Why I'm GIVING everything away | Messy Minimalist Q&A
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- It's Messy Minimalist Q&A time! I get asked all the time, "Why are you giving everything away?". (Why not sell?) So in a very NOT minimalist way, I'm giving my long-form answer to this question. ;-) But if you don't feel like listening to the video, I'll try to be more succinct here: This video is all about TIME. I'm giving my things away because I don't want to waste any more time on my STUFF. Stuff has been taking up my time and money for too long, now I'm done with it. I will declutter, purge, and minimize until my minimalist journey is done. Seriously. Money doesn't bring happiness! Living minimal and mindful does. :)
I'm off to go work on more decluttering, purging, and minimalism videos, but in the meantime, please check out my social media channels if you want to see more!
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Thought you might like this quote. "The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." Thoreau
Yes
I have away most of my stuff as opposed to selling is just to avoid the hassle of the back and forth of selling. Sometimes that takes more time and energy than it is worth.
exactly! That's the main reason that I stopped doing it too. And the 'no shows'. When people say they're coming, I expect to see them. It always blows my mind when people just don't show up.
Messy Minimalist not call
can also just call a professional organization that will clear out the stuff and sell it for you, most only seem to take 10% of the results for their fee for dealing with it. Found one recommended online by friends called MaxSold. haven't dealt with them yet as I have friends in the trade, but there are probably many reputable local-to-your-area folks like this that you can contact to haul it away and do it all, leaving you with space, peace and a few bucks to pay off debts and give some to charity or friends in need too!
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When I got rid of 70% my stuff. People reacted negatively when I said. I don't need it. Months later the same people. Compliment my home. Lol.
That negativity is the person justifying to themselves why they aren't doing it. I'm not saying the should do it, but whenever someone does something new the people around them are thinking ooh should I do this? But change is hard. The later compliments mean they may be inspired even just a little bit, which is cool
I like to donate my unwanted items too. Selling is too slow/time consuming. Also don't like the unwanted stuff lying around my home for extended periods of time. Off to the donation centre it goes! Great video!
Yes, the stuff laying around is what really gets me too!
Yes! Often the clutter is a result of me choosing not to deal with my stuff. Cleaning out a closet and putting my stuff aside to deal with another day (for a garage sale, to sell online, etc) perpetuates my piles of clutter and causes me to lose momentum. Out to the back of my van immediately for a consignment shop has been game changing for me!
Finding one specific item I really wanted to purchase pushed me to let go of and sell all the guilt items I didn't realize I had, and now I just bought the gamecube I was so focused on! I feel like this is a great way to declutter the hard stuff, but of course it won't work for everyone
This is my reasoning for donating as opposed to sell also, if it hangs around...it hangs around and I just want it gone, someone else will definately enjoy it
Exactly, selling is too slow. If you calculate the hourly rate you get when you go down this way, you see it doesn’t pay off. If you just donate it, you can use the won time to work and get usual hourly rates paid, if you really need the money.
The notion of our stuff having sentience is a 21st century twist on the Shinto religion, so very Japanese in its roots. Look, if coordinating a yard sale only slows down your ability to clear your space effectively, then it is absolutely not worth the time and energy required. As for adding to someone else's unnecessary possessions, that's totally unknowable! When we give things away, for all we know we are providing someone with an item that they will absolutely treasure and honor, something that will spark joy for THEM...and that isn't selfish--it's adding to the sum total of someone else's happiness. What is selfish, though, is when we stay in the hamster-wheel cycle of overconsumption of buy-dump-buy-dump. Then we only add misery to the planet. But clearing the decks for more time, more space (literal and psychological) is a net positive--you'll be a happier person, and your happiness will radiate out to the world around you. Like here on UA-cam! You're accomplishing loads. Well done. :)
Carla Baku thanks for saying exactly what I wanted to say, but way better & more concise 😉
Carla Baku well said. End the overconsumption cycle
Carla Baku that was perfectly said/written--beautiful♥
Yeah I agree also.I got a booth in a flea market and got rid of a bunch of stuff that way!!
I 100% get this!! I used to sell every last thing on eBay, sometimes only getting a few £ for them and at the time I saw it as a victory but now I've put a price on my time it no longer is (unless the item is worth more than £60. I've just taken a load of stuff to the charity shop yesterday (stuff I could have sold) when I walked away from the bags I left at the desk I felt so much better, so much lighter and without the worry of "I need to get these on eBay and hope they make me something"
I thought this question was obvious. Them asking that question is an indication that they're still in hoarding-mindset. What they're asking you is "Don't you still need to get stuff out of this precious stuff? You should hang onto it until you get a proper price to it! Otherwise, you should keep it until you do! There's no value in seeing this or that area clear, you'll be without your stuff! If you get enough money for it, you can buy new, better stuff!" etc.
