I had a basement full of boxes. It was too overwhelming to work down there on decluttering. I started bringing one box up during TV time with hubby. We worked together on the box during commercials. Occasionally we were able to tackle 2 or 3 boxes per night.
Crazy that is what I am doing. Our basement could be on hoarders. Going back 30 years. I am good at throwing and it's been fun to go through things. My husband is getting motivated seeing everything I am giving/throwing.
As I hear the word “overwhelmed” for the gizillionth time- I realize I use that word to describe any situation I don’t want to deal with, kinda like a “get out of jail” card. I realized I saw the word overwhelmed as a justification to do nothing. Today, while listening to this video, I realized regardless of whether one has one item or 3 hoarder houses full of items to declutter, you can only declutter one item at a time. Or one task that has only one step or a million tasks that have dozens of steps- all one needs to do Is one step. I realize I am self sabotaging and causing more suffering by labeling everything as “overwhelming”. And since I am abusing myself, I don’t have to wait for anyone to save me, I can save myself. I can be my own superhero in my life!!!! I am going to declutter the following two words from my vocabulary- PERFECT and overwhelmed!!! My BFF always says- how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!!!
Mushkiepotamus, you really hit the nail on the head with that ...I'm going to follow your advice and declutter those words from my vocabulary also! You've got the right attitude to get your home under control. With a much-needed attitude adjustment, I'm joining you to get my house in a less cluttered and more peaceful state!
Cas had a video recently that talked about being the superhero in your own life. If you focus on the negative in your life, you don’t want to be IN that life. If you flip the narrative to you fixing your problems, you want to be front row for that life. 💜
Congrats on your new office. YOUR METHOD IS A LIFE SAVER!!! This weekend with your "No Mess Decluttering Method" sheet in hand, I started to declutter my craft room. This room looked like an atomic bomb went off inside of it. You could barely walk in it. With my donate box and garbage bag, I was able to donate 8 boxes to Goodwill and 7 boxes of craft supplies to a teacher who teaches a DIY class in a local school. I am still working on it, but I can see the progress and looking at my desk where I can actually see the top of the desk was amazing to me, as I had not been able to see the top of the desk for over a year. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for helping me and thousands of others with this method. It truly helps to do one item at a time and not create a bigger mess. My family could not believe that they could actually walk into the room and my husband said, "Wow, it looks so good"!!! 😍👍
I just wanted to say you are so perfectly imperfect in that you never cease to make me feel normal and not alone. I love how real you are and how you always try to relate to all of us. I appreciate all that you do!
To the lady who was asking about how to store extra bedding for 30 people. The answer is "Don't." Ask guests to bring their own bedding when they come and take it with them when they leave (the second part is as important as the first; you don't want random sheets hanging around without a home). I think most family members will understand why it is unreasonable to expect you to have linen service like a hotel. Towels are a bit more complicated, since they can't be carried home wet. So I would buy the smallest, lightest-weight towels I could find (they sell these in bulk online to hotels). Look for "quick-drying" types like waffle weave, not luxuriously thick terry cloth. These will take up much less space. Make them all the same color (ideally white, in case you need to bleach), and you can wash and dry them all in two loads.
Before my recent breakup with my spouse, I had tons and tons of stuff (visual clutter at every angle). I watched Dana K White's videos watched videos from other vloggers with the same goal for its audience, and bought & read two of Dana K White's books (Decluttering at the Speed of Life and her newly-released book Organizing for the Rest of Us). It only took me three days to get rid of 150 decluttered bags/boxes of my own belongings thanks to Dana building my muscles! What a feat it was for me! Before discovering Dana's thought process for the first time, I was super unable to declutter. Asides from my couch and my refrigerator, all my belongings now fit in one room! Dana, you have given me peace of mind and thank you for actively reaching out to The Rest of Us ❤
For the person decluttering her parents house ❤️ ❤️ A few things that helped me with my mom's house (2006 when she passed) And my mother in law before she passed last year) Put like things together so they can see how much of one thing they have so they can choose their favorites ..... Make sure they know you won't be throwing anything out without them knowing ❣️ April is the best time to sell on Facebook or have a yard sale 🌻 Dana's where would you look for this is golden ❤️ Small wins will add up to big wins 💪 Good luck!
For the VA paperwork, we keep the lab/visit results along with benefits letters. The constant 'reminders' that get mailed along with the other duplicate stuff that comes in we shred. Also, the official appointment letters we keep until the day after then toss. As for all his med records get a good file and keep with his dd214. So frustrating and overwhelming I know. It actually makes me hate all paperwork.
Please ensure you keep dates of appointments. Perhaps keeping a diary and then toss the appointment letters. Just my experience of needing to go back on appointments. Otherwise scanning all the papers then throw out the paper copies.
Often this type of paperwork carries ID information and should be shredded. Even though it's a pain, there are people who cull through trash looking for ID info to steal. If you can't shred it yourself, keep it in a box and see if your local jurisdiction or bank or credit union offer a "free shredding event". Even if you have to pay a bit, it's smart to see your ID and medical data safe.
Packed up all my Size 5 jeans I'll never get in again. Ready for donation center. Have a box of nice sheets but for double bed. Everyone I know has a Queen.
Dana, I'm on day 6. Omg I see a difference. Small battles but a win. The spouse isn't cooperating but once he sees I'm not stopping, I'm sure he'll come on board. 48 years married and this decluttering makes me wonder if he's the clutter. 😆
I have found it helpful to create binders for different categories of my life. I have a binder for car, 1 for home, pets, etc. I organize around date... New goes on top. That has helped me create a "a first place to look for paper." Even if it gets out of order, I have one place to look. I think it might help with VA stuff.
1:35 - We come from a military family, my husband is a disabled veteran. How can I handle all this paperwork? It gets to be overwhelming and a never-ending task, especially when the paperwork all comes from the veterans administration. 7:10 - I'm a young adult living with her parents. Since the pandemic, we had to close our family business and start working from home. Our once minimum clutter house is now so full that it causes me stress. My parents have a hard time decluttering and have given me the responsibility of decluttering the entire house. Every time I declutter anything, not trash, I get push back for my parents saying 'we might need that' or 'don't give it away, sell it'. What should I do? 11:58 - Do you have tips how to declutter and organize a small storage room under the stairs? How do I deal with my daughter's room with many collectible toys and stuffed animals? 14:49 - We have three people in our family and we each have a stashes of things in different spaces, some are duplicates and some are personal. With everyone having their own stash it feels like too much. My adult son lives at home because he's saving up for his own apartment but he has his own things too. I like your decluttering method better than ones I've tried before, I just haven't gotten it down yet. 17:48 - I heard you talk about finishing projects and counting it as decluttering. Do you set a limit for when the project has to be done before it counts? For example, I have got lots and lots of fabrics and all these ideas of things to do... am I stockpiling for my future fantasy self? 21:52 - I have so much stored in my basement (or maybe I should say safely hiding); my husband and I have been in our current home for 16 years and we're ready to finish our basement. There are so many boxes and no matter how I try to tackle it I keep getting very overwhelmed. How do I declutter this space? 24:12 - Do you have advice for packing up a home that's being ready to be sold? I'm struggling to declutter and definitely don't want to bring clutter into my new home. Clearing out trash and letting go of donations is clear, but I start to get overwhelmed because I don't want to make a bigger mess by pulling clutter out. I know I need to go put the items where I would go look for them but eventually everything will need to be packed up. Do I just start putting things I want to keep in a box and worry about sorting for later? 28:30 - How do I keep my husband from pulling out the things I have decided to declutter? They're things that have no ties to me and won't/ haven't used (how I smell, look, work, etc). Dana, you are NOT making things easy on me trying to make a reference guide for others LOL I hope the gaps I've filled in on the questions fit okay!
The Sunday basket concept has transformed my paper nightmare. I highly recommend it. 2 basics: put all incoming paper in one basket as it comes in ( except for recycling- take it there now!), and go through it every Sunday till it’s empty, doing the action things and filing the done things. Large categories for filing like Dana, Dawn and Cas say!
For the person with push-me-pull-you parents, if you ask The Questions for everything they want to keep, my guess is they'll quickly tire of it and say, Screw it! Do what you want!
I used binders with page protectors for my ongoing papers for my son. As letters come in I would put them in the binder by date. I divided the binder by month. Each year I would get a new binder. It was so easy to find the letters/papers. My Sister who is a Veteran uses this for her paperwork too
@Melinda Plain and Simple ..... ummmm, YES!!!! My spouse does that too. Once a container is full, the stuff gets piled on top, on the side, everywhere. 17:37
I rarely have actual trash to throw out, EXCEPT when it comes to paperwork, which I hate with a deep and abiding passion. It's because I haven't yet set up a filing system, so my desk is by far the biggest clutter magnet in my house. It's also where I tend to eat, so there's also kitchen stuff. I've handled this by devoting one corner to Kitchen Stuff, putting anything that needs to go back in the kitchen there, and when I get up, look to see if there's anything there I need to take back to the kitchen. I'm fully on board with tackling the areas that make the biggest impact. It makes such a huge difference in motivation. Then what I call low-hanging fruit, which you call easy stuff. Because yes, starting is the hardest part, and this allows you to ease into it and gain momentum. God bless the people for whom the KonMari method works. I wish I were one of them, but for me it's a nightmare. The worst thing is finally working yourself up to tackling decluttering, getting halfway through and becoming exhausted, now with a much worse mess than when you started. So making things better, without at the same time making an overwhelming mess you have zero energy to deal with anymore, helps immeasurably. Knowing you can stop at any time, and things will only be better, even if only a little if you can only work on it 5-10 minutes at a time. Thank you for your videos.
