I remember the first time I heard Maya Angelou say this while I was watching Oprah. I was having a super low mothering moment thinking back on past parenting fails. When she said that, something started to heal. I called my son and asked his forgiveness for any pain I caused and he was so sweet. He told me that I was a great mom, even with the mistakes. He told me, I did more good than bad.
My daughter and her family came to visit at my house yesterday. WHen she arrived, she suggested that she could help me collapse some of the boxes in my living room, put them in their van, and she and her husband would take them to recycle the next day. (My living room was full of boxes I was keeping so I could declutter into them.) I designated several they could take, but I said I needed some to declutter into. She said that more would come. They collapsed those boxes. Then she asked if there weren't a few more they could take. I let her do that. The third time she asked, I told her she could take all the empty boxes. Today, I am thankful for empty floor space in my living room, and for my daughter and her husband. Having someone to help me with deciding to get rid of the boxes made all the difference.
I feel that donating or passing on my excess or unused items IS changing any bad decision I may have made in acquiring those items because now it can go to someone who will use it. The money spent is only truly wasted when the item goes unused, no matter who paid for it.
Oh so true! It's like the unasked question that never gets an answer. Waste only truly occurs when things are not used by anyone. Thank you for this pearl of wisdom.
Joy Swam I find that when people are moving and too lazy to take their items to places that can use it so they dump their clothes, pictures or jewelry, cds, gym bags, frozen foods and put it in dumpster outside their home. This irks me because most times these items could have been a nice item but now it has garbage and slop from other garbage and then someone like my father comes along and scoops it up and ends up sitting in his house piling up because he hoards everything he finds. If I say “oh dad so- and - so was just talking about wanting something like this” his response I remember a long while back was “well then let them get their own g damn __(name of item like chair or computer or book etc)” He keeps bringing in things to his house and his mothers house which I live in as father can’t live in two places after his mom passed away 2014. So most stuff he brings over to house I am in, I don’t like or want but yet have no say in the matter because I am his “difficult daughter who is always wrong and knows nothing” so he is an authoritarian and what he brings is his business. He refuses to let me toss out anything that is of his that is never used in house: 3 old microwaves, old washer that broke down , wheel chairs, crutches - no one except him used crutches at all, old exercise bike that the indicator doesn’t work “oh one of these days we’ll repair it” not to mention all items in the garage that are piled on to of each other that I can’t get to (cousins are fighting him on the estate appraisal of the house that due to covid had to be suspended until further notice) so they aren’t happy with him. Furthermore he says I can sell some farm chairs in garage but if I can get at them (which I cannot) So how does one deal with people like this?!
It changed me as a person when I read Pam Young encouraging to remember the GOOD qualities you have that got you here - I didnt sort papers because I was supporting my daughter through exams and nursed my mother for 2 years, I was unselfish, I didnt sort the attic because I ran the high school christmas fayre 4 years in a row, I kept baby clothes because I cherished my babies, I snapped up bargains because I thought I was saving money for my family - it makes it easier to forgive yourself - thank you for the companionship of this video 🤗 I only 10 minutes ago exclaimed how come I am not done yet ?? stopped for a cup of tea and saw this 🌻
Thank you so much for this comment. I’ve carried the business on my shoulders during the pandemic when everyone else was away , lost my holidays, grew a garden of fresh veggies for myself family and friends, been on call for all the vehicle breakdowns, sickness, tech questions, emergency room visits, planning a funeral, sorting the house, and dealing with the estate. All this with a chronic injury that makes it hard to sit or rest. So I don’t get to maintain my own home, as much as I would otherwise. It may not be enough, but I have no guilt of saying no when someone wanted help. I know I gave it my all even though it was unfair to me.
I have just decluttered a skiing suit that I treasured for 20 years🤦I kept thinking that I might wear it again. No, I won't. For the last decade we did not go mountain skiing 😀 Plus the size does not fit me. So it should be easy to say good bye. But it wasn't. I declutered a lot in the last few years but I always kept the suit. Well, not today. Actually I feel happier letting it go than keeping it. My advice on decluttering: keep trying. Do multiple attempts and one of them will be a success.
I let my ski suit go three or four years ago Lucy and had all of the same feelings you did. Good news is I have not missed it once and even forgot about it until I saw your post
“Forgive...so we can look towards the future rather than trying to rewrite the past.” Wow. As always Diana and Dawn, got it spot on. Not only is the heavy guilt such a female thing, it’s such a Mom thing!! Ugh. Got to try to let that go and forgive myself...
Love it!, I am trying to recruit a friend who struggles like me, but she doesnt understand why I need the help, Maybe I need to just extend my help to her first and go from there!
Wow!!!! Powerful. I have only just started watching your channel in the past couple of weeks. My fourth child is 17 days old, who was delivered by c-section. We run a business and have worked all the way through our lockdown with all of our staff having been on furlough for 3 or 4 months. We are also 3 years into a massive home renovation project which we are living on site. We have so much stuff and sooooooo much paperwork!!!! We have only one livable room downstairs. Since watching your channel I have been able to throw things away more easily. It has given me hope that we dont have to live in this chaos forever and slowly I can declutter and remove items that are surplus to requirements. And be set free from feeling so suppressed by the clutter all around. Today's vlog really resonated with me about forgiving yourself for past wrong decisions, and the guilt that you feel when you come across things you purchased which you shouldn't have. Just wanted to say how positively you are impacting people. You are beautiful souls, thank you for sharing what you have today. Xx Anna
My husband finally after a year and a half has got on board with decluttering. I was so proud of him he downsized his closet to 1/4! Changing our stuff has made such a difference!
Loved this .... We moved 2 years ago into our forever/retirement home..... We had been in our previous home for 35 years....The year before the move I started decluttering. I cleaned out closets, drawers, removed old not needed furniture, clothing, ragged towels etc...etc.... I tried to do some small project every couple of days and removed the Goodwill boxes immediately. We were watching (and still do) our grandson so when our daughter picked him up I would ask her to take the boxes to the car.....When it came time to move I was able to pack more efficiently as I had cleaned out and put things in there place and the boxes could be marked as such. We hired 2 men and a truck and they literally put the box next to the closet for me this made unpacking so easy. It may of looked easy but remember it took me a full year..... Now that we are here I still find myself filling boxes for Goodwill. I haven't used those coffee cups, blankets, shoes, in 2 years out they go. The other day we went through 2 baskets in the livingroom with electronics/cables in them yes.... we hadn't been in those baskets for 2 years. This is a process and although I am still working on it the feeling is good. I would just like to add to your video that this sometimes doesn't happen overnight. I am going on 4 years and yes I have empty drawers, shelves and most everything in it's place but there is still some things yet to do. You reminded me that I still have more than 4 ....yes 4 staplers. I will tackle those this week. Our new home had closets in both bedrooms and 2 baths which my previous home had not. The garage here is smaller that was another area to condense down. I also want to thank Diana for the scripture I love them and pray with you girls too! Dawn keep giggling and know that we appreciate you and the hubby for brightning out days and making us smile. Hugs from southern Minnesota
Thank you, Dawn and Diana, for this wonderful post today. Thank you for basing it on a relationship with Jesus. I'm working on decluttering and had gotten stuck. thanks for helping me move forward beginning today.❤️🙏Jane
I hired someone to help me unpack our entire house after we moved. Some boxes hadn’t been opened in 40 years! Took us 6 weeks working a few hours each day, a few times a week. But, 95% is done and what’s left is mostly paper. The person who helped me was a woman I found on a local neighborhood website. 👍🏻
I’ve become my own voice asking cause I have no one else. I do best in morning when my pain is low! And I do the thing I hate the most to do or what’s irritating me the most so I can start the day with a feeling of accomplishment! I so love your encouragement. It is what I need. 😍
Claire’s Corner when you said you had no one else I was sad. You do seem to have a good attitude though. Even tho I have others in my life I am often alone in decisions as they will just say the decision is mine. They think they are being kind and not telling me what to do. In reality isn’t just having their support is what I need. That is when I can go to the Lord for comfort and guidance. Today I pray you have peace, comfort and guidance. 🙏❤️
Ditto since 17; just saw my 69th bday less than a week ago. Always the support for others in want or need but once I was mult-disab and could not always be the support, once I was the one in need -- "crickets." One consolation w/regard to the company of other humans, there is a huge difference between being alone and being lonely. I have almost always been alone but almost never lonely. And no, I have invisible friends LOL. Yes my snarky sense of humor is one of survival; otherwise I'd have not made it to 18. Lost entire fam. at 24 [5 funerals in 11 months] -- then Life turned really bad the next 44 years!
