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When I'm overwhelmed with clutter, like coming home with endless items from errands, I take a split-second glance around while thinking 'what is the biggest eyesore?' I deal with that and get a big payoff. Then I do the same thing again. After a 3 or 4 rounds of that the improvement is so big I'm inspired to keep going. A variation is: after the quickest glance, 'what is the very easiest/quickest to put away properly? (there's always something) Then a couple more rounds. Another variation: 'what clutter item is furthest to the left?' Deal with it. Then deal with the next item clockwise. There must be many variations on this. The key is start with just one item for a big payoff. I even use this unloading the dishwasher 😁
Oh my how my life has changed over the last four years…… Here are a few ways 1. I don’t waste time looking for things like my keys, purse, jackets 2. In the past when we had a party my bed room would be filled with baskets from clutter around the house and it took us days to get ready. 3. When the house is a mess now I know I can get it back in order in about an hour I started having the kids help out everyone has there timer set for 8 pm. If you are home you help with a family reset. So far it is working. I now spend more time walking outside, working on puzzles, and more time then ever reading and studying the Bible. Thank you for the inspiration!
Before I Decluttered, having company over was stressful, and I usually had to spend the whole day cleaning. By the time the company came, my knees were so sore! Now somebody can stop by anytime and the house looks great… Except that I’m not very good about cleaning my floors very often. 😂
This works for me: (1)Low inventory (2)Clean a clean house (3)Five minutes matter (4)Plan a reward (eg. cup of coffee and a Minimal Mom video😊) I am delighted to say that after a couple of weeks of reducing inventory again and therefore neglecting cleaning, I can tell that based on the fact I had already got to a good place and by implementing these four things, I am going to be back on track pretty soon☺️ ❤❤❤ Thanks, Dawn, we love you too 😘
People think I'm a naturally tidy person, but our tidy organized home has been years in the making. I finally realized that less stuff was the key, not good organization (thank you, Dawn). I still don't love to clean, but I can't function in a messy or cluttered house.
No one would think l was naturally tidy, even though I've been decluttering for over a decade. I'm not consistent. But I agree, I can't function in a messy home. I can't even really relax!
As a child, I played house…I swept, I washed (in a basin), I moved play furniture…it was fun!…Today at 76, I still tell myself when I clean “I’m going to “play” in this room or that room…I can’t say ALL of my chores are play but overall, I enjoy keeping a tidy house as much as I did “playing house”…It’s enjoyable to look back into a clean room and enjoy the fruits of your hands…
I’m a naturally tidy person, so even when my home needs a good cleaning, it LOOKS clean, which I love. But yes, the key is less stuff, and the stuff I do have needs to have a home so it’s easy to put away. I very much enjoy cleaning my house because it’s easy and takes no time at all. And a clean home is a relaxing home to me. ☺️
I’m just learning how to get rid of things without having to feel bad about it. I have so many things that I shouldn’t- even my deceased mother in law’s things, who passed away in 2019. I really appreciate all of everyone’s suggestions and try to take everyone’s advice when I’m trying to declutter. The more I declutter, I’m realizing that there is so much more that I still need to do. There is also my husband’s clutter and that of my two grown sons. They never seem to want to get rid of anything. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning and sometimes I feel like I’m making so kind of headway, if that makes sense. I’m finding it hard, but I’m muddling through one day at a time.
I heard Joshua Becker say, “When things aren’t adding up, subtract.” And that has stayed with me. I thought about printing it on an 8x10 and framing it, because it’s so true.
I found your channel during an ice storm in January and spent a week going through my entire house while stuck at home. Wow! Just that week of letting go of things and reminding myself that I don’t want to manage all of this inventory made such a difference. Now, it takes no time to clean our house even with nine people living here. We hosted three Thanksgiving dinners in a row and didn’t stress in the least about cleaning for them. Like, it maybe took an hour to deep clean. Before, it would have been literal days of cleaning before a gathering. I now joke with my kids that we have time to be “bored” now.
I have gotten rid of sooooo much stuff, I now very much enjoy cleaning! It’s just so easy now(even with four kids!). We’re hosting thanksgiving this week, and Im not doing any special cleaning, because the house is already company ready. I love your videos, you’ve changed my life ❤
One thing I learned from you Dawn is to take some real time to troubleshoot something that isn't working. Whether a cluttered drawer or something else that is always a problem. This simple strategy has helped so much! To pause, try to identify the problem, devise a solution and treat it all like a real puzzle to solve, instead of something I am supposed to magically keep clean and organized somehow. Taking some real time for that, instead of taking 3 seconds, feeling stressed and going straight to thinking "well, I guess I'm just a messy person" and then giving up... it's such a simple but big shift. I got that from watching you do a full run through of re-organizing a drawer in one of you videos. I never saw anyone model taking real time for something like that before. It was like watching a secret being revealed haha. Kind of like learning how to do proper math. We can all do math "intuitively" up to a certain point, but beyond that, without knowing the precise steps, we get stuck. I think cleaning and organizing is like that. We all only get so far with doing "whatever" and beyond that point we need very specific steps.
I grew up in a messy house, though I attempted to keep my personal space tidy. So, when I got married, I had the mindset that I would keep my house, and I did for years. I had a great routine so I was able to clean my whole house on Saturday. Somewhere along the way, I started slacking. My house is picked up, but don't look too close to find dusty surfaces and cobwebs. My goal in 2025 is to be better at keeping my house sparkling clean. Pray for me.😊
Have you heard of the Flylady system? It works if you are consistent. It sounds like it would work well for you. There are a lot of people here on TH-cam who make great videos about it.
I made my own routine with ideas from fly lady. One section a day each week a different room. I used to think I had to deep clean every room every week which is how I was brought up but once I had a kid it was harder and I rather spend time with my child.
I was just diagnosed with ADD and before I was diagnosed I had know idea why decluttering was so "spiritual" for me. I just get so overstimulated and decluttering and cleaning eases that. Thank you Dawn for helping me let go and that it's ok. ❤
I am OCD and have too much stuff! I clean non stop! I have 2200 sq feet of marble flooring and buff them all the DANG time. It is like living in a mall! Married for 40 years and beyond blessed. Decluttering everything is AMAZING! Blessing my sons and daughter in-loves with things they need and everything else is gone! Stay Blessed!
