🩴🩴BEST WHAT IF EVER.. This week my dog chewed up one of my good flip flops for the second time. I stopped at my parents house after I got a new pair. (She’s 80) I had the chewed up ones with me. I went to throw them in her trash. She said, “Don’t throw the good one away.” I replied, “What am I gonna do with one shoe.” (WAIT FOR IT!!!) She answered, “ What if you have to get your leg cut off someday.” 😳😳 I LOVE HER!! 😂😂 We had a really good laugh. Then decided. If I did, odds were it would be the other foot. 🤣🤣🤣

I had to make the decision that my family was worthy of a functional home. "A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands"- Proverbs 14:1

It's so nice to be among other people who legitimately consider that they may need to save a bedframe to cook on at some point

Dana, I have a suggestion to offer for those who have an over abundance of pens/pencils and office supplies: donate them to your local schools or community college. It is surprising how many students come to school unprepared to do the work of learning. My community college was thrilled to have my partially used pens and pencils! Many teachers pay out of their own pockets to keep students supplied with these items, so I’m always glad to share where they will be happily used.

I can’t understand why you don’t have a million subscribers! Your content is so valuable, and gives me inspiration to continue the decluttering journey.

I have found keeping more books than I can comfortably have in my house a real problem for me. A strategy that I have used to declutter my books is to check with the library first. If the library has the book, I will donate my book and then borrow from the library for that book. When I did a whole bookcase, I made a list of all the books that I could borrow from the library and kept the list, not the books. Many thanks for another great video!

Once it's in it's home it's not clutter anymore. Super important point.

Pens and cool notebooks, the struggle is REAL.

I can’t stop laughing…the way I choose which questions to answer - they are the things I want to talk about. I love Dana White!!

It’s hard when you’re surrounded by those ideas of society collapsing and having to live with what we have. I think about the clothing I’m giving away and how I could use them to make clothes for my children when “*hit hits the fan*... or if the dollar collapses and we’ll have to go straight to bartering for things- what will I have left to barter?? I have to constantly remind myself that if / when that time comes we will just have to rely on God like the birds of the field .

Snort laughing!😂😂😂 10:44 STOOGE-GRILLING My neighbor is so funny She has such crazy thoughts They cause her to hang onto Just-in-cases that she bought Just-in-cases filled with dreams Just-in-cases full of stories My neighbor has a just-in-case To fill with morning glories (never gonna happen) But if one day ever happens And we need a just-in-case I'm pretty sure we'll find one At my funny neighbor's place Like that time we had to gather Had to cook our meals outdoors Stooge-grilling on a bed frame We laughed and ate s'mores Just-in-case you have a neighbor With a bed frame in her shed Make sure it's made of iron Or it's firewood...enough said

I am SO with you on the iron bed frame. And PENS! I taught English for decades & am a pen connoisseur. I think being in an office supply store surrounded by pens is heaven. I even was on a first name basis with a guy at a pen factory/warehouse & used to special order pens I could no longer find in the store. Have mercy! Love your videos. It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only lunatic. I mean that in the best way. :)

"You're brand of crazy will fit in great with my brand if crazy" I LOVE THIS!!

Is an over supply of pens a pendemic?

“All these what if scenarios aren’t serving me ....” Genius !! I am going to meditate on this one as I de clutter !

As a person that loves pens, and probably has more than what I could use up in a lifetime, I really enjoyed the stick scenario. 🤣🤣

In a world of "get it all done" I am so relieved that your method allows me to almost be allowed to make it "better" and not make it perfect or all done immediately rather I am able to make progress. I have binge watched all your videos over the past 4 days and bought your audio book(so that I can do these steps as I learn) and I am so thankful to have found something so real to grasp.

