I decluttered 1,000 books (planners, journals, notebooks & more!)

Thank you RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding for sponsoring! Visit rvmattress.com/minimalmom to get 25% off your mattress with code MinimalMom
🖤 I N T H I S V I D E O
Private Mentorship Group: cli.re/minimal-mom-private-group
Previous Childhood Bedroom Declutter Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqfQm5dpiMuHm9Esi=nDgSC3Vv23JwYxuv
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: amzn.to/3QU1bRO
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🖤 L E T ' S S P E N D M O R E T I M E T O G E T H E R :
Facebook: minimalmom/
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Today I'm back in my old childhood bedroom to do a massive book declutter! We'll answer all of your questions about decluttering:
- fiction books
- non-fiction books
- children's books
- sentimental books
- planners, journals, bible studies & conference notes
Plus, how to keep books tidy and organized, too!
🖤 R E C E N T L Y M E N T I O N E D
Buy the Bundt Cake Book (& Donate) here: cli.re/bundt-cake-recipe-book
Decluttering by Faith Devotional: cli.re/Devotional
Minimalism by the Numbers Printable: cli.re/Minimalism-Inventory
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Private Decluttering Mentorship Group:
This takes place in a private Facebook group. Here's what you can expect:
- 5-10 minute videos each weekday with guided decluttering tasks
- monthly themes, weekly challenges
- 1 hour live guided decluttering sessions twice a month for accountability
- encouragement & support from other members
- cost is $15/month
This is ideal if you're looking for more motivation & accountability.
To learn more and to sign up, visit here: cli.re/minimal-mom-private-group
..................................
🖤 DECLUTTERING PLAYLISTS
New to our channel & Minimalism? Start Here :: cli.re/START-HERE
Kitchen Decluttering :: cli.re/Kitchen-Decluttering
Storage Spaces :: cli.re/declutter-storage-spaces
Kids' Toys :: cli.re/toys-playlist
Sentimental Things :: cli.re/Decluttering-Sentimental-Stuff
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:: C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G ::
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:: M O S T P O P U L A R O N O U R B L O G R I G H T N O W ::
Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake: cli.re/pumpkin-bundt
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: cli.re/choco-chip-cookie-bars
Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake: cli.re/chocolate-bundt
Minimal Mom Frog Planner: cli.re/Free-Planner
Minimalist Meal Planning System: cli.re/meal-planning
#minimalism #familyminimalism #minimalist
:: M O S T P O P U L A R V I D E O S R I G H T N O W ::
57 Things We No Longer Buy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIW7YWWvZdN9eNk
Organized Minimalist HOUSE TOUR: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4Gag5KZq8yqj9U
Cook MORE, Clean LESS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqWUpp-dedmieqM
How to Declutter WITHOUT Making a Mess: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baq0oqmHbp6AjNk
The Silent To-Do List: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXTcpWaq5mXb5o
**AFFILIATE LINKS! THANK YOU!!!**
..............
🛍 Affiliate links:
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📷 Camera #2 (also really like & easy to use!): Canon M50 amzn.to/3jwkEro with Sigma 16mm Lens amzn.to/3h7YkDd and shotgun mic amzn.to/3jxYYeC
🖤 Tripod: amzn.to/2MMFzHs
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Royalty-free music used with permission from the KZbin Creator Studio, Epidemic Sound and purchased from AudioJungle.net

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding for sponsoring! Visit rvmattress.com/minimalmom to get 25% off your mattress with code MinimalMom Thank you so much for watching! I hope you have a great day! - Dawn

[@shirleygermain5707]

A funny thing just happened today. I had a Amazon delivery man walked up my driveway, My garage was open getting ready to run errands. He said, that is the cleanest garage I have ever seen. I told him I have been decluttering for a while now. He said more people need to do this. Lol

[@babytexan3038]

👏👏👏

[@mandy3486]

We put crap in our garages and leave expensive cars in the elements. Lol

[@JamieM470]

That's awesome! 👏🤸‍♀🤸‍♀🎆

[@28105wsking]

You should be proud! This is the result of the blessings of Flylady, Clutterbug, Minimal Mom and so many others! Plus the horrors of hoarder cleanout videos on youtube! The blessings from those ladies and guys cleaning yards for free just keep going and going and rippling thru the world! Why doesn't every church have a Cleanup Brigade to help people who give them a call for help?

[@laurenhennessy8221]

Way to go! 👏 I love the irony that it was an Amazon driver. I bet he delivers regularly to homes that do NOT need more crap stuffed into them 🤣

[@TarshSherrington]

I've been following you for 4 weeks now and decluttered most of the house. One lady at church was able to redo her wardrobe from my donations. We just don't realise what a blessing our stuff can be. I've now shared your videos with 4 others who are now doing the same. Thanks for being a joy and a blessing.

[@fionaschiffl8065]

Wow! Congratulations to all. It’s always fun when you find someone who inspires you with the right message and a technique that works for you.

[@Teresa1963-xz8mb]

👏👏👏👏

[@sharonjames9615]

🎉🎉🎉🎉. I’m trying to declutter my kid’s stuff. Not things that they saved but that I saved. This is excellent

[@lizzabbott]

Well done ! Enjoy the fruits of your labor ! I bet you feel lighter & freer ! I do every time I declutter !!

[@rachelmunoz]

Wow! You are amazing to make so much progress so fast!!

[@uteme]

When my two sons moved out, one then the other, I asked them to take all of their possessions. They wanted to leave a few things, but I reminded them they were moving out to be "entirely on their own." Well, part of being an adult is working through the kinks of organization. They took their belongings & in the end were glad they had "their own space with their own things." I was, too. A win/win...that was about 20 years ago and guess who is now insisting their children "take all of their stuff!" They finally truly, 'get it.' ♡

[@germainelowe5637]

I love your story. Very similar to mine. I coped with my children’s their possessions for a time while they were single , lived in apartments etc. and had no place to store their items . But as their lives evolved ,there came a day when I finally announced to my children that it was time to pick up their possessions and if they didn’t I was planning to donate them. They came and looked through their boxes only to realize these once prized possessions weren’t as important anymore and off to the thrift store they went. Tough love. 😃

[@megana5658]

I think that’s great. Part of being an adult is managing organization.

[@fionaschiffl8065]

I had a different reaction from my kids. My ex is a hoarder so I think my kids didn’t care that the house was full of boxes. I told my kids when they moved out they’ll have 6 months after finishing uni and training to get their stuff out. I thought that was very fair. They didn’t declutter before moving interstate. 18 months after they finished school, they still refused to get their stuff as they’d moved a few times in that time. I packed it all up and sent it to them. No one was happy with me but I felt so overwhelmed but the ex took over the rest of the store room where the kids’ stuff had been. I’d always kept my stuff under control since I was a teen. I’m sure if I hadn’t sent their stuff that it would have still been there until the divorce 10yrs later. As I knew I’d be divorcing years before, I didn’t want to deal with their stuff at the same time.

[@marthaaschmidt5627]

My husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. He was a pastor and read tons of books. I let friends and pastors take first pick! So I finally donated the last 499 books to a nearby Christian university a month ago. Little by little I'm trying to be minimalistic ❤. You are always an inspiration!😍

[@lizzabbott]

I’m so sorry for your loss ! Great job on being proactive and letting go. I’m sure your dearly departed husband is proud of you

[@tashainjena]

I have just decided to give a young pastor my dad's whole set of Matthew Henry commentaries. My dad passed almost 30 years ago, but the information is still relevant.

[@carolinepierson6776]

Don’t wait until you have to declutter so resonates with me. My step father refused to declutter and down size when he was able. He was happy for it to be someone else’s problem. After a very long illness and a very sad protracted death we are now left to deal with it. My Mum is too old and exhausted after his long illness and I am exhausted from looking after him and my mother. It was a long five years. We feel so trapped in a large house and large property and no energy to manage that let alone declutter and move to some where smaller. Make your home manageable when you are young and fit!

[@jeanetteburt379]

God bless you and your mom. So sorry for your loss. Rest and grieve and then… one thing at a time.

[@kr6484]

Very sorry for your loss. May the Father comfort you, in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach ❤ and yes, rest and grieve and then, one space at a time.

[@ritahealy6757]

I give your mother a lot of credit. If I were her this stuff would be long gone.😊

[@LP-tu8li]

I’m amazed she kept it all!

[@ucfhillcollege8296]

One question I had to ask my mom when cleaning out my childhood room was what she saw for the future of the room. It was surprising to hear her say that she wanted it to be her office and that she would like everything gone. She wanted a clean slate! Hard to hear, but it was a good reminder that it was MY things, not HERS! (and I was living 1500 miles away!!) Dawn, how would that option change how you are going through things now if you knew you could not leave anything there?

[@sheilaenglish9738]

I’m glad you are taking responsibility for your things that were left in your parents’ house. More children should do that for their older parents. They have enough of their own stuff to deal with!

[@sl9906]

Having moved about 16 x, downsized after my divorce and retiring from teaching, then moving each of my parents out of their homes alone and with a chronic illness, I get the heeby jeebies with saving anything. My knee jerk reaction is GET IT OUT NOW! Dawn, you’d be so proud of me seeing how simplified my home is now thanks to you and Cas 💗👏🏻 I love to just go around and look in the mostly empty cupboards “for fun”! 😂 It gives me great satisfaction knowing that when I next move (hopefully heaven) that it will be easy. God bless you all ❤❤❤ 35:10

[@kathykeegan5643]

It's very easy to manage your inventory when it's not in your own home. The only things in your parent's house should belong to them. Do you think they want to manage your jewelry box? You should have emptied those shelves.

[@vikieierdam5516]

We had a small bookshelf up until 2000/2001. We rediscovered the library, donated all our books and I wouldn't go back! I can borrow so much more than I ever would've wanted to own.

