Day 163
I keep a list with the title “Things I Would Like”. I used to call the list “Things I Need”, but at some point I realized all of the things on the list weren’t really necessities. I suppose the end result is the same, but it made me feel better, like I had evolved in some fashion. So I’m just going to go with it.
OK, really this is a “mock up” of the actual list which is illegible and appears as if I’m writing some type of disturbing manifesto.
Some of the items have been on the list since I started the Simple Year project and I consider ongoing, like canning jars and art supplies. Still other things are added and then quickly fulfilled like ice cube trays and music books. I’ve had numerous occasions where I have crossed things off after some time. For instance, I eventually decided I really didn’t need OR want any patio furniture or a Weed Eater.
A week or so ago, I was in my closet putting laundry away and I realized many of the wire hangers were bent beyond recognition and probably needed to be retired to the easy life of marshmallow roasting or car theft. So, I went to my list and added, plastic hangars.
Then that night I had one of those sleepless worry filled nights. You know the nights when the most insignificant item gets blown up to gigantic proportions? Yes, that’s right; I began to lose sleep over PLASTIC HANGARS. Maybe that is my subconscious way to avoid worrying about things that are actually important. And I can’t even remember the specifics of my overtired obsession.
But the good thing that did come of it when I woke was the realization that I don’t need all of those clothes. I don’t wear them. I’ve been talking about culling the wardrobe for some time. Now was the time for action.
So, I got very serious and made three piles, items to donate, items to consign now, and items to consign in the spring. I was very stern with myself and had discussions like this:
Me: We don’t wear this
Other Me: But we might, the next time we are at a nightclub in Vegas.
Me: Did we ever go to a night club in Vegas?
Other Me: Yes, remember our bachelorette party?
Me: That was eleven years ago.
Other Me: OK Fine
Me: How about this one?
Other Me: It is so cute, and we did just wear it to the theater.
Me: Yes, but in all the pictures from that night our arms look like bratwurst.
Other Me: It’s gone.
Seriously, I did struggle over some items, but I ended up with three kitchen garbage bags full of clothes. I still seem to have plenty as well as a sudden surplus of plastic hangars.
YAY, this was exactly the right action. Quite poetic in the symmetry of it all. Congratulations!
Good move on forgetting the patio furniture and weed eater – it’s supposed to snow this weekend!
Sad thing is, if you haven’t got them already, those Reading Glasses on your list will quickly go from optional to MUST HAVE NOW…as I am sporting my new bifocals 😀
Love this! I too pitched some bratwurst-arm shirts in my wardrobe purge. And I no longer want for hangers.
OMG, you crack me up. Good move on the clothes. I just did the same thing not long ago. My closet can breathe now. I still need to go back for Round Two before I declare a TKO.
After having bought seemingly hundreds of plastic hangers for my closet, I purged the clothes and now have so many leftover hangers I had to donate them to my local thrift shop . . . sigh. I’m now trying for a better balance between the clothes and the hangers!
Ah, but your posts are awesome. Marshmallow roasting or car theft… that’s genius. Thanks for the laugh!
And isn’t it a great feeling to know that you don’t really have to buy something you thought you needed? With the benefit of a nice clean closet to boot.
plastic hangers. grrrr I kept running out then my daughter moved out and left ALL of the hangers she had been using PLUS the empty ones that were hanging out in her room. Now I can say I have too many.
I’m going to go through my clothes once my shoulders are better. If I simply went by “can I easily get this on?” I’d have maybe four shirts and half would have stains.