Closet Purge Made Simple: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Donate

Kiera Laeka
Oct 1
2 min read

October always feels like a fresh start. It’s the beginning of a new month, a new quarter, and a new season — which makes it the perfect time to reset. For me, that reset started in my closet.

My wardrobe was overflowing, yet I still found myself thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” This really hit me during my 75 Medium challenge, when one of my rules was getting dressed every day. I quickly realized most of what I owned didn’t fit my lifestyle anymore. Instead of inspiring me, my closet just stressed me out.

So I did a closet purge, and it completely changed the way I get dressed. Here’s how I approached it: the 3-question rule I used to decide what stayed (and what went), and the simple tools that helped me stay organized.

Step 1: Set Your Intention

Before I pulled a single hanger, I set one clear goal: to make getting dressed easier.

I wasn’t aiming for a minimalist capsule wardrobe or a Pinterest-perfect closet. I just wanted my space to reflect the season I’m in now and support my everyday life.

Step 2: Use the 3-Question Rule

When I held up each piece of clothing, I asked myself three simple questions:

Would I actually wear this on a random Tuesday?
Does this fit my lifestyle right now?
Do I feel confident when I wear this?

If the answer was “no” to any of those, it went straight into the donation pile. This simple framework made the decision process so much less overwhelming.

And here’s a bonus question that may seem obvious but is worth asking: Does it even fit? Since I’ve lost so much weight, nearly half of my closet no longer worked for me — and it had to go.

Step 3: Organize with What You Have

After clearing out the excess, I gave my closet a fresh start by leaning into the organizing pieces I already owned. A few small things made a big impact:

Slim hangers to keep everything streamlined
Three-drawer dresser for folded items
Clear bins to make seasonal items easy to see and store

You’ll spot all of these in my video, but I’ve also linked them below if you’re looking for affordable, functional options that really work.

Step 4: Keep Only Your Go-To Pieces

Once the clutter was gone, I could finally see what I actually wear the most — the everyday staples I reach for without even thinking. Those are the pieces that earned their spot in my closet.

Keeping it simple with a few go-to basics makes getting dressed faster, easier, and surprisingly more motivating every morning.

Go forth and purge, sis!

Purging my closet wasn’t just about donating old clothes — it was about creating space for ease and confidence. Starting this new season with a simplified wardrobe has made mornings lighter, less stressful, and a whole lot easier.

And the best part? You don’t need to buy anything new to feel the difference. All it takes is a clear goal, three simple questions, and the willingness to let go of what no longer serves you.

XO-