For those who have purged their wardrobe...

catgirl

I'm having a hard time going about it in an orderly fashion. I find myself distracted by something I discover and losing focus. Like, going through casual sweaters I'll suddenly be trying to make outfits, or whatever. I need a flowchart or a taskmistress! Any hints for a way to approach the whole purging and organizing?

As a side note, I clean the house this way too. I'll start by vowing to do a general clean and mop, then get utterly involved in scrubbing the toaster oven with a toothbrush. At least I'm consistent in my inconsistency!

15 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from

MsMary

Veteran

You sound like my husband. One time I asked him to clean the kitchen floor before a party, and he started with the part of the floor that was UNDER THE WASHING MACHINE in the adjoining laundry room. LOL

Have you tried setting a timer? I have good luck with saying "Okay, I'm going to set the timer for 15 minutes and do nothing but [put sweaters in the 'keep or toss' pile/scrub the kitchen counters/whatever]."

15 years ago

Refugee

Veteran

I totally get this. I'm the same way. When it comes to my wardrobe purge, it has become all about a layered process. First, I removed things from my closet that didn't fit. Didn't matter how it looked, would I wear it, or anything else. It was all about one single thing, fit. And then I walked away. Then I went back and removed the 'yes it fits but it's worn beyond wearing'. And then walked away. I keep going back and focusing on a single thing. It has made my purge long and ongoing but productive. The single things you focus on may be different than mine. Purging this way has kept me from getting bogged down in the details and just giving up.

15 years ago

LeahJanes

Active Member

I just scan the hangers and pull out anything that hasn't been worn in a while or that I know is a duplicate, or I am just not feeling. Then I go through that pile and think about each item and whether or not I can alter it, or style it in a different way so it actually gets worn.

Making one-by-one decisions on re-styling etc as I go through the wardrobe can lead to distractions and me playing dress-ups. Having the questionable pile to start with focusses my efforts a bit better.

15 years ago

anne

Veteran

I found that inviting a decisive friend over to help me helped focus me!

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I'm very easily distracted so I could start with jumpers and within 5 minutes have somehow moved onto shoes!! I really do need to have a closet purge so I shall watch for everyone's tips x

15 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

I second the 15 min. timer that MaryK suggested. Really, set an actual timer for 15 minutes and vow to just purge by one category at a time. I recently purged my closet or started purging my closet of things that don't fit or are in poor shape or just plain ugly to me. I still have more to do, but it looks so much better now and I can actually SEE what I have to wear.

I have serious issues with getting off task and a timer is the only thing that saves me when I really want to get a big project like this done.

15 years ago

anne

Veteran

I "third" the 15 minute suggestions!

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I think I started with the things I hadn't worn for the longest time. Tops that were 3 years hanging without wear - that kind of thing. Those are more obvious and easy to spot when they are out of date or just not a style you feel reflects you anymore.
It took me a long time to purge and I still have 'holding pattern' pieces I can't quite let go of, but I still haven't worn. They are separate, in a drawer and on a hanging rack outside of my closet. I look at them now and again and keep debating keep or toss lol.
Oh, that's another thing. For those items I decided I would try and work back in - go ahead and wear them for a day and see how you feel afterwards. A good half dozen pieces got the thumbs up here and looked okay, but I felt blah when wearing them, so out they went.

15 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, I think my only answer is that I purge a LOT, so I don't really discover things as you do. Not much help to you now, but maybe for the future?

15 years ago

Anonymous

Refugee, I like your idea of focusing on one aspect at a time - think I'll give that one a try myself.
AG, when I get stuck in a reorganizing project of any kind (desk, kitchen, whatever), sometimes I find it helps to shift my focus away from "what to get rid of" and instead start thinking about "what do I most want to keep".
Usually it works best for me to make up a game with specific rules to get the process started. Like, what clothing would I keep if I only had 2 feet of closet space and a single dresser drawer? Or what clothing would I keep if I had to assemble 10 outfits and then continue to wear only those looks for the remainder of the season?
Sounds silly, I know. But for some reason, once I've identified what the most important items are, I'm much more willing to let less favored things go.
Hope that makes sense?

15 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I third, or fourth, or fifth, the 15-minute timer.

I swear I have some level of ADD and this is when it shows itself! On the Flylady site she refers to this type is SHE (Sidetracked Home Excutive). Anyway, the timer really does help me stay focused.

If I have more time later to revisit the job, then I'm okay with getting off course - I figure I am still accomplishing *something* - even if it isn't the original task.

15 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

I love the timer idea, and your suggestion of reversing the process into 'what would I keep if....' instead of 'what should I lose' is great, Ryce. If I'm facing a really yuck job I put the kettle on - when it whistles I can stop and have a cup of tea....ussually by the time it whistles I have gained some momentum, so I turn it off and finish what I'm doing. Getting started is always the hardest

15 years ago

Anonymous

Lynne, Tea kettle as a timer -- I LOVE it!!
- Ryce (who's off to brew a cup of Earl Grey)

15 years ago

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