5 Decluttering Rules You DON’T Need To Follow

If you’re new to decluttering and have been researching how to begin, you’ve likely come across numerous methods and “golden rules” for successful decluttering.

But what if some of those rules are actually holding you back?

Today, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on 5 popular decluttering rules and why you shouldn’t feel the need to follow them. My goal is to provide you with some new perspectives and help you discover the best approach for achieving your desired results.

Let’s begin!

5 Decluttering Rules You DON’T Need To Follow

Rule #1: Starting by Pulling Everything out

By removing everything from its storing place and placing it in one central location, you can gain a complete picture of all your belongings first, then make informed decisions about what to keep and what to declutter.

However, for highly sensitive individuals like myself, the sight of a massive pile of stuff can be incredibly overwhelming and counterproductive.

I have analyzed my failed decluttering attempts and discovered this: When clothes were neatly folded and hung, I felt confident and motivated to tackle the task. But when everything was pulled out and piled on the bed, I felt overwhelmed by the mountain of clothes I needed to go through.

If you face similar challenge as I did, here are 2 mess-free methods of decluttering that have worked well for me:

• Declutter by small categories. Only pull out a small amount of stuff that you can handle, to avoid being overwhelmed. For example: only declutter jeans from your closet, when you are done, move onto t-shirt category, and so on.
• Declutter 1 item a day. While slower, this method fosters a mindful awareness of your possessions. By getting rid of just one item daily, you become more conscious of what you own and make more intentional choices when adding new things to your life.

I have another post about how to declutter without making a even bigger mess. If you are interested to learn more, check it out!

Rule #2: Using the “Maybe” Box

When decluttering, do you use a “Maybe” box to temporarily hold your uncertain items? If so, do you make sure to go through what’s in the box and make decisions? Or do you just put the box full of “maybe” items away, then forget all about it?

I’ve tried waiting for 6 months before decluttering items in the “maybe” box. During this period, I would take out anything needed or missed. And when the time was up, I would need to declutter all items remaining in the box.

But the problem was, when my six-month waiting period was up and I opened the “maybe” box, it felt like discovering new items I had forgotten I owned. And I was hesitant to declutter them once again.

Then I learned a new trick:

Instead of using a “maybe” box, I now place uncertain items in a visible location of my home where I pass by them and see them frequently. If it’s a clothing item, it would be hung in the most noticeable place of my closet.

So every time I see these uncertain items, I am reminded to evaluate my need for them. When I’ve given enough time to think thoroughly, I am able to make my decision with confidence.

Don’t use the “maybe” box as a way to procrastinate or to avoid making decisions. Just put undecided items where you can see them frequently. It will help you with the decision-making process.

Rule #3: The One-Year Rule

The “one-year rule” suggests that if you haven’t used something in a year, it’s safe to get rid of it. While this rule can be helpful in some cases (such as hobby items and fashion items), it’s important to remember that our lives are full of things we don’t use frequently but still hold value.

Think about your toolbox, filled with hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. You might not need them regularly, but when you need to fix a leaky faucet or put together furniture, you will appreciate having the toolbox around.

The same principle applies to seasonal clothing. You might not have worn your winter boots and snow jacket for more than a year because you’ve had a mild winter without snow. However, if you declutter them, you will have to re-purchase them when a snowstorm comes.

I believe that the one-year rule is applicable only to fashion items in your closet. All other categories should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. What do you think?

Rule #4: The “Spark Joy” Rule

Popularized by Marie Kondo, the “spark joy” rule has become a decluttering mantra, encouraging us to hold each item and keep only those that make us feel joy.

I’ve made several attempt to apply this rule when decluttering my home, but have never succeeded. These are the challenges I faced:

1. When ALL my 20 pairs of jeans sparked joy, I needed more objective criteria for decluttering.
2. When I was not in a good mood, or was stressed/overwhelmed, it would take me a long time to concentrate before I found anything that sparked joy. As such, the decluttering process was long and inefficient.
3. Many items did not spark joy, but since they served essential daily functions, I still needed to use different rules to make the decluttering decision.

If you are running into similar challenges as I did, feel free to opt out of this rule. If you prefer a more logical and specific approach to decluttering, you might find the “spark joy” rule not useful.

Rule #5: Starting Small

Starting small is an excellent way to “train your decluttering muscles” and build confidence.

However, if you feel confident enough to dive right in, and are eager to see a significant impact on your space, instead of starting small, consider tackling one of these key areas:

1. High-traffic areas that are frequented by everyone in the household, such as the family bathroom, drop zone, or entryway.
2. Areas you spend lots of your time in, such as kitchen and study.
3. Areas that you think will make you embarrassed when a guest comes over, such as the entry way and living room.

By focusing on these key areas, you’ll experience a significant impact on your space, making your efforts more noticeable and leaving you feeling motivated to tackle other areas.

Read my other article about the 5 areas to start your decluttering journey.

Conclusion

The journey to a clutter-free life is a personal one. Don’t be afraid to break the rules and find an approach that works for you and your lifestyle.

The 5 decluttering rules that you DO NOT need to follow are:

• Starting by pulling everything out
• Using the “Maybe” box
• The One-Year rule
• The “Spark-Joy” rule
• Starting small

Instead of focusing on perfection, celebrate progress, no matter how small. Remember, the goal is to create a space that feels peaceful, organized, and truly reflects who you are.

So, go ahead and challenge those decluttering rules. Experiment, try different approaches, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.

I hope this article is helpful to you!