Hello, friends! If you’re anything like me, life gets busy—really busy. Especially at back to school time. This is the first time I’ve done back to school in years! Between work, family, and all the little things that pop up, finding time to declutter can feel impossible. Yet, I also notice more clutter and more mess during times when “I don’t have enough time.”
But here’s the good news: decluttering doesn’t to be an all-day project. Small, quick actions can make a big difference in creating that calmer, simpler space we all crave.
I’ve been helping people simplify their lives for years, and one thing I’ve learned is that even on your craziest days, you can let go of a few things without much effort. These tiny wins add up, reducing stress and freeing up mental space. Today, I’m sharing 10 easy things you can declutter in just minutes (or even seconds) when time is tight. Pick one or two to try this week, and see how it feels!
- Junk Mail and Catalogs: As soon as it arrives, sort through your mail. Toss or recycle anything you don’t need right away. It takes 30 seconds and prevents piles from building up on your counter.
- Expired Items in Your Fridge: Next time you grab a snack, quickly scan for anything past its date—like that old condiment or wilted produce. Out it goes! This keeps your kitchen fresher and avoids food waste surprises later.
- Old Receipts in Your Wallet or Purse: While waiting in line or at a red light, pull out those crumpled papers. Keep what you need for returns or taxes, and ditch the rest. Your wallet will thank you for the lighter load.
- Unused Apps on Your Phone: Scroll through your home screen during a quick break. Delete apps you haven’t opened in months. It’s a digital declutter that speeds up your device and clears mental clutter too.
- Pens and Markers That Don’t Work: Test a few while jotting down your to-do list. If they skip or are dry, toss them. No more frustration when you need to write something important!
- Clothes That Don’t Fit or Feel Good: As you’re getting dressed in the morning, if something doesn’t fit right or you never wear it, set it aside for donation. Do this one item at a time to avoid overwhelm.
- Duplicate Kitchen Utensils: While cooking or unloading the dishwasher, notice if you have extras—like three spatulas when one would do. Keep the best and let go of the rest. It streamlines your drawers in moments.
- Old Magazines or Newspapers: If they’re stacking up on your coffee table, flip through and recycle any you’ve read (or admit you’ll never read). Aim for just one or two at a time.
- Emails and Subscriptions: During a coffee break, unsubscribe from newsletters you ignore. Delete old messages in batches. This declutters your inbox and reduces daily distractions.
- Blurry or Duplicate Photos on Your Phone: While scrolling social media or waiting for an appointment, delete those out-of-focus shots or extras from burst mode. It frees up storage and makes your photo library more enjoyable to browse.
See? None of these require setting aside hours or making big decisions. They’re sneaky ways to declutter on the go, fitting right into your routine. Starting small builds momentum, and before you know it, your home (and mind) will feel lighter.
If you’re ready for more structure, check out my annual Declutter Calendar—it’s full of daily bite-sized tasks just like these and include my Weekly Simplicity Tips newsletter for ongoing encouragement.
What’s one thing you’ll declutter today? Share in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
Wishing you a simpler, more peaceful day,
Beth
Connect with Me
- Join me on Facebook at My Simpler Life Nest group
One of my challenges is to gather likes with likes, before I declutter. Then I can evaluate more at one time. I wonder if I am doing this to avoid making a decision sooner.
If it is working for you, keep doing it. That is a technique that is taught, gather all the books, all the clothes, etc. first. I find it usually overwhelms my clients, but it seems to be working for you.