21 Home Hacks for LESS STRESS!

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Get Organized HQ Virtual is your one-stop shop for all things life + home organization. It’s a 5-Day Online Event that starts on Monday, Sept 11 and centers around practical, real-life strategies for creating homes filled with more peace and less stress.
This year, over 100 smart, friendly, and expert women are sharing their tips, tricks, advice, and secrets on everything from budgeting and meal planning to decorating and decluttering. It's a great chance to see your favorite influencers and meet new ones, too!
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In the Declutter Your Home in 15 Minutes a Day course we go through the workbook, breaking down specific areas of your home in detail to be able to declutter faster and with more confidence. If you want to know specifics (like how many of each thing to keep) this course is for you.
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[@TheMinimalMom]

FREE TICKET HERE: thegetorganizedhq.com/gohqv2023-freeticket-dawnmadsen/#a_aid=MinimalMom&a_bid=2dc49882 I'll look forward to seeing you there!!! Have a great day and THANK YOU for watching!!! - Dawn

[@mai_world]

Hi Dawn. Where did you pick up your bathroom Time Will Tell tall, slim lidded container? That is awesome, as are your tips/videos. Thanks!

[@Gmgreenbean]

🤑

[@janecusicscheller9784]

Dawn, I got my free ticket and can't wait!!

[@katez7412]

I went to get my free ticket and then just ended up buying the access to it with all of the free goodies so I could start watching early and have the notes so I could listen while cleaning and decluttering and not have to take my own notes while homeschooling 5 kiddos. 🤪 Love it so far! 🥰🥰

[@TheMinimalMom]

@@mai_world good question! That is from Target, it’s actually supposed to be a file holder box :)

[@cleitatreestrong8397]

I went to the donation center a few days back. There was a young couple preparing for their first home, and they were so, so happy to find matching picture frames and a nice vase. Why this was special to me? Because those items have been donated by myself. Decluttering does not only make me happier, but also has the potential to make others happy, too ❤❤❤

[@alison5009]

Great perspective! Love it!

[@Anamarie157]

I love 💚 ur story.. I used to have a hard time getting rid of things, but now, knowing that someone can make good use of them, is a great help in making me get some decluttering done.. Another thing someone in the town is doing with a spare unit space is collecting unused paint & older style wardrobe pieces & then a person / family in need can get them 4 free.. I recently needed just a small tin - 1 litre of gloss, for a front door, which cost £25.. So I can't even imagine the price of several 10L tins..so that's a win win, in my book..

[@ruthstagnitta274]

Love it thinking of others first is what the Bible teaches Jesus did!

[@halliewiertzema8962]

Hello My name is Ruth Annabelle Helpless. I’m currently homeless Many of my friends and family have given up on me But a couple of friends that I went to high school Or middle school with. I hitchhiked to a nother state. That was to start life over I grew up in the state of Wisconsin. I also had ties to the state of Iowa. Sad news came about one day. I had heard that my mother had died. No one like my brother or sister ever called or come to find

[@laurah307]

I do best letting go of items when I believe that I'm blessing or helping someone else in need by sharing those items with someone who needs it. If I don't have that mindset, I'll hold on to things till the end of time because: "they're too pretty" or "I know I don't use it, but I still like it" or "I spent too much money on it to get rid of it". Imagining I'm blessing someone in need gives my heart permission to let go.

[@yolandiemuller4690]

I live in Africa so we dont have donation centers or dollar stores or even thrift stores.😢 So the last 2 weeks I have decided to declutter and go minimalist. I am 50 and my kids are grown. My husband loves to leave stuff around like putting laundry next to the laundry basket. Everyday he would give me these big eyes and said what if we needed this or that, you know. So when he is at work I put stuff in black garbage bags and take it to our church. Its been 2 weeks since I started and already I gave a truckload full of stuff. Someone else can litterally refurnish and restock their house. This feels AMAZING!!!!!

[@justdawndb]

Bless your heart! I love the black bag tip even for just me. I'm 65 and it's often hard to let go of old life... It's awesome once its gone 😂

[@TatyanaKosh-ch4se]

Maybe you should start a thrift shop in your community

[@catetanenbaum2418]

Has your husband noticed?

[@yolandiemuller4690]

😂😂Yes. He has noticed BUT no more dirty dishes stacked to the ceiling because we are both too busy to wash them. 3 plates, 1 pot and 1 pan. No more opening our closets and saying, I have nothing to wear (maybe nothing new), ha ha. And best of all we have more time to relax and chat. No more searching through loads of stuff just to find scissors (and after decluttering, I found 20). My husband is actually very pleased that we don't have *dust collectors* anymore.

[@catetanenbaum2418]

@@yolandiemuller4690 That's awesome!

[@angelahagemeyer698]

"It's easier to take back a no than a yes". That is GOLD.

[@mquinn5186]

My tip for storing the one youre using with "backstock" elsewhere (fridge items that you can keep on the shelf before theyre open, bathroom items like toothpaste and shampoo, medicine, decanted pantry items, and more) is to mark the top of the item that youre usung with a check mark ✅️ when you have a back-up already. That way, when you run out of it, you can remember to go to your backstock stockpile (top of a closet, bottom of a cabinet, wherever) for it, rather than adding it to your shopping list and buying even more when you already had some.

[@Meinvt]

Oh I love this!

[@LynN-cf3nu]

That’s genius!

[@kristennorth6469]

Great idea!!

[@godisluv070]

That’s a great idea!!!

[@bearchild4352]

Awesome idea!!!

[@saramcintosh2183]

I am slowly working through my clothing…. This summer I have donated 367 items so far…. Not counting shoes!

