100 Thing Challenge

The 100 Thing Challenge is my little way to personalize my efforts to fight consumerism.

That said, a lot of other people are participating, too.  I'll be working on ways for people to connect.  For example, the 100 Thing Challenge Facebook Page. Please join and participate!

Goal: By November 12, 2008 I will only have 100 personal things.  I will live with only 100 personal things for one full year, until November 12, 2009.

Rules: Remember, this is my 100 Thing Challenge.  I get to set the rules and decide when a rule can be stretched or outright broken.  Basically I'm going by the spirit of the challenge not the letter of the challenge.

1. "Personal Things" means things that are entirely or mostly mine.  Clearly family-shared and household things (e.g. dining room table, piano, bed, plates, etc.) are not considered a personal thing.  Right now my wife and daughters are curious about what I'm up to, but they prefer to observe rather than participate.


2. Memorabilia - I was going to keep a small box of memorabilia. But it turned out that I don't have much. So I'm ditching this idea and just counting a few things.


3. Books - Ah, here's the rub.  We're avid readers in our home.  And even the books I don't read thrice a year look so very attractive as they collect dust on the bookshelves.  And many of my books are kind of work related. Strange as it sounds, I have a lot of history books that relate directly or indirectly to consumerism, and thus help me with the 100 Thing Challenge.


4. A few items are counted in groups.  This includes underwear and socks.  I'm not keeping a lot of either.  We do, though, run a household.  The idea of trying to manage laundry with a few pairs of skivvies and socks is both unrealistic and gross.


5. We are keeping some household tools: hammer, screwdriver, tape measure, etc. Just last week I needed some tools to put up my daughter's gymnastics bar. I'm not using them for anything more than honey-do projects.


6. I've left myself some cushion in case I receive a gift or two over the next year. But hopefully everyone who might give me a gift knows that they shouldn't! Anyway, once I receive a gift, I have 7 days to figure out what to do with it before it counts toward my 100 Thing Challenge. I figure that should be enough time to either graciously lose it or get rid of some other thing.


7. Finally, I can get new things. But I have to always remain under 100 things total. And also if I am "replacing" something, I have to get rid of the original thing first before I get the new thing.

