My noise cancelling headphones, my laptop and my water bottle - but I would look for it second hand, there's too much stuff already in the world that's hardly been used.
I am sooooooo happy with this video! People call me crazy and now I feel I am not crazy because there are people like me who don’t waste money in things that have zero utility! I have regular candles only in case the light goes down😂. I don’t own anything with fancy unnatural smelling, I clean my house, obviously, and I open the windows (in Portugal the weather is always quite nice and even in winter we can open the windows for the fresh air to enter), I love to smell the fresh air (I don’t live in a street with traffic). I don’t have a drying machine, I hang my clothes to dry in fresh air in my balcony. I don’t own gadgets that do this or that, I do things myself. I don’t own kitchen appliances that cut, rip, etc, etc, I have knives and I cut and prepare my food with them. I don’t own clothes that don’t fit me (either I donate them or I repurpose them by using them on my beloved hobby which is stitching, this way, by reusing the clothes, I don’t waste money buying fabrics). I don’t own multiple skin care products (I have a sun protector and another body cream - I don’t wear makeup, it’s too much trouble for me 😂). I don’t play videogames, it’s a waste of time for me, instead I do art work. I only have one TV set in my living room, there’s no need of having TV sets all over the house 😂. My gymnastics clothes are old clothes (in a good shape, of course) that I don’t wear anymore. I never ever buy junk food, I spend my money in quality fruits, vegetables and healthy food. I don’t buy sugar or alcoholic drinks. I drink herbal tea and juices that I make myself from the fruit that I buy. God, I sound too boring, don’t I? 😂😂😂😂 My spare money is for my art supplies: I paint, draw, art journal, stitch and that makes me sooooooo happy. And some of my “art supplies” are for free: shells, pebbles, drifted wood, leaves, wild flowers and branches. Love from Portugal ♥️💙💚💗🧡💜❤️🖤💛🌹🌼🌷🌺🌻🌸
Some things that I'll never buy again: 1) cheap and fast jewelry/accessories - I spent a lot of money on a haul of cheap jewelry. I never wear 95% of it and it's not good quality. I ended up donating it, but wasted a lot of money. In general, I prefer simplicity with my outfits and never wear jewelry. 2) most hair accessories - I wear the same 2 claw clips and the same pack of hair ties over and over. All of the headbands, scrunchies, fancy clips have all gone to waste. 3) fancy/uncomfortable clothing - I fell victim to trying to look a certain way due to social media. This involved buying form fitting clothing that are uncomfortable. I never wear any of it. I don't particularly care for skirts and dresses. I feel pretty in them but they're uncomfortable so I never wear them. I'll keep the few that I have on hand for special occasions, but I couldn't justify buying more because I never wear them. 4) squishmallows and most plushies - I fell for the squishmallow trend and ended up with 50 of them. They cause extreme anxiety in my life. I am currently trying to downsize but it's hard to part with them. But I spent tons of unnecessary money on them. Much like this video said in the toy section - I don't appreciate them as much because I have too many. 5) trending clothing - I'm never happy with them and the trends fade. I also don't like being like everyone else. It's exhausting and unfulfilling trying to fit an "aesthetic" because social media told me to. 6) mini backpack purses - I have owned 6-10 backpack type purses and I never use them. They're pretty but they're way too big for my needs. I prefer small crossbodies that are big enough to fit the bare minimum essentials.
I spent some time at target yesterday and I only bought new underwear and a laundry hamper for my daughters room- two things I needed. I am still proud of myself lol It’s fun how I can now walk around and browse without feeling any temptation to buy things I don’t need. Like I’m a huge fan of socks, and my fiancé was pushing me to get some new socks because he knows I want some but I know which ones I want already and I’m just waiting to get them. It’s nice picking what you want and sticking with it rather than things finding their way into your home only for you to discover it’s not right for you and now you have to figure out what to do with it.
Thanks for sharing!! :) I've never been to target in real life of course, but I've recently watched a video about it and it was very interesting. It really looks like a place where you can easily make loooooots of impulse purchases hahaha :)
I donated some of my clothes that didn't fit me and found out that I can't buy something new right now, so I started to sew my own handmade clothes :) It was not easy, but I have a lot of inspiration :)
I won't EVER be buying crockery, cutlery, home decor, Christmas decs, suitcases, lights, camping gear, cards, photo frames/albums, hair accessories, jewellery, beauty products & maybe a whole lot more! I PROBABLY won't buy books, clothes, shoes, stationery, craft stuff, gadgets & gizmos, lightbulbs unless replacement required. It may sound extreme, but this is how I believe Jesus 🙌 has changed me in the past year - from hating to get rid of anything to the complete opposite! I've always been a recycler so now I make the most of that passion 😄 Thnx Vera for your great vids
I have stopped buying new clothes accept undergarments and shop in thrift stores. There is so much clothing and so many different styles. I love it. I do however have clothes in my closets I have had for years and keep saying I will lose the weight. I am going to get rid of them. They do make me feel bad. Great video.
I don't buy/bring any junk food into my home either. I stopped doing this years ago and after a short while I no longer had cravings. I've been able to maintain my healthier weight without much effort. If I do want something sweet or crunchy I can make something with much healthier ingredients than what has been processed. Another item I don't buy anymore are plants. I have a few dozen and if I decide to add more greenery to my space I can just propagate from the ones I already have.
Something I don't buy any more are new clothes (except underwear, socks and sometimes shoes). I live on a very tight budget and I spent tons of money on clothes from cheap stores that are of very poor quality, bc I could not afford better stuff. Or so I thought, So these days I buy most of my clothes used and sew some things too, which I actually want to do more. When I sew a shirt on my own it is more expensive than to buy a cheap one from the store, but it isn't as expensive as a good quality one would be. I made a shirt and a top 5 years ago and they still look like they are nearly new. I only had to repair one seam at some point, but all seams are still where they belong, it's still as elastic as it should be and no mysterious little holes appear while washing them. Plus they are totally individual! My dream is to have a wardrobe consisting of nearly only self-made clothes made with love out of good quality fabric and therefore lasting for a really long time.
As always, another great video! I think I’m going to try the no snack/junk food in the house rule. A few months ago we instituted that rule with alcohol and it has worked really well.
Happy to hear that's working out well for you! :) Yes, it's somehow quite funny to me to realize that junk food isn't something you have to buy occassionally... that life is also a lot of fun without it, and that it can actually improve my life in many ways. It's just so 'normal' to buy those things, that I never really considered it. Good luck!
Good point about the skincare! I think the things that have the most impact on our skin comes from the inside. Getting enough sleep and exercise, drinking plenty of water, limiting sugar, getting enough vitamins and protein, not smoking. Oh and keeping out of the sun of course! :) Personally my favorite sunscreen is sunglasses, a broad-brimmed hat, and clothing that covers my neck, shoulders, and chest. (As a side note, of course many people just have difficult skin even though they do everything right. But clearly anybody who doesn’t do the above things, their skin is gonna show it no matter how many serums they use! ^^)
On the subject of joke gifts--yes, absolutely!! They're a pointless expenditure. I'd rather just tell a good joke. That said, in my life I have received ONE joke gift that was really excellent and worthwhile: a yodeling pickle. Yes, it yodels. It's a little green plastic pickle which sings a loud, cheerful song when you press a simple button. It's durable, small, and very cute. The friend who gave it to me has a silly sense of humor and every time I'd run across the pickle, it would remind me of her in a sweet way--especially as she's a shy, quiet recluse who has trouble staying in touch (I do too.) We both went through an especially rough patch during covid, and fell out of contact for over a year. One day, my cats found the pickle on a shelf, knocked it down and began playing with it. I could hear the yodeling from underneath the coffee table. It made me laugh, and it reminded me of my friend and prompted me to give her a call. She was SO happy to hear from me; she had been lonely and wanted to call, but kept putting it off out of exhaustion and depression. Ever since the little pickle reminded me of our valuable friendship, we've been hanging out regularly again. So yeah....sometimes even a joke gift--a really good and genuinely funny one--can be worthwhile. ;-)
All great tips! I gave up scented candles because they irritate my sinuses. I gave up fancy clothes because I never wore them. I’m not quite ready to give up having a bit of junk food in the house!
