Thank you so much for watching! Here are the related videos that I mentioned Minimalist Meal Planning: th-cam.com/video/SlZbf7uKtQA/w-d-xo.html Favorite Productivity Tips (To-do list): th-cam.com/video/bgXA2PE2zzw/w-d-xo.html Looking forward to hearing your favorite tips, too! Have a great day! Dawn
Hi Dawn. A little on my story... I FREAKED OUT In 2018 when I found out I was pregnant and had NO SPACE for a baby. I began decluttering then, but my mindset was really unhealthy, manic and fearful. This year I'm moving house and I got stuck back into decluttering to make sure I'm not taking junk and stuff I don't want into my dream home... but this year, I found your videos. I watch them as I'm cleaning or decluttering. I watch them to inspire me and help me out of my 'funks'. You have been God's gift of wisdom to me in a really stressful year otherwise. Thank you! Thanks for being real, fun encouraging and some tough love. My husband even likes me watching your videos because then i'm more likely to get things done rather than reading books! I shared your videos with so many of my friends here in Australia. Love how your wisdom has encouraged my friends too!
Love you Dawn!!! 1. limit options 2. promote the things you actually use 3. limit inventory 4. find tactful ways to say no 5. create a uniform 6. unsubscribe 7. stop trying to multitask 8.a. in the kitchen-recognize the season you are in 8.b. rotate between a FEW recipes 9. shorten your to-do list to 3 things 10. give yourself permission to let go
One of the greatest gifts given to us by our mother before she passed really was permission to let go. We asked what she wanted us (4 of us) to keep. It was 3 small boxes she wanted us to hold on to for our kids should they want it later. I have one painting that reminds me of my Mother ,and a woodcut print that reminds me of my Dad and that’s about it. And of course some photos, but not lots. She was in hospice at home and had us start getting rid of things. She said. “ if you can’t use it, get rid of it. They are just things, they are not me.” It made her much more peaceful to know we wouldn’t have to deal with as much after she died. I love the few things I have and don’t have to stress over whether I should get rid of or hold on. We asked our grown children what they wanted and made sure they got it but what is gone no one will miss.
I cook on Monday and eat it Monday and Tuesday. We eat out on Wednesday to break up the week because it brings us joy. I cook on Thursday and eat it Thursday and Friday. We eat out on Saturday evening because we’re usually out exploring. We always have frozen pizza on Sunday. I cook twice a week and meals are never a stress in my life. Cook once, eat it twice is wonderful!
@@BarnAndBeach You’ve got this figured out Erica - not just cooking but life! Breaking up the week by eating out on Wednesdays and going exploring on Saturdays - you’ve crafted a very nice lifestyle.😊
I don't consider myself a fussy eater but I was surprised to discover that I have a strong aversion to eating thd same protein twice in a row. I make good use of my freezer but only keep a few options in the meat/fish drawer and use up the leftover portions. G Ire
This video was such good timing. Now my daughter is all grown up living her own life I filled my spare time with work. I was doing 56+ hours a week and had to turn down invitations every week from kind people at church who were inviting me over for dinner etc. So, I reduced my hours at work and I'm trying to get my evenings and weekends back. Today I came home from work and thought "right, time to take my house back". I started to get stuck into some jobs and put your channel on in the background for some motivation. I'm only 4 minutes into the video and already its exactly what I needed to motivate me. Thanks Dawn x
One of my best meal tips came from a missionary friend, mother of 5. She told me to look at what we are already eating weekly (pasta, tacos, pizza, etc) and assign it a day. So now we always have pasta Monday, Taco (Mexican) Tuesday, and breakfast for dinner on Saturday. The other days I fill in with other meals. I try new meals on Sunday nights because I have more time to cook and I enjoy it.
I do the exact same thing! Mondays we switch between tacos and pizza (it's our family time), Tuesdays I do a salad in the spring/summer or a soup in the fall/winter, Wednesdays we switch between nachos or mini tacos, Thursdays I can't remember 😆, Fridays is pasta, Saturdays I have more time to try new things. Su days is the only day I haven't quite figured out how to manage (busy with church and just want to rest).
The clothing pare down is the single best thing I have ever done. I went to all neutrals, totally life changing. No matching shoes to patterns on shirts, purses ect. Just makes like so much easier.
I agree about how "freeing" the clothing paring down is! I had three closets filled with clothes...and had very little wardrobe that actually fit or was updated! I saw your vlog...decided to do the clothes on bed as outfits..,OMG! SO EASY TO GET A WARDROBE THAT FITS, LOOKS GREAT AND IS WAITING FOR YOU! No stress, guilt, indecision or regrets! Feel ilke a millionaire when I open my completed wardrobe closet! Fun to get dressed! THANK YOU!!!!
Wearing neutrals is very classy. At any stage one can "posh up" the outfit with a scarf, necklace. More than 1 scarf will suit the same outfit cos its in the neutral zone. I learned alot from Colour Me Beautiful. You have it!
@@SF-ru3lp I LOVE lightweight scarves! They're such a great way to add variety in minimal space, and satisfy my love of color and pattern. Great for travel too!
Here's something I did a few years ago with my recipes. I have a binder for each season, because we eat different foods at different times of the year. If I'm not sure what the meal plan is for the week, I check the binder to be reminded of what we have enjoyed before. So, not much pressure to come up with something new. If I get ambitious and try a new recipe, I'll add it to the binder if we liked it.
After intentional minimizing over the past two years (wow, this month in fact), I am finally feeling significantly irked by my many clothing options -- it's amusingly exciting, lol... Never imagined I would want so little but here I am! To anyone who might still be a little skeptical, just start by slowly paring down, and you will seriously get to that point of wanting to just get rid of everything you possibly can! 😃
Last night I made a crock pot meal using a liner to make it easier… till I tried to lift it out to dump it and it broke all over my counter… I normally would have freaked out because I used to have a ton on my counter… thanks to you, my counters were decluttered so it took less than 1 minute to clean up!!!!! So much less stressfull and it didn’t ruin my night and I didn’t snap at my kid because I was cranky… wins all the way around! Thank you!!!!!
I needed to hear this. That's one of my main reasons I am simplifying and slowly working toward minimalism. I want to be peaceful and patient with my kids, which is hard in a cluttered space. I'm almost done after 3 1/2 years!
I so need to do this. Right now I only have a brain dump list and it's just turned into things I will never get done unless there's a deadline (kids sports, etc.)
D: Once again, you have knocked it out of the park. You have given us a refresher course presented in a fresh and different way. Your gift is bringing excitement to the whole process. Your encouragement is just what we need. Many many thanks!
This was so encouraging! Thank you, Dawn! I was a beginning hoarder when I found your channel years ago. We've gotten rid of so much and still have work to do but our home is way less stressful and we're all learning healthy habits now instead of being afraid for the future. I thank God for you. ❤
I have found that it takes time but getting rid of things has an immediate improving impact on my house. Dawn's colleague Dana says "Less is better". Very encouraging. G Ire
It is always helpful to have a quick reminder for staying, or getting back, on track! 10 wks postpartum with my 2nd and I have implemented the uniform concept for the first time! Found a tank style I like, bought 5 (1 of each color, 2 black), 2 pair of jeans, 3 sets of shorts, 1 pair linen like pants and 3 elastic smocked maxi dresses. Done! Thank you as always!!
Saying no is a hard one, especially for church / ministries. We want great Sunday school for our kids, we want clean bathrooms at church, we want new moms and shut ins to get help with meals (someday it may be us in need), but those things don't happen if everyone says no. So while we can't say yes to everything, it's important to be lead by the Spirit. Maybe this needs to be a no, so this can be a yes.
Dawn, please make a video targeted to kids. My 5yr old really struggles with hoarding tendencies (big tears to part with packaging, things found in nature, part made projects like cardboard boxes). They say incentives work at this age to retrain her mind, but we haven’t had success yet. I’m trying to set an example, but still learning myself and I want to help her before it becomes a bigger issue. She loves you and we could really benefit from a simple message from you. Thanks for your wonderful work. It’s transforming our lives.
You are wonderful! I am a Grammy who recently moved across the US living closer to one daughter. I moved into a small house with not enough room for all my stuff. I am slowly making my life easier with less stuff. Thank you.
Trying to downsize 40 years of marriage and a house full of items starting with the small things adds up !!! thanks so much for your channel and your encouragement and it’s great to be reminded of the simpler things in life peace of mind and less stuff working hard in Tennessee
This is so crazy you talk about the to-do list only being 3 things over the weekend I woke up, house being a mess, and told myself "ok, self, 3 things just do 3 things, per room" but it wasn't just put 3 things away. My kitchen for example was clear off the counter, clear off the table, sweep the floor (dishes didn't count) In the past those would have been daunting tasks that would have taken me ALL day but my mindset was it's only 3 things...... finish these 3 things and move on to the next room. I did 5 rooms in my house in 3 hours instead of all day (or 2 days) It wasn't perfect but it was if someone stopped by I wouldn't be embarrassed!!!
Exactly. I'm definitely less stressed with less inventory and choices. Clearing out the unimportant has made available space for the more important. Creating a uniform for my kids and myself has been a game changer. Thanks Dawn.
Great video. I’ve truly taken to heart the things you’ve said about family, friends, hobbies, health and work/studies. That we can’t really fit them all into our lives at once but have to realise that different seasons in life hold different themes. I really need to focus on my family, my studies and my health right now and don’t have time and energy for much more, and you made me feel like that’s okay. I do have time for one close friend, but not ten superficial friendships, and that’s good enough. And I don’t really have bandwidth for hobbies, and that’s fine - at the end of the day it’s okay that I just want to sit down for an hour and do nothing when I’m done with school, the kids are in bed and the dishes are washed. Thank you for helping me feel normal.
We do reverse meal cooking. We're a vegetarian family so that helps, but we basically have favorite foods we love and prepare different dishes with those. So we mostly buy the same stuff each week and I either saute, grill, stir fry etc. them depending on the time and mood we're all having.
I wish I'd done these things when my kids we small. They're in college now but we still have a lot going on. We can apply these no matter how old we are. Thanks Dawn!!!
Ditto ! My kids are grown now and I wish I could have given them the gift of all this wisdom and simplicity when they were growing up. But I enjoy doing all this NOW ! Yay !
So many good ideas here. I'm in such a busy season of life and and am trying to tell my husband that there are some things that I don't have the mental capacity to deal with. Especially if it's social things that other people plan and expect me to at least be visible. I have 6 kids, too!
I can well imagine Janice! There is another lady doing decluttering videos who has 6 children (a few are adults now) and she is very open about her struggle with depression and how declyttering changed her (and consequently her family's life). Still can't remember her channel name. She is tall with short hair and a kind of crackly voice but loving, smile face and glasses. G Ire
That’s why Costco is so popular. They keep it simple with a few options on brands verses every brand and then we can’t seem to decide . Making decisions is exhausting.
And how many times at a store do you look at all those options, finally make your choice, only to get home and see you picked up the wrong item? So frustrating!
Have a routine! It has been such a game changer to just have a routine. It can be just a morning and evening routine. I follow the fly lady and it has been so amazing to be able to fall back on my routines when life is a little busy. Between minimalism and my routines life is less complicated.
Meal planning has been a game changer for me. I love just cooking our simple meals for my family. Simple shopping, simple food inventory, and easy cooking makes tasty healthy meals every evening.
OMG! 🤣 I can't stop laughing! So I put this on while washing the dishes and 5 minutes later I found myself going through my closet for donations. 😆 It's not even your standard decluttering video but Dawn's voice seems to have rung the Pavlovian gong in my brain! It's so funny. I got a good laugh and my closet's 3 tees lighter. Double win, right? 🤣
And I’m trying to just buy the same socks- same brand, same color. (Brands don’t always cooperate with my plan, however. They like to keep switching things up.)
I want to give this video 2 thumbs up! I'm preparing for a baby to come any day now, and I've been working to incorporate these things into my life for a while. I keep revisiting this and simplifying my life in more and more ways! I have found minimalism to be such a wonderful way to to combat the materialism that is pushed at me from all other directions (especially in the baby season).
Dawn, I’ve been watching your videos religiously for about two years now, maybe more, and I just wanted to say this after today’s: I hope you appreciate what a beautiful homemaker you have become. You often say you’re not a naturally organised person (same here!) and I know things are not always tidy all the time, but to see you continuously go back to your systems, rethink them, check on the inventory regularly, and mostly give yourself permission to adapt as family life changes is really inspiring and beautiful. Keep doing what you’re doing ❤️
Here is my tip...I keep a shredder next to my bedroom tv. I also have a basket on my bedroom desk that holds weekly fliers, junk mail, just odds and ends receipts, recipes I have clipped out but not tried, old magazines, etc. So I turn on tv to relax, but when commericals come on...I grab a handful papers out of the basket...see what each is, and shred useless paper clutter during commercials. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing some organizing while relaxing. By doing this throughout the week...it really helps keep house neat!
The dinner suggestion was awesome. I cook the same thing every week, on the same day of the week. The kids love taco Tuesdays! It really alleviated stress in my life. Thanks for that!
Years ago , a friend said her motto for cooking was : Cook once , eat twice . That is , she cooked enough for two " main " meals / dinners for her & her husband . They were retired & involved in church & community volunteer work , gardened , read books daily , etc. Both were good cooks but had other priorities . Good advice !
One of my favorite videos you’ve put out. What a great summary of your ongoing themes! And loved how each tip had its own coordinating location. A very well put together video! :)
Just one thing about the one coat one bag: as someone who almost burned out, it now has become a major tool for me and my mental health to never wear my work clothes in my spare time. It helps me to maintain a good work-life-balance and separate those areas of my life. I heard this from other ppl too. So two wardrobes might not be simple but very helpful
Oh definitely. When one is working there has to be a rule that work clothes are for work and casual clothes are for weekends and days off. It's still doable without having to keep a ton of clothes.
That's a good point. It is important to consider dressing appropriately for the occasion. I think the 1-coat rule can be adjusted to fit your lifestyle. Like just 1 casual coat & 1 dress coat, and in the spring trade those out for 1 trench coat and 1 lightweight jacket.
