Sometimes Less is More

Over the past year, we have learned to look at our physical possessions differently. Don’t get me wrong, we are NOT complete minimalists.  We are traveling by car and we fully took advantage of the space that a vehicle provides. For starters, we packed a dog and three bikes – so clearly we aren’t completely roughing it.  And, we still miss many of our material possessions that were left behind. For example, we are longing for the day that we are joyously reunited with our coffee machine. But, the undeniable truth is that we have significantly less than we did while living in a comfortable home in the US.  And our perspective has changed. 

This evolution began, and was perhaps felt most intensely, priorto travel.  As soon as we made the decision to travel, I observed a shift in my thinking.  I no longer purchased decorative items for our home or replaced worn objects.  New clothing felt frivolous unless it served a purpose for travel.  If friends liked something, I sometimes gifted it to them. It genuinely gave me joy to know that something important to me would be appreciated by someone else. 

Those decorative candles that were rarely used? Burn, baby, burn! 

Those bowls that my deceased grandmother handed me as she was cleaning out her kitchen? The ones that had absolutely no sentimental value to her, but I wasn’t ready to part with immediately?  Three years of grieving seemed sufficient. Time for a new home!

Those out-of-date reference books from grad school that contain information now readily available online?  Half Priced Books, here we come! (What, only worth 50 cents?!)

Removing things from the home was freeing.  It was also a physical act that was getting us closer to a big change. 

Finally, we sold our home and put the final remaining items in a small storage unit. I am entirely certain that we still kept more than we needed.  I cringe to imagine what we will think when we open up the boxes.  I recall a friend telling me about her grandmother’s philosophy of downsizing.  I hope that more often than not, we will smile as we excitedly discover something important that we are thankful to have again rather than wonder why on earth something was awarded valuable storage space. 

When we someday have a home of our own again, we will undoubtedly fill the space and make it our own.  However, I hope that this experience will help us to be more thoughtful about the items we choose to own and the value they hold.    

Read my other travel lessons here.