Out with the old Organization, in with the NEW!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Click here helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 25% off your Helix mattress (plus a FREE bedroom bundle!) during their Presidents’ Day Sale, which ends February 20th. If you miss this limited time offer, you can still get 20% off using my link! Offers subject to change. And thank YOU for watching! I hope you have a great day! - Dawn

[@thurst3224]

Dawn... just left you a comment regarding trading boys room with storage room in the general comments area....

[@teamgert]

Please please please. Tell me where you got your carpet, the color, etc etc.

[@AndreaSooHill429]

Your missi g chalk tag is on the side of the basket??!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@cyndij8312]

I just bought a Helix mattress! I hope I love it as much as you do. I'm excited!

[@reginapustelak5420]

Hey there. Pretty sure I noticed the label for the microphone container on the side of it

[@janecusicscheller9784]

Dawn Thank you for bringing the minimalist life to an almost-76 year old Granny! Turns out you CAN teach an old new tricks!!

[@melanieoconnell6390]

I love that you jumped on board with Dawn Jane !! Proud of you - praying my 79 year old mom will let her heart soften to this way of living too 🙏🙏❤️❤️

[@JTA1855]

me too!

[@janecusicscheller9784]

And i'm using the onion method by decluttering in layers...especially in my kitchen!

[@KS-zc4jn]

​@@melanieoconnell6390 I'm praying for my grandparents to figure this out soon. No one wants to go through a hoarded house after your loved ones die. It makes it harder than just losing them. Unfortunately, I foresee months of cleaning out their hoard.

[@28105wsking]

Me too! Big hug!

[@GettingMyselfTogether]

At the beginning of the year, I was half way through my maternity leave, and my middle child (3years old) was home for two weeks, recovering from a tonsillectomy. During that time I went on a major decluttering mission that he helped with. As a child that is very very emotionally attached to everything, including socks and underwear that no longer fit, he was having a hard time with watching me let things go. All my own things. I loved the fact that I had large amount of time to just slam a bunch of decluttering, and I could have just put him in front of the TV to avoid the interruptions. But as he would ask questions, I took the extra step to explain to him, not just why I was getting rid of each item he asked about, but also why I have it initially. Showing him that this “thing” did bring joy and happiness, but it’s ok to be all done with the joy and happiness and let someone else have that feeling now so we can make room for other things or people. By the end of the two weeks, he purged 80% of his toys and clothes (that no longer fit) on his own. Now he walks around the house asking if he can “get rid” of items.. that aren’t his. 😂

[@Jade-eeee]

That’s very sweet 💗

[@petmomful2260]

That is adorable, and a good learning experience.

[@l.w.tomaso6277]

I love it. I do the same with my kids. I have the t.v and tablets off while I declutter and typically they are curious about what I am decluttering so I often share that time to explain and talk them through my decisions. It really does make a difference in their mindset to watch and learn and ask.

[@sxwrtr918]

Well done❤. But from your last line, it sounds like you may have created a monster, lol..

[@sct4040]

So cute.

[@natc.5940]

Speaking as a child who was forced to declutter… for years when I was small my mom would talk me into giving my toys to the Children’s Hospital. She and I would get declutter our stuff but my dad never would. When I asked her why he got to keep his things, she gave me answers that apparently appeased me then but I don’t recall now. When I was in 4th grade, my best friend gave me this weird little stuffed animal thing that she had made herself. I kept it on the window sill in a place of honor. Later that yearn my mom went thru another round of decluttering my stuff and I watched her grab it and throw it away. I was very upset and said I would trade ANYTHING ELSE to keep it, but she said no. She wouldn’t listen to the fact my friend had made that herself especially for me. That was the moment that trust was broken. I started hiding all my treasured stuff in boxes where my mom wouldn’t see it. I never let her convince me that anything was really going someone else who needed it. I never forgave her, and when she divorced my dad and left all her stuff behind, I had zero sympathy or consideration for the things that she might actually treasure (and I knew well what many of those things were) and I ruthlessly tossed all her stuff out. I understand now that there was a lot going on, and I know now that my dad is definitely a hoarder. Still, for me it was that one moment where she didn’t care about just what that little weird stuffed creature that completely changed my behavior and it still effects how I conceal what matters most to me now. For goodness sake, LISTEN to your kids. If it looks crappy and cheap to you, find out why it matters to them before you toss it. I had been well on my way to being a lifelong declutterrer, and even now 45 years later I struggle to let go of useless things and display the things I love.

[@JaneTonyKelso]

I’m so sorry that happened to you❤

[@nikki-xc9kh]

🥹

[@dsmith9796]

I'm sorry that happened to you but it sounds like your childhood had a lot going on between your parents. Maybe your mom was so overwhelmed because your dad was a hoarder that she overreacted with you. I'm sorry she didn't listen to you, but rest assured that it's pretty obvious that most of Dawn's subscribers are not tossing out beloved objects. Best wishes to you.

[@WellEditedCo]

I’m so sorry that happened to you! Listening to our children-and other loved ones-is so important. Thank you for making that point. We can help our families declutter while still respecting them.

[@Anwelei]

I’m so sorry your mom did that to you. *hugs* Your friend must have been really special to you to give you a homemade item ❤️❤️❤️

[@chandraharper9951]

“Our kids are drowning in stuff and they’re the loneliest they’ve ever been.” Wow. Such a true statement. I don’t have any kids of my own, but I’m a high school teacher and I see this every day with my students.

[@sct4040]

Kids want your company, not stuff. They want to go places with you, do stuff with you, talk to you. Not stuff.

[@TriciaMaples]

I deep cleaned/decluttered my 11-year old daughter’s room while she was away at camp. I didn’t throw anything away unless it was obvious trash. When she came home she was thrilled. There was maybe 2-3 items she asked about, I retrieved, and the rest was donated. Her room has been relatively clean since!