I laughed at the campfire around the bed frame scenario. I'm a bit like that. We had a fireplace in our kitchen in which the former residents actually cooked the bear meat the husband shot. For a few years, I imagined an emergency in which we might do the same thing -- although my husband does not hunt, we don't want to eat bear, and the fireplace had no screen to protect the flooring. We finally decided the space made a better home for a microwave and a built-in cabinet. Worst case? We pull it all out and save the world by setting traps and then cooking the aliens from space that have surrounded our town and were keeping food trucks from bringing supplies.

Note to Reid: When in doubt, keep the dog in!! 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️

I finally found a place in my area that will take donations. They are going on Friday. About 8 bags of clothes. I kept all of my children’s clothes, they are 6 now. Why did I keep all of their clothes? I wanted them to go to a good home. WTH. And mine and my husbands clothes and my moms clothes. I am so excited to give them. They are going to a consignment shop and all the money goes to the food pantry!!

Literally if I hadn't found your videos and website I'd still be in a swamp of stuff in my bedroom. Please know how grateful I am for you, your work, and your honesty about how you've made this process work for you. It's so much easier knowing I'm not the only one who's struggled with these questions.

I love that your home is "real," not the magazine ready houses on some KZfaq channels. Who else has a mannequin by their recliner? ☺ I feel like I've come to visit you rather than stepping into a showroom. Keep being real!

Instead of getting rid of a bunch of pens, I have three containers at specific spots: computer desk, craft table and bedroom. This way they are handy in the places I would need them the most. Progressing thru your videos, reading the books has got me calmer, more productive, sleeping better. I'm excited about getting up and doing quick basic stuff before I take on other challenges.

I can see worrying about "what if they stop making *my favorite* pen?" and keeping a stockpile, if that's really important to you. But the truth of our current world is that they'll probably come up with a better pen you like more before you get through that stockpile. The one time I bought an extra pair of jeans (because they kept changing the styles and I really liked that version) it turned out that styles changed before I wore out the first pair and I didn't like the backup pair any more.

For the lady who asked the first question, I think this may of it into a real life situation for you; I have a lot of paperwork in my bedroom, including file folders. Let's look at just the file folders. They should really be in the back bedroom, as that is where my desk is, and that's where i look for that kind of stuff. I'm a stationery addict. So, I take the folders to the back bedroom. Once i have finished sorting my bedroom, my attention will turn to the back bedroom. When I'm in there, i need to decide where my file folders will live.I have many of them, mostly empty, from my previous job. I have decided that my file folders can have half of a three foot shelf on a book case. Therefore, the folders i absolutely must keep are the two that have household bills and records in. I can then keep maybe three more that i really like, then my designated space will be full. If i only have one more that i really like, I'll keep that one. All of the extras will go into the boot of the car for my next trip to the charity shop, which will be either this weekend or next. I can't keep any more than those ones I've selected, because I do not have the space on that book case, and i am not willing to find a bigger space, nor do i actually NEED, any more file folders. I typed this out for two reasons; a) I hope it helps you and b) to make sure that i really understood the principle myself. Good luck!! Xx

Iron bed story hilarious but honestly our brain goes there alot more than we like to admit. I am the same way😊

To the puzzle question..you could also change the container to allow u to keep more (i did this with board games). Pour the pieces into a zip lock bag, and tape the picture of the puzzle to the front, or place it inside the bag. Then keep all the bags in a bin of some sort. It takes up far less space than a ton of boxes. 🙂

I laughed through this. I could see myself in your chair, wondering how many people I could feed on my iron bed in the guest room. This just helped me relax tonight. When the day is long and hard...I remember it is a "first world problem"...I am so blessed....because as a female I don't live in Iran, I can drive my own car and read. Also when you come out on the other side of a trauma or hardship...it is the people who helped you through it that matter, not the things. I love the way you rationalize stuff and explain it so that it is out in the open. I am going to use some of these things with my Mom. She is 78 soon and told me that the clutter is keeping her up at night. She needs a starting point. I told her it is coming...I am letting her get her mind right....I will show up with boxes and start with one drawer. We have to do it while she can go through it with me. Laugh about the memories and then donate the shirt. I have told her it might just be one drawer first, then another. I showed her how I had emptied my furniture and she smiled but just looked overwhelmed. Thank you for taking the time to teach.

