A basket of pairs: socks of all kinds in their own mini drawer
If you’re naturally tidy and organised, you don’t think about it. It’s a bit like someone pointing out that you have a nose, or that you’re right handed. It’s only when you meet someone who is the opposite that you analyse what you’re doing, then explain why and what the benefits are.
I believe it keeps you younger. And here’s why.
The state of your closet or wardrobe often mirrors the state of your life. Many therapists encourage hoarders to throw out useless items, sell off unwanted purchases and find a system that fits their lifestyle and available space. Resolve the material clutter, and then apply that practical approach to dealing with mental and emotional issues.
For me, decluttering, tidiness and organisation serve three functions: beauty, efficiency and freedom, which all add up to peace of mind and so better health. Everyone will have such keystones in their life that are important, but these are mine, and for the following reasons:
1. Fewer possessions mean less wasted money, less housework, fewer emotional ties, and it’s quick to pack or relocate. Consequently, you have more money, time and energy to spend on things that really matter
2. Tidiness means everything has a place, which equals less time wasted looking for stuff, it’s more attractive to live in, and it’s healthier as there are fewer things to attract dust and germs, and air can circulate
3. Organisation is tidiness moulded into systems to make life more efficient, saving time and energy, and so reducing the ageing effects of stress, high blood pressure, indigestion, sleeplessness, illness, and worry lines
On the shelf: baskets, hat boxes and clear shoeboxes help to organise, protect and showcase your things
So, in a nutshell, having a system keeps you younger.
Here’s how I organised the right-hand side of my closet, which is all shelves. Any suggestions on how to make it more efficient would be very much appreciated!
1. The top shelf for sports gear and games, and things I use least often
2. Second shelf for things I use more often plus occasional hats and bags
3. Third shelf for things I use even more often, such as everyday bags
4. Fourth shelf for everyday hats, scarves, gloves and accessories
5. Fifth shelf for underwear, with a basket for each type: socks, tights, etc.
6. Sixth shelf downwards for boots and shoes, in clear shoeboxes
The left-hand side of the closet is for clothes, and it has two rails:
1. The top rail is for short dresses, long skirts, short coats and jackets, in a colour order that runs through the entire spectrum (from black to grey, white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green and brown)
2. The bottom rail is for all other clothes, in the same colour order. Within each colour section, there’s a garment order that runs cardigans, jumpers, blouses, shirts, tops, vest tops, short skirts, shorts, trousers
3. Long dresses and long coats are in another long narrow closet
4. I don’t put clothes in chests of drawers so I can always see everything I have and it hangs without fold marks. Personally, I would rather have one large, tall wardrobe with extra shelves that makes full use of a room’s vertical space than several low level chests of drawers that take up more floor space and will need dusting (more housework!). I also have a mirrored wardrobe to make the room look bigger and brighter, as well as to see my reflection
On the rails: two levels of clothes makes the most use of the vertical hanging space
This way, I can always find everything, I can colour coordinate, and I can rotate my clothes, which stops me wearing (and washing) the same five items all the time. It also saves me buying similar things to those I might already have.
When the closet starts to fill up, I check for clothes that I have not worn for a year or are starting to fade and take them to a charity shop. I also always try to hang up my clothes at the end of the day, as it makes the room look better and it makes my clothes last longer.
Does all that sound like hard work? It’s surprisingly easy and efficient, which was the initial point. It’s just a case of finding a system that works for you, your lifestyle and your personal goals, and it soon becomes automatic. No more “now where did I put that?” frown lines. Declutter to stay younger.
It also makes you question what’s important to you, and perhaps this could have a positive affect on other areas of your life.
From little acorns, mighty organised wardrobes grow.
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