Tips & Planning » Planning & Packing » Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier?
Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier?
We backpacked for 18 months (well ok 13 months with a 5 month stop in Penang if I'm to be truthful) living out of two suitcases, a daypack and a technology filled backpack. One suitcase for clothes and toiletries, one suitcase for school supplies, toys, inflatable mattresses for the kids, our medical kit and an extra pair of shoes each.
We were worried when we first started the trip as to how we'd handle living with so little. We were going from a house filled with things to just a few bags. Colin and I both liked buying new things, we enjoyed the feeling that came with new purchases but we knew once we were living out of packs that wasn't possible unless we were leaving things behind. The kids were used to having a room filled with toys at their beck and call. A trampoline and bikes whenever they wanted to burn off energy, a backyard with balls and a bedroom filled with books. We weren't rich, a lot of our furniture and toys were second hand ... but it was still ours.
It was one thing to say "oh we want to learn to live with less. All this consumerism and working long hours to afford things we don't really need just because TV ads are telling us we should have them or Jenny from next door has one is silly. We don't need this stuff to be happy". It's completely another thing to actually live with less. How the heck were we going to handle it?
Living with less was surprisingly easy.
The first month or two we felt the impulse to buy some new clothes and make small purchases of things like sunglasses and hats. Useful things of course, but still spending for the sake of spending. But as time went by things changed.
I realised I loved only having a few outfits to wear. When I had a wardrobe filled with clothes I felt like I never had anything to wear. Now it was as simple as whatever was clean and best suited to the occasion. A night out - wear my one nice dress. Visit a temple - wear something covering my arms and knees. A hot day trip - something cool.
We started questioning any purchase and learned to think twice about buying things just because we were having a crap week and wanted to feel better. The kids took to colouring and exploring the world around them rather than needing a huge array of toys.
Life became a lot simpler.
Then we had a house again
When we set up our house in Penang we brought all our things from Australia over. Yes we downsized first and did a major cull, but we still had A LOT of stuff.
Having our own things again felt wonderful. But are we happier for having them? I'm not sure.
Having our own space again after living so long in hostels ... that makes us happy. Having a spare room for friends to come stay in ... that makes us happy. Having a back yard to invite people over for a barbeque ... that makes us happy.
But the stuff inside the house? Not so much.
After living for so long without stuff and being perfectly happy it's given us some perspective on what's really important. If we were to look around our entire house filled with things we've accumulated and bought over the years, the only things that really make our life more enjoyable are:
- Our bed. Having a comfortable bed again after so long sleeping on backpacker and hotel mattresses ... yes that makes us happy.
- My books. Electronic book readers are fantastic, but they're just not the same as a real book.
- The trampoline. The kids barely look at their old toys but the trampoline will get a couple of hours use each day.
- The breadmaker. Fresh homemade bread, pizza bases, bread rolls ... yum!
- 21 inch monitors. Working on laptops is certainly a lot easier when you have a big screen monitor.
- Sporting equipment. Colin's enjoying having a squash racquet again and a ball to kick around with the kids. Noah loves having his bike, Hayley her scooter.
That's pretty much it. In an entire household of stuff that's what feels important to us.
The kids certainly enjoy having more than a handful of toys. When other kids come over to play it's wonderful. But when it's just us at home they still claim they are bored, ask for us to play with them and largely ignore their toys, just like they did when they only had a few toys each. If we were pack all our gear into storage again the only thing I think they would really miss is the trampoline. The rest .... meh.
It's also nice having more than 5 or 6 outfits to wear. But the funny thing is, the travel outfits are probably what we still wear the most. The majority of our wardrobe just sits there taking up space. Even shoes - we still tend to stick to the same two pairs of shoes we travelled with.
Have we learned to live with less?
If you saw our house you'd probably say no. We still have a lot of stuff. But we do realise now that stuff isn't what makes us happy and have learned to really question our purchases to make sure we're not accumulating stuff for no other reason than we want to buy something or think we might need it.
It's liberating to walk into a shopping centre and see a great sale or see an Ad on TV and be able to rationalise the impulse to spend. We also now really look forward to packing up our one or two bags and going travelling with just the essentials.
Life with a backpack is simpler and easier than you'd think. And it certainly helps you realise what you really do need in your life. You might realise you stuff is more important to you than travel. Or you might find a whole new way of living.
This post is part of a series of stories about living with less from other travelling families.
- Worldschool Adventures: Getting rid of stuff
- Family on Bikes: Enjoying life with less
- Break Out of Bushwick: Live with less - Lessons learned from downsizing
- Family Travel Bucket List: Living with Less and 5 Kids? Isn't that an oxymoron?
- Around the World in Easy Ways: Living with Less
- Carried on the Wind: Living with less
- Livin On The Road: Four Kids and Almost No Toys
- The Drop Out Diaries: Anchors Aweigh
- Discover Share Inspire: 1 Truck, 2 Continents, 7 People - How We Live With Only 321 Things
- New Life on the Road : Living With Less Stuff
- GotPassport: Less IS More: George Carlin Had A Point About All That *STUFF*
- Fullness of Life: Don't use it? Don't keep it!