[@dsmith9796]

That is the way I always cleaned/decluttered my daughter's room. I cleaned when she wasn't home. I knew what she played with most - I didn't show her what I had removed but if she missed something enough to ask for it back, which was rare, I gave it back. After a week I donated. She is now a 30 year old, well adjusted adult, who has never mentioned that I damaged her by decluttering her stuff.

[@sharonberg4817]

Glad that worked for you. Many years ago when I was away my mom threw away most of my stuff and then replaced my small pile blue rug with a pea soup green shag rug. Yuck! With hindsight I truly believe I became a hoarder from this experience. I still have way too much inventory, but slowly, most every week I let my new things go so others can use them rather than me storing it.

[@cherylbisera5039]

My mom used to do this for me when I would go visit a friend out of state or go to my grandparents for a couple weeks… same age as your daughter. It was amazing- it was the best gift. I was so excited to come home and be surprised by my room, looking like a “model home”… I was not able to keep it up, but I loved and appreciated it - and it still sticks with me today how it made me feel and loved my room anew again. I’m a very clean, tidy, organized person now.

[@rebekahguilder602]

@@cherylbisera5039same here!

[@charlesbtw3627]

Love your positivity! Did you notice the missing label is on the side of the storage box

[@thedirtprincess3293]

I came down here to say the same! I thought, "am i seeing right? I think its on the side!"❤

[@ncmoxie]

I saw it there too

[@royalone3009]

I was going to say the same. The microphone label is on the side of the container for it

[@RitaDeeDee]

Yes! I came to say the same!😅

[@tammyi363]

😂I’m here for the same!

[@familyofparsons5354]

Aww, Dawn, hearing you tell the story of wanting your house to be kinda small made me think of a song by Doug Stone called Little Houses. 🥰 It goes like this: "Because love grows best in little houses With fewer walls to separate Where you eat and sleep so close together You can't help but communicate Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we'd miss Love grows best, in houses just like this Yeah, love grows best, in houses just like this"

[@jjandregg693]

❤yes

[@28105wsking]

Children's toys: LIttle kids have whole lives and personalities in their imaginations which are attached to their stuffed toys. Don't declutter those toys without their involvement and ASKING them! They are intelligent, children have feelings, and they should be talked to and discussed with. Have conversations with them. Im 76 and still upset that my mother decluttered a rag doll she sewed herself for me before I was born! I loved it because she made it for me before she knew me! It still makes me cry! That doll was precious to me. Yes, she sat on a shelf because I didn't want to hurt it in any way, but that doesn't mean I didn't love it. Just ASK me! Don't take away their friends without asking them.

[@maeb7723]

If I could only pick ONE KZbin channel to subscribe to and regularly watch, it would be yours (and I've been watching for YEARS, and my house has been transformed already). I watch every single video you post (many I've watched more than once), I always feel encouraged in my minimalist lifestyle, and yours is just my FAVORITE! Thank you for such a positive, uplifting space on KZbin. ❤️

[@TheClutterLady]

About the money thing: we're not usually spending MORE money to get rid of it. The things we're getting rid of will mostly be things we're not going to buy again. Plus, as someone who shops at thrift stores, I appreciate that others have donated expensive items that I can buy for a fraction of the price. So think of it as me doing the same for someone else when I donate stuff I paid kind of a lot for. Similarly, I used to hate throwing things away because I felt bad that they would go in a landfill, and it seemed so wasteful. But then I looked around and realized my HOUSE looked like a landfill! And I really didn't want that either. 😅

[@joanmc6108]

This was an issue for me too until I realised that as soon as something is manufactured it is potential landfill. It either goes into landfill now as we declutter or it goes into landfill sometime down the track. We need to use that guilt we feel throwing it out, to remind us not to buy so much wasteful stuff in the future, and this way less stuff will be manufactured. As Dawn always says keeping hold of our unwanted stuff won’t put the money we paid for it back in our wallet. I say keeping hold of our unwanted stuff won’t prevent it from becoming landfill. We are just using our homes as a landfill storage station.

[@jillh.9617]

The things are still on the planet, now they’re just in a different area and not your place.

[@jeannereich8690]

The missing label is on the side of the storage basket. 😊

[@petmomful2260]

@@joanmc6108 I definitely buy less stuff now. I look at really pretty stuff at the store, and then I remember that I have to dust it, wash it, store it. I remind myself that I am making my life easier by not buying stuff unless I need it, or really, really, really want it. So in the long run I feel that I am saving money, making less work for myself, and putting LESS in the landfill. So I totally agree with you. Lately it has been hard because my husband's uncle passed away, and in cleaning out his building we found some real treasures. (He kept everything.) We kept a few, my kids took a few, my grandkids took a few, our neighbor took some furniture, and we donated some. Now the building is sold, so we are done.

[@marylynn1945]

Me too!

[@RitaVernoy]

I do agree with you on small houses uniting families. As a missionary for 40 yrs, mostly living in an indigenous community in the Amazon jungle, we raised our children in a small mud hut with a palm roof. It was 4 kids to a room but sleeping in hammocks. My kids have such great memories of growing up. At the time I felt shame and guilt that they were missing out on so much, but now that they are grown with kids of their own, they have all chosen to live in smaller homes so that their kids can have the same experiences.

[@uddercharmsfarm8159]

It's funny how children will follow in your footsteps. I was able to clear out a large drawer and yesterday decided to pull all my serving dishes off my open shelves and put there. That led to decluttering a few items on those shelves that we don't use. So now I have quite a bit less there and even got rid of a couple of items on the counter - I am def finding that less things around is so much better visually and for my brain. So once I was done, my 11yo decided to go to her room and go thru all her clothes. She came to me with a box of clothes to donate......WIN WIN!!!

[@SunnyLife1357]

Hi Dawn. I think I’ve only comment once before this but wanted to let you know that your videos, even if you’ve mentioned it before, never think that your message won’t turn on a light for someone. I’ve been decluttering along with you and probably countless others through the years. Watching this video “turned on a figurative lightbulb” in my brain. I’m in a large home with just my husband now and have filled the guess room closets with “my stuff.” But this video made me see how I can declutter more, then organize with items more thoughtfully and concisely . Thank you sharing with all of us the decisions, plans, changes and emotions behind your actions that we all benefit from when the “lightbulb” turns on!

[@k.johnson1256]

We did not have very many things growing up, definitely not a cluttered household. We didn't get lots of toys at Christmas, we got one special toy and the rest would be clothing for school. When I was 7, my one toy was a teddy bear. Well, when I was in high school, my mom gave my childhood teddy bear to visiting children (rather spoiled children I might add) and I have to say I'm still kind of upset about it at age 50. Of course I'm not actually angry at my mother, but it hurts my heart just a little bit when I remember my little bear., I do wish I had it, or even a photo of it. I like your method for giving children one limited bin for treasures so that they can choose what's important to them.

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

My mom gave away my favorite stuffed animal and I never got over it. I was very attached. As an only child, it was my sleep partner and pretty much my best friend. Always asks!

[@lizzibriggsriesco7604]

Mom's usually know what the FAVORITE stuffy is. Knowingly getting rid of it without asking is just not OK. I have a feeling that the mom who asked this question got rid of one that wasn't a favorite but was a 3rd tier stuffy that was missed.

[@toomanymarys7355]

​@@lizzibriggsriesco7604Moms don't always know. Quit presuming. My kids surprise me with want they want to get rid of and what they want to keep.

[@momtrck]

My grandson, 7, has watched me add stuff to a donate box that we take to our local thrift store. When I asked him if he had any toys at my house he was done playing with he picked out HALF his inventory. I put it on a table for 2 weeks so he could think about it and he agreed to donate it all. He hasn’t had regrets which is awesome. Before watching Dawn I would have stored everything in tubs in the garage for “someday”. Now I feel the freedom of empty shelves in the garage. Thanks, Dawn.

[@TRUTHisTRUTH70]

I would put the breadmaker and IP on a higher shelf because (for me) it's easier to pick up something heavy when it's at waist height. The lightweight items can go on the highest or lowest shelves. 😃

[@TheClutterLady]

Yes! Same! 😅

[@AZHITW]

Me too! I always put the lightest unbreakable stuff that might slip out of my hand and drop on my head on the top shelves. The most used at eye level. Ten years ago, I swore off storing anything under beds because at 74 it ain't easy crawling around on the floor trying to retrieve stuff.

[@rebeccab_bwlt]

I keep my crockpot and dutch ovens between knee and chest level for the same reason! But the storage looks amazing, Dawn, and I agree - some things don't quite deserve kitchen space, but I don't want to have to run to the basement for things I use frequently (but less than weekly or monthly).

[@3dchick]

Me, too. I will either drop things that are too low or high, or I'll damage my back. That doesn't leave much storage, sigh.

[@kathybullmer8884]

I am loving the minimalist journey. I am 64 year old Nana. I was so happy when my daughter helped clean out all the attic! Little bit by little bit I am getting rid of stuff.❤

[@barbarapahl3245]

I’m 67 years old and I have been decluttering for the last year. I may never be Minimalist but I sure have downsized with over thing. It sure feels so good! I’m still peeling back the onion!

[@michelleperea7407]

Now that I’m a minimalist I find it easier to use the one in one out rule. I never have to do a declutter if I use that rule when something new comes. I like to work smarter not harder.

[@KS-zc4jn]

Another tactic one can take to get rid of a little bit more would be 1 in - 5 out (or whatever number you want) until you get to a comfortable level of possessions.

[@jennsmith377]

" It is easier for our brain to just use the things we know how to use." YES!

[@graceday7203]

I've been working on down-sizing for quite awhile, but there are reasons to keep extras on hand in a lot of cases where we live. We are on a small island with just one tiny grocery store (high prices and very limited availability) so we have learned to stock up on "stuff." We have frequent issues with ferry break-downs and one never knows when they might be stuck on the island (or off the island, for that matter.) Our late pastor was in the fire department and taught us that if/when there was a wide-spread emergency, no help would be coming from the mainland to help us, and we needed to be prepared to care for ourselves and our neighbors. When there is an island-wide power outage, people pull out food from the freezer and take it to a community building where meals are prepared for those without generators. We stock up! When my sister-in-law lived near us, I knew we could always borrow from her huge supply of place settings when we wanted to entertain, but she moved off-island and those things aren't available any more. I'd love nothing more than to get rid of all of my extra dishes, but we do a lot of entertaining and not on paper plates! (Teas, luncheons and dinners for Operation Christmas Child functions.) I'd love to get rid of extra bedding, but as soon as I do, I can count on my cat-in-hospice to pee on the bed. I've had to get up in the middle of the night to change linens... three nights in a row when we were on our sailboat last summer! (I bought extras for the boat, and I store them under the mattress now.) I still enjoy watching all of your videos... I do glean ideas that make sense for us to use. I remember the days after we first built our home here, and the house seemed so easy to care for. Of course I am 16 years older than I was when we arrived, so maybe it was easier because I was younger. I do long for the feeling of our home being our "retreat" and easier to maintain. Thanks for all you do!