That is interesting, because burnout has made me merge my work wardrobe and free time wardrobe as much as possible. The idea is to ‘be me’ at work as well, and not try so hard to build a separate efficient work persona…
@@clara3322 i can understand that. But my work wear has the same me-style than my other clothes, just more polished. But by not wearing work wear in my spare time, i signal to my brain to stop thinking about work too
The hospital where I work recently instituted a policy of all the nurses wearing the same gray color scrubs. At first I was disappointed not being able to wear all my colorful scrubs, but it is amazing now how I love not having to decide what to wear every day.
That way the patients and staff can ID who is who by the color of their uniform. I was a CNA at a hospital and we had to wear strictly burgundy. After the switch, the patients kept saying how much they missed the cheerful colorful scrubs instead of the boring drab we had to wear. CNAs and Nurses included. It was amazing the patients kept calling us CNAs their nurses even afterwards, because we spent more time with the patients then the Nurses. No fault of the Nurses of course. 😀 Does your charting ever end??
I keep a canvas beach bag next to my bed. I am an avid reader and buy books at thrift shops. I stopped my tv subscription and use my I-phone for news, weather. So I read evenings. As soon as I finish a book...it goes in canvas bag, next to my purse. When I am going out, I grab that book bag...and donate those books to nursing homes or library dropoffs. Keeps clutter down and I have room on bedroom bookcase for more "new" novels!
I love all your tips, tricks and motivation, hope you never stop. I learned along time ago if you smile while saying no over the phone you will sound nicer, works in person also! 👏👍🥰 Also sending prayers to the Texas families of the tragedy today. 🙏
Thank you for your prayers. Our state as well as the town of Uvalde need all the prayers and well wishes we can get to get through this massive tragedy that keeps getting worse as news of what actually happened gets known.
I recently retired and have spent the last several months pruning my wardrobe ( No more work clothes!!), the attic ( do I really need that scrapbook from the Cincinnati Reds 1975-76 season?- YES it was AMAZING - but I do not need the books from college- HARD NO!!!) , to my contact phone list (anything over 5 years without reaching out is gone!!) I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW FREEING THIS!!!! This perspective gives me the ADVANTAGE of focusing on what is IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, without the weight of STUFF!!!! Thank you Dawn for pointing this out- I am definitely living a better life following your tips!!!
I greatly enjoy cooking & eating a variety of foods, so I always longed for the simplicity of meal planning, but dreaded the redundancy of it … I have tried it in the past and got super bored quite quickly. Recently, I realized that I have been “meal planning” in a different way, by using a meal kit delivery service for the nights I’m in charge of dinner … I get the variety & enjoy trying new recipes, but I don’t have to stress about finding the recipes or picking up the right stuff from the grocery store or having a bunch of extra leftover ingredients … it’s been pretty great.
It's amazing, you're always finding new ways to declutter, simplify, and live "essentially". I don't call it minimalism. Thank You for telling us about Unroll Me. I agree with the stop multi-tasking. I think that garbage was started when cellphones came on the scene and business people were encouraged to "do business" on their cellphones while commuting from place to place.
Meal planning is great. Less stress, less waste, healthier…. So many reasons to do it. The concept of 3 items on a To Do list is new to me. Will have to try it. Thanks.
The multitasking one is true, but it's so much easier to motivate myself to clean/ do the dishes etc. when listening to a podcast/ audiobook while I do it.
I love that singular task instead of multitasking! Plus I love that shirt on you I’m glad you don’t have just all black! Lol! And you look beautiful. And thank you for always helping
Just when I think I have decluttered and done everything to simplify, you remind me that there are still things I need to review. The visual of your drawer was really helpful to consider whether the priority is keeping stuff in the everyday drawer to 'use it up' when I don't versus easy access to what I need. Loving the blue striped top Dawn x
I saw the best commercial today; it was a little dog smiling and tail wagging. Not selling anything. Need more of this! I had the biggest smile. The little things in life.
This is one video I’ll watch multiple times - it’s a Minimal Mom mini course in one video! Great work Dawn. It’s amazing how well you keep finding different ways to get the same central message across. That’s what we need 😊
Holy cow…the last few minutes was impactful for me! It’s all the stuff I’ve been hanging on to that I need to give up! Thanks for giving me “permission!” ❤️ I’m getting there…I’m currently a a semi-minimal mom.
I'm simplifying dinners. Since I tend to only eat chicken/turkey at home I've started looking at what ingredients the chicken/turkey dishes I gravitate to or absolutely love have in common and making a list of those ingredients. And, I'm using that list to stock my pantry and freezer. I'm also stocking the pantry with the things needed to make my the dishes I love that are easy and can be made in large batches and freeze well such as chili. And, I absolutely adore frozen vegetables that you can microwave in the bag they come in. I also love to keep Costco's canned chicken on hand. It's the best canned chicken I've tried and it makes for a very quick and easy way to make a barbecue chicken sandwich/topped baked potato, chicken salad sandwich, or it's an easy add to a regular green salad.
Quick warning: Costco chicken includes modified food starch, and doesn’t list the starch source so it could be iffy for people with allergies. I’ve been buying mine at Sam’s since we had to start cutting out a few foods due to allergies.
I did this in the kitchen, wow it does make a big difference, I use to have so many random extra bowls, plates and gadgets. I even took some of them out in a "time out bag" but I never needed it. My kitchen is so clean nowadays, it's really about changing your mindset on having clutter
I'm more minimalist than the average person but not quite here yet, although I'd like to be. One coat. As a fellow Midwesterner, I'm impressed. Here I sit with a heavy and a light dress coat, snowmobiling coat, below-freeing goose down coat, rain coat, barn/chore coat, hunting coat, light fall coat, light spring coat, everyday winter coat...
I'd like to add an idea for the "to do" list that I hope will help anyone that might need it. I'm in the process of trying to reclaim my life from extreme caregiver burnout-borderline compassion fatigue from years of taking care of my elderly father...honestly, I got to a point where I just couldn't even function, my depression was very bad and I'd, for the first time in my life, given up hope. To try to get myself some semblance of routine I made a list of things I should do starting first thing in the morning, I mean a VERY detailed list, eg- #1- Set mood- music (whatever kind brings calm or uplifts), light candle, MINDFULLY enjoy breakfast, #2- unload dishwasher...I would literally check these things off as I did them, it took some time, but now those first the few detailed lines are just done on auto...I believe sometimes, in certain circumstances, we actually DO need to be reminded to do even the smallest task. This has been working for me and I truly hope that it might help others, I'm already feeling more motivated and positive about "being happy again". Thank you, Dawn, for all of your videos, you have been a big inspiration for me in trying to find my way back.
Hi Dawn! Bless you for sharing your videos. I am in my journey to minimalism and loving it! I watch you and Josh Becker and you made such a big impact in my life. I have always wanted to have less things but didn’t know where to start and I love the tip on giving away things that have duplicate, now cooking and cleaning up is so much easier. I am a work in progress and I’m still finding ways to give away and get rid of things and only keep what is useful for me. Truly when you have less stuff to manage, you have more time to do things that are important to you! God bless you and your family!
That was my favorite of your videos! You kept right to the point, and shared VERY helpful tips! I agree with every one of them. We all have too much stuff!
After wearing postal uniforms for 32 years I thought I would want many options since I retired. I was wrong, blue jeans with t shirts or sweatshirts are my new uniform and love it.
