One thing about moving to Korea that was difficult for me was the fact that I could only take what fit in two suitcases and a carry on bag. Packing was a complete nightmare for me, and the day I was leaving, I realized that I was 40 pounds over the weight limit. Ultimately, I still paid an overage fee, but I did manage to cut about 20 or 30 pounds.

One of my coworkers here is very interested in minimalism, and putting less importance on the materialistic items in our lives. She influenced me to participate in a challenge with her, called the 333. In this challenge, we go through all of our clothes and choose 33 items to keep, while boxing away whatever is leftover. This includes shoes, coats, and accessories, but doesn’t include workout clothes, pajamas, lounge wear, undergarments, and socks (thank goodness). Then you wear only these 33 items for 3 months.

At the end of 3 months, the goal is for you to go through the items you boxed up, and get rid of things more easily that you would have before. I mean, if you didn’t miss them for 3 months, then you can part with them. It was a hard task for me to only choose 33 items to keep, but after about 2 hours, I managed it. And now, I do have to admit that it makes me feel more organized to have a neat closet with less things in it.

The real test happens when 3 months is up. What will I be able to bring myself to get rid of? Although I did donate a few things after packing up the boxes originally, there are many more clothing items that I have accepted that I don’t need.

But then I also have to keep in mind that the clothes I brought with me to Korea are not even half of what I still own in the States… I definitely have my work cut out for me when I go back home, but moving to Korea is giving me practice of the mindset of trying to live with only the essentials.

My closet in the U.S.

Since the New Year is close on the horizon, this is one of my resolutions: Materialistic items should not define who we are. I am committing myself to the promise that if I buy more clothes, I have to get rid of some. Here’s to hoping I can stick to it and will bring this mindset home with me!

Thanks for reading. Stay safe, and stay happy. 행복해요. See you next time. 다음 봐요!