The Stress-Free Closet

My dresser cabinet has been exploding with disorganized clothes for the past few weeks now.  I mentally tell myself I’m going to deal with it soon, but there is always something else to do (especially when I don’t feel like cleaning).  After starting to read City Chic: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Living Large on Less, I could feel my cleaning juices growing in inspiration.  I’ve just started reading bits and peices of this book, so I don’t know if I can whole-heatedly recommend it (I already know the author and I have different worldviews, but her tips on saving money can be happily applied).

If you’re like me, you’re always wondering what that item of clothing it is that you are missing.  You can’t quite put your finger on it, but your outfit combinations drive you crazy.  Something feels frustratingly lacking.  I determined to figure this out.  I took Nina Willdorf’s list from the book and got at it.  My husband came home to find me tackling the ever disorganized shelves.  I explained to him my new evaluation method.  Below are her tips of what is helpful to have in your closet.  Anything lacking is the area you should start to tackle first while shopping- instead of shopping on a whim and wasting your money (oh, don’t we all know that feeling!)

Jeans: 2 to 4 pairs

Pants: 5 pairs summer, 5 pairs winter

Skirts: 5 in a variety of lengths…

Dresses: 4 to 6

Blouses: 6 to 10

Nice T-shirts: 10

Tanks: 10

Long sleeved shirts: 6 to 8

Sweaters: 10

Shoes: as many as you can afford [I hate shoe shopping so this one I changed to: as few as I need to have to coordinate with all outfits.  And I hate to say it, but we can't count flip-flops!]

It became very apparent that my irritation with my closet, especially when getting ready for teaching in the mornings, has to do with my lack of skirts and dress pants.  I’m a jeans or a dress girl.  I really hate shopping for the bottom half anyhow because it’s a challenge with my body shape and may require….dramatic music please…alterations.  But I told myself that the deed must be done.  If my top and bottom half are going to match, then I have to make sure my closet is balanced.

So I gathered up the clothes I never wear (I applied the old rule that if I hadn’t worn it in a year, then I probably never will) and now they are bound for the consignment store.  We have a store nearby that buys gently used clothes.  That’s helpful when you’re young and on a small budget…and need to fill in the gaps in your closet!

Of course this list doesn’t work for everyone’s lifestyle, but I found it a helpful place to start.  The shelves in my dresser are much happier looking now.

2010 in the Grace of God

It is amazing how God changes our plans in one year, regardless of our New Year’s goals.  I finally found (on my own blog) my New Year goals from last year.  I had forgotten what I jotted down.  Some of the goals seem like they were written a million years ago.  They are the farthest thing from my mind at this point in my life!  But I am thankful for the ways God put people and circumstances into my life to work a lot of these things into my daily living.

2009 Goals:

1.) Develop better curriculum/lesson plans for my classes next fall– this seems to be happening more in the classroom than actually just sitting down and thinking up ideas.  I’m learning from my students, on the job.

2.) Blog on Eve– this was dropped in May, and I see I only have been blogging about once a month.

3.) Work on my posture–I have really tried to be mindful of this, and exercise has definitely been a crucial key. It’s hard to get into a new habit!

4.) Eat healthier– this goal has been achieved by realizing I feel pretty much horrible when I eat my beloved refined flour/sugar and fatty foods.

5.) Learn to cook better– moving into a house with two sweet roommates has been an excellent way to work on this with others.

6.) Pursue my master’s degree if it seems wise and a good use of time and money– I dropped this.  My heart was not in it and the Lord led me in a different direction.

7.) Be mindful to pray continually– wow, this is honestly a hard goal, but I am thankful for God’s grace to keep working on this.

8.) Take a photography class– I totally forgot about this goal…

9.) Read two books a month– I stopped keeping track, but I do feel like I read a lot this year.  I just want to keep it up!

So 2010 is a new year!  I am tempted to make easy goals, but where’s the challenge in that?!  I’m the type of person who likes things laid back– but I have to watch out for not pushing myself and becoming sedentary in mind and body.  So here are my goals for 2010:

1.)  Keep up with my reading and assignments for Perspectives class.

2.) Exercise in some form 3 miles three times a week.

3.) Run a race in April.  I jogged one in December but I would like to work up more endurance for this one.

4.) Read more how-to books to increase my knowledge of practical skills.

5.) Grow financially savvy.

6.) Become more assertive.

7.) Learn to cook healthier/eat healthy.  I believe moderation is key, however.

8.) Look for more ministry opportunities with young women in the church and outside of the church.

9.) Not be so hard on myself!

So these are some of my goals.  All of these require discipline, but ‘discipline for the sake of discipline is legalism’ (Richard Taylor).  It is God’s grace and our neediness toward Him that we first need in our goals and hopes for the upcoming year. He is the one who changes us- whether it is in a spiritual discipline or the discipline to exercise.  Let us all ask in 2010 that God would give us grace to change in our goals!

(I read the above little book my freshman year of college.  I need to read it again, but I have no idea where my copy ran off to.  Anywho, from what I remember, I highly recommend it!)