How we got rid of our stuff (family minimalism)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- We've said in the past that we got rid of 80% of our stuff to become minimalists. How did we do this and what did we do with the stuff? We'll talk about it today, along with how family minimalism has improved our life day in and day out!
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THANK YOU for watching!! We are SO grateful for you!! I think the next video to watch after this one is How to Declutter WITHOUT Making a Mess-- (this works SO well!!) th-cam.com/video/7yQqvQ99MVw/w-d-xo.html Have a good day!! Dawn
I really wish I could get to your stage, but I'm a hoarder so its like a piece of me gets thrown away when things get thrown. Plus I hate to waste anything.
I have M.E and depression etc, thats why it really started.
I'll keep watching and hope for a change in my mindset 🙏
I am having to declutter while a certain hubby is out of the house. He would and does hold onto every thing he has owned for the last 66 years. 🤦♀️
@@mimistans7715 oh dear, he'll know just what's missing 😆
Your hair looks really good pulled up on one side, and that shirt is amazing on you!
I am definitely less stressed with less and when things are organized and clean.
I’ve been doing one room at a time. It’s been such a huge difference! Less time cleaning and more time with my kiddos. When I don’t want to make a trip to goodwill, I’ve been setting it at the curb. We have neighbors who have a lot of kids. They always take everything. Makes me feel good someone else can use it! I want to enjoy the house as it is, take a break and then do more layers. Thank you for everything you do to help us out! It can be overwhelming at first.
Am I the only one that watches Dawn’s videos over and over? It keeps me on track and motivated. Just to keep hearing it and feeding the words to my brain is so helpful.
Nope. And you hear things as you are ready for them. I love rewatching.
Like an old friend.
I’ve just watched this one for probably the 6 time in the last year😆
I find them so motivating 👍
I totally agree with you Lisa S ,I don't watch the same ones but l find that continuous encouragement and reminders do help me keep on track.Every time l watch one of my beloved youtuber reminding me to clean and declutter my home , l am filled up with renewed energy.ln the same way l watch self improvement guru's to keep me motivated in my self care.l benefitted so much from you tube videos that l started to upload my own videos too.
I rewatch to maintain motivation and clear thinking. Plus I'm in a new place mentally each time so I feel like I'm learning more
Our church has done a give away day. We set it up like a garage sale, but don’t sell anything. It is free for our community. Then whatever was left was donated.
I need to get rid of toys, with out feeling guilty.
I have been to one of these, it was really cool! I found a few items--mostly for other people, because I don't NEED anything...but it was fun to look and see people excited to find things😉
Our church did this 2 weeks ago. Giving is good for the soul.
I'll find myself going there looking for treasures, as I am decluttering too...
This is such a good idea!!
I have two kids, HALF, of your kid amount. I'm so glad I found you. I am a budgeter who was about to hire a housekeeper! NOPE! I found YOU instead. Straight from Jesus. Thank you Dawn (and your family, too.)
I'm a house cleaner. Which may or not be the same as what you were looking at hiring. I clean plenty of houses that appear to be minimalist. Cleaning is different than decluttering and tidying, so please don't feel bad about asking for help in whatever form you want it to be 😊
I love how you're just standing in your kitchen with a cup of coffee, makes me feel like I'm just at a girlfriend's house having a chat. Really enjoy your content, minimalism has really made my whole life easier and I get so many great ideas from you and it keeps me motivated and on track :)
Not working for me: i "told" you, all the Time you were talking "put down that cup and speak more feminin, more slowly.."
@@ddd1dorin396 people all have different ways of talking, prosody of speech etc. I am glad people can talk how they talk and if someone doesn't "speak " to me, I have freedom to seek guidance elsewhere. Thankfully, Minimalist Mom's style resonates with a lot of people, including me
Yup, I was thinking "I love you, too, Dawn!" 😆💕
I am a huge fan of the Buy Nothing Project. The idea is that it’s a hyper local gift economy. You’re literally giving gifts to your community. It helps me to know that my stuff is blessing someone else. I gave a bedding set to a mom who was so grateful because she “never got nice things for herself.” I’ve had people come empty my garage of cardboard boxes so they could use it to mulch their garden. Good stuff doesn’t stop being good just because it no longer has a place in your life. I like that my things go on doing good, bringing joy, and enriching my community.
you know what is so great about you, it's that you're not the minimalist type everyone thinks is "minimalism"... you have things, plenty of things that bring you joy, you have just forgone the insanity that is abundance. I can't imagine the stress and sadness you had when you were overwhelmed, but you took those lemons and literally made lemonade. you have a successful youtube channel, four happy incredible kids and a husband who takes all things in stride. you truly are an excellent role model on eliminating excess stress while living comfortably.
@TheMinimalMom is the reason I would consider myself a minimalist. She made it look doable and normal
I like how she says: stop where it feels manageable to you.
That’s a great way to find a benchmark without inviting the fear that you’ll end up with nothing or the overwhelm of trying to manage offloading to a deeply minimal place. What’s minimal for me may be differently minimal for you. Fantastic advice. Find your own minimal and adjust it as life moves forwards/as needed
YEs right.