Dawn I have been following you for several years and I believe you have changed my life in a positive way. I have cut back my inventory allot...given away, to family to free by the roadside. I loved your video today as I do all of them. They help me and friends who are on their way to decluttering, organizing and simifying theur lives homes. Thank you for all the wonderful things you do and the catalyst you are to improving our material life but our spiritual life as well your plans have freed up time for a bucket list item ive had fir many years to read my bible cover to cover and the bible recap I started Jan 1st, im up to date and half way through along with the bible project WOW GOD has through you I believe has lead me in my beginners path to knowing him loving his patience and honestly changinv my life. Thank you and your sisters wonderful prayers.. GOD bless..
I have been watching your videos for years, and this one was especially good.... I already know and do most of the things you mentioned, but you hit it out of the ballpark with your advice. The most recent change I have made, you sort of touched on... but not quite. I stopped expecting myself to cook the best version ever of a recipe. My goals are now ease and edible.... yes, edible. I am not trying to run a restaurant, just to eat to live. This has made it much easier to get meals on the table.
Charles Emerson Winchester III, on M.A.S.H. said it best…”I do one thing at a time, iI do it very well, and then I move on.” That is the way I now choose to live my life (since I retired). When I was working I had to be doing MANY things at the same time and doing them all well. It was so stressful. You say things so well, Dawn, and it will help us if we listen and enact some of these changes. Thanks!
Another thing that I do is make seasonal meal planners. I still have a binder with all my recipes (I am an avid cook so there are many) but I print out about 10-20 for spring/summer and for fall/winter. I also do the same for Christmas/entertaining. It keeps it simple and I just reach for the smaller seasonal binder. When I want to be more creative or have more time I'll refer to my larger binder.
To take the decision out of getting dressed in the morning, I only keep clothes that I feel good in. I sort & hang no sleeve, short sleeve, long sleeve tops. The weather decides which group I pull from, but I only pull from the RIGHT side, so whichever top is hanging to the right, that's what top I am wearing that day. Then I just throw on black, brown or grey pants or jeans to go with it. At the end of the day, if the top is still clean, I turn it inside-out and hang it to the LEFT. After I have worn an inside-out top the 2nd time, it goes in the laundry. This eliminates standing in front of the closet deciding what to wear, AND reduces the number of times I do laundry!
I have a little more time now to try new recipes, but when my life was much busier caring for many people and trying to get out of debt, I created a menu that we ate weekly. It meant I didn't have to plan dinner every night, and I kept the same grocery list. I could also buy in bulk knowing everything would get used up. We are now debt free, and only buy what we need for the week as we only have 2 kids at home now. :) Also, if I have a task I need to do, I just put it on my calendar next to the time I think I'll be able to do it. Once the schedule is full it has to go to another day. It keeps my expectations of my time more realistic and keeps me accountable to myself about not wasting precious minutes. I also like the idea of getting clothes out of your normal space even if you aren't decluttering them forever. I did that this morning with my socks and skirts that were clearly winter wear. That way I can find my summer wear much easier. And Dawn I love your striped top and all your ideas! I gavevmy mom your book for Christmas and it was just the spark she needed to start decluttering the hard stuff in her house, so someday I (her only child) won't have to! Love your channel and tell people about it all the time!
Dawn, you always seem to know what I need to hear and how I need to hear it! 😉❤️. Thank you for this video. I keep repeating what I’ve learned from you in my mind, but sometimes I need to hear it again…and again…and AGAIN!
We just redid all the floors in our house except the kitchen. That meant we had to gut our house. It is amazing all the things I found that we just don’t use. I told my husband if we don’t use it, it’s not coming back in our home. We shall see how this goes. Thank you for your tips!
Limiting options is HUGE! it’s part of why camping is so easy & relaxing. We are u der house reno rn & I simply can’t get to most of my things daily. When I went through & saw how much stufffff I have it was eye opening. Purging a lot rn
I really appreciate that you just get into your videos. I usually only have 10-15 min to watch and with other channels, I have to listen to their intro and then fast forward through the opening theme, etc. This makes me go to your videos first! Talk about simplification! 🙌🏻😀👏🏻
you are a life saver, watching your videos made me minimilist from messy unorganized depressed person and now i m free, minimilism is soooo liberating. I follow all ur rules and my life is so much better, i have lots of free time coz less stuff less work ... 🤭 but a request, do a video of meal planning ur way.... so i can get some inspiration... i m having trouble keeping up with meals n plans....
I use a checklist for my habitual things and save the to-do list for those things that change daily. It keeps my list shorter and still keeps me on track.
Thank you so much for watching! Here are the related videos that I mentioned Minimalist Meal Planning: th-cam.com/video/SlZbf7uKtQA/w-d-xo.html
Favorite Productivity Tips (To-do list): th-cam.com/video/bgXA2PE2zzw/w-d-xo.html Looking forward to hearing your favorite tips, too! Have a great day! Dawn
Hi! Did you talked already about the bed updated????😊
I l
Dawn, I love your sandals. Where did you find them? I need a pair!!!
That’s great! And you get a lovely rhythm out of it !
Hi Dawn. A little on my story... I FREAKED OUT In 2018 when I found out I was pregnant and had NO SPACE for a baby. I began decluttering then, but my mindset was really unhealthy, manic and fearful. This year I'm moving house and I got stuck back into decluttering to make sure I'm not taking junk and stuff I don't want into my dream home... but this year, I found your videos. I watch them as I'm cleaning or decluttering. I watch them to inspire me and help me out of my 'funks'. You have been God's gift of wisdom to me in a really stressful year otherwise. Thank you! Thanks for being real, fun encouraging and some tough love. My husband even likes me watching your videos because then i'm more likely to get things done rather than reading books! I shared your videos with so many of my friends here in Australia. Love how your wisdom has encouraged my friends too!
Love you Dawn!!!
1. limit options
2. promote the things you actually use
3. limit inventory
4. find tactful ways to say no
5. create a uniform
6. unsubscribe
7. stop trying to multitask
8.a. in the kitchen-recognize the season you are in
8.b. rotate between a FEW recipes
9. shorten your to-do list to 3 things
10. give yourself permission to let go
Thank you! Tried to watch this 4 times. Got interrupted by every member of my family repeatedly. Giving up.
@@katybroyles2805 😂
..Don't give up. Try it again.
You can do it ! Try again ! 😍
Yes!! This!! We can do it!!
@@katybroyles2805 same 🤪🤣👍
One of the greatest gifts given to us by our mother before she passed really was permission to let go. We asked what she wanted us (4 of us) to keep. It was 3 small boxes she wanted us to hold on to for our kids should they want it later. I have one painting that reminds me of my Mother ,and a woodcut print that reminds me of my Dad and that’s about it. And of course some photos, but not lots. She was in hospice at home and had us start getting rid of things. She said. “ if you can’t use it, get rid of it. They are just things, they are not me.” It made her much more peaceful to know we wouldn’t have to deal with as much after she died. I love the few things I have and don’t have to stress over whether I should get rid of or hold on. We asked our grown children what they wanted and made sure they got it but what is gone no one will miss.
My biggest simplifier is ‘Cook once and eat TWICE’. This principle saves so much time!
I cook on Monday and eat it Monday and Tuesday. We eat out on Wednesday to break up the week because it brings us joy. I cook on Thursday and eat it Thursday and Friday. We eat out on Saturday evening because we’re usually out exploring. We always have frozen pizza on Sunday. I cook twice a week and meals are never a stress in my life. Cook once, eat it twice is wonderful!
