Not my living room table (or cat) but I can only wish it would be so empty!
Decluttering sounds simple, but somehow, the mess always comes back. Believe me, I understand. I have a table in my living room that no matter how many times I empty it, within a week, it’s covered in random stuff again. My daughter’s school papers that she brings home, toys, an art project, and whatever else finds its way there. It’s like a magnet for clutter, and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to keep it clean.
So if you’re frustrated by the never-ending cycle of mess, trust me – you’re not alone.
That’s why I started doing research on how to get rid of it (or to be honest, at least lesson it. There’s no way my house will ever be free of clutter.) What I found is that using a 5-minute decluttering habit can help, and while it hasn’t magically made my home perfect, it has made it a lot more manageable.
Why 5 Minutes?
Because decluttering isn’t the problem – keeping things decluttered is. The big clean-out sessions feel good (and exhausting), but unless you change your daily habits, the mess comes right back. Five minutes a day won’t make your home magazine-worthy, but it will stop clutter from piling up so fast.
Think of it like brushing your teeth: You wouldn’t skip brushing all week and then spend an hour cleaning them on Sunday, right? Small, consistent efforts keep things under control.
How the 5-Minute Decluttering Habit Works
Here’s how to make it work, no matter how busy or overwhelmed you feel:
- Pick One High-Clutter Zone: Maybe it’s your kitchen counter, entryway, nightstand, or (like me) the table that mysteriously collects everything.
- Set a Timer for 5 Minutes: You don’t need to clean your whole home, just tackle what you can in a short burst.
- Put Things Back Where They Belong: Instead of shifting piles around, actually return items to their proper places. If something doesn’t have a place, decide if it’s worth keeping.
- Stop When the Timer Goes Off: The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency. Five minutes is enough to make a difference, and you’re more likely to do it again tomorrow. (But hey, if you’re in the middle of something when the timer goes off, you can spend another minute or two to finish it!)
What If the Clutter Still Comes Back?
It will. That’s normal. The goal isn’t to stop clutter forever…it’s to keep it from taking over. Some spots (like my table) will always need extra attention. But instead of waiting until it’s a disaster, you’ll have a simple system in place to stay ahead of the mess.
The Secret to Making This a Habit
If you’ve ever started a habit and then forgotten about it (been there!), try these tricks to make it stick:
- Tie it to something you already do. Wipe down the kitchen counter right after dinner. Tidy the entryway before bed. Pick up the living room while your dinner is in the oven. (If you’re interested, there’s an awesome book I read called Atomic Habits by James Clear that talks about this.)
- Make it easy. Keep a donation box in your closet so you can toss in clothes you don’t wear. Keep a small basket by the door for things that need to go elsewhere.
- Track your wins. Even a small win (like seeing a clear surface) feels good! Take a before-and-after photo or just pause to appreciate the difference.
One Last Thing…
Decluttering isn’t about having a Pinterest-perfect home. It’s about feeling less stressed when you walk into a room. A 5-minute daily habit won’t erase all clutter, but it will keep it under control, without taking over your life.
And if you have a ‘clutter magnet’ spot like my living room table, don’t get discouraged! Keep showing up for five minutes a day. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it gets over time.