Minimalist Travel Tips that I Struggle to Follow

It's almost time for Santa's overnight trip distributing presents to all those well-behaved children across the land!  It gives me pause when I think about the logistics - does he pack his OWN bag?  Does he go through customs?  Is he Team Carry-On or Team Checked Bag, given how burdensome that large sack is to tote around?   What's in his personal item? Beard oil and a nice protein bar?  Reindeer treats in case they get peckish? So many questions...

While I ponder all of Santa's issues with international travel, I have been reading a multitude of blogs/articles on how to pack like a minimalist.  Full disclosure here - not a big part of my skill set.  I can, however, Tetris just about anything in to a suitcase.  The minimalist husband still lays out clothes for me to fold and pack before he goes on a work trip.  I am great at rolling, packing cube-ing, and weight-estimating for the 50 pound limit. 

What I am not great at, is not bringing everything I own.  

When I am at home, I feel freedom in purging the "just in case" items and following my "< $20 dollars 20 minutes from home "rule. Travel, unfortunately, is a different issue.  My above-mentioned packing skills just encourage me to cram in all 5 of those french horns.  

I have tried to pack like a minimalist, as Courtney Carver suggests here.  I like being Team Carry On because as mentioned in previous blogs, have a simmering anxiety related to lost items in travel.  But I hate deciding what jacket/bag/shoes will be suit me when I arrive at my destination.  And the weather?  What will it be?  Am I dressed for a hurricane? 

I am not a big souvenir buyer, so I don't intentionally leave room for more stuff on the return trip.  I do plan for every potential en route disaster, so I always have these in my personal item: extra underwear and a shirt, contacts for several days, toothbrush and a few toiletries, and all chargers.  Should my luggage take a trip without me, I can at least survive with whatever else the local apothecary may have until we're reunited.   

Here are Courtney's tips I am going to try during my holiday travel this year.  Let me know if you have your own tips and what works for your minimalist life! 

• travel day uniform - comfy black leggings, a travel scarf/wrap, and a short sleeved shirt.  
• roll those clothes in the suitcase
• two pair of shoes - one for walking, one for looking cute
• just in case means never (goodbye french horns)

Happy holidays minimalist friends, and may your burden be light in your travels!

Pre-Christmas Purge-a-thon

It's that time again - the time of year that always spurs me to write about how I am NOT the minimalist I claim to be.  The turn-myself-in confession happens when I open up the store room door to discover I have WAY too much Christmas stuff.  Again.  

What defines too much?  

Your mileage may vary.  I can't quantify your too much against my too much.  The litmus test for me was "Have I used this in the last 2 years?"  For example, I unwrapped some Santas that had been living in my storage space since my early twenties when I moved out on my own after college.   The newspaper I wrapped them in was dated 10 years ago.  I typically recycle the paper every year when I unwrap, so that means I haven't decorated with them in a DECADE.  

 
Clearly not a meaningful part of my Christmas stash. 

The other question I ask myself is "Will the husband/kids want this when I am dead?"  I understand this question seems morbid or downright gruesome to some, but it's a fair question.  At some point, a holiday will roll around and one of us won't be here.  What part of our family's traditional decor will the survivor want to display or hand down to the kids?  I gave this some hard thought this year. 

I asked the kids "Do you care about this? Does it have meaning to you around the holidays?"  As my children are familiar with my no-subtext answer expectations they are pretty good about giving me an honest response.  If they care, it stays.  If they are indifferent or definitely don't care, it got repurposed. 

 
This year, some of my overstock went to a family whose special needs child loves collecting certain Christmas baubles.  Some went to a friend starting a nutcracker collection.  And some just went to the donation box, and I am hopeful it found a place in someone's Christmas story.  

