Thanks for the reminder! I’m totally on board with traveling light and trusting I can find what I need when I need it anywhere in the world (thanks to the advice of experienced nomads like you).
My problem is letting go of the monetary value I place on everything I’ve accumulated over 50 years. I’m fine getting rid of it, but it’s so hard mentally knowing that I spent a lot of money on something, took really good care of it, maybe barely used it, and then I’m either selling it for a few dollars or giving it away. That’s where my sticking point is right now. And that’s a whole other discussion. 😆
Giving things away to people I knew would love them helped take the sting out of this for me.
For instance, I had a lot of books signed by the authors. I gave the poetry ones to my poet laureate friend and the first-edition Dr. Lamaze book to my doula friend. I gave former students certain novels I'd loved.
My dining room table and my husband's suits went to a men's shelter.
My favorite reading chair went to a good friend who was just setting up house, as did some camping equipment that we knew he'd use.
A friend who runs a small farm and got my husband's muck boots--and he said he thought of us every time he used them.
As for the monetary value, this is a doozie. You will not get what you paid for it. Consider the value is in the amoritization of loving the item over time. If you really need the revenue from selling your items to fund your retirement, you're not ready to retire. Focus on the feeling you'll have when you let it all go It's euphoric (after the tears.). I promise.
I believe you, and I can’t wait for that feeling of freedom! This is just a mental hurdle rooted in regret and childhood issues and money scripts, I’m sure.
There certainky was a lot of fun in being intentional about giving stuff away. People were surprised and very appreciative. It's also cool to see my stuff again when we visit.
This made me curious about what you DO carry that is usually a junk drawer item. A couple of rubber bands? Any paper clips or safety pins? A small plastic ziploc bag with a stash of 4 Tylenol or aspirin? Nail clipper? I’m not a nomad, but I do like to travel light AND avoid unnecessary spending, so I carry small amounts of things that will get me through some temporary pain that arrives in the night, until I can buy a small supply if needed.
Great question. I am just working on a post about how my bag and its contents have changed over the last six years. The "junk drawer" stuff of tape/paper clips/etc--I've got none of that. Surprisingly, when I need those things--which I do--there are always some to be found somewhere. I do have meds in plastic bags like you mentioned. My husband carries a nail clipper. I have one pen and a small pad of paper. In a pinch, I can use a hair tie for a rubber band (although they can be found often.) But I think the jist of the article isn't really about the small stuff like paper clips, it's more about the big stuff. Fretting that your brand of pants won't be available, you'll need an extra coat because you might get cold, you want your strappy sandals for the one outfit you might have to get dressed up in, etc. Thanks for asking.
I have to admit that my junk drawer isn't too bad. Because I go through it every year and tidy it and clean it out. But it was the sheds, and the closets that are my black holes. But they are already looking a damn sight better after the first couple rounds of getting rid of stuff... And it feels great to open a closet and be able to see everything.
I'm realizing that I will probably start my first leg with an extra bag that will go in checked luggage, and i'm okay with that, because going from an overstuffed house to 1 or 2 bags is already a big ask. Part of my issue is that as a dancer, I will need a pair of dance shoes and possibly some of my teaching tools, because I'm hoping to do some teaching on the road. And I love to snorkel, and I detest using rented equipment. I like my own fins and mask, and I'm not into using the same snorkel, fifty other people have used. And my last thing is that I will not travel without my own pillows. I can't remember the last time I had a crick in my neck and I know it's because I have a system that works... And as a massage therapist, crappy pillows are called job security for me, lol. If I need to I can actually pack the pillows in my backpack because they're both relatively thin and I have a vacuum bag that makes one of them virtually flat... And I often just carry the other pillow because I like the window seat anyway, so it works to help me to get comfortable on those flying sardine cans...🤣
But it's going to be the other stuff that may take a couple relocations to figure out. And I'm okay with that.
But you won't be finding shampoo and Advil in those bags! 😉
Kinda. I really wanted to just have a backpack... And I might eventually get there. But I think the leap into slow travel is a pretty big learning experience, and rather than overstress, about the extra stuff, I will take it and then let my experiences show me where I need to edit what I'm bringing. 😉
Thanks for the reminder! I’m totally on board with traveling light and trusting I can find what I need when I need it anywhere in the world (thanks to the advice of experienced nomads like you).
My problem is letting go of the monetary value I place on everything I’ve accumulated over 50 years. I’m fine getting rid of it, but it’s so hard mentally knowing that I spent a lot of money on something, took really good care of it, maybe barely used it, and then I’m either selling it for a few dollars or giving it away. That’s where my sticking point is right now. And that’s a whole other discussion. 😆
Giving things away to people I knew would love them helped take the sting out of this for me.
For instance, I had a lot of books signed by the authors. I gave the poetry ones to my poet laureate friend and the first-edition Dr. Lamaze book to my doula friend. I gave former students certain novels I'd loved.
My dining room table and my husband's suits went to a men's shelter.
My favorite reading chair went to a good friend who was just setting up house, as did some camping equipment that we knew he'd use.
A friend who runs a small farm and got my husband's muck boots--and he said he thought of us every time he used them.
As for the monetary value, this is a doozie. You will not get what you paid for it. Consider the value is in the amoritization of loving the item over time. If you really need the revenue from selling your items to fund your retirement, you're not ready to retire. Focus on the feeling you'll have when you let it all go It's euphoric (after the tears.). I promise.
I believe you, and I can’t wait for that feeling of freedom! This is just a mental hurdle rooted in regret and childhood issues and money scripts, I’m sure.
There certainky was a lot of fun in being intentional about giving stuff away. People were surprised and very appreciative. It's also cool to see my stuff again when we visit.
This is helpful, thank you!
you bet
This made me curious about what you DO carry that is usually a junk drawer item. A couple of rubber bands? Any paper clips or safety pins? A small plastic ziploc bag with a stash of 4 Tylenol or aspirin? Nail clipper? I’m not a nomad, but I do like to travel light AND avoid unnecessary spending, so I carry small amounts of things that will get me through some temporary pain that arrives in the night, until I can buy a small supply if needed.
Great question. I am just working on a post about how my bag and its contents have changed over the last six years. The "junk drawer" stuff of tape/paper clips/etc--I've got none of that. Surprisingly, when I need those things--which I do--there are always some to be found somewhere. I do have meds in plastic bags like you mentioned. My husband carries a nail clipper. I have one pen and a small pad of paper. In a pinch, I can use a hair tie for a rubber band (although they can be found often.) But I think the jist of the article isn't really about the small stuff like paper clips, it's more about the big stuff. Fretting that your brand of pants won't be available, you'll need an extra coat because you might get cold, you want your strappy sandals for the one outfit you might have to get dressed up in, etc. Thanks for asking.
Thanks for the Hoka Hopara 2 review. Where do the Altras, that I've heard you nention in the YouTubes fit in?
The Altras are for hiking abd big step days. The Hopara are for daily wear and water.
I have to admit that my junk drawer isn't too bad. Because I go through it every year and tidy it and clean it out. But it was the sheds, and the closets that are my black holes. But they are already looking a damn sight better after the first couple rounds of getting rid of stuff... And it feels great to open a closet and be able to see everything.
I'm realizing that I will probably start my first leg with an extra bag that will go in checked luggage, and i'm okay with that, because going from an overstuffed house to 1 or 2 bags is already a big ask. Part of my issue is that as a dancer, I will need a pair of dance shoes and possibly some of my teaching tools, because I'm hoping to do some teaching on the road. And I love to snorkel, and I detest using rented equipment. I like my own fins and mask, and I'm not into using the same snorkel, fifty other people have used. And my last thing is that I will not travel without my own pillows. I can't remember the last time I had a crick in my neck and I know it's because I have a system that works... And as a massage therapist, crappy pillows are called job security for me, lol. If I need to I can actually pack the pillows in my backpack because they're both relatively thin and I have a vacuum bag that makes one of them virtually flat... And I often just carry the other pillow because I like the window seat anyway, so it works to help me to get comfortable on those flying sardine cans...🤣
But it's going to be the other stuff that may take a couple relocations to figure out. And I'm okay with that.
But you won't be finding shampoo and Advil in those bags! 😉
Sounds like you've got a plan!
Kinda. I really wanted to just have a backpack... And I might eventually get there. But I think the leap into slow travel is a pretty big learning experience, and rather than overstress, about the extra stuff, I will take it and then let my experiences show me where I need to edit what I'm bringing. 😉