Lightening Up.

Y'all were so supportive and encouraging when I wrote last month about wanting to pare down my wardrobe - thank you! I am happy to report that phase one of the project is done. and I have photos to share! I'm honestly not quite sure what y'all will make of my closet (or my clothes!) This feels like one of the most personal posts I've ever written. It's one thing to share photos of my (adorable) grandchildren, fun cocktails and knitting FO's. but letting y'all into my closet ... that's a whole different level of sharing.

But this blog tells my story and I think the changes I made this past weekend are going to be a significant part of it. so here goes.

Of course I didn't realize I forgot to take "before" photos until after I'd started. (Marc might say this is what my closet looked like anyway.)

I did not take everything out, but I touched each piece, evaluated it and decided where it would go (it got really messy).

For items I kept, I separated winter from spring/summer (and have a rather daunting pile of things that need to be washed and blocked. ugh). For items I didn't keep, I made five piles: trash, donate and consign and two give aways. A friend of a friend has daughters about my size; most of my "regular" clothing went to this pile. I also have handknits that I haven't worn in a while - some because I'm tired of them and some because I no longer like the way they fit (maybe I'm finally coming to terms with middle age, but I now like my sweaters a little longer and with more ease. I bagged those up to share with my class and the shop; hopefully they'll find new homes with people who appreciate them (or the shop can use them as samples to encourage other knitters). 

Fast forward a few hours and here it is finished.

I counted up the hangers; I kept fifty pieces. 5 everyday dresses, 2 for church, 1 for covering up my swimsuit. 3 pairs of jeans, 2 slacks and 1 cropped. 2 pairs of shorts (yep, "spring" in Georgia). 4 blouses. 2 long sleeved t-shirts, 12 short sleeved (room to pare further). 2 cardigans. 1 jacket. 1 sheer blouse (only because I heard it might be chilly this month). 10 blouses/shirts. (I do hope that sums to 50!) I'm guessing it's about a third of what I started with.

I've already passed along that first give away bag and have an appointment at the consignment shop on Friday afternoon. Hopefully I'll get some good spring mojo this next week to tackle that pile of washing and blocking ... until that happens, or until I finish something, I have exactly one handknit sweater to wear. (fortunately it's a good one.)

And even better - I realized I do need a few new handknits. Basic pullovers (I have three queue'd), a layering piece (something to wear over a blouse or a t-shirt), and a black cardigan (the one I knit last year is in the giveaway pile - it's not the easy-to-wear basic that I thought it would be.) You can be sure I'll have more to share on that front soon.

Finally - I realized the process is pretty cool. I think I might even try to tackle this.

One last note - I started reading Marie Kondo's book last night. I will definitely try her approach on the bookshelf. I'm wondering if she's going to inspire any more "tidying"!

Is there something in your house you're wanting to tidy? (would you share photos of your closet?!)