Photo credit: Mokihana CalizarWe live in a kitchenette, and are building VARDOFORTWO on a 12 foot trailer. There are two of us, and yes we'll both be living in a space that is less than 80 square feet. How will we do it? Good question. Today begins the newest cycle of productivity and forward movement. The three day `ole cycle is over ... and the longest night (the Winter Solstice, Dec 21st) is a month away. It may be a wierd time to consider writing this post, and then again it's probably the best of times to keep my attention on loving the minimalist life we do have. Living with multiple chemical sensitivities makes shopping and purchasing anything an exercise in discernment to say the least. Buying things that won't make me sick is part of the every day. Learning what things are important is the golden ring, the take-away, the blessing.
Pete and I have moved fourteen times in fourteen years. If you've read our twin blog samandsally, you know the fictional flight of the two dears in that story. With very few modifications, Sam and Sal are Us. Each time we moved, stuff was left behind. Each time we moved the emotions involved were multiple/complex/stressful. In zen fashion each move set the stage for answering the question: 'HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?' Recalling the moves I smile as think of the pieces of furniture that now live with my brother and sister-in-law in Waimanalo; I wonder who is playing my old conga drum in Hilo; does that little boy in Manoa Valley sit on our favorite tiny chair?; does the bamboo and crane screen give Collette joy? I stop myself here and look around the kitchenette ... a few of our favorite things still travel with us and that is the purpose for today's post, the 100 THINGS CHALLENGE.
What are the 100 things I need to live in VARDOFORTWO? If you're up for the challenge, and would like to have some 'minimalist fun' here's a place to start:
1. Take INVENTORY. With a note pad and a pencil and walk through your stuff. If you have lots of stuff, you might want to start one room at a time.
2. MUST HAVES. List all the things you feel you must have. At this point numbering them is up to you. If it scares you, yikes!! to see that the numbers pass '100' don't worry this is your list and no one's watching.
3. GIVE AWAYS. List the things you know you don't need or don't want any more. Clear a place for these things. WHAT A PERFECT TIME TO sort through things that might be great recycled presents.
4. BORDERLINE STUFF. This is the list of 'I can't decides.'
Here's the beginning of my LIST OF 100 THINGS:
(I see this list is a winter list)
1. Austin Air Filter
2. Heater
3. socks
4. socks
5. socks
6. long underwear
7. long underwear
8. long underwear
9. tee shirt
10. tee shirt
11. winter coat
12. warm pants
13. warm pants
14. turtle neck
15. turtle neck
16. turtle neck
17. nebulizer
18. glutithione
19. eye drops
20. sweater
21. sweater
22. warm hat
23. warm hat
24. tea pot
25. favorite mug
26. sweat shirt
27. crockpot
28. toaster oven
29. stove top burner
30. futon altar (my bed)
31. sheet set
32. sheet set
33. silk comforter
34. soup bowl
35. soup bowl
36. soup bowl
37. soup bowl
38. silverware for 4 (it's my list right?)
39. chopping knife
40. chopping board
41. glasses for 4
42. Vitamix
43. waffle iron
44. toothbrush
45. Tropical Traditions Organic Soap
46. baking soda
47. I Can Breathe Masks
48. laptop
49. cotton throw rugs
50. portable c.d. player
51. rechargeable batteries
52. battery charger
53. digital camera
54. hair brush
55. reading lamp
56. reverse osmosis water system
57. bath towels
58. cellphone
59. warm gloves
60. moon calendar
61. meditation tapes
62. prescription sunglasses
63. flashlight
64. comfy robe
65. cloth napkins
66. pillow
Pause ... this is my start. I'm giving myself the month to do this. That'll take me right up to the Winter Solstice on December 21st. If you'd like to join in, let me know how it goes, and we'll see where this takes us.
Here are two links to The 100 THINGS CHALLENGE for inspiration or just for fun:
2 comments:
I find the 100 things concept fascinating. I have lived smaller than I do now but I find it tends to "outsource" more items/services. While we don't all need a washer, drier, car, and one of every other thing we have many things are essential to a homesteading life. Some of these things can be shared, but no all.
We need a barn and tools and good kitchen with food storage and a garden. Otherwise I'm just looking to other people to provide my food and other needs. So it's a conundrum to live life lightly and trust that others will provide or to go the self sufficiency route...
EJ
Anonymous "EJ" it's great to hear from you, and love knowing that your essential homesteading life inclues "barn, tools, kitchen and garden."
What is essential differs for all of us, and "some of these thing can be shared" is just where we wish to be. This exercise puts my hands on everything I 'own': that includes things, life skills and being able to live the give-and-take of relating. Trust is the key! Thanks, Mokihana
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