Do you own your things, or do your things own you?
We all have too much stuff. Even if you think you don’t, you more than likely do. I mean, how much stuff do you really need? Probably just a fraction of what you have.
As a technology and information worker, most of what I need to do the work I love exists as a single computer. That, an internet connection, and a few changes of clothes is about it for my needs. Beyond that, it’s all extra.
I recently moved everything I used to have in a storage unit from Seattle to Anchorage. Besides my motorcycle, there was about a half ton of stuff. Literally. A half a ton. And in my book, that’s too much.
What is actually in there that I need? Not much. There are some tools that I use from time to time. Some fun computer accessories. Some books that I haven’t gotten brave enough to part with yet. And a bunch of crap that I’ll never actually use but that seems like it might be useful someday, if I ever get around to the project I have in mind for it.
I’m slowly coming to terms with being able to part with it all. Very little of it actually matters, but it has history and stories behind it, or plans ahead of it.
Until I’ve detached from my stuff, it owns me. Once I’ve detached, I own it. Once I own it, I can get rid of it. And that will be a good day.
In the news
- And they’re a waste of paper: Point-of-Sale Printers May Trigger Asthma
- Entirely missing the point: Natural birth classes questioned
- Yawn: Snoring ‘cures’ fail for majority
Quote for the week
Identity is theft of the self. – Estee Martin
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
