Declutter Your Life: The Hidden Cost of Holding Onto Stuff
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- Опубліковано 3 лют 2025
- Hi, welcome to Higher Road To You! I'm Mark Stofer, and today I’m sharing a personal message about the mental and emotional weight of clutter. As a minimalist, I’ve seen firsthand how simplifying life can bring clarity and peace.
In this video, I talk about how accumulating unnecessary possessions, from gifts to storage units, can overwhelm us, distract from what matters, and even cost thousands of dollars over time. I’ll also share some personal stories and practical tips for decluttering your home, organizing your space, and freeing yourself from the stress of 'stuff.'
Imagine living lighter-both physically and emotionally-by prioritizing experiences over possessions. Let’s embark on this journey together.
🌟 Topics Covered:
The mental toll of clutter
Minimalism and its benefits
Practical tips for decluttering
Real-life stories of how stuff can weigh you down
If this message resonates with you, give it a thumbs up, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on creating a better life!"
Hashtags
#DeclutterYourLife #Minimalism #SimplifyYourSpace #LetGoOfClutter #DeclutteringTips #MinimalistLifestyle #MentalHealth #OrganizingTips #HigherRoadToYou #PersonalGrowth
I've decluttered a lot of items over the last year but the best thing I decluttered were some of the toxic people in my life. I'm at peace and I'm calm and I don't miss anything or anyone I decluttered.
Shallow hollowed out people who focus on community gossip and following celebrities.
Just because some people have toxic traits doesn’t mean they are bad people. It seems cold and calculated, but if it makes you happy and free….
Same here!
Congratulations as this can be the entire life experience of many not willing to consider the plathora of healthier options readily available. May you insure and encourage many while setting the required boundaries in the most loving way possible.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@bigb2020 They may or may not be bad people but they can take up your precious time with their stupidity.
I live in an efficiency apartment so there's room for only so much. Apart from books I own very little and I came to realize that the boxes of books are a source of stress to me. My project is to accumulate few if any books and to read and then give a way a lot more books. Recently I cleared out not far from 300 books I'd never read and it felt good. For those who like to read, we can only read so many books in our lifetimes so we should focus on what we most want to read and get other books to people who may enjoy them whether through selling the books or donating them to a Little Free Library or something such as a Salvation Army thrift store.
I have decluttered my life completely. I don't have any issues of getting rid of anything that I have. I'm feeling free because I don't have any attachment to worldly goods.
Consider yourself lucky. Many people don't have this luxury.
@@pdcichosz Everyone and anyone could have "this luxury," as you call it. It’s a mindset. Unless I’m missing something obvious like an overbearing parent or spouse who insists you hold onto everything. If you yourself are what’s keeping you from minimizing, snd you want to minimize, ask yourself what’s stopping you and look into it.
@jellyrollnorton you're missing something obvious like a psychological inclination towards collecting or worse, amassing things. It's pretty well documented. If it was a mindset you wouldn't have people like hoarders and completists. But it's deeper than that. I don't mean to sound rude but your outlook is a typical one exhibited by people who don't have a certain trait or issue and therefore cannot (literally cannot, there's nothing wrong with that) internalize it and so they assume it's a question of attitude because that's what it is for them. Well... It's not that simple.
How long did it take 😮❤
Got any guitars you wanna get rid of?
Agreed! One problem is if you are married, it takes two to agree on what to get rid of. From personal experience I can tell you that husbands and wives frequently cannot agree on what to get rid of so it just remains in the pile. This in itself is a source of grief and stress.
@HungryH1951 Not everyone has a life partner. Such uxuries involve
compromise. Apparently, the word compromise is missing from both my Oxford and Webster's dictionaries....Lol. it always seems to mean giving up who I am to please someone else, so I just have these days.
In my case, even after 56 years of moving, storing, dusting, insuring, cleaning and buying bigger houses my husband has not given up one single item he has had since childhood. We have hauled this totally unused crap tens of thousands of miles, even overseas and back, all at great expense. I have pared my personal belongings to a minimum but I cannot even breach the subject of his stuff. We are in our 70’s and I am hoping to survive him so I can finally get rid of it all and our grown children will not have to deal with it. When he dies a traditional Viking funeral sounds like it might be helpful. 🤔
@@sjordan7085 Compromise to some people means lets get rid of your stuff. Leave mine alone.
