I think everyone who is a size 14 and up can say that finding decent clothing that fits well is a challenge. Every time I have to find an outfit for a special event, I feel like I am gearing up for battle. I know there’s a good chance I’ll visit 6 different stores only to walk away feeling defeated and increasingly more desperate as my choices dwindle.

At some point, I got into a pattern of buying things if they seemed to work out in some fashion. They didn’t have to fit perfectly to gain my dollar because most things just don’t fit perfectly– ever. It seems like either I’m showcasing every lump that I have on my body or I’m wearing a huge over-sized sack. There’s no in-between and I so badly want an in-between.

My mother recently called me and asked if I wanted to join in on a garage sale she was having. It never hurts to do a purge of things every once in a while to sift out what I haven’t been using. It also never hurts to get a few extra bucks. I walked through each room and began making my piles until I got to my closet. As I began sorting through my clothes I realized a pattern. Almost everything I owned I felt self-conscious in. There was a very minimal amount of pieces I felt I could wear with confidence. It was very eye opening to realize that I live most days not feeling comfortable in the clothes I’m in. I began asking myself why I was keeping these things. So I pulled them out one by one and got rid of them. There’s no reason I should be wearing clothes that just kind of work. Because of my extra weight, feeling good in clothing is crucial.

I’ve decided I’m going to be more exclusive with my wardrobe. If it means I spend more money on a piece, that’s okay because at least I’ll feel good in it. There’s a good chance I’ll have less in my closet from now on but I think it’s going to be worth it. We owe ourselves the opportunity to stop settling and demand that the fashion industry begin accommodating the average size woman, a plus size woman.