Keeping The Peace

[Arcanis]

My main goal for this mini-challenge is to add some logistical security for my life. Within the next year I will be graduating from law school, taking the bar, and starting my new career as a patent attorney. I'll be moving from Michigan to California, which requires a TON of planning and decisions.

I want to take this mini-challenge not only as a reminder to stay active, but as an opportunity to contemplate what I want in my life as a professional, what goals I want to accomplish before I graduate law school, and where my life is generally going.

As such I'm going to make a 1 year plan, make a 5 year plan, plan my next 6 week challenge, and, fitting the theme of serenity, making sure my mind is ready for the upcoming changes in my life. All of this through daily stretching and meditation.

I'm not exactly freaking about it, but I have been a student all my life. Kinder-J.D. as we're often called. I feel it deserves some thought, which I'll share through occasional musings on the meaning of life that I chance upon in these precious weeks off between semesters.

[Arcanis]

I think the first step I'll take is emptying my life of the things I do not need. I shall focus on identifying precisely what I want to bring with me when I move first.

[KiltedCowboy]

I think the first step I'll take is emptying my life of the things I do not need. I shall focus on identifying precisely what I want to bring with me when I move first.

Looks like you've got a good mini-challenge ready to go here.  Lot of nerds have done work to minimize their lives. I'm doing partial minimization of my life, mostly of the junk I own.  Good luck!

[Liberator]

I think the first step I'll take is emptying my life of the things I do not need. I shall focus on identifying precisely what I want to bring with me when I move first.

Emptying is such a smart first step! It will make all your plans so much easier, especially the moving!  We all carry around so much extra baggage. So good to lighten the load, physically and mentally. 

Good luck on this challenge I am looking forward to your updates and insights!

[Arcanis]

In the spirit of minimalism, I've decided to move with 100 things alone. I will not be counting my car because it is a lease that will end next year. In short, I've already decided not to own it. I will also not include containers for items (bags, storage containers, etc.)

 

These are the things I will be taking with me to California:

Category I (First-World Things + My Kitchen)

1. Television    2. TV Remote     3. PlayStation 3    4. PS3 Remote    5.  PS3 Games   6. Laptop  7. Laptop Charger  8. Gamepad   9. Headset   10. Mouse   11. Mousepad   12. iPad   13. iPhone   14. iCharger   15. Slow Cooker   16.  Coffee Maker   17. Mugs/Thermos  18. Knife Set   19. Pots/Pans   20. Spices

 

Category II (Fitness)

 

21. Dumbbell #1   22. Dumbbell #2   23. Jump Rope   24. Resistance Band    25. Jiu Jitsu Uniform   26. Mat   27. Tennis Shoes   28. Toe Shoes   29.   Pull-up Bar   30.  Next Fitness Purchase (Probably a Medicine Ball)

Category III (Clothes)

 

31-35. Work Shirts   35-45. Casual Shirts   46-47. Casual Pants  48-50. Work Pants   51-55. Suits   56-58. Shorts   58-68. Underwear   68-78. Pairs of Socks   79-80. Sweaters

81-83. Pairs of Work Shoes   84-85. Belts/Ties

 

Category IV (Misc)

86. Box of Magic Tricks   87.   Magic DVD/Books Collection   88. Nom Nom Paleo (Cookbook)   89.  Wallet   90. Patent Office Documents  91. Passport  92.  Planner   93.  Keys   94. Toiletries  95. Linens   96. Bar Prep Material  97. - 100. To Be Determined.

While I'm pleased to notice I have 5 remaining slots, I'm not at all expecting them to remain free by the time I have to move. Making this list made me realize I have a LOT of clothing to donate before I move.

[Arcanis]

Never mind, I just remembered:

97. Bike Helmet   98. Bike   99. Camelbak/Bike Maintenance Stuff   100. Cooling Pad for Laptop

[Crooked]

Hi, fellow law student! I'm not a K-JD but I've been going through a lot of existential crises as I hit the halfway point in law school. I'm excited to follow your mini challenge, as well as future ones!

[The Borg Queen]

Oh cool, a future patent attorney!

 

What is your moving method? I moved across country twice and it was simply amazing how much I could fit in my tiny Toyota tercel. Not a lot of furniture, obviously, but everything else you could imagine...

[Arcanis]

With my 100 things list, except for the bike, I think all my appliances, fitness, and miscellaneous things can fit in the trunk of my car. My firm is paying for my moving and travel expenses, so I think I'll have my car towed with those things in it.

The rest of my things will fit in a large luggage bag which I will check at the airport when I fly over to California.

As for my bike, I may simply give it to my girlfriend and get a new one in California since she has another few months in Michigan before coming to California herself.

[Arcanis]

Towards the end of my break my family got some surprise bad news. Sparing you the details, it is very fortunate I had dedicated some time to finding peace and centering myself or else I do not know how I would've taken it. A few nuggets of personal wisdom I think everyone should keep in mind as overwhelming obstacles present themselves.

First, if there is one thing I've learned as a lifetime student is the importance of being organized. The years I own a planner versus the years I don't are drastically different in productivity. This year I spared no expense and got a very nice Moleskine planner. Its something of a self-working New Years Resolution. Nerd Fitness Challenges have proven to me that organization applies more than ever as a busier person who still wants to stay fit.

Second, I've also sincerely tried and failed to achieve many of the things I have set out to do. Failure, I think, is inevitable; at the very least for those who are risk-taking enough to try something they are unfamiliar with. The key is not avoiding all failure, but rather, transforming each failure into an experience you can use. Never give up just because you stumble and fall. Find the strength to get up and try again, using what you learned from your stumble. Without using what you learn from previous failures, repeated failures lead to nothing but frustration.

Lastly, everyone knows life presents us with many decisions varying largely in importance. However, many people also dismiss seemingly small decisions as unimportant. Small decisions made over and over again become habitual. I urge everyone to re-evaluate their lives and ask themselves whether their habits will ultimately promote or hinder the accomplishment of a long-term happiness.

All together, these things help me look at life a little more like a video game. Its why Nerd Fitness also works for my fitness regiment. May we all find our own way of making life more fun and enjoyable!

[Liberator]

Well said!