Strategy For Media

Sometime soon I’ll be dealing with my boxes of “media” (audio and video cassettes, CD, DVD, etc).  The goal is to reduce the volume to what will fit inside one banker’s box.  I’ve been avoiding this task because it will be a big job.  I know because this has happened before.

The boxes will be opened and there will be tapes I haven’t seen in ten years.  Looking at them will surely set me off on a trip down memory lane.  I’ll spend all day trying to organize them into categories, while playing a few of the ones without labels to see what’s on them.  Then at the end of the day, I’ll get tired and overwhelmed by the task and just scoop them all back into the boxes.

There must be a better way.  If I approach the job with a strategy, it could go faster.  For example if a tape is not labeled it’s trash.  Get a cassette holder for my car — keep however many will fit in the holder.  Any extra must be given away.  If it’s a recording of something I did, then digitize it, burn some CD’s and toss the cassette.  If it’s a copy of an album…  not sure.

One Computer Initiative

A couple years ago I had a fullsize desktop computer on my desk, a second desktop in boxes, and some old laptops.  Plus some extra monitors, peripherals and cables that hadn’t been used in years.  My usual process was to upgrade to a new computer and keep the old one.  The One Computer Initiative is an idea I came up with to simplify my collection of computers.  The older systems were kept for the usual reasons (it still works, perceived value, emotional connection, etc).  Because of my “long-term-temporary” living situation, I wanted to reduce the electronics bulk so it would be easier to move when I got a place of my own.

I liked them all for different reasons, and if I bought another one I’d probably like that one as well.  How many computers do I really need?  I like having different operating systems and keyboards available to me.  I would also like to have a four wheel drive truck with a stick shift.  I’d like a convertible sports car and a cargo van.  However I only have one car.  So why have four computers?

The initiative was about critically evaluating what I use a computer for and finding one laptop computer that can do everything.  Then sell off everything else.  Even if that meant spending more money and having less flexibility and a smaller screen.  Later on after the move, I could get a new desktop computer which would be better than the obsolete junk I had been holding onto.  It took more than a year, but eventually I got it down to a new MacBook as my main computer, and an old iBook G3.

The iBook stayed because it runs older software which won’t work on the MacBook.  Theoretically I could take the time to rebuild the documents and data in a newer program on the MacBook, but I really want to keep the iBook.  I like the shape and rubberized texture of the case, the sturdy keyboard, long battery life, reliable wifi signal.  Also I spent a lot of time and money upgrading it over the years.  I may just keep this one forever.

The last one to be sold was a IBM Thinkpad built in 2002.  Selling that one was tough.  It was relatively modern compared to my other stuff, and was solidly designed.  Beautiful screen, wonderful keyboard.  I considered using it as my main computer instead of buying the MacBook.  But, it duplicated tasks that I was doing on other computers so it wasn’t really NEEDED.  Getting rid of it was me putting the NO SPARES philosophy into action.  I let it go for FAR less then it was “worth” to me.  Even though I miss it, having the extra clutter gone is appreciated.

Have been thinking about this recently because it’s now two years later and the MacBook is getting old.  I may upgrade to a new laptop similar to my old Thinkpad, but faster with more memory.  The money has been saved up, but I’m hesitating because a new computer is a want, not a need.  My present system does everything I need.

Am I A Compulsive Hoarder?

During web surfing sessions I run across lots of websites that discuss clutter and hoarding.  Recently on the Unclutterer blog they posted a link to Hoardhouse which shows pictures of the homes of compulsive hoarders.  When I see photos like these I think that I’m exaggerating my own “hoarding” problem because I am better off than these dramatic examples.

Truth is I have had days when there was just a pathway to walk through my living space due to the things piled up against the walls.  The situation doesn’t last more than a week or two, because I’ve been able to deal with it.  So maybe I have hoarding tendencies but also have the ability to fight it.  This is a constant battle which takes up lots of time.  During times when I am overwhelmed by stress or depression, the ability to resist the clutter vanishes and it gets out of control.

Maybe compulsive hoarders used to be like me but some stressful event has pushed them past a point where they are able to self-correct.   Then the clutter grows to a point where they can’t recover from it.

Timeline for 2009

Here is my proposed schedule for The Project this year:

1. Before Memorial Day (May 25), complete last year’s goal of reducing stuff in the bedroom to that which fits:
   1. In or on my desk
   2. In five boxes; for Books, Tools, Papers, Media, Random
   3. Clothing in one dresser and on closet hangers.
2. Reduce Storage Unit contents to two categories:
   1. My furniture.  Keep only what is “priceless” and has sincere sentimental value.
   2. A representative sample of my friend’s things.  Approximate volume one carload or less.
3. Transfer my furniture to the garage loft at the house.  Move friend’s things to the basement at the house, or better yet find a way to get it back to him, or one of his relatives.  Terminate storage rental before Labor Day (September 7) .
4. At this point I’ll STILL be living in a rented bedroom with a shared kitchen.  BUT I will be flexible (free) enough to choose to continue living here or to finally get a place of my own.

That’s the point of all of this.  I feel trapped here in this situation, not free to live where I want because of all this STUFF weighing me down.