YES - I agree with all of this. And that last notion (that "you can buy something better") is something I cut from this video, but shouldn't have. I have no desire to go 'buy something bigger/better/more on trend... which is often another follow up to selling things.
If there is debt of any kind, I would think it would be worth it to sell at least some of it. It does take hard work and time but that's part of paying off debt. You don't necessarily have to spend it on new items. Pay off debts. Put the money in a retirement fund.
As someone who resells on the side, selling things is not the way to get rid of things in any sort of a timely fashion. And it's an attention sink as well. Sure you can spend a few days on a garage sale and maybe do okay but you're not going to get rid of everything. If you do it online, you need accounts, you need to package, you need to ship, you need to photograph... I have a whole room full of...wait for it...stuff I need so that I can sell stuff.
shammy dammy right...the things people never tell you about. 🤣🤣
Wish I could 💗 this video! I'm not a salesperson, I don't want random people knowing where I live, and my time is PRECIOUS. It's really important to get at the psychology behind it. It takes a long time to accept and be ok with the fact that our stuff isn't about other people. Of course, in the future we can and should make responsible buying choices, but in the past we weren't "there" yet. It's about making our surroundings match our current values. Thanks for inspiring!
Every Eve exactly. That whole “porch pick up” thing worries me. And I don’t want to meet anyone to sell it either.
I once had a dream where I went into my closet and all the items that I didn't wear after some time turned back into money. Wouldn't that be nice for our unused items to turn into money? Lol
I understand perfectly what you say. When I have gone through a bunch of items and decided that I want them out of my life, I want them out of my life immediately. It stresses me a lot thinking that if I want to sell them I would have to keep those items for an indeterminate period of time and keep my eyes on them taking pictures, writing about them, etc. So I end up giving them away as soon as I can.
Totally agree with you! I give away a lot of items that I don't need that I could sell. I don't want the hassle of selling either.
Exactly! :)
me too. and i feel so selfish too haha, here other people have my crap oops sorry
remember the old saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure"? And " beauty IS in the eye of the beholder". never feel bad about passing things along, you may become a great blessing to someone else!
I donate mine to a women's shelter
Since the 1990s I have been a reformed messy. My experience with minimalism, which I consider myself to be, is that minimalism is a journey not necessarily a destination. Especially if you are a person who has the tendency to want to salvage everything. Messies always have good intentions but we know where the road leads that are paved with those good intentions. So I continue on my journey. I have donated/given away countless items. So many I cannot remember them all. My husband's death was the catalyst that projected me full force into minimalism. I found myself resentful of all of the things that remained that I was the keeper of after his death. I had all of his things but I did not have him. I once knew a woman who lived in a mobile home. Every day she would lament that she would give anything she had to live in a real house and not "this tin box". Her son at the age of 21, was in the military and died suddenly of a tragic accident. He left his parents the beneficiaries of his life insurance policy. With the money they built a house. Every day his mother would sit in the house and say, "I would live in a tent if I could only have my son back." Things are nothing the people we love are everything. Peace to all of you and peace to you messy minimalist. ❤️
This made me cry😭
@@tomaszwyszkowski2253 Peace be with you Tomasz.
So happy to hear I'm not the only one who just gave it all away, and we could always use the money! But mentally, the place I reached to no longer value the items in the first place is the opposite place I'd have to be, mentally, to spend HOURS of my time prepping, pricing, and selling it all. I have no desire to spend energy convincing someone else my junk is worth buying. That's just me, but when you're done with items, you just wanna go "poof" and they vanish! And then I'm free. Free to be me.😀 Thank you, God, for consignment stores.
Totally agree! Holding on to things to sell just gives the items more power, attention, and value. By letting them go freely, you're also giving away their power over you, if that makes any sense. I loooove getting rid of stuff, especially when it's "valuable". It's such a liberating feeling. :)
Something you said in this changed my life. I have been trying to sell my clothes to justify giving it away. No price someone has given me has been "good enough." Now I realize after hearing you speak that I am still sentimentally attached to it. I need to cut my losses and realize I do not need it no matter the money. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me this. xo
You articulate your thoughts so well. You just made me see my storage room of stuff I had planned to sell very differently. I'm just going to pick out the things of high value ($100+) to sell and I'm going to donate the rest. THANK YOU
great idea, I will definetely do something similar!
Ha, I just finished writing about that. I had a few high-demand items leftover from our wedding that sold very fast, and now it's the smaller dredges that are just sitting around doing nothing that are annoying my husband and more (him more than me) - Little lanterns, candy boxes, etc. It's not worth my timmmme.
I wholeheartedly agree. It is a lot of work to try and sell things. My husband and I ran into very hard times in 2010, we had no choice but to sell almost everything we owned. We sold personal items, kitchen items and ALL of our furniture and related items, except our beds, and we only made 775.00. We are talking an ENTIRE house full of furniture and stuff for 775.00! Your things are only worth what someone is willing to pay, and everyone wants to buy things for as little as they can. I give things away for my own piece of mind. The only thing that I give for the sake of giving is clothing. The rest I just want it out of my house, so I give them away.
