@psychmomma another vote to hang onto them if they’re classics, especially if you’re dealing with material like cashmere. Since you have the closet space, the really important thing to free up is the head space – be at peace with whatever you decide and try to declutter the worry if you can. 
They are just cable knit pullover v-necks. Nothing special. I think I’ve watched too many shows on simplifying lately. I’m definitely in the mood to get rid of almost everything. @happymomof1 - I never expected my mom to live with me for the 5 years she’s been here, so who knows. Maybe I’ll work on more closet things tomorrow and reassess my winter wardrobe.
Ten surplus sweaters is a lot. Pick your 5 favorites and donate the other half. Splitting the difference should keep both sides of the equation happy.
Lol- it is a lot. I have way too many clothes. Up and down sizes, full-time work and stay-at-home wardrobes, four seasons, keeping things forever, shopping sales, loving all different colors.
I was thinking the same thing- keep my two favorite colors and donate the rest. I think they just mock me from their see-through container on my shelf that I notice every time I walk in there.
I just found a bin under the bed that had been pushed to the middle. I had not opened it in several years, forgot it ws there. I had sweaters I had saved in there, took a look and said out the whole bin goes. I did not miss them so they are not needed.
I posted this on the September Sweep thread (which is a specific online project just for September via Apartment Therapy) - and thought it might be helpful here - can you use this in the sweater situation???
I also really love these “5 Questions To Ask Yourself” - when you’re holding an object in your house or a piece of clothing in your closet you’re considering whether you should keep or not:
The Rules
If the answer to all of these questions is “no,” get rid of it.
- Have I used this item in the past year? This one's easy. Try to remember a time when you used the thing you're weighing on. If it hasn't been worn, used, or appreciated since last fall, let it go.
- Will I use it in the year ahead? Try to resist any thoughts about how you "might" use it, and find something more concrete: Will you use it? If you don't have a real need or plan to do something with it, the answer is "no."
- If I was shopping right now, would I buy this again? Does it work? Does it fit? Do you have another thing that does the same job? Do you even like it anymore? Try to be present and mindful about your current tastes, habits, and priorities.
- If it is broken, is it worth fixing? Consider whether you would use the broken item if it were in good shape (see question #3 above). And weigh the cost of fixing the thing against the cost of replacing it. And will you actually get it done? Soon?
- Would I keep this if I moved? Would it be worth packing up, moving, and unpacking in a new space? We tend to be a little more ruthless and honest with ourselves about what stays and what goes when we're moving from one home to another.
Sometimes I think the questions, which @abasket quoted above, are too strict. For example, I might have a cocktail dress that I didn’t wear in the past year and I don’t currently have anything on the calendar to which I would wear it – but it’s my only cocktail dress, and I know I need to have one on hand. So I wouldn’t get rid of that item. Same thing with, for example, snow boots, if I live in a place that doesn’t get snow every winter but might every three years or so. I expect I’ll need them at some point, I already own them, and they’re not hurting anyone by sitting in the closet and, yes, taking up space. So I’d keep them.
I think that’s where the “Does it bring you joy?” question is useful. The boots and the cocktail dress bring you enough use and you like them enough (joy) to keep them.
I think the questions can definitely come into play when you have multiple cocktail dresses or boots. Certainly the situations you describe @VeryHappy warrant having “one” of each!! Hard to pare down “one”!!!
Suitcases. One was last used in 2012. Others it’s been longer than that.
We use the same 4 bags over and over and over. Why do we have 8?
One will go to DS, whose high school graduation (How can that have been 10 years ago!?!?) suitcase has broken. Three go into the rummage sale pile. The other 4 can continue to travel the world.
Old suitcases are old. The kids today want AWAY, which has built in internal capability.
Old suitcases were all given to the foster care program., Best Foot Forward. These kids get woken and told to,pack, given garbage bags. They want a suitcase of their own.
I wound up putting at least 10 pairs of pants from my closet into the donate pile today. I go to couple of pairs of new jean, so I said I had to get rid of old ones. Then I tried on all of my work pants. I did buy 1new pair of black work pants, but I think I took 4 or 5 out. I can’t fully subscribe to the “if you haven’t worn it in a year you don’t need it” philosophy, but I am getting better.
Yesterday I tackled admin clutter. Cleaned expired Rx info sheets from my medical folder. Cleared off the desktop compartment of my secretary – that cover is way too forgiving, and I let stuff pile up hidden behind it. Didn’t gain much room in physical terms but such a load off.
This evening I boxed up a bunch of items that had been sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to be sent to DH and DS2. They’re packaged and in my car ready for a post office run tomorrow.
There’s also a bag destined for Goodwill in the car, but I don’t even remember what’s in it. At this point I don’t even care, so ready to just shut my eyes and fling random stuff out my windows shouting “woo-hoooooo!!!”
Going Konmari method. That “Magic of Tidying” thing is working for me.
Maybe a new thread?
Discard by categories. Gather it from all corners of your universe.
Keep what you really like and absolutely need (not just discard the obvious).
It’s a process so I’m not perfect yet at this. Looking VERY good though. I’m beginning to smile.
Clothes, books categories almost done (First two categories). But gotta do a second sweep.
Need H to get on board but Mari says it will happen at some point. Just keep truckin’. It’s catching.
Today I hit the file cabinet. Mostly because I don’t have room to file what I NEED to file.
Throw it out. Paper is your enemy. Put your life in order.
I gained piece of mind knowing I can finally find what I need. Feeling free!
And TODAY H went through papers I set aside for him to decide what to discard–and he did. All gone. YEA!
I think he’s starting to see some real results and knows I’m serious. Happy wife, happy life.
He’s getting on board with the process.
Woo Hoo!
Big accomplishment today - grandma’s unwanted china was donated to a huge local rummage sale. Out of the house at last!
A friend of mine lamented because she kept grandma’s china too long and it hadn’t been properly stored. The china had crackled in the heat and ended up being tossed in the garbage which was a real bummer.
Good lesson to let go and let somebody enjoy it before it gets too old or damaged.
I have quite a few clothes that haven’t been worn and in super shape–is it worth the bother of consigning them or should I just donate and get them out of my life? Some were my mom’s but pretty much high end labels.
People may have different opinions but last I remember consignment shops prefer items that are not more than a couple years old - for fashion trends. If high end brand that may be an exception.
Now VINTAGE stuff, that could be of value! Vintage is really popular and in demand right now.
Two bags from my closet today. Taking a break and then back for more.
One more bag done. I tried on every pair of shoes and walked 100 steps in them, then let go of the ones that weren’t truly comfortable.
That blog with the wardrobe thread and people posting pics of their closets is addictive. I only looked through 10 pages so far and it’s around 73 pages long. Very inspiring. Not sure if I saw it here or in the other thread on decluttering…