If I don't wear it, let it go.

 

As I go through the process of one drawer at a time, I often watch videos or read articles about decluttering spaces.  That's actually where "one drawer at a time" got its name for my process.  Most of what I saw always said starting small as to not overwhelm myself.  That works better for me than trying to tackle an entire room at a time. I can't tell you how many times I stood in my garage for 20 or 30 minutes just staring at the space.  I would get frustrated and then leave for another time only to do the same thing the next go round.  So, doing this in small batches works best for me and I can see progress.

I was watching a video the other day on decluttering and the speaker talked about how holding onto things you don't and won't use and have no true sentimental value could be because you are holding on to a vision of the person you used to be.  That made a lot of sense to me and the timing was perfect for me.  I have been going through clothes over the last week, and I realized that I was holding on to things I no longer wear because of the person I used to be.  Yes, there are some good memories attached to some of these clothes, but they're CLOTHES!! I don't wear them because I can't wear them right now.  If you know me, I will use something until it is dead and completely worn out.  

I decided to donate anything that I cannot wear anymore.  Honestly, that cleaned up about 1/3 of my clothing storage space.  That was pretty amazing.  I used to rationalize keeping things because I would tell myself that one day I will be able to fit into them again.  No, no longer doing that.  I can always buy new clothes down the line.  For me, in this moment, right now, I do not use it and it is taking up valuable space.  Into the donation pile it goes. I had a lot of t-shirts that had become belly shirts.  I can thank my love of cooking for that one LOL There's plenty of wear left in them just not for me.  I had a pair of cowboy boots that I never wore.  Someone will.  Pants I ordered online that ended up being too small in the waist (sigh) but I was too lazy to return them.  Bye bye!!

Saying the person I used to be often sounds so regretful but it's truly not.  I'm not the person I was 2, 5, or 10 years ago.  Hell, I'm not the person I was yesterday.  And getting rid of these items that I do not wear that someone else can is very liberating.  It is helping me to be more of the person I am right now in this moment and I like that.