Closet Clearing and Guilt

[ladysarah]

I love to give away nice things to someone I care about. I only sell if it's easy.

Selling old clothes, even never worn ones, is virtually impossible for most things. By the time you take photos and send them and answer questions etc it takes so much time - there I see no benefit. Plus even good things take ages to sell which means the wardrobe remains cluttered. I prefer to donate in one big swop. Some charities they even collect from London. https://www.traid.org.uk/clothes-donations/book-a-collection/ They also encourage us to commit to replace a percentage of our wardrobe to second hand ( or pre loved as people like to say)

 

[diane278]

I’ve always donated my clothing. I prefer, like Ladysarah, to get them bagged up and out ASAP.

 

[girlfriday17]

Well I’m doing a big clear out of bags this week. I have a lot of Facebook friends that expressed interest so wish me luck. Once I put something on my page I have already let it go (pulling them out of my closet and having them out and cluttering up the spare bedroom helped as well). I am choosing to value and use the ones I have and having the joy of a clearer closet. I’m going to take note of people who expressed interest and perhaps can’t afford a bag and hopefully be able to gift any left.

 

[diane278]

shedding excess things I no longer use always feels like shedding excess weight.....

 

[iluvbagsnshoes]

I had to come on here to share a victory- I have sold 8 bags in 2 days! Two of them I swore I would never sell. It's shown me that I do evolve and my needs and tastes change. I still have a lot more to go (selling/donating) but it feels good!

 

[bernz84]

For bags that I have a difficult time selling, I just give them away or sell at a very low price (like under $100). I’ve given away tons of contemporary bags I’ve bought over the years and never felt bad about it. No use keeping something I haven’t used in years. Sure, I might’ve spent $$$ on them, but I used them and loved them to death.

The only time I feel guilty is if I end up selling something I only kept short term (ie, a year or under) because I feel like I wasted my time and money. I’ve done this with a lot of premier bags, some of which have had great resale value.

For clothes, I donate. No consignment or eBay, just straight donation. I don’t own any RTW or very high end labels, so to me, I don’t see the point of trying to sell those, even if they are department store or boutique brands. More power to those who sell clothes online; for me, I’d rather not deal with the hassle.

 

[WingNut]

For bags that I have a difficult time selling, I just give them away or sell at a very low price (like under $100). I’ve given away tons of contemporary bags I’ve bought over the years and never felt bad about it. No use keeping something I haven’t used in years. Sure, I might’ve spent $$$ on them, but I used them and loved them to death.

The only time I feel guilty is if I end up selling something I only kept short term (ie, a year or under) because I feel like I wasted my time and money. I’ve done this with a lot of premier bags, some of which have had great resale value.

For clothes, I donate. No consignment or eBay, just straight donation. I don’t own any RTW or very high end labels, so to me, I don’t see the point of trying to sell those, even if they are department store or boutique brands. More power to those who sell clothes online; for me, I’d rather not deal with the hassle.

I can completely relate to the bolded part, especially if after only having it a short time, I realized quickly how wrong the purchase was. Call it beating myself up a bit.

For clothes, I have a local consignment shop that sells a wide range of "ends" for lack of a better word: Both high-end and low-end and everything in between. The stuff I unload is usually mid-high but some low as well. The best part of this, is that on my last trip there I brought them 20 items. It was already my 4th trip to bring things this year! And I've collected over $700 from the sale of my things just this year and I'm starting to enjoy a more streamlined selection when I look at my closet!

I still struggle with what I think of as the silliest of decisions.....I had 2 pairs of stretch wool designer slacks, in black. Full disclosure, I have probably 10 pairs of black pants. These 2 pairs were VERY similar....both a fitted trouser style. I had a hard time justifying getting rid of one of them, even though when trying them both one there was one I liked more, just because I had paid so much for them I felt I NEEDED to squeeze the value out of the $$ I spent. So I tried to leave the house wearing the lesser-loved pair. And I looked in the mirror and went "meh"....took them off, and put the other pair on. The ones I took off I took to the store, no regrets. Thinking back on what I went through to let go of them just seems so silly in retrospect!

 

[HopelessBagGirl]

I just gave away bags and bags of clothes to neighborhood acquaintances who were happy to get them, and tons of outgrown girls' clothes to my single mom of 3 friend who has a 1 year old. I feel so free!!!!!!!! I mean an entire car trunk full of clothes total. It really helps!

 

[lovingmybags]

It depends if you'd feel stress having the stuff around; if the living space is not cluttered, then why not keep! With so many bags produced in ever worse quality at higher prices, they'll be so expensive to recuperate. I certainly wouldn't have purchased some of them now for retail.

 

[Serva1]

So happy I found this tread. Reading about your experiences and feelings helps.

I’ve just started closet cleaning this spring and so far I’m enjoying the process. I like to live at the countryhouse in summer so there will be a pause soon. So far the pieces I’ve let go have no memories attached but I know I have things I don’t use but hold on to because of good memories. Inherited pieces are the most difficult ones to part with but I understand now that I simply cannot store/collect everything and keep a museum. The most important pieces of jewellery and paintings are of course kept.

I’ve found a young woman who runs a vintage shop so I let her sell my things. She has them on display in her store but most have been sold online. I don’t mind paying a commission, feeling I sponsor her. Besides it’s hazzle free.

Donating clothes to charity, bags to friends (my makeup artist already got 3 and seeing how happy she is about them puts a smile on my face) and family members or relatives.