Thanks so much Tina! :) Ah if they irritate your sinuses, that's not good haha :) In the past, they've given me headaches, so I stay away from them because of that reason too.
I think the same about all. But, my Dad he knows all the junk I eat and he buy me. And guess what? He is 81 years. He call me come I bought you choc crisps. I say Papa don't buy. He say but you like. Im 46. He still treat me like a baby. Im married and have 17 years daughter😃
An ideia for parents when they send invites out for their kid’s birthday party is to make a note of not toys please - oooor you accept whatever people want to gift and then together with your child you go together and donate the gifts to families or charities that really need it/can’t afford/have no toys at all xxx
This was a great list Vera, I could really relate to what you were saying. Marketing is so good at convincing us that we 'need' these things and that they'll make such a difference in our lives, sometimes this really is the case, but mostly what makes the biggest and best difference is not buying that item, not having the clutter in your home that it would create, not worsening your carbon footprint and keeping that money that you would've spent in your bank account.
Great list, couldn't agree more 💛 I don't have kids myself, but my go-to present for my friends' kids is experiences, like a gift card to an activity park. Both the parents and the little ones love it! 😄 Also, my tip for making the bathroom smell nice: opt for soap bars for hands and/or body, they serve a function AND the scent will linger even when they're dry.
You are so right about buying useless products like kitchen gadgets, fragrances and extra beauty products. The one thing I have fallen into the trap over and over again is clothing that I absolutely love when I’m shopping but it doesn’t really fit me perfectly when I try it on in the store and I buy it anyway 🙄 I get so annoyed with myself and most of the time I return it but sometimes I use it and I’m disappointed when wearing it because it just doesn’t fit right! I am getting better at this and I’m really working on it! When my kids were little I would put half of their toys away for a couple of months and then take them out and put the others away. They always felt like they had new toys, this really worked for me. My goal from this video is to try no junk food in the house, I tried once but I wasn’t ready, I’ll be trying again! Great tips! 👍🌸
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Joan! Yes the clothing one is tricky.. it's hard to find stuff you like so when you do find something, but it doesn't fit perfectly, it's tempting to get it anyway. That's my experience anyway. :) Good luck with the junk food goal! :)
Home cleaning products. All the dusters, mopping products, specific floor cleaners, etc. I use window cleaner for most things, some biodegradable dish soap, but mostly a spray bottle of simple distilled vinegar.
Hi! I will never buy more eye-shadow pallets. I don't wear that much make up any more. No more new brand fancy hand bags, no more high heels... there are lots of things I will never buy any more. My mind has changed... I guess I am more mature... ha ha ha ... I am aging. Xo from Mexico City
Loved this!! With the toys I would say to put them in a box and have a time frame on it before it gets donated. I have 5 kids and they really do play more with less. They have only asked for one or two toys that were boxed up, totally forgot about the rest but I’m sure glad we did it that way and didn’t cause a meltdown lol they are learning how to let go of things though and what things they actually use and love.
I would buy a book light immediately if lost or broken.i like to read in bed without it bothering my husband or outside on screened in porch(no bugs attracted then).great tips today, Vera!
Use your eye cream every day, morning and night. In my case I use it after my shower in the morning and after washing my face at night. The eyes are surrounded by super delicate skin and it is the first one getting wrinkles. At 37 now I am starting to see changes and I am thankful I started moisturizing daily a few years ago
Thanks for sharing Carol! :) I agree, as I'm getting older (now almost 34), I am noticing small fine lines, so that's why I've added the eye cream like a year ago haha. Definitely trying to do it daily.
And you are so right about clothes that don't fit! They should find their way out of your wardrobe... I just did a huge wardrobe declutter and packed everything today - going to sell at a flea market tomorrow....)
These are all very good! And thanks bc you helped me connect two related dots that are issues for me! 1. Not buying junk food! Yessss like why do I even bring it all home to tempt me? 2. Clothing thats now too small but used to fit! Well I have mixed feelings on that one. Yes it does irritate me that some of my old favorites no longer fit since I keep wrestling with these 8lbs gained since Covid locked us down…however, all negative feelings are not necessarily bad! I like to keeping the clothing I know should fit me if I lost these few extra lbs as motivation to keep working on losing it. Sometimes we need that little bit of frustration to remind us of our goals & drive us to do the right thing to work toward it when we might not feel like it. So maybe if I will stop bringing the junk food home & be more faithful about working out then those little clothing pieces who taunt me might later become my rewards for goals achieved!? So I’m giving them permission to aggravate me! Lol
Due to current circumstances I haven't been able to watch a lot of UA-cam so it was so nice to find one of your videos in my suggestions again - they are so well thought through, relaxing to watch, and your kindness - specially always in the beginning pointing out that everybody is different etc... - just make it so easy to watch and feel comfortable in your own skin. It feels like getting together with someone over a cup of tea discussing common things in life. Thank you for that first of all :-) I then had to giggle when you said that your best ideas come in the shower - I watched another video before this one about someone talking about philosophers and writers who used to swear on a good walk to gather thoughts and ideas and I thought to myself that mine come in the shower. And no less than 2min later you say that too :'-D haha, glad I'm not the only one! I really like your tips, I could very much agree with most of them and see the sense behind it. I couldn't agree with the candles though - you can still find very cheap candles and they do not lose their smell. I love them, specially around winter time or Christmas time - the smell of apple & cinammon or spiced orange just makes the whole holiday season more exciting and keeps a bit of the depression from the miserable weather out or so. And as for insence - yes, nothing beats a good Nag Champa
I make my beauty products myself with natural ingredients - it's so easy and not expensive at all. And then and when when i'm somewhere with my sons aged 19 and 23 we get asked if we are brother & sister...;) So these products really work! And healthy food helps too!
Excellent video. I agree with everything you said. I used to buy loads of scented candles but now I only but plain tealights because I like candlelight, it's very relaxing. Also I love the combination of lavender and orange scent in a diffuser because its relaxing and slightly uplifting as well. Also for toys, i saw somewhere where a parent told their kids if they get a new toy, they had to donate a toy they don't use much to kids that don't have much toys to play with. It helped with clutter and their kids enjoyed donating a toy each time to kids who would love that toy.
Hi Vera! Do you have any videos where you share some of your favorite healthy recipes? Or can you recommend a good website or blog for healthier eating? Lately I’ve been eating pop tarts, fruit snacks, cheez its, all processed stuff.
Hi Sally! I have two What I eat in a day videos, ua-cam.com/video/4sylmX4eLn4/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/PvlYUHV9v9s/v-deo.html. For recipes, I frequently check out the channels Pick Up Limes and Madeleine Olivia :)
I wont bring things junk food into the home either or cook brownies etc. I will buy one (maybe more money) but it's just one. No temptation. I also try to avoid stores like TJMaxx unless I really need something because as my daughter says, "It's the store that tells you want you want" : )
I think I would agree with all of those and don't buy them myself (well perhaps I have a few unhealthy foods floating around the house! 😉 ) The scented products are something that I often used to buy because I felt like it was something I should do, that somehow a cosy home has scented candles etc. The trouble was I never actually liked them, the artificial scents used to grate on me (HSP thing I think) so I would hardly actually use them. I never buy them now and I'm much happier for that. I love the points you make about electronic and kitchen gadgets. I avoid browsing for things now and let life tell me what my actual needs are. Life knows my needs better than advertisers do. 😊
Thank you so much Vera for your interesting content. I always learn a lot of new things about minimalism and intentional living from you. I really wish you the best 😊
Working on getting rid of items I don’t need. The tip on clothing was great. That if it just doesn’t fit right and you just don’t feel comfortable in it why keep it. I have a pile that needs altered but I have other items that don’t cover a certain area of my body like I want it to. I try it on. Take it off, hang it up. I do it over and over. Thanks! Those items are being donated.
