I don’t know about you but I’m ready to declutter my home (and my mind)! Dana White dropped so much great information in this video. If you enjoyed this episode as much as I did, hit that like button so I know you like this type of content.
I thank God that I was turned on by your videos. I'm not necessarily saying I'm changing. However, I do trust I will take accountability n action but more importantly I'm not alone. 😢. Thank goodness others struggle.
I love how accomplished Mel is, and that she also curses like a sailor. It makes her so genuine and relatable. I love learning new things while also cracking up laughing. It makes that learning curve a little easier to travel. Thank you for always having quality guests with ideas that are realistic and focused on growth and self-discovery.
I shared in the comments that I watched this video 35 times as I decluttered my house. I've probably watched it 50 times now. It helped me to go through the majority of my home. Now I keep it on for continued motivation because I am still who I am and I have to go through my bedroom again. But there is definite improvement. Love this video. Thank you!
Something that might help those who struggle with whether or not to donate: Growing up as one of 9 children, hand me downs and thrift stores kept us in clothes and shoes. It was always a thrill to find something that was obviously expensive at a price we could afford. I am forever grateful to those who chose to share their no longer needed items with us. The jacket and shirt talked about in this episode would be of much better use donated to a shelter or thrift store, than hanging in a closet for someday. 😊😊
I thought deeply about that jacket, and Mel's motivation to keep it. I believe her motivation was to be helpful to a hypothetical coatless visitor, when in reality, you make a good point, there is a non-hypothetical person in need of a decent coat right now, who would be ecstatic to receive something of quality and barely worn. With that choice, she has the added benefit of that much more space in her home.
@@xannaz9226 I always wanted to give my stuff to just the right person. I got to the point I realized, I'm making myself a Good Will & I can just donate my thing to Good Will etc and God can bring the right person to my item and they will be blessed. But I paid good $ for that item! My new answer to that is, "God everything I have is because of your blessing me and now I'm going to put this back out there to bless someone else and also bless myself with getting it out of my way. Thank you!"
@@lisablackwell7825 Dana says that people who shop at thrift stores will appreciate your donations like no one else! Someone really will be THRILLED to find what you donated and will be grateful, too.
After years of reading about decluttering and minimalism this is the first time it made click in my mind and I could apply your tips immediately. I worked through several areas where I wanted to make order for months.... I just went there, took out the trash and put the rest where I would look for it if I needed it... I went through several hotspots completely fearless 😂 I trashed knick knacks and kids crafts, which felt so good, afterwards I had friends over which said that there house would never look organised like that. I felt like I won a war I fought for years. Life changing.
This is life altering for me! I am a physician, pharmacist, and have an MBA.I have a messy home and office that make me feel like a failure! You have redeemed me! Thank you for this!
You sound extremely well accomplished!! I would not let this make you feel like a failure. Like I’ve said in my comment previously, you could be me…extremely good at cleaning and organizing….but no major life accomplishments to speak of!
I don’t have time to sit and watch, this ,it was interesting. But I’m not watching this with her SWEARING. Why is this necessary. And both of them are swearing. And if you have little children, this is net a very good Shaw.
So you don't want to learn how to improve your daily life because you can't cope with and filter out the swearwords. Well, best stay unhappy in your mess then.
I just got up and was praying for the Lord to help change my cluttered mind which reveals itself outwardly in how I conduct my life. As I was going to listen to something on RU-vid , this was the second video on my RU-vid feed! Thank you Lord, thank you Mel! He's using her to change so many lives 🥰🤗😘
ADHD people are typically clutterers. Creative people are commonly ADHD. Instead of thinking "outside the box," we don't know there is a box, and that is reflected in our management of stuff! Thank you, Dana, for these tools to give us ways to help us with our natural conundrums. 💓💜💕😏❤️
I heard this somewhere: Do not leave your stuff for your children to deal with after you are gone. It is better to get rid of things you don’t need and keep your lovely house organized
As an older person with severe ADHD, this is an absolute Godsend! How did I miss the difference between 'organise' and 'declutter'? Makes SO much sense. THANK YOU BOTH!! ♥️♥️
My son came up with the idea that, like school, every family member should have a “cubby”. I put a four drawer dresser in the dining room and every time someone’ s stuff was left lying around, we’d put it in their cubby. Lost homework, lost team shirt, school books-it was so easy and saved putting other people’s stuff away.
Very nice!! I could see how that could work for some families ❤️ I've been watching Dana for several months, and my kids know if I hand them something, they - take it there now!!
Literally almost crying listening to this. My house ALWAYS looks worse when I try to “organize” it. I can’t wait to start doing it this way. NO MORE PILES! 🙂🙂🙂
It really works. Just don’t over burden yourself. Open / flat surfaces first. Then I chose one drawer, or one cabinet, one shelf of a closet. Her process never leaving it worse works amazingly!!! It’s actually shocking how well it goes. My husband even started the garage and basement with me because things are starting to look so much better. I’m starting my second round soon! And it’s WAY easier to dust and clean when there isn’t crap everywhere! Have fun!!!! ❤
I'm a single father of two teenage boys. Our apartment is clean but full of clutter. I don't bring guests to the apartment because I am ashamed to let others see it. This content has incentivized me to start this process to declutter.
Dana K White has made a huge difference in my life. I listened to her RU-vid videos over and over again. It works. Her whole process works. It just took me listening to her again and again. My life is better because Dana is in it.
Don’t feel bad clutter bugs! I feel like the opposite: I’m a failure because all over ever cared about is the organization of my home and life…but I’ve never really accomplished anything great in life. Be glad you guys are creative geniuses. Being good at decluttering and organizing feels almost like it’s trapped me in life. You guys are so blessed for your talents and accomplishments!
@@jenjenyoust well I legit consider quitting my job just so I can keep a clean home... i feel like 40 hours a week at work and a clean home are not compatible
Your comment that you never really accomplished anything great in your life makes me sad. I am sure that you have accomplished many things in your life. There is the quote from Mother Teresa I believe... Don't try to do great things. Do small things in a great way. Or something like that. 😉 Most of us don't accomplish "great" things, but showing loved those around us is the greatest thing.
Yeah I think we need a redefinition of greatness. Our societal view is completely warped, I feel. And also behind every „great“ person there’s usually one or several people who are keeping the person’s life in order while they are being „great“. 😅
1.Start with trash.Get it out of the house.Automatically makes things better! 2.Get a box that can be donated and place donations in it when you pick them up. When full (or before), take to drop off. 3. If I need this item, where would I look for it first? Then take it there! NOW! 4.When the space/container is full, then decide what has to go. "I CAN KEEP ANYTHING, BUT I CANT KEEP EVERYTHING"
I literally decluttered all of the clothes Ive been hoarding and I was hoping to sell online for what feels like months on end. After finishing I am feeling that buzz you get when you have just bought a new outfit! Thank you both for this content! I find it so hard to let go of clothes that remind me of the past and good times! But Im so glad Ive chosen to donate to a friend and charity, so the clothes will now bring joy to others now! 😊
I got rid of 10 bags of clothes and it felt great!!! I held on to them for decades for memories but never wore them. Mannn it felt great throwing those in a bag to get rid of!!
"Living with the hypothesis" and "I may need it in 15 years" really hit home for me. Especially as I get older. The hardest part is digging in home alone to get it done. When I see organized, uncluttered spaces I feel motivated to get to it at home. But once I'm there in the mess I lose motivation. Listening to this video as I worked helped me plow through a few piles and let go of a lot. Starting with items I don't need will make it easier to manage the things I do need.
Playing videos by Dana white like a radio as I do work helps. There is a home cleaner that does hoarder cleaning videos and his commentary helps my spirit too. Midwest Magic Cleaning. I have a play list with both of these people for when I’m cleaning or in attack mode.
👍 and as I enter my 70’s my “possibilities” (I can use this fir that…or something else…”) grows plus compounded by the fear of not having money to replace the extra items in the future. Sad
OMG! I LOVE THIS!!! Before I started listening to this I was looking at my clutter mess thinking 'I need a bigger house!' *now I am seeing my home as a container and the clutter as overflow to be decluttered. THANK YOU Mel and Dana for saving me HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars and all the energy of the process of selling this house and buying another. You've saved me money, time, and reducing stress! Makes so much sense to put my favorite things in my space and get rid of the rest. (confession: I have so many set of colored pencils I could furnish an art school!) I love colored pencils and stationary. Now I get to keep only my favorites!! Sounds like I'm going to be surrounded by only things that I absolutely love... which makes me happy (happier than I have been in such a very long time). Hmmm, I'm thinking this is going to spill over into my social life and keep only those friends that I really enjoy and letting go of the stress inducing ones. (a Lifestyle) THANK YOU MEL and DANA !
Way to tune in Mia. For me, minimizing has gone into other parts of my life, sort of like you are thinking you will have going on. I cut out clutter, but I've also cut expenses, contacts in my phone , emails, things I keep in my purse, etc.
Yesss!!! Love your comment! I have come to realize that the phrase “clearing out the clutter” applies to many different parts of life! When we sort through, clear, and clean up our lives, life and our spaces just feel more peaceful! ❤🧘🏽♀️
Another way to look at containers is thinking of the potential that is intrinsic to the emptiness outside of containers. This is related to oldtime Taoist or feng shui principles. Taoism talks about how empty space, what we sometimes call negative space, is really full. It is full of what _could be_ there. And in feng shui, there are areas of one's home that metaphorically correlate with areas of one's life: a money niche in the house correlates with one's finances, another area with one's health, another with romantic relationships, etc. When one wants to generate energy in a particular area of one's life, one must first clean out that area of one's house. Then, one does actions and/or places things in that niche which activate the desired energy of the corresponding area of life. In short, from these perspectives, the area around the container, is as important as, if not more important,than the container itself, because of the potential it holds.