I'm with you - sometimes you just have to get the items out of your house - however it needs to happen. I've accumulated so many THINGS that simply aren't meaningful to me and I want a meaningful home. Every time I'm able to release something from my home I breathe a sigh of relief. It's so worth it. Keep on your path Messy Minimalist!
I found your channel one week ago today and just now finished "catching up" with your journey and it is so encouraging! In between binge watching I have decluttered 2 rooms and realized I could part with fully half of the items I had been saving in my storage closet for "maybe someday". Many of those items I had shoved in that closet 8 years ago when we moved in and my kids were too little for them. Now my kids are half grown and you know what? We lived just fine without using most things in that closet!! And bonus now we have a usable space AND I don't have to dread walking past that closet anymore! So thank you for being the little push I needed to face that! 😊
I put a small shelf out on the curb, and my husband asked me if I wanted to try and sell it. I told him if it isn't worth the space in the house to store it, it isn't worth the space in my brain to worry about selling it.
I didn't know whether to laugh at or solemly contemplate your "What if my garage were like Toy Story" bit. It was funy, but dang, you really made a point there.
I tell myself, "Display it, don't store it." If it doesn't mean enough to me to be displayed in my home then it needs to go!
I feel the same way. I believe it is called the sunk cost fallacy. My family doesn't understand, but I've already let all this stuff take up enough of my time/space/energy. My time is worth more than an object.
Thanks for your videos and time. Your truthfulness and editing are both beautiful and refreshing.
I came across your channel maybe a month ago, I've been watching videos about minimalism and UA-cam recommended yours. And at first, I didn't like it. It was the first channel about minimalism that I saw, that didn't have "a lot of white in it" and was about someone with a lot of stuff and a messy house, so it basically looked like my house (actually better, I've got a long way to go!). You get my point. But you changed my mind very fast by being so open, and so honest, and talking about things I've been struggling for a long time. And I soon realized that watching your videos, not only, gives me motivation BUT IT ACTUALLY helps me get stuff done. Thank you 😊
"What I need more than money is time" -Such a great response! I have had family/friends get really annoyed with me for giving things away instead of selling it. This is exactly what I have tried to explain to them, but not as well as you have.
Time is my number one reason too! I just do not have the time or capacity to deal with facebook grouos, selling and meeting people. My time is too important!
Yes - exactly :) Enjoy that time!
Hi Rachel! Loads of my subscribers have been commenting recently saying they love your channel and, now that I've moved from Dublin, Ireland to Ohio, US, that we should collab! =) So I just wanted to say hi, my name is Laura, and I've also done the KonMari Method and am on a minimalist journey. =)
I watch both of you and you are both helping me so much to keep focused, seeing real world people go through the same journey. Would love to see a collab!
I love this! Giving things away makes total sense. Time is much more precious than things or money, A dying man doesn't wish for more things or money--he wishes for more time. If you give stuff away, and view it as a loss, you'll also be less likely to buy more needless things after the fact and lose more. Anyway, it's not giving a burden to someone else if you donate it to charity.
Good for you!I do think it is a matter of priorities.
Some people think if they were rich that it would solve all their problems.What they don't realize is it can bring more problems.
Yes! I so agree with your reasoning on why you give away your things as opposed to selling them. I had a basement full of stuff, lots of my sons stuff, lots of clothing and household items, that I did not want to part with when I moved states the first time because in my head I was like "No, I can sell this, this is good stuff, I can make some money". But...I fricken hate having garage sales, and that stuff stayed in the basement of our home in NY for 3 years. Well, we were at another period of moving and I could not bare to carry all that unused stuff with us to another home. So, I had all of it picked up by donation centers and it was the best choice ever!! Since than I've been sloughing off more and more stuff that has been hanging around, stuff that I don't really love anymore and its been awesome! I used to be big on thrifting and had accumulated a lot of pretty china, random cute plates and cups, bowls, and really it just made for a ton of dishes to wash all the time. Now we have 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 glasses, and 8 mugs. Makes for light dishwashing, lol. :)
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! I have been struggling with this. I could sell some old craft supplies & make $100, $20, $50 and it would all add up BUT it would take alot of time. My hubby has been trying to get this through my head for YEARS. I've been hanging onto so I could sell it......It has been 3 years and I still haven't "sold" it. SO after binging on your videos I donated it all yesterday and feel AWESOME!!! Thank you thank you thank you. BIG hug! Please I need your inspiration. Keep the videos coming! My whole family need you LOL
Woot!! :) I love hearing this! I'm so glad I could help give you the extra nudge you needed to get that stuff out! Good job!! :-D
I''ve decluttered a huge amount of stuff and I gave mine all away, too. I recently tried to sell a few items to earn some money and I agree-- it was too much time and effort. None of it ended up selling. I'd much rather give my stuff away and hope that it finds homes where it is more wanted and cared for. ~Heather
I agree with you about donating! My mom was upset that I wasn't selling some of my items, so she took them to try to sell them herself. It just added to her clutter and she eventually donated them because we also care about time more versus money.
This video...!!!!! When we started decluttering and purging, we sold a bunch of items because we needed the money to pay for our move into the new apartment and OMG.... it took so much time and energy, and without a car, I often had to meet people at a metro station, move around town to meet people halfway and what not... It was such a hassle and I was completely exhausted, but we needed the money at that point. As soon as we reached our goal budget, everything else was given away for free to people who needed the items and they came to our place to pick them up directly and it was muuuuuch easier! It was also so nice to see these people smiling and actually finding a purpose for what we did not need anymore. Thanks for posting your story :)
Yep you hit the nail on the head. I have a large pile of stuff for a yard sale in a room. It's been piling up for almost two years. I just need to donate it and move on. Cause I've been thinking about when am I going to have a yard sale. It's like on my mind every time I go into that room. Thanks girl.
Thank you for this....it's true. Time means more happiness to me than selling and getting some sad amount of money back for something that I paid way more for to begin with. I'd rather get rid of it and never look back.
YESSSSSSSSS :) Your points are great and what I had to discover the hard way. I was doing so well with my efforts of decluttering and then decided to have a garage sale. What a nightmare. So much effort, time, planning and brain power. As soon as the garage sale was done, I felt so discouraged and upset with how things had gone. Now I donate and don't think twice about it. I get more from the feeling of "letting go" than I do at trying to sell the item. My little motto right now is inspired by the movie Frozen " Let it Go". Thanks for another great video.
Yes yes yes! Selling things means spending your time and energy, and that can be annoying. I really dislike keeping unneeded stuff in my home, I just want it away, and going through this additional hassle to get rid of something I don't even need really irks me
What you are saying makes perfect sense and I may become a member of that club after my next yardsale. Right now (before I even have the sale) I have spent months and months of time going through our stuff (remarried-his stuff, my stuff and my parents stuff now that Dad has moved in with us) cleaning it, pricing it and packing it. Looking back it feels like a big waste of my valuable time but at the same time I will have cash in my hand to put toward whatever I want. I need to have a serious talk with myself and decide which is more valuable. I wouldn't have put this issue into the proper perspective without your video. Thank you so much!
Absolutely LOVED this video! I'm doing the exact same thing with my stuff and I get the same exact comments and raised eyebrows. People just don't understand. We want the stuff out of our homes, out of our lives. We don't want our days to be consumed in caring for them or even in selling them. (There's no difference TIMEWISE in going out and shopping for more trinkets or selling the ones you have) Going through the process of selling them just means hanging on to them that much longer. Possessions possess you. You put it perfectly: We want our time and our lives back!! You're doing a phenomenal job with unburdening yourself . When my energy flags, I only have to watch one of your videos to get inspired again. .Declutterers unite!
💕💜💙, Kate
I agree that once I have taken the time to go through an area I need to be done with those items. They need to be gone from my life. I too do not want to invest anymore of my time selling them. I also feel that the money is not worth the time it takes to sell the items. The items are still around and that stresses me out! Too much interaction with people and then the sale can still fall through and I am still stuck with the item. It is maddening to me, so I call a great local charity that will pick up my stuff. They pick it up and I am done and I can move on! Maybe that is selfish but it is what I have to do at this point in my life. So, I continue my journey of de-cluttering. It gives me more time to do the things I love, more space to do them in and that brings me great joy.
I agree with you completely!! Getting something in exchange defeats the entire purpose 😁 best decluttering video I've seen on youtube!!
There are a few items I love too much to just drop off at the donation center. When I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter, I bought a pair of matching Easter dresses hoping I'd be able to use them (but taped the receipt to the hanger since we didn't know the gender). After a year of medical crisis and chaos, it meant so much to be able to have our little girls wear those dresses. And darn it all, they outgrew them anyway.
I asked a friend with daughters that same age gap, but younger, if she'd like them. It was a meaningful gift and I sent them off to a loving new home.
When I donate to our local donation center, that business gives people jobs. It gives our community access to recycled items to reuse instead of just creating more. I send them off with love hoping they bless the world, not cast them off.
Anything not worth buying secondhand, I just throw away.
