You and I are very similar! I was a very messy person growing up. It created difficulties in my career and marriage. One night, I cried out to the Lord to rewire my brain to think like an organized person (for, He made it). The next day, all of these strategies of what to do, when, in what order, and with efficiency came pouring into my mind, like never before. Today, I’m a professional educator with an Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree, and I just got certified as a Professional Organizational Specialist, to help others who struggle just as I did. If anyone feels stuck today, please be encouraged and know what God WANTS to do with your life! Having Freedom for what MATTERS is the best!!! Stay encouraged!!!
That’s amazing ! I also am sure He helped me move from messy and procrastinating to organized and peaceful. The peace and freedom could only be heavenly.
It’s amazing having a clean kitchen to wake up to each morning! It is one thing I do! And on the rest of the house; I have hoarder issues, I have lost all my things in a fire when 21, then 15 yrs later I lost everything to a tornado. I am weird and like to see all my things, you would think since I have had to rebuild twice in life I would be ok with less. It’s the buying and spending money it “hurts” to reduce and feel bad I’m “throwing” my money away. As Elsa says “Let it Go”. For the past few days I have stopped watching influencers who have new items daily. Thank you for your channel, baby steps for me. I feel like there is hope for me yet!❤
Every time I watch one of your videos, I'm always impressed with how pleasant, cheerful and upbeat you are. It makes watching your videos very enjoyable.
I love the trick of making things easy to put away! My husband would get irritated if I got rid of certain kitchen utensils (even if they’re hardly ever used and totally unnecessary in my book), so I have our “working” utensil drawer, which is nice and clear and easy to see, grab, and put away what is needed most often. The other “rarely-used-but-can’t-get-rid-of-b/c-of-hubby” things, I keep in the bottom drawer so I don’t have to look at it or work around it. That drawer is more of a mess, but if he or someone wants one of those things, they know where to find it! 😅
Now THIS is Gansgta!!! I loveeee it!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 ....Oh you need a crappy utensil?? ...by all means -go venture out into the drawer of doom where you "might" find it quick enough, with the rest of its fellow crap-tools!! ✌️😎🙌🏽.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is exactly what my Mother of 7 did everyday; she did such a wonderful job, we were so blessed, we had very little resources and items, but we had such a full home of love; what a true homemaker she was, things always fresh, clean and home cooked meals daily! My Mother has been gone almost 15 years, I wish I could thank her one more time for her total dedication to her family, very selfless
That is so beautiful! I bet she loved doing this for you and your siblings. Everything fresh, clean and home cooked meals. Oh my goodness, it doesn’t get any better than that!!
Under "make it easy to put away," I stopped folding my toddler children's clothes - their drawers have dividers and each article goes into a section by type so it's organized, but I'm not agonizing about folding a whole basket of toddler laundry when my tiny humans mostly just tear through their drawers without a care. Now it takes 5 minutes to put their laundry away.
I finally learned this too! WHY was I folding every tiny baby sock and burp cloth?! 😂😅 The fabric didn't wrinkle anyway and was going to get dirty after 2 seconds of wear! Who cares if it's all folded?! And now my toddler can help put her clothes away just by throwing them in the drawer! Win win!
You turned me into a minimalist a year ago and I will never go back now! My life and house is so much less chaotic and it never takes me longer than 15 mins to tidy up my house on any given day. Considering I have two toddlers I’m pretty happy with this! Thanks so much!
We remodeled upstairs and the flooring workers finished today. We had to box everything up and move it downstairs or to a pod. We started moving back upstairs this afternoon and we're going thru it all again and decluttering again. I have several boxes to donate and several bags of trash already. I'm so excited that we're actually simplifying and getting it done!!
"We aren't rehoming cats here" hahahaa that got me rollin' lol this was seriously such a great video and SUPER motivating! The photos of your home are so inspiring.
Several weeks ago we went through Hurricane Milton and while the house was a mess post-storm, once things settled a bit, it was so easy to retidy and get back into my habits. The sense of calm that having a decluttered, tidy home gives me is priceless. It absolutely does help with mental health.
❤ Shouting from the rooftop that truly LESS INVENTORY =MORE PEACE! Thank you Dawn (and Cas) for all your research, humor, and empathy. I was Tidy✅ Organized ✅ but still totally stressed 😩 Followed you, minimized more and more, and voila! Freedom! Peace! Decreased therapy! More joy! Hallelujah 🎉
I've been so stressed out with a messy house. I wish I had time to clean out the drawers while fixing dinner, but I'm usually doing something else like laundry. I just feel after working a full day there's literally no time. My kids school and all the nonsense... tie dye shirt day, Halloween shirt, sports shirt, celebrating 50 days of school.... I'm sorry what?? We just never did this stuff when I was a kid, at least my parents never did. My entire family (including myself) have adhd and it's just pure chaos in the house. I'm trying to ween our stuff down but always get stuck, particularly on kid stuff... this is fun for them, oh educational, oh they need lots of books, games. Idk it's just a lot. We made colored noodles together... I thought they would bead or play with trucks. Nope 🙅♀️ I like watching your channel bc it gives me hope. 😂
More power to you ❤ Fellow AuDHDer here. Dawn has tons of videos on kids toys, rooms and clothes. I’m now realizing that even though the 5 shirts, 5 pants, 5 dresses, 5 t-shirts is sth Dawn talks about, I’ve never been able. Even though I’m otherwise a minimalist now. But ai just realized that I could just move out the excess from my 5-year old girl’s room - hide it away for a while and see how it goes and I wouldn’t have to have a coniption every time I enter her room and she has pulled out all her clothes onto the floor. My excuse if she asks ”it is probably in the wash”. She wouldn’t know that our hamper is basically empty these days cause I do do a load of laundry every day and there are just three of us. You’ve got this! Move the stuff out of the room/house into storge and see what is asked for (and don’t allow them to come along when you get the thing they ask for).
Yes to all of these ideas - children thrive in highly simplified spaces. Getting her brain used to less stuff and a “hushed” environment now will be a much greater gift all her life than all the books, toys, and creative supplies. You c a still have that, just less.
Been a viewer for years!!! May not have decluttered my whole house.....but I certainly have learned to ask myself the right questions ....I will always be a work in progress. I don't want my child to deal with it when I'm gone!!!
I am not where I want to be. But thanks to you, I am now where a "tidy" home takes about an hour for the whole house, as opposed to where it used to be a 2 hour clean up for one room.
Dawn, you inspire me so much! I am 75, have MS, and limited energy. I have learned that I get as much satisfaction out of doing part of a job, such as washing two windows rather than all 6 at one time. I do whatever I can sitting down, and that makes decluttering so much easier. Bravo to all you do!
I love making my bed right after I get dressed. It flexes my motivation muscles early, and I feel like I get much more done before getting the kids up and starting in their schooling.