My 92 yo Mother passed away 2 1/2 months ago. She lived through the great depression and as a result she lived very frugally throughout her life. That being said, even though she did not have very many possessions compared to what many of us have currently, it was very time consuming , tedious, and exhausting to empty her house to prepare it for sale. This has inspired me to begin the declutter process so my children will not have the same experience, or worse. Also, during the past three years the three neighbors surrounding my house decided to sell and had to purge their homes so they could sell. I was amazed at how much they put to the curb. This went on each garbage pickup day each week for at least a year for each of these neighbors. If they could live without it in their new home, then why did they burden themselves with these items in the home they are selling? It was startling. Also, I wish someone had advised me to tell my children that they have to take all their belongings out of my house by the time they turned 23. I still have SO much of their stuff in my house and am too weak to just throw it out. Yet.
I can relate. My mom left a ton of stuff and I had a hard time getting rid of it. Last October my house burned down and everyone was wondering why I wasn’t devastated. The truth was I was so relieved to not have to deal,with all her stuff and mine.
My mother would fill her car with stuff to give me when we met for lunch at a 1/2 way point between our homes. I could not get her to stop doing this to me. I stopped wanting to have lunch with her. My house has more stuff from my mother, brother, daughter, & my daughter's friends. I'm confused by it all, it causes me to lay awake at night...I don't want someone else having to deal with this. I need some method, or starting place...or it will all end up in a dumpster.
This is my life daily. I am sentimental and give too much value to things that take away my space and energy. Value, container limits, clutter thresholds, and boundaries is what I'm hearing. Man, this is brilliant! You give me hope that I can do this. Thank you ladies!! ❤
As someone who has been listening to Dana for years and my house has been completely changed by her methods, I am loving the realizations coming across Mel’s face.
You ladies had me laughing out loud repeatedly and I so needed that. Excellent episode! I’ll be honest, when I heard I shouldn’t start with my overflowing storage spaces but I should start with living spaces, I was like…this lady doesn’t know how deep I’m buried and this isn’t going to work for me. I’d typically start picking up, open a cabinet and realize nothing else can go in here. Every cabinet and drawer is basically the same…loaded. So, I’d either stare at the new area of overwhelm and give up or start working in this cabinet and forget the initial area I was trying to improve. I was checking out a little at that point but it was so entertaining and I thought maybe I can find something that’ll be usable for me so I stayed tuned in. Then, BOOM! We got there! Taking an item to the place you’d look for it first and removing ONE thing from that cluttered spot will possibly change my entire world! No more getting hung up and defeated. Old self talk: 🤬😩😩😩😫🤷🏻♀️☹️😡🤬🤬!🤬 New self talk: I did make it better. I actually just made two spaces better. Thank you! 🥰
When you talk about the never used “special” art pencils grandma gave the kids years ago, it reinforces to me to just let them use them when received. No saving till the kids are “older, more responsible, more appreciative” or whatever excuses we use to “preserve” an item!
I always throw away what I don't want first, and then donate stuff that's usable to others, then what's left I can organize if I want. The organizing will be so much easier when I have less to organize.
I cleaned my bedroom from several baskets full of washed clothes while listening to this podcast and I'm going to listen to it several times more to motivate myself to declutter my home. THANK YOU!
This video has been life changing for me. Such a simple solution, duh, declutter. 💡 Ive watched this video about 35 times while ive been taking my life back and decluttering. My kitchen counter doesnt have crap all over it any more. I can open my front door without embarrassment. My family is noticing and i am happier than i have been in years. Dana explains perfectly a simple process that i could not wrap my mind around and she has changed my life. Thank you for this video Mel your honesty was funny and so relatable. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG! I love Dana!!! I'm still at the intro and was wondering who is it? I thought maybe Cass from Clutterbug, because she actually turned me onto Mel. Both great, Dana really gets me though & really helps me.
This episode had me in tears. Feeling like a failure because of your home and pushing people away. I am depressed and feel like my life and potentials are being wasted away because this issue keeps me anxious 24/7
I’m only in the first couple minutes and already I know this is exactly for me. I am the slob, exactly like Mel. It’s a problem with ADHD. And it’s a vicious cycle. The ADHD brain is cluttered, disorganized etc., and external clutter in the physical space is a distraction that adds to the internal clutter in the mind. And OMG! Dana K White! She is my superhero!
Mel- this is the MOST relatable thing I’ve EVER watched! You are REAL and I can hear myself saying everything you were saying, ESPECIALLY the cuss words when describing all the shit on the counters, mudroom and bottom of the stairs! You were speaking MY LANGUAGE 😅 Thank you for being real and bringing these conversations to us.
I’ve done exactly what this lady said and it works! Also I live by something I once heard has become my motto “ A place for everything and everything in its place”. I think the problem is we have TOO MUCH STUFF! Love your podcasts Mel!❤️🙏
I'm a pro organizer of 12 years and when everything has a home, including our emails and photos and computer files life becomes easy to maintain. My motto? Organize like you're OCD, maintain like you're OCD and life will fall into the chill zone. 🎉 Congrats on your success.
