I finally tackled an overwhelming storage space in my home. A storage space I’d avoided looking at for a very long time.
A storage space I had attempted to declutter before.
But I did it. And I made a video.
So yay.
The main thing I learned: Look. Always, always look. Even if I’m sure I know (like, absolutely, totally for sure sure) I know what’s inside a space, a container, a whatever . . . look.
Always look.
Because when I let myself assume I know what’s inside, I also let myself assume other things, such as:
- Opening that cabinet will immediately turn me into a blubbering mess. I’m just sure whatever is in there will bring back memories, probably sad ones.
- The things in that cabinet are super-duper useful. And necessary. Even though I couldn’t tell you what those amazingly useful things are, I know they’re useful. How do I know? I just know.
- That cabinet contains objects that will require life-altering emotional energy to examine. Much decision-making shall be required. (For dramatic effect, I use words like “shall” in these internal conversations.)
But I’ve learned, the hard way, to look anyway.
Because I’m always wrong.
Watch the video here, or go over and watch it on YouTube.
Here’s hoping I start making more videos again!!!
--Nony
This is the first time I’ve watched one of your videos! You’re so funny. I can relate to needing to declutter certain areas and fully avoiding it. My family loves games and some how we have 3 chess sets and at least 4 monopoly games. It’s insanity!
Thank you for showing a real person and the ease it can take to do the process.
Yaaaas girl!!
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree with the “Here’s hoping I start making more videos again!!!” statement! They inspire me to just do something. I have a hard time getting started on de-cluttering projects if I don’t feel I have time to do it “right”. But there’s a saying us quilters have that I just need to keep reminding myself of….”Finished is better than perfect!”
Excellent and inspiring! Love the built in. So how long did that take with the fiming but not the editing and did anyone dig anything back out?
It took less than an hour, and Hubby said he’d like to keep a Star Wars trivia game. Other than that, no one cared!
This blog has been so helpful. And it helped me figure a few things out myself. For years, I’ve confused “cleaning” with “tidying.” For example, I’ve “cleaned” the living room by picking up everything that’s lying on the flat surfaces. Notice, I didn’t sweep or dust or vacuum. This blog (and your subsequent book and podcast) has helped me notice that tidying and cleaning are two separate things, and you can’t clean unless you’ve tidy-ed up the space. I’ve had to change some of your words around to make the concepts stick in my head better. (The idea of taking something where you’ll look for it is organizing for me and decluttering is actually getting rid of stuff). But now that I have clear definitions of those four words (cleaning, tidying, organizing, and decluttering,) and understand how they relate to each other, I’m able to deal with the house much better.
This also inspired me to take all the stuff I just brought home from my mom’s (not clutter in and of itself, but clutter where it currently is) and put it in the crawl space. Because no one needs six Department 59 houses or a babydoll with accompanying bassinet in the entrance way to their home.
That video was awesome! Thanks for putting it up! I think that makes your process even easier to explain to people. 🙂
Thanks for the video Dana. I’m a long time reader, but I’ve never commented before. I love the fact that you are realistic. I think a lot of blogs give the impression that if something isn’t, ‘pinterest perfect’ it’s not worth doing. Or that there’s something vastly wrong with you if everything you own isn’t in neatly labelled, colour coordinated storage tubs. You actually live in the real world, where most of us are just trying to do better. I firmly believe God puts us where we need to be, so he sent me to your blog to help me. I’m off to declutter a bureau that is a lot like your cupboard – a ‘catch-all’. Have a great day decluttering everyone.
Oh I love this comment!!
What if you took some of the head shots and some markers or paper and glue and spent a rainy afternoon making “funny mommy pictures”? You should definitely put one up in your theater memories bathroom.
I’ve just discovered your videos and love them! I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now and it has transformed the way I see my home. I haven’t been able to put it all in practice as of yet – my home is definitely still a work in progress – but your process just makes it so much easier and less messy!
Thank you for showing me I’m not a freak for struggling not to be a slob!!!
Hi Dana, I enjoyed the video, as well as your book I’m reading. I like your easy approach, you are so positively funny!
So much of this resonated – I have 2 portable DVD players that we don’t use and I can’t find the cords to so I can’t donate them but don’t throw out because what a waste since the cords are somewhere….this is my insane thinking that keeps me from making any cluttering progress! Oh and the bags….YES!! Thank you for this…I bought your book and got stalled reading it because I already do my dishes and those things every day…it is the pile thing and the sentimental hold things have on me that drags me down. I need to put my big girl pants on and just start. Thanks for the inspiration. I loved the interview you did on Tsh’s podcast – has me revisiting your site!
Love your video and it really is so inspiring. I also love your book! Thanks for sharing your life!!
I would have kept the stamp of my face if it was my face. I would stamp it on letters and notes instead of my signature!