I have always been more of a minimalist. I think it was just how I was born. This was compounded when I read an article about a man, David Bruno, who did an experiment of living with 100 things for one year. With my love of travel and minimalism it got me thinking if I could do that. It has been harder for me to embrace my minimalist nature because of a few things. My mother is an organized hoarder. You know the type, keeps everything but they all end up in organized and labeled boxes. She remembers everything she has ever given me or my children and expects me to keep it all or return it to her. I homeschool my kids and with that comes tons of stuff. My husband is sentimental and likes to keep many things. If love something I write about it, use it enjoy it, but I won’t ever pull it back out again. I donated by trophies from high school to the high school when I graduated for example. I feel no need to display them or store them in a box, but many people do. No judgement unless your stuff starts taking over my unstuffed stop. Got it. 😉
What do I really value?
What do I need to survive?
What brings me joy?
So I did it I wrote out my list of 100 things(give or take) a few rules.
- for certain things I counted a group as one
- I did not go into any sentimental items from my children such as my belly casts, baby books etc.
- I included things I would need to keep my family alive such as a cooking pot, but this is assuming things like bedding would be on their own list.
- underwear -one weeks worth
- bras- 2 regular, 2 sports
- exercise pants-2
- tank top/undershirt-2
- exercise/casual shirt-2
- Posture/Yoga supplies-mat, ball, band all fit in one bag
- jeans-3
- black pants-2
- undershirt in black and white-2
- PJ’s-2
- capri pants-2
- raincoat
- fleece-2
- sun hat
- winter hat
- gloves
- short sleeve shirt-4
- long sleeve shirt -4
- 3/4 length sleeve shirt -4
- long dress-3
- skirt-2
- swimsuit
- Chaco sandals
- Vivo black heels
- hiking boots
- athletic shoes
- snow boots
- slippers
- socks-5
- winter coat
- computer
- phone
- down comforter
- sheets/mattress pad
- pillows-2
- bed
- brush/comb
- toothbrush/paste
- concealer
- powder
- blush
- mascara
- eyebrow powder
- tweezer/nail clipper kit
- eyeliner
- shampoo/conditioner
- razor
- curling iron
- hair dryer
- bobby pins
- hairspray
- rubber bands
- Vitamix blender
- pressure cooker
- cast iron frying pan
- large pot
- plate
- bowl
- cup
- measuring cup/spoons
- utensils
- whisk
- good knife
- can opener
- stir spoon
- mixing bowl
- Bosch mixer
- 9×13 pan
- cookie sheet
- bread pan
- sleeping bag
- sleeping pad
- backpacking back pack
- purse
- hydration back pack
- hammock
- dish soap
- laundry soap
- packet knife
- earrings-3 pairs
- necklace-3
- shovel
- pruners
- life jacket
- tent
- pen/pencil
- notebook
- towel
- sunscreen
- table
- chair
- Nook reader
- books-10
- Haiti painting
- Mother of all Living painting
- Desert painting
- crystal swans from Ben’s grandmother-2
- midwife bag
- first aid kit
- Kids bronzed baby shoes
- a glass globe I got from Italy on my honey moon
- Picture album-2 one of family, 1 of midwife photos
As you can see I am not one for sentimental or many clothes. When counted out individually that is 69 clothing items including things for winter and summer and all the way down to underwear. 7 of the items listed were makeup which I could live with out. So based on the things that are important to me I can deduce a few things about myself.
I love the out doors and being outside is important to me.
I like to read.
I like to cook.
I like artwork.
A warm soft bed is very important to me.
The crazy thing is I did this exercise about 6 months ago and got rid of so many more things I didn’t value and I am reasonably close to living this way. Especially with clothing. There are all the shirts I own, year round.
What did your list of 100 things teach you about yourself?
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