Gal-Gone-Camping

Hello Friends!

 

Getting Rid Of Stuff

So you’ve made the decision to live mobile or in some sort of tiny space. Whether it’s a camper, van, motor home or some other type of RV, or a tiny house, you are gonna have to learn to let go of a lot of things.

One of the first steps is to downsize and start getting rid of stuff.  It’s amazing how much useless crap we accumulate!

The process of reducing one’s possessions is easier for some than others, and it is never too early to start eliminating what you don’t need.  That’s what I’m doing now, even though it will be a few years before I’m a full time nomad. I’m getting a lot of practice!

 

Categorize Everything!

The first step is to separate all of your possessions into categories: Sell, Keep, Donate/Give Away.

Do not keep things you think you may use later.  What?!  I know that’s what you’re thinking. “But what if I need it?”  Really, if you haven’t used it by now, chances are you probably are not going to.  Guess what?  If you do need it you can always get another one!

Don’t keep your skinny clothes for when you lose weight and certainly do not keep your fat clothes if you do.  I’m sorry, WHEN you do.  When sifting through your clothing keep in mind you don’t need 10 pairs of jeans or dare I say it ladies….25 pairs of shoes!  That’s a hard one I know—I love shoes too but trust me, the more you are out in nature and away from society the less you will care about any of that. I’m to the point now where I have little to no interest in clothes–except for t-shirts and such from my travels.

 

You are going to be living in a camper, motor home, van or some other kind of tiny space.

You will only have room for the essentials.  De-cluttering is liberating!  The more stuff you get rid of the lighter and less

stressed you feel.  You will be getting a head start on this process if or when you decide to sell your house.

Collectors

 

Can a collector become a minimalist? Downsizing is especially hard for collectors. I love antiques and have collected them for many years.  However, my thinking has changed, and even though I still love them, they are no longer important to me.  I guess it’s because I know eventually I’ll be living full time on the road and will not be able to have such things. Now, these antiques that I once revered seem to be just something else to clean.  I think I enjoy being around antiques because I have such a love for the past.

One Gear Time Machine

 

You know how most kids like to pretend to be an astronaut or want to be transported to some futuristic world with science fiction characters?  Not me.  My pretend world consisted of cowboys and Indians, gunslingers, gold miners, riverboat gamblers and treasure hunters.  My time machine always traveled in reverse, never forward.

Although those feelings haven’t changed, instead of collecting objects from the past, I now think I would be satisfied stepping back in time via museums and historical places which I could see a lot more of if I lived on the road.  Just think, I could set up camp and stay for days on the “frontier” and imagine how things used to be in the Old West.  I could still pretend, but with this life I could actually be in the location where history really happened!  If that requires letting go of some collectibles, then I’m pretty sure I can do it.

Sentimental Souls

Antiques I have bought I can just sell–no problem. The exception is the few cherished family and childhood pieces that I treasure.  I’m a sentimental gal and this is extremely hard for me.  I guess it’s not so much the actual items, it’s the memories that are associated with them.

For example, how can I let go of my dad’s toy train that he loved?  What about the stick horse my mother made for me when I was little?  I rode it all over my grandparents’ farm!  What about my

grandmother’s oil lamp that was purchased with the money she made from picking berries?  Or, how about the milk pitcher that belonged to my great-great grandmother?

 

For God’s sake, I’m even having trouble thinking about letting go of these little cow figurines; the only thing left from a play farm set I had!

I would sit for hours in the living room in front of our Warm Morning stove and play with that farm. I was an animal lover from birth!

 

My Plan For Letting Go

 

I feel like if I turn loose of these precious things I am somehow letting go of the past—a wonderful past that is so much of who I am today. If my kids don’t want these treasures what will I do with them?  It breaks my heart to think they would be sold to strangers or trashed by those who don’t see their historical value.

Recently, while researching a town I was going to visit

https://carlisle-nicholascounty.org/, I saw they had an antique doll and toy museum.  I stopped in and talked to the manager.

After taking a tour, I have decided to donate my antique toy collection to this museum that is in my home state of KY– which makes me feel better.

Other antique family pieces I plan to donate to other museums.  This way, my treasures will be in a protected environment and hopefully others will be able to enjoy them for generations to come.

I know when the time comes to actually separate myself from these things, it is going to be difficult, but I have to tell myself that although these memory filled objects may be gone, the memories will be with me forever.  I have to admit, I am tearing up a little now just thinking about it, but this will simply be another chapter in life, and I’m sure after some time on the road my new life will make it easier to “turn the page.”  (Everything’s a song with me you know!)

 

Your Home On The Road

Of course you will want to bring some small, lightweight treasures that will make your camper feel like home.  If you’re an antique lover/collector like me, try to include things that

can actually be used—such as antique salt & pepper shakers or an old tin can which can hold your kitchen utensils.

Your camper will be your home and just like decorating your house, you want your personality to shine! Keep that in mind but on a much smaller scale.

As I’ve been going through my house getting rid of stuff, I’m thinking of what I want to take on the road and what I would and would not have room for.  This process will definitely force you to look at your possessions in a whole new light. Whether you plan to live full or part time on the road or in a stationary spot, I hope some of these ideas will help you when you start downsizing for your new tiny space life.

 

So as I continue to rid my house of useless stuff, it’s apparent that a LOT of things will have to go, but I think my little 45 year old cow and calves will be right at home on the road!

Until next time, remember…….DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!

See ya down the road….

Catrina