I Tried the “2-Minute Rule” to Declutter My Bathroom Drawers
When it comes to keeping my home in order, I love racking up small wins with big impact. For example, I often challenge myself to empty the dish drying rack while the coffee is brewing, or fold the latest load of laundry while it’s still warm.
Lately I’ve been focusing on small places to declutter so that, little by little, chaotic spaces like my desk drawers get organized — and my life is more peaceful and efficient. So I recently read about the 2-Minute Rule on Apartment Therapy, I knew it was right up my alley.
What Is the 2-Minute Rule?
The rule, coined by David Allen, productivity guru and author of Getting Things Done, basically says that anything that can be done in 2 minutes or less should be done right then and there. This has countless applications to housework — especially to decluttering. A decluttering rule tied to a time limit? I couldn’t love it more, and I couldn’t wait to try it.
How I Tried the 2-Minute Rule in My Bathroom
I decided to give it a whirl in my bathroom and tackle a small drawer that I use every single day. It holds essentials like sunscreen, my combs and brush, and my toothbrush and toothpaste. I set a 2-minute timer on my phone and got to work.
I did what I usually do when I declutter any space: I emptied it out and began sorting. The timer went off before I’d put even a single thing back in the drawer. But I was undeterred. I finished sorting, tossed the items that needed to go, and put everything back neatly. The whole task took maybe 7 minutes, and although it didn’t fall into the 2-minutes-or-less bucket, I was satisfied. At least the rule had galvanized me into action.
But I still wanted a win from the 2-Minute Rule. I turned to another small drawer that I use every single day: my makeup drawer. I realized that if I was going to get it decluttered in 2 minutes or less, I couldn’t follow my usual decluttering protocol. So I didn’t empty the drawer completely. Instead, I plucked out mascaras that were way too old, eyebrow pencils I never liked or used, and more. As I did this, I sorted my makeup and tools into the two dividers I have in the front of the drawer. Rather than sort by type, I sorted by how often I use the items. Once the timer rang, my drawer was drastically improved.
Final Thoughts
My takeaway is as follows: A 2-minute decluttering session might not be perfect, but it does make every encounter with that space so much better. Just as the rule states, if I have 2 minutes to take on a decluttering task that’s tempting me, I’m going to just go ahead and do it.
Further Reading
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
