I Decluttered 30 Years of Stuff...Here's What Happened.

Рет қаралды 239,194

Күн бұрын

Minimalism saved my life. I decluttered 30 years of stuff and went from emotional hoarder to minimalist and today I'm sharing a little bit more about how minimalism changed my life and what happened after I got rid of everything I own. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed out by clutter and mess, maybe you could benefit from decluttering your home and simplifying your life as well?
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► ⏰ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Minimalism saved my life
00:39 - Where it all started (my story)
02:52 - Clutter as a trauma response
03:54 - Are popular kids books/movies brainwashing us into NOT letting go? (Please comment!!)
05:45 - Feeling overwhelmed as a mom
07:49 - My big decluttering "aha moment"
09:24 - Decluttering 30 years of stuff
11:51 - From decluttering to minimalism
13:45 - The joy of simple living
16:50 - How to get more decluttering support :)
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► FAVORITE DECLUTTER + ORGANIZE STUFF:
👟 Shoeboxes - free :)
🥛 Empty glass jars - free :)
👕 Velvet hangers - amzn.to/2SWvxEH
🧦 Fabric storage boxes (folding): amzn.to/36p7PIe
🎋 Bamboo drawer dividers - amzn.to/2SFwgLl
📝 Paper shredder: amzn.to/32uuNeR
► 📸 FAVORITE KZfaq TOOLS:
» Camera: amzn.to/2TLIg0J
» Favorite bokeh lens: amzn.to/2SHHEt3
» Vlogging lens: amzn.to/3zDIpDW
» Handhelp mini-tripod: amzn.to/3Zod2t2
» Tall standing tripod: amzn.to/40dXk4F
» Umbrella light kit: amzn.to/42IqE5d
» Music: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
» TubeBuddy: www.tubebuddy.com/squirrelsof...
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ABOUT A TO ZEN LIFE
Along my journey to let go of 30 years of clutter, I accidentally became a minimalist and it was life-changing.
Before, I was an emotional hoarder with nothing but the clutter from lost loved ones - and $25,000 of debt - to my name. Now I have a beautiful home in Europe, a happy family, live debt-free, and - best of all - wake up to a life that I’m EXCITED to live every day.
My mission is to help you conquer your clutter and simplify YOUR way to a happier and better life. HERE'S OUR STORY: atozenlife.com/about-a-to-zen...
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NOTE: This description may contain affiliate links; these links allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no additional cost to yourself. While this channel may earn a small amount when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links.

Пікірлер: 616

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Please give this video a like 👍 and find out more about Clutter GPS here: atozenlife.com/clutter-gps

@tehilash7292 5 ай бұрын

The church of minimalism😉

@smallhouseinthemeadow6131 5 ай бұрын

Happy Birthday! This is an awesome video. After following you for years, and being a minimalist for over 15 years,I have let the clutter creep back in slowly but surely, but after a second heart attack, myocarditis, pericardial effusion, covid, covid pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia this past two weeks, and my first heart attack in July from long covid from three years ago that causes paroxysmal hypertension and hyponeutremia, I am exhausted and I want to throw out literally everything I own. Part of it is that if I die from having another heart attack, I don't want my family to have to deal with my stuff, but the main reason for now while I am here, it is because I need to go through my day with ease and a peaceful surrounding in order to heal and feel less stressed. I am looking forward to beginning again,as soon as I have the strength to begin.

@cherylhartl3749 5 ай бұрын

This is the one of the best videos I’ve seen about why clutter happens, how to approach it and the benefits that you can experience after you declutter your home. You have a way of speaking about the subject without being “preachy”, I guess that’s the best way I can explain it. You are so genuine and realistic in the way you present yourself, it’s like listening to my best friend telling me now decluttering worked for her. You’ve made decluttering sound achievable and easy to do, not so complicated that I keep putting it off. I also, love the term “Realistic Minimalism”, I want to be minimalistic, but I also enjoy having clothes and kitchen things……

@charisli3542 4 ай бұрын

I’m a consumer researcher. We did a research of declutterers and heard everyone saying it had changed their lives. It’s now being published. I wish I had interviewed you too!

@nicoleh3703 2 ай бұрын

I usually buy something to commemorate a special day for me every year, but since I've started decluttering like crazy, I decided to just treat myself to an ice cream today. I realize I just don't need more stuff in my house! Plus, it's catching on in my household!

@cleopatrablackwell3414 5 ай бұрын

Coming from a background of being adopted twice during childhood and being surrounded by toxic families. I realized at 27 half of my belongings were gifts from people who had hurt or abandoned me . When i declutter all these things that carried so much pain i felt freedom . Those people couldnt hurt me anymore because i had permanently severed the physical ties.

@terrilloyd3691 5 ай бұрын

I understand the need to get rid of things from toxic people. Good for you. Keep the things that give you good energy! You will feel better. I’ve done the same in my house. Feels great! Also, less to deal with and my house is so easy to clean. ❤

@autorinmitkatze 5 ай бұрын

It feels so good to let go of things from toxic people. When I broke up with my first boyfriend and ended a toxic relationship, I gave away all the things he had given me, from plush doggie to jewelry, and it felt so relieving.

@SusanMurphy-xn5hl 5 ай бұрын

❤

@innocentshorti 5 ай бұрын

incredible read - thanks for sharing your story!

@giuliannaborges9 5 ай бұрын

❤❤❤

@jenniemurphy1242 5 ай бұрын

I’m 74 years old and have a husband with dementia. I’ve been interested in the simplifying lifestyle for may years. And it’s been especially helpful now more than ever to keep a calm and stress less environment. You videos Marisa help keep me motivated to clear the clutter(mentally, physically and emotionally) and focus on the simple pleasures of life.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Thank you and happy to be helpful, Jennie ❤️

@lawrup 4 ай бұрын

Thank got cluttering didnt kill you

@lawrup 4 ай бұрын

@@AtoZenLifehey im 21 and going to waste 7 years and got no girlfriend and my body away till it rots i dont care if im look frail the only thing that Matter is the fate of humanity

@JoshC-End-Abortion-Fear-God 4 ай бұрын

Praying for your situation

@alissabird3506 5 ай бұрын

Girl, you are a survivor !

