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How Reverse Decluttering Can Help You Get Rid of Stuff More Easily

How Reverse Decluttering Can Help You Get Rid of Stuff More Easily

If more traditional decluttering methods just aren’t working for you, why not try a different approach. In this article we look at reverse decluttering and how this can help you get rid of unwanted stuff more easily.

DOES DECLUTTERING FEEL LIKE AN UPHILL STRUGGLE?

Decluttering can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. We all know how it goes – sorting through piles of clothes, old books and kitchen gadgets you’ve barely used. It can leave you wondering where to even start and decluttering feels like a big uphill battle. If this sounds familiar, maybe you’d like to try a new strategy and experiment with reverse decluttering instead.

It’s a fresh, practical approach that flips traditional decluttering on its head and makes it a bit less stressful. Think of it as working backwards to simplify your space and life.

In this article I’m exploring what reverse decluttering is, why it might work for you, and how to give it a go.

WHAT IS REVERSE DECLUTTERING?

Most of us approach decluttering by asking, “What should I get rid of?” But reverse decluttering shifts the focus. Instead of deciding what to let go of, you start by identifying the things you want to keep.

You begin with the things that are useful, meaningful and that you truly appreciate and want to keep. Once you’ve set aside those items, the remaining stuff becomes much easier to part with because it’s clear they’re not adding so much value to your life.

How reverse decluttering can help you get rid of stuff more easily

WHY MIGHT REVERSE DECLUTTERING WORK FOR YOU?

Decluttering can be emotional. It’s hard to let go of things, especially if they hold sentimental value or you’ve spent good money on them. Reverse decluttering helps sidestep those tricky emotions because you’re not immediately focusing on what you don’t want. Instead, you’re making positive decisions about what you DO want and what matters most to you.

Here’s why this approach can be helpful:

1. It Reduces Overwhelm

Starting with what you love and use simplifies the process. It feels less like a chore and more like a celebration of the things that make your life better.

2. It Clarifies Priorities

When you focus on what to keep, you naturally gain clarity about your needs, tastes, and values.

3. It’s Perfect for the Hesitant

If you struggle with traditional decluttering because you’re unsure what to let go of, this method lets you ease into it gently.

WHY WE TRIED REVERSE DECLUTTERING

My eldest daughter is currently studying for her exams and she’s finding it difficult to focus without distraction in her bedroom. By nature she is a messy creative and because of that, and other reasons, struggles to keep her room tidy. If you have experience of neurodivergency, you might be familiar with this challenge too!

Recently she decided that the best way for her to study with a tidy desk and tidy mind was by emptying her room of all the stuff that she didn’t use, love or want to keep.

But, her room had a lot of stuff and clearing it was totally overwhelming for her. Instead of asking her what she wanted to get rid of, we tried the reverse decluttering approach and she picked out what she wanted to keep, rather than part with.

There were many reasons why this worked better for her, many of which I’m sharing below, so if you’re struggling with more traditional decluttering strategies, then maybe this one is worth exploring for yourself too.

Reverse decluttering

HOW TO DO REVERSE DECLUTTERING

Now that you know what it is, let’s walk through the steps to reverse declutter your space.

1. Choose a Starting Point

Pick one area to work on at a time – a single drawer, a cupboard, or even just a shelf. Starting small helps build momentum and keeps things manageable.

2. Clear the Space

Take everything out of the area you’re decluttering. Yes, it might make a mess temporarily, but it’s worth it. Seeing the space completely empty gives you a fresh perspective and helps you focus.

Remember, though, to make sure you have enough time to complete your project. If you only have 10 minutes, choose a project that you can start and finish in that window. You want to avoid having to stop halfway and leaving your home in a mess!

3. Decide What to Keep

Go through the items and pick out the things you love, use regularly, or find meaningful in some way. For example:

  • Clothes that fit well and make you feel confident.
  • Kitchen utensils you use frequently.
  • Books you genuinely want to read or re-read.
  • Ask yourself: Would I miss this if it wasn’t here? If the answer is yes, keep it.

Here are some more decluttering questions you could ask to help understand what an item means to you.

