Open your closet door and take a good look. How many things in there have you not touched in months, or maybe even years? If the sight alone makes you tired, you are far from the only one, and a well-known writer on minimalism has a checklist to help.
Joshua Becker shared the list in a short YouTube video on nine types of clothes you can declutter immediately. He starts with a quote from Courtney Carver: you can remove a significant amount of stress from your life simply by reducing the number of items in your closet. Becker says that is absolutely right.
Why Your Closet Is a Good Place to Start
Becker points out that in a time when consumerism is encouraged at every turn, it is easy to accumulate more than we need or even truly desire. The clothes in our closets are a good example. We have more than we need, we keep buying more, and we rarely take the time to thin out the excess.
When we do, there is an opportunity waiting. It is a chance to gain back some time and calm in the morning, and also to simplify, refine and even rediscover ourselves.
Notice the common thread in the list that follows. Almost every category is a piece of clothing that is tied to a hope, a plan or a feeling rather than to what you actually wear today. That is what makes them so easy to keep and so hard to enjoy.
Clothes That Do Not Fit
First on the list is clothing that does not fit, whether it is too large, too small or just not quite right. Becker says clothes that do not flatter your current body shape may be doing more harm than good. The suggestion is to let them go and make space for pieces that make you feel more confident.
Clothes Waiting for a Repair
Many of us hold on to a garment with the hope of mending it someday. Becker says that if something has been awaiting repair for a long time, it may be time to bid it farewell.
Special Occasion Outfits
That dress or suit you bought for one specific event and have not touched since is next. If it is not versatile enough for other occasions, Becker says, it might be worth passing on.
Clothes Full of Memories
Apparel from past events or phases of life that you never wear now, but keep for sentimental reasons, is another category. Becker offers a gentle fix: photograph the item first and then donate it. That way, the memory can live on without the garment taking up space in your closet.
Shoes That Hurt
The list includes shoes that hurt your feet, or ones you find yourself avoiding for some reason. Becker calls it a clear sign that comfort should never be compromised to that level.
The “I Will Fit Into This Again” Garment
This is the one many people will recognize. Holding on to pre-pregnancy or pre-weight gain clothes in hopes of fitting back into them someday can actually be quite discouraging, Becker says. If they do not make you feel good about yourself now, they are better off donated.
Emotionally Charged Clothing
The last category is clothes that remind you of past relationships or challenging times. If a piece of clothing brings back a hard feeling every time you see it, it may not belong in the place where you get dressed each morning.
How to Clear Your Closet This Weekend
You do not need to empty the whole closet at once. Here is a simple plan using the categories above.
- Set up a donate bag and a trash bag before you start.
- Go through one category at a time, such as shoes first, then clothes that do not fit.
- Take a quick photo of any item that holds a memory, then place it in the donate bag.
- Gather anything that needs repair, and make a quick decision: fix it this week or let it go.
- When you finish, take the bag to a donation spot right away so the clothes do not drift back into the closet.
If you are unsure about a particular piece, try asking a few plain questions. Have I worn it lately? Does it fit me today? Do I feel good when I put it on? A clear no to all three is a strong hint that it is time to go. It also helps to keep the pile you are unsure about small, so the project does not drag on.
Be kind to yourself in the process. Letting go of an outfit that no longer fits your life is not a failure. It is a way to make room for the clothes you actually reach for.
The video closes with a thought that goes beyond clothes: bring intentionality into your closet, and you will begin to find it elsewhere. A few quiet minutes with a hanger and a donation bag may be a good place to begin. Once the morning routine gets easier, other rooms in the house may start to feel more manageable too.
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