BIG BIG BIG Changes!!

Well, I've been working on this for awhile now, but was waiting for the right time to make the public announcement. After rocking The Reverse 100 Things Challenge, followed by a visit from a friend who has inspired me and reminded me that a life abroad is the life for me (please note: not "life AS a broad"), I have put into motion some huge life changes!

Starting February 1st, I've decided to move into a smaller space in a friend's apartment to save about $430/ month on rent and expenses. Thus, I must sell a ton of stuff to fit.
And following that, my goal, set for September, is to get rid of every last thing that I can't fit into a backpack and take off on my adventures!

I can find one this size, right?

 So I've been shedding stuff like crazy! Ebay, Amazon, Craigslist and soon, a huge yard sale.

The yard sale pile

So far, I've made about $650 and have put most of that toward credit cards and a used MacBook I purchased to use in my travels, writing travel articles and editing film.

I've gained a very interesting perspective while getting rid of everything and still feeling that pull to buy things when I walk through a store. It's very revealing of the effectiveness of consumerism. I hope this experience will help break me out of that.









The prospect of getting rid of everything has been both an exciting and terrifying one. I ping-pong almost daily between being elated by the possibilities and aghast at what a huge mistake I could be making. But I can always talk myself down from that fear by telling myself "Look around. Wouldn't you give up all of this for an adventure in Europe right now?" And my answer is always "yes". I can buy new stuff. But I'm very excited to find out what life is like without the chains of possessions tying me somewhere. 

"Gosh, I really shouldn't have sold my kitchen table."

The plan for my travels has yet to be set and the deadline may change a bit, but things have been put into motion (having told my work and basically everyone I know!) and there is no turning back now!
Every time I talk to someone about my idea, I'm surprised by their positive reactions. I guess I always expected that everyone would try to convince me that it was a terrible idea, but I've had so many people tell me that they think it's a great idea or that they have actually done something very similar, or know someone who has. It's amazing who you'll meet who has amazing stories of their own wanderings. Yes, I do have the people who are concerned for me in different ways, and rightly so, but for the most part, everyone is very encouraging.

So what am I getting rid? I think it'll be easier to say what I'm keeping. I'm not going to try to stick to a number like the 100 Things Challenge. Rather, it's "what will I need, what can I never give up?" For instance, I recently inherited Depression Era Glass plates and some very old Bibles from my Grandmother. Those, along with some other items from my mother; notebooks full of writing I've done throughout my lifetime; and other items I'm emotionally attached to will go to stay with my family until I'm back in my own place again. Beyond that, I'll keep the computer, a camera, a phone, clothes, a backpack, possibly a tent and sleeping bag, my e-reader (so much for separating myself from technology!), and maybe a pan (doubles as a weapon?).

Putting all of this out there is frightening. But I've been stuck in a rut in my life for so long, and I feel it's finally time I did something drastic to spin my life in a new direction. I really enjoy the challenges this and my Year Challenge have brought me. It makes me feel alive again.