Why I became a minimalist: My ah-ha moment (Family Minimalism 2019)
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- Minimalism may not be for everyone but it has sure made our family life better! By removing the stuff I didn't use, need or care about anymore, I found a house that was easy to take care of and that I was a better wife and parent, too!
#minimalist #minimalism #simpleliving
..... SIMPLIFYING KIDS TOYS SERIES:
1. The trick to Organize ALL of your kids Toys in 20 Minutes!:
• Trick to Organize Kids...
2. Should we include our kids when organizing toys?:
• Should kids help when ...
3. Top 3 Ways to get your kids excited about giving away toys they've outgrown or no longer play with | • 3 Ways to get Kids EXC...
4. Ditching Buyer's Remorse relating to TOYS | • How to DITCH Buyer's R...
5. How many Children's Books should we have? | • How Many Children's Bo...
6. How to get your Friends & Family to GIVE LESS TOYS |
• How to get Family to g...
6 1/2. Mom, STOP guilting me about getting rid of toys! |
• Mom, STOP guilting me ...
7. Why its safe to get rid of BIG toys | • Its ok! DUMP all of th...
8. Outdoor Toys that keep kids playing LONGER | • How to get kids to PLA...
9. Organizing Kids Craft & Art Supplies | • Organizing & Declutter...
10. What to do with art projects? | Releasing Thursday, August 23
INSTAGRAM: More insights into our minimalist family life / the.minimal.mom
...and on my blog: www.TheMinimalMom.com
R E L A T E D P O S T S:
How I store and organize kids clothes: www.theminimalmom.com/how-i-st...
Baby Keepsakes- What we keep & how: www.theminimalmom.com/baby-boxes/
Buying or Selling a Home? We can help with that! Tom and I are licensed Realtors and can help no matter where you live!! www.theminimalmom.com/real-est... 
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I stopped shopping for things 15 years years ago. Currently, I live with two pairs of jeans and 5 shirts/blouses. I spend more time growing some organic fruits and vegetables in the backyard and cooking fresh meals every single day. We also spend money buying organic food. I do yoga regularly. We pray and learn scriptures daily. We also do not eat fast food or splurge on fancy restaurants. Goal is to stay away from medicines, doctors and hospitals. I am 62 and my husband is 69 and praying for our health and everyone's.
👌life goals 🙌 😍 Congratulations 👏
1. Relatable
2. You're just precious
3. Patience & understanding
4. Natural leadership
5. Beautiful soul
*I love watching you, hearing your natural compassion, and watching your relatable videos because you are so honest and raw.
Just lovely ❣️🖤👏💗
Yesterday I found your videos! I could not stop watching them! While I was supposed to be taking a shower I decluttered the guest bathroom and stayed up past midnight! Today I decluttered 5 cupboards in the kitchen! I have a full donation box and hubby just took out my full trash bag! This feels great! I’ve been so overwhelmed! We moved into a smaller house and I thought with selling, donating and getting rid of so much before moving it would be better. But no! It’s been over 2 years in this house and I’ve felt overwhelmed the entire time and it’s a mess and I just can’t! Thank you for your videos!
I stumbled across this same video 2yrs ago after watching Marie Kondo on Netflix- and we’ve been enjoying the perks ever since. I just wished I found it when my kids were younger. I have a 16yr old and 21 yr old now (she’s only home during college breaks).
I am staying up until 3am watching your videos like a crash course! I love you!!! I have 5 kids 2yrs to 12 yrs, homeschool, help run a business and everything you say is exactly how i feel. So blessed, abundance of everything and no time to stop and smell the roses or enjoy my kids. I have been praying for the Lord to shift my mindset and free myself from this bad routine of 'organising' when it should be 'reducing' and you have been a tremendous help. The guilt of moving things on has been replaced by the desire for mental and spatial freedom. Thank you so much for rescuing another mom from the drudgery and helping me get back in touch with family life. I've removed bags and bags of stuff in the last 2 days and am on a roll. Feeling excited and elated. Thank you. xx
SO glad to hear this Dorothy!! Thank YOU!!! :)
Isn't she awesome l truly believe this is her gift the way she comes across really has changed my life and I always pray for her family she's someone you just feel close to because she's so real and genuine God does that he gives you the heart to change people's lives for the better you just have to be about your Father's business some people don't comply
They certainly
have humble hearts it's so refreshing
I’m just checking this out for the first time 🙂 I’m a mom of four. Age 7-13 💙
Yeppp...currently 2:11am here in Australia 🇦🇺 😂 and I’m binge watching Dawn 👏🏼
And literally removed bags and bags in the last two days also! 🙌🏼👏🏼🎆 I am exhausted but so grateful for this guidance. I’m so happy.
