The REAL Secret of Tidy People
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Most of us want to be tidy. Especially those of us who aren't naturally wired that way. Today let's talk about what tidy people innately know that the rest of us don't (and I'm not talking about the habits of tidy people like "a place for everything and everything in its place") I mean, what is at the core of tidy people and how can understanding this help the rest of us get there, too!
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Thank you so much for watching today! Tidy or not, I'm grateful for you!!! ;) - Dawn
And, Dawn, we learn so much from you! At 70, I’m still learning to declutter from you. Merry Christmas 🎄 to you, Tom and your beautiful family!
Very grateful for you Dawn and the videos put out! Including the ones with Tom and your sister. Watching you in Scotland, along with my mum and my friend. We all really appreciate your videos and helpful comments and tips from other declutterers shared on your channel 🤗
I think you are right about the inventory thing but I think it is also that people don't have margin in their schedules at all. I am one of those. I end up eating fast food every day for months and months at a time to get out of prepping and cooking and cleaning and making decisions and it isn't laziness, it is a "no margin tilt" where one more thing would be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Once again you stress “ the why” and not “the how”. It’s always refreshing to watch your videos.
@@alda2086 🙌 Yay Scotland!!!🤗
I recently spent 6 weeks at my moms house in another state due to having broken bones in both hands.
While there I got to see systems that she and my sister practice every day.
I was careful not to disrespect them and leave my stuff laying around. When I got back home I started to say to myself, “you wouldn’t disrespect mom by not putting this away.” Why do you disrespect your home? It’s given me motivation 🤔
Hi Lori how are you doing?
That was very wise hope u are better.
@@lauraguyette7187 I’m from Dallas Texas USA how about you???
Everything in it's place and that place includes the trash can....
That’s a game changer! You deserve a clean house.
I was born messy, grew up messy, raised my kids in a messy home but, thanks to you and Dana and Cass, I am NOT going to die a messy person. I think that the nonjudgmental way that you (and other naturally slobby people) explain how to de-clutter has helped me so much to not feel like a failure at adulting. Once unburdened of guilt and shame, it’s easier to see tidiness as a state that I will eventually get to, rather than some impossible fantasy. Striving for progress over perfection has been key, so the tip I want to share is “stop comparing yourself to other people or to some invisible ideal, and spend 15 minutes (or 10 or 5 if that’s what you can muster right now) making progress towards better in the area you see the most in your home”. I find that visible progress builds motivation to keep going.
I am the same way, and totally agree with you. I do a little, and say, "Well, it's better than it was." That gives me the incentive to do more. I'm getting there slowly but surely.
Love everything you said! Thank you!
Same, born messy I have been putting in 1 to 3 hours MOST DAYS, not every day, because...life... but I am trying. Even when we paid a cleaning lady once weekly who would spend 4 to 6 hours, the house NEVER felt truly clean. Now I get it. It was because of all this encroaching JUNK. I can't wait til the house is so much easier to maintain.
Thank you so much for your post. I don't have to feel so horrible about my house. It's not only not tidy, but it is dirty also. (I attribute most of that due to the fact that I own 13 birds (about 5 were rescue) and a cat (rescue). I not only have to work my way through the mess and clean and organize, but my kitchen needs new cabinets (birds ruined), the walls are a mess, and I need new carpet, floors, etc. I started watching Dawn's videos and it is motivating me so much. I hate cleaning, but I absolutely love the result. I don't allow anyone in my house at all because I'm so embarrassed by it. But, the good news is I am starting to get rid of stuff in order to deep clean, and at some point, I want to update my kitchen. No, I'm not getting rid of my animals, that's not an option for me. I would never forgive myself, but I did commit to not accepting anymore rescues! I will also replace carpet and paint. Thanks again!
Great comment.
As a child, we had very little of everything; clothes, shoes, furniture...My mother was a contented lady who taught us to be happy with whatever we had.She was clean, neat and tidy and those traits were inherited by us.This video reminded me of my dear mother, for she was the first person I heard say that everything had its place.She also said that clealiness was next to Godliness. She would have been 122 years old this year, I am 65.With love from Trinidad.
Your memories about your dear mother warmed my heart! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
❤
Was she 57 when she had you? Wow
Sometimes what helps me get rid of stuff is this: if I were to move to a brand new house right now, would I take this item with me? People tend to get rid of a lot of stuff when they move because they like to start over. A friend of mine was so overwhelmed about what accumulated in her home when she was packing to move into a new home. Maybe sometimes it's worth to "pack and purge" even if we're not moving.
Omg I do this method “pack and purge” and it works! Love this comment lol
Genius
Love this! I’m gonna try this. TY
Genius! I'm so doing this!
True, my son's grandfather was moving and I helped to unload their moving truck. I was shocked they brought everything. Even bleach bottles that was nearly empty. Result obviously was the new place looked as messy as their old place and full of trash frankly from the get go.
Summary: A tidy, streamlined, home is a reflection of prioritizing PRESENT reality (peaceful surroundings) over FUTURE possibilities (imagined uses for excess & stored items).
Thank you! Jesus….that was a long winded, rambling word soup…I clicked off
@@50LOVESIT I actually needed every bit of that "wind" and "soup" to come to a new understanding! I like to move towards something vs. away from something. To choose present peace resonates with me. The burden of "what ifs", accompanying all the unused objects of some possible future, is a weight I am happy to release. The real life value I have been gifted by Dawn's videos on The Minimal Mom cannot be measured.
R. Motta I love the way you phrased that. I’m a realtor and sometimes people want to buy a home for the life they imagine they will have someday but I always tell them yo buy a home that makes sense for the life you have now. You can always sell a home if your needs change in the future! Focusing on now makes it easier to make decisions!
@@50LOVESIT it depends on where you are in your journey and what you’re doing while watching. I like her elaborate descriptions. She has changed my life.
Also, gotta reach 10 minutes for the algorithm and ads to be best. Haha.
Hard if you are a creative artist
*“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris*
This philosophy has helped me tremendously as I declutter. Things I used to think were beautiful have become headaches because there is just too many of them. It feels so good to pass them along via thrift store donations so that someone else can cherish them. 💗
Love this quotation, thank you for sharing.
OMG, I have too many useful and beautiful things !!!
I'd love to declutter, but I keep getting stuck with thinking about how much money I have spent on items and whether or not I should try to resell, versus simply donate them. Anyone else have this issue?
Dawn, I’ve been following you for about two years now and I am not a naturally tidy person but I need a tidy home for sanity’s sake. Just the other day, I was having someone stop by and went to do the mad dash of tidying and OMG. My house was fine. Less stuff = less mess. Thank you for your endless wisdom.
I love this.. We had a similar experience just a couple of weeks ago ❤💚
This is SO cool to read! Way to go Anne!!!
Amazing. I'm on my own journey as well. I also am not a tidy person naturally but crave it, and my poor family does as well. We've come so far and are getting so close to having the peaceful home we've always wanted. Dawn, your videos have helped me so much on my journey. Thank you! 🙏💗
Same here! I'm regularly decluttering different zones of my home and each year it's easier and easier to clean the whole house at once!
