Project 333

Having previously had a collection of black trousers and over the years questioned where my clothes come from and how ethical they are I have turned to Project 333 to minimise and analyse my wardrobe needs and purchases. Looking through the entire wardrobe I realised not only a variety of sizes but a lot of clothes I no longer loved and that do not belong in a working wardrobe. Alongside Courtney Carvers blog I have investigated Helen Stewarts podcast about the Curious Handmade Wardrobe and thus have decided to combine the two. Fewer items, individual styles and never running out of thinks to wear,whats not to love?

a Handmade Wardrobe

The consideration of a minimal wardrobe and what exactly one would consist off has been on my mind for a few years.Clothes have gone from prize possessions, being handed down and left in Wills to items we do not think about. Having done an audit on the clothes in my wardrobe, and having gained weight on medication, I did find 8 pairs of black trousers and fit today matters.8 was just a bit tops.This winter I am aiming at having a new outfit and discard some clothes to charity or repurposing them.Some sewing skills to be rekindled too. What thoughts do you have about the clothes you wear?

The difference between needing and wanting

The strategy I use to spend less is as follows: At the beginning of the month my budget to spend gets transferred into my savings account. That money has been taken out of my current account and is no longer available to spend. Then I run a little list so that every time I am tempted to buy something I commit it to my list. In September the list looks something like this: 1. Magazine subscription 2. Mineral supplements 3. Green polo neck 4. Simplicity pattern 5. Seeds 6. Salad plants for winter 7. Book by Seth Godin Despite decluttering there never seems to be an end to wanting things which is very much influenced by the media,and having been brought up in the post-war generation. Somehow adverts are expert at coming through to us and wanting us to purchase stuff and although my wish has been to become less of a consumer it constantly backfired. At the end of the month I now sit down and analyse the list by asking the question : do I need it or is it nice to have? What remains in the list is the salad plants for winter because that is time dependant as well as time critical. The remaining items are nice to have but not critical. Having decided to consciously spend money on the plants I transfer the money needed from my savings to my current account and gladly make my conscious purchase. If you need a medical expense or your car tire bursts you will not be faced with not having enough money to replace it and gradually I began to realise that there is a lot of stuff I feel I need which in fact are items I want for one reason or another. It is hard to not give in but sometimes I wonder what persuaded me to complete a purchase : it may be cheaper now and I may get the sense of getting a bargain yet there is a certain satisfaction in being able to spend when I really need to. Food is excluded in as much that ingredients are a need but eating out may be a want. Let me know how you get on.

A little more ....

This is new for me, updating the blog via my iPhone. If truth be known I would have to tell you that afternoons are still spent lying down in bed as I cannot remain upright all day. This could be fun. What has changed in the last few years: - have moved to an even smaller house and live in about 650 square feet in the ground floor -am mostly housebound although I get Bout in A wheelchair - have created a small vegetable area for salads etc - have cut down even further and challenged all my perceptions -quite good at living in the moment Enjoying and creating the life I want

BACK AGAIN

WOW its been a hairy 5 years where I have been that close to not being here. Its taken me years of rehab and can just about type on the computer again. I am left severely downsized in a wheelchair but despite that I am happy with life.

Spending a year in hospital in a very small space certainly motivates and focusses the mind on what we need to stay alive. Just breathing is essential.

Certainly will pick up the blog again and introduce you to even more downsizing. If you are still there give me a sign of life?