Couldn’t agree more with everything you said about Dawn! She is amazing and I literally watch her for comfort because she makes me feel so hopeful and positive and motivates me as well
I
I’ve been decluttering around our house and my family notices it’s a lot cleaner, but they have no idea what things are missing. 😏
Same here! :) Thank you for everything Dawn! You and your family are TRULY an inspiration!
That's too funny, really!
Same!!
Great testimony that we not only don’t need all we have .. we don’t even know we have it
🤭🤫
Truthfully, I let your videos play in the background while I am purging closets, pantries, garage shelves, etc. it’s really helping! ❤️💪🏼‼️
Interesting about the tidying advice because I feel like I’m wasting my time tidying all the time when I could be decluttering stuff that I would never then have to tidy again
If you go through her videos there are so many on how to go through each room etc!
If you declutter your home/space first, you'll only be tidying the things you use and need consistently. There are always going to be "things" that you need and will have to tidy regularly. I think what she means by tidying to get people on board, is, as you declutter the more common spaces, such as bathrooms or the kitchen, and keep them tidy, they will begin to warm up to the idea in more intimate spaces like bedrooms, or the garage (for guys). Because if you did a bunch of decluttering but never tidy, they wont see the point because it wont look any better or feel any less stressful.
Yes!
I follow flylady and my house is always tidy. Its a matter of creating good habits. Good luck and happy decluttering.
:- )
I’ve put stuff out for free and it my neighbors grab it instantly. The family across the street from us has 7 children, and has been blessed with a bookshelf, matching dressers, and empty storage tubs. The saying is true..one persons junk is another’s treasure. Thank you for your channel.
Your suggestion to set a $50 threshold for selling vs. donating is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have been saving some items to sell, but just can't seem to move.them out of the house. I don't want to wait on them anymore. Thank you for the permission! I needed it!
"Less inventory to manage" love it!!
Yes! ❤
So true!😉
I live in a City where there is a whole ECONOMY around sidewalk freebies. It was awesome to find things, and it's been awesome to get rid of things!
I’m seriously on a MISSION to get my house in order !
I love this! We, too, have 4 young kids and I’ve lived through the very stressful stage of feeling like I’m drowning in all the STUFF. Now that we’ve began peeling our onion, our house is starting to feel much more manageable. We aren’t minimalists by any means, but everything has a home and that is a beautiful feeling!
"less inventory to manage" - music to my ears - key to serenity. Thanks, Dawn.
Don't forget animal shelters. They always need old towels, washcloths and blankets.
Great suggestion!!❤️
GREAT SUGGESTION! 👍🏾
And Even 🧸 toys for the dogs 🐕
Thank You, Lori. BLESS YOU for reminding us all to support animal welfare.
Good suggestion :)
I love how she mentions "impulse buying" and the screen pans around Target 🤣 yep, you got me
Every time I watch one of your videos I love you more and more! You have such a sincere and loving approach, the chemistry between you and Tom is adorable, and I just love your twin and the dynamics you two share. I’m twice widowed at 56, have four grown “children” in their thirties, eight grandkids!!!! and I still watch every one of your videos whether they directly relate to my life, or just because I love hearing your voice, I love your attitude, and I feel like a good friend is with me. I live alone with my fur babies now, so having your company in my day always brightens it!
💐Love you Dawn?💐
Been working on that 1st layer of the onion since before you had 20K subscribers. Today, today! My husband says to me how nice and organized our towel cupboard looks
Ha! I just got rid of all but 6 towels... not so much organized as not packed full! He was able to put clean towels away with one hand. Yay! Thanks for keeping me going Dawn. Happy holidays!
I've decided to cancel my membership to the quilt guild. There are several reasons: 1) I've felt stressed because I wasn't creating/donating enough items 2) I have several quilting projects I want to complete/make for my home or family 3) I deceived myself by thinking I'd cut down on my hoarding/spending because the many free items I brought home were for a good cause but didn't use. 4) My dad recently passed away and I've reconnected with my family. I want to invest in myself and people and let go of unneeded items and activities. Thank you for your earnest exhortation to declutter things from the past in order to live in the present.
I read that as "guilt" guild lol!
Every time you use those open shelves as a back drop I love them more.
I like the open shelves too. Underneath the shelves I see something that almost looks like little icicles. What is that? Little lights?
@@melindawood3644 I think its hooks to hang coffee cups
@@d.c.1851 Thanks! That sounds good to me! ☕☕
Love this!!! We just cleared out our "shame" pile in the basement. It feels so good! The house feels lighter and better!
Lol, “shame pile.” That is so relatable-I have one of those too!
You are SO right about the family getting on board when they see how tidy things are getting. I saved my money for a closet organizer, matching hangers, etc. Then I asked hubby to help put it in. When he saw my decluttered, newly organized closet he was like that looks great! Then he decluttered his closet! It works. 👍👍
I am crying at this video 😭. I am a work at home mom of 3 under 5 and I can totally relate to this! I have found your videos have helped me minimize and have time to be a good mom, creator, and housekeeper 💗🙏🙏
I live in a cold climate and have found a box of hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. I also have more coats than I need. A family friend suggested giving them to schools or homeless shelters. Just a thought for this 2020 winter.
Great idea! Our town has a free store that anyone can drop off clean useful items. It's a great resource for all!
When I was in Ohio visiting my son he cleaned out his clothes and kitchen “stuff” that he didn’t need or use! What a difference it made. Now he has access to laundry room , cabinets and closets and can find what he “needs”! Gave it all to a men’s homeless shelter!
"Get it out of the house so I don't have to manage it anymore" my mantra right there!
Most towns/cities have a Buy Nothing group and it is so easy to get things out of your house and into someone elses hands.
I was part of a buy nothing group for awhile but was turned off when after getting persuaded to deliver my stuff to her house, I realized the woman was a hoarder. It made me sick.
I left our buy nothing group after several people never showed up, and also I started realizing the same few people said "interested " to almost everything posted. I only gifted to people that bothered to comment with something nice or why they really wanted the item.
I have posted items one at a time for free on our local NextDoor app, but hadn’t thought to put it all out as a lot. Thanks !
St Vincent de Paul gladly accepts clean coats and winter clothes. I did t think we had any extras but I came up with a bag full.
Loving the buy nothing groups. I watch them for people asking for items, and I’m slowing emptying my house that way. The people are asking, so they want the item, they come and collect etc. One lady had to come back twice due to a miscommunication and she left with full hands of extra things we no longer need. I have also put a box outside with a free sign, whatever was left was obviously trash and that’s where it went!
Love Buy Nothing! Yes, sometimes people don't show up, but that happens. I always put a deadline in the post ("going to Goodwill on Monday") and then offer grace if there's good communication. If you have a lot of stuff to get rid of, I suggest offering it in lots of like items. Anything from a specific "bag of baby books" or a general "box of kitchen miscellaneous" and tell people to take all and regift what they don't want.
I realized last week...I have no attachment to any " thing".
I have so much more time to volunteer & go to the gym....
Yes!!!
Same here! I don’t like crafts, I would rather workout then do a craft.
I am beyond grateful for your TH-cam channel. I happened upon one of your videos at the beginning of this year and I just couldn't get enough. I binge watched many of your videos and I was hooked on minimalism. Thank you also for recommending Joshua Becker's books. I have read a few of his books and now subscribe to his channel as well. To me, minimalism is almost like an addiction. I'm always looking to see what I can get rid of next. I've lived in my current home for over 30 years and we raised our two daughters here so there was quite an accumulation. I had planned to have a yard sale this past summer. Our town does a "town wide" yard sale and I thought this would be a great time to remove a lot of things from my home. Because of the pandemic I wanted to minimize my contact with other people. Also, I realized that many people were struggling with the loss of their income. Instead of selling things, I set up a 10 x 10 foot pop up canopy and put out my "yard sale" sign. The difference was that I just gave away everything accept for a few select items that my husband wanted to actually sell. Even the sold items were quite a steal. It felt soooo great to see how excited people were to get something for free and nearly everything was gone within a few hours. A few people still wanted to give me some money for the items so I suggested that they make a donation to the charity of their choice. It was the best "yard sale" I ever had! Only a few items were left. I simply loaded them into my car and took them to the Goodwill. Thank you again for all your great ideas! You changed my life for the better. :)
Yes yes yes to getting rid of more and more so you can live more and more.
1. You look exceptional. 2. Thank you for posting these. I’m sure because you pretty much have this lifestyle down, it could seem repetitive for you, but these videos are treasures, so thank you!!
Thank you Stacie!! I really appreciate this!!
Sunday past I dug out about 30 eyemakeup pallets ( I know, sheesh!) that I had in my collection and I wanted to get rid of them but the guilt from all the money I spent on them kept them in my home too long. I layed those palettes out on a large table , took a picture and put it on our Next Door Ap as Free. I had 15 ladies wanting them. so I took the time to PM each one and asked them pick two that they wanted. It took some work...but all of them were gone in 24 hours. I felt sooo good about it because makeup is expensive and these were very lightly used and a little spritz of alcohol santized them just fine. It made my week right off the bat! And the ladies that took home pallettes were just so grateful :) I really didn't know if ANYONE would want used makeup...but I was taken by surprise with the response. ETA: I should mentioned we did all porch pickups.
That must have felt so good! I gave all my old nail polish and some facial masks to a shelter for pregnant homeless women, and the little old lady who runs the place was very happy to get them!
Dawn, we had my brother and his family over for Thanksgiving this past week, and the kids all wanted to play hide-and-seek (adults included). Previously I probably would have panicked thinking of areas being discovered that were not be "guest ready" (i.e. closets). But because I have been following this journey of minimalism for about six months, I didn't have to worry about them hiding in closets, or even the garage! It's amazing how much more relaxed having people over can be when you literally don't care which drawer or cabinet they open, because they are all in decent order.
