How the 20/20 Rule Helped Me Declutter My Messy Life (2024)

FAQs

How the 20/20 Rule Helped Me Declutter My Messy Life? ›

That means if the item is not being used and can be replaced for under $20 and/or it would take less than 20 minutes out of your day to order or go get it… then it can go! This rule is for small and random items around your home! This may not apply to sentimental, clothing, etc. items.

If you can get something for $20 or less. and it takes less than 20 minutes to get it, then you can give yourself promotion permission. Permission to declutter that item. This is especially useful if you are moving.

And during our last book tour, we made sure we didn't pack anything just in case. Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location.

Take it room by room: Start decluttering one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Focus on a specific area before moving on to the next. Sort methodically: Divide items into categories (keep, donate, sell, discard) and work through each category systematically to prevent decision fatigue.

Decluttering Reduces Stress and Increases Self-Esteem

When you relieve the problem and learn to throw things away, you feel better.” If you have ever felt anxiety rise at the thought of guests coming over, you know what the doctor is talking about.

After giving these central tips, Desmond reiterated the mental effects of clutter and organization. Without clutter, focus improves, stress lowers, and energy increases. Keeping a space decluttered is merely a matter of maintenance.

If you want to take the Project 333 Challenge

Choose 33 items (or less) including clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Pack up and hide everything else and then you don't have to think about shopping or what to wear for the next three months. For more details, here's a little guide.

Have you used that item in the last 90 days? If you haven't, will you use it in the next 90? If not, then it's okay to let go,' write Joshua and Ryan on their blog. The 90/90 rule isn't limited to the wardrobe (in fact it's applicable to many areas of the home) but it's definitely a good place to start.

The 12 12 12 rule is a decluttering strategy that involves three simple steps: finding 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their rightful place. This method helps reduce clutter while promoting a sense of accomplishment by achieving small, manageable goals.

Be ruthless by picking out just a few items to keep that are your most favorite, and consider parting with the rest. Give yourself grace as you go through sentimental items. You won't be able to do it all at once, and it may take several sessions to decide which difficult items to keep or let go.

What is the 20 minute rule in cleaning? ›

Also known as the 20/10 rule, it's recommended that you take a 10-minute break after your cleaning blast. Although it's unlikely you'll finish most jobs in the first 20 minutes, the point is to break them down into manageable pieces so they don't feel as daunting.

Using the 20-20-20 rule can help prevent eye strain when looking at screens. For every 20 minutes a person looks at a screen, they should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.