Suitcase Closet Clearing - How to Organize your Closet

No matter how often I clean out my closet, I always seem to accumulate more clothes than I ever need.  Some old, some new and most that I know I will never wear again.  

I have tried so many different techniques – trash or treasure, what I haven’t worn in 6 months and even turning the hangers in the opposite direction, all with no luck. 

There have been several times when I have moved out of state and even out of the country for up to a year at a time.  During these trips I stay in hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes etc., all with very little to no storage.  What I discovered is that, even for my longest trips, I didn’t need much more than what my largest suitcase would hold. 

When I pack to go away, I usually take the same basic items and only what is absolutely necessary.  I do like to be comfortable and flexible for the conditions so I always take that into account. 

If I think about clearing out my closet in the same way as I think about packing for a trip, it should help with some of those iffy items that I always end up keeping instead of getting rid of. 

Part of this will require severing the emotional attachment I have to so many items.  I love the pattern or how I looked or what I was doing when I last wore it, are my typical excuses for keeping something that no longer suits me.  

I used to try to pack away seasonal items as the weather changed, but I live in Colorado and we can have 90-degree temperatures one day and snow the next, so it’s not practical.  I need a year-round wardrobe that I can keep ready anytime for home or away.

Aside from actual clothing items, I have amassed a tremendous collection of shoes and undergarments that rarely if ever get used.  Packing is a great way to minimize those things as well.  I wouldn’t think of taking 15 camisoles when I need one or two.

 
I always begin my packing process by planning my itinerary – where will I be going, what are the weather conditions and what activities will I be doing.  For me, that usually involves a variety of situations – wet, dry, hot, cold, work, dinners, dances, dates, casual loungewear and outdoor activities. 

Next, I pull out the main items that I think I will want to wear for each of the scenarios.  Then I begin grouping by color and separate the tops from the bottoms, making sure all items in a color group match each other.  I usually stick to solid colors for bottoms (black, blue, brown) and add 3 - 4 print tops that go with each color bottom.

Then I add the shoes, sweaters, scarves, jackets and accessories for each group of outfits.  Looking at this all laid out really helps me to see what I have and how they go together. 

The last step is to pack it in my suitcase.  Depending on how far you want to take this, you might decide to use several suitcases or containers for what you are keeping.  I'm now using packing cubes as additional easy storage for those items I don't use very often but want to keep.

So, there it is, my new suitcase closet organizing system.  I’m getting started on it right away and see just how low I can go and free up my time and space from all of this physical and emotional clutter. 

Is decluttering and organizing a pleasure or a pain for you?  What methods have you used that work well for you?  I would love to hear your comments and whatever tips and tricks you may have to share with others.

Published on Sixty and Me

Thanksgiving Blessings

Today I give thanks for all the wonderful blessings in my life. 

For a family that I cherish more than they will ever know and for giving me a life I never thought I would have. 

Thank you for the love and joy of a lifetime!

Clarity

There is a change in my awareness, very subtle but undeniable.  

I barely have a thought that doesn't manifest in one form or another.

Big or small, it will appear in the most delightful and unexpected way.

I have always been reflective and philosophical, but now the view is so much clearer.

This is a beautiful time in my life and I appreciate every precious moment.

Life

I have proven to myself that I can be happy in any circumstance.  

That external conditions no longer dictate how I feel.

My life has been full of extremes and not only have I survived, I have thrived.

I appreciate this ever changing environment and the beautiful expansion of life.

An Elvis Girl

It was 43 years ago that Elvis Presley passed away.  I was 21 and remember exactly where I was that day.  It felt surreal to know that he was really gone.  

Throughout my entire life I was surrounded by his music and people who adored him.  

One of my fondest memories growing up was pretending I was one of the girls in his movies - Kid Galahad, Follow that Dream or Blue Hawaii. 

I loved all the music and dancing and still to this day, whenever I hear one of those songs it makes me smile and remember a wonderful time in my life.

Discovering My Authentic Self

There are just a few months until my 65th birthday and official retirement from my 30 year career.  It has been a wonderful and satisfying time and now I am looking forward to what is next for me. 

As with so many people entering this new chapter, I am taking time to reflect on just what that means for me personally.  My children are grown with full-lives and beautiful families of their own and now it is time for me to focus on my life and what I want to do. 

What I am realizing is that, I need to reacquaint myself with who I really am.  Not who I've been, not who others wanted me to be, but the true authentic person that I have become.  Time to shed the superficial and really let my true nature shine.

I know she's in there, I can feel it when I see my grandchildren smile, or hear a song that makes me cry, or laugh out loud about something silly.  There is so much joy and passion waiting to be expressed and it's time that I finally let it out in the open. 

Life is supposed to be fun - that's a message I keep hearing and yet I wonder what does that mean for me?  What I've come up with so far is that it is something different for each one of us and changes at different stages of our lives.  What was fun in my twenties is not fun to me today.  There may be parts of it that still are interesting but in a new and very different way.

