My goal this year is doing exercise for 10 minutes every morning and reading bible and writing an essay on my blog. 😊

1. Old/limiting beliefs 2. Last year’s calendar (though I keep mine for reference) 3. Unfinished/unused books 4. Unfinished DIY projects 5. Worn out shoes or slippers 6.Used up pens 7. Extra boxes 8. Old receipts 9. Unwanted (Christmas) gifts 10. Broken water bottles & cups 11. Old schoolwork (kids can do these. 12. Old manuals 13. Arts scraps 14. Old clothes (kids have outgrown) 15. Old socks, worn out (can be repurposed as rags) 17. Junk mail 18. Unused subscriptions (audit your bank statements) 19. Unwanted/unused cookbooks 20. Old medicine 21. small bits like medicine caps and unused twist ties 22. Bathroom junk drawer 23. Last year’s goal (update if necessary)

I am a recovering emotional hoarder/former shopping addict. I have been working so hard the past month to get rid of things I don't need. Your channel has been very motivating, especially since we have similar background of holding onto a lot of stuff. I lost my parents when I was a toddler and my grandparents who raised me were hoarders -disorganized clutter is the only home environment I knew -and I was young when they died and I inherited their stuff and their hoarding tendencies and turned to shopping to cope with grief and for a dopamine fix that only made things worse for myself. For the past month I have been going on an extreme declutter and for the first time in years I feel like there is hope. I resent my stuff and look forward to the day when it is gone. I donated 10 bags of clothes, threw out so much junk, and have left boxes of stuff in my apartment lobby for people to claim and I have one room DONE. This room used to be a 'storage' room that had stacks of boxes everywhere and the closet was overflowing and there was only a narrow path on the floor to walk and it is now the closet is EMPTY, the boxes are GONE (except boxes of books, but with everything else gone I have room to actually get myself a bookshelf!) and I have SPACE!! Your channel has helped me with that progress because I've been inspired and because I know you've been there, your channel gave me hope that if you could do it, I can too. Now I am working on the next room and I actually think I will be done before spring. I am very proud of myself. Thank you for your videos, they help me stay motivated!

For those who don't have time - imagine if you get rid of 3 things every day for a month! That's almost 100 items by the end of the month!

I’m going to be having major back surgery in a couple of months. I want to go through everything in my house (again) and simplify even more so that my home will feel peaceful and put together while I am recuperating. Since I am dealing with chronic, constant pain I can only work for a few minutes at a time. But, as you have said, I can accomplish a lot with just 15 minutes each day. Thank you for all of your tips and encouragement. 😘❤️🙏🏻

I would like to give some extra advice to my fellow ADHD friends: You can usually reduce some of the clutter from your hobbies. Decluttering could include reducing without getting rid of everything. One of my hobbies was knitting, but I have not done it in a few months. I gifted the yarn to a friend who was more likely to use it, but I kept the knitting needles. It was a great way to reduce clutter and I don't have to invest in as much when I decide to pick up the craft again.

Just a note for expired epipens from your last prescription refill. My husband also has a peanut allergy. He was advised by the doctor to keep the two epipens from the previous year each year as backups. It is still effective if the liquid has not clouded. So if for instance you were to have an ambulance taking longer than expected you might be able to have a little extra time before they arrive. However, that advice was given to my husband because of how severe his allergy is so perhaps your doctor would feel differently I just wanted to mention that to you. Thanks for all the tips!

7:33 For any fellow Canadians watching: If you don’t want to get junk mail, you can write “No Canada Post community mail” on a piece of paper, and tape it to the inside of your mailbox, and then you will never get any unaddressed mail (flyers, etc.) ever again! (Except from politicians and candidates.). But yeah - fabulously helpful.

It’s great that your husband gets rid of things and throws things away. I feel like my husband needs to watch these decluttering videos but he refuses 😭

Our libraries have a Friend's of the Library" sale. Each branch has collection bin. I love it! The sale supports the libraries. Great place to give away books I don't want.

Tip if you love some books but you don't have space to keep them all ( I do this since my home is small): I have a notebook where I write all the quotes/passages I liked in the book or resonated with me and keep that instead of the books! Love your content ❤

We are doing a no buy month and it may lead to a no buy year. It’s so relaxing to give buying a vacation. If there is something I wish to buy, I just write it on my wish list.

