Decluttering for the sake of it. Just because I don't use certain things *right now* doesn't mean I won't use them later or that I'll be able to enjoy them later.
In my journey (still on it- to be honest because things and people do change) I realized that YES de-cluttering things was very helpful, however; what I needed to de-clutter was my life! I was going through a bad separation from an abusive relationship (Proud of myself for getting out) and de-cluttering my emotions and working on myself (inside and mentally) was the best way of minimalism for me because what I de-cluttered was toxic friends, toxic relationship, and just a toxic environment. It's been 3 years and while I am debt free, how free my soul and mind feel is what feels best! xoxo! Thanks for the video.
I learned that I need to keep some “occasion” clothing items even if I don’t wear them often. It is much less stressful when something comes up rather than running around trying to find something on short notice and over spending. Some examples are a black dress, a jumpsuit and a holiday dress or outfit.
This is very true, I've decided to move my formal wear into proper nice storage boxes with tissue paper so they at least stay nice for when I do need them, because right now they are taking up space in my wardrobe making it "look" cluttered but I don't want to get rid of them! I have one cocktail dress for cool weather, a long one, a couple of short ones of different formality levels, and they all fit still, so even if I only wear one of them once a year, that's still better than having to fork out another $100-200 for when I do get invited to a wedding or whatever!
You don’t need to put label on it , balance is a key . My closet is full of colour and my home is cozy but I know what is in every room , shelf or drawer.
Hi Christina! One mistake I've made is decluttering something too quickly. I've actually regretted getting rid of something, and ended up buying a replacement. Ack! 😝 Now I put things aside for a bit and think about it. I've been a subscriber for a while now, and I love how succinct your videos are. I'm looking forward to seeing you reach 100k too! 💖
I have been decluttering my whole life because my mother had a shopping issue and kind of passed things off to me, and I have almost all of these issues 😭🤣 im like when did my house become a bootcamp where every item i own is on probation 😭 but i think my firm love of clothes is helping me accept excess. it can be an indicator that we really enjoy something. great video :-)
Thanks for sharing these lessons. I love that your approach to minimalism is relevant, personal, realistic and attainable. For me, my mistake is thinking of minimalism as an end goal rather than a journey. We are all different individuals so we should not get too caught up with how other people are doing. We set our own your goals and you do you. The only judge is yourself, coz it's your own journey. I do agree with you that minimalism won't solve our problems. What matters more is that we learn and grow in the process. 😊
I took what I needed from minalism because those other channels quickly became very negative to me. At times the extremes made me feel that I was less than or like I was being talked down to because I liked an item or because I wasn't as "productive" as I should be. I wasn't allowed to find enjoyment in "stuff ". Geez this world is so dark already, so what if I bought an item I've been eyeing and was excited about it. Enjoyed this video. 😊
New (re) subscriber - hope that helps get you to 100k! I got caught in it too and “left” the minimalist idea awhile ago (and your channel- sorry but honesty). The clothes thing is weird- I live in FL. I work professionally and play outside as often as possible. It’s humid- you have to change clothes sometimes more than once a day. I just couldn’t get rid of so much and then do laundry every day- it was swapping one burden for another. I was so so glad to see your recent videos but hadn’t re-subscribed. I love your content! Thank you!
I love your down to earth approach to minimalism! I've been definitely caught in the cycle of compulsive decluttering and I started to feel anxious about not being able to fit all my clothes into a single suitcase. But I'm trying to see the joyful aspect of having clothes that make me feel like myself rather than sticking to the bare-minimum. It was also good to hear from you that I don't need to justify having more than 5 t-shirts and 2 pairs of pants in my closet!
Ahhhh Almost a 100k!! Great video, I like this advice, I think that the Minimalists Josh an Ryan would agree with you too. Getting rid of what you don't need to what is comfortable for you is the goal. Super happy for your progress 👏
I’ve been on a decluttering kick for about a year and found minimalism to be helpful but limiting. There are certain things that bring me joy “just because” but would not meet a minimalist ideal. But to get rid of them would make me sad so I drew a line. And that is what has worked for me. Thanks for your honesty and willingness to discuss this😃
I love watching your videos on these topics. I'm really interested in saving money or paying off debt, I know you've done a few videos on it. Was wondering if you've done or could do one on how or if you've saved money on your growtrees (lol groceries) and how/what that looks like for you. Happy Sunday!
