Take the 100 Things Challenge

Could you live with just 100 things?

Think about it. Between the microwave and a few outfits, a reusable mug and your car, you’re pretty much set, right? But what about your significant other’s things—and your children’s things?

Americans generally have the monopoly on buying and hoarding. Some call it “gross consumerism;” others call it “my precious” a thousand times over. With closets, storage containers, under-the-bed boxes and attics and basements full of crap that we rarely ever use—if at all—we’re all like that creepy garbage lady on Labyrinth (“Here you go, make yourself up!”), even if just a little. We even make contraptions to shrink our storage bags so we can store even more stuff—and we pay storage facilities to do it for us!

There’s also an emotional impact to junk. Some of us become so attached to stuff that the mere thought of giving away our book collections, signed baseballs or baby blankets makes us get combative with anger. But in the end, can we take any of it with us?

Decluttering, downsizing your stuff, getting rid of emotional baggage and living more environmentally-conscious lives are all at the heart of the 100 things challenge. Dave Bruno is chronicling his life as he tries to live with just 100 things for a full year in order to “remove [himself] from consumerism.” He’s even writing a book about the project.

Dave’s been making headlines with his project, and he’s not alone. Celebrities like Tobey Maguire and pal Leonardo DiCaprio are also interested, scaling back on their own possessions to try and lead more meaningful, less stuff-oriented, lives. In DiCaprio’s case, the actor is attempting to reduce the things in his life down to 150—which is not much for a celebrity.

Could you take the challenge? Even if you can’t, how about just thinking about what it would be like? Write a list of the 100 things you would live with, and look through your home imagining what it would be like without the rest. Could you do it? Maybe it could help you purge your home of some of the things that you really don’t need anymore.

Alternatively, why not try to give away 100 things? Surely most people can get away with this. I bet I could sweep through my entire house and find 100 things to give away within half an hour. Could you? In fact, I’m going to do just that this week, and donate it all to someone who has much less than I do. I hope you’ll try and do the same.