Living an organized, minimalist
lifestyle that's not centered around stuff is a goal for many people.
After all, being organized comes with a whole host of benefits,
including less stress, improved health,
Four Box
The technique and principle behind this
method is pretty straightforward. Essentially, when you start
de-cluttering a room, you have four boxes on hand at all times:
trash, donate, keep, and relocate. Every item in the room must be
placed in one of the boxes, and nothing gets passed over. As soon as
your donate and trash boxes are full, take them to the garbage bin or
to your car so you aren't tempted to pick anything out.
Box and Banish
This method is a variation on the Four
Box method, except a bit more drastic; simply gather all the clutter
in a room – including items on countertops, desk surfaces and
drawers – until the space is clutter free. Next, you have the
option of sorting through each item and organizing the clutter into
piles, as the Four Box method calls for, or simply getting rid of it
all. The downside to this method is that it doesn't treat the
underlying problem, while other de-cluttering methods force you to
re-think your habits and routines and mindfully process each item
you've accumulated. However, the benefit is that it creates instant
results and may energize you to take on more de-cluttering projects,
jumpstarting your efforts.
KonMari
Wildly popular,
the KonMari method was created by Japanese organizing consultant and
author Marie Kondo. This organizing method forces you to address the
root cause of your clutter through seven main steps or principles.
These include:
• Organizing all
at once, before things have a chance to get messy again
• Visualizing
your end result in concrete terms, such as “I want to create a
feeling of peace in my home.”
• Identifying
why you want to live in a clutter-free way. So if you want to be able
to invite friends over more often, ask yourself why that is. At the
root of this questioning is the motivation you need to get organized.
• Finding out if
items spark joy. This requires sorting through each item, like the
Four Box method. If something doesn't spark joy when you touch it,
you must throw it away or donate it.
• Organizing by
category, not space. So if your shoes are located in multiple areas,
for instance, you must gather them together and sort through them all
at once.
• Organizing in a specific order.
According to Kondo, that order is “Clothes, books, papers, and then
miscellaneous items.
• Discarding everything you want to
get rid of before putting any items back.
Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger
Experiment
If you need to pair down your closet,
try this method popularized by Oprah. Hang all your clothes with
hangars in reverse order. After you wear an item, hang it up in the
correct direction. After six months to a year, you'll have a clear
indication of which clothes you no longer need. You can also apply
this method to other areas in your home.
If you don't enjoy methodical
approaches but love challenging yourself for a cause or campaign, you
may want to try out some of these ideas instead:
12-12-12 challenge
This super simple challenge can easily
be turned into a fun, friendly household competition. All you need to
do is find 12 things to donate, 12 things to throw away, and 12
things that need to be returned to their proper spot. This challenge
is a quick way to de-clutter and simplify your home.
Project 333
Invented by minimalist
Courtney Carver, Project 333 challenges people to wear only 33
items of clothing for 3 months. This challenge is a great way to
learn how to live with less. Get your friends and family to
participate so you can share your challenges and triumphs.
365 Less Things
Blogger Colleen Madsen came up with
this easy strategy to get rid of clutter – All you have to do is
give one item away every day. You'll simplify your life and enjoy the
gift of giving on a daily basis. Check out Colleen's
blog for more information.
Which of these approaches do you
identify with the most? Do you have any other methods, strategies, or
challenges that aren't on this list? We'd love to hear your thoughts
– Reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know!
