high school just got simpler

Monday, August 1, 2011

My Steps To 100 Things


Narrowing down everything I own to 100 things is challenging. Since my last post about 100 things, I've only been able to add one or two items. The 100 Thing Challenge is going to be tougher than I thought.


But if I thought this was going to be easy, it wouldn't be called a challenge then, would it?


So I came up with a plan.


My Plan:
  • List out everything I use.
  • Narrow it down to 100.
I'm not going to make a list of what I'm planning on taking, like what is normally done. I think that is defeating the purpose of being minimal. Instead, I'm going to make a list of everything I use daily. And then narrow that down to 100 things. 


Why I think this plan is better:

  • I don't need to think about it. Normally, I would sit down and think of everything I use and would use and write it down. This way I get a perfect idea of what I use.
  • I account for everything. I won't miss little things like a toothbrush, or alarm clock.
  • I'll have a list ready to go. Since I won't be making the list on the spot, I'll have more time to think about what I need. I'll have a list made already to start making the final 100 thing list.

For the next week or two, I'm going to write down everything I use: clothing, technology, pencils, and even my trash can. This way I'll see what I'm currently using, and what I can cross off my list. Then I'll work on shortening that list. 


What I like about this approach is that I don't need to sit down and think about what I'll need. But one flaw I can think of is that I have to do precisely what I'm talking about: writing down everything I use.


It'll be easier than I think though. I have a notebook I carry around with me, and my phone I can write in if need be. But I'll need to remember to write it all down. Which is exactly why I'm trying it out. By the end of this week, if I don't have anything accomplished, I need to consider a different method. That is my goal for this week: write down everything I use. Next week will be to write down anything new, and to narrow the list down. 


I'll write again after this week is up on my progress.