100 Thing Challenge

College is fast approaching, and a lot of people are talking about what they're taking to college. I hear mostly the same things: bedding, clothes, computer, furniture, and TV. I also hear about is the vast amount of things people will bring. It seems that my friends plan on bringing everything they own. But I have a different idea.


I plan on bringing only 100 personal items to college.


I read about this concept in a book by Dave Bruno, The 100 Thing Challenge. It's a fantastic book. The goal of this is to reduce the amount of clutter you have, and to see what you actually use and love. (Edit- I'd like to give a big thank you to Dave Bruno personally for reading my blog and retweeting this to all his followers. He has done me a huge favor by doing so.)


What isn't included:

• Books
• Cleaning supplies
• Things that aren't personally yours, like dishes, an air conditioning unit, fridge, or TV.
• Tools
• Collections count as one item

I am excited to give this a try. Since I'm going to college soon, I'll be able to use this to guide what I take to college. That way I will truly see how well I can live with only 100 things. Then I will limit my entire life, and not just what I bring to college.

What is included:

• Personal items

It's up to you to decide what's personal and what isn't. Usually you'd include shirts, pants, and clothing all as individual items. There is no judge, no competition, and no wrong answer to this. 

How to start:

• Inventory: Write down everything you choose. That way you can see how close to 100 you are.
• Make a must keep pile. This is for things like a phone, keys, your Olympic Gold Medal, and clothing. Mark those separately, so you know not to forget them in the list.
• Mark all the maybe items. If you get over 100, remove items from this list first. These are items you are borderlined about. Maybe it's that home run derby ball, or the shirt you got for Christmas.
• Get rid of the rest. It's all right if this last step takes longer than the others. If you really think you might need these other items then put them in a box. Put that box in storage, and if you need to use it, you can.
• If 100 is too easy, try a lower number. How about 95? If you're really daring, try 75, or  50.

My list so far:

1. Laptop
2. Phone
3. Camera
4. Climbing shoes
5. harness
6. chalk bag
7. Bible
8. printer
9. bedding
10. backpack
11. sunglasses
12. Sanuks
13. running shoes
14. running shoes
15. hiking shoes
16. flip flops
17. black dress shoes
18. brown/black reversible belt
19. cloth casual belt
20. gyro forearm exerciser
21. door frame pull up bar
22. yoga mat
23. coffee maker

I still have to go through my clothing. That will be the hardest part.

I might choose to list the coffee maker and printer as non-personal since my roommate might use them as well. I chose to list my laptop as one item, but I'm including it in the collection with its charger, mouse, mouse pad, and webcam. Same with my phone. It and its charger are one item.

Things I'm not counting (so far):

• Furniture
• school supplies

Once I know my full list, it will be posted.

Try the 100 thing challenge. Remember, you're the boss of this. You decide what counts and what doesn't. Write to me in the comments section on your progress, or message me in the contact section in the sidebar.

Disconnect and Be Present

Your computer and phone were initially designed to save time, let you connect more with people, and maybe even relieve stress. But actually, it is the opposite. Right now, reading this blog post probably isn't the sole purpose of why you got on your computer. You maybe want to check Facebook, Twitter, or watch YouTube. Maybe even read the news. I'm not going to say give up doing all of that, I'm guilty of it too. I'm saying don't do it just because it's there.


What I am going to tell you is to disconnect.


Turn off the internet when you don't need to use it. It creates distractions and essentially makes any task longer. If you absolutely need the internet, use the full screen mode or close your other tabs. This lets you focus on what you need to accomplish.


I hung out with some friends the other day, and when I got there, a buddy of mine was searching his car for his phone. I helped him out, but without any luck, we couldn't find it. He then called his dad to see if it was at home. It was, and my friend was relieved. I was glad and started to go to the ice cream shop we wanted to go to. He had a different plan. Not only did he say he felt naked without it, he went back home to get it. He then arrived 20 minutes after everyone else, when he was actually the first one there. Even though the purpose of him going out was to be with other people. That got me thinking even more about disconnecting.


People don't even need their phones with them 24/7. It's a waste. Turn it off if you carry it around. An even better idea is to leave it at home. I know sometimes it can be a necessity to have it on you, but that doesn't mean keep it on. Turn it off instead.


How often do you go somewhere with the people you care about just to have your face in your phone talking to people you aren't with?


Turn it off and focus on the people you're with! Appreciate the moment you are in. Be present and not miles away talking to someone else. That text, Facebook and Twitter can wait, and so can you.

Focus on Doing

Recently, my high school has allowed cell phone and mp3 player usage during class changes and lunch periods. Once people were allowed to do this, everyone was buried in their phones. At lunch, everybody is either texting or listening to music. I jumped on this opportunity as fast as everyone else.

Being a teen, I would constantly text, and listen to music. Now, though, I resent even carrying electronics in school. If I text in the hallways, I constantly need to check to see where I am going. It's like texting and driving. You shouldn't do it.

After being exposed to the freedom of texting in school, I no longer want to. I'd much rather be present and talk with my friends that are around me. I like being with my friends now more than trying to hold a conversation with someone in a different room (I can catch up with them later anyway).

This brings me to the zen proverb, "When walking, walk. When eating, eat." This concept is so simple, and incredibly easy. While at school, turn off your phone. Be with your friends, talk, have a good time where you are. You won't be penalized for not updating your facebook status at noon. What would you say? You, and everyone else, can wait until later in the day.

Right now you are probably checking facebook, listening to music, and texting friends. All at the same time. So much information is distracting, and your brain misses what's important. We are constantly thinking about last night, what's for dinner, schoolwork, a new movie, and all sorts of things that distract you from what you're doing now.

Focus on doing. Don't focus on what's going on with someone else. It doesn't matter what it is: walking, doing homework, eating, playing, laughing, or even breathing. When you focus on the now and the doing, everything else melts away. This simple way of living is beautiful.

Choose one thing right now. Focus on just that. Clear out everything else. Get rid of distractions. Really, clear your environment of everything but one thing you want to focus on. Once you finish reading this, turn off your Internet. Read a book, write a story, eat an apple. Do whatever it is slowly. Enjoy every moment of what you're doing now.

Everything else is meaningless. Just you, and now.