We HUSHED another room in our house!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Click here helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 30% off an Elite or Luxe mattress (plus two FREE pillows!) - or take 25% off sitewide - during their Memorial Day Sale, which ends May 30th. Thank you for watching and I hope you have a great day! - Dawn

[@randoline13]

My 8 1/2 yr old sat and watched some of this with me. When you pre-sorting the boys' bins and tossing stuff,, he said "I really hope you don't learn anything from this video." 🤣🤣🤣

[@juliequates9529]

😂😂

[@ktaemedina8951]

HaHa

[@KatrenaS]

This is great

[@kristikirby5764]

😂😂😂

[@melindagilbert6989]

I feel his pain .. 🙄 I watched my mom clean out my toy box one time.... 😞

[@valetoxicus5927]

I hate to say this, but it’s really refreshing to see a “messy” room in your house. Gives me peace of mind that it’s an ongoing process, even for the expert minimalists. 😉

[@dianasimplifies]

Same!

[@julieheinen2720]

Right?! I noticed that too! I would love for Dawn to do a video on this (maybe she has?) I am trying to be realistic about what mess remains even after I (finally) find my clutter threshold ?

[@MollyMA13]

Can I just say.. I really felt the respect you treated your boys with in this video. You didn’t call your son a hoarder or disparage him at all. You respected his preferences while also helping him learn. Refreshing and encouraging to see (: ty

[@sapphireblue1013]

The best part for me is how she treats her children regarding minimalism. I've learned a lot. I've got one who doesn't like to keep things, and I've got a "hoarder," lol. My hoarder, I've respected her space and let her make all her own decisions. She's doing a great job decluttering, too.

[@pnwflipper2089]

This one motivated me to go down and clean the basement playroom! When my kids came home from school, I asked my oldest son to go through a box of stuff I had gathered up and he looked in and said “why? It’s just a bunch of junk. Get rid of it.” 😂 Whelp, that was easier than I thought it was going to be!

[@jean1228]

Dawn, I appreciate you as a mom. The way you acknowledge your kids’ personalities, strengths and weaknesses - lovingly teach them management skills, and find balance. Kudos. ❤

[@ruthturkington1736]

Let Gage be a treasure keeper. Our 3rd was a treasure keeper I just let her and believe it or not today. She’s a minimalist !!!!!

[@cynthiawhitcomb1780]

I so appreciate that you do not force your kids to get rid of things. In dealing with children and their issues for over thirty years, I can tell you that they need to feel valued and that they have a voice. Respect is a two-way street👍🏻

[@Kristemamber81]

Have you considered adding puck lights or light strips underneath their beds in storage/play area? I think that might make the space more welcoming and usable and maybe encourage them to keep it clean😊

[@juliestephens7740]

Great idea! I agree

[@s.kurzeck3020]

Somehow Boys really seem to like these colorchanging strips ...

[@ruthturkington1736]

Literally translated from a Spanish saying in Venezuela is Blessed be the nothing that brings no bother. In Spanish, “Bendito la nada que no trae molestia”

[@guykenniker9498]

As a grandmother I stopped giving things. I give time or a special food or drink

[@lucystrider728]

Same thing, our whole family has gone to special food gifts. It is still fun and really cut down on the unnecessary stuff entering our homes.

[@dsmith9796]

I'm a grandmother wanta be!! But there are two neighbor boys (9 & 10) that I like to do things for. I always consider that when I give stuff it probably just turns to "junk" so I try really hard to give an activity - it can be movie tickets, a walk on the beach (we live close by), a trip to a favorite hamburger joint with a set budget... for Easter I gave them both tickets for a free game at a local mini-golf and at Christmas we went to see a local Christmas light show. Last year for 4th of July I gave them homemade/decorated cupcakes and a book about the holiday. I'm always on the look out for what active little boys might enjoy and I usually spend less money on an activity than I would a gift.

[@tricia77grace]

We give our grandkids money or gift certificates.

[@rickgonzalez1218]

Deb here. I have done the same with my nieces and nephew. I opened up an account for each of them and deposit money in it for their birthday and Christmas or any other special event. They still get plenty of things from other relatives. Most of those things get tossed aside eventually as they outgrow it. But they will have money when they get older.

[@williamsmith4899]

@@rickgonzalez1218 , we did something similar with our daughter when she was in elementary school - opened a custodial bank account for her. When she received cash gifts half of it went to the bank for savings and half she could use if she wanted. By the time she went to college she had $4,000. Not a huge amount but she took out a thousand each year to help with the little extras that wasn't in her budget. It was a great lesson on deferred gratification as she really appreciated that money more when she really needed it.

[@uteme]

I've posted this before, but it's worth posting again: Something my DinL OFTEN says when she visits my house is, "your house is so peaceful." I believe what she's really noticing is the clean kitchen surfaces, the lack of clutter throughout & the calming effect created by having an easily maintained home. It pleases me, for her, that she has found a place of respite. ♡

[@KellyBoettcher-qo9tx]

Love this!!!

[@Rosa-kf6yy]

That was me with my MIL who was a natural minimalist before it was popular. I couldn't understand how she kept her house so clean and tidy. She raised 7 kids in a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom city townhouse (with a TIDY basement and a shed). She just kept what she needed and it was always enough. She kept brownies in the freezer for the grandkids. Easy to thaw (or eat frozen!!) My 40 yr. old son has fond memories of that. :) Minimalism is where the magic happens.

[@jodischoolcraft9188]

@@Rosa-kf6yy I wish I knew there was a name for it 35 years ago when I started doing it when Marie Kondo was four years old lol I’d be retired and very, very wealthy.

[@GracewithHumility]

My niece says the same thing about our home. The house she grew up in is so cluttered.

[@frozenjonesfam]

We have an average sized house with an above average sized family so I feel like we are constantly decluttering kids' spaces. Whenever I feel the tug to look for a larger home it usually means we just need to get rid of a lot of stuff! Newly motivated to get to work on this! Thanks so much!

[@E_frey]

We're in the same situation - smallish house, large family. What a great idea to read the occasional urge for a bigger house as a cue to declutter!! That makes so much sense, thanks!!

[@angelinamccarville]

Yes, one thing I appreciate the most about Dawn’s channel is the size of her home!! Many KZbinrs will move to a bigger house (I don’t fault them…I would too, if I could 😆), and I think it makes them less relatable.

[@michianamom6343]

I did this with our kitchen last week. People come over and say, “Wow, your house is so clean!” Feels so good!!!! I also did it to our car.

[@megannelson6146]

THE CAR!!! That is BRILLIANT! I've come so far simplifying in my home, but my car is a rolling dumpster. I don't know why I've never thought of that!

[@JillSwords]

Dawn, I love how respectful you are of your children's things. You definitely steer them towards keeping things simple and organized. i had two boys close in age and one of them kept EVERYTHING including lint 😂 and the other just wanted his books. It's a dance for sure! You're doing great.

[@susanlawson5926]

Pulled everything out of my kitchen!! Nothing on counters! I “slept” on it for 2 days & loved it!! Donated things I wasn’t using, had more than I knew!! THANK U DAWN❣️COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT U❣️

[@TheMinimalMom]

Wow!! This is so awesome to hear!!!!

[@lynnpierce453]

Oh boy, I wish I could do that. I live in an adorable mobile home. My counter space is ridiculously small.

[@simplyfreedom171]

My oldest daughter would save similar treasures...she's late 20s and an artist, so it's a sign of a creative mind.

[@lauram8973]

I agree that it demonstrates a creative mind! My oldest two daughters are similar - one is a musician and the other an artist.

[@carlac33]

I'm like this too. Teachers guessed I was type A because I was super organized A student in class, but my room was never that way. I went to school to be a creative in Advertising, so graphic design and writing. 😆 I like a clean environment BUT cleaning is hard on me bc my brain doesn't stop going to focus on what spot at a time for cleaning. 😅

[@FroilanTrejo]

This is my daughter

[@mom2artists]

This is the first of your videos I have watched. I'm reading the comments and shocked people are criticizing your cleaning with the kids. I thought you were gentle and sweet. I know people who clean their kids' rooms when they aren't there and stuff is just randomly thrown out. My husband and I are way too sentimental about things, despite my ability to get rid of a lot, I do also hold on to too much. I think it is great you are trying to involve them in being thoughtful about what they keep. My daughter has been one to keep random empty things, like tictac boxes! Anyway, watching you hush their room has inspired me to find a space to hush right now.

[@dptfo]

We hushed my husbands desk yesterday and he loves it. He rescued one thing from the pile, the rest can go

[@bmonster]

I love this!!! So many minimalist parents seem to be almost too harsh with their kids stuff. Kids just collect weitd stuff and they will let go when they arr ready, we as parents just have to be patient. Recently my daughter brought home 4 rocks she calls her babies and wont let them go. I let her keep them of course but it seems so silly to me. However to her its special and she wants to keep them. I think its amazing you let them keep odd treasures like gum wrappers and prioritize their emotions over having an immaculate house.