I am very fortunate in that, I don't have to do anything I don't want to do and I actually realize it!  So now, it is my mission to explore and discover what it is that I really do want.  Easier said than done, so I'm researching and trusting how I feel to find those things that fit.  There is a lot of wisdom to be gained if you follow your heart and let the rest go. 

I just finished reading "The Happiness Equation" by Neil Pasricha and I loved it.  I originally picked it up while I was traveling for work but put it aside when things got too busy.  Interesting that most of what he talks about in the book is how to create more space and not be too busy.  As with all lessons, you get what you need when you are ready for them.  When I read the last few chapters it occurred to me that this was just what I needed now, not a few months ago.

He offers 3 simple but very effective ways to find your authentic self.
1.  The Saturday Morning Test - What do you do on a Saturday morning when you have nothing to do?
2.  The Bench Test - How do you feel when you put yourself in a new situation?
3.  The Five People Test - Who are the five people closest to you in the things you love most?

I smiled as I read it because it is Saturday morning and what I am doing is reading and writing about a new situation.  It makes me happy just to type that.  That feels like confirmation that I am exactly where I need to be and that the universe will always surprise and delight me with the perfect message at the perfect time.

One of my all time favorite quotes is from Sarah Ban Breathnach - The authentic self is the soul made visible.

Here's wishing that we all find a way to let our beautiful soul be seen.

Peace and Contemplation in the Pandemic

I know the pandemic has not been easy for many people and that they have many struggles to contend with.  I feel very fortunate that for me,  this has been a tremendous opportunity to reevaluate exactly what I want to do in the next chapter of my life.

I am in my sixties and have been semi-retired for the past couple of years.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to fully retire or continue working for a while longer.  The issue I was having is that I haven't enjoyed my job for a very long time.  I'm good at it and it was plentiful but very little of it was satisfying and almost all of it was stressful. 

Now, with an almost complete global shut-down, it has given me time to pause and to truly reflect on life.  I am a serious introvert so spending time alone does not bother me.  On the contrary, it is essential for me to maintain my balance.   I didn't realize just how much until we were told to stay in. 

It has been a relief not to be required to be anywhere.  I have had no issues getting food and supplies delivered to my home.  As a matter of fact, I will probably continue this long after this crisis has passed.  I don't like to shop and this has been such a great way to get everything I need.

My daughters have worried that I might become too much of a hermit, but it truly is my happy place.  I have so many projects that keep me busy so I am never bored and have enough interaction with my family and friends that I don't feel lonely.  Isolation is just not an issue for me.  If anything, it has given me a chance to catch my breath and take time just for me.

Now, with the world slowly reopening, I have to think about what I want to do going forward.  What I do know, is that whatever it is, it will have to be what makes me happy.  Nothing else will do!

More Joy and Satisfaction

• Practice more deliberate intent before I act
• Pay attention to how I feel
• Appreciate all of the abundance I have right now
• Trust the process and get ready for what’s next
• Focus more on my heart’s desire and less on outside events
• Remind myself that contrast does not need to be painful
• Acknowledge all that is in the process of becoming
• Look for thoughts that are in harmony with me
• Have more fun

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Precious Pennies From Heaven

This week was my mother's birthday.   She would have been 97 years old and I'm sure she would have been incredible at that age.

When I was growing up, she always taught me to trust in the universe. She would say "you will get pennies from heaven, just when you need them".

After she passed away, I started seeing pennies everywhere. There were always 2, even when something cost 99 cents, I would receive 2 pennies change.

I always felt like she was close to me in those moments and that it was her way of saying hello.  

Today, as I was moving out of my apartment, I was checking to make sure I didn't leave anything behind and what did I find but 2 pennies.  They were at the very back of an unused shelf and instantly I knew mom was with me.

What a beautiful and loving reminder of a lesson so long ago.

What am I Attracting

I love when I hear a message in a way that I've never really heard it before.  I know it means something has changed and I have gained a new vantage point.

After studying the Law of Attraction for many years, I understand the concept of like attracts like, and that what we send out vibrationally will come back to us.

What felt new to me was the true sense of attracting what is coming into my experience.  That at this exact moment in time, what is showing up in my life is because of what I am thinking and feeling.

It's wonderful to think about manifesting your desires, creating your future and allowing the goodness we so desperately want, but none of that can happen if we aren't in a place to attract those very things.

It's not easy but it is very simple - if I can learn to focus my thoughts into a better feeling place, then there will be a better outcome in my circumstances.

I have to ask myself, what am I attracting?

Magic in the New Year

I love new beginnings, so full of hope and promise.

Every step I take on this path has been perfect and always leads me to the next best place.

Today, I was inspired to open my magic box of treasures.  I don't remember how long ago I created this but it contains some of my fondest memories and most beautiful dreams.

As I looked through the precious contents, I realized just how many of these wishes have already come true and I feel tremendous gratitude and appreciation.

Now, looking forward to this brand new year, I will make more memories and cherish every one - knowing that they will become part of the magical treasure box that is my life.

Happy New Year!