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Journalism of Courage
A new decluttering trend is helping people get rid of unnecessary belongings faster than ever, and many say it’s been a game-changer for clearing out their spaces. Called the ‘poop rule,’ this surprisingly effective hack has gone viral on social media thanks to its blunt, no-nonsense approach. The idea? Ask yourself one particular question while holding an item: ‘Would I still want this if I had to clean poop off it?’
The term was coined by Becka, the creator behind the TikTok account ADHDOrganized, who shared the method in a now-viral video in December 2024. “I know that sounds super gross, and it has nothing to do with the bathroom,” Becka clarified. “Pick up an item and think ‘is this important enough that I would wash poop off it?’ and let me tell you it works miracles.”
She further explained that the approach has helped her cut through emotional indecision, particularly when decluttering things like bathroom products. “I truly picture poop on the item, and it really helps me,” she added, suggesting the tactic may work exceptionally well for those with ADHD.
Counselling psychologist Athul Raj tells indianexpress.com, “In my sessions, I see how people hang onto things not because they bring happiness, but because they carry guilt, obligation, or nostalgia. A gift from someone they don’t speak to anymore. A top that doesn’t fit but once did.”
He adds, “The poop rule offers something cleaner. Not emotionally, but psychologically. It uses disgust–one of our most basic instincts–as a filtering tool. It’s primal. It doesn’t require sitting with your feelings. It doesn’t ask you to be self-aware or spiritual. It just asks: ‘Would I pick this up if it was covered in poop?’
He states that this mental image overrides emotional ambiguity with something concrete and immediate. That’s powerful for people who struggle with overthinking or sentimental hoarding. It simplifies what can feel like an emotionally loaded decision into a single gut reaction. You’re no longer stuck in ‘What if I need this?’ or ‘This used to mean something.’
“The brilliance here is in how it bypasses executive function fatigue,” notes Raj. You don’t have to think in categories like ‘sentimental,’ ‘useful,’ or ‘just-in-case.’ Those words mean nothing when you’re already overwhelmed. But disgust? That’s immediate. It pushes the brain into a yes-or-no zone without needing logic. It offers certainty in a situation where everything feels blurry.
Raj explains that motivation often kicks in through novelty, humour, or urgency for people with ADHD. The poop rule is weird and slightly gross, but it works because it’s not another rigid system. It feels like a game, not a punishment. That difference matters. It lowers emotional resistance.
The point isn’t to throw everything away. It’s to reduce decision fatigue and get unstuck. When everything feels equally important, nothing moves. The poop rule gives you momentum by tapping into your body, not your guilt. “It’s not a fix for ADHD, but it’s a useful nudge when clutter feels like a mountain you’ll never get over,” stresses the expert.
