Decluttering Q&A Sept 5, 2023

[@olivemaycards]

For the person worrying about keeping all the heirlooms, your grandkids are not going to know what you didn’t keep. Most of us didn’t inherit every possible photo, trinket, or heirloom that came down through our family and most of us don’t know what we might’ve “lost” because someone decided they couldn’t keep it all. I would prioritize the things that have a story or meaning and make sure that you write it down with the item - like a tag that says “grandma’s locket her grandpa gave her before she emigrated 1862.” If it’s just an empty battered locket and no one knows whose it was or why it mattered it’s unlikely anyone will value it down the line.

[@julielines5929]

Also, if you don’t care about the item it’s unlikely a person even further removed from the item will want it.

[@user-pl8pq2xe4u]

Suggestion for heirloom items: I taped a very tiny post it note or slip of paper w/the name of the person it belonged to. Put these items in one tub or box marked “heirloom”. Then go back with that box one day and add the single slip of paper to the back of each item. You can even put the slip in a baggie with an item that can’t have tape.

[@anyat686]

Your grandkids may like some trinket from your house, not something from your grandparents house that they never saw !! You are only imagining that they might want it ! Memory bin - container method ! 😂

[@janethunt4037]

Speaking from being in the grandkids position. I knew my mom's parents and have too many belongings that were theirs but really have no meaning to me. I'm keeping the butter churn, the salt dishes (because they make great ring holders), and parting with the other items. I have some pictures of them also. But I knew them. If I had not known them, a few photos would be enough.

[@glee_again2594]

Alternately what we can do is take photos of things and put a notecard that explains whose it was and how it got there. 😊Albums if things to “see” are a tidy and easy way to pass down memories. OR I if it’s something small like jewelry, can take pics with notes and put in album as well in case someone down the line would like to have it. Appears these days that younger generations are not wanting to be the pack rats/sentimental hold overs of our things, but rather live life more basic with possessions and more fully with experiences. Even when I don’t understand it, I must embrace it as my children grow.

[@Doris86pl]

"take it there now" works! Thank you for ongoing inspiration

[@janetarmistead6180]

I found you November 1 , 2022. It was the most amazing epiphany for me. I am 71 and I didn't understand why I couldn't control my home. I had no routines. Seemed so much like drudgery. When you pushed me to wash the dishes, I couldn't pre understand the value, but I thought "what if she's right?" I almost cried because you were right! Container concept changed my brain. BUT, here I am many months later and I have one sticking point. My bedroom is the last dumping ground. I have been through my clothes many times. (That is a big problem.) It is like I can't FINISH the job. Any ideas about how to break through the last sticking point.

[@SF-ru3lp]

Hi Janet, Colour nerd here. A few things came to mind on the subject of clothes-overwhelm (all from my own experience!): not knowing what foods suit me/ being dissatisfied with my lack of weight loss affected my attitude to clothes. Knowing what colours suit me and how to bombing them did help me declutter my clothes. Every blessing to you. G Ire

[@3TXSisters]

I am 72 and still don't have a routine; however, I am decluttering a little at a time. I hate clutter, so things look pretty good. My closet and bedroom used to be the dumping ground or where I stuffed things if company was coming, lol. I took everything out of my bedroom that doesn't belong. It sounds easy but it forces you to determine if you need that item if it doesn't have a place other than your bedroom. Next, I am doing the same with my closet. It takes a while to do this. You may want to start with clothes. My closet is organized with double racks, drawers and shelves so it's easy to do a small section at a time. If you have one long bar, divide it into sections and weed out from there. Once I had discard and donate bags full, they went out. That's working for me. Doing a little at a time isn't overwhelming. Good luck. Take the first step, the other steps will come more easily! Take care, Linda 🦋

[@Anon-vx7kr]

I had (maybe still have) a problem with clothes. I take a break for a month or so when I get stuck. I don't focus on decluttering during that time. Then, a month or two later, I will feel inspiration. I'll make fresh progress. Rinse and repeat.

[@3TXSisters]

@@Anon-vx7kr It's great that you don't get overwhelmed and give up. There are certain items that I've kept the first round or two and then am ready to let it go.

