100 Things

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I thought this might be of interest to some:

How to Live With Just 100 Things - TIME

Not sure if it's the right subforum. Mods move at your discretion.

[Angela]

What a fun game! Although I think it's pretty weak that that one woman counts her 20 pairs of shoes as one item.

Have you read the magazine interviews lately with actress Jamie Lee Curtis? She has pared her wardrobe down to only black and white things, and no high heels, and some other simplifying in her life. I love it! I am so inspired by offloading things! (and wouldn't you know it, Danger Man is a hoarder.)

[viscapes]

Interesting concept, I feel an audit of my personal posessions coming on.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

With my upcoming move, I am thinking this is a great time do something like this. All of the big stuff will have to go anyway, and everything else could certainly use some paring down.

I'm not big on shoes so that won't cause any problems. I do wonder how far you will get if you want to have a pair of socks and underwear for each day though. Lol.

I am guessing most people would be surprised how many items they actually have and how few 100 is compared to that.

Also, I am wondering if it's cheating to have all my music, movies and pictures on my laptop and count that as one?

I am really considering doing this. I think it's a great idea!

[Playlife]

I think the key is not in having minimal amount of stuff but in sharing that stuff. i.e. sharing your lawn mower with your neighbour.

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Also, I am wondering if it's cheating to have all my music, movies and pictures on my laptop and count that as one?

How else then? If every single file on my puter counted as an item I'd have close to 100,000 things.

[Restrikted]

Wow this sounds really interesting! I think I might have to try this sometime in the near future. But I don't think I could ever get started...The article is right, what counts as a thing? If I get my own place, will a picture hanging on the wall count? I think counting a pot as one thing is kind of pushing it... What do you guys think about after getting the essentials set in place in an apartment, like kitchenware, bed spread, etc, that I keep myself to 100 items that I use? Like a pen, pad of paper, bike, laptop, tv, clothes, shoes, cell phone, headphones? Is that cheating? I really like this idea because it will also cause us to cherish the things we own a lot more. Suddenly everything becomes more important.

[jaydeschizo]

I've actually just started removing all non essential/non needed junk from my life. Dumping most of it, and selling the stuff that might still have some value.

I'm already feeling better about it, kinda strange but true, clutter in your surroundings creates clutter in your head. And vice versa I guess.

[uberinquisitive]

I more or less live like this (yipee!). And, it's my ultimate goal to be surrounded by even fewer - but more beautiful/tactile/wonderful smelling - things.

I love the zen of space.

My next projects:

- whittle down my clothing collection. I really only wear about 3 outfits. I really should develop a "uniform," much like Michael Kors or Steve Jobs.

- whittle down my make-up collection. Ack, my weakness! In college, I worked in the cosmetics department of Nordstrom, so I am a huge make-up buff.

- whittle down my book collection. From now on, try to either buy as e-book or get from library.

[Lisa McGregor]

thanks atc, what a great article.

Although I would find it hard to stick to 100 items, that is a bit extreme, I have found that lots of stuff that I thought I was sentimentally attached to, I was able to throw out without any problems. (old letters, postcards etc.) I even take less photo's than I used to, I prefer to enjoy the moment and remember it.

Jamie Lee Curtis has the right idea. I would love to do that. Mmm.......maybe I will. At the moment I have to have black boots and brown boots because I have black pants and brown pants and black skirts and brown skirts and black high heels and ...................I really need to simplify.

Books and dvd's and cd's are the big problem, but they give pleasure so are they actually a problem.

It's the gadgets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many household detergents etc. does one actually need.
How many toys does one child actually need.
If you're not planning on reading a book again, pass it on to someone else.
ditto with dvd's
Do you need more than 2 sets of bedding-one to wash and one to wear.
Each person only needs 2 towels plus 2 extra for guests.

The list is endless


If you buy something you should throw something else out.

Well on that note.........back to work.

have a great weekend everyone.
Lisa

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Playlife

I think the key is not in having minimal amount of stuff but in sharing that stuff. i.e. sharing your lawn mower with your neighbour.

That's a great idea. I have in mind almost a commune type set up, but not around any religion or anything, just a group of people who go in on needed items and share within the community.

Originally Posted by Playlife

How else then? If every single file on my puter counted as an item I'd have close to 100,000 things.

True. I guess I was thinking, well now I have several dvds, but if I put them on the computer it's cheating. However, I don't think that's right. I think it's actually a good idea. Much less clutter, but still get to enjoy it all.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Restrikted

Wow this sounds really interesting! I think I might have to try this sometime in the near future. But I don't think I could ever get started...The article is right, what counts as a thing? If I get my own place, will a picture hanging on the wall count? I think counting a pot as one thing is kind of pushing it... What do you guys think about after getting the essentials set in place in an apartment, like kitchenware, bed spread, etc, that I keep myself to 100 items that I use? Like a pen, pad of paper, bike, laptop, tv, clothes, shoes, cell phone, headphones? Is that cheating? I really like this idea because it will also cause us to cherish the things we own a lot more. Suddenly everything becomes more important.

I think this is just an idea one guy had, to limit it to 100 things. You can still simplify in whatever way works for you. I like the 100 limit because it really forces you to think about what's important for you to have surrounding you and what is just excess. I for one know that I tend to wear the same outfits regularly, yet I have all these clothes crammed in my closet (and I regularly go to Goodwill). What purpose could that serve?

I think that you should do whatever feels good to you. Just thinking about the things you put in your space is more than most people do. You won't need a million kitchen gadgets (unless you are a chef). Most areas of the home don't really require as much as we tend to put in them, I don't think.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by jaydeschizo

I've actually just started removing all non essential/non needed junk from my life. Dumping most of it, and selling the stuff that might still have some value.

I'm already feeling better about it, kinda strange but true, clutter in your surroundings creates clutter in your head. And vice versa I guess.

Yeah. Good for you!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by uberinquisitive

- whittle down my book collection. From now on, try to either buy as e-book or get from library.

That's great. I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure why I have so many books (to look smart?). I love to read, but I don't re-read all of the books I have. So, better to get them from the library and only purchase ones I know I'll read over and over again. Same for dvds - netflix or the library.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

Although I would find it hard to stick to 100 items, that is a bit extreme, I have found that lots of stuff that I thought I was sentimentally attached to, I was able to throw out without any problems. (old letters, postcards etc.) I even take less photo's than I used to, I prefer to enjoy the moment and remember it.

Yeah, I've found I'm less attached to sentimental things than I used to be. I'm not sure why.

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

Books and dvd's and cd's are the big problem, but they give pleasure so are they actually a problem.

They do tend to take over, but like I was saying to uber, you can check them out of the library or use netflix. I think there is even a service like netflix but for books, and even one for video games. Just keep the ones you watch all the time (Princess Bride anyone?).

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

How many household detergents etc. does one actually need.

Get a microfiber cloth!

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

How many toys does one child actually need.

Probably a lot less than they have! Most kids I know have rooms crammed with toys. Not to be all "I used to walk 40 miles barefoot in the snow" but when I was a kid we didn't have so many things we could passively be entertained by. I think the best toy is a kid's own imagination!!

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

If you're not planning on reading a book again, pass it on to someone else.
ditto with dvd's.

Yep, great idea.

Originally Posted by Lisa McGregor

If you buy something you should throw something else out.

I do this with clothes (well, I donate them, not throw them out, but you get the idea).