It’s so true. Once you choose to live a less cluttered life, it’s hard to go back to having clutter. I will never be a minimalist and I still have a lot of things that I love, but my home has never been easier to clean and even easier to maintain tidy since decluttering. Love your chats 💕

Our family has a funny saying for things that are ridiculous to keep but that we think we might need someday~ I could make a bird house out of that. That reminds us how we can't keep everything even if it might be useful someday.

You are a very talented teacher Dana. Your method has truly enabled me to decluttering drastically over the past three weeks (three trips to donation center and double trash each week). The no mess decluttering system really has made it feel easy because it always looks better no matter how much or little time I had to put in. No piles to deal with and no more plastic bin reshuffle. Thank you! I will be buying the books!

Oh my gosh, your dog is adorable! I love when he shows up in videos. 🐶

Oh Dana, your bed frame story literally made me LOL. I wish I was your next door neighbor! We'd be BFFs for sure! Thank you for your books, videos, etc.

Currently, I am struggling with letting go of my “what if” containers. I have decluttered to a point that I have empty containers piling up. They had been so functional for so long. They are still useful. Some of them are decorative, so they would be pricey to replace. BUT, they are just clutter when they are piled up in the corners of my closet and my bedroom. It’s tough. I am working through how much I may value the empty space more than empty containers.

Thank you so much for addressing the end of the world scenario head space! This is the reason why I have held on to many things too. But in this process there definitely came a point where I realised the tidier house now was more important than what/if scenarios and keeping things that I never ever used (in my case it was dozens of glass preserving bottles, among other things. To the day I never preserved a thing with bottling)

Definitely agree with the "what if" scenario. I feel those thoughts were made worse my the last year when my hoard of soaps/medicine/etc. felt justified.

Omg, I love how your brain works and your “ramblings” - you speak my language! Kisses sent to your beautiful dog!

Brilliant! When I was a student nurse, my friends and I used to love conferences. An older student gave us some advice...if it's not nailed down, bring it home! So we had at least 6 tote bags each with 'free goodies'. And that meant LOTS of free pens. Reps are not allowed to bring freebies in the UK anymore, so they were more than happy to hand them out. So my pen box - yep, I had a box of them, was seriously stressful to declutter. So I had to come back to it. So many gorgeous colours...until I saw the branding on said pens...haemorrhoids, heart disease. Suddenly I was OK decluttering. Pen anxiety...its a thing 🤣

Thank you so much for answering my book/puzzle question! ❤️ And I love the “what if they stop making it” question because I worry about that regarding printed books. I hope your upcoming book will be offered in print! 🤞

I finished your book! It is so great. It is different than other books and from what I expected. Your book is helpful by presenting the plan and then how to implement that plan in the the different rooms (like the book ECONOMICS IN ONE LESSON). You teach the principle, then you stay with us to guide us through different scenarios, then we are off to apply it for ourselves in reality. Thank you for being so thoughtful to include how to help others and how to handle the parts of the clutter that are related to our dreams.

I have a border collie that acts same way your German shepherd did in your video….”if you’re talking you must be talking to me” lol Great video and I do get it, because we are a lot a like. Thank you for encouraging me to keep doing better!

I love your thought process I would always start by taking everything out then fizzle out or get to the end of the day with a huge mess and no better off because now my clutter had migrated, I too find value in everything, I think it has to do with a creative mind paralyzed by being overwhelmed. I have so many craft ideas I buy the stuff to do them then I freeze because I feel guilty working on crafts when my house is in utter shambles. So instead I run away and my creative mind starts working again causing a vicious cycle. Sigh...

