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Welcome to Day 1 of 14 Days to an Organized Closet.
Today’s task will take an hour or more, and there’s a bit of reading.
Future tasks will be much simpler and take only 15-30 minutes, depending on how much time you want to spend.
The first three steps we’ll do today may surprise you. But please do them. They’re going to help break the emotional chains that have led to your current closet situation.
And they’re going to make the next 14 days so much easier.
I’m sure you’re keen to get started, so let’s begin…
If you’re signed up and logged in then today’s task will appear below.
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Wow. Got through day 1. I have a few bags now for the next clothing swap I attend. I did realize I`ll probably go through this process again in a few months when I bring my summer clothes out of hiding (having 2 wardrobes is not really optional living in a climate that can range from -30 to +30…not too many things are appropriate at both ends of the scale!) I wasn`t about to open that can of worms (errr… box of shirts!) tonight too!
If you effectively have two closets for the range of weather conditions Catherine, then I suggest you do them separately – otherwise you may get overwhelmed. Good start on Day 1!
I’ve just taken out two boxes of clothes from the closet and my dresser. There is now room to hang clothes in the closet so I can see them. This is a great start.
Nice work Jenna! Wait till you see what we do over the next few days… 🙂
8 bags – 4 charity. 3 baby clothes to store, 1 bag trash and 3 repair items. I’m finally starting the program. New wardrobe. PAX ikea + Michele Connolly – Get Organized Wizard = happy dance!
Yay Alexx – it’s great to have you along! Much fun ahead my friend!
I’ve done it! Can’t believe I allowed myself to purge as much as I did as I am a bit of clothes horder.. 2 big bags for charity, 1 bag of rubbish, 2 bags to e-bay (is that okay, they’ve been removed from the closet?). Feeling good and ready for day 2!
And more room for lovely pieces from Kelly & Macc or is Paul hoping to hang his clothes finally?
Great job, Natalie! What a fab start. 🙂
E-Bay is absolutely cool. I don’t suggest selling as it can be a barrier for many people – it adds a layer of work. But if it’s fine for you – yay!
Off to a good start! I kept repeating “Move fast. Don’t over-think. Let it go.” This seemed to help! I noticed that most of the blouses I threw out were ones that had been handed onto me from someone else, not ones I’d bought myself – I did get rid of some of them too though! Knowing I only had to do it for half an hour was good – not so overwhelming!
That’s a good insight Anne – you have your own style and now know to think twice before letting things into your closet. A time limit is great for keeping your inner perfectionist at bay! 🙂
This came at a great time as we are renovating…. this was so much fun as I am now choosing for me… I actually asked my body if it wanted the piece of clothing… and its amazing what we have decided to keep and what we have decided to gift…
That is good timing, Melissa! I love that you’re asking your body – great idea! 🙂
My closet clutter has definitely cost me confidence, time, & happiness. It felt good to remove 6 bags of clothes. It’s nice to have plenty of closet space but it can be part of the problem too. It took me more than an hour, time well spent. Before I started to declutter I dressed as if I was going out. I wanted to be comfortable & feel good about myself before I started. Letting go of my smaller sizes would be a bit depressing & didn’t want to approach this as a chore.
You’ve trusted your instincts Cyndi and I think you’ve made some good choices there. Let’s get back that confidence, time and happiness!
This first step was easy because I had already gone through this process a couple of weeks ago with my clothes. Took out everything I no longer needed and sent the 4 big bags of clothes to charity already. I do have issues with still figuring out what to wear, so looking forward to what’s to come. I also have many shelves/cabinets in my closet that need to be cleaned out/organized.
Are these shelves/cabinets filled with clothes, Tami? If so, be sure to include them in your 30-minute power declutter.
No, I have handbags, shoes, and other personal items on the shelves & in the cabinets. I have also already cleaned out & organized my dresser drawers.
