Thank you so much for watching!! I'm looking forward to hearing about the things you've decided to USE and not just store!! Here is a link for the Family Minimalism Basics Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLZ-AWUEixtg1yAnuggL_abE4xrQe0AkLF
I have started a new habit in my closet kind of like use it or lose it. Everytime I hang up a shirt fresh from the laundry, it goes in the back. Every morning when I get dressed I "must" wear the shirt in the front. If I hesitate, or don't want to wear that shirt, I ask why? Does it not fit right? Don't like the way I feel in it? Too clingy? This makes me love my clothes SO much more. I have decluttered my clothes so much that now when I open my closet I am excited to wear that shirt today! Also limiting the number of hangers in my closet helps too!
My grandma gave my sister and me each a set of dish towels that she hand embroidered herself. I have been using mine and thinking of her everyday for 16 years and my sister has had them in a box to protect them. She just realized within this last year that I have been using my set all along and was so excited to pull hers out and use hers. She felt like she needed permission to use them because they were so special. Now she gets to think of grandma when she sees hers everyday as well. Thanks for this great reminder!!!
My grandmother did the same with towels. I finally wore one out this last week and I did thank it for all it had been used for and thanked her for giving it to me (in my prayers, she has passed on). She made a set of towels for my daughter to have when she got her first place and even wrote a note for her to read when I give them to her. Lovely memories
I honestly think the "keep precious things safe" mentality came from the times like the depression when people didn't have much and things were very costly to replace. Also from frustrated parents whose kids would wear something once and destroy it! 😂 We're adults now. Let's decide for ourselves. ✨
As someone who is a craftsman I encourage people to use the things that I make for them. From quilts to crocheted dish cloths or scrappy potholders. Use them up. There is no better compliment than someone saying” I need some new dishcloths you make, mine are worn out! “
If I have shampoo, bubble bath or soap of some sort that I don’t care for, I just clean with it. Everyday scrubbing of the toilet and sink doesn’t need to be harsh chemicals, unless you clean less often. Once it’s done, I continue with my regular cleaner.
One thing that hinders me from decluttering (and I'm actually pretty good at it) is the desire to be more environmentally friendly: to donate, to bring to my local recycling center, to bring to give to a homeless shelter or school or hospital, etc. OR to find a way to repurpose, so as to be more "zero waste". But all that stuff is HARD and takes time and thought and sometimes research or extra errands. One day, I just decided to use your "guilt free" method to just fill up a trash bag. It felt so good to just get rid of some stuff that had been hanging around for MONTHS because I was trying to get rid of it more responsibly. I do responsibly declutter most our stuff, but man, I just needed to give myself permission to not be perfect.
Does Dawn have a specific "guilt free" video, and if so can you please share the link (I searched and can't find one)? I struggle with the same thing and would love to hear what she has to say about it. Thank you!
This had been my biggest roadblock to decluttering too. I live in a fairly large neighborhood, so I have started putting all my "donation items" out on the front yard with a "free" sign on Saturday mornings when people are looking for yard sales. Almost all of the items are taken, which saves so much time and energy to not pack them up and take them to a donation center. And my neighbors frequently tell me they enjoy looking through all my items. I've gotten rid of so much stuff this way!
Yes!! Same! Decluttering isn’t a problem, I love doing it, but then the bags and boxes of stuff that are waiting to be donated adds up and causes stress. I have a huge pile in the basement of toys, clothes, shoes, kitchen stuff, etc.
When our daughters were little, I started using our stemware and also the crystal snack sets we got for wedding gifts (which proves I'm old) for Sunday brunches at home. Our daughters loved being all dressed up and using the pretty' dishes, it made them feel more grownup, and they also were expected to use good manners at the table.
My aunt and uncle got a set of fine china for their wedding and also bought two sets when overseas in the military. They use them as everyday dishes. They have two boys that have had them as the only dishes they used growing up. They throw them in the dishwasher and are not particularity careful (careful enough that only a few have been broken). The boys knew from a young age to careful with their dishes (as they WERE fine china). It made me want china that I could use daily and care for and not put in cupboard or on a shelf (unless that is what you want and have space!) …..use it! Don’t be afraid to enjoy your things! Enjoy your things and take the best care of them you can!
@@jcgnbd7410 I know people with their dining room seat cushions covered with plastic. Same thing. "What, so the person who buys it at the thrift shop can enjoy that you took good care of their furniture?" Except for them, it's just used stuff. Sit on your furniture. Don't make your friends sit on plastic! lol.
You work wonders Dawn. I retired a year ago and have been watching you closely. I have minimalized and organized our home so much! I love how the open space makes me feel calm and relaxed. I love being at home more than ever and it truly is our home sweet home. My house is always 15 minute party ready and my guests comment all the time on how beautiful our home is now. Today I sat down to watch you and when you mentioned “if you don’t like it today you won’t like it better tomorrow, I marched right up to my closet and purged even more and have 3 bags to take to our local charity resale shop. You are amazing (and so is Tom). I love watching you, keep teaching us!
There's a french saying *"the fate of glass is to break"* keeping that in mind with precious things i want to protect & never use allows me to realise that those things are made to be used. id actually be doing them a disservice not to, & that yes at some point maybe in 5 years, maybe in 50 itll break and thats okay. 😊
Sorry, but I have to correct you there. They just say it like that in James Bond. The original French quote has a different meaning, as well as a different translation. It more or less comes down to "If you persist committing the same mistakes, you have to suffer the consequences", or the English proverb of "The pitcher will go to the well once too often". The made-up Bond one does have a nice ring to it though.
Funny I made the decision to wear my race walking Nikes $$ when I painted on Labor Day Weekend. Sure enough I splashed Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams on my shoes but my feet felt great! I feel pride seeing the stains knowing I’ve still got the energy at 60 to paint my master bedroom. Thanks for today’s video.
My favorite mug has a hairline fracture through it, which makes it unusable for liquids. I was devastated! Yet it wasn’t completely broken, so I started using it to organize drink powder packets. I didn’t want to lose it so I started using it differently. Great concept!
Just this morning I went into the attic for my winter quilt. There were two totes with other quilts and blankets. I made all of the quilts in hope that my family would want them, they don't. So, realizing this I've decided someone else might. To the donation center they go. The End!
Dang it - I love using homemade quilts! I love that they make me think of those that made them - them time and thought that went into making them - I t is like a warm hug!!!
The cost of storing these items is always my confidence, my self esteem and my peace. Imagine someone forcing you to look at one of your mistakes every single day..... this is what we do to ourselves when we keep these items.
This knocked me out!!!! Every time I go down to the cellar I see piles of dishes/mugs/utensils/pots and pans and junk waiting to be given/thrown away. This stuff reproaches me every time - hey! lazy - do something with me!!!! I have low energy and get tired easily so it's hard to get stuff out to the car and into the used stuff shop. But I will feel better if I at least get it out to the car. Baby steps. I know I'll perk up my confidence if I make a move in the right direction. Thanks for your comment.
My grandmothers made beautiful quilts, and my parents always kept them hidden in a cedar chest to "protect" them. They were handed down to me, and we use them all the time now, because I believe she would have wanted us to use them than hide them away and let them get old! We have a few with stains on them which is sad, but so much better than never using them. Love this!
I think dawn has a stained table cloth, the stain is now a memory of her child having a ball crafting. Stains are memories and add to the story. Enjoy the day.
The saddest thing a quilter can hear is: "It's too nice to use." I made a quilt for a soldier in Iraq and HIS MOTHER did not send it to him. She put it in the closet to keep it nice! Your grandmother would be so happy to see the stains on a well-loved quilt.
I’m a “crazy for holiday themed blankets” person…They make a huge “holiday” statement draped over a couch, chair, or bed. Unfortunately, I have limited storage space. So, I “use” them daily as folded up pillow inserts. Little do visitors know that the decorative pillows in my house are actually blanket holders. Easter, Christmas, & Thanksgiving (Fall leaves) blankets are folded inside the couch throw pillows, and Halloween & blue-starred blankets (stars for Memorial Day/4th of July/summer) are inside the throw pillows on the beds… If I ever decide to kick the blanket habit, I may fill them with sweaters or jackets..lol!😃
Lol. Not even an hour ago someone complimented my big sofa pillow... that’s stuffed with a parka. It rarely get cold here, but I’m not about to part with my 20-yr-old parka.
“Shop your house first” I love this advice! Find special items that can actually be used and not stay in a bin forever, also another amazing encouragement
Thank you, Dawn! This was a good reminder of the principle that I have applied to my stuff already for years! For example, I often drink coffee from luxurious cups which most people would use only in special occasions. Each day is a day that the Lord has made - why would we not celebrate it? One of the cups already got broken, but I do not have children who would inherit them. And even if I had, they would probably prefer a more modern style.
I have my GG’s cups that her and my grandpa used. Her silverware is out daily use and her dishes (all bought in the back in the day with gas station stamps-the original bonus cards) . We use her cups as coffee/tea cups and as plant holders for small plant and starters. So fun seeing them in my daughter window sill for her plants that she want to get to going…..
As a maker myself, I can pretty much guarantee that if the lady who made your potholders had known you packed them away, she would’ve been very disappointed. I’m glad that you are using it. I made a quilt for some friends for wedding gift many years ago. They have lived far away from us for their entire marriage. This past summer, I got brave and asked about the quilt, because I had never taken a picture of it. “Oh, yes!” They had slept under that quilt every night of their married life, and though it’s well-worn, it’s still loved and used. I got my picture, wear and tear and all, and I was so thrilled that it brought tears to my eyes!
I love this. This is def something I try to do. For instance I live in a super casual style house with two teens, my husband and 2 dogs. Yet in the middle of the island in our kitchen is a fancy crystal candy dish. It was my grandmothers and is VERY connected to my memories of her. So instead of hiding it in our china cabinet we fill it with M&Ms and use it every day. It is super special and makes me smile daily.
I appreciate the freedom you’ve encouraged us to have in actually using heirlooms rather than just storing them! I have an old songbook from my great grandmother that I used to just feel guilty about just storing. I’m now removing favorite hymns of my siblings, framing them in rustic frames, and planning to write a summary of my great grandmother and great grandfather’s spiritual legacy in our family to attach to the back of each frame. These are going to be Christmas gifts for my siblings, and my husband even asked me to make some to hang in our future music room! Now my great grandmother’s beloved hymns are going to grace the walls of the homes of the great grandchildren she never knew but who will know her better because of this! Thank you for helping me over the hump of feeling like I needed to preserve something I wasn’t using to the point of now being able to honor her legacy in this way!!
That's an awesome way to do that! We kept quilts and knitted blankets "safe" but finally we started just using them. One of the makers actually told us to make sure to use them because that's what they're for. They meant for us to enjoy the things not just keep it tucked away somewhere safe.
I’ve momentarily lost the wind from my decluttering sails; I was told my massive decluttering progress (8+ months now) was not going to make a difference in calming the house and increasing happiness with the kids, that this decluttering road is just a red herring. Rewatching all your videos right now to try to get my sights back and convince myself they’re wrong!! Hugs Dawn, so glad you just dropped a video!!!!!!! It’s a sign! :) Sighhhh
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this! Remember to take before pictures-- it's easy to believe we haven't made progress until we look back! You can do it, tons of love to you!
Shake off negative comments from those who don’t share your vision. How many RUclips channels are there of people who have been set free from clutter and stuff vs those celebrating their junk? Time to get back on the horse. You can do it! 🏇
It will make a difference - because you will notice! You deserve to have a place that you know is better - even if it's only you! (Oh - and take pictures even if you're partly done, because your Negative Nellie side will LIE to you!)
I had all sorts of travel bar soaps accumulating to use (someday). I packed them in my Operation Christmas Child boxes. Now I feel like they are going to good use and not wasted...win, win!!
