When I had a life change a few years ago, I purged an entire house. I filled four 40 cubic yard dumpsters with “junk,” made one trip to the dump, 16 SUV trips to Goodwill, gave six guitars to first responders, and I filled three delivery trucks with all the furniture and donated it to military charities. Then I sold the house. I kept a few things, but not much. I could probably do it all over today if the circumstances were repeated, but I hope they aren’t.
This post is a great reminder to purge. During the pandemic, I started feeling like I was “drowning in stuff” from being around my things all the time. Last year, I discarded/donated/sold 95% of it, gave away the car, broke lease on the apartment, and started travelling more.
At last count, I’ve been on the road for 18 of the 19 months since, and all my earthly possessions fit in a backpack and a closet at my sister’s house. That closet is starting to look pretty full these days, maybe it’s time to cull a few jackets…
My ten or twelve wrist watches (well, a few more than that, until I purge this winter) are all within 4 steps of my bed. Should the house start burning down, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll stuff all the watches, along with the family’s passports, and a medallion personally blessed by Pope John Paul II, into my go bag. Watches are so small… no need to leave them behind ;-)
Great read! I think there is something very appealing about a small collection of meaningful timepieces rather than "hoarding stuff". And I agree on the fact that one can appreciate things without owning them!
Great article Jason! I've never been sentimental about any possessions much to the chagrin of my 81 yr old mother who thinks my sister and I should inherit everything and keep it in the family. Sorry mom but we're getting rid of 99.9 % of it. Like you Jason if the house caught fire I would grab some documents, pictures and the dog and the rest of it can burn to the ground.
I have some memories of the things I have owned but I don't need the things to keep the memories.
Another beautifully written piece. You have mentioned many times that there were/are watches carrying stories. They are no longer simply mechanical devices, they are artifacts of your life. Separating those “artifacts” from the herd and culling the rest is a noble endeavour.
I’ve had zero luck selling my watches (probably because none ever were of great value). They were never an investment. So, I’m simply giving watches away and, sometimes, asking the receiver to donate any amount to a charity of their choice. I accept the nature of “sunk cost,” and hope gifts will encourage new watch enthusiasts.
As your watch collection shrinks your mind will expand into new arenas. I know, this is the generic chorus sung by those who traverse the rocky path of change. But it's a universe thing. Your going through your own personal "big bang" experience. Not to worry. Eventually, your energy will gather around the sight of a random vintage Land Rover pulling into a trail head, the drivers wrist sporting a Tudor Pelagos 39 as she smoothly guides the vehicle to a stop. She glances your way and the stars above you somehow realign...... Life is good, Buddy.
Marcus Aurelius came to mind when I read this - “Run down the list of those who felt intense anger at something: the most famous, the most unfortunate, the most hated, the most whatever: Where is all that now? Smoke, dust, legend…or not even a legend. Think of all the examples. And how trivial the things we want so passionately are.”
A timely post, as I am in the process of divesting ca. 10 watches. It’s already been a huge success, primarily because it means I can really spend quality time with the watches I’m keeping, and having some cash in my savings account t is no bad thing either.
The watch journey is a crazy ride, and if we’re lucky, it’s easy for it to get out of control. Once in a while, we need to retake that control and reassess what’s important and what’s not, remembering that whether or not we keep any of these pieces, in the end we take with us the knowledge, experience and passion that accompanied our time with each one.
I‘m also getting less interested in capital W watches, but am enjoying the ones I have more. I still check forums now and then and watch a YouTube video occasionally, but I‘m not interested in getting more and more stuff. Other than the cwn1 😂
I too had a timex ironman for years and it finally ran its course. I find the newer models just don’t hold up to the standard of the previous models from the 80’s and 90’s. Would you buy chance have the model number? Perhaps l may have some luck on the slack or eBay
A very thought-provoking article. The lack of permanent comment is interesting. I suppose that could either make one more resistant to letting things go - all the better to savor time with that thing - or more likely to let things go given that they will be gone from us at some point anyway.
When I had a life change a few years ago, I purged an entire house. I filled four 40 cubic yard dumpsters with “junk,” made one trip to the dump, 16 SUV trips to Goodwill, gave six guitars to first responders, and I filled three delivery trucks with all the furniture and donated it to military charities. Then I sold the house. I kept a few things, but not much. I could probably do it all over today if the circumstances were repeated, but I hope they aren’t.
