How to be a Minimalist by Friday

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you so much for watching!!! I hope you have a great day!!! - Dawn

[@grace9624]

Question: How do you decide what baby memorabilia you keep or give away? Love the analogy of the fork. ☺️

[@natalieeubank4533]

@@grace9624 she has a memory box for each of her children, only you can decide what is most special to you, I have one as well, and also a box for my husband and I

[@maribelquesada5651]

I like how you tell us why to minimize and not just how.

[@juliab628]

Right before I saw this video I had decided to return a pair of Skechers that I had ordered for indoor shoes. I had ordered one pair & since they were only $24, I thought I better get a second pair for when my current pair wears down. They are just my indoor shoes, & I have to wear shoes inside specifically for indoor because my feet hurt without arch support. But, I got to thinking, why do I need to have an extra pair just in case? Because truthfully Amazon always has Skechers on sale for fairly cheap. And they'll be there when summer comes if my current ones wear down by then. Everyday I just feel the need to have less inventory & I'm getting better at trusting tht things will be there when I need them! I owe it to you, Dawn for introducing me to this a few years ago! How freeing the house is now :) But I still love & appreciate your gentle reminders!!

[@bellec7893]

Dawn, you and Diana bring so much joy to my heart. Thank you for doing what you two do. I need a word of wisdom, please. I am all in for decluttering and mimimalising. I've seen every video, I get the 5 min declutter idea, but life does not lend to that right now. Homeschooling 2 needy boys, farm animals, a husband who works an hour away from home and lots of hours and we are trying take care of my in- laws estate and manage one of them in a nursing home. Life does not give me 5 min. And yes, we have simplified our schedule to 1 single activity a week. :) Any advice I can repeat to myself as I look at the clutter and want it gone, but know time is not on my side? I know I will get to it, but in the mean time it is so disheartening. I only ask bc your words always resignate. Thank you so much!

[@AZHITW]

I was at the hardware store yesterday, I didn't go to buy an outdoor extension cord, but the one I had at home had wires popping out of it, but it still worked. I stood in the isle, extension cord in hand, it was $44! I almost talked myself out of buying it, then I realized my life is worth at least $44, and if I got hurt using our busted up extension cord the hospital bill would be way over $44. Me the minimalist cheapskate bought a new extension cord, went home and threw the old one in the garbage (it was probably 40+ years old), and now I don't have to worry about dragging the old busted extension cord into a puddle of water and electrocuting myself. 🤪👍

[@KhushnaShah]

Yayyy!! Well done!!! taking care of yourself and your health 🥰 you matter! Good job 🎉

[@Lucy-tz3uo]

Balance is key!

[@lynnegordon6749]

Great Decision!

[@lisajackson3743]

Good call! That old extension cord could be dangerous

[@CheriBomzArt]

BLACK electric tape can help? Otherwise your thoughts are great!

[@doublea6252]

I like to tell myself the Mary Poppins quote, "Enough is as good as a feast!"

[@lindawarner7046]

Oh, I love this!

[@kristiLB93]

I love that one too!

[@sarahjacks3540]

I remind myself that quote also...it's so true😊 I heard it the first time from the character of Maddy Ross from the old movie "True Grit"

[@kathleenbolanos]

Wow thanks for sharing that!

[@blw46]

My favorite quote from my favorite movie!! I can't tell you how many times I have used this (as recently as this morning- talking to my husband) over the years

[@deannday6930]

“So you made a purchase that didn’t work out for you. The bigger mistake would be to keep it.” Dawn, you’ve done it again. You got right to the heart of my struggle and showed me the answer. Thank you!!

[@margaretmayekar8761]

Yes for so long I kept things I had spent money on because I felt bad not using it. One day I realized the money is gone regardless and not coming back, and keeping these things serves no purpose. So now when I find something like this in my house I say “whoops” and resolve to be more thoughtful about purchases in the future. And I donate it.

[@bre3186]

@@margaretmayekar8761 i like "whoops"! good, no judgement, it's all good. thanks! :)

[@brittanymcdonaldbarr1106]

I needed this.

[@patriciaalbertson5183]

Yes, Well put.

[@susanmakiha9838]

Another one I heard is that your space is being paid for through rent or a mortgage, is this thing you're keeping earning its space in your home? I think of this every time I think we need a larger home ... how much space is currently being taken up by inanimate objects just sitting there.

[@evawilson6735]

Thanks for all the support and encouragement ! I'm almost 72 and I have decided to do a deep purge not only for myself but for my kids as well. I live alone in a very large house not sure if I use even a third of it......lol. My mantra is if I moved next week would I take it ? I have been working at it for some time now (5 sales ) and have offered the kids first choice of anything I'm READY to let go of at this point. I will continue to dig deeper and yes it is getting easier ! My shoes have been the hardest........wow that hurt. All things considered I love the progress I've made and when I do move it will be so much easier. Although it has been a lot of work, I am glad that I am in control of what goes and stays. I am sure the kids would appreciate that it would be easier on them if heaven forbid something happened to me.

[@Maria-yf8fp]

That's fabulous Eva! I see how my mother-in-law who is 95 is weighed down by all the stuff in her house for the last two decades, it's crippling. At almost 60 I'm inspired not to do that to myself.

[@CvilleA2ZMom]

My mom passed away 2 months ago and had done this for the last several years. Honestly it was a blessing to us children, because we had to quickly move her belongings. we were not bogged down with decisions to keep/giveaway and focus on grief amidst the move. What we kept was what was special, and she had already marked the majority of what she wanted each kid to have after she passed.

[@christined2495]

After my mom passed, is when I decided to Swedish death clean, it was how I became a minimalist… my kids always joke with me and my husband that God forbid anything happened to us it would take a weekend to clean out our belongings. Of course they joke, my home is not by any means empty, but everything we own,we need or really love

[@loreneknight9755]

Eva...good job. Progress not perfection. I'm 67 & I did the minimalist challenge 2 years ago. It was wonderful & terrifying. I keep after it from time to time & I have gotten rid of about 40% of my belongings. I have not stopped. I won't be done till I'm deaf. Hahaha. I'm single & I know my son will be delighted to tackle less, as opposed to MORE.

