We’ve all seen different techniques for decluttering our homes and/or offices. But the truth is that there is no single best way to do it. For most of us, it comes down to what works best for your unique brain. Typically, some methods for decluttering will feel weird or completely undoable, but one of them might “click” with you and feel like common sense.
In the spirit of finding that magical “click” for your brain, here’s a collection of links to some of the most popular decluttering methods people use. Hope you find one that gives you and your family a good feeling and a peaceful home.
FLYLady system: The overall tone of this method is so compassionate and understanding. No self-shaming needed. The FLYlady teaches simple routines that help keep the house in order without feeling so overwhelmed by it. Her website says it’s about eliminating the “C.H.A.O.S” which stands for “Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome.” Click here to see info on how it works.
KonMari Method: You remember the whole “Does it spark joy?” phenomenon, right? Mari Kondo might be the way to go if you want or need very specific rules to follow for decluttering. She does it by category (clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous, sentimental), and it has to be in a specific order. Click here to learn more about this system.
Decluttering Burst: If you’re the kind of person who prefers to “rip off the Band-Aid” quickly to get it over with, then the Decluttering Burst might work for you. It makes decluttering more like a game. Try doing it once a month. Here’s the mission: Get rid of (either trash or donate) 100 things from your house in only 60 minutes. Make a list of different areas of the house where the 100 items can be taken from like the bathroom, junk drawer, kitchen, linen closet, laundry room, bonus or hobby room, bedroom, living room, clothes closet, kid’s room, garage, etc. Use trash bags for trash and boxes for donations. Ready, set, go! Click here for more details on this strategy.
30-Day Minimalism Game: This one uses a buddy system, so find a mom friend or a relative who wants to do this with you so you can check in on each other. The game is this: For each day of the month, you get rid of something. You only get rid of 1 thing on the first of the month, then two things on the second, three things on the 3rd, and you keep going until you get rid of 30 things on the 30th of that month. Because it builds on itself, you will have rid yourself of 496 things. Whoever keeps going the longest wins the game. If you and your buddy both complete it, you both win! Click here for the rules of the game.
Project 333: If your main clothes closet is a source of frustration, Project 333 might be the one for you. For those of us who like the idea of a “capsule wardrobe” but are too nervous to get rid of stuff before we know if we truly like this capsule idea, this is a no-risk way to try it. The rules are simple: Spend 3 months using only 33 items in your closet to get dressed daily. (Underwear, pajamas, in-home lounge wear, and workout clothes don’t have to be in your count of 33.) Your 33 items should include clothes, shoes, outerwear, and jewelry (but not the stuff you never take off like a wedding ring). Try it every 3 months for a year to figure out what you truly want (and wear) in your wardrobe for each season. Click here for more info about this method.
Swedish Death Cleaning: Okay, we know it sounds awful. But there’s something to it, no matter your age or stage of life. Swedish Death Cleaning is about looking at your house and imagining your relatives or closest friends having to go through it if you suddenly pass away. Many of us have already had to go through an entire house full of stuff when a parent dies. It can be an extremely stressful process, especially when you have to do it in the midst of intense grieving. So how would you want your house, closets, garage, and drawers to look when your favorite people have to go through it? The question forces us to look at decluttering and organizing as a gift you’re giving to the people you love most. Click here for more info on this approach.
Ski Slope Method: This strategy was developed by a psychologist who became an interior designer. If you want a more methodical approach that lets you focus on one small chunk at a time, this is a great one. You start with one room and one corner, tackling one small part of the room and then working your way across the room. The idea is that you are NOT cleaning the whole room at once. You’re just cleaning one small section of the room and then crossing over to another small section and cleaning that one. Keep going back and forth until the room is done. Click here for more detailed directions for how to do it.
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