Being disabled, it's not feasible for me to put things away as soon as I find them. I put them in a small laundry basket... and when I am finished decluttering the area... I put the basket on my small walker...and move it from place to place to put everything in its proper spot. 🌞
I was a caregiver and so many of my clients did this! I loved helping them work on decluttering projects and they always appreciated that I could take things to their final home right away. :D
I know this is an older video but I want to thank you for acknowledging not everyone has recycling access! I grew up rural outside the city limits, we didn't even get city trash service (had to pay a private company) and if we wanted to recycle we would have had to haul everything to the recycling center and pay them to take it. Where I live now, we get 1 bin that is picked up every two weeks. Anything that doesn't fit into that bin ends up going in the trash. There's a town yard that's open a few weekends in the summer where we can bring some stuff, but they don't take cardboard! So we recycle what we can but there's a limit. I think sometimes city/suburban people judge without realizing the things they have access to that not everyone does.
So many things people want to recycle aren't really recyclable anyway. I just participated in a Zoom meeting in our area with the waste hauler. Wishful recycling is a thing. We all need to get a grip on the fact we just need to consumer less. I thought I knew what I could recycle. I was wrong
For the person with general “tiredness”…for the person who lacks stamina…for the person who gets easily distracted…for the person who has only a few minutes at a time…(& many more constraints)… There’s nothing that works as well as the “no mess decluttering method”… Whether it’s a shoebox or a room, it’s genius! Thanks for elimination of piles Dana…
YES! She has helped me so much on my journey! "Do the dishes" "Where would you look for it first? Now TAKE IT THERE!" "DUH Donations" I hear her voice in my head all the time when I'm decluttering! Lol
It seems to upset people in my real life, but I call everything trash, junk, mess, etc when I'm decluttering my house. "Don't call your things trash!!! This is NICE!!" Like OK, objectively.... sure. But If I need to MOVE STUFF out of my life, it helps me if I can emotionally distance from it. If I think of things as "That Objectively Nice Thing From Auntie Vi That I am NOT Into" I feel like I have to keep it, because it's "nice". But If think of it as "That Mess" it becomes much easier to move it out.
I have stepped on toes inadvertently when I have even used the word declutter. One lady thought I was insinuating that all the stuff she had in her house was just junk, so I had to explain that no, the stuff wasn't trash, but it was stuff she didn't need and wanted to get rid of.
My Mom has a saying for the flat surface problem: "How many times do you want to pick this up and put it down again?", and my favorite: "I only have so many 'bend-overs' for the day, do I want to use it on this again?". Gotta love the hard earned Mom knowledge... tried and tested.
Absolutely! Reid is doing an amazing job. I realized with his end credits of this episode, that he is actually doing an exceptional technical (artistic) job - I could certainly not tell at all that he had to cut out so many "Okay"s.
This is my favorite series! Dana, thank you for providing this content! Also, thank you to the volunteers who allow themselves to be vulnerable by showing their clutter to us! It is so helpful seeing real people declutter ♥️
HAHA So true! It's so much easier jump to quick decisions when the clock is ticking and the camera is rolling! I recently took the tools that Dana taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone. Happy decluttering!
I love your method for making space in a 'container' that's too full already and how it keeps you focused and away from getting overwhelmed. It's brilliant.
Regarding envelopes - my Mother had the great idea of ripping in half every envelope as she had taken things out of them, so she would know they were ready to dispose of, and would not have to check them again. : )
A new habit that might help keep the table decluttered is to reset it with the dishes for the next meal after each meal is over and the table is cleared again. It could become a visual reminder that the table is for eating at not laying random stuff on.
@@LilCraftyNook Thank you! I'm going to try that out this Yule. It's the perfect time to test out that visual reminder idea and would look so pretty. And the prettiness would encourage me to actually do it.
I know this is an old video, but I just discovered this process and my MIND IS BLOWN. I am the child of a literal diagnosed hoarder, so mess management isn't something I was ever taught (and boy, was the idea of getting rid of things stressful). Accepting that progress is progress and that is fine in and of itself is so freeing.
Reid you make the end of the video hilarious, thanks for that . Dana you are the best at helping people learn how to clear their clutter and never put people down. I love that!
Over the last few years (and many misc power cords later) I grab some masking/duct tape and a marker the minute a new corded device is unwrapped and label what the cord is for. Others might laugh, but I have a whole box of “DUH what heck does this cord belong to???) the Love Dana’s humour and honesty (I wasn’t born with the organizing gene either)
Perfect timing! I’m procrasti-watching instead of clearing my kitchen island ( it looks just like this lady’s table!) and it’s just the motivator I need. I especially liked the reminder about what happens when the clutter builds again. Definitely something that happens to me often with the island! Thank you x
HAHA So true! It's so much easier to sit and watch rather than getting up and getting started!! I have watched so many decluttering videos this past year and learned SO MUCH!! Finally I was like "OK MY TURN, I NEED TO TAKE ACTION!!" So I took the tools that Dana taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone. Happy decluttering! I hope your kitchen Island is looking better now. Horizontal spaces are always "catch all spaces" for me! IDK why, but if there's a clear flat surface, I'll find something to pile on there!!😑🤦♀️
I recently decluttered and clean my huge kitchen island. My goodness it looks wonderful. I’m working hard to keep it nice. I know it’s only been over a week, but it still looks great. Blessings to you from Texas.
@@salsarmemimi7292 Great job!! Yes! It makes such a visual impact when those counters/islands are clear!! I cleared my kitchen and bathroom counters back in March 2021 when I started my decluttering journey and they have stayed that way! Of course they get things accumulated here and there, but now a simple 5 minute pick up gets them back to clear (as opposed to 30 minutes or an hour! Lol) It's so nice to wake up to clear counters! START UP THE DAILY "5 Minute Pick Up "and yours will stay that way too!! Good job!! (I believe Dana K White is the one that I learned the 5 minute pick up from. Her videos have helped me learn so much and helped me to start my journey and also helped me to start posting decluttering videos of my journey too.) Happy decluttering! Keep going! 💪
I cleaned a kitchen drawer yesterday that holds paper things and clips and rubberbands and such. I thought it was 'clean' as I did it a year or two ago and it just needed some neatening to close nicely. I often think we don't have much trash hanging about but this drawer was the exception for sure! Duplicate school paperwork from year to year, used notebooks with only a handful of useable clean sheets within...I made progress very quickly and it made a HUGE difference and felt great. It's not a place anyone but me sees much, but it sure is nicer now when I go in there for something.
I loved all of the information in this video and please thank your volunteer for letting us in her home. Seeing it in action really helps to understand it better. I've been a long time subscriber and I am so happy you started making videos again this year. I hope you will continue because you help more people than you realize. Thank you!
Love your method. Love the realism of it not being perfect or completely done at the end... and yet, with the goal being ”make it better in one hour” it does feel like success. Thanks for the motivation!
Yes it surprised me how well it works for me and also for my daily pick up to”take it there right now” when I pick something up and start ti put it back down. It gets me moving
Parting with the purple eyeglasses case reminded me of the breakup line "It's not you, it's me" LOL There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not needed in your life and you free it up for someone else to enjoy.
I enjoyed seeing her scripture verses on the wall! God's Word is Lifegiving! Inspiring! My kitchen table used to look like that and I stuff shifted for many, many years. Now, in my 'beginning-to-declutter- life", The table is usually visibly clear (just a recent shipment of supplements on it today). But my desk!!! That area needs a One hour better/Visibility Rule following focus!!! Thanks for the inspiration to not get discouraged and to attack it in do-able time slots!
Although I don’t set a timer, your decluttering steps have made a BIG impact. I work till the momentum subsides. Now I don’t feel the need to wait until I have a free day to declutter. Thank you soooo much!!!
My kids are 49, 46, and 42. I saved only a few art projects from each year. If you flatten cardboard cartons as soon as they come, it saves space. If you need one later, you can retape. I brought home scrap paper from work for drawing and homework. I still flatten and roll plastic bags. Then store in a small bag, or recycle. We've always lived in a small space. Tina, Al's wife
You are doing such a great ministry of help Dana. What an honorable and loving gift you are to so many. Its taken a journey of trial and error but i did finally learn that if 1-2 things were on a space that should stay clear it WILL breed. If I keep it completely clear (consistent habit) it gathers less. Its a strange thing to observe but its true for our house. It took a few years of the baseline normal look of the kitchen counters, dryer, or any flat surface to be completely empty. So when there is one coffee cup in the middle of the counter i now see it and atleast immediately move it to the sink and usually clean it and put on drying area. If not something else will appear on the counter very quickly besides that cup. Im here to cheer everyone on in this long journey of putting things away radically fast. We can train ourselves to do this. And if its difficult to do that there is too much inventory in the house to manage or no home for it. Thre is grace and mercy for this process, there is also deliverance from any bondage in keeping too much stuff to manage. We must downsize to live in peace. Ladies we are the gate keeper of home peace. Onward! You can do this!
So helpful to see this in action and what to do when one space distracts me from another that I’m “suppose to” be working on. Listening to your book “decluttering at the speed of life” and ohhhhh my gosh am I glad I found you Dana! After the zillion other decluttering meat gods I’ve tried and failed at you and The Minimal Mom are making it so I can ACTUALLY see results and get rid of stuff instead of stuff shift!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏼
HAHA So true! I have watched so many videos and learned SO MUCH!! Especially from Dana and Dawn! Finally I was like "OK MY TURN!!" So I took the tools that Dana and Dawn taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others who are struggling too! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone. I'm finally making progress too! Happy decluttering!
Visibility was such a game changer for me. I definitely tend to go working in a drawer when I feel like improving my house it just killed my spirit when I afterward still had a crazy-pants house!
Brilliant! It just works - every single time! Especially the container concept - so easy to whip things out that aren’t as wanted as whatever is being put in! Thank you! 😊
I always focus on what is visible, I don’t start with a closet, drawer or my bedroom. Doors close. My main living space for the family is first. It inspires me to continue in the smaller areas. Don’t actually look at my house now, 5 people all working but that’s always my goal.
1. Your son Reid is just hilarious! Love his editor notes at the end he always makes me laugh out loud every single time 🤣🤣🤣 2. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for these 1 Hour Better videos! You put your method into practice and make it look so easy and that gets me super motivated to declutter! You're amazing and you have no idea how much you're helping us ex-slobs get our sh*t together! You're the only decluttering expert that resonates with me because you've been there, done that! The other perfectly organized so called experts can never understand the way we think or even scratch the surface when it comes to changing our mindset. Love your 1 Hour Better videos please keep posting them!
Something that helps us keep our dining table clear of clutter after we managed to get it cleared off was putting place mats on the table. We are visually reminded that the “big open flat space” is for eating and not collecting. We still manage to place an item or two on occasion, but it was walked to its home before the next meal!
You are the most amazing tutor for people like me with ADHD!! I can tell you so “get it” 🥰 Thank you!! I’m super far advanced into my minimalism (I know that’s not your specialty area as you’ve said it other videos) but as a person with the attention things you’re so Perfectly Inspiring!! You help so much!! 🙏🏻
I used this rule last night to put a lot of things away. The progress is really noticeable! I also sometimes put things into a bin to sort out when on a conference call or in a support group on zoom. It helps a lot! Thanks Dana! My home thanks you.
I had not heard the phrase “stuff shift” I had been saying slide puzzle to describe my chaos management (referring to the plastic slide puzzles from my childhood party favors) Over twenty years, 6 occupants, two bedrooms one bath. Stuff shift has been our life and may well continue to be, however management of what we value, and need. As well as efficient storage and a less cluttered appearance is my goal now. You have been the best help to me on this journey, I enjoy your humor and understand now things I was not understanding before. You brought a clarity and a reality to the process. The better is good motto has been one of the most simple and dramatic things. Realizing that all progress is better, watching your videos as I sorted or cleaned, or listening to an audiobook helped Thanks Dana!!
We call it the Dropsies. Not like the historical term for fainting and seizures narcolepsy, edema etc. But that we drop things when we come into the house from the front door back door, garage etc...
I found myself feeling so happy for her as time was ticking away and the clutter was going away! Very motivating, thank you. As a disabled woman with multiple fused vertebra and limited mobility, THIS method actually looks doable! Thank you for this series ❤️
Perfect timing; I needed a Dana K. White motivational video. Sifted through important papers yesterday, brought the ones that needed to be destroyed to a place that will fine shred + recycle the papers (!), so now I have room in my file cabinet for legit things. But . . . that pile of boxes on the desk from cleaning and organizing the closet isn't mostly paper (gasp!). Those boxes mostly house my old cassette tapes. Okay, there are a few that I sometimes listen to, but really, these boxes of cassettes just need to GO. They weigh me down and are keeping me from using the desk in my office. Tomorrow is garbage day, so TODAY I am getting rid of at least 90% of them and reclaiming my space. The container (space in the office) gets to be the bad guy who makes the decision. I'm armed with everything you have taught us + Cass' statement, "If it isn't a firm yes, then it is a NO." Have a great week!
Total agree with the visibility rule. I have the main area of my house decluttered for the most part. I have been binging decluttering videos the last few days during nap time to tackle my bedroom. It’s a hot mess lol. Unfortunately what’s left is my hubby’s stuff but I finally got him to clean off his dresser and omg it makes the world of difference. I’m hoping the visibility rule kicks in for him and he agrees to do more (like his closet lol.)
I had a Halloween party and the mess was stressing me out, but putting this on as something to listen to while I work helped me deal with the task and now things are nearly restored to order. Thank you for sharing your no-nonsense method.
You inspired me. I put just 15 minutes on a timer (bc that felt manageable). I goofed around for the first few minutes but by the time the timer went off I was motivated enough to finish another 15 minutes, and then another. I spent almost an hour cleaning an area I've been putting off for months.
Regarding the desire to recycle things in our decluttering journeys, but not having the ability to for whatever reason, I heard this phrase somewhere that helped me get past the guilt of just throwing the recyclables away for the time being: You have to save yourself first before you can save the world. It put it into perspective for me! I just wish I could remember who said it to give them credit.
Dana- I love your book, your videos and most important, your METHODOLOGY! It's brilliant! I wanted to share with you a term coined by a friend of mine that sums up my problem with clutter. That is, "memory piles." I create little piles of stuff to remind me to do something in the future. A pile of mail that I need to prompt me to call and deal with an insurance claim or contested bill or whatever. A blanket and my sewing box to remind me to mend a hem. An empty bottle to remind me to buy a replacement bottle. Memory piles are everywhere in my house and I have trouble breaking this habit. HELP! Do other people do this or is it just me?
This comment is late but the “take it there now” rule works for most of this. If you aren’t going to mend the blanket now, throw it out. If you aren’t going to get the replacement bottle now, throw away the empty one. But issues with insurance and bills? That’s a separate issue and if you have trouble managing bills then you need help from someone who can provide that kind of service for you, in real life, though, not on TH-cam.
I love your “One Hour Better” series. It’s the most motivating for me. Because I actually get to put visual cleaning, with what I imagined it looking like from your books.
I just finished ur 1st book -love it! and watching this has demonstrated how the process is both doable and fulfilling! Thank u for making me feel normal n possible:)
The no-mess decluttering method really works. It also works as an exercise program because you have to put stuff away as you find it, not just make another pile.
This is a super motivating video. I have health issues and whenever I've tried to declutter I have done the whole "empty every single drawer, wardrobe etc and pile it all on the bed". You know what I'm going to say next. I end up in too much pain or exhausted and everything goes back. Following Dana's advice I have started decluttering in bite size chunks. Yes it will take me a while and my flat is still very messy but I can see a difference already.
This is weird. I just finished a solid dedicated MONTH of decluttering every room in the house, donated, trashed and bonfired an unbelievable amount of items. Now i don't feel much progress as i look around my rooms. It all feels too cluttered yet. Clearly, this is going to take another month of hard decision making, and lifestyle changes.
There are so many layers to big decluttered. You have done a good work!! 🙌 Minimal Mom Dawn often talks about onion-like layers. I have a suggestion: in your next "round" simply quiet and declutter surfaces
@@fleabitz1474 Great suggestion! I recently started decluttering again and I'm taking photos and also posting videos! It really does help to see the before and after! I still have so far to go! Lol
@Minka Yes, it can take several go arounds! Be proud of the progress that you have made! If you feel it's still too cluttered, then you just haven't found your "clutter threshold" yet. Dana has been on her journey for about 10 years and Dawn has been on hers for about 7, I think. This process takes time. Embrace the joy of "better" and keep going until you look around and feel peace. Happy decluttering! 😊❤
@@jessicaderstine4061 Yes! So true! It's definitely not a "one and done" for most of us who have been building up our clutter for years!! Lol I'm still on the first outer skin of my onion!!! LOL Thankfully though, I'm making progress after learning so much from Dana and Dawn! They even inspired me to start making my own videos! It really helps to make quicker decisions when the timer is going and the camera is rolling!! Lol Happy decluttering! 😊❤
Thank you for the really simple and easy to follow and do guidelines for decluttering! I already had success decluttering a space in my living room one hour after watching for the first time!
Love you and your channel! I work with business owners on processes. I encourage them to “touch” a piece of info once. Basically put in permanent home. My gosh I so needed you to help me realize I needed to do this in my real tangible world! Thank you!
I’ve been watching your videos and then applying the info to my cleaning/organizing/decluttering time, and I’m happy to say that it’s working! I’m so glad I watched the first video I saw on TH-cam ❤. Thank you!
I live in NZ and we are lucky in that the council gives every household two bins, one for recycling one for all other rubbish, and I take them to the curb on Wednesday night and garbage trucks collect them. Not so good when I forget though.
I decided we didn’t need a table anymore because it was just another place for junk when I first got with my husband. We are both better now at not dumping stuff as much so when we move to our next place if we can get a table I will since I know it won’t fit now.
Being disabled, it's not feasible for me to put things away as soon as I find them. I put them in a small laundry basket... and when I am finished decluttering the area... I put the basket on my small walker...and move it from place to place to put everything in its proper spot. 🌞
I was a caregiver and so many of my clients did this! I loved helping them work on decluttering projects and they always appreciated that I could take things to their final home right away. :D
Excellent process!
My walker is my laundry hauler…well actually anything that fits to go from one room to another.. take care Eileen.
Working smarter not harder. Great idea.
@@cami9447 Me too!!! Blessings. 🌞
I know this is an older video but I want to thank you for acknowledging not everyone has recycling access! I grew up rural outside the city limits, we didn't even get city trash service (had to pay a private company) and if we wanted to recycle we would have had to haul everything to the recycling center and pay them to take it. Where I live now, we get 1 bin that is picked up every two weeks. Anything that doesn't fit into that bin ends up going in the trash. There's a town yard that's open a few weekends in the summer where we can bring some stuff, but they don't take cardboard! So we recycle what we can but there's a limit. I think sometimes city/suburban people judge without realizing the things they have access to that not everyone does.
So many things people want to recycle aren't really recyclable anyway. I just participated in a Zoom meeting in our area with the waste hauler. Wishful recycling is a thing. We all need to get a grip on the fact we just need to consumer less. I thought I knew what I could recycle. I was wrong
Yes recycling isn’t as easy as it should be. I would gladly take my stuff to a recycling center if there was one available anywhere near me
👏👏👏👏
For the person with general “tiredness”…for the person who lacks stamina…for the person who gets easily distracted…for the person who has only a few minutes at a time…(& many more constraints)… There’s nothing that works as well as the “no mess decluttering method”…
Whether it’s a shoebox or a room, it’s genius! Thanks for elimination of piles Dana…
YES! She has helped me so much on my journey!
"Do the dishes"
"Where would you look for it first? Now TAKE IT THERE!"
"DUH Donations"
I hear her voice in my head all the time when I'm decluttering! Lol
@@TrinaRaysTrekofLife 7
@@cindymcelya736 "7" What?
Sorry, but I didn't understand your reply.
It seems to upset people in my real life, but I call everything trash, junk, mess, etc when I'm decluttering my house. "Don't call your things trash!!! This is NICE!!" Like OK, objectively.... sure. But If I need to MOVE STUFF out of my life, it helps me if I can emotionally distance from it. If I think of things as "That Objectively Nice Thing From Auntie Vi That I am NOT Into" I feel like I have to keep it, because it's "nice". But If think of it as "That Mess" it becomes much easier to move it out.
One person's trash is another person's treasure. I give it away so that someone else can enjoy it. 🌞
I love that 💕!!! It totally makes sense because if I think it's pretty I will want to keep it
I have stepped on toes inadvertently when I have even used the word declutter. One lady thought I was insinuating that all the stuff she had in her house was just junk, so I had to explain that no, the stuff wasn't trash, but it was stuff she didn't need and wanted to get rid of.
What a great idea! I try to tell myself that I’ve enjoyed having that item for a while but it’s time to “bless” someone else with it.
Those people are emotional hoarders, unhealthily attached to things. I can say this because I get it myself!
My Mom has a saying for the flat surface problem: "How many times do you want to pick this up and put it down again?", and my favorite: "I only have so many 'bend-overs' for the day, do I want to use it on this again?". Gotta love the hard earned Mom knowledge... tried and tested.
*Golden words*
Honestly, I have learned to love the "take it there now" because I get a lot of steps on my fitbit!
True! Great way to exercise without having the feeling it's exercise!
I was thinking it would be a great way to increase steps!!
Tell Reid he can never quit. He is the icing on the cake.
The credits are always a must read. And worth it every time. What a guy
He makes me laugh every time!!!
Absolutely! Reid is doing an amazing job. I realized with his end credits of this episode, that he is actually doing an exceptional technical (artistic) job - I could certainly not tell at all that he had to cut out so many "Okay"s.
This is my favorite series! Dana, thank you for providing this content! Also, thank you to the volunteers who allow themselves to be vulnerable by showing their clutter to us! It is so helpful seeing real people declutter ♥️
I completely agree!!
I love the 1 hour better, there is something about beating the clock, just make decisions faster....
HAHA So true! It's so much easier jump to quick decisions when the clock is ticking and the camera is rolling!
I recently took the tools that Dana taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone.
Happy decluttering!
"Visibility Rule" is genius!! Everything you explained resonates with me. God bless this young family.
I love your method for making space in a 'container' that's too full already and how it keeps you focused and away from getting overwhelmed. It's brilliant.
I think it would be cool to revisit people you visited before see if they kept it up.
Regarding envelopes - my Mother had the great idea of ripping in half every envelope as she had taken things out of them, so she would know they were ready to dispose of, and would not have to check them again. : )
Omg!!! I just did that earlier. I had to tell myself, to let it go, because I'm not going to mail anything back.
Great idea 💡
Yes we rip ours in half too. If its ripped in half, we know its trash, shred, recycle, or that bill has been paid. ❤
I have to do this! Otherwise I end up with a pile of "I think I need to deal with this" and it turns out it's all empty envelopes! 🙈
A new habit that might help keep the table decluttered is to reset it with the dishes for the next meal after each meal is over and the table is cleared again. It could become a visual reminder that the table is for eating at not laying random stuff on.
Wow! Great idea!!
I did that at Christmas last year and it was amazing!! (I have a beautiful set I had never used!)
@@LilCraftyNook Thank you! I'm going to try that out this Yule. It's the perfect time to test out that visual reminder idea and would look so pretty. And the prettiness would encourage me to actually do it.
@Scottish Lassie This was a different concept for me too. But, a lot of people like to keep their table set. 🤷🏼♀️
Have yall met toddlers? 😅
Dana, I love this "One hour better" series! It's so fun to watch! Oh Reid, I say OK all the time too. It might be a mom thing. LOL
You are so right, Dana: Applying the visibility rule adds SOOOOO much momentum. Thanks for helping me start my day!
One of my LIFE CHANGING mantras when decluttering OR shopping comes at 13:37:
"I love it so much but I don't need it."
I know this is an old video, but I just discovered this process and my MIND IS BLOWN.
I am the child of a literal diagnosed hoarder, so mess management isn't something I was ever taught (and boy, was the idea of getting rid of things stressful). Accepting that progress is progress and that is fine in and of itself is so freeing.
Reid you make the end of the video hilarious, thanks for that . Dana you are the best at helping people learn how to clear their clutter and never put people down. I love that!
Over the last few years (and many misc power cords later) I grab some masking/duct tape and a marker the minute a new corded device is unwrapped and label what the cord is for. Others might laugh, but I have a whole box of “DUH what heck does this cord belong to???) the Love Dana’s humour and honesty (I wasn’t born with the organizing gene either)
That's a great idea!!
Won’t the cords get sticky? My labeled Ziploc bags for loose cords waste space, so I’m still looking for a solution.
You can write title onto bread bag tie and clip it onto the cord.
Same problem here! Decluttering my basement and can’t believe how many random cords there are!
Perfect timing! I’m procrasti-watching instead of clearing my kitchen island ( it looks just like this lady’s table!) and it’s just the motivator I need. I especially liked the reminder about what happens when the clutter builds again. Definitely something that happens to me often with the island! Thank you x
HAHA So true! It's so much easier to sit and watch rather than getting up and getting started!!
I have watched so many decluttering videos this past year and learned SO MUCH!!
Finally I was like "OK MY TURN, I NEED TO TAKE ACTION!!"
So I took the tools that Dana taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone.
Happy decluttering!
I hope your kitchen Island is looking better now. Horizontal spaces are always "catch all spaces" for me! IDK why, but if there's a clear flat surface, I'll find something to pile on there!!😑🤦♀️
I recently decluttered and clean my huge kitchen island. My goodness it looks wonderful. I’m working hard to keep it nice. I know it’s only been over a week, but it still looks great. Blessings to you from Texas.
@@salsarmemimi7292
Great job!!
Yes! It makes such a visual impact when those counters/islands are clear!!
I cleared my kitchen and bathroom counters back in March 2021 when I started my decluttering journey and they have stayed that way!
Of course they get things accumulated here and there, but now a simple 5 minute pick up gets them back to clear (as opposed to 30 minutes or an hour! Lol)
It's so nice to wake up to clear counters!
