I have always thought of myself as a bit of a minimalist.

I have always hated cluttered, useless stuff and “knick knacks”.

I will always be more comfortable in a hotel room than an 18-room mansion.

Imagine my surprise after opening the TBEX newsletter to read an article about the “100 Thing Challenge”.  Meant for people who are wishing to fill their lives with experiences instead of things, the main idea is to get rid of all of your belongings for a prolonged length of time except for, you guessed it- 100 things. Time Magazine says it is a “grass-roots movement”. People are freeing themselves of clutter and living more clean, streamlined lives.

Started by avid traveler and blogger Dave Bruno (guynameddave.com), he not only came up with the idea, but charted his progress both online and in a soon-to-be-out book.  I have a feeling our lists would be slightly different (Dave kept 3 bibles,  a mechanical pencil, MacBook Pro, iMac, wallet, desk lamp, camera, backpack, tent and running shorts among other things) but the idea of living unattached to hoards of material goods is a very freeing feeling. Never one to keep around hundreds of dusty movies, never-listened-to CD’s or unwanted items, I do suffer from modern-day female consumerism. (Um, shoe closet and medicine cabinet filled with beauty products, we are talking to you).

Dave inspired me to once again go through the closet, empty the cabinet drawers and think twice about making that next purchase. I don’t know if I will be able to get down to exactly 100 things, but categorywise I am pretty close. To see my list of items I am trying to whittle away to, click here.