[@LetterLadyZ]

We use the library as much as we can, but we have a very small library so we keep books on hand/buy books they don't have and won't order.

[@monamorgan9452]

Question is, would you keep it if it was at your home. If it’s YOUR stuff why isn’t it at YOUR house??? I guess it’s nice to be able to still keep clutter at another’s house lol When we married we took our items to our homes. Mom kept a few pictures of course but that was about all that way her house wouldn’t stay cluttered with our stuff.

[@laurat7324]

I can't believe there is still stuff on those shelves!!! Take it to your own home!!!! I have always loved these videos but this is too much!! Practice what your preach!

[@njmaryannez]

I had moved back home in my 30s and left a few things there when I finally got married. I got rid of (or took back some) when we cleared the house and my mom moved in with us. Luckily, my siblings had taken their stuff- but it did take more than a few years.

[@kimberlyshada9716]

First of all, I love you & your channel. You have given me so much encouragement & help. I am always telling my family..." Dawn says"...😄. I hope this next part isn't offensive to you. I'm wondering how keeping all of your stuff at your parents is any different than having a "storage unit" without cost? Or the container boundries...just at someone else's house. Just my thoughts while I watch this❤❤❤.

[@user-iy3cm7or4u]

My grandmother lived in the same house for 50 years. She raised her 4 kids in the house. When she finally moved, after her last child moved out 25 years prior, she left their rooms exactly as the room was when the child left. That meant that the clothes that were left behind were still in the drawers, including socks and underwear. So when I was 23, and had the summer to help, I went to her house to help clean it out. She made me call her grown children to ask what they wanted done with their childhood trophies, swim suits, etc. My 3 uncles said to pitch it all. ALL of it went to either Goodwill, children's homes, or were set on the lawn for free pick up. My mom wanted her stuff boxed up and brought back with me. And then she went through it all, and pitched most of it. Please do not leave your things in your folks' homes for your own children to have to decide upon. Although, it was really easy for me to make choices because I was not attached to any of it, so if you do need help with that process your children will probably be exceptionally good at it because it isn't their stuff, so they can clean it out with ease. I should also note here that my grandmother was born in 1924, so having been raised during the Great Depression, she was taught to never throw out anything. Waste not, want not.

[@mysticquetzal87]

My dad has 40 years of stuff accumulated in his house, old baby clothes, tax papers from the 1980s… He jokes about how at his age there’s no point decluttering anymore and how we’ll have to deal with it after he’s gone. 😖 I’m never gonna do this to my kids.

[@Angela.0411]

Sheesh! I'm doing it now with my younger son. Older one does not want to be involved.

[@tamarahoward9052]

​@mysticquetzal87 I have gone through this now. With 3 relatives in the last 10 years, I swear I will never do this to my kids. It is emotional and mental torture. My mom, after being a lifetime clutter keeper Has been slowly decluttering her home After seeing what I had to go through with our other relatives.

[@ColleenMarble]

You have been privileged. And before anyone comes for me, hear me out. You have a childhood bedroom to go home to. You have parents who didn't ditch your stuff. You have parents who didn't get evicted and lose everything, or who didn't have to be a single mom who had to move from apartment to apartment every year based on whether she could afford it. You have history, roots, stability. It's not about the size of the house or incomes or whatever. Anyone, rich or poor, who can 'go home' to a 'childhood room' full of 'childhood things' has privilege and stability that many of us have never had. I'm glad I'm giving something different to my own kids (my older son still has his bins of things here after moving out last year). But still, I watch a video like this with all kinds of feelings. Thanks for sharing it, even so. I like this channel because I love to organize or minimize, but then I tend to not become attached to things due to my childhood.

[@lindawynn9042]

This is a great reminder that we all have different reasons for hanging on to stuff and letting go of stuff. It is very important to not judge someone else's decisions. ❤❤❤

[@peggys430]

@@lindawynn9042 so true! I was a military kid & have nothing from my childhood. I didn't have many toys because we couldn't bring much overseas, etc. I don't know what my kids want to keep, but I'm hoping to be more assertive & have them come home to go through stuff. Their dad was & still is the favorite parent because he did the vacations & still has the $ to visit & fly them around. I'm kind of stuck here with all the stuff that the 3 of them left behind.

[@tristavanengen6466]

Thank you for saying this. I was feeling the same way. I've talked to my husband about this lately. I feel the weight of the fact that I don't have that type of stability.

[@ColleenMarble]

@@lindawynn9042 Yes indeed.

[@ColleenMarble]

@@tristavanengen6466 Yes, I feel that weight a lot. And I'm 50, so it's not like it was yesterday. I've built a wonderfully stable life with my husband and two kids, but I still feel the trauma of all the upheaval, and I can't help but feel a little jealous of people who didn't have to go through it. I had about a dozen childhood bedrooms. I can't really fathom the idea of having just one that you can actually go back to visit.

