Do you Keep Clothes that Don’t Fit?

The American culture may consider skinny healthy and beautiful, but that is not always true.  In my experience, “skinny” was better described “sickly” or “drawn.” My struggle with weight was always in keeping it. After reaching forty,  however, it became easy to  keep meat on my bones, but, even then, weight-loss wasn’t a challenge. When my clothes got too tight, I simply cut out some carbs and increased my activity to be  able to return to my “proper” size. Now I’m nearly fifty; I understand the struggle. Apparently making simple shifts in the diet is no longer enough. I need to make a bigger commitment to change.

Losing weight is like wardrobe weeding; there are two approaches. 

When you first learn your personal Image Identity (Img.ID), it is wise to go into your closet and do a complete clean out and start over. After that you only need to maintain your wardrobe with an occasional weeding, unless you face a major change in life. I’t’s been a long time since I’ve done a complete closet clean out for myself.  Twenty-five years ago I first needed maternity clothes–but, even then, I kept my smaller size because I believed I would lose the weight.

Wardrobe Weeding

Keeping the smaller clothes in your closet while you are pregnant or dieting may be wise if it is a motivation. When you believe you are going to wear the cute short skirt again, it doesn’t  just take up real estate in your closet, it gives you incentive to keep going after your goal.

Listen to what it says.

If the clothing in question is taunting you with discouraging thoughts of “woulda,” “coulda,” “shoulda” then why allow it to hang there?

A closet full of clothing you cannot wear, however, is only discouraging if you are struggling to lose weight. Maybe that itty, bitty, tiny, winy bikini spurs you on and deserves prime real estate in your closet. Go ahead, hang it in plain sight; but If it torments you, get rid of it! Clothing choices that are not truly an option because they don’t even fit (or don’t work for another reason, but that’s a blog for another day) only cause confusion and stress. No one going after a goal should have to deal with the Confidence Conflict of a closet cluttered with so many “incentives” that there is no reward.

If it torments you, remove it!

Once you know who you are, it’s easy to keep a Confident Closet by continually weeding out any clutter. The problem comes when what used to “accentuate your assets” no longer brings out your beauty but makes you unsure of yourself. Think of your closet like your garden. When you see a weed sprouting in your flower bed, do you let it stay there? No! If you do, it will only multiply and choke out all the beautiful flowers, right? Do the same thing when you try on a clothing item that no longer fits right. Pluck it like a weed!

Even if you think it will fit later.

Your struggle with weight gain (how often, where) is a big indicator of your Img.ID:

C: Seldom, midriff and hips
N: Often, all over, especially bosom
D: Extremes (gain or loss) all over
I: Seldom, hips, buttocks
R: Often, bosom, buttocks, but not waist
G: At times, could favor any areas

Click the letter to learn more about that Image Identity, including What2Wear.
Live in the moment. 

If your favorite dress doesn’t fit today, it probably won’t fit tomorrow when you are running late and trying to find something to wear. Why add to your stress?

You don’t have to throw your clothes away. Give them away. Put them on consignment or hide them away until you reach your goal; but don’t let them deplete your passion for what you can wear because all you can see is what you can not wear.

Complete Closet Clean Out.

Consider the times in life when we need to uproot the entire garden and start all over. Seasons come and go. Flowers–and clothing–only last so long. I’m ready to change my flower bed completely; perhaps you are, too? Maybe you have just discovered which of the six styles you are and you want your image to reflect your authentic personality. It may be that you have had a major lifestyle change, are in a new climate, are pregnant or just had a baby. Or maybe you are finally pulling out the summer clothes and realize that not one thing from last year fits you now.

Complete Closet Clean Out

Sometimes we need to make a bigger commitment to change before anything happens. A simple shift is not enough for me right now, if I want to have anything to wear, I must get more committed to either changing my wardrobe or my weight. If you are ready to do a complete closet clean out, I encourage you to stay tuned for next week’s blog, where we will walk through the process together. In the mean time, take this week to focus on catching up with your laundry so that everything is clean and available to be returned to your new Confident Closet.

 *****

As an author and speaker, Catrina’s passion is in helping women and girls overcome confidence conflicts, especially those involving rejection, betrayal and loss. After 30 years in the beauty industry as both a cosmetologist and an image consultant, Catrina now uses her profession, her own powerful stories and her training as a Biblical life-coach to reach the heart in a way that is relatable, encouraging and inspiring. Her message is balanced with both fashion and faith and is making a difference  in the lives of women and girls all over!  To be part of this movement, connect with her on FacebookTwitter PinterestLinked In, Goodreads  and consider having her speak at your next event. Visit https://catrinawelch.com for more information.


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