I am moving. Nearly a thousand miles from AZ to Idaho. And it means yet another iteration of letting go.
If I were to be a bit dramatic, I could really get rid of almost everything. Two plates, two bowls and some silverware, along with my favorite cooking items, would suffice. After several years on the road and moving, my material needs have diminished considerably.
But.
What would I do with all my old maps? I have a collection of rare maps that starts in the late 1500’s and follows American history through the revolution into the exploration of the American west in the 1800’s.
I may only need 2 plates and two bowls, but I have a plethora of French and Italian plates that are simply beautiful. I love using them and sharing them.
My wonderful collection of quirky sweaters and wraps are not going to Goodwill! Some have stories; one is a special hand me down from a special friend. Some are a bit odd (I prefer to think of them as “arty”), but so am I.
And my books. I am a book person. I was that little girl that road her bike to the library, took out 6 books and returned them-read-before the due date. My books are a combination of cartography, history, food and travel, with a sprinkling of science fiction. They are me.
Somewhere in between this tug and pull of materialism vs minimalism is an answer. (I probably need to re-listen to my podcast on Duality!)
Do we regret the things we’ve accumulated? Does less leave us more free?
“Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.” –Tom Robbins, 1936
Holding on. Letting go. Moving on. Where does your life need some right sizing?