Trading Up

I woke my daughter early, & we hit the road at 7:00 am for the National Zoo.  We were advised to arrive early for the pandas' feeding & to see the animals best before the heat arrived - along with the crowds.

The morning flowed perfectly - no rush, no serious mom voice, no mini-tantrums, & most importantly, no traffic.  It was beautiful in its simplicity.

We only shared the park with joggers & power walkers as we ambled to the panda habitat.  The sun was not yet beating down relentlessly, & the weather was just right.

The pandas sat, unaffected by the onlookers, munching on their bamboo breakfast.  

The day continued seamlessly & drama free as we made our way from one environment to another.  Periodically, my daughter would grab my hand as we walked & looked at me with a contented smile.  My eyes clicked mental pictures of that peaceful expression as I smiled in reply.

*  *  *  *  *

After lunch, we began our journey home, but midway I had to stop to hand off something I sold online.  It was a quick transaction at an agreed upon gas station along the way.  The guy handed me the $30, & I gladly passed along some old picture frames I purged recently.  

*  *  *  *  *

Then it hit me -  a light bulb moment.

I spent about $35 for the zoo & lunch, & I received $30 for my old stuff - money out, money in.

I grinned as I thought 'That's awesome.  It was almost an even trade for the day.'  I quickly course corrected my own realization though.

My useless clutter became money which afforded us a priceless day together.

Truthfully, 'I traded up.'  

Excess Baggage (Lessons From My Carry On)

My husband and I sat patiently waiting for our ferry to dock.  We were returning to our beloved Italy for a dream trip to Lake Como, the Cinque Terre, & Turin.  This was the last leg of our long journey to our first destination, the quaint town of Como.

It was a bumpy adventure over the previous 12 hours.  We experienced a delayed flight and cliched mad dash through Heathrow.  And now, here we sat, exhausted, on a boat - in the rain.

As often happens, we chatted with a young couple who, as it turns out, were on their honeymoon.  They were sweet and friendly as are most fellow travelers.  However, I took notice to their train of luggage.  Each sported a cross-body bag, a medium carry-on with wheels, & a large suitcase.

I could see the envy in their eyes - that look of regret.  The new bride asked me haltingly, "That's... all... you have?"  She referred to our lack of baggage.

We smiled knowingly and answered, "Yes."

*  *  *  *  *

I get this reaction often.

I have traveled a multitude of places for many days at a time simply with a carry on bag - my 1996 green, high school Jansport backpack to be exact.

I can pack a few mix & match pieces, my toiletries, and up to two pair of shoes.  Of course, laundry detergent is helpful to recycle said outfits.  From this bag I have seen the most magnificent sights, enjoyed amazing experiences, & hopped freely from one setting to another.

I can easily slip through crowds, stow away quickly on flights, exit the airport without delay, squeeze onto public transit, keep sight of my belongings, and hike to my destinations if necessary.  When I locate my lodging, I drop my bag & slip out to my next adventure - untethered.

Not only is it convenient, I've received compliments on my attire.  I feel secure that I pick my best, most flattering, pieces to be among the few.

*  *  *  *  *

This begs the question...

If I've had some of the most incredible moments of my life subsisting via this precious backpack, then why must I live my daily life out of 100 bulky pieces of luggage?

My baggage does not make my trip, & my belongings do not make my life - my experiences do.  

While some are busy packing for 'what if', I'm already out the door finding the answer. 

The Reason I Write

I began my journey into a more simple, meaningful life a few years ago.  

I was easily agitated, unsettled, & prone to outbursts in my mid to late twenties.  However, when I paused to evaluate my life, there was absolutely no reason to be this way.  I had an amazing marriage, a great house, loving family, my dream job, regular vacations, and all the gadgets I wished for, but I still wasn't at peace.

One day, I Googled the words 'how get rid stuff'.  Leo Babauta's ZenHabits.net was among the top hits.  His writing introduced me to the world of minimalism.  I devoured every word.  It felt like common sense.

I, then, linked to multiple others who wrote on similar subjects - BecomingMinilalist.com, TheMinimalists.com, BeMoreWithLess.com, and ExileLifestyle.com.

These resources in conjunction with my interest in meditation, affirmations, & energetics have guided me to a peace that I have never known before.

I commonly see bloggers in pursuit of earning money via their writing, & I have no problem whatsoever with this, but I am not looking to monetize my work.

I receive "payment" in non-financial ways.

A friend messaged me to express thanks for introducing the concept of minimalism to her.  She is taking her first baby steps to remove unnecessary items.

Another friend earned a sizable amount of money by selling her "out the door" pile.

One woman I worked with found $100 cash under a pile of paperwork that had mounted on her desk.

A coworker is planning to downsize her living space to save money to pursue her dreams of traveling.

Yet another friend cleaned out a storage space in America so she could continue her new life untethered in another country.

I helped to change a coworker's perspective on his upcoming move across the country.  He was unnerved about getting rid of everything & starting anew.  I reminded him that he has a clean slate.  He can start all over again with less.  He reported that he feels great as his load lightens & is realizing how little he truly needs.  Plus, the decreased expense for a smaller apartment will allow him to transition more smoothly.

YOU are the reason I write.  I vibrate with the need to share, & I am compensated by your successes.  

  

Remembering the Why

My husband grabbed one end of the five foot cardboard box & I the other.  We attempted a few different ways to shove it into my 4-door 2005 Honda Accord.  

"It's not going to work," he asserted.

"No.  I think I can get it," I countered.

