This year I have spent time reflecting on simplicity and understanding what it means to me in my life. Simplicity gives me more time to enjoy the things I love – experiences, relationships and travel.

I have recently travelled to New Zealand and was inspired by its natural beauty and the Maori legends and wisdom. As a challenge to myself, I chose to travel lightly and partake in Courtney Carver’s Project 333. All over the world like minded souls have been inspired to join her Project 333. I am not the first. And I definitely won’t be the last.

It worked so well for me! It was simple magic. I loved the freedom of travelling lightly, while choosing what to wear became super fast and easy. Gratitude to Courtney for this inspiring project!

Breathe in. Breathe out. Now simplify.

Are 33 items enough? The short answer is YES!

• I used all but four tops (2 x T-shirts, 1 x shirt and 1 x sun top).
• I had enough clothes with me and I didn’t forget anything.
• I packed a few too many summer items, as the weather was still cooler and in some spots cold. We even had snow on the ground one morning on the South Island.
• I received a winter Icebreaker merino top (you can track your sheep!) as a gift from my soulsister E. so I had one more warmer item. Icebreaker rocks!
• I had more than enough to choose from and was never bored of wearing the same things over the three month period.
• No one even noticed or commented on me wearing the same clothes over and over and over again.
• My back was truly happy with its lighter load.
• My backpack was light and easy to carry around.
• I enjoyed the journey so much more having less stuff to worry about.

Will Project 333 still be a part of my life? The short answer is YES again!

• I decided to take October off and see how I feel about a fuller wardrobe again. I have more choices but I still don’t have a lot of clothes. Yet I still can’t see all my clothes in a glance and it takes longer to decide what to wear each day. It is no longer simple. This doesn’t fit in with my desire for more simplicity in my life.
• After this break, I will do Project 333 again for the summer and store the rest out of sight.
• Like before I won’t count yoga, swimming and hiking gear.
• I am making one exception this time. I love, and I mean LOVE shoes. While I won’t buy any new pairs, I will use those I already own. I won’t count them all in my 33 items. Instead I will add a token of 4 pairs as that is how many I took to New Zealand.
• I don’t plan on buying anything new and my own budget restrictions will keep me to this. I’d much rather spend on experiences than more things!
• If anything breaks that I can’t mend, I will swap the one item for an item from storage.
• I received a gift voucher from my soulsister Y. for my birthday (thank you 🙂 ). If I find anything that I really like at the clothing store, I will spoil myself. If not, I will hold onto the voucher till next season.
• While packing up the rest to store, I will swap, donate or move items to a new home if I no longer wear them. It is also a good time to do any mending. Thanks mom. 😉

This is only one way that I choose to lead a simpler life. It flows over into many other areas of my life too. I make different food choices, I own less, I have more time for the things I love and I feel less distracted by things. It’s an on-going process and I am learning to let go more. I have often said I prefer one quality item to many fashion items, so now I am walking my talk. I will be looking at my wardrobe in this light from here on in. Wish me luck.

In. Out. Simplify.

YES!

Have you simplified your life in any way? Have you tried Project 333? Lets help each other to simplify more to give us time to focus on the important things in our lives.  Share your tips, brainwaves, ideas or experiences so that we can inspire each other, connect with like minded souls and learn together.

simply yours, Delicia