“FHIFHO” Is the Decluttering Game-Changer I’ve Been Using at Home
Decluttering methods, such as ”one in, three out;” the best, favorite, necessary rule; and even the poop rule are all strategies that help keep clutter from accumulating. So when I came across the “full hands in, full hands out,” method on Reddit I was intrigued about adding another potentially foolproof decluttering strategy to my roster.
I’ve since shortened the name to “FHIFHO,” which makes it a memorable acronym that helps me forge new habits and make a difference in the state of my home.
What Is “FHIFHO?”
“FHIFHO” stands for “full hands in, full hands out,” and it refers to the practice of always entering or exiting a room with a full hand of stuff — either with things that need to go back in there, or be taken out because it belongs elsewhere. The method is ingenious — not only because the name helps you remember to do it, but also because it introduces a necessary decluttering rhythm into the routines of daily life.
Bringing things back into rooms where they belong and always taking things out of rooms where they don’t belong makes decluttering more of an effortless flow rather than a chore you have to stop and do. Moreover, it keeps the house in more of a perpetual state of order than letting it deteriorate to a mess that requires time out of your day to address.
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Why It Works for Me
The FHIFHO method is essentially developing the habit of putting things away where they go all throughout the day. It’s a twist on something my mom always taught us, which was to “deal with it when it’s in your hand.” Coming across FHIFHO reminded me of this, and makes the practice even more specific.
When I actually put FHIFHO into practice, it drastically cuts down on the time it takes to reset my house in the evening. What’s even better is the way my home stays picked up throughout the day, which makes it feel more peaceful. Ultimately, FHIFHO allows me to have a more restful experience in my home.