[@mindymudge7247]

I'm confused why you have to leave any of your items at your moms.🤷🏻‍♀️ I know i stored and moved my 4 kids items for years til i started decluttering, then i gave them a time frame to take anything they wanted or i would donate it for them. I did give lewayfor our oldest my little pony items and giant castle. However 3 years ago during decluttering of my storage items i suggested toher and 2nd oldest that the rent a storage shed together and i moved all their items there for them.what a relief, nowonly hVe you gest daughters items to get to her in Virginia 🙄my thought is torent vehicle and transport 8 hrsand enjoy a visit before returning to nc. But so relieved not to be storing all those items any longer. Plusbonus when came to themstoring their items they were more willing topart with a lot of them!👍🏻😊

[@pennyheinrich5552]

I think the remaining books should go to your house and Diana's house.... not left at your parents. Also your jewelry box should go with you. Mom can decorate the shelves the way she wants to.

[@kristencobb230]

Prisons usually accept paperback books. There is a ministry online that helps facilitate this.

[@lisacarter3952]

Good to know👍

[@BayRaeDay]

Ohh! Good to know. I have a lot of personal development books, seems like that may be a good home.

[@veronikam3836]

Great work, Dawn! But would you keep the books, if you had to take them to your own house? It is a great start, but remember that at some point you will have to decide what to do with the rest of the books....

[@juliedavidson5596]

Donate to the library. If they don't shelf them they put them in the book sale fund raiser.

[@claudiayamada8377]

It’s nice that you’re not leaving book declutter for your parents to do. I’m sure they can use the space.

[@tashainjena]

So... I've told this story in a few decluttering Facebook groups, but if you haven't, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it. I used to love to read. And I bought my books because I read in the bathtub, so... danger of dropping. I had ALOT. So, then I had multiple eye surgeries and couldn't see well enough to read print books (I still can read on my Kindle)... but I was going to keep my books 'just in case'. I love animals, and had a Bassett hound and a squirrel I was rehabilitating. They got into my library. Decluttering done. They ate and chewed up 75% of the books, if not more.

[@fionaschiffl8065]

One thing that helped me go through my sentimental stuff was to ask myself if I was just keeping the item because I’ve had it since the 80s or it’s part of a collection. Once I looked at everything objectively, I found I was letting a lot of stuff go without remorse. I also realised I didn’t like a lot of it so there were no regrets. ❤

[@kamidsjournee]

When my kids moved out, they left stuff behind. When we moved out, they had to come get their stuff. I would never have moved it, but I would never have wanted to throw it out, either. It’s as important to not leave the burden for your parents as it is for parents not to leave the burden for their kids.

[@mtheron100]

Wondering how many people still have things at their parents house as an adult? When I left home for varsity at 18, everything went with me. I haven't had any things at their house for almost 18 years(turbing 37 this year). Crazy thought for me to think adults still keep stuff at their parents house.

[@thisnthat42]

I got a year or two of grace as we got established but ultimately I had to take the rest with me and sort it out at my home. It was hard to do and was definitely a journey but was important to deal with it. If it wasn’t important enough to go with me then I didn’t need it. I also think it’s unfair to put this in your parents. They can’t use the space and they have to clean it all and have the mental burden of knowing it’s there. I know some people do this but I’m surprised that Dawn is one of them knowing the benefits of minimalism. Basically putting the burden of keeping sentimental items at someone else’s home just so they can enjoy their own decluttered space.

[@lauramitchell6725]

@@thisnthat42yes,hypocrisy!

[@Mrs.dat4302]

​@@lauramitchell6725 and to @thisnthat42 🎯 Completely agree with you both.

[@peggys430]

@@lauramitchell6725 I was surprised & maybe a little disappointed. I saw the beginning & decided to watch it later.

[@mindylarsen3910]

We don't know the family dynamics or situations... it's very plausible that this is normal for them. (I know others with the same sort of family home set up. Although that wasn't my experience.)

[@sheisatabbym6014]

Dawn, use your own artwork to decorate your room. The guests will love it as a conversation piece. I used my late mom's artwork in my guest room, and people will ask about it. They are pretty good landscapes, so not bad or weird stuff. I love decorating with personal items, not designer items.

[@lisacarter3952]

Love this idea! We are currently building a new house and I plan to decorate with sentimental/keepsake items.

[@sarahfrancescutti9873]

I let go a ton of books and journals, notebooks a few years ago, probably the hardest to let go because I love books and learning. But I told myself the knowledge was still in my mind and I could always get them again if I wanted too. Now I don't miss any of them and am thinking of letting go of even more!

[@tamarahoward9052]

I felt that way. Also, when I realized that I used my Kindle app on my phone daily. And I really don't read hardcover books that much anymore like I used to. I did hang on several old books from my great-grandmother. But I am purging most or donating to our local church who uses proceeds from the store to fund food pantry.

[@tamjg]

First, Marie Konda says she's become messy. And now, we learn Dawn is a book hoarder! 🤣

[@pburke5274]

The charity shops here don't take books anymore. A few years ago, I had quite a collection to get rid of. I drove across town to a dog charity store and they refused them so I stopped at a library close by and they were delighted to take them.