People who undermine or sabotage efforts at self-improvement. They are what I am decluttering from my life this year.

Am I a chaotic maximalist? Yes. Am I super enjoying this channel because despite having some differing ideals it is super helpful and has lots of ideas that I never would have started to implement in my own home with my family? Also yes. Seriously, I really enjoy your channel, thank you for sharing. :)

I just saved $59.32 while watching your video. Thank you! You reminded me about a magazine subscription that was automatically renewing and I was able to secure the refund while listening to your tips. Fantastic! Now on to the less lucrative sock drawer and medicine cabinet! 😀 Thank you for all your encouragement and great suggestions for a clutter free life. It feels good to see and feel the progress.🌻

My goal for 2023 is to have a peaceful home! 🏡🕊

I am trying to read all of those books that I have been meaning to get to and then passing it on to someone else so far its going so well 🎉

Great video. I also take all expired medications to our local pharmacy they have a drop box for expired meds. I’ve been taking socks away right away when I see a hole. I’m only keeping a few books @ a time to read. Once I’m done I pass it on or take to used bookstore for credit.

I'm starting a business, so I can leave behind my current position that is exhausting and unfulfilling for me. Gah!! No idea what I'm doing, but I'm going for it. And decluttering along the way! It helps so much with being able to focus on new, challenging tasks to have surroundings that are calm.

I believe one of the best things to do once a year is to look at all your stuff and make an evaluation of what you don't need anymore, what is broken and cannot be mended ,and what is not functioning, and throw them away/recycle/donate.

I started Swedish Death Cleaning about 2 years ago. I’m 67, I live on my own in an Extra Care facility and I’m disabled. First thing, I got rid of my large fridge freezer and got a smaller fridge with a “ fish finger” freezer in it. I have saved a lot on my shopping bill. I’m continually donating to charity. At the moment there are 7 large boxes in the hall waiting for my favourite charity to picked them up. A few weeks ago, I started on my books. I’m selling what I don’t need. So far, Music Magpie have paid my £80 for my unwanted stuff. Have fun everyone x

To declutter old projects, professional materials (been retired for years), books. To be physically active daily. To connect more with friends. To simplify so that when I checkout permanently it’s easier on my family.

11 yr Minimalist here, BUT am currently going thru my house with my son and tagging things for him to take with him when buys his new house next year. I'll be refinishing furniture to his taste and vision which will keep me busy over winter. The idea of downsizing further thrills me to no end and makes the fact he'll be on his own a little less overwhelming for me.

My goal is to declutter as I move to a new apartment AND to go through the things I've put in a small storage garage so that I no longer NEED a storage garage. :)

It is SOOO important that you advise everyone of all the options for earth-friendly recycling of items! Yes, there are now LOTS of businesses and nonprofits that recycle, repurpose, reuse and redesign just about everything. But people that don't know send it all to the Landfill - our grandkids will pay the price if this keeps up.

Every new year I go through paper files and get rid of things I no longer need. Love that feeling of a file box with lots of extra room!

My husband died suddenly in an accident in 2021... He was only 36 and we have a young child. I haven't really changed anything- I put his stuff away but still sleep in the same bed, the same room ... Have the same daily life pretty much like I'm just frozen in the same life he left me in. Things have piled up, as depression has consumed me at times, same with caring for a toddler-turned-preschooler by myself. I want to reclaim my space and clear the negative and sad outdated energy and take back my life. I will always love him and I'll never forget him ... But he wouldn't want me to be here for the rest of my life miserable and sad , not living my life and drowning in clutter.

Was watching this video while getting ready for bed, and when she started speaking about make up and samples, I thought omg, thats so easy and so logical! And directly decluttered my make up box, right where I was standing 😃 oh I love these videos, they set me in the right mood!

Thank you, my husband and I decluttered over 23 items each-broken jewelry, paper, packaging, books, calendars, apps not used, electronics, watches, mending pile, shoes, pens, glasses, empty packaging, etc. “No guilt of letting it go, it just doesn’t work for me,” was a great mantra through the process. Now I will hit our closets, kitchen and my home office. Really only spending 15 min a day decluttering.

2023 Goal - just to simplify our house and by reducing the stress of too much clutter we can embrace each moment as a family in our home together!

