The poop rule: is this the most disgusting decluttering method ever?

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"The Poop Rule: A New Approach to Decluttering Inspired by TikTok Trends"

The poop rule: is this the most disgusting decluttering method ever? analysis cover image The Guardian 7.4
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/26/the-poop-rule-is-this-the-most-disgusting-decluttering-method-ever
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AI Analysis Average Score: 7.4
These scores (0-10 scale) are generated by Truthlens AI's analysis, assessing the article's objectivity, accuracy, and transparency. Higher scores indicate better alignment with journalistic standards. Hover over chart points for metric details.

TruthLens AI Summary

The 'poop rule' is a new decluttering method gaining traction on TikTok, introduced by lifestyle influencer Amanda Johnson. This unconventional approach builds on Marie Kondo's famous principle of discarding items that do not 'spark joy' but adds a rather graphic twist. The rule poses a provocative question: 'If this item was covered in poop, would I still keep it?' This mental image is intended to help individuals evaluate the true value of their belongings, prompting them to discard items that do not hold significant worth in their lives. Johnson claims this technique has been instrumental in her own decluttering journey, allowing her to part with clothes, unused board games, and party decorations that had long been stored away, emphasizing that if an item contributes to clutter and does not bring joy, it should be let go.

The poop rule is particularly beneficial for people who are visual learners or those who struggle with motivation when it comes to tidying up. Diane N Quintana, a professional organizer, suggests that this method can be especially useful for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as it simplifies the decision-making process and provides a clear visual prompt to focus their thoughts. While some may find the imagery off-putting, Johnson argues that the discomfort associated with the concept helps to break emotional attachments to items, making it easier to let go of unnecessary possessions. She highlights that this approach reflects a broader societal issue of overconsumption, encouraging people to reconsider their attachment to material goods. Ultimately, the poop rule is a humorous yet thought-provoking tool aimed at facilitating a more mindful approach to decluttering.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article delves into a unique decluttering method called the "poop rule," popularized by lifestyle influencer Amanda Johnson on TikTok. It presents a provocative approach to organizing one's belongings by prompting individuals to consider whether they would keep an item if it were covered in feces. This unconventional idea draws upon the principles of Marie Kondo but adds a layer of visual disgust to drive home the importance of valuing items that truly matter.

Intended Audience and Community Impact

This method targets those who may struggle with emotional attachments to their possessions, particularly individuals who are more visual learners or those needing additional motivation to declutter. The article suggests that this tactic could resonate especially well with people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as it provides a straightforward visual prompt that can help clear mental clutter as well.

Public Perception and Motivation

The article encourages readers to embrace a humorous yet effective way of evaluating their belongings. By framing the decluttering process within the context of disgusting scenarios, it aims to lighten the emotional burden associated with letting go of items. However, the effectiveness of such a graphic method can be debated, as not everyone may find motivation through disgust.

Comparative Context

In relation to other decluttering trends, the poop rule stands out as a memorable and somewhat shocking approach. While similar methods often emphasize joy and positivity, this tactic utilizes an unconventional angle that could create a memorable impression, potentially leading to wider acceptance or ridicule within the community.

Economic and Social Implications

The promotion of this decluttering technique may indirectly impact consumer behavior, particularly in the home goods sector. As people become more aware of their possessions and reduce clutter, it could lead to a decrease in unnecessary purchases and a shift towards minimalism. The article does not directly link to economic movements or stock market implications but hints at broader societal changes regarding consumption and waste.

Influence of AI in Content Creation

Considering the article's structure and style, there is a possibility that AI tools could have been utilized in crafting the narrative. The engaging tone and playful language suggest a calculated effort to draw in readers and keep them entertained while discussing a rather mundane topic. AI models may have influenced the phrasing to enhance relatability and humor.

Manipulative Elements

While the article does not overtly manipulate its audience, it uses humor and shock value to provoke a reaction. This technique can be seen as a subtle form of manipulation, encouraging readers to reconsider their possessions by employing a distasteful hypothetical scenario. By framing the conversation around disgust, it nudges individuals towards a more decisive decluttering process.

Overall, the article presents a creative approach to decluttering that could resonate with various audiences. However, its effectiveness will likely vary depending on individual perspectives and emotional attachments to belongings. The unusual method may indeed spark conversations about minimalism and the motivations behind our consumer habits.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/26/the-poop-rule-is-this-the-most-disgusting-decluttering-method-ever

Name:The poop rule.

Age:New to the mainstream, already popular on TikTok.

Appearance:More sanitary than you may imagine.

I’m trying not to imagine it at all. TikTok has new rules for poop now?Not exactly. Do you rememberMarie Kondo?

The tidying influencer?That’s the one. This rule is sort of an update to her dictum to throw out anything that doesn’t “spark joy”.

Go on …Essentially, the rule is: “If this item was covered in poop, would I still keep it?”

And who do we have to thank for this mental image?Lifestyle influencer Amanda Johnson. She called it “the easiest way to declutter your home”.

“The easiest way” is to picture everything you owncovered in poop?The idea being it clarifies what items you value enough to clean up.

The kids are safe, then.Maybe the dog. But what about everything else?Johnson told the Washington Post that the rule helped her to get rid of clothing she didn’t wear, board games and puzzles her family weren’t reaching for, and party decorations she was holding on to “just in case”.

I’ve got cupboardsfull of that stuff, but picturing it allbrown and smelly doesn’t exactly make me want to roll up my sleeves and dive in.It’s a silly question, Johnson concedes – but a powerful one, too. “If it weighs me down or stinks up my space, it’s gotta go. Simple as that!”

Who is this supposed to help?“People who are very visual,” according to the professional organiser Diane N Quintana.

I don’t doubt that.Also those who “need extra motivation to declutter”.

Again, I’m struggling to see how this is motivating.Supposedly, the rule is a way to make a game out of tidying up that’s especially effective for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, by removing options and using a visual prompt to focus the mind.

Does it have to be that, though? Could I not imagine taror Nutella?The disgust bit is key, according to Johnson, to help you “cut through emotional attachments”.

I have no emotional attachments to the stuff in my junk drawer.Maybe the poop rule is just not for you. But you get the point: perhaps you don’t need all those miscellaneous cables and food-storage lids if you’re not prepared to go to any lengths to keep them.

So what has Johnson said she’d willingly clean of faecal matter?Her great-grandmother’s china, being both precious and useful.

And, may I point out, relatively easy to wipe down.I think you’re overthinking it.

Do say:“This is the result of a society struggling with overconsumption.”

Don’t say:“How much poop are we talking ...?”

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Source: The Guardian