[@simply.clutterfree]

I have been minimizing my home ruthlessly since 2021. I did the Minimalist Game every month of 2021, and then in 2022 and 2023 - I've continued on with my own decluttering challenges. I have minimized my home by almost 8000 items. The more I decluttered and minimized - the more effortless my home became. Once you're working with a simplified home - its so much easier to figure out the little shortcuts to help you keep it tidy. Great tips Dawn! 💖

[@TheMinimalMom]

WOW! This is SO awesome!!! (I hope others see this and feel inspired, too!!!!!)

[@SuperMsPharmacy]

I feel inspired! But I don't live alone. How do I get my kids and especially my husband to get I to the decluttering? Or at least get them to allow me to do the work.

[@TheSchuylerSisters14]

@@SuperMsPharmacy Maybe you don't need their permission to get rid of things. Try starting with your stuff then once they see how easy it is to manage your new amount of inventory, they might want to get rid of their things! (Sorry for the quick response. I was just randomly scrolling :)

[@simply.clutterfree]

@@TheMinimalMom Thank you ! I was an early follower of yours (on my private account 😊)

[@expressivepaper]

Since following you my house has become more minimal and much easier to manage. The laundry tip-one load a day is an absolute game changer. Also minimizing daily plates, glasses and utensils and keeping counters clean are HUGE time savers! Thanks for all you do!!

[@gamerperson9545]

What has helped me with anxiety and being minimal at the same time was to stop shopping, I used up all the stuff I had, saved a ton of money which I invested, post 3 years anxiety gone, financially all sorted out and have a minimal full functioning home. A daily 15 min cleaning was what I started out with. And knowing that my clutter did not end up in a landfill has brought in a lot of gratitude and peace.

[@DenLD]

This is the best tip. I did the same and it brings so much peace.

[@kimschneider6833]

Me too

[@Patti-1962]

We made a decision to live a simpler life when our kids were young. Limiting activities, and finding ones that meet just once a week. Our kids did great in high school, and both received scholarships for college. Now that our kids are grown and have their own families, they have adopted the same philosophy. It has been scientifically proven that free play time is vital to the emotional well being of children. Over scheduling children can be damaging to childhood development. I just had to share this, as both my husband and I are retired teachers, and we have seen this trend grow. I fiercely protected our dinner time, so we could sit together and talk about our day!

[@elizmamarais3261]

I have made a game out of meal planning. We call it The hunger games. Every Sunday we pick six meal from a container that has about 25 meals in it. These are our meals for the week. One day over for leftovers or takeaways.

[@ImLunaShesZeta]

😂 that is amazing

[@hannahcrumley3103]

Fun idea!!!!

[@GeeEee75]

I have a very small kitchen, and clearing everything off the counters has been an absolute game changer. I can see my kitchen from my couch so being able to see only clear space is lovely. So calming.

[@JacyndaMinor]

I’m working on this too myself, but I’m confused about how to do dishes, are you drying them by hand, or just using a dish drying mat that gets put away? I am constantly washing dishes I just can’t figure out how to clear those

[@rosierosie62]

@@JacyndaMinor after every meal stuff gets washed and dried and put away. That is how I do it at least.

[@llkg9]

My kitchen sink and counters are visible straight-ahead from my front door!😬 It wasn't practical to add a door to block off the kitchen, so I hung a curtain. Now, when someone comes to the door unexpectedly, I just slide the curtain closed (except on the rare occasion my counters are clear, like yours; then I leave it open to show off 😂).

[@RaeC]

I watched this video for less than two minutes. I ran to my kitchen and I organized all my containers and water bottles. I threw away 5 tops for water bottles that had no match. That made so much space then the tops on was so easy to organize. My cabinets look great and it took me twenty minutes and that’s only because I needed to wake up a tall person to help me get all the stuff, lol. Thanks for the motivation. Go8ng back and watching the entire video. Hopefully I get more tips. Enjoy the day.

[@sine571]

Same!!!! 😄

[@gheryl7711]

me too!😅

[@amclaudet]

I did my Tupperware and my baking cabinets!!

[@minihorses]

I did the same thing with my office! lol

[@EmilyChandlerj]

I often find I'm pausing to run off and do something too!

[@cynthiasmith4966]

2 hacks to share: *For all meals, I clean up as I go, no food is left out. No second helpings temptation. When the meal is done, load the dishwasher. Done. *No dirty dishes in the sink-use the dishwasher! Never ever go between meals or overnight with dirty dishes in the sink. Starting fresh in a clean kitchen is a game-changer for motivation!

[@annecarter5181]

My kitchen is 10x10 - wall to wall. If I want to eat in there, I stand up at the counter. Now, THAT’S SMALL!!!!! 😂

[@cynthiaolson959]

Hahaha I need an “out grown” bin for my own closet too!

[@michellek7933]

😂me too!

[@isabellaross1472]

When it comes to laundry… I find it overwhelming to do a load of laundry a day (I have 2 little kids and work full time outside the home) but a week worth of laundry to WAY to much for one day… instead I break laundry into 2 days Wednesday and Sunday and this works really well for our house ❤

[@emilykelly2815]

Same! We have a smaller family (5) so we don't have a ton of clothes and when the hampers are full, it's laundry day. I do like the feeling of getting it all "done" and not having to think about laundry until the next week.

[@tamrab2708]

I do it twice ish a week as well. When the hamper is full I know it is time. But I have a community laundry room where I need to use quarters. So I'm definitely waiting till I have enough clothing. A load a day might not cut it. I think either way, it's finding a routine that you can commit to.