Hi Dawn and fellow fans, This is my first ever post on UA-cam. I have watched hundred or thousands, idk which, videos from you and some of your colleagues whom you’ve introduced me to; Joshua Becker, Dana K White and Cas from Clutterbug etc… I sometimes study these videos. Today while studying this video I realized that I have created a no win mindset by berating myself for an untidy house while also not allowing myself to let go of; maybe items, future creative projects, spent money items, all of the blah, blah, blah stuff. How unfair to myself. In this scenario, I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. No more!!! On a side note, my husband is a mental health specialist/ speaker. He has seen first hand the results of minimizing through my progress and has increased promoting this as a tool for clients. Thanks!!
Agreed! Once the dishes are done, one thing leads to another. Clean surfaces, take out trash ,sweep...then I'm motivated to reset other areas. Making the bed daily too inspires you to pick up clothes, shoes and tidy the rest of the space. I've slowed down on impulse buying, that helps too. You have very good advice for all us of us. We can do it!
I had ten kids and a very small kitchen and I found that it really helps when cooking to clean dishes as you go. I would wash and reuse mixing bowls etc.. If you do this you end up with very few dishes to clean. Who can even face piles of dirty dishes after cooking a meal?
One of the biggest game changers for me is having a bag in cupboard under my stairs for donations, I was finding things i didn't need but wasn't sure what to do with them, too good to bin, but no-one to pass on to. SO it all ended up in a pile in my bedroom, secret to do list type pile starimg at me day in day out. Now once the bag is full it goes and I start a new one, game changer 🎉
Take photos of sentimental items that you no longer use. "Store" that item on your phone, not in your house ~ visit it anytime! Say a prayer for the next "steward of your stuff"...give away & rest well! ♡
Regarding dishes or other chores that we don’t like to do, I have found it helpful to try to understand why I don’t like it. Is it a sensory issue while washing dishes and would gloves or a long brush help so I don’t have to touch the ick? Or do I need the right tools for the job? For me that’s been helpful to get to the root of why I don’t like a chore.
That’s really insightful. Often there’s one step in a process that is a stumbling block for me, and once I overcome that , the rest is easy. Like making a phone call to book an appointment.
Those are great tips. And it is so true: My stress level is immediately rising, when I am in a cluttered space - it feels like I am losing control and every other area in my life is influenced by it. Whereas when I feel on top of my home, I can handle whatever life throws at me.
The mantra/saying "Clutter attracts clutter" is SO beyond true!! Months ago I cleared off our kitchen counters, minus the 2 things that get used multiple times a day (Kettle and microwave). There was resistance from my mother (who has some cognitive decline) and lives with us. Over time she has greatly improved but if my husband or I leave 1 or 2 small things on the counter we will come home to a LOT more things on the counter. It still amazes me how that first thing out of place on the counter gives permission for all of us to leave more things on the counters THANKS for all your videos!!
Just the reminder I needed. A few things I recently purchase just haven’t worked out. They need to go so one of my cupboards can function again. I still fall into this sometimes, especially when I need something and I quickly order a replacement and it isn’t quite right. So frustrating, but I learn every time. I’m now always assessing and do things as I go, or as the seasons change. Just said goodbye to baby clothes and maternity wear. It was sad, but such a relief to see space open up (I’m not filling it).
Thanks for this pep talk. I was raised one of those neat people and took pride in a being a hostess, organizer, etc, even in college. But 2 kids and 2+ chronic illnesses later, neat and clean is an ideal that I struggle toward. I’m thousands of miles from those friends I once organized for, so they can’t return the favor. After this video I felt inspired to get up, assemble family, and do a quick trash sweep of our flat and do a run to the bins. I’m now flat on my back with my feet up and all shaky, but I have a smile on my face. Bonus, my kids realized they’d rather be outside and are still playing in the fallen leaves .😊❤
I’m sorry you have chronic illness. It really makes a difference when your surroundings are more peaceful. It helps my kids and husband be better able to pitch in when things are simplified.
You’re really helping me. I’m a “prepper” in the sense that I keep a large backstock of food & other items. I haven’t stopped doing that, and likely never will, but I am so much more judicious now in what I will allow into my home, and it must have a place. Everywhere except my pantry and garage look like I’m a minimalist. I’m working on the garage. The pantry is organized, and nothing close to minimal, lol! I feel so much better, and my house runs so much more smoothly, with so much less stuff. ❤
Yes, the dishes at night. It is such a pleasure in the morning to walk into a clean kitchen! It has also seemed to inspire people besides me to cook. So worth it, I didn't realze it for years!
I can’t cook in a kitchen where I have to fight for a few square inches to work; or have to wash a pan, a spatula, a pair of beaters, and so on; “because I need it for this recipe.” I give up and order takeout. Now that I clean my kitchen regularly, that doesn’t seem to happen anymore!
We had ‘domestic science’ lessons at school. Mostly cooking. I always remember the teacher’s mantra ‘clear as you go’. My aim is to do this so at the end of a meal the only thing left to wash up etc is the actual dishes and cutlery. It’s easy if you use of the little waiting times like watching pots and simmering to wash up and put away.
“We are not re homing cats!” I loved that haha thank you so much for all your advice, you inspire me to become a minimalist, or at least to try to be one ❤
Yeah, I can’t leave my kitchen until the dishes are washed dried and put away, ( I wash them by hand) the stove and counter tops have been cleaned and the trash is thrown out. No, I’m not a neat freak. I just love to bask in the feeling that if I go back into the kitchen, I don’t walk into a mess that I will dread cleaning! Same goes for the bedroom: the bed is made the instant I get up, and I tidy up the room before I go to work. My husband’s job is stressful m and I don’t want him to come home to a cluttered bedroom with clothes everywhere. Dawn has helped me a lot!
A dumpster and a babysitter 😂 it sounds hilarious when you put it that way, but I've been slipping into that mindset of thinking I need to set aside time to do another declutter!
I love this message of encouragement. Most of my decluttering has been when I had short bursts of time, 15 minutes to an hour. Yesterday, my husband and I set a timer for 30 minutes and worked on a section of the garage. We went a few minutes over that and made significant progress. Now I'm not stepping over stuff when I get out of my car.
I love your energy in this one! Thank you for helping us remember that we aren’t rehoming cats! 😂 I love this part of the video, when you talked about how we can’t put a price on our mental health. ❤
Excellent reminders. One of your tips that I use all the time is ‘5 minutes matters’. It makes such a difference in everyday tidiness. For example, I clear the sink and counter while the kettle is boiling water for my morning tea. It does make a difference, and avoids the ‘clutter attracts clutter ‘issue. 🌸
You are always a dose of "just what the doctor ordered" for me, when I am feeling overwhelmed or just a bit blah. I love how honest and uncompromising you are in your love for people and your passion for helping them feel good in their own home. Thank you, Dawn, you are a treasure.