[@ingebaeten1598]

Sorry, but I don't get this. When people move out in our families, we clear out our room. Simple but effective ?

[@YFus825]

Clearing out the room would, of course, be the most effective solution, but it discounts the sentimentality that some parents have for the process of raising their children. People are all “wired” differently and perhaps grandmoms might want to share some of the things with their grandchildren.

[@mindylarsen3910]

That's how it works in my family, but everyone is different.

[@rdb4996]

That is not how it works in my family 🤷

[@kjmav10135]

I went from 27 shelves of books to 9. I do not miss the additional 18 shelves. I kept my myth, folk and fairy tale collections, books of piano music, one Bible, one concordance, a few history references-and the rest went away! Ahhhhh!!!!!!

[@Stevie6636]

This is a really hard and emotional part of my minimalist journey so far. Sorting through old books which really should be in a book museum. Today this is the day I decided to sit on my floor surrounded by all my books. I started to feel that dreaded dread of what do I let go of and what can I keep. I thought about how our education system has changed over the decades. So for me personally, I believe it’s very important to protect and pass on the books from our past for future reference. A good dictionary atlas and first aid handbook is always at hand. Then comes the tricky part. Those beautifully written children’s books that have a way of transporting you to another place like. “The famous five series.” A favourite that delights so many. Thank you for sharing your journey around books..

[@susan5661]

I moved to a Kindle many years ago and have never looked back. We have only a dozen books or so that are specialty and special to us. The bookcases full of books are long gone and I don’t miss them at all. Such a relief to have that open space in my home.

[@andreabee3278]

I wrote an "expiry date" on a post-it note for all the unread novels in my nightstand. Anything I haven't read one year later will get donated, because if I'm not choosing anything on the shelf in that amount of time I'm probably never going to actually read it.

[@cutekitty2488]

Second pass always nets more for the donate box. Last year one of my cousins brought books to family reunion for the younger parents to take what the thought their children would enjoy. Leftovers were donated. I’m planning to do the same this year with the books my son decluttered over the weekend. We may have started a new tradition.

[@smathykins]

Hi Dawn. I have loved your videos and they have helped me so much with decluttering. In this video, as I understand it, you are at your parent’s house. Why do you and Diana still have stuff there? If you were helping your mom declutter, what advice would you give her about having your stuff there. When I left home many years ago, my parents said I had to take all of my stuff. It just amazes me how many parents are still “storing” their kids stuff.

[@peggys430]

The kids left for college... then never moved back home because internships took them around the country & then they took jobs around the country & throw a pandemic in there & they just never made it back home.(they went to dad's home & came for the day for Christmas -not a good day to spend decluttering) I've had health issues & never had the "strength" to "make them come home" to help go through stuff.

[@shesatthevicarage]

I worked out that if I read a book a week for 10 years I’ll get them read. 2 years in I’m quite behind already. But when I do complete one I pass it on and that’s great.

[@ChristysChannelYall]

I take my books to this little used bookstore in my city. They give you 50 cents credit at the store for paperback books and $1 for hard covers.

[@dhall1421]

Take those books to your house

[@jennywaugh2829]

How is your childhood bedroom still in existence? When I left home, my stuff had to go from my parents house.

[@pnwflipper2089]

I think Dawn and Diana and I had similar experiences going to college and coming home for summer etc. for several years and by the time we moved out for good our parents who were not big declutterers or minimalists really didn’t mind us leaving things at the house. My mom even encouraged me to keep a lot of my childhood things at their house for potential grandchildren someday. It wasn’t until I had 2 boys that my mom decided that the dresses and dolls and things were ok to get rid of.

[@joannafoster3423]

I love the library! Get the book, read the book, return the book. Zero clutter!

[@marshabrubaker185]

I moved two years ago from one state to another and had to get rid of everything in a 1 bedroom/1 bath apt. I only kept what would fit in my car. Amazed that my "life" fit in 6 boxes. Donated tons of books to local library to be sold at their monthly book sale.

[@Noreenlee1]

At one point I realized I am not actually the public library. I decided to let them do their job. I sometimes load up a dozen or so books, put an Audible book on in the car, and drive around to the little neighborhood libraries within a few miles from us. I sometimes find a book or two for myself, but mostly, I'm just dropping off good books I won't read again.

[@dptfo]

Small boxes are the best for moving. Don’t ever put things in a big box if they can fit in a small box.

[@saundramcalister8797]

When my grandchilden were young, they had favorite books . They loved for me to read the same books each time. They laughed at the same things each time. I also enjoyed the time we shared. Good memories.

[@darlenebergantzel1534]

When I was decluttering my books, I made my decision based upon 2 rules: 1) would I be willing to buy it again, if I wanted to reread it, and 2) have I referred to it within the last year. If it’s yes for either, I kept it. I went from 193 books down to 32. My local library loved the donation of most of the books.

