February Focus: Decluttering with the FlyLady System
Flylady Monthly Habit February
February is the perfect time to refresh your home by tackling clutter, and the FlyLady system has made decluttering the monthly focus for this time of year. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ in your home, now is the time to take action. A clutter-free home isn’t just about aesthetics—it creates a sense of calm, makes cleaning easier, and helps you feel more in control of your space.
Why decluttering matters
Clutter can build up very quickly, making everyday tasks more stressful and time-consuming. Whether it’s overflowing cupboards, paperwork piling up, or unused items gathering dust, February’s focus on decluttering is all about small, consistent steps to clear the chaos.
A home filled with unnecessary items can:
- Make cleaning and tidying harder
- Create mental stress and decision fatigue
- Waste time searching for things
- Reduce the functionality of your living space
- Create CHAOS-cant have anyone over sydrome.
By following a structured approach to decluttering, you can transform your home into a more organised and stress-free environment.
How to declutter using the FlyLady System
The FlyLady system incorporates decluttering into daily routines, making it manageable rather than overwhelming. Here are some key FlyLady decluttering principles:
1) Declutter in Small Bursts
Instead of setting aside an entire weekend for a massive decluttering session, work in 15-minute increments. Set a timer and focus on one small area. When the timer stops, so do you. This method prevents burnout and keeps momentum going.
2) Focus on Zones
FlyLady’s system divides the home into zones, tackling different areas each week. When you focus on decluttering in the designated zone, it becomes easier to stay on top of clutter without it feeling like a never-ending task.
3) The 27-Fling Boogie
One of FlyLady’s fun decluttering techniques is the 27-Fling Boogie. The idea is simple:
- Grab a a carrier bag and then walk around your home and find 27 items to get rid of.
- Chose a category either throw away (rubbish), recycle, or donate. Work on one category on these 3 categories at a time.
- Repeat as often as needed to keep clutter at bay.
4) The One-In, One-Out Rule
To prevent clutter from creeping back in, adopt the One-In, One-Out Rule—for every new item you bring into your home, remove one. This is particularly useful for clothes, kitchen gadgets, and books.
5) Tackle Hot Spots
Hot spots are areas where clutter tends to accumulate, like kitchen counters, dining tables, and entryways. Spend a few minutes each day clearing these spaces to stop clutter from taking over.
Decluttering Challenges for February
To make decluttering more fun, why not set yourself a challenge?
- Daily 15-minute declutter – Spend 15 minutes decluttering each day.
- Declutter 100 items – Aim to remove 100 items from your home throughout the month.
- No spend challenge – Avoid buying unnecessary items while focusing on decluttering what you already own.
More decluttering tips and guidance
If you need extra motivation, I’ve put together a complete Decluttering Guide, packed with tips, methods, and strategies to help you tackle clutter with ease. Check it out here: Decluttering Guide
For real-time decluttering sessions, inspiration, and FlyLady routines, subscribe to my YouTube channel, Clean With Kate. I share practical, step-by-step videos to help you take control of your home, one small decluttering session at a time.
Let’s make February the month of fresh starts and clutter-free spaces! What will you declutter first? Let me know in comments