There’s a lot of power to saying things out loud publicly. So here goes:
I’m going to let go of all my possessions.
I’m going to get my material existence down to 3 backpacks and 1 box.
I’m giving myself 10 months to do it. May 1st 2011.
I have always wanted to do this and live super free unencumbered by “things.” In my 20′s everything I owned fit into my car. When did I get so much CRAP? (and I have so much LESS than most people).
The last 3 months have been very significant for me. I have started to speak up about things, like my needs and wants that I have kept silent on for years. This speaking up has unleashed a flood of courage!
I have met amazing people on Twitter and they have influenced me and inspired me in the best way.
The great thing about Twitter is that it’s global and so your personal world expands wildly from other cultural influences and the way people are living their lives, and you can find people who are doing things you are interested in–who have gone before you and blazed the trail.
For example, on this subject, http://mnmlist.com /http://happylotus.com/about/ http://unbravegirl.com/have inspired me.
I’m not sure what I’ll do, except to say I am going to kick off the whole thing with a month long drive up the east coast of Australia in a camper van from mid May to mid June. I’ll see what happens from there! (Isn’t that an amazing thing to say!)
And because I am monetizing my life online with my life-coaching and writing clients, I can fund my life. I am becoming my own little economy.
What I do know is that I am responding to that little voice inside for maybe the first time at 45 years old that I am always scolding and hushing up because it seems too wild, too nonsensical, too irresponsible, too BIG, too whatever….
That voice also tells me I will end up alone, unloved, and on the street, and that I will deserve that for making nothing of my life (you can see how mean and yucky these voices are right?).
That little voice of my dreams that I am trying to hush is so full of power.
So here I am, standing before you telling you all.
The other day I piled up over half my books to give to the library. I thought, “I could keep going.” And so I’m going to.
I’ll document my progress here on my blog.
Hey what do you think we should call the project? If we get a name for it, I could tag the posts and it would be easy for you all the read the progress.
I’ll also continue to blog about Buddhism and writing and personal/emotional development and all that jazz.
I would LOVE to hear of any more people on Twitter who have done the same sort of thing, so if you know them, please send them my way.
To the journey ahead!
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{ 74 comments }
omg I LOVE THIS
go bindu go bindu go bindu!
i will be your cheerleader!
I think we could call it Detaching or Unpossession.
Amazing idea. I am just trying to simplify more things in my life and get rid of a lot of built up clutter right now.
.-= Juliana´s last blog ..Sep 26- 2010 – 99x Unplugged In the Park – Atlanta- GA =-.
WWWWWOOOOOOOWWWWW!!! You are living it. Go Bindu!!! I love that you aren’t buying into the trap of “practical” thinking. SOOOOOO Refreshing. So hot. I need a tissue.
BTW – I’m Dara. Nice to post on your blog:)
Good for you!
I’m @xpatadventures and I have done this before and am now in the midst, quite unexpectedly, of doing it again!
In 2004 I was a stepmom in a three-story suburban house with a view of the Colorado Front Range. Drove an SUV, the whole nine yards.
In 2005 I’d whittled down to what could fit in a 7′x7′ box I shipped overseas.
It was the best thing I’ve ever done.
Unexpected events have led to pretty much the same thing again now. I do have a few prized possessions I won’t let go of: A La-Z-Boy chair that’s my own sort of Declaration of Independence. Art from trips all over the world. A small pile of books and momentos. (This time many fewer books and CDs, though, now that I have a Kindle and my computer can hold my CDs and photos.)
Life is slower, simpler. In fact, now I am in a phase of needing to fill it back up, but not with things this time.
There’s time to ponder the big questions… or just relax. I have time now to consider my true Purpose, rather than just doing what needs to be done to maintain everything or go places.
I find I miss funny things — in Colorado I had a very large set of cast iron frogs that were metal yard art. They were so cool. I think about them still. Otherwise, I don’t regret getting rid of a single thing. Using eBay and other sites to add to your Own Private Economy/Cash Flow is great, too!
