This week a friend of mine called to ask whether I had remembered he was still storing two boxes for me in his garage.
“Really? What’s in them?”
It was a bit of dumb and reactionary question from me. Of course he didn’t know. It was a revealing response however, since obviously I couldn’t remember what was in them and whatever it was, I hadn’t missed either.
I was immediately reminded of Graham Hill, a writer and designer who believes that a keen ability to edit one’s life will be one of the most important skills to master this century.
Earlier this year he created a fascinating design competition called LifeEdited.
Watch this short 5 min video where he covers the project at the TED conference.
As you do, give some thought to your own life and whether yours can do with further editing too.
While Hill’s project focused on editing living space, life editing has far wider implications as he suggests in the video.
Over the years I have edited mine in many ways – By example: gone is the bigger than necessary house, car I hardly ever used and clothes I thought I’d wear one day soon.
My music is all digitized; I only use a laptop computer and never do food shopping for more than a few days in advance.
There were a few relationships that had to go too and yet… I still had two boxes … and who knows what else is lurking around that I’ve forgotten.
Most of us could be far more ruthless than we are with our edits which is why we are always ready to do more editing.
What are the benefits of an edited life?
One of the concerns people have about life editing is that they think they will have to compromise, do without and settle for less. We are so conditioned in thinking that the bigger, faster and more we have, the happier we will be. Quite the opposite is the reality though.
When you clear the clutter and that which is packed away and never used, you make space. Not only physical space but inner space too. Releasing your need to collect and hang on to whatever it is you do, frees you to find your inner security. It helps you to feel lighter, more focused and happier.
Remember smaller and less does not have to mean inferior or scarcity. Quite often products and a life designed for compact living is based on quality, innovation and better functionality.
Have you edited your life significantly? How? What benefits have you enjoyed as a result?
Where could you do with some more editing in your life?
What are you going to do about it?
Have your say in the comments section and I’ll meet you there. Please share this post with your followers who may want to join in the conversation too. Thank you.
Be Happy!
Image: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/thea0211
Hi Marcus,
Nice post here my friend:)
I noticed that when you live in an environment with a lot of stuff, your mind gets busy too…feelings of confusion, stress and also you start to forget more.
More interesting, we tend to collect things and use them once or twice and then move to something else.
I removed all the extra things from my room first and as a result I’m feeling more relaxed and grateful for what I have…more focused and creative.
Another example: Robert Kiyosaki’s company Rich Dad is small, filled only with the necessary stuff. They run a global business, from few but organized offices
Simplicity is power.
Thanks for sharing the video and your post. I enjoyed it.
All the best,
Radu
Radu recently posted..3 Problems That Kill Your Home Based Business
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Hi Radu,
I love how you say “Simplicity is Power”. So true.
If we are really honest with ourselves, many of things we acquire we do so because we believe the having of them will make us feel better. In reality this is never so. We can change how we feel without needing to have anything else. It is just a matter of re-focusing our emotions.
Thank you for stopping by Rady and adding to the conversation.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hi Marcus,
just wonderful insights and I love the video. I thought that I already edited my life pretty radically but your post and this little video makes want to think twice. Just yesterday, I had a conversation with a friend of mine who boiled down his expenses for his family with three kids to 2,000 € a month. While their lifestyle is not what we desire, it made me think anyway. So this post is probably a sign that I need to re-edit my life again.
Thanks for sharing.
Be blessed
Oliver
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Janet Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Oliver, aloha. You must have been shaking your head in amazement when you visited my blog with its post including this clip.
Given your conversation with your friend combined with the fact that Marcus and I posted on the same topic, perhaps the Universe is sending you a message that you need to do a bit more re-editing.
Enjoy a Spectacular Sunday. Aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..Who Owns You
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:09 am
Janet aloha. Obviously it is a message that that the Universe wants out there. I don’t believe anything happens by chance. I have no idea but I wonder what the mathematical chances were that we would both choose that video at the same time for a post?
~Marcus
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:38 am
Hi Oliver,
I think we re-edit in stages to be honest Oliver. There were some things in my life that I thought I would never be able to part with but there came a time when I felt no attachment to these too.
