Channeling My Inner Marie Kondo: Tidying Up My Closet
*This piece is a guest post that I hope you'll find particularly helpful if you, as I have many a time, find yourself overwhelmed by clutter in your closet.*
Marie Kondo is an organization goddess. The KonMari Method is a way of thinking which teaches us to cherish the things that matter and spark joy, and get rid of the things in our lives that don’t. I plan to tackle my closet in this way (and encourage you all to as well). You’ll be amazed by the impact it can have on your well-being.
The KonMari Method is simple. Below are Marie’s rules with my closet-decluttering twist.
Rule 1
Commit yourself to tidying up your closet. Make it a resolution. If you can set aside a few hours on your day off to get this taken care of, you’ll feel great! Think about getting to the final product. It will motivate you to get through the process.
Rule 2
Imagine your ideal closet lifestyle. Do you consider your style to be trendy? Maybe you’re more on the simple and clean side. Allow your closet to be a reflection of your own personal style! If you consider your style to be more on the trendy side, find ways to showcase some of your favorite items such as your shoes. If you are more clean cut, consider adding additional shelves or drawers to keep everything as organized as possible.
Rule 3
Finish discarding and donating old items first. Before you go forward with organizing and adding new items to your closet, figure out which items have got to go! Although it doesn’t seem that simple, try channeling your inner Marie Kondo and ask yourself “does this piece of clothing bring me joy?” If your answer isn’t immediately yes, then you don’t need it! Find other ways to repurpose it. Try taking some old tee-shirts and making a rug! The possibilities are literally endless with upcycling and DIY.
Rules 4 & 5
Tidy by category, style and color. When it comes to the actual organization of your closet, I try to keep similar items together. Sweaters in one area, tanks in another. Of course, all of these are color coordinated. Personally, I attempt a rainbow descent of colors. Same for your shoes! Try to organize them by the style. Not only will this aesthetically look great, but it will make getting ready in the morning much easier!
Rule 6
Ask yourself if it sparks joy, and if it makes you feel like you’re making a difference. When purchasing new items, it’s important to make sure you are buying something that you not only need, but something you’ll wear and actually enjoy.
When I purchase new clothes, I also look for items that leave less of an environmental footprint. Knowing that the clothes I wear not only were made in a sustainable manner but also are made with organic ingredients makes me feel good and proud to wear my clothes. Talk about sparking joy! Two of my favorite sustainable clothing brands are:
Pact: As an organic clothing company, their mission is “searching for new ways to make clothes that aren’t just better for you and your loved ones, but better for the world, too.” Their product offerings range from men, women, children, and babies! They are also an affordable option.
Cariloha: This brand makes their items out of bamboo which is a renewable resource. They not only offer clothes but they also offer bedding and other household items. Their price range is a tad higher but you definitely won’t be breaking the bank!
Are you feeling a bit more zen yet? Try implementing these rules into your decluttering process and let me know how it worked for you!
