Stuff Manifesto
Why do I hold onto stuff in my life?
- I worry that I will need it later, especially if I get rid of it (is this output-remorse or stuff guilt?)
- I hold onto it by default. When faced with the decision to keep or get rid of something, it's easier to not make a choice. Therefore, by default, stuff stays! And since I don't always make an account of what I have, this could be referred to as "see no stuff."
- It's not my stuff. I feel I can't decide on the fate of other-person stuff.
Solutions to this pack rat behavior include focusing on aspects such as to:
- Reduce input
- Increase output
- Done automatically
- Done intentionally
- Done in small increments, often
- Done in big infrequent gestures
Is there an acronym in "I(n)" "O(ut)" "A(uto)" "P(urpose)" "S(mall)" and "B(ig)"?
IOAPBS? IOAISB (Intentional instead of Purpose)
Types of stuff:
- Books and magazines
- Paper
- DVDs and video games
- Gadgets
Mental approaches and reminders include:
Enjoy and appreciate what you already have
Conserve and save the environment by reducing waste
Improve efficiency by reducing clutter
Improve effectiveness by focusing on what I need
In my day-to-day activities I can work on the above aspects and solutions by doing the following:
Remove myself from mailing lists to reduce spam
Reduce junk mail by signing up with the DMCA and registering with the Credit Bureaus to reduce free credit card offers (both done)
Reconsider a gadget purchase, fix whatever it replaces, or make room for "input" by increasing an equivalent "output"
Donate at work, call an agency, or give to friends and family (stuff, not junk).
Increase savings such that stuff is harder to obtain.
Focus on a small part of the house or room
Focus on only one type of item (pick up only paper, magazines, books, etc)
Read an apply favorite stuff-reducing author or set of ideas (Covey, Fly Lady, Get Stuff Done, etc)
That's it for now. Back to "do more, say less." Got any good organizational tips? Feel free to share in the comments!
Google Docs is pretty neat. I used it to create a google word processing document and then published to the blog from there.
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