Addressing Negative Comments (I don't usually do this!)

I don't generally like to draw attention to negative comments, but I think I felt misunderstood when it cam to a recent video I did on home organization. Was it plastic junk and unnecessary, or the icing on top of all of my hardworking decluttering!?!

MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

IN THIS PODCAST:

0:00 Are these organizing products wasteful?
2:30 My most controversial video
2:32 Addressing the negative comments and feeling misunderstood
5:05 If it’s not a definite yes, it’s a no.
6:50 Spice cabinet debacle
9:42 I felt like such a loser at keeping home and organizing.
10:50 Solutions vs. upgrades
11:43 Look at the data.
14:00 Shoe rack pushback
14:38 3 parts to keep a home maintained
15:38 Plastic, inventory, and gadget girl
17:25 We get to decide.
18:35 Feeling discontent? Do this first.
22:10 It’s about function, not just looks.
25:00 Give your mom some grace! (Lessons learned from my mom)

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Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast channel. If you'd like to hear previous episodes, you can find them on all podcasting apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iTunes.

Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind subscribing? It helps YouTube recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

ABOUT THE MINIMAL MOM:

Hi, I'm Dawn, if we haven't met before, I'm married to Tom and we have four kids ages 8-13. We live outside of the Twin Cities in MN and have called ourselves minimalists for 8 years now. We got rid of 85% of our stuff and don't miss ANY OF IT!

If you'd like to see more instructional videos about minimalism and decluttering, be sure to check out my other channel @theminimalmom

[OceansideAuthor]

I never leave comments but, y’all, this is crazy. Insulting Dawn is like insulting Bambi… she’s adorable, kind, and makes life feel like springtime. ♥️ I’ve been a minimalist for many years and decluttering, organizing, and beautifying (as I like to call it) are all equal parts of the journey. It’s wild we care so much what someone providing us free amazing content does with their spices in their home 😂… and btw, mine are decanted as well and no regrets. And yes, high quality bins stand the test of time so well and the price per use over time (especially with not having to rebuy when the cheap ones break) actually saves money in the long run. We love you Dawn more than you’ll ever know!!! ♥️ You are the sweetest, most humble, awesome, feels-like-a-real-friend person on YouTube & I stand by that forever!

[megancobb]

As someone who is in Take Your House Back and the Minimal Mom Membership Group, I had to stop this video halfway through to do some people think they are? The authority on plastics? The authority on organization? Absolutely not! AND, if these negative commenter's were the authority, what business is it of their's anyway? It's none of anyone's business what you choose to have in your home. It is MY responsibility as a viewer to take all the positives I can from your videos and if I don't like something, then I don't need to make a comment. When will people learn to just shut their mouths if they have nothing constructive to add?

[itsHeatherKay]

If you buy a plastic container, but find it useful for the rest of your life, that’s NOT wasteful and bad for the environment.

[sgallant]

I took a lot of criticism over alphabetizing my spice rack - years ago.
"What a waste of time!" was the most common remark ... but it cut my search time dramatically.
DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

[gptable]

"We get to decide what makes our heart happy." This resonates with me. At the end of the day, this is your space, your stage in life, and your taste. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[juliewright]

As I was watching that video, I was thinking back to when you were organizing with the dollar tree, bins, and boxes and thought, “How cool, she’s gotten her house down to exactly what she needs and now she can get the bins that are a little higher quality and that are prettier!” Seems like most of those comments probably came from people who haven’t been watching your channel very long. I’m sorry you’re even having to make this video. We appreciate what you do SOOO much!! 🌸

[audrianafreberg]

I always find it interesting that so many people feel that if something is "excessive" or "unnecessary", or a "waste of time" to them, then that makes it unnecessary or a waste of time for EVERYone. That is such a narcissistic way to look at things! Everyone has different priorities and tastes, and needs, not to mention we all function differently and respond to clutter or aesthetics very differently. I think your spice cabinet looks amazing! Mine makes me happy as well!

