A number of you (okay, three) have sent me an e-mail asking what I got rid of in the “Great Purge” of June, 2005. At first, I was tempted to not reply at all-after
all, it was my wardrobe-and one asked if I “was going to get rid of anything else, please send it to me.”
Sorry, dears. I'm done.
In point of fact, I got rid of a number of things that don't really need to be replaced at all. I tossed several worn out bras, some panties in a little bit better shape,
about six or seven femme polos (three of which were on their last legs-I wore them out, and they were thrift-store items when I got them…which means they
were not in the greatest of shape to start with), a few oversized blouses, a few more undersized blouses (they fit when I got them new, but I would now need to
be about 135 pounds and about as a big around as my arm-meaning I'll never fit them again, regardless of total weight loss), a t-shirt or two, some pants (that
were also dying a slow death), some work slacks, two or three belts, and some minor personal effects.
What I have gotten since: a four of new, really nice bras, some new panties (including some bikini cut), three new t-shirts, three new pairs of pants, some new
perfume, and a few less boxes in the garage and some room in my hidey-hole. I am going to replace a blouse and today, and in the coming weeks some new work
slacks as the fall styles come out.
So it's been a better deal all the way around. I have stuff that is new and fits better. And to show she's lost more weight than me, one of the t-shirts that I gave
away, my SO had one like it and gave it to me. How's that for supportive?
So, am I really out anything? Not that I can tell. I am in better shape than I was, and so I'm not sure I can call it a purge at all. Plus, with the exception of the one
blouse I bought, it's all new.
So the question is, was it really a purge?
Yes and no.
Yes, because like you, I did this in a half panic that didn't really need to take place. Shows that I am human and mortal after all. Surprise!
No, because I replaced the vast majority of everything with similar or better. Some of the stuff I tossed does not need replacing yet, if ever. That's a comforting
feeling, really-plus the extra room is nice, and I have a better grip on what I have and what I need.
I recommend you take inventory and do likewise. It may cost you a bit, but the results might just surprise you, too. (Do you really need two year old eye shadow
and foundation that is now the age of a teenager?)
Just don't toss anything that is really dear to you. I made that mistake, but have been able to fix it. You might not be as lucky.