Hopefully you have happily editing since reading this post.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
I edit continually. My old living space was referred to as a museum: barren, spartan, and clear.
Now, I do like nice things. I like doing nice things too, like travelling. But I finally figured this out: *I* want to do them. In the past I did things or intended to acquire things that other people wanted, and I figured, without much thought, that these must be things you should do, or acquire. Now I know what I am doing comes from the core.
Releasing precedes acquiring. A tough lesson at first, but freeing as you realize it. Releasing means letting go old states of mind, worn out relationships and physical stuff, to receive either new stuff, or in many cases, a new perspective, a new, fresh state of mind, which reminds you that need only acquire stuff that YOU want, and stuff is merely….stuff. Things that are fun and enjoyable, but things nonetheless, that come and go.
The treasures lie within. The Why in the What. The emotions. Mastering mind, this is the ultimate treasure,
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..The 1 Key to Spectacular Cash Gifting Success
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hi Ryan,
You make a great point. De-cluttering does not mean giving up everything or not having nice things. It means making space to use and enjoy those nice things.
I would rather have less that is of quality than an abundance of valueless items.
As you say Ryan , true treasures lie within and that is what we really want. We think that having things will make us feel what we want to feel but we can experience those feelings simply by choosing them.
Thanks for adding more value here Ryan.
~Marcus
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The great ideas in movies. If we satisfy us in less we welcome resources and opportunity. Editing one’s habits is a great virtue.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:21 am
Hi Azhar,
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
~Marcus
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Marcus, aloha. You already know that I think this is a brilliant post topic with a great video. Marcus, the more we can do to spread the message of “declutter” or “edit” the better of the world will be environmentally and people will be in numerous ways.
While my home is not a museum like Ryan’s, nevertheless it is very open and clean; my closets/cabinets are tidy and organized. And, yes, I have many with nothing in them.
Speaking of your two boxes, let me tell you a similar story. When we moved to the Big Island, we thought we would be living only a short time in the house where we first started living. Consequently, there were many boxes I chose not to unpack because I did not want to have to repack them. They were piled in a closet.
Well, things took longer than planned so by the time we moved to our second home, we had already lived here 20 months. What I decided, Marcus, is that since I had not needed whatever was in those boxes for 20 months, it was not likely that I would need them in the future. So, I got rid of all of them without even opening them.
People are horrified when I tell them the story and ask how on earth I could do this. Marcus, not once have I regretted this action. To this day, I don’t know what was in those boxes and I know I never missed anything that might have been in them.
Believe me, that was a very eye opening experience for me. Now, not only do I edit ruthlessly on a consistent basis, I absolutely love doing it. It brings me pleasure to remove things. The only area that remains largely intact is my library. While every once in a while, I can part with a book or two, for the most part, they are “safe” from my ruthless editing.
Well done, my friend. And, of course, you know how thrilled I was to see that our great minds are so in sync.
Best wishes for a wonderful rest of the weekend. Until next week, aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..Who Owns You
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:19 am
Janet aloha. I am with you all the way on this one. I am neat and tidy myself and only own what I use.
I loved your story about the boxes Janet because that is what I was tempted to do myself. The only reason why I didn’t is because we have very strict rules about what can be dumped here so I had to make sure that there was nothing forbidden.
As it turned out they were both boxes of kitchenware and both went down to a local charity. I did not take one thing out of the boxes.
I like you, find it very difficult to get rid of books but I have got a lot better at this too now. I make sure that for very new book I buy I give one away.
Rather than feel I am losing the book, I focus on the fact that someone else who needs it is gaining it. I ask the Universe to show me who needs it and the answer always comes.
Loved it hat we were both charged with this topic t the same time Janet. The Universe must obviously feel a major de-clutter is in order.
Have a great new week.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Janet Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Marcus, aloha. Thank you for freeing me to remove some of the books from my library. Yes,I too can absolutely count on the Universe to connect me with the right person for a particular book.
