I FEEL that identity clutter in my blue frog collection. I started collecting when I was 11 and EVERYONE sees a "blue frog" ANYTHING as a perfect gift for me. I am 59 now. This past year I picked 4-5 blue frogs that I truly love and GAVE THE REST AWAY. Such freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@lisaryherd4593

Жыл бұрын

That’s a great idea!!

@Saforra99

Жыл бұрын

So impressive! Well done! (+ definitely freeing :D )

@sally-3830

Жыл бұрын

I did the same thing with my elephant collection. I kept less than 10. It wasn’t fun or visually pleasing anymore, they became a responsibility, chore & visual clutter. Congrats to us☺️

@Ikr2025

Жыл бұрын

This is why I would not start a collection of anything.

@lauriehanawalt1752

Жыл бұрын

Wow. That's incredible. Congratulations!!!

I think Identity Clutter is some of the hardest things to part with. It’s like giving up on a piece of your life, hopes and dreams. It has taken me a while to get past that.

@shelleykapp9637

Жыл бұрын

Me too.

@geniereyrey8282

Жыл бұрын

same here

@bellaluce7088

Жыл бұрын

Me too. Something that's really helped me is taking a photo of the item(s) so I still have a reminder of the good feelings without having to keep the actual object. Also keeping one item that stands in for a bunch of other ones, or even just a fabric swatch or a single page from a book (books are a renewable resource). Honoring the identity by framing/displaying one or a few representative objects also feels really good. ❤

@lindafayuant8208

Жыл бұрын

Do certain bug types tend to struggle with a specific type of clutter?

@shelleykapp9637

Жыл бұрын

@@lindafayuant8208 Excellent question. I hope Cas answers.

"Fantasy clutter" - now there are two words I never expected to see paired together and making perfect sense

My biggest struggle is fantasy clutter. In my mind I have all these great ideas and I buy all the things required but I run out of energy when it comes time to actually do it. Between working full time night shift, being a single parent, and dealing with Multiple Sclerosis I just can’t keep up.

@ElisiasEvolution

Жыл бұрын

I'm on my own with kids and I have MS, working too, turning off my phone has really helped, screentime can take up too much time!

@SN-sz7kw

Жыл бұрын

I think it’s ok to organize projects and pack them away for another season of my life. I bought some huge ziplock bags and a couple of boxes, separated the projects neatly into the bags, put them into the boxes, labelled them & tucked them out of the way. I know where to find them when life lightens up - perhaps years later. If not, or if I lose interest they’ll be easy to donate. Meanwhile they aren’t clutter & my mind is free of them. 💗

@PARoth2011

Жыл бұрын

For those of us with a chronic illness, fantasy clutter may be our way of opting, trying to be “other” than not healthy. It is our hope, our dream, our “healthy” self. I realized that having it hanging around in my face makes me feel the guilt that “I can’t do it ” but having my painting supplies neatly sorted and stored in a plastic bin on wheels under my bed gives me a great sense of calm as well as hope for when “I feel better, have the time and can be my true, creative self”.

@PARoth2011

Жыл бұрын

Oh boy, the identity clutter…that really hit home. I wasn’t aware of this psychological phenomena. I was an old mom at 40 and went through so much to be able to adopt my child and wow, just wow..I have held on to so much of her childhood and I have to declutter and downsize. My now nearly 30 year old doesn’t know why I have her childhood stuff because she’s not interested in seeing or having it. She lives in the now and I’m holding onto those past precious, precious moments of motherhood. Gees, that makes me want to cry. Ok..I can do this. Awareness is really powerful, thank you so much for telling us about these emotions tucked away in our subconscious.

@catlady9123

10 ай бұрын

I struggle with that, but to be fair my craft room is an absolute mess that I can't walk into so I have no ROOM to make it. I'm in the process of a very HEAVY handed declutter in there this week (it also doubles as a homeschool dumping ground of projects we may or may never do and my kids craft supplies). Heck, I haven't used my laptop in months because I can't access the desk. First corner I just finished clearing and I already have a full trash bag and a full donation bag. I'm keeping a few fantasy projects properly stored in a single cabinet and am giving myself 1 year to touch them or they're going too. Honestly I'm being very brutal in this decluttering, if it has no plan for it, it goes. Added bonus, is I have a huge selection of scrapbooking stuff that I just haven't touched in years, but my mom scrapbooks and she's visiting next month, I told her she may be going home with an extra suitcase as she's free to "shop" in my room 😂

"We're people-pleasing our junk." Wow - that really struck a chord with me. Thanks - I needed to hear that. 🥺

@kathleencrawford1331

Жыл бұрын

SAME!! Such a good line. Now, let's see if we can do the hard work to let it go 😬 I feel like I need to journal this out, then take a hard run 🏃‍♀️, first. I don't know how else to detangle my people-pleasing ways from those items. Some of them are huge pieces of furniture that will feel so good when it is gone!

@eclectic_housewife

Жыл бұрын

Same!

I struggle with all of the types of clutter. It occurred to me watching this video that old photographs of people who've passed away, even their photo albums full of people I never knew is guilty clutter. It feels almost disrespectful to get rid of photographs of memories that meant so much to them. I have to remind myself as I go through them that a functional space is important and I'm not hurting my mom by throwing away valentines she got as a child.

@emdewitt

Жыл бұрын

We had old chests full of pictures that had been handed down through multiple generations and none of us knew who these people were! We ended up donating the items to the local historical society.

@willowbark5649

Жыл бұрын

@@emdewitt Great idea! Thanks!

@deniseglines4780

Жыл бұрын

I know exactly how you feel.. I struggle with sentimental clutter.. my mom passed away in May of 2021. She was my best friend and I struggle as I go through pictures and cards and everything else. It does feel disrespectful I am slowly chipping away at it but it's so hard..

@elizabethhannah6836

Жыл бұрын

Yep, I get this one in a big way. It's as though we're throwing away the identity of our Mom, or whomever, by tossing their photos, and in many instances our moms are/were so important to us that it kind of feels wrong. That's my take on it anyway.

@willowbark5649

Жыл бұрын

@@elizabethhannah6836 My Mom is in a nursing home now, and I still can't get rid of the clothes she wore here at home. I just can't. It feels so disloyal, and I just feel like I'd be letting her down. She was also the photographer in the family, so I've inherited the family photos. Most of the albums are filled with our immediate family, but there are others filled with people I don't know...I guess the historical society is a good option 😟

Dear Cass I had an unexpected visitor today. He called less than 5 minutes before he arrived, and those 5 minutes were enough were enough for me to put away my "lazy clutter"!!! Thanks to you who taught me some method. I watch you adventures for a few years now. I'm so proud of my very acceptable home now. Thank you for all that and for your funny stories. 😁

@ittyfittykelly

Жыл бұрын

I’m so proud of you!!! 👏🏼 I’m proud of both of us!! 👏🏼 👏🏼 I’m proud of ALL OF US!! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

@jeanettelamb8633

10 ай бұрын

All of these clutters resonated with me! Thank you so much! This is a big help!

I just got rid of about 14 garbage bags of fantasy clutter. Whew! I'm a seamstress and I run a small business, but I had way too much fabric and I kept way too many scraps. Some bags went to our local thrift shop, and some went to a charity quilting group. My room can breathe now, and so can I!! Thank you for helping me to get inspired to do it!

@briannab5296

Жыл бұрын

That wonderful feeling of being able to breathe again is my "why" I want so badly to shed clutter.

When I heard you talk about identity clutter previously a HUGE light bulb went off! My craft room was bursting at the seams with everything I thought I needed to keep. So much so that I couldn't use ANYTHING in the room since there was no space anywhere to try and do any crafts at all. I got rid of so much stuff and now I can actually craft! It's funny that my craft identity clutter kept me from crafting, but letting it go lets me actually be a crafter again. Thank you!!!

