i MASTERED decluttering once I learned this!

#decluttering #organization #changeyourlife #lifereset
Decluttering has been a journey and in this video we talk about the thing I learned that helped me to finally master decluttering. I share lessons and tips for how to understand why decluttering can feel so overwhelming and what to do about it all while showing you clips of my extreme bathroom decluttering, decluttering my closet, decluttering my room, and generally just decluttering my entire life! I hope you enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00- intro and welcome
00:39- how i started decluttering
01:17- decluttering can be overwhelming
01:55- finding your decluttering layer
02:21- first (and easiest) layer of decluttering
03:05- 2nd layer of decluttering
03:31- 3rd layer of decluttering
04:17- 4th (and hardest) layer of decluttering
05:38- how to deal with each layer + layer 1
06:40- how to deal with layer 2
07:17- how to deal with layer 3
09:18- how to deal with layer 4
10:13- how I’m still working through the layers and mastering decluttering
11:20- next steps

[edennis]

I started saving nice things "for the future" when I was about 25 years old. I'm now almost 70 and I haven't used that stuff! So I'm asking myself, how old do I think I have to be before it's ok to use the nice things?

[v.j.cooper]

My grandmother would buy nice things and put them away. She would buy sheets and towels and put them in a trunk never to be used. We always had the same sheets for months on our bed, of course, they were washed once a week, but she never used the new sheets or put out the good towels and face cloths. When she passed, all that stuff was so old that it almost disintegrated upon touching it. I found that I was doing the same thing until my husband pointed it out to me that I was buying nice dishes and towels and other things only not to be used. Now, I buy things for my house and myself and use it immediately. Life is short, what are you saving those things for? Someone to find after your departure only to either use it themselves or give it to the goodwill or someone else.

[PlusVK]

The hoarder in me: "Maybe my house is just too small" 😂😂

[pruzzilla]

COVID taught me to use my nice things, use my Christmas coffee cups year round, and wear my best clothes I save for special occasions without there being a special occasion. Life can be taken so quickly.

[gingermonette]

My favorite question to ask is, "how would I feel if this spontaneously combusted?' If I wouldn't be sorry (or if I'd be secretly glad) then that item should probably go.

[poonyaTara]

I finally decluttered only to realize that my home was still a mess because I have too many friends who are hoarders and have gotten into the habit of storing their stuff at my place. Seriously, I have entire rooms I can't use, and people refuse to get their stuff for years while expecting me to store them for free. It's actually costing me a few hundred dollars a year to cope with not being able to use entire rooms of my house.

This New Year's Day I let everyone storing their trash at my house have two months' notice that I'll be disposing of it. One person got mad at me for being petty since I have such a big house, so I explained that I wasn't going to start charging them a storage fee. Another told me to sell his stuff and give him the money, but I refused to take a volunteer position when my time is already spoken for...by me.

I feel much better now, and although I'm sure I'm going to hear more about it I don't see that I have any legal obligation to care anymore when they can't be bothered to care either.

[ccolin]

I started watching this on my tv but came to my phone to comment. I’m about 5 minutes into the video. When you said something about your marriage, I quickly thought “oh she’s married very young” nothing too deep, just a quick thought. Then you said you’re 43 and my mind is blown! Girl what?! You barely, barely look 25! 💕💕💕

[TheSabadine]

"No matter where we are in life, no matter our age, we are just in time to live the life of our dreams."

I LOVE this sentiment!

[missjoasia]

I’m just gonna say. Birthday cards is what I love I kept now. My grandparents died and that is mainly what I have left over from them talking to me directly their handwriting and words they actually chose for me as I can feel like I can read that and have them there with me for a moment. I’d think long and hard before throwing away letters from family and people you’ll always love and miss

[Virgophrenia]

I feel so happy to know I'm not the only person sitting around trying to hand shred mail😂

[tipfertool]

I'm at the "can I find it the next time I need it" stage. Everything needs its place.

[typicalc]

I’ve been decluttering for well over 10years. Started as merging two households into one and then purging what we don’t need, etc. I started to hardcore declutter about 5years ago when I realized I still couldn’t keep up with the house work. I’ve had two key takeaways - first I needed to find my “clutter threshold” and second, I realized I was buying things to “temporarily fill a need” instead of just buying the better item up front. So I was never truly happy with what I owned. Now I buy with intention. If I have to wait a little longer, so be it.

[willchristie]

One way I look at my possessions that have served their purpose for me is to ask myself "Could this item make someone else happy?" If so, I give it to Good Will. I have some expensive toys that I bought long ago for my grandkids when they came to stay. They are all now in their late teens. I saved the toys because I spent a lot on them, but they are just sitting there. Since these toys could be a joy for someone who cannot pay full price now, I can peacefully give them to Good Will.

[kimdodsonharris]

This sounds like me. However, I turned 57 a month ago and promised my self this is the end of that tradition. I am going room by room and decluttering and going to enjoy the things I have. I look back at the living room furniture over the years that was never utilized, as well as the vehicles barely driven. I can’t believe I have accumulated so much stuff overtime. I am actually feeling overwhelmed, but I got this.🙏🏾🙏🏾

[feliciajenkins]

Doing this for my mother. She has been doing this for other people and family. She deserves an uncluttered safe space.

[bajanrooted]

This is me. By time I get a day off I attempt to start to declutter/organize. I stare-eat-walk dog-sleep. I get tired just by the thought of where to start.

[SuperKissybunny]

I extend my most sincere condolences for the loss of your parents.
Thank you for mentioning why you kept their belongings in storage. It has been three years since losing my mom in law. I had a very hard time parting with her things, and my late father in laws things as it was like losing them all over again or like disrespecting them by letting their belongings go. I realize it is okay to let someone else enjoy the pieces, whether furniture, knickknacks, or clothing. I also realize I have to have my own things around me, which align with who I am and not live "in someone else's house, living someone else's life."
It has taken over three years to unload three storage units and to clear out my own house but I am 90 percent done and I am starting to feel like my old self again. The time it took to fuss with all the stuff was overwhelming, time consuming and depressing.

[mange_du_gateau]

I recently lost 123lbs. I’m currently in the process of moving. I just rid of a construction size bag of clothes that I really loved or never got to wear. I kept them thinking that I can tailor them, but it would basically be reconstructing a whole new garment. I had to remind myself that I now have the opportunity to enjoy the clothes that actually fit me now.

[Myextraordinary_ordinarylife]

Thank you for showing your real home in its real state.

[cellcat]

The taking a picture idea is a superwoman level solution. 💪
Take pictures and then print them on photo paper or regular printer paper. Put them in a photo album and write a little blurb or the story of the memory with the date of each experience.
Then, you really can let go of the actual item. The memory is what is important. 🥰