It Starts With Clothing

The KonMari Method® has a specific order in which we declutter our items; the first category is always clothing. This isn’t an arbitrary starting point – there are actually very good reasons why we tackle this category first!

Why do we start with clothing?

The somewhat glib answer is because clothing tends to be an easy category to start with. However, there’s a lot more to that statement than is obvious on the surface! We have a very intimate relationship with our clothing. It’s something that we are physically in contact with, so we have a visceral response to whether we like our clothing or not. We sense how it feels, how it fits, how it moves. Do I like this color? Do I like this style? Do I find it easy to launder?

All of this information comes to us almost immediately when we pick up a piece of clothing. We’ve got a lot of data to help us understand whether or not each clothing item sparks joy! And not only does this help us to sort our clothing – it also sets us up for success for the rest of our items too. By learning how to determine what sparks joy with an easier category, we’re practicing that discernment skill. This will allow us to approach future categories with more skill and intention.

What’s the difference between “I wear it” and “it sparks joy”?

Almost all of my clients immediately default into sorting their clothing into a few different sub-categories – things they wear a lot, things they don’t wear a lot, and things that they’re holding onto that don’t fit (no, it’s not just you, almost all of my clients have some version of this pile). But just because you regularly wear something doesn’t mean it sparks joy! Sometimes our best pieces are lost in a cluttered closet. Or we have so many clothes that we just grab what we can find, even if it’s not our favorite. By truly evaluating each piece we are able to intentionally decide if it sparks joy.

A peek inside my closet!

Everyone’s clothing is different, just like everyone’s physical space is different, so no two closets are ever going to be the same. That said, my clients often ask me about my closet, so here are a few of my favorite tips:

• Color Coordination: It’s the trick that started me on my personal organizing journey – hanging my clothes in rainbow order, something I started doing in elementary school. For me, I immediately have a sense of order in my closet because the colors aren’t all jumbled together. I’m already less focused on clutter, and more focused on what clothing will best support my day.
• Purses & Bags: I used to store my purses in a big clear bin. It was neat and tidy, but a pain to pull out what I needed and wasn’t very attractive. I made some small adjustments using an inexpensive fabric bin and some acrylic bag hangers. Now I smile every time I enter my closet and see my purses on display!
• Make it Personal: I’m very fortunate that my closet has a lot of extra space, so I’ve been able to add some fun non-clothing items as a little display that sparks joy for me. But even if you don’t have much space, you can still dress up this utilitarian space. Display a sentimental item, a colorful rug, or even just a mirror with a little personality!