| Helping people clean out their closet is | | | | you put it away. If you did not wear an |
| something I love to do. It helps me | | | | |
| understand them by seeing what they have | | | | item all season long, it is likely you |
| collected and what they hold on to. I | | | | will enjoy it next year. When you take |
| find it satisfying to make order out of | | | | out |
| chaos. I sit on the bed as garments are | | | | clothing that has been stored, try it |
| brought out and displayed before me. | | | | on to be sure it still fits and you |
| The first few outfits I comment upon, | | | | still like it.When you are deciding upon |
| declaring either, "Looks great, keep | | | | which clothes to save or discard, do not |
| it." "Needs repair, is it worth it?" or | | | | concern your |
| "Get rid of it". After that, I find | | | | self with the fate of a reject. Base |
| myself saying little else.Once into the | | | | the decision purely on your enjoyemnt |
| swing of thing, the closet owner begins | | | | the |
| decisively weeding out the | | | | garment. After you have set aside all |
| garments single-handedly. "I never | | | | the clothes you are ready to remove, |
| liked this!" she cries. "Why have I | | | | then you |
| been | | | | can choose what to do with them. There |
| hanging onto this?" she exclaims, | | | | are many positive ways in which your old |
| tossing it aside. I lean against the | | | | |
| headboard and | | | | outfit can be put to good use. If they |
| watch the discard pole grow. Earlier | | | | were recently purchased and still |
| in the day, this vanquisher of closet | | | | stylish, you |
| clutter | | | | can sell them at a used clothing store |
| was, no doubt, fearful about our | | | | of consignment shop. Donating clothes |
| appointment. Would I be abrasive? | | | | to a |
| Would she be | | | | charitable organization helps others |
| embarrassed? Would she have to give | | | | that are less fortunate and provides you |
| away things she loved? What would she | | | | with a |
| have | | | | tax write-off. There are several |
| left to wear?Fear might keep her from | | | | women's organizations that sponsor |
| getting started, but with a little | | | | 'slightly worn' |
| encouragement, she | | | | sales, with the proceeds going to |
| throws herself into the task with | | | | charity.A creative alternative is a |
| gleeful abandon. One client commented: | | | | clothes-swapping party. Invite a group |
| "When | | | | of friends over and |
| we were going through my closet, I had | | | | ask them to bring only their best |
| two reactions - shock and relief. I | | | | cast-offs. The only requirement is to |
| realized | | | | be firm |
| you have to tear down an old building | | | | about people taking only the items that |
| before you can put a new building in its | | | | look wonderful on them.Whatever you |
| | | | decide to do, remember that what happens |
| place. It is called, 'constructive | | | | to your old clothes after |
| destruction.'The reason I enjoy cleaning | | | | they are out of your closet is not |
| out closets so much is because it is | | | | really all that important. Try not to |
| such a positive | | | | put too much |
| thing to do. | | | | energy into finding them a new home. |
| The state of your closet is more | | | | They are not stray orphans in need of |
| related to your attitude that it is to | | | | shelter. Beware of burdening your |
| your general | | | | family members with items you feel would |
| untidiness. You need to consider | | | | be |
| everything in the present time, from the | | | | 'just perfect' for them. They will |
| shape of | | | | thank you for this, believe me.Now that |
| your body to the needs of your | | | | you are free of all kinds of skeletons |
| lifestyle. Your closet must be a | | | | in your closet, it is easy to organize |
| reflection of your | | | | what is left. Set up any type of |
| commitment to the present. The only | | | | system that works for you. Some people |
| items hanging in it should be thing you | | | | group their |
| like | | | | clothes by color, but I prefer to |
| and feel good in. Not only should your | | | | arrange my clothes by category. Moving |
| closet contain only current favorites, | | | | from left to |
| but | | | | right, I hang my slacks, then my |
| should be arranged in a way that you | | | | blouses and lightweight jackets, |
| know what is available to you. Updating | | | | followed by my |
| | | | skirts and, finally, my suits. I don't |
| and organizing your closet is | | | | wear dresses or heavy coats because I |
| important; don't skip it.A stuffed | | | | wear |
| closet is falsely comforting. If the | | | | separates and live in a temperate |
| clothes do not look good on you or do | | | | year-round climate. But you may |
| not meet the needs of your lifestyle, | | | | consider an |
| then you will be faced with the daily | | | | alternative if you have distinct |
| frustration | | | | seasons. My sweaters, exercise wear |
| of having nothing to wear and not | | | | and lingerie |
| understanding why. Even if the next | | | | are all folded. If it helps you to |
| time you go | | | | keep complete outfits hanging together |
| shopping you are determined to buy | | | | then, |
| something that expressed your spirit, | | | | by all means, arrange your closet that |
| adding a | | | | way. Any approach that makes sense and |
| few new outfits to the existing clutter | | | | is |
| is not a good practice. Buying | | | | convenient |
| something | | | | to you is fine with the exception of |
| wonderful will not make up for a closet | | | | allotting one quarter of your closet for |
| filled with things you feel unhappy | | | | the things |
| about.If you think all the clothes | | | | you currently wear and three quarters |
| hanging in your closet that you never | | | | of the space for the items you |
| wear are not | | | | don't!Your accessories should also be |
| hurting anything, think again. Every | | | | organized and easily accessible. I fold |
| time you see pants that do not fit or | | | | my scarves |
| the dress | | | | and hang my belts over the scarves. |
| with the price tag still on it, you get | | | | Seeing my accessories hanging in plain |
| a little electric shock of negative | | | | sight |
| energy. The | | | | often inspires me to try something new. |
| 'skeletons' in your closet undermine | | | | Accessories do not take up much room |
| you; they tear down your confidence. | | | | and they need to be kept current like |
| The only | | | | all the rest of your clothes.I might |
| solution is to get rid of them.Clothes | | | | sound like a fanatic about my closet but |
| in your closet that are too small are | | | | I have developed an appreciation |
| the most destructive skeletons of all. | | | | for the benefits of an organized and |
| You might push them to the back of the | | | | up-to-date-closet. Getting dressed is |
| closet determined not to try them on | | | | not |
| until | | | | longer a chore now that I clearly see |
| one morning, convinced that feeling | | | | all my options hanging before me. I can |
| this good can only mean you are thin. | | | | feel |
| You try | | | | confident knowing I need only to choose |
| them on and your cheerful mood deflates | | | | an outfit based my mood, the occasion |
| like a balloon. Or, rushing to get | | | | and |
| ready to | | | | the weather. I never have to wonder or |
| go our, your become so totally | | | | speculate about something fitting or |
| frustrated at nothing looking right that | | | | looking |
| you put them | | | | great that day.Getting dressed in the |
| on, anyway, and spend the evening | | | | morning sets the tone for the entire day |
| feeling pinched and miserable. Even if | | | | and you owe it to |
| you do | | | | yourself to make it as streamlined and |
| not wear your clothes that are too | | | | positive as possible. Getting dressed |
| small, every time you see them hanging | | | | is your |
| in your | | | | time to look in the mirror and |
| closet you will be reminded that you | | | | positively interact with yourself, |
| are 'too fat". It is time to get them | | | | confirming your |
| out | | | | attractiveness and appreciating your |
| of your closet!Take everything that | | | | beauty. It is a waste to spend those |
| does not fit you right now out of your | | | | few |
| closet today. What you | | | | precious moments throwing garments over |
| do with them once they are out of the | | | | furniture, frantically trying to pull |
| closet is not as important as the act of | | | | yourself together.In addition to the |
| freeing | | | | daily benefits of an organized closet, |
| yourself from dealing with them on a | | | | the act of cleaning it is itself |
| daily basis. Trying on or wearing tight | | | | emotionally satisfying. A surge of |
| clothes | | | | energy takes hold when you free yourself |
| will not motivate you to lose weight: | | | | from an |
| it will only demean you and tear down | | | | unhappy past and more towards a more |
| your | | | | promising future. Like any intimate |
| self-esteem. If it is too painful for | | | | relationship, we create emotional bonds |
| you to get rid of them, put them in a | | | | with our clothing. When you act |
| second | | | | decisively |
| closet or in the garage. If you do | | | | you will discover a sense of relief |
| lose weight, you can retrieve your | | | | akin to quitting a job you hated or |
| clothes from | | | | ending a |
| your hiding place.The second kind of | | | | relationship that is no longer working. |
| 'skeleton' in your closet is all the bad | | | | It is a wonderful feeling to take |
| purchases you have never | | | | control by |
| worn. Just as wearing something too | | | | letting go of past failures and by |
| tight will not motivate you to lose | | | | making positive choices |
| weight, the | | | | in the present. Your closet is a great |
| guilt you feel when you see a mistake | | | | place to begin and a great place to |
| hanging there will not prevent you from | | | | return to |
| making that mistake, again. Getting | | | | whenever you feel the need to do |
| caught up in the excitement of | | | | something good for yourself.I have found |
| purchasing | | | | the following three exercises to be the |
| something, only to discover that you do | | | | most successful approach to |
| not really wear it, happens to everyone. | | | | tackling your closet-cleaning project. |
| | | | Exercise One offers tips for going |
| There is no need to feel like a failure | | | | through |
| because eof it. When you are ready to | | | | your garments one at a time. |
