Is minimalism worth it? A journey to owning 100 items or less

[Fox]

Since times are crazy enough I have decided to try something equally as crazy - owning 100 items or less.

Why?

- The idea of being able to pack everything in two suitcases and head wherever you want
- Being more mindful and avoiding lifestyle creep
- Owning what really matters rather than accumulating a ton of random stuff
- More time to focus on creating value for others and less detractions/stress
- Be able to quickly adjust lifestyle/location when needed to make the most of opportunities



“I remember going into Steve’s house and he had almost no furniture in it.
He just had a picture of Einstein, whom he admired greatly, and he had a Tiffany lamp and a chair and a bed.
He just didn’t believe in having lots of things around but he was incredibly careful in what he selected.”


So with this in mind I am going to start a progress thread and try document what this is actually like.
I won't be trying to push "minimalism" either way - I am genuinely curious if it feels as good as all the hype says - or if it sucks!

I will try document everything here and share any benefits/negative aspects.
Also I am going to phase into this - nothing too crazy at first but if it feels right I will keep going.

I have broken it down into a few stages:
Stage #1: clothes
Stage #2: items
Stage #3: office/work gear
Stage #4: apps, software, information, and decisions
Stage #5: living set up (apartment, bank account, travel etc)

If all goes well I should be able to pack everything into my car/get on a plane and go live wherever I want this time next year (if travel is still a thing ha!).

A quick note: This is just an experiment for me and I don't judge in any way people buying as many things as they like/living whatever way they want.
I don't care too much for minimalism as some kinda movement - I just personally enjoy having less to worry about and more freedom/mobility in my life.

My goal is NOT to be obsessed with how many items I own but rather to live in a way that maximises what I value.
There are a lot of people who take this stuff way too far. My approach will be to try it out and see how it fits.

----

I started phase one today...

From this:



To this:




I put everything else in bags and if in 30 days I feel I want to keep going I will donate them all...



This will probably be my approach for each phase - find the minimum amount of _____ type of item I want to keep and then test it for 30 days before removing.

So that is it for now. I will update as I go and let you know how things have been.

If you got any questions or want to jump in with your own thoughts please do.

 

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[Johnny boy]

Consumerism is focusing on things

Minimalism is focusing on things

I am not focusing on having as little things as possible. I try to ignore it altogether. It’s not the focus whatsoever.

 

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[Andy Black]

Since times are crazy enough I have decided to try something equally as crazy - owning 100 items or less.

Why?

- The idea of being able to pack everything in two suitcases and head wherever you want
- Being more mindful and avoiding lifestyle creep
- Owning what really matters rather than accumulating a ton of random stuff
- More time to focus on creating value for others and less detractions/stress
- Be able to quickly adjust lifestyle/location when needed to make the most of opportunities

View attachment 32994

“I remember going into Steve’s house and he had almost no furniture in it.
He just had a picture of Einstein, whom he admired greatly, and he had a Tiffany lamp and a chair and a bed.
He just didn’t believe in having lots of things around but he was incredibly careful in what he selected.”


So with this in mind I am going to start a progress thread and try document what this is actually like.
I won't be trying to push "minimalism" either way - I am genuinely curious if it feels as good as all the hype says - or if it sucks!

I will try document everything here and share any benefits/negative aspects.
Also I am going to phase into this - nothing too crazy at first but if it feels right I will keep going.

I have broken it down into a few stages:
Stage #1: clothes
Stage #2: items
Stage #3: office/work gear
Stage #4: apps, software, information, and decisions
Stage #5: living set up (apartment, bank account, travel etc)

If all goes well I should be able to pack everything into my car/get on a plane and go live wherever I want this time next year (if travel is still a thing ha!).

A quick note: This is just an experiment for me and I don't judge in any way people buying as many things as they like/living whatever way they want.
I don't care too much for minimalism as some kinda movement - I just personally enjoy having less to worry about and more freedom/mobility in my life.

My goal is NOT to be obsessed with how many items I own but rather to live in a way that maximises what I value.
There are a lot of people who take this stuff way too far. My approach will be to try it out and see how it fits.

