A parable: A wanderer on a lonely road came upon a torrential river that had washed out the bridge. So he built a solid and heavy raft, which carried him safely across to the other bank. "This is a good raft," he thought. "If there's another river ahead, I can use it." And he carried it for the rest of his life. I just read an article in which an organizing expert uses that story to explain the clutter so many of us hang onto...
4 Steps for a Successful Closet Cleanse: S.H.E.D.
...and I could relate. I've certainly been known to try and jam a few "rafts" into my closets and cupboards.
The organizer, Julie Morgenstern, wrote a piece for House Beautiful which outlines her 4 step strategy for clearing that clutter - SHED.
And here is what it means:
Maybe it's a bit new age-y in its language, but the general idea is good - breaking down the job into thoughtful steps makes it easier and less emotional. Thinking about what you really need and what truly represents you as you are now (instead of who you were in the past or who you may be in the future) is key to clearing out and moving on.
Check out the whole article here for more of Julie's tips and thoughts on getting things in order.
Via: House Beautiful
Photo: Dedicated Shoe Storage from the May 2008 Living etc
Comments (15)
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Sounds so easy when you put it that way... I am right in the middle of it and it's a four letter word alright!
view royaltygirl's profile
I have been needing to do this. I am more than out of space in my closet. Because I am in between jobs right now I feel paralyzed about what I might need in my next life, maybe this will help me weed the closet out a bit.
view jfinteriors's profile
I love the "if you haven't worn it in a year..." or the "if you keep passing it over for other items in your closet...." wisdom. It's not always easy to do, but for anything but formal wear (how many times a year do you actually get to wear that gorgeous hand-beaded and sequined sweater? oh, and those sexy peau de soie pumps?) is truly great advice. I don't miss anything I've passed on. And I appreciate all the great pieces I kept even more.
The really depressing thing is culling that awesome pair of trousers because I'd have to lose more than one size to fit into them again. *pout*
view kimg924's profile
Royaltygirl you rock!
view athenazebra's profile
Lovely steps but I hate that moment when people come to my house and start asking "Haven't you got a pair of garden scissors" or "why don't you have a silver tray" and other silly stuff.
Like they have it in thir home....!
view mihaela's profile
explore the direction that connects to your genuine self
But I lost my genuine self in the closet somewhere.
view Henrietta the Terrible's profile
"I hate that moment when people come to my house and start asking "Haven't you got a pair of garden scissors" or "why don't you have a silver tray" and other silly stuff."
Who would do that? What rude people they must be...
view Violetsrose's profile
We all have perceptions of what we SHOULD have and SHOULD keep .... it's hard to step outside those ideas and see what really makes sense for our lives right now. I am SO guilty.
view redcloverstar's profile
Timely post - on New Year's Day I decided to redo my office area because it was in dire need of a "cleanse." I did the things you described here which included getting rid of a bunch of junk (and some things I had trouble parting with) and then organizing everything that remained. I can't tell you how amazing the space feels now. It really makes such a huge difference!
ps - I even wrote a post about it with pictures of the before and after on my site: http://www.fromsingletomarried.com/2009/01/07/you-can-do-it-getting-organized/
view Tabitha (From Single to Married)'s profile
"Less is More"
Mies van der Rohe
said it best...
it just feels good to own less, who needs all that stuff weighing you down...bring something new in, something old goes out..
view elizabo's profile
i really connect with the idea of representing yourself as you are now (vs. who you were in the past or who you may be in the future). such a simple statement that makes a whole lot of sense. think i'll clean out my closet tonight:)
view caseycham's profile
I have tried the the "if you haven't worn it in a year" or "you look over it for other things" in my closet - but it always seems that once I get rid of something (like that nice casual sundress) not more than two months later I realize I need it for an upcoming bbq or something that maybe I didn't know at the time. So most of my stuff stays - luckily my closet is the same length of the room (ten feet).
view ChrisGal's profile
Chrisgal - the same thing used to happen to me! I stopped tossing dresses, blouses and blazers - but still rotate my t-shirts & casual stuff every now and then.
view milesbee's profile
Well for normal wear things, if it gets a rip that I can't fix or a stain that won't come out, I toss it - or donate things that got bought for me that I know I will never wear. Other than that, it tends to stay - but for regular clothes, I don't keep more than I'd need in two weeks. That's all I buy for myself - two weeks of clothing for cold weather and two weeks of clothing for warm weather and just mismatch in the spring and fall.
view ChrisGal's profile
It's great to think about what you want to represent 'you,' but it doesn't help your closet if you're many things. After all, I'm not always a teacher, at a cocktail party, or hanging out with the guys to play videogames (all of these events don't have interchangeable outfits) but it is important to think about what gets most of your time. In my case it's teaching so that is what is most important.
For those who have emotional connections to your clothing - having a hard time giving it up? Have a get together with friends who are looking to get more clothing but are watching their wallets. I always find that it is easier to give up clothing when it is going to friends I love.
view michael mendoza's profile