If you’re anything like me, your closet is probably cluttered with clothes you never wear, shoes you never use, and long-forgotten accessories. It’s time to declutter your closet and get motivated to do it again!
Why should you declutter your closet?
A decluttered closet has many benefits, including less stress, more space, and improved organization.
Additionally, a cluttered closet can cost you time and money.
You may not realize it, but every time you search through a pile of clothes to find something to wear, you’re wasting valuable time. And if you’re paying for storage space for items, you never use, that’s money down the drain.
How can you declutter your closet?
The process is actually quite simple and breaks down into three steps: Purge, Organize and Maintain.
First, remove everything from your closet and remove anything you don’t need or use anymore- that is the Purge.
Next, organize what’s left, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for- that is the Organize.
Finally, maintain your newly decluttered space by putting things away promptly and getting rid of anything that doesn’t belong- that is Maintain.
It can be challenging to stay motivated to keep your closet decluttered, but it’s important to set realistic goals, find a support system, and create a schedule. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to having a decluttered closet that stays that.
Why You Should Declutter Your Closet.
The Benefits of a Decluttered Closet
When you declutter your closet, you open up space in your home and your life. A decluttered closet can lead to a decluttered mind and a sense of calm and control. The benefits of decluttering your closet include:
· More space in your home – When you clear out the clutter from your closet, you free up valuable space in your home. This can be especially helpful if you live in a small space.
· Less stress – A cluttered closet can be overwhelming and cause undue stress. By decluttering, you can reduce the number of visual stimuli in your environment, reducing stress levels.
· Improved organization – When you take the time to organize your closet, it will be easier to find what you need when you need it. This can save you time and frustration daily.
· Higher resale value – If you ever decide to sell your home, a decluttered closet will help boost its resale value. Buyers are looking for move-in ready homes, and a cluttered closet is often seen as a sign that the home is not well-maintained.
The Cost of a Cluttered Closet
While the benefits of decluttering are numerous, there is also a cost associated with keeping a cluttered closet. This cost is often hidden, but it can take a toll on your wallet, health, and relationships. The cost of having a cluttered closet includes:
· Wasted money – When you have clutter in your closet, it’s easy to lose track of what you have and buy duplicates or items you don’t need (remember when I talked about my missing eyeliner?). You could use this wasted money to save for something more important or put it towards your debt repayment.
$100 wasted per month x 12 months = $1,200 per year
$1,200 per year invested at 7% over 10 years = $20,063
$20,063 invested at 7% over 20 years = $67,239
So by decluttering your closet now, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars throughout your lifetime!
· Poor health – All that dust collecting in your cluttered closets can wreak havoc on allergies and people living with asthma. In addition, research has shown that clutter can increase stress hormone cortisol levels, leading to weight gain, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.
· Strained relationships – If arguments about clutter are commonplace in your household, it could strain important relationships. In addition, if guests are constantly avoiding coming over because they know they’ll have to wade through piles of stuff to find a place to sit, that’s another sign that clutter is negatively impacting your life.
How to Declutter Your Closet.
The Purge
The first step to decluttering your closet is to purge it of all the items you no longer need or wear. To do this, go through your entire closet and pull out anything you haven’t worn in the last year. Once you have all the items pulled out, sort them into three piles: one for donations, one for selling, and one for trash. Donate or sell any items in good condition and get rid of anything damaged beyond repair.
The Organize
After you have purged your closet of all the unwanted items, it’s time to start organizing what’s left. Begin by sorting your clothes by type (e.g., shirts, pants, skirts, etc.), then sub-sort them by color. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for and create a more visually appealing space. Next, hang up your clothes using matching hangers (if possible). Finally, arrange your shoes on a shoe rack or in storage bins, so they are off the floor and easy to grab when you need them.
The Maintain
Now that your closet is decluttered and organized, it’s important to maintain it, so it doesn’t become cluttered again. One way to do this is to set aside time each week to put away any clothes lying around outside the closet (e.g., on your bed or in a laundry basket). You should also make a habit of putting away any new clothes as soon as you buy them instead of letting them sit in a pile on the floor. Following these simple tips, you can keep your closet decluttered and organized for good!
How to Get Motivated to Declutter Your Closet.
Set Realistic Goals
When decluttering your closet, it’s important to set realistic goals. For example, if you aim to declutter your entire closet in one day, you will likely get overwhelmed and give up. Instead, break your goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, you could focus on decluttering one section of your closet each day.
Find a Support System
Another way to stay motivated when decluttering your closet is to find a support system. This could be a friend or family member trying to declutter their space or an online community of like-minded individuals. Having someone to share your journey with can make the process much more enjoyable and motivating.
Create a Schedule
Finally, creating a schedule for decluttering your closet can help you stay on track and motivated. Dedicate a specific day or time each week to decluttering, and stick to it as best as you can. If you struggle to stick to the schedule, try setting reminders or enlisting the help of your support system.
Declutter Your Closet
If you’re like most people, your closet is probably cluttered and needs some decluttering. But the thought of decluttering can be daunting, and you may not know where to start.
The first step is to purge your closet of all items you no longer wear or need. This can be difficult, but it’s important to be ruthless in creating more space. Once you’ve purged your closet, it’s time to organize what’s left. This means building a system that works for you and helps you keep your closet organized. Finally, you must maintain your newly decluttered closet by regularly cleaning and organizing it.
It can be tough to stay motivated when decluttering your closet, but it’s important to set realistic goals and find a support system. You should also create a schedule for yourself so that decluttering doesn’t become an overwhelming task. By following these tips, you can declutter your closet and keep it that way indefinitely!