I use all my special stuff. We break them sometimes, but we are enjoying my vintage dishes, vases, etc. As far as using it for something other than intended, I use a gorgeous vintage glass egg cup for my egg-shaped makeup sponge. It’s gorgeous and it’s being used!
I’m retired and live a very casual lifestyle. When casual shoes (think slip-on Skechers style) get old and tired looking, I downgrade them to yard/garden shoes. When they start getting holes, or the sole starts breaking loose, I can toss them without a second thought, knowing that I got as much use out of them as possible.
That was always my method, too. Gardening and lawn mowing ruins shoes so quickly. I'd rather ruin a pair that was already on its way out the door, than buy a new pair of cheap shoes for the purpose.
I had a light cotton dress in a pretty color that I purchased to wear to a wedding but then didn’t wear after that. Rather than give it away, I decided to use it as a summer gardening dress. Not only did I get lots of compliments when I wore it, but I felt good in it even though with its lace it was not made to use in the garden!
An old video but just read this comment. I have pretty dresser that I wear during pregnancy but not after because they aren't as flattering on a postpartum body but they're still beautiful and brand new. Wearing it to garden and feel feminine is such a lovely idea
My grandma gave us a beautiful set of dishtowels and a tablecloth that she had embroidered for a wedding gift. She very adamantly told me they were to be used and not sit in a box somewhere. At first, I didn't want to, but I took what she said to heart and we use them regularly. Every time I get one of those items out, I think of her and I love it.
For a couple occasions we gave my m-i-l some nice new towel sets. After rearing 5 kids hers were in bad shape and I thought she deserved something nicer. When we moved them out of their house 10 years later we found them in the attic still in the gift boxes. She said she was saving them for "something special". I told her she WAS special.
I’ve started using things that I saved for a “special occasion” and realized that I never found an occasion I felt was special enough. It was time to just use items and appreciate them now.
I like the idea that objects are only “happy” when they are being used for the purpose they were created. Also considering how many of our objects were made by people barely paid a living wage, in poor conditions, in impoverished countries the least we can do is honour their labour and use the products until the cost per use is low.
YES that point about the laborers!!! I try to think about those people and send them a thank you and an I'm sorry up into the universe like a prayer. They shouldn't be taken for granted!
Thank you for this reminder! My mom and dad just opened a shoe box in my dad's closet and found some golf shoes he hadn't used in years. The rubber soles had completely disintegrated! If he had donated them when he was no longer able to play golf, someone else may have been able to get some use out of them, instead of them going to waste. It's something to keep in mind when I'm going through my house and looking at all of my "fantasy self" items! :)
Yes! Shoes don’t last forever. Even high quality leather needs to be conditioned to keep them from cracking and blooming. Please wear your shoes or donate them if they’re still in good condition ❤
I love this concept. There were a few weird things that I am attached to...like plates that were my godfather's everyday plates. They aren't a matched set but I just didn't want to get rid of them. I decided that I will keep as many plates as I have plants...and I use those plates under the plants so I see it when I water and I smile and move on.
This totally applies to "wedding china" - those nice dishes we registered for and stashed away for a "special occasion." In 2020, no one was going to anyone else's house for dinner. So I decided we would start using the nice dishes. Just the two of us. We made a big breakfast every weekend and used those dishes and it was so fun 😊
Oh my goodness. I had some things that I got whether for my shower/wedding or as a birthday gift that I kept and didn't use it....it was too nice or special. I remember getting a very soft/pretty bath towel and washrag. I kept that well over 10 years before I used it!!!!! Candles that smelled good and looked pretty went for years of not burning. I didn't grow up with much money, got married at 19 and had a son right away so didn't have much money then either. I savored anything really nice I got. I no longer do this. Use it NOW! That's what it's intended for.
We have a running joke in our house for the “good” stuff that we keep it in storage and only use for a “special occasion” (which is never), “what? Are you saving it for when the Pope comes to visit?” This is one concept that I have been adopting (slowly), but it makes sense to me now especially that I’m “older”. I remember how much I loved the China I picked out for my wedding yet that is in the closet while stuff that I’m not crazy about is being used everyday!! Why? Makes no sense! I’m in my 50’s. If I don’t use it and enjoy it now, I may never have that chance again! So I switched out the dishes and use my good China every day!
Yesterday I finally made it through round 1 of a massive declutter between my 94 yr old dad’s stuff and mine. I have so much space in my garage now! Holy moly! It’s taken since November 2020 to get to this point! Now I’m ready for round 2. I’ve had the thrift store do a home pickup 10 times! So energized to do the next step.
I know you couldn't possibly have time to read all the comments you get on each vlog, but I love reading through them and finding the Sister Factor- womanly encouragement. My heart loves your kindness and servant attitude. You do these things to ultimately have more quality time for the things that matter... loving husband, cherished children, close family and friends. It all plays into how we take care of our own wellness, mental health, and meaningful relationships with others. What else is there? God, family, others, and self.❤
I feel the same way! How special are His children for God to take a young woman from Minnesota to “stumble” into creating a RUclips channel, that turns into a MINISTRY for so many of us !!!!Amazing!
This is so funny you put this out today!! I have been wondering what to do with this framed piece of homemade doll clothing that just doesn’t go with our current decor so it just sits there taunting me every time I walk past it downstairs. It was a very nice gesture of my husband’s aunt to do this for my daughter, but after I watched your video I have decided to take it out of the nice frame and let her actually play with it😊
My mantra is "what are you saving it for?". I wore a mink coat to the grocery store after I saw another lady wear one. I also make an effort to use my china and silver even though it has to bew hand washed!
Wow I have Silver Christmas spoons. I need to clean them with silver cleaner. I am going to begin using them. They were made in Iceland. My Grandmother gave me one every year for several years. I always wanted to display them but never figured out a way to do so. Thank you!
@@sj6728 My Mom and sister collected spoons and had a spoon rack to display them. I wonder if yours are bigger, like soup spoons, though, and might be too big. But if so, maybe someone could make you one (or you could make your own).
Yesterday I had a victory realization, after moving 3 times in 23 months at the same time as change of season (empty nest) and my mother's change of season (downsizing from homeowning and being independent) and thus a lot of her stuff coming my way into my apartment, I saw the result of 3 years of decluttering inspired by you and Dana primarily, and of course Marie Kondo. (My lack of tech ability means I don't have before and after pictures, but I estimate I've thrown out or discarded at least 50% of what was here in the beginning months.) I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a balloon from my oldest and youngest children who live far away in different directions. There was room on my living room table (once dining room table) for them to be, next to a portrait of the four children, and it looks nice! I had something else there when they came, but it was easy to remove to another space. Everything has a home, and I don't feel the flowers are lost among the clutter like I did last year. Such a reward based on the hundreds and thousands of little decisions previously made, that I couldn't have made without your inspiration. Thank you!
I am so glad I watched this today. I have very slowly been going through some things and I keep thinking "I may use that next summer" the reality is, I have not used it the past three summers, what makes me think I will use it next summer? Get rid of it. I had a huge rubber made box of (antique) cut glass cups, glasses, bowls, etc. I inherited it all and it is stunningly beautiful, I also live in a under 500sf apartment. I don't have any use for the glassware, and I don't want to keep it in a box in the back of my closet. I ended up picking one small bud vase and putting it on a shelf in the living room and getting rid of all the rest. I love seeing the bud vase and think of my grandma every time I see it. When it was all in a box in the back of the closet I didn't think about her in the same way. I love to go into the garden and pick one tulip (or something) and use that vase.
I’ve started using things that I saved for a “special occasion” and realized that I never found an occasion I felt was special enough. It was time to just use items and appreciate them now.
This reminded me of me just catching myself about a year ago feeling like that :) a few years ago I got myself a cooking pot that I was so happy about. It has this wonderful surface that nothing sticks to, it is so easy to clean and, besides that, it just looks so lovely... :D so I took such good care of it. I would use it like twice a year only on "special" occasions and would put it back in its original box after using and cleaning it. Those days I would get excited just cause "oh great, I get to use my great pot today!" And it sounds silly, doesn't it? :D then one day, after like 3 years of having this pot and only had used it like 5 times I thought to myself "you are so happy about this pot, it works great, it so easy to clean, you paid more money for it than you would for a "regular" pot and yet you are storing it in a box and not using it with all the benefits it offers! It is silly. It is made for that purpose. To cook food in. Not only for when you have guests over, but whenever you like :)) " So it is no longer hidden in a box. Even though I'm still not using it very often, (mainly because it is rather big), at least I know I got over this weird mindset of having to keep it looking almost brand new and not using it for 'simple' cooking, cause it is so special :D that was an interesting moment just catching myself realising that :))
One thing that I never saw in myself until I started into this course because now I see it in so many other people too now is how MUCH WE THINK AND THINK about things! It helps to motivate me to simplify! Hugs!
You have prompted me to announce: I am a box-keeper!! Only in the past year or so have I finally had similar revelation and found the motivation to actually take things out permanently and ditch the boxes! Thank you for sharing your story ☺
I love the "use it or lose it" rule! If I put on something and don't want to wear it, it immediately gets put into the donate bin. And no more saving things for something special. I'm actually wearing a shirt I was saving right now. My house is now so clutter free that I can be ready for company in 5 minutes or less!
I always thought the spray perfume mists we for me to smell nice for someone else. So I never really used any up. Bam! I changed my mindset and spray me smelling pretty.....for ME. Use the body mists and perfumes everyday and not only for special occasions or people. It's the China of the toiletries 🤣
I use all the pretty plates when I entertain, even if it is just having a friend for coffee. I used to save them in a box in the garage…. I guess I was waiting for the queen to visit or something 🤷🏼♀️
Yes!!! That's the rule that I needed right now. Things get worn out, broken and used, and that's fantastic because it means that life goes on, you live it to the fullest and you are enjoing it! I'm your viewer from Russia, a mom with three kids at home, struggling with severe depression and being a hoarder, trying to get my life toghether and be the mom that my children deserve to see everyday.
Well you just keep on, keeping on! One step at a time, one day at a time! Don’t despair!!! Life is learning that, THIS is life! Having to maintain, repair, restart and repeat…this is what living is. Over and over again. Don’t listen to the negativity, you got a brain and a heart. You need to know you are here for a reason, and the reason is, life needs someone(you) to pick up the pieces everyday. Pick them up, clean them, mend, fold, wash, restore, then put away and make pretty! Then we do it again the next day!! It is the reason we are alive! So change your perspective and realize that all the “stuff” you have to do, is because you have a life! It’s your reason for living! And as you go along, you get to change things up. Rearrange till it feels good to you. There is no right “way”! You are good to go. You are not behind. You just have to realize that this is living! You get to move, change, order, and flex things till that no lingers works, then you “get” the opportunity to mix it up till it works again! All I’m saying is, (I have a lot of the same thoughts of overwhelm as you)(anxiety and depression), I am also learning that to be able to address things, such as cleaning and fixing suppers, washing dishes and bathrooms, well, this is a blessing of living! Because once we are gone, who else will do it?? So it’s taken me a few years to realize, that being perfect is a lie. And that people who seem to have their life together…?well, they have to clean their houses. And they never stop. They just do it, cuz it’s what they NEED to do. We were created to take care of …LIFE. It’s not a punishment, it’s the purpose for which you were born. We live, and enjoy life…then we clean it up. Then we have the privilege to do it again!! I just want to speak to your discouragement and give you a hug and say, “you’re doing good! Don’t give up! Keep on goin! There are people in your life that need you! And you are beautiful in God’s eyes! Blessings from TX
Hey there Hazel Eyes! Just wanted to comment here and let you know I'm cheering for you! I used to feel crippled by my clutter and, as if the general overwhelm weren't enough, I also compared myself to those who managed to keep their houses clean. Well, like tdfulton1 said, that darn perfection is a lie! You just set your motivation reminders in front of you every day, and little by little, you will reach your goals. It sure does take some determination and sometimes even intense anxiety to face those things in the moment, but YOU CAN conquer it! Lean on the Lord when you need extra strength and it will keep you upright. (I speak from experience!) I believe in you, dear! Sending love from Seattle, WA ❤
I started letting my kids use my grandmother's two mugs (they were small sized too) and sentimental to me. When one broke my daughter thought I would be upset but I wasn't because my grandmother wouldn't want me to be upset over something so insignificant as a mug. It was meant to be used, not stored in a cabinet. Your words have wrung true when I had previously put something aside to "save it for later" or for something "special" it was broken and damaged. Better to use it now. Keep up the great content. Blessings.
