Out Of the Closet

You know that one piece of clothing? Yes you do - the one that lurks in your closet or drawer until you notice it and think "why don't I ever wear that?" so you put it on and about half an hour after you leave your house you remember exactly why you never wear it. The waist is a little too small or the armholes feel weird around your shoulders or there's just something wrong with it somehow and wearing it makes you uncomfortable and crabby.

Go find it right now and put it in your donation or consignment pile (you do have one, right? Start one if you don't and let Nightmare Garment be the inaugural item). I'm serious, if you hate wearing it there is no reason in the entire world for you to keep it.

"But it was expensive!" Except that you're not wearing it, so you're still not getting any value out of it. Whereas if you take it down to the consignment shop you can make a little money on it and also not have that "damn, I spent a lot on that thing, I really ought to wear it" feeling every time you see it.

Sentimental value? Nope. Because regardless of how you feel about whoever gave it to you, wearing it makes you miserable and do you really want to associate that feeling with someone you love? Moreover, do you think they want you to feel like that when you wear something they gave you? I'm pretty sure that if they really love you they don't want that at all, and walking around all day feeling like a cat wearing a bowtie is not a good way to honor your loved ones. If you're really worried about it, call up the person who gave it to you and ask permission to send it out into the world. Chances are good they don't even remember giving it to you. Take a picture of it if you really need to remember it and then send it on its way.

But if you just can't, for whatever reason, get rid of it? Find something else to do with it, whether that's framing it as artwork or turning it into a quilt or a pillow . It is simply not functioning as clothing for you anymore, so it doesn't need to take up closet or drawer space. Things that take up physical space take up mental space as well, and as you clear those spaces in your home you'll also clear space in your mind, thus freeing up mental energy for more interesting and rewarding purposes. Give it a try today, see where it takes you!

Another Feel-Good Friday tomorrow! We'll cap off what I hope has been, for you, an excellent week and head into our weekend with some fun and frivolity. See you then!

- Sarah