[@CB-jh1pt]

@@CvilleA2ZMom I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so pleased that you and siblings had time and space to grieve while moving things… I’m sure it made the world of difference and she’d be pleased that her hard work made your life and remembering her easier ♥️

[@barnowlwatcher]

You speak many truths…last week I decluttered a kitchen drawer driving me nuts and found FIVE ice cream scoops…and there are only TWO of us living in this house!!! Inspired, I plowed through two more drawers…five vegetable peelers…literally every utensil had multiple duplicates! There is no excuse to live with this much over consumption. Thank you Dawn for reminding me to just keep moving towards a house with less inventory.

[@rw8873]

I'm convinced they breed in the dark of the drawers!

[@marilynndesilva7620]

Recently found 17--- that's SEVENTEEN---screwdrivers in ONE drawer in the garage (mixed in with random small tools and debris) 🙄

[@brendamcelyea1246]

@@CovidIsVascular 😂😂😂

[@tiabarrett7816]

😅😄😄😄

[@judylloyd7901]

@@marilynndesilva7620 Oh well, not all screwdrivers are alike. There are different kinds and different sizes. I think I have 3, but they're all different.

[@katrinagascho6165]

Our city has an amazing program called The Little Library of Things. It works just like a regular library, but the things you can borrow are in the categories of Kitchen Tools , Camping Gear, Gardening Tools, Outdoor Activities , ect, ect. It is AMAZING because people donate the stuff they don't regularly use ( for me, it was a crock pot, canning equipment and bread maker) to give us back real estate in the kitchen...and if I ever need it, I can borrow it back for a week! Saves SO much time, money and space. My husband grabs extra camping gear there as needed. Really a great solution for maybe a group of friends who live close and could share :)

[@vjd431]

That's a great idea!!

[@lrhudy93]

That's so neat. Can you tell more about it? Is it in a building?

[@katrinagascho6165]

@@lrhudy93 it is! A donated space within a community building. There is a $20 yearly membership fee, and volunteers that have it open for several hours 2-3 days a week. Its simple and effective!

[@kathrynbrown109]

That is SO awesome! Wish we had one!

[@beckyharding6571]

What a GENIUS idea. 😱

[@christietitus193]

I have a funny story, I am sitting here with my husband watching you, he is on his own device doing his own thing, he then says oh, is that Dawn? I had such a chuckle!! It's as if we are friends! Thanks as always for being in our home and giving good tips :)

[@fWendolyn]

I share Dawn’s videos with hubby. He calls her “the Tidy Girl.”

[@patdennis2586]

-this happens at my house, too, Christie!

[@JosieVanDeKer]

I have tea sets, dish sets, 23 forks, spoons, cups, glasses, mugs and no family they all died! 😂😂 it’s comical because o haven’t had a guest over in ten years! It’s just me and my son! You’re changing my outlook! Thank you!!!!

[@tammydressler4876]

That fantasy self thing... had to deal with that last week. I had recently pulled my box of cross stitch stuff off the shelf in the garage because my daughter wanted to make floss bracelets with the grandgirls, and I knew there was a bunch of floss that I could spare. I have not done cross stitch for at least two decades, but I have fond memories of working on cross stitch projects. So, the box sat in our living room for a couple weeks waiting for me to go through it. I finally went through the box, gave my daughter all the extra floss, and packed everything else back in the box. That is when I realized that it was my fantasy self who thought I would actually use all that Aida cloth, hoops, frames, and floss. So, I pulled out the remaining floss and gave that to my daughter, took photos of what was left, except one project that I truly have always wanted to do, put the lot of it on our local Buy Nothing group and begged someone to take it off my hands before my fantasy self decided that I needed to keep it. That one project is in a quarantine box. And the rest has happily gone to someone who can use it now. One less box of inventory to worry about.

[@kellycarter2497]

Great idea. A buy nothing group, to get rid of things I can't sell or recycle.

[@janeweston826]

Well done Tammy!!

[@franmcdonald4702]

I recently went through cross-stitch Supplies and passed it on to My granddaughters who were glad to have it since it's hard to find these days.

[@patriciaalbertson5183]

Quarantine box... I like it

[@seachellegramma9847]

I'm slowly purging with my buy nothing groups help. I really hope the people asking are in need, not hoarders though.

[@nancyoppegard6665]

Your "fork theory" reminded me of staying in a vacation cabin where they have left you one or two forks per person, along with all the other "necessities" for your stay. It's not an imposition, it's freeing and you have a totally unencumbered time. There are just enough towels, sheets, dishes, etc. You've pointed out how our homes can be just as freeing. Thanks for the insight.

[@catharinabra]

I agree, this is the feeling I always want to come home to after a vacation as well. Of course I have a bit more stuff than a vacation cabin, but I do want that ”simple” and light feeling I have when I’m on vacation and don’t have a lot of stuff to manage.

[@vickilennon2556]

Dawn has a great video on this! The holiday house set up, and replicating this in your own home...

[@ebufi7957]

How does she know that I have more forks that I need? Amazing!

[@chantillyviolin]

I've kept what I call "vacation portions" of silverware and dishes for a few years now. When we went on vacation we always only packed the bare minimum of what we truly needed. No extras of anything. It is so freeing to live this way at home! With just hubby and me, dishes is no big deal. And we have never owned a dishwasher so it's hand washing all the way. I'm spread this theory to my bed linens, towels, plates, bowls, glasses...everywhere I possibly can! Love it!

[@mayam6678]

When I first moved and had a house warming party, I asked my friends and family to bring lawn chairs, because I han no sofa yet and only 2 chairs. It was so much fun and people where happy to bring their chairs....😂

[@KR-os6nn]

What a great idea! I love it!

[@trinam2503]

This is how my family does most holidays! Whoever is hosting does the main dish and everyone else brings all the sides. And we all bring our own lawn chairs. No one has enough seating for everyone, nor does anyone have the storage for that many extra chairs. We have always done this, and it works out so well 🙂

[@donawadkins1906]

My mother lived with me for ten years. We had combined two households and we had stuff! I lost her last November. We lived in a four bedroom house with a garage and a shed and a screened in porch. I have worked for a year simplifying. I actually turned my smallest bedroom into a “time out” room. I am amazed at things I have been able to pass on to friends, family and/or donate. Thanks to this video I will be revisiting my silverware drawer tomorrow. Minimalism for me is a process and boy does it feel good! Thank-you.

[@cin4195]

Something else you said brought something to mind. Don't get me wrong everything you say is 100% awesome! But if someone is having trouble with mindset and they like to take vacations and love the look of a nice clean hotel room, instead of leaving the house, they could quickly create a home they don't want a vacation from. Pack what you would want to take if you were leaving your house for 3 months. Other than important documents and pictures, you can probably safely discard the rest

[@nice_flowers_are]

I am getting to experience this in real life! We're doing a three month job contract and just brought what we need. There have been a few things I've missed, but there's so much I know we don't need!

[@alicenenigar843]

Great idea !!!

[@sherylporter9557]

When I went to London, I lived out of a suitcase for 5 months. That is when I realised that I didn't need much to be happy. ☺️

[@anaalves3658]

@@nice_flowers_are I'm in the same situation. When I unpack again I will be saying goodbye to things I didn't miss 😁👍

[@maryellenerikson1397]

I have a bin in my basement with our old silverware, hand-me-down plastic plates, cups and bowls, a big tablecloth and various paper plates and decorations. It is labeled "Party supplies" and when we have a birthday or other get-together where we have more people than silverware, we pop it out, use what we need and slide it back on the shelf when we are done. I am SO happy I did that. We have a small kitchen with very little storage and were constantly hindered by the stuff we used, but only used a few times a year. When we lived in an even smaller home, one of my side tables was actually a storage bin with a flat top covered with a tablecloth. Being free of too much stuff eliminates stress and doesn't mean you have to live with nothing, it is finding the balance for your life situation. Another plus is you can share your excess with someone who might not have enough!

[@mscheapskate]

I’m watching this on a Thursday night 🤣 Guess I have 2.5 hrs! 🤔 😅 I’ve got this! 💪🏼

[@thelmakatherine5396]

Sometimes having the personal rule of "Don't put it down; put it away" also helps. No matter how little you have if it does not have a home or never goes home, the work you did to declutter seems like a never ending task.

[@jlbnerdy]

Had my "Dawn would be proud" moment the other day: made a huge to do list & saw like 8 tasks related to clothes. And I then realized there is too much inventory in that area. Thank you for helping me get to this point!

[@KhushnaShah]

Yayyyy!! Well done 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@jlbnerdy]

@@KhushnaShah ❤❤❤

[@ktortora611]

Don’t you just love when those “Dawn” moments come to you?

[@judylloyd7901]

@@ktortora611 Yes! Suddenly it "Dawned" on me! Lol 😄

[@holly5791]

It's so interesting that this is your subject today. I have recently asked myself, why I still have 2 full sets of silverware in my kitchen drawer. I'm disabled, don't cook or entertain anymore... Isn't it interesting how we just get used to looking at something and don't see a reason to change it. So, here's my plan: Take the set that has a nice wooden chest, the first set my mom gave us after we married, and put it away. I have a 16 year old granddaughter, who loves to cook, and just may want it...leaves me with less inventory. Ahhh, I can breathe easier already. Just a suggestion, I always carry a zipper bag with extra forks, spoons, straws and napkins in the console of my truck. Now, before someone gets on my case about more waste...I wash and reuse them.🙂👍

[@goconnor0304]

I carry extra cutlery and a can opener in the trunk of my car as part of the emergency storage - along with canned food etc.

[@Pamela-B]

I keep the extra plastic silverware, straws, napkins from fast food and stash them in my console. I can’t tell you how many times they’ve come to our rescue.

[@rhondacurrier4592]

I try to avoid plastic utensils/objects/wrap as much as possible...trying to make a smaller footprint alongside this minimal path. Its really not that hard...😊

[@jenkopp]

We tried the one kitchen item per person for years, the only problem was with only three of us we couldn’t fill the dishwasher. Life is too busy to be hand washing everytime we ate so I recently bought two extra sets, now we have 9 plates which is generally enough to have 6 in the dishwasher and three ready to go. The system works much better now, and it’s still a relatively small amount of dishes to keep up with.

[@eadancer07]

Loading and unloading the dishwasher takes as much time as hand washing dishes! We only hand wash ours and we’re a family of 5.

[@claremiller9979]

Dishwashers use significantly less water than hand washing so we do it partly because it's actually better for the environment being it or not. Also i don't know how you do your hand washing but ours, just the items which we cannot put in the dishwasher, takes significantly longer than loading and unloading the dishwasher. I wish i could put even more in the dishwasher than i can but you can't put wooden stuff in there so 🤷

[@Melshed]

@@claremiller9979I agree, I’m a from-scratch cook with 3 kids at home with me all day, and I had to hand wash everything for 15 years. Now I have a dishwasher and it astonishes me that anyone could even compare them! I save at least an hour every day, and I still hand wash all the pots and pans, casserole dishes, knives, plastic lids, all wooden items… a lot. And bonus: my kids can load and unload the dishwasher on their own 😅 it’s been amazing, I don’t think I could go back.

[@JaneH3675]

I'm 60, never owned a dishwasher, and raised 3 kids. We did fine without it. Grates on my nerves to hear someone complain about dishes when they have a dishwasher. 🤷‍♀️

[@Melshed]

@@JaneH3675I don’t feel like we’re complaining, just saying that in our households, a dishwasher has been an incredible time-saver. Please save your nerve grating for other issues, this seems like something not worth stressing yourself about!

