First on my list of to-do is to manage 3200 square feet and 10 years of stuff, and somehow consolidate it into 1000 square feet of space. I have decided to work room-by-room. Because the storage situation will be the most daunting in this area, I started in my closet...clothes, shoes, accessories, etc.
I designated four different sections...and worked in this order...
Section 1) To Definitely Take--These are the things that I absolutely, beyond even an inkling of doubt, want to have at my new place. You know what these items are...the things you wear everyday, the first things you go to in your closet, the things that get washed more than any other items in your collection. (I call it a collection...yep) This is also where you MUST be relentlessly discriminating....do you really need 7 pairs of sweats, or will a couple pairs do? If you're like me, you may get too purge-happy and end up painting in your favorite cashmere sweater because you decided to proudly purge that ratty t-shirt that you only wear to do yard work and painting in...unless you want to put that very-sensitive cashmere sweater to the ultimate stress test, which I wouldn't recommend, you might need to be more realistic about your needs...really...I speak from experience. And Jimmy Choo is not built for climbing ladders. You also don't want to be wearing those sweats to your next presidential dinner. Also notice that I just assumed in the painting scenario that you will still have your cashmere sweater(s)...it should be known that it is simply crazytown to ever, ever leave behind a cashmere sweater. Let alone a collection of cashmere sweaters in every color. If you are tempted, just back away slowly from the donation bin, fold that lovely sweater neatly, and place it into the "definitely take" box. Enough said. Leave hanging items on their hangers (why do it twice?)... (except for the sweaters)... and put them directly into a wardrobe box to move to your new place. Now repeat step 1 with your shoes and other pretty stuff.
2) To Store in Storage-- This is everything that you can't bear to part with, and that won't fit into your smaller space. Off-season items are excellent candidates. Leave these things on hangers as well (except for sweaters, as mentioned before, and other non-hanging items) and put them directly in the wardrobe box labeled "To Storage"...make notes on the box of anything specific in the box, like a fancy dress you may need to access after you realize you purged your other one, and had completely blitzed the big gala to be held in your honor next month. Again, be discriminating...if it's in-season and you're not putting it into your definitely take pile, do you really want to store it and watch it go out of style? Perhaps your answer is a resounding yes. I don't judge you...I've been there. But this also might be a pretty good indication that regardless of how fabulous something is, or the steal you got when you bought it, you will choose other things to wear first in your closet over that item, and someone else might appreciate getting it. Which brings me to...
3) To Give Away--It is always better to give than to receive. I'm a believer in this mantra, and if I know that someone might appreciate getting something that I no longer appreciate (as much) or use (ever), it is just good, happy-making practice to part ways and recycle it to a good home. Although a good option, the local thrift store isn't your only option. There are several karma-inducing places that your once-loved goods can be put to good use and find a loving home. To name a few...women's and family shelters, fundraisers to support local schools/churches/non-profits, etc. The Junior League in our area has a fantastic program called 'Women helping Women' that allows women from shelters, rehabilitation centers, etc. who have upcoming job interviews to 'shop' at their women's donation-only clothing boutique for professional-quality clothing in preparation for a job. If you can emotionally take it, I always call up my friends and let them sift through both my clothes, and my kids clothes, before they go away. This always makes me happy, makes my friends happy, and just spreads happy all around. Win-Win.
4) To Sell--Parting is such sweet sorrow...this one is last on my list for a plethora of reasons. More time, more to-do, less charitable...but it doesn't mean I don't have my own little pile of things that, whether I have ever worn or used or not, I know will bring in some dough. I am as weak as the next shopper who spends their hard-earned money on a ridiculously expensive something or other, and have a hard time putting it into a box and watching it disappear into the donation abyss. If you decide you have the energy to take on being a pseudo-retailer, you can check out local consignment boutiques, ebay and the like. I have a friend who adores yard sales. Not just scouring them, but running them. She's good at it, and she brings in all kinds of money. I, on the other hand, have had near-death experiences with yard sales that I've attempted to run...another discussion for yet another day. My guess is that by the time you get to this pile a year later, it will have sat in front of you and haunted you, taking up valuable space, and should be headed to the next charity auction.
So there you have it. By the time I was done with this first task, I had purged exactly 84.6% of my closet stuff. I couldn't be more excited to venture into this simple life. (Don't resurrect this statement when I'm melted into a crying heap on the floor of my new place wondering why I ever believed I didn't need that ratty t-shirt and those 6 additional pairs of sweats) Project 'downsize to the enth degree of extreme' (which l'optimiste might call "Simplifying") is officially underway. Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment