My daughter passed away in Sept. 2020. Letting go of her was the very hardest thing I have ever had to do. The second was to let go of her things. It wasn't easy. I kept legal papers, graduation certificates, jewelery, photos, and her Christmas ornaments for the memories. That's it. It took me mo ths to donate her clothing and other personal stuff. But seeing everything everyday was destroying me. Everything had a memory asso iated with it. The loss will always be there I love her I always will but happy memories are still there. I had to let go of the bad and cherish the 35 years of good ones. She suffered so during her illness. I know what a beautiful gift God gave me to be her Mom. She closed. her eyes and fell quietly asleep then breathed her last breath. I was with her at her beginning and her end and it was beautiful.
I must say, as will as the container concept, the idea that i could declutter and organise without making a bigger mess is simply revolutionary. The making of the mess is one of the biggest reasons i didn't start, because i just can't stand the upheaval.
I like that you don’t suggest the “KonMari” method of decluttering. Pulling out everything can make me feel overwhelmed and anxious. I like the one item at a time method. It works and gets the same results. Thank you.
I paid for a decluttering course that made me box up everything, and now I have a room full of boxes and looking at it, I just walk away and the room has been unusable since last September.
I like the Marie Kondo method for somethings and for other things not so much. I think all of us can pick the systems and parts of a system that works best for our particular ways and make it our own.
I agree. I think it works great if you want to maintain your already downsized spaces. But I didn’t find it attainable for a big family. Plus, her order makes sense for some but not for others. For me “komodo” would be much easier than paper.
@@lindawade9647 I can totally relate. I did the same thing with books and ended up making such a huge mess, got so overwhelmed and ultimately I lost the motivation to continue. My dining room has been a total disaster ever since. 😒
Oh yes! Exactly! I started out with trying that method and I’ve been digging myself out of a serious mess for over a year. It was too overwhelming to start and too depressing to even care anymore- until someone knocks on my front door and I panic. I started following Dana, Dawn, and Cas and I have learned how I should have done it lol. But, using their decluttering and organizing methods I’m actually almost finished! I’m much happier in my home too 😊
My husband is delighted with you! I tend to make a mess when I'm attempting to tidy. Often I get too tired to continue and he has to remove all the stuff from the bed, the floor etc. 😂
I'm a housekeeper and it makes complete sense that you have a housekeeper. And I will tell you all that not everyone that has a housekeeper is "rich". AND every one could afford a housekeeper to come once or twice a month if you didn't go shopping so much 🤣 Also, if you don't have a "white bowl" you will end up with a PILE or a bag!
I've had a once-a-month housekeeper for many years. I'm a clutter person, and her visits motivate me to put things away before she arrives. While she's at the house, I take my shred to Office Depot and drop off my donations at the thrift store. Linking these errands to her visits are part of my routine now.
I regret not spending money on having my house cleaned when I was working so many hours it seemed like such a luxury from the way I was raised and it would have made me feel so wonderful to come home to a clean house I wouldn't have been so tired with my children being a single parent I could have figured out the money some way People say I deserve this or that I work so hard I wonder why I didn't feel like I was deserving of so many things👩👧👧
Hey! I watched a video of your doing the closet, so I really- decluttered my closet with you yesterday. Then I went to building 1. I did 15-30 mins to declutter room, and go they 3 boxes of paper work
The concept of not pulling everything out has literally changed my life. Ever since being a child I would pull everything out of a space with the thought of cleaning/ decluttering. I would instantly feel overwhelmed and defeated. It would take days or a week to just get everything back in my space. Between you and a few of the other wonderful woman on RUclips I have finally been able to start getting my home under control without feeling like a failure everyday. You are so appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my little cluttered heart.
“Never go to the second location!!” You had me laughing SO. HARD. Thank You for these memorable lines and sense of humor in what can be an emotional and truly joyless process sometimes. When you have me laughing, you have me moving!! You have become a voice for good in my head! God Bless!!! 😂😂😂😂🙌🏻🙌🏻
I feel so lucky. My daughter & I were discussing a planned declutter in April with her assistance. She mentioned we could have a "Yard Sale" ($$) in the courtyard of the Senior Complex where I live. I must have really looked at her like she was crazy because she immediately started laughing. I have decluttered a few areas in my apartment recently. As a senior with only one child, I keep the Swedish Death Cleaning method in my head all the time. I put everything I no longer need/want in a tote for my daughter to have first dips if she wants & then everything is emptied out of that tote at a community area where I live. We are both amazed & pleased that before we can go back with another load of decluttering almost EVERYTHING is gone (even stuff that I/she questioned why we didn't trash it). No second guessing/chances to reincorporate "junk" back into my life! WIN/WIN!!!
I have just recently found you and I am really hooked. You lit a fire in me and I have already cleaned a closet that was so full you could not open the door. There are five yard bags full ready to go in the garage. I put a bag in the bin once a week because they are too big to do all at once. I have needed you for so long and now I have you! Thank you!!!!!!
I remember that Oprah episode. I have a cleaner come in once a fortnight too, she just does the dusting, mopping, and deep vacuuming. Same thing I love about it, it motivates me to have my entire house picked up, put away, organized, and everything else cleaned. It's like spring cleaning every 2 weeks! And it is SOOOO nice!! Now that I HAVE to get it done, It. Gets. Done! And I have worked out the best system, and because I'm used to it now, it only takes about an hour, broken down over a day. ONE DAY, every 2 weeks, not 2 weeks every 6 months! My reasoning is; our great, great grandmothers had servants, or other help, they couldn't do it all by themselves, why do we think we should have to? Now, I take my hat off to mums who can, but I don't know how. I am a stay at home mum with 2 kids who have special needs, and I suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome, I. Just. Can't. It took me the longest time to recognize and accept that, but now that I have, and I made the hard decision to remedy the situation, I am so much more relaxed and happy! My house is a relaxing, peaceful haven, and most importantly, I can give my kids so much more of the time and attention that they need. I'm rarely missing meetings and appointments now, and my anxiety is way down! It's self preservation, self care, survival if I'm really honest. And if anyone wants to judge me, cool, good for them, I really can't afford to care, sorry, not sorry. We all want to do what's best for our families, and this just happens to be what it looks like for me.
I recently figured out where my happy spot is on the "clutter threshold/mininalism" continuum -- it is getting my inventory down to what I can remember that I own. If I can look at a cabinet or a bin, and know what things are in it, I am happy.
My daughter is a "pick it out one at a time" organizer. She was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff and did not know how to start or want to start. She starting pulling one thing at a time and made great progress. Now she is talking about her next step! Those clothes that might not fit. Wooohooo! Progress!!!
