I moved into my first apartment All By Myself on June 15, 2012. It’s been over six months, which means it is time to take a hard look at my belongings and evaluate what I have and have not used in the past half-year. The way I see it, if I haven’t used it in six months, I’m not very likely to use it in the next six months either… and then I would have been holding onto stuff for a year!
When I began my minimalist journey, I decimated my stores of stuff and things and belongings and clutter. I got rid of every long-sleeved blouse in my wardrobe because I don’t like long-sleeved blouses. I got rid of over a hundred books, movies, and CDs. I got rid of pants with the tags on because I knew I wouldn’t wear them. I got rid of a mountain of dress pants because I wound up getting a full-time job that requires jeans as daily wear. I have four plates, bowls, cups, mugs, spoons, forks, and butter knives. I did not own a metal baking pan. I only bought three pots and pans for my new place. I don’t have an iron, much to my mother’s dismay.
And still, I think there’s too much.
This six-month checkpoint will allow me to take a look at my closet and see what’s still on a backwards hanger. It will allow me to take a more intense look at my CD, DVD, and book collections still remaining and really decide if I need them or not. I have been feeling the need to purge, and I am excited to go through my stuff again. I am no longer sure if “fit everything into my car” is my ultimate goal, but I do know that I’d like less stuff taking up space. I might even rearrange my few pieces of furniture, or add a desk. You never know!
The reverse 100 things challenge
I wrote before about the reverse 100 things challenge, in which I planned to purge 100 items before the end of 2012. I only got rid of about 20 things, but I think I can reach 100 things by the end of January! I’ll consider that my January challenge.
Monthly challenges
I think 2013 will be full of challenges — some from life (you can never avoid those) and some from me. Each month I would like to challenge myself to do something “minimalist.” January will be the mid-year purging of my belongings since I moved in and the finishing up of the reverse 100 things challenge.
Other ideas include not using a microwave for a month, not buying prepared food at the grocery store for a month, Project 333, repurposing items into something new, not buying anything new for a month, not buying anything for a month, and others I’ll think up along the way. These monthly challenges will be in addition to my year-long commitment to eliminate disposable cups!
Caitlin Liz Fisher 
You sure have planned a busy year. I gave up a microwave several years ago. It just didn’t fit in my life, but then microwaves weren’t even close to affordable for the average person until I was in my 20s so I never learned to need one. Both that I had were gifts and I hated them.
Like you I never came close to 100 things purged before the end of 2012, but am working on that now. As I have been removing things I have a small pile and ask anyone who stops if they could use it. So far a couple kitchen items have found new homes.
I haven’t used my microwave at home in a while, electing to heat things up in the oven or cook them fresh on the stovetop. I even used a saucepan to heat up frozen potatoes and stuffing from Thanksgiving instead of microwaving! But the microwave at work is my only option to heat up my lunch… I need to start packing sandwiches.
Good luck continuing the purge! 🙂 I plan on offering my spoils to the blog world in a giveaway.
What a good idea.
Thanks! I am excited. I started The Purge tonight 🙂
And I’m taking in more trash:-)
I have a “project pile” now. Old tee shirts and stuff that I want to turn into grocery or produce bags to eliminate plastic. However, I have a tendency to just leave them there in an ongoing state of Craft Limbo. So if I haven’t turned them into bags by June, they must go.
You know you could give them to someone who could do it for you. If you lived near me I’d love to help. I have to find things I can do to keep me busy. It’s been a frustrating transition to losing my mobility, and the found furniture items and such have been helpful in keeping my sanity.
Sanity is a very good thing to keep around!
All it takes for me to make these is to just remember to take them to my mom’s and borrow her sewing machine for an afternoon. I’m just lazy on crafting right now. 😦
I imagine it would be very frustrating to lose mobility. I’m sorry you’ve experienced it but I am glad you have found a way to keep yourself occupied and optimistic.
Wow, you’ve got some great goals! Remember that goals give you somewhere to aim, but that it’s really about the journey and not the destination. I had 5 New Year’s resolutions last year, and I only actually met two of them, and even that is debatable. But I don’t regret it, because I made some MAJOR changes in all 5 areas! So don’t beat up on yourself if you fall short. 🙂
FWIW, here’s a post that I wrote about “challenges,” in case there are some you want to try throughout the year. http://oursocalledlife.blog.com/2012/12/21/start-the-new-year-with-a-challenge/
I love your post! I will think about being intentional with my challenges. I’m more about the journey now than ever before!
Ohh good idea about a new focus every month. Can’t wait to read all about them 🙂