WOW! What an amazing response to my last post!
I think my Launching One Of My Dreams post struck a chord with A LOT of people.
84 comments and counting. A PILE of email from folks sharing their stories and wishes and challenges. Tons of DMs. And a huge buzz on Twitter. SO!
Guess what? I’m going to make this into another community project like 21.5.800. YAY!
Here’s the deal:
I will be launching it after Labor Day here in the States — September 14th, 2010.
It’s going to be called The Shed Project. I’m still working on the tag-line, but it will be something like, 8 Weeks of Losing It. Lighten Your Load.
And I’ll probably call the process The Shedventure (thanks to @SasLockey, who is on a Shedventure of her own in 2010, for inventing the word!)
I’m proposing losing 10 pounds on the body (if you want to), and anywhere from 1/4 to ALL of your material stuff.
You don’t have to do both of course. Everything is optional. Just get involved where you can at the level you want.
I have heard from soooo many people who have done this type of thing, that I’m going to gather them and have them guest post.
Here’s a sampling of SOME of the guest bloggers who will join us and tell us their stories and give us help:
I’ve got a former Buddhist Nun who got everything down to one suitcase, a woman from Colorado who moved to Switzerland with almost nothing, folks in New Zealand and Australia leaving their countries to travel, wives who are trying to get rid of stuff and husbands who are resistant, a woman who is traveling around Asia working as she goes, and a couple who each Sunday night play a game picking a number out of a hat to see how many things they are going to let go of that week.
I’ve got professional unclutterers who want to help us, great book suggestions on the minimalist movement, and even more people who will come our way once we launch and get all connected up and spread the word.
Whattya think? The format will be just like 21.5.800 — we’ll hashtag it #theshedproject and then by joining in the conversation, we can read each other’s blog posts about our experiences.
I mean, even if you aren’t going to travel anywhere, wouldn’t it be great to simplify your possessions? Reduce? Clean out the attic, the garage, the junk drawer, your file cabinet, that storage space!!
To explore wants vs. needs? To shed a few pounds? To let go of some emotional baggage? (Of COURSE we have to include emotions! After all, it’s me leading this thing, and I am so enchanted by the emotional work we can do to lighten our load and free ourselves. So even if you don’t let go of one pound or one possession, but you let go of things internally: WIN).
Here’s a cool thing I am already experiencing: The awesome paradox of letting go is: you GAIN. You gain things that didn’t have the space to show up before.
And also? The support from other people is INCREDIBLE.
I will of course be documenting my process the whole way with photos and blog posts and videos.
I’m scared to get everything of mine into three backpacks and one box, but I already feel the support of the community around this adventure.
The reason I’m starting in the beginning of September is because everyone is so scattered in August with vacation and everyone generally has heatstroke.
So what I recommend is that you sign up on my email list so that you won’t miss any announcements about when it starts.
That way the posts will come straight to your inbox easy-peasy and you can read them at your leisure, but at least there they are. So go sign up on my sidebar. It really is the best way to hear from me regularly.
If you haven’t already, go read the comments on Launching One Of My Dreams and see what kind of community we can create again this fall, while together, we LOSE IT with THE SHED PROJECT.
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{ 34 comments }
Love this! I’ve been on a shedding kick for the last year or so… though it’s been a slow process. This might be just the thing to boost my kick into overdrive
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..I have a thing! =-.
LOVE IT! Naturally, I’m in! That Sas is a clever little minx with her suggestion of Shedventure, love that too. Looking forward to being part of another one of your amazing projects Bindu.
BIG LOVE
Gxxx
.-= Genna´s last blog ..A Gracious Bum Kick Want one =-.
What a fantastic idea! I’m in!
I’m a total pack rat so this is definitely something I need in my life.
.-= Nicola´s last blog ..Keep Showing Up =-.
Fabulous and encouraging! I’m in!
What more can I want?
