Organized Chaos by urbanwoodswalker - flickr.com/photos/urbanwoodswalker/
Bedroom by Adam UXB Smith - flickr.com/photos/gingerblokey/
Ever heard of the “50 Things” challenge? Probably not, because it’s pretty wild.
Seems that some of the bravest among us have reduced their possessions to a list of 50 items. Yes, seriously. It’s part of the minimalist movement, a growing trend among environmentalists and simple-living advocates.
Everett Bogue at Far Beyond the Stars listed his 50 things, and some caveats (books, soap and extra undies don’t count).
One of my favorite bloggers, Tammy Strobel of RowdyKittens, has her list down to 64.
Other than that, the list is pretty short. For obvious reasons, many of us would rather keep our existing possessions and keep on buying more. Whether or not it’s feasible or desirable for most of us, it’s still great food for thought.
If you had to reduce your possessions to 50, what would you keep? What would you throw out?
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Maybe we should get rid of every possession but one for each year of our birth.
A Reverse-Birthday-Present ritual.
It is scary to think about, isn’t it? But then, think about all the free time and space we would have.
Seriously thinking the 50 Things Challenge could replace the Proust Questionnaire as a hipster-party parlour game.
No kidding. Or a party theme, even. Like when people move and they invite all their friends over to take their stuff… but without the move.
After a flood I once owned fewer than 50 things – and I felt free. If books don’t count, I know I’m over fifty, but not too much. I’m guessing a few hundred things, but mostly stuff I don’t need or use. Some of it would depend on how you count it. Would an ipod, cord, charger, and headphones be 1 thing or 4?
I think it counts as 1. The people doing this challenge have come up with some rules for that stuff. Underpants don’t count as separates either, go figure.
I don’t own any underwear… can I take a credit somewhere else?
I would certainly hope so.
That was actually the first thing that came to my mind. How do you truly count “things”? For instance. from where I sit I see 10 food items alone. If those 10 things are part of my 50 things I’m in for a world of hurt.
But that aside, I will have to agree that we all need to C.O.N.S.O.L.I.D.A.T.E. I’ve known numerous people in life who have live with far fewer “things” than I have. And I’ve truly respected and honored them for doing so. One day I will make it down to a small enough “number” that I feel I’m being the best I can be. Will you?
When I’m paring down I prioritize by what I would instinctively save first if there were a fire. Then move on to the stuff I need everyday or quite often. I’m guilty of being a sentimental hoarder. Some stuff connects me sensory-wise to the place in my brain where the memory is stored. It’s like having a backup file.
Hippie – Probably not, not ever.
Funksteena – me too! I have a really bad memory so I need reminders, and possessions serve that function in a range of ways. But last year, I did throw out maybe 2/3 of my crap. I still have plenty left, but this stuff is “important”. Or whatever.
Hun, I think you’ve done better than 99.999% of the industrialized world at minimizing your possessions. (do you still have the keg top?)
i am the opposite of a horder. I give everything away then im like “where did i put my can opener?”
and having moved 3 times in 2 years, im a little more streamlined than usual
Sadly, the keg top is not in my possession.
Actually, I was amazed by the lack of possessions in your place. Mine currently has about 4 times as much stuff, and I’m just one person!
After moving an average of at least every year of my life… I still have lots of stuff. I’m working on it. I am soon to move into a 50 sq ft place, which means I -have- to get rid of stuff. I usually take the long route, getting a storage place, then dumping everything in it cause I haven’t touched or needed it for a year+. This time I think I need to do the opposite; get more stuff, but the right stuff so I don’t need to keep getting more.
Then there’s the books. I’ve gotten better, but those still take up the most space and weight.
Here’s a good article about minimizing and changing your lifestyle:
http://tinyhouseblog.com/construction-articles/things-to-think-about/#comments
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