----

I started phase one today...

From this:

View attachment 32995

To this:

View attachment 32996


I put everything else in bags and if in 30 days I feel I want to keep going I will donate them all...

View attachment 32997

This will probably be my approach for each phase - find the minimum amount of _____ type of item I want to keep and then test it for 30 days before removing.

So that is it for now. I will update as I go and let you know how things have been.

If you got any questions or want to jump in with your own thoughts please do.

I used to pride myself on being able to move in a car load, and I loved motorbike trips because you were really restricted in what you could take.

My line was (still is kinda) “If in doubt, throw it out.”

That all went out the window when I got married and had kids. Now it’s more “I can move in a lorry load.”

I still like having only two pairs of jeans though!

 

[Kak]

Not my thing, but appealing in some ways. We might go this route for a while if we do head out of country or to PR for act 20/22.

Thinking about pairs of jeans... I probably have 10. My closet has everything from junky tee shirts to legitimate formal wear. I own like 10 suits. 100 shirts. Easy.

Tools in the garage... Probably $30k worth.

Our home is fully furnished... Probably $120k worth.

We own 3 cars.

We have room for guests.

My wife puts up 5 Christmas trees every year.

My bookshelf or cigar collection alone would blow past the 100 item limit.

I have more watches, cufflinks and guns than total possessions @Fox wants to own.

Yet, I hate mindless consumerism. I have never shopped for the sake of shopping. I’m honestly a convinced that I am a cheap a$$. But I’m living the billionaire life compared to some of y’all.

At least this minimalism thing is way better than dumpster diving and living in vans.

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

If all goes well I should be able to pack everything into my car/get on a plane and go live wherever I want this time next year (if travel is still a thing ha!).

I admire the experiment and don't mean to detract from what you're doing. Just wanted to make a comment that might help those that travel a lot.

One solution to attain the ability to "pack everything and go" is to have a travel bag filled with everything you need.

I have a suitcase that's dedicated just for travel. These are clothes that I specifically bought to put into the suitcase so I never have to deal with packing and unpacking.

• 2 pairs of long pants
• 9 pairs of underwear
• 9 pairs of socks (9 is the key since you usually want to knock out laundry once a week... if you get tied up you're still good)
• Shorts
• Swim trunks
• 5 polos
• 4 t-shirts
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• Flip flops
• Dress shoes
• Sneakers
• Toothbrush
• Roll of toilet paper

And that's about it.

If I need to fly in two days then I'm not spending any time packing. I book the ticket and go. I don't spend any time thinking about what I need. I don't count if I forgot something. I just move.

After doing the nomad lifestyle, one thing I learned is similar to you: the less things you have the easier it is to move around.

That's why the list above is also just limited to a week's cycle. Basically just enough to not lug too much around but have enough for most occasions.

All the extra important stuff goes into a backpack - laptop, etc.

 

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[Fox]

Not even close to six figures ha. I got a good deal on one at the start of corona for close to half what it should usually cost. I’ll hold on to it for 2/3 years and most likely break even.

 

[WestCoast]

I'm currently on an 11 month, round the world trip.

I have one backpack that weighs about 6.2kg full (~14lbs)
Plus a small backpack for laptop/camera.

It's amazing.
Two pants, three shorts, four pairs of underwear.

I can operate my business anywhere in the world, via a bag I carry on to any plane.
I like the literal fact that my worldly possessions don't weigh me down.

--
Back in the US: I was living in a ~450SF studio... and even that felt too big.

Before I left, I packed my entire life into a 20' container..
Bed, couch, instruments, clothes, couple small pieces of furniture, books.

I miss none of it, and have zero desire for more 'stuff'.


--
The most important thing to me is TIME (and the freedom to do with it as I please).
So, by not owning things - I feel very free.

I don't have to update things. I don't have to match furniture. I don't own a television, so I don't have to deal with that, or know about television shows. I don't own a car, so, I don't have to have insurance or..I don't have real estate to manage...
Less things can break and need attention, less stuff to physically manage.


It's not that minimalism is, in and of itself, virtuous to me.
It's that it allows me to do what I want, when I want, without any hesitation or worry.