Have you ever seen Raising Hope, they bbq on a shopping cart. When thinking about extreme “what if’s”, I always ask myself (jokingly) “would I even want to live through that?” And if the “what if” it is anything similar to camping then it’s a definite no.

I am so glad that you brought up the pen question. I often have thoughts like that. You make me feel a little less crazy.

Growing up I was surrounded by frugal relatives who lived through the depression! They saved everything! One day, it hit me that things got old and ruined which could have benefited others all in the name of we might need that someday!

I cannot decide which of your ideas is MORE brilliant…the idea of using a container as an actual LIMIT or the mental question “where would I look for this?” Both of these have rocked my world.

Absolutely LOVE your stuff- I’m successfully decluttering for the first time in years!! But I have found that the advice to start where it’s visible hasn’t worked for me. All the drawers and cabinets were long ago filled and have petrified! All the places things belong were long ago crammed and stuck full. I found that some of the easiest decluttering is when you haven’t seen or used something in ten years!! As I open up storage space, I’m finding things that I want to belong there. Easier to put things where they belong when there is room there!! Just an exception to the rule, using your guidance to declutter something everyday!!

I have about 25 huge cans of survival food - from the Y2K scare! My "what if" mind goes to what if we need that survival food. But seriously. Can 21 year old canned food still be good? I really need that shelf space....

Hahaha!!! I am laughing so hard!! Even in the apocalypse you want to be the Pinterest of preppers!! Me too!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I have a difficult time knowing difference between cozy and clutter. I tried clearing kitchen counter and couldn’t stand it. I have been able to have empty drawers and learning to like that. Old mindset is fill every drawer. My home is so much better since decluttering for more than a year. I ask myself how much inventory do I want to manage/ thanks to Dawn. I also tell myself Martha Stewart is not coming over.😄

*visions of Dana rationing TP to her family* 😂🤣😂

I like that concept of enjoying burning a stick and using it as a pen in an end of the world scenario. I think we need to focus on cultivating our creativity over accumulating more stuff for what if scenarios like you said.

Reid...I thought you'd catch this one... "put the the frame in the picture" I get the point, but it made me smile because I can relate... another fun video, ty

You are great at inspiring people!! Thanks for all you do!!!

I just cannot thank you enough for your work in this area. I can relate to you so well, wheras before finding you, I felt like I was all alone in this and there was no one else like me. For future Q and A: Can you discuss folks like me who are creative and energetic and get excited making something and doing a project and then don't clean up the mess afterwards.

The pens/bed frame thing...that's me.

My brain goes there too! I have to either start using whatever it is, or trust that’ll survive without it. And if I really want to survive well then I should probably just get rid of a majority of my modern things and use the survival stuff for real. Lol. But if you’re really concerned about running out of pens, maybe exchange all cheap pens in the house for a couple good quality fountain pens, then you can get rid of them and have a good survival option. Fountain pens are the bomb, btw. :)

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they talk to their dog. ❤️ Funny Mom, funny Son 😊

I have to say, you have one of the best sound systems of any You Tuber I watch. Anytime your dogs make a noise while I am watching, I'm immediately looking at my dog to check on him! I don't mind at all, I just find it funny!

Once we gave up our 'save things for the end of the world' thinking, it helped both in decluttering and having a more relaxed mindset! Much easier to get rid of stuff.

Love the pen question! I've been there.. With pencils too! And paper. I think way more people think about that than would admit it. 😄

OK Dana, I may sound like a stalker because I just want to have coffee with you. 😊 Leave the dog in the videos he's a charmer! And - I just did a trash run through the house. Thx!

Good choice on that thumbnail, editor; that way we all knew what was coming and enjoyed the dog’s cameos! And, Dana, I so appreciate that my brand of crazy (which doesn’t seem nearly as eccentric around you as all my family seems to think it is) is welcome here!