[@annatheawesome1]

We regularly host parties and have at least a dozen guests so its beneficial to have a full set of cutlery

[@24carrotgold8]

As I am working through 40 years of miscellaneous boxed papers, I found a quote from the time my fantasy self wanted to be a songwriter. "If songwriting is not on your schedule, you are not a songwriter!" So if decluttering is not on my schedule, I am not a declutterer! I need to schedule and execute my time to actually make the progress. 🥺👍🤗

[@lynettebodell6803]

“There is no extra value by having more”…… I like that idea because I get stuck on the idea that I want to be prepared for the “what if”. I want to have gloves for the cousins, toys for other peoples children when they come play, and of coarse plenty of forks, cups and spoons! Lol 😂 New idea you have given me: I accept the risk that I won’t have everything because I get to have the benefits of having a simple life! I like this statement. I think it is really powerful so I can own my space back Thanks for your positivity, kindness and love! It is always motivating to me 💕

[@HomesteadingChicks]

My teenager gets overwhelmed. We did just the closet floor. 3 categories of keep bins, trash, donate. She got through the whole task. Your rules helped greatly!

[@edl6398]

I just want to thank you for the major impact you have had on my life. I'm 63 and retiring in a foreign country in a few months. I am taking a lifetime of stuff and reducing it down to 4 large suitcases. Had I not found your videos, I would never have been able to manage this task. Trying to do this alone, without guidance, was beyond my capabilities. I actually just considered chucking the whole idea because of "stuff." Then, the powers that be brought up your videos in a KZbin search. There were so many other videos on this topic but your advice really resonated with me. The thing I love the most about you is that you present minimalism as a concept to us as individuals and not a "formula for all" out of a book. Going by a formula from a book doesn't allow for much individual thought. You teach us the philosophies and the concepts of minimalism and then show us/tell us what worked for you, but let us define what works for us. That requires a lot of thinking on our part but makes it so much easier to part with items and really decide what is important to us. This is what makes your work so special. Not only that, but you talk us through the pain of getting rid of things in stages, dealing with the money we have spent, our illusions of future use, and the psychological freedom minimalism will bring to us as people. My four suitcases are not yet full and probably won't be. I thought I would need seven suitcases or more. Yet, I originally was going to pay $10,000 for a 40-ft container to have my stuff shipped down there, like so many other retirees do because they take everything. That's fine for them. But now I have $10,000 to spend on life experiences, like watching birds in the Amazon Rainforest and traveling to Europe next year. My friend came over and said, "Won't you need more suitcases than that?" I said, "No. I've been studying minimalism with the Minimalist Mom and I don't actually have much anymore and it's wonderful. I will buy the basics of what I need down there." She looked at me like I had an eye in the middle of my head so I sent her your KZbin page. Sorry about the long-winded comment here but I have wanted to thank you for a long time. I'm incredibly grateful for the freedom you have given me in my mind, heart, and body. You are truly a gift to us all.

[@DemetriPanici]

*“It’s not always that we need to do more but rather that we need to focus on less.” - Nathan W. Morris*

[@siobhancapell]

The concept that you speak of about having to manage everything you own is what changed everything for me a few years ago. I still have way too much, but with every extra thing I don't have to manage, I feel lighter and happier. Thank you, Dawn! Also, the colour of your kitchen cabinets, your lighting set up and your make up today make your eyes pop so much. You're gorgeous. xo

[@kristaweaver505]

My husband and I are building a house after living in a mobile home for 24 years. I think I’m more excited about having a good reason to declutter than I am about building the house. I believe that starting with a clean slate is going to help me implement better routines because I won’t have to work around clutter.

[@returnofthereasoner3200]

Good for you guys! Enjoy your home!

[@sallyrichter1732]

Don't fall into the trap that many people do when they get a larger home by trying to fill it with stuff!

[@kimfontaine7453]

Oh I am actually moving from a house into a trailer and I’m doing major decluttering to try to fit in there!!

[@lilongge1304]

​​@@sallyrichter1732 YES! This happens over time, until suddenly you realize what you allowed to happen! (Speaking from experience).☹️. Luckily, this "managing inventory" mindset has helped me to understand what my threshold is.

[@JenniferNewLife144]

@@kimfontaine7453right I feel like houses or just a lot of work like the lawn and pulling weeds , I’m just overwhelmed lol

[@traceyrees3668]

Hi Dawn, you have absolutely changed my life, my house is more peaceful, less stuff and it has improved my relationship with my husband 😊 thank you so much. I absolutely love you 😍

[@kcotjo]

I just sold a set of snowman dishes that I never used. A beautiful set. I think what helped me most about selling them was not over-thinking it. I loved them at the time of purchase but only used the bigger plates when I hosted Thanksgiving at my home. Otherwise never used them. Almost on impulse one day, I put them on FB marketplace and immediately sold them. I boxed them up, and met the person who bought them. I also the same day, sold a 7 ft Christmas tree that has been in our attic for probably 12 years. Same thing, didn't over-think it and just sold it. Your channel has helped me SO much. I have learned that I don't want to "manage" this stuff any longer. Thank you for reminding us about all these tips to downsize!!! My grown sons and their wives do not want my stuff!!!!!

[@notyoung1808]

This is what I needed to hear. I was paralyzed from deciding how far to declutter because I might need it in the future and I don’t want to buy more. Your words were so liberating. My house may not be minimalist by Friday but by mind is. THANK YOU!

[@mallorygraf8574]

Exactly! I was decluttering my closet this weekend and my mind became paralyzed from all the decision making. It all becomes overwhelming.

[@flapdoodlecacklberry]

You are so good at what you do! I really appreciate your positive cheerful encouraging presence and how you help so many people including myself!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you so much Leonna, that really means a lot!

[@lbmartinet]

Accepting the risk is a mind blowing thought for some people. It’s always ask a friend “oh can you help me and bring an extra platter or a cake slicer or chairs whatever” and the friend is so delighted to help / contribute. Everyone wins.

[@katherine5354]

I love this! This is literally the theme of my week...except by Sunday instead of Friday. I have been purging for a while but I am so ready to get it to where I want it that I literally booked off the entire week and I am going room by room and getting rid of all the stuff that I have had a hard time letting go of, but am in a place to finally let go. You video was like a confirmation that I am on the right track with the right mindset.

[@victoria9663]

Woohoo, you go! I hope you make fabulous progress!

[@adrianpoolefamily9437]

I have found that decluttering for me has been like layers of an onion. Every few weeks I do another sweep of my kitchen and I wonder why I didn't see these items the first time I decluttered. Sometimes it is that I am now ready to donate certain items that I just wasn't ready to let go earlier. Love watching your videos. They keep me motivated in my journey of living with less.

[@letstalkbabywearing]

I started going through and substantially decreasing the amount of items in our home about a week ago. I've already gotten rid of four loads of donations (back of SUV filled) and so much garbage. I still have a long ways to go, but I have a 2-month timeline as we have new flooring installed around that time and our nanny will no longer be with us at that time as well. Your videos have been such great motivation and I appreciate them so much! I've been watching for years, but I'm finally in a placementally where I am making huge shifts in the amount of stuff and clutter in our house. It's been 5 years in the making and I'm so thankful to finally be here!

[@kcotjo]

Also Dawn has the Today Show or Hoda and Jenna ever contacted you about doing a weekly, monthly segment on their show? You provide such informative ideas on how to declutter and minimize!! They are missing out!!!

[@irenehinojosa6629]

I love how simplistic you explain minimalism you have a gift and help more people than you know. Way to go Dawn! 🤩

[@fromheadtofood]

Love it how you look at minimalism from all angles and then how you explain your thoughts to us. I am sure many people will have their AH HA moment listening to you. I had mine (the invisible to-do list and empty holiday home idea) and I cannot thank you enough for giving me that. It has changed our lives so much. Still some work to do,but it's SO much better than before

[@clairejones5373]

Definitely agree. Mine was the Silent To Do List ❤️

[@fromheadtofood]

@@clairejones5373 haha that's what I meant too: the silent to-do list. (Our inventory is definitely not "invisible"! ;-)) It has made such a difference in our home, I cannot say it enough. I am very grateful for Dawn's sharing her experience with all of us. xx Irma

[@karynnekrasowski3525]

Which videos were these in? I'd love to watch them!

[@r.w.kornegay180]

@head to Food Where can I learn about the *empty holiday home* idea?

[@darrisnelson5223]

Packing up and moving your household gets you really clear really quick!😂 it’s challenging living with a spouse that has a “survivalist“ mentality. We are blessed and that we have joint spaces in individual space. In our joint spaces the agreement is Keeping it clear simple and clutter free. We do share an office and his desk is piled high… It’s actually rather horrifying! 🙀 But that’s his space and I don’t touch it. ❤️

[@NaomiC336]

I’ve been decluttering like crazy. Made a huge dent and I’m really into this. I’ve thrown so much junk away, I have a donation box going. I’m doing the “only what fits into this space” concept. It’s amazing.

[@aenigmatica8]

Every video you post is a gem. There’s always a new key that you give us. 🔑

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Thank you, Dawn! I really needed to hear this today. I'm going to turn off my computer then go upstairs to start decluttering my two storage rooms, formerly known as my daughters' bedrooms. Wish me luck! ~Margie

[@heathers.4527]

Best of luck! I hope by the time you read this you have more peace in your life by letting go of the things that are weighing you down!

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Ooh...lots of work, but bigger rewards. Hope you have a productive day!

[@debsmith7460]

Good luck Margie! You can do it!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Thanks for the encouragement, I brought two big boxes of donations down from one room yesterday, and in a bit, I'm going to dive back into that same room ...for round 2.

[@צביהשבט]

Good luck!!! Enjoy!

[@kathleensmith1797]

I have been watching your videos for some time. They are wonderful. I was a daycare provider in our home for 30 years. Our house HAD!! to be and was super organized and super clean or you were dead. It took no time at all to go from clean and organized to totally chaos. 3 yeas ago I retired. 2 years ago our daughter and son in law with their 3 children, and my husband and I traded houses. Since we were moving to a smaller house I decluttered a bunch of stuff. I had 2 huge garage sales and gave away stuff. Since we have lived in our present house I am continuing to declutter and donate. The point I want to make is that I have always been pretty organized. I have always had a donate box handy and been a regular at Goodwill. Whenever a friend needs help cleaning out something they call me. Our grandkids ask me to come over and help them clean when things get really out of hand in their bedrooms. They call it a "Grandma Clean". I really enjoy cleaning, organizing and helping people get stuff out of their house. Even with all these tidy habits I am an active watcher and love all your tips and tricks. I have learned even more from you and Diana. So don't think you are just helping those who are overwhelmed and don't know what to do. Everyone, and I mean everyone, can and do learn new things from your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@cin4195]

Inventory or volume is a crucial part of the process because even a professional organizer can only organized so many physical objects. If you can't find it when you need it it's the same as not having it anyway. All the different reasons for the mindset of excess as well as keeping up with the Joneses, has been very harmful too many people's ability to live a good peaceful life, even and sometimes especially, in their own home. Thank you for everything you do for us and share with us

[@heidilarson5109]

Wow. What a thought: "If you can't find it when you need it it's the same as not having it anyway."

[@cin4195]

@@heidilarson5109 it's obvious to some but not to all

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

Not only if you can't find it when you need it, but if there is so much stuff you have to move to get to it, it's easier to buy another. That used to be me.

[@sallyrichter1732]

I cannot tell you how many times I have repurchased an item because I couldn't find the item when I needed it. So now do you not only have the one thing but now you've got two and you can never find either one when you need it!

[@juliejackman2649]

I like taking pictures of items that mean a lot to me. Takes up much less space and I always try to remember that it's not like I can take it with me after this life. ☺

[@goconnor0304]

Well you COULD get a tomb and list all the items you want with you for the afterlife!!! 😂

[@juliejackman2649]

@@goconnor0304 😂

[@susan5661]

I have learned so much from you. We recently moved, and sorting everything now. I found a large bin in the garage I totally forgot that I had, filled with fall decorations. I peeked in just to confirm, and then immediately put it in my car for my Goodwill trip today. Such FREEDOM! Thanks!!

[@jenpisano5954]

Our Journey through OUR SIMPLER LIFE has been going on for about a year now and I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER! I’m LOVING how my house looks and feels and how quickly I can get my house picked up and cleaned now. I have to completely give you THANKS Dawn for being with me and guiding me on this journey. We don’t live close, but I feel you with me when I watch while I declutter!

