Over the past few years, I’ve really developed my style. I am drawn to a neutral color palate. My home is calm, neutral, and simplified. I recently had a thought that perhaps reorganizing my closet might give me a sense of calm that I love so much about my home. I was on a quest to find so I set to work on building a simple and neutral wardrobe.
The first thing I did was completely empty the cupboard. I put everything on my bed (in categories) and sort it out piece by piece. When I cleaned, I asked myself three questions:
Do I like it? Do I use it? Can I live without it?
As I strive for a simplified and neutral wardrobe, I added two more questions.
Does the item have a neutral color palate?
How much of each type of clothing do I need?
I cleaned out properly and got rid of over 50% of my closet. I went through every box, basket, bin, shelf and drawer. I cleaned luxury handbags (I sold them) and many things that were just gathering dust. The price tag didn’t matter. If I wasn’t using it, I’m giving it up. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted and I immediately felt a sense of relief. I’ve been saving (and taking care of) things I don’t use. It feels good to let things go and break the bond of attachment. I recently read the quote “If you don’t like it or don’t use it… it’s clutter” ~ Cozy Minimalism. This spoke to my soul because it is exactly what it is – clutter!
To simplify, you need to find your ‘magic’ numbers. Everyone will be different, depending on your lifestyle. How many pairs of jeans are enough? How many jerseys will you wear in a season? Do you wear clothes? If so, how many are enough for your lifestyle? You get the point. Write it all down, as you go about your business. Be realistic and unsympathetic. If it no longer serves your needs, let it go. Don’t focus on things that don’t fit right now. Don’t keep something because you spent a lot of money on it. Your home is not a storage unit. Let it go.
When you’re done cleaning, you’ll see how much lighter and cleaner the area looks. There is less visible clutter. To keep this way, you must use the one-to-one rule. When you buy something new, it needs to replace the old thing. If you get new shoes, donate a pair, etc.
We no longer have to accumulate things, only change them as needed. There is nothing wrong with shopping. We all love a new shirt every now and then. The problem lies in the accumulation of things. Once you can overcome that and start following that one out philosophy, you will start to see a shift.
An easy way to keep your donations tidy is to designate a laundry bin for this purpose. I call it my donation basket. I’ve used one for years and it works great. When it’s full or at the beginning of each month, donate everything you put in your bin.
As I organized my things, I thought about all the money I had spent on an expensive wardrobe that I didn’t wear. I wasted a lot of money on impulse purchases. I bought clothes that looked good in the store but did not satisfy me. It was a way to release the urge to buy and not because I really needed the things.
I am very careful and serious about my purchases now. It takes a lot of effort to practice this but it’s something I work on every day. As I learn my true style, I find myself passing on things I would buy otherwise. It’s a new experience for me and a daily challenge, but one that I enjoy. To maintain a streamlined closet, you’ll need to change your mindset and shop with purpose or you’ll be right back where you started.
I know my style now. I like neutrals, I like classics, and I like to keep things simple. This trifecta is my sweet spot and I cultivate a wardrobe that reflects it. I hope you’ve found inspiration and tips to simplify & create a wardrobe that makes you happy, whether it’s lots of colors or a neutral palate.
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Tags: closet organization, declutter, organize, simplify
Blog, Clean, Closet, Closets, decluttering, Organize Posted in 3 Comments