Small Change. Big Happy.
My name is Katie, and I am a purger.
It drives my husband crazy, but I can’t help it. I throw things away. Sometimes it’s things that are trash. Sometimes it’s things that are collecting dust. Sometimes it’s things that I don’t like. And sometimes it’s things that belong to Chris. But I throw them all away.
I don’t like clutter or piles of things sitting around. My philosophy is that if you have been able to live without it for a year… or a month… or a week… or a day or so… it needs to go. So, periodically, I purge our house of clothes, toys, kitchen equipment, junk drawers, blankets, coats, shoes. You name it, I’ve purged it.
But my closet has always been a little different. When I purge my closet, I can always find things to get rid of. Usually, it’s things that I don’t like. Those are easiest and fastest and they satisfy my urge to purge quickly and painlessly.
While reading, “The Happiness Project,” though, I read about how the author cleaned out her closets down to the bones. The BARE BONES, people. And I became intrigued because she said how happy it made her to have less. She said it gave her less choices of outfits and what to wear, and that somehow this actually made life simpler and easier. Thus, she was happier with a smaller closet.
All those words caught my attention – happy, less, simpler, easier, smaller. I want all of those things. So, the minute I came home from Christmas this year, I purged my closet. But I set some rules for myself.
RULE #1: I would only purge my closet. Normally, I go for mine and then I mosey over to Chris’s (which always makes him mad) and then I figure since I’ve done half of our closets already, I’ll go do the kids closets, too. But this time, I really limited myself because I wanted to focus on my own wardrobe, but also because this happiness thing is my deal, and I don’t want to force it on others. What makes me happy may not make Chris happy, so I am really trying to limit my happiness perimeters.
RULE #2: I would get rid of anything that didn’t fit right. We all have those clothes, don’t we? Those clothes that looked great on the mannequin in the store or on our sister at our Aunt Bertha’s wedding, but when we put it on, something is just off. It’s too short, or too long. The straps don’t hit us in the right place. The waistline makes us look frumpy. You all know those clothes. Well, I have lots of them. They SHOULD look good, but they don’t. Those were the first to go this time.
RULE #3: I would get rid of anything that I didn’t wear currently. I had a lot of things I was not currently wearing for a couple reasons. I had my fat clothes that I kept in case of emergency, like Girl Scout cookie season. And then I had my skinny clothes that I kept as inspiration or to make myself cry. Both of those categories had to go. I don’t have a fat body and I don’t have a skinny body. I have a normal, round, curvy figure. Why keep clothes that fit someone else? I also have those clothes that I have kept because they MIGHT look better one day. Those clothes that we are supposed to have. A nice suit, which I haven’t worn since college (almost 10 years ago!). A sensible black heel, which I haven’t worn since I worked at Yale (almost 5 years ago!). A crisp, white Oxford button-up shirt, which my mom has always insisted I have on hand but which I have never in my entire life liked. All those things that in theory are supposed to be in my wardrobe but that I just plain don’t like. Time to go!
RULE #4: I would get rid of anything that wasn’t in style. Honestly, this one eliminated about 80% of my wardrobe. Seriously. I know people say you shouldn’t get rid of things because style always comes back around, but the fact is that I never wear things when they are actually IN style. I don’t catch on to trends until about a year too late. So, even if the style came back around, I’d STILL be too late to be chic. I really prefer more classic clothes, and those don’t ever go out of style. So, I got rid of all those things (mostly from college) that were trendy at one time, but not anymore and, for me at least, probably not ever again.
With these hardcore purging rules, I went to work. And, boy, was it work. I cleaned out my entire closet. And then I cleaned out the shelf in my closet. I cleaned out my shoes. I cleaned out my dresser that holds my pants and shorts. I cleaned out my t-shirt drawer and my pajamas. I even cleaned out my socks.
But I wasn’t done yet.
I then moved on to seasonal wear. I went through every box of clothing I own. Winter, spring, summer, or fall-all-all… (all you’ve got to do it call-all…). Everything was purged using my four rules.
By the time I was done, every piece of clothing I owned for every season was hanging in my closet and I could STILL see the back wall. I gave 12 trash bags of clothes to Goodwill and threw away another two bags of clothes and accessories that were in no shape to give. It was so LIBERATING!
But then I stayed up half the night, worried that I would have to go to work naked. And that would be horrible because I teach middle school boys. And because I have stretch marks. And because… well, it would be horrible for LOTS of reasons. Let’s move on…
What I have found in the past month, however, is that the author of “The Happiness Project” was right! Getting dressed is a constant source of happiness for me these days! I love to plan my outfits because everything I own fits well, makes me feel good, and looks nice. Also, because I don’t have as many options, I have been exploring new mix-and-match looks by pairing things I’ve never paired before together.
It has been such a surprising source of happiness!
Go clean out your closets. And then clean them out again. And then do it a third time. By the time you are finished, you will be amazed. And pretty darn happy, too.
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16 Comments
Erin
I need to do this! But didn’t you find that now you’ll have to go buy a bunch of stuff to replace/fill in the holes? I always worry that cleaning it out will actually end up being expensive, because I’ll need to replace so much.
Kristin
This is on my to-do list too. I am not good at getting rid of things. Times I do get rid of things is the time I finally think of wearing something… and then realize it’s gone. But our closet is so full, we must make choices soon!
nylse
I’d rather clean the garage than my closet. The things that are in my closet are what I need.
Danielle
I read your post, said to myself that is a good idea, and went and did it 🙂 one box out and smiling thanks 🙂 I usually try to have a one in one out policy but had been slacking.
jenn v
I did this a few months ago but I did include a little of hubby’s stuff. I gave 6 bags away to our local Savers and I have about 2-3 bags of clothes not suitable to donate (stained, had holes, etc). Makes fitting my actual clothes in my closet and drawers a lot easier.
Kat
This sounds great! Definitely something I need to do! If I’m not wearing my work uniform then I have a lot of trouble picking something to wear and end up choosing the same pieces anyway!
Erin R.
Such a great project! And it doesn’t bother other family member who don’t want to be bothered. A few months ago I cleaned (aka purged) my husband’s closet and came up with a black lawn and leaf bag full of out dated and out worn clothes. He just loved it (not). I should really do my own closet since I also have clothes that have not been worn in 10 years, but I’ve been keeping “just in case.” Thanks for the inspiration!
LIssa
Good for you Katie!!!
Courtney
I wish I were a purger. I need this gene. My husband would be a lot happier if I were a purger too.
Any chance you want to come clean out my closets in NY? 😉 I have clothes in my attic and basement from before I had my son and moved into this house that I haven’t even had the chance to look at. (We’ve been here less than a year)
Vanessa
So Inspiring! I think the hardest part is convincing myself that those close that fit *almost* right but not quite are the hardest to let go.
I just organized our office supplies (which are now all together in one closet). It needs purging, but I’m not sure how to let go of something that *might* be useful some day. Let us know if you tackle office supplies (and how!).
Ginny
I need to purge every closet and then some in our house… it always seems like just a overwhelming task so I’ve never started. But perhaps I’ll start with my own closet first and go from there. You’re awesome – and I’ll have JM call you when he’s freaking out (he’s such a pack rat!).
Sarah
I really need to do this. After having 2 babies in a 3 year span, I feel like I have at least 3 wardrobes (pre/post/real stuff). I thought I gave away all my maternity clothes, but I keep finding them! Maybe while I’m home with strep I can get this done. Because if the kids (7m and 2.5y) are here, nothing of the sort gets done.
Jenn
And give me all your old clothes 😉
jenny-bird
Way to go Katie!
Mereditj
Oh I did this a few months ago when I was getting ready to travel around the world. By the time I was finished everything (except workout wear and sweatshirts) fit in a three drawer dresser. It was so liberating. I did it in my kitchen too.
Now I live out of a 50L backpack that houses all my clothes electronics and toiletries. A closet of clothes would feel like luxury!!
Jessa R.
Oh, Katie, be still my heart- a simplified closet is at the top of my “purposeful 2014” plan! but – i’m held back by emotions. You and I are sisters in grief (both are dads are in Heaven) and I find that I hold onto clothes because “my mama gave that to me” or “my dad gave that to me” – everything seems to hold sentimental value. Any suggestions? Thank you for sharing your heart on this blog!