What I got rid of today.

Just a few.

3 days until the end of the RID project.

362 days. Wow.

Today, I RID the last of my t-shirt RIDs for the project.

I tend to hang on to t-shirts too long. (I’ve got a closet full.)

I choose my t-shirts carefully. They all have SOME meaning for me. And I guess that’s why I have a hard time giving them up. Because I don’t want to give away “the meaning.”

But the RID project has helped me with that.

And now these (along with about 20 other I’d guess) t-shirts are off to someone else.

One too many.

Another lesson of the RID project is that I hang on to things that were given to me as gifts – even some things I don’t want, don’t need, or don’t have a place for.

No more.

It starts today – I’m giving away this Jawbone Jambox I received as a gift at TED. (Don’t bother telling me you want it, it’s already been claimed.)

You see, I already have one…and while in the past, I would’ve held on to it “just in case….” I won’t anymore.

So – as I get RID of it today, I remind myself to look at all gifts as I would purchases. If they don’t fit me, be gracious, thank the giver…and move on.

Unread. Unloaded.

I’ve given away a lot of books of the RID project.

So many, in fact, that it’s time to give away a bookcase. This one.

My love of books is “paved with good intentions.” I always find myself in bookstores, wandering…and the truth is, so many books seem so fascinating to me.

But the RID project has taught me to be more selective. I’m going to try to stay true to that.

And, maybe as importantly, the RID project has taught me to give up my read books, rather than saving them as a collection. I’m only saving the ones I think I may be referring back to later. And that’s not many.

Here’s to a smaller footprint.

And a smaller apartment.

Things are looking up.

Yesterday, I blogged about pessimism as a reason I keep things.

Today, optimism.

I purchased this pair of pants at the tail end of dramatic weight loss. They were tight, but they fit.

Did I mention the dramatic weight loss was unsustainable?

They fit me for about a month, but now that I’m back at a more sustainable (and comfortable) weight, they just don’t.

So, off they go.

Out.

And in with acceptance.

No more.

Some one of the major RID project lessons has been that I keep stuff because of pessimism.

“Maybe I’ll need to fit into these clothes again someday.”

“Maybe I’ll lose this item – I should have an extra.”

“Maybe I’ll keep this just in case I ever see that person again.”

So, today — as I RID this suit that’s too big for me.

I remind myself – to look at the bright side.

Power up.

Today, the beginning of the “learned lessons” from the RID project.

Today, I RID this voltage converter/power adapter.

As a person who travels as much as I do, the “equipment” I use to travel becomes a big part of my life. I’m always looking for the “perfect” luggage, power adapter, and other “necessities” of being nomadic.

But you know what? The perfect one rarely exists. And when you do often think you’ve found that “perfect” one – that is so much better than the one you already own — it doesn’t turn out to be so, in fact.

So, today, I remind myself to stop looking for that “perfect” piece. If what I have serves the purpose, it might be all I need.

Forever.