[@millerville2000]

After a couple of weeks of watching youtube videos and thinking, processing etc. I dove in for weeks starting at 6am to evening. For 3 months I was getting rid of bags of items, by a year it wasstill about 1-5 items a day. It took me 3x an area to get it to a place where I was happy with. I considered it decluttering for the 1st few months. After that I thought of it as Minimalism when I wanted even less. Not sure if you can become one by Friday since once I started I went at it with a lot of gusto. It has been 3 years this month :) Highly highly recommend it to the point i still listen- Thanks for the videos!

[@sundoesshine8800]

Love how you said you just "went at it 6am... ". I think I may approach it like that so I don't let myself out of it, just plain forget, get sidetracked etc. If I know I have to do it All day, that's inspiring somehow, I can attack it for one day and go to bed not feeling guilty for once. I know starting is the hardest part with me, so maybe this mindset could work, thanks!

[@lawra89]

Minimalism is the way to go. Decluttering is like the first domino in the domino effect of being at more peace with yourself and your surroundings.

[@cleitatreestrong8397]

I think, one year is incredibly quick! My decluttering journey started about 3 years ago, and I am still in the messy middle. I had to learn that I am moving forward very very slowly. That was hard to accept, and I still need to actively be kind to myself. So, I will not be done by Friday, or by next Friday. Therefore, I am *so, so grateful* for your constant support and for reminding me to keep working toward my goal and be happy enjoying the process. It feels great and uplifting to stay in the rooms that are already very close to being "finished". Thank you, Dawn and Tom and Diana 💝, and all of you uplifting people 😉!

[@patriciaalbertson5183]

Me Too 😊

[@kmac2482]

I hosted a family dinner (15 people total) and I had to improvise with not having a gravy boat (which I never normally use), not quite having enough utensils (so the kids used dessert forks for their meals). Nothing big, but my mom commented that maybe I had decluttered too much. Not really....I never had enough utensils/plates etc for a setting of 15 (who does unless you regularly host huge gatherings?). I am fine with making do and being resourceful and therefore not having tons and tons of stuff in my cupboards that only gets used very occasionally. Just goes to show that not everyone will agree when you decide to prioritize your belongings, and that is ok. But its sometimes hard when its close family.

[@teresatierney4817]

My major declutter was started by a flooding issue in the basement. I keep the living areas fairly clear, but had let the basement become a dumping ground. Well a small area flooded = a new basement floor = massive declutter in a week. Everything had to move so the floor could be installed. So why move it back? With the right motivation, we can do a lot in a small amount of time.

[@holly1576]

You've given me a lightbulb moment!! 💡 I've literally never considered NOT using the full set of forks, dishes, etc. I'm going to take half the set and put it away in an empty cabinet and only use them when company comes! Such a genius idea. There's only 3 people in our house!! We don't need a full 8 piece set!! Thank you Dawn!

[@johnnasjourney]

All of it has been so worth it. Everything has a spot now. So everything can go "home" every day. So freeing! The atmosphere in our home is so peaceful, calm, relaxing. Yes, it was hard work, that got easier as I went. Emotional...YES...way more than I really thought it would be. Again, all worth it! EVERYONE, KEEP GOING!🤗😍🙏❤

[@soccertxi]

Dear Dawn, My mind shift started when I helped my dad downsize after my mom passed away. The epiphany was the day we got out her Nativity collection. They traveled and she often brought one home from her trips. We counted....are you sitting down? 70 SETS! S E V E N T Y! I think I decided there and then that I was not going to do that to my kids. Our mantra was "its someone else's treasure now". My dad even attended the estate sale as he wanted to tell stories. I don't always pare down the whole thing, but even gleaning an item or two as I dust makes a world of difference. The biggest part is the mindset. Thank for your continuing your quest to help us destress and declutter.

[@barbarahvilivitzky1092]

Thank you so much for these ideas. I feel my biggest problem right now is I want to go too fast - then I feel overwhelmed. We have been great with getting rid of the obvious "stuff" that has been clogging our home - now it's time for a deeper layer, but that is harder and I want it done right now!! But taking it slow and not being so hard on myself as you say will help.

[@thisnthatcormak]

I think one of the biggest things is discovering why your house is the way it is and why you want to change it. I used retail therapy to make purchases to make myself feel better at the time. I realized I didn't need to buy things to be happy. Once I got by that I buy hardly anything now and way more is going out than is coming in. We have more money and I'm having less and less stress as I purge. It feels so good to see it go. I'll never be a Minimalist but I'm m getting much closer. I really look at what we need versus what I want to display. Thanks for the great videos Dawn!

[@SugarMamma]

This video was so encouraging! It really shows we're all on the same frugal journey and that no matter how difficult it is, with dedication you'll reach your goals. Some things I've done in my latest minimalism video is sell all my kitchen appliances I barely used like my waffle maker and make the kitchen counters as clutter-free as possible! xCC

[@rhondaadams4013]

Many of us appreciate you more than you will probably ever know. You message is very fitting for this cluttered generation. I can positively say that I've heard your message and I am being freed, or delivered from, the oppressive thought trap of thinking I should keep this and that for "JUSTIN CASE". God will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19). I just feel "sweet freedom!!!" :) :)

[@debe9976]

Dawn, I especially appreciate the encouragement to keep going. I have been working on this for almost 8 months and I am struggling to stay motivated when I see how much more there is to do. Thanks.

[@ulandibrewer6081]

Your hair looked so beautiful today Dawn. Just had to let you know. Loving the length and relaxed curls. And off course, thanks for the encouragement as always. Excited about your workbook too! 😁👍

[@dianag5092]

Yes!! And your makeup was perfect! You look fresh😀 and beautiful

[@GiveIt_Time]

Yes I agree BEAUTIFUL !! And please share your skincare routine, All lines are GONE ! Aging Backwards lol 😆!! Please share. And as always another Great Message , Thank You !!

[@Ruthie843]

@@dianag5092 I agree, Dawn your makeup is perfect! thank you for all the tips, again!

[@bertholdstefanie6175]

Dear Dawn, so thankful you inspire me on my decluttering journey. My kitchen does have extended space in the basement on top of the pantry shelves. There I keep all the barbecue stuff, I keep a bigger dutch oven for stews in autumn and winter, my cheese fondue and raclette sets, and as we are a hospitable family, I do have extra plates there as well: we bought two boxes of kitchen stoneware, put double family size into the cabinets and the matching(!) extras into the basement, and a shoe box with the old cutlery and extra serving tools. As well I keep my baking tins, a serving stand and cake-carrier, picknick gear and two boxes of simple wine and champagne glasses. That is roughly two metres of storage space - but out of sight and used regularly. I reduced a lot (mostly ornamental and little functional) and I am so thankful, it is a real relief and makes my life a lot easier to have a home for everything. But in this phase of life those are my essentials and I allow them this space in my life, and I enjoy them, when they are in season.

[@aleithea2715]

Dawn, you looked particularly beautiful today. What a super video. I loved the fork illustration. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Your lovely house just radiates peace.

[@dawnie3029]

Loved this video. My husband and I got home from a summer trip in our RV on July 23rd. We started decluttering and 4 weeks later our 2,000 square foot house was sold and we moved into the RV. We got rid of most of our “stuff”. We’re actually in a rental home for the week as we have some work done on our RV at the Winnebago factory. I thought this would be a nice change, but all we keep saying is this house has too much stuff. The flat surfaces are full of decorations, there’s way too many pieces of furniture in all the rooms, in general it just feels like too much inventory. I can’t wait to get back to our simplicity!

[@augustineschaefer5522]

I don’t have any minimal friends here where I live so I really appreciate just how practical you are about this. Like who really wants to have to clean the kitchen when the Bundt cake inspiration hits?????

[@wendystanley9744]

Since I found you and started watching your videos I feel like my life quality has improved. Thank you. It's hard to release bad purchases but once you do, you get so much tranquillity and self-respect. The purging makes you wiser going forward in your purchasing. And I think of people that genuinely need what I do not, and my items finding their way to them. I'm sure there's an unseen angel flow happening.

[@samschrock4891]

Your videos are so helpful to me at a time in my life where I am overwhelmed by all my stuff (I will be 70 this year). I am a spending a little bit of time every day getting rid of things and it is very freeing! Thank you for all you are doing!!

[@jazzie_wolf]

I've been slowly decluttering over the past two years and we just moved. I realized we STILL have too much stuff and I'm so thankful I got rid of the things before because this move would have been so so hard otherwise!

[@Rugirl97]

We have a Chick-fil-A date in the car every time. Less is more and feels so liberating. Thank you for the inspiration and motivation on this minimalist journey. I just adore you!

[@HomeLifeWithLove]

This channel has helped me a lot with my decluttering mission! I’ll never be a true minimalist, but I have both donated and thrown away about 15 trash bags at least of stuff we have kept that wasn’t useful or enjoyable in any way! I’m not finished, but it already feels so much better! I have also been working on contentment, because that’s the key to me not purchasing more stuff I don’t need or would actually put to good use.

[@iamaShrub]

I love the reminder of “keeping the goal(s) in front of us”. That’s what I did today before I got started on a little cabinet I was decluttering; I read over a couple of the inspiration reminders I’ve picked up from you, turned on my music, started my stop watch and got moving. It was very helpful to keep those long-term visions in front of us. Which is also why I think I like your video SO MUCH, the one where you talk about how “what if today is all we have- how would we handle our stuff, etc” - I really liked that. Keep crushing and moving with the Lord, Dawn!!! I say it all the time, but You are so encouraging and inspiring 🧡☺️

[@Texasmom]

We live out in the country. The closest town for restaurants, groceries, etc. is 20 miles away. Something I started when my kids were small and going into town for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and sports I needed for my car to function as a home away from home. So I began by packing a home away from home bag. It included disposable silverware, salt and pepper packages, paper towels, first aide kit, and extra clothes. Even though my kids are grown, I still follow this. I pack a change of clothes for my grands and all the other stuff mentioned. It really helps and doesn’t take up much space. We travel a good bit so I always have extra restaurant utensils, napkins, and condiments in my console. We have so often been like you and begin to eat a meal in the car or in the road and we don’t have everything we need so this helps us. When we get takeout to carry home I always ask them to forgo plastic utensils and condiments but sometimes they forget. I can’t stand to throw them out so I save them all and donate them somewhere or use them when we have a power down situation. As always I love your videos. You always inspire me to do better and I’m 6 months into the process of becoming a minimalist. It does get easier as you go along.

[@shelbys2750]

Yes, we live pretty far out and my van is well equipped and it doenst take much space or management.

[@victoria_ann]

Wow I love the way you break minimalism down as a mom it’s so so helpful and less overwhelming than other videos I’ve seen and being extreme minimalism. Having a point of view from a mom is so helpful because having kids they need toys and what not. Thank you.

[@SK-jp2ok]

Watch the video bc it is very helpful 👏 1. More is not more 2:01 2. Accept the risk 4:35 3. Keep the goal in front of you 7:40 Thank you Dawn for helping me feel like minimalism is possible!

[@gingermonette7455]

That was really good. Especially appreciated the truth about 'risk.' Being aware of that embarking on the decluttering journey gives freedom to know 'yes, there are risks, BUT IT'S OK.'

[@ramonawhisenant2045]

It is such a joy to have you in my life -- even if it is just through KZbin!!

[@sarahaziz2896]

I have 6 kids and worked full time. We had lots of stuff. People would give us stuff and I just would never get rid of stuff. Finally one day I had enough of all the stuff and just chaos and feeling like I was always cleaning but it never looked organized. Wow best thing I ever did was get rid of stuff. A few van loads to donation, and a few garbage bags later. Felt so freeing and light. Of course with the help of my minimalist friend.

[@susan5661]

Your strength and passion for minimalism gives me such vigor to continue on. Thank you Dawn! p.s. Your brisk cadence is so refreshing in contrast to the slow, soothing, put me to sleep that some other minimalists use ❤️

[@lynnfendlason4277]

It can be overwhelming to contemplate simplifying your home. I started by organizing/simplifying my linen closet. That led to an organized clothes closet, then an organized pantry, then minimalizing dishes and kitchen gadgets/appliances. Now, half the rooms in our home have been decluttered. Baby steps lead to success. :)

[@lindamusser7370]

It's great when you have daughters who live close. We can share "forks." I especially like the reminder that we all make buying mistakes. I'm glad you said it took you a year. That is encouraging. The mindset shift is SO important!