REVISED LIST May 26, 2009

1. NRSV Bible with Prayer Book - Published by Oxford University Press and given to me at a publishing conference. I love the Prayer Book prayers, especially the prayer for Vocation.
2. ESV Bible - A nice size and given to me by friends at Crossway. This is the one I take places; you know, like church.
3. Hand-me-down Bible - A small New Testament given to me by my dad. I believe he had it with him in Vietnam and, before that, my grandfather had it with him in WWII.
4. Wedding ring - Thirteen years and going strong!
5. Library - My one “cheat” of the 100 Thing Challenge. But there’s more to it than that. Read blog posts and, eventually, the book.
6. Journal - Small, lined, black Moleskine. I only count active journals -- the one I’m using -- as a thing on my list. Retired journals -- one’s I’ve filled up -- are stored for reference. (Aside: I’ve been less than impressed with Moleskine’s quality control recently. The last three journals have had weak bindings and other flaws. Does success breed shoddy manufacturing?)
7. Mechanical pencil - A blue Pentel P207 0.7mm lead. Had this thing for a few years. Love it. Though I saw a 0.9mm version the other day and was tempted.
8. Ballpoint pen - A Monteverde pen given to me by my sister. There is some pen history in my life. All the others are gone. More details some day, maybe in the book.
9. Wallet - Believe it or not, it is an Eddie Bauer wallet that I think I purchased in the mid 1990s! It looks it.
10. Sunglasses - Tifosi sunglasses are really great quality at an amazing price. Less status. More awesomeness.
11. Watch - An old Nike Oregonian, but the altimeter feature seems to be on the fritz. Might need to replace if I ever become wealthy and spend my days climbing mountains.
12. iMac - Technically the iMac belongs to my wife. I am using my MacBook Pro to write and conduct whatever techno-business comes my way. But I still have thousands of pictures on the iMac and sometimes even use it for checking email or wasting time on Facebook. Thus, I am counting the iMac.
13. MacBook Pro - As I mentioned.
14. HP printer - Again, my kids use it far more than me for coloring pages. But hey, I do print sometimes to proofread.
15. External hard drive - Seagate. Right now we have a very simple backup system. I am considering replacing this with a more robust setup, given that storage is so cheap these days.
16. Cell phone - The free Nokia kind. No iPhones, Blackberries, or other mobile devices for me.
17. Headphones - Bose. I thought of going without headphones. But they come in handy at work for listening to music. And they’ll be handy once my wife and I really get the Schooled In Marriage Podcast going.
18. Camera - Lumix LX3. I purged my Canon 30D SLR and equipment. I regret that.
19. SD card for point-and-shoot Lumix camera.
20. Home office desk
21. Home office chair
22. Desk lamp
23. File cabinet
24. Side table - I’ve gone back and forth on this one. Probably should just trash it and thus make less room for clutter.
25. Car - Sixteen year old Mazda 929 given to me by my dad. Thanks!
26. Planet Earth DVD - Still watch this pretty regularly with the kids. Totally worth owning. Not as good as actually being outside, but an incredible reminder of how amazing our world is.
27. Toothbrush
28. Razor - I have a razor and buy replacement blades for it. I don’t count a 5-pack of replacement blades as additional things. Nit picking will do nothing to solve America’s problems of over consumption.
29. Travel/work backpack - Tried to get rid of this, but it’s too handy for carrying my laptop and for a carry on luggage item for travel.
30. Garment bag - Don’t really use this, since I don’t really travel much anymore. You can be that if I get rid of it, though, I will be in a pinch.
31. Suitcase - Same as the garment bag.
32. Backpacking backpack - Osprey Atmos 35, which is really too small even for weekend trips. But if and when I get out, it’s usually for a 2 day, 1 night hike. So for now, this does the trick.
33. Tent - REI Half Dome. A great overall 2 person tent.
34. Sleeping bag - Marmot Helium (not EQ).
35. Sleeping pad - Therm-a-Rest. The lightweight egg crate kind. (Confession: I have swiped my wife’s Big Agnes insulated inflatable sleeping pad once or twice.)
36. Stove - MSR Pocket Rocket. Probably not the best stove for a one-stove backpacker. But it’s what I’ve got and will have to do for now.
37. Cook set - 2 pots, 1 lid, 1 handle. Didn’t seem to make sense to throw pieces away. But honestly, I normally only take one pot.
38. Spork - Red Light My Fire spork. This is the infamous “spork” from the Time Magazine 100 Thing Challenge article.
39. Water bladder - Platypus
40. Headlamp
41. Knife - Benchmade. One of my most cherished things. Is there anything more handy than a quality pocket knife?
42. Rock climbing wall - Technically this is made up of many little things, e.g. rock climbing holds. But, I am selling these holds to someone and getting rid of the wall.
43. Climbing shoes - Keeping these for now, though I hardly ever go bouldering or in-door climbing.
44. Chalk bag - My seven year old gymnast thinks this belongs to her. Truth be told, I just let her borrow it for our chin up pullovers on the bar in the hallway.
45. Mittens - REI
46. Wool hat - (That my wife says looks ugly.)
47. Fleece jacket - Patagonia
48. Rain jacket - Marmot
49. Rain pants - Patagonia
50. Thermal shirt - Patagonia
51. Thermal pants - Patagonia
52. Wicking shirt
53. Wicking shirt
54. Running shorts
55. Running shoes - Vasque - replaced on 5/20/09 with the same ones I had before. They are nice trail runners that can handle very lightweight backpacking.
56. T-shirt - Advertising Amore Ministries
57. T-shirt - Advertising Igniter Media Group
58. T-shirt - From Timberps on Etsy. I really like this guy’s artwork.
59. T-shirt - “Hogsmeade is for lovers” shirt from HP Prognostications
60. T-shirt - From Old Navy
61. T-shirt - It's organic cotton and has an old tractor on it! 6/19/09 - father's day gift from wife!
62. Board shorts - Patagonia. These are very light. I like them but feel pretty showy when they get wet, if you catch my drift. Might replace next time there’s a sale somewhere.
63. Wetsuit - Xcel - found on Craigslist for like 60% of retail, only used once. Very nice deal.
64. Surfboard - 7' 8" TDK shaped locally
65. Surfboard leash
66. Shorts - Just normal old shorts for kicking around.
67. PJ pants - Dragonfly print that my 3 year old picked out.
68. Jacket - REI cord. Casual but useable for work.
69. Suit jacket
70. Suit pants
71. Tie
72. Dress shirt
73. Dress shirt
74. Business casual cords
75. Jeans
76. Jeans - replaced a pair of faded and ripped jeans on 5/16/09
77. Button-down shirt long sleeve - J. Crew cord. This is like my flannel shirt snugly. I’ve had it for years. It’s held up so well that I almost have a hard time being critical of J. Crew.
78. Button-down shirt long sleeve - Orange plaid. Given from my parents, purchased somewhere in Europe.
79. Button-down shirt long sleeve
80. Button-down shirt - Patagonia wrinkle free. I like this shirt a lot. Cannot be wrinkled. Love it.
81. Button-down shirt - Mountain Hardware. Nice light, summery shirt.
82. Button-down shirt - REI. So far pretty wrinkle resistant.
83. Button-down shirt - A seagull pooped on this one, but it washed up fine.
84. Button-down shirt - REI sale rack after lunch with daughters at Islands. 5/31/09.
85. Brown belt - replaced on 5/16/09. The old one was getting pretty awful.
86. Brown shoes - replaced on 5/20/09 with Dr. Martens. I know they’re not fashionable anymore, but I love Dr. Martens.
87. Flip flops
88. Underwear (10) - replaced 12/25/08. I count underwear as a group of items. My desire is to resist consumerism, not hygiene.
89. Undershirts (6) - replaced 12/25/08. Same as underwear.
90. Socks (?) - same as underwear and undershirts.
91. Moo.com personal business cards - Kind of for my writing “business”

