Packing List (1)

Looking back, we started mentally packing for this Mexico trip long before May 2010 when we had our first garage sale. The first time I cried while letting go was when a woman loaded my trusty, old sewing machine into her car. That olive green machine had served me since I had sewn peace symbols on my bellbottoms in freshman year of college.

We sold our house and most of its contents in March 2011. Every single item had at least one decision tied to it, often more.

I’ve discovered it takes several decisions to undo an impulse purchase. Hundreds of books (my weakness) moved from one shelf to another, then to boxes upstairs near by desk, then to the basement to “check” my emotional connection and heavy guilt for not having read all of them. Books were in the dark underbelly of our house for months before I was sure I could let them go. Then, book by book, I had to decide whether to give them away to specific friends, to the library, or just donate to Goodwill. It was not easy. It often felt like a form of death to face the skeletons that possessed me.

Greg and I now have four boxes and some extra clothes stored at my sister’s house. That’s it. No hidden items anywhere else. Now I don’t miss or regret anything. I feel free and light.

In our possession as we travel, we each have one large suitcase and one backpack.

What I (Jari) packed for this 6-month trip:

1 laptop with case

1 camera

1 Kindle

1 iPod Shuffle

2 paper notebooks

12 pencils & pens

3 skirts

3 pairs of pants (not jeans, too heavy), 1 pair converts to shorts

1 pair capris

1 pair shorts

1 pair tights

1 pair hiking boots

1 pair Keen sandals

1 pair black flats

1 pair leather sandals

1 rain jacket

1 down jacket

1 cotton jacket

1 thermal athletic shirt

1 sun hat

1 belt

1 small purse with shoulder strap

1 shawl

1 shirt dress

1 linen jumper

14 blouses, shirts

1 dress jacket

2 wool sweaters

3 scarves

1 watch

1 travel alarm

1 pair pajama pants

1 t-shirt for sleeping

1 mosquito net

1 blacklight to spot scorpions (we don’t need it in the city)

1 necklace

1 bracelet

8 pairs of earrings

1 water bottle

1 textbook for November CELTA certificate course in Mexico City

3 pairs reading glasses

1 swimsuit

1 swim cap

1 pair swim goggles

1 pair sunglasses

1 hair brush

2 combs, a few hairclips

2 toothbrushes & toothpaste

1 bottle grapefruit seed extract (for washing vegetables, fruits, drinking to kill bacteria)

vitamins & prescription pills (includes antibiotic for major digestive tract issues)

Immodium

small makeup case (lotion, tweezers, clippers, mascara, blush, lipstick, Q-tips, eyeliner)

socks & underwear

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– All this equals about 45 pounds. We cleared space for our amazing experiences. Just like skin cells sloughing off, every person releases something everyday. We’d love to hear about your experiences of unshackling your life.