"You don't own your stuff. Your stuff owns you." Amen. A good friend of mine told me that at least a dozen years ago. It has certainly stuck.
I consider myself a minimalist. But am not interested in being a nomad. I like a "home base." But I can still appreciate the perspective from you nomads. Thanks for sharing your stories:)
It's a great truism! And I so respect you wanting a home base. We'll probably return to that at some point, but for now, we're enjoying the freedom :) Thanks for reading and sharing your amazing stories too Rebecca!
That really means a lot, Jill, thank you! I so appreciate you taking the time to not only read but comment. Fascinating that the Minimalism documentary inspired you as well. And 8 years nomading is a huge accomplishment! Lisa and I look forward to learning from you and following in your footsteps.
One thing I have learned in this lifestyle is that everybody’s journey looks different. There is no one way to live this alternative life - which, of course, is the best part! I too look forward to following you on your journey. It’s always nice to connect with like-minded individuals:)
That is such a great point about each nomadic journey being unique. And I agree, that's part of the beauty of it. It can be tailored to each person's situation and tastes. Great to connect with you :)
Jill, the selling/donating really got easier the more we did it, and now we always have a donation bag somewhere. We go through our closet in Phoenix (we keep a small amount of stuff at a friend's house) meticulously whenever we are there to weed out the clothes and items we aren't using, or that no longer fit or are useful in our new circumstances.
I'm really enjoying your substack and it's so good for @mattmcmann and I to read the stories of nomads who have successfully navigated this way of life. Thanks so much for your comment and I can't wait to read more of your work.
Oh I totally get that. We have one tote of stuff stored at my parents place and it always gets gone through when we are back in Canada as well. It’s funny what we decide to keep in each moment and then a year down the road we look back at those things and wonder why. I’m sure we don’t even need the tote of stuff at all, but there it is. Lol.
Happy to follow you guys on your journey as well. Like I said to Matt, it’s always nice to connect with like-minded people who live life a little differently:)
Same! We find we have to keep culling our stuff. It multiplies like bunnies! Especially as we've discovered alpaca wool clothes that packs light and doesn't smell after repeated wearings! It has revolutionized our wardrobe and reduced our packing load. That meant jettisoning old bulky stinky clothes :)
That's helpful to hear. We have a closet in the guest room at some friends' house where we keep our stuff. I like that the small space forces us to keep things to a minimum.
It was hard at first, and then we couldn't get rid of stuff fast enough. It feels so freeing to be able to turn on a dime and go anywhere without the things tying us down!
"You don't own your stuff. Your stuff owns you." Amen. A good friend of mine told me that at least a dozen years ago. It has certainly stuck.
I consider myself a minimalist. But am not interested in being a nomad. I like a "home base." But I can still appreciate the perspective from you nomads. Thanks for sharing your stories:)
I think we will have a home base again someday. But I doubt we will accumulate the kinds of stuff we had before. Something simple seems about right.
It's a great truism! And I so respect you wanting a home base. We'll probably return to that at some point, but for now, we're enjoying the freedom :) Thanks for reading and sharing your amazing stories too Rebecca!
This, slowly but surely downsizing my life. So I can travel more!
You can do it! It definitely takes time and that's a-okay :)
It's a long process, but a very satisfying one.
This is so well written! I was also inspired to sell or donate all of my
Possessions because of the Minimalism documentary as well. My partner and I have been nomadic for almost eight
Years now. I resonate with much of what you wrote here.
That really means a lot, Jill, thank you! I so appreciate you taking the time to not only read but comment. Fascinating that the Minimalism documentary inspired you as well. And 8 years nomading is a huge accomplishment! Lisa and I look forward to learning from you and following in your footsteps.
One thing I have learned in this lifestyle is that everybody’s journey looks different. There is no one way to live this alternative life - which, of course, is the best part! I too look forward to following you on your journey. It’s always nice to connect with like-minded individuals:)
That is such a great point about each nomadic journey being unique. And I agree, that's part of the beauty of it. It can be tailored to each person's situation and tastes. Great to connect with you :)
Jill, the selling/donating really got easier the more we did it, and now we always have a donation bag somewhere. We go through our closet in Phoenix (we keep a small amount of stuff at a friend's house) meticulously whenever we are there to weed out the clothes and items we aren't using, or that no longer fit or are useful in our new circumstances.
I'm really enjoying your substack and it's so good for @mattmcmann and I to read the stories of nomads who have successfully navigated this way of life. Thanks so much for your comment and I can't wait to read more of your work.
Oh I totally get that. We have one tote of stuff stored at my parents place and it always gets gone through when we are back in Canada as well. It’s funny what we decide to keep in each moment and then a year down the road we look back at those things and wonder why. I’m sure we don’t even need the tote of stuff at all, but there it is. Lol.
Happy to follow you guys on your journey as well. Like I said to Matt, it’s always nice to connect with like-minded people who live life a little differently:)
Whelp, I’m off to go declutter a closet now!
Go go go!
Go Jenna! You got this! :)
You both are inspiring!
Hey Wendy! So lovely to see you pop up here. Thanks for the encouragement and for all your support over the years!
Hi Wendy, and thank you! I love that we can connect in a different way over here. Hope you and the family are well.
When we became nomadic getting rid of our all of our stuff was an amazing feeling.
It's really incredible when you reframe your relationship with physical possessions. We've never felt freer and more untethered!
Honestly, the idea of stuff now stresses me out!
Same! We find we have to keep culling our stuff. It multiplies like bunnies! Especially as we've discovered alpaca wool clothes that packs light and doesn't smell after repeated wearings! It has revolutionized our wardrobe and reduced our packing load. That meant jettisoning old bulky stinky clothes :)
It took us years to fully whittle down what we kept in our storage locker back in the US.
That's helpful to hear. We have a closet in the guest room at some friends' house where we keep our stuff. I like that the small space forces us to keep things to a minimum.
It was hard at first, and then we couldn't get rid of stuff fast enough. It feels so freeing to be able to turn on a dime and go anywhere without the things tying us down!