@verikeri2849

Жыл бұрын

I can totally relate!! Working on decluttering my craft room once again.

@lindabourcet1349

Жыл бұрын

So true! I am a quilter and make a lot of scrap quilts but too many scraps of fabric keep me from making quilts. Also so many of my quilter friends give me fabric because they want to declutter. I have learned to say ‘thank you’ as I know they need to declutter and then I in turn give away what I know I don’t need. It is hard when you see usefulness in every scrap but I also have to keep my space tidy and organized so I can continue to make (and give away) quilts. Learn your limit, play within it.

@verikeri2849

Жыл бұрын

@@lindabourcet1349 OMG!! Please don't get me started on fabric. I have a fabric addiction. It doesn't help that I have the most amazing discount fabric store in my area that I cannot resist. I can spend hours in the fabric store dreaming up all kinds of tablescapes I will design with different fabrics. I love making tablecloths, napkins and anything to do with tablescape/entertaining. I will be decluttering my fabric stash and my dishes that I have collected over the past 20 years.

@phyllisshand6183

Жыл бұрын

I can so relate. I enjoy crafts and have a semblance of a craft room but can’t use it because it is soooo full.

@AliWade1971

Жыл бұрын

Same. I have spent a few years having decluttering sales (with people coming to my home and selling via FB), donating and moving to trash. Peeling back many layers of craft stash. I am ready again for more to go (my smaller cube system is full and I recognise that I do very little crafting now). When we downsize to a smaller home, I want it all to fit in a compact storage unit and only have 1 table (instead of 4!)

Inheriting other people's clutter is hard. I lost my mom earlier this year, and am still going thru her things. I had to realize I have to let a lot of things go, and then it actually makes the things I keep more meaningful.

@nmartin5551

Жыл бұрын

I had to do a house clean out of my Aunt’s last year as her Executrix. She had nice things. Well cared for things. And 95% of it was junk. The furniture has been covered for decades. It has helped me be better about getting rid of stuff. You are right that the things you do keep are more meaningful. I was fortunate that I wasn’t that emotionally close to my aunt, but it was still hard facing that so much stuff really had little value outside of what it was to her. My sympathy for the loss of you mom.

@brendatate8986

Жыл бұрын

Julie, I’m going through the same thing. I lost my mom and sister a couple of years ago. 6 months apart and I’m still going through all of their stuff. I’ve got rid of a lot but the personal stuff is the hardest. Prayers to you.🙏🏻 we will get through it all sooner or later. God Bless. Sorry for your loss.

@FoD1975

Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry for your loss. ❤️

@lisab9541

Жыл бұрын

I've been dealing with my inherited things for 10 plus years. A lot is gone but the rest is the most difficult items. It has been a long process for me.

@heiditate6989

Жыл бұрын

I lost my mom in 2021 and did the same thing.

The guilty clutter for sure. My apartment was looking so nice for awhile. But after my parents both passed the last couple years, it is hard to part with some of their belongings. Especially ones that I grew up with. I also think there is a depression clutter. That is one of the hardest things to get through.

@ashleypate1349

Жыл бұрын

The thing that helps me is deciding what would be special enough to pass down to my kids and have enough of a memory/story behind it so they could one day pass that down to their children. What’s the point of keeping something if you are the only thing with that connection to the item? You will have to decide what is special enough to pass down and still be special enough that your kid would feel that was special too. You can let go of things and keep the memories. If you are scared of forgetting take a photo and print it out with the story written on the back. Good luck.

@kb1236

Жыл бұрын

@@ashleypate1349 great thought. I feel I should write a note about the few items I decide to keep so whoever handles it will know why it was special enough to keep.

@chapman1569

9 ай бұрын

I read a book that one grandfather made about his 100 year old journey to his family, it had pictures of his family as well. It was so nice to read, this is the type of item or book that can be passed down to the next generation. It was self published, it was pretty nice! My mom had to move out of her home to go into hospice care, yep, it is hard to decide what to save. I started with quite a lot of stuff at the beginning because I was in a hurry and couldn't decide on the spot and feared I would regret it. As time passed I realized what I really valued and donated the rest. Many of the items were easy to decide, they stank of mould, I took pictures and threw them away.

@bittyblueeyes385

4 ай бұрын

I just wanted to say, its okay to let go of this stuff slowly. Sometimes when we lose important people we want to hang onto their memories so tightly. Its okay to wait until you are ready and move slowly through letting things go.

Oh my GOODNESS! You speak my language! Identity or fantasy clutter are my biggest areas of accumulated stuff! We have many bins full of books that don't fit anywhere in our new house, but I cannot for the life of me throw out almost any!!!! I don't read them, but I would like to be known for "having resources and being knowledgeable" because I skim through them and like to share what I learned! Same thing with CLOTHES!!! Especially kids clothes... bins upon bins of stuff in the garage. So embarrassing! I pride myself on buying bargain deals from well-known brands. I love scoring a good deal from Old Navy or from children's brands. Because everything was soooo expensive and I purchased it at such a great deal, I can't donate them. Every piece of clothing has to be allocated to my friends' kids and it's SOOO hard to sort through piles to pick things for someone else's kid! We can't even organize our own clothes around here! Anyway, I'm now officially a storing Wearhouse for other people's kid's clothes! That's SAD! Fantasy clutter includes multiple pieces of makeup as I love to imagine trying new looks, and beauty product that I never use, but pride myself on knowing about and giving recommendations to others... and probably kid's pictures ON MY PHONE! Even though they are backed up online, I cannot bear erasing them on my phone. It feels like I'm failing them somehow... so, my phone is always overused and doesn't have any space for new photos or videos.

Identity clutter was the hardest for me to give up. I have had many hobbies, been a single working mom, homestead gardener, made all mine and my kids clothes. As I look back, I don’t know how I did it all. Life moved on, kids grew up, then I wanted to downsize to an apartment. I realized I was stuck when I packed up all my fabric to donate, and could not do it. It sat on a table for a whole year until one of my friends came, took it to the car and we took it to a place that made quilts! That was only one of my multiple identities, my life long ambition was to be an artist. I painted in oils, acrylics, watercolor, mixed media, all had their own stuff. It was difficult to narrow down my “when I grow up” identifications. In the mean time I started sewing and quilting again and the fabric stash grew. My creativity identity was taking over. Your channel as well as Dana and Dawn made me realize the chaos of my supplies in my small space was stifling any creativity I might have. It was hard, but I did it. I decided what I wanted to do, what would fit in my space, I think I am a ladybug, I want to have a home for my stuff when I’m not using it and not see it. I want my surfaces to be clear, minimal-ish and neat. I have accomplished a lot. It took a lot of time and many trips to donation sites. I don’t think I will ever be ‘done’ it takes maintenance. Thanks to you and your collaborations, I am so much better. I draw every day, my sketch book and pens fit in my purse! I paint in watercolor and all my stuff fits in one cube! My identity is identified! I’m living my dream, I am an artist. Thank you for helping me finally peel off the layers of my onion. I’m 75, lived a full happy life, raised kids for 50 years, empty nested finally living my dream. Thanks to minimizing and organizing. You are my hero.

@Clutterbug

Жыл бұрын

Glad I can help!

@lindamcdermott9980

Жыл бұрын

❤️

@MicheleForce

Жыл бұрын

Linda, you inspire me! I’m 51, STILL raising kids, have more hobbies than I can count and am terrified that I’ll never be able to truly enjoy any of them. I keep thinking that by the time my last two are out of the house (10-yr old twins), I’ll be too old (and quite frankly, TIRED) to do anything that I want to do now but don’t have time for. I love hearing that you’re in your 70s and living the dream!!

