Nothing to Wear! Dress like you mean it!

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Why do us gals always feel like we’ve got nothing to wear, even with closets bursting at the seams? Is it because there’s so much crammed in there that it’s impossible to see what you have? Then I started thinking about the last time I did a proper closet cleanout.

When was the last time you went through your closet and sorted out your clothes and shoes to give away or toss? I’m telling you, it’s been ages for me. It’s such a pain to even think about it. Why is it so hard to let go of the stuff we never wear anymore? I probably only wear like 10% of all my clothes. So why do I find it so tough to part with the rest?

As I’ve pondered that question, it’s dawned on me that parting with certain items is more of an emotional rollercoaster than a rational process. Take for instance the dress I wore to a wedding 15 years ago, which I absolutely refuse to let go of because it symbolizes the time when my now husband and I were just starting to get serious. It may not make sense, but that dress is staying put! And then there’s the ultra-short turquoise number I wore on our first date – oh, the memories! What about those maxi dresses I’ve held onto for two whole decades as relics of my carefree single days? Let’s not forget my collection of leather jackets, even though we live in the desert! When will I ever have the perfect occasion to rock my white cropped leather jacket again? To the grocery store? Perhaps to a soccer game or a PTA meeting? Oh, the dilemmas of fashion in the desert!

I have a collection of shoes with 6-inch heels that I can’t survive in for more than 10 minutes. But hey, you never know when my friends might decide to hit the club, so I guess I’ll just keep holding on to them!

Could it be that I’ve been playing dress-up all wrong and now I’m haunted by the ghost of buyer’s remorse? Or perhaps I’m just waiting for the perfect occasion to bust out that black mini dress covered in feathers. Oh, and what if those super-tight jeans from 10 years ago suddenly become trendy again? It could also be because I’ve vanished 20 pounds in the last year and now my wardrobe looks like it belongs to someone else. But then again, what if those pounds decide to boomerang back? Looks like I’m in for another round of closet musical chairs and budget-busting shopping sprees.

Then, I had a sudden realization… I believe that many of us in our 40s and 50s find it difficult to let go of these possessions because it feels like bidding farewell to our younger selves. Every dress, pair of shoes, or outfit symbolizes the youthful individual we once were. Clothing has always been intertwined with my personality, representing various stages of my life and holding deep sentimental value.

Is it such a crime to cling to these memories? I mean, what good does it do me to have them crammed in a closet, taking up space? It’s not like I schedule weekly dress reunions in there!

So, I have made the decision to embrace the present. I proudly embrace the role of a mother to two children and two furry companions. I am a devoted wife, a successful career woman, a supportive friend, and a caring sister. I take pride in the person I have become, and I am grateful for the loving family I have. While the past held its moments, it’s time to confidently embrace the future.

They claim that if you haven’t used an item in a year, it’s time to let it go. Now, where does one even begin with this advice?

Have you had the opportunity to learn about Marie Kondo? She is a renowned expert in organization and offers wonderful insights into this process. Her approach to organization, known as the KonMari method, entails thoroughly evaluating every item in your home and determining whether it brings joy.

She doesn’t start by room, she starts by categories. Beginning with clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous, and ending with sentimental items. Her process involves holding each item and verbally thanking it for a job well done, and then treating each item you keep as a friend. I can only imagine the look on my husband’s face if he walked in while I’m thanking my clothes and having a chat with them – he’d probably think I’ve finally lost it! Well, it might sound a bit off-the-wall, but hey, I’m open to giving it a shot. After all, as a type A personality, I live for organization, and it brings me an unexplainable sense of serenity.

I’ve decided to take you through this emotional declutter. Let’s start with the steps.

1. ENVISION YOUR PERFECT SPACE

What do I want this space to look like? I envision a spacious, uncluttered sanctuary. No items cluttering the floor, just beautifully spaced hangers with room to breathe between clothes. A dedicated spot for a luxurious jewelry armoire, a special place for my exquisite handbags, and a cozy nook for my favorite, well-worn shoes. Perhaps I might even consider blessing my husband with a small section of his own…

2. GATHER ALL CLOTHING INTO ONE SPACE
Assemble all your clothing in one place with passion and commitment, eagerly preparing to tackle the task with a positive and determined mindset. This marks the initial step towards organizing and streamlining your wardrobe, forging a space that mirrors your dynamic personality and unique style.

In this step, she suggests gathering every piece of clothing you own and creating a “clothing mountain” on your bed. This may cause some anxiety, as it’s hard to imagine sleeping with a Mount Clothesmore beside you. It’s like setting yourself a challenge – to conquer the mountain of laundry before it conquers you. Just make sure to pick a day with no plans, because this endeavor will definitely be a mountainous project, but hey, the victory of reclaiming your bed will be worth it!

3. DISCARD FIRST- THE SPARK JOY METHOD

This exciting process encourages me to hold each item and reflect, “Does this truly bring me joy?” I mean, why not! How am I supposed to figure out if a pair of shoes brings joy? They’re saying this will take a while, but I’m open to the experience. It’s meant to be an enriching and lively journey, like savoring an intricate dish. Let’s embrace it and see where it takes us. I’ll be sure to share the wonderful experience with you.

4. ENSURE ITEMS ARE ORGANIZED AND STORED PROPERLY

This should only happen after you’ve carefully gone through everything and confidently figured out where each piece should go.

5. HAVE A DESIGNATED PLACE FOR EVERY ITEM

You can create a special home for each item in your closet, ensuring that every item has its own designated space. By consistently putting each item back in its place, you’ll maintain an organized and clutter-free space.

GETTING READY FOR A CLOSET MAKEOVER

Before I began, I made sure to gather all the essential items required for organizing at the final step. I carefully prepared a variety of necessary items to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Slim, velvet hangers are a fantastic addition to your closet. You can find a great selection of these hangers on Amazon. I usually keep an eye out for a good sale, but, truth be told, they are already reasonably priced. Check out the slim velvet hangers here and upgrade your closet today!

Baskets are fantastic for organizing items such as belts, swimsuits, and flat sandals. I’m excited to share a couple of my top picks for baskets: the Cotton woven baskets, the Closet storage baskets, and the Wicker closet storage baskets. Let’s make storage stylish and efficient!

Pretty hat boxes are the perfect solution for storing and organizing various items like hats, scarves, wallets, and more. This 3 piece hat box set is absolutely delightful and I can’t get enough of it! Check it out here.

Shelf dividers are an essential tool to bring visual harmony to your shelves, promoting a sense of tidiness and organization. They work wonders in keeping your handbags neatly arranged, making it effortless to find the perfect one for any occasion. You can find high-quality shelf dividers here.

Drawer organizers are the perfect solution for keeping your socks and underwear neatly in place!

A Jewelry Armoire that exudes pure luxury and elegance.

Now it’s time to get to work with my key organizing items!

I will return to this article once I’ve finished my major cleanout. I’ll proudly share before, during, and after photos. If this motivates you to do the same, return and share in the comments.

If there are any passionate readers here who have experienced the life-changing magic of the KonMari method, I would be thrilled to hear from you! Share your journey, leave a comment, post photos, and let us feel the transformative power of decluttering. Tell us about the emotions before, during, and after, and any additional tips and tricks you uncovered along the way!

My vision is to create a stunning, open space that effortlessly inspires the perfect outfit 🩷

Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Your support means the world to me.

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Xoxo

Jenn