[JillSwords]

There will always be those who are snarky. You handle those with such grace. This is why I love you!

[BayRaeDay]

The people who have an issue with this, aren’t done decluttering. It’s so worth the investment once you’re done decluttering. And it’s paid for itself by not buying the usual junk I bought before so no it’s not wasting money. You’re fine, Dawn! I’ll watch any video you put out. I’m so thankful for you!

[PattiMikulan]

I just want you to know you’ve changed my life. I’m a 65 yr old woman who wishes I had known the benefits of decluttering years ago. I’m sharing your channel with everyone who will listen.
Love you and your sister- y’all are my favorite. Such a blessing.

[StephanieEkstrom-kyer]

Dawn, another thing I would mention is that you’re a ladybug. Cas from Clutterbug always talks about the power of pretty, especially for ladybugs. I’m a ladybug too. It really helps motivate us to keep our home tidy when it looks pretty. 😂

[amandadavis]

My Mom would tell me when I was younger, people are mean because they are jealous of you...I think the same for all these snarky comments. You are fabulous, Dawn!!! You have helped so many people ❤

[lindseystewart]

I agree with you Dawn. I don't buy a ton of organizers, but when I get a space decluttered, I will carefully buy an organizer that fits the space well. Organizers can help, but some influencers go overboard buying too many of them. I appreciate your recommendations because I know your not just trying to sell a product.

[maggiebates]

I see it as things that bring disproportionate happiness. When you hate to cook and opening the cabinet for spices brings you joy because of how it looks then that is a huge win!! You aren’t pushing products every video and anyone who has been following for a while knows your heart!!

[Ashley-jrnm]

I love you so much Dawn! You have helped me in so many ways. I live in a 1, 000 square foot home and lived alone for a long time. My sister in law passed away 10 days after my nephew was born, and I’ve had him since. He is almost 7, and I have spent the better part of 6 years feeling so bad about my home and honestly depressed. I was constantly saying how I had no storage for anything and all the things. Therefore, I never did anything to my home. I hated almost everything about it. I found your channel in December of 2023, and you changed my life forever! I’m not sure choosing to declutter right before Christmas was a good idea, but I did it. It’s still a work in progress, but I actually love my home now! Yes, it’s still small and nothing has changed there, but after getting rid of all the things we just did not need or use, it’s been amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[GinaMF]

The longer I live on this planet, the more I appreciate beauty. A sunset, flowers, colorful birds, or how a neighbor beautifies their yard. Included is the beauty of a home. It feels good to be surrounded by beauty. I appreciate you sharing all that you do, including organizational items that are esthetically pleasing as well. I am a member of your audience who does enjoy learning and seeing options for de-cluttering, organizing, and BEAUTIFYING an area. Thank you!

[michellekey]

It's Dawn's house. Geesh. Get a grip ppl!

[rebekahphillips]

I just realized: Our moms didn't KNOW how important decluttering was when we were kids. They didn't KNOW that the world would make it so easy to accumulate junk! Thank you for talking about that. I have a great mom as well, but at times I have asked myself WHY my mom didn't my mom teach me this?? Honestly, they were too busy surviving. AND they didn't know it would be such a problem. ❤ love you friend Dawn ❤️

[ashleysmith]

Dawn, you are so forgiving, kind, humble, and understanding in the way you addressed the criticism, and even meanness. Wow. No one could dispute your genuineness when you say, “I love you” at the end of your videos to your viewers. You have been such a ray of light and encouragement to me for almost two years now and you have helped me regain so much peace and sanity in our full and busy home with 6 children. Thank you ❤

[christinefunk]

Dawn, you are so gracious and well spoken. I love that you didn't treat their comments as snarky. Maybe they were, and maybe they weren't meant to be at all - it's hard to tell online, but either way you treated them with dignity and that shows your stong and loving character. Love you and keep up the great work!! You've helped so many, many people! ☺️