I pulled my grandma's quilt out of the trash when she passed away. I couldnt bear to part with it. But after 22yrs of lugging it around, and finding places to store it (it wasnt usable), I was finally able to make a decision about it. I cut it apart, and made mini wall hanging versions for the family members who wanted them, and gave myself permission to let the rest of it go. Now I have a placemat size piece of her quilt in my sewing room. It reminds me of the good memories everytime I see it :)
I love that idea so much!! My husband and I have a ton of beautiful quilts that his grandmother made. Funny thing is they all get used by us and our kids.
I used to keep every gift from anyone who gave me something whether I liked it or not until one year my Sister was commenting on all the stuff I had and in particular a hideous candle and make fun of me for buying it until I told her she had actually gifted it to me..she didn't even remember, which made sit and think do I remember every gift I have given? No I didn't it was the most freeing moment of my life..I got rid of so much stuff and not one person has ever asked me where any gift is.
I had a set of ceramic deer that my precious aunt gave me many years ago. I would put them out every Christmas season even though I never really liked them. She lived on the opposite coast and wouldn’t have known if I did or didn’t. I finally stopped putting them out but they stayed in a box in the garage. When she passed away it was even harder to let them go. What finally made me part with them was rediscovering her handwritten recipes. These are more precious than anything and I think of her whenever I cook up her famous recipes!
I love that no one asked about the gifts. I had to learn your lesson myself (still am), but I DID have people who would ask about their gifts. I wonder what level of insecurity they had that they felt they needed control over something they no longer own...
I LOVE this! No, I do not remember everything I have given as gifts, and even some things that I have received! I live in a small rural community where everyone knows everyone or knows someone who is related to you! An elderly family friend who was decluttering her years of accumulation(who has a huge family) gave my 2 girls dolls that looked like "collectables", but my kids didn't like them(said they were "creepy"🤷♀️); so, eventually, I donated them to a local organization for their yard/thrift sale fundraiser. Later, I found out, -who should decide to browse the sale? The giver of the dolls! I was SO afraid that she'd be insulted, since I gave them away... BUT, I heard her saying she thought they were ugly, and that's why she gave them away. She thought it was funny, because no one in her family wanted them, either! 😂
Great idea! I get too many plants from cuttings and people do love to receive them. I put a few rocks &/or broken sea shells (I’m in SC) in the bottom to facilitate “drainage“ and prevent root rot, or, you could put the plant in a small potting pot and set that on top of the rocks, inside the coffee cup. I find it’s best to have space at the bottom for some air (since there is no hole in the bottom.) Tnx for the idea!
@@deboraballes9044 How do you drill the hole? Special bit or use tape? Nothing shatters? I never tried and it is a great idea for chipped mugs that are sentimental value only.
As a teacher, every year I get multiple "best teacher" gifts (at Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, and end-of-school). I love my students, work hard at being an excellent teacher, and am honored by their love and thoughtfulness. Years ago I felt compelled to keep the kitsch. Not anymore. 99% of it goes straight in the donate box. Parents: what teachers mostly want and need is gift cards and cash to help pay for all the room supplies they pay for from their own pocket. Or office supplies--excellent quality scissors or staplers that they use daily (but would never purchase for themselves), or Teachers-Pay-Teachers gift certificates. Consumables like food, beverages, mani-pedi, gift cards are useful as well. Think of it this way: if I have 15-20 students and 25% of them give me kitsch for only one of those occasions stated above, that's over 10 pieces of kitsch every year! And doesn't include other teacher stuff we get from family, coworkers and administrators. It gets overwhelming fast. Alternatively, seek out what your teacher does outside of school (hobby, fun, relaxation, special needs), and gift to those interests or needs instead. ❤
A friend of mine who taught English as a second language to adults suggested Home Depot gift cards so she could do DIY in her home which she loved and couldn’t afford. Some students even volunteer to help. 😊 She had lots of fun on her days off and some of her students practice new crafting/Construccion vocabulary on “the job” ☮️ I love this channel. The host is great and she inspires great comments. A gift that keeps on giving. ☮️Stay safe. Be happy
I really like your idea of gifting something that is related to the teacher's non-school interests! For one thing, it acknowledges that they have a life outside of school. And second, it typically requires you to take greater interest in them as a person.
My husband used to travel for work and when he went to Australia he brought home this really special honey called “rooftop honey”. It came in a really neat jar and once we finished the jar I saved it. When cleaning out our kitchen spice cabinet we had a bunch of saved jars and unruly spices. I got rid of most of the jars, but I wanted to keep the rooftop honey one! It just so happened these jars were in proximity to our spices and some of our spices were in bags rather than containers. So I repurposed the beautiful and sentimental honey jar to house our whole cloves! Months later when my husband needed cloves, he said “I’m so glad you did that because I love seeing that jar in here reminding me of my trip to Australia!” I couldn’t believe he cared that much because he’s not sentimental, but that made me happy to repurpose it and I was so happy it meant so much to him! P.S. I got rid of the leftover jars and don’t save them anymore. Only special ones will get saved- not relish jar from a random Thursday. 💁🏻♀️
I made sewing kits for my children using old clothes my mother had saved from when we were children. Using the fabric helped my mom to let go of it, gave my kids (adults) a useful.and special item.
What a beautiful story! We save jars - my mom preserves veggies and also volunteers for a charity and has given lots of food to people (such as sauerkraut etc) or to relatives etc Hope you donate the jars you don't need! Maybe a charity or someone who preserves food, maybe a small farmer or such could make good use of them! We buy some dairy in reusable glass packaging from a small farm and return after washing...
I had my great-grandmother' hand sewn quilt that was in terrible condition. I'd saved it from the trash, and couldn't use it for anything. Really. Then I saw a Christmas Tree skirt that had appliquéd squares of ready-made Christmas quilt with ribbons and bows as packages. The first snip was hardest, but by the end, I had made tree skirts for my Mother, sister, and me out of that raggedy, precious treasure. It lives on as a functional remembrance.
"Stuff shifting" is different than "Repurposing." 🎯 This is brilliant, to use items in a different way, to lessen the emotional attachment to the items.
I use my baby receiving blankets as hair towels. They're the perfect size. I've used them for 20 years! They are litterally shredding thrmselves so i have had to ceremoniously wrap them in paper and burn them in my wood stove. I couldn't bear to think of them in a landfill 😢.
yes! I do the same! and I kept the baby towels I used when my kids were babies.. perfect for hair towels. If you notice...the turbin hair towl thingys are made from the same material. It's a winwin! lol
I have a lot of pretty dishes and silver serving ware from my mom, grandmothers, and aunts and my husband's mom, grandmothers and aunts too. We just decided to use it and enjoy it. I've lost two sugar bowls (favorites) but I have such joy that we enjoyed them for years. And, when my children broke them, they felt bad but I got to tell them that it's OK, accidents happen but we sure got to enjoy them while we used them. :)
You can mosaic-top a table with memorable pretty pieces -could be a small plant stand or larger-I’ve seen mosaic pieces in shadow boxes to hang-may be plain to others but special to you❤️
Yes use it because when you leave this or share this with your children, the pieces or sets will have meaning to them and they will enjoy them too. There is no meaning when an item has not memory attached.
Yes..thats exactly how I am. We have a perfect collection of dishes..china..sets of antique silverware..etc that have been passed down to us from family members.. we use every bit of it ❤
Suggestion: Before “getting rid of” or “ repurposing an item,” take a picture and think about cutting a piece out of the item and make into a bookmark 🔖 by gluing to paper and write on the back whatever reminds you where it came from; then laminate it. You can look at the item daily if you also put such pics printed out in a multi-picture frame on your wall. My favorite pics of my family are in a multi-frame pic on the wall where I can see them.
Yes! That idea of taking a picture of items is such a great one that has helped me get rid of some things I would have otherwise felt the need to keep (even though they were things that would never be used). Always a great option to suggest. And that’s a cool additional twist of ideas with the bookmarks etc 👍
Fun timing. I just decided to gift myself new kitchen towels in the form of my son's old flannel blankets and burp cloths. I get to part with them slowly as my heart will allow. Yes, my son is 9. Yes, I'm crying right now. Don't judge me.
I don’t know how you aren’t more popular. I really had to learn that being organized and declutter is VASTLY different. It’s like engineers vs architects! Learning to not make bigger messes and learning to set a “container” limit is the biggest thing I’ve learned from you. Thank you for your amazing and realistic help.
I know, right?!?? Someone give this lady a TV series where she goes and helps all the people who are back to their old habits a year after Marie Kondo or other professional organizers do their thing 🤪
I just found her, so I'll help and subscribe! Such a little thing to do! I appreciate the humor and I have already used the "where would I look for this?" strategy. It really helps!
Seriously, I'm listening to your Declutter book and OMG am I a reincarnation of you?? Is that seriously possible?! It must be because everything you are saying applies to my life...I'm only on chapter 4 and it's 100% accurate. I'm a clutter mess and I found your book by the grace of God because I have 3 weeks off for Christmas break and my plan was to declutter my mess. I'm so so so so so happy I found your book!!!!!!!!!!!!
My mom collected EVERYTHING! Collector’s plates, seashells, eggs, mice, cardinals, Santas, baskets, Little Orphan Annie memorabilia…the list goes on and on. She also loved flowers and gardening and was that crazy old lady who started taking tap lessons and picking up the harmonica at age 75. She was a world class chocoholic. She also delivered Meals on Wheels and tutored kids in reading and was a cutthroat Skip-Bo player and LOVED the Utah Jazz basketball team. And so much more - she was delightfully nuts! When she died, the world was just a little less bright and fun, and I wanted to keep everything she ever owned or touched. What I settled for was one of her pretty baskets (wide and shallow) filled with a small representation of each of her crazy collections and interests. One of her gardening gloves with a ceramic cardinal and a cute China mouse sitting on it. A small Toblerone candy bar and a pair of metal taps from her dance shoes. A preserved rose from her garden and a China egg from her shelf. A shell, a harmonica, a pair of her glasses, a packet of cherry koolaid (her passion), a word search puzzle book she’d worked in and the pencil she used last, a small set of scriptures, with a couple of thank you letters from her literacy students tucked in the pages. An Annie doll and a tiny piece of the painted China she loved. A Utah Jazz beanie bear and a couple of Skip-bo cards. And more. It sounds like a lot, but it’s just one basket (maybe breadbox sized) with this collection of trinkets that lets me remember the many things that made her the funny, crazy, kind, loving weirdo she was without letting her possessions overwhelm me.
What a nice way to remember your mother without over-cluttering your house. Advice from Matt Paxton, who wrote Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: please write down the stories behind the objects you kept. That will help the next generation(s) know the wonderful and interesting person your mom was.
Yes yes yes! I hate throwing usable stuff out but that ihave no use for. Note pads, cards, grocery bags, makeup that was the wrong color & can't return
Thanks to you, I was able to get rid of my wedding dress- which my daughter was not interested in, and it was yellowing - thank you! and the two dolls that, again, my daughter didn't want- I freely gave them to the thrift store. My daughter helped me with the dolls- which shop to give them to- the one that would treat them with the most respect. I never ever felt free-er than letting those three things go!!!
Dana… This is an old video so who knows if you’ll see this. I just want to say that watching your videos makes me feel seen like never before. I have never been able to explain my struggles with being organized to anyone. Your advice makes sense. Thank you.
This last month I was working on taking my wedding bouquet from a marriage I’m no longer in and tried repurposing it into a resin pyramid. After getting about halfway done I sorta lost my steam. I pulled it out to see how it was coming along and I apparently put too much glitter in it to see the flowers. However, doing as much as I did allowed me to process a few of the emotions and I was no longer attached to it the way I was before. I was able to not only toss the partial resin creation, but the rest of the bouquet as well. It was so freeing. I thought I wanted to remember the wedding day through the bouquet because that was a good day even if the marriage wasn’t. It’s amazing how true this is what you are saying about repurposing something and no longer feeling the attachment. Thank you for sharing your experiences so I know I’m not alone. :)
When my daughters were infants I used flannel burp clothes that I had made and machine embroidered around the edges. They were soft and functional and I loved them. Now they make wonderful dust cloths that make me smile. 😊
When I was young, we dusted with cloth diapers. I was 15 when they’d tattered too much to keep using, and we let them go. Fast forward to my own child’s birth, more cloth diapers (prefolds, but before the formed and snap/Velcro kinds available now) and eventually, more dust cloths and “swiffer replacements.” They started giving out when he was 15 or so. I retired that last one a couple years ago. He was 27 then.
@@Plethorality A bib is what you put on the baby to catch food and drool. A burp cloth is what you throw over your shoulder to keep whatever comes up during the burping process from cascading down your shirt. When my kids were babies, I usually used a cloth diaper or a towel as a burp cloth.
@@Plethorality Just a quick explanation, burp clothes are sometimes labored over soft flannel or cotton cloths that are thrown over the shoulder in case the baby burps up some milk with the burp. Bibs clasp around the neck so that they stay on the front of the child, ideally. Unless of course, the child has other ideas.
Oh wow! I started doing something similar to this with some kitchen cups/glasses/mugs. They said "handwash only". I don't handwash unless the dishwasher is broken. I don't have the time! I finally just started putting those items in the dishwasher. If they get destroyed, so be it. I'm a teacher and get mugs and glasses like they're going out of style. When it finally breaks from not being handwashed, I'm good with that. I've used it. It's fulfilled it's purpose. Time to part ways and say goodbye.
I have a old barbie house from my childhood that actually made me sad but I couldn't get rid of it. My daughter already has a new barbie house so I decided to repaint the house more neutral colors and changed it from barbies house to Ken's house. I actually like the house again and it no longer makes me sad.
My boys have fought over a baby blanket my grandma made for them, 16 & 17 years ago. She made two but it ended up the older used the younger's and when they slowly disintegrated, I allowed my son to keep a square of "his" but the larger of the two was still usable. When our dog passed last month, it was no question as to who got the blanket. Thank you for the idea years ago when I heard it on the podcast.
I'm a recovering hoarder, mother of two. A hoarder specialist brought me to you. I can't thank you enough. I can't afford your book, but I'm a definite fan! I just don't want my kids to grow up thinking clutter is normal. I want them to develop healthy cleaning habits.
If you have a library card most libraries use the Libby or Overdrive app to allow u to rent audiobooks...I just finished her’s today using my library app!
I had a blanket that was slightly unraveling, but couldn't let go of for sentimental reasons. When our yellow lab passed away, I wrapped her body in the blanket. That blanket was special to me, but I was grieving so hard, I thought she needed it more than I. It was my way of letting go I guess.
This is so true, after having kids (mine are still three under 5) I found out very little "sentimental" stuff I held on to was truly precious. Once a toddler ransacks the back of every nook and cranny in your home, you come to find out that a lot of what they ruined was pointless to hold onto for years anyways and I kind of found relief every time she tore something up. From that lesson, I've started asking myself this question.... If this [fill in the blank] broke/was ruined/burned up in a fire/got lost how would I honestly feel, how easy would it be to replace it? And then I reassure myself that if I need something like it, I can borrow/buy it for a lot less stress than the amount of stress it caused by keeping it crammed it into my space.
@@AnHeC I’m very sentimental, & it’s been hard to part with school stuff I prepared for my college classes I taught for decades. Lots of myself invested in my life’s work. However, now that I have a bit more distance, I’m getting better. And, as the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
I have a paralyzing inability to get started. It is so weird. I'm an intelligent, educated, weirdo!! I am an RN. I don't have this problem on the nursing floor. I get after it and take care of all the multitude of problems each day hands me. Why can't I do that in my home??? It literally baffles me.
I can SO relate!! When I was part of the working world, I had a job where 20-some people depended on me getting work to them, and keeping SO MANY THINGS organized. I had to keep on top of deadlines and accounts, and problem solve... I did it all with ease! Anytime anyone needed something, I knew right where it was to get it to them... but at home? NOPE. I was so vigilant at work, that by the time I got home, I just could not organize ONE. MORE. THING. It's hard to shift your mind from, "I'm at work and I HAVE to have this all organized", to "I'm at home and WHO CARES..." We don't want our home to feel like "work", too. The reality is... IT'S ALL WORK. But if we do it right, we have MORE time to PLAY!
I think it's because you work so hard and when you're home, you finally get to relax. Like your safe place. And you definitely deserve that! Be kind on yourself. This 5 minute pick up might be a game changer for you :)
@@andshesmiles6272 thank you so much! I don’t think I realize how being responsible for the safety and lives of very sick people just pushes me into near exhaustion. Bless your heart!!💝💝💝
@@suzettedorning9113 firstly, THANK YOU AND BIG HUGS to the nurses. and please, a system that pays you properly. as for the organising at home thing, well, at work, i would imagine that you have training, policies and prcedures that you would be working with, habitually, as well as constant feedback and prompting from people. then at home... there is little to none of that. plus, when you get home, you are used to being exhausted... so, double whammy. if you were a man, you might have a wife to take care of the minutae for you... i always envied that... anyway those are my takes on your whys... now here is my suggestion: what if you found a way to think of your house as PLAY,?? play house / cubbies... like when we were kids. tune imto your creativity. when we think if it as work... the brain can shut down and there is no more energy. but playing? we can always play! this is YOUR SPACE and YOUR TIME... and you have the freedom to be a bit weird... make mistakes, exoeriment.. use another side of your brain, and play!! : )
I'm (slowly) learning to sew my own clothes, and old sheets are great for practice and pattern mock-ups. It helps to keep me from ruining the expensive fabrics I want the final product to be made from. Sheets might also make good lining material for some sewing projects.
Not only did you re-purpose your comforter, but you gave your puppies something that has your scent on it, which they will absolutely love. You couldn't give them anything better for them and it is healthier for you and; good girl.
I've been stuck on sentimental old stuff I don't want to keep but find it hard to give up. It really helps to hear you struggle over a similar issue. Thank you. Also, I moved only my "good" stuff overseas, and only had the "good" dishes in my new location. My first reaction was to go buy "bad" dishes from the $ Store to use everyday. But I forced myself to just use the good stuff I had. Now my meals always feel special (despite my cooking), and I love all my beautiful dishware!
THIS IS 100% advice I give everyone...why in the world would we keep “good stuff” for other people (who likely won’t appreciate it nearly as much as we do) instead of enjoying the luxury in our own homes. Good on u for doing it 👏🏼👏🏼
Dana, I have both of your books and they are helping a TON! I've tried other decluttering approaches that also come from books but not one has helped nearly like yours. Thank you SO much!!!
