Decluttering at the speed of life….thanks for the recommendation

[Ottakee]

Someone here suggested this book by Dana White to me.  I can’t remember who but thanks.   I just listened to the audiobook as I decluttered….and then got the print version from the library so I can reference it again.

Her method is easy, doesn’t make a huge mess, and is so doable and works.

Anyone else use this method?   Follow her podcasts?   

[Katy]

Might have been me. I found it very helpful.

[Spryte]

Yes! Love all of her audiobooks, but that one is my favorite.

The podcast is good, too. She’s on summer break, but there are more than 400 episodes, so enough to keep you busy.

I love popping in headphones and working while listening.

[Ottakee]

12 minutes ago, Katy said:

Might have been me. I found it very helpful.

Thanks then.  Very helpful.  I hope to use this to help my daughter start decluttering when I am done here.

[Ottakee]

11 minutes ago, Spryte said:

Yes! Love all of her audiobooks, but that one is my favorite.

The podcast is good, too. She’s on summer break, but there are more than 400 episodes, so enough to keep you busy.

I love popping in headphones and working while listening.

Should I do way back and start at the beginning or just pick and chose episodes?   I need time for my audio books too.

[Spryte]

I prefer her audiobooks over the podcast, so if it’s a choice of those, and you haven’t heard either, go for the books!

Once you’ve plowed through the books you want to hear — pick and choose podcast episodes. I like the ones where it’s mostly only her talking, not interviews with people looking to get help—though those can be good, too, I’m just picky about voices.

Her blog is also fun to read, and if you sign up for emails you’ll get some good info, too.

Serious fan girl here. 🤣

[TexasProud]

Yes!  This is the only decluttering book I recommend!  So doable. I didn't realize she had a podcast.  Will have to subscribe.

[Ottakee]

8 minutes ago, TexasProud said:

Yes!  This is the only decluttering book I recommend!  So doable. I didn't realize she had a podcast.  Will have to subscribe.

I love that she doesn’t encourage you to buy stuff to get organized or make huge messes in the process

[TexasProud]

Just now, Ottakee said:

I love that she doesn’t encourage you to buy stuff to get organized or make huge messes in the process

YES!!!!

[Beth S]

Dana's fantastic! 
She also has a Youtube channel (which includes Q&A's).  Here's a typical one:
"My No Mess Decluttering Method"
She's the opposite of Marie Kondo (who dumps all your clothes on the bed).
She "takes it there now", (or donates/toss) as she pulls the item out of the cabinet.

 

She considers herself mostly an author, & most libraries have her books/audio books.

She also teams up with The Minimal Mom, & Cass from the Clutterbug, in "Take Your House Back".
https://www.takeyourhouseback.com/courses/take-your-house-back

She has 5 questions (in a downloadable PDF here) which really help determine keep/toss:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DASL-5-Steps-to-Working-Through-Mess.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiy-8Cl6u2GAxVs6ckDHYGwANcQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2lkTQ2szU04u1hANpYOrSw

 

 

Edited June 21 by Beth S

[happypamama]

That might have been me, and if so, you are welcome! I really enjoyed her audiobooks; they add that little extra touch because she's funny. 

 

I wouldn't say I use her methods 100%, but they make a ton of sense to me. It's a really refreshing way to look at stuff, and definitely no shaming going on. 

 

If you follow her on FB, she links to different blog posts, same info, just in snippets. 

[Ottakee]

11 minutes ago, happypamama said:

That might have been me, and if so, you are welcome! I really enjoyed her audiobooks; they add that little extra touch because she's funny. 

 

I wouldn't say I use her methods 100%, but they make a ton of sense to me. It's a really refreshing way to look at stuff, and definitely no shaming going on. 

 

If you follow her on FB, she links to different blog posts, same info, just in snippets. 

If it was, thanks.  I have made great progress this week.

i had my moms and brothers stuff here from their respective houses to sort through as well as my own stuff.   I don’t recommend trying to handle 2 estates at the same time.

[Heartstrings]

I love her so much!   I don’t even struggle with clutter all that much but I still find it incredibly helpful.  I’ve been toying with the idea of signing up for training to be a Decluttering Coach to help others as a little side gig.  

