More Stuff to Think About - 100 Thing Challenge

Today has been a day of stuff thinking.  Among other things, I spent my morning commute and then my lunch thinking about the 100 Thing Challenge.

100 Thing Challenge - From the beginning I've wanted to stay committed to the 100 Thing Challenge for the long haul.  And I've also recognized that it is a pliable effort.  It seemed to me from the start that the 100 Thing Challenge is such a crazy and kicky idea that it would have to morph a bit to accommodate new experiences.  I think I'm getting closer to what the 100 Thing Challenge will be longterm.  As of today here's the plan:

By my thirty-seventh birthday on November 12, 2008 I will have only 100 personal items.  I will live for at least one year (God willing) maintaining an inventory of only 100 personal things.  This challenge will help me "put stuff in its place" and also explore my belief that "stuff can be good when it serves a purpose greater than possession alone."

Of course there will be official rules for myself.  And my wife has spoken firmly to me about not dragging her into this mess, at least until I prove by the genius of my example that the effort is worth it. But that's it.  I'm going for it.

More updates on the 100 Thing Challenge soon...

And to help me stay sane, I'll continue to write about other things, as well.  So any readers will have to deal with what you get.  Except politics, which I don't like to write about.

Comments

[Julie]

Hi Dave-

We shared space in the Time Magazine article today--I LOVE your 100 Thing Challenge. Literally puts things in perspective, and inspires the imagination of everyone who hears the concept. In a business meeting yesterday, I mentioned your goal and the entire room lit up with delight--one woman, of course, asked if it was 100 things, or 100 CATEGORIES of things.

I couldn't agree more in the freedom and clarity of self that your 100 thing challenge can lead you to. Good luck in your quest, and let me know if there's anything I can do. I'm happy to banter around any insights, ideas, thoughts, or strategies that may help you as you ponder these very illuminating decisions. The attachments we have to certain items can surprise us, providing a tremendous opportunity for self-discovery and transformation.

Lead on Dave, and enjoy the journey!

Julie Morgenstern
Author, "When Organizing Isn't Enough, SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life" (Fireside 2008)

[Dave]

Hi Julie

Thanks for the kind words. I'll have to checkout your book...

[Wendy Beeker]

Hi Dave, While you have your goal of your birthday, I'm thinking that I'd like to lose 100 pounds by mine and also wondering if this is in line with the challenge. I would then be able to certainly get rid of a lot of fat clothes and wear some of the skinny clothes from 15 and a half years ago that I just know I would look fab in but then I would have to fight the feeling of wanting to buy more new skinny clothes, which we all know would not make me feel better about my SELF but would go a long way towards dressing the outer self. Also, are music cds one as a whole b/c if not, I think I might find the courage to chuck Alanis Morisette but not the Boz Scaggs. What about my collection of dirty windows? I might need them some day. Literally, windows, Dave.
The 100 Thing Challenge might be the undoing of me. And that might be just the thing that is needed~
All the best,
Wendy Beeker

[mDuo13]

Heh, I'll be interested to see how this extended challenge works out. I'm especially curious how the rest of your family will feel about it after a year.

[C Mickey]

I'm coming late to this topic. Do you count your furniture?

[Davo]

Good luck with the challenge. I'm not close at the moment (I think my tool kit is 100+ itself). But, at least, I've managed to be at the 100-thing level a couple of times in my adult life. Once when starting out in college (when I subsisted mostly on the kindness, and silverware, of strangers), and years later when coming back from two years in the Peace Corps (now THAT is an effective, but drastic, method for disposing of nonessentials). The feeling of having everything you own in a duffel bag or two is indescribable. Maybe once again, someday. A retirement project?