Sound idea! Not only does it save time and money..... but I find leftovers or new things made from the leftovers taste so much better.
Do & love that too!
@@BarnAndBeach You’ve got this figured out Erica - not just cooking but life! Breaking up the week by eating out on Wednesdays and going exploring on Saturdays - you’ve crafted a very nice lifestyle.😊
I don't consider myself a fussy eater but I was surprised to discover that I have a strong aversion to eating thd same protein twice in a row. I make good use of my freezer but only keep a few options in the meat/fish drawer and use up the leftover portions. G Ire
This video was such good timing. Now my daughter is all grown up living her own life I filled my spare time with work. I was doing 56+ hours a week and had to turn down invitations every week from kind people at church who were inviting me over for dinner etc. So, I reduced my hours at work and I'm trying to get my evenings and weekends back. Today I came home from work and thought "right, time to take my house back". I started to get stuck into some jobs and put your channel on in the background for some motivation. I'm only 4 minutes into the video and already its exactly what I needed to motivate me. Thanks Dawn x
One of my best meal tips came from a missionary friend, mother of 5. She told me to look at what we are already eating weekly (pasta, tacos, pizza, etc) and assign it a day. So now we always have pasta Monday, Taco (Mexican) Tuesday, and breakfast for dinner on Saturday. The other days I fill in with other meals. I try new meals on Sunday nights because I have more time to cook and I enjoy it.
I do the exact same thing! Mondays we switch between tacos and pizza (it's our family time), Tuesdays I do a salad in the spring/summer or a soup in the fall/winter, Wednesdays we switch between nachos or mini tacos, Thursdays I can't remember 😆, Fridays is pasta, Saturdays I have more time to try new things. Su days is the only day I haven't quite figured out how to manage (busy with church and just want to rest).
@@jennylhenry78 we do left overs on Sundays. I either create something with the left overs or just set them out and everyone makes themselves a plate.
@@kayteew8093 Great idea! You could call it your 'Sunday Buffet'.
@@kayteew8093 we've made a habit to eat leftovers on Thursdays for lunch bc that's when I grocery shop. 👍🏻
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The clothing pare down is the single best thing I have ever done. I went to all neutrals, totally life changing. No matching shoes to patterns on shirts, purses ect. Just makes like so much easier.
I agree about how "freeing" the clothing paring down is! I had three closets filled with clothes...and had very little wardrobe that actually fit or was updated! I saw your vlog...decided to do the clothes on bed as outfits..,OMG! SO EASY TO GET A WARDROBE THAT FITS, LOOKS GREAT AND IS WAITING FOR YOU! No stress, guilt, indecision or regrets! Feel ilke a millionaire when I open my completed wardrobe closet! Fun to get dressed! THANK YOU!!!!
Wearing neutrals is very classy. At any stage one can "posh up" the outfit with a scarf, necklace. More than 1 scarf will suit the same outfit cos its in the neutral zone. I learned alot from Colour Me Beautiful. You have it!
Great idea!!!
I have so many t-shirts! Aaah!
@@SF-ru3lp I LOVE lightweight scarves! They're such a great way to add variety in minimal space, and satisfy my love of color and pattern. Great for travel too!
Thanks for these videos, Dawn! I have been watching you for about a year now. You are one of my favorites on YT! 💛
Here's something I did a few years ago with my recipes. I have a binder for each season, because we eat different foods at different times of the year. If I'm not sure what the meal plan is for the week, I check the binder to be reminded of what we have enjoyed before. So, not much pressure to come up with something new. If I get ambitious and try a new recipe, I'll add it to the binder if we liked it.
After intentional minimizing over the past two years (wow, this month in fact), I am finally feeling significantly irked by my many clothing options -- it's amusingly exciting, lol... Never imagined I would want so little but here I am!
To anyone who might still be a little skeptical, just start by slowly paring down, and you will seriously get to that point of wanting to just get rid of everything you possibly can! 😃
Last night I made a crock pot meal using a liner to make it easier… till I tried to lift it out to dump it and it broke all over my counter… I normally would have freaked out because I used to have a ton on my counter… thanks to you, my counters were decluttered so it took less than 1 minute to clean up!!!!! So much less stressfull and it didn’t ruin my night and I didn’t snap at my kid because I was cranky… wins all the way around! Thank you!!!!!
I needed to hear this. That's one of my main reasons I am simplifying and slowly working toward minimalism. I want to be peaceful and patient with my kids, which is hard in a cluttered space. I'm almost done after 3 1/2 years!
I strongly advise anybody struggling with too much things to do to give the 3 items todo list a try.
It really increased my productivity.
I so need to do this. Right now I only have a brain dump list and it's just turned into things I will never get done unless there's a deadline (kids sports, etc.)
@@lindenpeters2601 I think most people's brain dump lists are like that. : - ) Time has a way of revealing what really has to get done.
D: Once again, you have knocked it out of the park. You have given us a refresher course presented in a fresh and different way. Your gift is bringing excitement to the whole process. Your encouragement is just what we need. Many many thanks!
You are so kind Maria, this truly means more than you know!!! 🥰
This was so encouraging! Thank you, Dawn! I was a beginning hoarder when I found your channel years ago. We've gotten rid of so much and still have work to do but our home is way less stressful and we're all learning healthy habits now instead of being afraid for the future. I thank God for you. ❤
I have found that it takes time but getting rid of things has an immediate improving impact on my house. Dawn's colleague Dana says "Less is better". Very encouraging. G Ire
It is always helpful to have a quick reminder for staying, or getting back, on track! 10 wks postpartum with my 2nd and I have implemented the uniform concept for the first time! Found a tank style I like, bought 5 (1 of each color, 2 black), 2 pair of jeans, 3 sets of shorts, 1 pair linen like pants and 3 elastic smocked maxi dresses. Done!
Thank you as always!!
Saying no is a hard one, especially for church / ministries. We want great Sunday school for our kids, we want clean bathrooms at church, we want new moms and shut ins to get help with meals (someday it may be us in need), but those things don't happen if everyone says no. So while we can't say yes to everything, it's important to be lead by the Spirit. Maybe this needs to be a no, so this can be a yes.
Dawn, please make a video targeted to kids. My 5yr old really struggles with hoarding tendencies (big tears to part with packaging, things found in nature, part made projects like cardboard boxes). They say incentives work at this age to retrain her mind, but we haven’t had success yet. I’m trying to set an example, but still learning myself and I want to help her before it becomes a bigger issue.
She loves you and we could really benefit from a simple message from you. Thanks for your wonderful work. It’s transforming our lives.
This is a super idea Zoe! Maybe one or more of Dawn's kids might add some input. G Ire
I enjoy these videos Dawn! Quick simple to the point. Packed with so much knowledge.
You are wonderful! I am a Grammy who recently moved across the US living closer to one daughter. I moved into a small house with not enough room for all my stuff. I am slowly making my life easier with less stuff. Thank you.