I've done this for so many years with so many items. I can really relate. I recently discovered that this practice doesn't only help the decluttering owner softly detach from the item through an extra transition, but it also lengthens the life-cycle of the item itself. The less transformation an object requires in between uses and the more uses it can have, the less energy it will consume during its lifetime. This is good waste management and one of the most important principles as we transition towards a more circular economy. --- PS: I love your content. You are amazing. I love watching decluttering / cleaning / organizing / decorating videos, but I had never found somebody who could so effectively addresses anxiety. Thank you for keeping it real!
This video made me smile. When cleaning out a closet, I stumbled on my children's baby blankets.(they are 18, 16, and 14 and don't remember or care about them ) I literally teared up at the thought of removing them from our house. Where are they now? In our beloved ferrets cage...where when I wash and fold them, I get to re live the memory of when they were tiny, and needed their blankees :) sometimes you just can't part with something from your babies past!!! But it can be useful!!!!
This may sound terrible. I am trying to use and enjoy special things that before I wanted to save and preserve such as Afghan blankets crocheted by family and friends and other handmade gifts from family. Some of the people have passed away, but I believe they would have wanted me to use them up and enjoy them. I have “used up” one quilt, but it had a good long life.
I’m working on taking the emotion out of my decluttering, so that I can actually declutter. 🙃 I’m going to make a conscious effort to think outside the box and perhaps repurpose some items!
I took a picture of a few sentimental items and would look at the picture when I thought of them. Maybe eventually i will be able to delete the picture....
Do you have recommendations for quickly going through boxes from storage? We've moved several times, and we obviously haven't needed those things, but it always takes so long to get through just a few boxes! :)
At the very least, do the first steps: 1) throw away the trash 2) donate the "duhs" 3) consolidate Even if it all doesn't go away, you'll know what you have and where it is, and you'll be better off than you were before. Better=success.
I just had to tell you this, after listening to your book this past weekend and feeling like it’s the only decluttering book that gets me, I looked you up here and this is the first video I watched. Now, we are moving, have six kids and lots of hobbies but I had a shredded threadbare baby quilt my best friend made for my oldest (who is 22) that I couldn’t part with. I watched this video and it made sense, and I naturally thought of that baby quilt but we don’t have a dog and it’s not suitable for rags so I was still torn over what to do. Not even an hour after watching this video, grandma arrived for a week’s visit and announced she might have to go out again because she brought her dog and crate but forgot all his bedding. So now my sentimental baby quilt is at the bottom of a dog crate and i keep laughing about the timing of it all 😆🤣
Great idea! It's interesting how the change in category of a repurposed item also causes a change in our way of thinking of it! Would the burp cloths also have made good washcloths for the babies who had become toddlers?
I have a plethora of doilies made by my mother and grandmother. Some of them just happen to be orange or a variegated yellow and orange. I saw someone making pumpkins at Halloween from old doilies. You just gather the edges with a running stitch, stuff with polyfil and close it up by pulling the stitching, then take a few stitches to tack in place. You can make a stem from a stick, if you like. I think that's a pretty good repurpose.
Dana, are you my doppelganger? I purchased your book on audible and I am nodding my head with everything that you say. I am very overwhelmed with all my stuff. It makes tired just looking at it. I am up to ch 9 and I will stop buying containers and work on the publicly viewed spaces in my home first. I see that this is not a short process and but with guidance I am receiving from your book I am ready to start. Thank you!!!
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing this because I feel like I have decluttered down to the stuff that is sentimental, and those things can be hard!
This is such an amazing idea. Change the identity of something so that we’re able to lessen our attachment to a thing. This reminds me of a political strategy utilized in our culture today.
I have my grandmother's hexagon handmade quilt that is fragile, sitting in the cedar chest for 30 years. I draped it over our headboard and is a comforting reminder everyday.
Just found you thanks to Dawn from the Minimal Mom! So excited! I'm a mom of 5 beautiful kiddos, ages 11-2, and I have a hard time parting with baby clothes. I decided to let my daughter have a few infant clothes for her larger dolls. And I only keep one special outfit that they wore for Easter or Christmas that we have pictures of them in, and I put them in their memory box, along with a copy of that picture. When they get married someday I will gift them their boxes so they can enjoy looking through them and see that outfit and be amazed at how tiny they once were. 😊
I had a little red metal toy sewing machine. I thought I could repurpose it as a decor item somewhere else in my house. It didn’t really fit in any room so I placed it in a spot where I saw it often, on the bathroom countertop. After two days of sitting there I thought, “it doesn’t go with anything in here!” So I put it in the black bag and donated it! I know someone who has a sewing room or likes retro toys n can use this in their decor and enjoy it. That made me happy! I love your show! I just subscribed! 😊
When I decluttered my necklaces i struggled a bit and I put a lot of them as a "decoration" over my clotheshangers. After a few month I was annoyed by them and gave them away. They turned from jewlery to deco i looked on long enough... It worked that way too : )
Some items I was emotionally attached to, like old toys that were dusty and smelly or something that no one would actually want, and I didn't really want it either but still there was this "but i had it when I was a child". I broke out of it by cutting it up and making it less attractive, making it into trash. I didn't do a repurposing for the item, I just ruined it so that it would be easier. I also think that if I would have donated those specific items, I'd look back, fish it out, or think it's out there somewhere and the attachment still sort of there, but ruining it completely took that away. I just took pictures first and then let it go
This is a trick as old as time! Think of the days when there wasn't a Walmart in every town and people just used what they had! Old clothing would be used only for grubby work that stained clothes, then they'd be cut up as rags, used for cleaning or making rugs. Old curtains would be made into baby dresses, etc.
Currently collecting t-shirts to turn into a quilt. My husband and I both seem to have emotional attachment to old T-shirts. I figured we can have one useful quilt made up of them and free up probably multiple drawers of shirts.
I've been a collector all my life but didn't realize it for years. Now I chose things more carefully. Right now I'm keeping my mother's brooches in shadow boxes, just the special ones so I don't have to keep them all. She passed away last year so I'm going to have her memories in my head and my life
I’ve seen people decorate picture frames with family jewelry that they’ll never wear. I plan to make a brooch Christmas tree using a styrofoam tree shape covered in velvet, but I still don’t have enough pieces and I’ve slowed down my treasure hunting.
I’ve needed to get rid of an old pair of PJ pants (I’m super fussy so I use them for as long as possible) but I’ve lost weight and they’re too big. But I realised they are a nice soft but sturdy cotton. So I’m about to cut up and sew them into reusable cotton make up wipes.
I still struggle with clutter. The problem is I have such a creative mind that loves to recycle items but I never get to completing all these projects. I have started discarding items but it hasn't been an easy process. I still have some old decorative bottles from 12 years ago, lol.
You also got the plus of not BUYing another thing for dog bedding that you would also eventually have to declutter. I'm also using an old t-shirt quilt for dog bedding and happy to see it being purposeful. 😊
Good for you on making your comforter over for the dogs. The dogs will love them because they will have your scent on them. Good way to recycle. I have always done stuff like that. It is a way to keep your household costs down, and by the time you toss it, it is going to be something you WANT to toss, because it has no other uses.
Can totally relate to this. Getting rid of things just for the sake of it feels so wasteful. Was just thing of making new cat bedding out of an old comforter myself.
Hello Dana, I cant get enough of your videos, blogs, podcasts, you are so inspirational and entertaining. I recently moved and had all my baby things kept in boxes in the roof....New house --- now stored in garage instead of car Ha Ha! ......This is ridiculous right (my youngest is 19)..... So I started going through them and like you said,,,,,,, Awww this was my babies!!!.... Oh maybe my girls will want them for their babies? (NAHHH)...... My decluttering got interrupted for about 6 months (ha!) and when I went back to it,,,,,, my son had used some for rags (Wah Wah)...... So now I'm deciding on going through them (again!!!) and taking photos of them for keepsakes instead. That way I can keep the memory instead of the clutter. Good idea huh!! Keep up the fantastic work.
My biggest turning point was when organizer Peter Walsh said that after your house,your next expensive item is usually your car.So why is IT sitting out in the elements while dead aunt Edna’s stained linens are enjoying the garage?
Yes things go through multiple uses, to enable me to throw them away. Towels and linens get threadbare then the dog gets to have them then they can go. I do also put very sentimental things in a box seal it and pop a date on it. When I see that date on a box has passed, without opening it I throw it away. I know it's not fully getting rid of it right away, but it helps me know I have appreciated the item, and if I haven't gone and taken it out again I obviously don't need or want it anymore.
You really rock! Your clutter journey is so similar to mine that I find myself in your story all the time. Grew up in a messy house and have maintained that as a sentimental living altar to my family. I have read and have an untold number of how to get organized and how to psych yourself out of clutter books. Yours is the first one that has made enough sense to get the job done. Thanks so much for sharing your inside view. Linda in Indianapolis
We have to clear out our large house which is full to the brim of many years of stuff because our house is being sold. Would Dana's book help do you think?
I do this with worn out kids shirts. It's funny how even kids clothes that are too worn out to donate have sentiment. You explain it so well, the emotional attachment part. We have a cloth nose wipe stash (think small handkerchiefs). If there is a shirt or soft pants that was beloved but worn out, it can be cut into cloth wipes. Then the kids and I don't feel bad that we are just tossing out a shirt they loved, but we are repurposing it and then it gets tossed easily when it wears out. We use them for nose wipes, diapering, face washing, wash cloths, sticky hands, etc. Plus cloth wipes are super useful for colds or allergies when you are wiping noses often, because they are much softer than tissues. We just toss them in the laundry when I am washing towels or diapers. It also creates less waste. Win win!
I saw a quilt square mounted on an open picture frame. I thought what a wonderful way to display an old family heirloom that is tattered and not useful as a quilt anymore. My wife put her most special quilts and baby blankets/ embroidered burp cloths on a ladder in our room. Now she can be reminded everyday of those precious things and actually use the quilts when needed. They aren’t shoved away in a closet or drawer not being appreciated.
I've heard of taking pictures of the precious items before donating them or discarding them. Pictures don't take up space but seeing those items do give me the "feels".
I'm glad I stumbled(UA-cam recommended)onto this video. I'm trying to downsize. I started in my kitchen. Ive been following minimal living "rules". Don't want to be a minimalist. Just lighten the load. I originally started just before quarenteen. I put stuff in lidded boxes. A month after, didn't go through them to use, I took the covered boxes to a charity. I honestly didn't know what I was donating. Normally, that would have been agonizing to me. As the guy took the stuff out of the bin, my mind was saying "I'm donating that?". Frankly, it was incredibly liberating. Now, round 2. I have bedding I've had since early in my marriage. The bed spread has seen better days. Its ugly too.Haven't used it in years. Actually a decade or more. I've been married for 32 years. I really want to donate it to a local rescue with some towels. Now, I believe I can separate the sentimental emotions out of it. That's what was holding me back. About baby things.. The military helped with that. In 1998, son was 5. My husband was about to transfer. It looked like we were moving to Hawaii. Had to sell or get rid of a lot of stuff. Even sold our house. Kept nothing of my son's baby stuff. All but a couple of handmade blankets. Me and darn blankets. Lol Oh, we never moved to Hawaii. We stayed in Washington state for anither 4 years till he retired. My reused item is a k-cup holder. I use it for craft pain bottles.
What a great idea! I have an old tatted sweater of my mother's that I wore for years. It got so full of holes that it just looked awful but I would still wear it around the house. I finally gave it to my cat as something to sleep on, which made it easier to get rid of the sweater eventually. 😍
I have two sets of coffee mugs from the two colleges I attended. I used them to drink from MANY years ago and they have been in a box for a while now. I have my coffee in a commuter mug that keeps it hot these days. I'm pretty sure no one will want the mugs from my alma maters... I'm thinking I can use some as water cups for painting (and other craft uses) when my nieces come over. At least this way they will be used and may be the girls can have one to remember our crafting times when they are older.
🙋🏼♀️I also have a blanket (made by my mom who passed when I was a teen) that is falling apart. I’m not ready to give it to the dog... but I’m getting there. Thankfully my house is pretty under control so it’s not as big a deal.
I had a favorite pair of flannel PJ bottoms and I still wore them even tho they were ripped all over. Instead of throwing them away, I cut them up and used them for cleaning rags, then have been able to throw the cleaning rags away when they are no longer useful
@@ellencamano4197 you are so sweet and kind. I don't know where this pathology comes from lol... A little bit of waste not want not and always knowing the day after I get rid of something I " need it" lol
Thank you so much for this I’m a bit horrified by this idea but still love it and I think I will try this and see if it helps. I really needed a video like this too so again thank u so much
This was so good. Dana is more helpful to me than anyone else who gives advice. I don't have to fight with guilt, when I follow her advice. She and I think so much alike. I still use my childrens' crib sheets to cover my ironing board. They wear like iron. My children are in their 40's. I also use them on the head rest area of my livingroom chair. I also use my grandson's baby bath towels for the headrest. I used my childrens' diapers for dusters and rags years ago. I used diapers
I found you just a few hours ago and I am so thankful to God! I was feeling overwhelmed with clutter and did a quick search for books on decluttering and chose yours! I already feel inspired and empowered! Thank you so much! 😊
I learned to sew at age 7. I made all my clothes until I was 40. I broke my shoulder in a ski lift fall. The long agonizing months of healing and therapy gave me excuse to eat too much comfort food and very soon none of my clothes fit. I found it easier to buy thrift store clothes. So being compulsive, I ripped all my former clothes into 1 inch wide strips and crocheted them into place mats and bath rugs. It was easy to toss them when they became stained or filthy.
I’m L O V I N G your idea of ways to part with sentimental items... So NEW and FRESH. Planning on phoning baby items and making book for the kids. Deadline was for weddings. Too Late! 😵
So I’m still having trouble. I had some washcloths that were my firstborn’s and were subsequently used for my next 4 kids. When I thought I wasn’t going to have anymore, I decided to do use them as rags. One day out of the blue I was like, “What is wrong with me? Why didn’t I keep those nice?” I still feel sad that they’re all dingy now. Help!
I can understand. I have a difficult time with sentimental items. But not everything connected to your children needs to be kept. You have other more precious items to remind you of your children. It’s better to keep less stuff but take good care of it, then keep everything and you don’t even enjoy it because it’s buried somewhere.
Clothing tends to go bad any way. I have kept baby clothes of my kids and they end up yellow and dingy. I figure it’s best to use stuff or it goes bad. Nothing lasts forever.
In a shift to minimalize belongings, I kept # UseWhatYouHave in mind for this past year. Now, listening to your insight covered me in a "blanket" of confirmation, and has encouraged me to # UseUpWhat I Have. Glad there is ~you~ in this slice of history!
It's called recycling. This is a brilliant way to let something go. I'll have to try this method because I have too many items I'm attached to. Thank you for the great idea.
I also used our kids receiving blankets (which we used as burp rags anyways!) as clean-up-spills cloths. Those 4 once babies are crazy kids/toddlers now, and between them and our cat 😂 there are a lot of spills. Now we use them practically daily, but I’m not going to be like “oh, I can’t get rid of that!!” Once it’s completely disgusting. Haha. Also, cups or bowls as plant pots is a good one, too! I also like to think for some harder things is if there is someone who I think would REALLY benefit or like the item, and how it would better serve them than us at this stage in life.
I love, love, love this!! Such a helpful way to view getting rid of stuff when you're attached to it. Thank you. I know someone who also really needs to hear this and I'm going to pass it on. Dont be gone to long or we will miss you. Lol❤
This was very helpful. As I am now retired, decluttering is getting easier. I’m realizing I don’t need as much to be happy. Although, some items are sooo tough to part with. Thank you for sharing. 💜
I pulled my grandma's quilt out of the trash when she passed away. I couldnt bear to part with it. But after 22yrs of lugging it around, and finding places to store it (it wasnt usable), I was finally able to make a decision about it. I cut it apart, and made mini wall hanging versions for the family members who wanted them, and gave myself permission to let the rest of it go. Now I have a placemat size piece of her quilt in my sewing room. It reminds me of the good memories everytime I see it :)
I LOVE that idea! Thank you so much for sharing ❤
I love that idea so much!!
My husband and I have a ton of beautiful quilts that his grandmother made. Funny thing is they all get used by us and our kids.
That’s such a lovely idea!! 🤗🤗🤗
Such a GREAT idea!!!
I love that
I used to keep every gift from anyone who gave me something whether I liked it or not until one year my Sister was commenting on all the stuff I had and in particular a hideous candle and make fun of me for buying it until I told her she had actually gifted it to me..she didn't even remember, which made sit and think do I remember every gift I have given? No I didn't it was the most freeing moment of my life..I got rid of so much stuff and not one person has ever asked me where any gift is.
I had a set of ceramic deer that my precious aunt gave me many years ago. I would put them out every Christmas season even though I never really liked them. She lived on the opposite coast and wouldn’t have known if I did or didn’t. I finally stopped putting them out but they stayed in a box in the garage. When she passed away it was even harder to let them go. What finally made me part with them was rediscovering her handwritten recipes. These are more precious than anything and I think of her whenever I cook up her famous recipes!
I love that no one asked about the gifts. I had to learn your lesson myself (still am), but I DID have people who would ask about their gifts. I wonder what level of insecurity they had that they felt they needed control over something they no longer own...
Great point, Denise!
I LOVE this! No, I do not remember everything I have given as gifts, and even some things that I have received! I live in a small rural community where everyone knows everyone or knows someone who is related to you! An elderly family friend who was decluttering her years of accumulation(who has a huge family) gave my 2 girls dolls that looked like "collectables", but my kids didn't like them(said they were "creepy"🤷♀️); so, eventually, I donated them to a local organization for their yard/thrift sale fundraiser. Later, I found out, -who should decide to browse the sale? The giver of the dolls! I was SO afraid that she'd be insulted, since I gave them away... BUT, I heard her saying she thought they were ugly, and that's why she gave them away. She thought it was funny, because no one in her family wanted them, either! 😂
I use to collect coffee cups. Lol!! Way to many, then I started using them to repot plants to give to other people. 😊
Great idea! I get too many plants from cuttings and people do love to receive them. I put a few rocks &/or broken sea shells (I’m in SC) in the bottom to facilitate “drainage“ and prevent root rot, or, you could put the plant in a small potting pot and set that on top of the rocks, inside the coffee cup. I find it’s best to have space at the bottom for some air (since there is no hole in the bottom.) Tnx for the idea!
I drill a hole in the cup and use a saucer underneath 😊👍
That's a great idea.
@@deboraballes9044 How do you drill the hole? Special bit or use tape? Nothing shatters? I never tried and it is a great idea for chipped mugs that are sentimental value only.
@@carolg.6838 i just use a drill bit for tile, i do loose some cups that are cracked so I don't do them anymore...
As a teacher, every year I get multiple "best teacher" gifts (at Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, and end-of-school). I love my students, work hard at being an excellent teacher, and am honored by their love and thoughtfulness. Years ago I felt compelled to keep the kitsch. Not anymore. 99% of it goes straight in the donate box.
Parents: what teachers mostly want and need is gift cards and cash to help pay for all the room supplies they pay for from their own pocket. Or office supplies--excellent quality scissors or staplers that they use daily (but would never purchase for themselves), or Teachers-Pay-Teachers gift certificates. Consumables like food, beverages, mani-pedi, gift cards are useful as well.
Think of it this way: if I have 15-20 students and 25% of them give me kitsch for only one of those occasions stated above, that's over 10 pieces of kitsch every year! And doesn't include other teacher stuff we get from family, coworkers and administrators. It gets overwhelming fast.
Alternatively, seek out what your teacher does outside of school (hobby, fun, relaxation, special needs), and gift to those interests or needs instead. ❤
A friend of mine who taught English as a second language to adults suggested Home Depot gift cards so she could do DIY in her home which she loved and couldn’t afford. Some students even volunteer to help. 😊 She had lots of fun on her days off and some of her students practice new crafting/Construccion vocabulary on “the job”
☮️ I love this channel. The host is great and she inspires great comments. A gift that keeps on giving. ☮️Stay safe. Be happy
@@gypsy.burstingheart7020 another great idea! 👍🙂
I really like your idea of gifting something that is related to the teacher's non-school interests! For one thing, it acknowledges that they have a life outside of school. And second, it typically requires you to take greater interest in them as a person.
My husband used to travel for work and when he went to Australia he brought home this really special honey called “rooftop honey”. It came in a really neat jar and once we finished the jar I saved it. When cleaning out our kitchen spice cabinet we had a bunch of saved jars and unruly spices. I got rid of most of the jars, but I wanted to keep the rooftop honey one! It just so happened these jars were in proximity to our spices and some of our spices were in bags rather than containers. So I repurposed the beautiful and sentimental honey jar to house our whole cloves! Months later when my husband needed cloves, he said “I’m so glad you did that because I love seeing that jar in here reminding me of my trip to Australia!” I couldn’t believe he cared that much because he’s not sentimental, but that made me happy to repurpose it and I was so happy it meant so much to him! P.S. I got rid of the leftover jars and don’t save them anymore. Only special ones will get saved- not relish jar from a random Thursday. 💁🏻♀️
I enjoy this story. This is what love is built on. My hubby and I are Aussie and U.S.. Love the Manuka Honey. 💖🦩
I made sewing kits for my children using old clothes my mother had saved from when we were children. Using the fabric helped my mom to let go of it, gave my kids (adults) a useful.and special item.
I just moved to Australia. I’m going to look for the honey!!
What a beautiful story! We save jars - my mom preserves veggies and also volunteers for a charity and has given lots of food to people (such as sauerkraut etc) or to relatives etc Hope you donate the jars you don't need! Maybe a charity or someone who preserves food, maybe a small farmer or such could make good use of them! We buy some dairy in reusable glass packaging from a small farm and return after washing...
I had my great-grandmother' hand sewn quilt that was in terrible condition. I'd saved it from the trash, and couldn't use it for anything. Really. Then I saw a Christmas Tree skirt that had appliquéd squares of ready-made Christmas quilt with ribbons and bows as packages. The first snip was hardest, but by the end, I had made tree skirts for my Mother, sister, and me out of that raggedy, precious treasure. It lives on as a functional remembrance.
"Stuff shifting" is different than "Repurposing." 🎯
This is brilliant, to use items in a different way, to lessen the emotional attachment to the items.
I use my baby receiving blankets as hair towels. They're the perfect size. I've used them for 20 years! They are litterally shredding thrmselves so i have had to ceremoniously wrap them in paper and burn them in my wood stove. I couldn't bear to think of them in a landfill 😢.
yes! I do the same! and I kept the baby towels I used when my kids were babies.. perfect for hair towels. If you notice...the turbin hair towl thingys are made from the same material. It's a winwin! lol
That’s genius!
I have a lot of pretty dishes and silver serving ware from my mom, grandmothers, and aunts and my husband's mom, grandmothers and aunts too. We just decided to use it and enjoy it. I've lost two sugar bowls (favorites) but I have such joy that we enjoyed them for years. And, when my children broke them, they felt bad but I got to tell them that it's OK, accidents happen but we sure got to enjoy them while we used them. :)
I agree--use that china! And if it breaks, it breaks. Most things in this world are not forever. We should enjoy them while we can!
You can always look for replacement parts on EBay or replacement.ltd
You can mosaic-top a table with memorable pretty pieces -could be a small plant stand or larger-I’ve seen mosaic pieces in shadow boxes to hang-may be plain to others but special to you❤️
Yes use it because when you leave this or share this with your children, the pieces or sets will have meaning to them and they will enjoy them too. There is no meaning when an item has not memory attached.
Yes..thats exactly how I am. We have a perfect collection of dishes..china..sets of antique silverware..etc that have been passed down to us from family members.. we use every bit of it ❤
Suggestion: Before “getting rid of” or “ repurposing an item,” take a picture and think about cutting a piece out of the item and make into a bookmark 🔖 by gluing to paper and write on the back whatever reminds you where it came from; then laminate it. You can look at the item daily if you also put such pics printed out in a multi-picture frame on your wall. My favorite pics of my family are in a multi-frame pic on the wall where I can see them.
Yes! That idea of taking a picture of items is such a great one that has helped me get rid of some things I would have otherwise felt the need to keep (even though they were things that would never be used). Always a great option to suggest. And that’s a cool additional twist of ideas with the bookmarks etc 👍
Fun timing. I just decided to gift myself new kitchen towels in the form of my son's old flannel blankets and burp cloths. I get to part with them slowly as my heart will allow. Yes, my son is 9. Yes, I'm crying right now. Don't judge me.
not judging you.. a tear rolling down my face.
I don’t know how you aren’t more popular. I really had to learn that being organized and declutter is VASTLY different. It’s like engineers vs architects! Learning to not make bigger messes and learning to set a “container” limit is the biggest thing I’ve learned from you. Thank you for your amazing and realistic help.
I know, right?!?? Someone give this lady a TV series where she goes and helps all the people who are back to their old habits a year after Marie Kondo or other professional organizers do their thing 🤪
I'm loving her humour too
I just found her, so I'll help and subscribe! Such a little thing to do! I appreciate the humor and I have already used the "where would I look for this?" strategy. It really helps!
If you hit the thumbs up button they become more popular.
@@Alex-bo5cp Yes! And her editor (son's ) humor, too!
Seriously, I'm listening to your Declutter book and OMG am I a reincarnation of you?? Is that seriously possible?! It must be because everything you are saying applies to my life...I'm only on chapter 4 and it's 100% accurate. I'm a clutter mess and I found your book by the grace of God because I have 3 weeks off for Christmas break and my plan was to declutter my mess. I'm so so so so so happy I found your book!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!! That's exactly how I feel since buying and reading her books a few days ago and discovering this channel. Kindred spirits! ❤❤
My mom collected EVERYTHING! Collector’s plates, seashells, eggs, mice, cardinals, Santas, baskets, Little Orphan Annie memorabilia…the list goes on and on. She also loved flowers and gardening and was that crazy old lady who started taking tap lessons and picking up the harmonica at age 75. She was a world class chocoholic.
She also delivered Meals on Wheels and tutored kids in reading and was a cutthroat Skip-Bo player and LOVED the Utah Jazz basketball team.
And so much more - she was delightfully nuts!
When she died, the world was just a little less bright and fun, and I wanted to keep everything she ever owned or touched.
What I settled for was one of her pretty baskets (wide and shallow) filled with a small representation of each of her crazy collections and interests.
One of her gardening gloves with a ceramic cardinal and a cute China mouse sitting on it. A small Toblerone candy bar and a pair of metal taps from her dance shoes. A preserved rose from her garden and a China egg from her shelf. A shell, a harmonica, a pair of her glasses, a packet of cherry koolaid (her passion), a word search puzzle book she’d worked in and the pencil she used last, a small set of scriptures, with a couple of thank you letters from her literacy students tucked in the pages. An Annie doll and a tiny piece of the painted China she loved. A Utah Jazz beanie bear and a couple of Skip-bo cards. And more.
It sounds like a lot, but it’s just one basket (maybe breadbox sized) with this collection of trinkets that lets me remember the many things that made her the funny, crazy, kind, loving weirdo she was without letting her possessions overwhelm me.
What a nice way to remember your mother without over-cluttering your house. Advice from Matt Paxton, who wrote Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: please write down the stories behind the objects you kept. That will help the next generation(s) know the wonderful and interesting person your mom was.
I love this! My main issue with decluttering is I'm always either attached to the items or I feel like I'm wasting stuff, I will have to try this.
Yes yes yes! I hate throwing usable stuff out but that ihave no use for. Note pads, cards, grocery bags, makeup that was the wrong color & can't return
Thanks to you, I was able to get rid of my wedding dress- which my daughter was not interested in, and it was yellowing - thank you! and the two dolls that, again, my daughter didn't want- I freely gave them to the thrift store. My daughter helped me with the dolls- which shop to give them to- the one that would treat them with the most respect. I never ever felt free-er than letting those three things go!!!
I do the same thing. When my beloved cat died I buried him in my own baby blanket that my mother had saved for me until she passed away at 87 years.
What a beautiful way to honor your cat AND your blanket.
Dana… This is an old video so who knows if you’ll see this. I just want to say that watching your videos makes me feel seen like never before. I have never been able to explain my struggles with being organized to anyone. Your advice makes sense. Thank you.
This last month I was working on taking my wedding bouquet from a marriage I’m no longer in and tried repurposing it into a resin pyramid. After getting about halfway done I sorta lost my steam. I pulled it out to see how it was coming along and I apparently put too much glitter in it to see the flowers. However, doing as much as I did allowed me to process a few of the emotions and I was no longer attached to it the way I was before. I was able to not only toss the partial resin creation, but the rest of the bouquet as well. It was so freeing. I thought I wanted to remember the wedding day through the bouquet because that was a good day even if the marriage wasn’t. It’s amazing how true this is what you are saying about repurposing something and no longer feeling the attachment. Thank you for sharing your experiences so I know I’m not alone. :)
Repurposing works well to diffuse attachment. I turned my bouquet into potpourri... which eventually lost it's scent as well as it's sentiment :)
When my daughters were infants I used flannel burp clothes that I had made and machine embroidered around the edges. They were soft and functional and I loved them. Now they make wonderful dust cloths that make me smile. 😊
When I was young, we dusted with cloth diapers. I was 15 when they’d tattered too much to keep using, and we let them go. Fast forward to my own child’s birth, more cloth diapers (prefolds, but before the formed and snap/Velcro kinds available now) and eventually, more dust cloths and “swiffer replacements.” They started giving out when he was 15 or so. I retired that last one a couple years ago. He was 27 then.
burp cloth! i have never heard that term before. we call them bibs.
@@Plethorality A bib is what you put on the baby to catch food and drool. A burp cloth is what you throw over your shoulder to keep whatever comes up during the burping process from cascading down your shirt. When my kids were babies, I usually used a cloth diaper or a towel as a burp cloth.
@@Plethorality Just a quick explanation, burp clothes are sometimes labored over soft flannel or cotton cloths that are thrown over the shoulder in case the baby burps up some milk with the burp. Bibs clasp around the neck so that they stay on the front of the child, ideally. Unless of course, the child has other ideas.
@@Romans828girl So sorry I had not seen you had already given an explanation or I would not have written mine.
Oh wow! I started doing something similar to this with some kitchen cups/glasses/mugs. They said "handwash only". I don't handwash unless the dishwasher is broken. I don't have the time! I finally just started putting those items in the dishwasher. If they get destroyed, so be it. I'm a teacher and get mugs and glasses like they're going out of style. When it finally breaks from not being handwashed, I'm good with that. I've used it. It's fulfilled it's purpose. Time to part ways and say goodbye.
I have a old barbie house from my childhood that actually made me sad but I couldn't get rid of it. My daughter already has a new barbie house so I decided to repaint the house more neutral colors and changed it from barbies house to Ken's house. I actually like the house again and it no longer makes me sad.
Why did the house make you "sad"? Do you mean sentimental?
My boys have fought over a baby blanket my grandma made for them, 16 & 17 years ago. She made two but it ended up the older used the younger's and when they slowly disintegrated, I allowed my son to keep a square of "his" but the larger of the two was still usable. When our dog passed last month, it was no question as to who got the blanket.
Thank you for the idea years ago when I heard it on the podcast.
I'm a recovering hoarder, mother of two. A hoarder specialist brought me to you. I can't thank you enough. I can't afford your book, but I'm a definite fan!
I just don't want my kids to grow up thinking clutter is normal. I want them to develop healthy cleaning habits.
Bobby Money check your local library. Most libraries have copies of my book in all formats and if they don’t have it, request they order it!
If you have a library card most libraries use the Libby or Overdrive app to allow u to rent audiobooks...I just finished her’s today using my library app!
I get to read her book on Libby / Overdrive in 12 weeks!
@@Snail_Nailz I did, too!
Sign up for audible and choose Dana’s book as your free one to keep forever.
This is brilliant! I have never heard this concept but it makes such sense!!!
Basically the smartest idea I have ever heard on the subject!!!!
I had a blanket that was slightly unraveling, but couldn't let go of for sentimental reasons. When our yellow lab passed away, I wrapped her body in the blanket. That blanket was special to me, but I was grieving so hard, I thought she needed it more than I. It was my way of letting go I guess.
This is so true, after having kids (mine are still three under 5) I found out very little "sentimental" stuff I held on to was truly precious. Once a toddler ransacks the back of every nook and cranny in your home, you come to find out that a lot of what they ruined was pointless to hold onto for years anyways and I kind of found relief every time she tore something up. From that lesson, I've started asking myself this question.... If this [fill in the blank] broke/was ruined/burned up in a fire/got lost how would I honestly feel, how easy would it be to replace it? And then I reassure myself that if I need something like it, I can borrow/buy it for a lot less stress than the amount of stress it caused by keeping it crammed it into my space.
Great thought! Thanks so much!
Great way to reuse before discarding, best for the environment
I can SO relate! I’m almost 70, & I still have school stuff from my own grade school days-& more. You & I are clearly related.
Me too! :o( :o)
But... Why? Why do you keep trash? It's a genuine question. Don't you feel burdened by it?
@@AnHeC I’m very sentimental, & it’s been hard to part with school stuff I prepared for my college classes I taught for decades. Lots of myself invested in my life’s work. However, now that I have a bit more distance, I’m getting better. And, as the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
I have a paralyzing inability to get started. It is so weird. I'm an intelligent, educated, weirdo!! I am an RN. I don't have this problem on the nursing floor. I get after it and take care of all the multitude of problems each day hands me. Why can't I do that in my home??? It literally baffles me.
I can SO relate!! When I was part of the working world, I had a job where 20-some people depended on me getting work to them, and keeping SO MANY THINGS organized. I had to keep on top of deadlines and accounts, and problem solve... I did it all with ease! Anytime anyone needed something, I knew right where it was to get it to them... but at home? NOPE. I was so vigilant at work, that by the time I got home, I just could not organize ONE. MORE. THING. It's hard to shift your mind from, "I'm at work and I HAVE to have this all organized", to "I'm at home and WHO CARES..." We don't want our home to feel like "work", too. The reality is... IT'S ALL WORK. But if we do it right, we have MORE time to PLAY!
I think it's because you work so hard and when you're home, you finally get to relax. Like your safe place. And you definitely deserve that! Be kind on yourself. This 5 minute pick up might be a game changer for you :)
@@andshesmiles6272 thank you so much! I don’t think I realize how being responsible for the safety and lives of very sick people just pushes me into near exhaustion. Bless your heart!!💝💝💝
@@Kerrin77JIH and Bless you! Your heart, your hands, your state of mind. :)
@@suzettedorning9113 firstly, THANK YOU AND BIG HUGS to the nurses. and please, a system that pays you properly.
as for the organising at home thing, well, at work, i would imagine that you have training, policies and prcedures that you would be working with, habitually, as well as constant feedback and prompting from people. then at home... there is little to none of that. plus, when you get home, you are used to being exhausted... so, double whammy. if you were a man, you might have a wife to take care of the minutae for you... i always envied that...
anyway those are my takes on your whys... now here is my suggestion:
what if you found a way to think of your house as PLAY,?? play house / cubbies... like when we were kids. tune imto your creativity.
when we think if it as work... the brain can shut down and there is no more energy.
but playing?
we can always play!
this is YOUR SPACE and YOUR TIME... and you have the freedom to be a bit weird... make mistakes, exoeriment.. use another side of your brain, and play!! : )
Stuff shifting... an ah-ha moment
This is very timely. Thinking of taking all of my mom's coffee cups and making a "memorial" mosaic from them.😁
I made candles in tea cups and sold them for macmilan nurses.
Old flat sheets make great drop cloths for painting etc. :)
And covers for dog beds & areas they lay...helps delay the dog bed washing cycles a bit longer 😋
So will fitted. Just cut the elastic. I often use the elastic to drape over something, then cut the elastic parts on the floor.
I use them on back porch to shade porch and gives a little privacy. Also they work to cover plants on cold nights.
I'm (slowly) learning to sew my own clothes, and old sheets are great for practice and pattern mock-ups. It helps to keep me from ruining the expensive fabrics I want the final product to be made from. Sheets might also make good lining material for some sewing projects.
Not only did you re-purpose your comforter, but you gave your puppies something that has your scent on it, which they will absolutely love. You couldn't give them anything better for them and it is healthier for you and; good girl.
I've been stuck on sentimental old stuff I don't want to keep but find it hard to give up. It really helps to hear you struggle over a similar issue. Thank you. Also, I moved only my "good" stuff overseas, and only had the "good" dishes in my new location. My first reaction was to go buy "bad" dishes from the $ Store to use everyday. But I forced myself to just use the good stuff I had. Now my meals always feel special (despite my cooking), and I love all my beautiful dishware!
I started using my good silverware for every day use 10 years ago, and it still makes me happy. Useful pretty things are the best! Little luxuries. 😊
THIS IS 100% advice I give everyone...why in the world would we keep “good stuff” for other people (who likely won’t appreciate it nearly as much as we do) instead of enjoying the luxury in our own homes. Good on u for doing it 👏🏼👏🏼
Dana, I have both of your books and they are helping a TON! I've tried other decluttering approaches that also come from books but not one has helped nearly like yours. Thank you SO much!!!
I've done this for so many years with so many items. I can really relate. I recently discovered that this practice doesn't only help the decluttering owner softly detach from the item through an extra transition, but it also lengthens the life-cycle of the item itself. The less transformation an object requires in between uses and the more uses it can have, the less energy it will consume during its lifetime. This is good waste management and one of the most important principles as we transition towards a more circular economy. --- PS: I love your content. You are amazing. I love watching decluttering / cleaning / organizing / decorating videos, but I had never found somebody who could so effectively addresses anxiety. Thank you for keeping it real!
This video made me smile. When cleaning out a closet, I stumbled on my children's baby blankets.(they are 18, 16, and 14 and don't remember or care about them ) I literally teared up at the thought of removing them from our house. Where are they now? In our beloved ferrets cage...where when I wash and fold them, I get to re live the memory of when they were tiny, and needed their blankees :) sometimes you just can't part with something from your babies past!!! But it can be useful!!!!
You speak to my soul. Binge watching. Thank you. I have major attachment issues
Good gosh, so do I!
I think I need to declutter in either a good mood or an angry mood. Decluttering in even a slightly sad mood is not working 😂
This may sound terrible. I am trying to use and enjoy special things that before I wanted to save and preserve such as Afghan blankets crocheted by family and friends and other handmade gifts from family. Some of the people have passed away, but I believe they would have wanted me to use them up and enjoy them. I have “used up” one quilt, but it had a good long life.
It sounds great, not terrible! I've done the same. 😊
Just adding my affirmation: In most cases, you were meant to enjoy the gift by using it.
I’m working on taking the emotion out of my decluttering, so that I can actually declutter. 🙃 I’m going to make a conscious effort to think outside the box and perhaps repurpose some items!
"Taking the emotion out of decluttering" - yes! That's what I'm going to start telling myself. Just take the emotion out.
I took a picture of a few sentimental items and would look at the picture when I thought of them. Maybe eventually i will be able to delete the picture....
Do you have recommendations for quickly going through boxes from storage? We've moved several times, and we obviously haven't needed those things, but it always takes so long to get through just a few boxes! :)
At the very least, do the first steps:
1) throw away the trash
2) donate the "duhs"
3) consolidate
Even if it all doesn't go away, you'll know what you have and where it is, and you'll be better off than you were before. Better=success.
I just had to tell you this, after listening to your book this past weekend and feeling like it’s the only decluttering book that gets me, I looked you up here and this is the first video I watched.
Now, we are moving, have six kids and lots of hobbies but I had a shredded threadbare baby quilt my best friend made for my oldest (who is 22) that I couldn’t part with. I watched this video and it made sense, and I naturally thought of that baby quilt but we don’t have a dog and it’s not suitable for rags so I was still torn over what to do. Not even an hour after watching this video, grandma arrived for a week’s visit and announced she might have to go out again because she brought her dog and crate but forgot all his bedding. So now my sentimental baby quilt is at the bottom of a dog crate and i keep laughing about the timing of it all 😆🤣
That's perfect timing!
Great idea! It's interesting how the change in category of a repurposed item also causes a change in our way of thinking of it!
Would the burp cloths also have made good washcloths for the babies who had become toddlers?
I have a plethora of doilies made by my mother and grandmother. Some of them just happen to be orange or a variegated yellow and orange. I saw someone making pumpkins at Halloween from old doilies. You just gather the edges with a running stitch, stuff with polyfil and close it up by pulling the stitching, then take a few stitches to tack in place. You can make a stem from a stick, if you like. I think that's a pretty good repurpose.
I am a very emotional person, and want to keep everything. I am looking forward to watching your channel.
Girl, you are just plain brilliant. I knew it when I read your books and you prove it here too!
Yes! Repurposing, especially sentimental things like your comforter, is a win-win.
Dana, are you my doppelganger? I purchased your book on audible and I am nodding my head with everything that you say. I am very overwhelmed with all my stuff. It makes tired just looking at it. I am up to ch 9 and I will stop buying containers and work on the publicly viewed spaces in my home first. I see that this is not a short process and but with guidance I am receiving from your book I am ready to start. Thank you!!!
This is awesome! Thank you for sharing this because I feel like I have decluttered down to the stuff that is sentimental, and those things can be hard!
This is such an amazing idea. Change the identity of something so that we’re able to lessen our attachment to a thing. This reminds me of a political strategy utilized in our culture today.
Repurposing really helps me declutter. Using old clothes for rags, pillow covers, curtains and tieing up tomato plants still is using them.
I have my grandmother's hexagon handmade quilt that is fragile, sitting in the cedar chest for 30 years. I draped it over our headboard and is a comforting reminder everyday.
Just found you thanks to Dawn from the Minimal Mom! So excited! I'm a mom of 5 beautiful kiddos, ages 11-2, and I have a hard time parting with baby clothes. I decided to let my daughter have a few infant clothes for her larger dolls. And I only keep one special outfit that they wore for Easter or Christmas that we have pictures of them in, and I put them in their memory box, along with a copy of that picture. When they get married someday I will gift them their boxes so they can enjoy looking through them and see that outfit and be amazed at how tiny they once were. 😊
I also used a baby girl's dress for a doll! I figured they don't want it for their daughters (out of style b now) BUT perfect for a doll!
For me it’s always the what if ...
I had a little red metal toy sewing machine. I thought I could repurpose it as a decor item somewhere else in my house. It didn’t really fit in any room so I placed it in a spot where I saw it often, on the bathroom countertop. After two days of sitting there I thought, “it doesn’t go with anything in here!” So I put it in the black bag and donated it! I know someone who has a sewing room or likes retro toys n can use this in their decor and enjoy it. That made me happy!
I love your show! I just subscribed! 😊
When I decluttered my necklaces i struggled a bit and I put a lot of them as a "decoration" over my clotheshangers. After a few month I was annoyed by them and gave them away. They turned from jewlery to deco i looked on long enough... It worked that way too : )
Some items I was emotionally attached to, like old toys that were dusty and smelly or something that no one would actually want, and I didn't really want it either but still there was this "but i had it when I was a child".
I broke out of it by cutting it up and making it less attractive, making it into trash. I didn't do a repurposing for the item, I just ruined it so that it would be easier. I also think that if I would have donated those specific items, I'd look back, fish it out, or think it's out there somewhere and the attachment still sort of there, but ruining it completely took that away. I just took pictures first and then let it go
This is a trick as old as time! Think of the days when there wasn't a Walmart in every town and people just used what they had! Old clothing would be used only for grubby work that stained clothes, then they'd be cut up as rags, used for cleaning or making rugs. Old curtains would be made into baby dresses, etc.
Loved the “Decluttering at the Speed of Life” book. Fabulous! Life changing. I love my house now! Ty ty ty ☺️
O my dear where have you been all my life.. I have never been able to declutter anything in my life..
Send help to Alto Georgia 💞
Happy Holidays
I just take a photo of sentimental items, place them in an album entitled, "A Sentimental Journey" and then repurpose or get rid of the item.
I started taking photos or videos of sentimental items and that helped so much to be able to donate them or throw them out ❤
Currently collecting t-shirts to turn into a quilt. My husband and I both seem to have emotional attachment to old T-shirts. I figured we can have one useful quilt made up of them and free up probably multiple drawers of shirts.
This is amazing advise. I AM paralyzed by sentiment. Thank you! 😊
I've been a collector all my life but didn't realize it for years. Now I chose things more carefully. Right now I'm keeping my mother's brooches in shadow boxes, just the special ones so I don't have to keep them all. She passed away last year so I'm going to have her memories in my head and my life
I’ve seen people decorate picture frames with family jewelry that they’ll never wear. I plan to make a brooch Christmas tree using a styrofoam tree shape covered in velvet, but I still don’t have enough pieces and I’ve slowed down my treasure hunting.
Kira hill, make a smaller tree!
I’ve needed to get rid of an old pair of PJ pants (I’m super fussy so I use them for as long as possible) but I’ve lost weight and they’re too big.
But I realised they are a nice soft but sturdy cotton. So I’m about to cut up and sew them into reusable cotton make up wipes.
I still struggle with clutter. The problem is I have such a creative mind that loves to recycle items but I never get to completing all these projects. I have started discarding items but it hasn't been an easy process. I still have some old decorative bottles from 12 years ago, lol.
You also got the plus of not BUYing another thing for dog bedding that you would also eventually have to declutter. I'm also using an old t-shirt quilt for dog bedding and happy to see it being purposeful. 😊
Good for you on making your comforter over for the dogs. The dogs will love them because they will have your scent on them. Good way to recycle. I have always done stuff like that. It is a way to keep your household costs down, and by the time you toss it, it is going to be something you WANT to toss, because it has no other uses.
Can totally relate to this. Getting rid of things just for the sake of it feels so wasteful. Was just thing of making new cat bedding out of an old comforter myself.
Hello Dana, I cant get enough of your videos, blogs, podcasts, you are so inspirational and entertaining.
