The benefits of clearing closet clutter

For years I have heard the following advice:

Take everything out of your closet. Everything. Then only put back what you absolutely love, love, love. Get rid of the rest, and don't add anything new unless you love that too and are happy every time you get to put it on.

I would have told you that I had actually done that more than once, but the truth is I never really did. I always included some "aspirational" pieces - the ones that have me saying "I want to like that, if only..." or "I like it, but I'm not sure what to wear it with..."

Recently, I did the exercise for real. I took everything out and really only put back what I truly love to wear. The expereince was mind boggling. First, I was left with only enough clothes to fill up one side of my previously full walk in closet! No wonder I always feel like I don't have much to wear! But there was a second side effect...getting dressed each morning got really, really easy. I could see what I have, I know what it goes with, and I was inspired to start mixing and matching the things I love in new ways. It has literally changed my morning routine.

Here's a view into the new closet:

I am SO in love with the empty space on one side. It makes the closet feel so much bigger! I may move some of the back clothes over to the other side eventually so each piece has more space. But for now I'm going to just enjoy being able to see my sneakers.

Full disclosure: the "discard" pile is still sitting on the bed in the guest room. I still can't bring myself to get rid of some of those pieces that I want to wear "only if". I plan to take a rainy day or night to try them on with some of the "loves" to see if I can come up with ways to wear it. But if, after figuring out such an outfit, I don't actually WEAR that outfit in the space of a month or two it's going anyway. If every day for two months I choose to wear something else, that isn't likely to change in 3, 6, or 9 months. That's just the way it is.

I did keep a few things, too, even though I don't wear them now. They're in the spare closet for now. It's mostly classic shapes that I know will come back, but are a little out of vogue now. (e.g. circle skirts) I also allowed myself ONE (and only one) bin of smaller size clothes that I aspire to get into again. And there are a few off season items that I just can't make a decision on right now but will tackle in the fall. The plan is to go through the rest of the pile in the guest room in the next few weeks (before my houseguests come in July) and I am actually looking forward to making the last round of tough decisons and just letting the baggage go.

Try it. I bet you'll like it, too.