Strange, though I have been very good at not adding to my closet unless I subtracted something, in my mind I could not do the same thing with my books. Of course, since that was my mindset, I could never see a way to do. Your approach works perfectly for me, Marcus; it so resonates.
Off to look at my library and to let the Universe know that I am ready to give these treasures to others.
WooHoo! What a way to start the week. Mahalo nui loa, Marcus. Aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..Who Owns You
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Hurrah Janet Hurrah!!
Marcus Baker recently posted..Is Your Life Due For an Edit?
HI Marcus, I fully embrace the message you are sending and to be honest I do my best to weed out unnecessary items myself. Every day I go through the house and rid myself of 10 items I no longer need. These things could be papers, pens that don’t work well, a pair of socks, (mine or the kids), toys I know the kids won’t miss (as long as they don’t see me!). It does help with clutter and in fact I have on my very long list of ‘post ideas’ a post about Clutter. I have a picture hung in my office that I coloured years ago. It says “clutter complicates any job’… and it’s a picture of a cartoon character trying to shave in the bathroom amongst a clothes line of panty hose, socks, bras, etc. LOL.
While I have noticed a difference in the time I spend maintaining my home, I do have a few ‘fetishes’ so to speak. I love glasses, blue jeans, toothbrushes (LOL) and pet fish!! I know…. don’t ask(!?) I am often teased by my family for my peculiar ways!
The truth is though that less is more. It reduces stress, saves money and all sorts of fringe benefits that can be enjoyed by cutting back.
I, unlike you only grocery shop once per week for basics, and do one BIG shop every three months. It keeps me out of the stores so I can avoid stocking up on unnecessary items. (I know myself you see!)
Great advice Marcus. I hope you feel ‘lighter’ since you’ve done some personal editing.
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..Why I Chose a Personal Development Business
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Hi Jayne,
Wow you get rid of 10 items every day??? That is awesome. That sounds like a wonderful practice.
I love what that poster says in your office… so true!!
Ha ha… you do have some odd fetishes Jayne… toothbrushes?????? Ha ha… but then this is what makes you special and unique.
I can understand why do do less ships than me. Make sense to know yourself and what suits you best too.
I think life editing is another life long journey and as I do, I definitely feel lighter.
Thank you for adding more value here Jayne.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
‘ships’ of course is meant to be ‘shops’…. this is what happens when one writes comments and is still half asleep, obviously.
Marcus Baker recently posted..Is Your Life Due For an Edit?
[Reply]
Janet Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Jayne, aloha. You win the prize–10 items a day is incredible. Love your poster-not too sure about your fetishes.
Thanks for making me smile. Aloha. Janet
P.S. Marcus & I posted on the same topic, on the same day using the same video. do you think the Universe is sending a message to de-clutter?
Janet recently posted..Who Owns You
[Reply]
Jayne Kopp Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
LOL – Thanks Janet! As long as the prize doesn’t add clutter I’m honored!:-)
Actually, it doesn’t take long to be honest. I just grab from each room as I tidy up in the morning. It could be something as simple as a pair of stockings or an old pair of knickers! ha ha. I usually spend once per week going through my closet. I have a walk in… it’s BIG and I have a lot of things that I don’t wear, so taking one or two things and donating to goodwill makes it all worth while.
I have also adopted the ‘one in – two out’ rule for anything. I buy the kids a new piece of clothing, I then sort through and find two things they’re growing out of.
It really is amazing at what a few weeks does. It does get a little more difficult as time goes on but the end result is so worth the few moments effort.
Thanks for adding even more Janet.
I agree the universe is sending a message on a few topics lately. I am really looking forward to sharing my new ‘brainwave’ with all of you soon. It’s all about helping people ‘get going with business’ and one of the first steps to getting started in the ebook I’m working on has to do with creating a comfortable ‘airy’ environment. It is amazing what it does for your mental health too.
Thanks so much for popping back to have this chat!
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..Why I Chose a Personal Development Business
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Jayne I love the “one in, two out” rule. That means one is editing rather than just swapping and maintaining.
