clutter thought process

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Started 1 month ago by citygirl
Latest reply from themusiclivez
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citygirl
Member

This is the kind of thinking a non-clutter person would never understand:

Last night I was wearing some old sweats that I've had for ages. They are:

1. Ugly (not only on their own, but on me! Think Michelin Man pants)
2. Too short
3. Uncomfortable (weird ankle elastic thing going on)

In spite of all of this I find myself wanting to keep them. Why? Not just because they are still usable (even though I have half a dozen pairs of similar comfy pants) but because I BOUGHT THEM IN GRAD SCHOOL AND THEY HAVE THE SCHOOL LOGO ON THEM. That's it. It's all about sentiment.

Ridiculous! But, as a true clutterhead, I have yet to win the battle against the pants (I think their end is near, though).

Can anyone relate?

Posted 1 month ago #
themusiclivez
Member

I can TOTALLY relate. I have a pair of sweatpants that are:

1. Old
2. Ugly because they are so worn/old
3. Not very flattering either

And guess what? I keep wearing them because they are still "wearable". I actually get excited when items like this get holes/worn out because then I feel less guilty throwing them out! These have an expiration date, however. I told myself that they are getting tossed come springtime!

Posted 1 month ago #
PKitty
Member

OK - you call yourself "citygirl" but could you be my husband?? He has old T shirts that were poly cotton and are now just poly, but he keeps them ... why ...??? Yes, sentimental value.

Posted 1 month ago #
Julsave
Member

Well... you could cut and hem with a little vent up the side making them cropped comfy housepants and you wouldn't have that out of style/uncomfortable elastic thing going on around your ankles.

Or...cut out the section that has your school logo and put it in your scrapbox (I don't scrapbook).

Posted 1 month ago #
Lehcarjt
Member

My hubby has T-shirts from junior high school that he can't bear to let go of. He wore them as a camp counselor and they have the camp's logo on them. They've been under our bed, untouched except for the occasional removal of dust bunnies, for the last 10 years. ~Lol. I guess I'm just not sentimental because I can get rid of anything!

Posted 1 month ago #
Abeline
Member

My mom is a talented seamstress and she's made me clothing since I was a baby. She had no problem getting rid of clothes as I outgrew them, but of the items that still fit, I have a hard time donating them even if they don't fit my lifestyle anymore. I mean, she slaved over a sewing machine making custom clothing just for me! Sigh.

Posted 1 month ago #
sakeenah
Member

your school must have an online store, buy a new pair and get rid of 2 items of clothing

Posted 1 month ago #
nellieb
Member

Take a photo with him/you wearing these items...then download and look at them on you...and you will probably discard those clothing items immediately!

Love the idea of buying new items with school logos to replace the old, worn out clothes.

Photos are always a good substitute, as it cutting out parts of the clothing (such as logos, or to get a good representation of the fabric) and either shadowbox with other related items or make into a quilt.

Good luck!

Posted 1 month ago #
Sky
Member

I had 2 sweatshirts that were old, worn, faded and had frayed sleeves. They were comfortable and felt like old friends but I decided to upgrade my appearance when I'm home and threw them out a few weeks ago. My husband deserves better and I'm just as comfortable in my new sweatshirts and sweaters.
I don't miss them, and I wish I had done this sooner!

Posted 1 month ago #
MellieTX
Member

Hilarious! Ok, you held the mirror up and it is scary. The jeans that have holes "there" are going to Goodwill tomorrow! Just tossed sweatpants from high school (!) a month ago when the elastic gave out, but not yet ready to get rid of my Dad's college sweatshirt that is inexplicably smaller than any of my college sweatshirts. I don't wear it, its just for sentimental purpose. Otherwise my closet is pretty uncluttered.

Posted 1 month ago #
jezzicaz789
Member

Thank you for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.

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Posted 1 month ago #
Jeri Dansky
Member

Abeline, if you have clothes your mom made which no longer fit your lifestyle, might you be honoring her (and her effort) more by passing them along and therefore keeping them in use?

I've found for many of my clients, giving to Freecycle works better than donating to charity when it comes to special items - there's something about knowing that a specific person is getting your stuff, and will make good use of it.

Posted 1 month ago #
citygirl
Member

You guys are great -- thank you for the helpful -- and funny! -- posts :)

@Abeline -- I had a dress that my mom handmade for me in high school. It's been in my closet in a garment bag for YEARS untouched and unworn. Finally when she was over once I asked her about it and she said "why are you keeping this? I don't expect you to wear it any more" so I donated it to our church thrift shop. My mom reported to me that the very next week it was put on the "special" display rack with accessories and hat (very funny) and it sold immediately. I think we all felt great about that (my mom the most, since she was so flattered that others besides family appreciated her craftsmanship).

ps -- I added a scary nightshirt to the "Goodbye Sweatpants" pile. Baby steps, right?

Posted 1 month ago #
elledee
Member

I invested in a nice college sweatshirt when I graduated, the one you can wear raking leaves or camping and is cool because you went there. Unfortunately, that was at a point in my life (and clothes culture) where I (everyone?) wore sweatshirts at least 2 sizes too big.

I finally got rid of it this past year. I've given myself permission to buy a new one should I find one that I really like and fits me (even if it's spendy).

Taking a picture of yourself in awful clothing we keep for some reason is a really good idea...

Posted 1 month ago #
Another Deb
Member

A full-length mirror is a good decluttering device for wardrobes. The first time my aunt had one installed, she almost gave every single clothing item to the Goodwill!

Posted 1 month ago #
bandicoot
Member

they gave me 3 pairs of socks in korea.
today i tossed seven pairs of wretched miserable old stained mismatched socks and now i have just seven pairs of perfect socks left.
and even that feels like a bit too many.

but i made an effort to get rid of two things for every one new thing that comes in.
it has made me really assess the incoming stuff quite brutally!

Posted 1 month ago #
themusiclivez
Member

The photo idea is great. Just the THOUGHT of taking a photo has made me want to get rid of some of my raggedy old clothes. I like what Sky said about her husband deserving better - mine does too, and I think some of my unnattractive sweatpants and band tees need to go!

Posted 1 month ago #

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