Please give this video a like 👍 and comment with what kinds of oddly specific clutter YOU have in your home! I'd love to hear if there's anything that I've missed. 😃► 📋 FREE 10-PAGE DECLUTTERING CHECKLIST » atozenlife.com/free-declutter-checklist (try refreshing the page if you don't see it pop up right away).

Love what you said..."money was wasted when you bought the product, not when you get rid of it." ❤ Thanks.

I like how you mentioned to cut up hair ties so birds don't get stuck in them.

"It's time to let go of the guilt that you feel about that, because your guilt isn't going to change what has happened, and it's ok to let those things go." So impactful!

This really reminded me how much staying on the minimal side is about continuosly going through stuff and getting rid of it

I did a big declutter today of my sentimental things from my child/teenhood. My criteria was getting rid of anything that not only had bad memories attached to them, but also things that made me feel weird. It feel so good to have exercised those demons, lol

ORANGE TIC TACS!!!! Work instantly for car sickness… and less trash😉

Re: car sickness. What works for me is sitting up front - and what *really* works for me is driving. Your boys are still little, but let them know there is a solution! In a few years they can sit up front/drive and it'll help *so* much. Also look out of the window the whole time. Don't read/look at devices at all in the car. But I'm sure you've probably figured that one out already. Good luck to your boys! Motion sickness is awful.

Veterinary hospitals will happily take old towels. Animals are messy and they go through so many towels every day.

Every time I stop for gas, I clean out the car. People look at me funny, but my car has so little clutter in it. I cleaned off my counters and found a moldy pepper. I just bought hand and body lotion.

Nursing homes also will take toiletry samples, books, DVDs, magazines, etc. in the US, the Lions Clubs accept donations of used eyeglasses. (Sometimes eye dr offices will have a repository for the lions club). A good place to donate used linens, towels, sheets, etc. are wildlife rehabilitation facilities. (The animals don’t care if they are stained!) They always need those types of donations. Thanks so much for your videos! Keep ‘em coming!

Centipedes 😮😮😮. Yeah that's all the encouragement i need to get rid of boxes, thanks!

My bedroom is my happy place. I have knick knacks, artificial plants and flowers, decorative jewelry tree, Himalayan lamp, charger cords, books, Bible, journal, etc. I don’t want my bedroom to look sterile. For me the bathroom has to be decluttered at all times. I love watching many videos for ideas for all my spaces.

I think my biggest problem for decluttering in 2024 is my scarcity mindset. Especially after coming out of a high year of inflation that seems never-ending. I m really trying hard to limit my spending by shopping my home this year.

Don’t be embarrassed by your back situation. As a nurse who worked in orthopedics for a time, it takes one wrong move to cause back injury. Good posture and proper lifting are SUPER important. Even if all we are doing is picking up paper off the floor, it’s better to squat than to bend. This can happen to anyone.

Small toys, that are still in good condition, but also stuff like those cute erasers or stickers, you could collect in a box and hand out on Halloween instead of candy. The Kids could simply take what they'd like and the rest can still be donated. Yes, I know, it will sit in a box somewhere in the home until then, but it is an option and kids will gonna end up with a lot of candy anyways.

A nice thing about the small keychain cards- I dropped my keys once and someone turned them in to the library, who called me to come get them!

i injured my neck, looking in a mirror. i was 20 and in the military. it can happen to anyone at anytime. thank you for being your authentic self. we desperately need more of that 💛

You had me at tip #1. What is it that makes us empty box aficionados? 🧐"This could be useful some day." Right. I have decluttered them. Thank you! ❤

We have been doing this in our house. My father just recently passed away. The house he was in has been in our family for a while. 5 generations worth of stuff. We took little bits we wanted. Then hired a person to clear out the rest. It was a tough emotional thing.

