OK, so it’s been 2 months since I last wrote up a 10 Things Challenge report, but I haven’t stopped getting rid of stuff! While there seems to be a backlash against the “Live With 100 Things” meme lately (I was always against it – it’s too strict and silly), I am all about keeping only what I need and not much more, even if that means I have more than 100 things – which I do. But in preparation of my latest downsize, I have been donating and selling a ton of stuff that I just don’t need or won’t work in my new place. For example, remember this?
That was my gigantic bookcase that at one time was actually full of books, and then was slowly culled down to what you saw in it here back in February. As of a week ago, only 5 of those squares were in use after I donated another 3 bags of books to the local library. And here is what it looks like now:
Yep, all gone. Who needs a HUGE bookcase when there is nothing to be kept in it? My personal library is now down to a size where I am just going to stack the books against the wall in a corner and call it a day. I kept my favorites and a few reference books, but other than that I decided that if I really wanted to read a book again I could just get it from the library. Besides, my new apartment is 50% of the size of this place (1300 sq feet vs 756 sq feet), so I need to keep it down to the essentials – of which that 6 foot by 6 foot bookcase was not. I think this move is going to be one of the easiest yet, as aside from the kitchen stuff I only needed 10 boxes to pack up all my belongings. A lighter load is definitely good for my brain.
Oh, and this past week I also downsized my car – from a 4 wheel drive Subaru Forester station wagon to a Mini Cooper S. Way better gas mileage and way more fun to drive. I figured that if I wasn’t ready to go car-free (this city is SO not good for that), a smaller car would lower my expenses and carbon footprint.
So there you have it – an update on the challenge. I am still purging and downsizing, and to be honest – my head is clearer. I don’t know if it’s because I have less stuff to worry about or just that having less “stuff” to maintain offers up more free time, but either way I am truly loving downsizing my life. Are you still doing the 10 Things Challenge? If so, how’s it going? If not, why not?
Wow, congratulations on the new car and lack of bookcase! This looks fabulous. I find that whenever I need a clearer head, I go on a purging/cleaning spree. Pretty soon, you’ll have nothing left to get rid of! I hope at that point you’re at a sort of enlightenment. 🙂
hah! can I make my husband do the 10 item challenge without doing it myself? I’m actually getting to the point that I do use most of what I own. My husband on the other hand. . .let’s say he’s a collector of sorts.
“Sort” of enlightenment would be the key word in that sentence. Struggling with just “being”, never mind being enlightened! lol
Please explain how buying a new car lowers your carbon footprint.
I realize that it gets better mileage but have you calculated the break even point of better mileage footprint vs new car footprint?
I am so admiring you. This is awesome. I gave away a box full of books last week. It was very liberating, but I have a long way to go.
I traded a gas guzzling used car for a non gas guzzling used car.
Nice job getting rid of the bookcase. If you saw the bookcases here, your head would get cluttered. I’ve actually been selling or purging more than ten things per week (books lately). So I’m probably doing your challenge.
Books! They can be the joy of our lives or the bane of our existence. Funny how that works. I’ve donated all but a few (8 cookbooks and about 6 others), and this past weekend really got real with myself. You know those mushy “For my daughter” books that prompted the giver (my parents) to write some profound inscription on the milestone of my 18th, 21st and 22nd (go figure, two for one sale?) birthdays? I didn’t need those books then, and I don’t need them 15 years later to know they love me. So I painfully ripped out the inscription pages, donated them and didn’t look back. I don’t know if my parents would be pleased or surprised, but I’m guessing pleased. I think if they knew they might even do the same with the “For my parents” books I’ve given them over the years.
Love the mini cooper, if you are going to downsize, do it with style.
I too have kept purging things randomly from my life. The latest purge consisted of:
A old Zelda board game (gave to my older brother to sell on ebay so he can have the money.)
A vase that was pretty but useless for me. (will go to rummage sale)
About 5 or 6 older dvds (one I gave to my brother; others will go to rummage sale.)
Some cosmetics/bathroom stuff: 2 mascaras, powder foundation, applicator brush, hair coloring, etc. (will go to rummage sale)
Its been slow going since I’ve been busy with a kitchen remodel. However, I am hoping that (since we are almost finished) I can take the opportunity to prevent stuff from coming back into the kitchen when I start bringing the stuff back in to go into my cabinets.
There is also a bag (or 3) of books to be donated to the library that have gotten lost in the mess of my garage since the remodel. Hopefully, I can find those (and maybe add to it!) and FINALLY donate them, lol.
I also hope to hear more about your successes soon! (Don’t be such a stranger!) 😉
A Nintendo DS game I no longer play.
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time, but didn’t really get motivated until recently to get rid of “stuff.” I guess I started last week when I sold a box of 16 booxes. I think I’ll also start photographing what I’ll moving out of my house. It won’t look like much individually, but won’t it be nice when I’ve gotten a couple weeks under my belt! Thanks for the inspiration.
