Closet stress

I'm not exactly sure how this post will be received but here goes. I'm 2 years out, RNY, I weigh right now about 139. I started BOT on 12/26 to get back to around 135, was 145 on that day. Last year at this time I was at my smallest which was 128, briefly. At that last part of losing I was buying the smallest clothes I could squeeze my body into. Size 4's and extra smalls. So needless to say as my body bounced back this year and things seemed to "rearrange themselves", those things were too tight. For the most part, I am consistently wearing size 8, some 6's and some 10's depending on who made them. My point to all this is, my closet was stressing me out and making me in judgment of myself constantly. So today, Jan 2nd, I've cleaned out all that and will start my New Year with a new appreciation for my fit and healthy body. We're sometimes too harsh on ourselves whether we're size 20 or size 0.

I don't have a lot of closet space so I have no room to keep clothes that I can't wear.  I buy almost all my clothes at thrift stores so it isn't like I lose a lot of money.  Last week it was time again to go through the things I don't wear, either because they don't fit or I just don't like them as much as I thought I would.

I have no idea why it is hard for me to part with clothes that I don't wear anyway.  I'm always worried that I may want to wear it in the future and it will be gone.

Anyway, I got rid of over 2 dozen pairs of pants as well as many shirts and dresses, coats and sweaters.  Over 3 huge boxes of clothes I donated to a homeless women's shelter.  At least I feel good about that.

One trick I just heard about that I am going to try was to turn all my hangers backwards in my closet and after I wear something when I put it back to put it back the right way.  Then, after 3 or 6 months or whatever you can see what you wear or not and you can get rid of whatever you never wear.

Another thing I try to do is I don't bring something in without taking something out.  That is harder to do but I am getting better at it.

The truth is I pretty much wear the same clothes all the time.  My old tried and true favorites.  If I get something new and it doesn't turn into a tried and true I need to get rid of it.

I'm not working now and there is no reason to have suits and dresses, other than a few for special occasions so I got rid of most of those.  Even with all the purging I did I still have a lot of clothes I probably won't wear.  

I have a lot of jeans that are too big on me, believe it or not, that I hate to get rid of because than I won't have anything to wear when I get back in that size.  I need to commit to just having the clothes that fit me in my closet.

Hello,

This sounds great, having an appreciation for yourself. Based on my experience from working with people this is a significant factor that helps towards accomplishing goals. Being able to accept one self at any shape or size can lead to accomplishing what seems to be a mountain.

All the best for 2016!

Susanne Dorder, M.A.

Binge-Eating Disorder/Food Addiction Specialist

I always had closets full of clothes too big, too small and just right... Over tgevyears I had to rotate them... Last 7 years I mostly have clothes that fit. I have some that are too small... Size 4 or S -XS..that don't fit..the rest fit ..and over the 7 years I got so much of it. It is hard to get rid of clothes that fit but that I don't wear..  Very new concept.... But I am working on that..