In this webinar, we talk about two big problems in decluttering — tackling big areas, and letting go of things you’re struggling to let go of. I also answered some great questions from members.
I’ve broken this webinar recording into two parts:
- Part I – My Talk: About how to tackle big areas, and how to let go of sentimental items. (See notes)
- Part II – Questions & Answers: I answered some amazing questions from participants, a must-watch.
Part I: Leo’s Talk (with notes)
Watch the video above of Part 1.
Two problems to tackle today:
- Tackling big areas that feel overwhelming
- Letting go of things that feel difficult
Tackling big areas that feel overwhelming
- Shrink it to something doable — a small chunk
- Make it fun — play music, have tea, make a game of it
- Give your complete focus to that small chunk, that’s your entire universe
- You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make in a week like this
- Enjoy each moment you’re doing it, it’s not a chore but an act of self-care
Letting go of things that feel difficult
- Realize why it’s difficult for you — it represents love, memories, aspirations, waste, etc
- Realize that the thing you want from this possession isn’t in the item itself — it just an object
- The thing you want is in you
- Give yourself what you’re craving, and realize you don’t need this thing
Part II: Questions & Answers
In this 2nd part of the webinar, I answered some great questions from those who attended, including:

Questions:
- My challenge is with books. I want to read them all but I just collect them!

- How do you force yourself to read more?

- You mentioned the hopeful or the fantasy version of ourselves causing us to hold onto things: unread books, clothes that are way more fancy than my current lifestyle, even clothes that don’t fit. That it causes us to not see how cool we actually are, as we are. Can you talk about that?

- I’m having an issue with things I want to keep, but they don’t have a home. As I declutter, I’m getting stuck creating or finding homes for items. Do you have recommendations for dealing with these?

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How would you advise us to organize the process when the clutter is in all areas of life (office, basement, kids’ rooms, etc). You mention taking “one bite at a time†but it’s hard to stay focused on only one area.

- A lot about decluttering brings up negative feelings. Very overwhelming sometimes!

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Can you share tips for working parents? I have almost no free time or alone time each week. When that time happens, it’s usually early morning or late at night when it’s hard to declutter because I need to be quiet or keep the lights off. And then decluttering once a week on the weekend it’s hard to keep up the momentum and get re-started each time. Do you have advice?

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What about greeting cards? I keep thinking that when my mom dies, I won’t have any of her handwriting when I don’t save cards. Plus it feels awful that someone bought us a card and wrote a nice message, and then I just throw it away.

- Problem with things that have emotional value: sometimes their smell or texture or something about them brings so many more memories than what I can normally remember about the person. Like the smell of my grandmas gloves. Plus they are so little to fit her hands.

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T shirts are a big space problem from me, they are like postcards from events and travels..many are too small to wear…but one day I’m going to send to one of those amish quilt making companies…one day …