Gone. There has been lots, lots more than this that I've gotten rid of. These are the things I kept track of. But there are a lot more clothes and random items that are no longer in my possession.

1. Balance board
2. Yoga mat
3. Backpack
4. Self-portrait oil painting
5. Small Longaberger basket
6. Campagnolo Croce d'Aune rear derailer
7. Pens
8. Shoot horn
9. Knife
10. Knife
11. Broken Sigma flash for Canon (easy fix for gadget person)
12. Baseball hat
13. Sweat pants
14. Crocs
15. Green wool sweater
16. Dress pants cords
17. Dress pants black
18. Dress pants brown
19. Jeans
20. Sport jacket
21. Mountain Hardware Synchro Jacket
22. Old J Crew jacket that I love but need to let go
23. Compass
24. Rock climbing shoes
25. Chalk bag
26. Magnesium fire starter stick
27. USB headset with microphone
28. HDD portable
29. Pewter Gollum
30. Pewter Beorn
31. Pewter Hobbit
32. Harry Potter figurine - want to give it to someone at Portus
33. Bike trainer - the kind that holds the rear wheel while you peddle furiously in the kitchen, freaking the dog out and bothering the family with all the noise
34. Backpacker magazine
35. NEED magazine (just stopped coming)
36. MacBook G4
37. Canon 30D
38. Canon 17-40L lens
39. Canon 430 flash
40. Diffuser
41. Tripod with ball head
42. Camera bag - includes some lens tissue and duster
43. Rope - Gave it to my daughter who is enjoying it and using it
44. Camelback bottle - MISSING - I might replace this.
45. Sun hat
46. Nose hair trimmers - whatever. This gadget was more like a torture device. I'm just going to borrow the tiny scissors we have in the bathroom drawer from now on.
47. Marklin train collection
48. Woodworking tools - Very sad about this.
49. Side table drawer - My wife insisted on keeping this as "her" item, but I'm not going to use it.
50. Hiking boots
51. Bicycling bib shorts
52. Award-winning self-portrait oil painting
53. Button-down shirt
54. Brown sweatshirt
55. Button-down shirt
56. Black belt
57. Black shoes
58. Business casual pants
59. T-shirt
60. T-shirt
61. T-shirt
62. Sport coat
63. Sport coat
64. Sleeping bag
65. Sleeping pad
66. Need Magazine subscription
67. Button-down shirt - Sort of pink and really wrinkly. Going to get rid of it.
68. Sweater - Gap. Piece of crap. A hole in the collar. Pills. Going to get ride of it.
     

Comments

[Green Plan(t)]

I hope you don't mind, but I swiped your banner for the 100 Thing Challenge and put it in my sidebar with a link.

Looking forward to seeing more here. :)

[Ezra Hilyer]

Hey, I admire your efforts, I have been doing much the same for a few years now, I keep trying to par things down, (not nearly to your goal of 100 things though)
It sure is tough to go shopping only to replace that shich you already have, and to try your best to resist that one more gadget that you know you don't really need!!
-Ezra
http://www.straypoetry.com

[Rev. Antonio Hernandez]

Greetings

Hopefully my introductory page with TypeKey will suffice.

The "Time" article was fascinating to read. This is truly a remarkable movement, one that will blossom beautifully for this country.

You know, the ancient Buddhist Law of Possessions (I'm eliminating any Sanskrit words) allowed us only EIGHT. Yes, 8 possessions:
1. 3 sets of Civara- Buddhist religious habit robes which actually consist of a tunic, a long kilt, a sash/belt, and underwear. It was like pulling teeth to get the Buddha to agree to underwear.
2. Begging bowl. They were gigantic.
3. Razor (no better way to be bald).
4. Needle (including needle-case).
5. Thread. Can't wear hole-y robes.
6. Mala (the original rosary we borrowed from the Hindu Brahmins).
7. Shoulder bag to carry our staggering amount of stuff.
8. This one varies. Some lists say walking staff. Others say parasol, fly-whisk, some weird conch shell for God-knows-what, etc.

Today we are allowed many times 8 possessions, because that is the way of life. I've seen monks in Tibet with huge gold watches (His Holiness the Dalai Lama likes them and fixes them too).

I've seen priests wearing rings and layers of silk robes that cost more than the pope's things. Fancy glasses, shoes and even jewelry is making an entrance into the priest's humble belongings.

Yet we are constantly striving to let go that which we fear to lose. All my life I've done the entire clean-house routine, and have donated or had to throw away tens of thousands of dollars worth of items. NEVER do we ditch something when we can give it away-- family heirlooms, for example, should be given to the loved one while we live.

My auntie says the dead take nothing with them, but they also leave nothing.

Albert Einstein was asked by a reporter what his favorite possessions were. Einstein was no materialist, and was a minimalist in life. Without hesitation he replied that he loved his violin, fountain pen, wristwatch and leather jacket (all birthday gifts, most from his 2nd wife).

You've re-started an ancient tradition, and I think it's possible that THIS is what churches mean by the term "tithe". Give what you can, what you have. And I recall Jesus quoted as saying if someone asks for your coat, give him your tunic as well.

Keep doing good work. I know I will, and you have recharged my enthusiasm!

[Seth]

Nice to find someone else doing this as well. I just recently had the same epiphany and blogged about it

http://www.sethsblog.com/lightening-the-load

I didn't actually think to count what I have and set a goal although I think that's a project I'm going to look into.

