DECLUTTER || CREATE a DROP ZONE || Minimalism

[@mermaidtango]

Love it. I've created drop zones for my hubs, over our 33 years together -- he has just never proven to be a drop zone kinda guy, no matter how custom the set-up was for him. So -- last year I finally surrendered. We did have to have a wee discussion about how I was no longer going to go on the hunts with him, for keys or sunglasses or work gloves, etc. As soon as I demonstrated I was serious about not looking for his things anymore, he got out a plastic bin and started using it on his own. bwahahahaha! Drop zones are awesome and you did a great job setting this one up! I also love your 'bag' system!

[@q.t.shelli3585]

Lmao! 😂😂😂😂Beginning of this video had me rolling on the floor.....that's how I feel with everything in my house lol

[@luarosie]

That first clip.. I feel those feels!!! Love yo face!!

[@momof2momof2]

You are fortunate to even have such a large closet. When we walk into our home, we walk right into the great room comprised of the dining area, large kitchen and living room. Our drop zones are the large kitchen island, and a bowl on a small table next to the front door for our keys. The island is tidied every day if there is anything on it. Its all about habit, and keeping items to a minimum, and putting them where they really belong. tfs 💗

[@annavelasquez7574]

Erica, you are such a sympathic person, i love it☺️ and I adore your videos! Greatings from Germany

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Anna Wacker thank you! ❤️

[@leilani9130]

Cool crate for library books. We have a return bag too and our library books that we use, I have a shelf in the office.

[@tinekejoldersma]

What a journey eh. Live and learn. And the power that swipe gave, declutter. Bam.

[@AWanderingEye]

Fellow bag carrier here and I love it. Plan to convert our storage closet into a drop zone holder...hope to complete before we move (ha).

[@LivingWithEve]

Everytime I start watching your videos.... I start cleaning and decluttering!

[@carterfamilyyy4536]

I love watching minimalist videos. they're very encouraging. I recently did my kitchen and I love the end result

[@PenniesAndSalt]

I really like the library book system you came up with! We keep ours in a basket in the living room but I like the idea of slipping the ones ready to return into our "go bag"

[@readiculousreads4164]

That opening shot is what I want to do with so many surfaces in my home!! The struggle is real!!

[@juanitaturner7019]

Love how you cleaned off your kitchen counter...sometimes that’s what needs to happen for a different outlook on things. I need to create a drop zone bc my husband never puts his stuff in the same place. Thanks for sharing.

[@mbates53]

Between you and Dawn our lives have been dramatically changed! We have reduced many areas in our home and I even started a KZbin channel and blog to document it. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge! 🥰

[@sherimcgill6487]

I like that the drop zone is behind closed doors

[@FieldsFullHouse]

Love how you organized the drop zone!

[@LibbyWithnall]

I always had a launchpad (Flylady term) - similar to a dropzone - when my kids were school age. Works so well. Now I just use hooks for my handbag and carry bags and a small basket for hubby's stuff that he leaves around.

[@lindajohnson6905]

OMG!! I can't stop laughing. When you pushed all that stuff off the counter, That just got me going. There are times I feel just like that. I just get so sick of the stuff.

[@marybethlongstreth186]

I had a session with Jessica Waters and I am here to let you know, my prayers have been answered!!! I didn't have a entry system either! and my desk --- not properly done. She saved the day!!! Thanks, Erica, I am so happy you posted her info!!

[@mommyonthemove25]

Haha, the beginning so funny. That is a great idea to have a designated drop zone area.

[@ptcreations8947]

Best "cold opening " EVER! I think we've all gelt like doing that...have done it! ;)

[@connieverbeck1110]

That is amazing! A win for sure!! Love the kids spots, great training for life!

[@jenl576]

Working on switching out a table be my front door for a 4 cube shelf to keep my 2 kids' backpacks and my purse contained and out of sight! Yours looks so good!

[@elanmalesku6617]

Thankyou so much for your fearlessness. Your experiences inform all of us with hope and compassion. Thankyou!💗

[@candicewaller403]

Very inspiring, Erica! I have a similar problem. It's just my partner and me, but we are struggling with where to put our bags when we come home. Neither my purse nor his laptop bag have a "home" since they always go right back out the door each day. His bag just ends up on the floor near the door and we trip over it constantly. My purse seems to gravitate towards one of the barstools at the kitchen island and I have to move it when friends come over. We don't have an entryway closet, but maybe we can figure out some sort of hook set-up... Honestly, I'm a little lost on this one. Other stuff is fine: I created a tiny drop zone ledge near the front door for my partner's keys and sunglasses, and we deal with mail immediately right next to the recycle bin. It's just the damn bags!