@SpectrumOfChange

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharint Linda, this is most impactful.

@cherylwade264

Жыл бұрын

Look for a Dream Box. An amazing idea. There is even a D I Y Dream Box. I would like a Dream Box for the kitchen for baking.

So many people inspire me, but there’s something about the way you inspire me that’s different. Thanks for being an inspiration to me.

@shelleykapp9637

Жыл бұрын

Yep! She truly has a gift.

@blancaalvarez7637

Жыл бұрын

Agree.

I resonate with ALL of the different clutters. My mom had clutter challenges too. I'm now living in the house she lived in. She passed away a little over a year ago. I'm finally launching the big de-clutter and organizing programme. So happy I found you!

@heftyhefty_

Жыл бұрын

Good Luck!!! I’m in the same boat almost. My grandmother passed away and I have all of her stuff packed in my great room but need to declutter my house and then incorporate her art and furniture into my house. It’s been 3 months and it’s still all packed in the great room. 🥺 I love this channel for inspiration.

@mariaralex

Жыл бұрын

I can relate so much! Same with me & my mom & how I grew up... 😞

@JoAnnRichardsGoffe

Жыл бұрын

@@heftyhefty_ I haven't got very far with the project! Ouch!!

Identity clutter. Wow!! Mind blown. I never leave a room without looking for something to take with me that belongs on my way to somewhere else.

Super interesting video! It made me realize I have trouble with my identity clutter. I was a globe-trotter for many many years and worked for an adventure travel agency. It's so hard to explain but it's like I need to hang on to those things so that I can still be in this globe-trotter mindset if that makes sense!? It's actually the first time I talk about this and I feel a certain vulnerabily but at the same time I find it freeing...🌍🌟 P.S. I almost didn't post this comment but I decided it feels good to recognize it!💛

@ember1794

Жыл бұрын

It makes complete sense to me ❤❤❤! Maybe you could integrate it more into your life again, or if not, find something that is equally fulfilling to you, so you might feel it is alright to let go of part of the stuff - though I don't think we necessarily need to let go of these things - if we love it enough that we still hold a big place in our hearts and homes for it, that might be completely fine ❤❤❤ The question is if it makes us feel good or sad - if sad, it might be time to look for what it gave you in your current life

@juliec3437

Жыл бұрын

I used to work for an airline. I decided to turn our son's old room into a guestroom with a travel theme, with posters and maps etc. I love it.

@elizabethhannah6836

Жыл бұрын

I've got to say that having adventure travel identity clutter is at least pretty cool sounding clutter, lol. Sounds like you miss your globe-trotting days, or possibly find the memory of them to be more appealing than whatever is going on now. I don't know if this is "Clutterbug Sanctioned" but what if you chose 3 things that you especially like that can be decor, then put the rest of it in a container that's out of sight. In a month or so take some time to access how you feel about that stuff, who knows what might happen. Signed, Woman who kept her "work" clothes for 20 years after becoming an at home Mom 💼👠

@redheadedgypsy1939

Жыл бұрын

same here

@jylromain6439

Жыл бұрын

Do you have souvenirs that you could group together and take photos of and then have blown up nice and big to hang on your walls? You could make them poster-size and hang two or three for a while and then switch them out. You could then donate the souvenirs and still have the memories.

Something that's helped me let go of Identity clutter (and positive forms of "Guilt" clutter such as a thoughtful but not-quite-right gift) is taking a photo so I still have the positive reminder without having to keep the object. Also keeping one item that stands for a bunch of other ones (e.g. a single inherited cup, one drawing), or even a swatch of cloth or one page from a book (books are a renewable resource). Honoring the identity by framing/displaying key objects also helps.

Homeless Clutter and creating space for mail and returning items is an area I want to focus on. Thank you for the strategies to do so.

Identity clutter gets me. I have held on to college biology notebooks for the last 25 years just because they look so nice and neat. No one else will ever care about this, but I feel so proud of myself for how much effort I put into my studies and how meticulous I was with my work.

I was all "she's not going to identify MY type of clutter. It's just pur-dee-laziness clutter." And dang it! You called me out on it!

Hey Cas! Sourdough starter is the kind of “pet” you only have to feed when you want to build it up for bread baking. It can be kept in the fridge when you want it to be “dormant…” then you can revive it by feeding it!😊

@fionagray9687

Жыл бұрын

But the best pet is a home brew. Care and feeding for a few weeks, and then you have a party.

@kathyforgues6994

Жыл бұрын

Yup! That’s what I do too😂

@ElizabethChronis

Жыл бұрын

Yup … it’s super easy … just don’t forget to put it back in the fridge when you leave town 😅

@gfwiaj

Жыл бұрын

My mom and I have revived sourdough starter that has been in the fridge for a year without a feeding. It just took a couple of days of monitoring on the counter for it to bubble back to life. Keep it cold, in the dark, and in a sealed container when storing and you should be just fine.

@verucasalt2391

Жыл бұрын

@@fionagray9687 😂😂😂😂

Ah-ha - Identity Clutter! I was Game Grandma. When my granddaughter was younger, and I was homeschooling her, we spent hours playing Monopoly, Triple Yahtzee, and so many others. I used to buy games at Goodwill to play with her and to play with groups of friends. It's now a different chapter in our lives, so today I filled the care with dozens of game boxes, and just a limited amount of favorites that we still play have been allowed to stay. But by far my worst offender is Fantasy Clutter - the clothes that are too small, the craft supplies that I plan to use, and many other examples!

You described fantasy clutter very well. Even when I decide to let some things go, I struggle to do it perfect. To not feel any guilt of polluting the Earth, or wasting stuff that someone might just use very happily.

For me it was books. I had ALL the books. Novels, old textbooks, books I bought (some I read, some I didn't) for teaching the material. SO MANY books. I have realized they were both guilty clutter AND identity clutter. In the last few months I have cleared out literally hundreds of books. I've kept some, but most have been donated. I can actually hang art on some of my walls now, because they aren't all covered up with bookshelves. It felt--and still feels--FANTASTIC!

@scarlettblack6878

Ай бұрын

Congratulations ❤️ that's great

I didn't know identity clutter was a thing but it makes sense. I have such a hard time getting rid of anything I think I can use in a craft. I'll even pile things that I plan to give to Goodwill and I second-guess that as well.

I struggle with "Homeless" clutter. I now have a name for it and now know how to fix it. Thank you.

I cried when you started talking about fantasy clutter. I have not touched those things yet on my decluttering journey.

