Day 3/31: Honesty, Authenticity, Truth

Day 1, Day 2

Day 3:  Let’s be honest, I have too many clothes!

My two favorite times in my wardrobe have been when I started working at University of Texas-Southwestern as the Administrator for Cancer Clinical Trials–it was a big deal kind of job–I loved that job and the challenge of “looking” Administrative.  Texas has a different standard for what women should look like and frankly–I stuck out like a sore thumb.  I didn’t really mind.  What I did love about that job is the new clothes that I bought for the job–I had 7 outfits that matched and mix matched perfectly.  I felt awesome each and everyday.

The second favorite time was 15 years later when I was pregnant for the 3rd time.  I wore the same 5 outfits for about a year–I loved how the clothes felt and loved having a successful pregnancy!  I even made jewelry to match the hues of green and purple.

Now I’m 20 years out . . . I have 20 years of clothes from size 4- size 18.  I’ll be honest I got rid of all size 20 and 22 after my 4th baby!  I just could not bear to have those sizes in my closet.  When we moved from MI to IL I purged my closet big time.  I got rid of it if:

  1. It was bigger than a size 18 or less than a size 14–tried to keep it realistic for myself.
  2. Maternity clothes (even two of my favorite sweaters!)
  3. Anything with a stain
  4. Any workout clothes that I wore when I ran 1/2 marathons–I would put the on and remember what I was rather than my current potential
  5. Anything broken, torn, needing repair–because even though I do sew–I knew it was just an excuse to keep something
  6. I got rid of things that I knew I spent a lot of money on–I no doubt bought it to make me happy and then felt guilty about spending the money.  I vowed that I would not buy any more clothes unless I had a need for them–that I have managed to maintain!
  7. Shoes . . . I have several pairs of sandals, 1 pair of brown boots, 1 pair of black boots and a couple pairs of Danskos . . . I did give away a ton of shoes from my dress up days.  I got rid of all my running shoes that were worn–no matter how well I did in the race.

Now I have a dresser, a lingerie chest and a small part of the closet.

I still feel like I have more to go through.  I have skirts that I will never wear as a Mom, workout clothes that will never feel sweat, too many trips to the outlet mall for one shirt here or there and now . . .

I want to have a limited number of outfits.  I want to spend less time in coordinating my clothes and more time living my life.  I want to simplify my closet.

I don’t want the excess that is in the world today!  I don’t want to buy the cute shirt at Target just because it is only $5 or $10 or whatever.  But it’s only $5 and it is Halloween . . . and won’t I look cute–feeling guilty and cute and made that I spent $5 that I didn’t need to spend.

I want to go shopping in my own closet and get rid of the rest.  I’ve read so many organizing post about how “many” clothes a women needs but the person writing that is not living my life–I get that it is just a guideline–but I take the suggestion too seriously and I get caught up in the number . . . so I will be coordinating and cleaning by outfit.  I get my clothes ready the night before by outfit–so why not organize my closet by outfit?

I’ll let you know how that works out for me!  I want to be more intentional in my shopping–not just for me but for my kids . . . oh my gosh–Christmas is coming!

That is my post for tomorrow . . . being honest in shopping for the kids and what will I do for Christmas without going broke!

Does your closet look like mine?

Today I’m linking up with these wonderful friends:

Walk With Him WednesdayDeep Roots At Home

Whatever Wednesday,God Bumps and God-Incidences,Unwrapping His Promises Living Well Wednesday,Women in the Word Wednesday,Works for Me Wednesday,wip-wednesday,

15 replies
  1. ro elliott
    ro elliott says:

    linked up next to you @anns…I do love simplifying…I have a two years rule…if I have not worn/used something in 2 years it goes…and if I add to my closet I try to take something out. I love how you reflect on the why of some of the cloths in your closet…a striving…trying to be someone we are not…I might have to go back through my closet now:) blessings~

    Reply
    • renee
      renee says:

      I did have a 2 year rule but then I had a baby every 2 years . . . time for a new rule! Peter Walsh had a great idea of putting everything on a hanger inside out–whatever was inside out after a year–pitch it. I may have to try that.

      Be Blessed.

      Reply
  2. Mary Beth
    Mary Beth says:

    I’ve done a couple closet purges lately, so mine is pretty together. I’m about to do some shopping–so I’ll have to keep it together and not be ridiculous. :) I’m still trying to figure out my post baby size!

    Reply

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