I tried A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind
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Get a 7-day free trial and 40% off Blinkist Annual Premium by clicking: bit.ly/TheMinimalMomMay24 or by scanning the QR code! Thank YOU for watching, I greatly appreciate it!! - Dawn
Floor mats and rugs not only get in the way of cleaning, but for those of us who use mobility devices, they can be a huge hazard - e.g. I've flipped all the way backwards in my wheelchair because there was a mat in the way (and it happened right in front of the bee who insisted, and still insists to this day, that the mat stay there, even though she's seen the hazard it poses).
Has anyone ever found out what authors think of Blinkist? Are they compensated for their books being on it?
Thanks, Dawn! I purchased the Blinkist! And I love it!
Dawn, I love the way you talk about your faith. I am an atheist with bad childhood experiences. The last time I tried to attend a church, my brain literally knocked me out to "protect" me from going. Unlike the people I grew up with, your faith gives you joy and generosity, not arrogance and superiority. I am happy for you when I hear you talk about it.
Agreed. She’s the one believer who doesn’t send me running.
Oh, this hurts my heart!!! I'm so grateful you are seeing a TRUE believer but I'm so sad for your childhood experiences! 😢 I am a church going believer in Jesus, but I don't ever want to be seen as superior. When we're in public and we see all kinds of people who probably don't believe the way we do and may belive the opposite, I constantly tell my 5 children, "These people are PRECIOUS souls for whom Christ died, just like He did for you and me!" Church hurt is WAY too real and I believe it's because in every church there are pew warmers and then there's the very few who actually LOVE THE LORD THEIR GOD. Sorry to be so long winded but I just want you to know that there are more of us out here. ❤
Prayers for you! ❤
Cynthia, I love the honest and respectful way you speak about your feelings and past experiences. I had to separate what people had done and what God had done (he never lied). Took a while. Best wishes, fellow traveler. (Yes! I love the natural way Dawn talks about her faith! She is definitely a safe place!)
❤❤❤😊😊😊
It feels SO GOOD to wake up in the morning and not have to clean the dishes from the night before. It reminds me of the Bible verse about each day has enough evil of its own that we shouldn’t have to take on the burdens of any other day than the one we are currently in. Yesterday’s mess in our home is the burden from other days! Today has enough, for heaven’s sake lol
That is such a great comparison! Not only does it feel great to start the morning fresh, but there's also a certain form of peaceful closure to the day when finishing up the dishes before bed. Totally a double win!
Good way to see it ha! Amen 🙏 😁
We've found that to. Hubby and I keep remarking how good a clean, uncluttered kitchen looks.
Iove how you so aptly tied in that scripture! That's a beautiful reminder. I try to not leave a mess when we leave the house also so we don't come back to a mess. Especially on vacation. It's such a breath of fresh air to walk in the door from being away to a clean space. And like you said, walking out from the bedroom in the morning to a clean kitchen just fills me with peace to start the day!
We like to change the sheets before we leave for vacation. There’s nothing better than to come home to our bed with clean fresh sheets!
Cleaning is a spiritual practice of hospitality - for self, family, others.
I love that perspective ❤
I so agree! Well said. It’s bad for family moral when cleanliness isn’t prioritized to some reasonable degree. It’s like being hospitable to the people who live in the space.
So true! What a lovely way to put it.
I have a toddler and baby twin girls. Every day I make all the meals from scratch, take care of the children, do all the cleaning, make smoothies, breastfeed, all on hardly and sleep, and I’m not dead yet. THIS IS BECAUSE OF MINIMALISM!
Whenever someone asks me “ how do you do it”
I say
“ I threw everything out”
That and GOD 🙏
I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the chores if I hadn’t declutterred. It takes me five minutes to make sure everything in the house is picked up for cleaning the floors. Laundry is a task, but we have no more clothes than we need and what fits. I’m diligent to get clothes out of the house as soon as it’s outgrown. And new or not, even if it’s a gift, if it doesn’t get worn for whatever reason, I won’t hesitate to get rid of something even if it still fits someone.
I started decluttering just over two years ago when I was pregnant with my first born. It amazes me how much I’ve gotten rid of, and that I’m still able to find more!
Our home is highly simplified. I’m at the point where, just yesterday, I got rid of two wooden bowls that I LOVE, because they collect clutter. I’m literally donating things that bring me Joy, because not having them bring me MORE!
I used to get a thrill when I found a score at a store…. Now I get a thrill when I find something I can get rid of!
BYE BYE! Hello freedom! What we actually need is not very much!
"I threw everything out"...😂 love that..!!
I loved reading your story, thank you!
@@camillaholst7321 people usually laugh at first not knowing what I mean, and then I say “ seriously, I just got rid of 90% of our belongings. If I don’t own it, it can’t make a mess!”
@@libbykat3958 oh I’m so happy 😀
That's so inspiring!
Something my DinL OFTEN says when she visits my house is, "your house is so peaceful." I believe what she's really noticing is the clean kitchen surfaces, the lack of clutter throughout & the calming effect created by having an easily maintained home. It pleases me, for her, that she has found a place of respite. ♡
You’re also setting an example and possibly a goal for her and your son and grandchildren’s peace as well. 🥰
When my house was cluttered, I enjoyed going over to my parents house because it just felt calm and peaceful. I guess I now realize that was because they didn’t have as much clutter in their living Spaces. We won’t talk about how full their attic was and my dad‘s office was, but your comment reminded me that their home was peaceful and now mine has that same feeling.
