One of Dana K White’s most important points is you have to ask yourself when decluttering, “Where would I look for this if I needed it?” And put it there.
I really like Dana White, and I think that question has helped me more than anything. It is so wonderful to be able to have an idea where to go to find most things when you need them.
Dana K. White: where would I look for this first? Take it there now. (Obviously you can’t always do that depending on your health or other factors.) And if you actually would not look for it? You can donate it. BTW, I’ve noticed even if there’s no clutter or very little, I’ve caught myself procrastinating by not putting it away, taking it there now. And that negatively builds on itself. You don’t do one thing, then one more, then another and bam - piles.
Yes! Every time we've moved into a new place, I have things that I just don't know where to put. The place we're in now, especially, I struggled with that. Rearranged kitchen cabinets and drawers multiple times before settling.
I have adhd and chronic illness. Im an ex hoarder & artist. If I pick things that spark joy everything is an art project, anything that means stopping and leaving the room *squirrel* ain’t happening. This is what decluttered my hoarder house… every time I get up to pee/drink I scooped up 1 box of stuff. I sat on my bed watching TV (reward) and sorted the box with 2 questions. If I had to move out today, would I pay to move it? Can I live without this?If there is a no and a yes… trash. Husband takes the bag out for me. Done
Good job❣️ Going at your own pace is so important - I have to make sure there is more going out than coming in and “check” myself when it comes to that. Thank you for sharing @ArtyAntics
That is great info! My son has inattentive ADHD and I will definitely share with him and do the "bodydouble " in helping him until he gets used to it 😌
Another hack, especially for procrastination, is to create a decluttering/organising ritual. Light a candle, listen to a podcast, wear specific clothes, listen to music, all these things will become a habit that, in time, will help kick you into gear at a time you least feel like getting started. :)
I’ve listened to several of the professional organizers on CZcams over the last year as inspiration and support for my own decluttering journey. I definitely prefer focusing on one small area at a time. I’ve let go of hundreds of items this way while being very CAREFUL not to shop mindlessly. That’s a key point….lots leaving, less coming in. My home is so relaxing and beautiful for sticking to this method.
I am also in that season of life. I am soon to be 69 and I remember when my sisters and I had to go through my mom’s house when she passed..it was so overwhelming. I now think about what my kids would have to do if/when I pass. I really don’t want them to have to go through what we did. It really helps with the decluttering.
Apparently, the brain processes clutter as "MUST DO URGENTLY" because it is a "problem" that needs an "actionable solution" continuously right in front of your eyes. But since we have no time to solve the problem, we shove it out of our consciousness. That is why it is so incredibly stressful to have clutter consistently in our lives: you are adding THIS humming stress on top of all our other "urgently must be done" things in our brains. It can feel overwhelming SO quickly, especially to those with ADHD/creatives. We have such horrible executive function skills to begin with.
I was glad when I saw it because it explained so much. It actually made it easier for me to not let clutter build because I would just keep repeating "the brain will process clutter as stress, so put it away now. We do NOT need more stress!" That is LESS stressful than watching it pile!😅@aflourishingplace
I just started the 20/10 method a few days ago and for me, this is it. I use it for cleaning as well as decluttering, and the progress I've made in just a few days is amazing. And all without feeling overwhelmed ! It's been like a miracle for me. And if you're tired, it doesn't have to be 20/10 . You can make it 15/10 or 10/10 if you want to ,and still make a lot of progress.
That method is also great when you don't know where to start or feel tired, unmotivated. The mindset is you surely can give it 10 minutes, that gets you started, which is often the worst part.
I do this also .I have a list of things that I must do everyday like make bed ,dishes,etc . One of my things is a small organize ,often a random drawer . When you do it everyday ,all of the small scattered,random bits add up. When you decide to do a big room clean and declutter it ends up being just a fast reset .
Something that helps me to organize and declutter without getting overwhelmed: I pick a particular spot that's packed or out of control, say my clothes closet with way too many clothes. I look at and touch each piece of clothing just briefly. I don't take much time or think about it much but clothes that stand out to me that I have not worn or need mending or I don't like anymore , I just pick out and put them in the "discard"pile. It would take me 5 or 10 minutes. I don't remove all my clothing from the closet I just look at each piece and remove what I don't want or need. That's all I do for that session. Than maybe the next day I do the same thing and put a little more thought and discernment as I eliminate a few more things. My next session, I look again and I have usually elimated at least 1/3 of the clothes and now I have room to organize the closet. The key for me is to not overthink it and to spend no than 10 minutes at a time. I do this with other areas, too, like kitchen cabinets, ultility closets ect. It works for me as I can get overwhelmed easily. Also, I don’t have to put it off if I only have a small amout of time because it's done in short sessions.
Julie Morgenstern's book Organizing from the Inside Out has great chapters, some early ones about maybe the paychology behind keeping way too much stuff, and middle chapters about her SPACE method: Sort, Purge, Assign a home, Containerize, Equalize (check up on every so often). She explains why doing those steps in that order works very well!
I'm 73 y.o. Always had a house in order but lately I feel that I must get rid of things that are no longer essential to my retired life. We are only two in my 7 rooms, 2 bathrooms house. Dear hubbie is still working so I most often then not am in charge of keeping the house tidy. So, what I feel better for my season of life are the No mess Method (Dana K. White) and the 20/10. Without being aware of this last method, I already kind of practice it. I would take 15 minutes of cleaning, or decluttering, and then 10 minutes of "me time" and then go back to my task. I find it less stressful and more enjoyable. Many thanks.
Yes, I think it really does help with the stress and overwhelm to do it in small chunks! And then it’s great to have a reward to look forward to, of course! 😃
I am also in that season of life. I am soon to be 69 and I remember when my sisters and I had to go through my mom’s house when she passed..it was so overwhelming. I now think about what my kids would have to do if/when I pass. I really don’t want them to have to go through what we did. It really helps with the decluttering.
