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Great tips! Sometimes, I can tell that I'm desperately looking for something to buy (due to stress, boredom, frustration, you name it). When that happens, I allow myself some wiggle room and either buy a cute sticker or two (that I will eventually use and that occupy virtually no space) or I buy a new tea flavor or something that I will definitely consume within a couple of weeks. That approach is to be used carefully, obviously, but it does help me avoid bigger purchases on occasion.
That's such a good point, thank you for making it! I can actually relate since I do it too :) Buying a new tea or something, or even looking up a new recipe to make. :)
Why think of purchasing something at all ??? Spend time watching different things on RU-vid. I have been watching trials and interrogations on RU-vid and they are very interesting.
I like to take pictures with my phone of beautiful things I want instead of buying them. I go back and look at them and enjoy that. It feels like I “own” them. And if I really still want it later on, I can get it but I usually forget about it after capturing it in a photo.
“Can I rent / borrow it??” is also a rule I use to stay minimalist. There are so many things you can rent or borrow from a friend (tools, a dress, a book, party decor). Love the great list of rules you have - some are new to me that I’ll be sure to try! 🤗❤️
Great tips. Gift giving and receiving is a bit of an issue for us. My husband and I stopped giving each other stuff for gifts long ago. For birthdays, we go out to our favourite restaurant. We've never bought into the whole silly Valentine's thing, so we don't even exchange Valentine cards. and for Christmas presents, we try to arrange an experience together, like a couples massage or a weekend away with a cookery class. We prefer to save up and spend our money on experiences not clutter for the home. I have tried to get the whole family onboard, but it doesn't work! So our children and parents receive items as gifts, though we also gift experiences or things they can consume, such as tea or hot chocolate assortments, wine or food hampers. The truth is that as a family, we are very privileged to be in the position not to really need anything, so it's not even easy to think of appropriate gifts. The big occasions are about getting together for a nice meal, catching up, and playing silly games. That's what makes the memories.
One way I limit my buying is by limiting the brands I buy. For example, I only have one brand of shoes and purses that I will buy. I've found they work well for me and it stops me looking at any purses or shoes in stores. Shoes and purses used to be big temptation for me.
I’m constantly looking around for things to declutter, but lately I’ve been doing a big cleanout. I was watching Hoarders and felt envious of having a big dumpster to just toss stuff in. I thought of getting one myself but decided I’d feel guilty about not donating. But I’m still imagining I have one. I think, “do I really want to just toss this in the dumpster and never think about it again?” If the answer is yes, then into the trash or donation box. So that’s my tip. Imagine having a dumpster.
😂 If that's where you're at in life and it's what you gotta do to have a peaceful home go for it. Especially if it's a basement, garage, closet learning lesson thing.
Haha that's actually an interesting question to use! :) And I think we've all felt like wanting to just chuck things into a dumpster hahaha :) So if you would, then that's a good indication :)
It helps if we can get our favorites on sale, so sometimes I will stock up on them a little bit as well. But I don't really venture out and get different ones, if I'm still using something that I'm really enjoying. But as with all tips, there's room to make it your own and do things in a way that works for you! :)
I buy multiples of the basic care products I use all the time and don't want to run out of, like shower gel, toothpaste etc. They have a long shelf life and don't take up much space so it makes sense for me to stock up rather than keep having to go to the shop to refill.
@@SimpleHappyZenI like to take advantage of sales on products I use regularly. I usually buy a little more than I think I'll need for a given period of time, so I won't run out and then be desperate to buy more when they're not on sale. It saves me a bit in the end.
One of the ways I use my wishlist is that I reference it when sales and coupons come up. If I want to shop a sale or use a coupon, it has to be an item from my wishlist!
