10 Decluttering Secrets from the BEST Simple Living Books

Get a 7-day free trial and 40% off Blinkist Annual Premium by clicking bit.ly/TheMinimalMomJul24 or by scanning the QR code!
Find these simple living books on Blinkist:
- Digital Minimalism
- Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
- The Joy of Less
- The Minimalist Home
- Love People, Use Things
- The Paper Solution
- The Art of Simple Living
- Essentialism
🖤 I N T H I S V I D E O
Goodbye Things: urlgeni.us/amzn/goodbye-things
Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: urlgeni.us/amzn/marie-kondo
Outer Order, Inner Calm: urlgeni.us/amzn/outer-order
The Joy of Less: urlgeni.us/amzn/joy-of-less
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: urlgeni.us/amzn/death-cleaning
Keep the Memories Lose the Stuff: urlgeni.us/amzn/Keep-the-Memo...
The Minimalist Home: urlgeni.us/amzn/minimalist-home
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: urlgeni.us/amzn/speed-of-life
Minimalista: urlgeni.us/amzn/minimalista
Simplicity Parenting: urlgeni.us/amzn/simplicity-pa...
See all my favorite books here: urlgeni.us/amazon/book-store
My Jewelry (helps women out of poverty!): tradesofhope.com/minimalmom
🖤 L E T ' S S P E N D M O R E T I M E T O G E T H E R :
My Podcast Channel: / @minimalmompodcast
Facebook: / minimalmom
Instagram: / the.minimal.mom
🖤 R E C E N T L Y M E N T I O N E D
Buy the Bundt Cake Book (& Donate) here: cli.re/bundt-cake-recipe-book
Decluttering by Faith Devotional: cli.re/Devotional
Minimalism by the Numbers Printable: cli.re/Minimalism-Inventory
🖤 LOOKING FOR MORE SUPPORT?
Here is the best way that I can help you!
Private Decluttering Mentorship Group:
This takes place in a private Facebook group. Here's what you can expect:
- 5-10 minute videos each weekday with guided decluttering tasks
- monthly themes, weekly challenges
- 1 hour live guided decluttering sessions twice a month for accountability
- encouragement & support from other members
- cost is $15/month
This is ideal if you're looking for more motivation & accountability.
To learn more and to sign up, visit here: cli.re/minimal-mom-private-group
🖤 T I M E S T A M P S
00:00 Top Decluttering Books
00:21 Goodbye, Things
02:00 The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
05:11 Outer Order Inner Calm
07:21 The Joy of Less
08:32 The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
09:20 Keep the Memories Lose the Stuff
10:29 The Minimalist Home
11:48 Decluttering at the Speed of Life
12:52 Minimalista
15:03 Simplicity Parenting
16:51 These books provide HUGE mindset shifts!
🖤 DECLUTTERING PLAYLISTS
New to our channel & Minimalism? Start Here :: cli.re/START-HERE
Kitchen Decluttering :: cli.re/Kitchen-Decluttering
Storage Spaces :: cli.re/declutter-storage-spaces
Kids' Toys :: cli.re/toys-playlist
Sentimental Things :: cli.re/Decluttering-Sentiment...
:: OUR AMAZON STOREFRONT :: www.amazon.com/shop/minimalmom ::
Thank you for your support!
:: C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G ::
"Get Your Life Back" by John Eldredge: amzn.to/32M6I4k
"Essentialism" by Greg McKeown: amzn.to/2Ow3Cgk
:: LISTEN FOR FREE ON AUDIBLE :: amzn.to/2ItCr2f
:: M O S T P O P U L A R O N O U R B L O G R I G H T N O W ::
Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake: cli.re/pumpkin-bundt
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: cli.re/choco-chip-cookie-bars
Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake: cli.re/chocolate-bundt
Minimal Mom Frog Planner: cli.re/Free-Planner
Minimalist Meal Planning System: cli.re/meal-planning
#minimalism #familyminimalism #minimalist
:: M O S T P O P U L A R V I D E O S R I G H T N O W ::
57 Things We No Longer Buy: • 57 Things We Don't Buy...
Organized Minimalist HOUSE TOUR: • My Organized Minimalis...
Cook MORE, Clean LESS: • Simplify your Kitchen ...
How to Declutter WITHOUT Making a Mess: • How to Declutter WITHO...
The Silent To-Do List: • The Silent To-Do List ...
*AFFILIATE LINKS! THANK YOU!!!*
..............
🛍 Affiliate links:
📷 Camera #1 (that I LOVE!! We made our first 450 video with this & still highly recommend): Canon G7X Mark II amzn.to/2o9hWLi
📷 Camera #2 (also really like & easy to use!): Canon M50 amzn.to/3jwkEro with Sigma 16mm Lens amzn.to/3h7YkDd and shotgun mic amzn.to/3jxYYeC
🖤 Tripod: amzn.to/2MMFzHs
..............
Royalty-free music used with permission from the KZbin Creator Studio, Epidemic Sound and purchased from AudioJungle.net

