Thank YOU for watching and thank you Helix for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 20% off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows. Offers subject to change. I hope you have a great day! - Dawn
My husband and I bought a Helix based on your review, Dawn. Since night one, now eight months ago, we have slept SO good every night. We have both said SO many times that it has been one of the best purchases ever, and we wish we had done it sooner! We love our Helix!!
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but seeing you talk about storing the medical supplies in case you need them I'm going to suggest seeing if your local council on aging has a lending library of things like that. When my mom died we donated walkers, commodes, canes, and more and it was so happily accepted and I know that if we, or anyone else in the community needs it, it will all get used. Probably a much better way to "store" it, where it will be used a lot. So even if you have to re-buy something later, you know that what you had went to good use.
Agree, there is a place in our town that resells used med equipment like that so if you donate there, you know later on where to go to get affordable stuff.
Think twice about keeping/storing the medical supplies. Many areas have places to donate that kind of equipment. Nursing homes, senior citizen agencies, etc. Also, Medicare does fund some medical equipment. I think you get 1 new walker every 4 years or so.
We have a place here that you can rent medical equipment for however long you need then you return it. That way there’s no unnecessary need to store it
Yes! One of the churches in our town has a lending library for medical equipment. What I think is nice, is that one doesn't have to be a member of the church to borrow from it. We donated things to them, happy knowing that they will be used by anyone who needs them.
What a gift for your mom to be able to slowly downsize and go through things at her own pace, and not be forced to clean out a lifetime of accumulation due to some emergency or rushed downsizing into a new/different home that sometimes happens as people age. You're letting her control the process, you're making it easier for the entire family, and she's gaining more time with the grandkids due to the regained space. So many rewards due to you helping her with this (overwhelming) process.
I decided to take everything I am decluttering that is useful and put a post on FB Free and put it in my front yard for two days. Some things have never been used.
@@cbyrd1061 I respectfully disagree with you. If you have broken items, for instance, who is going to want them? I’m not going to donate toys that are missing pieces or in bad disrepair. We can’t allow our homes to become landfills and I think it’s disrespectful to donate obvious junk, as Dawn said.
When Diana spotted Dawn in her drawing and Dawn said “Well I would hope so, I’m kind of a pivotal character in your life.” 😂 I love seeing you girls together! ❤
As a quiltmaker, I'd like to say that quilts are meant to be used until they wear out. And I'm so proud of you for taking your Grandmother's worn quilt and using it as the batting for a new bed cover.
My daughter and I finally finished going through my ‘junk’ room - actually where I was collecting both ‘to donate’ and ‘time will tell’ things - and made a trip to the donation center this morning. We packed the back of her SUV (seats down) and the trunk and backseat of my car with all the thjngs. I ended up keeping none of the ‘time will tell’ items. I got an entire room back. So happy.
That’s what I thought too. It reminds me of my sewing room and the fact that it’s become a dumping ground. Going to tackle part of it today, wish me luck 😆
Dawn - I've never had one of the first comments! Just want to tell you what a difference you've made in my home and life - thank you dearly! And best to your sweet sister. Love your videos together!
I'm happy for your mother that's she's getting her spaces back. IMO when grown children have houses of their own, parents no longer should be expected to store their stuff. Use it or shed it. The room looks lovely.
Sometimes our parents still hold value for things they gifted us or "invested" in for us so that is why it is still held. They are "our" items even if they don't quite fit our present lives. My mil lovingly has kept 3 dining sets for her kids and isn't ready to pass them on to anyone else.
@@ericarogerslee7169 I feel this. So many times my kids reply with "DONATE!" on things THEY really wanted back in the day. And now I'm the one with the memories that they don'r cherish as much anymore. Or .. rather.. they don't need the STUFF to keep the Memory! I am a visual learner so SEEING it *IS* what holds the memories more for me. It is HARD.
My mother brought boxes of things from my childhood across the country when she moved to her retirement house. In her mind they are precious, and they aren't quite hers, because she thinks I should have a say in what to keep. In my mind they did not exist, because I haven't seen them since I was six. It can't be the child's responsibility that the stuff is still taking up space if they haven't seen it since they were six. But it has been lovely to help her go through it. I take a few things, and it leads to conversations about my childhood.
I’m so impressed with how quickly you decluttered that space. The thing is, you were perfectly happy without that stuff before, and you don’t need it now that you remember it exists.
As I watched this video, I slowly realized that thanks to your guidance, I have learned many new helpful strategies to deal with decluttering. If I had been faced with that room before I found your TH-cam channel, I would have been overwhelmed, and abandoned the mess. But, because of your teachings, I knew immediately how I would have tackled the room. I have used the tools and skills that you have taught me, and I find decluttering and organizing are so simple now. The difference between how I view and handle these tasks today compared to before are like night and day. That's in large part due to you. Thanks for all that you do for us. It truly is making a huge difference!
Love seeing you two together go through this. I laughed out loud when Diana responded, 'I am away from kids and responsibility right now so I am GREAT' 😄
This was so much fun watching you all do this. A word about the quilts.We grew up not having a lot of material items. Quilts were used on all our beds. My mom and aunts would get together at my grandmas when there was a quilt ready to quilt and they would knock it out in a few days. There were 5 of them that would gather to work on it. We used them daily. I have 7 quilts from my mother and aunts. I use them every day. I will pass them on to my daughter. They bring me comfort when I am sick or sad. I wrap my mother, grandmother and aunts handwork around me. Use them!
This was so encouraging and motivating. Love how you turned an unused space into a blessing for your kids and parents. Life is about relationships not stuff!
My absolute favorite video that you have ever done(and i love all of them😂) I am Nana now, and i want to have simple curated spaces that my grandchildren can enjoy. And can i just say that your boys are such great helpers!!! I am going to watch this one several times as I work on my unused bedrooms!!! Thanks Dawn, you are awesome!
Sorting things by category and then making decisions is a game changer. It helped me so much with my project. This video was very helpful as I moved my son to a different bedroom, set up my guest room, and cleared out a bedroom and bathroom for my Mom to move in. I’m still not great at letting go, but the more of your videos I watch the better I’m getting.
So true!! Here in Florida and really need to evaluate what is necessary and important. We have been through 3 hurricanes and the aftermath of devastation is an eye opener in what is really important!
I gave my son my old digital camera so he could practice taking pictures. He’s developed a real love for it but not only that, his perspective is awesome! That iPod charger is that old fat one… we still have one we use for older phones we have turned into “radios” for our kids.
This was a great video. I love your families relationships. I think it is awesome that you go over and help your sweet mama. I was getting ready to help my mom go through her clothing, and we never got to it as she passed away suddenly. I would give anything to be able to say, "Hey mom. Do you want to work on decluttering today?" Cherish these times. :)
I’m always so excited to se a new video by Dawn. Thanks so much for your consistency in putting out these videos. It helps so many who are in the place you were in years ago when you decided to start your minimalism journey.
"No one can predict the future."..this gave me such a relief not for decluttering but for some other issues I am facing right now. There is always something to get from all of your videos. Thanks.
Dawn & Diana, That is so awesome what y'all are doing for your parents' house. It's going to be so nice after it's all done. I can't believe how tall Corbin & Gage are getting. Wow! They are always great helpers. 😊
I agree that this is a favorite of your videos. Having your mother on board, and working with Diane helps. I was amazed all you accomplished. Plus, painting adds a finished look, and seeing your boys put their touch on the dpace is cute. Now I want to watch the decluttering of the other bedroom. I've mentioned before, but my eldest son's name was Eric. A nice strong name. Keep up the good work on your childhood home. 😊
I think it's because we had a pretty small home, but it always blows my mind when I see folks go to their parents' house and have so much stuff still there! I would have never dreamed of leaving anything there. I love my mom and we have a great relationship and I see her all the time, but I was so happy to give her back a whole room of her house when I moved out. Just a reflection on how different everyone is! Not judgement.
Sometimes the parents really won't let their kids dispose of things. My husband got everything out of my in-law's house that he wanted 17 years ago but they still won't let him trash what he didn't want. We did manage to take some of it and get rid of it but they boxed up the rest and tucked it away in other places so we couldn't finish the job. 🙃
@@ambethk77 Same. My dad kept so much stuff from our childhoods that we didn’t want. Like the 9 huge totes of toys, many of which were broken and/or cheap Happy Meal toys. It can be hard for parents to declutter stuff that reminds them of past childhood days, even when their kids are adults.
I suggest taking a photo of things like your art work from school or gifts from friends before disposing of it. That way you have the memory without the clutter!
Cleaning a cluttered room like this to empty is like my dream weekend 🤣 so fun! We are moving in 3 weeks so I'm packing and decluttering along with you guys!
Yes! We just moved about a month ago after an almost 3 year search for a home. Crazy market. I have already taken several van loads to the donation center and countless bags of trash. What I can't believe is that I had decluttered several van loads when we packed everything up! It's really amazing how fast we accumulated stuff. We are still in the process of unpacking small bits and pieces, and it is quite overwhelming. One bite at a time. I wish you luck on your move!
It's such a relief seeing comments from others that are dealing with similar situations. I appreciate the advice in the comments just as much as I love your inspiration! What a fantastic community!
I would LOVE the opportunity to clean out my childhood room at my parents' house! They save everything and it stresses my dad to see things go. My sister and I sneak things out that we know they won't miss.
I'm currently taking a break from ruthlessly decluttering and deep cleaning my entire house. Currently we have tackled 7 spaces in our home. I have lupus and I want to simplify as I move forward.
I absolutely love your videos. They make me so happy. you have given me so much joy back. I no longer hold onto things that do not have value to me and I use items now that used to just sit there. I have given things to my kids that helped them as they moved out and my home feels so much cleaner.
I always know that I'm coming out of survival mode when I end up on a minimal mom video! Feeling motivated to get the house out back together from the summer chaos! Thanks, Dawn!
I don't comment on many videos, but this was so fun to watch- it's good to know that we ALL have one of these spaces that becomes the "catch-all". You've inspired me to tackle the challenge of clearing out mine. Thank you for sharing real, relatable experiences with your audience.
Thank you for making my life better!! The wisdom you share on your channel is priceless💗 and a big thank you to your amazing mama who has graciously allowed you to film these videos in her home .. some of my favorites!!
THE Best Video of "Anti-Hoarding" I loved seeing the boys doing what you've been Teaching all your viewers! They are quite the Effecient Helpers! How fun for them to be able to visit Grandma & know that she allowed them to have a Safe, Clean, Uncluttered & Unique Space all their own at Her House!!
Such a good visual reminder of how quickly things come together with helpful hands! 💜I'm in the process of decluttering/downsizing/prepping for a move in the next month... 30 weeks pregnant and not a lot of help from others (children are 8 and under)... But 5 minutes does matter! I was struggling and not feeling well and told myself "just 5 minutes" was able to pack a few boxes and clear more space... Little by little! 💜 thanks for the reminders and body doubling motivation!
I found your channel during the Pandemic and it spurred me on to clearing out the clutter in my house. Lately, I found you again. One day it got me down to my basement to tidy up and clear out some things. Now I'm watching this while tidying up my office. Thank you!
Blankets are supposed to be used. Even the beautiful quilts that are made by someone we love. My grandma who has since passed made me a quilt. I have it on the end of my bed and I think of her every time I use it.
Love you Dawn! I Love that you can recall the various pieces of your tshirt quilt. I’m a quilter and my quilts are made to be used and enjoyed. You truly enjoy that one. Honor the quilter who made the other ones and if you can’t use or display them… donate them. Don’t store force future. Use it in your camper… or in your office. We have a lovely group here that connects quilts with foster kids. Just one idea besides goodwill.
