Declutter Your Home with a Trash Treasure Hunt

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Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved treasure hunts.

Whether roaming in the back yard on Easter looking for plastic eggs full of candy, playing games of hide-and-go-seek with my neighborhood friends (yes, the found person is a treasure!), or my favorite: following a series of clues until you’re led to the treasure, I love the excitement of things yet-to-be-found.

Believe it or not, treasure hunts are a great way to get started on an overwhelming decluttering job, too. Though in this case, the “treasure” you’re seeking is trash.

The idea? As you dig into boxes, piles, and stacks, look only for those items you are ready and willing to part with.

These items might truly be trash to be thrown away, but they can also be things you can donate, sell, or give away. All that matters is that there is no hesitancy or question in your mind as to whether you want to keep it. You are happy to see it leave your house.

When you remove the pressure of having to make decisions in the moment or needing to find a home for things, it becomes not only easier to start, but easier to focus and stay motivated.

Not sure whether you want to keep that book? No problem! Set it aside.

Come across the purse with the broken zipper? Easy! Into the trash pile it goes.

No matter how insurmountable the job, any time I have challenged a client to go on a “trash treasure hunt” they were able to get started on a task they had been avoiding for years.

Just by beginning, you immediately reclaim some power over the daunting task. It can even begin to feel… dare I say it…. doable!

And you don’t even have to stop at physical clutter. It works just about everywhere!

Can’t seem to get that blog post started? Empty your brain onto the page and delete any thoughts that aren’t a fit.

Feeling stretched way too thin? Have a look at your commitments and see what you’d love to cancel — and then cancel it!

Instead of focusing on how you’re ever going to “finish,” establish a good habit of starting. After all, if you start something enough you’ll eventually finish it, and a trash treasure hunt is an awesome way to do just that.

OK, now I wanna hear from YOU.

What have you been putting off that you could apply this idea to? Share in the comments below.

P.S. Every Monday in my secret society of trailblazers we not only plan our most productive weeks, but we do a Power POM together (a 25-minute round) on something we’d otherwise avoid. If you’d like to tap into this group support and accountability but aren’t yet a member of Clutter Clear Your Life, you can read all about it and join us here: ClutterClearYourLife.com. Hope to see you inside!