Learning dishes math, and learning to do the dishes after every use of the kitchen, completely changed my life. A lot of people say that -- but I mean, it changed my life not only on the outside, but how I feel on the inside too. It freed up so much of my internal bandwidth.
If you do make a list, add an estimate of the amount of time that it’ll take to do each item (clean the toilet ~5mins) and then set a timer and see how long it actually takes you to do each thing. Write it down, compare each to your estimate
Thank you so much. I have been living in a state of overwhelm. I’m 76, have chronic health issues, have a big house, have lots of stuff, and now it’s Christmas. It’s going to take a while but at least I have a plan now. The layers of a clean house is so simple and yet so profound. I have so much stuff that needs to be organized but I run out of energy and motivation at that point. You have given me hope.
So much of what you spoke about resonated with me, Dana! 25 years ago when I had three little ones at home, I was totally overwhelmed and realised that I needed a system to try to make cleaning easier. I generally kept up with daily things like keeping dishes and washing under control. I preferred to do a bigger clean on Mondays and Fridays and just started this habit of doing a quick tidy up the evening before I was going to clean, that way I was putting things away and clearing clutter off surfaces etc which made cleaning so much easier and quicker the next day. I still maintain that habit now and it makes such a difference for me. Over the years, I have read so many organising books and finally realised that if I didn’t declutter my possessions, all I was doing was organising and rearranging cluttered cupboards, so I have been on a journey to declutter which had made cleaning much easier too. Because I’m on long term chemotherapy now, my energy levels are low and the best advice I was given was to simplify every process in my home so that I can stay on top of things with limited energy. Decluttering and having simple systems in place, has made things more manageable and doable. Thank you for the content you provide, it’s very helpful. Blessings to you from Australia xx
That "deeper layer" comment started by talking about deep cleaning -- washing walls and cabinets, which is true enough. We don't do those every week. But then they mixed in a bunch of decluttering, projects, and organizing tasks -- cleaning closets, making repairs, storing photos, organizing computer files, and important papers/business files. Notice how the overwhelm immediately creeped in, and *the layers got jumbled together in their mind.* This is why it's so important to understand this concept! Closets is decluttering, and I think Dana would argue repairs can be considered decluttering as well. Photos, computers, and papers are part decluttering, part organizing.
I've intuitively understood this concept all my life, and have had a daily routine for a very long time (Not that my house was always clean!) But the thing I'd always left out was specifically naming the 5 min pickup, aka "resetting the rooms." That's been so helpful to me. Vacuum the main areas of the house TWICE A DAY??? That's my idea of hell 🤣
Enjoyed the podcast. I watched that video on the ten 10-minute tasks to do every day thinking 10 minutes is too much time to spend on chores like folding blankets and fluffing pillows. I remember the vacuuming twice a day tip and thinking "Not in my world". I'm an empty-nester now but raised 5 kids in a house that at times looked more like Where's Waldo than House Beautiful. My minimum was to make my bed in the morning and wash the last dish after supper. And empty the trash. I did spend too much time "organizing" when decluttering would have been more productive.
I use a system in which I do seven basic cleaning tasks once a week. It takes me around an hour, and keeps the house "kept up." When I have more time, I fit in detailed cleaning.
Thank you Dana ❤ this was really helpful especially what you said about it’s not even on the same list; that really helps me see to do’s in a new light and a much more organised manner including for my garden.
Some people who say "I don't clean" while having the cleanest house ever likely have the "I am better than you" attitude. No way wiping shelves, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets and mopping the floors is not considered cleaning in any family. I feel like they just pretend to magically have a perfect house with no effort while putting at least some effort. 😅
I think everyone has to put in some sort of effort if we want a tidy and clean home. I use to spend a whole day cleaning on the weekend to get my home to how it is now. And it genuinely was because of all the layers I had to get through before cleaning. This video is so 🙌🙌🙌
You are the home care genius for my previously confused self. This Layers concept is life changing.
Learning dishes math, and learning to do the dishes after every use of the kitchen, completely changed my life. A lot of people say that -- but I mean, it changed my life not only on the outside, but how I feel on the inside too. It freed up so much of my internal bandwidth.
If you do make a list, add an estimate of the amount of time that it’ll take to do each item (clean the toilet ~5mins) and then set a timer and see how long it actually takes you to do each thing. Write it down, compare each to your estimate
Thank you so much. I have been living in a state of overwhelm. I’m 76, have chronic health issues, have a big house, have lots of stuff, and now it’s Christmas. It’s going to take a while but at least I have a plan now. The layers of a clean house is so simple and yet so profound. I have so much stuff that needs to be organized but I run out of energy and motivation at that point. You have given me hope.
So much of what you spoke about resonated with me, Dana! 25 years ago when I had three little ones at home, I was totally overwhelmed and realised that I needed a system to try to make cleaning easier. I generally kept up with daily things like keeping dishes and washing under control. I preferred to do a bigger clean on Mondays and Fridays and just started this habit of doing a quick tidy up the evening before I was going to clean, that way I was putting things away and clearing clutter off surfaces etc which made cleaning so much easier and quicker the next day. I still maintain that habit now and it makes such a difference for me. Over the years, I have read so many organising books and finally realised that if I didn’t declutter my possessions, all I was doing was organising and rearranging cluttered cupboards, so I have been on a journey to declutter which had made cleaning much easier too. Because I’m on long term chemotherapy now, my energy levels are low and the best advice I was given was to simplify every process in my home so that I can stay on top of things with limited energy. Decluttering and having simple systems in place, has made things more manageable and doable. Thank you for the content you provide, it’s very helpful. Blessings to you from Australia xx
That "deeper layer" comment started by talking about deep cleaning -- washing walls and cabinets, which is true enough. We don't do those every week. But then they mixed in a bunch of decluttering, projects, and organizing tasks -- cleaning closets, making repairs, storing photos, organizing computer files, and important papers/business files. Notice how the overwhelm immediately creeped in, and *the layers got jumbled together in their mind.* This is why it's so important to understand this concept! Closets is decluttering, and I think Dana would argue repairs can be considered decluttering as well. Photos, computers, and papers are part decluttering, part organizing.
Great one!! I loved the first video in the air BNB and it was great too 😄
I've intuitively understood this concept all my life, and have had a daily routine for a very long time (Not that my house was always clean!) But the thing I'd always left out was specifically naming the 5 min pickup, aka "resetting the rooms." That's been so helpful to me.
Vacuum the main areas of the house TWICE A DAY??? That's my idea of hell 🤣
Watching your videos has helped me so much. I may be a long way from where I need to be, but I'm not where I was two years ago. Thank you!
Enjoyed the podcast. I watched that video on the ten 10-minute tasks to do every day thinking 10 minutes is too much time to spend on chores like folding blankets and fluffing pillows. I remember the vacuuming twice a day tip and thinking "Not in my world". I'm an empty-nester now but raised 5 kids in a house that at times looked more like Where's Waldo than House Beautiful. My minimum was to make my bed in the morning and wash the last dish after supper. And empty the trash. I did spend too much time "organizing" when decluttering would have been more productive.
thanks again Dana getting ther (slowly) hopefully bless you
I use a system in which I do seven basic cleaning tasks once a week. It takes me around an hour, and keeps the house "kept up." When I have more time, I fit in detailed cleaning.
Thank you Dana ❤ this was really helpful especially what you said about it’s not even on the same list; that really helps me see to do’s in a new light and a much more organised manner including for my garden.
Some people who say "I don't clean" while having the cleanest house ever likely have the "I am better than you" attitude. No way wiping shelves, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets and mopping the floors is not considered cleaning in any family. I feel like they just pretend to magically have a perfect house with no effort while putting at least some effort. 😅
Or they were raised in households with extreme cleaners and genuinely have a skewed sense of what cleaning is
I think everyone has to put in some sort of effort if we want a tidy and clean home. I use to spend a whole day cleaning on the weekend to get my home to how it is now. And it genuinely was because of all the layers I had to get through before cleaning. This video is so 🙌🙌🙌
LOVE YOU