But wait! It's even better for our viewers! Visit helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 27% off your mattress (plus two FREE pillows) - and receive a Free Bedding Bundle with your Luxe or Elite order! Thank you Helix for sponsoring and thank YOU for watching!! I hope you have a great day, Dawn
Dawn, thank you so much for your inspiration! I do like to organize storage space and love your boxes. Where did you get your grey totes?, couldn't find these on the Amazon recommendation list... Thx so much
**Dawn- your tip to use the special things we’re afraid to use because they’re so special has been wonderful for me. Because of this tip you gave in the past- I’ve been using my grandmother’s spatula when I cook all the time for the last two years. It’s very old and the only thing I have from her- but every time I use it I’m reminded of her and all the wonderful cooking she did. I know it will one day break from the use- but I know longer feel sad when I see it- it brings me joy because I am using it as she once did. By using these special things- it’s like bringing those who have passed, back into our lives. TY.
My husband passed away last year and my kids don't live near by, so when I retire I will probably move. As I declutter my garage/storage space I ask "Do I want to pack this, move it to a new place, unpack it, and find it a new home?" If the answer is no, then it goes!
First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are doing well. Secondly, we just moved from the Chicago area to the pacific northwest. I thought we were living a pretty minimal life, but when I was packing to move, I got rid of quite a lot of stuff. I didn’t want to pay someone to move stuff 2200 miles that I didn’t want or wasn’t able to use in the new place. You’re on the right track - good luck!
Dawn, I'm so inspired by your limited-time tasks (5 - 15 minutes at a time) I also love doing advent activities. So, this Holiday Season I'm doing a "catch-up on cleaning" advent. I've written out 24 tasks I want to get done (dusting blinds, cleaning out the junk drawer, etc) and I will put them all in a bowl and pick 1 each day starting on Dec. 1. I know I can do anything I dislike for 15 minutes. And by Christmas, I will have a cleaner house!
Dawn, this month is National Gratitude month so I wanted to write to you to tell you how grateful I am to you for making videos like these. I've watched you for years and you're the only one that inspires me to get motivated from decluttering my house to organizing and managing it so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are so many days I lay in bed not caring or wanting to do anything (I have a disability and a lot of health issues.) Then I turn on one of your videos and I feel motivated to take charge of my house and feel like I have purpose. Thank you again and keep doing these videos to inspire and motivate people like me. God bless you and your beautiful family ❤
You are SO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO. The excellence blows me away. Natural born teacher, extremely pleasant, inspiring, and how do you always come up with new material? You are improving my life. (And thus my family members’ lives.). That’s a big deal. Thank you.
I went through the memory box for my husband and I again. I had done that last year. We have been married 47 yrs and our kids are in their 40’s. We had letters and cards that only meant something to my husband and I. We had not looked at this bin more than twice in 35 yrs. We glanced at a few things and then I shredded over 75% of it. I felt a little sad for a few seconds but now a week later we both realize we never think of it now. Same with Christmas ornaments. We gave our kids ones they wanted, then out of 238 we each picked 12 so we have 24 for our 4ft tree that sets on a table. We kept the most special then let the rest go. Our kids have their own ornaments and memory boxes. Now they won’t have to go through “our” stuff!!
I told my husband I want to rent a dumpster the week of Thanksgiving break. I can’t take it anymore and I’m drowning. Lost my ma end of July and was already overwhelmed and it’s just compounded now plus have stuff from her apartment now. I already suffer from anxiety and depression and my house just makes me paralyzed with overwhelm
@@laurawood4476 yeah we’re at 24 years and I just over did it after the fire and then ended up in a smaller house after the big house we had to buy because the way insurance money works
Five minutes matters really works - even on big jobs! I have a chronic illness so on bad days, I just do one 5-minute session a day, but on better days I do 5-minute sessions every time I get out of my recliner. That could be 15 - 20 a day. Now that the decluttering is done, I use 5-minute sessions to keep things tidy. It's a total game changer!
Good for you, I always just remind myself of the saying " how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"😂 It's okay to go slow if that's all the energy you have. This is a lesson that I have very recently learnt,I fractured my tibia and I have to rest my leg and when I do walk around it's with a crutch 🩼, it's clumsy and actually very tiring, so I have learnt to do a little bit and then rest, I want to heal as soon as possible 😊.
I have chronic illness too! I'll have to give the 5 minutes thing a try! It's just SO HARD for me to stop so soon once I get going, and then I regret it later when I'm exhausted 😂😅
The whole concept of "decluttering" has blown my mind and has had such an impact on my life that my entire outlook on my life has changed for the better. I literally felt like I was in a tunnel that I could never finally get to the end of. These women on RUclips have given me that light at the end of the tunnel.
20+ years ago I was helping my great-grandmother transition into elder housing. She grew up in the Great Depression. She's French-Canadian. She kept *everything*. I found this, let's say "outstanding," GIANT matador velvet painting from a period in her life when she lived in AZ. Like in the 60s. She grasped the armrests of her chair and GASPED "That's BRAND NEW! NEVER BEEN LOOKED AT!" She was 100% serious. I quote her frequently. People who have never met her quote it. This is what I think of when you say "things we don't use become "too" special. :)
I watched 1 of Josh Beckers’s videos today and he said something along the lines of you don’t wanna keep decluttering the rest of your life and that really struck me like lightning hopefully it changes my shopping habits
One thing I love about all your videos…I come away not only armed with more tools to help me to organize better, but I feel supported as well. And not judged. Thank you Dawn ❤
Great video! Here's a note from food pantries on "expired" shelf stable food. 1. Do not donate it without asking. 2. Canned food can be safely consumed for 1 year after the expiration date, but know it's nutritional quality is declining. 3. If it shows no sign of botulism (bloated cans), it can be consumed for calories but will lack nutrients. 4. FDA regulations required "best by" dates even on dried grains which are nutritionally shelf stable for years, so pop that popcorn and cook that rice before buying more. Hope this helps someone.
During the depression I don’t think anyone would have believed that in the future there would be books written, RUclips channels, web sites totally dedicated to the problem of having too much.
And it happened so fast! Only a couple of generations. It’s wild hey…and yet it’s happened to me, not materialistic, don’t follow the Jones’s, no credit cards, always been ‘smart’ with money. Haha. Of course I’d have more if I hadn’t spent as much on cluttering the house, but like we don’t replace what still works etc. It’s actually mind blowing.
I LOVE THE COMMENT SECTION ON DAWNS CHANNEL!! ❤❤ so much support going around ❤❤ it’s the highlight of my YouTubing. Just had to share my appreciation for Dawn and for all of you!
I write the expiration date in large numbers, before putting my groceries away. I go through the pantry monthly and items expiring next month I remove to use. This has really helped me to stop wasting food. I made 2 pumpkin pies in a week, but didn't waste the food. I love your videos. They have been very helpful.
