Whole House Declutter | Swedish Death Cleaning Part 2

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10 ай бұрын

Part 2 of my Swedish Death Cleaning is NOT the video I was expecting to bring you but it is very real and very much the truth. Today I'm making some observations about this process as I declutter my whole house. I have learned so much about myself and about how and why I have been holding on to so much stuff. Time to let it go!
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Пікірлер: 199

@cori4872 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, Jen! It's that idea of toxic clutter. My mom can't throw anything away and her house is full of clutter everywhere. This has made me the opposite and I have no problem getting rid of things. It brings me peace to not have clutter everywhere. And if you don't make those decisions now, there will come a point where you won't be able to physically, then you're trapped. That's how my mom is now and I don't want that.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

This. Absolutely true!!

@lcflngn 10 ай бұрын

My mom is very much the same, probably worse than most. However, I’m also a mess. The common areas of the house can be cleaned and are pretty. But closets - not to mention the two kids’ rooms (they moved out, again & finally, last summer just as I retired - and did they take all their stuff? Of course not!) and egads the garage. It’s going to be a lot. Thanks for the motivation Jen, it’s great to see & feel the truth of the process.

@midlife_minimalist 10 ай бұрын

My mom is the same. I get so much anxiety when I visit and always come home and look for things I can get rid of to compensate.

@donnav 10 ай бұрын

@@midlife_minimalist I am in the same situation with my parents. They have moved twice in the last year and still carry the burden of too much stuff

@cjhoward409 8 ай бұрын

My mom was a “saver”. She was very cluttery. No garbage. And the house was clean but she had TOO much stuff. After she died 7 years ago, my dad said to us grown kids and grand kids, so what you want. He put post it notes on things he wanted to keep and the rest went away. We had 1 big yard sale, and the rest went to our local resale shop. So, my dad kept a about 10-15% of the stuff. He said he would’ve felt overwhelmed had it not been for his kid and grandkids to help make decisions. But it was daunting. I too don’t want to leave that to my kids and grandkids so, we’ve been slowly scaling back. I’m 57 and I’m tired of cleaning around the stuff ! Ugh !

@birdlady88 10 ай бұрын

Giving yourself permission to not be the person you used to be is just brilliant, and exactly what I needed to hear. You know, I was really into astronomy as a kid, and my husband bought me a telescope I asked for back when we were dating. I've lugged that thing (and its giant tripod) to 2 houses and several apartments without ever looking through it. My life has changed 9 million percent since that was purchased, and I think it's time to sell it. One neat trick I learned for saying goodbye to some of the more sentimental items in my life is to take pictures of them before donating, selling, or tossing. That way, I can go back and look at them without having to make room for them in physical form.

@peachpiano 8 ай бұрын

“One collection point” really resonated. I procrastinate , wanting to find the right place to hand something on. Nuts.

@nolanboys 10 ай бұрын

We started Swedish death cleaning this year. Already tackled the kitchen, basement, garage, linen closets and bathrooms. It is so freeing. And I agree - finding myself not wanting to buy things, and that’s even more freeing.

@alanbirkner1958 7 ай бұрын

I've given art books to my Daughter-in-law or my daughter's friend. Art supplies go to a local seniors' group. Clothes go to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Towels and blankets go to the animal shelter. I'm getting rid of 25 items each day. It feels great. Tina, Al's wife

@lcflngn 10 ай бұрын

Recalling one of my fave writers, Miss Manners. She said, “That’s what memories are for.” I think it was to do with madly taking photos of everything, though that was back in the film camera days. So that’s dated, but maybe it applies to now, and “stuff” even more. Thought. I have my dad’s baby clothes, mostly decaying (so so cute, but now almost 85 yrs old) in a box. Perhaps if I take photos of them, I can release them…

@Ripplesinthewaters 10 ай бұрын

I never thought of my decluttering as Swedish Death Cleaning, but while listening to your story, it’s apparent that it’s what I’m doing. 7 years ago, we had a cute little Craftsman with a garage building the same size as the house. And both buildings were full of stuff! I was embarrassed! We sold that house to get my son medical treatment (he’s a happy 15 year old now) and I got rid of over 60% of our belongings. In our first rental house, I continued the purge with the goal of allowing my daughter, who is now 20, to park her new car in the garage. Now, in our second rental (hoping to be our final before we buy again within three years), our garage is big enough for the shelves of stuff that is left to go through. I’m going through one box at a time and it feels like I’m finally getting somewhere. Thank you for this video. :)

@priscillajacko7577 10 ай бұрын

I really liked the concept of releasing stuff that is no longer me! I did that today by sorting through so much jewelry from my previous self when I had to dress up for work every day. Now retired I don’t need 30 pairs of earrings and necklaces I wear 2 or 3 only and they are much simpler in style

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

It’s hard but also so wonderful to accept and embrace our lives now. Thanks for watching!

