Decluttering Q&A - Feb 28 2023

I'm answering questions submitted at AskDanaKWhite.com. Go there to ask questions for future lives.
My books: aslobcomesclean,com/book
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[@catherineferrari7710]

51:30 "The river of totes, or the river of toes...which is a horror movie..." QUOTE OF THE DAY! 😆

[@pmbrulle1097]

Baby cowboy boots ❤️ I have all girls and they all wore the same black velvet dress shoes their first Christmas. I just could not part with those baby shoes, so I tied them with a pretty ribbon and turned them into a Christmas ornament. Makes me smile every year while decorating the tree.

[@juliewright1895]

Awwww, what a perfect idea!!! ❤

[@PuzS]

Love that idea!❤

[@denisemc607]

❤

[@bookworm1956]

Totes and bags can get decluttered. And in my house, they usually become donatable donate totes and bags.

[@caitlin.sarahh8053]

Its a reality check when you look at the resale value of an expensive item you own! It's usually a lot lower than you're thinking.

[@stephanied6711]

I agree

[@wolfinallen7757]

I turned my tee-shirt artwork into pillows. Bought fabric and batting. Stuffed and sewed shut. Cut out picture of dog or whatever and sewed it on. Decorated around it with fabric paint. Made dozens of them. I had way more energy when I was young. Now I just lie in bed and watch decluttering videos.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

Omg. This is me. I'm amazed at the amount of stuff I made as a child and teen. It was so fun. Now, I know I'll have time for fun if I "eat the frog" but I'm so not wanting to eat the frog, I do nothing. And then eat the frog at the end of the day because it needed to be done, but I had no fun.

[@lindamast2766]

Lolllll

[@Lillian584]

“It’s a Moo point” Joey Tribbiani Lololol

[@deborahcalvert4234]

Tote bags are great “donation boxes” too. I also had way too many. I also donate reusable grocery bags and/or fill them with items to donate

[@lastpolarbearcub]

Once I decluttered, I was able to start asking my husband about a few items. “I can’t close your t shirt drawer anymore, is it ok to get rid of these 3 shirts that are worn out?” “You got new brown formal shoes for that wedding you were a groomsman in, is it ok to get rid of these old worn out brown formal shoes?” I was pleasantly surprised he said yes with no annoyance! So once you’ve decluttered your own stuff some, I think it’s ok to ask if you have a clear non-emotional reason why you think it should be decluttered.

[@tomtensecretlanguage9273]

Dana's hair is so cute, she is adorable -- like an adult Shirley Temple doll!

[@Sahmgirl]

Your hair looks really cute, Dana!

[@lillianmartinez1593]

Thank you for teaching me your language!!! The thing that has helped me the most and is always playing in my head is "Take it there now"!!!! So many times clutter begins by just putting things down where they don't really belong. So now when I am just about to put something down, I think is this where it goes, No!! So take it there now!!! Love all of your content! I tell my friends about you all the time. I really appreciate you, Cass and Dawn! You guys are a force to be reckoned with. 💞🌴😎

[@bobbiefarrar3036]

I took pictures of my sentimental things and will make a Shutterfly photo book that I can look at and remember the memories. By giving them away or throwing them away, made room for other more useful things. I don't regret letting them go. God bless you and yours.

[@marthaosborne9625]

I found I like to use totes and shopping bags as a “donatable container.” I feel it up and take it to donation drop off and then it makes another item for them to have.

[@lb9549]

I do this also with large Christmas gift bags !

[@lisahumlicektaylor2682]

Regarding jewelry: I have a Christmas Tree picture that has jewelry that was once worn by family members. This comes out at the holidays. It's unique but is meaningful to me. The style of jewelry isn't me but i have photos that shows these ladies wearing this jewelry. Taped to the back in an envelope is a copy of the photos.

[@MaryHildebrand-gj3lf]

Thanks Dana, you are so down to earth and relatable!

[@CocoCorrina]

You can also gift jewelry. I’ve been on the receiving end from aunts and family friends and love it. I do not care that it’s not brand new. And I plan on giving my jewelry to my nieces when it’s outgrown my tastes or if I need to downsize my or make more room in my collection.

[@vzimmer1951]

My list would be 3 pages long as well. I just decide which room I am going to focus on for the day and do 15 min at a time several times a day.

[@JaneH3675]

'Where would I look for it first' helped me to also get organized. Took me a month to declutter. And I'm still decluttering a little here and there. Has made my home so much better. Thanks!

[@kaywilliams1065]

Not making a bigger mess by taking it there now is life changing. I can't believe I needed permission from a strange lady on the internet 😁 Thank You!!!