[@LivingWithEve]

Nice video, I have never heard of Jessica before. I’ll have to check her out. So happy your comments are back!

[@sarahfrancescutti9873]

Love your dedicated bag system! Great idea 😁

[@Wundertastisch]

I love how real and honest you are. Please don’t change!!! Such a joy watching you grow 😊

[@beckysmith2346]

I live in a small two bedroom one bath mobile home. You walk right into the house. My drop zone is the kitchen table. My son had even said he doesn’t want a kitchen table in his house because it’s a junk collector. I have a cheap bookcase by the door that we use for dropping off shoes but I need to come up with a better system. My chihuahua puppy puts our shoes “up” by taking them off the shelf and placing them on the couch for some reason. At least he’s not chewing them. I guess I need to purchase some baskets but I don’t think it’s wide enough in that area.

[@michellebergh8069]

You go! It's amazing to see your journey

[@lizklebba565]

I was wondering during the first closet clean-out why there weren’t low hooks on the inside of the door for the children to take care of their own coats!

[@helpmetosleep]

You have helped me understand my "bag lady" tendency. Of course, gym bag as out as Alaska's are now closed along with restaurants, bars and movie theaters. Stay healthy, everyone!

[@jessasgatorlove.1445]

The intro was needed funny what we all want to do at times it just don't want to clean up the mess when it's done..lol thank you for that!!

[@oneclassybiird7100]

Erica pushing everything off at the beginning is my 2020 mood 😂✌️

[@broadmeadowfarm233]

I have tried numerous drop zone things in my home too. It hasn't always worked. But I think I'm finally narrowing in on what is working for us. Our issue is that our mudroom is in the basement. You access it through the garage. Which is great, if you come in through the garage. If you come in through the front door then all your stuff is upstairs. Long story short, I have created a DIY temporary locker system that seems to be working better than anything else I've tried in the basement. Next step is to get the kids garage door keys instead of front door keys so that when they come home from school they come in via the garage and not the front door!

[@Kayla-wg7gt]

Erica, your videos are the best! I love how you include lots of clips from different videos. I also love how you take an idea like a "command center" and personalize it to make it work for your family. Thanks for the video!!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Kayla thanks!

[@gaiacrepaldi2026]

beautiful video as always! I follow you since the first decluttering video and I think you made an extraordinary journey to minimalism! I'm a very organise and minimal person an I have 2 tips for you, the first is a computer case with many poket (for charger, mouse, paper ecc...) the second is a drawer organizer with many space of different size that you can use to empty your bags every time you came back home this way you pourse will be organize and you can't forget important thing in other bags!

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Gaia Crepaldi love those ideas! A computer case!!

[@minimalzebra]

Love the drop zone Erica.

[@miriammcgee]

🤣🤣🤣 your opening!!! Love it! Thanks for posting. Makes like feel normalish with everything going on.

[@liezlbredenkamp6828]

Firstly, thank you for inspiring me all the way here in South Africa to get a grip on my clutter! We recently moved to a much smaller house and we have way too much stuff. I am making a dent in it, slowly but surely. Also, I use an antique writing desk in our tiny dining room as an "office". I purchased it specifically for this purpose and space. It works great, because when I'm done working on my laptop I just close the little door thingy and it conceals my laptop and stationery perfectly.

[@PenniesAndSalt]

This is awesome! I recently created a drop zone in our entryway closet as well. Things just clutter so easily!

[@angelacross2216]

My fave part of your drop zone is the donate pile. I realized you had space (depth) to put more hooks, command style probably , on the inside of the doors too.

[@OneBlessedMess]

We ALL have those areas, don't we?! 😩 The beginning had me LOL'ing!

[@simplejoyfilledliving]

It looks great! One thing that helps tremendously with the laptop is having a second charger that stays in the bag! That has saved me so many times!

[@simplejoyfilledliving]

Without a drop zone I find things end up in weird places around my house.

[@bethlarson2246]

Erica Lucas you are hilarious! Love the opening, you just made my day!

[@EverydayBlessings]

My drop zone needs an overhaul! Thank you for sharing!

[@millerville2000]

Yeah that was an awesome! I'm a bit nutty (aka obsessed lol) about EVERYTHING in my home having it's special place/spot or home. I also fully understand putting it into practice if it comes easy is a lot different if it doesn't come as easy and creating a habit like you are doing is great. That said my biggest problem is my to do list items pile up and I move/alternate this pile from my hutch to my bedroom to get it done but it doesn't get done! So this is very motivating for me

[@jennylhenry78]

Yeessss! Everything must have a home or it's gone.

[@simonethach7134]

Years ago we brought a bookcase and put in the kitchen it's a perfect space between garage and kitchen counter there's space for mail, keys, jacket, hats, shoes, backpack no more running looking for things except my dad he put his jacket anywhere there's a hook, chair or door knob and shoe at every door lol

[@c_and_l]

A couple of laptop related suggestions (that do require spending money): Get a second charger to keep in your go bag - seriously it's amazing and worth it. I keep one in my backpack and one plugged in where I normally use my laptop and it makes packing and unpacking so much simpler. Plus if a charger dies or breaks you have a spare (I had this happen and it saved my life). Also, a wireless mouse can eliminate cord clutter, and can easily be put into your go bag as well.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

aurorsforthewin you know that’s truly annoying to pack up. An extra charger is the trick!

[@jennylhenry78]

Love the opening! Definitely how I feel sometimes. There's no doubt about it, that less stuff makes it easy to cleanup. But having homes for everything is the next step. You've been getting at it so we'll; here's encouragement to keep going!! PS I saw you on the "Minimal Tom and his Mom" 😆 live video last night. 👍🏻

[@KN-dy4hm]

Have you tried out the FlyLady Method. Maybe you would like that.

[@marjiecleveland]

Love it!

[@mickalaloeffelbein4935]

OHHHHHHH YEAH!! SO MANY TIMES I HAVE WANTED TO DO THAT TO A SURFACE!!! XD Perfect intro, exactly how I've felt.

[@PenniesAndSalt]

"My hair's up, that means it's declutter day!" LOL Yes! You can tell it's a cleaning or declutter day when my hair is up too 😂

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

If for some reason the laptop thing doesnt work maybe you end up needing more room in that entryway closet or its too high using a kitchen drawer is helpful. Its super quick its perfect size and ssved you having to blindy reach up after opening the doors and itll limit you to that space for laptop related stuff and its free. May encourage you to eliminate more in your kitchen if you need too. Like a junk drawer type thing. Also youre way less likely to drop it on yourself or your floor if youre picking it up rsther than bringing it down blindly. I imagine thise raincoats and other things have smell and germs and moisture on them and kitchen drawers ususlly dont and theyre completely closed so no dust gettinf inside your comp.

[@linneawestberg6435]

i really need a dropzone too. i always take my shoes off at the door, walk all the way to the kitchen table, put my stufff there and walk back to take my jacket off haha. and i need end tables for my bedroom for jewelry and books ... cus gash my table and countertops are hurting lol

[@leilani9130]

Linnea Westberg the kitchen table is like a black whole. I keep putting stuff there and it piles through the day.

[@bluegingerblue7402]

Go Erica!!!!

[@blessedbabe8318]

I work at home and I have a home office! For me to minimize my brain clutter I find it best to keep work in the office! It is less stressful for me !

[@StillWatersASMR]

My husband had a huge bookcase in the entrance way to the house full of drop zone type clutter from a farm. When I moved in I tried to just get rid of the bookcase but then realised he still needed a drop zone so I’ve had to reintroduce an area where he can drop stuff. I also need to get better disciplined about where I dump my stuff as I’m so prone to certain areas just cluttering up in no time.

[@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife]

You have the best openings!

[@bearlycountry2406]

Just an idea because I’m creating systems too, and they’re all simple. What if you used your entertainment center, especially if it has built in chargers in the drawers like mine. It’s super easy to plug in and access, that way it’s always charged. My kids are 12 and 16, so if you’re kids will try to snag it, then I totally understand why you wouldn’t try it. I love your channel! 😘

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Bearly Country the kids would totally try to use it! 😂

[@FieldsFullHouse]

It is so hard to stop the drop zone habit! We do it! I clean it up constantly! LOL!

[@robynw6307]

So wish I had a closet at my front door like this.

[@annw1395]

When you got rid of that large shelf unit in the living room before, I was thinking, "now she doesn't have anywhere to put things", such as your laptop and drop zone / command center items. Perhaps a desk or buffet would be good for your work needs.