@katherinec7698 9 ай бұрын

Don Aslett, I haven’t heard that name in years. His book Is There Life After Housework is great! 🙂

@CreatingSelfCarePlans 10 ай бұрын

“I am not a crazy person … -ish.” 😂

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I mean . . . truth in advertising. LOL

@suksma108 10 ай бұрын

That was good !😂

@CreatingSelfCarePlans 10 ай бұрын

@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge lol and that’s why we love your videos. Always telling it like it is. 😄

@nurseloco2003 10 ай бұрын

@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge😂

@blesskittens4484 10 ай бұрын

I used to tackle things all at once! There’s nothing more daunting, emotional and exhausting as doing that. In the last few years, I’ve started to purge areas little by little. I’ve started to clean my house that way too. Gone are the days of torturing myself with a 16 hour day of cleaning and purging. Much healthier approach. Thanks Jen!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I used to be the same - older and wiser now!

@katia.luna213 10 ай бұрын

I'm 35 and have been decluttering over and over again (plenty of moves as well) since I was 20. I've had an apartment full of stuff. I've also only had luggage to live off of. These days, I've got a few pieces of furniture (moved in with the boyfriend), everyday clothing in a small drawer set including bathroom items, the bookcase is full of things and shoes, my desk doubles as a vanity, and my cube storage has books, linens, and random items. Winter clothing is in a carry on backpack. That's all I have. I can upgrade what I wear. I can buy the rest of my favorite book series. I don't need anything, and it feels good. If something were to happen to me (I have depression and bad physical health), God forbid, my family wouldn't have to deal with deciding on much. I have two gallon-ish bags of mementos: one for stuffed animals/cat beanie babies..sans my teddy bear lol, and then one for ALL cards and pictures and such. It's freeing and it's worth it. Get out and make memories instead of keeping stuff! 💜💜

@EmOrganizer 10 ай бұрын

Great comment and take care of yourself and your loved ones!

@Victoria-kl7su 8 ай бұрын

I really loved this idea of a little bit at a time - I actually grabbed a drawer of underwear that has been bugging me for ages and got cracking on sorting it as soon as I was half way through this video, as it felt manageable - Thank you - you may have just saved me years more of stress from the overwhelm of feeling the need to get it all done, yesterday. I’m 48 so hopefully I do not need to have gotten it all done yesterday - small, slow progress is still progress - we need to remember that

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 8 ай бұрын

Yes this exactly!!

@64mommy 5 ай бұрын

I used to watch hoarders show to get motivated to declutter

@MJohannaS89 10 ай бұрын

Wonderful video, thank you for mentioning that it is ok to donate/gift what you can within your limits. I am the “Marie Kondo”(sometimes militant minimalist, rejecting growing up in a hoarder household) of our friend group and have spent multiple days with friends cleaning out their apartment after the arrival of their new baby, or helping a mild hoarder move, and it is so important to realize your own limitations on effort, or as I like to call it “where good intentions go to die”. If you haven’t donated those old markers to an in-need school, or the blankets to an animal shelter, that is ok, it doesn’t mean you personally need to hold on to them. It is ok to admit I will never climb Everest, and it is ok to admit I’m not spending the mental effort to think out who would most need my stuff and get it to them. It is beautiful that you talked about letting things go that were part of the person you were that are no longer contributing to the person you have become

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

What a lovely comment! Thank you.

@jennyjenkins877 10 ай бұрын

I enjoyed the term "militant minimalist" and your analogy to climbing Everest; some have the time and energy and desire to go the extra mile but it's okay if you don't.

@pucheumaureen1487 6 ай бұрын

Hello from Paris, France. I have just come across your channel and I liked your personality and your approach. I have been struggling for years to get rid of things that NO LONGER serve me. You now have a new follower. Maureen

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 6 ай бұрын

Bonjour, Marie and welcome!! So glad you’re here!

