I put it off long enough. Until this weekend, I was wearing tank tops layered under flimsy jackets, with my toes turning purple from the cooler New York weather. I was one of the last opponents of autumn, squeezing out every ounce of the last days of summer.
In Feng Shui, the change of seasons is a good thing. Transitioning into fall, allows for nature to remain in balance, as in life itself. Keeping this in mind, I finally tackled the annual transitioning of my closets. As much as I dread it every year, I try to remember how great I feel when all is said and done. Stored away are my sandals and sun dresses and out came the turtlenecks and boots. Happily, my closet is now organized and airy, allowing me to get dressed faster and more efficiently in the morning. And isn’t that how we want to feel every day?
As always, a result of this change-over was a purging that was sorely needed. My (fashion) mantra – if I haven’t worn it in the past season, it goes in my “out” pile. Having held many a client’s hand in the purging process, I realize that it’s not an easy task. It’s can be downright daunting. It’s not just about letting go of that green polka dot shirt you envisioned yourself wearing to every barbeque. It’s much simpler than that. It’s about the pure act of letting go. Many of us believe that if we let go of something that it could never be replaced again if you needed it. If this resonates with you, I hear you. But after having done this many times for myself and clients, I know that the opposite is true. If you release things in your life that you no longer need – like that green polka dot shirt – you are making room for more and better things to come into your life. Don’t believe me? Give it a try!
But if that sounds too abrupt to you, I offer another solution. Have you heard about clothes “swapping?” Gather some of your most stylish friends, plan out some snacks and drinks and have everyone bring a bag or two of what they have recently purged from their closets and have fun swapping! What better way to give your beloved things a better home, save money and spend time with your friends? **Remember though, the purpose is not to take home more than you came with!** Choose your faves and donate the rest. You and your closet will thank me later. So go on – declutter and swap!
