Follow the Decluttering Process Even if you Aren't (Technically) Decluttering
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ส.ค. 2023
- It's easy to get caught up in the WORDS around getting your house under control. What's the difference between decluttering and organizing and tidying and straightening and cleaning and on and on and on.
But those conversations are only helpful if they actually help you. Like, help you get stuff done. Today, I'm talking about how it's perfectly fine to use the decluttering process even if you aren't technically decluttering. If it helps you, use it. On any overwhelming mess. Or any mess at all.
Mentioned:
The Take Your House Back course is on sale NOW!!! Go to aslobcomesclean.com/take
My podcast aslobcomesclean.com/podcast
My books: aslobcomesclean.com/book - บันเทิง
"Life is a container." That is my nugget of wisdom for the day.
Here's a virtual pat on the back to Reid as requested in the credits! I hope you have a great year at school. 😊
Same here.😊
🙌🏻Here’s a “pat in the back” for Reid!!! Dana, love that you prioritize family over the summer & happy to see you’re back! 🎉
^ What they said :)
Same with me.
Life is a container, you can only fit so much into it. Very well said, Amen, Amen, Amen! Hope you enjoyed the summer.
As someone whose house is completely out of control your advice is a God send. I'm slowly working my way through my house looking for the easy stuff and it's working! I'm making progress. Thank you for being there for all of us "slobs"!
…cuz I like it….and there’s no rules….right? Love it. You go Dana!
We've started following the process in our yard, too. Trash = weeds, brambles & pruning.
Easy stuff = trash bins, chairs, tools, etc.
Decluttering = removing plants & hardscape we don't want anymore.
Take it there now = transplanting, moving bricks/rocks to where we do want them now, unpackaging & placing items we've purchased.
Embracing the space/making it fit = mapping & planning new plantings with their adult sizes in mind & not overcrowding the yard with furniture & decor.
So smart!
Brilliant!!
Thank you! I copied your list on to a sticky note on my computer.
You have just changed my perspective on gardening - thankyou!
Thanks for the to-do list. I need to put my yard to bed.
When I'm overwhelmed with dishes, I find it helpful to say, "ok, I'm just going to put 10 dishes in the dishwasher for now." I usually end up doing a few more. And if I come back to it later, it seems do-able. 😊 Thx for all your tips👍
Hahaha, at least you have a dishwasher🤣
I have to wash by hand. I sort, then start with dishware, then containers, then pots & pans etc.
@@rld1278 yes, I get it done but just tired of the 'throw away lines' that assume so much
I have a dishwasher, but there's a lot that isn't dishwasher safe. It still works to tell myself I'll just do 1 or 2 and come back later for the rest. I usually get on a roll and get more done when I realize that 1 or 2 didn't take as long and was easier than I thought.
We have a mini dishwasher so a lot of pots and pans don't fit in it. I wash them up one at a time (each time I'm in the kitchen throughout the day) starting with the biggest, which has the biggest visual impact and leaves a physically smaller pile of things left to wash. 😊
I regularly use the steps to declutter my mind when I get overwhelmed with work stuff as an administrative assistant! So fun to apply the metaphors of trash, easy stuff, etc to work tasks and see myself “take it there now” to not make a bigger mess! Appreciate you, Dana!!
Interesting! Never thought of applying it to the mental load this way. Will give it a try!
Genius
Honestly, the 5 steps work for just about any task: cleaning, decluttering, yardwork (as someone already mentioned), tackling work at a job -- the priority of getting rid of trash to clear the decks/your mind/a path, then putting out of place things where they belong works for email sorting, starting a writing project, home renovation ... whatever! The visibility rule and container concept have similarly wide applicability, and have made my life SO much easier. Thank you! (And great job, Reid. Have a wonderful semester!)
Reid, we thank you for your time and efforts. You add that little extra special treat to the end of each video. Dana, thanks so very much for the before and after shots. Never thought to use the steps for just cleaning a space. Definitely makes sense. I appreciate you so very much. Take care.
I do exactly what Dana is doing here (after I have been practicing her method for over a year now). I find that I do this with everything. Yesterday, I went to get a cookbook and next to the one I wanted was a random little book that was useful to me years ago and in good condition but "What! I still have this?!!" -- now it is into the donateable donate box. So proud. Thank you Dana -- you have changed my life. You are amazing!!
