How to Use the 5 Second Rule for Decluttering

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Can your brain keep you from decluttering?  Maybe.  Mel Robbins explains how in her useful and inspiring book, The 5 Second Rule.*  It's not specifically about decluttering, but it's an idea that can help you access your intuition.  What it does is stop you from over-thinking any situation.


* This blog is reader-supported, with no ads!  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.


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How our brains work


Like other living entities, we're hardwired to do two things – survive and reproduce.  And our brains are designed to help us.  In fact, they're almost too good at that job.  That's because our brains work very hard to keep us safe from danger.


As a result, we can find it hard to be daring, creative, innovative, or even just different from the way we usually are.  When we decide to try something new, our brains are excellent at reminding us of all the reasons we should avoid it.  Memories and fears surface that may persuade us to stick with what has helped us to survive so far. My brain is so good at telling me that a new and exciting idea might be dangerous.


So if we want to get out of a rut, change our behavior, or take any kind of risk, we have to fool our brain's programming.**


** Of course, sometimes it's smart to hesitate before trying something new.  It might truly be dangerous, and rushing headlong without thought wouldn't be a good idea.





How the 5 Second Rule rewires your brain


This is actually very simple.  If we do something potentially scary in 5 seconds or less, our brains don't have time to think.  We can stop the process of panic because our brains can't come up with all of our past experiences and new objections fast enough.


If you want to get rid of clutter, but have found yourself questioning every item, the 5 Second Rule can help, especially if you're listening to the lies your brain tells you, such as "You might need this someday!"  You can stop overthinking and imagining the worst.





Applying the 5 Second Rule


Before you start going through your clothes closet, kitchen cupboards, or any other cluttered area, be prepared.  Set your goal, gather your boxes or bags, and implement your new rule.


How do you set a goal?  Here are some examples:

  • Remove all clothes that don't fit or that you haven't worn this year.
  • Remove duplicate kitchen utensils and unused appliances.
  • Remove all jewelry you haven't worn in the past year.
  • Remove broken and outgrown toys.
  • Keep just one shelf of videos and games.

Once you start 5 second decluttering, you need somewhere to easily toss your items.  Use a trash bag, a box for donations, and a box for things you want to sell, if you want to take the time and effort to do that.  Know yourself!  If having a box of stuff to sell is going to tempt you to reconsider your decisions, then donate everything.  It's the quickest way to actually remove clutter from your home.


Ready to start 5 second decluttering?  The rule is easy:


Don't let any item touch your hands for longer than 5 seconds.


Renee at thefunsizedlife.com calls this "hot potato decluttering."  I love that description!  Don't let any item burn your hands.  Decide immediately which box or bag to put it in.


You know as well as I do that if you start holding and examining your items, you'll start to rationalize all the reasons why you should keep them.  Believe me, I know them all.

  • I paid good money for this.
  • It belonged to dear Aunt Sue.
  • I know I don't use it, but it's still in good shape.
  • It's not great, but it's part of a set. 
  • It's "always" been on that shelf.
  • What if I need it someday?
  • What if it's worth something?

Don't let your brain trick you into maintaining the status quo.  Grab an item, pick a box.  Not only is this an effective way to access your intuition and emotions so you can truly know what you want to have in your life, but it's also a very efficient way to get through the decluttering process without bogging down and losing motivation.





What's next?


Once you hit your goal, you can move to another area, set a new goal, or call it done for the day and get rid of your boxes of clutter.


The 5 Second Rule works anywhere you want to make decisions, especially if you know you will argue with yourself or devise some sort of resistance.  It lets you interrupt self-doubt and negative self-talk so you can accomplish the things that will make your life better.


Want to make decluttering a little more fun?



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