Cleaning out the closet can seem like a daunting task. No one wants to get rid of clothes, much less try on every article of clothing they own to make sure it still fits. Here are a few tips to make the process a little less painful:

1. The initial sift-though. There is probably an unnecessary amount of sweaters in there that you just never wear. Go through and get rid of everything you haven’t touched in the past year. Having trouble deciding on a certain piece? Ask yourself this question: If my closet were a store, would I spend money on the item? If the answer is no, toss it.

2. The three-box rule. Separate the things you are getting rid of into three categories: things to throw away, donate or sell. It will be easier to get rid of certain things if you know it is actually being put to use and you aren’t just blatantly throwing everything away.

3. Clean. When you go through your belongings, remove them all from your closet. While your closet is empty, scrub everything down, dust the shelves, sweep the floor. It will feel good putting everything back into a clean place.

4. Buy some closet organizers. If everything has a place, it is so much easier for you to put things back in that place. Whether it be new hangers, shelving or canvas bins, assigning places to your things will make your life easier.