The rule of thumb for closet organization, I've heard, is "If you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it."
In taking inventory of my closet with reorganization in mind, it was obvious that I own garments that I haven't worn in more than a decade. Many that I haven't been ABLE TO WEAR for more than a decade.
So I got to work boxing up garments to give to the thrift store.
The task is making me appreciate hoarders more than I ever have. I love those outdated dresses and pants and tops. Each old pair of shoes, each sweater, each pair of jeans that wouldn't even accommodate one of my legs, let along my entire lower half, hold memories. There's the dress I wore to my daughter's wedding, and there's the one I wore when Vann and I were married. Those jeans there? I think I was wearing them the day Vann slipped on a wet rock and fell in the stream and broke his new fly rod--and I fell in the stream laughing so hard I couldn't stand up. Every stitch holds a part of my life. How can I get rid of those memories?
And then I remember what the hoarder specialists always tell the person living in a home buckling under the weight of several tons of memories (and a few dead cats): The memory doesn't live in the item, it lives in your heart.
So out they go. I have a couple of boxes filled with clothes I haven't worn in ages and will likely never wear again. And I have more to pack. The charity truck will be coming around in a week or so. I hope to have my entire foyer filled with boxes for them to pick up.
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On 05/15/2013, Nicole said ...
Good for you Susan! I always feel so good when I get rid of stuff.
On 05/15/2013, Nancy in Utah said ...
I need to do the same thing Susan! I use you as inspiration.
On 05/15/2013, Dot in NE Georgia said ...
Susan, I am on the same mission of cleaning out my closet. When there is no room for one more hanger you just know that the time has come to start purging more than just a few of those clothes that you haven't worn in the past few years. Good luck on your mission.
On 05/15/2013, Barbara Anne said ...
More power to you! I keep things I love that I intend to wear again well after that year as I cannot afford new clothes that often but if decades have passed, out it goes.
Do consider if anything should be saved to become part of a quilt, a christening dress, a picnic blanket, or some precious wall hanging for you or for a loved one. That is a good alternative way to repurpose some garments.
Hugs!
On 05/15/2013, Linda Kay said ...
I've noticed a feeling of lightness when I do some major cleaning out. It somehow feels more free. The older I get the more I realize that too many "things" can become a burden. The trick seems to be deciding which things you really love and are worth keeping and what isn't!
On 05/15/2013, Bonnie said ...
Susan--
I learned to take pictures of those special items before they leave my house. I can look at the pictures of clothes my mother made for me in high school, and enjoy them all over again. A JPG doesn't take up very much room!
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