Challenge 1 – Getting Rid Of Clothes Responsibly
Getting rid of clothes and finding a way to do it responsibly is probably my biggest challenge. Below are some tips that might help you to overcome this challenge:
- Donate – to charities or organizations in need. Research and find out which organizations accept gently used clothing and donate your unwanted items there. Best Practice. Make sure to reach out to where you want to donate and ask what items are accepted.
- Sell your clothes – Take advantage of websites, apps, and local consignment shops to sell your clothes. This is a great way to make some extra money and also keep your clothing out of landfills. (My sister usually sells clothes that I can’t use. She loves that sort of thing.)
- Host a clothing swap – Invite friends and family to swap out clothes they no longer wear. This is a great way to give your clothes a second life, while also connecting with your loved ones. (I have never done one of these but it seems like it would be fun.)
- Upcycle or Repurpose your clothes – Get creative and find ways to give your clothes a new life. You can use old items to make new things, such as quilts, blankets and accessories. ( I plan on upcycling/repurposing a few pieces of my own pieces left over from my recent closet purge)
- Recycle your clothes – If all else fails, find a local recycling program to properly dipose of your unwanted clothes.
“The first step to crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t”
Joshua Becker
Challenge 2: Time Commitment
Purging clothes can be an involved process. It takes time to sort through all of your clothes and decide which ones to keep.
I personally think that it’s best not to rush the process but if you feel differently and your circumstances do not allow you to stretch out the process, below are some tips that can help your closet purge go faster:
- Start by sorting through items and creating three piles; keep, donate, or recycle. Don’t get hung up on the details.
- Be prepared to make a decision right then and there. Focus on what you’re keeping and what you are not.
- Purge items that are stained, that you don’t want to wear, or that can’t be properly altered to fit. (See purging options listed under challenge 1)
- Be realistic about the items you’ll wear in the future, if you haven’t worn pieces over the last 6 months, you are probably not going to wear them. Pass them on and let someone else enjoy them. Make room for pieces that you will love and enjoy wearing.
Challenge 3: Fear of getting rid of the wrong things
It’s hard to part with items when you have think that you could need them in the future. (This was one of my biggest challenges.) Below are some things to consider:
- Dig Deeper – If you are considering getting rid of something, ask yourself if you have worn it in the last six months or if you can envision wearing it in the next six months. if the answer is no to both, you can feel confident in passing the piece on to someone else who can use it. (See purging options listed under challenge 1)
- Best Practice – Going forward consider investing in flexible pieces that can be worn in different settings. (See pic for example of a basic cotton skirt that I added a thrifted satin tank, underskirt, satin sandals, and blingy earrings to create a party look)
Challenge 4: Emotional Attachment
Letting go of clothes that have sentimental value can be a difficult challenge. Below are some tips that may help:
- Take a picture of each item and keep it with you as a reminder of the memories you associate with it.
- Donate the item to a charity, so that it can be shared with someone else who will appreciate it as much as you did.
- Consider giving the item to a friend or family member who can get use out of it.
- Talk to a friend or family member about why the item is so special and why you are having difficulty letting it go. They can provide a new perspective or some helpful advice.
- Take time to grieve the loss of the item and cope with the emotions attached to it.
- Focus on the positive aspects of letting go and the new opportunities it can open up.
NEXT STEPS
In my next post, I will provide you with steps and tools to use for your next closet purge. To get the most from this closet purge excercise, you will need to allow your self time and space to work through the steps. See you in the next post. 🙂
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