Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread - Proverbs 30:8

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Project 333 and other challenges

Ever since I first heard about it, I've been intrigued by the idea of Project 333. I've pared down my wardrobe several times, but have remained scared about paring down to 33 items.

Yesterday I asked myself "What am I really afraid of?"

I realized that I'm afraid of failing...of needing more than 33 items in the next 3 months. But just as quickly I realized that the only way I will fail is by not giving it a try. So what if I end up throwing a few extra items in? Is that failure? I don't think so. I love that Courtney states (more than once) that this is not a project in suffering.

I am still working on my actual 33 items. It might take me a couple days to really think it through and figure it out. I also need to figure out my rules and tailor this experiment to my life. I've taken the first steps....I've accepted the challenge, committed to doing my best and put away half of my wardrobe.

Another challenge I tackled this week was to stop drinking coffee. I love a warm cup of coffee in the morning as I read my Bible and enjoy some quiet time, but I don't love having my coffee pot cluttering up my counter. I also didn't love the caffeine dependence I had developed. I'm happy to report that my coffee maker has been put away all week, and I'm enjoying green tea each morning.

Are there any challenges in your life you are tackling?


7 comments:

  1. I am tackling my clutter today and came across your site for the first time. I really enjoyed your boot camp posts. Thanks for the inspiration. I got new ideas from your site of where to tackle next and how!

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  2. Hi Jill! I am one of those "gung-ho" people who dive in head first. Project 333 was a lot of fun for me. Now if my husband would just try it...

    My challenge right now is letting go of my perfectionism. If the dishes don't get done right "on schedule" or if a load of laundry doesn't get folded til tomorrow, I am trying to let go of that, so I can more enjoy my daughter and husband. It's a tough one, but I'm chipping away at it, slow and steady.

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  3. Welcome on board Project 333! I've finished 6 months and while I don't write about it much and the past three months I've allowed myself some leeway on jewelry, I've found that I don't even much wear a few of the 33 items! The 80/20 rule was still in effect even with only 33 pieces of clothing.

    Other challenges? For the past 6 months I've changed my diet to plant based. oh yeah. That was a challenge, but I've done it and am planning to continue for the foreseeable future. And I'm continuing the decluttering in my house, particularly focusing on reducing my yarn stash this spring. Our Bible study group always has a verse to memorize and I've challenged myself to keep up with that. I think those are enough challenges, huh? :)

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  4. Willow...at the beginning of the year I challenged myself to memorize 25 Scripture verses. It's been great and I'm pleased to say I'm keeping at it (and remembering what I've memorized!) I'm even tackling some longer passages.

    Nada... As I was putting away half my wardrobe on Friday, I kept thinking "If only my husband would do this, too." So at dinner I began to tell him about it and that I was giving it a try. He didn't jump on board - in fact he tried to talk me out of it!

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  5. Jill, I hope you'll post how Project 333 works out for you; I too have been "scared" to try it...maybe by the next cycle I'll be ready!

    During this Lenten season, I have been tackling two barriers over my heart: false sense of control regarding food safety/germ phobia, and false need to be right regarding arguments with my husband. It's been an amazing experience to find myself able to see real change and to know that all is possible with God.

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  6. I've been doing Project 333 since January, and haven't gotten around to revamping for April 1 and another three months. I'm just happy with my 33 items from January :)

    But the weather is changing, so I know I'll need to look at my list again soon!

    Good luck! It's really not so bad - I was surprised at how many outfits I could make from 33 things, and that included heavy winter ski stuff too.

    Dr. Laura

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  7. I recently went through my clothes but boy oh boy do I have a looooot of work to do! It's the second time I have been through them and I found a lot I could part with that I previously thought I needed to hang on to. It made me realize that I could probably get rid of more and more. Like you, I need to ask myself 'why am I afraid' to toss some of the items. My sister has enjoyed her 'new' clothes and I've enjoyed a less full closet! Although it's still full and extends to other rooms and I am working on tacking the problem! :)

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