Decluttering is about creating a space where you can truly breathe and feel at ease. When you clear out unnecessary stuff, you’re not just making physical space but freeing up mental space too. Less clutter can lead to less stress and a greater sense of calm, so it’s a win-win.
In our fast-paced lives, clutter can easily take over, making our homes feel chaotic and overwhelming. Fortunately, several practical decluttering rules and strategies can help us regain control and create a more peaceful environment.
Here’s a look at some of the different methods of decluttering. You may like all of them- or only one or two. You need to find what works best for you so once you do declutter you’re able to maintain.
How to Declutter Every Day
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a marathon. Adopting daily habits can make a significant impact over time:
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes each day to focus on a specific area or room.
- Apply the “One In, One Out” rule, where you donate or discard an old item whenever you bring in something new.
- Adopt the habit of resetting: Before going to bed, spend 5 minutes putting things back in their place to maintain order.
Daily decluttering helps you avoid overwhelm and builds consistency.
These other methods if used correctly will KEEP YOU FROM needing to declutter on a daily basis.
The 20/20/20 Rule for Decluttering
The 20/20/20 rule offers a straightforward approach to simplifying your life. It suggests that you let go of any item that:
- Costs less than $20 to replace, and
- Takes less than 20 minutes to obtain.
This rule is particularly useful when dealing with items you keep “just in case.” For example, that extra coffee mug gathering dust or the old charging cable may no longer be worth the space it occupies. The 20/20/20 rule helps you weigh an object’s value against the effort required to replace it, freeing up room for what truly matters.
The 12-12-12 Rule for Decluttering
This game-like strategy can make the process feel less like a chore. When decluttering- identify:
- 12 items to donate
- 12 items to throw away
- 12 items to return to their proper place
By sticking to these categories, you can tackle clutter methodically while adding a sense of accomplishment. It’s a family-friendly activity too, as kids can participate in finding and sorting items.
The 90-90 Rule for Decluttering
This one is popular for minimalists, the 90-90 rule is ideal for identifying what you truly need. It works as follows:
- Ask yourself if you’ve used an item in the past 90 days.
- Consider if you’re likely to use it in the next 90 days.
If the answer to both questions is no, it’s probably time to let it go. This method helps break the emotional attachment to items by focusing on practicality and utility.
What Should You Not do When Decluttering?
To declutter effectively, steer clear of these pitfalls:
- Overbuying organizational tools: Resist the urge to purchase bins and shelves before purging. You want to be sure you’ve gone through everything before returning them to storage containers.
- Decluttering someone else’s belongings: This one may seem like common sense- but it happens. (Speaking from experience) Definitely a problem- especially if the items are really sentimental to that person.
- Trying to do too much at once: Decluttering an entire house in one day can be exhausting and counterproductive. I’ve seen some homes over my life time where a team of 5 couldn’t declutter in one day… Break it into manageable tasks.
- Holding onto items for guilt: Gifts or expensive purchases that no longer serve you shouldn’t occupy your space. Release the guilt and let them go.
Decluttering doesn’t need to be overwhelming . Put a plan in place and then work that plan. Various methods include the 20/20/20 rule, 12/12/12 rule and the 90/90 Rule. Perhaps you use all 3 or 1 or 2 of these will work for you. Once you do declutter- you will feel so good and I’m positive you will feel a huge sense of relief!