My house is not perfect, and I still have more to minimize, but getting to this stage is encouraging! Thank you for the inspiration, tips, tricks, and advice to get to this point!
Goals!!
I’ve been participating in a local children’s consignment sale. You can opt to donate your unsold items so they don’t return to your house. What I loved is I found out they let foster parents go through those unsold items!!!! It blesses me to know that they go to a good cause.
You and your family have helped me AND my mother. I've been discussing your videos with mom since my dads death. It has helped her weed through 47 years of marriage, living in the same house. I've been going through my house as well. Thank you! 💜
I had a very similar experience! First I had an ah-ha moment after I read Marie Kondo's book then...I stumbled upon your channel and realized how it's possible to make it work with kids! Life changing! I'm still peeling back all the layers of the onion in my home, but I'm so grateful for the realization that simplifying is possible. Thank you for that!
Love how talking about minimalism sparks so much joy for you 🤩
I remember decluttering an old plastic wall mounted shoe rack, that was in fine condition but was in the way. As I left it in front of our house a lady driving by back up and asked if we're getting rid of it and she took it right then and there. So satisfying. 🙏🏻
We put a box of toys out in front of our house today for FREE and I got so excited when a lady with a van stopped and picked it up. So nice to think she probably has a few kids who'll love those toys. It blessed me so much.
Carol
I definitely feel like the more I get rid of, the more I want to. I recently felt like we had gotten to a pretty decent place but that it still felt like there was too much stuff, but I couldn’t necessarily put my finger on what else to get rid of. And then we suddenly decided to sell our house and buy something else.
We found a too-good-to-pass-up home and went from considering selling to in contract on a new house and whipping our house into show-worthy in a matter of a week. 😂 I don’t know if we could have done it without minimalism and now that we’re packing we’re like “do I realllly want to pay for a box and packing materials for this and pack it and pay for movers to move it and then unpack it?” So now we’re really seeing what else we don’t really need.
I feel like "hindsights 20/20" could be the motto for 2020 😂😂😂
I have been planning to make this my New Year's facebook post for MONTHS 😂
On January 1, 2021, we will be able to OFFICIALLY refer to this year. as hind sight 2020.
Dawn, everything you just said is so true and once you get going it gets easier and easier
I heard Joshua Becker one day and it just was eye opening, if I didn’t need it or love it, I donated it, I never had a lot but still kept things we no longer used... minimalism has brought me JOY and I have never been happier. I appreciate what I do have,and want for nothing
Love your channel xo
Could i get by without it?! Now i know the next stage for me - thank you again Dawn! God bless from England🏴
I've always donated and never sold anything I've gotten rid of, the thought of going through that process stresses me to the max lol, I just want it out of my house. The benefits of getting it out quickly far out ways the monetary gain of a sale. If it's something quite good I just image the next person being super stoked with the find!
Ditto!
I’ve done several yard sales at home and combined rummage sales with friends at a building we rented. They were all exhausting. Can YOU comment on my question about should we freshly launder clothing we’re donating if nothing is encrusted on it? Like, it’s clean, just not fresh as a daisy. Taking chemo and need to choose my chores wisely. Thank you...
@@jewelelaine6866 I personally don't usually launder clothes I am donating. Hope that helps.
Totally agree! I just wish my husband did, too.... :- )
Thank you Dawn, I really needed this video today. We’ve been in lockdown now since March (in the UK), and I started decluttering. I couldn’t believe the difference to my home and how relaxed I felt. At the weekend we put up our Christmas decorations and all the stuff I’m now having to manage is causing me stress. Tomorrow I’m going to declutter some of the Christmas decorations, and also peel back another layer of the onion and see what else we can manage without. Thank you I feel inspired X
I'm starting to get burnt out from decluttering because I do it all the time. I think what I need to do is say positive things out loud to myself like, "This is worth it. Every little bit counts. You are a huge help to your husband." ect thank you for sparking that thought!!
I'm a member of my local Buy Nothing Facebook group, and it works great for getting rid of unused items. We just post a picture of it, people express interest, we choose someone to give it to, message someone our address, and they come get it off our porch. It's a bit more work than just taking it to Goodwill, but I don't have to drive anywhere, and I know it's going to someone who actually wants it. I've gotten a few really great things from that group too!
Every time i watch one of your videos I want to run around my house and declutter more. You have changed our family and provided the push I needed to let go of a lot of "stuff" that was only creating stress.
I have been watching your videos for more than a year .It changed my life .I became more productive.Having less things in my house makes my life easier and spend more time with my family .
I love your channel! we just started our minimalism journey :) and I also totally agree with a theme you bring up in other videos about minimalism lead you to have better self esteem/confidence. I’m a FTM, so with a new baby (with special needs) and a hubby that works a lot, I would look around at all of the mess and clutter and feel SO STRESSED. I felt like I was a mess, my life was a mess, and my baby was trying to learn and grow in a mess. My brain, thoughts and feelings were totally overstimulated by the clutter!
The onion method has been really effective for us and we’ve probably peeled through 50% of our inventory!
