The Real Cost of Clutter | Sandra Lane | TEDxWilliamsport

Sandra Lane discusses the real cost of clutter in our life. Sandra Lane founded her company, Organization Lane, in 2010 with a goal of helping individuals release the excess in their space and life so they can focus on what matters most.
Sandra is a Board-Certified Professional Organizer and Workplace Productivity Specialist. She is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Ask the Organizer. She is a regular blogger and has contributed to numerous publications including Thrive Global and is working on a second book.
Today Sandra speaks, writes, coaches and consults on all topics related to productivity, time management and organization. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 1 100

  • @brianniegemann4788
    @brianniegemann4788 Жыл бұрын

    I held on to my departed wife's things for 6-7 years. Then l let her go. I sorted through her belongings a few at a time and said goodbye to them. I stopped whenever the sadness overtook me, then started over when l was feeling better. I buried her last pair of shoes in the backyard. The biggest thing left by now is a shoebox full of pictures. I'm going to send them to a company that copies them onto a dvd. I did the same thing with my father's 900 color slides. I have the comfort of saving all those memories, but they no longer fill a closet. Thanks for listening.

  • @alyssawoodman

    @alyssawoodman

    Жыл бұрын

    Sweet =)

  • @kamcorder3585

    @kamcorder3585

    Жыл бұрын

    I wish I could give you a big hug ❤ Letting go is hard. Your wife and father would be proud of you.

  • @alisab3041

    @alisab3041

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your story. My husband died 2.5 years ago and I’ve steadily tackled his stuff, some days just 15 minutes, some days 2 hours. It’s exhausting. He was a professor and the amount of paper and books in his office is my largest burden; it will take me another year to finish discarding and distributing this stuff that means nothing to me. I am slowly creating a home that better reflects me and my more minimal style. It gives me more peace. I wish you peace too.

  • @Romans15.32

    @Romans15.32

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm sorry for your loss. Your statement "I buried her last pair of shoes in the backyard" struck me. We are quite alike. I'm glad you're getting through it. ❤

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    Been there. Not yet done that. Letting go is tough. But it has to be done. Takes a lot of resolve.

  • @virginia_in_the_rearview
    @virginia_in_the_rearview Жыл бұрын

    "Clutter comes from unmade decisions". This hit home! It's so true.

  • @lisa_gay
    @lisa_gay Жыл бұрын

    5:46 "Clutter comes from unmade decisions." Wow, this sentence hit me right in the gut. That's what it all comes down to.

  • @carenmontgomery2384

    @carenmontgomery2384

    Жыл бұрын

    boy oh boy oh boy... making any decision has been extremely difficult my entire life! ☆ my adhd wasn't diagnosed until after I retired...crazy crazy! I can relate to some of this...it is extremely frustrating...

  • @MrCednumber1

    @MrCednumber1

    Жыл бұрын

    Definite gut hitter!

  • @PraveenSriram

    @PraveenSriram

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly

  • @SF-ru3lp

    @SF-ru3lp

    Жыл бұрын

    Mr Melon's version is similar: clutter is postponed decisions. From my experience it is valuable to ask ourselves what was/is the reason for the postponing? We may have to revisit and unpack some life events/memories/emotions/failure/shame/guilt... human stuff. I think we should allow ourselves the encouragement of talking it through with a counsellor if we need help "unblocking things" G Ire

  • @annefitz7346

    @annefitz7346

    Жыл бұрын

    Guilty 😆. But I’m making more progress in my 60s than in the previous 40 years! After my parents passed it really hit me that the more I got ride if now the better for my daughter.

  • @NostalgiaSue
    @NostalgiaSue Жыл бұрын

    This week I gave away my son 1rst bicycle. It was like new. So many sweet memories attached to it. A man with 6 kids that was doing my roof was looking at me putting everything out of my small shed. Spring cleaning a bit late I guess. I asked him if he need a bicycle. His face lid up. Big smile. He said well my little Jack would sure love that. His 12 year old son was in the roof working with him. He said: Oh My he would just have so much fun. I teared up. I finally found the right person to give it to. 30 years I kept that tricycle for a special boy or girl. I pick it up and put it in the back of his truck. I went to get them lemonade and a gift certificate for the 12 year old boy. Before they left we took a selfee together. I gave double what he ask for the job . I made sure to give the boy his gift certificate and tell him how impressed I was of him. I will miss my little bike but it's making new memories with a beautiful family. My memories will never go away.

  • @monawilliams286

    @monawilliams286

    Жыл бұрын

    What a beautiful story!

  • @lisaryherd4685

    @lisaryherd4685

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh my gosh, this had me tearing up in a very good way!!!

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Love that story- thanks for sharing.

  • @manuelescurra9950

    @manuelescurra9950

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing that memorie.

  • @mikeifyouplease

    @mikeifyouplease

    Жыл бұрын

    Who's cutting onions?

  • @juliannacalifornia
    @juliannacalifornia Жыл бұрын

    I started with one drawer. 5 months later I had gotten rid of 99% of everything I owned, rented out my big house, purchased a van that I turned into a home on wheels, and I've loved every minute since. Things can be anchors. What really matters is people, and experiences.

  • @catherinepoloynis

    @catherinepoloynis

    Жыл бұрын

    @@juliannacalifornia A nurse around the corner from me did the same thing. It sounds great.

  • @livingdeadgirl8074

    @livingdeadgirl8074

    Жыл бұрын

    God I'm jealous.

  • @purpledancerbmw5279

    @purpledancerbmw5279

    Жыл бұрын

    Things are fine unless you are tripping over them. Yikes!

  • @t.h.nguyen5193

    @t.h.nguyen5193

    Жыл бұрын

    Wow, congrats! I want to learn to do that? How did you learn to detach and part them? I have items from my daughter since birth and need to part them.

  • @purpledancerbmw5279

    @purpledancerbmw5279

    Жыл бұрын

    @@t.h.nguyen5193 Amen teach us!

  • @sl-oq3fd
    @sl-oq3fd Жыл бұрын

    Words of caution and tears: For several years I paraded in the de-clutter movement. Then in several bad decisions during a stressful move, I gave away antique family items that left me gripped in grief and regret throughout all the many years that followed. Never let go of things with which you have deep family or emotional connection when you are unsettled, rushed, moving, under pressure, angry, feeling on-top-of-the-world, flippant.... or in poor health. Your decisions would likely be based on stressful urges to purge the imbalance and chaos you feel in your present circumstances. Decisions out of touch with your deepest feelings and ability to come up with creative, heartfelt and rational solutions that are right for you and your future.

  • @internationaljetsetguru1483

    @internationaljetsetguru1483

    Жыл бұрын

    This is an excellent point and I know exactly how you feel. As a girl in the USA, I painted a trio of mountains of a landscape I'd never seen before. It was actually a decent enough painting so that my family had it framed and kept it until they moved, 30 years later, when I took the decision to throw it out. Now I live in Switzerland and guess what vista I see each day outside my living room window?

  • @internationaljetsetguru1483

    @internationaljetsetguru1483

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jcrook5904 Yes, but I wanted it later, when I was ALIVE. You miss the point of the OP.

  • @papabear2515

    @papabear2515

    Жыл бұрын

    It can be helpful to realize and remember …. Every THING is just a THING. It’s our emotional attachments we give to things that pull on our heartstrings. All that truly matters are those things that are not THINGS/OBJECTS. By holding on to things emotionally - sentimental things, for example, we are mistaking the THINGS for the memories and experiences. No one can ever take those away from us. There is grace, freedom and gratitude in letting THINGS go. All the best to all.

  • @wintersprite

    @wintersprite

    Жыл бұрын

    Good point. I collect dolls and stuffed animals. At times I try to downsize a bit, however I usually will put the items away in a closet for awhile and if, after a bit of time, I feel I can let go of those things, I do. If I miss a specific doll, for example, then it means I’m not ready to let that one go. In the end, even though I do sometimes miss the dolls and stuffed animals I’ve sold, gifted, or donated, it hasn’t been enough to rebuy that particular one. I also have a sort of unofficial list of which dolls are the top ones I would keep if I ever downsized a lot (such as my top ten or top five).

  • @alexstokowsky6360

    @alexstokowsky6360

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wintersprite The doll thing I just don't get. I have a couple of dolls from my childhood my mother saved for me, and I want to get rid of them in my heart, but my mother made clothes for them and saved them for me, so it is out of love and remembrance for her that I keep them. But really, do I play with dolls anymore? No. Are childhood toys what I want to decorate my home with at my age? No. Are they kind of spooky, as replicas of humans with open realistic eyes? Yes. I just don't understand the fascination. I would also find this hobby to be somewhat embarrassing.

  • @tomaszwyszkowski2253
    @tomaszwyszkowski2253 Жыл бұрын

    When this lady said: Got clutter? I started crying. I grew up in cluttered home and after years of struggling I found minimalism and got rid of all the clutter.(layer by layer). So, I'm finaly free and I can say: No, I don't have any clutter. We don't realize how heavy the clutter wait on us until we get rig of it and become light and free...

  • @ItsMeAnn628

    @ItsMeAnn628

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s inspiring!

  • @CopingwithGrattitude

    @CopingwithGrattitude

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here…I am trying to learn a different way of being. I am so overwhelmed.

  • @Petra44YT

    @Petra44YT

    Жыл бұрын

    I grew up in a cluttered home, too. I had come to the point when our guest room had an old baby bed that was no longer usable because it was damaged so a child might hurt their little fingers. But my mother "needed" it to store the empty suitcases. I convinced her that the suitcases could pretty well stand on their own. We had a table football which no-one was ever using. I convinced them to give it to my nephew (who doesn't use it either) and use the space for an exercise machine instead. We threw out an old wardrobe with a warped mirror and bought an IKEA closet that fit nicely into that gap and held actual stuff, not clutter (envelopes, paper, duct tape, light bulbs and such).

  • @Zelphraeya

    @Zelphraeya

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here. I became a hoarder and an impulsive shopper when I was a kid. Minimalism for me was a God send that helped me figure out what really matters to me and why I should or shouldn't choose to make particular purchases. Collections, "What if" items, supplies for projects that were never fulfilled, and things that were gifted to me were the biggest hurdles I had to get passed.

  • @purpledancerbmw5279

    @purpledancerbmw5279

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh we realize.....try Grave's Disease. Broken immune system, the body is fighting back. Stress stress stress.

  • @GantsilyoBaguioYarns
    @GantsilyoBaguioYarns Жыл бұрын

    "Look inside of you. Everything you want, you already have." So precious. Beautiful talk.

  • @Juxtapose76

    @Juxtapose76

    Жыл бұрын

    Amën.🙏💖💯

  • @amandadavis5658
    @amandadavis5658 Жыл бұрын

    "We shop for the thrill of saving money". Oh man, what an oxymoron that totally hit home. Very hard to save money if you are still spending it!!! Great talk, an easy voice to listen to!

  • @01JH

    @01JH

    Жыл бұрын

    Growing up that was one of the weirdest things grown ups would say. Adults complicate the simplest things.

  • @abstring

    @abstring

    Жыл бұрын

    I totally feel that and can relate to the thrill of saving money.

  • @jamiesimpson8602

    @jamiesimpson8602

    Жыл бұрын

    EXAMPLE; A Chain of Department stores usually as an attached anchor to a mall. The above store is advertising a 25% off regular merchandise sale. And, IF YOU USE YOUR STORE CREDIT CARD - TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 20% OFF PURCHASEs. Sooooooo, SPEND $$$ TO GET 25% .PAY USING store card-+20% NOW, STORE CREDIT CARD =29% Intererest

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Glad you found it valuable.

  • @stephanietedder330

    @stephanietedder330

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sandralane5235 You are an amazing presenter. I really enjoyed this! I am pretty organized and have alway loved to organize drawers and pantry’s, but I realized I can not deal with photographs of family and my madame Alexander dolls. I become paralyzed to do anything because of facing the memories. That’s the hardest part. I need to take a little bit of time and start and I will feel the relief. Thank you for this.

  • @stephanietedder330
    @stephanietedder330 Жыл бұрын

    I heard a great comment. “We fill our garage with junk and then park our valuable, expensive cars outside”. I immediately cleaned out the garage of the junk that wasn’t worth as much as the cars.

  • @wintersprite

    @wintersprite

    Жыл бұрын

    My family can’t do that as we don’t have a garage. We have a shed for things like the lawn mower and snow blower. My dad decluttered it a few years back as it had gotten full of old things we no longer used, such as my childhood tricycle.

  • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    Жыл бұрын

    I never understood that. 14 years w no car payment and the car looks like new. Funny part, "they" don't like when you don't owe anything, so they ding your credit!

  • @DimaRakesah
    @DimaRakesah Жыл бұрын

    Where I live there has been a severe housing shortage for years. Yet repeatedly, when I see buildings going up in the area, it's for storage businesses. We're using our space to house inanimate objects instead of building homes for people.

  • @katesomething1701

    @katesomething1701

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes.Know a guy who has been WAITING 10 years for section 8. Why can we get a couple of rich cats together and build some affordable condominiums especially for tbe working poor.

  • @celieboo

    @celieboo

    Жыл бұрын

    Truth!

  • @triciadilligaf2678

    @triciadilligaf2678

    Жыл бұрын

    @@katesomething1701NIMBYism is why

  • @CasualBeliever

    @CasualBeliever

    Жыл бұрын

    i see the same thing in canada, wonder if this is a global coincid3nce?

  • @yourlocalhopedealer2162

    @yourlocalhopedealer2162

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly 🥺 as a currently homeless person? I too have been on waiting lists for years and years. I would give my right arm away for s chance to have somewhere to call "home" and i would honor that home by keeping it the best it could be at all times ❤️ i let go of my possessions long ago. It's the experiences of life i want to keep.. not the things or items.. ❤️

  • @carolkennedy2400
    @carolkennedy2400 Жыл бұрын

    CHAOS =can't have anyone over syndrome, caused by the shame, embarrassment, guilt and impacts on every part of our lives and identity. Thank you, Sandra, great talk

  • @savage22bolt32

    @savage22bolt32

    Жыл бұрын

    I tell people if you don't like my cluttered house, we can sit outside under a pine tree. Most people love to look around, and have said my house is like a museum!

  • @SF-ru3lp

    @SF-ru3lp

    Жыл бұрын

    Great definition of 'CHAOS'. G Ire

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Carol.

  • @jennw6809

    @jennw6809

    Жыл бұрын

    CHAOS Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome came from FlyLady. Highly recommended.

  • @pamtopham1746

    @pamtopham1746

    Жыл бұрын

    Love Flylady. Kitchen Sink Reflections was a great help.

  • @makoa143ify
    @makoa143ify Жыл бұрын

    I got rid of so much clutter for the past 2-3 years. I even Sold 2 of my prize vehicles. With all that extra money,I booked a month long vacation in california and Washington with my family.

  • @monawilliams286

    @monawilliams286

    Жыл бұрын

    Yessss 🙌🏾

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Love this!! Experiences verses tangible stuff! You can’t take with you so use it up.

  • @annphetamine1
    @annphetamine1 Жыл бұрын

    I've had over 30 addresses. Every house move was a nightmare I had so much clutter. 3 months ago I moved country and brought only hand luggage. I didn't need any of it

  • @sincerelysandi

    @sincerelysandi

    Жыл бұрын

    @Ann F what a great transformation.

  • @sidstovell2177

    @sidstovell2177

    Жыл бұрын

    When I retired I moved countries, carrying only two large clamshell suitcases. 15 years later, it look 6 months to sell/donate/give away, all the stuff, I'd collected, paring down to the bare minimum. I love it.

  • @Jen-zi1dy

    @Jen-zi1dy

    Жыл бұрын

    That must have felt so freeing!

  • @amywalker7515

    @amywalker7515

    Жыл бұрын

    How can you accumulate anything when you move that often?

  • @anarchisttutor7423
    @anarchisttutor7423 Жыл бұрын

    I like to tell myself, when faced with the idea that I might miss an item if I donate it, "I might think of this item .0001% of the time, but it will take up space 100% of the time."

  • @2000disneyland
    @2000disneyland Жыл бұрын

    “Family heirlooms holding you hostage”, I relate. When loved ones die, their “stuff” ends up in my house, because I am the oldest daughter. I don’t want it anymore.

