Ever purged your collection in pursuit of one bag? How did it go?

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#2,296
Shhmom. ..going to adopt your thoughts on not putting NEW Money into bags no more.
I'm in the process of consignment with 4 of my Balenciaga bags, they just don't get loved anymore and look sad sitting in my wardrobe. I've been so close to letting go of them for a couple of years now, but definitely gonna bite the bullet this time. I just need willpower and not dilly dally about it.
 
#2,297
gillianna said:
There is a story behind my quest to simplify my life. My best friend of 30 years who was really my second mom lost her battle with cancer. She had it for 12 years but it was getting worse the last three years for her. About 6 years ago she decided to simplify and unclutter her life. She redecorated her house to her taste and got rid of so much. She said the material things she had from her past marriage to a wealthy guy meant nothing. She did not need the expensive china, jewelry, art,ect..... She wanted to be free of having all this stuff around the house. She would get more excited with each room she cleared out. She encouraged me to do the same.
We had many fun uncluttering sessions at my house. It felt lighter to have simple Rooms free of clutter and knick knacks. We also painted most of my rooms white with white shutters and curtains so the house felt so serene.
My friend stopped working and got rid of her designer wardrobe--because she had no need to wear many of her work clothes. This inspired me to continue with my closet and I donated bags of stuff or gave things to people I know. After my friend died I wanted to continue my project because she made me realize that material things really mean nothing. Having expensive things is not going to change my life nor do I wish to impress anyone with what I own. At this point I feel less is more.

So I hit my closet and pulled out every bag and thought of why I may need this or that and after a few months the reality hit that I really did not need any of them. I would wear a bag for a week and think does it work for me and will I wear it a few times a week. I realized the larger bags I had I no longer needed. My LV neverfull GM, Bal weekender. The other LV and Balencaga bags didn't matter. I could let go of all the others too.
I realized I now liked smaller bags with a zipper top and bought the LV watercolor papillon bag which I felt would serve my needs. I love this bag. Then after realizing the size was perfect for my needs I bought a Preloved Chanel black cambon bowler which was perfect and about the same size as the LV papillon bag. So I was set with two bags......and happy. Then I had the opportunity to trade the Chanel for a pink Chanel cambon reporter bag and I did it since pink is my favorite color. I would have bought a pink bowler bag but old only find one in the back color. So now I have these two bags as my bags to keep. I have to say the reporter s a large bag but I am enjoying it and all the pockets on the outside.
All my designer bags are sitting wrapped in heir dust bags waiting to have pictures taken so I can send them to a few consignment sites and see which will work out best for me.
I really have no desire to get another bag at this point in my life. I have turned down hubby's offer to buy me a new bag as gifts these past two years.
It may seem strange but I get more satisfaction with painting a room and working in my garden then going out and feeling I need this or that. The only thing I could say I have splurged on is my Asian skincare items which have made a difference in how good my skin looks.
I feel like I am dragging this out.... Sorry. I think basically what I am trying to say is that I have enjoyed and loved the designer bags and other things I own but as I dealt with my dear friend's illness and death I realized that I want more out of life then a possession. I want to feel there is more to life than feeling the need to go out and buy a new release or it thing. So I decided to let go of anything I don't use, need, or want.
It has been amazing this past year to see how easy it is to let go of stuff. I had a big garage sale and did a dollar sale 3 hours into it. I literally was giving people extra things as they walked to their cars. I have friends who will never ever get rid of any of heir stuff and think I am crazy to want to do this. When I now look in my closet it is pretty empty compared to most people but what I have works or me.
So that is my story on keeping two bags...and hopefully sending all my bags off to be enjoyed and cherished by others.
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Your story was so inspirational to me and I'm sorry about ur loss
 
#2,298
tua said:
Your story was so inspirational to me and I'm sorry about ur loss
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+1
There's nothing quite as freeing as deciding objects aren't in control, we are.
And that we will not defined, or limited, by what fills our closets.
Often, this mindset requires a huge, painful life experience (or several) to adopt, unfortunately.
Kudos to you.
 
#2,299
Finally I've sent off 8 bags to sell this week, fingers crossed they all go to good homes..still a way to go yet though as not halved the amount of bags i have but I don't feel as guilty when I open my wardrobe now..
 
#2,300
chubbyshopper said:
Finally I've sent off 8 bags to sell this week, fingers crossed they all go to good homes..still a way to go yet though as not halved the amount of bags i have but I don't feel as guilty when I open my wardrobe now..
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I have sold and/or given away about 1/3 of my collection in the past week and feel the same way. You know we love bags when we want them to go to good homes.
 
#2,302
I did a purge last year - sold about 7 or 8 low/mid-range bags (Kate Spade, Longchamp, Coach) and funded 1 Issey Miyake that still makes my heart beat faster several months on.

It was a good experience because it opened my eyes to a few things:
1. How I'd been 'wasting' money on bags that I didn't love but didn't 'mind' owning (mainly because they were a 'good deal') and then had to sell off for next to nothing
2. It's not about collecting, but using and loving
3. I cannot for the life of me use crossbodies. They just don't work for me

I now realise that I'd rather own a few amazing bags that I use than many nice ones that I don't.
 
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#2,303
Dingaling1987 said:
I did a purge last year - sold about 7 or 8 low/mid-range bags (Kate Spade, Longchamp, Coach) and funded 1 Issey Miyake that still makes my heart beat faster several months on.

It was a good experience because it opened my eyes to a few things:
1. How I'd been 'wasting' money on bags that I didn't love but didn't 'mind' owning (mainly because they were a 'good deal') and then had to sell off for next to nothing
2. It's not about collecting, but using and loving
3. I cannot for the life of me use crossbodies. They just don't work for me

I now realise that I'd rather own a few amazing bags that I use than many nice ones that I don't.
Click to expand...
Great job on your purge last year. Thanks for sharing your insights and learnings.
I love this thread, it is so helpful and affirming to hear everyone’s suggestions on how to work towards their bag collection goals.
Best of luck to everyone!
 
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