[@whit7862]

From experience: do NOT make a Tshirt quilt for someone else without their permission!!! My mother made one for me, but some of the tshirts were my sister's and others I would have worn again, and I like plain blankets, so it just sits in the closet at her house and makes me feel upset whenever I see it. If she had asked me I would have tossed most of the tshirts and happily worn my favorite three to the gym or to bed. Instead those shirts are essentially gone. Frankly I'm still kind of mad 6 years later.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

Oooh, that's the worst! I have been mad at someone I love because they did something meaning to be nice but it was something I wanted them NOT to do. It festers, because it's hard to get off your chest because you know they meant well and you don't want them to feel bad. Have you talked to your mom? I ended up yelling at my dad on Father's Day. It was horrible. Thankfully, my dad is a wonderful, forgiving person. I hope you can avoid my outcome.

[@taraamundson1140]

Clutter Threshold could also be used as an Emotional Clutter Threshold guide. I definitely feel I have the Physical Clutter Threshold under control. I can control all of the items and keep them orderly. But I still have too much for me emotionally. I feel that I have too much emotionally and I feel weighted down still. My daughter is getting married and I have her items in my garage attic and she will hopefully get those items this coming summer out. Then I will reevaluate it after that to see how I feel emotionally. I just wanted to share that aspect.

[@agraves561]

I just want to say this Q&A inspired me to act on getting my college t-shirt quilt made 7 years later. I shipped off the shirts to a wonderful quilting company In Michigan. What Dana said at 19:57 is what helped me get unstuck. Thanks so much and God bless ❤

[@theresaconte6476]

I’ve started making short lists of 15ish minute tasks. It helps me take advantage of the little gaps. I have a little notepad and the little page is the task container so I don’t get overwhelmed.

[@janicejettsitter2097]

I made a T-shirt quilt. It was a lot of work. One thing to keep in mind, is that T-shirt quilt requires a stabilizer, which is very expensive. I have my sister-in-law's late husband's T-shirts.... It's what quilters call a UFO. It's an unfinished object.

[@rebeccahintonhines585]

Thank you, Dana. I’m absolutely overwhelmed these days. I am staying up all night working (and worrying) and I just want a clean, comfortable, and Blessed home for my husband and myself. And our Larry and our Pookie. I resonate with so much of what you share. SO many of your “personal hacks” are “Ah-HAH Solutions for ME! And I just really like your attitude. Thank you

[@PuzS]

Re T-shirt quilt project, my beloved hubby kept a bin in our shed of all his old T-shirts, somehow moisture got into the bin, and when we opened it up this summer (as I was inspired by Dana K to deal with stuff 😉), we found that 90% of his T-shirts were ruined and moldy 😔. I love Dana’s awesome advice to deal with it now, and make a decision. Or stuff either stays around forever or gets destroyed and then can become trash. It was a good lesson he went through, to deal with stuff now and make *final* decisions. Thanks for ALL your advice Dana! 🌸

[@granitemoss1451]

I don't usually keep a to-do list for chores because for me, personally, my energy and 'bandwidth' is better spent actually DOING something over worrying about a list. But I am also at the point where I don't tend to get too behind on the 'common' chores.

[@Elizabeth-490]

Me too! And I don’t like a list telling me what to do! I just lose my lists anyway.

[@natc.5940]

It might be too late for this… for the question of how do you tell your brain you declutterred something… I am plagued by being able to remember where I have stored a thing in every single place I have ever lived in the past 50 years. To get the item out of my head when it goes, I talk out loud to myself. I look at the object, I say out loud to myself that it is going off to a better home, and I put it in the bag/box and name it out loud and say “is gone”. I don’t visualize, but I retain a feeling of where an object is and I retain audio memories. This works well for me.

[@kaybutler2394]

Your comment about totes / toes (around 51:10) made me laugh out loud! But! Your comment about hooks gave me a great idea for hanging my reusable and insulated shopping bags on the wall in my laundry room above my freezer! Much better than them being stuffed in a laundry basket on my freezer!!

[@lucystrider728]

ALMOST made it in time! Usual for me. What a treasure Dana has proven to be in my journey, perfect balance of funny, stern, and HOW to get there. Thank you from me and all the people who will find you in the future who will be able to dig themselves out of chaos -and not rebury themselves!

[@idid138]

Amen

[@christinegomes3030]

Once my home was actually decluttered, the new pictures of my stuff replaced the old pictures in my mind -> so I’m no longer thinking I have something, somewhere, if I could just find it. I know what I have now.