Trying to downsize 40 years of marriage and a house full of items starting with the small things adds up !!! thanks so much for your channel and your encouragement and it’s great to be reminded of the simpler things in life peace of mind and less stuff working hard in Tennessee
This is so crazy you talk about the to-do list only being 3 things over the weekend I woke up, house being a mess, and told myself "ok, self, 3 things just do 3 things, per room" but it wasn't just put 3 things away. My kitchen for example was clear off the counter, clear off the table, sweep the floor (dishes didn't count) In the past those would have been daunting tasks that would have taken me ALL day but my mindset was it's only 3 things...... finish these 3 things and move on to the next room. I did 5 rooms in my house in 3 hours instead of all day (or 2 days) It wasn't perfect but it was if someone stopped by I wouldn't be embarrassed!!!
Exactly. I'm definitely less stressed with less inventory and choices. Clearing out the unimportant has made available space for the more important. Creating a uniform for my kids and myself has been a game changer. Thanks Dawn.
Great video. I’ve truly taken to heart the things you’ve said about family, friends, hobbies, health and work/studies. That we can’t really fit them all into our lives at once but have to realise that different seasons in life hold different themes. I really need to focus on my family, my studies and my health right now and don’t have time and energy for much more, and you made me feel like that’s okay. I do have time for one close friend, but not ten superficial friendships, and that’s good enough. And I don’t really have bandwidth for hobbies, and that’s fine - at the end of the day it’s okay that I just want to sit down for an hour and do nothing when I’m done with school, the kids are in bed and the dishes are washed. Thank you for helping me feel normal.
We do reverse meal cooking. We're a vegetarian family so that helps, but we basically have favorite foods we love and prepare different dishes with those. So we mostly buy the same stuff each week and I either saute, grill, stir fry etc. them depending on the time and mood we're all having.
I wish I'd done these things when my kids we small. They're in college now but we still have a lot going on. We can apply these no matter how old we are. Thanks Dawn!!!
Ditto ! My kids are grown now and I wish I could have given them the gift of all this wisdom and simplicity when they were growing up. But I enjoy doing all this NOW ! Yay !
So many good ideas here. I'm in such a busy season of life and and am trying to tell my husband that there are some things that I don't have the mental capacity to deal with. Especially if it's social things that other people plan and expect me to at least be visible. I have 6 kids, too!
I can well imagine Janice! There is another lady doing decluttering videos who has 6 children (a few are adults now) and she is very open about her struggle with depression and how declyttering changed her (and consequently her family's life). Still can't remember her channel name. She is tall with short hair and a kind of crackly voice but loving, smile face and glasses.
G Ire
That’s why Costco is so popular. They keep it simple with a few options on brands verses every brand and then we can’t seem to decide . Making decisions is exhausting.
I do most of my clothes shopping for myself at Costco for this reason. Less choices, good prices, easy return policy. It's what I need right now. ,🙂
I don't have a Costco nearby, but this is why I shop at Aldis. Not as many choices makes my trips quicker and less stressed.
Ain’t it though, making decisions. Easy is much better.
That's why I like aldi😌
And how many times at a store do you look at all those options, finally make your choice, only to get home and see you picked up the wrong item? So frustrating!
Have a routine! It has been such a game changer to just have a routine. It can be just a morning and evening routine. I follow the fly lady and it has been so amazing to be able to fall back on my routines when life is a little busy. Between minimalism and my routines life is less complicated.
Love Flylady!
I agree!!
Meal planning has been a game changer for me. I love just cooking our simple meals for my family. Simple shopping, simple food inventory, and easy cooking makes tasty healthy meals every evening.
I’d love to know some recipes! I always feel like simple means not healthy. When I try to do healthy it just seems to take me so long. 🤷🏻♀️
OMG! 🤣 I can't stop laughing! So I put this on while washing the dishes and 5 minutes later I found myself going through my closet for donations. 😆 It's not even your standard decluttering video but Dawn's voice seems to have rung the Pavlovian gong in my brain! It's so funny. I got a good laugh and my closet's 3 tees lighter. Double win, right? 🤣
Same, ha!
Thanks to you, I stopped folding and matching socks. I either hang up or toss in
drawers.
I try to buy all the same color socks, so they all match. (or it can be 2 or 3 colors for someone who needs options)
And I’m trying to just buy the same socks- same brand, same color. (Brands don’t always cooperate with my plan, however. They like to keep switching things up.)
@@tomaszwyszkowski2253 Recently introduced that too!..
1 color for every family member.
3:10 so cute Dawn! Telling us to hold on while you're on the phone. 😆 Loved that!
I want to give this video 2 thumbs up! I'm preparing for a baby to come any day now, and I've been working to incorporate these things into my life for a while. I keep revisiting this and simplifying my life in more and more ways!
I have found minimalism to be such a wonderful way to to combat the materialism that is pushed at me from all other directions (especially in the baby season).
I really wish we just had a ❤ button instead of like. I’m so thankful for Dawn’s simplifying and spiritual motivation.
Dawn, I’ve been watching your videos religiously for about two years now, maybe more, and I just wanted to say this after today’s: I hope you appreciate what a beautiful homemaker you have become. You often say you’re not a naturally organised person (same here!) and I know things are not always tidy all the time, but to see you continuously go back to your systems, rethink them, check on the inventory regularly, and mostly give yourself permission to adapt as family life changes is really inspiring and beautiful. Keep doing what you’re doing ❤️
Sitting here with a cup of coffee, a newborn (my 4th) on my lap and a lovely well needed video from Dawn
Many thanks to you! I have been on this journey for a while and there's always more that I can do.
I appreciate your support and ideas.
Here is my tip...I keep a shredder next to my bedroom tv. I also have a basket on my bedroom desk that holds weekly fliers, junk mail, just odds and ends receipts, recipes I have clipped out but not tried, old magazines, etc. So I turn on tv to relax, but when commericals come on...I grab a handful papers out of the basket...see what each is, and shred useless paper clutter during commercials. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing some organizing while relaxing. By doing this throughout the week...it really helps keep house neat!
Great system!
The dinner suggestion was awesome. I cook the same thing every week, on the same day of the week. The kids love taco Tuesdays! It really alleviated stress in my life. Thanks for that!
Years ago , a friend said her motto for cooking was : Cook once , eat twice . That is , she cooked enough for two " main " meals / dinners for her & her husband . They were retired & involved in church & community volunteer work , gardened , read books daily , etc. Both were good cooks but had other priorities . Good advice !
One of my favorite videos you’ve put out. What a great summary of your ongoing themes! And loved how each tip had its own coordinating location. A very well put together video! :)
Right. Such a great summary
I LOVE the shirt you are wearing in this video
Just one thing about the one coat one bag: as someone who almost burned out, it now has become a major tool for me and my mental health to never wear my work clothes in my spare time. It helps me to maintain a good work-life-balance and separate those areas of my life. I heard this from other ppl too. So two wardrobes might not be simple but very helpful
Oh definitely. When one is working there has to be a rule that work clothes are for work and casual clothes are for weekends and days off. It's still doable without having to keep a ton of clothes.
That's a good point. It is important to consider dressing appropriately for the occasion. I think the 1-coat rule can be adjusted to fit your lifestyle. Like just 1 casual coat & 1 dress coat, and in the spring trade those out for 1 trench coat and 1 lightweight jacket.