I did a major clean out of our bathroom 2 weeks ago--there are just two of us and we had two grocery bags for the trash and half a bag of stuff to donate! I even got rid of my curling iron, I realized that it had been so long since I had used it, I didn't remember, so it was time for it to go. The part that really cracked me up were how many boxes that were almost empty that were taking up so much space--a Bandaid box, a back cream box, etc. We have so much space now and everything has a place again. And I didn't think it had been that long since I'd done it!

For car sickness, get an old ice cream bucket (good excuse for a treat) a gallon I believe but it's the ones with a handle and lid and put some small trash bags or plastic grocery bags in the bottom as extras and then line the bucket. Close the lid. Ready to grab just in case there's an "event" and the bag can be tied off and lid put on for odor control until you can dump it.

For dry and cracked hands try O’Keeffes in the jar. It really helped me. A little goes a long way. Thank you for your solutions and recommendations. They are helpful.

My oddly specific clutter is old plastic tubs that might come in useful as seed trays/pots for propagating plants

Yep I have a box addiction too. I have no problem decluttering the crap that came in the boxes but actually get rid of the box…nooooo😮😂

- Bags of donations sitting around -- Guilty! - Unnecessary extra wallet -- Guilty! - Keeping pretty bottles -- Guilty! 😅 - Multiple sets of measuring spoons -- So Guilty 😆 - Stretched out hair ties -- Yes! lol I've also developed such a sensitivity to mainstream candles in recent years that I did get rid of some last year, but am thinking I could definitely pare down even further. Thanks for the reminder! Really appreciate this list as it reveals how every single item truly does add up! Also you're right, I do feel loads better knowing that you, our ultra minimalist friend, still encounter and struggle a bit with such things 😉 This video gave me exactly the momentum I needed to consolidate a few blankets and pillows and even reorganize our spare closet! Now it is so much more functional and we can see what we're actively using as well as items we haven't used that could probably be given away. Thanks so much for a push in the right direction!

😂I would have the opposite choice with the waffle maker. I live alone now that my family’s grown, and had to declutter my large waffle iron for a mini one that only makes 1 waffle for me.

I threw my back out when I was 30. How? Picking up a hanger. A FREAKING HANGER!!! It was weak for well over a year, and I kept throwing it out over and over... some of my favorites were while sneezing, and while brushing my teeth. I started sitting on a stability ball instead of a chair at work (recommended by my chiropractor), and I've had nearly zero issues with it since (I'm 42 now). I can't imagine my back miraculously became invincible as I aged, so I'm sure the ball is a factor. My primary care doctor said it's because the constant balancing (which I don't even have to think about anymore) keeps my core strong.

I liked it when you told us that you tend to save boxes. I tend to save jars and food containers. I decluttered them a while ago, but now they are "appearing" in my cabinet again! I guess we all have something we tend to hold on to.

I love your Pink Floyd T-Shirt!

Probably falls under duplicates, but TEAPOTS!! My ex used to collect teapots, and at one point we had six different pots, but we only used one since all of the other ones were too small 😅 When we split up I gladly let him have them all, bought one that I love and I’ve never missed any of the cute tiny ones from his collection.

I kept my old nightguard for years! I couldn't wear it because my teeth had shifted, but I held onto it because it was expensive.

..... When I tell you I just ripped off a calendar that I had on my kitchen wall, while listening to this video, that I have ignored literally for the past 3 years!!!??? ... It was a 2021 calendar 🤣🤣🤣 Gone! Omgness lol

I too have a box addiction as well. Yep I am trying to figure out what I need to keep for a move

I wouldnt say this is oddly specific or guilt free but still a good list for the basics that cover on most decluttering lists. People hold on to things for just in case and lots of those are that. Maybe really old pillows, socks with holes, things with a broken zipper/closure, unusable broken gadgets are some good ones

Re: Cracked hands. I recently discovered that hyaluronic acid (the basic serum you put on your face) works wonders for my dry hands and it has even strengthened my nails. I do a lot of dish washing by hand. I put on a couple of drops for both hands, then add regular moisturizer on them (optional- it's the HU that does the healing work).

