This Question Will Change Your Decluttering Game

There’s no magic formula when it comes to decluttering…BUT, I can tell you that there is one question I’ve asked myself time and time again when I’ve found myself in a rut, staring at an overcrowded drawer full of junk, wondering where to start.

What if?

It’s as simple as that.

Stick with me for a second.

The beauty of this question is that it’s so simple and easy, and yet, it gives you the freedom to propose something a little crazy.

Here’s how it went for me.

I was looking at my reusable container drawer, which was so overstuffed I couldn’t close it properly. I was overwhelmed—I knew I didn’t need half the stuff in this drawer, but somehow it also all felt necessary…I wasn’t sure what to actually get rid of!

It was the perfect setting to create my own “What If Experiment.”

What if I only had 10 pieces of Tupperware?

Honestly, the thought sounded ludicrous to me, and I almost dismissed it as soon as I thought it, but I decided to see it through because here is the other benefit of asking this question—it gives you a safety net.

For whatever “What If Experiment” you try out, all you have to do is tuck the rest of your items away—this time delay is particularly helpful because it takes the emotion out of your decluttering decision.

How To Start Your Decluttering Experiment

Follow this method and you’ll make some huge decluttering progress in your home!

Ask A “What If” Question

Find a room, category of items, or even just a drawer and start thinking about your “What If” question—the crazier the better! Since the stakes are pretty low, you have more freedom to try something drastic/extreme!

What if you had half the utensils you do now? What if you only had 10 clothing items in rotation? What if you removed 75% of the items on the surfaces in your home?

Choose Your Time Frame

Now that you’ve got your question, choose how long you’ll conduct your experiment.

I’ve done a few of these experiments, and I like to do them for at least a month so I have enough time to test my theory. Depending on the category you choose, you may want to pick a longer timeframe.

I recommend setting a calendar alert or reminder for when the experiment is over (otherwise, you’re bound to forget!)

Put Everything Else Out Of Sight

Stash the extra utensils, clothing, or whatever category of items you choose somewhere that’s not their usual home.

Note: It’s possible that you may find out during the course of your experiment that you DO need more of a certain item. That’s totally okay! In fact, that’s great! You are finding out exactly what you need for your home and lifestyle to function well. Go retrieve an extra fork without feeling guilty; this is all part of the process.

Life Continues On…

Go about your day and routines as normal, and enjoy life! But take note when you interact with your closet or Tupperware drawer—do you feel a sense of peace or satisfaction? Keep a mental note and track how you feel throughout the experiment.

At The End of The Experiment

Congrats, you did it! What I discover by the end of each experiment is that my crazy “What If” questions usually weren’t that crazy at all—in fact, this method illuminates how much I hold on to that I truly don’t need.

Everything that is still stashed away should be donated or given away!

Additional Tips

Sometimes we need to get creative with our storage! For example, if your experiment was to reduce your utensils, and you found that your family can function with 6 in rotation, but you regularly host larger gatherings, consider keeping a drawer or basket of extra items you can easily pull out when company arrives. (This is not an excuse to backtrack and keep more than you need, but an acknowledgement of your own family’s rhythms.)

You can also get creative with how you donate items! When I reduced my Tupperware drawer through this experiment, I pared it down to 10 items, and then later, 8! I donated some Tupperware, and kept a few pieces to use for when we bring meals to families in our community. This way, I’m able to use them for a good cause! (again, don’t use this as an excuse to hold onto items forever! If donating items gets them out of your home, and gives you more peace, give yourself permission to do that!)

A Side Serving Of Joy

There is so much that’s out of our control these days—and I’m starting to make it my own personal mission to find little ways to inject some extra joy into my life. So, as I sat down to write today’s blog, I took a few extra minutes to make myself a piping cup of green tea in my favourite handmade mug, a simple but delicious plate of snacks on one of my favourite Corelle plates I thrifted, and turned off the noise and distractions.

Choosing joy isn’t always easy, but if you intentionally look for it, it’s everywhere. I hope that wherever you are, you’ll be able to find a little joy in your life today!