How to make decluttering fun

Here are 15 fun ways to help make decluttering fun.

Let’s face it, at times decluttering can be boring, challenging, and un-fun. Yes, I just made up a new word. But I like it, don’t you?

Decluttering our homes and lives doesn’t need to be a boring task. Let’s mix decluttering up a little bit, one idea at a time.

First of all, why even declutter in the first place?

Every person has their unique reasons for why they want to declutter. I encourage you to take a few minutes and think about why you want to declutter.

Write your decluttering reason down; it doesn’t have to be fancy. Remind yourself why you want to declutter. As the saying goes, “Keep your eye on the prize.” 

Some reasons why I wanted to declutter:

1. I was tired of all the extra stuff in our home that we weren’t using but “might use one day.”
2. I wanted to focus on accepting who I am currently and likewise let go of who I wish I was.

Why do you want to declutter?

What are the different types of clutter? 

1. Stuff: physical objects in your space
2. Activities: the activities you do within a day

I am talking about decluttering the physical stuff in your life. 

Why make decluttering fun?

When working on a task that is a challenge, it can difficult to become motivated to do the task, like decluttering. If a task has a bit more fun involved then we are all more likely to do the task.

I share some silly and not so silly ideas to help motivate you to either start or continue to declutter. 

Before beginning a fun decluttering session, I recommend you have the following things:

• donatable box (or bag) for donations

• trash bag for trash  

Even if you don’t have the recommended boxes close by. Don’t let that stop you! Start a pile and grab a box after you finish decluttering.

15 ideas to make decluttering fun

I share a variety of ideas depending upon how much time you have and how much beforehand preparation you need to do. I recommend only picking one or two ideas to do at any given time. 

1. Set a timer

One of my biggest motivators in life is to beat the time on a timer. I enjoy setting a 5-15 minute timer, 5-MINUTE TIMER, to see how fast I can be.

I am a tad bit competitive. Can you tell?

You might surprise yourself with how much you can get done in such a short amount of time. 

2. Listen to music or audiobook or podcast

Pump up the tunes and bust a move while you declutter. Music is such a positive mood booster. Do a few dance moves as you declutter.

Not only are you decluttering but you are also burning extra calories. 

3.Take before & after photos

Before beginning your decluttering task, snap a photo or two. Declutter for a bit.

Then after you have stopping decluttering for the day, snap another picture.

Even if your space isn’t 100% where you would like it to be, still take that photo.  Don’t let perfectionism stand in your way. A job done is better than a job not done at all. 

4. Share before & after photos to a friend (or on social media)

Show off the hard work you have done in your space. It always feels good to have a friend encourage you. Who knows, you might even encourage them to declutter their space too. 

5. Envision your space

As you are decluttering, think about what you want your space to look like, or feel, or function. When you declutter, what do you hope to gain from this task?

6. Earn a reward

After completing your decluttering task, reward yourself.

I recommend focusing on items that are consumable or aren’t physical objects. You worked so hard at decluttering, don’t clutter up your newly decluttered space with more stuff.

For example, it could be something simple like watching an episode of a favorite television show or getting together with a friend for coffee. 

7. Invite a friend over

Ask a close friend or family member to help you with decluttering. Find someone who you know will help you and encourage you as you declutter.

8. Do a challenge. 

I love a good challenge. You feel like you are a part of something bigger than yourself. You can do these solo or with a friend.

There are so many awesome decluttering challenges out there. You can search on Pinterest or online and find one that suits you best. I have listed two of my favorite decluttering challenges below. 

12 – 12- 12 Challenge(by: Joshua Becker): find 12 items to be tossed, 12 items to be donated, 12 items to be returned to their proper home. Repeat if you would like.

30-Day Minimalism Game(by: the minimalists): For 30 days you do the following: day one get rid of 1 item, day two get rid of 2 items, day three get rid of 3 items, and so on. By day thirty get rid of 30 items.

9. Play dress up 

This one is a bit silly. But dress up when you declutter. It could be you wear a silly hat or put on an old Halloween costume. Be creative and pretend. Enjoy being silly! 

10. Spending freeze

What is a spending freeze? For a week (or two or even up to a month), freeze your spending. Only spend on items up have to need to have, like groceries, bills, etc. But freeze all other expenses.

For instance, avoid the dollar spot to REDUCE IMPULSE BUYING.

This allows you to work on two ideas: budget, and decluttering. The fewer items you bring into your home, then the less you need to declutter. Thus, decluttering is more fun because you have less to declutter. 

11. Create a vision board 

Sit down and create a vision board for what you want your home to look like and feel like. This can be done on Pinterest or with paper and pencil.

This can be as simple or elaborate as you would like. Have fun. Bust out those art and craft supplies you have tucked away. Enjoy the process.

This vision helps keep you focused on why you are decluttering in the first place. 

12. Sell for fun money

Try and sell a few more expensive decluttered items. Take the money earned to treat yourself to something fun. 

But I have a few points of caution for you: 

1. First, focus on decluttering first and selling items second.
2. Only do this tip every so often.
3. If an item doesn’t sell relatively quickly, then don’t hold onto it for “someday someone will want this.” Donate the item or give it away for free.

13. Invite company over

There is nothing quite like inviting company over to encourage you to tidy up and declutter your home. At least that’s the case for me. If I have company coming over, I am super motivated to clean, tidy, and declutter.

Similarly, you can show off your newly decluttered space. Hopefully, you will get some positive feedback and that will help you continue to declutter other parts of your home. 

14. Trash Hunt

This is as simple as it sounds. Take a trash bag, go around your whole house, and search for trash. This is a low-stress declutter. You’re only hunting for trash.  See how quickly you can fill up the trash bag. 

I recommend starting in your food pantry. No matter how good I am at REDUCING FOOD WASTE, I always seem to be able to find a few things toss away (old wrappers, stale food, etc.) 

15. Play a game hide and seek game 

Finally, play hide and seek with your stuff. Have a family member take a few items from a space. Place those items in a time-will-tell bin.

Then go onto the room and see if you can identify the items that were removed from the space. If not, then take the items from the time will tell bin and donate them. 

What is a time will tell bin? You put any items that you aren’t 100% sure you want to keep or declutter in the bin. The bin lives in a storage space in your home. After a while, if you no longer need or want those items then you declutter them. 

Decluttering Fun Conclusion

The next time you want to declutter try one or two of the ideas that I mentioned. I hope they continue to encourage you to have a more simple, clutter-free life.

Decluttering can be a challenge. But like most skills in life, the more you work at it, the easier it will become.

Which fun decluttering idea will you try soon? 

Thank you so much for stopping by! I love sharing about simple routines for simple living.

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