I recently helped my daughter with her major, out-of-state move. Her home was never cluttered. But she did have a couple large closets that became stuffed to the brim over time. Ditto some pretty full cupboards. A lot of new stuff had come in over recent years,, what with her getting married & having a baby. So boy did they ever purge a lot right before this move !! Several trips to donation cntrs , facebook posts about free stuff available to pick up ( including furniture) , items to a consignment shop, & yepp … more than usual garbage thrown out that last week B4 the move. And I bet they wouldn't mind letting go of even more ! So I am filling my own donation boxes at my home now, giving things away , & listing things to sell. I declutter pretty faithfully & yet … could def declutter more !! So I am !
With #7. … it’s interesting - I am kinda going through something with this one. So, going shopping used to be quite an activity / time filler for me years ago. I notice that I replaced it with honing in on seasonal decor and really streamlining it. I did work on streamlining my clothes and shoes too. I feel like I am done with streamlining my holiday decor. And now- I miss shopping and bringing in new items to my home or my wardrobe. But - I don’t have a spot for the Knick knack. And the clothes… I feel like I have everything I need. So, I watch a ton of holiday decor videos, especially people that are showing what is in the stores. And I watch some fashion type videos too. I guess what I am saying is that I miss shopping, but also know it is a hobby I do not want to go back to. It’s boring and wasteful. My idea is to use my creativity with seasonal “stuff” towards maybe a seasonal tea. Or maybe making an easy seasonal dessert. I do try to bring nature into the home too. That helps too.
I’m not a minimalist, but I have been decluttering a lot recently. I want to declutter a lot more items in the next 30 days. I enjoy viewing areas in your new home and many of your tips. How did you and your partner decide on your new color scheme?
Vera, your soft gentle flexible way of minimizing/simplifying inspires me. Plus your delivery is always relaxing. I am trying to use things up. I am also giving things away that don't serve me well. And then having new purchases be more thought out. It seems that much of life is better lived with at least some kind of a plan. 😊
I really have to start again with decluttering. I made a big start, got rid of a load of stuff, but then I got health issues and the decluttering started to fade away. I still do get rid of small bits and pieces, but I really should start with the big projects again. I’m procrastinating to do the bedroom and closets and also the kitchen should be done again after changing to induction cooking. And there is still a big project to be done in my craftroom 😅.
I had that same Studio Chibli sheet music book! Haha! So cool! For impulse buys, I bookmark it on my browser, and if I haven't looked at it or thought about it in a while, I take it off 'cause I don't need it! 99.9% of the time, that's how it goes! It's great! Means I save a shit ton of money! lol.
I love all your videos, Vera. You have really inspired me to own less stuff and live a simple, meaningful life that’s worth living. I can be truly happy with less items, and it is a blessing that I’ve come across your channel! Sending love❤
Agree with so many of these tips. I've never understood not wearing the same outfit twice, if I find something works, I'll wear it over and over again! We recently had our kitchen remodeled and in the packing up stage, I got rid of a lot, using a lot of the same rules, especially the duplicates. I did some more decluttering when I moved back in and I've reached a really great point where everything has a place, it's not a danger to get things out of cupboards, things are easy to find and most everything is getting used on a regular basis. I did replace a few things that were worn out and treated myself to a few new things that I knew would be useful, but other than that, I'm happy with the things I kept.
I like decluttered space in my house so much more than what it looked like before. But one thing bothers me - decluttering seems to become (as a trend) more like a permanent process rather than a one-time action. And while a look 'here-and-there' for things that are rubbish or broken or used up is quite natural, decluttering constantly is more like an obsession (no offence to anyone, please) because we have purchased this item with some intention, why getting rid of it purely for decluttering purposes? Just thinking. Thanks to Vera for yet another calm and clear contemplation of necessary things and really useful tips.
I agree decluttering shouldn't be just 'for the heck of it'. In a perfect world, we would buy everything intentionally and with purpose, so we never have to declutter. But in practice there will always be some changes, nothing is permanent, and decluttering will be an ongoing process, albeit with little 'trickles' instead of huge purges
This is all new to me! I came across these kinds of videos about a week ago and we just opened a restaurant about 7 months ago so I am trying to make less work for myself at home so I can have a more relaxing peaceful home to come home to at the end of a stressful day! Thank you for sharing!
