Marie Kondo sparked joy — but this recent method might just spark your gag reflex.
A foul-sounding — but weirdly freeing — decluttering method is taking on social media, and individuals are swearing it’s the s–t. Literally.
Dubbed the “poop rule,” it’s exactly what it appears like.
“The poop rule is straightforward: while decluttering, ask yourself, ‘If something was covered in poop, would I still keep it?’” Amanda Johnson, a content creator who wiped away and flushed her clutter using this method, told the Washington Post.
“It’s a fun, no-nonsense way to choose what really adds value to your life.”
While Kondo asked what sparks happiness, this rule just asks what you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pooper-scooper — and it’s catching on fast among the many chronically overwhelmed and ADHD crowd.
Johnson put the strategy to the test in her own residence and promptly purged “clothing I hadn’t worn in over six months, board games and puzzles we never played or that were missing pieces, and ornamental items I used to be holding onto ‘just in case’ for a future party.”
“This method is ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed by clutter or struggles with decision fatigue,” she said.
Clutter isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a mind-melter.
Dr. Faith Coleman, a medical journalist, warned on StudyFinds.com that “when clutter is winning, mental health is losing.” She links messy spaces to impaired memory, poor eating habits, decision fatigue, even relationship woes.
And with 40% of house owners afraid to even face their clutter, it’s no wonder the poop rule has turn into a holy grail for the organizationally exhausted.
“This is usually a useful strategy when an individual has multiples of an object,” Diane N. Quintana, an expert organizer who works with ADHD clients, told the Washington Post. “It will possibly help them to quickly pick their favorite one or two.”
Quintana also noted that the strategy works well for visual thinkers: “Many individuals challenged by ADHD feel that in the event that they can’t easily see something, they don’t know where it’s — out of sight, out of mind.”
And while it’s somewhat stomach-churning, it’s also surprisingly clarifying.
“While it’s somewhat disgusting to take into consideration,” Ann Lightfoot, co-author of “Love Your Home Again,” also told the outlet, “The poop rule can be very clear about what you’re willing to do to maintain something.”
Psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell told the publication that the “fun” mental game can actually help ADHD brains stay motivated.
“This fashion of achieving your process goals day-to-day actually becomes quite rewarding and satisfying.”
Even sentimental items get the sniff test. Johnson kept her great-grandmother’s china, because “it’s been handed down, I actually prefer it, and I exploit it.” So yes, it passed the poop test — high quality china and all.
It’s a filthy-sounding trick, but the outcomes are squeaky clean.
Research shows cluttered spaces tank focus, productivity and take up 5% of your time rummaging for lost junk — the equivalent of flushing 5% of your income down the bathroom.
And in case your garage looks like a disaster zone (as 37% of house owners admit), it might be time to ask yourself: “If this was covered in crap, would I still keep it?”
If not — scoop it, trash it and luxuriate in the sweet smell of freedom.
Marie Kondo sparked joy — but this recent method might just spark your gag reflex.
A foul-sounding — but weirdly freeing — decluttering method is taking on social media, and individuals are swearing it’s the s–t. Literally.
Dubbed the “poop rule,” it’s exactly what it appears like.
“The poop rule is straightforward: while decluttering, ask yourself, ‘If something was covered in poop, would I still keep it?’” Amanda Johnson, a content creator who wiped away and flushed her clutter using this method, told the Washington Post.
“It’s a fun, no-nonsense way to choose what really adds value to your life.”
While Kondo asked what sparks happiness, this rule just asks what you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pooper-scooper — and it’s catching on fast among the many chronically overwhelmed and ADHD crowd.
Johnson put the strategy to the test in her own residence and promptly purged “clothing I hadn’t worn in over six months, board games and puzzles we never played or that were missing pieces, and ornamental items I used to be holding onto ‘just in case’ for a future party.”
“This method is ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed by clutter or struggles with decision fatigue,” she said.
Clutter isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a mind-melter.
Dr. Faith Coleman, a medical journalist, warned on StudyFinds.com that “when clutter is winning, mental health is losing.” She links messy spaces to impaired memory, poor eating habits, decision fatigue, even relationship woes.
And with 40% of house owners afraid to even face their clutter, it’s no wonder the poop rule has turn into a holy grail for the organizationally exhausted.
“This is usually a useful strategy when an individual has multiples of an object,” Diane N. Quintana, an expert organizer who works with ADHD clients, told the Washington Post. “It will possibly help them to quickly pick their favorite one or two.”
Quintana also noted that the strategy works well for visual thinkers: “Many individuals challenged by ADHD feel that in the event that they can’t easily see something, they don’t know where it’s — out of sight, out of mind.”
And while it’s somewhat stomach-churning, it’s also surprisingly clarifying.
“While it’s somewhat disgusting to take into consideration,” Ann Lightfoot, co-author of “Love Your Home Again,” also told the outlet, “The poop rule can be very clear about what you’re willing to do to maintain something.”
Psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell told the publication that the “fun” mental game can actually help ADHD brains stay motivated.
“This fashion of achieving your process goals day-to-day actually becomes quite rewarding and satisfying.”
Even sentimental items get the sniff test. Johnson kept her great-grandmother’s china, because “it’s been handed down, I actually prefer it, and I exploit it.” So yes, it passed the poop test — high quality china and all.
It’s a filthy-sounding trick, but the outcomes are squeaky clean.
Research shows cluttered spaces tank focus, productivity and take up 5% of your time rummaging for lost junk — the equivalent of flushing 5% of your income down the bathroom.
And in case your garage looks like a disaster zone (as 37% of house owners admit), it might be time to ask yourself: “If this was covered in crap, would I still keep it?”
If not — scoop it, trash it and luxuriate in the sweet smell of freedom.
