The REAL Secret of Tidy People

Thank you so much for watching today! Tidy or not, I'm grateful for you!!! ;) - Dawn

I was born messy, grew up messy, raised my kids in a messy home but, thanks to you and Dana and Cass, I am NOT going to die a messy person. I think that the nonjudgmental way that you (and other naturally slobby people) explain how to de-clutter has helped me so much to not feel like a failure at adulting. Once unburdened of guilt and shame, it’s easier to see tidiness as a state that I will eventually get to, rather than some impossible fantasy. Striving for progress over perfection has been key, so the tip I want to share is “stop comparing yourself to other people or to some invisible ideal, and spend 15 minutes (or 10 or 5 if that’s what you can muster right now) making progress towards better in the area you see the most in your home”. I find that visible progress builds motivation to keep going.

As a child, we had very little of everything; clothes, shoes, furniture...My mother was a contented lady who taught us to be happy with whatever we had.She was clean, neat and tidy and those traits were inherited by us.This video reminded me of my dear mother, for she was the first person I heard say that everything had its place.She also said that clealiness was next to Godliness. She would have been 122 years old this year, I am 65.With love from Trinidad.

Summary: A tidy, streamlined, home is a reflection of prioritizing PRESENT reality (peaceful surroundings) over FUTURE possibilities (imagined uses for excess & stored items).

I'm a natural organizer. I'm also hard wired for "just in case" inventory. So I spend my life re-organizing. I never realized how this had me running in circles; and I certainly never knew how to fix it. I recently looked through this year's Day Timer entries, and there it is repeated over and over: To Do - reorganize cupboards, reorganize drawers, reorganize closets. This video couldn't have been better timed. I'm getting off the reorganization treadmill and drastically reducing inventory. Thank you, Dawn, for the answer how to escape reorganization madness.

“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” - William Morris

I recently spent 6 weeks at my moms house in another state due to having broken bones in both hands. While there I got to see systems that she and my sister practice every day. I was careful not to disrespect them and leave my stuff laying around. When I got back home I started to say to myself, “you wouldn’t disrespect mom by not putting this away.” Why do you disrespect your home? It’s given me motivation 🤔

Sometimes what helps me get rid of stuff is this: if I were to move to a brand new house right now, would I take this item with me? People tend to get rid of a lot of stuff when they move because they like to start over. A friend of mine was so overwhelmed about what accumulated in her home when she was packing to move into a new home. Maybe sometimes it's worth to "pack and purge" even if we're not moving.

Hmmm, as a “naturally tidy person”, I would say that it is true that I don’t keep much inventory. But instead of “letting things go”, I just don’t get new things until I really need them. And “really need” means using it at least weekly. It also helps my savings :)

Dawn, I’ve been following you for about two years now and I am not a naturally tidy person but I need a tidy home for sanity’s sake. Just the other day, I was having someone stop by and went to do the mad dash of tidying and OMG. My house was fine. Less stuff = less mess. Thank you for your endless wisdom.

As a tidy person, who was raised in a tidy home - I can say, without a doubt, you nailed this. Being tidy is not perfection. Simply managing the inventory, and being realistic about what is truly needed. Thank you!

I have never considered my stuff as "inventory." This is a gigantic paradigm shift!! Thank you so much!

My mother was a naturally tidy person. As I reflect back something just occurred to me- she was a (relatively) tidy person inside as well. I was messy, disorganized and noisy. I was that way inside as well! My mom didn't make an occasion of cleaning- it simply happened as part of her day, so there was no drama. When I cleaned my room it was An Occasion! I announced it days ahead, I dreaded it, I was secretly terrified- I didn't know what to do. Now I'm uncertain what came first with her- inside tidy or outside tidy- what reflected what, but I find as I get older I crave tidiness. I crave peace. I liked this video, Dawn. Less inventory means more peace. Perfect😊

As long as we’re not taking cleanliness to an extreme and making it the most important thing. My mother kept a beautiful, clean, organized home. She made her children’s lives miserable doing it. Cleaning came before her children’s feelings and well-being. Remember to put Loved ones first in the quest for organization and tidiness. 🙏🏻❤️ Love your videos. 👍

Yes, yes! All of the yeses!! Thank you for articulating tidy people like myself. I feel like when people visit, I’m constantly hearing “wow, you can’t come to my house” or “is it always this clean?” and always feel bad or downplay it when it’s honestly just that I know I can’t keep lots of inventory and that everything has to have a home or it can’t stay. I also just decide to make my bed, empty the dishwasher or fold the laundry at that very moment instead of waiting because it keeps my mind calm and clear. I also feel like my “untidy” friends think that I’m always judging them when I visit and that can’t be further from the truth, it’s just that I personally can’t function or keep calm when my area is cluttered or unkept. Trust me, a part of me would love to be able to Netflix and chill with a sink full of dishes but my brain simply won’t let me.

"A peaceful home." "Not overwhelmed by my home." Life goals. Thank you! 💕

Amen, Sister! I was overwhelmed by having to address the extreme extent of possessions my Mother's had amassed over her lifetime. She grew up in a huge family with so little, she felt unable to let go of what she had worked so long and hard for as an adult. After she passed, it took me two years to donate the unneeded but still serviceable items, refurbish and gift the items that were needed by other family and friends who were in need, and ensure the items that could not be saved were disposed of appropriately. Seeing such a daunting task that took so long to address was stressful and effected my health. Loss of sleep over trying to respect my sweet mother's directives regarding her treasures, worry over family members fighting about who should REALLY get what... Auctions and yard sales, donation group pick ups, ordering dumpsters and scheduling repairs... The process made me crave a more minimal home, and I paired down to mostly the essentials for belongings, and found my health and my soul decompressing. My mother was such a blessing, and she inadvertently taught me one last life lesson on giving and letting go of THINGS, but holding on tightly to the sweet memories and loving experiences. They are the treasures she offered.

My house was always tidy, however, it stayed tidy because I kept everything in bins….bins stacked upon bins…..when I found you, I started going through those bins and eventually emptied over 35 bins! You have no idea how much you helped me….I’m forever grateful….

Naturally tidy person. Reducing the inventory has helped tremendously. Being able to clean up each room in 5 min is a great measuring tool. Greatest tips are put away immediately and everything having a place.

I’m not a naturally tidy person and grew up thinking that “ everything is useful”! Which made things worse! But I’m decluttering now and it feels amazing! 😃👏🏼👏🏼