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Stephanie Davis

Stephanie started an illegal newspaper at her middle school called The Underground—which was printed on copy paper stapled together—thus beginning her foray into the world of publishing. She went on to be editor of her high school newspaper, worked at The Red and Black (UGA's esteemed newspaper)...

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Living Small

Guest blogger: Intern Margaret Watters

Time Magazine published an article in their June 16th edition that spiked my curiosity about an increasingly visible phenomenon- trimming your posessional fat and living small. In “The 100 Thing Challenge” author Lisa McLaughlin writes about a new movement to whittle your possessions down to a 100 things or less.

    “‘It comes down to the products vs. promise,’ says the organizational consultant Peter Walsh, who characterizes himself as part contractor, part therapist. ‘It’s not necessarily about the new pots and pans but the idea of the cozy family meals they will provide. People are finding that their homes are full of stuff, but their lives are littered with unfulfilled promises.’”

    The last part of the quote really haunts me. Do we hang onto things to pad ourselves with commercial protection against the world? Are we retreating into our piles of things searching for fulfillment and comfort? Or worse, are we buying things for a life we wish we had?

    A notorious packrat from a young age, when my family moved at age 10, I bagged gravel from my school playground to take with me. I may or may not still have it… Objects don’t just represent memories but moreover, can represent our intentions.

    Arrived with the looming possibility of an economic recession, some Americans are taking to their closets, tool sheds and garages in attempt to retreat into a simpler, less complicated, less capitalist world. Has anyone tried this or is struggling with letting go?