I will be 65 in a month. We are empty nesters for several years. Your videos are inspiring me to this minimal life style. When i see puctures of your home it relaxes me. I want my home to feel like this.
Agree. I want to enjoy the life I have while I can
In one of your other videos, you can definitely see that your husband is house proud and appreciates an orderly clean house. Great Job. House looks great!
I wanted my children to appreciate what they have and learn to take care of their things and it has been so freeing. I cared about their things more than they did.
I was firstly inspired by Joshua Becker and began to minimalise, but just went so far.
Then I began to watch Marie and folded everything tidily, but haven’t kept it up.
Now I’m watching Minimal Mum and feel inspired to get back to it and go further.
Thank you Dawn I love your videos.
I am 63 and I am trying to "take the blinders off." In other words, some stuff has been there so long, and I thought I needed it for so long, that it does not even cross my mind to get rid of it. For example, I only use tablecloths about once a year, on a holiday. So why do I have so many? I got them on sale, they are pretty, they fit in the box they are in, they are not bothering anyone, etc. But I simply don't need them and don't use all of them. I want to dig deep and really "see" the stuff, and let it go if I am not using it, whether it is good stuff or not. I don't plan on dying for a long time, but when I do, I do not want to leave my children with a big mess to go thru.
petmom ful as a child who has already lost both parents, it can be such a daunting task cleaning and sorting after they have passed on. Do consider eliminating Aprox 40-60% of your belongings and donate them to a woman's domestic violence shelter. Your heart will spill over with joy knowing you have passed on a new item for someone less fortunate. 😊
@@missyelle2749 That is good advice. My daughter and I have been reading Marie Kondo's books and reading about minimalism. We are getting rid of a lot. It is funny how you can do it over and over, and get rid of more each time. I am also making my grown kids take ALL their stuff. They all have houses now so they can take their things and make their own decisions on what to keep. It is part of being an adult. lol When my mom passed, my oldest sister took charge of everything and took what she wanted. She would not let anyone else make decisions. So she did most of it. I can only imagine how hard it must be to go thru an entire house. My mom had downsized quite a bit already, as dad was long ago dead. I wish you all the best.
we are newish empty nesters and want to downsize in two years. We are starting now. I take a pic of anything that might be sentimental or useful and send it to my kids and siblings. In 24 hours it's gone if they don't respond. Mostly no one wants our old tablecloths, dishes and knickknacks.
@@paulalerose1546 Wow, that is a really great idea. It is easier to let things go when you know they are, "going to a good home." And some things seem to mean more to different members of the family. My dad was a mean guy, but we did have a good memory of him playing a ukulele while we did the dishes, and we sang in harmony. I play the ukulele so I wanted it. My sister had it laying in her basement broken, and wanted to get rid of it. She gave it it me and I got it repaired. I treasure it. It meant nothing to her.
@@petmomful2260 Marie Kondo would say if it brings you joy it isn't clutter (or something like that). I cherish a silver serving dish belonging to a deceased aunt and silver candlesticks belonging to my grandmother. My mom has a boatload of silver and I've told her and my sibs that I only want one item. That will be three silver pieces from different eras in a modern small home. I feel it will be an interesting decor item but not overwhelming. And I love it all. I can toss a lot of the other stuff to make room.
I have to laugh because "minimalism" used to be called just good housekeeping. Back before cheap goods from China, people couldn't afford tons of stuff, so it was unusual to have piles of anything around the house. Generally speaking, only determined hoarders had that problem. I remember how much I had to pay for the cheapest dress at the local low-end clothing store - $40 bucks, in 1973! My husband made $10,000/year. I made $1.47/hour as a book keeper at a department store. $40 was a lot of money! It would take me more than 27 hours of work to pay for that one "cheap" dress. Now extrapolate that to everything you needed for a household, and you see how people just didn't accumulate that much stuff.
I agree, my mom and I have talked about this several times!!!
Minimalism is basically how immigrants from India live for their first five years
I think that the fact that you can afford something and make the choice to not have it is minimalism , because you choose to have stuffs you use and that make you happy!