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kempiniuko zaidimai on 30/11/2011 3:34pm
[...]Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? » Our Travel Lifestyle :: How one couple with two young children decided to change their lifestyle & travel the world[...]
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avalyne internetu on 31/12/2011 3:21am
[...]Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? » Our Travel Lifestyle :: How one couple with two young children decided to change their lifestyle & travel the world[...]
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China travel on 21/04/2012 4:16am
Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier?
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birthday party supplies on 25/04/2012 11:05am
Living with less: Does having all our gear again really make us happier?
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Who are we?
Family of four who decided to change their lifestyle & travel the world. Follow our adventures, hear about our mistakes and dream creating your own travel lifestyle
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06/09/2011 12:01pm (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle [...]
06/09/2011 12:02pm (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? [...]
06/09/2011 12:03pm (8 months ago)
[...] http://ourtravellifestyle.com/2011/09/06/living-with-less-does-having-all-our-gear-again-really-make... [...]
06/09/2011 12:03pm (8 months ago)
[...] Does Having All Our Gear Again Really Make Us Happier? by Our Travel Lifestyle [...]
06/09/2011 12:34pm (8 months ago)
So good to know that we are not the only family with kids who dont play with their toys! Our boys used to have so many toys, and yet they hardly ever played with them. Now they make up games to play.
Its fun watching them explore the world rather then sit inside and be bored.
I like how you enjoy Living With Less and you have worked out having all your gear is not what makes you happier - family and friends are!
I would like to try the back packing travelling - maybe one day soon! You guys are brave to pack everything up and move it all to overseas! I agree - a comfy bed is the best stuff to ever have!
Cheers
Lisa
06/09/2011 12:52pm (8 months ago)
Life with a comfortable bed is so much better!
The kids are so funny with their toys. When we were travelling they would talk constantly about the toys back home that they missed. Now that we have those toys again they barely look at them. It's always the same favourites - lego, trains, a couple of cars and a tea set. The rest gets ignored. I'm fairly certain a charity might benefit from a toy donation one day soon!
06/09/2011 1:03pm (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? [...]
06/09/2011 3:20pm (8 months ago)
Isn't it amazing how a full closet of clothes makes it difficult to determine what to wear, while just a few options makes it not only easy, but quick! I'm constantly astounded by this fact.
06/09/2011 3:41pm (8 months ago)
This is really interesting to read Tracy. I like the list of things that make you happier and I think you really have a unique perspective. I totally agree with a bed making you happy....and the bread maker too.
I went through my wardrobe last night to get rid of anything I hadn't worn in a year and it was a lot! It is amazing how much clothes I have, and the kids too! Do they really need 15 pairs of pants? My goodness!
06/09/2011 3:57pm (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? [...]
06/09/2011 5:55pm (8 months ago)
[...] World in Easy Ways: Living with Less Carried on the Wind: Living with less Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? Livin On The Road: Four Kids and Almost No Toys The Drop Out Diaries: Anchors Aweigh Discover Share [...]
06/09/2011 7:06pm (8 months ago)
When we traveled I would say that the only thing I truly missed were friends and family - the rest is just stuff! Sounds like you've pretty much come to the same conclusion. However, you're right, a comfortable bed really helps too!
07/09/2011 12:03am (8 months ago)
I'm with you on ebooks... give me a real book any day!
07/09/2011 1:08am (8 months ago)
I agree about the bed and the breadmaker. I love having them. I end up crippled if I'm on bad mattresses. We've put a great mattress in our caravan, and I couldn't travel without it. And the breadmaker.
But the rest of the stuff...it just seems to build up and up, and we keep it just in case. It's just so hard to justify getting rid of stuff that you've paid good money for and might need again in years. Now I just send it back to my mum's house for storage there.
07/09/2011 1:15am (8 months ago)
I think we need to design a portable trampoline for traveling families. Then we can just sit back and watch the millions pour in. Kids just love trampolines, don't they?
Downsizing is hard. Darling Man has decided we're taking our rice cooker with us. And it's HEAVY! He's carrying that thing, not me, that's for sure.
07/09/2011 1:15am (8 months ago)
If someone had of told me that fact two years ago I would have laughed at them! I'm much happier now not feeling like I have to keep up with the latest fashion - just have the essential clothes that are either comfortable or actually look good on me!
07/09/2011 1:35am (8 months ago)
That's a great idea. Inflatable portable trampoline. Bonus points if it converted to a backpack or kids travel bed!
I can understand Darling Man's attachment to that one necessary kitchen appliance ... but he does realise you can buy rice cookers in Chiang Mai???
07/09/2011 1:36am (8 months ago)
E-book readers are handy when there's nothing else around but it's just not the same!
07/09/2011 1:38am (8 months ago)
I'm really shocked at how much stuff a family can accumulate without even thinking. I think you are right - once you've paid money for it you tend to keep it just in case. Funny that two of our must haves are both a mattress and a breadmaker.
