The homeostasis rule

One in, one out.

I’m slowly—glacially—closing in on my capsule wardrobe, a 10 year process that has been so shockingly elusive I’m truly skeptical of anyone who says they have achieved it.

Regular readers know I’ve managed a few big steps towards a simpler, smaller wardrobe:

• The 90/90 rule which let me cut through a lot of my sentimentality and wishful thinking about my wardrobe

• Getting rid of a huge dresser in our main bedroom, forcing my husband and me to ruthlessly edit our wardrobes to fit into one tiny shared closet

These steps forward were great, but there’s always the risk of backsliding and accruing random items again. I avoid this by thinking about supporting ever-lower levels of homeostasis in my closet. This homeostasis rule applies to anything in your home, not just clothes.

A quick definition: homeostasis is basically how we stay alive. It is the balance between all the different systems in our body that enables it to function. When one system is thrown out of balance, the whole body respo…