I agree. When I was an exchange student in Argentina, living with an upper middle class family, there was no clutter, and no waste. Leftovers from the big meal eaten in the middle of the day were finished that night for dinner. Shopping was not a way to pass the time, it was done when you needed something. Their contentment surprised me - as long as they had clothes, food, a clean home, etc. - in other words, as long as their needs were met - they were happy. They spent a lot of time together, watching TV while chatting, playing cards, cooking/cleaning together, and I admired their contentment. It's like in the U.S. we buy different sets of dishes, cushions, sheets, and other decor to match each season just because we CAN. I haven't in the past because I have nowhere to store all that stuff, but now I'm reminded what true contentment really is.
Very true .
You are the minimalist RUclipsr I’ve been waiting my whole life for!😂! Every word is so relatable it’s incredible. So obsessed with your videos, and your eye opening advice. Love love love!!
Wow, THANK YOU! That means more than you know!!
I completely agree!!! I'm so glad that I found you!!!
I love this channel too! I've been trying to simplify for years and always give up in the middle or stuff comes creeping back into the house... First on my to do list is simplifying our family meal plan!
tfcstevi
This is the Dave Ramsey of motherhood...once you are fed up you will begin making changes...and one baby step at a time you will get healthy routines made.
TODAY after about a year, the inside of my house is 95% done. This is probably the closest to perfection on our definition of minimalism we will ever get. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. YOU ARE A GIFT. Thank you for being a blessing in my life and my family's life!!!!! 💥💟💟💟💟💟💟💟
This is so wonderful. I feel as though I’m treading water constantly. I’m drowning in clutter and chores and constant decision making. I am so glad my sister in law shared your channel with me!
This is literally me!!!!!! I have never been able to articulate it but oh gosh, THIS IS ME! I definitely need to look into minimalism- I drowning in clothes and toys and dishes! DROWNING!
omg I think I finally found someone who understands me. I just want to have a good cry because you hit so many unnerving point. I am feeling all of this at this moment and there are days I just want to throw everything out my apt. because no one wants to or are not capable enough to deal with their stuff so it all falls on me
I love you!!! You motivate me so much. "Time will pass anyway" So true about so many things.
I totally feel exactly the way you do!!!!
Love watching these old videos and following how you’ve grown and progressed... and Oh! look at that; you’re talking about The Amazing Race 🤗
This is me! This is me! This is me! Thank you 😊 I don’t have children and I currently live on my own. I’m not sure I want to be a full on minimalist but I feel totally overwhelmed by clutter, to the extent where I cannot find stuff so I just go and buy it again or change projects to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I also want to change my priorities and direction in life.
I'm 62...raised 5 kids and can so relate to the points you make!!! A clean house is a peaceful home! Thank you!
Your details and examples are the reason your videos are more helpful to me than other bloggers!
Thank you!!!
I'm right there. Looking around the house thinking I can't do this and I have already done a lot of purging. I felt I was stuck. Thank you for the encouragement. I can do it.
This was exactly what I needed to see that it takes time. It’s so overwhelming I have 4 kids and one is under 1 it’s a lot to do each day. I feel so swamped by house work and laundry and never get to enjoy my day.
Oh my gosh hide and seek yes... I've been embarrassed before... The worst was when I had a friend over and I lost my phone and she was trying to help me find it, looking in the couch and cabinets as my toddler hid it somewhere... My goal now is to be unashamed and even proud of what the insides of cabinets and closets look like and even proud! I love your idea of having the cabinets and such only half full, it really makes everything easier to find and just looks great! Just found your channel yesterday, subscribed with notifications, and declutterred and cleaned the heck out of my linen cabinet today! Thanks for the motivation 😁. Now I can't wait for people to open up that closet lol
OMG. I’m sooooo happy I came across you today. I’m a 49 yr old mom of 4 n everything you said was me 10 yrs ago and sadly still is today. 2 Kids going off to college now n me now back to working full time n I’m still overwhelmed by the STUFF!!!! I’m done!! I want it all gone!!! This is the motivation I’ve needed. Bless you!!! 🥰
I like how you talk about the process. Then you are motivated to not go backwards. I've said it before, but your videos are great for people no matter what season of life they are in.
I don't have kids, but I can sense how helpful your story is to those who do. It is related with so much heart-felt sincerity and compassion - really, really good video.
Thank you!!!
