In Minimalist Challenges I discuss the goals some have to own only 100 personal possessions and to downsize their wardrobe to 33 items including shoes and accessories. I’ve never considered myself an extreme minimalist, yet strive to continue downsizing everything that I own more and more. It began with decluttering my home overall to now getting more specific about every single item I personally own.
Being aware of everything that I own puts me in a mindset of abundance.
It is almost humbling to count all of my personal possessions. It keeps me away from even the possibility of unconscious collecting and consuming. Instead I am clear of exactly what I have and what I need. My needs also become less and less as well as more specific.
One of my goals was to complete counting my personal possessions. I am about 90% done, yet want to declutter once again before I decide on how many items I will keep.
I can honestly say that decluttering and minimalist living are completely two different things. One can have a decluttered, organized and beautiful home, and still own tons and tons of things.
I feel like I am currently somewhere in the middle: organized yet not as minimalist as I’d like. Once I complete my personal possessions list and decide on how many items I will keep, I will share what has become my middle ground.
I’ve been writing down everything that I own. My dance attire and equipment alone add up to 37 items not including a few dance costumes. I love the rewards of decluttering and paring down, yet I am not sure how this will all come together. With the 100 Thing Challenge I would only have 63 items to remain on my list of personal possessions. I’m not sure if the 100 Thing Challenge is even possible with my lifestyle, but I will still share my progress. These are my dance related items listed below.
3—unitards
3—leotards
3— dance warmers/cover-ups
3—black leggings
1—black athletic shorts
8—dance tights
1—YogaToes (helps with plantar fasciitis)
1—yoga mat
1—foam massage roller
1—5 lb ankle weights
6—dance shoes (ballroom heels, ballet, pointe etc.)
1—Thera-Band
1—Flexistretcher
1—tennis ball (also for massage)
1—knee pads
1—resistance exercise cords
1—portable ballet barre
1—Pilates ring
Have you ever counted all of your personal possessions?
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Everette says
June 6, 2012 at 4:43 pmHi Dawn,
Loving all your new blog posts. I describe myself as a minimalist in the middle as well. But I don’t think I’m doing it as well as you! I don’t find new things to bring into my life but my existing stuff even when pared down is still overwhelming! You already know this but I think that striving for less than 100 items is not practical in some cases. If it means feeling restricted by invisible boundaries then I think it becomes even obsessive and more stressful. Hence I strive for less, but not a specific amount because I know I won’t be happy personally.
Best of luck paring down, I’m due for a major cleanout soon as I may be moving overseas and it will definitely still be more than 100 items. I’m just glad that everyday I have less than the day before.
Dawn Michelle says
June 6, 2012 at 11:15 pmThank you so much Everette! I do feel like decluttering can be overwhelming at times so I no longer try to do too much at once. It is so rewarding though. Being happy is more important than stressing any day.
I also don’t think that 100 items is a practical number for everyone either. I already know that it isn’t practical for me. Not sure what that practical minimalist number will be yet. I truly appreciate your comment. Best wishes with decluttering too!
Nikole says
June 11, 2012 at 6:21 amI have been thoroughly inspired by your blog, in almost every aspect. Right before I moved a year and a half ago from a one bedroom to a one bedroom with my partner, I threw out/donated an amazing amount of stuff. I went through everything. I asked myself these questions, What haven’t I worn? What art supplies have I been holding on to that I haven’t used in two year? What is the likely hood that I will use it in the next two years? How financially viable is it for me to continue to keep it? Would some one else benefit from owning this object more than I do? It was enough to completely fill an apt dumpster full. Full. I didn’t buy most of the objects. A lot of them were gifts, or supplies from my college days.
Well, This weekend I did the same thing. Seeing it is the natural decluttering/cleaning season of spring, and reading your inspiring downsizing. I felt it necessary. I paint. :rolleyes: which is almost never a small inventory of items. My husband makes music and used to build computers and had a plastic tower full of old computer parts. Thankfully he was up to the task as well. And we GREATLY minimized our possessions. It’s not perfect, but I realistically downsized my hobbies not only in items but in time. One only has so much time and too many hobbies can be overwhelming.
Anyway, Deep breathe: there is an amazing amount of space in our tiny one bedroom apartment now. It’s such a relief.
Dawn Michelle says
June 11, 2012 at 8:07 amHi Nikole, Thanks so much for your comment! This is so awesome to hear! Decluttering takes time and it is so great that you and your husband tackled the project together. I simply love that you have found relief from releasing the things that you no longer need. That relief is why I continue to downsize. It takes time especially if you are not forced to do it, for example moving overseas, yet is so worth it! Best wishes!
Marie says
March 17, 2014 at 7:00 pmMy brain really likes the idea of this project, but I am such a magpie collector that I would get stuck at some point (also in between family and school obligations). Maybe I could tackle both the counting and the decluttering at the same time, going around a given room a little at a time. Hmm. That might work. Thanks for the inspiration! You hit on many of my same obsessions, er, interests. I’m loving reading through your blog.
Dawn Michelle says
March 18, 2014 at 7:15 pmHi Marie,
I like the idea of this as well yet for now I am just focusing on keeping the miscellaneous decluttered and to a minimum. I did a decluttering session just last night with paperwork. Once thing that I really did like the challenge of was the 33 Days Declutter Project. This project had some ups and downs for me but so worth every bit of it.
Have a beautiful day!