The Escape Plan: Start By Taking Out The Trash
Posted on Oct 25, 2012 | 12 comments
If it weren't for our condo lease and the time-consuming process of leaving our jobs, we'd be gone by now. I have no idea where we would go, but we'd be going somewhere. There is nothing holding us back.
A few years ago we didn't think like this. We'd find ourselves getting stuck on what to do with the little things. The sofa, the TV, the car, the books. We'd worry about things that now seem completely irrelevant. But the magic truth is: Once something's gone, you don't have to worry about it anymore.
Depending on where you begin, your escape might take a while. You might have to save your money for a few years, or pay off your debt, or simply muster up the courage to go do something different. But if you're looking for an easy place to start your journey, then this is that place.
It's amazing how we find ways to keep our stuff around. And what's even more amazing is that people are creating books, blogs, and products designed to teach us how to get rid of our junk.
Do we really need help with this? Do we really need books and gurus to help us break free from all the crap in our closet?
When we can't have what we really want, we begin to settle for things we think we want. We start shopping, watching TV, or getting into some new exercise kick. We pass our time by hanging out with our stuff. Stuff we don't need, want, or care about, but can't seem to tear ourselves away from. It is an addicting dilemma.
Escape plans all tend to start off in the same place. We're sitting around one day and we get struck by an idea. We think, "Wouldn't it be great if . . .", and then we start to consider the ways in which we can make our grand idea come to life. What is the first big step I need to take to make IT happen?
Well, to get from point A to point B you have to get moving, and it's a whole lot easier to move when you're not being weighed down by a whole bunch of crap.
Just Take Out The Trash Already
We are all professionals at making excuses. We get so caught up in it all. When it comes to purging, or organizing, or clearing out the clutter, we will always find ways to make things way harder than they need to be.
I think I can get more for that on Ebay?
How can I, being the environmentally conscious soul that I am, sustainably dispose of this piece of crap?
How will little Johnny be able to survive without last month's favorite toy?
Sound familiar? Taking out the garbage shouldn't be this hard. You can start today. It's free. It's quick. And it will help you create a clear path to where you want to be.
Just start by throwing something away. Do it right now. Go grab something. Take it out to the trash. Don't worry about who could use it, or if you'll need it later - just toss it. And then, go back into the house and grab something else to toss in the trash. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat.
Everything you own is a responsibility. At some point, you will be forced to care for what is yours. And the more you have, the more you have to care for. And the more you have to care for, the less time you have to go chase that thing in life you really care about.
So what are you waiting for? Just start filling up those bags of trash and go get on with your life.
Get to it.
This is Tip #2 of 30 of the Escape Plan. The Escape Plan is a series of posts designed to help motivate and prepare those of you who are looking to break free from your daily routine and make big things happen.
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While I can't agree with just tossing perfectly useful stuff (I am a HUGE fan of second-stores or just plain putting things on a corner with a "free" sign), I can absolutely attest to the fact that getting rid of it makes you THAT much more free! It is an awesome feeling to walk into a store, and walk out not even finding something I want. Why? It doesn't fit in my backpack, and I haven't missed it...what more could I possibly need?!! This comes from a person who used to own a lot (LOT) of stuff! Congrats on taking out the trash!! (but try Goodwill!! Let THEM decide what's garbage, and what's not!)
Living Outside of the Box recently posted..Medieval Festival in Rothenburg, Germany
We live a stones throw from two thrift stores and supply them often, but you'd be surprised at how much they turn away. And this past weekend we literally had 11 boxes of free stuff lining the sidewalk. I don't care how people get rid of it, as long as we are not getting into the business of learning how to get rid of things. It should be simple, right??? When we are fussing over how to get rid of stuff we don't need, well, that gets concerning.
Personally, I don't have an issue with getting rid of things, but I know it is an issue for some others. I think people search for reasons to hang on to stuff because it easier than getting rid of it. That was sort of my point. In the end, it is as simple as grabbing the thing and taking it out of your house.
I love the idea of walking into a store and walking walking out with nothing - very true.
Thanks! Good points!
I love thrift stores ... keeping me clothed in designer threads at 70-90% off the original retail price!
James Shannon recently posted..The 88 Backpackers: An Oasis Of Budget Travel Luxury In Dusty Phnom Penh, Cambodia
we have begun our escape plan. We have gone through our closets and sorted through things that could be sold for a big buck. I have given bags full of baby and children's clothes (that I have been holding on for years) to friends. I have even sorted some books that I have read a few times and I could sell (even have buyers already) for a nice $$$ and then I stopped. How I can sell that favorite book? What if in a month I decide that I want to read it again??
Oh, help!!!
tereza crump recently posted..Learning Log of September 2012
You stopped?!?!? Don't stop!
I totally get it Tereza. We all do it at some point. And as others have said, there is nothing wrong with trying to make a buck while you purge.
But think about this: If you got rid of everything, and then, had to buy something back that you really wanted, is that so bad. Odds are the bulk of what you get rid of you will never want again. Books are easy! Libraries, used stores, etc.... If you need it later, get it later.
I had this rule when cleaning my office. Aside from vital docs, anything i didn't use or see in the past month was gone. I figured if it was important to me, I would use it often, otherwise it's out.
Good Luck! You'll get there. And congrats on Escaping!
Purging...getting rid of all that stuff....ahhhhh, sweet memories!! It has been nearly 2 years since reality set in on me and I chose to live a simpler life! And it has been the best 2 years of my 58 here on mother earth. Life for me now consists of living in a custom built 6 x 14 cargo trailer converted to a very comfy camper, working when I want, (still need that green stuff!) and travelling when I want and going where I want.
People will be surprised just how little they truly need to be happy! I echo your advice---start now...throw SOMETHING in the trash that you THINK you need...then---REPEAT!! Over and over and over again!! Its a liberating experience!
When you can move into an RV and travel and not have to pay a mortgage, or property taxes, or mow the grass or shovel the snow, all while trying to keep up with the guy next door, THEN you are LIVING!!
John Lamb recently posted..Weekend escape..................
Thanks, John!
Like anything else - it's habit! Habits take time and repetition to develop.
I might have to swing by this trailer of yours someday. Sounds amazing!
you commented on my blog post about this. Currently working on my escape, but have $36,000 of that left to pay off before starting to save up a little. I do have $1200 in my savings account already, but that's my "OH SH** money." I guess I could get better at this by selling a lot of stuff I don't use and use that money to pay off my debt even faster. Always so busy though… Hard to find time for more stuff to do. But you gotta do what you gotta do!
It gets frustrating and I get very impatient every once in a while, but I know that "taking the trash out" is better to do now than to take with you on the road. I know of some travel bloggers that just hit the road and are paying their debt slowly as they go (or worse, deferred their debt and will be slapped in the face with ridiculous interest charges once they finally get back and decide to start paying). I find this most stressful.
I guess all I can say is that sacrificing now for a lifetime of freedom later is worth it. Just takes a lot of patience… And now I'm just rambling
- Maria Alexandra
nomadic translator recently posted..My student loan debt depression: Desperation, coping and solutions
Oh Justin, you know I love you and I quite agree with your message. I do take major issue with the just toss it notion though. Let me make a couple of points... No, your stuff should not own you, that I agree with. And I agree that you shouldn't agonize over trying to get some money back out of it. But you do have SOME responsibility not to be wasteful in just throwing away your problems that you created for yourself.
If it's broken and totally unusable, sure the trash is the only option. But if something still has some value, the trash should be a last resort... after thrift stores, Freecycle, yard sales, giving to friends, schools, etc. Yes, it can sometimes be a chore to get unwanted items into the hands of others who might be able to use them but I do think we have a responsibility to do so.
I say this as someone who has worked in various landfills (as a geologist doing groundwater remediation). You may throw your personal problem away today but you're creating a bigger problem for everyone. I fully acknowledge that ALL of our consumer crap will eventually end up in the landfill but I think we need to at least try to be accountable for it during our ownership of it. We can't control what others do with it but we can control what we do with it.
And I still say this as someone who is doing a massive downsize as we speak. Sure I could try to eBay all this stuff and probably make a pretty penny, but my time is worth more to me right now. Sure I could chuck it all in the bin but that's not the right answer either. To me that's a copout. Hopefully the effort of responsibly getting rid of this stuff will make me more thoughtful about bringing stuff into my life in the future. I don't think throwing it out would have the same impact.
Just my tree-hugging two cents...
V
Val in Real Life recently posted..Camp Granola takes on Colorado…
Val, how is it more responsible to get rid of something of Ebay, or at a yard sale, or even on freecycle? For me, these are cop-outs. The key is in breaking the cycle. Stop buying and you stop the trash.
It's like quitting smoking. Get rid of the cigarettes and the problem is solved. But fool around with it, make excuses, keep the problem present, and it will never go away. You'll wind up buying more cigarettes to replace the old ones or the ones you lost.
I see what you are saying, but in most cases what seems eco-friendly is more like ego-friendly. It makes you think you are being responsible and conscious, but you're just pawning off the problem in a different way.
Start New - and don't make the same mistakes twice. It is not pretty, it's not ideal, but neither is continuing down the same path.
Justin I certainly agree that for some people, ripping the bandaid off is what they need to get the ball rolling. I also agree with breaking the cycle but we have to acknowledge that our lives shift and change.
For example, even with downsizing, I still need a sofa to be comfortable. Beats sitting on the floor with a sore back. But now I need a smaller sofa. Should I chuck mine in the dumpster and buy a new one made from virgin materials? Or should I sell/donate mine and seek a used one as a replacement. If everyone chucks their unneeded sofas in the bin, then I CAN'T get a used one. I have to go buy a new one made from virgin materials. That's a cycle I don't find acceptable when I can be perfectly happy using a sofa that someone else no longer has a use for. It does take a little more effort to connect items with people who may use them but the implications for not trying are horrendous.
Even with more frivolous items... no, I can't be certain the future owner will use it in a way that I would understand or find acceptable but if it's in a landfill, there's NO way it ever will be used. And it isn't appropriate, nor do I have the right, to regulate their behavior any more than I have have the right to tell another person how they should eat or otherwise live their lives. Truth is, I may completely disagree with how someone uses something I gave them. Is it a copout to give them something then, or an acknowledgement that they're individuals with the rights to make their own choices, regardless of my judgement of them and without me questioning their motives.
I know most people haven't and won't visit a landfill in their lifetimes so that's where my life experience shapes my feelings on the matter. It's staggering to say the least when you've seen it first-hand.
I guess really the main point here is that not only do I advocate selling/donating used items, I advocate buying used as well. If everyone trashes perfectly usable stuff, we can't keep that cycle going. I think we do agree though that, new or used, all of us need to be MUCH more thoughtful about what we bring into our lives. Certainly just because something is free or cheap, doesn't mean it has a place in our lives. And just because we no longer have a use for something, doesn't mean someone else might not have a great use for it. Connecting the dots in between is the hard part.
Anyway, wonderful debate Justin. You've given me lots of food for thought to be sure!
Val in Real Life recently posted..Camp Granola takes on Colorado…
My partner and I are talking about making a move away from a home she has lived in for 20+ years and about twice a week she asks me what we're going to do with our stuff! I know she's just nervous but it's funny how this is the problem that is at the forefront of her mind.
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