[@SF-ru3lp]

Reading what the others have said reminded me that I also declutter clothes at the end of each season (and in the middle of the season if I any unused/unlikeable stuff catches my eye). Over 18 months or so, you'd be surprised how much "clearer" your wardrobe becomes. G Ire

[@rosywilson3076]

To the person asking about finishing the last 10% of a task - I had that with my daughter - “will you do the washing up please” to me included drying the dishes and putting them away; to her it meant wash them and leave them on the side for me to finish off - or worse, do the easy stuff and leave all the pots and pans for me! It took quite a few conversations (being polite here) to get the message through!

[@kaywilliams1065]

I Still have Many boxes of stuff that I planned on "taking to their final homes" from my many cleaning projects. Everywhere. In my house And garage. Everywhere. I take it there now now.....

[@marietollett8323]

Thanks to Dana, I keep a donate-able donate box at all times. I take it to Goodwill when it’s full. This has been a HUGE help in my home.

[@lynntheriaultIMDS]

Dana, you are awesome in so many ways ! So refreshing, so real, so unfussy, I love your style. Plus I giggle every 5 minutes or so - you are so funny in a low key, cutely sarcastic way - I love it! Plus your voice motivates me to move !!

[@beckyshell4649]

I would encourage putting a note with the family heirlooms that you do keep. I am not saying keep everything but if you are keeping it for sentimental reasons document what it is ,who it belonged to,what it was used for,and any interesting stories that went with the item. I like the idea of keeping items that can be used .

[@llllllllllilillii]

Hi Dana! I just started your class, it's on day 4 and it's helped me so much understand my PARALYSIS!!!! I wanted to say thank you. I laughed when you said a "crapalanche" and when you said you "don't see clutter". I was like how does she know me??? hahaha I relate a ton with what you say. Thank you for making the class you're helping more than you know!!! Thanks!

[@grutarg2938]

Dana, this joke is for you. You said that putting items in a box instead of taking it there now is not "progress and only progress" because you then have to deal with everything in the box later. I thought "She's right, it's not progress. It's prog-crastination." Anyway, I thought I'd share my new word.

[@Lillian584]

I have all of your books and hands down, you are absolutely the best out there. You completely changed my life. Thank you!

[@jonelledavenport8701]

😊 I appreciate you. Thank you 😊

[@valeriekravette787]

Re jewelry, I am lucky in Tucson to have Bead Divas available--they take loose beads and jewelry donations and make bracelets to benefit animal rescue. The local cancer center used to have a beading group as well, for patients and caregivers. You could drop in and make something and get your mind off your troubles. You might have similar groups in your area.

[@laurarodewald2276]

75 years old, don’t decorate for holidays anymore, have Christmas at the kids, although I do have a ceramic tree,lol Under my stairs I have totes,possibly 8-10 large ones that are full of beautiful decorations, that I’m having a hard time letting go of. Not that I’m going to use them, I just hate seeing them go to a thrift store. Any good advice from anyone.The older I get, I’m getting anxiety over everything. Almost 56 years of STUFF🤯 TIA

[@Smithpolly]

You could ask your family and friends to look through them and to take any that they would like. They may go like go hotcakes or it may turn out that they're don't want to or can't take them but at least you'd known that avenue has been checked off.

[@d.c.1851]

As someone who bought most of my Christmas decorations from the thrift store I think donating them is a great idea.

[@scara1859]

Donate and share your things with others to use and love…perhaps a young couple just getting their first apt….someone who had to leave their home with nothing but what they are wearing….someone who cannot afford beautiful things at full price….be comforted that others will be using your things to make their home happy.❤

[@wewemcrhyne]

Thank you!! Yesterday I had to walk through my Mimi’s home and pick what I wanted. She is in a assisted living and won’t be going home. It was awful!! But I realized I didn’t want most of it, only a few items. The ones that mattered to me. 😢😔😕

[@lucyelliott1095]

I’m sorry. 😔 I’m dealing with a similar situation. It’s sad.

[@wesliegray1772]

Yes, been there. Pick something that gives you happy memories and just enjoy that one thing. For me it was a ceramic dish that was always filled with lemon drops... you don't need to take everything. One thing will be a catalyst for those happy feelings. Sorry you are going through this. It is a hard but beautiful season.

