Decluttering Q&A with Dana K White 4.18.23

[@franpatzcraig6713]

Dana, you helped me so much when I decided to declutter at the beginning of the Covid 19 lockdown three years ago. I'm so grateful because when we came to realize that being in our 80s we needed to move to a senior living facility we were able to simply "shop our house" to choose what things of those left in our home we would take with us to our new apartment. "Is it worth the space to keep it" became "Is it worth paying someone to move it." It's amazing how simple that process was after all the decluttering we had done (with your expert help!).

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

Catching up on the portion I missed - and leaving a comment for the Algorithm. I’ll say this again: you changed my life. I’m still not very good with the closet-is-a-container, or taking it there NOW (hi, needs-to-be-dealt-with-later basket!), but I have experienced that your method WORKS. I’ve got a Very Organised mum and sister - and I felt like I was a failure for not measuring up. And then your method came into my life (and your clutter threshold concept, too. Mindblowing - and it explains SO MUCH!). Sorry, rambling. For the first time in YEARS I could open my door to my relatives without forst having to do a mad dash to stuff things away. I filmed a walk-through of it to show a far-away friend without shuffling messes so they wouldn’t be seen on camera. There are still messy areas, but they’re not big. They’re not ”surely I’ll need HOURS to go through this pile” big. And it’s all thanks to YOU. Thank you so much!

[@agmamamouse4763]

Congratulations, Dana! I was so excited to see your podcast with Mel Robbins! I am so happy for you and proud of you! You are funny and you have helped me transform my home. Only took me 50 years!

[@NJHeart2Heart]

One of her best techniques in my opinion: What if you can't GET to the place you "would look for it first", 46.41

[@ShawnH-kd5cl]

While listening I pulled a tote box from linen closet that was placed when I moved 6 years ago. I will have to re-listen as I was taking it there now but the tote is empty. I am just shaking my head wondering why I moved it in the first place. I find that I do have to go through it bit by bit because of my notorious bad habit of dropping change / coins / bills wherever I stop. Bonus found money. I retired about 5 months ago, so I do give myself grace, no longer with the urgency to get it done. The handbags that I decluttered were a windfall for money. 🤑I am currently in a season of choosing a bag and using it until it wears out. Many were no longer "in style" or the pleather had melted together. Receipts back to 2012 😮‍💨. Thank You Dana for all your encouragement.

[@LexMouse]

I just had this epiphany about my chest freezer. I like the idea of buying in bulk and storing food, but when it’s full to the brim I can’t remember what is underneath the top layer…. I recently let it run down to about half full and now I can easily see what is in there and it’s working so much better for me. It’s sucks that my clutter threshold is so low… but I’m starting to realise I just need to respect that it is what it is. I’m not that person who can handle a massive amount of food storage. I just forget things too easily… and then I waste money as I waste food or rebuy things I already have. Sigh. Applicable to many other areas of my home. And even to how much I can schedule in my week. One of my biggest struggles has been accepting I can’t do as much as my amazing and capable friends and family…. And not feel like a loser about it.

[@kristinpetersen5709]

Just a note..you look especially fabulous!❤❤❤

[@mollym5587]

The “where would you look for this first?” question works great for kids!

[@cristinam.1764]

I just heard the Mel Robbins podcast with you as a guest, I enjoyed it so much! I am so proud of you, thank you for all your help, you have definitely changed my life

[@roseschulze1647]

God bless you for all the guidance you give us, Dana. And I laughed out loud when you were talking about crawling under the bed. Lol. These "lives" feel like we're chatting with a good friend. :))

[@lyndi9082]

I literally threw away three handbags, which was hard, but definitely freeing! The rest were donated, and kept only a three in the end. I actually prefer small purses or a pocket!

