Can you survive on just 33 items of clothing? Courtney Carver did. What’s more, she managed to sustain this kind of sartorial lifestyle for six years! If you’re impressed, wait till you hear similar testimonies from other people who took her lead and launched a similar endeavor.
That being said, if she and her followers can do it, you can too! Plus, you’ll save a lot of money, headache, and time in the process.
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Project 333
“A few years ago, I used to dream about a big, beautiful walk in closet to hold more stuff,” Carver said in a post marking the start of her Project 333 in 2010. “Today, I could easily store my clothing and accessories without a closet (and I am so much happier).”
The basic premise of the project is paring down your wardrobe down to 33 items or less and use that for 3 months, typically from October 1 to December 31, hence the moniker “Project 333”.
According to Carver, the 33 items do not include “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).” What are covered are jewelry, clothing, outerwear, accessories, and shoes.
Extra Items
What do you do with the extra items? She recommends putting them in a box, sealing it up, and putting it away. That way, you won’t see them again in the next 3 months. Carver advises the ones who have pulled off the project successfully to consider donating the items.
“Please only include clothing that fits and is in good repair,” she counsels. “If you lose (or gain) 20 pounds during the next three months, replace or mend the items. Again, this is not a project in suffering. I want Project 333 to bring you joy, not frustration!”
Spreading the Habit
Since that fateful autumn in 2010, Carver has become an advocate for minimalist wardrobes. Her project has since been featured in various shows and media outlets. Some of these include The Oprah Magazine and Today.com. The photographer and mother-of-one also
The photographer and mother-of-one has also built an online community. Through the community, those aspiring to adopt the “less is more” habit can join and support each other through their minimalist challenges. She has also become a motivational speaker. Carver focuses on the “less is more” way of life. Additionally, she has written micro courses and books on the subject.
Testimony
One woman who has caught the decluttering bug is Taylor Peters. She admitted that it took her years before she could muster enough willpower to give Carver’s advocacy a shot.
“I picked out my items and boxed up the rest of my wardrobe,” she said. “And here’s the best part: then I forgot.”
“A couple of weeks into my new capsule wardrobe I felt so comfortable and normal that I didn’t even think about the clothes that I had stored away.” She says that she only remembered them when she saw a P333 Facebook post announcing it was time to rotate out items for the next set of 3 months, two months later.
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Benefits
Taylor further revealed the benefits she got from doing Project 333:
- To her, dressing has become a very easy task as “everything goes with everything.”
- She also noticed she looked and felt better.
- Moreover, she can put the money she saved to better use. She chose to buy better-quality items and having them tailored so they fit right.
- The lady also mentioned that there’s less clutter in her life. Finally, there’s less laundry time.
Surprisingly, she observed that nobody really noticed that she wore the items repeatedly. Initially, she thought that this would make her self-conscious.
Does her story want you to try out Project 333 yourself to save money and attain your financial goals? Let us know!
