Have you ever stared at your cluttered space and felt completely overwhelmed? Or perhaps you've found it hard to make consistent choices that truly enhance your environment? If so, the 'Take Away 10' method could be just what you need.
This approach allows you to streamline your home by concentrating on one room, area, or even a single drawer. Simply pick ten items to either put back where they belong or donate — it's that easy!
Here, professional organizers share their insights on this simple decluttering technique, along with their top recommendations for achieving success.
Understanding the 'Take Away 10' Method
As Tracy McCubbin, the CEO and founder of dClutterfly, clarifies, "The 'Take Away 10' method is precisely what it implies. You find ten items in any space — be it your bedroom, closet, or even your junk drawer — and remove them!
"Instead of diving into a decluttering project with no clear plan, select ten specific items to eliminate."
This technique pairs well with the 'Didn't Know' decluttering trend, which encourages swiftly removing items you didn't realize were there. As professional organizer Ben Soreff from House to Home Organizing points out, "You can repeat this process over and over," preparing yourself for successful decluttering sessions.
How 'Take Away 10' Reduces Decision Fatigue
Removing just ten items at a time can lead to significant results with minimal effort.
Overcoming decision fatigue while decluttering can be tough, especially when facing a daunting mess. Fortunately, as Tracy emphasizes, the 'Take Away 10' method can alleviate feelings of stress or low energy.
She explains, "When confronted with a closet overflowing or a garage so packed you can't park in it, it's easy to feel paralyzed. A cluttered area can seem insurmountable, leading to decision fatigue if you tackle every item at once."
However, similar to the 'ODT' decluttering method, focusing on just ten items keeps you centered on a specific, manageable goal, breaking the larger decluttering task into smaller, achievable chunks.
Tracy continues, "By removing just ten things a day, you can see remarkable results in no time. Consider this: if you take away ten items three days a week for a month, you'll have cleared out 120 items by the end!"
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Set of two
Honey-Can-Do Cotton Rope Basket Set
These nesting baskets can serve as handy containers for your ten decluttered items, with practical handles for easy transport to donation centers.
Available in four colorways
Seagrass Woven Storage Basket
This chic storage basket, crafted from natural dried plant fibers, features a hand-braided design that adds an elegant, rustic charm to any room.
Create a versatile storage system
Mainstays Medium Plastic Storage Bin
This BPA-free and phthalate-free storage bin is perfect for decluttering or efficient shelving storage.
Optimal Spaces for the 'Take Away 10' Method
The 'Take Away 10' method is effective in any area, particularly those that induce stress, like the bedroom or kitchen.
If decluttering feels overwhelming, this method could be your solution.
Tracy states, "This approach is ideal for areas that seem completely overwhelming. You can use it to tackle that troublesome junk drawer and finally get it to close properly again. It can also work wonders in a guest bedroom that has turned into a storage space."
"By consistently removing ten items at a time, you can create a significant transformation in any room."
Ben concurs, noting that this method is particularly useful in spaces like basements and attics, where decisions are often postponed with phrases like 'make it go away' or 'kick the can down the road.'
In some cases, Ben suggests this technique is more about relocating ten items that belong elsewhere in the house than focusing solely on decluttering. He adds, "We want to avoid decluttering regret or anxiety; removing items should be part of the organizing process, not the ultimate aim."
The beauty of this method is its adaptability — how you implement it will depend on your specific decluttering project and space.
Stackable design
Acrylic Storage 5 Drawers
Place items into these clear acrylic drawers for easy access and organization.
Adjustable
Drawer Divider and Organizer
These expandable organizers keep your drawers tidy and organized, crafted from 100% sustainable bamboo.
BPA-free plastic
The Home Edit Plastic Storage Organizing System
This modular storage system features a stackable design with multiple bin sizes to help you organize effectively.
Expert Insights
With extensive experience helping level five hoarders, Ben often utilizes quick and simple strategies like the 'Take Away 10' method to transform cluttered environments.
Having been in the organizing business since 2006, Tracy brings over 20 years of experience in helping clients declutter their homes effectively.
If you opt to employ the 'Take Away 10' method for decluttering instead of simply tidying up, being mindful of the belongings that experts advise against discarding can help prevent future regret.