Thank you!!! I have struggled for years with homemaking!!! Blessing my family in reality was not happening. I am thankful as I clean. (A relative thought I was crazy for being thankful for all the food we had when I cleaned out the freezer.) But being thankful didn't clean my house or do the dishes. Being able to let go of stuff is the biggest help. Thank you. ❤ ❤ ❤
You make a cheerful treat every day. I am too old to be a minimalist, but it does calm me down to give away things I no longer need. I think of it as your hotel, something you want enough to be in the hotel, and still happily leave to go to a restaurant. Every couple of years, the hotel can change. You are still too young not to have all your two sets of parents stuff, or the home moves, and how long it takes to give away the parent/grandparent things, or the perfect items sold to you in your new house, and your own 60 year old toys that are in glassed view, but eventually some are wanted by family, and most for charity. You light us up, Dawn, and very kindly push us to clear out the dust! Thank you, always!❤
When I started decluttering years ago, I had an embarrassing amount of scissors, so I gave most of them away. Since then, my hands got old, and it's hard to open stuff that was easy in my 40s. I remembered an old lady I used to know who said she kept a pair of scissors in every room. Now l do too. Brilliant! Times change, and we need to make things easy on ourselves.
Hi Dawn, you are not alone in this! I have reduced a LOT of inventory. I still have the things that I use and love, I would not be called a minimalist. BUT, I have reduced it to the point that it is really easy to tidy and to clean. I do dishes, trash, laundry daily, tidy bathrooms twice a week, and clean zone by zone weekly throughout the rest of our home. It is soooo easy.
I have been getting rid of stuff i dont actually need over the last few months and it makes cleaning way more enjoyable! You are so right😅 The more I declutter the happier and more relaxed i feel!
I just started working as a cleaner for a company that only uses natural cleaners. They said they use a pumice stone to clean inside ovens (including the glass). As someone who has never been able to find anything other than strong oven cleaner that worked well, I was super skeptical. I tested it on my own oven and could not believe how well it worked! It was so easy! You have to make sure to keep it really wet (don't use it dry!) but that's it!
That's interesting! I find that natural things cannot be beaten. I discovered the other day that the best thing to use on the glass door of my woodburner is a bit of slightly dampened newspaper or kitchen paper dipped in some cold ash from the fireplace! The glass gets clean really well!
Hi @karenhanson4207 and @Sylvia, that's interesting! 😊 Do you have further recommendations regarding natural cleaners? Do you use natural cleaners for washing your clothes, for example? And what kind of products do you use for cleaning floors, appliances and toilets? Thank you so much in advance 😊
@@vivicadesignyes! I’m interested as well. I’ve been using a vinegar/dawn dish soap/water combo for my counters but sometimes Clorox wipes are just easier for the toilet. I’ve tried sprays and wash clothes to be more natural but it makes me less motivated to clean for some reason.
@vivicadesign I'm honestly not sure what cleaner the business uses but at home I use Mrs Meyer's all purpose for everything (idk if it's actually natural). Sometimes a vinegar spray with a dash of dish soap. Wet Magic erasers followed by a dry buff with a microfiber cloth for almost everything and just a little water & microfiber for mirrors and glass. Love my spin mop for walls and floors.
In a sprayer, half alcohol, half water, a squeeze of neutral detergent, essencial oil optional. Will clean mostly everything ecofriendly. It's magical! Try it and you'll remember me. You're welcome!
I've been a minimalist for at least 10 years, and I agree with you-I enjoy cleaning and organizing. I used to be a maximalist and consumed a lot, but I've completely decluttered my holiday decorations over the past five years. I was fine with that, but this season, I decided to decorate for Christmas. I thought it would cost a fortune. Someone suggested I check out second-hand and thrift stores, and that's exactly what I did. I set a budget of $100. Believe it or not, I got a big wreath, a set of dishes, 10 mugs, 3 trees, a nativity scene, gift wrapping, and more. After Christmas, I'll give everything away. I won't keep anything. I've absolutely no attachment to any object anymore-it's so freeing. Thank you for your channel. I greatly appreciate it.🌸😁
I do something similar. I only decorate with some kind of things inside the fireplace - something with meaning for the year, and I use the wrapped presents as part of the decoration. then I give out the presents, donate the few items used to make the decorative setting and next year it will be a different theme. I get an immense amount of satisfaction doing this, and it normally costs me under $20. This year I am doing a "Tis a gift to be simple" them, so brown wrapped parcels and pinecones etc.
@@GeoffBenge-d3k This is fun! I surprised myself by using Christmas dishes. For the first time in my life, I'm truly enjoying it. It feels special, knowing that I won't keep the items. It's like they're a treasure to be enjoyed to the fullest before they're gone.
@GeoffBenge-d3k, we do a different theme every year as well. Last year was homemade, and this year is secondhand. I keep a few core pieces that I decorate with and everyone else, there's only 8 of us, brings their contributions.
I downsized years ago, and have maintained a limited inventory, I have no desire to shop or browse in stores. Maintaining a tidy, clean house is effortless. I’ve followed your advice and others, the system works. I’m retired, and live alone now but it worked when my kids were home. The best part is that I have more time for things I like to do.
I'm a naturally untidy person who has hated cleaning my whole life and "5 minutes matters" has become my whole mantra about cleaning. I'm doing the whole house now in 1 or 2 5 minute sessions a day, and you know what? I don't hate it now, I'm not exhausted when I'm done and I don't skip a week or two (or three!). More regular cleaning means no cleaning anything that's really dirty so it's quicker and I can achieve more in 5 minutes.
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I can't see how a person can clean for "one or two 5 minute sessions a day" & keep a clean house.
I don't have children, I guess that helps. It's kept tidy so a dust of a room is a 1 minute job, and vacuuming is just a couple of minutes for example.
Oh, and I use the mop to clean the kitchen cupboards and the bath. Whole kitchen can be done in 5 minutes this way, and the bath only takes 20 seconds.
Dawn Spray is the closest thing to a miracle cleaner I've used in a very long time. Been watching your videos for several years. You are a huge inspiration ~ THANK YOU My home is very simplified now. No more boxes stored with things we never use.
I can't say I enjoy cleaning, but I am a minimalist and people comment that my house looks clean. It isn't super clean, there just isn't a bunch of stuff in it. A lack of stuff looks clean, even if it isn't all scrubbed clean.
Most people confuse "tidy" with "clean." The less stuff we have, the easier it is to keep tidy. I know I still have too much stuff as the tidying still takes longer than the cleaning!
I have been watching this channel and for me… keeper lower inventory helps tremendously. My husband is naturally tidy and I am naturally messy. He understands better now how much decluttering helps me-because he sees I can stay on top of things more. Unfortunately he likes to keep higher inventory-because he manages that much no problem. So we’ve only made it about half way to what I think would push us into “this is easy” mode. Still even not being able to convince him to go as far as I’d like-the benefits have been awesome and so worth it. So any bit of progress pays off even before you get to goal-even if we never do.
Walking On Sunshine is my go to tune. I can’t do anything with TV on 😂 I love your upbeat videos ❤ Your personality and kind words always inspire me ❤❤❤
As you were talking, and putting away something simple like scissors, I was thinking about how many pairs of scissors i have in my house! And how much stuff in my "junk drawer"! Yikes! I have a long way to go, but i want cleaning to be easier, so I'm definitely ready to begin the journey of a 1000 miles that begins with a single step!
