For me, meal prep has been life-changing. I have nice, neat stacks of prepared foods. Since implementing meal prep I have lost weight, saved time and saved money. Your tips are always great, Melody. And you have a cute sense of humor too. The other thing I would like to comment on is that your editing, using clips of your apartment, or of you doing a task, makes the videos more engaging. I think we have all seen vlogs of people who sit and talk to the camera for 10 minutes. Your way of editing keeps me engaged throughout (although I would be anyway since I really think you have great insight.....but I think you get what I am saying) Good job! I value your words and always look forward to each upload.
Here is another idea! Stop eating meat! I improved my health significantly and reduced a chronic pain issue I had by going vegan. And no more greasy drippy meat trays or pans!
Jody B Would you please recommend a good source to learn how to go about this? I know there are youtube videos, but perhaps you can share a favorite one of yours?
Your apartment is amazing. The serene view, the neutral palette, the ease of flow between rooms, and it seems to be just the perfect amount of space. #jealous
I like your idea of sampling minimalism. Instead of trying to minimize my whole house I can minimize the products and space in my bathroom. Light Bulb! Another goal I have to is to meal plan, shop, and prep snacks, and double one dinner a week. Your ideals of elevating and using clear mats are genius! Thanks, Melody!
I recently started using post it notes to keep track of what our family of 5 has going on. Between full time work and health issues with 2 kiddos and an upcoming move I was overwhelmed. Now when I think of something it goes on a post it and into the manilla folder. If it needs to be done that day it goes in the cover. Each note has enough space to add to and can be moved around as needed daily without rewriting thus actually sabing paler and everything is getting done on time:) Thank you for all your positive attitude and info!
Love that you mentioned people living with others they love it aren’t ready to work on this. Yes, accept people where they are and work with it. Amen! I just said , “goodbye “to a hot pink fluffy jacket I had for ten years. I thanked it for all the warmth and fun times I had in it. I am away from my beloved mountains and was keeping it to remember. I know I don’t need to keep the jacket to keep my memories and hope that I will return, is not in the jacket. You are so lovely, I appreciate all the gifts you are sharing! Thank you, sweet lady! 😇
I always do cleaning and organising in the house. My house is too big and old. But I try my best to keep it clean and organised. Anyone visiting my house can find things at proper place if they want to do something in my absence too. You have a clear idea what to keep, where to keep and how to keep things in your house because of your college experience. That’s great! I also loved your necklace. Love you.
you are very wise and observant ... love the reminder that everyone has pros and cons and somehow women always think we can change men to be more tidy and organized ... some absolutely are not, yet they can find things ... its hard to accept but true ... also I love the reminder of having a special spot for everything and that it needs breathing room ... living in a tiny house has been frustrating to me because i pull something out of the closet and other things come out with it ... i had to change from my ambiance of artsy clutter after downsizing to a tiny house ... its such a joy when you find the right balance of stuff, and to be able to shop freely and then go around putting things back saying No, I don't really need this, I can just admire it in the store and leave it there. Same with too many dishes, too many spices, too many shoes. When I buy compulsively, I am annoyed when I get it home, and often make myself return it. It's literally a lifeswork to curb accumulating, and you are right about the breathing space. Thanx so much, I love your style. you are beautiful and charming and very helpful!
This video is one of my favorites of yours! Love the tips and explanations and examples and visual. And your hair looks awesome & I love your sense of humor, picking up Pat lol
This was actually very helpful and inspiring. I've just come to the realization that I'm a (very neat) pack rat. I collect vintage suitcases and they usually get filled with papers, articles, and "things" that I can't bring myself to...or just refuse to...throw away! I'm not even sure where this started. Maybe 10 yrs ago, when we bought our home which I loved because of our his and hers closets. My closet is the 11x12, and I have 2 desks, 2 small bookcases, and still have room for all my clothes, so I don't have to be neat, and I can just close the door. The mess and clutter are localized and hidden, but I have realized it's taking up mental space too! I think maybe thats when/where it all began. I'm trying very hard to reverse this, and these tips really helped me wrap my mind around taking the small steps to get started. Thanks! Really...Thank you!
More Melody thank you for all the tips Melody. I love your videos. Do you have any videos on how to say slim effortlessly? Also, I have heard a lot about how FASTING its scientifically proven to enhance brain focus, do you practice fasting?
Curious, where you buy the clear container that's in your medicine cabinet, holding the Q-tips, as well as the clear container in the drawer for your purse. Can you share a link for those?
More Melody need your advice on weighted blankets. What brand and sizes would you recommend? Don’t have one, but saw it on one of your videos. I have trouble sleeping; thinking this might help. Thank you!
