This one change cleared the clutter for good!

Wow! I didn’t realize how removing a little more clutter and a few more toys would make it so much easier to tidy up at the end of the day. Many of us need more bandwidth in our lives and this is a great way to create it!
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[@cathydelgado6477]

My neighbor brought a cake over. I can't have sugar but hubby and kids can. I really appreciated her thoughtfulness and I didn't have to cook something i can't eat. This was one of the hardest weeks of my life but she had no way to know this. I almost cried. God bless you neighbor. 😊

[@sarahko2014]

Love this!🙌 Your neighbor didn't know...but God knew you needed that extra care~❤

[@sherrywiley4817]

So true, God's timing is always perfect!​@@sarahko2014

[@Pudelmum]

Love your hair Diana!

[@Godblessed2]

Right?! She looks fantastic

[@marydecker7558]

My first thought! Looks great!!

[@nicolesheaffer4988]

Came here to say the same thing!!!

[@nurse-diana]

My 7 year old granddaughter (and us adults) lost nearly everything we own on Thursday when Hurricane Helene flooded our home in Gulfport, FL. Aria was a little sad for a minute then started asking questions like "why can't I play with my toys now that they are dry?" Beyond that, she just played with the dogs and her cousins and boxes while we worked throwing out the wet carpet, furniture, tearing out walls, baase boards, assessing and mitigating damage ect. It has not even been a week now and she has already moved on from things and is well adjusted to what we adults perceive as devastation. Kids are resilient and accepting of their immediate reality and it becomes their new normal incredibly fast...warp speed. No grieving time needed. ONLY ADULTS FRET & WORRY, NOT THE KIDS. They just get over it and on with it! We are all very happy to be alive and not a single one of us wants our stuff back! We have decided NOT to replace anything that is not an absolute necessity. It will take years to repair the damage and devastation to our home and community so we will just focus on that for now.... Hallelujah! We all now know what it is to actually feel spontaneous combustion relief!

[@nataliem726]

I'm glad your granddaughter was not traumatized by this event. In general though, yes, kids can fret or worry if they've been hurt in the past.

[@lindawynn9042]

I’m so sorry about the devastation your family endured. It will take a very long time to work through this, but I am so glad for this lesson you learned from your daughter that will not only make life simpler going forward, but is a huge weight removed to know you didn’t have to worry about her toys. I am praying for your family and all who suffered losses from this terrible storm. God bless you all.❤

[@devinfarrelly3768]

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers and aren’t forgotten by the rest of the country.

[@patstidman7356]

Sending love and sympathy❤

[@brookehollier4838]

Really flattering hair style!

[@ravensharp1901]

Agreed! First thing I thought!!!

[@AnnellGibson-qg8cp]

She did tell you!How funny! She’s been telling us these things for a long time.

[@elizabethsielaff3414]

😂

[@kimhouchins1103]

Right... she has been saying that for a long time

[@KLBrady-WriterGadgets]

So love this messsge. I can hear about the Lord and decluttering in one shot. No tradeoffs. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@lidimaparis4799]

Diana, as a former pre-school teacher, I recommend these for young children... sand, water, old cooking utensils, plain wooden blocks, paper, thick crayons, glue, masking tape, cardboard boxes, cheese cloths for cubbies. They don't need much more. Children will create what they need with very little. Babies will be made with almost anything. dress ups are make easily with cheesecloth or paper, crayon and tape as children get older. Wishing you the joy that young children bring with their enthusiasm, creativity and point of view. I miss them always.

[@sarahko2014]

The best part of every video is your prayer at the end...thank you, Diana!💜

[@pattipalardis8987]

Yes, I agree, your prayer is encouraging, sincere, and aligned w the Word. Bless you and Diane.....the world needs you.

[@liliesandbuttercups]

It's my favorite part too 😊

[@sl9906]

❤❤❤❤ re:toys: as a teacher of young children I’ve been saying this for DECADES! The science is out there and is proven over and over. I get so excited when I hear you talking about this because the marketing of parent guilt is strong and can’t be talked about enough. I know you get push back but keep it up please!!! It’s far more than minimalism, it’s for your children in every part of their development!

[@megankuchta9145]

At 6 and 4 we actually got our kids to minimize their own toys. We really hyped up they each got a shelf they got to fill. Then we made sure the shelves weren’t stuffed so it’s easy to put away. We kept focus on what they got to keep and made a big deal when the cabinet was full. We reduced toys by probably more than 80% with the kids help and it wasn’t a big deal. No one cried and everyone got something they wanted.

[@Mygoodandfaithfulservant]

Absolutely love when you guys collab!!

[@carolc8311]

Thank you ❤️ This came at a perfect time for me! I just wanted you to keep talking and talking because you were speaking my heart!

[@deniseginn5478]

Okay... Diana, I was SO DISTRACTED by your BEAUTIFUL hair that I had to pause the video just to tell you how GORGEOUS it is here!!!!❤😂😂 Okay, now I can watch the video!😂

[@bobbiclydesdale438]

Hi Diana, I am glad you brought up the parable of the talents. In our modern times, we hear 1 talent, 5 talents, and 10 talents, but don’t have the proper understanding or cultural perspective to take in the importance of what that meant. A talent was worth 6,000 denarii-and a denarius was a day’s wages. Doing the math, that 1 talent was worth 16.44 years’ wages! That 1 talent was not of insignificant value. Aside from the monetary value, when one looks at what the value of 1 talent represents in time and then take into account the seasons of our life that require such a great amount of time (e.g., child rearing, caregiving to our elderly parents, etc.), it makes our decision-making process much simpler. The time (talent) we are given is better invested in building up our relationships with God, our family, and our community than it is in acquiring and caring for all the worldly “stuff” that seems to keep us running the rat race to sheer exhaustion (not to mention the debt incurred acquiring it)! Just saying, we really need to see that even 1 talent (or season in life) is an incredibly valuable blessing that is worth investing in fully.

[@patstidman7356]

I was raised on Matthew 25 & for 50years,my calling has been to help the homeless and our veterans transitioning into housing. This has been my greatest blessing. When I see how grateful they are for every little thing, a smile that you can share with them. I realize you can’t out give God. I’m 77 years old and I’m slowing down. But,this has given me so much joy.

[@ruthturkington1736]

I started treating my kitchen counters like hot lava. It took a few weeks but all of a sudden my hubby said you are keeping the kitchen super tidy lately, it had been a few weeks. It has made me chuckle as now he puts things away as soon as he comes home from work! We have nothing on our counters

[@bethheerten1132]

Leading by example! Good for you.

[@BohemiaGirl331]

Two great ladies!!

[@SamCurtis-yk8cv]

About toys- my granddaughter has tons of toys and dolls at my house but I’m working on getting some out. But even with all the toys, this week she had the most fun just playing a version of charades. She had us both write on pieces of notecards things we could pretend to be and the other would guess what we were. It was so funny to see her pretending to be a blender or ice 🤣. She said it was her favorite thing we did this week. Her made up game🥰

[@maggiebates3941]

Small. Slow. Simple. I love this so so much!!! What a beautiful goal!

[@lindarivera584]

Diame i went to goodwill there was racks and racks of kids toys so that should tell you too much stuff too many toys. Im recovering from two emergency surgeries and i couldnt even lift or have any energy it was overwhelming im 5 weeks out and I started doing the shed and basement and when i lack motivation i watch your videos. I was really sick and i saw the mess and realized i can do this.

[@boogaoooga3315]

What I used to do with my kids toys was to keep a few toys out for them and stored the others. The. I would switch them

[@susiemccoy7]

Dawn, I'm looking forward to hearing from all your children one day about how much more creative they were growing up in the minimal moms home. Diana, i make sure i do a quick sweap throughout the whole house before bedtime. Getting up in the morning is so nice. Everything was tidied up the night before. You ladies have no idea how much youre helping others. Thank you both. You're the best! 💕❤ I love your eyelashes & hair Dianna ☺️

[@emilyboggess4426]

“Dawn! You should start a channel and tell people about this!” 😂🫶🏼💕 Love y’all!

