Things I've Learned in Preparing to Move

Moving out of one's home and cleaning every single nook and cranny of our house has given me new insight into some things.

#1 Photos should be placed in albums on a regular basis, not left in a box until a move or emergency situation. I just finished 15 years of photo organizing. Uffda

#2 We have too many clothes. In trying to cram the next two years of my basic needs and wants into 4 suitcases each (our goal for the trip), I have decided I really don't need four different red short sleeved shirts.

#3 I've had to separate my possessions into piles: 1) Take along 2) Store for at least 2 years 3) Give to friends to "babysit" )(will they think my precious possession is just junk? 4) Too precious to risk losing in flight or being ripped off by a wayward airport employee 5) Throw. Going through this process has reinforced what David has said all along: we have too much STUFF.

#4 Does bringing a lot of stuff from your former life leave any room for new stuff from the future?

#5 (...and this is the most important) While all these possessions, clothing items, pictures, etc are carefully packed into 12 suitcases weighing under 50 pounds each, they still aren't what's important. I am bringing tangible items to remind me of the intangible. Except for the dogs and Ben, I will have everything I really need sitting next to me in the airplane and in my heart and soul.