Take it easy.

[Hollz]

Wow, Congratulations! i could NEVER get down to 100 items, even if i could cure my shopping addiction. I don't think i could get down to under 100 items of clothing.

Best of Luck

[travis]

he didn't list underwear. Does this guy just go commando, or does that not count as a possession?

[SR]

Do you own no books?! I'm sure I could never get down to fewer than 100 books, even :)

[Dave Bruno]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be updating the list often, though our family is preparing for a camping trip soon, so I might be distracted for a few days.

[Y. Lou H. B.]

So... This is interesting. I counted the things I live with. There are currently 356 of them (of which only about half belong to me, the rest is the landlord's). And I live well. And I am quite wealthy, to boot. But I am sick with this "buy-all-the-crap-you-don't-need" society. I am not thrifty, just a good "conservative".

However, my wife (who still lives in the US, while I live in Zurich, Switzerland. Yeah, we're sort of career-oriented), is a natural compulsive hoarder. She just can't help it. It's also a matter of upbringing. I was raised in a poor family from the boonies of France, while she was raised in a rather well-off Michigan family. Unlike her, I learned from a young age to content myself with little.

Next month, I'll be spending 6 weeks at our house in Michigan, and I know I'm going to purge much of the shit she has recently bought (e.g. a grab bag of 100 paint brushes in various sizes, a 4th vacuum cleaner, a 17th leash for our 5 dogs, etc...).

Anyway. The world needs to change or it will perish. We must return to a simpler lifestyle. I'm lucky to live in Europe right now, and I can buy most of my food directly from nearby farmers*. I hardly ever set foot in the tantalizing grocery stores.
Yet, I think I can do better. In a few years, once I have set aside enough money to live the rest of my life off of my savings, I will buy myself a small countryside house (most likely in Michigan). I'll produce my own meat, vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, etc... I will sleep at night and work during the day. We will live off of love and fresh water.
The hardest part will be to convince my wife. I'll have to work her out in less than 10 years. Definitely before we turn 40.
What about my relatives abroad? Simple. When they want to see me, they'll have to travel to Michigan. Man, I'm going to be so happy!!

Lou

* you may find that hard to believe, but it's true. 20 minutes by bike from my apartment, there's many small farms behind the hills surrounding Zürich. For example, I go every other day to get my milk *directly from the cows*. I even get to milk them myself, just like when I was a kid. It's sheer pleasure.

[Debbie]

This has become my new hobby...letting go...it talks in the Bible...there is a time for everything...a time to let go and a time to hold on...a time to laugh and a time to cry...this is one of those important "times" in our lives. Nothing is forever as it once was.

[c]

I'm going to try and join you on this and I've got to say, I'm really glad socks and underwear are grouped! Good choice on dealing with books too. I appreciate the compromises you've made without destroying the original intent. I don't have much to begin with so I think its going to be easier for me. Good luck!

[NOgirl]

Has anyone done this? Is there a photo? Id love to see what 100 look like; I sea 10000 every direction in my home. Not visuable (word?). No.

Photos please!!

[Dave Bruno]

Pictures are coming...

[Miguel]

Inspiring. The other challenge for purifying the mind is to live in a 10 sq m hut [10'x10' or 100 sq ft]. Then all 100 items in there would make you want to pare down even further. It seems hard to imagine, but if we could, we can see how peaceful it would be compared to what we normally do - hmmm ??? Why do we do this, anyway?!?

Thanks for bringing us to a modern day Walden Pond.

[karen menegay]

good job!it sure makes you stop and think what is really important.thnx

[Kelsey]

I am getting married in one week and I am inspired! I've been thinking more and more about clearing things out, reducing down to the things my fiance and I use daily or at least nearly daily.

It's time!