I finally went through my “sentimental” things this past Saturday. I had saved a bath towel from my “hope chest” (😄) that I began building almost 50 YEARS AGO!!! I put it in my linen cabinet to use now. I still think it’s so pretty!! But I’ve “saved” it long enough! I’m going to USE it!😉😊
I inherited a lot of my grandmother’s fabric, thread (on wooden spools), and a variety of sewing things. Instead of storing it and buying new, I’ve been using her things going on multiple years! I think of her when I use them. She was VERY thrifty, so I know she would be proud I’m using everything, even the scraps of fabric for mending purposes, and I’m not spending any money in the process!
Be aware that thread deteriorates. I used some of my grandmothers thread from wood spools and the seams came apart when I washed the item. Maybe just display them to remember her by. Just a thought for you.
What a wonderful way to honour your grandmother! It may depend on what the thread is made of - I’ve used cotton thread on wooden spools from my grandmother for hand sewing and mending, and it’s fine. Some older thread will break when you try to machine sew with it, though. The cotton-wrapped polyester type seem to deteriorate quickly.
I'm a knitter, and I love to gift handknit socks to family, and when I do, I always tell them that the best compliment they can give me is to ask me to darn a hole in one of those pairs that they have used and loved. No greater feeling than giving a gift that actually gets used and enjoyed!
My great, great aunt hand embroidered a baby blanket for my first born, 7 years ago. She told me I must use it and not keep it stashed away in a box or cupboard. So I did. She died 2 years ago at 101 years old and now as I use the blanket with my 4th baby, I think of her every time I see it.
I typically hang my shirts in my closet by color, at the beginning of the year I stopped. As I wore something and it went back in I hung it at the front. Now in September, I’m seeing a whole lot of clothes I never chose. I recently pulled out all the spring and summer stuff I never chose and even some of the winter stuff I know I won’t choose. Using it or losing it. I also did the same with my summer shoes I never picked this summer. Hoping to use this tip to de clutter my kitchen (again)
(Again)!!! I soooo ride that bus with you. The kitchen has so many things that need to GO! I waited 3 months before buying a specialty avocado scooper/slicer thing because I didn’t want to declutter it in 6 months. We eat a lot of avocado and my daughter would sigh and say, “man, it sure would be nice to have that slicer scoop.” I finally bought it and we use it alllll the time. 🥳 I’m so glad to be maturing out of my impulse buying habit!
@@TheFickleFauxsteader good for you!! I’m doing the same with an immersion blender. I can a lot in the summer and it would make things easier but using it only a few times a year doesn’t make sense to waste space for it. Idk, come next canning season I may change my mind but I made it through another one this year without it.
When I started decluttering and going down the minimalism path, I took all the travel size toiletries that had not been emptied and shipped them to the closest homeless shelter. Any that had been opened, I added to existing larger bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash etc. That way I could get rid of all of the small bottles. Now when we travel, we ignore the complimentary toiletries and do not use them or take them except usually the bar of hand soap that we use for washing our hands. Everything gets left behind. For travel we refill travel bottles from Target from our big bottles at home.
Love this! I use the “good” Christmas ornaments! I have a set of blown glass ones that I’ve collected since I was a child. When we’ve got a toddler I tuck them into the tree a little more with the simple shatterproof balls on the outside and we call it the I Spy tree. But I’d rather have them in use and break a few than hidden for the years my kids are in my home (3 kids in and we actually haven’t broken any anyway!).
This is a fabulous concept! When we got married we got some China and crystal, which we love and use regularly-except some mugs a tea set and one style of crystal glasses. I was watching one of your videos and started thinking about those pieces and that we don’t ever use them and see no time in the future to use them and that I always feel guilty when I look at them. We decided to sell them to a replacements company and got about $1,000 for them! So now I don’t feel guilty not using them, I have more room for the things we use and got some money to boot! Thank you for all your inspiration! ❤️
I love this video! Its very timely as recently I have been going through my craft supplies and reducing them by 50-75%. I got fed up of them sitting unused so gave them away to a centre who works with adults with disabilities - I figured they could make much better use of them! I am currently sewing a garland for the school library made from circles cut from my 'scrap'felt pieces. It's wonderful to see it all leave the house.
The last couple years I started using clothes and shoes for outdoor work that fit better and aren't as worn out and awful as what I used to do. The result is I'm a lot happier doing that kind of work and now regularly spend many hours outdoors every week and in all seasons. You need nice well fitting things outside, even if they get pretty dirty and get wrecked more quickly.
That's true and why I don't buy used shoes for myself unless they're in like new condition. I will still donate because I know plenty of people love used shoes and it's better than sending them to the landfill. :)
I sooooo, needed to hear this. I'm using a decorative cake dish with a cover that has been with me through childhood. I remember the cakes my mother made and kept in them. I, personally, don't bake that much and I loved that cake dish. So now i use if to store the snacks I take to work. I have a small basket inside and I get to lift the cover every day to get my snack bars. ☺☺
I got my cake stand out, from my Grandma who is passed. I took the donuts and banana bread I bought and put it on display in the center of my island. It has a dome lid so it occured to me it's the same as in the plastic container it comes in. Now I get to think of Grandma ever time I lift the lid and it looks like decoration. The kids are big enough now that they can handle the lid without breaking it. So I feel I can use it daily now!!! The kitchen is the heart of the home and the room I spend the most time in.
We had tons of philosophy shower soap that no one used so I started refilling our liquid soap dispensers at the sinks in our home with them. It made for a fun surprise when hand washing and used up the excess inventory quickly with no guilt!
I collect vintage Pyrex bowls. I had so many sitting on a shelf in my attic and I realized during one of your videos they should come out and be used. I have them out on top of my bookcases as decor and can grab them easily whenever I need to use them. It’s made such a difference actually enjoying my collection versus hoarding it.
Oh, my, you are going to cringe... I had a huge collection including my grandma's set and my mother-in-law's. Plus many years of collecting. I had them on display and also used them. I recently gave my daughter her choice (she chose the pink gooseberry), kept the blue butter print mixing bowls and a couple refrigerator dishes. I gave the rest to my daughter to sell on ebay. It's the inventory concept. Just because I love them doesn't mean I have to manage them. It jump started me in decluttering to let go of things I treasured
I'm in the 5'1"...and a half club too! I admit I might round up for BMI numbers! Pregnancy caused me to lose a full inch, but I got it back after giving birth.
I've always been okay with using 'stuff'. When my kids were little, they had friends over one day and, one of MY kids broke a glass while they were eating. One of the friends got this panic look on their face...then asked my child why I didn't YELL at them. Nope. It was JUST a glass. We recently moved and, I must admit, I've got a lot of 'fancy' stemware/glassware on display in (IKEA) china cabinets the previous owner left. I let my 2 grandkiddos (5 & 3) pick out the glass they want to use. My 3 yr old granddaughter selects pretty much the same one all the time. Grandson, not so much. Last time he used a cut glass margarita glass...and I didn't care! I'd much rather see the joy on their faces (and his concern over not being able to keep the ice cube on 'the ledge') than worry about if it broke.
Heh. I sometimes wear my wedding veil when I vacuum. 😂 It makes it kind of fun. I don't do it every time but when I feel like it. It makes me laugh and remember the day.
I caught myself the other day telling my husband not to wear his favorite sneakers to work, and then I said "what the heck? Wear em, enjoy them! That's what they are there for !" So much of my things I have failed to make good use of because I didn't want to ruin or wear something out. That is a mindset that I am changing right now, and if I still don't want to use it, then it has to go! Thank you for this reminder!! 💕
My dad would buy more shoes than he could wear, keeping the unused ones in a box in the closet. Many times, when he finally tossed out his "everyday" pair, and went to wear the new ones, he would find out that the leather had deteriorated while stored away, and they weren't fit to wear, or didn't last long. Toss the ratty old stuff and wear the new.
I painted a picture of a happy chameleon, but ran out of inspiration and never did the border or all the background. But, I still decided to hang outside my door anyway. Someday I'll get back to it... but I'll still enjoy it till then.
I had an uncle who started a beautiful painting of 5 cowboys on horses. He never finished, as he quickly realized that it was too ambitious. Despite that, I loved the painting, so I asked him if I could have it. He signed it and I hang it on the wall. If anyone asks me about it, I refer to it as ghost cowboys. :)
So I actually did this about two months ago with a quilt. My husband‘s grandmother made it totally by hand for our wedding. We have been married 37 years and I have displayed it on a rack or I’ve tucked away in a blanket chest. And then my sister said is that what grandma would’ve wanted you to do with this? And it really got me thinking that if I make a quilt for someone I want them to use it. We now have it on our bed. Every time I see it I think of her. ❤️
That's funny because this past weekend we came across a quilt my husband's grandmother made for us for our wedding too, totally by hand. We are keeping it put away for now until our new home is finished being built. It either gets used then or we donate it.
I have multiple items, but one sticks out in my mind. I was having this conversation with my mom... There's a rosewood table from hubby's aunt that she got from a yard sale. No sentimental value for her. It's gorgeous, but not practical as I have kids. I said "screw it, it's going to be used!" My mother in law was all "protect it!!!!", but let's get real... it's going to get ruined some how, some day. Things are meant to be used. It sits in our laundry room to hold laundry, and I love it there. Previously, it was hiding in a back room under a printer and other junk. Now we see it every day! 💗
I used to only wear my nicer perfumes when I'd be going out and body sprays on ordinary days of the week. A few months ago I decided that every day is special, and I should use what I love most. I still occasionally use the body sprays before going to the gym or as a room spray, but I'm a lot happier when I use my "special items".
I got a pair of kitchen towels/tea towels from my sister as a birthday gift. They have a cute Scandinavian woman on them saying Udfah and something about lutefisk. They are so cute and I didn't want to ruin them, but I watched a video you did several months ago along the same lines and started using them. They're cute and useful. And when they get dirty, I wash them. I don't let them get as dirty as some kitchen towels and I don't use them wipe up spills from the floor. But, I'm using them and I love them.
An item that went into the "Use It" category was my wedding dress. I actually wore it 3x, once to get married and twice as a costume. In 2020, my heart went out to all of the brides that downsized their big weddings and moved it to the "Lose It" category and donated it. No regrets!
The "Use it or Lose it" has helped me tremendously in my decluttering journey! Thank you so much Dawn and cheers from Ontario Canada🍃🍀🍂🍄🍂🍀🍃P.S. so with that mantra I'm now using my porcelaine tea set from France passed down from my grandmother. Everytime I use it I think of her and how wonderful she was!🌷
I love this concept! I have one pair of gym shoes; one pair of flipflops; one pair of comfy leather semi-dressy Clarks walking shoes I wear everywhere unless it's raining ; one pair of composite-toe work boots; one pair of LL Beans rubber shoes that I wear on errands when it's raining (to save my leather shoes); one pair of short rubber gardening boots I found at Target, and a pair of rubber knee-high boots I use for heavy fieldwork. None of these shoes have roles that overlap and ALL have lasted me well over 5 years so far.
