Downsize to Your Perfect Wardrobe

Most people start downsizing by tackling a room. Marie Kondo, the world’s most successful professional organizer, has a better idea in The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up: sort by category, not location. Here’s how to downsize to clothing you absolutely love with tips from Kondo; Margareta Magnusson, author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter; and Joshua Fields Millburn of The Minimalists. Whether you’re tidying up or planning on moving to senior living, get more tips in The Smart Seniors’ Guide to Downsizing.

Gather clothing in one place. Remove all clothes and footwear and pile it on your bed. You’ll quickly become aware of how much you own.

“Does this spark joy?” Kondo suggests answering her famous question while picking up each article of clothing. If yes, keep it. If not, donate or sell it. The point is to end up with a wardrobe where everything makes you happy.

Not sure? Frame decisions as a yes or no to eliminate maybes. Kondo suggests asking, “Do I want to take this into the future?” If Millburn isn’t certain, he wears the item in the next week. If it’s not a favourite after that, he donates it. If you can’t figure out why you kept an item, toss it. 

Adopt a uniform. Magnusson’s trick for an attractive organized closet is to pare down your personal style and give away random items. As she says, “All garments should look good together.” 

Let go of shame. Is it inspiring you to start exercising or making you feel guilty to hold on to items that are too small? If you’re keeping something you never wear because it was expensive, let it go to a friend or consignment shop: this item is weighing you down, not lifting you up.

Learn more about Amica senior lifestyles residences across Canada and get organizing tips in this complimentary Downsizing Guide.