Project 333 (I Pretty Much Failed Before I Started)

I learned about Project 333 by reading Courtney Carver's (2017) book Soulful Simplicity. She designed Project 333 to help reduce nonessential items on her closet and pursue a life of simplicity. She would wear 33 items of clothing (including shoes and jewelry, but not her wedding ring, undergarments, socks, or workout clothes) and wear only those items for three months (Carver, n.d.). Her efforts went viral and thus the "official" challenge was born.

I read about Project 333 again in Joshua Becker's (2018) book The More of Less and figured, "Why not?" Originally, I thought that the challenge would coincide with Lent, and I would be good. Then I realized it was for three months, which would stretch into and over hopes for a weekend trip, and a family wedding. Still, I thought I might be able to do it.

I made some intentional choices to rewear clothes that first week. I tried to use the same accessories and to keep workout clothes for working out only (a rule of the challenge according to Carver, n.d.b.). I realized I would need to be resourceful to keep in my wedding clothes, as I thought I needed to dress up to be respectful. I was doing okay until I realized I had already worn three different pairs of sunglasses, plus added a hat. I could argue that I "needed" these for sun protection, and I did, but I didn't need all three pairs. One would have done.

As I read more about the challenge, I realized that I missed some key steps. I was supposed to box up all the clothes I wasn't going to wear (Carver, n.d.b.). So I basically set myself up for failure there. Carver also suggests doing a closet clean out and choosing only loved items for the capsule wardrobe. I didn't do that, either. I didn't categorize (Carver, n.d.a.). I didn't make a preemptory list of my capsule wardrobe (Carver, 2024). By failing to plan, I basically planned to fail.

I did put Carver's (2020) Project 333 book on hold at the library, and am currently reading it. That way I will know how to be successful at the challenge if I really decide to do it. I am not sure I will, though. Yes, I see its benefits: It can reduce decision fatigue (Carver, n.d.a.). It can reduce clothes in my closet. But is it practical? Would it benefit me, or just add more stress? I read that it is "not a project in suffering" (Carver, n.d.c.). I read that Carver did it in 15 to 95 degrees. I am not sure the challenge is for me, though. Sure, get rid of what I'm not wearing, but why not enjoy wearing what I have? Should I lose, or grow out of, or have to throw out all of my clothes, maybe I would build a capsule wardrobe and go from there. As it is, it just seems pointless, borderline wasteful, and definitely slightly stressful and guilt-inducing to try to do the challenge. Oh wait! I guess I already tried to do the challenge and failed.

References:

Becker, J. (2018). The more of less: Finding the life you want under everything you own. Waterbrook.

Carver, C. (n.d.a.). How to build a capsule wardrobe. Be more with less. https://bemorewithless.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/

Carver, C. (n.d.b.). Project 333 challenge. Be more with less. https://bemorewithless.com/project-333-challenge/

Carver, C. (n.d.c.). Project 333: Getting started (Without these 5 things). Be more with less. https://bemorewithless.com/project-333-enough-is-enough/

Carver, C. (2017). Soulful simplicity: How living with less can lead to so much more. Tarcher.

Carver, C. (2020). Project 333: The minimalist fashion challenge that moves less is really so much more. Tarcher.

Carver, C. (2024). How to start a capsule wardrobe (10 easy, practical steps). Be more with less. https://bemorewithless.com/start-a-capsule-wardrobe/