If you had asked me a month ago about where I’d place myself on the scale of ‘minimalist’ to ‘hoarder’, I’d have been on the fence, firmly in the middle. But after trying out the 90/90 decluttering rule, I’ve concluded that when it comes to material possessions, simplicity is key. The decluttering hack challenges you to go through your possessions while asking yourself two simple questions: ‘Have you used that item in the last 90 days? If you haven’t, will you use it in the next 90?’ If the answer’s ‘no’, then it’s time to let it go.
After spotting this decluttering tip on social media, I decided to use it to help me clear out my wardrobe. Little did I know it would make me reconsider the way I shop for and declutter my clothes for the foreseeable future. Here's what implementing this framework has taught me and why an expert says this rule won’t be right for everyone, but it could be just the thing for minimalists.
The 90/90 decluttering rule, or the 90/90 Minimalism Rule as it's sometimes referred to, is the brainchild of American authors, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus – AKA The Minimalists . As the duo states on their website, rules can be restrictive. But they are often helpful when it comes to change, or letting go of possessions that no longer bring you joy.
And Jamie Hord , founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, agrees. ‘To make decluttering your life easier, it's important to ask yourself not only the right questions.
