In the last 9 years I have moved 10 times (twice with Michelle) and so you probably see why I think I am an expert on the subject. But moving has really only helped me downsize from the amount of stuff I use to have (which, If you can imagine was way more things before Michelle and I got married). The real credit has to go to Michelle who will ask me how much I value or care about certain things. She helps me to be more intentional about what I keep and it has brought up some pretty difficult situations and decisions. Most of the time I’m not even aware of a lot of the “things” I do own until we uncover it through cleaning and preparing for our moves. Items that I’ve been holding onto for the potential time that I might actually need it. For example, I have a basketball. Do I play basketball? No. Do I wish I played more basketball? Sure. Do I really need a basketball? (I wait a couple of seconds, go back and forth with the thought) Maybe?
Life happens. As we change, our stuff in a way changes too, at least the way we value and think about our stuff. My mom and I were cleaning her house (on a recent visit back home) and I was trying to help her sort through our family’s “treasure” (a little bit of everything). It was interesting as we went back and forth between what was truly important and what was just another “thing”. My mom did make an interesting observation though and said that if the house were to flood and everything was ruined, she probably wouldn’t need to replace any of it. I was proud of her for that. It’s not that the stuff she owned wasn’t important, it’s just that it wasn’t so important that she couldn’t continue to live life and move on. All that stuff she figured wasn’t really worth it. This was great for me to understand because I really enjoyed my snowboard gear (although I don’t care to go up anymore) and my DVD collection (down from over 100 to 48). I still enjoy movies, but thanks to Netflix, I don’t have to physically own them. Most of the stuff I have isn’t that great unless there’s someone to share with anyways. I know it’s sappy but we were meant for relationship (no matter how introverted you are) and that’s the “stuff” that really matters…
BTW: This is also a shameless plug to tell you that Michelle and I are selling somethings so if you are interested, let us know (we make great deals for friends and friends of friends). We don’t really care about how much we make, but that we are getting rid of things we don’t need anymore. Maybe you might need 48 dvds??? 🙂
45 DVDs and 3 Blu-rays. See the following link for more details: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/emd/1840081201.html
21″ Widescreen Samsung Computer Monitor (with DVD and Video game, Component cable Hookups): Actual pictures below.
Our ridiculously big Coffee Table (just ridiculously too big for our apartment)
My lightly used snowboard gear (1-2 seasons of use) – http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/spo/1840078477.html
Let us know if you want anything 🙂
Simply Intentional 
you’re getting rid of your snowboard? Sno-way!!! (though I do really respect the time and thought you’re putting into thinking about this stuff, I was feeling the same way looking into the back of my closet the other day)