3 Reasons My House Always a Mess! (and what you can do about it)

[@heartsockmonkey]

“Clutter garden” - that is such a great description! 😂 And it’s pretty scary how quickly the house can turn into having a couple little “gardens” to suddenly becoming a clutter forest 😬 I’m working really hard to declutter my house on a regular basis to prevent this from becoming the bane of my existence

[@lifelovejourney]

My mom never left a room or left the house wth anything out of place. Never went to bed with anything out of place. I didn't inherit that AT ALL.

[@TheSecretSlob]

That is my dream! Im still in training!

[@emilasmith4279]

Anen to that! My mom was white glove perfectionist and drug me along every Sat for the whole house spring cleaning marathon. (Oh my gosh - how many times a year does one need to totally scrub down walls top to bottom. In her world every week!) Once I got my own space I revolted and thoroughly loved giving myself permission to have an unmade bed or dirty dishes. Now I struggle to keep anything looking nice but once I started cleaning using Steph’s routines my house looks better than it has forever! Thx Steph!!! ❤️🌸

[@lfuentes4098]

My mom had a living room and dining room that was always guest ready. 😂 But behind the door to the den and play room… that was a different story. Open concept has ruined it all! 🤣

[@reallyluckygirl1]

Same here. I didn’t inherit that trait.

[@jsblake199]

Same.

[@StacyMontes71]

Living in a one bedroom apartment with only one storage closet makes it tough. During quarantine I trashed so much stuff. But it seems to reproduce. I need to finish. I've painted furniture to repurpous rather than buy new and what a difference. This week I pledge to start trashing more items that no longer serve me. My name is Stacy and I am a slob! This intervention will okay better be life changing! 🤣

[@4everyoung24]

I used to clean houses for a living and I can tell you the houses with the most clutter never really looked that clean when I was done even though it was properly scrubbed and shined. The houses without clutter would be sparkling. You can’t clean clutter is soooooo true! My rule for cleaning up after myself is that I don’t touch things twice. When I finish with a dish I don’t set it down. It goes straight to the dishwasher or I go straight to the sink and wash it. Same with laundry. I take it out of the dryer, to my room, fold it and and put it away. I do it let myself get it out of the dryer unless I am able to fold and put away right then. I do have some ironing that I save for a time when I put in a podcast and get it all done for the week. But I don’t let myself even start the podcast until my iron is set up and read to go.

[@laurasgarden3205]

My shoebox of a house was always cluttered. Drove my husband crazy. He thought it was just me being messy and not keeping the house straightened up. It took me about a year but I went through everything single thing in our house and got rid of anything we didn’t use in the last months or so. It finally feels empty. We don’t need multiple of certain things because we can only use 1 at a time.

[@gwenj5419]

We had 3 hammers. I couldn't even imagine a situation where my husband, I and a friend would all need to hammer something at the same time 😂

[@laurasgarden3205]

@@gwenj5419 😂😂😂 My MIL keeps multiple of things. It drives me nuts😂😂 because it’s only her and 2 adult sons living with her. The all don’t cook at the same time so why keep 4 cookie spatulas😂

[@dorajust5809]

I'm still laughing just picturing this 😂

[@meganrasey4377]

Hahaha my husband would take that as a challenge 🤣 "watch me. I CAN use 3 hammers at once!" 😆😄 or like someone else said, imagine a scenario when you, your husband, and a friend would all need a hammer all at the same time. "Okay, it will only work if we all 3 do this at once. Ready... GO!" 😁😆😅🤣😂😃

[@carolc2574]

I am a teacher in Spain. Kids start school when they turn 3, in some areas when they turn 2. They do multiple activities and crafts, and play with toys several times each school day. And they put everything back where it belongs EVERY TIME. It is simple. We choose easy ways to put things away (mostly plastic trays that act as drawers in cubbies, down to their eye level, labeled with pictures or drawings), we model, and we give the order (usually accompanied by singing a song while they start). It takes like two minutes for a 25kid mess to disappear. Us adults just take a look around and point if something is missing, remind some kiddo who is not chipping in and so on. They do it great and they have fun while doing it, I cannot really understand why at home they don’t do it.