[@TheMinimalMom]

THANK YOU for watching, I'm so grateful for your support! Get a 7-day free trial and 40% off Blinkist Annual Premium by clicking bit.ly/TheMinimalMomJul24 or by scanning the QR code! Find these simple living books on Blinkist: - Digital Minimalism - Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up - The Joy of Less - The Minimalist Home - Love People, Use Things - The Paper Solution - The Art of Simple Living - Essentialism Have a great day!!! - Dawn

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

Unrelated to the video topic, but would be cool to get an update on the dogs, the rental properties, the house-moving project, etc., at some point.

[@rochellecrockett5000]

Thanks. Wish u could come here lol

[@bettina1923]

wow, your offer with this link and the 40% off Blinkist is so great. I don't know it yet and would like to try it out. Thank you very much for your videos and the opportunity to try Blinkist at such a low price.❤❤❤ liebe Grüsse Bettina from Switzerland 😘🇨🇭

[@hzharry]

Regarding Gifts…my friends and I give each other “disposable’ gifts such as wine, baked goods, books and even a movie night or pizza night. No more “stuff” taking up precious space in our homes.

[@kierstendainton4521]

We do the same within our large family. Also we discuss with each other what they actually want/need so nothing is given unnecessarily. If a surprise gift is given its often flowers, wine etc or something that someone has noticed hey need or listening to dropped hints.

[@nakias8362]

Love all these ideas and like all I really want ever is a movie night...not more stuff

[@stefs3460]

😋 Your idea sounds delicious! My friends and I often get each other a special good for a gift already not for decluttering purposes but we just really like good food!😂

[@beth6810]

The first decluttering book I read, ages ago, was "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett. It's motivating and very humorous. I find myself occasionally repeating this little poem from the book, regarding things to get rid of: "Something red, something dead, something underneath the bed/ Something gray, in the way, should have chucked it in the bay." 😄

[@patriciam1550]

❤❤❤

[@danidelyon7093]

Yes, yes! I loved that book!!

[@HazelCotton]

Me too. I read it about once a year, the OLD one. It's about time I dragged it out, again. It's my favorite motivational book. Uncle Don is the bomb.

[@gaylec8409]

Clutters Last Stand! That was my first declutterring book also. Great book 📖

[@robyn3349]

Don Aslett! His books helped me a lot!

[@barbarahaberman349]

I would be SO careful about decluttering kids' things without them. My in-laws literally created my husband's hoarding disorder by sneaking things out when he wasn't looking. It took so long to get his trust for me to be able to declutter anything at all. He was so afraid.

[@aliesefitch1099]

How heartbreaking! Did he ever confront them or ask about his things growing up? Just wondering if there would be warnings with my own children

[@barbarahaberman349]

@@aliesefitch1099 He is going to be 70 this year, so he was growing up in the 50's, a different time. Now, in 2024, he would probably be on the spectrum. So, he remembers more than the average person, and therefore missed things most kids would forget. His parents just dismissed anything that wasn't important to them.

[@Verenike4ever]

@@barbarahaberman349😢❤

[@Verenike4ever]

I’ll be 68, and have had collecting and hoarding tendencies and even full blown at times, I get him. Bless your heart, for understanding and loving that part of him❤

[@pippas5808]

Yes, I had a friend whose mother used to do that - she would come into school in tears on the day she knew her mother would be decluttering because she was so afraid of losing something precious.

[@AvaFrancesca]

My decluttering mantra for certain items like paperwork/documents is: "If I die tomorrow, do I really want my loved ones to deal with this?"... and what if they trash without shredding if my social security number is on it or personal secret journals. I quit Journaling as it creates junk and it's embarrassing for someone to read my deepest feelings. They've been shredded or incinerated. It's of no benefit to me to collect anything except important sentimental photographs and lifetime documents like my birth certificate, etc.

[@erikastanger7848]

I feel the same way about journaling! Everyone talks about how great journaling is, but if I die, I don't want anyone to read my thoughts. I thought I was just weird. 😛

[@OnlyOneName]

I'm implementing this thinking too. I still need to write my thoughts out sometimes, but I don't collect it as I used to. I don't bother with nice journals anymore either. I realised that since I never go back to them, I write things down, this puts my thoughts and feelings in order, and then I shred the pages. Your comment reminded me to continue with paper decluttering as there are still few boxes left to go through. Thanks.

