Don't b so hard on yourself Sophia! You've got a family, a full, busy life & teaching/helping others w/your "great challenge", all the while sharing w/us. I for one thoroughly appreciate & enjoy you're efforts! You're a great wife, mother & inspiration to others. Good luck getting ready for your company & remember to enjoy them & yourself. Make lots of good memories along the way!
Hi I just watched your cleaning video from I believe September 15, 2014 and I love your detailed lists, your sense of humor, and I am already subscribed and glad I found you, because listen you are not alone. Keep up the good work, and know that your efforts are very encouraging and inspiring to not only me but also others. I wish I had your great energy and stamina, stay continually daily blessed.
Sophia--love your videos and especially the cleaning videos! I have a couple suggestions--I used to clean my house just like you, doing each room separately, and mostly doing it all on one day--not fun at all! Now I use a different system. Breaking cleaning the house down into separate chores, and doing one per day (about 15-20 minutes) keeps the house clean and takes less time. Here's the system--spend a few minutes each day picking up and putting things away--you can do it!--that way it doesn't get out of control. Give the bathrooms a quick clean each day also. Then each day do one chore (takes 15-20 minutes if maintained on a regular basis): Day 1--dust all rooms; Day 2--windex glass, etc.; Day 3: sweep and vacuum; Day 4--mop; etc. You get the idea. Doing the same chore throughout the house is a lot faster than doing everything in each room separately. I have cut my cleaning time down significantly using this system and I no longer spend my weekends cleaning. I also do laundry every day so it doesn't build up. Hope this helps. Check out HowJenDoesIt--she has great cleaning videos. Thanks for sharing--no matter how you do it taking care of a family, working fulltime, and maintaining a house is exhausting!
Hi Sofia, I love your channel, You have such a great personality. We have so much in common. I love your house, it's so cozy. You have got me motivated to start cleaning more because I tend to let things go a lot. Glad I found your channel.
This is actually the very first video of your channel that I saw and “introduced” me to your channel! It’s amazing how much the house has changed during these years and I feel lucky to “be part of your challenges”! It’s good to see normal lives, normal struggles, normal house... you and your family are super nice and entertaining ! Scott should open a UA-cam channel as well! Keep on like that Sophia!! Kisses from Italy!
You remind me of myself. When I was a little girl I would take everything out of my room and put it into the hallway. Then I would clean all the furniture and bring back one thing at a time. When I was done with my work I would climb into the top bunk of my bed and look at my "masterpiece" LOL. I've always loved cleaning and turning something messy into something with order!! I love your videos!!
Women's work is truly never done. Don't hate me for saying this, but when I worked full time (with husband and a child) I hired a cleaning service to come in once a month to do the deep, deep, cleaning. A crew of about 4 women and one man really did a really detailed job. The money I spent was so worth it. We all pitched in the rest of the month to maintain the house. God bless you dear.
I love how real you are...my house is always dusty, it's so hard to keep up with. It makes me feel better to know that I am not alone in my frustrations with a messy house.
Firstly , please don't be embarrassed , you have a family , we are all in the same situation . Secondly , thank goodness there is someone out there who has so much nick nacs like me ! I can't resist picking things up thinking " oh I love that " but then thinking " where on earth will it go ?" Unfortunately I live in a very small Welsh cottage with no attic or spare room to hide stuff away . You have a beautiful home with gorgeous furniture & pieces , thank you for inspiring me yet again to tackle my tip ! Xxx
Wow what a lot of work in one day. I admire the way you organise your chores and do the work and after all you still keep a good mood. A very inspirational video.
I love your videos, there is something about you that has a calming affect on me. I love your house and the way you decorate, I feel like your house has a story to tell and that real people live in it. You inspire me to want to get my house in order. Love love your videos.
Catia Campos WOW thank you for that Ms C. (tidit, I am in the counseling field, maybe that's where you get the calming effect.) I really love my house too I wish I had one more room though!
I Love it. You are so thorough and methodical, and confident in what you're doing. Your home is a home one could find rest and renewed peace of mind in. I love how you include your husband and children. He goes off to work, and lends a hand when home, and that oldest son of yours is full of personality. keep up the good work.
You're a great discovery! Honest and motivating! I need this type of videos to start cleaning ... and so many of the things you do (like filling baskets with stuff that needs to go elsewhere), I recognise! Tx! Micheline
Just found this video today, and it was really interesting to see the changes in your house. Amazing how far you've come with decluttering. Super inspiring! Love it!
I have discovered Norwex. They have a lot of great natural cleaning products. I really like my dusting mitt and the window washing cloths. They were expensive, but have paid for themselves. I no longer use sprays and paper towels-great saving of time and money, BTW, what does DITL stand for? Does It Take Long, Do It To Live, Do It Today Lovie. Oh, looked it up-Day In The Life?
I found THE FLYLADY thought YOU in July 2017 :) ... It has changed my life and my way of thinking. I m so glad you gave it another try. (I heard another lady mention FlyLady one time but it went over my head) I came across this old video and see how much your house and way of thinking has change. Your house now, is so lovely and declutt.ered now. I've watched you since July but I have seen many of your other video's. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for trying FlyLady and the 30 day challenge series you did again. you and it brought hope(in my home) to me again
You are amazing! Great cleaning video! I have a dog too,but she is not allowed to sit on any of the furniture. She is a floor dog. But still..having a dog brings a lot of sand and hairs into my home. And you have two...you are a fantastic and inspiring woman! I'm watching your videos EVERY DAY.
The book from The Clean Team is called Speed Cleaning. Amazon has plenty of reviews if you're interested. I ran the system alone until my kids were old enough to help.
