Dana, one of the best results of following your program is one you don't mention as far as I have noticed. You always say take it there now during the decluttering. The huge benefit of that that I have found comes from having that thought in my head the rest of the time. Somehow I never processed that the thing I just set wherever was going to need to be picked up later. When I do the five minute pick up I have to put it away. The huge change has been, now, before I even set it down, I think, Oh, I can actually take it there now and skip all of the future decluttering and 5 minute pickups. My mantra has become take it there now and the messes never appear. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!
I like that you brought up the financial aspect. It helps to acknowledge that yes, money was spent on the item. And YES, I value a decluttered and functional space. That functionality is worth money to me.
I had a professional organizer help me put things where they "should" go and then I couldn't find them. "Where would I look for this first?" changed everything and TAKE IT THERE NOW guarantees I don't have to think about a thing again, touch it again and my space is tidier. The final bonus is that it is there when I need it, wherever "there" is. P.S. Reid didn't do the scrolly thing at the end of the video, so we don't know what he was hoping!
The struggle of taking the item to where you know it belongs/would look for it first and THAT space needs decluttering... ugh. It was helpful when you said to go ahead and remove something from that space to make room for the found item. Simple, but not so simple for some of us still working on it. Thanks Dana for diving a bit deeper into the process!
Hi Dana, I love the no mess decluttering method. Before, I would pull everything out and left with piles that never got finished, so I just want to say thank you
You are such a writer! I learned this stuff innately as a kid so I could feel control in an unstable childhood. It's helped me a lot since (I'm 38 now) and over the years I've worn myself out trying to explain my systems to others. I watch your channel for comfort like Last Week Tonight: you say stuff that I know but can't communicate effectively, so I feel less crazy hearing a well articulated person describe. This is a GREAT video. Thank you.❤
I grew up with my mom always telling me to give things a home. And it would frustrate me because it didn't matter if I gave something at home. I would not remember where the home was when i needed it. This metodwas was the first time that things had a home and I knew where they were.
New subscriber here. I have a friend who has a company that organizes people's lives including but not limited to their "stuff". I want you all to know this service is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE to hire. I figure that I can organize my life now for free to do it by myself. I just turned 62 and took my social security now in order to do things like declutter and organize my life while I am young enough and able bodied to do it. I am happy to be here to learn the right way to go about it.
This is so valuable. We've been pummelled by bad storms including 5 days with no electricity. Having the 'where would I look for this' is so helpful because we could quickly assemble camping equipment to get us through.
I’m so delighted with myself when I go to find things and they’re in the first place I look. It feels sooo good! I have a little celebration every time!
Yes! or the other day my husband asked me where 3 different items were in the space of an hour, and I knew exactly where they were to tell him they were!
This is the first method that finally worked for me. After raisng a family I was left with so much stuff that family members no longer wanted. I have made so much progress that I was able to move (what had filled our four bedroom home) into a temporary storage unit while we finished our new smaller home. I can not thank you enough. It's still an on going process but I know what to do. I find it so much easier now. Thank you Dana for creating this method and helping so many!
I am inspired to follow this great advice, and at 64 years old, after years of living in a house that is full of stuff I don't see from one year to the next, but find it almost impossible to get rid of, it is going to be tough, because for reasons I cannot understand I am attached to my things, and the things from my two boys when they were growing up. My house is not a home, I've even joked I wish it would burn down, to give me a fresh start. I've decided I will fill in a notebook as I go, and write down every single item I find a new home for, and exactly where it is now located. This will take less time overall than feeling frantic, and turning the house upside down, as I will have moved so many things I may not have any idea where to start looking in future. I think having everything listed will be better than relying on memory, as long as I leave the notebook out where I see it every day. If I lost that, I'd be in a mess. Very very helpful video. Thank you. Going to stop procrastinating and start tomorrow. Luckily, I have a loft, so stuff I'm agonising about too much can go up there. Maybe I'll put some music on to take some of the pain out of it. Thanks again. 😊
This is truly a miracle, I my home is looking so much better and the best part of it is, the questions and all the steps are almost automatic now and throwing things away/donating is so normal now.
your point about the panicked "I know I have it; where is it" and the instinctual answer finally made the difference between 'where should I put it' and 'where would I look for it' clear to me. If I'm looking for something and I'm stressed, I'm not going to be thinking logically!
Love, love, love Dana and her method. I used to think I was her only Fan Girl (who wants her to be my best friend 😉), but apparently, I'm not the only one. 😂
I have a curly one for you Dana…. Ten years ago I had to leave my house, put my whole house contents into storage, and I moved into my daughter’s for 3 months…… And stayed 10 years! I have gradually taken stuff out, especially my piano, when Covid hit, because I didn’t know what the future would hold, and I wasn’t going to lose that. I’ve downsized the storage shed 3 sizes, but there’s still a lot left in there! I’ve moved into a share house and although my bedroom’s a great size, I love the space and don’t want much more stuff in it…. So my dilemma is, how do I go about decluttering my storage shed? Do I get rid of the junk overall, eg boxes and newspapers, or do the whole 5 steps with one box? I can’t take things to their designated rooms…. So obviously most things will be donations. These things are my precious things, and I’ve felt like my life has been on hold for 10 years because I’ve been missing my books (I’ve bought a lot of replacements) and my art studio, artwork, family heirlooms. They were all precious when I packed them. But there is also a lot of junk now, after all this time, as well. I have also just retired, so I actually have time now, physically and mentally, to finally deal with this shed. I’m just not clear of the process of all this….. Any advice?
