Showing up for a root canal. Meeting with an auditor. Being summoned by your boss during layoffs. These situations naturally stir up negative emotions. But if getting dressed in the morning stresses you out, you may be experiencing:
Overwhelm from too many choices
Frustration from not enough choices
Shame of not fitting into what you want to wear
Stress of not finding what you want to wear
Disgust with piles of dirty laundry
Exasperation from piles of clean laundry
Can an organized closet really combat this negativity? If organized means—having what you need, use, and love in designated spaces where they fit comfortably and maintaining those spaces with supporting routines, then yes! You can make your closet a happy place. Here are some Timely Tips to do just that.
Timely Tips for a happy closet
Photo by Kayla Renee from Pexels
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
You need clothes that fit well and look good on you—regardless of your shape or size. Things you don't need:
clothes that shame you for not being the size you want to be
clothes that shame you for having spent money on something you don’t wear
clothes you’re not wearing (professional, maternity, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, etc.)
ACTION:
Pull out the clothes that don’t fit, don’t look good on you, and those you don't like or wear.
If desired, hang onto 3-5 outfits that you love from a size you hope to be again. Place them in an under-bed bin or a plastic tote. Label it.
Donate or sell the items you pull out.
WHAT DO YOU USE?
You have categories of clothes: staying home, going out, work, formal, etc. The quantity of clothes you have for each category should align with how often you use them. Granted, COVID has decreased our need for professional, going out, and formal wear, but let’s not give up on the return of those activities.
ACTION:
Pull out one category at a time. Lay the items on the bed. Determine the appropriate number of items you need based on use. Choose your favorites. Let go of the excess.
If you discover a category is lacking, create a shopping list of items you need.
Return each category of clothes to your closet and assign it a section.
If clothes are still crammed together, store off-season items in a bin or another closet. If it's still too tight, purge some more!
Organize by colors as desired.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE?
This can be tricky. Ask yourself:
Do you love how it looks on the hanger, but not on you?
Do you love the good deal you got, but not so much the item?
Do you love the person who gave it to you, but you never wear it?
None of those are valid reasons for keeping something, except the third if it’s going to impair the relationship. Even though you’ll feel a twinge of guilt giving them up, your closet will be a happier place.
ACTION: Let them go.
MAINTAIN WITH SUPPORTING ROUTINES.
Keep your closet a happy place with supporting routines.
ACTION:
Don’t put it down, put it away. Hang clean clothes. Place dirty clothes in the laundry bin. Every time.
Hang a white kitchen trash bag for donations in your closet. When you try on something and decide not to wear it, consider placing it in the donation bag. Donate and replace when full.
Maintain your clothes inventory with the one in, one out rule.
Hang your hangers backwards until you wear the item, then hang it correctly. Whichever items are still hanging backwards at the end of the season, go.
Now you can confidently walk into your happy place and choose from clothes you want to wear.
Wise Words
Opening up your closet should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like. -Amy Fine Collins
This is a pic from my most recent closet purge. It really does feel great to eliminate things I don't want to wear. Happy organizing!