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! That’s why I’m so passionate about this 🙏

@jeaninekelly4271 5 ай бұрын

I am decluttering 40 years worth of stuff. The sentimental stuff is hardest. I had a huge bonfire and burned all the stuffed animals, books, most memorabilia, and a lot of junk. I still have all the photos to go through. I turned a corner and finally don’t want to be the Keeper of the Crap anymore! Happy New Clean Year! My kids and husband are relieved. 🎉❤

@dstarkus3693 5 ай бұрын

What I appreciate most about this video is how transparent and real you are about being sentimental over things that have come to you from other people and the related trauma responses. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and how you moved through it. I can really relate to this part of your work. I'm also realizing how much of the clutter in our home is aspirational -- for the project I want to do, kids activities (both things they already like or I want them to explore) and keeping things for the larger house we're saving for.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

So much clutter is aspirational and collected with the best of intentions. Wishing you the best on your journey 🙏

@patriciaheraty7380 5 ай бұрын

Aspirational clutter is the stuff that sweet dreams and nightmares are made of: hence, you can decide whether the aspiration-object is something your future self will use (an inspiration to move forward) or whether the aspiration-object is a remnant of past expections (imposed by other's values & expectations, society, social media & advertising, etc.). Decluttering the physical is the visible (end-of-the-process) part. REAL decluttering has to happen in the heart & mind as well as in the physical world. (Sometimes one happens before the other, sometimes both happen at the same time.) The more filled your heart and mind are, the greater the load you carry. It's OK to unburden yourself! In fact, you owe it to yourself to unburden yourself. It's the only way to feel the strength you have actually been using to carry the load. Reclaim your strength! Make the strength available to yourself and deserving people, activities, etc. Feel the freedom and lightness you deserve.

@JoshC-End-Abortion-Fear-God 4 ай бұрын

Cool video

@SusanMcBrayer 5 ай бұрын

Glad to hear other people cry when going through the sentimental items from our parents and other ancestors. It's hard, but I keep reminding myself, "This item is not the person." I have my memories without the actual item to remind me of them.

@MyFocusVaries 5 ай бұрын

And the item is not their love for you or your love for them. ❤️

@clairedaines508 5 ай бұрын

You can also take pictures of the item. Matt Haig of Hoarders recommends this, along with writing down the item's history, makes a wonderful heirloom to pass on to your descendants.

@christyp4264 4 ай бұрын

I think what also motivated me is when you see the homes of billionaires they are very minimal and these are people that can buy what they want. Minimalism is truly a luxury

@cocomuhly 5 ай бұрын

“People can just decide to sell their stuff?” Isn’t it amazing and horrible how the way we were raised stays in us so strongly that we sometimes can’t see outside of it? We try to break the cycle but so many things can run deep.

@greatful1512 5 ай бұрын

❤️

@freespirit3891 5 ай бұрын

Very deep. Especially at my age of 75. My parents and grandparents were during the great depression. My dad the youngest born in 1928. Nothing was thrown out. If it couldn't be fixed, it would be saved for possibly fixing something else. Clothes for fixing others or quilts. Dad was a carpenter so I got to 'straighten nails'. Our NOT TO get rid of things is very ingrained. May all those who need help along the way be able to find your site and be inspired along the way. ❤

@aliceb1348 5 ай бұрын

@@freespirit3891 I hear you!!! My dad, born 1905, used to have me remove nails from boards to save for future use-95% of which were never used. He would have me patch his pants and darn socks, even when he could afford new clothes. I didn’t mind though, and at 68 try not to waste anything. Still, I only want to save sentimental things.

@staceg2003 5 ай бұрын

One big problem I have with decluttering is anger. I feel like decisions are left to me - we acquire stuff, and I have to manage it. If I get rid of something that we haven't used in 5 years, suddenly it's in demand, and it's my fault for getting rid of it. But I'm being a pain in the neck if I ask people to make decisions on their stuff. It's not a good feeling. I feel defeated before I start. My daughter left a bedroom full of stuff when she moved out, and she moved two states away, so I guess it's up to me to sort her old clothes and books and everything else? Maybe anger is the wrong word. Frustration. That being said, I have been slowly chipping away at the stuff that is personally mine, and I have absolute zero guilt now about getting rid of my unused stuff.

@Smithpolly 5 ай бұрын

I think "anger" is probably the right word.

@edennis8578 5 ай бұрын

No, I get it. You're angry because you're being used and treated like an unpaid servant. My first marriage was like that. I left before I strangled him. One woman he dated after the divorce actually complained to me about what a slob he is! No kidding, lady!

@beckiejani7782 4 ай бұрын

My tough-@$$ mother would say, you have two months (or whatever time) to get this stuff out of MY house or it's our the door!

@JS-ns8dr 4 ай бұрын

I feel the same way

@TheBeautifulUniverse 4 ай бұрын

Your daughter’s stuff goes straight into the bin/donate. She didn’t need it when she moved out, she won’t need it now. Boom. Done. Wash your hands of this anger. It’s not yours to carry.

@fluffytalguw5883 5 ай бұрын

My parents grew up with nothing and so they stuffed our lives with so many things. I’m trying to escape the stuff and then I married a man who also grew up poor so he keeps countless old, useless things. Our place is small and I’m really trying to get rid of things but there’s a lot of pushback. It’s so hard…

@ArtamStudio 5 ай бұрын

Oh man I feel ya. Just last week I purged and donated two large boxes of books. (My 4th major book purge.) My spouse's contribution? ONE book. Same thing with clothes, hobby stuff, electronics, everything. It's frustrating but if the will to purge doesn't come from within, there will be anger, defensiveness and new trauma atop old trauma. Good luck!

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

There is just too much stuff in our small space! Ugh! I’m not getting any younger, I hate cleaning a small space and trying to move around or dust is getting impossible. Just had a talk with my husband and we will begin tomorrow. Our families were of the depression days or just after and they kept everything because you never know when you will need it. It is quite true as many times if we needed something they would have it. We don’t have as much room and this is the smallest place we ever had and we grew up in sizeable homes, but at the cost of things I think we are stuck here. If that’s the case then things have to go. I was hanging onto some pieces of furniture, dishes ect in case we moved, but I’m resigning to the truth that I just don’t see that happening.

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

@@ArtamStudio😂I have books-mine, my deceased mom’s and grandma’s. I’m starting tomorrow! I need a change.

@Miss_Annlaug 4 ай бұрын

Trauma often leads to hoarding. It's very hard. I have a family member who had very heavy loss and unsafety trauma, and they became a full hoarder ❤❤❤❤❤ i hope you all can find healing! All of you❤

@KarMa-ws3ll 5 ай бұрын

I think, Decluttering is like trying to get fit - so hard in the beginning, but getting easier every time, then becoming easy and in the end, its your new normal, especially, when your view on stuff changes and you dont let any surplus enter your home. It truly becomes easy if you just keep on doing it!

@mindyindy4628 Ай бұрын

Totally agree about the Brave Little Toaster car junkyard scene.... One of the scariest and most disturbing things I saw as a kid, but for some reason I kept watching it.

