For the last several weeks, we've been in the process of downsizing.
This is not an easy process.
It's not that I don't want to get rid of my stuff, it's that I recognize how much stuff we have and I hate it. It's the same feeling you get when you're overwhelmed with all the yard work you have to do and you're tripping over the kids toys and realize you have to remove them before you even start the work that will take you another four hours.
What's different about it though, is that it feels good. You're making progress, getting rid of stuff gives you more space, and that feels really great.
We have a pretty simple goal in mind: To live in a 32ft travel trailer. All the stuff we're going to use for the next year has to fit into this small space. So that's kind of our rule for whether or not we keep something.
Will we want this in an RV?
Asking that question draws a pretty hard line. You can already imagine the things that don't make the cut. And sometimes that's disappointing. For me it's stuff like my 3D printer and my tools. For the kids that might be larger toys.
Recognizing What's Important
When were traveling in the RV, we don't think, “Man I really wish I had my table saw.” or “I really wish I had my massive dresser to keep my clothes in.” We just don't need it. And we recognize that we don't need it; we recognize how free we are.
That freedom is what we're after. We want to live in that.
So, back to downsizing and all the logistics we're in the middle of right now…
Selling The House?
Our current plan is to sell the house. But we do keep going back and forth between renting and airbnbing Etc. The main drawback to keeping the house is that no matter what we won't be completely free of it. I like this house. I've enjoyed living here. But it was built in the 70s, and it's a big house. It has normal house problems. The yard has to be maintained. I feel like the majority of my time is spent beating back the weeds the grass and the leaves lest they overtake us. And my concern with renting is that no one else will care for the house quite as much as I do.
Also, why we like where we are we don't love enough to stay here forever. We realize that there might be another house with more land or that's less upkeep, depending on which direction we go next. What I do know is that our house makes it very difficult for us to feel free to travel. so if we're selling the house, here's what that entails:
- Painting or repainting any rooms that need it
- Fixing any exterior damage
- Pairing down our stuff so that we can fill the smallest storage space possible
- Sprucing up the yard (shrubbery!)
- Painting the cabinets
- Potentially reflooring the bathrooms
And that's just off the top of my head. In any case, that's what we're up to. Today I'm pressure washing the deck and stairwell, then I'm going to finish replacing the trim on the column (see bullet 2). The thing I'm trying to avoid is painting the exterior trim…'cause ain't nobody got time for that.
Alright, I gotta get back to work. I'll leave you with this wonderful piece of internet culture.
