Take Control of Your Space: Closet Purge for the Ready, Willing, and Able
Mary Roberts is a well-known organizer who specializes in dorm rooms and helping college students make the most of their first "home away from home." This amazing article is an excerpt from her book, "Create Your Space - Create Your Life: Set Yourself up for Success at College." And while it may feel geared to the college aged reader, know that these tips can be used by anyone, no matter the size of your closet. 😊
If you want to make big changes in yourself and your thinking, and you have a chunk of time to spare, try a closet purge. First step: take everything—yes, everything—out of your closet and clean the shelves and walls with a natural household cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then follow Steps 1 through 3 of the C-U-T Process: Clear Unused Things from your closet, turning it into Container for Useful Things.
Step 1: Assess
• Look at what you’re currently storing in your closet.
• Answer these questions: Have I worn it this semester? Will I wear it this semester? This year? Ever again? Does it fit? Does it make me feel good? Do I love it?
Step 2: Release
If you answer the above questions with a “NO,” chances are you don’t need this item. Time to let it go! Take it out of your closet and place it in a box or bag. Continue to assess everything in your closet using the questions in Step 1 before moving on to Step 3.
Step 3: Share
Someone else will love to wear your unused clothing. Here are some ways to make sure they get it.
• Donate your excess clothing to charity.
• Have a clothing exchange or swap with friends or family.
• Take your clothes to a consignment shop.
The Ten Best times to C-U-T Clothing From Your Closet
- Style change: You’ve changed your personal style, so there’s no reason to keep items that no longer match your desired look. For example, you now want a more chic, sophisticated look but your current wardrobe is far too childish.
- Short on space: Your closet is overstuffed with too many things.
- Limited access: You can’t access or find the clothing you want to wear.
- Nothing to wear: Time to release the old and make room for the new.
- Change of season: Move in your cold weather clothes and remove your warm weather clothes.
- Exam time: Clean out your closet and clear your mind.
- Too much on your mind: Clear unused items from your closet and take a load off your mind.
- Writing papers: Make space in your closet and create room in your mind for ideas to incubate.
- Moving out: Don’t mindlessly pack your outdated clothes. Take this opportunity to CUT your outdated clothing.
- Weight loss or weight gain: Let go of the clothes you wore at your former weight. Keep the clothes that fit you now. If you return to your former weight at any point, chances are you won’t want to wear your old clothes anyway.
In conclusion...if you can maintain the physical space of your closet, you’ll be one step closer to clearing the inner space of your mind. Now that you have the tools for clearing your closet, you can begin to unclog your mind, and make bigger, more solid strides toward your version of college success.
Mary Roberts is an author and feng shui consultant who founded Successful Spaces to create individualized living and working spaces that help people increase productivity and realize their highest potential. She provides insightful support through consultations in private residences, businesses, and college campuses. As a pioneer, educator and leading feng shui authority, Mary brings this ancient wisdom to clients around the world. She has presented at dozens of colleges and has consulted with hundreds of clients. She authored Jump-Start Your College Success and The Mystical Pizza, a comprehensive e-Kit to help students create comfortable living and working spaces that support their personal and academic success. Her book "Create Your Space, Create Your Life!: Set Yourself Up for Success at College" is a must-read for any college student heading to campus as well as anyone wanting to optimize their small spaces.