[@njstan8188]

It's like "Swedish Death cleaning " read up on that

[@lidijazivanovic2810]

Unfortunately, after our mother died, my sister and I were decluttering her things. We were already heartbroken, so that was such a terrible situation, because she keept everything! Every little thing we used to make , newspapers, magazines, books....we packed up 30 boxes, for donations and to give away, but after we looked around her apartment - everything looked the same! So I firmly believe that is something you have to do yourself, spare your loved ones from doing after you are gone from this world.

[@patriciam1550]

Decluttering at the Speed of Life is a gem. It helped from getting me started with decluttering to turning habits into behavior modification.

[@johannabjorkell4226]

I think I’ve listened through that book 3 times in total. Funny, insightful, creative and observational.

[@tistheseasonforpoetrybyvan239]

Dana K White's books have been most impactful. I own all of them as audio; I like that she narrates her own books.

[@pippas5808]

My issue with Marie Kondo is that if I threw away everything that didn't 'spark joy', I would have nothing in my home but books and plants 😄

[@QueenMegaera]

I think it's the way it's phrased and her very cheerful nature that gets in the way of the general idea. When she describes it, I think of it more as "sparking contentment". At least that's what it feels like for me.

[@mrsstrople]

When I read her book, this didn't seem to apply to like just practical things, like say a screwdriver. I think it was in regards to what we are choosing to augment our lives with.

[@sgallant2107]

There is a companion book by Marie Kondo, "Spark Joy," in which she further explains and clarifies her methods. I recommend reading it, along with the first. It definitely helped me to understand the what-and-why of her techniques.

[@racingrachel]

I think "spark joy" is possibly lost somewhat in translation. Obviously, there are lots of things in our lives that we need that don't "spark joy". But the absence of them would certainly cause irritation. It adds value to your life, even if it doesn't put stars in your eyes. Additionally, the things that don't "spark joy" but we still need are unlikely to be the things we are really struggling to decide to declutter. I don't think anyone is in agony over whether or not to declutter their broom and dust pan bc it doesn't "spark joy". But if we have more brooms than rooms or floors in our home, then maybe it's worth considering which ones "spark joy". Maybe it's more helpful to think of it like William Morris did: "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful". 🙏

[@pippas5808]

@@mrsstrople I know she particularly mentions getting rid of any clothes that don't 'spark joy' and I remember thinking that if I did that, I'd get arrested for flouting public decency laws!

[@myhumbleheartedhome]

Number one is in Proverbs chapter 31! Conviction when reading “she looks well to the ways of her household”! It’s what began the KZbin search where I found you 🤗

[@aleithea2715]

Wonderful, finding the answer in God’s holy word.

[@brendaputnam4675]

I worked in a library when I started declutterring before I moved on minimalism. That’s the time Joshua Becker’s book the minimalist home came out and it really was the push I need to rethink everything in my home. I found your channel a couple of years ago which helped me go even further!! Thanks so much for your guidance and how to really think about what’s NEEDED in a home.

[@denisecarter5117]

I enjoy reading. Holding a book, moving from spots inside or out, writing in it if I own it. The whole shebang. Blinkist is like the book reviews we had to hand in for school. Sure it saves time but a lot of the pleasure is missing.

[@HistorianMom]

Do authors get paid for someone getting their best ideas? Or does all the $$$ go to the condenser?

[@annecarter5181]

@@HistorianMom Good question!

[@renaeans6793]

One BIG aspect . Is the sheer size of our homes . Dana’s concept of take it there now is completely different in my moms house of over 2000sq feet vs my cabin of 400 sq feet.

[@DonnaRut21]

Flylady’s Sink Reflections changed my life ❤️

[@lauried9646]

Me too!!

[@pamcadd8658]

Although I agree with many of these approaches, i balk at "all of one item in one spot." For example, scissors: I love the ease of finding a pair of scissors when one is kept in almost every room. Opening a package while sitting in my chair? Opening a food package in the kitchen? Trimming a plant on the porch? It's great to reach out and find a pair of scissors in its spot, right where it's needed. Each pair is labeled, so when one is found wandering, everyone knows where it belongs. i can't imagine going up or down a flight of stairs every time I needed scissors!

[@laurieandersen3095]

I agree for stuff like that. But for most stuff it’s better to have designated area

[@jbridges9574]

I think it’s best to declutter by category but then put things back based on where we use them. So I would gather all the scissors in one place to sort and see if any need to be removed but then put the keepers where they are used. That way if you need 5 pairs of scissors you don’t end up with 9 because you don’t realize you have more than you need because you forgot you have others in another room or worse, buy more.

