MINIMALISM FOR BEGINNERS » Decluttering mistakes to avoid - how NOT to declutter

MINIMALISM FOR BEGINNERS » Decluttering mistakes to avoid - how NOT to declutter // Hello my minimalist friends! Let's talk some more about decluttering today. I share 10 common declutter mistakes and how to avoid them, to save ourselves lots of time, energy, frustration and stress.

Now just putting this out there right away: nothing wrong if you recognize some of these mistakes, we all do them, I certainly have made lots of these in my journey of minimalist living. And there is no one way for how to become a minimalist. In fact, that's what declutter mistake number 1 is already about! So grab a cup of coffee or tea and join me today! :)

Living a minimalist lifestyle is amazing. It gives me more time, money, space and freedom. Living with less allows me to shape my life in a way that makes me happy and fulfilled.

I've made a lot of videos about simple living and living a minimalist lifestyle. I've shown you my minimalist home, things I don't buy, I've shown you a video of me, decluttering my closet, and shared tips about how to declutter your home. But I realised I wanted to go back to basics and explore, and think about what it takes to help a beginner to minimalism shape their home, heart and life. And I want to help everyone who is starting out on their decluttering journey, make it a bit easier and nicer to live without clutter.

So declutter with me and let me know how experiences and declutter tips in the comments down below!

Lots of love,
🌼 Vera

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Much love, Vera

[mannygteach]

My husband and I are decluttering our basement right now. We are "seniors" so we work a little each day. This is working well for us. We don't get overly tired or overwhelmed! Everything that is not trash is being donated. This process is taking a lot off our minds. We don't want our kids to have to deal with all of this when we are gone.

[nuvoclassic]

Thanks for the tips. Here’s my summary.


1. Declutter/purge only your stuff - let other folks declutter their own stuff.

2. Declutter/purge when you are in the right ‘state of mind’.

3. Declutter/purge a little daily, weekly, or monthly so you have enough steam/momentum.

4. Focus on benefits of decluttered space and positive aspects of purging stuff.

5. Keep your process simple for decluttering.

6. Focus only on decluttering. The time to organize/get storage containers is when you’re done.

7. Make decisions on your own about which items you purge/keep.

8. Ignore potential for regret about decluttered/purged items. Ignore future cost of re-purchasing.

9. For possible sale items, calculate potential income. Is it worth your time/effort to sell them?

10. Move purged items out of home immediately - or ASAP.

[SteveV]

I have been living that way for 30 years now. Never called it minimalism, just called it peaceful living.

[PHDinMeTV]

Would I buy this again is a good question to ask in the decluttering process! Thanks for sharing 🌸

[MarielaMerino]

"Decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint" I love that!

[jolepage]

What really hit home with me was the keeping things in case I might wear them again (when I haven’t worn them for years) and not moving clutter from one room to another!

[sussexwoman]

For a long time I held on to about 1, 000 assorted items that I was not using. My justification was, "what if I need this item some time in the future? I'd have to buy it again!" Eventually I let the items go, having the new mindset that, if I have to re-buy one or two items over the next few years, so what? I'm gaining SO much more, in space and in mental clarity, by getting rid of so many things.

[lailakhan]

My declutter has been easy coz of doing it step by drawer a day 1 cabinet a day under the bed a separate day when I am in that mindset then only

[virginiasoskin]

Teach your kids to declutter -- show them how you decluttered something and how nice it looks and how nice it makes you feel, and then tell them that there are poor kids who could use their excess toys and then help them to declutter in small steps, such as books one day, board games another, video games another, clothes another, puzzles another, etc. My kids are grown and the main things they have kept are their Lego sets and childhood books. And a few small doodads they kept by their bedsides. Teach them to destress and relax too. Turn off the electronics for part of the day and get them involved in hobbies and skill acquisition. A musical instrument, learning to cook or sew, how to set up a tent, carving, wood burning, cross country skiing -- anything that strikes their fancy. Scouting used to teach a lot of that and I think kids miss out on SO much -- nature lore, taking wildlife photos, making collections of stamps, seashells, rocks, leaves, etc.

[lovvejuliette]

I started decluttering my stuff and my family was interested and actually joined me in doing so, so now we all declutter together :) !

[elainelouve]

The question I mostly ask myself is: would I want to carry this to a new home? Having moved before I really would only want items I need in the boxes. Before we also moved with us some clutter that we gave up in our new home... Doesn't feel worth all the effort.

[vargavideo]

One fundamental change I made when deciding if an item stays or goes is - when I'm unsure, to break thru the indecision I put it in the 'outgoing' pile and see how it feels. That act always gives me the extra clarity I need. (And 9 times out of 10, it stays in the outgoing pile.)

[TheCelestialhealer]

I agree on all points. Some of them really hit the nail on the head with me like the one with selling. Also, leaving stuff that is decluttered too long in the house. Thank you Vera⭐️

[ErikaK]

Keeping it small and manageable is the easiest way for me to declutter ♡
Thanks for sharing :) :) :)

[chloepaid]

Made all the mistakes of decluttering. Only yesterday I got rid of an old trike. My kids used yo use it and so did my grandkids. They are too big for that now so bye bye. Boy did I get into trouble with hubby. He wanted to keep it and so did my 30 year old son.
BIG no chuck something that's not realy mine.😱😳🤪
Lesson learned and I do realy feel bad and I did apologize .
At the moment I only have one area decluttered and the rest is all over the place because yep took everything out everywhere.
Back to the drawing board, sit back and think a little.
Thanks for your video.🤗

[ExLibris-Alys]

My hall is currently cluttered with 12 large bags of stuff waiting to be collected by the British Heart Foundation charity shop next week. I had a huge purge of books, bric a brac, kitchen equipment, clothes and craft items (that I never got round to using) over the past 2 weeks and feel so much better for it. It’s really cathartic and I can’t wait to get the donations out of the way now! (I don’t drive, so the charity shops collect my donations). I love your tips Vera, thank you 😊

[tinamathews]

Thank you. I ran out of steam. So was bing watching you tube as a distraction. Came across this video and found the reason why I had run out of steam. I can start again, thank you, xxx

[sarahsalvador]

A helpful hint I’ve come across for decluttering is to keep only what you absolutely need or absolutely treasure, it really helps to think of it that way! I really enjoy your videos and your emphasis on simplicity, keep it up😊

[maytheforcebewithyou]

I am making this me time, so its focused on how I feel about my life, and I can get theraputic insight while clearing out clutter. I modeled, so clothing that is designer or high end fabrics have all this value, in my mind but I don't wear that stuff because its either dry clean only and needs it, or too stiff or scratchy, or I feel over dressed. Instead, I wear what makes me comfy, stretchy fabrics that breathe, colors that give me a mood lift and lots of black too.
I am getting courage from your video, its so nice to have help in areas I am under practiced in, like organizing and reducing material things. I have thought of it so negatively, but right now, its not over whelming, its something I will feel good when I am doing it, and after with my aesthetically cleaned out home, and wardrobe that I can keep organized and not tossed all over my room!
I have had the pack rat mentality and couldn't figure out how to change it. It isn't at all hard like I was thinking. Small steps, and eventually, worth doing, for multiple reasons. Have company over, be peaceful and relaxed, find things when I need them, not worry about the junk stuffed in boxes and closets. Reasons are many. Especially raise my self worth! Thanks!