I actually started putting a full sheet of paper on top of the stuff in every storage Box. On there: the date of last "peek" (i put the date of installing the box and underneath the new date). If that date is 18mo or longer ago, i basically toss the whole lot - apart from memory boxes. Keeps getting easier. Both managing AND tossing
Thank you thank you very much this could very well be for me because I'm a writer and list seem to be my thing and yet oftentimes when I made a list I haven't gone back to it and I didn't do the list I just was writing so it's really cool to see where a storage box can be a list and then when I see I haven't touched it it'll be perfect to just exactly what you said Let It Go
19:49 I was waiting for more than 6 months to have a chunk of time to go through our homeschool pile - I decided to just grab something every time I walked by the pile, and sort it. The pile was gone in 2 weeks and I’m sooo happy!!!
9:06 I resisted labeling for decades because I thought it was just as easy to look at the pile and know the category - there is something so relieving about having it written down though! I am converted and now label everything! Biggest perk is now everyone in the house (whose brains might categorize differently) can read where things are suppose to go! ❤
We faced a storage area in my dad's house after he passed away. (Actually, the entire house was a storage area but...) My sisters and I delayed a couple of red and green boxes at the bottom of one stack because we just KNEW it was going to be hard. We finally had to open it, and... it was a box he had used to clean out his car. We laughed as we threw away all of the things that he should have a year ago. We admired the huge collection of floor pens, shook our head at the naughty snack wrappers, and kept his name tag. The handwritten to-do lists are making me tear up now as I type, but it turned out to be one of the easiest boxes in the house. We should have eaten the frog!
Exactly right about the 5 minutes if overwhelmed. I'm going through my late husband's tool shed and not at all in my domain; 5 minutes is enough BUT I'm getting there... TY Dawn.
🙏 thank you Dawn, for this great video. You are so inspiaring. For a few weeks my hubbie and I are doing the 'Swedisch death cleaning' 😂 He is 82, I'm 63, we live in a small appartment in the east side of the Netherlands. Both are organized persons, but oh oh, we found a lot to declutter 😊 Coming a week a thrift store comes to pick up a nog longer used 'china cupboard' and some kitchen stuff. Coming next weeks some emotional clutter, old papers and so. Going strong 💪 Thanks again, love from us 👋👋⚘💖
I want to let you know how much you are changing my life❤. I am decluttering my house. My mistake had been organizing my stuff and because it all fit, I keep it. It finally "clicked" -- don't organize-- get rid of it! Your step by step guild works so well. I'm still stuck on several areas but I'll fix it soon!
The past year I have been decluttering, One section at a time and it feels good. I am so happy that I was able to let go of my storage and now saving money. I also have cleaned out the garage about 3 times. every time i see less junk and more space. I want to get to the point where we only have our Christmas decorations and extra essential supplies in the garage. No more what if items.
I've been using the one hour better with my husband for the garage. We just set a timer for 60min and do as much as we can. After a few weeks of doing this in the weekends, it has made a huge difference.
Dawn, I've been wandering around my basement for months trying to get a game plan and I have nothing. I was so happy to see this thumbnail! I haven't even watched it yet, but thank you!
Thanks, Dawn. This was super, super encouraging. We are starting to tackle the garage, and just to hear you say that 5 minutes matters even there is very motivating. My husband & I have done 2 different 45 minute sessions, but we're starting to run into my boxes of clutter. Thank you for permission to throw out craft items. I don't craft. I don't want to craft. My son is grown. Tossing pipe cleaners, etc. is the best thing to do.
📦Delivery boxes! I've been working on my apartment/storage area, and I can't believe HOW MANY small boxes I've saved! Mostly I saved them to use instead of buying organizational bins/baskets--until I know what I need later, but I had no idea I had so many. Some are clearly not useful, but those that ARE can be broken down into one large box if I feel the need to save them for organizing as intended. At least I'm categorizing them, and they will take up less SPACE. Many boxes are NOT conducive to organizing and are oddly shaped, so they're easy to let go. These are the EASY WINS Dawn is talking about. It may be a first layer, but it's MY first layer. Things are looking better already!
Dawn, you are amazing!!! Thank you for making this feel achievable, for ALL of us, no matter what season of life we are in! Your content is gold! God bless you!!! Stay encouraged in all the good you do!!!
Oh, just seeing your sweet face and hearing your joyful voice is enough of a good opener for me! I know it’s weird, but I’d consider you a friend. Thx so for all the videos and tips you share! Really helpful.❤
I have been listening to your videos for 4 years now and while I wish I could say I was all the way done with my own decluttering...I cannot believe how I am still learning from your example 😊. You share new ideas all the time! This holiday I am decluttering my schedule. This year is not going to stress me out because I am doing my best to preplan as many things as possible that normally cause me stress that I can't stop doing. I tried this last year for two stressors (Xmas cards and potlucks) and it really worked. I am subtracting more and planning more this year so that I can have more time during the busiest weeks. Boundaries. Down time. Less is more!
I’m literally at my storage unit that I’ve been paying for monthly for almost 3 years which makes me mad and annoyed. Brianna, my oldest is buying her first house next week and she’s going through and picking stuff. We lost our house in a fire and then bought new things and had a bigger house and now we’re in a smaller house and there’s just over abundance of things so I’m glad that she’s getting a lot of like new or new things for her house.
Congratulations to your oldest!! I keep seeing pictures of our old storage unit popping up in my Google Photos feed, and it feels SO good to NOT have that unit anymore. Now that you've let her "shop" the shelves so to speak, you can feel liberated to contact organizations in your community who might love the opportunity to do the same! ❤❤❤
@@rmcnally3645 tysm!! I’m not ready to let her go, she just graduated college in May so I’m used to her being away some but she often came home on weekends. This will be a challenge, my only girl and my side kick. I wish they’d have waited some, wedding not until 6/27/26 and she just turned 23 BUT my husband and I bought our first house when I was 23(he was 22) too a year before our wedding. Her fiancé also turns 23 this month. Let they spread their wings I guess but it stings a bit especially with just losing my ma who was my bff. I take donations to our local library and they use the earnings to fund the library and activities. They aren’t county funded like other libraries in the area
@ oh for sure but one major thing after another keeps getting piled on and we just keep putting off going through it and the house needs major declutterring as well so can’t bring more in when too much here. Every time my mental health gets in check another thing happens. Lost my dad, lost everything in house fire, have had multiple surgeries including a hysterectomy and couple months ago had a foot of my intestines removed and resectioned then spiked a fever while in hospital and found they injured my ureter so needed a stent put in. Now dealing with bone spurs in right shoulder and will most likely need surgery to clean the joint out and potentially repair rotator cuff tear off the MRI I get in a month shows that. Helped care for my ma through breast cancer treatments two years ago and downsize her twice and then out of nowhere she was having scapula pain early June and put in hospital and they found breast cancer back in lungs and spine and she ended up coming to live with us on hospice for a month then I lost her and she was my everything. I’ve had 14 surgeries throughout my life and just one thing after another getting thrown at me so I’m struggling mentally and my house is in desperate need of decluttering, organizing and cleaning but I’m just drowning every time I reach the top of the flood waters. Praying to get the dumpster over holiday break and get out of this cycle. I also have been known to shop to self soothe my pain, bargain shopper but trying to stop that bad habit also. I’m just one giant hot mess. Need to get everything I can done before shoulder surgery if that’s what’s coming next. Sigh
I have two pillows made from my dad’s shirts after he passed away. They aren’t anything I’d use as decor but are special to me. I’ve moved the full bed pillows around and around. I think I’m going to remove the pillow and keep just the shirt cases in my special stuff tote!