Another inspiring truth by video Dawn!❤ I’ve always been easily overwhelmed by clutter, so I’ve tried to keep it low. Now older me needs/wants less than ever! Love living minimally. Keeps life simple, easy & uncomplicated, even with the trials of life. My home is my sanctuary 💖
I keep my house very tidy and am slowly decluttering but my daughter and her family have moved in for a year so that is on hold. I hire a friend to clean every other week. Worth every penny! So all I have to do is minimal upkeep.
Thank you, Dawn! I've been following your channel for years, and it has made a HUGE impact. I have three young children and we've reached a point where they can help me clean all of the toys, which makes life so much better and more peaceful. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
i was a very very messy person growing up and my mom never even taught me HOW to clean. once i got into my nesting phase of pregnancy with my son, i became obsessed with cleaning and organizing. i have lost my obsession since then, but i do still loooove a clean home and sometimes still love the process lol
Your sign should just say "keep it simple". I'm a naturally minimal/tidy person. I still go thru my home regularly to find the random things that have snuck in. It's still an upkeep. But like you, it's so much easier with low inventory. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
I'm a minimalist. I decided, after encountering a silverfish in my stuff, that I was going to rehome important things to gasket bins from Walmart to keep it safe from bugs and dust. It feels sooo good knowing that the things I do value are safe.
I am, for sure, a naturally messy person. I am continuing to lower my inventory and be very intentional about bringing new things in. A lot of my time is spent looking after my disabled, immune compromised husband who now has early dementia. 100% of running the household, errands, appointments, etc. falls to me. No complaints, but it slows real progress down most days. I agree about cleaning product selection individualized to your home. We are on well water with a softener, and I even get different results with the same products depending upon the season, water quality and hardness. I use lots of natural cleaners. And yes - Scrub Daddy & Mommy make me so happy! Thank you for your upbeat video Dawn!
I am not big on signs in my home though i enjoy them in others homes... my favorite saying though that i painted on a sign for our home was something my mom always says "where there is heart room, there is home room"... so true! We make space for what we love and feel is important... in my family's case, i grew up with 5 adopted special needs siblings in addition to my 2 biological siblings. we also regularly had any number of "misfits" sharing a meal or spending time while they recovered or found their way in life... Love people, not stuff! Having less makes room for more!
I'm pretty naturally a clean minimalist person, but the scrub daddy really makes my heart even happier. I definitely only keep the tools/products that work. I do love the kids messes though. It may sound like a cat poster, but those messes are from the greatest blessings in my life. So corny, but true!
Hi Dawn! That pink grapefruit Method cleaner is AMAZING. I've tried over cleaners, other scents and I finally realized I need to STOP BUYING anything else -- I love the scent of that one and it works well so I actually enjoy using it!
I'm a VERY clean person but we recently moved to a house twice the size of our last. We have some how filled it up in two years. I do feel overwhelmed when cleaning and need to purge!
I’ll share my sign with you: Simplicity is Success …. Enjoy . I appreciate the content that you create, thank you for sharing and helping so many people.
ADHD here… Something I do to shift my mindset and get a little decluttering momentum going is curate and organize a pinterest board/section. It’s really low stakes, since I’m already doomscrolling… it’s a big improvement over that. I declutter those boards like nobody’s business. It takes very little energy and gives me enough satisfaction and dopamine to get up and do some cleaning or decluttering irl. Plus it helps me visualize how I want a space to actually feel, which helps me avoid impulse purchases.
Good tips. I’ll have to stick with some of these. Yesterday I put away 2-3 loads of laundry & am still feeling the reward as tonight it didn’t take long to tidy up my bedroom :)
Lovely, happy video. You are a pleasure to watch and listen to. I am loving my home more as I get rid of the stuff. It is great to not feel overwhelmed. I don’t want to throw the dishes out the window any more.
I have always struggled with clutter. I clean a lot but because of the clutter our house rarely looks the way I want it. My husband and I haven’t asked my kids to help enough I think because we’re both people pleasers and also maybe are used to hard work. But now we’re in our 50s and getting tired of the constant work. Our children have a mix of autism, food allergies and adhd and it just makes life harder overall. After not working in a job for years I got a part time job as a house cleaner. It is good in a way as I am learning better and faster ways to clean, and also about how other people organise their houses and lives. I have bought a lot of ‘miracle’ products hoping they would work only to find that its just another bottle of overly strong unpleasant smelling liquid. Also I find it hard to keep up with my own house because I’m so busy working, driving kids to & from school, grocery shopping, cooking, doing dishes, laundry, prepping for the next bday, xmas, school trip etc.
Dawn, great inspiring video. It is late here but I want to clean my home tomorrow and declutter first! Two things. I can't listen to podcasts either when I am cleaning because I can't focus on them if I am doing something else! You are the first youtuber that has said the same so thank you! Second thing - and you are the first person apart from my daughter I have told this - I have discovered that ordinary cotton facecloths (we call them flannels in UK) make the best washing up cloths for my dishes! They have a really good grip, are strong , absorbent and great for cleaning out burnt-on saucepans, dry nicely, easy to toss in the laundry afterwards, great for cleaning out the sink and surfaces/spills too, and the best part is that they are 100% cotton so good for the environment instead of all the other fancy products out there! It simplifies the cleaning inventory too. It would be great if you could try the facecloth for dishes and see what you think! It was one day a few months ago when I didn't have a clean dishcloth or sponge so I thought 'what can I use instead?' I was sorting the clean laundry and saw a facecloth/flannel and thought I would give it a try - since then it is all I ever use for my dishes and sink! I have bought a couple of pretty new ones and keep them just for the dishes. :)
Yes Sylvia, I’ve used flannels as my kitchen dish cloths for decades. So absorbent . I can’t stand using anything else. I use a fresh one every day and wash in the machine with my towels. Now you said about the pretty ones, I want to buy a couple and brighten up my sink 😊. Also, I don’t buy the really thick ones, prefer a thinner flannel. 💁🏼♀️
Ok Dawn, I was ready to take a nap and put off tidying up until later, but I started watching your video. Now I'm up, vowing to clear off the kitchen table. 😁
Yes, different kinds of dirt in different households!! I spent a lot of my adulthood single and living alone, and a Norwex cloth with plain water was all I needed for most surfaces. Now, I have a partner who works on his cars and his bike. Mechanical grease (in the sink, on the floor, where he touched the toilet lid or seat…) is not TOUCHED by plain water on a Norwex cloth! 😂
One money tip I'd add for cleaners... Dawn power wash is really expensive watered down dish soap. I have a glass refillable cleaner bottle, put a good squirt or 2 of dish soap and fill the rest with water, if you want antibacterial added for surfaces, put rubbing alcohol in too. It works really well and dirt cheap.
