What is the 20 20 rule for hoarding?

Author: scraper  |  Last update: Saturday, September 12, 2026

The 20/20 rule is a popular decluttering guideline popularized by The Minimalists. It states that if you are holding onto an item "just in case" you might need it later, you can safely discard it if you can replace it for less than $ 𝟐𝟎 and in under 20 minutes.

What is the hardest thing to get rid of when decluttering?

#1 – Sentimental Items

  • Inherited items.
  • Gifted items.
  • Old paperwork.
  • Greetings cards / letters.
  • Anything the kids have grown out of.
  • Old school books.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for decluttering?

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.

What are 7 things minimalists throw out daily to prevent clutter?

7 Things Minimalists Always Throw Out Daily to Prevent Clutter Avalanches – Pros Agree, It Really Works

  • Packaging.
  • Expired Food.
  • Temporary Items.
  • Old Coupons and Cards.
  • Old Linen.
  • Old Beauty Products.
  • Mail.

What are the biggest decluttering mistakes?

8 common decluttering mistakes, according to professionals

  • Trying to do it all at once.
  • Holding on to things "just in case"
  • Not emptying the wardrobe first.
  • Keeping things past their expiry date.
  • Buying storage before you start.
  • Panic decluttering.
  • Indecisiveness.

The 5 Levels of Hoarding Disorder Explained!

What not to throw out when decluttering?

When decluttering, avoid throwing away official documents, irreplaceable sentimental items, or hazardous electronics. Always store, securely digitize, or responsibly recycle these categories instead of trashing them.

What kind of trauma causes clutter?

Loss: When Clutter Holds Memories

Loss is a universal human experience, but for those with complex trauma, it can feel catastrophic. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a home, or a sense of safety, these experiences can lead to hoarding as a coping mechanism.

What to remember when decluttering?

Simple Ways to Declutter Your Spaces​

  • Start by removing trash.​
  • Begin by choosing one small area to organize — like a drawer.​
  • Sort items into three piles: Keep, donate and toss.​
  • Find a specific home for everything you intend to keep — for example, a hook for your keys.​

What to throw away today?

Instantly reclaim space in your home by tossing expired health and beauty products, broken or obsolete electronics, and random accumulated household clutter. These items are easy to overlook but can be cleared out in minutes without any second-guessing.

What are the 5 types of clutter?

The 5 different kinds of clutter

As a professional decluttering, organizer and life coach I can tell you — Physical things, paper clutter, digital clutter, emotional clutter, and spiritual clutter boil down to one thing — too much clutter.

What does Jesus say about clutter?

Jesus said that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15. Spiritual life can be choked out by clutter, which is part of “the cares and riches of this life.” Luke 8:14. God is pleased when we give things away cheerfully.

How to declutter your entire house fast?

10 Tips to Declutter Your Entire House in One Month

  1. Make a Plan by Week. ...
  2. Set a Daily Time Limit. ...
  3. Use the “One-Touch” Rule. ...
  4. Keep a Donation Bin Handy. ...
  5. Start with Easy Wins. ...
  6. Ask the Season Question. ...
  7. Declutter Alongside Routine Resets. ...
  8. Save Sentimental Items for Last.

What is the one room declutter rule?

The “one-room rule” is exactly how it sounds: All you have to do is clean one room at a time. “This is the most efficient way to get your entire house done really fast,” says ex-professional cleaner turned cleaning inspector Cindell Kimbrough, who shared this method in a TikTok video.

How do you say goodbye to clutter?

Six Steps to Decluttering Your Life

  1. Pick a starting point that will have impact. Advertisement X. ...
  2. Start small, build momentum. ...
  3. If you don't use it, lose it. ...
  4. If you've outgrown it, don't own it. ...
  5. If it's something you've outgrown, find it a home. ...
  6. If you love it, keep it in sight, and if it's useful, give it airtime.

What is a messy house a symptom of?

A messy house is not inherently a sign of something negative; it can simply indicate a busy schedule, a laid-back personality, or a creative mind. However, if the clutter is new, persistent, or causing distress, it can be a sign of underlying mental health struggles, executive dysfunction, or feeling overwhelmed.

What is the 27 declutter hack?

What Is the “27 Fling Boogie?” The FlyLady, aka Marla Cilley, a North Carolina-based home organization expert who helps people create routines to keep their homes organized, invented this simple decluttering method. All you have to do is find 27 items to throw away, then 27 items to give away.

What is the general rule to get rid of clothes?

If it hasn't been worn in a year it's time to donate. If something new comes in, something old gets donated. For my growing toddler, anything he outgrown goes into boxes for a yearly yard sale. My own clothes I usually wear until they fall apart and then I don't feel bad about throwing them out.

What is the hardest thing to get rid of even when decluttering?

I find the small stuff the hardest to get rid of. I'm always trying to keep it all to make complete sets of things. For example, I don't want to throw away marker lids in case I come across the marker somewhere else in my house. Or since they're small I find it hard to reduce what I have.

What are 10 common household items?

What Should I Always Have On-Hand In My Apartment or House?

  • Dish Soap.
  • Dish Detergent / Pods.
  • Paper Towels.
  • Sponges.
  • Wipes.
  • Plastic Wrap.
  • Aluminum Foil.
  • Freezer Bags.

What is the best room to declutter first?

Start with a room that is small, specific, and doesn't hold emotional items, like a bathroom or a hallway closet. This builds instant momentum by letting you tackle easy "trash or keep" decisions without getting overwhelmed, setting a positive tone for the rest of your home.

How to be ruthless when decluttering?

HOW TO BE RUTHLESS WHEN DECLUTTERING CLOTHES

  1. Get clear on why you want to be ruthless. ...
  2. Understand why you haven't been ruthless up until now. ...
  3. Overcome the feeling of wastefulness. ...
  4. Know how to deal with sentimental clothes. ...
  5. Be aware of your fantasy self. ...
  6. Deal with the 'just in case' argument.

How do I start decluttering if I'm lazy?

Instead of focusing on the stuff, focus on the space. What do you want the purpose of a space to be? Determine those spatial constraints for each little nook of your home and then simply select the items that you want to go there. Don't worry about the rest!

What are the 5 warning signs that someone is chronically stressed?

Chronic stress occurs when the nervous system remains constantly on high alert, leaving the body exposed to prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol. If left unmanaged, this can disrupt almost all of the body's processes, leading to severe health risks like heart disease and depression.

What is the #1 worst habit for anxiety?

The #1 worst habit for anxiety is avoidance. While avoiding anxiety-inducing situations (like social events, phone calls, or public speaking) provides immediate short-term relief, it ultimately reinforces your fear, shrinks your comfort zone, and worsens anxiety in the long run.

What are the physical signs your body is releasing trauma?

When your body releases trauma, it means your nervous system is exiting a state of survival mode (hypervigilance) and returning to a state of safety. Physical signs include involuntary shaking, sudden emotional outbursts (crying or laughing), deep shifts in breathing patterns, temporary fatigue, and the unclenching of chronically tight muscles.

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