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Decluttering can be an emotionally charged, time-consuming process. There may be feelings of overwhelm before you even begin. And once you do, it can be hard to keep the momentum going. This is where declutter challenges can help.
Declutter challenges can offer a structure, a guide for you to start somewhere, contain distractions and help you make tangible progress.
Personally, I like to use declutter challenges as a guide to get myself to take action. I don’t always rigidly follow every little rule, sometimes I adapt and change stuff according to my available time and unique needs.
I feel that the spirit of these challenges is to get you to take some action. If the rules overwhelm you or cause you stress, feel free to change things up and do it your way.
In this article, I’ll share the most popular declutter challenges as well as their pros and cons. I’ll also share personal favorite methods and how they’ve helped me in my life. So you can explore various choices and weigh which declutter challenge can actually help you in your life.
The 30-Day Minimalism Game
The 30-Day Minimalism Game, first talked about by The Minimalists, involves getting rid of one item on the first day, two items on the second day, and so on, until you reach 30 items on the 30th day.
Pros
– Gradual Progression: The increasing number of items each day helps to ease in and build momentum.
– Clear Structure: The daily target provides a clear and achievable goal.
– Community Support: Many people share their progress online, fostering a sense of community.
Cons
– Time-Consuming: As the days progress, the time required to find items increases.
– Gets Harder: It can become difficult to find 30 items to discard on the final day.
– Pressure: The daily requirement may feel stressful for some.
The KonMari Method
The KonMari Method, one of the most popular declutter challenges, created by the now celebrated Marie Kondo, emphasizes decluttering by category (clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items) rather than location. The key is to keep only those items that “spark joy.”
She also stresses on the particular order of the categories to declutter, ranging from easier to harder – making the challenge easier to get through.
This is the order of categories she recommends:
- Clothes
- Books
- Papers
- Komono (Miscellaneous items)
- Sentimental items
Pros:
– Focusses on the positives: Encourages keeping items that bring happiness, leading to a more positive environment.
– Comprehensive: Covers all categories of belongings thoroughly.
– Mindset Shift: Promotes a lasting change and prompts you to reframe your relationship with possessions.
Cons
- Time-Intensive: Sorting by category can be a lengthy process.
- Emotionally Challenging: Discarding sentimental items can be difficult.
– Rigid Approach: The strict adherence to “spark joy” may not resonate with everyone.
Project 333
Project 333, developed by Courtney Carver, involves creating a tight capsule wardrobe of 33 items, including clothing, accessories, and shoes, to wear for three months.
All clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear, and shoes count towards your number. Exceptions include wedding rings, underwear, sleepwear, in-home loungewear, and workout clothing.
Pros
– Simplified Wardrobe: Reduces decision fatigue related to clothing choices.
– Mindful Consumption: Encourages mindful purchasing and sustainable fashion.
– Flexibility: Can be adapted to different seasons and lifestyles.
Cons
– Initial Effort: Curating a versatile 33-item wardrobe can be challenging.
– Limited Choices: May feel restrictive for those who enjoy variety in their outfits.
– Not Universally Applicable: Might be impractical for professions requiring specific attire.
12-12-12 Challenge
The 12-12-12 Challenge, first popularized by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, involves finding 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place.
Simple, straightforward and effective.
Pros
– Quick and Manageable: Can be completed in a short amount of time.
– Balanced Approach: Covers and combines decluttering, organizing and donating.
– Family-Friendly: Easy to involve the whole family in the process.
Cons:
– Limited Scope: May not lead to significant decluttering for those with substantial clutter.
– Repetitiveness: May become monotonous if done frequently.
– Surface-Level: Focuses on smaller quantities, which might not address deep-seated clutter issues.
The Four-Box Method
The Four-Box Method is the classic way of going about your declutter and often the most talked-about. It involves sorting items into four categories: keep, donate, toss, and relocate.
The simplest way to do this is to keep 4 separate bags or bins handy for each category, and then go about decluttering, room-by-room.
Pros
– Simple Framework: Easy to understand and implement.
– Comprehensive Sorting: Addresses all possible actions for each item.
– Flexible Pace: Can be done in small increments or larger sessions.
Cons
– Decision Fatigue: Constant decision-making can be mentally exhausting.
– Requires Space: Needs sufficient space to set up and sort the four boxes, not ideal for tight spaces in your home.
– Potential Overwhelm: May feel overwhelming if tackling a large amount of clutter at once.
10-10-100 Decluttering Challenge
This challenge, also by Courtney Carver, involves letting go of 10 items from 10 spaces in the house, all under 10 minutes.
The idea is to set a timer for 10 minutes and let go of 10 items from one area – and keep going till you’ve covered 10 different areas of your home. This can be completed at a stretch or spread over a few days.
Pros
- Time-bound: You can make progress with this even if you have 10 minutes in a day
- Quick results: Results can be visible in quite a short span of time
Cons
- Solely declutter focussed: Doesn’t cover organizing or sorting objects
- Rigid number: May be challenging to find 10 things to declutter from certain spaces
My Personal Favorite Declutter Methods
I’ve found 12-12-12, the 10-10-100 and the four-box method the most practical declutter challenges for my life.
I work a hectic full-time job and I like challenges that have short, achievable goals attached and the ones that are time bound. These declutter challenges allow you to start small – and that I find takes a lot of pressure off of this whole process. In the long run, that’s what has kept me going – without losing momentum.
Everyone is different, however. Each method has different advantages and potential drawbacks. The best bet? Choose a challenge that aligns best with your personality, goals, and lifestyle.
Whether you opt for the gradual progression of the 30-Day Minimalism Game, the joy-centric KonMari Method, the closet-focused Project 333, the balanced 12-12-12 or 10-10-100 Challenge, or the straightforward Four-Box Method, the ultimate goal is to create an organized, peaceful, and intentional living environment. One that works for your life and unique circumstances.
Here are some additional declutter resources you might be interested in:
Learn about the latest OHIO Method of Decluttering here.
If you’re interested in decluttering fast, check out my guide to declutter quickly.
Confused about where to begin decluttering? this article will help you get started.
If you’re grappling with guilt about letting stuff go, learn to make the mental shift to declutter here.
