How to find a place for everything! 

This year for Christmas, instead of buying our grandchildren a lot of toys and things to clutter their homes, we purchased each family an annual pass to their local city zoo. We decided to give them a years worth of memories instead of things. That way when Nana and PopPop come visit we can go too!

I was the one that got grandma's second set of China (large family). Since I don't have an kids, I gave my Target dishes away and now use the China as my everyday dishwear. And every time I pull out a plate or bowl I think of holidays and special occasions at my grandparents house. ❤

Great video, an yes to categorizing… EXCEPT scissors! I keep 3 in the kitchen alone, one in each bathroom, one in the laundry room, one in my nightstand and then my sewing only scissors with my sewing machine. Scissors must be accessible everywhere. 😂

“The stuff we use every day should get the prime real estate.” Yes, thank you!

I used to have a linen closet in the hallway. Now the hand towels live in a drawer right below where they hang, in the bathroom. Wash cloths are in another drawer, Bath towels are elsewhere. Seems weird, but all of those things are exactly where I need them and look for them first. And, my toilet paper lives in a drawer that is reachable from the toilet!

Whenever I hear people tell me I “should” keep something I offer it to them and say “it sounds like it means more to you than it does to me”. I offer it to them to take home and if they don’t, I get rid of it.

I went through a divorce and moved to a tiny apartment and watching the videos gave me permission letting stuff go.

I finally decided to put my little girls' hairstyling things in the kitchen because I do their hair while they eat breakfast!

Dawn, The first time I saw one of your videos, I immediately cleaned off 80% of my kitchen counters (it looks SO much better, and that night when I came out to the kitchen my son (19yo) had unloaded the dishwasher and put everything away. Normally, he would leave some things out on the counter "to continue to air dry". He actually put everything away because "he didn't want to mess up the kitchen"! Cleaning up can really be contagious, I am still working on my decluttering muscle, but I just watch some of your videos for encouragement and then remind myself that it feels really good! Thank you for making if, finally, click in my brain!

I LOVE how you don't say a minimalist house but a simplified house! I can't be a minimalist but I CAN simplify! Thank you, Dawn. ❤️ I'm sooo like Dana and you help my brain think differen

"You live here so you work here." And "Every member contributes." "We all serve each other."

I’ve started using my grandma’s handmade quilts. I have no one to leave them to so I’m going to enjoy them

You show so much kindness, humility, transparency, compassion, and a desire to help others.

I have interesting news: after Marie Kondo happened for a few years, she got married and had toddlers. And you guessed it! She says she has given up on organizing everything and keeping everything totally tidy for a little while until the two toddlers are older because trying to stay ahead of the toddlers in a tiny Japanese home is just hopeless! So if Marie Kondo adjusts for the toddler stage, we can feel okay about Toddler Overwhelm too! Its a Mommy thing for young families. Give yourself a break! I loved finding out about this. Flexibility is a lifesaver, isn't it?! LOL! Keeping it real! Thank 🙏you for everything, Marie Sensei!

I let go of a book that had a bad memory to just rebuy a different version. That might seem silly but my heart and home were better for it. It was like a hidden nasty smelly in my living room and when it was gone the air was clear. I dont know how else to explain it. But get out the stuff that is bad feeling. Bad memories tied to objects can be haunting

I just realised when I simplified my eating habits, my food, and my recipes my life got so much easier, healthier and more fun.

Time stamp 55:20 is the stage I’m at now. I just tossed childhood Christmas ornaments that gave me that UGH feeling. I’ve wasted so much time mourning what could have been regarding relationships with my parents. I feel lighter at 51 years old. Thank you for being you Dawn.

$100 is a great donation price. No need to apologize. So AWESOME 😎

When my husband died I donated his tools to the local men’s shed except a tool box for myself

When my daughter was small, I wrapped up a box of bandaids for her. She had other presents too, but that was her very favourite-a whole box that she could use however she wanted! I thought of this when someone mentioned the box of macaroni and cheese present!

Since I've started listening to you, I've noticed how many duplicate things I have in my kitchen... 3 sets of salt and pepper shakers, a pen jar on both sides of my kitchen, TWO knife blocks, over 10 sets or types of measuring cups. 🤦 I've started letting go!

I disagree with Marie on having all of one category in one place. The item is scissors. Scissors live in my knife drawer in the kitchen, a tray in the bathroom, a tray in my desk in my office, in my glove box in the car, and on the peg board in my garage. Each one is used at least once a week and is handy to where I use it.

To help our kids get used to the idea of less presents, we gave them a budget for giving away presents. We specifically talked about how blessed we are and we don't need more stuff, but there are lots of people in the world who actually need things. So each kid would get a set dollar amount and we would pick a charity (many of them have fun gift catalogs that you can use to guide your giving), and they had just as much fun picking out chicks to give a family in South America or sports equipment to give to children in Africa or backpacks of school supplies to give to children in our community as getting the gifts themselves.

I love that Tom moved that shed for you. ❤ You are both very blessed.

Great parenting advice! It’s hard but remember you are the parent. If your kids whine about chores don’t give in! Be firm! Be the parent! They are looking for you as the parent to set the boundaries and expectations.

You are absolutely spot on about the cell phones and internet! Children do Not need a smart phone! Youre right, they dont have to go looking for bad things, bad things on the internet are looking for them. Truth!

When I was a renter years ago, I learned from the various kitchen configurations I had to deal with that I’m really a drawer person. When I had the opportunity to design my kitchen I added two cabinets with 4 drawers each. Made me so happy!

Paused the video and simplified several kitchen drawers!

Thanks, Dawn! As a stay at home mom, it’s always a treat when I see a new video from you pop up! You’re always so encouraging and I feel like you’re a friend even tho we’ve never met. Blessings!

I decided to let my husband clear out his closet whenever - out of the blue he took 2 hours & donated 80 pieces of clothing- a bag of trash & 6 pairs of shoes 🎉🎉🎉🎉

“Set up my kitchen to serve me in this season of life…” LOVE this quote! My kitchen is not here to impress random people who I never invite over anyway. It exists to serve me (my family) in this season of life. Dishes and tools will be stored where it makes the most sense to US, not where other people who do not live here think stuff is supposed to go.

I forgot the pest man was coming today. But since we have decluttered and do daily tidying I had the house pulled together in less than 10 minutes. He did the outside and I was ready for him. So love minimal living!

I love the way Dawn pronounces the word "always." It sounds like "Ow-ees."

“Our brains love boundaries.” I needed to hear that!!

For older stuff from relatives or things that "are still good" and you still like - try using those items as flower pots, pen cups, jewelry tea cup down in your underwear drawer for your daily rings and earrings.... things like that. I have nice plant saucers on my front porch because they're mix and match pieces of the plates I got about 20 years ago but don't like anymore for eating off of. My dad's handmade pottery pots and bowls are here and there holding my pens and pens, holding Lego I find on the ground...and my grandmothers fiesta ware plate is my main platter I use for dinners and parties, my husbands grandmothers milk glass pitcher is what I use for a vase so I got rid of all the others I had. I got rid of TJMaxx finds and have replaced everything with sentimental pieces serving the same purpose and actually being USED and now I get to see them. Just an idea to pass along if you have a bunch of random sentimental items in a drawer somewhere not being used. It helps you get rid of the other things that can't be used practically or that you wouldn't choose to use!

So many of the things you mentioned give me permission to declutter the remaining things left from my decluttering journey. First on the list is things from old hobbies, quilting projects, craft supplies. At my season of life, I don’t see myself returning to them. I may still keep some tools and my sewing machine, but fabric pieces and quilt patterns, etc. are going to be donated. I’ve already donated oil painting supplies, now I am ready to part with the acrylic paint, that I have not used it in a few years. I draw and do watercolor only. That’s enough to satisfy me. As for the questions about sentimental items, one daughter does not want ggma’s China, the other daughter is a bit of a hoarder. The best thing I did a few years ago was donate it to our library for their annual auction. It’s been years and neither one of them ever asked about it and I never mentioned it. I did the same with my collection of green depression ware. I kept only a cake plate and a couple small serving pieces that I use. I’ve been on this decluttering journey for years now, life is so much simpler and I continue to think of things that lived the “time will tell” period and are ready to go. A project for the upcoming year is photographs. I will look at them, choose the few I want and pass the whole bunch to my kids and let them decide what they want. They are all from the pre-digital era. I have a lot of art work, this year I want to try harder to market it, give it away etc. I’m in the Swedish Death Cleaning season of life. Clearing things out feels so good. But I also don’t want to burden my kids with stuff they don’t want. When someone admires a piece I did, I give it to them for Christmas or birthdays…..

We love you Lou Ann! ❤ So much! Thank you for raising such MIGHTY daughters for us and the planet!

Stuff that can represent a hard season emotionally is a concept that really hits home for me. We shouldn't have to hang on to baggage like that. It's okay and GOOD to let ourselves forget the hard things if we're able to.

I love the idea of 2/3 full is full. I am trying this in my home and now when I open a cabinet it'a an "Ahhh moment" not an "Ugh moment" and so much easier to put things away.

You made me smile! ‘Not everyone understands why you’re getting rid of all your stuff’. 😆

Laughing hysterically at your inventor's boxes - add a bunch of random tools and wood we find at various places and that would be my husband's box and we call it the garage:)

I found when I spend time declutterring & organizing, that going shopping isn’t what it used to be, not really interested in adding to the nice, clean, newly organized place…..where will I keep it? Is this a good use of my $$? I feel I’ve already been shopping right in my own basement/garage/closets/nightstands etc😂 you’ve inspired me to clear out the ‘under the kitchen sink area’🙈, threw out so much, bought things I already had, it’s shameful really. But I feel great!!

I watch multiple different decluttering gurus, of course Cass too! Cannot tell you how many times I've gotten inspired to do a light decluttering or actually fold my laundry instead of letting it languish on the chair in a pile instead while watching ya'll! Can't believe how much stuff I've gotten rid of this past year thanks to ya'll keeping me held accountable!

I love “maintain not gain” for December.

34:14 about vitamins and supplements. I am a visual person, but I found a "less ugly" way (in my opinion) to have them out. Bought one of those 7 day large cell pill trays with snap lids. Fill all 7 days and keep that tray out on the counter and the bottles are on the cabinet.

I, too, am a fantasy tea drinker! 😂

My decluttering journey began when my husband died almost two years ago. I kept a few items of his because they were precious memories. Otherwise, everything else was donated. I've begun on the LR/DR because I spend most of my time there. I follow your advice of focusing on one shelf or one corner. It makes me happy to see improvement in my space. Thank you for all you do.

We have a 2 storey house and I hate storing cleaning things in just one place. I store cleaning items in the rooms I use them most kitchen and bathrooms.

I'm always amazed at Americans who say they don't have big kitchen or house when they do! You're kitchen is big compared to many. Thanks for the ideas, as usual they are gold! Love from Australia 🇦🇺

Watching the replay. I just went through my house from one end to the other. Not the kids bedrooms though. I got a bag of trash and a box for donations full. It feels so good!

"Let's be realistic about our distribution of resources and where we want to be spending our time and energy" so much truth in that statement!!!

She said you can get 2x as much done in the all day declutter as you can on your own NO WAY! You can get EASY 5x or 10x more done in the all day declutter then you can on your own. It’s wild. BUT you have to plan. Premake a quick breakfast, lunch and dinner, sleep good the night before have supplies ready. But whoa the amount of stuff people gets rid of is WILD. Blows my mind every time.

Happy to see this today, we switched bedrooms this weekend and wow, the clutter under beds, in drawers and closets that I completely missed in my decluttering!