[@laurent4809]

Dawn I want to thank you! Your advice changed my life (not joking) and my home. We moved into a larger home about a year ago. We wanted more space to host. I was very very careful before buying anything new to add to what we already had. I told myself I need to need it at least three times before I actually consider buying it. That has been a great rule. I recently bought one of those little frother spinner things. It was 5 dollars but I still made myself follow the rule. My boys laughed at me and said “it’s five bucks mom!” I told them that my view of “stuff” has forever changed. It’s not the cost, it’s the managing. Good news I actually do use the frother. Almost daily. However, I didn’t want to buy something on a whim and then have to declutter it in a few months. Thank you for your help. ❤️

[@Robin-MP]

I love that story about your parents, grand parents farms and the little cute one in the middle, I am happy you got your dream home, size dont mean everything, I live in a 3 room apt. by myself on my own accord, I love cozy spaces. I have always had small spaces to live in. I did have 2 large houses but I always felt like someone was sneaking in the back door to get me, never felt secure, So, ya, nothin wrong with small.♥

[@MyFocusVaries]

I'm the youngest of 7, and our family of 9 didn't feel squeezed in our 3 bedroom house because the average person owned fewer things back in the 70s. Our kitchen had plenty of storage because back then the average family didn't have air fryers and kitchen aids or food processors. Now I have a lot of space devoted to small appliances that I don't really use that often (but my husband seems emotionally attached to; this is the one area I haven't fully minimized).

[@eek1759]

Im so glad you mentioned the velvet vs. wooden hangers thing. I have never understood the velvet hanger craze. It always seems to be so you can cram a lot more clothes in a space, but it is actually not good for the clothes to be packed together like that. If any clothes are even slightly damp, no air will be able to get in to dry them, thereby encouraging the development of mold and smells. It also encourages wrinkling. The wooden hangers keep your clothes slightly apart so they can get air and wrinkles can be avoided.

[@thedirtprincess3293]

I think the velvet hangers work better for people who wear a lot of strappy tops like camisoles or shimmery fabric tank tops, etc, as the velvet is just about the only way to keep the straps from sliding off. Slots on the hangers for straps tend to make me crazy and say bad words.

[@JamieM470]

The velvet hangers are so thin that they must put poking-out corners at the top of sleeves. I think @thedirtprincess is right; they work best for strappy tops, which I don't have lol. I've also heard that velvet hangers start to shed after a while. No thanks! I'm keeping my wooden hangers too. I love them.

[@pinkroses135]

The main reason I went for velvet hangers is because of delicate fabrics, dresses, boat necks etc. You definitely want space between your clothing though. Also they're the quietest hanger should you need to get dressed while someone is sleeping or if you're more of a misophonic type. I had those crystal plastic hangers and I could not stand the swivel heads tangling and the constant noise at the slightest touch lol.

[@strawberrylove5684]

I think most people would be happy to stick with wooden hangers if we already had a full matching set of them. But most people don’t: they have a horrible mish mash of crappy wire hangers or mismatched plastic hangers. So it’s relatively affordable these days to replace all those crappy ones with matching velvet ones from Home Goods.

[@findingaway5512]

I am team cheap plastic white or black hangers. 😂 I am not a fan of wooden ones they are thick and I feel like too slidey for me but I am also not a velvet hanger person. I usually just pull my clothes off and it would annoy me if it stuck to it.

[@louisetaylor6054]

Small houses in USA are still big compared to lots of UK houses. Ours is a 1930’s house and it’s half the size of yours really! Definitely makes it homely and better for keeping non essentials out x

[@andreawales1938]

*homey

[@louisetaylor6054]

@@andreawales1938 . BRITISH (I’m from the UK) (of a place or surroundings) simple but cosy and comfortable, as in one's own home.

[@Mlazjayyy]

If you’re no longer fostering or providing weekend stays why not have the boys move into the spare room since it’s more spacious and convert their room to a storage room? You can always do a little tweaking to the bed frames you guys built to convert them into shelves. Just a thought. Much love.

[@ncmoxie]

I was thinking the same, or move the girl’s downstairs and the boys into their room As it is a little larger. The boys room already has a closet so perfect for a storage room. And, keep their beds in there and it can double as guest space. Just a thought. Love the great info and visiting with you each week!

[@christineabercrombie5257]

Love the wardrobe and your inspo in the video! You were the first minimalist I came across online and you have totally changed my life around! I now also understand that I have ADHD (am 60!) and that having very little makes life so much easier for me. Understanding that I am not the failure I always thought I was… no words! Thank you Dawn (and Tom!)

[@carolgladney9890]

I had listened to, and tried with several other ladies. This lovely girl made it all make sense, and made me believe that I really can donate, throw away, etc. It's a very good feeling ❤

[@sarar5230]

Im 60, and thinking I also have ADHD undiagnosed for many years. I realise I like to be tidy and organised and space, even in smaller rooms. Otherwise I get overwhelmed and ‘freeze’ sets in. It helps that its not just me being a problem or failing.

[@HomesteadingChicks]

I have been practicing all of these ideas for a couple of years. My husband lost something small in the house. He just decluttered and organized his way through half the house and found the little item! He hasn’t wanted to get rid of anything. I’ve tried so hard to just casually explain what I’m doing and leave his stuff alone. He finally came around without the nagging and begging.

[@andreawales1938]

When my children were little, we would often do the 10-minute tidy, based on the 10-second Tidy featured on the children’s show “The Big Comfy Couch.” (While watching, we’d do the 10-second Tidy, too, and it was pretty funny!) I would NEVER get rid of my children’s items without their consent because those items belonged to them, not to me. Another reason was that they would miss out on opportunities to learn and practice how to pass along what they no longer needed to someone who needed it. Because little children often get distracted, I would also sit in their rooms while they cleaned their rooms. To keep them on task, I would ease them into different decluttering, organizing and cleaning activities, especially quick wins like grabbing items off the floor. When working with children/grandchildren, I like to use the Socratic Method. Because it is based on asking questions about what they already know, it allows them to come up with the answers on their own. (The Socratic Method is also wonderful for tutoring, especially math and science, because the students come to the right conclusion on their own!)

[@ShanniLovess]

When my kids were younger I def noticed when I decluttered their rooms they were so happy to have a fresh start and less things to manage. I was always amazed by how much they were willing to give away.