I have Subscribed to you, and given you a thumbs up. I also follow Clutter bugs, and am a butterfly, which means I like to see my things out that I love, so could never live in a minimalist way, but I live in a small home, where the downstairs is totally open plan as one room, so there is a tiny kitchen, and a sitting room, and a small space where a dining table could go. The front door opens directly into this, so any mess is very visible! I have also tried the other methods that you suggested, and have books on the subject, and they all help in their own ways, but I find it is hard when you live alone, and have no one to call on for help - I live alone with my rescue greyhound Madge. I can not afford to get anyone else to help me, and do not have a car, live in a rural isolated spot, and only go out of the house to walk Madge, and take my rubbish to the end of the lane, due to my sever anxiety about leaving the house. I live on my pension, as I am 67 years young, and have no spare cash to get folk to come and take away things I want to donate, and I have tried getting the charity shop to come and pick up the things from me, but they have so few resources, that they can not do this. But I am gradually selling some bits on my local face book page, which is a free site, and folk can come and pick the items up from me. I will get there one day, and everything gone, is another good thing. Thanks for your video, and I shall be following you. Blessings from Jilly & Madge the rescue greyhound, from a sunny West Devon, England. xxx
Dana K. White's No Mess method works for anyone, but is super helpful for those of us who tend to get sidetracked and/or don't have a lot of time to devote to decluttering. She does talk about defining the space/room as you approach decluttering it. This way you know what stays and what needs to go to another room....or out the door!
Not mentioned in your video but swedish death cleaning has been a game changer for me and also if I were to move would I take this with me.i have purged so much stuff this summer with just these two methods.
@@Cazzie4ever I’m trying to persuade my hoarder husband of this. We’re 80 and t’s not fair to burden our children, especially when one of them lives a few hundred miles away. I’m not bad at decluttering, although I have particular things I haven’t been able to let go - travel guides for places I’ve been to, certain non-fiction books, antique ornaments inherited from my parents. My husband has jars of rusty nails, scissors (12 pairs) dozens of pencils and felt tips and artists’ paint brushes he doesn’t use, old tools mixed in with good, useful tools and much much more. (He has even rescued things from the dustbin that I have thrown out -my things, not his). They’re in his work room so don’t clutter up the house, but they will be a real headache for our children.
@@Jojotonks Unfortunately if you leave the declutterring to your children once you pass or are unable to make decisions on your own at some stage, they will be so burdened that they may just hire someone to haul it all away. It’s your responsibility as the owner of stuff to manage it. My late husband was holding onto things his mother had saved. I have had to be ruthless and purge it. Some things hadn’t been stored properly and so were ruined. I’m determined that my kids won’t have to go through this again when I am gone. It is a gift to them.
Great video, thanks for sharing!!! My wife doesn't seem the least bit bothered with clutter. It's in every single room of our home, in the yard, the plantings in the landscaping, the car, etc. It surely bothers me though. To be fair, I'm far from perfect, but every time I try to do something with an item that is "ours", she defends it like it's hers and won't let me touch it. This even extends to items (tea set, dishes) given to me by my parents when they downsized. On a positive note, I just put Minimalista on hold at my local library!
I’m surprised and disappointed you didn’t mention the FlyLady method. I started it many years ago and found it worked for me. My home became neater and cleaner quickly. I still use it to some extent every day. You get into certain habits and routines that enable you to keep your home neat and clean much more easily. Three fave sayings of hers: go shine your sink; you can’t clean clutter; you can do anything for 15 minutes.
I seem to have done the best with the no mess method. After needing to downsize to move into a retirement phase of life, I realized it was too confusing and frustrating to declutter multiple things at a time. Picking up one single thing in whatever spot my gaze happened to rest on and deciding if I was keeping it and where it should be instead kept the process focused and I could stop at any time without a mess to put back.
I have ended up doing some major cleaning out of my china cabinet and music shelf and cabinet. I threw away some old music, put a pile away, and have two boxes of china and other things that are going to Goodwill. Why? Because we are having hardwood floors put down , today, in our dining room and music room. I'm so excited! The floor people even put felt pads on all of my furniture, in those rooms. I have new area rugs to put down....one under the baby grand piano, and an 8x10 in the dining room, under the table. I put a new lamp shade on our lamp. My hubby said, "wow! That makes it look a lot more modern!"
The ending of this video was so useful alongside the varied methods to select from the rest of the video. My season of life means I am constantly interrupted with minis. The No mess method suits me. Yet I will now visualise my ideal for each space too. XXX
I’m a fan of Dana K White. I’ve been decluttering my house for decades. I used to use the method you mentioned first which was when I would get so angry with the clutter in our home I would just start purging. I have rented a dumpster on more than one occasion to get rid of the excess stuff in our home. Unfortunately my husband decided to become a prepper after I had done a massive declutter in our home. It paid off during the 2020 lockdown nonsense, but I still need to purge what I can. We are hoping to move within the next five years so I want to lighten the load now. I’ve never used the method of pulling everything out before decluttering. Making a bigger mess first doesn’t work for my personality. However, I never went as far as Dana with her take it there now approach until recently, after watching her videos. She makes perfect sense to me. The great thing about you covering all of these different methods is that it can give hope to someone who has failed in the past because they used a method not suitable to their personality. We all need to remember “if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you always got! Try a new method, you might be surprised at how it could work for you. Happy Decluttering!
I love that you put all of these methods into one video! I have tried them all! For me it is very dependent on the room or area I am decluttering. I am a huge fan of Dana K White and her no mess method. She describes herself so incredibly well and that helps me to relate to her. Sometimes I use Conmarie for specific categories. I’ve used the Home Edit in some spaces and that makes my heart swoon! I will add the 20/10 to any method I am using.
Same here! Dana's works fantastic for certain things for me, others not so much. And for things where it doesn't work as well, I still do garbage first, then the take it there now and duhs. The only part I omit in these instances is not taking everything out. Sometimes I NEED to see it ALL at a glance. It's still incredible and I wish I'd thought of it myself eons ago. Could've saved me so much agony.
I've been trying to do by category...have to start by room tho as there are too many "mixed" categories in every room. I so want to be more organized and live a minimalist life. Been donating things to my neighbor, she loves getting things from me lol, she does the same to declutter her space and gives things she doesn't want anymore to one of her friends. Recycling at it's best! ☺ I only need 2 plants, not 10!! Lol. Great video, thanks 🧘♀️💜
In my mid 50s now and I find the Kon Marie method is ideal for my home . Having collected so much stuff over the years I find that going through say all the bedding in one big pile helps . Same with clothes and books . Helps me focus on what I need to get rid of .