  • @dedhampster4730

    @dedhampster4730

    Жыл бұрын

    My mom has this issue. She says that certain things need to go to cousins she hasnt spoken to in over 40 years. She gets mad at me and says i dont value things, but refuses to hand things down. Example being dishes. She said i wasnt grown enough to have grandmother's everyday dishes at age 26, so i bought my own dishes. Now at nearly 40 she is trying to give me dishes because i have proved that i wont break them since i havent broken my own. Bu now i dont want/need them because i have my own set and i have no room for the dispay cabinet they go in.... grrrr fustraiting.

  • @juditharsenault2131

    @juditharsenault2131

    Жыл бұрын

    Get rid of "it"! I did and am glad I did.

  • @LEIGHandME

    @LEIGHandME

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey, be gentle with your self

  • @Tina-si1gz

    @Tina-si1gz

    Жыл бұрын

    My older sister keeps giving me stuff. Some are clothes she can’t wear but one Sunday she gave me a big bag with the building plans, loan papers etc of the house our dad built in the 1940’s, the pretty dress mom wore at their 50th Wedding Anniversary reception. I have reels and antique voice and movie equipment my dad recorded in the 1950’s and later. No idea what to do with these items. Have had a few transferred to DVD’s and CD’s but it’s expensive and there are literally boxes of these most unlabeled. In-laws died and we have a garage packed with their stuff. My daughter and granddaughter moved in with us then moved out but left all their stuff. One nice big bedroom full of their clutter. Yes it’s stressing me out.

  • @2000disneyland

    @2000disneyland

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Tina-si1gz I completely understand, and sympathize.

  • @dechinta
    @dechinta Жыл бұрын

    My parents died within weeks of each other after being married for 71 years. They never threw anything away. ALL their stuff came to my house. I've been going through their "stuff" for the past 10 years. It's overwhelming and I'm disabled. So I can relate.

  • @chrisoliva530

    @chrisoliva530

    Жыл бұрын

    I can relate to your story. Greetings from Aus. :)

  • @SF-ru3lp

    @SF-ru3lp

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh dear, Dechinta, you have my condolences. I do think you might consider some talk therapy to help with the overwhelm of the loss and help to separate your parents from the things they used. The lady talking gives some good tips. Every blessing to you in your situation. G Ire

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    Greetings from India. I walk in your exact same shoes. My parents died 8 years ago. A huge mountain of their clutter was left behind. I ignored it for 6 years. Then I started to wade thru books, personal items, clothes, ....you know. I feel I have hardly scratched the surface . Many things hold childhood memories and are difficult for me to throw away. But I am taking small steps. It is tiring and overwhelming.

  • @exploreyourweb

    @exploreyourweb

    Жыл бұрын

    @@graphite282 Keep going Ajit, you are so on the right track. Blessings Love sprinkled with Peace and Happiness to you on your journey. xxx

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    I want to share one psychological insight which may or may not relate to you : in India, many in my parents' generation went through years of shortages, unavailability of things, stretched resources, etc. Hence the urge to hoard as it may be of use later . Additionally, everything would some day be "of use to the children" . That day never came. The children saw days of plenty. Everything is available in abundance. My mother hoarded crockery and utensils for the childern to use at some future date. The children use mainly microwave hence don't want metal utensils . The world changed and parents did not notice it. "The children" are left with a load of clutter to deal with. I don't want to repeat this mistake.

  • @debbiericker8223
    @debbiericker8223 Жыл бұрын

    This lady has excellent presentation skills. I look at every item I own as inventory to manage. The less stuff I have, the easier my job is.

  • @just-a-fella3212

    @just-a-fella3212

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, she is a good presenter, indeed. Our houses seem much more cluttered than they were in the 1960s and 70s.

  • @savage22bolt32

    @savage22bolt32

    Жыл бұрын

    Her enunciation is spectaculistic!

  • @TheHeartMystic111

    @TheHeartMystic111

    Жыл бұрын

    The stuff you own, owns you

  • @just-a-fella3212

    @just-a-fella3212

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheHeartMystic111 There is truth in that.

  • @hotels2008

    @hotels2008

    Жыл бұрын

    @Colleen From NH 7

  • @pagan_suburbia
    @pagan_suburbia Жыл бұрын

    She speaks so eloquently and clear….just lovely.

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @caspiana3623

    @caspiana3623

    Жыл бұрын

    Great speech, but why the smile? No need to keep it on your face permanently...

  • @cherylhickmon8573

    @cherylhickmon8573

    Жыл бұрын

    @@caspiana3623 stop it!! Better than a frown anyday!!

  • @hitchjack

    @hitchjack

    Жыл бұрын

    @@caspiana3623 it’s actually a great way to give a positive presentation or animate your voice. If you say the same things with a glum look on your voice it won’t have the same bounce and interest. My parents always taught me to smile whilst on the phone. It’s true and works, maybe you should try it!

  • @ADHDDoc
    @ADHDDoc Жыл бұрын

    I gave away our Christmas tree with all the lights and ornaments to our housekeeper--three days before Christmas. I did so because the tree meant so much more to her family. Days after I gave away the tree, I told my wife about it. She was confused, because she thought the tree was still in our living room.

  • @OurLargeFamilyLife

    @OurLargeFamilyLife

    Жыл бұрын

    😂😂

  • @mangoyacho

    @mangoyacho

    Жыл бұрын

    🤣🤣🤣 That's so funny! Goes to show...

  • @MieshaMBass

    @MieshaMBass

    Жыл бұрын

    Wait a minute I don’t think you’re supposed to give away things if you’re still using?😫😂

  • @jiver2u

    @jiver2u

    Жыл бұрын

    🤣😂

  • @notstarboard

    @notstarboard

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MieshaMBass Why wouldn't you be supposed to do that? You can do whatever you'd like with your own stuff, and it makes complete sense to do something like that. It's just a generous move and adds a lot more to someone else's life than you're subtracting from yours.

  • @rodolforodriguez2592
    @rodolforodriguez2592 Жыл бұрын

    This presentation is worth millions. I like how she mentioned that day may never come when you might need something. A thought process that helps me let go of things I'm not even using is that somebody else needs this more than I do.

  • @mwebb3014
    @mwebb3014 Жыл бұрын

    My MIL was a hoarder. My husband is an only child. She filled four houses and five large storage buildings with all her things. She enlarged her main home three times from 1955 to 2007 to accommodate more stuff. We have been clearing out her main house since late 2015 when she went into the nursing home. We had one small house torn down and hauled off including the things in it because it was costing us a fortune in yearly property taxes and was in an unlivable condition. I used to love having things - useful things, beautiful things, cool and interesting things. But, this experience of clearing out a hoarder’s hoard has made me crave a minimalist lifestyle. I’ll go to museums to see all the pretty things and return home to peace and tranquility.

  • @maggiethomas6836
    @maggiethomas6836 Жыл бұрын

    Clutter breeds clutter. And chaos, with time. Excellent presentation!

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Maggie.

  • @emilybahr3021
    @emilybahr3021 Жыл бұрын

    I feel like she approached the topic from compassion. 💞

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! There is no room for judgement in this business.

  • @FellyMahlatsi

    @FellyMahlatsi

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s what I felt too

  • @kerrymartin7557

    @kerrymartin7557

    Жыл бұрын

    She also has a very pleasant voice & gives off non-judgmental vibes.

  • @yverocks64
    @yverocks64 Жыл бұрын

    I am drowning in 4 corpses worth of clutter, I inherited my brother's, mother's, father's and best friend's stuff. I can barely move through my garage, dining room/kitchen/livingroom and guestroom. Plus I am paying for a storage facility. Plus I shop for the good feelings not for the need or use. This Tedx talk was PERFECTLY TIMED, as I try to figure out how to schedule this weekend to start letting go. Now I realize I need to let go a little today, tomorrow and every day.

  • @an67481
    @an67481 Жыл бұрын

    I love how this speaker has the perfect use of her words and collocation for people who may be sensitive, overwhelmed etc. She has finetuned her communication

  • @celestealtus1687

    @celestealtus1687

    Жыл бұрын

    She is a MASTER in both words and presentation. I'm in awe.

  • @justinbetland9792

    @justinbetland9792

    Жыл бұрын

    I noticed the same thing. Her voice is flawless

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    @@justinbetland9792 Thank you!

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    @@celestealtus1687 Thank you!

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @kent8780
    @kent8780 Жыл бұрын

    I recently developed a health problem putting my own future in huge question, and really waking me up to the necessity of letting go, both toward "stuff" and even toward people. I almost feel like I can take the first step, but it is still a struggle. Here, I've been the one wanting to keep everything, as though it's a proxy for keeping alive the person attached to an object, or of honoring the associated sentiment and wishes of that person via keeping it. To toss something out is to toss the person out, or so it feels. To hold an object makes me happy, like a bit of that person is with me. Plus, I am (along with my elderly parents) the end of my once-grand family line, with no wife or children, feeling the weight of so many ancestors and lots of history, all funneling their legacy only to me, including piles of papers and objects going back even 300+ years, and including all the family's intangible history and passed-down stories. Even going back generations, we always kept almost everything, and we still have the full households of stuff of my grandparents from the 1920s-30s on, and my parents from the 50s-70s on, plus practically everything since my childhood. I always had assumed I would have my own kids and family to pass the torch to (that is, to pass on the stuff-burden like generational hot-potato), but that now feels ever more unlikely. Outside of me however, nobody cares, nobody will know the backstories, so in truth the meaning behind it all is really only in my own head, and the objects a burden in the absence of meaning. I recently was involved with the care of 3 elderly family friends prior to their passing. In each case, their houses were packed full of mementos and photos and sentimental history that meant so much to them. Yet, after they had to leave their homes, each household of such meticulously cared for stuff met the same fate of unceremoniously being heaved into a giant dumpster. It was painful for me to watch, as though "they" as people were being thrown away. Given enough time though, that same fate is inevitable for all of us and all our stuff, however much it means to us. At some point in the future, no one left will remember anything of us anyway, so hoarding to prevent loss is only a poor attempt to postpone the guaranteed end. Why not lighten the physical load it while it's still within our own control to do something good with it? But even with this thought, it's still near impossible to know where to start. I can see this stuff-management selfishly and disproportionately sucks away so much thought and energy that should be instead others-focused, like what good can I do for someone else with this object, or with this time or this effort? That's all that should really matter in the end, that all the "stuff" is a temporary tool within our life to support us as needed physically and emotionally to ultimately let us manage to do something good for others.

  • @theynot4u

    @theynot4u

    Жыл бұрын

    Kent, your comment was better than the video. Your insights and thoughts are appreciated. I'm so sorry you're experiencing health problems. I pray your health improves and you have the support and friendships you deserve. 🙏

  • @BrendaAvadian

    @BrendaAvadian

    Жыл бұрын

    Heartfelt life-long lessons shared eloquently. Thank you.

  • @deborahrossi8963

    @deborahrossi8963

    Жыл бұрын

    Wise words. For the family history and papers, get in touch with the historical society that would be most relevant to the history. I'm sure they would be happy to have some of it.

  • @catherinepoloynis

    @catherinepoloynis

    Жыл бұрын

    My cousin recently cleaned out her deceased mother's barn. There were things stored in the rafters even, that came to California on a wagon train. She donated heavily to the local museum, and kept her great-grandmother's table ( from the rafters) for herself. this week, my mother's estate id being dispensed... and I'm already cluttered. This Ted talk giving me food for thought.

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    Kent, what a lovely thoughtful piece you have written. All you say is correct and true. We should keep things for a purpose. That purpose is to use them for our well-being and happiness and that of others. Hoarding for the sake of hoarding is pointless and destructive. God bless you.

  • @saelaverdad8183
    @saelaverdad8183 Жыл бұрын

    This was great. Clutter causes anxiety. ..at least for me.

  • @gwolf7716
    @gwolf7716 Жыл бұрын

    I love the acronym, SPACE: Sort, Purge, Assign, Combine or Containerize, and Evaluate or Equilibrate. I’m proof eliminating clutter is easier said than done though.

  • @lesliemccauley2003
    @lesliemccauley2003 Жыл бұрын

    I love this lady's style. I struggle with clutter but I always win. My mother's words are a positive reminder for me. Her famous quote anytime we were shopping or buying was "well, did you find anything that you can't live without?

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Love that saying.

  • @susiebaxter2235

    @susiebaxter2235

    Жыл бұрын

    At the end of every shopping trip someone will ask if I bought anything, my answer usually is “nope, didn’t find anything I couldn’t live without!” Thank you to my mom! ❤️

  • @uncapabrew4807

    @uncapabrew4807

    Жыл бұрын

    That is priceless! Love it!

  • @deesjeans

    @deesjeans

    Жыл бұрын

    sounds just like something my mom, aunt, and grandma'd say!

  • @cherylkeller5181

    @cherylkeller5181

    Жыл бұрын

    love that❤

  • @RingyDingDing
    @RingyDingDing Жыл бұрын

    One really GREAT tip I got from another KZreadr was to take a photo/video of that sentimental item you want to keep for the memory. Seeing the item will still trigger the memory so you can reminisce without having the item cluttering up your home/mind!

  • @xnaduah

    @xnaduah

    Жыл бұрын

    Struthlessss

  • @Linda-loveshomeopathy

    @Linda-loveshomeopathy

    Жыл бұрын

    I do this when I want to buy something i do not need. I take a picture and I can look at it from time to time and enjoy it that way and it works for me. This way you are not bringing too much stuff home. :)

  • @kathidau2869

    @kathidau2869

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Linda-loveshomeopathy Great idea.. plus saving money

  • @littleblackbabycat

    @littleblackbabycat

    Жыл бұрын

    I disagree. The tactileness, the abilities to hold the object is comforting. Looking at a photo of something disassociates you from it.

  • @eringrey9297

    @eringrey9297

    Жыл бұрын

    Excellent! If only my phone/photos are so cluttered 😕 I take so many pics with the intention of deleting the bad and print the good. My kids haven’t had recent pics on the wall in 3 years or so 🤦🏽‍♀️ In my defense, back in my day, we had to buy film and drive back to the store to develop photos. Taking photos -if someone remembered to bring a camera or if someone had enough money to get the film - used to be so rare and exciting. It’s literally in your face all the time now. So, yeah … no recent pics of my kids hanging up in about 3 years 🙈 A ton on my phone though.

  • @milfordcivic6755
    @milfordcivic6755 Жыл бұрын

    What gets me is people have 2 car garages and fill them with worthless junk from yard sales, old clothes, old furnishings and abandoned projects they haven't seen in 5 years. Yet a $60,000 vehicle sits outside in the driveway in the elements, deteriorating away.

  • @kathyn1343
    @kathyn1343 Жыл бұрын

    This was absolutely wonderful and insightful. As the wife of a hoarder who has no idea how much stress the clutter puts on the rest of the family, thank you.

  • @TheBLGL

    @TheBLGL

    7 ай бұрын

    This was my mother-in-law. Now she's gone too early. I'm so sorry. I hope your partner wakes up and realizes what they are doing to you, but sadly, they rarely do.

  • @teslaandhumanity7383
    @teslaandhumanity7383 Жыл бұрын

    Imagine the clutter you leave when you pass away and burden your kids with what to do with it all ! 😳

  • @katesomething1701

    @katesomething1701

    Жыл бұрын

    And that is why someone invented Swedish death clean.

  • @teslaandhumanity7383

    @teslaandhumanity7383

    Жыл бұрын

    @@katesomething1701 never heard of that

  • @chantellenolan

    @chantellenolan

    Жыл бұрын

    Swedish death cleaning!

  • @JABrinkley

    @JABrinkley

    Жыл бұрын

    The Swedes invented it, it’s tradition.

  • @juditharsenault2131

    @juditharsenault2131

    Жыл бұрын

    I think about that, too. That's one of my reasons for getting rid of a lot of stuff. Plus I can't concentrate when there's clutter in my space.

  • @philipo5259
    @philipo5259 Жыл бұрын

    The issue isn't clutter - it's over consumption. Being convinced by manufacturers that we need 'stuff' that we really don't...

  • @AFineLineA

    @AFineLineA

    Жыл бұрын

    Totally agreed!!!

  • @acomment5991

    @acomment5991

    Жыл бұрын

    Preach!