Hey Melody, do you still have the Chloe Faye bag? I am thinking to get the same one (but in black!). Obviously a very special item, doing my research before purchase - would you recommend it?? would love to see a review video! ^^ (might be a bit short...maybe you can just let us know in the comments here??) Love your videos. Kisses to Pat! x - Bek
Ive been wanting to meal prep but havent gotten motivated bc it seemed like a lot of work. But what you just said about saving on cleaning throughout the week was like a💡Not more work, less work.Now THAT is a reason to meal prep!
loved this video! I just took five minutes before bedtime to empty the dishwasher and wipe down the sink and counter. Also, a quick sweep of the kitchen floor. poof! it's all done and when I wake up in the morning, I can make that fresh cup of coffee and enjoy it! Also, I am carrying in a few items from the couch to my bedroom and then straighten out the towels in the bathroom. I spray a little cleaner inside the toilet and let it sit there until I need to use it in the morning. Plug in my cell phone by my bed and get my meds that I'm on in a cup by the sink with a bottle of water. This is my routine before bedtime, and it always works for me!!!
very helpful......I have health issues and cannot do all these in a day. I decided to take one habit and devote one day to it. Taking Saturday and Sundays "off", I should try all your suggestions in 2 weeks (that is the best I can do). And after the two weeks, I start all over again. This is a lot slower but, in time, it will work..Thank you
I’ve donated about 3 loads of stuff over the last couple weeks. Clothing, toys, and just random stuff that needed to go. I still have A LOT of stuff but it’s a process. Working on it!
My tidy tip is if I'm cooking dinner, I wash whatever is used immediately. I don't let dishes pile up. I always sweep the floors. I scrub the refrigerator and freezer daily. I scrub the stovetop and oven daily. I scrub the toaster crumb tray daily. I scrub out my coffee maker every time I use it.I empty the cabinets and scrub out.I dust constantly. Wipe down the mirrors.
Jennifer Ann Fox ,it honestly don't take as long as you'd think. I find that if I clean as I go,just suck it up and do it,it's done and over with.. If you just clean up your home, a little each day,it's not going to be overwhelming and you're not going to quit before you start
This has been great advice....especially about not putting sentimental attachments on things. Loved it when you picked up the cat !!! Lol. Happy Valentine's day everyone !!! 😄
Thank you for your wonderful insight. I really needed your help. I've been overworked. A home with three lazy men. Unbelievable that I have to repeat the same things. Couldn't catch up till your inside helping ways. A husband who bought about 12 bottles of pain realiver. At different times of course, then brings in and put thing on kitchen counter. Walks away without putting it away. I've been getting rid of unnecessary things now. Don't feel like pulling out my hair. Lol. Thanks .
Hi Katherine! In one of Melody's videos she talks about making "command centers" for similar items, which might help you out. Starting around 3:45 of this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wgbVvHKZHZI.html
lol grab the cat... and thanks for motivating words. getting started is hard thats why youtube has videos like this for people who need to see and hear examples of how to conquer the mess. so thanks for your time and attention to details!
Just when I thought I learned all I could from you.... You offer a whole new batch of gems. Side note- your hair and makeup look absolutely. Lovely. Tres chic.
Great tips! If I have a job that I hate doing like cleaning the bathroom or the oven. I'll cut the job down, and do twenty mins each day, until the job is completed. Then the thought of doing a twenty min job rather than an hour plus doesn't seem as bad and you're more inclined to do it. Love your 🐈 cat
I totally subscribe to everything you had to say in this video! Owning fewer possessions, and making sure that everything you do own has a purpose is the key to maintaining a more simplified and productive life! If I had resorted to excessive consumerism even just two years ago, I would not be where I am today, thriving in a lively city where I have my own place (300 square feet of space), and am pursuing full-time graduate studies. It really pays to have fewer material possessions; owning less enables you to do more.
Instrad of using post it notes, for me it has work very well bullet journaling and a white board that I have in my room. Everytime I finish a task I erase it from the whiteboard or mark it in my bullet joarnal. It's kind of the same thing, writing in a paper the things that has to be done. It keeps me organized, I already know what I have to do and I feel I'm more productive that way. :)
Love your videos! I would love to see an updated video of your dresser drawers or an apartment tour. It looks like you've minimized even more! Keep up the the great work! 💙 Love from MN! ❄️
i agree Melody it takes a lot to start cleaning but once i get started i dont want to stop until im finish. Also i find that i hate to clean my shower curtain because its hard to remove and replace because of the hooks that came with it. I saw you with some simply hooks that are easy to handle and i bought a pack and now its not hard for me again to take down the shower curtain/liner to clean. Thanks alot.
