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Closet clean out!

Mainelady

Veteran

Hello Dear Fabbers!
Spring is finally popping up here in Maine (although inland is forecast to get snow tomorrow). There is a promise of lighter days ahead. It has been a long and heavy haul since school began in September. I have the most darling class and seeing them every day has been a gift. I focus on them and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
This is vacation week and I am in the midst of the biggest sort, cull and purge of my life. Ummmmm, I have been keeping way too many clothes....it is almost embarrassing. If we were not in a pandemic I could open my own gently used clothing store.
My last day of teaching will be on June 10th. After break, I will have 34 days in the classroom. There are MANY clothing items I will never wear again.

I have set aside some items for DTwin to look at when she is in Maine this summer. DD has chosen a couple of blazers and a few accessories. The bed in the guest room is piled high with classroom clothes. DDIL is coming over later this week to have a try on session and see what she wants. I predict the piles will shrink quite a bit. I will take my collection of teacher tote bags to school and let colleagues take what they want. Anything left over I will donate to our Community Closet.

Looking toward retirement and cleaning out closets and drawers gives me such a great feeling. I feel lighter than I have felt in months. There is still so much to do. The days and weeks are so loaded that until this week, I have not had time to focus on this big transition. It is beginning to feel real and I am excited to see what is up ahead.

Self care has become trying to decompress and get enough rest. I can’t say I have been all that successful, however this week does feel like a big shift is taking place.

Now, fully vaccinated, I will head to DD’s spa for a pedicure. I will also visit my well loved hair stylist and get a trim....or a cut? I am teetering between keeping the length, knowing I like to pull my hair back or up as the days get longer ( and as lake days become a reality’) and going back to a sleek bob.....it always, always looked so polished. And professional. I have to remind myself that I am retiring and am leaning toward keeping my hair long. I can go back and have more length taken off and I don’t think I will need to wait 9 months this time.
Oh my gosh. There it is. Another novella. If you have read this far, pat yourself on the back. Thank you for letting me share my little adventure in lightening up!
I look forward to having more time to keep up with you fabulous people.

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

Anonymous

Congrats on lightening your load and practicing self care, I hope your new chapter ahead is fulfilling and fun!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Why not both? You could get a long bob now, and grow it out by the time it’s warm enough for the beach.

Congrats on lightening the load. One aspect of getting a job-job that I’m looking forward to is knowing wardrobe requirements and jettisoning some extras.

Anonymous

Jealous of your retirement, but you definitely earned it! Looking forward to seeing your closet pics!
Spending a summer at the lake sounds like absolute heaven to me right now

Glory

Veteran

Just so excited and happy for you reading this post. It sounds like you are ready to forge ahead.

Bijou

Veteran

Mainlady - it is always a joy to read your posts. How lovely that you can share your well curated wardrobe with family, friends and colleagues - I am sure they will all find something to treasure. You are about to embark on a wonderful new chapter in your life. How fabulous that you are fully vaccinated and can get out and about more this summer. Life on the lake sounds idyllic.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well done, and congrats! It sounds like you are ready for summer and a well-deserved break.

Runcarla

Veteran

Congratulations! As a teacher through the pandemic, I can imagine you need some pampering and R&R. I’m interested in what you are keeping going in to retirement and whether or not you have (or will) identify any wardrobe holes. At three years post retirement, I’ve retained very little (maybe 10) garments, from my work wardrobe!

I really like your natural waves, and think the cut/style you shared here https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-hair-pics fit the bill for versatility.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FANTASTIC and congrats!

I can feel your relief, excitement, and hope, Mainelady. What a WELL DESERVED rest to look forward to. Thank you for once again spreading your positive energy. Enjoy

Joy

Veteran

Congratulations! You can always volunteer in a classroom. It is hard when school starts and you are not part of it. The kids in their new shoes always tugged at my heart. But there is a sense of relief too. You will find your balance.

Anonymous

Congrats and cheers!

Destri

Congrats, Mainelady! I can relate as I retired from college teaching at the end of last academic year. I recently had a friend come help me with getting my closet re-organized and with re-imagining what my retirement life style will be. I'm still holding on to some work dresses and pants as I'm not sure if I might need them for something I might do in the future (I moved those items to a holding zone). But mostly I'm uber casual and comfy now! It has been a transition to try to make myself get out of my lounge clothes and into regular clothes (still working on that). I also have grown my hair out long (previously had a sleek bob and then a pixie). I'm enjoying the long hair right now because it's easy to throw up into a high bun but also fun to style with waves if I want to take the time to do that. Best of luck to you as you finish up the academic year!

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you, Jenna. I’m not quite sure what adventures are ahead but opportunities are already presenting themselves. I am not going to rush into any decisions.
Fashintern, you are wise. Yes, changes in jobs and life mean letting go of some things and accepting others.

Suntiger, my shelves and closet are starting to look a bit empty ( to my eye). I usually do not have a hold pile when I cull closets, but this time I do. I’m not sure what new adventures I will have and I do not want to “need” something specific on short notice. Once my life vacation gets underway, I think I will be passing on more things.
Thank you, Glory. I am excited. This all began to feel real after I wrapped up my last ever parent conference a week and a half ago. I began to empty file cabinets and closet shelves at work....that will be a process!
Bijou, yes, hope is smiling through the hard days. DH, DDIL and I are all fully vaccinated. DS, DD and future DSIL have all had one of their vaccines. Our little world feels a bit safer. We are still very concerned for the children, so we won’t be venturing too far or to any congested places, but it does feel good to know that if DH gets Covid he will survive. Today was my first real adventure beyond the post office, grocery, work and pharmacy. It felt so good!
Thank you, Janet. I am ready to give myself a chance to be bored for a few minutes. Haha. Lake days and family are now I hope to fill my summer.
Carla, it will be interesting. I am trying to avoid wardrobe holes and probably keeping a few extra things that I will find I do not need. I am so happy with my more relaxed, yet still a little polished style. I am feeling very classic New England lately, but not leaning towards preppy.
Ahh yes, thank you for resharing the hair photos! This is the direction I want to go, perhaps a tiny bit longer and a few more layers for those loose beach waves.

