that went into the closet. One (okay more than one) shelf was books (for fun in the back, for studying in front), another was food/cooking stuff, another clothes (who am I kidding, two, three other shelves), etc. That way all your stuff is concentrated in one place, and that makes the rest of the space feel emptier.
I have a small box for my miniscule things like micro-SDs, guitar picks etc. so I don't have to go through all my stuff everytime to find them. Also makes it easier to carry them around.
Tip 4 made me think of one of my favorite quotes: "The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks and then starting on the first one." -Mark Twain
You're not the only one:) when I was a kid I use to play to give all my toys some play time because I thought it would hurt their feelings if they didn't get played with.
When i decluttered my room during my room makeover, I took all the stuff i had on my furniture's and surfaces and gathered them into the center of my room. It helped me see the things that where REAL clutter and the things that where to keep. I think it's a great idea if you have troubles seeing which things that should go, because if you for exempel want to match stuff in different colors then it will be very hard to see which colors you can go for when so many are junked up together. I for ex. had a tissue box holding two small things that took half of the space on my desk = ridiculous! :)
I do that too :) unfortunately I tend to get distracted and then realise at bedtime I can't get to my bed because the floor is covered in piles of clutter
On January 1st I turn all my clothes hangers the same way round. As I wear an item of clothing when I put it back the hanger goes the other way round. At the end of the year get rid of all clothes with hangers the same way round as the start of the year.
I have always felt that stuffed animals have feelings! I have too many, but I break down when I try to get rid of them. I have managed to slowly donate a few at a time, which is definitely making a difference, no matter how small it may seem.
YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE! I have so many stuffed animals from my childhood and I have such problems with getting rid of them. It's getting to be a problem.
My stuffed animals have feeling too! haha! So the last time I donated some when I ended up with way too many, I found it really hard and so I told myself that someone else is gonna love these even more than me and that helped me part with some. And the ones I've kept are all my very favs and it's like they are even more special :)
Don't throw out photos! In fact, you should be getting your fave digital photos printed- eventually file formats will evolve, and in 50 years no computer (if we are still using them) will be able to read your files. Keep your photos printed!! Source: I work with digital research archvists testing the longevity of different digital media like photo files, mem sticks, and cds (cd's encoding fades over 10-15 years, use mem sticks).
Super awesome vid! I have to commend the tip about avoiding the container store; a lot of my clutter is all these cute boxes that I have nothing to put in! Though as for clothes, I'd love to donate them to the needy but I have no idea where I should go to donate them. Any suggestions?
I would be so thankful if you could do an episode on what kinds of jobs you can apply for with a Bachelors degree that aren't necessarily in your field of study but are preferable to, say, stocking shelves at Target at 4am.
Great video! Pixar's Up really made an impact on my mindset regarding this topic. It reminded me that holding on to stuff, even sentimentally valuable stuff, shouldn't be my top priority.
I feel super adult now, as I have a complete real grown up house to look after now. XD Anyway, when decluttering, also reorganize inside pantries, cupboards, closets etc. That way you free up space for loitering items without homes. It also makes you feel accomplished when you're done. I found great storage tips on pinterest, like a cereal box (spruced up a bit with wrapping paper) on it's side for plastic lids for example. No more lids all over the shelves, falling off of stacks all the freaking time. :P
I TOTALLY get the feeling like stuffed animals have feelings. I have at least 10 with me at college and another 20-30 in a bin at my parents' house that I just can't throw away. Every time I try to empty the bin I get all nostalgic and end up keeping them all.
All my hanging button up shirts I keep buttoned all the way up. When I use them, I don't button them up. At the end of a while I donate what I don't wear. Also I love the idea of if I haven't used this in the past season, do I even need it. I hate ...things... and I'm always willing to declutter.
Stuffed animals, music boxes, other random items...I literally made everything into 'toys' for me to play with as a child and I gave everything feelings.
I totally feel you on the stuffed animals, I still have a number from my childhood because they're a "family" and I feel horrible making them part ways with each other. Plus I didn't really play with anyone outside of school so they were sort of my friends growing up. I still apologize to them when they fall on the floor, even though I know they're not "real"....
I have quite the collection of t-shirts. I plan on making a t-shirt quilt with all of them because of the things they remind me of. Also if you ever forget you own something, such as a pair of shoes or miscellaneous items then it is time to say good bye to them. Whenever I'm decluttering, I ask myself "Did I forget I owned this? Does it still have a purpose?"
I started declutterring my room a couple of years ago. My first step (eventhough it's not recommended by you guys) was to buy a bookshelf. Everywhere in my room I had books, on the floor, on my desk, on my bed, on my nightstand, on my closet. So, I thought I HAD TO BUY ONE. Now it's part of the clutter because I started crocheting. Now I have to buy a box to put all the yarn I have, considering that the bin I bought is not big enough for it. I also need to get rid of some shoes and all, but I never know if they are in good conditions to be donated or thrown away, so that's painful. Every week after New Year's though, I do go through my clothes, making it easier for me to see what I wear and don't wear. But my number one problem are books and yarn. HOW CAN I GET RID OF BOOKS?! I mean, I used to go to book stores and buy books all the time, now I limit myself to "Until I finish reading the 30+ books I bought a couple of years ago that I can't read because of university." Ugh.
I suggest holding on to your out box for a little while, so you don't run into an "I really shouldn't have thrown that out" moment and have to spend money on a new one. I generally put clothes I don't think I need anymore into a box/bag and leave them in a closet for a couple weeks before donating them. It lets me unclutter space and makes sure I don't accidentally get rid of a shirt that I'll need and then have to go spend cash on a replacement.
You're not the only one who thinks stuffed animals have feelings! My mom won a giant giraffe years ago at a carnival and had to throw it away because it got ratty. The garbage men tied it to the top of their truck and sometimes you can still see it riding around town.
It's always hard for me to get rid of stuffed animals too! I need to buy some shelves for them- I have no shelves in my room, which I need to get. If you're going to buy storage solutions after decluttering some, GO TO THE DOLLAR STORE or the dollar spot at Target! I just got so many cute containers and jars to decorate and put my crafting items in for sooo cheap! My room is coming along...slowly but surely. Thanks for the video guys. :)
be careful about digitizing your photos. Data degradation could mean that in 10-40 years when you want to look at your wedding photos they are blurry, glitched, or unreadable. Physical photos degrade as well but in different ways. If you really care about the photo I suggest keeping physical and digital copys.
I started to organize my apt last yearm eith my bed room being first. having a child under one made it difficult, having a child under one who can walk made it almost impossible but I did it. I got rid of things i never use. This year I got rid of things in my storage closet. I also got rid of Facebook for the time being. Fivr days incounting no posting no commenting no liking and no sharing. I've never felt better. now this account is linked with one of my Facebook but my friends knows this if they pays attention.
Here's one for people who buy too many clothes: when considering buying an item always think about how it will fit in with the stuff you already wear most of the time. If you can see heaps of outfits really clearly, that's a good sign! But if you have something similar already, or you can't think of anything it would go with... PUT IT BACK ON THE RACK AND RUN.
Don't worry, I also feel like my stuffed animals have feelings. It's been a real struggle with moving, so I started taking pictures of them and making a scrapbook to keep all those feelings in a book instead.
My stuffed animals have feelings....and all of my childhood ones were lost when my basement was flooded rip :( currently I have one thin mints build a bear, one Marie cat from the Aristocats, and on elephant from rainforest cafe in disney....I try and use them all but I sleep with the bear mostly 😁 haha lol
I graduated from university this summer; a week later I decided it was time to de-clutter my room - I got rid of 8 large garbage bags full of just... RUBBISH... and have a long list of things to donate when the next jumble sale comes around :)
Already sent this to my wife and mother-in-law. Holidays are coming, and this is a big deal. Also, I can't tell if it is a matter of lighting or background or anything specific, but the color of Emma's teeth weren't as yellow as some previous videos. Bonus points for the vocal fry effect at the end. Almost triggered my ASMR.
Glad it's helpful! :D (BTW, I feel the need to say that Emma's teeth are not at all yellow in real-life. The apparent yellowness is my fault, I must confess -- technical difficulties and a bit of colorblindness. But I'm aware of it and am working to improve. :] ) Thanks so much for the comment! - Mike
How to Adult I have seen improvement, and thank you kindly for your feedback. You all continue to make extraordinary content, and I fail with every episode to think of any way to improve it. You clearly put a great deal of effort into it, and I hope you see my suggestion as little more than nitpicking. :)
My office is really messy; but I find everything I need easily and quickly since none of it is in storage. How do I make things not LOOK so disordered but keep them easy to access?
Shelves maybe? I have a desk with shelves above it now and I personally think things grouped together on shelves doesn't look as bad. Plus pens and pencils can go in the drawer so they're always right in front of me but not in the way
Consignment stores are still a thing too! It doesn't all have to be online! And you should always evaluate things for recycling vs just tossing. I know it's semantics but some people don't think about that. And random tip #3 is that giving everything a use is a good thing (Or at least for me). For example, when I was finished school, I had a large number of backpacks because I love backpacks. I made one a gym bag, one a swim bag, one a "random bag to take on trips" and my big hiking backpack. It hen got rid of the other 3 I had kicking around by filling them with school supplies (most of them leftover, I seriously had a problem) and donating it to a program in my City. That way I have bags dedicated to activities (IE I need my gym and swim bags separate or I forget stuff) instead of having all these bags to choose from. It made me think of it more clearly than "oh I only need x number of backpacks" because if I didn't have a use associated with them then I would have tried to justify all of them.
