Let me tell you something about decluttering
I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I’m some kind of expert. I’m just a guy who’s tried alot of stuff and finally figured out what actually works. And what doesn’t. And honestly, some of this stuff is just… yeah.
About three months ago, I was at my wits’ end. My apartment looked like a bomb went off. I mean, I couldn’t even find my keys half the time. So, I did what any sensible person would do—I went down the decluttering rabbit hole.
First, the Marie Kondo method
You know, the whole “does it spark joy” thing. I tried it. Honestly, it was kinda nice at first. But then I got to my sock drawer. Does a sock spark joy? I mean, it’s a sock. It’s not gonna win any awards. But do I need to keep it? I don’t know, Marie. You tell me.
I ended up keeping most of my stuff because, frankly, I couldn’t decide. And that’s the problem with that method. It’s too… I don’t know, touchy-feely for me. I need something more practical.
Then, the minimalist approach
I watched this documentary about minimalists. You know, the ones who own like 10 items total. I was like, “Okay, I can do this.” So, I started getting rid of stuff. A lot of stuff. And then I realized I didn’t have a coat hanger when it got cold. And my favorite mug was gone. And, look, I get it. Less is more. But I’m not a monk. I like my stuff.
I talked to this guy, let’s call him Marcus, who’s a big minimalist. He told me, “You just haven’t found the freedom yet.” I said, “Marcus, I found freedom. It’s called my closet. And it’s full.” He didn’t get it. But that’s okay. Not everyone can be a minimalist.
The KonMari method was completley overrated
I tried the KonMari method next. You know, the one where you fold your clothes so they stand up? I spent like 214 hours folding and refolding my shirts. And then I wore one of them, and it was all wrinkled. So, what was the point?
I asked my friend Dave about it. He said, “Dude, just fold your clothes normally.” And he’s right. Sometimes, you just gotta fold your clothes normally.
What actually worked for me
So, here’s the thing. I found this helpful resources online guide that talked about the “one in, one out” rule. Basically, for every new thing you bring into your home, you get rid of one old thing. It’s simple, it’s practical, and it works.
I started doing this, and suddenly, my apartment wasn’t so cluttered anymore. It was a slow process, but it was manageable. And I didn’t have to worry about whether my socks sparked joy or not.
A tangent about my mom
My mom is a hoarder. I mean, she keeps everything. Old magazines, broken toys, you name it. I tried to get her to declutter, but she just looks at me like I’m crazy. “You never know when you might need it,” she says. And I’m like, “Mom, we have Amazon. We can get anything we need.” But she’s not having it.
I love my mom, but she’s never gonna be a minimalist. And that’s okay. We all have our committments.
Final thoughts
Look, decluttering is not a one-size-fits-all thing. What works for one person might not work for another. But the “one in, one out” rule? That’s a game-changer. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it doesn’t require you to fold your clothes in a weird way.
So, if you’re out there struggling with clutter, give it a try. And if it doesn’t work, well, at least you tried. And that’s more than I can say for my sock drawer.
About the Author: John Doe is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. He’s written for major publications and has a strong opinion on everything. When he’s not writing, he’s probably folding his clothes the wrong way.
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