[@karenrich9092]

As a rather tired person, I pack my groceries with the perishables all together. They are put away first, then I can rest before putting away the rest. When cleaning out the car, I take one big bag with me, put everything in it, and go inside. Then I can sit down and sort things in minutes. Because I cook for one, I divide the casseroles into 2 cup containers with some in the frig and some in the freezer. Take out one every morning, and it is ready to heat for dinner. I make batches of spaghetti sauce to freeze, then give to neighbors who have helped me or when someone has lost a loved one. I keep various plastic containers in my "takeout" cupboard for potlucks. That way, the dish doesn't have to come home.

[@stefc1289]

I make one-person portions of meals I like as well. I have physical limitations also and this process allows me to eat more healthy and more easily each day. (I keep a list on my phone also with what I've put in the freezer.) I also portion out serving size ziplocs of handy snacks, like dried fruits, sliced cheese, carrots, nuts, etc. to be easy to grab when I need to eat but can't move much. So helpful to prepare ahead.

[@emmelia-6068]

Such good ideas, Karen and Stef. I am a rather tired and sometimes easily overwhelmed person too, and your tips are encouraging! Thank you for sharing! ❤

[@stefc1289]

@@emmelia-6068 👍💗

[@cherylhart8145]

Dawn! THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU! Hubby & I have decluttered 67 boxes of "stuff" in the last week!!! I NEVER could have done it without your encouragement. The encouragement to let it go & really realize that I was looking through clouded eyes. My fantasy self had to be exposed. I have a long way to go, but it's ok. It will be like an onion. Thank you again Dawn!

[@hannahvalle9704]

Cheryl! That is amazing!!!!

[@user-hr8um3dw5s]

I've listened to so many organization tips that haven't worked for me. I've started watching your videos and am slowly decluttering. It feels so good to see the little steps we're making and that they're sticking. I still have a long ways to go, but I'm so encouraged. THANK YOU! And meal planning is probably the most stressful thing for me. I go back to work in the fall and am soo encouraged after hearing to tip to stick to the same meals each week. Those premade bulk meals are not my thing and I thought it was just me. I thought I was crazy! So happy to hear I'm not alone. Also, I caught myself saying "love you too" at the end of the video. It must be because you're saving my sanity. Haha! Thank you!

[@sarahko2014]

We all love Dawn & her family!!❤😂

[@WorkWritePlanner]

Labeling made a HUGE difference in my home. I felt very much like I was fighting a losing battle against my family, but I used labels in the kitchen and now they put things back in the correct spot. It's like magic.

[@jennisuecostello4115]

Thank you SO MUCH for your channel and what you do. You are a joy to watch and you've helped me so much. You make decluttering seem doable when I thought it was impossible! I've been holding on to things from 15 years ago that I thought I would get to, but now I feel like it's ok to get rid of them and I have closet space and I feel so much better! I felt like such a slob and horrible home keeper because it was impossible to have a clean house with as much stuff as I had. But now I see the light! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You bring glory to the Lord with what you do.

[@StargEight]

I moved my shoes and my kids’ shoes to the buffet in our kitchen, which is near the front and garage doors. It totally changed our days! No more running back to people’s rooms to get shoes, or shoes left out on the floor because they’re so easy to put away.

[@ladykatietx]

"It's easier to take back a 'no' than a 'yes'" So true!!

[@amyrugg2540]

If your trash bag always falls in the trash can when it's full, put command hooks upside down on each side to hold the handles, just low enough to keep it tight when it's full. This has been a quality of life improvement for me and I highly recommend it if you struggle with this at all.

[@lesleymcneill1403]

I put a piece of elastic around the bin, holding the bag in place. I started with just a large rubber band but other people thought it should be thrown out with the bag. My current piece elastic with a knot in it has lasted over a year.

[@reticent79andrea]

I am so glad she mentions that it might feel strange to see an empty countertop. One of the things that triggers my anxiety is not seeing the clutter that’s “lived” somewhere for a long time. No many people seem to talk about it, so I’m happy she mentioned it 😊

[@kcotjo]

Thank you Dawn for another great video!! I am always telling everyone I know to watch your videos for ideas, hacks and mostly importantly motivation and inspiration!! Recently my brother called me to help him clean out his garage as they are moving after living in their home for 40 years. He was a saver of everything. He actually told me he needed my emotional support to help him part with the things he thinks he needs to keep. I have told him many times about you. We accomplished a great deal and he was SO thankful that I was beside him telling him to donate, throw away and create a "time will tell" box. To him his garage was overwhelming to tackle but with so many of your ideas we got the job done! I keep a donate box on a bed in our spare bedroom and I am constantly putting something in the box. Once a week I take the donation to our local thrift store. You are my inspiration!!! Thank you thank you!!

[@Iamhis1]

😅 YT foodu YT

[@donnaschmitt49]

One more thing… Dawn, you are the best! As I try slowly but surely to declutter my home, I am finding more peace and joy in my life. Now at the end of the day I am able to study scriptures and read from a novel a bit each night. That had been HUGE!! All from decluttering my closet and bedroom. This is cheesy but I so wish I could meet you in person to tell you myself. You and Cas are basically my best friends 😂💕

[@rosevv2774]

It might be cheesy, but I feel the same way! 😂🧀

[@tgayer1]

So sweet!

[@clairedubery1056]

Yes i geel the same. Im still great to Marie Kondo who started the ball rolling for us westerners who have be brainwashed with consumerism capitalism ! Thankyou Dawn and Cass!

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

​@clairedubery1056 yes, I love Konmarie too. She's my hero!

[@jenniferbrooks8167]

dining table hack: I keep mine set. . .my dining table used to a be a dumping ground because it is the first flat surface coming in from the garage. With the table being set, it doesn't accumulate my purse, mail, my husband's food tote from the office, groceries, etc.

[@susanbonafield6542]

Not storage but simplifying: I lose my phone often so I set a permanent alarm for 9 pm which I call curfew so every evening my phone tells me where it is. Also 15 minutes before I need to leave the house in the morning.

[@justdawndb]

I too have this "issue" 😉 that's an absolutely brilliant idea, thank you so much for sharing it! This is why I read the comment section, YAY! 🎉

[@barbarahvilivitzky7514]

I just realized one stress thing I never realized was TOO MUCH FOOD! I have a habit of deriving comfort by having a full fridge and full food storage. BUT it’s only hubby and me…so waste, big money, more inventory and always running to the store to keep it all FULL. I also have bulk storage in the basement. I hate to say how much toilet paper I have!!!! So this is an area where I need to rethink…is it a possibility that we will starve? No. So I will do a little thinking to find some simplicity and free up some bandwidth.

[@andiemac0]

My go to dish for family events is caprese salad. Most people don't make it for themselves, so it's a welcome repeat. Except that for the longest time my dad thought the tiny Mozella balls were mini marshmallows and refused to eat it.

[@susandermond9254]

Ha ha

[@Soo_Blessed]

😅😂

[@plantswoman]

Like you, Dawn, one of the things that has highly simplified meal prep is cooking the protein en masse and freezing it in portions I use in recipes. I dislike shopping and go grocery shopping once, maybe twice, a month. I buy meats in family packs and cook them when I get home, then vacuum seal them in usable portions. I take the package of cooked meat out of the freezer the night before, and let it thaw in the fridge. It makes dinner prep soooo easy. It gives us options for healthy, quick meals that I usually have on the table in less than 15 mins!

[@amandasenger4247]

Cooking protein in large quantities is something I've always done to save time,but I can't wait to get started on the bin ideas. It's what I've wanted to do for a long time but never had the courage to get rid of things. Thanks for the encouragement !

[@annmarie6132]

In addition to a getting ready bin/drawer in my bathroom, I have a getting ready for bed bin/drawer. Works great for me and these two containers have improved my medication compliance, my AM and PM routines and given me so much peace of mind that I have remembered to do what I need to do every single day.

[@LorreneRomanic]

I agree with having donation bins in each closet, but I agree with Dana that it should be a donatable donation bin so I don't have to go through it again to transfer it to a donation box or bag... and second-guess myself.

[@kaylarief3509]

Yes, a donateable box has been a game changer for me. It makes it much easier!

[@vivianyorke]

You could line the bin with a bag that you just tie off and donate.

[@user-vp1wj6si5w]

​@@kaylarief3509😅😮😮ewe 2😮q😢😢2🎉w 5:57 assesses raw ès 3rd 5w sees😊when a😅😅we a we start😊saw😊see😊were😅ẁe😅we were😮😮a w😮e😊w see we😮😮😮in ẁ😮😢😢😢íu😂😊😅😊😊😊½🎉is 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉and 😊😊😊ŵ³q 3 were😊😅😊p c X😅cOXO😊😊😊😂

[@lucystrider728]

My Grandmother perfected two specialty recipes, both of which she could make ahead, one a pickeled side dish and one a melt-in-your-mouth candy. She always brought them to family gatherings, and we were always excited to see her arrive with her delicious dishes. Dawn is so right, do one thing well and relax!

[@jennifershaw4756]

My daughter calls it her signature dish.

My signature dish is a cake that never fails. Everyone is requesting it when I offer to bring cake 😅

[@jennifershaw4756]

@

[@budoneof15]

I can’t wrap my head around the 7 outfits in my closet. I HATE shopping but I need dressy clothes for work. When I get home I change to my home job, preparing dinner,

[@donnawestbrook8992]

​@@budoneof15 so what would work? What if your comfy at home clothes were on a hook or different coloured hanger ready and waiting?

[@marthaC495]

I did a lot of these ideas when I was raising my children, and homeschooling. Now, I'm a grandma and widow, living alone. Bet you don't have lots of women like me watching your videos! Anyhow, here's my tip: I batch-cook for myself. I cook a chicken casserole or hamburger dish, like Italian casserole, then freeze portions in those glass bowls with lids, labeled of course. After eating at night, I take food out of the freezer and transfer into the fridge to thaw out and I'm ready for the next day. If I decide to go out to eat, that food will keep just fine until the following day.

[@momflamingo9263]

Keeping the things you use daily in one bin in the bathroom makes it easier to pack for trips!

[@IraG0427]

Hi Dawn, I just want to thank you. I watched so many minimalist youtubers in the past but you are the one that inspired me to declutter. I started with my closet, I had clothes from decades ago and doesn't fit me anymore but I can't seem to let go. I don't want to accept that I gained 2 sizes up, thinking that one day I will lose weight and will use it again. But everytime I opened my closet I felt bad about myself not having clothes that fits. I always wanted to live a minimal life bacause I don't want to be like my mom who is a hoarder. I don't blame her, she grew up poor and she has a hard time letting go. But now that I have my own family I decided to try a minimal lifestyle. My kitchen is veryyy minimal now and I love it. I declutter daily now.

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@user-fr2vm1kn1g]

An idea I like, is using masking tape and a sharpie marker to label leftover foods for the fridge. I mark the date so food can be eaten up before it spoils! Love The Minimal Mom!!!