Not necessarily, some of us have less stuff and not enough space. My smaller amount of stuff in a one bedroom apartment was massively less stuff than my sister had between her 4 bedroom home, two garages, pool house and 3 BR apartment in the city. Yet they never ceased to mock me for the amount of stuff I had in my tiny apartment, most of which was essential to my life and work.
Absolutely too much stuff, gets me into terrible trouble. I’m getting rid of all the stuff I no longer need. My brain feels so tired, and I wonder can I do this ?
Dear Mel and Dana, Thank for this podcast that I stumbled across this morning at 1:30 am on Sunday December 10th. I am so overwhelmed with the clutter that I have in my small one bedroom apartment and I don’t know where to begin. Also, I am too embarrassed to ask family or friends to help me. I have really bad PTSD and ADHD and I stopped taking all my medications for ADHD and depression it took me too much time to put them in the two weeks container. My living room is filled with instruments! I have two drum sets, 3 guitars, 3 accordions, 3 sets of harmonicas, a trumpet, a saxophone, a keyboard and a violin. Two stereos and boxes filled with stuff that I haven’t unpacked since I moved in two years ago. I don’t know where to put things or how to organize. My dining room table is cluttered with paperwork,bills etc. It took me about 5 hours to clear off my dining room table, just for it look the same way a few days later. I am so overwhelmed! I don’t know where or how to begin. I started to cry when Dana talked about creative people and that their brain works differently. Thank you Mel and Dana for doing this podcast. 😢
For me, as a person who has severe complex PTSD, this is BRILLIANT and life saving! Thank you! It leaves out the emotions and that was the most difficult part of my problem! God bless you!~
I’m just sending u a hug. 🤗 It’s sooo hard. But, how awesome are we to have seen and experienced the worst but still reach out for the light. I’m proud of us! ❤
You are not alone in the struggle with PTSD I too have severe PTSD and all the “mental illnesses” that comes with it! I too send you a huge hug and love! YOU WORTHY of healing and healing is possible! You may always be affected by it but.. it can be more manageable and I have hope for myself and for You!
This is THE best decluttering method I’ve ever heard. I loved Marie Kondo’s book and still do however i think this works best with how i think and operate.
Honestly as a creative I have struggled with this issue! I was messy as a teen, then immaculately clean as a young adult. I felt like I spent all my time cleaning and organizing. Now that I am older the clutter has crept back in, as my creative projects have taken centre stage in my life. I so needed to hear this today! Donate everything you no longer want or use, some people have nothing and that thing you think is trash, someone else would be probably be happy to use. Like those water-colour pencils. :)
I agree. A lot of organized people just throw everything away. There are always people who need those items you are throwing away. I donated art supplies and extra craft items to schools. I called around and talked to the art teachers and they all said that they would absolutely love any items like that. I also donated art supplies and markers and things to an Indian reservation because the people there didn’t have Money to buy those extra things or even stores to buy them in and that also made me feel good to think that somebody else would find joy in using those items.
Me too I got neat and clean and like to be but busy life has got me in waaaay over my head now. I can buckle down spend a day and get it all in order but it takes a hell of a lot out of me and then the next day it's like what happened anyway it's back to crazy. Doesn't help that my husband just disregard it cuz it's my mess allegedly and doesn't clean anyting and the daughter that likes to leave things everywhere. I get paralyzed with overwhelm just looking around at everything I got to do at home then add on on all the other things I have to take care of in my strong desire to just be a nature and do my creative projects it makes it hard to manage my day and feel good about what I'm spending my time doing.
Haha so true! I actually bought $25 prismacolor watercolor pencils at a thrift store for $2. I wondered who could afford to give those away. That's more than I was earning per hour at the time as a single mum. I was thrilled!
Mel , Thanks for having Dana on your podcast. I have been decluttering my house for over a year. It’s a journey. My daughter has been decluttering her room before she heads to college. It’s been amazing how much we have donated just this summer. She’s right. Doing the dishes improve your home.
OMG - I have this video paused at seven minutes and fifty five seconds. With my jaw dropped wide-open. because this is 100% me! Probably a little over 100%! 😮😮 I’m about to turn 50 and a couple of weeks, all I wanted to ever do was to be a writer. I’ve written a million journals. I have a poems. I want to share it all so bad with the world. But my mind, my surroundings are all filled with clutter. I do believe I’ve cleaned up some of the clutter since I started listening to your Mel Robbins podcast. I have lost a whole lot since I’ve been listening. For the most part, I think they were things and people that needed to be lost. But I’m so tired already. I am going to listen to the rest of this broadcast and High Hopes that it will inspire me today. 😞
Great episode Mel. In January I made a commitment to myself that every Saturday I would clean out one drawer, or 1 shelf, 1 bar in my closest, 1 cupboard. It allow me to not feel overwhelmed but also make progress. If you create this new hack/habit that you do every Saturday right after breakfast in a year you have been through 52 areas. 💥It feels so good to open a cupboard, closet, drawer and see the organization. Best, Adale
As I am currently moving and struggle terribly with decluttering and downsizing, boy oh boy did I need to see this! I'm legitimately going to watch this over and over again while starting to pack. This was EPIC! Thank you!
