Stop the Fire Hose! Preventing Clutter at the Source

[@jeannebowes2898]

Enjoying your old vids, I have watched nearly all!

[@wandayonder9772]

Ed's point right at the end is a really good one, to form a new habit easily by adding it on to something you already do regularly. There has been a TED talk about it. So you might say "whenever I put on the kettle, I will clear and wipe down the bench tops while it boils". Or "Whenever I take the rubbish out, I will quickly collect another bag of rubbish from my clutter to take as well".

[@saundrapenix]

Gayle, Welcome Back! I'm excited & I haven't even listened yet, gonna do that right now! I missed hearing your tips. I feel like it keeps my mind clutter-free, and gives me an action plan to implement for the month. I missed you, glad you're back!!!

[@joools1953]

I've been hanging for another video as well. At least this new addiction of mine doesn't cause more clutter!

[@amypola5903]

Ive been waiting on it too! Ive been meaning to update you on a comment I made on another video about using your videos to support and motivate me through a massive paper project. I had boxes of papers in chaos. I got through a box and the totes on top of it and had a party in my head for two days!! lol I kept thinking not many people can understand this tiny victory. I did finish going through the other boxes. Its still in phase one because I only sorted the stuff into new bankers boxes (though thinking you might not approve, but I just couldn't process it any other way) along with trash and recycling. Its sat that way happily for a few weeks, but now that each category is in one place I can deal further with each one, which Ill be starting this week. Decide what else can go, or how to deal with it and create that. Ill repurpose the boxes in my next move when done as I expect most to be empty. I value information like gold and struggle with what to do with notes I take. Im the kind that will take notes on a tv documentary! I research stuff, notes on that, old school notes, financial stuff a mess, but all happily in one box now. So. much. progress. THANK YOU!

[@amypola5903]

+Gayle Goddard LOL! I love your practical advice. I probably will literally kiss, thank, and send them on their way. ha. Probably the old school notes, though it'll still be a long send off going through each one. but easier now due to the presort. Im happy to hear you approve! lol I dont know why I felt like a rebel in my method. lol Still, I have a serious goal of writing a book, and much of this revolves around scouring for various notes on that. Im either doing it or Im not, so notes scribbled on various scraps need a look see, because I am doing it. but for notes I take for things I want to be actively using, because my ADD mind always forgets what I was trying to do and insists on thinking about a million things at once, Ive decided to make binders that I can put it in and look through daily to keep on track with it. well see how that goes. oh one thing that was hard for me going through it all was seeing in the mess old attempts that have failed. It was discouraging. But I took pics of all the boxes and then wrote down how I was feeling when I hit big hurdles, which was helpful. I did listen to your videos but found listening to talking too stressful and switched to soothing instrumental music. I think Ill follow that same routine while going through the categories. Im wondering if the group has other coping tips for dealing with high stress projects?

[@amypola5903]

+junipa Im with you, a bit of a new addiction but mine causes clutter because I take notes! lol But Ive watched so many of them I can recognize regular group members by voice, and I say to myself, lets see what Gayle has to say. ha! Not many people deal compassionately and practically with clutter issues. So its nice.

[@EstroJenSing]

I was forced to declutter for this summer for 2 reasons. 1: our building had a mice infestation & one of them pooped all in the cabinet under my kitchen sink & 2: friends were coming from the States to stay with us for a week. I initially found cleaning out the cabinet under the sink very stressful. I had stuffed it to the gills with all kinds of stuff - mostly cooking & cleaning stuff. So there were many decisions to be made about what was salvageable and not. Plus I had to wear latex gloves & a mask to do it & it was hot in here & my hands were sweating. I got rid of most of the stuff (even an expensive crockpot). Anyway, about a month & 1/2 later, the mouse came back. I had put the trap under the sink since that had been his favorite spot before & I caught it. Anyway, what I was EXTREMELY greatful for was that it was SO much easier to clean up the second time around & not all the decisions to be made. Watching your videos had been very helpful in the whole cleanout process (I'm still tackling other parts of the apartment).

[@margeincharge8760]

Lol I’ll never forget when my cousin was telling me about the night my nephew spent the night with her son, they were about 16 I think. She got home from work and they’d been up all night playing video games and his room was pretty trashed. My nephew had fallen asleep but her son was still sitting up playing. She picked up a half full soda bottle and without looking away from the screen he warned “Don’t drink that.” 😂😂 Teenage boys are a trip

[@TheClutterFairy]

LOL! Teenage boys are a serious trip!