  • @wordgirl6267

    @wordgirl6267

    Жыл бұрын

    I have worked as a Sales Supervisor ( for a financial service Corp) even tho it was basically selling a "service," not "physical items" , the process is the same : convince the customer that it would cost them MORE (whether it be time, money, etc ) NOT to have this [ appliance, laptop, cleaning service...] than the "INVESTMENT" they make today ! so I try to keep that in mind , their job is to Advertise & Sell. You really DON'T need most things you see in ads . Even when shopping 🛒 for groceries, it helps to Meal-Plan and make a List . Don't just roam down the aisles waiting for something to jump out at you.

  • @lizsar2578

    @lizsar2578

    Жыл бұрын

    if someone convences you , then the mean you re not in control. Is time to take extreme ownership of our actions, and that goes for my self as well!!!!n GET IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE !

  • @acomment5991

    @acomment5991

    Жыл бұрын

    Loving this comment and responses. My grandmother has QVC’d herself into so much credit card debt. She listens to those salespersons sell her a dream lifestyle. She thinks she’ll get thinner with exercise equipment, bake bread with kitchen aid appliances host guests on expensive china and cook in expenses exclusive non stick pots that are better than the other two non stick pots she ordered 2 years before. They sell a dream home lifestyle and she just orders. My mom tells me, two flex pays on HSN or QVC and you can get a new computer (that I don’t need). All I hear is, two flex pays to own more junk and pay towards someone’s yacht and private plane. I’ll keep my money, I’m good. Don’t buy me a gift for my birthday, give me the money you were going to spend instead.

  • @georgiananae7918
    @georgiananae7918 Жыл бұрын

    I looked around the room as soon as Sandra asked if I have clutter. I do. It's not bad, but it's there. Today, in the middle of her talk, I paused the video and started with a corner of my room. I threw away papers I no longer needed, small trinkets that held no emotional value and reorganized my learning materials. I feel really proud of myself now. One corner at a time 😄😄😄

  • @Creativeabandon
    @Creativeabandon Жыл бұрын

    The corporations inflict fear and desire thru media to make us better consumers and this is a trauma that we in our country is always subjected to! It causes addiction which is highly profitable to every field at our expense. Then we are trained to think it's a moral issue so we judge the sick, blame them, yet it is happening to all of us. Over working, and rushing around separates us from each other and causes loneliness and sadness and shame, then retail therapy, mindless droning around with food, Facebook, etc TV, , numbing to blot out the consciousness of our intolerable situation (which is separation) (being away from each other, thru too much work and mindless activities then we gather everything to feel better but the shine always wears off. The real happiness comes from a connection with a higher power and others 💖

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    You are spot on Hippie Chic.

  • @saphire9823
    @saphire9823 Жыл бұрын

    I live in 740 sq feet , 2 adults a teen and a baby on the way. It’s so hard to get rid of things. We have no closets or storage space . I’m so stressed. This video is motivating. I find we all just have too much. Then we try and dump it to thrift stores and we just need to stop buying so much

  • @sonjak8265

    @sonjak8265

    Жыл бұрын

    Your apartment is much larger than an average apartment for a family of four. in Europe.

  • @5x8cards46

    @5x8cards46

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sonjak8265 That's not actually true. 740 sq. feet is slightly under 68.8 square meters. most of Europe has an average living space of larger than that. Britain is 85 sq meters, Greece is 77. Sweden 83, Finland 82 and so forth. (Italy tips out at over 100 sq meters as do some other countries in Europe, but I was doing the smaller square feet it still isn't rock bottom.) It's a google away. I'm planning on moving in to about 11 square meters (vanlife) and will consider myself lucky when I do.

  • @sonjak8265

    @sonjak8265

    Жыл бұрын

    @@5x8cards46 With due respect, you did not take into account how many people live in those living spaces an whether it is a house in the countryside or an apartment in the city. In many southern European living spaces, in additional to the family, there are grandparents. When I was a kid, with my family of four, in adition to my grandfather, there was a cousin from the countryside going to school in the city, In 68 square meters,

  • @booknerd4317

    @booknerd4317

    Жыл бұрын

    Good luck. Hope you can move to a bigger place for the baby.

  • @stephanieservellon6880

    @stephanieservellon6880

    Жыл бұрын

    Our family of 7 live in an 800 sq ft 3 bed 1 bath rancher. Bedrooms are tight due to bed placement. But keeping everyone to 2 weeks worth of outfits plus 2 jackets (fall/winter) helps tremendously. (helps with keeping laundry done). Never use the attic space for more than Christmas Tree and decorations. Keep toys to a minimum. It is doable.

  • @redjem3333
    @redjem3333 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant woman and topic.. Can we just acknowledge how great and relaxing her voice is.. She is so gentle with such a fragile topic. I have struggled with clutter my whole life and come from a family of "clutterers" too.. Thank you for this wonderful message. 💜🤗

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your kind words.

  • @tinahochstetler2189
    @tinahochstetler2189 Жыл бұрын

    How to add a room onto your house for free: Get rid of the stuff. That money you spent on building up all that stuff will likely be much less than having a room built on. The room you empty out is now available for whatever you would like to use it for.

  • @sammycollins3667

    @sammycollins3667

    Жыл бұрын

    Very good thought. I am on the process of getting rid of stuff. Taking pictures of treasures etc. is a solution I intend to do.

  • @MeatPuppet1962
    @MeatPuppet1962 Жыл бұрын

    It's one of the hardest things I ever did to get rid of my excess possessions.....it has been a ten+ year journey.....I'm doing very well but it's been eye opening.

  • @happygolucky7112
    @happygolucky7112 Жыл бұрын

    I ask myself why I hang on to many things, as my children will just throw them in a dumpster after I’m gone. What has sentimental meaning to me will have no meaning to them.

  • @SF-ru3lp

    @SF-ru3lp

    Жыл бұрын

    A contributor to another channel said the she asks herself when holding up and item as she declutters "What insecurity was this item meant to solve?" I find that inspiring... I say on foot of that "Dear God please heal me and heal my life". G Ire

  • @Cat-ik1wo
    @Cat-ik1woАй бұрын

    I went walking around and looking at the flea market. I saw so many of my past memories of what I had in my home at one time or another. Also tools that was in my dads storage shed and my moms kitchen aids in her kitchen. It all brought back memories. It put a smile on my face to remember. It was like a gallery, a time machine. I am grateful for the memories, it was ours once upon a time, when there was a need for it. But we have let it go. Things and items can trigger memories, and thats good. But my parents and my past is not in those things, they are in my heart. These things were just useful for a time.

  • @annaalm18
    @annaalm18 Жыл бұрын

    Her voice is so soothing

  • @melissac.5948
    @melissac.5948 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent talk. Words are well chosen, and just the right amount of them. Good stage movement, good visual examples, good interaction with audience, good speaking voice, good diction, good speech length. Love the “unmade decisions” concept. No clutter in this TED Talk. ❤

  • @spiralpython1989

    @spiralpython1989

    Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely agree! One of the best presentations about clutter I have seen! And one of the better TED talks too!

  • @kimkane135

    @kimkane135

    Жыл бұрын

    Expert huh

  • @kniterata

    @kniterata

    Жыл бұрын

    Disagree completely. All overdone to distraction. Seems to be reading poorly from teleprompter, with unnatural pauses at line breaks. Brings Romper Room to mind. Delivered as if audience is filled with kindergartners. Good points. Canned delivery. The poet is Rumi. Not Remi.

  • @susanmarie8526
    @susanmarie8526 Жыл бұрын

    The visual of the assistant accumulating clutter was awesome.

  • @stoptheinsanity
    @stoptheinsanity Жыл бұрын

    When my mother died there was so much stuff to go through and I was too sick to do it. It was so overwhelming. I decided I never wanted my kids or husband to go through the same thing so I started giving away things I didn't use or need. I used to have a hard time letting go thinking I may need it some day, but now I love giving stuff away or throwing it away. It's freeing.

  • @kerrymartin7557

    @kerrymartin7557

    Жыл бұрын

    My mom tried, and was working on that before Covid snatched her away.😢

  • @teresaforsyth6185

    @teresaforsyth6185

    Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely!!!

  • @mariamariscal5616

    @mariamariscal5616

    Жыл бұрын

    Exactly 👍

  • @belove0705
    @belove0705 Жыл бұрын

    I LOVE HER VOICE !!!!!!! 😇

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @belove0705

    @belove0705

    Жыл бұрын

    @@organizationlanellc1320 😊😊

  • @charlesly
    @charlesly Жыл бұрын

    What holds me back from decluttering is a sense of shame I have regarding my clutter.

