Annual Decluttering Hurdles to Conquer for a Neater, More Thoughtful Residence

Annual Decluttering Hurdles to Conquer for a Neater, More Thoughtful Residence

Efficiently maintaining a clutter-free living space can significantly enhance daily life. Fortunately, decluttering challenges—popular strategies that offer a structured approach to organizing—provide a fun and engaging way to keep spaces consistently neat.

After consulting with experts in the field, we've compiled the top decluttering challenges they endorse for a consistently harmonious home.

1. 10-Minute Daily Reset: Each day, dedicate ten minutes to decluttering a specific area of your home, such as a drawer or shelf. Professional organizer Meaghan Kessman believes this approach, which can be easily accommodated even with a busy schedule, yields substantial long-term results.

Meaghan Kessman, a Los Angeles-based professional organizer, draws on her childhood passion for organization, honed during her career in digital media. Her organizing firm specializes in creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces.

1. The One-In, One-Out Rule: This widely recognized technique, also known as the mailbox decluttering method, involves replacing a new item with an old one as you bring it into your home. This simple method helps maintain a clutter-free environment without requiring lengthy, time-consuming clearouts.
2. 12-12-12 Challenge: Amalie Ankersen, co-founder of Ankersen Drake Home Organization, recommends this straightforward challenge in which you discard 12 items, donate 12, and put 12 back in their proper place. It provides immediate progress and encourages decision-making across various categories.
3. 30-Day Minimalism Game: This challenge, ideal for those who prefer structure and visible progress, involves discarding one item on day one, two items on day two, and so on, up to 49 items on day 30. This method fosters daily decluttering habits and inspires critical evaluation of belongings.
4. Category Cleanouts: Meaghan Kessman suggests focusing on specific categories for decluttering, such as books or clothing, rather than rooms. Grouping items in this manner streamlines decision-making and prevents unnoticed duplicates. Begin by organizing your books, then progress to larger zones such as entryways.
5. One-A-Day Declutter: This challenge is especially suited for those new to decluttering and those preferring a gradual approach. By removing just one item per day, it fosters consistency and intentional living. The process can be extended over months if desired.
6. Lent Decluttering Challenge: This challenge involves focusing on one category per day for the 40 days leading up to Lent. It offers the opportunity for thorough organization, regardless of whether you're participating during Lent. Topics range from books to expired makeup, clothing piles, and broken toys.
7. The Mins Game: An ambitious adaptation of the one-a-day challenge, The Mins Game calls for removing as many items as the day’s number—for example, discarding one item on day one and four items on day four. Achieve 30 days of decluttering before reevaluating your space's needs.
8. 20/20 Decluttering Game: This challenge encourages paring down inexpensive, easily replaced items. Focus on zones such as the 'everything' junk drawer, linen closet, or storage under the bed, by removing items worth under £20 that can be replaced within 20 minutes.
9. 52-Week Challenge: This yearly plan offers a comprehensive approach to maintaining a clean, organized home. Customize the challenge to suit your space, and work through different rooms on a weekly basis.

For a more engaging decluttering experience, invite friends and family to participate together. Hold each other accountable, and reward successful outcomes with music and treats. Armed with these expert-backed strategies, conquer clutter and preserve the harmony of your home.

1. Meaghan Kessman, a professional organizer based in Los Angeles, suggests dedicating ten minutes daily for a 10-Minute Daily Reset, focusing on decluttering a specific area of the home for long-term results.
2. The One-In, One-Out Rule, or the mailbox decluttering method, is a widely recognized technique that helps maintain a clutter-free home by replacing a new item with an old one as you bring it into the house.
3. Amalie Ankersen, co-founder of Ankersen Drake Home Organization, suggests the 12-12-12 Challenge, which encourages discarding 12 items, donating 12, and putting 12 back in their proper place throughout the day.
4. The 30-Day Minimalism Game, an ideal choice for those who prefer structure and visible progress, involves removing one item on day one, two items on day two, and so on, up to 49 items on day 30, fostering daily decluttering habits and inspiring critical evaluation of belongings.
5. Meaghan Kessman suggests focusing on specific categories during Category Cleanouts, such as books or clothing, to streamline decision-making and prevent unnoticed duplicates.
6. The One-A-Day Declutter challenge is especially suited for those new to decluttering and those preferring a gradual approach, as it fosters consistency and intentional living.
7. During the Lent Decluttering Challenge, you organize one category per day for 40 days leading up to Lent, providing an opportunity for thorough organization across various categories.
8. The Mins Game is a more intensive version of the one-a-day challenge that requires removing as many items as the day’s number, offering 30 days of decluttering before reevaluating your space's needs.
9. The 20/20 Decluttering Game focuses on removing inexpensive, easily replaced items such as those found in the 'everything' junk drawer, linen closet, or storage under the bed.
10. The 52-Week Challenge offers a comprehensive yearly plan to maintain a clean, organized home by customizing the challenge to fit your space and working through different rooms on a weekly basis.
11. Engage friends and family during decluttering sessions and hold each other accountable for progress while rewarding successful outcomes with music and treats.
12. Armed with these strategies and a commitment to decluttering, you can preserve the harmony of your home, making it a more enjoyable space for your lifestyle, hosting fashion-and-beauty events, preparing food-and-drink, and entertaining guests. Additionally, a clutter-free home can improve relationships and even enhance travel experiences, as more mindful living allows you to appreciate the beauty of life's moments. Furthermore, keeping a tidy home can contribute positively to shopping experiences, as you will have room for the items you truly love and need.

Read also: