Completely and Totally Unpacking a Box in 50 Minutes - No Piles
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2023
- I'm sharing a decluttering project that felt daunting when I started, but using my No Mess Decluttering Process, I was done in less than an hour. Like, totally done. With nothing leftover to do and hanging over my head. (Because that's how the process works . . . )
Helpful links:
Take Your House Back is $94 through September 20th! Go to aslobcomesclean,com/take
Get a printable of my five step decluttering process when you sign up for my newsletter at aslobcomesclean.com/five
My books: aslobcomesclean,com/book
Join us at Patreon: / aslobcomesclean
Need to find (or become) a decluttering coach certified in my process? DeclutteringCoaches.com - บันเทิง
This concept works! I helped my mom clean out her guest bedroom (that looked like an episode of hoarders). The “take it there now” step was a game changer. We saw the progress as we did that. When we stopped for lunch, there were not big piles everywhere! The container concept set the boundaries on all the things that my mom wanted to save, but her containers/drawers/closets were already packed to the max. So the container was the bad guy, not me. Using that thought process, she realized what she had, what she needed, what she really loved enough to take space in the container. We walked away from the project with a clean guest bedroom and a few donate boxes (which I took out of her house and dropped off at the donation center). Guys listen to Dana, she knows what she’s talking about. ❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the cheerleading that this works....I need to restart my decluttering. Life got in the way. Thank you 😊
@@susanp7432 whether you have five minutes to dedicate, an few hours or a day, the take it there now and donatable donation box will make such a difference, without being so overwhelming.
❤ 😊
Great job with your mom! And thanks for the encouragement to keep going!!!
I lived with my mum with a hoarding problem for years without making any progress because she would always move things around the house waiting for the moment to give it away or find a spot. This is because she would choose sunday to declutter, when she didn't want to leave the house, and charity places were closed on Sunday too. The frustration was when Monday afternoon she would complain because my room was a mess... THE MESS ruled the home oh boy. I left my home as teen as soon as I could. We did declutter the home 20 years later, with stickers all over the home, with help 5 ppl, in a week. Stickers were labeled: to keep, to donate, junk, to replace(other homes or other family members) we didn't live there any more for the last 4 years 😅. We had no emotional attachment at that point so that was easy😂
You are, without a doubt, the most helpful person with decluttering that I found on YT! I follow many people for decluttering and organization, but always come back to you and your very doable method. Thank you so much! ❤
You have made a difference in soooo many lives. 💞 That being said, I much prefer you talking about emptying a box WHILE you’re emptying the box. Not sure why…
I really appreciate how you talk to us, Dana. You're down to earth, with honest tone of voice - not breathless, hyper excited, super smiley, that kind of thing. You are a breath of fresh air every time. It's such a relief listening to you. Your method totally resonates with me, too, it makes so much sense. Thank you for being you!
I was just decluttering today in my back basement. When I entered the room, I felt totally overwhelmed. (There is an overwhelming amount of stuff in it!) But I thought of you, Dana, and told myself: just find one item and deal with it. I did just that, and that broke my overwhelm. When I'd dealt with the one item, it was much easier to find the next one thing and deal with it. In the end, I decluttered 2 boxes of my grandmother's "good" china, 8 Montessori-style play mats, some antique infant caps (trash because the strings made them a strangling hazard), a doll's bed, and 4 folding chairs. It felt so good! Thank you, Dana! This room has always defeated me in the past, but now I feel hopeful that I will prevail over it in time.
I've watched you enough that I know all of this. Know it and do it. Love it. But I still love to listen to you talk about it. I need to hear it. Over and over. And often. Thank you.
Hi Dana, well as most of the comments state, you have changed our lives!! The 5 step method, the get your house ready for company in 14 days, container concept and the "Take it there Now!!" Have been game changers in my life. You have helped me deal with not feeling overwhelmed. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You're the best!! 💕🌴😎
I have an eye for empty cardboard boxes since I've been using those under mulch on my garden paths. I saw your empty box and my first impulse was "Oooh, more weed barrier!"
Me too! Lol!
I walked in the kitchen this morning and felt completely overwhelmed. But I started the coffee maker, then threw away trash, put all the easy stuff away (dishes in dishwasher, bread back in the pantry). The coffee was ready and I suddenly realized oh everything is put away and it wasn't that bad!!! I never thought I'd get to just do steps 1 &2 and be done!!!! Thank you!!!!
You know, I think that's why she says start with dishes! Dishes are always Easy Stuff, aren't they?
❤😊 glad to know this works too!
Cool!!!
This makes so much sense!
I am guilty of dumping it ALL out then like you said life gets in the way and I can’t finish and that pile remains for too long.
Your "take it there now" nethod saved my bacon. I still have boxes to go through from my old attempts at "organizing". Now I have to use your method on all these boxes.😂
I am right there with you! When I first heard "take it there now," I just thought that was crazy talk. How will I know what I have if I don't pull everything out first? But now that I've watched Dana's demonstrations and tried it myself, I can't believe anyone does it any other way!! I'm so grateful.
This really does work! I recently started my craft room and did it wrong! I unloaded the closet, 2 large 7 ft tall cabinets and 2 rolling carts worth of stuff onto my craft tables - it was overwhelming (this is in a 8.5x9.5' space)! I avoided it all Summer long. Some days I cleared one 6" space on my table, other days I did 2 feet but I eventually got through it. It would have been easier to do a shelf at a time instead of making one big disaster. I did keep a basket of knitting, because there was room. I no longer need the rolling carts full of stuff and will sell one and donate one to my garden shed for seed storage. Taking things to where they belonged made all of the difference. All of the surfaces are now clear and everything is in labeled baskets behind doors. I threw away bags and bags of stuff and donated even more. I love it!
Your explanations for your methods are spot on and inspiring.....and you make me laugh!
So helpful and a reminder to keep up with the “boring” stuff!
I'm currently literally devouring your "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" book. Your system is crazy BRILLIANT AND EFFECTIVE. You are definitely the Queen of Decluttering👑🤗. May Our Lord reward you 🙏 in superabundance for saving our sanity 👏💞‼️
I know you’re the expert and wrote the books on it (as you remind yourself 😆), but I couldn’t help but feel proud of you when you showed the Before and After of the box!
I’m so grateful that you share the inner struggle of our types of brains (I have ADHD and I know you’re undiagnosed but strongly relate) of overwhelm because naturally we want to tackle everything head on. But the magic of the 5 step process is that it gives us the perfect structure that we can rely on.
Thanks for everything always, Dana!
❤😊
Reid's credits didn't roll!! 🤨 This was a good video. I enjoyed the throwback pictures of you and your husband. Isn't it amazing how time flies?
Dana, you are a gift. I am so thankful that you were able to find these pain points, just like I have, and come up with a work around that eliminates them. And the articulate that, and share it with the world! Your words have been such a blessing to me. Thank you!
I'm feeling so satisfied with my progress in changing my food plan. I have gotten rid of the sprouted tubers to the dumpster, they are no longer bullying me -(why haven't you cooked me, why haven't you planted me). I will be abstaining from those foods for a long time, so they are no longer on top of my dryer in containers. I can wash the containers and put them where they belong. Temptations gone, laundry room looking much better.
Every time I watch your videos I get motivated to tackle the procrastaclutter and better though not finished. I also look at things differently and think are they worthy to be in my space. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you . And many times over. Not making a bigger mess is helping me a great deal. Your simple sounding strategies that I can keep in mind as I work along are helping me greatly. I try not to set deadlines, because an arthritis flare can derail the process and I tend to criticize myself more than is helpful. I would be thrilled to have a couple rooms completely decluttered by my birthday in April, but since I'm very likely to have another one of those enxt year, I'm just doing what I can. You've been more help than I can properly express.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your approach is sooo helpful and doable! I feel overwhelmed too often, and your videos really help me in actually do something about it. Better is good! ❤
I needed this affirmation today that if it's just not worth the effort, toss/donate it! YES! This goes to the 'it's wasteful to keep it and let it take up my space' concept! Pass it along to someone else who will use it or pitch it. AND I've found so many things I either knew I had but couldn't find, or were on my Amazon wish list (one was even in the cart for next purchase). Now I can use them, and it's no longer wasteful. My goal is to get my surfaces as clear as possible, then my containers. I have no idea what I even have right now, and I know there's so much that I'm ready to let go.
