Dana, I can’t tell you how much your books and videos have helped me. I have very good organizational skills. I work for the Container Store. But I am, at my core, a slob. Good organizational skills only help if you make use of them. Your one touch “where would I look for this” approach to decluttering has been a total game changer. Thanks so, so much.
"Where would I look for it first?" Is such a great concept. I just came across this today, and it made me think of you! We have a large basket of blankets in the corner of the living room. I also keep small extension cords and the spare charger for my husbands laptop at the bottom of the basket. The blanket basket is NOT where those cords SHOULD be, but that's where I'd look for them first, and my family know to look for them there. It may not work for everyone, but it works for us, and that's what matters!
I would say, if I may, that those cords are exactly where they SHOULD be. You are the grownup, you are one of the humans who run the household, you get to decide. I once had a therapist tell me, "Stop 'shoulding' on yourself." Yes, "should" does sound very similar to the poop word. hahaha Point being "shoulds" are not helpful, they are judgmental, and they hold you back. So my motto has been, "You are the grownup. You get to decide." 🤗
Your right. Where they would look is where they need to go in the first place. 1) pick your battles 2) if you can’t beat them join them 3) you can’t win them all 4 ) there is more than one person in your household 5) you can only do what you can
I love how you answer all of the questions as if they were great questions. Some of us feel stupid asking questions like this, but you don’t treat them as if they are stupid. Thanks!
I applied some of your decluttering methods to my email inbox. Genius! 1. Obvious trash 2. Duh clutter 3. Where would I look for this first? Total digital clutter game changer!
I just got through a major kitchen declutter, and I left myself and my husband notes where things USED to live. "Where do I look for the can opener first? In the pile of cat food bowls and can lids sitting out on the counter!" Well, that pile was actually put away, but the can opener moved to a drawer. It helped a LOT to have a note where the can opener used to be while everyone in my house learned what the new home was. I only used it for two things in the entire kitchen - the other was a bunch of plastic plates which had been stacked on top of some baking dishes, and moved down to open space in a lower cabinet where my kids can actually reach them. Don't overdo it and cover the entire room in post it notes, but I'm definitely going to do that again if I want to change the "home" for items. For both of those things, a month later I could take down the note and everyone knew the new home.
I did the same. We had a heating pad which couldn't live with the other items like the thermometer. I left a note there reminding me and telling others where to look. I think that's really, really helpful as some of our things find new homes.
You, Cass, Dawn, and Kathryn (Do It On a Dime) have helped me so much to learn how to declutter and organize. I literally started at zero with no training at all as a kid. I felt like such a failure and slob, but I didn’t know what to do. Thank you for your quick, succinct, practical steps. You help me get started. It’s becoming second nature and I can see my growth. What I have absolutely loved, is that my young children have learned along with me overhearing your videos. Thank you for that! I hated that I didn’t know how to teach them.
My 3 year old twin grands are getting dropped off in a few....this used to strike terror because my house was so cluttered. As I said yes, co.e on over I didn't have to panic clean at all. I picked up the cup of pens and locked the laundry room where all the chemicals are. Boom...house is kid ready!! Decluttering is where its at.
The "take it there now" concept has helped me a TON! Last week I had to clean and get my house for company. Usually, I would throw extra clutter in a box or two and deal with it a week later. This time, I took 15 minutes and was able to put 75% of the stuff away. I put that extra 25% in a box until after company left and was able to deal with it right away in a matter of 5 minutes. I'm still getting out of the boxing things up, but de-cluttering and taking it there right away is helping immensely.
Living in a very small apartment, I had a 'floating' problem with larger cleaning items like my vacuum and steam mop. It look me a while, but I was finally able to determine the place I wanted to put them and then started to declutter in order to clear out the space. It's still more of a tight fit then I would like (it takes a little effort to put the items away) but at least they aren't in the middle of the floor and in the way.
Me too! Floating objects was a struggle for me. Light bulbs & batteries in every room for example. I had to choose an instinctive home for each categories of “floating” and I stick to it now.
😂 This has been me so often!! "I would look for it 1st in the boxes of clutter next to my couch"! I have put things away so many times from my clutter and then haven't been able to find it as it wasn't in the clutter where I saw it every day. NOW that I have the question "where would I look for it 1st"? I actually think about where it makes sense to put it instead of "I'll put it here and try really hard to remember...
I'm a new subscriber and found you through the Minimal Mom. She gave me a TON of inspiration to get moving, but it wasn't until I found this channel that I started to understand the way my brain works so thank you so, so much for everything you do here. My husband and I are both epic procrastinators, and we will be moving around October. The last time we moved we waited until literally the last month which ended in a bunch of random *things* being shoved in whatever box was closest. I'm getting ahead of it this time, because the idea of living through that again gives me nightmares. I've been able to use the methods I've learned on this channel to make the decluttering process so much easier on us both. I'm able to use your wisdom to guide my husband through decision making without stress. We don't have to do the hard stuff first, and are having an easier time letting things go to the donation (yardsale for us) pile. Thank you for being there for me and with me while I go through this process. I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but when I watch your videos it's like getting advice from a future version of me, who just gets it, and so far it's been life changing.
