While decluttering might seem like a straightforward “yes or no” process from the outside, it can become surprisingly emotional—especially when we feel pressured to make an immediate decision about an item we’re not entirely sure we’re ready to let go of. Suddenly, the thought of getting rid of anything feels stressful, and we decide to keep all the items we can’t definitively say we don’t need.
'One of the biggest reasons people struggle with clutter isn't that they don't know what they use. It's that we can come up with a reason to keep almost anything when we're standing there holding it,' says Lynda Reider, founder and chief clutter cutter at Cut the Clutter RVA.
But what if we could give ourselves more time to make decisions without derailing the decluttering process? That’s what the “box rule” is all about—and pro organisers are all for it. Read on for more on the box rule, why it works, and how to implement it right at home.
What is the box rule?
If tossing or donating certain items right away feels like too much of a commitment, the box rule gives you a bit more time to gather some information on whether or not you truly need the item.
'The box rule is a simple way to make decluttering feel a little less permanent. If you come across items you’re struggling to make a decision about, instead of forcing yourself to immediately keep or get rid of them, you put them in a box, close it up, and set it aside for 30 days,' says Reider.
If you can go the 30 days without thinking about or needing those items, that’s a good indication that you can let them go. 'I think of it as a ‘maybe box.’ You’re not saying goodbye yet. You’re just agreeing to take a little break from each other,' she adds.
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Is the box rule effective?
According to pro organisers, the box rule is a simple, stress-free way to start the decluttering process. And although you might not see results immediately, it’ll allow you to make thorough, well-informed decisions (like choosing to donate an item you might have originally opted to keep had you made a decision right away).
'The box rule works because it gives training wheels to anyone who has a difficult time decluttering. It’s a nice place to park your "maybe items" that deep down you know you’re not going to wear or use again,' says home organising expert Caroline Solomon.
Solomon also recommends following a 90-day timeline when implementing the box rule. 'Revisiting those forgotten items after 90 days gives homeowners more concrete evidence and demonstrable proof they no longer need them. In other words, it gets them unstuck from their emotional attachment and more in step with their logical reasoning.'
Tips for implementing the box rule
Regardless of whether you choose a 30-day or 90-day timeline (or somewhere in between), the most important part about the box rule is committing to that date and setting a reminder so you don’t end up with even more clutter around the house.
Here are a few of the most important tips for implementing the box rule at home, according to the pros.
Date the box: 'Otherwise, your 30-day experiment can very easily turn into a box you discover in the garage three years from now and think, "What in the world is in here?"' says Reider.
Start with non-sentimental items: 'If you really struggle to declutter items, I recommend first applying the box rule to a category of items where you have the least emotional attachment. For instance, create a box for kitchen utensils and go from there,' says Solomon.
Commit to the plan: 'Put the items in a box and put the box away and don’t peek. Push yourself to put in more items than you think you should as an experiment and then see how it goes,' says Amelia Meena of Appleshine.
Don’t postpone decisions: 'If you already know you don't like something, don't use it, or wouldn't buy it again today, you probably don't need 30 more days to think about it. The box is really for the things you're genuinely unsure about,' says Reider.
Be easy on yourself: 'Most importantly, don't treat the 30-day mark as a test you can fail. Decluttering isn't about proving you can get rid of the most stuff. It's about making your home work better for the life you're actually living,' says Reider.