"life is a container" I love that quote!! Needs to be on a t shirt 😊
Poor doggy, always up for a walk. 😊
All I remember from your pre summer message was 5 minute pick up and do the dishes! We are still on school summer holidays in the UK and it’s getting me through. Thanks
I love that you don't let people get away with 'I need to know exactly what you are saying, and it doesn't 100% apply to me, so I'm not going to do anything." Your response of, "Whatever you want to call it. Do something." I also loved the dog joining you after just hearing the leash click.
Here’s another “Pat on the Back” for Reid! Best wishes for a great semester. And Dana, thanks so much for your 5 step process. While watching your video, I realized I use it daily in all kinds of situations! It really helps to break down the task.
Pat on the back for Reid!!! Great job helping your mom!
I now have you in my head Dana ‘do the dishes’. Actually been the most life changing. Beyond that 2 most powerful are : folding laundry out of the drier (I now realise how much I actually have) and put it where it belongs : it just goes there whether I’m decluttering or just living everyday AND it’s a big house so never done as much exercise in my home. Thank you Dana xxx
So glad you are back! I hope you had a great summer. I've been doing my dishes every day and my kitchen always looks great now. Thank you!!! I've been using your 5-step decluttering process throughout the house, and things are really starting to look good. We are now at the point where the rest of my family have noticed the improvements and have started decluttering their own areas. A win for sure! You are my #1 guide and inspiration in this process. Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for this, and for saying many times that finishing a project/hanging a picture/putting the laundry away all count as decluttering. At this point I just call all that plus cleaning and cooking "housework." I used to get so hung up on the categories!
And well done, Reid!
I've been using the 5 steps when I'm doing the evening tidying up after dinner. Food scraps and rubbish first, then putting things in the fridge etc (easy stuff) then dishes and sweep and if there's anything that doesn't belong to where I would look first. And when the fridge etc is too full then I take something out to make room. 1 in 1 out. Love it.
I am so proud of you that you do this for your family such a blessing to have a mom who takes time off for her children and husband ❤
You are the first person that really goes through the thinking process and that is so helpful. I find I look at the mess , get overwhelmed and then just clam up and do nothing, it becomes debilitating!
Pat on the back for Reid. Good luck in college. You make your mom proud!
Pat on the back for Reid, and good luck this school year. 😊
"Life is a container.yiu can only fit so much into it"...wow! That statement hit me. Never thought of it that way. That's brilliant! Thanks for giving me a new perspective. ❤
To Reid: pat, pat, pat. 👏👏👏 Welcome back!
Awesome point about taking summers off! That is my goal for next year! Kudos to you! 👏
So happy you are back! I often listen (re-listen) to your books to help me JUST DO SOMETHING!!
Me too…her blog from the beginning is so very good…and motivating ☺️
A pat on the back to Reid who did a great editing job on the video from his college dorm. Go Reid!
Pat on the back for Reid, and so glad that you‘re back, Dana 🙏🏼 the kitchen is the only room I keep clean, no matter how overwhelmed or tired I feel before I go to bed. The cluttered kitchen at the next morning, when I want to make coffee and have a breakfast lead me to bad emotions - so cleaning my kitchen is the last thing I do, before I do my bed routine. But it was a hard piece of work to established that routine and need several of your videos. So thank you, Dana 🥰
Am I the only person who got totally distracted by your adorable dog?! I hope she got her walk after - her little face when she saw the leash was so cute x
Reid, welcome back from your year abroad and helping from college definitely earns a “pat on the back!” Missed the videos this summer but was very happy for you enjoying your family!
A big "pat on the back" for Reid. Awesome work, glad you are still helping your mom out even after going to college❤
Reid is the hero! Have a great year!
Dana, I love you! "I know some of y'all are saying, why do you have stuff on your counters? Because I like it and there are no rules!"
Also, pat on the back for Reid for the first dorm room edit! I love your messages at the end and always stay to see those.
YES!!!! Thank you for saying this out lout. Without realizing it I've been doing "decluttering" on everything, decluttering steps for the bags of groceries when I bring them home and put them away, decluttering steps on packages I get in the mail, decluttering steps on my car when I get home from shopping, decluttering steps on the fridge when I'm about to go shopping. YES... trash, easy stuff and duh clutter for maintenance, every space, all the time. Thank you!!!
