Marie Kondo, or KonMari, and her eponymous method of organizing have been the buzzwords of today’s clutter-weary generation. Aside from...
Marie Kondo, or KonMari, and her eponymous method of organizing have been the buzzwords of today’s clutter-weary generation. Aside from having a best-selling book (she has written a few more), she also starred in a series on Netflix. Her philosophy is pretty stark and simple: does a thing spark joy?
The answer will determine the fate of household items or, in this case, the contents of your closet. Do you have a constant need for space despite partitions, dividers, and frequent cleanups? Maybe you need inspiration from KonMari to deal with your bursting closet and clutter.
For starters, your commitment through your time and energy is essential. You also need to have a vision of what you want to achieve (e.g., minimalist closet). The rest of the steps are here.
The answer will determine the fate of household items or, in this case, the contents of your closet. Do you have a constant need for space despite partitions, dividers, and frequent cleanups? Maybe you need inspiration from KonMari to deal with your bursting closet and clutter.
For starters, your commitment through your time and energy is essential. You also need to have a vision of what you want to achieve (e.g., minimalist closet). The rest of the steps are here.
1. Categorize
KonMari teaches tidying up by category. Clothes are ranked first on her list, followed by books, papers, miscellaneous items, and those with sentimental value.
For this task, take clothes out of every storage, and gather them in one place. You will face a heap of shirts, skirts, and pants. To make it less overwhelming and easy to sort, group similar items.
Don’t jump to shoes, bags, accessories, or any type other than clothing until you have finished with the clothes.
For this task, take clothes out of every storage, and gather them in one place. You will face a heap of shirts, skirts, and pants. To make it less overwhelming and easy to sort, group similar items.
Don’t jump to shoes, bags, accessories, or any type other than clothing until you have finished with the clothes.
2. Discard
This step marks the beginning of the actual decluttering. Go over each item in every pile, and ask yourself if the item sparks joy in you. The process requires introspection as you mull over which ones to keep or let go. As you discard a blouse or T-shirt, say “Thank you” to it, and set it aside with the others for now.
On a practical note, take note of the weather and the seasons as you pare down the number of your clothes.
On a practical note, take note of the weather and the seasons as you pare down the number of your clothes.
3. Store
You are left with piles for discarding and for keeping. The next step is to find a spot for those that will remain in your house. Just like what you did with the sorting, think of storing the clothes by type so that they are easy to locate and replace after washing and folding.
With pieces of clothing up for donation or sale, you will have freed up more space in your drawers for sure. However, try not to organize the items piecemeal because it will be hard to estimate the total area you will need.
With pieces of clothing up for donation or sale, you will have freed up more space in your drawers for sure. However, try not to organize the items piecemeal because it will be hard to estimate the total area you will need.
4. Fold
KonMari has introduced a technique of folding clothes such that they stand upright to occupy minimal space. This vertical method deals with storage and display problems associated with stacking. The conventional way can take up more storage as you pile items on top. It is also difficult to see the items on the bottom as the stack goes higher.
This video demonstrates how to fold the smallest undergarments to the biggest items you have. The technique implies having drawers or places to store the folded pieces. If you only have shelves, you can use shoeboxes as containers and partitions.
This video demonstrates how to fold the smallest undergarments to the biggest items you have. The technique implies having drawers or places to store the folded pieces. If you only have shelves, you can use shoeboxes as containers and partitions.
5. Reset
As you place the last piece to its spot and admire the order in your closet, congratulate yourself. Your closet feels lighter, and you get less confused when deciding which to wear. The minimalist lifestyle may be a lofty goal, but it starts with decluttering.
Don’t worry so much about achieving a perfectly organized closet; the inspiration for this post has a bit of a mess at home. You can, however, be mindful of your actions. Try to spend less on things of passing fancy and only acquire those of long-lasting value. If you need to get something out of the shelf or the drawer, replace it the same way as you’ve seen it.
Don’t worry so much about achieving a perfectly organized closet; the inspiration for this post has a bit of a mess at home. You can, however, be mindful of your actions. Try to spend less on things of passing fancy and only acquire those of long-lasting value. If you need to get something out of the shelf or the drawer, replace it the same way as you’ve seen it.
Your Clutter Can Spark Joy in Another Person
Throwing your old clothes will only contribute to the waste from fast fashion. If you have a whole lot to be discarded, you can send some to charitable organizations. The rest you can sell to others who may find utility and beauty in your wares.
Clothes are some of the easiest things you can sell in pop-up shops, at marketplaces, both physical and online, and from the comfort of your home. You can earn serious money from your used items as a side gig or full-time work.
For now, relish your clutter-free closet, and strategize how you can market your goods to those who need and want them.
Clothes are some of the easiest things you can sell in pop-up shops, at marketplaces, both physical and online, and from the comfort of your home. You can earn serious money from your used items as a side gig or full-time work.
For now, relish your clutter-free closet, and strategize how you can market your goods to those who need and want them.
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