Guide to Decluttering: The Clockwise Technique That Finally Works

What is The Clockwise Technique?

Why It Works Better Than Traditional Decluttering

It’s TIME to see the end result.

Step‑by‑Step Clockwise Decluttering Process

Start at the Entry Point

Move Clockwise Around the Room

Home, Sweet Home

Everything that matters the most, is at home.

The word: “Home”. Getting to the root, is tricky. It has a different meaning for everyone. For most it’s a place. A place we belong. Through history, throughout the course of civilization. In every change of languages. Before modernized houses; it quite simply meant “by a fire“.

We all need a warm place to sleep.

On “Hearth,” “Home,” and “Homeland”

In this place,

“It has gotta be somewhere”

“I just saw it here yesterday”

“Seriously, where is it?”

Without organization; It’s disorder.

It dwells into our very soul.

We were not created for chaos.

Home is the nicest word there is.

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

What is Timeline Thinking?

M.A.S.H. Game

(Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House)

Remember that game?! It was fun playing categories. Predicting the future.

MASH: A fun way to get your categorization in

Match Game

Before the fortune-telling MASH days; We drew lines to make connections. This pre-school aged “homework” took some basic thinking.

This basic thinking is the secret.

All you need to do is Match up Categories.

Remember this game?

Time to get Started

When enough is enough. There’s a pull to get started. It’s Something or nothing.

Something or nothing.

Organizing Rooms

Getting started in a room; I like to start by the door or entry. Working clockwise.

Work around the clock to finish up!

Pretend the door is “Six O’clock“. Work toward 7:00, then 8:00. By the time it’s “Four O’clock”, you’ll be almost done.

Deal with each item immediately.

One item at a time.

Make Piles.

(Keep, Throw Away, Donate)

Play categories, and MATCH it up.

In the keep pile; match up categories.

Working your way “around the clock”; Go right back to your “time slot”, if you happen to leave the room. Don’t skip ahead. The room will be finished.

Just in time!

Organizing Closets

Typically, closets are much smaller than a room. However, it can be daunting to organize. The small space tends to be a hide-all, catch-all.

Pull Every Single Thing OUT

Get it completely bare.

Put IN the good, Deal with the rest.

You already know what’s worthy to keep.

Play categories, and MATCH it up.

The rest of the stuff that doesn’t belong. Give it a proper place.

Trash. Recycle. Donate.

Whatever is left.

Organizing Cabinets & Drawers

When you initially move-in to your house; The duty of the drawer usually never changes. As you unpack 159282 boxes; it’s stressful.

Every kitchen needs a good flow. One that makes sense. Usually the silverware drawer is close to the sink. Or the potholder drawer is near the oven.

In the bedroom, your wardrobe should also have a place. Sock drawer. Pants drawer. Shirt drawer.

Assess the Excess

Do you have too much? Or are you keeping similar items in different places?

Play categories, and MATCH it up.

Each drawer should ONLY contain items matching a common theme.

Front and Center

Most used in the front. Sparingly used in the middle. Least used in the back.

Decisions to Decluttering

Decluttering is a series of many decisions. As you pick up each individual item; a decision must be made. Whether you keep an item, or get rid of it; It has already been bought and paid for. Don’t let new excuses stand in the way.

“I might need it one day”

“It’s worth a lot of money”

“It’s a family heirloom”

“My mother gave it to me”

These thoughts are what stand between contentment and change.

The thoughts between contentment and change are difficult. It’s the pull of a tight grip, and the release of letting go.

From time to time; We make huge successful strides. Sometimes we settle. Other times we fail. Find the In-Between. It’s a Journey!

Make the best choices and the most loving decisions.

Enjoy the Journey!

You are so loved ❤️