I feel like I’m living more honestly. I was storing things because “l’m going to use that someday” or “this is a hobby that I do, or will do, soon, maybe” - all lies! I emptied the lies out of my closets! I no longer have to defend a bad decision whenever I see it in storage, it’s gone.
S W I used to keep my painting supplies in my closet thinking someday I’d really use them or get better at art. They were in my closet for a reason... they don’t bring me joy and I am not an artist 😂 getting rid of them FREED me!!!
As someone who’s always tried to organize my clutter (I used to declutter a little, bit not enough), I have to say, that having less stuff in the first place makes it sooo much easier to organize stuff.
I wouldn't say minimalism changed me, rather it brought me back to my real self. I was quite minimalstic as a teenager and young adult (my mother was not amused, because sometimes I had very few clothes, and she didn't want the washing machine to run when it wasn't full ...). But when I earned my first money, consumerism slooowly started to creep in more and more - I saw it happen but couldn't resist. Now I have the feeling of having found back to being the minimalistic person I always was at heeart.
Yes, it’s been a year since I started decluttering and I’m getting ready to declutter my fantasy self. Such as, all the nail polish, toiletries and make up, I haven’t used this past year. Plus these are probably expired anyway. Minimalism is about being responsible and loving your life!
It's like making everything in your life from eating to clothing to thinking to writing all very intimate and meaningful. And when you do that, you elevate you soul to higher levels
I love the focus on each word. These are words that have meaning to me and i can feel how they resonate with me while you give examples and identify how they make you feel. I can relate to this video and it makes me feel like taking a deep breath and stepping forward. Good job!
Great video! I love all the nature clips you included! I feel like minimalism has made me more confident and content because I know that I am actually living for those things which matter most to me. It is amazing how much time is freed up when we spend less time shopping, maintaining possessions, thinking about what we "need" next, etc. As to your travel book, I would love to see some of your packing suggestions! Thanks for the consistently empowering content!
I’m so motivated and inspired by people like yourself who have achieved this minimalistic lifestyle. It’s exactly what I want and what I’m trying to achieve as well. As I’ve said before I can’t seem to get my husband on board. I almost think it’s like you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.....lol! I feel he is set in his ways and just doesn’t understand. I’m still motivated and will do what I can without touching anything of his. I have made some progress and will continue on until I’ve done as much as I’m able. I know it won’t be perfect but it will be a vast improvement. Thank you so much for all these amazing videos.😊❤️🙏
Thank you, Debbie! I can imagine that it is frustrating to not have your husband on board, but I am proud that you have continued making progress and persisting nonetheless. These things take time. You've got this!
I've watched minimalism and organizing videos, and I've thought, hey that organizing strategy looks nice, only to have it occur to me that it's still just organized clutter and would be unnecessary with less extra stuff.
Yes, yes, yes, exactly what I've been feeling. Unfortunately, took me many many years to find myself and my right path. Lived for everyone else along the way but now that I am 50 I am brand new and it feels great
I'm so happy to know that most of us aren't alone in this path to a more peaceful, frugal, productive and creative lifestyle. Just last year on March I started a vegan diet, loved it and I'm still loving it. Then when I moved, donated or sold my many items, about early Christmas last year. My family wasn't very supportive about my letting go. Today like most of your subscribers Sarah, I'm still in the process of letting go.
It's funny because I know I'm not alone when I watch RU-vid, but there is no one in my circle whether it be work or just day-to-day that I know that feels the way I do. Everyone is so materialistic other than my mom
I've always been a bit of a loner but it is a very lonely place when people just think you're being cheap to be cheap and not realizing the feelings that go along with the freedom of it the appreciation of the real things in life that we see like nature and animals and just experiences versus buying those pair of shoes what have you
Of course I completely understand because for most of my adult life I tried to find happiness in buying something to fill a void it took me to turn almost 50 to find my way. Raising a child getting divorced learning to live on my own all of that changed me and that's when I discovered myself. So I understand that people get happy by just going shopping but now it's a lonely place because I can't find anyone whojust wants to do things that I would like to do that are less materialistic
@@blahblah1438 Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your story, it is very inspiring. I do hope you have a happy and fulfilling life this year and the many more years to come... blessings to you and your small family.
What I like about you is that you came from the other extreme. You know what it's like to wake up and look at your house and wonder how all of those things got there. A lot of minimalist channels are teenagers or college kids who decide to clean their one room or one room apartment or dorm for the first time- and then try to go home to preach to their rents who have many years, rooms, and stuff on them- and then attempt to extend that to total strangers. They have no life experience to preach on their soapboxes from. You do.
I became consciously minimalist to help deal with depression and mostly my anxiety. It's now a lifestyle and ongoing process. I'm starting to bring in being more eco friendly too. So I guess for me my personality change would be a much healthier mindset and general wellbeing. It brings me calmness. And I'd say enthusiasm. It's one of those things where I feel I've seen the light and everyone should come with me to be free 😂
Becky - I have Inattentive ADD and anxiety. I'm still in the process but notice a HUGE difference in how I feel and function in my home. What you said about calmness is so true! The stress of "stuff" was overwhelming and debilitating. There's no amount of organizing stuff that would have given me this calmness because even if we don't see it, it weighs us down because we know it's there.
I'm really glad it's helping you too. Yes I used to organise and reorganise all the time as a way to calm down and distract myself but it can't be done with too many things. Then when areas got cluttered or out of order I'd feel the chaos in my space. I think just making as much of your life as simple and easy as you can really helps with any mental illness or just anyone in general to feel happier :)
My new decluttering tips that helped me this month with getting rid of things which I struggled with before because of feeling guilty for throwing perfectly new things away or thinking I will use them again are : - asking myself will it be any good for me if I keep this item ( even if it was very expensive and you never used it it is no pro to just having it around) and the more years past by the more it looses it's value (quality, price...) - selling them online - selling items you "kinda like" I got 150 $ from selling items I don't even notice they are gone - so check your house for any kind of items that you don'r really use. ( google search where to sell your items online quickly without investing much time in your area) So if you don't succeed selling the first time try some other website and check tips for selling things and also think about the price don't ask for too much and lower your price from time to time if you haven't sold something for months than maybe your price is to big or the quality of picture or description of the product is not as good. To put it in the perspective check the prices of other people who are selling the same item as you ( people usually buy from the cheapest but also most trusted seller who has good description and lots of info of the certain product.) - also check the new retail price - and minus the condition of the product. f.e. I sold a speaker for 20$ I bought it for 50$ 3 years ago. If I would want 40 $ for a used one than no one would buy it because the shipping expenses and the the fear that item won't be as I may described it - people will ask themselves why buying a used one when I can pay the same or 5$ more for a tottaly new one. I hope this helps someone and you will see how much can be done by just finally doing it and selling the items you don't use or atleast donating them. ⏰
Minimalism on a physical/surface level comes second nature to me now, but with where I'm at currently, I've been struggling off and on with changing certain habits in my life on a more personal level. I do agree however with having more courage because of minimalism; I'm not as down or discouraged because of how people react to what I do or say. It feels good! :)
It is a challenging stage where it shifts from physical belongings to our habits and mental state. I'm so happy that you have felt more courageous because of minimalism!
I just love your videos and how you explain things. I have started a minimalist lifestyle. And it is so freeing. Everytime I throw something in the dumpster, it feels like a weight has been lifted. Now I am trying to help my mom, she is a bit of a hoarder.
I think that I value my time in a different way than I did before. I notice a reaction against trends and that includes things like constantly watching the news. I no longer feel that it's necessary to be up on the latest sitcom or drama on TV that everyone else is watching. I cut the cord from cable and I stream any entertainment or information. And I seem to be more particular about what I absorb. In the process I no longer watch commercials. Cutting out commercials was the reason I cut cable. And it was directly related to my travel into minimalism. but in the process of notice that there are just information that I don't absorb that others around me do and I feel then I have a stronger boundary or filter for what I allowed to influence me. I'm also a lot faster to say no to obligations. While I do give to charities I don't give to everybody who asked for something. it's as if my decision making muscles are stronger and my boundaries are stronger because of my movement into minimalism.
I definitely relate to it giving me more courage. Especially to say no. I have a friend, who although is very price savvy with purchases - definitely over purchases and therefore over spends because she is buying something because it is on sale - not necessarily something she needs. Our catch ups are often lunch out at a shopping centre, and I am much better at learning to say no to myself when I am watching her make purchases. Even to the point of carrying items around the store with me - then evaluating before the checkout is it actually needed? This also ties in to being more organised and intentional. I get a lot of hand me down clothes for my kids, as well as second hand school uniforms, and by doing a ‘stocktake’ and keeping a running list in my phone, I can refer to it at the shops and see - oh I actually don’t need any more size 8 leggings, I have 5 already.