I just wanted to voice that I did the same thing! I got rid of over 25 boxes worth of stuff from just my first haul through my space. I ended up putting everything on the street for a pick up that comes by once a month that uses the donations to go to families who have someone living with epilepsy. I got asked multiple times why I was just giving things away like articles of clothing that were worth money still, or Decor items that I could've gotten 5/10 bucks apiece for. But I wanted to just get it out of my space rather than go through the hassle of selling everything and taking, like you said, the time to do everything. Time is what's most important now and I realize that it holds 1000 times more value than stuff. It feels so good! You go girl! Love watching your stuff. I'm in the middle of making my first minimalism video and it's a 30 day challenge that I followed from the minimalists. I'll be publishing it next month once I've gone through my 30 days!
How did I miss this video? I can so relate. When talking to a family member about "giving away/donating", she was stunned. I responded, "If a friend needed that item, would you give it to her?" "Of course!" She says. "Well, giving away/donating to people I don't know is helping a friend I just haven't met."
This mentality really helps me with letting go of things that are "valuable".
Just watched all your videos in the last 3weeks or so. I'm inspired and have been working on my house. I want more videos!!! They give me an odd sense of accomplishment. Almost as if I had just cleaned up one of my own spaces and I have that good feeling even before I get onto my own stuff. It is so satisfying to be satisfied even before I start.... Sounds weird. But anyway, keep posting!!! And finish that garage!!!! That satisfaction when you conquer that space is going to be amazing! Thanks for allowing us on the journey!!
The Konmari is a good starting point. But it is not reasonable for most. Not every item can "spark joy." I would not own a lawn mower or a bra if that were the case. You are not selfish. You are giving your stuff to places that give others opportunity to obtain something they need. Your motivation is to better yourself, that is not selfish. Bettering yourself is good for your family and community. Don't get me started on thanking items. That is elevating them above what they are. My point is... You re doing a great job. Keep it up!
Rachel!
You are so very right!!! Time IS Money! Being a slave to our money, includes not only "selling" our unwanted stuff, but those who coupon shop and only shop sales?? They wind up with tons of stuff too! In their pantries and cupboards!!
Now, whenever our weekly flyers arrive in the mail, I TOSS them!! Not even a look. But that took me quite a few weeks to do.
I am no longer planning my meals based on "what's on sale" or what coupons expire... I plan based on what my family and I love and what recipes have inspired me!! :) Much happier...
THANK YOU for posting this blog today to answer those who wonder "Why are you leaving money on the table" ... It's actually Happiness that is at risk when we suffer through the processes of 'selling' our stuff. WAY TOO MUCH TIME!!
I was tripping over a bunch of things that I wanted to "sell" and then before I knew it, I was under a mountain of stuff, again wondering all the time: When should I have the sale? What about signs? What about weather? Who will help me? and the list just goes on and on... TIME, TIME, TIME ticking away with every worrisome bother over trying to make a nickle and costing me a dollar to do it!!
Having studied Feng Shui for years, I fell in love with the KonMari 'Art of Tidying' and it is quite beneficial in many ways for many people. You've got a great understanding of what KonMari is and how it can be used within the guidelines, if not the fully described processes. There is no one 'right' way to do everything for every person. If we combine multiple philosophies and create our own style, this will make our lives so much simpler. You, my dear, have created "The Messy Minimalist" lifestyle! A mindset that is pure and honest.
May I suggest a couple of books that also have great life changing impact?
"Feng Shui for the Soul" by Denise Linn ... You won't be sorry! Denise has a lovely essence about her and she is the only reason I subscribe to Hay House. I just find her nurturing spirit so warm; and like you, she's very real and present.
Another very life changing book that helped me a lot was: "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg
These two books are easy to read in bits & pieces.
Namaste'
I'm not religious but a big amen to that, the same feeling over here and you've said it perfectly. I had a time when I would be a total thriftstore addict and saw and still do what things would become with some TLC but never got around to it. It was a hiding space/place (the thriftstores) to deal with my worries and care that I had for my dad, I took care of him for almost 5 years and have a son who has ADHD/Asperger's so I needed the distraction and the feeling I got from "good" deals. My dad has died for almost 3 years and I'm finally at a place that my house is under controle. I did the Konmari but in my own down to ground dutch way (I'm from the Netherlands) and got so much stuff out of our house that I even got my husband into the decluttering. I've stood on car boot sales to sell stuff and it costed me more than I earned and the time that I spend was way too much for what we earned after the costs of standing there and often we would walk around on the field and buy more stuff so nope not working at all. So yes I have given bags and boxes and way more to the thriftstore and the money they earn from selling it will go to good will and such so it's not totally wasted and now? I'm feeling relaxed. I don't need all that stuff, less is more and oh my I wish I had learned that sooner. I am now doing the fly lady cleaning (of course in my own stuborn way) and it's so easy after decluttering. Ok way too much talking from my part but oh yes you totally hit the spot with your video/vlog!! Thank you very much, I feel like I'm having someone who understands me and understands it's not only about the money but about peace and air and time and space and...oh so much more.