Tip #3 was really IT. I knew the version of "it is was ruined, would you be relieved to let I go?" -- but in all honesty, most of the time I actually cannot separate this from the guilt of having ruining it 😅😅 even theoretically 😅😅 (HSP here, yay 😂) By imagining the objects as desappearing from my life **not by my fault** everything was just so clear, and the list of things I discovered I wanted to declutter expanded immensely. THANK YOU, from an HSP that wants decluttering for increasing peace of mind and loving what I *truly* love about my possessions ❤
Ik kijk inmiddels al een tijdje naar je video’s en heb tot nu toe nog niet gereageerd. Maar vandaag vond ik het moment , je hebt mij enorm geïnspireerd. Na 2,5 week door al mijn spullen gegaan te zijn kan ik nu enorm genieten van mijn huisje en de spullen die ik graag om mij heen wil hebben. Ga zo door, je hebt er een volger bij 😌
Really like how relaxing your channel is. I think there’s just something about the INFJ personality type that makes us tend to declutter and keep our spaces orderly and clean. I’ve been applying much of this since I was a child and never really put too much thought into why I was that way until now as an adult. Also, that’s a beautiful entertainment center and living room at 7:07! As a gamer, I love what looks to be the PS5 and Nintendo Switch there as well. 😂
I love, love, love your videos. Your advice make so much sense. I am guilty of almost all of the habits you address. Which explains why my home is too small. Greetings from Lisbeth (62) Denmark 🇩🇰
I made the decision recently to remove all decorative items from my home except for a couple of vases. I bought a bumper pack of tissue and wrapped all my ceramic objects, photo frames (after removing the photos!), glass ornaments and miscellaneous knick knacks and packed them carefully into 2 large bags for the charity shop. I intend to move next Spring/Summer and wish to take the bare minimum with me when I go so I will be clearing methodically over the next few months. I realised that I my life has moved on recently and now prefer the look of a 'clean and contemporary' home to the 'cosy minimalist' look I favoured before. Cosy minimalist is a good look except I found I was always looking for new ornaments to make me feel happy SO I realised the solution was to remove them all. Keeping my vases allows me to switch up the look by buying fresh flowers as an occasional treat. Now when I visit my favourite shops I can admire the pretty ornaments without feeling the urge to buy. I want each of my rooms to be entirely clutter free so I can begin the next chapter of my life with as little stress as possible. So a good tip for decluttering is to prepare as though you intend to put your house up for sale - even if you aren't! 😊
Excellent video, all great tips. But a special thank you for including #4. It may be a classic, but it was also the one that was least intimidating to me when I started my declutter journey. It is a very doable baby step that at least feels like 'first do no harm'. Then it's less of a leap to gaining the mental strength to start getting rid of things or deciding your wants are not your needs can evolve. Thank you so much.
Happy you enjoyed the video and that you enjoyed hearing #4! It's definitely one of the more easily accessible ones, and it has been valuable for me during different stages of my life, including right now with my wardrobe :)
I'm a fairly new subscriber and I really enjoy the peaceful vibe of your channel, Vera. It's so relaxing to watch while I'm having my herbal tea. :) My home is pretty pared down, but I've noticed I have a weak spot for seasonal decor. I've started asking myself, "where is this going to go?" And because it will only be put out to enjoy for a few months, "do I really want to have to store this for most of the year?" It has helped me curb my purchases. Thank you for all your great ideas! :)
Thank you so much Carol for your kind comment! 🤗🌷 "Do I really want to have to store this for most of the year?" is a great question! Sometimes we only think of the initial cost of purchasing the item, but we don't consider the 'cost' of having to store it the rest of the year :)
This info is so helpful for where I am at in my decluttering journey. I had become stuck, but want to go further. These new thoughts are already breaking down those walls keeping me stuck! Thank you!
