My name is Beth. And I am a hoarder.
There. My not so guilty secret. It can’t be a secret because if you saw my bedroom then you’d kinda know. About two years ago we decided to invest in some proper wardrobes. After making do with ones I had AS A TEENAGER(!) we got all grown up and bought some fancy sliding door IKEA ones that you can add all extra stuff onto.
We ended up essentially with four massive wardrobes which have six drawers inside along with a trouser rail and a shoe rack. When we started moving our clothes over it became apparent that actually I’d use just over three of these wardrobes. Plus two of the drawers. And the small chest of drawers. And the two under the bed drawers. Oh and not forgetting the huge fabric storage box on TOP of the wardrobe. Yes. That is how many clothes I own.
It’s actually quite sickening to think I own that much yet rotate about 15 items!
On Monday, as usual I had an absolute mountain of laundry to put away but I’d actually left my last pile from the week before in my room – through sheer laziness. Enough was enough and it was time to tackle the sea of clothes. Luckily my Dad offered to take the kids to the park for a few hours so I thought I’d hang all the clothes up and maybe vacuum.
Instead I gutted my wardrobes and probably halves my clothes collection!
I had actually been inspired by Sian at Foodie Fables who wrote an excellent post about your wardrobe after weight loss. I have lost almost 3.5 stone since the start of the year. I was wearing a size 16-18 and often wore some of my husbands clothes because literally nothing fit me. It was when HIS clothes started getting too tight that I knew I couldn’t carry on.
My clothing collection however spans back over 10 years. I have always loved shopping and before I had kids, I used to spend a lot of money on clothes. I would forever be buying a new top or splashing out on a gorgeous dress as I just loved fashion. I was also incredibly slim so could literally wear every/anything and never had to worry about covering lumps and bumps.
I still own so many of the clothes that I bought back in my late teens but this now has caused quite a problem. I just can’t wear that stuff anymore!
As a mother of three in my 30s, belly baring crop tops and boob flashing dresses are no longer really appropriate for the school run. I’ve also found that now I can fit back into some of my clothes that most of them were actually what I wore to go to work. I have had a few comments from people asking where I’m going but it’s just old stuff! People seem to think I am constantly buying new stuff but it’s actually over a decade old!
But why was I holding on to my bigger clothes? They felt like a safety blanket and I actually thought I should keep them “in case I get fat again” What an awful way to think. So I decided enough was enough and have bagged up three bin bags full ready for the charity shop. I can now actually see what is in my wardrobe and know that what is left is actually stuff I will wear.
It’s been incredibly liberating and my god I wish I’d done it sooner! This weight is off and is staying off. I mean – there’s no safety net to fall back on now so time to stick at it and get these last nine pounds off.
B xx