As you know, I’m planning on selling everything I own to travel indefinitely. Part of that process is getting rid of all the stuff I’ve accumulated over the years. I have an entire one-car garage full of boxes, a large bookcase with tons of books, 2 small closets with various items, and some furniture items. I’ve decided to divide it into a three different categories: Sell, Keep, and Donate/Giveaway.
I’ve been pretty busy the past few weeks dealing with the relaunch of Where is Jenny and the upcoming launch of Pirata Design on top of my normal client work. This means I haven’t really gotten around to selling anything yet. Given that I’m 4 months away from leaving, I think I should really start to get on that. Part of me feels like I’m procrastinating because that is the one thing that would make this lifestyle change start to feel very real. After this is all said and done, I’m going to have nothing to my name besides what’s on my back.
A million thoughts race through my head; What if it doesn’t work out, then what? What if I need these things again when I come back? I’ll have nothing to come back to. It’ll be like I’ve just left my parents house to live on my own and I have to refurnish and buy everything. It’ll suck. Then again, I think maybe I’ll find the place I really want to live, get a place there, and furnish it how I’ve always wanted to. It’ll be like working with a blank canvas.
What if my dogs don’t remember me or don’t want to come back to me? I’m already really upset about deciding where to place them. It would break my heart to find that they moved past me, but I’d know they’d be happy. It would really upset me to lose Zulu because she is the best dog I have ever had. Maybe, I find the place of my dreams with a large yard on the coast, just like Zulu and Kibu would love to play in.
Zulu resting on the bed
What if I decide it’s not right for me? How could I not know this is the right decision? I’ve been dreaming of doing this with every waking thought for 10-years. I’ve planned so many life scenarios out in my head involving the nomadic lifestyle for just as long. I’ve taken two extended trips before and had the happiest times of my life. During the 5-month backing trip through South America in 2008-2009, I almost didn’t come back home to Curtis (my boyfriend of 3-years at the time). I almost didn’t get on the plane to come back home because I knew in my heart that this is what I was meant to be doing in this life. I knew that getting on that plane would lead me back to an ordinary life and I couldn’t stand the thought of that. I didn’t want to ditch Curtis like that though. I really did love him.
I feel like selling my items would make my dream become very real. That not only excites me, but also terrifies me. All my other trips, I had something to come back to. If this doesn’t work out, I don’t have anything… No apartment, no security net, no nothing.
I do however love the idea of being a minimalist. When I came back from South America I really realized how much crap everyone has including myself. I couldn’t deal with it and wanted to get rid of it all. When you carry everything you need on your back for 5-months, you quickly learn what is necessary and what isn’t. I couldn’t relate with people who were consumerists and bought a bunch of stuff, just because. I’m excited to become a minimalist and only have what’s necessary. It means I care more about experience and having a good life than what items I’m able to afford. I let my experiences define who I am.
I have to let go of my fears and run full throttle into my new lifestyle. I have to quit procrastinating the inevitable and decide to make the life I’ve always wanted to have become a reality.
It’s also funny how when you decide to do something epic, everything starts to fall into place for it to happen. That’s the universe telling you, you’ve made the right choice. That is what the Alchemist (My favorite book) would say, at least.
Mt Yasur Explodes into the night sky - Vanuatu Volunteer Trip 2006