  • @shootfilmnotguns2023

    @shootfilmnotguns2023

    Жыл бұрын

    Don't be ashamed. You're not alone. It's a huge step to recognize the problem and you can do small steps towards clearing up space. You will feel really proud of yourself everytime.

  • @brianniegemann4788

    @brianniegemann4788

    Жыл бұрын

    Don't be ashamed. You have fallen victim to a materialistic culture. Convince yourself you don't need piles of stufc to be happy. Then just get rid of it anonymously. Rent a Uhaul van and take it to the dump. You'll feel better, l promise you.

  • @SurestHope

    @SurestHope

    Жыл бұрын

    Think of your clutter as being like autumn leaves...I have a huge liquid amber in my backyard & never once have I seen it feeling ashamed of leaving clutter all over the lawn. The leaves become more beautiful in colour once the tree has discarded them. It's just a part of life's seasons. There's a time to keep and a time to throw away.

  • @vashtidances

    @vashtidances

    Жыл бұрын

    Just like she said. Start small and make easy choices. I started with “that drawer in the kitchen”. I pulled it out and placed it on the floor and went through it. Once I finished the shame of that drawer turned to pride and I made sure everyone in the house saw it! It’s a slow start but the point is to just start. You can do it!

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    I just love seeing the supportive comments. Please don’t beat yourself Charlesly. Recognizing where you are right now is a step that will lead to another.

  • @dianadavis5002
    @dianadavis5002 Жыл бұрын

    I've been decluttering for awhile because, I don't want my kids to have to do it when I'm gone. Things that have little value to me have none to them

  • @srajput3247
    @srajput3247 Жыл бұрын

    I am watching this video after a few very dedicated decluttering and organising days and I agree about the impact of the stress that clutter brings. I am experiencing a lightness about me. I feel like there is a happier baseline, just knowing that I now have a more organized home and am also in the right mindset to let go of stuff that doesn't serve me anymore. It is such a valuable state, and brings such a shift! Whoever is here to gain inspiration to declutter, I wish you good luck with it💖

  • @mtjoy747
    @mtjoy747 Жыл бұрын

    Got a friend who is a hoarder, and his fav expression is "someone else might need it one day", sometimes he's right, when they ask him for it, knowing he does have it and they do want it, he cannot find it. It's literally buried.

  • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    Жыл бұрын

    My gramma is like that, but she's almost 100 and damn well knows EXACTLY where it is. Maybe shoot for a very, very old lady? Lol

  • @lishayost3431
    @lishayost3431 Жыл бұрын

    One thing I've been doing with sentimental things that are hard to part with is taking a picture of the item, then getting rid of it. So I will still have the picture at least.

  • @mommyingBetchay
    @mommyingBetchay Жыл бұрын

    14:58 really hit me. Value mindset. I fall prey to this almost every single day. I overvalue things to the point where I find it hard to let things go.

  • @katesomething1701

    @katesomething1701

    Жыл бұрын

    The Marie Kondo method helps me. Pick up tbe item and ponder how you feel about it. If it brings you joy, keep it. My own hack is to pick up one piece in each hand say you have too many teddy bears and just look at 2 and decide if I only can keep one which one I would rather keep? Than just repeat the steps to where you have reduced the clutter to manageable size. I just purged my closet recentlly and what a difference.

  • @katinthehat_81

    @katinthehat_81

    Жыл бұрын

    Omg!! The value mindset. Absolutely made me feel like I am not the only one who feels this way. I have some clearing out to do.

  • @SF-ru3lp

    @SF-ru3lp

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree... Dana of "A Slob Comes Clean" says "Is this item worth my mental health?" G Ire

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah. I am in this trap too. I paid so much for it ..... I will use it someday ..... My family can use it (none of them want it)... It will not be available in future,......etc etc. All excuses to hang on to it.

  • @Petra44YT

    @Petra44YT

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah. Happens to a friend of mine, too. She told me she had 20 plus books she would never read again but wouldn't let them go because she at least wanted a "thank you". ... Nope. Wrong mindset. If I won't read it again, it either goes to eBay or to one of these book sharing boxes that have cropped up everywhere in Germany. I mean, imagine it was yesterday's newspaper or an old magazine. Would you expect to get your money back on that, too? Or would you just recycle the paper? And you don't even have to recycle books. You can donate them.

  • @bluesburg
    @bluesburg Жыл бұрын

    I would consider upping the reward of her 'status quo' suggestion that each time you must buy an item, thrown an item out. Make it two! Otherwise, you're not decluttering. 'Clutter breeds clutter," is so true.

  • @OK-wb1dy
    @OK-wb1dy Жыл бұрын

    The sentence “…Clutter comes from unmade decisions…”. makes so much sense.

  • @susanmercurio1060
    @susanmercurio1060 Жыл бұрын

    If you are gifted an item that doesn't suit you, can you honestly admit it and give it away? I gave a friend an afghan I crocheted. She was honest enough to tell me gently that it didn't match her decor. That gave me the opportunity to tell her that if she couldn't use it, she could donate it to one of the many nonprofits with which she volunteered. It was right before the holidays and they were having fundraising auctions. She was happy that it made a big hit with the group.

  • @ItsMeAnn628
    @ItsMeAnn628 Жыл бұрын

    Only 3 mins in and I’m SO impressed by her speaking and presenting skills!!!

  • @organizationlanellc1320

    @organizationlanellc1320

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @Msjudyyduj
    @Msjudyyduj Жыл бұрын

    Because I'm an artist, my wall space is scarce. Consequently, framing handmade family doilies doesn't work for me. However, I use them as snowflakes under my Christmas tree, a lovely way to connect with long-gone family members during the holiday season.

  • @catherinem.g.8845
    @catherinem.g.8845 Жыл бұрын

    Jeez, I felt like she was talking directly to me, I am all that she said. I will try the 2 hours at a time. Excellent Ted talk!

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Catherine.

  • @kayw.4689
    @kayw.4689 Жыл бұрын

    I Have my Deceased Parent's things, just as Sandra said, in boxes in a room or two, and my daughter's things from college. I'm very sentimental and find it impossible to go through my parent's things and part with them..... My Mom's clothes still smell like her and the closet they're in .....

  • @angelahamon6730

    @angelahamon6730

    Жыл бұрын

    I also have a house full of stuff where I bought myself 20% of what's in it and half of that is craft supplies I use every day. The rest? Just dust it! But hard to let go of stuff that smells like lost lived one!!

  • @katinthehat_81

    @katinthehat_81

    Жыл бұрын

    You probably feell Ike you're throwing her away. Some things are just too tough. Give it time.

  • @angelahamon6730

    @angelahamon6730

    Жыл бұрын

    @@katinthehat_81 can't throw away stuff that smells like the person. And I hated her perfume when she was here . You're very insightful! 😊

  • @utgardloki5

    @utgardloki5

    Жыл бұрын

    Me too. I feel like I live in a large, nicely decorated storage unit full of my mom, grandmother, aunt, uncle & daughter’s things. I also have all my sons things (he died at age 19 from a heart condition). I don’t shop. I only buy food and household supplies. Haven’t bought new clothes or shoes or anything for myself in many years.. I don’t want to bring anything more into my home and I can find plenty to wear of my mom’s or daughters. I spent about 1.5 years emptying my mom’s house after she died, finishing it up last August. I can’t stand the thought of spending another couple of years emptying mine.. so really trying to psyche myself up watching videos like this so I can do a few very large purges, have a yardsale & get a dumpster and get rid of 2/3 of it by the end of this fall. It’s overwhelming.

  • @LisaGelhaus
    @LisaGelhaus Жыл бұрын

    Before getting rid of it, I say “it’s just stuff”

  • @maurawhelan3530
    @maurawhelan3530 Жыл бұрын

    I needed this.over the pandemic I started accumulating things . It is the brief happiness I receive finding a treasure when I have lost real ones…my sisters…thank you

  • @razsbags
    @razsbags Жыл бұрын

    I actually play Mum’s old Robert Goulet album plus others - listen to the upbeats. Dancing music! Music appreciation. We can learn from the past. Where do the old albums go if not played? To landfill that’s where. Appreciate what we have. Music is rarely clutter. It’s enjoyment. Keep what you use & love.