[@SavvyCoachandOrganizer]

I agree. Scissors and a few pens/sharpie in several places in my home and Sharpie and a couple pens always in my purse. I use my Sharpie in the grocery store to write expiration date on packages so that my husband and I can see what to eat next and not waste food.

[@janethunt4037]

I need pens upstairs, one next to my bed, and some upstairs.

[@inspiteofbecauseof4745]

Yes, Dawn 85% less stuff = 85% more energy, joy, time, peace and money.

[@kimdavies9364]

Peter Walsh’s Let it Go is sensational for dealing with sentimental clutterz

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

_The More of Less_ is what finally taught me exactly how to go about deciding what to keep and what to declutter - I read the entire thing in one day, and 2 1/2 months later I got rid of 11 large boxes of stuff in one sitting: half got dropped off at one of the reservations in South Dakota, the rest went to the thrift store near my parents. We got a tax write-off of well over a thousand dollars that year for that load alone - donation receipts are 100% worth getting!!

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

That’s interesting. I never ask for that receipt.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

@@Carolyn-qd8mj The ones my mom gets have the donation center/organization name on it (or some other equivalent label), and then she fills them out with the items and values (which she has already written down on a list at home, so she can fill the receipt out after she drops the items off - she writes them down on the home list as she puts them in the donation boxes/bags). Not sure if that's how it works at all donation centers/organizations, but that's at least one way it can work.

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

@@SnowySpiritRuby. Thanks, I might try that.

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

I really liked her book - and blog, I think? However I got stuck on her concept of only having one bag, one pair of shoes. At least I think that was her, it’s been a while. I like the idea of making a “pass” and potentially getting rid of more on another pass in the future.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

@@Carolyn-qd8mj _The More of Less_ is by Joshua Becker.

[@lindatamburri]

When I count the number of items I have….for example pillow cases….it makes it a lot easier to downsize. I had 90+ pillow cases.

[@RoxanneR8375]

As we were purging, preparing to move, I discovered my mom had 17 boxes of Christmas bows - besides several more boxes of wrapping paper, ribbons, and package decorations. I had at least 8 pairs of sheets for my one twin bed, plus a few full size sheets for the same bed! Good grief! 😊😊😊

[@brg2743]

Dana K. White has helped me along with you and Cas.

[@kateanger5560]

Those are my three “gurus.” Listening to these three women share their experiences, foibles, struggles, and wisdom has changed my thinking & my home. ❤

[@8evanesse]

The gifts one is so stressful and frustrating, because I have multiple people in my life that have literally asked me, “Where’s that thing I gave you?” I’m a minimalist and I love getting rid of things that no longer serve my current self, but I have to keep certain items not because I need or want them, but because people will go looking for them. One time, a family member gave me a bunch of photos of their youth that were taken in the 1970’s, and I thought they were now mine, so I went through them and chucked all the pictures of people I did not know. (I kept all the ones that had anyone I knew.) This family member later asked to look through the pictures, and was livid that I had dared to get rid of THEIR memories. Why’d you give them to me, then? Who keeps pictures of strangers?

[@joybrown9600]

What helped me the most is YOU! My neighbor and I quote you to each other!

[@ginashepherd9552]

The first book that really got me thinking about having less was called Stuffocation by James Wallman. It really struck a chord with me and after that I read Marie Kondo. It just took off from there. I was never a hoarder and often found myself decluttering, but after this I was unstoppable.

[@carolinemurray7648]

Loved that book. Still re-read it occasionally for inspiration!

[@katiegilbert1131]

One of your best videos to summarize your key points. Thanks for pulling it all together for us.

[@user-in5qk4dq9u]

I read Simplicity Parenting many years ago and it is a jewel! But I worked with my kids to remove their toys. I know 2, unrelated, people who are hoarders and it's linked with their moms getting rid of their stuff when they were kids.

[@KellyBoettcher-qo9tx]

He has a podcast too.😊

[@lindseystewart3194]

Marie Kondo got me started on my minimalism journey so many years ago. And Simplicity Parenting was great...i read it many years ago when I first became a parent. Since then you've inspired me Dawn!

[@lauried9646]

Simplicity Parenting is life changing. I purchased it in 2010 when it first released. I immediately changed the environment we lived in and never looked back. I often gift this book to new parents.

