Need to De-Clutter?
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and Fully Decluttered My Closet in an Hour, by Jennifer Billock
Every morning, I spend way too much time standing in front of the bedrkoom closet, flipping through my clothes and trying to decide what to wear. I have a selection of shirts I love but never wear, several pairs of pants that might not fit anymore, and a dress that I don't like but keep because I spent money to have it tailored - among all the other stuff in the closet, of course.
What Is the 90/90 Rule?
Created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is a decluttering process that requires you to ask yourself two questions about objects you're not sure about: Have you used it in the past 90 days? And if not, will you use it in the 90 days ahead?
Will You Use It? When?
The 90/90 rule was created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who run The Minimalists together. It asks two simple questions: Have you used this in the past 90 days? Will you use it in the next 90 days? If your answer to both is no (with the exception of things like seasonal clothes, holiday decorations, or anything used only for a specific part of the year), it's time to get rid of that thing.
Use "Uncaring Clarity"
The 90/90 rule does not care about your feelings or the grand thoughts you have to enjoy more fondue parties or eventually wear that old T-shirt you love. It's black-and-white. Did you use it? Will you use it? If not, say goodbye. I needed that kind of uncaring clarity in my closet.
My husband and I set to work, going through each item of clothing and deciding what to donate. We tried on everything that maybe fit; we went through all the drawers of socks and underwear; and we nitpicked everything sitting on the shelves and hanging on the doors. Any belt that was tearing or too big got tossed. Dress shoes my husband hadn't worn in two years went in the pile. Shirts missing buttons, shirts that got pushed aside, pants that didn't fit - all of it went.
The whole process only took about an hour, and we ended up with two huge trash bags full of clothes to donate. Now, our closet is much more organized. We can both find things a lot quicker, and we both let go of delusions that one day we'd wear certain clothes again. And on the plus side, I found a stack of skirts I'd stuffed in the back of the closet that I forgot about, and I'm excited to wear them again.
On another day, while in a waiting room for a doctor's appointment, I tried the 90/90 rule again, but on my phone. I cleared out any apps and games I haven't used. And I have to say, I feel much lighter after the fact! It's nice not to scroll through 10 pages of apps just to find the one I want.
A Word of Advice
If you're uncertain about an item or just can't bear to part with it, give yourself another measure (you decide- a year, six months). If you haven't, then let it go.
In the end, though, we do have a sizable new gap in our closet from unworn clothes going to the thrift shop. We also have fewer caps littering the closet doors, emptier drawers inside the closet, and a smaller pile of unpaired socks. In the next few weeks, I'm going to use this method to declutter the rest of the house.
Did You Know...
Alaska
Alaska is the only place in the U.S. where you can experience 24 hours of daylight in the summer and weeks of total darkness in the winter, creating a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere that’s perfect for witnessing the Northern Lights!
Denali, the highest peak in North America, towers at 20,310 feet and is surrounded by a national park filled with grizzly bears, moose, and glaciers.
Alaska’s waters are home to one of the world’s most incredible migrations—humpback whales travel thousands of miles to feed here every summer.
Glacier Bay National Park is a natural wonder, featuring massive glaciers that calve into the sea, creating thunderous icefalls.
Alaska’s cruises are world-renowned, offering breathtaking views of fjords, wildlife, and remote villages like Ketchikan and Juneau.
Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Alaska is a dream for anglers, with rivers and oceans teeming with salmon, halibut, and trout.
Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S., is a lush rainforest filled with towering trees, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
Alaska is home to Kodiak bears, one of the largest bear species in the world, which can weigh over 1,500 pounds!
The summer Midnight Sun gives Alaskans 24 hours of daylight, offering endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the wilderness.
In winter, Fairbanks becomes a prime destination for viewing the Aurora Borealis, with skies illuminated by stunning displays of color.
The iconic Alaska Highway, stretching over 1,390 miles from British Columbia to Alaska, is one of the greatest road trip adventures in the world.
Alaska’s Indigenous heritage is celebrated in every corner of the state, with totem poles, art, and cultural festivals honoring traditions thousands of years old.
Australia
1. The Australian Alps get more snow than the Swiss Alps.
2. 90% of Australians live on the coast.
3. Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
4. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest ecosystem in the world. It is made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and can be seen from space.
5. Australia has over 60 separate wine regions.
6. Fraser Island in QLD is the largest sand island in the world.
7. The Indian Pacific train has the longest straight section of train track in the world.
8. The Great Ocean Road is the world's largest war memorial.
9. 80% of Australian animals are unique to Australia.
10. Australia has the world's longest golf course measuring more than 1,350 kms long.
11. Australia is home to 21 of the world's 25 most venomous snakes.
12. It would take around 29 years to visit one new Aussie beach every day – there are 10,685 of them!
13. Australia is the 6th largest country in the world.
14. 91% of the country is covered by native vegetation.
15. 33% of Australians were born in another country.
16. Australia is the only continent in the world without an active volcano.
17. Australia is home to the longest fence in the world, the Dingo Fence. Originally built to keep dingos away from fertile land, the fence is now 5,614 km long.
18. The Australian dollar is considered to be the most advanced currency in the world – its waterproof, made of polymer and notoriously hard to counterfeit.
19. Australia is the only continent covered by a single country.
20. The world's oldest fossil was discovered in Australia – 3.4 billion years old.
21. Australia is home to more than 1,500 species of spiders.