@lisamintzer4516 10 ай бұрын

This video really resonated with me. I am a fairly new empty nester, and I'm struggling with giving away my kids' things (more so than my own). I did a huge toy clean out last December while my younger son was home from college. I needed him to help me make the decisions (both for emotional support and because there was stuff he wasn't ready to part with--which was totally okay). We donated 2 car loads to a friend who is a social worker in a school with many underprivileged children and recent immigrants. I have spoken to people who have kept toys, books, etc. for their grandkids, and I hesitate to give away too much--but realize I don't need to keep as much as I have. Next step--taking a few bins of baby clothes that I still have and having a memory quilt made. The rest needs to go. What I'm not ready for: parting with their artwork, special school projects, certificates, etc. So I guess it's good to hear "You have time." In the back of my head, I worry about someday inheriting whole rooms full from my aging parents. Both have large houses and some nice/special items.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Starting early gives us that luxury! Love that.❤️

@susanoline5823 7 ай бұрын

You are the first declutterer to mention Don Aslett. His book started me on this so far 25 year old decluttering journey. He changed my life. Clutter's Last Stand.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 7 ай бұрын

Bizarrely, I used to check his books out of the library when I was a kid!

@marlenebowers7181 6 ай бұрын

I think I read that. Lifelong declutter here.

@nancyravenel915 5 ай бұрын

Habitat is truly a charity but alas in my area they don’t accept clothes.😢 clutters last stand was cutting edge! So funny and profound. Thanks for sharing.

@nancyadams9228 8 ай бұрын

I started getting up really early and devoting a few hours to cleaning out. Don Aslet was an old favorite… and the guys on the Goodwill dock do know me by name!

@CeeBee-outdoors 10 ай бұрын

This is great - “release the me that needed that”. I love this idea!

@ElizabethH1231 10 ай бұрын

This could not have been a more timely video! I've been using this approach to clear out our home of 20 years over the last several months - in fact, this morning before 9:00 a.m. I had gathered enough stuff for donations to fill the back of my Subaru outback! I appreciate the points you made, as they really speak to me at this time in my life. My son is grown, our dog passed away, and it just seems time to let go of things that tie me to the past - as you said, those memories live in my mind and I don't need to drag the physical reminders with me for the rest of my life! Love the content, as always. Take care ❤

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

thank you so much, Elizabeth and YES I just wasn't ready before but now I absolutely am. Can't tell you exactly what did it but I'm glad for the motivation! Good luck as you continue your journey!

@middlebunny 10 ай бұрын

Thank you. I find your videos on travel, luggage and decluttering very comforting. Watching them de-stresses me. Your explanation of Swedish Death Cleaning took away all the fear I had of tackling it. Now, I know that I can just declutter in little free-time blocks instead of devoting days, weeks or months to it.

@lcflngn 10 ай бұрын

Yrs ago (when we bought books & read them lol) when I would tackle a few boxes or move a bookcase, I would come across a book I have long owned called “How to Declutter.” Inevitably at the bottom of the pile. (Hi again book! Omg) This method, and the focus behind it, seems so much more intelligent than what I’ve tried before. Not to mention, time of life! Just turned 60 & recently retired, if now is not the time, when is? I have so much I can’t see needing or using again - honestly much of it given to me or inherited! Oh my, so much stuff just has to go. Thx for the motivation Jen! 🤗

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Oh the irony LOL

@PiNkSpRinkLe1 4 ай бұрын

I agree with most of your observations. Its a long process. Your feelings change as you go along. Its good to get rid of that old stuff. I threw out my 8th grade yearbook, from 50 years ago! I am now cutthroat about the purging. Your style changes, your hobbies change, your priorities change, so go with the flow. However, Goodwill is not the best outlet if you want your items to get USED, especially clothing. Most of the clothing donated gets sent to make rags. However, if your mindset is, "that is trash to me, anyway," then its an OK option. I opt for the local community resale shop because I see my donated items displayed on my next visit. I know they are getting used, and sold, instead of trashed. I have never seen anything I donated in the Goodwill, for sale, ever, in 30 years. They get so much donated that they feel free to trash at will. That is why you find entire closed bags of donations at the Goodwill bins outlets.

@karlarowland-woods7446 4 ай бұрын

I’ve been Swedish Death Cleaning slowly but consistently for about 2 years now. I’ve definitely felt that sense of relief that letting go of things without guilt brings and it’s invigorating! While I watched this video I cleaned out a kitchen cabinet and purged 3 huge beer growlers my husband got during the 2020 Covid lockdown but hasn’t used since ! I love supporting a small local brewery during a very difficult time for us all, but man does it feel good knowing those will be returned (and reused endlessly!) and having freed up space in my cabinet as well!!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 4 ай бұрын

Great job!!

@ThestuffthatSaralikes Ай бұрын

I am a “collector of things that make me smile” And A LOT of things make me smile. I also “save/rescue” old things from out in the world. I hate seeing a beautiful, still useful piece going to the dump. I will take it and make use of it. Or I’ll save it for when I DO need it. But it’s getting a lil outta control. So yeah, this is gonna be my day. Wish me luck.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge Ай бұрын

I am sending you all my love and a big cheer from my kitchen. I hope you can feel and hear it! Baby steps!

@edennis8578 Ай бұрын

I hear you! I'm exactly the same way, with exactly the same problem. I now have what my mom called the screaming meemees with all of this (beautiful) stuff! I have fantasies lately of throwing 90% out, but when it comes to deciding what goes, I haven't been able to part with that much. I'm trying to purge about 10%. I think I can do that. My hope is that I'll keep purging 10% over and over again!

@kaylaandmarkalan 10 ай бұрын

100%!!! We’ve done whole house purges (as we like to call them) and they can be very daunting. I agree that making one place your choice of donations makes it a lot more manageable than having to run all over everywhere and take an entire day to do it.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I mean i love the intention there but the o my plan that will never work is the one I won’t do 😜

@tamarap387 9 ай бұрын

I did a while back let go of an item (a garden pump sprayer) because it was just in the way and I wasn't using it or didn't see a need for it any time soon. Well, it unfortunately was one of those items I ended up needing, so I sort of regretted getting rid of it UNTIL I asked around and was able to BORROW someone's sprayer. Made me realize that hanging onto things for that 'just in case'....is probably not all that necessary...especially if you can just borrow from someone anyway!

@josmilefacejo7598 10 ай бұрын

I read Don Aslett as a kid. 😂

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

That’s when I started as well which says a lot about us both as those weren’t kids books but I found them fascinating!

@wendajones9040 10 ай бұрын

The original Swedish book: ”Döstädning: ingen sorglig historia” meaning: ”Death cleaning: not a sad story”.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

LOVE the Swedish Title! Thank you for sharing that!

@Crazychickenlady-yd3kn 10 ай бұрын

I totally agree! I don’t have time to run around all over town. Just pick a place and get it gone!! Good job.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Yes! Glad you agree!

@lizwright8613 10 ай бұрын

I'm so happy to see this, and to hear about the anti-consumerist effects of the process.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I truly under-estimated that but it's been very helpful in curbing my buying habits!

@JoanneWhitlock 10 ай бұрын

I found the Swedish death cleaning idea was a switch up in thinking too. The question of who is better to decide on something, me or my family, really focused my mind.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Yes exactly! Game changing mind shift

@marlenebowers7181 6 ай бұрын

VERY good point!

@kirakrall4145 10 ай бұрын

7:46 🥺 i struggle with this so hard but you're right- we have to make space for the current version of us

@themissbrandi1279 10 ай бұрын

Thank you. I needed this video. I have so many things I’ve wanted to purge, but the thing that keeps me from starting is knowing I can’t get it all done within a specific time frame. The idea of grabbing time when I can makes it feel more manageable. Also letting go of past versions of myself will make it easier to get rid of collectibles and knick knacks.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you found it helpful!

@lizwright8613 10 ай бұрын

Rewatching while I'm putting away laundry, and you mentioned that you love that people watch your videos while decluttering. Just wanted to let you know that I do that all the time! You have a great vibe to "hang out with" while working.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Love that! Thank you for watching!

@ginaperez1804 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video it’s so hard after someone dies to get rid of all their stuff you just don’t got the time for all that. I think once I end up retired I will for sure start.

@theMermaidRhonda 27 күн бұрын

Swedish death cleaning is the best thing I ever came across! I tried the Konmarie method and all it did was overwhelm me. SDC has made it so easy to let things go! I don't know what it is, but it takes the guilt out of it. I'm looking at my stuff in a totally different way and I've let so much go. Just today, my husband and I took a garbage bag of stuff from our kitchen, a box full of stuff, and a huge bag of clothes to Goodwill. I was smiling as I drove away, knowing it will all hopefully be able to find better places with someone who needs it and I no longer have to worry about it. :)

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 27 күн бұрын

Shifting from it being a one time or several weeks project to being a lifestyle approach has radically helped me! I'm so glad you resonated with it, too!

@lorraineloomis2959 10 ай бұрын

You are absolutely correct, it is wonderful to feel liberated from your stuff. In my years long journey I have decluttered 95% of my belongings and have never regretted a single item. You are doing a great job. I knew we lived in the same area but we must donate at the same Goodwill because I recognized the drive thru area. I too make many drop offs.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Oh I love that! Aren’t they lovely there?!

@lorraineloomis2959 10 ай бұрын

@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforgeYes they are lovely. I try to spread the wealth around and donate at different ones. But this one is my go to lately.

