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Simple Declutter Rules

Published: Aug 28, 2023 by Alice · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Simple Rules To Stop Your Declutter Failing
Why Decluttering Fails
Best Declutter Rules
Declutter Rules Marie Kondo Gets Wrong
Declutter Rules

There's a load of declutter experts out there with checklists of declutter rules that we are all meant to follow.

But you know what?

Most of these experts - Marie Kondo included - never had a huge clutter problem. So to be honest, they really, really, really don't get it!!

They don't know for themselves, how truly miserable clutter makes us. Or how hard it is, emotionally and practically, to let stuff go.

And so the declutter rules they tell us to follow fail us in real life. Except they say it's our fault because we didn't follow their rules properly!!

So what on earth should we do to declutter our homes successfully?

What rules should we follow?

Well, I have been there and I do get it. I was buried miserable under a mountain of clutter but I cleared it successfully to reclaim our home.

I've written a step-by-step declutter guide sharing how I decluttered successfully using an amazingly simple declutter method I just love.

But it ALL boiled down to 10 simple declutter rules : 5 must dos and 5 things we absolutely need to avoid.

So if you've failed again and again to clear your clutter, try instead the 10 golden declutter rules I have here ...

5 Rules Of What Not To Do When Decluttering

Declutter Rules - Do Not Procrastinate

1. Don't Put It Off

Waiting until till we're "ready" or "have time" turns decluttering into a big complicated project rather than a simple doable daily habit.

2. Don't Try To Blitz It

We can shift 10 bags of clutter in a day but we can't shift 200. Our stuff has taken a lifetime to accumulate, it will not be gone in a week.

Decluttering is a journey not a sprint.

Declutter Rules - Do Not Rush It

We can actually find joy on our way.

3. Don't Yank Stuff Out

Yanking everything out Marie Kondo style creates a huge unholy mess that leaves most of us feeling even more like a complete failure.

Don't do it!!

4. Don't Start With Clothes

Our own clothes aren't actually what tips most of us over the edge daily.

It's kitchen counters, hallways and living room floors PLUS kids rooms, hobby mess and scary paper clutter.

Declutter Rules - Where To Start

So focus your big effort on these to really appreciate the benefits.

5. Don't Try To Be Brutal

Most of us are NOT ready to make instant on the spot chuck or keep decisions about everything we own.

There are big complicated emotions bound up in all our stuff, so decluttering is a voyage of discovery about what truly matters in our lives.

In a month or 6 we will happily pass on stuff we couldn't possibly be parted from on day one.

Declutter Rules - How To Decide

OK, we now have 5 rules for what we must NOT do when decluttering :

  1. Do NOT put off starting.
  2. Do NOT try to blitz it.
  3. Do NOT yank everything out.
  4. Do NOT start with clothes.
  5. Do NOT try to be brutal (at first).

So next, let's discover the 5 declutter rules we should follow instead ...

5 Golden Declutter Rules You Should Follow

Declutter Rules You Should Follow

1. Start Today

Set a timer for 15 minutes and find a few quick things to chuck out. Get them out of your home, fast.

It's an instant no mess win that motivates us to do more.  

2. Do A Little Everyday

Letting go of just 10 things everyday will clear over 3,500 in a year!!!

Declutter Rules - Do A Little Everyday

And it turns decluttering into an easy daily habit we win at every day as effortlessly as cleaning our teeth.

3. Keep To A Time Box

Your timer is your secret weapon!!

It keeps us focused, stops us from yanking stuff out into a huge pile of mess and makes each day a success.

Declutter Rules - Stick To A Strict Time Box

Do 5-10 minutes daily PLUS weekly half hour bursts when you can.

4. Do Easy Stuff First

Start with anything you are ready to let go so you get into the flow of feeling good about passing stuff on.

Don't worry about other things.

You will be ready to be radical later on in your journey, I promise you.

5. Focus On One Small Area

Every day focus on just one small area - one shelf, one counter, one drawer - and ignore the rest.

Declutter Rules - Focus On One Area

Shutting out all our other stuff stops us from diving in and drowning.

And again, it lets us win every single day which motivates us to keep going and truly clear all our clutter.

So if you are swamped by stuff, start today small - with just 10 things - and stick, steady as it goes, to these 10 golden declutter rules.

They truly can shift miserable mountains of clutter and give you the space to enjoy living again.

For more simple practical support read these decluttering tips:

  1. Step By Step Declutter Guide
  2. Simple Declutter Method
Declutter Your Homes Rules
Simple Rules For Declutter Success
Best Way To Declutter Your Home class="wp-image-28015"/>
Best Way To Declutter Your Home
Best Way To Declutter Your Home
Best Way To Declutter Your Home
Best Way To Declutter Your Home

Original image source : Maria Eklind

More Declutter

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    Declutter Checklist : Duplicates
  • Gentle Declutter Method - Just 10 Things
    The Simplest Way To Declutter
  • Simple Declutter Guide
  • Declutter List Of Things To Declutter Right Now
    Declutter Checklist

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Simple Rules To Stop Your Declutter Failing
Why Decluttering Fails
Best Declutter Rules
Declutter Rules Marie Kondo Gets Wrong
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Best Declutter Rules
Declutter Rules Marie Kondo Gets Wrong
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