Is it normal to be terrified by what you own?

ironkurtin

OMG I have too many nice things. I think it's time to be brutal. Surely no one needs this sheer poundage of fabric in their lives.

Shoes though. Maybe shoes don't count.

12 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Peri

deb

Veteran

Shoes DO NOT count!

12 years ago

janjan

Active Member

shoes don't count, I agree. Also handbags too or is that just my excuse.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I don't know if I'd use the word "terrified", but "dismayed"--yes. I'm always reminded of the adage that the more you have, the more you want when I look at my closet. At other points in my life, my budget curbed my "wants", but, now, I'm the one who has to put the curb on my buying. And the purging just seems to add fuel to the fire because it eliminates my mistakes and mis-steps so they don't confront me day after day. That's why I force myself to "diet" every couple of seasons by restricting myself to only buying a set number of items in a year.

And sorry, ladies, but shoes and handbags do count. As do bras, layering tops, and all the other stuff that fills our wardrobes.

12 years ago

amiable

Veteran

Me too. I'm overwhelmed by my wardrobe of good things. Shoes included. I'm trying to work up to a major purge, and not sure how to deal with the fact that I have a birthday shopping trip scheduled in a few weeks with my favorite shopping friend.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I wish I knew what the future held for me (see earlier threads). That would help in letting go of some things, you know?

12 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

Terrified might not be the right word for me anyway. I just did a major purge and was very proud and now I seem bent on filling the closet back up.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Does it help if I tell you every time I move I think it will be the last? Seriously. And yet . . .
With my crazy opposing climate moving I still only have under 150 pieces, including shoes and outerwear.
Moving every year or year and a half (even just halfway, leaving stuff behind in CA) makes one consider what they have, what they want to bring, what can be left behind. It's hard. I think I've let go of a lot, considering, I still have an unworn Spiegel lemming at home in the Tahoe closet, and some of the dresses I bought here in FL didn't get worn at all last year in Tahoe.
And yet . . .
I don't have too much. It doesn't overwhelm me. It fits in a 4 foot closet.
So I guess I feel that I have all my bases covered but I don't feel overwhelmed by fabric

12 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

Overwhelmed, totally. I am currently back home temporarily though, and after having gone four months with a severely pared-down wardrobe (it all fits in one suitcase!), I am really, really happy with the amount of stuff I own right now lol. I just need the variety!!!

12 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Just right! I'm actually feeling pretty smug because I have a nice little 'curated' wardrobe of things I really love and my need/ want list is very small. I'm getting lots of joy out of my clothes with ++ happiness factor each and every day...even super casual Saturday and Sunday.

From now on I think I can do Angie's one in, one out.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

LOL! Shoes do not count. I have not been terrified, but definitely overwhelmed by the lovely things I own but struggle to wear (suggesting perhaps that I still have too many things, despite massive culling).

I understand your dilemma tho, not knowing what the immediate future holds. Given that I would be a little reluctant to be too brutal.

12 years ago

Misia

Veteran

Think of it as a good thing, at least you have choices!

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I'm sure you are joking, but I don't quite understand! If it is great stuff you like, why think you have to get rid of any of it? Please don't purge just to purge!

I've never been in the situation where I've been overwhelmed by too many good things. Currently I feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of outdated things I'm tired of that I still hang on to, even after my big purge. And I'm a little overwhelmed by the things that are just fine but don't make me happy because my tastes have changed.

But if I was full up with stuff I loved, I don't think I'd be feeling terrified!

12 years ago

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