I feel the same way about stuffed animals! I even sometimes feel bad for my cat's mouse toys when I throw them for her to chase. Once or twice I've caught myself apologizing to them.
I had what I thought was a really awesome idea for an episode but ahhhh I forgot it! I'm sure I'll remember at the most random time ever later today, though.
I totally feel like stuffed animals have feelings. They're the hardest things for me to get rid of. I don't ever use them and have no place to put them but I had such real times with my stuffed animals as a kid. It doesn't feel right to just throw away something that helped you battle your brothers during a pillow war or listened so patiently as you cried into their fur. But keeping them stuffed in a box under my bed probably isn't doing them justice either...
The question I ask myself when purging is, "In 5 years, will I wish I'd have kept this?". More often than you'd think, the answer is no. You'd be surprised by the amount of things you keep just by lack of thought about why you keep them.
The biggest de-cluttering thing for me was switching from physical books to e-books. I kept only the sentimental important physical ones (Harry Potter!) and downloaded everything else into my nook.
My rule on decluttering closet space is that I have to clean out my closet at least once a year. If an outfit hasn't been worn in that past year, chances are I won't be wearing it anytime soon and it goes. That way, I keep a fairly small closet and it's all stuff I wear. The only exception is nice or special outfits for things like interviews or international festivals. They don't get worn often but if I get rid of them, I would have to buy a different outfit when the time comes and that's just ridiculous.
There are a few factors in how to de clutter easily . One place I found that succeeds in merging these is the Nilah declutter tips (google it if you're interested) definately the no.1 resource that I have ever seen.look at the awesome info .
I think many of us could benefit from a "How to Grocery Shop" video. Just throwing that out there... Honestly i just need help picking watermelons
Of course stuffed animals have feelings!!
Also, thank you so much for making a declutter video that is sympathetic and doesn't bash people for having clutter!
So many books I read and talk shows and opinions in general demonize people with clutter and say, in so many words, "You don't need any of that crap! Get rid of it all!" But that only makes me angry, afraid, and ashamed.
You're so welcome. :]
And I agree: IMHO, making someone feel ashamed is not only mean, it is also (in the long run) not an especially effective motivational strategy.
Thanks for the comment!
- Mike
Yes! And I DO need that ... precious thing to me. Once I saw a show where the forced a man to throw away all the books he had read, no more books in his house! O_O The sacrilege! I love my books, and I could never throw them out! I practically hissed at the TV. No more books in the house? What kind of a house is that, I ask you!? :)
Re Stuffed animals with feelings: I work in a big retail store and I always say "I'm so sorry!" as I put stuffed animals into the bags. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Couldn't agree more about the stuffed animals. ^^
I think it's also important to keep the decluttered state. Once it's all been sorted one might start slacking again and before you know it's back to how it was.
Inventory lists help keeping it sorted, or at least that's what works for me. It has always been "now where did I put the other items of that sort?" which resulted in "I'll put these away later on"...
So at one point I simply took the time to make a file featuring cabinets, shelves down to the smaller boxes within them and listed what's inside (or at least which type of item) so if new stuff comes around or I need something specific within a few minutes I'll just go "ctrl + F" instead of turning the entire place upside down.
This is literally the most helpful channel on UA-cam. I go to college next year and I will technically be an adult in 10 days I would be lost without the channel.
YAY, thank you, Desiraye Williams! That means a lot to us. Happy early birthday!
- Mike
I'm sure many people know the hanger trick for clothes.
Hang all of your clothes backwards, when you wear an item turn the hanger back to the front.
After 6 months, get rid of anything that is still hanging backwards.
This of course doesn't include special occasion clothes like suits n ball gowns.
This could work for t shirts as well. Put them all in one drawer with another drawer left empty. When you wear a shirt, put it in the empty drawer. After 6 months, get rid of any t shirts left in the original drawer.
I'm not sure if 6 months is the best timescale, if I started now I would end up throwing away all of my shorts.
Yeah seasonally would be a really good way to do it
No a lot of people don't know the hanger trick 4 clothes and I'm 1 of them HA HA so thanks 4 sharing. Great tip.
when going through boxes make sure to mark on the top or side (masking tape and a sharpie work good for this) that you've gone through this box, the date and what kinds of things are inside. that way you don't end up going through the box again during this cleaning session. i did this when i moved and it saved me some time. also if you are like me and decide to start organizing or rearranging a bedroom make sure you either leave your bed open so you can sleep if you don't finish in time or do just a little at a time. i've rearranged my room in the past and gotten about halfway through and needed to sleep but couldn't because my bed was leaning against a wall. and of course stuffed animals have feelings! anyone who's ever read the velveteen rabbit or winnie the pooh could tell you that!
