When I tried Project 333 for the first time, my life wasn’t simple. I was ready to simplify my life, and had made some progress, but I still had trouble letting go.
I was holding on to …
- my just in case stuff
- sentimental items
- books
- worries about what other people thought
- regret about how much I spent on the things I accumulated
- fear about what would happen if I let go
When I created my first capsule wardrobe in October 2010, and saw only a handful of hangers in my closet, I was excited about what I would learn over the next 3 months, but I was scared too. Will 33 items, including clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry be enough? Will people at work notice? Will my clothes wear out faster? Will I be bored? All of those thoughts rushed through my head as I looked at my bare closet.
After two weeks, the fear began to subside. I noticed that instead of feeling scared or worried, I was feeling light. I was getting ready with more ease in the morning. Two weeks later, not only was I saving time in the morning, but I was saving money and more time because I wasn’t shopping on the weekends, or searching for new deals on the internet. I didn’t care about sales, or worry that I didn’t have the right dress for an upcoming event.
I really enjoyed the freedom from not thinking about what I was going to wear.
Pre-P333. when I was shopping for new clothes every season, event, and emotion, it was never enough. I always felt like something was missing. I needed more. During the first three months of my minimalist fashion challenge, instead of feeling a sense of lack, I felt abundance. I finally felt like I had enough.
All of the lessons I learned from dressing with less encouraged me to live with less. They applied not only to my closet, but to my kitchen, living room, garage, and beyond. I had the confidence from not only surviving, but thriving with 33 items or less, to let go in every other area of my home and life.
When you take on the challenge to dress with less, you’ll challenge your relationship with stuff, your definition of enough, and what really makes you happy. This little fashion experiment is about so much more than clothes and hangers. It’s about making the space, time, confidence and clarity to create a life that is full of what matters most to you.
