The 10 Biggest Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid (how NOT to declutter!) 

Quick summary here hope it helps! I am also on a minimalist journey and will be implementing this 10 tips. So will write down the time stamps for myself hope it helps people too 😀 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - Extreme Decluttering 02:08 - Out of Season Decluttering 02:54 - No Clear WHY 04:01 - Sponsor (ExpressVPN you can get 3 extra months free) 05:24 - Defaulting To Donation 06:46 - Forcing it 07:20 - Guilt Driven Decluttering 07:59 - Sunk Cost Fallacy 09:15 - Not Focusing on what stays 11:16 - FOLO (Fear Of Letting Go) 12:48 - Too Many "Just in Case"

Another issue is decluttering clothes you once liked, just because you decided on a “uniform”. I got rid of a number of beautiful solid colored designer t-shirts because they didn’t fit my white, black, grey color scheme. I truly regret it now, and replacing them isn’t possible, as the designer no longer makes them.

My teenage son worked at a charity shop here in the states. We learned a lot through that experience. And you're right a lot of clothes got baled up immediately or unfortunately thrown in the trash. People would drop them off after hours outside the bin. If there was moisture on the bags the staff would just immediately put them in the huge trash dumpster that was constantly full. If something had a stain, a hole, was moth eaten, or very outdated it didn't go on the sales floor. A lot of people have the mindset that one person's trash is another person's treasure but that's only true to a certain degree. It would be great if people took responsibility and threw away their own trash instead of leaving it at these shops that have to pay to dispose it.

If you ever feel like going shorter, I feel like Christina in a French bob would be *chef's kiss* so chic ! Also, that tip on extreme decluttering is such a personal attack 🤣 so accurate thank you for the reminder!

Shorter hair totally suits you! I can also attest to the neverending cycle of growing my hair out and then chopping off to a pixie.

Every few months I pack some stuff in boxes for a while. When I unpack months or even a year later it's like I've just received new clothing I ordered. The break from wearing or even just looking at those items makes me look at them in a new way and often I have learned new ways of styling them. Love your videos! You explain everything really well.

I had a bunch of just in case “funeral outfits “ , I recently went to one and what did I do, bought a new outfit cause the old ones were not in style, just decluttered them ✨

The hair is PERFECTION. You could even go up to the jawline :)

Such solid & timely advice! The first point really hits home for me: I’ve given stuff away in an emotionally charged mindset & it really was self punishment which is not the point. Be nice to yourself y’all ❤

I often find that my "just-in-case" stuff is linked with a fantasy life I lead. Time to get real! Another great video. Thanks.

First off, love the haircut! Second, my girlfriends and I love “donating” clothes we don’t love anymore to each other- we think it’s so funny when we show up to an event wearing an old article of each others clothes but it’s new to them and they’ll love it more! It’s a win win for everyone!! We do the same with all of our siblings too- my younger sisters closet is half “hand me downs” of one of my best friends 😂

Love this! For the donate point I would say sometimes items that aren't in good enough condition can be donated - I volunteered in an RSPCA charity shop and we would make 'rag bags' when sorting and they would be picked up and the charity would get money in exchange for them. So, I would recommend separating your rubbish and sellable items into two different bags and asking whether they're able to sell the rags. This way you have a chance of helping them further in terms of funds, rather than throwing items away right away! I'm in the middle of a much-needed de-clutter of my wardrobe right now and this video popped up just at the right time. It's gonna be a TASK but I know that once I have a wardrobe full of items I love and feel good in, it'll all be worth it.

I love the advice about having a plan for when it no longer serves us. We live in an age where we treat everything as disposable and I really want to be more intentional. Just adding in this question is def gonna help me be more mindful before I bring anything new into my space

Yes! Love the advice. I’ll also add to the seasonal thing- if you’re the type to take mirror selfies or outfit pictures of outfits you actually wear (as opposed to outfits for the internet alone), put them in an album and then you can check back to see what you actually wore as opposed to what you just remember wearing or what you wished you wore.

The part about buying with letting it go in mind is great advice. I’ve been able to sell so many things down the line because I bought good quality/brands to begin with. We started a swap chat group at work. I’ve sold and given away many things that now give joy to someone else. If you have the reputation of being stylish and having good quality items helps of course 😅 Another thing is not getting rid of everything right away because it’s not fitting because you gained or lost a bit of weight. My weight fluctuates between 3 sizes. I have many Levi’s that are tight right now. But I’m not tossing them. I curate my closet before each season and try most things on. Things I love but don’t fit right now, go into a Box and stay there waiting for the next rotation. It’s helped me save a lot of money. Essentially I shop my closet.