For anyone who struggles with guilty/sentimental clutter, if those things are in regard to lost loved ones ask yourself--would they want me to be miserable with all this stuff or keep a couple of meaningful things and be happier? (I could hear my parents telling me, "that meant something to me not you silly, get rid of it!" 😁💕) (I will say if it's a recent loss, there's nothing wrong with giving it some time, I know it's too painful initially.) This was a helpful tip for me, just wanted to share. 💕💕

@homeandgardendiy6363

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you, Angie. I was able to get rid of some things I was keeping because my mother liked them, but they were not anything I was interested in at all. The one place I'm really struggling is with a smallish box that contains her writing supplies, her desk stuff, and her journals. I really don't need or want any of these things, because there is nothing special, fancy, or expensive about any of the desk items or writing implements, and her handwritten journals are impossible to read - both because she had horrible handwriting 😂 and because she wrote partially in actual shorthand which she learned in the thirties when she was a secretary. 🙂 My mom died in 2007, and I have tried to confront that box at least a dozen times over the intervening years, but I always just close it up and put it back away. In a weird way, getting rid of the things in that box are like getting rid of her. When I say that to myself, it sounds so stupid, but it is what it is. (Clearly, the way Cass framed it, it's identity clutter. Oddly, though, it's somebody else's identity! 😬🤪😁) I told my husband yesterday that in this round of decluttering, I am starting to feel like I'm going to just take that entire box - without opening it again - and just throw it out. I have a lifetime of precious, wonderful memories of my kind, funny, Godly, resourceful, generous mother. I don't need anything contained in that box to still have all of those priceless, treasured memories of her. 😢😍❤️❤️❤️🙌

@angieburnett4341

Жыл бұрын

@@homeandgardendiy6363 Awww, I completely understand sweetie! I know 2007 seems like a long time ago but with matters of the heart there's no timetable. I know you will do what you need to when you're ready and don't beat yourself up, I totally get that! Yes those sweet memories don't need tangible things they live in our hearts & mind's eye, but I completely understand when you say it feels like getting rid of her, I can relate. Maybe keep a small portion? Babysteps until you're ready for it all to be gone? You'll get there. Love, hugs & God Bless you 💕💕

@Famous423

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing ❤

@homeandgardendiy6363

Жыл бұрын

@@Famous423 I'm so glad you decided to put a comment here! I had forgotten to respond to Angie's nice comment. Thank you so much for reminding me! God bless you. ❤️

@homeandgardendiy6363

Жыл бұрын

@@angieburnett4341 I'm so thankful for Famous423's comment just now because she reminded me to respond to your very nice comment. 😍 In my defense, I forgot because I'm busy decluttering! 😁🤷‍♀️😁 Yes, I will just keep taking it step-by-step and see how it goes. You said you understand, so I know there's a level of grief there for you still, too. I'm glad you can hear your parents' voices in your head still guiding and leading even though you don't physically have them here anymore. May the Lord bless and comfort you as well. 🕊️❤️

Oh yes 🙌🏻 thank you for “the why” we have clutter, identifying the kind of clutter and the messages it carries identifies the emotional weight it can carry. I knew I had emotional clutter, and now I can practice separating myself/ my identity from the “stuff” 💕

@Clutterbug

Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!

The piece about identity clutter really hits close to home, especially with the still images of the pokemon cards and action figures. My identity as someone who plays Pokemon is genuinely very important to me, because I believe Pokemon led me to my perfect career and my perfect partner and a lot of joy that I wouldn't have had without it. But that doesn't mean I have to keep every long broken burger king toy or plush. And I shouldn't keep my older games collecting dust in a box. If they're that important to me, they should be treated as the special keepsakes they are and not like clutter. I know I'm not your usual demographic, but your channel does a lot to inspire me to make my home comfort and to be myself ❤

I didn't even know about Identity clutter! That's going to be a game changer... I'll be re-evaluating why I keep things or why I can't give something away. I love having only things that are championing and supporting the person I am today!

Love your "pick up basket" as you move from room to room, dropping things off in their real homes as you go along

This is WONDERFUL, Cas. I've tried, without success, to explain this to my spouse and a close friend. This and "decision fatigue". They just stare at me and offer zero comfort. I feel so very alone.

@helenebennie3961

Жыл бұрын

Yes it is hard when your significant people just don't get it because they are naturally organised.

@Saforra99

Жыл бұрын

That must be so difficult :( but perhaps these categories will you give you a more specific way to explain it -- or we on YT can be your people + understand you + hopefully offer some comfort too

The hardest ones for me is Homeless clutter and lazy clutter. I have piles of paperwork which is mail and shredding. The lazy clutter is definitely the laundry. Thank you so much for doing this video. I will definitely have to start setting alarms for me.

Oh, my! I listen to you and many others to get my house in order. This is one of the best, if not best explanations of clutter. I suffer from all these, but the one I especially find difficult is the identity clutter. I have lots of hobbies, and I’m a retired teacher. I’m slowly getting my house decluttered, and feeling more peaceful everyday. (It’s really just a few rooms! Most people would think I’ve got it together!) Thank you also for sharing all your struggles!

@nadineseemann3428

Жыл бұрын

Me too! Don't look in my office, basement or garage!! 😂

Wow! Did this video ever hit home! I LOVE the distinction between guilty clutter, identity clutter, and fantasy clutter. SO helpful! Love it! I've been hanging onto memorabilia and my racing bicycle ( !) from when I did triathlons 30 years ago! I was so proud of being of triathlete I feel like getting rid of that stuff loses part of my identity. Now I hope I have the courage to get rid of most of it and keep just a few reminders. Thanks!

@MomLuvs2Collect

Жыл бұрын

One tip I learned & need to do myself 😆 is to just take a photo of something like kids drawings then throw out the the item & you'll still have a reminder of it if needed 👍

Yes to all the types of clutter! My mom used to do hook rugs. When she died, my sister decided I needed the hook rug of a church. (I’m a pastor’s wife.) I really didn’t want it! My sister came back with, “Well, she won’t be making anymore!” 🙄 As for identity clutter, getting rid of my kids’ stuff felt like I was getting rid of a part of my kids, not myself. Anyway, I feel like you know me! 😂

A couple of years ago when I was a teenager, I finally admitted to myself that I didn't need my Barbie dolls, doll house, and Barbie accessories anymore. I had been trying to scale down and separate the sentimental from the silly, but I just couldn't be objective about it. I eventually realized that when I was looking at it I wanted to keep everything and when I wasn't, it didn't really mean that much to me. The solution was to tell my Mom (who knew it needed to go) that she could get rid of all of it as long as I didn't have to look. 👀 I didn't know until now that it was identity clutter. Thank you, Cass, for educating us.

@Clutterbug

Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!

Homeless clutter is my biggest struggle! Thank you for identifying this for me. Now that I understand what it is, it will be so much easier to deal with it. Thank you for your encouraging, insightful and humorous videos.

My husband did sour dough for a long time. He was so obsessed with it that the kids and I started referring the starter as Bubbles. He got so excited to see it grow, so I laughed when you said it was your new pet. It was definitely his pet for a year or two. I struggle with fantasy clutter and homeless clutter. I also have two hoarders for children and a husband that just drops things wherever he is.

@777Pattie

Жыл бұрын

😩 Ugh

I suffer from lazy clutter and guilt clutter. Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement that you provide. i just found your channel last week and am already benefiting from your advice.

Identity clutter: story of my life as a teacher! I have switched grades every year for 12 years SO MUCH STUFF!

Homeless clutter is a struggle too, and it drives me crazy

@user-nh9ng4mu3w

21 күн бұрын

Homeless clutter is killing me!!!

So true! Homeless clutter is a real thing! Strategies to help with that would be super helpful! Thank you, Cas!

@microwaaave

Жыл бұрын

Find or make a home for it close to where you naturally put it down so it's just as easy to put away :) Baskets, cabinets, drawers, trinket trays, etc. Clutter doesn't look like clutter when effectively corralled!

@hannahpaul1988

Жыл бұрын

Yep, Cas did a video about "valuable real estate" a while back now... Basically prioritising storage space for what you use in that exact space, and either decluttering or re-homing elsewhere in your home the stuff you don't actually use there... For example, I remember her moving the placemats from her kitchen island drawers to make a homework station there instead.