You have such a lovely home! I am very much like you in that I will spend my entire weekend cleaning my house instead of keeping up with it throughout the week. I have tried system after system to try and hold myself accountable, but nothing has stuck thus far. You are not alone, sister!
I have been enjoying your cleaning videos as it gets me motivated to do the same. Been using the Swiffer extender for about 6 mos. and especially love it for dusting baseboards and under low- to-the-ground furniture like the sofa. Sure saves my back and knees. Your home is beautiful, cozy, charming, and inviting. Your in-laws are going to love being there. Take care. Aloha!
HI Sophia! I know these are really old videos, I know the house has changed, and that you have decluttered A LOT since :-) but still this is helping me so much to just binge watch your videos while I am tackling my inferno monster of clutter and disorganization. I too love old, meaningful objects, that are connected to memories, people, places, experiences, some are things I need for experiencing new learning / creative projects etc etc..and BOOKS so I can relate..plus maintenance is the issue also...I can clean like a madwoman without leaving the house for days then not keep up with it and have to start all over again...sigh but I am working on it and will get to changing my ways....take care and thanks for all your videos, I truly appreciate how authentic you are.
I'm the opposite of you Sophia...... I don't like stuff in the house. I feel like it clutters my head and I can't think straight. We'll done you for tackling it !!
I love watching your videos!!!! If only while I sit and watch you clean my house would get cleaned too :) You make me get in a cleaning mood and it makes it more fun to clean I think I dont know why that is but it does help me get things done. Thanks for sharing.
I can relate to your love of dishes. I have 10 sets or partial sets of dishes. I really should purge and get rid of some of them. I keep a bunch of large tubs in my garage and fill them with things I want to sell or donate. I plan a large garage sale to purge. What isn't sold is leaving the home some way...either by donation or (last resort) taken to the land fill.
I really love your videos, I can definitely relate to your clutter problem and not having the time/energy through the week to maintain the house. Thank you so much for sharing, I now know I'm not the only one!! Thanks again :)
After many years, I decided to get rid of all my books and downloaded them onto my kindle. I've also converted all my CDs into MP3 (saved on a backed up hard drive) and I can play all my music through a wireless multi room speaker hub (it's called Sonos HI Fi System if you're interested). That was one way I got rid of my clutter....Maybe something to think about? It took me a while to get my head around not having a physical collection which I could touch but I haven't missed one book or CD since!! Regardless Sofia, you rock!!
Hi Sophia, I'm a new subscriber from Scotland. I love your vlogs as you are a very 'real' person ( if that makes sense!) and your ideas always help motivate me. I have two boys, two dogs and a busy lifestyle too so I can relate!
I used to have the same problem to much stuff I really loved and didn't want to get rid of so my husband made me shelves that we put at the top of the wall all around the rooms I only clean them about 4 times a year and change some of the stuff on the tables etc. it solved my problem.
If you like to have things, by all means surround yourself with the things you love and that have meaning to you. Some designer said, " A room should feel collected not decorated". Your living room was lovely---it had so much character when you had out your "clutter". If you had pics on pinterest, I would be pinning them! So many homes look like displays at the furniture store with everything matching but feeling cold and impersonal. I am like you, I love having beautiful objects on display in my home. I enjoy gazing at my lovely "what nots"---all of them have a special meaning or memory attached to them. By the way, your large built in bookcase is beautifully decorated. Please don't change a thing in it!
I like the table empty underneath. Oh I just watched you mark off your list, I was going to suggest laminating it! You have two kids and dogs, isn't funny how they don't pick up after themselves :) My clutter is what is killing me ugh! I think you're handwriting is very nice, loved the way your lists came out with the colors (it makes you want to complete it).
too much stuff!!! all your energy is spent on this stuff. You have a lovely home. I used to want a big house but since I have adopted a minalist style of life. Not completely where I want to be.....still working on it.
Hi Sophia! Terry here hailing from Western Massachusetts. You go girl! You've inspired me, I'll tell ya that. I've gone through my entire first floor and now working on the second floor! We have five bedrooms--so I needed some inspiration. Your vids are the best! I've also purchased a lot of those products you're using. Great stuff--keep up the good work. Loved watching your 12 days of Christmas too. We have much the same taste in home furnishings, colors and lifestyle. I have a lot of little collections too--just can't part with them and I won't. My style defies definition, but somewhat resembles French Country, the hubby's French too. My house has never smelled this good with four people here, a dog and four cats. LOL You have a wonderful family and home and thanks for the inspiration--I really needed it! I'll be looking for your next vid. See you then. :)
I love watching! :) Hope it inspires me a bit! But wow you get a lot of things done in 30 min! I am the same way - will clean one thing until I am sick of it and then let it go for months! But now I have a 2000sq feet house! Yikes! Jez! Keep up the good work!
Your house looks much better de cluttered, also I'd suggest taking some furniture out, it's full on and doesn't leave you much free space. Also the books are very over whelming, the space and dusting! I feel so motivated to do the same to my house, I love your stair baskets, I went out and got 4 for my family :) great tip. Great work!
Jen Monk oh Jen, I already declutered books, we love them and would never part with them. As for Furniture, bad news, more is coming, we re inheriting a ton of it from Grandma!
I really like watching your videos. You help motivate me to clean my own house. I like how you think out loud about where to put things or how to rearrange. ; ) Your videos are helpful and fun to watch
I think it's important to have the things around you that make you happy. Who cares if somebody else calls them clutter I love them! When I see things it reminds me of people some aren't with me anymore.
RedD Dragon True, I am very attached to objects that have a history behind them. I would rather have a mismatched lot of heirlooms than a room full of Pottery Barn stuff.
