I spent Saturday morning switching out my summer clothes for winter ones. Sounds like an easy task, right?
Not so much.
Three years ago, I was at a certain weight, and then when we moved to Charlotte, I gained weight, and now I have recently lost half of what I’ve gained. So that means my clothes are in all kinds of different sizes, some of which fit and some don’t. As a result, I have to sort them by season and size, and also, by whether they still fit my style vibe. (Whatever that is–I think I’ve sort of lost sight of it along the way.)
For many years, I have always labeled the box I put my non-current clothes in as “Wrong size, wrong season.” And trust me when I say that “wrong size” very rarely refers to clothes that are too big for me. Wrong size just sounds more pleasant than too small.
So Saturday, I schlepped some non-current clothes from the two spare room closets into our bedroom so I could see everything at once and try on the iffy pieces. Steve was gone for the morning, so it was a good time to just focus on what I was doing and make every effort to be as ruthless as possible in deciding what to get rid of.
My closet size has changed a lot since our house in Manteo.
Here is my current closet. A little bit of a change.
Sometimes I feel a little jealous of women with larger closets, but then I flip the script of my thinking and remind myself of how much easier it is to keep a streamlined wardrobe when I have less space to accommodate clothes. It is so true that any available space has a way of getting filled up. Less space; less filling up. A good built-in discipline.
my dear friend, Cheryl Denton, came for dinner and an overnight stay. She was on her way from eastern North Carolina to Georgia to visit family, and Charlotte was a good stopping point. She’ll be back tonight, going the other direction.
There are many reasons I love having company. In addition to getting to see special people, it also gives Steve and me a good reason to clean one level deeper than our normal “just Steve and me in the house” level.
Steve had told me he would wash the sheets on the guest room bed, and when I was at work, I was thinking about that and how it would be nice to put a mint on Cheryl’s pillow when I get home. When I looked into the room, I saw that Steve had read my mind and beaten me to it. What a guy!
Cheryl is such a gracious guest, and even though we had a slight cooking mishap where a main dish didn’t turn out the way it should have, she raved over everything and even took seconds of the mishap dish. She and her husband, Rev. Buddy Denton, used to be missionaries in Russia and have done a lot of international travel. She told us some of the unpalatable food situations they had encountered over the years, so I guess our main dish wasn’t so bad, after all.
After dinner, Steve cleaned up, while Cheryl and I took mugs of tea into the den, closed the two doors, and just enjoyed some wonderful conversation. It’s so rare to have friends over these days; I really enjoyed our time together.
Friday morning, Cheryl and I both left the house at 7 a.m. to go our separate ways–her off to I-85 and family in Georgia, and me off to 485 and a full day of work.
I don’t always get home before dark these days, so I was grateful that evening to pull in and catch the setting sun. It always amazes me that I can be on a frenetic freeway with zooming cars and trucks everywhere and then four minutes later, arrive at this little piece of paradise.
Whenever I pull into the driveway and see the sun on the leaves, I feel like it’s a perfect representation of my season of life. I’m not quite to winter, but I am way past summer. And I am reminded that autumn is a beautiful chapter of its own, calling me to look back at the decades I have lived and allow those experiences to form the road I will walk on into the winter of life.
Speaking of seasons, this photo (taken just a couple of feet from where I am typing this) shows four Smith men representing spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Steve and I are so blessed to have people who have gone along before to show the way, and also grateful for those who are coming along behind, making their own paths through the seasons of their own lives.
What about you?
How do you feel about the season of life you’re in, whether age or life circumstances?
Would you say your closet is small, medium, large, or extra large? Does that size work for you?
Do you have any helpful tips or hints for cleaning out and organizing a closet?
What’s one thing you’re thankful for today?
Every once in a while. I do a purging of my clothes since yes, weight loss and weight gain have something to do with it. That’s why I appreciate thrift stores – they help with new clothes, well, used new clothes. I do wish we had a larger closet – because in the home we were in for over 30 years (it was an older home), we both had our own closet.
I am one of those that cannot believe I am the age I am. In my mind I am about 45, but in actual age, I am 82. WHO ME???? There are days, yes, I do feel that and others – a little younger. Just thankful that the Lord has been with me all these years. Should have died or could have died about 3 times, but he has kept me.
Sharyn,
You are so right about thrift stores helping out when weight has been gained or lost but you can’t really replace your whole wardrobe each time. It is especially true of pants; it seems like tops can accomodate weight changes more easily.
I love that in your mind you are about 45. If we average that out with your real age, you are actually 63. How does that sound? 🙂
Congrats on your weight loss! Keep up the good work!
I have been between switching out clothes for several weeks as it had been warmer until the 2 day cold snap that made me dig out warmer winter items.
I am happy with the season I am in. Just wishing I could retire now and be healthy so that I could spend more time with my littles. I have to wait for 65 for due to the high price of insurance (8 more years). My husband was able to retire early and he gets to help out with the littles more and I am ok with that because at least one of us can be help to our daughters/son-in-laws.
My closet is medium. Walk-in but could be bigger. I try to keep it organized and I have learned if something is hanging and I have not worn it in a long time I give it one more try and if I don’t like the look/feel/fit, it goes to the donation box. I do keep a donation box in the basement for anything that needs to find a new home. I think that helps me purge things that I do not wear often.
I am thankful for GOD, my family, my church and a warm home!
Eswim,
I’m right there with you on the price of insurance and waiting till 65 to retire. I’ll probably work till I’m 65 mainly because of that, in addition to socking away additional funds for retirement. Thankfully, I love my job! (Except for the long commutes and long hours.)
