Diane, please don’t take these baby step videos down! They area changing my life 7 years later…trying to keep my commitment of commenting on your videos in Jan 2024. You are an amazing woman and doing a fantastic job making this digestible.
You might have recorded this over 2 years ago but there are people still learning. I love your videos - you've got SUCH a motivating way about you! I don't feel stressed and I feel part of a community :D Thanks for making these and leaving them up for us! xxxx Day 16 Flybaby!
I started decluttering china in my garage 2 months ago. Did 90% of it and dropped the project unfinished. So for 2 months I have had this nagging unrest and it has been from the unfinished job in the garage. The remainder of the job loomed large in my imagination. After seeing your video for Day 16 tonite I grabbed my timer and went into the garage and set the timer for 15 minutes. I finished the job in 8 minutes! The timer serves me well as it pulls me out of the fantasy thinking that jobs take hours and take away too much of my precious life. The timer actually contributes TIME to my life. The timer is a vehicle to give me more time and more life. I feel that this phenomenon has to be experienced before it can be truly appreciated. thankyou so much
When we recently moved we did a huge declutter, so I like the idea of decluttering in each zone as they rotate. It's good upkeep, and it makes sense to keep the focus in the zone. The only place i'm still working on thats not in a zone is the storage room in our basement. But that room isnt my belongings, so it's a bit slower moving to go through my husbands and sons items with them. I love to declutter and simplify things (but my family likes to keep things). (they are a work in progress):).
Two things I am really taking away from this series, Diane, are just to not run out and buy anything because we already have what we need in some form at home, and that good enough is good enough. I tend to spend so much time reading and prepping I have nothing left for the doing and usually quit two weeks in. thank you for this leisurely, no pressure way of learning to finally fly!
Diane, thank you so much for this series! I recently found your channel and it has been life-changing for me. My home has peace for the first time since I had my first daughter nearly five years ago. You not only address the physical aspects of homekeeping, but the emotional aspects and I've got an energy about my home and belongings that I haven't had in a very long time. Thank you for facilitating that in my life. And you're a joy to watch! I watch a couple of your videos every day and feel like I'm connecting with an old friend. Best to you, my dear!
I will admit that I didn't do my evening routine last night and this morning I felt more stress Am being kind to myself as it is just one blip.and will keep going . It took me 10 minutes to wash up from yesterday dinner and breakfast this morning . Love the stop watch idea Thank you x
Love these videos . Yes I made my bed this morning . Good idea to use timer as a stop watch . thinking about doing things rather then actually doing them is just a heavyweight on our brains. Xx
Twice I tried to clean up the same Hot Spot to no avail. So I decided it became a declutter problem instead and wow! do 15 minutes make a difference instead of 2 minutes. I like the stopwatch. When we planned scheduled for our kids - a lifetime ago, we timed ourselves and added 5 minutes more for them; if they did it faster, more time to play! Nicole
I also want to say Diane that I love that you point out what the weather is each day-I love being able to see out your window- it feels like coming over to your house for tea each time I watch one of your videos! I'm trying my hardest not to skip ahead because I agree that slow and steady seems like the way to do it. I'm excited that you're still making these videos- I'm telling all my friends, and I hope you won't stop anytime soon!! Thanks again!
Diane, I really enjoy watching your videos. You often give me that Ohh, That is what that means. The two minute quick clean up is super helpful. If in a room and I don't need to be somewhere or someone doesn't need me, I quick look around and say, "Quick, I have two minutes." I'm also getting to other areas of the house that I haven't had time to tackle, like the basement. When I change laundry, I do a quick two minute declutter. It's really helping. Thanks again for your time and inspiration. Jodi
I'm so excited!! I usually get back from vacation and my suitcase stays in the bedroom floor for a lonnggg time ! This year when I got back I set my timer and did ALL of putting everything away in 20 minutes! I even patted myself on the back ... LOLI COULD NOT BELIEVE IT ONLY TOOL 20 minutes 😁
It took me less than three minutes to unload my dishwasher. I can't believe it! In my mind it took forever! What a fun trick. Thank you! I love these videos. 🖖
You will never know the difference you've made in my life, Diane. I'm so grateful to you and for what you have given me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm nowhere near "there" yet, but I'm doing so much better than before I found you (through the Secret Slob) and for the first time in many years I actually have hope that my home will be a place that is welcoming and comfortable. Thank you!