There is that quote from some alternative song in the 2000s: 'the things you own, own you'

--
Now, if I achieve my goal of a private jet.... that is one item I will own happily

 

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[Fox]

Any updates on this? Are you still continuing the experiment? What have you learned from it?

Well I did end up cutting back on a lot of non essential purchases but at the same time I bought a G wagon lol.

I guess my direction now is not to own a small amount of stuff but rather the right amount of stuff (and quality) to have my lifestyle the way I want it.

I’m on my phone atm but I’ll try get a full write up later.

 

[Fox]

This is the office set up right now. I moved out a bunch of stuff and I try keep it as empty as possible.

Next up is the files/folders etc - try just have minimal distractions on the actual computer too.

 

[sparechange]

How about the opposite of minimalism?

A journey to owning 100 supercars and more. Featuring @Xeon

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Paganis & Buggattis

 

[Andy Black]

Minimalism is focusing on things

I prefer to focus on the space than the things.

I’ll clear my wardrobes so there’s more hanging space, clear my bookshelves so there’s more space between the books, (try to) clear my project list so there’s more space to breathe.

 

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[Primeperiwinkle]

I love minimalism. I recently got me and my two kids down to two 49lb bags and a 20lb bag of legos. Yes, the legos are that important. lol. I also had a 67lb carryon roller full of books.. but.. someone told me I could live without them for six months while we traveled... humph.

Anyhoo..someday I wanna take classes so I can survive in the wilderness and meet missionaries in the jungle and write cool stories about them. I love traveling. (To be fair.. I also love whining and pouting about travel.)

 

[Kung Fu Steve]

100% worth it.

I still really only own a backpack, suitcase, and my (overstuffed) suit bag.

Home's rented. Car's rented.

I'll never forget @GlobalWealth turned me onto this idea of minimalism and he came to visit me and didn't quite realize how intense I get about some things.

I got this apartment and all I have was a really nice bed and a workspace. Instead of living room furniture I had mats and exercise equipment. I literally had to buy a couch for him to sleep on during his stay -- hahaha!

The only other thing I've picked up (mostly this year) is all my video and podcasting equipment.... but I'll have to figure out how to make those mobile.

 

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[Fox]

Consumerism is focusing on things

Minimalism is focusing on things

I am not focusing on having as little things as possible. I try to ignore it altogether. It’s not the focus whatsoever.

Huh? What’s wrong with being aware with how much stuff you own. It’s a pretty obvious thing when you travel a lot.

I think you missed the point altogether.

 

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[Fox]

How's this journey coming along @Fox ?

Hey I was going to make an update post and then didn’t.

Ya quite well...

- I recently donated 60% of my clothes. All in good condition - just hardly ever wore and I thought it would be a good start.

- I also have boxed up about 60% of the other items I own > those go for sale soon. Other stuff I’ll give away for free but I couldn’t quite donate them (too niche items).

- I got two cars right now and will be selling one. I might actually buy another but I get a lot of fun out of driving so that’s fine.

So all in if this month goes well with selling things I should have about 60-70% less stuff.

I’m hoping by mid summer to have enough that I can easily pack my car and drive wherever. I’ll update again soon.

Overall it already feels great - a lot less to worry about and less choices to make each day.

 

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[SEBASTlAN]

I've been doing it since 2018 and it's been amazing. Enjoy the process!

 

[Simon Angel]

I don't think minimalism includes spending 6 figures on a car

Fox eats, sleeps, F*cks and runs his business in the G wagon so yeah it is.

 

[Fox]

Along with reducing the amount of stuff I own I have been also trying to cut down a lot on choices/commitments/stress.

From talking a bit to @MTF I really like his approach with this also.

For the next while I am just going to be focusing on one thing (the program I run) and just making that the best I can. With a lot less going on in the world right now I have just been feeling more and more like focusing 100% on what I would most enjoy doing (and doing right) and the program was it.