[@patkern185]

Great information! I've been (or still am) guilty of some or all of the situations you mentioned. Your best tips: 1) Declutter and 2) Give everything you keep a home. My newest mantra is "Never leave a room empty handed." I don't mean you have to overload yourself...just grab one (or a few) things you can quickly take to their home room. We have a "crap basket" to take items from one floor of the house to the floor where it belongs. That's been a huge help and saves repeatedly running up and down stairs trying to re-home items or living with "crap" strewn all over. Love your channel. I never would have found the Fly Lady system had I not watched you from the early days. I highly recommend EVERYONE watch those beginning videos!! I learned along with you and it never hurts to rewatch them and get inspired all over again! XXOO ❤️

[@lissam8988]

Oh how I know how it feels to work on something, get either distracted or think you're going to come back to it later...that day or the next day. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Then it doesn't happen..... crickets.... and you avoid the area as though it is a lion. 🤫 LOL 😂 I'm working on this too.... It's a journey... I'm over 50. LOL

[@greenserene2676]

Can you make a series of you "finding homes" for the things that are cluttering your house?

[@Barb6106]

Don’t put it down..put it away! Takes a second..and no mess! Things have a place! Can you tell I live alone? Hahaha!! I was never taught how to care for myself either.. took years! Love this channel because this is so real!

[@Willettee]

I have a plethora of "clutter garden(s)". Such a great term for a messy home. 🙂 You always encourage me to do better. Right now our home is under reconstruction due to a water leak causing mold and destruction to my house. I never considered this to be a season in my life, but here we are. I cried after I saw what everything looks like after we spoke to the contractor. This too shall pass. I'm trying to keep our temporary accommodations picked up to get myself in the habit of putting things away. We have limited space, however it's perfect for our needs. Thank you for all you do to keep us motivated. I really enjoy your channel. 🙂❤️

[@davlynking]

This video is so timely for me! I had this epiphany about a week ago that so many things don’t have a home in my house. For example, a large pan that I cook with almost everyday. It doesn’t fit in the pots and pans drawer, and it doesn’t have a home! So I usually leave it out on my stove all the time! 🤦‍♀️ Maybe I need to declutter more out of my kitchen… Thank you for the video!

[@1213LB]

I have a large pan like that and I started keeping it in the oven since I cook on the stovetop more than the oven.

[@hsoderberg9929]

Would it fit in your stove to keep it out of the way?

[@NelBrandybuck]

Another reason for a messy home could be that your stuff doesn't have the right home. I read a teacher organization tip a few years back that I need to apply more in my home too: make things easy to put away, not easy to find. One way to do that is to find a home for things where they naturally tend to end up. For example, shoes always end up by the door so I have a shoe tree by the door. I've been finding that coloring stuff is cluttering up my kitchen table. All that stuff has a home upstairs, but it doesn't get put away because my son colors daily and prefers coloring at the table to coloring in his room. I have finally decided that I need to find a home closer to the table since that's where the stuff "wants" to be. And if it's too complicated to put things in their home, you may find yourself not putting them away.

[@angelicamartin9126]

I am with you on tip #3, I have projects scattered everywhere and I don't finish them or when I finally do I don't clean up the excess mess right away. This one motivated me to finish up the projects one at a time to clear up my spaces. Thank you for the video!

[@oliviataitemusic]

I saw a post from Be More With Less that said something like “if you don’t wear that shirt, get rid of it. You’re not going to wear it more when it’s shoved in a box.” That’s the first time it really sunk in for me that the stuff I was keeping “just in case I need it” was really just weighing me down.

[@lgray0234]

When you said take care of the stuff you value hit a nerve with me. I’m still wrestling with stuff from our move a year and a half ago. Most of its office type stuff that honestly if someone just threw it away I probably wouldn’t miss it. Just knowing I have to go through it all makes me just ignore it all the more. The bad part is that these boxes are sitting in my den!! I purposely put them there thinking that would make me unpack them quickly. Nope!! You are definitely right on all three points!!

[@lesyarosa8091]

Oh, gosh! I just retired and I will have to go through a lot of papers to declutter. I decided not to waste a lot of hours on it. Started a list of Ted talks, podcasts and other favourite contents, to listen in the meantime. I'm doing it half an hour everyday and it works pretty well to me.

