UNDER THE WILL… OVER THE DRAMA…

Wardrobe Drama: When Clothes Ghost You…

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by

Mae Faurel
in

My Clothes Have Commitment Issues… They Never Go Out!

They promised me nights out, brunch dates, and fabulous parties. Instead, they’ve been hiding in my closet like introverts at a rave.

I’m sitting here staring at my wardrobe thinking… why do I have so much crap I don’t even use? Honestly, I have clothes that cost a small fortune, beautiful pieces that I had to have, and yet, they’ve done nothing but sit there judging me every time I open the door.

And here’s the real kicker: I don’t even wear them anymore. Not because they’re ugly (they’re not), but because… well, life changed, I changed. So why am I still holding on? Is it emotional attachment? Guilt? Or am I just terrible at letting go?

If you’ve ever felt the same, pull up a chair. You’re in good company.

So, Why Do We Keep Stuff We Don’t Wear?

I’ve been asking myself this, and here’s what I’ve come up with:

Every piece has a story: That dress isn’t just a dress, it’s the night I felt amazing, or that time I swore I’d become “that person” who wears it.

Old versions of me: Some clothes represent the person I was… or maybe the person I thought I’d be.

The price tag guilt: Oh, the classic! “It cost me too much money just to give away!” Reality check: the money’s gone whether it’s hanging in my closet or not.

Control in chaos: When life feels messy, stuff feels safe. A full wardrobe can feel like security, until it starts feeling like clutter.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the Mindset Shift That Helped

I stopped asking:
“Should I keep this?”
and started asking:
“Does this serve the person I am today?”

If the answer was no, I thanked it (yes, out loud like a weirdo), and I let it go.

How I Actually Did It Without Crying.

I thanked the clothes for being part of my life. (“Thanks for that wedding, you looked fab on me.”)

I reminded myself: memories aren’t in the fabric. They’re in me.

I donated to a cause I care about because giving it a second life feels way better than letting it rot in my wardrobe.

If You’re Struggling Too…

You’re not alone. We don’t cling to clothes because we need the fabric; we cling because of what they represent: good times, old versions of ourselves, or the illusion of control. But honestly? The real freedom comes when you create space, not just for new clothes, but more importantly, for new chapters.

So here’s my challenge:
Pick one thing that no longer serves you and let it go today. Then come back and tell me if it felt good.

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Comments

8 responses to “Wardrobe Drama: When Clothes Ghost You…”

  1. missparker0106 Avatar
    missparker0106

    “Control in chaos: When life feels messy, stuff feels safe.”

    Yes.

    Four years ago, I filled my car up several times as I downsized all manner of possessions when packing to move from 1200sf to 500sf in a city far away.

    Did I cry?–oh yes. A lot of the stuff kept me tied to the best human being to ever enter my life and who passed away in 2012. Fortunately, I had given myself several months to purge over half of my worldly belongings, to provide precious time needed to heal between each carload.

    And still, the purge continues. I actually gave away several clothing items a week ago last Sunday, and the relief was palpable. It’s an ongoing and never-ending process. But eventually, it does the soul good.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Thank you for sharing this so openly, Sandy. It really hit home for me. There’s such a strange tenderness in that process, grieving, purging, and somehow also growing. I love how you gave yourself the gift of time to move through it all gently, carload by carload. It’s so true what you said: the purge continues. I’ve found that too. Sometimes even years later, I’ll let go of something and feel that palpable sense of freedom—like I just made space for a little more light to get in. Soul work, for sure.🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. missparker0106 Avatar
        missparker0106

        Thank you for your lovely affirmation. It means a lot.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Mae Faurel Avatar
        Mae Faurel

        🧡🧡🧡

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Max Avatar
    Max

    Cutting out buying clothes online unless the store doesn’t have my size has helped me manage closet bloat. It is good to be able to judge the fabric and try clothes on in-person before purchasing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Absolutely, something is grounding about shopping in person, isn’t there? Being able to feel the fabric, check the fit, and make a more intentional choice really helps curb that impulse buying. I buy by feel.. lol.. I shop at charity shops mostly now. I ask myself if I really need it or just want the quick dopamine hit. Little changes like that really do add up over time. 🧡

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      Reply
  3. gc1963 Avatar
    gc1963

    Control in chaos seems a very intriguing point.

    We impute so much value to things. Sentiments !!

    However, I also feel how long these things have served me that they have become part of me.

    Decluttering is always essential.

    But then…. aren’t we humans who put life into non living things too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Yes, so beautifully put. We really do breathe life into things, don’t we? They become little extensions of our memories, our emotions, our identities. That’s why letting go can feel like a kind of mini-loss… but also a gentle reclaiming of self. I agree, de-cluttering is essential, but it’s never just about the “stuff.” It’s about what it held for us, and who we’re becoming as we let it go. 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

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