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5 Lessons From Minimizing My Wardrobe

By Frugaling 20 Comments

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5 Lessons From Minimizing My Wardrobe. The day has come to minimize my wardrobe. After much delay and caution, I eliminated tens of items from my closet and feel lighter than ever!

I’ve been aching to clear out my closet and see what can be minimized, but I’ve constantly repeated, “I’ve got more important things to do!” Well, today is the day to clean out the unnecessary, unworn, ripped, tattered, and otherwise useless. Spring is here, and now it’s time to find some clothing to donate or throw out!

I’m a rather failing minimalist. Life circumstances (being a graduate student) require that I keep ungodly numbers of papers for years. In an effort to minimize the clutter and paper space, I’ve scanned and digitized everything I can. The rest — what must be held for safe keeping — goes under the bed.

Clothing can’t be moved or digitized, and space must be occupied. While I have ample room in my apartment, there isn’t much “storage.” I don’t have any furniture (i.e., bureaus, dressers, etc.), either. Every time I look in my closet, I’m reminded of the unorganized mass I own. After many weeks contemplating, I decided this would be the day to really review what I have, and decide, In or Out?

Before I review the photos and take you on a little tour of what’s left, I want to explain some rules that informed my choices:

1. While minimal, I haven’t moved to uniforms; thus, multiple outfits remain

2. I’ve trained and run two marathons (and plan on more), which require athletic clothing

3. I don’t like multinational brand names stamped across my chest

4. I won’t replace or buy more clothing by reviewing and donating excess

5. Furniture could help make it look more minimal, but see rule 4

Review socks
Review socks
Review boxers
Review boxers
Review shirts
Review shirts
Review pants
Review pants
Review athletic gear
Review athletic gear
Review hangers
Review hangers
In or out?
In or out?

 

 

Clearing out and reviewing all your clothes is rather time consuming. The first thing I did was wash everything dirty and prep it for the preceding photos. Afterwards, I grabbed my box o’ socks and box o’ undies, and dumped them out. Pair by pair I reviewed for stains, holes, and other unmentionables. I eliminated 8 pairs of worn out or otherwise mangled socks, and 2 stray socks (inevitably lost to the magic of the washing machine). From the boxers, there were 5 that were in total disrepair — waistband wasted. Out they went!

Then, I moved to tee, long-sleeve, and collared shirts. Despite advocating for a more minimal life, I found it hard to let go and/or donate some of my more sentimental — however aged — clothing. The soft texture and wild memories of concert tees were the hardest to rule over. Images of dancing, friends, former girlfriends, and everything in between seemed stained into the shirts. In the end, those with massive pit discolorations were thrown out. Although, I couldn’t help but keep a couple for sentimental purposes (and I wear them frequently). One collared shirt was a big no-no, as it featured a brand I no longer wish to advertise across my chest nor support.

Two pairs of jeans unfortunately needed to go. I had wiped out on my bicycle in one of them, and they no longer met professional work standards. The other had started out as skinny jeans and were quickly shrinking into leggings. I’m not sure if that’s a consequence of weight gain or the dryer; let’s go with the latter option.

My wonderful mother insisted I take a bed protector with me, and I’ve had it for quite some time — unused. I’m not opposed to fitted protectors, but this one is loose. Invariably, it crumples up into an awkward ball in my bed and messes up the fitted sheets. No, it was time to be rid of that stinky old “protector.”

Extra hangers? Out!
Extra hangers? Out!
Halloween costume? Out.
Halloween costume? Out.
Old boxers? Out!
Old boxers? Out!
Lint? Out!
Lint? Out!
Old bed protector? Out!
Old bed protector? Out!
In
In
In
In
Donations to charity!
Donations to charity!

 

 

Despite being an avid runner, I owned too many shirts. Each race you run, there’s a new shirt. Nobody needs this many athletic shirts. I was able to get rid of 3 shirts and one pair of shorts. While they weren’t in bad shape, I’m hoping someone else can enjoy them — I have plenty.

This little In or Out experiment netted 28 items. Those items will either be donated or thrown away. Additionally, I was able to take out 14 hangers from my closet (bringing the total to 42)! Now, it’s easier to get at what I want, as opposed to fighting back and forth to get jeans and a t-shirt. There’s room again, which feels fantastic.