Sophia, I can empathize with you when people say you have too much! Today someone said to me "why do you have so much stuff?" The bad part is I'm in the process of decluttering. It can be so overwhelming. I guess we have to keep plugging away at it. I just don't want to leave this earth and leave my grieving children with a lot of "stuff" to sort through.
Sophia, you're always so hard on yourself. I think you do Great. You work full time and still clean (like hell) on the weekends. You do have a lot of stuff but it's all in it's place. And everyone has dust. I know I do. :-) Thanks for sharing, you always inspire me to get it done. You go Girl!
I love The Clean Team system. It's based on a once a week cleaning and a team of three (mom and two kids) can get through a whole house in 2 hours or so once the system is mastered. It doesn't include daily pick up or laundry.
Hi Sofia. You are unique! Love, love, love your videos. Thank you for share this with us. You motivate me with your energy and ideas. I think, the table on the stairs looks better without the candle holder. My love to you from Pennsylvania. :))
1) Love your ruffled cardigan. I am always looking for clothing with the ruffles. 2) I was wondering if you might try grouping your items such as putting all your childhood toys, etc. on the fireplace mantel, etc. 3) Sometimes I go all around my house and scoop up everything - set it all on the dining room table - then move the tchotchkes in new places! What's left on the table gets packed away for another season. (I totally swap stuff out each season of the year.) I have A LOT of bookcases and books and I often remove everything and put it back a little differently. It makes such a difference. 4) I finally have created a daily cleaning schedule rotating through the house each week. It takes me about an hour and a half per day and heaven help me when I miss a day. Love your channel. It IS fun to watch somebody else clean. hahahaha
+saadia aliourboui Hi Honey. Hope you don't mind someone else chipping in. I'm catching up with some of Sophia's vids and saw your comment. I also do my housework in about 1h30m daily and it really works! I never do 'zone cleaning'/have a cleaning day. I know it works for some ladies, but I find that if something crops up and you miss that day, then because you left it all for one slot, you are instantly way behind. It's also less motivating, especially if you don't enjoy cleaning, as you know you have hours of cleaning ahead of you. I have been doing my routine for years, but it did take me a while initially to realise that this is the best way - certainly for me anyway. If you are interested, this is what I do: (I will start another post as this is getting a bit long!)
+saadia aliourboui OK. So morning = unload dishwasher, put in a load of laundry (I do one load most days and have a laundry pre-sorter, which really helps), quick tidy up in every room, quick wipe down in kitchen and bathrooms, unload/fold/put away laundry. This all takes about 30 mins. I do this everyday. On Mon-Fri I also spend an extra 30 mins on a specific task. So I might vacuum everywhere one day, then the next day mop all hard floors, then the next dust and polish everywhere, then another day it could be clean the kitchen or bathrooms or maybe declutter. It's such an easy way to get everything done quickly, as you are sticking to one task only. I only change one bed at a time and do the minimum of ironing. That's it for the morning - about one hour! In the evening I just to a very quick pick up, and tidy up the kitchen/load dishwasher. This takes about 15 -30 mins max. Hope this helps! Best Wishes. PS. This system also works if you have a lot of other commitments like childcare or working outside the home.
I don't know you have manage to get any housework/cleaning done with a full time job AND a family to look after. You are indeed a superwoman!! I have to be careful with baskets too - hmmm, you should see the cupboard under my stairs!! I've realized that the way to make cleaning easy is to have LESS stuff to clean!!
Love the way you write your lists, !! to de - clutter your house, have you tried going thru your books and deciding what you really want to keep and what you can pass on. Schools are always grateful for kids books for the library, or the thrift store will take them. You could also rotate the things you really love, that have great meaning to you, just swap around now and again. Your table at the top of the stairs looks better with nothing under it. I am not sure however, why you have boxes on the stairs?? If you decluttered your bookcase you could use them there for storage. just a thought.
MrLinda02 These are decluttering baskets actually, each one of us has a basket for things that are found upstairs and need ot be brought back upstairs. We have a no toy in the living room rule.
My Great Challenge That is a great idea for the baskets, I have a duster similar to yours, but, it is made by Pledge and it works very well as the duster itself is full of Pledge polish. When it gets dirty one end and still clean the other I take it off and turn it around and put it on again, less wasteful that way. I like your house very much it is very cozy and welcoming. I watched your video on cleaning your kitchen, great idea with your home made cleaning product, it really put a great shine on everything will be using this hint. Can you please let me know what you thought about the books idea, I didn't mean just kids books, but you and your husband's as well. It is hard and you have to ruthless and honest, you know, How long since we read that ? do I really need to keep it ? etc. would a mobile dog groomer take a load off you. ?
Oh my goodness you remind me of me lol. I have to cut my ornaments back but I have a collection of pot tigers/lions and a collection of dogs my fella collects teapots we both have about 100 of each , his are in the kitchen (of course) mine in the living room, he has an excuse his are on top of the wall cabinets "out of the way" mine are on the furniture tops and in the windowsills even on the hearth lol. Really enjoying your videos xx
I'm a new fan! We have similar taste - I love color and I love my "stuff". However, I hate cleaning the "stuff". I have been doing the same thing - trying to get used to less and trying to lighten everything a bit. I have been watching all of your videos all day. You inspire me to get up and clean things and move furniture around! Also, I notice two Emmys on top of your bookshelf - who won those and for what? How very interesting!
HI Sophia..I'm a new subscriber and have watched this and your spring cleaning video so far. I know what you mean about organising your things. I have an idea/ suggestion which may or may not be suitable. I wonder if you could sort your decorative items into seasons. You could then rotate them and enjoy them throughout the year without getting rid of them but also without having them all out at the same time. I have seen other UA-camrs decorate their homes seasonally and I wonder if you could do the same just with everyday (non seasonal) decorations...:)....