START UP THE DAILY "5 Minute Pick Up "and yours will stay that way too!!
Good job!!
(I believe Dana K White is the one that I learned the 5 minute pick up from. Her videos have helped me learn so much and helped me to start my journey and also helped me to start posting decluttering videos of my journey too.)
Happy decluttering!
Keep going! 💪
I cleaned a kitchen drawer yesterday that holds paper things and clips and rubberbands and such. I thought it was 'clean' as I did it a year or two ago and it just needed some neatening to close nicely. I often think we don't have much trash hanging about but this drawer was the exception for sure! Duplicate school paperwork from year to year, used notebooks with only a handful of useable clean sheets within...I made progress very quickly and it made a HUGE difference and felt great. It's not a place anyone but me sees much, but it sure is nicer now when I go in there for something.
I loved all of the information in this video and please thank your volunteer for letting us in her home. Seeing it in action really helps to understand it better. I've been a long time subscriber and I am so happy you started making videos again this year. I hope you will continue because you help more people than you realize. Thank you!
Love your method. Love the realism of it not being perfect or completely done at the end... and yet, with the goal being ”make it better in one hour” it does feel like success. Thanks for the motivation!
Yes it surprised me how well it works for me and also for my daily pick up to”take it there right now” when I pick something up and start ti put it back down. It gets me moving
I thought that table was smaller than it ended up being after an hour! Good work ladies!
She did a really good job. I remember my table getting cluttered a lot when my kids were small.
Parting with the purple eyeglasses case reminded me of the breakup line "It's not you, it's me" LOL There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not needed in your life and you free it up for someone else to enjoy.
So much progress in just an hour! Inspiring! Would be great to see a before and after comparison at the end of the video.
I really enjoy seeing practical application of your decluttering methods. Thank you for the great videos It has made a difference in my house!
Yay! I'm loving this series so much, so excited to see another installment! It is so inspirational and helpful.
That was wonderful! You explain it to clearly and demonstrate how and why!
I enjoyed seeing her scripture verses on the wall! God's Word is Lifegiving! Inspiring! My kitchen table used to look like that and I stuff shifted for many, many years. Now, in my 'beginning-to-declutter- life", The table is usually visibly clear (just a recent shipment of supplements on it today). But my desk!!! That area needs a One hour better/Visibility Rule following focus!!! Thanks for the inspiration to not get discouraged and to attack it in do-able time slots!
Although I don’t set a timer, your decluttering steps have made a BIG impact. I work till the momentum subsides. Now I don’t feel the need to wait until I have a free day to declutter. Thank you soooo much!!!
My kids are 49, 46, and 42. I saved only a few art projects from each year. If you flatten cardboard cartons as soon as they come, it saves space. If you need one later,
you can retape. I brought home scrap paper from work for drawing and homework. I still flatten and roll plastic bags. Then store in a small bag, or recycle. We've always
lived in a small space. Tina, Al's wife
You are doing such a great ministry of help Dana. What an honorable and loving gift you are to so many.
Its taken a journey of trial and error but i did finally learn that if 1-2 things were on a space that should stay clear it WILL breed. If I keep it completely clear (consistent habit) it gathers less. Its a strange thing to observe but its true for our house. It took a few years of the baseline normal look of the kitchen counters, dryer, or any flat surface to be completely empty. So when there is one coffee cup in the middle of the counter i now see it and atleast immediately move it to the sink and usually clean it and put on drying area. If not something else will appear on the counter very quickly besides that cup.
Im here to cheer everyone on in this long journey of putting things away radically fast. We can train ourselves to do this. And if its difficult to do that there is too much inventory in the house to manage or no home for it. Thre is grace and mercy for this process, there is also deliverance from any bondage in keeping too much stuff to manage. We must downsize to live in peace. Ladies we are the gate keeper of home peace. Onward! You can do this!
Please continue doing these episode. I am starting to understand that one hour is enough time....thank you
So helpful to see this in action and what to do when one space distracts me from another that I’m “suppose to” be working on. Listening to your book “decluttering at the speed of life” and ohhhhh my gosh am I glad I found you Dana! After the zillion other decluttering meat gods I’ve tried and failed at you and The Minimal Mom are making it so I can ACTUALLY see results and get rid of stuff instead of stuff shift!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍🏼
HAHA So true!
I have watched so many videos and learned SO MUCH!! Especially from Dana and Dawn!
Finally I was like "OK MY TURN!!"
So I took the tools that Dana and Dawn taught me and started my journey again! I even started posting videos of my progress (s-l-o-w but steady) to hopefully motivate others who are struggling too! It's nice to declutter along with someone and not feel so alone.
I'm finally making progress too!
Happy decluttering!
Visibility was such a game changer for me. I definitely tend to go working in a drawer when I feel like improving my house it just killed my spirit when I afterward still had a crazy-pants house!
"It's hard because I love it so much, but..."
This is my cue to thank it for being in my life, and let someone else enjoy it, too.
Brilliant! It just works - every single time! Especially the container concept - so easy to whip things out that aren’t as wanted as whatever is being put in! Thank you! 😊
I love these videos where you're at someone else's house. And I love the funny credits.
I always focus on what is visible, I don’t start with a closet, drawer or my bedroom. Doors close. My main living space for the family is first. It inspires me to continue in the smaller areas. Don’t actually look at my house now, 5 people all working but that’s always my goal.