Besides loving your videos, I love reading all the thoughtful comments in here. Hello to you all!!!

I would like to let go of blankets, vintage sheets, and pillows. I’m a sucker for a thrift store blanket find. I thoroughly examine them. I have a vintage quilt I only paid $10 for. I found a vintage teen sleeping bag made of cotton and has a metal zipper. Cute but I’m 62. I guess I’m reverting. I found a beautiful white, embroidered in mint green, scolloped, coverlet. I had it for at least five years and it stays folded in a drawer. Tons of shoes that are cute but I really don’t wear. You may have been the one to say it but heard “we wear 20% of our clothes 90% of the time”. I’m there! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Oh yeah I do need to clean out facial products I don’t use!

Aha! I finally have the answer about why we keep pens that don't work! I go through my pen containers periodically and make sure they all work. But the next time I check them there are always some that appear to have dried up just sitting there, especially if they are the kind that don't have caps.

I had failed miserably in the past with decluttering cookbooks but my latest try really worked, even though it took a long time. I chose a shelf to keep them rather than a whole cupboard and pick one to keep on my counter and use. Sometimes I decide quickly that I don't like it after scrolling through. If a book only has a couple recipes I like I write them on cards and get rid of it. If I keep it on my counter and use it quite a bit I put it on the new shelf. I now have about a fourth the amount I had and have found some good new recipes. I know the ones I kept will be used.

I am getting rid of my old fridge, clothes I have not worn in a long time,my children's kindergarten and primary school books that I always felt sentimental about,decor pieces I have had for years and curtains I bought but I have never used

From a business and legal point of view I need to keep diaries and paperwork for 6 years! I'm going to declutter my business wardrobe this year. Finally. I now work from home and simply don't need business attire

İ watched this video after you moved back in USA and it breaks my heard to think you are not living in that house anymore. I hope you find a even better house to make it your home❤

Also, “farts and craps” is now the most iconic thing to declutter in 2023 ✌️😅

I belong to a community that has two festivals in April and October coinciding with long school holidays.. Thats my 2 major declutter times ...amazing that no matter how many times we do it ...we still find things to let go .. Main items Cloth- kids especially...pull out all the clothes try them on...what cannot/will not be worn put in two piles ..one for giving away ..one for making into rag/dusting cloths (i never buy seperately) Used notebooks...tear out all the unused papers and put in one file/bind/box ...to be used for rough work Story books ...keepers and those to be given to second hand books shops Sheets .and towels ...if a new one has to come in..an old one must go ..giving away or for rags Stationary..and toys (always ebd up playing one last time )usable stay ..or unusable throw Containers from takeaways..emptied bottles and jars that may have stayed to be reused ..down size Medicine cabinet and makeup ..check expiry dates Kitchen pots and pans ...sort to keep or dispose .. But my favorite is digging through old photographs .bit of declutter..bit of nostalgia 😁...and if you make this a family affair ...and fun with music in the background its a great way to inculcate good value to the kids and a gadget free time

I started in December with 'Declutter 23 Things by 2023"... and the avalanche started lol! I've removed 4 trash bags and a large box of 'stuff'. And I'm continually eyeing more 'stuff'. Where did all of this stuff come from? It's amazing what creeps into our spaces if we aren't paying attention! I'm happy to say that I have 2 shelves in my kitchen now with *nothing on them* ! One of my goals in 2023 is to save $10,000 (or more!)

Thank you. I lost my dad a year ago and moved apartments after taking care of him for five years (mine and his things). Thanks for inspiration from your videos. I am moving again and now I feel more focused and motivated and going to start tackling tomorrow. ❤❤

First and last things will be the most impactful for me. Thanks, Marissa! The thing that i would do differently: carry a garbage bag, recycling bag and donation bag or box along. That way you don't have to sort through all the crap yet again! Mind you, in my home it could be 50 or 100 things at a time and I want to make my decisions once. And only once.

