<p>That is a good tip. I also read a good one from the guy who used to be in What Not to Wear. He said strip down to your underwear and pull everything out of the closet and throw it in the bed. Then try everything. Anything a full size too big or small donate. If it almost fits, keep it have altered.</p>
<p>I probably wouldn;t actually do that as I have soooo much in my closet - much of which hasn’t been worn in years. Would take forever. I did pull a few maybes out of the closet to try on and that helped with the decision to throw in the donate pile. I’ve noticed one of my bigger struggles is t-shirts I bought on some special trip (like a cruise with Mum) even though I never wear them. </p>
<p>Ok…today I decided to keep two pairs of black slacks. One black ann Taylor pair that goes with my suit jackets…and a pair of black silk shantung. Everything else is going…not jeans, just the slacks. I’m filling up a second bag for tomorrow.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, I like that tip (of trying on the clothes in your closet and deciding whether you’d buy them), but I have one question: How much do you imagine it costs?? It it’s full price, I wouldn’t buy a lot of my stuff – but if it’s super discounted, I might!</p>
<p>I’ve joined in. Decluttering is so cathartic. Today I’m going to go through winter clothes and donate those I don’t want, rather than store them for next year.</p>
<p>I am back after a long absence. My house is sale pending! Whether or not the deal survives the inspection remains to be seen. In the meantime, the back of my car is filled with prelit artificial Xmas trees, a pair of Haeger pottery lamps, framed prints and a carpet shampooer. I’ve also hauled a load to the curb for bulk refuse collection.</p>
<p>In my late 50s, I have finally reached the point there is nothing in my closet I wouldn’t have been willing to buy at full price. And there is comparatively little in my closet (under 50 garments) nothing in storage (except vintage/antique) and I also follow the one in and one out rule.</p>
<p>Super congrats to BB on the dream bag!</p>
<p>: )</p>
<p>ETA: And super congrats to 1moremom on pending sale… fingers crossed here.</p>
<p>Reading this and thinking about the underfed storage boxes full of sweaters. The box has been there for at least three winters. I know by theory I should just get rid of the whole lot.
What do you do with the clothes in your children’s closets and dresser drawers? </p>
<p>And a huge congrats to Bunsen on her dream bag</p>
<p>My son told me I could get rid of anything that was left in his closet and his dresser. I got rid of everything except one pair of slacks, and some pajama pants. The closet has no more clothes on it at all. He didn’t want the stuff, so it’s gone.</p>
<p>Thanks, ladies! I will get my package on Monday.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Mr B took apart the old grill and put the rusty chunks in the garbage and whatever metal looked recyclable in the recycling bin. This is our “bag” for the week! I’m so happy that he did not keep the rusty heap of steel as he used to do in the past! :)</p>
<p>You are all a wonderful inspiration! I read this thread on the first day “abasket” wrote it. I was too ‘busy’ to work on it then, although I knew I needed to begin.</p>
<p>My mother-in-law called yesterday to tell us they are visiting for the whole first week of June. MOTIVATION!! I started today in the laundry room. </p>
<p>Two times a year, for several years, I help to run a clothing and household items drive at school. I’m so involved in promoting the drive, getting the announcements out, scheduling volunteers and being there for all the collection times, that I really never get my own closets purged. I am setting the goal today to put in stuff into this year’s clothing drive, which is soon. All due to your wonderful example!! THANK YOU!</p>
<p>BB, we have an old grill that my husband says, “It’s still good. I just have to fix the burner.” We bought a new one 7 years ago and the old one still remains in our porch to be repaired. I’m going out right now to push it to the driveway for when it is trash day. Thank you to Mr. BB for the good idea!</p>
<p>That’s a really great idea! Grill is out front to be put in the trash. Also threw out a bag of old bird feeders while I was in the porch. Thanks for the motivation!</p>
<p>thumper, I really worried about taking clothes to my sister’s. Didn’t want to insult her re: sizes, etc. She was delighted to get the stuff, which was a huge relief.</p>
<p>Filled a large black trash bag and a half with clothes to donate. Long way to go but it feels good to make a start.Think I’m going to go through the drawers full of sheets and such that have not been used in years!</p>