A few things I have cut down/out:

- No new YouTube videos till May
- A lot less smaller tasks > hired some VAs
- No side projects - I wrapped all of these up the last few weeks
- Less having people report to me personally, I got a great biz partner and she is managing this a lot more now

With YT I feel for now I have covered most topics on the channel and I didn't want to be making new videos just to be making them. I got some ideas for down the line but I think it is good to trust what your body/mind is telling you and it just doesn't feel like the time to be making a ton of YT videos.

It has only been a day but it feels great today to wake up and just be free to focus on creating something with very few other things to keep in mind.

Quick video on this...

 

[Bruno Calisso]

I too have been reducing my stuff in the last years inspired by minimalism and it's benefits, just make sure to not become a fundamentalist about it, some guys go too far to the non sense point of sleeping in the floor and selling everything they have.

 

[Xavier X]

@Fox I remember doing this in 2017, when I decided to start traveling for extended periods.

Laid out all my clothes and shoes, and picked out a few dress shirts, a few t-shirts, 2 jeans, 2 shorts, one pair of sneakers, one pair of dress shoes. The remainder, many years worth of accumulated clothes and shoes went into bags, which I immediately went to donate.

Then I listed a bunch of stuff in the "Free Stuff" section of Craigslist. Had people popping in every day for about a week, to pick up free stuff. Beds, furniture, electronics, books and whatnot. I sold only very few things. And even those sold, I mean "sold."

For instance, my leather Safavieh sectional was about $2500 and still in decent condition. I let some family have it for $50 . They were so excited.

After all said and done, I had reduced everything down to a backpack and one suit case. Everything else was video production equipment, which I intended to store at a relative's house, along with the suitcase.

Only thing I travel with till this day is the backpack. Not even one of those big a$$ "backpacker" backpacks (as I'm not a backpacker in that sense). A nice mid-sized backpack that has a bit of an Inspector Gadget magic going on. It contains everything I actually need. Everything else for day to day living is available in the airbnbs I rent in different countries.

Personally, I wasn't even one to buy and gather a ton of useless shit. I was already living semi-minimally.
So yeah, I think it's a good idea for you to give it a shot. It will ultimately give you less to worry about, at least till you get married and have kids. Which is what I imagine will happen with me too.

 

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[PizzaOnTheRoof]

I love minimalism. I recently got me and my two kids down to two 49lb bags and a 20lb bag of legos. Yes, the legos are that important. lol. I also had a 67lb carryon roller full of books.. but.. someone told me I could live without them for six months while we traveled... humph.

Anyhoo..someday I wanna take classes so I can survive in the wilderness and meet missionaries in the jungle and write cool stories about them. I love traveling. (To be fair.. I also love whining and pouting about travel.)

As a kid I had about 4 giant plastic bins full of legos.

Either lego or I go.

 

[WJK]

@Fox I've found the Konmari Method by Marie Kondo to be very useful in confronting my possessions. Basically you sort through your items by category in the order:

1.Clothes
2. Books
3. Documents
4. Kimono (miscellaneous)
5. Momentos/keepsakes

You physically hold each item and ask yourself if it 'sparks joy.' If it does, keep it, if not, donate/toss it. It may sound silly, but I like the idea that I only own things that I truly love.

I'm in the process of doing it now (half-way through), and I'm looking at my closet and thinking I could probably stand to do another round of Kondoing when I'm done!

I listened to (read) her book too. Holding each item and asking yourself the "joy" question sounds great. It sounds very spiritual -- until I tried to do it. It was a slow, painful process that requires decision after decision. It wore me out, and I hated it. I found that I would rather just ignore those full closets and messy drawers.

Then I listened to Dana White, Decluttering at the Speed of Life. Her ideas fit my life much better. Her premise is that your space is a container. You can only keep what fits into that space. You start by choosing your favorites to keep -- limited by where it is to be kept. Then, if you want, you may add "runners-up items" to the "keep-pile" until you finish filling your space. Everything else that is left must go. That works for me. It's a very down-to-earth, simple idea that doesn't tweak my heartstrings. The sorting and discarding is not a heavy emotional process.