Dawn have you been told you have a gift of Exhortation! 😊 the encouragement and imploring to keep on going with Simplifying your home is so good and needed for me as the Christmas festivities come full speed ahead. Hobby lobby quote for you: simply lovely home vibes
Cleaning has become a lot easier and more enjoyable now that our home is decluttered!! I know the difference between tidying...organizing...cleaning...decluttering...I have a good balance of all 4 I find I am more productive if I focus on 1 of those 4 tasks at a time Focusing on 1 task at a time gives you more focus and therfore things get done at a faster pace!!
I really appreciate your channel and you always make some very good points. i could never be as minimal as your family, nor would I want to. I do aporeciate the points you make about the "buy, buy, buy attitude that infuses our lives" so it is great that I am able to pick and choose those suggestions that I can incorporate into my home and life. While most of the time I don't mind cleaning , I will never, never, never ever enjoy cleaning. I do believe that everything should have a place and everything should be put away as soon as one is finished using it, so clutter around the house is reduced. Music snd candle are great ideas. Sometimes a timer works really well for me. I really like your idea from going from the floor up - never thought of thst concept. i have reduced my cleaning products and what you said about the products makes so much sense!!! My ensuite bathroom actally gets a deep clean everyday as it is very small and only takes me 5-7 min.each day and that makes feel good everytime I use it. Thank you. Looking forward to the next video. 😊
I had twelve children in 20 years, and my house was usually a mess. But thanks to minimalism, my house is HIGHLY SIMPLIFIED and SO PEACEFUL and EASY to CLEAN!
Your sign should say "It's all Just Stuff". I have only gotten a better cleaning schedule since purging over 220,000 items in last 20 months. It was just TOO MUCH STUFF before and now, I can see the spaces that need cleaning. Before, I could not even see the all the countertops w/o taking tons of stuff and shifting it to the table (on top of all that was there.) Now, following you for theses 20 months, I have a simplified home and it is FANTASTIC❣
@ it has been Consistency OVER Intensity ❣️ I made it a discipline. One week alone was over 6,000+ items during one of Dawn’s challenges in her Minimal Mom Mentorship group.
Been focused on building my cleaning habits and am doing better than ever. I enjoy cleaning when I let myself take my time vs feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Still feeling like we have too much inventory tho, more toys than I'd prefer so it's time to let some more go, especially with more coming in after the holidays!
Having limited space aka small house makes you stay organized. I’m constantly giving away reorganizing cleaning. I guess I loved cleaning organizing so much I’ve done it for over 30 years for a paycheck. Your such a needed voice to us all. Thank you.
I never thought I’d be leaving a comment of gratitude on a channel about minimalism! But, thank you, Dawn - your videos have inspired and encouraged me and I’m beginning to see glimpses of my tidy home emerging from the clutter 🙏
I’m a neat person with weekly chores, but I had been slow to wash dishes. Last month we adopted a senior cat who can still jump up to the kitchen counter, ha. So now I steadfastly do dishes and wipe the counters nightly. Love your videos Dawn.
I always have to listen to your videos when I want to motivate myself to keep the house clean. I got so busy with work since last week, and my house is a mess with the help of my 5 yr old, I need to keep watching your videos to get myself to clean the house again 😢
Thank you so much for showing the maybe not so perfect moments at your home -counters, etc. Makes it ❤realistic and makes me feel like I can do this! God bless you
I'm messy too! I am in the process of getting rid of things. I need to because l can't keep up with it anymore. I ask myself where l put something and l just shake my head in disbelief that something else has fallen into a black hole!! Bless you for your encouragement! 🤗
Dawn, I would like to congratulate you on the presteen bathroom floor! ❤❤❤My goodness, there's hardly anything to sweep!🎉 I used to think I'm in the clean person category, but lately, I've been losing the battle...😢
Inch by inch is a cinch. Just grab a box for donations when you go to clean a room and also have a trash bag. When you are done with that room and don't have energy to do next room just set that in a closet until next day and do another room. One pass at a time in each room. Cyclical. After one pass through each room take the full donation box to donation center. Now that I have decluttered it is much easier to clean and maintain and organize. I don't like to call it minimal living, I prefer to call it unburdened living. No longer burdened by stuff that no longer need or use that takes up space. Unburdened by cleaning and organizing that took way longer than it should have because of the volume of unnecessary things in the way. So much more clarity and joy❤
The Helix Black Friday sale is live now! Visit helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get 27% off your mattress (plus two FREE pillows) - and receive a Free Bedding Bundle with your Luxe or Elite order! Thank you Helix for sponsoring! And thank YOU for watching!! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! - Dawn
When I'm overwhelmed with clutter, like coming home with endless items from errands, I take a split-second glance around while thinking 'what is the biggest eyesore?' I deal with that and get a big payoff. Then I do the same thing again. After a 3 or 4 rounds of that the improvement is so big I'm inspired to keep going. A variation is: after the quickest glance, 'what is the very easiest/quickest to put away properly? (there's always something) Then a couple more rounds. Another variation: 'what clutter item is furthest to the left?' Deal with it. Then deal with the next item clockwise. There must be many variations on this. The key is start with just one item for a big payoff. I even use this unloading the dishwasher 😁
Well said! I decide “what” is bothering me the most! Then I just get it over with.
That's awesome!
That is brilliant!!🎉 👏👏👏
Yes!! I’ll stand in the doorway of the room and scan from one side to the other to see what stands out the most, and start there!
I have to do one section at a time.
“Blessed by less” should be your sign 😊
Oh my how my life has changed over the last four years…… Here are a few ways
1. I don’t waste time looking for things like my keys, purse, jackets
2. In the past when we had a party my bed room would be filled with baskets from clutter around the house and it took us days to get ready.
3. When the house is a mess now I know I can get it back in order in about an hour
I started having the kids help out everyone has there timer set for 8 pm. If you are home you help with a family reset. So far it is working.
I now spend more time walking outside, working on puzzles, and more time then ever reading and studying the Bible. Thank you for the inspiration!
Before I Decluttered, having company over was stressful, and I usually had to spend the whole day cleaning. By the time the company came, my knees were so sore! Now somebody can stop by anytime and the house looks great… Except that I’m not very good about cleaning my floors very often. 😂
This works for me:
(1)Low inventory
(2)Clean a clean house
(3)Five minutes matter
(4)Plan a reward (eg. cup of coffee and a Minimal Mom video😊)
I am delighted to say that after a couple of weeks of reducing inventory again and therefore neglecting cleaning, I can tell that based on the fact I had already got to a good place and by implementing these four things, I am going to be back on track pretty soon☺️
❤❤❤ Thanks, Dawn, we love you too 😘
People think I'm a naturally tidy person, but our tidy organized home has been years in the making. I finally realized that less stuff was the key, not good organization (thank you, Dawn). I still don't love to clean, but I can't function in a messy or cluttered house.
