If you're only focused on decluttering, you're doing it backwards

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Want to join me decluttering? Check out the Clutter-Free Army: nourishingminimalism.com/clutter-free-army/

[@Daniel_Ho_Status_101]

I make it a habit of doing the dishes and putting them away twice a day. It's so much more pleasant to confront a small manageable pile than it is to confront a day's worth, even if it takes slightly more time in total.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

You're so right! Took me far too long to learn that a small pile done immediately is so much easier.

[@gratefulketo2211]

WOW!!! Did this ever hit home! In my family, I was always the only one organizing, decluttering and cleaning. I was not very good at it so you can imagine the disaster! I never knew how to motivate them. It struck a chord when you pointed out that you first have to learn new habits and have routines in place before you can get people to help. This really rings true to me and I can see how it would work. Now that I am widowed and my kids are on their own, I am slowly learning what I should’ve learned when I was younger! Better late than never! One tip that has helped me greatly concerns the dishes. Before I start cooking my supper, I fill my sink with hot soapy water. As I am cooking, I am washing the dishes. There is always a few minutes of wait time while you wait for veggies to cook or water to boil. That’s when I’ll clean up the cutting board, the mixing bowls etc. It leaves a lot less to do after supper. Thank you for the wonderful insights!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Love that tip, definitely makes everything easier when we clean as we go!! ❤️

[@sarac.3259]

I agree with the "clear as you go" while cooking. I am incredibly messy but I do like my stove clean - only takes a moment if it's done every time you cook. I am going to try this advice re the kitchen routine - it's probably the most used room every day, so it should make the most impact, and I hope to feel less overwhelmed and more "enabled". Thank you, Grateful Keto and Rachel.

[@zoefarrell6743]

Same here! The waiting times when cooking have so much potential ✨

[@NLY1WAY4U]

Yes, daily habits is something some minimalists do not address. A place for everything and everything in its' place !!! AND put away immediately!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Exactly! It makes such a huge difference when we put things away immediately! ❤️

[@dianasimplifies]

That’s bc from what I hear from them they don’t like cleaning so they just throw everything out so as not to have to do much. I don’t mind the cleaning. I hate the decluttering, but I’m getting it done finally.

[@ArtyAntics]

Routines are like finding a home for chores in your day 😊 Everything in its place (and time)!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Oh, I love that! 😊

[@juliebrooke6099]

Setting these good habits is definitely the key. Once something becomes a habit it happens automatically without you having to give it conscious thought. I’ve been working on getting everyone to hang up their coat as soon as they come in instead of abandoning it randomly round the house ( started with myself of course). They’re getting there.

[@tphillips37]

It's true that it spreads. I started with just washing the dishes before I go to bed so when I get up walking into the kitchen feels better. Then in the morning while waiting for water to boil for my tea, I started cleaning off the counters just to kill time. I noticed the other day that in the past few months I've since cleared off the island bar right above my sink and my cabinets and refrigerator are organized. My bathroom has also become a clean and organized place as well. Here's hoping the rest of the house will follow!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That's wonderful! Even the little steps make a big difference!

[@tmontero8492]

Making my bed upon waking was tricky to incorporate into my daily routine. When I don't feel like doing it, I tell myself "you can do ANYTHING for 3 minutes! " Like magic, the bed gets made!

[@Izabela-ek5nh]

I make my bed in 30 seconds now. Sometimes I let my bed breathe free when I go to the bathroom and when I'm back I make it up. And I used to be like "yah why to do the bed again and again every day this is boring". Now I do without thinking so it's not boring. How anyone can be bored in 30 second anyway??

[@JennsCorner777]

Ya know you really hit the nail on the head about persistent habits. I did love to shop as a hobby mostly because there wasn't anything else I could do since living with family gives me no space or privacy to unwind at home to do my creative hobbies. But after working on my self discipline I decided to just stop shopping unless I needed something. Going out even was fine to look around and just be mindful of purchases vs getting over excited and grabbing everything I wanted....this was at Dollar Tree mind you I don't have millions lol. Really I just didn't have anymore frigging room for anything. The decluttering helps for sure but you're right, habits gotta be in place to upkeep.