[@user-sq3kk3wt8p]

Love your home and what a fantastic example you are to us all. Listening to you just gets me motivated to do more. I did wonder about the boxes of drinks; will they go somewhere else? And finally, I would ask you to remind mothers to respect their children's feelings enough to ask them about stuffed animals. They truly are different than other toys, and children bond with some of them and so it is so important to bring them into those decisions. I am in my 60s now and still remember the feeling when my mother gave away one of mine when I was young, it truly broke my heart then, like losing a friend. You have such an influence on others, and I understand not wanting the mother to feel bad, but downplaying how the child feels sends the wrong message to other mothers. Let's try to remember that even though our children are young, their feelings are real and matter... especially with their stuffed animal "friends".

[@serenitynow8021]

You articulate the benefits of decluttering and minimalism very well! No worries there, Dawn!

[@thurst3224]

DAWN... Have you considered using the tiny room the boys are currently sharing as your extra storage room and moving your growing boys to the larger bedroom shown here? Might be worth it!

[@doriscassan6996]

You have put it well. I was going to make a Harry Potter reference.....

[@bowlingmaniac1761]

Probably isn’t practical since this is near the kitchen and their bedroom and the boys are upstairs. I personally wouldn’t want to walk upstairs to get dressed or get my kitchen appliances or batteries when everything else is on the main floor.

[@thurst3224]

I was under the impression this room was for the foster care children they are no longer going to have (at least for now). They are currently using the space for off-season clothing and rarely used small appliances. Figured a rare trip up the stairs for an item every once in a while is not a big deal, but more space for the daily living of both growing boys is a much bigger issue. Same thought process we use when decluttering.... put the most used items in prime spaces, seasonal or rarely used items in harder to reach spaces.... hence, the boys' daily routine vs rare trips up the stairs for special items.

[@olivemaycards]

I don’t think this downstairs room is bigger, just squarer, and with all the windows and doors it might actually be harder to place two beds plus all the rest of their stuff. The upstairs spaces seem to work really well for the kids - a good balance of sharing and separation.

[@thurst3224]

@@olivemaycards ... I was envisioning bunk beds along the same wall they have the current bed. It would be interesting to try / see. Hey, more videos!

[@Lifeinthe10.40Window]

Thanks for another great video. I'd like to offer a word of caution about storing batteries. We had a house fire that started from improperly stored batteries. I had no idea that could happen. Batteries should be stored in their original packaging or a container made for storing batteries. As an extra precaution, we now store ours in the refrigerator.

[@kiarataylor8380]

I can say that I was definitely attached to a doll and a stuffed koala bear as a child and I still get a little sad feeling in my gut when I think about them. The doll, I lost at a park and the koala bear was decluttered by my mom because she said it looked too raggedy lol I live pretty minimal now but I know that children really do have feelings when it comes to the actual physical item.

[@jessimari3752]

This is so helpful! Thank you for sharing! Regarding your basement, have you tried putting drylock on the walls? My husband did that to our garage, and we haven't had any water get in since. He had to put two coats, and a third on specific areas of the wall that were still letting in moisture.

[@TheSchuylerSisters14]

Hi! Can you please do a car or garage organization video? I also like the ones about the kids toys and rooms. I find them very helpful. Thank you! ❤

[@hopefulheart77]

Since the extra bedroom downstairs is not being used for anyone, that would be a great bedroom for Adeline. I'm sure as a teenage girl she would appreciate having her own room and enjoying her privacy.

[@mariamacdonald1007]

A while back I stopped buying paper napkins, instead we use paper towels, the smaller strips, and fold them in half. It works great and there is less “different” items to manage.

[@diahi7601]

You mentioned hating your dresser because it's too hard to access, and you mentioned a Marie Kondo concept. Have you tried the Marie Kondo method of folding clothes and filling your dresser her way? Trifolding clothes and putting them on end like she does let's you see all your clothes in your dresser like a file cabinet. At a time in our life when we had very tiny closets and no extra hanging storage, this was such a game changer for us! I found we got far more in our dresser, and we could still easily see and easily access all the items in our dresser. Can't recommend it enough!!

[@terrimorfey5106]

While watching something recorded, most commercials are at least 5 minutes. So instead of fast forwarding through the commercial, I get up and do something. Doesn’t make a lot of difference but I feel better about watching the show.

[@kakylong2]

Dawn, Great video. I've been putting off purging my sewing / craft room because I know it's a huge project. Yesterday, my Hubby told me he had a few hours if I wanted help with it. We started & I'm already seeing some things accomplished. It's still going to take some time, but it feels good to have started. I was texting a friend this morning & she offered to come help me as well. I'll probably get her to paint & change furniture around when I've finished purging it. Keep the motivation coming. 😊

[@liana2136]

I have a sewing area that's needing attention. I need to get real about how many patterns I really need. Still have some from the 90s. 😊

[@cynthiacrowther5964]

I’ve been trying to downsize since 2003 when my parents died and my sisters and I were left to sort the stuff. I’ve been somewhat successful by living in one bedroom apartments since my family grew up and left home. Still, I’ve never been an organizer until I came across your podcast. I now live in a 600 sq ft granny cottage my son built for me in his backyard. It is a studio with a laundry room, bathroom and a fantastic kitchen. I’m quite content, but in such a small space all open, storage is a problem. Since watching you, I’ve been so inspired and really enjoying this new journey. I organized my bathroom a while back, and I love that it’s still clean and functional. I was the lady that kept everything on the counter because I was going to use it again. But I dreaded cleaning the space and avoided it - even when the rest of the space was spotless. Thank you so much, you are amazing.

[@shelly1224]

I may never be a die hard minimulist, but I am learning to make room for the things that matter. Thank you for auch great videos.

[@simmiedavissimmiesings8185]

5 minutes have been a lifesaver for me. I am actually reaching a point where I'm ready to take whole rooms and give the contents away. I have reduced my wardrobe by 50 percent. And I still have too much that I do not wear. Having layers of decluttering sessions helps. I love my IKEA too. 😂

[@angiemiller566]

Awesome job Dawn!!! It looks great I'm yelling at the screen because I think the label was on the other side of the basket 😂

[@potsylvania]

I was pleased and surprised to see that you keep your linens at a minimum.. I do that too. One set of sheets for each bed.

[@erikastanger7848]

Same. People think I'm weird. We just wash, dry, and put back on in the same day.

[@deborahmulliss6554]

Getting there. I have been decluttering my wardrobe over the last three years after I retired. Have 49 item hanging in the wardrobe. Three pairs of jeans, two pairs of shorts and three track pants for working round the house. Eight tee shirts. Underwear is still a decluttering in process. If I put something on I don’t like anymore then it goes. Enjoy you vlog.

[@janethunt4037]

A naturally organized friend showed me her entire home, inside cabinets & drawers. I came away knowing that she had a lot more storage space in her living areas than I did. Dawn, you are using the new closet very well.

[@julias259]

Did you consider making this room for the boys? They are growing and might need more room. Maybe their old room could have been storage. Just a thought.

[@CarmelaForbing-ze2pk]

I agree with you about a small house and a family Everybody is together and not all separate in their rooms and far away and not Communicating with each other I think it's the best thing and kids learn how to work together and get along with each other and that's an amazing thing

[@Ccnewman17]

Our garage was getting to hoarder levels and was stressing us out so bad. Like you had mentioned, we decided on one hour sessions over a few weekends so we wouldn’t get burnt out. We’re 3 full hours in and have already cleared out so much clutter! We’ve made a dump run, a thrift store run and broken down a ridiculous amount of boxes for recycling. I can’t get over how much more we were able to accomplish with that time limit rather than freak out about the enormity of what we were facing. We still have to make another pass before we get to the organization part but I estimate I’ll get to park in the garage by April! Thanks for all of your tips and tricks!

[@shannonstone865]

So much easier to get dressed with a closet that has only clothes that fit and I like. I was concerned about depression symptoms- not wanting to get dressed and no motivation in the morning - literally not standing in my closet looking at 100 things I can’t wear, are uncomfortable, need a button for 5 minutes has helped me feel myself again. ❤thank you so much

[@victoriajohnson3034]

For kids clothing to pass down it was so much easier to keep separate totes for different sizes, labeled, so I didn't have to go thru all of the other sizes to find what size I needed

[@Random_Mom]

Furniture placed close to external walls provides the best conditions for condensation, which can lead to mold growth. You might want to consider moving the wardrobe a bit further from the wall. I love your videos!

[@sylviamaxwell504]

Found that out the hard way....

[@denisebunker6674]

Thank you for staying in your small house. It helps to see how you keep it tidy and organized. Also, I do not like the velvet hangers. The feel if icky to me! LOL

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

I don’t like the velvet hangers either; trying heavy plastic hangers with a different shape. I also like regular plastic hangers with little clips inside the frame.

[@kristinesharp6286]

Put the instant pot and other kitchen bits in basement. It will never get used in the spare room. You have 3 rooms where you can find kitchen stuff. Why not add that slim unit next to the pantry cabinet in kitchen.

[@andreawales1938]

The extra items are actually easier to get to on the main level than they would be in the basement because it’s easier to walk over to the spare room to get one or more of them than it would be to descend and climb the stairs with one or more of the items. Using stairs is more dangerous if you are carrying things!

[@kristinesharp6286]

@@andreawales1938 she has too many items. She has to think which place to have the crock pot, the bedroom or the basement or the kitchen. She has too many things in rooms that don’t make sense. Her bedroom huge but clothes in the guest room. The laundry room makes sense to have clothes in. With their second house on the property they no longer need office space in their house by the home school stuff. I’m a child of the 70’s who lived in a 40’s house. Her kitchen has abundance storage. If this is all just to give people ideas of storing things, that is fine.

[@juliacockroft8745]

Very nice storage option. I would personally store the camera and microphone equipment in the office building…

[@andreawales1938]

Most of Dawn’s videos are filmed in the house, and, as a mom, I can tell you that having a still camera nearby to capture cute moments is a must! Storing camera equipment in an outbuilding isn’t practical for families.

[@kennethbailey9853]

These years with Your Teachings and Your Delightful Family have been a Compete Joy !!! Thank You Eternally for Blessing the Entire World !!!❤

[@MyFocusVaries]

We used to watch what my son was playing with and box up things he wasn't using. After a few months, we would donate the boxes. Occasionally he would ask, Where's X? And I would answer, I don't know? (Because it could be anywhere by then, because it was usually months later). He never followed up or seemed concerned.

[@jennylhenry78]

I say the same thing to mine!

[@annahargrave8309]

I get the reasoning here but you are actually lying to your kids… I think they learn more when we are honest and up front, and we involve them with these decisions.

[@dawnt5587]

You have a basement so I would store all of the appliances down there. I would find another place to store anything other than clothing in a bedroom but that’s just me.

[@andreawales1938]

Grabbing items from another room on the same floor is easier, faster and safer than getting them from the basement.

[@dawnt5587]

@@andreawales1938 there are trade offs for everything. Store my kitchen appliances in a bedroom vs taking 1.5 minutes longer to go down stairs and get the appliances.

[@kristybestawrous3007]

I have an interesting clothes system ….. buy 30 cloth boxes and label them 1 through 30 and each a different color…. In each box roll your clothes and put the color clothes that goes in that box. On day 1 pull down box 1 and pick something to wear…. Day 2 box 2 etc. each box has a dress, summer outfit and winter outfit etc. This makes it where you don’t wear the same stuff every day. You can still keep A lot of clothes but you don’t have to search for anything… your decisions are easy and the clothes stay tidy and put up. If you are dying to wear an outfit that is not in that days box you can just go to the box that contains the color you are looking for and easily find what you want. Also putting up clothes is easy because they all go in the box their color is in. It also helps you not over buy because you can easily tell you already have a similar item in that color and you can only put so much in each days box

[@user-wg2sx8ic8r]

Thank you Dawn. My personal experience with the velvet hangers is that they put funny pokey shapes in clothes over time and don’t give sufficient structural support to heavier items, so they don’t last as long. Wood feels more sustainable too. Not for everything or every location, but felt baskets are better for the planet too, so helps to offset guilt on cost. Worth saving for or putting on my Christmas/Birthday wish list😊

[@AGNESKopka]

I keep a lot clothing after my son for my daughter. 4 years apart. Even on the beginning she was asking if is boyish but now she love it. She is wearing a lot her brother clothing. So much savings. Black winter jacket. Some running shoes. Crocks. Snow boots snow pants. T shirt. Hoodies. A lot.

[@raquelnewby6580]

I like that you mention that it’s ok to get storage when you need it. My house is pretty small and I run into space issues all the time. I also like decluttering and not keeping more than I need. Our kitchen had very little storage and we had decided to line up 3 shelving units side by side to fill up one of the empty walls in the kitchen and it has made such a difference. It’s ok to have stuff that you use and still declutter on a regular basis.

[@liquidgoldpictures]

Not sure if you see this, but if you put the closet on the left side of the window or even the left wall, you wouldn´t lose so much light coming in and block the beautifuk view from the window... just something to think about maybe :) The rest of the video was spot on as always, thank you so much for your encouragement and motivation :)

[@lilypudd]

Love it! Move Tom's tennis shoes to the lower left side where his other shoes are. You need that space on the upper right side for your extra sofa pillows! That way his shoes are all together and the blankets and pillows are all together. Hugs.

[@jackimanley3056]

I love the wooden hangers. It's all we use now. The velvet ones broke all the time!

[@Peanut1965]

I think the boys should go into the bedroom that was going to be for foster care, they’re outgrowing their other “room” very fast

[@kimacker8594]

I 100% agree on putting all like items together in one space. It is so much easier to find things and stay organized.

[@angelagaare5442]

Five minutes matter is the best thing. I schedule everyday, pick target areas days out and look forward to it.

[@susanaustin4809]

I’m so impressed seeing Tom read the instructions.

[@lorikegley3327]

I'm 65 & still learning. You have done so much for me & my spaces! God bless you! Love the picture of the family when the kids were small! Adorable!

[@PhillisPatmor-xy5wb]

We did keep toys from our three boys, not a lot, however. Favorite Fischer Price toys and of course Star Wars items. It was great fun to introduce those to the grandkids and pass them on. Some survived, some did not, but it was fun seeing them being played with again.

[@sl9906]

It looks like the microphone label is on the long side of the basket lol😂 LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS ❤️❤️❤️

[@estaswanepoel2465]

Yes!

[@CollectorAtHeart]

I saw the same thing.

[@AndiGould]

Was coming to say the same!

[@charityfaith1474]

@@AndiGouldme too. LoL

[@LizMoynihan-n1k]

I was saying “it’s on the side!”

[@lauriedupont507]

Thanks for talking about decision fatigue. I started out really strong on my pursuit of minimalism but after 6 days of shredding boxes and boxes of papers I got burned out. I’ve done a little bit here and there since then but I’m feeling disappointed that I’ve lost steam. For whatever reason I just need a break. I need to remind myself that it’s temporary and that I can still accomplish my goal by doing little bits during my “resting time”. A lot has been going on in my life besides the goal of decluttering so I have to keep that in mind too.

[@strawberrylove5684]

I so feel this. Over the summer I had two weeks where I was full of energy and I decluttered about 85% of my house. All that was left to do was two areas in the basement… 6 months later, I’ve done little bits of maintenance on keeping the rest of my house clutter free, but I still haven’t tackled those two basement areas at all

[@heleneasley9530]

To keep my motivation up, I have this posted to see everyday. “Courage to Start Strength to Endure Resolve to Finish” Also, if I get interrupted by life, I give myself grace and just move it up on the calendar with the intention to begin again at that time. Keep moving forward Helen in CA advice 😊👍

[@Hanna_Frey]

Thank you for all of your videos!! We heavily decluttered our home in 2022 through watching your videos and it has made such a difference. I can clean my entire house a lot faster now and my kids love having organized, decluttered rooms. They can find all of their toys and they tell me when they notice their rooms getting cluttered. It’s been great for our family. Thank you so much Dawn for all you do to encourage and motivate families, you’re awesome and greatly appreciated. I can’t thank you enough for relieving the stress and anxiety of all the clutter we used to have, I honestly could not handle all of that inventory.

[@deltorres2100]

So whatever I’ve learned as I got older, I have a carpenter and a cabinet maker so if I want some kind of a nice shelf, I’m gonna use real wood instead of particle thesis and this guy is really good and now that I’m older a lot of the things that he built me I ask him to put them on wheels so I can move things around easier if I have to cleanand it’s working out a lot of things on wheels that can lock but Wood

[@ladykatietx]

Your channel is one of the best things that's happened to me in the last year and a half! So glad I discovered it right before I became a mom, it has made all the difference in our home and in keeping baby purchases down--because we know kids just don't need that much!!

[@kratounettew49]

I would have switch the class room and this room so everything would be in the same place for the kitchen and this room would have a real purpose😊 love your videos! I watch it from France 😘

[@andreawales1938]

I think the classroom is in a place where the children can be monitored more easily.