[@marywiggins7411]

I think for the heirlooms or memorabilia - it should be some photos that have a story, and maybe the broach or WWII medals, pictures of the first farm, a flower vase from Germany. I kept a gift my sister gave me just because I think of her when I see it, but it won't have a connection to my adult kids at all unless I tell them the story and share the photographs of my sister. But label these and write the story with it. Make the box pretty and defined, and limited.

[@saryngarcia6122]

Thank you Dana! I have FOOD-Organizing-without-a-Menu system - I have been frantically working on it and this is what has worked for me: I have a small to medium size notepad where I create 3 separate lists; one for my freezer, one for my fridge, and one for my pantry. I actually take everything out when I see there is too much in there, (used to be weekly, but now it's less) and put items back by expiry date, with the newest items in the back, as I write them down. I use broad categories (think ready-meals vs side dishes vs ingredients). I put the lists on my fridge door or pantry so I can cross things out as I use them. As I decide what to cook each day, I look at the first 3-4 items of each list to see if I can make a meal out of those. Then,when I open the door of the fridge or pantry, I make a concious decision to try to cook with only with what I can readily see, which should be the items with upcoming expiration dates. If I find myself passing an item over a couple of times, I ask myself "do I really want to cook/eat this?" if yes, I make a plan to use it in the next few days. If not, I toss it. I have discovered that I buy things on impulse that I actually don't like to prepare or cook, so I now talk myself out of buying them. I also noticed that I go back to the same staples I enjoy, and learned to be okay with that. It is a work in progress but I noticed that being more aware of what I do have I waste less food. I still have a long way to go but my kitchen has become more manageable. Taking it one day at a time.

[@loisruthstrom8143]

If you want to make moving less stressful, don't let relatives "help" you pack your stuff!!! Things will get thrown out that you want to keep and someone will leave the trailer open so things will get stolen! 😭

[@sinkintostillness]

Curry, bolognaise, fajitas, lasagne, chilli and perhaps a few more have the same base in my house. So I make a huge batch of base and then freeze into portions to use in all these dishes. I buy big trays of meat which I divide into portions before freezing and then on the day of cooking I can take out a base and a meat to defrost and then add the extra veggies and spice combinations for the dish.

[@JoanneWhitlock]

Thank you, so lovely to just hear you chat and remind me to keep going!

[@brightpage1020]

Whaaaoow! Is that your real bookshelf?!? Nice! Talk about ddcluttered! Congrats on the KZbin award!!!!

[@cynthiazumbrunn8700]

I came home today and started working in my bedroom. Monday is laundry day so sorted and started a load. I boxed up some ceramic decor my sister made and moved to garage. (I still like them, just tired of them right now.) Packed up 2 boxes to donate. I dislike my shoe storage immensely. Its going, Im tired of looking at it and going UGH. Life is too short to keep stuff I don't love/doesn't work for the space/doesn't work for the way my brain works. Thanks Dana!

[@erikasinternetgerat8019]

precooking ingredients: i precooked sauce and froze it in mini-muffin-trays and put the cubes in a zipper bag.

[@vivianhudacek1556]

You are SO inside my head!!!

[@sylviakanel9766]

💜Exactly what I was just thinking! I started to leave a couple of dishes that need hand washing until morning and I could "hear" Dana saying it would only take a couple of minutes, then you'll feel successful. And I did!💜

[@janethunt4037]

Thank you for this. I ALWAYS hear something from you that helps me on these sessions. Your jewelry comment helps me to know what to do when I get to that. It's my last frontier of decluttering.

[@granitemoss1451]

I'm late to the party but I'm listening while batch cooking waffles and cleaning the fridge.

[@shana91212]

Love your haircut ❤

[@wesliegray1772]

Agree! Super cute.

[@AmazinCarpeDiem]

This first question really helped me but from the opposite perspective. I'm new to decluttering and I'm nowhere near having peace with my home. BUT I answered the question, what is this clutter keeping me from doing? That brought to mind one simple, happy goal. It's not impossible to me anymore. Now I have extra motivation to keep going. Thank you!

[@deenahaines200]

My kids and I have finally started making it a routine to do a pick up at the ebbs of each day. We do ten minutes because five isn’t quite enough. But the kids enjoy it, as I have a “clean up” playlist and a timer lol. It’s been making such a difference! Now I need to work on weekly chores and keeping my own room under control. Love your videos and podcasts and the way you think!🩷

[@jillbruce3624]

welcome back, Dana. Great advice as always. Thanks.

