Cluttered? '100 Thing Challenge' Awaits

A crusading blogger is inspiring citizens to take on a predicament of modern life: clutter. Dave Bruno launched the 100 Thing Challenge in an effort to free himself from his stuff, and he's down to just 97 belongings, Time reports. And while Bruno is a strict constructionist, some of his followers are more forgiving. “All my shoes count as one item,” said one woman.

One aspiring ascetic noted that years ago, “I wore hats, and we made crepes every Sunday. But that's not who we are anymore;” eBay often takes care of the overflow. An organizational consultant waxed philosophical on the urge to divest: “People are finding that their homes are full of stuff, but their lives are littered with unfulfilled promises.” (More home stories.)