Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Project Simplify - Week 1


Project Simplify is a five week decluttering challenge.  Week One started yesterday, so it is not too late to join in.  You can read all about Project Simplify by clicking on either one of the links.

Week One's project is your wardrobe and/or closet.  This is something I had been working on since last Summer, slowly weeding out clothing that I never wear, that no longer fits, is out of style, was a case of buyer's remorse, etc.  Slowly getting my closet down to things I actually wear.  So I had a good head start on this project.

Here is the "before" photo of my side of the closet.  And considering all of the weeding out I had already done, my closet didn't look too bad!

Unfortunately, I didn't realize when I snapped this that half of my sweaters were downstairs hanging in the laundry room.  And I had already pulled a bunch of stuff from the closet before I went and got the sweaters!
And this is the "After Photo" overall view of the closet.  Minus several pair of shoes.  That bag of clothing is summer shorts and pajamas.  That will be reevaluated when summer gets here!

"Before" close up of the clothing, not including the sweaters that were in the laundry room.

"After" close up of the clothing.  Things are sorted by how often I need to get to them.  Right now Winter sweaters are near the front.  When the weather changes, the summer tops come forward and the winter sweaters go to the back of the closet.  In the far back, in bags - my wedding dress and all three girls christening gowns.

I found it very serendipitous that at the time this closet exercise comes up, I am reading this in Simple Abundance:  "Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have." - quote from Doris Mortman.

In fact, the next several days of essays are about how you look, the image you project, and being authentic.  And the tips for implementing the closet exercise on Project Simplify play right into this.  One of the questions was about your best colors - my closet is full of my best colors.  Any guesses what they are? 

I have also learned what colors are not my best colors.  For instance, with work clothes I always thought I needed/wanted variety.  Basic dress colors - black, grey, navy, brown.  But when I pull pants out of my closet to get dressed for work, I always choose black or grey.  On the rare occasions that I've worn navy or brown, I feel really uncomfortable.  And since I am only in the office one or two days a week, I really don't need many choices.  Hence this:

These were the clothes I added to the Goodwill pile today. Dress slacks in navy and brown, a dress jacket in brown, a bunch of blouses I haven't worn in at least two years.  Despite all the paring down I've been doing, I was still able to find more that didn't need to be taking up space in my closet.

A couple of other projects I've done within the last few weeks:

I tossed a lot of makeup that was old or that I didn't use.  This is it now.  All the makeup I own in this one little organizer!

I also pared down my jewelry, getting rid of a lot of costume jewelry that I never wear.  Aside from a couple strands of pearls, this is every necklace I now own... hung on the dresser mirror where I can actually see them and choose from them each day.  The hooks are the Command Hooks by 3M that come off cleanly - the idea was Sarah's - it is how she organizes her jewelry at school!

A close-up of some of the jewelry that survived the cut.  Since many of these have sentimental value, having them displayed this way really makes me HAPPY!

11 comments:

Melissa said...

Great job getting your clothes pared down and organized. I really like how you were able to evaluate and donate the items you really don't wear or feel comfortable in. And I love the necklaces displayed on the mirror - such a happy display!

Amy said...

I'm really looking forward to ahving cupboards to de-clutter! You have done a great job Cheri, it is a thankless task but one that makes us feel so much better! :-)

debs14 said...

I am so impressed. Could you come over here and do my wardrobe please? I am deeply ashamed of how disorganised it is in there and really need to follow your lead, take every thing out and only put back what I actually wear. But maybe I'll have a cup of coffee first ......

Anonymous said...

I've been paring down the wardrobe for the last couple of years, but when I change over from winter to spring, I'm planning another major purge. The truth is there are not enough days to wear all the stuff I still own. I love your jewelry and the display. I have a lot of jewelry, but I do wear most of it so haven't parted with much. Most of it I've been given by family or purchased while we've traveled. I love to put it on and think about how I came to own it. That makes me happy! :-)

scrappyjacky said...

You put me to shame as well....I'm afraid I'm a terrible hoarder....even with clothes.....I keep them 'just in case'....I really should have a purge....as like most women I wear 20% of my clothes 80% of the time!!!!
Unlike you....I do love brown though....and wear it a lot.

humel said...

That's a great way to organise your necklaces! Mine hang on a belt and tie hanger - like a coat hanger, but with a row of hooks along each side - and the whole thing then hangs in my wardrobe. I do like the idea of having them on display though :-) And you've inspired me, I'm going to go RIGHT NOW and fill a bag with clothes that I know I'm never going to wear.... xx

alexa said...

This is soooo up my street, Cheri! You've sent me off on links all over the place ... :) You've made a brilliant start.

The Starr Family said...

Way to go... and I'm impressed, I need a section in my closet that says workout clothes (if I had actual workout clothes. Or worked out.)

Nicole said...

woohoo! Your closet looks great! Nice job tackling your jewelry and makeup too. I love how you displayed your necklaces. You are sure not to forget about all of these pretties by hanging them right on your mirror. Very nice!

Mary @ A Simple Twist Of Faith said...

Love the jewelry, I did something simialr, and guess what? I wore a lot more jewelry this week, because I could see it!

Farming Mama said...

I love how you have your clothes sorted by season/use by having them hung on different colored hangers - brilliant idea!