Taking on the Closets

My Bedroom Closet - the upper doors are for other storage

So, I have added organization to my list of goals, after all, an organized life has always brought a sense of peace and calm.  And, if I can't be out shopping due to my budget, I might as well be home organizing, right?

Since birth probably, I have owned too many clothes!  No matter how hard a try, there is never enough closet space, clothes get stuffed and crammed everywhere and there is no system for actually finding what I need.  I have come to the conclusion it has little to do with organization or lack of closet space, but more to do with having TOO MANY clothes.  Upon our move to Indianapolis from Iowa City, I got rid of many clothes, but alas, there are still too many pants, shirts, shoes and sweaters to fit comfortably into the space I have.  Fortunately, I do almost all of my clothes shopping at thrift stores or consignment shops, so I don't need to feel guilt at getting rid of something.  Also, since I will continue to shop at these stores, I can technically buy something new (if needed) at little cost.  Lastly, I know there are people in need of my superfluous clothing more than I!  So, I have been gradually getting rid of things and donating to local charities.

 

Our "overflow" closets in the spare bedroom, one is an "overflow" coat closet and storage and one is to be for "off-season" clothes, hopefully for both me and my husband, although I am hogging all of it right now!

Here are my rules:

1.  Take everything out of drawers, armoires, the closets and trunks......yes, I have clothes in ALL of these things!  You see what I mean about having too many?

2.  Immediately toss anything that I don't like or haven't worn in 1-2 years.

3.  Keep any known "favorites".

4. Toss all clothes that don't fit (I must confess I kept 3 pairs of pants that are REALLY close to fitting that I REALLY like, nobody's perfect, right?)  If I don't fit into these by the end of the winter, they will go.

5.  Clothes that fit, but I just don't seem to wear (probably because I couldn't find them in the back of the closet) I put in front where I can see them.  As soon as possible, put these clothes on my mental "to wear" list for the week.  For example today I'm wearing a pair of pants about three years ago, that just were stuck in the back of the closet.  From these clothes, I keep only things I absolutely love and enjoy wearing.  If its not a favorite, I will always pick a favorite over the non-favorite, so why keep it??

6.  Repeat this process every season.  I never get rid of clothes off-season, unless I know I really dislike something.

The final goal is to get all of my clothes for the season in the drawers, trunk, armoire and closet in the bedroom and put off season clothes in the spare bedroom closet and trunk - if I can't do that, then I have to sort again.  In the end, I may well still have too many clothes, but I will be better off than when I started this process - and progress is the key I always say.  Wish me luck!