The latest craze on You Tube is people filming themselves clearing out their spaces. Millennials are all for the 30-Day Minimalist Challenge, applying the Konmari method to their home and generally decluttering their rooms while the world watches from the comfort of theirs. I have to admit that I watch a few of these a week and I’m sure I’m not alone- here’s why I think they are so addictive:
Minimalism on Female First
Before and After: There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a messy space be transformed into a more streamlined version of its former self. Usually the videos are visually extreme so there is a very noticeable difference from start to finish. It’s a story with a beginning, middle and an end, with a little bit of conflict along the way- what more could a viewer want?
Nosiness: Who doesn’t like looking around other people’s homes? It’s not something that is socially acceptable in normal everyday life, so it feels little naughty to be able to peek behind the curtains and see how people you don’t know live in their space.
Inspiration: If you are at the beginning or in the middle of your decluttering journey- watching videos like this can spur you on to keep going. It offers a source of motivation if your passion for getting rid of stuff is waning. The beauty of these videos is you can declutter along with the person and just listen to the audio.
Storage solutions: If you don’t know how to store your newly minimalised things properly- these videos can offer tips on how to make the most of what you already have rather than buying new. For instance- Marie Kondo advocates folding things and storing them vertically, saving you from investing in another set of drawers.
Decision making: If you are unsure whether to get rid of a few items- watching a video such as this can put things into perspective. It might just give you the nudge to let go of something that has been hanging around in limbo since you first decided to purge.
Focus: It helps you to notice areas that you might have missed or need to take another look at. You may think that you have decluttered every area of your home until someone in a video highlights to you that you have missed something. Even if this is a small part of your total amount of belongings, it’s still worth reviewing.
Mood enhancing: If you are at the end of your decluttering journey or very nearly there, seeing someone at the start of theirs can make you feel better about how far you’ve come. The worst is over and the first few minutes of a decluttering video can reinforce how well you have fared up until this point.
Happy minimising!
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