A couple of ideas for kids toys which I have seen my friends with kids use (don't have any of my own) is: - getting toys through adverts for free or lower prices and then giving them up for free or selling them once the kids no longer play with them - buying them from charity shops and donating them back once the kids are done I realise this doesn't work for all types of toys but it works pretty well for puzzles and other board games which can end up getting boring after doing them many times. So it's a win for everyone and for the environment as well. I also find that putting toys away for some time and then taking them out again nearly feels like a brand toy for some kids that have so many that some were never appreciated. So I wouldn't be so quick about decluttering, I'd just have them play with part of the toys for a few weeks and then rotate and so on. And of course this whole experience will teach not to buy that many toys in the future since they're not necessary.
@@SimpleHappyZen yes Vera, I am having a hip replacement Tuesday, it’s been a hard year, finally I’m scheduled Thank you for asking, I appreciate you ❤️
Things I don't by: shampoo in bottles (shampoo bar soap instead), shaving foam (shaving bar soap instead), disposable razors (use a safety razor), commercial house cleaning liquids, vacuum bags (use a Bagless vacuum), garbage bags, (bread bags are good enough), magazines, tv & music streaming subscription (I use free sources and library DVDs), Things I don't buy often: dish soap (bar soap is fine for dishes. Dish soap has other uses though), paper towels(use cloth rags instead), books (library or eBook instead)
Hi Vera! I also get ideas in the shower. And also when brushing my teeth! 😁 I will (hopefully) never buy bags again. I already have an assortment in various colours and materials. One thing we replaced right away recently was our computer. We had it for 13 years, and it just started shutting down during boot up.
Thank you! I am a total sucker for new cleaning products, as if they will make the experiance more fun, when all I really need to clean everything is about 3 products. Now I am off to purge my too tight clothes!
Something I will never buy again is eye shadow. The last time I decluttered the main bathroom, I got real with myself that I hadn't worn it in years so I tossed it all. If I really wanted to, I could probably smudge on some eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, or blush. My face essentials are eyebrow pencil and lip balm, so I'd buy those again if they broke or got lost.
I don't buy any shampoo and conditioner containers that have a tilted lid thing that never opens properly when you are in the middle of a hair wash. Also I have given up trying to find the right colour make up foundation cream, so I buy a light one (maybe ivory) and a dark one, and I mix them into a very small glass jar with a lid and add either one to the mix when the seasons change. I love doing it and blending the right colour. Also I always buy face cream in a glass jar to avoid the plastic land fill and I re-use the jars.
Hey Vera, thank you for the content that you put. It has made me more aware of what impact minimalism could positively do to our environment. 💖 I have personally been guilty buying clothes, makeup and junk food unnecessarily. I have successfully done with 4 months without junk food!! Also doing less with the other 2 problem areas. I personally find celebrations that use insane amount of decorations (non sustainable ones) and balloons quite annoying. And yeah toys too!!
My in-shower Wet brand hairbrush. I thought I left it at a hotel once and immediately planned to repurchase it before my next shower. It’s a wonderful tool for detangling my thick wavy/curly hair!
Hi there, Vera! What a great video - thank you. I know you deliberately turned your skincare products so that the branding wasn't on display, but I did wonder which brand you use. I am a terror for buying skincare and cosmetics and I have more products than I will ever use, but I struggle to find a brand that works for me and my skin. Thanks again and have a great weekend.
Hi Andrea! Sure, no problem :) I just didn't want to be another influencer showing people brands of skincare to buy hahaha. But mine are unfortunately only available in the Netherlands I think.. they're from Biodermal (not to be confused with bioderma, which is a completely different brand). Good luck! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen Thank you, Vera. So kind of you to share. I don't you will *ever* be one of those influencers because you're far more intentional and mindful than that. I will look up these products though, just in case they are available to order. Have a great week!
My mother had a toaster oven, toaster, hot dog maker, burger maker, george forman grill, electric fry pan, popcorn machine, pastry brushes natural and telfon, (and didn't even cook very often). Separate small dishes to put individual vegetables in rather than putting on plates with entres, A couple of pots and pans, a bowl and wooden spoons is all anyone really needs.
As a mom of two crotchgoblins I have to chime in on the toy-subject: absolutely correct! They play more when toys are limited. And to be honest, my kid likes to play most with things that aren't toys (preferably my nice porcelain dishes 😅. We do Montessori toy rotation - keeping toys in boxes and keep some away but rotate them on a regular schedule. Because kids go through phases of different interests all the time :)
Hey Vera :) I used to use makeup remover too, but for the last few years i've been using reusable microfiber wipes so I don't need to buy the remover or the cotton wool pads anymore either. They're much more effective at removing makeup than you would think x Also I would never buy a brand new mobile phone again. These days there are so many options to buy refurbished ones, even if they are a few years older they work perfectly well!
@@SimpleHappyZen They work with just water. At least the ones I've tried work. But IMHO they need too much rubbing which is why I prefer to use a cleansing oil which removes both sunscreen and make up without any rubbing.
@@SimpleHappyZen As Alexandra says, they work with just water :) However I personally haven't experienced the need to rub any more than with makeup remover and cotton pads - I have never used a cleansing oil before though, so I can't compare the two. I'm mainly using them to rub off eyeliner and mascara rather than foundation or sunscreen. I guess if you felt it rubbed too much you could use a cleansing oil with the reusable wipes, then at least you'd avoid needing to buy the cotton pads! x
Vera, although you don’t have kids you give wonderful advice when it comes to minimalism with them and their toys. I’m glad that you included this in your video because a lot of us here do have kids and i appreciate you including this :) for some reason things like items or snacks just feel or taste better when you have them with intention and moderation. There’s so much minimalism that feels empty and soulless and minimalism should benefit your life not make it dull! Your channel is a great example of what balance is and I’m so happy ever since i found you here! Have a nice day ^_^
I absolutely love your hack of never buying junk food to your home. I want to try that, but I think its a bit hard when my husband keeps buying his treats (he has his fav junk food and I have mine.. That's why I call them his). I think I will be tempted to eat his junk food when I have nothing for myself 🤣 but I will give it a try anyway!
Hahaha yes I can see that :D I do think it's easier for us, since we're in it together. But who knows, maybe your husband will get inspired too after a while to follow your example :)
This is suuuch a good list! Those toilet-bowl-night-light type gadgets make me so angry; thank you for calling that out!I still buy gag gifts, but I get them from the thrift store. That way it’s not taking any new resources to make them. Also I try to make them be things people can actually use. Like, a mug with something funny on it, things like that. :) (That’s not the best example, just the first one I could think of.)
I have to admit skincare is the hardest category out of the ones mentioned and I'm still working on it. I have a monthly beauty box subscription which is my downfall but I have been skipping some of the months so this is already a big win for me. I guess it's all about progress in the end, even if it's slower than I'd want.
I mean, everybody is different about skincare. But nothing worked for me in the past except for korean skin care routine. It works so much wonder that even if I forget to do it 2 weeks, only 2 routines on to days make my skin perfect c: So I need everything needed for this routine but yes, the rest of beauty products are not needed and I only buy the things needed for this routine (even if its a bit more than told in other routines ^^')
Everything is so true. I would recommend keeping some! clothes though if you have kids, to have some cloth for costume parties ;) Lately I gave my daughter my old white dress to dress up as an angel
Lovely video thanks Vera 😊 ✨️ I have an irrelevant question 😅 I have the same hair type and quality I guess but I struggle with my curles care. Do you have a video on that or can you tell me about the hair products you use? It looks amazing 🤩😍
Thank you so much! :) About my hair, I've been getting a lot of questions about it recently, so I might make a video about it in the near future. For now, I got started with finding my routine by watching hair routine videos from Madeleine Olivia. She also has a similar hair type and I do a lot of what she shows in her videos. So I recommend checking them out :)
Hi Vera love the 10 things you mentioned. I agree with you about kitchen gadgets. ❤ I really not a fan of cell phones but if mine was to break I would replace it because that's the way I keep in touch with my son through WhatsApp so we can face time each other. We live many miles away from each other. It so great to be able to see his face while we talk since we can be together in person.
