9 Hacks to Live With Less 

My comment will probably make me sound pretty pathetic but I’ll share it anyway. I get a lot of enjoyment out of giving my stuff away on my local Buy Nothing group. Most of the time my things go to people that really need the stuff (sometimes to resellers but I don’t care). It gives me some social interaction with my community and I feel like I’m being helpful. The items that get the best response are live plants. Plants tend to grow fast and take over my house so I occasionally give away cuttings or rooted baby plants.

1.Own less socks. 2. Use your favorite items 3. Find the what if's 4. Unsubscribe 5. Declutter a bag a week 6. Borrow instead of buying 7. Set aside time 8. Know your triggers 9. Fulfill your life

I agree that decluttering is a privilege because we were very privileged to have the time and money to buy the items in the first place. So if you’re not shopping online or in stores, you just freed up hours every week to declutter and you require less money to live. Now that is PRICELESS!

I bought beautiful wallpaper and lined my chest of drawers. Every time I open the drawers I see the lovely colors and my enjoyment amplifies. I keep the chest of drawers neat and well organized.

It blows my mind away how many people have to rent a storage unit! Paying to store things they don't use blows my mind away.

And when I save my favorites…time passes and I end up decluttering them because they don’t fit or aren’t in style anymore

Something that helps me declutter: I keep a bag in my closet and as I come across something I’m ready to part with, into the bag the item goes. When the bag is full or almost full, it leaves the house.

Currently doing a no buy January and I decided to spend time with God, journal and pray every day. This is helping me find joy in a different way and I feel less of a need to scroll and shop.❤ ❤❤

Questions for those “just in case” items can be: what would I use instead? Can this be a blessing to someone else NOW if I donate it? Can I replace it easily? The $ is GONE the second I bought it and can’t be totally replaced. The time and peace from not keeping it will be greater. Even if buying this was a mistake, it will help me make better future choices…. I can give myself grace for not knowing the future. This is a learning opportunity for my season of life and needs.

Elin I just stay out of the stores, especially if I really don’t need anything.Otherwise you see things that you don’t need but get tempted. I save my money to travel, staying out of the stores help😊

We're giving up freedom to have "stuff" that's a good thought to keep in mind while decluttering. Very helpful

I have a problem with impulse purchases at the grocery store. I just figured something out the other day, though. When you go into a shop, there are all kinds of displays everywhere enticing you to look and buy... everywhere, that is, except the ceiling and the floor. So when I go through a grocery store in search of specific things, I tend to keep my eyes turned toward the ceiling until I get to, say, the produce section. Far fewer visual distractions and I can get the things I need. It might sound silly but it does work.

"What if" are two words that will drive you to the nuthouse faster than any others.

I’m moving to a tiny one bedroom. Recently I went on vacation. I’m taking my vacation wardrobe- letting go of the what ifs- spending the wonderful gift of a snow day to take pictures and post and let go of all that extra… to go to a new home.

The tip on decluttering socks made me laugh because recently I pulled out all the socks and underwear that I don’t like as much and as I wear them, I throw them away afterwards. Those are the two clothing items I don’t feel comfortable donating. I recently bought several merino wool items for a trip that’s coming up this summer. My deal with myself was that I would get rid of a lot of bulkier items that I wasn’t wearing much anyway. And I will be wearing these things all through the winter instead of saving them for the trip. I also recently got rid of a big bag of clothes I was saving just in case I ever had to go back to work in an office. I’ve been working from home since April 2020, and I finally decided that worst case, I could always get new work clothes. Finally, I use a version of the container rule for clothing. If it doesn’t fit easily into my dresser and closet, I don’t keep it. I used to rotate out winter and summer clothes and keep the off-season in boxes under my bed. No more. I really don’t need more than what will fit in one closet and one dresser. To be honest, I probably don’t need that much and will continue to pare down.

My grandfather was an old style minimalist, a very frugal man. My parents tried to buy him some more quality pieces - warmer clothes, a pipe (to replace cigarettes), some healthier-to-cook-in pans... When asked, he always said he used them, though we never saw him doing it. After his death, they found all the stuff untouched in his drawers, and my aunt told them he considered the things too good to be used and kept them for some special occasion that never came. It still breaks my heart thinking about it.

I only wash my tops and bottoms when they are actually dirty, like with sweat, stains, etc. Over-washing clothes makes them old and wears them out. Usually when I do laundry it’s mainly socks, underwear and my husband’s tshirts.

I do a no spend challenge each month where I set up a goal for myself. This month of January I’m aiming for 15 no spend days where I don’t even buy food. But the days can be scattered out in the whole month. This makes me have to think about when I purchase something and plan my weeks out a bit better. I have everything written down so I can easily see how I’m doing. This has helped me to not shop each and every day. 😊 And it probably saves me money too. On days when I’m “allowed” to spend money I do my grocery shopping and other necessities plus some extra shopping if I feel like it! 😊🙌

oh my gosh the collecting paper/writing stuff etc and backups and backups to backups (clothes) resonates and has been something I have also been working on! Thanks for sharing!

