My Goal With Minimalism Is to Stop Decluttering 

I just wanted to say, I think this haircut suits you really well!😊

I think decluttering is the critical first step in becoming minimalist, if this is something someone wants to do. Beyond that, there's a big mindset change that needs to take place, so that you don't unconsciously accumulate a lot of stuff again. It means guarding against the influx, because stuff is *always* coming into our lives. And, there may be a few rounds of decluttering that takes place, as you become more comfortable letting go of things. But, beyond that, I really feel it's more about not allowing the excess into our homes or our lives in the first place.

I agree with you Lia, the constant churn of things coming in and out of many people’s lives with regards to ‘stuff’, does make me wonder if people are really being intentional with what they buy. I think sometimes people are just being ‘influenced’ to feel they need to bring certain new items into their space; or conversely they are being ‘persuaded’ to declutter items just because everyone else says they no longer want or use that thing. Thus, they begin to think that maybe they should also get rid of that thing too. Just because a minimalist person only has a few items in their homes, doesn’t mean they are not sometimes wasteful. If people keep replacing items constantly, then maybe they need to ask themselves whether they are still being driven by over-consumption, consumerism or simply the need for the new thing (which may also be the latest secondhand thing too).

Hi Lia, your vlog this week was very helpful to me. I left my parents house 40+ years ago with minimal belongings (apart from books as I was a teacher) and, whenever I could afford it, began a long period of over consumption. With parents who had experienced The Great Depression, I grew up with a scarcity mindset in which I needed to be prepared for hard times and to keep thing because they might be useful, and they often were useful for my work and children. Consuming became a way to deal with all manner of insecurities. My minimalism journey over the last 10 years has been slow as I've needed to declutter my mindset and develop new habits and coping strategies. I'm getting there but have quite a way to go. My favourite take away from your message is that even though you like and occasionally use something, you don't need to hang onto it. Things deserve to be used. Thank you.

I think you eventually end up in a ‘maintenance’ phase, so if something wears out, or you no longer need or use it, then you will declutter it, so just the odd item here and there, rather than big purges, unless a move triggers this. As others have said, I think now, I’m very mindful of what I bring into my home now, and don’t tend to buy a lot of material items.

I love declutting.... such feeling of freedom... even is 2 things because I know I don't need that items and it's a blessing for someone else

You decluttered a stick. A STICK! I got so confused, that I can´t even say I´m mad. I´m liking this video. Freakin sticking it on the thumbs up

I feel like this also speaks to good consumption patterns in the sense that you are bringing things into your life that are meaningful and useful. As a younger minimalist still in university, I find that even though I am sort of "done" decluttering, I can't quite reach this stage with my stuff because I simply do not have enough things that I really love and that I think are going to be in my life for a long time. Videos like yours are really helpful and inspiring for me because I feel like it's really fine to be patient with this stage of life. The concept of in and out videos in and of themselves, just offering acknowledgement to the fact that possessions ebb and flow, really helps me find peace with a place in my life where its impractical to imagine feeling like I'm done bringing things into my life. It is interesting to me that sometimes the most minimal thing to do is to buy something new, because maybe this one high quality pair of shorts that I love so much is effective at doing what 3 pairs of shorts did before, or buying a new soap container removes stress and makes my soap last longer. I love the complex approach you have to minimalism and your dedication to learning and growing from experience, and sharing that here, which has been such a lovely journey to be along for!

You’re so cool in my eyes and your hair looks fantastic! Have a blessed day beautiful soul ❤

Yes! A giveaway! I've been looking at the mini sling on their site for ever, but not able to pull the trigger, so to speak. And I just bought the daypack (I'd bought the compact daypack, but it was too small for me, so now it's my husbands LOL), and couldn't afford the cube, too. So all that to say, a giveaway would be very welcome.

Amazing hair!!❤❤❤

Thanks, Lia! You have inspired me to start keeping a monthly in-and-out journal to increase my awareness of my consumption patterns. I agree that reaching homeostasis with our belongings is a good end-goal as minimalists. I have been practicing some form of minimalism/intentionality for 12+ years, and I'm also feeling that I am ready for this shift. It's a process, though, because there are seasons in which I find myself more driven to consume excessively than others. I find that during those times, I need to go back to basics with minimalism to re-center myself. The key for me is finding satisfaction in what is already in my life. Gratefulness. Once I stray from that, the drive to overconsume returns.

I am in the process of decluttering for the 2nd time this year, first one was in January

LOVE your haircut! Looks amazing on you!

Your videos always inspire me! I’d be interested in a giveaway for the small Wayks bag 😊

🎉❤ you are such a great person !! Love u girl !! !! 🎉❤

You are so talented at sewing, I don t understand why you declutter too little stuff that you have created instead of just making it longer with another yarn with neutral colors? It could be very arty btw!

Your hair is looking amazing ❤ keep it like this.

Thank you for sharing, very interesting 🙂

Hii I love this video and all your minimalism video’s, I actually would love a give away because I actually WANT to buy those items of wayks so I also would be interested to buy I really need a camera bag so I would be really happy to buy it!

. would keep the stick . maybe it's good to scratch ones back . or you can make another trip to Norway and return the stick . i like the stick . it looks nice . but i have problems with gifts people give me . should i display them and keep them even if they are not exactly my style ?

Some times its just maintaining something, can you clean it from dust, is it necessary? it is easier to move with less. its easier to live with less. It just restricts what you can do, only have the necessities. I had to fix the water cooler and it drove me buy things crazy. I had to but the bearings, a tool kit, water pump, coating for the bottom of the water cooler, extension cord, water pads, i went crazy --the hose knozzel and the extension kit L shaped adapter, the poly tubing, the float for water on, --you have make a decision if thats what your really going to do and for me....I was yes....when your around other people their sick mentally** an absolute nightmare......their is no place to put you tools, its just a mental nightmare.....well i dont want the water cooler any more----got so tired of this group of mentally ill people---nice to be a minimalist--to escape lol---like just going some where else...except the gas prices--your stuck in their mental illness.....a nightmare

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I told you this, one year ago)))

that's a good gun stick, I'd keep it lol