How to Clean Out Your Closet

I cleaned out my closet the other day. Sometimes, especially when there's a change in the season, or we have a change in our weight (or when both things happen at the same time) we need to go through and sort out what is in our closet. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do it:

1. Set aside a couple of hours where you can focus on the task at hand.
2. Get some good music that is upbeat and makes you feel good. It also helps you keep up the pace.
3. Start with any shelves you have, and remove all the clothes and put them on your bed.
4. Go through each item. The way to figure out what to do with that item is to determine a) If you've worn it in the last month, and you still like it, keep it. b) If you have not worn it in the last month, try it on. Do you still like the way it looks? Does it fit? Is it in good shape? If so, keep it. If it is not appropriate for the season (ex: white coloured capris in fall) put it away for now. Anything that doesn't fit the criteria of fitting well, or looking good in it donate it or give it away.
5. When you have put away your "keepers", move to the rack(s). Start at the left hand side. Repeat step 4 until all the clothes have been touched.
6. Get your bag/s of clothes to donate and feel good about decluttering and realize that you've accomplished a task that was most likely long-overdue.


IDEAS:
-- As you are going through your items, you can try on things together. You can mix and match and discover new ideas for outfits that you most likely wouldn't have thought of.
-- Make a list of things that you need to purchase/replace as you go.
-- You can organize your clothes by colour, type, and style (casual vs. dressy).  You'll be able to find things faster.
-- If you are in the process of losing weight, try on clothes that you have been saving for that ideal weight. It's encouraging when you find out that some of the clothes fit, or you are at the point where you could start wearing them (but still snug). This is very encouraging!
-- To help keep the closet neat, after you purchase something new, take something out of your closet to give away/donate. When you get something new, get rid of something old.  (This works for books, too!)
-- Hang your clothes with the hangers reversed.  As you use each item, put the clothes back and turn the hanger around.  After a month or two, check to see what clothes haven't been worn, and make a decision to keep or toss them.

Good luck with cleaning out your closet!

~ Angela Gentile