I'm trying to be a tidy person. It's been 2 months decluttering of my house. But still watching diff. vlogs how to help me to be at peace in a tidy home. Thanks for d tips .
As a tidy person, who was raised in a tidy home - I can say, without a doubt, you nailed this. Being tidy is not perfection. Simply managing the inventory, and being realistic about what is truly needed. Thank you!
Hmmm, as a “naturally tidy person”, I would say that it is true that I don’t keep much inventory. But instead of “letting things go”, I just don’t get new things until I really need them. And “really need” means using it at least weekly. It also helps my savings :)
Same here.
*"A peaceful home."*
*"Not overwhelmed by my home."*
Life goals. Thank you! 💕
I just love this one, Dawn. It's so true. Growing up we never had a tidy house either. Stuff/papers everywhere. Days and days of work to get ready for visitors. Overnight visitors? WEEKS! I knew I didnt want to live like this, but after having 3 kids I felt like I was failing at life. It all turned around when I found you and got rid of 75% or more of the stuff I had. Sounds extreme, but life with 3 kids was crazy enough! Love my easy to pick up home now.
I grew up like this too!! Time to change now that I have my own family. I do not like falling in the same cycle I grew up in. Everything else was great, but housekeeping (and weight maintenance) were huge sore spots in my parents' home
I grew up in a hoarders home and unfortunately have some of those tendencies. My entire household also has ADHD which means executive function is non-existent for the most part. I want to pare down but it’s so hard for me to get rid of stuff.
@@sarahsunshine78 follow Dana K. White steps in decluttering. It really helps
Same with me Jenna! Weeks of cleaning and such to have people over and that was rare.
Oh yes, same here! Our family home was so cluttered and dirty that I never had friends over, it was too embarrassing. When Grandma came to visit, it was always a mad rush to find places to cram things so she wouldn’t lecture my mom about the clutter. Because of living that way for so long, clutter makes me feel anxious! It took me awhile to figure it all out, but I know now that a tidy house, with fewer belongings, makes me feel oh so calm! (Grandma was very wise!)
Yes, yes! All of the yeses!!
Thank you for articulating tidy people like myself. I feel like when people visit, I’m constantly hearing “wow, you can’t come to my house” or “is it always this clean?” and always feel bad or downplay it when it’s honestly just that I know I can’t keep lots of inventory and that everything has to have a home or it can’t stay. I also just decide to make my bed, empty the dishwasher or fold the laundry at that very moment instead of waiting because it keeps my mind calm and clear.
I also feel like my “untidy” friends think that I’m always judging them when I visit and that can’t be further from the truth, it’s just that I personally can’t function or keep calm when my area is cluttered or unkept. Trust me, a part of me would love to be able to Netflix and chill with a sink full of dishes but my brain simply won’t let me.
Exactly!!! Well said
Yes! Exactly how I feel!
Hi! Can I ask you a question? (Other than that one 😂). I'm naturally untidy, but feel a lot calmer when I've used Dawn's thinking with decluttering. Do you feel irritated by your environment without realising why maybe, when it isn't organised and tidy? You're naturally tidy - wondering how you process the experience.
@@NBush-nz8ph interesting. When my surroundings are in disarray or things aren’t in place, I’m instantly irritated and unsettled. Maybe it’s a control thing? For instance, the first thing I do when I wake up is make my bed. It makes me feel ready and settled for the day. On the days where we are rushing out the door and I don’t get a chance to, I feel frazzled and unprepared. When I sit down at my desk to work, I need to have the workspace cleared off and organized before I can even start. Same thing goes for clutter. I don’t even think I could fall asleep knowing that there are piles or bins of stuff under my bed. The sign that says “sticky floors, dirty oven, happy kids” make me cringe because I would be a monster to be with and my kids would suffer 🤣🤣
At the end of the day, it could just be a classic case of OCD or type A first child syndrome😜
Also, regarding stuff. I can’t stand it. I’m dreading next week when my kids will be bringing home all of their new gifts and having to find new homes for them. I’ve made a habit to declutter often to counteract holidays.
Another thing that is different from me and my mom who tends to be a clutter bug is I always chose quality over quantity. I’d rather have one $500 item than 50 x $10 items. I also use the good stuff like dishes, candles, kitchen supplies, purses etc. I’m not sure if it’s generational or not but she has “good” sets and “daily” sets of everything from dishes to sheets where I just have one, good set of things.
@@Maeve2001 I feel like you've communicated exactly what we need to move away from - and, that is we as people are far too okay with consumerism, clutter, and chaos. You want to be mindful of your surroundings and treat it as if it is an extension of you. I feel like this new shift is going to cause us to all be a lot healthier, happier, and more mindful of others, rather than focusing on consumer items. Do you simply buy a lot less, or do you have a one in two out style of thinking? I do not think you have OCD, because I think anything that isn't seen as "normal" is seen as some sort of diagnosis these days. A lot of people think they eat a balanced diet and are fairly educated and are moderately messy - usually that balance for all three is tilted towards the truth they avoid; most likely isn't healthy, most likely over confident, and most likely isn't tidy. Thanks for sharing! I was totally unaware of my environment before coming to minimalism, and I found a lot of minimalist far too clinical - but, Dawn thankfully makes the whole experience a lot more fun.
I have never considered my stuff as "inventory." This is a gigantic paradigm shift!! Thank you so much!
Yeah, gives things a new perspective 😊😊👍
💯
Precisely!!! Well- worded! Thank you!!
Me either I hope this will help me too
“Inventory” was the exact word that I latched onto about three years ago and the process has been fantastic! 😊🎉
I'm a natural organizer. I'm also hard wired for "just in case" inventory. So I spend my life re-organizing. I never realized how this had me running in circles; and I certainly never knew how to fix it. I recently looked through this year's Day Timer entries, and there it is repeated over and over: To Do - reorganize cupboards, reorganize drawers, reorganize closets. This video couldn't have been better timed. I'm getting off the reorganization treadmill and drastically reducing inventory. Thank you, Dawn, for the answer how to escape reorganization madness.
How did this go? I’d describe myself exactly like you described yourself
@@creativelycountry1617me tooo
I'm naturally organized (not necessarily tidy) so I was just spinning my wheels organizing cluttered closets and drawers over and over again. Not until you showed me how to minimize inventory did my organizing gain traction. Now what gets organized stays organized because it doesn't get messed up when we look for or use things. (Plus a disorganized half-full drawer of kitchen utensils *looks* more organized than a full drawer all straightened up. ) Minimizing is more effective than organizing.
So true about spinning your wheels! I spent so much time organizing when I should’ve been decluttering.
I so needed this…right now I’m actually near tears because it feels overwhelming. All of my sisters have beautiful and tidy homes. It almost feels like I missed the clean gene. Wish I could pick up the phone and call you for commiserating. Your videos help me and I feel like you are a friend who cares. Thank you!