[@cinnie2543]

I've been doing my dishes before I go to bed every day for the past month or so and I love waking up to a clean kitchen, but I do feel frustrated if someone pops over after breakfast and my kitchen is a mess again. Sounds so simple, but I never thought of putting it back together after breakfast. Thanks!

[@24carrotgold8]

CPI = continuous improvement process. The person feeling the pain is the one motivated to solve the problem 🤪👍🤗

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Absolutely 😁

[@eahuebner1]

I like the word reset too. I see that I'm setting myself up for success later instead of catching up from the stuff we've already done.

[@sruhaana5096]

I felt you are talking about me 😢 I always think i am the only one cleaning. But while observing, i can see that first i have to have good cleaning habits.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

❤️❤️

[@jcepri]

Omg.you are the first person who sees me. 99.99% of the advice out there is basic common sense that DOES NOT work, at least for me. I will say that I really need to find professional help because I am out of control. It's not just my house. It's my digital environment, my finances, pretty much everything. I leave kitchen cabinet doors open, clothes on the floor, etc. I hate it but I can't seem to change. Nothing seems to light a fire under me. I'm almost 60 and I have been messy since at least 12-14 years old.

[@susibul5320]

It may not be your fault, could it be attention deficit disorder like I have.

[@lyndahayley7382]

Right there with U sister...hate it for us...pray. pray. Pray. Somethings​ gotta give!! 💥🙏🏻💥

[@angiescott9525]

It's never too late.

[@kbkb3358]

I think this video is spot on! And I fully agree with the other comment about this not often being addressed in minimalism videos. Sometimes people think if I just declutter then I will have a clean home and that would be true if no one actually lived in the home. But people do and so with every meal, and activity, and food shopping, etc messes are made, and clutter and disorder are visible. No amount of decluttering can ultimately address these messes. These have to be addressed by daily habits so that what was “gained” by decluttering can be daily enjoyed.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Yes, exactly!

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Oh, you’re completely correct but it’s hard to complete habits when you’re so cluttered doing simple tasks is difficult … so I’ve tried to add habits as I declutter a space enough that I can.

[@kbkb3358]

Well done! Little by little eh? It is a long process but each little bit is progress. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Down Under, Kb

[@ttratt5309]

i never thought about NOT needing your videos in the future..... your videos are so encouraging and as decluttering isn't a once off thing I assumed we'd be youtube friends for years to come. Great thought to ponder.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That's very true, we can't just declutter once and be done, but hopefully we don't have to put so much focus on it as we go. ❤️ It's kind of a bitter-sweet, I had a lady that followed me for about 3 years, took, I think, all of my courses, commented on my videos and FB posts, and then all of a sudden I didn't see her anymore and I messaged to see if she was ok. She was great! She had decluttered enough that she was ready to shift her focus to doing the things she had been making room for. I miss seeing her comments, but it's also wonderful to know that she has gotten to the point of having freedom to do other things.

[@barbarabruce7648]

That's sweet Rachel. I love that you cared enough to miss her. That's inspiring that she didn't "need" you anymore. Gives us all hope!

[@MercyUS]

🦋 So true! We withdraw out of frustration & get depressed! Thanks!

[@pixiegumnut]

I paused the video and"reset" the kitchen. Thank you so much! I think I listened to you because you said you were a " recovering messy"❤️ hopefully I can keep it up!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

You totally can! And don't stress it if you miss a day, a week or a month - anything you do is a WIN. ❤️

[@GoingGreenMom]

Excellent points! I did the minimalism game in January, so it was just a little bit at a time. But it cleared just enough in the kitchen I felt like I could regularly wipe down counters. That has definitely snowballed!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That's so great! ❤️

[@oldvillagefarm1348]

Loving your videos! So encouraging 😊

[@amiehegeman]

This totally resonates with me. This has been the big shift with me over the last few years. I have a long way to go on this though. And I like the term “reset”.

