The Struggle With Stuff

I'm back from the Dominican Republic. It was an amazing trip, which I will write about later. For now, though, I've an idea that's been itching in my mind.

We all have things. Big or small, valuable or worthless, we're surrounded by them. Computers, cars, food, envelopes, pens, bookcases... They're all things. And there's nothing inherently wrong with things. Even if we don't physically require them, things can satisfy an emotional need. However, this doesn't mean we should get all the things we can get.

The trouble comes when things become stuff. Things are individual entities which have immediately recognizable purposes. Stuff is that stack of CDs in your bedroom, that pile of magazines in your closet you'll never read again, those t-shirts you used to wear all the time that now sit at the bottom of your dresser drawers... Stuff is unappreciated. Stuff is ignored. Stuff isn't junk, because junk is worthless. Stuff has worth, but you don't care about it any more. It doesn't matter. It's just there.

Things becoming stuff is a subtle process. One month, you're listening to that CD non-stop; the next, it serves as a placeholder for crumbs and loose change. The change can't be avoided completely, but it can be stemmed. Don't buy that new CD for another week or two. (The music will still be there) Find a new way to beat that game. Or maybe actually finish that game! In simpler terms, be content with the things you have.

Inevitably, though, things become stuff. So, what should we do with this stuff? There are several options. You can start appreciating and using it again, but sometimes that simply isn't an appealing option. You could give it to someone else who would use it, or maybe sell it. Or you could just throw it away. I would save this option for a final resort, because stuff usually has some value to it in someone's eyes. But in my experience, allowing the stuff to stick around is the absolute worst option. When it's gone, you realize how much you didn't need it, and how much room you have for better things.

Preparing to head back to college in a week means I'm going to have to once again separate the things from the stuff. I won't have added much to my collection over my summer, but there's a few things. Books, games... Things I will use. Things I will enjoy. Not just stuff that I'll stuff in my suitcase. I really hope it stays that way.

Three random thoughts:
1. I finished Assassin's Creed II earlier. Is it just me, or were they trying to be a Dan Brown novel? Granted, I enjoyed the gameplay, but still...
2. I would be going to a Paul & Storm concert this Saturday, but I'm going out to dinner with friends instead. Which is also good... I suppose.
3. I got up at 9 AM this morning, which is three hours earlier than I intended. (Stay up from 5:30 to 3:00, then you can criticize) Hopefully my sleep schedule will return to normal.