Marcus Baker recently posted..Is Your Life Due For an Edit?
Hey Marcus,
My life is in the constant stage of editing. I am all about simplifying my life both the physical and spiritual aspects of them.
I also like to grocery shop for only a few days. Anything more than that and some of the fresh foods seem to go to waste.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 6:27 am
Hi Justin,
Keeping everything simple is the key as then we have space to stay connected instead of using complexity as an excuse.
~Marcus
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Great share Marcus,
My life is SO edited. I live a very simple life Marcus. I have a small one bedroom condo because I don’t need a lot of space. I only keep possessions that have a lot of meaning to me and the rest goes to charity. My car is 12 years old car but still runs great (I take good care of my things).
Possessions are just things to me. They aren’t who I am and I certainly don’t need to impress anyone.
I think when people worry more about the things they have or being better than someone else they miss being who they truly are. I’ve ended friendships because of the people they have become as well.
Nope, I enjoy the simple things in life because we all know that when our lives are over you can’t take any of it with you. Just the love from the relationships you’ve built along the way.
Adrienne recently posted..Stop Obsessing About It And Do It Anyway
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Hi Adrienne,
I am not at all surprised to read that you lead a simple life when it comes to possessions.
Someone finding out that I live in a similar way, recently asked me why I went into network marketing.
“Isn’t that all about six figures, mansions, fast cars and mega wealth?” they wanted to know.
Of course it can be if that’s what you choose and it just shows what is perceived about the industry.
They miss that the real reason is simply freedom of which having enough money to fund one’s freedom is a part but not all there is to it.
Adrienne I too have ended friendships that passed their use by date. It was better for both of us, every time.
Love your last point. If anybody doubts that this is the truth, then we should just use Steve Jobs as a case in point.
Unless of course he also managed to set up a “Heavenly Bank Account” and is now chuckling to himself as he looks down…. Nah… far from it. He will have inherited far more.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Is Your Life Due For an Edit?
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Love this.
I am a person that doesn’t like clutter. There is no clutter at my place. People often come over and ask where things are and I simply say “I don’t own one”.
I just don’t find a lot of things necessary. TV is one of them, though I have one. I probably watch 1 hour of TV a month…maybe. It just doesn’t interest me.
Same thing with nick-knacks. I don’t own them. They are pointless to me. lol.
I think we could all go through a bit of de-cluttering. It would be awesome. The landfill would sure have their work cut out for them.
Awesome video.
Brock Blohm recently posted..Don’t Compare The Results; Become The Results – Network Marketing
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 17th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Hi Brock,
That is awesome to hear. I have to admit when I was your age, “having things” was fairly important to me. As I got older I realised that none of it held any value for me. I realised that one needs very little and live and the less one has the more freedom one has.
I don’t own a TV myself. When I do watch any, it is at friends and even then I try and avoid it at all costs.
I agree with you, the business to go into would definitely be landfill.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Is Your Life Due For an Edit?
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Thanx for this share. I have a TV set and lately its been taking sooo much of my time, and surely av been thinking of getting rid of it and couldn’t come to that decision until now. I have a lot in my life that I need to edit and now av got the will. Thanx again
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 18th, 2011 at 8:09 am
Hi Dan,
Welcome and thanks for leaving a comment.
Pleased to hear that this post has motivated you to do some more editing. Starting with your television is an excellent idea.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Nice Post.Sometimes we have to edit things in our lives to achieve goal, peace or success.We should simplify our life both physically and mentally.
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Hi Marcus,
Nice post.Life editing is not the name of compromise and I agreed with your point that smaller and less does not mean inferior or scarcity.If we satisfy ourselves for less then we welcome more opportunities.
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Quality is better than quantity. Editing one’s life helps to bring out the best in him or her. We find out that our life is so cluttered with things that we hardly need or use. I recently read the book “The Magic of Thinking Big” and in the book the author mentioned that it’s better to spend a little bit more money to buy quality stuff that to spend less money to buy stuff that won’t stand the test of time. Less is always more, depending on how you look at it.
Awesome post, Marcus. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the video as well.
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