We have packed, repacked, trimmed down and repacked again many many times. I am not a light packer, but learned from previous trips and others’ packing lists that we really don’t need “stuff” to cover every possible “what if”. But boy am I glad that our first couple weeks are spent in an RV, so that we can take some more of home, before we have to definitely pack into just 4 backpacks! Oh- and whoever invented “packing cubes” deserves a medal. (Google it, seriously). We each have our own color, and all our clothes’ are packed into them. Straight from the suitcase to the closet and back. Without every mixing. Did you know I am miss-organized?!
Just this for one year?
This will be trimmed down. Still too much.
What does feel strange, is that we don’t have a home to return too. Our home in the Netherlands has been rented out, the house we rented in the USA has been packed up. All our belongings have been put into boxes and into storage, once again. Although I kind of like moving. My husband and I lived in 9 homes over the past 20 years. Every time, the move forces us to “shred”. We try not to accumulate, and still we are amazed every time how much “stuff” creeps into our lives.
When we left our house that last morning, the kids kissed the wall goodbye as they walked out with a nonchalant “bye house”. That was it. They didn’t seem too attached or overwhelmed. Then again, this was their 3rd house in their young lives. Adaptability and flexibility will be some of their core skills!
