Engaging in a more enjoyable process of decluttering my wardrobe by adhering to a single guideline.
Cleaning out your wardrobe can be a daunting task, often because it seems like an overpowering chore, one that seems to only get worse before it gets better. Sorting through your clothes, making tough decisions about your favorite but now worn-out sweaters, and resisting the urge to give up midway when your closet looks like a tornado hit it, are all challenges.
I used to be a hoarder of clothing, unwilling to part with a decade-old dress that hadn't been worn in years, under the assumption that "what if I need it?" Eventually, my overflowing closet racks and drawers forced me to reconsider my mindset if I wanted to maintain my sanity, be more organized, and let go of items that no longer served me. So, last year, I decided to give the closet clean-out method a try that has proved to be very effective: setting clothes a deadline. Here's how it worked for me.
Why is it Difficult to Clean Out Your Closet?
Deep down, it's challenging to let go of things we once cherished, invested in, or aren't certain we'll need again. It's mainly our uncertainty about future needs that keeps our closets overflowing with items we no longer wear or need, just in case they become necessary for a specific occasion. To make the process less emotionally draining, it can be helpful to impose a strict rule with very few exceptions. This is where the deadline for clothes comes in.
How to Get Rid of Clothes with a Deadline
By simply asking yourself, "When was the last time I wore this?", you can easily determine what needs to be discarded from your closet. I adopted a strict policy throughout the year, starting with a complete clean-out at the start of the year. Any everyday clothing (jeans, tops, dresses), athletic wear, or shoes that had not been used in the previous year or only occasionally, had to go.
I also took the seasonality into account. At the end of winter, any sweaters or knitwear that had not been worn needed to go. After spring and summer, any warm-weather clothing that hadn't been touched had to go. I continued this practice until I was able to easily let go of items that I clearly no longer had any interest in, even if I still had lingering thoughts of needing them someday.
Collecting Give-away Clothing Over Time
Whenever I looked at something and felt uncertainty about wearing it any time soon, I would put it into a pile that would be discarded or donated at the end of the season. This approach can provide some emotional relief, as it feels less final. If you find yourself wearing an item again before it's time to discard it, you can reconsider.
Special Clothing Items
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, such as a black gown suitable for black-tie or black-tie optional weddings, even if I didn't currently have a wedding planned. The same goes for heirloom items kept for sentimental reasons. It's also important to consider high-quality pieces that you might only wear once a year, like a colorful purse or red winter coat. In these cases, be honest with yourself about whether you truly want to keep it.
Disposing of Clothes
Always consider general guidelines for what to throw out and what to donate. Keep wear and tear in mind, and be mindful of what is appropriate for donation. Good-quality clothing and accessories can also be discarded via a resell site if you're interested in putting in the time and effort. Saying goodbye doesn't have to be bitter.
After adopting the deadline method, I realized that my favorite yet worn-out sweaters from Home Organization were among the items that needed to be donated. Southern Living even published an article on how to declutter your home, emphasizing the importance of regularly organizing your closet.
Implementing this method allowed me to keep only the pieces that truly brought joy to my Home, as I sorted through my clothes and made conscious choices based on their last wear date. With the help of SouthernLiving's advice, my closet transformation was not just about getting rid of old clothes, but also about creating a more intentional and organized space in my Home.
