333 Closet decluttering method explained!

- Amy Fine Collins

Tell me if any of these scenarios resonate with you and your wardrobe:

1. Struggling to find that perfect outfit in your sea of clothes?

2. Purchasing items you already had because they were buried in the closet?

3. Find you only ever reach for the same 25% of your wardrobe?

If you answered yes to any or all of the above scenarios then NOW is the perfect time to declutter that closet!

Getting dressed is a cornerstone activity in our daily routine. We go through the process of changing our clothes at least twice a day, and for some people, it could be the most stressful or frustrating part of their mornings.

I'm here to tell you that no matter, if you work a 9-5 office job, or are a stay-at-home parent, opening your closet & picking an outfit, does not need to be a chore.

I created a mini blog post series about closets last Spring, where I talked about the importance of an organized closet, gave you 5 questions to ask yourself when decluttering your closet, and finally, outlined the benefits & process of creating a Capsule Wardrobe as an option to streamline your morning routine.

There is one other closet decluttering method that I want to share with you all. This method is a bit more rigorous than the others, but if you're willing to challenge yourself I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the results.

If you're ready to up your wardrobe game & reclaim both time and sanity when it comes to managing your closet & mornings then the 333 Decluttering Method might be perfect for you!

What is the 333 Decluttering Method

Project 333 was created by Courtney Carver back in 2010 and outlines a very minimalist approach to the items you keep in your wardrobe.

The methodology behind Project 333 is quite simple:

wear 33 items of clothing for the next 3 months

On top of that, no new items of clothing can be purchased or added in those 3 months.

Finally, sleepwear, in-home lounge wear, and workout clothes are not typically included as part of the 33 items (however, you can add them in if you want depending on the makeup of items clogging up your closet).

As extreme as all of that may sound, the point of completing the challenge in this way is for you to decide what your favourite / "go-to" items are in your closet so that it is easier to de-clutter and part with those items that are just taking up space.

It also allows you some freedom to be creative with your wardrobe, to decide what your style is, and what items of clothing best reflect that daily. Everything else is just clutter.

Deciding to choose a minimalist lifestyle (be it your clothes or other parts of the home) is not something that can happen overnight.

As a capitalist society, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, deals, and the underlying 'itch' to buy things, even if we dally need them. Shopping mindfully, downsizing & decluttering all take time & commitment; being organized is a lifestyle.

How can a Professional Organizer help?

When people find out I'm a Professional Organizer the first thing they ask is oh, so you organize closets for a living?

While wardrobe management & closet decluttering are usually the most common request we Professional Organizers receive, it's not all we can help with!

As my business is approaching its 1st year anniversary (YAY!), I can count on one hand the number of wardrobe-organizing projects I've been asked to complete.

Even with this in mind, organizing a client's closet is always a personalized journey. Everyone has their own routines, vision & necessities for what makes up their closet.

So, how can a Professional like me help? When it comes to wardrobes the first step (and sometimes the hardest) is decluttering.

An organizer can provide an objective, 3rd party voice of reason when making decisions on items or overcoming the guilt of letting go of items, as well as ask pointed questions to get you thinking about the items in different ways. We never judge or try to convince you to change your mind. We are there to guide you through the process and feel good about every decision you make from start to finish. Think of us as your personal cheerleaders. You decided to better your space, and we are reinforcing with positivity & motivation.

When it comes to the 333 decluttering method, an Organizer can be a key part of making you feel confident and comfortable with the process. Depending on the size of the closet you start with, pairing that down to 33 items might be quite a shock and you may start to doubt the decisions and yourself. An Organizer will help you stay on track & not second-guess the decisions you made. You know yourself best, trust the process and trust your gut.

Finally, if you decide to implement this strategy with an Organizer, make sure you schedule follow-ups with them after the 33 items have been selected to see how the process is going and to help keep you motivated and focused. Typically it takes 66 days for a new habit to become automatic, be patient with the process & yourself.

🤞🏻 Remember, organizing is a process. Learning new routines and strategies takes time, however, the more you repeat those processes the more likely it is that you will see long-lasting results!

Ready to get started?

So am I! Please check out my services to find the perfect organizing package for you!

Fill out the form here to arrange your complimentary 30-minute consultation with me, a Certified Professional Organizer, today!

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About the Author: Brittany Smith lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband and feline furbaby Zoey. She is a Certified Professional Organizer, Owner, and Founder of Control the Chaos, a Professional Organizing business that provides personalized in-home, virtual and digital organizing services aimed at transforming anyone's chaos into calm.