[@janeschmidt9611]

I was getting ready for my day today while watching this video and decided that today would be a good donation day. My husband and I were going out to lunch so I gathered several items and we stopped by the Goodwill drop off afterwards. I think we’ll make this a monthly thing. Thanks for the inspiration! 🥰

[@cindytaffner3043]

You are such an inspiration to me. Always a smile, always saying people don’t have to live with the more stuff more house more cars etc. And You don’t hide your Christian Values. THANK YOU ❤🙏😊✝️

[@chris...9497]

Again, those little additional minutes we 'throw in' are what I term 'puttering' and puttering can unintentionally grow into larger chunks of unforced time and greater impact. I find if I set my goals too large, they do overwhelm; puttering is done without setting any specific goal, but it increases as you fully embrace the effort. Your goal starts out as 'just a few minutes' or 'just this shelf/corner/drawer' and before you know it you've actually kept at it for a half-hour or more! Part of that 'hitting the wall' is (in my experience) fighting that oppositional voice trying to make you stop. There's a part of you that argues you've set your goal too high, that the work isn't worth the effort, that the job is too demanding. But 'puttering' is almost a humble way to go about it; you're not trying to do the whole house or a whole room or even a scattered large project. When the goal is just a handful of improvements, you feel more generous in what time and energy you're happy to invest. You end up doing a little bit more and a little bit more and a little bit more, without even being conscious of it. You fool yourself (or at least that little oppositional inner voice that usually tries to discourage action) and a surprising amount gets done. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Puttering is the way to take small bites instead of trying to choke down too much in one sitting.

[@caroli323]

As I have continued decluttering, I notice my shopping practices have changed as well. I never want to buy something today that I know I will have to declutter one day soon!

[@mariahr673]

Bonjour Dawn, je regarde avec intérêt vos vidéos très inspirantes. Vous avez choisi de vivre dans une petite maison avec vos quatre enfants et réduisez votre encombrement. C’est absolument parfait 👍🤩 Les générations avant nous, vivaient dans de plus petites maisons avec plusieurs enfants et étaient heureux. Pas de consumérismes comme aujourd’hui où les magasins et les publicités nous tentent continuellement. J’ai aussi changé ma façon de vivre (69 ans) il n’est jamais trop tard et donne beaucoup d’habits et d’objets autour de moi. En France nous avons « Emmaus » créé par l’abbé Pierre qui accepte les habits, vaisselle, meubles etc, etc. et les revend en faisant de l’intertion pour les défavorisés de la vie. Merci 🙏 pour vos vidéos et pardon pour ce long commentaire 🫢 amitiés de France 🥰 PS : votre maison est super parfaite 👍🤩

[@andreawales1938]

Translation from the French: Hello Dawn, I am watching your very inspiring videos with interest. You have chosen to live in a small house with your four children and are reducing your clutter. It's absolutely perfect 👍🤩 Generations before us lived in smaller houses with several children and were happy. No consumerism like today where stores and advertisements continually tempt us. I have also changed my way of living (69 years old) it is never too late and give away a lot of clothes and objects around me. In France we have “Emmaus” created by Abbé Pierre which accepts clothes, crockery, furniture etc, etc. and resells them by intervening for the disadvantaged in life. Thank you 🙏 for your videos and sorry for this long comment 🫢 regards from France 🥰 PS: your house is super perfect 👍🤩

[@sct4040]

I agree with Dawn about the dark black door knobs. I never like the fact that they stand out. A color that blends into the cabinets look so much less cluttered.

[@thearughave9586]

Between my mother's siblings they have a shared baby bag that goes on turns. Currently my aint has the youngest Child, and therefore the baby bag. Some of the clothes, especialy for the early baby stages, are still around from when I was a baby, and my mom likes to comment when my cousins are wearing something she bought for me. The inventory of the bag has evolved over time, but a lot have stayed the same. Im very excited to someday borrow the baby bag for my future kids. ❤️

[@sgallant2107]

My sister shared her maternity clothes with me (just a few key pieces, which I added to) and then they made the rounds through the office.

[@MariaGarcia-1-and-only]

Hi. Thanks. I retired and am starting to declutter and reorganize and more importantly reprioritize. Your videos have been very helpful because I get overwhelmed easily and you are very encouraging. I hear you on the frustration of storing in dressers but a few years ago I began to book fold and store my items as in a file cabinet and it has been a big improvement for me.

[@lms2338]

I recently retired. I'm using this winter to begin the decluttering process. At this point I am making noticeable progress! 😊

[@KarenCauley]

Dawn, if you moved the cabinet to the wall where the pictures are on (assuming it fits) will open up the space more and not block the light from the window.

[@lorivybihal5385]

I do keep extra sheets around because we have winter sheets and summer sheets. We like either flannels or warm fabrics for our sheets for the winter and we like Egyptian cotton for the summertime but I normally do that. Wash them, put them back on, wash them, put them back on

[@KristinaHoneyHavenFarm]

For bins, we use a lot of cardboard boxes. We will eventually replace them, but for now they suffice. (Our favorite boxes are the mason jar boxes for our canning jars.) I have also started getting fabric boxes which I get from Dollar Tree. Last I checked, they had some in one aisle for $1.25 and then some others in another aisle for $5. The cheaper ones work well enough for me. On the plus side, they are slightly wider than some of my cupboards, but because they are fabric covered cardboard, I can easily gently squish them enough to get them out without hurting them.

[@paulawhite2882]

What if you stored the extra kitchen equipment in the basement? Extra batteries and camera stuff maybe there also. A basement is good for stuff not often needed. My extra pantry items and items I might not use all the time are located down there and it is no problem going down to retrieve them when needed. Where the clothing items are, extra linens would work because they are similar, meaning textures.

[@andreawales1938]

Retrieving items from the main floor is faster, easier and safer than carrying something up from the basement.

[@rosechoix]

I actually love white so I can see if there are any dirty spots that I need to clean! 😅 I also do not like the velvet hangers! Once I have more income I'm definitely switching them out. My husband went back to the plastic hangers right away 😅

[@jessicakullander8517]

Apart from seasonal wear and foot wear (snowpants, winter coats, etc) one large tote has been enough to save a whole size of kids handmedowns for the next kid.

[@sj6728]

I love seeing the children when they were younger. I have been watching for years . They have grown so much!!!!

[@nurrooper]

I love the multi purpose bins! After seeing your other video, I went to Walmart and cleaned the shelf of them!!! Holy smokes!!!! They are GREAT! Thanks Dawn!

[@shadegarden7375]

Heavy “stuff” at waist height to not stress your back, etc. When getting it out!