All year I am undertaking "12 Months of Simplicity" as a part of my Project 2010.  January's project, inspired by one of my favorite blogs, has been "100 Things."  All month I have downsized and eliminated, minimizing my personal possessions to 100 or less.

And I made it. I now own 100 91 92 91 things.

Before I jump into a list of everything I now own, let me explain the back story and rules behind this project:

The original spark came from a book: Jayber Crow by Wendel Berry.  There is a scene where Jayber is leaving the city where he had been working at the horse track, heading to Port Williams.  He's walking.  And he's carrying everything he owns in a box.

Jes and I were reading this book with a group of friends and we were all perplexed by Jayber's box.  Of all the things in the world, this box contained that which he deemed as most valuable and most important.  Imagine the freedom and simplicity in being able to carry the possessions that enrich and make up your entire life in a single box, in your two hands.

Years after reading Jayber Crow (if you haven't read it, I seriously recommend it), I began absorbing everything written by Leo Babatua.  From simplicity to productivity to minimalism, nearly everything he writes connects with who I am and who I am becoming.  One day I stumbled across his 100 Things post.  And I knew I wanted to try it out for myself.

And so I did. For the past month I have been clearing closets and drawers, digging up things I don't want and don't need.  If I haven't used it or worn it in the past year, I probably don't need it.  And slowly boxes were filled with shoes and shirts and ties and trinkets.  (My dreams for my own Craigslist alternative - Jimslist - was thwarted by a Kast-Keat drop off to Goodwill.)

But in the end, I made it. I personally own less than 100 things.  Look out Jayber Crow.

Now, here are my self-imposed rules in landing on my 100 things.

And there you have it. 100 Things with room to spare (which means I can get new things without having to replace everything at a one-to-one ratio!).  Ideally I'd love to fill the nine open slots with a DSLR camera, something with an apple on it (but not an iDisappoint, I mean iPad), and maybe a new tie or two.

I plan on keeping this list updated throughout the year, replacing things as needed and adding things on occasion.  And if all goes as planned with my "12 Months of Simplicity" I will continue to realize simplicity and minimalism, not as an idealized and esoteric destination, but as the journey along the way.  Simplicity is the means, not the end.

But speaking of an "end," it's time for this post to end.  If you're into stats, here's a few (as of January 30, 2010) to wrap things up: