Frank Niles, PhD, social scientist and life and business strategist, told NBC that one reason it's hard to get rid of clothes is "our need for safety, security, and stability." Basically, you can't stand the idea of tossing something you might one day be able to use, like that little black dress you haven't worn in ...
Research shows that people use 20% of what they own 80% of the time. The rest takes up space, mostly untouched. Consider the things in your home, the clothes on your body, and even what you take in your luggage on vacation.
The idea behind Project 333 is simple: Wear only 33 articles of clothing for the next 3 months. All clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear, and shoes count towards your number. Exceptions include wedding rings, underwear, sleepwear, in-home loungewear, and workout clothing.
On average, clothes are only worn seven times before being discarded. And, if that weren't shocking on its own, keep in mind that we also buy 60% more clothes than in the year 2000.
Sometimes you struggle to declutter because having a lot of stuff makes you feel safe and secure. Decluttering and getting rid of stuff makes you worry you won't have enough when you need it. This scarcity mindset keeps you hanging on to things, even if you don't use or love them.
Part of being into clothes is that you have no problem getting rid of the lame things and replacing them with pieces you can't wait to throw on every day. But if you're not the type to let things go easily, you might have a problem. Find out if you should seek help, here are 10 Signs You're A Clothes Hoarder.
I think that often, a lack of motivation correlates with a lack of confidence. We don't feel like decluttering because we're worried we won't be able to declutter. The idea of being stressed and overwhelmed isn't very appealing, so we procrastinate or find anything else to do instead.
Traditionally, you'll want three piles – keep, donate, and trash. Clothing that's ripped, torn, spotted with bleach stains, or otherwise unwearable should go straight in the trash pile. Your staple pieces that get constant use should go in the “keep” pile.
Guilt can play a big role in our resistance to decluttering. “We often feel guilty if we're getting rid of something from someone we love,” says Trager. “It's hard to remind ourselves that a person will still love us, and us them, even if we no longer own this item they gave us.”
Set an expiration date for the items in your closet. If you live in a four-season climate and you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year, it's probably time to donate it. And if you live in a one- or two-season climate, then you likely should let go of something you haven't worn in the past six months.
This response, although somewhat seemingly irrational, is psychologically very natural. Studies have shown that our emotional attachment to clothes develops early in our childhood. As early as the age of two, we may not understand the concept of ownership, but we certainly feel it.
Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.
Clothes and memories can be closely linked, especially when the clothes are associated with strong emotions, according to experts. Clothes can trigger memories, harken back to social and political influences of the time, and, in some cases, even stand out in memory above other details.
The researchers found that a “sufficient” wardrobe consists of 74 garments and 20 outfits in total. As an example, they've suggested six outfits for work, three outfits for home wear, three outfits for sports, two outfits for festive occasions, plus four outdoor jackets and trousers or skirts.
In this case, “outfit” means shirt/onesie, pants, and a pair of socks. 0 – 3 month – Plan on two outfits and a sleeper each day, but don't overbuy in this range as your child will grow quickly. 3 – 6 month – Plan on one to two outfits a day plus a sleeper. You may also need bibs for drooling.
What is the 30 Wear challenge? The 30 wear challenge is a commitment to wearing a new item of clothing at least 30 times. It forces you to pause before clicking buy and ask yourself, 'will I actually wear this 30 times?” If the answer is not 100% yes, then you don't make the purchase.