We often measure life in possessions, each item a trophy of our successes. In October 2020, the universe gave me a crash course on this. My house sold, my dad’s did too, and we lost my mom. Three houses, so many memories, all squeezed into sorting, packing, and making decisions.
I repeated, “Experiences not things,” at least a million times. I tossed almost everything out. My letterman jacket. My diploma. Pictures. Handwritten notes. Awards I won. Trophies. Nearly everything from my childhood went into a dumpster. 🗑️
The rest of my life’s possessions were wedged into a 9’x13′ storage unit for a while. And, then, we hit the road, carrying only what I could fit into a backpack and a small suitcase.
The process was enlightening. Society keeps on telling us that we need “more and now.” I now reject that premise.
I realized something strange: The more stuff I had, the more I craved. But once I started shedding, I discovered what matters. I was eager to leave behind even more six weeks into my travels. Those undershirts I thought I’d need but hadn’t worn? Dress shoes? I ditched them…and then even more.
With every item I left behind, life felt lighter, simpler, and easier to focus. Instead of seeking the next material thing, I immersed myself in the present. The sounds, sights, and feelings of the ‘here and now’ took center stage. It was easier living.
I also realized a deeper lesson beyond physical possessions. It’s about the weight we carry in our hearts and minds. Worries, regrets, the endless chase for more – they all tie us down. I started to say, “If your thoughts, feelings or actions aren’t serving you, then change them. You’re the only one who can.”
I often remind myself of this simple truth: the day after I’m gone, most of my possessions will likely end up in a donation box or a dumpster. That’s not a sad thought; it’s liberating. It reminds me to focus on the things that actually matter. After all, I’ll be dead for an eternity.
“Experiences, not things.”
So, whenever life overwhelms me in chaos, I think back to my family journey, my backpack, and the joy of simplicity. And I remember to keep the essential things at the forefront. I want to celebrate ‘here and now.’ Because in the end, that’s all we have.