As is typical for me, I'll sort through it in January and careful pack away what the integral parts of Christmas for us.  As I have gotten older, I seem to really enjoy all the OTHER Christmas decorations in the world: stores that really decorate to the nines, traveling to see other cities' light displays, and driving through neighborhoods to admire streets full of color.  There is ZERO clutter in admiring decor outside your home.  Try it - you'll thank yourself in December next year! 

I would also suggest having those hard conversations with yourself and your family.  Look at what REALLY matters to you and them, and make cuts accordingly.  The memories aren't taking up space.  

Merry Christmas and Happy December!

The Pandemic Minimized my Minimalism

 Since I was young, I have always enjoyed a spring/fall/winter/whenever cleaning.  I think my mother taught me the joys of tidying up (way before Marie Kondo) and getting rid of what no longer serves.  Although my brain stresses over what actually happens to all that stuff we "take to Goodwill" or drop in those bins near the grocery store,  I keep trying to find homes for the things I don't use/want.

Then, it was 2020, and I was stuck at home.  

Like many of us during the pandemic, I cleaned out closets, binged on The Home Edit and edited all my crap, and re-evaluated my life as I pondered where said pandemic might lead us.  It gave me, and I suspect many others, a chance to decide what exactly were we going to do with all this stuff we had accumulated over years of leaving the house and bringing thing back in.  

Amazon has also made it insanely easy to acquire more stuff.  New hobby?  Cool!  Amazon can bring me all the rug-hooking supplies I could possibly need!  Want to do some home improvement?  Free Prime delivery for that ratchet set and how-to book.   Even though I was sending out stuff that I didn't need, I had convinced myself there was still much to acquire that I DID need.  

This is a hard habit to break.  

I'd like to assign blame to Amazon, Covid-19,  and outside temperatures above 100F, but the truth is it's me. Hi. I'm the problem, it's me.  

My journal prompt has sometimes been "do I have to many hobbies?".  At middle age, I feel it's important to learn new things, TRY new things even if they don't stick, and maybe get a new hobby.  In the words of my musician son, consuming media is NOT a hobby.  This means endless Tiktok scrolling, Netflix binging and CNN/Fox/TMZ consumption don't count as a hobby.   So I do try stuff.  

Often the things I try come with accessories.  Maybe I have some latent Barbie fantasy where I get all the cool stuff to go with my dreamhouse  - collect them all! Not all my hobbies stick around.  I try things and then get distracted, wander off, or decide it just doesn't interest me anymore.  At my age, I am forgiving of myself for this because although I read about plenty of adults who write their first novel/paint/become president after their Medicare kicks in, I don't care if I lose interest and don't win a Pulitzer.  

What I do beat myself up over is when I purchase the Barbie-level cache of accoutrements to complement my latest interest.  Again, Amazon is my accomplice.  It was much more difficult to pick up sewing as a hobby when I had to drive to the store and wonder what kind of thread to buy or should I even try a pillow pattern?  Thanks to Uncle Jeff as we call him at our house, I can browse the needles and thread at all hours and see it at my door so speedy!

I do have an actual job, which doesn't always allow me tons of time to participate in my interests.  If I put a hobby aside, I think to myself well shit - did I over buy on pickleballs?  I need to reserve a court!  I need to finish my private pilot hours! And really - I need to grade papers so I don't get fired! 

If I were giving myself advice (which I would probably ignore), I would say, don't sweat it.  If your supplies no longer serve you, find them a new home.  Or pick it back up after a hiatus when you were busy with other things. I often have angst over the amount of money I spent on a thing, and THAT is why is gets to hang around the ranch.  Because somehow its cost justifies its presence?  Silly me, no.  I will commit to continuing to cull the herd of extra stuff and send on supplies that no long have a place in my life.  Surely someone can use my beekeeping helmet I bought in summer 2020, right?  

Hobby on, minimalist friends!

Minimize Those Memories!

 It's the scorching days of summer here in the south.  Melting sidewalks make it a challenge to do anything aside from rush from one air-conditioned place to another.   I get periodic bursts of energy when I am well hydrated to do some herd-culling around the ranch (not literally culling the herd - although we do have a bunch of new calves out here milling around!). 

Boy #2 is the musician and sound aficionado, and he recently chastised me for hanging on to VHS tapes of our wedding video that have NO digital copy anywhere.   "These aren't going to last forever, you know!  You don't even have a VHS player anymore!"  Both true statements.  

Don't let this picture fool you.  The iconic 1994 extravaganza joining the Mayor and me in holiest of matrimonies did not end up in the recycle bin.    I finally decided to trust the United Parcel Service with my irreplaceable memories (the leapingest leap of faith ever because lately ol' Brown has been garbage in my opinion), and I shipped off the video. 

I found a coupon from Legacy Box  and decided to give it a try.  The risk here was low, as I have multiple VHS copies of said video because each set of parents has died and passed on their copies to me.  So if UPS did me dirty, at least I had another chance.  

The kind souls at Legacy Box send multiple emails with your specific code on them to assure you that they do, in fact, still have your media in a secure fireproof, flood-proof, terrorist-proof location and will care for it as if it were their great-grandmother's original document of the Declaration of Independence.   The lag time varies from 2-10 weeks, depending on your sense of urgency and/or willingness to part with your money.  We've been married for decades, so a few weeks didn't matter to me to cough up extra cash. 

After a few weeks, an email arrives with a digital download link and presto!  My wedding was online.  The quality is at the mercy of the original media quality (so sayeth my son whose career goal is as a sound archivist for national archives), so this is definitely not 8K wedding memories.  But it's preserved for eternity.  They even send you a thumb drive or DVD should you request.

How minimal is this??  I got excited and shipped off the children's births on 8 mm, so we'll see if that turns out and doesn't look like the Blair Witch Project Version 1996.  I am grateful this service exists, as I have far too many types of media I can't even view anymore.  

Of note, my audio archivist child commented that I should not toss the originals, as technology progresses and the reproductive quality may be improved in the future.  I am undecided about whether they will, in fact, end up in the aforementioned recycle bin as they take up a lot of space.  It is reassuring to know that if the tapes are a melted soup of pixels, I still have the cloud to refer to.  

This is a drop in the bucket for most of us in terms of the volume of photos, videos, and albums we probably have in storage or in closets.  It's a start, however, and a great way to preserve and enjoy those memories.  Plus, show the kids we were cool back then and here is video proof!  Happy Archiving! 

*P.S. I am receiving NO kickbacks from Legacy Box - this mention is merely a service to you, minimalist friends, to aid you in your minimizing!

What's in My Minimalist Travel Bag?

It's almost summer travel time! This means my annual struggle to bring ONLY what's necessary with me on my travels so I don't resemble a pack mule descending to the base of the Grand Canyon.   

I enjoy fairly regular travel, some for work (mine or husband's), but mostly because it was what I planned to spend my money on once the college funds were accumulated and the kids were dispersed.  Although I am not regarded by ANYone as an influencer, I have curated my carry-on bag well, and I thought I would share its contents with my minimalist readers if you were considering your own checklist! 

I'll include links if they apply, but please note Amazon does not care if I influence anyone, so I get no benefit from sharing the click spots.  I also travel weekly for my job, so I keep some items packed all the time which are duplicates of my home stash.  This mitigates Walmart trips at midnight because I have no mascara.   

Here goes: 

THE BAG

Despite my attempts to minimize the inventory in this department, I have failed.  I love bags.  My offspring love bags.  My sister loves bags.  It's definitely a genetic marker for us.  I *think* I have found an almost perfect one for carry on travel.  To clarify, this is NOT my suitcase; it's just my personal item.  I am mostly Team Carry On, but more on that later.  

