Want.

Want


What do I want?


You, like me, may go through your day and think of lots of things you want.


Working at home seems to lend itself to this want mode. As I get up from my computer or leave my office and walk from one room to the next I always seem to see things/think of things that I want/need/would like to have or get for our house. A side table here. A new shower curtain there. An old typewriter for my office. An old flat file. More art for the walls. A mug without a handle would be delightful for my coffee too.


Most of these things are not necessary stuff like toilet paper. They are things that would be nice to have but I/we don't really need. Sometimes they are things I see online posted by some of my favorite blogs/inspirational sites or etsy. Sometimes they are something that I think would help me organize something else.

Because I like to go to antique/second hand stores for lots of these sorts of things I decided to start a little book that sits right below my computer monitor. Easily accessible. And tangible. A home for all these wants. And something I can take along with me to remind myself of the things I have wanted (and I can add things like dimensions + such for larger pieces).


But what I am really working on is not having to have things right now. Or maybe even at all.


I am working on holding off on buying stuff. So far I have found with this little book system that I am often satisfied simply by the act of writing it down. And then time goes by and maybe (often) the want goes away. It is helping me remember that I really already have everything I need.


The wants that do stay around seem a bit more worth it after the wait.


Stamps used on this little Moleskine book were acquired in Tokyo in 2006. Leslie sometimes has them available here.

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121 thoughts

  1. Wilson says…
    01/09/2008

    Hi... awesome!... You really got a very informative site!... You got a great work!... I adore you for that!... Anyhow, would you mind exchange links? Hope you do... Have a nice day!...c",)

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  2. Louise says…
    01/09/2008

    What a neat idea. I think I'll start me one of those and maybe it will help me stop spending. Just write it in the want book and it will feel like I have it. And it will be interesting to go back and see what I wanted but never got and how I survived just fine without it. Oh I'm going to add the date too, just for interest. Such a neat idea.
    Louise

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  3. AmberCA says…
    01/09/2008

    OMG!! You are right on target with this one! I do this all the time, but on post-its all over my desk. The funny thing is you're right about just writing it down is sometimes satisfaction enough. Also I have been wanting a small photo printer for a very long time, but just couldn't justify the money to husband...well he knew how much i wanted one and the other day he was dropping some stuff off at the Salvation Army for me and wondered inside just to look and he saw a photo printer in box only about a year old for 50% off, he bought it and for $20.00 I now have an awesome little photo printer...patience paid off. I am definately going to turn all my post-its into a little mini book.

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  4. Tna says…
    01/09/2008

    it is so funny to realize how you can speak the thoughts inside our heads (more of mine on this entry)...so many things i wanted to have but end up realizing that i don't really need them...and after the passing of time, you would feel the desire diminishing...but it is great idea to still keep those wants within reach, it will definitely give you more satisfaction with the things you already have...thanks, ali. :)

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  5. Darlene says…
    01/09/2008

    You will not believe this, I purchased the exact same notebook last year - I carry it in my purse. In it are all my wants, and my "words" for the year -- it works.
    Ali, now that you have me hooked on photojojo, any ideas on how to compile/display one photo taken each day for an entire year? Thanks.

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  6. Nicky Anderson says…
    01/09/2008

    Love it Ali. Every inspiring.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Casey M says…
    01/09/2008

    I am working on the exact same issue. I find that internet shopping actually helps. I can load my cart with all kinds of neat things, and then by the end, I can take a critical eye to it before I continue to purchase. Nine times out of ten, when I see the total, I decide that I can live without it!

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  8. Sara says…
    01/09/2008

    This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seMqcijEi9o
    has made it so much easier for me to have perspective and put off my wants a bit to see what I really need. It's impossible not to be affected by it, so thought I'd share. Very thought-provoking in a time when we're choosing our future leader.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Charin says…
    01/09/2008

    Awesome idea! :) I think it would help me realize whether it was a fleeting "impulse" want or if it was something that I should really invest in. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. sherRae says…
    01/09/2008

    Yes, the old...separating your "needs" from your "wants"...great idea! Thanks Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. deb says…
    01/09/2008

    Good idea. I wonder if it will work with things like potato chips and chocolate. God knows I don't "need" those things either.

