Okay, it’s called poetic license. If Bush could do it so can I. My point….stop lying to yourself and give away those items that you know are just taking up space in your closet. It is time to purge. If you haven’t made your closet transition yet, now is a good time to do it. Many non-profits are having clothing drives this spring and will even come and do a pick-up. Big Brothers and Big Sisters called me and will be coming this week. How could I say “No” when I have managed to work my way into nearly every closet in the house?

I started early this morning and now, three hours later I have managed to fill seven or eight garbage bags full of clothing, shoes and handbags. In the process, I put some special pieces aside that I had never worn or only worn once and decided to see what they all had in common to prevent myself from future squander. I could excuse a few items because they were for special occasions, but most of them were purchased impulsively or as band aids. There is nothing like the feeling of wearing something for the first time but if you buy something thinking it will fill an emotional gap it rarely has much staying power. (And darn, I could use that money to buy gas now!) Those special items will be given to people I know who will really appreciate them.

What I learned in this process is that in spite of fashion trends, there are certain styles that are unique to you and well suited for your body type not your happiness quota. Ironically, these are the things you like to wear over and over. For instance, I have always worn asymmetrical looks and gravitate to them whenever I can find them. Even my hair is cut that way. The one shoulder look has come and gone so many times that it is now considered a classic design but it feels new to me every time I wear it.

So, shoppers, my advice….”purgery” is not “surgery”. It only hurts for a minute. Giving away those unappreciated items will allow someone else to enjoy that first worn feeling!