That overwhelming feeling makes me feel paralysed too. My studio is so cluttered I can’t even work in there. I am now inspired by your attitude and how you deal with the exact same feeling in a productive way. Thank you Dana 🎉❤
This was a perfect video for me right now. I have been going through things that have been in storage for 12 years and I keep getting overwhelmed. I would take a couple of boxes into my 36 ft. RV that I live in and go through it and pile everything here, there & everywhere and then not have any room to walk around. I ended up putting a lot of boxes back into storage to deal with later because I couldn't stand the clutter. I can do this one box at a time!
I'm SO proud of you, Dana !!! ❤
2 days ago, I got some serious decluttering done in our garage while listening to Dawn. She was decluttering her office, while I was working on the craft table in our garage.
I found a box of autumn decorations that I needed to use - yes, it's autumn here, the golden leaves are falling
Then, do to decision fatigue, I came into my kitchen because "Dana says to take it there now and do your dishes", so I gave my brain a rest fm sorting garage items.
The 2nd hand shop is going to be really happy again to see me ! 😊
After my drop off, the guys keep trying to give me coupons to buy more stuff, but I keep telling them that I'm decluttering. He just smiled & laughed saying, "I know what you're saying " 😂
😊 I went to our garage door, opened it up, and just looked and admired the now cleaned & washed off white tabletop of my craft table ❤
This is exactly the extra motivation I needed. About three months ago we had to pack almost our entire house up when we had the carpet replaced. Instead of taking my time and decluttering as we packed, I hurriedly packed it all. Only unpacked some of it right away, donating and trashing as we went. But there's still about 10 or so boxes left outside under a tarp and I'd almost rather chew gravel than go thru them. Its amazing how little we truly missed/needed!
Sooooooo helpful to talk through this stuff like this!!! Those random items are typically how I end up with a box of delayed decisions. Helps too to know it’s not just me. 💗
❤ this practical approach especially as a chronic overthinker and physically challenged! 😊 Thanks Dana 😊
Hi, Dana K. White, I enjoyed this format with you chatting with cutaway video snippets. Verbal, visual, v-encouraging; thanks so much!
Thank you as always for your video. I love your container concept and it's really helping me with my decluttering journey. Always find myself hearing you say..take it there now, does it have an established home and all your other sayings, love them ❤❤
Sooooooo.....while I understand the concept of “take it there now” I have several problems with it. A. I have a multilevel home and bad knees so I’m not trucking up and down the stairs a million times, so my solution for that is a box for “main floor” “upstairs” “basement” and garage. It’s the best I can do for that. B. Not all of my rooms are organized to a point where I have a “home” for everything so I must put things in the general area where I plan to have an organized set up. I know this will mean I have to deal with things more than once, but if I know I want to keep something I take it to the room where it will be stored in the end. C. I can’t always make decisions on every item every time. So I utilize the “time will tell” method on those (from minimal mom). Maybe my methods are not efficient but it’s the best I can do right now. TYFS ❤️🦋💜
One of the things my brain was rejecting for some reason was that you can have a big hoarded pile and still put one thing in and take one thing out lol. I don't know why but I didn't get it. It may not always work (like i might not be able to find something or get to it) but at least now i know what to do. Most of my home is done but I'm down to the really hard stuff and it's mostly in one room. It's like everything i put off dealing with for 20 years because I want to keep it. So sometimes i need to see it all piled up to feel like i can get rid of anything.
This is exactly what I needed to hear and watch today Dana thank you!! I recently had a house appraisal and couldn’t finish putting things away so I told my husband to pick up 6 of the largest bins Walmart sells and threw everything in, now today I get the pleasure of “taking it there now” piece by piece. Thank you again and God Bless you for helping those of us who struggle and continually struggle with overwhelming clutter! ❤❤❤
I did one item at a time yesterday and I am glad I did. It seems a little silly going back and forth because I can't see everything that I was working on however when I knew the item was where it needed to go it felt like I got more momentum each time! Thanks for this advice!! 😁
This works for me. I would usually put on 14:31 my bed to do later. Am 15:21 This way I deal with immediately. Then it’s finished.
We have been doing small chunks in a small bathroom this summer. Some storage in there. It is now clean except for a few small totes. Little by little is almost done. What a difference! Can't declutter whole rooms at a time, because it is too overwhelming.
Thanks for showing the reality that it can and does sometimes take close to an hour to empty "just one" box of stuff. Often, the knowledge of the time it takes is why I have trouble getting started in the first place!
I forgot to add that I wrote that because it really bothers me when people are like, "Oh, when we moved, I was able to unpack our room in like an hour and a half."
I needed to watch this video. I like the idea of 1 box at a time completely through and deal with it now (1 touch method).
Dana, I just love listening to you blather on and on about clutter; it’s changed my mindset. I just listened to two older podcast episodes on my walk this morning and here I am on YT listening to you again.
You are a genius at analyzing and expressing your thought processes. You have a unique and original approach that works!
I just went through my school supplies and donated over half of it. My last one is a junior. I kept what my kids picked out for college and his high school and the rest will bless someone looking for grade school stuff.🌞
You are the best Dana! Your method has helped me tremendously! Missed the credits at the end on this video 😕
I’m walking over to my school supply shelf (to be honest it’s one of many shelves of school supplies), and donating the page protectors, wide-ruled loose leaf paper, binder dividers, etc. I too have only a junior left in school. You’re timing is perfect Dana. I’ve got all your books on Audible (love that you narrate your own books) and my husband and I are making our way through them. Our house is SO much more de-cluttered since we discovered you two years ago. I can’t hear you explain/demonstrate your method too often. It’s like the Gospel; gotta hear it everyday!
Clutter & overwhelm are also signs of trauma...your method works wonders for this too!! So now I'm dealing while also healing...thank you!! ❤🤗
You are so inspiring! I now just “Make it better” rather than beating myself up for not doing it perfectly. I’m so much happier now because of your videos!
I say this every day. "five-minutes better; ten-minutes better." thanks dana!
Thank you for participating in the Get Organized Summit. I body double with 3 of your books on audio and your videos on utube. My spaces are getting so much better. Your method really helps w overwhelm. Thank you.❤❤
WE NEED the constant reminder to just deal with one thing. DON'T EMPTY THE BOX STRAIGHT AWAY!!!
What do you do when you don't already have an established place for your items? We are a fanily of 6 in a small home, in need of a HUGE declutter and organize. I can't organize until I get rid of items, but since I don't have established homes for placed, mini piles is the only method that make sense in my brain. I just don't have a place to take things to yet.
You are the best Dana!!! I have 25 boxes to go thru 🤪😝🤞
Hi!! So excited to see a new video 🎉 posted 9 minutes ago! Excited to see the “one hour better” ones you mentioned in your Q&A too!
Dana you make so much sense about things we think we get and know we should do but refused to get around to … until you.
Thank you!
I love your simple yet effective approach, the declutter questions you have laid out is literally what changed the game for me, thank you so much
Having the donate box right there made it a very attractive place to put things! Great point!
I subscribed to your channel long ago and I give you credit for my success, and it all started with "do the dishes" it was a jumping off point for me that led to so many more achievements THANK YOU!
Watching your videos makes me so happy!
Ticonderoga pencils are the BEST pencils! Thanks for a helpful video!
Dana, I've binged a bunch of videos exemplifying your 5-step method. Makes so much sense. I've always ended up with half-done boxes of stuff that I often didn't get back to. I know the resulting mess of half-done decluttering is stressful and discouraging. I'm looking forward to no more messes and tiny one-by-one wins.
Thank you, i like all your ideas, my mom passed away last November, and this Tuesday I hired my cleaning lady to help me get rid of so many clothes, she was so great and helped me so much, and I feel less overwhelmed and ready to tackle more areas around my house
Every blessing to you, delfina, in this season of your life. G Ire
Not gonna lie I love it when she does it in action better than describing a list. Luv u Dana you're a super hero!
Thank you so much! One thing at a time has been a game changer for me some time ago. I still deal with lots of clutter ( we get a lot of hand-me-downs for our family of 7, so we need to make decisions what to keep and what to donate, we also homeschool our kids, so there's paper clutter I need to deal with ). Your videos make me feel better!!! Thank you for your support! Love from Ania from Poland
What a perfect video for me right now! I am getting up right now to declutter something.
I love your method! I have no kids in school, but I use more page protectors now than when I had kids in school! 😅
I just went through framed pictures and took out the pictures and donated or threw away frames. I kept very few frames. My sister was here and we went through totes of my dads that had Dollar Store frames. More to accomplish in the next few days!
that had to feel SO GOOD.
