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.
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!
