Time to Say Goodbye: 10 Things to Remove From Your Closet

(SPOT.ph)Cleaning up can get tough, especially if you have a lot of stuff. Though physical items do not represent who we are as people, they do a damn good job of helping us define who we are. After all, our possessions are a product of our choices—albeit not the right ones all the time. Not every item in our closet or space deserves a spot in our hearts, and if your room is looking more cluttered than ever, it’s time to let go. The new year gives the biggest shot of motivation for everybody to start purging things out, but know that you can start anytime.

Letting go is a different process for everyone and while we hope to help out, these are more guidelines and suggestions than actual strict rules. Proceed with discernment, trust the process, and create space to breathe.

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Here are 10 things to declutter as we welcome the new year

Clothes or items you haven't worn or used in the past year

Closets filled to the brim often mean older items, no matter how well-loved, are getting pushed back into the void. Newer pieces are just easier to grab, and it’s only a matter before you forget you even had those old pieces. By the time you remember, or stumble upon them, it’s likely the piece no longer represents your style. If you haven’t worn an item in a year, chances are you won’t need it in the near future, and could probably benefit from the extra space or income from selling those items. Yes, "What if I need them in the future?" lingers, but if a year has passed, you’re not likely to need it next year.

Damaged items

Don’t you just hate it when a trust blouse gets torn or a stain ends up on a nice pair of jeans? There are ways to mend them, but unfixed things that sit broken is a sign that it’s probably time to let go. If you loved the item enough to fix it, you would have by now. Delaying the repair process just invites dust to gather over damaged items. And for things just can’t be fixed anymore, rest easy knowing that you may encounter another piece you’ll love just as much in the future. Say thanks, and let them go.

Stuff with missing parts

The same goes for articles of clothing or even bags or shoes that are now missing certain parts. It could be a missing button, a bald spot on a sequined dress, or a torn ribbon or strap. If it hasn’t been fixed and replacements can no longer be found, you’re probably better off without them.

Also read:How to Build a Timeless Wardrobe: 10 Closet Staples to Invest In

Duplicates

When a piece works, it works. And we get it—getting a trusty shirt in five colors invites opportunities for mixing and matching, but there are some items you don’t need dupes for, depending on your lifestyle and context. Office workers may need several button-downs, but if you’re in a more casual field that accepts laidback clothing, owning five might not be ideal. Same for shirts that you accumulate over the years, or jeans in the exact same wash, color, or cut. Figure out which ones work best for you and keep one or two items you know you really use. Not all white shirts are made equal, so go for the most flattering one.

Also read:10 Essential Pieces for Your Capsule Wardrobe

Uncomfortable pieces

Seeing a piece on a mannequin tempts a try-on at the dressing room. Sure, it might be a little itchy or it exposes way too much skin, but surely you’ll get used to it and power through. Yes, those heels hurt like hell, but it’s not like you’ll wear them for three hours straight, right? We’ll cut to the chase—if it’s uncomfortable, you have to say goodbye. It’s just not worth the itch, discomfort, and pain. Plus, it’s taking up precious close real estate you could be using for more prized pieces.

Pieces for your "dream self"

Related to uncomfortable items are what we’d call "dream pieces" or items your "dream self" would wear. It doesn’t even have to be about size or aesthetic, sometimes it’s a matter of mindset, like getting an extremely fancy dress for the imaginary first date at an expensive restaurant you’ll never have because you think meeting new people is a drag, or expensive workout gear and clothes you’ll eventually use once you convince yourself to start working out. While we all have unlimited potential, keeping pieces for our dream self limits how much we can dress up and move as ourselves in the present. Our things don’t define who we are and what we become—we do.

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Out of your style

A good question to ask when decluttering your closet, or any space for that matter, is if you were to see this on the rack or at the mall, would you buy it? If the answer is no, then you’ve long outgrown the piece. Maybe you had a phase when you were so into yellow and bought so many pieces in that shade, but you lean towards a more neutral palette now. Or maybe you had an era where you were wearing all athleisure but find yourself gravitating to brighter, more eccentric pieces now. Regardless of aesthetic and style, if you can’t picture yourself wearing it or buying it now, it’s time to relinquish.

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Expired

This one’s a no brainer: If it’s expired, you have to toss it out. Makeup and skincare pile up like crazy thanks to trends and experimentation, but realistically you just can’t use everything up within the best before date. Check your makeup items and skincare products and look for the logo with the 12M or something similar. The letter M indicates months and Y indicates years, and the number before it states how long it’s good for. Most vanity items have a shelf life of three to 12 months and we really don’t want you putting expired gunk and bacteria on your face just because you don’t want to waste it. It’s already a waste. Please don’t risk your health.

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Rusty items

Some metal findings on clothes, shoes, and bags oxidize to form rust and while a good wipe-down and proper storage can prevent it, you can’t always evade it. For clothes, chances are high that it could transfer the rust to your other clean pieces, and rust on shoe findings and bag hardware often take a hit on their durability. You don’t want straps and laces snapping unexpectedly in the middle of the day, right? Good on you if you can clean it out, but if you can’t, just know your piece was loved well and has served its purpose.

Also read:10 Local Bag Brands That Deserve a Spot in Your Rotation

Baggage

Last, but definitely not the least, is all the items with baggage. Sentimentality is precious, but not when it’s holding you back. Are you keeping the bracelet because it’s cute and you wear it often, or is it because it’s the only thing you have left from a friend who’s no longer in your life? Do you even really like this perfume, or does smelling it remind you of all the date nights you thought would never end? You wouldn’t keep an item that left you feeling embarrassed or angered, so why would you keep something that prevents you from moving forward? Weigh in, assess where you stand now, and allow yourself to move on, mentally, emotionally, and physically.