@@sjordan7085 To some people, unfortunately, the word compromise is interpreted as lets get rid of your stuff, leave mine alone. 🤭
@@debk6161 I hear ya. I face a similar situation with my wife. She holds onto everything and refuses to get rid of nearly anything. If I had it my way we would be decluttered totally in about 6 weeks.
I used to do removals. One older couple who had downsized years earlier had me take their excess furniture from storage to a second hand store. The sale of their furniture not covering the cost of the storage. Another couple had me take stuff from their friends storage locker (friends wanted their space back) and into their 5 bed house with rumpus and formal lounge and dining, and as i am taking the stuff inside she is telling her husband they need a bigger house. I thought wow, you want a bigger house than thus for what, to store stuff you don't use? I vowed never to be those people.
Retirees store stuff their kids don't want anyway, to move into a smaller retirement space. Storage units are not cheap anymore either.
“ Removals” you must be a Brit ? I too used to run a Removals company in the UK in my youth and have many many similar stories just like that.
We now own a storage unit business in Canada and I am happy to say that our customers keep us in retirement because they just can’t get rid of their crap.
@andycommonsincanada I chose a word I figured most English speaking people would understand the meaning of no matter from the UK, North America, Australia or NZ... But stories, yeah my wife reckons they'd make an entertaining book... I do sometimes think about one couple I moved 7 times in one year. I knew they had 2 storage units. One time I was taking half from one residence to another and another company was taking stuff to storage. I get a call after, can I go to such-and-such at 9pm and collect some boxes and bring them in the morning to a 3rd storage unit. I get there and it is a different removal company. And of course we chatted and they told me they had moved them 8 times in 18 months and wondered what happened to them. Seems I had taken over where they left off. That couple was so disfunctional. Sad and funny at the same time. And of course that lead to moving family members who also struggled to stay put. And these were corporate professional types. One I moved twice in 3 days cause she didn't like the vibe of the place after one night. It was an upmarket quite residential street and she didn't like the vibe? Oh well, they pay I move 😉
@
Yes totally write a book.
I could write 2 or more with all my stories.
Have you ever seen the TV series called The Chain about a moving company in the UK ?
It’s hilarious and hits the nail on the head.
Absolutely. Instead of you owning your things, they end up owning you.
Gee thx brad pitt fight club zzzzz 🙄
George Carlin wants his line back. “You don’t own your stuff, your stuff owns you.”
It wasn't till my mid forties I started seeing the maintenance and disposal overheads of the things I wanted to buy. I'm currently failing to pass this insight on to my son..
I have never had a freind in my life i don't hang out with anyone Im only social with people at work just work stuff and very small small talk
Possessions possess.
great metaphor about unloading the boat to get to where you want to go.
Yeah, I liked it too
You're environment IS your life.
People are addicted to getting a Dopomine rush. Then it's over and you get depressed from the task of keeping things organized. And even depressed.
I agree. It took me four years to go through what we inherited from my in-laws. They saved everything. It was a tremendous burden to have to throw away, donate or sell all of it. We literally kept a handful of meaningful items of which we could live without, believe me.
The whole experience made me rethink material possessions and what I do not want to put my own kids through when I die. So I continuously go through my own possessions and throw a way, donate or sell what I don't need, use, or want to alleviate burdening my own kids with the awful task dealing with of all my stuff when I kick the bucket.
I also intentionally buy and pare down what I own when I do buy something new.
I've been on the other side of it and... Got to tell you you're doing a right thing :( It was a MASSIVE undertaking and 4 years later it's still not completely finished.
That's the message behind Swedish Death Cleaning (I think that's what it's called). You're supposed to clean up your home so that when you die, your loved ones don't have to go through that burden.
Correct unless they are old stubborn mules then l feel very sorry for the adult kids who have to go through the c.rap@@MsDarkCello
Well, my in-laws are Swedes. God love them both. But they have apologized upfront for all the stuff we will ultimately have to deal with. After they have both passed. Hope they both live a long time. But why not begin parting with things now. Instead burdening others to sort through it. I mean i would assist.
Real and true message. It is a physical, material thing and it does affect you mentally. We all need to declutter our lives.
Very pleased you enjoyed the message! Thank you for your comment!
This is very timely. Yesterday, I was literally going through stuff. So much of my life has been spent moving stuff around. Re-organizing stuff in different places. It does get very exhausting after a while. I am so ready to unload all this stuff. It’ll definitely be good for me. And for clearing my mind.
