I know people who have wanted to get rid of stuff for years. The basement is full, the cupboards are overflowing, but somehow nothing happens. Not because they're lazy, but because the task seems so big that they never even start.
If that sounds like you, here's a more relaxed approach.
The Problem with All-at-Once
Most guides say: Clear everything out, sort, decide. That works for some people. For others it's overwhelming.
When you're standing in front of a mountain of things and have to decide about each one -- keep or not -- it's exhausting. Emotionally and mentally. After two hours you're drained and maybe you've managed one shelf.
The result: You stop before you're finished. And because you didn't finish, you start from scratch next time. A frustrating cycle.
The Five-Minute Approach
What helped me: Five minutes every day. No more.
Five minutes is short enough that you can't find an excuse. You can always find five minutes. Before breakfast, after dinner, while the coffee brews.
In five minutes you won't get much done, but you'll get something done. A drawer. A shelf. A corner.
It adds up. Five minutes a day is over 30 hours a year. That's a lot of decluttering.
The One-Thing Rule
An even simpler version: Get rid of one thing every day.
Just one. No more, no less. A t-shirt you no longer wear. A book you'll never read. A cable that doesn't fit anything.
It sounds like very little, but do the maths: One thing a day is 365 things a year. That's a significant difference in your home.
And because it's so little, you do it even on days when you're tired, stressed, or just not in the mood. It's almost impossible to find an excuse for a single thing.
The Maybe Pile
With some things I'm unsure. I don't know whether I want to keep them or not. What then?
I used to just put these things back. The decision was postponed, but not made.
Now I have a maybe pile. A box where those things go. When the box is full, I go through it again. Often, after a few weeks, it's clearer whether I actually missed something or not.
Spoiler: Usually I haven't missed it.
Using Triggers
Instead of planning a big decluttering day, I use small triggers in everyday life.
When I buy new clothes: An old piece has to go.
When I finish a book: Keep or pass on?
When I'm looking for something and searching through a cupboard: Sort out what catches my eye along the way.
These opportunities come up naturally. I just have to use them.
The Way Out
Sorting things out is only half the work. They also need to leave the flat.
My system: A box by the door for things that need to go. When it's full, I post them on PIKITUP or take them to a second-hand shop.
The important thing is that sorted-out items don't disappear back into the flat. Once they're on the "going away" pile, they don't come back.
Dealing with Emotions
Letting go of some things is emotionally hard. The gift from someone who's no longer around. The souvenir from a trip. The piece of clothing that belonged to a particular time in your life.
What helps me here is the distinction: The memory is in me, not in the object.
Sometimes I take a photo before I give something away. That way I have a visual memory without needing the space.
And sometimes I keep things even though they have no practical use. Because they matter to me. That's okay too. Minimalism doesn't mean giving everything away. It means deciding consciously.
Recognising Successes
It's easy to focus on what still needs to be done. The full basement, the overflowing cupboards, the endless work.
But also look at what you've achieved. The drawer that's now tidy. The shelf that has space again. The things that are bringing someone else joy.
That motivates you to keep going.
Nobody's Perfect
I don't live in a minimalist-empty flat. I still have things I don't need. Sometimes they pile up again.
That's okay. Decluttering isn't a project with an end date. It's an ongoing practice. Sometimes it goes better, sometimes worse.
The point isn't perfection. The point is moving in the right direction. A bit less stuff, a bit more space, a bit more clarity.
Conclusion
Getting rid of stuff doesn't have to be a stressful mega-project. Five minutes a day, one thing at a time -- it adds up.
And when you're ready to pass something on: PIKITUP makes it easy. A short description, a photo, done. Someone near you will be happy.
Start today. One thing. Just one.
How do you handle decluttering? Write to me -- hello@pikitup.ch