Comments on: Declutter: All We Need To Be Happy Fits in a Backpack http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/ Planning, preparing and packing for a round-the-world trip Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:23:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Tango Lucy http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-948 Tango Lucy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:13 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-948 This sounds all too familiar. My Achilles heel of organization is junk mail and papers. Now I won't even let myself bring it into the house. We have a mail room in our apartment complex and I throw it away right when I get it! Another tip I have is carrying around a basket when you are cleaning your house, and putting the out of place things into it so you can easily carry them to the right place. Thanks for the article! This sounds all too familiar. My Achilles heel of organization is junk mail and papers. Now I won’t even let myself bring it into the house. We have a mail room in our apartment complex and I throw it away right when I get it! Another tip I have is carrying around a basket when you are cleaning your house, and putting the out of place things into it so you can easily carry them to the right place. Thanks for the article!

]]> By: @GotPassport http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-413 @GotPassport Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:42:01 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-413 Daniel and Kathryn: Love this! We are in the process of going through the very same thing: Decluttering! At least we are, mentally, at the moment. Feels so overwhelming. After being away for nearly 90 days as a family, with two suitcases in Asia and everything we need in a Honda Fit during our month long road trip, my suspicion was confirmed, we have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF! It's a huge challenge for the three of us, but a must do to FREE ourselves! Glad I read this! Daniel and Kathryn: Love this! We are in the process of going through the very same thing: Decluttering! At least we are, mentally, at the moment. Feels so overwhelming. After being away for nearly 90 days as a family, with two suitcases in Asia and everything we need in a Honda Fit during our month long road trip, my suspicion was confirmed, we have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF! It’s a huge challenge for the three of us, but a must do to FREE ourselves! Glad I read this!

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-368 Kathryn Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:39:14 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-368 When I have packed my 60L pack (usually it is stuffed) I don't end up wearing all the clothes I pack. However, I think men have a much easier time packing. There are many things that women need that men don't. These things take up so much room! When I have packed my 60L pack (usually it is stuffed) I don’t end up wearing all the clothes I pack. However, I think men have a much easier time packing. There are many things that women need that men don’t. These things take up so much room!

]]> By: Cheap Traveler http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-361 Cheap Traveler Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:33:23 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-361 It also makes a big difference if you figure out what does more than one thing and what is just a very narrow, single-use item. This helps you live more simply at home and it is essential thinking when packing up a backpack for a long trip. You can see lots of double-duty items reviewed regularly on the Practical Travel Gear blog: http://practicaltravelgear.com It also makes a big difference if you figure out what does more than one thing and what is just a very narrow, single-use item. This helps you live more simply at home and it is essential thinking when packing up a backpack for a long trip. You can see lots of double-duty items reviewed regularly on the Practical Travel Gear blog:
http://practicaltravelgear.com

]]> By: Anil http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-352 Anil Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:29:05 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-352 It's hard to let go of things, to sell them or trash them. It helps to have someone to 'reality check' the things you say you "need". My wife is a good dose of practicality :) and it goes both ways! It’s hard to let go of things, to sell them or trash them. It helps to have someone to ‘reality check’ the things you say you “need”. My wife is a good dose of practicality :) and it goes both ways!

]]> By: Danny http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-339 Danny Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:25:05 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-339 Great advice but I have to say that a 65L pack plus a front pack is still too much to travel comfortably. Everything of mine fits into 55L and that is still too big a pack for me (I have about 40L worth of things). Aside from the strain on the back, having fewer things really does make life easier. We make so many decisions every day while travelling it is wonderful when we are forced to choose the only clean shirt to wear and don't have to decide what to wear. Great advice but I have to say that a 65L pack plus a front pack is still too much to travel comfortably. Everything of mine fits into 55L and that is still too big a pack for me (I have about 40L worth of things).

Aside from the strain on the back, having fewer things really does make life easier. We make so many decisions every day while travelling it is wonderful when we are forced to choose the only clean shirt to wear and don’t have to decide what to wear.

]]> By: Traveling The Blogosphere - August 2009 | Taking off Travel blog http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-335 Traveling The Blogosphere - August 2009 | Taking off Travel blog Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:37:24 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-335 [...] Daniel says All We Need To Be Happy Fits In A Backpack: Round-the-world travel is a great way to find out how much you truly need. In the past, Kathryn [...] [...] Daniel says All We Need To Be Happy Fits In A Backpack: Round-the-world travel is a great way to find out how much you truly need. In the past, Kathryn [...]

]]> By: Travel Trainers http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-334 Travel Trainers Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:55:38 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-334 Hi Daniel I totally know where you are coming from. 6 years ago my wife and I had 2 backpacks and were sharing a single bunk in a hostel. Now there is stuff everywhere! When I look around to see how much junk we collect when we stand still and go back to normality of everyday life, it at times comes depressing. There is something to be said for about having free space an uncluttered thoughts that travel gives you. Travel is the escape mechanism that frees a lot of things in life. Happy Travels Pops Hi Daniel
I totally know where you are coming from.
6 years ago my wife and I had 2 backpacks and were sharing a single bunk in a hostel. Now there is stuff everywhere!
When I look around to see how much junk we collect when we stand still and go back to normality of everyday life, it at times comes depressing.
There is something to be said for about having free space an uncluttered thoughts that travel gives you. Travel is the escape mechanism that frees a lot of things in life.
Happy Travels
Pops

]]> By: Daniel http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-333 Daniel Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:51:30 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-333 Kathryn—please don't throw out my old concert shirts, though. Love, your husband Daniel. Kathryn—please don’t throw out my old concert shirts, though. Love, your husband Daniel.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-332 Daniel Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:50:37 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-332 Hey John—it seems like we're occupying similar mental spaces! I like the notion of detox. In a sense that's what we're seeking through travel, as well—a mental detox. Hey John—it seems like we’re occupying similar mental spaces! I like the notion of detox. In a sense that’s what we’re seeking through travel, as well—a mental detox.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-331 Daniel Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:21:58 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-331 Concert Ts are sacred—I broke out a god-awful Tragically Hip concert T from the early 90s at their recent concert in Toronto. It sat at the bottom of my dresser for 15 years—and to there it will return! Concert Ts are sacred—I broke out a god-awful Tragically Hip concert T from the early 90s at their recent concert in Toronto. It sat at the bottom of my dresser for 15 years—and to there it will return!

]]> By: Dave and Deb http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-330 Dave and Deb Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:11:50 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-330 I hate clutter. I am always trying to get rid of things. Luckily for me, I don't have a huge attachment to anything and have no problem donating it if I haven't used it in a year. That's my rule. Problem is, sometimes I throw things out too soon and go why did I do that? But then after a little while I forget what it was in the first place. Dave has a bunch of concert T-shirts that he won't let me give away. He hasn't worn them in 10 years,but we keep them for sentimental purposes. One day I am going to make some art out of all of the logos and put it up on a wall. I hate clutter. I am always trying to get rid of things. Luckily for me, I don’t have a huge attachment to anything and have no problem donating it if I haven’t used it in a year. That’s my rule. Problem is, sometimes I throw things out too soon and go why did I do that? But then after a little while I forget what it was in the first place. Dave has a bunch of concert T-shirts that he won’t let me give away. He hasn’t worn them in 10 years,but we keep them for sentimental purposes. One day I am going to make some art out of all of the logos and put it up on a wall.

]]> By: John Bardos - JetSetCitizen http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-329 John Bardos - JetSetCitizen Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:30:49 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-329 Fantastic article! I am with Scribetrotter here. When I first left Canada to move to Japan, I came with only the possessions that I could take on the airplane. Everything else was useless to me. Then I bought a house in Japan and filled it with more junk and furniture than I care to admit. Now as I plan to leave again and embark on a more nomadic lifestyle, I need to start getting rid of stuff fast. It is incredibly liberating to know that I don't need, nor want to buy anything else. It is not about consumption anymore, it is detoxification from consumerism. My decluttering has already begun but I still have a ways to go. Fantastic article!

I am with Scribetrotter here. When I first left Canada to move to Japan, I came with only the possessions that I could take on the airplane. Everything else was useless to me.

Then I bought a house in Japan and filled it with more junk and furniture than I care to admit. Now as I plan to leave again and embark on a more nomadic lifestyle, I need to start getting rid of stuff fast.

It is incredibly liberating to know that I don’t need, nor want to buy anything else. It is not about consumption anymore, it is detoxification from consumerism.

My decluttering has already begun but I still have a ways to go.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-327 Kathryn Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:05:10 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-327 Next week we are going to begin our task of decluttering! I have to say, I am so excited! Despite the fact that we both don't buy very much, throw out a lot of stuff, and don't tend to keep anything we feel we don't need, we still have a ton of stuff to get rid of....I have no idea how this happens! I know we will both feel so much better once we get rid of this stuff! Next week we are going to begin our task of decluttering! I have to say, I am so excited! Despite the fact that we both don’t buy very much, throw out a lot of stuff, and don’t tend to keep anything we feel we don’t need, we still have a ton of stuff to get rid of….I have no idea how this happens! I know we will both feel so much better once we get rid of this stuff!

]]> By: Scribetrotter http://www.twortw.com/2009/08/10/declutter-all-we-need-to-be-happy-fits-in-a-backpack/comment-page-1/#comment-324 Scribetrotter Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:49:57 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=713#comment-324 I loved this piece! It sounded achingly familiar... For three years on the road I happily lived out of my backpack. I had a change of clothing, a few files (I was a writer after all), a laptop, a few cables (not much - this was the 1990s) and a book to read. That was it! Now I have a house, and each room has furniture. My clothes closet is a small room in itself and I have far more than I need or can use. What my own 'decluttering' taught me is that it is survivable. I can do it. If I have to, I can live with very little, almost with nothing, actually. And that knowledge is the little bit of freedom I can hang onto right now. Thanks for the well-timed reminder! I loved this piece! It sounded achingly familiar… For three years on the road I happily lived out of my backpack. I had a change of clothing, a few files (I was a writer after all), a laptop, a few cables (not much – this was the 1990s) and a book to read. That was it!

Now I have a house, and each room has furniture. My clothes closet is a small room in itself and I have far more than I need or can use.

What my own ‘decluttering’ taught me is that it is survivable. I can do it. If I have to, I can live with very little, almost with nothing, actually. And that knowledge is the little bit of freedom I can hang onto right now.

Thanks for the well-timed reminder!

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