[@elizabethdemerchant6408]

Thank you for the book suggestions. Here is how I dealt with "What about gifts?". I told the few people that we exchanged gifts with, that going forward, we would not like to receive any more gifts. In the future, we would celebrate special days with meals and togetherness. Some people were happy with this approach, and a couple were not as happy, but everyone has respected my wishes. i have not missed receiving gifts even a little bit, but I have greatly enjoyed the meals and togetherness. I really have everything that I could possibly want in the way of possessions. I could never have too much fun with loved ones.

[@dianasimplifies]

I would not miss the gifts at all.

[@HazelCotton]

Another concept from "Clutter's Last Stand."

[@Msjudyyduj]

I love Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages. Like you, I replaced material gift exchanges with shared experiences (e.g., meals/movies/put-put golf). This worked well for me because my #1 love language is quality time. Unfortunately, one of my friends has a #1 love language of gifts, so she didn't like this change at all.

[@danidelyon7093]

Did you read: CLUTTER’s LAND STAND That book was really good.👍🏼

[@denisebunker6674]

The books who have help me most are your workbook Decluttering your Home in 15 minutes a Day. And Decluttering at the Speed of Life, and Swedish Death cleaning.

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

Is that 15 Minutes a Day, by Dawn?

[@denisebunker6674]

@@Carolyn-qd8mjyes

[@MyFocusVaries]

Moving all my office equipment into one space (instead of some in the office and some in the kitchen) was so helpful. It avoids repetition and saves space

[@claudia_christianmommy]

Quarantining my Kids toys was the best idea when decluttering their toys. Out of a whole month keeping their quarantined toys in my closet; only one kid of the 3 asked for his missing truck. I gave it back to him and kept the bag for another month to just see if anyone else missed anything. Nothing was missed so i donated the toys. If I feel overwhelmed with the decluttering task then how much more do my kids feel the same when they have an abundance of toys they barely play with but don’t know how to articulate it. Also I’m an observant person so I notice what they play with and I was intentional with items i put in the quarantine bin in the first place.

[@kbal1451]

Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up was the first book and probably the best one I've read. But I don't use all the techniques she mentions and I use much smaller categories than Marie Condo does. If I put all my clothes out it would be overwhelming and take me three days to do it, but if, for example, I just simplify it by using a smaller section like looking at all my shoes together then I can curate them easily in a quick time frame. Yourself and a number of other content creators on youtube have really kept me going with decluttering. I also struggle to do all the housework, I have a disability, and having a cleaner come in once a fortnight also keeps me more accountable. I had my daughter help me with my clothes last year and that was wonderful, I was able to make quick decisions, categories items quickly and she took the donations to the charity on the way home. She also kept a few things for herself and was complemented while wearing one of my tops, at work, the following week. It certainly increased my feeling of wellbeing.

[@heloisepoye8891]

My favorite book was "Is there life after House work by Don Aslett. He recommends decluttering first but he was wonderful for me. He has written many books. T/u Dawn. You too are wonderful...

[@debbiejamison101]

I listened to Goodbye Things three times, and it greatly inspired me every time - for the whole time it took me to listen to it! Great book!

[@user-hx3gg4iw3x]

I read a book years ago by Julia morgenstern and the one thing I remember is to get SPACE you need to Sort, Purge, Assign a home, Containerise and Equalise(maintain) which I think corresponds to a lot of the ideas we have come to rely on when decluttering

[@RoxanneR8375]

Julie's book is Organizing from the Inside Out. A close friend and I LOVED it! We would meet every other week and discuss one chapter at a time, report on our progress, and assign ourselves things to do before we met again. We talked over all kinds of things we were learning about the process and about ourselves. We did this for a year and a half, and got rid of scores of boxes and bags of stuff. We also watched the TV show Mission: Organization together. Some of my happiest memories! And one of the best decisions I ever made!😊😊😊

[@user-hx3gg4iw3x]

@@RoxanneR8375 how wonderful her book made a big impact on me thank you so much for your help to her in the book

[@hannahthehomesteader]

When I declutter my kids' toys, I don't completely get rid of them. They just get boxed up and go out of rotation. When my kids ask for certain toys, I assure them that they are in the toy closet and that they can still play with them if they're willing to trade for a different toy. The only times I truly throw things away is if they're trashed, broken, or OBVIOUSLY never ever played with.

[@pinkroses135]

Joshua Beckers approach resonates with me the most. The life I want to live is my key motivation. Loved this video idea.

[@debra910]

I didn't see SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life by Julie Morgenstern in your collection. Her process has been huge for me, especially the step of naming a theme to help get unstuck and provide direction. And examining what the stuff means to you --- the psychological need it has been serving -- so that you don't recreate it unconsciously.

