In our busy lives, it’s easy to let clutter build up. It’s not just physical clutter either—mental clutter can be just as overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t need to set aside an entire weekend to declutter your life. There are many quick wins that can be accomplished in just 10 minutes or less.
In this post, we’ll share 17 decluttering tips that you can easily fit into your schedule. They’ll help you create a more organized, stress-free environment, and give your mind the clarity it needs to focus on what matters most.
1. Start with One Drawer
The thought of decluttering your whole house can be overwhelming. Instead, start small. Choose one drawer in your home and take everything out.
Sort through each item, deciding whether to keep, donate, or toss it. Clean the drawer before putting everything back in a neat and organized manner. You’ll be surprised at how satisfying it feels to have one area of your home completely clutter-free. Plus, this small win can motivate you to tackle larger decluttering projects.
2. Empty Your Inbox
Digital clutter is just as distracting as physical clutter. Start by decluttering your email inbox.
Unsubscribe from newsletters or promotional emails that you no longer read. Delete old, unnecessary emails and organize the rest into folders. Use the search function to quickly find and delete multiple emails at once. For example, search for “unsubscribe” to find all newsletters. This quick win can help reduce stress and boost productivity.
3. Clean Your Desktop
A cluttered computer desktop can slow down your device and make it harder to find files. Take 10 minutes to clean it up.
Delete unused shortcuts, and organize the rest into folders. Use a clean, simple wallpaper that won’t distract you. Consider using a desktop organizer—a background image with different sections for different types of files. This simple task can make a big difference in your daily productivity.
4. Declutter Your Wallet
A cluttered wallet can make it hard to find what you need, when you need it. Take a few minutes to declutter it.
Remove old receipts, expired cards, and unnecessary items. Keep only what you need on a daily basis. This quick win can make your day-to-day transactions smoother and less stressful.
5. Clean Out Your Car
Your car is a part of your daily life. Keeping it clean and organized can make your commute more pleasant.
Take out any trash, and remove items that don’t belong in the car. Organize what’s left using car organizers or containers. This small task can greatly improve your driving experience.
6. Organize Your Photos
Digital photos can quickly become overwhelming. Spend 10 minutes organizing them.
Delete blurry or duplicate photos. Organize the rest into folders or albums. This can make it easier to find and enjoy your photos in the future.
7. Declutter Your Social Media
Social media can be a major source of digital clutter. Take a few minutes to declutter your feeds.
Unfollow accounts that no longer interest you. Mute or hide posts that you find distracting or upsetting. This can improve your online experience and reduce digital stress.
8. Tidy Your Workspace
A cluttered workspace can interfere with your focus and productivity. Spend a few minutes tidying it up.
Clear off unnecessary items. Organize your tools and supplies. This can create a more conducive environment for work or study.
9. Sort Your Books
Books can easily pile up and create clutter. Take 10 minutes to sort through them.
Donate books that you’ve already read and won’t read again. Organize the rest by size, color, or genre. This can make your reading experience more enjoyable and less cluttered.
10. Declutter Your Makeup
Expired or unused makeup can take up valuable space in your bathroom or vanity. Spend a few minutes decluttering your makeup.
Throw out expired products. Donate or give away unused items. Organize the rest in a way that makes your daily routine easier and more efficient.
11. Organize Your Shoes
Shoes can easily create clutter in your entryway or closet. Take 10 minutes to organize them.
Donate shoes that you no longer wear. Organize the rest in a shoe rack or under-the-bed storage. This can make your daily routine smoother and your space less cluttered.
12. Declutter Your Fridge
A cluttered fridge can make meal prep harder and lead to food waste. Spend a few minutes decluttering your fridge.
Throw out expired food. Organize the rest in a way that makes sense for your cooking habits. This can make your meal prep more efficient and reduce food waste.
13. Tidy Your Nightstand
A cluttered nightstand can interfere with your sleep and morning routine. Take a few minutes to tidy it up.
Remove unnecessary items. Organize your essentials in a way that makes your bedtime and morning routines smoother. This can make your sleep more restful and your mornings less stressful.
14. Organize Your Jewelry
Jewelry can easily become tangled and hard to find. Spend 10 minutes organizing your jewelry.
Donate pieces that you no longer wear. Organize the rest in a jewelry box or organizer. This can make your daily accessorizing easier and more enjoyable.
15. Declutter Your Purse or Bag
A cluttered purse or bag can make it hard to find what you need. Take a few minutes to declutter it.
Remove trash and unnecessary items. Organize your essentials in a way that makes your daily routine smoother. This quick win can make your day-to-day life less stressful.
16. Clean Out Your Closet
Clothes can easily pile up and create clutter in your closet. Spend 10 minutes decluttering your closet.
Donate clothes that you no longer wear. Organize the rest in a way that makes sense for your lifestyle. This can make your daily dressing easier and your closet less cluttered.
17. Declutter Your Phone
Apps, photos, and notifications can create digital clutter on your phone. Take a few minutes to declutter your phone.
Delete unused apps and unnecessary photos. Turn off unnecessary notifications. Organize your apps in a way that makes your daily phone use more efficient. This quick win can improve your digital experience and reduce digital stress.