Hang in there JT. Dawn is amazing at helping people feel loved 🥰
Same girl! You'll get there, it takes time and perseverance, but don't give up! Dawn and this whole community are an awesome support system, so you're in the right place!
JT start small choose one task you want to accomplish and built from there. It could be make your bed, wipe down a counter etc.
When it comes to decluttering think would I be sad if this went up in flames.
You’ve got this!!!!!
@@charityholt7737 Thank you
@@danielleporcaro5422 Thank you
As long as we’re not taking cleanliness to an extreme and making it the most important thing. My mother kept a beautiful, clean, organized home. She made her children’s lives miserable doing it. Cleaning came before her children’s feelings and well-being. Remember to put Loved ones first in the quest for organization and tidiness. 🙏🏻❤️ Love your videos. 👍
This is important indeed, thank you
Growing up in a house with nine people and seven children my mother was a meticulous alcohol are cool had everything in his place and room she couldn’t go in or sit in and we had very little but I didn’t feel like I was missing out because I didn’t know you could have so much clutter and so many clothes that you don’t wear I think that’s what started me on my journey of collecting things and now I have to go on my journey of on collecting things and letting go of things it’s a mental emotional and psychological process and I’m 66 years old and now that I’m home alone I need to start throwing out giving away to charity and not worry that I might need it in a year from now you’re right! My excuse now is that I have a broken back and a fractured hip so my mobility is slow due to pain and I use that as an excuse now but I am uncomfortable with the mess and embarrass for anybody to come into my house! Starting today before the new year I’m gonna try my best to have a home for every place to be and what doesn’t have a home Hass to go not just throwing stuff in the cover just to get it out-of-the-way and then you can’t find it when you need it is frustrating thank you I can keep using your tips and not feeling frustrated or aggravated and be more comfortable in my own home I just need to get rid of stuff close stuff that just sits around and collects dust and take it one cover or one drawer at a time not even a whole room it’s overwhelming when you’re first starting out in the new direction and not feeling well! And unfortunately I can’t afford anybody to come in and help me! But your channel gives me hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel because when you first start out you don’t know where to start sounds crazy doesn’t it but it’s true you look around and you’re overwhelmed just like oh my gosh where do I start! I will give myself some grace and just organize or put away or give away or donate everything I put my hands on one item at a time because I know I will feel better if my house is organized and tidied up and clean! I have to push through the exhaustion fatigue pain & self pity and put on positive music say positive affirmations to myself the myself notes around encouraging me to get motivated to delete throw out donate and don’t bring it back into the house or the garage it’s embarrassing and give myself some grace that would be a start and stop being so hard on myself! It took 15 years from my house and I’ve lived in for 34 years to get like this since I retired and everybody has moved on I do have a daughter that moved back in and I can’t expect her to help this is my home and I need to be able to move around carefully with a walker and or a cane! Be good to myself keep watching the videos For ideas Suggestions inspiration and hope thank you and merry Christmas to everyone may the new year bring everyone a healthy happy tidier new year that’s a great positive mindset
@@bethannebiafora3034 I'm sorry this has been so challenging. Would you please put a period at the end of your sentences, so it's easier to read your writing? Wishing you well.
@@bethannebiafora3034 Very hard to read the run on and on and on.
@@bethannebiafora3034 and please spellcheck! You posted a profile channel without proofreading! It is hard on eyes to read and to know what you are trying to say: Sibgle motherc and Gammie of 8 .....RN volunteer forms several things in community
My mother was a naturally tidy person. As I reflect back something just occurred to me- she was a (relatively) tidy person inside as well. I was messy, disorganized and noisy. I was that way inside as well!
My mom didn't make an occasion of cleaning- it simply happened as part of her day, so there was no drama. When I cleaned my room it was An Occasion! I announced it days ahead, I dreaded it, I was secretly terrified- I didn't know what to do.
Now I'm uncertain what came first with her- inside tidy or outside tidy- what reflected what, but I find as I get older I crave tidiness. I crave peace.
I liked this video, Dawn. Less inventory means more peace. Perfect😊
Wow Deborah!!! Your story sounds just like mine!!! ❤️
I love what you said! "inside tidy or outside tidy." I liked this video too! It really scratched where I was itching!!
That is where I am...I crave peace and order.
You hit on something, though, that's been bothering me a lot- knowing what to do. Knowing how to clean, how to tidy. When there isn't much to do, it isn't so hard, in my experience, but once there's a lot to do, I stand there in a catatonic state with my eyes glazed over, wondering how to go about it. My mom wasn't naturally clean, either. In fact, her housekeeping habits make me feel virtuous, and I'm a slob. I remember one time when my grandmother came over and she just went off on my mom about the state of the kitchen. I was just a kid, about 10, so I had no idea until my grandmother said something that it wasn't supposed to be like that.
I do believe your home can reflect your state of mind. I know when I clean an area and have more living space I breathe easier.
Not a naturally tidy person, but somewhere along the way I became a minimalist like you! If you are constantly tidying all your stuff it feels like a losing battle, if you only have what you actually need, then it's a much easier battle to win.
My proud moment was when my mum visited the other day and said "Wow what a tidy house." In preparation for her arrival all I needed to do was fold up and put away a blanket that was in the living room
Naturally tidy person. Reducing the inventory has helped tremendously. Being able to clean up each room in 5 min is a great measuring tool. Greatest tips are put away immediately and everything having a place.
Absolutely, Sarah. My niece has a huge problem staying organized and I always tell her you have too much stuff. No one could stay on top of all of this it’s not just you that can’t (I couldn’t either) so don’t get down on yourself.
I think the 5minute rule is a great benchmark. Wonder how to get a teen and a tween on board with reducing their things… 🙄 Lol
@@HillsCo2006 I let the containers be the bad guy- whatever can fit in here- you pick what stays
@@sarahnicosia1428 I follow that principle and do with my kids as well. My eldest two just aren’t great at keeping things in the specific container/shelf etc, and don’t like parting with things very well. They need a lot of support. They share a room as well which makes it a bit harder to keep things separate.
We’re on summer break now so there will be some extra training and purging going on to make my life easier come Feb when baby #7 arrives! The less we have out the less they have to tidy up - I won’t be doing it!!
I learned decluttering in the 1990's from Don Aslett who wrote some fabulously funny books about the subject. I didn't realize my success until we moved to Iowa and stopped homeschooling our children. I had thought my house was cluttered, messy and dirty, but our boys assured me that our house wasn't. They'd now been in their friend's homes and discovered how "the other half lives." They were shocked! And grateful for their mother (me!) who kept their home so nice. I think people can overcome bad habits, or mindsets through knowledge and discipline. First learning a new way of doing things, and then practicing the skill until it becomes the new habit. Having the right amount of "inventory" is key as you say, because if you own too many things for the size home you have, no amount of good habits will overcome the lack of space. Another key is overcoming procrastination, which is my way of saying do it now, put it away now, throw it in the trash now, deal with it now, instead of thinking that you'll have more time later. If you don't have a few seconds now, when will you have an hour to put away or deal with the accumulation of stuff. Your videos are great Dawn, keep up the good work.
