I Tried the 90/90 Rule and Decluttered a Drawer in Just 20 Minutes
I’ve always appreciated the idea of Marie Kondo’s decluttering style, which prompts you to ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” when unsure of whether an object should stay or go. But that seemingly simple question isn’t always simple in practice. Sometimes, things need to stick around even if they don’t spark any joy — looking at you, tax returns and other important documents — and they can pile up quickly.
Case in point: The top drawer of the sideboard in our dining room started off as a place where I could sweep our keys, important mail, and other everyday essentials to keep the surface of the sideboard clean and tidy when guests were over, but it inadvertently got taken over by junk. It was definitely time to declutter. But instead of invoking Kondo, I tried the 90/90 rule created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists.
What Is the 90/90 Rule?
Here’s the gist: When you come upon an object you’re unsure about decluttering, ask yourself two questions: Did you use it in the past 90 days? If not, will you use it in the next 90 days? If your answer is “no” to both questions, away it goes.
How I Used the 90/90 Rule
I emptied the contents of the drawer onto the dining room table. Then, I started sorting things into piles. Paperwork was one of the largest piles, full of junk mail, expired coupons, and old receipts that had somehow made their way into the fray. Those were easy to toss, as were a few old utility bills and a retirement fund statement. (Note to self: Confirm the paperless option on all bills and documents.) There was a bit of important paperwork that needed to stick around for a while, so I put it into a file folder and placed it back in the drawer.
Next, I tossed some random items, including old invitations and past birthday cards. I took a moment to relive the events and the sentiments, but they all went into the recycling pile. I gathered up some stray batteries that I knew we’d eventually need, along with a spare set of keys to my husband’s car and put them in a small plastic bin in the corner of the drawer. I also corralled in it some postage stamps and a few gift certificates for safekeeping.
Then, I looked at the rest of the items on my dining room table. Frankly, none of it sparked joy, but some of it needed to be kept around, like the remote control to our AC unit. That’s the caveat to the 90/90 rule — seasonal items don’t apply. But still, I tidied up the remote and a few other tech chargers neatly in another corner of the drawer.
About 20 minutes later, I had two piles — one for garbage and one for recycling/shredding. I had been surprised to find things like novelty sunglasses from some brand giveaway, a pack of gum, and a new pair of shoelaces that somehow did not go with any pair of shoes we had in the house. I’m not quite sure how they made their way into the drawer, but it’s clear that “out of sight, out of mind” kept them in there for so long.
I had been dreading this decluttering session for some time, so I was thrilled that I was done in such a short time. The key is not to overthink it. Just as you should avoid getting hung up on the “spark joy” concept, don’t try to make a case for using an item in the next 90 days so you can keep it.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
