1. Grab one sturdy bin and pick a roomChoose a single room or zone, for example: entryway bench, one bathroom, the pantry, or snack shelf. Use a bin that is easy to carry, such as an Amazon box or a laundry basket. Why does this help? The single container creates a clear finish line. No wandering. No decision fatigue.
Pro Tip: Snap a quick “before” photo. You will see progress, even if the change feels small.
Reset Cue: Keep it tiny; one shelf or one drawer is a win.2. Set a 20-minute timerStart a visible timer on your phone or oven, stand to work, and put on your shoes. I find this helps me move faster; I put on some music for extra motivation. Why this helps: it builds momentum. You will move faster and second-guess less.
Pro Tip: Ten minutes to collect. Five minutes to sort. Five minutes to put away.
Reset Cue: Stopping to reminisce. If a memory item appears, place it in a small “decide later” envelope. Keep moving.
3. Fill the bin with duplicates, broken items and items you have not used in more than a year
Move from left to right and remove the obvious first. Duplicates, expired products, chipped mugs, outgrown sizes, and gadgets that never earned their spot. This helps because starting with low-effort decisions builds confidence for the trickier ones. Ask yourself, “Would I choose this again today?” Does it deserve storage space in this room?
Pro Tip: Create quick sub-piles in the bin using two grocery bags. Bag 1 for donations. Bag 2 for recycling or e-waste.
Reset Cue: “Just in case.” If you have not used it in a year and it is easy to replace, it is safe to donate.
4. Process right away, donate first, then recycle, then trash as a last resort
Next, empty the bin before the timer tone or immediately after. Bag donations, label them, and leave them by the door or in the car. Recycle what your city accepts. Trash only what cannot be reused or recycled. Why does this help? It closes the loop, with no “to-deal-with” pile lingering on the counter or table.
Reset Cue: “Where do I take it?” Keep a short list of your two go-to donation options and their hours of operation in your phone.
I have a list of donation places on my website at Donations
5. Book your next 20-minute session for tomorrow
Lastly, schedule your next micro-session. Sticking to the same time tomorrow keeps the habit easy. This helps with repetition and turns progress into a routine. Five sessions a week add up to nearly two hours without burnout.
Pro Tip: Rotate rooms. Day 1 entry, day 2 bathroom, day 3 pantry, day 4 linen closet, day 5 paper tray. This way, you will see a change in every area of your home.
Reset Cue: Forgetting! Set a phone reminder and place the empty bin where you will see it. Link this to a reward, such as a cup of tea, watching your favourite show, or scrolling.
If you take one thing from this challenge, let it be this: progress comes from small, finished actions. One bin, one room, 20 minutes. You are not trying to overhaul your entire home; you are building trust in yourself to start and finish without feeling overwhelmed. Each session creates lighter spaces, faster routines, and clearer decisions. |
|