Your dog arriving in the video made me smile THX
Lol, well done Dana and Reid!
I hope you and your family made a lot of special memories during your time away.
Pat on the back for Reid! Actually, for Reid and Dana. Thank you. I am excited for the Take Your House Back course.
Yaaaaay welcome back, love how you take the summer off for your family....cos we can binge the older videos, knowing you will be back soon. Reid i love your Comments at the end of your Moms videos...huge pat on the back for those and your editing skills.
Life is a container I love that so much.
Oh my goodness your baby girl is adorable. I love her.! My little picture to the left is my boy.! ❤️
Awesome job Reid! I always look forward to seeing your commentary at the end. I would be so bummed if it wasn’t there.
Hi, Reid! Thanks for editing from your dorm room. We appreciate you! Here’s a pat on the back. Have a great week and a good semester.😎
You're the best, Dana. Showing your own overwhelming mess makes you so relatable.
Yea Reid!! Thanks for still being a part of your moms business, even away at school. She & her heart for teaching others have made a real difference in my life & I am so grateful!
Your system has become the best life coaching advice!!🎉❤⭐🌻👍
Glad to see you BOTH back! Thank you Dana and pat on the back to Reid!
Welcome back! Hope your summer was wonderful. And I hope Reid is loving college dorm life!
I "Dana K. White" everything. The process works!
Your process is so easy that it can help children clean their rooms when they are overwhelmed. Each step can be done and it will make the room better. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for this encouragement! I have a crazy mess downstairs of post-vacation mess and crazy life. Now I know I can tackle it. One bite at a time.
Thank you, I needed this encouragement tonight. Im going through a major health scare and finding out what is wrong. Im absolutely frozen on the house and laundry because of how anxious I am about some of the potential diagnoses. I am hoping your videos can be a good distraction for me.
Dana, Good to have you back. I'm relatively new to your channel and process. I hate clutter, so I'm a stuffer. Collect everything before company comes and stuff it in my closet or a drawer. I'm getting better at using your methods. I'm 72, yes it does sound old, but my brain thinks I'm in my 40s. That works until I can't physically do things every day. Today is a good day and I'm glad I had your video for encouragement. Taco Bueno! you had to mention it, I'm from the DFW area but live in Florida. When I visit my family, Taco Bueno, Grandy's rolls, Schlotzsky's, Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse and Spring Creek Barbeque are a must. Take care, Linda 🦋
@@MegInASheathDress That's true.
Reid, have a great year! You do a great job!
Thank you Dana! You keep me sane while dealing with overwhelming decluttering situations!
A big pat on the back to Reid in his college dorm! 👍💥😎🥳👏🎖🏆
Glad to have you back Dana! Good job Reid. I was rewatching your “1 hour better” videos, especially the live one, and wanted to ask for more please!!!! A full length version if possible! ❤
I just been reading decluttering at the speed of life and was just reading the two chapters on the kitchen. So now I cant sleep been going tru a pantry cubby. But looking for your videos for kitchen to get it more in my brain hoping it also make me sleepy. 😂 Also pat on the back to editor!
Welcome back. Dana. And "Pat on the back!" Reid!
Here's another pat on the back for Reid. I was just thinking yesterday that I miss the videos with his "credits" at the end. Loved seeing your pup show up!! She saw the leash and wanted to go for a walk.
I love the little notes Reid puts at the end of your videos!
Pat on the back Reid! 🙌🏻
I am decluttering my eBay store as I watch this.
Sheee's baaaAaack!! I am so happy! I am also glad you took time for yourself and your family, but your help has been so valuable to me with figuring out how to tackle my giant project, I am sure glad to have you back! And Reid, what a great guy and very funny!
Thank you Reid! We appreciate you helping your mom 😊
Thank you, Dana! It helps to know I’m not alone in how my brain works, too. Helps so much! And, thanks Reid for the amazing editing and end cap. Always so fun! Happy colleging!
I love your personality, the way you help us all, and am so happy to have found you. I feel like we all need each other!
ohhhhhh, there you are, I was wondering what happened to you, missed you, glad you are back
😎🙌👏🏼💖😂. All the pats to Reid and oh yes to Reid’s mom too! 💖💖💖
I feel better that I'm not alone! I do the same thing with my kitchen not even knowing that was the process. I tackle trash and things that don't belong on the counter first. Then I tackle the mountain of dishes.