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
- Mike
+MsAzy123 You must be my twin, its the only way to go.
What worked for me: getting my partner to do it for me, so that all I have to do is categorize stuff presented one at a time and occasionally decide whether something can be tossed or not. My partner doesn't have the anxiety I do for dealing with my clutter, so it goes a lot easier for them. In return, I do stuff for them which is not as much of a pain for me as it is for them. Mutual win.
I feel as though another important lesson is knowing when to not go overboard with throwing things out. I find myself buying the same things over and over again and yet my parents and grandparents seem to have spare everythings.
Very true. As we often say on the channel, moderation in all things. :]
- mike
Awesome video guys! I have also been cleaning up my clutter and I'm almost done! and I totally feel the same way Em! Toy Story has made it so difficult! I wish I had a nieghbor like Bonnie to give them to, so that I know they would all move on to an awesome new home!
Yeaaahhh, I'm not saying I cried during that scene...
...But I am also not saying I *didn't* cry during that scene.
- Mike
If you're going to look into a storage unit or space off site, make sure you have a plan for that stuff for the future. For example, you're moving, someone is moving out, you'll be getting more space or less clutter soon ect. Storage units are meant to be temporary, not a new permanent money sink. On top of that, if you're thinking of putting it in storage, especially if it's indefinite, do you really need it anyway?
I find it can be helpful to find someone specific who would like the thing you're struggling to get rid of because of sentimental attachment. So toys etc. go to younger cousins, or my mum who then gives them as presents to family friends. Books go to friends, or more specifically one friend who works as a librarian at a school which desperately needs new books.
I don't know if it's just me, but I find it much easier to give toys and books away to specific people than to just give them to a charity shop (I don't have this problem with clothes!). It feels more personal, so it's less like you're throwing them out and more like you're re-homing them, and you feel more certain that they're going to somebody who really wants them and will look after them. Try to feel happy about the new lease of life they'll get.
Agreed. I had a lot of clothes that I didn't want to give away, but found it much easier to give them to my step-sister as hand-me-downs. Same thing with stuffed-animals and one of my cousin's kids. It really does make it feel less like you're just completely getting rid of things.
I've done this with costume items and other objects of my sister's that I grew attached to and then eventual obtained possession of. Due to space issues, I eventually had to get rid of them, but giving them away to random strangers felt wrong. As a result, I found a few friends who needed/would use them and take good care of them.
I get attatched to stuff easily, so if I don't need something anymore but I want to keep it, I give it to someone who will provide my beloved item with a great new home. :) Feels more like adopting instead of abandonment. :P
Yup this is what I've done to my old Keyboard which is sentimental to me since it's the keyboard where I started learning real pieces.
I sold it to a friend (who desperately needed a keyboard) and a year later, He told me that his little brother broke one of the keys :(
I died a bit in the inside :(
thank you for doin this ... 4 and 5 is something I need to work on
I love how "just keep swimming" has become a saying ;). It also helped me to have a purging destination spot that was separate from my apartment, but still in my way. My hallway is separate from my apartment (just one room across the hall that only is being used during the day) and there is a little storage space there too. Everything I put in that hall or in the storage space, I thought of it as already gone, like the hallway was the outside garbage bin and just waiting for the trip on the car to donation. So I could feel the relief and have it separate, but still be kind of bothered by it when I walk in and out of the house so I felt more eager to clear it out.
Tip: as you go along, make some kind of inventory/list of where you've moved everything to, so you don't have to create a giant mess again when you can't remember where you put something :)
You packed a lot of GREAT tips on one video! love it
DAYUM these are good! I will definitely use your tips, thank you! And I love the way you present them, the exact amount of info and illustration for every tip. Brilliant.
Yay, thank you so much for the kind words! So glad you like the video!
- Mike
hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to uncover declutter home try Skyarza Declutter Expert Star (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.
A friend of mine had a thing about teddy bears that had been thrown out, she felt they were sad and had to rescue them, I thought there were other reasons behind it, she was an accountant and is really a very cool lady, I never said anything about the teddy thing. I like stuffed animals too, and they are very important in our lives.
One tip I used when trying to clear out my closet and get rid of clothes is after I wear an item I will turn the hanger the opposite direction of the others. Then after a predetermined amount of time whatever wasn't turned around I would get rid of. Hope this helps my fellow clothes hoarders.
That's a really great idea! I find it difficult to know which fancy clothes to get rid of though, because they inherently don't get worn very often.
+Radish Raccoon I find it helpful to keep a few key items that can be worn for various occasions. For instance, a dress that's nice enough for a formal setting, but casual enough for a friend's party. A blouse that's casual enough to wear on a normal day, but professional enough for a job interview. If it can be used in multiple situations, keep it. If it's something really over-the top that you had to get as part of a wedding party or something, chances are you're not going to use it enough for it to be worth keeping around.
And that's really weird that it didn't let me tag you. Maybe it 's because I'm on my iPod... :P
Ha, thanks for the comments :) I guess maybe a combination of the two is a good way to go; only keep it if looks awesome, or you can't afford to get rid of it (because you only have the one or whatever).
Re the tagging- yeah it sometimes doesn't let me tag people either, so I'm not sure it's a phone thing. Weird.
Thanks! That was awesome! I've been decluttering by digitizing and eBaying, and I needed some motivation to keep at it!
HUZZAH! Keep going -- it's soooo worth the time and effort!
- Mike
I needed this video so much today - i've just come home from travelling (well house-sitting, it feels like travelling) and I managed to live for a couple of weeks out of a suitcase so I don't need all the stuff that is cluttering up my house. My plan is to spend 10 minutes a day when I get home from work tidying and sorting before I sit down and watch tv or read. As you say Emma, a little time should add up to some good results.
YES ON THE STUFFED ANIMALS. I STILL HUG THEM WITH THEIR FACES FACING OUTWARD AND NOT TOWARDS ME BECAUSE I THINK I'D SUFFOCATE THEM.
-WEIRD-
I can't like comments on my phone so I'm just replying to tell you you're awesome :)
I've been slowly decluttering and my biggest trick: put on music that makes you enjoy the work. I personally use Queen.
You're so not alone on the stuffed animals thing. I know they don't REALY have feelings, but I feel like they do! Toy Story made this even harder for me.
Stuffed animals do have feelings! In fact I'm pretty sure I hear Peanut the Elephant silenty crying and whispering my name from under the bed sometimes.
This was really helpful! I'm moving next week and I'm currently going through boxes and my closet to get rid of things.
In order to make sure things don't get cluttered too quickly, I'd also recommend asking "why" whenever you consider buying something new. "1 in, 1 out" is good sometimes, but if you are prone to buying random unnecessary objects, before you make a purchase, make a rough list of what it will be used for, when you're going to use it, if you already have something equivalent at home, etc. Not only will this keep your house clutter-free for longer, but you'll also save some money.
there are some really powerful concepts covered here
Right now my parent's dining room is stacked 6 ft high with boxes. I reorganized them while my parents were on vacation so that they were sorted by category, fingers crossed it helps! I want them to be able to have Thanksgiving in their dining room instead of on collapsible tables like last year!
It helps me to get my momentum going by having a "keep," "definitely get rid of/donate/throw out," and a "maybe" pile. Then, you can sustain your momentum and not get caught up on a decision about one object. Just keep going and then go back to the "maybe" pile on another go-around.
If you do turn to ebay, garage sales, or similar as part of decluttering, remember your goal. Your goal is not to turn a profit, it is to get rid of said items (and hopefully "minimize loss"). No one cares if that is a perfectly good coffee mug for which you would pay $3, take the 25 cents and let it go.
Oh I definitely have the stuffed-animals-have-feelings mindset too, Emma. You are not alone!
You're not alone with the stuffed animals thing, I am the same exact way! Always have, possibly always will. It just shows how much you care about things outside of your personal world, so don't see it as a bad thing.
i try to imagine that i'm going on the run, and anything that i don't think about immediately at this thought, well, i have to say bye to it basically, in one way or another. i do have a weakness though, and that weakness is _books_. i'm not letting those go.
and instead of buying souvenirs when i go somewhere, i just use the money to see an exhibition or something, create memories. i think someone i know called it _memory invest_, that's pretty much what it is. _who even needs fancy decorative stuff that's only bound to gather dust..._ is what i tell myself when i spot something pleasing to the eye but ultimately useless.
I am the same way with my stuffed animals! I have something of a collection and believe it or not it's only like a 1/4 of what I originally had as a kid but still a large sum. I keep thinking I should donate some... Christmas is coming up, after all.
Also, my tip: lists, lists, lists! It's rewarding to cross off items as you go. Even things as simple as "eat lunch" among all the "clean out containers in closet" and "organize junk drawer." Helps keep you motivated.
This is so helpful, you are awesome and I'm a new subscriber! I feel the same way about stuffed animals girl, I feel you. Love the numbers games....for some reason quantifying the mess makes it easier to deal with
It's okay Emma, my stuffed animals have feelings too. But did you read my mind? Today my family and I are using the day off to clean! I like how this video gives you a way to attack clutter with out going crazy *cough* little brother's room *cough*.
I love these tips! I'm a bit of a pack-rat, but I hate being one! These are good tips to make a semi-daunting task seem easier. Also, I totally agree that stuffed animals have feelings!
