Latest news with #AmandaJohnson
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Easy ways to declutter your space
Let's face it. Most of us have that drawer. You know, the one stuffed with expired products, mystery cables, and enough rubber bands to start a small business. Clutter sneaks in like a ninja and before you know it, your home is less of that pinterest-perfect inspo and more like 'where did I keep that thing'? Decluttering isn't just about making room on your shelves; it's about making space in your mind too. And as many of us think, it's not just about tossing things out; it's about letting go of what no longer serves you. This side-to-side approach breaks the room into bite-sized zones, making the task more manageable and less overwhelming. For example the latest entry in this list is of the 'poop-rule'. As disgusting as the name may sound, it actually might not be a bad idea. The "poop rule," popularized by content creator Amanda Johnson, is a quirky decluttering method: if an item were to be covered in poop, would you still keep it? Johnson used it to clear out unused clothes, incomplete games, and rarely-used decor. In simplest form, this rule helps one get rid of the things that don't really hold value to their life. It can be a 10-year-old water-bottle, or even a one-day old mug. But hold on. This isn't the only rule that assists in decluttering. Therapist-turned-designer Anita Yokota's 'ski slope method' from her book Home Therapy makes decluttering less of an uphill battle. Imagine your messy room as a ski slope. Don't charge straight down; instead, zigzag from corner to corner. This side-to-side approach breaks the room into bite-sized zones, making the task more manageable and less overwhelming. On the other hand, the 'Swedish death cleaning' may sound grim, but it's really just smart decluttering. Introduced by Margareta Magnusson in her book- The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, the method encourages clearing out non-essentials to ease the burden on loved ones after you're gone. But it's not just for the elderly. Anyone drowning in drawer chaos can benefit from this. To begin with start with basements, ditch duplicates, save the sentimental stuff for last, and take your time. Now, once our decluttering mission is complete, the 'one-in, one-out' rule can be the trick to maintain the spaces as clutter-free. It's simple. For every new item one brings in, they let go of a similar one. Bought a new coat? Give away an old one. It's to strike a balance. In this way, it's not just clutter-free but the volume of the space remains constant. This method isn't just about maintenance—it's a mindset shift. The rule helps prevent mindless shopping by making you evaluate each purchase. Over time, it keeps your space in check, your wardrobe curated, and your wallet gets to smile a little. (Story by Rajlekha Roy Burman)
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Pennsylvania strangers meet during viral photoshoot leading to real life connection
A Levittown photographer captured the moment two complete strangers met for the first time. Now, the images have gone viral as hundreds of thousands of people online are following the undeniable connection seen on camera. "I get two strangers together and we have fun, take a photo shoot, and apparently the internet really liked it," Amanda Johnson said. "They had no idea who they were and I got them together and their chemistry just kind of took off." Johnson has been a photographer since 2017 and she's done a handful of what she calls "stranger sessions." People sign up for the sessions and she tries to pair up strangers with similar interests before having them meet up for a photoshoot. Her most recent "stranger session" at the Red Rhino Car Wash in Fairless Hills garnered quite a bit of attention online after the photos showed Teresa Dittes and Dylan Waskiewicz's instant connection. Amanda Johnson "I turn around and we see each other and I was like, 'Oh, yeah. He's cute,'" Dittes said. "First time ever doing a stranger photoshoot," Waskiewicz said. "I've seen Amanda's previous one and I thought it was kind of cool. So, I gave it a shot." The photo session documented the first time they saw each other, from playful scenes at the car wash to more intimate moments, leading people online to find it hard to believe they had just met. "Everyone is just like, 'Oh my gosh, are they together? Are they together, are they together? Everyone wants to know," Johnson said. It's a real-life connection that sparked from the unknown and captivated the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people. "We went out on a date on Friday night," Dittes said. "We went out to dinner, and it went well because clearly, we're here. Online dating is awful. This was definitely a very interesting way to meet someone, but it was also a fun experience as well." Amanda Johnson "It was different and I'm all about different experiences, getting out there, putting yourself out there and just enjoying life really," Waskiewicz said. Johnson is currently working on setting up more "stranger sessions" in the near future. If you're interested, you can fill out an application here.
India Today
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
The 'Poop Rule' is Internet's latest decluttering hack, but does it actually work?
