This is a weekly series I’m writing in 2016 to focus on one of my three words for the year: beauty. Each Monday a post will explore some aspect of beauty that I’ve been considering. Read more about my focus words of the year.
This weekend I had a free 90-minute chunk of time, which doesn’t usually happen. Of course there are a dozen things I could come up with to fill that spot, but this time I decided de-cluttering my closet was the smartest move. I dug in and as the pile of things I’m giving away grew I couldn’t help but think there is beauty in de-cluttering.
The itch to attack my closet has been bothering me since the start of 2016. I hang most of my clothing since I hate the creases that come from things being confined to drawers, but that means my sizable closet is loaded nearly to the point of bursting. As I added a few new things to hangers this past week I had to admit, the closet had reached its max capacity. Something needed to be done.
Lately a lot of bloggers have been talking about creating a clothing capsule of items that are basics and essentials. And then removing everything that isn’t part of the capsule. It’s meant to simplify your life and make dressing easier every single day. While I live that idea and do think it’s important to have some good quality basics that will look good and last for years, I don’t think I could commit to so few pieces. Still purging my closet was a legit need.
In the end I filled a large laundry basket full of items I removed in my attempt to de-clutter my closet. I got rid of a dress I thought looked amazing but never found an occasion to wear it and always took off when I slipped it on in the morning to give it a try. I got rid of a sweater that I shrunk in the laundry, but loved when it was the right size.
When I got dressed this morning I realized it was so much easier to put together an outfit. It’s funny how less clothing items actually gave me more outfit options. Now that I could see everything before me and could see all the things I really loved, I realized there were so many combinations I haven’t worn or tried previously. And that’s a beautiful thing.
I also felt much calmer and peaceful looking in my closet this morning. Some mornings I stand before my clothing and just stare, my head racing at all the possibilities, the things I’ve worn before, the things I feel I should wear but don’t love, etc… It’s overwhelming when there is so much. Plus there is a strange sense of guilt about the items that are ignored. As if I should be giving them equal play in my outfits because they are in closet. But that’s silly because sometimes things come into our closet and we just don’t love them. There shouldn’t be guilt about that, but those items shouldn’t be there either.
After de-cluttering my closet, I’m thinking de-cluttering my life might be a February project. Because so often less is actually more, even though at times we feel we need more to be happy, content, or fulfilled. But more isn’t going to make us happier. Less, so we can focus on the things that are really important, is so much more.
How To De-Clutter Your Closet:
1. Empty out your entire closet. Everything!!
2. Clean your closet top to bottom. Dust, vacuum, throw in an air freshener, whatever is needed.
3. One by one go through each item slowly and ask a couple key questions:
- When was the last time I wore this item? If it hasn’t been worn in the last year - out it goes.
- Do I love this item and love the way it looks on me? If it doesn’t fit right, look right, or make me crave to wear it - out it goes.
- Can this item work with multiple things in my closet or is it a one-off, hard to coordinate piece? If it doesn’t play fair with the other things in my closet and can’t give me multiple outfits from different pairings - goodbye clothing item.
- Is this looking worn, old, or in need of serious repair? If it can’t be repaired or looks worn (in the bad sense) - it gets added to the donation pile.
4. Hang nicely anything that is a keep. Fold and pile anything you are getting rid of.
5. Hang on to your pile of things for a week, just to make sure you didn’t make a mistake with the things you purged. But don’t go back through and re-think your decisions. Only remove it from the pile if you realize that first week you can’t live without it.
6. Find a great place to donate your pile and drop it off after that first week and then never look back.
I love this post! I need to do this right away… I love decluttering but don’t do it enough. Thanks for the great tips
Great ideas! I just did this a few months ago and it does feel so much better to be able to walk into my closet and pull out something with little thought about it. I’m also finding that I love mixing patterns since I cleaned out my closet!
Leslie Soto recently posted..Blogger Challenge Week 6 + Meet Willow
I’m literally taking a break from working on my closet this very moment. After reading this I realize that I am clearly going about it the wrong way, since I have been just shoving everything onto a hanger and a rack. I suppose it’s time to let go of some things. I like the idea of hanging on to your “getting rid of” pile for a little while, since I have made the mistake of donating things that I later regretted too many times. Thanks for these tips today!
I went through my entire chest of draws not long ago and got rid of so much I don’t wear! definitely need to get everything out and go through EVERYTHING! so worth it in the end
Jess | http://www.beautifulbreakable.com ♥
This is SO something I need to do ASAP! In my kids rooms and mine!! Seems like a lot of work but very productive! Great tips, thanks for sharing it all!! I just cleaned my garage this weekend so closets are a must! I need to clean out junk drawers too!
Great tips! I need to do this desperately! My kiddos closets, too!
Great post! I just downloaded Poshmark in an attempt to declutter my closet! I can’t wait to utilize some of your techniques as well. Especially the questions you tell us to keep in mind. There’s totally a few things in my closet that don’t make the criteria.
I seriously need to do this and actually take out everything from my closet! Some of my hangers have multiple shirts on them. Like you said, I can’t imagine emptying my closet down to a few basics, but there are definitely things I can get rid of (and I feel like I’m always getting rid of things!) My problem is that I won’t wear something for a year and then suddenly a year later it becomes one of my favorite pieces. The struggle!!
Penn&Quill || Robin
I am in desperate need of a closet cleaning and these easy steps made it seem totally doable! Thanks so much for sharing!
Love all the decluttering techniques! Using them myself, but I have a Man that gets attached to things))) Need to show him this post)
I haven’t made the commitment to declutter yet. I’m still too emotionally invested in my pieces.
Great tips. I really need to get cracking.
These are great tips! I love having a decluttered closet and home!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
ellen from Ask Away recently posted..How to Properly Care for Your Computer
Ugh I SO need to do this!!!!
Thank you for this! I’m constantly trying to clean out my closet, but as I just moved I’ve been doing the big annual clean-out! Great tips
x Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
I have been trying -and struggling-to clean out my closet ever since the new year started. These are great tips, and I will definitely put them into use this weekend and hopefully check that goal off my list for 2016!!
Alana Robin recently posted..DIY Marble Desk: Temporary Paper
I’ve had a capsule wardrobe for about 4 months now and love it! You mentioned wanting to declutter your life this month. I have a 30 Day Minimalist Decluttering Challenge you should check out! It isn’t just about decluttering your possessions, but also your mind. It has really helped me get to where I want to be with my lifestyle, and I think it could help you as well! Best of luck!
http://www.awelderswife.com/2016/01/30-day-minimalist-decluttering-challenge/
You are so bold to have the capsule wardrobe. After 4 months are you tired of it yet? I think it would get old quickly, for me. - KR
I thought I would, but I haven’t yet. I’ve found with having the same pieces for this long has challenged me to see what new ways I can put an outfit together, so it keeps it exciting.
Erin @ A Welder’s Wife recently posted..My Capsule Wardrobe: Project 333
Love your tips! I’m passionate about having a decluttered minimalist closet.
Cassandra recently posted..indoor herb garden | DIY
thank you for these tips - I have never been able to have a clutter free closet no matter the size!
I love this! I’ve been slowly going through my clothes and really need to get them over to Goodwill soon. I love the decluttering ideas!
Kristin recently posted..Bluegrass State of Mind (Bluegrass Series Book 1) by Kathleen Brooks
I so need to do this but I’m dreading it. And it’s definitely an all day task…ugh. Great tips though!!
The end of this month I have literally scheduled a day to do this. We are currently building a home and I want to have my closet cleaned out before we move in. Ugh. Thank you for this post!
I definitely agree on the 1 year rule, I recently had a de-clutter session and threw out so much as I hadn’t worn it in 2 years! It’s hard to let go but it’s just got to be done sometimes!
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Margaret - I totally feel the same way. Every day I wish I could ditch work and go have fun. I love just going off and crpnuaitg life with a camera and then getting all giddy when I take one I just love! :)July 10, 2012 12:45 pm
Hey ,
Thank you for sharing these wonderful DE-cluttering closet ideas. It has really helped me get to where I want to be with my lifestyle.I will definitely put them into use from today itself.
Thank you again..
Regards,
Mary