Today is the official first day of spring and the cleaning bug has bit me big time! I’ve been going through closets, drawers…all my shoes and accessories. Even my daughter’s closet is getting an overhaul.
Something feels so good about getting rid of clutter and trying to organize everything. You know that rule you always hear…“if you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it?” I can be ruthless with some things, like the trendy items in my wardrobe. With others, not so much. It can even be a little traumatic.
Why is it so hard to part with my stuff? I do have quite a bit of clothing that I’ve had for years. Some, like a CHANEL jacket, are classic and I will never get rid of. Others, like a wild, extremely bright tropical Gucci print shirt that’s easily ten years old, I probably should get rid of, but don’t. There’s always that little voice in the back of my head saying that something may come back in style again, so I end up hanging on to things, some well past their style expiration date.
Other things take me on a journey through good times, good memories and good travels. There are the gold Lanvin sandals I bought in Paris. The gold ring my husband bought me for our wedding anniversary in Santorini, Italy. The tango shoes from Buenos Aires. I may not wear them all that often, but there’s no way I want to part with them. I’m just too emotionally attached!
Especially when it comes to things that have real sentimental value, like the clothes I wore when I was pregnant. I have a T-shirt that is practically in shreds…it’s falling apart, but I just can’t bear to part with it and I still wear it to work out in all the time.
I am taking baby steps, however, and clearing things out does feel good because you can actually see all the clothes you have. This weekend I sold three bags of clothes and shoes to a local used clothing store. I put aside a bag of clothes to send to my mom and several bags of stuff to go to Goodwill.
So hold off on calling the producers of “Hoarders” just yet.
— Ryan Patterson
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