The poop rule - It is not what you think. This isn't some bathroom etiquette tip, but it is definitely about flushing things out (of your wardrobe or home). Clean and clear, that's what the trend the latest episode of how bizarre (or gross) the internet can get, someone came up with a hack to deal with the clutter that is sitting rent-free in your store rooms or cupboards. When we sit down to declutter, deciding whether to throw away that birthday card from third grade or those sparkly tapes once used for a school project, it gets tough. To throw or not to throw? What if I need it someday? All that contemplation and in the end the pile stays for yet another much? Now, if you are someone who has problem discarding things and no pro tip seems to work for you, you probably need to read up on the 'Poop Rule'.Introduced by lifestyle influencer Amanda Johnson, who regularly shares tips and tricks for decluttering, the idea is simple, but may seem gross to some. She suggests you ask yourself, "If the item had poop on it, would you keep it or toss it?"Yes, Amanda claims that's pretty much how you can get rid of a majority of things (not sure about your red flag boyfriend, though, or maybe you can). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Hostetler (@lauren_hostetler_)In Indian homes, where emotions and nostalgia run deep, decluttering isn't easy. People want to preserve memories, even if it means keeping a personalised birthday card from years ago or stacking up every plastic container from past food deliveries. So can the 'poop rule' become the ultimate solution to all the horaders' problems?The sanitary poop rule?advertisementAmanda Johnson documented her decluttering journey and swore by the 'poop rule'.She explains it further: 'If you wouldn't pack it up and take it with you in a move, like you wouldn't even want to touch it with a poop bag, it probably doesn't belong in your home.''We hang on to things we don't even like, just because we've had them a while, they were a gift, or we might use them someday,'' she wrote, sharing the post. 'But if you wouldn't keep it with poop on it you probably don't need it at all. Decluttering gets a lot easier when you get honest. Use the poop rule and move on.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Johnson | Simplify & Declutter (@allthingsnew_home)The core idea here is simple: linking clutter to something brown and smelly triggers a sense of disgust, which supposedly helps break emotional attachment to old clothes and household does it really work? Some tried it, others dissed it! Social media users also discussed how, in the digital age, people go to any length to just get 'viral'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katie & Hallie (@betweenusmomspod)Decluttering and Mental HealthWhether it's a food delivery box you 'might' use someday or nostalgic memorabilia, years go by and the items remain untouched, Hoarding 101. But the sense of satisfaction after a good decluttering session is real, and it can have a significant impact on mental after all, provides comfort and a sense of connection. It creates a safe space and maybe a little escape from the hustle of life. Experts say this attachment stems from a fear of the future - What if I need it later and I don't have it?- Financial anxiety, emotional value, fear of regret, the other hand, it is also true that a cluttered environment adds to stress, affects focus and dulls creative thinking. Disorganisation creates a cycle of emotional or material dependency that may affect your brain in ways you might not to experts, this awkward rule might even be particularly effective for people with ADHD. Psychiatrist Jeff Ditzell, who specialises in ADHD, told The Washington Post that visual techniques like this one can make everyday decision-making easier. For those with ADHD, graphic imagery helps them visualise and therefore decide more quickly and with less all the horaders out there, would you give this one a try?
Tom's Guide
29-05-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
"The poop rule" is trending — here's why this gross decluttering hack actually works
It's really easy to keep things we've bought. Much easier, in fact, than throwing anything away. Why? Well, because once you own something, it's normal to feel an attachment to it, find reasons it may come in useful later down the line, or you're just used to having it around. And that's okay. But, if you want to declutter, you might feel overwhelmed. Decluttering your home is a strenuous task, not only physically, but mentally too. While I actually love to declutter as it brings me a sense of freedom and cleanliness, it might surprise you to hear that I'm also a big fan of a TikTok trend called "the poop rule". Before you click away in disgust, it's not quite what you think it is. And if trying 5 easy steps to decluttering your home hasn't worked out for you, this might just be the hypothetically "stinky" answer. It appears the poop rule has gone viral across social media recently, but what does it mean? Well, we can thank content creator Amanda Johnson for explaining it, telling The Washington Post: 'The poop rule is simple: while decluttering, ask yourself, 'If something was covered in poop, would I still keep it?' It's a fun, no-nonsense way to decide what really adds value to your life.' And it really is as simple as that. If you take an item in your home, like a piece of clothing, and imagine that it got covered in poop. Would you bother to save it? If the answer is no then it can be assumed that you don't care that much about it. It's a concept that became popularized by TikToker Becka Karle, known as @adhdorganized, who posted about it after her therapist shared the technique with her. And now, it turns out, a lot of people are looking at their belongings and thinking about poop – and it's working. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The poop rule works because it immediately removes the stress away from the process. It turns decluttering into a fun game and with a simple hypothetical question, you can determine if you really want to keep something, or you're doing it 'just in case'. I'm a huge fan of the poop rule – and that's something I never thought I'd say. But when I try to talk to people about it, I need to explain it quickly. Once past the 'oh, that's not actually gross' response, I find it easy to convince my friends and family that it's not dissimilar in style to the KonMari method or Swedish death cleaning, both of which I've tried. Swedish death cleaning, as the best example, is imagining that you've passed away and your loved ones need to clear through your home and belongings. If there's something in your home you wouldn't want to pass on, then don't keep it. Sure, thinking about your own mortality isn't a great way to spend your day, but it certainly helped reframe my mind. And, the poop rule does the same. If for some reason it got covered in poop, maybe it's best just gotten rid of. In action, you don't want to use the poop rule on everything in your home because quite honestly, the idea of cleaning poop off my sofa would be more about not wanting to take on such a big task rather than having anything to do with my actual sofa. If you're just starting out, try it on items in your home that you have a multitude of. If you realize that something as simple as poop would make you throw away half your pens, for example, then you're using it perfectly.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
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 remember Marie 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 own covered 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 cupboards full of that stuff, but picturing it all brown 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 tar or 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 ...?'