Fried Green Tomatoes might be an inspiration for you - ua-cam.com/video/zkXWffqyopE/v-deo.htmlsi=w0sf3qTpsY3IoF8n
It’s a process to get where you want to be, and then a lifestyle to keep it that way.
Been slowly decluttering and I celebrate with every give away I make
Unbelievably true. I struggle to near stroke dealing with junk. It’s not worth it
I find it liberating regularly getting rid of something from my home. I have never regretted throwing something away or donating it. I just don't miss it. I also know people that hoard and I can see that having all that stuff doesn't make them happy really.
One minamilist site suggested boxing up the "iffy" items, then waiting awhile, if not needed then donate or sell.
First Christmas of no gifts. It was great! We enjoyed our time and activities. New tradition. I have been a minimalist my entire life, and spent so much time decluttering my families stuff over the years (with their permission, of course). We get what we need when we need it. We don’t live in lack with less material possessions.
You must not have kids to agree to no gifts….i long for the day that we don’t have to exchange meaningless gifts that are not appreciated.
What a gentleman you are.
Yes! Stuff…it can be overwhelming! Stuff is everywhere.
Just think of all the storage units people rent every month to keep their stuff.
Very true!
Because I am a hoarder, January is absolutely a “no spend” January (basically, no shopping). So far, so good!
Always start extreme so you see results faster
I am with you on the 'no spend'
I don't know you, you don't know me, but I wanted to say, I'm proud of you. Keep it up!
You have the other 11 months to catch up!
There is a sense of freedom within to off-load stuff that never get used and when moving house there is a sense of ease and grace...Invest in peace, harmony, joy and expansion of soul growth...No burden at all to "carry" free as a feather blowing in the wind...💓💥💓
Thank you for mentioning the cost of storage unit could have been an investment.
Thank you for these words of wisdom which everyone needs to hear. I am an expert in estates and handling all of that stuff for over 30 years. It is truly a burden to those we leave behind and also while they are living. I've seen unthinkable things, heartbreaking situations.
Yes BUT it can be overcome! Life is too short to deal with such a burden.
I have two lines I'll draw: can't pull the car into the garage, and/or needing offsite storage. I lived in an apartment for years, then bought a 980sqft house in 2020. The house offers some storage, such as a small attic. But I park the car in the garage, and i have to get rid of stuff before I can buy more if I starting thinking I need offsite storage.
Great boundaries on yourself! Good job!
I don't get why people put $2k worth of JUNK in a garage and then leave a $80k car parked outside where it either gets stolen or destroyed by the elements/frozen and snowed on (I live in Canada). Where's the logic?!
@@dpajc056 it's emotions in the wrong places!
Every few months I do a declutter. I sell everything online as soon as I don't use it. You can make thousands selling your old unwanted items I'm amazed at what I get for some stuff. It's so easy these days with loads of marketplaces to choose from and delivery companies will even collect.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing!!
I work for a small estate sale company in western Chicagoland. We do about ten to twelve sales a year. You are one million percent right. We go through folks stuff and just shake our heads. So much money spent on not needed stuff. Then you have folks with a jewelry or housewares “ prescription”. New boxes of stuff not even opened. Start getting rid of your junk now so your kids don’t have to deal with it. Go on a vacation with the money!
Great advice!
So true !!!
I've realized that a lot of my anxiety came from my stuff! So, I'm getting rid of a lot of it!
@@PSW-bz4vj you can do it! Visualize the anxiety gone completely and what you will do with that new energy. May you inspire many!
I’ve learned to graciously accept gift from others as they are blessings. The bible says “sell your possessions and give to the poor” now, I sell what I can on offer up, I am finally investing, I plan to buy food gift cards and give them to homeless people when I see one. Also, I have donated some pretty good stuff and learned that any gifts can be donated and bless someone else.
I have seen the miracles of someone in need receiving what someone else didn’t need and have also been a recipient. Truly a blessing not to hoard.
Very well said! 💚 💜
💜
Your message is short and clear.You have motivated me to start my decluttering journey.I want to come back to this video and say that I did it!
A technique that always worked for us was to act as though there was a fire.
I cleared out many things and told my wife and kids, “If there’s anything you can’t live without, let me know, and I’ll gladly replace it.” One time, it was a Spirit VCR video. The next day, I found another one at Goodwill for just $1.
I also committed to handling each item only once-deciding on the spot whether it would go to Goodwill, the recycling bin, the garbage, or a labeled bin like “camping,” “beach,” “snow gear,” or “party supplies.”
When it was time for an outing, it took no more than 30 minutes to load the bins and hit the road for our next adventure.
Finally, avoid letting furniture develop a body imprint-it’s a sign you might be avoiding accountability.
Most importantly, ENJOY THE JOURNEY:)!!
We got a 2x bigger house a few years ago and I still took 20% of the stuff I had in the smaller house to charities. We have a garage now instead of a shed ( with spiders lol ) and I keep it organized and clean. This past Fall I went in every box, closet, drawer and purged again! Yay. I do like the roominess here and being able to find things. We are aging and I needed a house with no step downs. I kept falling into my den and my laundry room.
Good message. Yes, the declutters of process is underway. Good luck to all and thanks for the video.
Its January ❤and I just donated a hunch of clothes and 2 big shopping bags of books. It felt so awesome 👍💯 to purge that stuff.
The 'boat' metaphor has absolutely hit home for me.👍
Always wanted to clean house of material possessions. I did it six years ago, even blew town on top of it. Finally feel free, read about Feng Shui too that helped.
Thank you for this. I have trouble with this issue as I had a friend (dead now) who was far worse with this than I. He was a true hoarder but because we have farms, the stuff just gets thrown into a barn or shed. But I am making headway and it does feel good. Even our bodies declutter our own cells every seven years, we are in essence housecleaned!
My family gave one another donations to favorite charitable organizations for Christmas. As each recipient explained the reasons for their choices the sincerity and joy they expressed made it the best Christmas ever! ❤ (None of us truly need any more “stuff.”)
Think I love this but can you explain… give an old table to a charity like goodwill and a the receipt to family (for possible tax deduction, or not)?
@ no, all of the donations were money, not used goods of any kind. None of us bothered with tax deductions. The organizations sent the verifications of the monetary donations to the family member.
@@debk6161 Even better, just assumed it was ‘stuff’ given the decluttering theme.
@ No, the connection was about not giving or receiving gifts that create more clutter, as pointed out at the beginning of the video. As for tax deductions, none of us itemize as far as I know, so deducting donations doesn’t apply. Regardless, the primary focus would be on giving to charities that are meaningful to the family member. 🥰
@@debk6161 Got it… clutter avoidance 👍👍
My dad was never a "stuff" guy. Many, many years ago, when I was a kid, he tried to get me to put half of my toys away and see how living with less was. I never did it. Now that he's gone, I wish I had spoken to him about living with less stuff.
As I fantasize about us decluttering our home, I'm blocked by my bride not wanting to let anything go. Quite frustrating!!!
I get why younger people aren't trying to have kids or get married it's like you just said they'll spend their whole lives collecting junk, fighting about clutter, and truly wishing they had control of their own lives I remember when men were more of an asset now we're just around to serve women and children
Amazing timing for this to pop up! My husband and I are preparing to move from Germany to either Thailand or Spain this year, leaving with only what we can take on a plane.
We have nice furniture, beautiful art, and so on, but now it's only "stuff."
A new adventure awaits us. Your message rings true no matter what the circumstances though.
Less is more. 😊
Some times its , you dont own your possessions , they own you ! & travel easy , travel light !
Agree 100%
I don't have a lot but I have more than I need. Seeing people weep over their possessions lost to the fires in California made me think about decluttering. I don't want to feel bad over lost possessions. The less I have, the better.
Mel Gibson put it perfectly-I feel relieved to be free from the burden of my stuff!
Well said! Less is more-much, much better!
Most people are upset about photos and momentos.
Thank you. You're message is POWERFUL encouragement to push us horders to let go in order to live progressively.
Thank u for these words. I'm going to use the boat metaphor. Most appreciated!
Love the boat analogy. Woof!
I got rid of so much clutter and I will continue to do so until I have none, but it’s hard when birthdays, Xmas etc come around as family keep buying, I’m trying to retrain them as to what I need and don’t need in my life, but for them it’s so ingrained into them to consume that they don’t quite understand my situation. I got rid of many things of sentimental value, stuff that was part of my growing up for a young lad, a whilst I went down this path there was that voice inside my head saying “I hope I don’t regret this one day” but I’m pleased to announce, not once ever have I needed to revert back to that voice, I have absolutely no regrets at all, just complete relief and room to breathe again.