Looking around now, I feel like I can “manage” like you say and stay on top rather than constantly falling behind and playing catch up!! And my self confidence has benefitted greatly!
Thank you Dawn ❤️❤️❤️ It seriously has changed my little family’s life for the better!
I started decluttering about 4 months ago. Slow at first, trued yard sales with sime things, gave stuff to friends & just recent loaded up a van full & took to a donation center. I have a bag full if stuff 2 days latter. The more U get rid of the more I seem to want to get rid of more. Slowly my husband has been coming on board. I feel so much better mentally. Watching your videos & some other peoples videos as so inspired me. THANK YOU.
This just spoke to me. I have 4 kids. And I'm struggling to manage the amount of stuff we have. Going to make my husband watch this tonight. Thank you x
I watched your videos for awhile. I moved this year and had so much stuff. I bit the bullet and rented a three yard bin and tossed over 40 years of excess. The first box of junk to hit the bottom of the bin was freeing! Since I rented the bin I had a week to complete my project and it pushed me to work every day. I felt this huge burden lift from my shoulders. Now I will be putting only things that bring me happiness away. Next week I will be finishing and finally enjoying decorating. Thank you for your motivating videos! You two helped me to finally let go. Big happy sigh...
I gave mine to Goodwill too. They help employ the unemployable or those that need help transitioning back due to a hard life decisions.
Hi Dawn,I just want to say thank you.We are decluttering our family home after 6 of our 7 children have grown up and moved out.Also after 20 years of fostering.The task was weighing us down ,until we found you on You Tube.A few months into it and we feel competent and able to do this.Honestly you have changed my mindset and I feel a great release of the pressure of so many items.Thank you always.Jill xx
Once in awhile I will look t my possessions and ask myself, " Would I want to pack this if I had to move this month? " Answer: "yes" or "no". Garage sales have never been successful for me; so I will either donate or give or garbage.😁
That is exactly what I have been thinking. With life changes and fast moving world. If I had to move tomorrow what would I really want to take with me .
Such a good question to ask. I have started decluttering and only moved into my home 3 months ago and now I'm thinking "why did I even bring this?"
Ohh good question!
I AM moving this month. Loved this video, just in time to pack things up.
That’s what I do too!
Mine's also took a year. I don't have kid's but had things with price tags on them to the point that I started taking pictures. Had to just give up with Craigslist and letgo apps and just get it out of my home. The veteran donations people were so nice and had me put together 15gal kits and leave it in front of my home labeled, where they came and picked it all up while i was a work. I sent them and email with the pictures and they were happy to take it. Having worked for a college for a decade i had lots of school and work attire so non profits will happily take new goods off your hands. Made me feel good knowing it went to people who needed them.
I feel like I have gotten so creative since minimizing. Everything has many uses now. And I actually know everything I own and where it is so I can solve problems easily. If I don't have anything that will work, my next door neighbor is not a minimalist 🤣
I so appreciate you. Your honesty and helpful advice is wonderful! I can relate to four kids in four years and the “business “ of that time. My four are now 28-30,32,&34. People would say the most hurtful things thinking that our children were accidents - nope, they were/are a great blessing. I use to read every book on home management and homemaking - pre internet. I so wish I had a friend like you to have helped us! God bless you and your family!
I donated all my books to the library. 📚 📖
Schools love them too. Age appropriate for Elementary Middle and High School. That's where we donated ours. Awesome job!
We did that too, and our cd's and DVD's, so if we wanted to use them again, we can!
10 boxes of books and counting are ready to go to my public library this week. I've kept just a few favorites and reference books. Feels great!
I put a bunch of stuff on our driveway, yard sale style, and put a free sign up at our nearest intersection. It was gone within an hour! A few items that were left I dropped off at the thrift store. Two people took most of the stuff, and it made me happy to know that whether they planned on using it or reselling it for some needed income, that it was being used and out of my house!
A few times a year I go through stuff to lighten the load and always feels great a trash bag always gets something I don't use to make sure it's full bag . I can't get to the point of yours but I most certainly love organization and knowing were it's all at for my small space and that it's being used cause if not it's gone . 650 sq foot is not much space filled with junk but quality piece's is perfect . I have many things on my counter and love that homey feel but it's not a home with kids so I definitely understand your set up and need for ease . Love the videos ! Very helpful for many who struggle with letting go of things .
We have been busy and stopped taking boxes to goodwill. I like theses short videos, reminding me how good I felt when we were getting stuff out of the house.
Oh gosh, I don't have Facebook. I just HAD to step away from it about 6 years ago because I could see that I was letting it take up SO much of my time and the things I was looking at AND posting just weren't genuine anymore. But I stay with TH-cam because I can really choose uplifting people to follow like Dawn!!!! where I can learn, grow, be inspired, have a hearty laugh, and I feel like I'm with friends! I'd really love to join the Better Together group but I'm so worried I don't have the self control to turn away from the not-so-great parts that sucked me in before. ☹ They're sneaky and kinda relentless!
The same thing happened to me! I HAD to get rid of Facebook. It was a huge time waster and I just felt so unfulfilled at night. I only have TH-cam as well.