Interesting!! That’s what people have said about my home as well, and I never linked it to me keeping a very tidy home. I always thought it was because we live in the country away from the hustle and bustle.
this is lovely.
My husband spent 18 months in a Benedictine monastery (discerning priesthood) before we met. He spent many hours working in their apple orchard. One of the reasons that many monks do 'menial', repetitive tasks, such as making fruitcake, is because this allows them to pray for hours while they work. While some orders are committed to a more visible service to the church (as is the case with a teaching order), monks and other more isolated clergy, consider it their main mission to pray for the church. It is really a beautiful model that we can adapt to our own lives.
Beautiful. Ora et Labora.
As a Catholic myself I loved your comment. It also gives new meaning and VALUE to the menial tasks of homemaking and motherhood that so many women think they are too good for these days. The praying and meditating, FOR MY FAMILY I can do while folding laundry... or cooking the same meal for the 100th time... or rocking a baby to sleep 😍🙏
Yes, there is a serious lack of prayer in the advice from these non-Christian monks. I hope Dawn will take the time to read the Christian monks' wisdom more than others.
Yes!!!!! ORA ET LABORA ❤️🔥🙏❤️🔥🙏✝️🌹✝️
Exactly. I know there are pieces of truth in all faiths, but i was really surprised to hear "monk" and think franciscan, trappist, benedictine.....only to find out it's likely buddhist etc. When faiths come from different places, you're going to get slightly different goals. As a christian, charity should be paramount as part of our lives, which i doubt is something that a buddhist would harp on as much, but yet, as a housekeeper, is forefront on my kind when it comes to serving others, especially the little ones in my home. and Christ always looked out for the little ones. Love to hear about what those in christian monasteries and convents have said for thoughts on tidiness- anybody have any sources i can follow? I'm intrigued!!
My mom and grandmother always said don’t go to bed with dirty dishes. It’s so nice to get some coffee without having to look at that first thing in the morning
My husband is finally realizing this! More than a month ago I did a deep declutter of my half of the bathroom - counter, drawers, space under sink, but I didn't touch his side. For weeks he's quietly watched how easy it is for me to find what I need, put it away, and keep the counter clean. My mom is coming for the weekend and he was helping clean rooms. He did a major declutter of his own stuff, asked for a small storage bin for his items to keep on the counter, and then cleaned both our sinks and wiped the whole counter. So much easier to do! Thanks Dawn for your inspiration!
Great job leading by example!
❤
I am a maximalist, but I am SO TIRED OF BEING ANXIOUS! Im going to highly simplify my house one room at a time and see if it helps.
It will not only help but you will find more ways to be peaceful and calm, an empty and simplified environment brings forth our inner peace that we constantly try to seek outward.
Remember minimalism doesn't mean white walls and furniture! I think people who actually like colour and pattern call themselves maximalists but really you can have way less stuff and still have a home you find beautiful.
Give it a try, not only am I sure you'll feel better but you'll end up keeping the things you truly love that bring maximum joy 😊
I'm still struggling myself, but I like to remind myself of the words of English designer William Morris in 1880 -'Have nothing in your house that you do not _know_ to be *useful* or _believe_ to be *beautiful* '.
P.S. Trying to do things by finishing one whole area at a time doesn't work for me when I get overwhelmed by the rest of the spaces. I'm trying a different approach: one _category_ at a time, throughout my home. Whatever currently seems to be contributing the most to the clutter or is slowing down my functioning. So, for me, magazines and books and paper for the former (clutter), and perhaps clothes, kitchenware/stuff, things around sinks or entry that are in my way, for the latter (daily functioning). Good luck to us both!
Dawn, I want to share a total win with you! Yesterday, organizing my bedroom (recently moved in), I picked up something and thought, "Where shall I put this?" The immediate internal answer was "Donation box." Woot! Woot! Decluttering win!! Thanks!!
That is AWESOME!!! Way to go Maryanne!
YES, we know you are a Christian!! IT GLOWS!!
Ramona love the play on words! `it glows` so true. She is so sweet.
I actually overcame depression by embracing, well, not minimalism, but less stuff, every task completed, and not letting things build up. I have always had what I called "The Big List". It was overwhelming, and I couldn't deal with it alone, so I hired a professional organizer to do it with me. I have one or two more sessions, and then I'll be on my own. (Of course I can call on her if I need support.)
My organizer's time is tone of he best purchases I ever made. My whole mood has changed; when I wake up in the morning, I feel happy. I even spontaneously cleaned my apartment the other day!
I'm sure I COULD have done everything myself, but I WASN'T doing it. Now it's almost done.
Bravo and thank you for sharing!! 😃👏👏👏❤
Working on doing this myself!
Most people need the boost. I get it whenever a friend says that they’re coming into town.
❤
I love it when people are confident enough in their own convictions that they can look without fear at other ways of life. Good practices are good practices, irrespective of culture or spiritual beliefs.
So well said!
I run a garden service in California and it's very very annoying when I get to a yard and I have to spend 15 minutes picking up kid toys and moving beer cans out of the way before I can even start cleaning the yard, plus with stuff everywhere it's impossible to blow the leaves and clean. I can't work around all this stuff.......Works for yards too
If I've got dirty dishes, I am grateful the family has been fed. So doing the dishes is not a problem for me. Same with laundry. If I have a basket full of dirty laundry, I am grateful we have more than one set of clothes. So doing the laundry is not a problem.
This is beautiful. Thank you.
✨❤️✨ thanks for these Aha moment
Smaller houses help with keeping it minimal. Less to clean.
For Christians, we can do menial tasks like cleaning as acts of stewardship: managing the stuff God gave us and thankfulness: thanking God for the stuff He provided for us. Christian meditation is meditating on God's word and the listening side of prayer as in, "What are you trying to tell me/teach me, God?"
Yes! That’s how I see it. I steward it well as a way of saying thank you to God for it❤
I'd add, it is also an act of worship as well as gratitude for everything He has given us. All we have anyway is from Him and always will be. ❤
I’m an atheist but I look at cleaning and other household tasks in a similar way. Being thankful for the home I have as I clean, viewing my labors as a gift to my family, feeling the peaceful and meditative vibes when everything is clean and tidy. How we frame things makes such a difference in finding joy in the mundane.
Yes and amen. I grew up in A family of six. Whenever the dishwasher broke I became the dishwasher. Not fun. However when my Grandma would come to visit she would help me and we would sing in harmony while doing them.
Amen!
I’ve volunteered to clean my local temple for my church before, and we did a full cleaning every single evening. They said the point wasn’t to clean it because it was dirty, but rather to continually clean it so it never gets to the point of being dirty. I loved that. 😊
That’s a good way of looking at it.
My husband and the dogs are put of town. Cleaned house last Friday. It's still clean and tidy. I wish he would pick up after himself. House being perfectly clean has me in the BEST mood. 😂👍🤩
Oh my, my brain read "husband and dogs put out of town" ha ha ha.
Right? Still clean and tidy.
This is how I feel when my husband is gone. I miss him, but I don’t miss cleaning up after him. He doesn’t try to be messy, but he’s ADHD and he just sees the world through different lenses. I wish I could feel in control, when things are messy, but I just can’t. It makes me feel so anxious and irritated.
My ex-husband freaked out once, because I'd straightened the pile of scrunched up Post-it notes jumbled across the top of his dresser.
I got him a tray and used a paperclip, smoothed and stacked the multitude; clipped them together and put them in the tray.
He was beside himself when he saw this - in an unholy uproar! Swore he couldn't find important notes!
I reassured him that I hadn't tossed anything - just "de-crumpled" his hoard.
Once he calmed down, he found what he was looking for and pretty much maintained the new system after that.
We lasted another 17 years!😂
My dream is for a family vacation where I get to stay home and everyone else does not. They might have to be gone two weeks, but my house would be glorious. I just need some thousands of dollars to afford to send them off and do all the things. LOL I can dream. But anyway, I did like this video; and need to start thinking like a monk.
I can relate to the idea of thinking that cleaning was just a thing to get over with quickly so that I can focus “on real things”. Once I started accepting that cleaning is just as important as cooking or gaming or working. It doesn’t have to be rushed. It can be planned and it can be fun! If I need two hours to clean my kitchen the way I want to and I only get to go to bed after, that’s fine too. I didn’t “waste the day away cleaning”. Now I don’t mind it as much. It doesn’t feel like a chore anymore. It feels like something nice I’m doing for myself like cooking a nice dinner or taking myself on a walk.
I like cleaning because when I do it it means that I take care of myself and I have enough energy.
Parents, Stop calling it CHORES.
How about "reset time" "tidy take care time"
also, if we as parents view it as something precious and valuable then this shines through!
I told my children it's one of the ways we give thanks for all that God has blessed us with.
Yes. Or "Loving our home" or "taking care of our home."
I think in this day and age that the word chore is a word that children don’t like to hear, we need to teach our children that are home is a safe haven, it is a place of calmness and a place that we enjoy and we should teach our children to maintain their bedrooms, Tidy up after themselves when they take a bath, help with the dishes after their mother or their father has prepared a nice meal for them to enjoy and to teach them the basic skills of keeping her home, I will say this, my son married a year after he married, he called me and thanked me for teaching him the household skills that would help him to become the husband and the father. He is today and helping his wife, create a home that was neat tidy, and they are teaching their son the skills that he needs to be our husband and father one day and even as skilled person in every aspect to life, how to take care minor repair on a vehicle how to maintain a yard with yardwork and sometimes yardwork can be a game to a childor teenager.
@@Jodiwms1969100%
I have three boys all young men now . I was raised in a home where cleaning the house was an absolute, and there was no gender specific duties. Boy or girl we all took turns doing it all.
So when I had boys , I made sure they knew how to take care and maintain their home , or only cleaning , but my husband taught them basic fixing skills too. My oldest his marred and his wife , my DIL thanks me all the time , for him being a good supportive husband. She works strange long hours , in the police forensic department. So he is a big help with cooking , cleaning , shopping . Very proud of him and their relationship.