Same here! So thankful for Dawn!
No one would think l was naturally tidy, even though I've been decluttering for over a decade. I'm not consistent. But I agree, I can't function in a messy home. I can't even really relax!
As a child, I played house…I swept, I washed (in a basin), I moved play furniture…it was fun!…Today at 76, I still tell myself when I clean “I’m going to “play” in this room or that room…I can’t say ALL of my chores are play but overall, I enjoy keeping a tidy house as much as I did “playing house”…It’s enjoyable to look back into a clean room and enjoy the fruits of your hands…
I’m a naturally tidy person, so even when my home needs a good cleaning, it LOOKS clean, which I love. But yes, the key is less stuff, and the stuff I do have needs to have a home so it’s easy to put away. I very much enjoy cleaning my house because it’s easy and takes no time at all. And a clean home is a relaxing home to me. ☺️
I’m just learning how to get rid of things without having to feel bad about it. I have so many things that I shouldn’t- even my deceased mother in law’s things, who passed away in 2019. I really appreciate all of everyone’s suggestions and try to take everyone’s advice when I’m trying to declutter. The more I declutter, I’m realizing that there is so much more that I still need to do. There is also my husband’s clutter and that of my two grown sons. They never seem to want to get rid of anything. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning and sometimes I feel like I’m making so kind of headway, if that makes sense. I’m finding it hard, but I’m muddling through one day at a time.
Dawn, we love YOU and are so so thankful for YOU. You have changed our lives.
Seriously true 😊❤️❤️❤️
Amen to that!
I heard Joshua Becker say, “When things aren’t adding up, subtract.” And that has stayed with me. I thought about printing it on an 8x10 and framing it, because it’s so true.
I found your channel during an ice storm in January and spent a week going through my entire house while stuck at home. Wow! Just that week of letting go of things and reminding myself that I don’t want to manage all of this inventory made such a difference. Now, it takes no time to clean our house even with nine people living here. We hosted three Thanksgiving dinners in a row and didn’t stress in the least about cleaning for them. Like, it maybe took an hour to deep clean. Before, it would have been literal days of cleaning before a gathering. I now joke with my kids that we have time to be “bored” now.
Dawn's sign: Minimal Stuff, Abundant Blessings
I have gotten rid of sooooo much stuff, I now very much enjoy cleaning! It’s just so easy now(even with four kids!). We’re hosting thanksgiving this week, and Im not doing any special cleaning, because the house is already company ready.
I love your videos, you’ve changed my life ❤
One thing I learned from you Dawn is to take some real time to troubleshoot something that isn't working. Whether a cluttered drawer or something else that is always a problem. This simple strategy has helped so much! To pause, try to identify the problem, devise a solution and treat it all like a real puzzle to solve, instead of something I am supposed to magically keep clean and organized somehow. Taking some real time for that, instead of taking 3 seconds, feeling stressed and going straight to thinking "well, I guess I'm just a messy person" and then giving up... it's such a simple but big shift. I got that from watching you do a full run through of re-organizing a drawer in one of you videos. I never saw anyone model taking real time for something like that before. It was like watching a secret being revealed haha. Kind of like learning how to do proper math. We can all do math "intuitively" up to a certain point, but beyond that, without knowing the precise steps, we get stuck. I think cleaning and organizing is like that. We all only get so far with doing "whatever" and beyond that point we need very specific steps.
‘Less is more’ is a good saying for a minimalist.
I grew up in a messy house, though I attempted to keep my personal space tidy. So, when I got married, I had the mindset that I would keep my house, and I did for years. I had a great routine so I was able to clean my whole house on Saturday. Somewhere along the way, I started slacking. My house is picked up, but don't look too close to find dusty surfaces and cobwebs. My goal in 2025 is to be better at keeping my house sparkling clean. Pray for me.😊
Have you heard of the Flylady system? It works if you are consistent. It sounds like it would work well for you. There are a lot of people here on TH-cam who make great videos about it.
I made my own routine with ideas from fly lady. One section a day each week a different room. I used to think I had to deep clean every room every week which is how I was brought up but once I had a kid it was harder and I rather spend time with my child.
I was just diagnosed with ADD and before I was diagnosed I had know idea why decluttering was so "spiritual" for me. I just get so overstimulated and decluttering and cleaning eases that. Thank you Dawn for helping me let go and that it's ok. ❤
I am OCD and have too much stuff! I clean non stop! I have 2200 sq feet of marble flooring and buff them all the DANG time. It is like living in a mall! Married for 40 years and beyond blessed. Decluttering everything is AMAZING! Blessing my sons and daughter in-loves with things they need and everything else is gone! Stay Blessed!
Thank you!!! I have struggled for years with homemaking!!! Blessing my family in reality was not happening. I am thankful as I clean. (A relative thought I was crazy for being thankful for all the food we had when I cleaned out the freezer.) But being thankful didn't clean my house or do the dishes. Being able to let go of stuff is the biggest help. Thank you. ❤ ❤ ❤
You make a cheerful treat every day. I am too old to be a minimalist, but it does calm me down to give away things I no longer need. I think of it as your hotel, something you want enough to be in the hotel, and still happily leave to go to a restaurant. Every couple of years, the hotel can change. You are still too young not to have all your two sets of parents stuff, or the home moves, and how long it takes to give away the parent/grandparent things, or the perfect items sold to you in your new house, and your own 60 year old toys that are in glassed view, but eventually some are wanted by family, and most for charity. You light us up, Dawn, and very kindly push us to clear out the dust! Thank you, always!❤
Put tags on stuff you want to get rid of. Invite family first to come and take stuff. Then friends.❤
When I started decluttering years ago, I had an embarrassing amount of scissors, so I gave most of them away. Since then, my hands got old, and it's hard to open stuff that was easy in my 40s. I remembered an old lady I used to know who said she kept a pair of scissors in every room. Now l do too. Brilliant! Times change, and we need to make things easy on ourselves.
Hi Dawn, you are not alone in this! I have reduced a LOT of inventory. I still have the things that I use and love, I would not be called a minimalist. BUT, I have reduced it to the point that it is really easy to tidy and to clean. I do dishes, trash, laundry daily, tidy bathrooms twice a week, and clean zone by zone weekly throughout the rest of our home. It is soooo easy.
I have been getting rid of stuff i dont actually need over the last few months and it makes cleaning way more enjoyable! You are so right😅 The more I declutter the happier and more relaxed i feel!
I just started working as a cleaner for a company that only uses natural cleaners. They said they use a pumice stone to clean inside ovens (including the glass). As someone who has never been able to find anything other than strong oven cleaner that worked well, I was super skeptical. I tested it on my own oven and could not believe how well it worked! It was so easy! You have to make sure to keep it really wet (don't use it dry!) but that's it!