I’ve watched a million videos to find the perfect solution to finally declutter, purge and organize, I’m still searching but I love this video and how down to earth you are! I don’t feel like I’m listening to a collage lecture while thinking, I could never achieve what they’re talking about! Hard to explain but I just wanted to tell you, I’m subscribing to your channel, you actually make everything you explain, obtainable and just have a relatable & calming way.. Thank you!
I read Don Aslett's book about 40 years ago. Some good ideas but I was horrified at his suggestion (in order to save work and storage space), to throw all the Christmas decorations out and starting afresh each year! I'm 71 and have tree decorations that I have loved from childhood. Also others that evoke different memories. The joy I get when opening them up and hanging them on the tree makes any work involved well worth it. I really hope he revised that section of his book! One great tip from him though is to soak the area you're cleaning before you start to scrub! Makes life so much easier.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 oh, yes. I recall that. It was also a place of business he was cleaning and I took it with a grain of salt. I definitely understand.
@@Lily_The_Pink972I also read many of Don Aslett’s books. Is There Life After Housework and others which I found entertaining as well - his daughter drew the cartoons in them. I don’t always agree with a writer but usually can find something useful. 😉
I love Julie Morgenstern's Organizing From the Inside Out. Works for everything including organizing and decluttering your schedule. I've tried lots of different ways and they all have their season but Julie's method sticks with me. It is very psychological. As im a psychotherapist, writer and artist perhaps that is why it endures for me. I really appreciate analyzing the why of our spaces or the 'clarify' as you say!
I’m 65, married….and 2 years ago had to clean out my parents home…….it was emotionally horrible. 😮 It was then I decided I would never do that to my 2 children. I’ve always been a tidy person, I had to be because it was the only way I got positive attention from my mother. Today, clutter is stressful for me and being an artist, I cannot create in that space. I’ve probably used all the methods in this video 😂 and they all have helped…💜
Just heard about having another body in the room-either actively helping or simple BEING there as a supportive person-maybe reading a book. I've tried all kinds of methods-and in 5 years (in a house a family grew and left) great progress is evident. Yet there is so much more....endless but no longer daunting.
Really helpful that you shared a number of decluttering strategies for different circumstances. That’s honest, helpful + compassionate for creating decluttering success. Thank you. 😌✨♥️✨👍🏽✨🇨🇦
This video is just what I absolutely needed today!! You popped up out of nowhere. Now, I’m subscribed, with all notifications on. I’ve also shared with a few others…that know the struggle is real!!!! I don’t know about any of you, but I live with the “Progress Police Chief”, the hubs. Need I say more? 🙄 *20/10 (maybe 30/10), will be my go to for today. IMO, it addresses setting a realistic goal to start with. *My new normal/mindset, has to be…regular maintenance will help make me successful at maintaining. Thanks again❣️
Thank you for all these great decluttering tips !! I’m overwhelmed, but don’t want to leave my kids all my stuff… my house is full of other peoples stuff too… my brother, my mother , my kids, their exes…& I’m a collector of “things I might need someday “, crafting items I’m going to get to when I’m retired… tools, books, etc… I have family coming in a couple months …I have to get a handle on this !! It keeps me awake at night !!
You explained Dana’s system well. I didn’t fully understand why she would take the item to the place she would look for it. That makes sense-if you have very little time , it works perfectly
20/10 or 15/5 (for those of us with Task avoidance 😩) Yes!!! using a timer . Stop !!! Take a break . Get out of the room get some water, tea, coffee, play w pet. Then go back! ☺ Repeat.
While not actually pulling everything out, an overall house plan could help - draw up a houseplan and write in each room what would be the most logical place (the first place you would think to look for it) for categories of items - then you can at least get the things that need to stay to that room. ❤
Yes ! Dana K White . Start w trash , non emotional, first, then step 2 , etc . NOT pulling tons of stuff out, TOO overwhelming for some of us. Too Taxing on our brains.
I'm so glad that I discovered this video and your channel! The No Mess method is just what I need and what I've been doing today and this video was my 10 min. break! (I didn't know that the No Mess method or 20-10 was a "thing." I was just doing it this way today and so your video helps me to feel as if I'm moving in the right direction. Thanks!) Yes, I'm subscribing🤗
I like Dana K White, but I find that just setting an amount of time or a specific space (like one drawer) works best. If I don’t try to tackle too much at once, then I can be effective and make steady progress.
Great idea with the reward time for kids - maybe play a game of cards with them, or have an ice-cream cone -something motivational that is quick & easy & not making more clutter.😂❤
I love Dana K White but the no mess method didn’t work for me when I was doing my initial big declutter because I needed to see what I was dealing with. The Core 4 is more like what I do. But Minimalista intrigues me.
I just subscribed, I am not a young mom, all my kids are on their own but the house still has stuff for them. I will be working toward having the mess not be left for them. Lots of tasks to do. I use Dana;s method. Is primo, and the 20-10 sounds good.
What's interesting is I think I do all this methods all at once, lol (adhd, which I swear Dana has, and she's said many have told her she also has), but today I'm going to throw that 20/10 on my timer and try that, because that's really helpful when you have those invisible illnesses...so while it's somewhat like pomadora (sp) technique, I haven't tried it for an all day experience and I'm really enticed by those 10 minute fun breaks. And why this hasn't occurred to me, despite giving my homeschoolers "brain breaks"...Idk...I'm a mom I guess, that's my answer. haha
First time on your channel and will Subscribe but would like to suggest at the beginning you introduce yourself - first name only is fine. Thank you for putting this post together. You did a great job with the entertaining clips you added. ❤
I have everything questionable on the edges of my living room and I’m going in a circle and dealing with it. It is my last layer so I have to force myself. I will skip over it if it is in its home. When I’m in maintain mode is when I can use the no mess method. I do that in my kitchen.