[Ottakee]

11 hours ago, Heartstrings said:

I love her so much!   I don’t even struggle with clutter all that much but I still find it incredibly helpful.  I’ve been toying with the idea of signing up for training to be a Decluttering Coach to help others as a little side gig.  

I am thinking this method would be so helpful for my young adult students with special needs who struggle with way too much stuff. It’s a very easy method and doesn’t involve a lot of emotion or higher level thinking skills. It also doesn’t require them to spend money in order to get organized or lament about their current housing situation situation.

[Spryte]

21 minutes ago, Ottakee said:

I am thinking this method would be so helpful for my young adult students with special needs who struggle with way too much stuff. It’s a very easy method and doesn’t involve a lot of emotion or higher level thinking skills. It also doesn’t require them to spend money in order to get organized or lament about their current housing situation situation.

Yes, I know a young adult with some tendencies toward collecting too much stuff, and think this will be very helpful!

FWIW, my NT 12 yo got it right away and cleaned her room!

[Ottakee]

16 minutes ago, Spryte said:

Yes, I know a young adult with some tendencies toward collecting too much stuff, and think this will be very helpful!

FWIW, my NT 12 yo got it right away and cleaned her room!

My own daughter with special needs just filled a huge box for donations.  It is a start.

[Spryte]

41 minutes ago, Ottakee said:

My own daughter with special needs just filled a huge box for donations.  It is a start.

That’s wonderful!

The container concept really clicked here, for us. It was like watching a lightbulb go on. Really cool to see.

[Ottakee]

53 minutes ago, Spryte said:

That’s wonderful!

The container concept really clicked here, for us. It was like watching a lightbulb go on. Really cool to see.

And especially working with others it helps take the emotion out of things and it also doesn’t breed discontent with the size of your house or closet or room.

[Ottakee]

The great decluttering continues.

My friend said “your decluttering has become my clutter”…..but in reality she is just upgrading her cottage stuff with my stuff and then will donate her stuff.

my daughter got another 2 bags for donation and 3 bags of trash out…..progress.

[Carol in Cal.]

I get her emails, and read her stuff.  I don’t much like listening to her, I need to process it at my own pace.

I find that her approach closes a gap that I didn’t know I had—limiting yourself to ‘a container’ amount of stuff.  This is brilliant common sense that had never occurred to me before I heard her say it.

[Ottakee]

21 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said:

I get her emails, and read her stuff.  I don’t much like listening to her, I need to process it at my own pace.

I find that her approach closes a gap that I didn’t know I had—limiting yourself to ‘a container’ amount of stuff.  This is brilliant common sense that had never occurred to me before I heard her say it.

The container idea is working for my daughter with special needs and take the emotion/power struggle out of my desire to have her downsize.

[Momof4sweetkids]

Would it work if your dh doesn't want to get rid of anything? Could I use her principles but put everything in storage or would it not be helpful?

[Ottakee]

26 minutes ago, Momof4sweetkids said:

Would it work if your dh doesn't want to get rid of anything? Could I use her principles but put everything in storage or would it not be helpful?

I think it could be helpful.  She does have a chapter and what to do about husbands…but I am single so did not pay a lot of attention to that chapter.

You could at least do all of this “not his” stuff to make life easier for you and maybe it would catch on.

I loved listening to it as an audio book but then did get the print book from the library so I can review key stuff.

[prairiewindmomma]

2 hours ago, Momof4sweetkids said:

Would it work if your dh doesn't want to get rid of anything? Could I use her principles but put everything in storage or would it not be helpful?

Getting the clutter out so you can clean more easily is helpful. Dh’s mindset changed with time as to what was necessary to hold on to.

[Lecka]

@Momof4sweetkids

I listen to her podcasts, and she says start with yourself and your own things.  She also says start with “easy things” and not things that are going to be more emotionally challenging or take more energy.  
 

 

[Ottakee]

30 minutes ago, Lecka said:

@Momof4sweetkids

I listen to her podcasts, and she says start with yourself and your own things.  She also says start with “easy things” and not things that are going to be more emotionally challenging or take more energy.  
 

 

Exactly.  And my dd is doing ok with it so far.  Today I said just take a trash bag and pick up all trash and that alone made a big difference.