Comments on: Declutter by Photographing Everything You Own

By: Grey

Grey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:30:32 +0000

@Peter Capek

That who-to-notify-if-your-wallet-gets-stolen idea is great! Mind if I steal it for a future post? All due credit will be given.

By: Peter Capek

Peter Capek — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:45:19 +0000

I have found it useful to photograph (using a copier works better) the entire contents of my wallet once or twice a year, as a way of both cleaning it out and making a record of whom to notify if it is lost or stolen, with all the account numbers handy. Doing it with a scanner and mailing the images to yourself in a way that’s accessible when you travel is a good way to do it.

Mailing yourself a scanned image of the ID pages of your passport also gives some peace of mind when you travel.

By: Scott Hedrick

Scott Hedrick — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:33:21 +0000

I am planning a significant move in about 2.5 years. I am currently attending college for project management, so I have turned this move into an official project (using Microsoft Project and everything). Thanks to this article, I have just added “record serial numbers and photograph stuff as it is packed” to the “to do” list.

By: Uni-Bomber

Uni-Bomber — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:53:40 +0000

If you believe that ‘having less’ is a spiritually elevated existence, then what better way to show how close to God you are than by photo-documentation!?

Having a bunch of photos of how few things you have…Is that a little oxymoronic?
I mean if he got rid of those photos…

What you had or didn’t have in your life is less relevant, it turns out, than what had you in your life.

Casting out material garbage is simple. But what of all the mental clutter?

One more comment to illustrate my point:

“I read an article recently in the local paper here (San Jose Merc) about a guy who basically lives in an empty apartment with two changes of clothes and nothing else. Same philosophy. Only what’s essential.”

Living and working in a very congested and expensive city, in an empty apartment – Don’t they just call that working and living under capitalism?

By: Tracey

Tracey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:34:19 +0000

Wow, it makes you think! I am supposed to be decluttering today, I did the bathroom (pretty easy I always start here …mmm but don’t always get further) but now having lunch looking for tips. I really need to get rid of stuff and I know I’ve got things like this that I will never wear. Will try and get rid of some, you’ve inspired me.

By: satindra ahluwalia

satindra ahluwalia — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:18:50 +0000

Wow! I have been trying to declutter for the last twenty years. The more I tried more cluttered I have become. I gave up a couple of years ago but now I am inspired to give it another ’shot’. Though I will desist it; my first urge is to go buy a good camera. Thank you. You will soon hear about the outcome.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:51:30 +0000

I’m in the process of doing this now. It’s taken two days so far, and my goal is to own only 100 things (or less). I can’t fully declutter, because I have a wife and son to share my home with, but I’m going through my house and for every single item categorizing it into:

1) Not mine (it’s my wife’s or my son’s)
2) For sale on eBay
3) Trash
4) Keep it and write it on my list (up to 100, it’s at 76 now)

I now need only a small part of one shelf in the bathroom and my previously full closet is nearly empty. I now know with certainty where every single item I own is. That feels nice.

By: Stine

Stine — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:08:13 +0000

That is amazing! I think I’m gonna do the same. Not htat my place floats of tsuff, but better to start early than after 10 more years :P

I hope you’ll have a good trip and good luck finding a new place to settle down in!

Norway says Hi ^^

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:36:11 +0000

Yikes. I probably have at least that much stuff just piled up on or near my desk. But I’ve had 49 years to accumulate stuff. Minus losing a house and all it’s contents to fire once (that helps you trim back pretty agressively, let me tell you, but not recommended).

I really really admire your desire and ability to have less. I read an article recently in the local paper here (San Jose Merc) about a guy who basically lives in an empty apartment with two changes of clothes and nothing else. Same philosophy. Only what’s essential.

Your essentials seem more livable than the guy in the paper.

I’d never be able to do it. But I can be impressed.

By: Grey

Grey — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:25:42 +0000

Glad you liked it. I must admit, I was too horrified by the amount of stuff that I had — so much more than I expected. I only just got it done in time before I moved.