My husband got a headlight flashlight for Christmas. As I was putting the Christmas presents away I looked at the headlight and I asked myself where would I look for this first? Awww with the flashlights!! A couple days ago my husband asked me where did I put the headlight?? I couldn’t remember where I put it!!! Then! When I finally asked the question “where would I look for the headlight first” it finally came to me “flashlight” and I went to where I kept my flashlights, there it was, headlight and flashlight together!! Thanks Dana!! ❤️
I love that you are planning to continue these responses to comments... It feels more like an authentic dialogue, and I enjoy hearing the extra little replies to random comments - like the bust of Shakespeare in this one, or the little house that turned out to likely be from a department store 😆... Helps all of us anonymous people on the internet feel like we can be friends with you and "in on the joke." Thanks! And Reid's end credits continue to be great 😏 ❤️
Dana’s 5 steps system literally improved my home really fast, I am now confident to declutter without making a bigger mess for sure. I bought 2 books “Decluttering at speed of life” and “Organizing for the rest of us” and I finally found that brain that functioned like mine exists. I hope I could help someday to translate this wonderful work. I’m sure French Canadian will love her as much as I do.
I can't remember who said it (I regularly watch Dana, Cass and Dawn)... but when I started to 'deal with all the things that get in the way when I'm trying to put away the things I actually use' it made a shift in my thinking... And it made a huge difference in my home. I realised how many things I had that I didn't use, things that were not container worthy in my prime real estate.
I bought your books on Audio and listen to them while I go to sleep. I watch your video's and classes. This is a journey and process for me. Mine started with a capsule wardrobe and I saw that as my biggest amount of clutter but it lead me to realize I have too much clutter and it takes time to do this. I appreciate that you remind us you did not do this in a weekend or week but it was a process. Thanks
I just wanted to share that I have been one of those people that have an issue with the "where would I look for it first" part of the process... I couldn't figure out why because it makes sense when you say it but it didn't transfer over when I was actually decluttering... until just now with the way you explained it in this video, it hit me how I needed to put it to myself... I thought I'd share because maybe it would help others. Instead of simply saying where would I look for this first... I now will say to myself "If I left my house and came back to everything magically being organized and my house in perfect order like I want it, where would I look for it first" not much different, I know. For some reason it helps me get past a barrier I had.
I just have to say bless you Dana for these videos! How you avoid burnout repeating the same things over and over boggles my mind - but I am so glad you don’t!!! You keep it simple and by repeating the same questions/systems helps us remember. Keep ‘‘em coming! 😍
Eating Dominos pizza while watching your video (the cost and the calories have been “justified” by the fact that I’ve spent 4 hours decluttering my craft room today). It’s been the most neglected room in the house for years, it’s where most of the sentimental stuff ends up, along with all the random stuff. So far I’ve spent over 20 hours working on it (yes, it was that bad!). I’ve not quite managed “no mess”, but it’s definitely much much much less mess than I would usually make, thank you so much for helping me!!!! I’m even letting go of some things that I’ve been hanging on to for over 20 years.
I love "where would I look for it first?" It's trying not to overthink where I would look for it first (my response was always "well it depends where I was in my home at the time") but I just go with whatever the first location I think of is. If it's wrong later and I find it in the second place I looked, I can adjust. As I declutter more there's a smaller number of options things can be anyway!
I used your method the other day when I went into a bathroom drawer and realized it was a bit of a mess. Instead of yanking everything out like I would have in the past, I skipped that whole bit and instead just pulled out the trash, moved a few items that didn't belong to the other drawer where they lived, and called it a day there. It was sooo quick I even had time to do the drawer below! Neither was terrible but they were getting a little out of hand and using your steps, I got them both tidied up and decluttered without making a larger mess or feeling overwhelmed. In very minimal time and no loss of sanity, I got both spaces under control again. And WHY did we own sooo many contact and glasses cases, anyway?
I bought your book and I love it. First I feel it is helping me declutter my mind (which is where the clutter starts). I feel myself making different choices every day, even though I haven’t done a decluttering session yet. I can already see the difference in my refrigerator and my bathroom. I can see that it will continue to unfold in little and big ways every day. Thank you for paying really close attention to all the ‘what ifs …’ and ‘no, buts …’, because that is where I fell out of other systems, methods, and attempts. Your insight is why I can already feel this book is titled “Decluttering For Me”. Also I’m starting to realize that my instant choices outside of a decluttering session are what I’ll be doing for maintenance, after the first pass, and bigger work, is well underway. So I guess it all counts. Off to my bookshelves ☺️🙏🕊
All of these concepts work amazing when you just listen to the simple and precise way this lady tells them. I came to realise how busy my thoughts were around decluttering when I found this wonderful channel ❤ it was no wonder when the clutterbug and minimal mom channels all happened for me at the same time! Dana I am buying my first non fiction books because of you!
Awesome! Just before I found your videos in Nov, I decided to spend 1-2 weeks just going around the house and seeing if I could put something back in its spot. It only took 2-3 days to form the habit and have been doing it ever since. Couldn’t believe how stress free it was to form the habit so quickly. Now I prepare an area for an upcoming job like putting the lint filters back in the washing machine once they’re dry well before doing the washing so I don’t forget. The flow on effect is it’s easier to start a task and less procrastination.