This Lululemon one has served me well.  It has pockets that are easy to access, and it doubles as a gym bag if you're a commuter heading to gym after work.  I like the handles because they are long enough for a shoulder bag but easy to pick up and carry in hand if you like.  I don't love bags with two sets of handles (short and long) because ONE of them is always in the way.  Please note - I always recommend checking to get American Advantage shopping for these pricier purchases because: miles!

COMFORT 

Depending on how far your plane trip is or if you have a dreaded layover, your items may differ. I personally HATE a layover, because I have a wake-up-at-night fear of baggage loss (I'll discuss how to avoid this shortly).  

I don't use those bulky neck pillows because a) who wants to strap that on their carry on throughout the airport and b) super UNcomfortable to look like an infant in a car seat with that contraption.  This travel blanket is the best!  It can be a scarf, a blanket if the plane is cold, folded up as pillow, or cover your legs if you made a firm decision about shorts and your baggage went to the arctic.  It packs super tiny and comes in several colors.

I keep a small pouch inside my bag with individually wrapped handiwipes (so wasteful packaging, I know, but they stay moistened and don't spill like hand sanitizer!), Burt's Bees lip balm, a few bandaids, ibuprofen, and a travel mascara.  

To ward off evil travel spirits, I pack two pair of underwear, extra socks, and a dri-fit shirt that can be washed in the sink if necessary. One never knows when one's bags take a trip without them... The Lululemon bag has a special pocket labeled "unmentionables"!

I use a wide mouth water bottle that tucks in the side of my bag so I can refill as needed.  I like the big opening for dumping water enhancer packets because the packets don't spill as easily.  

TECH

I finally took the plunge into Bluetooth noise reduction headphones.  I am a fan of my airpods because they fit anywhere and connect seamlessly.  Once you block out the deafening airplane noise and the toddler behind you, there is no going back.  These have worked well and won't chew into your travel funds.  I chose wired for connection simplicity here, but they have a Bluetooth adapter.  You can spend anything you want on headphones, but I like these for cost and function.  

You'll need to have your chargers and cables ready.  I used to pack mine in a case that held all the bricks/cables/connectors, but the case is bulky in my carry on (I still use that for commuter car travel because I don't have to hunt for the right ones before frequent departures).  Now, I just have them securely in my bag but easily accessible.  I always have a charging brick with me in case I am stuck in the airport or can't reach the one on the plane easily.  I am not a doomsayer, but recent FBI warnings about hacking via airport charging stations keeps me away from those plugs.   

I avoid taking my laptop unless it's a work trip, or I have to grade papers during my stay.  Otherwise, I use just my iPad for browsing, movies on the flight, and the Kindle app. I love me a podcast (have you listened to mine??), so I load those up on my iPad before I leave so I am not chewing up battery juice or wifi needs.  A tablet is a better option as it's lighter and easy to pop open in flight without the tray table access.  

You absolutely CANNOT fly without an Airtag (or its equivalent for Android users, which I know nothing about).  Especially if you are Team Checked Bag, you have to use these little dreamboats to keep track of your stuff.  There are a ton of stories online about people finding their lost luggage ONLY because they could track it with an Airtag.   I can vouch that opening up your phone on arrival and seeing your luggage in the same location as yours is a relief unmatched.  DO IT.  

TEAM CARRY ON OR TEAM CHECK BAG? 

This divisive subject is legal grounds for separation in several states, I am sure.  As a minimalist, I should ALWAYS be Team Carry On, right?  Pack lightly, be free to make changes on the fly, and leave the french horns at home.  *Usually* I can do this.  

If I am flying without a connection, I have a little bit more confidence in checking a bag.  I have not had frequent lost baggage issues, but the paranoia/nightmares persist.  My travel partner husband HATES lugging luggage through airports/travel lounges/bathroom stalls and will nearly always check a bag.  Enjoy tracking with your Airtag, Sir.  Me and my french horns are staying right here.  

I have one tidy little rolly bag that I adore and don't want to see get banged up by a baggage handler, so it stays with me in the overhead.  I waited a long time to invest in this one, and I would hold it in my arms throughout the flight if they would let me.  