[@kimlindseyOH]

This. This exactly SO much!!! Boxes in my den from moving over 2 years ago ... thought that spot would be handy for sorting through stuff ... have worked it down from dozens to just 3 boxes but those 3 have been there for almost a YEAR! Gaaah! It seems like 15-20 minutes a day wouldn't help, but it sure couldn't hurt: maybe a plan? Here's hoping. ;-)

[@mariadias8959]

Maybe a school could have some use for those office items! Nowadays retugees children need those mine of stuff. Take care!

[@juliab628]

All three of these things are exactly true for everyone, Steph! You hit the nail on the head for sure!! Because all of them have applied to me and still do. Except now the kids are 21 and 24 and on their own. And now I've learned about these three things and the house is too neat LOL I miss the tents and books on the floor. So enjoy this stage of your life as long as possible and I know that you do! You're definitely a step ahead of me figuring out these three things in your thirties!

[@mariadias8959]

Im with you! And how i see that in those Times i had the wrong idea of where things belonged. Toys should be in the play/bedroom! But the kids (and we)wanted to BE together, so the living room was the place for it. And i spent to Many hours moving stuff ! You got tive flexível as your kids grow. I too wish that i knew about Flylady sooner. Now my daughters are away but at least i can teach them about it!!!

[@src4409]

I'm in the no motivation stage. I have so much decluttering and Christmas packing up to do still. It's so overwhelming that I just don't want to do it all.

[@crs949]

“A place for everything nd everything in its place..” As a young child I was taught to put my toys away in the same place, even on the same shelf. Anyone can learn if a 5 year old can learn. We were also told to put things away right after we used them. Never set it down, put it away.

[@belzasuprflychick]

All three of these are me! My husband hates me decluttering so I have to do it in secret. I’m a full time working mumma of two young kids and I’m so tired and have depression so it’s sooo hard to get motivated to clean. I’m trying but it’s hard

[@leannefran6224]

I can absolutely resonate with number 3. I struggle with cleaning up after myself and, in turn, I haven't been teaching my kids to clean up after themselves, which is more work for my husband and I when we clean. Vicious circle. It's comforting to see that I'm not alone!

[@LininUpDucks]

Right there with you! I have 4 tiny tornados and I like to blame the mess on them but I’m definitely the BIGGEST piece of the problem.

[@fahteeema]

Omg me too 😭 I have to stop blaming them and get to it and lead by example

[@molliemae6855]

I’ve watched several KZbin “cleaners” and their house is perpetually messy and it would drive me nuts!! I guess it does gives them content, though. To me, a born neat freak and organizer, it just seems so simple…put your stuff away right after using it!! I think if you’re a messy person this one “rule” would keep your space clean!

[@joannwagner4940]

You're so right. One other thing that gets me is my procrastination items. Filing papers and that front closet. They are on my list but never seem to get checked off.

[@bonitaquandt4862]

So much wisdom at such a good place in life! It took COVID and channels such as yours to encourage me to pick up after myself. Still a work in progress, but trust me, a house without children is a breeze. But don't wish the childhood clutter away - it is but a season of life. Thanks for bringing us some realistic, honest insight into being a bit better today than yesterday!

[@jennyfreeman9657]

I definitely agree that decluttering helps. I found your videos at a time when I was really struggling to keep the house tidy and clean and I thought flylady system was the answer. But I never made any progress until I started decluttering. I've now donated or dumped a lot of my own stuff and general household clutter (with the help of Dawn at The Minimal Mom) and I'm now finding it much easier to stick to a fly lady cleaning routine. Love your videos, Steph, they help so much ! And thank you for introducing me to Diane in Denmark's videos 😀

[@maggieprice357]

This is great, Steph! My New Years resolution was to go through my whole house in the year of 2022 and declutter and organize every space. I have a 3 year old, a 2 year old, and I’m pregnant and due in July with Baby #3. I’ve realized that I’ll help myself so much with this new baby coming if everything is more organized.

[@TheSecretSlob]

Definitely! I am doing a huge declutter series starting in the next week or two! Join me!

[@sharonsomers5513]

Very good advice. Once you declutter and find homes for things life and messes is so much better.

