I love thinking about this sort of thing. Here's a couple of examples: I have friends that minimized to the point that they were going to go "car free." They were going to ride their bikes and take public transportation. Great! I thought it was awesome, until they started to ask me for rides all the time. I've also known people that didn't have a washing machine and their plan was to rinse out their meager wardrobe in the tub. Also a great plan, until they were too sick and needed to use my washer. So get rid of things, but keep what you need to take care of yourself without imposing on others. I don't mind helping people, but it can go too far.

@alejandralima2901

5 жыл бұрын

Wow! Have you said NO to some of them? How did they react? Just curious...

@Siures

4 жыл бұрын

As our car broke we tried a few month without and made the same experience: Always had to borrow our parent’s cars. So we decided to purchase a car again. In our situation we cannot do without.

@JadeManatee

4 жыл бұрын

Yikes. Frequent rides and using your big appliances - definitely not the same as lending a book or your tools. I definitely agree that we can live better with less but what’s the point if you burden others.

So glad you did another video!! Missed you!! More please!!!

An interesting thing I found out about myself when I adopted minimalism is that it deepened my depression, though indirectly. I started as an attempt to refute consumerism and achieve a more mobile-able lifestyle. What I found was that I had gone through many waves of depressed states, where I had tried to adopt different hobbies and failed, stuff you dig up when you’re cleaning out your metaphorical and literal closet. In the end it’s lead to a positive internal conversation with myself about mindfulness and mental health and how to be patient and kind with myself. Minimalism is truly about the journey and what you learn while you’re on it, there is no destination. Great video, important topic, much love from me♥️

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

It's so great that you've been able to uncover and discover these truths for yourself! In my last "30 day minimalism challenge," I got rid of so many craft supplies and artifacts from projects that I started and never finished, and it felt soooo good to let those things go. Trying new things can be good, but there's no value in forcing ourselves to continue with things or finish things that bring us no joy. Congrats on all that you've accomplished, and best of luck in the future!

When I read Goodbye Things, I remember thinking that the author took things too far when he only had small towels, he said that he enjoyed the luxury of having big ones when he stayed in a hotel...but I mean, he lives in an apartment, its not like he was backpacking, he could have a big towel, to me it just seemed too extreme and like he was caught up in some sort of compulsive behaviour. I do think it can get like that for some people, a bit like a diet, you feel in control and it gets out of control... Its certainly only like that for some people though, as long as its mindful healthy and liberating its a great thing, I love minimalism. By the way, I'd love an up to date version of your closet!

@Amanda-yd2ey

5 жыл бұрын

I love that you mentioned this book. It's by far my favourite but I agree it was extreme. I wonder if people that have a preference for next to no possessions need a slight feeling of sacrifice/suffering in their lives to conjure up meaning and purpose?. Just an opinion and preference but I guess we're all lucky to have the option.

@blaireshoe8738

5 жыл бұрын

Ah, see, even as someone who has on occasion used a washcloth to dry after a shower (works fine if you're small enough), not having large towels just for the sake of not having large towels when you have plenty of space seems bizarre. Imagine inviting guests over and not giving them a normal-sized towel to use if they want a shower! Even if you are guaranteed to never have guests ever, it's still nice to have normal-sized towels for yourself, so why would you ever get *rid* of perfectly good ones?

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

My biggest beef with the author was now self-deprecating he was. It felt like he put himself down in every chapter, talking about his pre-minimalism self like he was a loser and he didn't speak much better of himself post-minimalism (I remember him talking about how he might be alone forever, or something to that effect, with no real positive outlook). I digress. I tend to agree that the towel example seems a little bit like an unnecessary deprivation, but I think he also rationalized the choice by arguing that the towel dried quickly, so he did make a conscious choice about which benefits were most important to him. ...And now we've all spent more time debating the efficacy of a stranger's towel than we ever thought we would! Just goes to show that everyone has different goals and priorities.

@mettainacan7813

5 жыл бұрын

@@VestedInterests You know, I think that is very typical in Japanese culture, they are very hard on themselves and put themselves down a lot.

@knitterglee81

5 жыл бұрын

@@VestedInterests I cringed every time he drew parallels between having too much stuff and being overweight/out of shape. I get that health is important, but I felt his self-deprecation about that was too much. Given the amount of fat shaming we see everyday in our (American in my case) culture, it would be nice to read a book without those references, especially since he didn't address the specifics of what he did about that other than minimalism fixed everything for him. Health is a much more complex issue than that. Cultural or not in terms of the amount of self-deprecation, it detracted from the message of the book for me.

