https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/a70590867/20-minute-organizing-method/
As someone who writes about all-things home for a living, I take my personal space very seriously. While I research the best products and creative ways to make my rental feel like my own, a clean home is non-negotiable. Because let’s face it: I spend most of my time working from home, and I need a (mostly) clean and organized space to get things done. (Otherwise, my firing-on-all-cylinders schedule, a messy space, and my overwhelming inbox will send my anxiety into a tailspin.)
But herein lies the problem: I typically save my chores for the weekend, when I have more time to tackle odds and ends around the house. And, without fail, I inevitably fall into a cleaning rabbit hole. The whole endeavor starts innocently with a quick task that should take a few minutes, but it always snowballs into an hours-long pursuit to get my home just so. Opening packages? I should also put all the contents away, break down the boxes, vacuum because I saw a dust bunny when opening the aforementioned packages, clear out the fridge since there’s probably some other recyclable containers in there I can bring with my boxes, and clean my counters because they look dirty. Before I know it, it’s 3 p.m. and I need to work out, shower, and get ready for whatever social plans are on the agenda. (Stressed out? Same.)
So when I saw the “20-minute method” all over my Instagram, I was more than open to give it a try: I was desperate to find a solution that saved my sanity and my weekend. After trying the 20-minute method for about a week, I’m slowly crawling out of my cleaning rabbit hole.
How the 20-Minute Method Works
The premise of the system is really simple: Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus on a specific task. You can use that allotted time to fold laundry, organize your pantry, or vacuum the floors. Truly, whatever floats your boat. However, once the 20 minutes are up, you have to stop what you’re doing and move on: Maybe that means moving onto the next chore, or perhaps you hang up the towel and are done with the daily admin. To bring some decorum to my home duties, I chose the latter.
What It’s Like to Use the 20-Minute Method
Though I really wanted the 20-minute method to work like a charm, I have to admit that I was initially skeptical. I mean, 20 minutes doesn’t seem like that much time, so how much can you really get done? Turns out, a lot.
Before each 20-minute session, I set an intention like tidy up my dining room table or fold my towels. As you might’ve guessed from my cleaning rabbit holes, I get easily sidetracked (and overwhelmed) by household tasks; however, the 20-minute method gives me the structure that I, quite frankly, need. For 20, uninterrupted minutes, I’m zeroed-in on just one task, not a cacophony of chores.
Plus, there’s the gamification component. Chores might be non-negotiable, but I loathe them. It’s easy for me (and probably most people) to drag my heels when doing something as soul-sucking as folding laundry. Fortunately, the 20-minute method makes it a game: How much can I do in 20 minutes? The challenge adds a little pep in my step, as if I’m the laundry-equivalent of Ethan Hunt. It’s that adrenaline rush that actually helps me get my chores done faster. Mission: Impossible? Not in this house!
If I manage to accomplish everything I set out to do before the timer goes off, I’ll take on another super small task. For example, I breezed through folding my sheets, so I spent the leftover two minutes putting away my art supplies. But when the 20 minutes are up? I stop. The only exception is if I’m in the middle of a very specific task like unloading the dishwasher. (Listen, nobody wants a half-emptied dishwasher!)
As someone who likes everything “just so,” I’m really tempted to snooze that timer for five (or another) 20 minutes. I recently cleared off my dining room table, and was bummed the timer went off before I could wipe it down. However, the 20-minute method gives me permission to take pressure off myself and live in a clean-not-pristine home. And honestly? It’s kind of liberating.
Instead of dedicating the majority of a Saturday to organizing my house, I’ve found tackling at least one 20-minute session per day is the best of both worlds: This happy medium allows me to carve out time to clean without making me a prisoner to the drudgery. It’s also a more sustainable way to keep a house tidy. Why let everything accumulate to the weekend when you can accomplish a small-yet-impact task in mere minutes? Whether you have some free time between Zoom calls or are waiting for your takeout order to arrive, we all have 20 minutes.
The 20-minute method is often associated with cleaning and organizing your home, but it’s also a great practice to put into your professional life. I just spent hours reducing my clogged inbox of 48,000-plus unread emails to a less intimidating 19,123—and felt completely drained after. But what if I spent 20 minutes a day tidying up my inbox? I have a hunch a smaller, more sustainable approach is just what my inbox needs.
Should You Do the 20-Minute Method?
Yes and no. While the 20-minute method is changing my approach to chores in real-time, it doesn’t make sense for everything. For example, if you want to declutter an entire linen closet or pantry, 20 minutes won’t get you very far. In fact, clearing out a fraction of your stuff can make you feel even more overwhelmed.
That said, if you’re looking for small, sustainable steps to organize your space, I couldn’t recommend it more. People often treat chores like this big, intimidating task, so it can be hard to know where to start. However, when you break them down to focused, 20-minute spurts, that daunting endeavor can feel more reasonable.
Of course, I’m not the only one who thinks so: Just last night, when I gave myself 20 minutes to load the dishwasher and wipe down the counters, my husband spent the same amount of time folding his laundry. Like me, the man doesn’t love chores, but this short sprint was completely doable.
Want to try the 20-minute method in your own home? My only request is that you put on a great playlist, podcast, or audiobook. They may be chores, but you can still make them fun.
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