Operation Organization

Well, here it is---Monday and time for out next assignment. I've been putting this off for way too long. I dread it. It's going to take me hours. But I'm doing it. I'm talking about my closet and drawers. I have a pretty large walk in closet. You know what I always say about that, "it doesn't matter how much space you have---you'll fill it up." If you have a lot of room, you keep way too much stuff---just because you can.

Again, let's break this big job down and make it more manageable. Do a little something each day if the job intimidates you. Start with your nightstand. Do two drawers a day. When you are ready to start that dreaded closet, if it's a walk-in, start on the right. If it's just a regular closet, then start with the top shelf and work down. When you get to the clothes pole, start on the right. I don't have to tell you how to organize it---pants together, blouses, skirts and dresses. It always looks better if you sort them by color too.

Clothes:
Either use boxes or bags and mark them---"goodwill"and "give away." Those are pretty obvious. Anything you think someone you know could use put in the "give away" bag. Everything else goes in the "goodwill" bag. If you happen to find some hidden gems---like platform shoes and bell bottoms from the 70's---put them in to a costume box. Seriously, if you haven't cleaned out your closet in a long time, then you need to be ruthless.

We keep thing for a few different reasons:
1. We have an emotional attachment.
2. We paid too much for it to just give away.
3. We think we'll be able to fit in to it again.
4. Or, we keep things because we have the room---except now we don't!

If you haven't worn something in two years---out it goes. Personally, I prefer to use one year as my guide. Do not keep clothes that you think you will fit in to again. I hate to break it to you. If you haven't  been able to lose that weight in a year, chances are you won't. I'm not trying to be discouraging here, but think of it this way. You are making room for the new clothes you will be able to reward yourself with when you lose that weight. Don't you think you'll deserve it?

Shoes:
They may be cute, but if they hurt your feet and you haven't worn them in a year, out they go. How many pairs of tennis shoes do you need? For me, it's slippers. I never wear shoes around the house---it's either socks or slippers---flip flops in summer. The slippers are piling up. It's time to let some of them go.

Purses:
I'm fortunate enough to have several designer bags. I hardly ever use them as I've found that I prefer a cross body, smaller purse that just holds the necessities. My other purses weigh a ton. Still, they are too valuable to just give away. I've decided to start a "loaner" program with my daughters and granddaughters. At least I'll be putting them to good use again.

Here are my "before" pictures. Don't judge me!

 My hanging clothes are still color coordinated, but I need to weed some out. To the left are assorted totes.

 Here we have sweaters, purses, pajamas, scarves, sweatshirts, work-out clothes. I have a lot to get rid of here.

 These are jackets and sweaters. I have some to get rid of, but I won't have to do too much work here. Another thing that goes a long way to making your closet look nice is matching hangers. I just get those cheap plastic ones from Target. They're about $1.50 for 10.

 Tee shirts, capris pants, swim suits and other miscellaneous stuff.

 Shoes. There aren't many to get rid of---but they do need to be straightened up. I have tennis shoes and boots under the shelves too.

 Here are the purses I was talking about. They are all neatly in flannel bags just waiting to be used again.

 This rack holds scarves---probably 20 or more. I knitted many of them. I do need to sort through them.

Here are more scarves and every possible color of pashmina (love them). I'll count all the scarves and pashminas and report back.

Okay, you can see I have a lot to do. So do you. So get started. You have a week. Let me know how it goes.