I recently asked what range of sizes you have in your closet and why you don’t only keep the clothes that fit you now. A rare two of you did say that you’ve only got one size in your closet. One even professed to wearing the same size since high school (I’ll withhold the name for security purposes). But, most of you confessed that you hold onto a lot of clothes that don’t quite fit right now because you’re hoping that one day you’ll get back to that size. One respondent calls these “goal clothes.” I love it.
Our goal clothes have a lot less than the clothes we wear every day- less fabric, less sleeves, less elastic- but, they say a lot more about us than we might be willing to admit. I wonder…
- How many of you have much cuter and more stylish goal clothes than the clothes you currently wear?
- How many of you look at those outfits with a bit of shame and longing?
- How many of you are unwilling to invest too much in your current size because you don’t believe you deserve it or you can’t love yourself where you’re at?
I get it.
The thing is, we can hate ourselves into being a size 4 (for example) or we can love ourselves at size 14 (another random example) and let that love be reflected in how we fill our minds, bodies, hearts… and closets.
Our hangers are holding so many of our hopes. But, is that the best place for them?
Speaking of which, I also asked what’s the oldest thing in your closets. Your responses made me laugh, and cry. One respondent has a number of sentimental things in her closet, including her grandmother’s lingerie. She was sure to let me know she doesn’t wear it. That’s a relief! Many of you had a common response about the oldest item in your closet; something I could write an entire chapter about! I’ll save that for the next blog post.
Until then, please answer the latest CLOSET QUESTIONS and please encourage your friends to participate in the project. The more responses, the better.
As always, thank you for sharing your closets and your hearts with me.
Closet of My Mind 
Humm, I’m not sure any of the different sizes are “cuter or more stylish” than the others. But my size does dictate the cut of the clothes as well as the type of waistline ( pull on VS zipper). There are days when I’m OK with baring my arms and others when I need to cover them. I suppose that could translate into, there are days when I can be transparent and others when I can’t. I’m known to change several times in an effort to look “just right” even for something casual. I finds self having a very hard time with shirts that show my bumps and rolls. Which is a bit crazy when you consider that trying to hide the midsection with a “tent” is really not hiding it at all. So guess you could say that the more we pretend everything is alright the bigger chance that we expose it’s not? I’m always down on myself for the lack of discipline I have in reducing my weight and find depression sets in often over my ever aging and expanding body. It makes no difference how many of my friends tell me how beautiful I am, how nice I look or even the many scriptures that reinforce how much I am loved, cherished, created by God. I have such a difficult time accepting it and believing it for myself. This is really my struggle daily. Even the fact that I’m not the only one who suffers from self esteem issues. And the fact that I have no reason from my childhood to suffer with this, it is still my struggle. I held several “beauty” titles in my teens, Miss 16 San Diego, Miss Escondido, Miss Equestrian Trails. Etc. maybe it is just this aging competitor realizing that she can no longer compete?
My shopping is more of an addiction. It’s the need to find the perfect outfit for the perfect price. Or maybe if I’m honest, the need to hear those compliments as a form of reassurance or be the center of attention if just for a minute
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I love your authenticity and thank you for sharing your heart! Words of affirmation feed my soul as well and when I wind down the “aging” road there are fewer opportunities to hear the affirmative words like I did in my earlier days. I try expressing my wants and desires to those whom I love but try to focus more on speaking life into others as people did for me. I find this to be a healthier direction for my thoughts and is healing to my soul. It also helps from feeding “self” with whatever my numbing choice for the moment. I still have my moments and will probably always have my range of sizes but dang it I am chubby but can still rock tent-like, stretchy clothes! We are all still a work in progress! Lol Please keep responding!
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