Purge

Is it possible to live cleanly and with a minimum of material goods without withdrawing from society?

Two weeks ago I read an article on Yahoo.com News about a couple that, in an attempt to simplify their lives, had paired down their belongings to about 100 items each. At the time I didn't find the article particularly compelling and put it out of my head as soon as the NY Times was delivered in the morning mail. However, that evening as I took off my work clothes and put on a ratty t-shirt and a pair of old comfortable shorts, I noted that I probably have 100 shirts in my closet. I thought back to the article and realized what a feat it was to have just 100 items. It's truly a profound concept in the context of American society in 2010.

My current pregnancy scare has me looking at some of my choices in life and for whatever reason I keep thinking about the 100-items article. Everywhere I turn in my house I find "stuff" that I don't really need. It's all excess, inexplicable conspicuous consumption. Vices of the leisure class at work at consumerism. "Where the hell are the Joneses and how the fuck can I catch up with them?" I have two hundred ties. I have glasses for every type of wine you can imagine. I have glasses for red, white, champagne. I even have two different kind of red wine glasses and I couldn't tell you what type of red wine should go in which. When I was a kid my grandparents used to serve wine in little water glasses filled to the brim, and it was fine. T-shirts, cuff links, coffee mugs, shoes, silver wear, hats. What do I need all this shit for?

I started to wonder what percent of my salary went to pay for all this "stuff". But that got me thinking, what percent of my salary went to pay for my job? It costs money to work. The reason that I have so many ties is that I used to wear one to work everyday. On top of that I have a dozen suits, dress shirts, shoes, belts, a few fancy watches. I pay for gas to commute to my job, I get regular haircuts to fit in. I spend a lot of money just so that I can hold down a job. Sure, if I pumped gas for a living I would make a lot less, but I would spend a lot less too.

I am not perfect, though. I have many things that I have worked hard for and like, but don't need. I love motorcycles and have three. I don't NEED any, but riding is my hobby and will continue to do it as long as I am able to, physically and fiscally. But do I really need so much and do all these things improve my life?

Two years ago I went to a little village in Costa Rica called Dominical for a bachelor party. Dominical is a thin stretch of beach that is becoming known for its consistent beach break and abundance of local ganja. There are a few beach-side taco shacks, two or three spartan motels, and some shops to rent or buy surf equipment. Life is simple there and I spent the whole week in a bathing suit and flip flops. Getting "dressed up" meant putting on a shirt. There were no phones, no TV's, and unless you wanted to try surfing a different beach you had no reason to set foot in a car. It was the most relaxing week of my adult life, and not just because I was perpetually stoned, though I'm sure it helped (it's legal there, FYI). We just surfed, and swam, and ate, and slept. There was no clutter. No errands to run. No fancy food. No crowded happy hour. No...bullshit.

My goal this weekend is to unclutter my life. I am going to go through my closets, drawers, shelves, and cabinets, and make three piles: donation, eBay, and garbage. I am going to eliminate anything that is a duplicate or not necessary.

Will this exercise make the growing collection of cells in Tiny's belly go away? Well, I'm no doctor, but I doubt it. The point is that I need to reevaluate what is important to me.