In our fast paced lives where every moment is filled with responsibilities, self-care often takes a back seat. For just a moment, think about closet editing as a form of self care. No I don't mean just sorting through the pile of magic pants or linen jackets and separating your silk dress from your tank tops! I mean to purposefully make space, space in your closet, space in your mind and space in your life for yourself. Making space, organizing and redefining your closet that's always full of clothes but yet you never have anything to wear. Ever wonder why? Ever think about it...
After reading a book by Allison Bornstein, I decided that I had to rethink my space and decided to dive in with a real purpose. As I pulled out all my "go to" pieces like my regular favorite pair of blue Italian magic pants and my soft tank tops along with my everyday joggers, a huge pile of leggings and sweat pants and I set them all on one side of my bed. As I looked at all my "go to's" I realized how drab my closet was looking. It looked so worn and "tired", kind of the way I have been feeling myself. I did not want to stop and dwell on this so I moved on to pulling out all the pieces that I never wear. Maybe a silk kimono or a kimono style jacket, pieces that don't fit me anymore, pieces that I like but have never worn and some still with the tags on. I might still like these silk dresses and sparkly magic pants and maybe I never wear them because I dont know how to and what to pair them with. I continued to pull out things that clutter my closet and just take up space and never get used.
From those two piles, I did a little more digging and got a little ruthless in separating things that I knew I would never wear from the items that I was just not ready to let go of, maybe sentimental or maybe that I just didn't know how to wear them. I also removed things that had been worn too many times like my favorite v neck t-shirt, these items were looking worn and drab ....I don't want my like to feel drab! Too often we, or I, grab these old drab items because I don't have time, I have to rush and just put on whatever is in front and easy....I have a busy schedule every day without time to fuss about which pair of linen pants should I wear with that floral linen top and now what shoes do I wear it with?...ugh....you get the picture.
I was left with a nice practical comfortable closet filled with items I knew I would wear. I organized each category, dresses on one side followed by the few skirts I have and went on to my linen pants then folded my Italian magic pants and arranged each category by color starting with white then beige and grey then pink...etc. I did this with each category of clothing just like I do for This Little Boutique.
I also placed in a separate closet the items that I was not ready to part with. Those pieces now had a new light on them and I was getting ideas on how to pair that long silk paisley cardigan with the items that I knew I would wear. Its what happens when I am working on events and pop ups that I curate and style for. I was now creating and curating according to my personal style.
You see what happened is that I created a beautiful space in my closet filled with items that I love. I know you know that I love love love my magic pants and my linen tops and my scarves....well I could now see them all clearly and it looked beautiful. Not only did this give me a sense of accomplishment but it gave me a space that makes me happy. Not a negative space where negative self talk happens, my space was clear, beautiful and full of everything that fits after all I am a lover of One size fits most S to XL :-)
Getting dressed will now be far more exciting, fun and I wont need to just put on whatever in easy or just in front. Its all well organized and I have clarity.
I also decided to revisit in a few moths, the closet where that silk cardigan is and remove those items that I still haven't worn.
That's how closet editing is a form of self care. I am excited to create new outfits from my beautiful closet and pair my favorite blue magic pants with new items like maybe a crochet cardigan or a linen lace camisole which I love but never wear....Now I will. This makes my life easy and more fun!
Self care is important and creating space in our busy lives is important! Start by creating space in your closet, it will help you defining your style, your lifestyle and this will help you shop more wisely for the items you need and know you will wear vice pieces that sit unworn and taking up space. I am excited to mix new color combinations of magic pants and a button down blouse with a different Italian leather crossbody I had forgotten I even had.
Happy closet editing my friends! Take time for yourself