Joanne Radley that s a good idea but I really do not decorate according to seasons, maybe a bit in the fall and definitely christmas but it stops there.
Once again fab video , you make me want to start doing stuff love your home, ...wish I lived by you would give you a hand ha ha ,...I used to work for a professional cleaning company , and believe me your home is not dirty , you should see how some people live !!! Let's just say it opened my eyes , do think maybe if you did store away a few bits and pieces for " now" it may make your life easier...just a thought , please keep your videos coming love them , I always make myself a coffe and sit and relax for a little , while watching them. Xx
I've watched this video twice. And I have to say you have the best handwriting. I make a list as well. But, it doesn't look as pretty and well put together as yours.
I find if i leave it too long..i get overwealmed and dont want to do it..as its easier just to shut the door and stay away from it lol..but eventually i get to it.. you're doing great :) as for the kids..well theyre doing okay.. A lot of parents wont get there kids to do anything and that isnt good for the kids.. HOw can they learn if theyre not doing it.. well done to you... Oh and as for your stuff.. Put some away and every now and then swap them around.. that way your still enjoying your stuff
I can understand how you feel about your books, I'm the same with my beauty products! Ohh I can't wait to see your new furniture and how it will be fitted with your other items. :) I've got 2 boys, 1 will gladly help, the youngest not so :( it's a battle in our house. Without wanting to sound rude, does your hubby help? Seems you do it all?
Please forgive me for not mentioning that you're doing such a wonderful job keeping things in order. By-the-way, I changed from Ericka Martin to Ericka NYC. Take care.☺
I'm tired just watching you show the stuff, LOL. You have some very cool clutter, I would have a problem deciding what should go. Good luck. I enjoy your videos, I LOVE to clean and organize!xo Melissa
What do I want From my space? How little can I get away with? Does this inspire me? (not love, inspire), does this truly add value *now* to my life, are questions I've been learning about that are good to ask as well as "need-use-love" I also used to think to myself, and still do, "I know I love this, and it's useful, but will I (realistically) go to this item in the near future to use it?" I also love to think minimalism, but it will always be My minimalism, not someone else's. Sort of goes back to how little can *I* get away with? But it's really good to learn about the Endowment effect too. Once we own something, whatever it is, doesn't have to be that we even paid for it, it becomes more valuable to us. We wouldn't repurchase it, but because we own it we can't part with it. It's fear of loss. It helps knowing that it will serve a purpose somewhere else, so I've been donating to the Red Cross charity shops a lot, charity makes money and other people find value in my old stuff. And yes, love the speed cleaning! What I love about it is that when I see a video that's like, hi I'm going to clean, and cuts right to hi I cleaned here's the result without the work shown, I don't really realize the amount of work that went into it and feel like I "get it" more when I see it with the speed cleaning in between, visual person here ;). So I might be much more inspired to do some work myself when I see it being done. I will watch videos like this even when I'm 100% happy with my space and decluttered everything, just the feeling of seeing cluttered spaces getting lighter is so satisfying for whatever reason, maybe it's like empathy? Feeling lighter along with you ;)
Very interesting watching yourself 8 yrs ago,a very different Sophia today😊.your Lounge 😮 lota furniture ,you must be very proud of the learning you have aquired over the years,and you cantakea horse to water and make him drink 😂,much admiration for you Sophia 😘 Lizzie xx
I saw another diyer assign a basket to each person in the family when u find something that belongs to them u put it in their basket so they put it away their stuff away each basket has the name on it may work for you. one thing I have learned is everything must have a home
Don't b so hard on yourself Sophia! You've got a family, a full, busy life & teaching/helping others w/your "great challenge", all the while sharing w/us. I for one thoroughly appreciate & enjoy you're efforts! You're a great wife, mother & inspiration to others. Good luck getting ready for your company & remember to enjoy them & yourself. Make lots of good memories along the way!
Hi I just watched your cleaning video from I believe September 15, 2014 and I love your detailed lists, your sense of humor, and I am already subscribed and glad I found you, because listen you are not alone. Keep up the good work, and know that your efforts are very encouraging and inspiring to not only me but also others. I wish I had your great energy and stamina, stay continually daily blessed.
Finally a real person with a real house! Love your house and your collectibles.
Sophia--love your videos and especially the cleaning videos! I have a couple suggestions--I used to clean my house just like you, doing each room separately, and mostly doing it all on one day--not fun at all! Now I use a different system. Breaking cleaning the house down into separate chores, and doing one per day (about 15-20 minutes) keeps the house clean and takes less time. Here's the system--spend a few minutes each day picking up and putting things away--you can do it!--that way it doesn't get out of control. Give the bathrooms a quick clean each day also. Then each day do one chore (takes 15-20 minutes if maintained on a regular basis): Day 1--dust all rooms; Day 2--windex glass, etc.; Day 3: sweep and vacuum; Day 4--mop; etc. You get the idea. Doing the same chore throughout the house is a lot faster than doing everything in each room separately. I have cut my cleaning time down significantly using this system and I no longer spend my weekends cleaning. I also do laundry every day so it doesn't build up. Hope this helps. Check out HowJenDoesIt--she has great cleaning videos. Thanks for sharing--no matter how you do it taking care of a family, working fulltime, and maintaining a house is exhausting!
Hi Sofia, I love your channel, You have such a great personality. We have so much in common. I love your house, it's so cozy. You have got me motivated to start cleaning more because I tend to let things go a lot. Glad I found your channel.
This is actually the very first video of your channel that I saw and “introduced” me to your channel! It’s amazing how much the house has changed during these years and I feel lucky to “be part of your challenges”! It’s good to see normal lives, normal struggles, normal house... you and your family are super nice and entertaining ! Scott should open a UA-cam channel as well! Keep on like that Sophia!! Kisses from Italy!
