My last blog talked about “The Beauty of Empty” and how helpful it is to empty out a space to start the pruning process. Now it’s time to start with myself (and my husband).
Since my first round of pruning our clothes closet in 2010, I’ve slowly been passing clothes on that I seldom wear, but I never actually emptied it out. This time I took my own advice and started from ground zero. The first photo shows the left half of our closet with all my suits, skirts, pants, dresses, and blouses removed.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
I found 7 items I’m willing to give away and 3 maybes:
3 dresses (1 elegant and 2 serviceable)
3 skirts
1 cultural outfit from Indonesia; nice but not many opportunities to wear it.
Then I put everything else back. I feel better.
Then I turned to my husband… When I give talks, often someone will say, “I’m fine with giving stuff away, but my spouse or kids are the problem.” My usual response is “Invite others, but do your own thing. Convincing/cajoling others to join you can strain your relationship.” BUT, I had noticed that our clothes would have more room to “breathe” if Jim would also prune his half of the closet. He resisted, quoting me back to myself. He’d do it when HE was ready. 
Ever the politician, however, he offered me a deal. He would go through his half of the closet IF I would refurbish his old toy pinball machine that he had as a child. I took it as a challenge, spent some time fussing with it, and, with the help of the friendly staff at our corner hardware store, met his request.
Being an honest fellow, Jim dutifully went through his clothes and chose to give away some of his stuff. He decided that some clothes were not good enough to give away so he threw away (or I made rags out of) some other things. I moved his rarely used robe to the guest bedroom in case a modest guest wanted to use it to get to the shower on another floor.
Throw Aways: Give Aways:
2 pairs of shorts 7 polo shirts
1 pair of jeans 9 dress shirts
2 sweatshirts hiking boots
4 T-shirts
