The #1 Reason Your House Is Still Cluttered (And How to Fix It)

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you so much for watching! Get a 7-day free trial and 40% off Blinkist Annual Premium by clicking: bit.ly/TheMinimalMomOct24 or scanning the QR code. I hope you have a great day! - Dawn

[@debra2463]

Your hair looks great ❤

[@kakylong2]

My sister came to visit last Oct & we cleaned out 7 truck loads of stuff from our garage. Last wk, she was here again & in just a few hours we were able to clean out several shelves of boxes. I took a lot of pics of nick knacks I had in my 1st home & I let those items go & only kept very few precious ones. Little by little, we're getting our garage cleaned out. It feels so good. 😊

[@susanlawson5926]

GOOD 4 U❣️

[@TheMinimalMom]

Oh wow! That’s awesome!!! Way to go!!! 👏💪

[@lucystrider728]

That is so smart to take a picture and let the item go! Those kind of items we don't actually need or use are such a big part of clutter!

[@HappyHarryX5]

Woo hoo congratulations! Please give her my address…❤

[@idid138]

You've got an awesome sister! 💞

[@GeorgiaLuke-gm4lz]

Sunday, I went to Target for packing tape. Before I knew it, I had almost a $100 worth of stuff I didn’t need. My thought was, “What in the world am I doing?!” I left the store buying NOTHING!

[@cb9825]

But you needed the tape for real, did you buy it?😅

[@susieadams1553]

I have done that a few times . The stores are set up to tempt us with lots of goodies that we don't actually need . I try to always have a list and stick to it 😊

[@idid138]

​@@cb9825 lol, it sounds like she mad momed herself & went home without.

[@idid138]

​@@susieadams1553 this is why I love shopping the store online & picking it up. I do a lot better avoiding impulse buys online, plus I save myself an hour & support the store employees.

[@natalieeubank4533]

Please tell me you at least put the stuff where it belonged instead of leaving it for a target worker to put away?

[@Mooks_cottage]

You can declutter until the cows come home, the real issue is stopping what's coming into house in the first place, and why is it coming into the house. The hardest task is asking the 'why' for the purchase in the first place - did we shop because it was boredom, impulse buy, did we really need thing in the first place etc! Decluttering will always be a perpetual and ongoing process if one keeps buying things.

[@ChantaleCoulombe-c9t]

So real, and so tired of purchasing more items that will always leads to sadness in the end, and I saw the cows so many times its tired me out

[@ChantaleCoulombe-c9t]

I saw the cow arrive home too many times It's very exhaustive 🙂❤

[@ChantaleCoulombe-c9t]

I have seen the cows arrive so many times its very exhaustif

[@Ohio_Hippie]

I have felt so free since I decluttered ❤ I’m never going back to my old ways!

[@alexinaaron1022]

I really love the way you use ideas from books about the brain to help explain decluttering challenges. Every time you explain it a different way, it makes more and more sense.

[@Paulohlsson7]

Hi Alexina, how's your day going with you?

[@itsafranckthing]

I found your channel not even 3 days ago and you have inspired me. I got to work right away and so far have removed 6-7 trash bags full of junk, clutter, etc. and It feels SO good.

[@mp5132]

I have 2 sets of books series for 10 years that i keep telling myselfnim going to read. They are getting decluttered TONIGHT!

[@AA-iy4gm]

I did something similar, I challenged myself to open the books that have been neglected and said if I open the first page and read the first paragraph and it doesn't grab my attention that it goes, and it went, didn't miss it, wouldn't buy it again. Sometimes when we read the synopsis it sounds interesting but the actual writing style, pace and so on is what can determine if we're really into it and that's hard to get from just the synopsis so giving at least the first page a try can be a test.

[@Krista_Rose7]

I'm about to start a go fund me for those poor emotionally abused blenders that are constantly being threatened with decluttering 🤣

[@jordanlarkin5748]

😂😂😂

[@TheMinimalMom]

This is really funny!!!😂

[@kellismith7126]

LOL! My sad Blendtec is sitting on his shelf and I just can’t bear to declutter him. I know that I should though, but it’s just such a powerful machine and when I DO need to blend, it blends SO GOOD! Remember those “Will it blend” youtubes from back in the day they did with the Blendtec and Vitamixes. It truly is just nonsense how few times I’ve used that thing though when I think of why I bought it. I was going to be all into doing green juices and even try macrobiotics to heal myself from migraines. I couldn’t do any of that. I’m too lazy. LOL 😂

[@KTplease]

They need a group home with daily support group meetings, poor neglected things. 😂

[@carriemainquist757]

I loved those "Will it blend?" Videos! Ha ha ha ​@@kellismith7126

[@jenniferbrantley3327]

Thank you for all your free help you are making a huge impact for a lot of people. You are changing so many people's life for the better thank you very much.