That is interesting, because burnout has made me merge my work wardrobe and free time wardrobe as much as possible. The idea is to ‘be me’ at work as well, and not try so hard to build a separate efficient work persona…
@@clara3322 i can understand that. But my work wear has the same me-style than my other clothes, just more polished. But by not wearing work wear in my spare time, i signal to my brain to stop thinking about work too
You do you. These are just Dawn's ideas, she is great but they are not all for everyone. Take what you need and leave the rest.
One of your best videos!💕👍
The hospital where I work recently instituted a policy of all the nurses wearing the same gray color scrubs. At first I was disappointed not being able to wear all my colorful scrubs, but it is amazing now how I love not having to decide what to wear every day.
That way the patients and staff can ID who is who by the color of their uniform. I was a CNA at a hospital and we had to wear strictly burgundy. After the switch, the patients kept saying how much they missed the cheerful colorful scrubs instead of the boring drab we had to wear. CNAs and Nurses included.
It was amazing the patients kept calling us CNAs their nurses even afterwards, because we spent more time with the patients then the Nurses. No fault of the Nurses of course. 😀 Does your charting ever end??
@@joannemazurek9075 What's a CNA?
@@FrogeniusW.G. certified nurse's assistant
@@Tam-vu2mj Thank you
@@FrogeniusW.G. Yea, another layer, another title for medical staff, as if there aren't enough as it is. Who sees the actual doctor anymore (sarcasm)?
I keep a canvas beach bag next to my bed. I am an avid reader and buy books at thrift shops. I stopped my tv subscription and use my I-phone for news, weather. So I read evenings. As soon as I finish a book...it goes in canvas bag, next to my purse. When I am going out, I grab that book bag...and donate those books to nursing homes or library dropoffs. Keeps clutter down and I have room on bedroom bookcase for more "new" novels!
I love all your tips, tricks and motivation, hope you never stop. I learned along time ago if you smile while saying no over the phone you will sound nicer, works in person also! 👏👍🥰 Also sending prayers to the Texas families of the tragedy today. 🙏
Thank you for your prayers. Our state as well as the town of Uvalde need all the prayers and well wishes we can get to get through this massive tragedy that keeps getting worse as news of what actually happened gets known.
I love when you said in another video, while shopping “put your blinders on”. I now think of that whenever I am out in a store! Thank you!
Hello from Texas. I’m downloading so I can watch it later because I’m in a meeting. Can’t wait to watch.
I recently retired and have spent the last several months pruning my wardrobe ( No more work clothes!!), the attic ( do I really need that scrapbook from the Cincinnati Reds 1975-76 season?- YES it was AMAZING - but I do not need the books from college- HARD NO!!!) , to my contact phone list (anything over 5 years without reaching out is gone!!) I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW FREEING THIS!!!!
This perspective gives me the ADVANTAGE of focusing on what is IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, without the weight of STUFF!!!! Thank you Dawn for pointing this out- I am definitely living a better life following your tips!!!
I greatly enjoy cooking & eating a variety of foods, so I always longed for the simplicity of meal planning, but dreaded the redundancy of it … I have tried it in the past and got super bored quite quickly. Recently, I realized that I have been “meal planning” in a different way, by using a meal kit delivery service for the nights I’m in charge of dinner … I get the variety & enjoy trying new recipes, but I don’t have to stress about finding the recipes or picking up the right stuff from the grocery store or having a bunch of extra leftover ingredients … it’s been pretty great.
minimalist comment 101 - i just love Dawn and her channel. ;)
It's amazing, you're always finding new ways to declutter, simplify, and live "essentially". I don't call it minimalism.
Thank You for telling us about Unroll Me. I agree with the stop multi-tasking. I think that garbage was started when cellphones came on the scene and business people were encouraged to "do business" on their cellphones while commuting from place to place.
Meal planning is great. Less stress, less waste, healthier…. So many reasons to do it. The concept of 3 items on a To Do list is new to me. Will have to try it. Thanks.
The multitasking one is true, but it's so much easier to motivate myself to clean/ do the dishes etc. when listening to a podcast/ audiobook while I do it.
I love that singular task instead of multitasking! Plus I love that shirt on you I’m glad you don’t have just all black! Lol! And you look beautiful. And thank you for always helping
Just when I think I have decluttered and done everything to simplify, you remind me that there are still things I need to review. The visual of your drawer was really helpful to consider whether the priority is keeping stuff in the everyday drawer to 'use it up' when I don't versus easy access to what I need.
Loving the blue striped top Dawn x
Hi where did you get the bins and labels. It looks very pleasant to the eyes
Thanks for all the encouragement Dawn!
I just love you and all your tips! Your channel is the most valuable on TH-cam!
I saw the best commercial today; it was a little dog smiling and tail wagging. Not selling anything. Need more of this! I had the biggest smile. The little things in life.
This speaks volumes! My husband used to write everything on a to do list! Pick up the mail, feed the dogs, etc.!!
This is one video I’ll watch multiple times - it’s a Minimal Mom mini course in one video! Great work Dawn. It’s amazing how well you keep finding different ways to get the same central message across. That’s what we need 😊
Hello 👋 how are you doing
Hello from Florida! I’m rewarding myself watching this after clearing off my dresser. Lol Hopefully I’m on a roll.
Holy cow…the last few minutes was impactful for me! It’s all the stuff I’ve been hanging on to that I need to give up! Thanks for giving me “permission!” ❤️ I’m getting there…I’m currently a a semi-minimal mom.
Dawn Dawn Dawn you're always calling me out on everything!
THANK YOU ♡
Probably cos she has been there too...!
Her gift as a forerunner... G Ire
You truly have been a life savor for my life since I have discovered you and minimalism a year ago October!! Thank you !!!💜💜💜💜💜
I'm simplifying dinners. Since I tend to only eat chicken/turkey at home I've started looking at what ingredients the chicken/turkey dishes I gravitate to or absolutely love have in common and making a list of those ingredients. And, I'm using that list to stock my pantry and freezer. I'm also stocking the pantry with the things needed to make my the dishes I love that are easy and can be made in large batches and freeze well such as chili. And, I absolutely adore frozen vegetables that you can microwave in the bag they come in. I also love to keep Costco's canned chicken on hand. It's the best canned chicken I've tried and it makes for a very quick and easy way to make a barbecue chicken sandwich/topped baked potato, chicken salad sandwich, or it's an easy add to a regular green salad.
Quick warning: Costco chicken includes modified food starch, and doesn’t list the starch source so it could be iffy for people with allergies. I’ve been buying mine at Sam’s since we had to start cutting out a few foods due to allergies.
Very helpful reminder to declutter and downsize to things I use or wear and get rid of the rest.
I did this in the kitchen, wow it does make a big difference, I use to have so many random extra bowls, plates and gadgets. I even took some of them out in a "time out bag" but I never needed it. My kitchen is so clean nowadays, it's really about changing your mindset on having clutter
I'm more minimalist than the average person but not quite here yet, although I'd like to be. One coat. As a fellow Midwesterner, I'm impressed. Here I sit with a heavy and a light dress coat, snowmobiling coat, below-freeing goose down coat, rain coat, barn/chore coat, hunting coat, light fall coat, light spring coat, everyday winter coat...