I've been on a path for years now, once the "baby" chapter of life ended. My biggest obstacle has now become getting rid of stuff that's just too big for my space. Selling is hard-there's a lot of scammers out there and I can't see throwing away or donating stuff just to be rid of it. I'm currently at a dead end bc I refuse to bring the smaller stuff I want in before I get rid of the stuff that's suffocating me.
Ugh, scammers are the worst!! 😫 So frustrating. I’ve found sometimes local sharing groups, like a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook can be so great because then I know I’m passing something along to a neighbor who will use it and it gets a second life! ❤️
What...what did you expect? She's not going to come through the screen and declutter for you. Take notes, then go look into these methods on your own to find what works for you. Jeez Louise!
🍅 The 20/10 Method sounds like a take on "Pomodoros." If you've seen any videos/books on the productivity side of CZcams (especially in academia), then you've heard of this. [I've used Pomodoros in the past as a grad student, and it does help you focus! There are even multiple websites/apps with timers online, so I would look for those. 🍅 Pomodoro means "tomato" in Italian and was an idea created by an Italian, so you'll probably see lots of those, LOL!] The Pomodoro Method is typically based on 25/5 minutes instead, but you can obviously change it up however works best for you. The idea is that you stay focused for that time on whatever you're studying--in this case, decluttering. A typical study schedule might be four sets of 25/5 minutes then a half-hour break; others might do two sets of 50/10 and then take a break. It all depends on you and your tolerance for sitting there and the difficulty of what you're studying. Well, same with this, right? Declutter for whatever length of time you determine is right for you, then take breaks. The five-minute short breaks are great to go to the bathroom or get a drink while the longer breaks allow you to get something to eat, stretch, etc. I've been struggling to get some decluttering done that I've wanted to take care of for a while now, but I never thought of using Pomodoros to do it. It's actually a great way to pace yourself! You can plan to work for one session, or "Pom," or you can plan to work/study the entire day. What helps is knowing that your breaks are scheduled. You have more frequent short breaks, and then longer ones to eat. YOU are actually the one in control of how long you declutter and how long your breaks are as well as how many times you repeat this. That's the beauty of it! I know it worked for school, so I'm sure it will help with decluttering! Thanks so much! 🙏💜
Thanks for being here, friends! Leave in the comments below any decluttering methods that have been helpful for you. I always love more ideas! :)
One of Dana K White’s most important points is you have to ask yourself when decluttering, “Where would I look for this if I needed it?” And put it there.
I really like Dana White, and I think that question has helped me more than anything. It is so wonderful to be able to have an idea where to go to find most things when you need them.
Dana K. White: where would I look for this first? Take it there now. (Obviously you can’t always do that depending on your health or other factors.) And if you actually would not look for it? You can donate it.
BTW, I’ve noticed even if there’s no clutter or very little, I’ve caught myself procrastinating by not putting it away, taking it there now. And that negatively builds on itself. You don’t do one thing, then one more, then another and bam - piles.
Yes! I like that .
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Yes! Every time we've moved into a new place, I have things that I just don't know where to put. The place we're in now, especially, I struggled with that. Rearranged kitchen cabinets and drawers multiple times before settling.
I have adhd and chronic illness. Im an ex hoarder & artist. If I pick things that spark joy everything is an art project, anything that means stopping and leaving the room *squirrel* ain’t happening. This is what decluttered my hoarder house… every time I get up to pee/drink I scooped up 1 box of stuff. I sat on my bed watching TV (reward) and sorted the box with 2 questions. If I had to move out today, would I pay to move it? Can I live without this?If there is a no and a yes… trash. Husband takes the bag out for me. Done
That is a fantastic system for decluttering, I love it!! ❤️
Good job❣️ Going at your own pace is so important - I have to make sure there is more going out than coming in and “check” myself when it comes to that. Thank you for sharing @ArtyAntics
THAT'S AWESOME and the way to do it! Good for you (seriously).
I really like the pay to move it question! Thanks
That is great info! My son has inattentive ADHD and I will definitely share with him and do the "bodydouble " in helping him until he gets used to it 😌
Another hack, especially for procrastination, is to create a decluttering/organising ritual. Light a candle, listen to a podcast, wear specific clothes, listen to music, all these things will become a habit that, in time, will help kick you into gear at a time you least feel like getting started. :)
This is so good, it’s all about getting into the habit. Love it! 😊
⚡️This is an excellent idea! I will definitely do this next time I work on “the guest room” aka my storage closet/mess 🫣🙃
I’ve listened to several of the professional organizers on CZcams over the last year as inspiration and support for my own decluttering journey. I definitely prefer focusing on one small area at a time. I’ve let go of hundreds of items this way while being very CAREFUL not to shop mindlessly. That’s a key point….lots leaving, less coming in. My home is so relaxing and beautiful for sticking to this method.
Yes! Lots leaving, less coming in. That is totally the key right there! 😊
I am also in that season of life. I am soon to be 69 and I remember when my sisters and I had to go through my mom’s house when she passed..it was so overwhelming. I now think about what my kids would have to do if/when I pass. I really don’t want them to have to go through what we did. It really helps with the decluttering.
Oh man, this is so true. ❤️
Apparently, the brain processes clutter as "MUST DO URGENTLY" because it is a "problem" that needs an "actionable solution" continuously right in front of your eyes. But since we have no time to solve the problem, we shove it out of our consciousness. That is why it is so incredibly stressful to have clutter consistently in our lives: you are adding THIS humming stress on top of all our other "urgently must be done" things in our brains. It can feel overwhelming SO quickly, especially to those with ADHD/creatives. We have such horrible executive function skills to begin with.
This is such a good explanation!
I was glad when I saw it because it explained so much. It actually made it easier for me to not let clutter build because I would just keep repeating "the brain will process clutter as stress, so put it away now. We do NOT need more stress!" That is LESS stressful than watching it pile!😅@aflourishingplace
I just started the 20/10 method a few days ago and for me, this is it. I use it for cleaning as well as decluttering, and the progress I've made in just a few days is amazing. And all without feeling overwhelmed ! It's been like a miracle for me. And if you're tired, it doesn't have to be 20/10 . You can make it 15/10 or 10/10 if you want to ,and still make a lot of progress.