I love you too Dawn! Thank you so much for saying this, at this point in my life I have no one to tell me that. It's so comforting to me when you say, "I love you". God bless you 🙏
I'm in the same boat. I'm retired and live alone, so if Dawn didn't say it, I might not hear it for weeks at a time.
I love you, too!
@@sgallant2107 love you too ❣️
Love you too 💕💕💕💕
You guys are making me get teary eyed. Sending all the love!!
Sending love from Georgia! ❤️
I love that you drew on science, ancient wisdom, and personal experience to discuss minimalism. It shows how passionate you are about minimalism (as am I)
Here at my home, because we only have one royal seat, we cleaned it multiple times a day. Everyone who poops cleans it leaving it clean for the next person. A quick swich and flush keeping it very fresh.
LOVE this!!!
33 years ago my contractor tried to convince me that I needed to add a second bathroom, I told him that one was plenty to keep clean. Never regretted not having an extra toilet, but an extra tub would be nice sometimes.
@@sunshine3914 I wish we had our own house. We would have gotten an exterior toilet with sink for visitors. I really would want 2 ⅔ bathrooms for our home.
@@sunshine3914I understand not wanting extra cleaning, but having a half bath is useful for when someone has an emergency, or when one of your siblings have been showering for the last 50 minutes and you've been drinking water all day 🙄
I feel like washing dishes by hand is meditative.
Agreed!!!
Me too! My dishwasher broke many years ago, and I discovered that I don't need it. I always say if you add a bit of soap to the sponge when you're pre-washing, you don't need the dishwasher. And I tend to go over a lot of stuff in my mind while I'm washing dishes. It's a great time for quiet meditation.
Still, it was a big job when I had a cluttered kitchen.
Simplifying my kitchen has drastically simplified the cleaning.
It’s the chore that I like least, but don’t mind since I do them immediately & don’t have a crew to clean up after.
One of my favorite quotes for the times I feel like I'm wasting hours at the sink when I could be doing something more productive... "The best time for planning a book is while you are doing the dishes" -- Agatha Christie
True ! You also are digesting your food better while standing! I find dishwashing so soothing!
Yesterday I had off from work and I took a box of old small rugs and linens to a local animal rescue. It felt so good to get that out of our home. A couple of weeks ago we got rid of our old couch (we had had it for 25 years! It was a beast) and we got a smaller couch, rearranged the living room and it feels so open and tidy now. I find I keep walking into the room just to look at it. LOL But every little thing you do to declutter your home helps to declutter your life. Gretchen Rubin was correct when she said that outer order contributes to inner calm.
LOVE this!!!!
I have been a fan of yours for a number of years. Although I am in a different season of life. I just retired at 62. I have been able to put the majority of what you teach into practice in my own life. I just sold my home after living in it for 24 years. The packing process was so much easier than I would have imagined because I had been decluttering for about 5 years. I moved into a two bedroom condo from a four bedroom house with an in law apartment. I only brought what would comfortably fit and honestly I am still decluttering as I unpack as I love the feeling of clear surfaces with just the things I love and need. Keep doing what you are doing. I am still learning from all you are teaching.
Some of the best conversations I've had were in the kitchen doing dishes with other women. Open, heart felt and funny talks.
I almost think people need to be overwhelmed with cutter to truly appreciate moving on to mimalism??
Many of the things you highlight I already do. I never, never leave dishes in the sink - this is a no-no. For people who live in multi-unit dwellings, with neighbors who are not as clean as you, it keeps uninvited "guests" from your home. If something accidently falls on the floor while preparing a meal, I stop and immediately clean it up (as my area is an ant area and I don't want them to get the vib to find a way into my home. I have to have my bath clean, toilet a must - I clean daily. Keep the kitchen and bath clean daily and you'll never have a heavy cleaning to do. Plus, it's good Feng Shui.
That laundry spiel was a little out there for me. There’s only two of us in our house and we often wear our clothes (other than underwear) more than once. We barely have a load of whites and a load of darks a week. I’m not too worried about “impurities” from my laundry creeping into my heart. I worry more about wasting water & electricity.
Also, I think there’s a lot of space between minimalism and rampant consumerism. I am not interested in minimalism for the sake of minimalism, but I don’t buy a lot of stuff, either.
As I’ve commented before… I’ve always been particular about the laundry, but after a hurricane, I didn’t have the convenience of doing more than one load, & the load turned out just fine, just like all the others in the last 9 years.
@@sunshine3914 I’m sure my practice of separating lights and darks is outdated with today’s fabrics and dyes but I’ve been doing it so long I’ll probably never change.
Americans don’t realize how fortunate we are to have so many helpful appliances. Having a washing machine and a dishwasher helps so much. Can’t imagine life without them 😄
When my husband and I got married, my parents gave us a washing machine for our gift. We fixed it 3 or 4 times, but after 24 years, it finally died, and I cried because it had been such a great machine in our life. I’m sure I wouldn’t have been so emotionally attached to it had we only had it a few years and had just gotten a new one instead of fixing it when it broke before.