I love the "work along side me" instead of "help me, or I need help." I need to do that with my husband. He only "helps" if I ask. It is only my husband & myself at home now.

Place a small tray under the toaster and always keep the toaster on top to keep a clean counter. That way you only clean the tray once a week.

Time to look through Christmas decorations not being used this year again. Someone else may enjoy them more than our basement does.

My new focus is to organize my home as if it were an Airbnb 🤩

Thank you so much for the great session Dawn. I love your content and listening to you. You are my most reliable source, when it comes to decluttering and even just turning on a video from your channel gets me into the work flow. 💜

Ive ordered courses before and never used them, however, this course I revisit and update every year for only $10.00 [after initial first fee}. we tend to do what we put in front of our face. I watch it after the live day and I have pause and go clean an area and come back and continue listening and watching... this works best for me. I would HIGHLY recommend this course!!! plus if you can only do a drawer at a time, you are creating a habit and this may sound strange, but it's fun. if you have ever cleaned and organized an area, can you remember how many times you went back and open the cupboard or drawer just to look at it. also, don't think about how much work it will be, think about how you will feel when it's done. oh yeah and STOP bringing more stuff in your house. once you have thoroughly decluttered... then it's the 2 items coming it has to be followed by 2 items leaving...this is how I maintain. I LOVE cleaning off my surfaces when I'm done....so much easier to clean!!!!

Exactly! I got myself one year for decluter my house…but didn’t get where I wish, so I am on the course now. I believe it will help to achive my goal in 2024 🙏

We recently moved into a larger home so that my mom could live with us. I keep telling people that if I hadn’t started watching your videos 1.5 yrs ago and simplifying my home that I would’ve lost my mind during the move. Although we have no actual storage space other than the garage, I don’t miss it. The mindset shift is huge and it’s helping me help my mom as she downsizes.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING MISSING

Something you want, something you need, something to eat and something to read❤️for gifts. I never did it but I thought it was a great idea (not my idea)

Dorothy’s story is so inspiring. God will use anyone at any age ❤

If there's a flat surface....let's put something on it.....FOREVER 🤣😁🤓

When I bought my place 18 years ago, I got my mom to unpack the kitchen because she'd know where things go best. LOL! I agree with keeping some things together of the same category, I do prefer to have scissors in the kitchen and my office. I had 5 adults in my family stay with me the last few days and I don't regret simplifying my kitchen. The first 4 people to get in line to eat had regular plates and the last two had paper plates. This is the first time I've had that many people in 10+ years and I'm not getting more "just in case". We ran the dishwasher after breakfast so we had things to eat with and on for dinner. :)

Apparently I have too many items because I can’t remember where I would look first 😊

I love your channel! In the last month I have decluttered SO much that was weighing myself and my family down. It’s changed my life. I am feeling more peace and joy. Mostly because I am spending less time cleaning and putting things away. Thank you!!!

I have found you in the midst of a move. Our 2400 sq ft home is decluttered and on the market. Meanwhile, I moved to an 800 sq ft furnished apartment to start my new job in a new city. I'm motivated to make my new home much more minimal. Empty nesters looking to let go of the sentimental stuff.

I really like the way you giggle, Dawn. It relaxes me and motivates me somehow. I just cleaned out a drawer and I know I need to do it again. But I made the first pass!

What I learned about the connection between memories and ‘things’; After we bought our home, My dad helped me replace/repair 3 doors (frames included). Some time after he died, I had to replace one of the doors because my daughter had scribbled on it with a paint pen. That door hung for almost three years, because I couldn’t part with “Dad’s door.” As I FINALLY replaced the door, I realized the memory was within me. Using the skills he taught me was a tribute from him. I learned that stuff is just stuff. Memories are a part of us.

I received my cookbook yesterday. It warms my ❤️ to help Dorothy’s House.

