I learned the basics of 3-ball juggling when I was about 13. I’m pretty sure my grandmother signed out an old VHS on learning how to juggle from the local library in hopes to keep my brothers and I occupied. Well it worked. I’m fairly certain any one of us could pick up and juggle 3-balls in a pinch.

I always had an interest in juggling growing up but never really had the time to spend on it with school sports, activities, and what not. I always made sure I didn’t lose the basics though. Since the end of summer however, I have spent a good amount of time mastering 3-ball juggling. Perfecting the basics, learning new tricks, and pleasantly enjoying it. The more I do it the more I realize what a great activity it really is.

So if you’re looking for a new skill to learn, I encourage you to consider juggling. In my opinion, here are the six big reasons why you should try it.

1. Juggling Keeps You Fit

Anyone who argues with this statement has never really juggled. Juggling is an aerobic exercise. One that is not expensive to do, doesn’t require a lot of equipment, and is very portable.

Don’t have time to run to the gym on your lunch break? No problem, pack your bean bags in your backpack, purse, briefcase, or whatever and take 20-30 minutes at lunch in a corner somewhere. You don’t need a lot of room either.

Plus: the better you get at it, the more of an exercise it will become.

2. Juggling Makes You Smarter

No joke. Juggling has been shown to increase the grey matter in the brain (See journal article here). So not only are you getting a great core exercise, you are also exercising your mind.

I feel smarter already.

3. Juggling Relieves Stress

It is extremely hard to think of anything else but juggling when you are juggling. It is an excellent way to clear your head of everything that is going on and get absorbed in the activity. It is an excellent positive outlet to expend negative energy and frustration.

You can’t help but smile when you are juggling.

4. Juggling Improves Concentration, Coordination and Range of Motion

You can’t just toss 3 balls in the air and hope for the best. It takes a lot of focus, concentration and problem solving. Recovering your rhythm after a mid-air collision or a dropped ball takes a lot of concentration. This focus you gain from juggling will be noticed in other areas of your life and work.

Coordination is very important for overall health. It helps avoid trips and falls, helps with core exercises and avoiding awkward situations. If you are a good athlete you will likely be able to pick up juggling quicker than non-athletes, and the main reason for this is coordination. However, even if you are the most awkward and uncoordinated person in the world, you will still be able to learn to juggle, and it will be an excellent way to improve your coordination.

When you begin to learn how to juggle, you will need to reach, crouch, bend and grab in ways you didn’t think were possible. Like any new activity, you will be sore at first since it is using body mechanics that you do not normally use. You will experience an increase in range of motion in your arms and shoulders.

5. Juggling is a Great Replacement Activity

Juggling can be used as a great replacement activity for breaking bad habits, overcoming cravings, and much more. Are you one of the many people who eats when they are bored? Try juggling instead. The same goes for overcoming cravings to smoke if you are trying to quit.

As a warning, unfortunately, juggling is also an excellent way to procrastinate from studying and working. Consider yourself warned.

6. Juggling is Cool

Juggling is fun and entertaining.

It is an excellent ice breaker and conversation starter and lets face it we all love watching someone juggle.

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Have any experience with juggling? I would love to hear.

Good luck!

So to kick off my attempt at a (somewhat) minimalist lifestyle, I’ve decided to go ahead with the 100 Things Challenge by David Michael Bruno. This is a challenge to only keep 100 personal items.

Naturally, things that are used by the household aren’t included – such as furniture, TV, etc. Also, books are not counted, and you are able to combine some items – including socks and underwear. The idea is to live minimal, not to have to go a day with inside-out undies.

So, without further ado, my personal items:

1. Macbook, including gear such as mouse and charger.
2. External hard drive
3. Headset, with mic (really needs replacing)
4. Headset, no mic
5. Digital Camera, Canon
6. Cell phone, Blackberry
7. Wallet
8. Watch, although it’s broken right now. I remember the day it happened.
9. Sunglasses
10. Note book, black, for notes.
11. Note book, blue, for brainstorming
12. Backpack, books and laptop
13. Backpack, for the gym
14. Jackknife
15. Razor, Gillette Fusion Power
16. Electric razor kit
17. Shaving Cream
18. Deodorant
19. Toothbrush
20. Tweezers
21. Chap sticks (combining)
22. Flip Flops
23. Running Sneakers
24. Vibram 5-fingers KSO’s, I’m going to be upset when Winter comes and I have to take these off.
25. Black Casual Shoes (really needs replacing)
26. Black Dress Shoes (also really needs replacing)
27. Nike Casual Shoes
28. Coat, black.
29. Jacket, grey
30. Scarf, brown
31. Scarf, red
32. Winter hat
33. Winter gloves
34. Belt, black
35. Belt, brown
36. Swimming trunks, blue
37. Swimming trunks, red
38. Shorts, White
39. Shorts, light brown
40. Shorts, lighter brown
41. Shorts, dark brown
42. Shorts, darker brown
43. Shorts, sports
44. Shorts, sports
45. Shorts, sports
46. Jeans
47. Jeans
48. Jeans
49. Dress pants, black
50. Dress pants, tan
51. Pants, black
52. Pants, tan
53. Pants, Pajama, black and white (I remember when I used to have so many of these)
54. Hoodie, black.
55. Dress shirt, red
56. Dress shirt, blue
57. Dress shirt, black
58. Dress shirt, white
59. Dress shirt, striped
60. Button down shirt, black
61. Button down shirt, brown
62. Sports coat, linen, black
63. Sport coat, striped
64. Tie, purple
65. Tie, black and white
66. Polo, blue
67. Polo, red
68. Polo, brown
69. Polo, red
70. Tank, red
71. Tank, blue (why do I still have these?)
72. Long sleeve shirt, black & grey
73. Long sleeve shirt, blue
74. Long sleeve shirt, white
75. Long sleeve shirt, brown
76. Long sleeve shirt, black
77. Long sleeve shirt, grey
78. Long sleeve shirt, old, for around the house
79. Argyle sweater, black & red
80. Argyle sweater, white
81. Sweater, white
82. Sweater, Grey
83. Jersey, old NS jersey (can’t seem to part with it)
84. T-shirt, grey
85. T-shirt, black
86. T-shirt, black
87. T-shirt, black
88. T-shirt, red
89. T-shirt, green
90. T-shirt, red
91. Gym shirt, white
92. Gym shirt, white
93. Gym shirt, grey
94. Running shirt, black
95. Running shirt, black
96. Undershirts (combining)
97. Socks (combining)
98. Socks, dress (combining)
99. Underwear (combining)

I left a spot open just in case. I know this doesn’t leave a lot of room for gifts, etc. But I thought I’d start by keeping things this way until Christmas. So I can reassess then.

I must admit that this is much harder when living in a location that gets both plus 40 and minus 40 degrees. Having to balance for both seasons will be tricky, but as more sweaters are needed, I will replace some of the items I won’t be using.

Also, I’m not throwing anything out. I’m boxing it up and putting it in storage – which is down 6 flights of stairs so I likely won’t be inclined to go down and unpack it if I have the urge to play Mario Kart.

I will write a followup post on the pros and cons of my experience living like this at a later date.

For more on a minimalist lifestyle, check out Zen Habits.