When it comes to following groups on Facebook, I know I have to pass. Facebook is my addiction and I know if I go back, it will be the same as before. I do feel like I miss out sometimes but my mental health is much more important. ❤️
@@MostBoringNameEver You know what? You are SO right!!! Thanks for the support and encouragement! I have to respect my personal limits. I'll stay right here on TH-cam with Dawn! You have a great day, friend! 😊
Not talking either of you into it, but just did want to say that I'd also been off FB for all of this year until last month when I joined Dawn's group. I found at the upper right corner clicking on the 3 dots there's an option to set to home screen. This put a little app square of the direct link to the group on my phone. So I don't even bother to go into FB and scroll the nonsense anymore. Also, especially if you have a new account without "friends" there's less to look at.
@@jennylhenry78 Hey, that's cool! Good to know-- thanks!
Same here. Just deleted fb too. But I didn’t like the agenda they were pushing. Love people on TH-cam like dawn!
Its Such A Process...it def Grows!! I've been working on this for 3+ yrs... its been a slowwww start, but getting easier!
I got lucky to personally know someone that had lost everything they had...that appreciates everything ive given ....
Today i departed a brand new kitchen blender that had been deep in cabinet for over 2 yrs... felt good that the gal i offered it to was soooo happy & had been wanting one!!!
Just sat down with a cup of coffee and was wondering why you are so relaxing to watch and why you uplift my spirits. It is your whole demeaner, your laugh, and your lighthearted way of dealing with stuff that really matters. Thank you and don't change please. Oh and the plastic storage boxes stored with the lids on idea? I was so sure that would not work but it does! Do try it it works you do not need so many just easy access to ones with lids.
I've been binging your videos for a couple weeks now and took a few big boxes to the donation center. Just doing that has made me feel sooo much less stressed. The change has been amazing. I feel less stressed and therefore it makes me feel like a better mom. ❤
We are empty nesters and my biggest challenge is getting my adult kids to come and deal with the stuff they've left behind!
Amen
Tell them you're going to get rid of it. They'll either tell you it's okay to let it go, or they'll come get it. Either way, problem solved 😁
Perhaps is becuase they do not want it either.
My mother had several big tubs full of things that supposedly belong to me.
I kept my years books, and my cheerleader outfit.
Everything else went in the dumpster.
Same struggle here! And I have found that I am more sentimental about their stuff than they are! Plus when I was a teenager my Mom passed down some of my favorite things to a niece and to this day (I am in my 50’s) I still regret that. So I don’t want my kids to feel that. I know that is emotional baggage I need to work through.
We have adult kids that have moved from our home many years ago. We decided we wanted to declutter. We got our adult kids together during a holiday prior to covid. We asked them to go through our old kids VHS/CD/blu-ray movies they wanted and take them home. If there was a movie they both liked then bargain between each other and decide among themselves to who gets it. The few videos left were donated to friends & thrift store. It worked out great. Now we have an empty armoire drawer. 1 step at a time. Enjoy your videos.
Hi Dawn! Great video as always. I just wanted to add to your last tip about putting stuff out in front of your house for free...Years ago I was one of those people on the receiving end of this... I was raising 3 small children mostly on my own and did not have a lot of money...others may look at doing this kind of thing as just "dumping" your stuff, but to me, it was one of the greatest forms of generosity. It enabled me to be able to get some things to help provide for my family that we wouldn't have had otherwise. So, to all of those people I say thank you and offer up my deepest gratitude for this act of kindness! Perhaps if people look at it with these eyes, it might make it easier to part with things. I am now in a better place in life, and give back as often as I can. I will never forget how God provided for us through the generosity of others. 💝
Dawn you are just so inspiring! I love listening to you. The whole down sizing subject doesnt seem so heavy with the way you put it across. Its no big deal, small goals. Thank you!
I also put larger items on the curb. Nice things go out whenever we decided to part with them, and they are gone within an hour. Junk goes out with the trash, and most of that gets picked through before the garbage worker even comes.
My elderly neighbor has been cleaning out her home and setting a table out near the curb with items on it with a free sign. I love that our community is kind enough to offer items to others!
I came from a family who kept everything! We always saved every box for every new purchase just in case we had to return it. I am so thankful to you for your gift to be able to share minimalism in such practical, yet not overwhelming manner. i never could have believed how much peace and satisfaction could come from owning less. Thank you so so much for your time and giftd you have shared. Bless you! You are doing a great work!
Currently rewatching all your videos while I do one last declutter through my house before the year ends. 💚 congratulations on your channel growth! Soon you’ll be in the millions 😉🎉
Dawn your channel is on the list of things I’m thankful for this year 🎉💚☺️
Thank you so much!! I greatly appreciate this!!
