BY TERRY MWANGI
Have you ever wondered why you are emotionally attached to most items in your wardrobe? You have really tried but you can never seem to bring yourself to giving them away even though you haven’t worn them in ages? This is simply because you are a hoarder.
Did you know that hoarding is a actually a disorder? It is a mental health condition characterized by a compulsive need to acquire and keep possessions even when they are not needed. You keep things in hopes that they will fit you someday or if you are like me, your children will come to wear them someday. In return, drawers overflow and the closet is stuffed to capacity.
Everyone likes to have different options of clothes to wear but sometimes we exaggerate and keep too many clothes as. Have you ever stood in the middle of a fully-piled-with-clothes room and felt absolutely overwhelmed?
Here are four major signs that you need to change, and make room for cooler stuff in your closet
You ran out of hangers
“I need new hangers, again!” If you keep saying this, then this is a sure sign that your wardrobe is stuffed up with things you do not even need. You get rid of some clothes once in a while and when you do, you are extremely picky and end up keeping most of them. Things that are worn or have seen better days can be relegated to the trash or donated. Just have a rule that you will not add more hangers unless you are adding someone into the family.
Everything has a sentimental value
You will not throw away a shady piece of jewelry because that’s what you wore on your first date or you still keep your first pair of jeans as a reminder of your skinny days? You need to disconnect and sacrifice the emotions you have for these things in exchange for a clutter-free life. Yes, you can keep that sweater grandma stitched for you but only if you wear it. Do not hold on to things that you are flat out sure you will never wear just because of their sentimental value; they have to be functional. Learn to conquer clutter even when it is emotionally difficult. Well, your wedding dress is understandably special but not the rest of the pile.
Clothes have put you in dept
People go in debt for mortgage, campus bills, medical bills but you are in debt for clothes? This is a huge problem, which is very sad! Only buy what is necessary and if you cannot afford it, learn to just let go. It’s never that serious. There are more things in life to spurge on.
What if the trend comes back?
In the back of your closet, you have a pedal pusher you wore back in college or those MC hammer pants you wore at a concert because, well, fashion is a cycle. But you can buy the trend when it comes back can’t you? What if it comes back when you are old and Grey?
Many of us have a problem parting with possessions even when we no longer need them. When you have so much piled up, ask yourself, do I really need this? Am I going to wear this? How often have I worn it? Could I get something like this again if I need it?
Call friends over, give your clothes away in a process that feels like an event to honor your clothes before you let them go ( If it is too emotional that is). Getting rid of these things is the most freeing thing you will ever do. Learn to say ‘Later’. If it is too hard, a bottle of wine will come in handy.