@gwenellison5386 9 ай бұрын

Loved this video! I agree that Konmari is too much to attempt for a whole house, but I have found that decluttering some things in categories has worked better for me than just clearing areas. I sort of combined the Konmari method with the onion method and also broke it down into chunks. Like with my clothing. I did small category by small category within the big clothing category and it helped to not have to make so many decisions at once. I have gone through my clothes several times now and really narrowed down what I have. Books was one where Konmari helped me a lot. I had two bookcases full of books in my living room, and a bookcase full in my bedroom. Bringing everything out to the front room helped me see the excess and now I only have one narrow bookcase of books and that's it. We had a similar situation to you, where my parents died young and we had all of our stuff plus theirs, plus my grandparents stuff and it was an unholy chaotic mess. It took me three years to declutter it all. But now I live in a tidy, decluttered place and am grateful I held on and completed what I started. Thank you for your channel. I just found you today and am excited to watch more of your content. =)

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 9 ай бұрын

Amazing! So glad you found my channel!

@andreaza4986 10 ай бұрын

I agree on the taking the stuff to one place...keep it moving.

@careyanglemyer4893 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for detailing how to breakdown the Death Cleaning into small tasks. The importance of doing what you can & to not rush the process is so efficient to reach the end goal. Happy day!

@nancylima8711 10 ай бұрын

I totally agree! This is a much gentler method, and you have a much more personal goal which is to not leave the crap for someone else to get rid of! Thank you for sharing.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Yes, having the focus be on how it will affect my kids has really. helped!

@gaylene21 10 ай бұрын

Wow! When you talked about releasing your Disney memorabilia that really struck a chord with me. I have boxes of that stuff in my basement and I am not the person I was when I needed it and I need to pass it on.

@annellis8412 10 ай бұрын

I love that you refer to past versions of ourselves. You are so right! We are different people now and in different phases. The biggest obstacle for me is thinking about how much money I spent on collectibles, household items, decor, clothes and shoes. I have to tell myself it's okay to get rid of it and perhaps someone else can use these items.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I heard the best thing on that recently! She said holding on to the item doesn’t bring the money back. I found that so helpful.

@BecomingVT 10 ай бұрын

You’re spot on, all you need to do is find the time, or make the time to do this, and gosh look what you did in one hour! Bravo my dear friend!! (And I love that goodwill knows you by name!)❤❤

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

They are my people now 😂🤗❤️

@malihagarden7062 10 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree with you about picking one place that will take all my donations. ❤

@malihagarden7062 10 ай бұрын

I also prefer the relatively slow and gentle method of Swedish Death Cleaning. 😊

@rhondalockrey9592 10 ай бұрын

I love seeing your decluttering videos it helps motivate me. We plan to move & downsize. In the last year I have started the purge there has been many trips to goodwill selling items on FB marketplace & hired 1 dumpster. We have more to go but I am so glad I started, I will never have this much stuff ever again. I do have times I don't do much but then I have times of really getting back on track so progress in a year has been made. It does chance your thinking in bringing in items to the home.

@allisonhorton330 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for making such a major project feel doable, Jen. I am reminded of one of my all-time fav videos of yours, "One Box Wednesday" - which I happily practice. It is the perfect intro to the bigger Swedish Death Cleaning idea, so I thank you for making the next step feel possible!

@nata3467 5 ай бұрын

My son already has indicated what he wants. My goal now is to no buy clothes, books, sports gear , furniture etc until I retire. I can not wait to get rid of about 75% of my items and downsize and consolidate

@jamieomalley8321 10 ай бұрын

Not only do I watch your cleaning videos when I'm also cleaning, but I watch them while I'm working from home - you're like a body double! I always get more done when I have my bestie Jen playing in the background 😜

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Oh my I love this so much - thank you!!

@katherineelizabethco 4 ай бұрын

I wish I had found your video before I was forced to do “ the Swedish Death Cleaning “. We were relocating to Florida. The movers were booked. Unfortunately the movers had the wrong date. We were forced to get our big house full of collections and things of value on a sentimental level moved out in exactly one week. It was traumatic. Way, way too fast. I’m still grieving all of my collections and photograph albums. Yes, though, as you said I have the memories of these things in my mind. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I think your method would have been perfect for me. I know your video is going to help a lot of people to avoid what happened to me

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 4 ай бұрын

I'm so sorry that happened to you. Just reading the comment it feels traumatic almost like a fire or a flood (both of which I know first hand can be devastating). Thank you for your kind words!

@sharonlockwood1825 10 ай бұрын

I feel like your decluttering twin! We have had such a similar journey and now I get it too. It’s finally so much easier to let things go. And the onion analogy is so true. Just found you and subscribing.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and seriously once it clicked it clicked!

