Deciding to let go?

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Started 4 months ago by AleighJc
Latest reply from luxcat
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AleighJc
Member

Sometimes I struggle with letting go of certain things. One of them being a garment bag (luggage) I have held onto it for around 10 years and have probably used it 3 times. With the cost of flying going up (charges for baggage) I'm thinking if we were to fly again and need a garment bag for a nice outfit, it would only be around 1-2 outfits and we could get some really light bags and just have that be our carry on item.

So then I can let this go? I don't see a time in the near future where I will need it anyway.. So I should let this go and donate it, right? Storage space in our home is very limited and so I think it's silly to hold onto something specific like this that I MIGHT use.

Posted 4 months ago #
Emilie
Member

Hey, welcome to the forum :)
This could be a case of "aspirational clutter"...where you're holding onto something because you want to have the kind of lifestyle where you use the item more. (I do this sometimes myself.) It seems like you have some pretty good arguments for donating it--you don't use it much, it's expensive to fly with extra bags, and you don't have the space. It's okay to let this go! Sometimes you just need a little encouragement. :)

Posted 4 months ago #
Ella
Member

AleighJc: The only reason I could see to keep the garment bag would be to actually use it to store special clothes in (like delicate or formal dresses, furs, tuxedo). Otherwise, it sounds like you've given good and thorough thought to letting it go, so all you have to do now is take it to your place of donation, and voila! you're instantly unburdened of the bag and of any further stressing about it.

Posted 4 months ago #
bandicoot
Member

aleighjc, i agree with the seasoned unclutterers who have already responded.
either keep it and use it.....or give it away.
i have been travelling for years and i have never owned a garment bag....so it is entirely possible!
in act, i cannot recall the last time i even saw one.

Posted 4 months ago #
pkilmain
Member

I haven't seen a garment bag on a plane in ages - except one trip that went through Las Vegas and carried a bridal party. The dress had a garment bag. :)

DH has one, but it's used now to hold his one suit and a wool dress coat, never leaves the closet.

Posted 4 months ago #
AleighJc
Member

It's funny because we actually travel pretty often and now when I think about it, you are right - you don't really see them anymore. Kinda funny! I guess I wont feel bad at all.. :) I added it to the donate pile. Thanks guys!

Posted 4 months ago #
Another Deb
Member

We have a garment bag in the closet housing a down sleeping bag for DH. He tells me that you must not keep down compressed in a stuff sack if you are not travelling. The garment bag storage preserves the loft.

Posted 4 months ago #
bandicoot
Member

now that is a smart use for a garment bag!
and i totally agree about not compressing down for storage.

Posted 4 months ago #
grey
Member

i think you're making the right choice in letting it go. i travel a fair bit and have never used a garment bag nor can imagine a time when i might. if i need nicer clothes i choose things that aren't fussy or can be ironed at my destination. also, i suspect that if you truly needed a garment bag in the future you could borrow from a friend who hasn't been bitten by the declutter bug ;-)

you inspired me to address an oversized suitcase that came as part of a set, but never sees the light of day. i emailed a friend to see if it would be useful for his band since they use suitcases to carry cords and whatnot. if not it will go in the next goodwill trip.

Posted 4 months ago #
irishbell
Member

My dad always took a garment bag for his suits and sports jackets when he and my mom flew.
The attendants would hang it for him in that little cubby area as you first get on the plane.

Posted 4 months ago #
bandicoot
Member

i uncluttered all the luggage last year.
i had my one-bag-travel epiphany!
i spent years lugging large bags.
now we simply have a small frameless 32 litre backpack each.
and i have a messenger bag.
they are timbuk2 bags....i expect them to last for practically ever.

Posted 4 months ago #
irishbell
Member

I have a beautiful timbuk2 bag that I designed via the website.
It's a big tote, so big that when I fill it with items, it's too bloody heavy to
want to lug around.Lesson learned the expensive way!
I do use it upon occasion though.

Posted 4 months ago #
luxcat
Member

I would get rid of it if you don't repurpose it to store something as suggested above. I keep a very thin plastic zip-up garment bag that goes over a hangar. It folds up into a tiny square. Only time we use it is when we drive someplace and hang the clothes in the back to keep them from wrinkling. It keeps dust off. I would not use a larger or heavier bag on a plane anymore, it's just too much hassle.

Posted 4 months ago #

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