Becoming more organized by decluttering your space, to increase creativity and productivity. Let’s check out the many decluttering methods that people use to get rid of their excess stuff and create more space and order in their homes. Some of the most common ones are:
Popular Decluttering Methods
- The KonMari Method. This is the method popularized by Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing expert and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. This method involves decluttering by category, not by location, and keeping only the items that spark joy in you. You also thank the items you discard for their service and store the items you keep in a neat and visible way.
- The Minimalist Game. This is a challenge created by The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who are advocates of living with less. The challenge is to get rid of one item on the first day of the month, two items on the second day, three items on the third day, and so on until the end of the month. You can do this alone or with a friend or a group for accountability and fun.
- The Four-Box Method. This is a simple and straightforward method that involves using four boxes or bins to sort your items into: trash, donate, keep, or relocate. You go through each room in your home and put every item into one of these boxes. Then, you dispose of the trash, donate the unwanted items, keep the essential items, and relocate the items that belong somewhere else.
- The 12-12-12 Challenge. This is another challenge that can help you declutter quickly and easily. The idea is to find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place. You can do this as often as you like until you reach your desired level of decluttering.
- The Reverse Hanger Method. This is a method that can help you declutter your closet and identify which clothes you actually wear and which ones you don’t. The idea is to hang all your clothes with the hangers facing backward. Then, whenever you wear an item, hang it back with the hanger facing forward. After a certain period of time (such as six months or a year), you can see which clothes have not been worn and decide whether to keep them or get rid of them.
- The Packing Party. This is an extreme method that involves packing up all your belongings as if you were moving out of your home. Then, you only unpack the items you need or want as you go along. After a certain period of time (such as three weeks or a month), you can see which items are still packed and decide whether to keep them or get rid of them.
- The One-In-One-Out Rule. This is a method that can help you prevent clutter from accumulating in your home after you have decluttered it. The rule is simple: whenever you bring something new into your home, you have to get rid of something old. This way, you maintain a balance between what you own and what you need.
- The 20/20 Rule. This is another rule that can help you declutter your home by eliminating the fear of getting rid of something that you might need someday. The rule is: if you can replace an item for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from your current location, then you can get rid of it without worrying about regretting it later.
- The Basket Method. This is a method that can help you declutter your home by dealing with the small items that tend to pile up on flat surfaces, such as countertops, tables, desks, etc. The idea is to use a basket or a tray to collect these items and then sort through them at the end of the day or week. You can then put away the items that belong somewhere else, toss the items that are trash, and keep only the items that are essential.
> KonMari Folding: How To Fold Clothes Using The KonMari Method
These are some of the common decluttering methods that people use to simplify their lives and create more space in their homes. You can try one or more of these methods and see what works best for you and your situation. Remember that there is no one right way to declutter; what matters is finding a way that suits your needs and preferences.
Sustainable Decluttering Practices
Reduce and Reuse
Before throwing away items, consider if they can be repurposed or donated. Upcycling furniture or using old clothing as rags are great ways to reduce waste and avoid contributing to landfills.
Eco-Friendly Disposal
When disposing of items, consider eco-friendly options such as recycling or composting. Many cities offer recycling programs for electronics, batteries, and other hazardous materials.
Minimalism
Minimalism is a popular approach to decluttering that emphasizes simplicity and functionality. By reducing the number of possessions and focusing on only what is necessary, minimalists aim to create a calming and peaceful living space.
You may adopt any decluttering methods to create your positive space. But always remember that decluttering is not a one-time event, but a continuous practice that requires patience and perseverance. So make this your habit to create positive impacts on various aspects of your well-being.
The art of decluttering is to remove all those items from your space that gives no sense of joy or a positive vibe to your space.