Five Clear Signs You Have Too Much Stuff in Your Closet (Even if You Don’t Agree)
I thought I had my closet under control. It looked neat. Nothing was spilling over. I had already decluttered—at least, I thought I had.
Then, I tried the 90-90 challenge and got rid of over 150 items. That’s right, one hundred fifty. From a closet I was convinced was already minimal, I decluttered an additional 150 things I didn’t need or want.
I was wrong. I can admit that. If you think your closet is fine, you might be wrong too. Here are five clear signs you have too much stuff—even if you don’t agree.
1. You Have Just in Case Clothes That Haven’t Seen the Light of Day
You know the ones—the clothes you keep because one day you might need them.
That dress you wore to a wedding five years ago. The jeans that don’t fit but might again. The blazer you bought because maybe you’ll have an interview where it’s the perfect choice.
The problem is just in case almost never comes. And when it does, you still end up buying something new because the old one is outdated, doesn’t fit right, or simply doesn’t feel like you anymore.
If you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are you never will. Let it go. Your future self will thank you.
2. You Keep Forgetting About Clothes You Own
If you’ve ever rediscovered a piece of clothing with the tags still on, congrats—you’re officially an unintentional hoarder. Out of sight, out of mind happens fast in a crowded closet.
When your space is too full, your brain literally stops registering everything in it. You end up wearing the same ten outfits because digging for anything else feels like work.
The proof? Close your eyes and list five tops you love wearing. Now, go check your closet. If there are ten more you completely forgot existed, that’s a red flag.
A closet should be a wardrobe, not a museum of forgotten fashion experiments.
3. Getting Dressed Feels Like a Decision-Making Nightmare
If choosing an outfit makes you feel like you’re solving a puzzle, it’s not because you don’t have enough options—it’s because you have too many.
More choices don’t equal more style. They equal decision fatigue. Studies show that too many options make us more stressed, not less.
A well-curated closet should make getting dressed easier, not harder. If you feel overwhelmed by a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear every morning, it’s not because you need more clothes—it’s because you need fewer but better ones.
Your wardrobe should work for you, not exhaust you before the day even begins.
4. You Do Laundry and Still Have a Closet Full of Clothes
You know that feeling when you finally tackle your laundry pile, and yet… your closet is still packed? That’s a sign you’re holding onto way more than you actually wear.
If your favorite pieces are always in the wash, what’s the rest of your closet even doing?
Think about it––if you’re consistently reaching for the same 20%, what’s the other 80% doing for you? Probably nothing. And yet, it’s taking up space, making it harder to see the clothes you do love, and tricking you into thinking you have more options than you really do.
5. You Have Clothes That Make You Feel Guilty
Maybe it’s the expensive dress you had to have but never wore. Or the pile of jeans from five sizes ago. Or the trendy jacket that looked great on Instagram but makes you feel like you’re wearing someone else’s style.
Your closet shouldn’t be a place of guilt. Clothes should serve you, not shame you. If something makes you feel bad every time you see it, it doesn’t deserve a place in your space.
Your wardrobe should inspire confidence, not regret. You can let go just one time and move on sooner rather than later. You don’t need the maybe someday outfits and the guilt that comes with them anyway.
The Benefits of Letting Go
Decluttering your closet is more than just getting rid of stuff—it’s about gaining clarity, peace, and ease. The benefits of letting go are huge. When you let go of what you don’t need, you:
- Save time: Fewer choices mean faster, stress-free mornings.
- Feel more confident: Every piece you own fits, flatters, and feels like you.
- Make space for better things: Both physically and mentally.
- Appreciate what you have: When you love every item, getting dressed feels like a treat, not a chore.
- Reduce decision fatigue: Less clutter, fewer choices, more energy for what really matters.
I was shocked when I got rid of 150 items, but I don’t miss a single one. In fact, I can’t remember what I let go of.
I feel lighter. And you can too.
Your closet should work for you, not against you. So take a deep breath, start letting go, and see how much better life feels with less.
Theresa Bedford is a minimal-ish advocate, storyteller, and wellness enthusiast who believes that simplicity is the key to wellness and a more intentional, fulfilling life. After realizing she was spending too much time searching for things—both physically and mentally—she embraced minimalism, not as a rigid rule, but as a way to create space for what truly matters.