Im getting more organized, just by decluttering. You make this so much easier. My son asked for an item on display. I let him have it. He was so happy. Before I would have said no.My house is looking better everyday.
I'm coming to realize that I've been doing these steps for a couple of years even though I recently heard about you and subscribed to your channel! They work but the best part is WHY... and your explanations have put words to the FEELING I had while doing it. Thank you so much! 💯🥳👏👏
I was organizing a space recently and came across some bigger bandages that I hadn't used in 2.5 years. I was surprised because I had no idea I still had them. Thinking of the decluttering question if I needed this item would I even know I had it to go looking for it? The answer was no, so into the bin they went. Fast forward to less than a month later and I did actually need those bigger bandages. On my way to buy some more from the store I was beating myself up for decluttering them. I had to stop myself and say, it was okay that I threw them away because I didn't even know we had them so I wouldn't have gone to go look for them in the first place. Also, it could have been another 2.5 years or never that we needed them. In the end bandages are fairly inexpensive and easily replaceable.
I have shared/recommended your method to so many people who feel overwhelmed by the approaches that cause a bigger mess by getting everything out before you ever start! Recently, a neighbor said she requested your book from the library after I referred her to your website. She was feeling less overwhelmed about decluttering thanks to you.
New subscriber. I hated the TV show Hoarders because it is SO emotional for the hoarder and for family members. Heartbreaking and frightening. Thank you for your calm, unemotional approach.
Super helpful, and i haven't even watch the whole declutter in 5 steps yet. You are my favorite to watch for inspiration. Sometimes i do have the energy to empty a while shelf and put the stuff i really want there, but most times not. And i do get to where i would put something and it's full. Didn't know what to do about that until today. That had been my hold up on putting things where i would look for them at. Now i know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Every video I’m always struck with hair envy and start thinking about your hair routine and end up having to rewind and rewatch bc of my dang ol adhd running away with me. 😂
Ugh, I have so many things that don’t have homes it’s ridiculous. Looking forward to trying your method. I get so burnt out when I pull everything out and then left with multiple piles and no more brain energy. Decision fatigue is a real thing!
New to your method and loving it! I've been binging your audiobooks and Q&A's while I declutter, and it's like having a supportive friend there to help. Thanks so much!
I’ve read your books, listened to podcasts and watched TH-cam so I am familiar with your process and it’s so helpful. But honestly, where would I look for it first and my answer would be “in the mess over there” always stopped me in my tracks. What you said, take something out, trash, “duh” donation, to make space seems so obvious now. Of course, the space has a limit (container concept) put something in, take something out. 🤦🏼♀️ Thank you for living on my shoulder and whispering your knowledge in my ear so I can make progress.
Dana you have great tips. I think it’s easier for someone to get rid of something when they know it’s going to a good home. I have found listing things on the local neighborhood Facebook Buy Nothing group very fulfilling. People usually live within the neighborhood and are able to pick it up the same day or next day. Another way I’m able to get rid of some thing is I ask my quest self the question if it burned in the fire when I buy it again
I actually enjoy pulling everything out when I declutter. I don't know why: maybe because I'm a Butterfly and it gives me pleasure to see all my stuff. But also because when I put it all back, it feels like an all-new space. However, the no-mess method DEFINITELY helps now that I have two young toddlers who get into everything.
I agree! I LOVE clearing out and rearanging and organizibg a space, but with little kids around this is so much more effective: I no longer have to put things off until someone else can watch the kids.
Thank you for going into depth on step #4. I needed to be reminded of it as I'm continuing to declutter my home. I started in January 2023 and I still need this process. Am so grateful to have found your videos. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙏 I have just started to implement this method and can already see some progress. It really helped me to overcome the feeling of overwelm, which paralyzed me for decades. I have noticed too, that the „take it there now“ approach has startet to creep into my daily habits, which is also very beneficial! 😀👍
We are currently have listed our house and have decluttered a decent amount following some version of your rules (some stuff into trash, some donated, some put in boxes and stored so house looks nice). Many items that I would definitely have left on the kitchen tables are now hiding elsewhere and I keep running into that inconvenience. Husband put frying pan with dinner onto a cutting board instead of a trivet because he couldn't find a trivet, and I can't blame him, the cutting boards were where they always were on top of the fridge and the trivets were on top of the catalogs in a decorative box that I always throw catalogs, coupons etc. I picked that spot both because it's closer to the table and I don't want to put metal things on top of the fridge where they might fall on my head, but I really wanted trivet on table where it belongs. LOL. This too shall pass.
Reid must really be tired from editing. The credits didn't scroll. (Although I got the idea of what he was saying) That's always my favorite thing. The info is good too!!!! Just saying that I like to see what he comes up with at the end.
Dana, Thank you so much for making these more detailed videos of each of the 5 steps. They have all been very helpful, but this one especially. Your emphasis on the exact wording of the questions is so important; the "should" that so often creeps into the question can derail the process so fast. Trying to trust my instinct more in 2024! (and yes, it rhymes. you're welcome.)
I’ve watched so many of your videos. At this moment, I cleared off my closet shelf onto my bed. (Perhaps not ideal if I was taller, but it eliminates working on a ladder.) I am using your guide lines and looking forward to purge old, no longer needed craft supplies, organizing what I use and a little “Swedish Death Cleaning” mixed in!
Reporting back: the daunting task is done… complete… neat, labeled and organized! It took just over one hour, one large trash bag, two large donate bags. Such a good feeling!…..oh, and I found my gloves!
Although decluttering Dana's way seems obvious, I have never thought of her 5 steps. It would not occur to me naturally to do this process. However, Dana's way has proven it is the only way for me.
