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In today’s podcast, I answer several questions and (try to) help break through the overthinking that’s behind the questions. I’m an overthinker, too, so I get it. But breaking through my overthinking has been essential to making progress in my home.
My new book: Organizing for the Rest of Us (get the flow chart here)
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--Nony
Listening to your perfectionism vs what’s the point-ism and I relate all too well. I have multiple areas where I try to declutter and start with the obvious, but then I’m distracted by the “I don’t know what to do with this thing that isn’t garbage and I use it often but it hasn’t got a home and I honestly don’t know where a good home for it would be” issue. So I leave the area frustrated and feel defeated because I couldn’t even just start with the easy stuff. I know it was because I got ahead of myself, but it’s still really frustrating.
I love your books and your videos and your podcasts. You really talk to who I am. Every other sentence I’m like “can she read my mind? ” and I can’t believe there is someone out there that thinks like me. You give me hope because your life (surroundings) are mostly under control. Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m just going to keep trying. I wish you were around when my children were young and I continually felt like a failure with no where to turn. I’m 61 in 24 days and I’m just now figuring this out with your help. Seriously! So really, thank you.
This was awesome! I’ve explored the minimalist camp a little bit, and since I come away feeling more overwhelmed and guilty, I’m abandoning them for now. I’ve noticed that you don’t restrict your dishes and flatware to one per person in your home, you don’t wear plain black shirts all the time, and you don’t have only white plates and mugs, so there’s no way you are a minimalist.
Always love Dana’s perspective and no-nonsense decluttering guidance! Just wanted to address any misconception about so-named Swedish Death Cleaning. It has nothing at all to do with what people might think about our stuff after we die. Rather, it is about freeing ourselves from clutter, and especially “responsibility” or sentimental clutter, for a more peaceful and practical horizon in our later years. For example, if there are belongings that you will want to leave to others after you die, or that you know others have feelings for, why wait? Why not simplify your space, especially if downsizing, now and at the same time enjoy now the experience of passing along these things, practical or sentimental, by passing them along now? At the same time you simplify things for the person who will later be responsible for your estate. Also, it may be that you become I’ll or disabled at some point, and thoughtfully deciding on these things may be out of your control or ability. So really, the Swedish philosophy is about practicality, simplicity, and emphasizing your quality of life and your connections with people or organizations you may want to gift with some of your belongings. As for the Barbies, why not maybe keep 1 or 2 and gift the others to a special little girl who will live them, or to a homeless shelter for families, so they can be enjoyed? Or become a bug sister volunteer and play with them with your new little sister! <3 grateful for this community <3