I am a detailed perfectionist. After reading your book “How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind” I now follow the “where would I look for this first” principle! We recently enclosed a porch and made it into a mud room, putting all cleaning supplies and such in a closet in that room that had previously been in the closet under the staircase. I finally moved the tape measurer back into the under staircase closet (now a pantry) because that is where it had been and I was used to that! So what if I have a tape measurer in my pantry? That’s where I looked for it first! I have also started placing the lids on dishes that have them (from Dawn of the Minimal Mom). That has simplified my life immensely!
Hi Dana, I'm working on my craft room n decluttering is my first step this morning... during the holidays a lot of stuff gets thrown in there n never finds a home, well this time it will most likely be a Da donation since it's been a floating thing anyway... thanks so much! God bless🌷
"Oh and one more thing..that's Shakespeare" 💗 I've been listening to your videos since you started and I just want to say THANK YOU!! I use to beat myself up about so much with declutter/organising etc. What you said toward the end of this one, I identify with, when you said,,"I remove the excess and then it's functional." Thank you
Loved this video! I have all your books on audio…I play them when I clean, play them as I’m decluttering…I even play them as I go to sleep to work on the unconscious parts of my brain (not unlike what I did during college for finals)… Even though I do ALL of those things, I STILL learn something new with your videos (maybe it’s a visual thing)…Hmmm…maybe I need the physical books in hand as well… Whatever it is, WOOHOO! Keep doing what you’re doing…I’m there!
I loved listening to the Audio books while clearing or cleaning the house. Recently I bought the physical books too, so I can book mark my favourite parts. (Plus, my husband is starting to adopt the lingo, and surprised me by taking his older shirts to MY "donate" spot - so all of a sudden, it has become OUR "donate" spot! Great result!
As I declutter more and more, I really notice how each item should be where I would expect to find it, each room should be for the purpose it is designed for, if there isn't room in the container something has to go, and if it isn't used why keep it. Thanks for helping me get to this point in progress. Making something better each day is so helpful too.
Where is your halo YOU ANGEL😇? These videos & your book are breathing LIFE into me. You "get me" and I'll be peddling you & your methods to friends & family for the rest of time!❤
Your videos are so helpful. Playing them somehow reduces how overwhelming a task is so I can start, and then the video keeps me company and helps me focus so I have a better chance of finishing what I started.
I *literally* sat through half the video wondering who the bust was! 🤣 Just couldn't see it well enough to tell. I remember seeing it in other videos. Perfect for a theater teacher. 👍
Hahaha I love your little "credits" at the end and I agree with this one. So so many times you are answering the same question again and again. I love it though. 💕
I have been on a elimination of things that I don't need haven't used or don't want. I got rid of 2/3 of my games we used to play them all the time however everybody's growing and going. So I kept a couple maybe not a third and I turn the 2/3 into Cash and when I close the trunk that contain all the games I felt a breath of fresh air that I could actually see and reach any of the games that are in there. Keep encouraging people thank you for you the encouragement that you're giving me. I hope one day I'll make it!
I used decluttering process/ method for cleaning out fridge 🤯🤯🤯🤯it worked ... literally threw out old food in a container and IMMEDIATELY washed the dish .... it seemed to take forever BUT no mess left behind ... typically I would have ended with a huge pile of dirty dishes ...
I think that many people have a hard time with where would I look for this first because they are either detail organizers at heart and/or over thinkers. I get that! Been there. Clarifying today by saying that it’s instinct, is really helpful. For us over thinkers, we need to just take it back to our instinct.
I was, and still am to a certain extent, a detailed organizer. According to Cas, I am a Cricket when it comes to organizing. But when my husband asks me if we have (whatever he needs) I can usually tell him right where it is!
I so love your approach, Dana! You've made a difference to me, and now my daughter. Yay! BUT -- My second question is "Do I actually want or need this item?" The reason for this, for me, is that I really find the second question hard to apply/use.
Sometimes the item has never had a home in my house before. So “where would I look for it first” becomes where do I want to to look for it first?” For my small tools like screw drivers and scissors, I commandeered the “junk” drawer in the kitchen and put dividers in it. Sometimes I have to really get creative in a small space.
I would love to hear about your new house. What was it that made it the perfect house for your family? Are there things you miss about your old home or is this home cover all the bases and some? We have been in our house for 20 years now and I dream of finding my perfect home so I am always curious when people find theirs.
Hi there! Haven’t started the video yet properly, but saw the book… Still looking forward to getting mine here in Germany… ordered but not yet here… ;-)
I have always asked "If I were an (item), where would I live?" Slightly different angle, possibly less risk of overthinking. Just ask the thing where its home is and take it there 😄
Meal planning needs to be more proactive then. Use frozen goods as often as possible to get it under control. Frugal Fit Mom has a good video about her fridge freezer that could be applied to a deep freezer. (Ignore the part where she Really breaks the cold chain.)
I am in the middle of reading the most recent book. I need clear/wire storage and have been watching organization videos. There is a woman organizing her pantry and took everything out and I said, "Oh no" 😱That's when the school calls or I sprain my ankle...
