My Two (and ONLY Two) Decluttering Questions to Declutter Quickly

I needed a way to work through my huge amounts of clutter quickly! I boiled my process down to two simple, instinct-based questions. If I can answer the first one, I don't even have to ask the second question! This lets me declutter fast without getting caught up in the emotions and the what-ifs.

Mentioned:

[novocaine]

I have put things together from you, Dawn, and Cass, and my life has changed. My house was a warzone. I had a mental break last year and couldn't clean. Everything was disgusting and I had piles of clutter everywhere. I mean everywhere. Piled on the couch, table, counters, extra beds, floors, it was embarrassing. I couldn't clean around the clutter. Now I actually want people to come in! You guys really saved me. I can not thank you enough.

[AB-zrpu]

Sometimes the space is more valuable than the stuff. My mantra while decluttering.

[annekent]

“Where would I look for this first?” That has been a life changer for me! Never lose something from putting it away in a “special” place again!

[carynwood]

Googly eyes are easy. In My grandson's homeschool art bucket that is in the China cabinet because we homeschool at the dinner table so I emptied the cabinet and use it for all the homeschool paraphernalia!

This Grammy doesn't need 6 china sets, she needs worksheet storage!

[MrsOhgi]

"Take it there RIGHT NOW" made me successful in decluttering! It also helped me donate items. If it wasn't worth putting away right NOW, it wasn't worth keeping and went in the donate box.

[MelindaPlainandSimple]

I have found that once I hit decluttering fatigue, that energy for putting things elsewhere has diminished too. Putting away piles of items in order to complete the project can feel overwhelming. If I don't deal with those piles right away, not only do I have the mess, but I risk forgetting where I had planned to put things, so even if the piles are still separated I have to think it all through again. I love this method of putting it there now. It has helped me so much. No mess left behind. It looks better than it did before. I don't have to go through the stuff twice. And there's always this certain familiar voice in my head asking me where I would look for it first and telling me to "take it there now." 😄It's almost like having a decluttering buddy.

[s.a]

You are so awesome for those of us with a cluttered ADHD brain! We need simple and to the point.

[olivemaycards]

The question “would I even know I had this thing?” is extremely useful to me, especially for those junk drawer items. Sometimes I even remember that I WAS looking for something like this recently, I didn’t find this one, but I made do without it, so then I know I can probably make do without it again.

[katherinelipari]

I used to use the method of piling stuff to take to other rooms instead of ‘take it there right now!’ This was before kids, constant interruptions and brain fatigue. The keep piles stuff is for young people with wayy too much time on their hands. Dana’s method is for people who CANNOT afford to make their house more crazy pants. I usually only have a few minutes to clean before a baby is crying. Those minutes must be used making the house better, not crazier! Love Dana’s method.

[goodtroublemaker]

I can identify with this so completely. I’m easily distracted and overwhelmed. Been listening to Dana for less than a week and my house is already looking better.

[maryrosespriggs]

For about 50 years, (I'm 68), I have been accumulating stuff. I have been decluttering for about 15 years. I call what I have been doing walk-around-cleaning. I have been putting things where I would look for them and what I have found is not only did I buy one more of the thing, but 2, 3, 4 and sometimes 5 more of the thing. That is the record, 5 needle nosed pliers, 2 drills, 3 complete drill bit sets, two 12 inch quilting hoops and many other examples. I LOVE Dana's questions! I am starting to pick up speed. Thank you for the inspiration. Also, my husband is nearby and hears when I listen to your videos and actually said he needed to declutter his desk.

[skybluepink]

The right now part is key ---- delayed decision making is the root of my clutter and potential messiness.

[granitemoss]

Just think- taking items where they go one by one, instead of all at once, helps bump up that 'step count' for the day!

[BabyAken]

Listening to her I feel like somebody actually truly understands me.

[jesseb]

I had my mother-in-law moving in, and needed to move around 2 bedrooms and eliminate a craft room. I am SO GRATEFUL for this system!!

[elizabethdowney]

I have to clean in 2 and 5 minute increments, because I have little distractions running around. Only these techniques have made it possible.

[cathyterratovah]

Your method also helps me develop a habit of putting an item away as soon as I am finished using the thing. It's a "just do it" mindset or mind reset!

[kwlancaster]

My favorite part of this video is when you say to trust yourself

[amypearsall]

First Question 1:38, 2:15, 3:27, 4:02
4:32-4:44 This is a new insight for me. One thing though: This way is a lot more walking around the house; instead of say, putting everything that goes upstairs in a basket at the bottom of the stairs.
recap 7:23
Second Question 7:49, 8:03
Donation regret 9:20, 9:30
Comes down to 11:05 and 11:29
Thank you for your insights.

[rachaelk]

My mind is blown. This makes SO much sense to me!