My Project 333 Challenge: The Emotional Weight of "Nothing to Wear" and What It Costs Me

Erica Davidson
Jan 1
4 min read

I've been late for work because I “couldn’t find anything to wear,” even though my closet was packed full of clothes.

I’ve sat in my bathroom with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat because everything I tried on made me feel fat, overwhelmed, and—if I’m being honest—deeply sad. I can’t believe the things I would to say to myself:

You're a fat ass.

This top makes me look old.

These pants are too tight.

I hate how I look.

I don't feel pretty.

I hate how I feel.

I feel sad.

I don’t want to go if I have nothing to wear.

I know I’m not alone in this.

So how could I look into a full closet and still feel like I had nothing to wear? How did I let myself get to a place of such sadness and insecurity?

Here’s the truth: the problem wasn’t me.

The problem was that the clothing in my closet no longer served the stage of life I was in.

I had t-shirts I never wore. Pants I hated. Pieces that didn’t fit my lifestyle—or my body—anymore. I kept everything because I thought I might wear it someday and some that "looked good on the hanger". And then there was the money. I had spent a lot of money wardrobe I didn’t love, and getting rid of it felt like throwing money away.

But that’s a lie, you see.

The money was gone the moment I made the purchase. Keeping clothes that don’t serve me isn’t magically putting money back into my pocket. And even if I tried to sell them, I wouldn’t get back what I paid. Plus, selling online takes time—and I just don't have the patience nor the time to put in the effort.

What really cost me, though, was the mental and emotional energy.

The constant decision-making.

The self-criticism.

The tears.

The frustration.

Over clothes.

ON MY CLOTHES.

It sounds ridiculous.

It’s not.

It’s real life—a life I know that many of you can relate to.

According to Radiantly Dressed, women spend an average of 17 minutes a day deciding what to wear. That adds up to nearly 100 hours a year. A hundred hours of my life each year choosing what to put on my body? I can think of much better ways to spend that time—like actually enjoying my coffee in the morning or lingering longer in places and spaces I love to share with my favorite people.

That’s when I knew something had to change.

I longed for a wardrobe I actually loved. But I didn’t want to start over and repeat the same cycle—buying things I’d regret six months later. I needed to understand my relationship with what I already owned. My clothes had a story to tell me, and I was ready to listen.

Hello, Project 333.

Project 333 is a fashion minimalist challenge created by Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity. While there are many versions online, I followed the original concept and adapted it to my life.

I prepared for the challenge by going through every piece of clothing in my closet. I will start this challenge on January 1st running through March 31, then swap out another set of clothing based on the spring season.

Here’s how I approached it.

Step 1: Clear Out

Pull everything out of your closet.

Everything.

Strip it down to nothing as if you were moving.

I put all my clothes on my bed and sorted like with like. I had counted 160 items. Even though I’d decluttered less than 30 days earlier, I took inventory of what I had, and I was shocked to find that I still had:

40 t-shirts
15 crewneck sweatshirts
19 pairs of shoes

Step 2: Sort

I created 4 piles where I could see everything clearly. I picked up each item off the bed and made a decision what pile it belonged in. If I couldn't decide within five seconds, it was a no. Hesitation = don’t love it.

LOVE

The pieces I reach for again and again. Clothes that make me feel good.

KEEP (but not sure why)

Self-explanatory—and eye-opening. Lots of emotional "keeps" here and seasonal clothes that I won't be wearing in the next three months.

DONATE

Clothes I never wear, don't fit and don’t love. Especially the “someday” pants. The ones that were supposed to motivate me but actually just made me feel terrible. Those went first.

TOSS

Stained, torn, or broken items. (Whenever possible, I recycle textiles.)

Step 3: Take Action

I immediately bagged the donations and took them out of the house. The rest—everything not in my LOVE pile—went into boxes and into the spare bedroom, untouched for three months.

No second-guessing.

From the LOVE pile, I selected my 33 items for the challenge—making sure they mixed and matched to the best of my ability.

This round runs January through March. I layer anyway (hello, hot flashes), so flexibility mattered. Some days I’m overheating, other days I’m freezing. If you know, you know.

What I Included (33 Items)

Clothing (28): pants, tops, t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, a blazer, cardigans
Shoes: 3 pairs
Accessories: 1 belt, 1 pair of earrings

What I Didn’t Include

Sentimental jewelry I always wear
Eyeglasses
Undergarments
Loungewear
Workout clothes (they must work out, not double as outfits)
A small Florida-trip wardrobe that I already had pre-planned
Outerwear (coats, scarves, boots, etc.)

This challenge isn't about living minimally. It is not about struggling or going without. It is about learning more about me, discovering my style, living simply and with more joy.