In early April 2022, we left the US and our home of twenty-plus years, having given away nearly everything we owned. We’re retired now, one of us early, travelling the world slowly. For us, that means staying in different destinations for two or three months at a time. “We’re off” means that, well, we’ve left now. But also, it’s an acknowledgement to everyone who thinks we must be mad to take on such a journey into the unknown, with no end in sight. You could very well be right – but we’re having the time of our lives!
Just before we left, we were living in a two-bedroom apartment, having shed the majority of our belongings eight years before. And we’d also left one or two larger items with family. But we still had the usual: bed, dining room table, sofa, a car, LOTS of books… So we invited people to Come Take Our Stuff Day in March. It happened to coincide with our seventeenth wedding anniversary, so things were very jolly. People really came through, particularly those who had just bought a first home and those who were helping refugees and others just starting out. In fact, we had planned on having a local charity pick up the leftovers, but there was not much left over. Two weeks and several exciting trips to the dump, Goodwill, and the U-Haul store later, we were ready to go!
The Journey Begins
Only one hour later than we had hoped, thanks to a couple of last work meetings (!?!)?, we left with this, shown both condensed into our rented SUV and expanded on a living room floor:
While this felt a pretty impressive accomplishment, it was still more than we wanted for our carefree new life. Lots remained to be sorted/given away/stored with generous relations. (We are grateful to them all, especially for keeping the books we couldn’t part with. Though we did sell nearly two hundred boxes of them!)
And here is what we ended up with, first in all its glory, and then in final, compact form.
You’ll notice two large suitcases, one a going-away present from Laurel’s office (thanks again, guys!). We are not backpackers, though one of us once was, and here is the proof. Because we’ll only be moving a few times a year, we were willing to sacrifice the ease of carrying everything on our backs for the luxury of having more things. And this felt like a good choice even as we bumped across the Oxford cobblestones on our first morning here. What have we got in the pic-a-nic baskets? Good question, and one we get a lot. We’ve written about our travel wardrobe, our kitchen basics, and our tech.
2023 UPDATE: We’ve downsized further, disposing of some things (mostly clothes) in Stockholm and others, including the blue suitcase, in Istanbul. (And then we had to buy a new suitcase, again, in Lisbon, just a few months later.)
2024 UPDATE: We’re going carry-on! We’ll be moving around a lot in the next few months, all in warm weather, so we’re getting rid of our jackets and boots. Also that yoga mat we had such high hopes for…
And so, we’re off!
Bravissimi John e Laurel,
È proprio così: sembra difficile separarsi dagli oggetti, in particolare da quelli più cari, magari legati a certi ricordi, e poi si scopre che senza “cose” si diventa più … leggeri! Leggo solo oggi dell’inizio della vostra meravigliosa avventura, ma seguirò con piacere i percorsi e le tappe. Complimenti e mille auguri per le esperienze che vi attendono.
Will enjoy seeing the world through your eyes. Most impressed with how you got rid of the “stuff”. Sitting here thinking how I don’t need any of this crap by which I am surrounded. Miss you.
Stuff is, well, tuff. There’s a quasi-Buddhist notion that we are tied to our things by invisible threads. Sometimes you feel them pulling on you more than others. We had a practice run in 2014 when we thought we were moving to another country, and it turns out we did not regret much of what we gave away then. Which made this much easier. Plus it is fun to see (or imagine) other people enjoying things you used to own.
Wish you the very best. Love the name “Meandering Minimalists”. (But why am I reading your posts when I have tons of grading to do and lots of abstracts to read?)
Thank you! The name took forever to come up with, seriously. Happy to serve as respite from the grading.
1. Y’all cute.
2. Keep making the most of life. I’ll be following!
Hi April, and thanks for writing! We are not naturally cute – we have to work pretty hard at it (as you will see from a post later this week). But thanks for noticing our efforts.
nah, you are very cute. but if you think you’re going to make money out of this, you are much mistaken.
Actually, Jeff Tatum tells us that if every one of you who subscribes gives us $100k, we will make some good money. He’s pretty slick, so we think he must be right…
Laurel,
So very happy for both of you to have this great experience. I will miss seeing you around campus, visiting over the occasional lunch, and sharing thoughts on University life. Wishing you only happiness and much enjoyment!
Thanks for writing Michael, and stay in touch!
John & Laurel,
So glad knowing that you have started your extended travel adventure. We look forward to being kept up to date on your travels and experiences. It is fortunate that you have left Florida as, knowing your new surname (Fulkerola), DeSantis would likely make it illegal for you to repeat it in his state.
Cheers,
Michael & Debbie
Thanks for writing, Michael – and come visit! (Our itinerary is on the right sidebar, part of the way down…)
So impressed Laurel and John. And particularly impressed that you’re documenting and sharing the experience with us. Let me know when you’ll be in Berlin. Laurel, please remember: in case you need work along the way: Friseur – ein Beruf mit Zukunft!
Thanks for writing, Michelle, and (Laurel here) I often think of that sign in the U-Bahn, wondering how I got so far off my hairdressing career track. See you in Deutschland!
Dear John and Laurel,
I am really impressed with you guys. Way to go. I am sure you have many adventures ahead. If you come to visit us here in the Netherlands, take the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. We will pick you up!
Warm regards,
Grant
Hi Grant, and thanks for writing! We are planning to tour around the northland while we’re in Norway, so we’ll be in touch!
Hi, Laurel:
Been a long time! This sounds like a great adventure. The closest we ever came to this was a series of one-month road trips to see all 48 states in CONUS. But we didn’t get rid of anything; my sister took care of the house while we were away.
Thanks for the heads up via email. It will be interesting to follow along.
Hi Robin and thanks for following! We remember your grand road trip, which as a matter of fact was an inspiration to us. Thanks too for not making fun of our amateur photography!
Wow! Best of luck to you both for a wonderful new adventure. Looking forward to catching up in Oxford or London.
Thanks Armand, and sounds great!
I want to know what you will agree to acquire as you roam about? I know you will have incredible adventures, people and places to meet. Any mementos to keep?
Hi Jeff and thanks for writing! This is a hard question as we, like everybody else, love a good souvenir. In the past we have aimed to buy local handicrafts where we can. (And these are some of the very few things we’ve kept.) At this point, we’re hoping to stick only to the necessities – but those can be souvenirs too, like Laurel’s new Marks and Spencer raincoat! Stay tuned for more on what we have with us…