I lost my husband 5 1/2 yrs ago but if you walk through our home especially our bedroom, you would never know he was gone, everything of his is still where he left it, I've not been able to really touch anything in his bathroom, and it's very dusty, I know it needs a good clean but I break down every time I start , same with his clothes, he was an auto alignment technician and he had special work clothes for that, so all of his cloths are in immaculate condition because he only wore them when he was not working and the only time he was not working was when the shop had to be closed for a holiday😌
Love, love, love. How do you scale those two when it comes to a multi-family rare use of something and our instincts on where we'd look first differ? My lived answer is I take it where I want it and "FYI" my family, who then may or may not fight me on its location, or remember next time it's needed.
I am so glad this video got made. I’m gonna be honest... I tend to skim over this step..#4 TWO VERY IMPORTANT DECLUTTERING QUESTIONS! Why? I don’t know. Do I have the other steps down? Yes. Th decluttering questions, get rearranged and not taking very serious by my “let’s just put it in a container brain” I want to organize. Do I know it’s not the same thing as decluttering? Yes. I don’t know what it is... Yes, I do. 🥺 I don’t want to be honest about it. By the time I’ve done trash, easy stuff, and all the duhs, I’m like oh look at the time! And I haven’t even made a mess! Let me tell you, sometimes, that’s at the three minute mark. This is me. Someone, who keeps a clean house, does the dishes daily, doesn’t have a laundry overwhelm... I clean my house. I am a sentimental hoarder. It’s not loads and loads of stuff. Oh, and I have identity clutter too. Is that what it’s called? The rest of my house is clean. Not perfect, but clean. The two DC QUESTIONS... That’s what stops me from leveling up y house. Anyone else? I will appreciate all responses, not just Dana’s 😊😂
I'm the same - I balk at the question stage. Perhaps it's scarcity mindset? (Cass from Clutterbug talks about this). One day I will get to through this stage but I have to give myself grace to get there. It's just layers to get through when I'm emotionally ready.
How does not finding things a home or decluttering them affect you? Everyone has different tolerance for stuff management in their space. If it's just so your house looks pretty for other people, I wouldn't worry about it. If seeing that stuff, or knowing it exists adds stress, then remembering why can help with the follow through. For me, I started with one surface that tends to attract clutter, and put away or declutter anything that doesn't need to be there. Notice how looking at that clear space feels in your body. Follow those feelings and you'll find the right balance for you.
We moved a few years ago at the same time as having our 6th child! What a whirlwind! Some things didn’t get properly put away because our new home had more and new kinds of spaces. Fast forward several years, and I was helping my husband with our bedroom closet. He had items in there that needed to go to his: office, garage, basement storage (several different categories!), vehicle, trash, donate, save for older boys to grow into. “Where would I look for it?” was a concept I shared with him that seemed to help. The thing that really stumped him was his old graduation caps! 🤣 I encouraged him to pitch them. I think subconsciously I was thinking “Would I even know we had this?” Hope that helps!
I love your logical approach. How would I go about having the realization that the first place I look for something really isnt a good place to keep it in the long run? And there is a better place to keep or store something? When would I change the location of those items to a more realistic place to access them? Would I wait until I'm done with the process at hand or just change the location immediately?
@kerrymoser1110 thank you! That's great. I have done that with (container) lids when I put the bottom part in a drawer as an organizer. I put a post it note in the lid as a reminder that the bottom part is being used somewhere else, so I don't throw out the lid!
? On the 2nd question: But what if you may well need the item in the near future, but are no longer in the position financially to replace the item? I get stuck here so often! I have 4 girls. Two teens and two toddlers. Keeping things to pass to the younger girls makes sense, but it also makes lots of clutter!
How do you handle a situation where the "first place I would look" doesn't exist anymore? Like right after a move, or with new furniture or house renovations. Or the first place you would look is not a good home for something? i.e. I would look for this first in that pile in the corner of the living room.
I am okay with the asking questions about feeling part of the process, because, most things don't spark joy and so its about "or do you need it" after that. The "joy" allows you to keep a few things that you might logically get rid of, but which would break your heart later. Like a necklace with a big rose on it. My personal decluttering method- never fully realized, due to interopers- is to sort things that are cluttering up the place by trash or not trash, sometimes including recycling. And, then sub categories by room or person, then sub categories of type, if needed. For instance, not trash- kitchen- pantry items- canned/ jarred goods- beans, fruit, sauces and condiments. Though, by the time I get down to "kitchen" I might be ble to go straight to the last bit of sorting. The rest of the things, the "don't know what to do with this" items I put in the "don't know what to do with this area" and call it a day. Because, then I go "Where is that thing? Where would i have put it? Nowhere, because, it isn't that kind of thing." So ,then I go look where things go that have no place else to go. But, I might have such a place for each room, if that seems prudent.
I asked that question when I suddenly needed to find my car insurance papers, where would I look for this first? They were always on the one shelf in the kitchen but it was not there anymore as I had rearrange my kitchen area. Now I can't find them anywhere and have been turning my house upside down, three searches and still no papers. 😓
My issue is I've got piles of clutter in front of the place where I would look for this first. It makes it hard to figure out what to do. I guess I can put it near the drawer it'll go into and toss something that's in the way, until I declutter that space better?
I have this exact same problem. I can't seem to find an answer for this. What if we can't physically get to the "place I would look for this first" because there is too much clutter piled in front of it?
Sometimes where I would look for something first is not a good home for it, though. I pile papers on the floor and use a kind of archeological approach-- recent papers on the top and older ones underneath-- but this creates a cluttered mess and a time-consuming process of searching for a specific paper. Or I might look for something first on a counter or table (often where I find it when I am decluttering), but then the work surface is covered with stuff and I can't use it. How do you deal with this issue?
I think Dana has shared in other videos that the question assumes the pile is no longer there. If this pile of random things/papers/etc. wasn’t here… where would I look for it first. Because the goal is there aren’t piles of homeless items/papers. Hope that helps!
What do you do if the place you would look for something first isn't the place you want that thing to live? For example, I just reorganized a kitchen drawer and decided I really don't need a screwdriver there - it should be in the toolbox with the other tools. Yet, that's where I always go to look for it. How do I remember its new location when I move it? (I know an answer is, just continue to keep the screwdriver in the drawer, but in trying to be organized, I really want it moved.)
Is there a mix for the videos of each decluttering step from six months ago? (I’m watching this six months after it was published) I LOVED that series and started saving them into a playlist, but the ones I saved are buried in that too-long playlist. Then life happened and I didn’t watch TH-cam for five or six months. 🙄😕
? I have a question I haven't heard anyone else ask yet. How do you handle it if you have a room that you want to make into a different sort of room? I had a bedroom that I did sewing in, and now it has to be someone else's bedroom, so it needs a total clean out. I have another room which is kind of a junk room which I want to make into my new sewing/craft room. But I don't know where to start because there doesn't seem to be any space for staging stuff while it's being moved between the rooms, or installing new furniture or shelves. I've been putting this off for so long, because I'm lost what area to try to handle first. Nothing has a space it "belongs" yet. Just a general room to be in.
Ya definitely work on the junk room first. If you can eliminate stuff in their, You can easier see it to set it up for its new purpose…. And remind yourself your making room for a new creative area…and thing that came to this room and has been sitting purposely gets the boot because you now have a new mindful purpose!
I can understand the Tetris. We had a small home with 5 children at one point. We considered getting a storage unit when the 6th baby was on the way and we couldn’t find an adequate house yet. (Thankfully, the Lord provided a much larger home in the 11th hour!!!) Maybe you could play a game with yourself that you are “moving.” Get a certain amount of boxes that you think would be the comfortable amount of items for that room. Pack your sewing boxes first with all the things you are most excited to sew with. The favorite fabrics, tools, and threads, etc. Get excited about your projects again! Then donate extra craft supplies to make someone else’s dreams come true, too! Then you can pack the extra bedroom things. Get excited about the people who are going to come visit! Then what is left are the things Dana was talking about in this video. Where would I look for this? Would I know I had it? But yes, you will literally have to have box piles somewhere in your home. I understand very well the Tetris!!!Maybe that can motivate you to work through these things more quickly. Hope this helps!
Omg!! Hi Dana!! I just heard the podcast that you were on with Mel.. so I need help with a huge issue I'm in.. I've started to become comfortable with tossing and donations. BUT, I have a bunch of religious stuff that I have ( paper stamps or some candle with a Saint on it) anyway I can't seem to be able yo get rid of them. Some are already falling apart, but I feel god will punish Me if I toss them.. PLEASE HELP
My husband won’t let me get rid of anything. I put stuff in the donate box and he goes behind me and takes it right back out. His reasoning is that in a few weeks or months I might start complaining that I wish I hadn’t gotten rid of said item. I guess in all fairness sometimes he’s right but what can I do for the other times?
Dana, one of the best results of following your program is one you don't mention as far as I have noticed. You always say take it there now during the decluttering. The huge benefit of that that I have found comes from having that thought in my head the rest of the time. Somehow I never processed that the thing I just set wherever was going to need to be picked up later. When I do the five minute pick up I have to put it away. The huge change has been, now, before I even set it down, I think, Oh, I can actually take it there now and skip all of the future decluttering and 5 minute pickups. My mantra has become take it there now and the messes never appear. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!
Another benefit to me has been the incredible number of steps I get during the day, just ‘taking it there now’.
“Don’t put it down, put it back!”🎉
That’s a brilliant insight! Thank you 😅
@@joysoul4089 yes me too!!! 😂
Life-changing. Home-changing. And it gets easier to do when your things actually finally have a Home!
Dana has helped so many people in our family with her 5 steps! Our family's homes have been transformed!
I like that you brought up the financial aspect. It helps to acknowledge that yes, money was spent on the item. And YES, I value a decluttered and functional space. That functionality is worth money to me.
I had a professional organizer help me put things where they "should" go and then I couldn't find them. "Where would I look for this first?" changed everything and TAKE IT THERE NOW guarantees I don't have to think about a thing again, touch it again and my space is tidier. The final bonus is that it is there when I need it, wherever "there" is.
P.S. Reid didn't do the scrolly thing at the end of the video, so we don't know what he was hoping!
I thought the same thing! Poor kid was so tired of editing lol
The struggle of taking the item to where you know it belongs/would look for it first and THAT space needs decluttering... ugh. It was helpful when you said to go ahead and remove something from that space to make room for the found item. Simple, but not so simple for some of us still working on it. Thanks Dana for diving a bit deeper into the process!
Hi Dana, I love the no mess decluttering method. Before, I would pull everything out and left with piles that never got finished, so I just want to say thank you
You are such a writer! I learned this stuff innately as a kid so I could feel control in an unstable childhood. It's helped me a lot since (I'm 38 now) and over the years I've worn myself out trying to explain my systems to others. I watch your channel for comfort like Last Week Tonight: you say stuff that I know but can't communicate effectively, so I feel less crazy hearing a well articulated person describe. This is a GREAT video. Thank you.❤
I’m a congenitally organized person with minimalist tendencies who uses these 5 tools and finds them life changing!
