Ever found yourself staring at a pile of clutter, feeling utterly paralyzed at the thought of decluttering? What if I told you there’s a surprisingly effective—and oddly amusing—method to tackle that mess? Enter the “poop rule.” This quirky guideline is not just a joke; it’s a game-changer for anyone overwhelmed by the chaos of their belongings!

The poop rule is simple yet effective: when deciding whether to keep or toss an item, ask yourself this gut-wrenching question: “If this had poop on it, would I wash it off or toss it?” This hilarious mental exercise was thrust into the social media spotlight after ADHD content creator Becka Karle, known as @adhdorganized on TikTok, shared her decluttering journey using this unconventional method.

In July, Karle’s video went viral, garnering an impressive 175,000 views on TikTok before spreading like wildfire across other platforms. Her story resonates deeply, especially with those who understand the struggle of holding onto items that no longer serve a purpose. Karle revealed that she initially learned about the poop rule during therapy sessions aimed at managing her ADHD symptoms, which often make organization feel like an uphill battle.

As Karle began downsizing her home filled with years of accumulated items, her therapist offered the poop rule as a visual cue to help her decide what to keep. “Picture poop on it,” her therapist advised. Imagine an old toiletry item—would you want to deal with the mess? Karle recalled her therapist's prompt: “Would you wash poop off that?” The answer was a definitive no. But when it came to her favorite work shirt? “Honestly, I probably would wash it,” she admitted, realizing that the disgusting mental image helped her make those tough decisions.

For Karle, who describes herself as a visual and literal thinker, the poop rule became a crucial tool for accountability in her decluttering process. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about emotional clarity in making space for what truly matters.

Commenters on her viral video resonated with this humorous yet practical approach. One user even drew a parallel to Marie Kondo’s famous question, “Does this spark joy?” suggesting that the poop rule adds a visceral twist to tidying up. “So...Marie Kondo’s ‘Does this spark joy?’ made more visceral? Love it,” they wrote, highlighting the creative spin on traditional decluttering philosophies.

Another TikTok user, Cooper Ownbey, shared her own experience, stating, “Kondo’s method never worked for me, but an ADHD TikToker just changed my entire life by introducing ‘the poop rule.’” The comments are filled with laughter, relatability, and a shared understanding of the challenges of keeping a tidy space.