You remind me of myself. When I was a little girl I would take everything out of my room and put it into the hallway. Then I would clean all the furniture and bring back one thing at a time. When I was done with my work I would climb into the top bunk of my bed and look at my "masterpiece" LOL. I've always loved cleaning and turning something messy into something with order!! I love your videos!!
Women's work is truly never done.
Don't hate me for saying this, but when I worked full time (with husband and a child) I hired a cleaning service to come in once a month to do the deep, deep, cleaning. A crew of about 4 women and one man really did a really detailed job.
The money I spent was so worth it. We all pitched in the rest of the month to maintain the house. God bless you dear.
I love how real you are...my house is always dusty, it's so hard to keep up with. It makes me feel better to know that I am not alone in my frustrations with a messy house.
Firstly , please don't be embarrassed , you have a family , we are all in the same situation . Secondly , thank goodness there is someone out there who has so much nick nacs like me ! I can't resist picking things up thinking " oh I love that " but then thinking " where on earth will it go ?" Unfortunately I live in a very small Welsh cottage with no attic or spare room to hide stuff away .
You have a beautiful home with gorgeous furniture & pieces , thank you for inspiring me yet again to tackle my tip ! Xxx
Wow what a lot of work in one day. I admire the way you organise your chores and do the work and after all you still keep a good mood. A very inspirational video.
I love your videos, there is something about you that has a calming affect on me. I love your house and the way you decorate, I feel like your house has a story to tell and that real people live in it. You inspire me to want to get my house in order. Love love your videos.
Catia Campos WOW thank you for that Ms C. (tidit, I am in the counseling field, maybe that's where you get the calming effect.) I really love my house too I wish I had one more room though!
I Love it. You are so thorough and methodical, and confident in what you're doing. Your home is a home one could find rest and renewed peace of mind in. I love how you include your husband and children. He goes off to work, and lends a hand when home, and that oldest son of yours is full of personality. keep up the good work.
You're a great discovery! Honest and motivating! I need this type of videos to start cleaning ... and so many of the things you do (like filling baskets with stuff that needs to go elsewhere), I recognise! Tx! Micheline
Another great video Sophia!!! You are such an inspiration to all of us who follow you!! ❤
I'm rewatching some of your old videos. Look how far you've come from this video! You are ROCKING it lady!!!
Thank you for sharing your DITL!!! I love watching you Sophia. ❤️❤️❤️
Just found this video today, and it was really interesting to see the changes in your house. Amazing how far you've come with decluttering. Super inspiring! Love it!
I have discovered Norwex. They have a lot of great natural cleaning products. I really like my dusting mitt and the window washing cloths. They were expensive, but have paid for themselves. I no longer use sprays and paper towels-great saving of time and money, BTW, what does DITL stand for? Does It Take Long, Do It To Live, Do It Today Lovie. Oh, looked it up-Day In The Life?
DITL means. "Day in the Life"
I found THE FLYLADY thought YOU in July 2017 :) ... It has changed my life and my way of thinking. I m so glad you gave it another try. (I heard another lady mention FlyLady one time but it went over my head) I came across this old video and see how much your house and way of thinking has change. Your house now, is so lovely and declutt.ered now. I've watched you since July but I have seen many of your other video's. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for trying FlyLady and the 30 day challenge series you did again. you and it brought hope(in my home) to me again
You are amazing! Great cleaning video! I have a dog too,but she is not allowed to sit on any of the furniture. She is a floor dog. But still..having a dog brings a lot of sand and hairs into my home. And you have two...you are a fantastic and inspiring woman! I'm watching your videos EVERY DAY.
The book from The Clean Team is called Speed Cleaning. Amazon has plenty of reviews if you're interested. I ran the system alone until my kids were old enough to help.
You have such a lovely home! I am very much like you in that I will spend my entire weekend cleaning my house instead of keeping up with it throughout the week. I have tried system after system to try and hold myself accountable, but nothing has stuck thus far. You are not alone, sister!
I have been enjoying your cleaning videos as it gets me motivated to do the same. Been using the Swiffer extender for about 6 mos. and especially love it for dusting baseboards and under low- to-the-ground furniture like the sofa. Sure saves my back and knees. Your home is beautiful, cozy, charming, and inviting. Your in-laws are going to love being there. Take care. Aloha!
HI Sophia! I know these are really old videos, I know the house has changed, and that you have decluttered A LOT since :-) but still this is helping me so much to just binge watch your videos while I am tackling my inferno monster of clutter and disorganization. I too love old, meaningful objects, that are connected to memories, people, places, experiences, some are things I need for experiencing new learning / creative projects etc etc..and BOOKS so I can relate..plus maintenance is the issue also...I can clean like a madwoman without leaving the house for days then not keep up with it and have to start all over again...sigh
but I am working on it and will get to changing my ways....take care and thanks for all your videos, I truly appreciate how authentic you are.
Love your home Sophia! It always looks so cozy. :) You have been a huge motivation for me to get my fall cleaning done, thanks!
I'm the opposite of you Sophia...... I don't like stuff in the house. I feel like it clutters my head and I can't think straight. We'll done you for tackling it !!
I REALLY ENJOY WATCHING YOU CLEAN!!! YOU ARE AWESOME AND YOUR PERSONALITY SO BUBBLY!
Sophia you have so much determination to clean. I am really impressed and amazed. Hats off to you!
You are wonderful every time I watch your video you inspire me!!! Keep the videos coming they a very helpful!!!
I love watching your videos!!!! If only while I sit and watch you clean my house would get cleaned too :) You make me get in a cleaning mood and it makes it more fun to clean I think I dont know why that is but it does help me get things done. Thanks for sharing.
