Whenever I come back from vacation, I have an insane desire to totally spring clean my entire home. I think its something to do with seeing everything with fresh eyes. The little cobwebs, scuff marks and overstuffed closets that haven’t bothered me for months, suddenly become a major concern.
So, when I came back from our Spring Break vacation last week, my plan of attack was to start with the closets and then methodically move on to less exciting projects. Purging any kind of closet or cupboard always gives me a huge burst of energy, so I actually got quite excited at the prospect.
Spring is a great time to clean-out your closets because you’re putting away winter clothes and thinking about the warmer months ahead. I’ve just finished my purge and feel fantastic. I had a major realization that helped me to be ruthless with what had to go: LESS IS MORE! If I look at an overstuffed closet, I can never find anything to wear, however, if I trim everything down to the bare essentials, getting dressed in the morning becomes really easy.
Most Americans have way too much stuff – and clothes make up a major percentage of our barely-used belongings. Guilt is the number one reason why I don’t pass things on. It’s hard to part with something if I’ve only worn it a couple of times – even if I pretty much hate it and can’t imagine what on Earth prompted me to buy it. Here are some tips that really helped me streamline my closets, and my morning routine.
1. If you haven’t worn it for a year, it has to go. The exception would be a gown or a very special evening/cocktail dress that you’re still in love with.
2. If it’s not insanely comfortable, pass it on. In the morning, we tend to pass over clothes that aren’t comfy. So if a pair of jeans is just a bit too tight, or a shirt pulls around your breasts, rather than hope that one day it’ll fit better – get rid of it.
3. Stick to your own personal style. Wardrobe mistakes are often because I’ve tried to be something that I’m not: younger, thinner, more curvaceous, more sophisticated, funky etc. Where some women are comfortable in heels and pantsuits, as much as I try to dress up on a daily basis, I’m pretty much a jeans and t-shirts girl. Accepting that allows me to streamline my wardrobe accordingly. Know your style and toss anything that doesn’t make you feel like you.
4. Consider your lifestyle: In the past, I’ve bought little summer dresses because they’re so pretty. However, it’s really a dream because I don’t go out that much for lunches, and in the evenings it’s too cold for floaty dresses – I always wind up wearing jeans and boots. So, in cleaning-out your closet, it helps to be very realistic about your lifestyle. Let go of the wishful thinking!
5. Consider who you might like to pass on your clothes and shoes to and create different piles: specific friends who are the same size as you, women’s shelters, clothing banks, local theater groups etc. There are probably a lot of people out there who would be ecstatic to have your barely-used pieces. You could also take a pile down to Goodwill or your nearest thrift store. Remember, in this economy, there are many needy folks.
6. Get rid of hangers: Any hangers that you don’t love must go. Recycle all the wire hangers you have by taking them to your nearest dry-cleaner. Toss broken plastic and metal hangers into your recycle bin. The only hangers that I hang on to are either the padded kind for sweaters or the Real Simple Slimline Hangers.
7. Don’t forget shoes and purses: Remember the one-year rule. If you haven’t worn it or used it in over one year – time to go! If you bought some shoes that you loved the look of but hardly ever wear because they’re just not comfortable, pass them on now!
6. You can call the Salvation Army to schedule a free-pick up of any gently used clothing.
Phew – my closets are now neat, color coordinated and ordered. I actually want to wear every single garment that I see, which makes getting dressed in the morning way more easy.