Fantastic video im sharing it with a family member i think it will help. I do put things on the stairs when I'm in the middle of tidying or decluttering/reorganising, because I have fibromyalgia and I have to prioritise having enough energy to finish a job, but I have a rule to never go upstairs without taking stuff off the stairs up with me. The rule is supposed to apply to everyone but if I'm honest I think the rest of my family think its there for decoration. However because of just me doing it, it means that there is never things on my stairs for long and its never much on there. I won't allow it, because I can easily lose my balance and fall down the stairs if I'm stepping over huge piles. Im still on my decluttering journey but my house already feels so much better.
It's just Hubby & I, so we don't go through enough clothes or dishes to do a load every day. My Hubby had open heart surgery a month ago & I have been keeping up on the house almost daily. I did let it go for a couple of days & I was aggregated for doing that to myself. I was able to clean it all up fairly quickly when it used to take me days. That felt good. Thank you, Dawn, for all your videos. 😊
I’ve watched your channel for several years now. We have 3 kids 5 and under and one on the way. The “make it easy to put away” rule is such a helpful one! **We put plastic liners in our cupboards so I don’t feel bad putting away slightly wet dishes straight from the dishwasher. “Designing for my lazy tendencies!” thanks Dawn and crew! God bless.
All I gotta say is that I have learned sooo much from the 3 of you guys and take your house back is the best. I have declutter soo much I can now put each room back to its clean stage in only 7 minutes each room and bathroom. I tried to beat that but 5 minutes wasn’t enough. But I’ll take the 7 minutes per room. Where as before it would take me hours to clean one are in my home. Today I tacked papers and feels soo good to have almost empty file cabinets. ❤ little by little im loving my home more and more and enjoy cleaning each area of the house. 🎉thank you so much for helping us and teaching us that we are “not rehoming 🐈” 😂 I have been aggressively decluttering every corner of my home. Where my boys tell me that my room has no life, no personality, I tell them I’ll take the peaceful and clean room a thousand times over putting life to my room. 😂 than to deal with cluttered room.
I agree with all these tips!! Less things definitely means less to clean and manage!! I look forward to the notification that your Tuesday video has posted! Appreciate all you do and teach. God bless 💜
Thank you, Dawn, for all your advice. It is my favourite phrase: reduce your inventory!!! I have a curiosity... It is six of you, right? I always see four chairs around your dining table. Who does not eat in your house 😂? I had to ask xx❤
Yea🎉 a new video!! Gives me another inspiring moment at 10:30 PM to hop up for my five minutes to either declutter and/or tidy! Everyday my little home gets better and better😊
You’ve inspired me to declutter your family room and kitchen. I love decluttering. However, I like having things on the bathroom counter, like air freshener and candles, I just put everything on a tray.
I know I need to reduce inventory to make cleaning easier. I've gotten too old to move things about to vacuum behind couches, chairs, all kinda decor sitting around. My rule is to keep the floors clean, never leave dirty dishes. However Im not an organized person those areas are my only control details😂
Sending this to my husband though he's been watching along with me for years now. My mom doesn't understand lol she has a higher threshold than me. I'm nesting, baby #3 is almost here and I'm ready to throw everything awayyyyyy. But no energy so I'm just going to try to always have a small grocery bag on my wrist constantly to grab anything extra to throw away!!
Dawn you made my day again ! I love spending time with you. I love your home and every video inspires me. My whole family is trending towards less is more. You’re changing lives Dawn !
I have found that I rarely had any time for myself to do the things that I enjoy doing because I could ALWAYS see some type of housework still needing to be done - it seemed endless. This all changed when I, instead of making lists that I would lose, created a system that is easy to remember. Each day of the week's first letter is also the first letter of the things that I do on that day. For example; on Mondays I clean Mirrors, the Microwave, and check the Mouse traps. Of course, dishes and laundry are done daily and are being done WHILE I'm doing the chores for that day. Once done, I'm free to go do what I WANT to do, knowing that eventually it all gets done on it's day. Guilt-free time for myself!
@@colleencrabtree8870 Sunday = stairs (vacuum), Tuesday = toilet, towels, and trash (we haul our own to the dump - no garbage service here) Wednesday = things to do with water - I swap out my water glass and my husband's water glass, the cat's water bowl Thursday = TURDSDAY - in other words, cat litter box cat Friday = floors upstairs one week and downstairs the next Saturday = systems check (on my laptop)
You have no idea how you have helped me over my years of following you. I have almost completed the purging, cleaning and organizing. It has been a “journey”! Every day I thank God for you, Cas and the other Dana.. (I think). Bless You!
Person who follows you just told me after coming to my new house, to let half my plant collection die in the frost and compost them, and to save my space for the ones I love…..you said in your last video you do not judge others so I know it is not your issue…..I wish people would stop judging others for how they live unless they are looking for advice…..it is so off putting…esp when my plants are living things and brought and bring me so much joy….we had just moved in a month prior and of course my house was out of order….and she came uninvited and made my worse dream come true! She Judged Me! Not the kind of friends I need in my life.
Dawn, you got me started on the road to minimalism, and I thank you! I went through a period where I had three surgeries within 6 months - I was a mess physically and emotionally. Having a clear, uncluttered home really, truly made the healing phase(s) so much easier. I would add - or clarify - one more tip here. I use Cas from Clutterbug's mantra, "All flat surfaces are hot lava!" Nothing on the counters except for maybe one or two small things. Period. So easy to clean up, and so obvious when something needs to be put away.
Great tips! It truly makes a BIG difference when the dishes are washed. This is one I'm really trying to do better with! Washing dishes is my least favorite household chore! ...But when I make myself wash the dishes.. oh how much better it looks and I feel "proud" of myself. lol. I enjoy your videos! Thank you!
I love the wellness and mental health approach you’re taking Dawn. Since decluttering my home I’ve overcome procrastination, I’m so much happier and more patient ,I have time for prayer and a Bible study, where I’ve made good friends. The effect on my and my family’s well being from having a peaceful home in several senses is astounding. If this were a pill, it would be the most prescribed mental health med on the market. Thank-you !
My joke to self is my stuff has babies in the night 😮 I realized while watching goes back to container and inventory is a key to tidy home. Often is shared the one in one out rule but goes back as a flash to me in a hurry to put it away (clothing) forget to pull one out. Maybe the rule should be one out and think about one in 😮 Thanks for your sage advise, messy bessy working my way to tidy ❤
Your videos are always so helpful! Thank you! I have a lot of success with your tips and ideas, as well as a few other people's (Dana K. White, Marie Kondo, Melanie Renee, Joshua Fields Millburn, etc.). I do the Bruce Lee way of 'Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own'. It works for me. Lately I find that I have so many projects I want to complete (all the way from mundane repairs, to fun, creative projects), that I have many things lying around undone, and that adds to my stress. I've taken Dana K. White's idea of "take it there now" and modified it for this situation to "take care of it now", as an experiment. So, instead of seeing a pair of pants to hem, a project to sand and paint, a work of art to create, etc.. I choose the first thing I see and I "take care of it now".....That also helps me see if it's even a project I truly do care about anymore; Like, if I don't even want to do it, it feels like too much effort and doesn't feel worth it....maybe I can then just completely let it go and move on to do only the projects that are truly fun/inspired or absolutely necessary, and let all of the other "I should do this" things go. So far it is working. The other day I DIY'd a container in one go and put it to use that very day; then I got rid of the extraneous materials from the project and moved on to the next project. I felt amazing; like a disproportionately huge weight had been lifted off of me! (You are so right about your "silent to-do list" idea, and the stress it adds to your life! It is 100% accurate!) I've been wanting to create this DIY item for a long time. I kept hesitating because I exactly wasn't sure how to do it. But, I just started (sometimes starting is the hardest part of anything) and I allowed myself to make mistakes, and went ahead and tried it; And, it turned out way better than I thought; and because I allowed myself to make mistakes, there was no stress involved; And, believe it or not, I didn't even make one mistake. I think mindset is so important; Like, if you allow yourself to just start, to just move forward with whatever it is, and allow it to go however it goes, (no expectations, no attachment to outcomes, etc.), things you thought might be daunting, or complex, or even impossible, might end up being fun; and you might find your enthusiasm increasing, as well as stress decreasing. That being said, I also wanted to say an extra, heartfelt "thank you" for the way you usually end off your videos, (the "I love you..." part); When going through a particularly difficult time in life, hearing someone say something kind can mean the world to you, and can even change the trajectory of your day in a very positive way. Kind words often can ease pain, soothe distress, lighten burdens, and connect hearts. Thank you for all that you do! Bless you!
I've watched you on & off. I bought your book. But this video is hands down the best I've watched! You made it short & simple & practical. ALL 10 FEEL DOABLE!!!!!!!!!!! Plus it's easy to see how each of the 10 will pay off. Thank you so much! Thank you!
Love this list! Can 100% agree that all the things you list do WORK! I would add (kinda silly) but emptying the garbage can(s) especially in the kitchen as soon as it's almost full. Never fails that if something just a little too big ends up next instead of in it and then you have twice the work
Thank you so much for this video. I was able to give away some things in my kitchen that I was holding onto, for guilt reasons, this was the push to let go of things that brought up painful memories.
You’re absolutely amazing I’m sending this to my friends who I am helping with mindset shifts now that I’ve done a lot of my minimalism journey. I always worry that I am preaching and making out I’m this perfect house wife but you’re so down to earth and explain it in ways that isn’t judgey and not like us minimalists are somehow better
I try to clean something each time i go to the bathroom. Fix or change the towels, wipe a shelf or door knobs, and empty the trash. It will always look clean.
I rewatched your video on the silent to do list. I like the way you said to match my inventory to my current season of life. My children are grown so I can have inventory that reflects my hobbies. I have set places for my craft supplies, but I don’t need to feel guilty for owning them.
I definitely agree with this point also. Our kids are are all grown and I have discovered an absolute love of hand piecing and hand quilting small artistic projects. I have a beautiful basket with smaller containers to hold my current project. But because of my new mindset, I keep the inventory to one project at a time and only what can fit into my basket is out at a time. Thank you Dawn so much for your continued guidance and encouragement. These reminder videos are so helpful to keep many of us on track 🥰
Doing one load of laundry a day has been a game changer for our family! It keeps the bedrooms tidier. And it points out what clothing we really enjoy which makes purging so much easier! Never going back!
Haven’t watched yet, but love Tuesday upload day! 🎉 I’ll have get both my little sons napping & enjoy with a cup of coffee. ✨ Thank-you for all your passion and joyful inspiration for minimalism. I’ve been decluttering a long time, but I’ve decided this is the year to become minimalist. Need the extra push to enjoy more ease as a young mother!
Your kitchen counter emptying video 2+ years ago was a game changer. We have loved every single day of that empty visual counter ever since. I also think it's important to listen to any "grr" voices. I had to redo a lot to make that kitchen counter empty, and it turns out one of my annoyances ever since then, was a single conversation fix a few weeks ago. We had like 4 sets of teaspoons?? FULL SETS. OMG nobody needs four separate 1/8 teaspoons. But I kept thinking about what I hated, my husband loved. Turns out that was incorrect - and we are two trained marriage therapists here folks... haha communication vs assumptions will get the better of all of us. :) Now that drawer and I get along much more peacefully and finding or putting away the teaspoons is super fast and easy.
Love your videos ❤❤❤. Lower my inventory so I can easily put things away and keep counter spaces clear is my main goal. But it's so hard because I am a collector and I was brought up in a family where we didn't have alot of money and living on a farm we made our fun, so it's very hard to get rid of anything with value 😢
Thank you so much for watching! I'm so grateful for ALLLLLLL of your support - it means more than you know! - Dawn
I am grateful for you and your family.
No, we are so grateful for your support!! 😊
You are wonderful❤❤❤
Exactly we love you and your support and help to get our declutter out of ours lives❤
Thanks Dawn so grateduk for you and your channel in my life!!
Me breaking up with my things… “ it’s not me, it’s you” 😂💔✌🏻
YES, love this!!!!! :)
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I love this!!
Brilliant. 👏😂
You and I are very similar! I was a very messy person growing up. It created difficulties in my career and marriage. One night, I cried out to the Lord to rewire my brain to think like an organized person (for, He made it). The next day, all of these strategies of what to do, when, in what order, and with efficiency came pouring into my mind, like never before. Today, I’m a professional educator with an Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree, and I just got certified as a Professional Organizational Specialist, to help others who struggle just as I did. If anyone feels stuck today, please be encouraged and know what God WANTS to do with your life! Having Freedom for what MATTERS is the best!!! Stay encouraged!!!
That’s a beautiful testimony 🥹
That’s amazing ! I also am sure He helped me move from messy and procrastinating to organized and peaceful. The peace and freedom could only be heavenly.
It’s amazing having a clean kitchen to wake up to each morning! It is one thing I do! And on the rest of the house; I have hoarder issues, I have lost all my things in a fire when 21, then 15 yrs later I lost everything to a tornado. I am weird and like to see all my things, you would think since I have had to rebuild twice in life I would be ok with less. It’s the buying and spending money it “hurts” to reduce and feel bad I’m “throwing” my money away. As Elsa says “Let it Go”. For the past few days I have stopped watching influencers who have new items daily. Thank you for your channel, baby steps for me. I feel like there is hope for me yet!❤
Every time I watch one of your videos, I'm always impressed with how pleasant, cheerful and upbeat you are. It makes watching your videos very enjoyable.
I love the trick of making things easy to put away! My husband would get irritated if I got rid of certain kitchen utensils (even if they’re hardly ever used and totally unnecessary in my book), so I have our “working” utensil drawer, which is nice and clear and easy to see, grab, and put away what is needed most often. The other “rarely-used-but-can’t-get-rid-of-b/c-of-hubby” things, I keep in the bottom drawer so I don’t have to look at it or work around it. That drawer is more of a mess, but if he or someone wants one of those things, they know where to find it! 😅
Now THIS is Gansgta!!! I loveeee it!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 ....Oh you need a crappy utensil?? ...by all means -go venture out into the drawer of doom where you "might" find it quick enough, with the rest of its fellow crap-tools!! ✌️😎🙌🏽.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I do this too!!
I also have a can't get rid of things hubby and it's killing me!
😂Maybe, you can slowly get rid of things that don’t seem to be making their way to the top.
You’re glowing in this video- so pretty :) I enjoyed this video- I need less inventory.
Hello Dawn,
I love the fact that you started right away. No introduction. The title says it all. I agree with everything you said.
This is exactly what my Mother of 7 did everyday; she did such a wonderful job, we were so blessed, we had very little resources and items, but we had such a full home of love; what a true homemaker she was, things always fresh, clean and home cooked meals daily!
My Mother has been gone almost 15 years, I wish I could thank her one more time for her total dedication to her family, very selfless
That is so beautiful! I bet she loved doing this for you and your siblings. Everything fresh, clean and home cooked meals. Oh my goodness, it doesn’t get any better than that!!
What an inspiration!
She would love that dedication. I think both of you were blessed. ❤
Under "make it easy to put away," I stopped folding my toddler children's clothes - their drawers have dividers and each article goes into a section by type so it's organized, but I'm not agonizing about folding a whole basket of toddler laundry when my tiny humans mostly just tear through their drawers without a care. Now it takes 5 minutes to put their laundry away.
I also do this and I’m never going back! And yes my tiny human rips them out of the drawers and throws them on the floor for fun.
I just put the clothes in the drawers because you’re so right, why agonize over something that isn’t worth my time?!
One of my mottos:
Life is too short to fold underwear! 😁
I finally learned this too! WHY was I folding every tiny baby sock and burp cloth?! 😂😅 The fabric didn't wrinkle anyway and was going to get dirty after 2 seconds of wear! Who cares if it's all folded?! And now my toddler can help put her clothes away just by throwing them in the drawer! Win win!
Toddler clothes are a special challenge because the inventory has to change constantly!
You turned me into a minimalist a year ago and I will never go back now! My life and house is so much less chaotic and it never takes me longer than 15 mins to tidy up my house on any given day. Considering I have two toddlers I’m pretty happy with this! Thanks so much!
We remodeled upstairs and the flooring workers finished today. We had to box everything up and move it downstairs or to a pod. We started moving back upstairs this afternoon and we're going thru it all again and decluttering again. I have several boxes to donate and several bags of trash already. I'm so excited that we're actually simplifying and getting it done!!
"We aren't rehoming cats here" hahahaa that got me rollin' lol this was seriously such a great video and SUPER motivating! The photos of your home are so inspiring.
That’s Cas from Clutterbug’s saying, I’m glad Dawn is now saying it too 😂
I really enjoy seeing inside of your home. Furniture and all is very down to earth. Nothing really fancy. And it is sooo tidy. It looks achievable 😄
"We're not re-homing cats." I love it. I will quote that to myself when I feel guilty about donating something.
Several weeks ago we went through Hurricane Milton and while the house was a mess post-storm, once things settled a bit, it was so easy to retidy and get back into my habits. The sense of calm that having a decluttered, tidy home gives me is priceless. It absolutely does help with mental health.
Glad that you are okay. Nothing like a disaster to show that recovery is faster when you don't have a lot of stuff!
Glad you’re ok- Dana just had a podcast about how decluttering before a crisis sets up to weather “storms” better.
❤ Shouting from the rooftop that truly LESS INVENTORY =MORE PEACE! Thank you Dawn (and Cas) for all your research, humor, and empathy. I was Tidy✅ Organized ✅ but still totally stressed 😩 Followed you, minimized more and more, and voila! Freedom! Peace! Decreased therapy! More joy! Hallelujah 🎉
I've been so stressed out with a messy house. I wish I had time to clean out the drawers while fixing dinner, but I'm usually doing something else like laundry. I just feel after working a full day there's literally no time. My kids school and all the nonsense... tie dye shirt day, Halloween shirt, sports shirt, celebrating 50 days of school.... I'm sorry what?? We just never did this stuff when I was a kid, at least my parents never did. My entire family (including myself) have adhd and it's just pure chaos in the house. I'm trying to ween our stuff down but always get stuck, particularly on kid stuff... this is fun for them, oh educational, oh they need lots of books, games. Idk it's just a lot. We made colored noodles together... I thought they would bead or play with trucks. Nope 🙅♀️
I like watching your channel bc it gives me hope. 😂
You can do it! 5 minutes at a time!
More power to you ❤ Fellow AuDHDer here. Dawn has tons of videos on kids toys, rooms and clothes. I’m now realizing that even though the 5 shirts, 5 pants, 5 dresses, 5 t-shirts is sth Dawn talks about, I’ve never been able. Even though I’m otherwise a minimalist now. But ai just realized that I could just move out the excess from my 5-year old girl’s room - hide it away for a while and see how it goes and I wouldn’t have to have a coniption every time I enter her room and she has pulled out all her clothes onto the floor. My excuse if she asks ”it is probably in the wash”. She wouldn’t know that our hamper is basically empty these days cause I do do a load of laundry every day and there are just three of us. You’ve got this! Move the stuff out of the room/house into storge and see what is asked for (and don’t allow them to come along when you get the thing they ask for).
I can tell you that reduced inventory has helped my ADHD. Fewer visual distractions help keep me focussed on the task at hand and lower my stress.
also you would love Cass from Clutterbug! She makes ADHD - homemaking - decluttering content and she's so funny!
Yes to all of these ideas - children thrive in highly simplified spaces. Getting her brain used to less stuff and a “hushed” environment now will be a much greater gift all her life than all the books, toys, and creative supplies. You c a still have that, just less.
I think you should do some more decluttering videos where you help others get their house decluttered. 😊
Been a viewer for years!!! May not have decluttered my whole house.....but I certainly have learned to ask myself the right questions ....I will always be a work in progress. I don't want my child to deal with it when I'm gone!!!
I am not where I want to be. But thanks to you, I am now where a "tidy" home takes about an hour for the whole house, as opposed to where it used to be a 2 hour clean up for one room.
You have the best energy and advice, I always look forward to your videos!
Dawn, you inspire me so much! I am 75, have MS, and limited energy. I have learned that I get as much satisfaction out of doing part of a job, such as washing two windows rather than all 6 at one time. I do whatever I can sitting down, and that makes decluttering so much easier. Bravo to all you do!
I love making my bed right after I get dressed. It flexes my motivation muscles early, and I feel like I get much more done before getting the kids up and starting in their schooling.
Hi Dawn and fellow fans,
This is my first ever post on UA-cam. I have watched hundred or thousands, idk which, videos from you and some of your colleagues whom you’ve introduced me to; Joshua Becker, Dana K White and Cas from Clutterbug etc…
I sometimes study these videos. Today while studying this video I realized that I have created a no win mindset by berating myself for an untidy house while also not allowing myself to let go of; maybe items, future creative projects, spent money items, all of the blah, blah, blah stuff. How unfair to myself. In this scenario, I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. No more!!!
On a side note, my husband is a mental health specialist/ speaker. He has seen first hand the results of minimizing through my progress and has increased promoting this as a tool for clients.
Thanks!!
Agreed! Once the dishes are done, one thing leads to another. Clean surfaces, take out trash ,sweep...then I'm motivated to reset other areas. Making the bed daily too inspires you to pick up clothes, shoes and tidy the rest of the space. I've slowed down on impulse buying, that helps too. You have very good advice for all us of us. We can do it!
I had ten kids and a very small kitchen and I found that it really helps when cooking to clean dishes as you go. I would wash and reuse mixing bowls etc.. If you do this you end up with very few dishes to clean. Who can even face piles of dirty dishes after cooking a meal?
One of the biggest game changers for me is having a bag in cupboard under my stairs for donations, I was finding things i didn't need but wasn't sure what to do with them, too good to bin, but no-one to pass on to. SO it all ended up in a pile in my bedroom, secret to do list type pile starimg at me day in day out. Now once the bag is full it goes and I start a new one, game changer 🎉
Take photos of sentimental items that you no longer use. "Store" that item on your phone, not in your house ~ visit it anytime! Say a prayer for the next "steward of your stuff"...give away & rest well! ♡
Me at my yard sales "My Grandma wanted you to have this!" 😂
That's awesome 😂😂😂
I ❤ you Dawn! God put your videos on my feed and changed my life
100% !!!!!!! ❤
Regarding dishes or other chores that we don’t like to do, I have found it helpful to try to understand why I don’t like it. Is it a sensory issue while washing dishes and would gloves or a long brush help so I don’t have to touch the ick? Or do I need the right tools for the job? For me that’s been helpful to get to the root of why I don’t like a chore.
That’s really insightful. Often there’s one step in a process that is a stumbling block for me, and once I overcome that , the rest is easy. Like making a phone call to book an appointment.
Those are great tips. And it is so true:
My stress level is immediately rising, when I am in a cluttered space - it feels like I am losing control and every other area in my life is influenced by it. Whereas when I feel on top of my home, I can handle whatever life throws at me.
The mantra/saying "Clutter attracts clutter" is SO beyond true!! Months ago I cleared off our kitchen counters, minus the 2 things that get used multiple times a day (Kettle and microwave). There was resistance from my mother (who has some cognitive decline) and lives with us. Over time she has greatly improved but if my husband or I leave 1 or 2 small things on the counter we will come home to a LOT more things on the counter. It still amazes me how that first thing out of place on the counter gives permission for all of us to leave more things on the counters THANKS for all your videos!!
5 MINUTES MATTERS!! - Cass
Just the reminder I needed. A few things I recently purchase just haven’t worked out. They need to go so one of my cupboards can function again. I still fall into this sometimes, especially when I need something and I quickly order a replacement and it isn’t quite right. So frustrating, but I learn every time.
I’m now always assessing and do things as I go, or as the seasons change. Just said goodbye to baby clothes and maternity wear. It was sad, but such a relief to see space open up (I’m not filling it).
Thanks for this pep talk. I was raised one of those neat people and took pride in a being a hostess, organizer, etc, even in college. But 2 kids and 2+ chronic illnesses later, neat and clean is an ideal that I struggle toward. I’m thousands of miles from those friends I once organized for, so they can’t return the favor. After this video I felt inspired to get up, assemble family, and do a quick trash sweep of our flat and do a run to the bins. I’m now flat on my back with my feet up and all shaky, but I have a smile on my face. Bonus, my kids realized they’d rather be outside and are still playing in the fallen leaves .😊❤
I’m sorry you have chronic illness. It really makes a difference when your surroundings are more peaceful. It helps my kids and husband be better able to pitch in when things are simplified.
You’re really helping me. I’m a “prepper” in the sense that I keep a large backstock of food & other items. I haven’t stopped doing that, and likely never will, but I am so much more judicious now in what I will allow into my home, and it must have a place. Everywhere except my pantry and garage look like I’m a minimalist. I’m working on the garage. The pantry is organized, and nothing close to minimal, lol! I feel so much better, and my house runs so much more smoothly, with so much less stuff. ❤
Yes, the dishes at night. It is such a pleasure in the morning to walk into a clean kitchen! It has also seemed to inspire people besides me to cook. So worth it, I didn't realze it for years!
I can’t cook in a kitchen where I have to fight for a few square inches to work; or have to wash a pan, a spatula, a pair of beaters, and so on; “because I need it for this recipe.” I give up and order takeout. Now that I clean my kitchen regularly, that doesn’t seem to happen anymore!
I have very little and I have for sure the one hand rule and I have been married 56 years. I wake up to a clean kitchen . And it’s bliss ❤️😊
Yes, it is!
We had ‘domestic science’ lessons at school. Mostly cooking. I always remember the teacher’s mantra ‘clear as you go’. My aim is to do this so at the end of a meal the only thing left to wash up etc is the actual dishes and cutlery. It’s easy if you use of the little waiting times like watching pots and simmering to wash up and put away.
“We are not re homing cats!” I loved that haha thank you so much for all your advice, you inspire me to become a minimalist, or at least to try to be one ❤
Yeah, I can’t leave my kitchen until the dishes are washed dried and put away, ( I wash them by hand) the stove and counter tops have been cleaned and the trash is thrown out. No, I’m not a neat freak. I just love to bask in the feeling that if I go back into the kitchen, I don’t walk into a mess that I will dread cleaning! Same goes for the bedroom: the bed is made the instant I get up, and I tidy up the room before I go to work. My husband’s job is stressful m and I don’t want him to come home to a cluttered bedroom with clothes everywhere. Dawn has helped me a lot!
A dumpster and a babysitter 😂 it sounds hilarious when you put it that way, but I've been slipping into that mindset of thinking I need to set aside time to do another declutter!
I love this message of encouragement. Most of my decluttering has been when I had short bursts of time, 15 minutes to an hour. Yesterday, my husband and I set a timer for 30 minutes and worked on a section of the garage. We went a few minutes over that and made significant progress. Now I'm not stepping over stuff when I get out of my car.
I love that you use the term "inventory". Btw, you look great today :)
I love your energy in this one! Thank you for helping us remember that we aren’t rehoming cats! 😂 I love this part of the video, when you talked about how we can’t put a price on our mental health. ❤
Excellent reminders. One of your tips that I use all the time is ‘5 minutes matters’. It makes such a difference in everyday tidiness. For example, I clear the sink and counter while the kettle is boiling water for my morning tea. It does make a difference, and avoids the ‘clutter attracts clutter ‘issue. 🌸
You are always a dose of "just what the doctor ordered" for me, when I am feeling overwhelmed or just a bit blah. I love how honest and uncompromising you are in your love for people and your passion for helping them feel good in their own home.
Thank you, Dawn, you are a treasure.
This is a really great one! I don’t know how you continue to come up with new ideas.
Fantastic video im sharing it with a family member i think it will help. I do put things on the stairs when I'm in the middle of tidying or decluttering/reorganising, because I have fibromyalgia and I have to prioritise having enough energy to finish a job, but I have a rule to never go upstairs without taking stuff off the stairs up with me. The rule is supposed to apply to everyone but if I'm honest I think the rest of my family think its there for decoration. However because of just me doing it, it means that there is never things on my stairs for long and its never much on there. I won't allow it, because I can easily lose my balance and fall down the stairs if I'm stepping over huge piles. Im still on my decluttering journey but my house already feels so much better.
It's just Hubby & I, so we don't go through enough clothes or dishes to do a load every day. My Hubby had open heart surgery a month ago & I have been keeping up on the house almost daily. I did let it go for a couple of days & I was aggregated for doing that to myself. I was able to clean it all up fairly quickly when it used to take me days. That felt good. Thank you, Dawn, for all your videos. 😊
I’m sure having a tidy house and more peaceful wife was very healing for him.
@devinfarrelly3768 It's definitely made things more peaceful for me. 😊
I’ve watched your channel for several years now. We have 3 kids 5 and under and one on the way. The “make it easy to put away” rule is such a helpful one! **We put plastic liners in our cupboards so I don’t feel bad putting away slightly wet dishes straight from the dishwasher. “Designing for my lazy tendencies!” thanks Dawn and crew! God bless.
This is what I needed to hear before Christmas shopping for my kids🙃
All I gotta say is that I have learned sooo much from the 3 of you guys and take your house back is the best. I have declutter soo much I can now put each room back to its clean stage in only 7 minutes each room and bathroom. I tried to beat that but 5 minutes wasn’t enough. But I’ll take the 7 minutes per room. Where as before it would take me hours to clean one are in my home.
Today I tacked papers and feels soo good to have almost empty file cabinets. ❤ little by little im loving my home more and more and enjoy cleaning each area of the house. 🎉thank you so much for helping us and teaching us that we are “not rehoming 🐈” 😂
I have been aggressively decluttering every corner of my home. Where my boys tell me that my room has no life, no personality, I tell them I’ll take the peaceful and clean room a thousand times over putting life to my room. 😂 than to deal with cluttered room.
I have learned more from you, and my life is infinetely better than you know ❤ thank you for all your wisdom and kindness
Thank you for a short, more concise video. I often can't watch your long ones and podcasts all the way through.
I agree with all these tips!! Less things definitely means less to clean and manage!! I look forward to the notification that your Tuesday video has posted! Appreciate all you do and teach. God bless 💜
Wow, I don't even need to watch the video. I just see the thumbnail and immediately want to clean 😂
Thank you, Dawn, for all your advice. It is my favourite phrase: reduce your inventory!!! I have a curiosity... It is six of you, right? I always see four chairs around your dining table. Who does not eat in your house 😂? I had to ask xx❤
I was also wondering this!
I think they probably use the seats at the island too! 😊
Yea🎉 a new video!! Gives me another inspiring moment at 10:30 PM to hop up for my five minutes to either declutter and/or tidy! Everyday my little home gets better and better😊
A very practical and motivating review. I needed all these reminders. Thank you, Dawn!
Great tips Dawn
Love the way you just boil it down to the nitty-gritty as we say!!!
Sooo helpful 🎉❤
You’ve inspired me to declutter your family room and kitchen. I love decluttering. However, I like having things on the bathroom counter, like air freshener and candles, I just put everything on a tray.
Did I ever need this video today!! Thank you Dawn:) My husband is ready and onboard, so we are starting with one room🙌🏻
Thanks for getting straight to the point.
I know I need to reduce inventory to make cleaning easier. I've gotten too old to move things about to vacuum behind couches, chairs, all kinda decor sitting around. My rule is to keep the floors clean, never leave dirty dishes. However Im not an organized person those areas are my only control details😂
Sending this to my husband though he's been watching along with me for years now. My mom doesn't understand lol she has a higher threshold than me. I'm nesting, baby #3 is almost here and I'm ready to throw everything awayyyyyy. But no energy so I'm just going to try to always have a small grocery bag on my wrist constantly to grab anything extra to throw away!!
Perfect is the enemy of the Good.
And thank you for your encouragement 😊
Love how your approach focuses on our well being
Dawn you made my day again ! I love spending time with you. I love your home and every video inspires me. My whole family is trending towards less is more. You’re changing lives Dawn !
I have found that I rarely had any time for myself to do the things that I enjoy doing because I could ALWAYS see some type of housework still needing to be done - it seemed endless. This all changed when I, instead of making lists that I would lose, created a system that is easy to remember. Each day of the week's first letter is also the first letter of the things that I do on that day. For example; on Mondays I clean Mirrors, the Microwave, and check the Mouse traps. Of course, dishes and laundry are done daily and are being done WHILE I'm doing the chores for that day. Once done, I'm free to go do what I WANT to do, knowing that eventually it all gets done on it's day. Guilt-free time for myself!
What are the other days?!
@@colleencrabtree8870 Sunday = stairs (vacuum), Tuesday = toilet, towels, and trash (we haul our own to the dump - no garbage service here) Wednesday = things to do with water - I swap out my water glass and my husband's water glass, the cat's water bowl Thursday = TURDSDAY - in other words, cat litter box cat Friday = floors upstairs one week and downstairs the next Saturday = systems check (on my laptop)
This was perfect! Just what I needed today. Thank you!
You have no idea how you have helped me over my years of following you. I have almost completed the purging, cleaning and organizing. It has been a “journey”! Every day I thank God for you, Cas and the other Dana.. (I think). Bless You!
Perhaps you mean “Dana”? Or not. I’ve just seen Dawn working with Cas and Dana K. White. 😊
@@John-od6rp yes! Thank you😊
Thanks Dawn... just tossed (let go of) the new hair products I hate and aren't using 😂 Love you too.
Person who follows you just told me after coming to my new house, to let half my plant collection die in the frost and compost them, and to save my space for the ones I love…..you said in your last video you do not judge others so I know it is not your issue…..I wish people would stop judging others for how they live unless they are looking for advice…..it is so off putting…esp when my plants are living things and brought and bring me so much joy….we had just moved in a month prior and of course my house was out of order….and she came uninvited and made my worse dream come true! She Judged Me! Not the kind of friends I need in my life.
Oh no I'm sorry that happened to you! Def not a true friend
Your tips help so much.
Dawn, you got me started on the road to minimalism, and I thank you! I went through a period where I had three surgeries within 6 months - I was a mess physically and emotionally. Having a clear, uncluttered home really, truly made the healing phase(s) so much easier. I would add - or clarify - one more tip here. I use Cas from Clutterbug's mantra, "All flat surfaces are hot lava!" Nothing on the counters except for maybe one or two small things. Period. So easy to clean up, and so obvious when something needs to be put away.
