Declutter Backwards: The Smartest, Fastest, and Easiest Way to Declutter
By Rita Wilkins
You spent an entire weekend decluttering and organizing your garage. But less than a week later—bam! Clutter has already started creeping back in, leaving you frustrated and wondering if all that effort was wasted. Ugh!
Is it time to think differently about how you declutter? Maybe it’s time for an out-of-the-box approach—one that’s faster, easier, and smarter. A way that takes far less time and still gets the job done beautifully.
If that sounds like your kind of magic, listen up.
Learn How to Declutter Backwards. Yep, Backwards!This is the exact opposite of traditional decluttering. It’s quick, efficient, and a huge time- and energy-saver because…
It’s about what to KEEP, rather than what to GET RID OF.
That one simple, yet mind-blowing, mindset shift flips the whole experience on its head—turning decluttering into a positive, not a negative.
✨ It takes less time
✨ Reduces overwhelm and decision fatigue
✨ Minimizes emotion and drama
When you start by identifying your essentials—the things you truly need, love, and use—you empower yourself to take control of your clutter. It becomes much easier (and quicker!) to recognize what doesn’t serve you.
It creates a simpler framework for those who struggle to let go.
Once you’ve chosen what to keep, the rest becomes obvious.
You gain control and discipline over things you’ve held onto for years—especially those with emotional weight.
Think of it this way:
If you’re decluttering your closet, isn’t it easier to start by picking out the clothes you always wear—the ones that make you feel fabulous every single time?
Exactly.
Why Try the Backward Decluttering Method?Let’s face it: most people struggle with decluttering. These are the top two challenges:
1. Not knowing where to start.
Shifting your focus to what you want to keep gives you a sense of direction and momentum. You see results fast—and that’s motivating.
2. Not being able to decide.
The sheer volume can be paralyzing. But deciding what to keep helps you stay calm, clear, and focused.
Let’s test this out—starting with your closet.
Step One: The KeepersQuickly scan your closet and pull out your essentials.
What good-quality basics do you wear all the time?(Think: black pants, favorite jeans, a perfect-fit blouse.)What pieces do you love because they make you feel amazing?
Set those aside. Those are your KEEPERS.
Step Two: The LosersNow, go through what’s left.
Sort into four piles:
Take a second look at your Can’t Decide pile.
Do another quick screen—keep, donate, sell, or toss.
Still unsure? Pop them in a “Maybe” box for 30 days.
Label it. Mark your calendar. No peeking!
On Day 30, open your Maybe Box and go through each item.
Make a final decision: Keep, donate, sell, or discard.
⚠️ A word of caution: Don’t get stuck on “just in case” or “someday” items.
Decide to decide.
Before opening that Maybe Box, review how your decluttered closet is working for you.
Ask yourself:
Have you missed anything?Example: a pair of dressy black pants?If yes, you might find it in the box.If not, give yourself permission to buy a new, high-quality replacement.Did you edit enough?
Still too many white tops or yoga pants?
Time to prune again. Donate, sell, or discard.Still haven’t worn it?
If it’s been 29 days and you haven’t touched it… it’s probably time to let it go.
Ask: Why am I still keeping this?
If your answer starts with “someday…”—you know what to do.
It’s Day 30. Open the box.
Each item: Keeper or Loser?
No more maybes.
Keep. Donate. Sell. Discard.
If you followed along with me on this Backward Decluttering Challenge—wasn’t it easier? Faster? Kinder to your time and energy?
If you haven’t tried it yet, let me know when you do! I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s be real: whether you like it or not, clutter will try to sneak back in.
But now, you’ve got a powerful, game-changing solution. So why not take control and get it done—with less stress and more success?
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