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

I have significantly improved in all three areas, but when I began homeschooling three years ago it was like I invited a bookstore into my house. It definitely changed the amount of stuff we have and it’s sometimes hard to figure out how to store things without holding on to too much. I like everything to be put away right after it’s used so that I don’t get stressed out and have too much to put away. 😊 Decluttering is a never ending process like dishes and laundry. It just has to be done. ✅

[@TheSecretSlob]

We homeschool too and I definitely try to hang on to more stuff just in case… but it’s out of control right now

[@Silrielmavi]

Yes, all these things are true for me! I've been rotating through each of these things. I'll declutter for a while, then try to make sure things have a home, then try to get a cleaning/tidying routine going, then declutter some more... As an experiment I ended up putting most of my kids' toys in a locked room, which helped them clean the toys they had out...until I left the room unlocked. I still haven't brought myself to actually look in the space and see how bad it is yet.

[@MarisaAndChew]

Trash bin under the sink, house with 5 adults, I'm constantly taking trash off the counter and placing it in the bin directly below! Scissors have a spot on the knife block, they're almost always on the counter next to it. These are "small" things but if everyone consistently opened the trash and dropped it in instead of placing it on the counter those seconds for me would be able to be better used. Same with dishes, I can literally leave the dishwasher open to be filled as the day goes and the dishes don't end up in there, they land on the counter, next to the sink above the dishwasher! I've been having this battle now for nearly 20 years and while I've finally got myself trained it is often easy to just leave the mess and then go tackle it once or twice a day. These are tasks that should basically be self-cleaning and take away from real cleaning, instead of cleaning the counter off and loading the dishwasher I could sweep, mop, vacuum, tackle the stainless steel, etc. The house feels cluttered BC everyone seems to want to see all the things and not BC there is a lack of an obvious home for things 🤯

[@anitas5817]

I would have such a hard time with resentment that it would impact my relationships, if this were my situation.

[@kll815]

I totally understand…this is part of my problem, too. I have started by looking the person in the face and explaining that it is important to me that this get done, then I will find them in the house and bring them to do the steps while I stand there and wait for them to finish, and finally we have a talk about freedom and responsibility…no freedom to eat/be entertained/have clean clothes/go out with friends/use computer or phone/etc. without things getting done. Honestly, persistence is a key and it doesn’t work as well on the husband as it does on the kids, but there have been improvements.

[@MarisaAndChew]

@@anitas5817 it has effected my relationship with my daughter who feels entitled and too good to tick dirty dishes etc. 😔 It's very frustrating.

[@MarisaAndChew]

@@kll815 it depends on who the person is but at this point my daughter and I barely even speak as I'm a horrible evil mother for trying to hold her accountable for her own stuff (she's 19) and my 17 year old son does try but he's more into the cooking etc. He at least cleans his plate even if he ends up placing it above the dishwasher. Plus, he cooks and works etc. I don't mind cleaning as I am a stay at home mom and everyone else works, but it really is the simplest things that drive me crazy! I can say that having teens they generally stay in their rooms so at least they're only messing their own space and the kitchen which is a blessing!

[@lissam8988]

Clutter garden, LOL 🤣 Those gnomes and fairies are not doing a good job are they. LOL 🤣🤣

[@lesyarosa8091]

It is true! The clutter grows by itself, unless we are concious about our choices almost everyday. One month after the last round, there is it again. Grateful for the great help your videos have brought to my mind and life. ⚘🙏💗🇵🇹

[@ms.thrify631]

HI. Haven't commented in a while but your video is timely and touches on my recent experiences, etc. Diane in Denmark also talks a lot about this and I love her videos. I am getting tired of "managing" stuff and have been decluttering and now I seldom bring new "things" home. Everything needs a place for it or it just will hang out on my counters and I limited space. I have really been working on putting things away and it makes a big difference. I am glad to hear you are getting your kids to clean up after themselves. I don't have the energy for those "power cleans". I have to wonder how exhausting that must be; on a daily basis and for the whole house. I recently ordered your cleaning sheets kit and I am enjoying using them. Well, thanks for all you do.

[@duanerusso375]

I have also noticed for myself my house is the messiest when I have too much going on and do not put things back when done using. Also training children to do the same. Love you and your videos.

[@jlbc1234]

I live in an unfinished tiny home and nothing could be more stressful! Plus I have things in storage that I need to bring in. Just starting FlyladyPlus and you are a complete inspiration because you are just real.

