Laundry Woes
There are few chores I dislike more than doing laundry. Growing up in a household of six, I was responsible for handling the laundry, and in a home where every penny counted, the idea of paying for professional pressing was unimaginable. Even when I could finally afford it, I struggled to let go of the habit of doing it myself. I often dreamed of the day when laundry wouldn’t feel like such a burden.
That dreaded chore has even caused tension in my relationship. My husband also dislikes folding clothes, but after he repeatedly forgot wet clothes in the machine and even ruined some of my cashmere sweaters, I decided it was best to handle it myself.
Closet Overload
In an effort to make laundry less overwhelming, I explored productivity tips and found one simple solution: hanging all our clothes on hangers—except for underwear and socks. This eliminated the need for folding, but it also highlighted a much bigger issue: we simply had too many clothes!
Between the two of us, we had three closets each, a dresser, and additional storage filled with years of accumulated clothes. On top of that, our toddler and one-year-old seemed to add extra laundry daily, as if they had attended a paintball party every morning. The sheer volume of clothes made laundry an exhausting, never-ending cycle. It was clear that something had to change.
Dressing for Myself
I want to be clear about why I chose this path toward simplicity. It’s not because I lack vanity, that would be a lie. I care about looking put together, I enjoy fashion, and I wear makeup and jewelry. But my vanity exists for me, and me alone.
After having my first child during COVID, I was able to refocus on my own needs and how I wanted to feel when I looked in the mirror. That shift led me to dress up for myself. I style my hair, wear lipstick, and put on perfume almost every day, not to impress anyone else, but because it makes me feel good. I work from home and barely see anyone throughout the day, but these small rituals give me energy and confidence to carry on with my day.
Having experienced depression in my teens, twenties, and again in my thirties, especially during and after both pregnancies, I’ve learned that anything that makes it easier to wake up, get out of bed, and keep moving is worth embracing. And if that means indulging in a little vanity for myself, then so be it!
Less Is More
COVID turned most of us into lounging animals. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you have a tendency toward laziness like I do, it becomes a dangerous cocktail of excuses to stay in bed and sleep all day.
As a typical lounging lizard, despite having a full closet, I kept wearing the same few outfits week after week. That’s when I first started downsizing my wardrobe. However, my efforts stalled when I got pregnant and needed clothes that made me feel comfortable in my changing body. I splurged and bought a few pieces that helped me feel good despite the extra 65 pounds I had gained in the process.
I also tried convincing my husband, Rinch, to declutter his collection of over 40 free T-shirts. I thought he would not mind getting rid of a few since many of them looked nearly identical, but his love for free t-shirts made that impossible. Rather than pushing him, I decided to lead by example, and slowly, my approach started influencing him.
Embracing Versatility
To make my wardrobe more intentional, I focused on finding pieces that were both comfortable and versatile. I started with black T-shirts, researching different styles until I found one I loved and purchased three of them.
When winter arrived, I moved on to long-sleeved tops. I tested a few, returning the ones with fibers I disliked or that seemed too high-maintenance, such as wool or cashmere. I was also mindful of my ongoing weight loss and avoided buying clothes that I would soon outgrow.
At some point, I set a new rule for myself: no more sweatpants. For reasons I can’t quite explain, I began associating sweatpants with being stuck in bed, possibly a lingering effect from spending most of my pregnancies in them.
Once I reached a weight closer to my pre-pregnancy size, I searched for pants that would work both for remote work and casual outings. That was when I realized I needed a stronger system to streamline my wardrobe.
The All-Black Wardrobe
Originally, I had planned to create a capsule wardrobe with coordinated colors to minimize decision-making. But I quickly realized that even a capsule wardrobe required effort when choosing outfits. I wanted to look neat and put together without wasting time or following trends.
So, I made a bold decision: I would stick to an all-black wardrobe.
I had read articles debating whether minimalism strips away personality, but I saw it differently. To avoid looking too uniform, I decided to incorporate neutral-colored accessories such as coats, jackets, shoes, and gloves, to add variety while maintaining the simplicity of my wardrobe.
Minimalism with Personality
For the past few months, I’ve embraced my all-black wardrobe, and the simplicity has been liberating. Mornings are easier, and I no longer waste time deciding what to wear. I still own dresses, many of which have patterns, but I plan to pare them down over time.
My husband has gotten used to my new style and even appreciates its practicality. He jokes that I wear the same thing every day, yet he also admits that I always look polished. The key has been adding thoughtful touches here and there. Sometimes, we forget that it doesn’t take much, by focusing on the small things such as jewelry, hair, nails or makeup, there is a potential to completely change the way I can be perceived.
One personal investment that made a huge difference was changing my haircut and hair color. With my natural deep-black hair, dressing in all black sometimes made me look like I was headed to a funeral. Lightening my hair color brightened my overall appearance and, unexpectedly, lifted my mood at the same time.
A Summer Challenge!
One lingering concern is how to maintain an all-black wardrobe during the summer. Dark colors tend to absorb heat, and I want to stay comfortable without compromising my minimalist style.
Do you have any suggestions for staying cool while sticking to a black wardrobe? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know in the comments.