My Personal Top Five Ways to Declutter in Small, Easy, Doable Chunks
Alright, party people. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, don’t worry—you’re not alone! One of the biggest misconceptions about decluttering is that it requires a massive time commitment and a huge burst of energy. However, the secret to decluttering is breaking it down into manageable, delightful little bite-sized tasks that fit into your daily life without causing stress or burnout. Let’s explore my favorite ways to declutter in small, easy, and doable chunks!
1. The 10-Minute Tidy: The Anti-Pile Routine
This is a way to avoid piles accumulating and creating clutter. Here’s how it works:
- Once a day: The only thing you do is rehome items that have strayed away from their defined home.
- Set the timer: Use your phone, an old-fashioned timer, or even a smart speaker to give yourself a set limit. This helps your brain chill out and stop trying to convince you that this small time investment will take forever.
- This is not a cleaning task: This is a rehoming task only!
Why this works: A 10-minute session is short enough not to feel like a burden, but it can still leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Using a timer and stopping at the 10-minute mark will train your brain that this is not a forever task.
Practical Tip:
Make this 10-minute tidying a daily habit and a way of life. Over time, these quick bursts can add up to significant decluttering progress, and they build the habit of tidying regularly.
2. The One-In, One-Out Rule: Control Incoming Clutter
One of the biggest challenges with clutter is that stuff keeps coming into your home—whether it’s new purchases, gifts, or items from your kid’s latest school project. That’s where the One-In, One-Out rule comes in. The idea is simple: for every new item that comes into your space, one old item must leave. This helps you maintain a balance, ensuring that clutter doesn’t pile up faster than you can manage it.
Here’s how to put it into practice:
- For clothing: If you buy a new pair of shoes, remove an old pair you no longer wear.
- For toys: When your child receives a new toy, donate or pass along an older toy they’ve outgrown.
- For kitchen gadgets: That shiny new blender? Consider letting go of that old coffee grinder you haven’t used in months.
Why this works: The One-In, One-Out rule prevents the accumulation of clutter by keeping the volume of your belongings in check. It’s an easy way to declutter as you go without having to commit to large-scale purges.
Practical Tip:
Keep a donation box(we fondly refer to this at Rock Star as a donation station) near your front door or in the garage for items that need to “go out.” Once the box is full, take it to your local donation center—no extra fuss.
3. The Drawer Declutter: Start Small for Big Results
Drawers can be sneaky spots where clutter accumulates and starts jamming up the drawer itself (I’m looking at you, potato masher). It’s easy to shove things in and forget about them, but they can also become mini-black holes of stuff. Focusing on one drawer at a time is a fantastic way to declutter in manageable chunks. Here’s how to tackle a single drawer effectively:
- Empty it: Pull everything out of the drawer and lay it on a clean surface. This will give you a clear view of everything that’s inside.
- Sort through the items: Group similar items together and decide what you want to keep, donate, or toss. Keep only the useful or meaningful items.
- Organize what’s left: Put back the items that belong in the drawer and make sure everything has a designated spot. Small boxes or dividers can help keep things neat and organized.
Why this works: Decluttering one drawer at a time feels much more achievable than tackling an entire room or space simultaneously. Opening an organized drawer that no longer hides unnecessary items is also highly satisfying.
Practical Tip:
For maximum satisfaction, choose the most cluttered drawer in your home first, and then move on to other drawers when you have time. You’ll be surprised how much lighter your space can feel after decluttering even a few drawers.
4. Use the 12-12-12 Challenge: A Fun Way to Stay Motivated
The 12-12-12 challenge is an excellent strategy for decluttering with a bit of fun (fun being a subjective term here) and structure. Here’s how it works: Each time you decide to declutter, find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place. This challenge not only helps you tackle clutter but it adds an element of excitement and structure that can help keep you motivated.
- 12 to throw away: Look for broken, expired, or no longer helpful items.
- 12 to donate: Identify items that are still in good condition but that you no longer need or love.
- 12 to return: Find items that belong in a different part of the house and put them back where they belong.
Why this works: The 12-12-12 challenge is a great way to set a clear goal and make quick progress. The combination of tossing, donating, and putting away creates a sense of accomplishment while making a noticeable difference in your home.
Practical Tip:
Make this challenge a family activity! Get everyone involved and turn it into a fun competition to find their 12 items the fastest.
5. The 4-Box Method: A Simple Way to Make Decisions
The 4-Box Method is perfect for when you lack confidence about what to keep and eliminate. Giving yourself clear categories makes it easier to make decisions and keep the process manageable. The four boxes are:
- Keep: For items you love, use regularly, or are necessary.
- Donate: For items in good condition that you no longer need but someone else could use.
- Trash/Recycle: For items that are broken, worn out, or can’t be repurposed.
- Move: For items that belong in a different area of the house.
Here’s how to use the 4-Box Method in chunks:
- Pick a small area: Focus on one shelf, drawer, or corner of a room at a time.
- Go through the items: As you pick up each item, decide which box it belongs.
- Take action immediately: Once you’ve finished sorting, take the trash/recycling out, put the donation items in your car, and move the “keep” items to their proper place.
Why this works: The 4-Box Method provides clear categories and helps you make quick decisions. Focusing on a tiny area at a time, you avoid becoming overwhelmed and make consistent progress.
Practical Tip:
Don’t worry about finishing an entire room in one go. Declutter one shelf, one drawer, or one small section of a room per day. You’ll notice a big difference over time if you keep going at your own pace.
Wrapping It Up: Progress, Not Perfection
Decluttering doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. You can tackle clutter without feeling overwhelmed by breaking the process down into manageable, bite-sized tasks. Whether setting a timer for a quick 10-minute tidy, practicing the One-In, One-Out rule, or using the 12-12-12 Challenge to stay motivated, the key is to start small and build momentum.
Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Celebrate each small victory—whether it’s decluttering one drawer or clearing off one shelf—and give yourself grace as you work through the process. Over time, these small, easy, and doable chunks will add up to a clutter-free, organized, and more peaceful home.
By using these five simple strategies, you’ll not only feel more in control of your space but also build a sustainable habit of keeping your home clutter-free. So, grab a timer, pick a drawer, and get started—your clutter-free life is just a few small steps away!