[@songbird8680]

Just wanted to thank you! I love your videos. After years of watching and decluttering, it really paid off. After over 100 years of no flooding in my area, my home flooded during Hurricane Helene and then was hit again with Hurricane Milton. I live on the gulf coast of Florida. Having less stuff means less to pack up and prepare before a storm and less to throw out afterwards. I am beyond thankful for your encouragement over the years. 🤗 What you do changes people’s lives! ❤

[@reneekoenig1794]

I live on Florida’s gulf coast too. I’m so sorry that you had damage from both hurricanes. I was in South Tampa today. It was so sad to see all the houses with their contents piled up on the curb. I wish you many blessings as you recover from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

[@christinequintana881]

I am glad you are both okay. Sorry for the damage, but I'm glad you made it through. 🙏 ❤

[@songbird8680]

@@reneekoenig1794 Thank you, it’s going to be a long road, but we’re thankful for what we have ❤️‍🩹

[@victoria9663]

I'm sorry you were affected by Helene! I live in a town that was hit very hard. I thought of Dawn, inventory and minimalism as I drove around and saw all the devastation and piles of trash in the hurricane's aftermath. Nothing can prepare someone for a natural disaster, but living a more minimalist lifestyle would make it much easier to cope when one occurs!

[@amyb3724]

My dad kept a lot of stuff "just in case" or because he thought it was good stuff. He moved into a senior apartment a few weeks ago. We had an estate sale, family members took things, and we had a giveaway where we invited the community to take what they wanted for free. We still had to pay a junk company over $1000 to haul away what was left. Such a shame. On a positive note: my husband told me that he now considers himself a minimalist after his experience helping me clean out my dad's house.

[@DKMAE]

Oh wow. I feel like this may happen with my in-laws at some point. We have tried over the years to get them to pare down. I helped my siblings clean out our moms tiny 1 bedroom apartment almost a year ago when she passed. It took nearly 4 days to get it all out. I had no idea how she fit it all in there. Many thrift store runs and dump runs to get it all gone.

[@lucystrider728]

Dawn, Thank you for 'momming' us of all ages with great advice and then saying 'I love you' at the end! When the world seems crazy, this is both helpful and comforting.

[@timvandermey4792]

You look very pretty today. Your eye makeup is perfect! Your coloring of hair/skin is very flattering too. Danya

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you Danya!!

[@LindaSnow-hw4hv]

I thought the same things about her makeup, especially the eyes!

[@mkirby7815]

And that’s what I came to comments to say! The video information was exceptionally good today, also.

[@susanlawson5926]

Absolutely ❤ Your Hair! The Color Is Perfect!! Very Nice!!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you Susan!

[@karennealy1857]

You’re right! It is sooooo becoming! It complements all your God-given coloring- skin tone, eye color! I know that’s not the point of this video, but when I read this comment I was like, yesssss, she’s right! So I had to chime in and agree!!

[@debdutch1520]

Dawn you make it sound so easy while I’m listening to you. Then I’m overwhelmed by all the stuff I have. I’ll keep trying.

[@GlamishMom]

Piece by piece. Dawn didn’t get here overnight, it’s a process. She has a mentorship community that helps a lot! ❤

[@KTplease]

You’re already doing great, just by listening to tips like these! A HUGE part of the process is mental preparation. Just listening and thinking about it will start to change how you see the stuff and then your motivation starts changing! I started by watching Dawns videos preCovid and slowly progressed to the point where now I’m just fine tuning. It will happen, just gradually. ❤

[@sadiedom]

Starting is half the battle (if you ask me) 😂. Anyway, my unsolicited advice is, what I have found to be super helpful is to listen to Dawn's past shows when I work. It's amazing how listening to her, feeling like she is in the room with me, helps me. Hope that helps you. ❣️

[@loes6839]

Maybe try Dana K Whites no mess method. She is the person to go to if you are at the very start of decluttering and are overwhelmed. She also had a youtube channel and has a course together with Dawn and Cas (from clutterbug)

[@nolagranolabar]

I found that when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I pick one drawer, shelf or box. Start small and you will feel so good with the finished area. To me, this becomes fun to see what area to declutter next. Good luck to you! Sending love from Oregon! 🥰

[@mayleneferrin3388]

I have stopped buying yarn since organizing my craft room. I have 3 big trash bags full of yarn to donate to someone in my community! It's so nice to be able to see what you actually have and what you can go without.

[@lisakallunki5042]

Sometimes Senior Centers will take it

[@mayleneferrin3388]

​@@lisakallunki5042great idea! I'll have to reach out see if they want any.

[@cathieclove3101]

not the yarn! 😲😬😌

[@LO-gp3bv]

If you have any Amish or Mennonite communities near you they love gifted yarn. I decluttered my mother in laws yarn. They loved it.

[@devinfarrelly3768]

Project Linus will love the yarn to give to volunteer knitters to create afghans for sick children.

[@kellismith7126]

Loving the 5 MINUTES MATTERS t-shirt! I say this to myself so often now and have passed this advice on to so many people since hearing it from you and the course. It truly changed so much for me as a former all-or-nothing perfectionist type thinker. That change has made all the difference for me honestly and I find myself so much more productive in all areas of my life because of it!! ❤

[@christybee8959]

If you sell the shirt (so cute!) consider having it say, “five minutes matter.” It’s grammatically correct. (Sorry-I’m an editor and I had to say it!)

[@rachellewilson8459]

As a dyslexic, picture, colour and pattern matter for reading. I never, ever notice t-shirt words, but I did notice yours... Keep the 5 👌🏻

[@mariebambelle7361]

I'm French so i may not have correctly understood, but i think the first message was not about 5 or "five" but "matter" instead of "matters". Because "five minutes" is plural.

[@pollyburroughs2027]

I'm also an editor, and sometimes a "plural" is used as a single unit, similar to a collective noun. Think about the fact that we say, "the United States is a country in North America" (you wouldn't say, "The United States ARE a country in North America.") Conversely, you would say, "However, not all 50 of the United States are in North America." In the same way, in Dawn's philosophy of efficiently decluttering, she is referring to a block of time--- a concept, if you will--- called "Five Minutes", and that particular little block of time matters. I suppose you could put quotation marks around it and say "Five Minutes" Matters. Consider this sentence: "Five minutes is too long a time to wait." There again we are talking about a block of time as a single unit. Five minutes can be considered a measure phrase, where there's an optional singular override for verb agreement when it's the subject. But you are right, too--- it would be perfectly correct to say five minutes matter.

[@serenarobak3640]

It could be a Minnesota thing 😅😅

[@juanitaglenn9042]

​@@serenarobak3640minute-sota, perhaps? 😅

[@JudelovesRiver12]

Dawn, this is one of your best videos yet! It actually made me a bit emotional because it was so relieving to hear you validate and normalize all the different ways we can justify keeping things, but the part that really got me was how it is hard getting rid of things when you come from a place of scarcity. So true, and nothing to take lightly. I really value and appreciate all the knowledge you have to share with us. ❤ God bless!

[@jessalee1174]

I’ve started! I got rid of 9 trash bags of stuff. I definitely need to do more but I got it. It clicked. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@KTplease]

I can attest to the fact that it gets easier after the tipping point! I was raised by a pack rat with scarcity mindset (Depression era trickledown) so it has been HARD but now my house feels so open and inviting and clean! Seriously, it’s easier to clean and KEEP it clean with less stuff, which is fantastic!

[@TheMinimalistMind-g5v]

Absolutely! Reaching that tipping point can be life-changing. Your experience resonates, and it's inspiring to see how decluttering transforms spaces and mindsets. I often share tips and personal stories related to this journey, so if you're interested in more insights on creating an inviting home, stay tuned for upcoming content!

[@KateWiium]

wow your hair looks so cute! i see you gave up on the dark! i like both but blonder suits you well, those curls i'd love aa tutorial on!

[@SonyaBarnesOnMove]

I did so well with minimalism in a house, but now we live and travel in an RV full time, and I feel the setback. Scarcity mindset is so real since we don’t always have access to laundry or stores. Such a challenge to get past!

[@amoruffo]

Thanks for this! I’m heading into my second trimester and I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed because I’ve been too sick to declutter. This has been super encouraging to break free of my scarcity and what if mindsets. ❤ You are a blessing to so many people.

[@edithgarcia4930]

You look great! Thank for saying “I love you “ and those sweet words at the end. We love you too. 😊

[@sokalbenoit]

Hi Dawn, thank you for another inspiring video. You look amazing with this color and length of hair! So uplifting and radiant! And yes, I found out that 5 minutes matter a TON!

[@lisabaker519]

I definitely relate to the idea of the perfect picture the mind creates! Kids toys are where i stumble. The expectation of how fun they could be for grandkids "someday" keeps me thinking i need to keeo them. Logically theres better ootions, but sentimental attachment is strong, and letting go is a learned skill.

[@MilesMilesCrocodiles]

No winter coats for us here in south Texas. We go camping between thanksgiving and Christmas and wear our cozy hoodie sweatshirts that week. It is currently between Christmas and new years and I am enjoying the ceiling fan and have had to toss the “winter” duvet off my bed. Yep, it’s late December and I’m in a t-shirt and trying to sleep while overheating with a simple sheet on my bed and a ceiling fan blowing a wind tunnel on me. I don’t miss shoveling snow from my years further north, but I sure do miss bundling up in fluffy blankets with a hot cocoa. Good news for my decluttering journey is I don’t have to keep a full winter wardrobe. We wear the same clothes just about year round and barely need more than a simple sweatshirt for our coldest days.

[@sallydansereau1270]

You are so right Dawn, decluttering is hard but does get easier with practice, and it is soooooo worth the effort 👍☮️

[@christydonahue4374]

The hardest part for me is pacing myself. I have so many things I want to get to and would spend all day every day doing it, BUT I also homeschool, so....gotta teach too😁

[@yahyeet4383]

I keep a donate box and a maybe box in the top of my hall closet. As I go throughout my normal day and find things, I place them into the boxes. When the donate box is full, I see if I’m ready to move anything over from the maybe box. Then I drop it off at donation place when I’m in town. If it is a child’s toy I know they don’t play with, but am not sure if they’ll miss, I place it into maybe box to see if anyone asks for it.

[@yahyeet4383]

Once something has been in the maybe box for a while and none of us have gone back for it, it is much easier to let it go. Sometimes it’s hard to decide to let something go when we continually see it in the same cupboard or shelf. I love making breathing room in closets and cupboards because kids are always growing through different stages and it allows for the new things that will inevitably come in.

[@janethunt4037]

Thank you Dawn! It has occurred to me recently that some items that I have because they belonged to my grandparents were for only that reason. I don't have any memories associated with those items. I'm keeping the butter churn from their farm in my dining room. I have some small antique salt dishes that I use to hold my rings in different places in my house. The other items are going out the door as I run across them. Thank you for talking about sentimental stuff and the slavery it can become.

[@Paulohlsson7]

Hi Janet, how's your day going with you?

[@CoraCaplan-i7k]

I can’t believe how easy this is now, thanks to you!

[@stephaniekasunick4754]

I have decluttered and still have items to get rid of. I just still feel overwhelmed.

[@kahliakyser9993]

So glad I stumbled upon your page. I’ve been watching your videos like a college course. I got my 3B’s, tools and tips and I’m ready to go to work 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@gailwhite8796]

Dawn, I’ve been following you for quite awhile now, and one thing I’d like to hear your thoughts about is Hope. So much of my clutter is based on the hope that someday I’ll be a different size, or have a bigger sewing room, or get my house to a point where I can actually invite people in and entertain, or have a real library, etc etc. It seems that whenever I try to declutter, it feels like I’m giving up on my hopes and dreams to let go of a favorite (but too small) blouse or book or serving tray, or anything. I’m constantly on the lookout for trash and “Duh” clutter, but it takes me weeks to fill up one donate box. Somehow, I need to figure out how to overcome the feeling that I’m giving up on my “someday” dreams. If you’re ever looking for more content ideas, I’d like to hear your (or anybody’s) thoughts on that, Thank you!

[@christinequintana881]

Look up her videos on fantasy self. Maybe keep a box or two of projects that you can reasonably complete. It's hard to let go of projects or who we thought we would be. I've been getting rid of a lot of my favorite clothes I saved that were smaller sizes. Only going to keep a small box of ones for now. Best of luck to you. You can do it. The 5 min a day works well.

[@susieadams1553]

You could also try the Swedish death method which despite its off putting title works really well . Basically instead of deciding what to get rid off you decide what you really want to keep - set yourself a limit of say 5 items in each room you can't live without or really treasure then the rest can go at some point . Good luck 🍀

[@NdnUrbanCat]

Consider your season of life. Maybe that will help?❤

[@gloriack7976]

She did an episode called Toxic Clutter and delves into realistic hope vs unrealistic hope.

[@ponylifedownsouth5694]

I so enjoy your channel Dawn, thank you! I originally joined to get minimalism inspiration but quickly learned that what was a normal level of inventory in New Zealand is quite minimalist in the US (in NZ average new build in 2022 and 2023 is 1256sqft). Our minimalism approach makes life so much easier for our household where 50% have ADHD. I stay on your channel as I really enjoy the inspiration you provide to others and the way they share that you're helping them. 🥰

[@mymai5859]

Hi OP, I'm female & also a Kiwi. I've a 3 bedroom house & garage. What aspect of our NZ lifestyle is minimalist compared to USA? Although our lounge, kitchen & bathrooms are tidy I am drowning with clutter/ inventory in our bedrooms, closets & garage. My garage is so full of storage containers, unfinished creative projects, gardening/car tools plus the ubiquitous Kiwi Freezer - that the car has never been able to fit. My daughter (25yrs) is convinced both her & I have ADHD. At 1st I couldn't believe that, but since doing research over the past year I think we are. We'll have to check where to get properly diagnosed.

[@mahimapartnership798]

So amazing Dawn! I have been following you for years now and I still find so much value in watching your videos.... all the way from New Zealand 🙂

[@jujubeane8334]

I love your shows. I’ve learned so much. I would love to do it professionally and help others.

[@shelly1224]

I am beginning the decluttering journey, but I battle with my latest realization. My husband is a hoarder😂😂😂.

[@Paulohlsson7]

Hi Shelly, how's your day going with you?

[@shannonmckinsey8922]

I had the same realization. I started watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo while he was around and then implementing some of her tactics with my own things and then found Dawn and would listen/watch her videos out loud while cleaning up. Eventually he started coming on board lol

[@mkirby7815]

My husband just carried two cheese slicers in from the garage that I had out there in a box to donate. 😂

[@mtheron100]

In an interesting situation. We planned to be away for 2 days and have ended up staying for over a week now. We are a family of 6, staying in a 2 bedroom Airbnb that doesn't even have a fridge. And it's been amazing!!!! No one has complained, kitchen(which is tiny!) is so easy to keep clean and I'm actually keeping up with the laundry and dishes without a dishwasher. Definitely doing a deep dive declutter when we get home. 😂😂😂

[@tizzess]

I just pulled out my winter clothes & I immediately put the pajamas in my donate pile. BUT I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM. I love them; they’re warm & adorable. I already decided I don’t need pajamas because I’m perfectly comfortable in my yoga pants & leggings. So I created a TWT pile… we’ll see!

[@sct4040]

Keep those warm PJ !

[@dianasimplifies]

I do leggings this time of year but by Jan I'm in thick PJ pants. It gets really cold in TN by then 😊

[@sheilaenglish9738]

If you are still thinking about them, there is nothing wrong with giving them a second chance. Eventually the decision will become clearer.

[@AMcDub0708]

I like that Dawn includes her kids in the memory keepsake culling/keeping process. My husbands aunt kept a big Rubbermaid tote for all 3 of her kids and put all their medals, drawings, awards, report cards etc in them. I’m sure she meant to give the totes to them when the moved out but never did. She died suddenly a few years ago and her adult kids found the totes and they all looked through their own. Guess what? Every single one of them tossed EVERYTHING in those totes!!!! I was shocked, but I get it now. It taught me that if I keep a tote like this for for my kids, it should either be for MY enjoyment or, or else let THEM decide what goes in/gets taken out.

[@PatriciaJoshua-h8s]

I was giving away a lot of stuff. I gave away so much, and it became my hobby. Then I worried that I would run out of stuff to get rid of, but now, I need to declutter again. It's going to be harder this time.

[@leannwomacks5967]

Thank you for teaching me about decluttering. I'm now in the maintenance stage and very happy.

[@gretchen_needs_a_dog]

I love your thoughtful insights onto how our brains work with regard to “stuff.” Thank you so much, Dawn!

[@KatieSeasCards]

Thank you! This video was really helpful for me in terms of thinking about my decluttering process. It's helpful for me to know that my brain is wired a specific way, and that drives my behavior.

[@juliekonigskind6434]

so good!!! I have been watching your videos for years and I am always s impressed, how you keep surprising me with new ideas and new approaches and how my immediate response is: "yes! of course! finally, I can let go of XYZ". Even while watching, I jumped up and started decluttering some things, I had been stumbling over for the past months but always told myself "no no, these I will surely use at some point!" Thank you so much Dawn!!! I love you too - and your hair looks lovely!

[@cindycarvalho855]

You are a God send. You know exactly what stops hinders the process and progress and provide the most important information to be successful. The world has unmeasureable numbers of homes and property in a state of being a hazard to mind ,health and wellness.

[@BrittanyChase-m1g]

I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time!