1. Limiting Beliefs 2. Last year's calendar 3. Unwanted / half read books 4. Unfinished DIY projects and their accessories 5. Worn out shoes and slippers 6. Empty ink pens 7. Old receipts 8. Extra boxes 9. Unwanted holiday gifts 10. Old water bottles 11. Old schoolwork and supplies 12. Old arts and crafts supplies 13. Old clothes 14. Old accessories 15. Worn out socks 16. Junk mail 17. Unused memberships 18. Unused subscriptions 19. Unwanted cookbooks 20. Extra junk drawer junks (extras) - ai. wine corks, twist ties, medicine cups 21. Expired medicine 22. Bathroom drawer junk (product samples, expired sunscreen, old makeup) 23. Old goals from last year

Definitely hoping to declutter/downsize my closet for a big project this year. Last year I realized I was holding onto clothes from high school still! That plus having to clean out my Grandma’s place after she passed and just realizing how much stuff piles up made me want to start making changes this year and simplify what I can. Baby steps still count!

📦Getting boxed donations out of my house that is what I will be working on. I get them packed but then they sit! Love the cameo of your husband. Thank you ❤

I've started my decluttering journey the last 2022 months and now, l can't imagine myself with lot of items, that l didn't use for years and they didn't bring to me joy at all. I'm so proud of it. Also, l've decided to review my way of shopping. Prefer the quality than the quantity and reuse items for cleaning instead of throwing them, recycling is important for the planet.

My keyword this year is ‘milestones’ so many things seem to be coming together for 2023, driving test, citizenship application, starting the course I’ve been planning to take for a long time. Need my home to be as simple as possible this year ❤ thanks for the tips

No. 8 - While there may not be a shortage of empty boxes, as soon as I give in to my wife's frequent request and get rid of shipping boxes, she'll ask me to pack something for shipping (usually for the Grandkids) and I won't have the right box. Consequently, I tend to hang on to shipping boxes and packing materials (and in quantities that I'll never, ever use up). I'm trying to get better though...

I'm starting my IVF stimulation literally tomorrow morning. I'm interested in getting rid of anything that could possibly bring stress or burdening chore in the future. Also, decluttering and tidying could be a helpful distraction during this process.

I want to become an extreme minimalist, so this is my current goal ^^

Just starting the "declutter journey". My main goal is to declutter paperwork and create an easy system to organize a minimal "life folder" and arquive everything else. My side goal is to "get rid" of old eletronics and old clothes. Thank you for your videos. Now let me declutter for 15 minutes :)

Nice ideas! Pleasant to watch. My tip: I don't throw away paper if it has a clean side, I cut it in smaller parts for hopping lists, to-do lists, etc., so, I don't buy much paper for notes as it can be taken from such sources. All of them (brand new or these ones) end their days in the bin :))

Had another wave of decluttering, filled my suv full of items to declutter (can only remember one thing that was in the nine boxes) then I came home and within 2 days have already started another box. I love the sensation of really curating what I own knowing what I have and getting things out of my life that have no meaning.

My goal is to declutter 2,023 items this year 😁

✌️ I want to feel peace in my home.

calendar 2022 is very useful for taxes (in France, number of bank holidays is different from one year to another, and it's a master piece for declaring taxes), empty boxes are for a lot of products necessary for manufacturer's warranty, some instructions manuels are not available on line (all the more they're old!), holes in socks can be repaired..., receipts are necessary for warranty, and sometimes for insurance (for example, if my freezer breaks down, my insurance'll pay the goods if I can prove it)... so of course we can declutter a lot, but people have different priorities, all the more way of life is different from a country to another! Best wishes for 2023!

I just retired from teaching 33 years in June. I already began decluttering, but your videos help me to stay focused, give encouragement and know that my family will not have to do it for me in the future. Your lessons in what I should be doing to be a minimalist and the how and why of being organized while decluttering is so beneficial. I wish I had this information years ago, but I might not have been as ready. I look forward to each of your videos, that are concise and very well put together, thank you! Continue with your tips and stories, I love each and every one of them! By the way, having 3 sons of my own, I can relate to the kids decluttering, which I am grateful. Take care, you make my day! Becky

I'm also letting go little by little! It doesn't happen over night! Also if you already did a room it's okay to go back! Because that's decluttering! Feels so nice to have my house in my control. Also getting my kids involved more. My 8 year old is cooking 1 meal a week! I'm also going back to school! I'm very excited!

Reset this new year includes a bedroom makeover. This requires a massive decluttering first. Listening to your video for inspiration!

I love rotating books using the Free Little Library's in my area. I'm a person who likes to read books once and it doesn't make sense to keep them on my shelf otherwise.