I'd like to add an idea for the "to do" list that I hope will help anyone that might need it. I'm in the process of trying to reclaim my life from extreme caregiver burnout-borderline compassion fatigue from years of taking care of my elderly father...honestly, I got to a point where I just couldn't even function, my depression was very bad and I'd, for the first time in my life, given up hope. To try to get myself some semblance of routine I made a list of things I should do starting first thing in the morning, I mean a VERY detailed list, eg- #1- Set mood- music (whatever kind brings calm or uplifts), light candle, MINDFULLY enjoy breakfast, #2- unload dishwasher...I would literally check these things off as I did them, it took some time, but now those first the few detailed lines are just done on auto...I believe sometimes, in certain circumstances, we actually DO need to be reminded to do even the smallest task. This has been working for me and I truly hope that it might help others, I'm already feeling more motivated and positive about "being happy again".
Thank you, Dawn, for all of your videos, you have been a big inspiration for me in trying to find my way back.
Hi Dawn! Bless you for sharing your videos. I am in my journey to minimalism and loving it! I watch you and Josh Becker and you made such a big impact in my life. I have always wanted to have less things but didn’t know where to start and I love the tip on giving away things that have duplicate, now cooking and cleaning up is so much easier. I am a work in progress and I’m still finding ways to give away and get rid of things and only keep what is useful for me.
Truly when you have less stuff to manage, you have more time to do things that are important to you!
God bless you and your family!
That was my favorite of your videos! You kept right to the point, and shared VERY helpful tips! I agree with every one of them. We all have too much stuff!
After wearing postal uniforms for 32 years I thought I would want many options since I retired. I was wrong, blue jeans with t shirts or sweatshirts are my new uniform and love it.
Hope you have a great day also. Well said hints
Love love love. Thank you for all the great information, soooo helpful!
I do these as much as possible. Truly simplifies your life. Now if I could get my husband to think this way. 90% of our inventory is his.
I loved this video!!! You are the Best!!!! You make everything so much easier. Thank you so much.
Dawn I have been following you for several years and I believe you have changed my life in a positive way. I have cut back my inventory allot...given away, to family to free by the roadside. I loved your video today as I do all of them. They help me and friends who are on their way to decluttering, organizing and simifying theur lives homes. Thank you for all the wonderful things you do and the catalyst you are to improving our material life but our spiritual life as well your plans have freed up time for a bucket list item ive had fir many years to read my bible cover to cover and the bible recap I started Jan 1st, im up to date and half way through along with the bible project WOW GOD has through you I believe has lead me in my beginners path to knowing him loving his patience and honestly changinv my life. Thank you and your sisters wonderful prayers.. GOD bless..
The power of 3! So so so true. All these things are such a great ideas 💡
I have been watching your videos for years, and this one was especially good.... I already know and do most of the things you mentioned, but you hit it out of the ballpark with your advice. The most recent change I have made, you sort of touched on... but not quite. I stopped expecting myself to cook the best version ever of a recipe. My goals are now ease and edible.... yes, edible. I am not trying to run a restaurant, just to eat to live. This has made it much easier to get meals on the table.
Great video. We are streamlining our kitchen & it feels so good. Hoping to get it done soon so we can move to another room & work on that.
That blouse looks Fabulous on you !❣️
Charles Emerson Winchester III, on M.A.S.H. said it best…”I do one thing at a time, iI do it very well, and then I move on.” That is the way I now choose to live my life (since I retired). When I was working I had to be doing MANY things at the same time and doing them all well. It was so stressful. You say things so well, Dawn, and it will help us if we listen and enact some of these changes. Thanks!
Another thing that I do is make seasonal meal planners. I still have a binder with all my recipes (I am an avid cook so there are many) but I print out about 10-20 for spring/summer and for fall/winter. I also do the same for Christmas/entertaining. It keeps it simple and I just reach for the smaller seasonal binder. When I want to be more creative or have more time I'll refer to my larger binder.
You are my internet Mom, teaching me how to live a better life! Thank You!
Absolutely HILARIOUS and relatable when you dump all the stuff in the drawer 🤣. Thanks for the helpful tips and entertainment ❤️.
To take the decision out of getting dressed in the morning, I only keep clothes that I feel good in. I sort & hang no sleeve, short sleeve, long sleeve tops. The weather decides which group I pull from, but I only pull from the RIGHT side, so whichever top is hanging to the right, that's what top I am wearing that day. Then I just throw on black, brown or grey pants or jeans to go with it. At the end of the day, if the top is still clean, I turn it inside-out and hang it to the LEFT. After I have worn an inside-out top the 2nd time, it goes in the laundry. This eliminates standing in front of the closet deciding what to wear, AND reduces the number of times I do laundry!
Great system!
I have a little more time now to try new recipes, but when my life was much busier caring for many people and trying to get out of debt, I created a menu that we ate weekly. It meant I didn't have to plan dinner every night, and I kept the same grocery list. I could also buy in bulk knowing everything would get used up. We are now debt free, and only buy what we need for the week as we only have 2 kids at home now. :) Also, if I have a task I need to do, I just put it on my calendar next to the time I think I'll be able to do it. Once the schedule is full it has to go to another day. It keeps my expectations of my time more realistic and keeps me accountable to myself about not wasting precious minutes. I also like the idea of getting clothes out of your normal space even if you aren't decluttering them forever. I did that this morning with my socks and skirts that were clearly winter wear. That way I can find my summer wear much easier. And Dawn I love your striped top and all your ideas! I gavevmy mom your book for Christmas and it was just the spark she needed to start decluttering the hard stuff in her house, so someday I (her only child) won't have to! Love your channel and tell people about it all the time!
Dawn, you always seem to know what I need to hear and how I need to hear it! 😉❤️. Thank you for this video. I keep repeating what I’ve learned from you in my mind, but sometimes I need to hear it again…and again…and AGAIN!
Thank you so much for your encouragement! Keeping it simple is where it is at!
We just redid all the floors in our house except the kitchen. That meant we had to gut our house. It is amazing all the things I found that we just don’t use. I told my husband if we don’t use it, it’s not coming back in our home. We shall see how this goes. Thank you for your tips!
I am in the process of reducing my inventory and shaping my space.
It is life changing ! Thank you, Dawn, for your inspirational videos !!
Using an ending the junk mail service has been a game changer. Also love my Dyson more than words can say. Worth the investment.
Yes! I've been saying 3 to-dos per day for years. It's my magic number.
Limiting options is HUGE! it’s part of why camping is so easy & relaxing. We are u der house reno rn & I simply can’t get to most of my things daily. When I went through & saw how much stufffff I have it was eye opening. Purging a lot rn
I really appreciate that you just get into your videos. I usually only have 10-15 min to watch and with other channels, I have to listen to their intro and then fast forward through the opening theme, etc.
This makes me go to your videos first! Talk about simplification! 🙌🏻😀👏🏻
I started some of these literally today. And man does it feel good... ty! 🎉
Thank you for all the advices ❤️👍🏼
you are a life saver, watching your videos made me minimilist from messy unorganized depressed person and now i m free, minimilism is soooo liberating. I follow all ur rules and my life is so much better, i have lots of free time coz less stuff less work ... 🤭 but a request, do a video of meal planning ur way.... so i can get some inspiration... i m having trouble keeping up with meals n plans....
My go to, is absolutely black or grey t shirt and jeans, always has been!
I use a checklist for my habitual things and save the to-do list for those things that change daily. It keeps my list shorter and still keeps me on track.