What About All Your Stuff?
The more people I tell about our plans to go out traveling the more I get asked one question. It’s just as frequent as the inevitable questions about where I’m going and for how long, but the answer seems to catch a lot of them off guard. They seem more prepared for the idea that I’m not planning on settling down in the near future or that I don’t really know where I’m going to be going after we leave Arcata. So, what question could have such a shocking answer and be asked with such frequency?
“What are you doing with your stuff?”
The short answer? We’re selling, donating or trashing, or bring it with us. All of it? Almost.
The looks on people’s faces is usually pretty comical. You can almost see the gears turning as they wonder if they could ever do that. After about three awkward seconds the response is nearly universal. “I could never give up X.” It’s the same reaction I get when I tell people I’m vegan.
The funny part about the reaction to giving up stuff is that the X is almost never anything that couldn’t be replaced. TVs, gaming systems, beds, couches, kitchen appliances. We got rid of all of that stuff. So, what did we keep?
Most of what we kept are keepsakes. Paper journals, mementos that remind us of the beginning of our relationship, Buffy the Vampire Slayer DVDs (What? We have a special relationship with Buffy!) All of it is going to be living in a tiny 5′ x 5′ storage unit that we just rented yesterday. The rest of it? Will I miss it? Maybe a few things. The experiences I’m gaining in exchange are worth it though.
I’m not going to debate the need for having a storage unit, or go into our reasoning for doing this rather than leaving our stuff with a friend/relative. It’s the best option for our needs. It was actually even better than we thought! We found out that we can even send packages to our storage unit and have them placed inside. It’s a great option in case we want to buy anything along the way. (We don’t really plan on it) But mostly it’s great because Faith likes to keep a paper journal and we can send them back for storage. So, if you’re planning on getting a storage unit and want this option, make sure to ask for it. I guess they mainly offer it to businesses, but will give it to you if you ask.
Now it’s time to get that stuff packed away. We leave in just over a week. I’ll make a post later about what we’re taking for those that are curious. So, since this post probably got you wondering, I’ll leave you with a question. What things in your life couldn’t you bear to part with?
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