Dear Dana… I have a big problem with the decluttering… and it’s the people living in the house :). My grandparents have a house and they have two kids - my mom and my uncle. My grandparents are already very very old (90y +) and of course have left the taking care of the house to the kids and grandkids. Most of the time in the house life my granddad and my uncle (two men ;) ). My mom and I come from time to time for a few weeks and… would like to clean and put some order. The thing is that the house has been getting more and more cluttered over the years; my grandma used to declutter it from time to time… but that was YEARS ago! The problem is… my uncle doesn’t want to throw away anything! Even the most obvious trash! He says: “it a house nothing gets thrown away, because you don’t know when you might need it.” I have to admit - I’ve been throwing things away in secret ;) in the past one year and he has so far asked only about two things ;) . BUT it would be much easier if he would help ;) . Three of the house rooms are full of hus stuff and I can’t move or declutter them because I don’t know what he might need. SO my question is - how do you deal with a situation when the persons living in the house don’t want to declutter anything?! And just to add - we’re all owners of the house - it’s family property, so we all have equal rights on the house ;)
I have spurts where I get rid of stuff and have donator's regret or I get rid of nothing (I am a Gemini!)......how to deal with wishing you had kept something?
Question totally related to your video, but not with decluttering. I have the exact same white trunk that is in the lower left of your video. Mine was a family heirloom, is yours as well? What kind of things do you store in it? Thanks so much
I loved this and all your videos :-) I have all your books. As well as Cass's, I'm a clutter bug fan too. It's always been a question of mine... What is your clutter bug style Dana? I gather from this video that you're not a cricket! I'm thinking are you a butterfly? Btw, I'm mostly a cricket, sometimes a ladybug if I'm feeling lazy! I used to be a butterfly/bee before I had kids, when I was able to control my own clutter (I did a ton of crafting) But dealing with five kids' clutter as well made me a hidden organizer, lol!!!!
I ended up changing the other way around. I would micro organize (IDK if hidden or not mattered) now I'm visual macro. I'm not going to change back bc husband is visual macro. I haven't read Cass's book yet. Would it help to read before I've done a good round of decluttering? (not procrastinating, I'm doing so good my family is recognizing trash -- I'm really asking)
How about things that will be in my house for a few months ( say 6 months or longer ) I don’t know. Then I will throw them away . Like antigen test, I am not going to use it now but I might need it anytime….. my medicine back up file box does not the antigen test. It can sit on top of the medicine box, but it is like a floater…. Does it?
I have been married for two years, I declutterd 80% of my clothes and shoes. I also massively declutterd my step kids toys and clothes also. BUT my husband is somewhat a hoarder. We have a large closet in front room we use for his power tools for his job. I have done major organizing, he is extremely messy. The closet has some room in the back I would like to use but can't get in there. Please help,any suggestions?
I need to use a space that is my husbands. I want everything sorted and put out of sight. He does not...any tips? It may end in divorce so all suggestions welcome.
Everything on one side, and add a curtain that you draw when you need to use the space, but otherwise leave open for him to see his stuff ? Cas _does_ recommend to ’bow’ to the visual organiser, and moreover you say it is _his space_ ...
Do you mean you need to occasionally use his home office type situation? My hub is visual, " a Butterfly with a dab of Bee," according to Cass. I'm a Cricket who wants things hidden and organized;) Could you use a wall divider of some sort if you need an "uncluttered" corner for Zoom/videos etc.? If you need something more "permanent," a deep decluttering of a neutral space may be the best way to carve out an area for yourself. And who says a living room has to be a living room or a dining room, a dining room. Let your creativity loose!
UGH most of my clutter goes in my closet which doesn't just need to be decluttered but also thoroughly cleaned. So I have to do super hard, dirty work before I can make any real progress on the easy stuff. :(
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Dana, I can’t tell you how much your books and videos have helped me. I have very good organizational skills. I work for the Container Store. But I am, at my core, a slob. Good organizational skills only help if you make use of them. Your one touch “where would I look for this” approach to decluttering has been a total game changer. Thanks so, so much.
"Where would I look for it first?" Is such a great concept. I just came across this today, and it made me think of you! We have a large basket of blankets in the corner of the living room. I also keep small extension cords and the spare charger for my husbands laptop at the bottom of the basket. The blanket basket is NOT where those cords SHOULD be, but that's where I'd look for them first, and my family know to look for them there. It may not work for everyone, but it works for us, and that's what matters!
I would say, if I may, that those cords are exactly where they SHOULD be. You are the grownup, you are one of the humans who run the household, you get to decide. I once had a therapist tell me, "Stop 'shoulding' on yourself." Yes, "should" does sound very similar to the poop word. hahaha Point being "shoulds" are not helpful, they are judgmental, and they hold you back. So my motto has been, "You are the grownup. You get to decide." 🤗
Your right. Where they would look is where they need to go in the first place.
1) pick your battles
2) if you can’t beat them join them
3) you can’t win them all
4 ) there is more than one person in your household
5) you can only do what you can
I love how you answer all of the questions as if they were great questions. Some of us feel stupid asking questions like this, but you don’t treat them as if they are stupid. Thanks!
I applied some of your decluttering methods to my email inbox. Genius!
1. Obvious trash
2. Duh clutter
3. Where would I look for this first?
Total digital clutter game changer!
I just got through a major kitchen declutter, and I left myself and my husband notes where things USED to live. "Where do I look for the can opener first? In the pile of cat food bowls and can lids sitting out on the counter!" Well, that pile was actually put away, but the can opener moved to a drawer. It helped a LOT to have a note where the can opener used to be while everyone in my house learned what the new home was.
I only used it for two things in the entire kitchen - the other was a bunch of plastic plates which had been stacked on top of some baking dishes, and moved down to open space in a lower cabinet where my kids can actually reach them. Don't overdo it and cover the entire room in post it notes, but I'm definitely going to do that again if I want to change the "home" for items. For both of those things, a month later I could take down the note and everyone knew the new home.
I've done this too -a post it was a great way to reprogram our brains to go to the place we'd look for it second 😏
I used this on our cabinets in our kitchen when we moved to a new home. It worked very well as everyone knew where everything was.
I did the same. We had a heating pad which couldn't live with the other items like the thermometer. I left a note there reminding me and telling others where to look. I think that's really, really helpful as some of our things find new homes.
We do this at work too. I call it leaving a forwarding address.
@@shawnh1158 LoL!💖
You, Cass, Dawn, and Kathryn (Do It On a Dime) have helped me so much to learn how to declutter and organize. I literally started at zero with no training at all as a kid. I felt like such a failure and slob, but I didn’t know what to do.
Thank you for your quick, succinct, practical steps. You help me get started. It’s becoming second nature and I can see my growth. What I have absolutely loved, is that my young children have learned along with me overhearing your videos. Thank you for that! I hated that I didn’t know how to teach them.
My 3 year old twin grands are getting dropped off in a few....this used to strike terror because my house was so cluttered. As I said yes, co.e on over I didn't have to panic clean at all. I picked up the cup of pens and locked the laundry room where all the chemicals are. Boom...house is kid ready!! Decluttering is where its at.
My aspiration
“Better is good” that’s my current mantra 👍
Yes! I would have liked to know this before.
The "take it there now" concept has helped me a TON! Last week I had to clean and get my house for company. Usually, I would throw extra clutter in a box or two and deal with it a week later. This time, I took 15 minutes and was able to put 75% of the stuff away. I put that extra 25% in a box until after company left and was able to deal with it right away in a matter of 5 minutes. I'm still getting out of the boxing things up, but de-cluttering and taking it there right away is helping immensely.
Living in a very small apartment, I had a 'floating' problem with larger cleaning items like my vacuum and steam mop. It look me a while, but I was finally able to determine the place I wanted to put them and then started to declutter in order to clear out the space. It's still more of a tight fit then I would like (it takes a little effort to put the items away) but at least they aren't in the middle of the floor and in the way.
Me too! Floating objects was a struggle for me. Light bulbs & batteries in every room for example. I had to choose an instinctive home for each categories of “floating” and I stick to it now.
This is me
😂 This has been me so often!! "I would look for it 1st in the boxes of clutter next to my couch"! I have put things away so many times from my clutter and then haven't been able to find it as it wasn't in the clutter where I saw it every day. NOW that I have the question "where would I look for it 1st"? I actually think about where it makes sense to put it instead of "I'll put it here and try really hard to remember...
I'm a new subscriber and found you through the Minimal Mom. She gave me a TON of inspiration to get moving, but it wasn't until I found this channel that I started to understand the way my brain works so thank you so, so much for everything you do here.
My husband and I are both epic procrastinators, and we will be moving around October. The last time we moved we waited until literally the last month which ended in a bunch of random *things* being shoved in whatever box was closest. I'm getting ahead of it this time, because the idea of living through that again gives me nightmares.
I've been able to use the methods I've learned on this channel to make the decluttering process so much easier on us both. I'm able to use your wisdom to guide my husband through decision making without stress. We don't have to do the hard stuff first, and are having an easier time letting things go to the donation (yardsale for us) pile.
Thank you for being there for me and with me while I go through this process. I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but when I watch your videos it's like getting advice from a future version of me, who just gets it, and so far it's been life changing.
My husband got a headlight flashlight for Christmas. As I was putting the Christmas presents away I looked at the headlight and I asked myself where would I look for this first? Awww with the flashlights!! A couple days ago my husband asked me where did I put the headlight?? I couldn’t remember where I put it!!! Then! When I finally asked the question “where would I look for the headlight first” it finally came to me “flashlight” and I went to where I kept my flashlights, there it was, headlight and flashlight together!! Thanks Dana!! ❤️
I love that you are planning to continue these responses to comments... It feels more like an authentic dialogue, and I enjoy hearing the extra little replies to random comments - like the bust of Shakespeare in this one, or the little house that turned out to likely be from a department store 😆... Helps all of us anonymous people on the internet feel like we can be friends with you and "in on the joke." Thanks! And Reid's end credits continue to be great 😏 ❤️
Dana’s 5 steps system literally improved my home really fast, I am now confident to declutter without making a bigger mess for sure. I bought 2 books “Decluttering at speed of life” and “Organizing for the rest of us” and I finally found that brain that functioned like mine exists. I hope I could help someday to translate this wonderful work. I’m sure French Canadian will love her as much as I do.
