I am going to start with what overwhelms me on a daily basis: clothing. I feel like I am drowning in clothing. (I know this is 100% a first world problem, but it's one I believe many people share with me.) If all my clothing were clean and not in baskets, I don't think I'd have room for it all. Would I be happier with less clothing?
This is my side of the room. I have two dressers, half of a small walk-in closet, and I usually have laundry on the phone.
My half of the closet. It's not so bad actually, but it's pretty full and I also have 2 dressers, which I am hoping to get down to one.
I am emotionally attached to some of it, and other things I feel that if I was in a specific situation I would wear it (when I am on the beach and 10 lbs lighter, I am totally wearing this). I read that we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time. I've been wondering for a while if it would be possible to get rid of most of my clothing and just have a specific number of versatile pieces for everyday use and some workout clothing. I'll need a few nicer outfits for when I work, but I don't need many. Really, who cares if I wear the same outfit over and over as long as it's clean? My clothing hoarding will be for another post.
First, I am going to start with kids clothing. I have 14 month-old boy/girl twins. So, I have a fair amount of clothing. I am so thankful because nearly all of it is hand-me-downs or gifts, and the rest is yard sale or thrift store (I have bought very little for them really). We are transitioning between 12 and 18 month clothing and I am doing my best with it. I've struggled on how to "manage" kids clothing from the day it arrived in my house. Anything that is small is so darn cute, and I want to keep it all (and buy it all)! But the reality of twins is that they wear what is easiest (nothing with 20 snaps), they spend a lot of time in pajamas, especially in the winter. I've realized that kids don't need a 100 outfits or twenty pairs of shoes. I do laundry enough that they could survive on a few things! I also hate spending time looking for my one or two favorite shirts or pants that they always wear. So, I am going to pare down to the essentials, and store the rest so that I can see how it goes.
I moved all the 12 and 18 months stuff into my office and started sorting. (Please note: I swear I am not a hoarder.)
Here's what I am going to stick to for each kid:
2 pull over sweat shirts
2 zip up hoodies
5 long sleeve onsies
6-8 short sleeve onsies (since it will be long sleeve weather until April here)
2-4 long sleeve shirts (for layering) or looking nicer
2-3 vests (my favorite clothing article for kids)
8 pairs of pants (including a 1-2 pairs of jeans)
6-8 zip up sleepers (fleece for winter, cotton for spring)
1-2 "nicer" outfits for if we need to dress up or look nice
1-2 outfits that we can play in mud or do finger painting (and I won't freak out)
I have a snowsuit for each kid this year, and I have a lighter winter jacket for each, too. I have a few hand-me-down size 5 shoes that the kids are learning to walk in.
Wow, that still seems like so much. Too much. But, baby steps. If I find this is too much, I might do less in the 24 month clothing organization.
I hope that this list will serve us well and fit in their shared dresser and their closet. I will start working on this now and hopefully post a picture of a nice, organized dresser where we can find what we own!
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