I view decluttering as “editing” my items and do it every few months in different areas. I have only ever done one “massive” declutter but it was good because most of it was stuff I’d had for a decade or longer since I was in middle school and I did not need to keep. With clothes I have two piles: donate & recycle since I have local clothing recycling bins. Right now every time I “declutter” I do it with the mindset of “do I want this when I move out?” This has been really great and every time I do it I have less to get rid of. I make a very conscious decision on items I bring into my house too since I don’t want “junk” that will end up in my next declutter.

You always have comprehensive points to share! The best! I tend to hold onto items with good material like pure linen, pure cotton, merino wool, alpaca, lambswool. I don’t buy pure silk much except scarves (silk scarves I keep). When it’s hot I reach for pure linen and cotton. When it’s cold I go for woolen. I used to love fleece blankets, especially the ones with cute prints. Now I only use 100% wool or cotton blankets.

Thank you so much for this. Every January I take a week and declutter. I try to do a room a day. I will definitely use these tips!

Cute hair cut. I cut mine short last year and I simplified my hair care & daily self care by a huge amount. Saved me money too.

Hair is so pretty on you. Lifts your look! Shorter? Yes, it looks like it could get even fresher and make a bolder statement!

After a few extreme declutters. And all the different shame cycles during and after that… I’m trying the “store it” method this time around, along with a “no buy” year. Plan to shop the stored items when im feeling triggered to shop/fill gaps. ❤ your content has been so helpful to me in my journey. Keep it up 👏

I love your haircut!!!

Love your hair

Thank you Christina! I love the focus on what to keep as opposed to what to get rid of. I also like that the 'guilt' is taken out of the equation as that can lead to keeping everything or chucking everything. I like the two maybe piles as they do fall into storage or style and I had only thought of storage. p.s LOVE the hair and the length.

Hi Christina. Thank you for your usual helpful and thoughtful video. I think your hair is a perfect length for you. It’s chic, professional, and youthful. It’s also long enough to clip it back. If you go shorter, you’ll have more maintenance. I’ve also found shorter hair to be much less versatile. You have options now, and you look great.

Firstly: your hair looks fantastic, really suits you. Secondly: thanks for these helpful tips at the start of the year. Thirdly: decluttering at the end of the season increases the risk of charity shops binning our things because they can't store them until the relevant season comes round again. Possible solution: assess at the start of the season, make a big effort with your maybes straightaway, then declutter mid season?

So timely, as my first new year resolution is to continue the whole home de clutter. Good tips all around, especially “donating with dignity”. My declutter has to do with mental and spiritual cleanness. Too much stuff around distracts from the important things in life.

Love this hair length on you! “We over value our possessions” struck a chord for me. Such a good video.

I have decluttered in MANY layers over several years, so I have hardly ever regretted anything.

I have things that are 15 years old and maybe even more. I find it so agonizing to declutter these things because they remind me of being younger. And they still look fine but their time has passed. But somehow its so painful to realize that time has passed for me

we love the hair!!!

Like the hair!

I completely resonated with guilt driven decluttering. I go through phases where I feel like I need to declutter and be an extreme minimalist, even though we only keep what is useful and brings us joy. Its almost as if I'm aiming for some declutter 'target' that doesn't exist.

These are excellent tips! Especially, forcing it. I have several bags of things in my garage that have been there for a few months now… I have actually pulled a few items out, and I am so happy I did! Putting things on pause, for consideration, rather than booting them out the door for the sake of getting them out is valuable. It causes me to think more on why I put that I’m out there and also about how I could possibly use it/style it. Some of my key wardrobe staples now our items I put in a bag about four months ago. I have also taken bags so quickly to resell at a local clothing shop in which I quickly regretted it or even a couple of months later regretted putting an item or two in the bag. We are constantly changing, especially with our fashion and style. Especially as women… our bodies change shape and you lose or gain weight on top of changing preferences… Saving things for consideration for a time is definitely wise. I thought I was gaining more weight recently, but in fact, it’s my body shape, changing and causing my jeans to fit more tightly in the hips and thighs. I’ve had to change my silhouette, and I’m so glad I held onto jeans that were once to baggie in that area because now they fit perfect. When it comes to clothing that is too big, that is definitely something I hang onto for a little while longer than things that are too tight.