I don’t care when or where. I’m there. I rarely catch lives of anyone’s channel or even my own people’s calls/texts/etc. That’s me; a playback laidback-ish type that lives for doses of fist bumps, pep talks, and cheering others on on this minimal-ish (thanks, Erica) lifestyle.
Yes, your office is beautiful and calming too! I’m excited to see all the creativity I know will be coming out of this space! I hope we’ll still get to see some reality examples from home - like kitchen, bathroom, closet, cabinet. It’s part of what draws me to you as so relatable and applicable in my life. So happy for your move and your dream space.
Iove that you said, first, I'm super proud of you for taking this on. So many of us do not have anyone at home who is cheering us on as we declutter. When I am declutterring, my spouse responds with 'cool' - it drives me mad 😂😂
Hi Dana , I love the office! It’s huge! What are you planning on using it for as an office? Fabulous lighting and looks fresh and airy, you seem really excited about it 😊
The best investment we made was buying a paper shredder. It stays right by our front door, and the minute mail comes in the house it’s shredded unless it has to be filed in the Sunday box and dealt with.
Open mail over the recycling bin with the paper shredder near by get rid of junk immediately before you even set it down and a place to put bills and important stuff to deal with later. After paying bills. I immediately shred/ recycle . I don't keep much at all but it goes immediately to the file cabinet if i do.I'm not disciplined enough to file immediately BUT I have a basket that it lands in until I do.
@VA paperwork: For a first pass, like Dana says. Rule1. Get rid of the garbage first,,, Envelopes, blank last pages, newsletters, and enclosure forms count. Staple the remaining pages. Add notes if relevant. Sort into categories, if needed, and then date order and store in file cabinets or bankers boxes for the archives. You'll be surprised how you have decreased the volume. I kept up with current paperwork by presorting categories into boxes. When the boxes get full enough to archive again, the papers are presorted and in date order already.
Karen here. We put collectible dolls in individual (on a shelf) or bigger glass cabinets. Stuffed animals on top of a bookshelf, on the bed, baskets organized cutely with all their heads seen.
Making a decision about what to box for a move is best done “pre-move”, because there is more free time to decide things before the actual move. Once you get to the new home, you’re going to be endlessly unloading boxes and placing the boxes in the new house without many breaks.
I hate paper work. No system I do works! I did finally get a grip (Well kinda ) on in coming paper. I throw junk mail away right away and have gone to paperless billing except medical because it is not paid auto pay. I still have a few bins of old paper work to go through 🤪
Omg I'm going to watch all your moving advice we have just suddenly been able to move and I'm excited but determined to not bring my bad routines with me. I hope somewhere in your videos you have advice for choosing the right space for things in your new home since you don't know where you'd look yet! 😅
I was planning to comment on your new office… even before you asked! I’m very excited for you that you have a new office. I look forward to seeing how you might decorate it… such as if your “body” - I don’t think 🤔 it qualifies as a mannequin, is coming with you to the new office! 🤣 Did I mention I love the office?! 🥰🤷♀️🤣
I knew someone who had to put important papers in an envelope dated for each month. Receipts and all. That way they could keep track of bills and expenses.
Keep the dd-14. Most of the VA paperwork is not really needed. Set up an online account. You should also keep your benefits letter. Most paperwork can be found online. Healthcare stuff can be found online. My husband is a disabled vet and we have been dealing with the VA for 20 years. The vast majority of the paperwork they send you are not needed long-term. And you can always request them resend you stuff if you find you need it. I would advise getting a copy on CD of his military medical records. They ALWAYS loose that stuff.
This was very helpful! Thank you! I love your new office ❤️ As far as the light, you could put shutters in that window or else turn your computer so the natural light is on your face.
