Attempted the efficient Great Over Good decluttering strategy, effortlessly organizing my residence without sparking feelings of wastefulness.
Go Big Instead of Just Good: Declutter like a Pro
Tired of a house that's bursting at the seams? Feeling overwhelmed with all the duplicate items? The 'Go Big Instead of Just Good' decluttering method is just what you need to create a functional, clutter-free space without giving up quality items.
By focusing your decluttering efforts on dumping surplus items that are merely "good," you'll achieve a home that operates more efficiently and leaves you less stressed. Let's dive into what this popular decluttering technique is all about, and how it can help you get a handle on your stuff.
What is the Go Big Instead of Just Good method of decluttering?
The Go Big Instead of Just Good decluttering method is a strategic approach to paring down your possessions. It's about retaining the top-tier items while letting go of the rest—even if they're technically still "good."
Michelle Urban, owner of The Organized House, explains, 'I like to think of Go Big as one of the decluttering methods where you're choosing the best version of something and letting go of the rest - even if the rest is technically still "good."'
'So instead of keeping five okay black T-shirts, you keep the one or two that fit well, feel great, and you actually reach for. This parameter makes it easier to declutter your home when you feel overwhelmed, knowing you aren't expected to declutter what you love.'
Instead of aiming to get rid of everything, your goal is to optimize what remains in your home through intentional, thoughtful subtraction.
Pros and Cons of the Method
The main benefit of the Go Big Instead of Just Good method is its ability to reduce clutter and boost functionality simultaneously. Owning only the best of what you have leaves your life more efficient and streamlined, without decision fatigue and clutter hindering your access to your favorites.
C.Lee Cawley, certified professional organizer and founder of Simplify You - Professional Organizing, adds, 'The best part is that you're not just decluttering, you're curating. It's an empowering edit of our possessions, where we keep those that reflect our actual use and taste (great), as opposed to our most tolerable backup options (good).'
However, the main roadblock people face when implementing the Go Big Instead of Just Good method is justifying the decluttering of perfectly good, usable stuff.
'It can be hard to let go of perfectly usable items,' says C.Lee. 'Try to set yourself up for a successful decluttering session. I do this in my work by encouraging people to remember that what they're experiencing now is only a short-term discomfort, and that by donating their "goods" they can become someone else's "greats".'
This mindset trick is particularly helpful when using a method to streamline that personifies your possessions. Imagine your item fulfilling its purpose somewhere else, and it becomes easier to let go of perfectly good items for donation or sale.
How to Follow the Go Big Instead of Just Good Method
To follow the Go Big Instead of Just Good decluttering method, all you need to do is follow these steps:
- Choose a Category: This might be a cabinet full of coffee cups, or the multiple black cardigans in your closet.
- Get Everything Out: Lay ALL of them out so you can see all your choices at once.
- Identify the Best: Choose the top 33%, or the ones you'd save in a fire.
- Compare: Compare everything in your category to the top third to fuel your motivation to declutter. If they are just "fine," they are prime candidates to let go.
Another helpful tip is to imagine you're moving across the world and can only bring one large suitcase. What would be worthy of taking up the space? Your initial gut feeling tells you more than you think.
Who is this decluttering method good for?
If you have a number of duplicate items in your home, the Go Big Instead of Just Good method is a helpful one to try.
Di Ter Avest, professional organizer, owner of Di Is Organized, and author of Organize Yourself Healthy, available on Amazon, says, 'This method is particularly good for people who are showing signs you have too much stuff, like moms or families who are drowning in "pretty good" stuff.
'This might include things like gifts, hand-me-downs, or clearance finds. It's also great for people who tend to keep things out of guilt or "just in case." It reduces the chance of "declutter regret" by giving you permission to raise your standards without feeling wasteful.'
This decluttering method is also great if you're seeking to encourage minimalism at home as you're paring down the amount you own without depriving yourself of what you need in the process.
My Experience with Go Big Instead of Just Good
As someone who owns similar items they don't need, I thought this method would be a great way to cull down my amount of "good" items with less guilt, and to keep my home clutter-free. Clothing is my main culprit: If something still fits and suits me, it's hard to part with, even if I don't reach for it often, if at all.
I started my trial run of the Go Big Instead of Just Good decluttering method by taking out all of my clothing and sorting it into categories akin to the category consolidation approach: pajamas, long sleeves, and dresses, so I could see what I was working with. Then, from there, I pared the items down.
The first thing I did was take out all of my immediate favorites, leaving only the items I didn't reach for. From there, I began asking myself why these items were merely "good" and not used in my life. Did they fit weird? Were they something I wouldn't buy again? Did I own something similar that I loved more?
At first, I struggled a bit with closet decluttering tips and making decisions as I knew many of the clothing items looked good on me, but the Go Big Instead of Just Good decluttering method effectively mitigates this struggle by presenting you with your favorite things in comparison.
It made me realize almost everything that wasn't an immediate yes, or a "great" I wouldn't miss if I let it go, and that felt incredibly liberating and made decluttering so much easier.
Verdict: 8/10.
It can definitely help with decision fatigue and enhance your gratitude towards what you have, but to improve it, pair it alongside the idea of personifying your possessions for a 10/10, guilt-free decluttering session.
Decluttering Essentials
Spacious A large basket like this one designed for blankets is perfect to gather up your decluttered goods. Plus, it's easy to reuse elsewhere in the home when not needed for collecting clutter.
Collapsible Square baskets like these are ideal for creating helpful drop zones in the corners of your home. Any time you come across something you feel you can live without, simply pop it in there to add to your next bag of donations.
100 count Bag up your donations with the planet in mind using these biodegradable trash liners. They're on the smaller size, but larger options are available if you're letting go of bulkier items such as sweaters.
Meet the Experts
Michelle Urban is the owner of The Organized House. After spending 17 years working in telemarketing, Michelle found her passion: helping to bring simplicity and ease to others' lives. Michelle is a big fan of the "Go Big" method and uses it often with her clients, especially when they are knee-deep in decluttering and paring down multiple versions of the same item.
C.Lee Cawley has over 20 years of experience helping women 50+ declutter paper, organize their homes, and simplify their lives. As a trusted voice in the organizing world, she frequently shares practical tips to help overwhelmed women worldwide clear their homes and calm their minds.
Di Ter Avest has been a professional organizer for 12 years, helping 80-100 families per year through in-home organizing services. Di's extensive hands-on experience and the Organize Yourself Healthy method they specially created set them apart. This unique approach combines home organization with personal well-being, helping moms and families create systems that truly support their lifestyles.
If, after cutting down your possessions, you're left wondering what to do with the items you are decluttering, there are many options out there to give them a new purpose.
- For a clutter-free home, consider adopting the 'Go Big Instead of Just Good' decluttering method, which encourages retaining only the best items in your indoor plants, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, or education-and-self-development categories, while letting go of the rest.
- The Go Big method not only helps reduce clutter but also promotes personal growth by curating your belongings, focusing on keeping those items that truly resonate with your lifestyle and taste.
- In the process of decluttering, it's important to remember that giving away 'good' items can positively impact someone else's life, contributing to their home-and-garden or personal-growth endeavors.