[@bryanpratt5850]

Thanks so much for all your helpful advice. I love Minnesota. Spent two years there over twenty years ago.

[@brightpurpleviking]

After listening to your advice for months now I keep thinking of the Conestoga wagons during the pioneer days. Imagine one small trailer and you have to put everything for your survival on it with a tiny space for sentiment. What would you take? We’ve had to move cross country several times, which has mostly been good. It’s funny how you pack for a move and in the beginning you’re so passionate about taking everything. Towards the end when the truck is almost full you’ll question all the crap you insisted on taking early on!

[@tanyawalker1673]

You're on fire Dawn. Excellent video thank you, love these perspective tweaks. I have been a minimalist for 2 years and still learning but loving it!

[@jessguzman7676]

You pinpoint. Let us our brain go on autopilot. Thank you! Luv u minimal mom 🥰

[@cathyf6156]

I read Let It Go and Keep the Memories Lose the Stuff after seeing them on your channel and I also highly recommend them too. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@suekpp]

Am totally in the messy middle part and completely overwhelmed! My husband is about 60% committed until it comes to his office. I just close the door. It’s so hard for him to get rid of anything. It’s frustrating and sad at the same time. All I know is I must get to the tipping point soon or I’m going to lose my mind. I have OCD and some other emotional issues that make seeing all this clutter and mess and disorganization really tough. I think whatever it takes, I’m gonna either have to start working a little harder and/or get help. I don’t really have the money, but it’s gonna cost me more in hospital costs than it is to clean this house up! 😂

[@shannonmcmullen3916]

Dawn your smile is beautiful!!! :)

[@nancyagrimes]

Thank you. This was timely and so helpful. We are preparing to move from one country to another and have been going through 16 years of accumulated stuff and trying our best to eliminate, eliminate, eliminate. It is sooooooo hard though and completely exhausting. You are so right, one part my brain thinks of a laundry list of reasons to keep something, while the other part, when I ask it why tI should let it go, has trouble coming up with any reasons at all!! It is hard to override the list of keeps and let go. The struggle is real. 😅

[@hanneshuette]

Wow 🤩 Dawn! Thank you. I have been on the declutter journey (with you) for YEARS now and I just had my aha-moment three minutes in. There is *grieving and sadness involved* in facing the facts. I realise now that for literally years I’ve been decluttering and accumulating and decluttering and accumulating …. but never go through the absolute core of my stuff. It’s because I have unconsciously been avoiding that sadness and grief that my current reality no longer includes camping, playing my musical instrument and sewing. Wow 🤩 I think it will still take courage but at least I now understand what is going on with me. I think also that if I concentrate on the subsequent freedom that I will be making way for, this really could be my epiphany. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@maryjothompson4578]

I don't use cable or have internet to the house. I use my phone for bills, KZbin, etc. I sold my northern home this fall, after 2 garage sales, and using FB to sell tons, setting up a missionary in a new apartment, and moving a van load to the house my son and I share in the south. It was a good decision!

[@emma-woodhouse-721]

Ha! I stoped the video, did some algebra, and figured out the cost of the ball & bat - then was totally astonished that I could remember how to write an equation. It must be the decluttering habit - I think it’s also decluttering cobwebs in my brain. 🤔😆 Thank you for a fun puzzle, Dawn! (not to mention the life-changing advice … 😊)

[@called.with.purpose]

SO much truth in this video! Thank you!

[@SashaBurton-p3t]

You’re the reason I’m learning so much!

[@Practicalmamam1234]

Thanks for all of your videos and wisdom! You've helped me so much 😊

[@savannah1449]

Same experience, multiple times, going from just east of the metro area up to Duluth! You think we would learn!

[@UpstateGrammy]

I especially like the videos that you make in which you share what you have learned from nonfiction sources.

[@kimberlywalker280]

GREAT FOOD FOR THOUGHT.....LOVED the diagram. This last time..... decluttering my craft space was not easy...I PUSHED myself to work several hours a day in this area. Approximately 6 weeks ago, I walked out to my crafting space to put some items, away. I realized that inspite of the still very organized area, that it needed a major decluttering ONCE AGAIN. Ugh! Now, like many, this time of year is VERY BUSY. After weighing the matter of whether I should go ahead with this project or not, I realized my time constraints. I decided to go ahead...so, I pushed and pushed and pushed to get it sufficiently done. My crafting space project is now completed.The result is a refreshing feeling. HOWEVER, it made sense to me make a decision...(Not wanting to go thru those strong feelings, again) I decided 5 minutes of decluttering daily needed to be broadened to 10 minutes a day for equal decluttering work done in my house AND in the garage/crafting space. I just don't ever want to push myself that hard, again.... I'm almost afraid to go in the store, right now...for fear that I'll buy something I shouldn't. But, I am NOT a pessimist....I am an optimist and choose to live my life, accordingly. I appreciate what you do. ❤

[@LoriSkees]

My dad passed away 4 months ago and we just sold his house. I was pretty brutal and honest with decisions about what to keep. But he specifically said he wanted us to keep his six Hitchcock dining room chairs because they are valuable. So they are sitting in my basement! We already have four of our own Hitchcock chairs and I don’t want to keep six more, but I’m having so much trouble getting rid of them. I don’t think they will sell but I struggle with giving them away beacause they are “valuable” (Dad said so!) ugh! 😫

[@magasw2025]

Similar experience about 18 years ago...I had to ship a Duncan Phyfe table half way across the country back to my dad because it was "valuable" and only given to us on "loan" as newlyweds. My parents never used it again as a dining room table, primarily because they had inherited my other grandmother's dining room table. The table only became another landing strip for more -junk- valuables. Eventually my sister adopted the table, but found it impractical for her home/children/season of life, too, because it wasn't very sturdy. She somehow was able to get rid of it. The table was such a sore subject, I don't ever bring it up to my parents or my husband 🙄

[@maryjothompson4578]

I have a chair in my bedrooms, and two at small writing desks in other rooms. When I have company, they are brought to the table.

[@AMcDub0708]

My grandpa was a “collector” of valuables. He passed away in 2010 and my mom is still petrified to get rid of or sell much of his things. He had a HUGE coin and stamps collection that takes up so much space in her closet. She tried telling me once that when she passes away if she still has the coins and other items, to have them appraised etc or insured or whatever. I looked her in the eye and said “I’m not fooling with ANY of that when you pass on Mom.” $5,000 of coins or even $10,000 if there’s actually something fantastic in there is not worth all the hassle to me.

[@aleithea2715]

Excellent vidéo Dawn.

[@Baribrooks]

Enjoyed your teaching. Also, perfect shade of eye shadow, Dawn!

[@AnnetteSchickerling]

African summer here .....need I say more😅 thank you for such wonderful advice. You are a true inspiration. Everyday struggles are so multiplied by clutter. It's a choice. Let's choose wisely❤

[@ashleym.9682]

Here in Michigan we also never account for those 40-50 degree summer nights. 😅

[@PhilRogers-c6i]

LOL, Dawn when you said $1.10 (I replayed to check) I thought I was going nuts when the ball was five cents. Thank you for the laugh!! (And everything else. You are awesome)

[@christine55416]

why 5 cents? It could have worked as easily at 4 cents and $1.06, 6 cents and $1.04, 7 cents and $1.03, any example, very poor example. I also paused video and looked at that again

[@karenmyrie6215]

I always monitor the temperature of my destination for about a week before I start packing. I remember going to DC as a child, and my Mom had to do that unplanned warmer clothing shop 😢

[@dianasimplifies]

Me too. We went to Miami one year and I nearly froze even in the hotel room 😂 learned my lesson! They had a cold snap! Ha!!

[@cb9825]

My mom didn't think to check the weather forecast for the city we were going. It was summer, we had only sleeveless dresses and other light clothing. we were freezing when we got to the relatives' apartment.😂it's just how mom is, always packs light without thinking about weather changes. She'll NEVER take a cardigan in summer, even if she goes to a colder climate area. she is that stubborn about not overpacking.

[@turquoisewitch.wild-owl]

I got Blinkist, and found that was "clutter" on my phone, because I never used it. That's not to say others here won't. I just found it wasn't for me.

[@mafisher3563]

My hardest thing is pictures I have pictures of family members that when I'm gone no one will know who they are So that's how I can throw them out by thinking like this.

[@kimberlymcjunkin2641]

I have recognized that I fill my days with activities, good, worthy ones, because I don't want to deal with three rooms of memorabilia and four generations of hand-me-downs. 😢

[@ridendurance]

Same…, it feels overwhelming and just too sad. 😢

[@shannonthorne9460]

This was really helpful, thanks! This will help me unclutter another layer.

[@Me-wk3ix]

LOL, I must be very tired. It took me about a whole minute to work out why the ball is a nickel and not a dime. Great video as always!

[@nicolaholland1]

This is completely exquisite. How very talented in design and now in carpentry, upholstery, electricals, plumbing and tiling! I am sure she must be in the design field. If not, she should be.