You doing lives is great! I appreciate very much that you do these as I always glean something from you sharing. Super tips on the response about the focus on one overwhelming aspect and monitoring your perspective. You made me laugh - you do not need to check a mirror before you go live because you are always beautiful! (But yeah, probably always a good idea to check you don’t have food in your teeth! 😂)
🌈💫 I’m on audible listening to you, author of “Organizing for the Rest of Us,” and Kathy Lipp, author of “Ready for Anything.” I’m realizing you are both speaking the language of Grace and Redemption - and I both more than I ever knew!! If you ever did a collab - I think awesome things would result!!
medical paperwork suggests a file sorter just for it but sub-categorized by dr each folder should be labeled Foot dr, back dr, shoulder dr and so on. and a general dr file. have a to be filed if it has been dealt with but not filed yet, and one for action needed. but treat is separately from you every thing eals
For most things I would agree with you. But my dad won a disagreement about his VA & SS benefits, bc my mom kept every paper he ever received from both departments. Both departments had actually lost or purged paperwork, but since my mom had it and could prove it, my dad got his benefits, retroactive. The best ideas I have seen for this type of paperwork is a binder. Keep the paperwork in order newest at the front. Any type of paperwork you get from the doctors in regard to these two departments, place in the binder in order as well. If you ever have a dispute, this will truly save you. Also since your caseworker might chance 4-5times a year, you might be the only one keeping everyone on the same page.
I have been doing SDC Swedish Death Cleaning and going through a lot of my home over the past few weeks. I have been giving away things, donating, throwing out. Yesterday I was going through a box of paper and came across certificates for educational things. Different courses, classes, over the years and several swimming certificates from the 1970's.. i was 8 and 9 years old. Lol. And they're from my home country. I have lived in the States for over 30 years now. I was thinking of throwing the pile away. My grown adult kids are probably not going to want to keep my certificates from college or my swimming certificates from when I was a kid. They haven't even hung on to their own awards. When my husband came home from work. I showed him the items and told him I would most probably toss them all. But he said what about the grandchildren or future great grandchildren, maybe they'd like to see them. I actually don't know if he was being serious or not. But I responded with, why would they want to see or keep an old certificate of mine from decades ago? Anyway, so today I'm hesitating about what to do with educational papers and achievement certificates for different things. I have so many belongings and I'm feeling weighed down. I want to just burn it all. 😂 But would I regret doing that? I haven't really achieved a lot in regards to education. I don't have a degree in anything. I did courses and took classes here And there and things like that And have certificates for them. I feel like they aren't that special though and the grades on a couple of them are not exactly great. 😂 it just reminds me of the things I haven't done And regrets of not going for bigger things. It's not like I want to display them. Why do I still have my swimming certificates from when I was a kid? I have traveled and moved several times to different homes over the decades and they've come with me. Like why? I'm nearly 60. What do I do?
I had a basement full of boxes. It was too overwhelming to work down there on decluttering. I started bringing one box up during TV time with hubby. We worked together on the box during commercials. Occasionally we were able to tackle 2 or 3 boxes per night.
I love it!👍
What a fun togetherness activity!
Great idea!!
We did that when my in-laws were downsizing. Box by box... drawer by drawer ...watching tv
Crazy that is what I am doing. Our basement could be on hoarders. Going back 30 years. I am good at throwing and it's been fun to go through things. My husband is getting motivated seeing everything I am giving/throwing.
As I hear the word “overwhelmed” for the gizillionth time- I realize I use that word to describe any situation I don’t want to deal with, kinda like a “get out of jail” card. I realized I saw the word overwhelmed as a justification to do nothing. Today, while listening to this video, I realized regardless of whether one has one item or 3 hoarder houses full of items to declutter, you can only declutter one item at a time. Or one task that has only one step or a million tasks that have dozens of steps- all one needs to do Is one step.
I realize I am self sabotaging and causing more suffering by labeling everything as “overwhelming”. And since I am abusing myself, I don’t have to wait for anyone to save me, I can save myself. I can be my own superhero in my life!!!!
I am going to declutter the following two words from my vocabulary- PERFECT and overwhelmed!!!
My BFF always says- how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!!!
Mushkie: Those are inspiring words 💚💚💚. You got this!
Mushkiepotamus, you really hit the nail on the head with that ...I'm going to follow your advice and declutter those words from my vocabulary also! You've got the right attitude to get your home under control. With a much-needed attitude adjustment, I'm joining you to get my house in a less cluttered and more peaceful state!
Cas had a video recently that talked about being the superhero in your own life. If you focus on the negative in your life, you don’t want to be IN that life. If you flip the narrative to you fixing your problems, you want to be front row for that life. 💜
Doing my dishes every day has been life changing for me. Not too late at 62!
Congrats on your new office. YOUR METHOD IS A LIFE SAVER!!! This weekend with your "No Mess Decluttering Method" sheet in hand, I started to declutter my craft room. This room looked like an atomic bomb went off inside of it. You could barely walk in it. With my donate box and garbage bag, I was able to donate 8 boxes to Goodwill and 7 boxes of craft supplies to a teacher who teaches a DIY class in a local school. I am still working on it, but I can see the progress and looking at my desk where I can actually see the top of the desk was amazing to me, as I had not been able to see the top of the desk for over a year. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for helping me and thousands of others with this method. It truly helps to do one item at a time and not create a bigger mess. My family could not believe that they could actually walk into the room and my husband said, "Wow, it looks so good"!!! 😍👍
I love hearing this!!!