Hi Vera. How are you ? Good conversation with audiance. Nicely explained with pleasant calming silent music. Overall video is perfect. You have to maintain good relationship, harmony in your life... For that MORE is not required 👍 enjoy moments 🎉🎉
Not buying junk food is a great way to save money on groceries since they can also be expensive. Being able to make the healthier option is an amazing frugal way of living.
I agree with all of these things… particularly the beauty products. I have purchased way too many and need to declutter them. Great advice! Thank you 💗
What beauty product brand do you use? Is it Euro only brand? I have very sensitive skin being an hsp and have trouble finding anything. I love the idea of no junk food in the house. I basically do this but on occasions will bake something or buy something im craving. They do say the less sugar you eat the less you crave it. Im wondering if sugar is a stimulant and bad for hsp. I recently found out chocolate and hot chocolate had caffeine 😣 Still trying to find good decaf substitute for the morning. I do drink teas and teechino herbal coffee sometimes.
Yes it's not easy sometimes.. I do really find that to be the case with sugar. The more I eat it, the more I start craving it. Before, I thought I would indulge in a cake or donut or something every now and then, and then the cravings would go away. But every time I do eat one, it only gives me more cravings for like a week. I've learned that having some sweet tasting teas in the house really work well. I'll have a cup of rooibos with orange peel and it basically feels like a sweet treat, but without the sugar, cafeine or calories. I've kind of given up on finding a good tasting decaf coffee haha, they all taste so strange.
I keep a set cloth rags. After they are used they get washed with the dishes once, then go into the weekly clothes wash. I still use paper towels for really gross or greasy stuff.
Hi Vera. I don’t buy facial and body scrub. I don’t buy wettex wipes baby wipes chewing gums (with the exception of Chios mastic which makes miracles with digestion and oral hygiene). I don’t buy multi cleansers for the house(I make my own with vinegar soda and Arkadi green soap). I don’t dye my hair. I don’t buy straws etc. I am trying now to change paper napkins with textile ones. Do you have any suggestions on the quality or fabric that will do the job?? Thank you. Maria.
I do the whole No Junk Food sometimes I'll go through a phase in a year where I'll go to Costco and get like a cookie set and then put it in the freezer and then use that to eat because my boyfriend doesn't eat junk food. BUT Bread is one addiction that I find that I have. I always eat a loaf of bread and I don't know how to stop it's insane😥
ah love these tips! although i tried to get around workout clothing and I couldnt lol, I cant wear a tennis skirt to zumba? i just feel a bit werid, and I need specific pockes for tennis, which actually double as golf, but also cant wear zumba stuff to tennis cuz again need pockets,
Haha yes, sometimes it makes more sense to get something specific for that sport (like with tennis). However, we can still apply this principle in that example. Using the tennis skirt you already have, instead of buying a new one that has a cuter color for instance. But in the end, minimalism is different for everyone, so we can all decide for ourselves what we value. :)
The number one thing on my list is houseplants. They require alot of maintenence. Water, fertilizer, the right lighting, re-pottin, potting soil, watering can, and then they die anyways. Big ole' waste.
I’m an aesthetician & I research a lot of health related topics. Do not even put on sunscreen early Morn or later eve .. get SOME real sunshine. When applying sunscreen use zinc oxide (maybe some titanium dioxide also ok) those other ingredients you see on products have chemicals as dangerous as the sun itself. IN MY OPINION!!!
My pink sweater is back by popular demand! 😄 Also, what's something you would immediately buy again if it broke or got lost?
A watch ⌚
My blender, I use it multiple times a week.
My noise cancelling headphones, my laptop and my water bottle - but I would look for it second hand, there's too much stuff already in the world that's hardly been used.
Sunglasses, for sure! (I know because I've made an urgent, special trip for them in the past)
My water bottle! I actually just got a new one after losing the old one.
I am sooooooo happy with this video! People call me crazy and now I feel I am not crazy because there are people like me who don’t waste money in things that have zero utility!
I have regular candles only in case the light goes down😂. I don’t own anything with fancy unnatural smelling, I clean my house, obviously, and I open the windows (in Portugal the weather is always quite nice and even in winter we can open the windows for the fresh air to enter), I love to smell the fresh air (I don’t live in a street with traffic). I don’t have a drying machine, I hang my clothes to dry in fresh air in my balcony. I don’t own gadgets that do this or that, I do things myself. I don’t own kitchen appliances that cut, rip, etc, etc, I have knives and I cut and prepare my food with them. I don’t own clothes that don’t fit me (either I donate them or I repurpose them by using them on my beloved hobby which is stitching, this way, by reusing the clothes, I don’t waste money buying fabrics). I don’t own multiple skin care products (I have a sun protector and another body cream - I don’t wear makeup, it’s too much trouble for me 😂). I don’t play videogames, it’s a waste of time for me, instead I do art work. I only have one TV set in my living room, there’s no need of having TV sets all over the house 😂. My gymnastics clothes are old clothes (in a good shape, of course) that I don’t wear anymore. I never ever buy junk food, I spend my money in quality fruits, vegetables and healthy food. I don’t buy sugar or alcoholic drinks. I drink herbal tea and juices that I make myself from the fruit that I buy.
God, I sound too boring, don’t I? 😂😂😂😂
My spare money is for my art supplies: I paint, draw, art journal, stitch and that makes me sooooooo happy.
And some of my “art supplies” are for free: shells, pebbles, drifted wood, leaves, wild flowers and branches.
Love from Portugal ♥️💙💚💗🧡💜❤️🖤💛🌹🌼🌷🌺🌻🌸
That all sound awesome to me. Put your money into what you love.
@@Deb.-. That’s right 😘😘🤗🤗♥️♥️
yeah I get this as well! people think I'm weird when I say "I have enough clothes already" or "yeah but I don't NEED that"
@@dominique130 I know the feeling ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Just the same lifestyle with me and people think I'm always broke🙄🙄.
Some things that I'll never buy again:
1) cheap and fast jewelry/accessories - I spent a lot of money on a haul of cheap jewelry. I never wear 95% of it and it's not good quality. I ended up donating it, but wasted a lot of money. In general, I prefer simplicity with my outfits and never wear jewelry.
2) most hair accessories - I wear the same 2 claw clips and the same pack of hair ties over and over. All of the headbands, scrunchies, fancy clips have all gone to waste.
3) fancy/uncomfortable clothing - I fell victim to trying to look a certain way due to social media. This involved buying form fitting clothing that are uncomfortable. I never wear any of it. I don't particularly care for skirts and dresses. I feel pretty in them but they're uncomfortable so I never wear them. I'll keep the few that I have on hand for special occasions, but I couldn't justify buying more because I never wear them.
4) squishmallows and most plushies - I fell for the squishmallow trend and ended up with 50 of them. They cause extreme anxiety in my life. I am currently trying to downsize but it's hard to part with them. But I spent tons of unnecessary money on them. Much like this video said in the toy section - I don't appreciate them as much because I have too many.
5) trending clothing - I'm never happy with them and the trends fade. I also don't like being like everyone else. It's exhausting and unfulfilling trying to fit an "aesthetic" because social media told me to.
6) mini backpack purses - I have owned 6-10 backpack type purses and I never use them. They're pretty but they're way too big for my needs. I prefer small crossbodies that are big enough to fit the bare minimum essentials.
