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Monday, February 3, 2020

Getting down to business.

A year or three ago, I virtuously pulled up my sagging BGPs, stiffened my upper lip and marched into my closet.  With sweaty determination, I organized, shifted, reorganized and threw out an item or two.  I was so proud of myself.

Two days later, it was again a picture of total chaos and I, she of the limp pasta backbone, gave up.  When my youngest sister was here, a couple of weeks ago, I focused her laser-like attention on my pantry - mostly because I was not ready to face what had to be done in the closet.

It was ridiculous.  So.

Yesterday, I turned this:




into this:





It took most of the day and six cups of tea.  There was a lot of attempted 'help' by the kids.  I realized that just rearranging what was there would not fix the problem.  There was too much 'there'.  I filled two large trash bags with clothes, one of trash, another bag with shoes and put together a different system for my sweaters.  I find myself opening the door and looking inside, every time I pass by.  I almost dislocated my shoulder, patting myself on my back.  Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg, but now I know what has to be done.  (And, Marie Kondo, if you're reading this - as if - yes, I still have all my long, colorful scarves/shawls that I have never worn.  They bring me joy and I love thinking about the day I will swan about, swathed in pale blue mohair, creamy cashmere or paisley silk with fringes.  Don't hold your breath.)

20 comments:

Goatldi said...

Congratulations. However those bags up high in the before photos. Is that fiber I see? My heart gave a little pitterpat and no it wasn’t atrial fib .

Can you mail some of that enthusiasm out here? My drawers in my chest of are a challenge to be sure. No one needs as many socks as I have😂

Mama Pea said...

Good job! I know what you mean about having to open the door and have a look-see whenever you pass by the closet now. When I cleaned/reorganized/put Contact paper on the shelves of our "broom closet" in the entry room, I got a thrill each time I opened it to take out the Endust or a broom or bottle of Windex! (It's the small things that make us feel good, isn't it?) But also, good for you for getting rid of so much out of your closet. Except the scarves and shawls, of course.

Susan said...

Goatldi, what sharp eyes you have, grasshopper! Yes, it is fiber and no fiber was harmed in the clean-up. It has been moved into the company of the other fiber-related things that have yet to find a permanent home. Too many socks? Is that possible? My dresser is the next project on the list!

Mama Pea, it's so true - there is nothing that warms the cockles as much as an organized closet of any type. While the rest of my life may be chaotic, I can cling to my closet for comfort. Now there is a visual...

Annsterw said...

What a difference!! That looks fantastic!!! Don't you feel SOOO good after it is done too???? WOW! Impressive!

jaz@octoberfarm said...

good job! i spend this past week filling 10 large boxes full of stuff to give to a girl that just got her first apartment and has nothing! it didn't make much of a dent on my end but i'm hoping she will have fun with her new stuff!

Nancy In Boise said...

Looks great! Good for you!!!!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Wow! No way am I sharing mine. It also stores my yarn and some crafting supplies. I have yet to finish completely in there. I keep putting it off for other areas of the house. It looks great!

Lynne said...

Unbeleiveable!! So organize! Great job.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Wow! Spectacular organization! Congrats -- Marie Kondo would indeed be proud of you!

Susan said...

I nearly fainted when I saw the after photos, such was the shock. Well done!

ellen abbott said...

good job you. if you get bored swanning around in cashmere and mohair I've got a closet or two to keep you busy.

carol said...

you could take a few of your most favorite scarves and lay and arrange them out artistically in a frame and hang them as a picture somewhere you could admire them all the time.

Susan said...

Annsterw, I feel great every time I open that door!

OMG, Joyce - I can imagine she is thrilled with her 'treasures'!

Thank you, Nancy!

Kristina, I don't think I am brave enough to share the 'before' of my crafting/yarn closet. Which is much smaller and packed from top to bottom, side to side! It's so much more difficult to part with yarn.

Lynne, it's quite a difference, isn't it? I think the key was finding the right storage units.

Debra, she might be less pleased with the scarf thing, but overall I think she would be pleased!

Susan - LOL! It's hard to believe it's the same closet! I discovered at least 16 pairs of earrings I had forgotten about and my long-forgotten Vespa watch!

ellen, I sure wouldn't be swanning around in cashmere or mohair in your neck of the woods. I'll let you know when I'm available...

Carol - that's a great idea. I had thought about draping them dramatically over the furniture but then realized that the cat does have the same aesthetic sense as I do.

carol said...

I did it with my Grandmothers scarves, that I would never wear, but too pretty to toss. I used a long diagonal frame and draped them in and out of each other as pretty as I could, and then I hung it in the guest room. I think it looks nice, and if you have a lot, you could change them out. Or make a table cloth if you are crafty.

Your closet looks great.

AnnieK said...

I find that all items going to trash needs to 'clean' something first..... before I can throw them out read Ms Kondo TWICE !!!!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Well done, you! I have said repeatedly (to myself) that I am going to pull everything out of my mud room closet where all the cleaning supplies / vacuum / mops, brooms / unrelated bits and pieces are stored and be utterly ruthless. It hasn't happened yet. Energy is required for that and I seem to be a bit low in that department at the moment. But your closet is a thing of beauty. -Jenn

Ed said...

After years of living with similar closets, I invested in installing a "closet system" in our closets when we moved into this house. They have various drawers and hanging cubies that are sized appropriately to maximize space top to bottom and keep those hard to store things out of sight. It was money well spent.

Michelle said...

In my current sleep-deprived, virus-addled state, the thought of tackling ANY of the needed areas on or in our five acres would be equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest – not even in the realm of possibility. I may have to come back to this post for inspiration once I'm better and Poppy is sleeping through even HALF the night....

Leigh said...

What a difference! I don't blame you for admiring it often - it deserves to be admired! I'm getting ready to face my pantry, sigh.

Retired Knitter said...

Ahhh. The feeling of accomplishment! It look wonderful. I need to do the same!