❤❤this is so relevant for me right now. I’m moving and I was like with….I gotta donate this stuff. Just the thought of packing was ridiculously overwhelming. I am decluttering as I’m listening to this.
This CD has three separate relaxation/meditation sessions on it ru-vid.comUgkxzpa8CIfZcihW4Z0F_ja0QF3W9KIatrsq guided by a very pleasant and direct male voice. Unlike so many other products of its type, this CD does not have bad synthesizer music, does not feature a phony or affected style of narration, and does not make any bogus claims to be subliminal or to re-train the brain or any of that balderdash. What you get is 1. a guided meditation for getting into a pleasantly relaxed state of body awareness while taking a stroll (superb for those easing back into a fitness routine slowly after an illness or injury) 2. A nice long breath-awareness relaxation session that if followed diligently can put you into very deep states of full-body relaxation and mental calmness, and 3. a buddhist-inspired meditation session designed to help you develop and maintain feelings of loving kindness toward not just yourself and your friends, but toward people you don't even like. The CD makes no claims to be designed for advanced meditators or for buddhists or hindus/yoga practitioners looking for very deep and esoteric stuff. It is geared more toward the average person who just wants to develop the habit of relaxation and stress relief through natural, healthy means. him, if you happen to be reading this, keep up the good work fella, and I love your accent. I would also like to note that I have never fallen asleep while listening to this product. I would like to kindly suggest to the reviewer who said this CD makes him fall asleep, that he might want to get checked to see if he has a sleep disorder, or if he is simply not setting aside ample time for restful sleep at night. A healthy person getting adequate rest at night should be able to go into deep states of mental relaxation without dozing off, if not all the time, then most of the time.
WOW, that's me. So overwhelmed by the list of "TO DOS" that I just do nothing! So much to do to my house, (Remodeling for two years, open walls that aren't done, half done floors, it goes on and on) BUT this was so valuable!! I actually just cleared the catch all, end of the kitchen counter that has been horrible for months, all done while listening to the podcast!! Thank you! The 5-minute pick up, do dishes, straighten bathroom, all so do-able and just helps feel better about all the other that is chaos. Baby steps on the rest. And I still have boxes from a move FIVE YEARS ago, stacked in the garage. This will help me part with things that don't have a home and haven't been used in 5 years. Just do one box at a time so I don't just move it around. Love this.
Girl, I guess I’m not THAT bad! I moved in to my new house in May and only the necessities are unpacked!! But I feel ya! I don’t want to get rid of anything because of sentimental value or I might need it some day!! 😂
You described my life and my weekends to a tee! I have a huge stack of “donations” in my garage that a decided to use for a yard sale that never happened. You are not alone Mel ❤ I’m so grateful that you are so honest about your life.
This discussion is brilliant, and I feel energized and inspired to tackle all the things. I feel like my mom would have cried tears of validation, hearing that she wasn’t alone. Bless you both for sharing!
I have never heard your podcast before listening to this podcast. I am thrilled with the honesty of this show, and I am thrilled because I have a huge problem with organizing my stuff in a small apt. Because of your honesty with clutter, I don’t feel any longer like I’m such a freaky messy oddball. I feel like I can finally make progress to get my apt to a place where I can actually let people inside my place. THANK YOU
This was also my first time listening to mel. Genius- it takes one to know one! What an amazing host and guest! I’ve been doing the five minute pick up and the dishes thing On my own, without ever listening to this podcast before It really has changed our relationship and this house But I don’t think I’ve ever quite heard myself verbalize it
OMG!!!! I just spent an entire weekend of glorious weather “organising” my home ready for house guests next weekend and now I have piles of stuff to deal with. I wish I had seen this first! I am EXACTLY like Mel and Dana - this is the first decluttering podcast I have ever heard that actually resonated with me. I can do this! Thank you so much 😊
This quote may help someone ( it did it for me) and goes along with what Dana is teaching: “Do not put it down, put it away”. It takes a little longer but saves time in a long run.
I have watched so much content in an effort declutter my home with minimal success. Dana's analytical questions help to detach emotion from the tasks. Ingenious. Mel's questions were so on point. They helped alleviate the stigma of feeling like a slob. Thank you for this wonderful episode!
Yes, about the dishes!! That's been my starting place for decades!! Now I do what I can while my coffee is brewing, enjoy my coffee time, then I finish up when I'm done with my coffee. I like the timer for pick up.
One think that I had to deep think about was when I was talking about this in therapy. My therapist asked me, “ if your house was clean and everything was in its place what would you do with your mind, what would you do with your extra time?” In my perfect world, I would paint, take walks, etc. But the reality for some is that we keep the clutter so we always have something to do that keeps us from looking at the more important things in our life. Our deeper problems. We use clutter as a distraction. It keeps us from feeling our true feelings.
“A container is a boundary”. Light bulb moment for me. I’m very OCD and want items organized. I’ve never thought of this. I love, Love, LOVED this interview. ♥️♥️♥️
Where this hits me is with my books. I have no room for more book cases, and was starting to put books in boxes by subject matter…where they will either take up valuable closet space or go to the garage and get moldy! Gotta let go instead, and have an orderly library again.