[@debk5325]

Steph, you are such an inspiration. I am so overwhelmed. I have actually thought I could break down each room into 5 zones (or 3) just to get this clutter gone. Just as long as I start somewhere. Thank you for your pleasant attitude and your inspiration. Oklahoma, USA

[@kimlindseyOH]

I definitely resonate with #3, and #1 comes in at a strong second place. Steph, what about multi-day projects, like when you're doing home improvements? I find I have a bunch of half-finished projects that all would make my house more homey, but often I get hung up at the step that seems most difficult & allow myself to get sidetracked. Sub-dividing into littler tasks hassn't helped, because there's always that one part that seems too daunting. LOL, maybe just admitting it to the Secret Slob community will give me a push to stick to it! Here's hoping...🤞💖

[@katevaliente7130]

Dana K. White (A Slob Comes Clean) says the items home is wherever you would look for it first. She says that if you have space, it’s ok to have multiples. For that reason I have fingernail clippers in seven places in my house!

[@lifewithlaura7265]

They all apply in my house 😫 I've been on a decluttering journey for a while now but haven't come to the place where it's under control yet..and the whole find a home for everything has been a struggle 😆 but I know will help me and everyone else out so much! Thanks for the inspiration to start my Monday off right! I've got alot to do! 😁

[@DFBurgermeister]

I decluttered and found homes for everything, but until I developed the habit of putting things away, my house never looked clean. It is a habit, now, but I had to consciously work on it. I’ve been able to eliminate the power tidy from my daily routine. By the way, I don’t have little kids and my husband always put his stuff away, so I have it easier than most.

[@TheSecretSlob]

Wow! That’s my goal!

[@lissam8988]

I have been trying to stop putting things in just random places. I normally say, oh I'll just put this here for right now until later, then I'll forget... Then I'll look for it and can't find it. 🤷🏼‍♀️ So now I'll say, I need to put this thing in its home right now. 🙃 It is a struggle for sure.

[@c0urtneyk]

I have been watching lots of your videos lately and you have inspired me to declutter! I spent this weekend decluttering my bathrooms and office and WOW, how did I acquire so much stuff?! It felt amazing to organize in a way so that everything now has a “home”, as you mentioned, where as before everything was just shoved into a drawer or cabinet which made things hard to find. Great tips, thank you for sharing! :)

[@sashacerny8227]

To much inventory, you have to declutter. The one in rule one out rule is essential and crucial. I have a donation box near the front door and use it daily. Whether it’s just one sweater or a whole box of things I immediately go donate whatever I’m not using. Makes life simple and then it’s not overwhelming if it’s a daily habit. Hope this is helpful

[@pattyobryan3992]

Kids toys and all those little pieces aren’t worth it! One day I went into our church nursery after church and someone let the kids get All the puzzles at one time! Not a great idea! One toy at a time, pick up, then the next toy. Many parents let kids get all the toys out all over the house pieces everywhere! Too many toys doesn’t allow creativity. Great video!

[@hhon8938]

Almost never clean too!! Omg Steph- thanks for another great vid. And yes! I do have too much despite ongoing declutter. I know I have to ramp it up - for me it’s the practical miscellaneous items that are hard! Whyyyy do I have a million pens and post it’s? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@TheSecretSlob]

Totally the same, I just decluttered over 75% of my pens (trust me, we can find more if we need them) :)

[@hhon8938]

@@TheSecretSlob this is seriously coming in clutch-need to get my life together. And I know I feel this way because of the messy and clutter- Ty for your vid again Steph! Cheers!

[@lindseymitchell3995]

I’m doing this thing called ‘minschallenge’ where you throw away / donate 1 thing on the first of the month, 2 things on the second, etc etc. It’s kind of fun, if anyone else gets bored of sorting through drawers and boxes!

[@samanthafischer1130]

All of them. I'm the only one in the house that declutters, organizes, and cleans. With 3 small children being the only one picking up is hard.

[@olivialam3746]

I have so much stuff.... it just gets worse each day. We bring home so much stuff e.g. schoolwork, take out containers, party favours etc.... more than we can get rid of!

[@Angela10226]

I'm a quilter and just had this very conversation with myself last night. I finish a quilt top and instead of putting away the excess fabric I just leave it out and then move on to the next project. Last night I looked at my 2nd sewing room (because the first one is a disaster) and decided it looks as though a hoarder lives here and I hate it! Gotta do something can't keep doing this day in and day out.

[@gwenj5419]

Quilter here too. I've started to do a mini clean up after each quilting session. I don't put fabrics I'm still using away, but I stack up anything I'm still using, hang up rulers etc. It's easier to keep clean and organized if I don't make a huge chaotic mess over months and then it looks too big to tackle.