Have watched this twice, shared, and will keep watching. Addresses so many of my challenges. Thank you, Dawn!
Great tips! It truly makes a BIG difference when the dishes are washed. This is one I'm really trying to do better with! Washing dishes is my least favorite household chore! ...But when I make myself wash the dishes.. oh how much better it looks and I feel "proud" of myself. lol. I enjoy your videos! Thank you!
I just started the don’t leave a room empty handed last night after watching that and I can already tel what a difference it is making!!
I love the wellness and mental health approach you’re taking Dawn. Since decluttering my home I’ve overcome procrastination, I’m so much happier and more patient ,I have time for prayer and a Bible study, where I’ve made good friends. The effect on my and my family’s well being from having a peaceful home in several senses is astounding. If this were a pill, it would be the most prescribed mental health med on the market. Thank-you !
My joke to self is my stuff has babies in the night 😮 I realized while watching goes back to container and inventory is a key to tidy home. Often is shared the one in one out rule but goes back as a flash to me in a hurry to put it away (clothing) forget to pull one out. Maybe the rule should be one out and think about one in 😮 Thanks for your sage advise, messy bessy working my way to tidy ❤
Your videos are always so helpful! Thank you!
I have a lot of success with your tips and ideas, as well as a few other people's (Dana K. White, Marie Kondo, Melanie Renee, Joshua Fields Millburn, etc.). I do the Bruce Lee way of 'Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own'. It works for me.
Lately I find that I have so many projects I want to complete (all the way from mundane repairs, to fun, creative projects), that I have many things lying around undone, and that adds to my stress. I've taken Dana K. White's idea of "take it there now" and modified it for this situation to "take care of it now", as an experiment. So, instead of seeing a pair of pants to hem, a project to sand and paint, a work of art to create, etc.. I choose the first thing I see and I "take care of it now".....That also helps me see if it's even a project I truly do care about anymore; Like, if I don't even want to do it, it feels like too much effort and doesn't feel worth it....maybe I can then just completely let it go and move on to do only the projects that are truly fun/inspired or absolutely necessary, and let all of the other "I should do this" things go. So far it is working. The other day I DIY'd a container in one go and put it to use that very day; then I got rid of the extraneous materials from the project and moved on to the next project. I felt amazing; like a disproportionately huge weight had been lifted off of me! (You are so right about your "silent to-do list" idea, and the stress it adds to your life! It is 100% accurate!) I've been wanting to create this DIY item for a long time. I kept hesitating because I exactly wasn't sure how to do it. But, I just started (sometimes starting is the hardest part of anything) and I allowed myself to make mistakes, and went ahead and tried it; And, it turned out way better than I thought; and because I allowed myself to make mistakes, there was no stress involved; And, believe it or not, I didn't even make one mistake. I think mindset is so important; Like, if you allow yourself to just start, to just move forward with whatever it is, and allow it to go however it goes, (no expectations, no attachment to outcomes, etc.), things you thought might be daunting, or complex, or even impossible, might end up being fun; and you might find your enthusiasm increasing, as well as stress decreasing.
That being said, I also wanted to say an extra, heartfelt "thank you" for the way you usually end off your videos, (the "I love you..." part); When going through a particularly difficult time in life, hearing someone say something kind can mean the world to you, and can even change the trajectory of your day in a very positive way. Kind words often can ease pain, soothe distress, lighten burdens, and connect hearts.
Thank you for all that you do! Bless you!
I've watched you on & off. I bought your book. But this video is hands down the best I've watched! You made it short & simple & practical. ALL 10 FEEL DOABLE!!!!!!!!!!! Plus it's easy to see how each of the 10 will pay off. Thank you so much! Thank you!
Love this list! Can 100% agree that all the things you list do WORK! I would add (kinda silly) but emptying the garbage can(s) especially in the kitchen as soon as it's almost full. Never fails that if something just a little too big ends up next instead of in it and then you have twice the work
Thank you so much for this video. I was able to give away some things in my kitchen that I was holding onto, for guilt reasons, this was the push to let go of things that brought up painful memories.
You’re absolutely amazing I’m sending this to my friends who I am helping with mindset shifts now that I’ve done a lot of my minimalism journey. I always worry that I am preaching and making out I’m this perfect house wife but you’re so down to earth and explain it in ways that isn’t judgey and not like us minimalists are somehow better
I try to clean something each time i go to the bathroom. Fix or change the towels, wipe a shelf or door knobs, and empty the trash. It will always look clean.
I rewatched your video on the silent to do list. I like the way you said to match my inventory to my current season of life. My children are grown so I can have inventory that reflects my hobbies. I have set places for my craft supplies, but I don’t need to feel guilty for owning them.
I definitely agree with this point also. Our kids are are all grown and I have discovered an absolute love of hand piecing and hand quilting small artistic projects. I have a beautiful basket with smaller containers to hold my current project. But because of my new mindset, I keep the inventory to one project at a time and only what can fit into my basket is out at a time.
Thank you Dawn so much for your continued guidance and encouragement. These reminder videos are so helpful to keep many of us on track 🥰
Doing one load of laundry a day has been a game changer for our family! It keeps the bedrooms tidier. And it points out what clothing we really enjoy which makes purging so much easier! Never going back!
Giving me some inspiration and motivation, especially now colder weather is here! Thank you! 💜
Thank you sooo much for your inspiration and help! I feel so much better with less clutter! May God bless you and your family!
Long time subscriber here! Just want to say, I love the warm brass hardware on the kitchen cabinets. It makes my heart happy!
I love that cast anytime I need to pick up or boost one of your episodes.
Haven’t watched yet, but love Tuesday upload day! 🎉 I’ll have get both my little sons napping & enjoy with a cup of coffee. ✨ Thank-you for all your passion and joyful inspiration for minimalism. I’ve been decluttering a long time, but I’ve decided this is the year to become minimalist. Need the extra push to enjoy more ease as a young mother!
The last tip should be first, I think it's the most important! We have to be strong against the noise!! ♡
Your kitchen counter emptying video 2+ years ago was a game changer. We have loved every single day of that empty visual counter ever since. I also think it's important to listen to any "grr" voices. I had to redo a lot to make that kitchen counter empty, and it turns out one of my annoyances ever since then, was a single conversation fix a few weeks ago. We had like 4 sets of teaspoons?? FULL SETS. OMG nobody needs four separate 1/8 teaspoons. But I kept thinking about what I hated, my husband loved. Turns out that was incorrect - and we are two trained marriage therapists here folks... haha communication vs assumptions will get the better of all of us. :) Now that drawer and I get along much more peacefully and finding or putting away the teaspoons is super fast and easy.
Powerful teaching. Thank you Dawn!
Love your videos ❤❤❤. Lower my inventory so I can easily put things away and keep counter spaces clear is my main goal. But it's so hard because I am a collector and I was brought up in a family where we didn't have alot of money and living on a farm we made our fun, so it's very hard to get rid of anything with value 😢