@MissDaisy559 5 ай бұрын

I lost my mother to cancer at 14, (1974)and my father to cancer at 26, (1986). I was one of seven but the oldest daughter. I had a sister one year younger and five brothers. I am blessed to have all the siblings going through this with me. Were you an only child? If so, it’s amazing knowing what you went through all this and now, thanks to KZfaq, you can tell your story. You are such an inspiration to many. Thank you!

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

I have a younger sister! I’ve mentioned her here and there - she was a mortician and then a hospice nurse. I think it’s amazing we both help people who struggled like us in different ways. ❤️🙏

@Jane_Moss 5 ай бұрын

@@AtoZenLifelove your videos so much. They have been adding a layer of support and direction for me at a hard time. I’m responding here because I always thought about going to mortuary school and I thought it’s super interesting the you mentioned this about your sister!

@muircaileag3 5 ай бұрын

@@AtoZenLifethat’s a deep insight, and is what makes your channel so emotionally accessible. It can’t be easy but the work you do is more important than you can imagine. Losing a mother can be insurmountable for a young girl, but you’ve come out the other side and that is such an inspiration for others. I kept my mother’s get well cards for 40 years before I could look at them again and say goodbye. She died of ALS when I was 32 and had 3 very young children. My divorce soon followed because I realized she had been my biggest supporter, not my ex. It was a traumatic time and the rug was pulled out from under me as I grieved. What you bring to this work is the wisdom that comes from surviving loss. The irony is that your need for connection pushed you to create something that offers comfort and meaningful connection for others. I have been following your channel for several months but for some reason this post sums it all up: reset. Thanks once more!❤

@peghendel1088 5 ай бұрын

What a great ending of 2023, looking forward to 2024. I'm well on the path to decluttering but find is like an onion, always another layer to process! My adult children are pleased that we are dealing with stuff from 53 years of marriage so they don't have to! My friends are shocked at what I have let go of (things from grandparents) but I did it with love, and still have the memories. These are things that only mean something to me, not useful or necessarily pretty. thank you!

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Love this so much, thank you for sharing! 🙌

@britalves3655 Ай бұрын

oh man I felt so free when I donated my instant pot too! I was so happy to hear you say this! I felt the exact same way.

@AtoZenLife Ай бұрын

Bravo 👏

@CindDJo 5 ай бұрын

You are right on girl. I can't think of a children's show that didn't have some sort of traumatizing lose.

@djb1164 4 ай бұрын

Taking photos of sentimental items makes it WAY easier to let them go.

@haileyreign971 5 ай бұрын

Over the past few months, I've realized that I have a problem with gifts. I end up keeping gifted items because giving it away will make me ungrateful, not because I actually want it. Happened a lot during childhood. I now realize it was an attempt to give me a better childhood than what my family had. I wasn't attached to "stuff" back then & I'm still not. Anytime I said I didn't need or want something, they became upset. I internalized it & just accepted what I was given to make them happy.

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

lol, every Christmas is the same. My SILs give my husband and I small gifts and used books, games. I so carted the bag of books out the door and the games will follow. Just hope they don’t ask questions. What I need to do is let them know how much we appreciate the gestures, but to give us only items we can consume as I Really have no room.

@JamieM470 5 ай бұрын

A gift that comes with a price----"You must keep this forever, cherish it, store it, display it, maintain it, or I will be CRUSHED and think you are a horrible person!" is not really a gift. That's a huge price to attach to a "gift". It feels like a form of control and power over my life, dictating to me what I should feel, how I should decorate my home, how much inventory I should be forced to store and maintain in my own home. It builds hurt and resentment along with the overwhelm of too much stuff...in addition to a feeling of panic and dread when they visit! This is no way to treat someone you love! A true gift is something that is thoughtfully chosen and freely given to demonstrate love and appreciation. The GIVING of it is the gift; not the eternal display and storage of an item. I struggle with a good response when someone complains about a "gift" they gave me and they don't see it displayed in my home. "Oh, I didn't realize it came with a hefty eternal price tag!" sounds kind of snippy lol. Maybe Marissa would have a good way to reply to folks like that. If anyone does, I'd sure appreciate it :)

@creatorschild8247 5 ай бұрын

This is exactly me! Im sooooo overwhelmed, stressed & depressed from my clutter. Even though it’s killing me…. The overwhelming anxiety of getting rid of it stresses me out…. Even though I know deep inside…… I may feel stressed getting rid of it at the moment….. in a short while after I do….. I feel such relief & freedom. Im going to try real hard next week to start getting rid of hordes of stuff….. as I realize the stress of living with it is far worse…. As it’s every second of every day. Please pray for me to be strong & determined 🙏🏼

@dean4125 5 ай бұрын

alcohol is evil. my brother just died from it on May 20. he was only 39. he left behind 3 kids. I still cant believe he is gone. there is not a day go by that I dont think about him. and wish there was something I can do to help him. we tried over the years. but his alcohol addiction got the best of him. looking at alcohol just sickens me now

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙏

@paulabroadway1697 5 ай бұрын

Nailed it! Growing up with a schizophrenic hoarder parent, it can be almost impossible to know what "normal" really is. We knew something wasn't right, but children can't label it much less fix it, even as the influence lingers into adulthood. Fast forward many years, and I found FlyLady. Her methods allowed me to crack the shell on how to part with stuff. Your videos have been so helpful in picking up the next chapter of decluttering and getting to the bottom of issues... as well as the back of the closets! 😁 Thank you!

@beans4853 5 ай бұрын

Interesting. My mother coped with her stress by going on a garbage spree, just dumping everything in sight. Made me want to keep everything! Thankfully, I managed to move back to MO of a middle ground and hope to be a better example to my children. I help them declutter constantly and explain the why and how of the benefits to having less and letting go of what you can't manage. I talk to myself at the same!

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

😂😂my MIL was sooo addicted to garage sales that my FIL used his hard of hearing to ignore her gestures as they flew by garage sale signs. He said we will have to deal with the mess when they are gone and the whole huge walk up garage was so full-I don’t know how we did it.

@jcheema313 5 ай бұрын

Yes. Decluttering. Some days, disabilities paralysis kicks in, i can't. However, i keep trying and pushing... 😮😊

@user-gu1dd6dh8u 5 ай бұрын

Oh, this is the sadest, most heartbreaking video I have ever seen... I grew up in horder home, went through many difficult and tragic loses, I know how it feels. I became minimalist even before I knew that word existed. Thank you for sharing your story.

@marycochrane9921 5 ай бұрын

Hands down, this is by far one of THE BEST videos on decluttering, and I watch them all! You get to the heart of why we hang onto too much stuff! You are inspiring. Thank you for sharing your past and how you are overcoming.❤

@Ualalalalalala 5 ай бұрын

I feel this, in our culture is very common to inherit dishwear sets, old ones, carpets, blankets, paintings etc. Basicly anything and everything, so my grandmother got her mothers things, then her sisters, and when my grandparents die, all their stuff came into our house, however we also had donated things from family, friends etc. Growing up poor, when we got a house it was an avalanche of stuff, and my mother would keep everything, because being poor you cant exacly afford buying it, so it was always usefull to have backups just in case, the problem with these backups, is that at some point it accumulates too much " trash ", recently ive been helping my mother declutter tons and tons of books, basicly same origin, from family, friends etc, problem is theres a lot of nonsense books, books she would never read in a life, but she still keeps it just in case it will ever be needed....this constant state of survival and keeping things we think might help us at some point, suddently applies to everything, i always understood the blankets, clothes, etc, but the never ending dishwear, etc Ive started a few months ago, slowly minimizing my things, my personal things, also because i intent to move out eventually, and will probably only be able to have 1 or 2 baggs with me on the road. But just trying to get rid of 6 giant piles of books has been incredibly stressfull and drainig... but seing my personal room slowly becoming emptier feels like a weight is being lifted off.

@beckiejani7782 4 ай бұрын

A suggestion for those who feel their possessions will feel sad or rejected. You love your kids, but they grow up and go into the world. They even may meet others, form families, etc, bringing them joy. I send my stuff out the door with gratitude and hope it goes on to bring someone else joy. And if it's too far gone, it can be recycled in some cases (unwearable clothing gets made into rags, etc).

@lindabourcet1349 5 ай бұрын

Happy birthday! Decluttering has changed my life as well. I am finally tackling my sentimental items and hobby supplies. I am glad I did all the rest of my house first as it is easier than I imagined. It turns out most of my sentimental stuff wasn’t that sentimental after all. I thought of what would happen to it after I died and what I wanted to leave behind. As for my hobby (quilting), it was surprisingly easy to let things go once I found out HOW. I couldn’t give things away to strangers but I could give them to fellow quilters. I made up prizes and put together raffle items for our guild Christmas party and for 2 quilt retreats and for the group I make charity quilts with. Seeing the joy on their faces as they won my stuff gave me joy. If it is hard to let go of precious or useful things,find a way to make gifts. I used baskets and bags and made the stuff look attractive. The joy of decluttering was combined with the joy of playing Santa. Definitely a win-win.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

What a fantastic journey, I loved how you figured out solutions that fit well with you and your priorities! Selling and giving in Buy Nothing groups was extremely healing and helpful for me as well. Cheers to you!

@patchulli89 5 ай бұрын

That sounds great! I have a lot of hobby supplies too and got completely stuck in the decluttering process, because that part is so difficult, so I decided to do other areas first...

@patchulli89 5 ай бұрын

Our local Kindergarden luckily takes a lot of these things and the kids create stunning stuff with wool, fabric and other material. What is important there is not the created product, but the process. Having a lot of different material is great for the kids and the teachers... Just dropping this off for other people with too much hobby-supplies😅

@KarMa-ws3ll 5 ай бұрын

Stopping worrying g about stuff clears so much time and mental capacity.I remember having a spine surgery several years ago and did not want to get help afterwards because of my unorganized home. Only closest friends were allowed. It was not even thaaat bad. But it was also very hard to keep on top of things with limited mobility, energy and a lot of pain.Having my 5th this year while not having any surplus stuff. My apartment is organized even on the worst days bc there is simply not enough stuff for it to get messy. If I return needing a mobility aid, there will be plenty of space to move around. If I need help, people can find stuff easily. Cleaning only takes a few minutes. When my father died, i just took a staple of his fabric handkerchiefs - because he always had a clean, ironed one handy. They are totally my Dad and dont take any space, but spark a lot of memories. It really, really is a deep relief for me and keeping it up for over 10 years now.

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

I have my dad’s hat-it is totally a Pop memory. Mom it was her scarves.

@KarMa-ws3ll 5 ай бұрын

oh thats nice. Its strange to, to me, these handkerchiefs represent the personality of my dad.@@dustyflats3832

@margaret1336 4 ай бұрын

Yes I call Dad’s handkerchiefs my inheritance!❤❤

@dayday8332 5 ай бұрын

4 years ago I listened to 11 people in the space of a year and a much loved pet. I freaked out and moved to my mother’s for 4 months just to be close to her! Mind you I am married with a child. I enrolled my son in school at my mom’s and helped my husband move us towards family. Grief does crazy things to people. Thank God my husband is a great person and understood and was willing to change with me. I got interested in minimalism shortly after as things no longer had as much a place of importance to me.

@miriammcconnell6465 4 ай бұрын

You were totally speaking directly to me. I have had so much loss (people), and hanging onto things as if to keep control and to hold onto anything. Random tokens of family that have passed won't bring them back, nor do they contain that person. Having permission to let things go is HUGE since many of us were raise not to waste anything. But when everything has value, nothing does. I am on a minimalist journey and your content means so much!!!

@eloquentlyemma 5 ай бұрын

My main source of guilt came from the fact that none of my childhood possessions ever meant very much to me. It was traumatic at the time but it made decluttering in later life very easy. I now consider myself to be an intentionalist rather than a minimalist and value the limited number of possessions I have.

@patriciaheraty7380 5 ай бұрын

I'm a "mindfulist", that way my aspirations and intentions only come into my home when my mind and to-do list are ready to work on them ;-)

@Hillside-Hive 5 ай бұрын

For some reason The Brave Little Toaster was a fond memory for me so a couple years back we picked it up in the $5 bin for a road trip. I was so excited to share this with my kids. Not 15 mins in and 3 kids were crying with ine asking between sobs, "why is this for kids?" (She was a teen) Needless to say, i tossed it at the next gas station 😂

@j.m.7056 5 ай бұрын

Melissa, this is a powerful video! Your personal story told with love is lifesaving for not only you but for anyone who views it! Thank you so much. ❤❤❤

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and take care ☺️

@jocelynfullmer2472 5 ай бұрын

Marissa ❤

@doyourememberanna 5 ай бұрын

I totally relate to the movies traumatizing me 😭 I still struggle with humanizing objects.

@MyFocusVaries 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story again. You've come through so much. When my friend died of cancer, it made me think, why are we burdening today's life with "just in case" items that we store for tomorrow's life? We don't need to stock up.

@cherylperkins7538 5 ай бұрын

Some things YES we do. Pay attention to the news, the stock market is due for a correction. Many will be caught without enough food and supplies. I sailed through the pandemic and was in want of nothing. But it means organizing a lot. Stay watchful

@alicejhanson86 3 ай бұрын

Crying helped/helps me wade through my ridiculous amount of keepsakes and items. I am 71, a retired special education teacher, and a mom who raised three daughters. My keepsake/item hoard included my childhood stuff, my daughters' childhood stuff, my teaching keepsakes, as well as my mom's and mother in law's things. My parents taught me to keep everything in case you might need it. (Depression era mind set) I will have to say that watching my grandchildren play with my daughters' toys is wonderful but I had kept everything down to little junky fast food toys. Little by little I wade through it all. I enlisted grandchildren to help as what to keep and pitch. They tell me to get out another box from the attic!! They were disappointed the last time they visited that grandma only had one box left!!

@beenajacob4020 5 ай бұрын

This week gave away a huge Turkey & accompaniments from a posh restaurant and an elite cake which came home as corporate gifts.. i especially love "decluttering" food stuff.

@richheruk 5 ай бұрын

I'm looking forward to doing this after Christmas - my husband received a hamper from work full of food we won't eat. I get really anxious when there's too much food in the house.

@alyssamillionaro 5 ай бұрын

In my childhood/youth environmental issues were a great topic. My father wanted to produce almost no trash, we tried to recycle everything and to re-use stuff (clothes for rags, icecream boxes to be useful boxes later on etc). It took me a while to find out that it is ok to throw away things, because I always wanted to find a new usage for an item.

@chey8721 5 ай бұрын

Oh, I can relate. My late Mom never bought my sisters and I clothes to wear at home, loungewear as we call it now. We wore our old clothes and old school uniforms (skirts in this case). And yeah we used our old clothes as rags.

@brianandalyssagilliam1013 5 ай бұрын

I’ve seen a handful of your videos over the past year or so, but honestly didn’t like the style of video and would click off within a few minutes….. however the authentic and meaningful video you posted today had me captivated from start to finish! Job well done and I will keep watching! 👏

@mhtammi 5 ай бұрын

So many of us go through dark times and struggle through on our own. The more we talk about it the more we can help each other. Let’s normalize being honest about how we are doing.

@nancyrawson132 5 ай бұрын

I have to add the story of "The Little Match Girl" and "A Dog of Flanders" to your list of stories and movies that deeply affected me - and scared me - as a child growing up in a toxic family. I was always an outsider in my own family - and I held on to things because I could not process my grief of never feeling as though I was wanted. I put my emotional energy into things because, as a child and later as an adult, I mistakenly believed that "things" couldn't hurt me!

@Ahhposition 5 ай бұрын

This is so spot on! As a 68 yo, I get so sentimental over stuff from my dead family members, even though I had such a happy childhood & I didn’t lose my parents until they were in their 90’s. But I always feel so much better after decluttering.

@KristiBranstetter 5 ай бұрын

I always liked to hang on to things. But, after my mom passed away in December 2009, I felt a need to try to hang on to as many things as I could. It was a difficult time. Finally, in February 2021, it was time to start letting go. I feel so much better about letting go these days even after being laid off from my job this year.

@lormor460 5 ай бұрын

As a child, I was crushed by the death of Bambi’s mom. As an adult, it was and is Simba’s dad in Lion King. Losing my mom was the hardest thing that I have had to deal with in my life. Now, sadly, my sister has Alzheimer’s. Things given to me by them have been the hardest to let go of. 😢

@puppypoet 5 ай бұрын

I am torn between gratitude that someone else understands the pain of losing too many people in a short amount of time, and heartache that you experienced that because it has really left traumatic scars on my heart.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

❤️‍🩹

@Scassolina-rv2xj 5 ай бұрын

I paused your video to burn off 6 years of drama/trauma that I had recorded in diaries. Something I've been putting off for a long time. Thank you so much ❤️

@aliceb1348 5 ай бұрын

Sorry for your pain. Hope you find some peace.

@Bry_bryyy04 4 ай бұрын

Talking about being traumatized by all those different movies really just made it click why I used to get so overwhelmed and full of empathy for my own toys, especially stuffed animals. I was convinced they all had feelings and would end up sobbing even if I joked about not wanting them.. wow. Especially the Rudolph movie 😅 it all makes sense now

@juniper3238 3 ай бұрын

We had a small house fire when I was a teenager. It pretty much just destroyed my bedroom. The silver lining was that I learned that I only really missed a few sentimental items. The rest of my stuff was just that - stuff! It also was a tough but needed lesson that some people you call your friends may not come through for you when it counts. But I also learned to appreciate those supportive friends more, too.

@Itallnew 5 ай бұрын

I have always sort of the opposite issue. I have always been of a minimalist mindset, even before I knew what it was called….even as a child my room was very minimal as I am super sensitive to visual clutter and can easily feel completely overwhelmed . But after some pretty traumatic events over the years, I just don’t get attached to much at all…I see everything as junk that will end up in a landfill someday. I also don’t want to burden my children with all my stuff when I’m gone…been there done that with other family members and it’s SOOOO incredibly overwhelming and emotionally draining. I feel like nothing truly matters anymore other than our relationships with our family and my faith. EVERYTHING, even people are only temporary, and we are here for just a brief moment… we came here with only ourselves and we will leave the same. It’s only the lessons we have learned and the love and experiences we have had that matter.

@MyFocusVaries 5 ай бұрын

I relate to your perspective. I did a major purge during COVID after my friend died of cancer. Storing things "just in case" seemed so pointless after seeing her die suddenly at a relatively young age. Burdening our today with things for an imagined tomorrow is pointless (because even if we live a long life, we don't need to stock up for it).

@sunshine3914 5 ай бұрын

I feel the same. My father always said that he “came into this world with nothing, & would leave with nothing”. He was a minimalist who had done alright for himself, purchased a large piece of land to grow on & acquired some large pieces of equipment… of which I could actually use right now. But after his death, 18 years ago, I blocked everything completely out for over 5 years & have no idea where anything went, even the life insurance. I don’t feel any connection to anything I own, yet I don’t have the energy to get rid of any of it.

@larajohnson8656 4 ай бұрын

Your story is amazing. You seem like an example of “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.” So brave of you to live your life. Keep going. And I suppose this is true for all of us, isn’t it?