I Flat out laughed at "my 3 stooges kitchen"

So funny, your German Shephard was winning & I thought it was MY German Shephard wanting outside when in reality he was laying down being so quiet. LOL!!! Love you videos! My thing I keep besides pens is fabric & thread! 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️😂💞

I so relate! Never had the iron bed frame, but I have plenty of things that were a great deal and would be handy in an emergency. Thank you for your wisdom and for being vulnerable I sharing you journey. 🌻🌻🌻

I totally relate to the pen thing. Not in a world ending way but in a profitable to sell way. I often felt that I was perhaps one of only a few that bought the thing. And if I didn't buy lots then the business would stop. What I have discovered is that often I can find a way around not having the thing. And that indeed businesses have stopped and I am am okay.

Your dog made me relax. Please keep doggo shots! 😊

Good choice keeping the dog in the thumbnail🐕 kinda works for the video cuz he must be a favorite u keep🤣😘💕

My "what ifs" are usually about my kids or grandkids being so excited that I kept something special for them to use. I used to carry a huge purse so I would be always be prepared for anything. I can't let my head get wrapped up in worse case scenarios of things I have no influence on. I trust God to take care of those things. I need to trust Him to take care of relationships and special times with my family, not stuff that I have to manage instead of making quality time for them.

I bought a huge bag after buying a set of horns in Fort Worth - flew them back to Ontario, Canada and then never hung them on the wall - finally junked them 5 years later - I understand the iron bed thing obviously lol

You had me laughing so hard with tears in my eyes on the bed frame story...thank goodness my brain doesn't go that far...but i do the "what if's" a lot🤣🤣🤣

I didn't realize it had to be the end of the world to write with burnt sticks I do that while camping

I do worry about the cost of things moving forward…I can let go of the extra snow boots but worry about how expensive they will be (and lower quality) when I need a pair next time. I donate it anyway and try to have faith and be less fearful of the what if’s. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I ended up telling myself that if civilization collapses to the point that we don't have electricity, etc, that my problems are going to be way bigger than whether or not I have a pen. Actually my thing is saving magazines for the end times so I always have something to read if we no longer have working computers and tvs. Crazy.

Yep, you get me and the thought processes I’m dealing with when it comes to my family. 😬 Plus, the idea of seeing the value and starting SOMEWHERE is worthwhile progress! And that makes it worth it!

The ending credits are SO CUTE! And the GSD crying is so familiar! I have a male GSD granddog and he cries ALLLL the time!!

Pup is always welcome. I was drawn to the headless grey object behind you. Let’s hope real hard there are no regrets over a make shift bed frame stove top 😎

OMG, gurl, you’re too cute, funny & brilliant! You taught yourself & now you’re teaching US! Thank you, Dana! Thank you, Reid! 💕💕😇😇

Dana, I love how much you are helping so many people. I agree with the other person who said you should have a million subscribers. Seriously, how much you’ve helped me …. You should have a gazillion subscribers. Love your dog too! I love shepherds 🤗. As always, thanks for sharing ❤️

I am one that actually ran out of toilet paper. I didn't run to the store the way everyone else did to stock up. We used some of our in-laws. But on a weekend where we were home and not going to our in-laws, we did run out. I cut up all my old tshirts and now have washable TP!! YEP I went there! It's much more cozy on the bum!! We only use TP now for #2. And I have to buy little tp and now don't need to worry about the shortage

Started the journey this week . Just listened to both your books !! I'm feeling more motivated then ever. Feels so relatable. I can do this !! Can't wait to enjoy my home again ❤

I have those same "iron bedframe" thoughts but you're right, a decluttered house is sooooo much better. Thank you for sharing!!!

this one is my favorite. down to the dog. 2:21: I howled! so relatable 😆 15:30...iron bed frame-three stooges kitchen. perfection!