[@jessicabones]

I’m definitely the “Ooo a squirrel” girl. 😂

[@anitapendleton1209]

Steph I had a thought. You decluttered when you moved but you were decluttering for a bigger house. So what was left you brought to the smaller house. Maybe you can declutter for the smaller house to fit everything into the house. We could declutter with you too! Did that make sense? Ain’t that funny? Miss “ a tornado goes thru my house everyday” trying to make suggestions! My worse habit is buying stuff and it makes it in the door and I put it on the floor and it stays there for WEEKS till I get sick of falling over it and move it. You notice I didn’t say put it up. Yes I just move it. Hate that I do this but not embarrassed enough to do anything about it. HELP!

[@tiffanybramlette6998]

Scissors I can find cause they are hanging on the fridge off a magnet hook, hairbrush is in a cabinet. Measuring tape has had multiple homes that we can never remember where they are cause each time we make a home we forget the home and can't find it. Why can't we ever find the measuring tape lol

[@judyzander3681]

Yes. Yes! And YES!! I wish I had figured this stuff out when I was your age😕 we way over-accumulated and it is hard to make changes and stay focused. Squirrel!!! Says a lot about me😶

[@SillyGoose-d5z]

We bought a house January of last year and it's pretty small but we love it! It's ALWAYS messy though, we started a big declutter yesterday. It's a process though, stuff from our attic in our last rental went straight into the attic here. It's gotta go😅

[@anitas5817]

Definitely #2 for me. I’m pretty good at the other 2 but rarely take the time to just solve the problem of deciding where things are going to go. I don’t really buy that much but things do slowly accumulate so a bit of #1 as well.

[@paulacostello6912]

omg, cleaning up/tidying up after myself as i go has always been a problem, but all three of your points are great. This is such a great channel, Steph and I'm enjoying your podcast too. Thank you! :)

[@sarapawsonherrington2595]

Excellent points! Labels do help with those not quite on board yet too!

[@Donna-pp9on]

I can relate to all three things especially finding a place for everything. Great video, Steph, thank you!

[@evelgreytarot8401]

My problem is my clutter Has a home but I can't put it there because occasionally I get mice (live in country with fields and woods) and I'm constantly pulling it all out to clean and sanitize the storage areas and I just get sick of the back and forth, pull it out, clean, put it back, pull it out. How many times can a sane person keep scrubbing cabinets, closets, cupboards, pantries. Jeez. I'm TIRED. WHEN IS IT OK TO JUST BE TIRED

[@happilyG]

Love this video recently trying to convert to minimalism. Decluttering is so much fun. You look beautiful Steph love the curls 💛 agree 🐿

[@sweetlady6059]

Have you checked out The minimalist mom videos? They decided to go bare minimalist Worth a watch

[@deefee701]

I think our modern lives play a huge part in the mess. We aren't lazy, we are busy and tired in a cycle plus "stuff" is easy to buy. In the times of our childhood "stuff" was expensive and difficult to buy. People had to travel, even overseas, to get it. People had to make things or get skilled people to make it. Now we can go to the shopping centre or mall and buy stuff any day. And every one is at school or working or trying to find work.

[@frazzledmomof4824]

3 for me I have lazy clutter. Mail on the counter etc. ugh

[@jessicabrown6943]

Great points!!! My biggest problem used to be #1 but now it’s between #2 & #3 but we are working hard on it. It’s getting better. :)

[@jeanettethiessen2476]

“Happy little clutter gardens” lol! 🤣😂🤣 love this!

[@rachel.mornard4103]

Same here! We moved in september in a nwe house and since then the house is a big mess all the time! Still triing to find a home to all kind of stuff that we actualy need! We dis declutter a lot but now is trying to organized the rest of it…😅

[@cynthiastandridge5230]

I love when a new video from you pops up! You are so inspiring for me!!

[@judyharris1585]

Me and my hubby love pens and markers. I have pens, pencils and markers everywhere! Today I gathered them all together and got rid of the ones that were dried out and filled a shoe box full to donate. It took a while but so worth it.

[@sandymac7153]

Love clutter garden...def stealing that!! So good to see you back 😀

[@janiceN4Nugs]

I was always a messy kid and not really taught how to clean as I go and all three ring true.

