Confessions of a Clothes Hoarder - When Fashion Blogging Turns Into Hoarding

Hey readers! It's been a while since I've written something personal here (since this blog started over 13 years ago, and I used to do these posts all the time). I thought I'd share a little guilty secret with you. 

I have a confession to make—I am a hoarder. Not just any kind of hoarder, though. I hoard clothes.

It started off innocent enough, just a few extra dresses here and there, a couple of pairs of jeans I couldn’t part with, and a growing collection of jackets “just in case” the weather took a dramatic turn. It also started with being sponsored by a lot of IG brands, and fast fashion brands for this very blog. "Influencer" life leads to a habit of hoarding! 

But before I knew it, my closet was overflowing, my drawers refused to close, and the pile of “I might wear this one day” outfits had taken over my bed, my chairs, and—let’s be honest—pretty much every available surface in my apartment.

The Thrill of the Find

Shopping has always been my guilty pleasure and a way to cope with the stresses of life. There’s something so thrilling about finding that perfect piece, whether it’s a designer blazer at 50% off or a vintage skirt that screams personality. And don’t even get me started on online shopping—click, add to cart, checkout. Too easy. The problem? I never learned the art of letting go.

For every new piece I bought, I convinced myself that someday I’d wear it. The neon pink heels I’ve never walked in? Perfect for a themed party… someday. That oversized sweater that makes me look like a marshmallow? Great for a cozy night in… that will probably never happen.

When Hoarding Becomes a Problem

At first, my overflowing closet felt like a dream come true—so many options! But over time, it started to feel suffocating. I couldn’t find anything because everything was buried under mountains of clothes. I kept buying more because I forgot what I already had. And the worst part? The guilt.

Every time I opened my wardrobe, I saw wasted money, unworn pieces, and the weight of “I should really do something about this.” Yet, I kept convincing myself that one more dress wouldn’t hurt. Spoiler: it did.

As if my hoarding tendencies weren’t bad enough, free sponsored clothes from fast fashion brands made it even worse. As a fashion blogger, I get gifted so many trendy pieces—PR packages filled with the latest styles, collaborations that send me outfits I “have to” wear and post about. At first, it felt amazing, like a dream come true. 

But over time, I realized I was drowning in piles of cheap, fast fashion pieces that I barely touched after one or two wears.

The worst part? I felt ashamed. I was contributing to waste, hoarding things I didn’t truly love. Fashion is supposed to be fun, but my closet felt more like a landfill. It hit me that this endless cycle of accepting, storing, and forgetting clothes was only making me feel more overwhelmed. Maybe it’s time to rethink what I really need—and finally break free from this hoarding habit.

Is hoarding genetic? Maybe 

Here’s the part that makes me a little embarrassed—my mom and grandma are the same way. My mother’s closet? Stuffed to the brim. She still owns clothes from 20 years ago, just in case they "come back in style." My grandma? She has entire drawers filled with scarves and handkerchiefs, most of which she hasn’t used in decades. I guess you could say hoarding runs in the family.

It’s funny because I used to roll my eyes at their habits, thinking, Why do they keep all this stuff? And now here I am, standing in the middle of my own fabric jungle, realizing—I’m no different. It’s a little comforting (misery loves company, right?), but also a wake-up call. Anyone else relate?

The Turning Point

It wasn’t until I found myself digging through a pile of clothes on the floor looking for a top I hadn’t seen in months that I realized—I had a problem. This wasn’t just about fashion blogging of being an "influencer" anymore. My hoarding habits were making my space chaotic and my mind overwhelmed.

So, I did something terrifying. I decided to declutter.

Breaking Up with My Clothes

Letting go was hard. Every piece had a memory attached to it—“I wore this on my first day at work!” or “This was supposed to be my perfect summer dress!” But I had to be ruthless.

I started by making three piles:

1. Keep – Only things I actually wear.
2. Donate/Sell – Things in great condition but no longer my style.
3. Goodbye Forever – Anything stained, ripped, or completely unwearable.

And just like that, I cleared out nearly one third of my wardrobe. It felt like a weight had been lifted. But there's still a long way to go. 

The Road to Recovery

I won’t lie—my hoarding tendencies still creep up these days. Especially when traumatic life experiences like breakups or illnesses happen. But now, before buying anything new, I stop and ask myself: Do I really need this? If the answer isn’t a strong yes, it stays on the rack. 

Oh, and telling everyone I hoard helps because they do try to stop me. 

Confession over. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a closet to keep in check.

P.S.Watching This Helps!