2livesimple’s Weblog

I’m going to try and pace myself on this list – while there were obvious exclusions before (such as the camera that took the pictures of my CD collection), and still are, I want everything on the list to be thought through. Are there changes I would like to make? Am I sure it is something that will be part of the life I want? And I want to try to take pictures. If you are like me even a little bit, there is something about pictures that add to the reality of what you have read.

The list of the Rucksack Guy’s 101 possessions (you’ll have to scroll down) is made more powerful to actually get to see what is included. And in his case, I was particularly impressed to see it all packed into 2 bags. Then to see it all laid out, and either be curious about an item, or maybe even judge his decisions against what you would have to add or subtract. The realization that, WOW, that wouldn’t even require all the space in the trunk of my car to hold those 2 bags.

I believe I mentioned before, that one of the most inspirational pictures I have ever seen is of Gandhi’s possessions when he died. To be such a powerful leader. He could have had many possessions. I’m certain he could have lived a very rich lifestyle, yet that was not what he believed in. If only leaders today in our very own government even followed his lead (even at a 5% level) this country would be a very different place.

Obviously I am far from living as simple as Gandhi did, but I do hope to make huge changes to reach a more sustainable lifestyle that could be enjoyed by all.

That said, here is my update …..

1. Wedding ring
2. Glasses
3. Watch
4. Eames rocker
5. Buddha – small wooden
6. Compaq 17″ laptop
7. Kodak digital camera
8. 8 G nano i-Pod
9. iHome clock/alarm/charging dock/speakers/with remote
10. CD collection – currently at 49 – current picture below (goal to keep at 100 or less)

Here’s my list so far as I’m ready to publish for public eyes (more updates as I go)

1. Compaq 17″ laptop
2. 8 G nano i-Pod
3. iHome  clock/alarm/charging dock/speakers/with remote
4. CD collection – currently at 49 – current picture below (goal to keep at 100 or less)

I’m working on my 100 Thing List from a couple angles.  I’m trying to identify what is easily and quickly seen as something I don’t need.  Like 3 extra calculators that I never use – beyond the one that I do use.

Three calculators into the donate box – not worth the time trying to sell for the 25 cents I would be lucky to get for each one.

Then I am looking for  overlap / reduction / best quality / lower cost (compromises will have to be made sometimes).  Today my Bose SoundDock for my i-Pod, and my zen alarm clock (which my wife hates) will be prepared to go on auction on Ebay tomorrow night.  The iHome will be used by both of us as an alarm (it has dual alarm).  It will also be used to pop both of our i-Pods into to charge, and will serve as speakers (replacing the Bose).  I have to admit that it does not come even close to the quality of the Bose, but then again, I don’t listen to my stuff very loud.  Since I listen to things at a reasonable level, this is where the lower costing iHome sounds just fine.

So, I am replacing 2 alarm clocks, and a speaker system with 1 item.  It will take up less space, and cost less to replace if needed.

My CD collection is reduced mostly to those that I listen to the most.  Some I’m just not ready to let go of yet.  I have 357 CDs for sale on Half.com (as of this writing – I listed them at prices that made sense at the time, and when I get to the point that I have pretty much everything that will end up being listed, then I will just start lowering the prices every week until they go – remember, I am trying to reduce debt as part of my simplifying my life, so getting the most I can for my stuff is important – plenty will also be donated to our local charity thrift store we go to), and have kept 49.  I have actually just purchased 2 more used CDs yesterday, but do not know yet whether I will end up simply listing them, or keep them – I am pretty sure I will be keeping at least one of them.

Right now my limit on CDs will be 100, but the goal is to keep it much lower if I can.  I want to have room to bring new music into my collection.  Music comes and goes, and this is something I enjoy.

The reason to have a set limit is to keep myself from simply listing it as a collection that has no boundaries.  It’s like others I have read using collections almost as a safety net, and completely forgetting the spirit of doing this in the first place.  Can you reduce what you have/need/consume?  If you think the idea is stupid, then you must be happy where you are at.  If you are not happy, then this is something to think about.  By the way – in many ways I am very happy with my life, but there are things I would like to change.  Or more correctly put, there are priorities in my life that I need to identify, and make room for them, it’s the things that I decide don’t matter that must go!

My purpose for this path is to find some freedom.  Freedom from all this stuff that gets paid for by trading hours of my life for them.  Freedom from spending time looking for lost/misplaced stuff.  Freedom from the extra housework time because there is so much STUFF everywhere.  Every person must decide for themselves what their rules are, but it is important to remain honest with yourself.

How many possessions do you have?  Do you have stuff you don’t need or really even like?  Do you have 10 can openers in your kitchen, or 4 calculators like I did?  Have you ever wished you could turn many of the items in your home into the original money you paid for them?

Join me ~ let’s share ideas ~ what’s working for you?  what’s challenging you?

I am ready to start posting my 100 thing list, which will be headed with the same title every post. This way you can simply select the category “my 100 thing list”, and see my most recent update to my list, as well as view the lists as they were in chronological order.

I will also add photos as I go along. They will be included to give a visual of what I currently have, and to show what I have stripped away.

I encourage anyone who is doing something similar to let me know. Let’s create links to each other, share ideas, and create a community of simplicity.

How do you live a simple life? What I know right now, is that you start by getting rid of all the stuff that doesn’t serve you. Sell, give, donate or throw away everything that holds you hostage. Read “It’s All Too Much” by Peter Walsh, and Walsh that stuff right out of your house. Also, I would recommend “Walden”. Thoreau tells us to simplify, simplify, simplify. I will butcher this, but in Walden he writes about having a few stones on his desk, which he realized created more work for dusting his home, and that would not do when he still had so much dust in his head. Focus on what is important, and get rid of everything else you can.