I hope you have a wonderful summer full of travel both near and far.  I refuse to let the irritants of airplane travel keep me from my destinations.  Perhaps some of these suggestions will make your life better as you traverse the globe!

Bon Voyage!

Too Many Flowers in My Attic

Happy 2023!  Every year I am excited to turn the page and join the crowd in embracing a fresh start.   I will probably feel the same until I am reduced to a pile of dust (hopefully not cluttering up my sons' living rooms).  

This year, I decided to use my break between academic semesters to purge some of the evil that has been living in my attics (yes, plural) since we moved to the house in 2007.  Let me preface with some clutter backstory:  in 2005, we packed up our kids and dog and moved to a rent house in Saginaw.  We began plans to build our house on the ranch, and we rented a smaller house less than a mile from our property while the new house was constructed.  Because the rental was fairly compact and I was still a Gen X'er with too much crap, I procured a storage room to hold what didn't fit in the rental.  

Fast forward two years, and the build was complete.  Joyfully, I amoeba'd my stuff into the new house, filling up all the spaces with our belongings from the rental and storage.  Some of the storage boxes I had forgotten about, their contents now a permanent mystery.  So, they went to live in the attic.  I have a pretty roomy attic, with one over the garage and another in the house where the HVAC lives.  You can see where this is going...

As the kids grew, so did their stuff.  When they OUTgrew toys, clothes, school papers, I boxed the stuff up in plastic tubs and sent it to its eternal resting place up the attic stairs.  When minimalism began its siren song for me, I culled the herd of stuff in my view,  purged the cabinets and closets, and proudly claimed my minimalist card.  Oops. I forgot about the attic.  

Fast forward to my parents' deaths.  When your parents die, and you're forced to reckon with all THEIR belongings, some of which trigger your childhood memories, you really begin to rethink the need to keep EVERYthing.  Now you have their stuff AND your stuff.  Tossing their memories seems a sacrilege early in the grieving process.  You aren't ready.  Plus they had some of your own memories in their cache.  So, it goes in your attic.  At least, it went in mine.  

Jump ahead to empty nest time.  The kids are grown and flown.  They have places of their own where their stuff lives.  They have taken what means most to them, and they are probably fairly spartan given their current incomes and lifestyles.  You are left with their surplus.  Plus your parents stuff in the attic that you kept.  Oh, and don't forget all the stuff from your storage room you put up there two decades ago.  

It's a wonder I didn't just walk away and let the bank have it all!

But I didn't, and I set a (very) lofty goal of getting these attics cleaned out.  As we sit in the first week of 2023, I would say I met about 2/3 of this goal.  The Mayor and College Boy helped me clamber over rafters and bring down box after box, getting them to where I could survey and inventory contents.  It was a walk down memory lane, to say the least.  Many trash bags and donation piles were made. 

The truest of true confessions here: I rented a storage room again.  Now, it's not what you think (please don't delete my blog forever after reading that!): I really wanted a space to stack and organize what remained without sacrificing my parking space for Hildy, my not-yet-paid-for BMW.  Plus my barn cats consider all my stuff their toys/litter box, so we weren't having THAT.   A storage space is not my permanent solution; it is the best temporary one.  I will put the contents back on the ranch in 2023, I promise!  

My OCD self is pleased with the current state.  It was time to assess and settle up my memories.  I reminded myself countless times of my mantra: Things only have the meaning we assign them.  They have no intrinsic value.  It definitely aided me in my decision making (toss/keep/donate).

You may not have an attic or garage full.  You may still have your parents and your kids.  Regardless of your current life cycle position, you probably can take a look inside the closet and consider a more minimalist outlook.  I am glad I went back to the beginning to spend my break doing just that!

Have a wonderful new start tp the year, minimalist friends!

(PS the title of today's blog is an homage to one of my favorite books in childhood, Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews!)