The reduction project is still going on. The goal isn’t to live an excessively austere life, but to live in a way where the objects I share my space with are meaningful.

I’ve given away more than 280 books using BookMooch, and many many more through other means. Once again I’ve reduced my wardrobe nearly 50%. There’s a stack of objects I’m ready to give away, donate, or sell.

I still have so much stuff.

The way I buy tangible goods has changed – I really can’t do it without some serious consideration. I’ll grab a coffee while I’m out without too much thought, but anything that comes home to live is a different story. I purchased a Kindle a few months ago, mostly to staunch the flow of paper into the house while not impeding the flow of books, and I’m very happy with it. Tangible books usually fall prey to the “one in, one out” rule (also for t-shirts). I did splurge on a new set of in-ear headphones which I didn’t need, but are objectively awesome.

The more things I give away, the easier it becomes. There’s some sort of giddiness associated with it (there’s apparently a documented mental buzz people get when they’re being charitable). The real thing I am learning is that “I am not my stuff.” This should be obvious, but it took a slow learner like myself a long time to understand. While objects go out the door, they are no longer the things of which I’m letting go.