My Closet Hates Me
Let’s be real here. I’m not a minimalist. I’m not some zen master who finds joy in empty spaces. I’m Sarah, a 42-year-old magazine editor who has a problem. A clutter problem. And it’s not pretty.
It all came to a head last Tuesday. I was supposed to meet my friend Lisa for brunch. She’s one of those people who’s always put together, you know? Her place is always immaculate. Meanwhile, I was running late because I couldn’t find my favorite boots. The ones I bought in Austin back in 2018. I tore apart my closet, and it was a disaster. Piles of clothes I haven’t worn since college, shoes I don’t remember buying, and let’s not even talk about the junk drawer situation.
Lisa took one look at me and said, “Sarah, you need to declutter. Like, yesterday.” I knew she was right. But where do I even start?
Step One: The Commitment
I decided to start with my closet. I mean, it’s the thing that’s been stressing me out the most. I figured if I could tackle that, the rest would be easier. I set aside 36 hours over the weekend. Yeah, I know, who does that? But I was determined.
My colleague, let’s call him Marcus, laughed when I told him. “You? Decluttering?” he said. “Good luck with that.” Thanks for the vote of confidence, Marcus.
But I was serious. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos, read some articles, and even checked out the Vermont weather forecast today to see if I could use the nice weather as motivation. (I know, I’m weird.)
The Process: It’s Messy
Okay, so I started. And it was a mess. A complete and utter mess. I pulled everything out, sorted into piles, and realized I had a serious committment issue. I kept things “just in case.” A dress I wore once in 2015? Kept. A shirt that was kinda cute but didn’t fit right? Kept. It was ridiculous.
I called my sister, Emily, for moral support. “You’re keeping a broken hair straightener?” she asked. “Sarah, that thing’s been in a drawer for three years.” She’s right. I don’t know why I held onto it. But I did. And that’s the problem.
I spent hours going through everything. I made piles for donate, trash, and keep. The keep pile was still too big. I mean, seriously, how many sweaters does one person need? I’m not sure but I had alot.
The Breakthrough
Then, something clicked. I realized I was holding onto stuff because of the memories. The dress I wore to my cousin’s wedding. The shirt I bought on a trip to New Orleans. But here’s the thing: those memories aren’t in the clothes. They’re in my head. And they’re not going anywhere.
So, I started letting go. I donated a bunch of stuff. Threw out the junk. And you know what? It felt good. Really good. I even found some stuff I forgot I had. Like that book I bought at the conference in Austin last year. I totally forgot I had it!
By the end of the weekend, my closet was organized. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better. And I felt lighter. Physically and mentally.
The Tangent: My Plant Problem
Now, don’t get me started on my plants. I have a black thumb. I swear, if plants could talk, mine would be like, “Lady, just let us die already.” But I keep trying. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the hope that one day I’ll have a green thumb. Or maybe I just like the idea of having plants.
Anyway, I decided to tackle my plant situation too. I threw out the ones that were clearly beyond saving. Kept the ones that were still hanging in there. And bought some new ones. Because, you know, I’m an optimist.
The Aftermath
It’s been about three months since my decluttering spree. And you know what? It’s made a difference. My place feels more organized. I feel more organized. I’m not saying I’m a minimalist now. I still have my quirks. But I’m better. And that’s what counts.
So, if you’re like me and you’ve been putting off decluttering, do it. Just start small. One closet, one drawer, one shelf at a time. You’ll thank yourself later.
And if all else fails, just remember: Vermont weather forecast today might not help your decluttering, but it’s a nice distraction.
Anyway, I’m gonna go water my plants. Wish me luck.
About the Author: Sarah Thompson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. She’s a self-proclaimed clutter bug who’s on a mission to declutter her life, one step at a time. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to keep her plants alive or binge-watching bad reality TV.