[@amyperez9004]

I love the green moulding! Love that it's not just white or natural wood! Beautiful!

[@pegfamily7482]

I'm sort of panicking at the thought of having to wait until my children are 40 for them to clean out their rooms 🥴

[@meastrau4772]

I feel you🤣

[@estherwestbroek]

😂 The housing problem in the Netherlands is so bad I'll be waiting till they're 40 to get them out of the 1180 squarefoot house

[@pegfamily7482]

@@susanw489 I love Dawn and have learned SO much from all of her videos over the past four years that I've been watching. It's just the way this one struck me because I have two daughters in their 20s who have left a bunch of things behind and I'm wondering when they'll be settled enough on their own to come and clear out their rooms!

[@Michelle-js5kh]

I am now 33, and I last year i went through the last of my “stuff” in my mom’s basement. I am so grateful that she was able to keep a small, 5x5 plot of my stuff in our basement. In the 15 years she held onto it she kept the same house, and I moved 10+ times, including living on the road for a while! I am very grateful she had the space to keep that stuff, I would not have been able to. I totally understand the burden put on parents to manage their kids stuff, and I am really grateful my mom’s situation allowed her to help me in that way! Logistically she had the best space to keep that stuff safe. For what it’s worth, my “room” was not my room 10 minutes after I moved into the dorms 😂

[@pegfamily7482]

@@Michelle-js5kh Yes! This is very helpful - thank you. We have lived in the same house for over 30 years and I expect we will be there quite a few more years. I have some space in our basement storage that I can keep things safely. I cleaned out our oldest daughter's room and stored a bunch of stuff down there for her. Our youngest is graduating from college this weekend so we will see about all of that once she decides next steps 😊

[@sarahloy2699]

I am amazed your parents let you keep all your stuff at their house all these years. As soon as my kids had a place of their own i required them to take their stuff. I wasn't willing to be their storage locker.

[@bonniefiorito2880]

Me too!

[@allisonb.2764]

Yay, the bookshelf looks great! Can’t wait to see the finished room. 😃👏🏻

[@Bandgazebo]

I had a realization a few years ago that the reason I was keeping a lot of books was not because I was going to read them again, but out of vanity - wanting people to see the books I've read. Not only do I not want to be vain or prideful, I especially don't want to at the cost of cleanliness and a simplified house! Got rid of 80% of my books and only kept them under one of the following criteria: I will read it again, it impacted me in a special way, or it was something I hoped to share with my children or family.

[@klarab84]

I did the same thing, plus I thought that an interesting bookshelf was a way to start a conversation with visitors. But then I realized that we talked a lot about reading and books, but not about what was in the bookshelf but about books we had read recently and books we recommended etc. So, then I decluttered books and now keep about 20 books for myself, plus my kids have about 10-20 each, and instead we use the library, read e-books etc. I also realized that I'm a book lover, a book reader, but not a book collector. 🙂

[@shaunadumelle1624]

Dawn, haven't these all been time tested? Did you think about any of these books previously to this declutter? Just trying to be helpful :)

[@dianasimplifies]

Most of these books belong to her sister Diana....she may not have explained that but I'm in her mentorship group where this first aired.

[@shaunadumelle1624]

@@dianasimplifies no problem! I was just asking questions that she normally asks to help others ♡

[@dianasimplifies]

@@shaunadumelle1624 yes all very good questions! ♥️♥️♥️

[@AmyB4]

Yay for a new video! Thanks for inspiring me to go further in decluttering. I always enjoy your videos!

[@elizabethshaw6727]

This is so helpful And my husband and I are going through our childhood memories and books. It is time to declutter! You are so inspiring❤

[@perkiking5967]

I used many of your spoken ideas to declutter as we downsized the last few months to MOVE. I snuck in a few items in storage that once we get house, will let go of. Thank you DAWN...

[@kakylong2]

I recently went through some books & got rid of 40+ cookbooks & quilting books, plus a multitude of other books. It was nice to get the space back. 😊

[@heatheroliver9316]

I love that you posted this. I love that even you are not done decluttering. It is so relatable.

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

Yes, I totally agree, the most motivation I usually get when trying to start something out alone, is imagining what it will look like when it's done - whether it's decluttering, making curtains/clothing or painting - even gardening. My first motivation to start is imagining what it will look and feel like afterwards.

[@FrugalLivingforFamilies]

Books are my favorite and add up so fast! Even my kids books, as I always wanted to have a lot of reading material handy for them to encourage more reading. But as my kids have gotten older, we’ve found even more joy in fun trips to the library and hand selecting what we want to read next. We got so much space back after decluttering just books alone!

[@RoyalOaksCA]

Ok. You got me here Dawn. I will declutter everything else before decluttering books. 😅 My dream is to have a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling library like in Beauty and the Beast. 😆😂.

