Share

A Slob Comes Clean
479: Q&A - When Decluttering Feels Endless, Plus Stairs, Cards, and Kids’ Toys
•
I’m answering your decluttering questions that were submitted at AskDanaKWhite.com
- Due to some kitchen updates, I had to empty out my kitchen cabinets. Since I got everything out of the cabinets, I feel like it's a perfect time to declutter and reorganize!! How should I tackle this whole kitchen?
- I've decluttered a ton. I'm pretty happy with how far I've gone, but I can't help feeling that I could go further, even though I have plenty of space for the things that I have. Any thoughts on this?
- My family of 7 lives in a 2-story home. All of our bedrooms are located upstairs, and it’s a constant struggle to get the kids to take their laundry, toys, and personal items upstairs. Do you have any suggestions for making this process easier?
- I don't know what to do with the greeting cards I get from my husband and children. I feel guilty about throwing them out, but realistically, they have no home! Please help!
- My biggest struggle is with dishes. I wash them as I need them, like you said, you do clothes when they are all dirty. I am physically unable to stand or sit for the required hours it would take to complete them. Help!
- I need more walking space in my apartment. I started decluttering the dining room and behind my living room chair. But, the items I am keeping are on the dining table, because I can't get into the spare room where I'd look for them first. Should I have started with the room I knew I would look in first for those things?
- I have two questions. First, what do I do with "donations" when in my area, there is no place to donate to? I've searched countless times and asked many people. Second, how do you deal with people in your home shaming you for decluttering?
- Your "take it there now" method allows me to do something without making the situation worse. It only gets better if that's the only task that gets done. Thank you.
- How do you deal with toy clutter? My daughter is 3 years old, and the toys that deserve shelf space change every day. How do I (or we) choose what to keep?
Take Your House Back is on SALE! Go here to learn more.
Want to be a patron of the show? Find out how at Patreon.
More episodes
View all episodes

494: 52 Things I’ve Learned in 52 Years - Just Kidding, 5
31:27|It’s my 52nd birthday! I’m sharing 5 things that I’ve learned in my five decades! Mostly about decluttering, but also about life.
493: Going Beyond Survival Mode
47:53|In this conversation, my guest has a newborn and is feeling overwhelmed. We talk about where to focus and how to reframe success to make it possible to start.Dana's new children's book is coming Feb. 17th! Preorder now!
492: Creativity & Clutter
34:28|If you struggle with clutter, there’s a high likelihood that you are creative! Not all creative people struggle with clutter, but most people who struggle with clutter are creative. I’m talking about the relationship between clutter and creativity and how to go about decluttering when you see the possibilities in everything!Dana's new children's book is coming Feb. 17th! Preorder now!
491: What to Do Differently (or Not) in the New Year (or Anytime)
32:48|It's natural to think about changes you want to make in the new year. I've found that identifying small things I can do differently helps increase the chances that changes will last. The Container Concept YouTube VideoThe Myth of Consistency podcast episode Dana's new children's book is coming Feb. 17th! Preorder now!
490: 4 Reasons the No Mess Decluttering Process Works for Kids (and Anyone)
40:09|I hope you’ve been having a wonderful holiday season! If you’re determined to tackle decluttering with your kids (or with anyone), here are some of the reasons why using the No Mess Decluttering Process with others, even kids, is so effective. Use this process to make decluttering as simple, easy, and argument-free as possible!https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/winniehttps://youtu.be/_24PoIZSmVs?si=-INY-zPnAxjWrl3-

488: Gifts Plus Decluttering
31:03|I’m answering questions around the theme of dealing with gifts while you’re actively decluttering your home!Do you have any tips for dealing with gifts? After every holiday, I end up with a pile of items in the garage that were given with love, but I have no use for or room for.What do you do with very personalized gifts you don't want to keep? They're too nice to throw away but it feels weird to donate.How do I declutter items my son made as gifts for me that I no longer like. My son still lives with me, they are displayed in the living area and I don't want to hurt his feelings but would love to re-decorate this space.What do I do when “gifts” (receiving & giving) is the love language of everyone in my household?I *tried* to do an alternative to gifts this year. Joke's on me, hubby still bought everyone gifts, kids still bought everyone gifts, apparently Mom is a Grinch trying to steal Christmas.My mother in law knows how far we've come decluttering and simplifying and she knows I usually say no to most items she offers. What do I do with these highly sentimental gifts we never wanted?I’m having a hard time getting rid of gifted Christmas ornaments — even when I know they haven’t made it on the tree in the past few years.Take Your House Back is on SALE!
487: Decluttering (Not Organizing) the Calendar
49:20|Beth is a Mental Health Professional with a very busy schedule in a family of people who also have very busy schedules. We discuss how to apply the decluttering process to her calendar to free up more time for decluttering her house!
486: Function. Important Everywhere. Essential in the Kitchen.
40:23|Function is so important in the kitchen because it is a space that needs to be used every day! Decluttering with function in mind will take you far. I’m answering these questions about decluttering in the kitchen: I love to bake! I must have every size, shape, and type of cake pan and sheet pan ever made! But I "know" that the minute I donate them, I'll kick myself because someone will request something, and I'll either have to buy another pan or turn down the request. Thoughts?What kinds of things do you or people you have worked with keep in the upper corner kitchen cabinets? They are awkwardly sized, and the back area is hard to reach.Our most visible space is our kitchen. This is the main door we use and the door visitors use. It seems like such a big project. Any advice to help me focus on seeing progress on anything?What do you think about storing new kitchen items until I build my "forever" home? We currently have a temporary pantry sitting in the living room to house extra food, which is super ugly and weird. Do I keep my ugly pantry until I have eaten all this weird stuff?