Same with the stuffed animals
Super awesome video! Great tips. But something I don't often see dealt with is how to de-clutter your space when your space is way too small (a studio apartment or tiny dorm room, for instance).
Hrmm, maybe something we can cover in a future video...? :::adds to the list:::
Thank you!
- Mike
As someone living in a tiny dorm room, these are a couple of things that helped me.
1. This my second year living in a dorm, so I had a much better idea of what I did and didn't need and would and wouldn't use. Mere experience helped me cut down on two huge boxes worth of stuff. Generally speaking, if you're not using it at least once every couple weeks, you don't need it. (There are some exceptions of course, but this is a good starting point.)
2. Since I am at college and living at my mom's house during the summer, and they have space, I did leave quite a few boxes there with various things. For instance, I have some clothes there so I don't need to bring any when I visit, and I don't have as many here to find space for. Idk if you have any place like that to keep your extra stuff, but it really helped me personally, and is worth looking into.
Best of luck. DFTBA. :)
I had a small room when I was a student (which is fairly recently, and it feels super weird to talk about not being a student anymore) and my solution, one huge closetwall. I put one big closet on one wall, and kept all the others empty, that helps a lot with the clutter-y feel of a room. All my stuff went into boxes, that went into the closet. One (okay more than one) shelf was books (for fun in the back, for studying in front), another was food/cooking stuff, another clothes (who am I kidding, two, three other shelves), etc. That way all your stuff is concentrated in one place, and that makes the rest of the space feel emptier.
This video was awesome Elmify!
Thanks, Meg!
- Mike-not-Elmify-but-still-appreciate-the-compliment-very-much
"was" :'(? Is it not still awesome? I think it is still awesome.
I have a small box for my miniscule things like micro-SDs, guitar picks etc. so I don't have to go through all my stuff everytime to find them. Also makes it easier to carry them around.
Tip 4 made me think of one of my favorite quotes: "The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks and then starting on the first one." -Mark Twain
You're not the only one:) when I was a kid I use to play to give all my toys some play time because I thought it would hurt their feelings if they didn't get played with.
I absolutely loved this.
When i decluttered my room during my room makeover, I took all the stuff i had on my furniture's and surfaces and gathered them into the center of my room. It helped me see the things that where REAL clutter and the things that where to keep.
I think it's a great idea if you have troubles seeing which things that should go, because if you for exempel want to match stuff in different colors then it will be very hard to see which colors you can go for when so many are junked up together.
I for ex. had a tissue box holding two small things that took half of the space on my desk = ridiculous! :)
I do that too :) unfortunately I tend to get distracted and then realise at bedtime I can't get to my bed because the floor is covered in piles of clutter
This is EXACTLY what I needed!!
On January 1st I turn all my clothes hangers the same way round. As I wear an item of clothing when I put it back the hanger goes the other way round. At the end of the year get rid of all clothes with hangers the same way round as the start of the year.
I have always felt that stuffed animals have feelings! I have too many, but I break down when I try to get rid of them. I have managed to slowly donate a few at a time, which is definitely making a difference, no matter how small it may seem.
YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE! I have so many stuffed animals from my childhood and I have such problems with getting rid of them. It's getting to be a problem.
My stuffed animals have feeling too! haha! So the last time I donated some when I ended up with way too many, I found it really hard and so I told myself that someone else is gonna love these even more than me and that helped me part with some. And the ones I've kept are all my very favs and it's like they are even more special :)
One of the things I recommend to everyone is to go through your shit every six months. If you haven't needed in a year or more, you don't need it.
Don't throw out photos! In fact, you should be getting your fave digital photos printed- eventually file formats will evolve, and in 50 years no computer (if we are still using them) will be able to read your files. Keep your photos printed!!
Source: I work with digital research archvists testing the longevity of different digital media like photo files, mem sticks, and cds (cd's encoding fades over 10-15 years, use mem sticks).
I love the title of this channel!
Super awesome vid! I have to commend the tip about avoiding the container store; a lot of my clutter is all these cute boxes that I have nothing to put in! Though as for clothes, I'd love to donate them to the needy but I have no idea where I should go to donate them. Any suggestions?
I would be so thankful if you could do an episode on what kinds of jobs you can apply for with a Bachelors degree that aren't necessarily in your field of study but are preferable to, say, stocking shelves at Target at 4am.
Tip to reduce sentiment-related clutter. Take a digital photo of said object and then toss it. Need to have a good backup system though...
Thank you so much 😊 you are amazing 😉 this was very useful 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Great video! Pixar's Up really made an impact on my mindset regarding this topic. It reminded me that holding on to stuff, even sentimentally valuable stuff, shouldn't be my top priority.