Dawn I have to say thank you so much for your channel, your advice and your non judgemental support. After almost 40 years living in this house, you can imagine the chaos that our attic was! I have been watching your channel for quite some time now, and this year we started tackling the attic properly. We did it slowly (which of course is easier with a space that you can close off, and not worry about), because the whole area was a source of stress for my husband. We started off by committing to bringing three things out of the attic every weekend, we didn’t have an end date because we didn’t need one. However, once we got started three became five, five became eight and so on. At one point, we started bringing a couple of things out every evening, and then before we knew it!, It was done!. We have recycled, thrown away, donated to charity and gifted to friends and to local businesses (for example 2 sets of cups, saucers and plates went to a cafe). All that is left in the attic now is lots of boxes of photos (which we are happy to keep until we can make the time to scan them, so we can get rid of the physical copies), a cot bed, we will need for one of the grandchildren, a pushchair, luggage, and four boxes of things we plan to sell. my husband is over the moon. All of our Christmas decorations have been moved to one of our sheds, which we fitted out with new shelving. Our plan is to put out our decorations at the beginning of December and anything we don’t put out will be donated. We have already started a glory hole of a cupboard too. I cannot believe how much stuff we have accumulated over the years, but I’m also very grateful that you made me realise that there were things I didn’t need to keep, just in case, or just because they were gifted to us. Thank you once again. Xx
My mom had some old well-made quilts that my Oma had made sitting in a bin for a loooong time. When I got them off her hands I gave them to my sister for her trailer. My mom didn't want them wrecked but now they are now being used, LOVED, and nothing but happy memories associated with them! It is so much better that my neices grow up knowing that great-Oma was a seamstress and giving BOTH them and my sister joy than sitting in a bin. Not to mention the money my sister saved from not having to purchase new bedding for the trailer as well!
These last few videos from your mums house are making a few things so much more clear to me! When I got married, I moved across the country and had to take ALL the quilts,china, and childhood things with me, and those are the things I struggle with the most when decluttering. I always wondered how you dealt with those things, now I understand!
I absolutely love the idea of a room being ‘A time will tell bin’ and it got me thinking about my sewing room that sadly on my part has been a dumping ground for a few things. I know a folder and some books that I know have been sitting in a basket for 6 yrs that ‘Oh I might use them one day’. Today is my day of biting the bullet, getting a black garbage bag and toss. Thank you Dawn for everything you do, in helping the decluttering process made easy.
Dawn, pick up a few of the vacuum bags to store the quilts in if you’re just going to store them. They are great for reducing the space to store and also keeps bugs out. I would love to see your Moms reaction to the remake of the room.
Dawn, thank you for sharing your journey through your parent's extra bedroom. I like your approach for overly cluttered spaces, categories are the key and your reasoning during the process makes decision simple. Thank you for taking the time to share, you've made a great impact!
Dawn you helped me declutter our old house so much! We moved to another state. I find myself needing motivation to declutter again. I'm so grateful to have your content to give me tips and motivation!
In my area we have a hospis home that will accept blankets, hand made or purchased. They need to be in good condition and clean. They use them for comfort blankets for the families. This may be another place to donate to, as well as the pet shelter. Thank you for this video. It helped me so much when you said "This is a giant time will tell bin". It change my thinking around my storage areas. Thank you for all your hard work.
Diana looks so great and happy! It is such great motivation to move and decide quickly when you planned to paint on this day too! And you are so gracious and kind to your mother! I love that
Out of interest what's the thinking behind the quilts staying at your Mom's Dawn? If they are yours and you want to keep them, as an adult, don't they go in your memory bin at your house? ❤
If they won't be used it would be better to donate them. They can't "spark joy" hidden away somewhere, and frankly if they are not in use that suggests that they no longer spark joy, and never will. Pass them on.
This was so fun and satisfying to watch! Turning a junk/storage room into a space that’s usable for the present moment is the best feeling. It reminds me of the Lazy Genius principle to “live in your season” and that giving up the past makes room for the present. And we still get to keep the memories!
Wow. Clearing and painting in one part of one day! I was overwhelmed just looking at the room when you started. That was a very satisfying clear-out and re-do. 'Loved this.
Thank you so much for giving me the inspiration to do this at my home. I'm disabled and I can't do a lot at one time but it's amazing what you can get done when your inspired and have the motivation to get it done. I'm so excited and I owe it all to you. I'm actually a new subscriber and I'm so glad that I found your channel. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!!!
The most helpful thing about hiring help was them being able to notice my reaction to my things and make me aware of it! I’m getting better at noticing it for myself and making purging choices based on that instead of the “logic” I come up with 😊
I totally get that Goodwill wants nice items to sale but we have a Township in our town that has free giveaway days for anyone but most of the people who are struggling or homeless and need things. So I give all my items to them because I don’t necessarily like doing yard sales or giving to Goodwill because sometimes I think it is a better to just give freely to those in need than to a company for profit. What a blessing to someone to get a nice item for free. Great video!
Loved watching you all work together with happy kids claiming their new space! I have to admit, I didn't want Diana to let go of her awesome drawing with her front and center... it was so cute, and loved the "what are you wearing" bit too! I've kept 5 drawings from college in my black portfolio I carried on campus. My kids were surprised to see my work, and commented "mom you can really draw" ... yup!
LOL.......why aren't each of you taking your own quilt to your own home ? You're saying you needed to find somewhere to store them. LOL take it home.. My kids are in their late 40's. A few years ago I told them to come get their stuff or it was gone !
I was wondering about those quilts, too, and thinking they should just take a picture of them to put in their memory boxes, then let them go. They are pretty outdated and if they are not going to actually use them, why keep them at all. 😊
@jemma50 as a long time quilter i totally agree 😊 I've enjoyed the making of them but once done, they're now given to family or friends who genuinely want them, or donated to different places like women's shelters, charities, op shops etc. Older ones that are getting bit tatty can be donated to animal shelters even, as dogs absolute love homemade quilts. I realised a few years ago during major cancer treatment that my sons would have to deal with them if my treatment didn't work. It was a big wake up call
I’m 74 and clearing up my hoarding now…while I’m physically able to do it. I take a minimum of 30 minutes a day and several hours if possible. It’s amazing how much you can get done in a few hours. I would be ashamed if any ore would see all my mess after I pass on. It’s difficult at first. I’d purge a closet or drawer, then a go back a couple days later and purge again. It feels so good knowing I’m not leaving it to someone else.
WOW! What an amazing transformation. Nice job! Also, I can’t believe how tall your boys are. I’ve been following you for years, but suddenly they look so big!
