Yes- I do tend to numbers panic - so true- and you are absolutely spot on that the main motivator for that is guilt!
hmm- yes- I think I mentally keep track of it now, but maybe some reorganization along these lines to think things through. My previous culls were ones I had no regrets on. Either they were early purchases, or purchases I made before I really knew my "style" or format fit(s). Most everything in there now (even the ones that I may have moved on color-wise) do fit my "style" and so do require some deep thought.
I do this in color code database of 4 colors. Once I start "thinking" about selling something I have it moves from one color code to another. Keepers->thinking of selling->active selling->sold (so I know not to make the same mistake again!!!)After many years of marriage to an economist the discipline has rubbed off on me (somewhat). Once the silk is in my collection I have found it easier to disassociate the financial considerations from the aesthetics. I make the decision to move on solely based on whether the color/design/format works in my collection because the costs are 'sunk' as they say in the trade. If you're not wearing it, and after due consideration it seems you're not gonna wear it, let it go to someone who will. What you paid for it/how much you'll get for it really doesn't matter once it's in your hands. I've let quite a few silks go using this metric, and without any regrets; I'm happy they're not languishing unworn and unloved in my pile.
Of course the corollary to this is exercising good judgment and discipline in making the purchasing decision in the first place ... as I am often reminded by my all-too-frequently-ignored DH. We're working on that one.
I think my judgement is getting better, which is why the numbers are on the increase with little outgoing. But the judgments I am making are for the larger sizes, so the financial outlay has to be thought through in (great!) detail.
