Introduction
Clearing out clothes that no longer fit or serve you can be an incredibly challenging, but empowering part of eating disorder recovery.
Holding on to clothes that no longer fit can be a pretty common experience. When you open your cupboard and spot that one pair of jeans, or that dress that hasn’t fit in years, it reminds you of something that doesn’t align with who you are right now.
Maybe it’s attached to a past version of yourself or a size that doesn’t reflect your current body and journey. This can be really challenging to accept, particularly in the earlier stages of recovery.
Keeping those clothes around can be a daily reminder that can chip away at your self-esteem. It’s as if they’re silently saying, ‘You should still fit into me,’ or, ‘You were better when you were smaller.’ This is not at all true. You are worthy right now, just as you are, at whatever size you are today.
Reasons To Say Goodbye To Clothes That Don’t Fit
Let’s dive into some of the reasons around how keeping clothes that no longer fit can impact your body image and self-perception.
Fuels Body Dissatisfaction
When you look at clothes that don’t fit, it’s easy to start comparing yourself to your past, thinking you were somehow more acceptable back then. This keeps you stuck in a loop of dissatisfaction with where you are today.
It Can Derail Your Recovery
If you’re recovering from an eating disorder, this process is all about accepting your body as it is now. Seeing clothes that no longer fit can pull you back into unhealthy thoughts or behaviors, and potentially lead to a relapse in your recovery journey.
Mental Clutter
Even on a purely practical level, holding onto clothes that you can’t wear takes up space – not just in your cupboard but also in your mind. A cluttered environment can lead to stress, which is something we all want to minimise, especially in recovery.
Shifts The Focus Away From What Matters
Your body is constantly changing, as it should. Growth, healing, and change are part of life. Holding onto clothes that are too small reinforces the belief that your worth is tied to your size, and that’s simply not true.
How To Say Goodbye To Clothes That Don’t Fit
Before we jump into some tips on tackling getting rid of clothes that no longer fit, I wanted to acknowledge that this is a difficult task.
If you are someone who really values fashion, or perhaps some of these clothes represent important periods of your life – this process will likely bring up lots of emotions. This may include sadness, grief, frustration. This is part of the process, and it’s important to allow yourself to feel all the emotions as they arise.
Here are some ways you can make the process feel more comfortable:
Take It Slow
There’s no need to rush. You don’t have to do everything in one go. If you’re feeling hesitant, start with one drawer or a section of your cupboard. You may even choose to set a timer for 10 minutes, and chip away with it over the week.
This is a process, and it’s okay to take your time.
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Check In With How You Feel
Pick up each item and notice how it makes you feel.
Does it spark joy? Or does it trigger guilt or shame?
If it’s the latter, consider letting it go. You deserve to feel good in your clothes, not like you’re being punished by them.
Have a ‘Maybe’ Pile
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to something, that’s okay. Create a ‘maybe’ pile that you can revisit later.
The goal is to make progress, not perfection.
Donate or Repurpose
Letting go doesn’t mean those clothes need to be wasted.
Consider donating them to a good cause or passing them on to someone who would love them. You could even repurpose some pieces into something that fits you now.
Show Yourself Self-Compassion
This isn’t just about clearing physical space; it’s also about emotional space.
Be kind to yourself through the process. Your body is amazing for carrying you through everything it has. Your worth is not tied to a number on a tag.
Summary
Saying goodbye to clothes that don’t fit is no easy task, but remember it is an important act of self-care.
By clearing out these clothes, you’re making room for a wardrobe that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and aligned with who you are now, not who you used to be or think you should be.
Imagine opening your cupboard tomorrow and seeing only clothes that fit and make you feel good. That’s what we’re aiming for – creating a space that reflects self-compassion and acceptance.
You are enough exactly as you are today. The size of your body does not define your worth, and clearing out your cupboard is just one step toward embracing who you are in this moment.
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