Free E-book: Conquer The Clutter (and how I live with 60 things).
My notebook and the brew of the day.
- 1. Art Supplies
2. Backpack
3. Bike
4. Bike pants
5. Black boots
6. Black hoodie
7. Black Long sleeve top
8. Black Long sleeve top
9. Black Pants
10. Black skirt
11. Black yoga pants
12. Bras
13. Brown heels
14. Brown shirt
15. Cell phone
16. Cut shirt
17. File box
18. Gloves
19. Hat – Green beret
20. Hat – White winter hat
21. Jean shorts
22. Jeans – Black
23. Jeans – Blue A.E.
24. Laptop bag
25. LBD
26. Leather Jacket
27. Lingerie (Damn straight.)
28. Macbook
29. Notebook
30. Pajama bottoms
31. Puffy skirt
32. Purple cardigan
33. Rain boots
34. Red dress
35. Scarf
36. Snowboarding Gear
37. Socks
38. Stockings
39. Strapless Dress
40. Strapless red top
41. Swimsuit
42. T shirt – Blue Roxy
43. T shirt – Green PSU
44. T shirt – Marilyn Monroe
45. T shirt – Yellow A.E.
46. T shirt -black
47. Tank top – Black
48. Tank top – Black
49. Tank top – Blue
50. Toiletries bag (one quart bag containing makeup, brushes, perfume)
51. Toothbrush
52. Underwear
53. Vest
54. Walking shoes
55. Wallet
56. White button up top
57. White long sleeve top
58. (Ripped… so I guess I’m really at 59? Lol.)
59. Grey T-shirt
60. Yoga mat
60 items. Even I would have told you that was impossible a year ago. It feels so good to know I could pack 90% of that into my backpack and just go somewhere. Anywhere I wanted. My already mobile lifestyle of moving every year is supported by this list, and it is so… reassuring. I’m having trouble describing the sense of peace that comes from having a list like this.
That same sense of peace is why I argue in favor of radical minimalism. Minimalism where you strip all of the excess – and at this point I do believe I have cut all of the excess – is incredibly satisfying, although it can take some work in the beginning.
I have such a firm belief that getting rid of all of your stuff can make you happy, I want to make sure those who don’t know where to start have somewhere to begin. I am giving you a gift to prove it. A digital work of art for all of my beloved readers. You all have been so supportive of my work here, and I receive many of the same questions and requests for posts regularly, so instead of having to patiently await for that one super relevant blog post, I put them into an ebook for you.
(Cover courtesy of Everett Bogue)
Some of the glorious answers you have been looking for are contained within this book. Inside, you will find quizzes, facts, and worksheets to help you get down to business where it counts, and a real kick-in-the-ass call to action.
Some of the highlights include:
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-Worksheets to get you started
- Help getting over society’s bullshit
- A very special offer at the end of the book
If you need some extra support, I have also set up a really killer weekly email list, where you will receive encouragement, inspiration, and additional ass-kickings, if necessary. You’ll receive information you won’t always find elsewhere on the blog, and any special offers I hear about or am offering, you’ll get first dibs.
This is a crash course in getting your life pared down to the essentials, and it gives you the tools you need to succeed. A mini-course made to get you from packed house to minimal bliss in two weeks, if you can spend even one hour a day for that two weeks. It’s a big claim to say you can get through possibly an entire house full of crap, but it is entirely possible.
If you are serious about clearing that which no longer serves you out of your life, click here to get put on the list.
Why should you give me your email in order to get the book? Because I want to help you gain control of your possessions. Honestly, if you’d like the book and don’t want to subscribe, I might just send it to you, if you’re nice. I will be completely available to everyone who is working through the course to answer any questions or assist you with any concerns you may have. Basically, I want you to give me a chance to give you a chance at radically reducing your stuff to find happiness under it all.
I also have a few extra surprise benefits for those of you willing to take a chance on my outrageous claims that will be revealed to you over the course of the next two weeks.
Enjoy your gift, and happy holidays!
hi Dusti, wow – this sounds absolutely incredible and I’d love to take you up on your offer but the “click here” link to be put on your mailing list is missing from the post above. Or am I missing it (sorry, suffering caffeine withdrawal and only partial brain function!)?
Congratulations! When I left to travel I decided that instead of storing everything I would just get of it all. Waiting at home is a bed and two rubbermaid containers. I don’t miss any of the things I’ve sold.
Oops! My bad. It will be up in about two minutes!
Alright, sound be functioning now!
Do you seperate your personal items from your household items? My sister was asking me “What would Dusti say?” (hey that works…WWDS) as she is trying to downsize her collections from traveling (she has taught in several countries). What is your theories about decorating? A few key items or just nothing? I have the same question myself…Is the 100 item theory for everyone in the house or per person? It is a silly question but I am confused!
I redesgined my blog, share your thoughts? http://www.spendlessweighless.blogspot.com
I’ve got a question. What is your criteria for grouping stuff together? For instance “art supplies” counts as 1. So why isn’t your toothbrush included in your “toiletries bag”? Why isn’t your snowboard and winter hat included in “snowboarding gear”. Why not make your yoga mat and yoga pants one group, “yoga stuff”. Or why not count all your clothing as 1?