My problem is I'm emotionally attached to every single thing I own. (Guess that means my things own me...)
Nah they don’t own you mate - they are part of your story 😊🙌
This post is a great reminder to purge. During the pandemic, I started feeling like I was “drowning in stuff” from being around my things all the time. Last year, I discarded/donated/sold 95% of it, gave away the car, broke lease on the apartment, and started travelling more.
At last count, I’ve been on the road for 18 of the 19 months since, and all my earthly possessions fit in a backpack and a closet at my sister’s house. That closet is starting to look pretty full these days, maybe it’s time to cull a few jackets…
Great read Jason, I nearly dropped my phone when you said 4 years ago for the previous post!!!
My ten or twelve wrist watches (well, a few more than that, until I purge this winter) are all within 4 steps of my bed. Should the house start burning down, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll stuff all the watches, along with the family’s passports, and a medallion personally blessed by Pope John Paul II, into my go bag. Watches are so small… no need to leave them behind ;-)
Great read! I think there is something very appealing about a small collection of meaningful timepieces rather than "hoarding stuff". And I agree on the fact that one can appreciate things without owning them!
Great article and call backs to articles past! Thanks!
Great article Jason! I've never been sentimental about any possessions much to the chagrin of my 81 yr old mother who thinks my sister and I should inherit everything and keep it in the family. Sorry mom but we're getting rid of 99.9 % of it. Like you Jason if the house caught fire I would grab some documents, pictures and the dog and the rest of it can burn to the ground.
I have some memories of the things I have owned but I don't need the things to keep the memories.
Jason,
Another beautifully written piece. You have mentioned many times that there were/are watches carrying stories. They are no longer simply mechanical devices, they are artifacts of your life. Separating those “artifacts” from the herd and culling the rest is a noble endeavour.
I’ve had zero luck selling my watches (probably because none ever were of great value). They were never an investment. So, I’m simply giving watches away and, sometimes, asking the receiver to donate any amount to a charity of their choice. I accept the nature of “sunk cost,” and hope gifts will encourage new watch enthusiasts.
Who knew you had an Explorer?
Cheers, mate
JR
As your watch collection shrinks your mind will expand into new arenas. I know, this is the generic chorus sung by those who traverse the rocky path of change. But it's a universe thing. Your going through your own personal "big bang" experience. Not to worry. Eventually, your energy will gather around the sight of a random vintage Land Rover pulling into a trail head, the drivers wrist sporting a Tudor Pelagos 39 as she smoothly guides the vehicle to a stop. She glances your way and the stars above you somehow realign...... Life is good, Buddy.
A watch is a watch, is a watch… to paraphrase. The Dog in you life is so much more 😉
Marcus Aurelius came to mind when I read this - “Run down the list of those who felt intense anger at something: the most famous, the most unfortunate, the most hated, the most whatever: Where is all that now? Smoke, dust, legend…or not even a legend. Think of all the examples. And how trivial the things we want so passionately are.”
A timely post, as I am in the process of divesting ca. 10 watches. It’s already been a huge success, primarily because it means I can really spend quality time with the watches I’m keeping, and having some cash in my savings account t is no bad thing either.
The watch journey is a crazy ride, and if we’re lucky, it’s easy for it to get out of control. Once in a while, we need to retake that control and reassess what’s important and what’s not, remembering that whether or not we keep any of these pieces, in the end we take with us the knowledge, experience and passion that accompanied our time with each one.
I‘m also getting less interested in capital W watches, but am enjoying the ones I have more. I still check forums now and then and watch a YouTube video occasionally, but I‘m not interested in getting more and more stuff. Other than the cwn1 😂
I too had a timex ironman for years and it finally ran its course. I find the newer models just don’t hold up to the standard of the previous models from the 80’s and 90’s. Would you buy chance have the model number? Perhaps l may have some luck on the slack or eBay
Thanks
A very thought-provoking article. The lack of permanent comment is interesting. I suppose that could either make one more resistant to letting things go - all the better to savor time with that thing - or more likely to let things go given that they will be gone from us at some point anyway.