Why I Eliminated 50% of My Wardrobe

[pinit]Have you ever gone into your closet to pick out an outfit for the day, only to walk out frustrated because you could find “nothing to wear”?! Yeah, that was me.. for probably the last year and a half. Every morning, I would go to my closet, shuffle through dozens of articles of clothing, but then turn around empty handed and walk out. This process would then be repeated a couple times, until I finally settled on a tank top and pair of shorts that I would find in one of my drawers.

I didn’t understand why my closet was sooo full, yet offered so few options. Then, I started listening to a Podcast by Terri Savelle Foy on Eliminating Clutter. She talked about going through your closet and giving away clothes that you just don’t feel good about. Now, what do I mean, “don’t feel good about”? Well, for me, this meant a couple different things.

Our mind has a funny way of remembering things. A certain song can remind you of a certain person or a certain time in your life. A certain scent can do the same. Well guess what I found.. an outfit can do the exact same thing. I started looking through my clothes and paid attention to how I “felt” with each outfit.

I was able to pick out the exact outfit that I was wearing when I met my husband. Well that would be a good feeling, right? Yes… absolutely. However, I met my husband in 2006. So, that means that outfit is 9 years old!! Why on earth did I still have that in my closet?

Actually, I did that with a number of outfits.. I found that although they were quality clothes that I still liked, I simply did not wear them, because I could look at them and know exactly how old they were! So, I subconsciously did not “feel good” wearing them.

So, I put all of the “old” clothes on the giveaway rack. Now, the challenge I had with this was that they were all still really nice. I always take very good care of my clothes, so they stay in great condition. However, I knew that I still was not going to wear them, and if I did, would not be confident in them. So, out they went.

Next, I came across a ton of office type clothing that I wore at a previous job. They too, were all in very good condition. However, when I looked at each outfit, they would remind me of that job which was a very stressful place to work and eventually had a bad ending to it. So, I found that I subconsciously did not “feel good” about these clothes and did not want to wear them.

The next batch of clothes that I got rid of were dresses that I really liked, but had worn a ton of times! So, many times that I would put one on and think.. golly I’m wearing this again?! But, then there were those dresses worn to special events, like weddings. Those I had to get rid of because I was always afraid someone would remember it if I wore it again. (I know.. probably not. But, for some reason I couldn’t get over it, so out with those beautiful dresses!)

I then moved on to the clothes that I did not absolutely love. You know.. the ones that don’t fit exactly right. Or maybe they were the ones that weren’t in “my colors”. Yeah those.. off to the giveaway rack they went.

Well, I was on a roll at this point and was actually having fun clearing out everything. And, I jumped over to my dresser drawers and just started emptying those! Out with any pair of jeans that weren’t awesome. Because, I don’t know about you.. but, I find myself going back to the same one or two pairs of jeans that make my bum look good! 😉 So, if they didn’t fit right.. out with them!

Out with all shorts that were too tight or too ugly. Out with anything that annoyed me when I wore it. And, last but not least, out with any shoes that were not absolutely the most comfortable amazing shoes ever. I must admit this was a very liberating exercise!

So, when I thought I had cleared out everything I didn’t want anymore, the really fun part came. I got to figure out which organization to give everything too. Any other time I had cleared out my clothes, I would throw them all in a white garbage bag and toss them into a donation bin on the side of the street.

But, this time was different. All of these clothes had a value to me. And, I felt like they had a special place waiting for them. So, I kept them all on hangers and did what everyone does when they have questions. I asked facebook! Haha Only half way kidding.. But, honestly I did post a picture of the clothes and ask if anyone recommended an organization to donate them too.

Of course I had a few suggestions, which all seemed like worthy organizations. But, one in particular stood out. Zoe’s Journey. It was recommended to me by a friend of mine whose sister was in their rehabilitation program. When I looked on their website and saw what they were about, I went back into my closet and specially picked out a few additional items that I thought would be appreciated. And, then I found out they were having their annual “Breaking Free” fundraising dinner that following week.

I attended the banquet and what I found was an organization whose mission is to “support women and children through life-altering situations, and to help them rebuild their lives and families with a spiritual and ethical foundation.” I found out that this organization was a haven for women (usually mothers) who are coming out of incarceration, struggling with addiction, homelessness or trying to escape from sex trafficking.

What I also found out was that a good portion of the donated funds were used to purchase clothing for these women. Oftentimes, they walk into this program with only the raggedy and/or risqué clothes on their backs. Wow! I knew I was in the right place at the right time. And, I felt so blessed to be able to give to these women in need.

These clothes that were just collecting dust in my closet and serving no one were now going to be used and appreciated. I knew that when these women wore these clothes that their confidence would be boosted. I knew that there were outfits that could be worn into job interviews that they could be proud of. I knew that there were classy clothes that could be worn to church. And, I knew that I was playing one small part in these women’s lives that would make a huge difference. And, for that I’m blessed.

Now, I know some of you may be thinking.. “What’s on the outside shouldn’t matter, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.” And, yes, you are correct. But, when someone first meets us, they don’t see our insides. 😉 So, with that, I leave you with hopefully some encouragement to clean out your closets and find a worthy organization to donate the clothing to. And, maybe even consider keeping the hangers on. I found that the presentation is just a wee better than the garbage bag. 😉

And, last but not least, may you experience the fulfilling feeling that comes with using resources that you have been blessed with to bless other people.  And, the icing on top is having a more streamlined closet that fits your current lifestyle.

I would love to hear your clearing out the closets stories!! Please comment below and share!

~This post is linked to Faith Filled Friday, Link Party Palooza, The Alder Collective, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Works for Me Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday and A Little R & R. Be sure to check out the other awesome bloggers over there!~