I can't remember who said it (I regularly watch Dana, Cass and Dawn)... but when I started to 'deal with all the things that get in the way when I'm trying to put away the things I actually use' it made a shift in my thinking... And it made a huge difference in my home. I realised how many things I had that I didn't use, things that were not container worthy in my prime real estate.
I bought your books on Audio and listen to them while I go to sleep. I watch your video's and classes. This is a journey and process for me. Mine started with a capsule wardrobe and I saw that as my biggest amount of clutter but it lead me to realize I have too much clutter and it takes time to do this. I appreciate that you remind us you did not do this in a weekend or week but it was a process. Thanks
I just wanted to share that I have been one of those people that have an issue with the "where would I look for it first" part of the process... I couldn't figure out why because it makes sense when you say it but it didn't transfer over when I was actually decluttering... until just now with the way you explained it in this video, it hit me how I needed to put it to myself... I thought I'd share because maybe it would help others. Instead of simply saying where would I look for this first... I now will say to myself "If I left my house and came back to everything magically being organized and my house in perfect order like I want it, where would I look for it first" not much different, I know. For some reason it helps me get past a barrier I had.
I just have to say bless you Dana for these videos! How you avoid burnout repeating the same things over and over boggles my mind - but I am so glad you don’t!!! You keep it simple and by repeating the same questions/systems helps us remember. Keep ‘‘em coming! 😍
Eating Dominos pizza while watching your video (the cost and the calories have been “justified” by the fact that I’ve spent 4 hours decluttering my craft room today). It’s been the most neglected room in the house for years, it’s where most of the sentimental stuff ends up, along with all the random stuff. So far I’ve spent over 20 hours working on it (yes, it was that bad!). I’ve not quite managed “no mess”, but it’s definitely much much much less mess than I would usually make, thank you so much for helping me!!!! I’m even letting go of some things that I’ve been hanging on to for over 20 years.
Wow! I aspire to follow where you are leading!
@@buddyneher9359 Decluttering? Or eating pizza? Hahaha
@@madebylora 😅 I'll let you guess!
@@buddyneher9359 creating empty pizza boxes first, then decluttering them? Haha
Thanks for all you do Dana! Life changing! ♥️
I love "where would I look for it first?" It's trying not to overthink where I would look for it first (my response was always "well it depends where I was in my home at the time") but I just go with whatever the first location I think of is. If it's wrong later and I find it in the second place I looked, I can adjust. As I declutter more there's a smaller number of options things can be anyway!
I used your method the other day when I went into a bathroom drawer and realized it was a bit of a mess. Instead of yanking everything out like I would have in the past, I skipped that whole bit and instead just pulled out the trash, moved a few items that didn't belong to the other drawer where they lived, and called it a day there. It was sooo quick I even had time to do the drawer below! Neither was terrible but they were getting a little out of hand and using your steps, I got them both tidied up and decluttered without making a larger mess or feeling overwhelmed. In very minimal time and no loss of sanity, I got both spaces under control again. And WHY did we own sooo many contact and glasses cases, anyway?
I have learned so much from you on you tube, but I continue to watch you cause you keep me on track. THANK YOU!
I bought your book and I love it. First I feel it is helping me declutter my mind (which is where the clutter starts). I feel myself making different choices every day, even though I haven’t done a decluttering session yet. I can already see the difference in my refrigerator and my bathroom. I can see that it will continue to unfold in little and big ways every day. Thank you for paying really close attention to all the ‘what ifs …’ and ‘no, buts …’, because that is where I fell out of other systems, methods, and attempts. Your insight is why I can already feel this book is titled “Decluttering For Me”. Also I’m starting to realize that my instant choices outside of a decluttering session are what I’ll be doing for maintenance, after the first pass, and bigger work, is well underway. So I guess it all counts. Off to my bookshelves ☺️🙏🕊
P.S. I did get a good day with the bookshelves. This method really helps me. Thank you.
All of these concepts work amazing when you just listen to the simple and precise way this lady tells them. I came to realise how busy my thoughts were around decluttering when I found this wonderful channel ❤ it was no wonder when the clutterbug and minimal mom channels all happened for me at the same time!
Dana I am buying my first non fiction books because of you!
I like the edited q and a better. More efficient for me even if you do them less often because they take you more time. Thank you❤️
Awesome! Just before I found your videos in Nov, I decided to spend 1-2 weeks just going around the house and seeing if I could put something back in its spot. It only took 2-3 days to form the habit and have been doing it ever since. Couldn’t believe how stress free it was to form the habit so quickly. Now I prepare an area for an upcoming job like putting the lint filters back in the washing machine once they’re dry well before doing the washing so I don’t forget. The flow on effect is it’s easier to start a task and less procrastination.
I am a detailed perfectionist. After reading your book “How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind” I now follow the “where would I look for this first” principle! We recently enclosed a porch and made it into a mud room, putting all cleaning supplies and such in a closet in that room that had previously been in the closet under the staircase. I finally moved the tape measurer back into the under staircase closet (now a pantry) because that is where it had been and I was used to that! So what if I have a tape measurer in my pantry? That’s where I looked for it first!
I have also started placing the lids on dishes that have them (from Dawn of the Minimal Mom). That has simplified my life immensely!
