Tag: stuff

The 2017 100

The 2017 100 — It's Not WHAT You Do, It's How You DO It. (Featured Image)

Last updated on April 1st, 2021 at 01:08 am

Unless my life sees some major changes this year, 2017 may mark the last list of 100!

It’s January 13th—I’ve spent nearly two weeks of my new year agonising over 100 items that matter enough to hit a list of goals and aspirations for the year ahead. And that’s a key difference from the lists that came before it.

Before it was a task list—I’d look around at everything that needed doing and jot it down, because my life would obviously be better with them out of the way.

But task lists aren’t inspiring. They’re not motivational. As a creative, that’s like dropping a pile of 100 things I dread on my lap and nagging myself to get ’em done by the year’s end.

Once I realised what I was doing to myself, so much so that I just went through my least successful year yet for my list, I knew I needed to make a change for 2017.

The 2017 100—It's Not WHAT You Do, It's How You DO It.—New Year, New Perspective

I’m particularly proud of the list I’ve put together for The 2017 100. I didn’t take any shortcuts—I wrote out 100 things that’d help me live the life I’d like to lead and prove instrumental along the path there. Rather than hurriedly scrawl out a list I’d likely ignore ’til December, I wrote one that I’d happily check off, knowing that each accomplishment would take me a step closer to a far better 2018. I feel like I’m finally getting it right this time, and I hope that shines through as you give it a look for yourself!

But that’s enough of my chatter—I’ve already made you wait long enough. Here for your consideration is The 2017 100—because it’s not what you do… it’s how you do it!

CONTINUE READING to see The 2017 100 and all I hope to accomplish this year! “The 2017 100”

Stop Buying Useless Crap!!!

Last updated on April 3rd, 2021 at 03:08 am

Sometimes, growing up will hit you in the strangest ways. Some are obvious, like the changes we undergo during puberty. Some not so much, such as the so-called “quarter-life crisis”, where we have all these post-secondary graduates with an expensive piece of paper in their hands but no clue of what to do next.

But sometimes, it might be even MORE subtle – it won’t be how we look or how we act… sometimes it will be as simple as the things we buy and the things we use to fill our schedules.

There was once a time, for example, where I held the magazine on a pedestal – Complex for instance. I’d be at the newsstand every other month waiting to get the next issue, entranced by bright colours, slick street styles, and of course the double monthly cover if you dared to flip the issue over.

So I’d meticulously collect issues.

For years.

To the point where I’d buy them because I thought they were cool, not necessarily because they had good articles or content. When I picked up an issue recently, I flipped through – and found out that I’d outgrown Complex.

It just didn’t reflect who I was anymore, and I hadn’t noticed the change. Almost (what seemed like) overnight, I’d become an Esquire reader. Men’s Health. Sharp. I’ve long since edged by way out of the 18-25 age bracket, and it would appear that my tastes and preferences have adapted to accommodate.

I think it’s important to do a self-check time and again to make sure that the actions we take reflect who we are NOW, not who we THINK we are. Some questions to ask yourself:

  • Am I actually going to use it?
  • When’s the last time I looked at it or used something similar to it?
  • What could I use my money for instead? *If you buy it, will you just have to buy it again? Could you just buy a higher-quality version once?

Money doesn’t grow on trees, and you don’t have all the time in the world. Do it right the first time and invest in the right things so you don’t end up regretting it later.

So stop buying useless crap. It’s called that for a reason!

The second logo for Casey Palmer, Canadian Dad

126/365

The Quest for Less #1: CHAOS

Last updated on April 3rd, 2021 at 02:59 am

One of the side effects of having too much stuff is the fact that you seem to constantly lose things. Or is that a side effect of simply being disorganized? In any case, disorganization is directly linked to the amount of stuff you own, and here’s my case for why having less will make a happier you.

This, however, isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do in a society that’s become so stuff-centric. You are nothing without stuff. Your personality, worth and mantra for life are the direct correlation of the total sum of stuff you own. I think the equation goes a little like this:

An equation for the true value of the stuff you own: The sum of all the things you own * The sum of the monetary value of those items - the cost of the items being used all divided by the number of people who use your stuff.

You are categorized by the stuff you own. Slotted into certain social circles. Provided certain opportunities in life. So much is based upon what’s in your closet, on your counter, the car you drive and the TV your own. One wayward decision and you could be altering the tone of your life completely, an unknowing victim to the social ebbs and flows of life!

There’s a little problem with this, though. Especially in cities.

Continue reading “The Quest for Less #1: CHAOS”

Why Having So Much Crap is Such a Pain

Last updated on April 3rd, 2021 at 02:54 am

Blergh. This post would’ve totally come out earlier, but got wrapped up in all sorts of stuff—dodgeball, taking on an additional role at work this week due to my colleague being on vacation—it’s just been busy. But I’m committed to getting you that daily content, so here I am 😊 !

So I made some progress in the Quest for Less yesterday—not as much as I’d hoped, but I soon found that the goals I’d set had been slightly naïve. My room is filled with memories, minutia and memorabilia from moments past. (Feel free to quote that.) Although our stuff is transient and in many cases will not outlast us, we can’t immediately discount the emotional bonds we form with it. Instead of dumping things outright, we categorize them—putting them in piles depending on their function, or perhaps the ever-ambiguous “maybe” pile 😊Some things that helped to get me sorted included these approaches:

Continue reading “Why Having So Much Crap is Such a Pain”
%d bloggers like this: