Thoughts on Stuff

Someone has set himself a 100-thing challenge. He has decided to reduce his possessions to 100 things. Now his definition of thing and his exclusions make this easier than it sounds at first, but it still sounds impossible to me, at least for me.

I read about that challenge and I thought, I have over 100 books alone. I have over 100 articles of clothing. I probably have over 100 categories of things, let alone 100 things.

Actually, so far I have thought up only 37 categories of things.

And now I'm thinking that delineating these categories for myself may actually be helpful in thinking about quantities and qualities and purging. One could focus on just one category at a time. Or one could focus on a single subcategory, like I did with the cookbooks, a subcategory of stuff that helps me cook and eat.

Also, it's interesting thinking how to categorize things. I mostly ended up doing it by function even though some things have multiple functions. Especially office supplies, which I am calling a category anyway. It's interesting to think about what kinds of functions I want performed in these modern times as compared to, say, functions performed by the equipment one lists for a character in a role-playing game.

So, here's my list:

1. clothes
2. shoes
3. self-decoration supplies - jewelry, hair thingies, make-up, etc.
4. grooming tools and supplies/toiletries
5. health supplies - medicine, vitamins, first aid kit, glasses, etc.
6. cooking and eating tools and supplies
7. a house with rooms, ceiling, appliances, AC, etc.
8. protection supplies - fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, safety glasses, locks, sunscreen, etc. (Maybe this should include clothes and shoes.)
9. books and bookshelves
10. movies, DVD player, and monitor
11. music and music player
12. computer with internet connection and other office supplies
13. camera, camera supplies, and photo albums
14. pretty wall hangings and other decorations
15. sports supplies - ballroom dance shoes and whooshy dresses, climbing shoes, hiking boots, disc golf stuff, ultimate stuff, juggling balls, swimming stuff, croquet set, badminton set, bicycle and bicycling stuff
16. transportation stuff - car, car supplies (and garage or other covered parking), bus schedule, maps, purse, knapsack, gym bag, shopping bags
17. furniture - places to sit and sleep and places for others to sit and sleep
18. supplies and plans for needlecrafts – embroidery, quilting, knitting, sewing, mending, etc.
19. coin collection and coin storage supplies
20. cleaning supplies for house and stuff
21. lighting - lamps, flashlights, headlights
22. travel supplies - suitcases, camping stuff, toiletries bag
23. watches, clocks
24. tools, toolbox, and supplies for keeping things repaired
25. musical instruments, storage cases, and music
26. linens and curtains
27. board games and card games
28. trash cans and recycle bins
29. gardening supplies
30. indoor plants
31. pond supplies
32. communication stuff - phone and phone books, stamps, computer, crystal ball
33. finance supplies - price book, check book, credit cards, etc.
34. dress-up stuff for parties and other important events
35. Girl Scout stuff
36. memorabilia - souvenirs from trips, relatives, events (this is where unused gifts fall!)
37. proof - birth certificate, inoculation records, swim cards, diplomas, teaching certificate, other certificates, drivers license, tax returns, receipts, badges, pins

No, I don't really have a crystal ball.