This is what I found with my sentimental items from the 1980s. Was I just keeping them because they were old or were they actually sentimental? I came down on the side of old and when I donated them, I had no regrets or second thoughts. Some were even ugly or had bad memories attached but because they were leftovers from my childhood, I’d kept them. Nothing like a good washing machine, it had a great life!
Same here! Bought our house in 1998 and got new washer/dryer from my parents. We finally replaced them 6 months ago because they no longer make a needed part for a repair. It made me sad to say goodbye and even sadder reading up on the lifetime of newer washer/dryers....much shorter! they just dont make things as well as they used too.
@@Mimulus2717 Same! My washer and dryer are over 30 years old. The dryer won't stop by itself; you have to turn it off or it will keep going, I guess until it burns itself up lol. So I always set a timer. My washing machine stopped working a while back--turns out it just needed a little plastic piece called a "dog ear" of all things. 😊
I'm dreading the day when they finally give out and I have to replace them with modern made-to-be-disposable machines.
We got married and got ours in 1998, too. Must have been a good year for washers!!!
@@Mimulus2717sad isn't it, they make them to live a short life, so you have to buy a new one otherwise they don't sell enough 😢
I’ve watched you for two years. I had two kids under two when I found you. I’ve decluttered and continued to declutter. With a 2 and 3 year old now, I love the freedom to spend days outside relaxing with my kids rather than inside cleaning. ❤ Thanks for everything Dawn!
This monks’ perspective on cleaning the floors makes me want to go vacuum the second floor of my home, which has been neglected since 2023. And then start cleaning floors and toilets every day. It could be life changing.
I’ve worked so hard over the last 5 years to declutter , and it’s so easy peasey to clean now . I surprised myself, I don’t even realize how quick I can clean the kitchen , bedrooms , family room / dining room ect . I’m so happy I decided to live more minimally!
The best thing ever is the FREE BOX in our neighborhood. It even has its own instagram. I love walking down to the free box with the clothes, shoes, etc that we no longer use and giving them away for free. A win for the environment, too!! Loved this video, thank you for sharing!
Love the idea, but it rains so often here. People do it anyway at the food blessing boxes, & the rain & heat turns everything into a moldy mess. We do have a fb group that list whatever is about to be thrown out, but it’s private, so that means very few benefit from it.
Yes!!!! I love how monks consider homemaking an important part of work and prayer life. Amen!! I love to listen to Brother David Steindl-Rast (a Benedictine monk) describe washing his dishes by hand (like I do) as part of his daily gratitude. His voice is fantastic and his talks will uplift you. For an "everyday monk" like me, he is very inspiring :) Great topic! xoxo
My Mother thinks everything someone gives you has sentimental value. I don’t feel this way and it’s caused conflict. We have been decluttering and donating in anticipation of selling our house and downsizing. My husband wants to leave his high pressure and long hours job. We want to travel more and have less things to worry about. It’s been freeing!
Maybe if people gave high-quality stuff that they really pubsime thought in whether it suits you. But that is seldom the case these days... There are a few remarks about this in Matsumoto's book. Try to use things that are well-designed and take care of them, repair them, upcycle them. The value in gifts often lies 'only' in the act of giving. So be grateful but don't feel you need to keep every (plastic) trinket you are given :-)
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This principal applies to everything, mail, laundry, cooking. Do it before it’s daunting.
I have, love and get a lot of value from this book and minimal mom, but for anyone who needs to hear it, just to say generally Monks don’t have other commitments.
Great video! I’ve been following you for six years now! Honestly you’ve changed my life with your message of minimalism. I had a win just a few minutes ago - my son is making the 3 hour trek to IKEA today and I was so excited to give him a list to buy for me. I looked for about five minutes on their website and there it was - I really don’t need a thing. I didn’t even enjoy the “window shopping” on their website and found it to be a waste of time. This is huge for me!! Thank you a million times.
When I was telling a friend that I wished I had decluttered way more before moving four years ago, she said, "Well you probably couldn't afford to declutter so much back then." I replied, "Nope--I have decluttered thousands of items since and haven't replaced a single thing."
It’s interesting that there is a school of thought that minimalism is only easier for those with means. I have never needed that which I parted with. It was, as we were advised … excess. It was not my financial state but my feelings of freedom that helped me feel ‘rich’ (enriched)
@@duffyjones4476yes I've seen a lot of comments like that. I gave it all away and didn't repurchase any of it so yes I actually could "afford" to declutter.
I'm glad people are making this point. When I had no money, life was harder, and having more stuff added to the difficulty; it certainly didn't save me money. I've since helped destitute people in my family who hold onto more stuff than they could ever use. The stuff actually prevents them from using what they have and causes them to acquire still more. It is a vicious cycle that adds to their suffering. Minimalism is not only for the well off. It might look different for different people, but that's another subject
I have furniture pieces that are hand-me-downs. I don't give them away because I could literally never afford to replace it.
@@mom2artists I have hand me down furniture too, the difference is I'm using all those pieces. No need to declutter items you use.
Such a Great Way - living like a monk who marvels in minutiae of simple daily tasks: cleaning, sweeping, cooking…
Eternal way of passing by this place called earth 😊
I know I greatly overestimate how long it takes to get a task done. Sometimes I set a mental timer for 15 minutes and I am usually surprised how much I can get done. Dishes can be put away, laundry folded, counters wiped down. It makes the house feel so much better.
