Clearing Out

Just over a month before departure day! I've started the gruelling process of getting rid of things I don't use anymore and packing up things that I'll want when I get back. Most things are either going to people who can use them or to the trash.

I've really simplified my life in the past year. Even a year and a half ago, everything that I needed fit tightly into my car for my moves from Iowa to Washington, Washington to Virginia and back. Now, I feel like I can get rid of so many things.

I've already gotten rid of so many clothes since I've lost 30 pounds in the past year, but there are many more that I'll be able to donate. Many books and toiletries that I will be able to give to people before I go. There are so many papers I think I might need, but in reality, I can just toss. I have quite a bit saved from traveling- bus tickets, museum brochures, event information and small souvenirs. Most of the things, I've saved with the intent to scrapbook them, but since that hasn't happened by now, I don't think it will happen. To prevent that happening again, this trip I'll have a few Moleskine notebooks that I will journal, scrapbook and sketch straight into while I'm on my trip.

I won't have to worry about collecting more stuff on my trip. I can only fit so much in my pack. Unless I send things home on the rare occasion, most of my souvenirs will be photos, memories and small things that I can fit in the nooks and crannies of my pack. Hopefully when I come back, I can reduce my amount of stuff to a minimal but reasonable amount.

Hopefully the next few weeks will bring me many trips to Goodwill and to the trash bin.