Don't take your clothes for granted

We need to talk about your relationship with your clothes.

It’s easy in today’s society to rarely (if ever) contemplate the value of your clothes. They are relatively cheap, and they are everywhere – whether it be in a store, on your mobile device as advertisements, or stacked up in your wardrobe and drawer.

But when you think about it, your clothes do a lot for you. They keep you warm, they shield you from the sun, and they are a way to express your individuality.

But how often do you express gratitude for your clothes? You would probably say “never”, because thanking your clothes seems like a strange thing to do.

Such a concept is not strange for world famous organiser Marie Kondo. In her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up she invites us to show greater appreciation for our clothes and to express gratitude towards them.

This does not involve focusing on your items of clothing themselves, but instead it requires focusing on your relationship with them. And just like any relationship, a little gratitude can go a long way.

So how do you practice this? Instead of throwing your clothes in the drawer or hurling your shoes down the hallway at the end of a long day, carefully place them away and express your gratitude for them.

You don’t have to say the words “thank you”, but you should give your clothes a passing thought that is filled with appreciation.

What I learned from showing gratitude towards my clothes

I decided to try this concept out. The first few weeks felt a little strange, as if I was engaging in some taboo behaviour that I was glad no one could see me doing.

But after a while I started to embrace it. Every time I changed my clothes or folded them away I would give them a little bit of gratitude.

Folding your clothes doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be a way to reconnect with them. Photo: Sarah Brown / Unsplash

Over the coming months I found that I had developed a better relationship with my clothes. Rather than never giving them a second thought, I started to feel good about the clothes that I owned.

And I started to feel better about myself, too. What I had was enough – and that was all that mattered.

It could also be a win-win for you

What could you gain from doing this? You might be surprised.

You can revitalise your relationship with your clothes, and from there you can start to feel better about what you own. And who doesn’t want to feel better?

Remember that you own your clothes for a reason. Maybe they are your favourite colours, or they give you a big confidence boost.

Get in touch with those reasons – you never know where they might lead you.

You could also be better off economically and ethically.

Rather than seeing new clothes and wanting, you can be happy with the clothes you own and instead be content with having. And by carefully considering your purchases in fashion your pocket (and the planet) will be grateful too.

You have a lot to gain, but nothing to lose – so why not give it a try? The next time you fold your clothes or put them away, express your appreciation for them and see what happens.

Be proud of your clothes, and be proud of why you own them. Just remember to give a little gratitude too.

Feature image: When you hold your clothes, do you give them attention? Photo: Polina Tankilevitch / Pexels