Good luck shedding and adventuring!
Rebecca in Switzerland
http://www.xpatadventures.com
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Eating- Praying- Loving =-.
There is so much joyous energy leaping from this post, I could not be more excited for you! And I can’t wait to follow your journey. xo
.-= emma´s last blog ..Blooming Mondays- July 26- 2010 =-.
I am doing something similar with my business. Working towards most of my monetizing being online so that I can do it from anywhere. I’m also taking sailing lessons because my man and I are going to be living on a sailboat in the next few years, sailing around, and I’ll be giving intuitive advice from the seven seas!
Good luck on your journey! Sounds awesome!
.-= Bridget´s last blog ..How to be Moneylicious- Pt 1- Play with your Transaction Anxiety =-.
I would call it your Joy project, after the Richard Wagner quote ‘Joy is not in things; it is in us’.
You’re amazing. Have the time of your life.
Hey Bindu:
What do you really want as a result of doing this? I ask that not to give you the deer in the headlights look (sorry if I did that by the way) but because shooting for whatever that is may give you a name for this adventure of yours and also provide inspiration to go go go.
I’m in your corner – I admire what you’re doing. It takes guts and courage to openly acknowledge those voices shouting doom, doom, doom and live your dream. You go girl!!!
Really excited and proud of you for doing what feels so free-ing.
Fantastic, lovely brave AWESOME idea. Motherhood brings with it many joys, but I tell you one of the frustrations is the amount of STUFF involved. I don’t know, it just seems like crap piles up everywhere when kids are in the mix! And there is a good deal of time and energy involved spent – daily, alas, even hourly it seems sometimes – in putting all that stuff back in its rightful place. I can close my eyes and picture your clutter-free life of driving through Australia and just breathe out – ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Lovely. Good for you my dear!
The little voice of your dreams has been practicing and now it SINGS aloud! Congratulations on hearing the music, and enjoy it all.
.-= Marisa Birns´s last blog ..Memento Mori =-.
Thanks for sharing your inspirational revelation Bindu, I got chills when I read that and am looking forward to reading about your adventure. How about calling it The Free Spirit Project, because in essence, you are freeing your spirit by doing without material things to weigh you down. You go, girl!
I’m inspired. I live with an architect who, if he hasn’t got clutter disorder…. well, actually, he does. I don’t need anyone else to tell me so. I spend hours a week shuffling unnecessary items out to the curb. He shuffles them back in; I sneak them into my car and drive to Goodwill; when I get home, he’s found new stuff to fill the space I made.
What i mean is: I hear you! Lately, my inclination has been to minimize, simplify, pare down.
My dream is to rope off a couple of rooms and whittle things down – Apple Store style – to white walls and white space. Inspired, I will begin: I will think of you, slowly emptying your rooms and closets. I will set my own deadline and get on with it – even if, in the very next room, another pile of wood scraps, doorknobs and really interesting metal things is accumulating.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Guidance for you- in my dream! =-.
I’m so happy for you! May your lovely brave soul guide you and protect you on this blessed journey. Better belongings are on the way to you, mi amiga. Blessings y besitos!
I’m so excited for you. Last year I had a major declutter/throwout and keeping going despite my doubts (ooo what if I regret this in two years) was totally worth it. The energy of this is beautiful.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..In Which I Explore the 6 of Swords =-.
Bindu! I recently started following you on Twitter. You’re part of my new effort to bring more reality and goodness into my life. I am so excited for you! I must chime in with the others…Go Bindu, Go! I have looked at this action before…paring down to just the essentials. I too used to be able to fit all I owned in my car during my twenties. Moving was ONE LOAD! Now…I’ve got a lotta crap. I am inspired to start my own step toward minimalism. I am resolving to pare down my closets to that which I use. Not that which I covet but that which I use. A tiny step (except you haven’t seen my collection of clothes, shoes, bags, belts…). Hee. Can’t wait to watch your journey, and my own!
Love to you,
Tracy
P.S. So sorry to hear of your recent loss. Prayers for peaceful passages for your friend and for your healing.
What an amazing adventure this is going to be!!
Having just moved house I TOTALLY relate the to need to get rid of all the stuff in our lives – during the move I managed to donate rid of two trailer loads of things to the hospice shop, and a trailer load of junk to the tip.. but I feel as though I still need to get rid of more.. I have piles of boxes to unpack in the new place but I’m thinking – do I really need to?? So over the next year I plan to donate a box of things each week/fortnight until what is left is only ‘essential or beautiful’. We’ll be moving again in about 18 months time (we’re building) so I hope that the next move will be smooth and simple
Good Luck Bindu – I am so looking forward to following your journey!
x
Hey, you can always move up to VT. We just call it the “hustle” up here. 3 jobs, very little money but what do you need when you live in paradise?
.-= Raven´s last blog ..Tarot at Rutland Ethnic Festival this Fri & Sat! =-.
completely and totally awesome.
i will follow you, cheer you on, and chant mantra at those sabotaging voices.
to freedom,
lisa
Amazing! Wow- you really touched a nerve! I soooo long to get rid of MORE stuff (I’m known to keep it pretty clutter free!) but I live with OTHERS. Nuff said. And then of course there’s my shoes….. I’m so excited to follow you!
.-= Megan Matthieson´s last blog ..Proud Alienation let those fers go =-.
almost 4 years ago my husband & i sold almost everything we owned & lived out of 2 large backpacks and 2 small ones. we lived that way almost a year, in the USA, travelling around NZ for 6 weeks in a tiny campervan, making our way to the UK via Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore & Greece. i loved the freedom of that time in my life.
now, we have stopped moving around and accumulated quite a bit of stuff again. and your declaration is timely and encourages me to once again assess what we have vs. what we need. i’ve been clearing out too. logistically i’m not sure if i will ever get back down to only one large backpack, though i know i can live with a lot less than i have now.
it does feel great and i wish you much success!
.-= leonie wise´s last blog ..magnificence =-.
I haven’t done exactly what you are doing-but have moved across country and fit everything into my car-it was not easy to part with things! I can’t wait to follow your adventures in Austrailia. I’ve lived overseas and loved it-so many great things await you.
.-= Colette A Buckeye Girl Reads´s last blog ..Review- Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews =-.
Good for you!!! You will feel so liberated and free, both in your body and in your mind.
I felt similarly weighed down by THINGS, thoughts, even people, 3 years ago, after living in NYC for over 10 years and decided one day to quit my job, rent out my apt, and explore the world. 4 months later I packed a bag and spent 13 months traveling throughout 5 continents. By far, the most empowering year of my life!
You realize how little you really need to be happy and simply spending time with yourself gives you unique power and courage.
Good luck! My minimalist/travelers soul is with you!
hi there,
I’m glad you’re no longer listening to the mean voices. What a wonderful, fun, brave and exciting thing you are doing (all of it!) I wish you every success, in fact, I know it will be a success! To become your own economy and fund your dreams is what I think ‘right now’ is about. The making it happen generation in positive and life affirming ways. A friend of mine is leaving a full time managerial job to go and live freely for 6 months in the rainforests of Australia with her (Australian) husband. People are asking if she’s crazy and yet I think listening to her inner voice is the best thing she can do.
I have been reading Zen Habits blog recently and have been so inspired, slowly but surely I have begun to declutter my home. I intend to blog about it too soon. I don’t like too many things and would love to live minimally. Having art and children tends to mean clutter accumulates though! Go you – and I look forward to hearing more.
Amelia.x
absolutely wonderful!
what an amazing project and adventure to look forward to.
I love that quote that @ClaireKing left above “joy is not in things, it is in us”
Truly a terrific mantra to take with you.
Huzzah!!