[@denisemc607]

Goodwill drive thru was very quick when I cleared my parents house 😢 Facebook market place is good free to a good home items- just leave it outside for collection xx

[@marymaryquitecontrary]

I have a tendency to believe that when I've written something down, I've done it. The list is the thing itself-NOT. I hope to conquer this before I die. (I'm 83. You do the math.)

[@jenniferpearce1052]

I believe that the list is complete. Therefore, everything must be there. If I don't have the list with me when I have a new task to add, i will assume that it has been added to the list and won't worry about remembering it. Keeping a written list is a sure way to miss doing tasks. If it's in my head, it all must be remembered so I will.

[@diannerogers8707]

Take it there now!! Yes! Did this yesterday with a hall / junk closet. Have a clear plastic shoe holder hanging on the inside of the door collecting all kinds of everything. Husband and I helped each other clean up. Bonus : we can close the door now without lifting it up to lock into the doorknob! It had been so filled with heavy junk, the door was being weighted down. Who knew??!! 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️💕♥️

[@sarahbotha8090]

Just practice the questions like Dana says. Kids, do you see trash? Parent, say to the kids: Put the trash in the garbage. Let them do the things Dana says because the kid will start to do it and the kid will learn the process.

[@Chaundradickinson]

Your pronunciation is correct for moot - not mute like folks I know say that word :)

[@blkbrn1952]

I loved Anna Tanzania's question. I don't know how many times I start looking for something, can't find it and swear my husband has thrown it out, get mad and only later remember I decluttered it.

[@andie3131]

Usually goodwill unfortunately is the easiest place to donate. I did however find a high school that has a clothing store for the kids to shop for free at that they take donations for. I feel so good being able to give them the clothing my picky 5’6 foot 12 yo decides not to wear …. Lol

[@dianasimplifies]

Oh my goodness on the topic of turning the sentimental clutter into something creative…I went on a home tour at Christmas. They had SO many vintage things displayed beautifully, I had a moment of “why did I get rid of all those neat old toys. I could have done something cute like these displays”. Well I had to nip those thoughts in the bud bc I’m not good at those types of displays and it was never gonna happen. 😅Also thinking seriously about not doing the home tour this year bc most of the houses were so cluttered it just gave me anxiety. I guess I’ve finally decluttered so much that other people’s decor starts to look a bit extra for me! Every single corner was filled with something. It was insanity.

[@crystalsea72]

the thumbnail of this video cracks me up! xD

[@sandyseibelhager7131]

T-shirt quilt. I saved tshirts for years and I don’t quilt. I found a company to do it for me and I love it!

[@marymaryquitecontrary]

Re the husband who wants stuff on the counter, a compromise might be clustering the stuff-utensil jar, tray of beverage stuff, basket of small appliances or foods, etc. Wife can spend a couple of minutes a day corralling items if hubby won't.

[@CULady]

Oh, Steph! Good for you!!❤️. So many times as women, we don't recognize that we have to make an adjustment in our life for our own mental health!! So proud of you!! I actually cleaned up my KZbin subscriptions and purposely left you in hopes you come back. I am so with you on the mental clutter, church and serving, plus work, home and caring for family, and my finances all suffer because I don't stop. You are a leading buy example. Thank you

[@jennie9]

Did you mean to write this comment to Steph from The Secret Slob, not Dana from A Slob Comes Clean?

[@johnwolfe2616]

Sue Wolfe- When you were reading the question about the sentimental clutter, my mind went right to the baseball shirts I've saved for my sons. I had to laugh when you mentioned the t-shirt quilts, because that's exactly what I was thinking about, also! You've challenged me to do the research on making them, make them, or get rid of the shirts! They already have a home, but can be dealt with for a final time!Thanks for that !!

[@thebarky1988]

My fantasy self wants to collect books. I love books, the feel, the smell. But, I don’t want more stuff…. It’s a conundrum.

[@lastpolarbearcub]

Libby helped me a lot with this

[@cheerfulmouse]

Thank You

[@Goodygoodya]

That haircut!!! It’s great!!!!

[@mollywinter5373]

You used the word moot correctly🙂. in which case this comment is a moot point 😂

[@findingaway5512]

Moo point.... Like a cows opinion it doesn't matter. 😉

[@christinaoliveryoung6019]

​@findingaway5512 😂 oh Joey was the very best!!!

[@Lifeisgoodyall]

Your hair! Looks so great!

[@stephaniewilliams7318]

You Need A Vicky has an excellent video on managing paper - well it worked for me, and I had a huuuuge paper problem! 😂

[@JaneH3675]

My clutter became amazing when it went out the door! 🤣

[@mindymudge7247]

I have an on running to do list. I look at it in morning then. Ot again til wvening when i check off what i have done and add to it if/as needed.