I got a good friend to come and help but I ended up demoralized - she doesn’t sew so she was putting my sewing machine in the donate pile. I asked my mom if she could just come over and be emotional support but it is hard as she likes to be in charge! Help. I struggle with depression so these things really set me back. I can make decisions just need help to get me going! I have now hired some ladies to come over in a month and do a deep clean so that will be my deadline. I will be thinking of you three other guys as my silent support group!
I often am surrounded by kids but as far as an adult to talk to I understand what you're saying but Dawn and Diana I take with me quite often into a room that I'm going to try to declutter and I play their videos as I declutter I wonder if they have any idea how much encouragement they are 2 people like me I don't think they possibly could thank goodness they're about their Father's business.
@@sherunswithscissors I'd be furious if anyone tried to get rid of my sewing machine! I have the same problem. When I do have someone helping me, they usually just end up making me feel even more guilty and ashamed. What is useful or meaningful to me may seem stupid to them, but it's my home and my things. Now I just prefer to do it on my own but like you, getting going is the hardest part! I also have depression and some other health issues that cause an unreal amount of fatigue. These uplifting videos have been really helpful. I like your plan of setting a deadline with the deep cleaning! Good luck to you! 😊
I so needed this video. The topic of self-forgiveness goes far beyond decluttering for me. I actually had to pause the video to get Dawn’s new decluttering printout because I wanted to have that quote for a reminder. Have a wonderful day and God bless!
I have been listening to you say over and over about having to face that we've spent money on things that we didn't have end up using or needing, but it never really resonated with me. So I thought, this morning as you said it again, what is it for me then? I am at a different stage of life, having a fairly new empty nest after thirty plus years of marriage and family, which was very busy. Suddenly I realised that for me, it's that I haven't had the life that I expected. I can't move these things out and make room for the next stage of life until I recognise that and grieve for that. Not that my life hasn't been good! Just not what I expected in my nineteen year old self when I got married :)
I am going through my own “thing” at the moment for want of a better word. Work & Stress. For the first time since I was 17yrs of age - today is my first day of unemployment with no next job. This decision was taken for me. But I feel a weird sense of being ok wth this. I have my husbands blessing to “be his house wife” & “take time to breathe and sort out what I want to do next in life/career” I’m 46yrs of age. Your exact words for decluttering I was able to take into my heart and use the same analogy with regards to my work. The stress, the demands of perfection and performance in a job!! money. When at the end of the day means what? When the only things that are important is our health and my family. I’m not a religious person but I actually closed my eyes at the end said Amen to the prayer being said 🙏 beautiful my heart and soul needed today’s wisdom 💖 ps I will be listening to this several times now & “I FORGIVE MYSELF!”
Forgiving myself is hard for me. The suggestion to say it outloud is great and something I'd never thought of. As far as decluttering goes...I decided to begin with my REFRIGERATOR. There's nothing personal in my fridge, and when I pick an item up the questions are do I use it and is it within the expiration date. I live in the house I grew up in so there are a lot if memories attached to quite a few things in my house. Decluttering my house will be a long process for me but I'm up for it! Thank you ladies for your inspiration!!
Getting off of social media was a great tip. I follow a couple of clothing blogs on TH-cam and these women always look so darling and I have purchased a few of the items that they are modeling to influence and they have been mistakes for me. I am retired and have a very very casual life and those items were never worn. When I don't look at those kind of blogs they don't tempt me into a fantasy lifestyle and it's easier to discern what's right for MY LIFE!
I loved your video today! Forgiveness is freeing for us! Those that hurt us have to ask God for forgiveness for their sin, but when we forgive and let it go we will have joy and peace in our lives. Although forgiveness can be hard...forgiving ourselves is really hard! Be kind to yourselves! I pray this prayer so often! God bless you both, and boy I need this decluttering forgiveness TODAY! I have my grandkids playroom, our storageroom and garage that needs TONS OF FORGIVENESS! (And maybe a dumpster!) Blessings!
I have conversations with myself all the time. "when's the last time you used/wore this item? It's broken and you know you won't fix it. You already enjoyed it. Or, I bought this and never used it. Let someone else enjoy this! (my favorite). You will enjoy having this space. Empty space is so easy to keep clean!" I think it's rubbed off effectively on my daughters. They will get rid of something the instant they no longer like it. It didn't happen overnight, it's a lifestyle.
I have this adorable, cute AND practical thing that someone gave me years ago that I've never used and just stored out of sight. I've kept it because she is one of my favorite friends. The thought occurred to me last week, "If so-and-so (a friend I don't particularly care as much about) had given me his item, would I have kept it all these years?" Absolutely not! I finally gave myself permission to let it go. However, I AM keeping an item that not-so-cared-about friend gave me. It was an ah-ha moment. From now on, when I run across a sentimental item I'm having a hard time giving up, will ask myself who gave it to me, them switch up the giver and see if that makes a difference. Thank you, Dawn for making my life so much better through this TH-cam channel!
I too have been holding on to a pair of beautiful earrings which a good friend gave me, I have never worn them as they are too big and heavy, I feel guilty letting go of them because "She" means so much to me, not the earrings. Hmm, time to think about this. Someone else may love them. I will have them appraised and move forward. TY
I have been following since last December. I've been fully on board and know exactly what to do. I have made so little progress. I'm the perfect example of what you don't see on the shiny pages of social media. I'm the one who is embarrassed to post because I still have "stuff" that I just don't have the bandwidth to deal with. Yesterday I went through a bag of sewing project clutter. I started a trash bag and a donate bag. I've done this a few times in the last year, but I can't see a difference. My biggest train of thought is, when will this look different? So be encouraged followers! You are not alone. There are plenty of us that will have our "after" photos, just not today. I have never posted because it's like saying it out loud. It becomes real. Let today be the day to become unstuck and make another day's worth of progress and be ok with it! Thanks Dawn and Diane!
YES! Remember that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. We must forgive, but there are some people who are simply not good for us. Forgive all, but don't confuse that with discerning who does and does not deserve a place in our lives.
Thank you for these words of grace! I think I also struggle with letting go of the FUTURE when decluttering not just the past. I'm an artist and I have all these projects I want to do when I have time, but as a busy mom, wife, and business owner they are just gathering dust waiting (special T-shirts I want to turn into a quilt, etc.) Letting go of them is admitting there is not ever going to be enough time for all the projects and it makes me sad-- a little like letting go of hopes and dreams. But I need to be honest about what it is costing me to live with the clutter AND to feel sad or bad every time I look at the "dream projects".
Thank yiu ou so much for these Sunday chats, I so appreciate them. Went through my dresser drawers for the 3rd time since I started watching your videos last February. I found the decision making is getting easier. I kept wondering this 3rd time why I'd keep the things I found to declutter now. Why hadn't they gone on the first or second round but were so easy for me to spot on the 3rd one. I think it's getting easier and I am feeling less guilt . I now have 2 empty drawers in my dresser. Ahhhh....a very good feeling! Thanks for all the time, energy, and love you put into encouraging us!
We just celebrated my daughter's birthday, during this crazy time of our lives, and she got so many usable presents this time. I think our family, friends, and even my 9 year old is understanding the importance of enjoying gifts for their purpose, not just having them sit and do nothing. Bravo on this video!
You have really helped me a lot getting my house decluttered, and I look forward to Diana's blessings each week! I wanted to also thank you for introducing us to Erica Lucas, who has helped me prepare for the mental fatigue the whole process causes. I would otherwise not have been expecting that to happen and it gave me "permission" to go slowly and/or take a break, especially with sentimental items. Thanks for all you share!