Sometimes I literally set a timer and see how fast I can get things done.
I’ve started the Japanese habit of cleaning my toilet daily. It’s quick to do and so nice having a fresh toilet to use daily.
For all my adult life, my laundry days are Mondays and Thursdays. That has been very manageable; even when we had six children living at home.
I cannot cook unless the kitchen is clean and everything put away. So I clean while cooking, and after each dish. I tidy up, and start fresh again. Nothing ever builds up and collects. It is also easier to handle smaller amounts of dirty utensils.
Omgosh yes @ the process of cleaning bringing peace. My mom passed away a couple of weeks ago and I'm finding such peace and even comfort in simple things like sorting the laundry in our very simplified home.
So very sorry for your loss. ❤️
My condolences.
Sorry for the loss of your mom
I recently had the privilege to implement what you teach, in a bedroom declutter for family members. I used the phrase "let it go", looked for categories 1 at a time like trash/laundry/broken items and asked the question if you were looking for this where would you find it/if they couldn't answer that, we knew it didn't have a home and found one. Some things were put off for another time like organizing desk drawers but we estimated it as a 15 minute job for later. I referred to your phrasing that it's okay to throw something away if you don't have a donate box/system set up just yet. I also shared with them how to set an expiration date on items that the person was uncertain about. The whole experience was exciting and successful...it felt like the final exam after watching all your teaching lessons. It has built in me confidence to tackle my home this summer!! Thank you for being such a wealth of information and so practical strong and encouraging. I have the same organizing style as you do-broad categories and hidden....and that makes your content extra relatable to me. One of the family members who had seen some of your videos I've shared was so giddy declaring that it felt like the minimal Mom had visited her house.
We love you too Dawn! I have always liked the idea of cleaning as a spiritual practise, because it’s both practical and metaphorical. And I love your anti-consumerism message too. We’re killing the planet producing stuff no-one needs. Enough!
Really nice video Dawn ❤❤❤
I found the best way to get laundry done is to have my children do their own. My oldest started first when he was 10 or 11 years old. My other children started about 9 and 7 years old and the youngest started at 6. My sister's son had to get on a chair to get his clothes out of the washing machine. I took heart that my children could do their own laundry as well. It took maybe ten minutes to teach them to separate dark and light colors and how to measure soap and turn on the machines. I told them that doing laundry is the easiest work they will ever do. They would fold their clothes while watching a show. They each had an assigned day of the week to do their laundry. They had confidence in a life skill and stress and pressure in my life let up considerably!
Yes, I don't understand why many women think they need to do ALL the housework when the other people living there are capable of doing at least SOME of it. Start them young when they _want_ to help out, and they won't have a chance to become entitled and resentful and get into bad habits, procrastination, etc. They will _need_ those skills when they move out. Plus, children generally have more free time than adults, and can enjoy the responsibility and contribution of doing things for the family.
Also, some weirdos like me have trouble doing their own tasks, decluttering or finding homes for their own stuff, etc. but are able and willing and even find satisfaction in doing it for others! If there is someone in a home like that, ask them to "do for others" and then they can get help with their own stuff.
Yes, when I was a kid my mom had us helping with dishes at 5 standing on a step stool at the sink. We learned to set the table for dinner as soon as we were tall enough. And we started doing our own laundry at 8. I wasn't tall enough to reach the controls so had to use a step stool. We also each had assigned weeks that we were expected to mop and vacuum the kitchen and living room. Great skills to learn before the teenage years.
cleaning as you go makes life so much easier. we have to clean regardless - do you want to clean a little each day or A LOT once it becomes overwhelming and depressing?
It’s amazing how little we actually NEED to live a comfortable and happy life. I lived in the Philippines for over a year and while they had so little compared to what I and my family own and YET were the happiest people I have ever met. If we happen to declutter something we might need, we often just use something else or do without.
We are a family of 2 - myself and differently abled young adult daughter. We only have a need to do ONE load of laundry each week.
My bathroom is minimal, but I still don't like cleaning it.
"I have enough confidence in my own beliefs that I don't worry about getting off track." I wish with all my heart every person was this way.
I love your friendly, supportive manner, Dawn. You are the one I recommend on this topic, because I know you will give encouragement and bite sized advice that is not overwhelming and won't cause MORE stress and guilt. 👍🏻👍🏻
I heartily agree! I used to subconsciously avoid cleaning because I didn't realize it was triggering emotional flashbacks to my abusive and critical mother. Dawn's warm and encouraging tone has literally helped me heal childhood trauma! ❤ Now I view cleaning and clutter clearing as self care and actually ENJOY it sometimes! 😄 Huzzah!
She’s the only one that is a must watch. For enforcement I watch those extreme cleaning situations, like Midwest Cleaning… he’s educated this lifelong housekeeper on things that I had never thought about.
P.S. @sunshine3914 I took a risk and watched some Midwest Magic Cleaning videos. He's funny! 😄I find it kind of embarrassing that I'm so easily triggered by judgmental cleaning content because of my history, but I figured since you like Dawn it might be a safe gamble. Thank you for mentioning him! 😃❤
We've been uncluttering and it's changing our lives!
My chore, at the age of 10 years, was the family laundry for 2 adults and 3 kids. I loved it then and I still love it!
This is so true about travel and the ease of cleaning. My husband is in the Air Force and I noticed that when we come and visit him and stay either in on base housing or in an Airbnb that it is so much easier to keep the place clean and that’s just because there’s so much less stuff. I actually enjoy tidying and cleaning when we are away from our house which seems totally crazy but is true. I would love to Declutter, but I feel super overwhelmed about it right now. We have a teenager and a toddler (because God has a sense of humor) so I’m just trying to do a little bit as I can.
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If I were to pick one of your videos to share with family and friends about why I want to declutter more, this would be the one. Thanks for the 3 perspectives! 👍👍😊
That's awesome, thank you!!!!
This is so true. I just moved in with my partner, so, moved into a place that was already being lived in. I only took half of my clothes over to start with, expecting to collect the rest later. Was shocked to discover how much easier and happier life was without it.
Dawn, your thoughts on hand-washing dishes blends pretty well with a book I've been reading recently by Cal Newport where he mentions the "solitude deprivation" that our culture is facing. We've packed every minute of our lives with "the thoughts of others" (music, shows, podcasts, etc) instead of taking time to just be/do our tasks and take time to reflect on our lives. It causes internal chaos and anxiety... similar to our homes before implementing minimalism!
Success story here: Dawn, I recently found your channel a couple months ago when feeling overwhelmed cleaning my kids unorganized cluttered rooms… your tips and tricks worked great but it was truly the MINDSET SHIFT that you shared has changed my life and the life of my family! Today I had a sink full of dishes, and dinner to be made. Normally I would feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. Now I just pick any of your videos and listen while I get the job done. The real success is that I was able to get ALL of my dishes done AND get dinner cooking on the stove in just the duration of this video! It would have taken over an HOUR in the past! Wow thank you for teaching me how to simplify and reduce inventory, it has been a game changer! Also the message in the video is just beautiful and really resonates now that I’ve reached the milestone of being able to MANAGE my inventory and care for the items, and most especially the people in my life that mean the most. Thank you thank you thank you ❤
Good job!
I wish that I could convince others. I’m about to retire as an organizer & housekeeper.
@@sunshine3914 it’s so frustrating to feel like you’ve found the key yet no one listens.
Just hearing your voice helps me declutter. Just did my bathroom in 20 minutes. Sad part, I have put it off for 6 months. Ughhhhh
I love how Dawn sees the interconnections between religions, psychology, and practices. It is so enriching to discover the wisdom and beauty in common between different religions. In particular there is so much in common between the teachings of Buddha and the teachings of Jesus. Finding the quiet, the compassion, the kingdom within, and the serenity of a simple environment in harmony with nature. Dawn is helping me undo years of obliviously making my environment complicated and stressful by thinking I needed to get or accept things, and failing to part with things I was not using and did not actually value. This is a great video!
I just did something that made our bathroom much easier to keep orderly. Instead of sharing all the drawers communally, I took one for myself (I clearly need much less than he does), he has TWO (!), and the large drawer in the bottom is the only communal drawer, mostly for items we use when traveling. We do have a small cabinet space with two pullout shelves with healthcare items only, and the pullout in the large space under the sink is for extra bottles of mouthwash, alcohol, etc. Works great! He can screw up his own drawers, he has a place for everything, and no one has to fish around to find anything. My chaos threshold is no longer on high alert, at least in the primary bathroom. And now we are renovating our kitchen, which will indeed have a place for everything! I am working a list to ensure that will be the case. I'll finally have calm countertops!
It's been several years since I've implemented doing all of the laundry all of the way (wash, dry, fold, put away) every day and it's a game changer. For our family of 10 sometimes that means 3-4 loads a day, but never being behind on laundry makes life much less stressful!
I have 9 siblings so I remember mom doing 2-3 loads of laundry every day to keep up with it. She did well with basic laundry, but the ironing would pile up a bit 😆
What about a sabbath day of rest? In terms of staying on top of stuff. What do you all do? What has worked so that you can get rest but not get behind?
I love the beauty of a clean and sparkling kitchen sink. Sometimes it helps me to think "I'm not doing the dishes, I'm creating a beautiful sink."
Yes to all of this. Such great info! So glad I found you during my retirement years from teaching. Less stuff = more traveling, clarity, and I’ve even started putting a childrens book idea to paper….thank you!
I practice gratitude. For example When I’m cleaning the dishes I give thanks for having food
We are in the process of staging our home to sell. Thanks to minimalism it has been easier to pack, be ready to show house on a moment’s notice and have an easier and less costly move!
It is so interesting how the way we relate to objects eventually parallels the way we relate to people. And the way owning too many clothes and other stuff can prevent us from really loving ourselves and others around us.
I am also feeling lately that too many ideas can be detrimental as we lose focus on what is important.
I’m glad to see you wash the dishes with a washcloth. Tired of using a sponge worrying about sanitizing, smells, is it time to change it out, etc. I replaced the sponge with 10 washcloths with a scrubby netting side and that I switch out daily then toss in the laundry at the end of the week. It feels so nice to grab a fresh one daily for that days dishes and it saves sponges from the landfill.