Love this. My mantra lately has been "dont put it down-- put it away."
I agree wholeheartedly with everything you write. The shock you feel when you go to "normal people's" houses can be so overwhelming. I visited my friend recently and her bathroom had sooo much clutter in it: at least 3 versions of every beauty product, cleaning stuff, etc. I almost started to declutter.😁
@@diellensy27 I day it out loud!
Another Don Aslett fan here! Best clean and declutter books ever! 😊
Yes, I learned so much from his books. I have several of them. They helped when I was new to keeping a home clean. I still use his products techniques- rugs inside/outside each door!
Dawn, you deserve all the subscribers and sales you get, you have worked so hard and truly live what you preach. That is a rarity on it's own. Thanks for all you do.
You are so kind, thank you so much!!!
I've been prepping to sell my house and move, in extremely short notice and every day I am so relieved that I have spent so much of this 2021 year watching your videos and decluttering and simplifying. My husband regrets not doing the same to his stuff sooner. Our house looks amazing and the realtor said I will make significantly more money than a hoarder down the street with the same house because it looks and feels so good. It's not decorated much, just clean and so minimal. Thank you for all you do!
I COMPLETELY AGREE! It's all about being willing to let things go and not hang on to clutter. 👏🏼
Most of confusion in my house and strugle to keep it as tidy as I wish is excess staff that we dont use... but... my husband wont agree on letting it go.... frustrating
Pppp0
@@etelvinauacunzo2185 There must be items in your house that belong only to you. You can set the example by decluttering your own stuff and tidying your shared spaces.
Sometimes women say that it can take a few years before their husbands finally do get on board when they see the effects on their wives. Some men just have to see it for themselves rather than being told by their wives.
My house was always tidy, however, it stayed tidy because I kept everything in bins….bins stacked upon bins…..when I found you, I started going through those bins and eventually emptied over 35 bins! You have no idea how much you helped me….I’m forever grateful….
that is amazing Carolyn Eastman you put me on to something right after Christmas I wil start with my bins thank you for the inspiration ,have a lovely day
@@Judy122550 …..it took me 2 years!
@@carolyneastman6095 ,but you did it & that is awesome ! Would you believe right after breakfast I am going to start & not wait until after Christmas Thanks again
@@Judy122550 ….I wish you much success and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy decluttered New Year 👍👍
@@carolyneastman6095 thank you ! I am excited about getting started I did start a bit but will go full force in 2022
I am a naturally tidy person but I did not know about minimalism until I came across your channel last year during lockdown. I have been decluttering without knowing the term. For me it is fulfilling because when I declutter I take everything to my relatives who are less fortunate and its fulfilling when something used while it was collecting dust in my house.
Between you and clutterbug, my home has never looked better. Knowing my organizational style and finally giving up the clutter, especially the for the future clutter; has been so life changing. Now it takes like 5 minutes to tidy my whole downstairs! This used to take hours! Thank you 😊😍☺️
Sara that is great Tidying up is a big goal for me as well!
@@HomeFrugalicious you can do it! We've been working on having Jess and a clean organized home for like two years. This past few months I've felt the biggest difference! You can do it too ☺️
Sara thank you so much for the words of encouragement! My plan is to take one closet at the time and really declutter. I have been homeschooling my kids for the past two years because of the lockdown, so things got out of control. This channel is so helpful she is so nice, motivating and non-judgmental! Happy holidays ❣
@@HomeFrugalicious you got this! It's been crazy here as well, you can do it, one area at a time 😁
I’m not a naturally tidy person and grew up thinking that “ everything is useful”! Which made things worse! But I’m decluttering now and it feels amazing! 😃👏🏼👏🏼
I think the fact that my mom got rid of my still favorite things when I was a child, is the reason why I hold on to things today. (In reality, I wanted to keep everything. Haha!) Her home was tidy, though, and always visitor ready. My mom was still wonderful and she had time to do so many things with her four children. Great memories! Thank you so much for your videos to help me learn a new way, even in my 60's!
I have always not had a lot of money, so I bought lots of things from garage sales. Wish I would have realized sooner that we don't need so many things, toys, etc. and that relaxation time is so priceless. I was constantly spending time moving things around and reorganizing when I could have been relaxed. Love your helpful videos!
Good perspective on both sides! I’m naturally tidy but I don’t ever want to make less tidy people feel bad. We all need grace for each other because we are all so different.
So I gave this “less inventory a try” on my living room. And OMG it freaking works!!!!!. Before it took me so long to tidy up my living room but with the less inventory I can tidy up is less than 5 min. I will include it on other parts of my home. Thanks Dawn 🥰
Dawn, I have been following you for several months. I've started going through a very rigorous declutter. The mental benefit of not having to manage piles of inventory has been amazing. But I've found out the hard way how much easier it is to manage. 3 weeks ago I broke my humerus bone. It's too far up on my arm to cast so the recovery has been excruciating. Thanks to decluttering and managing to keep things tidier I'm able to maintain most of my chores. I hit a snafu every once in a while but otherwise unless it's on the floor I don't do half bad. I say gravity is not my friend as it drags on the break so nothing on the floor gets picked up unless my amazing hubs is home to pick it up. Thank you for allowing God to use you to encourage me to get my house in order ❤
Definitely NOT a naturally tidy person, but thanks to you and Cass from “clutterbug”, Callie from “butfirstcoffee” and Steph from ”thesecretslob” I am on the road to being tidy 🎉🌻
I am not a naturally tidy person. Everything I've accomplished this far has been because of you, Dawn. The encouragement I received from this video was to keep going farther if I've hit a wall....yeah...I've hit that wall and am frustrated with our house again. Guess I need to go farther. Thanks, Dawn!
Similar for me :-)
Dawn, I used to be a "messy person", then I developed some good tidying habits, which did help a lot. But it was just not enough. And I was super frustrated that it seemed no matter how hard I worked and tidied, our house was never where I wanted it to be. Until I found your channel. You have transformed my life and the life of my family! And we're still simplifying... 😊
Do you have some favorite tips?
I was not a tidy person until I started watching your videos on decluttering. On the weekend I realized I decluttered my salad spinner. But also realized I rarely used it and could dry my home grown salad on a dish towel! Your videos have changed my life! When I made my Christmas treats it was awesome because as I finished each one I hand washed them then they were ready to be used for the next recipe (in past years the dishes would have been piled in the sink and more taken out of the cupboard and would have left the mess to cleanup later! So thank you Dawn!
Throw the leaves in a clean pillow case and shake it around...works great. I keep one in dish towel drawer.
Oh that salad spinner! Takes up so much space and mostly use paper towels to dry. That is the only thing that I use the paper towels for! Thanks for the reminder...on the way out!