Dana, I feel like I have you right here, helping me reclaim my house. Reid, you do an excellent job and really brighten the credits!
1. Your son Reid is just hilarious! Love his editor notes at the end he always makes me laugh out loud every single time 🤣🤣🤣
2. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for these 1 Hour Better videos! You put your method into practice and make it look so easy and that gets me super motivated to declutter! You're amazing and you have no idea how much you're helping us ex-slobs get our sh*t together! You're the only decluttering expert that resonates with me because you've been there, done that! The other perfectly organized so called experts can never understand the way we think or even scratch the surface when it comes to changing our mindset.
Love your 1 Hour Better videos please keep posting them!
Love this! One hour better. Such a momentum builder.
Something that helps us keep our dining table clear of clutter after we managed to get it cleared off was putting place mats on the table. We are visually reminded that the “big open flat space” is for eating and not collecting. We still manage to place an item or two on occasion, but it was walked to its home before the next meal!
You are the most amazing tutor for people like me with ADHD!! I can tell you so “get it” 🥰 Thank you!! I’m super far advanced into my minimalism (I know that’s not your specialty area as you’ve said it other videos) but as a person with the attention things you’re so Perfectly Inspiring!! You help so much!! 🙏🏻
I used this rule last night to put a lot of things away. The progress is really noticeable! I also sometimes put things into a bin to sort out when on a conference call or in a support group on zoom. It helps a lot! Thanks Dana! My home thanks you.
Hi! Thank you for sharing. I appreciate you stopping & addressing some of the problems and issues with clearing off the table.
I think I must have a sickness 😂
My literally at work, helping someone declutter. So on my lunch, I'm watching you and Dawn. 😂🙌
Okay, you are officially *the* most helpful decluttering guru. Thank you ❤️
I love this one hour better series. Helps me see the quick difference!
I had not heard the phrase “stuff shift” I had been saying slide puzzle to describe my chaos management (referring to the plastic slide puzzles from my childhood party favors) Over twenty years, 6 occupants, two bedrooms one bath. Stuff shift has been our life and may well continue to be, however management of what we value, and need. As well as efficient storage and a less cluttered appearance is my goal now. You have been the best help to me on this journey, I enjoy your humor and understand now things I was not understanding before. You brought a clarity and a reality to the process. The better is good motto has been one of the most simple and dramatic things. Realizing that all progress is better, watching your videos as I sorted or cleaned, or listening to an audiobook helped Thanks Dana!!
We call it the Dropsies. Not like the historical term for fainting and seizures narcolepsy, edema etc. But that we drop things when we come into the house from the front door back door, garage etc...
I found myself feeling so happy for her as time was ticking away and the clutter was going away! Very motivating, thank you. As a disabled woman with multiple fused vertebra and limited mobility, THIS method actually looks doable! Thank you for this series ❤️
Thank you. Always good to see your rules in action. 🤗
Perfect timing; I needed a Dana K. White motivational video. Sifted through important papers yesterday, brought the ones that needed to be destroyed to a place that will fine shred + recycle the papers (!), so now I have room in my file cabinet for legit things. But . . . that pile of boxes on the desk from cleaning and organizing the closet isn't mostly paper (gasp!). Those boxes mostly house my old cassette tapes. Okay, there are a few that I sometimes listen to, but really, these boxes of cassettes just need to GO. They weigh me down and are keeping me from using the desk in my office. Tomorrow is garbage day, so TODAY I am getting rid of at least 90% of them and reclaiming my space. The container (space in the office) gets to be the bad guy who makes the decision. I'm armed with everything you have taught us + Cass' statement, "If it isn't a firm yes, then it is a NO." Have a great week!
I am applying the visibility rule and it's working like a charm. Beautiful!!
Thank you for the great tips! I live alone, still manage to clutter this place up.
Total agree with the visibility rule. I have the main area of my house decluttered for the most part. I have been binging decluttering videos the last few days during nap time to tackle my bedroom. It’s a hot mess lol. Unfortunately what’s left is my hubby’s stuff but I finally got him to clean off his dresser and omg it makes the world of difference. I’m hoping the visibility rule kicks in for him and he agrees to do more (like his closet lol.)
Found you this year through Minimal Mom. Your declutterring method has changed my life. Thank you! I have signed up for Take Back Your Home Sept 2024!
I had a Halloween party and the mess was stressing me out, but putting this on as something to listen to while I work helped me deal with the task and now things are nearly restored to order. Thank you for sharing your no-nonsense method.
Thanks for helping teachers! We have so much more stuff than most people going to and from school.
You inspired me. I put just 15 minutes on a timer (bc that felt manageable). I goofed around for the first few minutes but by the time the timer went off I was motivated enough to finish another 15 minutes, and then another. I spent almost an hour cleaning an area I've been putting off for months.
I seem to have the attention span of a 5-year-old most of the time so this timer method sounds very helpful.
BETTER is GOOD!!! Is a great reminder. I also like, DONE is BETTER THAN PERFECT!!! Thank you for this video.
thank you dana, you are awesome and nice and not judging and I finally understand some things, thanks to you and your explanations
Love your videos, love your books, love how my decluttered house feels & looks. Ty… a million times thank you! 💕
Great perspective for those of us who get discouraged! 💜
Regarding the desire to recycle things in our decluttering journeys, but not having the ability to for whatever reason, I heard this phrase somewhere that helped me get past the guilt of just throwing the recyclables away for the time being: You have to save yourself first before you can save the world. It put it into perspective for me! I just wish I could remember who said it to give them credit.