Thank you, dear Angie! I look forward to having more time to spend with YLF. I love lurking, but miss the engagement.
Joyce, all true! I have loved my job for almost 4 decades (even the hard years). I told my principal that I will not be able to make a graceful exit unless I see myself coming back to volunteer or substitute. I will miss the kids and colleagues who have become friends and feel like family. I will find my place and balance. I will not have the overfull days and hectic weekends. I really look forward to that!
Thank you, Nikki!

Mainelady

Veteran

Destri congratulations on your retirement! Your words hold so much wisdom and I found myself nodding along. I do have a holding pile, which I have never done. Usually when I am done with something I let it go with no hesitation. I am holding onto some dresses and skirts, a couple of nice blazers and toppers. I am retiring, but others around me are not. The world will go on and there will be times I want to join in.....I do not want to do stress to dress shopping.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sounds like the start of a new and exciting life change( which of course means a new wardrobe!)and it sounds like a lot of people have benefited from your old one.

unfrumped

Veteran

Congratulations and have a wonderful new journey!
I have spent the first year of retirement in full pandemic- mode, so I don’t think I’ve fully found my new roles and goals, and not able to follow many of the retirement- advice nostrums. Yet I have had many moments of joy, appreciating new freedoms I did have. So still “ working” on what this phase should be like.
Have cleared out a lot of wardrobe. Most things that stayed but are not truly casual fit into categories of versatile tailored pieces I could mix and match for “ smart” casual ( favorite blazers, slim black pants) , a few things to make outfits to go to post-retirement professional events where I see some old friends/ colleagues, a few favorite dressy items I still like for possible holiday wear, items that dress up or down for church.
I’ve added warm casual winter wear and more sneakers, and let go of a lot of shoes.
I am aiming to downsize overall, not for guilt but to be more focused on wearing my favorite things a lot in season and feeling ok to update some every year. So, I too have been hanging on a bit to things I like but might end up not wearing much, rather that making any dramatic statement purge, and expect to let go of more of these as I get more experience with wearing/ not wearing.

The pandemic year(s) have not been a true example of what I hope will be a wider range of “ retirement activities “.

rachylou

Veteran

You’re on the ball! Quite exciting! I do find it helpful to have long hair, so I can put it up...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! Although your school will miss you, you have more than earned a wonderful retirement. So nice that your last class is a good one! I say keep your hair long a bit and when you are tired of it cut it. Rewrite the rules !

Debbie

Veteran

Congratulations! It wii be a welcomed change. I am sure this year has been extremely stressful. I am in awe of teachers right now!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Congrats! From a fellow teacher, the summer break is always something I look forward to but never fully utilise before September rolls around & I realise I've been so busy catching up (with things that I hadn't done during the academic year) that I hadn't given myself enough time to rest! (Although I do teach at university/ adult level, so unfortunately summer holidays aren't guaranteed.)

In other words, make sure you leave yourself time to rest before the remaining 34 day countdown!

LaPed

Veteran

Congrats on being nearly-retired! Those 34 days will fly by; I hope you're able to savour them, and I'm sure you'll find ways to stay connected to your school in the long run.

What you say about keeping your hair longer really resonates; I'm feeling drawn to long hair for the first time in my life. A bob is more polished and lower maintenance (for me at least), but there's something so appealing right now about relaxed beachy waves.

kkards

Veteran

Congratulations on retirement! And i love how you’re managing and planning your wardrobe transition.

Helena

Veteran

Mainelady, so great to hear from you! Every teacher through Covid deserves all the medals, accolades and gratitude in the world. Your kids are lucky to have you! So glad you were able to do a good sort; always feels good and therapeutic. Much love to you!

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you Cardiff Girl. I am very happy to share things! I also look forward to being open to shopping for items that will work in my retirement...of course I don’t really know what I will want or need, but the shopping will be fun once I figure things out.
Unfrumped, I can imagine that your first year of retirement is not a true indication of what the next chapter in your life will be. Cheers to new adventures, still waiting for you to discover!
Rachylou and Jamie, I did decide to keep my hair on the longer side. At some point I may go shorter, but if I cut it now, I am pretty sure I would just start growing it out again, once the days get hot or I want to swim and play with grandchildren.
Debbie, on behalf of all teachers, thank you! As with most jobs, I think the pandemic has created more stress in the workplace.

Zaeobi, getting things done and having time to rest do not go hand in hand very well. No matter how much we accomplish, there is always more to do. I have carved out time this week to pick my feet up and read for pure pleasure.
LaPed, I will cherish my remaining days and my students. They really are a gift and despite the challenges, they are finding joy in learning and proud of their new skills. The light that dances in their eyes reminds me that there is always something exciting and beautiful, even in trying times. Beachy waves! That’s what I went with!
Kkards, thank you! I am actually having fun creating a few outfits for DDIL to consider. I’m kind of setting up the guest room like a little boutique....silly, but fun!

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you, Helena! My colleagues are so amazing. We have needed to do things differently and pivot frequently, but through it all, we are more united and stronger than ever. When one of us is having a hard day, all the others rally and the support is greater than ever....even with masks and physical distancing.