I have been decluttering on and off for a couple of years now. A big job with a family. However, I now feel the difference that less clutter and more intentional buying makes. My husband is noticing too, and is getting on board. Your points in this video are excellent, and I can finally relate. Turning down those ‘free’ things, letting go etc. I have learned that minimalism comes in many forms, doesn’t happen overnight, is hard work but becomes easier as you develop habits. Most of all, it is totally worthwhile. Keep on posting 😊
Here’s an idea for travelers: Take along a 30ft length of paracord. It’s the best for drying your clothes and when used with a taut line hitch is easy to set up and use. I also recommend taking some of your favorite detergent in a silicone travel tube. Unscented detergent is hard to find abroad. I
Thank you Sarah for always inspiring to continue this path. It has brought me peace owning so much less. Now I don’t organize i have a place for my stuff.
I personally don’t call myself a minimalist, but instead say I’m trying to live more intentionally. With that being a lot of your content still applies to me. Living more intentionally allows me to be mindful of the products I have in my space and although I have decluttered quite a bit I am very mindful of declutters. I try very hard to think about where the products I declutter are going to ultimately going to end up. Just because I am donating it, what will the organization I give it to do with it? No one can know for certain but I am trying to do my part to make sure my products aren’t ending in landfills. In addition, living more intentional allows me to be more sustainable in what I purchase. To make sure that I am comfortable with the products and also the company that I am purchasing from. My #1 focus right now is to purchase second hand, but for items I don’t purchase second hand I’m trying to do my research.
Better looking space,easy to clean,easy to get ready, finding my true style, discovering my core values and what is really important to me,realizing I don't need to have that much to be happy 😊
I am finding it kind of disturbing to visit other people's houses. The clutter and the immense amount of stuff seems strange to me. I remember when I bought into that but I am now finding new relief when I unload the excess in my own space.
Hi again, the image of your "before minimalism" video is always stuck in my head and I think to myself if only I could just fast forward and be in a better place just this once. Sometimes it takes me back WAY BACK to when I was 19yrs old and gave birth to TWINS yes I said TWINS and everyday I would think how am I going to do this by myself !!! And now when I think about the past I still think HOW DID I DO THAT !!! So now with clutter I'm sooo overwhelmed that I think to myself HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS ???
You will get there, Lisa! You already possess the strength to accomplish what you are hoping to achieve, and when it is the right time, it will happen!
I'll keep those pictures coming! I first heard the "broccoli lobby" argument from Michael Gregor, so I can't take credit, but I thought it was an eye-opening point! :)
thats great your writing a book about minimist travel. i am one have been all over the country. minimism frees you to travel and live in new places. the locals dont like you have alot of things its annoying to them as well. could you include eating as a topic in your book? i have so little food items and they are all whole foods and quality is better than quantity. your story was great i liked how you talked about we are loners and the stigma behind being alone vs societys need for you to socialize, group around, and buddy up. make me laugh. anyways good luck with your book girl. peace
Hi Sarah yes I’m interested in minimalist travel and would like to hear your opinions. I’m particularly interested in capsule wardrobe ideas for travel and also ideas how to reduce liquids. I’ve recently heard about shampoo and conditioner in soap form. Has anyone tried these or could recommend them?
Travel - I don't if either of you have food allergies, but I was wondering what you would recommend before the trip and what you would bring. I'm embarrassed to ask, but I was distracted by what was behind you that looked like it was covered by a towel. Can you remove that for the next video? Sorry, I have ADD and notice everything. If people do video shoots in front of their bookcase I will read the book titles and forget to listen to the video. Thanks Sarah for all you do!
I will be sure to include food allergies in my section about navigating dietary restrictions during travel! I also appreciate your feedback about the filming background. That being said, I want to be honest and say that I have struggled with a filming spot in this home, as each location I have tried has led to criticism or frustration about that spot or about my video-making, and I was letting this get to me in an unhealthy way. I was feeling like nothing I was doing was good enough. Therefore, for my own mental health, I have promised myself I can't take people's comments and suggestions too seriously. I hope that makes sense. Just wanted to give you the head's up in case you see that blanket in future videos!
@@AbundantlyMinimal Oh ok! Sorry Sarah!!! I understand your need to chill out about what people say. Thank you for being honest. I'm amazed that any of your other backgrounds were criticized since they've never bothered me before. But I will get used to the background. 😊 I can't wait for your next video!
No need to be sorry...you were so kind in your comment that I would have felt bad to just ignore it! I'm still switching things up and figuring things out, so it won't be the background every time, just sometimes. Thank you for all of your support and have a lovely day!