Thank goodness....a new video!! I so look forward to your posts. You bring up very good points here!

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Susan! Hope you're well!

You’re admirably articulate.

i've noticed i declutter in waves too! my only goal is to not bother others with /my/ goals. i talk about it, but to a limit. and i'm happy to help someone who wants to declutter but getting rid of someone else's items is a huge nono.

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

I 100% agree and it's so great that you're extending yourself to help others as well!

I struggled with an eating disorder during my college years, and I became addicted to decluttering the kitchen. My roommate would come home to find I had decluttered, thrown away, all of the food in the kitchen. It went too far for me.

Minimalism isn't a lifestyle. It's a tool to express your lifestyle. Ideally.

@kathleenbarron7654

4 жыл бұрын

Express to whom? Let’s be honest with ourselves, Ido it for ME, hopefully my husband loves the care I take of our home. And I “ hope” my kids appreciate to ease of taking care of us in later years, but they might wish their were more memories. In summary, it’s my lifestyle.

You made an excellent point that the goal of de-cluttering is not the end game but a means to freedom from stuff, or burden of responsibility for stuff and I believe that is truly the perfect definition....addiction comes from enjoying toooo much something that triggers pleasure in the brain...the act of de-cluttering is wonderful and I love it BUT, and a big but here I understood that the de-cluttering process was to become 'more' minimal, more free and less exhausted by my home, inbox or other areas where too much stuff is coming in and not having a home or having to dealt with all the time, not having the pendulum swing too far out of balance the other way....moderation is the key...soooo moderate minimalism...LOL

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

I intentionally tried to not say "addicted to minimalism" because, again, minimalism is an intentional, mindful practice, so, if you're truly practicing Minimalism, it should never be a monkey on your back. I can bring myself to say "addicted to decluttering" because decluttering is just the act of getting rid of stuff and doesn't necessarily imply the same level of intentionality.

I am so glad I found your channel. I have progressed so much in my life, not only in decluttering, but also down the path of getting out of debt. Thank you!

“Thank you for letting me extinguish these thoughts from my brain“ - you are brilliant! Actually decluttering your mind, which is another topic entirely.

thanks again for great video! when i was started to practice minimalism, i almost seemed like im addicted to the point where i kept wanting to declutter other things in my family's house without asking their consent, but then i realized that wasn't right way to do that, so i pulled myself back and rethought abt what i almost did it sure does can be addicting if i dont really think through and end up regret the decluttering process afterwards, doing things in moderation is right way to do for me at the end, i practice minimalism to improve my life and most importantly my productivity

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

I failed to say this in the video but "Minimalism" is a mindful practice whereas "decluttering" does not necessarily imply the same reflection. I suppose most of us start out with simple decluttering, and it can take a little while to build up to mindfulness, but without it, without reflecting on what we hope to achieve and learning about ourselves throughout the process, we'd likely be no better off than when we started.

Reading your title - I'll say "yes" - it can go too far because it can be a total distraction from going out and engaging with life in some other way. Decluttering can be fun, but then it can also go to far with a cycle of "easy come, easy go." Thrifting, for instance, is just cheaper shopping. Someone can still have poor shopping habits and justify it because they often declutter. Good thoughts.

I'm soooo glad your back! .

So great to see you back on youtube! Missed your videos :) thanks for the great insight, inspires me to start looking at my space again

I just watched a video of yours about ways to start Decluttering and I 100% agree playing the Minimalism game is a way to start . I’m on my 3 week of that right now and I’m actually having fun with it. Thanks love your video.

I started decluttering in 2016 after - like so many - reading the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, before moving beyond into Minimalism. Although there's been a few hurdles along the way, i've never once lost my motivation to declutter - nor felt addicted to it! Like you say, minimalist ideals are different for each person. So 'going too far' can only be moving beyond what you're happy with. Personally, i'm happy every time an item leaves the house 😆

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

I feel like a broken record sometimes talking about the importance of figuring out your own goals, but that's because it IS incredibly important, and without taking that time to decide what you want, you could very well be mindlessly throwing stuff out without a clear idea for what you are trying to achieve. Good on you that you know yourself! That can be the hardest part!

@stewartyoung335

5 жыл бұрын

@@VestedInterests 😆 no, you're absolutely right! I'm also moving within the next year so i'm looking at this as a means to a fresh start too 😁

I sure like your presentation method! Minimizing - to me - is an expanding - a journey to more of life's experiences. That's where I am right now, amid the process, working toward the goal - and as you have stated in your experience, that post moves toward harmony. Thank you!

