It’s the new year, and that means resolutions and change are on everyone’s mind. You might be looking at your closet thinking “ugh, how did this happen”. If that’s where you are, there’s no better time to do something about it.
Here’s the thing: I love activewear. Obviously–it’s why I write this blog. Like most people, I think new stuff can be pretty fun. More to the point, activewear is an awesome tool to help you feel confident and motivate you toward healthier habits. That said, as with anything, you can definitely have too much of a good thing.
As long as activewear makes your life better and brings you joy, knock yourself out. But when stress and guilt over your shopping habit or your collection size start to enter the equation, it’s important to take a step back and reassess.
With this series, I want to spend a little more time on the other side of the spandex habit. If you’ve taken things a little too far (and most of us probably have at some point), I hope this series can be a way to help you regain control. And even if you’re feeling mostly ok about things and just want to be a little bit more proactive about editing your closet, I hope you’ll find the series helpful, too.
Starting this week, I’ll be publishing 1-2 new posts each week for the month of January that will walk you through the process of refining and refreshing your closet. Most (though not all) of this series will be focused on guiding you through the selling process. The resale market is a surprisingly powerful tool that you can really use to your advantage. Without reselling, I know I would have a lot less activewear I like and a lot more guilt about it. But, I also know that it can be pretty intimidating to navigate that space, so I hope this series will take away some of the intimidation there.
I’m aiming to structure the series so that you’ll have a few days to work through each stage (assignments, sort of) before a new one comes up, but of course you can work through it at any pace.
Stay tuned for the first post, which will be all about how to start the process of sorting through your closet.
I am so excited! I have way too much of a good thing and need to edit. Thank you. :)
Awesome, glad to hear it! :)
Amen to this. I have a huge bag of Fabletics crops I’m going to give my sister. I just don’t wear them ever so they have to go.
Yes definitely! I gave away quite a few things recently to family and friends. Sure, it would’ve been nice to get a few bucks for them, but it was really nice to just get them OUT the door instead of waiting for them to sell. Also, it’s just generally satisfying to give stuff to people anyway. :) So, good call there!
Can’t wait! I got tons of Supplex pants from a Brazilian brand I need to share with other fit girls!
Awesome! I hope they can find a loving new home soon. :)
yay! thanks for doing this – it will be so helpful!
personally, my biggest problem is once i have my closet limited down to what i really love, i still feel like it is realistically just too much. i need help choosing things to sell and/or get rid of from among the things that i “love”… sigh…… any tips?!!?!?
p.s. i ordered the nesh sweater during a recent sale to check out. i loved it but thought it was probably still a bit too expensive to keep. BUT THEN i had a surprise appendectomy and missed the return window cause i was strung out on pain meds for several days. so now i guess ill have to keep it! bonus: it perfectly covers my bloated abdomen. ha.
I found the Kon Mari method to really help narrow down what to really keep in my closet and drawers. Google it to get blogs on what it it and/or links to her book!
thank you! i definitely will. i have heard of this method, but have not read the book or investigated the details.
Yeah what she said. :)
Sorry to hear about your appendix… Are appendectomies ever NOT surprises, though? :P Anyway, I’m wearing my Nesh sweater today. I find I like it more each time I wear it, so I hope you end up being happy with it, despite everything!
ha!
a non-surprise appendectomy would indeed be a bit odd. excellent point.
i haven’t worn the sweater yet (i am still not allowed to wear pants cause of my incision and wearing it without pants seems a bit scandalous), but it is at the top of my list to wear soon!
i have about 3 dresses that i am wearing in rotation… my outfits are so lame and repetitive and i’m freezing my a** off and missing all my snugly leggings and sweats!
Ohhhh haha I suppose it would be a little risque, not to mention chilly sans pants. ;) I hope you’re back to pants and feeling better soon.
<3 Can't wait, I already have a couple of things set aside to sell! :)
Yay!! I hope you can find them new homes soon. :)
great idea!!! i too would be waaay overwhelmed without ebay and the resell market – i’m always surprised when i see ebay referenced as evil-bay…. ebay has allowed me to really purge a lot of my beautiful lulu that i’d just never really used – it feels good to get money back and know the items are being used and loved, it’s also great to look at my lulu and know that i use and love every piece i have. looking forward to this series!!
Yes, totally agree with you! Resale sites like ebay can be frustrating at times, but at the end of the day, they are a godsend!
Looking very forward to this. I have bought tons of lulu over the last couple years but have had no idea how to get rid of the stuff I don’t wear. These posts will be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!!
Awesome! I hope they don’t disappoint. :)
I am very looking forward to it! My problem is I am emotionally attached to my clothing collections (and also other things) so it is very hard when it is time to let them go… So called pack rat lol
Yeah, there are definitely a few things that have been hard to let go. For what it’s worth, though, I find that the emotional upheaval tends to pass by pretty quickly, and then I never think of it again! Your mileage may vary, though.
Will you be selling any of your closet pieces on your blog?
No, I don’t have any plans to do a blog sale at the moment.
I’ve been silently enjoying your blog for some time now but I thought I should let you know that I am very excited for the direction you’re taking it and can’t wait to read more!
Thanks Victoria!! So glad you’re liking what you’re seeing so far. :)
I am very excited to read these – I was the new foster mom asking about reselling a month or two ago…still debating if I should try out consignment service or not, any feedback folks still have on these is appreciated! I used to sell on eBay but haven’t had time with two new little ones and working full-time (and hour commute), so closet has gotten very unweildy and feel I need to do some more new year closet cleansing and some extra cash to cover kids’ expenses would be great!! Not buying anything new has helped but still could use some editing…
Also really liked your previous post on 2015 a had no idea you were unemployed and then working, you’ve done a great job with this blog – its by far my fave!! I used to live at Grand Canyon (actually moved there from Philly when hubby got a new job and after 10 months of looking, opened my own consulting firm since I had to do something! I’m now back working with the feds in Cali, but was suprised at some similarities.) And did two seasons at Rocky, and love Sedona, so also enjoy reminiscing through your spot-on hiking posts, thank you!!!
Those are a lot of similarities indeed. Glad you can relate on more than one level. ;) Sounds like you definitely have a pretty full plate–hopefully something in this series will be helpful there!