I’m glad you mentioned cutting hair ties! I also cut the circular pull tabs inside milk cartons (or anything else circular). Also cut up mesh fruit bags really well.

I have an obscene box collection. I have recently downsized from my ‘box room’ to my ‘box area’. Bags too! All sizes and shapes. With and without handles. Mall bags and shopping bags. Ugh. I do have too many bags. But I’ll say this. I’ll never just get ‘rid’ of them. I’ve been grateful that I have all those boxes as well as packaging supplies like bubble wrap to use for items in and for my donation boxes! I get rid of the boxes for sure…but not until they’re full. 😊🎉 Bye stuff!! 👋🏼 😊

A tip: I have all of my membership cards in an app on my phone. Got rid of all the physical ones. Saves so much space.

I am 26 now and have been car sick my whole life, literally. Mom told me it started from the age of 2 (when they started travelling with me) onwards. There was nothing on the more 'natural' side that helped and believe me when I say, I've tried it all - from acupressure, specific food, oils, nothing. Not even sitting in the front seat, opening windows to get some fresh air, frequent stops, ... Only prescription-free pills for travel sickness helped me. I take one half an hour before the ride and I'm good to go wherever and for as long as it takes 😄 what I've noticed is that I am always car sick when roads are twisted, like in my home country. Where I currently live (Germany) highways (Autobahn) are, as I believe you've seen when living here, for the most part straight. For as long as I'm here (6 years), I was never, not even once, car sick. I can even eat when travelling, which was impossible before because I'd throw up everything, so I'd starve for hours, and when we reach our destination I would be so tired and exhausted I couldn't and wouldn't eat, only sleep. I would advise you to get those pills and save both you and your kids any pain and suffering. I know how it feels like, I feel sorry for all of you, it is not easy 😶 take care ❤️

What I do with cardboard boxes is break them down and put them on end in a larger box. Once the larger box is filled, any more boxes coming in get recycled. I don’t keep multiples of similar size boxes. I keep boxes because my favorite donation place wants stuff sorted into boxes that close and I have masses of stuff to donate as I work through piles and piles of stuff.

We have a sticker book. Irs just a compasition note book but when my son comes hom with stuckers he likes to stick them in the notebook. Gives it a home and is fun for him. Just a suggestion if somone needs a sticker solution for a kid that likes them.

I'm moving from a 1 bedroom to a studio apartment this month, so this is perfect timing.

😂😂 I SO understand throwing out your back doing absolutely nothing. Usually mine is sleeping or turning wrong. 😂😂

All these tips help us to be more mindful when we shop. Less crap in means less crap out!

Oh man-- the centipedes in NJ! I lived there for a year and a half in my early 20's and I do not miss those creepy guys. Also, my thumbs crack in the winter, too, and I threw my back out once picking up a shirt. 🙄 Thank you for this very practical list!!

I honestly live like you at home - my Mum and Dad use to buy at Garage Sales as well - I have been learning to declutter as well.

While listening to this video, I went through my kitchen towels and got rid of 3 and got it nice and organized. Also- don’t be embarrassed about throwing ur back out- last year I got the flu and slept in the guest room so I wouldn’t get my hubby sick. The second day, I woke up and felt better and went to get up- ouch- my back was out! It took 2 weeks, a chiropractic visit, and lots of heat for it to heal. Welcome to middle age!

21:30 Small pans work great for a countertop toaster oven. I would highly recommend using toaster ovens over microwaves and your main oven. It’s so much better for reheating without over cooking, and it is more energy efficient than the larger oven.

I wasn’t able to declutter along with you, but made a list of the areas and items to tackle this weekend. I live in a super dry climate and I moisturize my hands at bedtime with a heavy body butter, then cover my hands with cotton gloves. (I also do this with my feet and cover with cotton socks.). I also moisturize after washing my hands, while they are still damp, and I wear gloves when washing dishes or any other time I’ll have my hands in water for an extended time.

