I want all of the holiday joy, but none of the clutter! (Q&A)

Comments · 310

• SA

  @saundraweed9738 · 1 year ago

  My new way of “Holliday “ decorating is magic. I take $20.00 to the thrift store and a theme in mind. Santa’s, snowmen, angels. ( a different one each year. ) Buy items, decorate, and re-donate immediately instead of storing till next year. Each year becomes a new adventure. ( yes I save a few very special items .)

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• MA

  @mariannemay4760 · 1 year ago

  Leave your purse at home, (or in the trunk) go to the store and look at all the wonderful Christmas items, listen to the Christmas music playing in the background. Treat it like a lovely walk vs. a shopping trip.

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• ER

  @erikastanger7848 · 1 year ago

  Some people think I'm weird because i want to throw away my yearbooks. I don't keep in touch with anyone, and those things have been moved 10 times without me ever opening them even once! I think it will be ok to toss them. I love my life now, and i don't need to revisit high achool.

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• EL

  @ElisabetTX · 1 year ago

  Dawn, one thing I love that you do is give permission to do things. I can’t tell you how powerful that has been for me.  Just to have someone say “yeah, you can get rid of it”   .. it’s been so freeing! Thank you!

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• CA

  @caitlynaizpiri7806 · 1 year ago (edited)

  I use my Christmas tree for sentimental items. I turn small meaningful items that make me happy into Christmas ornaments. See them once a year to put on the tree. Only keep ornaments that keep me happy. Let go of ones that don’t age into happy memories… and then they all go away through the year to keep out home manageable. We also use the one bin for each family member for sentimental items. Great tips from you Dawn!

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• CH

  @christineprettyman2527 · 1 year ago

  For childhood memories I kept just a couple items. However I have a Pinterest board where I save anything I come across that was a part of my childhood -- toys, clothing trends, my mom's kitchen towels -- I can pin anything and everything that makes me smile, and it takes up zero space. I have all the nostalgia and none of the clutter.

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• JA

  @jamiedemore5319 · 1 year ago

  My rule is that I have to know where it will go if I want to buy it.

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• DU

  @dubosesjoy · 1 year ago

  For the girl that wants happy sentimental items, I would ask, “what from your childhood made you happy?” If it was a special bear but you don’t have it anymore, go online and buy one that reminds you of that special bear. Get rid of the stuff that doesn’t bring you joy, but if you are left with nothing and that makes you sad, find something that represents your happy childhood. Permission to buy something to feel the void of a hard upbringing. <br><br>I sold my husbands ALF character he had from childhood, and when I could tell it bothered him, when we were shopping at an antique store and found another ALF, we bought it. It sits proudly in our kids playroom as a nod to his childhood. It is not the same dingy old ALF he had as a kid that I got rid of, it is a newer version that now has a story in our home and still brings back happy memories for my husband.

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• AM

  @amywallsrodriguez8299 · 1 year ago

  This will be my third Christmas with only one tote of decorations, and I love it! Makes the holidays so much simpler and easy

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• JA

  @janetk8800 · 1 year ago

  Dawn I have changed my entire house because of you. I got rid of things that I never thought I could and you are right...never regret any of it. You are such a sincere and un- pretentious person. I wish I had a friend like you near me! Thank you

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• GL

  @gloriareynolds4050 · 1 year ago

  I completely understand being scared of not having any sentimental items. I unfortunately didn&apos;t have happy memories connected to my childhood sentimental items and have only kept a small box of items from my adulthood. After decluttering so many toxic belongings from my home, I really could sense when something brought me down to even look at it or possess it. I appreciate so much now not compromising my home and heart because I thought I was &quot;supposed&quot; to have or keep something. Hugs to all here who are doing hard things!!

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• CO

  @cowsrulehere · 1 year ago

  Oh my goodness ehat you said about we are not meant to have to keep/store all these memories!!! That was incredibly freeing for me to get rid of a whole bunch of photos that I&apos;ve been trying to get organized. &nbsp;Hallajiuah Amen!!!😊 Thank you Dawn. You are a blessing always.

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