[@elizabethsielaff3414]

😂

[@sarahstipp3790]

Ladies, thank you for this video.❤ Using your talents to help the world is really something I needed to put in the forefront of my mind. 😊

[@user-rw6ff8bx2u]

Thank you Diana! Your prayer was exactly what I need help with. Trying to get over being sick and weak. I appreciate you words and prayer 🌷🍂🙏

[@MessiVsRonaldo29]

Thank you SO much, your words and prayers touched my heart so much. At a time when we have had to take our son out of mainstream education in the UK due to lack of understanding and support causing him to be in a state of burnout aged 8, our world has radically altered. Thank you for some small steps that are doable and for prayers that shifted something in my spirit. Much love xxx❤

[@devinfarrelly3768]

Lifting you up. So glad you are taking the lead for your son and not over trusting the schools. Only you can know and advocate for your child.

[@ShelleyLambert-q5f]

I have a desk dump box at work. And sometimes when the emails at work get too piled up I delete them. If someone really needs something done they will email me again 😂. Sometimes i just have to get stuff out of my face, take care of the most current stuff, and if it’s important it will come back around.

[@lintb6030]

When my counters are cluttered, I find it difficult to see what doesn't need to be there. I would rather have nothing on there, so I know when there is something on there, I need to put it away.

[@shadegarden7375]

We immediately get junk mail gone into the trash!! It makes such a difference!! No stacks of mail!!

[@drdtexan]

Great video to remind me to take another walk around my home and look for more excess. We are moving to a home half the size of what we currently have and I need to get rid of excess. Hard to do but I have realized that it takes more than one pass through. I have cleared a lot (I did not have much) but there is always more! Love when the two of you get together on a video as well as the spiritual uplifting message telling me life can be rough and we can be tired and it is ok. The prayer at the end is a wonderful start to my Sunday morning Diana 😊 Also, love your hair, please share how you styled it, very pretty! 😊 Thanks

[@amandasmith6941]

Gotta tell you. I’m thrilled you’ve finally heard Dawn!!! She is doing right on this issue. So congratulations on stepping further into minimal living!! The new hair is awesome. It creates a much younger look. Hope you keep it 👍

[@deniseginn5478]

Wow... did I EVER need this Word today! Thank you, ladies, for this!!❤

[@barbaraskelton6367]

If I could give you six, thumbs up for this video I would! The Lord used you to speak to me about holding onto things. And so I was able to freely with a happy heart decide that some things that I had been holding onto needed to go to the RESALE STORE. And so I put it in the to go box and I feel at such peace about that. In the days to come, I will be getting rid of more. God bless you! And thank you again!

[@JudyWeeston]

I know you have no control on the commercials but the one today was a toy, ha. Your advice is so solid, my granddaughter’s toy closet at our home (8yrs) has been thinned down to two containers ( shoebox size) and her bin of art supplies. She has not missed a thing.

[@melissamoeller9608]

Thank you for sharing, and especially for your prayer at the end. ❤

[@Sharelle_Johnson]

This was so helpful! I tackled my 3 email accounts and archived everything older than 30 days. Looking forward to tackling the toys now :)

[@lucystrider728]

My family moved to food gifts for teens and up, sometimes funny or exotic but yummy and soon gone, no clutter. Stuff that gets used up for kids, unless there is a needed and wanted item (you know for sure not a guess)!

[@jillannsarah5932]

I love getting food gifts… fun stuff I’d never buy and things I’d never otherwise try… love it!!!

[@bethheerten1132]

I remember asking my grandson what he wanted for his birthday when he was about 13. His answer was "FOOD". Not that there was not enough at home, but he was a boy ..and 13...! We have him a reusable grocery bag full of shelf stable goodies and he loved it!

[@devinfarrelly3768]

We love food gifts or activity gifts, or a contribution to charity !

[@HomeWithMamaDana]

My first stop after my mailbox (at the end of my driveway at the road), is my extra large trash can (that goes out to the road every Monday to be picked up). 95% of my mail *never comes into my house* !!! 100% of my bills are on autopay. I have (nearly) eliminated paper clutter in my house!

[@clairetitus6904]

Diana, you do have talents and you shared some amazing thoughts in this video. Well done.

[@debbiegloss7084]

Diana you are a great story teller. I love listening to you talk about bible verses

[@sue2272]

In our family we say, "When ya give a child a toy, they pull the wrapping paper off, toss the gift aside, then go outside, pick up a stick and play with THAT!!! 😅😂😊

[@terryharmon4542]

I also love your cute hair style! It brings out your fun side. I love your humor!

[@kimhefley1683]

Your hair looks amazing!!!!!

[@shadegarden7375]

Best hair yet Diana!! Yep, too many toys create chaos!!

[@lynnhendley8910]

Like the concept of brain residue Thats where my brain thoughts are right now. Dawn should put together all these Wisdom words on a Printable.

[@themenumaid]

I really wish I was in the place I am now when our daughter was little with all the toys! I’m hopeful she’ll find peace with less things sooner than later. Great video and love your hair Diana! Ps.. I second online Bible study group. Wonderful community in all seasons of life. ❤

[@charmin78]

I like the measurement of “what is too much” I do a “Life Admin” day/ hour. Process the unfinished business. Priority Management: Don’t try to do “everything”. TIP: “master backlog” of tasks and ideas-> schedule tasks when there are random openings.

[@nancydroge7682]

Thank you Diana & Dawn! ✨✨

[@suemiller3405]

I love giving gifts. So...I still do give them. For kids, I try to give books or some kind of gift that can be used up. This year I'm knitting throw blankets for my grandnieces because I was still working when they were born; my grandnephews all got baby blankets. For my children and grown grandchildren, their main gift every year is homemade cookies. Hopefully, I've found ways to give gifts without adding to excess stuff!

[@Julie-si3hi]

Simplifying toys to blocks, creative materials, fine motor gross motor skills, books and imaginitive play is perfect for all kids. On a ritation to keep exciting

[@tracylapsley2345]

Yes yes yes. I love the topic. Oh and Your HAIR! It looks amazing!

[@Godblessed2]

Telllll ME! HOW do I get my 18 almost 19 year old son to unload his childhood toys?! My basement would be amazingly organized if I could unload bins of stuff. I’m going to start praying that his heart desires to let stuff go. His room is packed, the basement has bins of stuff. So frustrating. If I even suggest he downsize, he gets anxious 🫤

[@debraannrech1841]

Diane, your hair looks Great!

[@bloodwashednana]

Your hair looks amazing!

[@debbydoodler33]

Ah, so many great nuggets in this one. Love you gals!

[@brigettedeel7522]

LOVE your wavy hair!

[@mbounds396]

Your hair is lovely, Diana.

[@libbybustos1478]

I absolutely love your hair!!!

[@deniseinchina]

We lived in China with our six kids and they learned to create with very little. One Christmas my two youngest were over the moon with each receiving a ream of printer paper. They invented a game “planet” that we all still talk about.

[@PassionKnitCozy]

You are both so awesome! I appreciate your videos. ❤

[@susanwiens7420]

Thank you girls ❤❤

[@Janneli2024]

Sometimes stop trying to be something that we are not stop comparing we are loosing ourselves in this busy world get back to what is important living life ,, stop overthinking

[@kellym7428]

Tell me about your hair waver 🥰 I've tried 2 different kinds & can't find the "goldilocks" crimper... one was too wide , the other was too "1993 crimp" 😂

[@joyjanczak3334]

Yes please! What do you use?

[@BLK2000]

yes, comments agree, very pretty hair my lovely x

[@karendunn866]

Love love Diana’s membership group! ❤❤

[@lisaann6267]

grab a pen when you get mail, write date when you need to deal with it.

[@Genie519]

No toys at all seems sad. I understand less toys but if none works for them great. For our family we have bins like Diana. Once the bin is full we declutter. It works for us.

[@paularuotsalainen8954]

I agree. My mom didn't have any toys literally. They were so poor and my mom was born during the war. It is sad if girl doesn't have even one doll. Or one stuff animal. We don't have to be extreme minimalist. It is nice that kids have some toys. My son played with little cars, wooden blocks and animals hours. It was easy to pick after playing

[@natalieeubank4533]

She didn’t say no toys she said less toys

[@mjgriffin49]

My son is 48. I should have learned the lesson when at 2 he played all day with the little dollar gun in this Christmas stocking. When he was little I did mainly get clothes for Dec and June birthday so was trying to get it right even back then.

[@patriciabond4860]

Diana your hair looks beautiful😍 do this again !

[@nataliem726]

and then the house gets full of all the kids' recycled creations and it looks just as messy. And so much tape! Ha, love your paraphrase of the parable of the talents. I've had that same thought when overwhelmed with young kids.

[@shadegarden7375]

Do as Jesus did!! Act out the love of Jesus!! Having a heart for others!! Spot on!!

[@angiejones7401]

If it takes no more than a minute, do it now!

[@kellymahnensmith7054]

I love the 150 people village concept! ❤

[@taraamundson1140]

Yes!!! I love your hair too!!!

[@goldieff]

Brain residue = excess to dos Or unmanaged thoughts or un captured to dos.

[@terryharmon4542]

Sorry Diana, I love the term "brain residue"! It's a perfect description!

[@dangermouse9g365]

Diana your hair looks amazing!! How do you get those curls?❤

[@marciaburcham5141]

Love your hair

[@bridgetwoodward8031]

How did you style your hair?? It looks so good!

[@carlajilek8310]

Watch the magma tiles please. A friend lost a magnet out of a tile and a little one swallowed it.

[@lauramccollum5686]

Good word!

[@evanandevergreen]

Lawd!! Magnatiles are expensive. At least the “real” ones. You can send me your extras. 😂❤

[@jolynngrenier2707]

I like Dawn’s gray shirt. Where did you get it?

[@goldieff]

Cleaning partner=body doubling. Or cleaning buddy. Body Doubling didn’t work for me either.

[@angelasnodgrass6621]

Great video,

[@HollieTrimble-d2c]

Can anyone tell me about the archive email inbox? What does it actually mean; to save ??

[@marciewhite5368]

Yes. It's saved but not in the inbox

[@sandraglassner9618]

So this proven we don’t listen to family. How many years has she been saying this. 😊

[@maureenrau6341]

Brain residue = Mental leftovers

[@sarahko2014]

Mind crumbs 🤷‍♀️

[@amychen2504]

Dana, are you still in touch with Darci Isabella?

[@debbiehaataja9971]

I looked at your sweat shirt sizes. 3x said 31". This is across the front or clear around?

[@dianesmith4759]

❤

[@lwangelsbg]

How does this work for one eight year old girl being without siblings to be creative with?

[@natalieeubank4533]

Start with drawing maybe puzzles getting outside

[@alicia8978]

Brain dust and Buddy work ?

[@pamelameyer4277]

Does his family not help you? Cooking cleaning and loving on the kids?

[@Red2U]

Brain residue~static

[@louisehughes9578]

"brain junk" instead of "brain residue"

[@melissasprayberry5047]

Attention residue is an alternative to brain residue.

[@charishurt1768]

Dianna you have list so much weight congratulations you look fantastic beautiful lady ❤

[@the3boyds]

This is so true!!! SPACE in your schedule/day to be able to be "done", have less "to-do" (simplify your schedule) and I am looking forward to cook, bake weekly, I want to plan parties... FIRST time I've decorated my house for fall in YEARS. 🥹 I hadn't realized all these things until now!!

[@bobbiclydesdale438]

Hi Diana, I am glad you brought up the parable of the talents. In our modern times, we hear 1 talent, 5 talents, and 10 talents, but don’t have the proper understanding or cultural perspective to take in the importance of what that meant. A talent was worth 6,000 denarii-and a denarius was a day’s wages. Doing the math, that 1 talent was worth 16.44 years’ wages! That 1 talent was not of insignificant value. Aside from the monetary value, when one looks at what the value of 1 talent represents in time and then take into account the seasons of our life that require such a great amount of time (e.g., child rearing, caregiving to our elderly parents, etc.), it makes our decision-making process much simpler. The time (talent) we are given is better invested in building up our relationships with God, our family, and our community than it is in acquiring and caring for all the worldly “stuff” that seems to keep us running the rat race to sheer exhaustion (not to mention the debt incurred acquiring it)! Just saying, we really need to see that even 1 talent (or season in life) is an incredibly valuable blessing that is worth investing in fully.