It’s springtime! Time to start fresh and new. What better of a way to do this than throw out a bunch of crap you’ve been holding onto for way too long. If your like me, this task is harder than it sounds. I don’t ever want to get rid of anything. What if I need that ridiculous shirt I would never wear now if you paid me for a costume or something? What if I can just fix those pants with the broken zipper I’ve had for the past five years? No ladies. No. Time to give up the ghost and just pull the trigger. These steps can help you decide what you really need to keep and what you need to just let go of.

1- Can you fit into it?
We all do this. Hold onto those articles of clothing that at one point of time (usually at our smallest) we could fit into. If you need grease, twine, tape, and to diet for six months to fit into something then get rid of it. For one its going to drive you insane. For two, if you DO lose the weight we all know something new is going to be purchased as a reward.

2- Have you worn it in the past year?
If you haven’t even attempted to wear an item in the past year then stop fooling yourself. The only exceptions to this rule are dresses and suits. Maybe you didn’t have an occasion to pull these suckers out yet. Dress clothes are obviously worn a lot less than every day clothes. Unless your fabulous…. Which I am not.

3- Is it beyond repair?
If you need to take out the back of a jacket and completely restitch it all to be able to wear it then its probably not reasonable to hang onto it. Unless its of huge significant value to you or was passed down then its time to say goodbye.

4- Was it ever in style to begin with?
We all make mistakes. Sometimes your out shopping and you buy something for the sake of buying it. I call it a shopping “black out”. Well if it was ugly when you bought it then stop waiting for it to come back in style. Ugly isn’t coming back.

5- Is it a “fashion” item?
You know, those cheap little tops that completely knock off a trend. Like if burgundy is the color of the season you can find eight thousand burgundy tops for fifteen dollars because they’re poorly made and are to basically wear once then fall apart. If you have those and they’ve done they’re job then its time to bid them fairwell.

Let’s not jump the gun here. I’m not saying you need to clean out three quarters of your closet. Just make room for new purchases you will be making in the next year. And if something fits into all of the above criteria and you don’t want to let it go then don’t! Sometimes we just need a certain shirt or dress to look at because it makes us feel good. Hold onto that item. Just don’t hold onto twenty of those items because they will take up much needed space….and fast. When your options are either clean the closet or move your husband into the basement because there’s no room then its time to clean. Unless you don’t like your husband. Then do as you will. At least move him down there for stuff you actually love, not for a bunch of shirts that haven’t been worn in five years and that probably never will be. Plus besides having more room you will feel better having things less cluttered. It’s a breath of fresh air for you and your closet.

xo Stephanie