Thank you for chronicling your progress - I needed a little kick in the butt to get going. :)

[Clark666son]

I am having some of the same issues you are, I play in a band as well as doing magic semi-professionally.
I own 10 guitars and 4 amps--yikes!
and as far as performing magic I have like-- 100 decks of cards.
Dumping my excess clothes, extra computer and all that unused kitchen crap was easy but getting down to 100 things? gonna be rough.

[erin]

i am in ~ at least i am sort of in ~ i am going to do the "if i have not used it for a year get rid of it" first. getting down to 100 things seems overwhelming. so i will start here. i have been talking about this for forever this has challenged me to just do it, dang it!

[Socio GaGa]

Found this blog post via a del.icio.us link to Time... Hopefully your 100 Thing Challenge, will at least make some people think. Our current age of materialism for materialism's sake is quite sick in our opinion. Thanks for the wake up call as to what's "important" and what "isn't".

[oxalus]

Fuck yeah!! That's impressive man!!

So you say you prefer your 'Dress' clothing and going out to climb, or camp than eating??

I can't see a list with your kitchenware. And nor with yout toiletware.

It seems very easy to you making a list with material goods, but it's not so easy for me. Unless you just include those things that are not [[REALLY]] necessary, of course.

So, your list could have 0 items, folk. Isn't it?

That or you're just another fuckin' hipocrite yankee.

Bunch of greedy imperialists ... Shame of you!

[vicki sumner]

I would just to say if more men would do what u r a-lot of homes would be cleaner. keep up the good work.

[whatever]

first i thought 100 things is not much, but now i'm reconsidering, and i'm comming to the conclusion i'm living with less things and anyway feeling decadent... so what's the point of your "challenge"? to come out as a consume-addictive that wants to punish himself with one year of abstinence? ...or what?

anyhow, you're right with your main point, but sorry, there's too much useless stuff in your list

[miche]

I have wanted to declutter for years..it is so hard! When the clutter gets depressing, I shop for new things, which brings us more in debt, which is more depressing! What a cycle. Fortunately we live in a modest and small home that we love, which should encourage minimalist behavior. Unfortunately there is an equal size basement underneath the home that collects all of our stuff. I have felt controlled and overwhelmed by stuff for so long, I hope to find inspiration from your Challenge. I need to remember the fact that I have never regretted anything that I have given away. I don't know where the "stuff" habit comes from, only that it's bad and it leads to worse things. Wish me luck and good luck to you!

[Barclee Huggins]

I am going to do this. I am going to live off 100 things. This is one of the coolest ideas I have heard of in a long time, I have a lot more questions and comments...could you email me an email address I could reach you at to ask a few things? Thanks so much,

Barclee

P.S- I chuckled to myself when I saw a John Piper book in your "library", this sounds like something he would do.... :)

[Alex]

We live this life.
Few possessions beyond the necessities.
Enough to take care of things.
Nothing we don't need.
No frivolous purchases...

We live on a small island in the Virgin Islands.
Family of five living like swiss family Robinson.
Not much is needed.

So make sure what you do own is well made.

I make an exception for some tools - they are tools - you use them to fix things. Not having tools so you can live minimally is incorrect. Use the tools so you don't have to hire a plumber. Use tools. They let you repair your home.

As to the trains. Keep them.
They are not the things of your life, they are a piece of your history. Sequester them. Limit them. They may be cherished. You can keep things that you cherish, things that elevate your spirit...

I also make an exception for the furniture my parents gave me... and things with special emotional content... You do not need to acquire MORE... but what is already there is OK to own.

I make a similar exception for books - this is wisdom and history and knowledge... so that order of book is OK. But they don't need to own you. You can donate a lot of books to the library and still have them and share them too.

Come visit our islands sometime... life is very simple and little is needed to live on an island..

Cut off form the malls and stores you quickly discover that you don't need any of what they are trying to sell you...
If you never go to the store, you never buy things....

So the trick is to buy nothing..

Alex Randall
www.water-island.com
alex@islands.vi