Start January 2023 fresh with ideas to get you off on the right foot this year. Let's make 2023 your best year yet. We will cover a quick closet purge, resolution ideas, managing subscriptions, a re-set on chore charts and allowances, and recipes to bring you luck in the New Year. Up first...
New You, New Closet!
I wanted to start 2023 with a purged and semi-organized closet. My closet became a dumping ground in 2022. Between unreliable child care, exclusively pumping (hence the fridge), job changes, and new deviations in my kid’s schedule, something had to give and it was unfortunately my closet. Glaring at me daily was a mix of clothes that did not fit, maternity clothes I never managed to pack away, and clothes that were so out of style I was not going to wear them again. It actually was so overwhelming that I felt I had nothing to wear because there was just so much clutter. On my husband’s side, he had pants that were unhemmed, dress shirts with rings around the collar, and items I can honestly say I have never seen him wear. I cleared it out in late December for that tax write-off, but it’s a great way to start 2023 with a fresh closet and that donation receipt.
Are you ready to give your closet a little makeover? For this project, I was just trying to get it done. My closet is not meant to shock and wow, but to bring back its functionality and start out 2023 with less clutter.
Get Started - Commit to the closet cleanout! Throw it all on the bed.
I am not Marie Kondo, but I did borrow some of her ideas to get me started. If you are looking for a more thorough approach to organization, I highly recommend watching her Netflix Series or purchasing one of her books. I have linked the books at the bottom of the post. Or Click Here. First, I started with the Maria Kondo method and threw everything on the bed. I sorted through my items first and then moved to my husband’s. All and all this was a solid five-six hour process, but I also had a tiny helper that slowed me down a little bit.
“Gathering every item in one place is essential to this process because it gives you an accurate grasp of how much you have.” - Marie Kondo
Separate and Sort #1 - Start with 5 categories - Save. Sell. Store. Donate. Dumpster
I started my first sort by using 5 laundry bins, but boxes or whatever you have available will work. Clothes were sorted into 5 categories, save, sell, store, donate, and dumpster. Truthfully, I decided not to sell anything. For a couple of items that have a monetary value worth the effort, I ended up shipping them to my niece who is starting college next year for sorority date parties, etc. To help decide what I wanted to do with each item, I accessed the condition, how much time had passed since I wore the item, fit, and duplicates. Think about the below as you sort through.
Condition – is it stained, ripped, pilled, or unhemmed? Donated or Dumpster.
Time – When is the last time you can remember wearing an item? If I cannot recall wearing it within a 2-year time frame, I added it to the donation pile.
Fit – how many pieces do you have in your closet that you have tried on in the last 2 years, but never actually worn? It doesn’t fit right or you are holding onto it for those ten pounds you have left, chances are you will never wear it. Even if you hit that goal weight, it might be out of style or you will want to reward yourself with something new. If it’s gaping at the bust, too short or too long, too tight or too baggy (no one likes a diaper butt) Donate, Dumpster, or Sell.
Duplicates – while it’s great to have duplicates of some items, you do not need three of the same nylon black shirt. I found that I was constantly skipping over duplicate items because I felt I had just worn them. Pick the one in the best shape with the best fit and donate the rest.
Store– I stored all my maternity clothes, but still sorted through them. I also stored holiday/seasonal clothes.
Bag up those donate and dumpster items and get them out of sight. This will prevent those intrusive second thoughts thinking you made a mistake. Now that you have a more manageable pile of clothes to sort through. We are going to sort through them AGAIN.
Separate and Sort #2 - Love, Love – However, and Blah.
Get your 3 piles and it is time for the 2nd pass at your saved items.
Love – Are you sure you love it? If you were to lose it tomorrow, would you buy the same exact item? Really question yourself here. Think AGAIN about the condition of the item and the fit. If you still feel good about your decision, it can stay in the save pile.
Love - However – Ask yourself when you go to grab this item, what stops you from wearing it? Is the color too seasonal (bright red Christmas sweaters, sequins)? Comfort. I had several work shirts that had a little button on the back by the neck area. I loved the shirts, but my hair would get caught in that button all day and it drove me nuts. I found myself skipping the shirt until laundry day. Stop torturing yourself, donate it. Other comforts to consider. Does it lay weird? Do the jeans buttons pinch or dig? Material, does it make you itch, too hot? Out of style. Maybe you loved this item at one point, but you know it’s a fashion trend that has come and gone. Sure that cold-shoulder top was cute, but you have to wear a strapless bra with it, is it really still worth it? Be brutal with yourself, otherwise, you are just going to end up with an organized closet full of the same things. If you have been honest with yourself about each item you can move those that made the cut to the save pile.
Blah – A certain amount of blah will live in your closet. Camisoles, tank tops, and cardigans. You will have key items that are necessary to tie outfits together but do not necessarily bring you happiness. We don’t want to donate just to buy the same item. Still evaluate, is your white tank top, off-white? Are these pieces performing their purpose still? For example, does the cut of the cardigan still work with your remaining pieces, or will it look off when layered? You do not want to have a closet full of items that don’t work anymore, so make sure to take a deep look at these. Save those items that are essential to tie looks together.
Level Up - YOU DESERVE IT!
Feel Better? I hope so. I did make some minor updates while doing the refresh. I tossed any store hangers and tried to match the hanger colors throughout the closet. I did end up purchasing 3 items from Amazon. I have linked the trouser hanger, tie hanger, and ironing board organizer at the bottom of the post. Or Click Here. Treat yourself to a mini-splurge that fits your budget. Maybe it's one new top, even if it's thrifted. Know your financial limits and go from there.
Want to take your closet one step further? I highly suggest using Nordstrom free styling service. After you book a 1-hour free styling session he or she will pull looks and outfits for you to try on in-store (there is a virtual option as well). Mine always pulls items I would never have tried on myself and they always end up looking great. I have a nice little mom pouch and I love that my stylist knows this and is always finding looks to minimize that area. They can also help style through the app with style boards. I love my Nordstrom stylist so much that I use him for most of my big events (Baby showers, weddings, Derby parties, NYE looks). It saves me hours of scrolling through the app on my phone. He can tell how things hang in the store, whether or not the fabric will be flattering, etc. I simply just drop him a note in the app and he puts together a style board that I can order directly from. Bonus, he reminds me of all the big sales and points days so that Nordstrom is as budget-friendly as possible for me. If you are a Nordy club member and have Ambassador Status (spend over $5K a year) they will send an In-Home Stylist to you for a closet audit to keep you in style and with the right fit. Did I mention it's FREE? Well, not the clothes, but the stylist will work within your budget if they can.
That's a wrap!
Even the tiniest changes can make a difference. I did not realize how different colored hangers/store hangers made the closet look more cluttered. I had enough hangers for it to be cohesive, so making the switch was easy. Will my closet be featured on the next episode of the MTV Cribs reboot, not likely. Do I feel better? 100%. 2023 is the year of your happiness and small improvements go a mile.
Bookmark https://www.thrivingtheholidays.com/post/newyearnewcloset to get started.
Linked Items
Comments