After watching half of your video, I got motivated to clean out my den closet under the stairs. It had turned into a dump zone! After about 2 hours, my van trunk is loaded and my mind is relieved with a newly organized space. Much of the stuff will be gone (by tomorrow’s thrift store run!). Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift of letting go! ❤
Thank you for this. As a fellow Mid-Westerner/Michigander, organizing our winter gear is really a thing, especially if you plan on multiple kids over the years. I remember those days, and am thankful I was organized when the time came.
Thanks for the encouraging video. I am this kind of person. I like organization and tidy. Labels, etc. But somehow life takes over. Too busy to put something away, etc. And before you know it, you're back to square one. I am overwhelmed at the stuff I have to go through. My brain is like a road atlas of thoughts and ideas and calendars and you name it! I must hit my attic before summer. I am in SC and you just can't go there unless you want to die. My basement. My garage. There's just so much to purge and organize. I think I hold back doing it because I just don't know what to do first. My living area is fine, it's just these areas and maybe a little in closets. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to do this! 2025 - my year of GETTING IT DONE!
Dawn, I have followed you for a long time. You inspire me sooooo much, and have helped me(given me permission) to let things go. It’s become so much clearer recently-why in the world do i hang on to all this??? My ultimate challenge is always always always, getting my husband on board. 😢 I’m doing what I can, with what is within my grasp. I also have mobility issues, so I have to rely on others for help. That’s my second biggest challenge. Anyway, I started purging an area before I saw this video. This helps push me forward! Love you!! 😘
Thank you, Dawn! You motivated me to go through a space that I’ve been putting off for a long time. It was a bunch of random stuff that we were keeping “just in case”. When I went through it (while watching this video!) I realized that we only need to keep ~10% of it. It felt so good to throw everything else out!
You have given the best advice that I have come across on how to declutter & Why we have been holding on to these things. This is giving me the motivation to move forward.😊
You’ve changed my life, Dawn! Thank you. 🙏🏼 I would love love love it if you would do a video to share with our kids talking about memory bins and maybe more.. using language you have used with your kids over the years that have worked well for you 💖
I have put so many of your tips into practice after just discovering you a couple of months ago! Thank you for continuing to put out great, super helpful content 🤗
I spent the first 20 minutes getting 5 loads of laundry sorted (dang clothes that can bleed) and got through a little box I tossed single socks in to find matches. I actually tossed most of them even a few that matched. I need to start the play list tomorrow while laundry runs and I tackle the living room for a declutter and deep clean. If not, I may spend all day zoned out which does me no good. My goal is decluttered by Christmas.
This was a watch twice video and share with my friends too! Thank you for all the great tips. I come away from your videos with a drive to simplify my space and let things go. You are amazing and I appreciate your videos each time I come across them. Keep up the great work!
I have been going through all of our storage bins trying to find things to donate, trash or give away. We are expecting baby #3 in March and we have to make room for her! I've surprised myself by how many items I can let go of out of my bins. I am far more sentimental than you, Dawn, but I make semi-regular passes through my sons' keepsake boxes. I was able to let go a huge amount of artwork from my crafty 5 year old. After Halloween this year, I donated all the decor we did not put out. I was so proud of myself.
Hi Dawn 👋🏻 Your videos are going to be so helpful as I declutter my grandmother's house. She is currently in Asisted Living, and we may need to sell her home soon. Thank you for being a voice of reason. ❤
I love your videos! When I need motivation to clean/declutter, I always come to your channel. You always say something that lets me know "yes, I can do this!". Thank you!
I paused 10 minutes in to get up work the kids and make big signs for our basement storage area - then we worked for almost half an hour before the baby needed me! Thanks for the motivation to get going! I want to go do more. Three kitchen trash bags filled today so far!
I wanted to thank you for all great tips you shared! Your Time and effort really Save lifes. Saved mine. I was drowning and i didnt even know that i'm swimming. Like you Just open my eyes on So many things. Thank you. Keep posting, you are inspiring and amazing.
It’s like you read my mind! Cooler weather means working inside and I’m really wanting to to declutter my storage spaces. This video is so helpful and just what I needed. Will play it over and over again and work alongside you! Sorry. Can’t afford the mentor group right now but thanks for all your efforts in sending this amazing and helpful videos to us!!
This is a great comprehensive guide! I have always been a declutterer, and I keep wondering why do I have to keep doing this? A few months ago I finally realized/ admitted to myself that I keep trying to live different fantasy lives. I am easily influenced, especially since social media came into the picture. My husband and I finally decided that we need a simpler and calmer life. We have less than 10 years until retirement and we want to spend the rest of our lives enjoying and doing instead of buying and decluttering. Our grown son has already told us that he and his wife don’t want any of our stuff, so why keep it unless we really want to enjoy it. I went from ten totes of holiday decor down to two and I am loving a simpler holiday season. (Yes my tree is up!) You are so good at simplifying things and making us feel better about ourselves. Thanks so much! I am a fellow ladybug 🐞 so I love seeing how you organize!😀
So true!! I have held onto so many things and not used them yet the moment I go to let them go I think that I L O V E it 😂 apparently not enough to use it!
Yes! "It's so pretty!" or there's one that comes to mind for me: "I repaired this and so I can't let it go because someone's not going to know that it's not in its original, pristine condition." lol
I was at a friend's house recently. Her husband comes in and says, "Honey, I've got about 5 minutes til I have to run an errand; I think I'll go clean up dog poo in the yard just for a few minutes." She replies, "Oh... you won't get that much done... Don't bother." You can guess what wisdom I offered. "5 minutes matters!" We all had a good chuckle and he enthusiastically went out to clean up the whole yard! Job done. So good. I'm someone who often scoffs at little quips and catch-phrases. But pretty much everyday I have Dawn's voice in my head saying, "5 minutes matter" and "permission to get rid of it".
Yes to warning the kids about leaving their stuff out. I trained my kids by telling them if they don’t collect their stuff and take it to their rooms, I’ll throw it in the bin. I followed through with my threat and if they asked me where something was that I chucked, I told them why it no longer here. They learned quickly. If they never asked, they didn’t care about it anyway ❤❤
Adding the date is a game changer. I've done that with time will tell and gotten rid of a lot of stuff. Usually everything goes, but I have taken out one or two items occasionally.
Dawn, Great video. I find I do so much better at working through areas if I have help. Last month, my sister helped me go through another part of our garage & clean off several shelves. It feels so good getting rid of stuff that's been our there for over 25 yrs. Some of it was sentimental, but I took pics of those things & then gave them away. I kept only a handful of things. Yay! 😊
Dawn, I would love to get some behind-the-scenes teaching and tips on how you got started with your channel! I have very limited time seeing as how I have 4 small children, but I have felt prompted to start a channel and share a lot the things you share as well as other topics on my heart. If you have a video (or someone else’s) you’d recommend, on recording techniques, editing, etc and how to do it all with very little time, I’d appreciate it so much!!!!
We don’t have a basement but we have an attached garage that feels like an overflow storage space. Most is stuff from our old house (we moved >2 years ago) and we never went through it. I’m hoping to jump into it during Thanksgiving break. At least 15 min a day to throw away and organize in clear bins. Thanks for the motivation!
I needed a basement decluttering video! We are expecting Baby #3, and the chaos of our basement has made it hard to access what we saved so we know what to buy. Thanks for your encouragement!
You reminded me that we have two unused giant yoga mats sitting in the back of a closet. I've offered them up to someone while watching this video. I think they're going to finally go. It's a minor thing, but there are things that we tend to forget we've been struggling with, like they're so important that we don't mind the hassle. Our brains can be funny.
Great video ❤ I come to feel every place is a “storage” place and only way to contain it 😮is by using container method. Doesn’t matter shelf, drawer, closet, a room or garage all has limited space. I had a thought while watching that I need to start a list of items that I’m missing, need to replace or upgrade…. Guess how long my list is ….😂 now I have a blank page in my notebook 😊 Thanks 🙏 I have yet to replace any items 🥴
I went from a 3 bedroom town home with a basement to a small one bed apartment. I don't have any storage. I have a very small pantry closet that I put shelves in for food and kitchen items. Paying for monthly storage for about 15 storage bins. ($160/m) I am having difficulty going through the items. Looking forward to making progress following your channel.
DAWN, write on the front of the cans with a Sharpie marker what the "use by" date is. That makes it easier to see. Then next time you shop, put the newest ones in the back and bring the older ones out and make chili.
Living in the uk we don’t tend to have such huge spaces. It is the size of a ground floor house! Consequently it much makes it much easier to declutter your house
When I declutter my closet,I put my maybe clothes up front . I then make myself either wear it or get rid of it . Often just trying on something seals the deal as to why it needs to go.
İ am a minimalist for a year now 🥳 and some places i am like “i just decluder this area how could there be a random stuff here!!!!” But seeing you make me feel normal and i think i can handle it❤ ty dor sharing
Thank you I've needed this reminder. I've decluttered so much but I also am a reseller and I've let inventory overtake my house in the last few months. Things gotta go, because I've noticed my anxiety is acting up and the hubby is irritated with the clutter. In 2025 I want to do a no spend every other month so I can get things back in order and under control. ❤
It's a real struggle. We used to resell on ebay, and the inventory had its own room, which is no small portion of our house. It was good when we finally finished that part of our lives because we were able to reclaim the space. It sounds like you have a lot more to spread out (we sold specific tools), though. Every little space you can reclaim will hopefully make you feel better.
Awesome!!! ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉 I have been decluttering for years and I have never felt better. The only thing I still have is my moms wedding china. I want to do something useful with it, but I'm stuck. I dont want to just drop it off at Goodwill, but I can let it go. Still trying to figure it out. Thanks for continuing to inspire us. 🥰🥰
Do you have memories of your family using it, or is it something she stored and never used? If you have no memories with it and aren't going to use it, you can let it go. It's sad for me to see those items at Goodwill or a thrift store, but nowadays, many of the younger generation just don't want it anymore. If you keep it, set some dates on your calendar that you will use it- Mom's birthday, Mother's Day brunch, Christmas, and/or Thanksgiving, even a teatime with a Ladies Bible Study group. You could also ask family. Maybe a new bride would like it instead of registering for a new set. Thrifting is popular for those who want to reduce waste. Hope this helps.
I’m laughing. Thinking you are a bad minimalist! Sweet! Like me! lol. Thank u for sharing real stuff. I have too much, but your storage is real! Thanks sir walking us through it
Seeing your messy basement is making me feel so much better 😅 (cause it looks just like a couple places in my house) makes me feel like I can actually to this!
But wait! It's even better for our viewers! Visit helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 27% off your mattress (plus two FREE pillows) - and receive a Free Bedding Bundle with your Luxe or Elite order! Thank you Helix for sponsoring and thank YOU for watching!! I hope you have a great day, Dawn
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Dawn, thank you so much for your inspiration! I do like to organize storage space and love your boxes. Where did you get your grey totes?, couldn't find these on the Amazon recommendation list... Thx so much
**Dawn- your tip to use the special things we’re afraid to use because they’re so special has been wonderful for me. Because of this tip you gave in the past- I’ve been using my grandmother’s spatula when I cook all the time for the last two years. It’s very old and the only thing I have from her- but every time I use it I’m reminded of her and all the wonderful cooking she did. I know it will one day break from the use- but I know longer feel sad when I see it- it brings me joy because I am using it as she once did. By using these special things- it’s like bringing those who have passed, back into our lives. TY.
Thank you for this! I’m the SAME WAY! ❤
My husband passed away last year and my kids don't live near by, so when I retire I will probably move. As I declutter my garage/storage space I ask "Do I want to pack this, move it to a new place, unpack it, and find it a new home?" If the answer is no, then it goes!
First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are doing well. Secondly, we just moved from the Chicago area to the pacific northwest. I thought we were living a pretty minimal life, but when I was packing to move, I got rid of quite a lot of stuff. I didn’t want to pay someone to move stuff 2200 miles that I didn’t want or wasn’t able to use in the new place. You’re on the right track - good luck!
@@susannovak8263 Thank you!
Bravo! You have come up with a good idea.
@@susannovak8263 thank you
@@madonnahagedorn5649 thank
Thank you
Dawn, I'm so inspired by your limited-time tasks (5 - 15 minutes at a time) I also love doing advent activities. So, this Holiday Season I'm doing a "catch-up on cleaning" advent. I've written out 24 tasks I want to get done (dusting blinds, cleaning out the junk drawer, etc) and I will put them all in a bowl and pick 1 each day starting on Dec. 1. I know I can do anything I dislike for 15 minutes. And by Christmas, I will have a cleaner house!
That’s a fantastic idea!!
Love this idea!
Absolutely love that idea. ❤
This is a fantastic idea !
