Should They Stay or Should They Go: Getting Rid of Your Clothes

Today's post is fresh on the heels of some major spring cleaning.  I thought it was appropriate, not only because this is how I and many others like to ring in spring, but also because this little outfit came together as a result of my efforts.  Going through my old things always results in at least one or two new outfit combinations that occur because I've tossed this and that on the bed and looked over to see the perfect outfit has come together by chance like rolling the dice.  (Keep scrolling for the outfit that came about from today's cleaning session.)  But, spring cleaning is a chore and a challenge and a very difficult one for those of us who have emotional attachments to our clothes.

For some of us, our closets are photo albums and dream journals.  We open them and remember what we were doing when we wore something and the sentimental attachment prevents us from letting go.  Or we look at that lovely gown we'll probably never have the opportunity to wear and think "one day...maybe...."  For some of us our clothes are more like a hobby, a collection if you will and although it will never be complete, we love the thrill of finding that next special piece.  I fall into all three of those categories which is why I haven't sold clothes in seven or eight years.  

I love them all and I don't want to part with any of them, and that was fine when we lived in a large house with walk-in closets so big they weren't just a gateway to Narnia, they could hold the entire world of Narnia at the back, no gateway needed.  The trouble is, we no longer live in a huge house and storage space is a very rare and precious thing here.  There is in fact only one closet in the house.  It contains a wardrobe large enough to clothe ten people in a space litter bigger than a coffin for one (now you may be wondering, do they make coffins for two?  I think it's possible.  Some people love each other to death.  bwah hahahahah.  You just read my terrible joke!) and guess who got that one and only closet?  That's right, me.  So, I don't feel it's right to go beyond the space I've been given when others didn't get the space at all.  

I've also noticed that more than a few of the things I bought five or six years ago have begun to disintegrate, I'm talking particularly about those novelty purses made from "vegan leather."  In spite of the fact that I have carefully used them and stored them properly, they are flaking and peeling.  The sad fact is for most material things it's either use it or lose it.  So, I've decided to get rid of a few things, let others enjoy them before they're past their prime, and make a little room in my closet in the process.  The trouble is that as I mentioned above, I love everything in my closet.  Each piece wasn't just bought, it was curated.  Parting with it is easier said than done.

When I'm struggling like this I do a few things to help me overcome the mental tug-o-war.  1.  I ask myself: Do I still like, or have a use for this.  If the answer is no, then it's easy to put it in the get-rid-of-pile.  2.  I ask myself: When's the last time I wore this.  If it's been more than two years, it automatically goes into the maybe-pile.  Once I have a maybe-pile, I sort through and ask myself, would I rather have this or that new thing I've had my eye on.  If the answer is this, then I put it back into my closet, but more often than not, the answer is, I'd rather have that new thing, so it's time to go.

I won't say I've never regretted parting with something and went out and bought it again.  I see it all the time in the ISO's on the BST groups, so I know I'm not alone.  But, for the most part, it feels pretty good to be rid of the burden of things, things, things.  Did I mention that at the back of my closet is the panel for the water heater and when it went out I had to take everything out of my closet and then spend hours putting it back before I could go to bed at the end of a very long day?  That's enough to motivate anyone to clean out their stuff.

Here's are two great tips that I have used in the past to help me curb the clutter: 1. limit yourself to X number of hangers.  Once they're full you have to get rid of something if you want to buy something new.  2.  Face all your hangers backwards on the rack.  At the end of the year you'll know which things haven't been worn and can consider parting with them.

If clothes are your thing, don't worry if other people in your life don't understand.  Love what you love.  But, remember that there should be balance to it.  Too much of a good thing and it becomes a burden.  Make it a point to go through all your clothes once a year and sift out the unwanted, unloved, or just unused articles of clothing in your wardrobe and pass them on to someone else, thereby opening yourself up to new things, more space, and more freedom.  So, let's start cleaning!