What did you shed along the way?

[sleepydogtravels]

What are your examples of a variety of unneeded gear, beliefs, worries, etc, that this journey has freed you from?

I'm only in the planning stage, but already I've left behind giant bath towels that took too much space, the idea that I have to work a regular 40 hr job, and stress over rent and utility bills

 

[Cammalu]

The never ending task of taking care of a house and acreage and rentals. Unfortunately I still worry about my niece taking care of it properly.

 

[MrNoodly]

I started out with three large bins under the bed. But about twice a year I'd go through things and get rid of what I hadn't been using. The three bins became two, then one and a half. Now it's two half-height bins.

I used to have a big-ass 7-gallon water container, but it was unwieldy, so I switched to four 1-gallon jugs. Now I have just two jugs because I have plenty of opportunities to refill.

I used to have two dozen pairs of socks, but the dryer took some of them and I discovered I'm fine going without socks anyway.

But, of course, there was the mountain of mental baggage I've been able to shed.

 

[crofter]

Worry about rent was the biggest thing I left behind. Also changed my mindset about possessions and took on minimalist goals, very difficult but rewarding to achieve. I have increased my dependence on electronics while getting rid of books and printed media; I was hoping to decrease my dependency on using electronics so much.     ~crofter

 

[sushidog]

I had 3 large boxes of family photos under the bed and in the MH bay, many in frames with glass - heavy stuff, maybe 50 lbs each. I scanned them all, (doing photo restoration and touch-ups to the older ones) into 2 folders, one for my family and one for my DWs family. I gave the originals to family that wanted them and the rest went in the trash. Now I have vivid memories that won't decompose and will withstand the ravages of time yet weigh nothing at all.

Chip

 

[sleepydogtravels]

I was hoping to decrease my dependency on using electronics so much.     ~crofter

My thought is as long as I make a pact with myself to use it responsibly, then I'm still sticking by a great choice. Think of all the random other devices it can replace and combine: phone, address book, books, clock, thermometer, flashlight, etc. I've saved so much space and energy. Maybe think of it as a useful, compact multitool?

 

[crofter]

 Maybe think of it as a useful, compact multitool?

Good idea. I feel so much better now about the electronics dependence. Now to get even more into electric systems by installing big solar on the van so I can have a 12v freezer.    ~crofter

 

[travelaround]

I've shed my rose colored glasses about #vanlife being a life of ease and relaxation. Seems like I've done everything wrong at least once. There has been a learning curve.

 

[crofter]

#vanlife being a life of ease and relaxation. 

It's funny how many people think that. Going into van dwelling you are trading your automated house where you push a bunch of buttons to accomplish tasks, for a simple life in a small space, where you perform most tasks manually. Van dwelling has given me an energy that I did not feel in S&B, like I am free, finally free, and alot of anxiety about transitioning to retirement is just gone. I still have hassles from Social Security, and may wind up working until I am 100 years old, but I feel free of the rat race.   ~crofter

 

[Stargazer]

I shed a bunch of other people's expectations of me. The perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect daughter. What a load off!! Now I am just the imperfect me and like myself a whole lot more.

 

[Larry-new]

There needs to be a section for emotional baggage shed, and prior to getting there, I'm sure that noone came here lightly without a hell of a story to accompany their journeys.

Hardware's one thing, but our stories come with us and may need an outlet....a virtual campfire, if you will.

 

[SheketEchad]

I'm only a part-timer, so...less than a grain of salt's worth here.

The limited choices brought about within a small space really feels like it frees my mind up. It allows for a lot of free thinking time for me, something I have a difficult time doing when I am in my S&B and there are so many tasks that need doing and a lot of house that needs upkeep.

But I have to be careful I don't forget about things like paying the bills and renewing tags and paying taxes and stuff, lol. Out in nature, all of that just falls away, particularly if I am near water.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’m a part timer, too, about half-to-three-quarters time, depending on the year.

We tended to carry lots of “just in case” items in the beginning, most of which I no longer carry.

The basics, a small pantry of shelf stable foods, and off I go.

 

[1shemp]

Best thing I've shed was my ridiculous religious indoctrination.

 

[Larry-new]

I'm a solo part timer because I want to be. That said, it's less than easy to pick up and go for six months, and expect something to be there when I get back.

Shedding involved one toxic gf I was trusting enough to put on the house deed and subsequently had to buy off, and a thousand minor issues. Finding a housesitter was a huge help.

After this winter, if the housesitter stays on, I'd be free for summer travels, shorter and scheduled around my amateur music schedules. Winter, and I'm gone...twenty years of snowplowing have been enough.

I don't bow to deities, and don't see full timing as worshipful, just another choice, but possibly a really liberating one. After a desert winter, there will be a basis of comparison.

 

[sleepydogtravels]

Larry, what kind of music?

 

[user 423]

I'm FT in my van and haven't watched TV since April. Well, except for a few times I've stayed in motels.

I know I can get a TV stick for my laptop but I really don't miss watching.

90% is crap anyway and a waste of time. I'd prefer to waste time in different ways...

 

[Larry-new]

Larry, what kind of music?

Nothin' special...just a community trumpet/fluegel player. The concertina, mouth harp, recorder, and uke are for me.

 

[Lowdesertpatrol]

Slight embarrassment filling my water tank from a spigot in the middle of a parking lot. And many other things that go with this. Changing my oil in a parking lot. Showering in my van in a parking lot, etc.

Striking up conversations with strangers after periods of total isolation.

Worrying about money and dealing with a full time job. Took me 3-6 months to start deprogramming from the notion of having to be somewhere at a certain time.

I got rid of my bucket. It was for laundry and poop bags. (I have a recirculating toilet but ibuse bags anyway). Thoroughly happy with industrial washing machines a few times a month at laundromats and I dropped my small propane grill in my cargo box making room for garbage storage.

If/when I get money Im dropping lead acid batteries for lithium and losing the generator needed for them. Shaving 150lbs and saving a bunch of space.

Dropped the idea that summer is prime time and I didnt want to waste it working. Summer is least favorate season and now dont mind workcamping. Because the areas for summer weather are remote, often difficult to get to, hard to get internet and if you do hard to get privacy.

Dropped the idea that I need spectacular views or awesome places as much as possible in general. Those are people draw places and are long since over commercialized.

Dropped small welder. Needed a bit but too hard to power out here.

Dropped coleman oven for a small electric toaster oven i can store items in while in motion.

I brought stuff not because I needed it, but I didnt want to throw it out. I go through that and pick a few items every few months.

Storage cases. For example my little floor jacks case. Just takes up room for no good reason.

 

[abnorm]

.......................I got rid of my bucket. It was for laundry and poop bags. (I have a recirculating toilet but ibuse bags anyway)………………………..

RECICIRCULATING...………………...Ewwwwwww…..Once is enough for me...…...