Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter

Feels Like Fall

Fall is in the air, and for many people that means it’s time to “switch closets,” to pull the sweaters and wool out of storage and put the sundresses and bathing suits away, (at least until your midwinter escape). Change is always an opportunity to reevaluate, and in my book that means letting go. So here are my tips for getting the most out (and out of your house) of the seasonal switch.

• As you are putting away your summer clothes, ask yourself: Did I wear this this summer? Is it worth storing away? If it’s uncomfortable, unflattering, out of style or just tired, why go through the effort to pack something away and then pull it out again? If you aren’t going to wear it, let it go.
• Evaluate your winter clothes the same way. Certain items you’ll be happy to see: Oh, I love this sweater! Others, you’ll barely remember because you never really wear them. Why use up space in your closet for those things?
• Take inventory as you unpack winter clothes. You might have been thinking you needed some turtlenecks, but when you actually see your clothes, you might realize you don’t need anything at all.

The fewer clothes you own, the more you’ll remember what you have and things won’t get squished and forgotten. Depending on the climate where you live—or the progress of climate change—you may reach a point where you don’t need to make a seasonal switch.

Until then, enjoy sweater weather, but remember, there are only seven days in a week, so there is no reason to own 25 sweaters.