I grew up with my mom always telling me to give things a home. And it would frustrate me because it didn't matter if I gave something at home. I would not remember where the home was when i needed it. This metodwas was the first time that things had a home and I knew where they were.
New subscriber here. I have a friend who has a company that organizes people's lives including but not limited to their "stuff". I want you all to know this service is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE to hire. I figure that I can organize my life now for free to do it by myself. I just turned 62 and took my social security now in order to do things like declutter and organize my life while I am young enough and able bodied to do it. I am happy to be here to learn the right way to go about it.
Organizing isn’t decluttering tho ….
You're one of the most realistic declutterer on TH-cam.
This is so valuable. We've been pummelled by bad storms including 5 days with no electricity. Having the 'where would I look for this' is so helpful because we could quickly assemble camping equipment to get us through.
I’m so delighted with myself when I go to find things and they’re in the first place I look. It feels sooo good! I have a little celebration every time!
Yes! or the other day my husband asked me where 3 different items were in the space of an hour, and I knew exactly where they were to tell him they were!
This is the first method that finally worked for me. After raisng a family I was left with so much stuff that family members no longer wanted. I have made so much progress that I was able to move (what had filled our four bedroom home) into a temporary storage unit while we finished our new smaller home. I can not thank you enough. It's still an on going process but I know what to do. I find it so much easier now. Thank you Dana for creating this method and helping so many!
Dana, Thank you for going over these questions for the millionth time! You're right, it's a very nuanced question!
I am inspired to follow this great advice, and at 64 years old, after years of living in a house that is full of stuff I don't see from one year to the next, but find it almost impossible to get rid of, it is going to be tough, because for reasons I cannot understand I am attached to my things, and the things from my two boys when they were growing up. My house is not a home, I've even joked I wish it would burn down, to give me a fresh start. I've decided I will fill in a notebook as I go, and write down every single item I find a new home for, and exactly where it is now located. This will take less time overall than feeling frantic, and turning the house upside down, as I will have moved so many things I may not have any idea where to start looking in future. I think having everything listed will be better than relying on memory, as long as I leave the notebook out where I see it every day. If I lost that, I'd be in a mess. Very very helpful video. Thank you. Going to stop procrastinating and start tomorrow. Luckily, I have a loft, so stuff I'm agonising about too much can go up there. Maybe I'll put some music on to take some of the pain out of it. Thanks again. 😊
This is truly a miracle, I my home is looking so much better and the best part of it is, the questions and all the steps are almost automatic now and throwing things away/donating is so normal now.
your point about the panicked "I know I have it; where is it" and the instinctual answer finally made the difference between 'where should I put it' and 'where would I look for it' clear to me. If I'm looking for something and I'm stressed, I'm not going to be thinking logically!
Love, love, love Dana and her method. I used to think I was her only Fan Girl (who wants her to be my best friend 😉), but apparently, I'm not the only one. 😂
Love the fancy thumbnail Dana and Reid! ❤
I have a curly one for you Dana…. Ten years ago I had to leave my house, put my whole house contents into storage, and I moved into my daughter’s for 3 months…… And stayed 10 years!
I have gradually taken stuff out, especially my piano, when Covid hit, because I didn’t know what the future would hold, and I wasn’t going to lose that. I’ve downsized the storage shed 3 sizes, but there’s still a lot left in there! I’ve moved into a share house and although my bedroom’s a great size, I love the space and don’t want much more stuff in it…. So my dilemma is, how do I go about decluttering my storage shed? Do I get rid of the junk overall, eg boxes and newspapers, or do the whole 5 steps with one box? I can’t take things to their designated rooms…. So obviously most things will be donations. These things are my precious things, and I’ve felt like my life has been on hold for 10 years because I’ve been missing my books (I’ve bought a lot of replacements) and my art studio, artwork, family heirlooms. They were all precious when I packed them. But there is also a lot of junk now, after all this time, as well. I have also just retired, so I actually have time now, physically and mentally, to finally deal with this shed. I’m just not clear of the process of all this….. Any advice?
Im getting more organized, just by decluttering. You make this so much easier.
My son asked for an item on display. I let him have it. He was so happy. Before I would have said no.My house is looking better everyday.
I'm coming to realize that I've been doing these steps for a couple of years even though I recently heard about you and subscribed to your channel! They work but the best part is WHY... and your explanations have put words to the FEELING I had while doing it. Thank you so much! 💯🥳👏👏
I was organizing a space recently and came across some bigger bandages that I hadn't used in 2.5 years. I was surprised because I had no idea I still had them. Thinking of the decluttering question if I needed this item would I even know I had it to go looking for it? The answer was no, so into the bin they went. Fast forward to less than a month later and I did actually need those bigger bandages. On my way to buy some more from the store I was beating myself up for decluttering them. I had to stop myself and say, it was okay that I threw them away because I didn't even know we had them so I wouldn't have gone to go look for them in the first place. Also, it could have been another 2.5 years or never that we needed them. In the end bandages are fairly inexpensive and easily replaceable.
Or you could keep them for so long (like I did) that they wouldn't stick..lol. true story but I'm getting better at tossing things.
@@KathyLange-p8t I've had that happen in the past too. Another reason why I tossed them.
I'm emboldened by your story...those bandages have been there 16 years!
Wonderful video as always! I’m forever grateful for you, your books & your videos. Sanity & only sanity now. 😂
OMG between you and Dawn, I've tackled a small mountain of dreaded paper clutter! I've put this off for 12+ months 😱 THANK YOU SO MUCH 😘💗💜💗💜💗
Who is Dawn?