I have been working on getting rid of my clutter. I always feel like I have to explain my stuff. Your video made me realize that I am only accountable to me! I'm a work in progress! ♥️
Love watching how you have evolved. I believe some of the extreme mental challenges of minimalism taught us how to get control of our why's, discover and understand them. It was a tool. A tool we now use as a muscle for balance. I prefer living with intention. I am aware when I'm buying for "the wrong reasons". I look at over $100k debt gone, a healthy savings account and investment portfolio and say "Ah, this peace was worth every step." I thank you for sharing your journey, insights and walking with me on similar paths, thought processes. I look forward to how our futures unfold and most of all how we grow into the best version of ourselves.
Also wanted to say I'm at a place where ask8ng do I need this...nope but I'm getting it feels good. I still like the muscle because sometimes I stop, sometimes waiting a bit helps clarify why and remind me if I'm slipping into an old habit. Helps me look inside for if something else is wrong. Stuff is tangible, minimalism helped build tools to stay healthy.
I’ve definitely started focusing more on what I love instead of what doesn’t work. I love getting dressed and only focusing on what I love makes the process so much simpler!
I did a declutter in 2020. But I still find that I want to declutter more items. I get a cardboard box and filling with items every two weeks. 15 items a week. Especially when it comes to kitchen gadgets that I have not used. When I buy a top I declutter two other tops for that purchase.
Not associating myself with the label of minimalism has taken a lot of pressure off of me when it comes to how I define it for myself and practice it in my daily life. I'd say that those feelings of internal pressure are what kept me rigid and stiff for most of my journey for the first year and a half, thinking that restriction is better than joy. Nowadays when I declutter, it doesn't take that much thought for me and I can easily distinguish what it is I love and don't love.
I agree. If you already have the clothing, it makes sense to keep it around a bit to make sure you are really ready to part with it. I tried reselling, and the amount of money you get paid to resell your clothing is not worth the money and effort you took to buy it. I've made the mistake of de-cluttering dresses and then had to re-buy another for a wedding or event. Also, it's fun to try to think of a friend or family member that could use an article of clothing that no longer serves you.
Could not agree more with your perspective here! I never went full minimalist but was uneasy with it for a lot of the reasons you mentioned here. Would love more fashion fashion content and also anti perfectionism content! ;D
I did exactly this. And my home looked great for about a year. But when there wasn’t anything else to declutter I got bored. And then I rebounded. As in, I went shopping. A lot. I believe I was/am addicted to dopamine hits and used shopping/decluttering/shopping as a way to satisfy that. Still working on it.
If you live responsibly within your means and have a functioning clean home - how much you have or don’t have by choice shouldn’t matter. And many times personally for me it doesn’t but what causes me anxiety is not being able to enjoy what I have. So what I have concentrated on is taking time to plan to enjoy using my “lovely stuff”. And now the anxiety is truly going away and I enjoy all the moments. I don’t have to declutter and I don’t do capsule wardrobes. But I do regular maintenance on the things I have. And that brings joy too. I hope my comments are helpful and by no means am I saying that my way is right for anyone else - though it is spot on for me. And I love this channel- your honesty about everything is so refreshing and appreciated. ❤
I decluttered, that lead to pondering the life cycle of items, this lead to minimalism, in the journey I cleaned my computer desktop that lead to budgeting that lead to debt reduction, paying off the house and along the way I live out of a 30-item wardrobe. Yeah, I have been veganish also!! no wooh wooh though. Christine, You are amazing, but more than that YOU ARE ENOUGH. You are not broken, enjoy you life now! I am coaching because I am twice your age and have been there.
Still on my journey. I’m at the point where I just need to totally refresh my wardrobe and have OUTFITS, not just clothes. I yearn for a capsule wardrobe and simplicity and the EASE of getting dressed everyday.
I had the same tendency, and sometimes still have, when decluttering got a bit toxic. Getting rid of as much as possible to feel the relief of having as little as possible weighing me down. I think that is the other side of the same medal; either wanting material posessions very badly or being too keen on not having stuff at all, just because, well why actually? It is both still about the stuff. Nowadays I give myself more room for experimenting, trying out if adding something that I really want also actually adds the anticipated value. I am also thinking about trying out your method of making an inventory and tracking the usage of my clothes. And I am on a low-buy half hear which I started July, using your challenge! Just reaallllly appreciate all your honesty, effort in your video's and your overall down-to-earth nature. Big thanks and hope you will continue making content for a looong time 👏👍
