Paring Down

I write a lot about “beautiful things,” but in reality, I don’t own that much stuff.  I’m a neat freak, and order and tidiness help me breath.  But lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed when I walk into my closet, and I finally decided to do something about it.

I ran across this article by Jennifer Braunschweiger in the October issue of More Magazine, and her mission to rid her wardrobe of anything currently unworn really inspired me into action.  Now, I don’t consider myself very sentimental, and I don’t get attached to clothes.  I regularly clean out my closet and drawers and have no problem donating things that no longer fit me or that I never wear.  My maternity clothes: gone.  The boys’ outgrown items: gone, gone, gone.  But, as I’ve become a busy mom, my casual wardrobe has greatly increased while the pieces I consider “good” or “dressy” just sit there gathering dust.

As I planned for our sitter’s wedding and tried to find a suitable outfit, I realized that most of my things no longer work with my current status in life.  Once, I wore the bright pink, 1950s-inspired dress with candy-colored heels to church on Easter.  And it worked.  Not so much now.  As my body has changed after having two children, I find myself reaching for more subdued tones, though I still love color, but I’m fine with not literally lighting up a room anymore.  Especially since I’m most likely towing my two noisy little guys after me.  And since I’m not working in an office or classroom, I really don’t need five pairs of black dress pants.

My goal is to walk into my closet and choose something quickly, because it is comfortable, flattering, and works for me now.  I don’t want to stand there for five minutes before trying on several items, only to realize that nothing works.  I don’t have time for that.

So, last weekend, I gathered up everything in my closet that I no longer wear and put it aside.  My younger sister came over and basically shopped my closet, trying on the things she thought would work, and I’m happy to report that she left with a big bundle.  It thrills me to see my clothes, all of them loved and well-cared for, go to someone who will also love them back.  And since she’s got great style, I’ll enjoy watching her accessorize them differently than I did.  Definitely recycling at its greatest.

After she left, I packed up everything else that just doesn’t work for me now, and it’s awaiting the donation truck this week.

I still have a few items I need to go through, but I’m already feeling relieved.  It’s fun knowing that everything in my closet fits and works well, and it takes so much guesswork out of dressing, especially for more formal occasions.  My closet looks a little leaner, but that’s okay, too.  Just as I’m figuring out my role as a mom, I’m also learning about letting go and working with what I’ve got.

Linking up with The Glamorous Housewife!