This is a really good video. I just have one thing to say about the medication part. I actually work in an Apotheke (Pharmacy) and I can tell you that tablet/pill medication (that is not life saving or emergancy medication!!!) can be taken way over its expiring date (only if you feel comfortable with that of course). But yes Stuff like syrups and anything that is not solid should be disposed of when it is expired. I'm just saying this becuase I saw you throw away a Paracetamol package But maybe it was just empty^^ in that case just forget what I said :)

Just a note to say how much I enjoy your show - you are so kind, so funny - I love your ability to laugh at yourself. Thank you for being so truly present. Also, let your hair go gray! :)

My dream is to be able to feel confortable in my own home. I want to feel calm and content when inside.

I loved seeing the makeup in the thumbnail because I JUST decluttered mine last week. The medicine cabinet is the last thing on my list to declutter, then organize. I have one more pile to donate (previous xmas gifts not used). Your videos have been inspiration to get room after room decluttered. Thanks for the gentle and encouraging approach!

My goal that i have been trying to tackle these past two years is getting my real estate license📝🏡 Also I have been feeling so motivated these days I have been decluttering my WHOLE HOUSE ! 😭❤️

A to Zen life: As I live vicariously thru you I also decluttered the 2023 list you walked us thru. I also decluttered our pet supplies, electronics, and items we do not need because we got new ones for Christmas. I also got rid of some Christmas decor when we are putting it away.

I’m at the point in my journey where I can see when things are starting to accumulate and I can sort through and edit. We have gotten rid of so many things over the years and I feel like my home is more peaceful now. (Definitely not perfect though!!)

UPDATE: #17 was TAKEOUT 🥡 MENUS as most are available online now! Somehow it got deleted, whoops. 😅 10 Tips to Declutter FASTER here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qa6HrLGL1bfUiJ8.html What are YOUR goals for the new year? Please like this video and comment below - I can't wait to read them. 😎 🎉

Would love to see this year's vision board for 2023. Thanks for all you do!

interestingly, i‘ve already done almost all of these without having seen this vid 😊 seems like your many videos i‘ve watched about decluttering taught me a thing or two 👍

Focusing on FAITH and not things.

Boxes for electronics that can be resold actually raise the resale value...worth keeping

My family is currently living out of suitcases in a foreign country. We don’t have a clutter problem at the moment, but your videos helped me last year when we emptied out 2 story house, basement and garage! I still enjoy your videos 😊

I have a 5x3 notebook. At the end of the year I go through the calendar and write down doctor appts that we had. I write the name of the month at the top then the date, who went to which doc and why. I've had the little book for years because it holds several years. Yes it has come in very handy. Anyway it only takes me a few minutes to make the entries and out goes the calendar. I have one for passwords, school info in the back etc. so little space, such a big help. I'm starting a "where is it?" Book, same size. I also have one that has home improvements including appliance repairs, new roof and so forth. Date, what, who. These little books are a life saver!

I am working on decluttering one item per day - I started on the 1st of April

If your epipen is expired, it is not a bad idea to keep it just in case of an emergency. They are still effective and can buy you time for an ambulance to arrive, thus saving your childs life.

I cleaned out my glove box in my car. Wow I had paperwork in there from ten years ago....bye bye garbage and just doing that little glove box actually made me feel so light and happy and free. Who knew such a small task would have such a profound influence 🎉❤ thank you

Taking medicines to the pharmacy to dispose of properly should be done with all medicines including vitamins and over the counter medicines.

Goals? Oh man, I have a couple... This year I have started my very (!) small business: I have left my extremely stressful office job to concentrate on my art which is a 180 degree career change (scary...). I am focusing on creating calming, anxiety and stress reducing artwork that would fit pretty much any home and I do my best to sell it on affordable prices. Starting up as a new artist is very, very hard but I have hope. I just try to concentrate on creating and I put my heart and soul into it. If this is my part then hopefully the universe will reward me and will allow me to continue on that path 🙏🙏🙏

since Christmas just got over I have considered getting rid of your Christmas Stockings and using reusable Christmas bags. This something my mom Started doing this year, and it is awesome. Especially when you are done oping gifts. You can put that stuff in everyones bag and they can take it right to the room everything belongs in, then they bring the bags back to you and you store them with the Christmas stuff for next year

My attic is full of books I don't read. My husband and I went through boxes full of books and donated them to the local library. I love pens! I go places and people need one so I grab a handful from my pocketbook and offer one. It never fails that they return it.

