“Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers.” – Charles Dickens
A few years back, I experimented with reducing my wardrobe by joining Project 333.
The idea behind Project 333 is simple: Wear only 33 articles of clothing for the next 3 months. All clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes count towards your number. Exceptions include wedding ring, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear, and workout clothing. Clothing that no longer fits or becomes in poor condition may be replaced during the time period.
Originally, I decided to try it for a number of reasons:
- I needed an extra push to reduce the clutter in my closet.
- I find boundaries to be helpful in minimizing.
- The project sounded both challenging and reasonable.
- The Project 333 community seemed encouraging.
The project began on an October 1 and concluded on December 31. And other than a few minor exceptions (think Ugly Sweater Christmas Party), I was able to stick to the rules of 33 articles of clothing with only minimal adjustments to my weekly routine.
It became an experiment that I valued and often recommended to others. I learned some valuable lessons about boundaries over those three months.
Consider the benefits of living life within boundaries:
1. Boundaries keep us restrained.
Artificial boundaries can keep us in check when our natural self-control does not. Over the years, I had amassed a closet full of clothes – far more than I truly need. Looking back, I am embarrassed at the amount of time, money, energy, and attention devoted to my clothes.
In similar ways, the average American carries $7,200 in credit card debt and watches over 32 hours of television per week. We are in need of boundaries. Good parents set boundaries for their children… and good adults should set boundaries for themselves.
2. Boundaries force our values.
When you are challenged to pare down your clothing to 33 items, you are forced to identify which items are absolutely necessary. You are forced to single out the most important, most versatile, and most loved items. You are required to identify the most valuable things in your closet.
Similarly, boundaries in life help to force this exact same thought process. Boundaries force us to identify the difference between “really important” and only “somewhat important” — just ask anyone who has ever been given a limited amount of time left to live.
3. Boundaries promote creativity.
Orson Wells said, “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” Limiting your clothing items to 33 items for 3 months forces art. Limiting your wardrobe does not rob you of personal style…it causes you to truly find it. For help getting started, try this: A Practical Guide to Owning Fewer Clothes.
4. Boundaries bring freedom.
This may sound contradictory…and depending on the exact boundaries, it may be. But in the example of clothing, I found great freedom in the project. It is a refreshing feeling to look inside a closet and see only clothes that you love. Getting ready in the morning is less time-consuming. Laundry is easier. And I saved a few dollars over the 3 months as well. The experiment granted me more time, energy, and money — the very things I was losing without it.
For me, Project 333 became something far greater than wearing fewer articles of clothing. It became about recognizing the value of boundaries. And the value of boundaries reaches far beyond our closets. It begins to spill into how we decorate our homes, the toys we buy for our children, our yarn supplies, and even how we choose to spend our time, money, and energy.
I’m glad to jump in and participate in Project 333 again for the next 3 months. Why don’t you join me? You’ll enjoy the challenge. And discover a valuable experiment to help reduce the amount of clutter in your closet.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see doing this with clothing articles, but I could never part with my jewelry. After 25 years of marriage, I have well over 33 pieces of things I treasure. IMO, jewelry is a fine way to express yourself but not take up a lot of space! It’s fun to make too…..
I think my husband, son and I will all participate in this.
(And by my son, I mean that he’s almost 3 and he has more clothes than my husband and I together. I, personally, need to do it FOR him but yes, still do it.)
I don’t think my husband even owns 33 pieces of clothing but I own mannnnny more.
We’re moving soon and need to purge anyway. Perfect challenge!
I’d like to comment again, sorry.
People are different, AlexM. See, I used to have a lot of jewelry. But I don’t think I have near 33 pieces now. I wear 3 rings each day all with significance. I have a few body modifications that have their own jewelry – also which I’m not counting because those are, you know, basically a part of me now. But as far as jewelry goes… I have a few necklaces and a couple sets of earrings that I have kept. I haven’t worn but a necklace or two and will probably purge the rest during this project. I enjoy jewelry sometimes but I really do not feel like it’s a necessity. But everyone is different. :)
I like the idea Joshua, I’m moving house in a month and will be in a temporary rented place for 3 months, so this sounds like an ideal way to have to move less!
Would you be willing to share your list of 33 to help people get started?
Sure Rob. It looks like something like this:
7 v-neck t-shirts (black, grey, white). *7 for my wife’s laundry schedule.
3 pairs of jeans.
3 pairs of shoes (sandals, dress/casual, sneakers).
2 pairs of shorts.
2 short-sleeve polo shirts (black, grey).
2 long-sleeve button-up shirts (black, grey).
2 long-sleeve sweatshirts (Phoenix outerwear).
2 articles of workwear around the house (t-shirt/shorts).
1 black belt.
I ended with 24 items. Last time I conducted the experiment, I was living in Vermont. Needless to say, I have found the 33 limit to be much easier during the Phoenix winter.
Thanks Joshua, I only just saw your reply.
I’ve been giving this a go for a couple of weeks now, and whilst I haven’t stuck rigidly to 33 yet, I’v got rid of a lot of things I previously tired to keep just in case.
The thing that this showed me was the value in approaching things from the opposite angle. My previous decluttering attempts have been about throwing things out, not actively choosing what to keep. It’s amazing how a subtle shift can have such a significant impact.
Thanks for letting us know about the project.
I really chafe at the words “boundaries and limitations.” The motivation in life, for me, is for more freedom, more space, more peace, more opportunities, more joy, more more more! I find that abundance comes with living life simply. The thoughts of “limitations and boundaries” do not bring me closer to simplicity, they create fences. Just an interesting reaction to your words today.
I started doing this last spring and I love it! I thought our closets were pretty simple but having the limits helped me move things out of the closet that I thought I should wear… but really didn’t. We did it as a whole family and even though I don’t count my cloths anymore it got us in the habit and we stay right around that number.
Once you get used to seeing and using the 33 items, when you get more in your closet it starts looking and feeling crowded and cluttered :)
“Boundaries Promote Creativity” and “Boundaries Bring Freedom” are counter intuitive assertions but I see how it works. There is a whole ecosystem of thinking and removing extraneous items will help you reinforce your values and declutter your mind as well. It’s also the freedom of genuinely knowing that when you do buy something, you really love or need it. It’s easy to spend so much time on figuring out where to store or how to organize things. Basically, it feels like you are continuously moving the same things around. That takes so much time!
Limiting the things we own is what gives us the FREEDOM to enjoy life. Is is not fun washing all those clothes, putting them away, sifting thru them to find what you are looking for. Stop focusing on the semantics, and you don’t look at it as being fenced in! Having all those clothes is what fences you in to keeping you away from what is important! Freedom to do what you enjoy is what is important!
I have been cleaning the house out for the past year. I found that ‘redumping’ an item in another area does NOT solve the problem. Yes the closet is cleaner, but the garage where I dumped the stuff is not. Please don’t fall into the pit I did. When you clean it out, out means out of the house PERIOD. Today I am facing the giant mess in the garage. If I had done this right the first time, I could be doing something else with my time today. God Bless
Teresa, I couldn’t agree more. I have been in the same boat and know exactly how you feel (and are feeling)! Good luck!
I’m confused about the number 333 and 33. I love the idea of a challenge like this, just not sure what I’m committing to, though. Thanks.
Project 333 comes from 33 articles of clothing for 3 months.
If 33 seems too difficult, try 40. The goal is to choose a number that would be challenging, but not impossibly frustrating.
I was sort of “forced” in to doing this when I moved in with the man who became my husband. We live in a small city apartment and storage space is in very limited supply. I refuse to pay for storage elsewhere because I’m cheap, (and darn proud of it!), so I had to weed out the need-nots. We extended it to the rest of our place and that has made life more enjoyable since cleaning is easier and my place is ready for guests at any time. Try a similar approach to kitchen clutter, you’d be surprised how few kitchen tools you really need and use. Before buying anything new for my kitchen I ask myself, “can it multitask, and do I already have something that serves the same purpose?”
Oh I see… it’s a 33 clothing item challenge within a 333 challenge project.
OK, I’m in… 33 items of clothing for 3 months. Thanks, this sounds fun!
I’ve tried this challenge one or twice but never seemed to follow through til the end…. I’m going under a major physical change next week (breast reduction) Many of my clothes won’t fit anymore so I think it’s the right time to take the 333 road again! I’ve decided to change the rules a bit, I’m not going to count accessories such as jewels, bags, scarfs and the likes as part of the 33 . I’m taking the rest of January to play a keep, toss, sell and buy game with my clothes.
The people of the 21th century need to own less and live more……
Good luck with your surgery Soan.
My sister had the same procedure done just over a years ago, said it’s the best thing she’s ever done for herself. She is much healthier and happier and she had alot of fun re-organising her wardrobe to suit the new look :)
This challenge is the bees-knees! I’ve got a box in the trunk of my car for charity drop-off tomorrow, a sectioned away with black plastic all around so I don’t see it for
three months (most is a little too small), a few things in the washing machine that will total the 33 things! The 3 optional things are sneakers and 2 pairs of sox. I’d list my stuff here only it’s cataloged and filed away already. :-)
I am so jazzed!
Joshua, Thanks for spreading the word about Project 333. It’s changed my life and introduced me to awesome people dressing with less.
I live in a sub-tropical climate so my main wardrobe is shorts and t-shirts, and I own two skirts. I even wear shorts and t’s to work! I have jackets and jeans for when we are on the Harley but my wardrobe is very basic. A large wardrobe is such a time waster, the fewer things you have the quicker it is to decide what to wear :)
Much easier to do the 33 items project in a warm climate I think.
