I used to be that person who crammed as many clothes into my closet as it could possibly hold, convinced that I’d eventually wear that dress I hadn’t touched in two years, or those incredibly uncomfortable shoes I’d never worn yet.
But, alas, every morning, I’d find myself sifting through hangers, feeling overwhelmed by choices and yet always reaching for the same few favorites – the ‘old reliables’.
It wasn’t until I finally took a deep breath and decided to declutter that I realised how much weight I’d been carrying – quite literally – in my wardrobe.
I know I’m not alone in this. In fact, research shows that the average woman only regularly wears about 20-30% of the clothes she owns, leaving the rest to gather dust!
What started as a simple task of sorting through clothes quickly turned into something much bigger. I felt lighter, clearer, and strangely more in tune with myself. I didn’t just want a neater wardrobe; I also wanted to make sure I let go of the “should-haves” and “what-ifs” that were tucked away.
If you’ve ever felt that nagging sense of overwhelm every time you open your closet, you might be surprised at how the benefits of decluttering your closet can extend beyond just having a more organised space.
You might also like:
- 13 Easy Things To Do When You Have Too Many Clothes
- 18 Important Decluttering Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Declutter
- How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: An Essential Guide
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase anything through a link, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying sales. This is at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.
Why Declutter Your Closet?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the decluttering process, let’s talk about why it’s worth doing in the first place. Here are some fantastic benefits of decluttering that will make you want to grab those donation bags and start sorting right away:
1. Reduce Decision Fatigue
Ever stood in front of your closet feeling paralysed by the sheer number of choices? ‘Which dress should I wear today?’, ‘Is this one too fancy?’, ‘What if it’s not fancy enough?’, ‘Does this even fit me anymore?’.
Sound familiar? This is decision fatigue, and it’s a real thing!
Think about it for a moment. If someone said to you ‘would you like pizza or pasta for dinner?’, you’d only have to take a minute or two before landing on a decision. If someone asked you whether you wanted pizza, pasta, sushi, Chinese, Thai or Indian food, you’d likely start feeling overwhelmed and just say ‘surprise me!’.
Unfortunately, nobody’s standing at our closet each morning to help you decide what to wear that day (unless of course you’re a Hollywood star)!
Decluttering your closet means having fewer decisions to make when getting dressed. It simplifies your morning routine and means you can save your decision-making energy for more important things during your day.
2. Less Stress and Anxiety
When I started my decluttering journey back in 2020, this was my primary motivation. I was tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the constant clutter around me. It was having a terrible effect on both my physical and mental health.
When your closet is overflowing, it can feel like a tiny representation of chaos, right there in your bedroom. Each morning, as you wade through piles of long-forgotten shirts or tangled accessories, the stress can really start to mount.
It’s not just about the mess; it’s also about the overwhelm that comes with too many choices and not enough clarity. Decluttering your closet peels away those layers of unnecessary choices and visual clutter, leading to a lighter, calmer start to your day.
Studies have actually shown that a cluttered space can create feelings of anxiety and even depression. It’s almost impossible to relax when you’re surrounded by mess, let alone feel productive or motivated.
3. More Time
This one ties in with decision fatigue but deserves its own mention here too. Think about all the time you spend searching for lost items, reorganising cluttered spaces, or cleaning up piles of stuff just to find what you need! Decluttering means having fewer things to manage and maintain.
Imagine waking up in the morning and simply being able to choose an outfit without rummaging through piles of clothes. Or being able to find your favourite belt or handbag without turning your whole house upside down.
At one stage, I had so many clothes that I would have a ‘wardrobe change’ throughout the day. I would come home from work and change into my ‘comfy clothes’, then swap those for ‘gym clothes’, and so on. All this changing of clothes meant I was having to wash all these clothes! If nothing else, I spend less time on laundry with my decluttered closet!
4. Better Quality Clothing
Hands up – who buys clothes just because they’re super cheap? (raises hand sheepishly) I’m guilty of falling into that trap, especially when it comes to sale shopping. But the truth is, most of these cheap pieces end up never being worn or only lasting a few washes before they fall apart.
When you declutter your closet, you’re forced to take stock of what you actually wear and what items you love. This means you can invest in higher quality pieces that will last longer and make you feel good wearing them.
5. Save Money
When you have a cluttered closet, it’s easy to lose track of what you actually own. How many times have you bought something only to realise later that you already have a similar item buried somewhere in your closet? I once bought the exact same pair of shoes I already had (which ended up being too uncomfortable to even wear one pair).
Decluttering doesn’t just help you see what you have, but it also stops unnecessary purchases and saves you money in the long run.
If you’re minded to sell the clothes you’re decluttering, you might even earn some money too!
6. Love everything you own
I can honestly say these days that if I don’t absolutely love an item of clothing, I chuck it. It means I only keep the things that make me feel good when I wear them, and my wardrobe is a curated collection of items that reflect my personal style. No more ‘meh’ outfits or feeling like you have nothing to wear – everything in your closet should be something you love!
7. Boost Confidence
Continuing on from point 6, when you only have clothes that you love and which make you feel good, it’s bound to boost your self-esteem. No more trying on countless outfits and feeling disappointed or self-conscious, because everything in your closet is a hit.
Plus, wearing clothes that truly represent your style is bound to give you an extra spring in your step.
How to Declutter Your Closet
If you’re feeling somewhat motivated by the benefits of decluttering your closet, below is a walk through of my decluttering process step-by-step.
Step 1: Set Aside Time
Decluttering isn’t something you want to rush. The first step is to set aside a few hours or even a whole day to tackle your closet. Make sure you’re in the right mindset and have the energy to make decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
Step 2: Empty Your Closet
Take everything out of your closet and lay it all out where you can see it. This might seem overwhelming, but it’s a crucial step in the decluttering process. Seeing all your clothes in one place will help you realise how much you actually own.
Step 3: Sort Into Piles
Divide your clothes into three piles:
- Keep: Items you love, wear often, and are in good condition.
- Donate/Sell: Items that are still in good condition but no longer serve you.
Step 4: Assess Your ‘Keep’ Pile
Go through your ‘Keep’ pile and ask yourself if each item truly brings you joy and serves a purpose. Be honest with yourself. Try things on, have a good look in the mirror. If an item no longer fits or you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s ready for the thrift store.
Step 5: Organise Your Closet
Once you have your final selection, organise your closet in a way that makes sense to you. I’m a little nerdy and like mine colour coded for an aesthetically pleasing look. But you should do whatever works for you. Group similar items together, or arrange by season, consider using organisers to maximise your space if you don’t have much closet space.
Step 6: Maintain the Decluttered Closet
We’ve reached the final, but likely most important, point. When it comes to decluttering your closet, it’s not a one-time task. What’s the use of all that hard work if you’re just going to let it get messy again?
Commit to regularly reassessing your clothes and getting rid of things that no longer serve you.
I try to implement a “one in, one out” rule where for every new item I buy, I get rid of one old item. It works really well! And it’s a great way of cutting down impulse shopping. If I want to buy any new items of clothing, I think about what I’d be happy to get rid of. Sometimes, I can’t think of anything I like less than this item, and it stops me from buying it!
Conclusion: A Closet That Reflects Your Best Self
At the end of the day, decluttering your closet is a little about getting rid of old clothes and a lot about creating space for the life you want to live.
You deserve to open your closet door and instantly feel a sense of calm, not chaos.
Let go of those ‘just in case’ outfits and the ‘maybe someday’ pieces, and embrace the feeling of clarity and freedom that comes with a simplified space.
PIN FOR LATER!
