|
It’s About Time Ruth Wong |
It’s time to spring clean
and brighten your closet
Spring has sprung! There's a Macy's television commercial that I find amusing and instructive. It's one in which a mom is ready to go out dressed in an all-black outfit. Her daughters say, "Mom! You can't wear that! It's a spring party!"
Get Help
What: Operation Spring Cleaning" workshop for women, sponsored by the Women's Ministry of New Hope Christian Fellowship, conducted by Ruth Wong
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 3
Where: Kapiolani Community College Cafeteria
Cost: $12 which includes lunch.
Call: Amy Yamamoto for more information, 671-7890
Here in Hawaii, many people lament the lack of seasons. When I lived in Los Angeles, my favorite season was autumn, as that's when the weather turned cooler and I brought out my turtleneck sweaters and jackets.
Here in Hawaii, I think my favorite season is spring. I love the refreshing spring colors. This is the year for pink, my favorite color since childhood, and light green, my second-favorite color. Both are "in" this season!
The Macy's TV commercial made me realize that I was carrying my dark winter colors into this fresh new season.
I want to encourage you to spring clean your closet and freshen your wardrobe by purging, simplifying and brightening.
I apologize to male readers as this week's column is geared more toward women, but hopefully, you'll find the concepts helpful too.
ABOUT A MONTH ago I sorted and purged my closet -- again, as this is something required at least once a year.
I was frustrated because my closet was full but I didn't feel I had anything to wear. Why was I letting "stranger" clothes take up precious closet space, crowding out my favorite "friend" clothes? Why was I wasting so much time finding a decent outfit each day?
So I emptied my closet and sorted and purged. I bagged the give-aways. I put the seasonal dark-colored clothes in clear plastic bins.
The plastic bins were labeled (Cardigans, Turtlenecks, Blouses, Pants, Skirts and Dresses) and put up on the closet shelf. I have a double shelf above my rod, which allows for easy placement and retrieval of each box.
Now I was left with whites and lighter, brighter colors, with a few black ones which I sometimes need.
My closet looked brighter and more spacious, like a breath of fresh air.
Now, you may be wondering what purging and refreshing our wardrobe has to do with time management and organization.
I feel that when we feel good about how we look, we feel better about ourselves, and that affects the way we act, and the way we act affects how much we get done!
Plus, a decluttered and simplified closet filled with our favorite clothes doesn't waste our time deciding what to wear, leaving more time for us to spend on more important things!
I encourage you to spring clean and freshen your wardrobe. Now, this doesn't mean you should rush out and buy spring colors just to buy. Oh no! If you need additional clothing, be selective and buy only that which you truly love, need and will use. (More about that in a later column.)
Happy Spring! See you in two weeks!
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com
