I have visited the idea of owning vinyl and a record player and setting it all up and begin my discovery of great albums on vinyl but on and off I dismiss the idea. I choose not to. I think that it can be dangerous for me. I love the idea of preserving that retro trend but I think my wallet may suffer too much for the luxurious fun it's worth. Plus I've been (and have a feeling I will continue to) live(ing) a very nomadic lifestyle, I move often. Don't want to haul another "collection" of something all along the way.
Yet, I can't deny that there is something magical about listening to a record player. It has a flair of raw sound that is much missed after listening to digital since my pre-teen years. So instead of starting my own collection, for now I admire those of my friends and colleagues. But don't be stingy, let me touch them too! I want to play with the records too.
The Stuff I Haul Along
visual art & clippings
books & notebooks
collection of cameras
lots of burnt tapes and media discs, dvds
lots of shoes
accessories
scarfs
This is what I tug from place to place. This year 2011 I took a new approach though, I really want to down size even more. I want to reduce the "stuff" that I own and carry along with me in life. Looking back at how much stuff I started the year with I find myself with significantly less, so I'm slowly but surely reducing. :) Something like 4 years ago I read an article about how a couple made it a point to completely live with just the necessary things. They made a massive inventory of stuff and broke down the purpose and their main motive was money. How much it costs to live with this stuff. It helped them change their lifestyle around and save them so much money.
My rule for clothes is if you haven't worn it this season, then it's out. Unless it's like a gown or things of that nature and if you didn't wear it that often then recycle it! One person's trash another's treasure!! I love thrift stores! In a small way they contribute to help reduce toxic waste and invent new stories for the stuff that goes along with us in life, if only temporarily.
If you haven't used it, read it, opened it, watched it in a year then don't hold on to it. <-- very difficult with movies.
The Story of Stuff
It's impressive to sit and realize how much stuff you surround yourself with that you really dont need and that you have materialistically held on for too long.
This video helps.
It paints the picture of mass consumption and illustrates the ridiculous rate at which we go through things, specifically here in America. The reality is embarrassing.
Where to Even Start?
Part of the way we can change the effects consumerism has on our planet is by changing these habits in our lifestyle. The less we demand, the less they will produce. The less they produce the more time, energy and money had to work on something of more mutual benefit for humanity and our planet. Start small, at home, in your storage and in your spending.
If you're looking for an idea for a new years resolution, this can help you, your wallet and the planet in much more ways than you can imagine.
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