  • @harmonyexists2834
    @harmonyexists2834 Жыл бұрын

    My Mom's a hoarder. It's all nastalgia, I might need it, and I spent money on that (whether it good deal or a pricey one), or I found it, it was free. It's taken seven years off my life. Years of pain staking physical and mental labor, to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Just remember, somebody's going to be burdened with the task of all that clutter eventually. Be courteous, and mindful of that.

  • @georgejetson9801

    @georgejetson9801

    Жыл бұрын

    My mother was one too. I flew in from another country to handle her estate. It was a horrible experience cleaning out all the mess. After I returned home, I got rid of probably half my things and I'm not a hoarder but I swore I would never do that to my kids.

  • @harmonyexists2834

    @harmonyexists2834

    Жыл бұрын

    @@georgejetson9801 Yeah, the experience turned me into a minimalist. I can fit all my belongings in the back of a pickup truck.

  • @graphite282

    @graphite282

    Жыл бұрын

    I faced a similar situation. The sad thing is they think they are leaving behind a treasure trove of useful stuff that will set you up for life. My parents never realised that their clutter is a problem left behind for me to deal with.

  • @violent_bebop9687

    @violent_bebop9687

    Жыл бұрын

    Amazon & Walmart love hoarders, why we see nothing wrong at all...!

  • @catherinepoloynis

    @catherinepoloynis

    Жыл бұрын

    That's what I'm looking at. My Mother just died, she had a lot ironed out, but selling her home and dismantling their 70 years of marriage, travel collection, is just very hard, I want to spare my sons the task.

  • @GrannysGarage333
    @GrannysGarage333 Жыл бұрын

    This was one of the most impactful 15 min I’ve spent online… it’s like you spoke right to my heart… unmade decisions…😭

  • @donnaallgaier-lamberti3933
    @donnaallgaier-lamberti3933 Жыл бұрын

    Clutter in a HUGE pole barn that my husband filled from top to bottom almost cost him his marriage He called him a "collector" but in truth he was a hoarder. His stuff" nearly cost him our marriage. he would go out there to the pole barn for hours at a time and play with and move his stuff around.... We could have taken trips, gone to dance lessons, concerts, walk, hiked, gone to yoga or even taken trips or done many things, together but instead he was addicted to his stuff and spent more time with that then he did me. I tried discussing, counseling and nothing got through to him, so, I began to craft a life without him.

  • @patbeatty9251
    @patbeatty9251 Жыл бұрын

    This is a very good talk. There was no mention, however of holding on to things because many of your possessions were taken or thrown away without your consent due to moves or parents who throw away your toys etc.

  • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    Жыл бұрын

    I was mad a long time for a loss of a Betamax, Journey: Frontiers and Beyond video. There was no YT at the time.

  • @CasualBeliever
    @CasualBeliever Жыл бұрын

    "those are your parting gifts", so charming and subtle! society pushes clutter on us, putting an armful of items in a bag, giving out "free" items in meals and breakfast cereals, traditions such as party favours and assorted flavours being cheaper than the one you like to eat, 4 pack of hot mustard costs less than 2, etc

  • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd like fewer/smaller things sometimes and less WASTE in packaging.

  • @dalesands1291
    @dalesands1291 Жыл бұрын

    I went through several years of being anxious and depressed. I couldn't deal with anything. It is a wonder I didn't fall way behind in bills and things like that. Getting things organized was a supreme challenge. I just would look at the pile and not touch it and think I can't deal with this. After 5 years of working where I work now I finally have things organized and they stay that way.

  • @miriamuna
    @miriamuna Жыл бұрын

    What a lovely voice you have, Sandra- so easy on the ear. You make your presentation with poise and dignity - no ‘clutter’ in your person either, as you allow us to see the real, beautiful, feminine you. Thank you - and also for the wisdom of all you say. mellifluous voice you have, Sandra - so easy on the ear- a poised and delightful presentation. No clutter in your person! The real you comes across with it’s beauty and grace. Thank you.

  • @ithacacomments4811
    @ithacacomments4811 Жыл бұрын

    I am a minimalist. Born a minimalist. My mother has been a hoarder her whole life. My whole life! I have cleared her clutter hundreds of times. Today, I went to her nursing home to declutter her drawers because she said she couldn't find anything. I will have major anxiety for days now. Clutter is like a ton of mud poured over my being.

  • @marshashoemake1246
    @marshashoemake1246 Жыл бұрын

    I can completely relate to clutter being unmade decisions. That is where I am right now. Loved the presentation.

  • @bettyduhart6013

    @bettyduhart6013

    Жыл бұрын

    I have so many unmade decisions. Having 7 children it’s as if I never see completion. Thank you for the way you presentation.

  • @karlap2846
    @karlap2846 Жыл бұрын

    Two years ago, I started taking care of my mother every weekend. I work from home since then, thinking that maybe one day, I’m going back to work in person and I might wear my clothes. During my work schedule, I take care of my son who is disabled and my daughter who’s also working from home. I’ve been getting a lot of pain in my back recently and I think, I this video gave me the answer. Today is the day, I’m carrying too much on my back:(. I’m going to organize my home the same way, I organize others peoples lives and spaces.❤

  • @irenitele8497
    @irenitele8497 Жыл бұрын

    I was mustering strenght to tidy up and I was chilling with youtube and this video appeared! A life saver! Thank you!

  • @saradyer9124
    @saradyer9124 Жыл бұрын

    I'm still grappling with clutter, but when last I had a cull, I took photographs of items dear to me before parting with them. It gave me the courage, knowing I could still 'look' at them again. Needless to say, I didn't, but it was a strategy that helped me.

  • @TheresaTV1

    @TheresaTV1

    Жыл бұрын

    That is a great idea. I have done the same thing, and it really helps. Take a photo and let it go, if possible.

  • @wintersprite

    @wintersprite

    Жыл бұрын

    I’ve repurposed a few items. I recently turned an old sweatshirt into a little pillow for my dolls. Another similar idea would be cutting and framing a graphic from a shirt to make some wall art.

  • @jackielouyoga77
    @jackielouyoga77 Жыл бұрын

    Clutter equals attachment. U can learn a lot about a person by the junk they gather! Let go of the clutter and it’s like a new wave of beautiful energy.

  • @artistLife-gh3te
    @artistLife-gh3te Жыл бұрын

    This is worth seeing/hearing. Thanks! I saved all the check stubs from work. It took 20 yrs past retirement to throw them out. 🤣

  • @charldevilliers9434
    @charldevilliers9434 Жыл бұрын

    I am in the process of decluttering a 6 storey home filled with decades' worth of unorganized chaos. In order to relocate to a flatlet the size of a single car. Your video inspires me to keep going. Thank you

  • @meganm4877

    @meganm4877

    Жыл бұрын

    Good luck! (I want to add: the fate of the world depends on it! ... there is a book called "A Peculiar Peril" that has downsizing/cataloguing a multi-storey mansion filled with decades' worth of chaos as its premise😃)

  • @SubAtomicFabric

    @SubAtomicFabric

    Жыл бұрын

    6 story home? Is it a castle

  • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

    Жыл бұрын

    I lie awake night thinking about compacting about 1,800 sf. Lol

  • @ellenh278
    @ellenh278 Жыл бұрын

    I think I shall listen to this for motivation a couple times a week, as it has already caused me to pause it a couple times and go take care of a few quick items. Thank you!

  • @sandralane5235

    @sandralane5235

    Жыл бұрын

    So glad to hear Ellen. Listen listen listen.

  • @ellenh278

    @ellenh278

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sandralane5235 I am! This is the first time, however, I noticed how nice that shade of blue looks on you, guess I was really listening intently the other times.

  • @MagsChase1229
    @MagsChase1229 Жыл бұрын

    Yes, I literally looked thru each box, container and also would spend 3 or 4 hrs per day. Then, I’d take 5 mins to clean up, and put everything away, so we wouldn’t trip over. I worked everyday on so many things. Photos are taking some time, ugh….ton of Christmas photos from same families year after year. I don’t even see these families anymore.

