Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......

[Katinahat]

My goodness, I’m sensing some real inner turmoil from some which I’m sorry about. I know I have a bit of an addiction. I guess that’s what draws us together. It’s a shame when a joy becomes a stress.

My collection is at about 20 bags. That’s still quite a lot of bags. For me deciding to buy is complicated because I’m aware it’s a “thrill of the case” thing where I stalk websites. I don’t ever need a new bag although I might want it. However, it has to come down to three main things...

1. Affordability, can I buy it and still buy everything my family wants, holidays, home improvements etc and not tap into emergency savings. I’d love a Chanel but I can’t afford it or justify it with my family/lifestyle.

2. Space, do I have somewhere to keep it. I like to display my bag collection inside my fitted wardrobes on the top
shelves so I see them and easily chose which to wear. I have a tendency to over shop lots of things: make up (do I really need 10 eye shadow pallets) jeans (6 pairs NYDJs), coats (5 Barbour jackets of various types plus overcoats & raincoats), boots (14 pairs), trainers (9 pairs), dresses (too many to count) etc. If it all fits tidily in cupboards then I believe it’s okay. If it starts spilling out then it’s out of control & it becomes stressful. We basically built our fitted wardrobes to accommodate my belongs!

3. Usability/wearability, how often am I likely to wear a bag. If I know it is different & will get regular use then I’m okay with that. As long as it isn’t too many or the same colour in a usage category eg work (larger bags), casual (cross body satchels or larger hobos/totes) or evenings/events (smaller smarter bags). I try to have no repeats. E.g, I love my chestnut Alexa and keep considering a preloved one in black but I have a black small Bayswater Satchel I use lots so therefore I’m not buying.

I find keeping a spreadsheet of uses a fun way to appreciate/track my collection as a hobby. It lets me see what I use. Shout out to the ladies on shopping my own collection thread for that idea. I’ve got 4 evening bags I don’t use that may get gifted but my DDs use 2 of them and 1 is my only Radley left from my original bag addiction so quite sentimental. I gifted the others.

I’ve built up my current collection over the last 8 years. 5 in one year at my peak of buying, although 2 of those were gifts. I also wouldn’t rehome gifts as they are from DH. (I don’t want to put him off ). I’ve already had one new bag in this year as a Valentines gift. I’m maxed out on space now so it will be interesting to see how things develop from here.

Good luck to those with inner conflict. Take it slow in purchase or rehoming so you feel in control.

 

[Bag peace]

I also wouldn’t rehome gifts as they are from DH.

This right here is the only problem I face when editing my bag closet! I think around half of my bags are gifts! I cannot find a way to let go of them without feeling guilty about it, and every time I edit and donate, someone turns around and gifts me another bag.

It sounds like I'm being ungrateful, but I assure you I'm not. I have clearly expressed to all those in my life that I'm maxed out on bags and do not need any more, but they still gift them to me. I think a part of it is that I've had a lot of surgeries (due to an accident) and people want me to know that they're thinking of me during that time. Given that context, it makes me feel so much worse if I ever decide to let one of the gifted bags go.

I'm eternally grateful but I have enough bags to last me a decade at least.

 

[Katinahat]

This right here is the only problem I face when editing my bag closet! I think around half of my bags are gifts! I cannot find a way to let go of them without feeling guilty about it, and every time I edit and donate, someone turns around and gifts me another bag.

It sounds like I'm being ungrateful, but I assure you I'm not. I have clearly expressed to all those in my life that I'm maxed out on bags and do not need any more, but they still gift them to me. I think a part of it is that I've had a lot of surgeries (due to an accident) and people want me to know that they're thinking of me during that time. Given that context, it makes me feel so much worse if I ever decide to let one of the gifted bags go.

I'm eternally grateful but I have enough bags to last me a decade at least.

Oh dear, at least people know what you like but perhaps you’ll need to drop hints in another direction. At least as it’s DH for me it’s easier to say no more at moment (plus he sees the full cupboards).

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope all is well now.

 

[southernbelle43]

We're all on The Purse Forum. I think that sums it up. You’re with your people. Bag enabling is a core theme. When I was little, and my room was strewn with toys, my mother used to tell me that if I didn’t take care of my things and clean up my room, I shouldn’t expect to get more. This thread is a reminder that sometimes we need to clean up.... in this case, it’s our bags. One step at a time.

Diane your posts are always so right on point.

 

[FizzyWater]

2. Space, do I have somewhere to keep it. I like to display my bag collection inside my fitted wardrobes on the top
shelves so I see them and easily chose which to wear. I have a tendency to over shop lots of things: make up (do I really need 10 eye shadow pallets) jeans (6 pairs NYDJs), coats (5 Barbour jackets of various types plus overcoats & raincoats), boots (14 pairs), trainers (9 pairs), dresses (too many to count) etc. If it all fits tidily in cupboards then I believe it’s okay. If it starts spilling out then it’s out of control & it becomes stressful. We basically built our fitted wardrobes to accommodate my belongs!