I don't have kids at home anymore, but I do have stuff! lol
I lived and worked in China for 2 years. I traveled with 2 large suitcases and 1 carry on. I had to set up house from scratch, and knowing I would only be there a couple of years, I only purchased the necessities for my apartment. I remember I had gone through my closet and only picked pieces that could match with everything else and multi-task for many occasions. I absolutely loved living simply with a minimal of possessions! Now, I am back in the U.S. and I’m sitting here thinking, “I lived without all this stuff for 26 months...why do I even NEED it? I am ready to take the journey to simplify my home once and for all. I move a lot, and most of my storage hasn’t even left the boxes for several moves!!! Why am I even holding onto this stuff? 📦 📦 📦
You responded to The Minimal Mom 3 years ago about living with just necessities in China for 2 years. Thank you for what you shared it was eye-opening! Blessings
I know this video is a year old, but I am just watching it for the first time. The point where you were talking about how overwhelmed you felt when your kids were little and you how you didn't feel like you were enjoying it...and then felt guilty for that. That is so where I'm at right now and you saying that made me wanna cry! It's always good knowing that someone else has felt that too. Thank you!
I’m so here.. I’m very much in this season where I feel like my days are ONLY trying to catch up on chores and tidying and while life passes me by and shoeing my kids. And I’m just missing their early years :(
I want to see inside of alllllll the drawers!!! 🙋🙋🙋🙈
Hahaha, YOU GOT IT!!!
Lol
Me too!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Omg you literally are speaking to my soul! ♥️ You're adorable, glad I found you on YT today
I understand the feeling of just wishing your kids were older. Mine are almost 2 and 5 and I've just embarrassed the fact that we are in a season of having a messy "life". After watching your videos now, I have reduced a lot of our things and I feel so much happier
I no longer fear the doorbell and unexpected guests! I’ve had people come over and not once have I done any last minute clean up. I love it. I also feel so much lighter in my place. It took over a year to complete and it’s worth it.
YES! This is awesome!!!
First, you are such a dear and such a cutie. I have been watching you for a few months now and love everything I see. I appreciate your rawness and how sincere you are. I've been working at turtle's pace for about a year now on simplifying THINGS in my home (and mind). I'm so encouraged by you and your videos. This note alone says a lot - I never leave a comment. Thank you for what you are doing and how you are doing it.
Your story is exactly like mine. I have 4 kids under 8 and totally overwhelmed by stuff. I know I'm incredibly blessed, yet feel so burdened. I start working on minimizing, then life happens and it gets tossed aside. Thank you for your channel.
After watching your kitchen declutter video, I went through my kitchen and thinned out so much. Next I cleaned out and organized my downstairs pantry/storage area and dropped off a trunkful of small appliances, storage containers, etc. So liberating! Thank you for the inspiration. I can’t wait to continue through my house and regain my peace!
I just found your videos about 3 weeks ago and am hooked. I started minimizing and I love it. I started with my daughters' room and they were happy and excited to see their room clutter-free. I already did my kitchen and am working around my house. Thank you so much for what you do! God bless!
thank you for voicing what so many of us feel on the daily !
Yes, it is gratifying to even get a drawer minimized. Whenever I feel overwhelmed with clutter in my house I look in my most recently revised area and feel a lot calmer and a sense of accomplishment. It's a process. :)
This is a GREAT idea!!
This is so true! When I can´t handle a big decluttering job one day, I pick a spot in my house that has bothered me recently. It can be as small as a cluttered end table or a single drawer, but clearing it up makes a huge difference in my day.
You were right about just starting. I was overwhelmed with the idea of clearing out with the KonMari method. Taking everything out (like clothes) and sorting and tossing. It was another major project. But instead I did what you had said in another video...like peeling an onion layer by layer....(something to that effect). So I started with the master bedroom. First it was a drawer...then another and before I knew I was clearing the top of the chest of drawers and a bookcase. I then rearranged an artwork to another wall. I did as much clearing that was enough for that day. But I felt refreshed about the whole room and the atmosphere. Even my husband who did not helped, said the room felt lighter.
So after clearing the master bedroom I'm inspired to tackle other clutter problem areas throughout my home...the hallway bookcase, the coat closet, …..as when I have time and energy. Layer by layer....thanks for a great video!!!
“Time will pass anyway”. Loved this so much I immediately shared with my besties. Such truth.