[@everydayminimal]

Hahahh!! The intro!! Love it!!! Another great job on the video!

[@fancyflamingo123]

Bahaha. That intro! That is how I want to clear surfaces sometimes! You are hilarious!

[@Aphantys]

Omg great solution! I need to setup a dropzone but I dont have closets near the front door. My husbands backpack, laptop, kids backpacks and shoes end up in a corner of the dining room which is the closest area to the door 😪

[@jennylhenry78]

We do not have a closet anywhere but the 2 bedrooms. So the dinning room corner is what we have also. There's a 3 foot wall behind the front door where I've hung 2 hooks for our keys. I've also hung 4 hooks at children's level for their jackets/sweaters/purses. Around that wall is the dinning room and I've hung 4 hooks higher up for me and my husband's jackets, my purse and his work bag. I repurposed a TV table with a self underneath which holds 3 bins on the shelf and 3 bins on the floor. Each of us have an assigned bin for shoes (or in the winter we use them for hats and gloves, scarfs, etc). The top of the table just has a metal & wood bin with 3 sections for my husband's pocket stuffs as well as cell phone chargers.

[@jennylhenry78]

If you want to email me jennyscouponing AT gmail DOT com I'll be happy to send you a couple pictures.

[@SarandipityStudios]

I also ran into this problem and purchased a beautiful coat rack/bench/shoe rack all-in-one that althought our coats and shoes are exposed has an industrial style and is still tidy. I recommend.

[@Glitter_bug86]

Haha I love the opening scene. That is so me 😂😂😂

[@NewMoneyMamaChannel]

I am changing how I do videos What video editor are you using?

[@lucastakanovieirapinto9959]

Genius!

[@theforeverlovelyjacquelyn5756]

Get it girl, realistic intro! You always know where to find a bandaid... Window screens! Saw you on Minimal Mom live stream last night! What did you think of it?

[@EricaLucasLoves]

The Forever Lovely Jacquelyn I adore Dawn! I was happy to donate towards Tom’s mission trip. 1700 live! She’s so loved. :)

[@LifeWithAllOfUs]

BEST intro EVER lol

[@ArtJourneyUK]

- Keep your laptop in your workbag. - Carry your workbag to the table to work. - Put the laptop back in the bag when finished - Put food away when finished making meal - Focus on what you are doing now rather than what’s next - Don’t multitask

[@janebaker4912]

I know a pod cast that I think you would love! Search "The pineapple project" by ABC Radio!! They have a series on money and one on organization. You'll love it! You could do a video on it too.

[@puusesandra]

love your channel :D

[@stephanieweeden5739]

I know this video is super old but I would take the doors off the drop zone. It would drive me nuts to have to open the doors and besides if it's open you're extra motivated to keep it tidy. Keep it lazy 😅

[@vyrlynethington7633]

I love your channel. Maybe taking off the doors that closet to see if that “drop zone” will work better. I think just of always having to open the doors, although not hard to do, makes it just easier to place items everywhere else than inside the closest. If it does work just put the doors back up. 🤔 Just a thought...

[@RussellsLovingLife]

I want to clean my table like you did the kitchen counter. 😂 Then I would have to pick it up. 😔

[@joshsizemore3549]

🔥

[@lindathorsell976]

💕

[@joshsizemore3549]

😍

[@Amandahugginkizz]

The reason I keep things out is because I'm afraid I will lose it ir forget about it (especially food) so instead of living a peaceful life, I live a cluttered life because I'm afraid I will forget about something I use maybe 5 percent of the time

[@maryvon8518]

I have a question, and I'm sorry if it's too personal, how do you get your husband on board with minimalism? I hate being a nag but I'm sick of "it's fine" and "good enough".

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Mary von It’s tough when you don’t see things the same. I can ask my hubby this question on an upcoming video!

[@lisamleziva7941]

I love your videos. They inspire me. I also recommend checking out The Secret Slob on KZbin. Thank you for all you do and sharing your story.

[@ruthsandersasmallfishingvi2889]

💕😊

[@milenagligorovska2314]

Guess what, we are now all homeschooling ( want it or not ;) ). So I was thinking you could make a video with tips for very untalented and unnatural beginners. Please please help us (me) I think I will crack in the next few days, and there is a chance this will last all the way to the end of the year.

[@erinburress4489]

Girlfriend, I have two words for you... Wireless mouse. Trust me, it will be the best $10-$20 you spend!!