“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” —Dale Carnegie
The idea of living a simplified, uncluttered life with less stuff sounds attractive to many. They have considered the benefits of owning fewer possessions: less to clean, less debt, less to organize, less stress, more money and energy for their greatest passions. They are ready to declutter but some get quickly tripped up by the very next question… where in the world do I begin?
Many begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated around the idea of decluttering their homes. That’s too bad. The decluttering journey doesn’t need to be as painful as some make it out to be. In fact, there are a variety of people who have come up with some pretty fun, creative ways to get started.
Consider this list of 10 creative ways to declutter your home:
1. Give yourself 5 solid minutes. Leo Babauta at Zen Habits recommends 18 different 5-minute decluttering tips. Pick one today that sounds appealing. Or better yet, pick a random number 1-18, read the specific tip, and commit 5 minutes to completing it.
2. Give away one item each day. Colleen Madsen at 365 Less Things gives away one item each day. Over the past several years, she has experienced quite a transformation simply reducing her stuff one day at a time.
3. Fill one trash bag. Early in our journey towards simplicity, one of my favorite decluttering techniques was to grab a simple large trash bag and see how quickly I could fill it. While much of what I collected was trash, this could also be used to fill a bag for Goodwill.
4. Try the Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment. While this idea didn’t originate with Oprah, she was the one to help give it notoriety. To identify wardrobe pieces to clear out, hang all your clothes with the hangers in the reverse direction. After you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct direction. After six months, you’ll have a clear picture of which clothes you can easily discard. This experiment could also be applied to a number of clutter areas in your home (cleaners, toys, linens, tools, hobbies and craft items).
5. Make a list. Dana Byers recommends creating a list of places/areas in your home to declutter beginning with the easiest… which doesn’t sound all that creative until she adds this note, “When you’re done with one area, STOP.” This list could be made as easy or difficult as you desire based upon what areas of your home make up the list (drawers/closets/rooms). And could easily fit into any schedule.
6. Take the 12-12-12 Challenge. A simple task of locating 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper home can be a really fun and exciting way to quickly organize 36 things in your house. On more than one occasion, this challenge actually became a quick competition between my wife and me… and your kids don’t have to be too old to participate as well.
7. Change your perspective. Unclutterer offers a powerful approach to decluttering when they offer a number of strategies to help you change your perspective and begin to notice some clutter you may have missed. Among their ideas: take photos of your house, invite over a toddler, or ask the boss to meet in your office. With all of the examples, the hope is to cause you to see your home in a new light.
8. Experiment with numbers. For example, Courtney Carver invented Project 333 to challenge people to wear only 33 articles of clothing for 3 months. If 33 articles of clothing seems too little, adjust the rules as you need by picking a new number. The important thing is to challenge yourself to live with less and see what you learn from the experiment.
9. Use your imagination. Psychology Today recommends using your imagination to help declutter objects that may seem difficult to remove. Try asking yourself unique questions like, “If I was just buying this now, how much would I pay?” These creative techniques may prove to be very helpful for some with difficulties removing unneeded clutter.
10. The Four-Box Method. As we first set out on our journey to minimalism, this was the technique most often used in our home. As I set out to declutter an area, I brought four boxes: trash, give away, keep, or relocate. Each item in every room was placed into one of the four categories. No item was passed over. Each was considered individually. Some projects took an hour… others took days or weeks. But the technique and principles remained the same.
No matter what you choose to help you get started – whether it be one of these ten or one of countless others – the goal is to take your first step with excitement behind it. There is a beautiful world of freedom and fresh breath hiding behind that clutter. How you remove it is up to you.
I’ve recently come across the KonMari method for decluttering. For so many people (including myself), it seems that “letting go” of their surplus belongings is the biggest hurdle to overcome; stopping many from starting or properly finishing the entire de-cluttering process.
What I like about Marie Kondo’s methodology is her change of perspective DURING the clearing process. Her method involves a simple but very different focus to the de-cluttering process, and seems to involve less angst, less anxiety, & the benefit of a longer-term outcome (ie. When you’re tempted to buy more stuff after your clean-out, you’re more likely to apply the same methodology when assessing new purchases).
It seems to me to be a practical method that helps you to get the job done with the least heartache…& for me that’s huge!
In other words, at the end of your clutter-clearing process, rather than having undergone a monumental struggle to let go of things which leave you feeling that your home is somehow EMPTY, bereft, clinical or without character, you are left with spaces FILLED with selected items you truly love (rather than FILLED with clutter, stagnation & hidden treasures you don’t get to enjoy).
I’ve just gotten a copy of her books for more detail, & to learn how I can effectively maintain my space after I’ve done the hard yards. I think this method is deceptively simple, but very worthwhile & powerful.
I wish you all good luck!
Good suggestions on decluttering!
I think this is a great idea on decluttering your house! Junk removal can be hard for some people, and decluttering can start with a single item. A minimalistic approach can be very uplifting to the spirit and our health; our lives should not be so burdened with junk.
Thanks for sharing that information!
I have read two of your books and since that time have been decluttering my home. If I now buy something new to wear I give four things away from my closet. Living simply has certainly made a huge difference in my life.
Always goodinformation!!’
very,very,very good! thank you
I am too sentimental have just retired and need to decluter 3 rooms
Keep putting it off I think everything I have I will need!!! The plastic tubs keep growing?
I LOVE this cute little idea! I have a hard time motivating myself to get started, but limiting my time and playing fun music helps. This is an even better idea than mine! It will be a fun and rewarding routine for each time I leave the house. :)
God bless you!
I love these suggestions, thank you
Great article Joshua. The 12-12-12 challenge is actually great. I did clean my house by donating and returning useless things.
Felt great and the house is a lot more empty now.
Have a donation budget per year. Then try to substitute it with giving away your things to charity, instead of money. You will not have to pay $ as a donation if the value of your donated items covers it. Great incentive.
I love the quote saying without trust there are no collaborations. this is true. This is what I learn.
I have to thank you, I have so much stuff, going from a house to a trailer, a divorce and now a separation and the death of my dad 5 yrs ago and mom 2 months ago…losing my job. ..my family trying to burn my house down and my 10 yr old grandson…well…reading how easy i hope it’ll be to declutter will be great…I hope I can do it…if send you before and after but Im to embarrassed. ..wish they still had shows that come to your house and get rid of it all and redo it…id so let them in..lol..but thank you so much for the tips…I can do this!!!????????????????
Felt great and the house is a lot more empty now. Great article Joshua. The 12-12-12 challenge is actually great. I did clean my house by donating and returning useless things.
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