I need this so bad right now! Currently renovating our home in San Diego right now and it’s a MESS while homeschooling with no kitchen ... it’s a lot! I will take this information and use this time to actually declutter everything in my house and look at it like an opportunity to start afresh! Thank you Dawn!! ❤️
You are the best cheerleader! I feel validated and encouraged with your videos. It's like I've been waiting for someone to say "it's OKAY to get rid of stuff". Liberating! ❤️
I’ve seen multiple minimalism lifestyle change, from youtube, ted-talks, podcasts; and somehow they feel too extreme for me. The no furniture ones felt too depriving of comfort and I feel I can never sustain it. That I would revert back to accumulating stuff because I was deprived of comfort. Now seeing your house, watching your videos, learning from your tips, makes me think I can do this! Thank you.
I am doing the “ set it at the curb” method to get rid of stuff. I don’t like giving to goodwill. It does make me feel good. And I get rid of more this way. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving
@@lisaa3978 It’s not what it started out to be,. It has become an exclusive for profit-big-time-retail business. They dominate the market on donation sites in high end exclusive neighborhoods, with fleets of trucks to distribute the donations to their stores that are just about every town. They have their place, but they’re pretty devastating to small town charities.
Way too convenient. More than half the time I end up dropping off barely used items that folks have left behind in their vacation rentals, there. They are open 9-9, 7 days a week here... whereas other places here have extremely limited days & hours of accepting donations. For lager items, I set them out by road the day before trash pick up & it’s all gone within a couple hours.
NPQ (Nonprofit Quarterly) found that less than one-eighth of Goodwill’s profit goes toward its charity work.
Plus their CEO makes over $700,000
My messy husband (who has always said he prefers to have clutter!) said yesterday that he would like to have his office cleared of clutter. HOLY COW! We had a good talk about 'stuff', and I suggested scaling down the amount of stuff he has in the office, because he finds it hard to study with the visual noise! Your content has been very helpful for me in determining what I can get rid of. So, thank you! Simpler life FTW!
Ohhhh, those shots of Target!!! I haven’t shopped in a store since March! 🥴
Yes! Over last 6 weeks I did everything except the Christmas stuff. I'm actually happy to get it out this weekend, so I can get rid of more. The joy I have in caring for my home again is awesome. And tidy every day. My family is noticing too. My house and its inventory is so much more under control I somehow have time to stop and exercise for 30 min each day and tidy something, even after working every day. Thank you! Loving minimal life and hallelujah after 4 my husband got on board!
We have given away so many items just by putting them outside along the sidewalk. People have literally picked them up within 5 minutes of our setting them out. It's a great way to get large items out of your house if you do not have a vehicle big enough to haul them to a donation center.
Liza, my name is Lisa Bailes. I had to do a double take when I saw your name! :) I live on a busy country road and have found that people will pick things up quickly. It is good to bless others with our stuff!
@@lisabailes1065 Ha. I also did a double take when I saw your name. My side yard is along a busy 2 lane street. I am just happy that someone can use them rather than so much going to the landfill.
I loved what you said about how you don't feel guilty asking your kids to help anymore because it's not too much for them. When I was a kid I shared a bedroom with two sisters, and we could completely cover the floor with toys. Our parents made us clean it up but it was always a dramatic, hours-long ordeal with many tears and much fighting from the three of us. I must be a little traumatized from that because I can't bring myself to make my kids pick up after themselves now. But now that I am working on decluttering and simplifying their stuff, it doesn't look so overwhelming to them and I'm realizing that, soon, I can reasonably expect them to clean up their things!
I gave some things that I had been having a hard time getting rid of to an organization that helps people getting out of domestic abuse situations. It was amazing once I started to think of the joy they would have how easy it was to load up the car.
I see donating items as the cost of peace. Also, it’s part of my charity giving. I had so much Tupperware (6 large moving boxes worth) as I used to be a demonstrator. My late husband always wanted me to sell it. But for the second-hand value of each item, it wasn’t worth the hassle to me. I did try, but it was very time and energy consuming dealing with people and the postal service for so many small items. In the end, I donated it. It caused a frenzy at the local charity shop apparently, and sold out over just a few days. It enabled that charity to fund a youth program they had been trying to establish. And also, this meant that things didn’t spoil or languish in storage. Win-win xx
My new favourite video! Making the decision to live with less has been the best thing for our family.
I love the Buy Nothing community on Facebook. People are typically really good about picking up in a timely way. Sometimes, folks even post gratitude showing the items being so helpful to them, which motivates you to purge even MORE!! Also, you can use it to borrow things instead of buying something and bringing it into your inventory.
"You wouldn't believe the stuff that people took!" LOL! So true!
Your stay home mom story sounds like mine! My wonderful husband had to hear me cry “you get to go to work” as I was overwhelmed with childcare, survival chores and mess. I felt like a failure and in a thankless task loop. I missed work and felt guilty that I wasn’t enjoying being a stay home mom and the huge luxury that is for most families. And my wonderful husband had to come home from a hard day’s work to see his messy house and stressed out wife. It was dark days. Thankfully I found my groove eventually! I have a freelance income and can still be home. And it’s true getting rid of the onion layers has peeled away stress with it. We aren’t done yet, but getting there.
I have watched a lot of your videos more than once. You have great ideas. I became a minimalist in July of 2020 after watching one of your videos. Thank you. My father passed away and we are going to sell the house eventually. We four kids got together and wrote down what we wanted from the house. There were only a few things more than one person wanted so we compromised. Although I am a minimalist and I just wanted a few things but when someone else said I would like to have that item. It’s like my mind said if they want that maybe I want that item. It’s funny how our minds work. I got the items I wanted and took them home. I also am giving some things I have to my brother. Stuff in other stuff out. That’s how I think now. I really have to need it to bring it in my home.
Great video! I tidied my junk corner in my kitchen this evening as I watched. Yay!
Yesssss!!! Minimizing helps with my overall stress level and load so it has majorly helped me with my responses to my children. We have eight kids, two moved out, but I simplified big time about 4 years ago. I wish I could go back and redo my mothering with so much less stuff. It has majorly helped!!
I've been decluttering a little at a time for the past few months and haven't missed anything till yesterday. Yesterday I went to get small corning ware dish to bake in and it was gone!! I didn't save any small baking pans. If I make a full size pan of monkey 🐒 bread. I will eat a full size pan of monkey bread. 😋 I'll have to figure out some other way to make it. lol. First layer of my onion is almost gone! Thanks Dawn for the motivation.
Haha! Not too bad to be decluttering for months and only ending up needing one thing, though! I hear ya. I recently went to get out our mini cupcake pan... and then remembered I donated it. I REALLY couldn't think of another way to get mini cupcakes made for my project, so I went to our local thift store and they had one. Full disclosure? I'm pretty sure it was the one I recently donated!!!! 🤣🤣 Oh well. Totally worth the $2 repurchase cuz it's the ONLY thing I've ever wanted back in the 2+ years that I've for SURE been simplifying and decluttering 100s of things since I found Dawn. We got this, Karen! 🤜🤛😊
@@soothinggentlesounds Thats hilarious!! With your own notes in the margins, too? Bahaha! We do what we gotta do, right?
@@kelseyd4196 I did EXACTLY this with a lemon squeezer. I bought it back for 50 cents, used it, and then DONATED IT RIGHT BACK AGAIN 😆😆😆😆😆😆
@@AMcDub0708 Bahaha! Not bad! Well, doesn't Dawn say to let the retail places "store " items for us??? That's exactly what you did. I say it was totally worth it to not have to keep moving a lemon squeezer outa the way every time you need your spatula or your tongs from the drawer!
Love the concept you shared about decluttering without pulling everything out into a pile but declutter as you go. I am finished my clothes closet using this method and was happy that when i couldn't finish i could walk away without a mess to stuff back to do later. This is the best way i found going thru this process to not make messes as that is where i got overwhelmed looking at the piles. We live in a apt complex and they have shared laundry area (apts do not have washers/dryers in units) They have several large tables and people often put food items or clothing for people to take. This is an option for those who do not have a place to donate. We have no place close by us and i put out items everytime i do laundry and it helps also to let go of items you can give away so if something is still there when I go back I pick it up and toss it as i know it is not usable to anyone. That frees me from guilt as did offer it up and you can be free from guilt is you just have to toss. I know living in a complex when people move they just dump stuff and I found a beautiful Crate and Barrel end table and i switched with the ones I had because they were hand me downs and I didn't really like them so i got what I wanted and someone took my set of end tables. We have to get creative with our decluttering process and think outside the box. I appreciate this channel and your encouragement to just keep working at itl
Thanks for letting us share our tips and ideas as this is a community effort to find ways to not be wasteful and use and enjoy what we have.
I have 39 years of collecting things. I use a 5 minute time periods. Hard since my husband will go through my purged items. Also we have alot of sentimental items since we lost of son in Iraq and have his medals, flags, etc. that we would never get rid of. Thanks for your videos even though I don't have little kids.
We had two “free” yard sales 👍🏽 and unloaded sooooo much stuff! It made our trips to the thrift store so much easier!! Not only that, we heard story after story of others who really needed some of these things. We too sold the bigger ticket items - which did take MORE time - but made it much less painful when you’re getting rid of items that good money was spent on 🤦🏽♀️ Love your videos Dawn!! They are full of enthusiasm for this process 😀 they keep me going!!
Your videos have been life changing for me in just 3 weeks - since TH-cam sent you my way. I’ve decluttered about 75% of my house so far (first layer only) AND about a week ago I started doing the dishes after every meal (I don’t have a dishwasher and I used to let them pile up for about two or three days) and now I’m making my bed. I didn’t consciously decide to do these two things - they just started happening! Thank you so much!
my last declutter is family photo's. it is hard. butter I'm going to sort in stacks. actual family. family parties, friends, animals. and ones i choose to keep i will put in freezer zip lock bags labeled.as i have problems with silver fish and keep finding pics with chewed marks on edges. though i have been able to destroy many nests, paper is their main food source, keep in plastics-less silverfish.
I'm at the photos and sentimental stuff. I've been stalled there awhile. I moved on to house projects that had been needing to happen for years. Hoping to get back to the decluttering before we end up moving.
One word to describe your home: CALM!
(And cozy and beautiful and inviting!!!)