Love the ‘use your favourites’ and ‘what if’ it really spoke to me! I tend to do this a lot, and then buying other items that I now need, because I don’t use what I actually already have because I’m “saving it”.

With laundry, I've long had a problem with clothes that have been worn once - not totally clean, but not dirty enough to wash. These tend to land somewhere like a chair or door hook. Now I'm forcing myself to just put them back in the drawer.

For special occasions, I found one dress that I really like. It's simple, classic, comfortable and appropriate for weddings or anything else dressy. Now "events" are a no-brainer.

I am 70 years old, and I have never bought a journal in my entire life, I am not a list maker. I use my brain to remember things. I want to stay active and keeping my mind sharp is important to me. If I cannot remember what I need then the item is not important. Sometimes I will make a short grocery list but that is very seldom.

I thought I was the only one who saves my favorite clothes and other things so I don't ruin them... but never end up wearing them....OMG you have so described one of my dilemmas.. YES.. IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO USE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS... THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!!

Great tips! I am a victim of the “what if” items. As far as socks, when I find a pair that i really like, I buy several pairs. Since they are the ones I wear the most. Then I feel okay about getting rid of socks I don’t like or have holes. I used to watch a minimalist on youtube that had a drawer of the same socks and underwear. Never had to decide what of those to wear.

I often think about 2 things: 1. someone else might need and use this right now instead of it sitting in my storage and 2. If I give it to someone who really needs it, it will not end up in a landfill after sitting in my storage for years and thenbeing useless.

Your thoughts about clutter and things resonate more with me than any of the many content creators I've viewed in this space so far. Thank you for this.

What a great video. I really like the strategy of getting one box of clutter out of the house each week. I'm going to do this Elin. Thanks for all the tips 😀 xx

I’m on a no buy year, meanwhile im decluttering my entire wardrobe, make-up, housewares etc. it feel great

Great, practical tips. Use your favourites is my favourite. We are special and deserve to treat every day as a big day!

Wearing your best clothes first, yes exactly!

Great discussion! I am in the process of losing weight. I only have a few maintenance pieces..but enjoy and love the pieces I currently own. I have found unsubscribing works in decluttering emails.

I limited my wardrobe to the color blue. And white patterns. And brown shoes to be precise. Everything is matching, now. As I buy only blue clothes, this reduces shopping choices as well.

These are great tips that we often don’t hear enough. And some new ones, that really can make an impact as you’ve pointed out… For instance, less socks! So simple but effective.

I love your home!!! It's so elegant, soothing and perfect really, sometimes I just watch to see how nicely you've put everything together so I can try to create that in my home. Trying to declutter is in progress 😊

I really respect that you mentioned having the finances to have the time and energy to work on these endeavors. Item 9 also reminds me of another great recent video of yours that mentioned how engaging with stuff (shopping/collecting/curating) can feel creative but maybe there is another more meaningful creative process we might find more fulfilling.

I so agree with the empty journals and Sunday best:). I am exactly the same way, I haven't worn my best loved clothes in a while out of fear and I am still waiting on my Marcus Aurelius moment to use one of my many lovely journals!!

I keep a good sized clothes hamper lined with a black plastic bag in my garage….anything I find through any given day that I am not using or I don’t want goes in that bag. When it’s full off it goes to the thrift store. Fills up pretty fast and it’s an easy way to declutter gradually. Ofcourse I’ve trained myself not to bring very much back into my house.

Wow these tips were amazingly spot on. I fall into many of these traps.

I have been decluttering and organizing! It feels so much better!

When I want to buy some thing, I try to think about if I will really enjoy having to find a place for it and having to manage it! I also think about what item will I declutter , so I have room for the new item!

I been doing this too lately. I listened for the validation. Thanks for sharing.

I would the "back-ups" issue SO relatable!

I don’t wear socks..I live in the tropics…but I definitely have what if’s!

I think one of the things that has helped me the most with being content living with less as well as with my attempts to live as nontoxic and sustainably as possible is surrounding myself with likeminded ppl and following likeminded ppl on social media accounts. When you feel like less is the norm and see others moving to live the same way it is easier to not see all of the material things and wish you had them.

There is power in taking photos of things and then declutterring them. Somehow it makes it easier to get rid of it and then you still feel like you kind of have it. Also, with online shopping, screenshot the things you want, and put them in a digital album in the photo area on your phone and then visit the album every so often and you might not ever even order any of it. But again, tricks your mind, that you kind of have it. Does anyone else do this? It works!

Great tips! ❤

Love this video. Thank you!

Great ideas! Thank you for sharing

literally just said to myself "I need to get rid of socks" lol -so true! Thank you - love your channel! Sandy (in Maine)

Very nicely said❤

Soo helpful tips. Thanks Elim

Really enjoyed this one , thank you!

Thank you for the great hacks ! I'm trying to do many of the things you mentioned. I'm not embarrassed for anyone to look in my closets or dresser drawers. 😊

Thank you for many great ideas..

Love the idea of using your best!

Love all your ideas...brava.... thank you 😊

Tip 2 helped me declutter four items today!!

Re: Use Your Favs. The same principle is needed in regard to eating. For some reason, I always saved my favorite dish for last. This resulted in eating everything else in order to get to my favorite. This resulted in eating way beyond “satisfaction” into “overeating.” Thus, I’ve fought “overweight” all my life.

I super love this content

This totally resonates with me. Thank you

Very useful tips...thanks for sharing ❤

Those were great tips! Thank you so much ❤️

I like all these practical tips to minimalism! Thanks sooo much❤

Yes on the sock thing 🧦

Hi Elin. I thought I was the only one who figured out the 'socks' hack!! : ) Glad you shared that one; it has worked for me for several years~ I truly appreciate your insight. I'm grateful for the way your education has supported you in helping so many of us- in many dif ways~

What a wonderful video 🎉❤

This was excellent. I plan to do a repeat listen regularly, to reinforce the insights & ideas you've shared here. Thanks, Elin!

I love your cardigans! Sooooo pretty!

Thank you for this video. There are some great tips, I really struggle with always wanting more even though I am content with my life, it's definitely something I want to work on this year!

Your videos are so amazing, that sock tip is soo cool! things like this really make your videos unique ♡ My trick is: When I see an item and have a thought along the lines of „hm maybe I should declutter that thing“ then sooner or later it will leave me. My essentials and absolute favourites would never spark this thought in me so this item must be a non essential I‘m on the journey to parting with. Now, when I get this thought I will watch that item closer and wait for the right time to part with it. An example is: I used to have a very big Harry Potter collection and that included a few limited edition boxed sets of various kinds. Throughtout the 3 years that I‘ve been decluttering and living with less and less I always ended up keeping those while parting with all the other things. But in the beginning I did have the thought „Should I let you go?“ and up to this point I always ended up deciding against it for now. Yesterday the day finally came where I decided to part with all of them and immediately offered them online. However, this thought is not to be confused with the conscious question of „should i let you go?“ in a decluttering session. What I mean refers to when I go about my day, see that item and the thought suddenly pops up from nowhere. It feels different and to this day I ended up parting with every single item that I ever experienced this with.

I relate to point number 2 so much. I thought I was the only one. I have this habit with new purses as well 😩

So well-thought out and eye opening. Thank you so much for sharing. Now off to get rid of half my socks…

Absolutely loved this discussion. So useful ☺

I'm super lazy, and have still kept a lot of clothes while decluttering a ton, but still do my laundry every Monday without fail - even though I could easily go 2 weeks before washing. It has most definitely not caused me to want to shop less lol. I get tired of clothes VERY easily so I donate older clothes every time I bring in new.

Great video. I also find doing a laundry load a day shows me what I actually wear. It makes decluttering my closest easier and helps me get honest about what my style actually is. I have bought much less since starting this habit. That said - going to go declutter my socks right now!

I love the unsubscribing tip. I usually try to find at least one email that I can subscribe from a day. Makes me feel less cluttered to have to look through emails and also less likely to shop if I don’t get as many reminders. Also I try to cut out impulse purchases. If I see something at the store or online I try to wait a day or more before purchasing. Or sometimes I’ll make myself walk around with it in the store for a while if I think I’m not going to make it back to the store in a while.

I don’t wear socks daily and I wear Sandals a lot. So I don’t tend to care that much. Lol but I have been decluttering for 3 years. And I used to buy a lot of craft stuff and take lots of stuff others are decluttering just because I know I can’t always afford nice decor stuff and now I want less decor and less furniture and want to change furniture that was given to me and find my own style and that also helps me not have to look at all my stuff even if it’s organized

Thanks great tips 😊✨👍🙏

You have the prettiest sweaters ❤

Thank you for this video....... ! Your well thought out ideas, have helped me, to not feel overwhelmed and intimidated in starting the process.... which is where I have failed this task before.... I highly recommend your approach to accomplishing this goal...!

