Purge failure - YouLookFab Forum

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Purge failure

rachylou

Veteran

Went into my closet thinking I was going to purge shoes. My round-toe pumps, which are very put-a-bird-on-it. Couldn't do it. I only succeeded in throwing out one pair of worn and uncomfortable nude wedges and matching flats (too little girl).

I tried to make up for it by putting three beefy graphic tees in the donate pile. (I might regret this, I'm gambling I won't want the combo of short sleeves but slightly warmer tee for the bakery.) And I threw in a put-a-bird-on-it 3/4 sleeve shirt. I have a similar one. I'm keeping two of those type shirts as "cheery wear" for jaunts to the suburbs, plus one *I love Italy (and driving mocs)* plaid. And a jersey top that's glittery.

That sounds like more than it is.

Maybe I should get tougher on myself and give away all my tall shoes and pointy mid-calf boots (which are several years old). And donate my wool coats. I'm sure I'll get a new one this fall/winter. I always do.

*Sigh.*

General

53 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

anne

Veteran

What is "put-a-bird-on-it" Rachy!!

Chin up - you need to keep going. You are always telling us how overcrowded your cupboards are!! Get tough!

rachylou

Veteran

Argh!! I'm so weak, Anne!

Put a bird on it comes from this satirical web show about hipsters in Portland, Oregon, called Portlandia. It's a hoot.

rabbit

Veteran

Aw, that sounds like purge partial success!

I do the same thing, mini purges, but try to do them fairly frequently. Something about considering the same thing a second or third time in a month makes me get sick of it quicker.

Also I wonder if what you do with the outgoing clothes that makes a difference? For me (since I'm super penny-pinchy) if something newer/unworn gets returned for store credit or something older but very loved gets resold to a consignment place even for a few dollars, it makes it easier to let go of because I know it's contributing to my ability to buy something new later.

rachylou

Veteran

If only! I'm so hard on my clothes, rabbit. They're not usually consignable. You'd think I couldn't possibly wear them, I have so much, but I do.

The sad thing was, when I put them on - and I tried them all - they did very nicely for Country Punk.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have to be in a mood to purge. If I'm not it's just agonizing.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think you might try Lyn's trick from last year. Don't purge. Just select yourself a summer wardrobe. push the rest into the tightest space you can. stick with your wardrobe. May be easier to purge the rest ir at least vacuum pack it all up when you don't use or.miss them a whole season. and if you do you can always swap into your summer wardrobe.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

I give you much credit, rachylou! To use a sporting analogy, you went in hard, played the game and finished strong! giggle giggle!

Astrid

Veteran

What exactly is your reason for purging? I mean why do you want to if you have such a hard time giving things away? Space? It might be helpful to think about your motivations.

kkards

Veteran

i think you did great! maybe you'll do the same tomorrow or the next day!
purging, one day at a time!

crutcher

Veteran

Go easy on you..When the time is right to purge and donate, you will be in such a mood that it will go quickly and well...Meanwhile, do as ManidipaM suggested, pull a summer wardrobe and push the rest back...Who knows where that will lead...

Anonymous

Well, well done for doing at least some purging, but you know Astrid makes a good point... If space is a factor, then you may need to consider better storage solutions if you find it too painful to give up too much. Or just keep going in small doses.

Deborah

Veteran

I think you did great. We all have different purging personalities and we just have to work within ours. One step at a time.

unfrumped

Veteran

I have no brilliant solutions. Keep fighting the good fight!
Maybe take another run at capsules-- think country punk capsule, not, my whole wardobe has potential as such. Maybe 5-6 outfits?

viva

Veteran

I don't think you can push the purge. The timing has to be right.

PS Love the put-a-bird-on-it reference. My daughter and I use that as shorthand all the time.

Meredith

Veteran

Clearly the solution is to pickle those questionable pieces until you are ready to wear them again. I can see the pretty jars lining your closet now. And while your clothes may be too worn to consign, I'm sure your pickled purged pumps will sell like hotcakes at the local farmer's market. Problem solved!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am doing a purge tomorrow and am glad to have read your experience because it will porpel me to be more brutal! Thank you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Clearly you need more snacks while purging. Decision making requires a lot of glucose.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Aw rachy, I wish I were there! I am good at helping people purge. I actually think that any step you take is progress, since it sounds like this process is always a challenge for you. Good job!

Windchime

Veteran

When I read "Purge Failure," I thought you were going to tell us that you weren't able to purge anything and bought things instead. Half a dozen items is a purge success! I like Rabbit's idea to do frequent mini purges and also the suggestions to pick your summer wardrobe and ignore the rest (except for those mini purges, of course!)

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I got rid of my almond toe pumps. I know I'm never wearing them again. You can do it! I still like them but that round toe is starting to look dated to my eye....

Neel

Veteran

Come on girl .... You can do it ... I think the hardest part is to start... Somewhere. Which you have done. Now next!

ironkurtin

Veteran

You must not love purging as much as I do. I swear when I put things in the "go" bin I get an endorphin rush. Free! Free at last!

jackiec

Veteran

Hey good effort! Sometimes it just doesn't happen! Plus you did a mini purge so pat on the back! Totally get it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We all have to start somewhere. Have another bash later. YOU CAN DO THIS. xo

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I appreciate the cheering on Angie and everybody. Sigh. It's such a slog for me.

To answer the question of why: First is space. I downsized living quarters severely moving in from the suburbs to the city. The second is I simply have a ridiculous amount of clothes. It should not take two-years to cycle through everything in your closet, never repeating an outfit, on principle, yes? Yes! The third is I want to be more consistent about my style and stay "on message."

What makes it so difficult for me is: A, I love my clothes. I love my clothes more than some people. B, I love playing around with clothes, doing different outfits. So much so that I HAVE done the two-year cycle thing. C, I've already purged more than half my stuff. I've kinda hit a plateau...

shedev

Veteran

I feel your pain. I was inspired to purge after Shannon's return post. Out of about 70 tops, 3 went into the donate bag.

celia

Veteran

I have a hard time purging shoes.Things have to look very bad to go to the donate pile

Mona

Veteran

Baby steps, rachy. I am the same way when it comes to purging. Some times I do better than others. I actually straightened out my wardrobe today and was able to purge quite a few items.

Lyn D.

Veteran

It sounds like you have already done a STELLA job purging half your clothes- WOW!
Perhaps if you now just focus on storage, some items will 'come to the surface' that haven't been worn in your 2 year cycle.
These might be contenders for either wearing or purging next.

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