Finding Less: How I Started to Declutter My Closet
The obsession with my closet started a little over a year
ago. I wasn’t yet pregnant, but we were deep in our IVF journey. When I was
growing up, one of the many things my mother did exceptionally well, was keep
our home ‘homey’. She kept it organized and clean; nothing OCD like, but always
a comfortable amount of cleanliness. As in random sticky shit was usually
cleaned up from the floor fairly quickly, and the rooms of our house were
filled with things in their rightful place. My mother is very good at letting
go of junk. I knew I wanted to have a
home like this, however, I do not hold this skill of my mother’s, naturally. I
am more like my dad, aka on the hoarder side of things.
I collect, collect, collect and then I get super overwhelmed
and leave the house to avoid my collections. Well, at least I did that before.
I started addressing this when Jack and I started our baby-making journey. It
took us a long time to have a baby, which had its own trials, but it also had many
benefits. It gave us time to communicate what we want and what kind of parents
we hope to be. Well, even though, I have been messy, scattered and a tad nutty
most of my life, I really wanted to bring tidiness and order into our future
child’s life.
The times my house has been at its messiest are the times I
have been struggling the most. I strongly believe your outer world matches your
inner world, and both can affect the other. If you have a clear space, it will
lead to having a clear mind; a mind that has lots of space to play and be
creative.
And so, my obsession with my closet began. I own a whole lot
of clothing, and I find it very difficult to let them go. I am a fashionista.
It doesn’t matter I live in a town where most people where old t-shirts and Birkenstocks
out to dinner (don’t get me wrong, that look can definitely be a great vibe), I
will always be the one who puts red lipstick on before going to the grocery
store.
Tidy closets are their own trend right now and they go right
along with capsule wardrobes. I don’t know if a true capsule wardrobe will ever
work for the person I am, however, I am very open to down-sizing. I am positive
owning less will lead to a happier life. When I started my closet journey, I
owned approximately 600 items of clothing; this includes shoes and accessories.
When I figured that out, I thought to myself, ‘No wonder I’m so overwhelmed,
this is ridiculous!’
I owned 27 dresses, and I didn’t even wear dresses! So, they
were the first to be downsized. With the help of different minimalist bloggers
(especially @uncomplicatedspaces), I decided to put the majority of my clothing
in storage and create a capsule wardrobe for each season. I would switch items
out each season. I decided 50 items in my closet were enough. This included
tops, bottoms, sweaters and coats. I did not include work out gear and pjs, or
shoes (they weren’t the ‘problem items’ for me).
I’ve done the process of switching up my capsule wardrobe
several times now and it’s getting easier. In this process I’ve also continued
to get rid of items I no longer need.
I’ve added a list of 5 questions to help those of you out
there who would also like to organize and downsize their closets.
What to ask yourself about your current items:
1. How often do I where this?
For me, it made sense my comfortable and casual pieces should be worn at least once a week because that’s what I normally wear. If they are not I either consign them or donate them (depending on the quality of the piece) or if I’m not sure about parting with them, I put it into storage. I got stackable plastic storage boxes from Canadian Tire that currently live in my husband’s office.
2. Is this my current style?
Our style changes over time. There are certain colours I gravitate towards and others that don’t speak to me. Also, I’m not into the fitted look right now. I’ve held onto a couple fitted pieces that feel special to me (stored away safely), and I’ve gotten rid of the rest.
3. Does this currently fit me?
My weight has fluctuated a lot over the years. I’ve gotten bigger and I’ve gotten smaller. I’ve never regretted getting rid of things that don’t fit me, even when I’ve lost or gained weight. It does not feel nice having pieces in your closet that don’t fit you. Personally, when I hold on to items that don’t fit, I feel like I’m unconsciously saying that I don’t fit. That is not a message I want to be holding onto. I encourage all the peeps out there to get rid of what doesn’t fit you! If you feel like some of those pieces are really special, put them in storage so at least they’re not sending you bad vibes from your closet.
4. Does this match my lifestyle?
A big decluttering issue I had was I would hold onto clothing I loved but no longer suited my lifestyle. I don’t need 15 dressy outfits for example. As much as I love no stretch denim, it rarely feels like the right day to wear it. I need freedom in my clothing. (I have one favourite pair in storage, they may or may not make the cut next season)
5. Does this make me feel like a 10?
Simple but so true. How do you feel when you
wear this item? If it doesn’t make you feel like a 10/10 then what is the point
of holding onto it? If it’s practical but makes you feel like a hobo (your
cleaning-the-house outfit, for example), chuck it and thrift a practical outfit
you love. I say thrift because there are ways to make replacing certain items affordable.
Currently I feel my best in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of nice quality
leggings. I have two sturdy cotton men’s t-shirts from thrift stores. It always
helps to go thrifting with a plan for what you are looking for and then you
scour the premise for your pieces.
Sending you all loving vibes!
Sarah
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| My itty-bitty closet |
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