Thank you, Dawn, for helping me declutter my home and introducing me to Cass and Dana. You guys are so fun!!! I feel like my homemaking journey began when a life coaching friend told me some people LIKE to clean their houses. I realized I could change the way I looked at my house. Then, I found out that the people who keep their houses reasonably clean for the least amount of effort are actually the ones who don’t want their homes to be streamlined, organized or otherwise oriented towards a strategic goal. They are the people who clean because they want their homes to be “pretty!” That blew my mind and gave me permission to think of my life as a form of self-indulgence and self-care instead of strictly for service to others. It set me free! Now, thanks to YOU (because you were the third and final piece to that puzzle), we never have to tidy before company comes or someone stays for the weekend. THIS IS SO FUN! Thank you, Dawn, for opening up a realm of happiness in my life that I never knew existed. I know we’re friends... but you are a Godsend to me, and I love you. God bless you! XOXOXOX
Yes just the other day I went over to a guys house, and I was absolutely amazed at how tidy and perfect he had his house !! I felt like a lazy, unorganized mom, bc my home is definitely not tidy no matter what I do. So lately I find myself getting rid from unnecessary stuff around the house … lol I would love to have my home fully decluttered, wish me luck ! My goal for 2022
You can do it! I was 6 months pregnant with our 3rd son and de cluttered and organized all the rooms inside the house. It was a major under taking but the motivation and the nesting kept me going. If a pregnant and busy mama who isn't naturally tidy or organized can do it so can you.
Yes it’s never too late. I am 70 this year December. I still learn to keep house tidy and clean and Dawn’s suggestion to pare down our inventory is motivating for me to work on it. It’s never too late to keep house clean no matter where we are. Just don’t give up. I am not born tidy but I like the peace that come with a Decluttered home. Wish you luck!
I’m loving reading the comments and how you just made both naturally tidy and naturally untidy people feel absolutely validated. ❤️❤️❤️ That is such an amazing gift that you have.
It’s absolutely why I love watching her videos.
thousands love for these comments
I’ve never been Tidy! I frustrated my mother SO much! 😂 I am so glad to have found you and to learn how to dig in and declutter my life. Giving God praises for your talent in teaching and leading us into minimalism!
I used to be a naturally tidy person when I was younger but then depression hit and now I am definitely NOT tidy. Now with your, Dana and Cas's help, I am getting back on track. Very slowly but I am working on it. Thanks for all you do. I am looking forward to receiving your workbook!!
Yes! I used to be so much better. Now, w severe anxiety and depression, it’s been a huge struggle and I hate what I’ve become, lol. Things get let go. Kids and husband can’t do it all.
Keep going! I understand what you mean! We are not alone on this journey!
depression and a messy house is a real thing. my mom was always messy and I realize that it's probably because she was severely depressed. unfortunately I inheirated her depression and messiness and it's a constant battle
I totally get it. Sometimes to the point of using paper dishes instead of washing plates. Having pre made healthy meals in the freezer for the low times or relying on healthier but canned goods and veggies that can be prepared easily or thrown on a plate raw from the bag.
Ohhhh my 😓 I completely understand your pain. Now I know exactly how the people on shows like Hoarders came to be in the rut. Depression and pain paralyzes , no matter how much of a clean freak one is.
How do you know you’ve watched too many Minimal Mom videos? When there’s something about a certain color blue that you are drawn to and love so much that you decide to get it for your mani-pedi and then realize it’s the color of Dawn’s kitchen cabinets! 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
🤣haha love your comment!!
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Oh blimey yes me too 😄
I am a naturally tidy and organized person. It’s just makes me feel happy to have a tidy house, I just function better. Even if no one is coming over I do it for myself. And yes since following you I have found I can live with so much less!
I have been working on decluttering for the past year. It’s been a slow steady process. It’s worth it! My house is pretty big and there have been distractions, but it’s getting to the point where cleaning and tidying is easier and it’s getting under control. My mindset about stuff is changing. I now see stuff I’m not using as getting in my way. I do chores on Saturday morning (bathroom and kitchen at least), so I can enjoy the clean house during the weekend and people can drop by. Habits I acquired include cleaning up the kitchen every night, no exceptions. I have started running the dishwasher if half full or more every night. Pots washed, garbage out… It’s such a pleasure to start the day with a tidy kitchen! I save up the extras for Saturday morning chores but I’ve come a long way! Thanks Dawn!
I wholeheartedly agree with you that reducing inventory is the key to being tidy. I say "reducing inventory" all the time now, since subscribing to your channel, LOL. We are not always company ready, but it is waaaaay better with fewer things to worry about.
My house can sometimes look tidy on the outside but open a cupboard and an avalanche of stuff comes tumbling out. I have been decluttering for a while now. We had one cupboard where towels and bed linen were kept. It was never tidy. I watched one of your videos and I realised I didn't need 30 towels and numerous sheets and pillow cases. I filled several bags and that cupboard has NEVER been untidy since. It's all about inventory. From that day on I have been going through the rest of the house and doing the same. Inventory is key. Thank you soooo much.
Amazing video! I am inspired to do another big declutter!
Same here.
I had done a huge (though incomplete) declutter years ago, but it's building back up. I need to tackle it again.
Same here. I’m glad I ran across her video today!
Amen, Sister! I was overwhelmed by having to address the extreme extent of possessions my Mother's had amassed over her lifetime. She grew up in a huge family with so little, she felt unable to let go of what she had worked so long and hard for as an adult. After she passed, it took me two years to donate the unneeded but still serviceable items, refurbish and gift the items that were needed by other family and friends who were in need, and ensure the items that could not be saved were disposed of appropriately. Seeing such a daunting task that took so long to address was stressful and effected my health. Loss of sleep over trying to respect my sweet mother's directives regarding her treasures, worry over family members fighting about who should REALLY get what... Auctions and yard sales, donation group pick ups, ordering dumpsters and scheduling repairs... The process made me crave a more minimal home, and I paired down to mostly the essentials for belongings, and found my health and my soul decompressing. My mother was such a blessing, and she inadvertently taught me one last life lesson on giving and letting go of THINGS, but holding on tightly to the sweet memories and loving experiences. They are the treasures she offered.
I fall into the category of "or not".
After losing my mom I just wanted to hang onto so much STUFF. It's gotten easier to let go of as time passes. When you said your mom's name I literally gasped! My mom's name is the same. Holding onto her inventory will not bring her back and she most certainly wouldn't want to burden me with her stuff.
I feel like my creative side gets so easily distracted by other things that I don't focus on the "trashed house" until it is overwhelming.
I found that after awhile looking at my moms stuff actually made me feel sad. But that was a long time after…❤️
@@BroccoliFiles Yep! thanks for catching that.
@@user-vp5oo1no7g if you hold your finger down your comment there should be three little dots to the right. One of them will be edit. You can correct your spelling this time or lots of other times. I have to do that all the time, because like today, I'm on the treadmill watching Dawn to be inspired for the day. 😂
To those who commented back to me- I don't know how I deleted your comments & can't figure out how to fix my typo. Sorry!
To the understanding person who said seeing her mom's stuff brought sadness: I sometimes feel that way too. It will be two years next month.
To the person who pointed out my typo- thanks. I'm human and it was an emotional comment that I re-wrote a couple times.
To the helpful person who tried to tell me how to edit my comment, thank you. Not sure where my computer skills have gone, they're not here today though. :)
@@brendamaun5455 Thank you for being so kind as to teach me, I really appreciate you sharing that information! I did not know how. I wish Dawn's videos were about 45 minutes so I could have a full distraction on the elliptical! haha Have a wonderful day.
Great video Dawn. I’m not wired that way either. I am over 60 and have struggled with a messy house most of my life. And the things that made the difference to now having a neat house all the time are 1) yes letting go of stuff, also 2) always putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher immediately after use, running it every night and putting them away every morning, and 3) always hanging up our clothes and keeping everything put away in the bathroom. I think it takes both having less stuff and developing daily habits. You absolutely have to have a place to put things.
Everyone in my family is tidy except me! It is really hard, but you are right- I have too much inventory. Because when things do have a place, I put them back.
I come from a home where money was scarce so hording was absolute. I never let go of anything. Its taken me years to get to being confident enough to let things drop out of my inventory. Adopting a new mindset to find peace with less inventory is a struggle but I feel hope and see degrees of sucess.
I hope my children can be sucessful too.
Me to.
Thank you for bringing up money. It is definitely a huge factor. If replacing something is harder- it's harder to think about letting go of Just in case items.
This was going to be my question to her. I have a dad who basically raised himself. He was an orphan from very young and he worked hard for what he has. So, when ever he finds good deals on used items or free items that interest him, he brings them home thinking he might need it some day. He's been doing good about getting rid of things slowly but it's still very hard for him to let go. He was also a cop in Mexico so his special tools are inside the house because he's afraid they might get stolen. Drives my mother nuts sometimes. 😅
Totally same position
Thanks, Dawn. That struck a chord with me! I'm hard wired to the "just in case" philosophy. This, when examined, is not logical! I recently needed to quickly find some first aid supplies in my closet (where I also keep my cold meds, extra toothbrushes, soaps etc., etc...) I could not locate ANYTHING due to the piles of "just in case's"!! Thanks for helping me see this. Hugs!
I've always been a tidy person, even as a child and you are spot on... I have very low inventory and have never had a problem getting rid of stuff .. Great video 👌 and merry Christmas 🎅
I’m naturally tidy, but WOW did it ever get easy when I massively decluttered! My journey of minimalism started when I lived in a small camper, which made me realize how little I need to manage to survive, and how much time can be spent on other things as a result. The skills I put into place during that season prepared me to be able to live in a
Wow we hope to down size some day to around 700 sq feet too! What inspiration! 😄
Sarah Mercier, wow, am a family oh one & cannot even imagine! Good for u Gf! 💕
Having 15 acres of outdoor space to roam certainly helps - though not so much in our -30 Celsius winters ;)
The visual of your son putting the game away is so powerful. How many of us have been frustrated with our family because they don’t help keep things tidy? Making it easy for them (and ourselves!) is key.
The struggle is real! I've been in the process of decluttering my home and what you're saying is absolutely true. You have to whittle away excess until everything has its place. Emotions get in the way as well. Help, Lord!!🙄 Just discovered your channel and appreciate the information 😀. Thank you for your service!
No the goal is not to slowly organize everything "in it's place". You'll never finish. The best way to is put EVERYTHING out of sight in boxes in the attic or basement or storage somewhere....except what you use all the time. And live with the small amout then revisit the unused junk a month or two later. Or at LEAST start the Marie Kondo way.
I’m actually a reformed messy!! Much of that is thanks to you!! I remember my mom would always say, “everything in its place” and I thought, “What does that mean? If I knew where it went I would put it there!!”. It’s the Christmas season and I’ve been sick and I can see the clutter creeping in. I know the first thing to do to regain my home is to clear the clutter. This means getting the presents wrapped and under the tree, getting the trash out and stopping the influx of additional items. The process is never done, but we get so much better at it as we go!! If I can do it, ANY body can do it. I promise!!
I remember watching a RUclips channel “How Jen Does It” and realizing over time that Jen purposefully chose each item in her home, and it all coordinated so nicely. My house was full of discordant hand-me-downs and yard sale finds. I did not aspire to go as “far” as Jen, but I realized I did not have to keep everything that came my way just because it was free or cheap or I was trying to rescue it from the trash.
I miss Jen!
I struggle with this concept too! I do not have to open my home to every stray item that passes my way.
@@Rebecca-creates Why is she no longer on RUclips? I loved her channel but noticed I couldn’t find it anymore. Hope she’s ok...Thanks 😊
@@southerngrandma4353 Hi, I don't know what happened to her. She just disappeared off RUclips and I don't do other media. I hope she is ok too!
@@Rebecca-creates she pops on Instagram with a reel or post occasionally. She stopped making videos because she felt she had shown us all she had to offer. I get it, I miss her.
Wow! You explained this so well, Dawn! I am a naturally tidy person but becoming a minimalist has made my life SO much easier! I'm so glad I found you in 2020!
I like to be tidy, but I was raised to keep allllllll the things "just in case" ... having to rewire my natural tendency to hold onto things has been really hard, but I want to encourage everyone it is possible! It's a slow process, and although I'm not perfect at it, I've come a very long way since finding your channel ❤ so very grateful for u!
Same here...
The thing that has TOTALLY helped me when deciding if I should keep “just in case” is that GOD WILL PROVIDE. One of our daughters is the founder of a theater company and I find myself wanting to keep weird containers/boxes/items bc we make props and costumes, etc. God. Will. Provide. is my motto now
Same here, and I know it came from my parents living in poverty in Mexico. You never know when the "just in case" might happen, but I quickly learned when I moved out (15 years ago) that I'd rather not be cleaning my "just in case" stuff every week, because my mother taught me to keep those things clean and neat, and I'd rather not clean all the time.
Anyway, nice to know there are others that were raised similarly. Keep it up! I know my work is not done because whenever there's a sale somewhere, I always find myself thinking "...but what if?" Lol
Same here!
Yes yes!!
The most rewarding and continuous thing I do most (and makes me feel good when I follow through on) is putting something away as soon as I am finished with it.
And with wanting less inventory, you naturally bring less in, which results in less purchases and more savings, so you have that $20 if you need to “replace” something down the line!! Thank you for another awesome video!! (I also love the concept of, “let’s stop judging one another people!!”) ❤️
When I started out being a secretary, my trainer insisted that each paper in the stack should be picked up and dealt with once. She meant it. So foreign to me a wild creative type. But I listened and she was correct. Same with homemaking. Thanks Dawn.
There's a house down our road that we call "The neat house." It makes me feel so inadequate! I always wondered how they did it until I started watching your videos!! I've also stopped folding our many hand towels since watching your videos and I don't know why I ever bothered! I can't thank you enough 😍❤️😊
I think alot of the time the "what if I need this later" comes from a place insecurity. Not knowing if it can be easily replaced should you need it down the road. It really is a battle to convince yourself that its not an essential item and that even if you can't go out and replace it right away that you will make due with what you have and that you'll be alright. Its like the older "great depression" mindset that my gram used to have. It took alot to get it. a lot of work and struggle. why just get rid of a perfectly good item.
I have to agree with the uncertainty of our day. I am trying to strive to find a balance between the two. Now if I could figure out where the ideal place is to keep things such as first aid/ medical/ etc I mean I have some in kitchen and some in closet. My bathroom is tiny with little storage. And where do people keep blankets and quilts?
@@debbielee93 In the summer, you can keep blankets and quilts under the mattress of the bed they go on. Pull them out in the winter. You can do this with extra sheets too.
This is a very important video. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
4:35 A place for everything and everything in it's place.
🎯 We tend to think something is wrong with us if we don't keep a tidy home; when what's *really* wrong, is that we have too much inventory. 🎯 (( A lot of the inventory has to go. )) Keeping things in case we might need them, causes too much inventory to control.
(Her personal goal is to be able to pick up any room in the house in five minutes or less, so she had to get rid of a lot more stuff than she thought.)
A tidy home feels so good - It feels better than hanging onto lots of stuff "just in case" we might need it in the future. It's too hard to manage lots of inventory. It's better to let a lot of it go ; once you do, it's so much easier to put stuff away and keep things tidy.
8:42 Tidy people think differently. They think "Why would you keep so much inventory, if it's making it hard to control ?" Other people think "Why would we get rid of perfectly good stuff ?"
Adopting the attitude of a tidy person and reducing the inventory is key to keeping a tidy home.
Err on the side of getting rid of too much, and don't beat yourself up for letting go of things.
Have grace for yourself and don't beat yourself up if you make a decluttering mistake.
*We might have made a purchasing mistake, but the only thing WORSE, is keeping it, and dragging out the mistake even longer.*
Let extra inventory go, so it's very simple to put things away and find them when you need them.
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Don't ask "What could I use this for ?"
Ask do I really need this now, am I actually using it ? What is it's purpose ? Is it fulfilling it's purpose ? If not, let it go. Donate it so it can be used by someone who needs it. Instead of asking "Can I use this?, Ask "Can I get away without it ?"
Error on the side of getting rid of TOO MUCH stuff.
Workbook available and a course.
Check the links above.
I love how clean your house is! I am on my way to minimalism and I've been on it for the last 5 years :). It's really addictive. The more things I get rid of, the more I still want to get rid of :). And I still wonder, how come I've got so much stuff since I already got rid of so much of it? :) And I like this rule of 5 minutes to pull back the room together. Thanks for the inspiration! :) I also think that people do not need to decide right away how much is enough. Once they get rid of the first portion of things and realize how good they feel about that, it will be give them encouragement to get rid of another portion of things in some time :). Greetings, A.
I've gotten rid of so much clutter and stuff since I started watching you in May, and our hours stays tidy now. I finally realized that the peace less stuff brings to our lives is far more valuable than the stuff itself! And we gained so much extra time in our week because we spend very little time keeping the house and laundry up. That was the most suprising part for me.
Can't wait for your book to come! Ordered it as a gift!
Thanks for this one, Dawn. I was on my way to a more minimalist household when we decided to sell our house and build a small house in the woods. We’ve been living in a tiny rental while the house is getting built, and it was partially furnished already and has virtually no storage. As a consequence, we are temporarily living in clutter. I hate it. But it has strengthened my resolve to really pare down and have so much less to manage.
I'm an in-between tidy person, I think, but I don't generally stress about it because Marie Kondo definitely streamlined the way I live :-) I have a perfectionist friend who does feel a lot of guilt and shame when decluttering in-case an item is needed later. My way of looking at it is, if you think you have done something wrong, that implies there is a correct way. If there is a correct way then everyone would be doing it. If everyone was doing it, we'd all be carbon copies of each other living the exact same lives .... clearly we know that isn't true. Therefore it can't really be a mistake getting rid of an item that we later think we need. Like you say, the huge benefit of calmer living massively outweighs a moment of minor frustration and also challenges us to be creative problem solvers! Love your channel, thanks for the inspiration and season's greetings to you and your family :-)
I have been devouring your content since I found your channel about a year ago. Thank you so very much. …I think it’s important for us to recognize that love and fear are probably some of our strongest compellers. And they can look different on different people. For example, I’ve been a messy cluttered person most of my life (drastically changing now!), always keeping things “just in case” or because maybe it’s still usable. But my sister has always been a tidy, put together kind of person. For both of us, fear played a role. For me, I was afraid of not having what I needed or afraid of wasting things. For her, she was afraid of not being able to maintain of manage life around her. Both of us were afraid of not having control. Both the messy hoarding lifestyle, and the minimalist organized lifestyle can be a coping mechanism. Both can be driven by fear. Which is incredibly stressful. But if we can learn to press into Jesus and wait on Him to heal our hearts from the deeper reasons we’re afraid, then we can learn to let go of our faulty coping mechanism (because those won’t work forever), and re-learn how to move forward from a place of love for ourselves and others with PEACE as we keep things and declutter things.
The fear of losing control is also what makes, say, tidy and untidy people fight, e.g. at the workplace or at home! 😱 The courage to create inside ourselves a little space of peace and letting go might be a first step…? 🤷🏻♀️ Lots of love and selflove to everyone here!💗
I've been on the Dawn train for over a year now. I was always a mess and creatively proud of it. I think I was just shocked at how far I had to go decluttering to get to a place that makes me feel tidy (ish). It's life changing though!!
This is a priceless video. I loved how you pointed out the brain differences and how neither is wrong. But if we want to live a tidier life we WILL have to make some modifications. I've been learning from you and Dana and the Clutterbug for over and year now. The reprogramming is working! I'm not where I'd like to be yet, but I am on my way. :D Thanks for ALL you ladies are sharing!!!
I ALWAYS appreciate your perspective especially on INVENTORY! That shift has really lessened "The Overwhelm" ! Thank you
I am not a naturally tidy person. Your tip about simplifying more than I initially thought necessary is really good.
I am a naturally tidy person. My biggest tip is out things back when you're finished with it....totally makes a huge difference in my home......now to teach my daughter this lol.
