I’ve spent the last month and a half tossing things in the trash, giving things away, and selling things on eBay.
It all started with my classroom. I knew that I wouldn’t be returning to Room 20 for the 2012-13 school year, and my new classroom would be at a new school in a new city. This meant going through everything and making big decisions: trash or stash?
The majority of the stuff was trashed (I should point out that my students took home tons of stuff; they were thrilled to be the recipients of worn books, jilted markers, and faded construction paper.).
After tackling my classroom, I had to tackle the home front. <INSERT MASSIVE SIGH HERE>
The trash or stash decision proved to be a little bit difficult when it came to my clothes and shoes. After listing the better items on eBay, and giving away stuff to Goodwill, my cousin, and my sister, I was still left with clothes and shoes to sift through.
I’ve decided to organize my clothing closet using this (tentative) list:
- 3 black skirts (black skirts have their own category; I seriously counted over 15 black skirts in my wardrobe.)
- 3 layering tops (black, nude, white)
- 3 camisoles (black, nude, white)
- 3 blazers
- 12 skirts (5 for church, 5 for work, 2 that have double duty)
- 5 dresses (2 long, 3 mid-length)
- 12 tops/blouses (5 for church, 5 for work, 2 that have double duty)
- 5 coats (1 trench coat, 1 peacoat, 1 black coat, 2 vintage coats)
- __ pairs of shoes (EEK! I haven’t ventured here yet!!!!!!)
This is the list I came up with last night and I *think* this is something I can work with. While sifting through my closet the things that had a tendency to land in the giveaway pile were the items I thrifted. It was alot difficult to rid myself of something I paid full price for.
Why the list?
Actually thinking about what will stay in my closet is a simple reminder of this fact: all of these materialistic items are just that–items. I don’t want to start a new life with old junk. I don’t want my future home to be cluttered with stuff. Shoes and clothes are nice. I like to thrift. I like a good deal. I just don’t want my life to revolve around things that really don’t matter in the long run.
How will I use the list?
I think the list will help me
a. stay organized
b. keep stock of what I have in my closet
c. use the list to create new ways to wear items (Kendra keeps track of what’s in her closet using her phone)
Once I start narrowing things down I will definitely come back with pictures of my updated closet.
How do you keep your closet organized?
I LOVE organizaing closets for some reason. I honestly get such a thrill out of it. lol Mine is color coded, and then arranged by season. Summers shirts together, sweaters together, etc. I usually do a deep cleaning at least twice a year. It makes getting dressed a whole lot easier. I do have a hard time getting rid of things. Still working on that one.
LOL I do NOT get a thrill out of it! Maybe I can call you up and you can come and help me?!
I seriously love this post! I have been in turmoil over my closet the past several months! Especially since I’ve lost weight after training and doing that 21 day walk! So many skirts are too big, that is one of the most frustrating things, a skirt that is too big!!
I have been trying my hardest to figure out some strategic way of weeding through my closet and keeping what I need and love.
One technique that has worked for me in the past: Pulling out each individual item, seeing if it fits and if I have something to go with it. If neither applies, have I gone to wear it at least ONCE in the past 2-3 months (unless it’s an out-of season item)…. If I haven’t, then it goes away. That worked for me well, but then I started making bad habits by making exceptions!! No bueno!!
Thanks for posting this….I can’t wait to finally start this closet project…this was just the inspiration that I needed!!
Yes! See, I go through everything every 2-3 months and donate/sell, etc., but! I really want to alleviate all of that by making sure I actually get good use out of the stuff I wear! At this point, though, I’m definitely getting rid of anything that is TOO big, that needs to be “rigged”, and so on. I found myself making exceptions and that just cannot be! I’ve found it to be easier to let go of clothes, but shoes are a whoooolllllle ‘notha thang!
Weeeeeellllllll….I keep my closet organized by having THREE closets…. My closet-closet…My Bed…AND MY FLOOR!!!
OH WAAAAAIT….I actually have four closets right now…I still havn’t unpacked from CAMP three weeks ago!!! HAHA!!!
EEK!
Haha- I just realized something, I am quite opposite from you as far as the planning goes; I have NO IDEA what to plan out as far as my clothing. As far as shoes, I am about as strict and organized as it gets!! I own about 30-35 pairs of shoes (the last I counted, I may own more), I can’t stand “excess” when it comes to purses and shoes. When I buy a new pair of shoes, ALMOST all of the time, I decide which pair I will be tossing/selling/donating to make room for/justify the new pair I just bought. I wish I was the same with my clothing!
I don’t have many purses, but, yesssssssss…SHOOOOOES. I’m still trying to figure out WHY I chose shoes as my weakness. So strange! I’ve gotten into the habit of selling 2 pairs of shoes for every pair I buy, because it was getting all kinds of ridiculous!
The thing that helps me the most is to make sure that after a good clean out, I still feel like I have lots of options for clothes that I wear day to day. My list looks a bit different to yours; I have more items on my work/everyday list than my church/looking nice list. Church is only once a week, and it doesn’t take as long for me to get tired of those outfits. But the everyday ones…? sheeshh. I can get So. Bored.
That makes good sense! I go to church three times a week, but even now, I wear the same skirt/dress quite often and change things up with accessories.
I’m definitely inspired by this post! I’ve been tossing clothes out of my closet left and right, trying to only have things in there that I truly enjoy wearing. It’s taking some time, but I’m okay with that. I keep a bag in the floor and if I come across a piece while I’m getting ready that I no longer wear, I toss it in the bag. When it’s full, I donate it. However, I don’t think I can pare down my clothes quite as much as you. I NEED all 15 of my black skirts!
(One day maybe I’ll overcome this.)
If you have an iPhone, there is a really cool app called Cloth (I think it’s free). It’s kind of like a personal instagram for outfits. You take a picture of your outfit, then you can classify it (everyday, evening, work, etc) and label each piece you’re wearing. So whether you’re searching for a church outfit or how you’ve worn your favorite scarf before, it’s easy to find an outfit!