That’s fantastic! 😃
That method is also great when you don't know where to start or feel tired, unmotivated. The mindset is you surely can give it 10 minutes, that gets you started, which is often the worst part.
@@Xiroi87 I agree
@@Xiroi87 Are we related…I can relate to your entire post!! ❤
@@1sweetgapch lol the struggle is real!
At this stage of my life I am better off to pick a cabinet or drawer and declutter a little at a time.
It’s so effective! 😊
I do this also .I have a list of things that I must do everyday like make bed ,dishes,etc . One of my things is a small organize ,often a random drawer . When you do it everyday ,all of the small scattered,random bits add up. When you decide to do a big room clean and declutter it ends up being just a fast reset .
Something that helps me to organize and declutter without getting overwhelmed: I pick a particular spot that's packed or out of control, say my clothes closet with way too many clothes. I look at and touch each piece of clothing just briefly. I don't take much time or think about it much but clothes that stand out to me that I have not worn or need mending or I don't like anymore , I just pick out and put them in the "discard"pile. It would take me 5 or 10 minutes. I don't remove all my clothing from the closet I just look at each piece and remove what I don't want or need. That's all I do for that session. Than maybe the next day I do the same thing and put a little more thought and discernment as I eliminate a few more things. My next session, I look again and I have usually elimated at least 1/3 of the clothes and now I have room to organize the closet. The key for me is to not overthink it and to spend no than 10 minutes at a time. I do this with other areas, too, like kitchen cabinets, ultility closets ect. It works for me as I can get overwhelmed easily. Also, I don’t have to put it off if I only have a small amout of time because it's done in short sessions.
Very nice. I find myself deciphering organizing when I cant find something or I know it's too messy.
This sounds like such a good system, thank you for explaining it! A wonderful cure for being overwhelmed with the decluttering process! 😊
Julie Morgenstern's book Organizing from the Inside Out has great chapters, some early ones about maybe the paychology behind keeping way too much stuff, and middle chapters about her SPACE method: Sort, Purge, Assign a home, Containerize, Equalize (check up on every so often). She explains why doing those steps in that order works very well!
This sounds like a great book, I’ll have to check it out! Thanks! 😊
I've loved her books, too; and after reading and doing and rereading, I've found her methods just come naturally wherever I am! ☺️
Truly that book is an oldie but goodie. 😍
This video gets GOLD! 🏅 It puts all these methods in a nutshell and so clear!
Hey, thanks so much! 😁
I'm 73 y.o. Always had a house in order but lately I feel that I must get rid of things that are no longer essential to my retired life. We are only two in my 7 rooms, 2 bathrooms house. Dear hubbie is still working so I most often then not am in charge of keeping the house tidy. So, what I feel better for my season of life are the No mess Method (Dana K. White) and the 20/10. Without being aware of this last method, I already kind of practice it. I would take 15 minutes of cleaning, or decluttering, and then 10 minutes of "me time" and then go back to my task. I find it less stressful and more enjoyable. Many thanks.
Yes, I think it really does help with the stress and overwhelm to do it in small chunks! And then it’s great to have a reward to look forward to, of course! 😃
I am also in that season of life. I am soon to be 69 and I remember when my sisters and I had to go through my mom’s house when she passed..it was so overwhelming. I now think about what my kids would have to do if/when I pass. I really don’t want them to have to go through what we did. It really helps with the decluttering.
You did a great job explaining and summarizing each of the different methods. Thank you😊
You bet, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Agree 👍🏻
I have Subscribed to you, and given you a thumbs up. I also follow Clutter bugs, and am a butterfly, which means I like to see my things out that I love, so could never live in a minimalist way, but I live in a small home, where the downstairs is totally open plan as one room, so there is a tiny kitchen, and a sitting room, and a small space where a dining table could go. The front door opens directly into this, so any mess is very visible! I have also tried the other methods that you suggested, and have books on the subject, and they all help in their own ways, but I find it is hard when you live alone, and have no one to call on for help - I live alone with my rescue greyhound Madge. I can not afford to get anyone else to help me, and do not have a car, live in a rural isolated spot, and only go out of the house to walk Madge, and take my rubbish to the end of the lane, due to my sever anxiety about leaving the house. I live on my pension, as I am 67 years young, and have no spare cash to get folk to come and take away things I want to donate, and I have tried getting the charity shop to come and pick up the things from me, but they have so few resources, that they can not do this. But I am gradually selling some bits on my local face book page, which is a free site, and folk can come and pick the items up from me. I will get there one day, and everything gone, is another good thing. Thanks for your video, and I shall be following you. Blessings from Jilly & Madge the rescue greyhound, from a sunny West Devon, England. xxx
Every small step is progress. Blessings to you and Madge and thanks for subscribing! 😊
Love Clutterbug! I am mostly a Cricket, but for certain things being one of the other bugs works better.
I've just used the onion method and peel away more and more layers as I'm ready.
Oh yeah! I’ve used that too and it is SO good! 😊
Dana’s method works so well when you have little ones do the running back and forth for you!
No mess method here. Didn't know were I would be without it. Especially with small kids.
For sure!! 😊
The 20-10 method helps deal with decision fatigue.
It’s so true!
Dana K. White's No Mess method works for anyone, but is super helpful for those of us who tend to get sidetracked and/or don't have a lot of time to devote to decluttering. She does talk about defining the space/room as you approach decluttering it. This way you know what stays and what needs to go to another room....or out the door!
Yes, that defining is so important! 😊
Not mentioned in your video but swedish death cleaning has been a game changer for me and also if I were to move would I take this with me.i have purged so much stuff this summer with just these two methods.
Oh man, so good! 😃 I want to dig into Swedish Death Cleaning more! These are great methods. 👍
@@aflourishingplace It's great for when your parents get older, so they don't leave loved ones with a ton of decisions and work.
I’m down to declutterring the overwhelming “little” stuff, the 20/10 has been slow but helpful.
@@Cazzie4ever I’m trying to persuade my hoarder husband of this. We’re 80 and t’s not fair to burden our children, especially when one of them lives a few hundred miles away. I’m not bad at decluttering, although I have particular things I haven’t been able to let go - travel guides for places I’ve been to, certain non-fiction books, antique ornaments inherited from my parents. My husband has jars of rusty nails, scissors (12 pairs) dozens of pencils and felt tips and artists’ paint brushes he doesn’t use, old tools mixed in with good, useful tools and much much more. (He has even rescued things from the dustbin that I have thrown out -my things, not his). They’re in his work room so don’t clutter up the house, but they will be a real headache for our children.
@@Jojotonks Unfortunately if you leave the declutterring to your children once you pass or are unable to make decisions on your own at some stage, they will be so burdened that they may just hire someone to haul it all away. It’s your responsibility as the owner of stuff to manage it. My late husband was holding onto things his mother had saved. I have had to be ruthless and purge it. Some things hadn’t been stored properly and so were ruined. I’m determined that my kids won’t have to go through this again when I am gone. It is a gift to them.
Great video, thanks for sharing!!!
My wife doesn't seem the least bit bothered with clutter. It's in every single room of our home, in the yard, the plantings in the landscaping, the car, etc. It surely bothers me though. To be fair, I'm far from perfect, but every time I try to do something with an item that is "ours", she defends it like it's hers and won't let me touch it. This even extends to items (tea set, dishes) given to me by my parents when they downsized.
On a positive note, I just put Minimalista on hold at my local library!
Thanks for watching! And I hope you love the book! 😊
I’m surprised and disappointed you didn’t mention the FlyLady method. I started it many years ago and found it worked for me. My home became neater and cleaner quickly. I still use it to some extent every day. You get into certain habits and routines that enable you to keep your home neat and clean much more easily. Three fave sayings of hers: go shine your sink; you can’t clean clutter; you can do anything for 15 minutes.
I seem to have done the best with the no mess method. After needing to downsize to move into a retirement phase of life, I realized it was too confusing and frustrating to declutter multiple things at a time. Picking up one single thing in whatever spot my gaze happened to rest on and deciding if I was keeping it and where it should be instead kept the process focused and I could stop at any time without a mess to put back.
This is true that it helps with focus. Well said! 😊
No mess method for sure!
It’s such a good one! 😊
I have ended up doing some major cleaning out of my china cabinet and music shelf and cabinet. I threw away some old music, put a pile away, and have two boxes of china and other things that are going to Goodwill. Why? Because we are having hardwood floors put down , today, in our dining room and music room. I'm so excited! The floor people even put felt pads on all of my furniture, in those rooms. I have new area rugs to put down....one under the baby grand piano, and an 8x10 in the dining room, under the table. I put a new lamp shade on our lamp. My hubby said, "wow! That makes it look a lot more modern!"
I love it! Enjoy your new floors! 😊
The ending of this video was so useful alongside the varied methods to select from the rest of the video. My season of life means I am constantly interrupted with minis. The No mess method suits me. Yet I will now visualise my ideal for each space too. XXX
No mess Method combined with the 20/10 🤩🥰
Love it
I’m a fan of Dana K White. I’ve been decluttering my house for decades. I used to use the method you mentioned first which was when I would get so angry with the clutter in our home I would just start purging. I have rented a dumpster on more than one occasion to get rid of the excess stuff in our home. Unfortunately my husband decided to become a prepper after I had done a massive declutter in our home. It paid off during the 2020 lockdown nonsense, but I still need to purge what I can. We are hoping to move within the next five years so I want to lighten the load now. I’ve never used the method of pulling everything out before decluttering. Making a bigger mess first doesn’t work for my personality. However, I never went as far as Dana with her take it there now approach until recently, after watching her videos. She makes perfect sense to me. The great thing about you covering all of these different methods is that it can give hope to someone who has failed in the past because they used a method not suitable to their personality. We all need to remember “if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you always got! Try a new method, you might be surprised at how it could work for you. Happy Decluttering!
I love this! It’s so true that different methods suit different people. 😊
Dana K White's method is brilliant
It really is!
Yes! I don't use it for everything but what I do use it for...boy oh boy is it LIFE-CHANGING!!
I love that you put all of these methods into one video!
I have tried them all! For me it is very dependent on the room or area I am decluttering. I am a huge fan of Dana K White and her no mess method. She describes herself so incredibly well and that helps me to relate to her.
Sometimes I use Conmarie for specific categories.
I’ve used the Home Edit in some spaces and that makes my heart swoon!
I will add the 20/10 to any method I am using.
It makes so much sense that it would be location specific! Love that approach! 😊
Same here! Dana's works fantastic for certain things for me, others not so much. And for things where it doesn't work as well, I still do garbage first, then the take it there now and duhs. The only part I omit in these instances is not taking everything out. Sometimes I NEED to see it ALL at a glance. It's still incredible and I wish I'd thought of it myself eons ago. Could've saved me so much agony.
All great methods 😁 I generally follow Dana the most, Flylady Kat, the tidy tutor Kathy Roberts and Clutterbug ❤️
Good ones! 😊
I've been trying to do by category...have to start by room tho as there are too many "mixed" categories in every room. I so want to be more organized and live a minimalist life. Been donating things to my neighbor, she loves getting things from me lol, she does the same to declutter her space and gives things she doesn't want anymore to one of her friends. Recycling at it's best! ☺ I only need 2 plants, not 10!! Lol. Great video, thanks 🧘♀️💜
In my mid 50s now and I find the Kon Marie method is ideal for my home . Having collected so much stuff over the years I find that going through say all the bedding in one big pile helps . Same with clothes and books . Helps me focus on what I need to get rid of .
That totally makes sense! 😊
I’ve watched a million videos to find the perfect solution to finally declutter, purge and organize, I’m still searching but I love this video and how down to earth you are! I don’t feel like I’m listening to a collage lecture while thinking, I could never achieve what they’re talking about!
Hard to explain but I just wanted to tell you, I’m subscribing to your channel, you actually make everything you explain, obtainable and just have a relatable & calming way.. Thank you!