Agree with being self aware for sure. Between lots of therapy visits and even more books and KZread videos I figured out a lot about myself. Figuring out what bug I am helped sooooo much in the beginning lol I'd also say that life situation plays a huge roll too. I took care of my disabled Dad for 20 years while having my own chronic health issues. I'm also a hoarder. My biggest clutter issue is fantasy self clutter, which I had heard about a few years ago, my journey started im 2017 to seriously get my house a functional home. Now, since I was pretty much only a caregiver 24/7 for the last 6 years, all of my stuff is fantasy self. Moved to a new house in 2014 and never actually moved in. Never painted anything, never decorated. I rarely if ever went out other than to run errands, saw friends once every few months. No time to be artistic, for hobbies, just surviving everyday till my Dad passed January last year. Mom was in rehab from RSV that almost killed her when he passed. The er doctor almost sent me on a grippy sock vacation when all of this was going on because I was not physically or mentally able to take care of Dad by myself. It took all my Mom and I had. My friends have started to come over and help declutter and clean up this month!! But since I'm way more self aware now, yet still have hoarder tendencies, I'm struggling with my fantasy clutter. I have all of this stuff I really like and haven't had a chance to, idk how to put it, experience yet. Everything is just piled. So my friends are getting the trash out, I don't have as much trouble letting go now. They separated everything into like piles. I'm sorting and purging out those piles and taking the stuff to the room it's going to live in. I'm going to do everyroom like this, then I'm going to pretend I'm moving in. Deep clean each room, make repairs, paint then unpack and organize. I've curbed my spending to stuff that I have an immediate need or use for. I'd say I've had trouble with lazy clutter in the past, the bug system helped me figure that out years ago, butterfly always lol. But due to my situation and chronic illness, I wasn't being lazy it was more self preservation. Also a big one to remember is you are worth it. I am neuro spicy, possibly autistic, ADHD, have chronic depression and anxiety. I was very isolated due to the clutter and my Dad for years upon years. Neglected myself like a typical caregiver. I truly believed that I was not worthy of being comfortable, took care and living in a "nice" space. Idk, just thought I'd share my clutter journey and maybe help someone.

@777Pattie

Жыл бұрын

It's very hard to do you 💔 when you're a caregiver. But you sound like you're on the right path, happy trails 💕💕💕.

@osoniye4209

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing!

@helenebennie3961

Жыл бұрын

Give yourself some grace. You gave a lot. Now is the time for a new chapter in your life. Your friends sound terrific - they stuck around and they are helping you. Sounds like you have a good system. Build your decluttering muscles dealing with the easy stuff. I like the idea of painting etc as you go. Hugs from Australia.

@Saforra99

Жыл бұрын

That sounds so difficult! But I'm so glad you are feeling like you see a path forward and that you have a support system. All the best! Enjoy your "new" house!

every time i watch one of your videos, I have this overwhelming urge to pull EVERYTHING out of my cabinets and cubbies and purge! lol Two things that I've learned from you, other than purging unnecessary items, are ONLY HANDLE IT ONCE and IF IT IS ONLY GOING TO TAKE YOU A MINUTE TO DO IT, JUST DO IT NOW. Sounds logical but so many times I toss mail or paperwork to the side to do later and then later takes FOREVER. 😂

I enjoyed the actual experience of listening to this. Not too fast, not too loud, plus good content. Sadly, can't listen to Dawn any more.

Cas and Dawn have gotten me into really good habits! Now I put things away as I go, so my house stays pretty neat. I used to just leave things everywhere, but no more.

@briannab5296

Жыл бұрын

Me too ... my new mantra is " pick up behind yourself, it's not that hard to do" 😂 I'm surprised when I catch myself about to leave something out of place, I never realized how bad I am at doing that.

At 54 trying to purge it's almost impossible with both of us having a lot of sentimental & financial guilty clutter.

@lindaaustin-morin7781

Жыл бұрын

I also had both of those guilts. What helped me to get started was to stand in the “space”, close my eyes, take a deep breath until I was calm. Open my eyes and start to see the space as it is. A room full stuff I haven’t touched in years, tossed here, there and everywhere!!

@ember1794

Жыл бұрын

It's not impossible, you've got this - I feel like it's a very good age to start!!

@Penmacie

Жыл бұрын

Homeless clutter! Followed closely by lazy clutter.

@emptynestgardens9057

Жыл бұрын

@@ember1794 I think so too. Getting passed all the Country wood furniture of the '80's is one thing but when your Father built it all for you is just another level of letting it go. *Deep breaths

@nmartin5551

Жыл бұрын

@@emptynestgardens9057-Try this. Your father built that for you to help you. An act of love. If the furniture is no longer helping you, he wouldn’t care if you moved it on. He loves you wants to help you (or past tense, if he has passed).

I love your personality. I feel like you're my spirit animal. Thank you for all your tips. I no longer feel like something is wrong with me because of my clutter and you're helping me to clear it up.

Fantasy clutter is my life. Stuff to fix and make and I never get to... Just about brings me to tears!

Identity clutter really hit me and who I used to be. This will help me declutter things I used to live that I thought I had to keep because it's pink.

Identity clutter all the way! I don’t reread books but the thought of parting with them is like cutting off a limb. Over the years I’ve definitely let go of many and cried every time, but in the long run it’s worthwhile. I don’t have to get rid of all of them but I know in my heart that I need to let some more go.

Fantasy and identity clutter have always been my biggest struggle. I'm a book lover, board game lover, crafter and woodworker with major depression so I'll toss in the idea of "depression episodes" clutter when doing more than the very basics is monumental

I can see myself struggling with each one of them. The identity clutter was the big one for me last year. During the TYHB course it was that realization of once I did it all the crafts the sewing the knitting crocheting embroidery. I was that Mom during the all-day the Clutter I got rid of so many things and donated them. The beauty of it I had to trust that if I want to do it again I can. I kept a little bit in case I want to dabble but it wasn't like I had to have my shelves exploding. The other thing was guilty clutter. I'm the oldest grandchild and so when my grandmother sold her house I felt I had to take it. She was having a hard time and she was worried who was going to have her stuff and at one time I had so much I had lost identity of my house of me because it was so much of her. Little by little I let it go but during the all-day declutter I realized I could let go and have hints of my grandma. I didn't have to hold on to everything. My grandma's been gone for 15 years and I was surprised how many things I held onto because I was fighting I would fail her if I let it go. But I will tell you I'm not failing her and I have things of her. She would be thrilled that I am happy. She's in my heart and memories. I downsize so many of Christmas ornaments that were hers. Thank you Cass for your wisdom your videos and you let us take back our lives and our homes! I wish I would have known this years ago. But I want to tell you my youngest she's in her twenties she is learning earlier and she's not holding on. My three oldest are thrilled that I let go of things and created my home to be me more

@Clutterbug

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

OMG “Fantasy “ clutter is so me. I never thought of it this way. And it does make me feel awful. This video was so helpful. I need to save this and listen to it often. ❤

Oh, identity clutter! I have a small filing cabinet full of papers and research from when I was in college that I can't bring myself to throw away. It is so hard to even think about going through it all because I loved college and who I was then. It is a huge part of my identity even though I graduated 25 years ago!! 😳

@be5952

Жыл бұрын

I found it really hard to throw out / recycle my college and university notes (hand written---from back when notes were taken that way). Those notes represented years of 'work' and years of enlightenment and knowledge gain. But realistically, when would I ever go back and re-read them or consult them? With great clenching of teeth I got rid of the whole, high stack.

@briannab5296

Жыл бұрын

It's like being a knowledge hoarder. . . .I went thru the same thing with my real estate books.

