We all have those things we keep moving from one drawer to another because we can’t quite decide whether they’re useful, sentimental or simply taking up space. And the longer we put off making a decision, the more likely they are to stay exactly where they are.
The ‘set it aside’ decluttering method clears space fast, without rushing you, and shows what items are actually earning their place. Instead of forcing yourself to make a snap decision, you put the items you’re unsure about in a box and give yourself time to see whether you miss them.
It’s a simple way to make progress without feeling you have to part with everything on the spot. Here’s how it works, and how to tell if its the right decluttering method for you.
What is the ‘set it aside’ decluttering method?
The ‘set it aside’ decluttering method is for those items you’re not quite ready to keep, but at the same time are not quite ready to let go of either. This method gives you an exit plan, and a decision making grace period.
Rather than standing there trying to make the perfect decision, instead put them in a box, write a date on it and store it somewhere out of sight for 30 days. If you find yourself needing or missing anything in the meantime, you can take it back. But if the month passes and you haven’t thought about the box once, that’s your answer. It provides a useful clue that those items may not be earning their space in your home after all. The idea is to give yourself a little breathing room, while making sure the ‘maybe’ pile doesn’t quietly become a permanent fixture.
How to know if the ‘set it aside’ decluttering method is right for you
This is perfect for those indecisive declutterers out there. Sometimes clutter builds up because we don’t have the time to organise or the right storage systems in place, but sometimes it’s simply down to an inability to part with things. It’s normal to form emotional attachments to inanimate objects, but it can make decluttering harder than it needs to be. If you feel genuinely torn or paralysed by guilt whenever you have to decide what should happen to something in your home, a method like this can help make the process feel more manageable.
It follows the simple well-known premise of ‘use it or lose it’. The box gives you a chance to see whether you actually miss something: if you don’t need to take it out in the next 30 days, you may not need it in the months that follow either. Of course, it won’t work for everything. Seasonal or more specialised items may not be used regularly but still serve a purpose, so you’ll need to make your own decision about those. But for everyday items that are taking up space, this can be a handy motivator. You also get the immediate satisfaction of seeing the clutter disappear into the box. Once you see how much space you’ve freed up, you may feel more motivated to keep going.
How to do the ‘set it aside’ decluttering method
1. Start with one small area. Choose a drawer, shelf or category of items rather than emptying an entire room. This keeps the job manageable and makes it easier to see the difference once you’re done.
2. Sort items into keep, let go and set aside. Put away anything you know you use and love, and deal with obvious rubbish or donations. The box is only for the items you’re genuinely unsure about; it shouldn’t become a home for things you already know you don’t want and simply want to delay the inevitable. This stage alone should show some great progress which will help motivate you on your way.
3. Put your ‘maybe’ items in a box. Write the date on it and store it somewhere out of sight for 30 days. Try not to keep opening it to check what’s inside – the point is to give yourself time to see whether you actually miss anything.
4. Review the box when the time is up. If you needed an item, take it out and find a proper home for it. If you didn’t, consider donating or recycling it. Although be sure to set a reminder now, so the box doesn’t end up living in the cupboard indefinitely.