I met Dave Bruno several weeks ago at SXSW. He’s the author of The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life and Regained My Soul. The basis of the book is simplicity, minimalism and living with less stuff. I finished reading his book several weeks ago, a great book with many good lessons in it.
Many of the lessons he learned through his downsizing process, I have also learned through my no retail shopping challenge. My one big take-away from this book was in chapter 6, “Purging Things and Things Past,” where he got rid of his train set. Dave had planned to build this model train set with his dad’s vision of it, which never came to fruition in his childhood. The reason this stood out to me is his realization of the stress associated with ownership. We place expectations on our stuff, creating a distention of our dreams, inclusive of our material possessions. Once he got rid of the trains, the expectations he placed on himself to create something with them were gone, releasing him from the pressure having another thing to do.
I have a garage full of “artistic expectations” and I’m finding myself in gridlock having too much stuff. As I’ve been purging these things, some of them more difficult than others to part with, I’ve found a peace in owning less stuff. Saving a few of the projects I know I’m more passionate about makes the process easier. I’m able to find things more easily and I’m not intimidated by the amount of stuff (expectations) I have.
If you struggle with consumerism on any level, this is a great book to read. Like me, Dave has no expectation that everyone will do this, but encourages people to make some small changes that will be good for them. Here’s just a few things I highlighted from his book.
“Tools were taking up my time, not using them to be creative. Toys were distracting me from the fun of playing. My things were not doing what they were meant to do: serve a greater purpose than possession alone.”
Can anyone besides me relate to this? How many times have I heard my kids say, “Mom, I’m bored.” When I hear this, I know they have plenty of things to do, and worse than that, I know sometimes I feel the same way, yet I never say it out loud.
“So it is entirely valid to understand our modern economic system as one that creates stuff (products) in order to consume (destroy) them.”
This explains my deep dislike for wrapping paper and paper towels. I don’t think I can change the world, but I can choose how I want to participate in this. Yes, I use paper towels, but I use about one roll every 3-4 months, maybe more. There’s other ways to accomplish cleaning and drying without the use of disposable products. I choose to try other methods, and no, I’m not condemning you if you use paper towels.
“…consuming is a social activity.”
Try to go out and find something to do that doesn’t involve some type of consuming. It’s difficult. It can be done, but it’s not easy.
“Why do we give material possessions so much of our attention when people are so much more fascinating?”
Good question. People are more fascinating. I love to go people watch. As a matter of fact, I got a lot of grief about going out on black friday to just watch people shop. I didn’t buy anything, but I was out at 4:30 in the morning to watch the commotion. Maybe I’m some sort of story addict. I’d rather get know someone I don’t know rather than look for fulfillment in buying more things.
Dave has many notable lessons in his book and it’s a great read. I traded a book at SXSW so I could get this book, as I’m not allowed to buy retail. It’s always good to see another person’s perspective on combatting consumerism, in the wasteful sense of the word. Thanks Dave for rethinking good. :) You can read his blog guynameddave.com.
