One Bite at a Time: Clutter and Habits - The Clutter Fairy Weekly #37

[@universaltruth2025]

Another idea to improve habits is to give yourself a challenge to make each habit you already have, even more efficient & effective than last time you did it. For example, washing dishes might become washing dishes then wiping the table; then washing dishes, wiping the table, clear the benchtop... etc with the aim of doing one more small thing but in a similar timeframe.

[@wendygreer1278]

While I was working remotely, I re-watched Clutter Fairy videos. One of the best pieces of advice Gayle's ever given me is to get rid of the trash first. Once the trash is gone (to me, trash is anything I haven't done anything with, and will not do anything with), and I clean an area, it really motivates me to keep going and get rid of other things. In the last few months, I've gifted my kids with their embordered Christmas stockings, and also given them other mementos from their childhoods (they live in their own houses). I am working to send off their special t-shirts to be made into quilts to give for Christmas this year; the Endings and Beginnings video really helped motivate me. Next I am tackling my cedar chest! Thank you, Gayle! You've really inspired change in my life!

[@TheClutterFairy]

That's fabulous news! So glad to have helped you shift on this.

[@Sheryl777]

If any of you (like me) have watched youtube channels where they are cleaning their houses, you'll notice many times that even though they just posted a video a week before having cleaned their homes from top to bottom, in the new video the whole house is totally trashed again. lol I've often thought, as Gayle mentioned, that if they only practiced putting things away after they used them, and also taught their children to do the same, that a trashed house would almost never be allowed to happen in the first place.... unless there were unusual circumstances, such as illness for example.

[@tamimartin9149]

Gayle (sorry I spelled your name wrong when I thanked you before!) thank you so much. My house was always neat but I got listening to you and Ed and I started to really see all the stuff. As my needs changed I kept the old stuff and yikes, I ended up cluttered. I’ve donated or trashed at least 7 car loads and counting. I even ditched all the not my size clothes I’ve kept for 30 years😂 I can’t stress enough how freeing it is. I don’t miss any of it👍🏻

[@jamesbriggs5740]

I am more comfortable with a paper list. I wrote it down so I don't have to remember. Kathy B Free stuff tempts me. I have gotten a number of useful items from curbsides. Being on a low budget I welcome hand-me-downs. Shopping has to be conscious---True!

[@BermetJamankulova]

Having a vision for what I want my space to look like helps me the most to get there, I noticed that I can be more ruthless if I know what I want the end result to be. This recently happened to my fridge and pantry and I was blown away at the ease of the process and that it is staying that way. I envisioned what I want the space to look like and then items started to fly off the shelves! And I realized that closets are mostly difficult for me to organize because I focus on WHAT I wear not on HOW I store the items.

[@Iquey]

Corona has definitely interrupted or traumatized people's shopping habits but most of the dearth of shoppers I think IS due to a reduced budget. But the online buy and pickup has shown promise. It can be a boon for parents or older people. Staying out of the store keeps the kids from whining for an item..saves older folks' energy too. People definitely stuck at the house feel more confronted by the clutter I also think.

[@mosim9691]

Gayle: You look so pretty! My new mantra "My clothes are organized; and my closet is tidy!" Thanks for another great video!

[@TheClutterFairy]

Thanks Mo! Glad you got some good support out of it!

[@lisachubrilo]

I wish! It would be easier if there weren't all the seasons here in Indiana.

[@czeidman8908]

One I heard was 'be lazy"- if you put something down and have to put it away later, skip the putting it down and just put it away

[@yogigutz2875]

Great podcast! I am a big fan, You nailed it about habits. Look forward to your podcasts every weekend always learn a good hint

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

I use the Amazon Wish list as a deterrent to purchase...it's helpful.

[@Sheryl777]

This really was (to me) one of the best shows/videos you've done so far!

[@lisachubrilo]

I just remembered a place I have to only carry cash...the festival's! Here in Indiana. Also the pandemic hardly changed my buying habits...the last 2 year's with you have prepared me for this.🙋 Also I'm like you with beads..but I buy seeds. I love growing things and I also buy on line at night ..seeds..but I do put them in a cart..and later delete or write on my paper list.sometimes like today I got a pack of seeds in the mail. I had to look them up to see why..late night purchases..haha

[@faelixlycanth8789]

i know to never go shopping when I'm hungry... I end up with sooooo much more food than i really needed.

[@VivLaV07]

LOVE that book-earning bit of advice (read 100 pages, earn a dollar/euro toward a new book); I think if I actually implement it, it could truly be a whole new shift for me - thanks to whoever suggested it!