I spent some time at target yesterday and I only bought new underwear and a laundry hamper for my daughters room- two things I needed. I am still proud of myself lol It’s fun how I can now walk around and browse without feeling any temptation to buy things I don’t need. Like I’m a huge fan of socks, and my fiancé was pushing me to get some new socks because he knows I want some but I know which ones I want already and I’m just waiting to get them. It’s nice picking what you want and sticking with it rather than things finding their way into your home only for you to discover it’s not right for you and now you have to figure out what to do with it.
Thanks for sharing!! :) I've never been to target in real life of course, but I've recently watched a video about it and it was very interesting. It really looks like a place where you can easily make loooooots of impulse purchases hahaha :)
I donated some of my clothes that didn't fit me and found out that I can't buy something new right now, so I started to sew my own handmade clothes :) It was not easy, but I have a lot of inspiration :)
I love sewing my own clothes! You can choose the fabric and style. Good luck.
I like your notion of “solving imaginary problems we don’t have” that makes me pause.
I won't EVER be buying crockery, cutlery, home decor, Christmas decs, suitcases, lights, camping gear, cards, photo frames/albums, hair accessories, jewellery, beauty products & maybe a whole lot more!
I PROBABLY won't buy books, clothes, shoes, stationery, craft stuff, gadgets & gizmos, lightbulbs unless replacement required.
It may sound extreme, but this is how I believe Jesus 🙌 has changed me in the past year - from hating to get rid of anything to the complete opposite!
I've always been a recycler so now I make the most of that passion 😄
Thnx Vera for your great vids
Thank you vera I feel free when I watch your channel.I don't know what it is. But I love it. Thank you again ❤️😊 vera🍀
Oh that's so wonderful to hear, thank you Nisansala!! 🤗🌱💕
I have stopped buying new clothes accept undergarments and shop in thrift stores. There is so much clothing and so many different styles. I love it. I do however have clothes in my closets I have had for years and keep saying I will lose the weight. I am going to get rid of them. They do make me feel bad. Great video.
I don't buy/bring any junk food into my home either. I stopped doing this years ago and after a short while I no longer had cravings. I've been able to maintain my healthier weight without much effort. If I do want something sweet or crunchy I can make something with much healthier ingredients than what has been processed. Another item I don't buy anymore are plants. I have a few dozen and if I decide to add more greenery to my space I can just propagate from the ones I already have.
That's so awesome!!
Pink is a very good color on you. It is warm and inviting. ☮️🌍🌲🤗
Thank you Jennie :) That's nice to hear. Have a lovely day!
Something I don't buy any more are new clothes (except underwear, socks and sometimes shoes). I live on a very tight budget and I spent tons of money on clothes from cheap stores that are of very poor quality, bc I could not afford better stuff. Or so I thought, So these days I buy most of my clothes used and sew some things too, which I actually want to do more. When I sew a shirt on my own it is more expensive than to buy a cheap one from the store, but it isn't as expensive as a good quality one would be. I made a shirt and a top 5 years ago and they still look like they are nearly new. I only had to repair one seam at some point, but all seams are still where they belong, it's still as elastic as it should be and no mysterious little holes appear while washing them. Plus they are totally individual! My dream is to have a wardrobe consisting of nearly only self-made clothes made with love out of good quality fabric and therefore lasting for a really long time.
As always, another great video!
I think I’m going to try the no snack/junk food in the house rule. A few months ago we instituted that rule with alcohol and it has worked really well.
Happy to hear that's working out well for you! :) Yes, it's somehow quite funny to me to realize that junk food isn't something you have to buy occassionally... that life is also a lot of fun without it, and that it can actually improve my life in many ways. It's just so 'normal' to buy those things, that I never really considered it. Good luck!
Good point about the skincare! I think the things that have the most impact on our skin comes from the inside. Getting enough sleep and exercise, drinking plenty of water, limiting sugar, getting enough vitamins and protein, not smoking. Oh and keeping out of the sun of course! :) Personally my favorite sunscreen is sunglasses, a broad-brimmed hat, and clothing that covers my neck, shoulders, and chest. (As a side note, of course many people just have difficult skin even though they do everything right. But clearly anybody who doesn’t do the above things, their skin is gonna show it no matter how many serums they use! ^^)
All good suggestions! :)
On the subject of joke gifts--yes, absolutely!! They're a pointless expenditure. I'd rather just tell a good joke. That said, in my life I have received ONE joke gift that was really excellent and worthwhile: a yodeling pickle. Yes, it yodels. It's a little green plastic pickle which sings a loud, cheerful song when you press a simple button. It's durable, small, and very cute. The friend who gave it to me has a silly sense of humor and every time I'd run across the pickle, it would remind me of her in a sweet way--especially as she's a shy, quiet recluse who has trouble staying in touch (I do too.) We both went through an especially rough patch during covid, and fell out of contact for over a year. One day, my cats found the pickle on a shelf, knocked it down and began playing with it. I could hear the yodeling from underneath the coffee table. It made me laugh, and it reminded me of my friend and prompted me to give her a call. She was SO happy to hear from me; she had been lonely and wanted to call, but kept putting it off out of exhaustion and depression. Ever since the little pickle reminded me of our valuable friendship, we've been hanging out regularly again. So yeah....sometimes even a joke gift--a really good and genuinely funny one--can be worthwhile. ;-)
Aw I love that story, so sweet!! :)
All great tips! I gave up scented candles because they irritate my sinuses. I gave up fancy clothes because I never wore them. I’m not quite ready to give up having a bit of junk food in the house!
Thanks so much Tina! :) Ah if they irritate your sinuses, that's not good haha :) In the past, they've given me headaches, so I stay away from them because of that reason too.
I think the same about all. But, my Dad he knows all the junk I eat and he buy me. And guess what? He is 81 years. He call me come I bought you choc crisps. I say Papa don't buy. He say but you like. Im 46. He still treat me like a baby. Im married and have 17 years daughter😃
An ideia for parents when they send invites out for their kid’s birthday party is to make a note of not toys please - oooor you accept whatever people want to gift and then together with your child you go together and donate the gifts to families or charities that really need it/can’t afford/have no toys at all xxx
Lovely ideas! :) Thanks Isabel
This was a great list Vera, I could really relate to what you were saying. Marketing is so good at convincing us that we 'need' these things and that they'll make such a difference in our lives, sometimes this really is the case, but mostly what makes the biggest and best difference is not buying that item, not having the clutter in your home that it would create, not worsening your carbon footprint and keeping that money that you would've spent in your bank account.
Well said! :)
Great list, couldn't agree more 💛
I don't have kids myself, but my go-to present for my friends' kids is experiences, like a gift card to an activity park. Both the parents and the little ones love it! 😄
Also, my tip for making the bathroom smell nice: opt for soap bars for hands and/or body, they serve a function AND the scent will linger even when they're dry.
Awesome! :) Thanks for sharing Jenna
You are so right about buying useless products like kitchen gadgets, fragrances and extra beauty products. The one thing I have fallen into the trap over and over again is clothing that I absolutely love when I’m shopping but it doesn’t really fit me perfectly when I try it on in the store and I buy it anyway 🙄 I get so annoyed with myself and most of the time I return it but sometimes I use it and I’m disappointed when wearing it because it just doesn’t fit right! I am getting better at this and I’m really working on it! When my kids were little I would put half of their toys away for a couple of months and then take them out and put the others away. They always felt like they had new toys, this really worked for me. My goal from this video is to try no junk food in the house, I tried once but I wasn’t ready, I’ll be trying again! Great tips! 👍🌸
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Joan! Yes the clothing one is tricky.. it's hard to find stuff you like so when you do find something, but it doesn't fit perfectly, it's tempting to get it anyway. That's my experience anyway. :) Good luck with the junk food goal! :)
Home cleaning products. All the dusters, mopping products, specific floor cleaners, etc. I use window cleaner for most things, some biodegradable dish soap, but mostly a spray bottle of simple distilled vinegar.
