I try to go through my closet at least twice a year to keep it fresh & organized. I hate clutter, and when my drawers start piling up, I know it’s time to clean out. Usually, I go through everything I own (from clothing, shoes, accessories & bags) in the early summer and before the winter months. This year, I’m going through a major clean-out as I’m moving for the first time in 3 years. As you can imagine, I’ve got loads of nonsense stashed away in every crevice of my one bedroom apartment. A whole lot can accumulate in a 3 year period…let me tell you.
As I sort through all my things, I abide (is it odd that every time I use this word I think “the dude abides“?) by a few rules I’ve set for myself. These rules were put in place after a few years of frequent moving…yeah, 8 times in 8 years – doesn’t that sound like so much fun?! I hung on to items from late high school & early college WAY too long, and realized I needed to have a set of “closet cleaning rules” to reference to keep me in check.
I typically get rid of something if:
I haven’t worn it in the last year
Even if I really love a piece, if I haven’t worn it in the last year, I know I’m not going to wear it again. I’d be better off giving it to someone who will enjoy it (and in turn, make space for that new new!). This one can be tough, because I’ve had to do away with things I wanted to keep. It’s best to be intentional and practical. Don’t let emotion suck you back in.
I’m no longer excited about it
If I wouldn’t buy an item while shopping now, I don’t keep it. In a perfect world, I’d wake up every morning excited to wear everything in my closet. Although this isn’t realistic, I try to strive for it by getting rid of my “last resort” pieces. Why not replace them with something I’ll be jumping out of bed to wear in the AM? A girl can dream.
It doesn’t fit
Hanging on to jeans that I used to rock back in high school isn’t helping anyone (and if yours still fit you, I hate you – JK…but not really). It makes no sense to let these pieces linger. If I did one day fit in those jeans again, I’d probably want to buy a brand new pair as a treat to myself!
It’s outdated and/or doesn’t mesh with my current style
Even if, at one point, I wore an item to death, it may no longer flow with my current style. I have to be realistic and admit that I’ve outgrown it. This can be difficult to do as some of these pieces are tied to special memories – I just have to remind myself that I’ll have the memories forever, whether or not I hang on to the tangible things.
What are your closet cleaning hacks? PS – If you’re planning a closet cleaning soon, here are some ways you can make some extra $$ while you’re at it!
