The question we need to ask ourselves: What is hiding my closet? Possibly more than you thought? Where is that red sweater? What did I do with the belt that goes with these pants? I see one black sandal….. Where is the other one? Do these types of questions ever run through your head as you are rushing to get out the door?
Getting out the door each day and on time is a goal for most of us. But then we all have “those days” we are running late and can’t find what we are looking for! Wouldn’t it be great if we had fewer of them? A little more peace and calm will help your morning routine be much saner. Perhaps that will spill over into your morning meeting at the office, your conversation with your kids and maybe even follow you throughout the day.
Your Closet Holds More Than Clothes
A day that goes well creates a positive feeling when you meet up with your family and friends later in the day. So yes, the state of your closet can help create a state of harmony through the rest of your day. Who would have thought?
Do you even know what our closet really contains? The saying out of sight and out of mind is often why we lose track of things that we are looking for in our closet. Did you know that often the sight of certain things in our closet can bring on heavy emotional feelings as well?
I bet you are wondering how emotions are tied to your closet? You might think it just holds your clothes and a few of your favorite memories from your past . . . . A t-shirt from a concert you attended in high school and maybe a pair of parachute pants that you secretly hope come back in style – Oh I hope not! They may be shoved in the back of your closet and only take up a small amount of space, but you will be surprised what else those memories hold.
Not only do your memories take up a prime piece of real estate in your closet but often feelings of regret, guilt and shame are hiding behind that same door. Is that really how you want to feel each time you open the door? Is that really how you want start your day…. Guilt Ridden?
Regret… Guilt… and Shame
Is Regret, Guilt and Shame lurking among your hangers, dresses and shoes? I am talking about the jacket you see each time you open the closet. The jacket that you paid more than you should have and it still has the price tag hanging from the sleeve….. BAM Regret!
What about the dress that you “use to wear”? The dress that made you feel beautiful, but the one that is now a couple of sizes to small …. BAM Guilt! And then . . . There is also the prom or wedding dress….. It may no longer fit or it has memories from broken relationships. . . . BAM Sham!
We allow these feeling to hit us each time we open the closet door. You may not consciously think about these each time, but your sub-conscious keeps reminding you. It knows that they are there and will keep reminding you until you REMOVE these items not only from your view but from your life!
Five Steps To An Organized Closet
- Start with removing EVERYTHING from your closet. Wipe down all the shelves, shoe racks and the rods as well.
- After cleaning the closet and you feel real ambitious, pick out a light colored paint to really bring life to the inside of the bedroom closet. Installing a light inside the closet will also go a long way in being able to see what is and allow you to find things quicker.
- Be sure you check over each piece of clothing. Is it in great shape or does it need any repairs or ironing? Never allow your closet to hold anything that is not ready to put on and wear immediately. Try on each and every piece and when you have it on does it really fit? Do you feel great in it? Do you have something to go with it or do you need to purchase something else to make it a functional WOW piece? Only the WOW pieces go back into the closet.
- Get out a large box for DONATIONS. If any items makes you feel frumpy or blah? They go DIRECTLY into the Donation Box. The current statistic is that we only wear 20% of what is in our closet. Remove the other 80% that is just taking up space. These items are also continually picked up, tried on and put back in the closet. Do not allow yourself to waste time and feel frustration over these items week after week. You deserve better. Do NOT allow them to make another round in the closet and take up valuable real estate.
- Group your clothes to help you find them easier.
- Slacks, Jeans, Skirts (i.e. bottoms) in one area.
- Dresses and Suits
- Shirts and Sweaters
- Jackets and Cardigans
Selecting Your Style
When you are putting together an outfit you need to move from one section of clothing to the next rather than going through every piece in your closet. If you are a little OCD like I am, the next step in grouping them is from short sleeved to long sleeve and light to dark. You may feel this is going too far, but it only takes a few minutes when putting your clothes and shoes away.
Leaving shoes at the front door, under the sofa or some other obscure place will leave you frustrated in the morning. Get into the habit of removing your shoes immediately when you enter your home and put them in your closet. Sorting them: casual, dressy, work, tennis shoes, slippers etc. will make it much easier to grab and go.
You may feel color sorting your clothes and categorizing shoes is going too far, but it only takes a few minutes when putting your things away. This also is another piece to putting together an easy style and a capsule wardrobe (more on these topics later)
OTHER OPTIONS
I do not use dressers (Bonus: more floor space in the bedroom). I currently have a reach in closet that has top shelves that I use for a few totes and purses, hobbies and reference material. My closet bar runs the entire length of the closet which I use for all of my hanging clothes, a shoe organizer for slippers and flip flops and a hanging organizer that holds folded clothes which include T-shirts, workout gear and pajamas. Nothing is just thrown on the floor of the closet.
The floor of my closet has a great organizer that my nephew built for me. I asked and he built one that not only holds shoes, but baskets that I use for undergarments and socks. I love the look of the baskets and it gives some color to my closet.
Reminder: Even if you have a nice large walk in closet we all are guilty of filling up with whatever we have room for. What change can you make in your closet to change that Mountain into a Molehill?
Leave a Reply