The Blog

Clear Your Space – The 10-Minute Declutter Method

Sometimes the mess in your house feels like a second full-time job you didn’t apply for.
And the job description? Endless.
The pay? Nonexistent.
The mental toll? Sky high.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to tackle everything at once. You just need ten minutes.

I actually stumbled onto this method thanks to my mom. We were cleaning out a closet together—well, she was cleaning it out, and I was sitting there with my arms crossed, staring at the mess and fighting the urge to just shut the door again. (Which, for the record, is exactly how that closet got bad enough that I had to call in reinforcements.)

My mom? She’s not a multi-passionate. She has a one-track mind and zero hesitation when something needs doing. She dove right in, then turned around and yelled, “Katy, what are you doing? Start!”

That was my lightbulb moment: I didn’t need to figure out the entire closet right then. I just needed to start—anywhere—for ten minutes.

So I bought myself a cute egg timer and named it the 10-Minute Declutter Method it’s my go-to for those “where do I even start?” days. Because you can make a real dent in the chaos in less time than it takes to scroll Instagram (and you’ll actually feel better afterward).

Here’s how it works:

Set a timer for 10 minutes. Use your phone, a cute egg timer, or your kid’s Alexa—whatever gets the countdown going.
Pick a task you can stomach today. You’re not signing up for the “completely empty the garage” Olympics.
Go all in for 10 minutes. Finish it or just start it—either way, you’ve moved forward.
Stop or keep going. Sometimes the momentum will carry you into a longer session, sometimes you’ll be done at ten. Both are wins.

Need some ideas? Here are a few from my 10-Minute Declutter Checklist:

Tupperware drawer/cabinet: Because clearly the lids are winning.
Coat closet: Apparently, we’re preparing for an arctic tundra. Time to let go of the jackets we haven’t worn since 2009.
Junk drawer: If it’s been in there so long you can’t remember what it is, it’s basically a science experiment.
Linen closet: Unless you’re opening a towel museum, it’s time to donate the ones with holes.
Pantry: Say goodbye to mystery cans and snacks that expired during the last presidential administration.