Can someone list out the 5 steps? I kind of missed #3. It was donations, I think? The other steps are really clear. Love this podcast Mel! Every time I listen to one I think "wow, she really knows me, next week can't possibly be any better" And then it iS!!! I have been reading your books and following you for years, but the podcast is really my favorite thing that you have done. Thank you for making our lives better!
#3 is Duh donations. Easy stuff that doesn't require a lot of mental energy to deal with, that you know just needs to go like clothes your kids outgrew, etc.
1. Obvious trash. 2. Does it have an established home elsewhere? 3. Is it a "duh" (obvious) donation? 4/5. If the answer to these is NO, then ask this question: If I needed this item, where would I look for it first? (Take it there now.) If you cannot answer, then ask this question: If I needed this item, would it ever occur to me that I already had one? If answer is yes, take it to the first place you would look for it. If no, donate it.
"All or SOMETHING thinking" instead of "All or NOTHING thinking" is VITAL to keep in mind. Doing SOMETHING is progress. What a great feeling to have every day. I hope this "clicks" with someone out there. Every little thing getting rid of means one less thing to worry about. That's what I personally live by. It's not always everything I want it to be ........ it's STILL progress! Give it time and take it one day at a time if need be. This is where I am growing more and more. CHEERS!
Wow! This was excellent❤. I was so happy to see Mel and Dana. Love her. They're great complements to one another. It's nice seeing the correlation between organization and mental health tied into Mel's RU-vid channel. Dana is so articulate and explains things brilliantly. Mel gave her space to let her teach and illustrate her points. I can't believe I watched this entire episode 😂❤❤❤❤❤
Returning items to their 'established home' step is awesome tip. My cheat on that aspect is I wear an apron with a pocket and put a few extra things (more than my 2 hands can hold) into this pocket and take these altogether to their proper place. Tme effective! Thank you for your insights this podcast is so timely. I'm literally procrastinating my career change ambitions because my house controls my existence more.Much respect to you both💯❤🤗👏😎🌹
I know you are both trying to help, but it's really stressing me out. I'm a hoarder, and have been on the transformation band wagon for years now. I find it really difficult to throw things away. Donations also physically difficult, because I'm old and don't have a car, and you have to deliver to charity organisations. They don't have many charity shops in France. Not like in England where I go mad buying because it's cheap and I can re-use it. 😢😢😮💕🫂🤞🙏🏻
I'm sorry to hear it was certainly not my intention to make anyone feel more hopeless. I'm struggling too. I hope you have a reliable friend or family member to assist you.❤
Marie kondo's method helped me with the emotional part of letting things go. She says: you thank things before you disposed of them whether it's trash or donation. You thank them because they have served their purpose. To me, the gratefulness made sense because I was grateful that I got it, used it, and thanked it, and it was easy to let go. Because like seasons, we change and evolved and things that were once needed or used at some point it comes to an end. Marie kondo has 2 seasons in Netflix. I absolutely love this episode.
The FlyLady says, "You cannot ORGANIZE CLUTTER." Thanks for illustrating this some more. I have decluttered, so much the last couple of years, now the decluttered, necessary and things that bring me joy, need to be put in the appropriate, aesthetically pleasing, and convenient places. That is organized! I have to say I am mostly decluttered, but not organized. It's not a destination for me, it's a journey, a LONG, SLOW journey. It's not like on Hoarders where everything appears solved at the end of the episode.
The people on hoarders statistically go back to hoarding if they do not follow up with aftercare therapy. I watch a lot of this show. You have to address the why of how it got that way or it'll go right back to hoarded up mess again.
Yes yes yes🎉❤ THIS IS ME too!!! I do this I set a time to declutter! I surrendered to my messiness. It’s how I am! I know I’m a creative always creative and I know my super power is teaching people how to cook damn good gluten free food! My non super power is cleanliness. I so appreciated this podcast! I shared with my family and 4 kids!!!😂 here’s why your mom is why she is and recommended they all have a listen! Thank you❤🙏🙏🙏🤌🤌🤌
OMG. THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO I HAVE EVER WATCH AND WHEN I SAID THE BEST, I MEAN IT. AND Mel, you made my day with your laugh 😂😂😂 every time you start laughing I did too, it was so much fun and at the same time life changing ❤❤❤❤❤❤
What helped me declutter was putting precious things on the curb the week before Xmas and seeing people delight in taking them home. Now I have a clear space and feel great.
As I've been listening I've cleared most of my kitchen table, one counter area, and a couple baskets full of paper in my living room and I didn't make a mess anywhere! What I blessing that I came across this today! I've been ill for quite a while and thankfully was having a really good day today and this helped motivate me so much!! Thank you Mel and Dana! Hugs!!