[@jeanettehansen4852]

Years ago I read Julie's book "Organizing from the Inside Out". I set up my kitchen using her principle of storing things where you actually use them, and 25 years later, it's still functioning quite well. Thanks for reminding me of her books! I'll look them up again to help with my current decluttering/organizing projects.

[@debra910]

@@jeanettehansen4852 Another gem of hers! I love her inside out sensibility. When SHED came out, it was originally titled When Organizing isn't Enough, SHED Your Stuff and Change Your Life, or something pretty close to that. Cheers!

[@deniseharrison1410]

The books that have inspired me the most is Decluttering your home in 15 minutes a day, Decluttering at the speed of sound, The life changing magic of tidying and Spark joy.

[@dianasimplifies]

Just wanted to encourage others who maybe don't particularly like to read non fiction. I haven't read any decluttering books but I've decluttered my entire home. I did listen to Dawn discuss the various books in other videos. ❤❤

[@ros8986]

I love Fumio's book and want to emphasize that he doesn't at all advocate that people live as he lives, only that the things in one's life should benefit us. Clutter often tells us important information - what we are actually using and where we are using it. PS - no rugs, no need to vacuum.

[@patricia.g1651]

One of the books I recently decluttered was the Marie Kondo classic lol! Such a relief to clear that space! 😊

[@patriciacerwin6266]

A friend had sent me a book titled "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Big". Hysterical! But, I began to realize clutter and body clutter are related. Holding onto "stuff". Began to lose weight while decluttering but it is a slow process for me.

[@skyedaisy4007]

"It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh is very good.

[@amandamccarthy5635]

Such a great summary! Simplicity Parenting really helped me clarify the "why" of decluttering and simplifying in regards to the type of relationship I want with my kids. Too much stuff (clutter, overscheduled) gets in the way. I loved that book!

[@jeanettehansen4852]

I appreciate the principles and suggestions you've shared on your channel. It's a great service to help people you've never met. On one author's point of view today, I strongly disagree. Along with some other commenters, I think it's harmful to remove your child's belongings without their knowledge or input. I like to think of it this way: how would you feel (as an adult) if you came home to find that some well-meaning friend or relative had removed all of your belongings that they deemed unnecessary? I'd be shocked, hurt, and angry, and I think most people would. Children are people, too, and have preferences, feelings, and needs just as we do. I think it's much wiser to teach them principles of decluttering, show by your own example of how you decide what to keep or get rid of, and patiently guide them through the process. To me, it's not the end of the world if they have a lot of possessions, but it could really disrupt their world if you break their trust by taking away their automony and sense of self in that way. The message they could get is that their needs and wants don't matter at all, and I don't think that's worth a less cluttered home.

[@RoxanneR8375]

I agree 💯%! I think back to my childhood and how my things would disappear,or get broken by someone else, or borrowed (even with my permission) and never returned. And no one ever apologized ! I felt so disrespected. I felt like I didn't matter because my possessions didn't matter to the people in my family. I think the suggestion to cull some excess toys and put them in a box is a good one. If there is something special they miss, it's still there. After 6 months to a year, have them go through the box and choose what to get rid of. You lose nothing as a parent and they are treated as people deserving dignity. That's HUGE!

[@barbkandel777]

The Life changing magic of tidying up, Let it go, and The gentle art of Swedish death cleaning have truly impacted my life. Great video, Dawn! ❤

[@tashainjena]

I used to save EVERYTHING. The past few years, I've started getting rid of things. I still have a lot of stuff... but it all makes me happy. I've rarely met scrapbook paper or yarn that I haven't liked. Although I did walk out of Michael's today with nothing... I have realized that my grandkids won't want my junk, and also I don't think we'll be on this earth much longer anyways, so why save stuff?

[@tquirkyt7118]

❤ Swedish Death Cleaning is the best! I leaned into this after my father‘s passing and my mom and I had to go through the entire house for an auction and selling the house. My dad always placed value in having things just in case my mom is quite the opposite and now she is able to have just what she needs. Swedish death cleaning is the best thing you can do for your love ones and also for yourself.❤️✨

[@lokenpettit8028]

My house looks like your now, Dawn! I'm constantly decluttering and I LOVE the PEACE & HAPPINESS it brings! I love the book, "Let It Go" by Peter Walsh

[@carolineasebrook6643]

This was a very good episode!! I actually learned something new/saw some new ideas. Thank you!!!

[@aidar4816]

Keep the memories and lose the stuff is a great book, I absolutely loved it!

