The Box Method

Decluttering can feel like a big, vague task — but it gets a lot more doable once you have an actual declutter process to follow. That's what the Box Method and The 4 P's of Decluttering are here for: two simple, step-by-step strategies you can use to work through any space, no matter how much time you have or how overwhelmed you're feeling.

The 4 P's is perfect for when you're overwhelmed or short on time. But what if you've got a little more time to work with (25 minutes or more), are not quite as easily overwhelmed, and want to be a bit more efficient, that's where the Box Method comes in!

How The Box Method works: sort a specific area or category into boxes or bags, then put everything away all at once — one box at a time — once the whole area is sorted (or your boxes are full).

The Steps

1. Choose where to start. First pick a room. Then in that room, decide whether you're tackling a drawer, a cupboard, a section of counter, or a category (i.e. dishes or shirts). Feeling overwhelmed? Just start at the first messy spot you see — trust your instincts and keep it simple.

2. Set up your boxes. At minimum, you'll want a trash bag, a donate box, a "put away here" box, and a "put away elsewhere" box. Add more as needed for your situation, and label them if that helps you stay on track. (If you've read the 4 P's of decluttering, this is the main difference: instead of putting each item away individually, you're sorting into boxes or piles as you go.) NOTE: You don't just have to use boxes. Bags, baskets, bins, or buckets will do. The point is to put the items in containers rather than just making piles that are hard to pick up quickly at the end of the session.

3. Sort. Pull all the items out of the space — lay them on a clear surface if you can — then pick up each one and place it in the right box.

4. Put it all away. First wipe down the space. Then put your keep items back in a way that makes sense to you. Next, take out the trash and move the donate box to the door (or your car if the box is full), and take "put away elsewhere" items to their respective rooms — or as close as you can, just do your best. Don't over think it. Boxes like sell or fix should go somewhere logical and labeled, like a garage shelf, so they're ready for your next session. WARNING: if you are early in your decluttering journey, putting things away can derail you fast if their "home" is already full of clutter. Don't get pulled into shuffling clutter

around — just place items as close to their ideal spot as you can, and keep going.

-----

Ready to declutter your entire home one step at a time? Grab the Declutter Journey Kickoff Guide — a step-by-step workbook to help you find your starting point and keep momentum going, box by box.

link to and from the four P's blog and the where to put things away blog