Mel, I think this is better than anything you have ever done in the 2 yrs I've been watching you! I had my first favorite...the 5 SECOND RULE!!! This will now be what I use along with Dana's Decluttering Process! Thank you! While I was listening, I took notes ...then...I DECLUTTERED MY JUNK DRAWER IN THE KITCHEN...BEFORE IT WAS OVER!!! YEA ME!! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU AND DANA!!!! HIGH 5 GIRL! WE DID IT!!! MEL YOU ARE IT!!!
I know that this is going to be life-changing for me. I've been figuring out a lot of these concepts on my own, but this episode just saved me so much time. I am ridiculously creative, a writer, a content creator, and so strong in most areas of my life, but since having 3 kids in 2 years 11 years ago, and working outside of the home, the struggle to keep my home decluttered, and organized stresses me out on the daily. Also- Mel you have already made every aspect of my life better (I'm an original Launcher), and I am so grateful your unapologetic authenticity and mission to help others. My husband gets frustrated when I do things like (this morning) get a new water glass out even though there are 2 half-full ones from earlier on the counter. I have tried to explain to him, "I didn't even know I was filling this water glass, and I didn't even know I was thirsty, because I am in the middle of writing a book chapter in my head, and I am literally not in my body in this kitchen- I am imagining getting interviewed by Queen Oprah, and feeling so unworthy of speaking in her divine presence, that I awkwardly bow and curtsie, because I'm speechless." 😂 Welcome to brain ladies and gentleman. He's working from home and I played him the part where Dana talked about her husband realizing that her brain worked differently, and that she didn't leave things around on purpose. It was a lightbulb moment for both of us. Thank you so much Mel and Dana! ❤❤
If you look up Dana K White, A Slob Comes Clean podcasts, and just start binge listening, it will change your life. It changed mine. I'm happier, my house is Way better. Normally, no one can tell me what to do. Listening to Dana, I follow through - I'm happier, my house isn't overwhelming, I don't spend each weekend "stuff shuffling"! My cupboard doors shut without popping open. 🤯
You have helped me so much. I literally have you playing in the background everyday on repeat and I am finally on the top floor and attic. 9 car loads to dump, donated lots and seeing the difference. You want to declutter, watch the Dana White and Mel Robbins interview. So many great tips but the ones that worked for me, start at the front door where people can see in or come into and work your way through it. Plus put it in the place it meant to be straight away. Also before i was a shopaholic, not any more. Thank you so much xx
I’m very excited to listen. I have always been a very well organized person. At least by appearances. Friends would come over and so my house could be on the cover of veranda. They didn’t know I always had a closet that couldn’t be opened. It was a very big house, so that closet didn’t matter. I’m in a much smaller home. My creativity has been unleashed but so has my clutter! I don’t know if any of you noticed that I referred to one as a house and one is a home. It doesn’t really matter because I noticed. Little tears are in my eyes because I am putting together my home and I deserve to make your beautiful. The clutter is not beautiful. I’m excited to listen. I hope I find balance. Thank you for bringing this subject to your channel. ❤️😘😘😘
4 letters - ADHD ° You attack your passions but no focus or interest on the mundane. °You're overwhelmed by clutter, noises, life ° Your mom may have been Born Organized and you've been shamed by her and others or laughed at because of your messy car, late bills, missed appointments. °Failures in school or relationships etc due to scattered living and thinking °Everyone thinks you're just messy, careless, or not very bright 💖This is great stuff💖
Dana thank you. I haven't been diagnosed with ADHD, so haven't got any info on it., but I recognised something in what you are saying. Thank you I shall return and let you know more. It isn't something this country talks much about in adults.
I have put off so many things in my life, until I cleaned up my STUFF. I have moved 34 times in my 74 years. I have booked a truck to take things out of the storage unit and my apt. I am looking forward to having a clear head space and clear living space. Glad I found this while I am on my decluttering journey. Looking forward to having this done and I FINALLY MOVE ON AND MOVE FORWARD. THIS ANCHOR AROUND MY NECK WILL FINALLY BE USED ON A BOAT INSTEAD OF MY NECK. My brain is different than others' brains.
Omg I resonate so much with you Mel. I have gone through my adult daughter's donations and taken things out because they cost a lot of money. I always think I will need it if I throw it out. I have odd sock bag from years ago. I can't wait till tomorrow morning to start implementing this and doing your free course. It's almost midnight in Australia. Thankyou Dana and Mel
Odd socks I only throw away AFTER using them to clean floor/ outside windows and I have 50 odd socks left. I felt better after giving 40% OF old toys n books AWAY. CAN THINK BETTER. A Cluttered house= a cluttered mind. CAN FIND things NOW.
I’ve actually been listening to you on here and on my podcast channel. So much great information. This episode has been so on point for this time in my life. Made me feel like I’m not alone in my quest for Decluttering!! Thanks for always providing the best info out there! ❤
Thank you Mel for not talking over Dana or interrupting her. You are a very good interviewer. I’ve been a Dana K White follower for several years now and she has changed my life and home. I apply her 5 step process to all the “things” in my life, even mental and digital. It’s a work in progress. Such a great job Dana and Mel!!!