@nancybrody5896 10 ай бұрын

Doing the konmare method is over whelming it took me 8 years to declutter. It’s not a weekend project it’s a process. Now I know if I have to leave my home for some reason I would be able pack up in 3 days.

@heartquaked 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for inspiring me to declutter today! I finally parted with 2 candles I recently purchased but hated the smell of. Now I’ve put out 2 other candles I love and enjoy lighting. I’m silly sometimes. 😂 btw, you are so pretty!!

@renee4495 10 ай бұрын

This video was very, very insightful and inspirational. Thank you so much!!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Oh I’m so glad! Thank you for your kind words!

@kariadiana 3 ай бұрын

In Portugal there are charities containers in almost all neighborhoods for clothes, toys and so on. Furnitures, carpets and others you can just put it in front of your house and call the city hall to send a truck to pick those. Normally, before the truck is coming, someone who needs those already took it. A real blessing...

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 3 ай бұрын

I love that. Fantastic way to help the community and help those getting rid of stuff!

@lleocttx2326 8 ай бұрын

What a wise, thoughtful and humane approach! No gimmicks, trendiness, or X-ism to espouse. And, agreed, konmarie method is as cruel and hurtful as break-in trashing your house and taking your possessions away from you. Thank you

@edennis8578 Ай бұрын

The konmarie method isn't supposed to be like that. It's mainly for people who accumulate stuff that they don't particularly care about. Maybe they have a shopping addiction, or take in every free thing they get given to them, or they inherited a bunch of stuff that they'll never use and don't want. Marie states that she expects the process to take 6 months. It isn't instant. You aren't supposed to be left feeling like the victim of a burglary.

@janetmaniex2077 28 күн бұрын

A huge thank you to you Jen!! That was so helpful and exactly what I needed to hear.❤

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 28 күн бұрын

I love reading that!!! Thank you!

@user-rd5hp7xf1c 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this. I found I was much more successful with the Swedish Death Cleaning book than any other guide out there. It's a slow process but I can see I really have changed from the shopper I used to be. I wish I could get the money back I wasted on Stuff!

@bevfleming8649 6 ай бұрын

I am currently in week 3 of SDC and my house is a wreck, BUT I know it will be worth it in the end! I was getting a little overwhelmed and took a break to watch your videos. Honestly, seeing you go through the same emotions and struggles makes me feel so much better. It took me months to go through my great aunt’s things when she passed away and I don’t want my kids to have to go through that same experience. I am so grateful to this at 50 as well so that I can live in a more peaceful place for the rest of my life. Thank you for sharing!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 6 ай бұрын

That's the goal for me as well - more peace!!!

@mstawksalot5141 6 ай бұрын

I can relate to every thing you say! Thank you, thank you. I have started but it is a LIFETIME project.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 6 ай бұрын

It absolutely is! Thanks for your comment!

@kcjd8659 23 күн бұрын

I’m watching your declutterring video while I declutter! 🙋‍♀️

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 23 күн бұрын

I love reading that!!!!

@patriciadale6734 10 ай бұрын

I have two shops that I made donations to. I will not donate to Goodwill. I've had some really bad experiences with Goodwill.

@dianebalinski3390 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! Just the inspiration I needed this morning!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I'm so glad! That's what I was hoping for!

@cinderellalands8030 10 ай бұрын

Goodwill is my go to drop off donation place. I agree with you I just don’t have time to go all over the place Thank you for your sensible approach to decluttering This is helpful to me

@libbykat3958 8 ай бұрын

A very uplifting video, thank you.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 8 ай бұрын

You are so welcome

@susana.2631 10 ай бұрын

Can’t thank you enough for this video! I haven’t done anything yet, but at least I’m starting to pull together a plan. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who needs to declutter. 😁

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

You are so welcome. Knowing I was bringing it to you all really motivated me so I'm glad you found it helpful!

@bretaskinner3143 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing and congrats on making such great headway! We've been in our house 33 years. Very easy to "collect" stuff. Then there is my late parent's house and Grandpa's house down the road, and outbuildings with old farming stuff in rural Iowa. I live in CO, so I need to check with siblings as to what are we going to do. 😬 Too easy to just ignore.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

And the task won’t get easier over time - it’s a lot!