I can’t actually make my bed as soon as I get up because my two Rhodesian Ridgebacks are still enjoying the cozy warmth of their (separate) blankets. It does get made later!
I picked other clothing than yesterday, dressed to shoes, made my bed and used the timer as a stopwatch while I was cooking and working in the kitchen. I did one task e.g. for 2 mins and then I had a me-time for 2 mins, too. According to that method I achieved several tasks and I didn't crash and burn. I have shined my sink and layed out my clothes for tomorrow. I am glad.
Thank you. I love your encouragement. I am doing the whole flylady system. This is my second week. I'm single and have a yard man; however, he doesn't do everything. So--I added Saturday 1 hour in the yard. I set my timer, but I could only stand 54 minutes. It was hot and I hate yard work. I felt bad, but then I came and listened to your day 16 encouragement. Thank you Thank you. I'm a good person and the yard looks better than yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is so hard for me to just stick to what is on the agenda for today! I keep wanting to skip ahead and do more! I have never felt like this about cleaning and organizing! I am easily overwhelmed and I am afraid I am already doing more than I am suppose to. I need to do better with ME time I think.
Hi Diane, Thank you for your videos. I've been following daily. I love walking into the kitchen in the mornings now. Sixteen days of shiny kitchen, although tonight I was feeling a bit like my old self again and nearly left things sitting there, but your voice came into my head and I couldn't let you down LOL! I do struggle with setting my clothes out the night before though, so I'm working on that and I struggle using a timer as I want to finish what I've started and I don't want the timer to limit me. Anyways, I'll just keep working on these things. Thank you! :)
Wear the same clothes the next day - two days in a row, if they are still clean - not under garments of course. That way you only need to choose every second day.
I had to replace an old broken twist timer that sat on my fridge door ,with a digital one because it was the only magnetic one I could find and I timed myself emptying the dishwasher just out of curiosity. It took 1m 47 seconds . I was astounded, I thought it would be around 4minutes. Now ,if the kids moan(they are 26 and 24 !!) about doing it I say ,come on, it's only 1m 47 out of your life ! Thanks Diane , so far so good. x
I love these videos and I love reading all the comments! The Amazon and charts thing was hilarious. And the timer has been a revelation. I have been using it for almost everything at home and at work and guess what? It made me realize I think something takes longer (much longer) than it really does...when it’s something I don’t want to do!! Thank you for making these videos. I’m excited to see where we go from here.
Thank you for being at my side I really did 16 babysteps and our apartment looks soo much better 👍 I cleaned every day extra 2 hours and I finally see the difference 🙏 I am not exhausted anymore and I start feeling more positive Amazing
I look forward to your videos. You and the fly lady system are helping me get my life and house in order....and enjoying the bit of me time that I'm starting to find instead of feeling totally overwhelmed all the time. X
Love these videos and I really appreciate all the input in the comments today. You seem to have lots of nice clothes - I haven't seen the same outfit twice - but not a lot of storage. I wonder if you could give tips on wardrobe planning and organizing. (Yes, I'm sidetracked). And you were so right about the stopwatch!
Diane: It's Saturday, and I don't see any zone or work to be done today. I've gone ahead and cleaned 2 hot spots and done a room rescue. I make my bed anyway, but I dressed to shoes, did my a.m. exercises and have had a 15 - okay 20 - minute sit down with a magazine. But I can't find the Saturday and Sunday work loads. Are there any, or am I just missing the location? You've helped me so much with this. Can't tell you how much I appreciate the time and work you've put into these videos. Oh! And I'm wearing a necklace today! : ) Thanks again.
DH found again my timer in the clutter. He had a God's breathe and started to declutter one big box - thanks to the cruising through the holidays video. I used my timer again with a lot of joy and also used it as a stop watch. Love idi
Thank you very much Diane. What a coincidence I was going through my girls' wardrobe and got rid of old tatty clothes. Need to do the same in my bedroom and using my timer 😘
I love your videos!! I feel super motivated after getting my shoes tied and seeing a clean shiny sink the morning helps too. Have they made an android app yet?