[@bluejay5531]

yes that was a great one! I have tried so many times to restrain my own book shopping, with similar rules, I can buy 1 book after I have read 3 (or 5 or x) and so on...but I have never managed to do it consistently...

[@VivLaV07]

@@bluejay5531 me neither! *facepalm* your reply here reminded me of this helpful guideline...egad, I just read ONE physical book this weekend, but bought 10 e-books (sale sucker, 1 or 2 bucks each....ack) I hadn't even THOUGHT about this guideline...*sigh* ok, no more....ack! :o| I wish I could read faster than I can buy :op Thanks again for the reminder, and kudos to you for trying to curb your book shopping :) *thumbs up and high five*

[@bluejay5531]

@@VivLaV07 it is soo hard...then I think the real problem is only that in my case there is a sort of compulsion to keep accumulating so many books that then I will probably not be able to read and this creates anxiety and guilt, so I would like to be able to manage this out of respect for my own books and my passion for reading, and to focus more on the joy of it...anyhow it is such a wonderful love to have, that of books and reading :-)

[@VivLaV07]

@@bluejay5531 Agreed, the love of books and reading is a wonderful blessing :) That said, I think I know what you mean about the compulsion, anxiety, and guilt about it. To some extent, my bookshelves have become loaded with "to-do's" (or "to-read's") rather than "joys," which books have always been for me. Or used to be. I mean, it is still quite lovely to read, I definitely still enjoy it, but sometimes when I'm not reading they sort of make me feel bad if they sit there too long, unread and unenjoyed. Weird, huh? But true :o/

[@bluejay5531]

@@VivLaV07 yes I feel the same way...

[@GothGirlWorld]

Lol, I shop Dollar Tree for a lot of my necessities. (I always have a list of items I need) Walmart layaway, a great way to reserve items for holiday shopping without having to buy them right away. Items can be added or deleted later. And it's always a bonus when an item goes down in price while it's waiting to be picked up.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Thank you for this group and your posts

[@geneveiveharper]

This comment is late, but during early quarantine I was confronted by how much I used shopping to get some walking in. Not even recreational or expensive shopping, mostly just frequent stops at the grocery store for one or two items, and I would walk the aisles just for that little bit of activity.

[@TheClutterFairy]

I'll bet that didn't feel safe anymore! Well, time to find another place/way to get some walking in. Grab a mask and maybe meet a friend for some outdoor window shopping, or walking around a neighborhood park. At least the season is getting better for outdoor walking. You could also get a pass and walk through the local zoo, or museum or a gallery. Try a local high school track! Take a friend if that feels safer to you.

[@geneveiveharper]

@@TheClutterFairy Yes it would have been taboo to go to the store that much back then also. We ended up doing a lot of picnics at the park, which is always a good thing.

[@InfiniteMindset99]

I like the book example with a tie-in for any future expenses for that group by action. Thanks to you and your callers- I will use that method for clothing and # of uses! 😇

[@jenniferselespara1327]

You took the words out my mouth is always over spend at target and I have the credit card lol

[@nicoletteovereem8886]

Thanks again, you two, for all the good tips!

[@KS-xb3cg]

Dave Ramsey calls cutting up the credit cards a plastectimy. Lol. WORKS

[@dannusmk1578]

This is spot on! Outstanding! Thank you!

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

I think a lot of shoppers who do it for therapy likely just went on line and simply continued. I do believe it will never be the same but it will be a new normal and we'll adjust. We need a vaccine and another year or two and it'll get better. I miss live music the most.

[@sarahnp490]

Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club, etc. price per unit is often the same, frequently a bit more, and only less by a few cents that typical retail prices. Factor in the the cost of gasoline to and from and you can see you often paid more.

[@ArtyAntics]

Le Zaza yep, Costco is only good for appliances in the UK. Everything else isn’t worth it unless you are a business.

[@ArtyAntics]

rowan orre oh nice! I might look at that next time I need tires.

[@DitaVeneration]

Thank you Clutter Fairy 🧚🏻‍♀️ 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️ One bite at a time....🐘🐘🐘 Love you, Gayle!

[@A222Z]

My impulse shopping is very low = bc I'm wanting to own even less than I do now = to be portable.. also, I always allow myself to purchase something unique & different in the way of food, but I'm also mindful about purchasing healthy. I usually shop w/an agenda in my head.😊

[@ArtyAntics]

Normally love your videos but the mantra stuff reminds me of the new age law of attraction stuff where you speak what you want to manifest. Ive seen many go down that route and they are miserable. I can say my closet is tidy and my clothes are organised as much as I want, but if it’s not I’m just teaching myself to be in denial. However stacking habits is a good idea and something that really works because you are accepting where you are at and doing something to get to where you want to be. Habits have been life changing for me and I would recommend this over the mantra stuff. P.s. can’t wait for next weeeeeeek!

[@Sheryl777]

So many times, some of what new agers say (without them really knowing it) first came from scripture, and it was taken by them and possibly twisted in some way. If we just go by what scripture says without adding or taking away from it, then we get whatever the truth really is. I hope this will help you with the "speaking" part of what Gayle said. This even works for non christians many times...they get whatever they really believe and/or speak a lot of times, even if it wouldn't be God's will for them. Mark 11:20-24 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

[@ArtyAntics]

Sheryl777 I love those verses, and why did Jesus curse that fig tree? ...because it wasn’t producing fruit. Who controls the state of my closet? Is it me or the clothes? So do I speak to my closet and tell my clothes to be moved? Or do I recognise that I haven’t produced good fruit in stewarding my clothes, money etc and make a change? The mountain we are moving in this instance is our heart attitude. Luke 3:11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

[@Sheryl777]

@@ArtyAntics You speak to yourself and say that you are a person who puts your clothes away when needed, instead of throwing them on the back of a chair. If you do that enough times, it will help make the change, because you will be changing your mind and heart as to what type of person you are. And I agree with you that we should share with others if we have more than enough for just ourselves.

[@ArtyAntics]

Sheryl777 I say many things to myself, none of them happen unless I make a choice, hence I supported the habit change. I guess I don’t under the context in which you quoted that scripture to me. Is it because you believe speaking something manifests it into reality? If so that is new age and not Christianity. The only time I’ve managed to have a change of heart attitude is when I’ve seen the truth and either conviction has changed me or my desire was removed. John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” My heart changed over my closet when I realised how poorly garment workers were treated and how little I needed!

[@Sheryl777]

@@ArtyAntics I believe that speaking good things over ourselves and our lives helps us (just as good actions do) to make changes in our lives. And I base that on the scriptures I posted which say that if we believe that those things which we say shall come to pass, then they will. If we don't believe what we're saying, then chances are they probably won't.

[@bonniespruin6369]

Since the pandemic, we've been preferring to use debit for purchases. There is less contact with possible germs. I never used to use Tap, but I'm liking that now. Less contact. We don't go out much shopping, only when we have to.

[@cherylb8233]

Love the podcast !!!!

[@TheClutterFairy]

Thanks! we're so glad!

[@sharonbranch4647]

Gratitude ❣

[@suzanbak1]

Mental breaks are healthy. Rest. Regroup. Then carry on!

[@marliesyanke4580]

Thank you, I'm learning so much from this, but first have a Manhatten before diving into the mess i created 😉

[@TheClutterFairy]

That’s a good plan!

[@surfergirlable]

Hi-How do I store shoes and boots?

[@marliesyanke4580]

My daughter taught me at Target, to put the item i don't need and shop for the items i do need and at checkout i realize i don't want it the impulse item after all.

[@brendapatrick8873]

What book are you reading from on the podcast? I would like to read it.

[@TheClutterFairy]

Brenda, Ed put the link to the magazine article and the link to the website about tiny habits up in the description of the video. Check up there to see the material we referenced in this video.

[@JimmieHammel]

Lololol... There's an elephant in the room. Haha. Very cute.

[@jenniferselespara1327]

Love the show😀😀😀😀

[@sun_buddy]

gail watch out there's a humongous elephant behind you

[@Iquey]

She's wearing headphones! Oh no! She can't hear you!

[@sun_buddy]

@@Iquey OHNO--

[@thriftingsmyhobbiesue2152]

Gayle, I love listening/watching your podcast. I've learned a lot from you about my own clutter. I do have a request. Being a Christian I always cringe when I hear you use the Lord's name in vain. Please find another phrase/word/s. Thanks so much.

[@TheClutterFairy]

I'll do my best.

[@suredeydo]

Hey hey! I see the elephant in the room behind you, Gayle. 😬😁

[@TheClutterFairy]

Isn't it cute?

[@kennethbailey9853]

😊

[@patriotteacher7254]

No audio:(

[@TheClutterFairy]

Ed just uploaded it a minute ago. Try again in a few minutes when YT is done processing the file. It’s playing now for me.

[@patriotteacher7254]

@@TheClutterFairy Tx...will do!

[@lisachubrilo]

Tj maxx and Fresh Thyme trigger my check book..lol