Hi Dana, I'm working on my craft room n decluttering is my first step this morning... during the holidays a lot of stuff gets thrown in there n never finds a home, well this time it will most likely be a Da donation since it's been a floating thing anyway... thanks so much! God bless🌷
Thanks so much for what you do Dana! Your concepts have helped me so much already. Have a great day!
"Oh and one more thing..that's Shakespeare" 💗 I've been listening to your videos since you started and I just want to say THANK YOU!! I use to beat myself up about so much with declutter/organising etc. What you said toward the end of this one, I identify with, when you said,,"I remove the excess and then it's functional." Thank you
Loved this video! I have all your books on audio…I play them when I clean, play them as I’m decluttering…I even play them as I go to sleep to work on the unconscious parts of my brain (not unlike what I did during college for finals)…
Even though I do ALL of those things, I STILL learn something new with your videos (maybe it’s a visual thing)…Hmmm…maybe I need the physical books in hand as well…
Whatever it is, WOOHOO! Keep doing what you’re doing…I’m there!
I loved listening to the Audio books while clearing or cleaning the house. Recently I bought the physical books too, so I can book mark my favourite parts. (Plus, my husband is starting to adopt the lingo, and surprised me by taking his older shirts to MY "donate" spot - so all of a sudden, it has become OUR "donate" spot! Great result!
As I declutter more and more, I really notice how each item should be where I would expect to find it, each room should be for the purpose it is designed for, if there isn't room in the container something has to go, and if it isn't used why keep it. Thanks for helping me get to this point in progress. Making something better each day is so helpful too.
Where is your halo YOU ANGEL😇? These videos & your book are breathing LIFE into me. You "get me" and I'll be peddling you & your methods to friends & family for the rest of time!❤
Thanks. Even though I have done most of my house, working through sentimental items now, you have helped our home so much. ❤
Your videos are so helpful. Playing them somehow reduces how overwhelming a task is so I can start, and then the video keeps me company and helps me focus so I have a better chance of finishing what I started.
I *literally* sat through half the video wondering who the bust was! 🤣 Just couldn't see it well enough to tell. I remember seeing it in other videos. Perfect for a theater teacher. 👍
Hahaha I love your little "credits" at the end and I agree with this one. So so many times you are answering the same question again and again. I love it though. 💕
Your family room mantel looks so nice!
I Love your new book! and free chart. have a blessed weekend Dana. You look very pretty today! ✌🏻🙏🏻💖🤗☕🌻
I have been on a elimination of things that I don't need haven't used or don't want. I got rid of 2/3 of my games we used to play them all the time however everybody's growing and going. So I kept a couple maybe not a third and I turn the 2/3 into Cash and when I close the trunk that contain all the games I felt a breath of fresh air that I could actually see and reach any of the games that are in there. Keep encouraging people thank you for you the encouragement that you're giving me. I hope one day I'll make it!
I used decluttering process/ method for cleaning out fridge 🤯🤯🤯🤯it worked ... literally threw out old food in a container and IMMEDIATELY washed the dish .... it seemed to take forever BUT no mess left behind ... typically I would have ended with a huge pile of dirty dishes ...
I love how you keep it real!
I’m getting ready to move and as I declutter, I’ve been putting things in their homes and it’s working well. Thank you.
I'm starting a 1 hour better while listening to your video for motivation. Yeah me 😜
I think that many people have a hard time with where would I look for this first because they are either detail organizers at heart and/or over thinkers. I get that! Been there. Clarifying today by saying that it’s instinct, is really helpful. For us over thinkers, we need to just take it back to our instinct.
I was, and still am to a certain extent, a detailed organizer. According to Cas, I am a Cricket when it comes to organizing. But when my husband asks me if we have (whatever he needs) I can usually tell him right where it is!
Dana! Thank you! All your videos are so good but this one is exactly what I needed to hear right now!
Thanks Dana, your videos are always so helpful and encouraging.
I so love your approach, Dana! You've made a difference to me, and now my daughter. Yay! BUT -- My second question is "Do I actually want or need this item?" The reason for this, for me, is that I really find the second question hard to apply/use.
Sometimes the item has never had a home in my house before. So “where would I look for it first” becomes where do I want to to look for it first?” For my small tools like screw drivers and scissors, I commandeered the “junk” drawer in the kitchen and put dividers in it. Sometimes I have to really get creative in a small space.
I would love to hear about your new house. What was it that made it the perfect house for your family? Are there things you miss about your old home or is this home cover all the bases and some? We have been in our house for 20 years now and I dream of finding my perfect home so I am always curious when people find theirs.
Great answers!
Hi there! Haven’t started the video yet properly, but saw the book… Still looking forward to getting mine here in Germany… ordered but not yet here… ;-)
I have always asked "If I were an (item), where would I live?" Slightly different angle, possibly less risk of overthinking. Just ask the thing where its home is and take it there 😄
Love your advice to go to Cass of Clutterbug. I'm a Bee. I love to see my stuff. And I'm detail oriented.
I get such a kick out of the credits on these videos LOL
Good morning!
Cant do a keep box, because 24 hours later it becomes a doom box, and 15 years later I am wondering what this box is in my closet🤷♀️
Could you apply the container concept to a freezer? I don’t like waste - but my freezer is a dustbin!