[@jennifershaw4756]

Dawn... my LEGO loving heart sheds a single tear every time I see a block going into the black trash bag. Where was Gage when I needed him?! haha My husband just invested quite some time into tracking down a replacement piece in his newest kit that contained a malformed piece. I also wanted to rescue that Lego instruction manual... but I realize these things can be accessed online. Your boys are adorable and you are such a sweet mom. All the best.

[@helenaschwartz4402]

Brick link - a great website for specific pieces!

[@jennifershaw4756]

@@helenaschwartz4402 Thank you so much for this information. I'll pass it along to my husband. In the end Lego is mailing him the piece. Luckily it was a piece that is used at the very end so it didn't interrupt the build. LOL

[@helenaschwartz4402]

@@jennifershaw4756 haha best case scenario! My family loves Lego too… although the fun is definitely in the accumulating of Lego not the maintaining of Lego lol

[@jennifershaw4756]

@@helenaschwartz4402 Hahaha So true!!

[@mom2artists]

LOL!!! I screamed in my head "OMG a LEGO!!!!" as she swept it into the bag. 😛

[@claireb3578]

Who needs a big bedroom when you have a cosy den bedroom you love...and huge amount of awesome land outside your house ❤

[@ashleykirkham4181]

Yay, i’m so excited that i’m 50 and can have 50 stuffed animals on my bed! Seriously… i’m decluttering but love stuffed animals still so it’s so hard to get rid of any! My kids and i have given them all names and personality!

[@ChristianAnneSmith]

😂😂😂 I had the same thought! I’m 50 as well. Love it.

[@cynthiaslebodnik6945]

I wish I'd known all of this when my 2 boys were younger. Now those boys are men (actually, my older son is in Heaven), and they declutter their own stuff. Recently we went through our library. My husband and I went through them and saved our favorites. My son then had room for his books. When all was done, we've ended up with almost a dozen boxes that need to be donated. Another note: My younger son, now 36, lives in the main house while my husband and I live in an attached ADU. Thanks for everything you do for us. 😊

[@kr6484]

I'm sorry for your loss ❤ Call on the Father. He's always with you and loves you more than you can imagine. More than we can fathom. May God bless you all in the almighty name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, amen! ❤ call on the name of Yeshua ha'Moshiach, and He will answer. He DIED for YOU so that YOU may have ETERNAL LIFE with HIM. Turn from your sin and trust and follow Him with all your heart and soul. He took the penalty for sin of the world upon Himself so that WE may have everlasting life with God almighty. To be separated from God is death. Death is the penalty for sin. Please take this free gift of eternal life that God has offered us in the almighty name of his son, Yeshua/Jesus. He loves us more than we can fathom. We are HIS children created in HIS image. I am spreading the love of Yeshua by loving YOU! Yeshua will give you a reason. Yeshua will give you hope. Yeshua will give you love unconditional. Yeshua will give you freedom. Yeshua will change you from the inside out and make you new, with new desires of your heart. I am telling you this because I love you and don't want you to suffer now or in eternity. Love you all forever ❤ And now you know the gospel. ❤ And now you know the truth and the truth will set you free ❤

[@magnifisweets]

Just wanted to take a moment to give Gage props for doing such a great job! He had less things to “hush”, and he was working on his things independently at one point (behind you). Especially impressive if he is battling against his own “collector’s mentality” to achieve this. You and he should both be very proud of him! My parents always called me their “messy child” when I was growing up, and it really did a number on my self-esteem, and actually served to squelch any inclination to do any cleaning whatsoever. (“My mom says I’m no good at this, so why try?”) I’m now trying to undo that mindset, and appreciate the ideas I’m getting from your videos. Thanks so much!

[@Kristemamber81]

This is so true about being called messy.

[@NomadsLand-h3b]

I had the exact same experience 😢 growing up. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ErinRice-ie4iw]

I struggled with being called a hoarder growing up so I know exactly what you’re talking about! I’m sorry you went through that. Growing up my mom would just throw away or give away whatever she wanted of my stuff (and sisters) with no apologies or warning. From then on I hoarded and had more than 2 of the largest storage containers they sell at Walmart full of “sentimental things” at age 22. I’ve realized I’m not a hoarder and just really enjoy reminiscing on the good and fun things from my past because they were far and few. I was 10x worse than Gage about what was a “treasure” lol. I just recently narrowed everything down to a small box and realized it’s ok to be sentimental but the container method is for sure the way to go. It keeps me comforted knowing I had power to change from hoarding to a controlled collector of treasures. I’m sentimental and that’s ok.

[@marypearsall3089]

I have been decluttering for several months. I picked a room and went for it, kitchen, bedroom, master bath, basement (nightmare). I've even started a second round deciding there is still so much I can live without. Your approach has been helpful and motivating. Thank you.

[@apennyandapinch]

You mentioned things are always coming into our homes. I started tracking how much stuff comes into our home 4 1/2 months ago. I was shocked to find, even though we try to be careful about what we buy, it is still over 1 item a day! (Perhaps even harder than purchasing control, is dealing with all the free stuff coming in.) Been decluttering as well, but it may be time to hush some rooms, to move even more out. Thank you.

[@kristadavis2825]

We finally bought a house. So, as each room gets fixed so we can move belongings I’m totally doing this. The first room to be finished next week is our boys’s room. We have designated it for sleep, clothes, and some personal belongings. All toys will be in a playroom and a few for the toddler in our library/homeschool room.

[@cathyshobe4681]

I haven't seen Corbin in a long time. He looks so much more like Tom the older he gets .

[@claireb3578]

Ooh yay another hush your room video. Can't wait to watch this tomorrow. After you did the kitchen video Dawn, I hushed my conservatory (that was basically a storage area over winter) and ended up with a lovely dining/garden room that I use daily and even if it's raining or cold outside I can see the garden and watch the garden birds which is great for my wellbeing ❤

[@conniekreider6414]

Love your gentleness & encouragement with your kiddos 😃

[@TGill-yf6fd]

Thank you so much for your videos Dawn. You taught me to view our stuff differently some years back and I went through and decluttered our whole house. We moved house not long after and the move was so easy with low inventory. We’ve recently moved into a new build and I feel like you’ve given me permission to not have a lot of decorations - as I realised I preferred the house before it had furniture in it! Over the years I’ve watched your videos when I wanted or needed to see a friendly face. I haven’t commented before, but just wanted to thank you for being so kind, supportive and optimistic. You have meant a lot to me ❤

[@tequilabarber9810]

I just want to say, your an amazing momma! I love that you dont make them get rid if stuff they dont want to. Also, the way you considered tbeir feelings afterwards and during is so sweet and amazing!. Your an inspiration:)

[@tamramckee4150]

My 9yr old daughter (who sounds much like Gage 😘) watched this with me, and is quite inspired! She’s excited to try out “hushing” her room too! Thanks for this inspiration Dawn, Corbin & Gage! Y’all are awesome!

[@naturalbeautywithmelanie]

I keep a bin on our main floor and I throw the kids current important drawings, little trinkets they accumulate, basically little kid junk/treasures. Now and then, when it gets full, I go through it and almost everything gets dumped. But it’s helpful to contain it all to one area, and if they’re looking for something, I know where to find it. 99% of the time, they don’t ask for any of it and I can get rid of it. It’s been very helpful!

[@pippas5808]

I love the way you respected the boys' choices and worked WITH them to help manage their stuff. One of my clearest memories from childhood is of a classmate who would regularly come to school in tears because she knew her mother was planning to turn out the kids' rooms that day - like Gage, she was very attached to her belongings, and she got so upset not knowing which of her treasures would have been thrown out when she got home - her mother didn't care what her kids thought about something - if she thought it was rubbish or too young for them, it got thrown.

[@debbydoodler33]

Gage sounds like such a sweet kid. Reminds me a bit of my middle boy. Lovely to hear how youre both training him and accommodating his unique needs/values.

[@lorikegley3327]

I didn't "hush" my livingroom during this video, but I re-arranged a little & moved a few things out It's looking better. You inspire me always!❤

[@cassierittenhouse7351]

This is exactly what i need to do today. My boys bedroom is trashed and i struggle to declutter more of their stuff. I think we should try hushing it! Thank you! 🙌

[@cheryllovestoread]

My husband is your Gage. Empty bottles, cool food wrappers, rocks, etc. It’s all precious! 🎁 His treasure bin is actually an entertainment center with doors. The same strategies work for all ages who love every single thing.

[@brendadepue7683]

I just started watching this video on our tv…and my 20 yr old daughter sat down to join me. I also have one who keeps his room clean, and one who is a treasure saver. In the first 3 minutes of the video my daughter said “ I feel attacked”… lol. And she left. We definitely have rooms that need to be hushed here. Harder with a 20 yr old who works full time and is a full time college student.