[@creativelycountry1617]

Listener who really wishes that Reid was editing this video because she is sure he would have had a hilarious comment about his mom calling her computer a “toot” 😂

[@kathygoodwin]

We have been working renovating at our investment property, and I have been telling myself to "take it there now". Such a game changer! I mumble it under my breath, and from that, at any time, I can stop and not have to have a big clean up before I leave for the day. Some of your mantras have been such a help. "Better is good" is working too. I just go around there and do and hour or two, and that is better than not going there because 8 hours is too tiring! All the progress is a positive instead of having guilt for not getting it all finished right now. Thanks Dana for your ideas.

[@veronicavrotsos6436]

#replay. Love Love Love your explanation of the Clutter Threshold on Question 1. I have heard you speak of CT several times, but the concept hasn't stuck to my brain cells. Your unedited talk about it today resonated with me. BTW i was the last last ??? on your Live today. I stopped typing when you "took the last question"...and I think I had tYpe-o'd. THANKS FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO DO THESE LIVES!!!

[@veronicavrotsos6436]

#replay LOVE LOVE LOVE this answer about the significance of asking your questions. of the 5 step process

[@kellymarberry6467]

Newbie, here. Loving your channel, Dana! Reading through 2 of your books, and learning so much listening to these Q&A sessions! Thanks for making it “easy”!

[@karencorson3326]

You are so pretty. Love your curls, this look is nice too. Thanks for info

[@lynnew.2914]

Probably my computer system but so many doubled commercials. I'm glad I found Dana K White, thank you. It's hard to sit here with the commercials interrupting every few minutes. Dana barely gets through the topic and another commercial. I will try her pod casts. Love the info and her system, thank you.

[@janethunt4037]

Thank you for taking my question, Dana. I'm known for over thinking. Your answer was very helpful.

[@Elizabeth-490]

Love your word “get-to-ably”(about 2/3 the way through)! it’s a great word!

[@pam81161]

Incredibly helpful information to focus on the easy thing.

[@lisahumlicektaylor2682]

I agree with your CT & your questions to ask yourself but it sounded to me that the woman bringing her mother into her home was asking something else. I would have told her to discuss items that she didn't want to move to her house that they take a picture of the item on her cell phone &/or record Mom telling her about the item. Then she would have memories of her talking nostalgicly about a time in her life but not then have to declutter the item twice. If an album was made later after they are together in one house they could go down memory lane together without having to hold on to so many actual items.

[@marthavanderpool6829]

Dana, I figured out how you’re “brainwashing” me! You always look lovely and smile and tell the truth, patiently, over and over again until I get it! I think differently and “see” my stuff more clearly now. Decisions are getting easier…You are helping me declutter my world and my mind. Thanks. God bless you.💜

[@threepets3]

Listening to your podcast where you talk about your curl routine and I want you to make a video about what it is! Fellow curly girls want to know!

[@veronicavrotsos6436]

#replay p.s. you do such an awesomej ob of talking us through things

[@olivemaycards]

For the person with the mending pile, maybe having a designated place to write down a list of things that need to be mended (that are stored in an “away” place) would help. I don’t follow my own advice, of course - I have a mending pile that I keep moving to remind me to do it and then hide because I don’t have time/want to do it and don’t want to keep seeing it taunting me. Lol. I need to set a reminder on my phone or schedule it or just let it go.

[@margaret1336]

Just a suggestion, most dry cleaners do minor repairs and hemming, maybe admit defeat and outsource some and dispose of the rest!❤❤

[@sarahaas3182]

Dana...the second question I was thinking she needs to start over and listen to Decluttering at the Speed of Life lol and then you said it. I listen to that book all the time every single time I declutter. True story...you and your advice are saving me. Thank you so much❤

[@user-qe2ug7fv1x]

Thank you!

[@pam81161]

I like the no-brainer approach in starting with trash and duh donations...the easy stuff first. My take it there now spots are so cluttered I can't get more than a foot in the door, so I set them aside in a box for each different area.

[@vivr662]

For toys and clothes the one in one out can be a good system especially for growing children. It does not require heaps of time and it keeps things under control.

[@carolfuller4940]

Thank you Dana.🎉

[@MegOfBroccoli]

Totebags are great to use as donate bags for smaller stuff. A friend brings me fresh produce from her garden in the summer and loads up totes with veggies, herbs, fruit. They're all those cheap logo brightly colored bags. I only sew neutral plain totes from waterproof or waxed canvas, so I use her bags to donate stuff after she told me she didn't want the bags back. 👍

[@joannegillis6629]

U are a GENIUS

[@debbiev.1311]

Great Live...thank you again!! ❤🤗

[@patricialivingston4704]

😂 you have helped so much. How often do I go back to an area that is done to keep it clean.

[@supergran1000]

To the lady who feels overwhelmed by the contents of her closet: have you tried storing out-of-season clothes separately? That would reduce your clothes to those you're actually wearing NOW.

[@amyt9375]

I'm not that lady, 😀but I do have a response. I have found that I can't handle out-of-season clothing storage. I can handle my half of the closet and my dresser. I figured this fact out about myself years ago, but thanks to Dana's CT I now understand why I have to limit myself to this. If I store it, I forget about it. Ask me about the swimming suits I bought, the shorts I "couldn't find," the skirts I lost (because I can't even handle a hanging area of things I need to iron), and the mountains of seasonal tablecloths I recovered from the basement. 😉 I can't handle storage.

[@supergran1000]

@@amyt9375 I totally get it, but I suppose it depends on where you live and what extremes of weather the seasons bring. I don't have lots of clothes, so my out-of-season garments can be fitted into a box which then gets stored relatively close by. My UK house is very small - no garage or basement. 🙂

[@stephanied6711]

❤❤

[@NJHeart2Heart]

Emotional Clutter:32:25

[@TheJugendstil]

❤

[@Cyn50983]

I always seem to miss the live chats and watch later. If papers, magazines, flyers, catalogs come in I want to read everything! So the waiting-to-read pile builds up. I minimized catalogs coming in by removing my name, but how to stop wanting to read everything? I have a lot of books too. Just love reading. Any suggestions? Your container concept has helped so much. I have the space but spouse hates piles of paper goods.

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

We’re in the reverse situation here (when typically I’m the one who struggles with clutter), but I’d be interested in Dana’s answer! (We did stop the magazine subscriptions we had, but there still is a box (moving box!) full of to-be-read ones in the basement.) Now, things I hope my spouse will do or realise... 1) we moved this stuff at least twice! Surely there is out-of-date stuff in the pile, so at least some of it can go to the trash after just a glance? 2) Mostly, I’d like him to chip at the pile - one magazine at a time, or even 10 minutes when he can, so that the pile will slowly but steadily diminish. I think you could always count reading sessions as ”decluttering time”, even if there’s only a couple of things less after an hour, if that, it’s still better, and better is good!

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

Other possibility if you have the space and SEEING the pile is the issue for him: a ”to read” basket? Which you’ll have to ”declutter” (by setting aside time for reading) when it becomes a bit too full, but will provide ”visual neatness”?

[@3TXSisters]

​@@Cecily-Pimprenelle I suggest you put a few in the bathroom, lol. No really, give it a week or two and ask if he's finished with them.

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

@@3TXSisters you’re a Genius. I won’t even need to be sneaky about it - just asking him to pick the ones he wants to read first and move them (if he doesn’t care, I’ll pick randomly). Thank you for the idea!

[@3TXSisters]

@@Cecily-Pimprenelle 😄😄😄 Ask me how I know!

[@madhumitadevivlogger4781]

🎉🎉

[@bonniespruin6369]

Do you have Decluttering at the Speed of Life on CDs? I don't like downloadable books. I put cds on when I do dishes and housework. Thanks! Love you Dana!

[@doctork1708]

Questioner #2: get your spermicide donor to do more of the work. Please stop telling women to do more; it’s insanity what women are expected to take on.