Mark and I spent Sunday afternoon on the perfect picnic rock by a roaring stream in Little Cottonwood Canyon. We talked about how while we love our house and yard, the best memories in our relationship are our adventures. Big adventures, like getting lost in Mexico or riding the Tower of Terror in Tivoli Gardens and seeing Copenhagen with a bird’s eye view, and little adventures like sharing an ice-cold beer by a summer stream.
While we can’t predict the future, we are certain that it won’t include a big house, new car, and lots of new stuff. We didn’t always have our future so clearly defined in terms of what is most important to us. Downsizing and living more simply gave us the time and space to do that.
I embrace living with less, and simplicity has become a big part of my life and work. What some may see as an obsession is a passion and a way of life. I have experienced so many amazing benefits from living with less, that I continue to pare down my belongings and spend my time and money on things I really care about.
Experiments like Project 333 and The 100 Thing Challenge are not a struggle for me, they are exciting. While I don’t think it’s important or necessary to count your stuff or to live with less than a certain number of items, I know that challenges like these allow you to determine what you really need (and don’t need) to be happy. (and in most cases, happier)
With that, I want to simplify further and go beyond decluttering by taking the The 100 Thing Challenge written by Dave Bruno. Dave made his own rules and so did I. There is nothing magical about the number 100, but it’s a place to start.
My 100 Thing Rules
- I can change my list anytime. Replacing an item is not a deal breaker. I’ve starred items that I anticipate replacing or getting rid of over the next year.
- Gifts will have to replace an existing item.
- I am counting underwear as a group and make a few other concessions like not counting electronic chargers as additional items.
- This list only consists of my personal items, not household items.
- I’ll continue to live within the parameters of Project 333.
- If the 100 thing challenge is too much, then I will modify it further or discontinue. Joy trumps simplicity.
My 100 Thing List
- Yoga mat
- Sunglasses*
- Laptop bag
- Purse
- Travel bag*
- Bracelet (gift from Mark)
- Cross bracelet
- Gray/white scarf
- Green scarf
- Black pashmina
- Casual hat
- Red Sox hat
- Winter hat
- Winter mittens
- Winter coat
- Winter vest
- Trench coat
- Leather jacket
- Black rain coat
- Blue hiking coat
- Robe
- Yoga pants
- Black undershirt/tank
- black hiking/workout shorts*
- Workout shorts
- Workout shirt
- Workout shirt
- Sweatshirt
- Bathing suit
- Bathing suit cover up
- Underwear (grouped)
- Lounge shirt
- Lounge shirt
- Lounge pants
- PJs (cool weather)
- Lingerie
- Lingerie
- Night gown
- Night gown
- Tank top PJs (warm weather)
- Purple heels
- Black flats
- Black boots
- Snow boots
- Hiking shoes
- Sport shoes*
- Tennis shoes
- Flip-flops
- Jeans
- White dress capris
- Blue outdoors capris
- Dress pants
- Khaki pants*
- Black skinny pants*
- Black sleeveless dress
- Orange/white dress
- Green/white dress
- Blue sleeveless dress
- Holiday dress
- Gray maxi skirt/dress
- Gray short skirt
- Tweed skirt
- Black wrap short sleeve
- Black tank
- Yellow tank*
- Black tank flower detail on back
- Gray ruffle shirt
- Plaid button down
- Light blue button down
- Black long-sleeved tissue tee
- Gray long-sleeved tissue tee
- Black cardigan
- Cream cardigan
- Black blazer
- Cream blazer
- White sweater
- Green sweater
- Laptop/charger
- Phone/charger
- Camera/charger
- External hardrive*
- Rosetta Stone headphones
- Ear buds
- Photo card reader
- Office supplies (pens/pencils/paper/paperclips/files)
- Diary (planner/calender)
- Bible
- Kindle + charger
- 1 book in progress (+ small rotating library of less than 10 books)
- Toothbrush*
- Hairbrush
- Blow dryer
- Flat-iron*
- Makeup (grouped)
- Tennis dress
- Tennis racquet
- Journal*
- Candle set (gift)
- Bike gear (grouped)
- Ski gear (grouped and stored until Winter)
Here is what founder, Dave Bruno says about taking the challenge …
“If you do this — if you will give up your stuff for a while — I am sure you’ll never go back. You’ll spend the rest of your life creating a more valuable life, instead of wasting your money and time on stuff. You will be glad. And best of all, the people around you will be blessed by your efforts to prioritize more meaningful pursuits.”
I’ll be giving away or boxing up the remaining personal items I have. If I don’t need them after a few months, I’ll donate them. That removes all of the “what if I need that” excuses. I’ll also be taking a closer look at our household items and removing what we don’t love or use anymore.
For me, the purpose of this challenge is not to commit to living with a certain number of things, but to discover more benefits of living with less. If it improves my life, I’ll cull the list further. If it adds stress or unnecessary hardship (a.k.a. makes me grumpy), I’ll kill the experiment.
Please comment with your thoughts on counting your stuff, my list and any questions you have.
If you have thought about trying one of these experiments, you might enjoy the Project 333 quick start course beginning next week.
