Okay. So I finally did it! I sorted through my enormously overstuffed closet. I was overwhelmed for a good year before I even attempted sorting. I got advice from my friend who is an expert. She use to run an online thrift store + worked at a thrift store so in my opinion she is a complete expert. She was really good at telling me where to donate and had me researching capsule wardrobes. Here is how I finally did it. Broken down to make something so daunting a little easier.
DEDICATED TIME
I set a small window of time each day to tackle a drawer or a category. Even if I had the luxury of doing this in one setting I don’t know if i would have been as successful. I needed a breather in between each section. Some time to process that small section I had just sorted. I have a two year old who thankfully still naps – most days. So I just tackled another drawer or category each nap time. It got to a point where I didn’t finish during his nap time and would need like 30 minutes when my husband got home from work to wrap up that section. For reference my sons naps are about 2 to 3 hours long but I had other things I did too in that time so I was maybe dedicating and hour or two a day to the closet. It also made me excited to finish because each day I got closer to having a functioning closet. I was finding things I thought I had lost and it was like I was tailor making a new wardrobe out of my old one without buying anything!
METHOD
I made a list first in my notes app on my iPhone. Then while tackling each section I would have a keep, throw-away and donate pile. Keep meant I liked the garment’s fit. Throw-away meant it had holes or paint on it. (I was keeping some clothes to do while doing work around the house like painting but I don’t paint my walls that often so I didn’t really need a dedicated painting outfit.) Donate meant the piece of clothing was in good shape but just wasn’t for me anymore. I have lost about 40 pounds in the last year so a lot of clothes (to my surprise) were way too big on me! I also had in some cases a ripped shirt but wanted to fix it or pants that are very office vibes and not SAHM vibes so I had a small container that has office vibe clothes and items that need to be sewn or fixed up. So, if I find myself on an interview later on I don’t have to worry that I don’t have appropriate clothing.
STYLE
I know my style right now is basically a t-shirt and jeans with the occasional overall or jumper thrown in for fun. I also know that this could change once I get a job so I kept some clothing in mind for those possibilities. I kept a few dresses for events like weddings or funerals that I might need but I had a lot that I knew I wasn’t going to wear anymore so why hold on to it? I also kept more blouse-y tops – short and long sleeved, to a minimum so I wasn’t overwhelmed. I kept a few skirts too that I really love. I dedicated a whole drawer to summer! This has my bathing suits/cover-ups/shorts/summer dresses and anything else summer like in this drawer. I have a jumper drawer for all my jumpers which I have quite the collection. I also have a workout drawer. My main dresser that is easy to get to has my everyday items in it. The top drawer are socks/bras/underwear. The middle drawer is leggings and pajamas. The bottom drawer is all t-shirts. I know where everything is which feels SO good!.
FINISHING TOUCHES
I feel so much better now that I have a curated closet just for me. It took me about a week and a half to get it completely sorted. For every piece of clothing item to have a place and deserve to take up space in my closet feels amazing. Once I was completely done and happy with the organization I labeled all the drawers. Not just to remind me where everything is but for when things get a little disorderly I have a guide on where everything is supposed to go.
I also organized my bedside table. It is doing a lot of double and triple duties right now. It has a lot of my art supplies, cold weather accessories and some jewelry. This area could use some more work but it will do for now.
DONATION
I always donate my clothes to my friend who is the expert organizer or her mom. If they aren’t interested then I donate to Goodwill or a local thrift store. I haven’t tried Thredup but I know they send you bags to fill up and send back to them. I think you might get a credit to buy some thrifted items. I always find a home for my clothes.
It feels so good to have an organized closet. Everytime I get dressed I know exactly where to go. Putting away clothes are super easy now too because everything has a home. By sorting everything I was able to narrow down my everyday “uniform” – which is basically some form of jeans/overalls or a jumper with a t-shirt and in the colder Los Angeles months I add a cardigan.
turkce
Een bijzonder groot maar bescheiden mens is niet meer. Wat een verlies in eerste instantie voor Evert de familie en Freek, Namens mij en alle medewerkers van Cafe Kalff gecondoleerd en heel veel sterkte voor alle betrokkenen. Zaterdag een Famous Grouse Molli Jorgan Danieu