I can relate to your love of dishes. I have 10 sets or partial sets of dishes. I really should purge and get rid of some of them. I keep a bunch of large tubs in my garage and fill them with things I want to sell or donate. I plan a large garage sale to purge. What isn't sold is leaving the home some way...either by donation or (last resort) taken to the land fill.
I really love your videos, I can definitely relate to your clutter problem and not having the time/energy through the week to maintain the house. Thank you so much for sharing, I now know I'm not the only one!! Thanks again :)
After many years, I decided to get rid of all my books and downloaded them onto my kindle. I've also converted all my CDs into MP3 (saved on a backed up hard drive) and I can play all my music through a wireless multi room speaker hub (it's called Sonos HI Fi System if you're interested). That was one way I got rid of my clutter....Maybe something to think about? It took me a while to get my head around not having a physical collection which I could touch but I haven't missed one book or CD since!! Regardless Sofia, you rock!!
Hi Sophia, I'm a new subscriber from Scotland. I love your vlogs as you are a very 'real' person ( if that makes sense!) and your ideas always help motivate me. I have two boys, two dogs and a busy lifestyle too so I can relate!
I used to have the same problem to much stuff I really loved and didn't want to get rid of so my husband made me shelves that we put at the top of the wall all around the rooms I only clean them about 4 times a year and change some of the stuff on the tables etc. it solved my problem.
You could try a rotating display by season, like rotating kids toys in storage.
What energy you have Sophia !!! God bless you !
Could you do a video on spring cleaning your kitchen loved your spring cleaning series keep up the great work
I love how pretty your house is! you inspire me to get things clean! thanks!
I love your channel very much. You inspire me so much.I have tried to de clutter my house the same way as you and it had worked out really well
Nandhini Sankar Great! Thank you!
You do look marvelous Sophia! You are such a nice person, thank you for this video, you have a lovely home!
If you like to have things, by all means surround yourself with the things you love and that have meaning to you. Some designer said, " A room should feel collected not decorated". Your living room was lovely---it had so much character when you had out your "clutter". If you had pics on pinterest, I would be pinning them! So many homes look like displays at the furniture store with everything matching but feeling cold and impersonal. I am like you, I love having beautiful objects on display in my home. I enjoy gazing at my lovely "what nots"---all of them have a special meaning or memory attached to them. By the way, your large built in bookcase is beautifully decorated. Please don't change a thing in it!
Love love love your channel! Been "binge" watching for the past hour or so. Just subscribed! Keep up the great videos. I am loving them! :D
Organize and Simplify thank you
You are a hoot. It is nice to see that I am not the only crazy working mom
I like the table empty underneath. Oh I just watched you mark off your list, I was going to suggest laminating it! You have two kids and dogs, isn't funny how they don't pick up after themselves :) My clutter is what is killing me ugh! I think you're handwriting is very nice, loved the way your lists came out with the colors (it makes you want to complete it).
I love watching your cleaning videos! You are so real. Keep up the great work.
too much stuff!!! all your energy is spent on this stuff. You have a lovely home. I used to want a big house but since I have adopted a minalist style of life. Not completely where I want to be.....still working on it.
Rachel Cacho I like my stuff
Love to watch you clean! It really motivates me. Great job! Your house is beautiful.
Hi Sophia! Terry here hailing from Western Massachusetts. You go girl! You've inspired me, I'll tell ya that. I've gone through my entire first floor and now working on the second floor! We have five bedrooms--so I needed some inspiration. Your vids are the best! I've also purchased a lot of those products you're using. Great stuff--keep up the good work. Loved watching your 12 days of Christmas too. We have much the same taste in home furnishings, colors and lifestyle. I have a lot of little collections too--just can't part with them and I won't. My style defies definition, but somewhat resembles French Country, the hubby's French too. My house has never smelled this good with four people here, a dog and four cats. LOL You have a wonderful family and home and thanks for the inspiration--I really needed it! I'll be looking for your next vid. See you then. :)
Philip Daigle Thank you Terry!
Looks very similar to Flylady's detailed cleaning lists...love love love the video!
I love watching! :) Hope it inspires me a bit! But wow you get a lot of things done in 30 min! I am the same way - will clean one thing until I am sick of it and then let it go for months! But now I have a 2000sq feet house! Yikes! Jez! Keep up the good work!
Your not alone! Lol! Great job! I love your DITL!! Your home is beautiful:)
Your house looks much better de cluttered, also I'd suggest taking some furniture out, it's full on and doesn't leave you much free space. Also the books are very over whelming, the space and dusting! I feel so motivated to do the same to my house, I love your stair baskets, I went out and got 4 for my family :) great tip. Great work!
Jen Monk oh Jen, I already declutered books, we love them and would never part with them. As for Furniture, bad news, more is coming, we re inheriting a ton of it from Grandma!
I really like watching your videos. You help motivate me to clean my own house. I like how you think out loud about where to put things or how to rearrange. ; ) Your videos are helpful and fun to watch
thank you Maria
Love your videos! I have decluttered so much in my home and its so much easier to clean!
I think it's important to have the things around you that make you happy. Who cares if somebody else calls them clutter I love them! When I see things it reminds me of people some aren't with me anymore.
RedD Dragon True, I am very attached to objects that have a history behind them. I would rather have a mismatched lot of heirlooms than a room full of Pottery Barn stuff.
I always love your videos it puts me in the mood to clean. Lol thank you
Brilliant video! Now I am going to declutter my home! Less stuff,easier to clean. Love all Your videos!!!!!
your home is so cosy, just beautiful
Sophia, I can empathize with you when people say you have too much! Today someone said to me "why do you have so much stuff?" The bad part is I'm in the process of decluttering. It can be so overwhelming. I guess we have to keep plugging away at it. I just don't want to leave this earth and leave my grieving children with a lot of "stuff" to sort through.
