Time to Clean the Closet

For some people, when spring rolls around, it's time to open the closet doors, grab a garbage bag to sort out what can be recycled and what needs to truly "go" and you dig in. You make room for new things and you have a wonderful sense of accomplishment if you can get it done.

Wish I could tell you which approach is the best one to make sure you have a successful cleaning session, or in some situations which one helps you get through it faster, but I cannot.

The organizer that I am, I would say, come up with a project plan. You know, how do you plan on going through it, is it front to end, logical sections (color or seasons), oldest to newest - whatever you decide. Then define you primary objectives: Make room for new stuff, have enough room that what is left is not cluttered, simplify your choices, make room for a new special someone in your life to "share" your closet, make it easier to find the things you need, update your style, incentive to shed the extra "weight" - are there more?

Don't forget to outline a solid mitigation plan, like what happens if you don't lose the extra weight, what will you wear? What happens if that dress comes back into style, I won't have it if I give it away. There is the question, I might just want to pull out that moo moo for old times sake, after all it is very comfortable.

All the planning, might take you a bit more time to get to the end goal, but as long as you are steadfast and have clearly stated your objectives you might get there. Of course your bedroom might be in chaos for a while. (Boy isn't that a loaded statement!)

I'm actually thinking I'm at a place in my life where I need to throw caution to the wind when it comes to my closet. I think I have been holding on to things that fit well for me 10 years ago but really don't make me as happy as they once did and I just haven't wanted to take a good look in the mirror and say, that just doesn't fit anymore. (remember this is an analogy and not getting rid of the red shirts hanging next to the purple ones) In spite of all the planning and defining I do, it's just not the same as taking a step back and truly analysing the problem.

If I take a close look at my closet problems, I find there are a few articles that stand out as needing alterations. Then I ask myself, is it really worth my time to fix/change them? If I do, will I like what I see? Maybe, I guess I need to at least give some of those things a try. OK, I'll put those in the keep pile with work to be done. First one starts tomorrow with a group of work friends to get my ass back in shape - no literally, my ass is the target.

What's this I see? Oh goodness, that suit is very old. I have found memories of it though. When I was just starting a new chapter, it made me feel confident on where I was going. It hasn't fit in maybe 6 years, not since Tom H. and I really called it quits. Even if it did, it isn't appropriate for where I am in my life today. It needs to go, but I keep holding on to it, because I think about the value it once had. I sabotage myself with this suit, and other articles that hold the same emotions.

Just about then, you start to think, this is going to take too long, I won't have time to get through all of it. Of course you won't if you look at the entire closet. What's wrong with just taking it one step at a time? Can't you just start with one piece at a time? This is quite rhetorical at this point. I know very well, with my addictive personally, that I have to take it one piece at a time or it will be an all or nothing effort for me.

I think it's more important for me to feel comfortable in what I'm wearing, that for me to have a large variety. I really need to get back to a place where I feel good in my own skin. Maybe I should just walk around naked all of the time? That might solve all sorts of issues with my closet. Well, then again, it seems like there have been enough people to see the emperor's new clothes, and just because they are not laughing doesn't mean it isn't happening.

This weekend I tried on a couple of new outfits. One I have tried on a time or two, but just can't seem to make my mind up about it. It has some really good qualities about it, feels comfortable, easy to move around in, could wear in most situations, and won't cost me much emotionally to commit to. The negatives are I'm just looking for the best deal, and I don't think the return policy is a very good one. At this point, I think it's pretty clearly stated, one you buy it, there is no return. The other outfit, if you will, is completely new. Someone I trust a great deal, suggested I look a little closer at it. At first glance, it might not have been something I would pick out for myself. I tried it on, and there are definitely some things I like about the fit. It is not a look I really ever thought I could pull off. Hell, I still don't know if I can. It's like a 25 year old wearing big diamonds, or your black gown to tea on Sunday. You can do either of those things, but unless you have the attitude to back up the personal choice, you will get stares, and not the good ones.

I guess it really doesn't matter how you go about cleaning out the old, as long as you do it from time to time. Sitting in my bed, looking at the closet doors, it is definitely time for me to tackle that task. I'm really looking forward to trying on some new things, and accessorizing the quality articles I do have just to polish it off.

Can someone do me a favor, and let me know when something really doesn't fit anymore? I know I have put on a little extra weight and I'm not really hiding it. I think the best thing for me right now would be to just hear it, so I can deal with it. Nobody enjoys looking at muffin tops but if you don't tell people that it is hanging out it just seems to continue to happen.

I believe tomorrow I will be wearing black. I'll just stick with the basics until I get the closet under control.