[@HalfBlindPlans]

I LOVE your tips and insights that you share! I just want to say that the editing that makes the video jump to and fro as you talk, like you keep skipping a few seconds from the original recording, it does something to my brain/eyes that's very hard to handle and I find myself trying to avoid watching the video and just listen. But alas, auditory learning is my nemesis! Anyway, I know many people edit their videos in this way. There are probably reasons I don't understand behind it. But if at all possible to do away with it or drastically reduce the amount of it, I would be even more excited to soak in your great videos. ❤️❤️❤️ (Please read this in the nicest tone of voice possible!!! 🤗)

[@gracedarlenemcpherson9079]

Decluttering right now and definitely need to up my game with my daily habits. Thanks for the reminder.

[@MsLyndaJo]

I’d LOVE to join in a group with You! Especially the list to check out HOW MANY ITEMS I’m getting rid of them! Thanks

[@helpfulnhappy]

Awesome! Your best video... everyone should save this one to a playlist and watch it again until they have it down and well on their way to getting their house reset! Thank you for your wonderful insights.

[@vivianhudacek1556]

You’re a very naturally pretty lady. I agree that a long list of tasks is overwhelming.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

😊 thank you

[@-beTHEchange-123-]

Omg I'm loving how you simplify this and you bring new perspective and strategies. New sub. Thank you!!!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@wandadraughn1102]

I need to make the bed too.

[@nicholetteburris3925]

I had to pause your whole life list. 😂😂😂. You have officially become my favorite youtuber!! 💗

[@Nourishingminimalism]

😂 Yay!! LOL Why do we think our life should be over the top, unbelievably amazing!? So much pressure. 😂

[@nicholetteburris3925]

So true. I'm working through your journaling course and it's brought a lot of things to light.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That’s wonderful Nicolette!

[@Mary-ui4im]

Thank you for teaching us how to be a better person. Awesome teaching.

[@mariagradilla296]

Do it for yourself great advise !

[@peacejoyblessings3735]

You are So right! Thanks!

[@janecoder1]

Sorry I missed this challenge.

[@babytexan3038]

I think this is the best video you've made that I've seen! You are incredible!! I just shared this with my mom and sisters.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

🥰 Awesome, thank you!

[@kaitlinjohnsen3236]

Thank you thank you for your honestly

[@jeanlittle405]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@goodbyeblueskykr]

Gracias!!! Saludos desde México!!

[@annetterobb5578]

Great video! So inspiring 😊

[@phyllisbakercoffman8988]

Thank you so very much 💕

[@lyndahayley7382]

Trying so hard to get there..not as easy with no help at all 🙏🏻

[@barbarabruce7648]

You can do it Lynda. Bit by bit. It will take time but follow Rachel's advice. Create one small nice space(chair) to rest, have a cuppa, watch a video ( Rachel's) , get inspired and follow the advice/steps. You can do this. Even if it's one thing to do today. When you feel better start doing two things a day. It will snowball and you will get more energy to do more. Don't give up. You are not the only one trying to do it alone. Not by a long shot so don't feel like it's only you. And don't blame yourself. Stuff happens. And remember. You have the moral support of Rachel and her subscribers. You are not alone. I'm there with you in spirit my friend. Don't give up... Get started!

[@doccox27]

It works :)

[@dianasimplifies]

Nothing will make you declutter the kitchen faster than a cat who decided to poop on a pile of stuff instead of in the box. My kitchen is finally cleared of stuff. 😆🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Nourishingminimalism]

#truth Nice to have it done, but not a fun reason to do it! 😂

[@lesliedaubert4250]

I can only wash the dishes when the sun is still up. So there may be a dirty dish or 2 in the sink to do the next day. 2 dangerous for me to use the light I have in my kitchen.

[@violahamilton782]

Sounds ominous!

[@lesliedaubert4250]

@@violahamilton782 I have florescent light in my kitchen. I have epilepsy and that type of lighting is a big trigger for my seizures.