Wow. So many things to get rid of! - YouLookFab Forum

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Wow. So many things to get rid of!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

So over the past few months I've been piling up a load of stuff to try and sell on eBay. Much of this is "business" clothing that I bought thinking I needed to have more smart clothes but I've never found a reason to wear them and they still have tags.

Anyway this afternoon I've been taking photos, writing up descriptions, etc. in preparation for posting everything. I've just finished this part and I have 45 items! Yikes! And I know there are some things in a box under the bed that I could probably add to this. In fact I think I might just go fish them out right now...

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

annabelle

Veteran

Congratulations! That must feel so good. It probably feels regretful to see the tags on "mistake" purchases. But as my 6 year old friend shared, "A mistake is a learning moment." and now you know what you love in your wardrobe, and when you are in your closet - you will wear what you have!

p.s. I've had a few of those learning moments...

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh wow, good for you! I bet you feel somewhat sick about those "mistakes" now, but I also bet that once they've gone, you'll never think about them again.

Ruth M

You're on a roll, Mander! You must feel pleased about what you've achieved this afternoon. Fingers crossed that you'll get a little bit of your money back, not to mention freeing up a lot of space in your wardrobe. (So good to meet you on Tuesday and it was a shame you had to leave before our evening meal.)

I love that remark from Annabelle's 6-year-old friend. Someone has passed on an invaluable mantra to this little person - such a great attitude compared to the debilitating perfectionism I grew up with.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Well, in truth, some of those mistakes have been sitting around gathering guilt and dust for a while, so I've had time to make my peace with them.

I hadn't even opened up the suitcase before I thought of four more items to add. And when I did, I found a whole pile of things I thought I got rid of a long time ago.

Some of it made me feel sad since they are in sizes that I can hardly believe I was ever able to wear. But I am going to power through those feelings and just get rid of it all.

The only question is whether I keep my 80s punk rock leather jacket. I can't zip it up but it seems wrong to ditch it.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

So many of us have had a wardrobe for a fantasy life...it's a growth process and a powerful transformation of such peace once you muscle through this tough part. There is guilt when seeing those unused items in the closet, with them gone, it's now my happy place! Enjoy the process, it's empowering!

Astrid

Veteran

Yes - get rid of everything in storage that is weighing you down! I think you'll feel so much better afterwards. Although I think everyone is allowed to keep mementos, so you might want to store the leather jacket. How about one box of items you're keeping for sentimental reasons? And when the box is full it's full.

Alassë

Veteran

You've been hard at work - congratulations!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I hope that your items find good homes and you end of with some cash in your pocket! Having just moved, I sympathize with the work and the emotions it stirs up. Hang in there!

Kirstjen

Veteran

I love a good closet purge. I'm too lazy to try to sell stuff, but just the act of tossing stuff & winnowing what I own makes me feel rejuvenated!

Windchime

Veteran

It sounds like you've put some really good energy into your style this spring. 45 items are a lot to photograph and write descriptions for--I'm impressed! I hope they all find happy new owners and that you, in turn, find some new items that you are excited to wear.

Anonymous

Wow, you are going to feel such a sense of calm when you've got rid of all those items. Good on you.

The leather jacket? Well, I would try it with a few of the things that you love to wear now and see if it works. I don't think you can beat a good leather jacket. Not many people wear jackets fastened either.

Summer

Veteran

Good for you, Mander. I hope you get a good return for your unwanted things. I agree with Diane that you could consider wearing your leather jacket open.

Annabelle - I wish I'd been so wise at six.

Anonymous

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

unfrumped

Veteran

Good deal!
I need to make another run at culling and honing in on what's working, so your project is more inspiration for that.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hear you. Good work! I have maybe 16 items up on ebay now, and more to photograph and list. Most of them were only worn a little bit, and I'm just not feeling them anymore. Plus some of them were bought right after I ran my first half marathon and was at my skinniest, and I'm not sure I'll ever get back to that point, so I'm feeling more inclined to let that stuff go than to keep it around in hopes that someday it will be useful again.

Weirdly, I've been eyeing the jacket rack of my closet and thinking it might be time for another purge there. Things that were once workhorses (black Gibson riding jacket) have been unworn for the last year or so because other favorites have taken their place. I tend to keep things "just in case" but sometimes I think, "just in case of WHAT?" If I can't pinpoint the occasion that would make me wear these pieces, I wonder if it's just better to let them go. I certainly have enough to wear without them.

Meredith

Veteran

Nice work! Good luck with your sales!

Marlene

Veteran

I find big closet purges hard as well. Its so much more than just getting rid of stuff. You have to deal with so many emotions during the process. Focus on the end: a closet filled with clothes that fit and work for your current life. I find once I get rid of the stuff and its out of my space, I feel very free. Plus it sounds like you are potentially getting some $$$ in the process! Good luck with it!

Joy

Veteran

Good luck without closet purge and hopes that you recover some $$. That which doesn't sell would probably be welcomed by Dress For Success or women's shelters and would probably be a tax write off for you.
I enjoy my wardrobe, but it is too big in some areas. You are inspiring.

rachylou

Veteran

You are rocking!

jackiec

Veteran

Good work!!!

Aida

Veteran

Nice work! It's very freeing once all that stuff is gone. Re the punk jacket, please keep it! Those authentic 80s punk jackets are special and uncopyable, I wish I had mine (ok mine was 90s but still).