Finding the Joy in Your Clothing with the KonMari Method

I have mentioned that I read and started to implement "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up", lovingly referred to as the KonMari Method. I talked about this a bit when we did the Master Bathroom Organization but I skipped ahead in talking about the process - on purpose.

The first step in the process is actually to start with clothing. Her thought is that it is easier to decide if a piece of clothing brings you joy rather than a photo you may be holding on to. So, even though I shared our decluttering from the bathroom first, I actually did go in order and started with my clothes.

I took 2 afternoons and went through my entire wardrobe. I was so excited to get started, I really didn't take too many before pictures. I emptied out my entire closet, all of my drawers and went though all of the closets in the house. I even included the clothing I had in my car (which shouldn't be there anyway) because Marie said in the book, if you forgot to include it in your sorting, it automatically is gone.

When I sorted my clothes, I sorted them by shirts, pants, pajamas, dresses, gym wear, and undergarments.

Then I started decluttering and asking myself if this item brought me joy. And continued sorting. My keep pile was actually a LOT smaller than I thought it would be. I got rid of a ton of clothes that either didn't fit me anymore, were from when I was in my early 20's or just weren't my style anymore. I actually pared down my clothes so much, some days I don't have anything to wear anymore. So I just need to get out to go shopping.

I did end up keeping a couple pieces that may not fit me right now, just because they did bring me so much joy when I touched them. My dress I wore for our wedding reception (not to be confused with my wedding dress, which I also kept), the pants I was trying on and purchased when my husband (then boyfriend) told me he loved me and my dad's sweatshirts from when he was in the Marines that I took out of his Goodwill pile. I keep these things front and center because they bring me joy even just sitting in my drawers. One day maybe I will fit in them again, but until then, I can smile when I look at them.

The next day I sorted my jewelry, accessories, purses and bags, and shoes. Going through my grandmother's jewelry brought back so many happy memories. One necklace that I almost got rid of, because it's not my style, still smelled like her 9 years later. So needless to say, that baby isn't going anywhere.

At the end of my weekend purge, I got rid of 6 big bags of my belongings and donated them to Goodwill so they may be able to bring joy into someone else's life. I posted this picture on Instagram on the way to Goodwill.

Now, I have a way too small wardrobe, with almost nothing to wear, but I will slowly and consciously add to my collection of clothing to make sure that I do love everything I put on and it brings joy to my life.

Here is what my closet looks like now. Notice all of the extra room :) Everything is now in my drawers. Neatly folded.

I need to decide what to do with all of the extra space.

I was so excited about pairing down my wardrobe. I have been hearing so much about a 'capsule' wardrobe and how much that has helped others get ready in the morning. Having less clothing has helped me with the decision making process in the morning. It has made my mornings run much smoother. I encourage you to give it a try. Even if you don't actually take everything away to Goodwill initially, give a minimal wardrobe a try.