Anyone who remembers The Brady Bunch knows Alice the housekeeper/cleaner/cook. For us older folks, there was Hazel. Until the recessions of the 1970s & 80s being a housekeeper was an important job for many Americans. How in the world we let that part of our culture slip away I will never understand. That’s why, imho, the Supermoms of the 1980s became the chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia cases of the 1990s. The first time I had someone come to clean my house, I sat down and cried tears of joy. Literally. Then I walked around my clean house mumbling, “thank you, thank you.” 🙏🏻
A housekeeper is totally worth it. I work full time and my down time is important to me. I don't want to scrub toilets. She doesn't declutter or take care of the daily cleaning, so I'm still managing my house. I just get a helping hand every now and then!
Your videos have really been helping me. I will admit I am piling up things on my craft table to sort to a certain extent but launching it all to proper place, donation box or trash. Best trash item was cardboard I was holding onto 5 small boxes of saved cardboard to use in craft projects "someday". In 12 years of retirement, "someday" never came about. And I'm relieved to get rid of it all. That rule of is it affordable to replace when you find you need it in the future has really been enlightening. Can't believe how much scotch tape was around my apartment and I haven't used any in years! You are a blessing!
I always believe the places I give my stuff to knows best what to do with it. Hence, if they want to file 13 it, that is their choice. If they want to keep and sell it, that is their choice too. You truly will be paralyzed if you fret about what things you donate will be treated properly. I have had to harden my view about donated things to know that A. My home is better off without it, B. I am better suited to not have it around, and C. The Donation Center knows best what to do with it after I drop it off. Very true that if you do not harden yourself on donated items, you will have a much tougher time with the whole process.
So happy 😁 because to find someone like me. Finally, people will believe me that a place can improve without throwing 75% of stuff out like in the homemaker shows which let's me real are home remodeling shows. I cleared out my sister's place when she was sick and I only threw out 3 candy wrappers and my sister said, "You're like a magician! She was like how do you do what you do?" I was like, "It wasn't any work because all I did was put everything away." Yeah, it wasn't any work because it was done with love to support my sister while she was feeling under the weather.
I have a big box of winter clothes I want to bring to a consignment shop. But I’d have to store them until next fall when they accept winter items. Listening to you -I’m taking them to donate tomorrow and getting them out of my house. No second location!
I totally agree! I had to go through my mom’s stuff When she died unexpectedly - I didn’t have time to find perfect homes for everything and I ended up putting a lot of good stuff at the curb. I didn’t even have time to take it to the charity stores. The house was sold and the stuff had to go. I have been at that same point with my own stuff a few times and I have to realize it’s more important to get the stuff out of here so I can function better, even if I have to throw good stuff away. There are people who cruise the neighborhoods on big trash days, and they often pick up all my stuff before the trash truck comes by!
I absolutely loved this video. You explain your processes so clearly. What is great about your collab with other declutterers like the Minimal Mom and Cas is that you have different methods and different but similar goals. We are not all clones of each other. For example, you mentioned your goal of getting down to your clutter threshold and that you are not a minimalist. Dawn of the Minimal Mom may be more of a minimalist- but her goal is similar: it's just that to get down to her clutter threshold so she can cope, she needs to get rid of more stuff than you do. This is so important! I am a pretty long way from being a minimalist, but I have been thinking about your container concept a lot. That is something I can relate to. So thanks for all your words of wisdom, Dana! Keep up the videos as often as you are able!
I tried your declutter without a mess from watching dawn at minimal mom try it and...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! It really works and saves me all that frustration I usually have in decluttering and then having to clean up the leftover mess after.
Never move to a second location. That's where bad things happen 😂. So true. Dark analogy but effective. Thanks. That will stick. Thanks for making videos lately.
Oh, my goodness - this was one of the things that has stuck with me for life from the O show. Never thought about applying it to decluttering - brilliant. Thank you!
SPOT ON!! Better in a landfill than in your home, I say! When you think about it, items go to waste one way or the other. You do have to just let it go and stop thinking so hard. You cannot control whether or not people enjoy your donations....or whether they are always being disposed of in the most perfect way. Because there is no "perfect" scenario. Just get it out, be generous to others, and be more mindful in the future of how and what you buy :)
We are moving house and are very locked down here in Ireland. We are downsizing big time. We've been told, "oh you'll never get rid of that big sofa and you'll never get rid of the piano and you'll need to get a big skip and break everything up. Two visitors to the house want the piano. We put the sofa out on the kerb. A few hours later it was taken. I had a lot of good clothes to donate but the charity shops are all closed. A friend, who looks after the needy, called to the house yesterday and took the clothes. A lot more has been taken from kerb. Amazing! 😊
When my mom passed away, we had to go thru her things and figure out what to do with them. This has motivated my decluttering and downsizing! I want to lessen that task for my kids! A task of love!🤗
Again....Great advice....When one becomes too “Concerned”....About what happens to personal donated items....You are getting into more of a unhealthy mental situation that can escalate....( I have a family member....Well....3 storage units later)....Donation Centers are a blessing....Dana....You are great
Everything is in complete lockdown here and I’m downsizing from a house to an apartment in 2 weeks so waiting is not an option. I used Facebook marketplace to get rid of everything. I’m down to the last couple of boxes 😊 and I’ve literally let go of thousands of items!
I like the videos better but Dana has a podcast! She's been doing it all the time for years except for a few months in the summers. Any podcast app has it. :) search Dana K White in your podcast app
I'm so glad you answered the question about why you keep the white bowl, that makes a lot of sense! And the cleaning lady comes to actually CLEAN, not declutter your stuff. Makes total sense. I have read so many decluttering books, but seriously your method is the only one that has worked for me. It does NOT have to get worse before it gets better!! Thank you!!
YES!!!! Just because a person is or wants to declutter, it does Not make them a minimalist. Everything needs a home! Thanks for clarifying this. Too many people jump on the fad of the moment bandwagon and go to the extreme and expect everyone else to follow
Loved the the comment about you not being a minimalist. My husband has had this fear since I have started this journey. I am glad he heard this video. He smiled. I keep reassuring him that’s not my goal. In time I will find a happy medium for us. Thank you for helping me get my mental health back by teaching me how to get my house in order.
I recommend Decluttering at the Speed of Life personally as the first book of hers to read. I put the audiobook on probably every three months just to keep it all fresh. Plus she's hilarious! I have remembered that from Oprah since she did that show, too!! Never equated it to decluttering but it works with it , too.
Not making a bigger mess is THE TICKET for me. It is better, and getting better just doing this. Such great advice. A little here literally applied and clutter is disappearing. Yeah!!!!@
Total game changer! I had my mother-in-law move in with us, after a nephew had already moved in for a year, and I used Decluttering at the speed of life to move bedrooms and do a MASSIVE declutter in 5 weeks. That included giving up my craftroom, and getting enough out of my garage that when there was a master bathroom issue that required all the flooring, tiles, dry wall, toilet, and vanity be removed I had SPACE in my garage for ALL the "construction stuff" and "bathroom stuff "!
My brain is so like yours, Dana! I am so happy that I found your book accidentally at a bookstore years ago. Glad to see your regular RUclips videos now!
