Decluttering your home: the effective 4-box method
Suffocating under objects? Don't know where to start? This simple method will unblock you.
Recommended Materials
- 4 large boxes or bags
- Marker
- Timer
Steps to follow
Step 1
Preparation (the 4 boxes): Before starting, prepare 4 large containers (boxes or garbage bags) identified with a marker: 1. 'TO KEEP', 2. 'TO GIVE/SELL', 3. 'TO THROW/RECYCLE', 4. 'HESITATION'.
Step 2
The small step rule: Do not empty the whole house at once! Choose ONE single small area (a drawer, a shelf, a cupboard) and finish it completely before moving on to the next. This is the key to not getting discouraged.
Step 3
Ruthless sorting (the 5-second rule): Take each object in hand and decide immediately:
Step 4
- Do I use it regularly? -> 'To keep' box (and to put away in its final place).
Step 5
- Is it broken, expired, full of holes? -> 'To throw' box.
Step 6
- It's in good condition but I haven't used it for 1 year? -> 'To give/sell' box.
Step 7
- I don't know, I have a doubt? -> 'Hesitation' box.
Step 8
The fate of the 'Hesitation' box: Close this box, tape it and write today's date + 6 months on it. Store it in the attic or cellar. If in 6 months you haven't needed to open it to look for something, GIVE the whole box without opening it (you lived without it, you don't need it).
Step 9
The 'One in, one out' rule: To maintain order, adopt this habit: for each new object that enters your home (clothing, book, toy), an old object must leave (be given or thrown away).
Frequently Asked Questions
Gifts ?
Keeping a gift you don't like 'out of guilt' or 'just in case' clutters your mind and your home. The person gave you the object to please you at moment M, not to clutter you for life. Give it to someone who will really like it.
Papers ?
It's the longest and most boring. Do it separately, another day. Check legal retention periods before throwing away.
Precautions
- Do not aim too high at the beginning (risk of discouragement).
- Take the 'To give' bags out of the house immediately (car trunk).
