Let’s just face it, as much as it pains me to say this, unless that puffy-sleeved pirate shirt makes you feel fabulous, you probably won’t wear it. The same goes for all the other clothing you’re hoarding. I venture to say that this is true for most people. I know for certain that it’s the case for me. When I open my closet, each article of clothing gives me a certain feeling. If it gives me an uncomfortable feeling just looking at it, I’ll never wear it.

There are select items which I reach for most because they fit perfectly and make me feel happy when I wear them. These pieces have no “tight in awkward places,” “should be worn very carefully,” “do not sit or bend in an awkward angle,” “requires special accessory amendment,” “do not wear while attempting to chase a toddler” moments. I simply know that when I wear anything in this category, I will be comfortable and happy and I won’t be concerned about some kind of unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.

Conversely, there are (or were) things in my closet that made me grimace every time I came across them – and that’s before even putting these things on. When I looked at these objects, I was reminded of tight sleeves, pull-inducing waistline, too much transparency, etc. In short – these articles of clothing just didn’t make me feel good. Here is what I have come to realize: if I feel this way just by looking at this stuff, there is about a 1% chance that it will end up on my body and an even slimmer chance that if it ends up on me, that I will leave the house wearing that particular item. So why then are these things living in my closet? Why are they compromising the airiness of my wardrobe? Why are they mocking me with their high maintenance demands on a daily basis?

I’ll tell you why. Because I keep thinking that maybe someday I will wear something from this unfortunate category if, in the extremely rare chance, I find its perfect counterpart (which I will never find because I loathe shopping). Because I feel guilty that an expensive article of clothing didn’t pan out as perfectly as I had anticipated (I’m talking to you, imperfect fitting Lucky Brand jeans). Because I feel guilty that someone gave me that puffy-sleeved pirate shirt which I will never, ever wear.

A few weeks ago, I realized that the feelings I associated with each article of clothing I own are so strong, that they completely rule how I dress. I decided to let my emotional reactions minimize my wardrobe. And I couldn’t be happier with my decision to minimize these unpleasant objects. I set out to rid my closet of just 10 items and, in the process, eliminated at least 50 things. I relish the fact that I no longer wade through 20 shirts to find only a few that I actually want to wear. I adore the extra space in my closet. And it doesn’t hurt, that when my toddler decides to dump out all my clothing onto the floor, the cleanup is significantly easier. I bet that you can open your closet right now and find at least ten items which you could abandon without remorse just by following the “how does it make you feel method.” Try it!

Reasons to let go of clothing:

Closet happiness. Imagine opening your closet and seeing only things that you love to wear. You would not have that annoying feeling of reiterating every reason why you don’t feel like wearing something when you get dressed. You would appreciate all of your clothing.

Self-esteem boost. No one wants to wear clothes that makes him/her feel less than great, so why let the shirt be a constant reminder of feeling poorly? Keep clothing that makes you feel beautiful and confident, not clothing which brings you down.

Guilt be gone. Seriously, you know how much you paid for those jeans. They didn’t pan out. Must you remind yourself of this every single time you open the closet? No. Let them go already.

And in the case of someone giving you an item which you will never wear? The sequins on that top aren’t going anywhere. They have been there, lying sadly in your drawer, for five years and there they will remain. What if someone is looking for exactly that level of shimmery fanciness? Don’t deny them the pleasure.

Give someone else a chance. Your ill-fitting jeans may be someone else’s perfect pair. I sincerely hope that those Lucky Brand jeans made someone very happy at the thrift store. They deserve to be loved and if they finally found the perfect human body on whom to rest, then congratulations to them.

Cheers to making your closet a happy place!

Related posts:
Mission to Minimize
Phase II: The toy-free family room
Phase III: 1999 Boxes – Forage Your Storage