I still have a long way to go. Seeing everything I’ve bought and what I actually use has made me reflect upon my spending. But it’s useless to think ”what if I would have invested my money instead...” because at some point those things gave me pleasure or felt necessary. Nobody lives an optimal life. Yes, I’ve ”lost” a lot of money during the years, buying things I now want to let go, but I try to stay positive hoping other people will love them instead.

What I think now is I rather buy few more expensive pieces of jewellery than smaller pieces, bagwise I think I have what I need. Closet cleaning has made me very aware of my spending. I question myself, do I really need this or do I actually want something else much more expensive that I can only find abroad?

I live in a small country, our capital city is lovely but doesn’t have the brands I enjoy the most. Going to Paris next week for my shopping. Buying less and very selectively. Paris is always a pleasure with or without shopping.

 

[sdkitty]

So happy I found this tread. Reading about your experiences and feelings helps.

I’ve just started closet cleaning this spring and so far I’m enjoying the process. I like to live at the countryhouse in summer so there will be a pause soon. So far the pieces I’ve let go have no memories attached but I know I have things I don’t use but hold on to because of good memories. Inherited pieces are the most difficult ones to part with but I understand now that I simply cannot store/collect everything and keep a museum. The most important pieces of jewellery and paintings are of course kept.

I’ve found a young woman who runs a vintage shop so I let her sell my things. She has them on display in her store but most have been sold online. I don’t mind paying a commission, feeling I sponsor her. Besides it’s hazzle free.

Donating clothes to charity, bags to friends (my makeup artist already got 3 and seeing how happy she is about them puts a smile on my face) and family members or relatives.

I still have a long way to go. Seeing everything I’ve bought and what I actually use has made me reflect upon my spending. But it’s useless to think ”what if I would have invested my money instead...” because at some point those things gave me pleasure or felt necessary. Nobody lives an optimal life. Yes, I’ve ”lost” a lot of money during the years, buying things I now want to let go, but I try to stay positive hoping other people will love them instead.

What I think now is I rather buy few more expensive pieces of jewellery than smaller pieces, bagwise I think I have what I need. Closet cleaning has made me very aware of my spending. I question myself, do I really need this or do I actually want something else much more expensive that I can only find abroad?

I live in a small country, our capital city is lovely but doesn’t have the brands I enjoy the most. Going to Paris next week for my shopping. Buying less and very selectively. Paris is always a pleasure with or without shopping.

Paris is so beautiful. Sad to see some of the things that are happening there in recent years but glad to hear you say it's still a pleasure to go there.

 

[girlfriday17]

Well I’ve cleared out a lot since looking to you all for inspiration. I’m up almost $900 now and have cleared out 9 bags (and wallets). I’ve found the most success with our local buy and sell pages on Facebook and my own personal page. I have two more left and if they don’t sell within a week of listing them I’ve got a plan to give to certain friends or a local charity whose mission I admire, that takes nicer times and does a silent auction. There were a few moments of regret but I think it has more to do with overspending than getting rid of things. The freedom of clearing these things out does shed my guilt and my closet is so much more accessible and my style esthetic more defined. I honestly believe that I have opened up myself to allowing personal growth and faith to flourish - like the joy of generosity or liberation from a fear of scarcity in the future. Not unlike the story of the child who makes a fist and can’t get the cookies out of the jar, I have found it helps to curb my desires to only want a few things rather than trying to grab them all.

 

[sdkitty]

Well I’ve cleared out a lot since looking to you all for inspiration. I’m up almost $900 now and have cleared out 9 bags (and wallets). I’ve found the most success with our local buy and sell pages on Facebook and my own personal page. I have two more left and if they don’t sell within a week of listing them I’ve got a plan to give to certain friends or a local charity whose mission I admire, that takes nicer times and does a silent auction. There were a few moments of regret but I think it has more to do with overspending than getting rid of things. The freedom of clearing these things out does shed my guilt and my closet is so much more accessible and my style esthetic more defined. I honestly believe that I have opened up myself to allowing personal growth and faith to flourish - like the joy of generosity or liberation from a fear of scarcity in the future. Not unlike the story of the child who makes a fist and can’t get the cookies out of the jar, I have found it helps to curb my desires to only want a few things rather than trying to grab them all.

you gave me an idea.....I'm not very active on FB but I'm going to check it out

 

[sdkitty]

Well I’ve cleared out a lot since looking to you all for inspiration. I’m up almost $900 now and have cleared out 9 bags (and wallets). I’ve found the most success with our local buy and sell pages on Facebook and my own personal page. I have two more left and if they don’t sell within a week of listing them I’ve got a plan to give to certain friends or a local charity whose mission I admire, that takes nicer times and does a silent auction. There were a few moments of regret but I think it has more to do with overspending than getting rid of things. The freedom of clearing these things out does shed my guilt and my closet is so much more accessible and my style esthetic more defined. I honestly believe that I have opened up myself to allowing personal growth and faith to flourish - like the joy of generosity or liberation from a fear of scarcity in the future. Not unlike the story of the child who makes a fist and can’t get the cookies out of the jar, I have found it helps to curb my desires to only want a few things rather than trying to grab them all.

Can you tell me more about selling on FB? I see you're in Canada but SB similar here in US. Is there much buying and selling of bags? Did you join a local group that does all items? (not just fashion or bags)?
thanks

 

[Antonia]

I just read this thread and I love it. I sell my bags on eBay or consign them at the Real Real. Clothes I consign at my local consignment shop 5 min. from my house. The only things I donate are things the consignment shop wont take or I'll give those to friends who may want them. I always like to recoup some of my money back-I think it's worth my time. I cannot just give things away that I feel have some type of value and I don't have a sister to give things to. Sometimes I'll ask my mom if she wants them but her taste is different than mine.