Friday, January 21, 2011

Project 333

I saw this link posted on a friend's Facebook page the other day and it caught my eye. It's called Project 333 and it was started by a girl last year who wondered if she could edit down her wardrobe to only 33 items for a 3 month period of time. Her guidelines: 
  • When: January 1 – March 31, 2011 (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
  • What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
  • What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear,  and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
  • How: Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of site.
  • What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. Remember that this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don’t fit or are in poor condition, replace them.

It's an interesting thought, isn't it?

It made me stop. And think. And then I decided I didn't really want to think too hard about it because then I would have to think about all the zillions of items clogging my own dresser and closet. I am not a hoarder by any means but there is definitely room for improvement in that area. 

Condensing your wardrobe to 33 items at first sounds interesting and challenging but also a little painful and, well, just hard

I think it's interesting to read how this girl found out that the project actually improved her life. Her reasons:

1. I am ready on time.
2. I don’t shop for clothes
3. I look better.
4. I am meeting really cool, like minded people.
5. I am maintaining a healthy weight.  
6. I have more time.
7. I have more money. 

What do you think? Does the thought of that make you excited? 

Scared?
Relieved?

We get used to living with so much as Americans - we are surrounded by choices everywhere, to the point that it can actually cause us stress. 

And how many times do you push back something in your closet because it's too big, too small, doesn't match anything else, etc.? Are you like me and only wear two pairs of jeans but own 6-8 pairs? Do you tend to wear your favorite clothes day in and day out and ignore the rest? Does the site of your overflowing closet ever make you a little crazy?

Doesn't seem like so much of a leap any more does it?

I think back to my three pregnancies and my maternity wardrobe and while it was somewhat limited, I also remember there being something freeing about it. I didn't wonder what pair of jeans to wear, what coat, what sweater, what swimsuit...because I had one or at most two of each of those items. Amazing.

I hesitate to ask this question...but who's in??

5 comments:

  1. i think you are slightly crazy but think that it would completely take away unwanted stress.

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  2. I haven't completely committed to the idea but I do find it inspiring. My closet needs an overhaul. Maybe we could take our exercise group on the road and travel to each other closets. I need honest opinions and motivation to clear out the clutter!

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  3. I was just re-reading that blog post and feel drawn into the whole idea. It makes me anxious to think of downsizing my fun jewelry and shoes... but really, I don't wear 99% of it.

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  4. I am in....I need the three of you to intervene!!! I get stuck looking back and forth and end up overwhelmed and then quit.

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  5. T - I would love to come over and sit on your bed and talk you through it. I'm even better at getting rid of other people's stuff ;)

    The key is to literally take EVERYTHING out of your closet because it forces you to look at each item before you put it back.

    If you get rid of any cute stuff, can I keep it??

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