Love this idea!!!🎉🎉🎉
Dawn, this month is National Gratitude month so I wanted to write to you to tell you how grateful I am to you for making videos like these. I've watched you for years and you're the only one that inspires me to get motivated from decluttering my house to organizing and managing it so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are so many days I lay in bed not caring or wanting to do anything (I have a disability and a lot of health issues.) Then I turn on one of your videos and I feel motivated to take charge of my house and feel like I have purpose. Thank you again and keep doing these videos to inspire and motivate people like me. God bless you and your beautiful family ❤
You are SO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO. The excellence blows me away. Natural born teacher, extremely pleasant, inspiring, and how do you always come up with new material? You are improving my life. (And thus my family members’ lives.). That’s a big deal. Thank you.
I went through the memory box for my husband and I again. I had done that last year. We have been married 47 yrs and our kids are in their 40’s. We had letters and cards that only meant something to my husband and I. We had not looked at this bin more than twice in 35 yrs. We glanced at a few things and then I shredded over 75% of it. I felt a little sad for a few seconds but now a week later we both realize we never think of it now. Same with Christmas ornaments. We gave our kids ones they wanted, then out of 238 we each picked 12 so we have 24 for our 4ft tree that sets on a table. We kept the most special then let the rest go. Our kids have their own ornaments and memory boxes. Now they won’t have to go through “our” stuff!!
This is why I don't bother with memory bins at all. We have been married 32 years and no kids. The stuff I love doesn't fit into bins. ❤
Thank you. I have found the same thing❤
I told my husband I want to rent a dumpster the week of Thanksgiving break. I can’t take it anymore and I’m drowning. Lost my ma end of July and was already overwhelmed and it’s just compounded now plus have stuff from her apartment now. I already suffer from anxiety and depression and my house just makes me paralyzed with overwhelm
I totally support a dumpster ! Have done it twice in 48 years of marriage and it was awesome !
This makes so much sense
@@laurawood4476 yeah we’re at 24 years and I just over did it after the fire and then ended up in a smaller house after the big house we had to buy because the way insurance money works
That sounds so liberating! Do it!!!
Great idea! And schedule a donation pickup for a week or two out! Good luck!
Five minutes matters really works - even on big jobs! I have a chronic illness so on bad days, I just do one 5-minute session a day, but on better days I do 5-minute sessions every time I get out of my recliner. That could be 15 - 20 a day. Now that the decluttering is done, I use 5-minute sessions to keep things tidy. It's a total game changer!
Me to i have MS. 5min or 10 min i do more Wenn i feel good
Good for you, I always just remind myself of the saying " how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"😂 It's okay to go slow if that's all the energy you have. This is a lesson that I have very recently learnt,I fractured my tibia and I have to rest my leg and when I do walk around it's with a crutch 🩼, it's clumsy and actually very tiring, so I have learnt to do a little bit and then rest, I want to heal as soon as possible 😊.
@@anaalves3658 Yeah, with an injury you have to be careful. Sure hope it heals quickly!
Same here! I have RA, OP, and AIH, and five minutes at a time is about all I can manage. Keep going friend!
I have chronic illness too! I'll have to give the 5 minutes thing a try! It's just SO HARD for me to stop so soon once I get going, and then I regret it later when I'm exhausted 😂😅
The whole concept of "decluttering" has blown my mind and has had such an impact on my life that my entire outlook on my life has changed for the better. I literally felt like I was in a tunnel that I could never finally get to the end of. These women on RUclips have given me that light at the end of the tunnel.
20+ years ago I was helping my great-grandmother transition into elder housing. She grew up in the Great Depression. She's French-Canadian. She kept *everything*. I found this, let's say "outstanding," GIANT matador velvet painting from a period in her life when she lived in AZ. Like in the 60s. She grasped the armrests of her chair and GASPED "That's BRAND NEW! NEVER BEEN LOOKED AT!" She was 100% serious. I quote her frequently. People who have never met her quote it. This is what I think of when you say "things we don't use become "too" special. :)
I watched 1 of Josh Beckers’s videos today and he said something along the lines of you don’t wanna keep decluttering the rest of your life and that really struck me like lightning hopefully it changes my shopping habits
One thing I love about all your videos…I come away not only armed with more tools to help me to organize better, but I feel supported as well. And not judged. Thank you Dawn ❤
Great video! Here's a note from food pantries on "expired" shelf stable food. 1. Do not donate it without asking. 2. Canned food can be safely consumed for 1 year after the expiration date, but know it's nutritional quality is declining. 3. If it shows no sign of botulism (bloated cans), it can be consumed for calories but will lack nutrients. 4. FDA regulations required "best by" dates even on dried grains which are nutritionally shelf stable for years, so pop that popcorn and cook that rice before buying more. Hope this helps someone.
During the depression I don’t think anyone would have believed that in the future there would be books written, RUclips channels, web sites totally dedicated to the problem of having too much.
And it happened so fast! Only a couple of generations. It’s wild hey…and yet it’s happened to me, not materialistic, don’t follow the Jones’s, no credit cards, always been ‘smart’ with money. Haha. Of course I’d have more if I hadn’t spent as much on cluttering the house, but like we don’t replace what still works etc. It’s actually mind blowing.
I LOVE THE COMMENT SECTION ON DAWNS CHANNEL!! ❤❤ so much support going around ❤❤ it’s the highlight of my YouTubing. Just had to share my appreciation for Dawn and for all of you!
Thks ❤
Same! Go forth and declutter ❤
I write the expiration date in large numbers, before putting my groceries away. I go through the pantry monthly and items expiring next month I remove to use. This has really helped me to stop wasting food. I made 2 pumpkin pies in a week, but didn't waste the food. I love your videos. They have been very helpful.
I actually started putting a full sheet of paper on top of the stuff in every storage Box. On there: the date of last "peek" (i put the date of installing the box and underneath the new date). If that date is 18mo or longer ago, i basically toss the whole lot - apart from memory boxes. Keeps getting easier. Both managing AND tossing
Thank you thank you very much this could very well be for me because I'm a writer and list seem to be my thing and yet oftentimes when I made a list I haven't gone back to it and I didn't do the list I just was writing so it's really cool to see where a storage box can be a list and then when I see I haven't touched it it'll be perfect to just exactly what you said Let It Go
Great idea!
19:49 I was waiting for more than 6 months to have a chunk of time to go through our homeschool pile - I decided to just grab something every time I walked by the pile, and sort it. The pile was gone in 2 weeks and I’m sooo happy!!!
9:06 I resisted labeling for decades because I thought it was just as easy to look at the pile and know the category - there is something so relieving about having it written down though! I am converted and now label everything! Biggest perk is now everyone in the house (whose brains might categorize differently) can read where things are suppose to go! ❤
We faced a storage area in my dad's house after he passed away. (Actually, the entire house was a storage area but...) My sisters and I delayed a couple of red and green boxes at the bottom of one stack because we just KNEW it was going to be hard. We finally had to open it, and... it was a box he had used to clean out his car. We laughed as we threw away all of the things that he should have a year ago. We admired the huge collection of floor pens, shook our head at the naughty snack wrappers, and kept his name tag. The handwritten to-do lists are making me tear up now as I type, but it turned out to be one of the easiest boxes in the house. We should have eaten the frog!
