about that minimalism thing

Mind you, I don't think I'm going to be a minimalist in the traditional sense, but as I said before, I think there is something to this and I want to give it a try.

As such, I am here to give you a report on my progress. I didn't quite follow the path explained here, but I did walk in parallel.

They suggested I spend the first way making a "must-do" list. I skipped that and opted to motivate myself in a different way by counting the things I own. I also took pictures. It certainly did drive the point home for me, but we'll get to that later. Let's talk about the things I counted. Some of them, I didn't count because it contains many small things that comprise a unit. There will be a picture of what part of the house I was in and what things I counted there. Here goes:

MY DESK

• folding chair
• cup of writing utensils
• speakers
• macbook pro
• desk lamp
• modem
• router
• ashtray
• bible
• book (borrowed, so i counted those as one)
• wipes
• lotion
• capoeira book (SBAFP)
• file folders (7)
• box of dice
• minipads (3)
• box of paper clips
• mouse
• change jar
• phone (metro)

Total: 28 things

ON MY WALL

• belts (2)
• hats (6)
• lei (2)
• dreamcatcher
• bags from varying stores to decorate the wall (6)
• whiteboard
• calendar
• pictures (2)
• posters (5)
• magnets (3)

Total: 29 things

ON THE FLOOR

• punching bag
• blankets (2)
• air mattress
• pillows (5)
• panda
• phone (iPhone)
• headphones
• air pump
• dumbbells (2)
• trash can

Total: 16 things

IN THE CLOSET

• pillows (2)
• blanket
• toolbox
• laptop case
• suit
• jackets (6)
• hoodies (4)
• vest
• blazers (2)
• pants (7)
• sweaters (5)
• hanging shirts (12)
• socks
• shorts (4)
• boxers (10)
• sai (2)
• ironing board
• laundry basket
• laundry net bag
• sword bin
• swords (9)
• posters (2)
• hats (4)
• xmas stockings (2)
• picture
• portable HDs (2)
• program from musical
• bubble wand
• lip balm
• phones (2)
• cable ties (2)
• memory cards (3)
• USB cable
• thermal shirts (2)
• long sleeve shirt (2)
• wifebeater (2)
• neckwarmer
• scarves (4)
• thai hand wraps
• bandanas (11)
• handkerchief
• jump rope
• buffalo waiter aprons( (2)
• pair sunglasses
• apron
• eye cover
• yoyo
• 316 stake
• 3d glasses
• buckle
• button
• ties (7)
• suspenders
• grip
• gloves
• envelopes
• rent envelopes
• knitting box
• accessory box
• laptop
• ibuprofen
• lighter
• brain coral
• tshirts (26)
• dress socks (6)
• thermal socks (2)
• metal tray
• glass bowl with beads
• chapstick
• bead necklace (7)

Total: 193~ things; I'll recount later, but this is a big enough number to get the idea, yes?

HALL CLOSET

• conditioner
• wrench
• hammer
• screwdriver
• toothpaste (2)
• deodorant (4)
• body wash (3)
• comb
• blacklight
• lint roller
• bedsheets
• vibrator pillow
• tissue
• towels
• clipper sets (2)
• travel size toiletries (9)

Total: 32 things

BATHROOM

• body wash
• shampoo (2)
• loofah
• shaving cream
• conditioner
• shaving gels (3)
• after shave
• lotion
• bump stopper
• cologne (2)
• razors (3)
• soap bar
• floss
• toothbrush
• toothpaste

Total: 21 things

BOOK CLOSET

o_O

• lapboard
• printer (2)
• chinese tea set
• containers (4)
• suitcase
• cups of pencils (2)
• xmas dish set for 4
• sushi set
• books (99)
• plate
• bowl
• pet bowl
• shot glass
• CD case (2)
• planner
• phone box
• ream of paper (2)
• yearbooks
• notebooks (5)
• pads (2)
• geek squad training book
• card
• picture
• meditation ball set
• baskets (2)
• envelopes
• Starcraft 2 box
• bags
• monitor cleaning supplies
• camera box
• files
• bag of CDs (3)
• CDs (47)
• doorknobs (2)
• SNES games (18)
• packet of pictures (8)
• windows vista install disc
• cases (14)
• container
• laptop
• ottoman

Total: 238 things

Oh, and you know those containers and that suitcase I mentioned earlier? Yeah, that's another 101 things. WTF. Ugh. Then I remembered I had to count two more things just when I thought I was done, there was more counting as I remembered I have a downstairs. I groaned, but stuck to the plan.

LIVING ROOM

• chair (5)
• table mat (2)
• table
• box of cards
• xbox
• PS2
• controllers (4)
• DVDs (3)
• video games (14)

Total: 32 things

KITCHEN

• laundry detergent
• bleach
• wasabi peas
• seaweed
• oatmeal
• container
• water bottle (2)
• plate
• silverware (8 set)
• chopsticks (8 pairs)
• brown holder

Total: 58 things

You know, I haven't exactly totaled this, so let's see... That is 647 things... unless I count what was in all of those containers. Then it's 748 things.

Seven hundred and forty-eight things. Really? Wow. Just wow. Just. Freakin'. Wow.

You know what the funny thing is here? More than half of it is comprised of things I keep for sentimental value. All of the pictures are pictures I haven't looked at or two in almost four years. I have brain coral in my drawer. When was the last time I used the yoyo? I don't take ibuprofen. I have bedsheets and own an air mattress. What do I need two doorknobs for exactly? I have paper reams and a printer.

No one here prints anything ever.

All of the books in my closet I have either read or have no intent to read. The notebooks? I don't use them either. I hardly write anything on paper. I have phones I don't use and don't work. Are you serious right now? 3D glasses. Seriously.

Now that this is out here for all of you to read, this is why I am thinking moving to something more minimalistic would be nice. Just saying.

I have a piece of paper my friend from high school drew some things on 11 years ago now. It's been a decade. I don't even know if this person is even alive. Maybe I should just scan the thing if I want to keep it. Sentimental value is not a good enough reason to keep all of this stuff and being a sentimental pack-rat at 29 is nonsense....

I have a bo staff and seven pairs of shoes I forgot to count. That's another 8 things.

Seven hundred and fifty-six things now. Good grief. Revolution is coming for sure. I want something else.