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.

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.

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.

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:
- Wanting to let go of who I wish I was and embrace who I am at this present moment.
- Allowing me to keep our house tidy.
- 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.

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
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This is great! My older sister would clean one area for 20 minutes. 5 minutes is even better!
What a great idea! Your sister sounds like she has a good system in place.
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.
Awesome job! I am so glad you found encouragement from this. It’s amazing how much easier life can be with less stuff.
I want to declutter my kitchen cabinest. Set the timer is a great idea!. Thank you!!!!!
Yes! You can do it 🙂
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.
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.
Yes! I so need this in my (cluttered) life! Especially with kids stuff. Thanks for the great tips!
I’m so happy to hear you found these tips helpful!
This is so helpful for anyone wanting to stay on top of clutter. Great post!
Thank you and thank you for taking the time to read and post.
Love this! I am always on the lookout for easier ways to declutter.
Yes, me as well.