@TheMissgoodbody 4 ай бұрын

I was extremely traumatized by the brave little toaster! And I know online many others were but that director did a lot more disturbing things for Disney

@AtoZenLife 4 ай бұрын

😳

@shelly9121 5 ай бұрын

You just described my life the past 8 years. Father, mother, sister and best friend along with 4 pets and my business of 27 years- poof gone. It's so hard to even think of dealing with mental and physical clutter. I'm finally ready to tackle the floor to ceiling mess that has been my life. One day at a time, one pile at a time. Your channel has been a blessing to me for the past few years. THANK YOU ❤

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

I’m so sorry for all of your loss, that’s a lot to deal with! Wishing you all the best on your decluttering journey in 2024 ❤️

@sozod2000 5 ай бұрын

Cartoon toy guilt… I get it! I never thought of it that way. And there is Ariel who collects everything and has attachments to it.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Yes! How could I forget that one??? 🧜‍♀️😂

@wandasanders2003 4 ай бұрын

I think my mom was a minimalist when I was small. We had no clutter or anything but a few things on the wall.i was a minimalist in my room . Hotel clique I call it. My mom's son from her second marriage died and she started binge shopping, shop therapy. I went with her and started over shopping. I took her shopping for 10 years. It continued after she passed away then the not wanting to waste came into play. Along with decorating for every holiday. It's fun but not dealing with the after holiday stuff. Tubs don't help, they pile up. So I'm going back to semi minimalism and it feels good. Less is more.

@nicole_patricia 5 ай бұрын

I can completely empathize. I lost my father at 22 when he was 50 years old. My brother wanted nothing to do with my father’s belongings. He had more than most due to my stepmom passing away a few years prior and my dad kept all of her stuff. My mother wouldn’t help, she would just criticize the clutter, completely unaware it could be a trauma response. I’ve been decluttering for years bit by bit and only have a few tubs of stuff left. But has been difficult letting go, it’s all I have left of him.

@MyFocusVaries 5 ай бұрын

Though it's hard to realize, you have your love and your memories, which are in your heart and mind, not in the items they left behind. ❤️

@nicole_patricia 5 ай бұрын

@@MyFocusVaries thank you. I know you’re right. Setting a new goal to give 1% a day to let more go in 2024. ❤️

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

It’s been 7 years for dad and 6 for mom and I Totally understand. I have family pictures that I can’t look at, mom’s books or notes she wrote. I decided I’m having a bonfire for all the end of life paperwork tomorrow. Many books and others are going out. Then it’s furniture that I was keeping in case we moved and I don’t see that happening in this economy anymore. Office clothes and things I haven’t seen in years. I’ve decided to retire early and stuff needs to move on.

@zanxstitch 5 ай бұрын

I've decluttered so much that I have emptied the built in cupboards of 3 rooms in our house. We are now planning to move to a smaller house as things still make me feel like I failed a to-do list in a big house. The best change was reducing the kids toys. We have a 4 box cubby for the 2 kids. My 5 year old doesn't even play with those toys anymore but prefers making dolls with toilet paper rolls with toilet paper hair.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Fingers crossed you find a home to downsize that fits you and your family “just right” 🤞❤️

@Caroline99777 5 ай бұрын

Yes, I lived very poorly only with my mother and I was toughed to NEVER ever get rid of anything. And never say no if someone wants to give you anything. So I ended like you. But I can shortly and surely say God saved me from this. That God from the Bible, so I’m very thankful to Him. Praise the Lord 🕊️

@lisagagnon6712 4 ай бұрын

Omg I’m so glad you are healing . We all have stories and thanks for sharing . That is a lot of trauma. God Bless you

@professormustard75 5 ай бұрын

Toy Story very much impacted my son's ability to let go of old or broken toys when he was younger. He didn't want to release anything! Fast forward to today, I have a 15 year-old who is much more capable of evaluating the meaning and use of his personal belongings. He is now very much a minimalist (more so than I am!) and is able to part with items that no longer serve his needs or have value in his eyes.

@ellenradford8582 5 ай бұрын

We are moving to a smaller house and I am trying to declutter and downsize. I need all the help i.can get!

@kaettananunyabiz903 5 ай бұрын

I totally identify with this. You lose people, their things become a link to them,even with pets. I inherited the majority of things i have from a beloved grandmother and my shopaholic-hoarder mother. It took me some years of serious introspection and grief processing to realize i didn't have to feel guilt over getting rid of things, just remember the love and laughter. As for the blackout? I lost a year at least, it's autopilot. We are human,we do it. Kudos to you for coming through it so well. Happy birthday,and thank you!🎉

@ardethellis8930 5 ай бұрын

I love that you got rid of your slow cooker and the instant pot and kept the rice cooker. I kept my InstantPot and got rid of the slow cooker, yogurt maker, and rice cooker. Having a plant-based diet I cook a lot of beans and a wide variety of grains. I really appreciate that you often stress that minimalism looks different for everyone.

@saraperkins8072 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for all you do. I hope your Christmas was amazing. Today I decided to raid my time will tell bin and anything that had been in there a month or more, got put into a bag for donation. I feel free because since I started decluttering in February and finished in October, my house feels... Comfortable. Everything has a purpose. I look at or use everything in my home now and it feels good. I want to spend time here at home. I could not have done this without decluttering and finding the things that work for me and make me truly happy.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Our Christmas was great, hope yours was too! Sounds like you’ve made amazing progress, well done 🤗

@Skittl1321 5 ай бұрын

I was a college student when toy story 2 came out. I left the theater in tears and went home and told all my dolls I was sorry I hadn;'t played with them in so long, after Jessie's song. I now refuse to watch toy story movies. I was tricked into watching the third one, and had the same trauma response, it was a week before I felt better. I won't watch the fourth. You are so right that so many kids movies make you feel terrible about not being overly attached to toys.

@symplesym9632 2 ай бұрын

Wow! My heart to you! Last year I lost 6 people, including my sister and just two months later, an uncle. I empathize with that so hard!

@pedromorfin4692 5 ай бұрын

Awesome video. One thing I have to say though is when you talk about being 1% better eveyday its actually more than 37% better at the end of the year. It would be over 300% better 😊

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Yes, I accidentally misspoke 😂

@sailorssmallfarm1867 5 ай бұрын

This is such a powerful testimony. Thanks for sharing it. Lol - The island of misfit/lost toys in Rudolph - for sure. And my adult daughter told me Velveteen Rabbit was the reason she still has a giant box with about 100 stuffies in it - they might be alive. She is 28 and knows they're not, but you know....

@julianagc1989 5 ай бұрын

I havent realized about those books and children movies discourage us from getting rid of stuff, but knew about the recession afected us growing up

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Indeed, that was a tough time 🙏

@chelseyschlutereichen9009 5 ай бұрын

Oh my gosh I hear this so much. This year five relatives died within 3 months and I had to put my dog down. I told my parents to quit calling me because every time they called it was because someone else had died.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

I am so sorry for your losses 🙏❤️‍🩹

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

Oh I can totally relate, but it started with my dog being put down, quitting my new job because my dad became ill, mom was already in a wheelchair and one by one both our parents left every year with other relatives in between. We went to a funeral for 3 months in a row once. It was awful times dissolving a childhood home it was sooo hard. Then in laws affairs. I felt I had to remain solid and in control and really didn’t get to grieve right away. The worst was seeing mom all by herself without pop. It was all so heartbreaking. It was the times of dark night of the soul for me. I remember now what our parents were feeling when all their relatives and friends were leaving. They always said in the spring and fall of the year and they come in 3s. My MIL said it’s getting scary. I just lost a sister this spring. Sorry for your losses-spend as much time as you can with your folks if you have good relations.