You asked if we noticed the candle burning--yes, sitting next to the bouquet of flowers. I always notice that little glass lotus flower decoration too. Like you, I really value a minimalist lifestyle. I wonder why some people are the opposite and fill their homes with stuff? Of my own family, I'm the only one who dislikes clutter. I wonder what makes us different?
That's a good question! Different people thrive in different environments I guess? Or it has to do with personality? :) Life experience? Probably all of the above haha
For some it is growing up in poverty they didn't have even what was needed never mind what they wanted. Others are still poor so if they get rid of something they later need they can't afford to buy it again. Others it's trauma maybe they went through a phase in life where someone else got rid of or destroyed what was precious to them so now they hang on to everything.
No, I did not notice a candle. Congratulations for the invitation to present at the virtual conference. I just claimed my free ticket and I look forward to your talk. The all access pass is way more than I need. I went last year and found that there were too many presenters advocating bins and building/buying elaborate storage. That just doesn't work for me. My goal is to reduce my stuff so that it fits in the storage I already own.
Such a great list of tips! Some of them I was already using but the one that really struck me, and that was immediately helpful, was number 9, see if there is something you can use that you already have instead of purchasing something new. As someone that loves to sew, among other hobbies, when I see new patterns and /or fabric I think ooh pretty! I had a couple patterns in an online cart, but when I heard tip 9, i went to my pattern stash and found lovely patterns i hadn't used yet and some quite similar to what was in the cart! Delete cart! I am going to make a practice of reviewing the wonderful things i have before making any purchases. Thank you, Vera!
This is an insightful work; reminiscent of a book that was thought-provoking and detailed. "The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Living Guide" by Matthew Cove
OMG the "just in case" one hits home. Also important when traveling and packing lighter! I am on a buying hiatus and made a vow to not purchase any personal care products until I use up what I have.
I saw you listed as a speaker when I registered last week for the Get Organized HQ. I'm very excited for you 😃 Regarding the list I do most of what you have on here but #5 can be my struggle. Plants are also my gateway purchase. I can never buy just one. #20 - I love a wish list. It really does keep the spending under control. The portrait was easy to identify: Daenerys Targaryen. It looks great. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for another inspiring video. I have done a lot of decluttering so far and feel less stressed and happier with each item I have let go, My once small apartment has suddenly become more spacious and open thanks to the lessons and advise you have so eloquently shared!
Oooh Vera ! Yay ! Congrats on being invited to be a speaker @ the conference ! My friend Dawn is speaking there & has done so in the past, & I’ve told her about you . Woo hoo !! ( full disclosure : even tho she & I do converse one - on - one online some , & I converse online with her sister as well , when I say she’s my friend, it’s sincere… and she sincerely refers to all her viewers as friends. But relatively speaking, I’m among her viewer friends / not close circle of friends) . Great list of tips, Vera ! So helpful . And the classics are always good reminders. You are looking beautiful … & look how nicely your new home is all set up & cozy ! Wok ! Haha ! I think it’s originally a Chinese word, although it’s made its way into English. Your English is better than some native speakers ! It flows …. is eloquent, relaxed, smart & engaging. Much love from Buffalo , New York USA … on beautiful Lake Erie : one of the Five Great Lakes ! Such a special area ! Lake Erie alone takes about six hours or more to drive from one end to another ! NOT a typo ! Astounding , right ? Oooh dang I dud not notice the candle .
Great tips, Vera. Thanks especially for the rule about asking yourself if you'd actually pay for something someone will give you for free. Free stuff is very tempting, but often it just feels like taking on more junk. Congratulations on being invited to speak at the event. You're going to be a hit!
Thanks for saving me from spending money on an LV bag today. I just looked at it two or three times and then told myself (firmly) that I don't need it just because it was on sale. You have helped me change my life in so many ways! Thanks again...