Ok! I try it !! But in Montréal, it’s will be a real challenge, winter, snow, win, cool temperature :) It will be a good exercice for me. I did a clean last year in my closet, but may be i need to clean again :) I visiting you web site since 1 month ago, and one part of my blog (in french but you can use the translator :)) is in the same philosophy! I like very much your site ! Merci! MJ
I live in the North and I do 333. It’s a bit harder and I don’t count long-underwear, mittens, socks, hats or scarves as part of the 33 pieces. I also don’t count outerwear such as coats or snowpants. I just count what is actually in my closet. Still makes me feel awesome to know that what is in there is what I have to choose from in order to make outfits! I don’t get to choose if I wear the underlayers! lol.
I have so many things that are “just ok”, or are functional and I *might* wear someday. So I started wearing them. Usually I can tell within minutes if I really will keep wearing it or not. Usually it’s not and goes immediately into the Donate bag.
I’m almost “there,” but 333 will give me a nice kick in the pants to tighten up, purge a couple things I’ve been needlessly hanging onto, and adhere to this. I love the concept. :-)
I count 14 things following the above rules.
7 t-shirts
2 pairs of trousers
1 pair of shoes
1 pair of sandals (worn during showers)
2 sweaters
1 jacket
Simple enough. Trying to wear out everything and replace with merino wool.
I am definitely doing this. I first thought, “There’s no way I can do this”. But 33 items. When you really think about it, 33 is plenty. You wrote, “Limiting your wardrobe does not rob you of personal style…it causes you to truly find it” I love that quote. It’s easy when you have all the choices in the world, but setting those boundaries forces creativity.
Good that underwear is excluded from counting towards the limit. I got nervous there!
I don’t have to do the exercise though, as I have a very simple, minimal wardrobe. I actually need to buy more to wear, and can do it with good conscience, despite the fact that I’m a diehard minimalist;-)
Oliver
I’m on Round 2 of this challenge and love it! I have gone from a “just for mommy” 9′ x 10′ (with 8′ ceiling) closet filled to the max, to 16″ of a closet rod that holds all the clothes for this season. It has been a turning point in my life, going from mindless consumerism back to minimalism (with the inspiration and help of your blog).
I will say that as a woman changing sizes (have a baby, still nursing, questioning if I would even fit in a dress for Christmas), I was not as strict with the challenge during the first round. Having some clothes around as a security blanket helped me realize that they were not actually necessary. I was able to donate an obscene 9 garbage bags of clothes at the beginning of Project 333, and donated another 2 at the beginning of this round. So liberating!
ok – but when you live somewhere with 4 distinct seasons (center midwest) where it is 10 degrees today and in 6 mos, the heat index will be over 100 – I find it hard to pare down clothing.
On the flip side to that, I did read not too long ago about an American who moved to Rome with limited wardrobe, and I find the rule of 3 to be helpful in building winter layers. For example, tshirt, cardigan, and scarf. Or dress, necklace, bracelets. Anyway, the point is – having 3 items makes you feel pulled together and if what few items you have coordinate, it exponentially opens up your options.
It appears I’m arguing with myself, but it’s more of a matter of “how do I do this” and be prepared for our diverse weather (plus business meetings, mommy duties, etc).
Exactly! It gets -40° her, and more than one pair of boot is absolute!
I’m laughing nervously to myself as I read this. We’re moving back to America from Germany. It will take 60-90 days for our household goods to make the journey. Like it or not, we have to plan on packing three months of belongings into suitcases following the airline’s baggage restrictions. I’ve made this overseas move three times before but this time it might be fun to do a version of this challenge, though the climate in Germany in early April is wildly different from the climate in Kansas in late June.
Something I’m struggling with as I go through the process of simplifying my life is:
Where does the desperate need for variety come from?
I’m sure every individual has a slightly different answer, but I’m wondering if you have ever written anything addressing this question.
LOL – I posted right above you with my babbling questions…. from Kansas ;)
April in Kansas will be good chance of rain with warm days (short sleeves) and cool nights. By June, it is often over 100 degrees.
When my husband passed away, I took on the task of packing away his clothes. When I was done I found that the once full closet was pretty much empty. I was shocked; my sister made the commet ” You need to go shopping, it is a shame that a dead man had more clothes than you”. I will admit that stung a bit, but to be honest I am to cheap to shop. I wear the same stuff every year. So I have a dresser, I am going to empty it out. I do not wear the stuff in it. But this task will done tomorrow.
Hello, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts,
that’s genuinely excellent, keep up writing.
