I really need help organizing my closet and getting rid of stuff?

Question

I want to clean out my closet and get rid of stuff but I don't know where to start. I know the rule about if you haven't worn it in 6 months, get rid of it. However I've run into a problem with that. I was injured (my back) over a year ago. Since then I've gained over 20 lbs because I can't exercise. Because I've gained weight I can't fit into a lot of my clothes that I absolutely love. In addtion, since I'm not currently working or going anywhere (& gained weight) I basically wear sweats & stuff. So I haven't worn more that 90% of my stuff in the past year. I'm hoping once I get better, I will be able to work out again & fit into my old clothes that I love so much. How do I determine what it is I should get rid of since again, most of my stuff hasn't been worn in over a year, doesn't fit me, or I don't have anywhere to wear it right now(work clothes, dress clothes etc)? I have the same problem with my shoes & purses-since I don't go out anywhere I haven't used them. HELP!!

Okay so I thought I'd answer some of the questions I've been getting and give some more details.... All of my clothes, shoes & purses are in good condition. Especially since I haven't really worn them in the last 2 years. (so getting rid of torn, scuffed stuff isn't really an option)I am under a doctors care but have 9 buldging dics as well as some other complications that prevent me from working out until further notice. I DO plan on working out again once I get the all clear from the doctor though. One of the other problems I'm having is not knowing what to keep or get rid of because I don't know what I'll be doing with my career until I know if this is something they can treat or if I will have to live in pain the rest of my life. This is something that will determine if I can go back to my old job in an office or if I'll have to look torwards a new career that may require a different wardrobe

Okay so I thought I'd answer some of the questions I've been getting and give some more details.... All of my clothes, shoes & purses are in good condition. Especially since I haven't really worn them in the last 2 years. (so getting rid of torn, scuffed stuff isn't really an option)I am under a doctors care but have 9 buldging dics as well as some other complications that prevent me from working out until further notice. I DO plan on working out again once I get the all clear from the doctor though. One of the other problems I'm having is not knowing what to keep or get rid of because I don't know what I'll be doing with my career until I know if this is something they can treat or if I will have to live in pain the rest of my life. This is something that will determine if I can go back to my old job in an office or if I'll have to look torwards a new career that may require a different wardrobe

Answer 1

I recommend only getting rid of the things you don't really care for. Keep everything you like and love. If you get rid of these you may be very sorry in the future. Once you have cleaned out and organized your closets and drawers you'll find you have more room than you thought. You can always get rid of stuff when you have lost weight and get back to work. Don't be hasty. A new wardrobe is expensive !!!

Answer 2

Well, since you haven't worn most of your things in about a yr. It would probably be a good idea to only keep a few things that you would really like to get back into... Just think when you loose weight you'll probably want to buy some newer things ! It's a good excuse to go shopping... So, only keep the things that are "classic" and things that you can see yourself wearing when you lose the weight... That should clear out about 60%... The things that don't fit you should take out of your closet and store elsewhere.. I like spacebags for this purpose... and I put them under the bed... Shoes, if you workout shoes should be replaced every 6 months or at least once a yr.. you could risk injuring your feet/back... So, get rid of workout shoes that are over a yr. old.. Dress shoes that no longer fit, are scuffed/damaged beyond repair also get rid of.. Anything that's damaged get rid of... Purses ditto, if you have some that you absolutely can't part with- keep them, but maybe in an underbed storage crate or nice box on the top shelf of the closet where you can rotate them seasonally... If you don't absolutely "love it" give it away or donate it. Maybe it would be fun to have a clothing swap with your friends.. Especially, if you have a friend(s) that are the same size as yourself. It's a good way to not spend too much money and get a new look or two... Same for handbags/shoes.... Once you have the basics sorted into KEEP

Answer 3

First of all, the 'six month' rule is just a rule of thumb. Your circumstances mean that it may not apply to everything.

If your injury occurred over a year ago, I wonder if you have, perhaps, fallen behind on your exercise regime out of habit. Are you having therapy for your injury? If not, maybe it's time to talk to your doctor/therapist about managing your exercise and weight. Your extra 20lbs may still be within the 'healthy' limit for your height &c but you would, no doubt, feel better about yourself if you could lose it! Some of your favourite clothes might help to set you a target.

I hope that you will recover from your injury but bear in mind that back injuries are often long term and the most realistic plan is to learn to work with them so that one gets back to something like one's previous activity level. Often the problem is partly a lack of self-confidence in oneself and really as much to do with mental attitude as actual physical constraint.

As far as organising a closet (or a house or, indeed, anything) is concerned, I have found this site immensely helpful!

http://www.flylady.net/index.asp

Answer 4

Well you know I gained weight too, I had so many clothes in boxes , in the loft,. I said to myself , what´s the point in keeping them here , do I wait till I lose weight or do I give them to someone else. 3 boxes , 1 , I love it and will keep it, just in-case. 2, It is nice but I will never fit into it again. 3, the rest all intto the box, & gave it to the local church, to give to people who really need the clothes. Sitting in a closet for what. The fashion changes all the time. So I went out and bought a whole load of new outfits. I feel better in myself for this , I look good, instead of wearing tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt . I too don´t go out much , but I FEEL BETTER.

Answer 5

what i do is i bought an extra hanger rack from IKEA, great things because you dont need all the winter clothes in your closet in summer and vice versa, hence, you can put that extra clothes rack in another spare room (assuming you have one), and leave the clothes for the season now. this stops them being crunhed up in a box somewhere. another good idea is space saver bags, they are vacum sealed bags that suck all the air out, so you use less space, these are awesome space savers. with shoes, there are these really great boxes you can buy, i think its pinklilly the brand, they are on the net, so just google pink lilly and ull know what i mean (actually i did it for you, its the idea in the middle). they are easy to open and save HEAPS of space, and look neat stacked. if you dont have a lot of money, maybe keep the shoe boxes, so you can stack upways and not worry about leaving them all over the floor. my friend has a blanket box she uses for her stuff, its at the end of the bed and its like a trunk, she puts her shoes and bags etc in that, so it gives more space in the closet. good luck.

Answer 6

go through the boxes and pick out the best things you love and yes you can loose the waight it dont matter how long i was 110 pounds after 2 of my kids was born then hear came my daughter well after it all was over i was 150 ok and 2 years later im back down to 120 ok yes you can. but if you plane on loosing it then u need to keep your clothes

Answer 7

I'm so glad you asked that question - now after reading the above I will definitely make an effort and donate most of the clothes I have and keep some favorites.....thanks!

Answer 8

Keep a couple of old clothes, cause almost all the time once you put on weight it's hard to come off. Give the rest to a Church or woman's shelter..

Answer 9

time to call salvation army to pick all that krap up. time to get over it. empty out that closet, it's been a year.