Why Can't I Just Get Rid Of It????

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   ~Stacey~posted 15 years ago

   I have this "issue" with getting rid of old clothing... I have items that I have been carrying with me since I was like 16. I am now 25... lol I for some silly reason think that I "might" someday find use out these items.
   
   I have many of times packed up a bag to give away and I always end up unpacking it later. I KNOW that I will never actually wear some of this stuff but I just can't seem to get rid of it.
   
   Does anyone else suffer from the same problem?

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      Margie01posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      It isn't the clothing that you are carrying around with you; it is the memories associated.  I think you have to realize that you never lose them and it may be easier to lose the clothing.

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         ~Stacey~posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         You have a great point Margie01 I think thats probably a big part of it! I think that when I go to get rid of somthing the first thing I do is associate soemthing else with it! Thanks for putting that into perspective for me!

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      cosetteposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      i usually hold onto two kinds of items:
      
      1. unusual pieces
      2. classic pieces
      
      unusual pieces are things like a royal blue raincoat that i hardly ever wear because it doesn't rain but it looks like somehting Holly Golightly wore in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'...anything that makes you feel good and which would be hard to find, you should hold onto.
      
      classic pieces are things like black or gray pencil skirts, vests, white shirts, simple black handbags...they go with anything and even if you can't wear them all the time because it might be too hot or something, you do wear them sometimes.
      
      if it is something that is just junk like t-shirts with Smurfs on them or something, i would probably get rid of it, although i have a cool Atari tee that i won't ever get rid of.

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         ~Stacey~posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Thats a really good idea cosette! but the smurfs might come back!!

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            ChristopherHowellposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            They might, but the real question is SHOULD they come back... the answer is no.
            
            I have the same problem, but i found a cool solution for the old things that turns into quite the skill.
            
            If you have ANY proficiency with a needle and thread, take your old clothes you don't really want but can't get rid of and cut out useable sized patches from the cloth. Then take the clothes that you aren't wearing or need the repair and stitch them up.
            
            Because of that I have jeans that have so many pockets that I don't need a backpack anymore and I always get asked where I get my clothes. It's quite the ego boost. Also, it saves on money and lets you keep clothes that you've totally torn apart but still want and clothes that almost don't quite fit comfortably.
            
            Also, don't be scared to experiment even if you've never picked up a needle and thread in your life, just start on clothes that you really don't want, if you can put thread through a needle, tie a not and pass it through in loops you can sew. Just don't go modding your favorite awesome pair of jeans right away.

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   Velleri24posted 15 years ago

   Don't feel bad, I have this same problem! And I have found that some things really do come back, you just use more current accessories to make them look new. If it is a question of making space though, you may want to let go of the brown leather clogs with the buckle.....yeah, those will never come back. Maybe that is just my own wishful thinking. I panicked a few years back when I started to see polyester in shades of hot pink and lime green. Yikes!

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      ~Stacey~posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      HAHA yeah I totally know what you mean lol I have some things that I really should just let go lol

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   geminimoonposted 15 years ago

   Have a yard sale or just donate them to a charity.

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   beth811posted 15 years ago

   Don't withhold the things you planned to dispose of. You can either donate or sell them.
   Get your wardrobe a new look inside.

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   rmcrayneposted 15 years ago

   I've had the same problem with clothes and things. 
   
   When I was in Turkey, they were sooooooo poor, it was much easier to give those things away, for the first time ever. 
   
   Now I have a close friend with a large extended family in Mexico.  I give clothes to her and I know she will see that they go to people that need them and will appreciate them.

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      ~Stacey~posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Aww thats great!

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   Marisa Wrightposted 15 years ago

   If they're still in good condition, why not eBay them?
   
   I think most people have a collection of stuff they don't need,  but "too good to throw away".  Selling on eBay can really turn that attitude around, in my experience
   
   I started on eBay to sell my partner's coin collection and was soon selling bits and pieces I had around the house. I did so well, my partner joked he would have to start nailing things down, or there'd be nothing left!
   
   If you're getting something in return for the clothes, it's much easier to part with them.  They're not out of fashion, they're "vintage"!

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   girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

   I have this problem, too. A good way to combat it is to go through your closet with a friend or two that are the same size. Once you've given something to them, you can't take it back and they'll probably love that you're giving them free clothes.

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   Paradise7posted 15 years ago

   It's easier to get rid of stuff you don't use anymore when you move.  So if you're going to move house within oh, say the next two or three years, don't worry about it until then.  When you have to go through everything to pack up, then sort out everything you haven't worn in 2 years, and donate it to the Goodwill or Oxfam or something.
   
   In the meantime, having your closets full of clothes makes you feel luxuriously well-wardrobed, and cuts down on credit card impulse shopping for clothes.  So it's not a totally bad thing, I don't think.

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      rmcrayneposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      If only that had worked for me.  My last several military moves I was up all night for several nights going through stuff, the least of which was clothes. 

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   Wendi Mposted 15 years ago

   Everytime I move, which is usually every 3 years, I leave the furniture behind but hang on to the clothes.  Wow, I didn't realize how attached I was to my clothes until I just typed this!

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      ~Stacey~posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      LOL funny how that happens

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    Colebabieposted 15 years ago

    Do you have a Plato's closet in your town?
    
    I take all of my clothes to Plato's closet, whatever they don't take I take to Goodwill. If you think of it as someone who has less than you is getting your great things, its easier to let go.
    
    My rule is, if I haven't worn it in 6 months and its not something that has serious sentimental value... out it goes!

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    Dale Mazurekposted 15 years ago

    My wife is 40 and still has jeans from when she was 19.  3 kids later she is still beautiful and in great shape but those jeans just dont work anymore.
    
    When I tell her to get rid of them she always tells me that one day she will get back into them.
    
    I guess whatever she wants and whatever makes her happy.

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