10 Life Changing Tips for Decluttering Items You Thought You Couldn’t

It's something different for all of us, that one thing we struggle to get rid of. If you've done most of the work but are stuck decluttering on items such as books, hobby supplies, sentimental items or something else, this video has tips to help.

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You can read more tips in my newest book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life:

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

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[lalablotz]

My mother was a hoarder of things that belonged to dead relatives. Then one day she decided she needed to pass all that stuff on to me to keep and take care of with instructions not to get rid of it because it’s important stuff. 90% of it was from people that died before I was born. Nothing valuable or useful, just stuff. I have no children to pass anything onto, not that I would if they didn’t want it. Then I thought it’s not even important enough for her to keep anymore which I why she dumped it on me. It eased her guilt of letting it go. One day I decided to pack it all up and donate every bit off it. The funny thing is she never even asked about where any of it was once it was gone. Freedom!

[wandrousvindella]

I've done "all the things" Marie Kondo, Swedish death cleaning, project 333 & now the sentimental items of my son, is my final journey. I lost him in Oct 2020 and I'm ready now to take a few pics of the "best " items. This was so helpful as I take the next steps~ Romans 8:28

[Combat]

I was in the Emergency Room two weeks ago, was given morphine for pain, and within minutes started loosing consciousness. My wife was with me, and she alerted the nurse who quickly sprang into action. My vitals were bottoming out. A crash cart was brought in with several nurses and a Doctor worked to save my life. They succeeded. While my life was in the balance, all the things that I own meant nothing. I could not hold onto anything, except my faith. Since coming home from the hospital, I’ve begun to evaluate my personal inventory of “stuff” and have begun to sell or donate items that I don’t use, or no longer need. It’s easier for me to do this now while I can.

[mariastathopoulos]

My daughter was 4 years old when she died in 2012. A few months ago, l gave her 2 teddy bears away to my neighbour's daughter who is 6. It was difficult but my comfort is in knowing that a young girl loves her 'new teddies'. She plays and sleeps with them.

[johannabennetts]

"Thank the item..." although it can sound silly to some, I find this really helpful. I consider myself a minimalist and love to put things in donation boxes. I rarely feel sad about it. But when I leave my box outside the big overhead door at the donation center and drive away, I feel a little twinge of pain every time. It helps to just offer up a short prayer, "Thank you, Lord, for providing these things for the season. Please use them to bless someone else."

[Stevie]

I can’t believe I started decluttering back in 2020 after my dog died and before that wretched covid hit. I have to thank social media for starting me on this journey. Then came the tiny house movement and I was hooked. I live on my own my children are grown up and my husband is at peace somewhere. Once I had gotten rid of the easy stuff( clothes furniture garden supplies I found a door had opened up.

I started to see how happy different animals behaved either kept or wild. It slapped me in the face. They want for only the necessities in life. Food shelter and companionship. 2024 I’m coming to the end of 30 years of just “stuff” I can’t tell you how liberating it feels. The stress in my life has lifted and I cherish every day as if it’s my last. These videos have truly helped me to become the best version that I can be and I want for nothing else..
🍃🕊🍃

[jeand]

“Just because something is hard to part with doesn’t mean we need to keep it” That comment was very good. Thanks for the video. I have a lot of work to do !

[twittlypoo]

I have 2 chairs and a fire screen that I have had for well over 30 years and was planning to renovate and make needlepoint covers for the chairs and another piece for the fire screen.
The pieces were all hand made over 100 years ago by family members so there was that attachment.
Today I decided that was not going to happen and as no other family members want them I am going to let them go.
It is actually quite a relief to have made the decision!
They will go to someone who will renovate them and love them and I can spend time with my first Grandson without "things I should be doing" hanging over me!!!

[deb]

There are a lot of heartfelt comments here. Joshua, I think this video helped many people to move forward.

[kristindowner]

After spending a couple years decluttering, I recently I stayed in a friend’s home where the sheer volume of stuff actually felt assaulting; near-claustrophobic. With a little down-time waiting there, I starting counting items. It caused me to set a personal goal of 50 or less items in any one given room or decor area of my own home… I know this seems like a lot to some folks, but I was counting necessary items included (dressers, lamps, alarm clock, etc). I pared down by a few items per room upon my return home…
I know that comparing myself with others is unwise, yet the very fact that I felt smothered in the excess of junque told me how much I myself had changed/ transformed!
Now I’ve set a new goal of 35 items per room.
Not a huge change overall, but enough to make me work at it and say goodbye to that which is less than “the best” expression of who we are in our home & the memories we hold most dear.

[NoMoreTears]

Its a process. Tyler died 9 months ago. I have been able to take some new clothes he bought, that still had tags on them, back to Walmart. Other clothes he left in my garage, I was able to take to Open Door Mission. Not yet ready to look at that box of favorite baby outfits he wore. I had always hoped to pass them to a grandson but it never happened. Definitely a process. Can't rush grief as much as I want to.
Tyler, 4/8/94 to 11/8/ 23 😢 Forever in our hearts❤

[julietorres]

Man did I ever need to hear this TODAY! I'm in the process of clearing out the STUFF to make room for my 92 year old mother to move in with us. I'm a Sentimental Saver... big time! But I've been hitting it hard the past couple days to declutter and remove extra furniture. My trash cans have been full. AND we're going to have an huge garage sale in a couple weeks. Thanks Josh for the extra push!

[ThankfulNanaDiane]

I was ready to part with my china, which I used maybe once or twice a year. None of my kids wanted it, which upset me a little. I think, in my mind, it felt a little like they were rejecting me. Then I stopped & realized that was not the case, & there was no reason for me to be upset. My former china has a new home, where it is used often. I kept one cup & saucer for memory’s sake. 😊

[maxbraun]

#1 start with easier items 1:50
#2 adopt a museum mentality 2:15
#3 explore your emotions 2:53
#4 express gratitude 3:33
#5 take a photo 4:13
#6 chose only the best 4:36
#7 implement defined limits 5:13
#8 embrace life's seasons 5:48
#9 imagine a `role reversal` 6:21
#10 see the benefit in generosity 7:28
bonus: ask for help 8:00

[aprilstar]

I have used this as a way to get rid of items. If i died today, would I want to burden my family with the extra work of clearing out my things? No, is my answer and it usually helps me. Points 9 and 10 have worked for me.

[alisonh]

If something is difficult to get rid of...then I don't. I keep going and revisit it again. If it is still hard, I keep it. For me, decluttering (or as I call it, refining), is a lifelong process. Just because I want it today, doesn't mean I will in 6 months. I will admit, I am not a minimalist, nor do I aspire to be one. I like my things (but I am also far from a maximalist). I enjoy interior design/decorating. I also realize I can't keep everything. I keep what I absolutely love (and ask myself ...if I am on the fence about something...would I rebuy this right now...at full price...if no...then it goes).

I have also found huge inspiration in donating my "good stuff". Every summer my local cancer association has a huge tag sale. Last year I donated a trunk full of items. I plan on doing the same this year. That being said...I have never attended the sale!

[KristiBranstetter]

It took me about three years to declutter my apartment. It took me multiple passes to get rid of clothes and DVDs and CDs. Decluttering has become so much easier for me.

[kakylong]

Joshua, Great video. We are currently decluttering & I found that taking pictures of things has really helped. Also, setting space limits for things helped tremendously, too. Recently, I was helping my Mom declutter & gave her permission to get rid of anything I had given her. What I wasn't prepared for was when she got rid of some things while I was sitting there. The next day, after a few tears from me the night before, I told her I was proud of her. 😊

[mhtammi]

Mom passed away a year ago and I’ve been going through her stuff. The family has taken all they can and my sister and I have drive truckloads of stuff to good will. Now we are down to her most cherished items and it’s hard.

[freeroam]

Thinking of my son having to deal with all our stuff was the most motivating reason I chosen to downsize and Minimalize my home and life. Such a freeing feeling when you go on a trip and come back and see how beautiful having less really is. Thanks so much for your channel.