You know that feeling when you walk into a clean room, and it’s like your brain just exhales? Total bliss. But let’s be real, finding time to declutter? That’s a whole different story.
It’s like every time you think you’ve got a free hour, life pops up like, “Surprise! Nope.” The dishes pile up, emails flood in, or suddenly, Netflix is way too interesting.
Here’s the thing though, you don’t need to set aside hours for decluttering. In fact, with a few savvy tricks (the kind no one talks about), you can squeeze decluttering into your day without even realizing it.
And no, it doesn’t involve waking up at 5 a.m. because, let’s be honest, who’s doing that? Not me, and probably not you.
So, grab a coffee (or tea, if that’s your vibe), and let’s chat about seven clever ways to declutter when it feels like you have zero time. 😊
1. The “One Thing Right Now” Rule
Ever feel overwhelmed by the mountain of stuff you need to declutter? Same. But here’s a magic little mindset shift, don’t tackle the whole mountain, just handle one pebble.
Here’s how:
- Look around right now. Spot the worst offender (like that shirt on the chair that’s been there since Tuesday).
- Deal with it. Fold it. Toss it. Rehome it. Done.
It sounds almost too simple, right? But here’s the deal, small actions > big intentions. You won’t declutter your whole house in one swoop, but you’ll start making progress. Bonus tip? Set a timer for 60 seconds and see how much you can knock out. It’s weirdly fun (and satisfying).
Oh, and the best part? You can squeeze this in while waiting for your coffee to brew or your toddler to finish chewing that one bite of broccoli.
2. Declutter During “Waiting Moments”
“Waiting moments” are those random five-minute chunks where you’re just…waiting. Think:
- Waiting for water to boil.
- Sitting in the car waiting for the kids after soccer practice.
- On hold with customer service (ugh).
Instead of doom-scrolling TikTok or refreshing Instagram for the 12th time, grab something nearby and declutter. Got a junk drawer? Go through it. Sitting in your car? Peek in the glove compartment, why is there always one random ketchup packet in there anyway?
It’s sneaky, but decluttering during these downtime moments adds up fast. You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner your space feels without you even trying that hard.
3. Adopt the “Invisibles Rule”
So, let’s talk about “invisibles.” You know, the stuff you literally don’t notice anymore because it’s been in the exact same spot forever. That stack of unopened mail on the counter? The half-empty shampoo bottles in your shower? You’ve trained your brain to ignore them.
The trick? Start paying attention.
- Pick one “zone” (bathroom, desk, car, whatever).
- Pretend you’re a guest in your own space. What catches your eye?
Then, declutter just that thing. For example, if it’s mail, toss the junk and organize the rest. Trust me, once you start spotting invisibles, you won’t be able to unsee them, and decluttering becomes a breeze.
4. Declutter During Your TV Time
Who says binge-watching has to be lazy? IMO, TV time and decluttering are the ultimate multitasking duo. Here’s the vibe:
- While you’re catching up on your favorite show (because yes, we all need to know what happens next), grab something that needs sorting, like that pile of mismatched socks.
- Sort, fold, toss, or organize while you watch.
Before you know it, your drawer is sock-perfect, and you’re caught up on Netflix drama. Win-win. Oh, and if you’re watching something funny, your brain might even start associating decluttering with good vibes. Pavlovian psychology FTW.
5. Use the “Bye-Bye Bag” Trick
This one is so genius, I can’t believe it’s not more popular. Here’s how it works:
- Grab a big bag (the reusable kind, please—eco-friendly FTW).
- Throughout your week, toss in anything you realize you don’t need anymore. Clothes that don’t fit, books you’ll never read again, or that random ugly vase your cousin gave you.
The key here? Don’t overthink it. If you hesitate for even half a second, into the bag it goes.
At the end of the week, donate the bag without looking inside (seriously). It’s gone, it’s out of your house, and you’ll never miss it.
Pro tip: Keep the “bye-bye bag” in a visible spot, like next to the front door or in your closet. Out of sight = out of mind, so make sure it stays top of mind, and easy to access.
6. The “10-Minute Declutter Challenge”
Got 10 minutes? Great. Set an actual timer (use your phone or just yell, “Hey, Alexa!”), and see how much you can declutter in that time.
Why this works:
- It adds a sense of urgency (you’ll move faster so you can beat the clock).
- It makes decluttering feel like a game instead of a chore.
Need inspiration? Try one of these:
- Declutter just one drawer.
- Sort through your makeup bag (aka toss that crusty mascara, why does it smell like that?).
- Go through your fridge and toss anything weird or expired.
When the timer goes off, stop. Even if you didn’t finish, you made progress, and that’s the whole point.
7. Ask Yourself This One Question
Ready for the ultimate decluttering hack? Ask yourself:
“If I didn’t already own this, would I buy it again?”
It’s like a decluttering truth serum. If the answer is “no,” then why is it still hanging out in your life? Trust me, when you frame it this way, letting go gets so much easier.
This works especially well for “guilt clutter” (you know, stuff you keep because you feel bad getting rid of it). Think gifts you didn’t like, clothes with the tags still on, or that expensive juicer you used twice. It’s okay to let it go. Seriously.
Sneaky Bonus Tip: Declutter Your Mind, Too
Okay, hear me out, your physical clutter might actually be tied to mental clutter. Sometimes when your brain feels overloaded, it’s way harder to make decisions about what to keep or toss. Solution? Take five minutes to brain-dump everything onto paper.
Write down your to-do list, worries, random ideas, whatever’s crowding your thoughts. Once your mind feels clearer, you’ll be better equipped to tackle physical clutter, too.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it, seven (actually, eight) easy ways to find time to declutter without losing your mind, or your free time. The trick is to make decluttering feel manageable.
You don’t need a weekend-long marathon to make a difference. Small, consistent habits add up quick.
And hey, don’t beat yourself up if things still feel messy sometimes. Progress is progress, no matter how slow.
Now, go grab that bag of randomness from the corner and start tossing, I promise, future you will thank you. 😏