07/09/2011 2:41am (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? [...]
07/09/2011 3:20am (8 months ago)
I think the liberating thing is that you now know you can do without them. your identity is not shaped by your stuff. It's always great to have nice stuff and a house but you know that is not what ultimately brings you happiness and if you need to you can easily walk away and give them up. you are no longer enslaved!
07/09/2011 4:47am (8 months ago)
I too am not sure how I feel about now having our stuff. On the one hand, I missed some of it. But on the other, it is a burden. All of our stuff was in storage in Korea when we lived in Italy. The one things that was a shame was that all our cold winter clothes were in storage, and we badly needed them when we were in Cortona LOL! They were just too bulky to bring over.
07/09/2011 5:53am (8 months ago)
Leaving our memory foam mattress and pillow was a scary proposition when we started our adventure, but I found that when I'm exhausted, I sleep quite nicely on the mattress we have now! But, give me a comfortable couch to sit on and work from...that I miss terribly! And our kids miss the trampoline, too. Great for working off energy!
07/09/2011 12:17pm (8 months ago)
This is such an interesting read Tracy. We were in a peculiar situation in that when we left our home and packed up to go travelling we were going first to my parents house in the UK (from Australia) which is still our base that we're returning to for now. We were 18kg over on our first flight, and now I am looking at the stuff we have with us and wondering whether we really need half of it. I'm pretty sure my parents would love us to get rid of some of it because we keep leaving it at their house every time we go off somewhere else!
07/09/2011 1:52pm (8 months ago)
i love this - and with kids, the house seems to explode with toys no matter what you do...
07/09/2011 6:38pm (8 months ago)
When we moved to Costa Rica, we only took a carryon suitcase and a small backpack each, and we've realized that even that is too much. We spend 2 1/2 months touring South America last year with just a small backpack for each of us, and it was plenty!
It's amazing how little you really need to be happy. I no longer see the point of holding onto things that I rarely use. And I think I save a lot of money that way, too.
Thanks for the great article!
08/09/2011 10:13am (8 months ago)
Thanks for the info. Good to take into account on my next trip!
11/09/2011 9:22pm (8 months ago)
[...] Our Travel Lifestyle: Does having all our gear again really make us happier? [...]
12/09/2011 6:49pm (8 months ago)
Thank you! Just as I was starting to sense the cold feet coming, from selling some of my favorite possessions these past few weeks, I stumbled upon your site from Almostfearless.com and this was the first post I read.
"Life with a backpack is simpler and easier than youd think. And it certainly helps you realise what you really do need in your life. You might realise you stuff is more important to you than travel. Or you might find a whole new way of living."
I'm hopeful I will find a whole new way of living. Things are just things, and though I do love my bedroom and my home, I think I will love these adventures even more.
Very cool what you guys are doing! Keep sharing!
Peace, Love & Travel
Amber
13/09/2011 2:39am (8 months ago)
I love the title of your site Amber! I think what you've said is very true - there are lots of things in your home you love but you will love your adventures even more. You can always replace your things later in life, but memories and life experiences can't be bought. Good luck selling all your things. It's a hard, time consuming process but worth it in the end.
13/09/2011 2:43am (8 months ago)
We started out travelling with a lot more gear than we needed to. It's funny the things you think are essential for you and the kids only to find that three months later they are still sitting in the bottom of your backpack unused. One small backpack each - well done! We don't travel quite that light - probably as we have a laptop for each adults, the DSLR, an ipad plus all the assorted cables! Technology is our big killer. If we could ditch that ....
13/09/2011 2:47am (8 months ago)
that's funny! Last year when we were travelling around more we quickly realised we had way too much stuff and left a suitcase behind in Kuala Lumpur at a friends guesthouse. Every time we visited we took some stuff out, put some more in .... eventually that one suitcase turned into two! Then we went home to Australia for a month and stayed for 4 ... I think our friends were very happy when we moved to Penang and finally cleared everything out of their guesthouse.
15/09/2011 1:42am (8 months ago)
Having a peaceful living, you must embrace convenience and feel life comfortably. I also like how you enjoy Living With Less and you have worked out having all your gear is not what makes you happier family and friends are!I see that a comfortable bed is the best stuff to ever have!
05/10/2011 3:03pm (8 months ago)
Know the feeling! We've lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic life for more than three years now. Earlier this year we re-settled into a home of our own. Here comes the STUFF! A lot had been in storage. And then we started buying new stuff--or stuff at garage sales that was new to us.
I came to a point where I said that if I had to move something in my garage to put something else in.... then we had too much stuff!
We plan now to make our home here in Lake Tahoe our base for the next few years--but we have our eye on a grander RTW trip a few years from now. Even keeping that in mind keeps us in check.
The thing I miss most when we are traveling, living a nomadic life, or have all of our things in storage is our artwork. There are a lot of things I don't miss about home--the chores, etc. But our art is the one thing that I do really miss.
By the way, you are so right on when you talk about how life is so much easier when you have fewer clothes!