[@shannonmurphy9790]

Who can argue with that?! I love your simple explanations. I have way too much silverware and have started putting pieces into a large ziplock bag and hiding it in my china closet. It's been a year and I've never taken any of it back out. In fact, I'm due to put more into the ziplock!

[@tinaflo7118]

Since I been watching your channel I have been decluttering more, learning if I really need it. , I was cleaning out these huge boxes in my garage and there were huge, can you believe I cleaned out four boxes out of eight with no hesitation, honestly I felt like I lost thirty pounds, it felt good. Thank you Dawn

[@kathrynstyer354]

When you said “ Your not a messy person, your not disorganized, you just have too much inventory to manage!” I cried!!!!!!!! I’m still choked up. Thank you for saying that! Ive accepted that identity and its not even true! 😍

[@suzanneporterfield3631]

Thanks Dawn, this is a great reminder. This made me think what my husband once told me when I was tempted to buy more than one pair of pants (that I loved) for fear of not finding them again. He said very logically, "But Suzanne, you can only wear one pair at a time". Mic drop. 🎤🤔

[@lisablais7913]

Our clothes were out of control, and I used to dread laundry because it would take all day... We have decluttered our closets and now all my family's laundry fits into 1 load for clothes and 1 load for towels. We wash our sheets + bedding once every 2 wks. It's been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and we feel so much better now. It's been 2 months since we've done this. Never going back. 😀

[@candycandyissodandy]

I’ve watched every single video of yours over the years and I’m still shocked how you cover minimalism in a new way and inspire me every single time. Thank you for the inspo on how to create a wonderful home - I want this for my family and feel empowered because of you.

[@sundoesshine8800]

So true, I mean, how many ways can you put forth a simple idea of getting rid of stuff and make it interesting, but she keeps doing it, I keep listening for that one big day that I actually get started.

[@AkS143joyful]

This might be my very favorite episode. Thank you for explaining you won't always have the perfect set but for the rest of the year you benefit.

[@michelletucker6790]

I love this, Dawn! I have heard you say these things before, but every time I hear them, it relights the 🔥 in me and gives me the confidence to keep going further! The further I go, the closer I get to experiencing this freedom you feel. Knowing that you also used to beat yourself up over the mess, but now have freedom, helps me to believe that that can be me too! ❤️ P.S. We too eat in the car and I have opened up my Chipotle bowl many times only to find myself without a fork. 😉

[@rg5706]

Thanks for diving into some of the subliminal reasons that keep people from decluttering that the other organization/Minimalism proponents seem to avoid. Accepting the risk of being without something in certain situations is a perfect example of the kind of things I think about that I don’t hear addressed by anyone else. Thank you for all you do!

[@CindDJo]

As I'm working on the new mindset I find myself automatically decluttering areas in my house. I think I'm just trying minimalism on. There are definitely many (most) areas that I could be really happy with less inventory to manage. BTW, I use that phrase all the time now. "Do I really want to manage all this?" More and more often the answer is a resounding "NO!" Your encouragement has been key to the progress I have made and I'm really proud of us (you and me!) Thanks Dawn!!

[@sundoesshine8800]

Yes, I've noticed I've started saying that as well, "do I really want to "manage" an item?... instead of just placing something I didn't really need back on a shelf. Helps me get rid of those "I don't know what to do with this items" so much easier because one thing I Do usually know is that don't t want to spend time managing it, so off it goes!

[@catherineross7776]

Listened to a radio podcast the other day about de-cluttering. They said "Forget about finding your WHY. Find your LESS!" Lightbulb moment right there!

[@LadySabrinaFair]

I simply adore you! Your channel and course is my favorite thing to view right now! So many wonderful tips and encouragement. Thank you!

[@aubreysamericangirldollcha2778]

So our stuff came finally, 6 weeks to the day after we moved across the continent. We found ourselves decluttering as we unpacked, since everything had just been in a huge time will tell bin. My husband was unpacking his T-shirts and shared with me that he wanted to get rid of some but didn’t know how to decide. I was like, “OH! I can help with this! The minimalism lady and her husband say, if it’s not a hard yes it’s a no.” Just a few minutes later, all of his T-shirts fit into one small dresser drawer. Thanks for all the great, simple, do-able advice, Dawn.

[@rosatolano8605]

Haha I’ve actually had a post it in my junk drawer that is my reminder and keeps me going. It says “ minimalism won’t work if procrastination is still a problem” maybe it’s not worded right but it reminds me that I won’t Feel the Benefits and peacefulness of having less if I don’t keep up with what I have.

[@MendedAndWholeLife]

Good one! 👏🏻💕

[@kimberlyg06]

When you said “I couldn’t care less” I got all giddy, she said it correctly! Lol word nerd over here 🙋🏼‍♀️😆

[@cjrrob7336]

Dawn im so glad you do what you do on your channel. You've helped so many people in such an easy manner. Cluttered, disorganized homes truly effects peoples lives & you are showing us how to see it & understand it. The tools you share as in your own experiences gives simple ways to fix it & that, IMO is really valuable. Well done!

[@balleremma7959]

My goal after 31yrs of marriage, 6 children and now 4 grandchildren I’m doing major decluttering I am clean and organized and use 75% But after watching and rethinking Changing my mindset I could get rid of more!! Thank you Dawn it’s changed my life and I’m helping others too 🤗🙏🏼

[@terriharper7504]

Dawn….you look SO pretty today! Your hair and makeup just look so natural and clean! Love your look! Always enjoy your videos and since following you for the past year and implementing your suggestions, my home has been transformed as well as my mindset! THANK YOU!!! Please keep doing more videos and tell Tom I think he is just adorable when you two are doing videos together! He cracks me up! Love hearing him say “Byyyyyyyyeeee!” at the end of the videos!🤣

[@laurathronson667]

I thought the same :)

[@Godblessed2]

Heard a fantastic John MacArthur sermon on contentment today. Contentment is king of minimalism!