Re instruction manuals, I tend to keep mine in case I decide to sell the item. But if you do throw them away, I think it's worth spending a few moments to scan them into your computer.

Oh, Laura from Get Organized HQ! I love her! So glad the two of you are collaborating! 💕

Saw my friend got a new hairstyling gadget that worth $650. Feel kinda envy bcs I also want that. And now after watching your videos, I realized that I have a old hairdryer that I rarely used over years and re-thinking why should buy it? Thank you, you’re saving my $650 😂

My spare room is an eyesore l just shut the door on it,l am getting older now and really need to sort it out.l found when covid was about l stopped going out and got agoraphobia..l started ordering stuff off ebay that l didn't really need just so the postman would knock as l didn't see anyone at all.A lot of it went in the spare room l really must tackle it,watching you has given me motivation to start.

During the holiday break my kids cleaned up their back packs. They make good decluttering decisions, don't underestimate them.

Really love how positive and encouraging you are. I have been working on decluttering 30 years of "stuff' for the last year. I am hoping to make great progress on the garage. I have really enjoyed being able to share the things I no longer need with people who may not be able to afford them. Thanks for running this channel. :)

What a quality advanced minimalism content!❤ ❤ ❤

I strongly resonated with the half read copy of The 4-Hour Workweek. (I donated my copy to the library just yesterday in hopes it finds other individuals that will get more out of it!)

I'm a keen crafter and my goal for 2023 is to store and catalogue all my yarn and yarn projects on ravelry so I know exactly what I have. I also plan not to buy any more yarn - I'm hoping that the cataloguing will show me exactly what I have and remind me I don't need any more.

Love the feeling of getting rid of stuff

I want to declutter every room in my house especially go through kids art work, etc.

This year I want to declutter my basement full of crafts for my fantasy self! This is the year!

Junk mail is my nemesis!

Thank you for mentioning pens - gathering them and testing them all has been part of my decluttering journey for a very long time (and it's life changing to always have ones that work!)

It looked like to me that you put recyclables, trash and donations into the same basket. That will mean that you have to touch those items again to sort them. That's added time and work going into decluttering. If you managed to carry 3 smaller boxes or bags, the sorting would already be done by the time you go through your house. The items to go could be ready to go out the door. You might want to consider that. It works well for me. I've nearly always been a de-clutterer. About 10 years ago, I moved my brother in with me to help take care of him during the length of his terminal illness. I told him only to bring clothing, and that I would go sort out everything else of his later. He brought nearly a whole household of things with him. He brought things, like tools and car equipment that I don't even know what they are. At the same time, I became very ill. Didn't know it till later, but I did notice it was harder than usual to get things done. I attributed that to getting older, grief...etc. Later in the year I did get a diagnosis. I've been too ill to do almost anything at all since then. I no longer have the ability to pick things up and move them. I don't have the strength to take things to the car. Just getting the trash out is a monumental task for me now. So, I'm sure you see decluttering is a big problem! It grieves me. I've had some help here and there, but my whole house...basement and garage included, need major decluttering. I usually feel defeated by it. We'll see what happens. This year, I'm trying to "declutter" words I use in speaking and writing. I'm too verbose. That's not good for those who listen to me or read my comments! I purposely leave out as many words as possible. You can see here my posts are still too long. I'm working on it. If I weren't this post would go on much longer!😔 Enjoy my new-found brevity!☺ I enjoy listening to and watching you! Keep up the great work!😃

I just noticed she wrapped Christmas gifts in sheets.... Wow I never though about that!

My dear I am extremely grateful to you for making such a motivational, lovely and beautiful video.

I was going to give out most of my books since I haven't even read them. I haven't read that much since I started my highschool in 2015. I've been constantly studying since and didn't really want to force myself to pick up yet another book. However, I'm graduating soon so I'll give books another chance after that, maybe I'll find my passion of reading again. After all, they're written by an author I like. If I haven't picked them up before summer, it's time to go. The only box worth keeping always is the tv box. That'll always have space in the basement

Thank you for always reminding me that less is more ❤ My hand bag broke and I was tempted to buy more than one as replacement, but your video reminded me to pick one I love even if it takes a little longer