Have you ever stared at your closet, packed to the brim with clothes, and still felt like you had nothing to wear? You’re not alone. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. There’s nothing worse than frustratingly rifling through items I’ve outgrown or just don’t vibe with anymore. In fact, I’ve caught myself pulling out things like my vintage YSL round-toe pumps and sighing, “Maybe one day…” (Spoiler: it doesn’t happen.)

A while back, I decided to get serious about decluttering and started listing things on Poshmark. Fast forward a year and I’d pocketed nearly $10K from clearing out my wardrobe. The momentum felt amazing. But even with all the progress, some things just wouldn’t budge.

That’s when I discovered The RealReal (TRR). I reached out to their client care team, and they made the whole process a breeze by arranging an in-home pickup. One evening, I packed up my designer items, like my beloved YSL pumps and Golden Goose sneakers, and sent them off to their processing center. The best part? I didn’t have to lift a finger once they were out the door. The team took care of everything, tagging, sorting, and listing.

The cherry on top? I cleared out a ton of space, felt like I was helping the planet by giving my clothes a second life, and (yes, even though I’d prefer a little more return) I did get something back. It felt like a win in more ways than one.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: money. While consigning was definitely the right choice for me, I learned a valuable lesson about expectations. Just because I paid top dollar for a piece doesn’t mean I’m going to get it back, especially if it’s a bit worn or no longer in style. For example, a pair of Tory Burch sandals I sent in without the box? I got a whopping $37 for them. But when you factor in what’s trending, cost of labor associated with the listing process, and the fact these are used shoes…it’s actually a fair final price.

Here’s the truth: TRR is fantastic for buyers who want to score luxury pieces at a fraction of the price, but for sellers? Let’s just say, you might not walk away with as much cash as you were hoping for. So, if you’re looking to make a serious profit on your high-end items, you might want to explore other options like selling your items on a peer-to-peer platform. Personally, I’d recommend checking out places like Poshmark or Mercari. But if you’re like me, and just want to make space and maybe a few bucks, I highly recommend consigning with TRR!

So, what should you let go of? Here’s a quick list to start with:

• Women’s blazers that haven’t seen the light of day
• Tennis bracelets you really don’t wear anymore
• Designer wallets you haven’t used in years
• That pair of diamond earrings that just aren’t your vibe anymore

While I might not give up my Poshmark gig, I will continue to consign with TRR again. I absolutely recommend it if you need an stress-free way to clear out your closet in the quickest way possible. It’s all about making room for the pieces that do fit into your life and letting go of what’s holding you back. It’s hard at first, but the freedom of letting go is worth it.

Now, it’s your turn. Ask yourself: What are you holding onto that you’re never going to wear again? This year, make the space—physically and mentally—for what truly works for you.