Planning on Going Nomadic – Getting Rid of Stuff

It has been a month since I wrote about weighing the pros and cons of going nomadic. Whether I embrace the location independent lifestyle or not I am starting to downsize my life. I want to have fewer possessions. Planning on going nomadic gives me the motivation to start getting rid of stuff.

Each day I scan my belongings for things that I have not used, no longer want, or things that simply do not bring me joy when I look at them. Keeping clutter to a minimum has long been a rule to live by in my world. Ever since my first solo trip to South-East Asia, living out of a backpack for seven months, I have enjoyed a minimalist lifestyle. I prefer to collect experiences rather than things.

But I do own a lot of things. Letting go of these things can be difficult. In that past I used the guidance of English designer William Morris:

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful

Several years ago when I was selling handmade jewelry I decided I would like to have handmade art work on my walls and no mass-produced stuff. Now the dilemma is what to do with all the beautiful handmade art work on my walls? I suppose I will give most of the art away or try to sell some. That is something that can wait for now.

So far I have eliminated a few pairs of shoes (I am down to 20 pairs now, including flip-flops) and lots of clothing from my wardrobe. I have rid my kitchen of all sorts of baking pans and utensils that I have not used for years. I grew up in a home with only home-baked bread and desserts. I gave up bread a few years ago and I do not bake anymore – because I would just eat it all! In the past I have applied this rule:

If you haven’t used it or worn it in a year – get rid of it!

Now my rule is more or less if you won’t use it within the next 6 months – get rid of it! There is reward in getting rid of stuff. I feel good when I get rid of clutter in my home. I feel good giving my stuff to the Goodwill store down the street. I feel good when I give things to my friends that I know they want, need, or enjoy owning. It feels like a weight is lifted every time I unload another bunch of stuff that I thought I could not live without.

My main goal now is to downsize my possessions to the point that I have only the necessities in my home within the next two months. This means I have to further reduce my clothing and shoes, and get rid of all the art supplies, tools for jewelry and glass fusing that I have not used in years. Once I complete that task I will only own my furniture, basic office supplies, clothing, and basic kitchen supplies. Oh and the art work that I will enjoy for the next few months.

Mother & Daughter – watercolor painting by Ude Daves – Nigeria

Metal art by Teresa Bouzek – Wisconsin – Dogs Joyriding in Red Pickup Truck

Music inspired painting by Tony Westlund – Austin Texas

Folk Art – Ant painted on wood, mixed media – by Terrell Powell

Painting by Jeanne Philquist – Austin Texas – Three Women with Oranges

Further planning on going nomadic with my lifestyle includes:

• Creating a road trip plan for 1 – 2 years around USA and Canada
• Work on my budget – consider accommodations costs in each location
• Work with my clients to transition to remote work
• Find a mail service to scan/send my mail to me
• Buy a new laptop – Norbert (my Dell laptop) is almost 9 years old. I do have small backup laptop but it is 3 years old and it has a tiny 11″ screen

Getting rid of stuff is the priority for the next two months and I will be traveling to Calgary at the end of March to celebrate my mom’s birthday. Off to Barcelona and Lloret de Mar in Catalonia Spain at the of April. I better get to work!

Find out how the first 6 months worked out for me…