"Call Your Mother" Decluttering Rule: How to Use it
Decluttering is all about simplifying your life by letting go of things you no longer need. It’s more than just tidying up—it’s about creating space for what matters most, both physically and mentally. In today’s world of small apartments, packed schedules, and endless distractions, finding ways to simplify has never been more important.
That’s where the “Call Your Mother” decluttering rule comes in. It’s a refreshingly simple and practical way to decide what stays in your home and what goes. By adding a layer of emotional clarity, this method makes decluttering feel less overwhelming and more purposeful.
What is the 'Call Your Mother' Decluttering Rule?
The “Call Your Mother” rule is rooted in a relatable scenario: seeking advice from someone you trust when you’re unsure about something. The concept revolves around imagining what it would feel like to explain an item’s importance to your mother—or someone with a similar no-nonsense perspective. It’s about accountability, cutting through emotional attachment, and focusing on the practical value of your possessions.
This approach works because it’s grounded in both practicality and emotional detachment. It acknowledges that we often hold onto items for sentimental reasons, even when they no longer serve us. By asking, “Would my mom understand why I’m keeping this?” you shift the focus from emotional justification to clear reasoning.
How It Works
Here’s how you can use the “Call Your Mother” decluttering rule:
Pick an item. It could be a piece of clothing, a kitchen gadget, or even a decorative item that’s been sitting on your shelf for years.
Picture the conversation. Imagine calling your mom (or someone with a similar mindset) and explaining why you want to keep it.
Ask yourself key questions:
Does this item serve a purpose in my life right now?
If I didn’t already own it, would I buy it today?
Does it genuinely make me happy or improve my day-to-day life?
Decide. If the answers are unclear, or you feel embarrassed justifying the item, it’s probably time to let it go.
Unique Insight
What sets this rule apart is its balance between emotional reflection and practicality. Unlike the Marie Kondo method, which focuses on whether an item “sparks joy,” the “Call Your Mother” rule encourages you to think about purpose and utility. It’s not about stripping your home down to bare essentials or following a rigid declutter checklist. Instead, it’s about making thoughtful decisions that align with your values and lifestyle.
Why This Rule Works
Decluttering can be emotionally exhausting. Each decision you make—keep or toss—adds to your cognitive load, which can lead to decision fatigue. This is why people often give up halfway through a decluttering project. The “Call Your Mother” rule simplifies this process by giving you a framework. It externalizes the decision, so instead of wrestling with your emotions, you rely on clear, objective reasoning.
When you imagine explaining your decision to someone else, you naturally step back and view the situation with fresh eyes. This reduces the emotional bias that often clouds our judgment and helps us make decisions faster and with less stress.
Emotional Perspective
For many of us, sentimental attachment is the biggest hurdle when decluttering. Maybe it’s a gift from a friend you’ve lost touch with or a souvenir from a trip you barely remember. These items carry emotional weight, making it hard to let go.
The “Call Your Mother” rule helps you confront that emotional attachment in a gentle but effective way. By imagining what someone else—someone practical and honest—would say, you gain perspective. It feels less like “throwing away memories” and more like curating a home that reflects your current life.
Practical Examples
Let’s say you’re trying to figure out how to declutter your room. You come across an old sweater you haven’t worn in years. Would your mom understand why it’s still in your closet? If it doesn’t fit, doesn’t feel good, and isn’t part of your style anymore, it’s probably time to donate it.
Or think about your kitchen. Maybe you’ve got a fancy blender gathering dust on the counter. If you rarely use it and wouldn’t spend money on it again, let it go. Freeing up storage to help declutter home creates space for the items you actually use.
Comparison to Other Methods
The “Call Your Mother” rule stands out because it’s simple and intuitive. Many decluttering methods, like minimalism or rigid declutter checklists, can feel intimidating or overly strict. This approach, on the other hand, is flexible. It works for sentimental people, busy professionals, or anyone who just wants a straightforward way to decide what to keep.
How to Use the Rule to Declutter Different Spaces
The 'Call Your Mother' rule works for every room in your house. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
Bedroom: Start with clothes. Ask yourself if you’d explain keeping that old T-shirt or unworn dress to your mom. Then move on to books, knick-knacks, and sentimental items.
Kitchen: Tackle expired pantry items, unused gadgets, and mismatched containers. If you wouldn’t tell someone why you’re keeping that broken blender, it’s time to let it go.
Living Room: Look at decorations, magazines, and furniture. Does every piece serve a purpose or bring you joy? If not, it might be time to say goodbye.
Bathroom: Sort through toiletries, expired medications, and half-used products. Only keep what you use regularly and discard the rest.
Room-by-Room Strategy
To make decluttering less overwhelming, focus on one room at a time. Start small, like a single drawer or shelf, and work your way up. Apply the 'Call Your Mother' rule to each item, asking whether it’s worth keeping and why.
For example, in the bedroom, you might start with a single drawer of clothes. Ask yourself, “Would I explain keeping this old sweater to my mom?” If not, it goes in the donation pile. Repeat this process until the drawer is clear, then move on to the next space.
Using Storage to Declutter Home
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things—it’s about organizing what’s left. Once you’ve pared down your belongings, use storage to help declutter your home and keep it that way.
Multi-Purpose Furniture: Ottomans with hidden compartments, coffee tables with drawers, and beds with built-in storage can help you maximize space.
Storage Bins and Labels: Use clear bins and label them for easy access. This works especially well for seasonal items like holiday decorations or winter clothes.
Rotational Storage: If you have limited space, consider rotating items based on the season. Store summer clothes in bins during winter and vice versa.
These solutions keep your home organized and prevent clutter from creeping back in.
Combining the Rule with a Declutter Checklist
A declutter checklist is the perfect complement to the 'Call Your Mother' rule. It provides structure and ensures you stay on track. Start by creating four categories for each item: Keep, Donate, Discard, Unsure.
For example:
Item: Winter Coat
Keep: ✅
Donate: ❌
Discard: ❌
Unsure: ✔
Use the 'Call Your Mother' rule to decide where each item belongs. If you’d explain keeping an item to someone else, it goes in the “Keep” pile. If not, it’s time to donate or discard.
Example Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist to guide you:
Bedroom: Clothes, books, sentimental items.
Kitchen: Gadgets, pantry items, mismatched containers.
Living Room: Decorations, furniture, magazines.
Bathroom: Toiletries, expired products, old towels.
This declutter your home checklist keeps the process focused and intentional. With the 'Call Your Mother' rule as your guide, you’ll be able to declutter efficiently and create a home that feels clean, spacious, and stress-free.
Long-Term Benefits and Emotional Takeaways
This unique strategy not only helps you decide what stays or goes but also creates lasting habits for a clutter-free life:
1. Sustainable Decluttering
The "Call Your Mother" rule isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about changing your mindset. It helps you make intentional decisions about what to keep and what to let go. This creates a habit of mindful consumption, reducing clutter over time. With this rule, you’ll start to see fewer impulse buys and more thoughtful choices, ultimately making your storage to help declutter home more functional.
2. Emotional Growth
Decluttering often involves emotional challenges. Letting go of items tied to past memories can be tough. But this rule empowers you to focus on what truly serves you now. It clears emotional baggage and opens up space for new beginnings, helping you declutter your home checklist with clarity and confidence.
3. Improved Quality of Life
A cleaner space improves mental clarity and emotional well-being. By learning how to declutter your room, you can create an environment that enhances relationships, productivity, and peace of mind.
This approach transforms not only your space but also your mindset. Use this rule to create a customized declutter checklist and enjoy the benefits of a lighter, more purposeful life. Start today and turn your home into a sanctuary of calm and intention.