Not long ago, I asked every single item in my over-stuffed closet one simple question: In all unflinchingly brutal honesty, will I ever wear you again? If the answer was no, it was gone.

I was shocked at the amount of high quality, clean and wearable clothing that got the boot. I was also amazed at the amount that a closet can expel and still look full. And I was surprised at how well I was rewarded in several ways for very, very little work.

First, a word about the work: The hardest part was the year of procrastination leading up to that day. Once I entered the closet on my mission, the rest was cake, and frankly cathartic. It was great to get rid of so much useless dead weight.

In the end, I donated 104 items, all on hangers. It was good to see them go. And especially good to see them go off to good use. Knowing that someone is probably feeling pretty darned good right now about the great deal they just got on one of my perfectly good shirts makes me feel good. It’s what should happen to the clothes we’re done with.

And as a more practical bonus, I was rewarded by uncovering 12 forgotten items that are like new and that I definitely will wear again. I don’t know about you, but for me that would be quite a lavish shopping trip. And I got it all for free. Not a bad day’s (not counting the procrastination) work.