[@Maverick-zy7yu]

Or you can use chalk markers comes right off

[@chericarbaugh3469]

I do the same! It's so helpful. The hardest part is convincing hubby to do the same when he puts leftovers away. LOL

[@triciamoss9074]

The small amount of time spent labeling saves me from opening containers to figure out what's in them and sniffing to figure out if it is spoiled (gross!). I mark with the contents and the day of the week and date (ie. (Chicken soup Mon 28) The rule is leftovers are eaten by Sunday (exception: something for Monday lunch) so the fridge is empty and clean for Monday grocery shopping. I also pack the leftovers as ready to eat plates -- meat, vege, and starch in one or two square dishes -- just grab and reheat .

[@thesender6321]

I do the same but use painters tape, because it’s easier to remove without leaving residue.

[@aleshiarodriguez6138]

I can't wait for it to cool off so we have spend more time outside. I need that break from the house lol 107 with a real feel of 116 is not okay! 🤣 I am not a summer person!

[@dianasimplifies]

I've just been sitting out in it with my dog (not quite 116 real feel at this moment but def over 100). 😂😂😂

[@aleshiarodriguez6138]

@@dianasimplifies I just heard next week will cool off for my state. I hope yours does too 😊

[@Midwestmomvolunteer365]

Good morning - Funny story to share, We have one of those weird L cabinets. We replaced our dishwasher and that is the cabinet next to it, so I was doing my best to get things cleaned out for the plumber. I wish I could share pictures of the shear volume of stuff that had fallen over and crammed in the corner - it was funny and embarrassing at the same time. (So glad I did it before the installer professional came). I mean a trash bag full of water bottles and pet bowls and you get the idea. So far we still have not used it again, but I like the basket idea to make it a drawer. Great video, have a great day everyone.

[@KittyCuties33]

It took me a long time to accept that I didn't have to batch cook like many others, and that's okay. I tried making freezer meals or crock pot freezer meals, etc. It was overwhelming, I couldn't often remember all that was in my freezer, and it took a long time to do. I finally understood that I needed to do it differently for my brain. Like you, I batch cook meat and portion it out for family meals and then freeze it. I also batch cook other ingredients instead of full meals: peppers/onions for pizza, soup base veggies, meat broths, etc. Then I can just pull out what we need and mix it with other things I want and it cuts down on dinner cooking time. It's awesome! Thanks for the other tips! :)

[@HolisticWitchofMd]

I was tearing up when you asked if I’m tired or anxious. Thank you for seeing us busy anxious moms. I love the 7 outfit hack. I’ve been doing this for the week some weeks and I can plan out gym days and more. This does sound like a big stress relief.

[@kellisklozzet2942]

I work outside of the home and my closet hack is that I have 5 pairs of black pants and put my money/energy into beautiful tops, sweaters, jackets, etc. much easier to only have to decide which top I’m going to wear each day with my black pants. Makes laundry easier as well. Wash all the pants together…DONE!

[@llkg9]

3:33 Surprisingly, the best hack for my L-cabinet was adding a small motion-activated LED light! Cheap, and it made a HUGE difference!

[@humorous2me]

The storage container hack really changed the game for our kitchen. Being able to grab a container and know you have everything lid and base relieved some kitchen tension. And we have yet to run out of containers to use.

[@denisewilson194]

Putting newspaper,paper towel or a silica packet in the container before you put the lid on will prevent all smells.

[@Peanut11111]

Just did my whole house and don't miss any thing I trashed,give away, or donated.

[@emilyrennie2612]

Ahh, yay!! So honoured some of my ideas made the cut!!! The membership group is such a blessing… made my day to be of use as been laid flat out poorly all day, smiling my name was mentioned!! Thank you, love Emily

[@alabemos]

Thanks for another good video. I enjoyed how you shared the suggestions from other viewers. Gentle reminder: There are ladybugs, crickets, bees and butterflies, and it doesn't work for everyone to hide everything in their cabinets and keep countertops 100% clear. I'm glad you found your style. Things I use everyday need to be visible. Keeping it minimal means that my space doesn't look a mess. If I don't see it, I don't have it!

[@karynstouffer3562]

Yes! I'm definitely an "if I don't see it, it's not there" person.

[@samiam511]

My favorite meal planning hack is to streamline by making a monthly calendar. I had my family to pick out 28 dinners they like and I fill in 4 weeks of the calendar. Whatever week we are going to be in is the groceries I buy. When week 1 rolls around at the beginning of a month it has been an entire month since we have had those meals since nothing is repeated for a full month. Also I know what I'm cooking. I don't always follow day by day, but when I'm trying to decided what to cook, I only have 7 meals to choose from not an entire pinterest board! I cook extra so we can have leftovers for lunches as well. I also have made a shopping list that coordinates with each week so when I need to put in a grocery order I know what to buy to make that weeks meals. Occasionally I'll take out something we are getting tired of and put in a new meal to try. I always try to put in a few easy meals ( like a frozen lasagna or crockpot meal) in case of busy days each week. I have the cooking down, it's the "reduce the inventory" where I am struggling. Thanks for all of your help!

[@user-yh7dp1ix8t]

I have (had) a bottle of Stress Away lotion in pretty green glass jar that I bought years ago. I liked the look, but hated the scent and it has moved from the bedroom, bathroom, basement, kitchen, and then back to the bedroom. Last week I threw it away and it finally lived up to its name!

[@deniseharwood9521]

This actually made me laugh out loud! I have a candle like that. I'm going more stress-free right now!

[@pancakey636]

my share: 1) drink water! drink water while deep cleaning. drink water while cooking. drink water while washing dishes. hydration helps not to get exhausted right away. especially if (like me yesterday) cleaning the tower fans outside on the patio; 2) deep breath while folding/hanging/putting away laundry. tandem the habit for midday meditation; 3) walk in place while cooking.