Thank you so much, that is so encouraging to hear! 😊
Dana’s the one that works for me. But I need some organisational infrastructure and ideas to intercept the problem areas
Deniece Schofield & Don Aslett. I learned a lot from them in the early-mid 90’s, before the flylady.
Good to know! 😊
I read Don Aslett's book about 40 years ago. Some good ideas but I was horrified at his suggestion (in order to save work and storage space), to throw all the Christmas decorations out and starting afresh each year! I'm 71 and have tree decorations that I have loved from childhood. Also others that evoke different memories. The joy I get when opening them up and hanging them on the tree makes any work involved well worth it. I really hope he revised that section of his book!
One great tip from him though is to soak the area you're cleaning before you start to scrub! Makes life so much easier.
@@Lily_The_Pink972 oh, yes. I recall that. It was also a place of business he was cleaning and I took it with a grain of salt.
I definitely understand.
@@Lily_The_Pink972I also read many of Don Aslett’s books. Is There Life After Housework and others which I found entertaining as well - his daughter drew the cartoons in them. I don’t always agree with a writer but usually can find something useful. 😉
@@Lily_The_Pink972 😲😳 That's so wasteful!!!!!
I love Julie Morgenstern's Organizing From the Inside Out. Works for everything including organizing and decluttering your schedule. I've tried lots of different ways and they all have their season but Julie's method sticks with me. It is very psychological. As im a psychotherapist, writer and artist perhaps that is why it endures for me. I really appreciate analyzing the why of our spaces or the 'clarify' as you say!
I need to check that out! 😊
I’m 65, married….and 2 years ago had to clean out my parents home…….it was emotionally horrible. 😮 It was then I decided I would never do that to my 2 children. I’ve always been a tidy person, I had to be because it was the only way I got positive attention from my mother. Today, clutter is stressful for me and being an artist, I cannot create in that space. I’ve probably used all the methods in this video 😂 and they all have helped…💜
That will be such a blessing for your children! ❤️
Just heard about having another body in the room-either actively helping or simple BEING there as a supportive person-maybe reading a book. I've tried all kinds of methods-and in 5 years (in a house a family grew and left) great progress is evident. Yet there is so much more....endless but no longer daunting.
Amen! Endless but no longer daunting. 🙌
Really helpful that you shared a number of decluttering strategies for different circumstances. That’s honest, helpful + compassionate for creating decluttering success. Thank you.
😌✨♥️✨👍🏽✨🇨🇦
You bet, thanks for watching! 😊
This video is just what I absolutely needed today!! You popped up out of nowhere. Now, I’m subscribed, with all notifications on. I’ve also shared with a few others…that know the struggle is real!!!!
I don’t know about any of you, but I live with the “Progress Police Chief”, the hubs. Need I say more? 🙄
*20/10 (maybe 30/10), will be my go to for today. IMO, it addresses setting a realistic goal to start with.
*My new normal/mindset, has to be…regular maintenance will help make me successful at maintaining.
Thanks again❣️
I’m so glad it was helpful! 😊 What a great mindset there you mentioned…regular maintenance really is so key. Thanks for being here!
Glad I stopped by today! It was worth it, thank you!❤
I’m so glad! 😃
Clarify, edit, organise, elevate, maintain
I struggle with the 1st, 4 th and last the most
Thank you for all these great decluttering tips !! I’m overwhelmed, but don’t want to leave my kids all my stuff… my house is full of other peoples stuff too… my brother, my mother , my kids, their exes…& I’m a collector of “things I might need someday “, crafting items I’m going to get to when I’m retired… tools, books, etc… I have family coming in a couple months …I have to get a handle on this !! It keeps me awake at night !!
My pleasure. You can do it! One step at a time, one day at a time. You’re not alone and you’ve got this! 😊
@@aflourishingplace Thank you for your encouragement,& support !🦋
You explained Dana’s system well. I didn’t fully understand why she would take the item to the place she would look for it. That makes sense-if you have very little time , it works perfectly
Sure does!
Love Dana K White 's book. Decluttering at the speed of life. ❤
It’s so good!
20/10 or 15/5 (for those of us with Task avoidance 😩) Yes!!! using a timer . Stop !!! Take a break . Get out of the room get some water, tea, coffee, play w pet. Then go back! ☺ Repeat.
Love it 😊
While not actually pulling everything out, an overall house plan could help - draw up a houseplan and write in each room what would be the most logical place (the first place you would think to look for it) for categories of items - then you can at least get the things that need to stay to that room. ❤
What a great idea!
Yes ! Dana K White . Start w trash , non emotional, first, then step 2 , etc . NOT pulling tons of stuff out, TOO overwhelming for some of us. Too Taxing on our brains.
Yes, and once the overwhelm hits it gets tough! 😫
Thanks for your insights on this subject. It is food for thought. I think I will start with the 20/10 method. It seems to be the least stressful.
Yeah! A short time span always feels less stressful to me! 😊
I'm so glad that I discovered this video and your channel! The No Mess method is just what I need and what I've been doing today and this video was my 10 min. break! (I didn't know that the No Mess method or 20-10 was a "thing." I was just doing it this way today and so your video helps me to feel as if I'm moving in the right direction. Thanks!) Yes, I'm subscribing🤗
I love that, so glad it was helpful! 😊
I’m going to try the 20/10 method. 😊
I like Dana K White, but I find that just setting an amount of time or a specific space (like one drawer) works best. If I don’t try to tackle too much at once, then I can be effective and make steady progress.
This makes so much sense!
Thank you Betsy! Im going to try the 20/10 method. Great video ❤
Thank you, Stacey! 😊
20 / 10 sounds like pomodoro. Great tips thanks.
You bet, thanks for watching! 😊
I always Clarify. I did it without thinking about it. Just seemed like common sense. Great video!
So great, thanks for watching! 😊
thank you ... today my kids will help out. summer break & its time for some family bonding and lessons . we going with 20/10 method
Love that family bonding! 😊
Great idea with the reward time for kids - maybe play a game of cards with them, or have an ice-cream cone -something motivational that is quick & easy & not making more clutter.😂❤
Very informative video. I like how you shared various approaches along with bigger ideas. Thank you!!
You bet, thanks for watching! 😊
@@aflourishingplace I already tried the "where would I look for this" approach...fantastic!
thank you. this was very helpful !!
