How I decluttered 1,000 things in 3 years

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How I decluttered 1,000 things in 3 years

I moved to Vermont in 2003 with too many things, into a too tiny apartment. I had wall-to-wall stuff and when you constantly have to dust, step over, move or ignore things you don’t even like, it’s time to declutter.

Even when I moved to a huge apartment three years later, I still noticed the sporting goods piled up in the corner and the spare bedroom full of boxes of more stuff.

A bit like Goldilocks, that first apartment was too small, the second was too big, and my current apartment is just right. Nonetheless, I continue to develop an ethos and aesthetic that revolves around simplicity, utility and beauty in all areas of my life.

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Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: How I Decluttered 800 Things

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Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: How I Decluttered 800 Things

For the past 15 months, I’ve gotten rid of 800 items in my home. It all started with Dave Bruno’s 100 Thing Challenge and then Courtney Carver’s Reverse 100 Thing Challenge. I thought I’d never be able to part with so many of my possessions that I’d achieve Bruno’s goal of owning only 100 things. Even Carver’s goal of just getting rid of 100 things seemed slightly impossible.

But in one year (2012), I easily decluttered 500 items, while only bringing 100 new items into my home. And I just got rid of 300 more items in these first three months of 2013. Keep reading →

Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: 400 Things Decluttered

Posted by On Filed under Voluntary Simplicity / Minimalism 6 Comments
Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: 400 Things Decluttered

Last year, I was intrigued by Dave Bruno’s 100 Thing Challenge, but could not imagine reducing all of my possessions down to just 100 items. The challenge seems more appropriate for digital nomads, travelers and, well, people who don’t have any art, books or photos. Nonetheless, it intrigued me, so I decided to do the opposite and see if I could give away 100 things.

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Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: 368 Things Decluttered

Posted by On Filed under Voluntary Simplicity / Minimalism 2 Comments
Reverse 100 Thing Challenge: 368 Things Decluttered

The Reverse 100 Thing Challenge is well on its way to 400!

The 100 Thing Challenge is about simplifying your possessions and getting down to just 100 – perfect for full-time travelers and digital nomads. On the other hand, the Reverse 100 Things Challenge is better suited for those of us with full closets and full junk drawers – the challenge is to get rid of 100 things.

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