I recently learned a tip that changed how I approach decluttering, and it’s the simplest answer I’ve found to how to declutter one item at a time. Best part? You can literally start tonight. In fact, you can start right now, right where you are, in whatever you’re doing.
A Deep Dive Into Decluttering
When I began clearing out space in my own home, I took a deep dive into the decluttering world. This isn’t only about decluttering, though. It’s really about freeing up space in our lives and freeing up our resources.
Space, Money, Time, Energy
That includes space, money, time, and energy. So, one of the simplest ways to reclaim all of that is decluttering: getting rid of stuff and making space.
The Visual Clutter
Decluttering helps in two ways. First, it clears the visual clutter, which eases your mind. Second, you’re no longer managing all that extra stuff, which frees up your time and even your money.
Learning As Much As I Could
Since I wanted to get started right away, I learned as much as I could in a short amount of time. Along the way, I came across a book that changed my approach completely.
Decluttering At The Speed Of Life
It’s called Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it. The title alone left me wondering what it even meant.
This Girl Gets It
Still, I gave it a chance, and this girl gets it. Her whole system of decluttering is simple and real. It addresses the actual problems people deal with, not some idealized version of tidying up. You can also explore more of her practical advice on her website, A Slob Comes Clean.
I Highly Recommend It
If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it, whether in book or audio form.
Changed Everything For Me
One idea from the book changed everything for me, not just in decluttering but in other areas of life too. It’s the core of how to declutter one item at a time: focus on one item, and work on that item until it’s fully put away, whether that means putting it in its home, throwing it out, or placing it in a donate box.
That’s Dumb
At first, I thought learning how to declutter one item at a time sounded inefficient. After all, you technically have to declutter every item eventually, so why slow yourself down by only doing one at a time?
Making A Giant Mess
In the past, I would tackle a whole section at once, like the kitchen, pulling everything out of the cabinets and fridge and creating a giant mess in the process.
When Life Happens
But here’s the thing: when you only do one item at a time, life can interrupt you, and it won’t leave chaos behind. Whether you get distracted or have to stop suddenly, the space stays manageable.
Still Working Towards Progress
Even so, you’re still making progress. You can do it any time, even with just a few minutes to spare.
New Starts In The Bible
I personally set a timer for eight minutes, since I once heard the number eight represents new starts in the Bible.
Set The Timer For 8 Minutes
Here’s how to declutter one item at a time with a timer. Once the timer starts, I pick up one item, say a book, and ask myself where it actually belongs.
The Bedroom Bookshelf
In the past, I would’ve set it aside, telling myself it belonged on the bedroom bookshelf, and moved on to the next thing.
Collect All The Things
Instead, now I set it aside only briefly, collect a few more items headed the same direction, then carry them all at once, which is far more efficient.
Walk All The Way
At first, this method felt tedious. I’d have to walk across the house just to put one book away, then walk all the way back to keep going.
A Mental Thing
Even so, it works, because decluttering isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. You’re clearing space and making visible progress, one step at a time.
A Pile Of Keep Stuff
A pile of “keep” items sitting on the counter doesn’t feel like progress. So instead, take one item, and follow through.
Walk All Over The House
Yes, it might mean walking all over the house. But if you find something else along the way, like a stray water cup, just take it with you.
Going Back To The Kitchen Anyway
After all, you’re heading back that direction anyway. The rule stays simple: one item at a time, put away completely. If you want more simple ideas like this, check out our other home and life organization tips.
Other Areas Of My Life
Eventually, I started applying this same idea beyond physical clutter, to other areas of my life as well. Once you understand how to declutter one item at a time, it’s easy to use it everywhere.
Setting Habits
That includes things like managing money, cutting distractions, and even setting new habits, always in the spirit of making space for what matters.
Remove One Item From Your Calendar
For example, remove one item from your home. Or remove one item from your calendar.
Assign It To Somebody Else
Ask yourself: is there something on your to-do list you don’t actually need to do? Could you delegate it, or automate it instead?
Remove A Digital Distraction
Removing a digital distraction works the same way, whether that’s an app sending constant notifications or one that eats up too much of your time.
Breaks That Almost Autopilot
Interestingly, you don’t have to delete the app entirely. Simply moving it to a different spot on your phone breaks the autopilot habit of tapping it without thinking.
Pause A Little Bit First
That small change makes you pause before diving in, giving you a moment to decide if that’s really how you want to spend your time.
Sends Them Directly To My Door
The same principle applies to unnecessary expenses. I once had a razor subscription sending refills automatically, even though I didn’t need more. Once I noticed, I cancelled it.
Run Through My Razor Supply
I can always sign back up once I actually run out. There’s no need to keep paying for something I don’t need yet.
I Get Stuck A Lot
The same idea applies to reading the Bible. I often get stuck, telling myself I don’t have enough time to read a full chapter.
Digest A Whole Chapter
But the truth is, you don’t need to digest a whole chapter at once.
What God’s Telling You
Instead, read one verse, and simply reflect on what it means.
Deep Dive Further
From there, you can always deep dive further if you have time, or just sit with that one verse throughout your day.
It Adds Up
None of this feels like much on its own. But over time, these small actions add up to real change.
What You Got Rid Of
So, what’s one thing you could get rid of today? Just start with one item.
Called Me To Start A Business
For me, this mindset has even shaped bigger decisions, like making space to start a business.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, learning how to declutter one item at a time doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with one item, one step, and one small win, and let it build from there.
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