As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes, I find that I am emotionally attached to things — and yes, that includes my clothes. This attachment becomes very relevant whenever spring comes around. Each year I make the life-altering decision to declutter my closet — and no, this is not an exaggeration.
Since the pandemic began to impact our lives over a year ago, I found a new love for online shopping, which has only added to the disorganization in my closet. Let’s be honest: we all have that one pair of jeans that have not fit for a while, but we haven’t had the heart to toss them just yet. Spring cleaning allows us to take the initiative we need to get rid of all the clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn and start fresh.
Start with what you know you won’t wear
Decluttering your closet could be getting rid of anything you haven’t worn in six or more months, your favorite outfit from years ago that is now in the back of your closet abandoned, any worn out shoes, t-shirts or jeans and those special occasion outfits you know you are never going to wear again. If any of this seems hard for you to do, just tell yourself that freeing up space only means you get to buy new stuff.
Toss clothes that are too worn
The six month rule can be tough, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity to wear that outfit you were so excited about. However, if it’s been months, be honest with yourself. You probably aren’t going to wear it. Faded and worn-out clothes and shoes are the easiest to get rid of. Stop telling yourself that your holey t-shirt is part of your “wear only at home collection” or that you can wear it in exchange for actual pajamas. Consider donating it, and if it’s too worn, try upcycling it into something new.
Try not keep old, unused items just because of their sentimental value
Here is your sign to get rid of those worn-out, colorless Vans you’ve had since freshman year of high school. If you don’t wear those shoes at least once every two weeks, maybe it’s because you don’t need them. I had a pair of Vans that I got in the eighth grade and I convinced myself for years that I couldn’t throw them away because I could remember all the times I had worn them. It didn’t matter that the black roses were faded or that they had a hole in the heel. However, eventually, I threw them away, and you can too.
Let spring 2021 be a sort of rejuvenation for you, a way for you to purge yourself of all the bad energy surrounding the past few months in this sort of apocalypse we have been living. Let spring cleaning cleanse you. As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.”