I’m so glad!
I love Dana K White but the no mess method didn’t work for me when I was doing my initial big declutter because I needed to see what I was dealing with. The Core 4 is more like what I do. But Minimalista intrigues me.
That’s a good point. Seeing the bigger picture can really help. 😊
Agreed. It works for some things for me but not others. I still definitely start with removing garbage though.
Excellent video❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! 😃
I just subscribed, I am not a young mom, all my kids are on their own but the house still has stuff for them. I will be working toward having the mess not be left for them. Lots of tasks to do. I use Dana;s method. Is primo, and the 20-10 sounds good.
Yes, 20/10 just helps it not be so overwhelming! 🙌
My declutter was based on do I want to keep dusting knick knacks or reduce them and do I really need it. My house is tiny.
Oh man, yes! This was a big consideration for me, as well!
Love your challenge. Thank you for being here 🎉
You bet! It’s so great we can all encourage each other! 😊
Nice video, thank you for sharing.
You bet, thanks for watching! 😊
I am drawn to Dana Whites but I don't know more than you mentioned.
Dana White has an ebook called "Decluttering at the Speed of Life." It is fun reading and very helpful to me. I highly recommend it.
@@barqu1636 thank you
Yes, her book is such a great read!
What's interesting is I think I do all this methods all at once, lol (adhd, which I swear Dana has, and she's said many have told her she also has), but today I'm going to throw that 20/10 on my timer and try that, because that's really helpful when you have those invisible illnesses...so while it's somewhat like pomadora (sp) technique, I haven't tried it for an all day experience and I'm really enticed by those 10 minute fun breaks. And why this hasn't occurred to me, despite giving my homeschoolers "brain breaks"...Idk...I'm a mom I guess, that's my answer. haha
Haha, yes! The fun breaks are such a motivator! 😊
Thank you
I like the 3rd method
Wow amazing video. Thank you 🙏 ❤
You bet, thanks for watching! 😊
This is such a great video, Betsy! I need to do this to my basement closet so bad 😂
Once you have a method that works for you, it’s so much easier to get it done! 😊
loved it ! New subscriber. Off to do 20 minutes of decluttering!
Awesome, thank you! 😃
I will try this method. Thx
That’s great, thanks for watching! 😃
First time on your channel and will Subscribe but would like to suggest at the beginning you introduce yourself - first name only is fine. Thank you for putting this post together. You did a great job with the entertaining clips you added. ❤
Hey, thanks for the feedback! 😊
Great vid easy watching ❤Thanks❤
Thanks for watching! 😊
I got rid of many bottles of lotion today.
I have everything questionable on the edges of my living room and I’m going in a circle and dealing with it. It is my last layer so I have to force myself. I will skip over it if it is in its home. When I’m in maintain mode is when I can use the no mess method. I do that in my kitchen.
That makes so much sense! 😊
I'm actually making dinner while listening to this.
I've been on a path for years now, once the "baby" chapter of life ended. My biggest obstacle has now become getting rid of stuff that's just too big for my space. Selling is hard-there's a lot of scammers out there and I can't see throwing away or donating stuff just to be rid of it. I'm currently at a dead end bc I refuse to bring the smaller stuff I want in before I get rid of the stuff that's suffocating me.
Ugh, scammers are the worst!! 😫 So frustrating. I’ve found sometimes local sharing groups, like a local Buy Nothing group on Facebook can be so great because then I know I’m passing something along to a neighbor who will use it and it gets a second life! ❤️
I absolutely loved this! Could you please tell me where you purchased your map? Tysm! I am doing 20/10!
That’s awesome! 😊 It was a few years ago…I think maybe Home Goods or somewhere similar??
The best method is that everyday one thing has to go. There are 365 days in a year.If one thing comes in then two things have to go out.
Love this 😊
I've done the Kon mari method, but seem to get stuck on the books, never can get through papers yet!
I hear you there!
Even marie Kondo herself admitted her method wasn't much help after having children 😅
It’s true! 😊
❤❤❤
Where did you get that map?
Hmmm, maybe Home Goods?? We’ve had it for a few years. 😊
Which method do you prefer?
Dana K White no mess method is definitely working for me in this busy season! 😊
The fair use clips are unnecessary. They’re clutter in your vlog.
Is that all you do is talk?? No thanks!!
What...what did you expect? She's not going to come through the screen and declutter for you. Take notes, then go look into these methods on your own to find what works for you. Jeez Louise!
how does a decluttering video add so much clutter to the video itself
🍅 The 20/10 Method sounds like a take on "Pomodoros." If you've seen any videos/books on the productivity side of CZcams (especially in academia), then you've heard of this. [I've used Pomodoros in the past as a grad student, and it does help you focus! There are even multiple websites/apps with timers online, so I would look for those. 🍅 Pomodoro means "tomato" in Italian and was an idea created by an Italian, so you'll probably see lots of those, LOL!] The Pomodoro Method is typically based on 25/5 minutes instead, but you can obviously change it up however works best for you. The idea is that you stay focused for that time on whatever you're studying--in this case, decluttering.
A typical study schedule might be four sets of 25/5 minutes then a half-hour break; others might do two sets of 50/10 and then take a break. It all depends on you and your tolerance for sitting there and the difficulty of what you're studying. Well, same with this, right? Declutter for whatever length of time you determine is right for you, then take breaks. The five-minute short breaks are great to go to the bathroom or get a drink while the longer breaks allow you to get something to eat, stretch, etc.
I've been struggling to get some decluttering done that I've wanted to take care of for a while now, but I never thought of using Pomodoros to do it. It's actually a great way to pace yourself! You can plan to work for one session, or "Pom," or you can plan to work/study the entire day. What helps is knowing that your breaks are scheduled. You have more frequent short breaks, and then longer ones to eat. YOU are actually the one in control of how long you declutter and how long your breaks are as well as how many times you repeat this. That's the beauty of it!
I know it worked for school, so I'm sure it will help with decluttering! Thanks so much! 🙏💜
Love this explanation, thanks so much! 😊
@@aflourishingplace 🙏💜