[@Alexandra-ln5qg]

Dawn, I wish you could see me get boosts of motivation every time I listen to your videos. I’ve listened to some over and over again while focusing on one part of my house. You’re doing such wonderful things for us moms and I’m so thankful I ran into your channel. Thank you for helping me get the mindset shift and push to see every item of my home differently and use it for its purpose. I’ve shared your page with almost all moms or homeowners I know and they’ve all been sharing my love for your words and experience! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! You’ve changed my life…sounds dramatic but you truly have. Can’t wait to see more videos on decluttering tips!

[@pinkroses135]

This is an area I need to tackle completely. I've got some systems with the day to day life stuff but the storage/sentimentals are my procrastination weak spot.

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

I think too many of us have forgotten the magic of libraries - as many books to read as your heart desires, without any build up in your home!! And my library will order books you request if not already in stock. Then if you really want a book to keep and refer to you can buy it. But the best thing about libraries, if you want to read the book again, you can just take it out again!!!!

[@maryannfarmer6576]

Good afternoon Dawn! I’m from Zion, IL Thank you for always being such an inspiration and joy to watch. I’m working on decluttering our spare bedroom to use as an office space, I do have a friend who helps me on occasion. She will be returning back soon to finish up the job. I’m hoping to get done this summer, but it’s very cluttered, so I’m working to Declutter it and need to find shelving units that’s going to be functional to work and I also have a small direct sales business as well, all natural pure products that I’d like to store and catalogs. I would love to see some ideas on home office decluttering, and storage ideas and how to keep things organized. I hope you feel better and get well soon. Praying for your total healing. I hear you are a little congested. Have a blessed week!

[@rdb4996]

For anyone confused why Dawn still has stuff at their childhood home: I had to actively ask to declutter the boxes my mom kept for me, before they moved. Then when I had my own big enough place I had to ask for the boxes with my stuff. My mom was happy to keep everything! Some of the things she stored are items from me that she's holding on to, not me.

[@dianasimplifies]

Also a lot of those books and other things were Diana's and people are wrongly blaming Dawn for leaving all her stuff. 🙄

[@noemisolano4748]

I'm finally letting go of a lot of my child's artwork because I have too much of my child's artwork. I kept my child's artwork because it's sentimental to me. So I decided to keep very little of my child's artwork. I'm downsizing my clothes and shredded a lot of my papers. I noticed that I have a lot less of clothes and papers than I did before. Thank you for the inspiration! Love your videos ❤️

[@nikkilee143]

Dawn.. I’m laying in bed, so so sick. I lift 5 days a week and the fact that I can’t go to the gym right now is killing me.. but you’ve been helping me get through this. I opened KZbin to find another older video of yours like I always do for comfort, and there you are… Thank you for being here❤

[@cassieschreier4571]

Can always put books in those little free libraries

[@persephonebasilissa5109]

That's what I'm doing with the majority of ours. I have a standard route of 5 little free libraries that I restock every few weeks. Over time, I'm clearing lots of valuable space in our house and garage.

[@user-oy8kk4hh4t]

Yes books are difficult. I had to move very quickly. Getting them in the box (after making sure my "this book belongs to" is removed) quickly and then out to the car!

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

I've kept my dad's bible to pass onto a grandchild one day. My mom's bible was given to my daughter and my dad's other bible to my brother. What's great about these is seeing the underlining or notes made by my parents- seeing what was special to them.

[@user-iy3cm7or4u]

I keep Bibles like this too. Un-used, not notated, are passed along.

[@vickiemiller5065]

The books may be the reason for your allergies. Finding that my daughter was highly allergic to old paper pushed me to let go of old books and etc, because she will not be able to have them. In other words, there is no reason for me to hold on to these items for her.

[@stschubs]

I have an extensive library (we purge other things to keep the books lol) and I kept so many books for "my kids" for like a decade only to realize as I re read them that my priorities had changed and I wouldn't even want my kids to be reading those books in english! So that was eye opening and a reality check as far as keeping books

[@7binaz109]

Hi Dawn, I just wanted to thank you for posting this video! We have a "book problem" at my house and your video (plus some of the comments your viewers posted) inspired me to look on my local library's website in regards to book donations. Turns out they have an ongoing book sale of donated books, which in turn helps the library. In addition to being able to take boxes there, one can also use the drop boxes they have around town for returning library books! Talk about a game changer!

[@taraamundson1140]

I definitely found that taking photos of each item that have been keepsakes for many years and I finally can let these things go. I then put those digital photos in a digital album so I can easily look back at. I am 52. (Even taking photos of book covers.)

[@Joy-ty2vc]

Aaahhh!! We had the set of The World's Best Fairy Tales too!! I had SO much fun reading those stories. I found the set on Amazon a few years ago and purchased it. My own kids are starting to enjoy it now.

[@juliewright1895]

I donate books to my library. They use them for library book sales. Our library takes all kinds of books including religious, even though they are a very liberal library.