I’m sure you have covered this, I’m kind of new here, but ….I love the concept of taking it “there”- but what do you do when “there” is full of things that don’t belong “there?” And you haven’t figured out where else to put that stuff.
I have always been a somewhat clean decluttered person who started listening to Cas with Clutterbug about a month ago in order to organize stuff I’ve not been able to get rid of. I loved her videos and help so much that it took a while for me to be willing to listen to anyone else. She interviews a lot of different kinds of organizers and I met Dana thru her. I really like you, Dana, as much as Cas!! Your suggestions are really great!! I think it’s time to get some of your books and read them! Thanks!!!
Great video Dana, thank you. I have to attack my garage too its a disgrace and totally embarrassing 🤣 Will try your method. Have a wonderful weekend.
I consider other places to donate items that I don’t think will resell at a goodwill style charity store & that I feel guilty about throwing away.
Old rags & towels- mechanic, dog groomer, humane society.
Office supplies & craft supplies- local school, library, or church.
Unexpired food items- food pantry.
Kitchen/ household items, clothing - women’s shelter
Books- Book Nook that supports local library & community programs
I love all your videos, but this was especially helpful. ❤
I love this concept. It works.
Incredibly helpful! Yesterday, I was looking for something everywhere and when I couldn't find it, I knew it was in one of those dreaded boxes that I don't ever want to deal with. I had to look in like three boxes, which were piled on top of the other, but I was able to find it eventually.
Of course I put the boxes back to deal with them "someday" because I fell so overwhelmed by them, but wow, 50 minutes? I can definitely do that! This is very useful and motivating, thank you! I'll definitely be tackling one of those boxes this weekend💃
It's great to hear that you kept a craft project that you might do later. I found one the other day and did the same thing. I have room for it, and I can envision doing it on a bad weather day this winter.
I just ADORE you!!!!
I love take it there now. I am a 3 year work in progress but really use this daily.
EXCELLENT video! I hope you do these every so often. It's soo helpful to hear and watch you say how you processed things in the box. Also, your outfit is lovely in this!
Wow, so clear! Thanks, Sousan
Hey Dana! Love you girl BUT I need that wide-ruled paper! I’m over 50 😅 and can’t see college ruled any more 🤣
❤
The 5 step method is a really good method and it works. It is good to see you in a video I haven’t seen any of your videos in a long time.
??How many of us are staring at the title at the end of the video, waiting for it to scroll up to reveal a silly comment 😊
Excellent advice!!
😊
Thanks! It helps so much to have concrete examples of the decluttering process.
thanks
I couldn’t read the tag line at the end 🙁. So sad- that’s my favorite part
Great video!
kindness in sharing your struggles to help us with ours
i dont mind taking one at a time ....I get exercise yay.
Our rule is “if you can replace it for $20 within 20 miles, go ahead and toss it.” (thinking of your velcro)
Ohhhhhhh this is inspiring! I’m gonna tackle a box right now after listening to this.. thank you Dana!
@Dana K. White, great video. Bur, I missed the editor’s comments at the end. 😉
We missed you, Reid.
The frustration and sighs about the Velcro LOL
Ur method is amazing! Lots of love from Brazil 🇧🇷 ❤️
I like the take it there now method! 🎉
I have a big pile of clothes in front of my dresser because I started sorting.
Thank you for the jump start. Again.
I'm currently dealing with my in-laws things, as the last of the parents died. I have used so many of these strategies that I learned from you!!! Today I took photos out of frames. There frames went into a donate box, the photos to the envelope with others we are going to scan professionally.
We took photos of items and sent to family members asking if they wanted them. It's made this process so much easier!
Great walk thru your process. Really helpful. Thank you
I hung on to the stocking I started when my 1st son was a baby. I finished it when he was 39. Lol. Just a little bit of procrastination. 🤪But I finished it for his son so it’s getting some use and enjoyment out of it at last
I always said, make a stack at the door of what goes somewhere else, but the take it there now is perfect because you stop at any time and just start again later!! No mess!!!
I love that the message is so simple and universal: deal with it.
We need to just deal with it, Ladies.
1 thing at a time, but quickly and completely.
Get that Velcro or sticky stuff off our proverbial books that is sucking up the energy we’d rather invest in activities with higher returns.
Energy returns.
Yes, please!
And now you have another donatable donate box!