Spring Cleaning

It was 28°F in Boston this morning. Despite it being the first official day of spring, it sure doesn't feel like it. I remember spring being so much different as a kid. Now it feels like we skip straight from winter to summer, but I digress.

Even though the temperatures aren't cooperating, one thing that is giving me springtime vibes is my urge to clean. After being cooped up all winter, I'm ready to get the clutter sorted out for a fresh start to a new season of longer days, warmer temperatures, and rebirth.

As a human being using the internet, you have most assuredly encountered Marie Kondo, the Japanese organization guru who forces us to contemplate what sparks joy in our lives. This question is so loaded, heavy, complex, and almost too deeply personal to be the crux of a seemingly lighthearted Netflix show, but our exploitative and voyeuristic tendencies lend themselves to binge watching an entire season of watching people talk to their clothes while having existential crises about their happiness.

Much like every other functional adult in 2019, I Kon Mari'd the shit out of my wardrobe. I didn't follow the process exactly, and I regret to infom you that I failed to thank each item of clothing. I did, however, sort my clothes into three distinct piles: to sell, to give away, and to "trash."

To sell. I have slowly accumulated designer pieces over the years. These items are totally worth selling, and I am making an effort to recoup a fraction of the price I paid by selling these items on Poshmark or at a local consignment shop. I find that is it hard to discern what a fair price is for these items, and it's also tricky to figure out what is still current enough to be desirable for buyers. This is a reason not to spend a lot of money on trendy pieces. You can always re-sell the classics.

To give away. I am hosting my first clothing swap next month, and I am super excited about it. I've invited women of all shapes and sizes in the hopes that there will be something for everyone at the swap. Most importantly, I want people to take my old stuff out of my house (and hopefully get some joy out of it!)

To "trash." I've mentioned previously that putting textile waste in landfills makes me feel icky. I was so excited when one of my favorite brands, Brass Clothing, started to offer Clean Out Bags. These bags are "the easiest, most sustainable way to pare down your closet and get rid of unwanted clothing. The pre-paid poly mailer sends old clothes directly to our recycling partner and diverts textiles from landfills." At just, $10, it's a small price to pay for a clean conscious. Plus, several times a year they run promotions and each bag comes with a $10 discount code. It's a win win!

I feel like it's rare to talk about the logisitics of large clean out projects. The Kon Mari process was arduous, and I felt so accomplished when I completed it, but the reality was that the stuff I didn't want was still in my house, just in a different place. At the moment, I just want it out. Like everything, though, to do it well is a process.

But, hey, do you want any of my old clothes?