@@Bitzay The Minimal Mom.
This detail about the two questions is very helpful!
This is so motivating, thanks, Dana!
I have shared/recommended your method to so many people who feel overwhelmed by the approaches that cause a bigger mess by getting everything out before you ever start! Recently, a neighbor said she requested your book from the library after I referred her to your website. She was feeling less overwhelmed about decluttering thanks to you.
You have changed my life. Thank you!
New subscriber. I hated the TV show Hoarders because it is SO emotional for the hoarder and for family members. Heartbreaking and frightening. Thank you for your calm, unemotional approach.
Love your steps! They work. Thanks Dana!
Oh, I like that! IF I need to replace this it’s worth the money to have a functional space
Super helpful, and i haven't even watch the whole declutter in 5 steps yet. You are my favorite to watch for inspiration. Sometimes i do have the energy to empty a while shelf and put the stuff i really want there, but most times not. And i do get to where i would put something and it's full. Didn't know what to do about that until today. That had been my hold up on putting things where i would look for them at. Now i know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart
This is a great miniseries. I'm looking forward to the final step because it is hard for me to make it fit without taking everything out.
Thank you so much for taking time during the holidays to help us stay motivated! We really appreciate you! 💕💕
My copy of, Decluttering At The Speed Of Life, is arriving today!!!! I'm so excited! Love the title! 🤓 📖
Every video I’m always struck with hair envy and start thinking about your hair routine and end up having to rewind and rewatch bc of my dang ol adhd running away with me. 😂
You are my favorite genius.
Ugh, I have so many things that don’t have homes it’s ridiculous. Looking forward to trying your method. I get so burnt out when I pull everything out and then left with multiple piles and no more brain energy. Decision fatigue is a real thing!
Dr. White, you are a fabulous therapist.
Helping us understand the WHY is just as important as the HOW.
I just had a lightbulb moment! Thanks, Dana.
FINALLY, someone who understands how my brain works!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
New to your method and loving it! I've been binging your audiobooks and Q&A's while I declutter, and it's like having a supportive friend there to help. Thanks so much!
I’ve read your books, listened to podcasts and watched TH-cam so I am familiar with your process and it’s so helpful. But honestly, where would I look for it first and my answer would be “in the mess over there” always stopped me in my tracks. What you said, take something out, trash, “duh” donation, to make space seems so obvious now. Of course, the space has a limit (container concept) put something in, take something out. 🤦🏼♀️ Thank you for living on my shoulder and whispering your knowledge in my ear so I can make progress.
I love the idea of putting the value on the decluttered space 👍❤️ Thank you!
Dana you have great tips. I think it’s easier for someone to get rid of something when they know it’s going to a good home. I have found listing things on the local neighborhood Facebook Buy Nothing group very fulfilling. People usually live within the neighborhood and are able to pick it up the same day or next day. Another way I’m able to get rid of some thing is I ask my quest self the question if it burned in the fire when I buy it again
I actually enjoy pulling everything out when I declutter. I don't know why: maybe because I'm a Butterfly and it gives me pleasure to see all my stuff. But also because when I put it all back, it feels like an all-new space. However, the no-mess method DEFINITELY helps now that I have two young toddlers who get into everything.
I agree! I LOVE clearing out and rearanging and organizibg a space, but with little kids around this is so much more effective: I no longer have to put things off until someone else can watch the kids.
Thank you for going into depth on step #4. I needed to be reminded of it as I'm continuing to declutter my home. I started in January 2023 and I still need this process. Am so grateful to have found your videos. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙏
I have just started to implement this method and can already see some progress. It really helped me to overcome the feeling of overwelm, which paralyzed me for decades.
I have noticed too, that the „take it there now“ approach has startet to creep into my daily habits, which is also very beneficial! 😀👍
Thank you Dana! You and your logical process have been very valuable in my life. I plan to teach your method to my grandchildren.
Once again you inspire & encourage me on my decluttering journey!
We are currently have listed our house and have decluttered a decent amount following some version of your rules (some stuff into trash, some donated, some put in boxes and stored so house looks nice). Many items that I would definitely have left on the kitchen tables are now hiding elsewhere and I keep running into that inconvenience. Husband put frying pan with dinner onto a cutting board instead of a trivet because he couldn't find a trivet, and I can't blame him, the cutting boards were where they always were on top of the fridge and the trivets were on top of the catalogs in a decorative box that I always throw catalogs, coupons etc. I picked that spot both because it's closer to the table and I don't want to put metal things on top of the fridge where they might fall on my head, but I really wanted trivet on table where it belongs. LOL. This too shall pass.
Thank you, Dana, for sharing this practical, helpful, easy process!
Reid must really be tired from editing. The credits didn't scroll. (Although I got the idea of what he was saying) That's always my favorite thing. The info is good too!!!! Just saying that I like to see what he comes up with at the end.
Thank you Dana for this in depth explanation. So timely for me. I’m excited to sign up for the take your house back course Happy New Year
Love the videos going into each step! Makes it so much easier to introduce friends and family to the concepts!
Your thought process makes total sense to me!
Great bideo and your decluttering 5 steps play in a loop in my brain all the time 😂
Dana, Thank you so much for making these more detailed videos of each of the 5 steps. They have all been very helpful, but this one especially. Your emphasis on the exact wording of the questions is so important; the "should" that so often creeps into the question can derail the process so fast. Trying to trust my instinct more in 2024! (and yes, it rhymes. you're welcome.)
This is one of my favorite videos you have made. Thanks for making it so black or white!