I love it, the emptiness is clean and so organized.

It takes a confident person to be consistently minimalist. Most need to have lots of stuff to compensate for a lack of self confidence or end up with lots of stuffs due to indecisiveness..

@lottie1144

4 жыл бұрын

Some people need a lot of stuff because they have a pool that needs to stay maintained, they have a garden that needs maintenance. They have hobbies. Or maybe they want to be prepared in case of an emergency, like with covid. Maybe they work out of their house?

Your hair is beautiful. I like the style, too. There's no problem throwing stuff away. Few things are really essential.

Minimalism is definitely a journey. I went from hoarder to still needing improvement. lol I think it goes to far when you start to regret your choices. Now that I’m married and have a 2 month old son it has definitely gotten harder to be more minimal. But we are doing a pretty good job so far. We had a lot of people laugh at us for saying we are going to stay minimal. And I think a lot of people are just uncomfortable about it because society says we need more and more. Like you said, what works for one person isn’t going to work for the next.

@itsmeGeorgina

5 жыл бұрын

From hoarder to "minimalist with room for improvement" A small step for the average individual, a giant leap for you and me... I was a hoarder to such a degree that I gave up on finding anything at all, I kept a few clothes in a basket to wear every day, 1 coffeecup and a plate,,, I was depressed for a decade Not anymore, now I am happy and free 😊

love your new hairstyle and the content!

As long as you have all you need (lets face it.. i love decluttering and i try not to keep what i dont use, buutt... i still have lots more than i actually need) it’s fine. I still like stuff, just nog stuff that serves no purpose other than ‘being there’.

@Lesieva

5 жыл бұрын

I need to add i’m not a minimalist at all. But i also dont want an abundance of stuff.

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

At its core, I think minimalism is a mindset. There's no threshold of stuff you need to be under to qualify as a minimalist--it's about how you choose to live your life. Minimalist label or no, it sounds like you've found some great principles to apply to your life!

A balanced and considered POV well stated...thank you. Minimalsim for me is a gentle process. I enjoy the 'waves' and the processes of decluttering when they happen, attend to the rest of my life in the meantime and I don't worry too much about the destination as long as I'm being considered and intentional around all the choices I make in life. Minimalism certainly makes me stop and think before I purchase anything and more often than not, I walk away...that's positive progress and that's good enough for me, for now. It's, as you so eloquently stated, a personal journey for each of us.

Really enjoyed your video!! I always do. I appreciate your reflections and value your ability to express yourself with clarity. I’m on my 2nd year in my decluttering journey and I too find myself decluttering in waves because the bar keeps changing. Still love it and still brings so much value. Good tip about becoming obnoxious at dinner parties. Not yet, I don’t think. I’m also passionate about becoming debt free so at least I mix it up some!! 😉😉

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

It sounds like we're in the same boat! Minimalism has definitely evolved to have more financial implications for me as well, and that's what I'm currently passionate about, so perhaps I'll share more about that soon on my channel. Best of luck with your own practices!

@simplesgood7694

5 жыл бұрын

Vested Interests Yes please!! I know that you did a finance video before, but more would be totally welcome. We learn so much as we go!

Excellent information and delivery!

Hi there I love your channel been watching you declutter over the years, wow is it an addiction, thats very hard to answer, i have been decluttering for 15 years and i don,t own a vast amount of things, i think my relationship with things have changed, they no longer have a massive hold on me, but i declutter mostly when i want to change and to move on, or have no control and getting clutter out simplifies my space and that helps me psychologically, i like to change my decor a little bit so i am not really sentimental, i have moved downsized 3 times, but i think a little bit of discomfort isnt a bad thing when letting go, also to prevent making the same mistakes needs some tough thinking/action, i love organisation because i am not organised so it seriously help me, plus my personality responds better to less things and less choice. i hope you and your viewers found this helpful much love Jacqueline

The echo in this room is amazing 🥰

Thank you for another great video😊 ‘Always appreciate when you share your thoughts...a journey for sure. Its good to see and talk about the why👍🏻 ‘Obnoxious guest...’😂

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

To be fair, I've probably also been that obnoxious dinner party guest. Now, I just tell people to check out my channel if they're interested and leave it at that.