I recently moved and had all my baby things kept in boxes in the roof....New house --- now stored in garage instead of car Ha Ha! ......This is ridiculous right (my youngest is 19)..... So I started going through them and like you said,,,,,,, Awww this was my babies!!!.... Oh maybe my girls will want them for their babies? (NAHHH)...... My decluttering got interrupted for about 6 months (ha!) and when I went back to it,,,,,, my son had used some for rags (Wah Wah)...... So now I'm deciding on going through them (again!!!) and taking photos of them for keepsakes instead. That way I can keep the memory instead of the clutter. Good idea huh!!
Keep up the fantastic work.
Kerrie Suggate It seems like every time I get rid of baby stuff I end up pregnant again 😂
My biggest turning point was when organizer Peter Walsh said that after your house,your next expensive item is usually your car.So why is IT sitting out in the elements while dead aunt Edna’s stained linens are enjoying the garage?
Yes things go through multiple uses, to enable me to throw them away. Towels and linens get threadbare then the dog gets to have them then they can go.
I do also put very sentimental things in a box seal it and pop a date on it. When I see that date on a box has passed, without opening it I throw it away. I know it's not fully getting rid of it right away, but it helps me know I have appreciated the item, and if I haven't gone and taken it out again I obviously don't need or want it anymore.
You really rock! Your clutter journey is so similar to mine that I find myself in your story all the time. Grew up in a messy house and have maintained that as a sentimental living altar to my family. I have read and have an untold number of how to get organized and how to psych yourself out of clutter books. Yours is the first one that has made enough sense to get the job done. Thanks so much for sharing your inside view. Linda in Indianapolis
We have to clear out our large house which is full to the brim of many years of stuff because our house is being sold. Would Dana's book help do you think?
Ditto!
I have taken pictures of my favorite items & save it in a file. Someday, I may make a digital photo album of my favorite things.
I do this with worn out kids shirts. It's funny how even kids clothes that are too worn out to donate have sentiment. You explain it so well, the emotional attachment part. We have a cloth nose wipe stash (think small handkerchiefs). If there is a shirt or soft pants that was beloved but worn out, it can be cut into cloth wipes. Then the kids and I don't feel bad that we are just tossing out a shirt they loved, but we are repurposing it and then it gets tossed easily when it wears out. We use them for nose wipes, diapering, face washing, wash cloths, sticky hands, etc. Plus cloth wipes are super useful for colds or allergies when you are wiping noses often, because they are much softer than tissues. We just toss them in the laundry when I am washing towels or diapers. It also creates less waste. Win win!
I saw a quilt square mounted on an open picture frame. I thought what a wonderful way to display an old family heirloom that is tattered and not useful as a quilt anymore. My wife put her most special quilts and baby blankets/ embroidered burp cloths on a ladder in our room. Now she can be reminded everyday of those precious things and actually use the quilts when needed. They aren’t shoved away in a closet or drawer not being appreciated.
I've heard of taking pictures of the precious items before donating them or discarding them. Pictures don't take up space but seeing those items do give me the "feels".
I'm glad I stumbled(UA-cam recommended)onto this video. I'm trying to downsize. I started in my kitchen. Ive been following minimal living "rules". Don't want to be a minimalist. Just lighten the load. I originally started just before quarenteen. I put stuff in lidded boxes. A month after, didn't go through them to use, I took the covered boxes to a charity. I honestly didn't know what I was donating. Normally, that would have been agonizing to me. As the guy took the stuff out of the bin, my mind was saying "I'm donating that?". Frankly, it was incredibly liberating. Now, round 2.
I have bedding I've had since early in my marriage. The bed spread has seen better days. Its ugly too.Haven't used it in years. Actually a decade or more. I've been married for 32 years. I really want to donate it to a local rescue with some towels. Now, I believe I can separate the sentimental emotions out of it. That's what was holding me back.
About baby things.. The military helped with that. In 1998, son was 5. My husband was about to transfer. It looked like we were moving to Hawaii. Had to sell or get rid of a lot of stuff. Even sold our house. Kept nothing of my son's baby stuff. All but a couple of handmade blankets. Me and darn blankets. Lol Oh, we never moved to Hawaii. We stayed in Washington state for anither 4 years till he retired.
My reused item is a k-cup holder. I use it for craft pain bottles.
What a great idea! I have an old tatted sweater of my mother's that I wore for years. It got so full of holes that it just looked awful but I would still wear it around the house. I finally gave it to my cat as something to sleep on, which made it easier to get rid of the sweater eventually. 😍
I have two sets of coffee mugs from the two colleges I attended. I used them to drink from MANY years ago and they have been in a box for a while now. I have my coffee in a commuter mug that keeps it hot these days. I'm pretty sure no one will want the mugs from my alma maters... I'm thinking I can use some as water cups for painting (and other craft uses) when my nieces come over. At least this way they will be used and may be the girls can have one to remember our crafting times when they are older.
🙋🏼♀️I also have a blanket (made by my mom who passed when I was a teen) that is falling apart. I’m not ready to give it to the dog... but I’m getting there. Thankfully my house is pretty under control so it’s not as big a deal.
I had a favorite pair of flannel PJ bottoms and I still wore them even tho they were ripped all over. Instead of throwing them away, I cut them up and used them for cleaning rags, then have been able to throw the cleaning rags away when they are no longer useful
I can't get rid of knives and cooking utensils because my husband, mother, father(all gone now) used and touched them...😞
Did your mom and dad do the same with utensils their deceased loved ones had used? xoxo
I try to remember how my deceased loved ones remembered their deceased loved ones.......it helps. You'll be in my prayers; best wishes!
@@ellencamano4197 you are so sweet and kind. I don't know where this pathology comes from lol... A little bit of waste not want not and always knowing the day after I get rid of something I " need it" lol
Thank you so much for this I’m a bit horrified by this idea but still love it and I think I will try this and see if it helps. I really needed a video like this too so again thank u so much
This was so good. Dana is more helpful to me than anyone else who gives advice. I don't have to fight with guilt, when I follow her advice. She and I think so much alike.
I still use my childrens' crib sheets to cover my ironing board. They wear like iron. My children are in their 40's. I also use them on the head rest area of my livingroom chair. I also use my grandson's baby bath towels for the headrest.
I used my childrens' diapers for dusters and rags years ago.
I used diapers
I found you just a few hours ago and I am so thankful to God! I was feeling overwhelmed with clutter and did a quick search for books on decluttering and chose yours! I already feel inspired and empowered! Thank you so much! 😊
I learned to sew at age 7. I made all my clothes until I was 40. I broke my shoulder in a ski lift fall. The long agonizing months of healing and therapy gave me excuse to eat too much comfort food and very soon none of my clothes fit. I found it easier to buy thrift store clothes. So being compulsive, I ripped all my former clothes into 1 inch wide strips and crocheted them into place mats and bath rugs. It was easy to toss them when they became stained or filthy.
I’m L O V I N G your idea of ways to part with sentimental items... So NEW and FRESH. Planning on phoning baby items and making book for the kids. Deadline was for weddings. Too Late! 😵
Never quit! You can still do it!
I love my old sheets and blankets for the sole purpose of bedding for my pets lolol
So I’m still having trouble. I had some washcloths that were my firstborn’s and were subsequently used for my next 4 kids. When I thought I wasn’t going to have anymore, I decided to do use them as rags. One day out of the blue I was like, “What is wrong with me? Why didn’t I keep those nice?” I still feel sad that they’re all dingy now. Help!
I can understand. I have a difficult time with sentimental items.
But not everything connected to your children needs to be kept. You have other more precious items to remind you of your children.
It’s better to keep less stuff but take good care of it, then keep everything and you don’t even enjoy it because it’s buried somewhere.
Clothing tends to go bad any way. I have kept baby clothes of my kids and they end up yellow and dingy. I figure it’s best to use stuff or it goes bad. Nothing lasts forever.
I’ve watched this a few times and each time, I think about how wonderful and valuable this tip is! Great thinking and examples!
This is brilliant! I wish I could do it with the toxic people in my life...
Just do it even if temporarily......best wishes!
In a shift to minimalize belongings, I kept # UseWhatYouHave in mind for this past year. Now, listening to your insight covered me in a "blanket" of confirmation, and has encouraged me to # UseUpWhat I Have. Glad there is ~you~ in this slice of history!
It's called recycling. This is a brilliant way to let something go. I'll have to try this method because I have too many items I'm attached to. Thank you for the great idea.
I also used our kids receiving blankets (which we used as burp rags anyways!) as clean-up-spills cloths. Those 4 once babies are crazy kids/toddlers now, and between them and our cat 😂 there are a lot of spills. Now we use them practically daily, but I’m not going to be like “oh, I can’t get rid of that!!” Once it’s completely disgusting. Haha. Also, cups or bowls as plant pots is a good one, too!
I also like to think for some harder things is if there is someone who I think would REALLY benefit or like the item, and how it would better serve them than us at this stage in life.
I love, love, love this!! Such a helpful way to view getting rid of stuff when you're attached to it. Thank you. I know someone who also really needs to hear this and I'm going to pass it on. Dont be gone to long or we will miss you. Lol❤
This was very helpful. As I am now retired, decluttering is getting easier. I’m realizing I don’t need as much to be happy. Although, some items are sooo tough to part with. Thank you for sharing. 💜