When I got back from my honeymoon, my dad came over with multiple boxes filled with my things left at my family home. I was offended at first because he didn’t take the boxes back when I explained how small my apartment was. 😂 Now, over 20 years later, I agree with him wholeheartedly. If I was old enough to get married, I was old enough to deal with all of my own stuff. I was no longer my parents’ responsibility and it wasn’t fair to them to have to store all of MY belongings.
This was so fun & helpful to watch. But can we just take a minute & appreciate what talented artists you two are?? Beautiful drawings & paintings ladies - wow!
I LOVE how you and Diane make 10 second decisions on what to get rid of without lingering on it. I LOVE getting rid of things no longer used or wanted. I LOVE the end result of this room. I LOVE this video!!
Okay, I’m 58, and you’ve inspired me!!!! I’m in the process of having to go thru my grown children’s mementoes, which they don’t want!!! Ahhhhh! It kills me to throw away my babies things. But I have to. I’ve kept a few just to glance at in a scrapbook. But that’s it. Chunking the rest asap. But for my own sanity, I have to remodel, redesign my space for my age and happiness. You talked me into it.
I think the trick to managing inventory is to have limited space! We’re in a small two bed two bath apartment. We can’t keep extra stuff lying around so we’re constantly decluttering and curating. Extra space and extra rooms just attracts more clutter!
Thanks for this video! Today I tackled a storage building that was the catch all while we were renovating our house last year. So far I’ve organized everything into categories: cleaning supplies, empty bins, random stuff to keep, vintage items to keep, Christmas decor, paint stuff, fireplace stuff and tools. There were some obvious items that I didn’t realize were kept, so they are going to the thrift store today!!! 🎉 thanks again for the encouragement and tools to help declutter!
It's a good idea to go through stuff at our parent's houses before they pass away. After, is much tougher, somehow, to let go of. Speaking from experience. Great motivation, as always! Thank you.
I love your videos and think it is so neat that you are making videos in your childhood home, sometimes on your own and sometimes with your amazing twin sister. You both are fabulous. Thank you both for sharing your time, wisdom and humor with us. You always brighten my day.
I love that you talk about take your best to donation centers and figure out how to get rid of things that are less than. Also, make sure your items are clean and ready to go on the floor. Many of these donation areas depend on the funds to help with their cause, don't waste volunteers valuable time dealing with garbage.
When I took a bag of laundered clothing in good condition to our local thrift shop the lady thanked me and commented that she wondered sometimes if people brought stuff in because it was cheaper and more convenient than taking it to the dump!
You both are so adorable. I’m a 60-year-old mom of five boys and every pregnancy. I prayed for twin girls. I love watching videos when you are together.
My in laws made rooms for the grand kids. 😊 It's so nice when they sleep over and have beds ready to go. Their kids are all adults now so the rooms were just not being used and it has been a great use and one is more grown up for a guest room in general.
I really love how you said the room is just a big time will tell bin! That really resonates with me and it made me feel like I had to comment. Thank you for that helpful tip.
Your boys are so able to do more than the normal kids…cause they have you two as parents modeling for them and having them help in so many projects in their lives!! 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
I have been watching you for years. You talked me through (in my head) getting rid of everything of no use to me currently. I repeated what you have said over and over…”The money is gone. I can’t get it back. I haven’t touched this in years”. Thank you for being in my head. 😊
I'm going piece by piece in my house... in the process of filling my 2nd 20 yard dumpster and y'all are SO much faster than I am!!! It's taken me weeks and I still have a longggg way to go!
Thank YOU for watching and thank you Helix for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 20% off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows. Offers subject to change. I hope you have a great day! - Dawn
My husband and I bought a Helix based on your review, Dawn. Since night one, now eight months ago, we have slept SO good every night. We have both said SO many times that it has been one of the best purchases ever, and we wish we had done it sooner! We love our Helix!!
@@charitysmith I’m SO glad to hear this!!
Would really love to but I live in Sweden.
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but seeing you talk about storing the medical supplies in case you need them I'm going to suggest seeing if your local council on aging has a lending library of things like that. When my mom died we donated walkers, commodes, canes, and more and it was so happily accepted and I know that if we, or anyone else in the community needs it, it will all get used. Probably a much better way to "store" it, where it will be used a lot. So even if you have to re-buy something later, you know that what you had went to good use.
Agree, there is a place in our town that resells used med equipment like that so if you donate there, you know later on where to go to get affordable stuff.
Think twice about keeping/storing the medical supplies. Many areas have places to donate that kind of equipment. Nursing homes, senior citizen agencies, etc. Also, Medicare does fund some medical equipment. I think you get 1 new walker every 4 years or so.
We have a place here that you can rent medical equipment for however long you need then you return it. That way there’s no unnecessary need to store it
Awesome suggestion!
Yes! One of the churches in our town has a lending library for medical equipment. What I think is nice, is that one doesn't have to be a member of the church to borrow from it. We donated things to them, happy knowing that they will be used by anyone who needs them.
What a gift for your mom to be able to slowly downsize and go through things at her own pace, and not be forced to clean out a lifetime of accumulation due to some emergency or rushed downsizing into a new/different home that sometimes happens as people age. You're letting her control the process, you're making it easier for the entire family, and she's gaining more time with the grandkids due to the regained space. So many rewards due to you helping her with this (overwhelming) process.
Love how your parents allow you to show these rooms. It helps process our OWN rooms like this (or the garage🤦🏻♀️). Thanks to all of you!!
My parents are seriously the best ever, I am SO fortunate!!
I decided to take everything I am decluttering that is useful and put a post on FB Free and put it in my front yard for two days. Some things have never been used.
That's wonderful
FYI-Quilters store quilts in pillow cases so they can breathe. My aunt was a blue ribbon Master quilter.
Ohhh...that's fascinating to know!!!!
Thankyou. I just finished a quilt, so this advice is timely.
It's always better to donate than put stuff in a landfill.
I got and moved my quilts into pillow slip as soon as I read your comment! Thank you for the tip.
@@cbyrd1061 I respectfully disagree with you. If you have broken items, for instance, who is going to want them? I’m not going to donate toys that are missing pieces or in bad disrepair. We can’t allow our homes to become landfills and I think it’s disrespectful to donate obvious junk, as Dawn said.