I use the KonMari method, it's great!
Really nice entry
I feel super adult now, as I have a complete real grown up house to look after now. XD
Anyway, when decluttering, also reorganize inside pantries, cupboards, closets etc. That way you free up space for loitering items without homes. It also makes you feel accomplished when you're done.
I found great storage tips on pinterest, like a cereal box (spruced up a bit with wrapping paper) on it's side for plastic lids for example. No more lids all over the shelves, falling off of stacks all the freaking time. :P
I TOTALLY get the feeling like stuffed animals have feelings. I have at least 10 with me at college and another 20-30 in a bin at my parents' house that I just can't throw away. Every time I try to empty the bin I get all nostalgic and end up keeping them all.
All my hanging button up shirts I keep buttoned all the way up. When I use them, I don't button them up. At the end of a while I donate what I don't wear.
Also I love the idea of if I haven't used this in the past season, do I even need it.
I hate ...things... and I'm always willing to declutter.
Stuffed animals, music boxes, other random items...I literally made everything into 'toys' for me to play with as a child and I gave everything feelings.
I totally feel you on the stuffed animals, I still have a number from my childhood because they're a "family" and I feel horrible making them part ways with each other. Plus I didn't really play with anyone outside of school so they were sort of my friends growing up. I still apologize to them when they fall on the floor, even though I know they're not "real"....
I have quite the collection of t-shirts. I plan on making a t-shirt quilt with all of them because of the things they remind me of. Also if you ever forget you own something, such as a pair of shoes or miscellaneous items then it is time to say good bye to them. Whenever I'm decluttering, I ask myself "Did I forget I owned this? Does it still have a purpose?"
I need to clean up my life! Great video! :)
Thank you! Hopefully this vid will help! :D
- Mike
I started declutterring my room a couple of years ago. My first step (eventhough it's not recommended by you guys) was to buy a bookshelf. Everywhere in my room I had books, on the floor, on my desk, on my bed, on my nightstand, on my closet. So, I thought I HAD TO BUY ONE. Now it's part of the clutter because I started crocheting. Now I have to buy a box to put all the yarn I have, considering that the bin I bought is not big enough for it.
I also need to get rid of some shoes and all, but I never know if they are in good conditions to be donated or thrown away, so that's painful. Every week after New Year's though, I do go through my clothes, making it easier for me to see what I wear and don't wear.
But my number one problem are books and yarn. HOW CAN I GET RID OF BOOKS?! I mean, I used to go to book stores and buy books all the time, now I limit myself to "Until I finish reading the 30+ books I bought a couple of years ago that I can't read because of university." Ugh.
Great tips!
I suggest holding on to your out box for a little while, so you don't run into an "I really shouldn't have thrown that out" moment and have to spend money on a new one.
I generally put clothes I don't think I need anymore into a box/bag and leave them in a closet for a couple weeks before donating them. It lets me unclutter space and makes sure I don't accidentally get rid of a shirt that I'll need and then have to go spend cash on a replacement.
great job, cute motivation video
You're not the only one who thinks stuffed animals have feelings! My mom won a giant giraffe years ago at a carnival and had to throw it away because it got ratty. The garbage men tied it to the top of their truck and sometimes you can still see it riding around town.
Great Video Luv!
I know how you feel. I still have a bear that I have tried to get rid of many times, but I always feel like I'm betraying him some how.
It's always hard for me to get rid of stuffed animals too! I need to buy some shelves for them- I have no shelves in my room, which I need to get. If you're going to buy storage solutions after decluttering some, GO TO THE DOLLAR STORE or the dollar spot at Target! I just got so many cute containers and jars to decorate and put my crafting items in for sooo cheap! My room is coming along...slowly but surely. Thanks for the video guys. :)
be careful about digitizing your photos. Data degradation could mean that in 10-40 years when you want to look at your wedding photos they are blurry, glitched, or unreadable. Physical photos degrade as well but in different ways. If you really care about the photo I suggest keeping physical and digital copys.
if you're still actually looking for a catch phrase, could it be "adult out" (like you're leaving, and also 'out' sorta used like geekout)
I need to do this so bad... Today's the day to start, I guess!
Cuddly toys definitely have feelings.
I seriously need to at least sort out my clothes though.
I started to organize my apt last yearm eith my bed room being first. having a child under one made it difficult, having a child under one who can walk made it almost impossible but I did it. I got rid of things i never use. This year I got rid of things in my storage closet. I also got rid of Facebook for the time being. Fivr days incounting no posting no commenting no liking and no sharing. I've never felt better. now this account is linked with one of my Facebook but my friends knows this if they pays attention.
year not yearm and With not eith. smh.
five not fivr. smh.