Thank you so much for your guidelines! I am very prone to impulse buying, but I learn. :) Last week I put some washi tapes and bullet journal stuff into my cart and removed it again befor paying for the things I really needed. I try to work with the Wish List and favour "one in, one out" when it comes to books and art supplies (and cat toys ...). Right now I am thinking about selling or donating my guitar, because I never got to learn to play it and now play the ukulele instead. I love your portrait of Danaerys! (OMG, did I spell it the right way?)
Hi Vera, yes I noticed the candle 🕯️ very helpful tips & content. Mostly agree with you on all. Your home is looking lovely & your 1st portrait is very good. Have a lovely weekend ❤
It helps if we can get our favorites on sale, so sometimes I will stock up on them a little bit as well. But I don't really venture out and get different ones, if I'm still using something that I'm really enjoying. But as with all tips, there's room to make it your own and do things in a way that works for you! :)
I have one each of my face cream. When that cream has a third left; I check the store each week on the price of a new one. When on sale I buy it. That way I can safe money. I do the donatebin idea too ❤
Ive been working on decluttering & watching ur vids have helped me see things i didnt see before. I laughed when u talked about dont buy things for a specific purpose & u mentioned an avocado slicer. I have one of these & i use it all the time. 😂 i did the declutter box idea. I have a box in my closet & wrote donate on it, so when its full then i drop it off & get a new box ready.
since I am a professional pianist it was slightly painful to see that an item which you gave as an example to be in the trash was actually a music book! Music is essential for our soul and inner happiness and would be the first item I would like to preserve always :) For the rest your video is great :) and people have a lot to learn from it!
The candle is normal and usual for you. We've seen it many times before so probably don't really notice that it is there, like the mirror that used to be in many videos. 🤩😃
your correct on that ... gift giving should be done daily. gift, as in, the true valuable gifts, such as your time, your energy, your effort, your care, and so forth. you can not buy these, but you can give them ... as a gift ... anytime
Your first portrait turned out really well!! These are great tips the only one I can't do is the books and plants one haha I'm not even going to try as those are the items that bring me joy. Wardrobe yeah that is on the calendar for another huge declutter. Update...haha I just went to the store and they had a bunch of Boston ferns hanging by the aisle where you go to pay so I grabbed one as I've been wanting to get one. I go to the car to read up on it and the article actually said, "N. Exaltata can can be the gateway plant to a fern addiction." Haha I instantly thought of you and this video😂
Vera, the candle wasn't that visible until you mentioned it that I went back to see it. I was more focussed on the plant vase and it's hues🩷 Even I love to see candle setup in videos. I suggest you experiment with a different setup next time 😊 Thanks for the video and tips🤍
Hi Vera you have some great tips.Thank you so much. I try to practice mindfulness on all areas of my life especially when it comes to buying stuff. By the way my husband and I thought you did an excellent job on your self portrait Sending hugs. ❤❤❤❤
Oh, I didn´t notice the candle - but I love candles! To me they make a room feel alive - a bit like plants. Maybe a high candle will be more visible in a video 🥰🥰
For gift giving, I am starting to give something consumables so when used/done they will disregard the items, instead of keeping them for longer time. I've been buying consumables too that we need like personal care or food or household products that on sale, esp if half price, in minimal number coz I saved money instead of buying when finished be desparate or shock with price when badly needed, example my laundry liquid is $22 on regular but found out ysday 11$ so i bought 1 even i still have 1. I already decluttered majority but I struggle with my plants
Great video😊. The squiggle spoon example made me laugh 😂. I justed watched the interior designer Nick today and he said no to buying those spoons because they have no design longevity and he said "anyway, do you really want to put something in your mouth that looks like sperm" 😂
You're just lovely dear Vera ❤ Thanks for this interesting video which helps me remember some of the things I can always do to live a simpler and more peaceful life. Cheers from Morocco 😊
Excelent video! Every day you get better! Sorry, i dont see the candle because is small and the light dont let show well (for me that whatch in cellphone). Big hug from a brazilian that lives in Portugal ♡
