UNITED STATES—This weekend I did something I haven’t done in about a year: I attempted to organize my closet. Why? I’ve had a bit of clothing in my closet, things I don’t wear that are simply taking up plenty of closet space. As a result, I wanted to clear up some room so I didn’t feel like it was a chore to just get into my closet to retrieve items.

I’m a firm believer that most Americans hate to get rid of things especially if it is something we paid our hard earned cash for. I’m one of those people, but at the same time if it’s been sitting in the closet for years and hasn’t been touched, you need to get rid of it. I’m not saying the clothing should be tossed; you can donate them to family members, give to the Red Cross or Salvation Army or sell those clothing items back to consignment shops where you can earn a few extra bucks for your pockets.

I’m a firm believer it’s always better to give than to receive. I mean if you’re not wearing those clothes they can be worn by someone else. You could put a smile on someone else’s face in addition, to adding ample space to your closet. I’m a firm believer that you should be able to enter your closet and easily find items you want without concerns of clutter or inability to move freely. What was the biggest issue inside my close?

I have way too many T-shirts, shirts that I never wear. I really hope, I’m not the only person to say this, which I know I’m not, but I just have those items I want to wear all the time, they are my favorites and as a result everything else takes a back seat America. The shirts are fairly new, but if they are just taking up space, what good are they for me. In some situations I have even given clothing items to my younger brother who seems to love my taste in clothing. At least I know my clothing is not going to waste.

I will argue I need to get rid of a few jeans as well, some just never get worn. In addition, I have fleece galore some which are too small and I cannot fit. There is just one problem I’m emotionally attached to the clothing and find it hard to part ways with things that cost a pretty penny. The same applies with my shoe gear; I have a few pairs that should be headed to the trash can because they are just outworn. Instead of just allowing them to clutter up space, they got tossed in the trash. I would have donated them, but they weren’t in a condition where others could wear them,

There should be a philosophy that if you have so many clothes in your closet that you can’t fit anything else in there, you might need to stop shopping or purchasing items that only add onto what is already in your closet. Clothes do indeed have an expiration date. If they are torn, shredded, faded or just sitting there, begging for someone to wear them. You can do one of two things 1) start wearing the item 2) donate the item to someone who can use it.

Yes, it’s hard to part ways with anything that we buy, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do, especially if it’s your goal to get organized.

Written By Kelsey Thomas