Decluttering and keeping clothes/shoes...a lesson learned!

[Justkoko]

Looking through my shoes for something for an event and tried on some strappy brown leather heels which haven't been worn for yeeears. I think they've perished! 😫 I've hung on to quite a lot of things like this, that I'll maybe use again, but when it comes to it, they've worn out all by themselves!
I'm not sure what the point of posting this is, I've struggled to declutter for a long time, especially clothes, but this void be a bit of a lesson. Stop hanging on to the past, feel free enough to let go, just because you loved it and wore it all the time once upon a time, doesnt mean you have to hold on to it forever. If only I'd passed those shoes on a few years back, they may have been worn and enjoyed.
I hope this helps me learn to live more simply and move on some of my things.

Can I ask if you've done anything about it yet? Because if you have the urge, the time is now- get upstairs with a bag for charity and a bag for the recycling centre, and get it out of your house before you change your mind

Jeez, how long had you had them? I've revived loafers and lace up ankle boots after 20+ years in the cupboard, and flat, knee high boots after about 10 years and they're all fine.

I'll tell you what don't keep well though, much as it pains me to say it: books .

I have just done this this weekend. It feels quite freeing and there is a satisfaction in seeing the space freed from unworn items

I went through my old trainers last year to see which were the most comfy. My beloved Reebok classics although the leather was ok the sole disintegrated as I walked in them

I also got out some Buffaloes that were twenty years old and a teen friend grabbed them off me, only to find the soles had gone a sort of soft and sticky mess. Yet again leather intact

@anon2022anon it's helped give me momentum and charity shopped/binned/stuck on vinted about six pairs of boots shoes because although they are nice, I probably just won't wear them. And I thought, well, do I want this still to be sat here unworn in 5 years? (Entirely likely) No!

@Floisme I know! Probably in the region of 20 years, but unworn for goodness knows how many. They've been in an ottoman bed and I'm wondering if that is such a good place. Not that they were exactly in style anyway, I just liked them.

@ColdinNovember that's what I'm hoping for, just took a pic of my very untidy stuffed up wardrobes and when I'm done I'll take another pic of it where my things have space to breathe!

@Oldraver I feel your pain!

Have they perished or just hardened? If you do want to keep them then a soak in shoe polish or shoe cream would be worth a try.

I've had this with Clarks crepe/rubbery soled shoes. To be fair, one of them had been very well worn by me, but the other pair could have had more of a life elsewhere. A timely reminder OP, as I embark on a seasonal clear out (well once the heat passes)

If you have plastic or pvc shoes/bags etc that have gone sticky then you can clean that off with a paste of bicarbonate of soda.
I rescued a lovely old raincoat that had gone slimy. Not sure if it would work on the soles of shoes but it’s probably worth a go

I've found this with some footwear bought from charity shops. The items were clearly new or nearly new, so I was pleased to get some great bargains. But on some either the sole or footbed soon crumbled, or the glue around the base hardened and came away. Some can be mended, others can't.

I imagine most people, me included, hold on to things for years, even if unworn, before eventually deciding to donate them, so it's inevitable they won't necessarily last as long as most materials will deteriorate in time.

I've also wished I'd given away some items sooner, while they were still in very good condition so, yes, I think you've got the right idea. Good luck with the decluttering!

I've had this with evening dresses, which I very rarely need. Wore once, then kept them 5 plus years only to find they don't fit and are out of fashion.
I'm more realistic now and will ebay dresses more readily. No point them hanging in a wardrobe for years with no one wearing them.

I had this with a bag I was going to take to a wedding. When I went tonget it from the spare room shelf, what I thought was dust was actually the outer layer of the "pleather" peeling away. Fortunately I had another bag that I was able to use- ironically the second bag was older than the first one, but actually leather which was fine. .

Agree OP ( unless anyone has some Vivienne Westwood lurking in the back of the cupboard )

I have just done the same today, I have covid, I’m feeling slightly crap so I thought I’d clean out my wardrobe and drawers, I feel much better as I haven’t had the time to do it til now ( but not better from covid sadly)

I followed the principles below - unless of course you are pregnant have recently had a baby, lost weight or gained weight due to illness - they were good rules for me.

1. if you haven’t worn it for a year- you won’t - so get rid
2. if it doesn’t fit - you won’t slim or grow into it - so get rid ( thanks menopause😅)
3. if you don’t love it - get rid
4. if you were thinking of posting on vinted or ebay and haven’t got around to it for 6 months - get rid

I have included dresses and tops I have bought and worn once or never, but I was sticking to the rules. Now it is all in bin liners and bags for me to take to our local charity shop this week . Hopefully someone will enjoy the things after me.

@Justkoko this is exactly what I tell my clients: it's all about emotions, stay in the present, it's a gift! what fuels you today? not yesterday, not tomorrow, TODAY 😘