The Mount Vernon method effectively tackles excessive clutter, providing a solution even for those feeling stressed, according to experts.
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The Mount Vernon Method is a straightforward and efficient approach to decluttering, designed to minimize distractions and decision fatigue. This method, inspired by the staff at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, has gained popularity due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
Follow these steps to implement the Mount Vernon Method in your home:
- Start with Trash: Begin by removing obvious trash from your space. Keep a small, easily accessible trash bag nearby to facilitate quick disposal.
- Use the Wall as a Sorting Station: Instead of moving clutter around the room, place items against one wall as you work through them. This prevents just shifting mess and keeps the workload organized in one visible area.
- Work One Wall at a Time: Set clear visual boundaries by focusing on one wall (or one small section) at a time. This structure creates natural stopping points and avoids feeling overwhelmed, making it effective for busy people or beginners.
- Use a Basket or Bin for Items Belonging Elsewhere: Keep a bin or laundry basket handy to collect things that don't belong in the area you're decluttering. This prevents interruptions and repeated trips to put items away during the process.
- Set a Timer for Focused Work Sessions: Using a timer set for 15 to 20 minutes helps maintain focus and prevents burnout. It also keeps the task manageable, and even a single session around the room can create noticeable progress, boosting motivation to continue.
Other useful tips include using collapsible laundry baskets or bins to create effective drop zones in various areas of the home, and stacking baskets to organize items by category and make the decluttering process feel less overwhelming.
Professional organizer, Melanie Summers, an ADHD organizing specialist, uses a similar systemic, clockwise system called the Decluttering Roadmap. Elena Navarro, another professional organizer, recommends the Mount Vernon method to clients who feel overwhelmed when tidying their home.
Pairing the Mount Vernon Method with other decluttering strategies, such as value-based or emotion-based sorting, can help create a more nuanced approach to decluttering. For instance, the floor decluttering method can be used to tackle a chunk of clutter in the middle of a room without adding stress.
Experts say the method works because it minimizes decision fatigue and creates a sense of progress with every step. A bestselling book offers insight into decluttering and tidying in a clear, accessible format, making the Mount Vernon Method a practical and effective solution for anyone looking to simplify their space.
[1] Adapted from the Mount Vernon Method guide by Melanie Summers.
Adopting the Mount Vernon Method in your home-improvement projects can be beneficial, leveraging its principles to declutter not only spaces but also your home-and-garden areas for a more organized lifestyle. This method, when combined with strategies like value-based or emotion-based sorting, offers a comprehensive approach to minimizing clutter and creating a more streamlined home-and-garden lifestyle.
