The “Rule of Five” Deep Dive
In our previous blog posting (Simple, Effective Approaches to Decluttering), we discussed simple, effective, low-stress approaches to decluttering your home. One of the approaches is the “Rule of 5”. In this post, we will dig deeper into this approach to help you make it a potent and successful method of decluttering your home and winning back your space (and peace of mind)!
Rule of 5
The “Rule of 5” is a decluttering method that encourages you to get rid of at least 5 items in every room of your home. This can be a quick, easy, and stress-free way to make a big difference in the clutter level of your home.
To use the “Rule of 5”, simply start in one room of your home and go through the items in that room. Pick up each item and ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I used this item in the past year (or another timeframe)?
- Does this item have a specific purpose?
- Can I replace this item easily if I need to?
- Do I get joy from it or does it have a deep sentimental value?
If you answer “no” to one or some of these questions, then it’s time to consider getting rid of the item. You can donate it to a charity, sell it, or recycle it.
Here are some examples of items that you might want to get rid of according to the “Rule of 5”:
- Clothing and Shoes: Go through your closet and dresser and get rid of any clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in the past year. The exceptions could be special occasion outfits or pieces with true sentimental value, e.g., a wedding dress.
- Books and Magazines: Go through your book collection and donate or sell books and magazines that you haven’t read in the past year.
- Kids’ Toys and Activity Supplies: If your kids have toys, games, or activity supplies they’ve outgrown, pass them on to someone who can get use out of them or donate them.
- Kitchen Items: Discard excess kitchen tools, appliances, and tableware that have gone untouched for years. This includes things like quirky kitchen gadgets, duplicate items, and dishes/glassware sets you never use.
- Home Decor: If you have home decor items that have just been collecting dust for years without being displayed, consider donating or selling them. This includes things like vases, candles, unused artwork, and knick-knacks. The exception may be holiday/seasonal and special occasion items that are used once a year or only for special occasions.
- Duplicates: Household supplies and items that you have duplicates of.
- Unused Furniture: You can also consider gifting them to someone who recently moved, e.g., college student, recent graduate, etc.
Here are some additional tips for decluttering using the “Rule of 5”:
- Start in a small room and work your way up to larger rooms. This will help you stay motivated.
- Set a schedule and do one room a day or week.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and declutter for that amount of time each day.
- If you’re stuck on whether to get rid of an item, put it in a “maybe” pile and come back to it later. (But be sure to come back to it!)
- Don’t be afraid to donate or sell items that you don’t use. This will help you make money and free up space in your home.
Remember! Decluttering your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task! By following these approaches and tips, you can make the process simple, rewarding, and more enjoyable.
We hope this helps and sets you on a path to less stress and a decluttered home! Please contact us if you have any questions or need any assistance!
Less Clutter – Less Stress. Make your space a Simple Space.