I am so grateful that you clarified, forgiveness does not mean taking someone back into our lives. I love the part about forgiving ourselves as well. I will continue purging now. I hit a road block and ended up putting everything in the office and guest room and it's almost impossible to get in those rooms. It is tough to let go of perfectly good stuff. Great video content. Thank you both! Love you guys. I really needed to hear all of this!
You all need an award for your videos! I've needed your words all my life. So thankful for finding your channel. I'm in the process of going thru my mom's house. OMG, she saved everything! I do get paralyzed sometimes, but then I remember your videos. Ahhh, so good! 😊
It DOES look so much easier for everyone else to declutter while I've lost track of the number of years I've been at it. Thank you for your videos ... they have helped me tremendously. I tackled a hall closet this week. When I touched items that had been shoved to the back and forgotten I remembered your lessons and realized that if I haven't used it in so many years, I doubt very much I'll use it within the next one or two. When I got done I just stood and giggled since the closet had never been that organized. Thank you so much! And thank you for Oprah's saying about forgiveness. Whether she is living by her words or not is beside the point. The past can't be changed. The point is forgiveness and letting go of whatever it is from the past that has you stuck so you can move forward with your present life. God bless you both!!!
Thanks Ladies! Another great video! The truth of the matter is, we always "beat ourselves up" worse than others ever would about things we regret...so thanks for reminding us to forgive ourselves so we can get past our bad choices and move on. God bless!
Ok this is me, I’m decluttering.... I’m done the easy stuff - the stuff that you have been meaning for ages to donate, recycle etc. I’m now in the tough, middle where you have to face all those wrong decisions. I have all your printouts all over the place and questions like when did I last use, when will I next use? And a quarantine bin really helps but it doesn’t stop the guilt!! Side note I have managed to downsize my filing cabinet by half, I now have a 2 draw cabinet and now I “kind of” look forward to filling! I’m now wondering what else I can manage without?
Let’s just start with two hours off social media. We have to work our way up to Dawn’s two days!! Comparison really is the thief of happiness. Great idea.
Your talk was welcome, but the prayer was .....I have no words!!! It calmed my soul and gave me a peaceful time to rest next to Him. Thank you both SO much!
My mom and I went through her closet together. I prepared her by send her your videos! It went so so well! Thank you for your realistic perspective and tips!
This is a great video and one that I hope everyone watches. Forgiveness is a difficult thing for so many of us. I have learned by the grace of God that forgiveness is a decision and not an emotion. I can’t rely on my emotions or I might never forgive anyone, including myself. Thank you for another Sunday blessing.
Thank you girls! I so needed this today. I currently am hoping I don't lose my home in our wildfires of Oregon. Although it would take care of my clutter and I probably should be packing, but "stuff" doesn't matter. I lost my husband of 35 yrs in 2017, he held onto everything our little guy touched when we lost him at 2 and 1/2. I wasn't sure of commenting until you started to pray. Well I am still here because of faith. So THANK YOU! and keep smiling as they are contagious!
Fear. It is acknowledging my own motality....I do NOT have "forever" to get back to using/needing this..... Also it is being honest with myself that I cannot physically again use much of my exercise equipment, for example. And there will be a point of my life ending when others will need to deal with my stuff. I think that I was thinking that if I have this much stuff to use I will have this much time as well.... So, it is this realization, when actually "dealing" with stuff that causes me to sometimes choose to avoid what is needed to be done to simplify life NOW.
Amen! Thank you Dawn & Dianna. Your Sunday morning teachings get me through another week. I always catch myself listening twice in case I miss something. Also coming back sometimes in the middle of the week. Love you all
The way I forgive is; I put my hand on my heart and I say (quietly, aloud) "forgive." I forgive myself when I think something judgy about another driver in traffic, when I'm critical of others, etc. And I forgive others when they make me mad, let me down, wrong me, etc. I think that the touching my heart while I say it helps me to actually connect to the feeling of forgiveness. For me, this works better than just saying the words out loud, or thinking them to myself.
I didn't realise that I needed to hear this, but I actually cried during the prayer so it must have struck a chord. Thank you both for this week's message and your continued support and reassurance. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Xxx
Since loosing my Mother In Love, I haven't looked in certain drawers or places in my closet. I know that I need to declutter, but I'm just not ready! So many sweet memories are tucked away in my home. It is just easier to avoid the tears. Much Love to you both! You're doing a Great Job!
So glad i came upon your channel Dawn a few weeks ago. I could relate instantly and was reminded of things I'd forgotten. Look forward to seeing your updates. It's changed my life, for sure! Love the updates with Diana too & that your refer to scripture. Keep inspiring:-):-)
We recently had bulk trash pickup in my neighborhood. I was amazed at the piles of stuff that was out for pickup! A result of the pandemic? Amazing decluttering done by all! Thank you for a great video ladies!
I am blessed to have a husband who is not emotionally attached to everything in the house, unlike myself. I printed off the questions to ask when struggling with decisions (not only general house decluttering, but also sentimental items). He's been wonderful! And, this has been a great time for us to spend together getting our home decluttered and organized in a way we can actually relax after a workday and, especially, during the weekend instead of constantly cleaning or searching for items we need. BTW...I have an identical twin sister, and she's now interested in minimalism since I've introduced her to your videos.
This is so timely for me. We are moving and our new house has a few more square feet than our soon to be old house, but has much less storage space, and there simply will not be any place for all of my current stuff to fit. So when I do my reckoning about clutter, I find that it is neither guilt nor fear that factors into why I have kept so much as the years have moved forward. It is more like the hope that I could reset time. I always meant to wear "blah-blah" or I always intended to learn to do "blah-blah", so I saved the things I had planned to become invested in, and lo and behold, life moved on despite my plans! And it is even magnified by the pandemic which amplifies focus on the here and now like almost no other time I have lived. I have a mathematics background, and I consider what is happening with me to be a "step function" - in that, I suddenly realize with eyes wide open that I am not going to return to my 40s nor my 50s (I just turned 64) and my mission now is to embrace where I am and make room for new styles and new knowledge no matter what I thought I was planning. So I am at a point where I am the opposite of torn over stuff - I can't WAIT to donate it or divest myself of it. And I am clear eyed enough to know that there is going to be another lull before the point where I suddenly realize that another decade has gone by, and that it is during the lull that I will be at most risk of keeping hold of stuff that is out of sync with where I am and will be heading. It will help that the new house will impose a barrier on easy accumulation of stuff, since it won't fit and I would have to face coexisting with flotsam and jetsam if I did not wake up to recognizing that I don't need to save stuff, and I surely don't need to impart some emotional charge to stuff. Time to live free, in the now, be pleased with who I have become, just as I am, and be excited for the future starting from right here.
Watching Diana and Dawn helps me so much to let go of the “guilt and fear” I developed by watching my parents keep everything. Watching Hoarders on A&E also helps. 😉
One of the best advices you have given was the decluttering without making a mess. Because when I did start my room & my sister’s room 😳. It literally looked like someone was moving into my living room. Now I’m doing so much better with not only working on easy areas & 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Another great word of wisdom was letting go of the guilt of either what I spent or being emotionally vested in the object(s). Thanks 🙏
You two are just beautiful and such blessings to us all. The ebb and flow of how you speak with respect of each other, taking turns and really listening to each other is so refreshing! I have been watching and following for a while now, I signed up and have been paying for the FB group without really following it all, but I still contribute as a donation because you are bringing so much value to us all. Thank you for bringing this subject up as I do feel alone at times with my struggles, this is an extremely difficult process, but I feel the support from you and your family, it helps so much! God Bless, Dawn and Diana. Love Janet
I try to remind myself, "I am not where I want to be but I am better than I used to be." I have learned the importance of documenting the changes, whether on my You Tube channel or on Facebook or on my phone. When I feel like I haven't progressed, I look back as to what it was like 3 years ago and get encouragement from the progress I see. The last 5 weeks I haven't been able to declutter but I at least was able to maintain the progress I've made and that's a win too.
I needed to hear this so much. Not just about decluttering but for life. I listened to it 4-5 times already. I need to listen over and over until I process all the hurt and fully forgive.
I love these Sunday chats and Bible teachings and prayer. It feels really good, especially right now. May the Lord keep blessing you and this unique ministry.