Here's one for people who buy too many clothes: when considering buying an item always think about how it will fit in with the stuff you already wear most of the time. If you can see heaps of outfits really clearly, that's a good sign! But if you have something similar already, or you can't think of anything it would go with... PUT IT BACK ON THE RACK AND RUN.
You're not the only one who feels this way about stuffed animals... and pillows! :3
Don't worry, I also feel like my stuffed animals have feelings. It's been a real struggle with moving, so I started taking pictures of them and making a scrapbook to keep all those feelings in a book instead.
My stuffed animals have feelings....and all of my childhood ones were lost when my basement was flooded rip :( currently I have one thin mints build a bear, one Marie cat from the Aristocats, and on elephant from rainforest cafe in disney....I try and use them all but I sleep with the bear mostly 😁 haha lol
I graduated from university this summer; a week later I decided it was time to de-clutter my room - I got rid of 8 large garbage bags full of just... RUBBISH... and have a long list of things to donate when the next jumble sale comes around :)
Already sent this to my wife and mother-in-law. Holidays are coming, and this is a big deal. Also, I can't tell if it is a matter of lighting or background or anything specific, but the color of Emma's teeth weren't as yellow as some previous videos. Bonus points for the vocal fry effect at the end. Almost triggered my ASMR.
Glad it's helpful! :D
(BTW, I feel the need to say that Emma's teeth are not at all yellow in real-life. The apparent yellowness is my fault, I must confess -- technical difficulties and a bit of colorblindness. But I'm aware of it and am working to improve. :] )
Thanks so much for the comment!
- Mike
How to Adult I have seen improvement, and thank you kindly for your feedback. You all continue to make extraordinary content, and I fail with every episode to think of any way to improve it. You clearly put a great deal of effort into it, and I hope you see my suggestion as little more than nitpicking. :)
My office is really messy; but I find everything I need easily and quickly since none of it is in storage. How do I make things not LOOK so disordered but keep them easy to access?
Shelves maybe? I have a desk with shelves above it now and I personally think things grouped together on shelves doesn't look as bad. Plus pens and pencils can go in the drawer so they're always right in front of me but not in the way
you are not the only one
Consignment stores are still a thing too! It doesn't all have to be online! And you should always evaluate things for recycling vs just tossing. I know it's semantics but some people don't think about that.
And random tip #3 is that giving everything a use is a good thing (Or at least for me). For example, when I was finished school, I had a large number of backpacks because I love backpacks. I made one a gym bag, one a swim bag, one a "random bag to take on trips" and my big hiking backpack. It hen got rid of the other 3 I had kicking around by filling them with school supplies (most of them leftover, I seriously had a problem) and donating it to a program in my City. That way I have bags dedicated to activities (IE I need my gym and swim bags separate or I forget stuff) instead of having all these bags to choose from. It made me think of it more clearly than "oh I only need x number of backpacks" because if I didn't have a use associated with them then I would have tried to justify all of them.
I feel the same way about stuffed animals! I even sometimes feel bad for my cat's mouse toys when I throw them for her to chase. Once or twice I've caught myself apologizing to them.
Stuff animals have feelings, names, voices, lives and characters for me. They were my friends in childhood and I still buy plushes as an adult.
WebMD has advice about organizing your home?
I had what I thought was a really awesome idea for an episode but ahhhh I forgot it! I'm sure I'll remember at the most random time ever later today, though.
Aaaand I just remembered it and realized you already did a video on that sooooo nevermind! (It was the how to start a business one)
I totally feel like stuffed animals have feelings. They're the hardest things for me to get rid of. I don't ever use them and have no place to put them but I had such real times with my stuffed animals as a kid. It doesn't feel right to just throw away something that helped you battle your brothers during a pillow war or listened so patiently as you cried into their fur. But keeping them stuffed in a box under my bed probably isn't doing them justice either...
The question I ask myself when purging is, "In 5 years, will I wish I'd have kept this?". More often than you'd think, the answer is no. You'd be surprised by the amount of things you keep just by lack of thought about why you keep them.
Stuffed animals definitely have feelings.
The biggest de-cluttering thing for me was switching from physical books to e-books. I kept only the sentimental important physical ones (Harry Potter!) and downloaded everything else into my nook.
My rule on decluttering closet space is that I have to clean out my closet at least once a year. If an outfit hasn't been worn in that past year, chances are I won't be wearing it anytime soon and it goes. That way, I keep a fairly small closet and it's all stuff I wear. The only exception is nice or special outfits for things like interviews or international festivals. They don't get worn often but if I get rid of them, I would have to buy a different outfit when the time comes and that's just ridiculous.
How about an episode on How to Vacation?
There are a few factors in how to de clutter easily . One place I found that succeeds in merging these is the Nilah declutter tips (google it if you're interested) definately the no.1 resource that I have ever seen.look at the awesome info .