Dana- I love your book, your videos and most important, your METHODOLOGY! It's brilliant! I wanted to share with you a term coined by a friend of mine that sums up my problem with clutter. That is, "memory piles." I create little piles of stuff to remind me to do something in the future. A pile of mail that I need to prompt me to call and deal with an insurance claim or contested bill or whatever. A blanket and my sewing box to remind me to mend a hem. An empty bottle to remind me to buy a replacement bottle. Memory piles are everywhere in my house and I have trouble breaking this habit. HELP! Do other people do this or is it just me?
This comment is late but the “take it there now” rule works for most of this. If you aren’t going to mend the blanket now, throw it out. If you aren’t going to get the replacement bottle now, throw away the empty one.
But issues with insurance and bills? That’s a separate issue and if you have trouble managing bills then you need help from someone who can provide that kind of service for you, in real life, though, not on TH-cam.
This is one of my favorite rules. Now, every time I finish anything, I hear you say It is better. Thank you, Dana. Keep up the great work.
Just what was needed this morning to get motivated!!! 👍
I love your “One Hour Better” series. It’s the most motivating for me. Because I actually get to put visual cleaning, with what I imagined it looking like from your books.
I just finished ur 1st book -love it! and watching this has demonstrated how the process is both doable and fulfilling! Thank u for making me feel normal n possible:)
The no-mess decluttering method really works. It also works as an exercise program because you have to put stuff away as you find it, not just make another pile.
This is a super motivating video. I have health issues and whenever I've tried to declutter I have done the whole "empty every single drawer, wardrobe etc and pile it all on the bed". You know what I'm going to say next. I end up in too much pain or exhausted and everything goes back. Following Dana's advice I have started decluttering in bite size chunks. Yes it will take me a while and my flat is still very messy but I can see a difference already.
Okay 👍🏼😉😁😄.
I enjoy watching these, and while my kitchen table is not quite as full, it’s an impulse! Thank you
This is weird. I just finished a solid dedicated MONTH of decluttering every room in the house, donated, trashed and bonfired an unbelievable amount of items. Now i don't feel much progress as i look around my rooms. It all feels too cluttered yet. Clearly, this is going to take another month of hard decision making, and lifestyle changes.
There are so many layers to big decluttered.
You have done a good work!! 🙌
Minimal Mom Dawn often talks about onion-like layers.
I have a suggestion: in your next "round" simply quiet and declutter surfaces
Be sure to take "before and after" pics. I feel the same way as you, but when I compare pics the progress is actually astonishing.
@@fleabitz1474 Great suggestion!
I recently started decluttering again and I'm taking photos and also posting videos! It really does help to see the before and after!
I still have so far to go! Lol
@Minka Yes, it can take several go arounds!
Be proud of the progress that you have made!
If you feel it's still too cluttered, then you just haven't found your "clutter threshold" yet.
Dana has been on her journey for about 10 years and Dawn has been on hers for about 7, I think.
This process takes time.
Embrace the joy of "better" and keep going until you look around and feel peace.
Happy decluttering! 😊❤
@@jessicaderstine4061 Yes! So true!
It's definitely not a "one and done" for most of us who have been building up our clutter for years!! Lol
I'm still on the first outer skin of my onion!!! LOL
Thankfully though, I'm making progress after learning so much from Dana and Dawn! They even inspired me to start making my own videos! It really helps to make quicker decisions when the timer is going and the camera is rolling!! Lol
Happy decluttering! 😊❤
So happy you are back and doing new videos.
A helpful video! No pressure!
That was FANTASTIC and totally doable!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏
Visual pollution. After watching this I went and decluttered our kitchen table. Thankyou so much
Thank you for the really simple and easy to follow and do guidelines for decluttering! I already had success decluttering a space in my living room one hour after watching for the first time!
Love you and your channel! I work with business owners on processes. I encourage them to “touch” a piece of info once. Basically put in permanent home. My gosh I so needed you to help me realize I needed to do this in my real tangible world! Thank you!
This is what I need to do in the kitchen. Thank you!❤️🙏
Love Reid's commentary at the end of your videos! 😁
I’ve been watching your videos and then applying the info to my cleaning/organizing/decluttering time, and I’m happy to say that it’s working! I’m so glad I watched the first video I saw on TH-cam ❤. Thank you!
I live in NZ and we are lucky in that the council gives every household two bins, one for recycling one for all other rubbish, and I take them to the curb on Wednesday night and garbage trucks collect them. Not so good when I forget though.
I love this, but I don't need it - best mentality to have.
I love your humorous comments as you explain your system. You are actually describing me and know me so well! Lol
I can't believe how helpful your methods are!
Really helpful to see this in process with a real live person!
And if the space looks good YOU FEEL GOOD
It seems like a constant battle to keep stuff from accumulating on the table.
I can identify with your term "messify". That's me for sure!
You really motivate me with your style of decluttering!!!
Keep posting those videos!😊
I decided we didn’t need a table anymore because it was just another place for junk when I first got with my husband. We are both better now at not dumping stuff as much so when we move to our next place if we can get a table I will since I know it won’t fit now.
Off I go! Thank you for this video, volunteering your space, etc. Very useful info.😊
I love "The power of the visible."