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May 17, 2014

If not project 333 but something like that








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 am not very fond of strict rules like these but still there is something to think about in this project. The basic idea is very good, I think. One does cope with a smaller amount of materia and in fact might feel better.

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.




6 comments:

  1. Interesting pots and interesting tips! here in Munich is much more easy to keep orden in the wardrobe, a small wardrobe and not all my clothes only those that I like the most!! :))

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    1. Thanks Anna. Yes it is true that it is easier to keep order when there are fewer items in your wardrobe. I just bought some beautiful fabric and I am going to sew a dress I have always wanted :)

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  2. Thank you for the mention.

    I'm also a rule breaker because some rules simply do not apply for all situations, and I've updated my post to reflect this important fact, so that others won't be held back and think they must adhere to the nth degree.

    And I whole heartedly agree with you, I don't care much about fashion trends. I enjoy beauty in all things that I do and I love clothes that make me feel happy, and the person on the inside, not the clothes, are what matters most.

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    1. Thank you so much! Breaking rules is sometimes the right way, I agree.
      And clothes that make a person happy are the best kind.
      Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  3. hello :)

    i've never been a clothes person, but have always, and still do, enjoy beautiful colours and cloths. despite this i managed to amass too many clothes (for my use, still well below most women i know). some of that happened during unhappy times and using pre-loved retail therapy.

    i'm healing and it's included caring less about clothes (and yet more about cloth! for art). i'm so surprised about how little items are necessary to not just to get by, but enjoy what i have.

    p.s... i also got rid of the One Day I'll Fit Into These Again clothes. ;)

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  4. Hello Monica :)
    Tank you for your comment! I think it is so true that one can enjoy life more when it is simpler and we are not surrounded by lots of unnecessary things.
    It is so nice to hear that you have also got rid of those One day I'll fit into these again clothes. So liberating for both of us :)

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