I laughed at your bed comment, I laughed in relief knowing I’m not the only one with those what if scenarios running through my head. Especially with the extra crazy right now😂

Totally relate to not having needed items in an "emergency". Like no zipper to make that purse and no money to buy one. (Lots of "no money" scenarios over the years. ) But at the moment I still have not solved the problems of "where does it go? And where would I look for it? I live in a 29 foot motorhome, and besides some basic cooking tools, basics for building meals. Clothing is the next hurtle since I travel, needing to cover all seasons, but also need to avoid moving the rig (gas!) more than every couple of weeks, enough to carry me through. The dream was to go to interesting places, park for awhile to sew (at least two machines, favorite clothing and crafting patterns,, etc) and make jewelry. (Includes butane torches hammers, pliers. I understand the container concept, but removing things that don't fit my container (RV) versus the difficulty of replacing items I need for a project. (I then I would end up with a bunch of unfinished items, unable to be sold or gifted. Deciding how to designate which spaces for what. (Kitchen area is fairly easy, bathroom, too.)

I am crying about how your neighbours would appreciate you feeding them during the apocalypse by cooking over your bed frame. 😅😂 I, too, have come up with convoluted reasons to keep things.

I am SO grateful for You ... You have NO idea so that is why I'm writing it 😋 ... Also ... Cinder is GORGEOUS 😍🥰 Bought your books 1.5 years ago ... FINALLY in the final step of take it there now and would you know you had one .... aka containers or BUST ... aka the really hard stuff .....wrestling with the crazy making thinking ... The overwhelm is painful in moments and I wouldn't have known how to embrace it and do what needed to be done without your encouragement and perspective ! God bless you Dana, and from the bottom of my heart, Thank YOU so much.

Yayyy Dana 👋 I’ve never been this early for one of your videos. Absolutely love all that you do- I’ve read your books at least twice. Take it there now 🙌💖💕⭐️💫 it really really helps everything you say makes so much sense and I’ve found your method has made a lasting impact on our home (& life in general) because you are going through this whole process and it builds momentum xx you are amazing Xx

Your books helped me understand how good habits lead to getting a house under control. Thanks for doing what you do. Also, your dog is awesome. Love the videos!

I so enjoy your sense of humor, and get where your brain is going. I still struggle with the take it there now process.

I love your little helper. 🐕‍🦺. Thank you for this video. I am a what if person too. My husband used old drive lines to make are chicken Coop. 😁 I am becoming a realest and giving things to others and letting go of more idem.

Hey Dana, I started watching you and tried to order your book Decluttering at the speed of life well USPS lost it. But I have started decluttering after watching a few videos. Because I'm starting out doing this I'm having trouble with not making a mess. I do use your questions but still I do get overwhelmed. I'm going to keep watching and continue to work at it.

Cure some post apocalyptic what-ifs by reading a post apocalyptic book instead of actually keeping the stuff. I like Dies The Fire! Unless it spurs you to save stuff bc the stuff from the book might happen

Dana K is my favorite declutterer, because she doesn’t own a renovated expensive kitchen with a plethora of cabinets, and containers from the Container Store. A state I will not reach, yet I still can be organized and minimized. It’s now 3 years and I plan to be finished in 2024🎉.

When I worked Rep.’s used to give us dozens of pens-- that’s 6-7 years ago I now find lovely containers on unusual parts of my house FULL of pens 🙄🤫💐

Thaaaaank you for your advice to do as much as I can and leave other people’s stuff (ask them later to help me, when I’ve don already my part). I’ve been feeling frustrated trying to put order in my grandparents house, where stuff belongs to different family members… it’s difficult… but I can definitely do a pre-declutter (and the space will be much better than before!!), before I address them guys and their stuff 😎🙃

I live in Texas, too. Your bed-frame-cum-neighborhood-cooker story reminded me of our freeze crisis this past February!

I look forward to the credits everytime! 🤣 Thanks for the great videos Dana (and Reed!)

Put up all my laundry today thanks to you! I feel awesome 🙌🏻