Saying goodbye to things is never easy but we’re going to discuss how to make the process as painless as possible. You don’t have to say goodbye to absolutely everything. What organizing does is that it allows you to fully appreciate the things you decide to keep.
Clear the Space
Let’s start with the mindset that we’re going to make you more productive and more creative [plus better looking and funnier—Ok…I can’t promise that]. If you have decided to clean out your closet, you’re going to take everything out. This way, when you put things back in the closet you are deciding to keep certain items of clothing, rather than choosing what to throw away. Let’s make sure that there’s a donation bin nearby. Beware, at the beginning, you are most likely going to make a bigger mess than you already had.
Stop, it’s categorize time!
Let’s put the shoes with the shoes and the scarves with the scarves. This way we can make it a step-by-step process. Now we begin, pile by pile. First to go are the items you will never use again/ are broken/ you never wanted in the first place. Next up are those items that you’re just not sure about [what if someone has an ugly sweater party? Etc.]. Those items go in our maybe piles for now.
Item of clothing, I choose you
Finally, we have the definitely keep items. Go ahead and put them back in your closet in a space that has been specifically chosen for them. Do you like your shoes on the bottom so that you can slip your feet right in? What about on top where you can see them best? Decide what works best for you.
Keep me, maybe?
The maybes are the most difficult part. There are any number of reasons for the maybes—maybe you gained/ lost a little weight and you’re keeping your clothes just in case. First, let’s look over the pile and see if there’s anything we’ve missed that we want either back in the closet or in the goodwill pile. If the idea of giving a really nice item of clothing to Goodwill is giving you anxiety, that’s ok, we have options. Option A is to sell it if it’s in good enough condition, which will make you feel better because there will be money in your pocket. Option B is to give it to a friend.
Stragglers
Nicely done, almost there! Now you are left with a few items that you just don’t know what to do with. Question time: What would you use the item for? Do you need it? Is it fun? Is it practical? How much space does it take up? Are you thinking of reasons to keep it just to keep it?
If it means something to you, keep it. Say it’s a dress that you love and want to keep but won’t wear again, is there somewhere you could pack it away? Maybe there’s a t-shirt that you love but it’s way too big—it could become a rag, a craft project, whatever you’d like!
Final Clean up
Once you’ve organized we need to do a post organization sweep and cleanup—let’s not let all our hard work go to waste! Goodwill box goes in the car. Ok, now you can sit down and relax. Maybe flop down on your bed and pat yourself on the back as you stare in wonder at your beautifully organized closet. You did it!