live simply

I took one credit card, my licence, my atm card, my residency card and my health insurance card out of my wallet and put them in a binder clip. Now I keep my wallet in my bag.

There’s still a few kinks to work out, though. I’d like to find a dry place in my scooter where I can keep my registration and scooter insurance. It would also be nice to keep my passport in my pocket more easily, but without putting it in something it gets bent out of shape.

I’ve been thinking about getting a smaller towel. It would be more convenient, but I don’t want to spend the money right now when I’ve already got a towel that works.

I also want to rip all my CDs onto my computer so I can get rid of them. I’ve got a 1TB usb hard drive, so I have the room, unless I start to do the same with my DVDs.

Thanks to the person that posted unclutterer.com a few posts back! I’ve spent the week going through their archives (and unfortunately, cluttering up my web browser =o ).

I’ve been dumping a few things off on my roommates, including some computer junk (unnecessary accessories) that came free with my laptop; a bunch of pens, pencils, stamps, etc.; and some books.

I’ve been looking for some tapestries. I’ve thought of so many uses. I can decorate the walls, use them as curtains, use them as room dividers, use them as a sheet in a pinch. I’ve seen some on Amazon that I really like, but I don’t want to pay for international shipping. There must be some place locally with something like that.

Some uncluttering goals I’ve come up with include:
Unclutter my wallet (looking for a money clip)
Organise my music
Organise my photographs (I think the disorganisation is keeping me from taking more photographs :-( )
Come up with my ultimate clothes list (I want things that dry quickly so I can hang dry easily.)
Make a weekly food menu (And I want to make sandwiches for the week all at once.)

I thought a bicycle would help me simplify (I’m tired of stopping for gas about twice a week with my scooter), but until I get used to it (I need to get more fit to handle the hills in my area) I’ll still have to use the scooter a lot, and also have to practice on the bicycle.

I plan to live a nomadic life for the next decade or so, changing countries every couple of years. When I first arrived in Taiwan, I found my suitcases to be too heavy and awkward. I don’t want that experience again. I need to cut down on things. I’ve also found myself wasting time on activities I don’t particularly enjoy very much just because someone invited me.

I need to cut out the things I don’t need and the activities I don’t much care for (and also figure out what activities I really do want to do).

I think my first project is my clothes. I’m trying to come up with a list of the clothes I feel I need. So far this has involved buying new more versatile clothing. I wanted some nicer clothes for work, and I’ve been buying clothes I’m comfortable wearing outside of work, too. I’m also seeking clothes with certain qualities, such as quick drying material in case I get caught in the rain, or I get really sweaty. It also makes it easier to dry after washing.

I packed away a lot of clothes that I don’t think I need, i.e. they aren’t on my list. However, I’ve been pulling a few things out now and then when I run out of things to wear. I think my list might need a little adjusting, although I don’t have everything from my list yet (some of the clothes I have are okay in a pinch, but aren’t quite what I want for regular use).

Once I’ve got my list worked out, and have everything on it, any time I buy clothes should only be to replace something I already have. So if I ever really want to buy something new, it means I have to choose something else to get rid of.