This society is absurd, you have to justfy why you dont want to have unused stuff in your house. You are the best. :)
I’ve found that the energy spent just saying No to a purchase at the store is 1,000 times less than all the anxiety and stress energy expended trying to get RID of the unneeded item/s later on down the road.
I am turning 60 in a couple months and now is the time to start cleaning out the stuff that i spent my entire life collecting. Unlike you, I don't work and am a prepper. What I will be selling gets turned into food and supplies. Good luck. Subbed.
I have been trying to sell a couple of things for the last 2 months and I understand what you say. After taking pictures, posting, describing, answering questions, all I got was less than 15 bucks.
I've been on a minimalist journey for the past year, slowly changing my mindset and life for the better. This video came into my life at just the right time!
Yesterday I purchased a beautiful wooden wine rack on Craigslist for 10 bucks... I don't even drink wine! 🍷 I thought this piece was too good of a deal to pass up and I could resell it or give it as a gift, when in reality I should have never brought it home.
I took the burden off of a lovely couple who were moving onward to a new life in San Diego California.
It's another learning experience in my minimalist journey and I thank this beautiful wine rack for the lesson it has taught me.
I also thank you for creating this channel and posting your own journey for me to find. :D
I love your answer to the question. People place all too much importance on money. It never has, and never will equate with happiness, beyond its function of providing the most basic of needs. Your answer was sooooooo refreshing, and I completely agree with you.
I totally understand. Holding on to an item with the intent to sell it risks not getting out of your life & causes stress. I also don't sell things. I have a friend who is a hoarder & spends $500 a month to rent spaces to hold her items. She's holding on to it all so she can sell it later, and can't see how just getting rid of it would bring in more money every single month than a one-time yard sale at some undefined time in the future could ever bring her. (It's more than a little frustrating)
I fully understand...when my husband died last year, I was told the same thing...you need money...sell all that great stuff...so, I had a series of yard sales...people would offer 25 cents for an item that I had priced at $3-4, but had a price tag of $20 on it and was never opened...and when I said $2, they walked away...my daughter found a buyer for my brand new Craftsman rototiller because I didn't have a shed to put it...I paid over $300...she got $20! At first, I got mad...yard sales are SO MUCH WORK! And that little bit of money...not worth the stress!! ...and then, I decided...to give it all away...and I finally felt good about it all...I'm with you...less stress, healthier you!
You're 100% right that selling is time consuming and unless the items have significant value it just isn't worth it. Besides, moving good useful stuff along to people who can really use it is a wonderful thing! Maybe, instead of thinking of it as "giving away", we should think of it as sharing, because that's really what you're doing.
I've read more than one DIY blog where the blogger was so excited to find old furniture by the road, take it home, make it beautiful, and give it a place of honor in her house.
Rachel I couldn't agree more 👏🏼 It's all about priorities and in the end it's just stuff, and if you don't love it or use it you certainly won't miss it 💛
You crack me up! Love your UA-cam videos...and yes, things are things and do not have feelings!! Goodness, there are plenty of people who do have feelings that need us. I just hit on a great quote that basically said that self-care is essential because it's the only gift we have to give. If we are not taking care of ourselves we have nothing to give. Thankfully your garage isn't writhing in pain because it doesn't have a night light. hahaha
Agreed. It's always bothered me when people declutter, especially clothes, and emphasize "Oh, just donate it to charity!" The second hand stores are overloaded with stuff and probably don't want or need your items. The point is to REDUCE consumerism in the first place. I thrift shop a fair bit cause I love the thrill of the deal. I see so much crap that should be in the garbage or will go sit in someone's house until they die. Now if the item is in good condition and can be used, then feel no guilt about donating it. We've all bought items thinking we'll wear it or use it and never did. My point is, don't buy junk you don't need just because you can donate it later.
Great video. Selling things takes time and effort that could be spent enjoying life or decluttering more things. I started decluttering and im so tired of it already. I wish i would sit in the hot sun for a yard sale lol!! Plus u take back in what doesnt sell. Works for some but not all... keep doing whatever works for you and ur family. 🙂
I so relate to this. I've been working on a minimalist lifestyle for the last 6 months, and almost everything has been donated to local shelters or thrift stores. I could spend the time to sell it all, but I value the space and mental clarity above the money. I hope that the items can benefit others, and I'm content with what I have. Becoming more minimalist makes it easier to pay down debt as well because your shopping habits change, too. Spending all the time to sell everything would take over all your time and space.
I've been watching your videos for a few months now and I'm obsessed 😆 I love your passion and goals for a simple clean life ! I literally get so happy when you post a video ! You inspired me to get rid of sooooo many things that I don't need or even like ! I can't wait for more decluttering videos👍🏼
Love hearing this :) Thanks for following along! And awesome that you're making progress in your own life/space/home. Take care!!
You are such a inspiration. Usually people show off houses and apartments that are already empty saying " I want to live more minimal" your videos are realistic - love them. Much love from germany
Great perspective. I'm a big fan, thanks for all you do and the honesty, grace, and intelligence with which you do it.