I ran to the opposite side - attempting one last maneuver to cram it into my backseat.

"Gosh darn stuff!" I grunted as I invested my last bit of energy.

Finally!  The box cleared the door frame & landed on my seat... sideways.

My husband affirmed the obvious, "You know it's just going to all fall out when you pull it out?"

"I know," I sighed.

I drove the car to the grassy yard sale site a quarter mile from our home.  In an attempt to spare my poor husband from any more of my great ideas related to this venture, I decided to transport the box from my car & up a small hill.

Surprisingly, it wasn't too difficult to slide it out the door.  'Phew' I thought.  'This shouldn't be too bad.'

Within seconds, clothes started to pop out the top - now side - of the box as it puckered & buckled.  All of the clothes I painstakingly folded into nice, neat piles according to type melted into a jumbled soup on the sidewalk.  Not only was it fabric that lie on the ground - it represented wasted money, wasted time, wasted opportunity.

I wanted to cry.

Not because the clothes were becoming dirty.  Not because my organization & planning went to waste.  Not because my husband could gloat about being right.  And not because of the woman parked nearby who stared at me blankly as I contorted myself to save the contents.

I felt defeated by my own insatiable desire to acquire so much stuff.  I burdened myself with this debacle.  I got myself into this mess.  After 2 years of simplifying, clothing is my last hurdle.

I spent a few hours upset about the situation.  Until I came to a realization - a remembering.

This is a painful reminder of why I should never let it get to this point ever again.  

It never would have been enough.  The stuff never made me truly content, & I blindly continued to search for happiness in acquiring more.

The truth is that I am enough just as I am - no more but definitely with less.



  

The Girl Makes the Clothes (Project 333)

Early one morning as I hurriedly prepped my four year old daughter for the day, she began to meltdown.  

"My skirt isn't sparkly," she sobbed.  "I won't be beautiful."

I quickly searched my mental files for how best to handle this - ignore it & continue readying ourselves or stop for a teachable moment.  I opted for the latter.

"Big girl... Do you know what truly makes your outfit sparkly?" I asked.

She looked at the floor, then me, & responded curiously, "No."

"Your spirit makes you sparkly - when you're friendly, generous, adventurous, happy,...  That makes you beautiful big girl."

This resolution seemed to calm her in that moment, & we still revisit the concept from time to time.

*   *   *   *   *

I recently began a challenge called Project 333 (www.TheProject333.com) - the concept of a wonderful simplicity writer named Courtney Carver.  In short, you only utilize 33 items in your wardrobe for 3 months.  For more specifics, please check the website.

"Why?" You may ask.  "What's the point?"

I was raised to be a shopper - a bargain hunting fashionista.  I consumed mountains of magazines selling clothes & accessories that would make me beautiful & attractive.  Subconsciously, my self image & my clothing became intertwined.  

As I become more confident in my true self, I realize that fancy outfits, kick butt shoes, & designer labels have absolutely nothing to do with true beauty & attractiveness.

My spirit makes me sparkly - my friendliness, my generosity, my sense of adventure, my attitude,...

I make my clothes.  My clothes don't make me.

Therefore, I can wear the same 33 items repeatedly in different ways, & it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever.  

My wish for my daughter (& myself) is to not equate self worth with the material that covers our spirit.  It took me 33 years to grasp this concept so she has a 29 year head start thank goodness ;^)

Leap of Faith

In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia.  I envisioned staying far from tourist spots.  I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region.  Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.

I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had.  Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile.  I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.

People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?"  I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found."  Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?"  My response is, "I didn't." 

I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more.  They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.  

When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people.  I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.  

Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures.  Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.

*  I have countless examples related to this topic.  I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.  

*  Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences.  I'd love to read & share them.

***  Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link.  I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing.  Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.  

- Sasha  *** 

Leap of Faith

In 2011, I seized the opportunity to travel solo to Bali, Indonesia.  I envisioned staying far from tourist spots.  I used Bali-Homestay.com - a family run business in the Tabanan region.  Their website promised airport pick-up, room, all food, tours, hikes, bikes, cultural lessons, and more for an extremely reasonable price.

I had one of the most unique & wonderful experiences I've ever had.  Everything they promised they delivered - with a smile.  I was the only tourist that I could see, & I always felt safe, respected, & comfortable.

People repeatedly ask, "How did you find them?"  I reply, "I typed 'Bali cultural exchange' in the search box, & it was the first and only thing I found."  Inevitably, the next question is, "How did you know they were legit or safe?"  My response is, "I didn't." 

I trusted these strangers half way around the world with my life, & they provided everything plus more.  They were not out to cheat, hurt, or lie to me.  

When I recount my adventures, people often bristle at the idea of trusting so many strangers - fearing the worst.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Because I trusted these individuals, I hiked through rice paddies, biked through native villages, learned how to make offerings, visited temples, ate delicious, home cooked meals, & interacted with real, local people.  I truly had a paradigm shift based on these interactions.  

Between my ability to trust & intuition, I have happened into an ever growing pool of new friends & amazing adventures.  Start local or start global, either way, the world is full of genuinely good people waiting to be met.

*  I have countless examples related to this topic.  I will write more on it because I am that passionate about breaking the fear & distrust of others.  

*  Please feel free to share in the comments if you've had similar experiences.  I'd love to read & share them.

***  Also, if you enjoy my writing, please feel free to share the link.  I am unsure if I will continue writing due to low levels of readership - despite my joy of writing.  Thank you for reading, & I look forward to many more.  

- Sasha  ***