THIS IS WONDERFUL! I have never felt as free and AWAKE as I do getting on a plane with everything I need in a backpack.
xxx
Oh, Bindu, I love this! And I love the idea of calling it The Joy Project. That’s totally what I’m calling mine. I’m currently going through a divorce, and though it’s been amicable, I fought pretty hard to keep a lot of stuff. And now, I’m in this wonderful apartment surrounded by all sort of things, and none of them make me happy.
So, I’m letting it all go. Last month, I did the same thing you did with my books. Books! And it wasn’t even painful. It felt wonderful! And now I’m going through all my other whatsits and whoozits and I’m gradually making space for what I really want: lightness, freedom, time. My things have been keeping me from all of those.
My timeline is shorter than yours; my lease is up at the end of October. And I have no idea where I’ll be going, but I’m more at home in that unknowing than I have been in all the plans I’ve made in the last decade. I don’t know where I’ll be going, but I know I’ll be travelling, I’ll be writing, and I’ll be reading your blog.
.-= Diane Whiddon´s last blog ..Re- My Official Resignation Letter =-.
You are SO amazing. In my dreams I travel with my family. Self-funded. Our own little micro-economy. Me, him and our child.
Time to let stuff go. Material and emotional.
Inspiring!
.-= Jo´s last blog ..Jaux Hawk See what I did there =-.
Bindu, what a fabulous idea. I’ve been getting rid of ‘stuff’ since the beginning of the year so that I can travel, learn and live my life wherever I want. I’ve given myself til the end of this year so I can do the Camino next year and anything else that takes my fancy;)
Positive vibes your way to help you on this incredible path.
Zing Bindu! I’ve been inspired by Leo on mnmlist.com for ages too and use his posts to psyche me up / hold my hand to do massive decluttering and love it. It was he who tipped me into action when I had long felt the urge to purge.
Interestingly, perhaps not unlike yourself, I was simultaneously purging nasty/outmoded limiting beliefs and horrid people from my life. Once you decide to get rid of your stuff, the whole thing whips along at a cracking pace all the time physical decluttering encouraging internal and back again and flowing in a circular way gathering pace. Whirlpool! Tornado! Bring it on!
I also love @missminimalist ‘s blog http://www.missminimalist.com and would recommend that too for energising towards minimalism.
Good on ya for having the brilliant goal of Aussie. I’ve driven up the East Coast of NSW and Queensland and some of Victoria and it is beautiful. Hope you’re looking up divine Ms Bea when you’re there.
Big hug lovely,
Flora
.-= Flora´s last blog ..The case for constraint =-.
I read a blog where the writer eliminated unwanted things from her house by picking 10 items to get rid off every week, for 6 weeks. Every week she took a picture of all the items and posted it to her blog, along with her methods for getting rid of each item. Sustainable elimination. Mindful, as well as a clever disposal method for unwanted items.
Best of luck with your endevour. Freedom comes from having nothing weighing you down – be it a heavy heart or an overflowing closet. I’m attempting the same and will be very interested to see how you liberate yourself from “stuff”.
What your doing is beyond amazing! You inspire me so very much.
This is so brave and so life-affirming. I will thouroughly enjoy coming here to read about your adventure.
.-= Kimberley McGill´s last blog ..What In Holy Tarnation Am I Doing =-.
Wow – oh wow! I admire your freedom, both of things (soon to be) and of mind. I look forward to following this journey of yours and hopefully picking up some things that I can let go of as well!! Thank you!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..30 Journals 30 Days – Featured Artist! =-.
you’re amazing and brave!!! can’t wait to watch the progress here on your blog.
brilliant. but this is de rigeur for Wiles-world.
what came to mind is the Wordsworth classic…”The World Is Too Much With Us”
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not.–Great God! I’d rather be
A pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
.-= matt´s last blog ..Lean into your obstacle =-.
Brilliant – go you. I’m doing a similar thing – I’m moving into a smaller place on Thursday. After I’ve moved I’ll be slimming down my stuff rather a lot – at least half my books are on the way out, and that’s just the books; a blog post or two may follow. I salute you for following your inspiration, and I’m looking forward to reading more of your writing.
well you will be living the dream of many I suspect. I certainly dream of upping sticks and travelling in a campervan at least! And I wouldn’t be taking my stuff with me (my family though, they would come….) but how totally liberating. no stuff. I have been decluttering for about a year now and I still seem to have SO MUCH STUFF. I shall be following with interest and vicarious pleasure.
.-= moyra scott´s last blog ..I am enough I have enough I do enough =-.
My husband and I talked about this, just last night. Giving/selling/tossing our possessions to focus on what we really want to cultivate in life. Our relationships, family, children, community.
I think what you are doing is amazing. And though, not as extreme with two kids we are joining you!
Hi Bindu,
You go, girl! I am so happy for you. What a wonderful adventure you will have and Australia is a great place to begin that journey. It is such a beautiful country.
Thank you so much for mentioning me in your post. If I can be of any help in any way, just let me know and I sincerely mean that too.
I look forward to reading about your journey!
Bindu, you’re brave, admirable, and wonderful. Good luck shedding!
Hiya Bindu – how about calling it ‘Reflecting Me’
hehe
Wow. This is very courageous. I’m having enough trouble dealing with the paperwork in my office. Happy heaving
and I will definitely be following your progress. xo
Not too long ago I wrote a blog post about this over at Vision and Verb called “clean sweep,” about how I want to do this, I think about taking everything I own out onto the front lawn and then only bringing back what I need. The essentials. I don’t think I have the courage to do it, just yet. But I love that you do, love that you are sharing it with us, love that we can live vicariously through you.
Yay Bindu! I’m waving my pom poms and jumping up and down over here! This is HUGE EXCITING NEWS! I desire to join you on one of your adventures and sing country western songs at the top of our lungs in your van. My aunt and uncle who I founded Team Northrup with (www.teamnorthrup.com) pride themselves on being able to fit everything they own in their Jeep. They are 63 and 59. They have made an incredible life for themselves that includes being able to go anywhere they choose at any time. I admire them. They make an incredible living and they barely own anything. It’s amazing and it’s a conscious philosophy. I’m more of a “stuff” girl myself and I love deep, deep roots but I love to hang with adventurers like you and Penny and Phil (my aunt and uncle) to get a taste of the unencumbered life (maybe you should change the tag line of your blog from the “Awakened Life” to the “Unencumbered Life”
) Anyway, I’m really glad you’ve declared this publicly and I will so hold your toes to the fire and make sure you do it. I’m really excited to read about this next chapter. xoxo
Here’s to letting little voices roar! Very cool, Bindu — and as anyone who’s ever had to empty a home after a parent’s death can tell you: anyone you leave behind when you eventually graduate to that next level will be SO GRATEFUL to inherit only the things you really chose to give meaning to.
The “Joy” project that Diane Whiddon mentioned brought to mind the acronym: Just One Yes.
All it takes is Just One Yes. Your little voices says: “Ooh, always wanted to hit the road, foot loose and fancy free…” And you say “Yes I will go exploring for a month in a camper.” One yes at a time leads to the next right place, the new right time, because you’re a different person at the end of your camper month than you are right now, so who know what you’ll need to do when that’s finished… and maybe it won’t be finished, maybe it’s extended, or your fall in love and stay for awhile… or, or, or!
Once you reduce your clutter, remove your trash, old stuff that has no meaning, etc., you may be faced with favorite books, or a beloved shirt, or your strappy little evening heels from Prom 19… — well, real things that people made, pieces of your life that still make you smile.
So MY TIP for reducing those possessions (as a Girl who has one of everything in case I need it to build a lamp or host the Oscars or shoe a mare…) is to:
First: snap a photo of the things — your memory, your sense of self, your stories, your comfort may well want to see one of those items again, like an old friend.
Then, think of the item, not as being tossed or exiled, but as traveling on, like you are, to go live with and be pleasing for and be useful to its next family… kinda like TOY STORY 3.