Sounds like that last box was meant to be, finishing a tough experience on a box that made you smile
Exactly right about the 5 minutes if overwhelmed. I'm going through my late husband's tool shed and not at all in my domain; 5 minutes is enough BUT I'm getting there... TY Dawn.
🙏 thank you Dawn, for this great video. You are so inspiaring. For a few weeks my hubbie and I are doing the 'Swedisch death cleaning' 😂 He is 82, I'm 63, we live in a small appartment in the east side of the Netherlands. Both are organized persons, but oh oh, we found a lot to declutter 😊 Coming a week a thrift store comes to pick up a nog longer used 'china cupboard' and some kitchen stuff.
Coming next weeks some emotional clutter, old papers and so. Going strong 💪 Thanks again, love from us 👋👋⚘💖
I want to let you know how much you are changing my life❤. I am decluttering my house. My mistake had been organizing my stuff and because it all fit, I keep it. It finally "clicked" -- don't organize-- get rid of it! Your step by step guild works so well. I'm still stuck on several areas but I'll fix it soon!
The past year I have been decluttering, One section at a time and it feels good. I am so happy that I was able to let go of my storage and now saving money. I also have cleaned out the garage about 3 times. every time i see less junk and more space. I want to get to the point where we only have our Christmas decorations and extra essential supplies in the garage. No more what if items.
I've been using the one hour better with my husband for the garage. We just set a timer for 60min and do as much as we can. After a few weeks of doing this in the weekends, it has made a huge difference.
My new mantra is 'I am not the keeper of all things!' Ditched a ton of stuff this weekend using a similar process.❤
Oh! LOVE that mantra!! Gonna use that one! Thanks for sharing it.
I got a chuckle out of this mantra of yours.... I like it.
Dawn, I've been wandering around my basement for months trying to get a game plan and I have nothing. I was so happy to see this thumbnail! I haven't even watched it yet, but thank you!
Dawn! How’d you know I neeeded this today. ❤ The attic, my stuff, my frog. 🐸 Thank You! 😊 and if you haven’t heard it today, I love you!
Thanks, Dawn. This was super, super encouraging. We are starting to tackle the garage, and just to hear you say that 5 minutes matters even there is very motivating. My husband & I have done 2 different 45 minute sessions, but we're starting to run into my boxes of clutter. Thank you for permission to throw out craft items. I don't craft. I don't want to craft. My son is grown. Tossing pipe cleaners, etc. is the best thing to do.
📦Delivery boxes! I've been working on my apartment/storage area, and I can't believe HOW MANY small boxes I've saved! Mostly I saved them to use instead of buying organizational bins/baskets--until I know what I need later, but I had no idea I had so many. Some are clearly not useful, but those that ARE can be broken down into one large box if I feel the need to save them for organizing as intended. At least I'm categorizing them, and they will take up less SPACE. Many boxes are NOT conducive to organizing and are oddly shaped, so they're easy to let go. These are the EASY WINS Dawn is talking about. It may be a first layer, but it's MY first layer. Things are looking better already!
Dawn, you are amazing!!! Thank you for making this feel achievable, for ALL of us, no matter what season of life we are in! Your content is gold! God bless you!!! Stay encouraged in all the good you do!!!
Oh, just seeing your sweet face and hearing your joyful voice is enough of a good opener for me! I know it’s weird, but I’d consider you a friend. Thx so for all the videos and tips you share! Really helpful.❤
I have been listening to your videos for 4 years now and while I wish I could say I was all the way done with my own decluttering...I cannot believe how I am still learning from your example 😊. You share new ideas all the time!
This holiday I am decluttering my schedule. This year is not going to stress me out because I am doing my best to preplan as many things as possible that normally cause me stress that I can't stop doing. I tried this last year for two stressors (Xmas cards and potlucks) and it really worked. I am subtracting more and planning more this year so that I can have more time during the busiest weeks. Boundaries. Down time. Less is more!
This is perfect timing. I’m cleaning out every nook and cranny this time of year.
I’m literally at my storage unit that I’ve been paying for monthly for almost 3 years which makes me mad and annoyed. Brianna, my oldest is buying her first house next week and she’s going through and picking stuff. We lost our house in a fire and then bought new things and had a bigger house and now we’re in a smaller house and there’s just over abundance of things so I’m glad that she’s getting a lot of like new or new things for her house.
Congratulations to your oldest!!
I keep seeing pictures of our old storage unit popping up in my Google Photos feed, and it feels SO good to NOT have that unit anymore.
Now that you've let her "shop" the shelves so to speak, you can feel liberated to contact organizations in your community who might love the opportunity to do the same! ❤❤❤
@@rmcnally3645 tysm!! I’m not ready to let her go, she just graduated college in May so I’m used to her being away some but she often came home on weekends. This will be a challenge, my only girl and my side kick. I wish they’d have waited some, wedding not until 6/27/26 and she just turned 23 BUT my husband and I bought our first house when I was 23(he was 22) too a year before our wedding. Her fiancé also turns 23 this month. Let they spread their wings I guess but it stings a bit especially with just losing my ma who was my bff. I take donations to our local library and they use the earnings to fund the library and activities. They aren’t county funded like other libraries in the area
It can be a mistake to store stuff in storage units. Many time the cost paid out for storage exceeds the value of the stuff being stored.
@ oh for sure but one major thing after another keeps getting piled on and we just keep putting off going through it and the house needs major declutterring as well so can’t bring more in when too much here. Every time my mental health gets in check another thing happens. Lost my dad, lost everything in house fire, have had multiple surgeries including a hysterectomy and couple months ago had a foot of my intestines removed and resectioned then spiked a fever while in hospital and found they injured my ureter so needed a stent put in. Now dealing with bone spurs in right shoulder and will most likely need surgery to clean the joint out and potentially repair rotator cuff tear off the MRI I get in a month shows that. Helped care for my ma through breast cancer treatments two years ago and downsize her twice and then out of nowhere she was having scapula pain early June and put in hospital and they found breast cancer back in lungs and spine and she ended up coming to live with us on hospice for a month then I lost her and she was my everything. I’ve had 14 surgeries throughout my life and just one thing after another getting thrown at me so I’m struggling mentally and my house is in desperate need of decluttering, organizing and cleaning but I’m just drowning every time I reach the top of the flood waters. Praying to get the dumpster over holiday break and get out of this cycle. I also have been known to shop to self soothe my pain, bargain shopper but trying to stop that bad habit also. I’m just one giant hot mess. Need to get everything I can done before shoulder surgery if that’s what’s coming next. Sigh
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I have two pillows made from my dad’s shirts after he passed away. They aren’t anything I’d use as decor but are special to me. I’ve moved the full bed pillows around and around. I think I’m going to remove the pillow and keep just the shirt cases in my special stuff tote!
