How to Declutter Your Wardrobe…Let’s get started!

But First… Here Are The Psychological Benefits of a Clutter-Free Wardrobe

Decluttering your wardrobe has far-reaching psychological benefits that go beyond a neat and tidy closet. When your wardrobe is well-organised, it does wonders for your mental well-being. Here’s why:

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: A cluttered space can be overwhelming and chaotic, which can contribute to stress and anxiety. An organised wardrobe, on the other hand, creates a peaceful environment that promotes calm and clarity. Anusha Wijeyakumar, a mindfulness expert, strongly advocates for decluttering as a means to improve mental health. In her article “Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mental Health”, she explains how an organised space can have a soothing effect on the mind.
• Boosts Productivity: When you can easily find what you’re looking for, you save precious time and energy. This leaves you more focused and productive, allowing you to start your day on a positive note without the frustration of hunting for clothes.
• Enhances Decision-Making: A decluttered wardrobe simplifies your choices. When you only have pieces that you love and wear regularly, it’s easier to make quick and confident decisions about what to wear each day.

• Promotes Mindfulness: Going through the process of decluttering makes you more aware of your purchasing habits and encourages mindful consumption. You become more intentional about what you bring into your space, which aligns with a mindful and balanced lifestyle.

Keeping these benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why maintaining a clutter-free wardrobe is worth the effort. By mindfully curating your clothing collection, you’re not just organising your space but also nurturing your mental health.

1. Set a Goal

Before diving into your wardrobe, set a clear goal. Do you aim to create more space, donate clothes to charity, or simply want to update your style? Having a defined objective will keep you focused and motivated throughout the process.

Setting a goal is crucial because it gives you a sense of direction and purpose. For example, if your aim is to donate clothes to charity, you are more likely to let go of items you no longer need. On the other hand, if you want to update your style, your focus will be on keeping pieces that reflect your new look.

By defining your goal, the process becomes streamlined and less overwhelming, making the whole experience more manageable and even enjoyable.

2. Take Everything Out

Empty your wardrobe by taking all your clothes out and laying them on your bed or the floor. This visual overview will help you gauge what you own and make it easier to sort items effectively. By seeing everything in one place, you’ll gain a realistic perspective on how much you truly have, which is often more than you initially thought.

Laying your clothes out also simplifies the sorting process. When you physically handle each item, it’s easier to make decisions about what stays and what goes. This step aligns with the principle that “The average woman only wears 20-30% of her wardrobe”, highlighting the importance of regularly reassessing your clothing collection. With everything out in the open, you’ll have the perfect starting point for a successful decluttering session.

3. Sort Into Categories

Organise your clothes into categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories. Seeing all items in similar categories can reveal how many of each type you own, making it easier to identify duplicates and unnecessary pieces.

• Tops: Gather all your shirts, blouses, and jumpers into one pile.
• Bottoms: Collect all your trousers, skirts, and shorts.
• Dresses: Group dresses and other one-piece outfits together.
• Accessories: Include scarves, belts, hats, and jewellery in their respective categories.

By sorting your wardrobe in this manner, you’ll gain a clear understanding of what you have and what you might not need. This method is highly effective in pinpointing items worth keeping and which ones are better off being donated or recycled. According to Minimalist Joshua Becker, the average woman only wears 20-30% of her wardrobe, making this step crucial for eliminating excess.

So, grab those hangers and storage bins, and start categorising!

4. Ask Yourself the Right Questions

While deciding what to keep and what to discard, ask yourself:

• Have I worn this item in the past year?
• Does it fit me well?
• Do I feel good wearing it?

If the answer is no, it’s probably time to donate or sell the item. This approach aligns perfectly with Anusha Wijeyakumar’s advice of mindful decluttering for better mental health. By being intentional and questioning the value each piece of clothing brings to your life, you not only create more physical space but also promote a sense of calm and clarity in your mind.

5. Create a System

After deciding what to keep, establish an organisational system for your clothing. This could mean organising by category, colour, or frequency of use. The system should make it straightforward to find and store items, ensuring long-term order.

Here are a few strategies to consider:

• By Category: Group similar items like shirts, trousers, and dresses together. This makes locating specific pieces a breeze.
• By Colour: Arrange your clothes in a rainbow spectrum. This not only looks pleasing but also helps in putting outfits together quickly.
• By Frequency of Use: Place frequently worn items at eye level and within easy reach. Special occasion wear can be stored higher up or in less accessible areas.

Creating a system tailored to your lifestyle can drastically reduce the time you spend rifling through your wardrobe each day. For more practical advice on maintaining an organised space, Anusha Wijeyakumar’s article “Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mental Health” offers some invaluable tips.

6. Use Storage Solutions

Investing in practical storage solutions can make a world of difference in maintaining an organised wardrobe. Here are a few suggestions to maximise your space:

• Bins and Baskets: These are fantastic for storing items you don’t use daily, like seasonal clothes. Stackable bins can help utilise vertical space in your wardrobe.
• Drawer Dividers: These are perfect for keeping smaller items like socks, belts, and accessories in order. They prevent your drawers from becoming a jumbled mess.
• Specialised Hangers: Consider using hangers designed for specific items like scarves, belts, or even multi-layered hangers for skirts and trousers. These hangers can significantly reduce the space taken up by these accessories while keeping them easily accessible.

Pondering the kind of storage solution that best fits your needs not only helps in keeping things organised but also makes it easier to find what you need without rummaging through piles of clothes. This aligns well with tips from Anusha Wijeyakumar on maintaining mental well-being through a clutter-free environment, as discussed in her article on MindBodyGreen.

7. Recycle and Donate Responsibly

Dispose of unwanted clothes responsibly. Donate them to charity, sell them online, or recycle textiles at specialised centres. This not only helps others but also reduces environmental waste. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only 1% of clothing is recycled into new clothing, making mindful disposal crucial. By donating or recycling, you can extend the lifespan of your clothes and make a positive environmental impact.

Consider local donation centres or thrift stores like Vinnies, or even specialised recycling programs to ensure your old clothing finds a new purpose. Websites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace are also excellent platforms for selling items that are still in good condition.

8. Maintain Your Decluttered Wardrobe

Regularly auditing your wardrobe is crucial to keeping it clutter-free. A good strategy is to implement a “one-in-one-out” policy: whenever you purchase a new item, donate or discard an older one. This not only prevents overcrowding but also ensures that you only keep items that truly add value to your life.

Tips to Maintain a Decluttered Wardrobe:

• Seasonal Check-ins: At the start of each season, review your wardrobe. Store away off-season clothes and ensure that your current season clothing is easily accessible.
• Mindful Shopping: Be intentional about new purchases. Before buying, ask yourself if the new item will replace an old one.
• Quick Monthly Reviews: Spend a few minutes each month assessing if you’ve used all items. If you notice any ‘forgotten’ pieces, consider selling or donating them.

Consistent maintenance is key to a clutter-free life. For more insightful tips, you can read Lindsay’s article “The average woman only wears 20-30% of her wardrobe”. Keeping this statistic in mind can motivate you to regularly purge and maintain a minimalist wardrobe.

A Clean Wardrobe. A Clear mind.

Creating a clutter-free wardrobe does more than just make your mornings more manageable; it has profound psychological benefits. When your wardrobe is in disarray, it often reflects and exacerbates mental clutter, contributing to feelings of overwhelm and distress.

Decluttering your wardrobe can lead to a significant boost in mental well-being. For starters, it can enhance your sense of control and accomplishment. When your clothes are neatly organised, you spend less time searching for what to wear, reducing decision fatigue and freeing up mental space for more important tasks. This sense of orderliness can translate into a clearer, more focused mind.

Moreover, a streamlined wardrobe can improve your self-esteem and confidence. Possessing only items that you genuinely like and feel good in ensures that every outfit you choose enhances your self-image. This practice of mindful selection can foster a positive self-perception and promote a more intentional lifestyle.

Regularly maintaining a decluttered wardrobe also aligns with the principles of mindful living. It encourages you to evaluate what brings you joy and to let go of possessions that don’t serve a purpose. This process can be incredibly liberating and affirming.