I have a confession to make… I’ve got closet envy! Yes, I admit it… I’m extremely envious of the contents of my fellow dieters’ closets!
Y’know, it’s a bit ironic when you think about it… One of my primary motivations for joining TGAAD was the desire to increase my appreciation for all that I currently have apparel-wise. After my husband was laid off in April, if I began to lament, “Ohhh, I only have four pairs of (fill in the blank – shorts/pants/pajamas/etc.), and now I really shouldn’t buy any more”, I’d pretty quickly begin to appreciate, “I have four pairs of (fill in the blank) and that’s three MORE than many others have.”
When I came across TGAAD, I figured joining would help me cut down on my lamenting and boost the appreciating.
However, as a TGAAD member, I’m realizing that my four (of pretty much anything) is at least four LESS than the majority of my TGAAD compadres. In fact, when I check out other TGAAD posts, my closet seems pretty pathetic… significantly emptier and of poorer quality than I perceived pre-TGAAD. From what I’ve read, I’m realizing that some fellow dieters own single items of apparel that are close to the value of my entire wardrobe.
I’m a bit bummed that instead of increasing my gratitude for my relative abundance, perusing TGAAD posts more often gets me back into a “woe is me” attitude.
Is this just me??? Anybody else having a similar experience???
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Hey Cathy,
Your post is really interesting, because I do think I have built my wardrobe very well, but not because of quantity. I don’t pursue quantity, I choose quality and fit. I am very inspired by French women, who don’t have four of this or that, but have one fabulous item, well made, good fabric, good fit. And who cares if you have seen them in it before? They make no apologies for wearing the same kick ass dress. They have a wardrobe of classics and basics that are made to last. Not some cheap thing that pills up after wearing it twice or the buttons fly off in all directions. I would rather have one amazing thing that fits well than four or five just ok ones. After this is over, I hope you go get something you really love as a reward, and I hope you wear it all the time.
Cathy….what do you need? We are having a clothing swap next week and I can certainly grab something for you and send it. I am feeling sorry for myself too. Yes I was once a clothes horse but now…I am having to rethink what I own and appreciate that.
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Cathy,
I empathize completely. I had a similar feeling when I joined – everyone else’s closet seemed considerably larger and snazzier than mine. But maybe that’s part of the problem re our consumption – we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, rather than appreciating the stuff we have. I’m trying mightily to stop doing the former and start doing the latter. Today, it’s working: yes, my favorite black sweater was brutally attacked by a moth (or moths), and I cannot buy another one. But I am wearing it and no one is the wiser. Or at least no one was…
Hang in there.
Kristin