Thank you so much . I have been doing flylady for a while but stopped doing routines so am back doing the baby steps . This time I am using my control journal and making sure I get dressed to shoes when I get up . Feeling amazing .
"... bought things on Amazon, printed out charts." You know me so well. I DO have a guilty conscience - have spent way too much $$ on clothes and gadgets.
I almost forgot! today is day 16 of my 31 babysteps in March 2020. today I had a leave of absence and tomorrow I will stay at home as well. I actually had plans, but of course everything was cancelled. it does pay it's toll on me. I notice some delays with my morning routines and the evening routines. not dressin up immediately or at least within half an hour. it takes almost 2 hours. and I still didn't start to really plan with my control journal. although, I must say, I alwyays do a little bit of cleaning and decluttering everyday. that at least stuck with me. but esp. since Friday, I miss using the timer. even if I notice, that I forgot to put it on, while working on something, I don't stop the work and switch it on. my bath room, the toilet, the entry hall and my bedroom look good. they are clean (of course the bedroom still needs decluttering, because of my cloth). the kitchen sinck is always shining. but the major problem area, the living room - I think, there is no going around a proper planning and doing the hotspots in hear (although I did that with my cloth on the couch. but there are still items and papers to remove and put into their places. but I don't know them yet). I wish those times would pass. they really drag me down. I am not affraid of the virus, although I don't want to be sick either. but that shut down is depressing. I think, some parts of my childhood minitraumas are coming up. I should proceed with real plans, so I can push forward. we'll see, how tomorrow is going - esp. from Wednesday on. at least then I will be working again.
I'm still here on day 16....and about to watch day 17 (busy weekend!) my timer is just an old wind up timer so I can't time myself....but what I have done is set it for 15 mins and see how much I can get done....I kept checking to see if it was broken because I thought to get done what I had achieved it mustn't have gone off! But this taught me that things don't take as long as you think! I am bad at using it though! Now I know things don't take as long as I first thought, I just crack on with it.....but you know how 1 job becomes 5, and the 15 mins is expired...but I forgot to set the timer! If only I could wear it round my neck ....hahahaha! Thanks DIane...loving this xx
Diane thank you for your videos. I find them really helpful. I have spent years of feeling that everything at home was out of my control and I was inadequate. I can now do things at home in less time and still have energy to go on. Love from Greece 🇬🇷
I used my watch as a stopwatch meanwhile I was in the bathroom and I devided the actions into different tasks and I was astonished how short the single steps were.
When do we do the 5 minute room rescue or 15 minute declutter, morning or evening routine? The daily cleaning mission is after the morning routine is done right? I’ve had my son’s first birthday party and daily appointments this past week. First day it has calmed down so I’m trying to get things straight. I’ve been using the app since I’m more of that type of girl but I’m getting confused by the options to stay on just what we have covered so far. Pray everyone is have a blessed day and staying safe. 😊
Hi Brittany, I would suggest you add in these room rescues/declutters depending on your schedule/job/family. There is no "right time", just do what you can - but writing it down somewhere is key.
We used our timer as a stop watch: we planned to be in bed in the evening within 15 mins and in reality it took us 51 mins... :-( but we saw how inconsequent we still are with our time
When do we start doing the weekly plan and the zone cleaning? I don't see that in the baby steps. Is that like immediately after those 31 days? Or do we start the zones on the Day 10 declutter? Thanks so much for these videos!!
Sarah Raquel LaLonde a few days ago I was thinking the same as you ; “when do we do any cleaning?” I felt confused and a little disheartened. Having mulled it over I’ve decided to trust to the system and assume all will be revealed as time goes on....
Things are harder on the weekends. I don’t get to some of the steps. I have structure and a schedule on weekdays but am more fluid on the weekends. How do others get on during those less-than-organized days?
If you can do 15 minutes decluttering every day, that is fantastic. But just do what you can - it all adds up - even two or three minutes here and there!