@valerie1723 5 ай бұрын

I have just found your video. Ive just batch cooked and comtemplating the bedroom that is like Narnia. You have totally inspired me. SDC allows kindness to yourself. I have already started this week and have found that immediately donating stuff is the best way of letting go. My local Hospice charity shop is a few minutes drive and I think they appreciate getting smaller frequent bags. They even take articles that are only suitable for "rags" so I take bags of clean unsellable stuff tagged as rags that they weigh in for cash. Better than land fill. Do count me as a new subsciber.x From wet and windy Uk

@user-wq3yk1ox5w 6 ай бұрын

Somebody I can finally relate to. We can get very and extremely into hoarding Hoarder Videos. On one level they can motivate you and on another level they can have you second guessing yourself. There are days I feel I’m achieving and on other days I feel I’m putting extreme pressure on myself. So much more to this. I’m just taking the Christmas break to hibernate and organise. Much of what you say I have already considered and change methods constantly.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 6 ай бұрын

More to come in this topic very soon!!

@Benasboysandgirl 10 ай бұрын

Wow! Decluttering with a such an impact on lifestyle! Sounds so good. I’d definitely need to start small…

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Seriously a drawer. A shelf. It’s so satisfying and smaller steps are definitely the way to go!

@Chrissyhappy 10 ай бұрын

Here after seeing you with Adam 😊. Enjoyed this. Thank you.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Welcome and thank you!!!!

@danieloneil1101 8 ай бұрын

Jen, thank you for sharing this journey with us. We are contemporaries and I face a similar challenge of having decades of things to go through. I’ve been through several decluttering attempts over the years (starting when I was a teenager) and in some ways, this feels like a lifelong journey. Has traveling boosted your motivation to take on this work? I went on a lengthy overseas trip this summer, and I was so proud of being on team carry-on and having all my things so carefully organized in packing cubes, etc. I was in and out of so many hotels and it was a breeze. Then I came home to a hopelessly overflowing dresser and closet and it has snapped me into action. While I certainly need more clothing year-round than what I took on that trip (for one thing, we have four seasons here), I wager that 70-80% of the clothing I have now with will be hitting the discard pile. Do you find that being so focused on packing minimally for trips has also caused you to think more critically what you actually need in your home for joyful living?

@danieloneil1101 8 ай бұрын

Also, thank you for keeping your death cleaning videos real. I appreciated your talking about feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, like people were coming in at night and stashing more things in your house, that it could be emotional, that you had no idea what to do with the loose spools of thread and lone shoelaces, etc. I love that you talked about carving out bits of time to work on this on a regular basis-it’s definitely a marathon, not a sprint.

@celesteg1088 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! You are very inspirational!

@barbaraclark9423 10 ай бұрын

I also follow the Minimalist Mom and she too has great ideas. If you get bogged down on an item have a “decide later” bin and keep moving along. So far two trips to my Good Will and 10 tall kitchen trash bags. “Kids” have a memory bin to go through when home next.

@debbiejamison101 20 күн бұрын

I’m decluttering! Thank you for the inspiration!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 20 күн бұрын

I'm so glad to do so! Thank you for your kind words!

@n8vtxn935 4 ай бұрын

If someone is having a hard time letting go of a sentimental item, take a photo! You will have the image to look at if you need to and it takes up way less space. Start an album of pictures if you need to, you could even make a scrapbook and write the story next to it. This can allow one to empty an entire closet and have a nice coffee table book instead... If other family members want it when you perish, the memory can be handed down without them worrying where to put it!

@majorhollingshead5906 10 ай бұрын

Great work. 😘❤️

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

I don't know, Major, still feels like there's so much to do but YES we've definitely made a dent or five.

@TheVideoGamesHistorian 5 ай бұрын

I got rid of cupboards as it means I cannot stuff in them . We do still have drawers in our bedroom and kitchen but they are decluttered on a regular basis .

@mmaples4203 9 ай бұрын

loved this video... I am into doing this! my car goes on auto pilot up to Goodwill- thanks for stating that taking different things to different charities is non productive unless the place is really close to you.

@Handsoflight7766 4 ай бұрын

Most weeks I have a full bag of stuff I find going into each room… today I found an old piggy bank I got from a coworker 15 years ago… no special memory and it was full of pennies which we don’t use in Canada anymore so gone, put the Pennie’s in my old Pennie’s jar, a top I’ve worn once or twice but it’s not comfy gone, a plastic cereal or grains holder but I’m keto now so gone, il e limited quantities by getting a few bins for canned goods or oils, vinegars etc…. Also makes cleaning shelves in pantry easier. I saw that I have 7 pairs of winter tights which is ridiculous as I rarely wear them…gone. I do fold my clothes like Marie Kondo though as it keeps my inventory limited. A trick to get rid of clothes is every season I put seasonal clothes up front in my closet but I put the hook on backwards so then when I wear them and wash them they go back on forward so at the end of the season you can clearly see what you haven’t worn and I send them to the home will tell closet in another room. If they are still there after the following year they are gone. Another rule is one in, one out so if I buy a blouse I get rid of one etc.