I have been a minimalist way before it became a trend; and when i learnt that people where embracing the idelogy of bringing items and people that bring value into our lifes i was exited to see a possible change in society. However, when minimalism became a practice of living with nothing i was discourage and kinda mad because that was not minimalism at all. Why do we humans cant maintain a healthy balance on anything? Its either black or white all the time. And the moment minimalism became that. It was no longer a possitive movement. I FOLLOW YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT LIKE THAT ❤. You have a thought process for your minimalism journey and not just a label. Question? Why is it that a lot of new minimalistic people throw away their couch? Like why? How was it bothering you? Can someone help me find the answer? . I dont get it haha.

@itsmeGeorgina

5 жыл бұрын

I know a lady in NYC who threw out her couch to make room for a trampoline, she had cancer and lymph stasis, but not anymore, the trampoline saved her, and now guests have to sit on the trampoline and have coffee 😄

wow, thank you so mcuh for this! I just want ot let oyu know that your wardrobe de clutter videos have inspired me the most out of any on youtube, you make it very simple and i just love the way you doit. I metiont it because as fellow youtuber,sometimes we aren't aware of the impact we are having in helping people. Thank you for this, last night I did a HUGE (biggest ever) clothing purge like now down to around 10 pants (guy) so that was huge for me as one example. I did have this thought in back of my mind wondering if toofar,though knowing it wasn't. M y motivation is I wantot be free! THANK YOU! I want a POWER wardrobe so clohtes not only look good,fun,but make me feel AMAZING< isn't that what lifeis about?

@itsmeGeorgina

5 жыл бұрын

😎

I enjoy and embrace minimalism aesthetically in my decor, in my fashion choices and the amount of clothes that I'm happy with, financially with my very selective spending, gift giving & purchases in general, and even minimal with social experiences. I really can't think of an area of my life that isn't minimal. I have found freedom and a less complicated life. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into this video. It was very well thought out. I have a question for the minimalist cyber world. Does anyone else feel uncomfortable visiting a home that is messy & cluttered?

Such important topic! I have noticed in myself and people around me feeling anxious despite decluttering a lot. I wanted at one point have less things in my wardrobe but then I realized it wasn’t the number it was that I had a lot of things but I was still lacking certain core pieces. I’m much more at peace with my wardrobe now luckily. I think when we declutter we need to face up to a lot of stuff in our lives and it’s not easy.. so it might be easier to look for the “quick fix” like how many things we should have, maybe we can declutter some more? Instead of dealing with what you gotta deal with - if that makes sense?

I feel like you handled this very eloquently! Thank you! I have been accused of being addicted to decluttering before. But I feel, like you said, that the standard for what is neccessary to keep changes as I go. I think that it is easy for people who hold onto things to find the process of letting go unrelatable.

how funny, i was thinking about making a similar video on this topic. i started to question if I've gone too far with decluttering but I don't think I'm addicted. I also don't try to push my views on others

I really enjoyed this video

We have the same hairdo now! 😄I cut mine minimally short last autumn, and now it is 10 cm longer, I will cut it again in September You look very nice, more intelligent, as you were all along I'm sure, it just wasn't that obvious until you spoke 😉

Give us a house tour!!!!!

I could listen to you all day! I have to be careful about not turning into that “obnoxious guest.”

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

If you like talking about minimalism but you don't always want to be the one to instigate the conversation, wait until you hear someone complain about their stuff and then simply say "Oy, that sounds miserable" and then they'll start to wonder why you don't have the same problems.

I de clutter in waves too

I am decluttering while ı am listening this

Last year I decluttered my wedding dress, I tried to sell it but failed and now today when I was boxing it up to store properly my husband says he would have been devastated if I had got rid of it!

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

I'm very happy then that you two decided to talk about it! It's important to be on the same page as our partners, and a little communication can go a long way.

@ladyandthefrogs

5 жыл бұрын

@@VestedInterests that's the bizarre thing, we spoke about it last year when I got it out and steam cleaned and repaired it. At least now it's in decent storage that fits under the bed!

@GiGiWellness28

5 жыл бұрын

@@ladyandthefrogs I also wanted to donate my wedding gown few years back, but my husband said "No". I respected his wish and stored it at the far side of a wardrobe in our spare room. I told him, it is now his responsibility, I no longer own it. That made me feel I've got rid of it ☺️ (even though physically it's still in our home).

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

GiGi, I LOVE that idea! If you're not sentimental about it and he is, he gets to own it!

@VestedInterests

5 жыл бұрын

Lynda, I was actually thinking this yesterday and hesitated to say it, but I think sometimes people construct their ideas of what should be sentimental (or what we should do in general) from what we see in the rest of society. I was never really sentimental about my wedding dress, but, at the same time, it felt weirdly irreverent to get rid of it, so perhaps he feels the same way. That said, people change, so maybe he'll feel different with time.