[@clovergreen9959]

😂😅😀😆

[@sharpienails]

One thing that has been bothering me about my de clutter project is that it's been stored & is dusty & really should be washed before I can donate . Dishes ,clothes ect . from my parents & kids . I'm warn out from sorting , if I have to wash & shine it , that would be too big for me to handle . I don't have anyone willing to do this for me ( clean articles of stuff ) . So I have been tossing it out to get it done . This has to be something other's are wondering about too ? Glad I caught your newest video , even more ideas :)

[@sharpienails]

Thankfully there are no critters roaming in them lol Now I have a good start , not planning on stopping . Asked my landlord about putting extra stuff in the dumpster . He said "Yes" that eased my mind:) The good thing is we don't have to sort out anything in separate containers for the garbage pickup .Another time saver ! Only have an apartment size washer & no dish washer . Decided to bring things that I can donate to the laundry mat & use the Industrial washers .

[@AmethystWoman]

Buying for a hobby and doing a hobby are two separate hobbies. KZbin has every instruction you will ever need. Keep the best books, tear out the magazine pages that you want in a binder, and thanks for this. I wish we had a group in town. You hit everyone of mine - even procrastination. Merci! (I'm also an old camera.amd laptop keeper. Lately, I just take out the hard drives and donate the computer so I don't have to worry about losing info, pictures etc.

[@TheClutterFairy]

Thanks for sharing! If you can donate your old electronics, you're doing great! Lots of my clients get stuck on that process.

[@virginiafernandes336]

As always, such great advice

[@PoodleParti]

You can have one long term recycling under your desk, where you put things you're not sure if you should be throwing away.

[@carolsaberian4061]

in all of your videos, please repeat and/or sum up the questions people ask before your answer them. I hear you just fine, but cannot hear the questions very well.

[@StardustYuusei]

Thanks for another great video! Could I suggest a topic about playrooms and toys?

[@waymire01]

How do you deal, realistically, with other people's clutter/mess? Early in our marriage my husband traveled for work extensively. I was home with the kids. Between the two of us we had five.. so it was a lot of work, but also a lot of hands to do it. I was strict from the beginning with teaching them all not only to do specific chores but also to clean up their own mess. Flash forward 17 years... I'm now dealing with a husband who is home all the time and the youngest child, now a teen, who unfortunately and unknown to me had an older sister waiting on her hand and foot until sister moved out and got into ingrained habits because of it. The both are slobs.. that sounds harsh but it's 100% accurate. They leave a trail everywhere they go. Not only am I doing virtually everything to keep the house clean (actual cleaning, pets, garbage, dishes, laundry, bills, cars, etc.. along with my non household responsibilities which include a small farm and a community group) but I'm having to do it around their mess. I could literally spend the entire day just picking up after them... we have a large house so it takes a lot of time and energy to keep it nice to begin with, when it takes twenty minutes to pick up the living room before I can clean it easily doubles the time it takes, multiply that by every room.There simply are not enough hours in a day. Once I finally get something done I can come back to that area two days later and it's like I never did it. I have become a slave to their mess and it's even worse because I can't stand living like that, let alone have anyone over to the house. I've worn myself out fussing and badgering.. if I pitch a fit they will clean up but it never lasts.. I have to pitch a fit on a daily basis. I've tried ignoring it and waiting them out.. they both seem to be willing to just let it pile and fester to the point it's probably unhealthy to live in... I'm talking "I can't get to the bathroom because I have to climb over a pile of stuff" bad or a two foot tall pile of dirty dishes on a nightstand. I'm miserable, stressed out, exhausted, embarrassed, and frustrated... this has been going on for several years. I've considered hiring a house cleaner but that is only part of the problem.. nobody can clean with all the mess in the way.

[@maryholton162]

waymire01 , take their stuff and through it out .

[@ruthmanor70]

My youngest step-son, age 12, was like this when he came to live with me and his dad. For months I fussed and threatened to throw his stuff away the next time he left it laying around instead of putting it away. Finally, one day I snapped. I took a trash bag and put all of his stuff lying around into it, then put it out in the shed. When he realized it was missing, he started looking for his things and asked me where it was. I told him it was gone because he didn't put it away as I had asked. About a month later, I gave the trash bag to him and told him that this was his only warning. The next time, his stuff would get thrown away if I found it laying around.

[@angelique00angelique]

Your comment is from a year ago so I don’t know if the situation is different now but I agree with Ruth’s comment about getting rid of stuff. I’d take notice of what kind of stuff they were leaving around and think about keeping less of those items. Try getting a box and put all your dishes and utensils in there except for three settings, one for each of you. That way next time they are forced to clean their set rather than just use another dish or plate. If it’s clothes, toys, books, whatever it is the less you have the less of them there is to pick up. I’d start first with getting rid of stuff that you are responsible for like the dishes but give them the chance to declutter their own things. If they defy you the whole time then I’d probably end up doing it like Ruth did!

[@AmethystWoman]

I wish I had someone like you on me and threatening to throw my stuff out. I live alone and keeping up after myself, who is like them, well, I wish I had a you. Don't assume they enjoy it. Indislike that part of me and want to change. Hence, I'm watching this video. Maybe make them watch them all.

[@jeannebowes2898]

Enjoying your old vids, I have watched nearly all!