How to Declutter your Clothes

Do you open your closet and fall against your back beneath a pile of clothes? Do you take hours to find that top you want to wear? If yes, it means your closet is full of stuff you don’t need; and you need to declutter.

However, I do know that decluttering can be a struggle. I mean how often have you taken out, and put back clothes in a conflict? So, the point is, decluttering requires letting go. And as they say, letting go is not easy. Nonetheless, it’s important if you want peace. If you want to attack your whole house, I encourage you to read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When I read this book the first time, my life completely changed. I found so much more space in my home and felt so much better about myself. I often revisit the principals and do my decluttering at least once a month. Let’s get started on a very easy, but also difficult area, your clothes. Here are a few tips I use often when I’m decluttering and deciding what to keep and not. These work well with anyone in your family, even the kids.

1. Separate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t

Letting go of clothes requires a tough heart. But before you must get to that, how about starting easy?

So, the first step is to segregate the clothes you frequently wear, and those you don’t. The first batch is definitely the one you won’t have to let go of. While for the former, you know you have to. If you have seasons and want to start with clothes you haven’t worn all season, like sweater or jeans or dresses, this makes quick work.

Now the logic behind this segregation is, it won’t be much of a struggle with clothes you don’t wear and you don’t care about. These are the ones you can let go of easily. If you haven’t worn them all season, they go right into the pile, especially if the seasons are about to change. However, sometimes even that can be troublesome. If the struggle seems familiar, you might want to follow the next step.

2. Separate the ones that are worn out or those that don’t fit you anymore

Worn-out clothes – those that look old and ragged, or have threads pulling out, buttons broken, with tears- are easy to let go because there’s no reason to keep them – making the first lot that you can get rid of, easily.

Next, coming to those clothes that don’t fit you anymore. You might be tempted to keep them on a pretense that you’ll get back in shape. I often do this with workout clothes that are too big but still in good shape. I always think about how much money was spent on them and try to wear them again, even if they are falling down when I try to run. It’s honestly more frustrating and I always take that clothing item off, sometimes mid workout, and put it in the donate pile, because it’s so annoying. But I’m not going to gain the weight back or lose the muscle I have so I won’t fit into them again. You need to ask yourself the same, will you commit to a routine where you can wear them again, or not? Would you be able to exercise regularly? Would you be able to eat clean? Are you committed to achieving being able to wear the item again?

Be honest with yourself here. If you think you cannot fit into them again – let go. If you think otherwise, separate those clothes and give them a one-month timeline. During this month, you have to exercise, eat clean, and try to reduce the fat no matter what. If you manage to do that, feel free to keep them. If not – you know what to do.

3. Know where to donate your clothes

Kindness feels good. Sometimes when you know you are donating your clothes to those in need, your heart gets bigger. In

other words, you let go without much of a struggle. So, if you want to seriously let go of clothes, and want to help someone, talk to an orphanage or social services regarding clothes donation. Once you do that, clothing donation would seem like an obligation (It’s a good thing).

Here in Arizona, there are drop off boxes for shoes, clothes, household items, books and similar items that benefit local charities. I feel better about taking my items that are still in good shape to these places because they do get a second life with someone who can use them. Obviously, if the clothes are stained or not in good shape, I don’t add them to the pile. Other items I take to Goodwill because they don’t fit into the above mentioned categories.

4. Ask yourself all the decluttering questions

Decluttering can be a struggle, but it can become fairly easy if you ask yourself the right questions. Here is the checklist.

“Do I really like this piece of clothing?”
“Do I wear these kinds of clothes?”
“Would I really have them altered?”
“Is there going to be a party anytime soon, where I can wear it?”
“Am I not letting it go because it’s in good condition, knowing that I don’t wear it?”
“Am I not letting go because it created a hole in my pocket?”
“Does this item bring me joy?” — Marie Kondo question

Once you ask these questions, it’s a no-brainer that you have to be honest with yourself. Nonetheless, if you are conflicted about the last two questions – trust me there’s no use in creating unnecessary space even when it’s in good condition. If you are donating, someone can use it. Secondly, if it was expensive, it’s in the past, you cannot get the money back, so there’s no point in holding it either. And if someone can use that expensive item and actually enjoy and use it, it’s serving them better than sitting in your closet collecting dust and taking up space.

5. Reflect

This deserves another section because it’s something sensitive. Sometimes you don’t keep clothes because you think they’re in perfectly good condition, or you wasted money on them, but because those clothes are souvenirs of moments or people. Holding onto these items can mean you are not moving on.

So, ask yourself, “Is it the right thing to do?” “What are other ways I can remember this person or moment?” Sometimes, you can look in your phone and find a photo of the clothing item, the person or experience, and keep the memory that way versus the clothing item.

It’s you who has to make the call.

Lastly, Make it a routine

You might want one piece of clothing really bad this month, but a few months later, you might even forget about it because you wouldn’t like it anymore. It’s human nature – we get bored and tired of things, especially clothes, that’s why we keep buying new, not because we own fewer of them.

So, it is highly suggestible to evaluate your clothes every now and then, make it a routine. Trust me, decluttering cannot be a one-time process, because of the same reason mentioned above, and because we own too much. We change, clothes change, as do the seasons. It’s important to remember it’s ok to change and want different things, just remember to sort out your closet as much as you change your mind.

Nonetheless, once again, to make it easier, you need to ask yourself all the right questions. (The ones I listed above, in the previous section) and answer honestly.

Hey there, do you find decluttering hard? Feel free to share your views and ideas with us in the comment section.

How to Declutter your Clothes