Thursday, February 3, 2011

Life Simplified - Let's get started!

As I was vowing earlier, I want our life to get simpler, more joy and less attachment to 'stuff'.
I got started by identifying my biggest clutter area and the cause for the hole in my budget: the closet. I open and for the first time I see a simple fact: I have 7 shelves, 2 drawers plus a closet, while my dear husband has been allocated and survived on 1 ½ shelf and 2 boxes. Plus the sizable suitcase he has with him, I say to myself to make it easier to digest. How can a man (him) survive with only 5 pairs of shoes? And how come a woman (me) say she has nothing to wear when she has 50? A mystery that will never be solved I guess… And how come I have been wearing the same pair of jeans for the past month?
 I start by deciding that what has not been worn in more than 1 year has to go, except my skinny jeans of course which I kept since 2003 with the hope of one day still fit back in them (very unlikely).
A pile to keep, a pile to give and a pile to throw.  With shame I have to admit that some of the stuff hasn't been worn in 2-3 years, some even 6 years and some probably no matter how long I hold on to them I will probably never wear.
4 horrendous and very emotional hours later, I am done.  I managed to limit myself to the essential: what I wear every day, some jeans, simple shirts, gym clothes and some jackets. More or less all of them could be used for mix and match and creating an outfit.
The ‘to give’ pile is quite high and I hope the people who will get the stuff will be happy to wear them.
This has not been easy. A real eye opener once you see everything you own outside the confined and hidden places of the closet.

Here is what I learnt:

      ·         Make sure you have an area where everything can be taken out and inspected.
·         If you do not recognize an item, or you cannot find an explanation why it is in your closet, it definitely has to go.
·         Do not spend a long time deciding. Take the item, look at it for couple of seconds and make up your mind.
·         Allow some ‘keepers without reason’  but limit yourself to maximum 3.
Posted by Mr & Mrs Van at 2:24 AM
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10 comments:

  1. OtiliaFebruary 3, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Wow!Someone really did what i have in mind for couple of months to do.
    I admit puf, i don t have the courage to do it, but i m very proud of you! Or maybe you did it, because your residence place will change soon?!?!Hm...Anyway, thanks for the tips!And...happy shopping from now on!
    PS: Nice shoes!Have mercy:))!

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  2. UnknownFebruary 3, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Honey,I have 8 pairs of shoes and 3 pair of slippers! :)

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  3. Mr & Mrs VanFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Puf, this is the hardest thing ever! But it is the joy to be able to see the walls of my closet for a change.
    And there will be no more shopping for a full year. Unless I really need something (meaning smething similar got damaged) :)
    It can be done...

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  4. Mr & Mrs VanFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Honey, excuse my lack of reaserch, I did not count your running shoes :) Which reminds me... shouldn't we clean up your area also?

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  5. taniaFebruary 5, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    GOD!!!! how can you survive without shopping!!! this is a fraud!!! (I mean if you were a boy that would be another story but GOD your are a girl!!)and yes it is true that we have to trow stuff that we are not ussing but have some mercy with that shoes ... I cand bet that they are crying now ... but I have to congratule you for having this curage that I'll never have (with clotes it is a diffrent thing)

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  6. Mr & Mrs VanFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    When my baby sister who was wearing diapers when I was already in school uses the word 'fraud', I start knowing she grew up.
    2 seconds later I realise I'm getting old...

    Thank you Tania!

    :)

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  7. taniaFebruary 6, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    As you know now I have to get ready for the exams(a lot of learning)and also for the big party after finishing school (well known as banchet)that means a dress and shoes but the big problem is that i can't wear heels because of my dear platfus so I was thinking that in your big pile (on whitch it's wrote "to give")maybe is something appropriate for my big event so please help your little sister with this thing :)

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  8. taniaFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    As I wrote in my first comment (with clotes is a diffret thing) I made some cleaning (again) in my closet and found some dear stuff that nowa re to small for me so I brought some joy in Loretta's heart by giving her a big pile of clotes because she's " my little sister". Now I'm waiting her to come and pick up them and in excenge I asked her to give me a pice of her delicios cake (she shoud thank me because I haven't eat it whem it was in my fridge)and another quiestion how can I make an acconut on this blog I just can't descover :) thanks

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  9. taniaFebruary 6, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    and another question (because it's Sunday and I have a lack of inspiration in wath to do in the house): is the biggest fan or commentator of this blog getting any prize for her job ? ;;) somthing for her pretious comments? ;;)

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  10. Mr & Mrs VanFebruary 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Tania, you are very funny. You and the email...Have you met? If you need something, you can write directly to me :) Will figure something you can wear at your big party! Something very cool.
    You can make a google account and then sign in with it. You can also subscribe so you can receive all our new posts on your email.
    And I am soo happy to hear that this clean-up process becomes something like 'pay to forward!'

    ReplyDelete

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