You can still donate books to the library, or sell the older, rare copies to a book reseller… You can sell your items or host an estate sale/going away party — invite your friends and hold a raffle for something wildly “you” (or valuable, or silly, or unsellable!) And pass the tape recorder around at the party/estate sale for your friends and family to record their travel tips and good wishes… you may want that comforting sound some night, too.
As you see, I’m all about being prepared for the delightful surprises of adventuring, and it doesn’t mean making a new world into your former world… but just *knowing* that you have a few digital sound and image files of back-up memory, if you ever need them (and as a help to ID’ing you if you wake up with amnesia someday… seen MEMENTO? Just sayin’!), may add a sense of support such that you’ll never miss a thing.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures, to hearing about the book deal you’re going to start pitching about all this (right Bindu?), and to learning from your new perspectives along the way.
Fill ‘er up!
~GirlPie
PS: I’ll intro you to wonderful writer Joe Rhodes at http://traipsathon.com on twitter: @EarlKabong — he’s doing the exact same thing, just started the trek here in the states… (where we hope your travels bring you someday~ )
.-= @TheGirlPie´s last blog ..TheGirlPie- Thanks to @WriteAdvantage for intro to @brainzoomings http-bitly-9QKgS3 who also RTs @cmartell – @vissualsspeak same acct Christine =-.
This is totally in line with what has been going on with my brain. It is amazing that you are taking this leap and I am sure it will be rich and fulfilling!
All right. You twisted my arm. I’m in.
I’m aiming to fit all my crap into a backpack for my cameras and Mac, and one huge-arse suitcase that I can haul myself to the other side of the world.
Time to let go of all the unnecessary shit weighing me down. See you on the road!
Bindu, spending the past few months on a journey with you through 21.5.800 (and now this incredibleness you’ve just announced) has been enlightening and earth-shattering, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion when I say I’m no longer in the place I’ve spent the past nine years of my life, a place of misery, self-doubt, resentment. Thank you, far more than words can express, and I will be joining you often on your courageous, inspiring journey through life.
.-= Yuki Murai´s last blog ..Imagining Your Best Life =-.
CHEERS to you Bindu! Best wishes for this new journey! How exciting for you!
I “pulled a geographic” once before in Sept ’04 and headed for the gem of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende. I left my job, my home, my country, currency, family and my husband! Well, not literally on the latter portion- my husband was in support of my wish to spend four months in such a beautiful place. I had no plan except to set off on a new path- from banker to writer- and it was exhilirating. Six years later, I am so much better for it! You’ve just inspired me to blog about this and recollect on the beauty of escaping!
I propose the name SabBINDUcal for your 10 month sabbatical! It’s radical living! Keep inspiring lovely lady.
.-= Cheryl Chavarria´s last blog ..Convivial Cameo- White Hot Interview with Danielle LaPorte =-.
Bindu,
wishing you the best on this daring adventure! so many of us cart this stuff around, protecting it for a lifetime only to sell it for nothing and head into the nursing home. The voice in your head’s frightened! don’t listen to her. she’s a scaredy cat …
project name: Bindu’s Big Adventure!
will follow your de-possession process.
Giulietta
.-= Giulietta´s last blog ..Is your life a daring adventure =-.
Bindu, so very happy for you! Sometimes I wish I could run away to the circus, but really for me right now ‘grounded’ also means local. I am always inspired by people who can remain grounded as they travel.
As you know, Australia’s east coast is my home. I would love to meet up when you are here and to pass on some lovely people’s details – I know they would love to have you stay with them when you pass through.
You will also get to meet my 21.5.800 baby that was conceived with the beautiful energy of your 21.5.800 challenge and will be a few weeks old when you arrive
My dog died today, in my arms in the yard. My long time boyfriend and I have broken up. I feel like I could get rid of most of my possessions right now and it wouldn’t matter because the things I love have gone from me. In body anyway, they are with me in spirit. I already feel like I am molting.