I just wanted to say you are so perfectly imperfect in that you never cease to make me feel normal and not alone. I love how real you are and how you always try to relate to all of us. I appreciate all that you do!
Well said!
To the lady who was asking about how to store extra bedding for 30 people. The answer is "Don't." Ask guests to bring their own bedding when they come and take it with them when they leave (the second part is as important as the first; you don't want random sheets hanging around without a home). I think most family members will understand why it is unreasonable to expect you to have linen service like a hotel. Towels are a bit more complicated, since they can't be carried home wet. So I would buy the smallest, lightest-weight towels I could find (they sell these in bulk online to hotels). Look for "quick-drying" types like waffle weave, not luxuriously thick terry cloth. These will take up much less space. Make them all the same color (ideally white, in case you need to bleach), and you can wash and dry them all in two loads.
Ditto times 2000
They sell microfiber salon towels (would at least work for the kids) They're supposed to be "disposable", but can be laundered.
Before my recent breakup with my spouse, I had tons and tons of stuff (visual clutter at every angle). I watched Dana K White's videos watched videos from other vloggers with the same goal for its audience, and bought & read two of Dana K White's books (Decluttering at the Speed of Life and her newly-released book Organizing for the Rest of Us). It only took me three days to get rid of 150 decluttered bags/boxes of my own belongings thanks to Dana building my muscles! What a feat it was for me! Before discovering Dana's thought process for the first time, I was super unable to declutter. Asides from my couch and my refrigerator, all my belongings now fit in one room! Dana, you have given me peace of mind and thank you for actively reaching out to The Rest of Us ❤
Wow!!
For the person decluttering her parents house ❤️ ❤️
A few things that helped me with my mom's house (2006 when she passed)
And my mother in law before she passed last year)
Put like things together so they can see how much of one thing they have so they can choose their favorites .....
Make sure they know you won't be throwing anything out without them knowing ❣️
April is the best time to sell on Facebook or have a yard sale 🌻
Dana's where would you look for this is golden ❤️
Small wins will add up to big wins 💪
Good luck!
For the VA paperwork, we keep the lab/visit results along with benefits letters. The constant 'reminders' that get mailed along with the other duplicate stuff that comes in we shred.
Also, the official appointment letters we keep until the day after then toss.
As for all his med records get a good file and keep with his dd214. So frustrating and overwhelming I know. It actually makes me hate all paperwork.
Thank you . That really helps
@@lynnhendley8910 welcome!! So much to keep up with between the VA and all the appointments and such.
Please ensure you keep dates of appointments. Perhaps keeping a diary and then toss the appointment letters. Just my experience of needing to go back on appointments. Otherwise scanning all the papers then throw out the paper copies.
Often this type of paperwork carries ID information and should be shredded. Even though it's a pain, there are people who cull through trash looking for ID info to steal. If you can't shred it yourself, keep it in a box and see if your local jurisdiction or bank or credit union offer a "free shredding event". Even if you have to pay a bit, it's smart to see your ID and medical data safe.
Packed up all my Size 5 jeans I'll never get in again. Ready for donation center. Have a box of nice sheets but for double bed. Everyone I know has a Queen.
Just made my closet a 'no shame' zone!! Everything fits and makes me happy. Nothing shaming me 🙌
Dana, I'm on day 6. Omg I see a difference. Small battles but a win. The spouse isn't cooperating but once he sees I'm not stopping, I'm sure he'll come on board. 48 years married and this decluttering makes me wonder if he's the clutter. 😆
Thanks for the live! I'm glad you're doing them even without a super precise schedule!
I have found it helpful to create binders for different categories of my life. I have a binder for car, 1 for home, pets, etc. I organize around date... New goes on top. That has helped me create a "a first place to look for paper." Even if it gets out of order, I have one place to look. I think it might help with VA stuff.
Yes, to the binders. I have several that keep things sorted.
I have so much admiration for the respect people from America have for their military ♥️
1:35 - We come from a military family, my husband is a disabled veteran. How can I handle all this paperwork? It gets to be overwhelming and a never-ending task, especially when the paperwork all comes from the veterans administration.
7:10 - I'm a young adult living with her parents. Since the pandemic, we had to close our family business and start working from home. Our once minimum clutter house is now so full that it causes me stress. My parents have a hard time decluttering and have given me the responsibility of decluttering the entire house. Every time I declutter anything, not trash, I get push back for my parents saying 'we might need that' or 'don't give it away, sell it'. What should I do?