Dawn my husband keeps getting job offers from his job to transfer to Saint Paul. We would never to cold BUT I was like “we could live closer to Dawn!!!” He’s laughed so hard. He’s like she’s not your BFF I’m like but she is she just doesn’t know who I am 🤣♥️ 😂 lol We had a good laugh. I don’t know how you do the cold/winter! I was googling it just for research and I was like no way 😳🤣

You are precious Dawn. Your heart shines Jesus. So refreshing to see.🌷

But maybe you need scissors ✂️ for things done in different spots using scissors.? Like feed bags , nicotine patches. I think in these circumstances scissors should be kept near those things. But if your scissors are all used for sewing, it makes since to have a scissors caddy. Or paper crafting probably too

Love love your advise Dawn. I have been decluttering for years and yes it is an ongoing process. I like to tune in to your channel regularly to keep me accountable and most importantly motivated. Your tips always remind me of what I can do. I will be decluttering today. Thank you, thank you.

I don't always agree with your decisions, but then I don't live in your house :) You've given me so many great ideas that I am implementing in my own home, bit by bit, room by room, even if I just have 5 minutes.

My husband is the one who buys kitchen things. If it was just me I would have so much less stuff in my kitchen.

Thank you. This was fun to listen to other people’s questions, and hear your answers.

P.S. I love that you are doing this fundraiser for Dorothy. Every bit of caring helps make the world a better place.

Dawn you are always so positive and present in that way. I do love hearing your views and how knowledgeable you are. Thank you for your gift of explaining thoroughly. 😊

Love you Dawn. I have decluttered and I’m loving it.

Your bundt cake book is great! I received it yesterday & enjoyed poring over every recipe. Thank you for offering it to us.

This year I realized that Christmas time is a rude reminder that I have too much stuff. I had to move kid toys to make room for the tree and now I feel so cluttered and it is giving me such big anxiety! And now I have to figure out where we will put the new things too.

LouAnn: Your dedication, sacrifices, and love is priceless! Thank you 😊 I am reaping the benefits.

Thank you for all your advice and encouragement 💕

This was wonderful, Dawn.🙏❤️

Got a bag full of stuff out of my house yesterday and today donated a box of good stuff to a hospice resale store - so good to unload in December!!!

Thanks for another helpful video Dawn. Enjoy your day.

I watched one of your reels last weekend and so appreciate your comments about not feeling bad if you spent $ on something - ok to let go if it doesn’t get used. Now my kitchen is way more functional. Thanks ❤

It is so true. The stuff on the floor is still on the floor because there is no home for it.

Loved this! And i highly recommend the "Time will Tell" bin or basket. That has been the best tool for my home. I keep a nice basket from Target by my front door, lined with a trash bag. So I'm always looking for things to get rid of, and it goes in waves. Like, suddenly I'll see 5 things that i no longer need. I loved a few concepts in this: assets becoming a burden, and "it should be easy to maintain your home".

LouAnn you have an amazing family!! Your daughters are such a gift. Love the videos from your home.

5 minutes is awesome... it exercises those decluttering muscles Especially this time of year

What a wonderful fund raising event ❤️🎄❤️

I have been faithfully following you and made the goodwill folks happy,, i did have a party this year and realized i wanted to wear a sweater but i had donated it(haven't worn it in 6 years) lol,, my other sweater worked just fine 😂

That was great, Dawn! I was decluttering my belts, bathroom cupboard, organized my son's stuff in tote for him to take his items when he visits, brushed the dog, and put items in tote for donation! Thanks for the length of your post. I'm on a roll now! ~GRINNING~

Scissors…….I have a pair in every utilitarian room in my house…..kitchen, each bathroom, laundry, office, and garage! My mudroom is in between office and laundry, so don’t have one there! Yes, things that are only needed once in awhile, like light bulbs, are in one spot!

Thank you Dawn!

Thank you. Every video gives me motivation. I play them again when I declutter 😊 and it helps me. Still have a long way to go - but my house is much better than when I first started this journey!❤