From seeing what my girlfriend is going through because of her Mum’s hoarding disease, and all of the terrible family consequences because of that hoarding, I am in complete agreement with you. They live in Los Angeles and there’s a part of both myself and my girlfriend that hoped that their home would go up in flames. The nearest fire was 4 miles away,so that didn’t happen.
A big part of the problem was other family members, over the years, give clothes, footwear and other unwanted gifts at Xmas/birthdays.
We both now believe that it is far better to give ‘experiences.’ Stuff like restaurant meals, theatre/cinema/museum tickets, days out, bowling (if they like that sort of thing), stripograms (I kid you not) and lots of other stuff that is not unwanted and just adds to the clutter.
Thank you...your message REALLY resonated with me....the clutter in my hse has been stressing me out for yrs....keep goung out to enjoy experiences rather than spend hrs sorting it out BUT I know I HAVE to sort it this year as nobody is going to do it for me!! Aargh!!
@@Helen-jw6ybextremely @@Helen-jw6yb
BREASON
One room at a time..one step at a time... One moment at a time... Rest when overwhelmed... Donating to the true donation spots for the needy is a wonderful reward for the soul !!! I also told my friends and family to quit giving me things or I would donate those things eventually as well..😂😂😂
not this year, now.
Thank you! I’m a farmers boy and consequently see value in things/horder
This resonates.
Was just thinking, what about bolts and nuts and odds and ends that might come in handy to repair something in the future? Surely that's ok!
@ of course 👌😜
What about this piece of scrap metal? Bet it could be used for a repair.
@@willernstI specifically thought of some metal scraps when I wrote that comment. I can't even weld
90% of people never looking at their storage items again is mind-blowing. As $13K paid for nothing! incredible...thanks for the info. I do try to think of my son, my children, when buying things now, hope they find some use in it and hope I'm not saddling them with a buncha junk. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Beautiful! Stuff everywhere is stressful, and what we don't need someone else can use.💜
Embraced a more minimal lifestyle about five to six years ago. Downsized my home from big house in the 'burbs to small home in the country. Let go of about 75% of belongings. The one thing you can never recoup in this lifetime is your precious time. Instead of spending it cleaning, organizing, shopping, I'm spending my time enjoying life with my friends and family, and doing things I love. Do not underestimate the power of letting go of material things. A wonderful side effect was more financial freedom as well.
I like the analogy of the boat.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us. 🙏🏼
My pleasure!
The boat analogy really kicked in something in my brain! It really clears up a ton for brain fog for me. Thanks for this video. I LOVE it!
Thank you for sharing! Great advice!
I like the boat analogy.
We own a storage unit business and it is bewildering to us when we see how much crap people have in their units. That said they keep our retirement going very nicely.
I lived near a storage unit business in Nashville back in the 1990s. A tornado hit in 1998, and peeled much of the metal exterior off of the units facing the road. It was absolutely fascinating to look at all the trash people had piled in there! I don't think I saw a single item that was worth owning 😓
👍 thanks, often overlooked. good inspiration.
I played this while I was organizing Christmas wrapping items which, thankfully I don't own much of BUT, the statement regarding return on investment really struck a cord with me. Thank you for that.
Excellent video. Clear message.
Trouble is, you need a clear mind, free time and good daylight to be able to deal with clutter properly. Not always easy in a northern winter.
My kids ask me…What do I need? I said…The gift of time. Worth more than gold or silver. So they gave my wife and I gift cards to our favorite family restaurants. We will eat together and enjoy each others company.
I said the same thing to my daughter and she gave me a promise-coupon of two hours a month to help me declutter, as a gift.❤
@@marika7848I love this. A great gift idea
I’ve always purged stuff. I can’t handle clutter. We never had much growing up, and I guess I got used to having little in the way of knickknacks or decor. I love seeing other people’s decor but then I can go back to my uncluttered space. My husband, on the other hand….🙄
My wife on the other hand…
Hoarding is born from trauma. Often childhood trauma.
Don't feel guilty for keeping some things forever. Downsize yes, but you don't have to lose all of your memories.
Memories and heirlooms for sure. 😎👍
100 thing a ma jigs, 100 pairs of shoes, 7 sets of china,. 50 forks, 50 spoons. 50 knives, 200 ball caps, 40 hoodies, and such not so much.🤔
That's so true I'm looking on leaving my moms house soon she likes alot of stuff around her its driving me nuts opening a cupboard and everything falling out.. I'm the complete opposite I like just a few things as a minimalist and tidy environment clear mind.. I need to find my peace and contentment again ❤❤
This video is realy get to the point of it all. Well done.