<p>Cleaning out books that my husband boxed up in a closet. Found several that I purchased for son this year for English class, I showed them to him and he is going to give them to his teacher for next year for a kid that can’t buy the book - my son suggested this, love this kid, not only are they leaving the house but going some place needed.</p>
<p>Re-dedicated to this effort. Cleaned out the closet of old prom and semi-formal gowns from DD. She is 25 - she is not going to wear them. They can go to Salvation Army store for a new home. They are leaving today. Also cleaned out sweaters I did not wear all winter since I have ones I like better. </p>
<p>I have semi followed this thread since it started too. DH is out of town, and that’s always the best time for cleaning things out! I got rid of two yard garbage sized bags of clothes (mine mostly). I did the dump it all on the bed, ditch anything I won’t wear, try on things and ditch if they didn’t fit. I even got rid of a few thing that fit, but I knew I wouldn’t wear. I also dumped out each drawer one at a time and purged them also! Such a good feeling–I can fit all my clothes in the drawers and they close!!! I find that if I pack up bags/boxes of stuff and put them in the car right away, I will make the effort to swing by the thrift shop so I can get them out of the car!</p>
<p>I’m also trying to go through the rest of the stuff I packed up for the kitchen remodel and never unpacked. I have some things I want to keep (holiday dishes, and some of my plastic containers) but I know there are things I can ditch (remodel was a year ago, and there really are only a few things I wish I could have used in the mean time). So, that’s next on the list.</p>
<p>DH is a junk collector and yard sale junkie. He buys stuff because it’s “cool” or he can resell it. Unfortunately he doesn’t have room for all this stuff. He’s also a piler. I hate that-there’s no way to clean with those piles on the floor! So since he’s gone, I took all the stuff that was piled up next to his bed and put it in a rubbermaid container. My philosophy is if he doesn’t miss it, he doesn’t need it. The container will get moved to the basement then out the back door when he’s not looking!!!</p>
<p>My DH insists we should sell things rather than donate. I know that doesn’t happen (we haven’t had a garage sale in over two years). I am happy to donate. I either will give to a group who comes around to the neighborhood on a regular basis or take it to the local thrift shop. I can deduct from taxes and I don’t have to deal with it anymore!</p>
<p>Like Swimcatsmom a couple pages ago, I never looked at this thread until this afternoon because I thought it had to do with handbags. Just read the first 10 and last 10 pages and I am pleased to report that I have been in the club without knowing it existed! I’m counting throwing out all kinds of stuff from my elderly parent"s condo when I moved them to a “retirement” community closer to us and even more in the actual process of unpacking them into their new home. Also counting the huge piles of branches I have stacked up from ice and snow storms this winter.</p>
<p>A couple weeks ago I tackled just pants in my closet and took 23 pair to good will (which didn’t include capris and shorts). Did the capris/shorts this morning and have at least that many again. Also, a big pile of sweaters, excess gym clothes and some shoes that don’t fit/aren’t comfortable. Even though it really doesn’t look it yet, there is a lot less in my closet. Over the weekend I worked on my filing cabinet a bit, got a very big pile of papers off my dining room table and into said cabinet and have a huge pile to shred. Like others here, my problem is getting my H on board. He has recently taken to getting rid of some stuff in the basement, but his personal possessions, papers, books and clothes are another story! Thanks for your stories, they will help keep me motivated. Just don’t want to have to do everything all at once when we attempt to sell the house in a few years!</p>
I will get my package on Monday.</p>
I got rid of two yard garbage sized bags of clothes (mine mostly). I did the dump it all on the bed, ditch anything I won’t wear, try on things and ditch if they didn’t fit. I even got rid of a few thing that fit, but I knew I wouldn’t wear. I also dumped out each drawer one at a time and purged them also! Such a good feeling–I can fit all my clothes in the drawers and they close!!! I find that if I pack up bags/boxes of stuff and put them in the car right away, I will make the effort to swing by the thrift shop so I can get them out of the car!</p>