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5 minute declutter for a simple minimalist home

April 24, 2021 by Sarah 14 Comments

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Do this 5 minute declutter for a simple minimalist home that will drastically improve your home for the better.

One 5 minute declutter session at a time. Yes, this can work! And yes, it is so worth it.

5 minute declutter for minimalist home

When I started on a journey to simplify our life, it all began with a question, “What can I do now that will make my life easier later?

I was desperate for a big change. As I looked around our home I started to question the number of possessions that we had accumulated over the years.

Which lead to me wanting to declutter our entire home.

Now three years later into this simple living journey I have a new perspective on life.

Heck, I even call myself a minimalist. How did that even happen? Well, this all happened because of decluttering.

However, not a massive, overwhelming, stressful decluttering. But doing 5 to 15 minute decluttering sessions over a year. Slowly and steadily decluttering.

Until eventually I looked around and realized that unknowingly our home has become a minimalist home.

before 5 minute declutter for a minimalist home
Before a 5 minute declutter

What is a minimalist home?

When I think of a minimalist home, I think of the following criteria:

1. Everything in the home is used on a regular basis.

2. It takes a short time at the end of the day to tidy up.

3. The home feels peaceful, relaxing, and welcoming.

Every family is unique and different which is why I shy away from a specific number of items.

A minimalist home, for me, is all about how it functions and feels on a daily basis.

What if I don’t want a minimalist home?

Even if you are on the fence about minimalism, I have a feeling that your home could still benefit from some scheduled 5 to 15 minute decluttering sessions.

Let’s face it, life is constantly changing. Every day changes and with that change comes more items and processions that we need to manage and deal with.

If you want a minimalist home, then go wild. But if you would like a more simple easier to manage home. This should work for you as well.

Need more support? Check out my home decluttering guide for a minimalist home.

Do 5 minute declutter sessions actually work?

Yes, decluttering for 5 minute intervals does work. But only if you consistently declutter.

Think of this, if you decluttered a spot or room in your home for 5 minutes every day, for an entire month. At the end of the month, you would have spent roughly 2 1/2 hours decluttering.

That’s a lot of progress for only 5 minute decluttering sessions.

Decluttering is hard. You are often confronted by past decisions. Feelings of regret, what if, and indecision can be hard to break through. But you can do this!

Your peace of mind and an easy-to-maintain home are worth more than all of the extra stuff.

Look at decluttering as a muscle. The more you work at it the stronger your “decluttering” muscles will become.

I believe in you and YOU CAN DO THIS!

Steps in a 5 minute declutter for a minimalist home

Step One: Gather your supplies

Gather the following items: timer and donatable box (or bag), and a trash bag. That’s all you need? Yup!

I have found that the hardest part of the decluttering process is getting started.

This is where the timer comes into play. Say, “I only need to declutter for 5 minutes, and then I’m done” helps.

What also helps is having a trash bag and donatable box ready to receive the items you no longer would like. Items can be immediately taken out of the house.

If you don’t have a timer or donatable box (or bag) readily available. But you feel motivated. Don’t let that stop you.

Start a pile and grab a box after you finish decluttering.

supplies for 5 minute declutter

Step Two: Ask, why?

Before decluttering I like to ask myself. Why am I doing this? This helps keep my end goal in perspective as I declutter.

Some of my past reasons for decluttering:

  1. Wanting to let go of who I wish I was and embrace who I am at this present moment.
  2. Allowing me to keep our house tidy.
  3. Enjoying a visually simple home.

Write me a comment and let me know, why are you wanting to declutter?

Step Three: Set a timer

Then set a 5-minute timer, maybe listen to some motivational music, and get decluttering.

As I declutter I will do the following things:

1. Keep the items.

2. Relocate items if they don’t belong in that space.

3. Place items in the trash bag (if it’s actual trash).

4. Place donatable items in the donation box.

This is a quick declutter so try and make quick decisions.

Once you are done with your 5 minutes declutter take the trash out and the donatable box out of the house. If possible, immediately donate unwanted items.

after 5 minute declutter for minimalist home
After 5 minute declutter

Minimalist Home Conclusion

Decluttering can be a challenge. Going through the items in your home brings back memories.

It can be hard confronting some of those memories. However, I have confidence that you can do this!

Let’s take back our homes, one decluttering session at a time.

Want to try minimalism? Minimalist Living: 7 ways to sample living with less.

Want inspiration? Watch this 5 minute Declutter.

Discover what others are reading:

3 Steps to Jump-Start Minimalist

Three Habits to continue Minimalist

Best tips for a minimalist kitchen

Pin for Later!

Minimalist home declutter

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Filed Under: Decluttering, Simple Living

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica

    April 27, 2021 at

    This is great! My older sister would clean one area for 20 minutes. 5 minutes is even better!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 12, 2021 at

      What a great idea! Your sister sounds like she has a good system in place.

      Reply
  2. Julie

    April 29, 2021 at

    Love this great ideas and encouragement. Never thought I would be a minimalist, but after slowing chipping away at our possessions for the last 2 1/2 years its amazing how much better it feels to not be surrounded by so much stuff! My husband started to go through his stuff once we sat down together and decluttered for 5-15 minutes. Way less overwhelming than spending hours at a time.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      April 29, 2021 at

      Awesome job! I am so glad you found encouragement from this. It’s amazing how much easier life can be with less stuff.

      Reply
  3. Ada

    April 29, 2021 at

    I want to declutter my kitchen cabinest. Set the timer is a great idea!. Thank you!!!!!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      April 29, 2021 at

      Yes! You can do it 🙂

      Reply
  4. Juliea Huffaker

    April 29, 2021 at

    Love your donate, trash and keep piles! I am a minimalist at heart, but my kids….. not so much! I have to throw things away when they’re at school lol.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 12, 2021 at

      Yes, it can be challenging when living with other people. But it sounds like you have a great way to deal with all the extra stuff. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  5. Susan

    April 29, 2021 at

    Yes! I so need this in my (cluttered) life! Especially with kids stuff. Thanks for the great tips!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 12, 2021 at

      I’m so happy to hear you found these tips helpful!

      Reply
  6. Anja

    April 29, 2021 at

    This is so helpful for anyone wanting to stay on top of clutter. Great post!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 12, 2021 at

      Thank you and thank you for taking the time to read and post.

      Reply
  7. Stephanie

    April 30, 2021 at

    Love this! I am always on the lookout for easier ways to declutter.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 12, 2021 at

      Yes, me as well.

      Reply

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