I bought a hand lotion once that had, to me, a strong scent. (I generally prefer unscented products.) I gave the lotion to my co-worker. She was grateful and wore it every day. After about three days, the scent grew on me and I bought myself another tube. That was 12 years ago and I still use the same lotion. I didn't regret passing the lotion on to my friend. It was an inexpensive item that I didn't initially care for, and not a burden to replace when I changed my mind. Usually though, if I don't like it now, I won't like it later.
I think you maybe would not have started to like it if you did not let it go, because of regret or simply because it was around you and disturbing. You gave yourself a permission to be free from the lotion as a burden so it could become a benefit again.
@@torigillispie9823 Nothing fancy. Jergens Original Scent, which is cherry-almond. The travel/purse size smells stronger to me than the full size for some reason, so I stick with the full size.
I recently did get through all of my travel size/hotel s&c, it was very satisfying to have used it all up and now I've taught myself not to take the extras! 🎉😁 Love the "pay to store it" mind frame, I'm going to try using that. Thanks for sharing another great video.
I, too, have quit picking up the hotel sample sizes if I haven't used them. I decided it was such a waste of plastic to have all those little bottles even if I was going to use them at home.
The last hotel I stayed at had an attractive wall mounted, refillable shampoo, conditioner, and lotion dispenser mounted on the shower wall. I wasn't comfortable that the contents could not be tampered with, so I didn't shampoo my hair, but I do liked them idea of less waste. No little plastic bottles were availabe, but they did have small bars of soap on the vanity.
See now I am a terrible “save it for someday” person and really struggle with getting rid of things I “might need” someday. Your shoe story immediately brought into my head, “it’s a good thing she saved those shoes and hadn’t donated them because now she can use them and doesn’t have to buy a new pair.” Sometimes I think I am hopeless. 😟 However after six months watching your videos I am definitely improving! My husband’s late grandmother embroidered a beautiful tablecloth for us as a wedding gift. I had it dutifully stored away in the linen closet for ten years! It is very small and our table is huge and I was also afraid our four little kids would ruin it. But just a few weeks ago I pulled it out of hiding and put it in the center of the table likes a square “runner”. It is beautiful and now I think of her every time I see it!
My husband drives me nuts on this. When I get rid of something, he is ALWAYS bringing up the “what if you need it later” routine!!?? (We keep seperate bank accounts so I really don’t understand his issue) He has boxes of his parents stuff and I told him that when we move to a bigger place we can display some of it. I guess we’ll see how that goes!
My grandma gave me the most beautiful ring I've ever had and for a long time I was afraid to use it because I didn't want to risk losing it. Then I just decided I was going to hang it from a necklace along with my favourite pendant that was gifted to me by my girlfriend. Now I've got the most special piece of jewelry ever that I can wear anywhere and feel loved when I wear it. It's a nice feeling to actually use beautiful, special, fancy things, it makes everyday feel like Christmas!
My mom made me some super cute kitchen towels with embroidery and I held on to them in the back of my cupboard for YEARS, my youngest was replacing the towel and put one of moms towels in the kitchen, at first I was gonna go fold it neatly in the cupbaord to save it, but decided to use it and am so glad we are using her towels now :D
I literally had the same problem last week with my shoes! I was going to purchase a new pair of shoes because I didn’t want to ruin my “good” shoes but I’ve been wearing them now this week 😅
Back when I was a child, we had sunday best shoes but once they started to look scuffed we could wear them for playing out, once the new shoes had been bought for best. It's something that I do with clothes now. I have the smart new going out clothes that get relegated to around the house clothes if they get damaged or look dated.
What used to be my "good" towels, pans and throw blankets are now getting put to use, thanks to you Dawn! Every video I watch, there's always something (or a LOT of things) that are just so relatable & make perfect sense - to change the way we think of a situation or item(s). TY 4 everything you do, love from Upper Michigan!!! 💗👍
Been married 50.5 years now. Used to use our good China every Sunday as well as every company meal. Had a China closet to store it in too. Now live in an apartment and it’s been in storage for 10 years! I’m getting it out and using it every day and donating my every day stuff! When we’re gone, no one is going to want this nice stuff anyway!!
Hi Dawn, I have been watching you for a while now. You have helped me get rid of so much stuff we weren’t using. So glad you talk about sentimental items too…those are the toughest! So thankful for you and your help! Wanted to give you a suggestion on your “outside” shoes. When the ones you are using wear out, get some rain boots. I live in South Louisiana, so our yard is usually wet, and sneakers just don’t get the job done when needing to do yard work. Also, helps to have them on when I come across a red ant pile! Keep the videos coming!
This concept makes me think of how I love using my grandmas hand-stitched tea towels. My mom couldn’t believe I would use them but I love them and think of my grandma every time. 🥰
I have had one type of perfume I love! After my husband's death, I became ill with cancer and had several other serious surgeries. I only now leave the house to go to the Dr or to my son's home for Christmas. One day I saw my perfumes beautifully arranged on my countertop and decided I am worth wearing them even if I am not going out. I am using them every day and they make me feel wonderful and lift my spirits. I suppose those count as use it or lose it. I have been decluttering for 11 years now and am so into not having excess to manage.
After storing my grandmother’s China for five years, I unpacked it and started using it for my everyday dishes. I wasn’t enjoying it in a box in my shed. I enjoyed using it for the ten years it lasted with three young children before there were no longer enough pieces to set the table. I don’t regret my decision one single bit.
This just sent shockwaves through my brain! "How could she just let them all be destroyed?" Note how negative society has us all trained! You did NOT destroy them! You USED THEM and MADE MEMORIES and ENJOYED THEM!! We cannot take it with us when we die, so unless any of your children would have wanted it, it would have gone to Donate or Sell anyway. And when I am looking at SOMEONE ELSE'S STUFF, I see so clearly "The MEMORIES are more VALUABLE than the cash from selling them at an Estate sale. Unless of course they were worth a few thousand dollars ... but SERIOUSLY, EVEN THEN, I'd think the MEMORIES would still win out in your children's minds. Have you ever discussed that with them?? I'm at the point where my children are mostly grown and gone and [at this point in time] I think my sentimental saving has negatively affected them to the point they don't want ANYTHING I have saved.And they don't save much as far as cards, special outfits, etc. Example: They got their own dishes, towels, bedding, blankets and left all their childhood or handmade ones behind with me. I wonder if I should just downsize the amount of place settings and blankets and start using the ones I keep with my grandkids on the rare times they visit?
@@kimberlygraham8565 The china had great sentimental value to me and only me. It had very little monetary value, though I would never have sold it even if it did. I had three sons, none of whom cared about the china and married women who brought their own family dishes with them into the marriage. They also received their own china as wedding gifts. I have fond memories of using those dishes and loved their simple beauty. I don’t regret my decision.
The potholder!!! For my sons second birthday, his aunt crocheted finger puppets. So adorable. We got home and my husband said, well we should put those somewhere safe since they are special. I responded with, “why? So he will never play with them and they won’t be special to him?” And my husband just said, oh! You’re right. Then the dog ate one 🤪😂 still, my husband has a better understanding of what’s “special”. So thanks Dawn for all your wisdom!
I've had some really soft, pretty yarns that I saved for years. Last year, I decided to start knitting socks and crocheting a blanket with them. I'm a quarter of the way through a king sized afghan, and I still have yarn to use!
I have a use it or lose it! It's my special Christmas dinner glasses. A set of 12 I used only for Christmas dinner. My everyday drinking glass inventory was low and I needed to purchase more. I thought, why am I storing nice glasses for only once a year? I pulled them out and I have been using them every day for 3 years now! I deserve to have nice glasses every day and now I don't have to store them and I still use them for Christmas dinner! ;)
I only own a few pair of shoes as well, but I am cracking up thinking about many people watching this with like 100 pair of shoes in their closet! Hahaha.
That was me! I got down to 50 and now 38. I'm trying to get to 30. I like my shoes and I wear most of them...so I have a ways to go....but I'm working working on it!
Peter Walsh did a TV series earlier this yr in Australia, called Space Invaders. It can be rewatched on 9NOW. One of the ladies he helped had 300 pairs.
Thank you so much for watching!! I'm looking forward to hearing about the things you've decided to USE and not just store!! Here is a link for the Family Minimalism Basics Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLZ-AWUEixtg1yAnuggL_abE4xrQe0AkLF
5'1 1/2"!!! Oh to have that inch and a half!! I'm 5' even!
Thank you a lot for all your's videos. You always admire me to change my life. From Belarus with love 💕
@@kateruterbories2692 HAHAHA ...I think I'm 5' 1", and that's on a good day! I used to be 5' 3-3/4", at least that's what I told everyone, lol!
@@kateruterbories2692 Lol. I'm 5'11".
@@greenthumbelina7331 🤣👍
I have started a new habit in my closet kind of like use it or lose it. Everytime I hang up a shirt fresh from the laundry, it goes in the back. Every morning when I get dressed I "must" wear the shirt in the front. If I hesitate, or don't want to wear that shirt, I ask why? Does it not fit right? Don't like the way I feel in it? Too clingy? This makes me love my clothes SO much more. I have decluttered my clothes so much that now when I open my closet I am excited to wear that shirt today! Also limiting the number of hangers in my closet helps too!
Oh good idea!
What a great idea! I’m going to try this. 🙂
I agree, great idea!
This is how I got rid of all my bathroom stuff! Great method, would recommend 😉
That "must" wear the first shirt is brilliant!
This reminds me of a quote, "Ships in the harbor are safe, but that's not what ships were built for." Use the nice stuff!
I love this!
Heard Doctor Ramani talk on this quote recently.
WELL SAID!!!!
Perfect!
My grandma gave my sister and me each a set of dish towels that she hand embroidered herself. I have been using mine and thinking of her everyday for 16 years and my sister has had them in a box to protect them. She just realized within this last year that I have been using my set all along and was so excited to pull hers out and use hers. She felt like she needed permission to use them because they were so special. Now she gets to think of grandma when she sees hers everyday as well. Thanks for this great reminder!!!
My grandmother did the same with towels. I finally wore one out this last week and I did thank it for all it had been used for and thanked her for giving it to me (in my prayers, she has passed on). She made a set of towels for my daughter to have when she got her first place and even wrote a note for her to read when I give them to her. Lovely memories
I honestly think the "keep precious things safe" mentality came from the times like the depression when people didn't have much and things were very costly to replace. Also from frustrated parents whose kids would wear something once and destroy it! 😂 We're adults now. Let's decide for ourselves. ✨
As someone who is a craftsman I encourage people to use the things that I make for them. From quilts to crocheted dish cloths or scrappy potholders. Use them up. There is no better compliment than someone saying” I need some new dishcloths you make, mine are worn out! “
@@Jabezgirl57 such a great point! There is no better compliment than knowing what you made was appreciated to the point you're asked to make more! 😊
Precious love ❤️
If I have shampoo, bubble bath or soap of some sort that I don’t care for, I just clean with it. Everyday scrubbing of the toilet and sink doesn’t need to be harsh chemicals, unless you clean less often. Once it’s done, I continue with my regular cleaner.
Me too
Same here, soap is soap! I also had a conditioner that didn't work too well, so now use it to shave my legs.
Same. Makes it somewhat easier to give up a shampoo I really didn’t like when it was being used to clean the bathroom. 🤣
@@sundoesshine8800 great idea!
@@TheDriftwoodlover 😂 no waste guilt.
One thing that hinders me from decluttering (and I'm actually pretty good at it) is the desire to be more environmentally friendly: to donate, to bring to my local recycling center, to bring to give to a homeless shelter or school or hospital, etc. OR to find a way to repurpose, so as to be more "zero waste". But all that stuff is HARD and takes time and thought and sometimes research or extra errands. One day, I just decided to use your "guilt free" method to just fill up a trash bag. It felt so good to just get rid of some stuff that had been hanging around for MONTHS because I was trying to get rid of it more responsibly. I do responsibly declutter most our stuff, but man, I just needed to give myself permission to not be perfect.
I 100% agree with this post.
Does Dawn have a specific "guilt free" video, and if so can you please share the link (I searched and can't find one)? I struggle with the same thing and would love to hear what she has to say about it. Thank you!
This! This has been one of my biggest challenges too
This had been my biggest roadblock to decluttering too. I live in a fairly large neighborhood, so I have started putting all my "donation items" out on the front yard with a "free" sign on Saturday mornings when people are looking for yard sales. Almost all of the items are taken, which saves so much time and energy to not pack them up and take them to a donation center. And my neighbors frequently tell me they enjoy looking through all my items. I've gotten rid of so much stuff this way!
Yes!! Same! Decluttering isn’t a problem, I love doing it, but then the bags and boxes of stuff that are waiting to be donated adds up and causes stress. I have a huge pile in the basement of toys, clothes, shoes, kitchen stuff, etc.
When our daughters were little, I started using our stemware and also the crystal snack sets we got for wedding gifts (which proves I'm old) for Sunday brunches at home. Our daughters loved being all dressed up and using the pretty' dishes, it made them feel more grownup, and they also were expected to use good manners at the table.
I started using real dishes with my daughter when she was around 2. It taught her to be gentle with stuff very early on.
My aunt and uncle got a set of fine china for their wedding and also bought two sets when overseas in the military. They use them as everyday dishes. They have two boys that have had them as the only dishes they used growing up. They throw them in the dishwasher and are not particularity careful (careful enough that only a few have been broken). The boys knew from a young age to careful with their dishes (as they WERE fine china). It made me want china that I could use daily and care for and not put in cupboard or on a shelf (unless that is what you want and have space!) …..use it! Don’t be afraid to enjoy your things! Enjoy your things and take the best care of them you can!
I love that so much!! Definitely going to adopt this!
@@jcgnbd7410 I know people with their dining room seat cushions covered with plastic. Same thing. "What, so the person who buys it at the thrift shop can enjoy that you took good care of their furniture?" Except for them, it's just used stuff. Sit on your furniture. Don't make your friends sit on plastic! lol.
My friend collects stemware and uses them for dinner every night. The kids get their milk and water in them.
You work wonders Dawn. I retired a year ago and have been watching you closely. I have minimalized and organized our home so much! I love how the open space makes me feel calm and relaxed. I love being at home more than ever and it truly is our home sweet home. My house is always 15 minute party ready and my guests comment all the time on how beautiful our home is now. Today I sat down to watch you and when you mentioned “if you don’t like it today you won’t like it better tomorrow, I marched right up to my closet and purged even more and have 3 bags to take to our local charity resale shop.
You are amazing (and so is Tom).
I love watching you, keep teaching us!
There's a french saying
*"the fate of glass is to break"*
keeping that in mind with precious things i want to protect & never use allows me to realise that those things are made to be used.
id actually be doing them a disservice not to, & that yes at some point maybe in 5 years, maybe in 50 itll break and thats okay. 😊
Sorry, but I have to correct you there. They just say it like that in James Bond. The original French quote has a different meaning, as well as a different translation.
It more or less comes down to "If you persist committing the same mistakes, you have to suffer the consequences", or the English proverb of "The pitcher will go to the well once too often".
The made-up Bond one does have a nice ring to it though.
Funny I made the decision to wear my race walking Nikes $$ when I painted on Labor Day Weekend. Sure enough I splashed Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams on my shoes but my feet felt great! I feel pride seeing the stains knowing I’ve still got the energy at 60 to paint my master bedroom. Thanks for today’s video.
We love that color! We’re on our third house of using that color for all of our main living areas 😍
I love accessible beige! We painted our entire house with that color!!! 💜
@@jessicawszalek5667 same
My favorite mug has a hairline fracture through it, which makes it unusable for liquids. I was devastated! Yet it wasn’t completely broken, so I started using it to organize drink powder packets. I didn’t want to lose it so I started using it differently. Great concept!
Good for toothbrush holder too
I put a candle in my tea cup that has a crack! It's beautiful and I love it!
Mugs are great for pens as well. Looks nice on a desk.
I had the same problem. Used it for pens. 😉
Just this morning I went into the attic for my winter quilt. There were two totes with other quilts and blankets. I made all of the quilts in hope that my family would want them, they don't. So, realizing this I've decided someone else might. To the donation center they go. The End!
Good job Nancy! That's great of you
Dang it - I love using homemade quilts! I love that they make me think of those that made them - them time and thought that went into making them - I t is like a warm hug!!!
Someone else will be excited about the quilts and thankful that you donated them so they could enjoy them!
The cost of storing these items is always my confidence, my self esteem and my peace. Imagine someone forcing you to look at one of your mistakes every single day..... this is what we do to ourselves when we keep these items.
This knocked me out!!!! Every time I go down to the cellar I see piles of dishes/mugs/utensils/pots and pans and junk waiting to be given/thrown away. This stuff reproaches me every time - hey! lazy - do something with me!!!! I have low energy and get tired easily so it's hard to get stuff out to the car and into the used stuff shop. But I will feel better if I at least get it out to the car. Baby steps. I know I'll perk up my confidence if I make a move in the right direction. Thanks for your comment.
Good point!
My grandmothers made beautiful quilts, and my parents always kept them hidden in a cedar chest to "protect" them. They were handed down to me, and we use them all the time now, because I believe she would have wanted us to use them than hide them away and let them get old! We have a few with stains on them which is sad, but so much better than never using them. Love this!
yes! love this!
I’m a quilter and I always say USE IT- LOVE IT- WASH IT. There’s love in every stitch using it is how you feel the love
I think dawn has a stained table cloth, the stain is now a memory of her child having a ball crafting. Stains are memories and add to the story. Enjoy the day.
The saddest thing a quilter can hear is: "It's too nice to use." I made a quilt for a soldier in Iraq and HIS MOTHER did not send it to him. She put it in the closet to keep it nice! Your grandmother would be so happy to see the stains on a well-loved quilt.
Yes, this! Whenever I give the gift of a quilt I encourage people to use and love them and if they get worn out, so much the better! :)
I’m a “crazy for holiday themed blankets” person…They make a huge “holiday” statement draped over a couch, chair, or bed. Unfortunately, I have limited storage space. So, I “use” them daily as folded up pillow inserts. Little do visitors know that the decorative pillows in my house are actually blanket holders. Easter, Christmas, & Thanksgiving (Fall leaves) blankets are folded inside the couch throw pillows, and Halloween & blue-starred blankets (stars for Memorial Day/4th of July/summer) are inside the throw pillows on the beds…
If I ever decide to kick the blanket habit, I may fill them with sweaters or jackets..lol!😃
That’s genius
♥️♥️♥️
@@kimr4005 I have no linen closet…so I had to get sneaky. Sometimes it takes a bit of fluffing to get the blanket to look throw pillowish…lol!
Lol. Not even an hour ago someone complimented my big sofa pillow... that’s stuffed with a parka. It rarely get cold here, but I’m not about to part with my 20-yr-old parka.
I store bed blankets in shams on the beds. Always handy when you need it!
“Shop your house first” I love this advice! Find special items that can actually be used and not stay in a bin forever, also another amazing encouragement
This is such a great strategy
Thank you, Dawn! This was a good reminder of the principle that I have applied to my stuff already for years! For example, I often drink coffee from luxurious cups which most people would use only in special occasions. Each day is a day that the Lord has made - why would we not celebrate it? One of the cups already got broken, but I do not have children who would inherit them. And even if I had, they would probably prefer a more modern style.
I have my GG’s cups that her and my grandpa used. Her silverware is out daily use and her dishes (all bought in the back in the day with gas station stamps-the original bonus cards) . We use her cups as coffee/tea cups and as plant holders for small plant and starters. So fun seeing them in my daughter window sill for her plants that she want to get to going…..
As a maker myself, I can pretty much guarantee that if the lady who made your potholders had known you packed them away, she would’ve been very disappointed. I’m glad that you are using it. I made a quilt for some friends for wedding gift many years ago. They have lived far away from us for their entire marriage. This past summer, I got brave and asked about the quilt, because I had never taken a picture of it. “Oh, yes!” They had slept under that quilt every night of their married life, and though it’s well-worn, it’s still loved and used. I got my picture, wear and tear and all, and I was so thrilled that it brought tears to my eyes!
I love this. This is def something I try to do. For instance I live in a super casual style house with two teens, my husband and 2 dogs. Yet in the middle of the island in our kitchen is a fancy crystal candy dish. It was my grandmothers and is VERY connected to my memories of her. So instead of hiding it in our china cabinet we fill it with M&Ms and use it every day. It is super special and makes me smile daily.
I appreciate the freedom you’ve encouraged us to have in actually using heirlooms rather than just storing them! I have an old songbook from my great grandmother that I used to just feel guilty about just storing. I’m now removing favorite hymns of my siblings, framing them in rustic frames, and planning to write a summary of my great grandmother and great grandfather’s spiritual legacy in our family to attach to the back of each frame. These are going to be Christmas gifts for my siblings, and my husband even asked me to make some to hang in our future music room! Now my great grandmother’s beloved hymns are going to grace the walls of the homes of the great grandchildren she never knew but who will know her better because of this! Thank you for helping me over the hump of feeling like I needed to preserve something I wasn’t using to the point of now being able to honor her legacy in this way!!
What a touching comment, and a fabulous way to honor your great grandmother and share with your siblings!
That's an awesome way to do that! We kept quilts and knitted blankets "safe" but finally we started just using them. One of the makers actually told us to make sure to use them because that's what they're for. They meant for us to enjoy the things not just keep it tucked away somewhere safe.
I’ve momentarily lost the wind from my decluttering sails; I was told my massive decluttering progress (8+ months now) was not going to make a difference in calming the house and increasing happiness with the kids, that this decluttering road is just a red herring. Rewatching all your videos right now to try to get my sights back and convince myself they’re wrong!! Hugs Dawn, so glad you just dropped a video!!!!!!! It’s a sign! :) Sighhhh
Totally understand. Remember all the positive things from your previous wins in decluttering💜 you got this👍
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this! Remember to take before pictures-- it's easy to believe we haven't made progress until we look back! You can do it, tons of love to you!
Shake off negative comments from those who don’t share your vision. How many RUclips channels are there of people who have been set free from clutter and stuff vs those celebrating their junk?
Time to get back on the horse. You can do it! 🏇
It will make a difference - because you will notice! You deserve to have a place that you know is better - even if it's only you! (Oh - and take pictures even if you're partly done, because your Negative Nellie side will LIE to you!)
They are wrong. Just keep going 💖💖💖
I had all sorts of travel bar soaps accumulating to use (someday). I packed them in my Operation Christmas Child boxes. Now I feel like they are going to good use and not wasted...win, win!!
Great idea
I use all my special stuff. We break them sometimes, but we are enjoying my vintage dishes, vases, etc. As far as using it for something other than intended, I use a gorgeous vintage glass egg cup for my egg-shaped makeup sponge. It’s gorgeous and it’s being used!
What a clever idea!! I'm going to share this for sure
That's a cute idea
Post a pic
Exactly! All the time, I find wonderful unused stuff still in the box at thrift stores because someone saved it until they died.
I’m retired and live a very casual lifestyle. When casual shoes (think slip-on Skechers style) get old and tired looking, I downgrade them to yard/garden shoes. When they start getting holes, or the sole starts breaking loose, I can toss them without a second thought, knowing that I got as much use out of them as possible.
I have successfully washed skechers in the washing machine and love them again!
@@sanibelpatty yes! I do too, They’re my favorite shoes in the world!
That was always my method, too. Gardening and lawn mowing ruins shoes so quickly. I'd rather ruin a pair that was already on its way out the door, than buy a new pair of cheap shoes for the purpose.
