The Organized Life archives

The Monster In The Closet, Part 1

Dear Subscriber,

One of the most intimidating tasks for my clients is facing up to the clutter they’ve managed to hide away behind closed doors, also known as The Monster In The Closet.

What is your Monster made of? Is it clothing that doesn’t make sense in your life anymore, but that you’re reluctant to let go? Is it other items that have no relation to one another, like wrapping paper, bathroom supplies, photos and artwork, old correspondence, gardening supplies, the vacuum cleaner? Is it a mix of clothes and other things?

If you don’t feel a sense of order when you open your closet, it’s time to tame the Monster. (In this newsletter I’ll help you tame the Clothing Monster. Next time we’ll tackle all those other (seemingly) miscellaneous things you’ve managed to squeeze in there!)

Start by removing everything from the closet in question.

How much room do you actually have? How is the closet configured? Do you really need to have clothes in it at all? Perhaps the clothing can be reduced and streamlined to such an extent that it can shift into another space that is solely dedicated to clothing, leaving this closet for non-clothing items.

Next, sort the things that are now out of the closet, separating clothes from non-clothes. If this is, in fact, a clothing closet, set aside the clothes that fit you – and that fit your life *right now*. Give yourself the sense of peace that comes with living in the moment by keeping only those clothes that make sense for the way you currently live your life.

One example might be letting go of a few beautiful suits that you wore for your corporate job, a career you quit three years ago and have no intention of returning to. Someone out there will be very grateful for such a practical and valuable item.

Undamaged clothing goes to Goodwill or a consignment shop; clothes with problems such as stains and rips go into the trash. Be ruthless.

Now, take a look around: are there other closets that could benefit from being evaluated in this way? Go ahead and tackle them now, while you’re in the mood. I think you’ll find that in addition to the sense of peace that you give yourself, your closets will look and feel better, and your clothes will be better off for it.

One last piece of advice: invest in good-quality hangers, letting go of all your wire hangers, and hang your clothes by function (all pants together, all blouses, etc) and then by color.

The Monster is tamed! Enjoy the beautiful closet you’ve created for yourself!


Sincerely,