You have been such an inspiration to me. Even though last summer I took many loads to the thrift store and donated 4 pickup truckloads to 2 children's homes, I still have so much to go through. I filled a whole box from my hall cabinets where I keep towels and sheets. They actually fit in there now without all the extra stuff. Oh, and I do need 3 staplers. I have one here on my desk, so I don't have to get up and go get one and get distracted, and one in my craft room that I use frequently there, and actually, the third one belongs to my husband. I don't let him use mine because I would never be able to find them. :) Thanks so much for all your inspiration. I love the questions! They really helped me with that hall cabinet. I'm on to the kitchen this weekend. I know I'll have to make several passes through each place, but it's a start!
That quote about forgiveness hit me where I live. As I was thinking about it and talking to a friend about it, I told her that you have worth and your future is worthwhile, no matter what mistakes or traumas or guilt make up your past. Then I realized that counts for me too. Wow... Thank you for the video.
I still think of the video where Dawn has the checkbook in front of her illustrating how it doesn’t change the bank account by getting rid of things but it does change your ability to let go. As always Dawn and Diane it was awesome , challenging and blessed. Thank y’all
One more question I ask myself is "Will my children laugh at my decision to keep this unused item when they are cleaning out my house?" I laughed, and cried, so often when cleaning out my parent's house to think how they spent years navigating all the things.
Yes i think of how I'm going to have to declutter my mom's house most likely someday when she passes. I'm an only child and I've told her a few times to try to deal with her stuff before she passes. Not being unkind, its just that she knows the value of her stuff more than I do.
@@carrieperrigo2319, if your mom lives close you should offer to help her by asking the questions and doing any lifting and take it where she wants it to go. If she doesn't live close maybe you could help online or ask a family member. Or you could pay a reputable organizational company to help your mom. Trust me, as a mom to two grown kids and health issues from aging I would love if I could get any help.
I dread the day I have to clean out my parents clutter. I have offered to help to no avail. They're in failing health. I wish they could enjoy their home now, but my mother is in denial of how much stuff she has. 😕
I appreciate the honesty about this. My husband is not highly emotional at all, and he can’t understand the overwhelm. He can’t understand all the emotions attached to things.
It is funny that you brought up a quote from Oprah because I have thought many times that you could be the next Oprah! You are so kind, relatable, and true. I really appreciate your videos.
Being 33 weeks pregnant, I was looking at a few items in my wardrobe and realised I'm probably not going to wear those in the near future. Having followed Dawn for all this time it was easy to move them on. I even sold them for a few pounds on Ebay. :-) the minimalist mentality definitely takes time but it does come! Thank you ladies. +
Call a friend before buying something as well!!! I call my sister from the store alot for those impulse buys. And she ask me what ill use it for where its going to go. What it will replace. And most of the time im fine with not getting it after!
I love your chats and affirmation of how it feels to let go and taking us through this. I really needed that. We filled 5 full sized garbage bags of stuffed toys yesterday and it is so freeing. Mind you we only have one child, lol. Love your Christian focus and prayers, too. Thank you, sisters 💕!
What a beautiful story and message of forgiveness! 77 times or 70 x 7 times, and for Oprah's message. And I love the worksheet! It has the perfect questions and answers for clarity. Yes! Thank you so much 🙏💝
Forgiveness is different than reconciliation and we need to forgive ourselves more than 3x. Last month, I was talking about my declutter struggle and started to cry because it has been stressful and now I know why. I definitely feel bad about spending money on things that don’t bring joy or proved to be unnecessary. This message was really deep.
I found your channel a couple months ago. My family isn't fully on board with my desire to get ride of perfectly good things we own but that I no longer need or use, but hubby is loving the results. Please keep posting your tips. Thank you so much!
Thank you this video. I have a hard time forgiving myself for bad decisions and choice I make so here is so thing that I have learned. My mother told me that I needed to stop bullying myself when I did bad decision and be more of a best friend to myself. This makes if I fall I need to stop telling myself I am dumb for falling but tell myself that I can get up and be better for next time. This has helped me a lot and now I am kinder to myself and those around me. I hope this help anyone that reads this.
I love the idea of having someone keep you accountable during your process. I need this sometimes. I am totally emotionally irrational about my stuff! I also love the Bible readings you guys do every Sunday.
I've been stuck on my kitchen but this weekend I jumped in and made one (1) box to donate. I threw away the broken or worn out items too! Surprisingly the trashing was the hardest. I stopped because I felt so good about what I'd accomplished. I will try again next weekend. I've decided baby steps on the places I find difficult to do really helps me keep moving forward.
My youngest daughter is my go-to during my decluttering process. She is that warm body I need to be there to help me. She also very calmly asks the right questions that lead me to make rational decisions. And I do thank the Lord for her.
Last year I took a week off from social media and it was enlightening I spent my time doing things I neglected. And felt better about myself. My sister and I live long distance and we encourage each other in decluttering in our homes.
Finally, truly motivated to declutter & now the frustration is getting it donated. They have limited intake &, of course, more restrictions, so it becomes another deterrent. But, this too shall pass so I will carry on with your help & encouragement. Today's message was perfect timing.🙏💞
You gals are my new best friends💖💖💖 How much I love you both!!!💖💖💖 Firstly very valuable advice... i have been able to purge most of my home, yet having the toughest time with my closet! So I decided to get stubborn, & pull everything out, and only stuff I have dealt with will go back in🥴😬 well... so now stuff against one wall in my bed room looks like a pig sty! This us what I needed to hear🙏🙏 And the incredible spiritual inspiration and blessings just took it over the top💖💖 You both are a powerful pairing!!! Love ya loads💖💖💖💖
Thank you! I SO needed to hear this today. I find it interesting and such a grace from above that when our faith communities aren’t allowed to gather so that we can receive wisdom like this, God finds a way to send it to us anyway… even if it’s via TH-cam. Love you both and thank you again💕
Ok, I admit...even though I'm not Christian, Diana's Bible teaching was really nice. 😊
That’s so awesome! I’m praying for you.
Aw I bet that’s the best compliment for her ♥️⭐️💖
Because she walks the talk. Doesn't matter what religion a person is one can tell whether it comes from the heart
Yes! Me either but they are always nice to hear and listen her tell everyone what that means in our life.
Hugs♡ Genevieve ♡
Wow! A youtuber to advise us to take a break from social media? You really love us ❤
“Break”
Similarly to self forgiveness: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”
― Maya Angelou
Love this. Thanks for sharing
THAT is perfect. Compassionate. 👍🏼
This!!
I remember the first time I heard Maya Angelou say this while I was watching Oprah. I was having a super low mothering moment thinking back on past parenting fails. When she said that, something started to heal. I called my son and asked his forgiveness for any pain I caused and he was so sweet. He told me that I was a great mom, even with the mistakes. He told me, I did more good than bad.
After midnight. Struggling with forgiveness issues. Praying for help. This pops up. So so helpful. So so grateful to you and Diana and Jesus.
My daughter and her family came to visit at my house yesterday. WHen she arrived, she suggested that she could help me collapse some of the boxes in my living room, put them in their van, and she and her husband would take them to recycle the next day. (My living room was full of boxes I was keeping so I could declutter into them.) I designated several they could take, but I said I needed some to declutter into. She said that more would come. They collapsed those boxes. Then she asked if there weren't a few more they could take. I let her do that. The third time she asked, I told her she could take all the empty boxes. Today, I am thankful for empty floor space in my living room, and for my daughter and her husband. Having someone to help me with deciding to get rid of the boxes made all the difference.
God Bless her. She did it kindly
I feel that donating or passing on my excess or unused items IS changing any bad decision I may have made in acquiring those items because now it can go to someone who will use it. The money spent is only truly wasted when the item goes unused, no matter who paid for it.
Oh so true! It's like the unasked question that never gets an answer. Waste only truly occurs when things are not used by anyone. Thank you for this pearl of wisdom.
Amen! I agree wholeheartedly.