Way to go, Reid!!!
Life is a container..OMG mind blown!!!!
My son headed off to college this week! So praise for Reid and for him!! 🥳
Dana, loved your podcast recently where you talked about kids moving out ❤️ so good! And your process is fantastic! Always works! And I'm someone who loves cleaning and organizing. And I have that same shirt!! You look good in it too! Lol!
LOVE you, the dog, and most importantly, the message! The spinning out thing is such a thing for me.
So happy to have you back!! ❤ Glad you had a nice summer with family!! 🥰
Dana!!!! So glad to see you again. ❤
Pat on the back all around!
All of the best wishes and good luck to Reid! Have fun but BE SAFE! -a 32yo virtual auntie 😆
Always have to stay for the credits! Welcome back! Glad you could enjoy summer!
Your kitchen the night before! Yes! The pain is real! 😂❤ . Wow! I see how the process would work in all the daily cleaning/tudying/organising. I'm going to try it the next time my kitchen is a disaster (usually after dinner lol). I get stuck with which orixess I-m going to use, and I switch up tge insert in which I do tge things, almost every time, looking for that magical process that will make it feel easy for me.
Dana, so happy you took the summer off for family time. Thank you, Reid!!
Amen! Life is a container! Love your books and now, after followings your suggestions, I love my home! ❤
As someone who is super tidy I want to say:
Messes happen. Even huge messes happen. On a regular basis. It's normal.
My kitchen looks exactly like this after me or my partner made dinner.
Putting groceries away is overwhelming to me.
I can only keep my home tidy because I have the skill to overcome the overwhelm, and I do exactly what Dana does: Focusing on individual items instead of looking at a huge pile. I always start with trash and the next thing is easy stuff. The spices have their place, the butter needs to go back into the fridge, the dishes into the dishwasher. After a few minutes, the kitchen has improved significantly.
When I put away groceries I start with the stuff that needs to be cooled, either in the fridge or in the freezer. Even if I cannot put away everything in the moment, the most important stuff is done and when I return later the pile is smaller. Progress and only progress.
Good to have you back Dana! Big pat on the back for Reid
Nice to see you again, Reid!🎉
I know it's already been done but virtual pat on the back!
Nice to have you back after the summer, you were missed, but I I totally get why you take a break, and love that you do. Everyone needs downtime, and spending time with family is a solid investment too.
Dana I wish there was a way to motivate my adult daughter. She resists any suggestions no matter how sensitive they are. “One step at a time” is perfect, she continues to look at the whole, becomes overwhelmed, stifled and defensive. She grew up in a tidy home, unfortunately she has always struggled with being organized, pack rat, border line hoarder. Counseling would be my thought, but she is not receptive to anything. Sorry for being off topic, “one step at a time”, just sent me in that direction. As a mom, I want to do whatever to help our kids, even if they don’t want it.
Reid, thank you for making the credits bigger and slower! I always look forward to reading them!
Pat on the back Reid!! Yay!
Welcome back Dana! And BIG pat on the back... Reid!😂
WELCOME BACK!!! Aaaaaand a pat on the back for Reid! 🙂 I have a collage of Dana quotables around your flowchart on a kitchen cabinet. Today's:
"I don't know where to start . . . but I DO know where to start!" TRASH.
"What is EASY here?"
"Whatever moves you forward, whatever makes your space better, that's what you should be doing."
Pat on the back Reid! 👏👏👏 There should be an emoji for that. Thanks, Dana! I hope you enjoyed your time off. 🤗🌷💕
Way to go, Reid! 🎉 And I love this video, that is how I have been cleaning for years and it really works ❤ Thank you, Dana, for pioneering the way for us and keeping it real. 🥰
Well done Reid, we love you!
Don't forget recycling! I keep recycling bins in my kitchen. I know some of you don't have them. It's important for those of us that do.
Kathy B
Great job Reid! Have a super blessed year! Great video Dana! As always- completely helpful. 😊 Thanks and glad you are back. Hope you enjoyed your summer. 😊 Blessings! ❤❤
Thanks for sharing your wisdom Dana!! “Forward progress” will be my new mantra😊
The comments/credits at the end were awesome! Thanks for the helpful info 😊