I used to be the master of procrastination. I would even use planning as a way to stall a little longer. Now I know I just need to rise to it. It's all in my mind :)
Sorry, commenting while watching....love your "the less you buy, the less you have to put away". This is so, so, true! I use this on my 11 year old all of the time and it keeps her from wanting as much because she doesn't like visual clutter and likes to have a place for everything. This is a great tip!
Gah I spent 2.5 hours at Walmart yesterday, but the result is maximum yield! So glad I pushed through it, I kind of hate Walmart, but it's super cheap and efficient. Got glasses ordered too. Culmination of 4 months of eye Dr. Visits! Done....free space and made Valentine's cards Tonite :) inspired creativity.
Thanks Melody! I have been looking for that type of notebook too!! I have alot of papers and notes I write daily but I really was looking to put them in a notebook and couldn't find one that was exactly what I wanted! This is quite helpful! Always learn from you !! even though I am a retired woman ,minimizing is big for me! Thanks!! for sharing!
Do you have a video on going paperless or scanning paperwork? This is on my to do list and I'm struggling with where to start and what to get rid of. My papers are already highly organized and I don't keep a ton of paper, but I would like to get as paperless as possible.
I am going thru my house this week and just getting rid of everything I can. I even got my husband involved. Today we went thru the cabinets in the garage and realized we had a bunch of junk we don't use anymore. My grown kids are getting ALL the stuff they have left behind. I am giving a lot to charity and trashing and recycling. Life changes and your wants and needs change. I will never be a minimalist because I am interested in so many things. But I like the freeing feeling of getting rid of things, doing less housework, and having more space. It is like an onion. The top peel goes. Then you go thru the house and peel it again, digging deeper and making more decisions. More and more stuff goes as you get the courage to let things go! Here is a tip: put a box in an out of the way place, for me it is a laundry room counter, and put "Not Sure" stuff in it. That gives you time to retrieve it if you have to. Usually, you find you just don't need that item anymore. And it gets the stuff out of your cabinets, drawers, and closets.
LOL Picks up cat and moves it to the room it’s supposed to be in! :-). Thank you for these great tips, it’s true just getting started seems to be the hardest part for me. When I am serious about tasking I put on some good music, and then I enjoy myself while being productive.
Hi Melody. I recently found your channel, and I absolutely love your videos. They are so honest, practical, and helpful. I love that you include your cat too. :)
very good ideas. I would like to have my house organized but I frequently lack the energy to tackle tasks. I am fatigued at times due to my illness. How would you suggest I utilize my limited energy?
........this helped me immensely in my wkly cleaning day........turned on my favorite classic movie channel.......(TCM).........enjoying movie..........everytime commercials came on..........race to first area i addressed in my friday house-cleaning day.........(developed spritz bottle cleaning systems)..........first commercial break, would 'hit' bathroom........spritz counters/sink/mirrors/commode..........quickly wipe down........add soaking cleaner to commode.........okay, commercials are over..........enjoy more movie.........next commercial break, spritz shower, scrub tub, wiipe down shower/scrub commode.........(or whatever your speed allows you to accomplish...........this develops over time)..........next commercial break.........spritz/mop floor.........bathroom done!.........my adult daughter and i turned this into a game....... it really was fun..........we would each choose a different location during each commercial break........before the movie was over, we were done!!.......(it helped that we were both wanted a clean/organized/beautiful home environment).......then, we would find next movie and enjoy pizza in our completely cleaned home.........YAY!!!!
Hi , I haven’t seen you in while :) I really needed to hear what you just said !! You said “just keep there messy stuff confined to there area “ I will try to ignore it like you said , it literally makes me sick :( I find you so calming and pleasant to listen to . Thank you for this advice .
can you tell me please what are you using to stack your cans of food in your pantry in the "utilize reusable storage containers" section of this video? i didn't quite catch what it was in that quick video shot.. THANKS
Great tips melody!!!! You even touched on the issue i have about others clutter! I know you did a video not too far back on it but this was another good tip!! Love your videos and the way you think!
Melody do you have a cutting board for cutting veggies or something for protection? Also my front entrance of door is carpet and I wish I had a way to change that unfortunately I live in an apt so I can not pull carpet up and I put a floor matt there but have problems closing door then. Any ideas so as to keep front entrance clean?
Thank you for reminding me to hide out some of the stuff and see if I don’t need it. Lately I’ve been trying out so many different style of make up, it’s becoming a pile of unused things. Saying that I need to know how much I can handle, is really liberating to me because now I know that I’m actually only love seeing people doing make up yet my ownself is not that passionate to do make up. Fuwah. I feel more relaxed now. I guess now it’s time to declutter and donate all the unnecessary make up. Again, thank you.