This is something we have been heading toward for about 6 months now…
When we made our last long distance move we stayed with relatives for awhile so stored all our “extras”. That situation then moved into house-sitting jobs and so for 2 years we continued to spend $75 a month to store our “things”. (Which of course included clothes for 4 seasons…coats, footwear…you get the idea..) Eight months ago we finally settled into our own small apartment and 2 months after moving in we emptied the storage unit and had a HUGE sale. When it was all done we asked ourselves WHY we had paid $1800 over 2 years to keep those items we had obviously now LIVED WITHOUT? It was a big turning point for us and since that time we have pared down even more. I found your blog Joshua and we use your ideas for minimization as we continue on our journey. The 333 challenge is not going to be difficult but I do know we each still have more than the 33 items. We’ll begin today and move forward with this challenge and keep everyone posted. In closing I would just like to say that we are a couple in our early 60′s and we spent our life as CONSUMERS….doing what they do best…CONSUMING ;). It’s a bit embarrassing to look back at our 41 years of marriage and see the time, effort, and money we wasted in our mindless CONSUMPTION OF THINGS! I hope that readers younger than us will see your blog, this post and the 333 challenge as a way to lead their lives into true minimization. Thank you for your wonderful blog!
This is something we have been heading toward for about 6 months now…
When we made our last long distance move we stayed with relatives for a while so stored all our “extras”. That situation then moved into house-sitting jobs and so for 2 years we continued to spend $75 a month to store our “things”. (Which of course included clothes for 4 seasons…coats, footwear…you get the idea..) Eight months ago we finally settled into our own small apartment and 2 months after moving in we emptied the storage unit and had a HUGE sale. When it was all done we asked ourselves WHY we had paid $1800 over 2 years to keep those items we had obviously now LIVED WITHOUT? It was a big turning point for us and since that time we have pared down even more. I found your blog Joshua and we use your ideas for minimization as we continue on our journey. The 333 challenge is not going to be difficult but I do know we each still have more than the 33 items. We’ll begin today and move forward with this challenge and keep everyone posted.
In closing I would just like to say that we are a couple in our early 60′s and we spent our lives as CONSUMERS….doing what they do best…CONSUMING ;). It’s a bit embarrassing, (actually shameful), to look back at our 41 years of marriage and see the time, effort, and amount of money we wasted in our mindless CONSUMPTION OF THINGS! I hope that readers younger than us will see your blog, this post and the 333 challenge as a way to lead their lives into true minimization….It’s the best way to live! Thank you for your wonderful blog!
The problem I have is our seasons.
It can be 97° or -35°
You can freeze here, and layers and various coats are a REQUIREMENT, as well as numerous boots, hats, glove, scarves.
Hence why it’s only 3 months at a time. I now have 4 seasonal ‘rotations’ of clothing that each fit in a drawer. The season at hand gets to be in the closet. ;) And I don’t count outerwear, long-underwear layers, or mittens/hats/scarves. Having 33 things to make OUTFITS, is much different than freezing to death because you don’t have proper clothing. Give it a try – it’s actually a lot of fun!
I just counted 85 items hanging in my closet. That’s JUST the hanging stuff – primarily shirts, skirts, and dresses! Most of my pants, and quite a few shirts (t-shirts and sweatshirts) are folded on the shelf above the hanging stuff. And then there are my coats, jackets, and scarves in the coat closet (and on the backs of chairs in the kitchen and dining room), and shoes/slippers/boots, in various parts of the house, AND a drawer or two in my dresser with shirts and … whatever, that I never wear. I could easily give away the stuff in the dresser drawers – that would make more room for socks, which I really need more room for. (Now that I think of it, one drawer has all my summer shorts. So that’s yet more clothing that I *do* wera.) And, of course, socks and underwear don’t count, right?
I have dozens of pairs of earrings, and lots of necklaces (some of which my daughter made for me).
Obviously, I have way too much clothing. But I would have a terribly hard time choosing what to keep, even if I could keep only 50 articles of clothing!
On the other hand, I really should at least get rid of the stuff I know I’ll never wear again – either because it’s too worn and full of holes, or just stuff I don’t like.
I think it would be really cool to start a clothing “library”, where people can gain membership by contributing some of their own stuff (clean and in good condition), plus a small annual membership fee to maintain the space and pay the staff. And then they can just go in and borrow anything they like – or even exchange something of their own for something in the library.
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Hi, I was hoping there would be an accountability/follow-up type post for this challenge, but that’s OK (or if I missed it) because my success really has been my own reward. :-)
I got rid of things that were a little too small, got all new mostly black coordinating all-weather things with just enough colored accessories to not be boring and with only one purchasing mistake. (My new haircut helps, too.) Now I’m sure I have only 33 things INCLUDING my underwear and sleep/lounge wear and it’s plenty.
My new 3-month goal is to be more graceful with my husband by making not one mention of his stuff at all. Thanks again!
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