[@angelicalovato4500]

Clutter garden!!! I knew I had a green thumb. Absolutely love Clutter garden. Especially being the mom of an anti social three year old that I'm trying to ""homeschool"" the Clutter garden has flourished into an urban farm. Lol

[@dianamarsden4985]

I love the term Clutter Garden! Great video!

[@lisakrings5419]

I loved this video ☺️👍🏻. Thank you!

[@mariadias8959]

Lol! Linda Vater talked about the measuring tape issue! She told us that She keeps her own measuring tape in a kitchen drawer hidden in the back. ONLY She knows where it is😀

[@smcb2202]

Can you do a grocery hall? I live in Ontario. Would be nice to know what a fellow Canadian pays for groceries!! Lindsay in Ontario 🇨🇦

[@anitapendleton1209]

Hi Steph! Mine is all three with the main one being number 3. I need to seriously declutter

[@jennylhenry78]

It's because no one puts anything away! 😫

[@heatherkesner8096]

Awesome video. Thanks for talking straight to me.

[@ThisKittyPlays]

like a happy little clutter garden!!! HAHAHA XD right :D I love that "stuff you grow out of" way of phrasing it, there's no shame in that :D time to LET IT GO :D

[@mj482]

That's what I learned, that we are not messy, we just have sooo much stuff.

[@jenAKnND]

Such a great video! Thanks for putting it into perspective like that. Those three things are so true and it’s nice to put a label on some thing that seems out of control. I’ve watched you for years but I seriously wish we could be friends in real life. Ha!

[@christinaray2645]

In my house, it’s #1. I loooovvveeee to declutter. But I can’t declutter items that do not belong to me and there are 8 people living in my house (with some stuff from my oldest child still taking up storage space). I’ve decluttered my smaller kids toys but I can only go so far with that before I’m just mean. Sigh. And really, even if I only had 1 item per household member of each thing, that’s still 8-9 bowls/plates/forks/pillows/sheet sets/comforters/toothbrushes/backpacks and all the other things that come along with one persons basic necessities. Doesn’t include a few personal items. I’m sure it’d be ok if I actually managed to get it all whittled down to only the valued and needed things…but I have several people in the household that are #3. Someday, cleaning my house will be a snap.

[@aprilhampton6298]

I'm working on decluttering. Hopefully it will help soon.

[@MinimalistHome]

Nice video friend! I have to agree, too much stuff! It just grows if you don't manage it.

[@cathysmith2451]

Great video!! Thank so much for sharing!!

[@loisbolton1800]

Thank you for this!! Mainly my stuff doesn’t have a home, and I do have too much stuff. Ok, I know what to do now! X

[@sbellalopez9284]

I Need to re /declutter my kitchen😝😜

[@tambaldocarletti]

Don´t forget to declutter your furniture! ^^

[@cookingandcleaningwithnaom2594]

My stuff 90% of it has a home but I let my depression and ADHD get in the way and I get off track and then get overwhelmed with it all and I don't know what to do and then I just keep putting it off and I do finally get to it but then I asked myself why did I let it get this bad any tips for that also I live in an RV so everything has to have a home

[@janetr1983]

Why would you let pantry items expire? Maybe cook at home more often.

[@aprilyeno1919]

After you hear it, it’s so obvious! Declutter was first for me…. I’m at the stage where our house is “full”. Next year, I’d like to say our house is 85%, only what we need and love. “Progress, not perfection”. See you soon ❤️🙏🏻

[@melissabrewer2712]

Be gentler with yourself! Those are symptoms of ADHD (possibly). I don’t think you’re “just messy.” I think you’ve found a way (power tidy!) to help yourself. That’s HUGE! 💛💛

[@debbieray7563]

You busted me on #3 - I'm super guilty of that.

[@mrsth733]

"Happy little clutter garden" 🤣

[@thenonniche6657]

Oh the tape measure hunt is always happening in my house. And we have like 4 of them.

[@bethamick1645]

Excellent video!

[@debbirtalan5499]

Squirrel! Hahaha. Love it!

[@KS-vp7ek]

Any idea on what to do when your partner doesn’t pick up the idea and the children just follow his example? I’ve been doing all three of your points but I am the only one and have to keep going until I break down or the place is a real mess.

[@cprk]

I find it hardest to “find a home” for kids drawings or crafts that are unfinished or their finished projects.

[@zalehani]

Working on these! 😀