I love how to you explain the why, purpose and history of these questions in detail. But still trying to cut out emotions is uber challenging.
I have been binge watching your videos and a new subscriber and you have helped me so much.
Oh wow. Thank you!
Dana, thank you for your videos. They are very helpful and inspirational.
always wothwhile thanks Dana
I’ve watched so many of your videos. At this moment, I cleared off my closet shelf onto my bed. (Perhaps not ideal if I was taller, but it eliminates working on a ladder.) I am using your guide lines and looking forward to purge old, no longer needed craft supplies, organizing what I use and a little “Swedish Death Cleaning” mixed in!
Reporting back: the daunting task is done… complete… neat, labeled and organized! It took just over one hour, one large trash bag, two large donate bags. Such a good feeling!…..oh, and I found my gloves!
Excellent! Excellent!! Excellent!!!
Hi Dana, you have helped me so much. I am curious about where you got your shirt in this video. Thanks!
Thank you 🙏. Super helpful. Happy New Year 🎉
Although decluttering Dana's way seems obvious, I have never thought of her 5 steps. It would not occur to me naturally to do this process. However, Dana's way has proven it is the only way for me.
Loved this, especially the second decluttering question is more clear after this. But could not read the last line at the end about the Editor Who: …
I lost my husband 5 1/2 yrs ago but if you walk through our home especially our bedroom, you would never know he was gone, everything of his is still where he left it, I've not been able to really touch anything in his bathroom, and it's very dusty, I know it needs a good clean but I break down every time I start , same with his clothes, he was an auto alignment technician and he had special work clothes for that, so all of his cloths are in immaculate condition because he only wore them when he was not working and the only time he was not working was when the shop had to be closed for a holiday😌
Great process help!
This is so very helpful, thank you so much.
Love, love, love. How do you scale those two when it comes to a multi-family rare use of something and our instincts on where we'd look first differ? My lived answer is I take it where I want it and "FYI" my family, who then may or may not fight me on its location, or remember next time it's needed.
I think Dana has shared in other videos that the person who gets asked “where is the ___?” gets to decide the home. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much
I am so glad this video got made. I’m gonna be honest... I tend to skim over this step..#4 TWO VERY IMPORTANT DECLUTTERING QUESTIONS! Why? I don’t know. Do I have the other steps down? Yes. Th decluttering questions, get rearranged and not taking very serious by my “let’s just put it in a container brain” I want to organize. Do I know it’s not the same thing as decluttering? Yes. I don’t know what it is... Yes, I do. 🥺 I don’t want to be honest about it. By the time I’ve done trash, easy stuff, and all the duhs, I’m like oh look at the time! And I haven’t even made a mess! Let me tell you, sometimes, that’s at the three minute mark.
This is me. Someone, who keeps a clean house, does the dishes daily, doesn’t have a laundry overwhelm... I clean my house. I am a sentimental hoarder. It’s not loads and loads of stuff. Oh, and I have identity clutter too. Is that what it’s called? The rest of my house is clean. Not perfect, but clean. The two DC QUESTIONS... That’s what stops me from leveling up y house. Anyone else?
I will appreciate all responses, not just Dana’s 😊😂
I'm the same - I balk at the question stage. Perhaps it's scarcity mindset? (Cass from Clutterbug talks about this). One day I will get to through this stage but I have to give myself grace to get there. It's just layers to get through when I'm emotionally ready.
How does not finding things a home or decluttering them affect you? Everyone has different tolerance for stuff management in their space.
If it's just so your house looks pretty for other people, I wouldn't worry about it. If seeing that stuff, or knowing it exists adds stress, then remembering why can help with the follow through.
For me, I started with one surface that tends to attract clutter, and put away or declutter anything that doesn't need to be there. Notice how looking at that clear space feels in your body. Follow those feelings and you'll find the right balance for you.
We moved a few years ago at the same time as having our 6th child! What a whirlwind! Some things didn’t get properly put away because our new home had more and new kinds of spaces. Fast forward several years, and I was helping my husband with our bedroom closet. He had items in there that needed to go to his: office, garage, basement storage (several different categories!), vehicle, trash, donate, save for older boys to grow into.
“Where would I look for it?” was a concept I shared with him that seemed to help.
The thing that really stumped him was his old graduation caps! 🤣 I encouraged him to pitch them. I think subconsciously I was thinking “Would I even know we had this?”
Hope that helps!
This is sooooo helpful thank you x x
I love your logical approach. How would I go about having the realization that the first place I look for something really isnt a good place to keep it in the long run? And there is a better place to keep or store something? When would I change the location of those items to a more realistic place to access them? Would I wait until I'm done with the process at hand or just change the location immediately?
Whenever you do change its location you may want to leave a note in the first location about where you moved it to. I know that from experience. 😅
@kerrymoser1110 thank you! That's great. I have done that with (container) lids when I put the bottom part in a drawer as an organizer. I put a post it note in the lid as a reminder that the bottom part is being used somewhere else, so I don't throw out the lid!
@@JenekksGreat idea!
? On the 2nd question:
But what if you may well need the item in the near future, but are no longer in the position financially to replace the item?
I get stuck here so often!
I have 4 girls. Two teens and two toddlers. Keeping things to pass to the younger girls makes sense, but it also makes lots of clutter!
How do you handle a situation where the "first place I would look" doesn't exist anymore? Like right after a move, or with new furniture or house renovations. Or the first place you would look is not a good home for something? i.e. I would look for this first in that pile in the corner of the living room.
