I wouldn’t exactly call myself a pack rat, and I’m definitely not a hoarder, but I have to admit, I have a hard time letting go of things…or maybe it’s just I find it easier to hold on. Deciding to let go of something feels like more of a decision to me than deciding to keep it…I mean I can always let go of something I kept, but I can’t get something I let go of back. Right?

And that is why I made cleaning out 1 closet one of my goals this month. It’s just too easy for me to put this sort of thing off. Looking back, I noticed what I said was I wanted to “go through my clothes and get real about what I’ll probably never wear again.” And this is pretty much what happened the other day.

The clothes that made it into the donate pile fell into two categories. 1) Things that I had for many years that, although they were physically still intact were not in the best condition (eg, faded, stretched out); and 2) Things that didn’t fit.

In category number 1, I give you black pants and brown pants. I think I’ve owned them for something like 7-10 years. I have actively been on the lookout for a new pair of each. And in the case of black pants, I actually found one. The moment I brought them in the house I probably should have taken the old pair away, but I didn’t. I tried to let them coexist, but had to admit, the old pair were indeed tired, haggard, and worn out. Although I haven’t found a replacement for the brown pair, it was time for them to go…every time I put them on I knew I was pushing it since they weren’t in the best condition. But sometimes in my head, as long as they were literally not falling apart, they were wearable.

yep, the brown pants are pretty sad...

the black pants drew an observer...

Ugh. I think the wrinkles are from how packed my closet is!

In category number 2 was a very pretty Target/Liberty of London dress that my mother bought me when she found it on the clearance rack several years ago. It was a size smaller than what I normally wear, but she took a chance (because as we all know, the number differs from one store/collection/designer to another…one reason I admire people daring enough to buy clothes without trying them on first). And I tried it on and it didn’t quite fit. And I held onto it for a year or two and tried it on again…I needed to ask mr. sc for assistance getting the zipper up, but it wasn’t happening. I finally realized, it wasn’t even something where I could think “maybe I’ll fit into this one day.” Instead I could see that this dress was never going to fit around my ribcage. And really, there’s not much I can do about that (and if there is, I don’t want to do it). So, the fact that it’s pretty and I’d like to wear it isn’t really enough.

sorry I never got a chance to wear you....

I don’t even remember what else I got rid of…I think it was maybe 8-10 items and there were some things I just couldn’t make the “let go” call on. I have several other closets and dressers I need to go through as well. So, who knows, maybe next time I look through this closet, I’ll be willing to be even more “real.” At least this was a start.

How are you with letting go of clothes or anything else? Do you have any rules for keeping versus ditching?