Decluttering Q&A 5.14.24

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[@Doris86pl]

I listen to you and instantly I start to do your process, I decluttered 2 drawers, bathroom supplies and started laundry, yay, thanks for motivation. Also I yesterday started bigger project, our attic, full of books, papers and decorations. It's overwhelming, but I decided to do a little bit everyday. Just one bag of trash to start. This gives me momentum, today I donated box of books and found 2 bags of trash. Every little step is one step closer to clear space.

[@TheBroccoliFiles]

I once ran on the treadmill for the 56 minutes she was talking. 😂🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[@poephila]

That's amazing progress!

[@karinamoore2017]

I love that you take summers off for your family. ❤ Way to be.

[@user-ep6ux6tl8e]

I just realized that her husband is a teacher, so they can all spend it together!

[@babytexan3038]

You are the most helpful person who has helped me manage my house. You understand how my brain works. Hope you have a really nice summer!

[@HotSzejk]

I feel like that with Cass from Clutterbug but Dana's concepts have been truly helpful and the container concept was a game changer when decluttering my wardrobe ❤

[@mariahwilson6505]

So glad you say that taking things to the donation place or fixing or finishing something is Valid Use of my decluttering time! Really really helpful!!!

[@kimesch9698]

Re: paper question I’m too lazy to write down the account info. 😉 I take one bill of each account and put it in my 3-ring house stuff binder. I have all the account info, and I can write on the back of it if I need to keep track of payments, etc. This way I only keep 1 sheet of paper where I would look for it first. All the other bills can go when they’re paid. I just mark the check number or payment date on the back of that single sheet. It’s been working well. Love your Q&A’s. Happy summer vacay!

[@ginazee84]

I like this idea. I have been using a file sorter in a similar fashion, but I wonder if the difficulties I have been having using it would go away with your method.

[@julielines5929]

Thank you for being an advocate for husbands. I worry sometimes with these questions that women are micro managing or taking over control of everything that is their husbands.

[@TheBroccoliFiles]

Countertops. Honestly I didn't think I could do it. I wanted totally clear countertops. We have a French press so a coffeemaker wasn't even in the equation. 😂 toaster - we donated the 4 slice and I got a cheap 10$ 2 slice at walgreens, it's light enough to put in a lower drawer and just remove when we need it. And has a dedicated storage spot so it's easy to wipe down and put back. Dish liquid - frosted plain plastic bottle refilled with unscented plant based clear liquid dish soap. No bright colors no fake smell products, no animal testing. One scrubby in a small ceramic soap dish and a bar of vegan unscented soap in a larger soap dish. That's it. Got rid of shit in lower drawers to make room for stuff we actually use.

[@mindymudge7247]

I look forward to your Tuesday Q&A questions. Always give such great ideas and encouragement.

[@llllllllllilillii]

Happy Mother's Day Dana! I have no kids and no mom since 25 so I'll live vicariously and wish u one instead.

[@katherinep1010]

I set a 10 minute timer to work on my desk this morning. When I came across my daughter's broken head and I remembered that doing the project counts as decluttering. I asked her to bring me the super glue and fixed it right then. I still had time to get my desk 90% cleared off. (And 95% of the stuff was trash or recycling!)

[@jeanetteburt379]

Haha, I guess you meant broken doll’s head! If you found your daughter’s broken head on your desk you’d probably be listening to a different podcast! 😂

[@user-ys7np1ux9u]

Good for you for taking off the summer to be available for family spontaneously. Love that! have a great one!

[@ginazee84]

We have been downsizing from 2100 sq ft to 288 sq ft. I had 18 months but the timeline got shortened when we found land to buy for our tiny house to be put when it’s ready. I’m so glad we have been Using your methods and participating with TYHB since November. The process of preparing our house to show for sale has been less painful. So much can go! Thank you for the help with my mindset.

[@user-uo2gn7lc6y]

Wow wtg!

[@BekkaMakes]

I never seem to catch you live, but I love just turning on the recordings and *getting stuff done* around the house! Your conversational tone and uplifting message never fail to get me moving. Have a great summer!

[@jackiefields1607]

Love the story of how you got started! No wonder you are so helpful to so many people! It’s God’s love pouring through. ❤

[@andreacosta3727]

"What deserves space less than this?" 30:51 Love it! ❤️

[@katythriftyunder35homeowne57]

You're the best, Dana! Love your podcast & your approachable methods.

[@taraamundson1140]

Take photos and get rid of the items!! Clocks etc.

[@joannlessner1551]

Have a great summer! I'll listen to your podcasts until you return, there are many I haven't heard yet.

[@temi4116]

Me too. I will be catching her previous podcasts while she is away for the summer.

[@cheerfulmouse]

The archeology dig example for the 3rd question was so relevant ❤🎉

[@takebackourschools8108]

I’ll miss you over the summer. Guess I’ll need to listen to “reruns”

[@debbiev.1311]

Sad I missed your Live; if it is your last one(?), have a wonderful Summer & enjoy your time off!! ☀️🩱🏊‍♀️ Grateful for the replay!! 🙏🏼❤️ YAY: taking care of "Procrasti-clutter" counts as decluttering!! 😄😘

[@lindahill1199]

So many ads in todays vid, I couldn't count! KZbin always does this to everything that's worth watching. But I stuck to the end.

[@imaamericangirl1406]

Get a family plan with no ads! It is worth it…. Amazing not to have all the ads!

[@tygerstripes3752]

I use a free ad-blocker. I haven't seen a single ad, so it's working. 8^)

[@myaccount9498]

Dana makes a bit of money from people who watch those ads. I think Dana's help is definitely worth watching a few irritating ads ❤

[@cheerfulmouse]

Side note, this Sunday my Pastor said "sticks in my craw" 😂 He's from Florida, but live in Oklahoma. I thought of you Dana 😅

[@cheerfulmouse]

Love love 💕 the tips from your Mama!! 😂

[@salinaholmes7424]

Absolutely love the answer to the first question … I’m not at that point yet but such a good question and answer to look forward to if that makes sense lol

[@Mary23_A]

Thanks for the history on "slash" spaces. I found the comment in your blog- 2012-02 Could versus Should: My own spaces are coming along (though I've got a dresser in the Exercise room! Has dog towels- gotta move that , though exercisers use towels too:-). In 2012 on your blog Michele says February 3, 2012 at 6:24 am Nona those multi-functioning rooms can be a bear so to speak. 1st thing you need to do is give it a name. Even though it needs to serve as multi-functioning space I have found that mentally I defeat myself by giving it the /…../,,,,,/. When my “family room” is a mess that is still a need to work on area. But when my /……/……/ room is out of order…I feel like half the universe is in disarray all because I haven’t been able to work on it. Try to give each function it’s own mini area but look at it as one room. If at all possible rid the room of any function that it really doesn’t need. No, you don’t need a bar. But I see shelves and counter space that could serve a purpose. Putting those types of spaces behind curtain or cover up would keep me from dealing with items and would be a resting place for more “homeless” stuff. I hope you keep us updated on this project, and good luck.

[@marisolboone5404]

I do believe I have a tendency to hoard so just donating to get rid of doesn’t motivate me but I do live in an area were yearly natural disasters can occur so I purge as much as I can to any local charities knowing people are in desperate need when a disaster occurs

[@TheFairytrisha]

my best thing for paper clutter i take photos or scan onto a external hard drive also do this with my kids artwork ect xx

[@lucindawilson5510]

your method definitly works thank you Dana

[@1beyond]

Timing is excellent

[@lisabirkner6212]

Love you. Enjoy YOUR summer!!!

[@marynellparker1103]

Happy Summer with your family!

[@ewakb9920]

I want to decluter a shelf in the hallway. There's no junk and stuff to give away, but there's too much of it. I take one thing and when asked where I would look for it, the answer is that it is right here. Ask yourself where else but here?

[@1beyond]

There is always trash

[@lynnmickelson3295]

Ikea bags are great for moving kids in and out of dorms.

[@my3kidsmom]

What time do your Tuesday Live Q&A sessions start? I'd like to put this on my calendar.

[@jocelynturner2532]

Hi Dana. Enjoy your summer, if we don’t see you again beforehand.

[@no_peace]

I inadvertently do dishes twice a day. I have a dishwasher though. I do them once to fill the washer after i empty it, then once before i run it. They aren't all on the counter at once, only half of them are lol

[@LisaSimplified]

52:28 this is my problem

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Dana. Ads Romany & near one another

[@jeme7339]

Please consider editing questions that may otherwise "normalize" living with a "boy"friend. That is the main thing she should remove from her home. You may not wish to address that issue, but please do not cooperate with it. Can you answer the question without including the sad details?

[@sandradavis7132]

Matthew 7:1-5: 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 12 36: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37: For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

[@staciecarrel4492]

Most people cohabit with SO’s these days, whether married or not. It’s pointless to force other people to pretend it doesn’t happen just because you personally don’t like it. Also that has been a practice for a few generations now, it’s just that now most people don’t care so we don’t hide it. Cohabitating before marriage is not new.

[@nostraa6125]

Interesting comment. Brave of you to say it out loud, these days. I admire your courage. Sorry that you got jumped on for that opinion. Living together for a limited time before marriage is OK, but with no endpoint in sight, it wastes the time of the person who does want marriage and children--especially in that order.

[@Smithpolly]

@@nostraa6125 People responded to the comment with comments just as you are responding with your own comment. Do you consider yourself to be jumping on them for their opinion?

[@sweetsanddandy8639]

You can't control others. Worry 'bout yourself.