{"id":125001,"date":"2023-09-07T06:04:16","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T12:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/?p=125001"},"modified":"2023-09-07T06:04:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T12:04:37","slug":"decluttering-methods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/decluttering-methods\/","title":{"rendered":"Marie Kondo to Minimalism: Which Decluttering Method Suits You Best?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Note: This article on decluttering methods is by contributing writer, Tammy Strobel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my experience, there isn\u2019t a \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d decluttering solution. Depending on your time, energy, ability and overall interest, it’s helpful to find an approach that works well for you. One of these decluttering methods may become your favorite way to simplify and let go of your stuff. This requires the willingness to experiment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, my husband and I started to simplify our lives in 2005. Over the years, we tried a variety of decluttering methods like the KonMari Method\u2122, Project 333\u2122, and we even lived in a tiny house on wheels<\/a>. Trying different approaches was fun. Plus, experimenting with different methods kept us motivated, inspired, and committed to living with less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Marie Kondo to Minimalism: Which Decluttering Method Suits You Best?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll describe 5 different decluttering methods. Experiment and you will find a system that suits your lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cSpark Joy\u201d with Marie Kondo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marie Kondo\u2019s books, decluttering ideas, and her emphasis on \u201csparking joy\u201d has inspired thousands of people. Kondo<\/a> encourages people to, \u201cTidy by category \u2013 not by location.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kondo recommends tidying in the following order: clothes, books, paper, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items. For example, gather all of your clothes from the closets and put them in a pile. Then you can start the process of deciding what to keep. \u201cWhen you\u2019re choosing what to keep, ask your heart; when you’re choosing where to store something, ask your house!\u201d says<\/a> Kondo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Kondo\u2019s method, I continually reexamine what belongings give me joy. For example, I donated kitchenware to the thrift store recently. I hadn\u2019t used pie pans or donut trays in years. Keeping stuff that I\u2019m not using doesn\u2019t \u201cspark joy,\u201d so I let my kitchen stuff go.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, Kondo\u2019s work reminds me that decluttering isn\u2019t about having a perfectly tidy home. As Kondo recently said<\/a>, \u201cThe true purpose of tidying is not to cut down on your possessions or declutter your space. But rather, to learn to make meaningful choices and find gratitude in everyday life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Project 333<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Project 333<\/em><\/a> is a simple and fun minimalist fashion challenge. The idea is simple: you dress with 33 items or less for 3 months. I\u2019ve done this challenge numerous times. The project helped me let go of clothes that no longer fit, reduce decision fatigue, and keep my closet tidy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Courtney said<\/a>, \u201cCleaning out your closet can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn\u2019t have to be! With the right tools and a willingness to be honest about what you have and what you need, you can make your closet a happier space.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your closet is overflowing with clothing \u2013 or you want to shop less \u2013 this is the perfect challenge for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Move Out Method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Way back in 2005, I unknowingly tried the \u201cMove Out Method<\/a>.\u201d At the time, my husband and I were living in a two-bedroom apartment. We had way too much stuff, and we weren\u2019t sure if all of our stuff would fit into a small one-bedroom apartment. So, we pretended like we were moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We started sorting through the stuff in our extra bedroom. We sorted things into keep, toss, and donate piles. As our \u201ckeep pile\u201d grew smaller and smaller, we realized that we didn\u2019t \u201cneed\u201d an extra bedroom filled with stuff. Instead of pretending to move, we decided to move into a one-bedroom apartment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to actually move to try this experiment. Choose an area of your home like a closet, extra bedroom, or your bathroom. Then start sorting through your stuff. Once everything is organized, you can \u201cmove\u201d back in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Make It A Game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you need to bring more fun and joy into your decluttering efforts, turn the process into a game. Here are a few options to consider: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game<\/strong><\/a>. Here\u2019s how The Minimalists explain the game: \u201cFind a friend, family member, or coworker who\u2019s willing to minimize their stuff with you next month. Each person gets rid of one thing on the first day of the month. Two things on the second. Three things on the third. So forth and so on.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The longer the game goes, the more challenging it becomes. It\u2019s fun to do the game with a friend, and a great way to hold yourself accountable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try a Decluttering Burst<\/strong><\/a>. Here\u2019s how it works: \u201cSet your timer for 60 minutes and get rid of 100 things from various areas of your home. Grab trash bags, and a box for donations. Next, choose from the recommended areas and items below that resonate with you (or create your own) to equal 100 items. Write down what areas you are going to attack and how many items you will declutter from each. When you start the timer, use your list so you don\u2019t have to waste time thinking about where to start.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not sure where to begin, think about tackling your bathroom, junk drawer, pantry, car, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Swedish Death Cleaning <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Author Margareta Magnussen wrote about Swedish Death Cleaning in her book \u2013 The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter<\/em>. Magnussen encourages readers to consider who will sort through your stuff after you die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can always hope and wait for someone to want something in your home, but you cannot wait forever, and sometimes you must just give cherished things away with the wish that they end up with someone who will create new memories of their own \u2026 I often ask myself, will anyone I know be happier if I save this?\u201d says Magnussen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of Swedish Death Cleaning resonates with me because it\u2019s helped me make decisions about my stuff. I also see this method as a gift to loved ones. After I die, I don\u2019t want my loved ones to spend months \u2013 or years \u2013 sorting through my stuff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need extra help? Refer to Ashley Knierim\u2019s \u201cSwedish Death Cleaning Checklist<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources to help you declutter your life <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As I decluttered my life, I found support through books, blogs, and newsletters. Reading continues to inspire me to keep a tidy and clutter free home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for extra motivation, explore the resources list below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Books <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n