My kids are now 32,29 and 27. When they see the stuff (artwork) ive kept , which they have done, they look at me like I've grown a 2nd head. - they DON'T want it!!! Their wives don't want to house it in their homes. Sure ive kept some really funny pieces- the ones they look at and laugh. - but I bet when I'm gone, these will also be in the trash. - and I will be with Jesus and won't care!
I was a very creative kid so my mom kept a ton of my artwork, but now as an adult, I definitely don't feel a connection to most of the scribbled "masterpieces" or identical hand turkeys that everyone in class made. I'm happy to look back at pieces that show me developing my own style or thinking process, or artwork that I was exceptionally proud of, or pieces that were really special to my mom. But everything else can easily go. It would be cool to make a photo book with a couple dozen pieces of childhood artwork between me and my brother. Maybe for Mother's Day!
I took a picture my daughter drew in school and had a coffee mug made with her artwork printed on it. Now she drinks her coffee out of it! She also got a good laugh seeing it in "real life" Maybe a gift idea???
Regarding the mouse problem: In our house, it was termites. I know it's an ordeal, but think of it as an opportunity. We rented an RV, put it in our front yard, with the idea of having a big enough vehicle to store what we had to get out of the house (food, dishes, pots, utensils, linens, most of our clothes, the pets' things, you name it). While we emptied the kitchen into boxes, we weeded out things that were worn out, broken, missing pieces, didn't need anymore, didn't like anymore, etc. Then, when we moved back in a week later, things went into more convenient places. The house felt so new to me. A fresh start.
I just finished looking through 5 containers under my craft table. Once I threw away the trash and put things where they belong, I had empty containers Lol.
My daughter (19yrs old) was overwhelmed with her room and asked me where she should start. I told her to start with any rubbish, then any obvious donations or anything that needs relocating and go from there. Your methods work so well🙌🙌❤️
I love, love your way of decluttering, especially put it away right now....and I love that you mention Jesus!!!! Jesus sure understands and helps me!!!
As for "sentimental papers": We have about 2 metres of string pinned to a beam in our living room, where we clip all the beautiful birthday cards and christmas cards and occasional postcards. Of course it's full. So every time we get a new one we like, we pick an old one to leave. I read it once again. It's a nice warm feeling to remember a moment often years ago, and I throw the card away feeling once more thankful for the sender. Strange thing to say, but that's how it is. But honestly: Often I don't remember the moment I got the card at all... So I made my peace with throwing away postcards and such.
I signed up for your(pl) "Take your house back" class last month, and pre-ordered your new book on Audible today! I'm 72y/o and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with my space! I'm looking to downsize into van life. I could never have done this without you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
For digital decluttering, I set a reminder on my phone for a 5 minute digital dump every evening for a year. I search the date and month in email, files, downloads and photos, I can quickly assess them and delete accordingly. Started in September and I've regained over 40% space. It actually takes about 3 minutes to do.
I soent almost 2 hours yesterday helping my 7yo daughter with her room and we made so much progress. We have a lot left to do, but it is so much better. She came to me this morning, gave me a giant hug, and thanked me for helping her with her room. And she had not wanted to do it yesterday.
Happy New Year! Thank you for giving us the 5 steps, and 'do the dishes', 'take it there now'-I actually hear your voice telling me those two things, which have made such a huge difference in maintaining control. I realized I hated a dirty kitchen more than I resented nobody else helping do the dishes so I just made it happen. Now it is just a habit and it is so worth it.
I didn’t realize how much fun it is to find trash until I started watching your videos. I first saw you on Mel Robbins and the “take it there now” thing stuck and I started watching you recently. I finally realized taking care of the home was a strategy. I love strategy, but hate cleaning. Now I just implement strategy and am absolutely stunned by how my brain has latched onto this. I’m also using a home cleaning app and have all my rooms defined with specific tasks and timing. All of it together is working and it’s blowing my mind. Thank you and congrats on your new book 🙌
I preordered your new book on Audible 😊. I was messy my whole life (got an “F” in Neatness in the second grade). I randomly discovered Decluttering at the Speed of Life on Audible several years ago. You book (process) changed my life. It didn’t magically turn me into a neat person. It did however give me hope. It did eliminate the overwhelm. It removed massive shame. My house will never be perfectly neat, but it stays neat enough to keep me unembarrassed when someone randomly shows up. I can actually invite them in vs visiting in the front yard 😅. It’s very rare for me to recommend anything to anyone (unless I’m asked) but I’ve recommended your books(process) to several people. Thank you so much for your books and podcasts.
Thank you so much for doing this even when you feel exhausted. Your positive energy, humor, and patience still shine through; I appreciate your words of hard-won wisdom more than I'll probably ever be able to explain!
I have learned what kind of containers I needed that helped organize the clutter. Example -- dirty laundry containers! It was eye opening to have one place to plunk the dirty clothes and one for the dirty kitchen towels/other linen dirty laundry. Now my floor is cleared. Small thing with a giant impact. Thank you so much Dana!
Dana, I'm so excited about your new book, just pre-ordered it. I read Giving God the Worst of Me (which you never seem to mention), and was moved to tears, and laughter, multiple times. Your story, your faith in God and in his plan for you was inspiring. If anyone out there hasn't read this book, I highly recommend it!
I am excited for the new book too. I am in the uk and have searched for 'giving God the worst of me' unsuccessfully as I wanted to read that too. Will be off to my bookstore in the hopes I can get the new one.
I realized I can use Dana’s methods for putting my Christmas decorations away. I didn’t have time to do the whole thing in one day, so have been doing it in stages with the no mess method. Awesome concept!
I literally stopped the playback and ordered the book. Thank you so much for writing this book...guilt is so much a part of my struggle. I appreciate this so much! ❤
I purchased the art frames that display and hold a child's art. When it is full, the child has to pick out her least favorite to get rid of to make room for more. I also have a small bin per child where I keep my favorites, report cards, etc. I have asked my grown children to go through their bins to see if they want anything. Maybe only 3 things were special to them. Dana, you are amazing. I love that you are part of the 3 Musketeers (you, Cass, and Dawn). You are united on a mission to destroy household clutter.
I hired a cleaning lady for the "public" rooms - at a point when it was sill a complete mess - that forces me to tidy those rooms (Bathroom, Toilet, corridors, entrance area, stairs) every 3 weeks and they are really clean and by now stay that way till next time. While she is here i dust and vakuum the livingroom and or sort other places out (bedrooms, cellar ...). That helps me a lot.
I can’t be the only one who has been watching so long that having a mouse problem seems more like a blessing than a curse 😂. My immediate thought was that it would make it easier to find the obvious trash! I’m not trying to make light of the situation at this person‘s expense. I’ve experienced mouse infestation, squirrel infestation, and rat infestation before I found Dana, Cas, and Dawn, it’s very distressing, but I’d relish the opportunity to just be able to get rid of so many things easily with question 1!
Dana said in one of her recent videos that they get mice every winter. We get a mouse or two in our basement every year. They die without food and I find them and underneath something or have found them having died stuck to a glue trap.
I’m “born-organized”, but I’ve read and/or listened to all your books. Very valuable! Looking forward to your next book! Also love your videos and podcast!
Just pre-ordered your audio book! I'm a spiritual person (but not Christian) and I love your content, I can't wait to hear your spiritual side of decluttering!
Gifts... I think I have said it before, it was a gift to you, what you do with it is entirely up to you. There should never be guilt attached to a gift.
Omg going through the mouse thing right now after a long vacation! I was already decluttering and now it’s on overdrive lol. So grateful I ran into you and clutterbugs tips beforehand
How do you deal with young adults and teens that like to declutter but won't to throw away? Our storage space is over capacity and now our garage has become their catch all.
Wait. I didn’t hear about preorder bonuses until the very end! I preordered the audible version weeks ago. Does anyone know more about bonuses? TIA EDIT TO ADD: I found the information in the video description! I’m all set now! Thanks anyway!
I've made a decision, after growing up helping my grandma sort other people's stuff for auctions, that I don't want to keep things that make my kids say "why did she keep /this/?!"
I caught the tail end of your live driving to the client in the next town at around 10.20am in south Australia. What the heck unusual time are you streaming? I never catch you. But I was unable to comment for obvious reasons. (I am one of those perpetually late people, no time to pull over.)
You've mentioned in the past that you've gone digital as much as possible. How do you digitise purchase receipts from stores that you want to keep in case you need to return the item or claim under the warranty?
I just take a photo and file in one folder for warranties and receipts. Receipt printer ink fades so quickly I find it better even so to preserve with a photo.
My kids are now 32,29 and 27. When they see the stuff (artwork) ive kept , which they have done, they look at me like I've grown a 2nd head. - they DON'T want it!!! Their wives don't want to house it in their homes. Sure ive kept some really funny pieces- the ones they look at and laugh. - but I bet when I'm gone, these will also be in the trash. - and I will be with Jesus and won't care!
Same!
I was a very creative kid so my mom kept a ton of my artwork, but now as an adult, I definitely don't feel a connection to most of the scribbled "masterpieces" or identical hand turkeys that everyone in class made. I'm happy to look back at pieces that show me developing my own style or thinking process, or artwork that I was exceptionally proud of, or pieces that were really special to my mom. But everything else can easily go. It would be cool to make a photo book with a couple dozen pieces of childhood artwork between me and my brother. Maybe for Mother's Day!
@katattack907 i Love that idea!-you Definitely have a creative mind! And your mom would probably love that
I took a picture my daughter drew in school and had a coffee mug made with her artwork printed on it. Now she drinks her coffee out of it! She also got a good laugh seeing it in "real life"
Maybe a gift idea???
@cathycliff8324 that's a great idea! I may try that with some of my boys artwork I kept!
Regarding the mouse problem:
In our house, it was termites.
I know it's an ordeal, but think of it as an opportunity.
We rented an RV, put it in our front yard, with the idea of having a big enough vehicle to store what we had to get out of the house (food, dishes, pots, utensils, linens, most of our clothes, the pets' things, you name it).
While we emptied the kitchen into boxes, we weeded out things that were worn out, broken, missing pieces, didn't need anymore, didn't like anymore, etc.
Then, when we moved back in a week later, things went into more convenient places. The house felt so new to me. A fresh start.
I just finished looking through 5 containers under my craft table. Once I threw away the trash and put things where they belong, I had empty containers Lol.
That's wonderful 🎉
Well done! I'm sitting at my arts & crafts table now, and I'm too chicken at the moment to take a look underneath.
"Cuz...This book is about Jesus!" I love it. ❤
My daughter (19yrs old) was overwhelmed with her room and asked me where she should start. I told her to start with any rubbish, then any obvious donations or anything that needs relocating and go from there. Your methods work so well🙌🙌❤️
I love, love your way of decluttering, especially put it away right now....and I love that you mention Jesus!!!! Jesus sure understands and helps me!!!
Congratulations on your new book.
As for "sentimental papers": We have about 2 metres of string pinned to a beam in our living room, where we clip all the beautiful birthday cards and christmas cards and occasional postcards. Of course it's full. So every time we get a new one we like, we pick an old one to leave. I read it once again. It's a nice warm feeling to remember a moment often years ago, and I throw the card away feeling once more thankful for the sender. Strange thing to say, but that's how it is. But honestly: Often I don't remember the moment I got the card at all... So I made my peace with throwing away postcards and such.
I signed up for your(pl) "Take your house back" class last month, and pre-ordered your new book on Audible today! I'm 72y/o and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with my space! I'm looking to downsize into van life. I could never have done this without you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I'm ALSO downsizing for either van life or a skoolie. You sound like you're doing GREAT!
Way cool! Enjoy the van life!
For digital decluttering, I set a reminder on my phone for a 5 minute digital dump every evening for a year. I search the date and month in email, files, downloads and photos, I can quickly assess them and delete accordingly. Started in September and I've regained over 40% space. It actually takes about 3 minutes to do.
i'll be the first....YOU'RE AWESOME. i can't go a day without a Dana K White video. happy new year!
Do you hear her voice throughout the day? :) That's the best. LOL
I soent almost 2 hours yesterday helping my 7yo daughter with her room and we made so much progress. We have a lot left to do, but it is so much better. She came to me this morning, gave me a giant hug, and thanked me for helping her with her room. And she had not wanted to do it yesterday.
Happy New Year! Thank you for giving us the 5 steps, and 'do the dishes', 'take it there now'-I actually hear your voice telling me those two things, which have made such a huge difference in maintaining control. I realized I hated a dirty kitchen more than I resented nobody else helping do the dishes so I just made it happen. Now it is just a habit and it is so worth it.
I didn’t realize how much fun it is to find trash until I started watching your videos. I first saw you on Mel Robbins and the “take it there now” thing stuck and I started watching you recently. I finally realized taking care of the home was a strategy. I love strategy, but hate cleaning. Now I just implement strategy and am absolutely stunned by how my brain has latched onto this. I’m also using a home cleaning app and have all my rooms defined with specific tasks and timing. All of it together is working and it’s blowing my mind. Thank you and congrats on your new book 🙌
I preordered your new book on Audible 😊. I was messy my whole life (got an “F” in Neatness in the second grade). I randomly discovered Decluttering at the Speed of Life on Audible several years ago. You book (process) changed my life. It didn’t magically turn me into a neat person. It did however give me hope. It did eliminate the overwhelm. It removed massive shame. My house will never be perfectly neat, but it stays neat enough to keep me unembarrassed when someone randomly shows up. I can actually invite them in vs visiting in the front yard 😅. It’s very rare for me to recommend anything to anyone (unless I’m asked) but I’ve recommended your books(process) to several people. Thank you so much for your books and podcasts.
Thank you so much for doing this even when you feel exhausted. Your positive energy, humor, and patience still shine through; I appreciate your words of hard-won wisdom more than I'll probably ever be able to explain!
I have learned what kind of containers I needed that helped organize the clutter. Example -- dirty laundry containers! It was eye opening to have one place to plunk the dirty clothes and one for the dirty kitchen towels/other linen dirty laundry. Now my floor is cleared. Small thing with a giant impact. Thank you so much Dana!
Dana, I'm so excited about your new book, just pre-ordered it. I read Giving God the Worst of Me (which you never seem to mention), and was moved to tears, and laughter, multiple times. Your story, your faith in God and in his plan for you was inspiring. If anyone out there hasn't read this book, I highly recommend it!
I am excited for the new book too. I am in the uk and have searched for 'giving God the worst of me' unsuccessfully as I wanted to read that too. Will be off to my bookstore in the hopes I can get the new one.
I realized I can use Dana’s methods for putting my Christmas decorations away. I didn’t have time to do the whole thing in one day, so have been doing it in stages with the no mess method. Awesome concept!
I literally stopped the playback and ordered the book. Thank you so much for writing this book...guilt is so much a part of my struggle. I appreciate this so much! ❤
Me too!!! I have a birthday coming up soon, so happy birthday to me!! 😍
Another thought for the kids paintings/drawings that I’ve seen - use it for gift wrap for people like grandparents or aunts/uncles.
I purchased the art frames that display and hold a child's art. When it is full, the child has to pick out her least favorite to get rid of to make room for more. I also have a small bin per child where I keep my favorites, report cards, etc. I have asked my grown children to go through their bins to see if they want anything. Maybe only 3 things were special to them.
Dana, you are amazing. I love that you are part of the 3 Musketeers (you, Cass, and Dawn). You are united on a mission to destroy household clutter.
I hired a cleaning lady for the "public" rooms - at a point when it was sill a complete mess - that forces me to tidy those rooms (Bathroom, Toilet, corridors, entrance area, stairs) every 3 weeks and they are really clean and by now stay that way till next time. While she is here i dust and vakuum the livingroom and or sort other places out (bedrooms, cellar ...).
That helps me a lot.
Happy New Year Dana! May you always be blessed!! Thank you for the work you do! ❤❤❤
Another book to write? You said that super fast....can't wait, love all your stuff. Your humor and your realness. :) Thank you.
Happy New Year, Dana!
Here’s to a progress for a simplified 2025.
I hope to make more progress this year.
I can’t be the only one who has been watching so long that having a mouse problem seems more like a blessing than a curse 😂. My immediate thought was that it would make it easier to find the obvious trash! I’m not trying to make light of the situation at this person‘s expense. I’ve experienced mouse infestation, squirrel infestation, and rat infestation before I found Dana, Cas, and Dawn, it’s very distressing, but I’d relish the opportunity to just be able to get rid of so many things easily with question 1!
Dana said in one of her recent videos that they get mice every winter. We get a mouse or two in our basement every year. They die without food and I find them and underneath something or have found them having died stuck to a glue trap.
I’m “born-organized”, but I’ve read and/or listened to all your books. Very valuable! Looking forward to your next book! Also love your videos and podcast!
Just pre-ordered your audio book! I'm a spiritual person (but not Christian) and I love your content, I can't wait to hear your spiritual side of decluttering!
I’m still on Vacation and will resume decluttering next week 🎉❤
Happy New Year Dana 🥳
We are decluttering alot lately
Happy New Year Dana!!
Just pre-ordered! I am excited.
Omg a new book!
How exciting about the new book!!!! 📚
Gifts... I think I have said it before, it was a gift to you, what you do with it is entirely up to you. There should never be guilt attached to a gift.
Omg going through the mouse thing right now after a long vacation! I was already decluttering and now it’s on overdrive lol. So grateful I ran into you and clutterbugs tips beforehand
I love your method!
Congrats on the new book! My mom is a Christian so I might order it for her!
Your new book sounds awesome!!!!
How do you deal with young adults and teens that like to declutter but won't to throw away? Our storage space is over capacity and now our garage has become their catch all.
Just preordered your new book on Spotify!
And your not afraid to mention Jesus!
God will bless you for mentioning Him, too!❤
A little jelly of your sun. Minnesota has been cloudy for a week+ 😢
Wait. I didn’t hear about preorder bonuses until the very end! I preordered the audible version weeks ago. Does anyone know more about bonuses? TIA
EDIT TO ADD: I found the information in the video description! I’m all set now! Thanks anyway!
Go to the link and you can claim the bonuses now!
Excited to get your book!!! Yes, dealing with the spiritual side of this is crucial ❤
I've made a decision, after growing up helping my grandma sort other people's stuff for auctions, that I don't want to keep things that make my kids say "why did she keep /this/?!"
I caught the tail end of your live driving to the client in the next town at around 10.20am in south Australia. What the heck unusual time are you streaming? I never catch you. But I was unable to comment for obvious reasons. (I am one of those perpetually late people, no time to pull over.)
You've mentioned in the past that you've gone digital as much as possible. How do you digitise purchase receipts from stores that you want to keep in case you need to return the item or claim under the warranty?
I just take a photo and file in one folder for warranties and receipts. Receipt printer ink fades so quickly I find it better even so to preserve with a photo.
Broken rubber bands are trash. A dead insect that was eating your paperwork is trash.
💕
Drama students saying “I need your designer suit” “I need your laptop”🤣🤣 kids can be so manipulative 🤦♀️🤣