Cleaning out my closet is depressing. - YouLookFab Forum

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Cleaning out my closet is depressing.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Despite having gotten rid of tons of stuff over the past half year, I am cleaning out my closet yet again. Some thoughts:

1) I am grossed out by the number of items I have that are just total garbage: shorts with paint stains on them, yellowed camis, 6467373 pairs of fuzzy socks that are gray with age and half of which don't even have mates, etc.

2) I have 747476474 pairs of jeans that I have gotten too fat for. To be fair, at least one pair is from college but still. There are several that are only a couple of years old and are just wayyyy too small. This is depressing me big time! I just need to accept that it is pointless to keep things that don't fit.

3) It feels really good to toss stuff that I never really liked in the first place. Like some unspecial cheap sweaters that pulled up after the first washing.

4) I have a lot of cute stuff that I forgot I even owned, so that's kind of exciting.

Okay, that's all for now.

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18 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Beth Ann

Veteran

First of all, you're in there, sorting and creating space for your real life and your real body. That's a step many people won't take -- and most Americans, at least, are swimming in stuff, so you're not alone. Brava!

Be gentle with yourself and dress the body you have now! Honestly, I think we notice weight fluctuations far more than those around us do. I try to remember that and focus on my health first, and jean size second!

I have one box for things that are "few pounds" too big or small. I cannot spill out beyond that box. I have enough as a "holding zone" for items that fit, but don't suit my current style, that I think I might wear again. I'm merciless with things that are stained, in ill repair, or worn.

Maybe you can create a few outfits out of those rediscovered items!

Alassë

Veteran

Congratulations on getting rid of all the junky clothes, items you never liked, and ill-fitting garments! And now you have found clothes to play with.

rabbit

Veteran

You are doing good work! On the jeans front, just think how great it will be to remove the mental and physical space those jeans take up. Someone else will appreciate them. You could take the really worn out/damaged clothes to H&M to donate and get a 15% off coupon for your bag and maybe find a pair of new jeans that get your current body, for example.

Anonymous

At least you found some almost-forgotten stuff that you can still be happy that you have. I agree that you need to think about how much extra storage space you're creating when you get rid of the stuff that doesn't work for you anymore.

Kim

Veteran

You found stuff that you had forgotten you owned, because you had TOO MUCH stuff (that wasn't working, and was taking up valuable real estate, in your closet and in your head! LOL).

So now, you have less stuff cluttering up your closet and your mind. That's a great thing! You can go ahead and have fun with the stuff that you have! And you'll remember this little lesson the next time you go shopping...Right??? Be discriminating when you shop now. More isn't always better as you have seen.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Thanks guys! My closet is still overflowing, but it is getting better. I shop a lot, so I still have lots of stuff...but there is no point in holding on to stuff I am never going to wear again. Like a pair of jeans I bought in 2005....they still fit but are SUPER low cut. Like they stop an inch above my butt crack lol! A 36 year old woman does not need those.

April

Veteran

PA, I know you said you're finding this closet clean-out depressing, but I'm finding it exhilarating (on your behalf)! Easy for me to say because I'm doing none of the work, but I'm nonetheless excited for you because when you get rid of all those crummy odd socks and pilled, stained, yellowed items, you are going to feel so thrilled. You may even find yourself tip-toeing to that closet a couple of times a day just to look at it.

Well done for getting started! Crank up your favorite music and don't give up hope!

deb

Veteran

You will feel better once you can see what you have and can work with because it all fits. Good job!

Mauvish

That was going me the title of my future post about my future closet cleaning --- lol

You beat me to it.

You are making progress.

Anonymous

You are doing important work. Congratulations on your progress.

unfrumped

Veteran

Keep up the good work! Better things will come of it.

celia

Veteran

When faced with such an enormous task it is normal to feel overwhelmed but it seems that now you are ata great point to start having fun with fashion and your wardrobe.

Summer

Veteran

You'll reap the rewards once your closet is rid of the baddies. If you start to feel overwhelmed, try working on one category at a time as and when you can. Keep up the good work!

April

Veteran

How's it going, PA?

Glory

Veteran

This type of clean out is so much harder than it sounds. You are making great progress and hooray that you found some items you had forgotten! Let us know how it goes!

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Well I did focus on one type of clothing yesterday. Dirty clothing, ie anything that I haven't bothered to wash in awhile, lol. It all started when I went through my hampers to do laundry and I was like "what IS all this crap in the bottom of the hampers?" I discovered that most of the stuff down there was there for a reason. So I washed a huge batch of laundry to donate, and made another pile of Just....trash.

Helena

Veteran

Seconding everything Beth Ann said ... it's not an easy process you are going through, and it probably took years to accumulate all that stuff, so it's unfair to expect it won't take time to get through it. You are also learning valuable lessons along the way so that you will be wiser in future about what you buy, keep, purge, etc. It's all part of your journey; embrace it. Good luck xx

rachylou

Veteran

After about five years of purging and still having too much... I have yielded somewhat and am starting to enjoy it... Lol