[@dianasimplifies]

I do too. They take everything I have. I don't know if they sell it all or not but I don't care. It's out of my house!!!❤❤

[@michellekrueger-brown1148]

What is a liberal library? 🙄

[@kellyward1478]

I basically have nothing from my childhood. My parents divorced and sold our home shortly after I was out on my own. I’m really fine with it, and have many fond memories of boating & horseback riding. ☺️

[@Arlene4HO]

I gave books away on my front lawn. I put them in a box, I put an ad on Facebook marketplace and many people stopped by and took what was interesting to them. It was easy, after all they were free!

[@renedaley4866]

I read a lot. Every single night before bedtime. Even when I travel, I take a couple books. It's like my evening letdown. So I have a combination of Nook Books, library books and secondhand books. I really like the physical feel of a book in my hand most of the time. So during the summer I rummage sale for books. I sometimes find them at 10, 25 or 50 cents each. Sometimes I go to a resale shop where they are more costly. I have a (maybe) 45 quart plastic tote that I fill up. It lives on the floor of my closet. I fill it up with books and read all winter long. Books that are 10 years old or new I take to a resale shop and recoup some of my costs. These is another shop in a nearby town that will take older books and give me a small amount for them or I donate to a local Goodwill. There are some books that I kept for many years to reread before finally letting them go.

[@sarahouser3100]

What a great project! Your hair down on your shoulders looks so cute.

[@lizzabbott]

Great job, Dawn ! So inspiring! I recently decluttered maybe 30 books ( including sheet music). Feels great ! Need to do more. Have been eyeing more to donate . Yaaay ! If one has only a handful or so of books to donate at a time, remember the cute lil red “free book” cupboards on peoples’ lawns in various neighborhoods. Therez 1 down the street from me , & I have donated … geez idk …well over seventy five (100? More ?) items there over the last four years ( books, mugs, knick nacks, jewelery, glasses, CDs, DVDs, even a folded up clothing item here n there …. All over time. All promptly taken & appreciated !

[@ediefolta9494]

U-Haul has an even smaller box especially for books, 12 x 12 inches, that are better for books. Paper is heavy! We also found that the box that we get cat litter in from Amazon has similar dimensions and works well.

[@annlynch593]

Took us 3 -30 lb dumpsters to clean out my parents house plus giving away free furniture. Phew!

[@karenlaskowskicahlanes7129]

Today was our last day of the school year. At the beginning of the school year, I removed 5 small totes of books from my room. I didn't go into those boxes all year because our new curricula doesn't allow for supplemental materials. When I got home, I went through the books to "erase" any identifying information, then I took them, along with 2 bags of clothing and some home decor, to the donation center. So freeing. I'll be going through more books at the beginning of next school year.

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

The 3 second rule! Mind blown. That is so helpful! I'm going to try it with my husband(the saver). I think that would really help open his mind to decluttering. Thank you!

[@Shells15]

For books, it’s also worthwhile to look into donating to the Visiting Nurses program. They do book sales once or twice a year, putting all proceeds into their programs. They also provide books to patients and staff as needed, if I’m not mistaken.

[@carolinerambles3885]

Always have a huge headache sorting through books, especially from when I was studying and working in childcare...plus all my childhood favourite stories from family and books I love now! Thankfully friends and family have benefitted from my clear out(s) and some I'll hold onto but in a time will tell box 😊

[@stowie7733]

I love the question “Would I choose to read this book on a lazy day?” I have a number of bookcases to go through and I think this is an awesome question to ask. I believe it will really help me to reduce my current volume of books!

[@KellyBoettcher-qo9tx]

Are you hoarding at your mom's? 😂😂

[@Shmu22]

When we have moved (often long distances) in the past we used banana boxes from the grocery store for books. Very sturdy and have handles ... great for stacking in a moving truck. Wouldn't want any more books in a box than that. We have decluttered most of the books now ... kids books all went to my daughter who homeschools (we did too) and most of the rest went to the second hand store. I get books from my local library mostly now.

[@IOSARBX]

The Minimal Mom, This is amazing! I can't stop smiling!

[@user-tv5rn8yi6v]

Great job!! Can’t wait to see the room all finished & decorated

[@kennethbailey9853]

Always a Joy !😁❤️

[@rsmith4484]

My utmost for His highest 🙌 one of the greatest ❤ thank you dawn! This is so helpful for our personal library and the kids!

[@jennywoods9122]

On a sidenote, Diana’s tip for taking pictures of the barcode for Amazon returns is magical! Several returns to Amazon and one to target yesterday were a breeze. Thank you thank you😊

[@joycefields3166]

Take used books to the library for their friends of the library sale or start a faith based library at your church. Only need bookshelf and books plus sign , take one leave one.

[@brookebales2931]

Your childhood home looks amazing on the outside. Porch etc 🥰 huge! So neat. Farm life equals the best life.

[@ThatPlacefkaNebraskaBugeater]

Wow. I went back & looked at the bookcase before you started packing up books compared to what it looks like when you finished organizing it--chaos to calm.

[@laurat7324]

The genealogy room at the local library might take the yearbooks. Also, some former classmates may not have been able to afford one so you could ask on Facebook if they would like it.