I’m coming up on almost a year since I found you. Your channel has helped me more that any other resources combined- and I’ve tried them all! I’ve paid for courses, I’ve read books, followed the “famous” minimalist people, but none of them could talk me through purging like you did. We have a family of 10, (8 kids) and because of you we have very little inventory. We are still working daily on maintenance, but we have purged 80% of our belongings. People are always so impressed that we have so little clutter and I love pointing them to your channel. I recommend you highly everywhere I go! Thank you for giving this mama her life back! ❤️
I was not, I became a tidy person after watching your videos. I always felt overwhelmed, having too much stuff, I just didn't knew how to start becoming minimalist. So today I will have another "decluttering session", where I get rid of those last few things I was holding on. I am really happy with my home now, it's really minimalistic. Love it
Dawn, I've been watching your videos since 2020 and I just love all your tips and tricks and great insights. The problem in my house is, I'm the only person working on the tidy house habits and I'm the only minimalist and person reducing inventory... so... it's rough sometimes.
You nailed it Dawn: decreasing inventory is the foundation of tidiness coming easily. I’m the daughter of a super tidy lady so I always get I missed the mark but now I know what’s just right for me. I like my house to be like a vacation cottage - impossible right now with three college students but we’re getting there. We’ve already made so much progress and it feels wonderful. So glad they’re getting to learn inventory management while they’re still home ( kind of ). Thanks Dawn !
We just moved into a new home and still have boxes, but in our last place we got to a "place" I loved. My neighbor had come over and hadn't been in our unit in about a year. He asked me "wow! Where's your stuff", thought I was moving (we hadn't bought our house yet), and was amazed at how clean my kitchen looked. Thing was, I hadn't cleaned my kitchen in 3 weeks! It just looked clean because the counters were almost bare. It felt really good to hear that especially after being so down on myself for not cleaning. That's the power of minimalism.
I grew up with two grandmas and a mother that were tidy. It even goes back to my great grandmother! I knew no other way. Now that I’m a mom this channel has really helped me to understand about low inventory. I knew my family didn’t keep stuff but didn’t understand until I was older.
I don't think it was so much that older generations didn't 'keep' stuff as there wasn't as much stuff to have! In today's world, people shop more, there are so many more products to buy, there is constant advertising telling us how much we need all of these extra products. I think being tidy would be much easier if we could get our "shopping habits" under control.
I am a naturally tidy person. I realize that as far back as I can remember, I didn't like clutter. In my own bedroom, things were picked up and put out of sight. Now, so many years later, listening to many people share their ideas about minimalism, it's easy for me to jump on board!
For me, the secret to living a tidy life is discipline! It has to be something that you do on an ongoing basis so that it becomes a natural thing. For me, whenever I have to walk down the hall, I take something with me that needs to be put away. I call it, "no empty back hauling." The terminology comes from trucking. Trucks make deliveries, and the most cost effective business model is for them to bring a load back with them as they are returning back to their point of origination. So, if I need to get something down the hall, I take something with me to return it to its rightful place, and then on my way back, I bring the item back with me that I was originally retrieving.
I have to say - this was the best decluttering/organizing/cleaning/etc. video that I've ever seen. It gets to the heart of things, which is often that people who are good at something often don't know the real reason WHY they're good at it - to wit, that it's not the minute-by-minute habits, but the fact of a drastically lowered inventory that is allowing a tidy home. Also, I love your phrase - "go further than you thought" - I have found this to be totally true. Thank you! Diana
We were a family of seven children with me being the oldest. There was a constant background of my mother saying "put things back where they belong" "shut the door (cabinet, drawer...whatever" "push your chair back when you get up from the table" "put your dishes in the sink" " WASH your hands, don't wipe the dirt on the towel" etc. I'm not sure how she was so vigilant but she was one of those moms that had eyes in the back of her head..! I used to think I just needed to set a good example but now that my children are grown I've realized that my mom had it right... Nag the little boogers..!
Every time I watch your channel though I think about what it is like for me now at age 77. I have to have a bedside table for the book I read to fall asleep, tissues for my allergic issues, and a glass of water when I wake up with a dry or scratchy throat as older people do. If I had to turn on a light and get up to get things or put them away on a bookshelf, I would never get back to sleep (another old person issue) and I'd probably wake my husband and then he would be wide awake.
I don't mind letting my friends feel good about themse!ves and their house when they see that mine isn't perfect all the time. And they are always welcome. What kind of friend judges you because your home isn't company ready every minute of every day?
I wasn’t a tidy person but every time I watch you I know I can get there 100%. Right now - you have helped me push and complete at 80%! And still going…… TY.
I am not naturally tidy. I've been watching your channel and various others for a couple of years. Changes have been made slowly. Improvements done ✅ Still have a ways to go. Living an extremely small home does not help in the slightest 🙄🤦
It can take some time getting comfortable with letting things go and allowing yourself to de-clutter. Once you do though it's so freeing and refreshing! 😄
♥️ absolutely! Even if it is only one room at a time.
lol Watching you're videos I've come to realize a lot of my 'problem' is my inventory is huge! And that overwhelms me. I don't let anyone in my home, and that needs to change. Thank you for the reminders that I'm not alone, and that being untidy is not a forever thing. I can do this.
I am not a tidy person by any stretch - BUT I do wanna talk about the health affects here.
Our homes need to be a place that nurtures us - not challenges us - so ppl really need to face this problem head on - and i have SO many friends with filthy cluttered homes, and theyre really ill people, emotionally overwhelmed and also have money problems. People dont generally associate these health and life issues with the quality of their home. Sure you tidying your house wont cure your chronic illness BUT it will help you cope so much better! Guaranteed and have quality rest!
Thanks for your videos.
Naturally tidy especially once I learned good routines. I have six kids and I struggled with all or nothing in the early years. I agree no side is wrong. But I have been judged and shamed MANY TIMES for being a born organizer/tidy person!
Thought I was the only one who had been derided and shamed for being tidy or organized. I would never dream of making fun of someone who struggles with the opposite problem.
Naturally tidy, however as a Cricket, I have a tendency to create piles, until the perfect system is in place. This is how Cas’s brilliant philosophy guided me away from perfection and towards the mindset of “good for right now.” And your idea of reducing inventory is gold. I knew I needed to declutter but thinking of my stuff in terms of managing inventory has been a game changer!
I have found that reducing inventory & organizing less inventory in the “Visual” areas first, ie, entrance, kitchen, family room (Dana White, A Slob Comes Clean) makes getting ready for ‘drop in’ company much quicker! However, a whole house, closet & drawer declutter is necessary for overnight guests😬
Studies have shown that mental illness leads to hoarding and depression and stress lead to uncleanliness so you’re definitely on the right track that it’s not about not caring it’s actually self love to take care of yourself and that means having a clean space
I decluttered about two years ago. I gave away shoes and clothing, knick knacks that weren’t heirlooms. It’s true there is more going on: dogs, cats, children, unexpected surprises that happen in a day. We’re remodeling so it’s not easy for me. I appreciate your peptalk!
Love all the great content you put out, Dawn. Best of luck with your book! Can't wait to hear about your foster care journey
Thanks Dawn, especially when you have smaller kids, it's always harder to keep a space clean, but with less stuff, easier to pick up quickly. I think it's great that Tom and the kids are on board which makes it a lot easier for them to let go of things and pick up as you go. Great job, love your channel and Merry Christmas season to you and your family !!