How could I forget to start yesterday? OMG! (Signed up now for the reminder emails!) Starting today, December 2, and started with my hall closet on the way back from the garage with my three bags. Cleaned out that closet in 10 minutes, with everything going to Charity. On my way to my bedroom closet now!
How could I forget to start yesterday? OMG! (Signed up now for the reminder emails!) Starting today, December 2, and started with my hall closet on the way back from the garage with my three bags. Cleaned out that closet in 10 minutes, with everything going to Charity. On my way to my bedroom closet now!
Nice work Carolyn! I like that everything’s going to charity. The more you get out of your closet today, the easier the remaining days will be. 🙂
I finished Day 1-3 tasks and have FIVE 55-gallon trash bags filled with items that did not meet the criteria for keeping. A friend is picking up the bags today for the women’s shelter. I feel great. :0
Carolyn Rohrer Wow Carolyn this is so cool! And I love that your gain is ALSO the women’s shelter’s gain. Fabulous!! 🙂
I have spent making peace with the available space I have – done, and quite comfortable with this.
I have pulled out a little file with pages I tore from magazines with looks I like and that gave me a great list of words describing how I want to look and feel.
I know there are some clothes that support the above and many that don’t.
I few weeks back, when you posted the list with 20things to get done before year end, I actually got into my wardrobe and did a big de-clutter and continued with more de-culttering today. More bags going to charity and 1 into the bin. Feeling much lighter now. Wardrobe doesn’t look crammed, isn’t tight for space like it was and things are not falling out any more.
So a few great achievements.
However, there is still probably one third of my wardrobe that has clothes I really really love but I don’t fit into, I am having a really difficult time taking them out, let alone giving them away. So I am keeping them at the moment. I feel that I will miss them once I get back to my pre-pregnancy body again ;-(.
Trust your instincts, Vesna. If you truly feel you should keep those clothes, do it. You’ve done a fabulous job today and can feel really great about that my friend. 🙂
OK, so I repeated day 1 since it is December 1st in the USA on just one of my two closets! I purged SO MUCH with the help of my BFF! Luckily she is a size 4-6 so I was able to give her some of the clothes that were WAY to small for me! One day they will but that one day won’t be for a while! Felt good to reduce my closet by 50%!
Wow Samantha that’s fantastic! 50%!! What a fabulous way to start 2013. 🙂
WOW! What a liberating experience. Goodwill is going to like me. I even found things that are back in style again (too bad I’m not). This is fun!
Yeah it feels GOOD, doesn’t it Pat! So glad you’re enjoying the experience! 🙂
I’m back and looking forwarded to starting this task. I’m going to have a cuppa first and I’ll report back later assuming I can make my way out of an almighty pile of clothes!
See you soon Amanda!
Hot work. It’s very warm here in Oz today. Was surprised at how much I discarded, but also a little dismayed at how much money I have spent on unsuitable clothing!
This was an emotional day, but victorious! I actually feel lighter now!
It IS emotional Julianne. Getting rid of clutter is therapy. I honestly believe it can spark all kinds of other life improvements. Enjoy the lightness! 🙂
So I’m not sure if I am starting this right, but I have four closets to organize. I’ve spent the last 30 minutes in my oldest son’s closet (he’s 11) and I’m sweating! His closet has the least amount of items in it!
Hi Samantha. Depending on how much closet clutter you’re dealing with, you may want to repeat the program for each closet. (You can come back and do that any time in the next 12 months, or as long as you’re a Premium Subscriber). I think it might be too exhausting to do 4 closets at once. You’ll find it increasingly hard to make a decision.
Ok got my bags – starting NOW. 🙂
I’ve spent an hour and been RUTHLESS! I keep saying if it doesn’t make me feel confident , it’s out. Mare L…….suggest the glass of wine after instead! LOL
That’s a really good standard for your clothes, Catherine. Confidence is your wardrobe watchword. 🙂
Is 10:42 am too early for a glass of wine before I start? 😉
LOL Mare – I say do whatever you need to, to get through it!! 😉