@homeandgardendiy6363

Жыл бұрын

I guess I'll throw this out there for what it's worth. My husband wrote his thesis over 40 years ago. He had three copies of it that have been in a file cabinet the entire time we've been married, almost twenty years now. Last year, he mentioned it in a class he was teaching, and one of the students came up and asked if he could have a copy to read. 😂 You just never know when that stuff might be helpful to someone! 🤷‍♀️😁

WoW, watching for inspiration this morning and because I love organizing- sure didn’t expect to be literally crying tears but you helped me so much when you described identity clutter!! Still crying as I type this because that is exactly my issue- I want to hold on to all these things even tho I’m passed those times in my life. I was a day care teacher til I had my own kids, then went back into the classroom for about 4 years but even tho I’ve been home now for five years and homeschooled my kids through middle school I can’t seem to bring myself to go through let alone get rid of my teaching materials and kids toys. I say I’m saving it for my grandkids and if I teach again some day but you’re so right- I’m really saving it because it is a part of me that I don’t want to let go of😭

I literally just shake my head yes watching your videos.

ALL of it. We are still decluttering-down to the hard stuff now so it’s a slow go. I’m much better taking things where they go in the house. It’s definitely a process!!

You so nailed it with the comments about identity clutter and books. I am clearing out over 40 years of accumulated clutter as part of moving into a beautiful new home, and in many ways the new home is a chance for a do-over, a chance to practice all of the things I’ve learned from you over the past year. But I currently have literally thousands of books, and decluttering them has been like ripping limbs from my body. I know that the peace I will experience in my new, clutter-free home will be worth it, and I’m confident that the new insights I’ve gained from your videos will help me to never be buried under decades of clutter again, but MAN is it painful in the process! Thanks for giving me the tools I need to get through this. BTW, I literally laughed out loud over your sourdough pet story. 😆

@lauramitchell6725

Жыл бұрын

Robin Y: I too had HUNDREDS of books and was forced to downsize them when we downsized! I decided to keep reference books,sentimental and of course those that I hadn’t read yet. Getting rid of all of the ones we had read but would not read again or refer to again got it down by more than half. Funny thing,in the six years that we have been in our new home,we have rarely referred to any of our reference books so I can foresee another pass at decluttering. ( I am also in the good habit now of immediately passing along the ones I read and wouldn’t read again!🙌🏻)

Yep, you nailed it! All of those relate to me. But two things I have learned from you (and Dawn and Dana) is to just put stuff away where I'd look for it, and let go of the "good intentions " clutter. It's Definitely a process. Thanks, Cass!!

Sadly all resonate with me. The biggest is probably homeless clutter. There is so much on what feels like a daily basis. Great video Cass😊

I am a natural clutter collector I can see my fitting into all of the options. Currently I am doing the guilt clutter. I am cleaning out after my father/stepmother/sister deaths. It is wonderful that you give me permission to throw away or donate stuff. Some of the things I like and there is just too much of it. Looking ahead I will really have a though time when my mother passes. She has so many heirlooms from the family. I feel like I will need to open a museum. Love your videos and all the great advice.

This makes me so grateful that my dad and both my grandmothers encouraged us to only keep/take things we truly would like and enjoy. They recognized we have different tastes. My one grandmother was a self recognized hoarder and she said to me once to not let myself get to that point because it’s awful to live like that. She mostly collected books but never got to fully enjoy them so now I get books, go through them, only keep ones that have value for me to keep and go back to. Otherwise, out the door it goes. My clutter issues are sort of all over the place right now as I’m purging and getting rid of things I’ve bought myself upgrades for and trying new organization systems in some really awkward spaces I’m stuck with due to being a renter.

@arleneboldman1952

Жыл бұрын

Loom

@tgayer1

Жыл бұрын

Keep up the good decluttering work! It’s awesome!

I struggle with Identity clutter. I used to teach all types and ages of students. While I have been simplifying my life and I love my new career, aging often seems to make us "less relevant" instead of being revered for our wisdom and experience! My lesson plans, music and other vestiges of my career are hard to get rid of because THEY WERE MY HIGHEST LEVELS OF CREATIVITY!!! I thank you for defining these 5 types of clutter. In 2023, I am not buying ANY clothes!! I am interested in your Frugal February challenge. I love donating my things to allow others to enjoy them. I went from 6 bookcases to 3. From 4 filing cabinates to 2. I am now trying to just keep what I need. I am focusing on making my life easier. You are a BIG HELP!! KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU DO, YOU ARE TGE BOMB. PS...WE ARE ADD...AND you give me hope!💗🌹🎉👍

Touching on this Fantasy Clutter is something I surely can identify with. I have all these piles neatly in laundry size baskets or boxes of projects I've started and intend to finish SOMEDAY, all throughout my house. You hit the nail on the head when you said that when we look at all these unfinished projects, it makes me (us) think that we're not good enough or there’s surely something wrong with me. Why can't I even start with just one of these baskets? It's overwhelming to look at the piles and even taking that one basket off leaves a whole bunch under it and I freeze.

Thank you for this video! As someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ADHD, a lot of times when it comes to bills or things that I really don’t want to deal with. I avoid it, and just leave it around so I don’t even have to open it. Timers really help with creating urgency especially if it is something with no real deadline.

@larawrightt

Жыл бұрын

I have the same issue! I literally have boxes full of mail I’ll probably never get to because I have mixed feelings of laziness and an abundance of guilt.

@Pusheenmybuttons

Жыл бұрын

@@larawrightt You are not alone! If you have someone you trust, have them go with it with you for just a few minutes. And make sure you let them know that there can’t be any judgement (hello shame spiral!). I have also broken stacks of paper up into multiple smaller piles. Have compassion for yourself, it isn’t easy to live life with so much stress and overwhelm, think of taking care of these tasks, as taking care of yourself. Sending you lots of love and compassion. ❤️

@stephanied6711

Жыл бұрын

I have the same issue

Cas, Thank you. I won't go into a chapter of my life at present other than my husband is 78 and I'm also in my 70s. Your encouraging words are helpful motivators to keep being tidy and put things away. Life changes at different stages of life. Keeping good habits of home management is very important for all people of all ages. You never see an illness, limitations, or old age coming when you can no longer clean the house in 2 hours or declutter your home quickly.. My challenge is staying motivated and as you said having places to put things away as easily as to leave out. Thank you!

You hit the nail on the head with identity clutter of the homeschool mom.

Seasonal clutter gets me. I currently have an island of totes and various items in the middle of our living space waiting to be put away. Yes, I have been cleaning around it for a month. I am waiting to purchase a shelving unit to hold the totes. Just buy the shelf Melanie!!! My husband is so patient.

All of the above! This is the most insightful explanation of what is WRONG with me- at least in the clutter department. Knowledge is power. Thank you!

@sempressfi

Жыл бұрын

Nothin' wrong with you, we just all have speed bumps and hurdles on the path to figuring our lives/homes/selves out 😊💜

@kathleenetchison7539

Жыл бұрын

@@sempressfi thanks for your encouragement 💕

Wow Cas, this video took me to church! I needed to hear this. I realized I’m a fantasy clutter and identity clutter person. Now I can look at my stuff differently. Thank you ❤

I' ve just wanted to say, that I found you about 2 mounths ago and I really really really like you. I've started to declutter my space, but I also like to watch your films while I'm crocheting :) Kisses from Poland

I live in a multi-generational household and someone in my family struggles with each of these. My big one is homeless clutter. Returns, tax papers that need to be filed, preschool papers that have to be signed. I have a drawer to keep this stuff in but I have more stuff moving around than I’ve allocated space for. At the moment we’re organizing my moms craft room. She definitely struggles with the second one. She is amazingly talented and creates the coolest art but she gets overwhelmed by her stashes of supplies and then she can’t create. We’re working on narrowing her supplies to her favorite types of art. This video perfectly explains why our home is crazy. Farmhouse on Boone is amazing. I love her and you have to feed sourdough everyday. But it can go into hybernation in the fridge if you go one vacation.