The following are 5 lessons learned in the process of eliminating the unnecessary from my wardrobe:

1. Sentimentality is piqued by things, but inspired by brains

Humans are inherently pulled to place energy and emphasis in things. We name cars, put stickers on everything, and place creative cases on phones, all with the desire to make something nice and unique. Our things get special treatment. They become a time capsule and place to store our memories. It’s important to remember that those mental images are within us — not in things.

2. Clearing out old clothing is therapeutic

What seems to be a chore at first is rather calming as you go along. There’s a routine: open, dump, review, decide in or out. That’s all there is to minimizing your wardrobe. In the calm of a weekend day, it can be a meditative task to focus on the here and now.

3. My nice things might be necessary things to another

I have ample clothing, even after minimizing some. What helped me decide to donate a couple more items are other people. It helped to focus on them. The “nice” stuff that I rarely — if ever — use could be immensely helpful and necessary for another person or family. I’m not just removing stuff from my closet and tossing it, as I want some of these things to have better owners.

4. It’s embarrassing what we keep around or forget to throw out

I don’t know how 2 stray socks slowly buried their way into the bottom of my box o’ socks, but they did. I probably wouldn’t have noticed for a couple years, if I didn’t engage in this cleanse. Also, the Halloween costume from a couple years ago? Yeah, no need to keep that around.

5. Minimizing your wardrobe takes far less time than you think

I procrastinated for weeks about getting rid of extra clothing. I didn’t want to let go of anything, and felt like I had more important things to accomplish. In some ways, I did, but that was also a tool to delay the inevitable. Now, the day of reckoning is here and complete. My closet looks way better. In reality, what I thought would take hours only took one. One and done to be lighter than ever.

Filed Under: Minimalism Tagged With: Charity, closet, Clothes, Clothing, Consumer, donate, jeans, minimal, Minimalism, Shirts, socks, Wardrobe

Ownership Isn’t Real, We Rent This Life

By Frugaling 41 Comments

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Manhattan Beach Ocean Photo

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
–Lao Tzu

There was a time when I could describe exactly what my life would look like in 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. It felt so grown up and reassuring. I was the man with the plan.

There was a time when I envisioned a beautiful home with a yard. It had windows overlooking an ocean. It’d be mine. I could wake up to it every day.

There was a time when I owned a car and wanted to buy an even nicer one. I held my smartphone, but wanted a newer one. I was obsessed with latest upgrades and features.

There was a time when I looked at my ratty spiral notebook and needed a chic Moleskine. Imagine what it would be like to write in those acid-free pages and flip open that iconic cover.

Largely, those days of desire without logical reason are dying out. I’m no longer urgently pursuing or planning for material possessions. Nowadays, the white picket fence isn’t for me, and I’ve finally realized why.

Life is exceptionally fragile and short. Think about it, our 70, 80, or 90 years represent but a fraction of the Earth’s existence. We are little blips on this planet, and unrecognizably small objects within this solar system, galaxy, and universe.

From the time we exit the womb, we are bombarded with messages that demand our attention. They don’t stop until we do. All five of our senses are put into warp drive, as they begin to process everything around us. Despite our relative insignificance, we cling to material goods and messages — buying whatever we can afford and socking away the rest for rainy days.

These messages beg us to consume, own, and carve out space. They tell us that, with maturity and income, you should own a residence. We are expected — from employers to families to spouses — to buy a car to get to work. But ownership is a figment of our capitalistic imaginations. In this economy, it’s easy to be pulled into a mental trap of expectations and hopes for a possessive future.

Each step countering the current culture of consumption is like running into a 50-mph headwind — you’re not moving fast. Bucking the status quo means isolating yourself from society’s expectations of amassing wealth. But the reality is we don’t own anything — ever. I mean it!

We are simply temporary custodians — holders — of physical objects that we lug around. We fill containers, storage warehouses, and entire homes with stuff. We bear witness to various forms of mass, but all fade — like us. Even the most prized possessions will transfer to someone else or perish. No matter how much home and life insurance we take out, we will eventually pass away.

Truthfully, we rent this life. It’s not solely ours to destroy, abuse, love, and cherish. We share this rental with everyone. Any rental necessitates respect. Destroy another’s property or object, and you’ll be on the hook to replace and/or fix it.