That's interesting! I find that natural things cannot be beaten. I discovered the other day that the best thing to use on the glass door of my woodburner is a bit of slightly dampened newspaper or kitchen paper dipped in some cold ash from the fireplace! The glass gets clean really well!
Hi @karenhanson4207 and @Sylvia, that's interesting! 😊 Do you have further recommendations regarding natural cleaners? Do you use natural cleaners for washing your clothes, for example? And what kind of products do you use for cleaning floors, appliances and toilets? Thank you so much in advance 😊
@@vivicadesignyes! I’m interested as well. I’ve been using a vinegar/dawn dish soap/water combo for my counters but sometimes Clorox wipes are just easier for the toilet. I’ve tried sprays and wash clothes to be more natural but it makes me less motivated to clean for some reason.
@vivicadesign I'm honestly not sure what cleaner the business uses but at home I use Mrs Meyer's all purpose for everything (idk if it's actually natural). Sometimes a vinegar spray with a dash of dish soap. Wet Magic erasers followed by a dry buff with a microfiber cloth for almost everything and just a little water & microfiber for mirrors and glass. Love my spin mop for walls and floors.
In a sprayer, half alcohol, half water, a squeeze of neutral detergent, essencial oil optional. Will clean mostly everything ecofriendly. It's magical! Try it and you'll remember me. You're welcome!
I've been a minimalist for at least 10 years, and I agree with you-I enjoy cleaning and organizing. I used to be a maximalist and consumed a lot, but I've completely decluttered my holiday decorations over the past five years. I was fine with that, but this season, I decided to decorate for Christmas. I thought it would cost a fortune.
Someone suggested I check out second-hand and thrift stores, and that's exactly what I did. I set a budget of $100. Believe it or not, I got a big wreath, a set of dishes, 10 mugs, 3 trees, a nativity scene, gift wrapping, and more. After Christmas, I'll give everything away. I won't keep anything. I've absolutely no attachment to any object anymore-it's so freeing. Thank you for your channel. I greatly appreciate it.🌸😁
I do something similar. I only decorate with some kind of things inside the fireplace - something with meaning for the year, and I use the wrapped presents as part of the decoration. then I give out the presents, donate the few items used to make the decorative setting and next year it will be a different theme. I get an immense amount of satisfaction doing this, and it normally costs me under $20. This year I am doing a "Tis a gift to be simple" them, so brown wrapped parcels and pinecones etc.
@@GeoffBenge-d3k This is fun! I surprised myself by using Christmas dishes. For the first time in my life, I'm truly enjoying it. It feels special, knowing that I won't keep the items. It's like they're a treasure to be enjoyed to the fullest before they're gone.
@GeoffBenge-d3k, we do a different theme every year as well. Last year was homemade, and this year is secondhand. I keep a few core pieces that I decorate with and everyone else, there's only 8 of us, brings their contributions.
Why don't you keep it for next Christmas? What if you want to decorate for next Christmas?
What I do is I have two large Christmas totes. What fits in the totes I keep. I go through each yr when I pull it out. Been doing this for years.
I downsized years ago, and have maintained a limited inventory, I have no desire to shop or browse in stores. Maintaining a tidy, clean house is effortless. I’ve followed your advice and others, the system works. I’m retired, and live alone now but it worked when my kids were home. The best part is that I have more time for things I like to do.
I'm a naturally untidy person who has hated cleaning my whole life and "5 minutes matters" has become my whole mantra about cleaning. I'm doing the whole house now in 1 or 2 5 minute sessions a day, and you know what? I don't hate it now, I'm not exhausted when I'm done and I don't skip a week or two (or three!). More regular cleaning means no cleaning anything that's really dirty so it's quicker and I can achieve more in 5 minutes.
I can't see how a person can clean for "one or two 5 minute sessions a day" & keep a clean house.
I don't have children, I guess that helps. It's kept tidy so a dust of a room is a 1 minute job, and vacuuming is just a couple of minutes for example.
Oh, and I use the mop to clean the kitchen cupboards and the bath. Whole kitchen can be done in 5 minutes this way, and the bath only takes 20 seconds.
Dawn Spray is the closest thing to a miracle cleaner I've used in a very long time.
Been watching your videos for several years. You are a huge inspiration ~ THANK YOU
My home is very simplified now. No more boxes stored with things we never use.
I can't say I enjoy cleaning, but I am a minimalist and people comment that my house looks clean. It isn't super clean, there just isn't a bunch of stuff in it. A lack of stuff looks clean, even if it isn't all scrubbed clean.
Most people confuse "tidy" with "clean." The less stuff we have, the easier it is to keep tidy. I know I still have too much stuff as the tidying still takes longer than the cleaning!
Less Mess, Less Stress!
I have been watching this channel and for me… keeper lower inventory helps tremendously. My husband is naturally tidy and I am naturally messy. He understands better now how much decluttering helps me-because he sees I can stay on top of things more. Unfortunately he likes to keep higher inventory-because he manages that much no problem. So we’ve only made it about half way to what I think would push us into “this is easy” mode. Still even not being able to convince him to go as far as I’d like-the benefits have been awesome and so worth it. So any bit of progress pays off even before you get to goal-even if we never do.
My sign in my neat and tidy kitchen says 'the house was clean yesterday sorry you missed it '
Less Things,
Happiness Brings
Walking On Sunshine is my go to tune. I can’t do anything with TV on 😂
I love your upbeat videos ❤
Your personality and kind words always inspire me ❤❤❤
As you were talking, and putting away something simple like scissors, I was thinking about how many pairs of scissors i have in my house! And how much stuff in my "junk drawer"! Yikes! I have a long way to go, but i want cleaning to be easier, so I'm definitely ready to begin the journey of a 1000 miles that begins with a single step!
Another inspiring truth by video Dawn!❤ I’ve always been easily overwhelmed by clutter, so I’ve tried to keep it low. Now older me needs/wants less than ever! Love living minimally. Keeps life simple, easy & uncomplicated, even with the trials of life. My home is my sanctuary 💖
I keep my house very tidy and am slowly decluttering but my daughter and her family have moved in for a year so that is on hold. I hire a friend to clean every other week. Worth every penny! So all I have to do is minimal upkeep.
Yes, never put/store stuff on the floor. Huge!! I agree!
I love all the blue in your house!
Keep
It
Simple
Sister. Should be your sign!:)love you Dawn...feels like we're family to you watching several years now!!
Thank you, Dawn! I've been following your channel for years, and it has made a HUGE impact. I have three young children and we've reached a point where they can help me clean all of the toys, which makes life so much better and more peaceful. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You are such a joy to listen to. Thank you for the motivation to continue on my journey towards a less cluttered and therefore less stressful life.
