Use the 'Five-second Rule' to Declutter Faster (2024)

FAQs

Use the 'Five-second Rule' to Declutter Faster? ›

The five second rule is picking up an item, and making the decision as to whether it stays or goes within this amount of time. 'The basic premise behind this rule in decluttering is that you should know within five seconds whether you should keep something or not,' explains Amanda Wiss, Founder of Urban Clarity.

According to Robbins, you should make major decisions in under five seconds, actually counting down five, four, three, two, one.

The Decluttering Rule of 5 advises assessing items not used in five years to decide whether to keep, donate, or discard. Organize closets by usage, manage sentimental items thoughtfully, and maintain habits like 'one-in, one-out' to simplify and enhance daily living efficiently.

The five-second rule, or sometimes the three-second rule, is a food hygiene urban legend that states a defined time window after which it is not safe to eat food (or sometimes to use cutlery) after it has been dropped on the floor or on the ground and thus exposed to contamination.

Take it room by room: Start decluttering one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Focus on a specific area before moving on to the next. Sort methodically: Divide items into categories (keep, donate, sell, discard) and work through each category systematically to prevent decision fatigue.

“If you don't know where to start, we recommend decluttering room-by-room! Start with the most high-traffic area in your home – probably the kitchen or family room – and go through the decluttering process of deciding what to keep, toss or donate.

On the podcast Lipstick on the Rim with actress Molly Sims, the duo fervently recommend applying it to homes large and small, explaining that it's all about filling your space 80% at most and leaving the remaining 20% empty to “take a break.” This free space provides plenty of visual relief and allows new objects to ...

Created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule has you ask yourself two questions about objects you're not sure you need to keep: Have you used it in the past 90 days? And if not, will you use it in the 90 days ahead?

What is the 5 seconds rule example? ›

Almost everyone has dropped some food on the floor and still wanted to eat it. If someone saw you drop it, he or she might have yelled, "5-second rule!" This so-called rule says food is OK to eat if you pick it up in 5 seconds or less.

The 5-second rule isn't really valid.

You shouldn't be eating food that's been on the floor, even if it's for less than 5 seconds, says James E.

At its core, the five-second rule is a concept aimed at reducing hesitation and indecision. It encourages individuals to take action within five seconds of having an instinct to act on a goal or task.

Simply by dealing with an item immediately, whether it is your shoes, incoming mail, or your used coffee mug, less clutter will be created. One touch, one movement, equals less effort overall. This rule can also be applied when you are purging, editing, and organizing.

The 333 decluttering method simplifies wardrobes by limiting you to 33 items for 3 months. It reduces stress and promotes sustainability. It encourages selecting versatile, essential clothing, fostering minimalist habits, and mindful consumption, while also applying these principles broadly.

'For many people, the CORE 4 method is perfect. You clear out obvious trash, categorize the items into categories, cut out (declutter) the items you no longer need/want, and then contain them (organize).

Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location. Thus far, this hypothesis has become a theory that has held true 100% of the time.

Start by choosing a room, closet, corner, or drawer and follow four simple steps: Clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. First, you'll clear out the space you've chosen so you can start with a blank canvas. Then, group every item by category, cutting out (or donating) items you don't need to keep.