I am okay with the asking questions about feeling part of the process, because, most things don't spark joy and so its about "or do you need it" after that. The "joy" allows you to keep a few things that you might logically get rid of, but which would break your heart later. Like a necklace with a big rose on it. My personal decluttering method- never fully realized, due to interopers- is to sort things that are cluttering up the place by trash or not trash, sometimes including recycling. And, then sub categories by room or person, then sub categories of type, if needed. For instance, not trash- kitchen- pantry items- canned/ jarred goods- beans, fruit, sauces and condiments. Though, by the time I get down to "kitchen" I might be ble to go straight to the last bit of sorting. The rest of the things, the "don't know what to do with this" items I put in the "don't know what to do with this area" and call it a day. Because, then I go "Where is that thing? Where would i have put it? Nowhere, because, it isn't that kind of thing." So ,then I go look where things go that have no place else to go. But, I might have such a place for each room, if that seems prudent.
Great video. Thank you 🙏🏼
I asked that question when I suddenly needed to find my car insurance papers, where would I look for this first? They were always on the one shelf in the kitchen but it was not there anymore as I had rearrange my kitchen area. Now I can't find them anywhere and have been turning my house upside down, three searches and still no papers. 😓
Who has more fans? Dana or Reid? Haha Great video!
My issue is I've got piles of clutter in front of the place where I would look for this first. It makes it hard to figure out what to do. I guess I can put it near the drawer it'll go into and toss something that's in the way, until I declutter that space better?
I have this exact same problem. I can't seem to find an answer for this. What if we can't physically get to the "place I would look for this first" because there is too much clutter piled in front of it?
It Works !!!😁😁😁
Sometimes where I would look for something first is not a good home for it, though. I pile papers on the floor and use a kind of archeological approach-- recent papers on the top and older ones underneath-- but this creates a cluttered mess and a time-consuming process of searching for a specific paper. Or I might look for something first on a counter or table (often where I find it when I am decluttering), but then the work surface is covered with stuff and I can't use it. How do you deal with this issue?
I think Dana has shared in other videos that the question assumes the pile is no longer there. If this pile of random things/papers/etc. wasn’t here… where would I look for it first. Because the goal is there aren’t piles of homeless items/papers. Hope that helps!
The credits didn't scroll so we could read Reid's comments.
Yes I love reading the credits!
What do you do if the place you would look for something first isn't the place you want that thing to live? For example, I just reorganized a kitchen drawer and decided I really don't need a screwdriver there - it should be in the toolbox with the other tools. Yet, that's where I always go to look for it. How do I remember its new location when I move it? (I know an answer is, just continue to keep the screwdriver in the drawer, but in trying to be organized, I really want it moved.)
Is there a mix for the videos of each decluttering step from six months ago? (I’m watching this six months after it was published) I LOVED that series and started saving them into a playlist, but the ones I saved are buried in that too-long playlist. Then life happened and I didn’t watch TH-cam for five or six months. 🙄😕
What did the last part of the credits say at the end?
💖
? I have a question I haven't heard anyone else ask yet. How do you handle it if you have a room that you want to make into a different sort of room? I had a bedroom that I did sewing in, and now it has to be someone else's bedroom, so it needs a total clean out. I have another room which is kind of a junk room which I want to make into my new sewing/craft room. But I don't know where to start because there doesn't seem to be any space for staging stuff while it's being moved between the rooms, or installing new furniture or shelves. I've been putting this off for so long, because I'm lost what area to try to handle first. Nothing has a space it "belongs" yet. Just a general room to be in.
Maybe it's a new container so the things currently in it need to either fit into your other containers in the home or trashed or donated.
Ya definitely work on the junk room first. If you can eliminate stuff in their,
You can easier see it to set it up for its new purpose….
And remind yourself your making room for a new creative area…and thing that came to this room and has been sitting purposely gets the boot because you now have a new mindful purpose!
I can understand the Tetris. We had a small home with 5 children at one point. We considered getting a storage unit when the 6th baby was on the way and we couldn’t find an adequate house yet. (Thankfully, the Lord provided a much larger home in the 11th hour!!!)
Maybe you could play a game with yourself that you are “moving.” Get a certain amount of boxes that you think would be the comfortable amount of items for that room. Pack your sewing boxes first with all the things you are most excited to sew with. The favorite fabrics, tools, and threads, etc. Get excited about your projects again! Then donate extra craft supplies to make someone else’s dreams come true, too!
Then you can pack the extra bedroom things. Get excited about the people who are going to come visit!
Then what is left are the things Dana was talking about in this video. Where would I look for this? Would I know I had it?
But yes, you will literally have to have box piles somewhere in your home. I understand very well the Tetris!!!Maybe that can motivate you to work through these things more quickly.
Hope this helps!
Excuse me, Merialla, I see it’s not a guest room, it’s someone permanent room, but you get the idea. 😂 Hopefully the “someone” can help you!
Omg!! Hi Dana!! I just heard the podcast that you were on with Mel.. so I need help with a huge issue I'm in.. I've started to become comfortable with tossing and donations. BUT, I have a bunch of religious stuff that I have ( paper stamps or some candle with a Saint on it) anyway I can't seem to be able yo get rid of them. Some are already falling apart, but I feel god will punish Me if I toss them.. PLEASE HELP
❤❤❤
My husband won’t let me get rid of anything. I put stuff in the donate box and he goes behind me and takes it right back out. His reasoning is that in a few weeks or months I might start complaining that I wish I hadn’t gotten rid of said item. I guess in all fairness sometimes he’s right but what can I do for the other times?
Do your decluttering when he’s not around! 🤫
@@cindyhenry1410 yes most times
Sad that the end card isn't working.
Kelli Ward