I'm with you on the "washing and using the same things over and over again." I realized i only need those things and i have been living for a while just using those same things over and over. That is why i got rid of the stuff we didn't need. I am proud to say that we actually have four huge rooms in our house that could actually be condensed completely into one room. One room has just a play tunnel and judo mats, 2nd room just has a set of toddler beds, nothing else, 3rd room has a small couch and mounted tv and small basket of toys and small play kitchen(was able to downsize three of the four sizes of the huge kitchen set) 4 th room has the bigger couch and a few picture frames on the wall. Literally could combine all those things into one room. Basically could downsize our house in half easily by square footage. I have no decorations to dust or dvds cause we do Netflix and Amazon prime. I wouldn't change my house/life style for anything. It took me 2 to 3 yrs to get rid of everything because we moved 4 times in a couple yrs so each time we got rid of more stuff. My husband and i have less stuff now total than BEFORE we had our three kids!!! And, we even had an extra room in our old apartment just for our junk!! And that was before kids too. We laugh about it now cause we literally just packed it full of stuff and never used any of it. We wasted so much money on a 2 bedroom apartment all in the name of stuff. Let that be something to take into consideration my fellow inspiring minimalist!💙
I SECOND THAT! Totally awesome and inspiring!!!
Oh m’dear what a wonderful vlog, Thank you. One more idea to add when thinking of shopping: “Why add more cheap Chinese junk to my life?”
China and their incessant need to BURY US IN USELESS ITEMS! has taken years off of my life (just organizing and re-organizing and moving CRAP! from one room to the next! No! More! Items!!!!! thanks to Dawn's INSPIRATIONAL Channel!
Wow. I cant begin to tell you how much this story touches me. I'm so glad you are sharing this! Thank you!!!!
I'm exactly where you were at. Thank you for this. I used to be minimalist by nature. I left everything go over the last year and now I'm on my journey back. This helped me so much to feel motivated.
Just discovered your channel and loving it. You are spot on with saying you will see the effects of decluttering straight away even from starting small. My first step was to declutter my kitchen drawers that contained cutlery and utensils and as I'm in the kitchen daily I had to open those drawers many times and the feeling of seeing less in those drawers was so fulfilling. The feeling was so great that I continued decluttering other areas from there and then it almost became addictive as the feeling that comes with having less is so great.
"Time is going to pass anyway"... I too am in same exhausted defeated feeling..but having been ur subscriber & today watching this is surely timely, much needed motivation..God bless u all
"So... What did you do all day...?" LOL! I get that line sooo often! I need less stuff and more motivation to live my life to the fullest with my family. Thank you for your videos.
Yes!! Love the advice and I've got to write that down: "The time is going to pass anyway" 😎 thank you Dawn!!
Thank you for the way you encourage others without judgement. Listening to you makes me feel supported in stepping into making choices that are going to take me out of my comfort zone.
@ abt 8:00 she said it took her approx a Year.. Good..bc i get overwhelmed just looking at this TEENY 720 sq ft. OLD 1942 "house" crammed with stuff as there is nowhere to put it..
i just get defeated & cry 😢
I agree that you'll see benefits over you start, far before you "finish". We don't do all the things and we're really just a few months "in" to this way of thinking, but we have been streamlining our toys, clothes, and kitchen items. It's awesome. We have given several families big bags of clothes and my older kids, who do their own laundry, actually really like having fewer clothes to deal with. I chip away at a drawer, a bin, a shelf most days and take a break when I need a week off. My husband, who is a great guy, has *without me asking* filled up bags of his own stuff to give away and throw away. That's a new thing for him, and I take that change as him seeing how good it feels to have less to manage! It's awesome to see how these small changes add up for all of us!
Thanks for sharing your inner thoughts and vulnerabilities! Your story helps me and I am sure helps many more!
This is so refreshing. I’m feeling crowded even though most people think my house is organized. I’m taking 2019 to simplify.
I've watched more of your current videos and thought I'd take a gander at this one. So authentic, vulnerable and downright funny! I appreciate your journey and encouragement as each person endeavors to live more simply!
You described my life exactly in the first 5 minutes! I added homeschooling to that life and felt SO lost. My kids are teens now, and Im committed to minimalism. Thank you for your honest videos- and I love it when your twin sister visits too!
I love watching and hearing your advice! Ive been follower of other youtubers but you are def the sweetest & one I think deserves success the most. ❤ Thank you for your inspiration.
What I've noticed about us is, so many things because just part of the scene. We overlook so much stuff just because [whatever it is] it has sat in that spot for years. Suddenly one day, it dawns on me....why are we keeping this ?! So much is there just because it has been for so long. The more that leaves out house, the better we feel. The more we lighten the load, again, the better we feel. We can breathe a sigh of relief. I don't think we'll go all out minimal....but, boy, we've got too much stuff & it feels wonderful to let a lot of it go.
