Marie Kondo sparked joy — but this new method might just spark your gag reflex.
A foul-sounding — but weirdly freeing — decluttering method is taking over social media, and people are swearing it’s the s–t. Literally.
Dubbed the “poop rule,” it’s exactly what it sounds like.
“The poop rule is simple: while decluttering, ask yourself, ‘If something was covered in poop, would I still keep it?’” Amanda Johnson, a content creator who wiped away and flushed her clutter using this technique, told the Washington Post.
“It’s a fun, no-nonsense way to decide what really adds value to your life.”
While Kondo asked what sparks happiness, this rule just asks what you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pooper-scooper — and it’s catching on fast among the chronically overwhelmed and ADHD crowd.
Johnson put the method to the test in her own home and promptly purged “clothing I hadn’t worn in over six months, board games and puzzles we never played or that were missing pieces, and decorative items I was holding onto ‘just in case’ for a future party.”
“This method is perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by clutter or struggles with decision fatigue,” she said.
Clutter isn’t just an eyesore — it’s a mind-melter.
Dr. Faith Coleman, a medical journalist, warned on StudyFinds.com that “when clutter is winning, mental health is losing.” She links messy spaces to impaired memory, poor eating habits, decision fatigue, even relationship woes.
And with 40% of homeowners afraid to even face their clutter, it’s no wonder the poop rule has become a holy grail for the organizationally exhausted.
“This can be a useful strategy when a person has multiples of an object,” Diane N. Quintana, a professional organizer who works with ADHD clients, told the Washington Post. “It can help them to quickly pick out their favorite one or two.”
Quintana also noted that the method works well for visual thinkers: “Many people challenged by ADHD feel that if they can’t easily see something, they don’t know where it is — out of sight, out of mind.”
And while it’s a little stomach-churning, it’s also surprisingly clarifying.
“While it is somewhat disgusting to think about,” Ann Lightfoot, co-author of “Love Your Home Again,” also told the outlet, “The poop rule is also very clear about what you’re willing to do to keep something.”
Psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell told the publication that the “fun” mental game can actually help ADHD brains stay motivated.
“This way of achieving your process goals day-to-day actually becomes quite rewarding and satisfying.”
Even sentimental items get the sniff test. Johnson kept her great-grandmother’s china, because “it’s been handed down, I actually like it, and I use it.” So yes, it passed the poop test — fine china and all.
It’s a filthy-sounding trick, but the results are squeaky clean.
Research shows cluttered spaces tank focus, productivity and take up 5% of your time rummaging for lost junk — the equivalent of flushing 5% of your income down the toilet.
And if your garage looks like a disaster zone (as 37% of homeowners admit), it may be time to ask yourself: “If this was covered in crap, would I still keep it?”
If not — scoop it, trash it and enjoy the sweet smell of freedom.