[@jansteffy8551]

You described me to a tee . I feel overwhelmed and stuck and paralyzed by all my clutter.

[@janemay3364]

@daniela mestanek - For the how to be ruthless in your home question, Cas from Clutterbug just did a tough love video. She does not pull any punches and gives tough love on how to be a warrior by going to battle for decluttering your house :)

[@lollipoptrollop2350]

Been thinking about your channel and here ya are👋 hope you enjoyed your time off.

[@ivyboor6711]

I love the apothecary drawers!

[@shannoncollins8346]

I thought decluttering during a full home remodel would be convenient. Uhhhh nope. It's been a disaster and I panicked and ordered a POD so everything can go in there until all the floors and kitchen and everything else is done. I guess I'll declutter as I unpack.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Always So Nice to Have Your Teachings !!! 😁

[@amyt9375]

Hooray! Another video! Thanks Dana!!!!

[@kristiseidel5935]

Hello from Oregon!💙

[@carolgeorge6409]

All caught up in house! I would love to have that problem! ♥️♥️

[@kathystearns9012]

Dana, it's HAMBURGER stroganoff !!! 😅 we do the same as you and yes, I can my own hamburger meat, or ground lamb, ground bison, etc It's SO HANDY to pull off the shelf, already made meat for a fast meal if you get home late

[@mindymudge7247]

They could help others with their clutter

[@rosywilson3076]

Zoe I’m in the UK too - take it to a charity shop for someone else to use 😊

[@zoedeterding9147]

I will probably do that. There's just that little voice at the back of my brain that's saying a company may offer a large sum for the collection! Probably not though.

[@rosywilson3076]

@@zoedeterding9147 yes that little voice is a pain isn’t it! I’ve been decluttering for 5+ years and it gets easier to ignore the voice, and I’ve found I’m just less inclined to keep ‘stuff’ that I’m not using! I’d rather let it go and bless someone else. And I’m glad other folks also do that, so I can buy what I need/want in the chazzer 😀😀

[@lindalange7124]

Hello from California!

[@karenhurwitz7115]

As a makeup artist, I have so many products that are partially used and I have no idea what to do with it. I feel so guilty throwing it out. I have given to family & friends but there is so much. Any suggestions of what to do with it? I doubt donating to an organization would be accepted if the products are open and lightly used.

[@7binaz109]

Perhaps a women's shelter or maybe local theater groups?

[@karenswartzlander5411]

Call a local women’s shelter and ask what their rules are about used makeup.

[@olivemaycards]

You won’t know unless you ask some organizations in your area. If they won’t take it, which they might not, it’s trash and that’s sad… BUT it’s all consumable stuff. Whether you put it on a face or not it will be one day be used up and the container trashed. I don’t think most makeup ever gets completely used up. For consumables I feel less guilty about trashing it even if it’s not used up.

[@marietollett8323]

@karenhurwitz7115 Project Beauty Share takes new and barely used makeup. I hear a lot of KZbinrs mention mailing their excess makeup to this organization.

[@dianneeagle4686]

Trash it. Once it's used bacteria will be growing in there best to throw used make-up out!

[@viviandunbar1505]

Dana, when I make stroganoff, I use meatballs. My sister suggested this and it CHANGED MY LIFE!! I ALWAYS got burned when I cooked tiny strips of beef. Not anymore 😁

[@melissaweller3718]

Podcast #153

[@lleocttx2326]

Excellent advice and guidance, as always. But. But! Unlike the normal cadence, there were an incredible number of irritating and increasingly long, increasingly loud “uuuhm” “uuuuuhm” “uuuuuuhm” exclamations! I listened to the end but won’t anymore if this wasn’t just a one time deal. Thanks

[@pawcatsfly]

❤👍👍

[@shannonmcmullen3916]

Can I become a coach if I live in Canada?

[@DanaKWhite]

Yes!

[@shannonmcmullen3916]

Oh yay! I will check it out!!! 😊

[@DanaKWhite]

@@MegInASheathDress All of the information is here: declutteringcoaches.com/become-a-coach/