Lat year, I declared war on Too Much Stuff, consisting of a vow to buy no clothing for the duration of 2010, leaving my apartment of ten years, and shedding tons of accumulated crap in the process. As far as the Spartan Resolution goes, it was… Fine, actually. I bought two pairs of shoes [which was allowed], and that’s all. I only felt the cruel pangs of desire maybe twice the entire year, and enjoyed wearing the things I already own more. It was SO EASY. In December, I was even able to rid my closet of MORE stuff, thanks to the help of my friend Annah, so you can expect hawtt eBay action sometime soon.
My old closet, during one of my many failed organizing attempts. Should have downsized long ago!
Overall, I’d say I got rid of close to half my clothes, and I miss none of them. None! Moving forward, I’m enforcing a strict one in – one out rule. Any piece of clothing [lingerie and hosiery exempt] I buy must replace something I already own. I’m applying similar principles to our home, getting rid of stuff almost every day, and think that last year’s resolution has actually become something of a lifestyle choice – quality over quantity por vida. I’m definitely not there yet, but getting closer all the time. I don’t ever want to feel the pressure of Stuff again!
Image by Ellen Von Unwerth
You are like an ocean…
It can be so freeing to dematerialize! I’ve moved something like 5-6 times in 10 years and, each time, gotten rid of half the things I owned. When it came time to settle a year and a half ago, I actually didn’t own enough stuff to fill an apartment or my one closet…and it was nice. I keep it up now, getting rid of things that just don’t fit somehow instead of being sentimental and cluttered. And I appreciate what is left far more.
I’ve been doing something similar since moving out of my apt of 4 years. Its crazy how much I’ve gotten rid of and haven’t thought twice about!
The one in one out thing is a good rule…
I flipped all the hangers in my closet and only “unflip” them when I wear a garment… it really helps get a visual on stuff I havent worn in a while to either add to the rotation or get rid of.
Its been quite fun repurposing old forgotten garments into new looks!
Danny, I think I am not really anything like the ocean, but if you can provide examples, I will listen.
Saiyela, it sounds like you’re way ahead of me in the quest for no clutter – congratulations! Also, it was shocking to realize how much unwearable clothing I was holding on to. Clothes from high school, even. Ugh.
Ghostmeat – the hanger-flippin’ sounds very useful, well done!
Yes, the enjoyment of dress-up actually got a burst of new-found excitement, now that I have less extra crap to rifle through.
I have to completely agree that clutter (whatever form that may take, clothes etc) can totally weigh you down.
I never even realized it myself until I came back from vacation this year, having spend 6 weeks in a very organized, decluttered space, then coming home and thinking, what are all of these giant piles of stuff everywhere?
I have never moved once in my life (still living at home for now) and have decided that I, too, am going to wage war on all this “stuff”.
I recently found out for example that I still own every birthday card ever send to me in my lifetime. The majority falls in the category “momentos that don’t prompt any memories” so those are all going out as well as hopefully tons of other stuff too!
Hearing that other people have indeed won their wars on their stuff makes me confident that I can do the same with mine <3
I’m trying to do the same with my wardrobe and so far I’ve cleared out almost 50% of my wardrobe I don’t buy clothes as often or as much as I used to but it’s still something I need to control.
So far I’m enjoying being free of so much stuf and also using the things I’ve got or finding alternative ways to utilise them.
I just found this and think it goes along with the spartanization efforts!
Saw the vid after reading your blog post and the combo was, well-BAM!
As usual Lady, thanks for the share!
http://www.storyofstuff.com
You’re so inspirational…
sadly I suffer from the shopaholic syndrome which I’m working to put to a stop.
I assume doing a life change like this must be like meditating..so purifying.
Thanks for the idea! I’ll try just that: Buy something only if you’re replacing another item.
(Oh…and if something no longer fits and I’m too attached to it to toss it…great excuse to lose the weight for it because I am no longer going to buy something I don’t need!)
This somehow reminds me of Bruce Sterling’s closing talk at Reboot (2009): life in the next decade http://boingboing.net/2009/07/09/bruce-sterlings-clos.html
The only way I’ve been able to keep my closet manageable is through one-in, one-out rules and periodic good will runs, swaps, and “Do you want this?” to friends.
Congrats on the successful year of no-shopping! And of course, cutting your closet in half. It’s quite admirable, not many people can do it.
Good resolution, I should totally do that. I live with another 3 girls (yes, I’m a girl) on a small apartment and I have all my stuff on my room and it’s too much. How did you found out what things you need and what to get rid of, expecially with clothes? I find very difficult to get rid of my stuff. Maybe I should just try… try hard. XD
Greetings Mz [Mrs. (?)] Ebb,
You mentioned eBay! I love your auctions, yet, long for shoes… ;) Anyroad, I recently went through a sudden & unexplained weight decrease. Currently purging a substantial amount of my wardrobe & am in need of fashionable, smaller clothing items. Could I trouble you to drop me an e-line when you begin listing?
I know how life gets you caught up so if you are busier than usual, forget I asked. Either way I will keep checking back. Thanks for being arcanley YOU!
Regards, Mrs. Dr. Trickenstein
I have, for a long time, felt the yearning for a minimalist lifestyle. I do have kids so that makes it harder, but I’m still searching for solutions – little by little. But for myself I also took a vow of no new clothing for ALL of 2010 – although thrifting was allowed since it’s like recycling =). It’s pretty easy. Next step is to make my own clothing. There’s something freeing about not having to depend on slave labor from China/India, etc… or am I just kidding myself.
Happy new year. <3
CONGRATS!
I did the same thing (well cleaning out) when I moved in November. I have to say, it totally feels wonderful to have more than 50% of the wardrobe gone – I feel the same as you do, I don’t miss any of it!
I think making it a lifestyle choice is something I should probably do as well. It definitely feels better to have little to no clutter!
I’m on 1-in 2-out to shrink my closet. Just sold 6 pieces and donated 3 big trash bags. You know what that means? SHOPPPINNGGGG (but only for the good stuff)
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