Closet Confessions: Even a Home Organizer Needs Organizing!

Okay, friends, you know I'm all about decluttering and creating serene spaces in your homes. But guess what? The shoe was finally on the other foot – or should I say, the overflowing hanger was finally in my closet!

Fresh off my Suncoast View appearance dishing out closet wisdom, the irony wasn't lost on me. My own closet had become a bit of a, well, let's call it a "lived-in" space. Spring cleaning felt less like a suggestion and more like a personal intervention waiting to happen.

Confession time: I was a little nervous! Exposing my personal clutter felt way more vulnerable than helping a client with theirs. It’s that whole "cobbler's children have no shoes" thing, amplified by the pressure of feeling like I should be the perfect example. I get it now, that slight hesitation our clients sometimes feel letting us peek behind those closed doors. It's a personal space, and opening it up takes trust.

So, bright and early, two of my amazing team members, Juliana and Valentina arrived. Naturally, the first order of business involved coffee and some quality time with the dog – I may or may not have been stalling a little! Then came the moment of truth: the grand tour of my chaotic closet.

My SOS text to Juliana.

I laid it all out: the good, the bad, and the overflowing. Months of travel had turned my once-functional space into a catch-all. Plus, the closet itself presented some built-in challenges. Clearly designed for a single gentleman, it was all short hanging, leaving no room for long hanging dresses. High shelves meant constant stepstool maneuvers, and I would not put things back because I didn’t feel like climbing up again. And my exercise clothes? Apparently, they'd decided to stage a hostile takeover of the hanging space because I thought I lacked drawer space.

The first step was the big reveal: everything out. It looked like a small clothing mountain had erupted in my bedroom! Then came the sorting – the satisfying process of categorizing the chaos. My piles included: Long and Short Dresses, Trousers and Jeans, Skirts, Formal Cocktail Dresses and Gowns, Exercise Clothes, Shoes, Tops, and my surprisingly extensive collection of Winter Clothes. Not forgetting the accessories – belts, scarves, perfume on its little turntable, and of course, my bag collection.

Deep down, I knew there would be things to let go of, but the sheer volume of the "goodbye" pile was eye-opening. Anything that pinched, pulled, or no longer sparked joy (the ladies were brutally honest, which I truly appreciated!) went into bins labeled Trash, Donate, or Sell.

Let's talk about those winter clothes. Living in sunny Sarasota, my need for them is minimal. Yet, I had a collection that could rival someone living in the Arctic! It was a graveyard of items from college (yes, the actual 1900s!), gifts and hand-me-downs. The ultimate irony? When I travel to cold climates, I rent my winter wardrobe from Rent the Runway! The purging of the sweaters and coats was swift and decisive.

A few of my favorite things, jewelry and a favorire saying that was given to me by a dear friend.

Shoes and bags were another revealing category. It wasn't that I had an excessive amount, but so much of it was unused. My daily uniform has become decidedly more casual, since I walk almost everywhere.. Anything higher than a three-inch heel had to go. Winter boots remained, but only the flat, functional ones. I only kept my favorite crossbody bags and a few formal clutches. I actually do rotate my bags, even some vintage treasures from 20 years ago that are still in perfect condition, so I felt comfortable with everything that I kept.

Perfumes are easy to reach on a turntable.

By this point, even my underwear drawer had been assessed, and I was officially exhausted! I took a step back and let Juliana and Valentina work their magic putting everything away. I wanted to be open to their fresh perspective.

And boy, am I glad I did! The transformation was incredible. Suddenly, there was room! Everything was hung in color order – a slight but effective change from my previous system. Pants were together, but dresses, skirts, and matching sets were now organized by color. It's made getting ready feel a little more inspiring, and I'm rediscovering pieces I hadn't been wearing as often.

The bins have been moved lower down so now I can reach them easily,

The hangers are all backwards now and as I use the items I will turn them around. Come next spring, I'll have a clear visual of what actually got worn and what didn't.  I have a bin for donations and alterations so as I identify items they will be put aside right away. One of the hanging bars was removed and now there is a section for all long hanging items.  We also added a valet rod / belt hanger that is helpful for putting clothes out for the next day, or packing.

Two in one!

I love this valet rod because it is also a belt hanger!

How long did it take?

Estimating project time is always tricky, especially when the "client" is also the boss! Decision-making speed, the number of try-ons, and those unexpected hidden stashes (guilty!) all play a role. The ladies were with me for about five hours each, but I'd estimate a project of this size to be around 12 hours, considering the homework left – pajamas and swimwear still need attention! Plus, the crucial task of donating and selling everything. (Our team usually handles this for clients, which can be a significant time saver.)

The Discard Pile

My donation drop-off went to SPARCC Treasure Chest, lower-end items in good condition were bundled for ThredUp (they donate what doesn't sell), and my higher-end pieces are on consignment with The RealReal.

What I learned

For years, I'd been saying I needed to have my team work on my own closet. I'm so thrilled I finally did. The biggest difference between my own tidying attempts and having professionals? Two things: an unbiased perspective guiding the process without my usual distractions, and the feeling of a truly finished project. Usually, I'd hit the 80% mark and run out of steam, leaving me still feeling vaguely dissatisfied every time I opened my closet.

Playing the role of the client for once has been incredibly insightful. I have a newfound appreciation for the vulnerability our clients feel and the immense relief that comes with a truly organized space. Honestly, it feels like a weight has been lifted!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some pajamas to sort through…