Excellent point Susan, I will try and remember this!! TY
Joy Swam I find that when people are moving and too lazy to take their items to places that can use it so they dump their clothes, pictures or jewelry, cds, gym bags, frozen foods and put it in dumpster outside their home. This irks me because most times these items could have been a nice item but now it has garbage and slop from other garbage and then someone like my father comes along and scoops it up and ends up sitting in his house piling up because he hoards everything he finds. If I say “oh dad so- and - so was just talking about wanting something like this” his response I remember a long while back was “well then let them get their own g damn __(name of item like chair or computer or book etc)”
He keeps bringing in things to his house and his mothers house which I live in as father can’t live in two places after his mom passed away 2014.
So most stuff he brings over to house I am in, I don’t like or want but yet have no say in the matter because I am his “difficult daughter who is always wrong and knows nothing” so he is an authoritarian and what he brings is his business. He refuses to let me toss out anything that is of his that is never used in house: 3 old microwaves, old washer that broke down , wheel chairs, crutches - no one except him used crutches at all, old exercise bike that the indicator doesn’t work “oh one of these days we’ll repair it” not to mention all items in the garage that are piled on to of each other that I can’t get to (cousins are fighting him on the estate appraisal of the house that due to covid had to be suspended until further notice) so they aren’t happy with him. Furthermore he says I can sell some farm chairs in garage but if I can get at them (which I cannot) So how does one deal with people like this?!
@@sweetlady6059 There are ways to get out of toxic situations. Please look online for help. Enabling him doesn't help either him or you.
It changed me as a person when I read Pam Young encouraging to remember the GOOD qualities you have that got you here - I didnt sort papers because I was supporting my daughter through exams and nursed my mother for 2 years, I was unselfish, I didnt sort the attic because I ran the high school christmas fayre 4 years in a row, I kept baby clothes because I cherished my babies, I snapped up bargains because I thought I was saving money for my family - it makes it easier to forgive yourself - thank you for the companionship of this video 🤗 I only 10 minutes ago exclaimed how come I am not done yet ?? stopped for a cup of tea and saw this 🌻
Thank you so much for this comment. I’ve carried the business on my shoulders during the pandemic when everyone else was away , lost my holidays, grew a garden of fresh veggies for myself family and friends, been on call for all the vehicle breakdowns, sickness, tech questions, emergency room visits, planning a funeral, sorting the house, and dealing with the estate. All this with a chronic injury that makes it hard to sit or rest. So I don’t get to maintain my own home, as much as I would otherwise. It may not be enough, but I have no guilt of saying no when someone wanted help. I know I gave it my all even though it was unfair to me.
You two are yet another reason to look forward to Sundays. Your words and caring natures are so uplifting, so ...🙏 thank you.
I love the advice of forgiveness. My daughter has been struggling with mental health during this pandemic. Thank you for your prayers. ❤️
🙏🏾
I will pray for your daughter.
My granddaughter also🍃
We can pray for each other
Thank you so much. Yes, definitely. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I have just decluttered a skiing suit that I treasured for 20 years🤦I kept thinking that I might wear it again. No, I won't. For the last decade we did not go mountain skiing 😀 Plus the size does not fit me. So it should be easy to say good bye. But it wasn't. I declutered a lot in the last few years but I always kept the suit. Well, not today. Actually I feel happier letting it go than keeping it. My advice on decluttering: keep trying. Do multiple attempts and one of them will be a success.
Dawn said in a video one time that its ok to edit our decluttered areas. She declutters once a quarter I think.
Agree, Lucy! You just opened the door for something new to be precious to you, and this time it may not even have to be a garment.
You are right👍 That's what I am trying to do. Go through "the Stuff" every season.
I let my ski suit go three or four years ago Lucy and had all of the same feelings you did. Good news is I have not missed it once and even forgot about it until I saw your post
Thank you. I need to do that, too
“Forgive...so we can look towards the future rather than trying to rewrite the past.” Wow. As always Diana and Dawn, got it spot on. Not only is the heavy guilt such a female thing, it’s such a Mom thing!! Ugh. Got to try to let that go and forgive myself...
It is so much easier with a friend. I helped a friend declutter her closet, she provided the wine and I provided the logic and reason.
That's a fantastic trade! Love it ♥️🤗
I helped a friend tidy and declutter her house this weekend too! I helped her out and she made me dinner. These trade offs are what friends do
Wine is not a thing i usually associate with logic and reason, but it certainly helps with being truthful!
Love it!, I am trying to recruit a friend who struggles like me, but she doesnt understand why I need the help, Maybe I need to just extend my help to her first and go from there!
@@janetlandry-lucey5386 or extend the wine to her.. Hehehe. Sorry, maybe that wasn't helpful? 🤭
Wow!!!! Powerful.
I have only just started watching your channel in the past couple of weeks. My fourth child is 17 days old, who was delivered by c-section. We run a business and have worked all the way through our lockdown with all of our staff having been on furlough for 3 or 4 months. We are also 3 years into a massive home renovation project which we are living on site. We have so much stuff and sooooooo much paperwork!!!! We have only one livable room downstairs. Since watching your channel I have been able to throw things away more easily. It has given me hope that we dont have to live in this chaos forever and slowly I can declutter and remove items that are surplus to requirements. And be set free from feeling so suppressed by the clutter all around.
Today's vlog really resonated with me about forgiving yourself for past wrong decisions, and the guilt that you feel when you come across things you purchased which you shouldn't have.
Just wanted to say how positively you are impacting people. You are beautiful souls, thank you for sharing what you have today. Xx Anna
You two make me feel so calmly motivated. You offer such brilliant, practical and sensible advice. Thank you, enjoy the rest of your weekend x
My husband finally after a year and a half has got on board with decluttering. I was so proud of him he downsized his closet to 1/4! Changing our stuff has made such a difference!
Loved this .... We moved 2 years ago into our forever/retirement home..... We had been in our previous home for 35 years....The year before the move I started decluttering. I cleaned out closets, drawers, removed old not needed furniture, clothing, ragged towels etc...etc.... I tried to do some small project every couple of days and removed the Goodwill boxes immediately. We were watching (and still do) our grandson so when our daughter picked him up I would ask her to take the boxes to the car.....When it came time to move I was able to pack more efficiently as I had cleaned out and put things in there place and the boxes could be marked as such. We hired 2 men and a truck and they literally put the box next to the closet for me this made unpacking so easy. It may of looked easy but remember it took me a full year..... Now that we are here I still find myself filling boxes for Goodwill. I haven't used those coffee cups, blankets, shoes, in 2 years out they go. The other day we went through 2 baskets in the livingroom with electronics/cables in them yes.... we hadn't been in those baskets for 2 years. This is a process and although I am still working on it the feeling is good. I would just like to add to your video that this sometimes doesn't happen overnight. I am going on 4 years and yes I have empty drawers, shelves and most everything in it's place but there is still some things yet to do. You reminded me that I still have more than 4 ....yes 4 staplers. I will tackle those this week. Our new home had closets in both bedrooms and 2 baths which my previous home had not. The garage here is smaller that was another area to condense down. I also want to thank Diana for the scripture I love them and pray with you girls too! Dawn keep giggling and know that we appreciate you and the hubby for brightning out days and making us smile. Hugs from southern Minnesota
Thank you, Dawn and Diana, for this wonderful post today. Thank you for basing it on a relationship with Jesus. I'm working on decluttering and had gotten stuck. thanks for helping me move forward beginning today.❤️🙏Jane
I hired someone to help me unpack our entire house after we moved. Some boxes hadn’t been opened in 40 years! Took us 6 weeks working a few hours each day, a few times a week. But, 95% is done and what’s left is mostly paper. The person who helped me was a woman I found on a local neighborhood website. 👍🏻
I’ve become my own voice asking cause I have no one else. I do best in morning when my pain is low! And I do the thing I hate the most to do or what’s irritating me the most so I can start the day with a feeling of accomplishment!
I so love your encouragement. It is what I need. 😍
Claire’s Corner when you said you had no one else I was sad. You do seem to have a good attitude though. Even tho I have others in my life I am often alone in decisions as they will just say the decision is mine. They think they are being kind and not telling me what to do. In reality isn’t just having their support is what I need. That is when I can go to the Lord for comfort and guidance. Today I pray you have peace, comfort and guidance. 🙏❤️
Ditto since 17; just saw my 69th bday less than a week ago. Always the support for others in want or need but once I was mult-disab and could not always be the support, once I was the one in need -- "crickets." One consolation w/regard to the company of other humans, there is a huge difference between being alone and being lonely. I have almost always been alone but almost never lonely. And no, I have invisible friends LOL. Yes my snarky sense of humor is one of survival; otherwise I'd have not made it to 18. Lost entire fam. at 24 [5 funerals in 11 months] -- then Life turned really bad the next 44 years!