4. Separate the Rest

Once you’ve identified the keepers, what’s left over are the items that aren’t adding much value to your life. It might include duplicates, things you forgot you had, or items you no longer enjoy or haven’t used in ages.

5. Declutter the Leftovers

Now that you’ve separated the “must-keeps,” it’s time to deal with the rest. Decide what can be:

  • Donated.
  • Sold.
  • Recycled.
  • Discarded.

Because you’ve already chosen the things that matter most, letting go of the leftovers feels much easier.

6. Organise What You’re Keeping

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to put your keepers back in a way that’s neat and accessible. Invest in storage solutions if needed, but don’t go overboard – simplicity is the goal. Sometimes our enthusiasm for great storage actually just serves to contribute to our clutter!

Reminder – declutter first then organise. Always have in mind what you’re trying to achieve and don’t overthink solutions. Consider practicality over aesthetics if you struggle to know what to keep, store and look after and stay away from the latest trends if they could be more style over substance and functionality. Fridgescaping anyone?!

Reverse decluttering

EXAMPLES OF REVERSE DECLUTTERING IN ACTION

To give you a clearer idea, here are a few examples of how reverse decluttering can work in different areas of your home.

1. Wardrobe

Instead of pulling out clothes to donate, pick out your favourite items first. These might be your go-to jeans, a cosy jumper, or your most flattering dress. Once you’ve done that, what’s left are likely things you no longer wear or need.

2. Kitchen

Start by gathering the tools and gadgets you use all the time – your favourite frying pan, sharp knives, and trusty wooden spoon. The rest (like that fondue set you haven’t touched in years) could go.

3. Bookshelves

Pick out books you absolutely love or know you’ll read again. What’s left are books you can donate or pass on to friends.

BENEFITS OF REVERSE DECLUTTERING

So why should you try this method? Here are some of the biggest benefits that my daughter and I found when we tried this approach in her bedroom:

1. It’s Less Stressful

Traditional decluttering can feel like a judgment process – deciding what’s “worthy” of staying. Reverse decluttering flips that around and makes it feel more positive. This also helps remove some of the burden of responsibility we feel in making perfect and correct decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.

2. You Avoid Regret

Because you’re focusing on what matters most to you, there’s less chance of accidentally getting rid of something important.

3. It’s Great for Sentimental Items

If you struggle with letting go of sentimental things, reverse decluttering can help. By focusing on the sentimental items you truly treasure, it becomes easier to let go of the ones that don’t hold as much meaning.

4. It Builds Gratitude

This method naturally shifts your mindset from focusing on what you don’t have to appreciating what you do. Over time I’ve felt this has helped me move away from the mindset of modern society encouraging us to need yet more stuff and towards making do and making the most of what we already have. I find that I often need fewer things than I once thought I did and I’m better able to repurpose what I have or do without (whilst not feeling that I’m going without!).

Reverse decluttering

A REVERSE DECLUTTERING CHECKLIST

If you’re ready to give this method a try, here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

  • Choose one small area to declutter.
  • Empty the space completely.
  • Identify the items you use, love, and find meaningful.
  • Set aside these “keepers.”
  • Look at what’s left and decide what can be donated, recycled, sold, or discarded.
  • Organise your keepers neatly.
  • Celebrate your progress – every small step counts and it always helps to keep decluttering fun!

CONCLUSION

Decluttering doesn’t have to be daunting, and reverse decluttering is proof of that. By focusing on what you truly value, you can simplify your home and life in a way that feels positive and empowering.

Give it a try, and you might just find that decluttering becomes less of a chore and more of a rewarding process. Let me know how you get on. I’d love to hear about your experience so please leave a comment at the end of the article.

Did you find this approach an easier way to declutter?

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Here are some more articles which you might find helpful as you find your own way to declutter;

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Nancy

Saturday 25th of January 2025

Thank you Antonia! I'll try this approach for my next decluttering project, probably the bathroom :)

Antonia

Sunday 26th of January 2025

Hi Nancy, You're most welcome. I hope this way of looking at it helps!