Just what I needed to hear, today as we start to clean out the house n garage. Yes all tget stuff is like a "millstone around our necks".
Yes, it can "feel" that way. Feeling are not facts so we should all be inspired to find ways to reward ourselves for taking the required actions!
Yes. Perhaps a month away in our camper.
I'm into simplicity, too! To be free of stuff.
There feels a sense of relief, like I feel abit lighter or lightened after either selling something or giving it away to charity or Freecycle.
Very well said. My sentiments exactly. Almost like I'd written this. Enjoy your Time!
I agree. I had a large room in my basement full of clutter- old books, magazines, old bills , old stereos, ect. ect. I started to remove everything in the room until it was empty. I installed pot lights ,new floors, new drywall (removed old wall paneling) and I was so proud to convert an old room into a new modern room. I gained a new 150square foot room. What really amazed me was the fact at what the house price would sell on the market, so I did a calculation based on square footage and was shocked what that cluttered room was worth in cash !!! That room alone was worth about $ 15 -25,000.00 Canadian !!!! Sometimes the LESS u own is far Better..
May you be extremely proud to calculate your approach!! May you inspire many. Imagine if you documented your before and after. I image you had to make a really big mess before it was cleaned up. I imagine you did not ignore, deny and or blame the situation but instead became completely accountable to yourself and possibly others to overcome the challenge and thrive towards a new level of Higher Road To You🎉🎉🎉🎉
Excellent advice and so true! The freedom one feels from getting rid of excess stuff! I love your advice here!
Great advice!!!!
Love how you included the example concerning your kids rooms/dressers, the practical example is So Helpful! Brand new to the Channel. I grew up quite minimalist (lol before it was really a thing) it was because my parents were raised in the Country and things were more, if you need it you have it. My Mom did have some Beautiful things she decorated with but only Simply. It has been a Challenge in raising a Family to Keep the overwhelm of stuff out. Mostly stuff gifted along the way. I’m Thankful to realize I Love managing less and parting with extra is a Joy!
Great message. I'm walking that road myself.
My daughter was working with my 7 year old granddaughter cleaning her room of toys and clothes. After going through things to giveaway to our church and packing them up, my granddaughter said “ I feel new.” Even at 7 years old she got the idea of decluttering. Thanks
Beautifully said. I have moved so many times in my life and each time I become very aware of stuff and cull and eliminate. Life was best when we lived in a trailer.
I've always tried not to accumulate stuff, but when me and my partner parted ways after 10 years, I couldn't believe how much stuff I had. She had way more stuff and it literally made me sick and drained.
A good way to run your life I feel (and don't do enough sadly), is to list everything in your space which is not vital or perishable online (eBay). Just the mindset gains alone are exciting. I had the same attitude when I was a young bachelor. If I could not move in one load using my pick-up, I left it on the curb when I moved. Eventually I even invested in the best inflatable bed they sold so I didn't have to move bulky beds. The work in those days required movement so I was always looking for furnished apartments. Junk is an anchor we can do without.
Sage advice
Thank you! I am gonna watch your video again as motivation. I am a senior who inherited and acquired Alot of stuff 😊 over the years and have been going through and giving away Alot but still have Lots to go through and it is wearing me down. I Too love the analogy of the overloaded boat 😊 I am also a devout Catholic and I know Our Lord is calling me to detach from the excess and live more simply. Thank you for your encouraging video and perhaps you will feel called to make more as downsizing is a huge problem for many of us but with God,s Grace we can do All things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens us!!! Amen.😊🙏
My husband and I finally got all our belongings in one place. It’s all in the basement. Last summer, mice started making homes in it! All my Christmas stuff became a mice den. We definitely need to do something with it, because it’s mostly in cardboard boxes.
It’s winter and I’m 8 months pregnant. We are going to have our daughter and in a few weeks when it’s warmer, we’re going to start taking our basement back. I don’t want to leave a mess for my kids to deal with, either.
start with the two year rule. If it hasn't been used in the last 2 years, it goes.
I concede a 6 month grace period for things that make me hesitate, if in those next 6 months from the purge it is still unused , it goes.
Just be VERY careful not to touch or inhale the ‘dust’ from mouse or rat droppings.
I do sneak cleans whenever family members go into the hospital. >> I recently did one (my mom broke her leg). 💕💕 She came home to new furniture and a clean apartment. 💕 She has thanked me about 30 times.
