Minimizing the Closet

Well, I couldn't wait to clean out my closet.  I just streamlined it a couple weeks ago, but I attacked it with a vengeance today.  I have to say it felt SO GOOD!

I got ready for church and chose from the two skirts I left for myself.  After reading Miss Minimalist, I followed some of her advice.  I chose a color theme.  Well, that was easy.  I'm a black and white kind of person, but to be honest, I kept only one white thing--a white t-shirt.  So, I guess you could say I chose black and pink.

I kept two pairs of pajamas, three pairs of underwear, two bras, one slip, one robe, two skirts, one pair of jeans, one pair of khakis, some exercise clothes, a pair of heels, a pair of sandals, a pair of boots (although I may end up with those in the bag as well), and two shirts.  I also kept my pink jacket, my pink cardigan, and my leather jacket.  I'm keeping a pair of work clothes as well.  Needless to say, I kept a bit more than Miss Minimalist.  I probably could get down to ten items, but I figure this is pretty minimal for me for now, and as I figure out how it all works with the laundry and seven kids, I'll pare back more as I can.

I packed up two huge crates of clothing.  They're still sitting in my bedroom, but they'll depart tomorrow.  I have to wait for the laundry to be done tomorrow, so I can get the rest of my clothes out.

I'm looking forward to doing less laundry.  I'm actually looking forward to not debating over what to wear.  Since this is all self-inflicted, I can't see myself griping about not having this or that.

I have never been a fashion queen.  I've never been a trendy girl.  I'm just a simple person when it comes right down to it, so I guess you could say everything's been in place for this kind of move for a long time.

I started decluttering way back pre-children, but it didn't last.  Now, with nine of us under this roof, the clutter is amazing.  I feel like I have to take this bold move in order to truly get a grip on it.  I'm so excited to see how this all pans out.  For now, I'm LOVING my closet.

I figure society lies to us in a couple different ways.  First, that we have to keep everything and we have to have more of everything in order to happy.  Also that we need to keep everything to ourselves.  We need to be selfish about everything we have.

It seems that the opposite of both of these is true.

We don't have to have more to be happy.  We actually need to have what we need and find satisfaction and gratitude in it, and we need to share everything that we have.  These are the things that will make us happy.  Stuff doesn't bring happiness.  At least that's the premise I'm going off of here.  I'm looking forward to proving it right.