Comments on: 100 Item Living

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:47:53 +0000

There is a difference between having stuff to just have stuff and having possessions that are there because of their personal or sentimental value. Sentimental possessions are some of the most comforting things we have in our lives and they help us feel at home. As you say, they are viewed by others as potentially nonsense items, but they mean a lot to the individual.

I think the ideal of this article is focused on stuff to just have stuff. We must keep our memories close to us and in our minds so that we feel comforted. Sometimes, during bad days, they help make it better. Memories live forever and the reminders of them bring them out more often.

Clutter is something we can all do away with, but I am a firm believer that our possessions of memory belong in our lives and home. Don’t let them go just to have less because they are a part of you! But as you say, we can all make new memories, but the past memories are very important too.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:27:28 +0000

While reading this article, I began to think of all I have in my house. And I pretended to look at each room as though I was looking through another’s eyes, I saw things that I could not defend any reason I still have this object in my house. You know how easy it is to look at the possessions, nick knacks, etc of anothers and think, why do they still hold on to that piece of junk or that ugly toy, or maybe that funny looking whatever it may be. But those things mean nothing to you, things you could throw away so easily.

Not so for the person who lives with all this stuff everyday. This stuff is a part of them, every time they look at an item, they remember when they acquired it. It is their memories, their life. I will pick up something to put in the yard sale or to give to someone I think would enjoy it more than me. But before it leaves my house I somehow, sometimes find a reason to bring it back to it resting place in my home. It is so hard, once you get older, to let go of stuff you know you would be better off without.

This stuff is my comfort zone, I don’t feel so lonely or alone, when I have all this stuff to keep me company. But on the other hand, I long for the day, I can let go of it all. For I know it is just clutter, and how I will feel free if I can just get to the point to say take it, I don’t care about it anymore. So my goal is to believe this stuff is just stuff and see it as others do, worthless, better to be free of it, to be happier once it is gone. Make new, better memories with people not stuff.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:47:43 +0000

STUFF seems to multiply over time doesn’t it? We never replace anything, we just continually add to the pile. The 2000 mark is probably closer to reality as you mention for the vast majority of us. I believe that if we weren’t so enthralled with having this STUFF, our nation’s financial crisis would be a lot better. People would be a lot more comfortable in their position and more than likely have a LOT more discretionary spending cash.

It all starts with us training our minds to focus on something outside of what the society and media lead us to “want.” If we can return to “Normal Living,” everyone will be better off even if the conglomerates that feed us empty products whither away. They will be replaced by necessary companies and their products will be worthwhile and not just STUFF filling our households.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:57:10 +0000

I remember the first time that I moved,I only needed a car to move all of my STUFF. When we moved from Missouri to Arizona we rented the biggest U Haul that we could get,plus a pickup load,a car load and a trailer to haul an old car on. This was after selling off a lot of STUFF and or giving STUFF away. I would think that a lot of people including myself would have to start around the 2000 mark just for starters,and then work down.

If we were to run our home like a business where every square foot was worth x amount of dollars,then we would be throwing away a lot of STUFF. Why do we build or buy bigger homes just to pile it up with STUFF? Our city,county,state and federal government loves this because they can collect more taxes. We are paying more to heat and cool our oversize homes,after all, our STUFF needs to be in a temperature controlled enviornment. Right?

Can you imagine the money we could save if we just bought and kept or used what we really need? Get rid of the vehicles that sit in the garage or in the driveway that only gets driven a few hundred miles a year. If for example you sold a very seldom used car for $2000.00, you wouldn’t have to pay for oil changes,gas, taxes, licenses,insurance and all of the other expenses that come with owning a vehicle.If you needed to call a cab every once in a while, You probably would never have to touch the initial $2000.00 that you got for your vehicle.

I believe that if everyone would just buy and keep or use what they actually need,that in just a few years we would not be dependant on the oil supplys from other countries. I know that I rambled on about this but just starting with just a small thing as “100 Item Living” could change the whole outlook for the next generations.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:58:57 +0000

Yes, the ability to “get” is in fact a blessing. We have fallen into the thinking of “I deserve.” I truly believe that “I need” has actually been replaced by “I deserve” or “I want.” Our mindsets are totally different than our past generation’s mindsets. We focus on extra possession in our lives to satisfy when what we have is more than enough. We can never fill the never ending hole of desire but yet we continue to try.

We must allow ourselves to find satisfaction in what we have. Happiness with less is worth more than happiness with more. I truly believe that. There is a saying, “More money, more problems.” I relate that to “More stuff, more problems.” Anytime we focus on more, we will never reach the end.

By: Jeanie

Jeanie — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:26:55 +0000

When I first started reading this article, I was cringing out of embarrassment. I sure have been guilty of getting, getting, getting. It’s easy to do, when you grow up without a lot of stuff and then when you get older you say to yourself you ‘deserve’ it or you’ve ‘earned’ it. PLEASE! We’ve done neither. When will it ever sink in our brains that we have what we have because God has blessed us and for no other reason? The arrogance of it is pathetic! It’s like saying that those who have nothing aren’t as good as you are, since you have more?? That’s crazy!!! Perhaps we could use that thought to stop the buying when we use our pitiful excuses to justify it.

Has anyone ever heard of Flylady? She is big on “decluttering”. It’s the main source she has to getting one’s life out of the chaos. (www.flylady.net)