The Simple Pleasure of an Organized Closet

I’ve spend the past few Sunday afternoons helping a friend streamline her parents’ closets under their careful watch.  It’s a delicate balance between respecting the memories and work that many of the items represent and creating a functional space for the couple who plan to age in place for as long as possible.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things we can accumulate in a lifetime and nobody want’s to tell their mother it’s time to let go of suits she made herself and enjoyed wearing to work for many years.  But a few strategies began to emerge as we sorted clothing to keep, donate or discard.  Until you hold an item in your hands, it’s impossible to know if something is a treasure that a grandchild will adore ( vintage halter jumpsuit anyone?) or sadly, a suit full of moth holes and stains.   The items will usually speak for themselves; if it’s broken and beyond repair or stained and falling apart, it has to go.  Some items that are not longer needed and used can be donated to organization such as Dress for Success to give someone else get a helping hand entering the workplace.  There’s a nice symmetry to the idea which may make it easier to let go of much-loved pieces.

There are many approaches to organizing but I think for seniors, it seems to work best to tackle one area at a time; brainstorming together for solutions that will meet the needs of the individual.  Perhaps reaching up over their head for items is no longer a safe option or making room for a chair to sit on inside a closet is a priority.   It’s a good idea to hold on to some items in a keepsake area purely for their sentimental value to avoid purger’s remorse.  We can get carried away with cleaning house and let go of things we may later regret.  It’s ok to have an undecided box as long as forward progress is being made.

The task of choosing what will stay and what will go can be physically and emotionally draining; limiting sessions to between 2 and 4 hours seems to work well.  By finishing a small section at a time, you can track progress and think about what to tackle next.  It’s an addictive process and I’ve come home on several occasions and been compelled to take a hard look at the number of shoes I really need and wear.

My one regret in all this organizing is neglecting to take proper before and after pictures.  This visual transformation will spur anyone on to continue making room for optimal living.   Once you’ve let go of all the frayed towels and out-dated bedding, perhaps it will be time for a small shopping trip to pick out something fresh and new.  Just remember that each time something comes into the house, something unused, unloved or worn out needs to find a new home.