I don't understand the science behind it, but there is a direct connection to organization and mood, and one's ability to think and focus better. When you have taken the time to make a place, or "home" for your belongings, it lifts a metaphoric curtain from your mind. You know what is behind the curtain, but despite it being concealed, you can't help but think about it on some level.
When I'm trying to write or focus on one thing, and I know things are not in the order I prefer, it is very daunting to get the job complete. If I want to do creative work of any kind, it is next to impossible for me to think clearly if the space that surrounds me is disheveled.
Yesterday on my Facebook Page I shared some photos of my weekend projects. I went on a purging and organization spree of our towels and linen closet. I had previously purchased shelving for vendor shows and decided against using them for that purpose, so I cleared out a guest closet used for storing holiday decorations and assembled the shelves there. I plan to use this storage space for my completed pottery inventory.
The photos I put up got a lot of attention, so I know other people have connected with my satisfaction in finding better ways to use the space we have and keep them from becoming overflowing monsters. Because as I mentioned, those monsters truly eat at your peace of mind. Let's face it, when have we ever met a hoarder that wasn't challenged and pained by clutter and perhaps bigger things like depression, self worth and a sense of embarrassment?
The shelves inspired me to put a smaller one in my personal closet to help with some extra shoe storage. After two weddings and a honeymoon, I may have acquired a couple extra pairs of footwear I didn't have space for in my day to day wardrobe. That being said, my personal closet got a quick edit, too.
Let me start by saying, I am not a minimalist. I will not be the one preaching about how to get by on using one pen for life and the perfect refill for it every time. I tried to use a capsule wardrobe in the past, and really thought it was a great way to get ready faster, but that wasn't for me either. Capsule wardrobes are great, but when you have to dress for seasons, or different roles like sports, work, home, pottery (lots of mud!), dressy and social outings--lots of luck. But having a system for each of these makes it easier. Here are a few of my strategies for planning out what to keep and what to donate.
1.) LIFE
Will I use it again? Does it still have life? So this is a two part question. Because if I WILL use it again, I will keep it. If I won't, but it still has life, the quality is still in great shape and works--I will donate it. I believe too many people put things in a bucket that says, "I paid a lot for that item, I'm going to keep it forever!" But if you aren't going to use it, it is just one more thing behind the metaphoric curtain, taking up space from the things you do love and want to use each day. But what's more, is it takes away from the creative energy you could be using. I know it seems weird, but it is definitely true! The amount of stress I had leading up to the wedding with our linen closet and guest towels was definitely a sizable amount. There were just too many. I wanted to go purge a lot of it but just didn't have the time to take the project on, then. It was the promise I made to myself, once we get past the wedding, I'm handling it. And that's what I did!
2.) ROTATIONS
My summer stuff can rotate out of my closet and into my dresser drawers for winter, and vice versa. When the heat index is sporting 109 degrees Fahrenheit in Columbia, South Carolina, there is no need for a wool sweater. So whatever goes into my dresser drawers is out of season attire, and I never need to open them till the seasons begin to change. Granted, at 65 degrees I will be wanting those wool sweaters. Living in the South adjusts your ability to tolerate cold weather. My family in Ohio will still be wearing shorts. Know YOUR season.
Some of my clothes will stay in my closet year-round. These are items I tend to wear in layers, or pack for traveling. I also keep my athletic apparel in my closet instead of in drawers. I find it easier to grab the leggings I want for that day or workout than when they are in a drawer. Leggings I want to go for a yoga class in may be different than the ones I want to go for a walk in. But when they both are black and you are trying to get the right pair before leaving the house, it's not always as easy as feeling them to know.
Half of my closet is designated for casual/workout clothes and the other half is for work/going out or travel. This helps separate my options when I'm getting ready each day. I don't need to look at the other half of my space when I'm going to work because I have my 'work leggings' and athleisure stuff separated. Working in a martial arts school lets me wear leggings pretty much every day. Having a separation between your workout clothes and your athleisure clothes for me is a must.
Once my athleisure stuff is getting worn, it gets cycled into the workout clothes category. Once it gets a hole in the crotch or an ugly stain on it from who knows what, it gets cycled into my pottery clothes. If it was fancier athleisure stuff that I no longer will wear but won't workout in, it usually gets donated with some life left in it.
I also use rotations this way in our towels and linens. When we get new sheets, they are for our bed. When they are ready to retire, we transfer them to the guest bed. When the guest bed can't use them anymore, they get rotated.
Towels work like this, too. We have our higher quality guest towels in one stack, when they have shown too much wear, they turn in to wash the dog towels. When they start to get threads and snags we move them to donate.
3.) SPACE
I used to be horrible about over-buying clothes. Truth be told, I just hated doing laundry. Now, I actually enjoy laundry and putting things back in my closet where they belong since everything has a space and a system. I have the perfect number of hangers for my clothes. If I buy something new, I always donate something out. I never buy more hangers.
The same goes for my shoes. Planning two weddings didn't help me keep to the shoes strategy, I confess. And it's not my fault Melissa had to have a great sale on their incredibly cute flip flops during that time, too. But now every pair of shoes has a place and if I acquire one more pair, it will be to replace a pair I currently have. Luckily for me, that won't be anytime soon.
As far as linen closets and towels are concerned, we now have the perfect amount of space for all of our guest towels and linens. Accomplishing this over the weekend has brought a tremendous amount of ease to my mind and a major boost in my mood. One, I'm proud the task is now completed and I don't have to cringe if a guest opens any closet, because there is nothing 'hiding' behind any of them. It also has given me a great relief to know things are in order. I'm ready to create and work and go about living with less distraction. What a great recipe for happiness!