After watching half of your video, I got motivated to clean out my den closet under the stairs. It had turned into a dump zone! After about 2 hours, my van trunk is loaded and my mind is relieved with a newly organized space. Much of the stuff will be gone (by tomorrow’s thrift store run!). Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift of letting go! ❤
Thank you for this. As a fellow Mid-Westerner/Michigander, organizing our winter gear is really a thing, especially if you plan on multiple kids over the years. I remember those days, and am thankful I was organized when the time came.
Dawn, today your "I love you" made me tear up. Thanks for working alongside me.
Thanks for the encouraging video. I am this kind of person. I like organization and tidy. Labels, etc. But somehow life takes over. Too busy to put something away, etc. And before you know it, you're back to square one. I am overwhelmed at the stuff I have to go through. My brain is like a road atlas of thoughts and ideas and calendars and you name it! I must hit my attic before summer. I am in SC and you just can't go there unless you want to die. My basement. My garage. There's just so much to purge and organize. I think I hold back doing it because I just don't know what to do first. My living area is fine, it's just these areas and maybe a little in closets. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to do this! 2025 - my year of GETTING IT DONE!
Thank you for spreading the benefits of decluttering. You have changed so many peoples lives!!
Dawn, I have followed you for a long time. You inspire me sooooo much, and have helped me(given me permission) to let things go. It’s become so much clearer recently-why in the world do i hang on to all this??? My ultimate challenge is always always always, getting my husband on board. 😢 I’m doing what I can, with what is within my grasp. I also have mobility issues, so I have to rely on others for help. That’s my second biggest challenge. Anyway, I started purging an area before I saw this video. This helps push me forward! Love you!! 😘
Thank you, Dawn! You motivated me to go through a space that I’ve been putting off for a long time. It was a bunch of random stuff that we were keeping “just in case”. When I went through it (while watching this video!) I realized that we only need to keep ~10% of it. It felt so good to throw everything else out!
You have given the best advice that I have come across on how to declutter & Why we have been holding on to these things. This is giving me the motivation to move forward.😊
You’ve changed my life, Dawn! Thank you. 🙏🏼 I would love love love it if you would do a video to share with our kids talking about memory bins and maybe more.. using language you have used with your kids over the years that have worked well for you 💖
I have put so many of your tips into practice after just discovering you a couple of months ago! Thank you for continuing to put out great, super helpful content 🤗
I spent the first 20 minutes getting 5 loads of laundry sorted (dang clothes that can bleed) and got through a little box I tossed single socks in to find matches. I actually tossed most of them even a few that matched. I need to start the play list tomorrow while laundry runs and I tackle the living room for a declutter and deep clean. If not, I may spend all day zoned out which does me no good. My goal is decluttered by Christmas.
Excellent presentation. I feel I need constant reminders. Thanks much 🎉❤
This was a watch twice video and share with my friends too! Thank you for all the great tips. I come away from your videos with a drive to simplify my space and let things go. You are amazing and I appreciate your videos each time I come across them. Keep up the great work!
I'm resting right now from bringing all of Christmas down out of the garage loft. Let the paring down begin!
I had a box from last year that I proactively labeled, "DON'T LOOK, JUST GIVE AWAY" and it was AWESOME ☺️
@@rmcnally3645🎉😊🎉😂🎉😁
I like the lighter blond on you! I think it fits your complexion.
Love all this talk about decluttering etc. I love the concept and actually doing it! I have a crock pot i havent used in years. Time for it to go!
I have been going through all of our storage bins trying to find things to donate, trash or give away. We are expecting baby #3 in March and we have to make room for her! I've surprised myself by how many items I can let go of out of my bins. I am far more sentimental than you, Dawn, but I make semi-regular passes through my sons' keepsake boxes. I was able to let go a huge amount of artwork from my crafty 5 year old. After Halloween this year, I donated all the decor we did not put out. I was so proud of myself.
Loved where you put a note in your boot with the date!
I like the post-it note idea! Sounds so helpful to gather real data.
Hi Dawn 👋🏻
Your videos are going to be so helpful as I declutter my grandmother's house. She is currently in Asisted Living, and we may need to sell her home soon. Thank you for being a voice of reason. ❤
I love your videos! When I need motivation to clean/declutter, I always come to your channel. You always say something that lets me know "yes, I can do this!". Thank you!
I call garbage/trash rubbish coz I’m English! 😊❤ Another amazing video thanks so much for all you do! Xxx
I paused 10 minutes in to get up work the kids and make big signs for our basement storage area - then we worked for almost half an hour before the baby needed me! Thanks for the motivation to get going! I want to go do more. Three kitchen trash bags filled today so far!
My favourite phrase is 'like with like '. Thank you Dawn ❤❤❤. My 'storage' fits into two shoe boxes!! Simply wonderful ❤❤❤
❤w O w❤
Thanks for always giving great ideas and encouragement!!
I wanted to thank you for all great tips you shared! Your Time and effort really Save lifes. Saved mine. I was drowning and i didnt even know that i'm swimming. Like you Just open my eyes on So many things. Thank you. Keep posting, you are inspiring and amazing.
Those blue barf bags are so perfect for keeping in the car or medicine drawet
It’s like you read my mind! Cooler weather means working inside and I’m really wanting to to declutter my storage spaces. This video is so helpful and just what I needed. Will play it over and over again and work alongside you! Sorry. Can’t afford the mentor group right now but thanks for all your efforts in sending this amazing and helpful videos to us!!
This is a great comprehensive guide! I have always been a declutterer, and I keep wondering why do I have to keep doing this? A few months ago I finally realized/ admitted to myself that I keep trying to live different fantasy lives. I am easily influenced, especially since social media came into the picture. My husband and I finally decided that we need a simpler and calmer life. We have less than 10 years until retirement and we want to spend the rest of our lives enjoying and doing instead of buying and decluttering. Our grown son has already told us that he and his wife don’t want any of our stuff, so why keep it unless we really want to enjoy it. I went from ten totes of holiday decor down to two and I am loving a simpler holiday season. (Yes my tree is up!) You are so good at simplifying things and making us feel better about ourselves. Thanks so much! I am a fellow ladybug 🐞 so I love seeing how you organize!😀
Oh my 😮 Does someone else buy things for a fantasy life? I thought it was just me 😂❤
"we want to spend the rest of our lives enjoying and doing instead of buying and decluttering." LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@ninnymuggins5159Agreed
So true!! I have held onto so many things and not used them yet the moment I go to let them go I think that I L O V E it 😂 apparently not enough to use it!
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Yes! "It's so pretty!" or there's one that comes to mind for me: "I repaired this and so I can't let it go because someone's not going to know that it's not in its original, pristine condition." lol
@ 😂 Yes to both of those.