I hope I can get my wife to watch this. She needs to understand the beauty of minimalism!
Todd Autry : Joshua Becker too!
Love your channel so much! During quarantine I have decluttered every room and closet in my house. I also did the meal planning with my husband. Life feels radically freeing. Living simply is truly the best!
"the time's gonna pass anyway" thiiiiis is such good advise! my god
Out of all your videos, this is my favourite! Thank you for being so honest about your feelings and experience. Love from the UK
Another great reason to be a minimalist is the environment, which is something that I care about but often feel powerless to help. The less cheap plastic materials you bring into your home, the less plastic will one day end up in a landfill or ocean and the less demand you create for these products.
I find hard to imagine you and your family being anything other than you are right now! I always rewatch your videos if I'm stuck in clearing and simplifying our lives.determined not to spend the summer struggling to keep the house ordered and reasonably tidy.thank you for your videos 💛
Wow- what a treat to discover your channel! My husband and I are nearing the empty nest season & have begun purging. I think the most surprising thing for us, has been how freeing it feels. We've become extremely intentional about what comes into the house, & when we buy gifts for each other- we buy replacements of older items that we want to update or upgrade. That's actually been kind of fun!
This is the first video of yours that I've watched- looking forward to watching more!
You're such a good mom! I'm sure your family is so proud of you and of what you've accomplished while being a minimalist mom! Keep on posting! I love your videos and learning about your family. A great value!!!
I just came across your channel and I find you to be so transparent and absolutely adorable ❤️ All people ever want is TRUTH AND HONESTY and you give it to your viewers in spades....KUDOS young lady! Patty sending you blessings from Colorado 🙏❤️🙏
Dawn, I found you a couple of weeks ago (at THE PERFECT TIME for us), and I've been watching at least 2 blogs a day. It keeps me thinking of new areas where I can purge and create peace of mind. I appreciate your work and look forward to getting to a place where I can let kids roam thru all the closets of our house. Lol
Hi Dawn! I love your videos! They've been so inspiring! We're beginning our minimalism journey and I'm loving it so far. We're downsizing to a 1300 sq ft house (from 1900). We have 5 children. I'm selling everything (well almost) and paying off debt. I just feel the shackles and burdens of stuff and debt melting away. It feels so good and I'm able to focus on what's really important and essential: relationships, experiences, love, etc. We still have a long way to go, but I see the vision of it now and I don't want to stop! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
The coffee style chat of this video was so nice.😊 love Joshua Becker..I think he is also the first who got me started almost 5 years ago now! And I love his book more than any other on the topic of minimalism. It was cool to hear more of your story!
Thanks Hannah, I thought I would switch it up a bit!! I haven't read his book, I need to check it out! (Like literally, from the library...haha ;)
Your home is so clean and beautiful! It just looks so peaceful and relaxing; I wish I would have grown up in a house that looked like this. Great job !!
I think I would have enjoyed growing up in a house like this, too! Thank you!!!
@@TheMinimalMom extremely underrated comment💝
Your home is lovely. Growing up in a military family, we moved a lot and so didn't collect stuff. Our home was always clean, organized, simple. I married a man raised totally opposite. About two months ago, he saw the light, and helped me begin discarding stuff. Our goal is to have 70% gone by year's end. We are so much more at peace and joyful. It's never too late to begin improving our lives. Thank you for sharing yours.
This is so cool! And I'm glad you shared this, I know it will encourage others who's husbands aren't on board yet!!!
Great job with the blog and videos. Your honesty and relatability is so refreshing. As a working mother, I also feel the guilt that you speak of! It is difficult to keep things in perspective when I am struggling to keep the house running!
I feel exactly the way you felt before you started this journey, I hope ai can get to where you are Dawn, thank you so much for all your videos, I love your channel, it inspires me every time, blessings to you and your family
wow, now that is a good statement......"Time is going to pass anyway". True, time is marching on, so be encouraged......I am preaching to myself right now.....thanks
One closet/drawer at a time is definetely a good way to go! :) About two months ago, in my summer vacation, I did an intense speed declutter of all the rooms. I live in an apartment (kitchen, bathroom, hallway and combined dining/living/sleeping space), but it was almost scary how much I had managed to pack into the closets - things I was mostly keeping out of guilt or 'what if'. I managed to purge a lot, and I invested in a few new pieces of furniture with more optimal function. The feeling was amazing! I have nothing whatsoever under my bed, I have a place where I can sit in the morning and get ready, and my space feels more functional and calm. And it is so much faster and easier to tidy and clean.
