Itās that time of year again...
If youāre a seasonal purger like meāsomeone who edits down their closet and belongings to create a fresh start and declutterā then you probably have your own little routine that works for you.
I start by blocking off a chunk of my calendar like itās a waxing appointment or a dinner party...because if itās not in my calendar, then it probably aināt happening.
So Why Do I Purge
There are many reasons to assess, sort, organize and get rid of your things...say for instance...to experience life-changing magic according to Marie Kondoās New York Times Best Seller and oh-so-trendy guide.
I didnāt read that one but have been a self-proclaimed minimalist for awhile. For me, it started when I had to pay for a suitcase to fly home with me from Alberta to Ontario. A suitcase, mind you, that I had not opened the entire 7 months I lived out West. Part of me was like, Iāll just leave it behind, itās not worth it. But I didnāt, I paid for it to travel with me even though I couldnāt tell you one thing that was in that suitcase to this day.
That was definitely my āI have too much stuffā a-ha moment and consequently, my āI hate checking luggageā moment too. From that point on, I decided I could and should live with less. Especially when travelling.
So why do I purge? I purge because I like to know what I own, where the stuff I own is stored and that the stuff I own is the stuff I truly love and use.
Buckle Up, Itās Purge OāClock
Okay, so what do I need to make the spring clear-out feel less like a chore and more like an awesome date with me and my belongings...quite simply these four things:
1.Ā A Glass Of Wine
Because. Well just because. Iām not going to explain this one.
2. A Killer Playlist
Something high energy and empowering. Let meĀ suggest a fun and upbeat playlist to be the soundtrack of your purge party.
3. Tons of Floor Space
I like to clean my floors and then dump literally everything in my closet onto the floor.
My style is destroy now, then rebuild with thorough consideration. When I see something on a hanger all neat looking and comfortable, Iām not hard pressed to really assess it.
When itās crumbled on the floor I have to pick it up and think about it for a minute. Itās already out of my closet, do I REALLY want to put it back in? Or is it time to let go?
4. A Target
How do you know when your purge is complete if you donāt have a target?
Target #1 of course is to clear the stuff off your floor!! But that doesnāt mean putting everything back in its place and return to square one (if thatās your target, wrong blog, please move along!)
Target #2 I like to clear 10-20% of my stuff each season. Itās mostly visual but when Iām not too busy, Iāll actually count out and take inventory of all my clothes and shoes and subtract from there.
From that point I start my āhells yesā and āhells noā and āmaybeā piling system. Having a hard time sorting with these terriblyĀ vague terms? Try ādid I wear this in the last 2 weeksā as a measurement or maybe try āwould I buy this again if it were in a storeā method.
Another awesome trick is at the beginning of a season, hang your hangers one way and switch the hanger direction ONLY if youāve worn that item. By purge time, youāll see the hangers that have not been switched and know what stuff you love to wear and what stuff is just taking up space in your closet and your life.Ā
Whoa, but where did all this STUFF come from?
The thing about stuff is that it seems to accumulate without any warning. One concert t-shirt turns into 5 or 6 after the summer. Then thereās the whole collection of stuff that is just for what if scenarios.
What if we go out for a fancy dinner?
What if we go hiking?
What if I spill wine on this white dress and I need a secondĀ white dresses just in case?
What if I need clothes for painting?
Can you guess what scenario is the most likely of them allā¦
I digress.
As I get older, I am more aware of all the things I purchase on impulse and the affect it has on me and the planet. Although I get that hit of dopamine from buying something new, I feel like the more stuff I own, the more stressed out I get.
Itās almost as if the things I worry about get fragmented and parcelled out amongst the stuff piling up in my closet. A worry here, a worry there...it might sound silly to some, but itās true for me.
And then thereās the weight of it allāand Iām not talking about the kind of weight you can measure on a scale. The truth about the impact of fast fashion on our planet is coming to the surface and the waste and pollution created by the fashion industry are becoming harder and harder to ignore.
A Life with Less Purging Means A Life with Less Stuff
While thereās no denying the desire to keep up with all the latest trends will always be there for me, Iām starting to think about what I consume more and more every day. While Iām far from being perfect or even close to zero waste, Iām trying to only bring into my home
- things I actually need
- things that are made sustainably
- things that are second-handĀ
And take better care of the things I already own.
These days, you can find unlimited inspiration on the internet of people leading the way. Here are just a few of my favourites:
- Rob Greenfield who famously wore a trash suit around NYC is challenging himself to a Nothing New for A Year 2017
- Jenn Im is a famous YouTuber Ā who I have been following for many years and I love how she does Thrifting Hauls to show her millions of young and impressionable fans how buying second hand can set you apart from everyone elseāyou just have to give it a shot
- Natalie Kay Smith from Sustainably Chic is someone I discovered on Instagram and sheās amazing at reviewing and putting the spotlight on sustainable and ethically made products and clothing
- The good people of Journey To Zero Waste group that has grown from 10k when I joined a few months ago to over 30k and is just a wealth of knowledge for awesome upcycling tricks, product information and a place to ask questions about waste reduction. Itās great for support and encouragement as well, because sometimes you need that too.
So Iāve drank all my wine, now what do I do with all this stuff?
I tackled consuming less in general but of course there is the big question of what you do with the stuff you donāt need anymore.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of where your old clothes can go:
- Donate to charity
- Resell through second-hand stores or consignment shops
- Textile recycling centres
- Pass down through family or friends
- Attend or organize a clothing swap night
Or if youāre crafty:
- Remix your clothes like these shirt ideas
- Make reusable shopping bags
- Never buy a new rag again
- This rug used to be old clothes
- Quilting is cool - like this baby onesie quilt!
However you do your spring cleaning, I wish you good wine, good music and a better relationship with the things you own and love :)
Ā Are you a minimalist wanting to lessen your eco footprint?
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