11:58 - Do you have tips how to declutter and organize a small storage room under the stairs? How do I deal with my daughter's room with many collectible toys and stuffed animals?
14:49 - We have three people in our family and we each have a stashes of things in different spaces, some are duplicates and some are personal. With everyone having their own stash it feels like too much. My adult son lives at home because he's saving up for his own apartment but he has his own things too. I like your decluttering method better than ones I've tried before, I just haven't gotten it down yet.
17:48 - I heard you talk about finishing projects and counting it as decluttering. Do you set a limit for when the project has to be done before it counts? For example, I have got lots and lots of fabrics and all these ideas of things to do... am I stockpiling for my future fantasy self?
21:52 - I have so much stored in my basement (or maybe I should say safely hiding); my husband and I have been in our current home for 16 years and we're ready to finish our basement. There are so many boxes and no matter how I try to tackle it I keep getting very overwhelmed. How do I declutter this space?
24:12 - Do you have advice for packing up a home that's being ready to be sold? I'm struggling to declutter and definitely don't want to bring clutter into my new home. Clearing out trash and letting go of donations is clear, but I start to get overwhelmed because I don't want to make a bigger mess by pulling clutter out. I know I need to go put the items where I would go look for them but eventually everything will need to be packed up. Do I just start putting things I want to keep in a box and worry about sorting for later?
28:30 - How do I keep my husband from pulling out the things I have decided to declutter? They're things that have no ties to me and won't/ haven't used (how I smell, look, work, etc).
Dana, you are NOT making things easy on me trying to make a reference guide for others LOL I hope the gaps I've filled in on the questions fit okay!
You are always helpful Dana, thank you! I love your bright new work space! I’m excited for you! Please do a tour when you are all settled into it!😉
Your office space is very nice, Dana! Thank you for the wonderful information that you share with us. The container concept really opened my eyes!
The Sunday basket concept has transformed my paper nightmare. I highly recommend it. 2 basics: put all incoming paper in one basket as it comes in ( except for recycling- take it there now!), and go through it every Sunday till it’s empty, doing the action things and filing the done things. Large categories for filing like Dana, Dawn and Cas say!
Moved shredder near entry door . Hung mail holder also with just 3 slots. It has stopped the paper traveling all about the house.
For the person with push-me-pull-you parents, if you ask The Questions for everything they want to keep, my guess is they'll quickly tire of it and say, Screw it! Do what you want!
Ha ha! From another Quite Contrary 😄
I used binders with page protectors for my ongoing papers for my son. As letters come in I would put them in the binder by date. I divided the binder by month. Each year I would get a new binder. It was so easy to find the letters/papers. My Sister who is a Veteran uses this for her paperwork too
Thank you for being such a sweet mama and also for sharing. ❤️🙏🏻
@Melinda Plain and Simple ..... ummmm, YES!!!! My spouse does that too. Once a container is full, the stuff gets piled on top, on the side, everywhere. 17:37
Hi🤗 You Are Awesome ❤️ I love your realistic approach to handling life's messes 😜
I rarely have actual trash to throw out, EXCEPT when it comes to paperwork, which I hate with a deep and abiding passion. It's because I haven't yet set up a filing system, so my desk is by far the biggest clutter magnet in my house. It's also where I tend to eat, so there's also kitchen stuff. I've handled this by devoting one corner to Kitchen Stuff, putting anything that needs to go back in the kitchen there, and when I get up, look to see if there's anything there I need to take back to the kitchen.
I'm fully on board with tackling the areas that make the biggest impact. It makes such a huge difference in motivation. Then what I call low-hanging fruit, which you call easy stuff. Because yes, starting is the hardest part, and this allows you to ease into it and gain momentum.
God bless the people for whom the KonMari method works. I wish I were one of them, but for me it's a nightmare. The worst thing is finally working yourself up to tackling decluttering, getting halfway through and becoming exhausted, now with a much worse mess than when you started. So making things better, without at the same time making an overwhelming mess you have zero energy to deal with anymore, helps immeasurably. Knowing you can stop at any time, and things will only be better, even if only a little if you can only work on it 5-10 minutes at a time. Thank you for your videos.
Congrats on your new office! Looking forward to seeing your progress ❤ shari t. MN
I don’t care when or where. I’m there. I rarely catch lives of anyone’s channel or even my own people’s calls/texts/etc. That’s me; a playback laidback-ish type that lives for doses of fist bumps, pep talks, and cheering others on on this minimal-ish (thanks, Erica) lifestyle.
Hello Mary
Under the stairs is a good place to go during a tornado warning if you don’t have a basement or shelter. So might leave it clear if needed for that.
That's what we do with our under stairs in the basement.
I love your office Dana. It's huge! Thank you for the paperwork advice. So helpful 🙂
Love your office! How nice for you! I like your live videos, even though I watch them later!
Yes, your office is beautiful and calming too! I’m excited to see all the creativity I know will be coming out of this space! I hope we’ll still get to see some reality examples from home - like kitchen, bathroom, closet, cabinet. It’s part of what draws me to you as so relatable and applicable in my life. So happy for your move and your dream space.
Iove that you said, first, I'm super proud of you for taking this on. So many of us do not have anyone at home who is cheering us on as we declutter. When I am declutterring, my spouse responds with 'cool' - it drives me mad 😂😂
It’s gorgeous! Congratulations Dana, and I love your new book!
Hi Dana , I love the office! It’s huge! What are you planning on using it for as an office? Fabulous lighting and looks fresh and airy, you seem really excited about it 😊
Hello Emma
Your new office looks like a fresh, blank canvas ready for your creative expression. What a blessing!
The best investment we made was buying a paper shredder. It stays right by our front door, and the minute mail comes in the house it’s shredded unless it has to be filed in the Sunday box and dealt with.
Ours is next to the recycling bin. Our shredded paper goes into our compost pile.
We use our storage under the stairs as our Safe Space in case of tornadoes. Keep flashlights, helmets, emergency supplies there.
Hello Beth
Dana,l very jealous of your in office! The lighting, the big window, the French doors and all of that space 😍
Open mail over the recycling bin with the paper shredder near by get rid of junk immediately before you even set it down and a place to put bills and important stuff to deal with later. After paying bills. I immediately shred/ recycle . I don't keep much at all but it goes immediately to the file cabinet if i do.I'm not disciplined enough to file immediately BUT I have a basket that it lands in until I do.
Thanks so much Dana. Good info and inspiring too.
Looks like you have a nice big office. Looking very good. Happy you have a new space
@VA paperwork: For a first pass, like Dana says. Rule1. Get rid of the garbage first,,, Envelopes, blank last pages, newsletters, and enclosure forms count. Staple the remaining pages. Add notes if relevant. Sort into categories, if needed, and then date order and store in file cabinets or bankers boxes for the archives. You'll be surprised how you have decreased the volume. I kept up with current paperwork by presorting categories into boxes. When the boxes get full enough to archive again, the papers are presorted and in date order already.
Love your new office ❤️❤️
The office looks very decluttered. Nice.
Your new office is so beautiful! 🤩
Love your lives!! And your office is awesome!!!
Karen here. We put collectible dolls in individual (on a shelf) or bigger glass cabinets. Stuffed animals on top of a bookshelf, on the bed, baskets organized cutely with all their heads seen.
Beautiful space!!🥰
Making a decision about what to box for a move is best done “pre-move”, because there is more free time to decide things before the actual move. Once you get to the new home, you’re going to be endlessly unloading boxes and placing the boxes in the new house without many breaks.
Your new office is lovely! Lots of light! Y’all need to listen to the 1st podcast from the new space and hear the puppies go bananas - Hilarious 😂 ❤️
Podcast #325
I am so grateful for your videos, and for stumbling upon them a few weeks ago. :-)
You've helped me so much thank you for all your hard work x
I hate paper work. No system I do works! I did finally get a grip (Well kinda ) on in coming paper. I throw junk mail away right away and have gone to paperless billing except medical because it is not paid auto pay. I still have a few bins of old paper work to go through 🤪
Hello there
Omg I'm going to watch all your moving advice we have just suddenly been able to move and I'm excited but determined to not bring my bad routines with me. I hope somewhere in your videos you have advice for choosing the right space for things in your new home since you don't know where you'd look yet! 😅
Your office is "Texas" huge! I really like it!
I was planning to comment on your new office… even before you asked! I’m very excited for you that you have a new office. I look forward to seeing how you might decorate it… such as if your “body” - I don’t think 🤔 it qualifies as a mannequin, is coming with you to the new office! 🤣 Did I mention I love the office?! 🥰🤷♀️🤣
I knew someone who had to put important papers in an envelope dated for each month. Receipts and all. That way they could keep track of bills and expenses.
I was wondering if you were going live today. You got us spoiled 🙂
Keep the dd-14. Most of the VA paperwork is not really needed. Set up an online account. You should also keep your benefits letter. Most paperwork can be found online. Healthcare stuff can be found online. My husband is a disabled vet and we have been dealing with the VA for 20 years. The vast majority of the paperwork they send you are not needed long-term. And you can always request them resend you stuff if you find you need it. I would advise getting a copy on CD of his military medical records. They ALWAYS loose that stuff.
This was very helpful! Thank you!
I love your new office ❤️
As far as the light, you could put shutters in that window or else turn your computer so the natural light is on your face.
Congratulations on your new home. We’re moving from MI to FL March 21 2022. Thanks for your inspiration and motivation❣️❣️
Hello riki
You doing lives is great! I appreciate very much that you do these as I always glean something from you sharing. Super tips on the response about the focus on one overwhelming aspect and monitoring your perspective.
You made me laugh - you do not need to check a mirror before you go live because you are always beautiful! (But yeah, probably always a good idea to check you don’t have food in your teeth! 😂)
paper goods or cleaning supplies like mops/ brooms dustpans are easy for underthe stairs
Wow! Awesome place to have an office ☺️
Your office is beautiful...and huge!!
The barn but not with animals comment made me laugh so hard 😂
🌈💫 I’m on audible listening to you, author of “Organizing for the Rest of Us,” and Kathy Lipp, author of “Ready for Anything.” I’m realizing you are both speaking the language of Grace and Redemption - and I both more than I ever knew!! If you ever did a collab - I think awesome things would result!!
Nice office!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Hello Brenda
medical paperwork suggests a file sorter just for it but sub-categorized by dr each folder should be labeled Foot dr, back dr, shoulder dr and so on. and a general dr file. have a to be filed if it has been dealt with but not filed yet, and one for action needed. but treat is separately from you every thing eals
Hello strawberry
You're looking awesome!
Love the new office. Would you mind sharing the wall color and Brand. I'm planning to paint a few rooms and really like your wall color. Thank you.
I love your new office! 😀
I would talk to sensible people at the VA about what to keep. And maybe get a little scanner so you can just keep electrons rather than trees.
For most things I would agree with you. But my dad won a disagreement about his VA & SS benefits, bc my mom kept every paper he ever received from both departments. Both departments had actually lost or purged paperwork, but since my mom had it and could prove it, my dad got his benefits, retroactive.
The best ideas I have seen for this type of paperwork is a binder. Keep the paperwork in order newest at the front. Any type of paperwork you get from the doctors in regard to these two departments, place in the binder in order as well. If you ever have a dispute, this will truly save you. Also since your caseworker might chance 4-5times a year, you might be the only one keeping everyone on the same page.
I’d like to see the whole office....maybe when you have it completed show it off?? 💗🌷
I have been doing SDC Swedish Death Cleaning and going through a lot of my home over the past few weeks. I have been giving away things, donating, throwing out.
Yesterday I was going through a box of paper and came across certificates for educational things. Different courses, classes, over the years and several swimming certificates from the 1970's.. i was 8 and 9 years old. Lol. And they're from my home country. I have lived in the States for over 30 years now.
I was thinking of throwing the pile away. My grown adult kids are probably not going to want to keep my certificates from college or my swimming certificates from when I was a kid. They haven't even hung on to their own awards.
When my husband came home from work. I showed him the items and told him I would most probably toss them all. But he said what about the grandchildren or future great grandchildren, maybe they'd like to see them. I actually don't know if he was being serious or not. But I responded with, why would they want to see or keep an old certificate of mine from decades ago?
Anyway, so today I'm hesitating about what to do with educational papers and achievement certificates for different things.
I have so many belongings and I'm feeling weighed down.
I want to just burn it all. 😂 But would I regret doing that?
I haven't really achieved a lot in regards to education. I don't have a degree in anything. I did courses and took classes here And there and things like that And have certificates for them. I feel like they aren't that special though and the grades on a couple of them are not exactly great. 😂
it just reminds me of the things I haven't done And regrets of not going for bigger things. It's not like I want to display them.
Why do I still have my swimming certificates from when I was a kid? I have traveled and moved several times to different homes over the decades and they've come with me. Like why?
I'm nearly 60.
What do I do?
Ty! 🌸
Barndominium? Looking forward to seeing more.
Hello from your Texas friend.
We are planning to build a barndominium as well 🥰
An.aside, I know your cousin, Jana. We met in Indonesia. She helped me decorate our home away from home.
She’s so great!!
Listened to the new book. Would you explain the difference between a laundry HAMPER and laundry BASKET?
Hamper is for dirty clothes, basket is for clean clothes (either from the dryer or folded)
Hi 👋🏻 !! Dana!! ❤️
Any idea what to do with family and kid vcr movies?
Are these things that you can donate to your local library?
Home movies? Or kids movies like Disney movies? If so just donate them. Some people buy them still from goodwill, I think?
I'll ✔️ these out. Thanks 😊
It's pretty
Hello Julie
Help