I have never felt better than when I'm able to bless others with things I'm no longer using. The people are grateful & so happy especially during these times.
Your words on "idealism" really resonate with me. I hold onto SO much because I am waiting to get it to the perfect place/person so that it can be put to the "best" use possible.
Good for you having a cleaner you should never have to explain. When I was working full time and going to grad school I had a cleaner it was wonderful. Only got grief from the males I knew.
I would totally pay for housekeeper to do the deep cleaning.It’s great that you’ve been able to build your business to the point that you can hire help.Goals!
I am grateful that you are a patient teacher, and so willing to keep repeating your message so that it can sink in over time for the rest of us! I love hearing answers to recent questions and references to your other recent videos (Hairy Brads, HA!). It would be great to see new videos every month! I'm not sure how You Tube settings work, but there was an ad every 3.5 minutes throughout this video. It was frequent enough that it made it hard to enjoy and absorb your content. That's my ONLY complaint, less of that and more of YOU!
👍 Thanks Dana. I really appreciate your feedback. I’m creative and I analyze everything to death. I need all of you input I can get. Yes I bought the Take Your House Back, and when I can afford it I will buy your books. I’m glad you said one of them deals with grief. I really need that. I know you probably get tired of answering the same questions over and over and if people took the course they would understand you a bit more. I watch you because, even though you have never me , you get me. I’m very appreciative of every one of your videos because I know that’s a lot of work and planning, filing, editing, posting and whatever goes along with that. So Thank You You always deserve a big thumbs up 👍 and I give you one every time.
I listened to your book "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" in January of 2019, and it was truly life changing. You made it so simple to get started. I never felt like a failure during the process because your process is so easy to understand. I LOVE your sense of humor, you are fantastic!😊
I love the container method!! I first did my bedroom and closet - mind blowing. It is a continual process so it just keeps getting better. I have done every space in my house. Thank you! Genius!!!
Not taking everything out was such a game changer for me. I personally refuse the word minimalist because it seems to attract judgement. My fails up until now were trying to do the best with stuff and micro organizing when my brain is not wired that way. Love your books and your sense of humour!
I work at a hospital and was *thinking* about donating my bird magazines so people could enjoy something nice to look at as they wait for their testing appts. (I was keeping them for reference photos for all that painting I was going to do one day... ) Then covid hit and they threw away ALL the magazines out of all the waiting rooms. Boy, I would've been so upset if I had brought them in and they threw them away! They're one thing I'm glad I hung on to... I guess I wasn't really ready to let them go after all!
Love you channel! Your videos are always so practical and informative. My opinion on the donations...Nearly everything we (ie everyone currently on the planet) now owns will at some point end up as trash. That’s the hard reality. Whether it’s next week or 50 or 60 (or more) years from now. So we can ease up in the guilt of where it goes once it leaves out house. The trick is to then minimize the new stuff that we acquire once we declutter.
Lol! I always had to race around and “clean” before my house cleaner came😂 I worked FT+ and was overwhelmed with house work. Same with me- twice a month and she did floors, kitchen and bathrooms. Huge weight off my shoulders! Very grateful for their help (had several over the years). I knew by Thurs night every other week, I’d have to have everything picked up and ready for Fri morning when she came. Held me somewhat accountable.
I truly appreciate you! My brain works this way. I am decluttering. When our house cleaner arrives every other week, I have to have everything picked up or she is not able to clean what I need her to. I am not a minimalist and I do not want to be. I like my stuff. But, I collected too much stuff and could not enjoy it anymore. I have been able to tackle decluttering without tons of stress by NOT making a bigger mess. I have found a local corner store in a disadvantage area I am able to take donations to. I can't take truckloads, but I am able to drop off a bag or 2 at a time. I promised them I would only bring items in good shape. I throw out the rest. This works for me since that is how I am decluttering while working full time, maintaining the daily household tasks and living life. I found you through Cas and joined the House group. I am grateful for your strategies!
Sounds logical but there is a flaw in this reasoning; if you throw out an item instead of donating it, someone that might have been able to use that item for many years to come is now going to buy a new one...so eventually you end up with more sh#t in the landfill/world. Might be worth to take the extra step to find a home for it even though I know a lot of people ‘just want the stuff out of their houses’ but I think now more than ever we have a responsibility to the world/environment 🌳
@@judithbn8699 of course the first line of defense is donation to someone who will use it. But if I look to the future regarding what each person I donate to will eventually with it, I will get frozen.. the enemy of the good being the perfect. 2cents.
The very best thing cripples me, so I just donate to the thrift store by my favorite grocery store. Instead of figuring out the perfect way to donate my wedding dress, donating it there felt okay. I thanked them for taking my junk by giving them my good clutter.
I am freaked out about donating and then shopping at the same thrift store and then seeing my wedding dress on sale there. I need to shop elsewhere than way I donate.
Abolsutely agree with the house cleaning! My husband jokes that I have to clean so that the house can be cleaned - but it forces me to keep order and allows me to do other things after working a full time job and maintaining our home!
If people are concerned with who and where to donate! Donate to a church who accepts these items, or crisis center or the senior center in your area! There are lots of donation sites that need your items to help families!
Dana, I have just taken your wonderful course (still re-watching the videos) and I have both of your books. I can't believe the difference all that is making in my home, even though I am my husband's full time caregiver. You have given me such hope. I wanted to say also, that I actually used your de-clutter without making a mess strategy on my paperwork too and I've gone all through the old stuff. Can't believe it myself. Thank you.
I have learned so much from you and had sooo many ah ha! moments listening to you! I have ALL the organizing and decluttering guru’s books and YOU have been the only one who HELPED me!
I'm loving your video's Dana. I've been helping my mother some. I've been asking her your questions ...and explaining and using the container concept with her on her "full but nice 3 bedroom home. and other things from the course...eventually when that time comes I will be the one to decide about all her things so we are doing some of it now. She is loving it.
💯 on the cleaner! I work full time, do all the cooking and most of the cleaning with two littles! I am still on my declutter journey! Having a cleaner keeps my accountable and its worth every penny!
OMG! I can so much relate to donating/getting rid of the stuffs responsibly. And the mental paralysis because of so many places are specialized to receiving only certain type of items
OMGsh, sooo glad to hear you have a cleaner! I recently decided to get my apartment in order then hire someone to hang all my decor I have stacked in corners that I love and have someone come in and clean every two weeks. I work full time plus overtime and a side hustle. Plus I have a couple needy little dogs and want to get back to having an active social life again. I absolutely NEED someone to come clean to keep me feeling fresh, less anxious and depressed and for accountability in keeping things picked up too. So I’m watching several of you and felt a bit overwhelmed and decided that yes, I can do this, but I really need the help still.
Oooh, a cliff-hanger! Can't wait for next week! :-D Not sure how you do it, Dana, but even though I've read and re-read both your books with love and gratitude and joy and attention, and am in your fabulous course, and look at your old videos etc. etc. -- you still have more to teach and demonstrate, and still say things that make me go AHA!! Thank you a thousand times!
This idea has helped me so much.Make a decision not a big pile of decisions for later.It allows you to make progress by building decision making around your stuff.
I typically don’t remove everything at once, but when I decluttered our pantry I did. We’re empty-nesters so the only reason I would get pulled away is because I got lazy and didn’t want to finish. This way I was forced to do the whole thing at once! 😉
I did the same thing on our pantry/broom closet. Our bedroom is right by it so I pulled everything out and put in in our room. That way I knew I had to get it done before I went to bed! I sent a picture of the mess to my friend and she asked me where I was going to sleep that night! I told her I’d have it completely cleaned up before I went to bed....and I did! 😁
Thank you for posting. I’m in a small group reading your book for the 3rd time. I learn so much from you and get so much motivation from you. I used to have a housekeeper before I learned about your daily 4. Not having the daily 4 done and having a housekeeper was a complete waste of money and demoralizing. Besides I couldn’t understand why having a housekeeper wasn’t helping me. Now that the daily 4 are under control I’m not in need of a housekeeper right now but I do see how it would benefit me now that I know how to use the service. Thanks for sharing.
@@DanaKWhite I just know from experience that if you have a housekeeper on a regular schedule that you are working hard to be able to open the door to her and the schedule motivates you to keep going. Having a housekeeper doesn’t help with the daily stuff or decluttering.
Love, love, love your “Decluttering at the Speed of Life” book. It’s sanity! I love your questions (Where would I look for this.” ) & more. Thank you! My home is very relaxing now. And I’m relaxed, too. Such blessings! So are you! 😊
I love Freecycle. There is probably one in almost every area. It's all done online and it is remarkable what people post. You can post to give away or needing something. Helped immensely with my decluttering
I used your donatable box method & loved it. I just got out of lockdown ( since before Christmas) & was finally able to take the boxes to the donation center! I feel so much better with less stuff to look after.
I like seeing the doggos in the background. And yes, agreed about the second location (for kidnapping, if not always for decluttering - my brain works a bit differently)
You are seriously the best. Your method has completely changed how I declutter, as our thought processes are so similar it’s scary. 😂 I read Decluttering at the Speed of Life in a flash and then immediately started reading it again when I finished it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Craigslist free list, community activists giving to those who are in need...my once a year tree pruner takes whatever good stuff I have to fire victims in Northern California. Some people are taking clothing to people at the southern border. Look for people who need what you want to get out. I give (easy to eat) pantry clearing items to homeless folks... Moving things to 2nd location has left every room full of stuff...thank you for encouragement to go forward. Home is not ready for a cleaner to come in, but I would love that!
Another great video!!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do these and the podcasts. I have been listening to one of those each night as motivation for the next day. They really do help! I have left several things out by my driveway with Free signs, and they get taken within a day or two. Even with a sign says they don't work (like a lawnmower we hadn't used for 20 years). Though I am very tech savvy, I don't do social media, but the driveway method works for me, if I can't get to a donation center or if the item is just too bulky for my vehicle. BTW, I have been watching some of your older videos. I love the Clutter Avoidance Series especially. You are so funny! (and realistic)!!!! Contgratulations on your rising subscriber numbers!
I have been making porch drops for the seven years I have lived way out here in the mountains, since many do not have transportation access in my area. The homeless center in town and the food bank will also accept sidewalk donations. We are very downsized seniors doing the Swedish cleaning thing and are very minimal. There is always an item to be gifted, though!
I love watching. Inspirational, educational, helpful, and funny. You speak for MOST of us. It's hard to admit for some. Read the books if youu need more of a program. Easy to follow with realistic goals. BEST
Covid caused all of the consignment shops in my town to close down for good. The catholic charity shop is opened though. You may be able to find some kind of church based donating in your area if you're in a similar situation and lockdown is lifting. As far as buying I switched to poshmark, mercari and any other online second hand places I can find.
I needed this video. I’m really struggling with actually getting things out of my house because I want to know they’ll make it to the best place. I end up with just bags and boxes of donations that inevitably get mixed back in with the stuff I’m keeping. It’s an endless cycle. I need to just let stuff go
Great tip! In Germany as well as in the UK people are super grateful if you just „donate“ items for free on eBay or Facebook marketplace. Make bundles with the same size and they will be picked up by people from your house within 5 minutes after posting.
I think one of the MOST helpful tips from you is to put things where they go RIGHT NOW. I am such a procrastinator that I will just keep shuffling items around. I have had a binder sitting on my counter for almost a month now that came out of my basement (where I know I have moved it around several times) that needs to go back to church. I have been to church TWICE this week and totally forgot to grab the binder. So, this morning as I was dealing with the ever-present counter clutter, I decided to put it in my van. That way if I remember it while I am at church, it's in the van where I can grab it, and not at home on my counter. Akso love LESS = SUCCESS. I have been saying that to myself all weekend.
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My daughter passed away in Sept. 2020. Letting go of her was the very hardest thing I have ever had to do. The second was to let go of her things. It wasn't easy. I kept legal papers, graduation certificates, jewelery, photos, and her Christmas ornaments for the memories. That's it. It took me mo ths to donate her clothing and other personal stuff. But seeing everything everyday was destroying me. Everything had a memory asso iated with it. The loss will always be there I love her I always will but happy memories are still there. I had to let go of the bad and cherish the 35 years of good ones. She suffered so during her illness. I know what a beautiful gift God gave me to be her Mom. She closed. her eyes and fell quietly asleep then breathed her last breath. I was with her at her beginning and her end and it was beautiful.
I am so sorry for your loss 😔
I must say, as will as the container concept, the idea that i could declutter and organise without making a bigger mess is simply revolutionary. The making of the mess is one of the biggest reasons i didn't start, because i just can't stand the upheaval.
I like that you don’t suggest the “KonMari” method of decluttering. Pulling out everything can make me feel overwhelmed and anxious. I like the one item at a time method. It works and gets the same results. Thank you.
I paid for a decluttering course that made me box up everything, and now I have a room full of boxes and looking at it, I just walk away and the room has been unusable since last September.
I like the Marie Kondo method for somethings and for other things not so much.
I think all of us can pick the systems and parts of a system that works best for our particular ways and make it our own.
I agree. I think it works great if you want to maintain your already downsized spaces. But I didn’t find it attainable for a big family. Plus, her order makes sense for some but not for others. For me “komodo” would be much easier than paper.
@@lindawade9647 I can totally relate. I did the same thing with books and ended up making such a huge mess, got so overwhelmed and ultimately I lost the motivation to continue. My dining room has been a total disaster ever since. 😒
Oh yes! Exactly! I started out with trying that method and I’ve been digging myself out of a serious mess for over a year. It was too overwhelming to start and too depressing to even care anymore- until someone knocks on my front door and I panic. I started following Dana, Dawn, and Cas and I have learned how I should have done it lol. But, using their decluttering and organizing methods I’m actually almost finished! I’m much happier in my home too 😊
My husband is delighted with you! I tend to make a mess when I'm attempting to tidy. Often I get too tired to continue and he has to remove all the stuff from the bed, the floor etc. 😂
I'm a housekeeper and it makes complete sense that you have a housekeeper. And I will tell you all that not everyone that has a housekeeper is "rich". AND every one could afford a housekeeper to come once or twice a month if you didn't go shopping so much 🤣
Also, if you don't have a "white bowl" you will end up with a PILE or a bag!
Omg the cliff hanger at the end! 🤧
I love this comment SO MUCH!!!!
I did NOT expect to learn kidnapping survival tips from this video, but I am here for it!
hahahaha!!!
🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Well THAT is an interesting comment. I can’t wait to get to that part of the video.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I've had a once-a-month housekeeper for many years. I'm a clutter person, and her visits motivate me to put things away before she arrives. While she's at the house, I take my shred to Office Depot and drop off my donations at the thrift store. Linking these errands to her visits are part of my routine now.
Great post!
I regret not spending money on having my house cleaned when I was working so many hours it seemed like such a luxury from the way I was raised and it would have made me feel so wonderful to come home to a clean house I wouldn't have been so tired with my children being a single parent I could have figured out the money some way People say I deserve this or that
I work so hard
I wonder why I didn't feel like I was deserving of so many things👩👧👧
Dana!! It took me Months. To find just my bedroom. !! . I started in Dec 2020.
I have much MORE TO DO!
Hey! I watched a video of your doing the closet, so I really- decluttered my closet with you yesterday.
Then I went to building 1. I did 15-30 mins to declutter room, and go they 3 boxes of paper work
The concept of not pulling everything out has literally changed my life. Ever since being a child I would pull everything out of a space with the thought of cleaning/ decluttering. I would instantly feel overwhelmed and defeated. It would take days or a week to just get everything back in my space. Between you and a few of the other wonderful woman on RUclips I have finally been able to start getting my home under control without feeling like a failure everyday. You are so appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my little cluttered heart.
"When..... not if..... I get distracted." Story off my life.
“Never go to the second location!!” You had me laughing SO. HARD. Thank You for these memorable lines and sense of humor in what can be an emotional and truly joyless process sometimes. When you have me laughing, you have me moving!! You have become a voice for good in my head! God Bless!!! 😂😂😂😂🙌🏻🙌🏻
I feel so lucky. My daughter & I were discussing a planned declutter in April with her assistance. She mentioned we could have a "Yard Sale" ($$) in the courtyard of the Senior Complex where I live. I must have really looked at her like she was crazy because she immediately started laughing. I have decluttered a few areas in my apartment recently. As a senior with only one child, I keep the Swedish Death Cleaning method in my head all the time. I put everything I no longer need/want in a tote for my daughter to have first dips if she wants & then everything is emptied out of that tote at a community area where I live. We are both amazed & pleased that before we can go back with another load of decluttering almost EVERYTHING is gone (even stuff that I/she questioned why we didn't trash it). No second guessing/chances to reincorporate "junk" back into my life! WIN/WIN!!!
I have just recently found you and I am really hooked. You lit a fire in me and I have already cleaned a closet that was so full you could not open the door. There are five yard bags full ready to go in the garage. I put a bag in the bin once a week because they are too big to do all at once. I have needed you for so long and now I have you! Thank you!!!!!!
I remember that Oprah episode.
I have a cleaner come in once a fortnight too, she just does the dusting, mopping, and deep vacuuming. Same thing I love about it, it motivates me to have my entire house picked up, put away, organized, and everything else cleaned. It's like spring cleaning every 2 weeks! And it is SOOOO nice!! Now that I HAVE to get it done, It. Gets. Done! And I have worked out the best system, and because I'm used to it now, it only takes about an hour, broken down over a day. ONE DAY, every 2 weeks, not 2 weeks every 6 months! My reasoning is; our great, great grandmothers had servants, or other help, they couldn't do it all by themselves, why do we think we should have to? Now, I take my hat off to mums who can, but I don't know how. I am a stay at home mum with 2 kids who have special needs, and I suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome, I. Just. Can't. It took me the longest time to recognize and accept that, but now that I have, and I made the hard decision to remedy the situation, I am so much more relaxed and happy! My house is a relaxing, peaceful haven, and most importantly, I can give my kids so much more of the time and attention that they need. I'm rarely missing meetings and appointments now, and my anxiety is way down! It's self preservation, self care, survival if I'm really honest. And if anyone wants to judge me, cool, good for them, I really can't afford to care, sorry, not sorry. We all want to do what's best for our families, and this just happens to be what it looks like for me.
I recently figured out where my happy spot is on the "clutter threshold/mininalism" continuum -- it is getting my inventory down to what I can remember that I own. If I can look at a cabinet or a bin, and know what things are in it, I am happy.
Oh, my goodness! You are so right! I wish I had thought of this years ago. Well done, sweetie.
So true.
Yes 👍
With my super forgetful self, I would have muuuch less if I only kept what I remember I have.😂
I come for the great decluttering advice from the lovely Dana and I stay for the kidnapping survival tips! 😂
My daughter is a "pick it out one at a time" organizer. She was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff and did not know how to start or want to start. She starting pulling one thing at a time and made great progress. Now she is talking about her next step! Those clothes that might not fit. Wooohooo! Progress!!!
Anyone who remembers The Brady Bunch knows Alice the housekeeper/cleaner/cook. For us older folks, there was Hazel. Until the recessions of the 1970s & 80s being a housekeeper was an important job for many Americans. How in the world we let that part of our culture slip away I will never understand. That’s why, imho, the Supermoms of the 1980s became the chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia cases of the 1990s. The first time I had someone come to clean my house, I sat down and cried tears of joy. Literally. Then I walked around my clean house mumbling, “thank you, thank you.” 🙏🏻
A housekeeper is totally worth it. I work full time and my down time is important to me. I don't want to scrub toilets.
She doesn't declutter or take care of the daily cleaning, so I'm still managing my house. I just get a helping hand every now and then!
Your videos have really been helping me. I will admit I am piling up things on my craft table to sort to a certain extent but launching it all to proper place, donation box or trash. Best trash item was cardboard I was holding onto 5 small boxes of saved cardboard to use in craft projects "someday". In 12 years of retirement, "someday" never came about. And I'm relieved to get rid of it all. That rule of is it affordable to replace when you find you need it in the future has really been enlightening. Can't believe how much scotch tape was around my apartment and I haven't used any in years! You are a blessing!
I always believe the places I give my stuff to knows best what to do with it. Hence, if they want to file 13 it, that is their choice. If they want to keep and sell it, that is their choice too. You truly will be paralyzed if you fret about what things you donate will be treated properly. I have had to harden my view about donated things to know that A. My home is better off without it, B. I am better suited to not have it around, and C. The Donation Center knows best what to do with it after I drop it off.
Very true that if you do not harden yourself on donated items, you will have a much tougher time with the whole process.
"Take it there right now!"
"Where would I look for this if I needed it?"
So logical and simple.
Totally works for me.
Thank you. 💜
Good front and back quotes for DKW, t-shirt
I put stuff on my curb to bless my neighbors and we like watching people grab free stuff.
We timed it. Put a small 10 cubic foot
working fridge on the curb. Loaded up by someone within 18 minutes! The tradesman needed it for his work site.
So happy 😁 because to find someone like me. Finally, people will believe me that a place can improve without throwing 75% of stuff out like in the homemaker shows which let's me real are home remodeling shows. I cleared out my sister's place when she was sick and I only threw out 3 candy wrappers and my sister said, "You're like a magician!
She was like how do you do what you do?" I was like, "It wasn't any work because all I did was put everything away." Yeah, it wasn't any work because it was done with love to support my sister while she was feeling under the weather.
I have a big box of winter clothes I want to bring to a consignment shop. But I’d have to store them until next fall when they accept winter items. Listening to you -I’m taking them to donate tomorrow and getting them out of my house. No second location!
I totally agree! I had to go through my mom’s stuff When she died unexpectedly - I didn’t have time to find perfect homes for everything and I ended up putting a lot of good stuff at the curb. I didn’t even have time to take it to the charity stores. The house was sold and the stuff had to go.
I have been at that same point with my own stuff a few times and I have to realize it’s more important to get the stuff out of here so I can function better, even if I have to throw good stuff away. There are people who cruise the neighborhoods on big trash days, and they often pick up all my stuff before the trash truck comes by!
I absolutely loved this video. You explain your processes so clearly. What is great about your collab with other declutterers like the Minimal Mom and Cas is that you have different methods and different but similar goals. We are not all clones of each other. For example, you mentioned your goal of getting down to your clutter threshold and that you are not a minimalist. Dawn of the Minimal Mom may be more of a minimalist- but her goal is similar: it's just that to get down to her clutter threshold so she can cope, she needs to get rid of more stuff than you do. This is so important! I am a pretty long way from being a minimalist, but I have been thinking about your container concept a lot. That is something I can relate to. So thanks for all your words of wisdom, Dana! Keep up the videos as often as you are able!
“...so I gotta wait until...my kids have graduated from high school” 🤣
- right, that’s the reasoning that you are rescuing us from. TY ❤️
This is probably the best organizing and decluttering show for ADD people on the web.
I tried your declutter without a mess from watching dawn at minimal mom try it and...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! It really works and saves me all that frustration I usually have in decluttering and then having to clean up the leftover mess after.
Never move to a second location. That's where bad things happen 😂. So true. Dark analogy but effective. Thanks. That will stick. Thanks for making videos lately.
Oh, my goodness - this was one of the things that has stuck with me for life from the O show. Never thought about applying it to decluttering - brilliant. Thank you!
@@michigoose369 me, too! I’ve taught my girls - never let him take you to second location. Must apply to the choking clutter in my house.
Question...if I’m not sure about the decision I want to make, how do I make this work?
SPOT ON!! Better in a landfill than in your home, I say! When you think about it, items go to waste one way or the other. You do have to just let it go and stop thinking so hard. You cannot control whether or not people enjoy your donations....or whether they are always being disposed of in the most perfect way. Because there is no "perfect" scenario. Just get it out, be generous to others, and be more mindful in the future of how and what you buy :)
We are moving house and are very locked down here in Ireland. We are downsizing big time. We've been told, "oh you'll never get rid of that big sofa and you'll never get rid of the piano and you'll need to get a big skip and break everything up. Two visitors to the house want the piano. We put the sofa out on the kerb. A few hours later it was taken. I had a lot of good clothes to donate but the charity shops are all closed. A friend, who looks after the needy, called to the house yesterday and took the clothes. A lot more has been taken from kerb. Amazing! 😊
When my mom passed away, we had to go thru her things and figure out what to do with them. This has motivated my decluttering and downsizing! I want to lessen that task for my kids! A task of love!🤗
I love the thinking process to declutter one item at a time.
Again....Great advice....When one becomes too “Concerned”....About what happens to personal donated items....You are getting into more of a unhealthy mental situation that can escalate....( I have a family member....Well....3 storage units later)....Donation Centers are a blessing....Dana....You are great
Everything is in complete lockdown here and I’m downsizing from a house to an apartment in 2 weeks so waiting is not an option. I used Facebook marketplace to get rid of everything. I’m down to the last couple of boxes 😊 and I’ve literally let go of thousands of items!
Thank you, Dana, for checking in with us. We're all feeling a bit isolated. Hearing from you is a mood enhancer for me. I'm grateful.
Prayers to you both from power
I like the videos better but Dana has a podcast! She's been doing it all the time for years except for a few months in the summers. Any podcast app has it. :) search Dana K White in your podcast app
Thank you for posting this. I probably heard her mention a podcast at some point, but forgot. Just signed up cause I need more Dana K!
Don’t worry about what happens to your stuff!! Just donate!
I'm so glad you answered the question about why you keep the white bowl, that makes a lot of sense! And the cleaning lady comes to actually CLEAN, not declutter your stuff. Makes total sense. I have read so many decluttering books, but seriously your method is the only one that has worked for me. It does NOT have to get worse before it gets better!! Thank you!!
YES!!!! Just because a person is or wants to declutter, it does Not make them a minimalist. Everything needs a home! Thanks for clarifying this. Too many people jump on the fad of the moment bandwagon and go to the extreme and expect everyone else to follow
Loved the the comment about you not being a minimalist. My husband has had this fear since I have started this journey. I am glad he heard this video. He smiled. I keep reassuring him that’s not my goal. In time I will find a happy medium for us. Thank you for helping me get my mental health back by teaching me how to get my house in order.
I recommend Decluttering at the Speed of Life personally as the first book of hers to read. I put the audiobook on probably every three months just to keep it all fresh. Plus she's hilarious! I have remembered that from Oprah since she did that show, too!! Never equated it to decluttering but it works with it , too.
Love the way you teach us to declutter. I fell much better NOT making a bigger mess..and make progress. Thanks..
Not making a bigger mess is THE TICKET for me. It is better, and getting better just doing this. Such great advice. A little here literally applied and clutter is disappearing. Yeah!!!!@
Total game changer! I had my mother-in-law move in with us, after a nephew had already moved in for a year, and I used Decluttering at the speed of life to move bedrooms and do a MASSIVE declutter in 5 weeks. That included giving up my craftroom, and getting enough out of my garage that when there was a master bathroom issue that required all the flooring, tiles, dry wall, toilet, and vanity be removed I had SPACE in my garage for ALL the "construction stuff" and "bathroom stuff "!
My brain is so like yours, Dana! I am so happy that I found your book accidentally at a bookstore years ago. Glad to see your regular RUclips videos now!
I have never felt better than when I'm able to bless others with things I'm no longer using. The people are grateful & so happy especially during these times.
Your words on "idealism" really resonate with me. I hold onto SO much because I am waiting to get it to the perfect place/person so that it can be put to the "best" use possible.
And I exhaust myself taking the items all over town.
Good for you having a cleaner you should never have to explain. When I was working full time and going to grad school I had a cleaner it was wonderful. Only got grief from the males I knew.
You are so right about having a housekeeper keeping you on track with decluttering and daily upkeep!
I would totally pay for housekeeper to do the deep cleaning.It’s great that you’ve been able to build your business to the point that you can hire help.Goals!
I am grateful that you are a patient teacher, and so willing to keep repeating your message so that it can sink in over time for the rest of us! I love hearing answers to recent questions and references to your other recent videos (Hairy Brads, HA!). It would be great to see new videos every month! I'm not sure how You Tube settings work, but there was an ad every 3.5 minutes throughout this video. It was frequent enough that it made it hard to enjoy and absorb your content. That's my ONLY complaint, less of that and more of YOU!
👍 Thanks Dana. I really appreciate your feedback. I’m creative and I analyze everything to death. I need all of you input I can get. Yes I bought the Take Your House Back, and when I can afford it I will buy your books. I’m glad you said one of them deals with grief. I really need that. I know you probably get tired of answering the same questions over and over and if people took the course they would understand you a bit more. I watch you because, even though you have never me , you get me. I’m very appreciative of every one of your videos because I know that’s a lot of work and planning, filing, editing, posting and whatever goes along with that. So Thank You You always deserve a big thumbs up 👍 and I give you one every time.
I listened to your book "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" in January of 2019, and it was truly life changing. You made it so simple to get started. I never felt like a failure during the process because your process is so easy to understand. I LOVE your sense of humor, you are fantastic!😊
I love the container method!! I first did my bedroom and closet - mind blowing. It is a continual process so it just keeps getting better. I have done every space in my house. Thank you! Genius!!!
Not taking everything out was such a game changer for me. I personally refuse the word minimalist because it seems to attract judgement. My fails up until now were trying to do the best with stuff and micro organizing when my brain is not wired that way. Love your books and your sense of humour!
I work at a hospital and was *thinking* about donating my bird magazines so people could enjoy something nice to look at as they wait for their testing appts. (I was keeping them for reference photos for all that painting I was going to do one day... ) Then covid hit and they threw away ALL the magazines out of all the waiting rooms. Boy, I would've been so upset if I had brought them in and they threw them away! They're one thing I'm glad I hung on to... I guess I wasn't really ready to let them go after all!
Decluttering without making a mess is BRILLIANT, Dana. 🥰
Love you channel! Your videos are always so practical and informative. My opinion on the donations...Nearly everything we (ie everyone currently on the planet) now owns will at some point end up as trash. That’s the hard reality. Whether it’s next week or 50 or 60 (or more) years from now. So we can ease up in the guilt of where it goes once it leaves out house. The trick is to then minimize the new stuff that we acquire once we declutter.
i like it!
Lol! I always had to race around and “clean” before my house cleaner came😂 I worked FT+ and was overwhelmed with house work. Same with me- twice a month and she did floors, kitchen and bathrooms. Huge weight off my shoulders! Very grateful for their help (had several over the years). I knew by Thurs night every other week, I’d have to have everything picked up and ready for Fri morning when she came. Held me somewhat accountable.
I truly appreciate you! My brain works this way. I am decluttering. When our house cleaner arrives every other week, I have to have everything picked up or she is not able to clean what I need her to. I am not a minimalist and I do not want to be. I like my stuff. But, I collected too much stuff and could not enjoy it anymore. I have been able to tackle decluttering without tons of stress by NOT making a bigger mess. I have found a local corner store in a disadvantage area I am able to take donations to. I can't take truckloads, but I am able to drop off a bag or 2 at a time. I promised them I would only bring items in good shape. I throw out the rest. This works for me since that is how I am decluttering while working full time, maintaining the daily household tasks and living life. I found you through Cas and joined the House group. I am grateful for your strategies!
I think it's a shame that you have to explain why you have a cleaner if you can afford it you go girl and I love your podcast thank you for doing them
I saw this as her letting others know it’s ok, to let go of any guilt.😊.
I'm glad you have continued making videos. They are great.
loved this... it will all be in some kind of landfill at one point; take it to the landfill or be the landfill.
Sounds logical but there is a flaw in this reasoning; if you throw out an item instead of donating it, someone that might have been able to use that item for many years to come is now going to buy a new one...so eventually you end up with more sh#t in the landfill/world. Might be worth to take the extra step to find a home for it even though I know a lot of people ‘just want the stuff out of their houses’ but I think now more than ever we have a responsibility to the world/environment 🌳
@@judithbn8699 of course the first line of defense is donation to someone who will use it. But if I look to the future regarding what each person I donate to will eventually with it, I will get frozen.. the enemy of the good being the perfect. 2cents.
The very best thing cripples me, so I just donate to the thrift store by my favorite grocery store. Instead of figuring out the perfect way to donate my wedding dress, donating it there felt okay. I thanked them for taking my junk by giving them my good clutter.
I am freaked out about donating and then shopping at the same thrift store and then seeing my wedding dress on sale there. I need to shop elsewhere than way I donate.
Abolsutely agree with the house cleaning! My husband jokes that I have to clean so that the house can be cleaned - but it forces me to keep order and allows me to do other things after working a full time job and maintaining our home!
If people are concerned with who and where to donate! Donate to a church who accepts these items, or crisis center or the senior center in your area! There are lots of donation sites that need your items to help families!
Dana, I have just taken your wonderful course (still re-watching the videos) and I have both of your books. I can't believe the difference all that is making in my home, even though I am my husband's full time caregiver. You have given me such hope. I wanted to say also, that I actually used your de-clutter without making a mess strategy on my paperwork too and I've gone all through the old stuff. Can't believe it myself. Thank you.
Thanks Dana for posting! I can’t wait till next week. Your “container concept” has absolutely changed my life. Thank you! Blessings! ❤️
I have learned so much from you and had sooo many ah ha! moments listening to you! I have ALL the organizing and decluttering guru’s books and YOU have been the only one who HELPED me!
I'm loving your video's Dana. I've been helping my mother some. I've been asking her your questions ...and explaining and using the container concept with her on her "full but nice 3 bedroom home. and other things from the course...eventually when that time comes I will be the one to decide about all her things so we are doing some of it now. She is loving it.
💯 on the cleaner! I work full time, do all the cooking and most of the cleaning with two littles! I am still on my declutter journey! Having a cleaner keeps my accountable and its worth every penny!
Reading "Decluttering at the Speed of Life". It is so helpful! Thank you!
Thanks for posting! I have learned so much!
My whole house looks different because of your wisdom!
The more I listen to you, the more I believe we have the same brain. Thank you for speaking my mess-language!
OMG! I can so much relate to donating/getting rid of the stuffs responsibly. And the mental paralysis because of so many places are specialized to receiving only certain type of items
OMGsh, sooo glad to hear you have a cleaner! I recently decided to get my apartment in order then hire someone to hang all my decor I have stacked in corners that I love and have someone come in and clean every two weeks. I work full time plus overtime and a side hustle. Plus I have a couple needy little dogs and want to get back to having an active social life again. I absolutely NEED someone to come clean to keep me feeling fresh, less anxious and depressed and for accountability in keeping things picked up too. So I’m watching several of you and felt a bit overwhelmed and decided that yes, I can do this, but I really need the help still.
I don't need a bigger mess so I'm going to try this as well. Thanks, Dana!
Thanks for posting! Totally agree that clutter/non-clutter threshold is what works for each of us. Love it!
Oooh, a cliff-hanger! Can't wait for next week! :-D Not sure how you do it, Dana, but even though I've read and re-read both your books with love and gratitude and joy and attention, and am in your fabulous course, and look at your old videos etc. etc. -- you still have more to teach and demonstrate, and still say things that make me go AHA!! Thank you a thousand times!
This idea has helped me so much.Make a decision not a big pile of decisions for later.It allows you to make progress by building decision making around your stuff.
Ahhhh real talk Dana! I’m glad the way you explained simply that you have a house cleaner.
You deserve ~😀❣️
I typically don’t remove everything at once, but when I decluttered our pantry I did. We’re empty-nesters so the only reason I would get pulled away is because I got lazy and didn’t want to finish. This way I was forced to do the whole thing at once! 😉
I did the same thing on our pantry/broom closet. Our bedroom is right by it so I pulled everything out and put in in our room. That way I knew I had to get it done before I went to bed! I sent a picture of the mess to my friend and she asked me where I was going to sleep that night! I told her I’d have it completely cleaned up before I went to bed....and I did! 😁
Love the videos. And love that your house is lived in and you are real. And I really enjoy learning from you
Thank you for posting. I’m in a small group reading your book for the 3rd time. I learn so much from you and get so much motivation from you. I used to have a housekeeper before I learned about your daily 4. Not having the daily 4 done and having a housekeeper was a complete waste of money and demoralizing. Besides I couldn’t understand why having a housekeeper wasn’t helping me. Now that the daily 4 are under control I’m not in need of a housekeeper right now but I do see how it would benefit me now that I know how to use the service. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this perspective!
@@DanaKWhite I just know from experience that if you have a housekeeper on a regular schedule that you are working hard to be able to open the door to her and the schedule motivates you to keep going. Having a housekeeper doesn’t help with the daily stuff or decluttering.
Thank you so much for addressing my surprise that you didn't get rid of the white bowl. That makes perfect sense to me now. 🙂🙂🙂
This is actually my most favorite video yet, Dana. Well thought out, clear and thorough explanation of your method. And yes, it works!
Love, love, love your “Decluttering at the Speed of Life” book. It’s sanity! I love your questions (Where would I look for this.” ) & more. Thank you! My home is very relaxing now. And I’m relaxed, too. Such blessings! So are you! 😊
I really needed this today! And making me laugh about the kidnapping analogy! I really appreciate your down to earth way of decluttering.
I love Freecycle. There is probably one in almost every area. It's all done online and it is remarkable what people post. You can post to give away or needing something. Helped immensely with my decluttering
Another resource is the Buy Nothing Project. On Facebook type in buynothing and your area name.
I used your donatable box method & loved it. I just got out of lockdown ( since before Christmas) & was finally able to take the boxes to the donation center! I feel so much better with less stuff to look after.
I like seeing the doggos in the background. And yes, agreed about the second location (for kidnapping, if not always for decluttering - my brain works a bit differently)
You are seriously the best. Your method has completely changed how I declutter, as our thought processes are so similar it’s scary. 😂 I read Decluttering at the Speed of Life in a flash and then immediately started reading it again when I finished it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
I just finished reading Decluttering at the Speed of Life and loved it!! Will be starting How to Manage your home without Losing your Mind next!
Craigslist free list, community activists giving to those who are in need...my once a year tree pruner takes whatever good stuff I have to fire victims in Northern California. Some people are taking clothing to people at the southern border. Look for people who need what you want to get out. I give (easy to eat) pantry clearing items to homeless folks...
Moving things to 2nd location has left every room full of stuff...thank you for encouragement to go forward. Home is not ready for a cleaner to come in, but I would love that!
Another great video!!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do these and the podcasts. I have been listening to one of those each night as motivation for the next day. They really do help!
I have left several things out by my driveway with Free signs, and they get taken within a day or two. Even with a sign says they don't work (like a lawnmower we hadn't used for 20 years). Though I am very tech savvy, I don't do social media, but the driveway method works for me, if I can't get to a donation center or if the item is just too bulky for my vehicle.
BTW, I have been watching some of your older videos. I love the Clutter Avoidance Series especially. You are so funny! (and realistic)!!!!
Contgratulations on your rising subscriber numbers!
I have been making porch drops for the seven years I have lived way out here in the mountains, since many do not have transportation access in my area. The homeless center in town and the food bank will also accept sidewalk donations. We are very downsized seniors doing the Swedish cleaning thing and are very minimal. There is always an item to be gifted, though!
I love watching. Inspirational, educational, helpful, and funny. You speak for MOST of us. It's hard to admit for some. Read the books if youu need more of a program. Easy to follow with realistic goals. BEST
Re- the house cleaner. I’m always telling my husband “oh c’mon, we aren’t even cleaning the house, we are still only tidying it so that we can clean!”
Covid caused all of the consignment shops in my town to close down for good. The catholic charity shop is opened though. You may be able to find some kind of church based donating in your area if you're in a similar situation and lockdown is lifting. As far as buying I switched to poshmark, mercari and any other online second hand places I can find.
I needed this video. I’m really struggling with actually getting things out of my house because I want to know they’ll make it to the best place. I end up with just bags and boxes of donations that inevitably get mixed back in with the stuff I’m keeping. It’s an endless cycle. I need to just let stuff go
Great tip! In Germany as well as in the UK people are super grateful if you just „donate“ items for free on eBay or Facebook marketplace. Make bundles with the same size and they will be picked up by people from your house within 5 minutes after posting.
I think one of the MOST helpful tips from you is to put things where they go RIGHT NOW. I am such a procrastinator that I will just keep shuffling items around. I have had a binder sitting on my counter for almost a month now that came out of my basement (where I know I have moved it around several times) that needs to go back to church. I have been to church TWICE this week and totally forgot to grab the binder. So, this morning as I was dealing with the ever-present counter clutter, I decided to put it in my van. That way if I remember it while I am at church, it's in the van where I can grab it, and not at home on my counter. Akso love LESS = SUCCESS. I have been saying that to myself all weekend.