Unjumbl
The 15-minute declutter timer
An open-ended job is easy to put off. A timer turns it into something with an end. Here is how to use one, and how 15 minutes compares with other popular methods.
Why a timer helps
"Clean the room" has no end, so it's hard to begin. "Fifteen minutes, then I can stop" does. A timer also stops perfectionism: when it rings, the session is over, whatever state the zone is in.
How to run a 15-minute session
- Pick the zone first. Decide what you will tackle before you start the clock, so none of the 15 minutes is spent choosing.
- Start the timer and put your phone's other notifications away.
- Go through once for the obvious items, then decide on the rest with a concrete question.
- Use the last minute to take things out: trash to the bin, donation to the door or car.
- When it rings, stop. Write the next zone on a sticky note.
15 minutes, 20/10 and 25/5
Several work-and-rest methods are popular. They differ in how long you work and how long you rest.
| Method | Work | Rest | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-minute zone | 15 minutes | You may stop | Low-energy days, getting started, one small zone |
| 20/10 | 20 minutes | 10 minutes | A longer cleaning session in rounds, popular in the UFYH community |
| 25/5 (Pomodoro) | 25 minutes | 5 minutes | Focused work with short breaks, sometimes used for sorting paperwork |
None is the right one for everybody. A sensible way to choose: start with 15 minutes, and if you often want to keep going, try 20/10.
Tips
- Use a plain phone timer or a kitchen timer. A visible countdown is enough.
- Stop when it rings, at least some of the time. Knowing you can stop is what makes it easy to start.
- Rest properly in the break: stand, drink some water, don't start another zone.
- Count the zone as done when the bags are out of the room, not when the timer ends.
If you're not sure where to begin, see how to start decluttering when you feel overwhelmed.
Want a timer that is already set?
Unjumbl's focus view shows one item at a time and runs a timer set to each zone's estimate, so you can start without choosing a length.