Try the ‘Holding Zone’ Decluttering Method When You’re Not Ready to Say Goodbye to Your Stuff

My family members are pack rats, plain and simple. And any attempt to get rid of things is inevitably a big challenge, because even ratty old T-shirts and DVDs we haven’t watched in at least a decade somehow still spark joy for us.

So maybe we needed a gentler push toward finally declaring at least some of those items ready to go. Enter our latest attempt to get a little more clutter out the door: the slow-roll shakeup. Rather than send something out the door right away, we pop it in a “holding zone” bin for a bit—and give ourselves time to get used to the idea of setting it free.

If you have some stubborn cluttered spots (or some stubborn clutter keepers), try these tips to see if you can make some progress through this decluttering method.

How This Decluttering Method Works

This method can work for any type of decluttering project, whether you’re just looking to organize a drawer or shelf, or doing a whole room. Here’s how to work it into your decluttering routine.

Add a “holding zone” box or bin to your declutter session setup

Most decluttering methods start by sorting into several piles/bins: to keep, to give away, and to trash. The slow-roll method gives you a fourth option: the “maybe later” or holding zone bin. That’s where you put those things that you’re not totally committed to keeping, or that you know deep down you can probably part with—whether it’s the jeans that you haven’t been able to squeeze into for the past five years, or the board game you love but can’t get anyone in your family to play with you.

That “maybe later” bin can help you avoid the roadblocks and emotional fatigue of letting go right away.

Store the bin—for a little while

Find an out-of-the-way place to keep your holding zone bin while you get used to the idea of life without those items. If you find yourself needing to pull something out of there while it’s stored, it’s clearly an item that needs to stay.

Set a deadline

Mark it on the box, put it in your calendar, and post it on your fridge: That “maybe later” bin should have a definite shelf life. Obviously, the sooner, the better is best, but try to make it no more than three months from now, so you don’t hold onto these items indefinitely (just in a more hidden spot).

Donate or sell everything

When you hit that deadline, everything that’s still in the box must go. Send the items into the universe, whether you donate them to charity, sell them at a garage sale, or give them away on a Buy Nothing group. If you’re concerned about waffling on the items in the box when it’s time to say a final farewell, don’t even take a peek into the box. Have a less sentimental friend or family member go through it and get the items ready to sell or donate.

Benefits of This Decluttering Method

This may be the best way to clear away stuff if you’re someone who has a very hard time letting go of items, or if you’ve already done an initial pass and you still have too much stuff. By putting the items into limbo for a bit, you may finally cut that connection and be able to set it free.

You may also find yourself breezing through your next declutter more quickly, since you won’t be dealing with the emotions that come with getting rid of something you love.

Downsides to Consider

As with any decluttering method, the holding zone has its drawbacks. The key one: if you’re a procrastinator, that “maybe later” box could end up sitting there forever—and that stuff will continue to gather dust in your home, instead of serving a purpose.

But there is also the issue of finding a spot to hold all those items. And if you’ve sorted more items into the holding zone than anywhere else, it’ll still be taking up a lot of space in your home while you’re waiting for the delay to do its magic.

Still, storing that clutter for a short time can be a small price to pay—if you’re willing to get rid of it after that time has passed.