You are the BEST Dawn!! 🫶🏼
Very timely video for US 😉. The 'sheds' are next on our decluttering journey ... thank you soooo much for sharing.
I was at a friend's house recently. Her husband comes in and says, "Honey, I've got about 5 minutes til I have to run an errand; I think I'll go clean up dog poo in the yard just for a few minutes."
She replies, "Oh... you won't get that much done... Don't bother."
You can guess what wisdom I offered. "5 minutes matters!" We all had a good chuckle and he enthusiastically went out to clean up the whole yard! Job done. So good.
I'm someone who often scoffs at little quips and catch-phrases. But pretty much everyday I have Dawn's voice in my head saying, "5 minutes matter" and "permission to get rid of it".
U can't keep memories without the stuff if you have aphantasia.....
Wow love, the "you pick it up, you keep it" , "I pick it up, I keep it" Omg I love it, and I don't remember you saying that before this...
She has multiple times, especially when it involves the kids things
Yes to warning the kids about leaving their stuff out. I trained my kids by telling them if they don’t collect their stuff and take it to their rooms, I’ll throw it in the bin. I followed through with my threat and if they asked me where something was that I chucked, I told them why it no longer here. They learned quickly. If they never asked, they didn’t care about it anyway ❤❤
This is such a great guide! Thank you so much for the encouragement ❤
Adding the date is a game changer. I've done that with time will tell and gotten rid of a lot of stuff. Usually everything goes, but I have taken out one or two items occasionally.
Dawn, Great video. I find I do so much better at working through areas if I have help. Last month, my sister helped me go through another part of our garage & clean off several shelves. It feels so good getting rid of stuff that's been our there for over 25 yrs. Some of it was sentimental, but I took pics of those things & then gave them away. I kept only a handful of things. Yay! 😊
You are so lucky to have a sister.
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Dawn, I would love to get some behind-the-scenes teaching and tips on how you got started with your channel! I have very limited time seeing as how I have 4 small children, but I have felt prompted to start a channel and share a lot the things you share as well as other topics on my heart. If you have a video (or someone else’s) you’d recommend, on recording techniques, editing, etc and how to do it all with very little time, I’d appreciate it so much!!!!
We don’t have a basement but we have an attached garage that feels like an overflow storage space. Most is stuff from our old house (we moved >2 years ago) and we never went through it. I’m hoping to jump into it during Thanksgiving break. At least 15 min a day to throw away and organize in clear bins. Thanks for the motivation!
The video I didn't know I needed! But this is the place that annoys me right now, storage! Thank you!
SO needed and so appreciated.⚘Dang. Thank you.
Dawn, you’ve been such an inspiration for me - thanking you from Northern Ireland ☘️ ❤
I needed a basement decluttering video! We are expecting Baby #3, and the chaos of our basement has made it hard to access what we saved so we know what to buy. Thanks for your encouragement!
Great episode!!!
You reminded me that we have two unused giant yoga mats sitting in the back of a closet. I've offered them up to someone while watching this video. I think they're going to finally go. It's a minor thing, but there are things that we tend to forget we've been struggling with, like they're so important that we don't mind the hassle. Our brains can be funny.
You may find that removing those 2 mats leads to other items in the near future!
Thank you once again for the encouragement!
Great video ❤ I come to feel every place is a “storage” place and only way to contain it 😮is by using container method. Doesn’t matter shelf, drawer, closet, a room or garage all has limited space. I had a thought while watching that I need to start a list of items that I’m missing, need to replace or upgrade…. Guess how long my list is
….😂 now I have a blank page in my notebook 😊
Thanks 🙏 I have yet to replace any items 🥴
Thank you for inspiring me to discard expired food!
I went from a 3 bedroom town home with a basement to a small one bed apartment. I don't have any storage. I have a very small pantry closet that I put shelves in for food and kitchen items. Paying for monthly storage for about 15 storage bins. ($160/m) I am having difficulty going through the items. Looking forward to making progress following your channel.
DAWN, write on the front of the cans with a Sharpie marker what the "use by" date is. That makes it easier to see. Then next time you shop, put the newest ones in the back and bring the older ones out and make chili.
Living in the uk we don’t tend to have such huge spaces. It is the size of a ground floor house! Consequently it much makes it much easier to declutter your house
I was thinking that too. It must be easier to have your house minimalist if you have so much stuff in storage😊
When I declutter my closet,I put my maybe clothes up front . I then make myself either wear it or get rid of it . Often just trying on something seals the deal as to why it needs to go.
İ am a minimalist for a year now 🥳 and some places i am like “i just decluder this area how could there be a random stuff here!!!!” But seeing you make me feel normal and i think i can handle it❤ ty dor sharing
Thank you I've needed this reminder. I've decluttered so much but I also am a reseller and I've let inventory overtake my house in the last few months. Things gotta go, because I've noticed my anxiety is acting up and the hubby is irritated with the clutter. In 2025 I want to do a no spend every other month so I can get things back in order and under control. ❤
It's a real struggle. We used to resell on ebay, and the inventory had its own room, which is no small portion of our house. It was good when we finally finished that part of our lives because we were able to reclaim the space. It sounds like you have a lot more to spread out (we sold specific tools), though. Every little space you can reclaim will hopefully make you feel better.
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Awesome!!! ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉 I have been decluttering for years and I have never felt better. The only thing I still have is my moms wedding china. I want to do something useful with it, but I'm stuck. I dont want to just drop it off at Goodwill, but I can let it go. Still trying to figure it out. Thanks for continuing to inspire us. 🥰🥰
I love the idea in this case of telling each other I'll take it
Put your current dishes in the storage space and put mom's wedding china into everyday use. Use it. It won't hurt, I promise!
Do you have memories of your family using it, or is it something she stored and never used? If you have no memories with it and aren't going to use it, you can let it go. It's sad for me to see those items at Goodwill or a thrift store, but nowadays, many of the younger generation just don't want it anymore. If you keep it, set some dates on your calendar that you will use it- Mom's birthday, Mother's Day brunch, Christmas, and/or Thanksgiving, even a teatime with a Ladies Bible Study group. You could also ask family. Maybe a new bride would like it instead of registering for a new set. Thrifting is popular for those who want to reduce waste. Hope this helps.
I did my story ,im happy i did it, all cleand up now
I’m laughing. Thinking you are a bad minimalist! Sweet! Like me! lol. Thank u for sharing real stuff. I have too much, but your storage is real! Thanks sir walking us through it
Seeing your messy basement is making me feel so much better 😅 (cause it looks just like a couple places in my house) makes me feel like I can actually to this!
I needed this video! We just bought shelving and totes to get our storage under control! Yay!
What about a few boxes for difficult to pack/move items?
Your hair looks nice Dawn. I really like this look.
Fantastic Inspiration and Ideas. Love your upbeat personality!