Sponge cloths from Sweden are a game changer for me.
I am a huge fan of luffa dish sponges. All natural material, no microplastics down the drain. They hardly absorb any smells or bacteria.
I really appreciate that you've let usual stuffs around in the bathroom that show us the reality ... Thanks a lot for these video !!!
This is lovely! The teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, talk so much about being present for our lives, ourselves and our loved ones. Something as simple as doing dishes, as you said, Dawn, can be a meditative act. What does the soap smell like, what is the temperature of the water, etc. Actually paying attention and having our minds and our bodies in the same place at the same time, is life-changing and so peaceful. Usually our mind is a million miles away from our bodies, thinking about the past or future but not here in the present.
This is one of your BEST videos Dawn. I’m passing it onto my daughters. God bless you❣️
I love the disclaimer lol it’s important that we learn other peoples faith, It doesn’t take away from ours, It helps us to understand theirs and them. We believe Christ died for us and we’re so grateful for him. You have a blessed day. Thank you for sharing.
I try every day to make my household more simple. I'm single, so I critcize a lot myself and try to have more fun and less frustration in this important part of my live, - with a husband and a family, I would hire a good house help and clean also the household with my partner (and kids.) But I've a lot respect for women who just care for their families. It's a hard work, that many don't see. And you've got your're channel, that's also a great thing!
Since I started watching you I can't tell how many times I have picked up something at the store and put it back because I find myself saying do I really need this and I find out I don't miss it. So thank you. It's taken me 70yrs to realize I don't need new shiny stuff
Thank you Dawn for saying ❤I love you 💞
YES, not to sound pitiful but you are the only one that I have telling me that at this point in my life. When Dawn says, I love you, it is so comforting.
It's so true. I've started downsizing - it's a gradual process, but it's peaceful. We spend part of the year in the RV anyway, and...we just don't need much stuff.
I totally agree about cleaning and minimalism. The only thing and concern I have on this video is the use of possibility the same cloth to wipe the surfaces, from the counter to the toilet seat, lighting etc. I am conscious of the spread of bacteria all around. But in principle I believe in the practice of cleaning, tidying and minimalistic
I clean the toilet every morning. It is so easy and satisfying to sways have a company ready toilet. It is so easy and no harsh chemicals, scrubbing or long periods of bending over are needed. It feels like a gift to myself and my family that our toilet is always clean and a pleasant place to sit.
If your family is old enough, it could also be a gift to them to have a rota system for cleaning the toilet so everyone understands how it is that the toilet is always a clean and pleasant place to sit.
I really like the
Shaker's minimalist
style. ☺️
Clutter is chaos to me. It feels JUST like my kids running circles around me yelling and screaming. I don’t think I’m as minimalist as you but if something isn’t useful, or extremely sentimental AND we have a place for it in the house it does not enter our home. It helps to have a fairly small house, too.
I liked the disclaimer, but it‘s because I got to hear „I love you“ twice ❤❤
Dawn, we are finally doing it, going the whole way. I travel for work and when we came home it felt soooo much better.
I am really grateful to you for the work you do here. You obviously research and think a lot about all aspects of minimalism and decluttering and there is always something to boost my energy and commitment to this task.
Thank you for the confidence and hope you are helping me to regain.
I get what you mean by cleaning as something "holy". I've used a related word, "purification," in relation to how cleaning can feel like something more than just going through the motions of tidying up.
Not leaving dishes or a mess to clean up the next day makes me think of Matt 6:34. I know usually we take it to mean not to worry about the future, but it could also mean don't let the evil/mess of one day spill over to the next. Just wanted to share that thought.
When I clean the bathroom, I hate cleaning the toilet, but I always remember: "nothing says 'I love you!' more than a clean bathroom when someone feels unexpectedly unwell". I also think of how calm a clean bathroom feels when I visit someone.
I really do appreciate you bringing in the science to support the spiritual part of how minimalism enhances our lives ❤
It does explain why I go into cleaning mode immediately if I’m stressed coming home from work. I like to be productively working out my struggles so I can be present with my partner later.
I love separating spiritual from religious. We are all spiritual beings (all connected) whereas religion is a choice. And yes I was raised RC.
I’ve ordered the book thank you and look forward to reading it. Such wise words. Love research too.
Thank you. Feeling motivated to do what I can (after a serious injury).
It's refreshing to see we can learn and respect others beliefs and keep our own too! Thank you
Dawn, the most challenging part of watching your videos is waiting until the end to act! So inspiring as always, and it’s all I can do to not throw down the phone and get after it! Thank you!😍
I am progressive Christian. Decluttering, living a simplified life and spirituality go hand in hand. Thank you Dawn💕
Minimalism is only in my mind! lol
I am an artist and have a lovely garden. No simplicity nor minimalism!
Except in my little corner by the bird nook
I love the ancient wisdom and the science thank you!
Another great video. You are so right . . . I don't miss any of it!! In fact, I'm a little disappointed that I have nothing left to get rid of!
The Buddhist philosophy of detachment really does have great value in our lives and for our mental health regardless of whether we have a particular religious belief or no religious belief at all.
Thank you so much for this video. It has reminded me of something I learned a long time ago, and hopefully I can put into practice to reset my home and my mindset.