One of the most common questions people ask about decluttering is the simplest: how do I start? @dana.litz, who is on a journey to improve her life through what she calls minimal moves, keeps getting asked that very question. Her answer is to begin with your clothes, and she has a set of clear rules that could clear out half your closet this weekend.
Her approach is firm but practical, and it avoids the trap that stops most people in their tracks: sentimental decisions.
@dana.litz
Why Clothes Come First
She explains that clothing is a great starting point because it is usually not something that holds a lot of sentimental value. Photos, letters and family keepsakes are much tougher to sort. Starting with items that do not carry strong emotions helps you build confidence and momentum before you tackle the harder things.
It also happens to be one of the most visible places for clutter. Overstuffed closets and dressers make mornings harder, and most of us wear a small fraction of what we own.
Her Three Clothing Rules
She came up with a few clear rules before she opened a single drawer.
Rule one: the six-month test. If she had not worn an item in the past six months and did not plan to wear it in the next three, it was getting donated. That gives a long enough window to cover most seasons and still lets you keep things you truly plan to wear.
Rule two: it has to fit. If it did not fit her, it was getting donated. Clothes that are too small or too big do not serve you today, and keeping them tends to make getting dressed more stressful.
Rule three: it has to feel good. If she did not feel confident in it, it went straight to the donate pile. Her advice is to be harsh with yourself, because you likely have way too many clothes. The goal is to keep staple pieces and let go of everything that does not match the lifestyle you want to live.
What About the Sentimental Pieces?
Not every piece of clothing is easy to judge. Some carry memories, like a jacket from a special trip or a dress from an important day. Her solution is to create an emotionally important pile. When she comes across something that holds emotional weight, she puts it in that pile and does not look at it right now. The reason is practical. The time you would spend going back and forth on a meaningful item could be spent decluttering other things. You can return to that pile later, when you have more energy and have finished the easier parts.
How to Clear Your Closet This Weekend
Here is a step-by-step plan based on her rules.
Pull everything out. Take all the clothes from your closet and dresser and lay them on the bed. Seeing the full pile makes the decisions clearer.
Make three piles. Label them keep, donate and emotionally important. If an item is stained, torn or worn out beyond repair, set up a fourth pile for the trash or textile recycling.
Apply the six-month test. Ask yourself whether you have worn each item in the last six months, or whether you plan to wear it within the next three. Seasonal items like coats and swimsuits may need a little common sense, but be honest.
Try on questionable pieces. If you cannot remember whether something fits, put it on. If it does not fit or you do not feel good in it, donate it.
Keep your staples. Your favorite jeans, good basics and pieces that suit your daily life should stay. These are the clothes you reach for again and again.
Set aside the sentimental pile. Put it in a box and move on. Revisit it in a week or a month.
Put the donate pile in the car. Do not leave it sitting by the bed. Get it out of the house today.
Put the keepers back neatly. Hang or fold like items together, so you can see what you own at a glance.
What to Do With the Clothes You Let Go
Once you have a donate pile, a little planning makes sure it does some good. Wash anything that needs it, and check pockets before you bag things up. Local charities, church closets, shelters and thrift stores often welcome clean clothing in good condition, and some groups need specific items such as work clothes or winter coats, so a quick call ahead helps. Pieces that are stained or worn out can often go to a textile recycling bin instead of the trash. Whatever you choose, take the bags out of the house right away. A donation pile that lingers in the hallway has a way of getting picked through, and some of it ends up back in the closet.
Be Harsh, But Kind
She says that being a little harsh with yourself is the only way to get through the process. That does not mean being cruel. It means being honest about how you really live. A closet full of clothes you never wear can be a source of guilt, and clearing it out can feel like a weight lifted. Pieces that are in good shape will find a second life with someone who needs them.
She also wisely keeps her message short, and encourages people not to overcomplicate things. Start somewhere, set a few rules and go. A weekend of focused effort on your closet may be the push you need to begin your own journey.