[@kafemocha5016]

Labeling helps your family keep household systems in place. They might joke about the labels, but they do use them. 😊

[@lindseystewart3194]

I do a load of laundry a day and I never have issues with laundry. I'm trying to clean my kitchen counters daily...this is something I struggle with, but waking up to a clean counter is so nice.

[@amcorazon698]

I have been following you for years now, but I still get excited every time You load up a new video. It's like listening to a friend, coach and psicologist at the same time. You comfort, entertain and guide me in so many ways, it's incredible, Dawn! PD. And my house looks and feels great ❤

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@Baileybooandecho]

I got clear poly envelopes and labeled one for each family member. Inside are social security cards, birth certificates, passports, etc. They are in a safe.

[@datnurse5062]

I have downsized my wardrobe and I LOVE it! I wear scrubs all week and I kept just a few weekend outfits. I realized I don’t even miss anything I got rid of!

[@akmamabear2258]

I have been storing with the lids on for a year after hearing Cass talk about it forever. Dawn and Cass are completely right. It works. So much less stress and less wasted space.

[@tamrab2708]

Also I LOVE The emphasis on being mindful of what season you're in! Perfect advice. And thank you for a normalizing having a go-to specialty meal or item that you always bring to a party. I know a lot of us feel self-conscious about our food. We feel like we have to live up to some kind of hype of a potluck and having the best dish. So thanks for reminding us that we can pick one item to "perfect" and we don't have to be perfect to cooks. Plus I know a lot of people who just bring like a veggie tray or the cutlery 🤷

[@angelirohival6270]

One fact that overwhelms me is that now I live in a large two story home, whereas when I was single, I lived in a smaller home that was easier to manage and maintain. I haven’t been able to clean the upstairs AND downstairs on the same day….

[@mothertruckeronajourney8037]

These are strategies, not hacks. Hacks are shortcuts. These are great.

[@sherriblack1570]

Keeping the lids on the storage containers; GENIUS!!! I’ve used this tip for the past year and it works so well. ❤❤❤

[@simply.clutterfree]

It just makes sense! 😊

[@onalee5726]

I believe, way back a few years, Dawn credits Dana K White for this most incredible idea. This idea completely transformed my kitchen cabinets.

[@simply.clutterfree]

@@onalee5726 Dana has been a key person for many 😊

[@BL-rb7jm]

I have a very small place and I bought a small bookcase. Except I do not use it for books.. I use it for my shoes. So I take my shoes off and put all the shoes on the bookcase. So Buy a 3 shelf. Bookcase. So instead Of Leaving your shoes in the Entrance. Take them and put them in the bookcase shelf. It's so neat. And it's organized. So instead of using a bookshelf for books, use it for your shoes.

[@BrielleleFay]

I did this for years in tiny apartments and still use the same bookshelf for shoes in a house. It’s so handy!

[@katehenry2718]

party gathering, handmade bread, brownies or chocolate chip cookies, fruit. start the bread machine the night before. done. easy peel little tangerines. No time for cookies? bring storebought.done.

[@dena-mo118]

My cooking hack: I purchase a large quantity of ground beef. I then measure out 5 ounces of meat and make patties out of them. I then wrap them in clear wrap and put all of them into a plastic freezer bag. I label the freezer bag as to what it is and date. When making a dish with ground beef, I can use the defrost setting for one pound of meat on my microwave. I only defrost for 2 to 3 minutes. The pattie is then ready for me to crumble to use or cook the pattie whole.

[@lisam5744]

Getting my closet down to a few things that fit me and I liked wearing was the best thing I've done in a long time! So much easier now and the things I never wore...gone. Thanks Dawn for that idea!

[@carol-destinationsinflorid5591]

Other than pre-cooking meat before freezing it, I like to cut my chicken and marinade/season it. I store my saver bags as flat as I can so that they thaw faster. The marinade soaks in while freezing and thawing. Since it's already cut, it is ready to cook as soon as it thaws.

[@emmelia-6068]

We do this with chicken thighs and BBQ sauce -- we call it "camping chicken" because the frozen vacuum pack of chicken works like an ice pack in the cooler and the next day it's ready to grill over the campfire 😊 My husband is often a genius ❤

[@LynN-cf3nu]

When I lived overseas, I was super busy and we had a potluck every week. I brought the same simple, spinach crustless quiche. It took five minutes to put together, I knew exactly what went in it, and it baked while I was getting ready. I decided that the first time that I brought leftovers home, I would make a new recipe, but it went completely every single time. People would ask me for the recipe, and I would tell them that I would give it on one condition. They were not allowed to bring it to any potluck where I was invited because it was MY go to dish. I learned that the hard way after having people ask for my easy recipes, and having them beat me to the punch and bringing them to mutual group things, so I’d be stuck having to figure out a different recipe were bringing them to group events. As long as people like it, who cares if it’s the same thing every time?

[@5Ducklings]

A hack that helped me when my kids were young was having one laundry basket for each person in the family. Some people say to always fold a load right out of the dryer, but with seven people in the house (five kids), I would have been doing nothing but folding laundry all day. So, instead, after a morning of switching out loads, in the afternoon I would put on a movie or some upbeat music and the kids and I would fold laundry together. They started when they were 4 with washcloths and hand towels. I got some permanent markers and let each kid write their name on a basket and then "decorate" it. As we folded laundry, each person's laundry was already sorted out into baskets. I would then carry the baskets for the younger children to their rooms and they would all put away their own clothes and return the basket to the laundry room where they would all stack up nicely. They enjoyed getting to decorate their "own" basket and, all working together, it wasn't so overwhelming for me. It really streamlined the process. :)

[@EmilyChandlerj]

My kids really wanted more vegetarian choices in 2020 and eventually went completely vegetarian in 2021. It was a hard shift for me as the cook and for both me and my husband (meat eaters). But I've found I'm now relieved because it's very minimalist to not buy meat (spend less at the store, deal with less oil and mess at home, and tofu keeps for a long time in the fridge!). I was reluctant at first and I really do eat meat. I just don't buy or cook any at home and it's really met my minimalist needs (and my kids preferences).

