A Challenge to Perfectionism
Publishing this edition late in the day.
A Question
Does this item match who I am today? — With the cross-country move starting in just over two weeks, I've begun to pare down a bunch of my belongings.
During this process I find myself asking myself whether an item in question belongs in my life today. For example, this evening I sorted through all of my USB, audio, video, and assorted cables.
In the past, I'd tell myself each of the cables I earmarked for donation or scrap could have a use someday. While that may be true, my current self takes comfort in the idea that I can rebuy something should it become needed in the future.
Surely you've heard this type of question/strategy before, but it is incredible how powerful it can be at keeping stuff from entering a moving truck.
An Admission
I don't take great photos — Last Saturday I spent a good part of the day sorting through and purging all of the pictures I had in my possession. And, to be honest, most of the ones I had taken weren't that great.
Aside from problems with lighting, focus, and composition, most of them were irrelevant. I'm not sure why I thought I'd want to see the jellyfish from the Tennesee Aquarium 20 years after I'd visited. It was astounding to toss so many "why did I take that" type photos.
A Strategy
Distraction by TV — Much of the sorting and purging has taken place in our living room with an episode of some old TV show playing in the background. It's mostly been episodes of an early-80's show called Hart to Hart that's gotten me through this week of paring down.
Something about having attention split between semi-following a terrible plotline and making decisions about what to keep has worked wonders. So much so that I'll be employing this strategy any time a new purge needs to happen.
Paper to Shred
Five and a half pounds — When all is said and done, we'll be taking over 5 pounds of paper to the shredding service at Staples.
I remember sitting in my room at 8 or 9 years of age dreaming the day we could give up on paper. While I still enjoy planning my day and taking notes on paper, I'm well on the way to getting anything important scanned in and then shredded.
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