When Diana spotted Dawn in her drawing and Dawn said “Well I would hope so, I’m kind of a pivotal character in your life.” 😂 I love seeing you girls together! ❤
Your parents are so blessed with having produced not only 1 but 2 identically beautiful, kind hearted, smart women.
I feel like we need a petition to get their parents on here with some parenting advice videos!
As a quiltmaker, I'd like to say that quilts are meant to be used until they wear out. And I'm so proud of you for taking your Grandmother's worn quilt and using it as the batting for a new bed cover.
As a crochet-er (is that a word? 😂) I agree!! Use those blankets and then don’t feel like they ‘have to’ be kept forever!
I’m a knitter and if I gift you socks or a sweater or something and you wear it out that makes you knit worthy and you will get more!
use those quilts! Gage would love one!
My daughter and I finally finished going through my ‘junk’ room - actually where I was collecting both ‘to donate’ and ‘time will tell’ things - and made a trip to the donation center this morning. We packed the back of her SUV (seats down) and the trunk and backseat of my car with all the thjngs. I ended up keeping none of the ‘time will tell’ items. I got an entire room back. So happy.
Awesome job! ⭐️
Wow Darlene! That is AWESOME! Way to go!!!!
That's incredible! Great job & congratulations!! The relief you feel must be amazing. :) Thanks for sharing ~
"This is one giant 'time will tell' bin!" - what a great perspective for us to take when decluttering storage spaces
Or we find something and say “oh that’s where it is” 😂
That’s what I thought too. It reminds me of my sewing room and the fact that it’s become a dumping ground. Going to tackle part of it today, wish me luck 😆
I'm putting everything outside in my yard and posting on FB all free!
😂, I agree! @@CocoKielczynski
Dawn - I've never had one of the first comments! Just want to tell you what a difference you've made in my home and life - thank you dearly! And best to your sweet sister. Love your videos together!
THANK YOU Andrea, that means more than you know!!!!
This is amazing!!!! That’s a great way for your parents to use those bedrooms ❤
I'm happy for your mother that's she's getting her spaces back. IMO when grown children have houses of their own, parents no longer should be expected to store their stuff. Use it or shed it. The room looks lovely.
Sometimes our parents still hold value for things they gifted us or "invested" in for us so that is why it is still held. They are "our" items even if they don't quite fit our present lives. My mil lovingly has kept 3 dining sets for her kids and isn't ready to pass them on to anyone else.
@@ericarogerslee7169 I feel this. So many times my kids reply with "DONATE!" on things THEY really wanted back in the day. And now I'm the one with the memories that they don'r cherish as much anymore. Or .. rather.. they don't need the STUFF to keep the Memory! I am a visual learner so SEEING it *IS* what holds the memories more for me. It is HARD.
My mother brought boxes of things from my childhood across the country when she moved to her retirement house. In her mind they are precious, and they aren't quite hers, because she thinks I should have a say in what to keep. In my mind they did not exist, because I haven't seen them since I was six. It can't be the child's responsibility that the stuff is still taking up space if they haven't seen it since they were six.
But it has been lovely to help her go through it. I take a few things, and it leads to conversations about my childhood.
I love the way you and Tom have raised kids who know how to use tools and are confident enough to handle assembling and disassembling furniture!
As a grandmother I love what you are doing for your parents and all the grandchildren 🥰
I’m so impressed with how quickly you decluttered that space. The thing is, you were perfectly happy without that stuff before, and you don’t need it now that you remember it exists.
As I watched this video, I slowly realized that thanks to your guidance, I have learned many new helpful strategies to deal with decluttering. If I had been faced with that room before I found your TH-cam channel, I would have been overwhelmed, and abandoned the mess. But, because of your teachings, I knew immediately how I would have tackled the room. I have used the tools and skills that you have taught me, and I find decluttering and organizing are so simple now. The difference between how I view and handle these tasks today compared to before are like night and day. That's in large part due to you. Thanks for all that you do for us. It truly is making a huge difference!
Wow Elizabeth, this is so cool to hear, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! And WELL DONE!!!!
I love the videos where you have another member of your family in them--your kids, husband, sister, mom...it just adds to the fun ❤
Love seeing you two together go through this. I laughed out loud when Diana responded, 'I am away from kids and responsibility right now so I am GREAT' 😄
This was so much fun watching you all do this. A word about the quilts.We grew up not having a lot of material items. Quilts were used on all our beds. My mom and aunts would get together at my grandmas when there was a quilt ready to quilt and they would knock it out in a few days. There were 5 of them that would gather to work on it. We used them daily. I have 7 quilts from my mother and aunts. I use them every day. I will pass them on to my daughter. They bring me comfort when I am sick or sad. I wrap my mother, grandmother and aunts handwork around me. Use them!
Aww , that was beautiful. I want to make a quilt now lol❤
That’s beautiful 💜
This was so encouraging and motivating. Love how you turned an unused space into a blessing for your kids and parents. Life is about relationships not stuff!
My absolute favorite video that you have ever done(and i love all of them😂) I am Nana now, and i want to have simple curated spaces that my grandchildren can enjoy. And can i just say that your boys are such great helpers!!! I am going to watch this one several times as I work on my unused bedrooms!!! Thanks Dawn, you are awesome!
This is so cool Karen! Nana's are just the greatest gift EVER!!!
❤❤❤❤
Sorting things by category and then making decisions is a game changer. It helped me so much with my project. This video was very helpful as I moved my son to a different bedroom, set up my guest room, and cleared out a bedroom and bathroom for my Mom to move in. I’m still not great at letting go, but the more of your videos I watch the better I’m getting.
So true!! Here in Florida and really need to evaluate what is necessary and important. We have been through 3 hurricanes and the aftermath of devastation is an eye opener in what is really important!
This was a HUGE transformation! Less really is more.
Hi Cass!! (From an ADHD Bee fan)
"crapalanche" Yes, a new word for my vocabulary list 😂
I gave my son my old digital camera so he could practice taking pictures. He’s developed a real love for it but not only that, his perspective is awesome!