I completely understand where you're coming from because I tried cleaning out a bunch of things and keeping them for a garage sale. Although, in a spoiler everyone saw coming, I never had time to have that garage sale and all that stuff ended up right back in my house. lol So now, when I get a few things bagged or boxed up, it goes right away. Thankfully, I have places to donate that are 5 mins away. Keeping things around to sell, for me, is just going to sabotage my progress. I know this, I've accepted it, and I don't bother with it anymore.
100% with you on this one! Time > money!
"The Monster of the Void"...my attic stuff would hate me so much.
I too came to the point of deciding that I would rather give things away, than having to deal with all the work of selling it. It was such a relief!
Plus, I don't have a lot of money, and giving stuff away is a way I can be charitable, when I don't have money to give.
I've been on my minimalism journey for nearly two years now. I almost exclusive give my excess items to Goodwill. Goodwill uses the donations to create job training opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment. For me, it's not about the item or the donation but I feel good supporting an organization who helps people in my community.
Good video! You didn't lose me at all, LOL. I almost always donate or toss/recycle. The energy and stress that go into selling stuff is not worth it for me. Sometimes I feel guilty because I need the money. But I need the money because I'm sick and stressing myself out won't help with that.
Yes. This. It's almost a catch-22. The stress of selling counter acts the the influx of cash. (for me anyway).
I struggle with simply giving my items away. It really stalls the process to take the time to sell items. I needed to hear this. Thank you.
So true! I'm also donating all my (sometimes new) stuff because I want to feel free! Selling takes so much time and sometimes even brings negative people into your life. Giving it all away does feel good though!
I wish I would have seen this video a year ago when I first started my journey - I have for the past year been giving most things away but only after I spent a lot of time trying to sell things. No more. IF it's less than $50 in value, it's being donated. Period. Thank you for articulating what I felt so clearly!
I still remember when I gave away most of my stuff. Some friends of mine still think I am naive or disrespectful to the money I own. It wasn't about that. It was because I could live without it and some people probably can't and cannot afford it. It was my own fault to spend my money in the past on all these things i didn't even need. That was is my lection. This way of thinking helped me stop buying more. Since then (btw it was 3 years ago) I have never regret anything I've given away. I still want to live with less. Additionally, i felt enough pleasure in giving it to someone in need than i would have when I'd have sold it and just received money. Thanks Rachel for the honest video (as always)!
Yes!!! I'm downsizing and I'm getting so much noise from my parents about me wanting to donate and how I should be selling. I just want to be done with those things I'm not moving with me. It is very time consuming to sell things. I understand they have a different view of things ( they're in their 80's) but for me donating is quick and easy and most importantly brings me peace. Great video!!
Same here, I'm in the process of getting my house ready for display/selling >> a perfect reason to do some rigorous and ruthless clearing out (not that this is easy, I definitely still am not good at it).
I have tried to sell good furniture for very little money and no one was interested. At the end trying to sell stuff will cost time, nerves and sometimes even more money.
Having those 7 black pans just hanging there would drive me crazy.
haha! They drive me crazy too!! We're planning to move them when we can figure out where. ;-)
I absolutely agree. After awhile, the decluttering again and again was WORK. decluttering no longer felt good, I selfishly wanted it out. NOW. SO I GAVE IT AWAY. the selling didn't bring enough income for the work it created so I CUT MY LOSSES happily and moved on. Sure, I'll take a donation ticket for a tax write off and call it fair trade. Your journey has been so awesome to watch. Thank you.
I soooo understand you! I think the Same way. I spent the money already and the items do not give me joy, so why hold on to them any longer, investing energy to maybe get a little bit money back so i can justify my previouse decisions and do. Not change my thinking and actions.
Thank you so much for this. You're helping me make a decision on letting go of my things without selling them, but donating them. The time that would need to be invested in selling my things is more valuable to me at this point. Love your videos!
Maybe you could do a vlog on why your garage keeps getting re-cluttered.
I was struck by your statement that as you clear out things in your home, a lot of the stuff ends up in your garage, which then is needing a declutter. Has it occurred to you, yet, that you're doing double the work? You look at it inside your house and decide to get rid of it, but you don't actually get rid of it. You put it in your garage, where you then have to look at it again, and decide to get rid of it again. You could save yourself a lot of work and a lot of time, if you just got rid of it the first time.
Love your vlogs! For me, as another messy minimalist, I have a hard time with respecting my things the first time around so why would I spend all my time trying to respect it trying to sell it the second time around??? Completely hit home on " I Know the perfect place that object could go. In my garage!! " mentality. I am hoping I will remember that the next time I have an urge to go thrift shopping. Thank you for the insight.
