The Generous Decluttering Rule To Avoid Regret When Organizing Closets

One of life's most challenging projects is keeping your closet clutter-free. On the surface, it sounds totally doable, but anyone who loves fashion knows that's easier said than done. With trends coming and going faster than you can refresh your social feed, your closet can become storage to aspirational clutter that gets in the way of things you adore. On one hand, you know letting go will free up space, but on the other, fashion almost always comes back around, right? But there's a painless trick that lets you purge with zero regret — the two-month rule.

Wardrobes can hold memories of who you once were or who you hope to be. That's why deciding what to keep and what to let go can be an emotional experience. If this sounds a lot like you, you're not alone. Many people have an average of around 166 pieces of clothing in their closet, but 25% of them have never been touched, much less worn. The two-month rule is like a temporary breakup or cooling-off period with your stuff, especially if permanently parting ways feels overwhelming. The idea behind it is to set aside everything you don't use but that you're not 100% convinced you should get rid of. Pack it up in a bag and stick it in the back of your closet. After 60 days, revisit your stash and hang it back in your closet or toss it in the donation box, depending on how you feel. The results might surprise you because it's often easier to justify keeping stuff when you have readily available excuses that give you the grace to do so.

At some point, we're all guilty of holding onto stuff we think we'll wear again one day. We get it, it's hard to throw in the towel on clothes you still have high hopes for. Rather than wasting time trying to predict how your future self will feel, there's a much better way that offers the best of both worlds. The two-month rule is giving you the power to choose to let go (or not) over a period of time that helps you feel less overwhelmed or regret your decision later on. It's a clever trick to see how often you reach for — or even think about — the pieces in that bag tucked away in the back of your closet. 

But the biggest reason to try it? The chance to live with way less clutter in your closet for 60 days. And by the end of 60 days, if your closet being clutter-free is more important than dreaming about the day you wear that mini skirt again, which may or may not ever come, then your answer is clear. By letting go of everything that is no longer conducive to your life, you'll free up space for new items that will fit right in. When you get rid of sentimental clutter, you're opening your whole world up — or at the very least your closet — to new possibilities. Plus, there are plenty of thrift store alternatives just waiting for your donation.