That iPod charger is that old fat one… we still have one we use for older phones we have turned into “radios” for our kids.
This was a great video. I love your families relationships. I think it is awesome that you go over and help your sweet mama. I was getting ready to help my mom go through her clothing, and we never got to it as she passed away suddenly. I would give anything to be able to say, "Hey mom. Do you want to work on decluttering today?" Cherish these times. :)
I feel so much lighter just WATCHING you two make progress! You're doing great!!
I’m always so excited to se a new video by Dawn. Thanks so much for your consistency in putting out these videos. It helps so many who are in the place you were in years ago when you decided to start your minimalism journey.
"No one can predict the future."..this gave me such a relief not for decluttering but for some other issues I am facing right now. There is always something to get from all of your videos. Thanks.
You have changed my life with videos just like this one. This bedroom looks like my house. Thank you for teaching me one step at a time!
The quilts could be beautiful as wall hangings or displayed on a blanket ladder or horse. And your pink floral fabric! So fun!
Dawn & Diana, That is so awesome what y'all are doing for your parents' house. It's going to be so nice after it's all done. I can't believe how tall Corbin & Gage are getting. Wow! They are always great helpers. 😊
I agree that this is a favorite of your videos. Having your mother on board, and working with Diane helps. I was amazed all you accomplished. Plus, painting adds a finished look, and seeing your boys put their touch on the dpace is cute. Now I want to watch the decluttering of the other bedroom. I've mentioned before, but my eldest son's name was Eric. A nice strong name. Keep up the good work on your childhood home. 😊
With no construction, a little elbow grease and paint .. you removed a storage unit and gifted your parents a bedroom! This was a fantastic video ❤
I think it's because we had a pretty small home, but it always blows my mind when I see folks go to their parents' house and have so much stuff still there! I would have never dreamed of leaving anything there. I love my mom and we have a great relationship and I see her all the time, but I was so happy to give her back a whole room of her house when I moved out. Just a reflection on how different everyone is! Not judgement.
Sometimes life happens really quickly! The stuff I "left behind" got shoved into a closet until I could go through it. It stayed there for 12 years!
@lizzibriggsriesco7604 true! Sometimes it takes me decades to do something
Sometimes the parents really won't let their kids dispose of things. My husband got everything out of my in-law's house that he wanted 17 years ago but they still won't let him trash what he didn't want. We did manage to take some of it and get rid of it but they boxed up the rest and tucked it away in other places so we couldn't finish the job. 🙃
@@ambethk77 Same. My dad kept so much stuff from our childhoods that we didn’t want. Like the 9 huge totes of toys, many of which were broken and/or cheap Happy Meal toys. It can be hard for parents to declutter stuff that reminds them of past childhood days, even when their kids are adults.
I suggest taking a photo of things like your art work from school or gifts from friends before disposing of it. That way you have the memory without the clutter!
It does create digital cutter, though. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, but some people don’t want to manage digital clutter either.
Cleaning a cluttered room like this to empty is like my dream weekend 🤣 so fun! We are moving in 3 weeks so I'm packing and decluttering along with you guys!
Yes! We just moved about a month ago after an almost 3 year search for a home. Crazy market. I have already taken several van loads to the donation center and countless bags of trash. What I can't believe is that I had decluttered several van loads when we packed everything up! It's really amazing how fast we accumulated stuff. We are still in the process of unpacking small bits and pieces, and it is quite overwhelming. One bite at a time. I wish you luck on your move!
It's such a relief seeing comments from others that are dealing with similar situations. I appreciate the advice in the comments just as much as I love your inspiration! What a fantastic community!
I would LOVE the opportunity to clean out my childhood room at my parents' house! They save everything and it stresses my dad to see things go. My sister and I sneak things out that we know they won't miss.
I'm currently taking a break from ruthlessly decluttering and deep cleaning my entire house. Currently we have tackled 7 spaces in our home. I have lupus and I want to simplify as I move forward.
I absolutely love your videos. They make me so happy. you have given me so much joy back. I no longer hold onto things that do not have value to me and I use items now that used to just sit there. I have given things to my kids that helped them as they moved out and my home feels so much cleaner.
I always know that I'm coming out of survival mode when I end up on a minimal mom video! Feeling motivated to get the house out back together from the summer chaos! Thanks, Dawn!
I don't comment on many videos, but this was so fun to watch- it's good to know that we ALL have one of these spaces that becomes the "catch-all". You've inspired me to tackle the challenge of clearing out mine. Thank you for sharing real, relatable experiences with your audience.
Thank you for making my life better!! The wisdom you share on your channel is priceless💗 and a big thank you to your amazing mama who has graciously allowed you to film these videos in her home .. some of my favorites!!
Isn't she just the best!?!?!
THE Best Video of "Anti-Hoarding"
I loved seeing the boys doing what you've been Teaching all your viewers! They are quite the Effecient Helpers! How fun for them to be able to visit Grandma & know that she allowed them to have a Safe, Clean, Uncluttered & Unique Space all their own at Her House!!
Such a good visual reminder of how quickly things come together with helpful hands! 💜I'm in the process of decluttering/downsizing/prepping for a move in the next month... 30 weeks pregnant and not a lot of help from others (children are 8 and under)... But 5 minutes does matter! I was struggling and not feeling well and told myself "just 5 minutes" was able to pack a few boxes and clear more space... Little by little! 💜 thanks for the reminders and body doubling motivation!
I found your channel during the Pandemic and it spurred me on to clearing out the clutter in my house. Lately, I found you again. One day it got me down to my basement to tidy up and clear out some things. Now I'm watching this while tidying up my office. Thank you!
Blankets are supposed to be used. Even the beautiful quilts that are made by someone we love. My grandma who has since passed made me a quilt. I have it on the end of my bed and I think of her every time I use it.
Love you Dawn! I Love that you can recall the various pieces of your tshirt quilt. I’m a quilter and my quilts are made to be used and enjoyed. You truly enjoy that one. Honor the quilter who made the other ones and if you can’t use or display them… donate them. Don’t store force future. Use it in your camper… or in your office. We have a lovely group here that connects quilts with foster kids. Just one idea besides goodwill.
