It is the morning routine from hell.
You stand in front of your closet. It is packed. There are shirts squished together. There are jeans folded in stacks. Also, there are dresses you haven’t worn since 2019.
You stare at the mountain of fabric for five minutes. Then, you sigh and say the phrase every human knows:
“I have absolutely nothing to wear.”
How is this possible? How can you have 100 items of clothing and zero outfits?
The answer isn’t that you need to shop more. Instead, the answer is Decision Fatigue.
The Paradox of Choice
Your brain can only make so many choices in a day. Unfortunately, when you open a closet with 50 options, your brain crashes. It is overwhelmed.
You aren’t seeing “options.” Basically, you are seeing clutter. You see the shirt that is too tight. You see the pants that need ironing. Plus, you see the dress that reminds you of a bad date.
All of this visual noise makes it impossible to pick an outfit. Consequently, you panic and grab the same hoodie you wore yesterday.
3 Ways to Fix Your Wardrobe
You don’t need a new wardrobe. You need a curated one. Here is how to fall in love with your clothes again.
1. The “Hanger Trick”
This is the best way to find out what you actually wear.
Take every hanger in your closet and turn it backward (so the hook faces you). When you wear an item and wash it, hang it back up the normal way.
After 6 months, look at the hangers. Any hanger that is still backward is an item you haven’t touched. Therefore, donate it immediately.
2. Define Your “Uniform”
Steve Jobs wore a black turtleneck every day. You don’t have to be that extreme, but having a formula helps.
Maybe your uniform is “Jeans + White T-Shirt.” Or, maybe it is “Leggings + Oversized Sweater.” Find the combo that makes you feel confident. Then, buy three versions of it.
3. The “One In, One Out” Rule
Your closet has a physical limit. Respect it.
From now on, you are not allowed to buy a new piece of clothing unless you donate an old one first.
This stops the clutter from growing. If you aren’t willing to sacrifice an old shirt for that new top, you probably don’t love the new top enough to buy it.
Common Questions About Wardrobes
Why do I hate my clothes?
Usually, it is because they don’t fit your current body. Stop keeping clothes for “Someday.” Dress the body you have now.
How many clothes should I own?
There is no magic number. However, you should be able to see everything. If you have to dig, you have too much.
Conclusion
Getting dressed shouldn’t be the most stressful part of your morning.
Clear out the noise. Keep the pieces that fit your “Real Self,” not your “Fantasy Self.” Finally, you will be amazed at how much easier it is to get dressed.
Tell me in the comments: What is the oldest item of clothing in your closet right now? I still have a band t-shirt from 2012.