Don’t see how a Forester that gets 25 mpg can be considered a gas guzzler ??? At least, that’s what my 10 yr old Forester gets… and as it’s paid for, it will be around a long long time. I’ll run it til it drops – and I’m sure it’s less than half way there 🙂
Yes – still doing the declutter – working on clothes closets this month. I seem to do better when I know that the stuff will have a good home – so, clothes for a friend with a job change needing different clothing, for a friend with a store that can sell it, and to the local woman’s crisis center thrift store.
Does it “really” get 25 MPG? Because the sticker on mine said 19/24 (2008), and we all know those aren’t real world conditions at all. I estimate I probably got 22 on the highway at most, and much less around town. AWD eats a lot of gas, unfortunately.
Someone else who needs AWD and a station wagon will get some great use out of my car, and I paid cash for my “new” used one that is 1/2 the size and weight.
Yes it REALLY gets 25 mpg…. it gets 27.9 on long interstate road trips. I’ve had it 10 years – and I am positive that’s the mileage it gets… I’ve kept a log 🙂 It’s at 116,000 miles now.
It’s the 2001 basic model – not the souped up one with the extras (and extra weight ) on it.
Always run with the windows up and the air coming thru the a/c… 🙂 The a/c filters the air for me – I suffer from hay fever sometimes. 🙁
Now, when I take it hunting up in the mountains on logging roads, then no, it does not get that mileage – but that’s off road 🙂
This is awesome! Only having ten boxes is excellent. That’ll be a simple move for sure! I’d love to see pictures of your new place.
I have been slacking on the 10-things challenge. School has really been taking up my time and energy but I think I’ll get back at it tonight. It’ll be some nice stress relief, hehe.
Wow. Just wow.
I would lose money if I eliminated my van especially with the hauling and camping I do in it, but I have considered downsizing my vehicle should my lifestyle change.
As for the bookshelf… you rock! I’m so proud of you! Alas I am not close to that point yet. I have several books I have to keep for reference in my work but I have managed to eliminate most of the rest of the dead tree editions.
I now attempt to avoid purchasing paper editions of books by going to the library or downloading digital editions instead–music has been digital for several years now thanks to internet music sites.
I have reduced the amount of stuff I have in the kitchen, eliminating two shelves that were crammed full not too long ago.
It is a slow process but a worthwhile one.
Keep up the good work!
I was so excited to read this because I’m currently in the process of ridding myself of my massive library. It’s amazing where the process of simplification takes you when you start on the path. I would have never thought that I would be willing to give up my collection of books but what good are they sitting in boxes when they could be out in the world enriching other people. Now I have my shelfari shelf and that’s all I need to keep track of what I have read and want to and I still have a bookshelf it’s just virtual! I’ve also found that as I’ve gotten rid of the virtual mental clutter (twitter, my blog, facebook) and the ownership of books now my reading is much more intentional and fulfilling.
You never do anything halfheartedly, do you? Love it.
I just started the 10 Things Challenge with my brother. I was so inspired by your blog postings that I told my brother last Christmas holidays about it and he is also hooked. We just modified it a little:
We get rid of 10 things each month – you can read about it on my blog (http://pragmaticlifedesign.com/2010/01/the-10-things-challenge/) . And yes, last months 10 things are still missing but will published soon.
Keep up writing your inspiring posts about simplifying life…
Good luck!
You were asking in one post how to cut your book collection even more.
Here are some ideas:
1. Give some away to people you know and who would benefit from the book. That way, if you ever need to reference it you can borrow it. They get the benefits and so do you.
2. Search your local library (especially if you have a university library) to see what books match. Give away the ones you can get at the library.
3. Upgrade to e-book versions (this one is pretty obvious but still worth mentioning).
4. Get rid of any public domain books that are available for free online (like Project Gutenberg).
Personal question: Did you get a decent trade-in on the Forester? I have a 2001 and would love to trade it for something smaller and more fuel-efficient like a Mini.
Funny how this whole thing works, isn’t it.
One day you have a coffee table, it is piled high with all your ‘goodies’ and it sits on a beautiful rug you picked up on one of your travels, in a living room of a large home that you bought when you thought you needed to provide for a future growing family.
Fast forward:
One day you decide that all the ‘junk’ on the table is making you crazy, so you clear it off and ditch the junk. There’s that coffee table now gleaming in the sunlight. But wait, i don’t even NEED a coffee table because apparently when i have one it is nothing more than a giant trashcan, so out goes the coffee table. Now why does one need this rug, there is nothing sitting on it or tied to it, rug gone. My the room is becoming quite empty the more i purge, why do i have this big of a house anyway, i think i will sell.
And so, fast forward again:
Here we are, in a clean, uncluttered small space that is just perfect for us.
Why didn’t i think of this first ?
Love the mini cooper, if you are going to downsize, do it with style. 🙂