I have to admit, this Clearing Closet Clutter series is partly for you and partly for me. I hate to declutter! There, I said it. Decluttering involves decision after decision and that can be mentally exhausting for an indecisive person.
Should I keep it? Should I donate it or throw it away? Would someone else want it? What if I need it someday? Should I take it to consignment? Could someone I know use this? Should I save it for them? Would it offend them if I offered it to them???
We make these decisions for ever item we find. Tiring to say the least! What adds to the fatigue is that we usually set aside an entire day (good old spring cleaning) for this task. As a result of these decisions made in rapid secession and the hours spent on end organizing and tossing it’s no wonder we get burnt out. OR we may even anticipate this agonizing event and continue to procrastinate until clothes fall on our head each time we open the closet door.
The result? More clutter. More and more clutter. And, whether you recognize it or not clutter = stress. It’s true, I don’t always like to admit it but I know it’s true. For me closet clutter is the HARDEST clutter to get under control. Any other area is manageable but with the closet it’s so simple to shut the door and put it out of site and out of mind. So here I am, open and honest with you, ready to start a ten part series on Clearing Closet Clutter. I’ll be sharing pictures, my short comings, as well as personal triumphs.
Since this is the first part of the series we’ll start with an easy task!
My first idea is to leave a bag or box in the bottom of your closet where you can toss items you want to get rid of. As you are scanning the closet for something to wear and you find an old sweater two sizes too small, drop it in the box. An old tie from the 70’s you’ll never wear again? Drop it in. You get the idea. {My family also keeps a box in the garage for old electronics, appliances, books, etc.} Whenever your box is full you can have a yard sale to earn a little extra money or drop it off at a local charity. If you decide to donate and you have kids don’t pass up the opportunity to take your kids with you to let them see charity in action.
Check back next Tuesday for part two of Clearing Closet Clutter…
About Ashley
OMG! I have this exact problem. Do I need this? Why is it in the closet? Do I donate? Bleeh… I will work on organizing my closet this year!
Yes!!! I’m glad to know that I’m not alone. I’m pretty sure my husband thinks I’m crazy so it’s comforting to know that others have the same dilemma that I do!
I am a big believer in the “5 Minute Challenge:” every couple of days set your timer for 5 minutes and pull out stuff you don’t need. Focus. Be brutally honest. Put the stuff in a box (I like your idea for putting it on the floor int he closet). In no time, you will have made a good dent!
Yes, brutally honest! I like that!
I have SO many clothes that don’t fit anymore since I’ve had my second son(9 months now)
but I don’t want to get rid of them yet because I’m hoping that I will be able to loose that extra baby pounds and be able to wear them all again!
D: This is the biggest I’ve ever been, and it’s horrifying to me-i refuse to date of be with anyone because of it!
I love the five min. challenge because it saves you hours in the long run and lots of space. I try to do it ever other week. If it is something I have not used in 6 months or more I donate it to charity