[@mermeow]

OMG! The toes! 😹😹😹

[@kathystearns9012]

What I do about a "to do" list is the opposite of what folks normally do When I feel overwhelmed and tired fm working and it doesn't seem like I got anything done, I take a moment to sit down and list everything I did once my feet hit the floor when I 1st get out of bed I'm amazed at how much I really got done, and that lifts my spirit to keep on moving

[@jodi9295]

Lol!!! Thoroughly enjoying the toe comments! I keep stopping to tell my son about the toes!

[@juliashearer7842]

The thumbnail ❤

[@cindytilbert1403]

Good content 👍

[@seaspeaktome9167]

With you on the spreadsheets! I use them all the time too.

[@frankiea1983]

Excellent! Very helpful!

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thankyou!

[@momof5xys]

Great video!!

[@sarahbotha8090]

About 43 min.mark...*note for me for the future ☺

[@Elizabeth-490]

I ask the second question first in “head explosion “moments. If I can’t decide if I want to donate something I ask Q2. If answer is no, it’s history. Thanks Dana!

[@suziehancock4378]

I like your hair!

[@aliciamarie7487]

Your makeup and hair is beautiful

[@tanyamoran-un4rf]

Talking about decluttering

[@charmingintrovert3240]

???Dana, what is your suggestion for our wedding dresses? My husband says to let it go but it has sentimental value to me. 🤷

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

Do you have the room to keep it (without hindering your day-to-day life) ? If so, why not keeping it ? (It doesn’t need to be hung in the closet - mine lives in a mostly empty closet at my mom’s house. Hers is carefully folded in a box on the very top of her closet.)

[@juliewright1895]

You could donate it to a place that makes tiny dresses and outfits for babies who passed. Those dresses are probably really comforting for the parents who have lost a baby. ❤😢❤

[@pammigill8098]

Wow she asked my question to u i am always stuck in kitchen dining family room living room bathroom downstairs because they’re visible so i never get a chance to clean bedroom or closet its over and over same thing can u guide please

[@greatauntlizbethg9137]

Ok, after 2.3 how to make a tshirt quilt/ blanket videos I m back

[@TiaraHelen]

If your unused jewellery is made of beads or components that you like, maybe they can be turned into something you like.

[@msaijay1153]

For me that would be another project that I never do

[@Pamsouthdakota]

River of toes horror movie 😂

[@vzimmer1951]

???Can you show us an example of how Google Sheets works???

[@angelamorgan5434]

River of toes! I snorted!

[@kristenrb2591]

I can not find the Q&A videos on your page. I see them in the suggested videos below the current video playing, but when I go to your list of videos on your page, I don't see them. Where can I find them?

[@DanaKWhite]

Look under “live” videos.

[@Elizabeth-490]

I didn’t catch what you said about mashed potatoes?

[@Nick-wy2uf]

She uses instant mashed potatoes so she doesn't need a masher

[@Elizabeth-490]

Thank you!

[@debbiemalatia9252]

How do I declutter cookbooks they all have good things in them but I almost never ever look at them please help

[@vivianhudacek1556]

I love cookbooks & had quite a collection. I still have a bunch. However, I’ve found that I can Google virtually any recipe & find it online. If I really like it, I’ll hand write a card. I also take a photo of special recipes, then pass the book on. I’m a retired English teacher, so you know I LOVE books!

[@debbiemalatia9252]

Thank you, I think I'll get rid of most of them.

[@vzimmer1951]

Can you show us an example of using Google Sheets?

[@mnhyrkas]

Google sheets is a cloud based spreadsheet. A few examples I use it for household organizing: car maintenance- columns for which car, date of service, mileage, and work completed. Another spreadsheet for medical visits, or bank expenses are a few other examples.

[@tammybozza4703]

My husband and I use Google Sheets for our grocery list. We can work on it simultaneously from different devices which is very helpful. When we get to the store, we can pull the list up on our phones. I added check boxes so I can check off each item because I need that to keep track. Since Google Sheets is live, I can add things to the list while shopping and my husband can see them on his list. We each go to different stores, so if I find something for less at one store, I can note that in the spreadsheet and he can see that.

[@joannegillis6629]

Your hair… Adorable… I have curly hair too… I hope this is appropriate to ask you what is your method?

[@pjasmine]

you are so beautiful.

[@lindawade9647]

What did she mean by keeping toes? I hope she meant totes, but you kept saying the word toes. :(

[@sarat6481]

One of the questions asked had a typo that said toes, rather than totes. 😊

[@tanyamoran-un4rf]

If you are a seller she is joke