Strappies - It's Not Just About the Shoes

I keep stuff.
I keep stuff long past the time it’s useful, I want it, or even remember owning it.

For example, we all know how hard it is to find a pair of navy blue strappy sandals. You have to get out there the day Easter grass appears in the supermarkets to start culling your favorite shoe haunts. Some years it, “Yes!” Others, we walk away disappointed and mentally discarding huge portions our spring/summer wardrobe. Because of this, I’ve always taken particular care of my navy blue strappies. Each Labor Day I ensure they’re clean and not showing wear, then gently wrap them in tissue and carefully repack for the winter.

I’m reorganizing my dressing room because, frankly – it’s a wreck. To that end, I decided it prudent to get all the shoes back into their boxes for inventory. After much sorting and rearranging, I ran across two identical pair of navy blue strappy sandals.

*sigh*

I’m not sure what it says about my “collection” that I had two pair of the exact shoe. Sure, in different colors that would totally make sense. I do that all the time. But these were clearly purchased separately. On the obvious hand, it says that I really must have liked them. On the other, it says I’m not always as conscientious as I should be about my stuff.

Reader’s Digest version: I slipped the first pair on; pulled my yoga pants up over my knees and strutted in front of the mirror a couple of times; then I tossed both pair into the charity pile. It occurred to me that if I owned two pair and hadn’t worn either one even once last year, there was no sense holding on to them. Sure, that means I’m down to one measly pair of navy blue strappy sandals, but why not! I can live precariously close to the shoe edge for one season.

Once I started, I was like a madwoman. I tried on, pranced around, and then discarded shoe after shoe. By the end only 63 pair remained.

*looking around*

Hmmm. What else has run its course? White blouses: check! Two suits I must’ve bought on sale: check! Handbags! Check! Brassieres, grey socks, “fat” jeans, and where did this hideous red Old Navy sweatshirt come from? Yikes!

Hanging on is never the answer if all you’re trying to do is fill the closet. I tend to fixate, mull, analyze and dissect every available inch. I’m just not sure why. After all, I create both the full and empty spaces. I don’t know why I’m not willing to just wave good-bye and skip off when something has lost its appeal or has gone out of style. I know that it’s always cathartic to finally make the decision then eliminate stuff that no longer makes me happy. And hanging on only prolongs the inevitable…

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a hoarder by any stretch. I just don’t normally have “single season” things in my life. I’m a classic, long haul gal. I go in 100% - heart and pocketbook – for things that are timeless and lasting. But you gotta know when it’s time to just stop with the crazy “what ifs.”

What if I don’t have time to get a new trouser hemmed? I’ll NEED these!

What if I’m asked to be an emergency-back-up-spare date to an outdoor afternoon wedding in the middle of August? That dress is my only option if I don’t have time to buy a new one!

What if I end up back stage at the Bret Michaels concert in September? Those are the only pair of jeans cool enough!

As the old saying goes, “don’t woulda, coulda, shoulda all over yourself.” You know when the time has come. You know there will be some separation anxiety at first, and you’ll probably go to your dressing room looking for something and wishing you still had it. But! You also know that when or if you want to replace what you gave away, the opportunity is always there. It may feel like replacing your favorite *insert here* will never be the same. But it will. I know it will. It has to be. What are the choices?

*runs to charity pile for one pair of navy blue strappies*

Just in case…