I’ve become quite enamored as of late with the idea of a minimalist lifestyle. For years, I’ve been stuck in a consumerist cycle, and it’s time to break it.
A week ago, when I first made the decision to slowly phase out a large number of my possessions, my initial thought was: get the number of things I own to under 100 items (as others have done) – with the exception of my books and DVDs (because I am “not ready to part with them yet.”)
Well, screw that.
Starting today, I’m going to be taking an inventory of all of the books I own. Each day, three new books will be “removed” from my possession (sold or donated to a local library) and either replaced with an eBook version from Barnes & Noble… leading up to the purchase of a Nook – one device to carry all of my books – which is way better than the 200+ books currently shelved/lying around my apartment.
Next are the DVDs, to be ripped onto a portable hard drive and/or replaced with copies from iTunes – or, in the case of a few, discarded entirely. This will be followed closely by an “overhaul” of my wardrobe – 10 pairs of jeans is just excessive, even if I do wear them every day – and then, finally, everything else in my possession will either be up on the chopping block and discarded or spared, and placed on my newly spacious shelves.
Why am I doing this? The short answer is: because I need to. Less possessions = less stress, and less stress is good. The cryptic answer is: because less possessions makes me more mobile, and this is the precursor to an awesome project I’m starting with two of my friends, Ryan and Kevin.
Think I’m nuts for this? Think this is really cool? Want to buy some of the stuff I’m getting rid of?
There’s a comment box below, go crazy.
— RC
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