❤ Ready to make decluttering easier? Stop second-guessing every decision! Get a simple framework to help you decide what stays and what goes with more confidence: https://sheilameggsgibbons.com/7rules

I suddenly lost my husband in January and I was thrown into having to downsize my entire life to make ends meet on my income alone, and declutter is a MAJOR part of this because I need to move to a small apartment. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help! Thank you so so much! 🙏🙏

A few decades ago my mother died unexpectedly at 54 years-old in a car accident. While dealing with the grief and shock, my sister and I also had to deal with a large amount of "stuff." It took weeks to go through, and then we had to go through it again years later when we realized how much we kept out of grief (a vegetable steamer basket was sentimental???). I decided awhile ago that not only did I not want to live with a large amount of stuff, but I certainly didn't want to leave it for my kids to deal with if something happened to me. I was able to declutter about 80% of my belongings at the time. Now I live in a 2 bedroom where one room is a library, and the rest of the place is clutter free. Yes, I do have things that are simply for decoration, but it isn't overwhelming. Everything has a place to live and my shelves are neat and tidy. I had aimed for what i called "minimalish" but found my place felt a bit cold so I added back some things like a couple throw blankets, and put more art and photos on the walls. I think it feels more cozy now, but not crowded. =)

This helped me finally throw out my ballroom dancing shoes that haven’t seen action in 5 years 😂

So glad youre easy to understand and NOT long winded

I wanted to add a second comment regarding a situation I'm reminded of when you said letting go of hobbies that were a fail or that you just no longer do. My BIG expensive error was during covid buying a Cricut. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it, but I had the machine, addons, and a ton of vinyl. When covid was over and the poor thing had sat unused for a year, I decided I needed to let it go. What ended up happening was the best outcome. I called a women's shelter in my neighborhood and asked if they could use it. The lady actually got excited and said one of the clients had a small business where she made things on a Cricut but her abuser sold her machine and supplies. The donation would mean helping a person who was starting over with literally nothing. It helped make me feel much better about the bad purchase. Just thought I'd throw that out there for people to consider donating to shelters when it's "good" stuff. It really helps take the sting out of what may feel like a loss when you know the item will be truly appreciated.

Sorry, but I can't pick one. I love ALL of your ten brilliant tips! I need more of you in my life.

This is one of the best declutterring videos I have watched in a while! Thanks!

I've never heard the phrase "hospital rule" but I love it!!! I have reached that,  but I'll admit I  do have a could of containers of "when/if I lose weight" clothes.  I just don't take up closet space with them.

The "keep first" idea is great... it does make the anxiety of all that decision making so much easier!  And if I'm looking at all my favorites and feeling very grateful--I can let go of the stuff that isn't so special...

I loved all of your ideas!  I am retired and my wife is a travel nurse practitioner. We have been moving around the country for the last ten years, staying in extended stay hotels, and furnished and unfurnished apartments. We have learned to view our belongings based on replacement costs and moving expenses. We recently moved across the country from an unfurnished apartment to a furnished unit. We left all of our belongings at the old location, with the exception of the dog, two suitcases of clothes and a few sentimental items. For us, it was going to be cheaper to replace the furniture and kitchen items rather than ship them across the country and then store them for a year.

I shared this with a family member who inherited a bunch of  stuff from their parents when they passed. It was so helpful  for them! Thank you for the ways your  bringing peace to homes and the lives of women!!!

I love the idea of- what do I want to keep.

I’m so glad to be a new subscriber. Found you a few days ago. Bless you ! You are so smart & caring ! My next step in my journey is calling me! Love , Liz

The guilt is the worst! What great tips. I love the keep first rule—makes it so much easier!

VERY GOOD lessons, thank you!!!

One more suggestion, when it comes to leaving stuff for your heirs to sort out.  I lost my husband just over two years ago and had to downsize as a result.  As I've been going through everything and deciding what I wanted to keep, I've been making a list of what I have.  In part it's to help me know what gaps, if any, I'm left with that I want to fill in, but it also allows me to add notes so that whoever ends up tasked with sorting it again once I'm gone will know which items have more value than others.  So, for instance, where I have special edition or autographed books, they can put those to one side and deal with them separately and not stress over getting rid of everything else.

This is especially useful with collectables where family members or friends may have no idea of how valuable something might be.  I had a lot of comments along the lines of how I should just 'get rid' of all the stuff in the home my husband and I had built together for more than 35 years, but I knew that a lot of what we had were items others collectors would be willing to pay for.  I haven't finished the task yet, but already I've been able to cover all the costs of decorating and furnishing my new home through what I made at auction while still retaining my favourite pieces anyway.

Just found your channel and subscribed.  I watch A lot of videos on this topic and this is the BEST EVER..

I NEED TO DIGITIZE

I'm decluttering since 2015 but your rules have given me great new ways of looking at everything. Loved the 50% you get to keep approach ❤