Out With The Old
Changing out the winter, warmer clothes for cooler summertime threads can be a challenge as preparing for seasonal changes can bring up feelings related to body image, self-esteem, and more
So let’s go through the closet together and unpack!
Clothing choices can represent so much about us.
What does your closet or dresser say about you? What would you like it to say?
Maybe it is just clothing we wear and there is little thought that we’d like to put into outfits. That’s ok too! Creativity can be expressed in many areas of our lives.
Let’s make three piles- keep, toss/donate, and store for next season.
If having to try on old-season clothes, give yourself a time limit and be gentle with yourself.
Let’s also consider the following as we go through this:
Accessibility
Many don’t have the ability to buy new clothing each season. What resources are available in the area that are accessible to you like second-hand stores, donation drop-offs, etc?
Nostalgia
What memories may be associated with clothes and perhaps making a certain piece of clothing into something new (bag/blanket) if they don’t fit and we don’t want to part with them?
Embracing neutrality
Let’s connect with just noticing the thoughts that may come up related to our social conditioning that clothes that no longer fit us are a moral failing. Let us also remember that we are humans with forever evolving and changing bodies. Skin cells shed, eyelashes fall out, and hair grows.
Yet, if weight changes, it can feel like a direct representation of who we are as humans. Let’s start challenging this.
If our feet grew two sizes overnight, we wouldn’t blame our feet. While perhaps alarming at first, we would pivot and ensure we have comfy shoes and socks to wear.
Clothing can be looked at just as neutrally.
Clothes are created in an array of sizes and shapes to fit our bodies; our bodies weren’t created to fit one size. They will change and morph throughout our lives- from birth to death.
Radically embracing these changes with a lens of self-compassion instead of shame or forced positivity can be helpful in embracing the challenge of engaging with our bodies from a neutral space.
What clothes do you love and cherish and are excited to keep?
What clothes do you feel you are ready to let go of?
Authenticity
Do the clothes you have to embrace your authentic self? Do you feel confident in them and how they represent you? If not, is there a small way you could change something to celebrate and embrace yourself more?
Sometimes that can be scary as maybe that means wearing more feminine or masculine pieces. Wearing a new pattern or color of style. Something more fitting or baggy.
Perhaps wearing these items by yourself first or with the comfort/support of a trusted friend can help you get comfier with this?
Also bringing something to wear over if you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable at any point! You have a choice.
Remember this as you navigate the closet this next season.
And feel free to reach out for support. Take breaks if needed. Play some music. You got this!
