I Tried the 30-Second Decluttering Rule — Here’s Why I Struggled

Have you ever spent what feels like a lifetime debating whether or not to keep something while decluttering around the house? As a pretty indecisive person myself, I’ll be the first to admit I’ve struggled with that decision more than a handful of times.

Sometimes, we all need a bit of a nudge — or rather, a shove — to make the progress we desire. The 30-second rule gives you that push. According to the method, if you can’t explain why you use or love an item in 30 seconds or less, you should ultimately toss it.

While some find this technique a bit harsh, others seem to appreciate the idea of making quick, honest decisions without overthinking. I tried the method myself and spoke to three professional organizers for their expertise, including whether or not they recommend it and their best advice for those looking to adopt the 30-second rule.

The 30-second rule can be controversial, according to the pros. Whether or not it’s effective depends a lot on a homeowner’s personality and what they’re hoping to declutter.

“If you’re cleaning out your junk drawer and debating whether or not to keep a random cord and you can’t immediately identify what it belongs to, you may not need it. It’s a good method for decluttering the more utilitarian items in your home, but it may not work as well for the sentimental things you need to deal with,” says Ann Lightfoot of Done & Done Home.

Organizers warn against making rash decisions when dealing with things like family heirlooms, old photos or documents you’re unsure of. Still, there are certainly benefits to the 30-second rule when dealing with more basic items around the house.

I decided to apply the 30-second rule while decluttering the storage underneath my coffee table. I tend to throw a variety of miscellaneous things in there — cords, remotes, pens and anything else that doesn’t have a designated home somewhere else.

After applying the rule to each belonging, I decided to part ways with a few wires and old electronics I had been holding onto. While I couldn’t explain why I needed them in 30 seconds, I also couldn’t test if they worked in that amount of time. So after putting an old Fire TV Stick and electronic hand warmer to the side, I did take the time to make sure they didn’t work before ultimately deciding to get rid of them.

While I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of this decluttering method, I also felt like there were a few items where the choice wasn’t as straightforward as the rule makes it seem. I felt the need to make sure certain electronics didn’t work and cords weren’t needed before I was confident enough to let them go. There were also a few notebooks I had barely written in. Sure, I can’t explain why I love or necessarily need them, but I also know it’s helpful to have a spare lying around.

My advice? Use this rule when you need to gain some decluttering momentum, but trust your gut before you make any rash decisions.

Pros

• It can help you make significant progress in a short period of time. If you know you have a specific area around the house that has started to collect junk, the 30-second rule can help you make quick decisions, ultimately decreasing the amount of time you spend decluttering.
• You’ll push yourself to be honest about basic household items. “As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy and this is often the case when you’re helping someone who is struggling to make decluttering decisions in their home,” says Lightfoot. If you don’t remember the last time you referenced that manual or plugged in that wire, it might be time to part ways with it.

Cons

• You might make a decision you regret. When dealing with more sentimental items, it’s best to take the time you really need to decide what to get rid of. “There are ways to declutter without a matter of seconds dictating your decisions,” says Faith Roberson of Organize With Faith.
• This method can be harsh for those struggling to declutter. “It’s very normal to want to keep something that you don’t use and love. Life is hard enough,” says Diane Lowry of New York at Home. Always remember to give yourself grace. All progress, no matter how small, is good progress.

Ultimately, you know yourself better than anyone else — if having only 30 seconds to decide whether or not you want to keep something sounds unrealistic, this might not be the right method for you. In fact, Lowry encourages an almost direct opposite approach: “If you need more than 30 seconds to think about an item, you’re not ready to say goodbye to that item and you should respect where you are right now and keep it.”

The verdict? Be careful when following the 30-second rule. Use it for areas like sock drawers or medicine cabinets, where items don’t carry as much meaning, but be weary before adopting it as part of your overarching decluttering philosophy.

Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com