I had a light cotton dress in a pretty color that I purchased to wear to a wedding but then didn’t wear after that. Rather than give it away, I decided to use it as a summer gardening dress. Not only did I get lots of compliments when I wore it, but I felt good in it even though with its lace it was not made to use in the garden!
An old video but just read this comment. I have pretty dresser that I wear during pregnancy but not after because they aren't as flattering on a postpartum body but they're still beautiful and brand new. Wearing it to garden and feel feminine is such a lovely idea
"There are some of you that are going to over-complicate this, because you're really good at that"...I feel so understood 🤣😂!!!
My grandma gave us a beautiful set of dishtowels and a tablecloth that she had embroidered for a wedding gift. She very adamantly told me they were to be used and not sit in a box somewhere. At first, I didn't want to, but I took what she said to heart and we use them regularly. Every time I get one of those items out, I think of her and I love it.
For a couple occasions we gave my m-i-l some nice new towel sets. After rearing 5 kids hers were in bad shape and I thought she deserved something nicer.
When we moved them out of their house 10 years later we found them in the attic still in the gift boxes. She said she was saving them for "something special". I told her she WAS special.
You GO, GRANDMA!
SO PROUD OF YOU!
I tell my girls the same thing.🙂
I’ve started using things that I saved for a “special occasion” and realized that I never found an occasion I felt was special enough. It was time to just use items and appreciate them now.
I like the idea that objects are only “happy” when they are being used for the purpose they were created.
Also considering how many of our objects were made by people barely paid a living wage, in poor conditions, in impoverished countries the least we can do is honour their labour and use the products until the cost per use is low.
I love your point. That is so spot on and beautiful!
This reminds me of Toy Story. A toy isn't meant to sit in a museum. It's meant to be played with.
YES that point about the laborers!!! I try to think about those people and send them a thank you and an I'm sorry up into the universe like a prayer. They shouldn't be taken for granted!
Thank you for this reminder! My mom and dad just opened a shoe box in my dad's closet and found some golf shoes he hadn't used in years. The rubber soles had completely disintegrated! If he had donated them when he was no longer able to play golf, someone else may have been able to get some use out of them, instead of them going to waste. It's something to keep in mind when I'm going through my house and looking at all of my "fantasy self" items! :)
Yes! Shoes don’t last forever. Even high quality leather needs to be conditioned to keep them from cracking and blooming. Please wear your shoes or donate them if they’re still in good condition ❤
I love this concept. There were a few weird things that I am attached to...like plates that were my godfather's everyday plates. They aren't a matched set but I just didn't want to get rid of them. I decided that I will keep as many plates as I have plants...and I use those plates under the plants so I see it when I water and I smile and move on.
That's a sweet idea! I kept a serving tray my grandpa got at a conference for this purpose. Works great!
@@katepearlzorn7275 that sounds perfect! It is nice because it is serving a purpose but not having to be managed.
Wow! Great idea! I’m going to do this!!!!
I love this idea! Thank you 😊
This totally applies to "wedding china" - those nice dishes we registered for and stashed away for a "special occasion." In 2020, no one was going to anyone else's house for dinner. So I decided we would start using the nice dishes. Just the two of us. We made a big breakfast every weekend and used those dishes and it was so fun 😊
Oh my goodness. I had some things that I got whether for my shower/wedding or as a birthday gift that I kept and didn't use it....it was too nice or special. I remember getting a very soft/pretty bath towel and washrag. I kept that well over 10 years before I used it!!!!! Candles that smelled good and looked pretty went for years of not burning. I didn't grow up with much money, got married at 19 and had a son right away so didn't have much money then either. I savored anything really nice I got. I no longer do this. Use it NOW! That's what it's intended for.
We have a running joke in our house for the “good” stuff that we keep it in storage and only use for a “special occasion” (which is never), “what? Are you saving it for when the Pope comes to visit?” This is one concept that I have been adopting (slowly), but it makes sense to me now especially that I’m “older”. I remember how much I loved the China I picked out for my wedding yet that is in the closet while stuff that I’m not crazy about is being used everyday!! Why? Makes no sense! I’m in my 50’s. If I don’t use it and enjoy it now, I may never have that chance again! So I switched out the dishes and use my good China every day!
Love that "saving it for when the Pope comes to visit"! Good advice!
Stuff is made to be used. Sounds obvious, but is actually very profound.
So true
Yesterday I finally made it through round 1 of a massive declutter between my 94 yr old dad’s stuff and mine. I have so much space in my garage now! Holy moly! It’s taken since November 2020 to get to this point! Now I’m ready for round 2. I’ve had the thrift store do a home pickup 10 times! So energized to do the next step.
I know you couldn't possibly have time to read all the comments you get on each vlog, but I love reading through them and finding the Sister Factor- womanly encouragement. My heart loves your kindness and servant attitude. You do these things to ultimately have more quality time for the things that matter... loving husband, cherished children, close family and friends. It all plays into how we take care of our own wellness, mental health, and meaningful relationships with others. What else is there? God, family, others, and self.❤
I feel the same way! How special are His children for God to take a young woman from Minnesota to “stumble” into creating a RUclips channel, that turns into a MINISTRY for so many of us !!!!Amazing!
Agreed! Thank you!
This is so funny you put this out today!! I have been wondering what to do with this framed piece of homemade doll clothing that just doesn’t go with our current decor so it just sits there taunting me every time I walk past it downstairs. It was a very nice gesture of my husband’s aunt to do this for my daughter, but after I watched your video I have decided to take it out of the nice frame and let her actually play with it😊
I started using my mother’s sterling silver flatware and antique goblets. They are beautiful and we’re just sitting there before.
My mantra is "what are you saving it for?". I wore a mink coat to the grocery store after I saw another lady wear one. I also make an effort to use my china and silver even though it has to bew hand washed!
Same here been doing the same.
Wow I have Silver Christmas spoons. I need to clean them with silver cleaner. I am going to begin using them. They were made in Iceland. My Grandmother gave me one every year for several years. I always wanted to display them but never figured out a way to do so. Thank you!
@@sj6728 My Mom and sister collected spoons and had a spoon rack to display them. I wonder if yours are bigger, like soup spoons, though, and might be too big. But if so, maybe someone could make you one (or you could make your own).
@@sj6728 there's silver cloth fabric that helps keep the tarnish off and can wipe tarnish off without needing the cleaner.
Yesterday I had a victory realization, after moving 3 times in 23 months at the same time as change of season (empty nest) and my mother's change of season (downsizing from homeowning and being independent) and thus a lot of her stuff coming my way into my apartment, I saw the result of 3 years of decluttering inspired by you and Dana primarily, and of course Marie Kondo. (My lack of tech ability means I don't have before and after pictures, but I estimate I've thrown out or discarded at least 50% of what was here in the beginning months.) I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a balloon from my oldest and youngest children who live far away in different directions. There was room on my living room table (once dining room table) for them to be, next to a portrait of the four children, and it looks nice! I had something else there when they came, but it was easy to remove to another space. Everything has a home, and I don't feel the flowers are lost among the clutter like I did last year. Such a reward based on the hundreds and thousands of little decisions previously made, that I couldn't have made without your inspiration. Thank you!
I am so glad I watched this today. I have very slowly been going through some things and I keep thinking "I may use that next summer" the reality is, I have not used it the past three summers, what makes me think I will use it next summer? Get rid of it. I had a huge rubber made box of (antique) cut glass cups, glasses, bowls, etc. I inherited it all and it is stunningly beautiful, I also live in a under 500sf apartment. I don't have any use for the glassware, and I don't want to keep it in a box in the back of my closet. I ended up picking one small bud vase and putting it on a shelf in the living room and getting rid of all the rest. I love seeing the bud vase and think of my grandma every time I see it. When it was all in a box in the back of the closet I didn't think about her in the same way. I love to go into the garden and pick one tulip (or something) and use that vase.
Peter Walsh comments that if you keep everything, none of it has value.
I’ve started using things that I saved for a “special occasion” and realized that I never found an occasion I felt was special enough. It was time to just use items and appreciate them now.
This reminded me of me just catching myself about a year ago feeling like that :) a few years ago I got myself a cooking pot that I was so happy about. It has this wonderful surface that nothing sticks to, it is so easy to clean and, besides that, it just looks so lovely... :D so I took such good care of it. I would use it like twice a year only on "special" occasions and would put it back in its original box after using and cleaning it. Those days I would get excited just cause "oh great, I get to use my great pot today!" And it sounds silly, doesn't it? :D then one day, after like 3 years of having this pot and only had used it like 5 times I thought to myself "you are so happy about this pot, it works great, it so easy to clean, you paid more money for it than you would for a "regular" pot and yet you are storing it in a box and not using it with all the benefits it offers! It is silly. It is made for that purpose. To cook food in. Not only for when you have guests over, but whenever you like :)) " So it is no longer hidden in a box. Even though I'm still not using it very often, (mainly because it is rather big), at least I know I got over this weird mindset of having to keep it looking almost brand new and not using it for 'simple' cooking, cause it is so special :D that was an interesting moment just catching myself realising that :))
It is funny how things come to us. Like why didn't I think of that sooner.
One thing that I never saw in myself until I started into this course because now I see it in so many other people too now is how MUCH WE THINK AND THINK about things! It helps to motivate me to simplify! Hugs!
You have prompted me to announce:
I am a box-keeper!!
Only in the past year or so have I finally had similar revelation and found the motivation to actually take things out permanently and ditch the boxes!
Thank you for sharing your story ☺
I love the "use it or lose it" rule! If I put on something and don't want to wear it, it immediately gets put into the donate bin. And no more saving things for something special. I'm actually wearing a shirt I was saving right now. My house is now so clutter free that I can be ready for company in 5 minutes or less!
I always thought the spray perfume mists we for me to smell nice for someone else. So I never really used any up. Bam! I changed my mindset and spray me smelling pretty.....for ME. Use the body mists and perfumes everyday and not only for special occasions or people. It's the China of the toiletries 🤣
I use all the pretty plates when I entertain, even if it is just having a friend for coffee. I used to save them in a box in the garage…. I guess I was waiting for the queen to visit or something 🤷🏼♀️
I started reading a book after this video in order to use it.
Yes!!! That's the rule that I needed right now. Things get worn out, broken and used, and that's fantastic because it means that life goes on, you live it to the fullest and you are enjoing it!
I'm your viewer from Russia, a mom with three kids at home, struggling with severe depression and being a hoarder, trying to get my life toghether and be the mom that my children deserve to see everyday.
Well you just keep on, keeping on! One step at a time, one day at a time! Don’t despair!!!
Life is learning that, THIS is life! Having to maintain, repair, restart and repeat…this is what living is. Over and over again. Don’t listen to the negativity, you got a brain and a heart. You need to know you are here for a reason, and the reason is, life needs someone(you) to pick up the pieces everyday. Pick them up, clean them, mend, fold, wash, restore, then put away and make pretty! Then we do it again the next day!! It is the reason we are alive! So change your perspective and realize that all the “stuff” you have to do, is because you have a life! It’s your reason for living! And as you go along, you get to change things up. Rearrange till it feels good to you. There is no right “way”! You are good to go. You are not behind. You just have to realize that this is living! You get to move, change, order, and flex things till that no lingers works, then you “get” the opportunity to mix it up till it works again!
All I’m saying is, (I have a lot of the same thoughts of overwhelm as you)(anxiety and depression), I am also learning that to be able to address things, such as cleaning and fixing suppers, washing dishes and bathrooms, well, this is a blessing of living! Because once we are gone, who else will do it?? So it’s taken me a few years to realize, that being perfect is a lie. And that people who seem to have their life together…?well, they have to clean their houses. And they never stop. They just do it, cuz it’s what they NEED to do.
We were created to take care of …LIFE. It’s not a punishment, it’s the purpose for which you were born.