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  12. Greta says…
    01/09/2008

    I thought I would let you know there is supposed to be a story on autism on NBC News w/ Brian Williams tonight.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. bettyannmanghi says…
    01/09/2008

    great idea! and so much fun to look at later, i've done a decorating book that was similar and another journal type that i still enjoy flipping through now and then.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Veronica TM says…
    01/09/2008

    what a great idea!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Renee Richins says…
    01/09/2008

    I've been doing the same thing since I have a really hard time at curbing my desire to buy things. I started a wish list at Kaboodle and add things I see that I would like to have, but can not afford and it seems to help a little bit. I also "shop" for scapbook supplies online by putting things I want in the basket or a wishlist, but not actually purchasing them. That has really helped me cut back on buying scrap stuff and I feel like I am still shopping.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Kristine says…
    01/09/2008

    Wow--literally on the same page with you. I made a wishes, dreams, desires page for things I would love to be able to have...stuff for the house. I was feeling kind of spoiled when I finished the page since Christmas just went by. I really didn't "need" anything but like you would like to have some items for my home. I just put it down on paper...and added it to my "good stuff" scrapbook album separate from my 4 year old boy's pages.

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  17. tara says…
    01/09/2008

    i love you

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kay Gregory-Clark says…
    01/09/2008

    Two thoughts: #1, I have to quit reading your blog, Ali, because you always mention so many neat things. Now, I WANT the moleskin book. Checked them out on the Chronicle website. The link to Etsy didn't turn them up. I do have my ongoing list, tho, & since I live so far out in the boonies I have to wait to shop, so many times I can eliminate some items by the time I get out.
    #2. The quote about language is so apropos right now with words & their importance/lack of being bandied about.
    I've also been tearing stuff out of magazines for years & am just now getting it organized--thanks to your inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kay Gregory-Clark says…
    01/09/2008

    Ooops...forgot to include the reference for words. I was thinking about the election campaigns &, specifically, Hillary's allegations during the debate that words aren't really important, & the responses they generated.

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  20. Verna G. says…
    01/09/2008

    I do the same thing! I have an excel file with my "wish list" of all the things I want. That way I sit on it, give it time, and go back to my list to add or delete items. I include links and any other important information I may need. I can also upload it to my phone for easy access when I'm out and about.

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  21. Becca Nelson says…
    01/09/2008

    Ali, check out this article from yesterday's Minneapolis Star Tribune
    http://www.startribune.com/business/13513951.html
    I have also been trying to keep a reign on my wants. This idea of not buying stuff for a year is intriguing to me.

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  22. Lorrie M. says…
    01/09/2008

    I started the same thing just last week. Granted, mine was not as good of a home for this as yours - I had simply started a list of things in my dayplanner. LOVE the idea of having a dedicated space for my wants - and like you I hope this process may leave me getting things that I don't really need. Such a great thing to help me as I am pearing down things in our home. Funny how so many things I needed (mostly for the children) have went largely unused.

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  23. christen says…
    01/09/2008

    for us list makers this is a great idea! i keep a word document with a list of gift ideas going...it helps me remember websites and other ideas so that when i need to buy something for someone i can remember a thought i had months before!

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  24. alyssa says…
    01/09/2008

    Love that you have a whole *freaking cute* book dedicated to this! I did a similar thing in my journal a year or so ago when I was going through quite The Stuff Phase. It was so nice to actually write/cut & paste it all down... Having all the stuff contained in one place was great in the few cases I did actually decided to make purchases. Having it as part of the journal really helped me see all the other stuff that was fueling those wants, and that was the best part of all. Got me to the same conclusion you've already found - everything I NEED is already with me.
    :)

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  25. sue says…
    01/09/2008

    Another good idea.
    Sue

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