Meal planning needs to be more proactive then. Use frozen goods as often as possible to get it under control. Frugal Fit Mom has a good video about her fridge freezer that could be applied to a deep freezer. (Ignore the part where she Really breaks the cold chain.)
Brill will chase that up. My meal planning sucks I need to get a grip. Thanx
I am in the middle of reading the most recent book. I need clear/wire storage and have been watching organization videos. There is a woman organizing her pantry and took everything out and I said, "Oh no" 😱That's when the school calls or I sprain my ankle...
Thank you!!!
Dear Dana… I have a big problem with the decluttering… and it’s the people living in the house :). My grandparents have a house and they have two kids - my mom and my uncle. My grandparents are already very very old (90y +) and of course have left the taking care of the house to the kids and grandkids. Most of the time in the house life my granddad and my uncle (two men ;) ). My mom and I come from time to time for a few weeks and… would like to clean and put some order. The thing is that the house has been getting more and more cluttered over the years; my grandma used to declutter it from time to time… but that was YEARS ago! The problem is… my uncle doesn’t want to throw away anything! Even the most obvious trash! He says: “it a house nothing gets thrown away, because you don’t know when you might need it.” I have to admit - I’ve been throwing things away in secret ;) in the past one year and he has so far asked only about two things ;) . BUT it would be much easier if he would help ;) . Three of the house rooms are full of hus stuff and I can’t move or declutter them because I don’t know what he might need. SO my question is - how do you deal with a situation when the persons living in the house don’t want to declutter anything?! And just to add - we’re all owners of the house - it’s family property, so we all have equal rights on the house ;)
😆 when she said Craft room, at 1st i thought she said crap room. had to listen again. 🤣
Lol
Reid is SO funny!
I pre-ordered my book and was so excited to read it. I took it to work and it ended up missing.
😯🤔🙄
I have spurts where I get rid of stuff and have donator's regret or I get rid of nothing (I am a Gemini!)......how to deal with wishing you had kept something?
Question totally related to your video, but not with decluttering. I have the exact same white trunk that is in the lower left of your video. Mine was a family heirloom, is yours as well? What kind of things do you store in it? Thanks so much
😂Reid’s a gem.
I loved this and all your videos :-) I have all your books. As well as Cass's, I'm a clutter bug fan too. It's always been a question of mine... What is your clutter bug style Dana? I gather from this video that you're not a cricket! I'm thinking are you a butterfly?
Btw, I'm mostly a cricket, sometimes a ladybug if I'm feeling lazy! I used to be a butterfly/bee before I had kids, when I was able to control my own clutter (I did a ton of crafting) But dealing with five kids' clutter as well made me a hidden organizer, lol!!!!
I ended up changing the other way around. I would micro organize (IDK if hidden or not mattered) now I'm visual macro. I'm not going to change back bc husband is visual macro. I haven't read Cass's book yet. Would it help to read before I've done a good round of decluttering? (not procrastinating, I'm doing so good my family is recognizing trash -- I'm really asking)
🤣🤣🤣 from the other angle the statue looked like “someone else” to me.
How about things that will be in my house for a few months ( say 6 months or longer ) I don’t know. Then I will throw them away . Like antigen test, I am not going to use it now but I might need it anytime….. my medicine back up file box does not the antigen test. It can sit on top of the medicine box, but it is like a floater…. Does it?
What if my answer to 'where would I look for...?' is completely different than my husband's answer?
The person who use it the most got to choose. Or the person in the house who’s asked the most where the things are. ☺️
lol. I'm so tired of making trips to Goodwill. lol
I have been married for two years, I declutterd 80% of my clothes and shoes. I also massively declutterd my step kids toys and clothes also. BUT my husband is somewhat a hoarder. We have a large closet in front room we use for his power tools for his job. I have done major organizing, he is extremely messy. The closet has some room in the back I would like to use but can't get in there. Please help,any suggestions?
@@spiritjunkie1913 Thank you, we currently use his sons room as a storage area so I guess I will continue to leave our stuff there
I need to use a space that is my husbands. I want everything sorted and put out of sight. He does not...any tips? It may end in divorce so all suggestions welcome.
I'd check out Cas from Clutter Bug. She's good at explaining what works for different organizing styles and different peoples' needs. Good luck! ❤️
Everything on one side, and add a curtain that you draw when you need to use the space, but otherwise leave open for him to see his stuff ?
Cas _does_ recommend to ’bow’ to the visual organiser, and moreover you say it is _his space_ ...
Do you mean you need to occasionally use his home office type situation? My hub is visual, " a Butterfly with a dab of Bee," according to Cass. I'm a Cricket who wants things hidden and organized;) Could you use a wall divider of some sort if you need an "uncluttered" corner for Zoom/videos etc.? If you need something more "permanent," a deep decluttering of a neutral space may be the best way to carve out an area for yourself. And who says a living room has to be a living room or a dining room, a dining room. Let your creativity loose!
I need help
Help help and help
UGH most of my clutter goes in my closet which doesn't just need to be decluttered but also thoroughly cleaned. So I have to do super hard, dirty work before I can make any real progress on the easy stuff. :(
Any steps will help to get the space better. Better is good. Keep going!