Q+A: "HELP! My 'fantasy self,' 'Just-in Case,' and 'Some Day' keep talking to me all at once!"

[@alisonsmith7162]

Dear Dawn, Im really loving the podcasts where you play the voices of those asking questions. It's so much more personal and really honours your subscribers. One of the things I found to be a limit for things I enjoy eg home decor and Christmas decorating supplies, was to have a limited colour palette of the decorations eg olive/moss green, white/cream and champagne gold. so unless something I see is in those colours (I mainly thrift stuff) it doesnt get a second look. Also I dont do themed decorations eg seasonal, except for Christmas. I love waterbirds like egrets and sandpipers, and all my older rellies lived in beachy areas, so having hints of those things in my decor reminds me of them. The biggest collection of anything I own would be my grandmas shell collection, but I wouldnt have them all out, just switch some out in one or two spots occasionally. I love playing with fake flowers, but I also limit the colour palette of what I keep, unless I specifically buy a friends favourite flowers.

[@alisonsmith7162]

one of the ways Ive found to eliminate a lot of the guilt surrounding decor/craft type purchases, is that i buy them mostly from charity based thrift stores. So you support charities when buying, and sometimes redonating the stuff to them down the track.

[@2rhythms]

Justin Case has been renting my life.. Time for eviction notice!

[@janinerobertson2057]

I'm so honored to be mentioned in your podcast! Dawn, you are such a blessing to me and your words are what I hear in my head(and say out loud!) when I need to declutter. I'm amazed at how great it feels to keep what I need and use and work to getting the rest out. The PEACE is for real!

[@cassieschreier4571]

I recently started a card ministry at church. Great way to use up your craft supplies, have fellowship and great outreach for church.

[@heatheroliver9316]

My daughter was seemingly attached, but when I told her nobody would mind or notice if she discarded gifts, she was shocked but happy. She was horrified to learn that gifts she had given were discarded. I told her Grandma eventually got rid of the bathrobe we got her because she had received a new one. She was horrified and relieved.

[@dlarsen325]

To get my husband on the page of minimalism I started talking about how much happier I was living in a clutter-free environment. I would go around the house just saying how much more I enjoyed cooking in my kitchen now that it was simplified, or how much I love that I can relax not having so much laundry to do. Talk to your husband about how much this helps you and makes you happy.

[@MissCoupons]

I have been decluttering with your videos for over a year now and yesterday was the first day that it actually felt easy to clean my house. And yesterday was an overstimulation day on top of it with messes and toys from my little ones everywhere. I just want to say thank you so much. I watch your videos almost daily if not daily. You have helped me so much! ❤️❤️❤️

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

You are very kind and helpful to your children. My mother was not. My sister was a slob and we shared a room. I was neat. I took masking tape and put a line down the dresser and also down the desk. She could do whatever she wanted to on her side. I can look at my side with pride.

[@natashyas4149]

The treasure bin is a great idea! So hard. Also hushing the kids space so they can appreciate not having stuff everywhere

[@OtherDianne]

Man, I wished I had known about the treasure bin when my son was young. He was the same as Gabe - saving everything. And he would say, "One man's trash is another man's treasure" to justify all that he kept. LOL!

[@MyFocusVaries]

I love these podcasts and I'll jump in early to defend the professional intro! I know some of your audience from your vlog channel aren't used to the voice, but it's a different medium and a different way of presenting. Thanks for these Q&A formats.

[@tomikotomihewitt657]

I don’t mind an intro but would prefer a woman’s voice, for this particular podcast.

[@dianasimplifies]

I agree and I'm tired of all the complaints. It's very professional. 💜

[@colleen6921]

I think it’s very professional and Dawn has definitely earned professionalism. I really like it. It’s a great beginning and ending to the podcast.

[@ninnymuggins5159]

What is unprofessional about Dawn using her own voice on her own video?? 🤔

[@ninnymuggins5159]

@@dianasimplifies who is freaking out?

[@kakylong2]

Dawn, Great video. After recently decluttering my sewing / craft room, we've barely brought anything back in. The things we have brought back in have been put in the closet with the door closed. I love the empty, clean look. 😊

[@patriciaprock9115]

This was such an interesting Q&A pod cast. It was such a reminder of my inlWs when they passed. They had so much stuff that we had to get an auctioneer to deal with the bulk. That is why I love your show. I do not want my children to have to go through that.

[@CynthiaRaeC]

Dawn, I love how thoughtful and compassionate you are in answering all these questions!!

[@doubleleterlady]

I have the opposite problem with my kids. They have no problem with throwing away their things (things that I consider sentimental 😢) and I don’t know how to deal with letting those precious things go.

[@ginazee84]

I had to deal with this as my children were growing up. I wanted to encourage their ability to let go. I had what a bin that I would keep for things I wanted to rescue due to my sentimental connection. If you do something like that, you could set container boundaries and it may help you to work through this. I am finding that the more frequently I go through the memory bins the better I feel about letting the thing go as I feel it has been honored satisfactorily.

[@Bethany-m9p]

Hi. That sounds so hard. I’ve come from the opposite end. I’m not very sentimentally attached, although I am attached to a few things. You should be very proud of yourself for working hard-this decluttering journey is difficult for pretty much everyone. My mother is sentimental as well. She has a bit of a harder time decluttering and watching me declutter. Please don’t feel discouraged. Be proud of your kids and yourself. Keep pushing yourself. I encourage you to embrace these new life stages for yourself and your children. I’ve personally found that it’s best to look forward, as too many items from your past can keep you in the past. Good luck to you and your family.

[@alisonsmith7162]

Danni RaeArranged has found ways around this, as she has become more minimal

[@momof5family138]

Omg 5 kids later and wanted nice photo albums, photo blankets, and scrap books…after the second child I was like there’s no time in a day!!! So sad. Kept telling myself if I had the money I would pay someone to cook and clean while I played with the kids and completed this wish items!

[@anastasiab-x2t]

Dawn mentioned "Chatbooks" in amother video. It sends you and album for example every month with all your favourite pictures on your phone. Hope this helps ❤

[@kd33d]

Talk to me Dawn! Waiting for your wise words of inspiration 😊

[@sarahspencer5902]

I can so relate. My husband just loves to collect stuff and hoard! and also suffers with major decision fatigue. It’s soooo tricky! Especially as Cas from Clutterbug would describe. I’m a ladybird/cricket and he’s a butterfly/bee. Complete opposites in everything

[@dotgoodwin4312]

You have a great podcast Dawn! U give such great advice in such a nice way!!

[@carlaseidel9238]

Thank you so much, Dawn, for sharing your precious wisdom and experience. The way you describe the concepts of decluttering and simplifying is so helpful and informative ; it is totally transforming my life and marriage! ❤

[@SpeakTruthBeKind]

Great share! 😍 Thank you 💞

[@debcarroll8192]

This was a great podcast! Thanks!

[@jayceecappaert4567]

Very masterfully done! in every way! I love getting to hear these questions in the individuals voice!

[@DanaLymon]

I discovered that if I keep my bread in the refrigerator, it takes longer to go moldy (hopefully we eat it before that happens!) Especially during the summer (yes, Michigan can get very hot & humid in the summer!)

[@MyFocusVaries]

We keep ours in the freezer, since we mostly eat bread as toast.

[@dianasimplifies]

I put everything but bananas into the fridge and even they go in there once they start turning, very hot and humid where I live, bread will keep a LONG time in the fridge. I don't usually keep any food out on the counters. I do have other stuff out tho unfortunately 🤣

[@alisonsmith7162]

Same in Sydney.

[@rachelsmiles4328]

I love your Q&As!!! Thank you for helping us!😊

[@cherylwilsenach3082]

HEY!!! I caught your post almost as soon as it went on. Have a great weekend.

[@heathersmeather]

Was that you who left a question? If so you do have a very pleasant voice. 😁

[@hannahcrumley3103]

I really enjoy these sessions of Q & A! Thank you for doing these!

[@SauerPatchGardening]

You are so kind

[@planningwithnanny326]

The food tips are great!! I never thought of it in that way. You nailed it! Ty

[@lost-south-lake-crafters]

Great Q & A! Thanks Dawn!

[@carolines2088]

Great video, so many good answers. Thank you!

[@jinglesh1398]

I can definately relate to "fantasy-self" "Justin Case" and "Some Day" all arguing the points of why to keep everything

[@rosehunter7788]

Good one. Thanks.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Thank you. 😊

[@creativekingdomkids6045]

Listening to this as I'm trying to do a major declutter on my kids' playroom because the floor gets covered minutes after I pick it up. My sons would be perfectly happy with just Legos, but my daughter wants to keep it all. She has a reason to keep it all especially every Barbie and accessory 😭.

[@alyssaamundson4265]

Maybe you could try packing half of her things away in her closet where she can't reach and then just rotate them back and forth. She would still know they are there but less for both of you to manage. Just an idea!

[@ginazee84]

We have 5 grandkids that spend weekends with us, but used to live with us. We have 6 or 7 backpacks that we hang on hooks in our hall closet. Each backpack has a category of toys. Dinosaurs in one, matchbox type cars in another, blocks in another and so on. They have become accustomed to pulling one out at a time and putting it away in order to play with another. It took training but the peace and play that fills our house now is so much better. They don’t even ask to be entertained by videos as often anymore. I hope this encourages you.

[@tinacutts4246]

@@alyssaamundson4265that’s a good idea. I toy rotate but keep each category in gift bags in the spare room upstairs & my daughter chooses a gift bag of toys to play with & at the end of the day they are returned there. She finds it exciting to go choose one 🙂

[@SusanHealy-y5f]

how do I sign up for the all day declutter?

[@sandrainontario6710]

I thought the woman with sentimental children's items was talking about children who are grown up but she can't let go of their items because she is sentimental about them?

[@verodomurat-tostado3079]

Yes I thought that too. It was more sentimental to her and needed to know how to pair down