Set aside as many boxes and garbage bags you think you'll need for this step. Be absolutely ruthless in your decisions and do not second-guess yourself. If an item is broken or otherwise useless to someone else, throw it away. Keep anything you need or love, and discard the rest. It really is that simple.
The 50% rule for clutter is a straightforward yet powerful principle: reduce the number of items in any given space by half.
Coined by pro organizer Kayleen Kelly, the “Core 4 Method” breaks the decluttering process into four simple steps: clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. In essence, it's designed to take the stress and overwhelm out of the organizing process.
What Is the 90/90 Rule? Here's the gist: When you come upon an object you're unsure about decluttering, ask yourself two questions: Did you use it in the past 90 days? If not, will you use it in the next 90 days? If your answer is “no” to both questions, away it goes.
The 333 method philosophy revolves around one simple rule: you choose 33 items to wear for 3 months. This includes clothing, accessories, outerwear and shoes, but excludes essentials like underwear, sleepwear or workout gear.
This by-the-numbers decluttering strategy is simple: Only take up 80% of any given space in your home with stuff, and leave the other 20% empty. Generally, that means getting rid of about 20% of the items in your house to ensure your home is comfortable and has a feeling of spaciousness.
Ltd., said that the one-touch rule involves handling an item only once. “Rather than picking something up and setting it down temporarily, you place it immediately in its designated spot. This habit minimises clutter, and helps maintain organisation, and prevents items from piling up,” he said.
Here are some of the common reasons people struggle: Our belongings are tied up in our identity. They give us a sense of security and we feel guilty about throwing things away. They provide comfort.
Make a list of what's most important to you (4-5 things) and declutter the rest. Say no to people with a phone call or email, and get out of existing commitments. Be very ruthless about saying no to new commitments -- and seeing requests as potential commitments. Guard your time.
Start small and simplify. Beginning the decluttering process by starting small and focusing on one area at a time can be a highly effective strategy to prevent overwhelm, maintain motivation, and achieve tangible progress in organizing your living space.
A: The 5-year rule for decluttering is simple: Look at your stuff and ask yourself, "Have I used this in the last five years?" If the answer is no, it's probably time to let it go — unless it's something with major sentimental value, of course.
1. Take the 12-12-12 challenge. The rules are simple: locate 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to be returned to their proper home. That's it.
Clear Off Flat Surfaces
Countertops, shelves and other flat surfaces are clutter magnets. If you need to keep a few things out on your counters, that's OK, but you should make it a goal to free all surfaces of most clutter. Make space in drawers, or add small boxes or bins to your shelves for paper items.
Research has shown that people are less irritable, less distracted, more productive, and better able to process information with an uncluttered and organized work area.
Compulsive decluttering is a term for obsessive decluttering and stems from the inability to handle mess. Compulsive decluttering is also known as obsessive-compulsive spartanism and involves decluttering to the point of living with almost nothing in the house.
The 333 method is essentially a bite-sized version of a capsule wardrobe. You choose three tops, three bottoms, and three shoes, and challenge yourself to create as many outfit combinations as possible with your selections.
“The entryway into one's home should be the first space you organize above all others, whether that is a foyer, long hallway, or just an entrance area,” according to Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane and author of “Decluttering for Dummies.”