You are a very beautiful woman with a clear mind and a kind soul.❤

Oh man, I love boxes too. I really want to make cat castles, and sell stuff in the mail.

Great video Marissa! I have been hanging onto a heavy glass cake stand for a very long time because well.. it’s pretty 🤦🏻‍♀️ out she goes!!! The cake stand hack is brilliant 🤩

I feel inspired to improve my life when I watch your videos. I have chronic pain from a crippled limb. I'd like to see more videos by people with significant health issues about how they manage to live well (holistically) with their condition. In my experience, I've needed to be willing to accept a lot of help from family and friends to make it through difficult times. I wonder how I can break free from needing as much help. I'm still quite young, so at least I have that going for me... but sometimes it's challenging to keep an optimistic perspective.

I think you're not alone in pulling your back out over some everyday activity! I pulled mine out a couple of weeks ago throwing the trash in the bin. You're also not alone in staticky hair or cracked and bleeding skin! No worries, girl! ❤

A few things that end up piling up around my house are gardening pots, seeds and potting soil, etc. Also, I always end up with cords or chargers that got separated from the item they go with. I don't want to throw them out until I either connect them with the item and donate together or am sure they are not going to be needed!

Thought I was mostly under control with decluttering but your video reminded me to do the cabinet where i keep hand creams, medicines etc, just decluttered two small boxes of medicines and creams that are way out of date and found the bag I need for keeping my passport in when i travel which ill be doing soon so thats a good find. Also realised a lot of the things in this cupboard dont really belong there and are more bathroom adjacent things so they can go else where. Whilst i went through the medicine box I realised that my wrist supports really weren't up to standard anymore so chucking the old ones and ordering a couple of new ones. Hopefully I won't get so many midnight wrist subluxions woooh.

A perfect time for this video- I’ve been cleaning the last couple of weeks! Closets, drawers, pantry, linens and clothes! Thanks for this video! 😊

What a cool list!! I love how you really have to dig to find things to declutter as a longer running minimalist now, which makes for this great content. haha. Oh. Interesting about your boxes! When we get boxes, I break them down immediately and put them with the recycling. Magnets make me feel soooo weird to see on people's fridges these days since my mom and dad have TWO refrigerators (even though we grew up as a family of 5 with one) and both are COVERED with photos and magnets. UGH. I don't mind flat hair or cracked hands (mine are so dry too). Bye bye pretty bottles. I used to collect Jones soda bottles when first married and was happy to recycle them when we made our first move. I love how you create function from other objects (like your big dish becoming a cake stand). I was gifted TWO cake stands when I got married and never baked cakes. They were Lennox ones too and I brought them to Salvation Army in the boxes when I became a minimalist. I like how you state to people what is practical for your family and how it may not be for others. My husband actually recently asked me what happened to our small waffle maker one of my friends bought me in like 2007. I said, "I used it once and after six months donated it. It's been gone a long time. We don't need it." I used to be a swimmer too (but not competitively but I did get lessons at a gym as a kid for years and swam laps). Speedos are the best for those laps. My last suit from them I wore in 2006 until I switched to surfing wear instead. I always wore the caps and goggles from Speedo too. I finally bought some new underwear this weekend and so now I need to declutter that area. Some toothpaste containers can be recycled. I wash mine out and put them in recycling right away. I think that is a healthy habit to make. . .recycle things immediately that need it (including that junk mail pile). Are night guards for post braces wearing? My 15 year old is getting his braces off in March so I am curious now haha. I recently replaced the towels that were gifted to me for wedding from an old boss I had. I had those 19 years. They had strings hanging and everything. I really can make things last long. Oh man, I wish you still lived in NJ so we could hang out haha. No one here understands minimalism at all. I think my mom is finally convinced I can start helping her declutter. . . we'll see. You have a lovely bedroom. Other items: highlighters and pens that don't work, dead plants.

I had a weirdly specific reaction at the very end of this video. My old college papers and projects are the equivalent of kids' workbooks, papers and projects! I've held onto them...well, because they're my thoughts and words. As a whole, they're bulky symbols of a special time in my life and the work I put in as an adult learner -- retaining an out-sized significance to me all these years. Given the personalized content, perhaps I can start by identifying duplicates (yes, drafts) for now...let go of more once I've started and do a reality check. It's possible that what I remember as being brilliant isn't so much as I've continued to learn and grow. And to think I nearly skipped the kids' toys segment, thinking it irrelevant to my life, but guess what.... Thanks, Marissa!

Keep a pair of cheapo swim goggles in kitchen utensil drawer to use when chopping onions if youre doin a " big batch" of something. Especially if you are a mascara- wearer

Thanks for putting my mind at ease about getting rid of things that are not good for the earth so I'd rather keep it in the house for guilt of it existing...🤦🏽‍♀️

Your kids are "walking around in promotional merchandising" for Nike

Thanks for giving me things to think on as I decluttered!

ohhh dear you mentioned the holiday decor omg i so wanna throw that all away ughh!! I mean putting it up taking it down storing it for next time ughh NO thanks. You are the best decluttering lady on the planet. 😁

18:59 i do love this!! i personally will take different vases and use them as stands for my buddha statues i have throughout my home. sometimes i put candles on them or use them to hold lighters, pens, and etc. i’m all for repurposing already owned items!!!

For car sickness, do not look out the side windows - it makes it worse as the picture rapidly changes. Look straight ahead. If they have to sit in the back, middle seat is best. Dramamine does help but I understand not wanting to take it on a regular basis. Caffeine tends to help as well. Hope they outgrow this, my daughter was car sick until 11-12 but seems ok now. I am still trying to outgrow it :)

Absolutely LOVE this podcast

I am de-cluttering my room and attempting to bring in the spring season. Winter is gone! Spring is here. I am trying to not spend a penny more this May over $100.

Thank you for sharing your box pile. I feel better that I'm not the only one who likes to save them!

I love your videos! We are a family that moves often and therefore I like to keep things simple so my stuff can fit into whatever home we find ourselves next. Sometimes I struggle with not having the latest trend, gadget, or fashion, but your videos help me feel normal in wanting to live a peaceful life.

That's my 3rd comment here haha but this video is so long, that's good tho :D I just wanted to tell my idea for that part 38:13 product that disappoint me - I recently took a box and gathered all products that I have but don't use, and I gradually try to use them, and it works perfect. I had a box full of stuff a month ago. Now it's half empty. I am smiling with every empty box I can toss. And I remind myself of that box every time I want to buy something...and how hard it was to finish the unwanted product... because the joy of buying is only at the beginning. Afterward we usually use the product happily, or we are left with a thing we don't really like, and we lie to ourselves that we will use it out one day. To make it work there are two rules tho: the box must be ugly (like amazon box you know, so you want to get rid of it, not something that looks cute so we can forget about it) and the box must be always out in your bathroom, not hidden in the drawers or cabinets, so you really see it daily!

Great Video! You put so much effort in it. Thanks😊

I have a set of three clear 'glass' casserole dishes, with lids. I use these for (1) microwave cooking (2) the lids work as covers on other dishes to stop splashes in the microwave (3) I use the upside down bases for heating plated meals in the microwave (4) storing leftovers in the fridge (5) actually as a casserole in the ordinary oven.

Thanks for the great video. I am always on the lookout for creeping clutter.

For car sickness. Have them try looking out the front window, watching the road. It helps on curvy mtn roads which you probably don't have to deal with. Also Target has a "candy" , sold in the pharmacy aisle esp for motion sickness. It has ginger and other obvious ingredients and also, interestingly Vit B6. Its their Good and Gather house. Haven't tried because it was$10 for a large bag and dont get motion sickness any more. Oh, and also make sure they are hydrated

Thank you for your excellent ideas for decluttering.❤

Sweet almond oil is amazing for winter dry skin. We have a big pump bottle of it that the whole family uses instead of lotion. It really helps protect our skin in Montana winter.

Gift wrapping stuff. I realised my life has changed and I am just not gifting as much as I use to. So will just buy as I need. ❤

Love this video, especially the idea to replace the cake stand! ❤

These really are items that I often have to declutter in my own house. This is a great list!

Car sickness victims sit up front. They can rotate and take turns since there's just 2 of them. Bench seats were great for this!😂 The one in the back seat can lay down. That helps. When I was pregnant I had to drive everywhere, like my kid's dad couldn't drive me 2 blocks without pulling over. The whole 9 months, btw. Old towels go to the animal shelter along with old sheets. They wash every day, so they're always in need. Cardboard boxes can get so out of control! I'll keep maybe 3 and the rest go to a local elementary school where they get paid for a full dumpsterload, so we are supporting the school! (We don't have a recycling bin at my apartment. Bummer) Awesome video! And thanks for cutting the hair ties!

Great video! I love the tip about cutting hair elastics before throwing them away. I hadn’t thought of that, even though I always cut apart the plastic rings that hold six packs of soda together.

What a fantastic video of things that, in many cases, I wasn't thinking of.

You were able to have more of your personality come through in this video. Well done.

Haha yep at 40 i threw out my back leaning over putting Christmas ornaments away. I feel ya

This was so informative, thank you!

Boxes and pretty bottles-oh man, we must be sisters from another Mister! 😁 I feel like these are both tied to the creative drive to me. I just need to work on my current hobbies, not fantasize about how to turn everything into sth else. 🙄 Love your cake stand hack.

i love sundays bc of your sunday drops

😅 I do the exact same thing with bottles.And jars, however, moving out of a 2 bedroom, 2 bath 1000 square foot down to a 500 square foot.Wake shut up.That's why I have to start listening to you guys to get me through.This less is more less is more❤❤

This is a great video…there are a lot of things we overlook day to day! I also live in a cold climate and found that my hands will crack and bleed as well. I religiously wear gloves when washing dishes, dab of hand oil followed by hand lotion most times I wash my hands and run a humidifier. I havent had any cracking or bleeding hands at all this winter! Good luck!

Love the cakes stand hack. I’ll have to see if I can do that and declutter my cake stand. Without having to buy a new plate and bowl. 🤞

Cake cover. We do the same thing. Except we us the Pyrex lid of the bowl for it, just upside down.❤

For motion sickness there is a spot on the wrist to apply pressure with the thumb of your opposite hand (& you can alternate hands) that worked well for me. No additional products needed & a reliable solution to this awful feeling is always with you. 👍 They make wrist bands for this but I've never bought or used them. Thumbs work great as needed.

Thank you so much for sharing, this is very well done. With love❤ and gratitude

Great Video. I think you touched on everything! 😀🥰

I literally just spent 2 hours removing the sticker off of a beautiful amber jar that my fantasy self will make use of. NOT 🙃 Thanks Marrisa for the reminder that it's just clutter that I will have to manage if I keep it ❤

I have albums of pictures of my life events..wedding..trios to meet my military husband on R&R, my children from birth to 6th grade...countess picture if fruends/family..I reduced them to 4 seven gallon clear latched totes. 10"×12" 18" deep. I started out with 11! Now everything I own fits into 20 of those totes except for 4 cookie sheets/pizza pan

For anyone who is really sentimental and has struggles getting rid of things for whatever reason, one thing that has been helping me is to take a picture of the item and putting it in a digital folder so that i can always look back on it but not have it taking up my physical space if its no longer of real use to me

I thought I was the only strange one to keep empty boxes, because I might need them one day 😵‍💫