Since then, I have had an unintentional break. I think the main thing is, it is difficult to get the things out of my house. I live in the city, I don't have a car, and there are no recycling stations nearby. I have to walk pretty far to the nearest charity shop, and without a car, it is not much I can carry at once. I can only stockpile so much at a time in the kitchen, before it starts to get in the way.
The first sweep was 'easy', because so much of it was junk. I think the next one will be a bit harder. Either way, I think it is time to get back at it, and do a more detailed round. I will take this video as my sign. :)
I can relate so much to the feeling of guilt and frustration. Thank you for this awesome and honest video!
I'm always glad to know I'm not alone!!
Saved this video. This is me now. I'm at that point. I'm on the edge of simplifying my life and my home. You're so real 🤗🌸🧡
Hi Dawn, I just want to say thank you so much for sharing your "Aha!" moment. It is so inspiring and helpful to hear other's "aha" moments and helps to remember the why. I truly appreciate your channel and get inspired and motivated to make positive changes for myself and my family from your videos! Thanks girl! :)
I got emotional listening to your experience because that was me as well when I had my child in this huge house that took all my time to keep clean and tidy. I felt guilty and miserable. Thank you for shining a light on this issue that many women have. ❤️
You can look in all the closets...AND there's room to hide!!! HAHAHAH! Love it!
This was exactly what I needed to see that it takes time. It’s so overwhelming I have 4 kids and one is under 1 it’s a lot to do each day. I feel so swamped by house work ans laundry and never get to enjoy my day.
Thank you so much for sharing your minimalist journey, ups and downs. Realistic views, dramatic and actual views for every day life of a minimal family. 👪
Have been watching you for couple of years now and at first, I thought how 🤔 can this possible be. There is no way I could do this. My husband has been telling me for years, this is what he would love for our home to look like. Yet, I was the one dealing with the mess or as you say "managing it". So I told my husband, you are dreaming. We are a family of 5 and 3 kids that I keep up with. OH, I was so frustrated with my hubby when he would tell me the same thing, "What did you do all day" 😠 now he calls it, "You goofing 🤪 off again. 😩
After, my Pastor did a Powerful Sermon on Clutter and Mess, is interrupting your spiritual life. 🙏 🤯🤯🤯 I took that message personally, NOW...I am on the 🏁 of minimalist my home. Watching 👀 your videos again and the content is hitting me just as the sermon. 🙌
Watched your videos for aprox. six months now and can't understand how I missed this one! So interesting and you really tell from your heart, one can feel that. Thank you!
Another good thing is that you show your children, both boys and girls, that an adult (here mother) can have children and still have time for some career, and most importantly, how to acknowledge your feelings back then and taking an adult responsibility and change this to the better! They will know that this can be done.
So inspiring!
You're quite possibly my spirit animal. You just described my story. 3 years ago there were no resources for minimalist FAMILIES. I'm so glad to see this addition. Thanks for all you do.
Thank YOU, I really appreciate that!!! :)
Does anyone remember how HAPPY!!! we were when we were fresh out of college and enjoying our first apartment? IT WAS PRECISELY BECAUSE WE! HAD! NO! "STUFF".....I swear all my misery began when I was making more money and able to BUY!! MORE!! Totally unnecessary household ITEMS to the point that I became completely miserable and never wanted to come home anymore after work (avoiding my house 😩)..... minimalist lifestyle is the KEY to a better life. THANK! God! I found this life saving channel!
I’ve been watching so many of your videos and it has really helped me to get to the next level in decluttering our home. I had done a couple layers and gotten stuck. Now I’m making progress again and it has freed up s9 much time and mental space to focus on what I really want to - homeschooling my kids! Thank you for sharing your journey!
I can so resonate with everything thing you are saying. I started with the Kon Mari method, but I wanted to go further. I kept looking for videos on minimalism for families and there weren't many choices. So glad to find you! Good to see a minimalist family besides the ones where everyone lives in a van and the lifestyle is so hard to relate to as an average american family. I still need to tackle the toy clutter so thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you, SO glad to hear this!!!! :)
I love the Hide n Seek story 😁. Thank you for the encouragement, Dawn!
