Long post. I'm clearing clothes out and a bit stuck over some things.
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Things I really like but don't actually wear, principally because they need to be washed separately or are delicate.
I keep harking back to an old Trinny and Susannah episode in which a woman who dressed quite like me, but better, was told that she "dressed depressed" because everything was dark colours. (Unfortunately can't find pics, but she was what most people would think of as well / smartly dressed and not the obvious T&S candidate looking a fright. In case anyone remembers, I think her name was Jane and she was tall and slim with shortish dark hair.)
That makes me feel like I should try more. But. I'd wear more other colours if I had the time and energy for the washing, or if someone else was bloody well going to do the washing, but as it is, it's impractical and it's not going to happen. Feel sad to let go of things I actually really like, which "spark joy" more actively than,useful items I wear all the time (which I merely "like") - but if I never actually wear them and can't see myself getting into the habit after owning them for years...
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I have a lot of multiples of items, or similar items, or the same thing in different colours. Some of these all get used (mostly the jersey tops). But others might be more of a "just in case" thing. Like having 3 of the same jeans / skirt or whatever but hardly ever needing the third. Do I concentrate too much on the what ifs?
Is there anyone who has got past this?
Some of it is about difficulty making decisions, and habits like keeping both of something I ordered rather than sending one back. But I must also have learned it from my mother, who also used to buy the same item in multiple colours and so on, and she had a lot more space and money available. Although not unlimited - she used to store some of her clothes in my bedroom when I was a kid as well, because she no longer had space in her own wardrobe, and I didn't question this until I was an adult.
I don't think I even have a quarter of the amount of clothes she had, but I still feel there are too many and that they are burdensome.
A very organised and well-turned out friend once remarked that I have a lot of clothes, which surprised me as I didn't think I had that many (by middle class standards anyway). But perhaps I do.
- A friend who travels a lot suggested the idea of what if I was going away for six months, what would I take? And using that as a basis for sorting, and ditching nearly all of what remained. I click a lot more with this than with the Marie Kondo joy thing. I can imagine what I'd chuck in suitcases and what is actually useful and what would be excessive.
But then I get more what ifs - like if I was using those same clothes all the time would they get worn out more quickly, making it a false economy to have got rid of multiples? That seems like a valid question. I could really do with making the space, but don't have the money to waste on re-buying things.