Hi all,
I don’t know about you, but I I struggle with my closet. Wrapped up in my closet issues are my needs for perfection and calm. I needed wardrobe calm.
What led to wardrobe calm?
My wardrobe saw a transformation over the last few years. At first, the closet was stuffed with clothes. The clothes smushed each other, and I forgot I had clothes in there that I wanted to wear. Part of the problem centered around me believing that I had to wear everything I owned. I did not understand myself or my sense of style. Brought up in a conservative mentality, I believed I must dress conservatively without style or heed to what I might want to wear. Consequently, I had a lot of clothes I did not like yet believed I needed. More accurately, I believed I HAD to wear them. A requirement in my head dictated I wear such clothes.
Now, these clothes were modest business clothes and every day clothes. I chose cheerful and fun fabrics including florals. There wasn’t anything inheritantly ‘bad’ about them. Yet, even florals stopped being my style. I wanted to dress modern and chick. I let go of my belief that I had to high my large thighs and therefore engulf my ankles in lots of fabric. Instead of feeling anxious about how many clothes I had and how I did not wear them all, I sought calm and peace.
In life, there a lots of well meaning people; however, they do not understand you or what you need in life. They do not understand how to dress or style you. They only influence what you wear based on their belief system.
Why all this philosophy and reflection?
Because these personal aspects helped me get rid of a ton of clothes. Donated clothing estimated at about 20+ bags of clothing. I sold at least 20-30 items on Mercari. Now, I am happy with my closet! I like what is in my closet, and I want to wear it. I have a system to get rid of clothes I no longer wear and do not want based on my preferences.
Lots of women in particular want peace and calm with their wardrobe. This is why we have a whole industry around closet organization and interior design. I am sure men want this too, but I honestly have not discussed it with any of the dudes in my life.
So what did I do to update my wardrobe?
- I agreed to let go of clothes
- I accepted that the clothes I had no longer fit my style
- I acknowledged that some of my clothes were 10 years old and therefore out of style.
- I let go of unhelpful beliefs
- I figured out my style
- I spent money on clothes I liked and knew I would wear.
- I let go of clothes shopping as my anxiety outlet
I hope this small reflection on what I did to create peace in my closet will help you find your own wardrobe calm.
~Lisa