[@stacyritter9261]

I think the room is perfect for the boys! For one thing they are outdoor boys! They are out and about and playing on the property. I also think that they like being away from so close to Tom and Dawn. I feel like the room will work until they decide they don't want to room together. You guys are doing a great job!

[@dianasimplifies]

Me too! What kids don't want to be upstairs! I was and I loved it!!! 😂😂😂

[@angelahagemeyer698]

Oh my gosh! I just did this with my kids’ rooms last week. All of us are so much happier! They are keeping their rooms clean, I’m not losing my mind, and they have both said they are sleeping better.

[@bethtaylor491]

So thankful for you, Dawn! You have made such a difference in our home!

[@Elizabeth-490]

I’d love to see Cas do your kids room! I think Gage is a butterfly and I’ll bet Cas would make the room super workable for both boys!

[@terrilynch5435]

I just had the interior of my home repainted. We took down every single picture every single window curtain every single valance. It has been amazing. I love it. It’s like hushing the whole house. Some of the pictures are gonna go back up, but some walls are staying there until we find something new and special to put there. And none of the curtains are going back up because none of them match the new paint! No idea how long it will be before I decide to put some thing on those windows.❤

[@RhondaFry-zl7ze]

I love that you fixed both the cube dresser to the wall...I love where they are in the room...and I love the gallery wall. Their room looks SO much better!! Amazing!!

[@Chantelle456]

I’m just so thankful for you and your passion to share minimalism with us!! This week marks 1 year since I found your videos and began the process towards minimalism. I never expected that this would be the answer to my many prayers as an overwhelmed mom. THANK YOU!!!!! May God bless your beautiful family ❤😊

[@Zuzia-l5b]

Oh Dawn, God just send me this video today. You have no idea how much it means to me. I've been minimalist for very long tine but sometimes I need new ideas and perspective. Thank you. And thank you for showing real life kids room, it really ease my stress level knowing it looks like this in other minimalist families as well. Love you.!

[@Abeautifulmundanelife]

Awesome! Thanks for showing us this! I know my kids also really enjoy their space more when it’s tidy & organized!

[@veronikab1607]

One of my kids is the same, keeps every little item, even wrappers 😅. But the other day my husband told me that same child decluttered his toolbox ruthlessly because it was getting too much for him - this made my minimalist heart jump😂❤. Your kids are so adorable! ❤

[@DD-xf1yd]

I love how you moved the Shelf Unit & Bins to the Wall near the Window (& Attic Door). It looks great! Especially with the Photo Gallery, too! What a clever use of space; and the Mementos add charm. It reminds me again, that small spaces can be functionally maximimized & enjoyable, too.

[@WithLoveKristina]

Ok several of my subscribers have mentioned you and said I'd love your channel and they're SO RIGHT. I love this method of hushing rooms!

[@melaniegaeth]

When you rub your head and ask, “why can’t they keep it clean?!” I’m like exactly! That feeling! Omg. It’s exasperating. My son actually asked me to see this video and I was like, it’s not up yet. He will be so happy when I tell him. 🎉

[@FrannyNan]

Why do some viewers tell people what to do in their own homes? Not very cool. Loved this video!!

[@leahwalraven4681]

I love that you show the real room, thank you!! We are definitely going to try this, my boys' room is even worse and they are the same way in their personalities of one who collects and one who doesn't!

[@elizabethshaw6727]

Dawn you keep inspiring me and my family. Your Positive tones and words and ideas have moved us forward in the right direction for 2 years! I am a faithful listener ,keep going!!!❤❤❤

[@EditorSJ]

Love the boy’s legos!! Would you believe- we have a 44 yr old son w 3 daughters who is a Nurse practitioner/ Physician assistant, specializes in cardiology/ does family practice WHO has a WHOLE Room full of legos!! Still “plays” with them when working through knotty medical issues??? (His girls love them!) Has his childhood legos plus many adult sets as well. His other hobbies are woodworking, and High Sierra hiking/ photography. Someday your boys may need a simple stressless thing to do if they become adults with high paced jobs! ❤

[@jessicaskankey1964]

This video is so helpful! Thank you for showing me and walking through the process. I often will read about tips for kids rooms and organization but SEEING it in action is so valuable.

[@Jessica_Jones]

The room looks soo good! And who knew the cubbies would fit on that wall?? The pictures totally bring it all together and I can imagine they just bring a smile when the boys are getting ready for the day ☺️ I so so love that you are not only implementing the treasure bins, but that Gage is allowed two. As someone who is pretty sentimental myself (and who at times still struggles to get rid of random little things), there is so much safety in being allowed to hold on to those items until they begin losing value. Like you said, having that limit and going through those things regularly builds that muscle of learning how to manage it all, but being told "it's okay to keep this" also says, "it's okay to be sentimental; it's okay to be you," and THAT brings peace of mind which in turn furthers the process of letting go, even if it takes a bit longer 🥰

[@muchmorethanmom6236]

Makes me feel better than no matter how minimalist we get it’s normal for things to get a bit messy at times!

[@adunne1104]

We did this by accident by clearing out our front room to have it painted. I was blown away by the amount of toys, random clutter, etc in every nook and cranny. I can't wait to put the room back together with half of what was in there. It feels like the reverse declutter method for my closet, only picking all my favorite things to go back in there.

[@mage7603]

We switched bedrooms (turns out our previous room was smaller than this one, who knew? 😉) anyway, I’m going to hush it even more tomorrow and see what needs to be changed. Just switching the rooms made us get rid of SO MUCH STUFF and we don’t have a lot to begin with. Something I’ve discovered recently is that friends who come over to our simple home are now telling me they are going through boxes and storage and sorting through their things. Realizing they don’t use these items and are either using it up or letting it go. Thanks for the great content Dawn, each video I watch I find myself getting rid of something and sharing knowledge with others and it’s helping others too. Good ripple effect 😊 Also, we now use Helix thanks to you- great mattresses!

[@christinab9133]

So beyond helpful!! Thank you!

[@rebeccaplasters2964]

I love the magic of hushing a room. I recently hushed my kitchen and even though it’s already minimal, I put back only the needed and best. And so, my drawers and shelves are now so much more easily accessible. Try it!

[@isabellabrown5956]

I always love how you know each of your children so well! What a gift for them that is ❤

[@danielmcgrath564]

I like how you lead your kids and give them choices

[@jenniferschmidt7569]

I am that super attached kid recovering at 38 years old. Travel makes it worse because I try so hard to hold on to every memory. I had a cracker barrel syrup bottle too, not long ago. I am not a mother but your episode about doing missionary work in Tijuana with your kids helped me realize that you can be that wild travel soul and bring kids into that and its completely ok. My brother is an American living in Juarez with kids. Looks like you are raising a brave family. If it was normalized to be this kind of mom, I might have been one. Thank you for your open mind. Ill be hushing my house this weekend.

[@allisonvandenberg3032]

I've recently felt like my small house was closing in on me...I started to do this exact thing today and didn't realize it's a THING! I'm only halfway through the living room but already feel lighter and more peaceful. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing by donating a huge box of stuff that I once considered treasures (nothing sentimental yet), but when I stepped in the door just now I literally breathed a sigh of relief. I hadn't considered doing this in every room, but I think that's my new plan. Thank you!!

[@Meg_Davis]

This is so helpful as many of us are growing families in houses that feel too small. Lots of situations aren’t ideal, but it’s all about working with what we have!

[@crystalwhitney3331]

I’ve embraced the simple life and am on a decluttering mission. My husband is no longer shocked when he comes home to find 3-4 black garbage bags filled and waiting to go to our dump trailer. And it brings me so much joy everytime I make a significant dent in the inventory

[@sabihakhan2463]

We had to empty the basment for new flooring. I can honestly say. I was amazed at how good it felt empty. Now I've decided only what is needed will go back in and that wont be alot

[@LulaMae21]

That will be me soon because my landlord wants to replace all the windows lol

[@dsmith9796]

@@LulaMae21 , lucky you!

[@Nina.177]

So fun spending time with you, Dawn! And guess what I'm doing... Changing my closet from winter to summer! Gorgeous day in Minnesota!

[@ThKiwi]

I’ll be hushing my kitchen later this month…on the 29th a company is coming in to refinish all of my cabinets and I need everything out of the kitchen! I have been decluttering hard in there in preparation, but I’m still excited to get it all out!

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

My hubby is like Gage. He feels more comfortable with things around. But I am liking the less is more look and it's easier for me to maintain. Soooo... I compromised. Our kitchen is fairly minimal. Clear counters, etc. Easy for me to maintain. Our family room is also fairly minimal. It's my sanctuary. My peaceful zone. Our living room has more furniture and decor. That is his peaceful zone. It's manageable, and just as important, we are both comfortable and happy. I don't feel like the whole house is cluttered and he doesn't feel like the whole house is bare. It's not perfect, but it works for us. That's all that matters. I'm glad you validate Gage's need to have things. He's a very sweet and creative boy.

[@carriem4719]

Many people enjoy having their things around them. I’ve learned not to judge this. Clutter has become such a negative term.and we shouldn’t force our clutter threshold on others.

[@dianasimplifies]

Hey Melinda!❤

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

@@carriem4719 Exactly!

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

@@dianasimplifies Hey sweet friend!

[@deniselavigne6876]

I really appreciated this video and have lots of take aways! I have one son who is similar to your Gage and I loved how you talked about him respectfully and how you included him in the process- it was a great example to me on how to declutter my boys room moving forward- thanks Dawn!!

[@grai]

You love your minimalist house but you love your children infinitely more I really respect you for that 💗

[@ClassicalMommmy]

Hushing is a great time to repaint!

[@sapphireblue1013]

I did this unintentionally. Decided I was tired of all the decor of my bedroom. I moved everything out. It's been several months now, and none of it has come back in. I love the simplicity. It's all stacked up, ready to give away or sell.

[@tracil7493]

I really appreciate you showing the technique of hushing a room. We need to do this in the kitchen, seasonal clothes, etc.

[@MichelleGreenwood-f5i]

When my kids were young they each had a drawing box and a “junk” box that held all the little things that didn’t belong anywhere else like macdonalds toys etc and they were allowed to keep whatever fit in there a treasure box was probably a better name for it - it was also great for anything that was found lying around with out a home

[@lissa11s]

Thankyou for being willing to show this, even messy! I have 3 boys that share a room (ages 4, 4, and 8) and it gets so out of hand so quickly. We are getting ready to replace all of the flooring in our house, a room hush may be in my near future!

[@sadiedom]

I love the way you did the boys room! So creative. And your boy who gets attached to everything, I LOVE THAT, means he is sensitive and caring...AS MARTHA WOULD SAY, " IT'S A GOOD THING" 👍

[@deborahhefty2558]

I take the ripped pants and sweatpants and make them into shorts. The pants likely will be too small by the next season anyway. I found it is worth the time for a favorite pair. My middle son has a pair I made into shorts about 6-7 years ago because he is older and they still fit!

[@juliekonigskind6434]

Wow! What a difference :) Our Little One is almost 4 and he grew up with us reducing inventory constantly. I always had his (few) toys, craft supplies and games on rotation, so he can discover something new frequently. Sometimes I plan the afternoon after Kindergarten and offer something special to him (like putting out the watercolours). Most times he plays in the living room, so he can select one thing from his room to bring to the living room ("one" can also mean all the train tracks or all his building blocks). Every day before bed time, we take 5 minutes to pick up everything, so his room as well as the living room are always clean before going to bed. Still, I find the concept of house hushing very intriguing and will try it soon. The idea of keeping as many stuffed animals als years old is brilliant.

[@cgt6497]

I love the idea of the Time will Tell Bin. It helps me so much to declutter!

[@chris-ci7ch]

I used to be a stager for people to sell their homes. I hushed their homes and then staged it. A few of my customers changed their minds about moving. The real estate agent didn't care for that.

[@aliciapearsall4099]

Oh my goodness I know to people who stage and this has happened too people just fall in love with their house again sometimes when everything has been cleared out.

[@turteltaube2277]

The Trousers that have been ripped around the knee area (as all boys do) can be upcycled into shorts and let the kids run around one more summer until they grow out of it. Since he likes this pair of trousers so much.... I would have let him have them.

[@jo-sully-anne2418]

Inspired now, thank you. I have a small craft area that definitely needs hushing! I find too that the more options there are the more I dither in what to use.

[@IamSnowbird]

Have you considered moving the boys into the room you set aside for foster kids?

[@susandermond9254]

Or move the boys into the girls' room and let the younger girl have their room and the older girl have the downstairs room

[@elizabethsydnor5247]

Genius idea!!!!!!!

[@TheMinimalMom]

Yes, we probably will at some point! 👍

[@adrienneanderson2922]

We are building a house (done soon, hopefully). Excited to be able to have a whole house hush to start with and carefully pick and choose which things to actually go in.

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

I kept a few small things that my sister decided to toss when she got married...an Avon bottle and a couple of her art projects from school. I was around 11 or 12 years old. I decluttered them a couple of years ago. I'm 65.

