Can you relate to this?
Do you need some motivation to go through your clothing and de-clutter what you no longer wear, love or even fits? Are you having difficulty on a daily basis trying to figure out what to wear? Are you often running late, trying on clothes only to look in the mirror and think “uh, NO” only to throw it on the floor into a growing pile. UGH!!
I had an interesting experience with a friend who helped me with some de-cluttering. It was really eye opening to be on this side of the fence and has been very helpful to me in working with others.
My friend asked if she could look in my front closet? She had me try on some of the many coats I had in there. She would then ask me “what do you think?, “how does this make you feel”, “does it fit” and “does it make you feel like a queen?” In most cases, as I tried on each piece of clothing, I would shrug my shoulders and my response was “meh” and the item ended up on the floor in a pile. She said that if it didn’t fit or didn’t make me feel like a queen then it had to go. As I watched the growing pile for donation on the floor she asked me “from what is left in your closet, what do you have that makes you feel powerful and in charge of your life” I looked around and I had to say it was my cloak which she had me put on. I walked around a bit swinging my cloak and looking and feeling like a million bucks. I was really owning my space and the world. My cloak makes me feel like a queen and in charge of my life but of course I can’t wear that every day.
Here is a picture of me in my cloak with my friend Beth (I am the one on the left. This was taken a number of years ago, but of course, is one of my favourites)
Some great tips for Decluttering your Clothes:
- Try on each piece of clothing. How does it make you feel? Does it make you feel like a queen? In charge of your life? If not, get rid of it.
- Clothing that no longer fits. Too big or too small. Even if your body changes, you may need something different or that fits better. See #1
- Clothing that needs to be mended. Are you going to get around to doing that alteration or has it been sitting in a pile for way too long? I got rid of a pile of clothes that needed to be mended because I just didn’t feel like spending the time doing it.
- Clothing from this past season that you didn’t wear? Why didn’t you wear it? As you know we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time. If you don’t love it, likely you won’t wear it next season either.
- Throw out anything that is looking old, with stains or broken zippers, etc. At the end of the season throw out old worn out boots or footwear. You are going to need new ones for next year anyway. Easy peasy, right?
- Sentimental items. It can be hard to let go of a piece of clothing, boots, shoes or a purse that you have really loved. But, if the item is old, worn out, doesn’t fit, etc. maybe it has served its purpose….thank the item and let it go. Take a picture if you are worried you will forget about the item.
- Going through your clothing will help you to see what you have, what you might need and also will give you so many more options for getting dressed in the morning.
Do you have some great tips for decluttering your clothing? Please share in the comments……
I love the question she asked you… “Does it make you feel like a queen?” Clothing has no inherent value, only that which we assign to it. We all need something to wear, so you may not be able to purge a whole closet at once, but this is a simple question to tuck away for future buying. If we are going to spend money on obtaining it and storing it, we should love it.
Thank you Seana – I love that question as well. We really need to love what we are wearing and then we will really be our best selves. I am a lot more discerning when I am shopping for clothing and I really think more about quality as opposed to quantity. Thanks for your comment.
Love your list at the end of the questions to ask. And I think I might have to invest in a crown next time I do a closet decluttering with my clients! If it doesn’t live up to queen or king status out it goes!
Haha yes me too 🙂 thanks Sarah
It’s definitely helpful to do this task with someone else. My sister helped me do a major wardrobe purge a few years ago, and there were a few items that I loved to wear but she pointed out that they looked terrible on me.
Bonus: when you get rid of all the stuff you never wear, you have room in your closet to buy something new!
Yes and yes. It is so helpful to have someone you trust who will be honest about what looks good. Kids can be really good at that. I usually think of a few things I need to round out my wardrobe after declutting my clothing. A great reward too!
Isn’t it amazing how a single question can create an opening for decision-making and letting go? I love this story and how your friend helped you do some clothing editing with the “queen” question. Fabulous!
Awe thank you so much Linda – it was really a big ah ha for me at the time.
My favorite tip when reviewing clothing:
Ask yourself when you come across an item that gives you pause: “If I went shopping today, would I buy this?” If you wouldn’t choose to buy it today, you probably won’t choose to wear it tomorrow!
Yes so true Kathy. I have to love it to actually purchase it and also need to feel like a queen.
Such a creative question–does it make you feel like a queen?! That is a fresh perspective I had not considered before. It quickly brings to mind items that I have been keeping but not really wearing. Now I know why! And I know what I will be doing tomorrow!!
Thank you Olive. Yes, I just love the question too. I am so glad you were inspired.