mardi 9 avril 2013

Anger and storage management


As there's not "enough" storage space in my apartment, I tend to be quite organized but there's always the week/day when I'm in hurry or I frantically search for "something" to wear... That's when the mess happens but usually on a limited scale. 

The other time is now during the transition aka the MM (the massive mess). 

When I can't store all the winter clothes/accessories yet and that I invariably buy a few springy things, start laundering and bringing back stored spring clothes because I'm an optimist at heart and I want to believe*...that winter will end [*if you got that tv reference, bravo, you're as old as I am or a real tv fanatic] eventually.

That's when things get rolled up in interstices, piles of clothes are reaching new summits and I just can't have a clear view of what I have, everything is jumbled and I hate it.

It's been like this for the past 3 weeks, hoping that the weather forecast would help me reach a final decision and store 99% of winter clothes. Alas, that is not happening as we're still in weather limbo.

This sunday, pissed off by a million little things, finding myself in front of this MM infuriated me even more. With enough free time to tackle the issue, I took the matters in hands.

Cohabitation of winter and spring garnments, like in the institutionnal system, requires some organisation and realpolitik.

1) No sentimental attachment: yes, I love you OTK Stuart Weitzman boots, ditto shearling Docs but this is spring now (at least officially), so it's time for you to step out. See you next fall.

2) Dispose of the unused: For example, the red cashmere sweater and that Vanessa Bruno knit dress worn once all winter (to storage), same for the overworn, piling heattech thermal (to trash). 

3) Rationalise: I'm still wearing winter scarves but do I still need my cashmere beanies? No. Same goes for the down parka and the big black angora knit: out!

As for spring stuff? A few blouses and knits, zara trench, IM wool jackets, red ballet flats in.That's it for now. I'm an optimist but a pragmatic too.

After a couple of hours at this rate, trashing, storing, pondering optimism vs reality, suddenly there it was: space! 

Not a lot mind you (only got rid of 10% of winter wear) but enough to mix both seasons without being overwhelmed by stuff, without any idea of what is where. 

I have a clearer view of my belongings. Bonus point this clearing & cleaning session brought me back some much needed peace of mind.



A glimpse of the work done: springy blouses coexisting with winter tweed skirt and beige slim cargo next to black-grey (mostly all seasons) trousers.


16 commentaires:

  1. Well done! I'm having the same problem and it's aggravating...inevitably a pile forms on my bed, which then ends up on the floor, and then all of a sudden the room is gone!

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    1. I know, tidying up clothes is a neverending story isn't it? Bonus point of those couple hours of cleaning work-out is that I don't feel like buying one single piece of clothing!

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  2. Please come to my house and sort out my MM. I have 6 boxes and two wardrobes to tackle and some overspill.

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    1. Ha ha! I couldn't help myself laughing out loud reading your comment! Reminds me of that tv show where a coach single-handedly deals with people's mess, maybe I should change my business orientation! MM coach rings quite well but I'd pricy of course like any well-respected coach!

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  3. ah, it's SO nice to clear out clutter and have space again :) for once, NYC's space limitations actually help keep my closet in check!

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    1. Right! it's a very liberating exercise, the equivalent of a detox cleanse!

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  4. I am in the same boat! It's 26C today, but it will be 10C tomorrow! This morning I left my closet in such a mess trying to find a skirt for work because wool pants would be too hot for today. I think especially for us city apartment dwellers, we all dream of that huge walki-in closet that stores everything for every season so that we won't have to perform the closet switchout ritual every season!

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    1. I know! What a rollercoaster! Today is rainy, 13°c max but the week-end is supposed to be sunny and very warm (at last!), it's a puzzle to find what to wear.
      A big walk-in would be the dream indeed! No matter how much I like bringing back clothes stored for the season, having everything before my eyes and neatly put (of course!) would be so thrilling!

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  5. But how do you know which is where? I really need order, I must be a bit of a type A personality because it calms me down.

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  6. Ah that's great you have a walk-in! I bet I'd be less neurotic about having a clear and ordered space if I had one of those.

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  7. I also need my wardrobe to be completely clutter-free. It's just sooo much easier to build outfits when you don't have to dig through a ton of unwearable off-season stuff, and nowadays I actually like editing my wardrobe, it's like meditating for me :)

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    1. Exactly! You get a sense of peace when your surroundings are clear and neat. I'm planning to drop all winter coats by the drycleaner so my closet will be even more clear and uncluttered by clothes that just fill up space!

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  8. Same here. I'm so SO sick of my winter clothes. That's all I've been wearing for the past 6 months. I can't bring myself to buy any spring/summer clothes for fear that I won't get a chance to wear them.

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    1. That's why I invest more in winter clothes, there's no doubt I'll wear what I get! Haha! But yeah, it's getting to a tipping point when I can't stand any winter clothes no matter how much I love them.

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  9. Good job!

    I'm so type A that my closet has to be perfectly organized at all times. It drives me crazy when there's clutter or things are in their proper place. And yes, I'm ready for Spring clothes already. But it's still so cold and unpredictable.

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    1. I hate it when the weather is undecided so I decided to move on to spring! All the heavy winter clothes have been put aside. Just parying that there's no snow storm coming! Haha!

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