Here's a perspective: let's be minimalist in our emotional connection as well as our purchases. This is the problem with unifying or even describing minimalism. There's aesthetic minimalism with bare walls, fiscal minimalism where you shop twice a year and use one kind of soap for everything, but in the end, minimalism isn't a true obsession, because fanhood isn't minimal. What if minimalism is never a movement or lifestyle, but a tool?

@SeeYourStar

5 жыл бұрын

interesting diea, can you share more about you mean in emotional connection? what does that look like?

@JohnNathanShopper

5 жыл бұрын

**SeeYourStar** Ironically, if you love minimalism too much, that love is no longer minimalist. Minimalism is just a tool to focus on what's most important.

I was such a minimalist I had to do laundry every week just for myself because I didn't have more than one week of clothing. I reached an unhealthy level decluttering.

I have this disorder but I still have everything I need and my house looks very cute with decor. But I’m married to a full blown hoarder and it makes us fight over stuff. We love each other but life is hard with 2 complete opposite issues 😬

There's a wiki page about compulsive decluttering. It takes less than 9 minutes to read. including the interesting references section.

@wookinooki9023

Жыл бұрын

watched the video. 9 minutes of PRAISING decluttering and saying how happy she is with herself. This just took up 10 minutes of my time and I learned absolutely nothing about the subject mentioned in the title. Making useless videos: Isn't that an example of CLUTTER ?

Great tips and interesting video. Found it useful. Thanks.

Have you ever thought of being a motivational speaker. I think you would definitely be good at it.

I wonder if there is any correlation between decluttering things, and decluttering people. I have an adult son that throws everything away. He does not want anything in his home. He throws away Birthday, and Christmas gifts I have given him. It’s so hurtful. I cannot forget anything at his home because he will throw it out! He threw away my lawnmower, and other items of mine. Lastly, it seems he has thrown away me!

Well let's just put it this way everybody's different. I don't know if I'm addicted but most people are doing the minimalism game in 30 days. I'm doing it in 1 day. I just went cold turkey so is that kind of being addictive. Basically I'm in a mission to simplify and I don't got time for 30!

Previously I decluttered others' items hoping it will be simple for them. I was wrong, they were mad. The next day I saw them looking for something for 30 minutes, those people will never realise minimalism and decluttering helps them, they are kind of people who want to have every counter full of stuff, its their obsession.

No cat? You look great.

how can I tell my niece about minimalism that's about to go to college?

@Angela-os4hk

5 жыл бұрын

My son just finished his first year @ college. He realized he took way too much stuff. This year he will take 2 bed sheets, 2 weeks of clothing, 2 plates, 2 forks, 2 spoons, 2 cups, 2 bowls, essential toiletries, coffee pot, and what ever is needed for classes, including computer which doubles as tv. Hope this list helps.

I wouldn‘t want people to call me a minimalist either. :D

A way better approach is not to clutter at the beginning or aim to a zero waste attitude.

Why did KZread give a notification on my phone while I am not even subscribed to your channel... Ok video though

@itsmeGeorgina

5 жыл бұрын

It happens, if you watch similar channels, that's not a big deal, surely

I think there is no addiction to minimalism. An addiction usually takes up more and more of your time and your thinking about the addiction increases too. But with minimalism the nature of the thing is that your possessions get less, so there is no way, it is going to take up more and more of your time evolving around it.

@itsmeGeorgina

5 жыл бұрын

I love this kind of logic, but I have to disagree, I have seen a couple of friends be so obsessed with minimalism that they spent all day talking about it, even when they were having coffee with other people Completely OCD, like I was with veganism a few years back Minimalism is a tool to clear your mind -- in short,, most people in minimalist groups hanging out and talking about decluttering and IKEA are actually hoarders 😂😂😂 the real minimalist are having lunch in Central Park

@mishastanley773

4 жыл бұрын

For me, there is. I personally struggle with this. Every day instead of interacting with my kids I’m searching for things to get rid of. I get anxious when my kids bring things into the home, knowing that at some point I’ll have to work to get rid of it. For me it’s an addiction because I can’t just let things go in a donation bag. I feel I need to be sure that I give them to someone who will for sure use them. I also get a high from making money off my old things So I sell a lot. I keep thinking that I’ll feel more peaceful inside once I get rid of one more thing, but it’s just a temporary high. A day later I’m looking for more. And often I’ll regret purging certain things. Often I feel my life is so pathetic.