Declutter by Any Other Name
A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Do you recognize that line from Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet? Well, the same can be said for decluttering methods. So many rules, challenges and styles have emerged; it’s hard to keep up with them all. And so it goes, decluttering is decluttering, no matter what it is called. A few popular methods are shared here, although there are lots more. Each declutter method has its merits, and the success of each certainly depends on what works for each person. While there are similarities and common themes, not every method will appeal to everyone. One or more may speak to you, and others may not at all. The beauty is that you get to decide what works best to get to a clutter-free home.
Probably the most popular method of decluttering is known as KonMari, introduced of course by Marie Kondo. The general premise is to review belongings by category. She has even offered an order to the review: clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous and sentimental items. The hallmarks of this method include physically holding the item and asking if it ‘sparks joy’. If it does, it’s a keeper; if not, thank it for its service to you and let it go.
The One In/One Out Rule is as simple as it sounds. For every item you bring into your home, one must go. To be more specific, it applies to items of a particular category. So, for example, if you purchase a pair of jeans, you let go of a pair of jeans. Of course, you can ratchet it up and let go of more than one thing to match the purchased item. If space is at a premium, this may be a good way to keep the quantity of belongings under control.
The Packing Party was created by The Minimalists. The premise is to pack all of your belongings as if you are moving, and because it’s called a party, invite friends over to help and order up some pizza. Once the party is over, you can begin to unpack items as you need them. This should translate into unpacking only those items that are the most important to you. They say it takes about three weeks to complete the unpack, and ostensibly most of your possessions will still be in boxes. At that point you can donate, sell or discard. Who doesn’t like a party?
The 20/20 Rule, also created by The Minimalists, is all about logistics. Quite simply, if you can replace an item for $20 or less and within 20 minutes, you can seriously consider letting it go. It’s also known as the Just In Case rule because of the ease of replacement. To be sure, not all belongings will fit into this neat little rule box. However, it is meant to get you thinking about a minimalist lifestyle, living with only those items deemed essential.
Speaking of numbers, another decluttering method is the 90/90 Rule. Ask yourself if you have used a particular item in the last 90 days or have a plan to do so in the next 90 days. If not, out it goes. There’s some flexibility here in that you can increase or decrease the number. Of course, it does not apply to all possessions like seasonal or sentimental items, but a clear yes or no provides the basis for keeping something or letting it go.
The 12-12-12 Challenge is one that the whole family can get in on. Everyone involved is charged with selecting 12 things to donate, 12 things to throw away and 12 things to return to their proper place within the home. You can set a timer and make it a contest to see who finishes first, or it can be a fun family activity with a reward for everyone at the end. This is a great way to tidy up and doesn’t need to take a lot of time to complete.
Box and Banish can also be considered the maybe pile. Place items that you aren’t sure about keeping in a box and place the box in a hidden, but accessible place. Decide how long the box should be hidden. You’ll have to use some common sense here as to how long is long enough to make a decision. The idea is that you should be ready to part with any items that weren’t retrieved within the designated time.
And to end things on an interesting note, the Poop method begs the question, if something was covered in poop, would you take the time to clean it in order to keep it? It certainly paints a vivid picture and has gained some traction among people with ADHD. The objective is that the image provides the impetus to make a quick decision. What would you do?