I have always liked to live in a well organized home but during the recent busy years I somehow have not had energy or time to maintain my previous standards. Well, they might have been too high...However, now I have taken some steps to slowly feel more organized again. Not in every aspect in my home or life but in some. This spring I have eagerly been going through our things here at home and organized things like cups and plates, crafting materials, yarn, toys, linens, and also clothing.
I read author and essayist Terra Trevor's thoughts about clothing and simplifying one's wardrobe. I agree on so many things! I also read about Project 333:
The Basics (source)
- When: Every three months (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 sight.
- 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.
I went through my wardrobe and decsided to donate most of the items that I haven’t been wearing in a long time; items that are too small (yes, I have saved those for future skinnier days...bah. Why? I do not want to feel all the time that I have to fit into those and feel not good enough. I do not want to use most of my space or thoughts for that!!) and items that have been sort of mistakes (too short sleeves, wrong shaped trousers etc.). However I decided to keep some of my all time favourites regardless of the size. I am planning to pack them in to a memory section in my wardrobe (like my wedding dress, some sentimental things like something my husband or mother have given to me). I am also organizing clothes seasonally more carefully than before and make enough space for the things I am actually wearing right now.
I figure that by doing this I gain:
- self esteem - I do not have to live in this odd state of needing to be drasticly smaller or something I am not all the time. It is a fact that I have health issues that stop me from exercising nowadays. I can do a little something (like walk a little and ride my bike slowly shortly) but still exercising is not a real help to weight issues.
It is another fact that even before I had these limitations I found it really difficult to stay in the same size all the time. For my wellbeing it is crucial to try to stay under some scale numbers but otherwise I do not want to stress myself with that.
- it is easier to find something nice to wear when there are real options to choose from
- I can make someone happy by giving away things someone else can enjoy
- I can let go and live the life that is happening right NOW
- I will focus to gratefulness towards my body instead of dissatisfaction - I have been given this body. Why not embrace it?
I am not going to be strict about the exact amount (33) of my clothes and accessories per season. But I am trying to practice the idea of letting go when it does me some good. I am going to buy and sew/knit new items when I feel I need them or want to but consider more carefully every choice.
You can see some of my spring/summer items in my pictures above. I truly enjoy those items and colors. There is my beautiful Ona Brooklyn leather camera bag, summer bags and shoes, camel colored pants, some tops, scarves and my happy colored new linen/cotton coat (LOVE IT).
Anu
Ps. I Don't consider myself fashionable, and I don't care much about trends. I like beauty, however, and clothes that make me feel happy but I think it is ALWAYS the person not the clothes that matters.
