Is opening your closet door starting to feel like a game of Jenga? You gently pull out one shirt, hoping the whole pile doesn't collapse. It's time-consuming, and honestly, a little stressful. You deserve a closet that feels calm, organized, and makes getting dressed easy.
Why Decluttering Your Wardrobe FeelsSo Hard (and Why It's Worth It)
Clearing out clothes isn't just about sorting fabric; it's a comprehensive wardrobe assessment. It's often tied up with memories, guilt about money spent, or hopes for a future self. Maybe that dress reminds you of a great vacation, or those jeans represent a weight you wish you still were. The reward for tackling this task is genuinely freeing, promoting a sense of control over your environment. A tidy closet often leads to a clearer mind. It's a step away from clutter and closer to a functional, joyful space.
Set Yourself Up for Success: Prep Work
Before you pull everything out, a little prep makes abig difference. Trying to do this piecemeal often leads to a bigger mess and abandoned projects, which is discouraging. A little planning goes a long way for a successful outcome.Carve Out the Time
This isn't a 20-minute job if you want to do it right;think of it as dedicated self-care time. Block out a chunk of time in your calendar – maybe a Saturday morning or a few hours on a weeknight. The Sorting Process: Tackling the Clothes Mountain
This is where the real decisions happen about whatstays and what goes. Try not to get bogged down; keep moving forward with aclear head.
One Category at a TimeDon't just empty your entire closet onto the bed atonce – that's a recipe for feeling overwhelmed and giving up. Instead, work by category for a more structured, minimalist approach. Pull out all your shirts first, then all your pants, then dresses, and so on.
The Three-Pile System(Keep, Donate/Sell, Toss)
Pick up each item individually; physical contact helpswith decision-making. Resist the urge to just skim over things without careful consideration. Place each item into one of your prepared piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, or Recycle/Trash. Be honest with yourself during this step; the goal is a functional wardrobe, not a storage unit.
Asking the Right Questions
Not sure if something should stay or go? A quick mentalchecklist can clarify things. Ask yourself these questions for each item:
● Have I worn this in the past year?
● Does it fit me comfortably right now, not potentiallyfive pounds from now?.
● Do I genuinely feel good, confident, and like myselfwhen I wear this?.
● Is it damaged, stained, or worn out? Can it be easilyand affordably repaired?.
● Does it align with my current lifestyle, activities,and personal style?.
● Would I buy this item again today if I saw it in astore?.
If the answers are mostly no, or if you hesitatesignificantly, it's probably time to let it go. If you don’t make as much progress as you like perhaps it’s time to consider a custom built in wardrobe.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com