How do you pack for a year away from home?
It’s easier to think of it as moving.
Into a tiny house.
First, we downsized. And it was fairly easy. If we hadn’t worn it in six months, off it went to the thrift store. If we hadn’t touched it in six months, it was boxed up for the church Christmas fair.
The refrigerator and chest freezer were both emptied, cleaned, and unplugged. Detritus went into the trash can. Canned foods were culled, some to go to the food pantry, some to go with us.
Then we purged. Old computer components, miscellaneous electronic gear we’d accumulated, old TV’s, lots of batteries…all went to the hazardous waste day at the transfer station (dump).
And on and on…so liberating!
From about 1440 square feet with an attic and a barn to . . .
440 sq. ft. Perfect. We did it.
We had to choose carefully what to bring with us for a year’s journey. What was most important?
We must bring:
- Camera gear
- Clothes (only clothes that fit NOW – none of those I know I’ll fit into this again someday clothes)
- 3 pairs of shoes each
- Go Pro
- Popcorn popper (oh, rats! We forgot it!)
- Roku
- Our Pixstar digital frame with its own email address (grandkids pics!)
- Too many tools
- Drone
- New bicycles
- Instant Pot
- Hiking boots and poles
- Sewing machine (and fabric!)
- Our computers . . .
- And chargers. Many, many chargers!
We can leave behind:
- Snowblower
- Two cars
- Gardening tools
- Lawnmower
- Snow shovel
- The popcorn popper (apparently!)
- Ice scraper
- Spinning wheel
- Ice grippers (you wear them on your shoes in January!)
- Gardening catalogs
- Ski goggles
- Weaving loom
- Sleds
We probably forgot a few things. But there will always be a Walmart, Target, or Home Depot nearby. Or maybe we can just learn to do without.
What would YOU take with you for a year? Ready, set, GO!