This post #2 in the Essentialize Series. Click here to view #3.
How was your experience from last week – when you used your temporary license to complain about your closet? Was it frustrating? Stressful? If so that’s completely normal. 99% of my clients experience those feelings too when we start.
Hopefully you also experienced a glimmer or more of AWARENESS.
This is key because being aware of and attentive to what’s going on in your closet is the first step to essentializing.
So let’s revoke that temporary license, and move ahead!
Essentializing simply means editing your wardrobe down to only those clothes that you love. You’ve completed the first step by taking an honest look at what’s not working inside your closet. The second step is to become comfortable with the idea of creating clarity and focus in your wardrobe.
The desire for a better closet must first arrive in the form of a concept in your head. Visualize opening your closet and thinking:
- I can see all the clothing I own
- My wardrobe is organized neatly
- I can say “yes” to any event/function/occasion today
- I have control over my clothing and accessories
- I have a dream wardrobe of clothes to choose from
Allowing yourself to bask in the idea of a successful wardrobe is the true beginning of essentializing.
And I do mean bask. Really revel in it. You must believe you are not only worthy of a beautiful wardrobe designed just for you, you must also believe you’re worth the time and effort it’s going to take to create it.
If you are looking for a closet hack, I don’t have one. Not only that, I don’t want to give you one. Because the reality is it has taken you awhile to get to the overstuffed, frustration inducing closet you have now. And it will take a while (though much less time in this direction) to understand what to keep, what not to keep, what new to add, and why.
What we really want in life is to connect with other people. We want to be heard, seen and understood. The idea that this connection starts in your closet is essentializing. It is essential to start here. Our clothes are a second skin.
They reflect and project important information about ourselves — they say who we are. So let’s start with the desire first. The desire to shed old beliefs about how we want our closets to serve us, and re-work our ideas into having clothes that inspire and support us.
Brew a cup of coffee or tea. Sit and relax with this article in front of you, focusing on the 5 bullet points above, and really visualize yourself with a closet of clothes that you love. Clothes that you are excited about putting on.
Remember how you used to buy one item that you loved and then couldn’t wait to wear it? Imagine your whole wardrobe being that way. Every single piece delights you, and calls out to be made into an outfit to serve you.
For most women this is a hard place to go. And it might appear like this is a useless step, but it is not.
It is the most essential and also the most brave.
Think about what kind of outfits you would like to have for your next date night? For your next day at the office or working at home. For your weekend away, weekend work or workouts. How about nighttime wear and formal occasions like weddings?
If you are having trouble picturing what to wear — get on Pinterest and type in any of headings from the above paragraph and a plethora of ideas will pop up. Even if you are general in your entry, Pinterest will ask for specifics underneath your heading, and you can further pinpoint some images that spark ideas for you. You don’t need to keep the ideas anywhere, just let them overflow and give yourself permission to dream, and
Revel In Your Desire For A Closet That Inspires and Supports You!
There comes a point during this process where a wide vista opens up. But first you must essentialize. Next time we get together I’ll talk about where to take it from here. If you want to connect before then, drop me a quick email, and we’ll schedule a time to talk.
