A Declutter Date
I’ve got an unconventional date idea for you: A Declutter Date!
While this may not be everyone’s idea of “fun”, it can take an activity often dreaded and avoided and infuse some whimsy, fun and connection into it. For this post we are going to focus on your clothing but you could tackle any category or closet for a Declutter Date.
There are no rules but here are some ideas:
1- Set the scene: Grab your partner, a fun drink (tea, sparkling water, a glass of wine maybe?) and consider playing some uplifting but non-distracting music and put your phones away.
2- Set the tone: The goal of this activity is to build connection and to let go of items that no longer serve you. It is important for each person to make their own decisions for their wardrobe but having someone to offer their insight can be helpful when making harder decisions. When providing feedback to each other, be kind, honest and specific.
3- Choose a category: tackling your entire closet in one go can be intimidating. I suggest you choose one category to go through like shirts, pants or shoes. If you finish a category really quickly, you can move onto another one.
4- Do a life-season check in. While sorting your items ask: Does this serve our current life or a past version of ourselves? This can open up meaningful conversation without being too heavy. Decluttering past versions of yourself makes room for who you are today and who you are becoming. The goal for the clothing you keep is for it to make you feel your best and like you can show up fully. You can be each other’s cheerleader through the hard choices.
5- Try on all the maybes! The best way to decide how you feel about something is to try it on. Go down memory lane, perhaps have some laughs and enjoy giving each other a fashion show while shedding past versions of yourselves. Pro tip: You can often tell how someone feels about something they are trying on by how they respond to wearing it! Body language can speak before they do. Letting your partner know that you notice that item made them tense up can be helpful feedback!
6- Set yourselves a time limit: One hour is a good starting place. 40 minutes of sorting and trying clothing on and 20 minutes of clean up. You’ll need less time to clean up if you tidy as you go.
7- Give yourselves a small reward for completing your declutter date. New hangers, matching bins, or maybe a bowl of ice cream. Whatever will motivate you to push through!
Decluttering your closets together can be fun, bonding & rewarding! No partner? No problem! You can do this date solo as well! Instead of getting feedback from someone else, you can provide yourself that feedback by checking the mirror and asking yourself the same questions I listed above. If you give a declutter date a try, please let me know at hello@reclaimedspacesbylydia.com. Have fun!