pare down all my posessions

I took a whole pickup full of crap to donate a month ago. Since then I’ve already found two more bagfuls. We’ve really been working hard to declutter and downsize. I had a goal a couple of years ago to get rid of stuff, but it’s something that needs to be revisited every once in a while.

Today in the garage I got rid of an umbrella that hasn’t been used in 5 years (I live in Southern California… hardly any rain), a bobblehead lobster, a basket, some plastic tumblers, and a tangled ball of extension cords.

In the apartment there’s another bag of stuff that I’ve been throwing stuff into… and I honestly can’t remember what’s in it… so I guess I obviously don’t need/want anything that’s in it!

Everything I now own is something I care to keep, as I referred to here. So this is off the list as well.

Now it is all about maintenance, and just having a simple lifestyle. And NOT buying things I don’t need!

Or sorta. But its such a weird feeling to be able to say I have stock of all of my posessions. Everything that I own is in my old room. I was so scattered before, and I had accumulated so much junk. Throwing away stuff, cleaning, sorting—my room now contains everything I own.

After receiving 20 boxes of books after a move, I forced myself to make them fit in existing bookshelves—and not buy anymore. I know there are still layers of books I will eventually get rid of, but for now, I feel I have shed a skin.

I’ve been interested in doing this for quite some time and have been slowly working on it. Its now defunct but I used to like reading the rucksack life blog as the writer had only 100 or so possessions. Also in the intro to Hooked the editor mentions having a friend that has a nicely decorated apartment with fewer than 250 or so items. Every time he gets something he has to choose something to get rid of. At least at first I don’t have a specific numerical goal, and I may never, but I like the idea.

Don’t know when I’ve “gotten there” so not measurable enough.

I’m really not going to wear that Strongbad tshirt again.

I’ve gathered a large quantity of CDs that I don’t listen to too often & will give to my favorite used book/music store. Employees & profits go to a good cause.

Preparing another box of t-shirts & other stuff I just don’t wear for Goodwill. Just gave a big box of shoes – my addiction. Just don’t wear them all any more.

Love these folks. They’ll readily take my books, old clothes, household items. Cleaning house feels good once you get into it.

I’ve accumulated and moved around a great deal of things I simply don’t use anymore. I’m going to sell what I can on Ebay, Donate the rest to Salvation army, and trash what I don’t consider still in use. I’ll come up with measurable goals on this one soon.

• Inventory eBay-able Items
• Stuff Photo Shoot