Found a weird trick for decluttering fast with a timer trick

So I get overwhelmed easy with clutter and tried that thing where you set a timer for 5 minutes and just grab stuff. I did it in my kitchen last Tuesday and filled a whole grocery bag with junk I never use. The key was I forced myself to pick up every single item in that spot before the timer went off. It worked way better than my usual 'I'll do this later' approach. Has anyone else tried this timer method for sorting through a messy room?

3 comments

3 Comments

abby3081mo ago

Set that timer for 5 minutes and it's like my brain short circuits into panic mode. I did the same thing in my bedroom closet and ended up tossing a pile of clothes I'd been hoarding for years because I thought I'd wear them again someday. Honestly the timer trick works for me because I have zero willpower for long projects but can handle a 5 minute race against the clock. Biggest shock was finding a sock I lost back in 2019 hiding behind my dresser. Lol.

adam_nguyen71mo ago

Well that's interesting because I used to think the timer thing was just another gimmick that wouldn't work for real clutter. But after reading this and the sock story I gave it a shot in my garage and got rid of a whole box of old paint cans I've been meaning to dump for two years. It forces you to stop overthinking and just move, which is something I definitely needed.

irisg571mo ago

Oh wow, that paint can story really hits home. I've got a corner of my garage that's been a graveyard of half-used paint and rusty tools for way too long too. It's amazing what happens when you just give yourself permission to start small and actually see results instead of just thinking about it.