My girls' closet is full to the brim with clothes--- sweater, skirts, dresses, shirts, jackets, more than even 10 girls could possibly ever wear. I somehow always considered this a blessing--- envisioning my girls going through the closet picking out their outfits--- in clothes heaven by the multitude of outfits only limited by their imagination. It was beautiful to think that all of those clothes would make my daughters closer because not only would they share them all, but they would constantly seek out each others opinion about the outfit they planned to wear to school the next day. It was something I fantasized about growing up with a bunch of sisters-- the idea just reeked of fun togetherness in my humble opinion.
It didn't even occur to me until yesterday that the overflowing closet could actually be the cause of much exasperation for all of them. It bothered me when one daughter would insinuate that another might have something stashed of theirs in their own drawer. It became obvious to me that I personally needed to go through their closet and get rid of some of the rattier looking things and weed out the junk when shirts started disappearing on a more regular basis. Refusing to believe that the clothes were just disappearing into thin air or that indeed the girls where hiding each others clothes, I had a hunch that there was a much bigger problem....... a hungry closet monster devouring my daughters' favorite shirts.
So yesterday, I decided to tackle their closet. Within minutes of going through their clothes one by one, I found Julia's favorite shirt completely hidden between two jackets without its hanger. "Mom you found it!" Julia shouted. You would've thought I found a hundred dollar bill or something. I continued sorting through the clothes making sections for each of the girls and soon three more shirts were found. Only one third of the way done, I already had a trash bags worth of clothes to give away and over 30 empty hangers.
Funny how something so trivial can feel like such a big accomplishment. Now if I can only get inspired to clean out my own closet and get rid of my size 6 clothes back from 4 years ago. I've long since come to the realization that I am always going to be a perfect size 10 baby!
14 inspiring thoughts:
You have no idea how much this post hit home in this house. I have one daughter and a baby on the way. Oksana doesn't have to share any clothing at all and yet somehow there are enough clothes in her closet to dress more than four size 8-10 girls for nearly 2 weeks without doing laundry. We are blessed to have all those clothes for her to choose from especially as she has only been home a year and never owned anything of her own before from her previous life in the Detsky Dom. (Many clothes were given as hand me downs and gifts when she arrived) I know how frustrating it is for her to put away her clothes and choose what to wear when there are many options. On top of that, I hear where you are coming from with your clothes in your closet. I am sure mine must look about the same. I have pre-pregnancy clothes that I can't get rid of but don't fit. Then the clothes from four years ago that I wish I could still wear but probably never will. *Big Sigh* I have been thinking recently that I should pull them all out and sort...now after reading your post I think that will be my project for tomorrow. Its great to hear that other people have the same things going on in their homes too.
Dennis is becomming so grown up and his smile is definatly getting bigger. What a cutie.
Catherine, Jamey and Oksana
Christine, I'd LOVE to be a size 10. Haven't been that in 24 years! Oh well, more to love, right?
We just did this too!
It is quite freeing!
I say the less to clean up the better and I don't mind doing laundry more often!
Delighting in Him
I love cleaning out closets. You've inspired me to clean out my own.
Hey, gotta love cleaning out days. I am with you on the size 10. Hey, sometimes I squeeze into 8, but reality usually sets in!
good for you! It is great to at least get one unpleasant job checked off your list! And when I do something like you did, I always feel a little accomplishment, too! And I love your outfit! :) Good for you again! Jen
When it comes to organization - every area is a bonus! I always feel so good when I've organized a closet. I did a couple this summer; it is just that a lot of the "extras" ended up in Craig's closet. I'm not sure what we'll do when he comes home!
I love the sense of satisfaction I get when a big job like that is done. However, I have no idea where you found the time to get that done. Truly impressive.
I have been cleaning closets too!
And I have come to the conclusion that girls are messier than boys..or is it that they just have more stuff..
I've been trying to convince my daughter that she needs to clean her closet but what can you do when they live alone, pay their own bills, have disposal income and everybody loves to give her clothes. She is 26 and admits she has enough clothes to go approximately 3 months without doing laundry and without repeating outfits! Her younger brother is almost as bad (2 months of shirts - he loves Hawaiian shirts)
Mom to 2 Clothes Collectors :)
Mom to
This closet thing must be viral! We still haven't got many hangers, or our household goods delivered, but I mailed or carried most of the kids' clothes through the summer on our move. We got here and let them set up their own rooms... but, as I actually want them to be able to find their outfits for school(!), I re-organized their closets yesterday. Got in trouble with the 6yo for putting the pink hangers on the wrong side of the closet, but otherwise, it really made a positive difference!
I used to create outfits for Honor and hang the set on one hanger. She now likes to create her own so I need to find a way to keep her creative, yet organized. I also need to find a place for my charity box. Their emptying their closets of things that no longer fit, as they find them, really helps me.
10 is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
♥ I need to go through all of my kids closets and dressers too! I'll take a size 10 ANYDAY! :)
I just went through the kids' closets too in preparation for changing from summer to winter clothes. I love sorting and cleaning and GETTING RID OF stuff! :) (psst..if we were closer I'd tell you to feel free to pass those size 6 clothes this way--I have the opposite problem as most people in that my clothes are all too big now. These 4 kids keep me running!)
Post a Comment