Everything I Own
In the past year I’ve moved about 8 times. The longest I’ve lived somewhere was the three months I spent in Vermont. Other than that I’ve been moving/traveling/wandering every month or two. It’s not exactly the kind of lifestyle that lends itself to having a lot of stuff hanging around. When I decided to try and complete the 100 things challenge I didn’t think it would be much of a problem. That’s until I started taking photos of everything I owned and counted up the 26 tshirts that I owned (I’ve since gotten rid of several, but they are still in the photos to follow).
Compared to most people I don’t have much stuff. I have practically nothing. Everything I own will fit nicely into my car and I like it that way, since I’m still on the move until August. But what I keep with me and what I own is only a fraction of what most of my friends and family have in terms of possessions. My constant moving and traveling has forced me to downsize quite often and I’m grateful for that. I’ve spent the last year of my life focusing on experiences instead of collecting things. It’s been worth it. And as I plan on moving to New Zealand soon I’m grateful that I don’t have a ton of stuff to haul across the ocean. It just makes the transition abroad easier.
The 100 things challenge seems to be done differently by ever person who undertakes it. Some count each individual item. Some count groupings. Some count things that are disposable, some don’t. I decided not to strictly count items, but to just photograph and list everything. For me the success is in the fact that I can easily do this and can pinpoint every single thing I own. The number might not be exactly 100, but it’s still quite small.
And now, I present to you, everything I own!
My worldly possessions:
Not photographed:
A small picture frame with a photo of me and my boyfriend. ;)
Five more stuffed animals from places I’ve visited and/or lived. It’s a fun collection that will one day go to my kids.
My luggage, as I only have one piece with me and the rest will be given to my family members.
My Ford mustang, which I am selling to a family member in August.
My yoga mat, because it was in my car. It’s pretty cheap crappy one, so I’m thinking of upgrading it soon if I do more yoga.
A few pairs of jeans at my mom’s house in a different size that will either fit and go to New Zealand, or get donated.
A box of old photos, yearbooks, and scrapbooks. It’s a small box of things kept at my mom’s house because I refuse to get rid of these wonderful, tangible memories. They may or may not stay at my mom’s house forever, but I like knowing they are there if I ever want them.
A bigger box of snowboarding gear including thermal clothes, coats, snowboarding pants, and goggles. I keep this at my mom’s house as well because I tend to go on snowboarding trips once or twice a year. Most of this stuff will be making the move to NZ with me so I can snowboard there. :)
And that’s it! Everything else is either my roommates, soon to be given to my roommate, or something perishable (food). Not necessarily 100 things, but definitely not many.
OMG. This is breathtaking. I have to say that I am envious of you in this stage of life. I’m sure I own one million objects and it would take me five years to document them. You are inspiring me!
hehe… year books. my memory book is still incomplete but there’s some pics of you in there. mebey i should do the infamous fb scan photo. lol
I’ll be thinking about this post all day. Amazing.
this is very greatful and informatic helpful Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you? i want to book mark it
I have way too much stuff. In fact, just yesterday I was standing in my closet looking at all the clothing I haven’t worn in over a year. A closet full of business clothes. Is it time to get rid of that old “baggage” and say goodbye to my old life?
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
[...] week on my other blog I documented everything that I own, which isn’t much. I’m a bit of a minimalist now and I can count all the personal items [...]
What a fantastic post! Ditto the first commenter – Although there are the obvious trials and tribulations that go along with any stage in life, this is one of the many beauties about where you are right now and I think it’s so fantastic!
Do you not have any dress shoes? Also I think you should get picture frames for Kepa now and your family when you’re away from them.
I don’t have any dress shoes. I don’t need any, since I currently don’t do anything that requires them. Maybe one day I will and I’ll get them!
Why would I need picture frames? I have the pictures and can look at them just fine without frames. To be honest I look at pictures online/on my computer more often. But I admit I do have one picture frame that I own… but I forgot to take a picture of it! I’ll add it to the list. ;)
Wow. I hated having that few things. I remember it from when I moved to SF, but I like having more things now. I’ll admit, most are clothes and shoes. Actually, I didn’t hate having so few things, just so few clothes. I had a roommate about six months after I moved to SF, in my 2nd place, who thought I was weird and looked down on me for not owning enough things when I moved in. He implied that it was immature and strange. How dumb. It’s someone’s choice to be materialistic or not (unless you just cant afford it). I think he’s weird for putting pictures of elvis and jesus in our bathroom. Lol. What’s great about your project is now everything you own, you’ll really like/use, and one day you can build up from there!
Wow.
I just moved house a couple of weeks ago…I’ve always known I own too much stuff, but that move showed I really have to downsize, A LOT.
And now you, seriously, I don’t think I have the guts to strip down that much, but I wish I did.
[...] that’s fine because there isn’t much to do in terms of actual physical labor. Because I don’t own much I need to do a single load of laundry and then pack my things up. Easy. But I am procrastinating [...]