8 things you should declutter FIRST - Minimalism for beginners

The beginning of a decluttering process can feel overwhelming. We know that a lot of decisions need to be made, but don't always know where or how to start.

For some easy wins, I suggest exploring the eight categories in this video - filled with the top things you should declutter FIRST!

From items that are broken to things that bring up bad memories - we can get rid of everything in these categories 100% guilt free.

Making these easier decluttering decisions early on can give us confidence to tackle the more difficult categories later in the process.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey to a more simple and minimal life!

xo
Angela
________________________________________________________________________
#minimalist​​​ #simpleliving #minimalismlifestyle

Join our family of seven as we establish roots in our small, custom designed forever house - Arrow Hill Cottage.

WEBSITE:

I share about simple home + simple living tips. Please like, comment and subscribe if you are new to my channel!

OUR MINIMALIST FAMILY HOME:

MODERN COTTAGE VIDEO TOUR:

MINIMALISM LIFESTYLE:

WHY I AM A MINIMALIST:

MINIMALISM FOR BEGINNERS:

HOW TO STAY CLUTTER FREE:

7 WAYS TO TEST OUT MINIMALISM:

MINIMALISM WITH KIDS:

SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING:

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

[ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! Which category will you tackle first?!?

[newstar]

1:00 Broken items
1:47 Unwanted gifts
3:00 "Fantasy self" items
4:25 Anything expired
4:45 Things that evoke bad feelings
5:48 Kid toys, books, clothes
6:55 "Just in case" items
7:48 Everything in storage

[michelecleansup]

My love language is gifts. What I can say about it is, I love it when they use the things I give them AND if they didn't love it, or it doesn't mean anything anymore, I am happy to know they aren't keeping it. I don't want to burden anyone. I just want to share my love and if they look at it and don't feel love, I don't want them to keep it.

[isabellabrown]

It was so good to hear getting rid of things that make you feel bad! I had tons of these things without realising 👍

[TheOrganizedPineapple]

Yes! The best thing I ever did was get rid of 80-90% of the toys. Was better for everyone. Kids don't want to spend time cleaning up, just like us!

[Chris-tgqy]

I just started this journey. Another good place to start is your car. Cleaning your car and getting rid of unnecessary items just feels good. Once you do a thorough cleaning and get rid of the clutter, it only takes about 15 minutes a week to vacuum and maintain a clean interior. Anytime you get in the car it feels good and you will probably do more to maintain it and keep it longer. Women should make it a habit to clean out their purse each Saturday or Sunday and if you have a work bag clean that out at the same time. Once you do a thorough cleaning and declutter, it just takes 5 minutes a week to maintain. Just a few quick and easy wins to get started. Every weekend I have been tackling a few declutter projects. It feels good.

[taniayoungson]

Good morning!
These are all great categories. I'm struggling with the fantasy self items...scrapbooking supplies that I'm no longer interested in. Incomplete photo albums that I feel a need to finish, but dread having to search back through years of digital pictures just to find the perfect ones to use.
My husband is bad for just in case items, especially tools. He gets defensive whenever I try to suggest decluttering.
As for the everything in storage category, this is tricky. Most times it's in storage because it's sentimental. And I think most people have a hard time with those items.
Thanks for a thoughtful video.

[janetbransdon]

Cleaning out my handbag/bag and purse/wallet is a good start.

[Hummingbird]

Cards people gave you, old pictures of people you used to know, glass jars from salsa and spaghetti sauce you only need a few for using if you save those .

[dekhaqueenara]

Your words are easy to understand..I'm doing cluttering and listening yours many time as my moodbooster...thank you so much..❤

[valstrasser]

What a mind opening concept on the different categories of decluttering, I know we have many items of each in our house. Thankfully none in storage . We’ve been able to say “if we have to pay someone else to store our ‘stuff’ then we have too much! “ and that mindset has worked on that aspect . Thank you for the steps & how to proceed forward . Easily over a thousand ‘items’ have left our home and more to go to be comfortably ‘functional minimalist ‘ 👍😉

[naturalflow]

Thank you so much for sharing this journey, tips, and the experience as a whole. It is truly inspiring as I am someone who struggles with stress, constant cleaning, but feeling I can never get rid of the clutter. You truly inspire me to push myself to make the transformation into this lifestyle that will elevate my life to a place of peace and calmness. Thank you again and wishing you the best.

[goodenoughgirl]

This just happened to me last night. I finally pulled out a retractable fabric tape measure that maybe I pulled out too far and found that it wouldn’t retract. 😅😅 Well I don’t generally sew but I do still keep a small cigar box I call an emergency “sewing kit.” That item was a part of that. I’ll prob just cut it and keep the tape part.

There were a few things that offended me so much that I either burned them or smashed them or ripped them up. And yah. I have to say it felt mondo good and I have no regrets about doing it. And at the same time I was telling it off and saying this is the last time for you and me ever ever. Goodbye and good riddance. The only exception would be is if I needed abuse documentation really…like in court. You’d need to keep that stuff, unfortunately. I’m glad it never came to that for me tho.

[junepearl]

Great ideas! I need to start decluttering and it’s hard to know where to start. I needed some encouragement.

[terribrannan]

I just started the decluttering process. I’ve finished my first pass which was mostly organizing. I also started a cleaning routine. I am now very aware of how decluttering and simplifying will make cleaning easier. I find I have a lot of “what if” items.

[blacksquirrelhomestead]

Think about how many people give gifts because they didn't want it. 🤔

[michelesusanne]

Categories I have recently decluttered: Cords-match cords with your specific electronics and get rid of the rest. Old toiletries and old make-up. Board games you no longer play (donate to hospitals or libraries). Unmatched socks, expired medication/vitamins/supplements, unused craft supplies, linens (we kept 2 sets of towels and sheets for each person, the rest were donated to our local animal shelter) anything broken or in need of repair-if you haven't fixed it by now, you won't in the future and you have not needed it. Jewelry- keep only what you regularly wear and a few special occasion pieces.

[pennysara]

Things that have bad memories will be my first! 😊

[loida]

Hello my dearest friend thumbs up here watching with love my dear friend. I started my minimalism journey this year and I was very happy with the outcome

[luna]

thank you for your way authentic to express things.. in an intense life transition.. some categories are delicate.. so your reminders are helping in the process.. thank you, love from france