Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff in your living space, unsure of what to keep or toss? You're not alone! But what if I told you that a quirky yet surprisingly effective rule called the ‘poop rule’ could make decluttering not just easier, but even a little fun?

Imagine this: you’re standing in your cluttered room, surrounded by items that seem to multiply overnight. The thought of tackling that mess feels like a Herculean task, right? Enter the ‘poop rule,’ a hilariously named guideline that’s taken social media by storm, thanks to TikTok content creator Becka Karle, known as @adhdorganized.

In July, Karle dropped a TikTok video that quickly racked up over 175,000 views. She explained a technique she learned from her therapist, aimed at helping her deal with the challenges of managing her attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Picture this: every time you’re debating whether to keep or discard an item, ask yourself, “If this had poop on it, would I wash it off or throw it away?”

That simple question ignited a wave of discussion online, resonating with those who have struggled with clutter. Karle shared how her therapist encouraged her to visualize each item in that light. “Like an old toiletry or something would be gross, right? So my therapist was like, ‘Would you wash poop off that?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely not!’” she recounted. “And she was like, ‘Exactly. Now, what about a shirt that you wear to work a lot?’ And I’m like, ‘Honestly, I probably would wash it.’”

This straightforward yet impactful method struck a chord with Karle, a visual learner who found the poop rule to be a motivating way to keep herself accountable. The quirky analogy transformed her approach to decluttering and made the process feel a bit less daunting.

In the comments of her viral video, viewers chimed in with their thoughts, with one user comparing the poop rule to Marie Kondo’s famous “Does this spark joy?” method, but with a visceral twist. They wrote, “So... Marie Kondo’s ‘Does this spark joy?’ made more visceral? Love it.”

Another user, Cooper Ownbey, an archival researcher and scriptwriter, shared her own transformative experience on social media, saying, “An ADHD TikToker just changed my entire life by introducing ‘the poop rule!’” This outpouring of appreciation highlights how an offbeat concept can lead to genuine breakthroughs in our daily lives.

As the ‘poop rule’ continues to gain traction, it’s clear that decluttering doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead, it can become a playful and liberating experience, leaving your space—and mind—feeling fresh and organized!