[@mom2artists]

About 15 years ago I came across some stuff my husband had saved. (Actually, this is something I've done since day 1, he is a sort of hoarder.) It was his brother's elementary school report cards. I asked his brother, do you want these? He says "wth would I want those?!" I ask my husband "Can we let go of these report cards of your BROTHER'S?!" My goodness, he was wracked with anxiety. At the time he was 45 years old. He is like this with everything. I am better but not by much; mostly out of necessity, because we cannot keep everything! I'm frustrated because last year I finally decided to rent a storage unit for all this stuff that I'm sick of looking at but can't go thru. At least everything is being sorted and labeled before it goes into the unit, and the house is getting more peace/less clutter. My goal is to get the house free of this stuff and re-visit the stored stuff. It's like a huge "time will tell" place at this point. :-\ (we are 54&60, with a 19&17 yr old at home.)

[@MelindaPlainandSimple]

@@mom2artists My hubby is a keeper too. I have been decluttering my stuff for 3 years. I declutter around his things. Just getting my own excess out of the house has made a huge difference. I didn't even realize he had so much attachment to things until I started decluttering. He's not an anxious person, but it definitely trigger anxiety in him. I try to be very conscious of that, even when decluttering my own things. I've kept some things that I would have decluttered because I know it would bother him. Other things, I have let them go. He understands my need to have less, and I understand his need to keep things. We've been married 48 years. A lot of years of accumulation. I don't expect him to change just because I did. I just find a balance so that we are both happy and validated in our home.

[@lindagallop6529]

I love both of your children’s rooms! They are so unique and cozy! You did a great job designing and decorating them.

[@cindylou3317]

Wow Dawn, the boys' bedroom turned out absolutely amazing!! Thanks for another example of "hushing" a room!

[@lizbethdiane9403]

Aww, sweet Gage and his treasures!☺️❤️

[@Blubes23]

I decluttered my very last thing for now today. I gave it to a second hand store and it felt really good. Now i have nothing i dont value right now, that said i made a declutter/switch out list for my permanent home hopefully in not too long. Wich means probably a bag more will go. I feel so great, and one thing u said a while ago helped alot, about not needing to move things around when ur going to clean or be creative, i noticed i dont want that too. But id love to hear more about your insight on more art related creativity clutter… i definetely sorted mine but its still really fun to hear about. I also have a question about the kids and consumerism, i dont have kids but notice in stores how many parents that just gives into their kids whining about the toys they want. They stand there screaming bawling their eyes out and the parents just: okay you need to pick two not three! And if this where me, id take the kid out and stop bringing the kid when shopping until they learn not to do this. Im sidetracking, question is whats your way of or idéas to stopping the consumerism fire kids have in any store? Not talking about the stuff they need like school backpacks and such things but literally trash things like the millionth colorbook or the plastic sticky lizard thing sold in even more plastic. I mean the kids are getting worse about this each day and i know probably the parents availability and stress might be an contributing factor to this. I really wonder how all this will affect the next few generations and materialism.

[@natalieeubank4533]

They take after us take them with you and let them see you stick to your list, this isn’t just about them this is about us exemplifying right and wrong and self control.

[@Lisa-ee5ev]

Tired of the in-store hassles as well as me having to constantly nag at home, I literally paid my kids to do the things I wanted them to, and from a young age with the "job" appropriate for the age. For example, at 4, if they picked up all their toys in the 15 minute warning window I gave them, they got a dollar. If they didn't, no dollar. As they got older, I added things like doing their homework without asking, brushing their teeth, getting baths or showers done by a certain time, etc. -- yup, a dollar for each. Then when they saw things in stores they wanted, they knew they could have it -- if they used their own money. We had a chart on the fridge with jobs performed and Fridays were Payday. Believe me, it became cheap by any means and taught them lessons as well...if they saved up, they could get something better. So it made them stop and think how badly they really wanted it. In-store hassles gone forever, and I didn't have to listen to my own nagging voice any longer. Rarely did I have to perform a job for them; they even started asking what other jobs could they do to earn some money. Many problems solved. To this day, my kids talk about getting "paid" to perform and how, even in their 30s, they are influenced by it.

[@leonieharry2941]

Wow Corbin has been growing up! Corbin and Gage look very similar :) ...and both are so cute!

[@wonderingsanna]

Haha, is it called "hush". I used to to this in my room all the time as a kid and now as a grown up I do it once ni a while to. When it´s empty I really really clean every little inch of the room and when I put it back again I decide over one piece at a time, clean it and give it a spot or declutter it. My family and friends used to tease me for doing this...

[@stargazerbird]

When I paint a room I naturally do that and it’s so useful. Nothing helps you reset everything more.

[@lycia-t4z]

Thanks for this motivating video - I’m going to hush my grown up sons bedrooms with them this weekend !