You and I are in similar situations with our husbands doing more with the grandkids than we are able to. But, as you said, at least the adult children are being helped and that’s the main thing–whether it’s us doing it, or our husbands.
I like your idea of giving items in your closet “one more try” bvefore consigning them to the basement box. I do a similar thing, just to clarify my feelings about a particular piece of clothing. No sense in keeping something if we’re not going to wear it!
Have a great weekend!
My season of life is just about equal to yours – I turned 64 Thursday, but instead of grandchildren, we currently have great nieces… I would consider my closet mid-size but would like one a lot bigger. If you were to peek into my closet tonight, you would get a good chuckle at the thought of me giving closet organization advice. Despite my mid-size closet, I’m thankful for a nice home in a nice neighborhood. Have a wonderful week!
SueEllen,
Great-nieces are pretty great! I know you enjoy them.
I’m all about the idea of looking in other people’s closets and chuckling; it makes me feel less alone when other women don’t have perfectly organized spaces. At least we can always have that goal to shoot for.
Becky,
It’s so wonderful that you are losing the weight you wanted to lose! How are you doing it (skip that question if you’d prefer!!)? You must be so pleased.
I struggle a bit with the season of life I am in (I am 63, husband is 66). It bugs me that I feel the way I do — it somehow seems faithless, or perhaps that it might be disappointing to God — and I don’t want that. I miss our kids being home (even though they are all within an hour drive and we see them often). I am asking God to help me be content and to also use me/us in this stage of our lives!
I am thankful today for new life. We have a 2 day old grandson and a 3.5 week old granddaughter. They are so precious. There will be 15 of us for the holidays — just immediate family. We have two four year olds, two two year olds and two little babies! Even though I wrote that this stage is causing me to struggle a bit, I am so thankful for these six little ones that we get to love, enjoy, and teach about God.
Like Karen, so much of what you write resonates with me — I love that you share your thoughts with us!
DeLynn,
As far as weight loss, I mainly had to get a grip on what I was eating at work. The company I am at brings in large amounts of great food, snacks, treats, etc. and people were always saying, “Hey, you want a doughnut?” (Or fill in the blank.) After two years of saying yes (and gaining 25 pounds) I’ve started saying no almost all the time. And PT has helped me be more aware of moving my body which has helped a lot. It’s a great feeling to fit into clothes I wasn’t able to earlier this year.
I believe God is never disappointed with our honest questions and emotions (of which I’ve had plenty), especially when not every season has a clearly defined path through it. That’s when He welcomes our questions all the more, promising wisdom to those who ask. Finding our identiy in the empty-nest chapter is not always easy but what a rewarding season to be in.
Six children under four? I predict a happy and loud and chaotic and joyful holiday season.
Love the sunset and fall leaves photos, what beauty. I had never thought of life being compared to seasons, but it sure makes a lot of sense.
Having just turned 69 I guess I am close to Winter. Suits me just fine. We had a couple inches of snow and I love looking at the snow.
For 50 years I had a tiny closet that I supplemented with a couple of Walmart wardrobe cabinets. When we moved to our currant home my husband let me use the wall long bedroom closet and he took the dressers and smaller closets in the guest room and den. All my clothes are in one space and I love it. I don’t pack away seasonal clothes but do separate out some “wrong size” clothes. Eventually I give up and send those off to the thrift shop, where most probably came from in the first place.
Next year I am going to take a photo of what I wear every day and will see what I am not wearing so I can get rid of that. I look at some items and think I love it, but can’t remember when I wore it last. I also try to remove an item whenever I get a new or new to me item.
Today I am thankful for the beautiful snow outside my window.
Patti,
Sounds like you have some great wardrobe organizational plans in place. I think the biggest temptation we all have is to say, “I’ll wear it someday, when I lose weight, when my lifestyle changes, etc.” I had a jacket for 6 years and wore it once and just this month asked myself again why I’d held on to it so long before finally giving it away.
How nice you have enough closet space to work with and what a thoughtful husband you have who bequeathed it to you. 🙂
I do something similar to your idea of taking photos; almost every morning at work, I take a quick selfie. I have a couple hundred and it’s very interesting to look back at outfits and hair styles and learn from it all. I think it’s great when we can all share our ideas and experiences here; very helpful!
Hi Becky. Second time posting to you but I so connect with you on your blog. I am in my season of life right now. My husband turned 65 yesterday and I am turning 60 in February next year. So many of your thoughts and outlooks on life moving forward just resonate with me. Every Monday I look forward to your post, because it is where I am at with my life. Clothes, closets, kids and the joy of life and how to embrace it now and enjoy every day. You have a beautiful way with words. You inspire me. Thank you.
Karen,
Your comment made my day; thank you for taking the time to write those words of affirmation and encouragement. And thanks for being a second-time commenter; hooray!!
It is always so helpful to find people at similar stages of life. We learn from each other and feel less alone when we are reminded that other women also stare at closets and refrigerators and calendars trying to make new adjustments in an unfamiliar season.
I’m so glad you’re in the Smithellaneous community and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
I love my season of life! Every one has been amazing in its own way. I just hope this one doesn’t go too fast. I’m enjoying retirement so much!
My closet is pretty big and works great for the two of us. It’s a walk-in style which we never had before. Love it!
I’m especially thankful today that the pain from my shoulder surgery last Monday is under control! And then I am so thankful for my helpful husband! 🙂
LeeAnne,
Thankful right a long with you that your shoulder surgery went well and you’re on the road to recovery–just in time for all the busyness of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I know what you mean about hoping this season doesn’t go by too quickly; my younger seasons sure flew by!
Think of me and my wee little closet when you walk into your walk in! 🙂