Like your hair at the new length! You seem taller!

Love the hair

Great tips because it is possible to get frustrated and want to throw everything out. I actually had a jacket that I was on the fence about and stored away. This year I found new accessories and a blouse to accompany it so im changing the buttons to freshen it up and give it new life. I also misplaced a sweater and a scarf, when I found them it was like getting new clothing without spending money, so yes the wait can be worth it. As for the hair cut, it adds a level of maturity to your look. You remind me of a woman I knew in my early 20's, so much so that it's scary (I'm 65).

LOVING your hair this length!

Your hair is cute!

Love the length of your hair, cute, stylish and lots of movement. I only declutter clothing I have grown out of both physically and mentally. I also don't keep faded clothing or clothes that don't fit properly. Clothing I'm unsure about I pack away and look at again the following year. Most of my clothes are good quality, classic or interesting so I often find I develop and love for them all over again.

I love your hair

LOVE THE HAIR 💁‍♀️

love the length of your hair.

Thank you for thees ideas!!!🥰

Love the hair length 👌👌👌👌 Great advice! Have a wonderful New Years 🎉🥳🍾🥂

I always love your videos but I have to say your new haircut is absolutely perfect for you. Kudos to your hairdresser, too!!

For ripped or undonateable clothing, check and see if there is a sewer in your friend group/family. I save a lot of my boyfriends old clothing to make into new items, use old towels for cleaning rags, or I am able to repair the clothing.

I love this time of year…I for years right after Christmas if I got a pair of pjs for a present I would look at what I already pjs I had and toss the ones that were dingy, color faded etc. I do that with all piece of clothing. Undergarments included. Before you know it I get rid of a lot of clothes. Then I head to my kitchen drawers and if I have similar items I donate the one. I do that through the house. I give myself an hr a day. You will be surprised how much you can get done. Before I put my Christmas decor away for the year I look at everything and if I feel like someone else can use it I donate it. This year I gave away sweaters that my parents used to wear around Christmas time. It was hard because I always remember them wear it but I will always remember my parents I don’t need the sweaters. And half of my closet disappeared because the items in there were “just in case”. I lose the weight etc. I hope this helps someone 😊. Thank you😊

Love the hair! I’m so happy I discovered your account this year. Happy New Year, Christina! 🎉

Also great advices from you Christina, you bring such value for your community, thank you!! Cant wait to continue following your channel in 2023 to continue our mindful purchases and declutters! 🥂🎉❤

(1) For getting rid of things at the end of the season. I recommend a few weeks or a month before the end of the season, or at the beginning of the season. That way one can test the maybes. Sort early in the season. Challenge oneself to wear the maybes. If one is unable to, they become really questionably. (2) If one has a lot of storage space (an ample storage room or space, a dry cellar or attic) one can store dear pieces one has a hard time letting go of. Two possible results - 2.a. it comes back into style/fashion or into your own personal taste (or size if you've lost or gained weight). A friend who long worked in fashion said that everything cycles back into fashion every 10 or 20 years. That's a long time to keep things (and especially everything), but for a cherished item that one has space for, it's an option. 2.b. it has become REALLY out of fashion and nearly beyond the pale : edging on kitch (which can be a fashion choice for those who enjoy humanistic styles). And then one can use it for kooky styles, for dress up, or finally give it up (maybe to vintage if it's decent quality). This only works if you don't have cramped storage options. not for everyone.

This haircut suits you so well !! ❤

Once again great tips and reminders. Thank you

Love the haircut! Really enjoyed this video, as usual. When you showed us your plaid blazer, I thought it looked really good on you. I know you like to wear your jackets oversized, but I think with that pattern, it would look better if it was a little more tailored. With the big pattern, and the oversized style, you almost get lost in it. Just a thought, I certainly am not a fashionista, or stylist. Have a fun and safe New Years Eve!🥳🥂🎈🎉

Love your hair this lenght!

Oh my word, the declutter at the right time/season is so intuitive if you think about it for a second, but I've totally made that mistake so many times!

Love your hair cut!

That blazer looks great on you! Try to style it! Love the colours!

So flattering, Christina! 😍 Thanks so much for your content. I am in the process of organization & donating items, decluttering, too. Your tips & tricks are so motivating...my "why?!?" is all of the reasons you mentioned ! ❤

I 100% agree with donating items that can only be reused also, some stores like Uniqlo and H&M have clothes recycling programs so you can drop off your clothes with holes etc. and it will be recycled

Your new hair looks great! Fits you perfectly 😊

Your hair looks GREAT! Keep it like that for a minute! ❤️🌻

Your hair is gorgeous 😍 ✨️ 💕

You always look a billion bucks, but shorter hair + that blazer is just GOALS 😍😍👏👏

Great cut really suits you

Love the hair!

Great advice and love the hair short

Like your new hairstyle! You look so fab in it!

Omg Christina THIS hair cut!!! This length on you is IT!! 😍

You’re glowing, girl! Love the hair

Your hair looks fantastic

You are so balanced! I'm not a minimalist, so I'm not trying to pare down to the least number possible. But I am trying to get to a point of getting rid of things that no longer serve me well. And I'm not in a hurry. A few minutes at a time since August has gotten me through 4 rooms.

Your hair length and style look fantastic, IMO.

Love the hair! It looks good on you

I definitely appreciate the short hair on you! It looks so polished and chic! My hair is now the long as it has ever been in my life (just below my busy) and I want to enjoy it for a while. But I do like short hair! Please tell me… How do you style your hair for workouts??

I've definitely thrown out clothing I'd like to get back now (it makes me little less sad that some of them would definitely not fit anymore, even tho they did when I decluttered them). I gave myself permission for a maybe pile/bag and it's okay to go through and " shop" from the bag after a month or sth even if I did not actively miss the item. Sometimes it ends up traveling between closet and maybe couple times before I decide. I also gave myself permission to give out all the clothes I don't like and the result is very small wardrobe and me essentials are over 3 years old and getting very worn out.. 🙈 I desperately need new dress pants, at least two long sleeved shirts, couple t-shirt/tops and socks. 🙈😅 And trying to get that amount in better quality than H&M! I'm screwed.. kinda happy that I'm full time student writing thesis at this point so I don't need to leave home in daily basis 😅 Tho H&M men's t-shirts seem to be so much better quality than women's (my bf has been wearing his for 6months weekly and it looks brand new, women's section could never) that I might get some emergency pieces from there.. I also have a fancier dress that doesn't zip up currently and a fancy dress that fits but I don't prefer in my closet, but I have an event this spring I need a nice dress for so I keep my options open. I've had some level of a burnout during this last 6 months and haven't really had motivation to move or eat well (at lowest it's definitely better to eat chips than eat nothing when those are the options) so of course my weight has gone up a bit. But I've been trying to find myself again and we shall see how that goes. If I need to go dress shopping that's 100% okay, if I fit in the old one again, 100% okay.

You look better with this shorter cut, very fresh!

I just have to say I loooove your content. I found u maybe a couple weeks ago and have enjoyed every single video.

What great tips- I’ll have to watch it again and take notes.

I love your new hair length. Great message today, too.

Hair looks gorgeous!

I've noticed this new trend of a wavy bob and I love it!

It's so hard when i don't have money to replace what I want to get rid of! So keeping in mind "need to keep" even if it isn't a "hell yes" is important for me. My exercise clothes for example 😅

Love your hair! Looks so Chic! Thanks for the tips as always!

Your hair looks lovely ❤️ Def love your shorter hair 💇🏻‍♀️

Cute hair a little shorter very french❤️❤️❤️😍

Love the shorter hair!

Your hair looks gorgeous!

Again so mindfull! Great, Christina!

LOVE the haircut!!!

Love the new look. You look much more younger and chic with shorter hair.

Looks great!! Same here.. my hair is a bit above my shoulders and I am thinking of going a few inches shorter. It's easier for me to manage.. sometimes I just finger comb without any product and it looks great. I have naturally wavy hair . As far as decluttering... Can't tell you how many times I've had regrets.. wishing id saved a certain item..

You got rid of a light colored blazer in a previous video, but this color looks stunning on you! Like your new hair style too.

Great tips…..love the hair!

Love the short hair :)

Your shorter hair looks great! Tfs the tips. Greetings from cologne

I immediately had an Idea about your blazer: try wearing it with a slim belt on top, is is interesting and trendy and actually stylish 😊

Your jeans are so cute!!! Love your content too ❤

4:04 Cute way to cover the sponsor on a topic not really relevant to each other. Really like your tips and style. Thanks for sharing!

Love. The. Hair.