Extreme Closet Declutter | New Approach to Decluttering | Building A Minimalist Wardrobe

MY INSTAGRAM: / elinlesser
MY PATREON COMMUNITY (find out more info here): / elinlesser
I completed a minimalist declutter of my closet! I used an entirely new approach to decluttering that worked far better for me -- and, believe me, I've struggled with declutters in the past. It went way more quickly, I eliminated 70% of my closet, and it was -- dare I say it -- fun! I'm still on my journey toward minimalism, so I'd love to hear ideas about what's worked well during declutters for you!
In this video:
Learn how to declutter using some new strategies I picked up
Watch my preparation and process for decluttering
See before and after images of my space
Hear my impressions and reactions to the declutter
Please, share your ideas on useful strategies for decluttering!

[@sofetvoila4006]

Hi, I also did a big declutter, and just wanted to say that the process goes on, even one year after. I am constantly reevaluating my wardrobe, putting stuff in quarantine, selling what I didn’t wear, replacing and upgrading. And my wardrobe is becoming smaller and smaller, but quality is increasing. So satisfying!

[@STOPMOTIONMANIA1000]

Not sure if anyone said it, but I get the sense you still feel a bit of guilt about not being able to whittle your wardrobe down to an extreme level. You killed it! What you were left with is still what I would consider a minimalist wardrobe. Also, you don't need to replace every item as it wears out. That's where I am in my minimalist journey - things I love and use weekly get a lot of wear, so I'm letting some things wear out until they're irreparable. I just don't plan on replacing them once they do wear out... minimalism isn't an overnight process. You're doing so great!

[@ElinLesser]

Oh my goodness thank you! You have no idea how much this means -- you're right. I was still feeling some guilt--thanks for identifying that for me :)

[@karacoconutag]

Love to see another 4 season Midwesterner-Minimalist! I feel like experiencing more seasons makes it WAY easier to "what if" and "just in case" your wardrobe, just because there are so many more weather conditions and scenarios to account for. This approach is unlike anything I've ever seen before too, and it really inspired me!

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you!

[@paytonjohnson3628]

This is exactly my concern as I work through my journey, sure it's summer now but in MN it's going to snow multiple feet in 4 months. The process will definitely be different depending on climate

[@kaitlynjury6207]

Literally just went into my wardrobe and took out all my least favorite items, came back to youtube and found your video! Glad to know this isn't a crazy way to minimize.

[@N44899]

You are so real! Stay authentic! That’s what sets you apart! Thank you for your great videos! ❤

[@IndigoAwakener]

I got rid of SO much stuff when I began this journey from my wardrobe, and then ended up replacing many things, because I made the mistake of giving away many duplicates and types of layering undergarments that I really use in cold weather, and then really felt anxious that I didn't have enough. I keep and use stuff for years and decades even, so I finally got the amount I was comfortable with, My "Personal Threshold" . I know instinctively when I am above that Threshold or below it, and act accordingly.

[@Lupinelady]

Thank you for this!! I always thought I was alone in my struggles to follow other people's decluttering advice. It was always just so difficult for me to determine what I truly loved because I'd then make an effort to wear an item I rarely reached for, but that conscious wearing didn't mean I'd start to love it. Your tips are hugely helpful and giving ourselves grace in the form of a quarantine option provides more flexibility and less rigidity to other forms of decluttering I've read/seen.

[@ElinLesser]

I'm so glad you got something from the video! That means a lot. And I can totally relate to what you're describing. Makes me feel less alone in the challenges I've faced in decluttering!

[@sarahfrancescutti9873]

I did this with my books, pulled out my favs and the ones I knew I didn't want to keep. Then the rest I donated after setting them aside for a while. So I only kept my favourites.

[@pameehanson3866]

Just found your channel and this is the year to work on my declutter project going and I realized this takes time and it is more of a process than a weekend job and your all done! I have a capsule wardrobe and it took me about 3+ years to finally get it where I love my wardrobe and i no longer store any clothes (sweaters stay in drawer as I don't like to hang them). Thanks for sharing and looking forward to go back and watch your video's.

[@BewareOfKillerPie]

I think doing more of the Marie Kondo type method of making a pile is great place to start because it forces you to see how much you have and acknowledge individually each piece you have and how you feel about it, but i love this advice for how to keep working at it after that initial work through once you've had more time to sit with the feelings of letting go!

