Clutter Bins: Don't Fight with It, Work with It 🗑️✨

This is a concept I discuss and teach in my courses and classes. It’s an idea my mother introduced when my siblings and I were growing up.

Our household was bustling with activity, thanks to being part of a large family. Despite working, my mother was determined to maintain a tidy home. Throughout the day, us kids constantly left stuff around even though we knew we shouldn’t.

So, at the bottom of our stairs, she placed a large, beautiful wicker basket – and that was our family’s clutter management system.

This basket became the designated spot for anything misplaced or found around the home. Whether it was items us kids dumped down, or things found by our cleaning lady, everything that wasn’t in its right place was put in the clutter bin. As children, if we couldn't find something, we knew to check the basket first.

After a couple of days, my mother would decide what to do with its contents. If someone neglected to retrieve their belongings, it was a sign of negligence, and my mother had the authority to decide what to do with the stuff there. Her rule was if we left it out and forgot about it for a few days, it obviously wasn’t important enough, and therefore she got to decide what to do with it – which usually meant it went to the trash. 🚮

This bin was a lesson in responsibility and a gentle reminder to keep track of our belongings.

Inspired by my mother's clutter bin, I implemented a similar system in my own home. I have a clutter bin in my kitchen, where I collect everyday items that have been misplaced. My kids know exactly where to find things that are missing, streamlining our search and clutter process. 🏠

Additionally, I have 3 permanent small clutter bins strategically placed throughout my home. These bins have designated spots inside closets or cabinets, clearly labeled as clutter.

I know! Scandalous! Me, the frum minimalist, actually has bins labeled clutter??!! 

But yes, I do! Clutter accumulates whether I like it or not, and by having a designated spot, I am acknowledging that, yes, I have clutter, but this is the limit! As I see the bin filling up, it sets a limit – once it's overflowing, it's time to "burp" it. So I burp it because it's overfull, and most of it ends up in the trash. 📦➡️🗑️

Anything remaining needs a permanent home.

A word of caution: clutter bins should have permanent places in your home to avoid adding visual clutter.

And remember, no matter how much of a frum minimalist you are, when there is family, there is clutter. Things are always coming in, and as you tidy up, you will find stuff (like all those cheap prizes and trinkets your kids bring home.)

But by working with it, instead of fighting it, you'll have systems in place so the clutter can never get out of hand. 🌟

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