Thursday, July 30, 2009

Stuff!!

I've been inspired recently by various articles on Boundless, and TIME's Cheapskate Blog -- which exact articles, I don't quite remember -- to take up a simpler life. Oh, and let's not forget to mention George Carlin's talk about "stuff!"

(This is a great video, BTW. One I never would have found had it not been for my Dad's impression of Carlin's Hippy Dippy Weather Man.)

(Note: I also found this article on the TIME website, published last year!)

That's right, we're talking about "stuff" here. Now I am more than willing to admit: I have a lot of stuff! And I've become more aware of it. It has become more apparent to me in recent months (and years, decluttering from my childhood.) that a lot of my stuff is useless, pointless, or really unnecessary.

I was introduced to an idea: what if I were to downsize all my personal possessions to only 100 items? Some of you are thinking, sounds easy enough! while others, Ha! Gooooood luck! Luck may be what I need, along with some wisdom, and anti-consumeristic thinking! This may be the exact solution to my "Stuff Problem" that I've been searching for!

Further Googleing revealed to me that this movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge" was spurred by David Bruno; it's "[his] little way of personalizing [his] efforts to fight consumerism." (You can follow his efforts over at his blog.) David also has a Facebook Group devoted to the "100 Thing Challenge", along with a Fan Page! You are encouraged to check these out!

And, of course, let's not forget, it's not earthly possessions that make our hearts truly happy!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
[Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)]


So, what's next in this process of downsizing my stuff to only 100 things? I'll need to make some rules and guidelines. Keep reading!

7 comments:

  1. Wow now that would be a challenge. Something to think about. Stopping by from SITS.

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  2. Only 100 items? Yeah, right... Not for me. ;) Interesting post!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering my first giveaway! Have a great day! :)

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  3. Love George from way back when!

    100 items? Boy, that would be hard!

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  4. You should meet my husband. He'd get your stuff cleaned out and organized in a NYC minute!

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  5. Haha, isn't George great?! My dad does the Hippy Dippy Weatherman so well! ^^

    And Melissa, feel free to come visit me in Alberta -- and bring your organizing machine husband!

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  6. Sounds like a really hard challenge to me!

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  7. Hi again...yay! Thanks for signing up to follow along. I look forward to getting to know you.

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