Joy to the Closet

Spring cleaning is an absolute joy to some while an overwhelming burden to others. Take the stress out of organizing with a new technique by Marie Kondo! In the Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, she explains how items should hold a sense of connection. If happiness isn't felt while touching or thinking about an item, it's time to move on and part ways.

Kondo has multiple steps to achieve organization in the home, but suggests to begin the process with clothing. Typically, I edit my wardrobe twice a year to get ready for the fall/winter and spring/summer seasons. Even though our walk-in closet has enough room for our current threads, I wanted to apply her method to the space and downsize.

The first step is to remove every item of clothing from closets/drawers and place it in a pile. The bed turned into a daunting mountain of shoes, t-shirts, jeans, belts, undergarments, blouses, dresses, and suits. After deep cleaning the carpet and shelves, I was ready to begin!

Due to the space and structure of the closet, I decided to place my shoes and purses on the top shelf. I always try to store my shoes in the original box if possible. I held each pair in my hands and took a moment to reflect. Out of 29 pairs of shoes, only 4 didn't make the cut! Brad decided to keep all of his shoes, which I displayed on a metal rack.

Next up, we tackled our plastic dressers. We sorted through a sea of undergarments, swimsuits, t-shirts, athletic gear, pajamas, socks, and loungewear. Pants, dresses, and suits were easy to categorize. My blouses, sweaters, and tops took a bit longer. I had to be brutally honest with myself whether or not I was still happy with each piece.

Eventually, I noticed a preference for versatile and classic items. Most pieces already had their glory days, such as bridesmaid dresses, and were ready for donation. Brad and I soon realized less is more!

I divided the closet between us and organized according to season. His shorts and slacks fit perfectly on the bottom rack in between his dresser and shoe rack. The rest of his garments were organized by type and color. Hopefully, this new arrangement will make it easier for him to find what he needs.

My sweaters, jackets, and long-sleeve blouses filled the empty gap next to his items. I placed dresses and nice tops together above my keepsake chest, which also functioned as a shelf for shorts and belts. Luckily, I'm very minimalistic when it comes to handbags and value quality over quantity!

To enhance the space, I hung a mirror on the wall above the wicker laundry hampers and metal rack behind the door for reusable items. Taking inventory of our clothes in this way felt like a fresh start. Kondo's approach taught me to shop with intention and avoid frivolous purchases. Now I'm eager to apply her method to other areas in our home and get rid of joyless stuff!