I totally see "stuff" the same way. It's a burden. When I first started minimizing, I did a few big donations to charities, but now that I'm nearing my homeostasis with belongings, I give away a few things at a time through the Buy Nothing Project on Facebook. It's such a cool thing to give something directly to a neighbor, without going through a middle-man. Every time someone takes an item and thanks me, I thank them right back for helping me to declutter my home ❤️
I don't think you're being selfish. When you put an item on the street or send it to Goodwill, then hopefully it will be picked up by someone who needs it. It's different when you pass clothes or knick knacks down through the family, who might feel obligated to take them. Love your channel!
You are a very sensible and thoughtful person. So refreshing. You’re my favourite youtuber. And i love that you’re nerdy.
This video is PERFECT for me! I swear you jumped inside my thoughts and mind! I do needed to hear this......I'm purging this weekend ~ thank you. My time is more valuable than dealing with these unwanted items
Right on, Rach. Sometimes you have to feel the sting of giving things away for free as a kind of deterrent to keep accumulating things that you'll have to give away again. I don't think you're being selfish in giving things away. Reserving your time for friends and family and yourself is never selfish. Don't get too hung up on the choices other people make when they pick up your stuff. It's their choice to take it on.
you totally put into words exactly how I feel about this topic! Also, I'm SO glad that you have a Patreon. It's one of my favorite ways to support content creators.
I totally agree with you. I realized that I don't have the time to sell items. I have requested Thred Up bags and sent clothes off. No postage required and they give you credit or pay you for items. It's a great way to downsize your closet. Keep up the great videos!!!!
I totally understand where you're coming from. I have been selling a lot of stuff on VarageSale this summer as I do the KonMari method. It does take more time than you would think. In my experience, some stuff has definitely been worth it. I sold several Lego sets for $140, for instance. But the stuff I sold for a buck or two may have been more trouble than it was worth. I am a stay at home mom, though, so I do feel like selling things is something I can do to help ends meet. But yeah, don't let anyone make you feel guilty for giving stuff away. We've given a bunch of stuff to Goodwill. And the bonus of that is you get a receipt you can use for tax deductions.
Yes! Thank you. I had a few clothing items (including a pair of Frye boots) that I have been hanging onto because "Oh, I can sell those on eBay." But yesterday I realized that I've had these things for a few *years* - the boots about 5 years! And I had a little chat with myself. "If you haven't sold these on eBay in 5 years, you are probably never going to get around to that. Just donate this stuff." And I did. And it is a *huge* weight off my shoulders. *Huge.*
I agree 100%. I gave away so much stuff. Furniture, dishes, TV's, desks, books, records, you name it. The rest of the stuff that I did not have time to donate, we ended up paying someone to haul it away. We were moving and we had no choice but to act fast!
Yessss, buying less is KEY!
I understand completely! While I'm having a garage sale this week (it's actually pushing me to purge some stuff quicker!), I would've been just as at ease giving the goods to a local charity - or even throwing it away. Any purging from here on in will be donated. I know I have relatives who don't understand the purging/minimalist/"why wouldn't you want it it's on sale". Kinda sucks to have to explain it again and again. I get ya! Love this.
Congratulations on how you acknowledged your shopping problem and overcame it, you are very wise ! And congratulations on your debt free journey, you are doing awesome
Yes!!! I felt the same way after reading her book!! Call me nuts, but I've Always felt bad "ignoring" or "dissing" my things. I hate having such a full closet that I can't even use it. Literally. But then I feel horrible giving things away as if I've cast it away, unlovingly. It physically hurts me to let go of things and I Don't know why. It sounds nuts but I HATE crying when I drop things off at donation centers. But less stuff is less stress and I know this. I just keep fighting my feelings and give a little more away every chance I get....
I never even questioned why you are giving it all away because I gave 1/2 of my stuff away as well. Its the easiest and happiest way to remove my crap from my life.
Thank you so much for this video! I've been on the path to minimalism for the last 8 months, but I've been holding on to a somewhat large, heavy, multi-piece item in the hopes of selling it, but after watching your video I'm finally letting it go/donating it. When you realize that an item is causing you so much stress just having it around, taking up precious space and then the thought of all the hassle of putting it up for sale (photographing, editing, listing, packaging , blah, blah, blah...) No, just NO. Instead I've put all the pieces in a large box and a friend is going to take it for donation tomorrow. Ahhhhhh.... it's truly amazing after all those years and years of guilt and stressing about that one stupid item how calming a determined simple decision to just let it go can make you feel. Thanks again~
You can't worry about whether the people who pick up your free stuff "need" it or if they're just cluttering up their own homes. It's their choice to take the item and I would like to think that it's being more helpful than burdensome. I have the problem at the moment of wanting to sell some of the stuff I've recently decluttered and am getting very depressed with having boxes of it all over the house. Your idea of just giving it away actually makes more sense when you consider your own happiness over your wallet.