What the Chaos Decluttering Method is (and When it Does and Doesn’t Work)
Inside: Learn what the Chaos Decluttering Method is as well as when this strategy may be helpful and when it’s not the best approach.
Decluttering is often seen as a methodical, and even calm, process. It’s a way to get rid of things that no longer serve you and, over time, cultivate your physical space into one that reflects your needs and values.
But not every approach to decluttering embraces that sense of order and calmness.
The Chaos Decluttering Method takes a radically different approach to the task. Instead of working in small, manageable steps, this method involves pulling everything out at once, creating a temporary mess before bringing order to the chaos.
This approach is certainly not for the faint of heart. It’s designed to create a sense of urgency, forcing you to make decisions quickly rather than allowing clutter to linger indefinitely.
People who like this method claim it’s efficient, highly effective, and leaves no room for procrastination. However, this high-intensity decluttering process isn’t for everyone – and it’s easy to see why.
Curious to learn more about the Chaos Decluttering Method and whether it’s a good tactic for you to embrace as you conquer your clutter? I’ve got you covered.
Keep reading to learn more about this unconventional approach to overhauling your home.
What is the Chaos Decluttering Method?
The Chaos Decluttering Method, created by Kim Jones of Lock & Key Home, is rooted in the idea that a total upheaval of your space forces you to confront your clutter – and ultimately deal with it.
Instead of sifting through one shelf or drawer at a time, this method requires you to remove everything from a given area before systematically deciding what stays and what goes.
The idea is simple: seeing the full extent of your belongings forces you to make tough decisions and makes it easier, in theory, to part with unnecessary items.
4 Steps to the Chaos Decluttering Method
Step 1: Pull everything out into a designated area. It might be your kitchen counter, your bed, or your living room floor.
Step 2: Group items into designated categories: keep, donate, trash, or relocate. Be ruthless and move quickly; don’t spend ages agonizing over your decisions. Go with your gut.
Step 3: Once everything has been sorted, act quickly to clear those donate and trash piles out of your home. For the stuff that landed in your relocate pile, put it where it belongs – but don’t get distracted by trying to organize those spaces for now.
Step 4: Anything remaining in your keep pile at the end of this exercise has earned a spot back on your shelf – or in your drawer, or elsewhere in the room.
Since everything has been cleaned out, your space should essentially be a fresh slate for you to organize and store in a logical, tidy way.
Just make sure you wipe down those shelves and drawers before you fill them up again!
When the Chaos Decluttering Method Works Well
For some people, the Chaos Decluttering Method can be an incredibly effective way to reset their space. Specifically, this method works well for:
1. People who thrive under pressure
Some people thrive in high-intensity situations. If you’re someone who finds motivation in tight deadlines and dramatic actions, the Chaos Decluttering Method might give you the push you need to tackle your mess.
2. Those who struggle with decision fatigue
Many people find it challenging to make decisions when decluttering – what should stay vs. what should go. Oddly enough, pulling everything out at once can sometimes make that decision-making process easier.
When you see all of your belongings in one massive pile, it can put things into perspective and help you recognize what you don’t actually need or use.
3. People who have a dedicated time block to declutter
The Chaos Decluttering Method requires a significant time investment – unless you want to live in a totally upturned house.
If you have a free day or a long weekend and want to see immediate progress, this approach can work for you.
4. Anyone who has tried decluttering over time – and can’t make it happen
If slower decluttering methods have left you feeling like you’re not making the progress you want, a more aggressive approach might be just what you need to reset your space.
Decluttering fast might be a great option for you and your home.
When the Chaos Decluttering Method Doesn’t Work
While some people are big fans of the Chaos Decluttering Method, others find it overwhelming, impractical, and even counterproductive.
This approach requires a high tolerance for, well, chaos – which definitely isn’t for everyone. It might not be the best option for:
1. People who don’t have a lot of time to spend decluttering
This method requires a substantial chunk of time to make any meaningful progress.
If you don’t have much time in your schedule to spend on decluttering, pulling everything out at once will probably leave you with a bigger mess than you started with. And likely wouldn’t allow you enough time to properly sort and put things away.
2. People who are easily overwhelmed by messes
Seeing an entire room’s worth of items dumped into a massive pile can be anxiety-inducing.
If seeing mess and clutter leaves you overwhelmed, and not motivated, this method might leave you feeling stuck and frustrated.
3. Anyone living with other people who aren’t on board with decluttering
If you share a space with other people, making a huge mess without an agreed-upon plan can create frustration and spark conflict.
A more methodical approach might be best for maintaining harmony in your home.
4. People with physical limitations or chronic illness
The physical effort involved with removing everything at once, then sorting through it, can be exhausting for someone in good health.
For those with health challenges, a slower, more manageable method is probably a better choice.
5. People who are easily distracted
Decluttering everything at once requires commitment and focus.
If you tend to get distracted easily, this isn’t a great strategy for you. It could leave you with a mess and a stressful situation without knowing where to begin.
My Thoughts on the Chaos Decluttering Method
There are some people and situations where the Chaos Decluttering Method may be a great fit.
However, with the majority of people I’ve worked with, it’s better to take a slower approach to decluttering.
Being methodical and taking the process in small bites is the ideal decluttering strategy in most cases. It keeps the chaos manageable and prevents overwhelm.
However, if you’re all in and want to tackle a bigger space at once, go for it and I wish you the best!
Do you think the Chaos Decluttering Method would work for you, or do you think it’ll leave you feeling overwhelmed? Leave a comment and let me know!
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It works for me if I do it by category , all cleaning supplies etc.
I also helps me to take items I want/ will use first and toss the remaining items.
I can’t do the chaos method. Have stroke survivor husband with Alzheimers, am his only caretaker and any “chaos” would really set him off! If I were alone it would be perfect … I’d rather “wreck” one room completely at a time and then reorganize. Guess I’ll stick with the one project at a time method which seems to be working. GREAT articles. Thank you!!
It might work for me in the garage. I’ve been procrastinating, and , it’s a huge, overwhelming mess. If I just drag everything out into the driveway, and then go through everything, maybe I would get more done than I have been. I’ll try it and let you know…
Think I will give this chaos method a shot for my Living Atea, will tackle at a Weekend hence tine to do and excel .Looking forward to this method in this Space.
I am determined to tackle my walk-in closet this weekend. I’ve gone through the clothing and have consigned, donated, and tossed… but I need to get to the other areas where stuff is hidden – beneath the hq ting clothes, on shelves, behind furniture. I will let you know how it goes.
This is just another reframing of Konmari, which says to declutter by category. It’s the only thing that works for me, not going drawer by drawer or room by room. Only by going by category do you see how much of each ______ you have.