What is the 20/20 Rule for Decluttering?

The 20/20 rule for decluttering is different from the 80/20 rule for decluttering. The 20/20 rule states that when struggling to decide whether to let go of an item, you should consider letting it go if you can replace it for less than $20.00, and you can replace it in less than 20 minutes.

Decluttering can be overwhelming.

Different people take different approaches to decluttering. In this situation, employing the 20/20 rule can be one of the most effective decluttering tips available. It helps you declutter quickly and saves you time and unnecessary stress. It also helps you build the confidence you’ll need to tackle bigger tasks. Think of it as practice.

Two of the main voices in the modern decluttering movement are Joshua Field Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, also known as The Minimalists. I’ve watched their Netflix show, and while some may think it is extreme, they discuss some important concepts. The two have been featured in TIME, GQ, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, NPR and have spoken at Harvard, Apple, and Google.

So, what is their story? 

After a life dedicated to acquiring more, in 2011 they left their corporate careers and started on a simpler, more meaningful lifestyle based on the principles of minimalism. Simply stated, they started and continue to live a life with “less stuff.”

How to get rid of “stuff” and analysis paralysis.

As we have discussed in past blogs, “analysis paralysis” is really a thing and can hold us back. It is the fear that one day we will need something that we have given away, the “what ifs.” With this mental focus, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to let go of things. It’s unlikely that the items we’re stressing over will ever be needed and take up valuable space, yet we still hang on to them.

The question is, how do we distinguish between those “just in case items” that are worth keeping and those that just take up space? The 20/20 decluttering rule is designed to help you weed through those smaller, everyday items that you’ve held onto “just in case” but most likely will never need.

Ask yourself the 20/20 rule question to determine if you can let go.

One thought is to go through every item you’re struggling with and ask yourself the question, can I replace this item for $20.00 or less? Can I replace this item in 20 minutes or less? If the answer is yes to both, let it go. You can rest assured knowing you can easily replace it if you do need it in the future. If you answer yes to one of the questions, give extra thought to whether you really need to keep the item for a “just in case” situation. Most likely, the answer is no.

The theory behind asking yourself this question is that you’re unlikely to replace the items you decide to let go, leaving you with a home that’s easier to clean, easier to manage and, most of all, easier to enjoy. This theory works about 99% of the time and with 99% of all people.

Once you start working through your home, you will be amazed at how many everyday objects you can do without. For example, how many coffee cups do you use? We all know, we have our favorites. Mine is a big, heavy, oversized mug that I can fill to the brim. How often do you wear all your clothing? The list of items we don’t use is extensive.

The number of items that you can discard when following the 20/20 rule is enormous. No longer will you need to move and store the items you never or rarely use; you’ll also have the benefit of giving to others. Imagine the joy you will feel if you change your mindset and move from a negative fear-based thought process to a positive “generous” mindset that makes you feel good about giving things to those who may need them more than you.

Pros and cons of the 20/20 decluttering rule:

What are the pros and cons of using the 20/20 decluttering rule? Making decisions about what to keep and what to discard can be difficult. And not only is it often difficult, it may also bring up emotions that you did not expect. One idea to combat the emotions that arise is to set a timer for decision-making. Having set time guidelines helps you become pragmatic about how to declutter and speeds up the decision-making process.

Examples of small things that can be overwhelming to discard and are not worth the mental fatigue of making decisions are things like nail polish or hair clips. If you really miss the things that you use once a year, you can repurchase them the following year. A new bottle of nail polish can be purchased for less than $5.00. Most likely, if you use it only once a year, the bottle will be dry on the inside when you need it. Smaller, everyday items, often make up the bulk of your clutter.

The 20/20 decluttering rule can save you money in the long run. To maintain a decluttered home, it’s important to remain mindful of the principle behind the 20/20 rule not just when thinking about existing items, but before bringing anything new into your home, too. Think like a minimalist. Before buying anything, try to separate what you really need from a “just in case” purchase. Also, always have in mind where you’ll put the item before you bring it into your home. One way to keep from over complicating your life while maintaining the 20/20 rule is to adopt the “one thing in, one thing out” rule.

There is no right or wrong answer to the 20/20 decluttering rule.

There is no right or wrong answer about the 20/20 rule and where to start the decluttering process. There are areas that are more likely to be effective, which is something to keep in mind. A bathroom, for example, is typically one of the easiest rooms to start as there are likely to be small and inexpensive items in the bathroom. Often, too, the items are expired and just kept in the back of a drawer, never touched, or addressed in terms of letting go. Once you’ve worked through toiletries, medicines, and make-up, you’re often halfway there.

Figuring out and working with the 20/20 rule is the first step to getting over the inertia hurtle of addressing your need to declutter. Sometimes emotions hold us back, and sometimes the thought of how much there is to address is overwhelming. Just working through items one by one makes all the difference in keeping the process moving.

Finally, the last question to address is whether you should organize or declutter first. Decluttering is the name of the game since there will ultimately be less to organize.