Editing to add: I mean to give the advice to @dramaprincess713 not @Katinahat - I just wanted to expand on @Katinahat 's great point.

I read a lot of decluttering books. Sometimes they even help! I found this book interesting: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White. (Maybe I even got the referral from this thread...) The advice below comes from her, and I find it really... soothing.

You might find it helpful to say, "I want to dedicate this shelf/closet/room to my bags" and then, when it's full, no more bags! If you really want a new bag, one has to go. And, key point: Letting a bag go doesn't mean you don't like/love it, it just means you like it less than all the others.

So I find it useful in 2 ways.
First, I don't feel like the X are out of control. I've said "I think this is a reasonable amount of storage space for item X". I don't find X in weird locations all over the place, reminding me that I have way too many X. And I can find everything in one place!
Second, it removes a lot of the emotions around it. It's not a bad X, I don't hate it, I just... love everything else more! I have so many cool X! Yay!

I also sometimes find that I can't decide which of 2 or 3 things I like least, and since I'm braced to get rid of a thing anyway, I just... get rid of both. Which feels very daring and accomplished.

 

[dramaprincess713]

Editing to add: I mean to give the advice to @dramaprincess713 not @Katinahat - I just wanted to expand on @Katinahat 's great point.

I read a lot of decluttering books. Sometimes they even help! I found this book interesting: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White. (Maybe I even got the referral from this thread...) The advice below comes from her, and I find it really... soothing.

You might find it helpful to say, "I want to dedicate this shelf/closet/room to my bags" and then, when it's full, no more bags! If you really want a new bag, one has to go. And, key point: Letting a bag go doesn't mean you don't like/love it, it just means you like it less than all the others.

So I find it useful in 2 ways.
First, I don't feel like the X are out of control. I've said "I think this is a reasonable amount of storage space for item X". I don't find X in weird locations all over the place, reminding me that I have way too many X. And I can find everything in one place!
Second, it removes a lot of the emotions around it. It's not a bad X, I don't hate it, I just... love everything else more! I have so many cool X! Yay!

I also sometimes find that I can't decide which of 2 or 3 things I like least, and since I'm braced to get rid of a thing anyway, I just... get rid of both. Which feels very daring and accomplished.

I'm going to have to check out that book! I've tried Kon Mari several times - I even have both of her books. However, while I love it in theory, I find it really have to "get" the spark joy concept. It sounds so silly because who doesn't "get" if something makes them happy or not? But I start getting to analytical about it, and stop trusting myself, and then I never even finish what I started. I need a different approach, and I like the sound of this book!

I do think a change of mindset is necessary for me. I have real feelings of guilt and fear of regret around letting things go. But there's something in there about loving everything else more.

Also, I'm impressed - if I couldn't decide which 2 or 3 things I like least, I think I would end up keeping them all. Maybe in a few months I can say differently!

 

[Bag peace]

I also sometimes find that I can't decide which of 2 or 3 things I like least, and since I'm braced to get rid of a thing anyway, I just... get rid of both. Which feels very daring and accomplished.

Seconded; this is brilliant advice!
I do this all the time and you'd be amazed at how much simpler it becomes when removing both items- you'll find you don't miss either one.
And it works the other way, too- so when purchasing things, not just when letting go of things.
For example, if I'm trying to pick between 2 pairs of jeans to buy, but I'm having trouble choosing one because they both appeal to me for different reasons, then I'll just leave both.
It's a really good approach to practice when letting things into- and out of -your space.

 

[dramaprincess713]

Seconded; this is brilliant advice!
I do this all the time and you'd be amazed at how much simpler it becomes when removing both items- you'll find you don't miss either one.
And it works the other way, too- so when purchasing things, not just when letting go of things.
For example, if I'm trying to pick between 2 pairs of jeans to buy, but I'm having trouble choosing one because they both appeal to me for different reasons, then I'll just leave both.
It's a really good approach to practice when letting things into- and out of -your space.

Lol, I do this far too often with purchasing things! I need to start putting in place when letting go of things, for sure!

In other news, a minor success is that I decided to pass on the Coach Court I was watching afterall. It's not quite letting go of things, but at least I didn't add anything! (Unfortunately, I have a long list of MM bags I do want to add that were not on my original "to purchase" list, but that's another story!).