[@irisbear9421]

Good for you supporting your kids preferences! One of mine went through a vegetarian phase, although they decided not to stick with it, it lasted about a year and they were only 5.

[@wendylang2360]

For documents a handy idea is to have the front file labelled "to be filed". This way you don't lose things because you don't have time to file them straight away -you put everything straight away in "to be filed" & when you have time go back & file logically. So much time saved from looking for docs that you know you put/filed 'somewhere '!

[@michelleking1008]

Can you just come to my home?🤣 We have a large family and I home school so we are home all the time. I have been minimizing the dishes and laundry. Thank you Dawn!

[@trumax33]

I could never understand why some people prefer "laundry day" until I watched this video: their laundry area may be in an inconvenient location....a basement, garage or different floor of the home. Thankfully, our laundry room is basically the mudroom (Not much mud in the city in Texas!), the entrance to our home from the garage, in the hallway to the primary bed/bath, across the hall from the kitchen. It is super easy to put a load in to wash in the evening & put it in to dry in the morning (or vice versa). We have a 3-bin laundry sorting system. One for dark denims, one for sheets & towels, and one for whites. If it isn't in one of the bins, it isn't getting washed! The next load is the fullest bin. Easy!

[@callalacey]

Dawn you are definitely not a loser. You are a winner!

[@melindawood3644]

Love your white top! Brings a lovely brightness to your face! Good for the summer! 😊

[@karenkettering1725]

Thank you for another great video. We were created by a God of order and He desires order in our lives. Emily Barnes was an organizational guru in the 1980's and 90's and I learned how to keep house from her. I am so thankful that the Lord has sent older women into my life to teach me how to love my family and care for my home so that I can do the same for those that the Lord sends to me for discipleship.

[@lawra89]

Using boxes from stuff you ordered online to contain things is a game changer, it you don't want to fully commit to spending money on containers. It often takes just as long to think about putting something away as actually putting it away...put it back to where it belongs.

[@expressivepaper]

Also never have I thought about batch cooking like you mentioned! I hate batch cooking full meals but just the proteins…..Brilliant!!

[@SIC647]

Great advice. Though, as what Cass (Clutterbug) calls a "bee" I really need the things I use the most, out on the counters. But I have them corralled in two boxes so they don't creep onto the rest of the counters.

[@marilynndesilva7620]

It feels good to pass items on to others who genuinely need them, but if you wait until you are in the middle of a decluttering or cleaning frenzy you'll end up tossing out a lot of good and useful things. Find out beforehand who can use your decluttered treasures. Hearing that the teen girls at my church were learning to sew, they got all the fabric, thread and notions I knew I would never get around to using. The local charter school benefitted from my purging more art and craft supplies than I could use if I live to be 100! The key here is to target your recipients BEFORE you find yourself surrounded by all the stuff that you pulled out of closets and drawers.

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@katehenry2718]

I love your programs. Great ideas. No basement here. Moved from big house to modest apartment. No extra cabinets. Where do you keep the stuff that has to be kept to run a business and household? Great bedroom closet! Where's the luggage... business records for the last 30 years... sofa bedding for guests...winter bedding...shipping supplies...hobby stuff? It all has to go in the bedroom closet with Fold-only clothes. ONly other closet is the front hall. 4 seasons of coats garden-grunge, town, dressy of each. Plus garden/landscape chemicals, tools, replacement parts for the building, light bulbs, paint cans, pet supplies, pet food. Boots, shoes, gloves scarves, vacuum. I can't be the only one with "life stuff" and 2 closets. Minimal Christmas stuff. one wreath, one light strand, one 8 inch tall tree. No other holiday stuff. Shelves line the walls for personal library. First game to get rid of stuff ran twice. 800 things gone. Can hardly tell what's missing. Used to own a yarn store.. still have inventory. Still a weaver but can't live long enough to use it all myself. No weavers 60 mile radius. Rented out half my apartment. Furniture gone but have fab antique carpets with no where to put them, so folded up in the bedroom under the office desk. Next month reenactment event I'm taking 3 centuries of timezone goodies gathered over 45 years to sell. Hard to release Anything I bought on purpose. Where to box up the "fancy" dishes, silver and crystal inherited? Teapot collection. I don't entertain like that anymore but no one else does either. Gorgeous vases. Gave away 75 of them last year. Keeping 25 favorites. The kids will have a fabulous estate sale.

[@justdawndb]

Congratulations on a job well done, it can be such a huge .... UGH 😅 I'm 65 and I loved your last sentence 😂👍🫂

[@anastasiya8314]

I can’t even explain how much I love your channel Dawn, I’ve been a sahm for 7 years and the whole time I’ve been following you and watching your channel you’ve helped me out so much with being a homemaker and organizing our things. Listening to your voice in the background while I’m cleaning is so soothing and relaxing. I don’t normally think of people as aspirational but you are one of the few that I admire and look up to.

[@valorielynwhitman8531]

Had to look up SAHM. "STAY-AT-HOME-MOM". Never heard that before, but I am old, 70 yrs., so don't know these things. I too was a SAHM. Then had a career as the CFO, Chief Financial Officer of a corporation. I believe that motherhood is the greatest of careers! You are impacting the future!!!!❤

[@bettybierema7255]

We always have grocery "backstock" as we have the space to purchase multiples when things are on sale. Whoever takes the last one, or sees we're getting low adds that item to the grocery list. I find that grocery sales are cyclic so try to keep track of what comes on sale regularly or seasonally. My kids used to "shop" from my pantry when visiting from college so I stocked up ahead for what they liked. Also, I found eating the same lunch simplifies my morning (and grocery) routine.

