Why You Still Feel Stuck After Decluttering

And What to Do About It That Actually Works

You finally did it.
You rolled up your sleeves, turned on some music (or maybe a podcast), and did the big cleanout.

The donation bags are gone. Your hangers have breathing room. It feels lighter.
And yet, when you go to get dressed, you’re still standing there thinking:
“Why does this still feel off?”

Let me assure you. You are not alone, and you didn’t do it wrong.
The reason you still feel stuck isn’t because you didn’t declutter enough.
It’s because you haven’t started dressing for the woman you’re becoming.

What Most Closet Cleanouts Miss

Most closet cleanouts focus on subtraction.
What no longer fits.
What’s outdated.
What sparks guilt instead of joy.

And don’t get me wrong, that’s a beautiful place to start.
But it’s not the whole picture.

If you’re not pairing that process with intention and vision, you’re just removing pieces. You’re not creating a wardrobe that’s aligned with the next version of you.

Because let’s be honest:

You’ve changed.
Your body may have shifted.
Your career or home life might look different.
Your values? They’ve evolved.

And your wardrobe?
It needs to catch up. Not just with the woman you are now. But with HER...The woman you're becoming. 

Watch the video below for more explanation. ⤵️

How to Reconnect with Your Style in Midlife

There’s a quote from Brené Brown that says,

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.”

That applies 100% to your wardrobe, too.

Because what we choose to wear, to keep, to let go of; it’s all part of how we claim our space.
And many of the brilliant women I work with have never truly been given the freedom to decide what their style actually is.

Maybe you had an overbearing mother who always had “thoughts” on what you wore.
Maybe you grew up in a school uniform.
Or had a strict office dress code.
Or spent years dressing for a spouse, a role, a season of life that no longer fits.

If this is the first time you’re asking yourself, “What do I want to wear?" that’s exciting. But also? Kind of daunting. Maybe a tad bit overwhelming.

And that’s okay.

Try This: A Mini Style Reset

Here’s a quick exercise I use with my clients to help reconnect with the woman they’re becoming.
Not the woman they were.
Not the woman they think they should be.
But the one they’re stepping into—their High Energy Radiance. (The acronym is HER...see what I did there?)

Grab a pen. These are “writer-downers” 😉:

1. What are 3 words that describe the vibe of the woman I’m becoming?
   
   
2. What’s one piece in my current closet that feels aligned with her?
   
   
3. What does that piece say? Is it structured or flowy? Bright or neutral? Classic or expressive?
   
   

One of my clients, let’s call her Lisa, had just retired and gone through some health shifts. After her cleanout, she looked around and said, “Everything in here is fine, but I still feel invisible.”  When I asked her if her wardrobe felt aligned with who she is now, the answer was a resounding "NO!".

That was the moment we realized—she had subtracted, but she hadn’t yet reimagined.

For Lisa, the anchor piece was a simple yellow dress. It made her feel bold, joyful, and free. That dress, that single piece, gave us just the direction we needed. From there, we added intentional color, better silhouettes for her new shape, and just the right accessories for HER (that High Energy Radiance). And you know what? Her closet finally came to life. And so did she.

You’re Not Stuck. You’re Evolving.

That feeling of being stuck after a closet cleanout?
It’s not failure. It’s feedback.

It’s your inner voice saying,
“Thank you for clearing the space. Now let’s fill it with something that actually lights me up.”

This is the fun part.
You get to experiment.
You get to play.
You get to ask, “What do I want more of?” and “What have I outgrown?”

So start paying attention to the styles you’re drawn to. Create a Pinterest board. Try a rental service. Go thrifting. Grab my free Shopping Smart & Stylish Guide (Previously Loved and Rental Programs).

You don’t have to reinvent everything overnight—just take one intentional step at a time.

Ready to Dress for the Woman You’re Becoming?

If you’re nodding along and realizing your cleanout was just the beginning,
you’re right where you need to be.

🎁 Grab my free Quick Start Style Guide to help you reconnect with your evolving identity and start building a wardrobe that reflects HER—your next chapter.

📞 Or book a free consultation with me, and let’s create a style roadmap together.

From one real woman to another:

Thank you for being here.
Your style is not just about what you wear—it’s about how you show up.

You’re not stuck.
You’re just in the middle of becoming.
And I’m so honored to walk alongside you in the process.