September 28, 2007 01:46 PM
Free Your Closet, Free Your Soul
I kept hearing the words of What Not to Wear hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly ringing through my head the other day: "Have fewer pieces of better quality." I wanted to make it my mantra, I wanted to embrace it and live and feel what it would be like, because it seemed like such a fabulous philosophy. But there I stood, in front of a closet at least half-full of, well, crappy clothes.
So I began what I thought would be simply an exercise in decluttering. I got the family involved, and announced to dh and the kids: "It's time to go through our closets and get rid of stuff." My announcement was met with eye-rolling and moaning, but all reluctantly agreed to at least give it a try.
I began in my almost-13-year-old son's closet, and I managed to fill two large bags with clothing and shoes that no longer fit him. (And we just cleared his closet out this summer!) My 17-year-old daughter doesn't outgrow things anymore, but managed to fill a small bag with a few stained t-shirts and a few jeans too ripped to wear. My husband found a few sweaters from, I think, the early 1990s, and swore that everything that remained in his closet were items he was definitely going to wear. Soon. Really soon.
Then it was my turn. I finally tossed out some old painting clothes because, to be honest, I really don't paint much anymore. I moved on to the shoes, and threw out several pairs of fabulously-cute-but-overly-scuffed pairs, a pair of uncomfortable pumps that I've always hated, and even placed a pair of Kate Spade sandals (bought on eBay) that I hate to admit wear just too darned small for me in the charity pile. (I hope the charity I donate them to will find them a good home.) My closet felt neat and tidy after about 45 minutes, so it was time to move on to the dreaded basement closet. Although I don't consider myself a packrat, there are just some items of clothing I hold on to for way too long. And the basement closet is were they can all be found.
I began by surveying my winter wardrobe (housed there until I need it). I decided not to just keep the jackets, sweaters, and blazers that fit. I decided to be really ruthless and purge like a demon. I started off slowly, timidly tossing sweaters that were itchy or weird colors into a pile. Then, some sort of decluttering momentum kicked in. Out went the "I never really liked you because you make me look short" jacket, and the turtleneck that reminded me of a horrible boss from the job I hated more than any other I've had. A few more pairs of dress pants from that horrible job fell into the charity pile as well. Gone, gone, gone. By the time I was done, the closet was nearly empty, and I had filled five large bags with clothing and shoes. I even tossed out my "one size up" fat jeans and my "one size down" skinny jeans. It's time to admit I've been the same size for four or five years. And if I gain or lose weight, Old Navy and The Gap are just a few miles away.
So..how do I feel, you may be wondering? (Or not, but I'm going to tell you anyway.) I have to tell you, I feel light and relieved. I never thought a dark closet in the corner of my basement was weighing me down, but it was. It was filled with items that were, quite simply, no longer a part of my life--or at least, they didn't need to be part of my life. Then, I started to remember something, and it helped shed a little light on my habits, and how I was feeling now: I grew up with a messy, packrat Mom, and the chaotic state of our home always seemed to weigh heavily on me. Particularly in my teens years, I can remember, at times, feeling almost suffocated by the "stuff" in our house. Was this something that contributed to the thick air of unhappiness there? Was my mother's OCD and depression why she couldn't let go of so many things we didn't need or even want? I wished I could go back and clear out my childhood home. Perhaps it would have lifted some of the unhappiness from that place. I can't, of course, butI can do it now and make sure my family and I don't feel that same cluttered weight I felt as a child.
I lined up nine bags in the garage and set an appointment for a charity pickup for the usable items, and I let out a big sigh of relief. It's great to look back on your past, even the not-so-happy parts, and feel that although you can't change it, you can at least learn from it.
Comments
I lined up nine bags in the garage and set an appointment for a charity pickup for the usable items, and I let out a big sigh of relief. It's great to look back on your past, even the not-so-happy parts, and feel that although you can't change it, you can at least learn from it.
Congratulations. I know what you mean.
Posted by: Dana @ Decoration Blog at October 18, 2007 06:45 AM