We live, and enjoy life…then we clean it up. Then we have the privilege to do it again!!
I just want to speak to your discouragement and give you a hug and say, “you’re doing good! Don’t give up! Keep on goin! There are people in your life that need you! And you are beautiful in God’s eyes!
Blessings from TX
@@tdfulton1 wow, thank you so much for your comment and for support! You made my day
Hey there Hazel Eyes! Just wanted to comment here and let you know I'm cheering for you! I used to feel crippled by my clutter and, as if the general overwhelm weren't enough, I also compared myself to those who managed to keep their houses clean. Well, like tdfulton1 said, that darn perfection is a lie! You just set your motivation reminders in front of you every day, and little by little, you will reach your goals. It sure does take some determination and sometimes even intense anxiety to face those things in the moment, but YOU CAN conquer it! Lean on the Lord when you need extra strength and it will keep you upright. (I speak from experience!) I believe in you, dear! Sending love from Seattle, WA ❤
@@Jessica_Jones thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to me ♥️
Hope you are doing well and continuing on your journey of minimizing and finding joy in the little things!
I started letting my kids use my grandmother's two mugs (they were small sized too) and sentimental to me. When one broke my daughter thought I would be upset but I wasn't because my grandmother wouldn't want me to be upset over something so insignificant as a mug. It was meant to be used, not stored in a cabinet. Your words have wrung true when I had previously put something aside to "save it for later" or for something "special" it was broken and damaged. Better to use it now. Keep up the great content. Blessings.
I finally went through my “sentimental” things this past Saturday. I had saved a bath towel from my “hope chest” (😄) that I began building almost 50 YEARS AGO!!! I put it in my linen cabinet to use now. I still think it’s so pretty!! But I’ve “saved” it long enough! I’m going to USE it!😉😊
I inherited a lot of my grandmother’s fabric, thread (on wooden spools), and a variety of sewing things. Instead of storing it and buying new, I’ve been using her things going on multiple years! I think of her when I use them. She was VERY thrifty, so I know she would be proud I’m using everything, even the scraps of fabric for mending purposes, and I’m not spending any money in the process!
Be aware that thread deteriorates. I used some of my grandmothers thread from wood spools and the seams came apart when I washed the item. Maybe just display them to remember her by. Just a thought for you.
What a wonderful way to honour your grandmother! It may depend on what the thread is made of - I’ve used cotton thread on wooden spools from my grandmother for hand sewing and mending, and it’s fine. Some older thread will break when you try to machine sew with it, though. The cotton-wrapped polyester type seem to deteriorate quickly.
💗
I'm a knitter, and I love to gift handknit socks to family, and when I do, I always tell them that the best compliment they can give me is to ask me to darn a hole in one of those pairs that they have used and loved. No greater feeling than giving a gift that actually gets used and enjoyed!
My great, great aunt hand embroidered a baby blanket for my first born, 7 years ago. She told me I must use it and not keep it stashed away in a box or cupboard. So I did. She died 2 years ago at 101 years old and now as I use the blanket with my 4th baby, I think of her every time I see it.
I typically hang my shirts in my closet by color, at the beginning of the year I stopped. As I wore something and it went back in I hung it at the front. Now in September, I’m seeing a whole lot of clothes I never chose. I recently pulled out all the spring and summer stuff I never chose and even some of the winter stuff I know I won’t choose. Using it or losing it. I also did the same with my summer shoes I never picked this summer. Hoping to use this tip to de clutter my kitchen (again)
(Again)!!! I soooo ride that bus with you. The kitchen has so many things that need to GO! I waited 3 months before buying a specialty avocado scooper/slicer thing because I didn’t want to declutter it in 6 months. We eat a lot of avocado and my daughter would sigh and say, “man, it sure would be nice to have that slicer scoop.” I finally bought it and we use it alllll the time. 🥳
I’m so glad to be maturing out of my impulse buying habit!
@@TheFickleFauxsteader good for you!! I’m doing the same with an immersion blender. I can a lot in the summer and it would make things easier but using it only a few times a year doesn’t make sense to waste space for it. Idk, come next canning season I may change my mind but I made it through another one this year without it.
Dawn, thanks so much!!! I pulled out my mother in laws tablecloths and we use it on Sundays and special occasions. 💜
When I started decluttering and going down the minimalism path, I took all the travel size toiletries that had not been emptied and shipped them to the closest homeless shelter. Any that had been opened, I added to existing larger bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash etc. That way I could get rid of all of the small bottles.
Now when we travel, we ignore the complimentary toiletries and do not use them or take them except usually the bar of hand soap that we use for washing our hands. Everything gets left behind.
For travel we refill travel bottles from Target from our big bottles at home.
Love this! I use the “good” Christmas ornaments! I have a set of blown glass ones that I’ve collected since I was a child. When we’ve got a toddler I tuck them into the tree a little more with the simple shatterproof balls on the outside and we call it the I Spy tree. But I’d rather have them in use and break a few than hidden for the years my kids are in my home (3 kids in and we actually haven’t broken any anyway!).
This is a fabulous concept! When we got married we got some China and crystal, which we love and use regularly-except some mugs a tea set and one style of crystal glasses.
I was watching one of your videos and started thinking about those pieces and that we don’t ever use them and see no time in the future to use them and that I always feel guilty when I look at them. We decided to sell them to a replacements company and got about $1,000 for them!
So now I don’t feel guilty not using them, I have more room for the things we use and got some money to boot! Thank you for all your inspiration! ❤️
I didn't know you could do that. Thanks for the tip!
I love this video! Its very timely as recently I have been going through my craft supplies and reducing them by 50-75%. I got fed up of them sitting unused so gave them away to a centre who works with adults with disabilities - I figured they could make much better use of them! I am currently sewing a garland for the school library made from circles cut from my 'scrap'felt pieces. It's wonderful to see it all leave the house.
LOVE this!! Way to go!!!!!
Most excellent! Craft items speak "use me". Now someone will.
@T Haslem ha ha! Love it, thank you! I must admit I chose the name before I started commenting on RUclips channels!
Love this. I am trying to downsize my crafts and it's hard for me. Thanks for the motivation.
The last couple years I started using clothes and shoes for outdoor work that fit better and aren't as worn out and awful as what I used to do. The result is I'm a lot happier doing that kind of work and now regularly spend many hours outdoors every week and in all seasons. You need nice well fitting things outside, even if they get pretty dirty and get wrecked more quickly.
In Denmark We have always been tought, that you dont buy secondhand shoes, as We all walk differently and wear out the soles differently
That makes a lot of sense!!
I just put a good gel liner inside and get a half size bigger.
That's true and why I don't buy used shoes for myself unless they're in like new condition. I will still donate because I know plenty of people love used shoes and it's better than sending them to the landfill. :)
I sooooo, needed to hear this. I'm using a decorative cake dish with a cover that has been with me through childhood. I remember the cakes my mother made and kept in them. I, personally, don't bake that much and I loved that cake dish. So now i use if to store the snacks I take to work. I have a small basket inside and I get to lift the cover every day to get my snack bars. ☺☺
I got my cake stand out, from my Grandma who is passed. I took the donuts and banana bread I bought and put it on display in the center of my island. It has a dome lid so it occured to me it's the same as in the plastic container it comes in. Now I get to think of Grandma ever time I lift the lid and it looks like decoration. The kids are big enough now that they can handle the lid without breaking it. So I feel I can use it daily now!!! The kitchen is the heart of the home and the room I spend the most time in.
We had tons of philosophy shower soap that no one used so I started refilling our liquid soap dispensers at the sinks in our home with them. It made for a fun surprise when hand washing and used up the excess inventory quickly with no guilt!
I love Philosophy too!
Amazing Grace is the BEST SCENT!
Great idea! Not sure why I never thought to use shower soap for hand-washing, haha!
I collect vintage Pyrex bowls. I had so many sitting on a shelf in my attic and I realized during one of your videos they should come out and be used. I have them out on top of my bookcases as decor and can grab them easily whenever I need to use them. It’s made such a difference actually enjoying my collection versus hoarding it.
Oh, my, you are going to cringe... I had a huge collection including my grandma's set and my mother-in-law's. Plus many years of collecting. I had them on display and also used them. I recently gave my daughter her choice (she chose the pink gooseberry), kept the blue butter print mixing bowls and a couple refrigerator dishes. I gave the rest to my daughter to sell on ebay. It's the inventory concept. Just because I love them doesn't mean I have to manage them. It jump started me in decluttering to let go of things I treasured
😁 I’m 5’1 & 1/2 too!! And yeah, that extra 1/2 is VERY necessary to throw in there!!😉😆
Agreed!
I'm in the 5'1"...and a half club too! I admit I might round up for BMI numbers! Pregnancy caused me to lose a full inch, but I got it back after giving birth.
Same! Technically, 5'1 & 3/4 :)
I've always been okay with using 'stuff'. When my kids were little, they had friends over one day and, one of MY kids broke a glass while they were eating. One of the friends got this panic look on their face...then asked my child why I didn't YELL at them. Nope. It was JUST a glass. We recently moved and, I must admit, I've got a lot of 'fancy' stemware/glassware on display in (IKEA) china cabinets the previous owner left. I let my 2 grandkiddos (5 & 3) pick out the glass they want to use. My 3 yr old granddaughter selects pretty much the same one all the time. Grandson, not so much. Last time he used a cut glass margarita glass...and I didn't care! I'd much rather see the joy on their faces (and his concern over not being able to keep the ice cube on 'the ledge') than worry about if it broke.
Heh. I sometimes wear my wedding veil when I vacuum. 😂 It makes it kind of fun. I don't do it every time but when I feel like it. It makes me laugh and remember the day.
I'm going to put on my big girl pants and go through my shoes. Soon? NO! Today! Thanks, Dawn!
I caught myself the other day telling my husband not to wear his favorite sneakers to work, and then I said "what the heck? Wear em, enjoy them! That's what they are there for !"
So much of my things I have failed to make good use of because I didn't want to ruin or wear something out. That is a mindset that I am changing right now, and if I still don't want to use it, then it has to go! Thank you for this reminder!! 💕
So true. When my grandfather died at 74 he had two or three brand new pairs of pjs he’d been given as gifts. Unworn. 😟
My dad would buy more shoes than he could wear, keeping the unused ones in a box in the closet. Many times, when he finally tossed out his "everyday" pair, and went to wear the new ones, he would find out that the leather had deteriorated while stored away, and they weren't fit to wear, or didn't last long. Toss the ratty old stuff and wear the new.
I painted a picture of a happy chameleon, but ran out of inspiration and never did the border or all the background. But, I still decided to hang outside my door anyway. Someday I'll get back to it... but I'll still enjoy it till then.
I had an uncle who started a beautiful painting of 5 cowboys on horses. He never finished, as he quickly realized that it was too ambitious. Despite that, I loved the painting, so I asked him if I could have it. He signed it and I hang it on the wall. If anyone asks me about it, I refer to it as ghost cowboys. :)
I love this! Finished, not finished.
Absolutely LLLOVE this!
Shop at home first... Fabulous idea 💡
Terrific ideas here. I'll be rewatching often as these are the exact reminders I need. Thanks 🙂
So I actually did this about two months ago with a quilt. My husband‘s grandmother made it totally by hand for our wedding. We have been married 37 years and I have displayed it on a rack or I’ve tucked away in a blanket chest. And then my sister said is that what grandma would’ve wanted you to do with this? And it really got me thinking that if I make a quilt for someone I want them to use it. We now have it on our bed. Every time I see it I think of her. ❤️
That's funny because this past weekend we came across a quilt my husband's grandmother made for us for our wedding too, totally by hand. We are keeping it put away for now until our new home is finished being built. It either gets used then or we donate it.
I also use the handmade wedding quilt my husband's grandma gave us! It's a perfect summer covering.
