From my readings of historical adventurers, it seems that the leaders who we're most successful on their expeditions we're very particular with their gear or things. When you have to carry your things on your back, you reevaluate their importance. Survival functionality often wins over minor convenience.
So I've translated this survival minimalism to my life in general and the things I own: Do I really want to carry all of these things with me through life? Do I really need this or that? Most of the time, the answer is 'No.' It doesn't matter if it's in your backpack or your home, if you acquire too many things, you're more likely to exhaust yourself and topple over in some metaphorical respect...
The exhaustion of owning things in your home may not come from directly carrying them, but rather the work you have to do to pay for them. Very few people are fortunate enough to do work that brings them happiness and joy. So if you're not happy with your job then why work? I'm guessing the main reason is to make money with the idea that money will help you obtain your happiness. The problem is that a lot of us are poorly conditioned in how to use money with respect to our own happiness. We're taught that we need to buy things. We're taught to spend money on cars, homes, convenient appliances, the latest technologies or expensive clothes. We're sometimes discouraged to spend money on activities that don't yield a product or value to represent our hard work, even if those activities may bring happiness. Certain religions encourage the acquiring and conservation of one's personal goods and consider it a sin to spend money on simple pleasures and activities that bring happiness. We're taught that if we work more, we can make more money, and if we make more money, we can buy more things. Somewhere in the middle of all that, it's assumed these things will bring us happiness... but that is not the case!
This is not an original thought by any means, but I want to frame it in the context of the adventurer backpack metaphor...
I think that all of us are like trekkers trying to reach happiness at the top of mountain. We work hard on the base of the mountain to make money to buy the gear that will help us reach the summit. Some of us buy too much gear and exhaust ourselves before we reach the top. Some of us spend too much time working and buying gear that we never have time to start climbing. The smart ones pack just the right amount of gear they need and eventually climb all the way to the top. They are the fortunate ones who will experience adventure and happiness.
So my question to you is this:
If you were to leave your job, home, etc. today and bring only what you could carry in your backpack, what would you bring and where would you go?
That's the same question I'm trying to figure out as Kelly and I prepare for our trip. I feel like the response will be a good answer to both our survival and happiness.
In the meantime, I've begun selling some of my stuff on Craigslist. Just sold two chairs yesterday and made $45. Woohoo! Currently selling another office chair, a bunch of 16mm film, and two djembe drums. I plan to do the same with additional furniture, TV, stereo, monitors, and other items. I hope to sell a large majority of my things so that I don't have to waste money on a storage unit when we leave.
I'm liberating myself from a bunch of stuff I don't need and it feels great!
If there's something I own that you would like, let me know. I'll gladly give it to you in return for a donation towards our expedition.
Hearts,
-Marty
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