[@jeanninelaila4228]

Hey Ailen, I’ve been on my minimal journey for just a couple months now but have loved watching your videos. Your psychological approach is very helpful and valuable and I appreciate it 💖 thanks!

[@darciann]

Oh my gosh this process makes so much more sense to me! I do the same thing when trying to declutter - finding reasons to keep items I don’t necessarily need or wear. Definitely going to try this the next round I declutter my closet!

[@Antistylestyleclub]

Love your approach on decluttering. Not Being in your closet sounds like great plan!

[@str0wb3rry9irl]

That’s the perfect size. It’s enough stuff to keep things interesting but not too much.

[@jfpdc888]

So So Good! Such a great approach! Focusing on what you want and love and not so much on what you do not is Awesome!!!!! Thank YOU so much for creating this video! I have a new mindset for my clothes decluttering... All The Best!

[@SeetalMD]

hi. im so glad I came across your video. new subbie here. totally love you. your videography skills are so fabulous. im already binge watching you tonight. xoxo.

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you so much!!!

[@marvawiebe4364]

This is a great method! So much easier and more effective than pulling out things to discard and really helped me to love what I kept. I think you did a brilliant job in what you kept. Everything looks like it will play nicely with the other pieces. I'm happy you kept a little color - I think I saw some pale pink and I love that green sweater. You nailed it!

[@emmy8526]

In general for wardrobe decluttering, I think a big question to ask oneself is: “am I doing this so I can make space for more shopping”? If so, I would declutter more conservatively, trying to get your wardrobe functional and full of options but not overpacked, to reduce the urge to fill it up again since it’s already well stocked.

[@rhocelleyao2117]

Finally! Someone who understands me 😃 Thank you for this 💗 Decluttered or at least tried to declutter Marie Kondo style last 2020 but it just didn’t work for me. Have the same thought process as you. Will definitely declutter this way this 2021 wish me luck!

[@ElinLesser]

Best of luck! You got this! :)

[@mariah660]

I just found your channel! I live in Minnesota too. I can’t imagine having empty drawers! Good job decluttering

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks! And I always love connecting with fellow Minnesotans! :)

[@kayleighwerthman1977]

Thank you for your intro! I am also someone who likes decluttering but I also have not mastered the knack for knowing what exactly sparks joy, what that means, etc. excited to try your method!

[@ElinLesser]

Glad I'm not alone! :)

[@scheilascheffler2639]

Have watched a lot of decluttering videos and this is one of the best....most applicable....thanks for sharing...keep up the great work...

[@cantocant2346]

All that empty space is Beautiful and so satisfying!

[@salenarichardson2766]

I love the idea of writing down favorites before going into the closet. Trying this next time!

[@ElinLesser]

:)

[@sarahthatcher123]

Wow! That is a huge difference. Well done.

[@pandalynn7716]

Girl your pile is perfect for you! No need to downsize more than you need! Still what you kept is like as much as i bring with me on a two week trip🤣

[@ElinLesser]

haha thanks, girl! :)

[@cantocant2346]

That 409 is full of chemicals that trigger and even cause asthma. There is a non-profit website that lists the most harmful household cleaners. EWG (Enviromental Working Group) has great information on cleaning products. I am switching over to a non-toxic household and am shocked at how many products in our home are hurting us. Love your videos and watch at least one a day. Thank you for such calming, peaceful help.

[@20kjw]

I just did my recent declutter this way - I came across a few items I’d forgotten about because they were out of season so kept them as well but it felt great to let go off so many items that I’d been keeping that I never wore or didn’t love to wear.

[@ccandcoffee]

Hi! Thank you for this video! I'm not a minimalist by any means and I don't necessarily plan on becoming one. However, my wardrobe has been a MESS. I have accumulated so many pieces of clothing that it's so overwhelming to get dressing in the morning. Isn't it interesting when you have SO much to wear, you feel like you have NOTHING to wear ? I've become tired of this feeling. I also realized I've been keeping clothes that doesn't fit me right, and while it's pretty, it makes me feel bad about myself. Who wants that first thing in the morning right? I'm still in the process of getting rid of my clothes, but I've been a tremendous progress. What's helped me is really just asking myself do I love this ? Do I reach for it ? Will I realistically wear it ? Do you feel the need to buy something else in order to make it work? What don't I like about it ? It's okay to grow out of something you used to wear all of the time! I've decided to sell items that are in good condition, this actually helped me even more! Sorry for the long post, but it's a process and I've taken my time with it. You do not need to do it in one sitting. Do what you can and revisit weeks later and go through your wardrobe again!