I've got a couple of little signs about cats and happiness. And one larger sign which just says RELAX. I love that one, l never get sick of it!
I've been following you for years and I am very grateful for your advice. I love my house now.
i was a very very messy person growing up and my mom never even taught me HOW to clean. once i got into my nesting phase of pregnancy with my son, i became obsessed with cleaning and organizing. i have lost my obsession since then, but i do still loooove a clean home and sometimes still love the process lol
"Less Stuff, More Peace"
It would be funny to buy a sign that said this... Thereby increasing the amount of stuff you have 😂😂😂
@@pst47wings I thought that was a great idea - until I read your comment :)
@@softsophisticate 😂
I have a habit of setting timers for cleaning now because you suggested it. It always keeps me motivated and helps me get done faster!
I love you too ❤. I have 'hush' my home as I journey with cancer treatment. I am truly grateful for low inventory & peace & serenity. 🙏💕🌿
I love the saying, 'The magic is in the motion not in the potion.'
✨ 💕
Your sign should just say "keep it simple".
I'm a naturally minimal/tidy person. I still go thru my home regularly to find the random things that have snuck in. It's still an upkeep. But like you, it's so much easier with low inventory.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
I'm a minimalist. I decided, after encountering a silverfish in my stuff, that I was going to rehome important things to gasket bins from Walmart to keep it safe from bugs and dust. It feels sooo good knowing that the things I do value are safe.
Um Dawn, I listen to your videos when I clean!! Ultimate inspiration and body doubling.
I am, for sure, a naturally messy person. I am continuing to lower my inventory and be very intentional about bringing new things in. A lot of my time is spent looking after my disabled, immune compromised husband who now has early dementia. 100% of running the household, errands, appointments, etc. falls to me. No complaints, but it slows real progress down most days. I agree about cleaning product selection individualized to your home. We are on well water with a softener, and I even get different results with the same products depending upon the season, water quality and hardness. I use lots of natural cleaners. And yes - Scrub Daddy & Mommy make me so happy! Thank you for your upbeat video Dawn!
I am not big on signs in my home though i enjoy them in others homes... my favorite saying though that i painted on a sign for our home was something my mom always says "where there is heart room, there is home room"... so true! We make space for what we love and feel is important... in my family's case, i grew up with 5 adopted special needs siblings in addition to my 2 biological siblings. we also regularly had any number of "misfits" sharing a meal or spending time while they recovered or found their way in life... Love people, not stuff!
Having less makes room for more!
Your Mom sounds amazing! ❤
Thank you, Dawn! This video got me off my couch and my bathrooms are now clean. Not the showers… but the bathrooms.. it’s a start. 😂
I'm pretty naturally a clean minimalist person, but the scrub daddy really makes my heart even happier. I definitely only keep the tools/products that work. I do love the kids messes though. It may sound like a cat poster, but those messes are from the greatest blessings in my life. So corny, but true!
Hi Dawn! That pink grapefruit Method cleaner is AMAZING. I've tried over cleaners, other scents and I finally realized I need to STOP BUYING anything else -- I love the scent of that one and it works well so I actually enjoy using it!
I'm a VERY clean person but we recently moved to a house twice the size of our last. We have some how filled it up in two years. I do feel overwhelmed when cleaning and need to purge!
I love your ideas on getting the kids involved in helping keep the house together!
I’ll share my sign with you: Simplicity is Success …. Enjoy . I appreciate the content that you create, thank you for sharing and helping so many people.
ADHD here… Something I do to shift my mindset and get a little decluttering momentum going is curate and organize a pinterest board/section. It’s really low stakes, since I’m already doomscrolling… it’s a big improvement over that. I declutter those boards like nobody’s business. It takes very little energy and gives me enough satisfaction and dopamine to get up and do some cleaning or decluttering irl. Plus it helps me visualize how I want a space to actually feel, which helps me avoid impulse purchases.
Definitely for your sign “5 minutes matters” ❤😊
Good tips. I’ll have to stick with some of these. Yesterday I put away 2-3 loads of laundry & am still feeling the reward as tonight it didn’t take long to tidy up my bedroom :)
Lovely, happy video. You are a pleasure to watch and listen to. I am loving my home more as I get rid of the stuff. It is great to not feel overwhelmed. I don’t want to throw the dishes out the window any more.
I have always struggled with clutter. I clean a lot but because of the clutter our house rarely looks the way I want it. My husband and I haven’t asked my kids to help enough I think because we’re both people pleasers and also maybe are used to hard work. But now we’re in our 50s and getting tired of the constant work. Our children have a mix of autism, food allergies and adhd and it just makes life harder overall. After not working in a job for years I got a part time job as a house cleaner. It is good in a way as I am learning better and faster ways to clean, and also about how other people organise their houses and lives. I have bought a lot of ‘miracle’ products hoping they would work only to find that its just another bottle of overly strong unpleasant smelling liquid.
Also I find it hard to keep up with my own house because I’m so busy working, driving kids to & from school, grocery shopping, cooking, doing dishes, laundry, prepping for the next bday, xmas, school trip etc.
Dawn, great inspiring video. It is late here but I want to clean my home tomorrow and declutter first! Two things. I can't listen to podcasts either when I am cleaning because I can't focus on them if I am doing something else! You are the first youtuber that has said the same so thank you! Second thing - and you are the first person apart from my daughter I have told this - I have discovered that ordinary cotton facecloths (we call them flannels in UK) make the best washing up cloths for my dishes! They have a really good grip, are strong , absorbent and great for cleaning out burnt-on saucepans, dry nicely, easy to toss in the laundry afterwards, great for cleaning out the sink and surfaces/spills too, and the best part is that they are 100% cotton so good for the environment instead of all the other fancy products out there! It simplifies the cleaning inventory too. It would be great if you could try the facecloth for dishes and see what you think! It was one day a few months ago when I didn't have a clean dishcloth or sponge so I thought 'what can I use instead?' I was sorting the clean laundry and saw a facecloth/flannel and thought I would give it a try - since then it is all I ever use for my dishes and sink! I have bought a couple of pretty new ones and keep them just for the dishes. :)
Yes Sylvia, I’ve used flannels as my kitchen dish cloths for decades. So absorbent . I can’t stand using anything else. I use a fresh one every day and wash in the machine with my towels. Now you said about the pretty ones, I want to buy a couple and brighten up my sink 😊. Also, I don’t buy the really thick ones, prefer a thinner flannel. 💁🏼♀️
Ok Dawn, I was ready to take a nap and put off tidying up until later, but I started watching your video. Now I'm up, vowing to clear off the kitchen table. 😁
I love the neuropsychology you add to your cleaning tips!!! 🧽
Yes, different kinds of dirt in different households!! I spent a lot of my adulthood single and living alone, and a Norwex cloth with plain water was all I needed for most surfaces. Now, I have a partner who works on his cars and his bike. Mechanical grease (in the sink, on the floor, where he touched the toilet lid or seat…) is not TOUCHED by plain water on a Norwex cloth! 😂
One money tip I'd add for cleaners... Dawn power wash is really expensive watered down dish soap. I have a glass refillable cleaner bottle, put a good squirt or 2 of dish soap and fill the rest with water, if you want antibacterial added for surfaces, put rubbing alcohol in too. It works really well and dirt cheap.