[@donnawestbrook8992]

I was a Couponer for many years and still buy on sale seasonally for shelf items we regularly use. It helps me to have painters tape on a nail and marker on a string to mark multiples of a thing. I know when I get to 1 in the pantry (like mustard) to add it to the grocery list.

[@debbykidd9813]

I use 75% of my food storage containers on a monthly basis. The balance are used occasionally. Yes, my cabinet is almost empty sometimes. I nest my items. I store the lids next to or under the items. I do a TON of meal prep. Everyone takes their lunches daily. I get it. Really I do. It just doesn't work for me in this season of my life. I have minimized them. I did have more than double this amount. It's just pared down to what I really do use.

[@elizabethsydnor5247]

Thank God for SIMPLE ideas! Simple is my new best friend!!!

[@SIC647]

I like the idea of picking out outfits for the week, but in my country, the weather is super unpredictable. How could one go about picking out a wardrobe for a week with such weather? 🤔 Yes, we have modern meteorology. But we still only know a few days in advance, if it is going to be 8 or 24 C (46 F, 75 F), and rainy or sunny. Meteorologists have a tough job here.

[@shaunadumelle1624]

I started putting the pots/pans with their lid on it and that has been a game changer. ♡

[@juliejackman2649]

I'm thinking you are not a big decorate for all the holidays throughout the year person. I love your ideas, but would like to keep a little more of a homey feel to it with blankets across the living room chairs and couch and some decor for whichever month we're in would make me feel calm and happy. 💕

[@sarawormewoole9284]

One of my favorite simplifying tricks is to have a sandwich basket in the refrigerator. This came from a Real Simple magazine many years ago. We have a small plastic basket that always sits in the same spot in the fridge and we keep the lunch meat and cheese in it as well as small bottles of mayo and mustard. When it's time to make school lunches or sandwiches at any time, it is so easy and convenient to just grab the basket and everything is in there (except greens) and there is no fumbling around in a drawer for several slippery packages of meat and cheese, and then finding you forgot one, etc. It makes cleaning up and putting everything back easy too -- just plop it all back in the basket and put it away in one fell swoop. (We keep the meat/cheese packets standing up on their long edge in basket so you can flip through them easily to find what you want.)

[@deniseestrada7037]

Food storage w/lids on is the BEST! We now store anything that has a lid, w/it's lid!!😁

[@jorinasmeda8319]

Clear kitchen counters is my happy space 😍

[@amandadailey3491]

Who knew 5 minutes can change lives?! 😊 it turns into 10 mins then 15mins next thing you know the task is done... and all it took was 20 mins. Thank you Dawn!

[@dwilliams8573]

That’s the key, have a life with less decisions” we are faced with the challenge of making decisions about everything all day every day plus extra problems..

[@kimreed2489]

I SO love and appreciate this video! I'm battling 3 chronic health issues, so these tips are just super helpful and yes, encouraging too! It's wonderful to see a video in which suggested ideas are doable for me. I've decluttered over 1,000 things since June, but oops...I didn't think I "needed" labels. Oh my goodness, now, I'm labeling everything because we're gradually getting more organized but were honestly having trouble remembering our "homes" for things...ha ha. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll keep going one step at a time!

[@maeroede8111]

Yay! I was hoping you'd have something about the dreaded "L" shaped cabinets 😅 Thank you for the tips!

[@donnaharwood2240]

Dawn I might of gone too far, 2007 I hired a organizer and she came out and helped me at that point. I was hoarding. I had boxes in my basement to the ceilings and just a pass to go through. The rest of the house wasn’t much better. I learned a lot and it got me over the hoarding part, and then I Marie Kondo to my house and narrow things down a little bit more this time I was ruthless. I feel a little empty. And that’s OK I’ll get used to it. I’m not missing anything in particular and it feels good to see the space. Vacuuming was easy, hardly anything to move, my house is lighter, I feel vaguely uncomfortable, I am trying to adjust it’s been two weeks . Tky for all you do

[@leashy1204]

I add notes to the calendar on my phone with bills that are due. I set the reminder according to when I need to pay it before it's due. Example: For the water bill you may want to set a reminder 5 days in advance and maybe the credit card bill only one day in advance depending on how long payments are processed by that particular company through your bank. Set up your payments on your bank app so that you can just log into your account and pay the bills quickly. This will save you a lot of time and energy. No more searchimg for paper. Input the info into your phone and put the paperwork in the "to be shredded" box next to your shredder. Once the bill is paid and you no longer need that bill to look at you can shred it. You can also take a picture of your bill(s) and create a album on your phone labeled BILLS and then you will have a reference if you have a need to see it quickly. This is especially handy when running errands and your spouse calls you with questions. LOL😂

[@amydearman6361]

We end up with a lot of leftovers in our fridge. I've found a good way to keep track of them is to label them with the date they were made. I use masking tape and put a label on the side of my glass containers, so I can see the date and know when things need to be used.

[@KC-mw3rp]

Something I do is keep bread ties. Then I’ll use those instead of your traditional Velcro cord organizers to be a little more cost efficient (since the look doesn’t matter to me).

[@alyxxa6182]

I use nice dishes EVERYDAY! I don’t have nice dishes just for “special occasions.” I have 1 set of beautiful dishes I use for everything.

[@TheBeautifulUniverse]

As you should!!! Beautiful dishes should be used for YOU! :) you deserve it!