ONE THING TO HELP YOU DECLUTTER WAY FASTER | Minimalism

In my journey toward minimalism, I frequently found myself feeling overwhelmed by the amount of time and effort decluttering took. After a lot of declutters, I've realized why it took me so long, and how to speed up the entire process.

[ashalter]

After years of decluttering and working towards a more minimalist lifestyle, I'm realizing that if I am not 100% sure I want to keep an item, then it should be let go. The "maybe" pile really just draws out the process and 99% of those things end up eventually being decluttered. There is a reason why you are hesitating keeping that item. And more and more I subscribe to the idea that everything I keep should be a "favorite". I thought that was an impossible goal when I first heard that but it's been one of the most helpful in actually paring down enough to start seeing bigger lifestyle benefits.

[lizziebkennedy]

Total gold advice here. When I was teaching preschool and elementary, I could tell certain parents in the first minute. Those who focus on life and core, and not screens and shopping. Their kids are a different species. They are also almost always A+ performers and generous community members. This!!

[trinityriddell]

The thing that has helped me the most I learned from "The minimal mom" on Youtube. She asks "what is going to change that will make you use this item if you are not using it already?" I am able to realize the difference between my fantasy self and where I am in reality. Sure I'd love to do all the crafts, but at the end of the day I'm just too tired! So I got rid of it all

[TheNinnyfee]

The Minimal Mom recently shared "The Silent To-Do List" in a video, i.e. every item gives you a job. Imagine them all pulling at your shirt saying, "clean me", "water me", "dust me", "put me away".

When I heard this decision fatigue went away quickly, I wanted to throw everything out. 😄🙈 Just the thought of being bullied by stuff into caring for it...

[SpotSwims]

I decluttered a leather hole puncher 2 years ago and thats legit the only thing i thought “hey wish I didn’t declutter that.” I can tell you one thing though, I dont regret spending the $15 extra dollars for a new one when I’ve had way less clutter/stress in my life for the last 2 years.

[PhoebesWorldProductions]

Thank you. Fear of regret is my biggest obstacle... and when you posed the question “Is it worth it? - to have a bit of regret, to reach the it “hit home”... I needed to hear that. Thank you. =)

[embraceintentions]

The questions that I also try to ask myself are ‘Do I want to make space for this item above another item?’ and ‘Do I really want to spend time cleaning this?’. Those really helped me with things like home decor which I found hard to declutter at first

[kimgordon]

This summer I took a weekend to go thru clothing that is no longer age appropriate but high quality & gifted them to a friend's daughter who was heading to college. It is a spontaneous way to really help & also release things that no longer fit my journey. She was delighted 💞

[littleleafy]

The only things I’ve regretted decluttering were items that I didn’t know what they were at the time- I saw a brown piece of plastic and thought “what is this? If I don’t know, then I probably don’t need it!” Only after it was gone did I realise it was the button for my coffee grinder! Now I use an old key to press the tiny grinder start. Same happened to a weird piece of metal... turns out it was a foot for my dresser. Now the dresser is sitting on thick cardboard. Oops!

[deannadove]

Great video, thank you! I decluttered a room at a time, including the contents of the closet, dressers, drawers etc at once. Then, I would declutter another room the same way. Doing it this way instead of decluttering a dresser or a closet at a time, gave me a clean, clear room to enjoy right away which motivated me to do another room the next day. I never dispose of anything either. I always donate which provides a level of personal satisfaction as well.

[margaretroberts-neilson]

I have been on a journey to minamilism for a while now. Unfortunately my husband does not share my minimalist mindset so I struggle with convincing him that he doesn't need so much stuff. I have also found that minimalism is really a luxury. Until very recently our family fell on some really difficult financial times and while I was able to not add to the clutter because we literally had no disposable income, every cent went to keeping a roof over our heads and food in the cupboards. But the worry that I might get rid of something that I might end up needing or being able to use, and knowing that I could not afford to go out and repurchase it, kept me from getting rid of a lot of stuff. Now we are in a much better place financially and I am ready to let go of all that stuff. One thing that has helped is the "quarantine" idea you mentioned. If I'm struggling with getting rid of an item I pack it away in a box and if after a set period of time if haven't needed it or missed it, I know it can go. Unfortunately where I live we are still under stay at home orders and all the thrift stores I usually donate to are closed so it will be a little while before I can get my donation boxes out of the house. So for now I will just keep adding to that big donation pile dreaming of the day I can load it in the car and get rid!

[amysofia]

When I'm decluttering, I've found a system that works fantastic for me and speeds up the process as well: I make 3 piles, not 2: a keep pile, a discard pile, and a MAYBE pile. Note that things should not go to the Maybe pile just cuz you don't want to put in the effort to make a decision. Instead, this pile should be for items that you feel like you SHOUL get rid of it but you are struggling with reconciling guilt. Items in this pile take more time to move through the emotions. An ugly sweater given as a gift from a dear relative, mementos for trips you aren't proud to display, excess bags you arent sure if you need. This pile is to deliberate on a different day after you've already gone through everything else. Some of these items I put back, but most I end up finding ways to let go- maybe a friend really likes that sweater I think is ugly. Maybe donating my clothes to a shelter makes it easier to let go of those extra tshirts. Maybe a family friend could use that bag you're on the fence with. This system has worked very well for me.

[TheDriftwoodlover]

As much as I’d like to complete my decluttering, I don’t see it as a race. I have no problem letting something stay till my next pass through that area just to be sure. For me, the biggest rush I get is taking it to the donation center. I did it every week for a long time. Now I have less to get rid of, so it’s not as often.

[olivemaycards]

If I’m on the fence about something that I don’t need I often ask myself: if a friend/neighbor wanted or needed one of these, would I hesitate to give it to them? There are very few things I would say no to, some things I realize I would buy a better/nicer version of, but most things I can do without perfectly well. Joining a Buy Nothing group allowed me to give things to people who are asking for things I have, as well as offering things freely and seeing multiple neighbors who could make better use of it than I can.

[geschichtenausdemnagarium]

Simple way: choose what you want to keep not what you want to declutter and ask somebody for help. If you tell somebody why you think you should keep something, youll see what reaction you hope for...

[maddie_m]

Decluttering mindfully takes FOREVER for me. Even if I’m selling it for money or for free, photographing, posting and messaging buyers and renewing listings and weighing and measuring shipping boxes takes SO MUCH time and effort- way more for me than deciding to keep or declutter.

[mylittlerebornlove]

Another great tip to expedite the decluttering process is one that helps eliminate so much of the decision making is letting the space decide FOR you! I learned this from Dana K White and she calls it the "container concept". I highly recommend her video that she made on the container concept. She explains that a container is for "containing". It isn't for putting things in it, but to serve as a LIMIT of how many items we can comfortably fit in there. Also the things cannot be crowded in, but they must have some space around them left. So you choose your favorites and whatever else comfortably fits in there and then you let go of whatever doesn't fit. No emotions on weather it is in good condition or working condition or if it's useful. If it doesn't fit, it goes. If you want the item so badly then swap it out for one you don't like as much and take that one out.

[abigaildunne]

You are becoming more and more relaxed in front of the camera. Well done 👏🏻👍☺️

[chalktalkwithshari]

While watching this, I decluttered and dusted my coffee table (it was a disaster). Wow—it feels so good!

[HannahMitchell-Art]

loving the idea of only keeping a certain percentage of the maybe pile. That is going to help a lot!