Making Progress Even When You're Overwhelmed: Just Keep Moving Forward

I know what it's like to be overwhelmed by the whole house at once. In these moments (or hours or days), I just keep reminding myself to move forward. Keep moving forward. As long as I follow the Take It There Now strategy, the house will get better.
My newest book, Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control: www.aslobcomesclean.com/resto...

[@Cyn50983]

What helped me when I moved was to hire Mr Handyman for 2 or 3 hours. He hung all my pictures, curtains, mirrors, shelves. Helped move and put together a heavy furniture piece. Even though my husband was saying he could do it but we weren’t doing it. It looks perfect and was worth saving for the expert.

[@nancyjustice8524]

"Progress not perfection", "Take it there now", "Where would I look for it first" - We love you!!!! 💕💕

[@laurat7324]

YES! I say these things to myself now and it does work.

[@rosemariealvarado9902]

Thought you might chuckle with delight.. I called Barnes and Noble yesterday to see if they had your new book. They checked the computer which indicated there were 2 on the shelf. They looked and looked then went to the new book section. Nope! They can order it and will be in in a couple days. I said " maybe you will want to order more" he agreed.. They are selling so fast the computer can't keep up!!

[@Beepbopboop19]

I went through 9 boxes in our garage yesterday, and lemme tell you all, TAKE IT THERE NOW! Such a game changer. Granted most of the boxes were old kid toys so easy to donate (brought to my trunk immediately), unneeded paperwork (recycle) and there were minimal items we actually kept. But wow, I got rid of MORE because I was like, "umm I'm not walking back in the house again just for this, trash! Oh also my family knew directly after I was done it was off to the donation place. Such a productive day, thanks Dana!

[@DanaKWhite]

I love this so much!!

[@joelandstephanieg3574]

You have my complete sympathy about the wallpaper!!! We bought our house 6 yrs ago - every.single.room on the first floor EXCEPT the half bath had wallpaper plus border. We redid 3 rooms before running out of energy and motivation. This past weekend I finally found my motivation to tackle the living room wallpaper. This time I'm working 1 wall at a time rather than trying to get the entire room completed at once. It's not the most efficient method, but the thought of doing the whole room overwhelms me and makes me do nothing. One wall. That's all I have to do. I can do one wall.

[@juliesanders4468]

I feel your pain. Our last house was like that. It was overwhelming. In the kitchen we found at least 3 different layers of wallpaper and it was so difficult to remove and marred the walls so badly that we ended up hiring an excellent, professional wallpaper hanger to even out the walls and put up wallpaper we liked. The walls were so damaged it was the easiest solution. Wallpaper and I are not friends!! Best of luck to you!

[@Claycat4]

"Take it there now." and "Where would I look for this first?" are tools that have helped me more than any other tips that I can remember! Thank you so much, Dana!

[@judyscholfield820]

Yes!! “Take it there now” works with dishes in the dishwasher ... not just set it on the counter. HaHa!

[@marshamarshall6840]

Yes!!! I agree...that statement and that question....have helped me so much....so grateful!!

[@andreasupermommy]

Yes!!! Me too!!!

[@CicadaXiii]

Same! and “do the dishes”

[@trishacupra911]

Making the picture "not clutter" immediately in spite of future plans is brilliant for time-blind people like us. This is a game-changer for me now!

[@mompofelski4191]

I have had the mindset that “better is good” for decades… I’m adult ADD & lucky to finish anything. So your whole strategy just makes me smile and feel hope that each day will see progress. Even if nobody else sees the progress- I see it. Take it there now needs to be a bumper sticker 😁.

[@laurelarmstrong4535]

I totally understand. I’m overwhelmed by projects undone and maintaining the house, family etc. I’ve been using your process of doing what you can with time allotted and am surprised by what I can accomplish if I just keep moving.

[@carynmeyer118]

When we moved into our first home, there was a bare bulb in a ceramic socket at the top of the stairs. I remember looking at my husband and saying "A bare bulb! Who could live like THAT!!" When we moved out 10 years later..... there was still a bare bulb at the top of the stairs! I'm doing better in the new house. (Well, "new" we've been here 4 years) But those old paralyzing thoughts are hard to break through sometimes! Great vid, Dana!!

[@ElliephantMommy]

We've been here 10 years with a bare bulb at the bottom of the stairs. Might be moving this summer and I finally ordered a light fixture.

[@mimiohnine]

Just looked at the top of my staircase and….yep. Bare bulbs are still there. But we’ve only lived here uhhhhh…30 years. 😉🤭

[@racheldee8361]

Bahahaha same! So relatable 😂😂😂

[@Debbie-Keller]

I am moving. "Just keep making it better". This is what I keep saying to myself. Thank you for giving me words to keep me going forward.

[@pualani4256]

Only a few minutes in and I want to sit down and cry. This is so timely ….the contents of our 2400’ square foot home plus 3 sheds has been in a storage for 18 months with no idea of where it would land up. A month ago we purchased a tiny home (399’ sf) in Washington to be close to family in the summers (mom is 93) and lives in Canada. I have always been organized, everything has a home and everything is IN it’s home, but this move has paralyzed me completely. There is so much “stuff” but getting rid of things & memories accumulated over 40+ years of marriage, spanning 3 countries just might do me in. Thank you Dana for always a fun and encouraging video. I watch you and your two cohorts and just love the content

[@shermarkham6376]

I would like to give you encouragement. I was in your shoes with the big house & 2 storage units. It took me 2 months of working 8 hrs everyday! I'm 72 & was doing it all alone, but I did it! And you can too. 🥰

[@lillianmartinez1593]

I need to keep watching you!!! Your reminders are an essential part of my home decluttering process. I want to get rid of at least half of what I have in my house. I am a senior and need to scale down all the stuff!! Your pictures of your room helps me to see that it is possible to make progress, even though it is small. This is a great motivator. Thank you so much for your sharing your experiences with us. 💕🌴😎

[@anandabricker3396]

I’ve never been so in love with an inanimate object until my clothes steamer when I went to take wall paper down.

[@Its_me_Aunty]

😱 I never thought of using that for wall paper. Genius!!

[@Carolmaizy]

Great idea!

[@IamGodsgirl139]

This all makes SO much sense to me! We built our dream home in 2015. And I still. Have. Boxes. In. My. Dining. Room. That. Never. Got. Unpacked. 🤦🏻‍♀️. Also doors that never got stained. And baseboards that never got installed. Blah blah blah. TPAD is a real thing!!

[@OldWorldHome]

I actually LOVE the wallpaper and a few other upgrades in the room could totally modernize it in a charming vintage way 💞

[@CB-jh1pt]

Unfortunately, the wallpaper is already being peeled off (as per credits 🙈😬)

[@OldWorldHome]

Ah spoke too soon!

[@CB-jh1pt]

@@OldWorldHome Dana at least appreciated it for a second before it came off 🤷‍♀️😂 but no regrets… “just keep moving forwards”!

[@itsmekimmielc]

I too loved the wallpaper in the bathroom. But, not every surface! lol.

[@kallypaschall1178]

For sure! It didn't help that her shirt and coloring and curls coordinated so beautifully with it. ❤ I loved it too!

[@irishcottage]

“Progress and only progress” and “take it there now” are the keys to getting control when you have a large and busy family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great advice.

[@sharontesi4273]

The matching mirror-- oh, my!🤣🤣🤣

[@jungbell]

Knowing yourself as in acceptance, as well as identifying strengths and weaknesses, is really the basis behind your tactics. Love how you say it could very well end up 6 years. So many of us with similar brains get it!! 🥰

[@amybarton3814]

Use DIF wall paper remover spray It’s so easy! Take a razor knife cut slits all over the paper, soak the wallpaper with spray, let it sit for a few minutes and it will peel right off!! I took off 4 layers of wall paper in less than an hour in my kitchen. Amazing stuff.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Yes that mirror you changed out makes a huge difference in the overwhelming wallpaper.

[@cheyennesutton2055]

I tell you, the "take it there now" concept works! My Mom was big on putting things away. She believed in things having homes and having everything put away.

[@carlidoepke5131]

Take it there now has been so helpful as I slowed down my decluttering journey…To go at the speed of life. My original motto was “I have to purge my life to get on with my life.” Which is absolutely true. …but kind of fell by the wayside, because whoa…a lot had accumulated last 34 years + Marriage + 4 kids, and I couldn’t pause life for another 3 months! 😂😂😂 “We love because he first loved us.” One of my favorite verses! It was in our wedding program…12 years ago. 😅 I would totally keep that wallpaper up, with a white wainscoting on the bottom to give the eye some rest…. Hahaha. I’m floral obsessed, and surely in a small minority! 😂

[@MamaDisney123]

I am sooooo grateful I found you!!! This is my brain and you share amazing solutions that are not overwhelming. I work full time so I get stuck on “Everything takes more time than I have so do nothing”. I CAN do take it there now and make it better. Thank YOU💖🌸

[@jungbell]

“Left to myself” 🤣🤣 yes that could be a dangerous thing. I say embrace the wall paper. The mirror looks fabulous.

[@judyclattenburg7984]

Thanks so much Dana I thought I was the only one who froze when overwhelmed, I just have one more room to tackle, going to start it today by ‘just keep moving forward’ great name for your next book😀. Thanks for todays message

[@loisbolton1800]

That floral wallpaper makes a great background for you in that deep green top. 😍

[@peggymarsh6569]

So many times I can’t even count how many when I started decluttering I’ve made a BIGGER mess, then when I was tired & done I still had to clean it up!!!! I have started your take it there now system & its so spot on!!! Thank you

[@drekabrown2798]

Thank you so much for being you and letting me know I'm not alone. So often I look at your videos and say that's the same way I feel. This past Saturday I finally cleared my closet I have started and stop so many times what worked this time for me was your concept take it there now before I would make the piles only to realize at the end I'm too tired to sort through everything so I ended up putting everything back in the closet in different piles and still could not put a toe inside my walk in closet. This time I took things where they belong and at the end I looked around and there were no piles and I was finished. I could actually walk into my walk in closet. Thank you

[@tamisimone1377]

This is awesome! Great job! Inspires me to work on mine!

[@Simple-ist]

I have a move looming ahead of me, all things going like I’d like (plan A), not for a couple of years, if things go not as I’d like (plan B), we’ll be moving this fall. It’s too early to really pack, but as I’ve approached areas to declutter I’ve been much less likely to hang in to it for “someday”. After getting my carpel tunnel treated I finally tried one of my hobbies again, and decided to declutter the stash as it made my hand hurt for days. I’m not going to hang on to all the supplies for a hobby that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do again without hurting, and if the day comes that I have to have surgery for the carpel tunnel i can pick up a skein cheap and try again.

[@arlineswardson6012]

Hi Dana I love your videos but the one thing that always sticks in my mind and gets me going is “Just do the dishes!”. 🤣💕

[@sipanon9711]

I love the bathroom wallpaper! I would add high board & batten in white. Just nail it on about 2/3 up the wall & leave the top 1/3 wallpaper showing. Such a classy retro print! Edit: Got to the part with the upholstered mirror. 😳 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂🤣 Def improvement with mother-in-laws 🥰

[@teresastorms3774]

Oh, how you make me laugh! Thank you for being real about your overwhelm! I feel so much better knowing even you as the expert still struggle. Your strategies and the declutter questions are the ONLY things that have worked in any real way for me. I can let myself just do the next thing and not condemn myself for not doing it perfectly or completely. I can be more kind to myself as I muddle my way through this mess and know that just that one little thing taken where it goes RIGHT NOW will make a difference. Thank you!! 😊

[@jodimahan9776]

Dana you did it again!! Got me up and moving. I am a bit tired from training our new rescue dog so I came in my spare bedroom to listen to Dana...and the room is messy ...and now the room is much better and I'm on round 2 of listening to your video. Thanks Dana!

[@granitemoss1451]

Awww hope your new family member is settling in nicely. I found training really helped our 'project' (read: LOTS of issues, we knew that when we took her on) rescue bond with me and feel more secure in our home/pack. About to take the little devil for a walk now, which is good for both of our bodies and minds.