@GenerationJonesi 5 ай бұрын

This is similar to a trauma response shared by many hoarders. They're trying to hang on to people, which translates to hanging on to stuff. Purging clutter is definitely a positive move, but I hope you got/get some grief counselling. No one deserves to have to carry that weight around by themselves. Sending you good wishes!

@littlebluefish6606 5 ай бұрын

I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like the instapot. I happily gave it away. We downsized from a 2700 sq ft house with a 1300 sq ft basement and a 2.5 car garage. We moved into a 1400 sq ft condo with a 1 car garage and a crawl space. We offloaded a ton of stuff. In October, we moved some of our belongings into a 10x20 storage shed and gave all of our furniture to my youngest son as he moved into his own place. We are currently nomadic traveling around trying to determine where we want to settle for retirement. We are doing short term rentals and trying out areas. Once we pick a place, then what’s left in the storage will get moved into a small place. Things like our dishes, cookware, bath towels, bed linens, my husband’s stereo system and tools. But we’re keeping it simple. It will be much easier on our kids once we’re gone. They won’t have a huge mess to clean out.

@amydepaul3039 Ай бұрын

This actually just made me tear up. I'm here now. I'm feeling like the failure who cannot be a good wife and mother and the problem is me. I have a shopping addiction as I TRY to grasp something of my former life and find something I love to do again besides being a Mommy or wife. I LOVE my family SOOOO much, but I feel lost and like a failure. I really can relate to this.

@NoelleAm 5 ай бұрын

Yes all of those movies messed with my head. I still struggle with feeling like objects are alive.

@IQSim 5 ай бұрын

I thought I didn't have much stuff. But about 3 years ago I really began to take a close look at what I had. And I had so many things that I didn't use or that, honestly, were just trash. I got rid of many shirts and suddenly I had all these hangers I no longer needed. I got rid of a lot of paper clutter and suddenly all those clear plastic boxes were empty. I asked my brother and sister in law if they could use them and they gladly took them. I gave away many books I no longer needed. I emptied an entire bookshelf that I now use for storage in my bathroom. I decluttered so much stuff and I even made a bit of money by selling some things. I now know where all of my stuff is and I only keep things I actively use. I know you lived in Germany, so you probably know the Silbermond song "Es reist sich besser mit leichtem Gepäck" and it's true. Thank you for all your videos, they're so honest and earnest and always full of positive energy.

@stephb1221 3 ай бұрын

Phew, Marie Kondo… when I first read the book, I was appalled and threw it on the shelf lol. Picked it up again after my divorce and it still took time for me to accept and attempt but finally began going through things. It’s been a couple years but the effort has snowballed, bags and boxes have been flowing out of my house. The immense pressure of all those things and the value I’d assigned to them (and somehow burdened those things with the same trauma keeping me from parting with them… yikes, psychology), it has been such a relief once letting go that I’m continually purging items every week. It isn’t the answer for everyone, I’m sure, but for me it’s been such a huge relief, ultimately because I’ve been severing ties to negative experiences in the past and walking more freely and easily into the future.

@elisasuarez9314 5 ай бұрын

As someone who was born and still lives in a small south American country such as Uruguay, and someone who always liked american and european minimalism (which for us down here is just normal life because we can´t afford to have 20 T-shirts or 10 jeans), I was shocked by your story two years ago when I first saw one of your videos! I would love to read a book of it 💕

@Izanami2050 4 ай бұрын

Abandoned toys is a projection for emotionally abandoned children... i relate to that story too.

@jackieblue6116 5 ай бұрын

This was a gift to me at the perfect moment on the perfect day. I took this week off to start decluttering and I’m paralyzed so watching KZfaq. And your video popped up. 🙏🏼 Thank you.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Cheering you on! 📣

@jannekh2 5 ай бұрын

Cheering you on your journey. When I started, I would take a drawer out and sort it on my lap while watch KZfaq. Best of both worlds.

@jcheema313 5 ай бұрын

Yes. Decluttering. Some days, disabilities paralysis kicks in, i can't. However, i keep trying and pushing... 😮😊😅

@jackieblue6116 5 ай бұрын

@@jannekh2 Great idea 😊

@Lemur92 5 ай бұрын

Very touching video! I am a big fan of owning less. I decluttered a lot. But now, with a baby at home, I get so many gifts and piles of stuff come back to my house. Great reminder to make it a priority to get rid of things again. In my friend- and familybubble nobody understands that. Every piece of furniture at my parents house and the house of my parents in law is stuffed. I get the feeling of not being able to breathe correctly when I see all this stuff 🙈

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

Ugh, I know and we had to sort through all of it when they all passed one after another. I miss them all. It was painful times. What I wanted to say is I’m going to speak with my SILs as they like to give gifts at Christmas-nothing extravagant, but stuff and tell them we very much appreciate the gesture and then hint for future gifts to be consumable as food for us, the chickens or the garden. 😂😂I got more Books!😂😂

@jennifermarie8707 3 ай бұрын

I understand! I find it's easier to get rid of extraneous stuff as soon as it comes in rather than to wait even a few days

@amy2284 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing. I lost by dad at 11 and 23 when I lost my mom. I lost two other siblings in the next 15 years - it’s so difficult and I have become a minimalist 5 years ago for the reasons you have said. I wanted to hold on to my family stuff till I realized that the stuff wasn’t what I was sad about but losing my family. I realized I will never get over it - all I do now is move forward. My Christian faith has really helped as well as realizing I can hold an object from my parents and I don’t have to hold on to everything.

@rangerlove7 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. I’m your age but grew up with depression era parents who kept everything, especially my mom. She’s now going through her stuff so I don’t have to when she’s gone, but she calls me every few days asking about if I want this or that thing and I tell her every time the only things I want are the tea cups my grandmothers left me and likely that’s it. Though I do appreciate the ask. And on my side, I learned the art of holding onto all the things “just in case” from her and I’m still trying to unlearn it. So stories like yours are very helpful to people like me who are still trying to get to the point of freedom. ❤

@dustyflats3832 5 ай бұрын

Yes, hang on to things ‘just in case’. Both our families were not rich and parents were before or right after depression era. We have both lost our parents now. Dreadful several years right in a row and we need to release what’s weighing us down. lol, you never seen so much stuff as my in-laws had 😂😂 and FIL even joked that it would be our mess to deal with someday-Ugh! It was a lot. Also all the fearful people acting like they are preparing for Armageddon on KZfaq puts you in the mindset of hoarding. I’m not to the point where I need food freeze dried packed in Mylar bags that will last 20 years😅, if things get that bad we will probably be gone anyways. I need to unload stuff.