[@srey_p]

You did a great job decluttering 👍 I would recommend that you space out the hanging clothes so they can breath and not be so crammed together. I used to work retail so for me it looks more pleasing to the eye that way 🙂

[@packratqueen]

Awesome. I’ve had similar problems with successfully decluttering my closet. In the past year I did a major sorting but now I realize I’ve still too much. I think your approach may do the trick!!

[@vt1527]

Whenever I give clothes away to charity I keep the pieces in trashbags for a couple of days if not weeks and reevaluate whether or not I want to keep some things or not - so this is sort of my maybe pile. Recently I have noticed that whenever a maybe trash bag fills up I can´t eveen remember what´s in there so that is the sign for me to get rid of these things instead of holding onto them

[@Julia-bq5px]

Your Videos are such a good quality! Informative, aesthetic, authentic and Im impressed by your editing!! I was so surprised to see that you do not have more subscribers, wishing you the best and all the succes you deserve!

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you so much, Julia! That means so much!!! I'm just starting out, so I appreciate the kind words and support!

[@marywhyte8484]

Wow!! Impressive!!

[@PoliSciStudent]

lovin the vibes.....very relaxing

[@capturedbyannamarie]

I’ll have to try this. Decluttering clothes is so hard for me, because I love most of what I have.

[@meelamiela]

I love this strategy even though it’s scary! I sometimes come up with reasons to keep stuff doing item by item but keeping what you love and getting rid of the rest makes me revert to that “what if” mentality! I need to work on this lol

[@sscs99]

Great new ideas!!!

[@KittenCasserole]

Loved this. I’m really excited that I found your channel

[@ElinLesser]

Yay! Thank you!

[@jojijosette5946]

Great content. Very helpful. Thank you. 😊

[@arelidelong1188]

Very smart idea, I'm going to try it too. Thank you!

[@ValKovalchuk]

That was a great video! 😊😊 I noticed that you just stared on KZbin a few months ago like me!! Good luck on your journey, your videos look great ❤️❤️

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks so much! I checked out your channel--love the aesthetic/vibe!

[@jeanniestaller797]

I have never accumulated that many clothes. I've always regularly gotten rid of things I don't like or make me feel frumpy or out of date in an embarrassing way. I do save a lot of "around the house/get dirty" clothes because I don't want to ruin my "good" clothes. I also have specific clothes for hiking/out door adventures and sport/exercise. I have "church" clothes and "work" clothes, but not an over abundance.

[@carolpotter2687]

What a great video. I feel like you are a kindred spirit since so much of your thinking process is like mine. Thanks for posting! ❤️

[@ari.unruly]

omg good job!! I can't wait to get to this stage been at it for 3 yrs and it's tough. I woke up one day and said I'm over this.. got rid of so much stuff BUT yeah, there's still too much.

[@jamiemcclendon624]

Brilliant video! It was very helpful. Thank you.

[@GIGIFREELIFE]

you know.. seeing this im thinking about me. having at least 150 pieces of clothing and always saying 'I have nothing to wear' I think that means I need to get rid of a lot !

[@rinainlondon8]

Cleaning while listening to u great video

[@CherryMck]

Just found you- please keep up with videos! Subscribed. 💖

[@ElinLesser]

I'll try! And thank you! :)

[@robrobben6066]

love this approach. discovered your channel recently and enjoy your content :-) new subscriber

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you so much!!! :)

[@songfugl]

Great job. Also can I just say that you are beautiful and your hair is absolutely stunning. I would love to see a haircare video and how you get ready in the morning ❤️

[@almamagee9518]

Thanks for the tips! Decluttering is a never-ending challenge for me, but I am getting better at it! I’m definitely going to do the quarantine boxes. That is a great idea! I also liked an idea from another video where you focus on not bringing more things into your home and enjoying the things you have😀.

[@margarethawk3073]

I like this idea better

[@msaxon98]

Keeping what we Love & Need! Very good declutter! Did you set a time frame for how long to keep your clothes in Quarantine in case you miss something or realize it works great with something, Or that Now is time to let it go? I have Lots of clothes, especiallly because I like color & often choose what color do I want to wear today & my clothes are organized by object & Color (ex: all red & redish shirts together) in my closet. However I'm more mindful of keeping what I need and love and that fits me well and more mindful of buying new objects to bring in. I consider if there's an item I want to let go before bringing another in as well.

[@jeanetteagain6631]

Yes I can relate thank you 😉👍

[@dayday8332]

You did such a great job👍

[@gailtester8749]

So, you don't pack away out of season items? I live in Northern Utah and have cold winters. I like putting away out of season items to help my closet feel much lighter. Shoes?? Did you do your shoes also? That seems to be a trouble spot for me. Well done and inspirational!

[@vanessagrant4042]

The 409 bottle was killing the vibe for a bit lol

[@midlife_minimalist]

I like a lot of your clothes and absolutely hate to shop. Would love to know your favorite clothing stores. Interested to see how your channel evolves so new subscriber.

[@jillian5474]

I love your bedframe. It’s simple and beautiful. Do you know where you got it?

[@maryngshwuling9916]

Thanks for sharing 🌻

[@amma7244]

Love your taste would love see what you kept.

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks so much! Maybe I'll have to make a video to address that ;)

[@Genevievexb]

Wow you did so good! :) Your video inspires me to do the same!

[@srhdfhcvbftg8067]

Should I still declutter some clothes even if I really love all of them? I've gone through each piece and I love/use it all! I don't own much else besides a lot of clothes and some art supplies.

[@ElinLesser]

That's a great question. And I don't think it's one someone else can answer for you. If you have the right number of clothes for you, then you might not need to declutter right now! But if you're unsure, I think it helps to ask the question about whether life would be easier or simpler with fewer clothing items. Do you ever get overwhelmed or stressed when sifting through your clothes? If so, it might not hurt to downsize a bit. But ultimately, you just need to figure out what works for you! Sounds like you already live with minimal belongings, at least in other areas, so that's great! :)

[@malturner4513]

Maybe just don't get anything new when things wear out, until you get to an amount you are happy with

[@mmaallory]

Congrats on getting rid of so much stuff! I always think I’ll be able to rid of more than I am actually willing to let go of 😂

[@ElinLesser]

It is SUCH a challenge! And thanks! :)

[@lisavanhengstum4800]

Where is that pretty thick green sweater from? I love the knit and the color!

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you! I think it was from Mango! Although looks like it's not available now:/ shop.mango.com/us/women/cardigans-and-sweaters-sweaters/contrasting-knit-sweater_57007708.html?c=37

[@Aisstylish]

Excellent video! 👏👍

[@ElinLesser]

Thank you!

[@gbaca07]

What's a quarantine bin?

[@vickyfurnival2715]

Great to hear and tips

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks! :)

[@denisecarter5117]

That is not too much left especially having four seasons together. I have more than you if kept summer with winter. Good job. Report sometime how it has gone getting dressed. Please don’t cram your hanging clothes together just to make it seem small. Let them have air circulation. I have a minimal amount of clothes and do laundry every seven days. I never run out that way.

[@ElinLesser]

Thanks! And such a good point about spacing them out -- that will probably feel even more airy if I space them out! Thanks for the tip.

[@ediewilson4043]

How/where do you sell your clothes?

[@mariastathopoulos744]

My view is your wardrobe should have the clothes you enjoy wearing as well as clothes that are simply practical. For example the humble cotton skivvy. It isn't a showstopper, nobody's top 30 clothing item to wear but the skivvy wears hard during winter as a layered piece under jumpers/sweaters. Career/ work capsule versus everyday wardrobe is also a consideration. I have 30 clothing items just as my career wear so they are in less danger of being stained or misshapen by everyday chores, children etc. Decluttering usually happens when we're trying to reinvent our images rather than for simplicity of owning less.

[@IndigoAwakener]

OR you can put all the stuff now in your dresser into nice baskets, put on empty closet shelves, and Get rid of your Dresser!! 😁💖

[@maxinef6654]

Music is really nice.

[@user-in2xn4xc4i]

What's the name of music you used?

[@rinainlondon8]

I’m cleaning while listening to u

[@ElinLesser]

Yay!

[@asteinov]

Please make down the musik.. .. I can not hear, what you are saying. 🍎

[@kathyseiver8335]

👍

[@kellylockwood9529]

Just saw this same approach on another channel.

[@kamilak577]

I would love to see another vid like that. Please share.

[@gaversfource]

This is advice from Dawn, The Minimal Mom, put into action.

[@scottfamily865]

Like..

[@MFI952]

To begin with your closet is very messy. ☺️

[@happyc3789]

Too much talking at the beginning. Get busy and explain why you’re working

[@doctork1708]

Talks too much. Get to the point.

[@luisasterioquerubin6829]

Way too much even with 70% reduction