[@DVD927]

If it isn’t a low flow toilet, keep it

[@beckyowens8232]

The mirror was a big improvement. I'm glad you are enjoying it now! I know that your videos are meant for the "rest of us," but even though my home is pretty organized I was so happy to see you in my feed this morning. Your strategies are helping me with things that are contained inside drawers or cabinets but really don't serve my family. Your strategies and your loving, kind presentation really help me to say goodbye to dishes or clothes that make me think fondly of people or the past but that we don't use now. Truly you, Cas and Dawn are such a powerfully helpful trio.

[@bonniewoodard2771]

Thank you Dana K White ... the more times you say, "take it there now" ... I can't hear it enough! Seriously, I now find myself saying to self, take it there now! It's finally becoming part of me ... I appreciate you and all that you are sharing to Keep Us Moving forward with our stuff, along with you :) love from here oxox

[@thing2644]

Oh my. Are you a fly on the wall in my house?? How do you know EXACTLY what I do, even what I think?? I am so grateful to you! I'm at the point of "making things better, just a tiny bit better". And progress breeds progress...until suddenly one day one of my kids asked why the house looks so good?

[@shannonstone865]

This is a GREAT reminder that I can accept myself, overwhelm is what happens to me too when I see a lot of stuff to sort out and how to get out of that thought loop and keep my house manageable 😊! The actions of getting started calm down the overwhelming paralysis I feel and that is the only way through for me, it doesn’t help me to worry if I will get overwhelmed, I know I will. I can change my cluttered counter 💯!

[@jennifershort1898]

Thanks, Dana!!! I'm currently so overwhelmed. Thanks for the reminder of take it there now!! And the concept of any progress really is progress!

[@merrittjensen602]

Thank you for putting into words (and images/videos) the freezing-overwhelmed-spiral mentality that happens “for the rest of us” - AND what to do about it! ❤️

[@tamisimone1377]

Totally agree!!!

[@kathleenstetler609]

yes!!

[@Raychiey]

Making progress and convincing myself that things do not need to be perfect, that every little bit helps, is something I have been working on lately. Thank you for this video. I needed this.

[@Cookmomx3]

Our brains work in the EXACT SAME MANNER.. SO GLAD I MET YOU

[@judyscholfield820]

“Dana K. White” sounds so Texan when said quickly ... IMHO. Really enjoy the “credits!” Always stay to the end!

[@kathleenstetler609]

Momentum Is Key. Keep Moving. Even at glacial speed. It Will Help. IF Nothing More than NOT STOPPING. THIS Is My vital and paramount remedy to my Achille's heel. Thank you. My best wishes for us all. We are not alone.

[@janethunt4037]

I really relate to the picture being put up where you really want a bookshelf to be. I did that too. I haven't found the right bookshelf for the space, so the picture has been there for 6 years. It looks nice enough, but the room really needs the shelf.

[@HeatherLikesArt]

Excellent. "Take it there now!" Yes! This is one of my challenges. I have chronic pain and I get fatigue and the thing is I am often just tired and hurting to "take it there now" . BUT I know this would be better for me in the long run if I did push myself and "take it there now". It will save me doing a bigger clean up on another day. That's what happens, the pile gets bigger and then it is even more overwhelming and difficult to tackle that spot than if I did the "take it there now" tip. I have actually have done the "take it there now" I am just not consistent with it but when I have done it and I want to use a certain item and that item is actually in its home where it's meant to be then That is VERY rewarding. It actually Saves time and energy, not having to hunt for it.

[@aprillee83]

But that shirt totally matches the wall paper and brings out your eye color 😄

[@Sunny-iq6hm]

I love your personality! You keep things real. The mirror is very nice, and SO much better than the old one. Moving is so stressful, it takes time to get your house the way you want it. A clean, tidy space is the perfect canvas for using your imagination. I have also found that I may change my mind regarding how I want to use a space once I've settled in, and have had time to live in the space. Wishing you every happiness in your new home! Amen to that lovely sign you're putting on your wall 😊

[@mwebb3014]

Thank you SO MUCH for focusing in on this strategy in this video!! I used to hate it, lol, but now I don’t even think about because it has become second nature to me!! It is definitely a game changer!! Dana, I have a three story split level house and I have a bum knee and lower back sciatica. I still take things to their home because the end result is worth it! Some days I move slower but that’s ok because progress and only progress is happening.💕

[@JayeEllis]

I moved two years ago in the midst of a deep depressive episode. Things were not dealt with then, just basically thrown in packing options and carted here. I'm FINALLY making progress towards fully moving in. It's dusty. There's still boxes and bags that need going through, the closets are out of control, and my office is a bomb, BUT every day, it gets just a little better as I tackle something. Some days, that's just a quick trash scan, or taking things to their real home instead of on catch all surfaces, or just the dishes. Still progress though, and I'm starting to see and feel the change.

[@kimhenderson6377]

If i had a twin with a brain identical to mine, you would be it. I am overwhelmed right now. Thank you for being you. Because it's like me giving myself a pep talk. God has sent you and I am being blessed with your purpose.

[@lindamusser7370]

That's where I'm at right now-- overwhelmed with clutter. This is very timely. Thank you.

[@DanceMotherSuperior]

I have recently moved also and I am paralyzed with overwhelm. Thank you for this encouragement to move forward towards living in my dream home.

[@MrsApril-kx9wt]

Dana, Thank you for sharing your tips, struggles, and successes with the rest of us. 🤗As someone who also struggles with “TPAD” 😆, this advice is so helpful. BTW, I think you could also have a successful career as a stand up comedian. You have me laughing out loud nearly every video. 🤣🤣🤣

[@nicolepsy]

When we bought our house 20 years ago, there was bad wallpaper in the kitchen. A year in, I just couldn't take it anymore and started to rip it down. If you've ever tried to take wallpaper off plaster, you know. If you haven't, just don't! Lol. Trust me; glue any curling parts and just paint over it! It stayed in "destruction mode" for a couple of years as I wallowed in defeat until I discovered a fabulous, easy paintable wallpaper, bought paint, and focused on one wall at a time. My cupboards are still...oh they're fine!🤣 Thank you Dana- you have done wonders for my mental health!!

[@fayelehn9932]

Gold star for having your dog crate-trained! My dog likes her crate & feels safe and secure in it.

[@litasanford7595]

I was listening to this while I worked through a major trash/decluttering event (for myself). I was listening to you as I worked in the kitchen. I walked into another room to put something where I would look for it. Saw some things that needed to go in the laundry so I took them there. Then I realized the washer was done, so I needed to put things in the dryer and put another load in the washing machine. There were several more activities before I got back to the kitchen. I, too, suffer from TPAD. I think I’m going to start setting an annoying timer in any room I’m decluttering. That will bring me back to the room. We’ll see. Thanks.

[@lizzabbott]

Perfect timing ! I did some good decluttering, tidying & cleaning today but some bigger tasks still loom over me. But I made PROGRESS & it’s lots better ! Woo hoo ! Instead of feeling bad about not accomplishing ALL, with your help, I’m now good with “better”. Thank you, Dana !

[@terryruiz7417]

A good reminder of applying your advice on how to move forward. Dealing with the loss of a family member, everything seems to overwelm. I remind myself of your guidelines and make progress, slowly but surely as I try to keep my home in order. Clutter can move in, but life goes on.

[@houseofkenney5062]

I moved two weeks ago into a house that has years of projects ahead, including CARPET IN THE BATHROOM. Ew. So I'm feeling the pain, like you, of a house that needs a ton of attention. I'm a little overwhelmed, but I'm working on things bit by bit. One step at a time. This week, it's been painting the laundry room before our washer and dryer are delivered tomorrow.

[@Duckyinspace]

I have been in paralysis since moving into my new apartment on the 1st. I also have "Keep Moving Forward" tattooed on my wrist, so thank you for giving a new way to look at my tattoo!

[@WiseWomanLola]

I love the wallpaper

[@Jessjess-gx8vt]

Hi Dana! I desperately posted this below) a few weeks ago on one of the first I'd happened onto of your LIVE Q&A videos. I didn't know then the protocol for asking a question. But I'm still pretty desperate and feel like my whole life - not just my house - is falling down around me and swallowing me whole. So the following is copied and pasted from my previous "question": Prior to reading both your books (💕) I had already tried multiple WRONG strategies. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙈 The WORST strategies for my ADD brain. I have been STUCK & OVERWHELMED and in the worst mess of my life for over 5 years (sad but true) b/c I started on this big "simplify life" journey and purging it ALL (at once 🥴). And as Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman would say, "Big mistake. BIG. HUGE!" B/c I pulled it all out, it scared me to death, and here it all still is. 😓 Now there's literally nowhere to "go take it there RIGHT NOW" b/c EVERYTHING is EVERYWHERE. 😭 And I don't even know where anything goes anymore! When rooms are already full of their own piles and stacks and boxes of stuff to be purged, where do I put the things coming into that room "right now" if I haven't gotten to that room yet? 😩 How and where do I even begin when I already blew it big time on your "no mess decluttering method?" Your 2nd book spoke to me like, well - like was written personally FOR me. I'd give anything to have had it at the beginning of this journey but, no dice. Now, whenever I try to begin AGAIN, I shut down. Every time. And not long after I begin. I don't know how to employ your strategies (that I do agree with and make sense to me) when I'm already in waaaaaayyyyyy over my head in the middle of a whole-house hellacious mess. Dana, please help! I seriously feel like I am ruining my kids' childhood and my marriage b/c I am beyond STUCK, and so discouraged. 🥺 Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated!! (PS - I pre-ordered your new book last week, can't wait.) Thank you!

[@racheldee8361]

Hi! I know we don’t know each other, but I’m a fellow adult with ADHD, and I wanted to share with you the best ADHD resource I have ever found in my life - the KZbin channel “How-To-ADHD”. This channel has helped me so much to understand how my brain works and continue working through my emotional disregulation, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, overstimulation, and many other things that I never realized were directly related to my ADHD. There is one video in particular that I think would be good to watch first and it is called “The Bridge of Awful” and basically why things are so hard for us, and how to “build planks” to cross our bridges, because with ADHD we are missing planks that others have that are necessary to cross the bridges. I want to pray for you and encourage you that you are not alone in how you are feeling and that I really do understand how things (even things that seem simple to some people) can be so so difficult for us who are Neurodivergent. I encourage you to watch her videos and give yourself grace as you raise your precious family. Blessings, peace, and encouragement from me to you 💙🙏

[@lauriepowell3959]

Dear Dana: I can tell you from personal experience, it is okay to paint or wallpaper over wallpaper. I have done both and they looked great. I also tried to remove wallpaper in one room and it tore parts of sheet rock out so one bathroom wall has half inch deep dings all over it . Therefore, I advise, don’t try to remove wallpaper. Love, 👩🏻‍🎨 Laurie Oops, too late, huh?

[@cltinturkey]

The matching mirror was B A D! Your two-minute improvement looks great!

[@hashtagCatholic]

Oh. my. gosh. YES! I feel this so much. This is ME!

[@diannamcbride1607]

I am ever so thankful for finding you because I relate to you and your ideas so very well. Last week I found a new place to take our donations and saw it as them doing me a service! I found the new place to donate by doing as you suggested...asking others where they donate.

[@samtenby5955]

I’m moving house in two weeks. Thank you for your videos. I listen to them whilst packing. Im getting there with it. Now I’m going to do my dishes.

[@ninak8506]

OK... The flowered mirror made me giggle. M-i-l's mirror so much better!

[@chelsea2690]

I kinda dug the retro wallpaper but the mirror change made such a huge difference!

[@tamisimone1377]

Love your videos! Love the"take it there now" helps so much! I hear your voice saying, just do the dishes and take it there now!!! So helpful! Thank you!!! Love your sweet dogs too! And the commentary at the end always makes me smile. Thank you! Love all your books! Listen to them over and over. There is always something that "clicks" in my mind that even tho I've heard it before, now I understand it for myself😘❤️

[@carriebass4325]

I kinda liked the wallpaper too once you added the mirror. However, realistically speaking, once you pulled out the vanity the wallpaper would be torn... Also, I found myself overwhelmed with trying to decide picture and decoration hanging after our move, which was more than 4 months ago. I kept thinking perfect, it's gotta be perfect. Finally I got rid of the Pinterest ideals and just hung them. Now, I smile as I pass them everyday. 😁 Btw, love the sign. ❤️

[@kathyfannon7563]

We've been in our house for 27 years. Everything is original to the house (27 years old) - carpet, countertops, paint, everything! It will be paid off next spring and all those original-to-the-house things are finally going to be updated toward the end of next year. But I feel the overwhelm!!! How are we going to re-carpet with all this furniture that has to be moved? Where will it go when we need to empty a room? And the padding underneath? It's disintegrated, we can feel it. It's going to be a mess and I don't want to do it. Yes, all the thoughts of the logistics of it. So this video helps - one thing at a time, start with one decision and move forward from there. -Deep Breath- I can do this!

[@gaild9003]

Love this Dana! I was feeling overwhelmed today by life's responsibilities that I'm drowning in. It's been an exhausting week so far, but your video was very encouraging to me. Thank you! You're awesome! ❤️

[@SuziQ-fg4ee]

Oh my this spoke to me! It was like you were describing me not you! Thank you so much. After making huge progress in my house I have been paralysed over the past month or so purely because of all the big things and ideas I have. Watching this has made me see that I can carry on decluttering even if I can't afford that big piece of furniture at the moment. Thank you

[@Wendy-WackyWomanCreations]

"Take it there NOW" is the ONLY way. This save my house and my sanity. I have MS so I don't do stairs every time, but I do keep a box there so it can go in the basement all at once when I'm able.

[@krybastian2611]

I love the wallpaper- you look so beautiful in front of it, but I will hold off on throwing the second-guessing monkey wrench into your decision🤔💕💕. I love your container concepts and use containers regularly in my art- your ideas have broadened my sense of many aspects of my work. Regarding changing wallpapers and paint colors, for me, it is helpful to think of each wall as a container- a defined/ finite space where I can approach making changes one at a time. I am currently finishing painting projects in many rooms that I had begun and left half finished. I am now approaching one wall at a time- so that I can take on and finish manageable projects completely, bit by bit. Thank you so much! Kry

[@kimjaymama26]

Natalie Bennett recently shared a wall-paper removal hack in her kitchen reno. It looked super slick. It was like a $20 chemical and scrapper.

[@laurat7324]

The wallpaper actually looked pretty behind you. It provided a nice backdrop. However, I'm with you....it has to go! We have had to peel wallpaper a few times and it's a pain. The info in this video was ME!!! Meant for ME!! So many times I quit because I can't do something perfectly. This has motivated me to get moving this morning. The video put a smile on my face and I can't thank you enough for that. I look around my house and get overwhelmed instead of just doing one or 2 small things. Today I will do a few small things and make progress.

[@sarahamill1793]

I just love your videos, honesty, attitude and can never get enough of your end credits! Thanks for being so real, making us content and just being a wonderful break in our hectic days. ❤️

[@lyndallparker8186]

I have been overwhelming of cleaning the house before inspection next Tuesday…at least I have done the dishes tonight and tomorrow I will clean the vanity and shower, vacuum the house and on Sunday I will mop house. Rest on Monday….don’t worry my friend will help too

[@MummysLittleNitemare]

Love this video. We also moved into a 'new-old' house recently. Going ahead and doing things, even if they're not how I plan on them being in the long-term, is how we make things better. And better is the goal.

[@danareevesmusic]

I wish I could help y’all rip that wallpaper down. 😜 I love that you voice is constantly in my head saying “take it there now! And progress not perfection 💕 I am so grateful No decorating advice needed. Hey Reid 👍

[@lisat.2783]

We are moving offices in 4 weeks. We had a brief slow period this morning. I broke down boxes, took them to my car and I will drop them in the recycling bin on my way home. Feels so good!

[@janamarek]

Your new mirror looks great!

[@ruthlloyd1163]

Slow down your comments at the end -hysterical 😂😂😂😂almost missed them.

[@laurat7324]

I know! I always have to hit pause so I can read them. Reid is hilarious!

[@TheKatiness]

It takes about a year to be in a home before you rly know what it needs so maybe just focus on unpacking and organizing while what you rly want falls in to place. I lived with horrid floral wallpaper and border for a while before knowing what I wanted. I also tore a little off at a time here and there which kind of kept me moving toward improvement.

[@evasochocki5209]

I didn't know that being unaware of the passage of time was a disorder. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that has that I thought there was something wrong with me. Take it there now is definitely the best thing for me. It really does help a lot. I am a little by little person in almost everything. I don't know why I didn't think of this myself, but I'm glad you did.

[@denisefrandsen5106]

No, I LOVE the wallpaper!!! Bring some color from it into the trim or other walls to tie it all together and keep it!!!

[@mrsalethajune]

I loooove that wallpaper. I'd change out the counter and toilet but keep that gorgeous wallpaper!

[@SCconservative2011]

I really needed to hear this today. I've been feeling paralyzed lately because of being so overwhelmed with so much to do. I just need to heed your advice to just do one thing at a time and move forward and build the forward momentum. I can really relate to falling prey to letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. I tend to put things off because I can't do it perfectly now, and then it ends up being never. It's so much better to get something done and at least be able to enjoy something that's good even though it may not be perfect. I've recently discovered you here on KZbin and you've really been inspiring me to declutter and do it in a realistic measured way.

[@MandyRay]

For wallpaper removal...Natalie Bennett did a video...Piranha Wallpaper Removal Kit was her favorite and made the job sooo much easier.

[@southernsoul152]

Omg. I have this tpad thing you mentioned 😳 I had no idea. Thank you

[@HBWike]

I love you and appreciate your voice and choice to share yourself and insight with Us. ... I'm going through a similar situation, with moving and trying to remodel while/before moving. I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity finally to move where I can make a home (we had plans and high hopes for a certain place approximately 2yrs ago, but circumstances changed and that option fell thru, so we've continually been drained dry with rent) - so of course, I stumble myself too often with so many off-the-wall 'what if' scenarios to where I will, more times than not, become paralyzed and think 'what's the point' or depressed, I don't want to allow myself to get too excited, etc etc.. I appreciate you refocusing my sights, telling me just to handle the current in my face moments and objects- seriously, it has helped me get my dishes cleaned for a while, but now this helps me actually pack my dishes. ... btw, I actually love your floral wall paper! I think it's a beautiful backdrop for your soft, yet strong outer and inner beauty! Not to be weird, jmho!.. I hope all the best for you! I'm grateful to the Most High for you. Thank you again for sharing. 🙏💜🙌

[@TheAw1963]

The podcast episode where you mention "there's a piece of paper on the floor so I have to vacuum" hilarious.

[@TheAw1963]

and I had a theatrical purple kitchen. So there's that.

[@hen02pha]

I feel like I am finally getting it - take it there now is not just for decluttering but for life in general. For the last few days every time I go to just leave something on the bench or in a room it doesn’t belong I am saying on my mind ‘take it there now’. I have been working towards minimalism for 4yrs and my home is highly simplified but house still looks a mess 20min after I get out of bed but now 🤞I stick to it 😬 🤦🏼‍♀️ You are amazing Dana!

[@kirstenerickson5063]

I am not super upset about that wallpaper. I kinda like it!! Retro is coming back in!! Floral prints are big and if you have retro floral print you are super in right now😋 love the mirror upgrade though👍🏻

[@suzy1676]

I love "progress and only progress"! Your steps are SO helpful- all of them! I'm not in a position to be able to get an area clean and organized at expense of leaving a big pile to STILL deal with when done. That OTHER way guarantees tears and paralysis of progress.

[@annpolese3160]

Love the wallpaper....very retro....