[@stefs3460]

I don't relate to the 10th time thing at all. I like my clothes more the more I wear them! I only get sad again if it starts to wear out and I have to replace it. Especially shoes. Maybe it's because I am so particular about what I buy.

[@LauraGoynes]

I love you Dawn!! So thankful for your friendship 👯‍♀️♥️

[@YellowheadHomestead]

Yay! I love Joshua Becker's books. His style of writing is great! I always go back to them.

[@Suki022]

Goodbye Things is my absolute favorite book! I am glad you recommended it because it is such a great read. I have listened to it countless times. ❤

[@Nina.177]

Excited to watch this!

[@vikieierdam5516]

Excellent video idea. Thank you for the reviews.

[@MelissaScribner]

Thank you for this video! I love reading about this topic and added several of these books (the ones I hadn’t read yet) to my reading list.

[@michellegleave2550]

I love this! I’ve just recently been made aware of Greg McKeown’s books Essentialism and Effortless. These are wonderful too. I have the physical copies, but if you can listen to them on audio, I really recommend. I have them on audio from my library.

[@mousenation3867]

That’s a whole lot of decluttering books, thanks for summing them up for us.

[@AmyJo-54501]

Great video, btw. I appreciate your book reviews which helps me narrow down what’s applicable to me. AND I’m thinking pretty strongly about purchasing Blinkest - I like the idea of the format.

[@abbyo6311]

This was a great episode!

[@karendutton3344]

Yay Dawn, this is one of the best videos you’ve made! Love all the summaries of these wonderful books! Thank you! 🥰🙏💖

[@janethunt4037]

Dawn, I love that you are not wearing a black blouse all the time anymore. You look great!

[@christinacrabb4860]

Declutter Your Home in 15 Minutes a Day is a great book! Extremely helpful.🙂

[@saxgunn1]

I love that any one of these books or a combination could be the key that unlocks the freedom and possibility of owning less.

[@ajvoit]

The Paper Solution saved me. Along with Organize 365 with Lisa Woodruff.

[@user-oy8kk4hh4t]

Another great video. Hearing your voice got me off the couch and folding laundry 👍. Love you too ❣️

[@ruthtownsend8652]

Your comment reminded me I have laundry that needs to come out of the dryer

[@jbridges9574]

If you’re saving items for your children or family, ask them what items or types of things are meaningful for them. My grandmother saved lots of knickknacks etc for me. When she died, I kept a comb, her last lipstick case, and her handwritten recipes. I kept one figurine to represent all the others she saved for me, and then got rid of the rest. When my mom died and my father moved to a new house, I kept a Dutch oven, some Pyrex dishes, a set of dishes from a grocery store promotion and a few other small things. I don’t remember people by traditional keepsakes. My grandmother wore the same red lipstick and used the same type of blue hair comb my entire life. The Dutch oven was used multiple times per week as I grew up. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t on the stove. I use it and the Pyrex now. The lipstick case is in my makeup drawer and the comb is on my vanity. My brother is different. He kept my grandmother’s china. The funny thing is, she never used it. But, to each their own and that’s what is meaningful to him.

[@bethhusted1111]

Thank you for sharing these books! Great ideas! Love watching I subscribed ❤

[@no_peace]

I'm not type A and I'm disabled, I'm AuDHD. I thought it would be impossible for me to have precise homes for my stuff. But it's way less work. I only have to think about where to put each thing once, or maybe a couple times if the first place doesn't work well. It's so much easier and so much less work. My brain is so tired and scattered but my hands can often just reach out and grab things because they're always in the same spot

[@no_peace]

I moved my bin of rags away from the fridge so I kept punching the fridge for like 2 weeks when I needed a rag lol. It requires no brain power

[@dianasimplifies]

@@no_peaceit's wonderful you have found a solution that's working! ❤❤❤❤

[@DebrasBeautifulMusic]

I own several of these books. Purchased House Rules because I saw it on your video a few weeks ago.. My favorite so far is Sink Reflections by Fly Lady. Really enjoy reading decluttering books.

[@britt5753]

100 years ago I read How to Conquer Clutter by Stephanie Culp. I loved her sarcastic wit about how silly it was to keep all the stuff. It's a good book for people who are ready to be ruthless and want a good chuckle about the absurdity of keeping everything. The more sensitive souls probably won't see the humour, but I wish I still had it because it's a quick read. I loaned it out and it never came back. I hope it's made some good rounds to people who need it.

[@danidelyon7093]

Sounds like my kind of clutter book. ;)

[@alysiachristensen5475]

Very good episode!!!

[@kennethbailey9853]

I love those writings.

[@JacquelineGilliam-p7x]

Dawn, this has been one of the most motivating and helpful videos for me personally!

