The Unexpected Solution That Makes Decluttering Less Work & More Fun

You know that feeling when you have a long to-do list, but the mere thought of actually tackling it is so exhausting that you end up lounging on the couch all day instead? I've heard this feeling sometimes described as "executive dysfunction." The Cleveland Clinic even provides examples of it, such as difficulty completing tasks, self-motivation, and shifting from one task to another. So naturally, when I'm surrounded by a mountain of clothes and household items to declutter, sort, and donate, I can't help but think of this term. Among the clinic's solutions, however, is something called body-doubling — having someone provide external executive function. In layman's terms, this could look like inviting a friend over to the house to help you tackle that to-do list and actually get your decluttering done. Essentially, it's a buddy system or having an accountability partner to not only make the task feel less like a chore but also to help it get accomplished a little faster.

Whether this strategy works best for decluttering your home is likely up to personal preference. However, I've found it to be an incredibly useful tool in my home organization arsenal. Whether I have a friend come over to my house to help me declutter my pantry, invite someone to shop for groceries with me, or simply FaceTime my bestie while I do dishes, I've found that the buddy system really does help chores go by faster.

The best part of doing chores like decluttering with a friend is having an accountability partner. If you pause or get distracted, they can reel you back in. Additionally, if you have trouble making decisions, a buddy can provide a secondary opinion. Also, having a friend do a task with you can make it go almost twice as fast, since you're both actively working on the chore. For example, if you're creating a pantry system that works hard and actually stays organized, one person can toss and sort expired goods while the other wipes down surfaces or cleans containers. You also don't have to hang out in person for the buddy system to be successful. Hopping on a video call where you can both see each other while you work on your own tasks can help you stay on track and make time fly by. 

While this is a decluttering method that can make the process go much more smoothly, there are a few downsides to be aware of. First, not every buddy decluttering session includes enough accountability. Several times, I've gone off track and ended up turning the chore session into a hangout session instead. Getting distracted is easy with a friend. Additionally, not everyone makes a good buddy for chores. Those who are easily distracted, tire easily, get bored, or outright dislike chores may not be ideal candidates if you want to body double your tasks.