Dawn I have to say thank you so much for your channel, your advice and your non judgemental support. After almost 40 years living in this house, you can imagine the chaos that our attic was! I have been watching your channel for quite some time now, and this year we started tackling the attic properly. We did it slowly (which of course is easier with a space that you can close off, and not worry about), because the whole area was a source of stress for my husband. We started off by committing to bringing three things out of the attic every weekend, we didn’t have an end date because we didn’t need one. However, once we got started three became five, five became eight and so on. At one point, we started bringing a couple of things out every evening, and then before we knew it!, It was done!. We have recycled, thrown away, donated to charity and gifted to friends and to local businesses (for example 2 sets of cups, saucers and plates went to a cafe).
All that is left in the attic now is lots of boxes of photos (which we are happy to keep until we can make the time to scan them, so we can get rid of the physical copies), a cot bed, we will need for one of the grandchildren, a pushchair, luggage, and four boxes of things we plan to sell. my husband is over the moon. All of our Christmas decorations have been moved to one of our sheds, which we fitted out with new shelving. Our plan is to put out our decorations at the beginning of December and anything we don’t put out will be donated. We have already started a glory hole of a cupboard too.
I cannot believe how much stuff we have accumulated over the years, but I’m also very grateful that you made me realise that there were things I didn’t need to keep, just in case, or just because they were gifted to us. Thank you once again. Xx
Hugs and CONGRATULATIONS to your Mom for being open to doing this now and creating a cool space for your kids!! Win/Win!!
My mom had some old well-made quilts that my Oma had made sitting in a bin for a loooong time. When I got them off her hands I gave them to my sister for her trailer. My mom didn't want them wrecked but now they are now being used, LOVED, and nothing but happy memories associated with them! It is so much better that my neices grow up knowing that great-Oma was a seamstress and giving BOTH them and my sister joy than sitting in a bin. Not to mention the money my sister saved from not having to purchase new bedding for the trailer as well!
These last few videos from your mums house are making a few things so much more clear to me! When I got married, I moved across the country and had to take ALL the quilts,china, and childhood things with me, and those are the things I struggle with the most when decluttering. I always wondered how you dealt with those things, now I understand!
I absolutely love the idea of a room being ‘A time will tell bin’ and it got me thinking about my sewing room that sadly on my part has been a dumping ground for a few things. I know a folder and some books that I know have been sitting in a basket for 6 yrs that ‘Oh I might use them one day’.
Today is my day of biting the bullet, getting a black garbage bag and toss.
Thank you Dawn for everything you do, in helping the decluttering process made easy.
That blanket so obviously sparked joy! 🩷🩷🩷
Dawn, pick up a few of the vacuum bags to store the quilts in if you’re just going to store them. They are great for reducing the space to store and also keeps bugs out. I would love to see your Moms reaction to the remake of the room.
Dawn, thank you for sharing your journey through your parent's extra bedroom. I like your approach for overly cluttered spaces, categories are the key and your reasoning during the process makes decision simple. Thank you for taking the time to share, you've made a great impact!
Nice job, between you and Diana, then Corbin and Gage taking the 2nd shift - a real team effort. 😊
Dawn you helped me declutter our old house so much! We moved to another state. I find myself needing motivation to declutter again. I'm so grateful to have your content to give me tips and motivation!
In my area we have a hospis home that will accept blankets, hand made or purchased. They need to be in good condition and clean. They use them for comfort blankets for the families. This may be another place to donate to, as well as the pet shelter. Thank you for this video. It helped me so much when you said "This is a giant time will tell bin". It change my thinking around my storage areas. Thank you for all your hard work.
Diana looks so great and happy! It is such great motivation to move and decide quickly when you planned to paint on this day too! And you are so gracious and kind to your mother! I love that
Out of interest what's the thinking behind the quilts staying at your Mom's Dawn? If they are yours and you want to keep them, as an adult, don't they go in your memory bin at your house? ❤
Maybe for grandkids to use?
If they won't be used it would be better to donate them. They can't "spark joy" hidden away somewhere, and frankly if they are not in use that suggests that they no longer spark joy, and never will. Pass them on.
This was so fun and satisfying to watch! Turning a junk/storage room into a space that’s usable for the present moment is the best feeling. It reminds me of the Lazy Genius principle to “live in your season” and that giving up the past makes room for the present. And we still get to keep the memories!
Wow. Clearing and painting in one part of one day! I was overwhelmed just looking at the room when you started. That was a very satisfying clear-out and re-do. 'Loved this.
LOVE this! It’s so fun to watch and listen to you do real decluttering again! 🤩 (Instead of trying new organizing products…) ❤
Oh but those spice containers make my heart so happy, lol!! ;)
@@TheMinimalMomI went to ikea today and bought 6 matching spice containers and thought of your hapiness. ❤
I can just see your Grandchildren loving your quilts. Just like you cherish your Grandmother’s tablecloth.
Really my grandchildren do not want any of my quilts, they said they don't need or want them.
@@mkel858 that's too bad. I love quilts. Guess it depends on the person.
@@mkel858it depends on their age, what someone says at 10 years old might be very different than what they'd like at 40 years old
That is such a nice gift for your parents and your kids.
A wonderful space.
Thank you for mentioning donating to the animal shelter! I’m a foster for our local shelter and they always need sheets, blankets, towels, etc.
If I had a large pile of sheets and blankets that need to be washed then donated, large load coin washers would be quicker than my home laundry.
I can't believe you did all of that in ONE DAY! Good job!!!
Thank you so much for giving me the inspiration to do this at my home. I'm disabled and I can't do a lot at one time but it's amazing what you can get done when your inspired and have the motivation to get it done. I'm so excited and I owe it all to you. I'm actually a new subscriber and I'm so glad that I found your channel. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!!!
The most helpful thing about hiring help was them being able to notice my reaction to my things and make me aware of it! I’m getting better at noticing it for myself and making purging choices based on that instead of the “logic” I come up with 😊
I totally get that Goodwill wants nice items to sale but we have a Township in our town that has free giveaway days for anyone but most of the people who are struggling or homeless and need things. So I give all my items to them because I don’t necessarily like doing yard sales or giving to Goodwill because sometimes I think it is a better to just give freely to those in need than to a company for profit. What a blessing to someone to get a nice item for free. Great video!
