O/T: Guilt over tossing clothes

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
I had a problem with moths, and had to empty my closets for the exterminator. Today is my day for going through everything, throwing out what I don't want, and putting the rest into storage.

I feel fine about throwing out things that I got a lot of use out of, but there are many things that I just didn't wind up wearing for one reason or another. I feel guilty about tossing them, but I live in an apartment, and really don't have room for things I'm not wearing. I still remember agonizing over a pricey suit and finally deciding that I HAD to have it, and then only wearing it a handful of times because the waistband is too high and too wide for my comfort. (Now I only buy low-waisted pants). On the other hand, I have plenty of outfits that I bought on sale and wore until they fell apart.

Do others torture themselves over this? I could really use some encouragement to let things go without guilt.

-Nancy
 
Hi, If they can be saved somehow,give them to a charity, the Salvation army or a consignment shop and then others will get a chance to use them. You can also write off the donation. otherwise don't fret..its not your fault you were invaded by moths.
 
I know how you feel. Also if I spend a lot on something, even if I am not happy with it, later I feel like I have to force myself to get some use out of it. We usually give out our stuff to a place called Jesus house here or call Salvation army. I spend a lot of time anymore trying to make sure I do not waste money on my purchases, but then sometimes succomb to an impulse buy. It don't make a difference though, I still have those things that sit here. I am happy when I spend very little on something and wear it till it is thread bare. Now if we went to cosmetics that is another story. My daughters have made comments on my plethora of in my bathroom. I guess it is looking for the eternal fountain of youth and the right color now minus all of this sparkly stuff.
Diane Sue
 
Hey Nanc! Are you donating them? I wouldn't just throw them away. If someone else can use them, that should make you feel better. I find I have the same feelings as you, but once they are gone...I DON'T miss them. I am quite the packrat and since we are moving in several more months, I am trying very hard to de-clutter. I will keep a shirt/pants or whatever for years just because it still looks good but never wear it. Give it to a charity that can make good use of it and it will give you more room in your closet for NEW workout outfits! :7
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Oh, yes, of course they are going to charity. There is no place to donate in my neighborhood, and I have no car, but my maid takes them and donates them to her church. It does feel a lot better than putting things in the garbage!
 
I know what you're saying, dear Den Mother, but last year I cleaned out a closet and got rid of so many sweaters, that since the cold has hit, I've found myself wishing I had saved a few of the turtlenecks because I haven't had time to shop this year. So, unfortunately, you could say that I miss them. :-( Which, of course just further confuses matters.
 
Nancy,

If you are donating them, don't feel bad. They will go to someone that really needs them!

Just make sure you don't get rid of something you will want to wear again...:D

Beverly
 
Tee hee. Cathy, the moths did make a few decisions for me, but not nearly enough! LOL!!:D They mostly just cost me a fortune in dry cleaning bills.
 
Does anyone remember reading in Self magazine about a charity that collects good cast-offs to pass on to poorer women trying to get back into professional working lives after children?

This would be the perfect venue for your suit Nancy.

Somehow I think they either work out of NY or Philly. Does anyone know?

Clare
 
Clare,
I have a friend that runs the men's version of that called Dress for Success. Not only do the suits have to be dry-cleaned, but you have to bring it, dry-cleaned and on a hanger, to the Dress for Success office. In order to do that, I would have to take a cab, take about an hour out of my day, and pay my own cab fare. There are no charities that will pay for parking in my neighborhood to do a pick-up. I've been trying to get pick-ups for years, and haven't found one yet. I'd rather just give them a check. Good idea though!
 
I would feel bad if I just "threw out" clothes that are wearable! It's very wasteful.

As others have mentioned, donate them to the salvation army or goodwill (or if there are some good pricely suits, they could go to a battered women's shelter or something similar).

If there are clothes that are not still wearable, you could tear them up and use them as rags before throwing them out.

I also make catnip toys out of unmatched socks (how does that always happen?) and donate them to a local animal shelter.

Right now, I've got two huge garbage bags full of clothes I'm going to take to Goodwill.
 
Kathryn,

Maybe in my next life I'll be in control of my life enough to make catnip toys out of mismatched socks (I'll also bake my own bread and make my own holiday cards), but for THIS lifetime I'll focus on trying to decide what to get rid of and then giving the nice stuff to my maid for her church. ;-)

I'm done with my project, and just wound up keeping a lot of suits I know I'll never wear, including the pricey one I mentioned, out of guilt for spending the money. <SIGH> :( I think the rule is that you have to keep them for 6 years in order to punish yourself for your mistake, no? <DOUBLE SIGH>
 
>I'm done with my project, and just wound up keeping a lot of
>suits I know I'll never wear, including the pricey one I
>mentioned, out of guilt for spending the money. <SIGH> :( I
>think the rule is that you have to keep them for 6 years in
>order to punish yourself for your mistake, no? <DOUBLE SIGH>


Get rid of them! Do you have a consignment shop in your area? You could make some of the money back, and spend it on Cathe DVD's! If that's not motivation to get rid of them, I don't know what is!
 
Nancy -

Here's the deal - you give the stuff to a worthy charity, you feel good because you created space in your closets AND because you gave some folks a chance to get some really nice clothes for cheap or for free. What's to feel guilty about??!!

Second, we LEARN from our mistakes and go on, we DON'T agonize over stuff that happened that we can't do over. You should maybe learn to live in the now - you're educated, have a good job a nice husband that several people on this forum would love to steal away in the night, and you're healthy. Count your blessings and get over that guilty stuff! :7
 
Hi, Nancy:

I have this problem, too... only I get into these modes where I just want to throw away everything in my house, lol. It's like a great big purge, heh. Anyway, I agree with everyone who says donating is good. That is what I try to do, too, although I admit it is a pain getting to the Salvation Army.

And on the general topic of overspending, I have learned the hard way that if I am iffy about something in the store (i.e., it feels just a little off, or I think I will get it taken in, or whatever), then I am probably not going to wear it, so I have to make myself put it back. My new trick is to think of how much Cathe stuff I could get with the cash.... LOL

Marie
 
Cakebaker-

Very well said. And thank you for putting things into perspective!

By the way, as many on these forums know, my DH is FAR from perfect. For one thing, he has eating habits that most Catheites would find to be appalling (for him, hot dogs and M&Ms are "lunch" x( ). Also, he hates going to the dentist so much that he only goes for emergencies, when the tooth is usually too far gone to be saved. When it comes to husbands, as we all know, there is always room for (LOTS OF) improvement! Of course, it goes without saying that we wives are all perfect :D

I am now officially discarding my guilt! :D

Is everyone enjoying their snow?

-Nancy
 
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