(I have thanked myself, lol. Mom is turning 76 in May. And now, all the heavy outdated furniture, trash, and other hoarded items are LONG GONE). Thank You Jesus!
Where did the furniture come from?? Your home??
@ellenso9731 Amazon. I purchased/gifted her new furniture.
Thank you, I needed this encouragement.
Absolutely! And the older you get, the more difficult. Have kindly asked my parents 15 years ago to sort their stuff so they could move more easily if needed. They never did, and now they are trapped on their 1700 sq ft home (huge for Dutch standards) filled to the rafters with crap and they do not want to leave even though they would be better off in a nursing home.
As a minimalist, I dread the day we have to go through it all. My mum said we should just toss it all when they die, but I feel a responsiblity towards the planet to make sure their (expensive, mostly unused) stuff finds a new owner.
I myself have very little and love it that way. I feel light and unburdened. We are not taught the value of now owning things, unfortunately.
The majority of older seniors would never want to go into a nursing home, where they lose their independence, familiarity, and everything is monitored - daily decisions are made for them. A nursing home costs a LOT of money- money that your parents would rather spend on themselves, or leave in their will to their heirs.
Many older people - and even younger - like to hold onto their things because it gives them a sense of security and familiarity, not because they really need them. Sometimes, they’re just lazy to have to go through their things because they have so much, that it’s overwhelming to sort through, so they don’t know where to start.
When your parents pass, you can either donate their belongings, give them away; or, if you’re up to it, have several garage sales to sell their belongings. You can even sell them online. You’d be surprised to see the things which you consider junk, are treasures to some else.
wow huge disrespect you have to your parents that all u think about is removing their stuff when they die, not everyone wants to live as a boring minimalist
Why store up treasures on earth, there are much more important things to focus on. Thanks for this - ultimately the byproduct of a consumeristic society.
What a wonderful message🎉🎉🎉🎉
I’m into old cars. Snowmobiles and such. I have car parts that are good. Parts that I’ve been holding onto for 20 plus years. Why? Originally I may have needed them for cars I have. Haven’t needed them yet. They are worth something and not easy to find. Tried selling them no takers. Price was beyond fair. Can’t bring myself to give them away. Due to the fact it would be a scrapper that takes it. I could scrap it myself at that point. So it’s the struggle in my mind that someone could need it. 🤦🏻♂️ Don’t ask me about snowmobile parts and such that’s another rabbit hole 😒
@@1953fords
I totally agree with you. Unfortunately I live in a very cluttered house with 5 rooms so full of stuf that you cannot enter. It is all my husbands inherited stuff so I cannot declutter it because it is not mine. It stresses me out to no end. I can't even have my family over to stay overnight because there is no space for a guest to sleep. The problem with the inherited hoard is that a lot of it is cultural heritage or rare antiques so it takes a lot of time (years and years or decades) to find new homes for the stuff. I am quite desperate that my in-laws stuff is ruining my life. don't know what to do.
oh oh start working on it. Find someone to help. It sitting there is not helping you or anyone else. Find someone to help like an Estate company for the antiques. Better to find homes for them even if you don't make top dollar cause they are not making you money sitting in your house either.
Came here to say the same thing.
I’m deeply sorry to hear about your situation. I would NEVER tell anyone what to do in your situation as there are MANY dynamics involved but I absolutely do understand it firsthand-I lived it myself, which is why I ultimately chose to walk away from my own family. I became a feral kid who got in a lot of trouble, not wanting to go home to the clutter and chaos of my family. I believe my grandparents served their stuff so they could ignore the train wreck of their children. Possessions were the priority and maintaining those possessions eventually took over their life and it did not end well.
I remember a pivotal moment from my childhood, around the age of 15 In a state of rage, I angrily asked my grandparents, “How many sets of china do you need?” before storming out to play at the park with my friends. That moment stayed with me, as clear as if it happened yesterday.
People often accumulate possessions as a way to find security or meaning, but in reality, material things can become a burden even for many generations later. I consider it one of the biggest curses in life.
Even historical figures like Randolph Hearst, who traveled the world and spent lavishly on priceless antiques to eventually be required during the Great Depression to have a rummage sale just to stay afloat. When I visited Hearst Castle in California, I saw firsthand how excessive possessions had turned his home into a chaotic display of wealth-yet his personal life was in shambles.
