I found myself knee-deep in clothes, shoes and clutter when I ventured in my walk-in closet that I haven't been able to "walk in" in months....
A good friend once told me that any time she would call her mother saying she was feeling down or bored, her mother would say: "clean your closet!" So she did.
No one had to tell me to clean my closet. You know it's time when when you open the door, the clothes and shoes are so cluttered, it's like they are trying to escape. I made it my Sunday project to find my way to the floor of my messy closet.
First I threw everything that was not hanging or shelved, on my bedroom floor. What a total mess. My husband came in at one point to get something and turned away out of fear he might have to help me clean the closet that I have slowly taken over in the last few years.
I threw out papers, wrappers, and other junk on the floor. I collected enough coins to buy a few cups of coffee. And I piled up clothes, shoes and purses that are simply collecting dust and taking up space. Those I will donate.
I found shirts, belts, and skirts I haven't seen in years. They had fallen off hangers and were stuck behind the clothes rack that my husband put up years ago to keep our closet "organized."
I boxed up anything I hadn't worn in the last year. I did hang on to a few things that my daughter may be able to use (dress pants for work).
I was making progress slowly. I put purses that I still use in a laundry basket in the back of the closet and put belts and other accessories there as well. I hung every piece of clothing that had been floor-bound for months. I organized suits, skirts, pants, blouses, shirts and jeans. Now I can actually find my clothes in the morning when I am getting ready for work.
It sounds stupid, but when it was all done, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I looked at my de-cluttered closet. I am now determined to keep it organized. I'll let you know how long that lasts.
The best part? Instead of sitting in front of the television eating something I don't really want or need, I kept busy cleaning my closet. Sundays tend to be a day of hibernation for me once I have visited my mother and run a few other errands.
Maybe my friend's mother was right when she recommended closet-cleaning as therapy for the blues or boredom. Worked for me. Try it.
(By the way--this isn't a picture of my closet! I wish. Mine's small but tidy.)