[@cantocant2346]

Great video! I enjoyed it so much!

[@hopejstone]

Yay! A minimal mom video :) I'm really enjoying your podcast too!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@ruthlloyd1163]

I hate camping-so imagining camping as simple living isn’t enjoyable for me. My house has much more inventory, but I enjoy my things. It makes life so much more comfortable. It’s excess and trash that I find as clutter.

[@thebackpackfamily2836]

Camping is so fun! You just need the right gear.

[@dianasimplifies]

@@thebackpackfamily2836I'm an outdoors person and I don't even want to camp. I like sleeping indoors. So I understand where she is coming from! ❤

[@ruthlloyd1163]

@@thebackpackfamily2836 maybe -I’m also 65, it was fun when I was 12😂😂😂😂

[@AmandaHolbrook-hn9fz]

Excellent video, Dawn!

[@martina.710]

on parenting: never ever ever declutter someone else's stuff, no matter if they are 3 years old or 90, it is so important to show respect and that is not respectful, shame on this author

[@natalieeubank4533]

No, No shame needed, as the parents we know our kids and it’s ok dawn does it and so do I, and I don’t feel guilty about it it is just stuff nothing more we carry the memories with us

[@laurat7324]

@@natalieeubank4533 Maybe Dawn's mom will soon declutter those books that Dawn and Diana store at her house!! Right Nat? It's just stuff after all.

[@JoanneWhitlock]

Not minimalism but on the same track I loved essentialism by Greg McKeown

[@kimberlymitchell7109]

Love your new pillows :)

[@paulanoro4335]

Thak for this Great Video and summary. Hugs from Madrid❤

[@lesecretsduneexpat]

You read my mind Dawn I was about to ask for your book recommendations! Currently reading Joy of less and it's life changing

[@nancydroge7682]

Thank you, Dawn!

[@rpriestley]

Girl you don’t keep or wear stuff Diana gives you! Remember the metallic winter hat?? We do! 😂😂😂😂

[@dianasimplifies]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@liztefft5312]

Thank you, Dawn! ❤

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

I’m going back in. This was excellent, Dawn! I’m so glad I’ve got some laundry to fold because I wanna hear all this over again.❤️

[@hannahcrumley3103]

Thanks for this quick run down of these books! I started with Marie Kondo , then Dana K White, then Cass from clutterbugs book, then the take your house back membership. All have been helpful. I need to get Matt Paxtons book.

[@imjustsaying7300]

Lots of good tips and a nice round up of the decluttering books!

[@ninabaker2970]

Thanks to you, Dawn, I've read a few of these! Thanks for the suggestions! 🥰

[@user-zi3jm6dg4v]

The book Nobody Wants Your Sh*t by Messie Condo lit the fire under me to start getting rid of stuff! I listened to the audio book from the library and boy o boy did I get motivated!

[@clarewoosley8376]

Thank you for this video. I’m interested in that Minimalista book.

[@debcarroll8192]

Great video! Now it looks like you have a few books to declutter!

[@GoFishOffice]

Very helpful, thank you ❤

[@altheaelainejaug8497]

Thank you so much for sharing this content! I was curious and I saw that they do have the audiobooks for some of the books you've mentioned on Spotify Premium. 🤗 Can't wait to listen to these audiobooks as I continue my decluttering journey. 🥰

[@juliekonigskind6434]

Such a valuable video! Thank you so much Dawn for summarizing all of these inspiring ideas for us. Thanks to you I have been a Blinkist Premium member since your last sponsored video and I just love it! It feels so cool to listen to an interesting new concept and learn something while doing my daily chores. I will check out your recommendations and am looking forward to the insights :)

[@lauranewman564]

This was such a good one for me as a book lover! I have been decluttering my kindle. Yup. I don't need to keep all of those books if I'm not going to reread them! I love the idea of the legacy list. I did spend some time clearing out duplicate pictures, and have passed on at least 50 photos! And I thought I was basically done decluttering, and I was, basically, but somehow the pictures stayed after Mom, my brother, and Dad died. I even waited a few days until I had time to write a letter to 2 of my granddaughters with the pics I sent to them. That's ok! I shredded about 20 that nobody would want. Now my pictures are in control. It's the 3rd time in my decluttering years that I've done pictures, and I might be done with the layers now. Matt Paxton's book is small but powerful! I also hope you bought some of those physical books on Thriftbooks. I also have exactly zero toys from when I was a child. My son has 2, and they were hand carved for him. I think my daughter has one doll, and I don't think my other daughter has any. Point is, they don't usually matter for long. I do have a few books.