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 responds to get it back to balance ASAP. Your body temperature is one example. If you’re in a hot place, your body temperature dips slightly to compensate. And the inverse happens when you’re out in the snow.
Not to trivialize this miracle of nature, but it’s kinda similar with your wardrobe. If you go on a shopping spree and buy 10 new things, suddenly your closet is overfull, out of balance, and will stop functioning healthily. You need to get rid of enough existing items to regain balance.
In order to maintain my closet homeostasis, I’ve followed a strict one in/one out rule for years. It’s so easy — buy a new shirt, get rid of an old shirt. New jeans mean an old pair needs to go. If you really don’t want to let go of the old thing, then maybe you don’t actually need the new thing.
Since I’m continuing to winnow my closet down and achieve a small but cohesive wardrobe, I try to get rid of even more than I add, as this gives me extra capacity to fill holes in my wardrobe (things I need but own none of, like plain t-shirts).
I recently bought two new cozy cardigans (those damn Quince ads finally wore me down). They MIGHT be the perfect cardigans, but time will tell. I was delighted to place them in my closet and pull out the old cardigans I tried to love but were never quiiiiite right.
For good measure, I also pulled out a few long-sleeve shirts and sweaters that I bought in a fever-dream that I’d become the sort of person who wore ballerina wrap tops all the time. A year later, turns out I’m not that person.
Two in, six out. Ecstasy!
These will go to the consignment store and hopefully will find happy new owners. And I’ll remind myself to stop buying stuff in the hopes of becoming someone I’m not. I know that if I keep plugging away I’ll achieve the perfect capsule wardrobe befitting a 41 year old mom with sensory issues who has the air of a stylish person while wearing mostly sweatpants. (A girl can dream.)
The homeostasis rule applies to everything in my house: kid clothes and play objects, home decor, kitchen tools, books, the list is endless!
How do you support homeostasis in your home?
Love this! My approach to this is I have a set number of hangers in my closet and I am absolutely not allowed to get more. And I'm only allowed to put one item on a hanger. (This helps me see what I own better anyway). These hangers perfectly fit my edited down wardrobe and so if I want to acquire more items, another has to go.
You make such good arguments for decluttering - based on systems, yes, but even more based on human nature, and maybe - excuse the Western double emphasis - nature nature. Thanks as always for The Homeostasis rue, the 90/90 rule - which I re-read with just as much enlightenment and pleasure as the first time, and all the other systemic methods. Thank you!