100

I remember being a kid, when 100 was a HUGE number.  I remember when 100 dollars felt rich.  When 100 dolls, or toy cars, or stuffed animals was absolutely unimaginable.  I wouldn't have known what to do with 100 outfits.  And I probably only knew about 100 people.

Well, now, $100 dollars doesn't even pay one bill.  My son probably has 100 toy cars, 100 train track pieces and hundreds of books.  I have way more than 100 outfits.  And I know hundreds of people.  It's amazing what 20 years will do!

You probably wonder what brought these thoughts about.  Well, I have been reading some minimalist blogs and articles.  I am not ready to jump in head first to the minimalistic lifestyle, but there is a lot about it that appeals to me!  It is amazing to me how much our perspective has changed in even the last 20 years or so!  We are so set on buying new things and collecting stuff, that we just don't realize how much STUFF we really have!

  Seven years ago, when we were newly weds, we moved with a halfway full 4 ft by 6 ft u-haul, and a Ranger pick-up.  And part of what was in the u-haul was a motorcycle, so you can tell how few possessions we had in that trailer!  But in the past 7 years, we have filled up a 3 bedroom house, plus a two car garage with STUFF!  And after moving all the stuff several times, we've just about had enough!

I have been realizing this more and more, because in the last few weeks, I have been sorting stuff to sell at a yard sale.  I have set a goal when it comes to sorting my clothing.  I want to get rid of all but 100 items of clothing.  I'm not talking about socks and shoes and underclothes, but shirts and skirts and jeans, etc.  I have read some blogs where they had 100 personal items, which included their clothes, shoes, toothbrushes and everything.  But I don't think I could handle that! 

I think my goal of 100 is attainable for me right now, but it is sure harder than it sounds!  I have spent today sorting through my dresser and closet, and so far I have over 100 items to get rid of and I'm still not down to my 100 to keep!  Just for perspective, here is a picture of about 50 items of clothing that I am getting rid of...

It is hard for me, because (my husband would be happy to tell you) as a woman, I have the memory of an elephant!  I remember where I was and who I was with when I bought a lot of these items.  I remember different occasions where I wore them.  So I am really having to keep sentiment out of it! 

Just remember, if you haven't worn something in a year, you probably won't wear it this year either!  If you are holding on to clothes that are too small for you, but not seriously doing anything about losing weight, get rid of them!  Half the fun of losing weight is shopping for new clothes!  And if you shop at thrift stores, it's not that expensive to replenish your wardrobe every once in a while.  When you buy something new, try to get rid of something old that you haven't worn in a while.

And think, if we get down to 100 items of clothing per person, the laundry pile is going to shrink!  I have a problem with that around here, because we have a REALLY small stacked washer and dryer set.  And you can only run one of them at a time.  So it takes a long time to do laundry around here!  If I don't have so many clothes to wear, I won't have as many to wash either! :)

The same goes for other aspects of your houshold.  I have gone through my kitchen and got rid of all my doubles.  Who needs two salad spinners anyway? :)  Keep only what you use on a monthly basis.  I read an article that said to throw all your kitchen gadgets into a box and when you use one, put it back in the drawer.  What's left in the box at the end of the month are specialty items that you use once a year or so, (like a turkey baster) and you can put them in the drawer.  But then what's left are things you just don't use anymore.  Get rid of them!

We all need a little moral support when it comes to getting rid of things, and changing the way we look at STUFF.  So I hope this helps!  I'd love to hear how you control the clutter and the amount of stuff in your house!

P.S. I was just sorting through an old purse so I could sell it, and found a fortune cookie slip that says
 "Do not desire what you do not need"
It's a good thought to keep in mind!