Clearing out the closets
Just now I’ve been trying on clothes in preparation for a very exciting trip I’m planning to take in about nine days (more about that when the time comes; I like to retain my aura as a woman of mystery).
Ever since I’ve been blogging, and probably for a long time before, I’ve yearned to become more organized and streamlined in my life. That means, for example, that those file cabinets brimming with old papers-and the haphazard piles of same that surround them–need to be reduced by a factor of approximately 75% (although, of course, if I did that, I would be sure to keep my old report cards so I could properly illustrate posts such as this).
Likewise the clothes–oh, those clothes! Although I’m not a totally fashion-obsessed woman, I do try to look at least passably au courant (although not while blogging; pajamas would probably be an improvement over what I habitually wear while blogging).
When traveling, I’m always trying to simplify and take as little as possible. Yeah, right, say those who’ve seen my suitcases, stuffed to the gills with things I might need for this or that contingency or the sudden snow squall in July. But I’m trying, I’m trying.
Trying on, that is. And all those clothes that looked so decent last year or the year before (or, in some cases, ten years ago) don’t quite cut it now. And speaking of “cut it,” out went the last remnants of the shoulder-padded linebacker look–what were we thinking of?
Yes indeed, I’m just a brainwashed slave of fashion. Plus, my closet seems to hold clothes in three closely related but differing sizes. It’s the range I’ve covered throughout most of my life, except for those very skinny ballet years. My clothes from last year are all too large–ordinarily not a bad phenomenon–but this poses a dilemma. Should I assume that this relative slenderness is my new and stable state, and have them altered to fit? Or will that sort of hubris cause an immediate weight gain, in much the same way that leaving an umbrella at home invariably precipitates a rainy day?
Clearing out the excess not only frees up space, it frees the spirit as well. And yet it’s so easy to put off the chore of going through it all and reducing the clutter, the piled-up detritus of the years. Instead, other things always seem more pressing. Doing what absolutely needs to be done: work, food, brushing one’s teeth. Reading, reading, reading. Having an actual social life, among real people. Going outside on a beautiful day. Writing today’s post.
All of a sudden I have this urge to clean a closet!
Though I’ve never been one for hording, this summer I renovated the house inside and out (new roof, baths, paint, ect). It was amazing the pile’s of junk I left out on the curb each week (where did all this stuff come from?). The best satisfaction was the day I put the previous owners blinds, curtains, ect all out to the curb. Sometimes it’s what one needs to do.
I’ve been putting it off for months…
Ever see one of those A&E/MSNBC Documentaries about “hoarders”. People who_can’t_throw anything away. No comment, just look up “hoarders”.
Ah yes, hoarders. I’m very familiar with the genre.
But fortunately I’m not one of them. I like to throw things out. Rather, I like it after it’s done. I just keep putting off the process.
Sooo, it’s off to Spain, eh? That’s my bet….you wouldn’t go to some place predictable like England or Israel or Canada or even France for that matter. I thought China at first but I don’t think you are a real strong Orient kind of person.
Neo, I find keeping life simple, especially my closet, a never ending challenge. I am not a packrat, and have limited closet space, but the longer I live, the more convinced I become that keeping life in all aspects really simple is an important key to happiness, and success.
When it owns me then I’m not free. I can remember traveling through Europe years ago spewing and leaving clothing all across the free world in order to lighten up. I made more trains that way!
Have fun, wherever you’re headed.
Neo, Went to France for two weeks in June, navigating canals. The shirts I wore each day(primarily golf shirts) were thrown away after wearing. Great way to clean a closet, avoid laundering when traveling, and make room in your luggage for new stuff.
I’ve never been to Frog land but one of my step-daughters was over there on a business trip recently. When she ordered a hamburger at a cafe, it came with a fried egg on top. I’m not sure how this relates to clothes and clothes misers, but it needed to be said. When I was living in Africa, one of the first things I noticed upon arrival was the small bits of cloth lying all around. We here have so much paper litter and they appeared to have cloth litter. I would hope we could all badger Neo into disclosing early where she is going. Perhaps some wagering would be in order….I stand by Spain and that’s backed with a crisp 5-spot.
Interesting to see this: I’m embarking on a “behind closed doors” project. I always have about 3 clothing sizes, and I still have my work clothes (retired in 2000).
Knowing Neo only from reading her blogs, I would bet the “exciting” comes from the people she will be traveling with or meeting, not the place. But maybe I’m just projecting my own sources of excitement onto her.
What say you, fellow Neo fans?