How to Declutter Clothes: 10-step plan to end closet clutter

2. Empty your closet … yep the whole thing.

Get all that stuff out of there. For extra motivation to complete the project, toss all of your clothing and closet goodies on your bed. When you move it all to your bed, not only do you get to see your entire collection in one area, but you’ll want to get it off your bed before it’s time for you to get in your bed. I remember seeing all of my clothes in one place. I was stunned. Because it was spread out in my dresser, closet, shelves and other storage spaces, I had no idea. Seeing it was a bit of a shock and a shock I needed to focus on owning less.

3. Now go get the rest of the stuff.

If you have clothes, accessories or shoes in other closets, drawers, boxes or secret hiding places, drag that stuff out too and add it to your closet pile. Bring it all in, even winter coats and accessories. Don’t forget handbags, sunglasses, clothes you haven’t worn in years and anything that you put in the “fashion” category.

4. Take another picture.

This is your “Whoa, I had no idea I had so much stuff” picture. Take a good look at your pile of stuff and feel the weight and the shock. This is a really important step. Being offended by the investment of time, money and energy I’d made on a pile of things I barely used helped me let go. It also helped me with shopping. Now before I make a purchase, I think about all that stuff and I usually resist. When you look at your stuff, all piled on your bed or the floor, ask yourself this question, “If I could get all of the time, money and energy I spent on these clothes, would I reinvest it the same way?”

5. Sort all the things.

Turn up the music and break for snacks as needed during this step. You may even want to take a walk first. I recommend moving through this step as quickly as possible so you don’t second guess your decisions.

• Pile 1: Love: I love these items. They fit me well and I wear them frequently.
• Pile 2: Maybe: I want to keep this but I don’t know why. This could include off-season items too.
• Pile 3: Donate: These items don’t fit my body or my life.
• Pile 4: Trash: These items are in poor condition. (repurpose if possible)

Pile 1 will likely be the smallest. Don’t worry! It’s better to have an honest pile of what you actually love and wear instead of a pile full of things you keep just in case.

6. Remove all the things.

Before you add anything back into your closet, remove the things in the piles you aren’t keeping. Remove them from the closet, the room and your home. Don’t be tempted to revisit these items by delaying their farewell. Bring them to your car and the donation center as soon as possible. An open donation box sitting in your room will only lead to more items in your closet. If you can’t remove them right away, at least get them in a box, tape the box up and don’t label the box with its contents.

7. Store all the things.

If there are items you are unsure about, box them up too. Don’t give them away and don’t keep them in your closet. Create some separation by hiding these items for at least 3 months. Revisit them after dressing with less for several months. By then you’ll have cut the emotional ties you have with those items and you’ll have more information about what you really want or need in your closet. If you didn’t miss the items you hid or don’t remember what you stored away, donate without opening the boxes. Use your time for something you actually care about.

8. Choose your own adventure.

Now that you’ve gone through the declutter clothes steps, you have clothes you wear, clothes that fit your body and your lifestyle, and hopefully clothing that you enjoy wearing. Here’s where you get to choose your own adventure …

10. Let the guilt go too.

When you let go of anything in your closet, let the guilt go with it. You may have felt guilty for buying it, and now you feel guilty for letting it go. You paid for the item with your money, time and attention. Now you are paying with your emotion. Haven’t you paid enough? The best way to let go of the guilt is to let joy replace the guilt. Let love replace the guilt. Remind yourself that you simply don’t have room in your life for guilt.

Quick tips to help you declutter your clothes and closet.

It may take years to declutter your home, choose a new career or dig your way out of debt, but if you want to reduce stress, feel lighter, and create more space, time, and money for yourself within a few hours or a few days, consider owning fewer clothes. A decluttered wardrobe is a powerful step in creating a simpler life.

Hide or declutter clothes that don’t fit your body today.

Hide all of the items that don’t fit. Too small? Too big? Either way, get it out. Even if you struggle with weight fluctuation, give yourself a break. Your too small clothes aren’t making you smaller and your too big clothes aren’t making you bigger. See what happens when you accept the person you are and the body you have today and dress for that. If that changes, change your clothes.

Release items someone gave you that you never wear.

Are you holding on to clothes you wore for a prior life, or for a life you aspire to have? Dress for the life you have right now and you will move through it with more ease and grace. The rest can go.

Release anything that makes you feel sad or bad.

Stop repeating old patterns and learn how to dress with less.