Friday, July 23, 2010

Um, Like, Didn't You Wear That, Like Yesterday?

If anyone noticed or cared about my absence the last month...sorry. It is summer. Ok, so super fun(ish). I have been trying to de-clutter as of late. Ya, you're right, who am I kidding. It is never ending. As soon as you clean and organize the last closet in the house it is time to start back on the first one again. Nevertheless, I am at it again. I know. Know. KNOW, without a doubt, that I can do with less stuff. Most of the stuff creeps in from other people. I hate to shop. But things (plastic things especially) must have the ability to shape shift and slip in through the cracks in the doors and holes in the screens, because I find junk everywhere that I know I have not purchased. I do not buy a lot of clothes for myself either, but I do tend to hang on to them long after they have lost their appeal. Pretty sure those Calvin's and Duran Duran concert T are coming back in style soon. Where did I leave those jelly shoes anyway? Oh stink, why do my stories always carry on so?

Ok, so, last week, I went to Chicago on a brief get away with Hunky Hubby. Three days, one small backpack so I would not have to deal with luggage. I took 2 great no iron shirts and one skirt, which I wore on the plane too. Actually, I wore the same skirt the whole 3 days. Amazing, totally wrinkle proof, indestructible, little black skirt. Went from dressy to casual with the change of shirts. Voila! I hate picking out clothes and so I often wear the same outfit two or three days in a row anyway. Yes, I know, some of you may be offended by this from a hygiene standpoint, but really? Get over it.

Lately, I have been thinking that I ought to just pare down to the bare essentials clothing wise à la "Tim Gunn's 10 essentials" or the like. And after my little trip I knew it was totally doable. Then I ran across this lady...*Here*. Bingo! Six items or less. Choose six items from your wardrobe, and wear only those for a month. Don't worry, certain items, eh hem, can be changed everyday and do not count toward the six. So what do you think? Should we all try? Less laundry, less clutter, less trying to decide what to wear, less...moreness. And if we get bored perhaps we need more stuff to DO not more stuff to wear.

I streamlined breakfast like this about six months ago. I have two different breakfast menus that I alternate when the mood strikes. Whole greek yogurt with berries and nuts or a veggie omelet. Yep. Everyday. Nope. Have not got bored yet. And I wash it down with a big glass of water and a stupid bunch of stupid vitamins and stupid pills because apparently everything goes to heck on your 4oth birthday! Stupid 40.

Anyway, I am going to participate in the experiment. If you are willing to jump on board with me I wanna hear about it. It does not have to be 6. It could be 5. Or 10. The idea is to simplify. Perhaps clothes or food is not your area. Maybe there is some way to interpret this experiment in other areas. Give us some ideas. I think we as Americans have been valuing quantity over quality in so many areas of our lives for years. This experiment of quality over quantity could help us see the flip side for a while. Ok...our 30 days starts...Now!

Quote of the Day: "Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art."-- Frank Lloyd Wright

12 comments:

  1. Europe totally beat us to this! They actually spend money on decent clothes and wear them days and days in a row (even to high school!) Washing them without wearing them a couple times is a waste of money to them and after having to do our laundry at the laundromat for a couple of years, Jon and I adopted this attitude a bit. Also, working in retail where you can only wear black, white and khaki I got really good at mixing and matching only a few pieces of clothing! However, now that I am enjoying the joy of wearing color I'm not willing to give it up...so you could put me on you 20 item list? I already did 6-10 for at least a year-I'm good...

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  2. I find I have a couple of things that I wear over and over because I like them best. I don't know if it's only 6 things, but I'll bet it's less than 12. Here I was thinking I had no originality and really I was simplifying. Thanks!

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  3. I love this idea and the thinking behind it. I'm running off to my stupid bulging closet now to see if I can choose six. Or so.

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  4. Oh man. I would love to do this with my kids. There are usually only 4 outfits they all love to wear. (Except my 10 year old son who apparently is going through the stinky pueberty stage early...he has to change his shirt daily. Daily!)

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  5. The next stage of puberty for boys is that they outGROW their shirts (and shoes) daily. Daily!

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  6. Yes, I did notice it has been a long time since you last wrote, but since I was having a hard time writing, I understood.

    Simplify??? Hmmm. I am game. Anything to help reduce laundry!!

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  7. You know me....I wear the same stuff alllll the time! I think it's a great idea!

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  8. Hey, I left you an award on my blog. Show it if you want, or not. Just wanted you and my readers to know I really enjoy your blog! Just sharing the love!

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  9. I'm glad you posted this link on the Mormon Mommy Blogs Post of the Week! I can so take this challenge!

    Since I don't go to work anymore I have no need to change clothes every day - except for the unmentionables that you mentioned of course. Saves on so many things while being unemployed. This should be on the list of Top 10 Ideas for Frugality In Today's Economy.

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  10. I like the concept. I'm so tired of doing all this laundry that never seems to end.

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  11. I'm not into the six things idea, because I have several favorites for different occasions. I almost always wear my pants at least twice but change my shirt every day.

    To keep out those 20-year-old t-shirts, I hang all my hangers backward twice a year. Any that are still backward the next time are automatically in the "get rid of" pile. In this way I keep my wardrobe down to what I really wear.

    I do it to my husband too, but sometimes I think he wears things once just so I don't throw them out!

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  12. Love this post, it's right up my ally!

    I love to thin out and donate. Goodwill is my best friend. I'm not a shopper so I don't mind mixing and matching and wearing the same thing.

    Just don't make me go to the mall! Ha!

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