I used to think I was a fairly organized person—until I opened my closet one morning and got hit in the face by a falling purse I forgot I even owned.

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And somewhere underneath that avalanche of tangled hangers, mystery socks, and outfits from three fashion eras ago, I realized something: this wasn’t just a closet. It was a chaotic time capsule.

Sound familiar?

If your closet is currently a mix of “might wear this someday,” “it was expensive,” and “where even did this come from?”—this post is for you.

I’m going to walk you through a realistic, zero-pressure closet decluttering process that won’t leave you crying on the floor surrounded by cardigans. (Been there.)

Let’s start small. Let’s start with the closet.

But First: Why Bother Decluttering Your Closet?

There’s actually real science behind it—according to Utah State University, decluttering your space can reduce anxiety and even give you more energy.

And honestly, I felt that. When my closet is organized, I actually want to get dressed in the morning instead of panicking and defaulting to the same leggings.

Plus, once you do this, you’ll have room for new things you love. Like jeans that actually fit, or that linen button-down you’ve been eyeing on Amazon.

The One-Room Rule (No, We’re Not Doing the Whole Apartment)

Before we even touch your closet, repeat after me:

“I am not Marie Kondo, and I don’t need to do my entire apartment in one day.”

We’re doing one area at a time. That’s it. Today, it’s just your closet. We’ll save the junk drawer for another Saturday.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Let’s get set up like the Type-A version of yourself you aspire to be:

✅ 2 medium-sized bins (one for donations, one for trash)

✅ A laundry basket for things that need to be washed, altered, or dealt with later

✅ Sanitizing wipes or a dust cloth

✅ Your favorite candle or air freshener (trust me)

✅ Space on your bed or floor to spread things out

Bonus points if you also have a coffee in hand and a good playlist going. I personally recommend Lizzo, but you do you.

Step-by-Step: How to Declutter Your Closet Without Crying

Step 1: Look at the Mess

Stand in front of your closet and just take it in. Soak in the chaos. It’s okay—we’re going to make this better.

Now imagine how you want it to look. You deserve a closet that feels calm and functional, not like a storage unit for your past lives.

Step 2: Take Everything Out

Yep. Everything. Clothes, shoes, that tote bag you meant to return to Target in 2021. Put it all on your bed or floor.

Yes, it’s going to look worse before it looks better. That’s normal. I promise this step is necessary, like ripping off a Band-Aid made of sweaters.

Step 3: Clean Like a Grown-Up

Wipe down the shelves, vacuum or sweep the floor, and maybe even light that candle. This is the one moment your closet is totally empty, so give it a little love.

I used a vanilla and cedar spray last time I did this and now my closet smells like a fancy Airbnb. Highly recommend.

Step 4: The Sorting Game

Start going through your pile. Pick up each item and ask:

Do I actually wear this?

Does it fit and feel good?

Would I buy this again if I saw it today?

Does it make me feel confident or weirdly frumpy?

If you hesitate, that’s your answer. Toss it in one of the bins.

Sentimental stuff? Try Marie Kondo’s trick: thank the item for its role in your life, then let it go. It sounds cheesy, but it really helps.

Pro tip: Use solid bins or black trash bags so you don’t stare longingly at the clothes you’re letting go of later.

Optional but Game-Changing: Closet Organizers

Once you’ve purged, now’s a great time to invest in a few tools that actually make organizing easier:

Velvet Hangers That Don’t Slip – everything looks instantly neater

Fabric Bins for Seasonal Clothes – these go on your top shelf

Over-the-Door Shoe Rack – your shoes deserve better than the floor

These little upgrades help keep things organized after your big declutter.

What About Walk-In Closets?

Lucky you, extra space! But here’s the catch: walk-in closets are often just bigger disaster zones.

More shelves = more temptation to hoard.

Here’s how to handle it:

Step 1: Empty It All Out (Yes, Again)

Even if it takes multiple rounds, get everything out. It’s the only way to see the back corners and mystery storage bins you haven’t opened since 2018.

Step 2: Deep Clean the Nooks & Crannies

Dust those shelves. Wipe down everything. Vacuum the carpet if you’ve got it. This is your moment to reclaim the space.

Step 3: The Big Sort

Do a full purge, but break it down into these piles:

KEEP – you love it, it fits, you wear it

DONATE – someone else could actually use this

TOSS – if it’s stained, ripped, or smells like regret

Ask yourself: Would I pack this if I moved tomorrow?

If not, you probably don’t need it.

Step 4: Plan Your Closet Like a Designer

Before putting stuff back, think: What would Pinterest do?

Maybe it’s adding a dresser inside the closet. Maybe it’s organizing by color or season. Maybe you need extra shelves for your sweater hoard.

Look around and create a layout that makes sense for your life.

You Can Do This

Look, decluttering isn’t easy—especially when you’re juggling work, life, roommates, pets, or general adulting fatigue. But once your closet is clean, I swear it feels like you can breathe again.

It’s not just about getting rid of old clothes—it’s about making space for the person you are now. (And maybe a little room for future you’s wardrobe too.)

So light a candle, turn up your playlist, and get into it.

And remember: if you end up sitting in a pile of laundry eating snacks halfway through, that’s part of the process too.

PS: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found in your closet while decluttering? For me, it was a bag of Sour Patch Kids and a winter scarf in July. Leave your answer in the comments!