Loved watching you all work together with happy kids claiming their new space! I have to admit, I didn't want Diana to let go of her awesome drawing with her front and center... it was so cute, and loved the "what are you wearing" bit too! I've kept 5 drawings from college in my black portfolio I carried on campus. My kids were surprised to see my work, and commented "mom you can really draw" ... yup!
Same here!!! I'd have hung it up ❤
"We all like to be heroes when we're donating!" That's the perfect way to explain the dilemma of deciding between donating and selling.
LOL.......why aren't each of you taking your own quilt to your own home ? You're saying you needed to find somewhere to store them. LOL take it home.. My kids are in their late 40's. A few years ago I told them to come get their stuff or it was gone !
I was wondering about those quilts, too, and thinking they should just take a picture of them to put in their memory boxes, then let them go. They are pretty outdated and if they are not going to actually use them, why keep them at all. 😊
@jemma50 as a long time quilter i totally agree 😊 I've enjoyed the making of them but once done, they're now given to family or friends who genuinely want them, or donated to different places like women's shelters, charities, op shops etc. Older ones that are getting bit tatty can be donated to animal shelters even, as dogs absolute love homemade quilts. I realised a few years ago during major cancer treatment that my sons would have to deal with them if my treatment didn't work. It was a big wake up call
@@katl6426 ♥♥♥
I’m 74 and clearing up my hoarding now…while I’m physically able to do it. I take a minimum of 30 minutes a day and several hours if possible. It’s amazing how much you can get done in a few hours. I would be ashamed if any ore would see all my mess after I pass on. It’s difficult at first. I’d purge a closet or drawer, then a go back a couple days later and purge again. It feels so good knowing I’m not leaving it to someone else.
WOW! What an amazing transformation. Nice job! Also, I can’t believe how tall your boys are. I’ve been following you for years, but suddenly they look so big!
When I got back from my honeymoon, my dad came over with multiple boxes filled with my things left at my family home. I was offended at first because he didn’t take the boxes back when I explained how small my apartment was. 😂 Now, over 20 years later, I agree with him wholeheartedly. If I was old enough to get married, I was old enough to deal with all of my own stuff. I was no longer my parents’ responsibility and it wasn’t fair to them to have to store all of MY belongings.
I just finished up painting my concrete floor in the basement,and i love it,i had seen Dawn paint hers .Paint can do alot for little money.
Yes!!!
This was so fun & helpful to watch. But can we just take a minute & appreciate what talented artists you two are?? Beautiful drawings & paintings ladies - wow!
I LOVE how you and Diane make 10 second decisions on what to get rid of without lingering on it. I LOVE getting rid of things no longer used or wanted. I LOVE the end result of this room. I LOVE this video!!
I love how the room looks after, so cosy and warm. You did an awesome job! ☺
Okay, I’m 58, and you’ve inspired me!!!! I’m in the process of having to go thru my grown children’s mementoes, which they don’t want!!! Ahhhhh! It kills me to throw away my babies things. But I have to. I’ve kept a few just to glance at in a scrapbook. But that’s it. Chunking the rest asap. But for my own sanity, I have to remodel, redesign my space for my age and happiness. You talked me into it.
I think the trick to managing inventory is to have limited space! We’re in a small two bed two bath apartment. We can’t keep extra stuff lying around so we’re constantly decluttering and curating. Extra space and extra rooms just attracts more clutter!
What HUGE progress you all made in that room. Love that the space will be used again for all the grandkids.
Thanks for this video! Today I tackled a storage building that was the catch all while we were renovating our house last year. So far I’ve organized everything into categories: cleaning supplies, empty bins, random stuff to keep, vintage items to keep, Christmas decor, paint stuff, fireplace stuff and tools. There were some obvious items that I didn’t realize were kept, so they are going to the thrift store today!!! 🎉 thanks again for the encouragement and tools to help declutter!
It's a good idea to go through stuff at our parent's houses before they pass away. After, is much tougher, somehow, to let go of. Speaking from experience. Great motivation, as always! Thank you.
I love your videos and think it is so neat that you are making videos in your childhood home, sometimes on your own and sometimes with your amazing twin sister. You both are fabulous. Thank you both for sharing your time, wisdom and humor with us. You always brighten my day.
I love that you talk about take your best to donation centers and figure out how to get rid of things that are less than. Also, make sure your items are clean and ready to go on the floor. Many of these donation areas depend on the funds to help with their cause, don't waste volunteers valuable time dealing with garbage.
When I took a bag of laundered clothing in good condition to our local thrift shop the lady thanked me and commented that she wondered sometimes if people brought stuff in because it was cheaper and more convenient than taking it to the dump!
I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense.
You both are so adorable. I’m a 60-year-old mom of five boys and every pregnancy. I prayed for twin girls. I love watching videos when you are together.
My in laws made rooms for the grand kids. 😊 It's so nice when they sleep over and have beds ready to go. Their kids are all adults now so the rooms were just not being used and it has been a great use and one is more grown up for a guest room in general.
I really love how you said the room is just a big time will tell bin! That really resonates with me and it made me feel like I had to comment. Thank you for that helpful tip.
You inspire me, Dawn. Whenever I watch your videos, afterwards I go and declutter a bit.
Thank you!
Your boys are so able to do more than the normal kids…cause they have you two as parents modeling for them and having them help in so many projects in their lives!! 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
I have been watching you for years. You talked me through (in my head) getting rid of everything of no use to me currently. I repeated what you have said over and over…”The money is gone. I can’t get it back. I haven’t touched this in years”. Thank you for being in my head. 😊
Use the quilts! What makes them special is the memories. Bring them out for movie night, sitting on the porch or reading time.
Thank you for showing us this. Love your way of fighting clutter with lots of grace!!
In our house we call rooms like that “the room of doom!” It feels amazing when you go through those spaces and reclaim them. Congratulations!🎉
We have a pile of denial. 😅
I'm going piece by piece in my house... in the process of filling my 2nd 20 yard dumpster and y'all are SO much faster than I am!!! It's taken me weeks and I still have a longggg way to go!