| face the | | | | Exercise Two guides you through |
| fact that it will never look right (or | | | | arranging your clothes in an orderly |
| fit your lifestyle) clear it out of your | | | | way. The |
| closet and | | | | final exercise encourages you to |
| make way for something better. | | | | evaluate what you have learned and not |
| Anything hanging in your closet that | | | | any |
| makes you | | | | important observations you have |
| feel guilty when you look at it, has | | | | made.Step one - GET TO ITThere is no |
| got to go.Another, even more insidious | | | | shortcut to trying our every single |
| form of sabotage is allowing your closet | | | | item, so get to it. Put on good |
| to stay in a | | | | underwear, pantyhose if you wear them, |
| perpetual state of disorder and | | | | your favorite music and start with your |
| confusion. It guarantees that getting | | | | favorite clothes. Be sure to wear all |
| dressed will be | | | | the appropriate accessories, including |
| forever difficult and frustrating. | | | | shoes |
| Imagine trying to pain a masterpiece | | | | and jewelry. Admire how nice you look |
| with a dirty | | | | in them. Then take them off, hang them |
| paintbrush, dried up tubes of paint, | | | | up |
| and a messy workspace. If your | | | | or put them somewhere out of the way |
| objective is to | | | | until you complete the |
| look wonderful in the easiest and | | | | project.Continuing to move from the best |
| simplest way possible, then give | | | | to the worst, try on everything else. |
| yourself a break | | | | Make |
| by getting rid of the clutter and | | | | whatever you have on look as good as it |
| cleaning up the chaos.When you are | | | | possibly can. If you feel inspired and |
| psychologically ready to tackle your | | | | come |
| closet, the only way to proceed is | | | | up with a new combination, terrific.If |
| to plunge right in. Set aside several | | | | you are not thrilled with the way |
| hours and be sure to have a good, | | | | something looks, put it in the discard |
| full-length | | | | pile. Do |
| mirror in place. Your task is to take | | | | not start a 'maybe' pile. Make a |
| out every single item in your closet and | | | | decision. Tell yourself if you change |
| return | | | | your mind you |
| only the ones that you truly like and | | | | can always retrieve it later. This act |
| enjoy wearing. This means you have to | | | | of decisiveness helps you break the |
| try | | | | emotional |
| them all on. Be honest with yourself. | | | | bond with the garment in question. |
| Is the fit flattering? Does the color | | | | Once you see it in the reject pile you |
| make you | | | | will |
| feel healthy and alive? Have you worn | | | | probably be relieved rather than sad. |
| it recently, and if so, did you feel | | | | Let me make this very important point: |
| good in it? | | | | Making a 'yes' or 'no' decision is the |
| Go through everything and make a | | | | key to successfully cleaning out your |
| decision.Whether you choose to have help | | | | closet.You are probably getting stuck on |
| or decide to got it alone, there will be | | | | all the odd pieces you have been saving, |
| certain | | | | hoping |
| stumbling blocks that you should be | | | | to find the 'perfect' thing to go with |
| aware of. Some items are going to me | | | | them. Ask yourself if you really and |
| more | | | | truly love |
| difficult to decide about than others. | | | | them. Is it worth spending the |
| The types of clothing which are the | | | | necessary time, energy and money to find |
| toughest | | | | them |
| to be objective about are sentimental | | | | suitable partners? If you would rather |
| favorites and clothes you once enjoyed | | | | spend the time and money on a totally |
| that no | | | | new |
| longer look as wonderful on you as they | | | | outfit, then let them go.Do not feel |
| once did. Only the most sentimental | | | | guilty about getting rid of something |
| items | | | | that is still 'good'! Box up all the |
| are worth keeping. I will never part | | | | rejects and get them out of the |
| with an original crystal and mesh 1920's | | | | house!IRC Reproduction of the is |
| flapper | | | | material without prior permission is |
| dress, as an example. If you feel | | | | prohibitedStep two - ARRANGING YOUR |
| terribly attached to something made or | | | | CLOTHESPut back all the clothes you have |
| given to | | | | decided to keep. Before you do, make |
| you with love put it where you put your | | | | sure |
| other memorabilia. Do not leave it | | | | everything is on a plastic or padded |
| hanging | | | | hanger. Nothing ruins the shape of a |
| in the closet. On the other hand, | | | | garment |
| there is no reason to hang onto every | | | | faster than letting it hang on a metal |
| outfit you | | | | hanger. If you do not own enough |
| ever had fun in. You can retain the | | | | appropriate |
| memories without keeping the | | | | hangers, take a break by going out and |
| clothes.Clothes can only look good in | | | | buying some.Before you return any |
| the present time. Even something you | | | | clothing items to the closet, however, |
| enjoyed last | | | | make sure there are no |
| season may no longer suit your spirit, | | | | rips, tear or missing buttons that need |