I just realised in the last few days, how much all my sewing stuff is tied with my identity. I don’t sew much any more but have had so much trouble decluttering it. I gradually worked through the books and donated about 100 boxes to Rotary. Thank you Cas. I soak up your videos. Mary (Australia) ❤❤

Thanks! Perfect timing for this reminder. I'm a mom of a 15 and almost 18 yo and have been pondering my identity a lot these last few years and have been struggling to let go of the last of my clutter - mostly guilty, identity, and fantasy. Good luck with the sourdough!

@thecreativegramgram8592

Жыл бұрын

This is a hard one! I agree. I had my kids, two girls get married in same year. That was hard. Takes a bit to learn what and who you are

@Ikr2025

Жыл бұрын

@@thecreativegramgram8592 I’m married to a very non-creative man and have three kids, two with high needs. I’m naturally quite creative but feel stifled. I just feel like a maid most of the time. I daydream about living on my own and how peaceful & relaxing it would be.

This video made me cry. I suffer from all the five kinds of clutter. 😢🤔😮 I wish I could afford to hire you to come and help with my chaos. Every room, drawer, closet, cupboard is cluttered and unorganized. I’m drowning in stuff and am overwhelmed. Love your videos. They give me hope 🤓

Thank you SO MUCH for this. I have so much guilty clutter. When my mom passed away, my brother convinced me to take home so many things that I didn't want and had no real meaning to me, but they are "family heirlooms". He's since passed away and I have no children, and he was really the last family member I've spoken to in years. All those photos of people I never met and don't know the stories of, that first dollar from my great-great grandma's flower shop in its broken frame, that newspaper from 9/11, GOTTA GO! Additionally, fantasy clutter is a thing here too - "oh, I'm sure I'll use this for crafting later when I start this other big new craft I've taken no steps towards!" is a big one. I think you finally tipped the scales on me finding a new home for the two massive bins of fabric scraps.

I’ve decluttered so much, but I still have too many craft supplies. At least they all have a home. I’m most proud of creating a mail processing station right in our landing zone! It’s amazing how much goes right into the recycling bin. I keep my Sunday box right on top. Underneath I have 3 bins, one for recycling, one for shredding, and one for trash. I’m so amazed. Paper used to take over the whole house, and I constantly lost things, important things, like the property tax bill!

@lauramitchell6725

Жыл бұрын

Lady Sara: 👏🙌🏻👍

Also my husband is gluten intolerant (not celiac) and he can tolerate homemade sourdough bc of the fermentation! We use organic flour and it's so much healthier and tastes better than store bought bread!!

@osoniye4209

Жыл бұрын

Would you share a recipe? And how did you get the sourdough started?

I struggle with ALL the clutter categories you named! Realizing now that my lazy clutter is because of homeless clutter, especially when the item's "home" is too full or too cluttered for the other stuff to go into. My biggest struggles as far as downsizing/donating/getting rid of, are Identity and Guilty clutter. I am the only child of thrifty, frugal, caring, creative parents - we didn't have much growing up (parents and grandparents were all teachers), so we lived by the "take good care of what you have, and make use of it, maintain/fix/upkeep, and find a way to repurpose materials whenever possible," oh- and rarely said no to hand-me-downs. Plus we moved a lot - many times there were boxes that never got unpacked. It wasn't until about 10 years ago that I realized there are people out there in the world who do not have ANY cardboard boxes of stuff in their homes - mind blowing! Example of how I grew up: our homes were always as tidy and "clean" as possible (no actual trash/food/grime/unhealthy stuff around) but often stuffed with our stuff. In one very small apartment, we made a study/office area for my dad in our living room (he was getting his M-DIV, so we were in Married Student Housing for 3 years when I was 8-11 years old) by creating a room divider wall out of some of the boxes of things we knew we wouldn't be unpacking (since we had no where to put the things like the fancy china, collectibles, family memorabilia - we actually USED our boxes of "contained clutter" to minimize chaos - lol.) My parents divorced when I was 20, have since remarried, are both clutterbugs and sentimental. I spent lots of time with my maternal grandparents, who are products of the Great Depression, so that furthers the "nothing wasted" mentality. I never learned how to organize a home, keep less, handle certain aspects (paper clutter, etc). I have become ""the keeper of the family heirlooms" - along with special things from other family members and friends who have passed away. I find it especially hard to let go of things due to guilt and sentimental attachments - especially since object permanence, dementia and memory loss are concerns in my family. Taking pictures and letting things go is a nice -idea- but that even backfired on me when our external harddrive got corrupted and I lost about 4 years of photos (before "backing up to The Cloud" was a thing). I have made lots of progress with decluttering and downsizing (been watching videos from Cas, Dana K White and Dawn/Minimal Mom, among others. I don't like making excuses - in fact I like helping people find solutions (which is always easier to give advice and support, than to do it for ourselves, right??) But in certain situations I am struggling to find solutions that help me let go of those things without upsetting my living relatives, or losing connections to the memories tied to some of these items. Over the last year or so, I have really been more mindful of WHAT I allow to come into the house, not just accepting anything that's offered to me by friends/family (whether it is keepsakes that don't mean a lot to me, or hand-me-down items for everyday life), and minimizing shopping habits - this is a huge step for me. I have adopted not just the "one in one out" rule, but try to do "one in THREE out" if possible. The approach is that if I am buying a new/replacement item, it should be better than the one, two, or three old ones I already have (example - I have 3 winter coats/jackets that I love for different reasons. But they're all wearing out (they're all over 10 years old) but until I find "the right one" with all the versatility and features I want (not just "good enough for now"), i won't buy a new coat, because I'd still want to hold onto those old ones for whatever reasons/purposes the new coat didn't fulfil (that's HOW I ended up acquiring three coats in the first place. That and I haven't fluctuated sizes a whole lot in that time). I call it "upgrading, while downsizing."

I am a homeless clutter person, but I am getting better. Your videos help! Thank you 🙏

I think all I have left is guilty clutter. It’s not even much but I realize I can do better. If I can’t give it a home, it may be going!! Thanks for another great video!

Thank you Cas!! So much truth in all the types of clutter! My identity clutter is holding on to items that remind me that I kicked butt at college and worked my way up pretty high in my career prior to leaving to do what I ultimately love and always wanted to do which is be a stay at home mom. Being home with my kids is what I always dreamed to be but I hold onto things that remind me of my successful career days too, just to make sure I don't loose sight of that now that I'm not using those skills/talents in this season. I think the worst is all the college papers I want to scan into my computer before tossing them out.

@nmartin5551

Жыл бұрын

Hi Rachel - for what it is worth, I’m almost 30 years out of the doctoral degree program I completed for my career. I no longer practice in the profession. I not only don’t have the papers I published, my theses and dissertation, I have un framed the diplomas and put them in tubes. Donated the frames. Are you going to re-read those college papers? I would strongly encourage you to embrace the life you live today, focus on the children you are rearing, as there is nothing more important.

I have a little bit of every type of clutter. Identity clutter may take up the most space right now. I retired from teaching last year and because I was so overwhelmed when I retired, I set most of my stuff aside and have only gone through it when I needed something. I kept some things just because I wasn't sure if I was going to pursue something like online tutoring or something. I finally did put my school spirit T-shirts in a box while watching one of your videos on the things that bully you. I kept them in case I decided to substitute, but every time I looked at those shirts, they made me super anxious. It felt good to put them away and they will probably end up being donated.

I’m the “𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣” of freaking “homeless” clutter! I was 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚 of this problem prior to finding u on KZread. After watching this video, I think I might just need the title of “Clutter Queen” in general!!! Lord, HELP ME!!!

