Let It Go
Time to Say Goodbye to That Ill-Fitting Dress
Cleaning out my closet, especially letting go of that “perfect” dress, made a significant impact on my journey to accepting my body.
Written by Laura Johnson
Updated: Feb. 20, 2024
Originally Published: March 18, 2022
Even after 14 years and two kids, I struggled to part with the white lace dress I wore to my high school graduation. You know the type—the dress that fits just right, enhancing your confidence and making you feel beautiful? It certainly did for me back then. However, after all this time, my body had changed, and the dress now only reminded me of the confidence I had lost. Every time I spotted it in my closet, I felt a wave of disappointment about my body not being as fit as it once was.
It wasn’t just that dress; I held onto many items that didn’t carry sentimental value, including newer clothes that lost their appeal once I tried them on at home. Despite my efforts to find another little white dress, nothing quite matched up. Instead of returning ill-fitting clothes or donating those that no longer suited my body, I tried to transform myself to fit them, delaying my pursuit of body acceptance. Spoiler alert: This strategy has never worked, not even once.
My path to body acceptance always seemed to involve two steps back for every step forward. I’d hang up a new piece I didn’t love and promise myself I’d strictly diet. Why was I still clinging to that dress and acquiring clothes that were never going to fit me how I wanted? Why was I holding on so tightly, only to feel miserable in the process?
Body Acceptance Is a Journey
When I kept my old clothes, I thought I was “motivating” myself to work out harder. I convinced myself that if I felt enough shame, I would eventually get back in shape. In reality, this mindset only hindered my acceptance of my body, which was vital for my progress.
My journey of body acceptance didn’t start because it was trendy; it was a crucial step in recovering from an eating disorder I struggled with for years. At my lowest, I equated over-exercising and undereating with strength. I believed my body was only deserving of love and acceptance once I sculpted it into a certain ideal, ignoring the pain that it caused. Accepting my body, flaws and all, has been one of my greatest challenges, but it’s also been worth every moment.
The Smallest Actions Can Create the Greatest Changes
I remember the moment I decided to part with that dress. The relief I felt wasn’t just from putting it in a donation box—it was the daily joy of opening my closet and not seeing it anymore. Letting go of my too-small clothes freed me from the negative self-judgment I had imposed. And let me tell you, wearing clothes that actually fit is a joy! There’s nothing worse than a pair of uncomfortable jeans.
I’m not just referring to the physical discomfort of tight clothing; it’s more about the mental burden of worrying about how others perceive you instead of enjoying the moments you share with them. Ultimately, no one will remember the size of the dress you wore; they’ll cherish the time spent with you, the laughter shared, and the memories created.
So here’s your reminder: let go of what doesn’t serve you, especially if it’s clothing you didn’t even truly love.
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Summary:
Letting go of ill-fitting clothes, particularly a cherished white dress, marked a pivotal moment in my journey toward body acceptance. While I struggled to part with items that held memories or the hope of fitting into them again, the act of decluttering not only lightened my physical space but also freed me from negative self-judgment. Embracing clothes that fit well has allowed me to focus on living fully rather than worrying about appearances. In the end, it’s the shared experiences that matter most.