[@cathyb6358]

You gave an excellent analogy to help us.

[@stschubs]

WELL I feel ridiculous lol. I was thinking bat like the flying night animal. I was thinking who's buying bats and why are they so cheap?!

[@sheilaenglish9738]

😂 For Sale a 🦇$0.05

[@nan4art]

I was too!!!!😅

[@erinandersonmadeley1610]

Dawn, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL BRUNETTE! Just wanted to tell you that I like your hair color. In a recent video you alluded that you went too dark, but I think your color is on point. You look younger. No matter what color you dye your hair ypu are beautiful inside and out! ❤ Thanks for being my friend for the past 6 years...even if it's kinda imaginary 😂

[@Karen-fn1gn]

Here's to the sweetest imaginary friend :)

[@natalieeubank4533]

I loved her hair that dark

[@ourpeacefulhaven]

Hello 👋🏻 welcome to NC. We can see all 4 seasons in one day!!!

[@AmyMcLin-ms3xx]

Your hair is so cute!!

[@mrsks5399]

I agree that it's the grieving that makes it difficult. A lot of EMOTIONAL DAMAGE 😭🤣

[@devinfarrelly3768]

Love your hair ! I love you too Dawn !

[@NovasYouTubeName]

Your shirt!!! Yessss!!!!❤❤❤

[@reginaflynn2622]

One thing that helps me is listening to audiobooks while de-cluttering. I look forward to listening to them. I use a free app from our library so it's free. Podcasts are another option too. I have noticed that at least 10 years Black Friday sales mean nothing to me. I was very poor at one time in my life and needed basic necessities, now I can afford the basics, and all the other stuff seems silly.

[@JMA864]

Thinking Fast and Slow is a great book!

[@iamaShrub]

Your hair color is so pretty!

[@elegantnails107]

Love your hair ❤ looks AMAZING

[@fionaj77]

I'll always keep a small amount of sentimental items. Minimalism doesn't mean lack. Just in case items to never declutter is a first aid kit and emergency lighting.

[@fayerichards6088]

Take same idea of a picture in our mind of time futuristic have... to cooking. It was helpful to me to lower my cooking expectations to what i had time for. Which can also help not to hoard food that would not get used.

[@claudialeon9175]

You’re awesome, thank you, for what you do❣️

[@pinkroses135]

When it comes to the big picture you have in your mind you have to be able to bridge the gap with your daily habits to make it actually happen. If you can't or won't go back and forth to compare notes it's just a fantasy self thing. You have to be willing to live tiny pieces of it out right now.

[@juststeph6940]

Well I have been more on the minimal side for a while but with recent events around the world. I’m starting to look at more preparedness. Of course I don’t want to bring unnecessary things in or hoard anything. I think that would be a cool topic how to be a minimalist but still be prepared.

[@littlebungalowinthewoods858]

For me it’s making sure that you’ll use the items you bring in. I don’t mind having extra toilet paper because I know it’ll be used up. Same with food, only buy what you know your family will eat and what you can use up before the expiration dates.

[@juststeph6940]

@@littlebungalowinthewoods858 yes that’s it get what you use. But I’m also talking about having extra long burning candles, flashlights, battery bank, walkie talkies. Things you may need if you lose power for long periods of time and if you had to be separated from family you could communicate some how and an emergency radio to hear and reports.

[@littlebungalowinthewoods858]

@@juststeph6940 okay, yes-we have all of those too. We do alot of off grid tent camping so we use them regularly as well.

[@magasw2025]

​@@juststeph6940one of the best lessons that I have learned from Dawn (and a couple of other KZbinrs) for this is to determine a set space for your "inventory" whether that means your socks, table linens, laundry detergent, and yes, prepping supplies. Then, you fit your said inventory in that space. Years ago, I would just grab anything and everything on sale for WTSHTF. I didn't recognize that I was making our home miserable, making all of us drown in endless piles, stashes and boxes of "just in case world catastrophic/economic trauma." It's still a work in progress, but I love having more organization and some limits on being "prepared."

[@user-ho4sb7ug4m]

Excellent Dawn. Thankyou. 👍

[@allisonmcgriff6844]

I think a great question to ask too, is how much time did I actually have to work on this project that i wasted on stuff that isn't important at all.. I often spend way more time playing on my phone than doing stuff that actually needs to be done/stuff that I want to do.

[@judyluchies2492]

Thanks for your videos, can’t believe the areas I’ve organised 😳😳🤣🤣🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Paulohlsson7]

Hi Judy, how's your day going with you?