I got a good friend to come and help but I ended up demoralized - she doesn’t sew so she was putting my sewing machine in the donate pile. I asked my mom if she could just come over and be emotional support but it is hard as she likes to be in charge! Help.
I struggle with depression so these things really set me back. I can make decisions just need help to get me going!
I have now hired some ladies to come over in a month and do a deep clean so that will be my deadline.
I will be thinking of you three other guys as my silent support group!
I often am surrounded by kids but as far as an adult to talk to I understand what you're saying but Dawn and Diana I take with me quite often into a room that I'm going to try to declutter and I play their videos as I declutter I wonder if they have any idea how much encouragement they are 2 people like me I don't think they possibly could
thank goodness they're about their Father's business.
@@sherunswithscissors I'd be furious if anyone tried to get rid of my sewing machine! I have the same problem. When I do have someone helping me, they usually just end up making me feel even more guilty and ashamed. What is useful or meaningful to me may seem stupid to them, but it's my home and my things. Now I just prefer to do it on my own but like you, getting going is the hardest part! I also have depression and some other health issues that cause an unreal amount of fatigue. These uplifting videos have been really helpful. I like your plan of setting a deadline with the deep cleaning! Good luck to you! 😊
I so needed this video. The topic of self-forgiveness goes far beyond decluttering for me. I actually had to pause the video to get Dawn’s new decluttering printout because I wanted to have that quote for a reminder. Have a wonderful day and God bless!
I have been listening to you say over and over about having to face that we've spent money on things that we didn't have end up using or needing, but it never really resonated with me. So I thought, this morning as you said it again, what is it for me then? I am at a different stage of life, having a fairly new empty nest after thirty plus years of marriage and family, which was very busy. Suddenly I realised that for me, it's that I haven't had the life that I expected. I can't move these things out and make room for the next stage of life until I recognise that and grieve for that. Not that my life hasn't been good! Just not what I expected in my nineteen year old self when I got married :)
I am going through my own “thing” at the moment for want of a better word. Work & Stress. For the first time since I was 17yrs of age - today is my first day of unemployment with no next job. This decision was taken for me. But I feel a weird sense of being ok wth this. I have my husbands blessing to “be his house wife” & “take time to breathe and sort out what I want to do next in life/career” I’m 46yrs of age. Your exact words for decluttering I was able to take into my heart and use the same analogy with regards to my work. The stress, the demands of perfection and performance in a job!! money. When at the end of the day means what? When the only things that are important is our health and my family. I’m not a religious person but I actually closed my eyes at the end said Amen to the prayer being said 🙏 beautiful my heart and soul needed today’s wisdom 💖 ps I will be listening to this several times now & “I FORGIVE MYSELF!”
Forgiving myself is hard for me. The suggestion to say it outloud is great and something I'd never thought of.
As far as decluttering goes...I decided to begin with my REFRIGERATOR. There's nothing personal in my fridge, and when I pick an item up the questions are do I use it and is it within the expiration date. I live in the house I grew up in so there are a lot if memories attached to quite a few things in my house. Decluttering my house will be a long process for me but I'm up for it!
Thank you ladies for your inspiration!!
I think saying 'thank you' to the item for the service it's given you is also very helpful. It almost provides closure with the item for me.
I've been getting rid of at least one thing a day since July first, I'm doing something every day.
Getting off of social media was a great tip. I follow a couple of clothing blogs on TH-cam and these women always look so darling and I have purchased a few of the items that they are modeling to influence and they have been mistakes for me. I am retired and have a very very casual life and those items were never worn. When I don't look at those kind of blogs they don't tempt me into a fantasy lifestyle and it's easier to discern what's right for MY LIFE!
I loved your video today! Forgiveness is freeing for us! Those that hurt us have to ask God for forgiveness for their sin, but when we forgive and let it go we will have joy and peace in our lives. Although forgiveness can be hard...forgiving ourselves is really hard! Be kind to yourselves! I pray this prayer so often! God bless you both, and boy I need this decluttering forgiveness TODAY! I have my grandkids playroom, our storageroom and garage that needs TONS OF FORGIVENESS! (And maybe a dumpster!) Blessings!
I have conversations with myself all the time. "when's the last time you used/wore this item? It's broken and you know you won't fix it. You already enjoyed it. Or, I bought this and never used it. Let someone else enjoy this! (my favorite). You will enjoy having this space. Empty space is so easy to keep clean!"
I think it's rubbed off effectively on my daughters. They will get rid of something the instant they no longer like it. It didn't happen overnight, it's a lifestyle.
I have this adorable, cute AND practical thing that someone gave me years ago that I've never used and just stored out of sight. I've kept it because she is one of my favorite friends. The thought occurred to me last week, "If so-and-so (a friend I don't particularly care as much about) had given me his item, would I have kept it all these years?" Absolutely not! I finally gave myself permission to let it go. However, I AM keeping an item that not-so-cared-about friend gave me. It was an ah-ha moment. From now on, when I run across a sentimental item I'm having a hard time giving up, will ask myself who gave it to me, them switch up the giver and see if that makes a difference. Thank you, Dawn for making my life so much better through this TH-cam channel!
Good idea! I need to do this with some of my sentimental items. I have way too many things that are being kept because of memories
I too have been holding on to a pair of beautiful earrings which a good friend gave me, I have never worn them as they are too big and heavy, I feel guilty letting go of them because "She" means so much to me, not the earrings. Hmm, time to think about this. Someone else may love them. I will have them appraised and move forward.
TY
I have been following since last December. I've been fully on board and know exactly what to do. I have made so little progress. I'm the perfect example of what you don't see on the shiny pages of social media. I'm the one who is embarrassed to post because I still have "stuff" that I just don't have the bandwidth to deal with. Yesterday I went through a bag of sewing project clutter. I started a trash bag and a donate bag. I've done this a few times in the last year, but I can't see a difference. My biggest train of thought is, when will this look different? So be encouraged followers! You are not alone. There are plenty of us that will have our "after" photos, just not today. I have never posted because it's like saying it out loud. It becomes real. Let today be the day to become unstuck and make another day's worth of progress and be ok with it! Thanks Dawn and Diane!
YES! Remember that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. We must forgive, but there are some people who are simply not good for us. Forgive all, but don't confuse that with discerning who does and does not deserve a place in our lives.
So true!!!
Thank you for these words of grace! I think I also struggle with letting go of the FUTURE when decluttering not just the past. I'm an artist and I have all these projects I want to do when I have time, but as a busy mom, wife, and business owner they are just gathering dust waiting (special T-shirts I want to turn into a quilt, etc.) Letting go of them is admitting there is not ever going to be enough time for all the projects and it makes me sad-- a little like letting go of hopes and dreams. But I need to be honest about what it is costing me to live with the clutter AND to feel sad or bad every time I look at the "dream projects".
Thank yiu ou so much for these Sunday chats, I so appreciate them. Went through my dresser drawers for the 3rd time since I started watching your videos last February. I found the decision making is getting easier. I kept wondering this 3rd time why I'd keep the things I found to declutter now. Why hadn't they gone on the first or second round but were so easy for me to spot on the 3rd one. I think it's getting easier and I am feeling less guilt . I now have 2 empty drawers in my dresser. Ahhhh....a very good feeling! Thanks for all the time, energy, and love you put into encouraging us!
We just celebrated my daughter's birthday, during this crazy time of our lives, and she got so many usable presents this time. I think our family, friends, and even my 9 year old is understanding the importance of enjoying gifts for their purpose, not just having them sit and do nothing. Bravo on this video!
You have really helped me a lot getting my house decluttered, and I look forward to Diana's blessings each week! I wanted to also thank you for introducing us to Erica Lucas, who has helped me prepare for the mental fatigue the whole process causes. I would otherwise not have been expecting that to happen and it gave me "permission" to go slowly and/or take a break, especially with sentimental items. Thanks for all you share!
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I am so grateful that you clarified, forgiveness does not mean taking someone back into our lives. I love the part about forgiving ourselves as well. I will continue purging now. I hit a road block and ended up putting everything in the office and guest room and it's almost impossible to get in those rooms. It is tough to let go of perfectly good stuff. Great video content. Thank you both! Love you guys. I really needed to hear all of this!
You all need an award for your videos! I've needed your words all my life. So thankful for finding your channel. I'm in the process of going thru my mom's house. OMG, she saved everything! I do get paralyzed sometimes, but then I remember your videos. Ahhh, so good! 😊
It DOES look so much easier for everyone else to declutter while I've lost track of the number of years I've been at it. Thank you for your videos ... they have helped me tremendously. I tackled a hall closet this week. When I touched items that had been shoved to the back and forgotten I remembered your lessons and realized that if I haven't used it in so many years, I doubt very much I'll use it within the next one or two. When I got done I just stood and giggled since the closet had never been that organized. Thank you so much! And thank you for Oprah's saying about forgiveness. Whether she is living by her words or not is beside the point. The past can't be changed. The point is forgiveness and letting go of whatever it is from the past that has you stuck so you can move forward with your present life. God bless you both!!!
Great comment thank you
I'm really trying to live in the present hard work for me
Thanks Ladies! Another great video! The truth of the matter is, we always "beat ourselves up" worse than others ever would about things we regret...so thanks for reminding us to forgive ourselves so we can get past our bad choices and move on. God bless!
One thing that helps me is thinking someone will find the item, use it, and love it❤
Ok this is me, I’m decluttering.... I’m done the easy stuff - the stuff that you have been meaning for ages to donate, recycle etc. I’m now in the tough, middle where you have to face all those wrong decisions. I have all your printouts all over the place and questions like when did I last use, when will I next use? And a quarantine bin really helps but it doesn’t stop the guilt!!
Side note I have managed to downsize my filing cabinet by half, I now have a 2 draw cabinet and now I “kind of” look forward to filling! I’m now wondering what else I can manage without?
Thank y'all so much. I'm having a very difficult time decluttering. Y'all have given me a glimmer of hope as well as inspiration. God Bless!
Let’s just start with two hours off social media. We have to work our way up to Dawn’s two days!! Comparison really is the thief of happiness. Great idea.
Two hours!? Comeon you can do better than that.
I can’t give up utube! It relaxes me and I learn so much . I usually don’t look at Facebook and Instagram anymore . Stressful .
So inspirational. Love your easy, honest conversation and happy faces! Thank you!
Your talk was welcome, but the prayer was .....I have no words!!! It calmed my soul and gave me a peaceful time to rest next to Him. Thank you both SO much!
My mom and I went through her closet together. I prepared her by send her your videos! It went so so well! Thank you for your realistic perspective and tips!
This is a great video and one that I hope everyone watches. Forgiveness is a difficult thing for so many of us. I have learned by the grace of God that forgiveness is a decision and not an emotion. I can’t rely on my emotions or I might never forgive anyone, including myself. Thank you for another Sunday blessing.
Thank you, you ladies always warm my soul on Sunday mornings 😁
I know we don't know one another but I love you both. Thank you for grounding us in the Lords words. Amen.
Thank you girls! I so needed this today. I currently am hoping I don't lose my home in our wildfires of Oregon. Although it would take care of my clutter and I probably should be packing, but "stuff" doesn't matter. I lost my husband of 35 yrs in 2017, he held onto everything our little guy touched when we lost him at 2 and 1/2. I wasn't sure of commenting until you started to pray. Well I am still here because of faith. So THANK YOU! and keep smiling as they are contagious!
Forgiveness is the key 🔑 to happiness and moving on. And I think about de cluttering very day. I’m almost there. On my journey to minimalism
Fear. It is acknowledging my own motality....I do NOT have "forever" to get back to using/needing this..... Also it is being honest with myself that I cannot physically again use much of my exercise equipment, for example. And there will be a point of my life ending when others will need to deal with my stuff. I think that I was thinking that if I have this much stuff to use I will have this much time as well.... So, it is this realization, when actually "dealing" with stuff that causes me to sometimes choose to avoid what is needed to be done to simplify life NOW.
I’m always looking forward to the Sunday video! I loved it! I’ve learned so much from you gals, thank you!! ❤️
Amen! Thank you Dawn & Dianna. Your Sunday morning teachings get me through another week. I always catch myself listening twice in case I miss something. Also coming back sometimes in the middle of the week. Love you all
The way I forgive is; I put my hand on my heart and I say (quietly, aloud) "forgive." I forgive myself when I think something judgy about another driver in traffic, when I'm critical of others, etc. And I forgive others when they make me mad, let me down, wrong me, etc. I think that the touching my heart while I say it helps me to actually connect to the feeling of forgiveness. For me, this works better than just saying the words out loud, or thinking them to myself.
I didn't realise that I needed to hear this, but I actually cried during the prayer so it must have struck a chord. Thank you both for this week's message and your continued support and reassurance. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Xxx
Since loosing my Mother In Love, I haven't looked in certain drawers or places in my closet. I know that I need to declutter, but I'm just not ready! So many sweet memories are tucked away in my home. It is just easier to avoid the tears. Much Love to you both! You're doing a Great Job!
So glad i came upon your channel Dawn a few weeks ago. I could relate instantly and was reminded of things I'd forgotten. Look forward to seeing your updates. It's changed my life, for sure! Love the updates with Diana too & that your refer to scripture. Keep inspiring:-):-)
We recently had bulk trash pickup in my neighborhood. I was amazed at the piles of stuff that was out for pickup! A result of the pandemic? Amazing decluttering done by all! Thank you for a great video ladies!
I am blessed to have a husband who is not emotionally attached to everything in the house, unlike myself. I printed off the questions to ask when struggling with decisions (not only general house decluttering, but also sentimental items). He's been wonderful! And, this has been a great time for us to spend together getting our home decluttered and organized in a way we can actually relax after a workday and, especially, during the weekend instead of constantly cleaning or searching for items we need. BTW...I have an identical twin sister, and she's now interested in minimalism since I've introduced her to your videos.
Dawn, all your videos, and especially these Sundays with Diana, are part of my self care. Thanks so much for your gifts.
Don't hold on to a mistake just because you made it
After midnight. Struggling with forgiveness issues. Praying for help. This pops up. So so helpful. So so grateful to you and Diana and Jesus.
This message is what I needed today. My guilt is about parenting.
This is so timely for me. We are moving and our new house has a few more square feet than our soon to be old house, but has much less storage space, and there simply will not be any place for all of my current stuff to fit. So when I do my reckoning about clutter, I find that it is neither guilt nor fear that factors into why I have kept so much as the years have moved forward. It is more like the hope that I could reset time. I always meant to wear "blah-blah" or I always intended to learn to do "blah-blah", so I saved the things I had planned to become invested in, and lo and behold, life moved on despite my plans! And it is even magnified by the pandemic which amplifies focus on the here and now like almost no other time I have lived. I have a mathematics background, and I consider what is happening with me to be a "step function" - in that, I suddenly realize with eyes wide open that I am not going to return to my 40s nor my 50s (I just turned 64) and my mission now is to embrace where I am and make room for new styles and new knowledge no matter what I thought I was planning. So I am at a point where I am the opposite of torn over stuff - I can't WAIT to donate it or divest myself of it. And I am clear eyed enough to know that there is going to be another lull before the point where I suddenly realize that another decade has gone by, and that it is during the lull that I will be at most risk of keeping hold of stuff that is out of sync with where I am and will be heading. It will help that the new house will impose a barrier on easy accumulation of stuff, since it won't fit and I would have to face coexisting with flotsam and jetsam if I did not wake up to recognizing that I don't need to save stuff, and I surely don't need to impart some emotional charge to stuff. Time to live free, in the now, be pleased with who I have become, just as I am, and be excited for the future starting from right here.
Watching Diana and Dawn helps me so much to let go of the “guilt and fear” I developed by watching my parents keep everything. Watching Hoarders on A&E also helps. 😉
One of the best advices you have given was the decluttering without making a mess. Because when I did start my room & my sister’s room 😳. It literally looked like someone was moving into my living room. Now I’m doing so much better with not only working on easy areas & 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Another great word of wisdom was letting go of the guilt of either what I spent or being emotionally vested in the object(s). Thanks 🙏
You two are just beautiful and such blessings to us all. The ebb and flow of how you speak with respect of each other, taking turns and really listening to each other is so refreshing! I have been watching and following for a while now, I signed up and have been paying for the FB group without really following it all, but I still contribute as a donation because you are bringing so much value to us all. Thank you for bringing this subject up as I do feel alone at times with my struggles, this is an extremely difficult process, but I feel the support from you and your family, it helps so much!
God Bless, Dawn and Diana.
Love Janet
I try to remind myself, "I am not where I want to be but I am better than I used to be." I have learned the importance of documenting the changes, whether on my You Tube channel or on Facebook or on my phone. When I feel like I haven't progressed, I look back as to what it was like 3 years ago and get encouragement from the progress I see. The last 5 weeks I haven't been able to declutter but I at least was able to maintain the progress I've made and that's a win too.
I needed to hear this so much. Not just about decluttering but for life. I listened to it 4-5 times already. I need to listen over and over until I process all the hurt and fully forgive.
My wife was SO blown away with the prayer 🙏 at the end. Thank you 🙏.
"Don't compare your behind the scenes with someone's highlight reel"
Oh, if only half of the people would follow this words...
Yes!!!
this is an amazing quote to remember! thanks
I love these Sunday chats and Bible teachings and prayer. It feels really good, especially right now. May the Lord keep blessing you and this unique ministry.
You have been such an inspiration to me. Even though last summer I took many loads to the thrift store and donated 4 pickup truckloads to 2 children's homes, I still have so much to go through. I filled a whole box from my hall cabinets where I keep towels and sheets. They actually fit in there now without all the extra stuff. Oh, and I do need 3 staplers. I have one here on my desk, so I don't have to get up and go get one and get distracted, and one in my craft room that I use frequently there, and actually, the third one belongs to my husband. I don't let him use mine because I would never be able to find them. :) Thanks so much for all your inspiration. I love the questions! They really helped me with that hall cabinet. I'm on to the kitchen this weekend. I know I'll have to make several passes through each place, but it's a start!
That quote about forgiveness hit me where I live. As I was thinking about it and talking to a friend about it, I told her that you have worth and your future is worthwhile, no matter what mistakes or traumas or guilt make up your past. Then I realized that counts for me too. Wow... Thank you for the video.
Wow! Thank you for praying over us! Sometimes you don't know how much you need it. Love you both! 💐
I still think of the video where Dawn has the checkbook in front of her illustrating how it doesn’t change the bank account by getting rid of things but it does change your ability to let go. As always Dawn and Diane it was awesome , challenging and blessed. Thank y’all
One more question I ask myself is "Will my children laugh at my decision to keep this unused item when they are cleaning out my house?" I laughed, and cried, so often when cleaning out my parent's house to think how they spent years navigating all the things.
Yes i think of how I'm going to have to declutter my mom's house most likely someday when she passes. I'm an only child and I've told her a few times to try to deal with her stuff before she passes. Not being unkind, its just that she knows the value of her stuff more than I do.
@@carrieperrigo2319, if your mom lives close you should offer to help her by asking the questions and doing any lifting and take it where she wants it to go. If she doesn't live close maybe you could help online or ask a family member. Or you could pay a reputable organizational company to help your mom. Trust me, as a mom to two grown kids and health issues from aging I would love if I could get any help.
I dread the day I have to clean out my parents clutter. I have offered to help to no avail. They're in failing health. I wish they could enjoy their home now, but my mother is in denial of how much stuff she has. 😕
I appreciate the honesty about this. My husband is not highly emotional at all, and he can’t understand the overwhelm. He can’t understand all the emotions attached to things.
It is funny that you brought up a quote from Oprah because I have thought many times that you could be the next Oprah! You are so kind, relatable, and true. I really appreciate your videos.
“We need to forgive ourselves more than three times.” ~Thank you for this reminder. This Jewish Buddhist loves this week’s teaching. ❤️🌷
Being 33 weeks pregnant, I was looking at a few items in my wardrobe and realised I'm probably not going to wear those in the near future. Having followed Dawn for all this time it was easy to move them on. I even sold them for a few pounds on Ebay. :-) the minimalist mentality definitely takes time but it does come! Thank you ladies. +
I still can’t get over how great the two of you are and how relatable you both are. I am so inspired by your both!
Call a friend before buying something as well!!! I call my sister from the store alot for those impulse buys. And she ask me what ill use it for where its going to go. What it will replace. And most of the time im fine with not getting it after!
You girls are so beautiful, inside and out. Thank you for everything. XO
I love your chats and affirmation of how it feels to let go and taking us through this. I really needed that. We filled 5 full sized garbage bags of stuffed toys yesterday and it is so freeing. Mind you we only have one child, lol. Love your Christian focus and prayers, too. Thank you, sisters 💕!
What a beautiful story and message of forgiveness! 77 times or 70 x 7 times, and for Oprah's message. And I love the worksheet! It has the perfect questions and answers for clarity. Yes! Thank you so much 🙏💝
Forgiveness is different than reconciliation and we need to forgive ourselves more than 3x. Last month, I was talking about my declutter struggle and started to cry because it has been stressful and now I know why. I definitely feel bad about spending money on things that don’t bring joy or proved to be unnecessary. This message was really deep.
I found your channel a couple months ago. My family isn't fully on board with my desire to get ride of perfectly good things we own but that I no longer need or use, but hubby is loving the results. Please keep posting your tips. Thank you so much!
Thank you this video. I have a hard time forgiving myself for bad decisions and choice I make so here is so thing that I have learned. My mother told me that I needed to stop bullying myself when I did bad decision and be more of a best friend to myself. This makes if I fall I need to stop telling myself I am dumb for falling but tell myself that I can get up and be better for next time. This has helped me a lot and now I am kinder to myself and those around me. I hope this help anyone that reads this.
I love the idea of having someone keep you accountable during your process. I need this sometimes. I am totally emotionally irrational about my stuff! I also love the Bible readings you guys do every Sunday.
Great topic!! Very well presented. I’ve never heard the suggested two day break to clear your head. That’s wonderful advice. ❤️
I've been stuck on my kitchen but this weekend I jumped in and made one (1) box to donate. I threw away the broken or worn out items too! Surprisingly the trashing was the hardest. I stopped because I felt so good about what I'd accomplished. I will try again next weekend. I've decided baby steps on the places I find difficult to do really helps me keep moving forward.
My youngest daughter is my go-to during my decluttering process. She is that warm body I need to be there to help me. She also very calmly asks the right questions that lead me to make rational decisions. And I do thank the Lord for her.
"Forgive ourselves more than three times" -love this. So helpful, especially when we are hard on ourselves.
Last year I took a week off from social media and it was enlightening I spent my time doing things I neglected. And felt better about myself. My sister and I live long distance and we encourage each other in decluttering in our homes.
Finally, truly motivated to declutter & now the frustration is getting it donated. They have limited intake &, of course, more restrictions, so it becomes another deterrent. But, this too shall pass so I will carry on with your help & encouragement. Today's message was perfect timing.🙏💞
I look forward to your Sunday videos every week. Thank you for your words and encouragement. ❤️🙏
You gals are my new best friends💖💖💖 How much I love you both!!!💖💖💖
Firstly very valuable advice... i have been able to purge most of my home, yet having the toughest time with my closet! So I decided to get stubborn, & pull everything out, and only stuff I have dealt with will go back in🥴😬 well... so now stuff against one wall in my bed room looks like a pig sty! This us what I needed to hear🙏🙏 And the incredible spiritual inspiration and blessings just took it over the top💖💖 You both are a powerful pairing!!! Love ya loads💖💖💖💖
Thank you! I SO needed to hear this today. I find it interesting and such a grace from above that when our faith communities aren’t allowed to gather so that we can receive wisdom like this, God finds a way to send it to us anyway… even if it’s via TH-cam. Love you both and thank you again💕