I know this is a little specific and you might feel inclined to tell me that I’m missing the point. I get the point and we all make “rules” for how to count stuff when going through these types of exercises. I’m just wondering what your thought processes are for grouping?
Thanks, love your posts.
P.S. – and why isn’t “coffee mug” on your list??
@ Kat Hahaha, I love it! I’m going to make t-shirts with that on it.
As far as collecting goes, I don’t. I really don’t think anyone else should either, unless it is their dream to start their very own museum. I’d suggest taking a picture of the item, because a picture is usually enough to make you feel the same way as looking at the item would.
As for decorating, I personally have a few things up, but I keep it very simple. Tastes differ, but I like clean lines and natural items. Honestly, everything in my house for furniture and decorating came from Goodwill, Craigslist, or dumpster diving. Seriously. That goes for dishes, too, with the exception of our pans. So, I guess my answer here is functionality over frivolity? All of my items I would consider solely decorative amount to… (counting)… 10. That doesn’t count the candles, but even if you count them, it’s 15. I truly believe less is more stylistically, so it carries over into my minimalist philosophy. So… A few key items are great, especially if you are pretty stationary.
With the 100 Thing Challenge, I have personally always took it to mean 100 per person. Thus, my daughter has 100, my partner has less than 100, and I have less than 100. If you check out the 100 Thing Challenge site, it has the original rules. Our household items amount to about another 100 total, counting furniture, dishes, etc.
As for the blog, I like the style! It is very you.
My only complaint would be some of the text coloring makes it hard to read.
Hi Kevin,
Well, I didn’t realize how schizo my grouping looked until you pointed it out, haha! Basically, I group based on how I organize at home. For instance, all of my art supplies fit into one shoebox, thus they are grouped. My toiletries bag is a pouch with my makeup in it, while my tootthbrush is in the bathroom cabinet. My snowboarding gear is all in a box, except for the snowboard (for obvious reasons, lol) and my hat, which I wear regularly because I’m a goober and live in a cold climate. My yoga pants also sub as pajama pants.
Hope that makes a little more sense!
As for the coffee mug, dishes are family items!
I AM SO EXCITED TO READ YOUR EBOOK!!!!
Sorry about the all caps, I just couldn’t find any other way to express how flippin stoked I am to read your work.
The biggest issue that I have had thus far is knowing where to start in my apartment. I have given away approximately 5 boxes (yes, we have that much crap) of junk to good will, and we are not even finished yet. I am not sure if I will try and pair down my belongings to a certain number of things, since this is not something that resonates with me, but I am certainly excited to start walking the walk and living up to my minimalist potential. I have already begun to live minimally when it comes to my son, and it has made things so much more organized and calm on that front.
You are my minimalist mama rock star. Thank you for that and keep on writing!
In Christ,
Anne Marie
You go, woman! Way to rock it.
Very cool. I just signed up so I can download the ebook. We are in the middle of a major purge right now, and I’m sure I’ll find some useful info in your book.
Hey Dusti,
What a sweet, kind offer giving your book away for free. I just signed up for your newsletter and I’m really excited to get the book and start reading it. Love your blog!
Tanja
Thank you, Tanja! I really think everyone can benefit from getting rid of the excess stuff in their lives, but it can be such a daunting task! Hope I can help everyone out a bit.
Haha, thanks Anne! The number of things is a pretty arbitrary concept, but it does help a lot of people. I talk a bit about that in the book, actually! The reason I think the 100 Thing Challenge is such a powerful idea is that so many people think it is a teeny, tiny number of things initially, but then they find out it really is an awful lot after all.
I read the E-Book and I must say, Dusti, I am impressed! It was very well thought out, and I am excited to start implementing your tactics and decluttering my apartment before winter term begins. I was particularly fond of what you had to say about using what you own and what you love. The partner and I received a beautiful 12 person set of fine china for our wedding, and most people were shocked to find out that we use them everyday, and not just on special occasions. Our cherry adorned dishes scream out our personality and it is such a joy to use them each and every day. They remind me of the love we share for each other, and the love that can be found at the family table (I’m sentimental, I know :p).
One thing that I would love to see -in a sequel perhaps?- is the environmental impact that living minimally can have. I know that my number one reason for choosing a minimalist lifestyle is my desire to create a positive change in the world I live in all while reducing my family’s carbon foot print. One of the ways I aim to do this is going PVC/BPA free in my home and especially with my son, choosing local, organic foods, wearing only earth and vegan friendly cosmetics (no parabens in my makeup!), promoting natural childbirth/parenting, conserving the earth in all that I do, and being an overall crunchy, veggie, granola mama. Actually, the more I talk about it, the more I think that maybe I should follow suit and write an ebook as well.
How is it that I always find such great inspiration here on your blog?
At any rate, I love the book, and when we are done decluttering our home, I will let you know how it goes
In Christ,
Anne Marie
One last thing, it seems that in your book you forgot the most important part about the bedroom! And let me tell you, it is most definitely not sleeping
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