The Closet Challenge

It's a brand new year, so how about starting it off right with a simple closet challenge.

It's common knowledge that with very few exceptions, it's likely that clothing you haven't worn in three to six months is clothing you will not wear again. It could be donated and used by someone who needs it.

Often, we have good intentions on getting rid of clothes that we don't wear, but very seldom do we follow through with the idea. There is usually something that keeps us from completing the task... we don't have time, someday we might fit into them, they remind us about a memory or special time in our past, we don't know where to start, we think we'll do it later..... etc.

If you find it hard to let go of clothing even when you never wear it, this is for You!

 Take all of your clothes that are on hangers and put them in the closet backward, so that the open end of each hanger now faces you.

Set a calendar reminder for three months from now. Then go back to your regular routine:

Every time you wear a piece and go to put it back, make sure the hanger faces the usual way (the opening facing away from you).

In three months, any hanger still facing the wrong way is holding an item you haven't worn, ready for the donation bag.

Here's my own personal closet - all ready for the challenge.

I also hang my clothes left to right. When I do laundry I put the clothes in their correct spot in the closet on the left side.... This way I can rotate my clothing and if something stays on the right side for over a month without me wearing it, I donate it.

Please note: I have kept my wedding dress, even though I do NOT wear it. I'm hoping to wear it one of these years on our Anniversary.

Also, use common sense.... don't throw out all your summer clothes, just because the next month or two is cold out. Do the challenge with your winter clothes now and go back and do the same with your summer clothes in a few months.

Click here for more ideas on what to keep in your closet.