My friend introduced me to Go Clean Co and I was looking for videos on RUclips when I found one of yours. It was comparing different cleaning methods. After that one came another. I heard you talk about “reducing inventory” and about how things pull you down emotionally (that is what I learned from it anyway). I began to declutter with a whole new mindset. Whenever I get rid of something that has made me make a mental to-do list, it was so relieving! I know it won’t happen overnight, but It’s coming along. It doesn’t’ take as much energy to clean and I’ve even made my bed nearly every morning (before I didn’t care). I’ve even shared your channel with my friend who inadvertently started me on this journey.
I was also searching for an example of minimalism for a family, we have 3 kids 3 to 8. Thank you for being there ! You are such an inspiration. Since watching your videos we downsized the kids toys, family clothes and the kids books. This is wonderful, I would never go back. We already feel the difference in our moods and that affects all the family. Now when we need to clean our family room it takes literally 5 min! With this video I know it will probably take a year to do the whole house and I feel fine with that. Thanks again ! I'll keep watching !
Yay!! This. is. SO. AWESOME!!!! Thank you for sharing, this is SO encouraging! (To me and EVERYONE else who reads it!!!) :)
Hey Dawn!!! I am a new subscriber to your channel and loving it! I am always encouraged and inspired by your videos!! One word that I heard you say quite a few times in this video was ORDER! I too am a christian and I have a relationship with Jesus and that word order is on my mind a lot lately! Especially what has happened in our world the last 2 years! There needs to be more order in homes, families, marriages, relationships, etc! When we can have order in our daily lives, what a difference it can be!! Its actually bringing life back into us again! In a way we need to ask ourselves how are we stewarding our things, time, money? And in the Bible it talks about being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us! For me this was a bit of a conviction but im so glad it happened! Thank you so much for opening my eyes to minimalism and just living life simply!!
You’re right! I’m feeling more confident about things . Like I cleaned out my house now I feel like other things are possible. Thank you 🙂
This video really speaks to me. I too have been struggling with too much stuff in the house. My process to pare down is taking a long time but it is true that you feel a sense of accomplishment at every small step. Thanks for posting!
Thank you, I'm so glad to hear this!!
You know what’s so great, I’m a minimalist by nature. Even when I was young I realized I didn’t like having a lot of stuff. When the minimalist movement took off, I just thought it was silly to watch videos on it. But then we cut cable and I needed stuff to watch and happened upon this. This week I cleared all the plug-ins off my countertops. I thought my husband would hate that, but he’s so stinking happy. I keep getting inspired with every video!
Hi Dawn, on Saturday I came across this video and no word of a lie I am hooked on your channel. I already considered myself a minimalist but your videos have had such great tips it has renewed my faith and changed my life. Also, my sister who has 7 kids and a husband who won't throw anything out has been thanking me repeatedly for "introducing" you to her. As well as another friend that has started watching as well. Your tips are great and have really made getting rid of stuff guilt free! THANK YOU! - Lindsay
Am loving your videos and this one especially I could have done about myself and my struggle with clutter my whole life - listening to you and Cass while I get stuck into it all (clutterbug ) has been the catalyst for change - Thankyou thankyou 💕Am sharing these too 😊
Thank you for using the term
simple living l think that has helped me a lot. What works best for you personally you always say 😊
My house is not big I saw people decluttering their kitchen on
U Tube I have three cabinets to put things in and they had nine or more for me I do have stuff setting out there's really nowhere to put it. But decluttering inside of the cabinets I just smile when I open them I'm still working on it there's 7 people in my house so there's a lot of stuff not many closets in This Old House that I'm blessed to have I'll just keep working thank you Dawn
You ARE about your Father's business. What is it
Mother Teresa said
Not all of us can do great things
but we can do small things with great love.
I believe you are Dawn
Thank you so much for opening my eyes! You are amazing! You have inspired me to look at all of my belongings and decide to keep only what I use. I’m almost done with my kitchen and I’m so excited at my results! Thank you, thank you! You have made such an impact in my life! May the Lord bless you!
Gosh, I relate so well to you! Last year when I set out on this journey i felt like I was treading water only the water were laundry, dishes, cleaning and a mom with a bad attitude while doing it. I had started to give up and we never seemed to have any time. You are very inspiring, truly!
Thank you Alex and thank YOU for ALL of the encouragement along the way, it means more than you know!!!! (and love following you on instagram, you house is👌, love your style!!!)