Here's an example. Yesterday I opened the antique chest in our guest room. I haven't opened it in years. In there, I found neatly vacuumed packed, and labeled plastic bags of expensive arctic wear items -- snow pants and a couple of cold weather overalls. My first reaction was to just put those bags back into the chest without breaking the seals and opening them. They were out of the way and so carefully packed in their airless bags! So, I left the chest open and the packages of clothes on the floor while I went to bed. After sleeping on it, I took the packages to my office where my assistant and I opened them. None of those clothes fit me nor my husband. I discovered that they belonged to my parents, who both died years ago. So, I can report that as of tonight, I have found everything new homes with people who will wear them. Now I have an empty chest -- another win.

I keep reminding myself that one's surroundings are a reflection of one's inner life.

 

[MTF]

Ha I got some funny running jokes with my gf about this...

"today was a thinking day" - aka I spent two hours in the bath playing chess on my phone. hahah.

Jokes aside it is a great year to be doing less and aiming for much higher quality in all areas.

The funniest thing is that thanks to this time off you may be actually 10x more effective than someone who's always putting out fires.

 

[GoodluckChuck]

What a fun idea! I love the way you experiment with your state of being. Those pictures remind me of Marie Condo. Nice one.

 

[Fox]

Why not sell, instead of donate? Or is the stuff too used? For this minimalism to work you gotta go BIFL then.

With the clothes I’ll probably just give away. With the office stuff though I’ll most likely be selling some stuff.

 

[Strategery]

@Fox I've found the Konmari Method by Marie Kondo to be very useful in confronting my possessions. Basically you sort through your items by category in the order:

1.Clothes
2. Books
3. Documents
4. Kimono (miscellaneous)
5. Momentos/keepsakes

You physically hold each item and ask yourself if it 'sparks joy.' If it does, keep it, if not, donate/toss it. It may sound silly, but I like the idea that I only own things that I truly love.

I'm in the process of doing it now (half-way through), and I'm looking at my closet and thinking I could probably stand to do another round of Kondoing when I'm done!

 

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[Fox]

I've gone minimalist before. The only thing that I owned was a car, wallet, pair of jeans, t shirt, pair of shoes and a toothbrush. Yes I slept on the ground and no I didn't use deodorant, soap or toothpaste. It wasn't too bad. But one night I got stranded on the side of the road and had no cellphone to call someone for help. Had to run 3 miles to the nearest town at midnight and find someone with a phone. As you can imagine it's hard to trust someone walking around an industrial park at midnight, so it took a while until someone let me use their phone to call a taxi. That's when reality hit me in the face and woke me up from that dream. I was planning to sell my car too. But after that night I figured I couldn't keep going.

Honestly the only people that can truly be 100% minimalist are those living in the woods like caveman or the rich that rent everything. But even then the rich might need a phone to call taxis, food delivery, and deal with his income stream. At the end of the day the only person that can be a 100% minimalist is a cave dweller.

Ya I am not aiming for this at all.

The ideal level for me is I can do the most with what I have - not held back by having too much or too little.

Right now I am held back by having too much - I can't easily move, I get a little stressed, stuff gets lost etc.

I'll keep dropping the number of items till I feel it is too little and then aim for a balance.

 

[MTF]

It has only been a day but it feels great today to wake up and just be free to focus on creating something with very few other things to keep in mind.

Welcome to the lazy focused side.

 

[Fox]

Love the architecture + backdrop btw. Also very minimalist. Which city are you in ?

I live in Sopot, Poland. It has been crazy snow lately so the view is really nice atm.

Welcome to the lazy focused side.

Ha I got some funny running jokes with my gf about this...

"today was a thinking day" - aka I spent two hours in the bath playing chess on my phone. hahah.

Jokes aside it is a great year to be doing less and aiming for much higher quality in all areas.

 

[Marigold]

I used to pride myself on being able to move in a car load, and I loved motorbike trips because you were really restricted in what you could take.

My line was (still is kinda) “If in doubt, throw it out.”

That all went out the window when I got married and had kids. Now it’s more “I can move in a lorry load.”

I still like having only two pairs of jeans though!

haha YES! I was minimalist AF. Then I had kids. They have 100x more shit than I do