What would I need? My computer, my phone, my coffee maker. A mug, a bowl, a spork. All the yoga clothes I could cram into a bag. Some books of poetry. And hit the road?
.-= Laine ´s last blog ..Have Mat- Will Travel =-.
oh my gosh, you have no idea how appealing this seems to me right now.
so excited to follow your journey….xxo, kim
maybe next year this time, we will be doing the same thing….
.-= kim klassen´s last blog ..texture tuesday 3 for 3 =-.
Whatever you name it…I’m in. Keep us posted as we let go of what is not needed together!
you go girl! what a wonderful next step. inspiration for all of us to follow our heart and live our dreams..outloud!!
Yes, way to go!
You may want to think about New Zealand too while you’re over there. I don’t know you well but from your writing I’m guessing you’d love it …
If you’re looking for a name then you could go for #OzMu as in going to Australia (Oz) with nothing (Mu is Japanese for nothing)
I kind of got rid of everything 4 years ago but I’ve been living in Japan for all that time and have built up a new pile of stuff so am busy moving back towards nothing again ready for my next adventures. I wrote a bit about it on my blog as part of the 21.5.800 challenge: Do you think too much about goats?
http://yamayamas.com/goats/
.-= Tom´s last blog ..What is Wabi Sabi =-.
I like the previous suggestion of Unpossession as a name for your project, or maybe something like The Lightening Project – lightening the load/bolt of lightening….
I have been trying to do a similar thing (a less radical version) for a while, but my husband is resistant, so I’m just slowly working my way through each room in the house and removing a box full of stuff as often as I can. He doesn’t seem to notice, but I feel so much better. My motivation came from being sick and tired of spending so much of my life moving “stuff” around – constantly picking the same things up that the kids leave on the floor, forever moving the same things to clean around them, etc. When I think of all the other things I could be doing rather than moving stuff…..
I’m an Aussie living in NZ, so if you need any advice, help, or a place to stay on your journey Down Under, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Hello Bindu,
I thank you for your courage and honesty. I could really feel the energy of your desire for this new phase that you’re bringing in. Your post has also hit a chord for me. I realize that sometimes when I feel empty or purposeless, my knee-jerk reaction is to want to fill up with things, food, goals…but I recently had the same experience as you describe in getting rid of about half of my books and it felt so good!
All the best with this project. Can’t wait to read more as it unfolds for you.
Patricia (fellow Brooklynite)
Wow, what a huge thing to do, in Yoga there is the princple of Aparigraha , which is not gathering possions. At the moment my wife and i are continuing with a game we play regularlywihich is putting numbers from 1-10 in a bowl and each drawing out a number. What ever that number is that is how many possession we have to get rid of each day for a week. Last Sunday i picked 8, at first its scary, do i need this, will i need this, but after a few days its completly liberating. Cant wait to get home tonight for another 8. When you get to Australia , please look us up , lets plan a tweet up. East coast-delicious.
Bindu, this is just brilliant. As someone who has done the same recently [embraced minimalism in a BIG way] I can wholeheartedly say it opens up so much emotional, mental and physical space to just get on with the things that matter.
I’m leaving London to move back to Glasgow, where I will be embarking on creating a completely minimal home space, minimising my finances [focusing on really simple strategy and not spending money on more crap] + concentrating on writing and setting up my own little Biz.
The minimal way is so damn liberating I can only wonder why I didn’t think of it sooner.
Good luck to you darlin, I am cheering you on in your new adventure
Gxx
.-= Genna´s last blog ..A Gracious Bum Kick Want one =-.
Oh how magical!
Also… I live in tropical paradise – the Whitsundays on the Queensland coast. Do stay with us on your adventure!!
.-= Goddess Leonie´s last blog ..Attack of the Panics =-.
I’m honored that I’m an inspiration for minimalism (especially since I think I’m so bad at it!). And I hear you about that voice in your head… mine is a vicious little bugger!
Bindu, you could never be unloved. And you are not alone. This is such an exciting project and I hope the dreams just keep on unfolding for you… I’ll be following. x
I love it!! Unloading possessions is such a relief, isn’t it? We move quite a bit and that is my favorite part of moving – lightening the load so we don’t pack it around with us. Thank you for your willingness to share your adventures in de-possessing with the world.
.-= Nona´s last blog ..One Task Tuesday- Have a Blog Brainstorm =-.
You are inspiring me to simplify. And to state my own dreams out loud. I just turned 40…if not now, when? Thank you.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..off to Kripalu day 45 =-.
Just got the announcement for The Shedventure….I’m SO in!! I loved this post when I read it, and have been thinking about it ever since. Great idea! Thanks for leading the charge, Bindu. Awesome.
.-= Emme´s last blog ..Longing =-.
Eep! Late to the party — but you definitely have to swing by and see me in Brissie
XOX
.-= Rebecca Leigh´s last blog ..A friggin’ revolutionary idea- Ask for help =-.
I am in! Sometimes I feel very agitated by my stuff. I am tired of dusting things.
I feel soothed by empty space.
Wow Bindu!
So inspiring!
You are onto something that is in a lot people’s conscious minds. I am in the process of forming my own community project which has not been named yet. The concept is the same. My working titles are LESS IS MORE and GIVE TO GET.
This summer I am traveling for a month and set a goal for myself to bring one suitcase of clothes. Here’s my latest post on the process. http://alexandrastylist.com/blog/?p=810
AMAZING. Inspiring. I have always wanted to get rid of my STUFF. I am a pack rat. I am an archaeologist. A polaroid photographer. A knitter. My life depends on stuff. But sometimes, just sometimes, I dream of disaster. A fire. A tornado. Something that destroys all my stuff (but none of my people or animals, of course). Can I do it? Nope. No way. Not at this time in my life. I keep trying, and failing.
BUT… on my list of things to do this year (that I made last week before you posted this) is get rid of 50 things. Will I fit all of my stuff into a couple of backpacks? No. Will I clear off a few shelves? I hope so!
So glad I found you. {thanks to Bea Tomes, of course}
.-= sarah´s last blog ..Visiting the Garden =-.
Your fierceness makes me even more terrified! What is this fear?? You are amazing. I hide on!
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..An Hour of UnShopping =-.
You. Rock.
I’m in. Of course.
(I trained as a professional Space Clearer with Karen Kingston, you know – clearing/consecrating the energy in buildings – KK wrote the first book on clutter clearing… If I can contribute somehow, somewhen… Love to.)
.-= Andrew Lightheart @alightheart´s last blog ..I got nothing but I like you =-.
I’ve recently made the decision to do this myself – I’m leaving on May 25, 2013 – Buddha Day. My stepmom let me know about your blog, and I think it would be great to trade stories of the process. I’m planning on backpacking across Europe and into Asia, still attempting to maintain my webcomic while I’m at it. I wish you luck, perseverance, and look forward to hearing your stories in the future.
.-= Emma Lysyk´s last blog ..And Who Said Wanderlust Wasn’t Genetic =-.
I’m in the process of moving – again. This couldn’t come at a better time! Although, I move in 4 days, and I’ve thrown quite a bit out or given it away, there is still more that could go. I like this project very much, and I love how supportive this community is. I’m looking forward to reading your journey and joining you on it!
In the last 3 months, I let go of 100 years of my past (a cottage and furniture that had been in my family for a century), plus my 3-storey house, boxes and boxes of books, loads of furniture and years of memories and ‘stuff’. Downsizing is challenging but soooo liberating and rewarding! I feel like I could fly. I now live in a lovely small condo apartment, with no car, minimal furniture. I have a simple life at last. And I have another dream about to birth – my first book, Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease. So hats off to you, and best wishes for your dream being bigger than you had ever imagined!
.-= Julie Wise´s last blog ..The Many Faces of Fear =-.