There’s more to life than amassing more than thy neighbor. Forego the mortgages, down payments, and constant maintenance. Choose a life that honors and recognizes everyone. When we rent this life, we recognize that we are just maintaining it for future generations.

Filed Under: Minimalism Tagged With: apartment, Capitalism, Consumerism, house, Life, minimal, Minimalism, ocean, rent, view

Do You Care What I Wear?

By Frugaling 28 Comments

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Do You Care What I Wear? Society places inherent value on what we wear every day. But is anyone paying attention if I wear the same thing?!

The first time I “dressed up”

It was the homecoming dance in my freshman year of high school. There, I learned that dressing nicely would beget compliments; a simple conclusion, that would shape my purchases going forward.

Before that dance, I was a t-shirt, hoodie, and jeans guy. Afterwards, almost overnight, I embraced layers and logos. I lobbied my parents to pay for Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Gap, and anything that my high school brain felt was “cool.” The bills stacked up… for them.

Increasingly, I loved bold colors and designs – embracing pinks and purples despite social stigmas. The compliments flowed from nearly everyone around me. Many of the opposite sex encouraged me, and noted my changed wardrobe.

The “dapper” dresser

It’s now about 12 years from that fateful moment. As I aged, my tastes changed and I discovered H&M, Express, and Macy’s. And yet, for years, I was on this prescribed rat race to look better, fresher, and wealthier.

The latter was a powerful realization over the years. Quite simply, our culture aligns clothing style and brand with power, money, and achievement – regardless of reality. The better I dressed, the more others noticed.

Imagine being in a bar or club and seeing someone in a ragged t-shirt, overgrown beard, and faint body odor smell. You’d assume that individual is from a low-income level. Trim the scruff, polish the shoes, and button up that shirt, and that same person becomes a successful businessman.

Minimizing my closet and loving it

Over the last two years, my clothing purchases have slowed. And nowadays, I don’t have a clothing budget. I rarely buy anything. I’d rather put my hard earned money in future savings and investments.

Since my frugal journey started, I’ve sold clothes, donated, and taken great care of what I currently have. The clothing that I currently have is important to me; not because I’m worried about it getting damaged, but because I don’t need anything more. My wardrobe is “complete.”

Generally, my day-to-day wardrobe consists of casual-formal clothing that’s appropriate for a work environment. The important part is that it needs to be flexible and comfortable, as I run in the clothes from school to work and back. My wardrobe does just that.

A wardrobe worth repeating

Through laziness and busyness, I was pushed to simplify my workday wardrobe. In these colder winter months, I’ve opted for more sweaters and colored jean/slacks. Still, I tried to vary what I was wearing… until recently.

These days I’m opting for a more efficient wardrobe: grabbing yesterday’s clothing. It’s not like I do this every day, but I’ve grown more accepting of uniformity in my outfits. The creative, “dapper” dressing is more frequently reserved for weekends.

After reading this article, some might be inclined to suggest that I’ve let myself go. Maybe, but I’m learning something in the process. As I’ve shifted to this repetitive wardrobe, I expected people to notice, complain, and/or question my decision. Last week I wore the same pants 4 days in a row and a sweater 3 days during the week. Nobody noticed (or mentioned it). Nobody!

Expanding the experiment to one year

There’s a sexist double-standard about clothing: men can wear nearly anything and women are carefully criticized. If a woman were to wear the same group of clothes or article repeatedly, they’d be questioned. Largely, men are overlooked and free to wear abominable outfits.

One world where women are constantly criticized is television. The on-air anchors and talent can be harangued for wearing the wrong designer, looking unfashionable, etc. Meanwhile, men are free to wear whatever, again and again and again – without critique.

Karl Stefanovic did just that. This broadcaster from Australia decided he would wear the same suit every day for a year in solidarity with his fellow female co-host. Nobody noticed.

Benefits of embracing a minimal, repetitive wardrobe

My high school and college days were fraught with an insecurity that prompted me to spend. I was desperate to fit in enough, and stand out with my wardrobe. I wanted people to notice me; to be unique enough, but not alone. My wallet suffered over the last 12 years.

Now, as I’ve slowed my purchases and become more minimalistic, I’ve learned some important takeaways.

1. Buy what you love, sparingly

Fundamentally, I’m buying less than ever. I don’t peruse catalogs, storefronts, or websites for the “latest” trends, designs, and brands. By avoiding these outlets that subtly market their latest styles, I don’t have the same urge to buy.

When I do find something, another item must be ready to depart. I’m no longer interested in amassing clothing. Everything must be functional, practical, affordable, and regularly worn. Otherwise, it’s just a waste of space.

I’m not advocating for people to embrace naturism or 1984-like uniformity. Buy what you love, but do it minimally. When you do decide to pull the trigger, make sure it’s something that will stand the test of time (from trend and wear).

2. Sexism, classism, and other cultural norms

I was chatting with a graduate student about his job. He mentioned that he has to wear a suit and tie once a week for business meetings. If I wore a suit and tie to my work, I’d be laughed out of the homeless shelter and/or never receive clients. Dress reflects a microcosm of culture, and portrays an intention. This aspect isn’t — by itself — a bad thing.

Although, clothing choices often become a point of criticism. What we wear can sometimes contribute and perpetuate a classist and sexist society that expects men and women to look certain ways.

Let’s buck these cultural norms that become expectations, prejudicial boxes, and prevent acceptance. Diversity should be embraced.

3. The efficiency chosen by experts

This last week I felt a freeing sensation that comes with efficiency. We are regularly flooded with choices throughout our day. What should I pack for lunch? Should I cut my toe nails? Which shirt and pants should I wear? Heck, look at the toothpaste and shampoo aisles! Try to find your one favorite.

The fewer extraneous choices made, the more we can focus on what’s important. I felt that by wearing the same thing. Just look at two terrific examples: Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

Steve Jobs would constantly wear a “uniform” of sorts. He wore a black turtleneck, blue jeans, and some sort of tennis shoe. He drank SmartWater on stage — nearly every time. His life worked through routines; yet, it allowed for creativity where it mattered.

Mark Zuckerberg isn’t as repetitive as Jobs was, but he does tend to embrace a more casual style of t-shirts and hoodies. As one of the richest people in the world, he can do whatever he wants. He can set his own wardrobe expectations.

With both men, they minimize the time and cost of more fanciful clothing. It’s clear that focusing on what’s comfortable made them more capable. Additionally, that they could save time every morning throwing on what they know.

Filed Under: Minimalism, Save Money Tagged With: Clothes, Clothing, fashion, logos, minimal, Minimalism, trends, Wardrobe, wear

Frugal Articles of the Week

By Frugaling 2 Comments

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Reading Nook Photo

Today I wanted to feature a few frugal articles that caught my eye this week. Curl up in your favorite reading nook and enjoy. Hopefully these encourage you to live frugal lives!

7 Tips to Help Keep Your Resolution to Declutter by Joshua Becker
The new year is upon us! Lots of people create resolutions and goals, but few are followed. Joshua created a bulletproof list of 7 tips that’ll help you stay focused on decluttering and living with less.

Quit Whining About Your Sick Colleague by Daniel Engber
America has a productivity problem, and not because we aren’t working enough hours. The problem centers on overwork and overemphasis on the amount of hours put in at a desk. Engber skillfully takes the readers on a collision course with hand sanitizers and media hyperbole around the common cold, and then guides them to a treatise about work-life balance. Well worth a read!

How I Cut $10k in Spending in 2014 by Practical Cents
This month I’m going on a food diet. But in a different twist, I’m not watching calories — only my spending. In this article, Practical Cents breaks down how they cut $10k in costs over the past year. With an incredible table of savings and examples, P.C. makes it easier for readers to see how they too can save!

The Urge to Splurge by Sam (Yours Truly) Lustgarten
I won’t ruin the story, but I wrote about a recent date that was published on my favorite minimalism website, Becoming Minimalist. It centers on the external messages that we hear — both from individuals and advertisements. These messages can make us consume more than we would’ve otherwise. And can defeat our efforts at minimalism!

Breaking Broke by Stefanie O’Connell
Stefanie had a breakout 2014 and she’s looking to leave broke behind! In this stirring article, she talks about overcoming the stereotype of a broke, aspiring actor. She’s ready to take personal finance head-on and show readers how to make some incredible side income.

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: Article, Becoming Minimalist, Broke, Declutter, Frugal, minimal, Minimalism, Reading, saving money

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