I've also been using my skull embossed tote this week, and I have some conflicted feelings about it. I really do like the bag. It's not as heavy as I remembered it to be and far more comfortable to use than I remembered. It's also quite spacious without looking ginormous. And, I love the skulls. All that being said though, I really don't see myself using it a ton. I love the skulls, but I'm not sure if it fits in with the professional image I want to project, and my totes are my work bags. Still, I'm not sure about letting go of it as there is no one in my life that would want it (too quirky of an aesthetic for others), and I do not imagine I would get all that much for it on resale. I am going to continue using it for a few more days, but I think this is one that is going to be re-purposed. I've been needing something to home all my leather and suede care supplies as they are all scattered around right now. This tote may start serving that purpose.

 

[diane278]

Lol, I do this far too often with purchasing things! I need to start putting in place when letting go of things, for sure!

In other news, a minor success is that I decided to pass on the Coach Court I was watching afterall. It's not quite letting go of things, but at least I didn't add anything! (Unfortunately, I have a long list of MM bags I do want to add that were not on my original "to purchase" list, but that's another story!).

I've also been using my skull embossed tote this week, and I have some conflicted feelings about it. I really do like the bag. It's not as heavy as I remembered it to be and far more comfortable to use than I remembered. It's also quite spacious without looking ginormous. And, I love the skulls. All that being said though, I really don't see myself using it a ton. I love the skulls, but I'm not sure if it fits in with the professional image I want to project, and my totes are my work bags. Still, I'm not sure about letting go of it as there is no one in my life that would want it (too quirky of an aesthetic for others), and I do not imagine I would get all that much for it on resale. I am going to continue using it for a few more days, but I think this is one that is going to be re-purposed. I've been needing something to home all my leather and suede care supplies as they are all scattered around right now. This tote may start serving that purpose.

Do you think you’re trying to move too fast? It seems like maybe you’re dealing with so many different things all at once....maybe not, but it’s a feeling I get from what I’m reading. Of course, it’s up to you, but when I get overwhelmed by too much going on all at once, I have to slow my roll and focus on one thing at a time.
Otherwise, I get analysis paralysis....in other words, I either get stuck analyzing the situation. Sometimes, I end up making reckless decisions. Those set me back even more because after I act on those, I sometimes regret my impulsive decisions. This is why I move bags to another place....so that I can experience life without them, but without making a permanent decision too soon. Of course, my way may not work at all for you.

 

[bagnut1]

Today I started thinking about spring and how I will be happy to rotate my heavy fall/winter stuff out of my main closet. I did a quick inventory and noted that I have worn less than 30% of my clothes this season, even once!

In some ways that's upsetting (wasteful! and my looks must be boring everyone!) but I am going to embrace the reality and donate or consign everything that didn't get worn this year. It is the truly rare garment that can be ignored for years and then suddenly become essential. (Unlike, of course, a good handbag, which has magical powers that mere clothing could never possess.)

 

[whateve]

Today I started thinking about spring and how I will be happy to rotate my heavy fall/winter stuff out of my main closet. I did a quick inventory and noted that I have worn less than 30% of my clothes this season, even once!

In some ways that's upsetting (wasteful! and my looks must be boring everyone!) but I am going to embrace the reality and donate or consign everything that didn't get worn this year. It is the truly rare garment that can be ignored for years and then suddenly become essential. (Unlike, of course, a good handbag, which has magical powers that mere clothing could never possess.)

It's starting to get warm here already and all I can think is that I have winter bags and clothing that haven't been worn enough yet.

 

[ElainePG]

It's starting to get warm here already and all I can think is that I have winter bags and clothing that haven't been worn enough yet.

Me, too! It's making me think I should donate some of my heavier sweaters… but what if it's colder next winter???

 

[ElainePG]

@FizzyWater , I believe it was you who recommended a decluttering book? That sent me off on a search, and I found this one, which I began reading last night: Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin. It's a fast read, and it inspired me to wake up early this morning and get the coat closet sorted. Fortunately, DH was up early to play golf so he hasn't yet seen what I've done. He gets a bit nervous when I get the "organizing" bug!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Well, as usual I am behind on catching up on posts but hope to catch up soon. I had posted a little while ago about the Boxyz bag, which I purchased. I am still debating if I should keep it or send it back.

Basically, I already have a daily wear brown bag and am concerned that there will be an overlap in terms of purpose. Since I am trying to maintain a curated bag closet, I have to be careful of any redundancies. The problem is that I do love the bag. It is so well made - just excellent quality overall! Anyway, here is an attached picture of the two of them.

I know the silhouette is different, with the Boxyz being a top handle bag. But do I really need two brown bags that will serve the same purpose in a curated bag closet?
Would appreciate any thoughts or input.

 

[diane278]

This will be of no help as far as editing goes, but they’re both beautiful!

I have multiple black clutches and I use them all. They may all be clutches but they are different styles. I could get by with only one, but as long as I’m using all of them and my overall collection stays within reasonable limits, I’m ok with multiples of the same color....