I struggle with fantasy/identity clutter…I have an entire room set up as a craft room. I’ve decluttered my home three times -and think I’m a minimalist until I get to my creative space (I have narrowed my hobbies to three categories-scrapbooking, card making, & jewelry). I haven’t scrapbooked one page in over a year…I think I need therapy😊

@lindabourcet1349

Жыл бұрын

I also follow the Minimal Mom and she suggests picking one hobby to focus on and let the other ones go. That allows you to make real progress and to hone your skills as you deep dive into one interest. I let go of my cross stitching and really focus on quilting. I also only keep quilting supplies for what I actually sew (scrap quilts and charity quilts) rather than appliqué, paper piecing or art quilts. It is hard to let go of supplies you spent money on but that money is gone and keeping the stuff won’t bring it back. You can try selling your craft supplies but it is usually for pennies and not worth it. Decluttering is like finding out who you really are.

@pbryant69730

Жыл бұрын

@@lindabourcet1349 I follow Dawn too! It’s funny because card making and scrapbooking go hand in hand because you use the same supplies…but I think my adult children would rather have electronic albums or sourced albums that are the same size and neutral color from Shutterfly…they don’t need to embellishments and journaling

As for clutter, I am a guilty clutter and lazy clutter person. And I have learned that if I make it easier to put things away, I have much less trouble with the lazy clutter. I still have not figured out how to deal with the guilt clutter. ☺️

I grew up naturally neat & tidy & managed to keep a clean & tidy home, even as a working mom. Then I had several through life-changing events, including health issues & my house became filled with what I call depression clutter. I'm working through it slowly now.

I have all of the 5 clutters. The hardest is the guilty. But over time I have realized that it isnt the item. Its the gesture that I identify now. The most cherished is someone that thought of me in a way that unfortunetly gifted me something I no longer need or want or use. Its a lot easier to part with theses kinds of things now. Thanks. 😉👍♥️

I love digging into the psychology of why we have clutter! So interesting and enlightening! One issue in our family that drives me crazy is putting dirty dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher which is right next to it. I guess that extra step of opening the dishwasher door is just too much for some. 🙄

@SnowySpiritRuby

Жыл бұрын

Opening the door, pulling the rack(s) out, figuring out where the dish needs to go, and sometimes even having to figure out first how to rearrange, then doing the actually rearranging of, (and sometimes multiple times) things that are already in there in order for said dish to fit - there are a lot more steps that can get in the way of putting something in the dishwasher, more than just opening the door. And that's coming from someone who's about 15/16 cricket (with 3/64 ladybug and 1/64 butterfly) - the steps of putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher actually overwhelms me more than the things being left in the sink (one of the main reasons I hate cooking with a passion - too many dirty dishes), because if there are so many (or certain ones) that I can't hand wash all of them in the space of 1 minute (after most of my meals, I'm washing only one dish, and maybe one piece of silverware, because that's all I used for the meal - I live alone, so no mountain of dishes from other people), then I tend to let them sit until I have enough of the right kind of motivation to actually do them.

@blaireshoe8738

Жыл бұрын

This is why our dishwasher stays open most of the time, even though it gets in the way 😂if it's closed it seemingly doesn't exist at all! (bonus, we clean it more often, since we can smell it more often... which makes it run a little better, since we're taking out some of the buildup from our still-hard-despite-running-through-a-softener water)

@pancakey636

Жыл бұрын

i am guilty of this not that im lazy but i just could not put unrinsed dishes or pots n pans in the dishwasher and it drying and caking in until it gets full and run. i always think that the dishwasher will not clean it very well. what's your process? i truly wanna know. i need to change my mindset.

@lauramitchell6725

Жыл бұрын

@@SnowySpiritRuby I always have a dishpan with soapy water in it,since nothing gets hard and crusty,you’d be amazed at how many dishes you can quickly wash in just the three or four minutes that it takes to heat up something in the microwave or especially while actually cooking a meal. I do this before every meal so that after we’re done,there’s only two plates,forks,glasses and the cooking pots.( which soak in water while we eat)🙌🏻

@Jen39x

Жыл бұрын

When I lived with mom no point in putting in dishwasher because she would rearrange it

I’m mostly deluged with homeless clutter! I’d be interested to know how to keep on top of things if you’re physically unable to do a lot (in my case, a chronic illness).

@willowbark5649

Жыл бұрын

I'm an equal opportunity clutter girl, but I agree with you- I'd love some ideas on how to make things easier if you have a chronic, or debilitating illness.

@lauramitchell6725

Жыл бұрын

I’m helping an elderly friend with this. She gets a ton of mail everyday so I got her a rolling shelf to put next to her recliner. The top shelf has a basket marked “Important” for bills,taxes,etc. and another basket with stamps,envelopes,pens and scissors.The second shelf has two baskets that say “File” and the other says “Time Will Tell” for catalogs,things to read etc. ( so all of her papers land in one of those three baskets,not all over the house) I told her that she needs to go through the “Important” basket every week and take care of things, (but if she needs something,at least she only has to look in that one place) and deal with the other two baskets when they get full. The bottom shelf has two cans that say “Trash” and “Shred”. And yes,it has been working.🙌🏻

Amazing video. The last one “lazy clutter” reminds me of Dana’s “duh clutter”, which in her podcast she always says do clear that stuff first. I’m very tempted to see if I could prioritize your list of five types of clutter into some kind of timeline for me personally. Duh/lazy clutter being first in the sense that it needs to be a daily habit, AND also the first step in tackling the other types. I do struggle with lazy clutter but like you said in #1, if your stuff has easy homes then you don’t feel so lazy to put it away because you made the location easier. And also the less you have of the other types of clutter, the easier it is to put away or get rid of the “lazy/duh clutter”… The struggle is there now but would be way less if I could only DECIDE where homes should be, actually create said homes, etc. I think the lazy clutter is tricky too because I can spend MONTHS not being lazy with those habits and ignore all the bigger decluttering projects. Then I can go for MONTHS obsessing over the decluttering projects (the identity/guilty/fantasy types or the time consuming projects of finding homes for the regular stuff) and neglect the easy lazy clutter because I’m so focused on decluttering the other types. It’s a never ending cycle for me.

Holy crap, this hit home so hard!!! The part about identity clutter with having lots of kids and their toys. It hit home. It’s so incredibly hard to get rid of their old toys. It is something that I’ve been putting off for a couple of years. It was supposed to be done last summer, but due to health issues I couldn’t, then I wanted to do it this summer, but my health was worse, and it weighed on me mentally and emotionally, till last week. I finally had some energy and have begun to de clutter and clean, changing out my dishes, even! My adult daughter is going to help me to clean our loft, which was our kids’ playroom, and donate as much as possible, then just toss what’s left. The only things we are keeping are all of the American Girls and their stuff, and a small handful of other things, like the Legos that my son asked us to keep. But I actually cried at your description of identity clutter. It does hurt. I want it gone, but it still hurts. But thank you!

WoW Cas. This video was like calling to me. I am in the process of decluttering to just the essentials. But mentally breaking down cause my mum is a hoarder who got notice to leave her rent flat and the days have come to move out but she has soooooooo much stuff. Understanding all these clutter types makes me realise how much she is struggling. Please make your next videos on how we can resolves these clutter types.

I love this! Over time I’ve seen all these types whether with my immediate or extended family or friends. Those are legit!!

I watch several channels like this one, and your channel is the best! The information you have is different because it is not just how to but why we have it in the first place. It has been most helpful to me than anything I have seen before. Thank you!

Identity clutter. I used to sew 5 days out of 7. I spent a lot of time making things for people who expected it and then didn't value it. Some think that sewing is my happy place - it was at one time but not anymore. I know that's on me, but I still have equipment, fabric and notions sitting around. Now they only serve to remind me of things that now make me sad. I need to find new homes for those items, and you just gave me the incentive to do so.