This challenge is great for people who want to de-clutter quickly and who only have small amounts of time during the day. These small periods of focused work will add up quickly, and before you know it, you will have a whole area of your house completely done. Yes, it can be done in only 10 minutes a day! Let's start now!
Get Your Plan in Place
Before we dive into the 10 minute de-clutter challenge itself, I want to set you up for success. Get out a piece of paper and a pencil and walk around your house. I want you to notice which areas have the least amount of clutter. Yes, I said the least amount. I know it sounds strange but stay with me. Write down your rooms in order of least messy to most messy. The messiest, most cluttered room in the house should be at the bottom of the page. This will serve as your general de-cluttering plan. I want you to start with the room with the least amount of clutter so you can have success, build momentum, and have more motivation to continue your efforts. As you continue to gain experience with your process, you will be much more efficient and confident when you get to the messier areas of your house.
Gather Your Boxes
You will need at least 4 boxes labeled Put Away -- Trash/Recycle -- Donate -- Undecided. If you are interested in making some money selling the things you don't want, be sure to read my post - Make Money De-Cluttering Your House. It's easy to do and you will be extra motivated to de-clutter and find treasures you can sell. Once you have your 4 boxes, you can begin with your first 10 minutes in your least cluttered room. This is especially fun to do with music playing and/or with other family members. You can even turn it into a bit of a contest.
Tips for Each 10 Minute Session
Set your timer.
Clear off surfaces first - this gives you instant gratification.
Most likely, you will need to break up the room into areas or categories. For example, if you are focusing on your bathroom you could focus on the surfaces for your first 10 minutes. Then, you could move on to the medicine cabinet for the next 10 minute session on another day. Then, on to your makeup drawer. If you break it up, you will not feel as overwhelmed. You can also tackle more if you get one area done under 10 minutes. Make it work for you.
If you are unsure of what to do with an item, it can go into your undecided box to sort through during another 10 minute session.
If you have more time in your day, feel free to make these 15 or 20+ minute sessions. You decide!
You can also decide how often you will have these 10 minute de-clutter sessions. I suggest doing 10 minutes a day until an entire room is done. Then, you might take a little break and get ready to tackle another room. You don't want to burn out.
Use These Questions for Decision Making
Feel too overwhelmed to try to tackle an entire room even when you break it down into small chunks? That is okay. Here are some 10 minute de-clutter task ideas that will help you get started and will work any day of the week when you are tired of looking at all of the stuff.
10 Minute De-Clutter Task Ideas to Get You Started
Kitchen Surfaces - clear off and wipe down
Medicine Cabinet - get rid of expired medicine or anything you haven't used in a year
Junk Drawer - throw out items not use and put away anything that has another home
Spice Drawer - throw out expired spices and organize
Bookshelf - go through each book and get ready to sell or donate ones you don't want
Refrigerator - get rid of old and expired food and wipe down shelves
I know you can do it! Schedule in your 10 minutes each day to de-clutter and soon you will have an entire room done. Then, before you know it - your entire house will be clutter free! By the end of this process, you will have more mental clarity and a sense of peace. You will be available to invite the things you really want into your life. It is worth it!
Warmly,
Nancy
Comments