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that setting boundaries in love is essential, especially when dealing with the unhealthy behaviors of others. True peace comes not from clinging to things or unhealthy relationships, but from protecting your well-being and surrounding yourself with what truly matters.
That was my solution to my toxic relationship with my family and their way of life. I personally have never regretted separating myself and moving on with my life but that is my life story and may not be yours. I am just deeply sorry for your situation.
Currently going thru same thing with 85 yr old mother who lives alone in large house filled with so much stuff it’s encroaching upon the front door. All of us kids don’t want to go over to her house, be around her bc of her hoarding. Also bc she gets defensive when approached about getting rid of things, downsizing, etc. Can’t even approach her about reorganizing house to make it safer (reduce slip/fall/trip exposures) for her. Sad. Have to put it out of mine and not worry about it. When it does come to the point where all the stuff has to be cleaned out Iv already made decision I want none of it. One reason is bc I already have what I need. Another reason is I don’t have space for it. Last reason is that th stuff would just be visual reminder of the mistakes she’s made and the stress those mistakes placed one us kids. She’s 85 but I truly believe has a child or teen’s mindset. She values things over anything else. She was poor growing up but has completely over compensated for it, never worked a day to earn the money to buy the stuff (dad did). Dad passed 20 yrs ago and she’s still buying stuff.
@ I am deeply sorry and understand your position. We must finds ways to separate ourselves at the same time find ways to connect with those we love and care about.
In my family life experience it was their position of significance. Negative or positive it is like a drug that reminds them that they exist.
My arguments with my family was simply an adrenaline rush for them a feelings flew and feeling were hurt but that blood still flowed through those veins.
To this day, I don’t know whatever happened to all that stuff. I never reconnected with that side of the family. It was just too toxic not just on the hoarding side of things but many other unhealthy family dynamics - shop lifting, insurance scams, and identity theft. All for the possession of more stuff.
Those toxic family behavior to achieve significance made it easy to separate myself and never look back……it did not end well.
You may decide to randomly praise your mom throughout the rest of her life for those things she did do to make you the person you have become.
This is one of the key issues in plagueing me and others I am sure. Also worth mentioning the physical clutter causing mental clutter and vice versa. For me personally I know more clarity will arise when these issues are solved and the feelings of being encumbered will pass. Patience and understanding.
life changing talk......wow!!!
This is 100% on point.
Even when you know this it helps to be reminded.
Best wishes!
I say this all the time in my house if we had less junk laying around our house we could spend more time hunting, fishing, going to the lake to swim, have picnics, go on hikes and the other massive list of adventures together
Great video with awesome message . Thanks for sharing 👌👌👌
My mom and sis are collectors/hoarders. House full of "stuff". I am trying to break out of that existence. I am trying to get rid of things I don't need/not using. Stop this habit of consumption.
Good luck! I know it’s rough. I think that’s what helps me stay a bit more disciplined, since I grew up around it. I try to make sure I sell, give away or throw out stuff that I know I’m not going to use. Everything else I keep stays organized so I know where to look if I want/need it (particularly if it’s hobby related, e.g. computer or electronics or whatever).
It’s sad seeing others just building up more and more and more stuff. Lots of lost ambitions, all sorts of promises of “I’ll get to it someday”. Then ultimately there’s literally NO SURFACE space left over anywhere since literally every single horizontal surface had some random junk piled onto it. It gets sickening after a while.
Listen to this man…..I’m 70 and have always been a ‘minimalist’ (long before it became a trendy word) 😂😂😂…….things don’t matter . Owning little is a delicious thing and so easy……🇬🇧
Great analogy about the boat!
My wife passed away spring of 2023. I have had a Flea Mrkt booth going since July of 23. It's still full of stuff she had accumulated to decorate the house. I finally got rid of the last of her clothes just last week. I still have a lot to get through, and that's not counting my stuff! I have too much hobby related as well as clothes and old shoes. I'll continue to work on it. This year for Christmas I had a smaller tree with a few decorations that took less than two hours to take down and put away. It used to take weeks. Less can be much better.
If you're struggling to get rid of stuff because of sentimental reasons, then take photographs and create a scrapbook of memories about the items. Takes up much less space than all the possessions and you can revisit your memories whenever you want without paying for storage lockers.
Well said sir thanks from London
Very good video!! I know if all my stuff disappeared, I probably wouldn't miss it, but it is difficult to discard good, useful things (tools, lumber, electronics parts, etc. ) Hello from Canada.
Thanks I needed to hear this
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this