@Leah-bs8mr 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for this video, decluttering is therapeutic. A few years ago I gave to goodwill my designer high heels collection, most of which were barely worn if at all. One day I decided that wasn't who I was anymore and although I still liked many of the heels I wanted to let go. After that good experience I just started like you said to be more intentional with my purchases and if they bring me enough joy to add to my home. It really has made me a better person and made me a more generous person as well.

@nicolejones5790 4 ай бұрын

I love my instant pot but get rid rid of my air fryer. It’s off my counter but still have not gotten it out of ily home yet. Lol I love watching Don the minimal mom.

@conniedavis7374 5 ай бұрын

Yas! The Velveteen Rabbit! I still think all my things have feelings.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

I still have the book, too 🥲🐰

@roxannegordon6162 2 ай бұрын

wow right out of the gate you showed a book case full of games, toys, puzzles etc for kiddos who are maybe home schooled. Do they get an exemption from your axe? your adding things to your apartment is like the Hoarder stories of people who have also experienced a great loss. I'm glad I see you doing better.

@BrianGivensYtube 3 ай бұрын

In a dysfunctional way, it’s almost as if we are attached to the BAD emotions that keep us depressed. We have been conditioned to be sentimental even if the object holds NEGATIVE emotions that keep us down.

@mirelaxo 5 ай бұрын

I remember being pregnant with a 2 year old and struggling to keep up. I thought, surely there’s more to life than constantly maintaining a home. I randomly came across Konmarie via KZfaq and immediately downloaded the book. I had such an ah-ha moment. Like you said to the older lady; “you can do that? You can live like that?” I literally finished the book over a few days and immediately started implementing her suggestions. I have never looked back since.

@freespirit3891 5 ай бұрын

I liked his solution of the square peg in a round hole 😂. I have just recently found your channel. Been married 54 years (full of ours and our kids stuff) and inherited a heck of a lot of stuff when we bought my 2 sister's share of our father's house. With your tips, I have set aside 15 minutes in am and pm to take a small bite out of it. I've been working on the laundry/missing clothes room and think I just about have it covered. Been at it for a month, but your encouragement really helps. It's hard going thru your own stuff and having parents stuff on top of it. This has made me realize we don't want our kids to have to do the same thing. ❤ & 💋's Thank you so very much, eventually I'll be that freespirit.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Right? That baby was so smart 😂. Glad to have you here and cheering for you on your decluttering journey!

@doomsdaykingdom86 4 ай бұрын

Gosh .. I started crying like 2 mins in. I lost so many people that I loved by the time I was 23. Some by death, alcohol and drug use, and some that had to leave that said person that was doing the said alcohol and drugs. My world today hasn't recovered and it is still small decades later. I am so sorry that this happens to some of us & that it happened to you as well. I am sorry, but I hope my comment isn't out out of line. It just broke my heart for you. I empathized with your story. ❤

@ellielizhavenofbless945 5 ай бұрын

Black out is a very normal thing for someone who has been traumatized. A lot of my teens i have periods of "blackouts" and still to this day, i have had parts of my adulthood blacked out too. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

@LittleGirlLost 5 ай бұрын

The old Disney cartoons from maybe back in the ‘50s - one of them where cars are real and have emotions. Growing up in the ‘80s, those were still on re-run on TV. They traumatized me regarding objects/things.

@catherinevalentine2986 5 ай бұрын

Brave Little Toaster! I don't even remember it that well, but every time I see an image of it it fills me with dread. I don't even understand why.

@Cat-ik1wo 5 ай бұрын

I been decluttering for several years. That work is never done. Simply because it does take time to peel the layers of why you are not letting go. And, the pull of consumerism is strong. The mindset has to be developed. I realize Christmas is my weakness. Not happy about it. Its like a drug. So, this year, knowing that. I made a deal with myself. I will only decorate for Christmas. I will enjoy the Euphoria. I will have a very clear canvass in my home the rest of the year, I can enjoy the excess, but only for that season. However. The decor I chose will be meaningful and intentional and not over board.

@softsophisticate 5 ай бұрын

I have only 2 Christmas decorations - a lovely ceramic church and a red embroidered cushion, plus some red ribbon. I then went out to the woods and got holly and ivy and draped it over mirrors and lanterns and tie the red ribbons onto it into bows. I dot a few of the nicer christmas cards I had received around and hang the rest up on the wall. Together with a few strategically placed candles, my home looks festive. We really don't need to keep many decorations all year round only to be used for a few weeks.

@findingaway5512 5 ай бұрын

A lot of us mom's feel like why can't we do it when every one else can..... But every mom is struggling in some area. I had an OCD mom friend tell me it was exhausting having to make sure her kitchen was clean and house was picked up before she could go to sleep because she couldn't ignore it and she wished she could. I was on the other side of things where I often was clutter blind or too overwhelmed to deal with things but also would be okay with it or not see it build up until I did and it was too much.

@annabelsmart5305 5 ай бұрын

It was Ned The Lonely Donkey that got to me when I was about six! Ladybird books.

@ellenradford8582 5 ай бұрын

As an operating room nurse, what is said in the OR, stays in the OR

@christinequintana881 5 ай бұрын

Yes. All of those cartoons haunt me when letting go of childhood items!

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

You are not alone! 😅

@chelliebean5773 5 ай бұрын

I can't believe that I am hearing this. Hearing you describe your situation is like hearing my own voice and feelings. Because this happened to me, it was so bad that I hated getting phone calls because it was bad news. When I lost my grandmother, who raised me but was my rock and my best friend. For a year I felt like a walking shell of a person, I was no longer alive, like you said putting on a mask and then at the end of the day just empty, not sleeping. Then it was back to back deep losses, then my Dad getting terminally sick and being a caregiver throughout his 8 year ordeal. My life of being organized to a fault fell into one of disorder that i am still fighting my way to decluttering. Retail therapy and eating was my treatment. I am currently fight my way back to not only being healthy mentally and physically, but getting rid of the clutter. Between prayer, good family and friends, and seeing these videos helps so much.

@AtoZenLife 5 ай бұрын

Sending hugs your way and wishing you the best on your healing journey! 🙏