“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 rings, underwear, sleepwear, in-home loungewear, 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 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 Welles 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 to a capsule 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.
Why don’t you try giving it a shot?
You’ll enjoy the challenge. And you’ve got nothing to lose but the clutter in your closet.
Ardas Singh says
thanks for the information , it is just amazing keep posting like this more
Kstar says
Reading all the comments I’m still wondering if the 33 is for all the seasons? Or 33 for each season? Because I have to have dress clothes, plus casual wear, and there’s summer dress shoes & casual, & winter dress shoes/boots & casual. My friend just told me about this in a book she’s been reading and gave me the link to this page. I’ve thought about this kinda thing already, because I have clothes that I like, but when going somewhere I’ll put it on and then say, no I don’t really like how it looks, so I go to one I really like and where often. And same with jewelry, it’s got to be sparkly or I tend not to wear it. And THEN there’s the fluctuating weight! Which I’ve just got stored away, so I’m not going to count those right now.
Last year I gave SO MANY bags of clothes away because I really never wore them or a size that I wouldn’t wear if IT did fit right now. I gave to a friend and then have her pass them on to other friends. I had SO MANY shoes I use to wear with high heels, which I ALWAYS wore, but health and age limits me wearing most of them anymore, although the better quality ones, I still can, just not as high as before.
This time I think I’ll donate to a woman’s shelter, because when a woman has to flee from an abusive husband with or without children, they usually ONLY HAVE what they’re wearing. Wish I’d thought of that before.
joshua becker says
It’s 33 articles of clothing for just 3 months (Project 333).
Paige says
That made me smile real big.
😆 Thank you
And yes… what you said is true.
You forgot about the holidays!
Parties, parent greets, the list SICKLY goes on….😐
MeeMaw says
Living the military life for 30+ years we moved a lot! The time during the actual move was so freeing! We had to live out of our suitcase for anywhere from 6-12 weeks. You learned that you really didn’t need all that stuff!!
Julia Chapman says
We have been displaced to a hotel due to a house fire. I have 5 outfits, 3 pair of shoes, and A few coats. I am surprised how easy this has been. I am hoping when we get back in and i get my belongings back, i will be able to make donations to get my closets down to the things that i wear the most (these 5)
Navjyot singh says
thanks for the information , it is just amazing keep posting like this
Navjyot singh says
i am trying hangar things and my friend also do it.
Glen Nicholson says
I have been practicing my own minimalism for years. I chose my best four colors, two warm and two neutral. Invested in quality black slacks, skirt, dress (one print one solid). 5 white or cream blouses, classic stripe French sailor tops, black and white tees. 2 pair boots, black and tan, 2 sandals, 1 dress shoe in neutral. Two pair of Converse sneakers. Jewelry? Sentimental pieces, a few quality. Cold weather coat, black coat, dress coat in creme. Yes, quality jeans. Jean jackets, black, white, light blue. Aside from these I invest in good shoes and supportive lingerie.
If I want something four a special event, it must be neutral and wearable for future events. If I want a new item in this wardrobe cycle I must discard two that are worn. I shop to replace or update worn items or for a better quality item at good price. Previous wearable items go to help women at risk to dress for careers.
I want people to see me, not my clothes. If they notice my clothes it will be for their classic lines only. I learned this lesson many years ago. I have worked hard and I’m fortunate to have nice things. But what we have inside is more important than 69k outfits.
Blue says
This is the most pretentious 1st world crap I’ve ever heard. 33 pieces of clothing NOT including underwear, sleepwear, work out clothes, etc. Most of the world and many people in the US would be thrilled to have a combination of 33 pants/shirts/jackets & shoes. If whittling down your set of clothing to 33 for 3 months is considered minimalism you’re understanding of minimal is sorely skewed.
Shaz says
Not sure why you’re on this site to be honest!
Mint chip says
Then don’t do it. There. Nothing to worry about.
Alexandra D says
At last! Someone with a sense… I thought I was the only one thinking the same. I was worrying that I might have too many clothes but by this standard apparently I’m a minimalist! And I don’t even wear 33 items! Maybe if I count the nightwear too. I’m not from the US, by the way.
Mofeyi says
I am from Nigeria I keep learning different things everyday as a MINIMALIST. Thanks Joshua
Wies says
what makes people happy when they have to buy clothes every 3 months? Why not every 6 months or longer? Where is the 3 months based?
Leanne says
Totally agree.