Those advices are priceless!!! I did listen podcast yesterday and started de-clutter in the evening! I wow never felted better doing that!!! I am like Mel and my partner is minimalist. I want more free space in my home. Started it in august of 2022. That process was so emotional and hard at the start. But now, with these great advices about what happens in brains and that is okey, it makes so much more sense! The box, drawer, shelf, house etc. is the frame for things... that idea stick with me. Better to sell pricy things, donate good ones and throw out staff that is there longer than for 2 years and noone needs them. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Absolutely loving this episode. As a writer and poet, I have struggled greatly with clutter, especially in the past eight years. Off tropic for a minute, I also struggle with c-PTSD and although I've managed for years by working on myself, therapy. Healing from trauma coming in waves and I seem to be in the incoming flow right now. I've been triggered more in the past two months then in the past two years and trying new things or rather...refreshing my memory that I learned better coping skills, but self-sabotage a lot...a lot. Lately the clutter has brought on feelings of frustration and overwhelm. For a long time, I made excuses as to why I couldn't finish my book. The biggest one was the fact that I spent all day cleaning, shopping and cooking. I only work part-time, out of town. Then a switch got flipped and I stopped binge watching videos on how to make my life beter, regulated it to one a day and began writing for only an hour a day, setting a timer and stopped even if I had more to say, because I looked forward to it the next day and it's been working for me. I clean a fairly clean home, I just have way to much stuff and it looks cluttered! De-cluttering was my top priority and saw this video.
Mel this podcast changed my life. You have had some awesome guests over the years but this one, Dana White is fabulous! I feel like she knows me. My husband is very sick and I’m his only caregiver. It has been so frustrating because I can’t ever get a whole room cleaned before he is calling me to come to his room and take care of something. Uggghhh! Now as long as I have done something in the room, I’m OK with leaving it. No more beating myself up over it.
I began watching this before I jumped in the shower this morning, but had to take pause. I'd set a reminder on my phone asking if I'd done my 1st 5 tasks in my morning routine. Finally, I've gotten around to using an app I've had on my phone for quite some time. One of those tasks is Daily Coaching within the app. Pressing play, who's voice do I hear? Was that you Mel?! It was apparently, how Fabulous is that!?
Omg there are others like me???? I am crying. How could they have lived and live identical lives with identical experiences!!! I always felt so alone. You are talking about me personally!!! Incredible!!
I am the one who limits socializing in my home because of clutter. Not as young and strong as I used to be and dealing with chronic painful illnesses I really struggle to keep up with everything. On days I am more functional I have laundry, floors, cooking, dishes, and other chores that have to be done or groceries to get, sort, put away. If I manage to get even one small thing done on the clutter piles I feel so good but I don't get there very often.
Thank you sooooooo much for this podcast. Never have I found more meaningful and applicable advice. I get anxiety if I have to even imagine my clutter counter and I dont know where to start! I also feel guilty throwing away kids art etc. I am now more motivated and hope this strategy will work for me!
You can have a kid art container-then discard per item, once it is FULL, as you continue to add to it. Meaning discard one thing to keep another. Better yet have your child to it. Make the container be the bad guy.
I have a folder for my kids art. The big art projects they made I take photos of to stop the guilty when they get binned 😢 mum guilt is real but you can keep and put in folders. Their art is lovely to look back on. Or frame some pieces ❤
Dana , you made the statement "im not a mental healrh expert". Ok. I will say though, that you have helped me feel better about myself, rhrough your honesty, through your tolerance, through your humaness, and integrity. 😊😊😊
Dana is so kind, generous and relatable. Thank you Mel for bringing her to us. I love you both! I only have so much tolerance and time for maintenance activities like housework. So decluttering is essential - the less stuff I have, the more time I can give to myself and to other important people and activities. This podcast is life changing and lifesaving!
Two of my favorite people! I've been reading organizing books my whole life and always felt like a total failure. Why can't i just get my sh*t together! Dana's advice has been life changing. I've been decluttering over the past 6 years and have gotten rid of so much to try and get to my clutter threshold. The take it there now/where would i look for it first is the best advice. So glad others are finding Dana!!!
MIND.BLOWING!!! Thank you for sharing how neurodivergent people need to hear it!!! This is LIFE CHANGING STUFF!!!!! I previously followed The Clutter Fairy but she explains it the way “normal” people understand it and I could never even get started for more than a day. My life begins TODAY. THANK YOU (from a 44 year old who is just realizing and understanding that she’s had ADD all her life… as we are in the process of getting our 6 year old tested).
I now understand why my partner leaves towels on the floor, never closes a cupboard door, leaves everything out, walks past the bin and leaves his rubbish on the kitchen side. What a relief, I say that again, what a relief. I have been clearing my stuff out and donating or throwing my stuff away, just to clear area's, I now know I'm not alone. Have subscribed+👍 Thank you both very much 🎉
She's absolutely, right to declutter. Junk causes us to be anxious, and we just shift junk in our place everywhere but where it belongs.I find putting my sheets in sets works for me. Baskets I got rid of as first I'm trying to read what's in it and then still feel anxious.now I'm doing better. Also putting things in place that suits us not where it goes works for me.