Oh Sweetheart, you have come a long way. So proud of you!
Sophia, you're always so hard on yourself. I think you do Great. You work full time and still clean (like hell) on the weekends. You do have a lot of stuff but it's all in it's place. And everyone has dust. I know I do. :-) Thanks for sharing, you always inspire me to get it done. You go Girl!
thanks Monica!
I love The Clean Team system. It's based on a once a week cleaning and a team of three (mom and two kids) can get through a whole house in 2 hours or so once the system is mastered. It doesn't include daily pick up or laundry.
Rebecca Page good luck with that one, lol I will check it out though.
When I want to feel motivated, I always, always, always watch your videos. :) Yes, I have some kinda addiction with your cleaning vids. :)
Hi Sofia. You are unique! Love, love, love your videos. Thank you for share this with us. You motivate me with your energy and ideas. I think, the table on the stairs looks better without the candle holder. My love to you from Pennsylvania. :))
I am watching old videos until you post a new one...and....even your lists are pretty and colorful!!!!!
1) Love your ruffled cardigan. I am always looking for clothing with the ruffles.
2) I was wondering if you might try grouping your items such as putting all your childhood toys, etc. on the fireplace mantel, etc.
3) Sometimes I go all around my house and scoop up everything - set it all on the dining room table - then move the tchotchkes in new places! What's left on the table gets packed away for another season. (I totally swap stuff out each season of the year.) I have A LOT of bookcases and books and I often remove everything and put it back a little differently. It makes such a difference.
4) I finally have created a daily cleaning schedule rotating through the house each week. It takes me about an hour and a half per day and heaven help me when I miss a day.
Love your channel. It IS fun to watch somebody else clean. hahahaha
Hello can u plllz pass me ur cleaning plan.. 1h30 aday seems quite interesting.. waiting for ur answer thnx a lot
+saadia aliourboui Hi Honey. Hope you don't mind someone else chipping in. I'm catching up with some of Sophia's vids and saw your comment. I also do my housework in about 1h30m daily and it really works! I never do 'zone cleaning'/have a cleaning day. I know it works for some ladies, but I find that if something crops up and you miss that day, then because you left it all for one slot, you are instantly way behind. It's also less motivating, especially if you don't enjoy cleaning, as you know you have hours of cleaning ahead of you. I have been doing my routine for years, but it did take me a while initially to realise that this is the best way - certainly for me anyway. If you are interested, this is what I do: (I will start another post as this is getting a bit long!)
Anne Charley ok dear .. thank u sooo much waiting for ur cleaning routine :*
+saadia aliourboui OK. So morning = unload dishwasher, put in a load of laundry (I do one load most days and have a laundry pre-sorter, which really helps), quick tidy up in every room, quick wipe down in kitchen and bathrooms, unload/fold/put away laundry. This all takes about 30 mins. I do this everyday. On Mon-Fri I also spend an extra 30 mins on a specific task. So I might vacuum everywhere one day, then the next day mop all hard floors, then the next dust and polish everywhere, then another day it could be clean the kitchen or bathrooms or maybe declutter. It's such an easy way to get everything done quickly, as you are sticking to one task only. I only change one bed at a time and do the minimum of ironing. That's it for the morning - about one hour! In the evening I just to a very quick pick up, and tidy up the kitchen/load dishwasher. This takes about 15 -30 mins max. Hope this helps! Best Wishes. PS. This system also works if you have a lot of other commitments like childcare or working outside the home.
Anne Charley yes.. that seems perfect.. i will try ASAP thnx a lot for ur advice .. have a nice day sweetheart ♡♡
I also have a cleaning routine and if it isn't done that way it doesn't seem clean.. love your blogs...
Spray the swiffer duster with your dusting spray it works better and picks up Moe and gives your furniture A shine
Don’t get rid of the pillows. You can get beautiful pillow covers on Amazon for reasonable prices, whatever size you need.
I don't know you have manage to get any housework/cleaning done with a full time job AND a family to look after. You are indeed a superwoman!! I have to be careful with baskets too - hmmm, you should see the cupboard under my stairs!! I've realized that the way to make cleaning easy is to have LESS stuff to clean!!
Love the way you write your lists, !! to de - clutter your house, have you tried going thru your books and deciding what you really want to keep and what you can pass on. Schools are always grateful for kids books for the library, or the thrift store will take them. You could also rotate the things you really love, that have great meaning to you, just swap around now and again. Your table at the top of the stairs looks better with nothing under it. I am not sure however, why you have boxes on the stairs?? If you decluttered your bookcase you could use them there for storage. just a thought.
MrLinda02 These are decluttering baskets actually, each one of us has a basket for things that are found upstairs and need ot be brought back upstairs. We have a no toy in the living room rule.
My Great Challenge That is a great idea for the baskets, I have a duster similar to yours, but, it is made by Pledge and it works very well as the duster itself is full of Pledge polish. When it gets dirty one end and still clean the other I take it off and turn it around and put it on again, less wasteful that way. I like your house very much it is very cozy and welcoming. I watched your video on cleaning your kitchen, great idea with your home made cleaning product, it really put a great shine on everything will be using this hint. Can you please let me know what you thought about the books idea, I didn't mean just kids books, but you and your husband's as well. It is hard and you have to ruthless and honest, you know, How long since we read that ? do I really need to keep it ? etc. would a mobile dog groomer take a load off you. ?
You're so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
So glad to see a normal person doing normal things🤗
Lovin the little "pig tails" !.......laughing when u said 'dusty nun' ! Lol
you can print and laminate your good list, and post it as a reminder to do more often.
Love your video will clean mine in the morning..you really motivated me ..thanks
genevieve archer good! Thanks for watching
Oh my goodness you remind me of me lol. I have to cut my ornaments back but I have a collection of pot tigers/lions and a collection of dogs my fella collects teapots we both have about 100 of each , his are in the kitchen (of course) mine in the living room, he has an excuse his are on top of the wall cabinets "out of the way" mine are on the furniture tops and in the windowsills even on the hearth lol.
Really enjoying your videos xx
Your videos are very helpful. Thank you.
you are welcome!
I'm a new fan! We have similar taste - I love color and I love my "stuff". However, I hate cleaning the "stuff". I have been doing the same thing - trying to get used to less and trying to lighten everything a bit. I have been watching all of your videos all day. You inspire me to get up and clean things and move furniture around! Also, I notice two Emmys on top of your bookshelf - who won those and for what? How very interesting!
These are the hubby's - Rosie O'Donnell show - Animated Title Design.
HI Sophia..I'm a new subscriber and have watched this and your spring cleaning video so far. I know what you mean about organising your things. I have an idea/ suggestion which may or may not be suitable. I wonder if you could sort your decorative items into seasons. You could then rotate them and enjoy them throughout the year without getting rid of them but also without having them all out at the same time. I have seen other UA-camrs decorate their homes seasonally and I wonder if you could do the same just with everyday (non seasonal) decorations...:)....
Joanne Radley that s a good idea but I really do not decorate according to seasons, maybe a bit in the fall and definitely christmas but it stops there.
TIP: Try newspaper to clean your mirrors, works awesome!
You should a video of washing the dogs and how you get them into the tub. I cannot get my beagle into the tub without a lot of work...lol.
Once again fab video , you make me want to start doing stuff love your home, ...wish I lived by you would give you a hand ha ha ,...I used to work for a professional cleaning company , and believe me your home is not dirty , you should see how some people live !!! Let's just say it opened my eyes , do think maybe if you did store away a few bits and pieces for " now" it may make your life easier...just a thought , please keep your videos coming love them , I always make myself a coffe and sit and relax for a little , while watching them. Xx
did u end up changing your carpet that's in the upstairs room after all?
I've watched this video twice. And I have to say you have the best handwriting. I make a list as well. But, it doesn't look as pretty and well put together as yours.
did you get another couch ? in your leaving room
I find if i leave it too long..i get overwealmed and dont want to do it..as its easier just to shut the door and stay away from it lol..but eventually i get to it.. you're doing great :) as for the kids..well theyre doing okay..
A lot of parents wont get there kids to do anything and that isnt good for the kids.. HOw can they learn if theyre not doing it.. well done to you... Oh and as for your stuff.. Put some away and every now and then swap them around.. that way your still enjoying your stuff
Your great Sophia, love the way you tackle all things. Inspiring as always. So enjoy you, would love to be your neighbor! Enjoy your company. :)
I can understand how you feel about your books, I'm the same with my beauty products! Ohh I can't wait to see your new furniture and how it will be fitted with your other items. :) I've got 2 boys, 1 will gladly help, the youngest not so :( it's a battle in our house. Without wanting to sound rude, does your hubby help? Seems you do it all?
Please forgive me for not mentioning that you're doing such a wonderful job keeping things in order. By-the-way, I changed from Ericka Martin to Ericka NYC. Take care.☺
I'm tired just watching you show the stuff, LOL. You have some very cool clutter, I would have a problem deciding what should go. Good luck. I enjoy your videos, I LOVE to clean and organize!xo Melissa
What do I want From my space? How little can I get away with? Does this inspire me? (not love, inspire), does this truly add value *now* to my life, are questions I've been learning about that are good to ask as well as "need-use-love" I also used to think to myself, and still do, "I know I love this, and it's useful, but will I (realistically) go to this item in the near future to use it?" I also love to think minimalism, but it will always be My minimalism, not someone else's. Sort of goes back to how little can *I* get away with? But it's really good to learn about the Endowment effect too. Once we own something, whatever it is, doesn't have to be that we even paid for it, it becomes more valuable to us. We wouldn't repurchase it, but because we own it we can't part with it. It's fear of loss. It helps knowing that it will serve a purpose somewhere else, so I've been donating to the Red Cross charity shops a lot, charity makes money and other people find value in my old stuff.
And yes, love the speed cleaning! What I love about it is that when I see a video that's like, hi I'm going to clean, and cuts right to hi I cleaned here's the result without the work shown, I don't really realize the amount of work that went into it and feel like I "get it" more when I see it with the speed cleaning in between, visual person here ;). So I might be much more inspired to do some work myself when I see it being done.
I will watch videos like this even when I'm 100% happy with my space and decluttered everything, just the feeling of seeing cluttered spaces getting lighter is so satisfying for whatever reason, maybe it's like empathy? Feeling lighter along with you ;)
yeah, you have a lot of stuff/nicknacks...that makes more to do. My living/family room areas is so bare. :-/
Very interesting watching yourself 8 yrs ago,a very different Sophia today😊.your Lounge 😮 lota furniture ,you must be very proud of the learning you have aquired over the years,and you cantakea horse to water and make him drink 😂,much admiration for you Sophia 😘 Lizzie xx
Thank you Lizzie. Yes, I do see change and progress. That is what the channel is all about. You just can't look at things and not see the timeline
I saw another diyer assign a basket to each person in the family when u find something that belongs to them u put it in their basket so they put it away their stuff away each basket has the name on it may work for you. one thing I have learned is everything must have a home
Your hair is adorable! Love ya, gal!
It's a lot of work, but you motivate me!
Love the china dishes came here to get going I am not a fly person . Just a simple person getting motivated here as always .