I’ll be relocating to the States around that time. It just fits so well. I want to shed a lot of things: materials belongings, pounds and emotional load. And I love being in your tribe, Bindu
.-= C. A. Kobu´s last blog ..Who are your right people =-.
Me too! I am in. Looking forward to meeting a bunch of new friends on this adventure.
Love this and you!
I’m in! This is perfect timing and I can’t wait to get started. I know I’ll be moving within the next 1-2 years. I want to shed everything non-essential to make the transition easy-breezy:)
.-= Corinne Bowen´s last blog ..Talented Tuesday 1- Kyla Roma =-.
Hi Bindu, This sounds fanatastic! Would you believe my word for 2010 is SHED! Yes it is. I was thinking more along emotional lines, old beliefs etc, but could certainly use some body and stuff shedding as well. Count me in. Andie
I’m on board. This idea really resonates with me. I’ve reached a point in my life where I feel really done with accumulating stuff, and am now taking steps to create more “open space” – mentally, emotionally, and physically. I wrote about my efforts here: http://lovetulipsandtea.blogspot.com/2010/01/creating-clearing.html
There may be one or two ideas in my post that would resonate with your readers. Can’t wait to further explore this idea with you and your community!
Oh, yeah. I’m ready to shed.
.-= Julie Daley´s last blog ..Grace- Like Rain =-.
I am so, SO in. And I won’t be dropping the ball like I did with 21.5.800, no way! I’m going to instead drop pounds, stuff and – dare I dream? – emotional baggage. You rock lady.
I can’t wait to join this. My husband and I came up with a plan and we are setting a date and making strides to shed!
.-= Mary– The Yellow Door Paperie´s last blog ..Outside Play =-.
This is so perfectly timed it’s scary. I’m getting ready to move out of the country for a year and the “theme” of this move has been along the lines of “get the crap out of my life”. Right now I have all the clothing I’m going to take with me in two suitcases and a duffel bag but I think I am going to get rid of even more than that when I go home tonight.
Tomorrow the “get the hell out of my life” mountain of crap on my couch is going to a Goodwill to be donated. I wonder if they are used to people dropping off so much stuff at once …
Husbands who are resistant. Yep. Got one of those – he’s an academic so we have thousands of books. Luckily, most are in his office at the University! He’s also a music guy – so we have THOUSANDS of CD’s and music on computers and hard drives.
What else does he want to keep? My yarn, my craft supplies, my film and cameras – why? Because they might be useful someday (and I bought them…so it’d be a waste to get rid of them).
.-= sarah´s last blog ..Visiting the Garden =-.
shed is a good word for it. although initially i was thinking garden shed. But the whole getting rid of WAR ON STUFF that is useless and accumulates is core to my blog. Am in. And 10 pounds off the body would never go amiss. lets face it. xx
.-= moyra scott´s last blog ..falling in love with a colourful world =-.
This is a great project! Two years ago, we moved into a (much) smaller house. We had to get rid of almost half of our stuff. It was an emotional experience, but it was quite freeing as well. Today our philosophy is, if one thing comes in, one thing must come out. No more being stuff, just to buy. There has to be a need.
We’ve kept to our bargain and we are still amazingly clutter-free.
M. D. Benoit
Yes! What a wonderful idea… and, *exactly* where my mind is right now (wanting to shed weight of all kinds). Super excited to be doing it in community. Can’t wait! You rock, @binduwiles!
.-= larisa´s last blog ..Perils and Pitfalls to Revealing More =-.
I’m in. Especially interested in the emotional stuff, and what I call the nagging list of undone tasks.
It’s great to see someone else encouraging people to let go. It’s great to question the things in our life to see whether they serve us or not. It makes things sooooo much lighter.
Ummmmm, did you write this just for me? How did you know it’s exactly what I need? Thank you!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..just call me keanu =-.
Of course I am in! Especially since we are planning to move back to a kibbutz where you live in smaller homes a simplier life!
.-= Francesca´s last blog ..August Break =-.
Last year, right around this time, my siblings and I were helping our dad move out of our childhood home into a little cabin in Maine. It was astounding how much stuff had accumulated over the years – we had all stored stuff there, my dead grandmother’s stuff somehow made it into the basement because people were too sad to throw it out when she died (15 years ago!!) We were ruthless, filling up 2 dumpsters. And every night I’d go home grubby and sweaty and go through my own stuff to thin it down.
My new criteria is – will this get thrown out by my heirs when I die? Will I want to move this? Is this beautiful or useful or both? I’m getting pretty good at keeping a sparse house.
.-= Laine´s last blog ..Im Molting =-.
YES! I’m so in for this!! Fantastic!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..A short run is better than no run =-.
I am sooooo into this! I had started getting rid of 5 things each morning a week ago. I will continue with that until the official project begins, because it is giving me a huge rush! My husband and I moved to India 23 months ago with not a whole lot (after going mad and giving, selling or storing a lot of our posessions). Well, SOMEHOW, we managed to collect an @ssload of stuff in India. We have lived in 4 different residences in the last 6 months due to his job and now we seem to be settled for good. Each time I was so burdened emotonally, spiritually and physically by the packing and unpacking of crap that does not promote my best self. I will be in the US for part of your Shed Project, which is great, because I have stuff in a relative’s storage and various people’s houses, and have a huge “wish list” of stuff to bring back (we are in Bangkok), so perhaps I need to change my strategy for going home and come back owning less than owning more!
.-= The Robertsons of Mumbai´s last blog ..New Blog! =-.
I’m in, I’m in! I LOVED 21.5.800 even though I sucked at the 5 & 800 part of it. I never realized how eternally optimistic I am until now
.-= emma´s last blog ..Half-Life =-.
Very interesting article, thanks. Keep up the good work.
I’m with you Bindu, just say the date and I’ll be on it. I’ll even get on twitter
.
Great idea–shedding emotional ties seems to be the “theme du jour” during my Tarot sessions with clients this year. 2010 is a “3″ year–a catalyst for a deeper connection with one’s self and the Divine Feminine.
.-= Raven´s last blog ..Yoga is Prana- Prana is Yoga =-.
I’m so excited for this that I’ve already started. We moved from L.A. to Tacoma five months ago and I’m STILL going through boxes, kicking myself for having spent money to ship all this crap. I can’t believe some of the stuff we thought was a good idea to pack instead of dump. And even still, we dumped a lot before we moved. It’s mind-boggling. Thanks for creating community around this idea. It’s good to know I’m not alone
Again you’ve come up with a brilliant idea! Definately in for this one, can’t wait for it to start. The timing is perfect for me, I’m still working on my weight loss, making my emotional life cleaner and clearer and in the middle of an international move(with more boxes than I can count!). many hugs
Tammy
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..Accepting our Imperfections =-.
I’m shedding in greece on vacation. here’s my post about living on a boat on the greek islands and dealing with a small boat closet.
http://alexandrastylist.com/blog/closet-project/maximizing-a-boat-bloset-a-dream-closet-post/?preview=true&preview_id=1042&preview_nonce=ae304f20b8
I’m in. It will start at the same time as my 200-hour yoga teacher training. If I stay open to it despite how scary it all seems, I feel the potential of a major life change coming on. Thank you for your active creativity that inspires so many people!!!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Feist & Ben Gibbard- Train Song =-.
I am so in on this one. Can’t wait, Bindu. Clearing out the clutter. I am starting the project off with a bang….a warehouse sale of epic proportions on Sept. 17/18th. Looking forward to the feeling of s p a c i o u s n e s s.
oh, I want to be part of this! (noticing a lump on my throat)
Bindu, you’re such a smart gal. The community projects you are creating are absolutely beautiful and perfectly timed. Sending lots of love, light, and high-fives your way.