It isn’t easy to convince me to clear out my closet. Is it unfair to me? I am a fan of my clothes! I may wear the same shirt in the future, and the time could come when I require it. However, it was the right time to exercise in the closet.
When to Declutter the Closet
My closet was overflowing at the edges! I’m astonished that the bar didn’t collapse at night’s end. If I wanted to hang another thing, I’d jam every hanger to get an extra quarter inch for hanging another shirt. Also, I was taking up approximately three-quarters of the closet, while poor Chad was only left with 18.8 inches of hanging room.
I was embarrassed by my closet’s condition and knew something needed to be done. I’m sure many of you can relate to the message I’m trying to convey and maybe a bit embarrassed about your closet. Therefore, I resigned my self-consciousness and decided to do it. I hope that it inspires you to take the same action!
What You’ll Need
After getting myself from the floor and making a few grunts, groans, and grunts of the jungle, I set up some baskets and marked them “donate” or “hand me down.” My nieces and sister may be interested in what I thought I’d enjoy. Place these baskets close to your mattress.
Then, I bought the vacuum cleaner set to go into the corners and the floor area that is never touched. I also picked up a spray bottle and a general-purpose microfiber cloth to dust. I also bought myself a garbage bag to store those random things that should be in the garbage! Also, I made sure that I had a clean bed in which I could complete the sorting.
Oh, and music. We require some music!
How To Start
From top to bottom (as in racks, shelves, or floors), Remove everything from clothing, clothes bags, shoes, purses, and more. Everything is gone. Set it up on the surface that you’ll be working on. Lay it out on top, spread it flat, and no matter what, get it done! I like sleeping on my mattress because I must complete it by the end of the day, or else I won’t be able to rest. Do you know how I manipulated myself into finishing this task?
Get Cleaning!
Then, I cleaned out the entire closet. I wiped the racks and shelves that weren’t dusty for too long! Then, I (well… Chad, actually) performed the quick vacuum. There were quite some dust bunnies snuck on the edges. Then, we picked up any trash we discovered while emptying the closet and put it into the garbage.
The Purge
I didn’t dwell. I worked quickly. I could try on clothes and think about it; however, this task requires focused, laser-like concentration. Don’t think about how much you spent on a particular product (like the AG jeans, which I was a bit too optimistic about when I chose what size to wear) or the number of occasions you’ve worn it (like the Aritizia blazer, which everyone owns, but was not so flattering to me). Don’t be apprehensive. Bye, Felicia. Someone else is likely to have more enjoyment from it than you do, and you’ll have the same sentiment while you search for new items.
It can also be helpful to set a goal regarding how much you’d like to make room in your wardrobe. I knew I wanted to rid myself of around 40% of the items in my clothes. When I am getting dressed, I wear only six out of 10 things. It’s not a strict and fast rule, but it can help keep you on track.
It was also an excellent moment to sort through our closets and hangers. When we took everything off the hangers, we could go through them, put our clothes back onto the right ones, discard the less-than-perfect ones, and take any excess clothes away or reuse them for another closet.
Reorganize
After I knew what I had to keep and what was headed through the front door, I made sure everything was running back to the closet. I ensured everything was hung correctly and folded neatly before putting it in the closet. If you need help with riding or folding, watch our folding tutorials!
The Results
After everything was neatly back in the closet, I felt much better! I could look at my most loved clothes, dress in the knowledge that I could select from items I like, and breathe in the room. It was very calming.
I’m sorry to inform you about one thing I’ve never known about… the wedding gown! When I took it out, it was the first time I’d seen it in over five years. I was not sure if I was able to part with it. It certainly holds a significant sentimental value, and I enjoy it, but was it serving me well just sitting on my dresser? Can someone else utilize it better, or is it simply one of the pieces I can keep? I considered it long and deeply before deciding that it’s just too dear to me, and even if it occupies some space, it’s one I’m willing to let go of for something I cherish.