Agree I use Dawn dish soap to clean nearly anything. I don't even need the power wash
I'm not sure if we can get it here in Australia, but I'll check next time l shop. It sounds great!
Thank you Dawn! Another inspiring video. I always love listening to you 🤗
Dawn's sign: "Don't buy this sign. It's more inventory to manage."
Dawn have you been told you have a gift of Exhortation! 😊 the encouragement and imploring to keep on going with Simplifying your home is so good and needed for me as the Christmas festivities come full speed ahead.
Hobby lobby quote for you: simply lovely home vibes
Cleaning has become a lot easier and more enjoyable now that our home is decluttered!!
I know the difference between tidying...organizing...cleaning...decluttering...I have a good balance of all 4
I find I am more productive if I focus on 1 of those 4 tasks at a time
Focusing on 1 task at a time gives you more focus and therfore things get done at a faster pace!!
I really appreciate your channel and you always make some very good points. i could never be as minimal as your family, nor would I want to. I do aporeciate the points you make about the "buy, buy, buy attitude that infuses our lives" so it is great that I am able to pick and choose those suggestions that I can incorporate into my home and life. While most of the time I don't mind cleaning , I will never, never, never ever enjoy cleaning. I do believe that everything should have a place and everything should be put away as soon as one is finished using it, so clutter around the house is reduced. Music snd candle are great ideas. Sometimes a timer works really well for me. I really like your idea from going from the floor up - never thought of thst concept. i have reduced my cleaning products and what you said about the products makes so much sense!!! My ensuite bathroom actally gets a deep clean everyday as it is very small and only takes me 5-7 min.each day and that makes feel good everytime I use it. Thank you. Looking forward to the next video. 😊
I had twelve children in 20 years, and my house was usually a mess. But thanks to minimalism, my house is HIGHLY SIMPLIFIED and SO PEACEFUL and EASY to CLEAN!
I have heard it is best to clean from top to bottom. Because as you're cleaning crumbs and such fall to the floor.
Your sign should say "It's all Just Stuff". I have only gotten a better cleaning schedule since purging over 220,000 items in last 20 months. It was just TOO MUCH STUFF before and now, I can see the spaces that need cleaning. Before, I could not even see the all the countertops w/o taking tons of stuff and shifting it to the table (on top of all that was there.) Now, following you for theses 20 months, I have a simplified home and it is FANTASTIC❣
As soon as I saw that number I knew it was you Madonna. 😊 you are a Rockstar.
HOLY TOLEDO! That's...11,000 items a MONTH! That's...that's...367 items a DAY!
Wow! So proud of you!!!
@ it has been Consistency OVER Intensity ❣️ I made it a discipline. One week alone was over 6,000+ items during one of Dawn’s challenges in her Minimal Mom Mentorship group.
@ Dana’s method, modified for my phy limitations, and Dawn’s challenges, have been 🔑.
Sign could say, “Less Stuff, Less Stress!!”
Been focused on building my cleaning habits and am doing better than ever. I enjoy cleaning when I let myself take my time vs feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Still feeling like we have too much inventory tho, more toys than I'd prefer so it's time to let some more go, especially with more coming in after the holidays!
Having limited space aka small house makes you stay organized. I’m constantly giving away reorganizing cleaning. I guess I loved cleaning organizing so much I’ve done it for over 30 years for a paycheck. Your such a needed voice to us all. Thank you.
I too have been cleaning for thirty years & still enjoy it & feel a sense of accomplishment every day!
@ thank you Kristine. Those clients just can’t let’s us go huh. It’s a great job for moms with kids in school.
I never thought I’d be leaving a comment of gratitude on a channel about minimalism! But, thank you, Dawn - your videos have inspired and encouraged me and I’m beginning to see glimpses of my tidy home emerging from the clutter 🙏
I find cleaning to be a wonderful and rewarding and meaningful thing
I’m a neat person with weekly chores, but I had been slow to wash dishes. Last month we adopted a senior cat who can still jump up to the kitchen counter, ha. So now I steadfastly do dishes and wipe the counters nightly. Love your videos Dawn.
Yes no matter how old they are, they still jump! On everything! 😂
You're awesome ❤❤❤
Thank you for the reminder to focus on reducing inventory. Great timing with Black Friday approaching. Happy Thanksgiving 🤎
I totally agree with simplifying, less inventory = less cleaning. I had to experience this to believe it. Thanks for your help.
I always have to listen to your videos when I want to motivate myself to keep the house clean. I got so busy with work since last week, and my house is a mess with the help of my 5 yr old, I need to keep watching your videos to get myself to clean the house again 😢
Thank you so much for showing the maybe not so perfect moments at your home -counters, etc. Makes it ❤realistic and makes me feel like I can do this! God bless you
I am on the way....I have gotten rid of a LOT but still working on it! But I my it's so much easier to keep it under control! Everything has a place!!
Love spending time with you, Dawn! Abraços do Brasil!
I have a sign in our laundry room: “Live Simply, Remain Grateful.”
I'm messy too! I am in the process of getting rid of things. I need to because l can't keep up with it anymore. I ask myself where l put something and l just shake my head in disbelief that something else has fallen into a black hole!! Bless you for your encouragement! 🤗
This video is perfect for this time of year when we are tempted to buy, buy, buy! 🎄Thanks for the reminder to keep the inventory small!
Your Hobby Lobby sign would say "Decluttered home = decluttered mind"
You said it yourself Dawn
Simple is the best!
Dawn, I would like to congratulate you on the presteen bathroom floor! ❤❤❤My goodness, there's hardly anything to sweep!🎉 I used to think I'm in the clean person category, but lately, I've been losing the battle...😢
I am SO good at decluttering everybody else’s stuff! I just wish it was as easy sorting through my own stuff… 😅
Inch by inch is a cinch. Just grab a box for donations when you go to clean a room and also have a trash bag. When you are done with that room and don't have energy to do next room just set that in a closet until next day and do another room. One pass at a time in each room. Cyclical. After one pass through each room take the full donation box to donation center. Now that I have decluttered it is much easier to clean and maintain and organize. I don't like to call it minimal living, I prefer to call it unburdened living. No longer burdened by stuff that no longer need or use that takes up space. Unburdened by cleaning and organizing that took way longer than it should have because of the volume of unnecessary things in the way. So much more clarity and joy❤