Closet Chaos: T-Shirts, Hoodies, and My Struggle to Minimize

Step One: Operation Closet Clean-Up

Naturally, the first step in this newfound journey was to plan (as we do). I whipped up a calendar to schedule what areas of the house I’d tackle. I thought, "If I can just conquer my closet and the master bathroom, the rest of the house will be a cakewalk!" Spoiler alert: I was wrong. No one warned me that going minimalist would be this hard. Turns out, I’m a hoarder of good clothes and shoes, particularly t-shirts. And when I say I have too many t-shirts, I mean it’s sickening. Owning this many should honestly be a crime.

So I dove into cleaning my closet. Why do I have clothes everywhere? My husband’s side of the closet, of course, is immaculate, and honestly, at this point, I don’t like him for it. Why is his side so clean and “minimalized” already? Ugh.

The T-Shirt Dilemma (And Hoodies... Don’t Get Me Started)

As I cleaned, I had a revelation: My mission to be more feminine is being sabotaged by my closet. Seriously, how can I embrace my ladylike side when 90% of my wardrobe screams "I just rolled out of bed"? Also, let’s talk about the hoodies. Why do I own this many? I’m starting to look like a curmudgeon, and yes, I know that’s dramatic—but I need to pull myself together!

The Hard Part: Letting Go

Next up, the hardest task yet: deciding what to get rid of. I was like, “Do I really need to part with this t-shirt? But what about this hoodie? What if I need it... someday?” It was painful.

But here’s how I made the tough decisions:

• First to go were things I couldn’t fit into (because, duh, why do I even still have them?).

• Then, out went things I’d never worn. If I haven’t worn it yet, I’m not going to start now.

• Lastly, anything I don’t wear often. My rule is: If I haven’t worn it at least twice a month, it’s outta here. Excluding dresses and gowns—those are for special occasions, obviously!

The Vision: Simple, Stylish, and Feminine

Ultimately, my wardrobe goal is to build a collection of simple, easy-to-mix pieces that are still cute and feminine. Neutral colors are my go-to because they’re versatile and pair well with everything. I want to be able to grab and go but still feel put-together. Because if we are honest here I am a down home country girl and I really like the simplicity in all areas of my life. 

To save money (and my sanity), I’m doing this in phases, buying one or two pieces at a time. It’s also part of my mission to save money and knock out some debt.

I have to remind myself often: This is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is to simplify my home, my life, and, most importantly, to live with intention—emphasis on living simply.