  • @hadiitiniguez2393
    @hadiitiniguez2393 Жыл бұрын

    My house was cluttered. My wife and I broke up and she took everything. The home looked so nice. I threw out the stuff in the attic and crawl space. It made me feel liberated. My home is so nice, I’m cluttered with compliments.

  • @ND-nx1nt
    @ND-nx1nt Жыл бұрын

    My friend told me that we buy into consumerism. When I started replaying that in my head when buying something it results in me thinking twice before buying something. Now I take weeks before buying something.

  • @msnzbody3712
    @msnzbody3712 Жыл бұрын

    I suffer from Anxiety and the more things I have the more anxious I get having to navigate more stuff. Less just feels lighter and easier to find things. I tell myself if I need anything it’s being stored at the store. Plus if you are older sooner or later you will have let go of everything when we die so why not start getting rid of things now. If something has sentimental value take a photo and store it there.

  • @smallfootprint2961
    @smallfootprint2961 Жыл бұрын

    I agree. One shelf, one drawer at a time. I've been downsizing for a few years now, and moved. Donated most stuff to our animal shelter thrift store, and Habitat took almost everything. The exercise equipment, they didn't want, but I put a sign on the curb, and it was gone quickly... lol. It hurt to imagine how much I paid for it all, but it had to go. Still in the process, as I use something, I ask myself if I will use it again, and often make a choice to donate it. I keep a bag ready for the small things like clothes. Makes it handy. Good talk. Thanks.

  • @chixbleau7321
    @chixbleau7321 Жыл бұрын

    Throughout the years we gather items..to get consumed with all these items cars clothes electronics etc..now I look around and realize..These items were not all needed ..mostly wanted..many sentimental items to from relatives that have passed..I’m slowly giving away items on my front lawn..I see how happy people appreciate these items ..that makes me feel good..my home is feeling more and more at rest at peace..I need this..I just lost my niece ..found out I have a serious painful debilitating ailment ..parted ways with my 12 year relationship..I have not worked in 3 years..and other issues ..but I am strong and I’m better..and getting better then better..I realize what changes I need ..decluttering my home is one of the changes I’m making..I feel this weight being lifted..Good luck to all that came to this page

  • @durgan5668
    @durgan5668 Жыл бұрын

    I have a hard time 'wasting' things by throwing them away. But I can donate them in a heartbeat. The effect is the same, but it's just a hoop I have to jump through to get rid of most things. Broken stuff, sure, that would be a burden, that I can let go, but the stuff I no longer need or will use, I have to know someone will be able to, to let go. On the other hand, I'm not shy about asking people if they want it. Gave away 2 items this week that way, and more to family. I recently moved to a place that's half the square footage of the one I left. I did buy a shed, much smaller than the shed I had. And while the remodeling of this 50 year old house has my OCD spun up, I'm able to slowly restore order to things, one room, or even one closet, at a time. I'll get there, but I'm actually looking forward to not having to replace a lot of this stuff.

  • @marianamunoz6075
    @marianamunoz6075 Жыл бұрын

    ♥️ The universe is not outside of you Look inside of you Everything you want You already have ♥️

  • @OmOnWheels
    @OmOnWheels Жыл бұрын

    It is exhausting. I feel my life has been held up due to the excess of stuff. At 63, I don’t want life held up any longer. It takes a long time to unclutter, because I can only do so much, before I feel exhausted.

  • @AnnaM32474

    @AnnaM32474

    Жыл бұрын

    Do what you can and take breaks in between. Every step is progress. Eventually you’ll get there and will be so happy when it’s done 😊👍🏾👏🏾

  • @OmOnWheels

    @OmOnWheels

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnaM32474 I do, and I use a timer, which makes me stick with a project, until the timer goes off. It helps me to stay focused. Ding!

  • @Tipperary757

    @Tipperary757

    Жыл бұрын

    Pace yourself. We move slower + have to honor the energy we have but a lighter burden (less clutter) makes everything easier.

  • @deefee701

    @deefee701

    Жыл бұрын

    If you are really struggling, just do one thing each day. Like one drawer, one box, one item of shelf of the pantry, whatever is easiest. Over a year, you may have uncluttered 300 things, even with 65 days off! Marie Kondo books and Netflix shows are good to help you work out where to start, how to proceed and what to do with it all. Best wishes!

  • @hmmcinerney

    @hmmcinerney

    Жыл бұрын

    Some things are hard to let go of. Ask yourself, has this served me well? Do still need it? Can someone else use it now? This can make it easier to let go.

  • @basiapi8514
    @basiapi8514 Жыл бұрын

    OMG THAT VOICE!!!!! 😳😳😳 Is she a google maps voice? WOW! I bet AI creators want to copy YOUR voice. soooo melodic, so beautiful BEAUTIFUL voice... 🥰 I am 1 minute into the video and couldn't resist to comment.

  • @marih3286
    @marih3286 Жыл бұрын

    I was a shopoholic. Now I carry an "Approved Purchase List". These are things I really need and it's updated weekly. I refuse to purchase anything not on my list. Now I can head to the mall, "window shop" and come home without purchasing a thing!

  • @djw8591
    @djw8591 Жыл бұрын

    I really like the sound of Ms. Sandra’s voice, as well as the content!

  • @solb101
    @solb101 Жыл бұрын

    Keep things that bring joy. Discard the rest.

  • @carolynstewart8465
    @carolynstewart8465 Жыл бұрын

    Sandra, you have wonderful speaking style . Lovely delivery and voice modulation. You are a pleasure to listen to!

  • @j.m.b.greengardens968
    @j.m.b.greengardens968 Жыл бұрын

    Many and many a year ago, I realized that physical clutter breeds mental and emotional clutter. Some years after that, I understood that mental and emotional clutter breeds physical clutter. Difficult to heal one without working on healing the other, and is a gradual process. Feng Shui has a lot to say about how one's physical space interacts with one's physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, and the nature of the things that come into one's life. Clutter is a serious no-no. One of the best introductory books I have read on the subject is the light-hearted, down-to-earth, and practical "Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life" by Karen Rauch Carter.

  • @ziggy33399
    @ziggy33399 Жыл бұрын

    Beautifully said. I’m going to begin first thing in the morning. Realize I hardly need anything & will feel so much lighter ❤

  • @debbiel1228
    @debbiel1228 Жыл бұрын

    What a gentle spirit she has. Can anyone explain why, within weeks of decluttering, I always find myself in need of at least 2 items I have just let go of? It happens every time so it's difficult for me to downsize.

  • @taniahunnisett6030

    @taniahunnisett6030

    Жыл бұрын

    I have found this too, but it is always something that I can borrow off someone else or something that I can buy cheaply to use straight away and then its gone. For example I've throw away rolls of wrapping paper that had been sitting in the cupboard taking up so much space. Then of course, weeks later I needed wrapping paper, so I bought one lot of folded wrap paper (not a roll) used it all up and then didn't need any for some time after that. And also, there is almost always an alternative. Just last night I uses Paper towel in place of Napkins. My guests didn't care one bit. 😉

  • @monawilliams286

    @monawilliams286

    Жыл бұрын

    OMG this is my life! I don’t want this clutter, don’t have space for it and it stresses me out. But I always have what we need Lol *sigh From baby wipes to bobby-pins, people are always surprised when I don’t have something.

  • @vidaajoon1881

    @vidaajoon1881

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here. Don't overdo it!

  • @kissedbysun2517

    @kissedbysun2517

    Жыл бұрын

    maybe you can reevaluate the criteria you are using for releasing items.

  • @Tina-si1gz

    @Tina-si1gz

    Жыл бұрын

    My granddaughter says “I need to find a poodle skirt and top for the school dance”. I say “I have a pink one with a white sweater in my closet”. I’ve had that skirt since 1990. It’s probably been used three times. Crazy 😝

  • @katmahbub
    @katmahbub Жыл бұрын

    That value mindset! It's worth something so I should sell it! I do sell some things, but more things sit in the garage or basement... A great solution is give things away on Craigslist in the Selling/Free section and leave on the sidewalk.

  • @christinebeames712
    @christinebeames712 Жыл бұрын

    What an elegant eloquent lady

  • @LarryPanozzo
    @LarryPanozzo Жыл бұрын

    This is great, thank you. I do not have the unhealthy attention issue that clutter causes in some people, but I live with someone who does! Now I understand better how distracting and stress-inducing clutter can be for people.

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