The Industry Project – What is it?

You might be wondering what exactly this “Industry Project” is that I keep mentioning. (You can read my blog entry announcing my project here)

As an American History graduate student living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I am a huge fan of Benjamin Franklin and his The Way to Wealth – a collection of mantras regarding personal industry, frugality, and simplicity written under the pseudonym Richard Saunders (known to most as Poor Richard). I decided that I was going to devote 2011 to incorporating these very mantras into my own life and chronicalling my efforts.

As a grossly underemployed graduate student, money is very tight these days. Through the Industry Project I hope to instill better financial and environmentally sustainable habits that will last me a lifetime. I’ll share my tips, tricks, and follies and hope that you’ll follow along. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn a bit too!

I’m also applying these ideas to my enormous yarn stash and other craft materials. I’m a ferocious knitter with an embarrassingly large collection of unknitted yarn and unsewn fabric – I’ve vowed to not acquire any more yarn or fabric until I’ve used up everything. No really, everything. I’ve even gone so far as to vow to replace all of my store-bought sweaters with hand-knit ones; a small protest against clothing brands’ labor practices and less-than-acceptable quality, but also to put my own knitting skills to the test. I’ve even learned how to sew my own clothing, too!

My Industry Project has a nice minimalism tinge to it, as well so you’ll see me donating clothing, books and other items that I do not use. If an item does not add value to my life, it gets donated in hopes of adding value to another’s. My Facebook account has been deactivated, my online bookmarks have been cleaned up, and other time wasters have been eliminated as well.

This is all in hopes of having more time and energy to devote to the things that truly bring me happiness: study, writing, craft, and art. I hope you’ll join me!