Being stuck inside and preparing for a move (my parents sold the house we've called home for the past 20 years) has left me digging through boxes of forgotten middle school binders and old sketchbooks.
It amazes me how relevancy changes so quickly. What I mean is, what I considered important seven years ago (ahem Valentine cards from 5th grade and Muffy dolls) has little or no place in my life right now. As I stuff them into a big trash bag without much regard, am I making a mistake?
This is even harder when it comes to making room in my closet. I probably have close to fifteen sparkly Michael Stars one-size-fits-all shirts that were a must have item in 7th grade, that may still fit me, but don't work with my current personal aesthetic. The Juicy Couture terry sweatpants that I begged my mother for in middle school now function as pajamas rather than a status symbol. The hardest to part with are designer items that no longer fit. I have this beautiful white cotton Diane von Furstenberg button-up shirt who's size zero tag stares me in the face. The size of this piece is certainly no longer relevant to me, although I teeter on the 2-4-6 scale, I have a connection with it.
Furthermore, regardless if an item is designer or not, holding on is okay. I'm happy my dad held onto his monogram sweater from his adolescence and my mom kept her cutoffs from the 70's. So, to a certain extent, I don't agree with the mantra "If you haven't worn it in the last year, toss it." If an item has sentimental value keep it, but only with thoughtful consideration.
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