Decluttering The Closet

I have been doing some major spring cleaning at my home. This week I am decluttering the closet, not just any closet, but the clothes closet. This can be a big job and I must confess that my approach is a little bit Marie Kondo, a little bit Eva Longoria and a little bit my own process.

I work on sections at a time, as I find decluttering the entire closet at once is overwhelming and tiring. I go by sections. In an hour I can make a bit difference in a few areas. I have to say I am pretty good about organization in most areas of my home, but my clothing closet is a constant challenge, especially, when I have been traveling. In my days as a productivity manager, I learned that searching for items can take up precious time and energy and having an organized system can save you from the stress of searching.

Here are few tips that I use to approach it. I like to think of it as Edit, Delete & Save.

Decluttering the Closet

Pick a section and pull out the items completely out of the closet. Pile them on the floor or bed and get ready to be ruthless.

Edit What You Have

I truly believe that you need to take everything out.

 

Analyze each item like a boss. Try it on if you have not worn it in a while. I know what you are thinking and this is why I like to take this task in chunks. You cannot fully appreciate an item unless you see how it looks now, so try it on and see how it looks and makes you feel.

Ask yourself why do I own this? Unless the answer is because I love it, I say get rid of it. A popular method is to ask if you have worn it in the last 12 months. Or would you buy it again now? I like to think of the clothing as an extension of you and who you are.

Delete What Doesn’t Belong

If you do not love it or you have not worn it in a while or you just do not love the way it _____ (feels, looks, fits, ages you, washes you out, etc…) it is time to delete it from your life.

Donate it, sell it, or have a clothing swap with friends. I have learned that just because something fits, does not mean that it should be worn (I am  specifically talking about the acid washed jeans here). If you love it and it feels great to wear it and it is clean, it earns a spot in your wardrobe.

 

If you like it but it is damaged, too big or dirty, put it in a bag to repair, alter or wash. If it is ready to wear and you love it, back in the closet it goes. Repeat this process for all the clothes in the bunch until you have gone through your wardrobe.

If you are waiting until you fit into something again, keep it if it is a motivator, and make yourself try it on each time you go through this process. Sadly, it is most likely not going to look the way it once did. sigh…..

Now for the fun part.

Storing What Is Worth Saving

The closet is an important place and it truly works best for you if it is organized. Having worked at Nordstroms a very long time ago, I got in the habit of  hanging items in a rainbow pattern, starting with white. They used to do this with all of their clothes and now I think they just do this on their sales racks. This is not only pleasing to look at but also makes it easy to find something and save time in the long run.

 

 

Keep like items together in sections. I have t-shirts in one section, work tops in another and sweaters on a shelf. This is a matter of personal choice, but I choose to keep my short-sleeved items separate from long-sleeved. Think about how you get dressed and what type of system would work best for you. Imagine a closet full of items you love – if you do this, you will have one!

I will share with you some systems I love soon. I go through this process twice a year. Decluttering the closet is a bit exhilarating and freeing!

Do you enjoy have tips for decluttering the closet?