I have multiple items, but one sticks out in my mind. I was having this conversation with my mom... There's a rosewood table from hubby's aunt that she got from a yard sale. No sentimental value for her. It's gorgeous, but not practical as I have kids. I said "screw it, it's going to be used!" My mother in law was all "protect it!!!!", but let's get real... it's going to get ruined some how, some day. Things are meant to be used. It sits in our laundry room to hold laundry, and I love it there. Previously, it was hiding in a back room under a printer and other junk. Now we see it every day! 💗
I used to only wear my nicer perfumes when I'd be going out and body sprays on ordinary days of the week. A few months ago I decided that every day is special, and I should use what I love most. I still occasionally use the body sprays before going to the gym or as a room spray, but I'm a lot happier when I use my "special items".
I got a pair of kitchen towels/tea towels from my sister as a birthday gift. They have a cute Scandinavian woman on them saying Udfah and something about lutefisk. They are so cute and I didn't want to ruin them, but I watched a video you did several months ago along the same lines and started using them. They're cute and useful. And when they get dirty, I wash them. I don't let them get as dirty as some kitchen towels and I don't use them wipe up spills from the floor. But, I'm using them and I love them.
An item that went into the "Use It" category was my wedding dress. I actually wore it 3x, once to get married and twice as a costume. In 2020, my heart went out to all of the brides that downsized their big weddings and moved it to the "Lose It" category and donated it. No regrets!
The "Use it or Lose it" has helped me tremendously in my decluttering journey! Thank you so much Dawn and cheers from Ontario Canada🍃🍀🍂🍄🍂🍀🍃P.S. so with that mantra I'm now using my porcelaine tea set from France passed down from my grandmother. Everytime I use it I think of her and how wonderful she was!🌷
I too have a tea set from France passed down and use it. Mostly the small plates and bowl, but I do enjoy them?
@@j.m.7056 This is great! We should enjoy our beautiful things and not keep them only for guests!🤗
I love this concept! I have one pair of gym shoes; one pair of flipflops; one pair of comfy leather semi-dressy Clarks walking shoes I wear everywhere unless it's raining ; one pair of composite-toe work boots; one pair of LL Beans rubber shoes that I wear on errands when it's raining (to save my leather shoes); one pair of short rubber gardening boots I found at Target, and a pair of rubber knee-high boots I use for heavy fieldwork. None of these shoes have roles that overlap and ALL have lasted me well over 5 years so far.
I bought a hand lotion once that had, to me, a strong scent. (I generally prefer unscented products.) I gave the lotion to my co-worker. She was grateful and wore it every day. After about three days, the scent grew on me and I bought myself another tube. That was 12 years ago and I still use the same lotion.
I didn't regret passing the lotion on to my friend. It was an inexpensive item that I didn't initially care for, and not a burden to replace when I changed my mind. Usually though, if I don't like it now, I won't like it later.
I think you maybe would not have started to like it if you did not let it go, because of regret or simply because it was around you and disturbing. You gave yourself a permission to be free from the lotion as a burden so it could become a benefit again.
What was the lotion. Im always looking for a good smelling lotion.
@@torigillispie9823 Nothing fancy. Jergens Original Scent, which is cherry-almond. The travel/purse size smells stronger to me than the full size for some reason, so I stick with the full size.
I recently did get through all of my travel size/hotel s&c, it was very satisfying to have used it all up and now I've taught myself not to take the extras! 🎉😁 Love the "pay to store it" mind frame, I'm going to try using that. Thanks for sharing another great video.
I, too, have quit picking up the hotel sample sizes if I haven't used them. I decided it was such a waste of plastic to have all those little bottles even if I was going to use them at home.
The last hotel I stayed at had an attractive wall mounted, refillable shampoo, conditioner, and lotion dispenser mounted on the shower wall. I wasn't comfortable that the contents could not be tampered with, so I didn't shampoo my hair, but I do liked them idea of less waste. No little plastic bottles were availabe, but they did have small bars of soap on the vanity.
If you do pick up those samples consider donating to a hospitality house near a hospital or a homeless shelter.
@@bobbihofacker2706 food banks like getting toiletries, too.
Depression Glass, great idea to use this instead of hiding it with a chance for it to break while being stored.
Depression glass!!
@@TheMinimalMom yup, my aunt had the same set. She also had the green color as well 😁
See now I am a terrible “save it for someday” person and really struggle with getting rid of things I “might need” someday.
Your shoe story immediately brought into my head, “it’s a good thing she saved those shoes and hadn’t donated them because now she can use them and doesn’t have to buy a new pair.” Sometimes I think I am hopeless. 😟
However after six months watching your videos I am definitely improving! My husband’s late grandmother embroidered a beautiful tablecloth for us as a wedding gift. I had it dutifully stored away in the linen closet for ten years! It is very small and our table is huge and I was also afraid our four little kids would ruin it. But just a few weeks ago I pulled it out of hiding and put it in the center of the table likes a square “runner”. It is beautiful and now I think of her every time I see it!
My husband drives me nuts on this. When I get rid of something, he is ALWAYS bringing up the “what if you need it later” routine!!?? (We keep seperate bank accounts so I really don’t understand his issue) He has boxes of his parents stuff and I told him that when we move to a bigger place we can display some of it. I guess we’ll see how that goes!
That's beautiful 😊 A lovely way for your children to "know" their great-grandmother, too.
My grandma gave me the most beautiful ring I've ever had and for a long time I was afraid to use it because I didn't want to risk losing it. Then I just decided I was going to hang it from a necklace along with my favourite pendant that was gifted to me by my girlfriend. Now I've got the most special piece of jewelry ever that I can wear anywhere and feel loved when I wear it. It's a nice feeling to actually use beautiful, special, fancy things, it makes everyday feel like Christmas!
My mom made me some super cute kitchen towels with embroidery and I held on to them in the back of my cupboard for YEARS, my youngest was replacing the towel and put one of moms towels in the kitchen, at first I was gonna go fold it neatly in the cupbaord to save it, but decided to use it and am so glad we are using her towels now :D
I literally had the same problem last week with my shoes! I was going to purchase a new pair of shoes because I didn’t want to ruin my “good” shoes but I’ve been wearing them now this week 😅
Love this!!!!
Back when I was a child, we had sunday best shoes but once they started to look scuffed we could wear them for playing out, once the new shoes had been bought for best. It's something that I do with clothes now. I have the smart new going out clothes that get relegated to around the house clothes if they get damaged or look dated.
@@janrogers8352 oh i have to do this with clothes!
What used to be my "good" towels, pans and throw blankets are now getting put to use, thanks to you Dawn! Every video I watch, there's always something (or a LOT of things) that are just so relatable & make perfect sense - to change the way we think of a situation or item(s). TY 4 everything you do, love from Upper Michigan!!! 💗👍
Been married 50.5 years now. Used to use our good China every Sunday as well as every company meal. Had a China closet to store it in too.
Now live in an apartment and it’s been in storage for 10 years! I’m getting it out and using it every day and donating my every day stuff!
When we’re gone, no one is going to want this nice stuff anyway!!
My mom always said to use things or there’s no memories. We use my grammas serving dishes all the time . Makes me happy!
That's awesome, I'm stealing that saying 😂
@@jessie9653 Wow, me too.
Hi Dawn, I have been watching you for a while now. You have helped me get rid of so much stuff we weren’t using. So glad you talk about sentimental items too…those are the toughest! So thankful for you and your help! Wanted to give you a suggestion on your “outside” shoes. When the ones you are using wear out, get some rain boots. I live in South Louisiana, so our yard is usually wet, and sneakers just don’t get the job done when needing to do yard work. Also, helps to have them on when I come across a red ant pile! Keep the videos coming!
This concept makes me think of how I love using my grandmas hand-stitched tea towels. My mom couldn’t believe I would use them but I love them and think of my grandma every time. 🥰
Me too!
I have had one type of perfume I love! After my husband's death, I became ill with cancer and had several other serious surgeries. I only now leave the house to go to the Dr or to my son's home for Christmas. One day I saw my perfumes beautifully arranged on my countertop and decided I am worth wearing them even if I am not going out. I am using them every day and they make me feel wonderful and lift my spirits. I suppose those count as use it or lose it. I have been decluttering for 11 years now and am so into not having excess to manage.
After storing my grandmother’s China for five years, I unpacked it and started using it for my everyday dishes. I wasn’t enjoying it in a box in my shed. I enjoyed using it for the ten years it lasted with three young children before there were no longer enough pieces to set the table. I don’t regret my decision one single bit.
This just sent shockwaves through my brain! "How could she just let them all be destroyed?" Note how negative society has us all trained! You did NOT destroy them! You USED THEM and MADE MEMORIES and ENJOYED THEM!! We cannot take it with us when we die, so unless any of your children would have wanted it, it would have gone to Donate or Sell anyway. And when I am looking at SOMEONE ELSE'S STUFF, I see so clearly "The MEMORIES are more VALUABLE than the cash from selling them at an Estate sale. Unless of course they were worth a few thousand dollars ... but SERIOUSLY, EVEN THEN, I'd think the MEMORIES would still win out in your children's minds. Have you ever discussed that with them?? I'm at the point where my children are mostly grown and gone and [at this point in time] I think my sentimental saving has negatively affected them to the point they don't want ANYTHING I have saved.And they don't save much as far as cards, special outfits, etc. Example: They got their own dishes, towels, bedding, blankets and left all their childhood or handmade ones behind with me. I wonder if I should just downsize the amount of place settings and blankets and start using the ones I keep with my grandkids on the rare times they visit?
@@kimberlygraham8565 The china had great sentimental value to me and only me. It had very little monetary value, though I would never have sold it even if it did. I had three sons, none of whom cared about the china and married women who brought their own family dishes with them into the marriage. They also received their own china as wedding gifts. I have fond memories of using those dishes and loved their simple beauty. I don’t regret my decision.
@@Debberdoon Thank you for sharing your story! It’s a big shift for my thinking … and I appreciate the wisdom your share.
Nice reminder…. If I don’t like it today. I won’t like it tomorrow.
The potholder!!!
For my sons second birthday, his aunt crocheted finger puppets. So adorable. We got home and my husband said, well we should put those somewhere safe since they are special. I responded with, “why? So he will never play with them and they won’t be special to him?” And my husband just said, oh! You’re right. Then the dog ate one 🤪😂 still, my husband has a better understanding of what’s “special”. So thanks Dawn for all your wisdom!
I'm using my favorite coffee mug! It was just sitting in my cabinet, I'm not getting younger & I wanted to enjoy it.
I've had some really soft, pretty yarns that I saved for years. Last year, I decided to start knitting socks and crocheting a blanket with them. I'm a quarter of the way through a king sized afghan, and I still have yarn to use!
I have a use it or lose it! It's my special Christmas dinner glasses. A set of 12 I used only for Christmas dinner. My everyday drinking glass inventory was low and I needed to purchase more. I thought, why am I storing nice glasses for only once a year? I pulled them out and I have been using them every day for 3 years now! I deserve to have nice glasses every day and now I don't have to store them and I still use them for Christmas dinner! ;)
I love this, and can be applied to ALL inventory in our homes. Thank you so much Dawn, I love your videos and perspectives.
I only own a few pair of shoes as well, but I am cracking up thinking about many people watching this with like 100 pair of shoes in their closet! Hahaha.
I love Dawn and all her videos, but I won't let go of my shoes! I do use them though.
This made me think about the one pair of sneakers, one pair of winter boots and 15 pair of flip flops. Lol
It's like having tons of jeans, you can only wear one at a time!
That was me! I got down to 50 and now 38. I'm trying to get to 30. I like my shoes and I wear most of them...so I have a ways to go....but I'm working working on it!
Peter Walsh did a TV series earlier this yr in Australia, called Space Invaders. It can be rewatched on 9NOW. One of the ladies he helped had 300 pairs.