@bonnieinthespirit6373 8 ай бұрын

I agree with you. One place drop off.

@lenorelopez748 9 ай бұрын

Totally enjoyed every minute of this video. We could be twins!

@lovestodive1879 10 ай бұрын

I don't call it Swedish Death Cleaning but I'm always going through little sections of my house and getting rid of things. I think I've done our master closet at least 4 times in the last two years. We moved into our house about 20 years ago and had gotten rid of just about everything before we moved, now we have 20 years of junk built up. The hard part is getting rid of the joint things. We had a huge leak in our basement that happened to be in the closet we stored our scuba gear in. By the time we found the leak everything that was stored in soft sided suitcases was moldy. We threw those in the truck and took them to the dump. We still have at least 4 huge tubs full of gear, a hanging rack with wet suits and other gear and tanks, etc. We know we are no longer going to go diving. At first we had everything out of the closet and in the open space in the basement. I thought this would get hubby motivated to get rid of it since his office it there. I went down one day and it had all been put back in the closet. When I asked why we didn't just either dump it or take it to our local dive shop and let them go through it, he said he wanted to go through it. Why? Who knows.

@bobbinwithbrittany 10 ай бұрын

For me decluttering is always a chain reaction. I haven’t been able to put object X away because object Y is in its spot because object Z is in the spot Y should be and so on.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

It can feel like a never ending cycle!

@normasubia6807 5 ай бұрын

Yes take it all to Goodwill you will not regret it!!!❤

@susanriley264 5 ай бұрын

My husband always says to me when I'm cleaning: "I see you've got your shoving stick" hahahaha, nice to know that someone else shoves everything in a draw or a cupboard to keep the outside clean.

@taffypc0072 10 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

You're welcome 😊

@chrisgabel8498 10 ай бұрын

Onion. Never thought of it like that but it’s perfect

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 10 ай бұрын

Thanks, Chris!

@64mommy 5 ай бұрын

I have boxes of photos and documents from my cousin and my uncle. They had no children. I went through all and threw away loads not needed nor wanted by anyone. Then I sorted photos by person(s). Next will ship to relatives or toss

@more5347 4 ай бұрын

I don't think I've owned that much makeup/cosmetics in my entire lifetime and I'm 66!

@anitasmith7764 7 ай бұрын

See if I know I have all that time, I’ll put it off. 😂

@filausopoako 5 ай бұрын

Agree declutterring can be emotional

@cathyholt5215 8 ай бұрын

Oh you hit every single bullet point. I'm on year 2!!

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 8 ай бұрын

I LOVE that it's not a fast process and is more of a mindset shift than a weekend flury!

@susan5661 5 ай бұрын

I had to look up D23 membership 😂

@user-vp8xq2by3b 10 ай бұрын

I have given to Goodwill, and I shop at Goodwill. Just this week, I shopped for an hour at Goodwill and went to try on my potential purchases. Dressing Rooms are now closed!! No trying on. What? I felt so betrayed.

@SpeakTruthBeKind 9 ай бұрын

A couple of our Goodwills don’t have bathrooms available due to people doing drugs in them…a few ruin it for others. 😢

@edennis8578 Ай бұрын

@@SpeakTruthBeKindI didn't know that Goodwill ever had bathrooms. I've shopped at Goodwill for 30 years.

@edennis8578 Ай бұрын

I don't how they can sell anything without dressing rooms. If they only charge $1 per item I would take a chance, but not at what they charge these days.

@claudiapugay4619 10 ай бұрын

As a professional organizer, it makes me so happy when decluttering finally clicks with my clients! Congratulations on continuing on this journey. Decluttering and becoming organized takes time. Just keep at it.

@noemisolano4748 6 ай бұрын

I didn't know where to start with my clutter!! Slowly I started donating my clothes and shredding papers. My husband on the other hand can't let go of any clothing that he is not wearing and he doesn't shred any papers that can be shredded. Our home is completely cluttered with my husband's stuff!! I even went into Swedish Death cleaning because we were moving and to make space for items that my husband REFUSED to let go! My home is a cluttered mess!! Because my husband won't let anyone go. Let go of stuff that is just sitting around and taking up space in your home. I feel so much better and lighter because now I have less stuff. If I'm not doing anything at home, then I will relook through my papers and shred any papers that I don't need.

@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge 6 ай бұрын

At least you yourself are making progress! Getting rid of stuff, even if just your own, is a big win!