We all have clothes in our closet that we don't wear. Some have sentimental value because they were given to us by a family member, or maybe we bought them on sale, and since they were cheap it's okay that we didn't really need them. Maybe we are longing to fit back into that old pair of jeans or favorite v-neck, so they stay crammed into our bottom drawer. Over time we accumulate item after item without realizing we have more than we need.
I once read a book titled "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess," which was basically Jen Hatmaker's journal for seven months. She focused on one aspect of her life that she wanted to simplify each month, and the month that stood out to me was the month she decided to wear only 7 articles of clothing. This rule excluded undergarments and she lived in Texas, so there was not too much need for layering, but I was still extremely impressed.
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Jen talked a lot about the fact that Jesus chose to have very few possessions. He was all-powerful yet all human and decided to live a simple life. The bible tells us time and time again not to store up treasures on earth, not to worry about tomorrow, yet we do it anyway. We have chosen to find security in financial stability, clothing, insurance, and reliable cars, but not through God himself.
I was challenged to look at my clothing and truly wrestle with why I own each thing. How much do I truly need? Some people don't even have a closet, they don't have options, while I'm hoarding enough to clothe ten people in the name of fashion and convenience.
I made a personal promise to myself to whittle down my closet to the basics, and never to add more. If I buy a new item, I will donate something I already own. Not only do I see excess as a moral dilemma, but also one of practicality. Packing when I travel is so much easier! And the less clothing I own, the less I need to organize. I don't have to store away my winter or summer wardrobe, it all fits into my closet. I feel freed from the need to buy things because they're cheap and instead I do research on the quality. Although an item may be more expensive, it will last longer and serve more purposes than the cheap version.
Making a conscious effort to own less can do nothing but good in my opinion. We have to remember that behind every clothing item is the person who made it. Were they treated with respect? Did they make a fair wage? We are so far removed from the process of making clothing we forget that real people, often in third world countries, stitch together the items we wear.
It is simply not fair and not necessary to mindlessly consume just because we can afford it.
Our society sends subliminal messages that convenience and style will give us security when the truth is that only God can give us the peace of mind we long for. Getting rid of some clothes might seem like a small step, but to me, it is a good place to start. It is the beginning of saying "no" to what the western world says we need so badly.