Thanks for sharing David! 😄
👌I have similar collection of cleaners, very minimal.
Hi! I will never buy more eye-shadow pallets. I don't wear that much make up any more. No more new brand fancy hand bags, no more high heels... there are lots of things I will never buy any more. My mind has changed... I guess I am more mature... ha ha ha ... I am aging. Xo from Mexico City
Important realizations! :) Thanks Lily
Loved this!! With the toys I would say to put them in a box and have a time frame on it before it gets donated. I have 5 kids and they really do play more with less. They have only asked for one or two toys that were boxed up, totally forgot about the rest but I’m sure glad we did it that way and didn’t cause a meltdown lol they are learning how to let go of things though and what things they actually use and love.
Ah that's great! :) Thanks for sharing Stephanie
I always purge the largest toys first! They create the moss visual clutter and smaller toys you can put away in a bin.
I would buy a book light immediately if lost or broken.i like to read in bed without it bothering my husband or outside on screened in porch(no bugs attracted then).great tips today, Vera!
Ah that's one I haven't thought of before :)
Use your eye cream every day, morning and night. In my case I use it after my shower in the morning and after washing my face at night. The eyes are surrounded by super delicate skin and it is the first one getting wrinkles. At 37 now I am starting to see changes and I am thankful I started moisturizing daily a few years ago
Thanks for sharing Carol! :) I agree, as I'm getting older (now almost 34), I am noticing small fine lines, so that's why I've added the eye cream like a year ago haha. Definitely trying to do it daily.
And you are so right about clothes that don't fit! They should find their way out of your wardrobe... I just did a huge wardrobe declutter and packed everything today - going to sell at a flea market tomorrow....)
Well done. :)
Awesome, congrats! :)
I’m doing a No Buy July this month so perfect timing for this video!
Ooh cool!! Good luck, let me know how you like it! 😄
These are all very good!
And thanks bc you helped me connect two related dots that are issues for me!
1. Not buying junk food! Yessss like why do I even bring it all home to tempt me?
2. Clothing thats now too small but used to fit!
Well I have mixed feelings on that one. Yes it does irritate me that some of my old favorites no longer fit since I keep wrestling with these 8lbs gained since Covid locked us down…however, all negative feelings are not necessarily bad!
I like to keeping the clothing I know should fit me if I lost these few extra lbs as motivation to keep working on losing it.
Sometimes we need that little bit of frustration to remind us of our goals & drive us to do the right thing to work toward it when we might not feel like it.
So maybe if I will stop bringing the junk food home & be more faithful about working out then those little clothing pieces who taunt me might later become my rewards for goals achieved!?
So I’m giving them permission to aggravate me! Lol
Ah haha sounds great, thanks for sharing and good luck! :)
Due to current circumstances I haven't been able to watch a lot of UA-cam so it was so nice to find one of your videos in my suggestions again - they are so well thought through, relaxing to watch, and your kindness - specially always in the beginning pointing out that everybody is different etc... - just make it so easy to watch and feel comfortable in your own skin. It feels like getting together with someone over a cup of tea discussing common things in life. Thank you for that first of all :-)
I then had to giggle when you said that your best ideas come in the shower - I watched another video before this one about someone talking about philosophers and writers who used to swear on a good walk to gather thoughts and ideas and I thought to myself that mine come in the shower. And no less than 2min later you say that too :'-D haha, glad I'm not the only one!
I really like your tips, I could very much agree with most of them and see the sense behind it. I couldn't agree with the candles though - you can still find very cheap candles and they do not lose their smell. I love them, specially around winter time or Christmas time - the smell of apple & cinammon or spiced orange just makes the whole holiday season more exciting and keeps a bit of the depression from the miserable weather out or so. And as for insence - yes, nothing beats a good Nag Champa
Haha thank you so much, loved reading your comment!! :) And yes, nag champa is the best haha
I'm here just for 'the mini inflatable tube guy' dance! 😀 🤩
Hahaha it wasn't planned but somehow I really loved doing that 😂
I agree with everything on this list especially the toys! My kids have so much stuff and they never play with any of it!
Thanks Sally :) Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you for sharing very realistic and practical ways of making more streamlined life style choices.
You're very welcome Kim, happy you enjoyed it! :) Have a nice day today!
I make my beauty products myself with natural ingredients - it's so easy and not expensive at all. And then and when when i'm somewhere with my sons aged 19 and 23 we get asked if we are brother & sister...;) So these products really work!
And healthy food helps too!
Hi Vera! Lovely video, thanks for the tips! I’m so glad to hear you talking about skin care products. They’re… really tricky.
They really are! :) Have a great day
Ok, I really need to stop buying junk food...I have done it before so I can do it again, I just need it to hear it from someone else 🙊 Thanks 🌻
Haha great, you can do it! 😄 Good luck!
Excellent video. I agree with everything you said. I used to buy loads of scented candles but now I only but plain tealights because I like candlelight, it's very relaxing. Also I love the combination of lavender and orange scent in a diffuser because its relaxing and slightly uplifting as well. Also for toys, i saw somewhere where a parent told their kids if they get a new toy, they had to donate a toy they don't use much to kids that don't have much toys to play with. It helped with clutter and their kids enjoyed donating a toy each time to kids who would love that toy.
Hi Vera! Do you have any videos where you share some of your favorite healthy recipes? Or can you recommend a good website or blog for healthier eating? Lately I’ve been eating pop tarts, fruit snacks, cheez its, all processed stuff.
Hi Sally! I have two What I eat in a day videos, ua-cam.com/video/4sylmX4eLn4/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/PvlYUHV9v9s/v-deo.html. For recipes, I frequently check out the channels Pick Up Limes and Madeleine Olivia :)
I wont bring things junk food into the home either or cook brownies etc. I will buy one (maybe more money) but it's just one. No temptation. I also try to avoid stores like TJMaxx unless I really need something because as my daughter says, "It's the store that tells you want you want" : )
Haha your daughter is very clever! :)
Lots of great points made. I own a few of these things and even on those i can agree, they don‘t really change anything too much or sometimes at all.
Thanks so much Maria, have a great day!
I think I would agree with all of those and don't buy them myself (well perhaps I have a few unhealthy foods floating around the house! 😉 ) The scented products are something that I often used to buy because I felt like it was something I should do, that somehow a cosy home has scented candles etc. The trouble was I never actually liked them, the artificial scents used to grate on me (HSP thing I think) so I would hardly actually use them. I never buy them now and I'm much happier for that. I love the points you make about electronic and kitchen gadgets. I avoid browsing for things now and let life tell me what my actual needs are. Life knows my needs better than advertisers do. 😊
Exactly!! Love how you phrased that, it's so true!
Thank you so much Vera for your interesting content. I always learn a lot of new things about minimalism and intentional living from you. I really wish you the best 😊
So happy to hear that, thank you! :)
I never knew food choppers existed! I will be going to the store tomorrow first thing to pick one up. Thanks for your helpful video.
You're very welcome! :)
Hey Vera! I always relate to whatever you say at so many levels. Lots of love from India ❤️
Thank you so much Divya, that's nice to hear :) Have a lovely weekend!
Working on getting rid of items I don’t need. The tip on clothing was great. That if it just doesn’t fit right and you just don’t feel comfortable in it why keep it. I have a pile that needs altered but I have other items that don’t cover a certain area of my body like I want it to. I try it on. Take it off, hang it up. I do it over and over. Thanks! Those items are being donated.
You're very welcome Sandy, so cool that you found that tip helpful and that you're taking action with those items! :)
A couple of ideas for kids toys which I have seen my friends with kids use (don't have any of my own) is:
- getting toys through adverts for free or lower prices and then giving them up for free or selling them once the kids no longer play with them
- buying them from charity shops and donating them back once the kids are done
I realise this doesn't work for all types of toys but it works pretty well for puzzles and other board games which can end up getting boring after doing them many times. So it's a win for everyone and for the environment as well.
I also find that putting toys away for some time and then taking them out again nearly feels like a brand toy for some kids that have so many that some were never appreciated. So I wouldn't be so quick about decluttering, I'd just have them play with part of the toys for a few weeks and then rotate and so on. And of course this whole experience will teach not to buy that many toys in the future since they're not necessary.
Ah rotating sounds clever! :)
Always a Blessing. Thankyou.
Thanks Kenneth! :) Happy Monday!
Great advice regarding snacks. Thanks!
You're very welcome :) Have a nice day!
Haven’t even watched video yet, but I Loveeee the pink sweater on you ❤️
Aw thanks so much Christine :) How are you doing, I remember you commented on someone else's comment about undergoing a procedure of some kind?
@@SimpleHappyZen yes Vera, I am having a hip replacement Tuesday, it’s been a hard year, finally I’m scheduled
Thank you for asking, I appreciate you ❤️
@@christined2495 oh the day after tomorrow... wishing you all the best with it and I'll be sure to send you some healing vibes this Tuesday!! ❤🤗
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you Vera, I could sure use some healing vibes
Meanwhile I’ll be recovering and watching Simple Happy Zen… 😀❤️🌈
Thank you for the video!
You are so right about not bringing junk food into your home. I cannot have it in the house either. Just not worth the brief pleasure it offers
Yes, it's just so much easier if it's not there to tempt us :)
Things I don't by: shampoo in bottles (shampoo bar soap instead), shaving foam (shaving bar soap instead), disposable razors (use a safety razor), commercial house cleaning liquids, vacuum bags (use a Bagless vacuum), garbage bags, (bread bags are good enough), magazines, tv & music streaming subscription (I use free sources and library DVDs),
Things I don't buy often: dish soap (bar soap is fine for dishes. Dish soap has other uses though), paper towels(use cloth rags instead), books (library or eBook instead)
Sounds great! :) Thanks for sharing Bradley
Hi Vera! I also get ideas in the shower. And also when brushing my teeth! 😁 I will (hopefully) never buy bags again. I already have an assortment in various colours and materials. One thing we replaced right away recently was our computer. We had it for 13 years, and it just started shutting down during boot up.
Ah well, 13 years is a good time for a computer :) I also try to use them for as long as I can.
@@SimpleHappyZen Yes, I agree! ☺️
It’s so true about the toys !! So many toys just get in a pile or end up toy box and just waste away. It’s sad
Yes it kinda is... :)
Thank you! I am a total sucker for new cleaning products, as if they will make the experiance more fun, when all I really need to clean everything is about 3 products. Now I am off to purge my too tight clothes!
Hahaha I can relate with the cleaning products
Something I will never buy again is eye shadow. The last time I decluttered the main bathroom, I got real with myself that I hadn't worn it in years so I tossed it all. If I really wanted to, I could probably smudge on some eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, or blush. My face essentials are eyebrow pencil and lip balm, so I'd buy those again if they broke or got lost.
If we don't use it, we don't need it :) Thanks for sharing Jenny, have a great day!
I don't buy any shampoo and conditioner containers that have a tilted lid thing that never opens properly when you are in the middle of a hair wash. Also I have given up trying to find the right colour make up foundation cream, so I buy a light one (maybe ivory) and a dark one, and I mix them into a very small glass jar with a lid and add either one to the mix when the seasons change. I love doing it and blending the right colour. Also I always buy face cream in a glass jar to avoid the plastic land fill and I re-use the jars.
Hey Vera, thank you for the content that you put. It has made me more aware of what impact minimalism could positively do to our environment. 💖
I have personally been guilty buying clothes, makeup and junk food unnecessarily. I have successfully done with 4 months without junk food!! Also doing less with the other 2 problem areas.
I personally find celebrations that use insane amount of decorations (non sustainable ones) and balloons quite annoying. And yeah toys too!!
Thanks for sharing, yes those are definitely good ideas! :)
My in-shower Wet brand hairbrush. I thought I left it at a hotel once and immediately planned to repurchase it before my next shower. It’s a wonderful tool for detangling my thick wavy/curly hair!
Ah I get that! :)
Hi there, Vera! What a great video - thank you.
I know you deliberately turned your skincare products so that the branding wasn't on display, but I did wonder which brand you use. I am a terror for buying skincare and cosmetics and I have more products than I will ever use, but I struggle to find a brand that works for me and my skin.
Thanks again and have a great weekend.
Hi Andrea! Sure, no problem :) I just didn't want to be another influencer showing people brands of skincare to buy hahaha. But mine are unfortunately only available in the Netherlands I think.. they're from Biodermal (not to be confused with bioderma, which is a completely different brand). Good luck! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen
Thank you, Vera. So kind of you to share. I don't you will *ever* be one of those influencers because you're far more intentional and mindful than that. I will look up these products though, just in case they are available to order.
Have a great week!
My mother had a toaster oven, toaster, hot dog maker, burger maker, george forman grill, electric fry pan, popcorn machine, pastry brushes natural and telfon, (and didn't even cook very often). Separate small dishes to put individual vegetables in rather than putting on plates with entres, A couple of pots and pans, a bowl and wooden spoons is all anyone really needs.
That does sound like a lot :)
Thanks as always
Great, practical ideas. Thank you!
Happy to hear it!! :) Have a great rest of your weekend.
As a mom of two crotchgoblins I have to chime in on the toy-subject: absolutely correct! They play more when toys are limited. And to be honest, my kid likes to play most with things that aren't toys (preferably my nice porcelain dishes 😅. We do Montessori toy rotation - keeping toys in boxes and keep some away but rotate them on a regular schedule. Because kids go through phases of different interests all the time :)
Hahaha love that! Thanks for sharing :)
Hey Vera :) I used to use makeup remover too, but for the last few years i've been using reusable microfiber wipes so I don't need to buy the remover or the cotton wool pads anymore either. They're much more effective at removing makeup than you would think x
Also I would never buy a brand new mobile phone again. These days there are so many options to buy refurbished ones, even if they are a few years older they work perfectly well!
Hi Sian! Don't the reusable wipes need some kind of solution for removing things like eyeliner and mascara?
@@SimpleHappyZen They work with just water. At least the ones I've tried work.
But IMHO they need too much rubbing which is why I prefer to use a cleansing oil which removes both sunscreen and make up without any rubbing.
@@SimpleHappyZen As Alexandra says, they work with just water :) However I personally haven't experienced the need to rub any more than with makeup remover and cotton pads - I have never used a cleansing oil before though, so I can't compare the two. I'm mainly using them to rub off eyeliner and mascara rather than foundation or sunscreen. I guess if you felt it rubbed too much you could use a cleansing oil with the reusable wipes, then at least you'd avoid needing to buy the cotton pads! x
Vera, although you don’t have kids you give wonderful advice when it comes to minimalism with them and their toys. I’m glad that you included this in your video because a lot of us here do have kids and i appreciate you including this :) for some reason things like items or snacks just feel or taste better when you have them with intention and moderation. There’s so much minimalism that feels empty and soulless and minimalism should benefit your life not make it dull! Your channel is a great example of what balance is and I’m so happy ever since i found you here! Have a nice day ^_^
Aw thank you so much Bea, that's so sweet!! 🤗💕
I absolutely love your hack of never buying junk food to your home. I want to try that, but I think its a bit hard when my husband keeps buying his treats (he has his fav junk food and I have mine.. That's why I call them his). I think I will be tempted to eat his junk food when I have nothing for myself 🤣 but I will give it a try anyway!
Hahaha yes I can see that :D I do think it's easier for us, since we're in it together. But who knows, maybe your husband will get inspired too after a while to follow your example :)
I was going to buy tops for winter and found I had enough that also spark joy - so saved money.
Great! :)
This is suuuch a good list! Those toilet-bowl-night-light type gadgets make me so angry; thank you for calling that out!I still buy gag gifts, but I get them from the thrift store. That way it’s not taking any new resources to make them. Also I try to make them be things people can actually use. Like, a mug with something funny on it, things like that. :) (That’s not the best example, just the first one I could think of.)
If it's something people can actually use for a long time, and it's bought second hand, I think that could be a great gift still :)
I have to admit skincare is the hardest category out of the ones mentioned and I'm still working on it.
I have a monthly beauty box subscription which is my downfall but I have been skipping some of the months so this is already a big win for me. I guess it's all about progress in the end, even if it's slower than I'd want.
Definitely, progress over perfection :)
I mean, everybody is different about skincare. But nothing worked for me in the past except for korean skin care routine. It works so much wonder that even if I forget to do it 2 weeks, only 2 routines on to days make my skin perfect c: So I need everything needed for this routine but yes, the rest of beauty products are not needed and I only buy the things needed for this routine (even if its a bit more than told in other routines ^^')
Everything is so true.
I would recommend keeping some! clothes though if you have kids, to have some cloth for costume parties ;) Lately I gave my daughter my old white dress to dress up as an angel
Aw so cute :)
So true about scents.
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So well thought out
Thank you so much!! :)
Lovely video thanks Vera 😊 ✨️ I have an irrelevant question 😅 I have the same hair type and quality I guess but I struggle with my curles care. Do you have a video on that or can you tell me about the hair products you use? It looks amazing 🤩😍
Thank you so much! :) About my hair, I've been getting a lot of questions about it recently, so I might make a video about it in the near future. For now, I got started with finding my routine by watching hair routine videos from Madeleine Olivia. She also has a similar hair type and I do a lot of what she shows in her videos. So I recommend checking them out :)
Hi Vera love the 10 things you mentioned. I agree with you about kitchen gadgets. ❤ I really not a fan of cell phones but if mine was to break I would replace it because that's the way I keep in touch with my son through WhatsApp so we can face time each other. We live many miles away from each other. It so great to be able to see his face while we talk since we can be together in person.
Yes, one of the best things about technology, I feel :) Being able to stay in touch with people from all over the world and actually see each other :)
děkuji za vaše videa!♥
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Hi thank you for sharing. Can you please share your details for your skin care products. I’m looking for a simple routine. Thank you, KP
Thanks Kristina! I have a video about my healthy skin routine: ua-cam.com/video/aqArakP5Sb0/v-deo.html
@@SimpleHappyZen thank you for linking it! I will watch it I appreciate your reply. KP
Hi,
Re your question about your Mint knit? I think the colour is perfect for you. ❤MM.
Thanks!! :)
Fantastic list, Vera!!! Thank you!
Happy to hear it! :) Take care and have a nice day
#3 (04:07) how do you care for that plant and what is it called? :)
Hi Vera. How are you ? Good conversation with audiance. Nicely explained with pleasant calming silent music. Overall video is perfect.
You have to maintain good relationship, harmony in your life... For that MORE is not required 👍 enjoy moments 🎉🎉
Thank you so much for your kind comment, so happy you enjoyed the video! I'm doing well, thanks for asking. Hope you are too!
A solution for a non-existent problem. Yes, that's a good criteria for not buying something.
Hahaha yes :)
So true ..life is too short to spend on all these unnecessary items
I was once a multi-millionaire until my mom cleaned out my Lego and trading card collection ;)
and the comic books!!!
Not buying junk food is a great way to save money on groceries since they can also be expensive. Being able to make the healthier option is an amazing frugal way of living.
Good point, we really are saving on our weekly groceries since we started doing that :)
Nice tongue ring! I’ve never noticed that before on you. Is it new? You are positively glowing.
Haha thanks! No, I've had it since I was 17. I talk more about it in this video: ua-cam.com/video/-ky_rnTxrcI/v-deo.html
I agree with all of these things… particularly the beauty products. I have purchased way too many and need to declutter them. Great advice! Thank you 💗
Thanks so much Heather, happy you enjoyed the video! Take care and have a great weekend
Ah well, I absolutely LOVE my mini inflatable tube guy. I would own a full size one if I had a place to put it.
Haha awww. I have to admit, they are awfully cute 😍
Hello Vera great video but as of late I would spend good money on shoes and my sleeping things but everything else is open hope you’re doing well
Good shoes and good sleep are important :) Thanks Bill, I'm doing well. Hope you are too!
What beauty product brand do you use? Is it Euro only brand? I have very sensitive skin being an hsp and have trouble finding anything. I love the idea of no junk food in the house. I basically do this but on occasions will bake something or buy something im craving. They do say the less sugar you eat the less you crave it. Im wondering if sugar is a stimulant and bad for hsp. I recently found out chocolate and hot chocolate had caffeine 😣 Still trying to find good decaf substitute for the morning. I do drink teas and teechino herbal coffee sometimes.
Yes it's not easy sometimes.. I do really find that to be the case with sugar. The more I eat it, the more I start craving it. Before, I thought I would indulge in a cake or donut or something every now and then, and then the cravings would go away. But every time I do eat one, it only gives me more cravings for like a week. I've learned that having some sweet tasting teas in the house really work well. I'll have a cup of rooibos with orange peel and it basically feels like a sweet treat, but without the sugar, cafeine or calories. I've kind of given up on finding a good tasting decaf coffee haha, they all taste so strange.
Hey Vera, can you do a video on how to be a minimalist and live simply when you're married to a messy person? i'm struggling
Trying to cut back on paper towel but not sure will ever completely eliminate.
At least that can be put into the paper recycle bin.
I keep a set cloth rags. After they are used they get washed with the dishes once, then go into the weekly clothes wash. I still use paper towels for really gross or greasy stuff.
hello may i ask what brand is your skin products. thanks in advance❤
Hi Vera. I don’t buy facial and body scrub. I don’t buy wettex wipes baby wipes chewing gums (with the exception of Chios mastic which makes miracles with digestion and oral hygiene). I don’t buy multi cleansers for the house(I make my own with vinegar soda and Arkadi green soap). I don’t dye my hair. I don’t buy straws etc. I am trying now to change paper napkins with textile ones. Do you have any suggestions on the quality or fabric that will do the job?? Thank you. Maria.
Mat yoga 🧘♀️ I don't miss it , my old clothes, old carpets and my old sheets Iam happy to get rid of them 😊
I do the whole No Junk Food sometimes I'll go through a phase in a year where I'll go to Costco and get like a cookie set and then put it in the freezer and then use that to eat because my boyfriend doesn't eat junk food. BUT Bread is one addiction that I find that I have. I always eat a loaf of bread and I don't know how to stop it's insane😥
ah love these tips! although i tried to get around workout clothing and I couldnt lol, I cant wear a tennis skirt to zumba? i just feel a bit werid, and I need specific pockes for tennis, which actually double as golf, but also cant wear zumba stuff to tennis cuz again need pockets,
Haha yes, sometimes it makes more sense to get something specific for that sport (like with tennis). However, we can still apply this principle in that example. Using the tennis skirt you already have, instead of buying a new one that has a cuter color for instance. But in the end, minimalism is different for everyone, so we can all decide for ourselves what we value. :)
The number one thing on my list is houseplants. They require alot of maintenence. Water, fertilizer, the right lighting, re-pottin, potting soil, watering can, and then they die anyways. Big ole' waste.
I’m an aesthetician & I research a lot of health related topics. Do not even put on sunscreen early Morn or later eve .. get SOME real sunshine. When applying sunscreen use zinc oxide (maybe some titanium dioxide also ok) those other ingredients you see on products have chemicals as dangerous as the sun itself. IN MY OPINION!!!
Not buying electronic devices I can relate to .Makes me stressed trying to work out how to use them not worth the hassle or expense
I get that! :) Thanks for sharing Joanne