I will be forever grateful to you, you changed my whole life and I will continue to preach on your behalf for the whole world to hear you saved me from huge financial debt with just a small investment, thank you Fergus Waylen

Hei, Elin Olipa ilo katsoa tämä video. Pidin niin monesta asiasta. 1. Et luvannut ikuista onnea yhdellä kikalla. 2. Ohjeesi olivat elämän makuisia ja koeteltu itse käytännössä. 3. Ohjeista ei tullut oloa, että niiden ajatteleminen sai jo hengästymään ja väsymään. 4. Pidin erityisesti ohjeesta, jossa neuvottiin käyttämään suosikkeja. Tunnistan tuon halun säästää suosikki erityisiin tilanteisiin, joita ei koskaan tulekaan. 5. Tuo merkityksellisten asioiden lisääminen elämään oli hyvä vinkki. Itse pidän käsillä tekemisestä: neulon, piirtelen, harjoittelen kuorostemmoja ja luen hyvää kirjallisuutta. 6. Pidin myös ohjeestasi, jossa kehotettiin mieluummin lainaamaan kuin ostamaan. Tämä oli hyvä video. Pahoittelut siitä, että käytän äidinkieltäni suomea. Suomi on tunnekieleni. Halusin kirjoittaa juuri niin kuin sydämeni tuntee. 😊❤

I'm a new subscriber and so very grateful I found you!!! Binge watching! 🥰❤️🥳

Great video. This really resonated with me. Especially wearing your favorite items. I’ve saved mine to the point they were out of style so I missed out on wearing them. Also I like the point you made about that it helps you not to want to shop as much.

The best thing I've done to help with the what-ifs has been a make do mentality Now that I've decluttered and have more time and energy to do things I enjoy (like baking, cooking and entertaining) I do think on that one bowl I let go and how now it would come in so perfect. But, the bowl is gone and I make do with I do have on hand It's worked wonders for me when I come across something at a store and think I want it

To the Organization Girls: Throw out the torn jeans and put a little color on the walls! I declutter all the time so I agree with your Ideas but all white walls and white furniture... Maybe add some color

Back up clothes for my back ups is so relatable!

❤new subscriber here Great video Your home is so nice My mom would love your plants

My tip is a fixed day/date, hour, determined space (e.g., kitchen cabinet, pantry, shed, etc.), and limited time and sticking to it as much as humanly possible = hardcore planning, lol. It's the only way that worked for me. Elin, Could you, pls, talk a bit about your experience with the onion method? Thank you. I kinda fight this: I declutter, the space looks great, and I am happy - for a very short period of time. Then, I look at it again, and it seems pretty cluttered again because the layers hidden behind the clutter I just got out are now visible, damn🤪. I rationally understand it, of course. Still, it's so mentally exhausting since I am not where I'd like to be yet = some spots are already decluttered "perfectly," but that only underlines those that still are not, lol. How do you manage that...?

What if.... there's a very cold week in the winter but you've got rid of all your super warm clothing? Nice video. I watched to the end.

I absolutely loath shopping. I end up keeping stuff because I don't want to be in a situation where I need to go out and buy or rent it. If I desperately need a new sweater in the winter because all my other sweaters are full of holes and shouldn't be worn out in public, I will go to the store multiple times and try on a bunch of sweaters but go home empty handed... even if I find a sweater I love... unless it's on sale, then I'll buy it (usually I will wait till the end of the season and hope it's still there and on sale). Then I will have that sweater for the next 5-10 years till it is full of holes. At that point, I don't get rid of it though, I repurposed it and turn it into a couple pairs of socks. I'm allergic to latex, so I can't just go out and buy socks, I have to either order really expensive latex free socks, or turn old clothes or scrap material into new socks. I have socks made out of an old house coat that I had when I was a teen (I'm in my 40's). I only wear socks in the winter though, and I mend them when they get holes (sometimes I replace the bottoms), I just can't make myself get rid of socks that are still salvageable. I use everything till it's falling apart to the point where I can't donate it. As a result, I have a couple desks in storage right now that are broken, so I can't donate them, but I have no way of disposing of them without paying someone to take them. My storage room is actually packed full of broken large items that I just want gone, but spending the money to have them removed is just not in the budget. It would be great to have more space, but I don't "need" more space, so I just store it. Some day I will have to hire a truck or something to haul it to the dump.

For me #1 really resonated with me but instead of socks it is underwear 😅😂 I have way too many backups that I don’t love just to push laundry day.

here are a few tips: ditch the TV, ditch the smartphones and in general keep things simple (Kiss principle)

Thank you #saveSoil #Consciousplanet

Eh.... i don't buy much. But uve a wedding to go to. I've nothing appropriate to wear, more of a casual person. I found a dress, from a brand i like, in a charity shop. I happily spent the 17 euro, knowing when i get back, ill wash it and re-sell or donate it. When i got married, I did the same. Bought a dress i liked, this time new but from high street versus wedding shop. I did consider dying it but really im not one for dresses. I had donated it to a charity shop with 4 weeks of getting back home.

I sometimes only buy one pair of new socks, to see if i like them. Then if i do like them I forgot where i got them! :(😢

Can you send me the link of your Cardigan? I've been looking for the perfect one forever and you are wearing it in this video😂

❤ for thé algorithme

❤