| figure or lifestyle. Former favorites | | | | to be repaired. If you can't repair |
| are often | | | | these items |
| more difficult to be objective about | | | | yourself, take them to a good |
| than mistakes you have always hated. I | | | | seamstress or put them in the discard |
| recall a | | | | pile.Once you have gone through all your |
| client clinging to several designer | | | | clothes, organizing what is left is the |
| knit outfits, telling me how wonderfully | | | | fun part. |
| they | | | | Enjoy the feeling of order you are |
| traveled and how ideal they were on her | | | | creating. Arrange your clothes in |
| last vacation. I pointed out that the | | | | whatever way |
| color | | | | works for you. Be sure there is enough |
| and fit were no longer flattering and | | | | space between each hanger so your |
| asked her to thing about the overall | | | | clothes |
| enjoyment | | | | do not get crushed or wrinkled. |
| of her next holiday if she were dressed | | | | Your hangers should be able to move |
| in them. If you love something about an | | | | from side to side relatively freely. If |
| | | | your |
| outfit but it no longer does your face | | | | clothes are still jammed together, |
| or figure justice, mentally file away | | | | making it impossible for you to see what |
| what you | | | | you |
| liked about it and when you can, | | | | have, then you did not get rid of |
| replace it.IRC Reproduction of the is | | | | enough. Take a second look.You should |
| material without prior permission is | | | | be able to approach your closet each day |
| prohibited | | | | knowing you like and feel |
| I am sorry to say that, after a certain | | | | good in everything in it. Once you |
| period of time, nearly every outfit | | | | have done a major closet cleaning, it is |
| starts to look | | | | easy to |
| dated. Take a long, hard look at some | | | | keep your closet up to date and |
| of your older classics, especially if | | | | current.And, speaking of your closet, |
| they were | | | | you have gone to all the time and |
| purchased more than five years ago. | | | | trouble to organize |
| Without noticing, you might have | | | | your wardrobe and you want to be able |
| replaced | | | | to see the clothes you have returned to |
| then with something you like | | | | the |
| better.Going through your closet is an | | | | racks. If you don't have adequate |
| excellent time for learning more about | | | | lightening, you will unable to identify |
| yourself. As | | | | the color of |
| you try things on, consider the | | | | the garment. Without going to the |
| qualities of your favorite garments. | | | | expense of rewiring your closet you can |
| What is it about | | | | accomplish this by purchasing battery |
| the style, cut and color that make them | | | | operated lights. Place them in strategic |
| so beloved? In the clothes you enjoy the | | | | and |
| | | | dimly lit places in your closet and you |
| most, notice which of these assets are | | | | will be able to view your masterpiece |
| evident. Pay attention to what is wrong | | | | with |
| with | | | | pride!Step three - OBSERVATIONSWhen you |
| the outfits you are discarding. I | | | | are going through your closet you might |
| recently decided to let go of a jumpsuit | | | | want to start a notebook to keep |
| that I never | | | | a record of what you are doing. Keep |
| liked because I always so massive in | | | | it and a pencil handy for jotting down |
| it. I assumed the oversize shoulder | | | | any |
| pads were | | | | observations you make. When you |
| the culprits. When I looked at it more | | | | discover a style that looks good, make a |
| closely, I realized it was not only the | | | | note to |
| shoulder | | | | refer to before your next shopping |
| pads that made the garment look top | | | | trip. Also not the unflattering styles |
| heavy, but also the combination of | | | | you want to |
| epaulets, | | | | avoid. If you discover any new assets, |
| breast pockets and lapels. Without | | | | add them to the list.The more you know |
| guilt coloring our observations, we can | | | | about yourself; your color season, |
| learn | | | | style, body type and lifestyle, |
| from our mistakes.Clean out your closet | | | | the easier it will be to create a |
| as well as you can before your next | | | | working wardrobe that continues to work |
| shopping trip. After you | | | | for you and |
| have returned from purchasing something | | | | your needs.Have fun with it!Bunny |
| new, do a little closet fine-tuning. It | | | | Vreeland is a registered, certified |
| is | | | | Clinical Hypnotherapistan can be reached |
| easier to get rid of anything you were | | | | at |
| undecided about when you have something | | | | 805-984-1237/800-755-4083 or |
| better to replace it. You also have | | | | incorporated Hypnotherapy into her image |
| the added incentive of making more room | | | | business over 10 years ago and |
| for | | | | specializes in Weight Loss and Smoking |
| your pretty new things.Keeping your | | | | Cessation, offering a money back |
| closet in shape is an ongoing process. | | | | guarantee.In addition, she has |
| If you change wardrobes | | | | successfully helped clients with: Fear |
| seasonally, go though everything before | | | | of Flying... |