How to Clean Out Your Closet: Letting Stuff Go

The day I left for college was the day my semi-nomadic lifestyle began. Moves to and from small crusty dorm rooms, more livable apartments and flats in foreign cities have all lent themselves to collecting stuff. Fashion stuff, beauty stuff, memorable stuff.. and just plain stuff stuff. I can’t say it’s gotten easier over the years, but I can say that I have learned to consolidate and let some stuff go with each phase of life.

Every so often my mom stresses the importance of cleaning by jokingly referencing the TLC show, Hoarding: Buried Alive. It’s become her indirect scare tactic instead of just saying, “Get your life together Kayla” lol. Though extreme, a thorough cleaning really reveals just how much stuff we own. Our material worlds have a way of creeping in on us. Most of the time, we don’t even realize it until we’re forced to do something about it. For me, the struggle is of course…..clothing. What can I say, I love fashion! Yet, there is of course, always a dark side to anything in excess. Is all that stuff significant or just plain suffocating? 

Anyone who has watched the show knows that nine times out of ten, it’s not really about the stuff itself, but deeper questions and issues. How does one let the stuff go? Is letting go possible? Can you handle cleaning your closet when your prized possessions are staring back at you whispering, “You need us!!!!!!”???. It’s important to remember: The material does not define you. You define the material.

When cleaning ask yourself 3 simple questions. 

What purpose does this item serve and do I legitimately need it?

Do I have something already like it?

Do I even wear it or use it?

Asking these practical questions will help you decide what you’re actually working with. Then comes the sorting. I recommend creating 4 piles when cleaning.

• Giveaway/Donate ~ Defined: Things that you think someone else could enjoy, but don’t necessarily want to resell.

Put into Practice: To donate visit stores like: Goodwill, Dress for Success, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent De Paul.

• Resell ~ Defined: Things that are in great condition, but are perhaps out of style, you’ve outgrown, or you just don’t wear anymore.

Put into Practice: To resell visit stores such as: Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, Clothes Mentor and 2nd Time Around. Or go online to sell at: Poshmark, Tradesy, ThreadUP, Material World, Depop, and eBay

• Trash/Recycle ~ Defined: Things with rips, stains and or partly faded materials. Those same 5 tee-shirts/sweats from high school that you’ve been wearing ever since. Or, stuff you got for free that you don’t even like, but are keeping because you got it for free.

Put into Practice: You can visit your local H&M to recycle your clothing and support their sustainability initiative. The American Textile Recycling Service also has drop-off locations all over the country where you can leave your clothing.

• Keep ~ Defined: Something you wear that’s timeless, appropriately sentimental, makes you feel your best and is still in good condition.

Put into Practice: Though some things are worth keeping, make it a habit to reevaluate your closet each season to decide what’s essential and what’s excess.

Just remember, when this life is all said and done, you can’t take the stuff with you! This year, make spring cleaning a labor of love. Let some of the stuff go …….or at least consolidate what you have so it doesn’t weigh you down.