Discussion: What are you working on?

Art by Banksy, Photo by DanBrady, via CC 2.0

Many of you have said that you are working on your own project. Be it cleaning out your office or your garage or even just doing a quick clean up, many of you have been inspired to work on your own project or perform small tasks regularly.

The question I have for you this week is:

What is your ‘Stuff Project’?

What’s a big (or small) endeavor that you’re currently working on? If you’re not working towards something now, what is a project that you can work on in the near future?  If you have a blog or website, now is your time to share it!  I want to learn about what you all are up to!

Discussion: Your Motivation?

As I mentioned in a previous post, my schedule has been quite wacky this week. I’ve been squeezing in little chunks of time here and there to clean up small areas, but nothing yet worthy of an update. With so many distractions and obstacles, my question for you all today is simple:

What gets (or keeps) you motivated?

I could definitely use a jump start for the upcoming week, and I would love to hear what gets you all fired up and ready to go!

Discussion: Solve Problems via Reality Show?

Photo by dailyinvention, via CC 2.0

This week’s Season 2 premiere of Hoarders and my post about the various effects of such reality shows has got me thinking a lot about the role reality TV is having on solving people’s problems.

Aside from Oprah’s various guests, many television shows revolve around solving anything from a person’s drab fashion sense and run-down buildings (homes, restaurants, you name it) to drug addictions, anxiety disorders and of course hoarding.

My question for you this week:

If you had a problem, maybe even a really serious one, would you go on national television if it meant you could get that problem fixed?

Is it worth exposing your problems and insecurities to thousands or even millions of people in order to get professional help?

Discussion: Site Suggestions?

Photo by hashmil, via CC 2.0

It’s been exactly one month and one day since I’ve started this project & website, and it’s been quite an experiment thus far. I’ve been more or less winging it as I go along both with the clean up process as well as the blogging, working everything out through trial and error.

Along the way, many readers have been leaving comments and sending emails giving helpful tips and suggestions on the cleanup process. Without them I wouldn’t have learned how to disassemble a box without box cutters, where to go with my jars of loose coins, and the conditions under which to sell items on eBay.

Now I’d like to ask you for now how I can make this website better for you. You’ve helped me out, now I want to know how I can help you.

On the technical side: is my site well organized? Are there links that don’t work? Layout bugs or glitches?

On the content side: what kinds of posts or features would you like to see more of? What am I doing well? What kinds of posts, features or pages would you like to see less of? What can I improve on?

[I can already think of a few things to improve on, like getting these posts up on time... or ever.]

What’s your favorite thing on or about this site? And your least favorite? Essentially:

How am I doing?

Let’s keep this answers constructive and related to the blog/website. Help me help you, if you will. Thanks. :]

Discussion: What Will I Do With the Stuff?

Since the beginning of the project I’ve been thinking about what I should do with the stuff that we don’t want anymore, but is too good to throw away. A few options sprung up immediately, some more realistic than others. Now a month into the project, I need to start planning and taking some next action steps to do something with my stuff.

The Likely Choices

Sell online via eBay, Craigslist or another
I’m currently working out the details of setting up shop online. I’ve never bought or sold anything on eBay before, so I need to learn how it works. I’m not sure if I should do eBay or Craigslist or both, or if there’s another option out there that would be better.

Have a garage sale or yard sale
I feel like I have to do this simply because I have so much stuff, I might as well. The challenging part would be having to organize and advertise the sale (e.g., pricing, displaying, ads in the newspaper, and actually running the sale). If this happens I would definitely need to enlist some volunteers; this sale would be so huge, it’s like we’re establishing our own consignment shop.

Send stuff to my relatives in the Philippines
I remember when I was 6-years-old I traveled there with my mom and stayed with her family. There was no air conditioning in the humid tropical weather, only one telephone shared by an entire apartment building and no indoor plumbing (maybe one faucet in the building). There was no toilet, only a pot or bucket. I showered in the rain. Many well-to-do overseas Filipinos send things like clothes, shoes, powdered drinks (like Tang!), toys, and processed meat in giant packages called Balikbayan Boxes back to their families in the Philippines to help them out. However, sending these boxes isn’t cheap.

Donate to a charity
In the past my family has donated items to Salvation Army and Goodwill. (We’ve also purchased items from them.) Salvation Army is the closest charity that could be scheduled for pick-up however the closest drop-off is a local Goodwill. I’m leaning towards the latter for this project, because not only are they closer, but I’m kind of a fan of their Donate Movement campaign. I’d also be willing to consider other options if they’re available.

The Less Likely (but not impossible) Choices

Blog Giveaways
Often blogs have fun giveaways like tickets to a concert or movie, or a brand new book. At some point I considered holding contests on this site involving my stuff, and the prize would be an item from my stuff. But then I thought, would you REALLY want my stuff?

Re-gift or give items to friends
As I sort through stuff, I often think of people I know personally who would appreciate an item I find. I’m not one to re-gift things though, and I’m not sure if my friends would react kindly to receiving one.

Art Projects
As I’ve mentioned before, I wanted to do something creative and artistic with this whole situation. While at a museum, I was struck by this wonderful idea that I immediately shot down because I thought it was impossible.

Turns out, it’s not impossible. If I could, I would LOVE to donate or give some of the stuff to artists who can use them whether it be through photography, sculpture, filmmaking, fashion or whatever. And I would love if the creations were exhibited as a commentary on American consumption and hoarding.

Just a dream I’m throwing out there. I have absolutely no idea how to see this one through.

On top of having to decide what to do, sorting my things into THESE categories is a logistical nightmare. Setting up an online store, shipping stuff out, organizing a yard sale, dropping at a donation site, and the list of things to do grows on.

My question for you this week is:

What should I do with my stuff?

Keep in mind, these are the things that I’ve already sorted into the “giveaway” pile. Should I focus on one option or should I consider them all? Do you have any tips or methods that would make any of these individual options easier to manage? Do you have any resources I can look into, or any suggestions?