by RICK ONORATO "What are you going to do with all your stuff?"
It's the question I hear most often when I tell people that I'm going to travel long term. Not "Where are you going?" or "How do you do it?" or even "Why??" They just want to know about my stuff. It's a puzzling concept to me because for most the presence of stuff seems to act as an impenetrable barrier to their dreams. When I begin to explain my plans their heads predictably/instinctively start to shake and it isn't long before they quip "I could never do that. I have too much stuff."
Most/many people will profess a desire to travel the world, but few will ever muster the wherewithal to do so — often citing stuff as their chief impediment. Is this simply a convenient excuse to mask their greater fears about tackling such a bold journey (this I would understand)? Or is their stuff really so intrinsically vital that they cannot bear to be parted from it? From my own standpoint, nothing is so liberating as getting rid of excessive and unneeded stuff (throw it out!). You would be amazed at how little you actually need to survive/thrive in this world (and what little you do need is easily acquired). A life unburdened by material possessions can be so liberating and free — go anywhere/do anything!
But to allow stuff to prevent you from living a bigger life, or following a dream, is something I find difficult to fathom. What are you more likely to remember five years from now — a country you visited, an experience you had, an adventure you lived? Or a bag, gadget or pair of shoes you bought? I am reminded of an old George Carlin rant from some years ago on just this very topic. You can watch it here: