Stuff: Pack, Store or Discard?

Even though I am not leaving for the Netherlands for another 23 days, I have only five days left in my home town (maybe one or two more). So, for the past two days I've been going through my stuff and deciding what to pack, what to store and what I don't care to keep anymore. My airline includes 23kg of checked baggage (eg- one suitcase) and 10kg of carry-on, plus a purse and a laptop bag. Extra baggage is $10/kg, but only when purchased at least 10 days ahead of time, otherwise its $15. So, space is tight, and expensive. I've opted to spend extra for another bag (15-20kg). So, the mission is to reduce my life's collection of stuff into 43-48kg worth of luggage, including the weight of the bags.

Before I came anywhere close to packing, I had to decide what I'll use for luggage. Well, I do already have some Atlantic Suitcases that I originally purchased to take to Switzerland. They have served me well on many trips. BUT, the downside to suitcases are that they are bulky and relatively heavy. Buying an excursion backpack was another option. While this was not a bad idea, the pack would be bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a simple duffle bag, and I can get a backpack in Europe if/when I need one. I settled on using an Atlantic suitcase and carry-on along with a large MEC duffel bag.

I have the bags, now what should I pack? The question is: what is this worth $10/kg? The duffel bag is already almost full of clothes that had no evidence of being worn out. There is still some room left. My suitcase is currently half-full, including some shoes, jewelry, some good hair products and a few other things. My carry on will be packed later on. I have more clothes and a few other things set aside to pack when the time comes. For anything I don't already own, but will likely need, I've decided that I will buy them when I get there. The only thing left to determine is how much extra baggage to pre-purchase.

Now, what about items to store? About an month ago, I started filling a metal chest full of little treasures I cannot bear to part with. These are mostly keep-sakes: childhood creations, pictures, doodads from special days (like high school graduation), yearbooks and things I've made in recent classes (ceramics, blown glass...). In the past two days, my stored items doubled when I filled a wooden chest, which includes a few more keep-sakes, smaller sport items and other things I won't use now, but don't want to part with just yet. Other than that, my parents garage and house will store some bulkier sports equipment, a few items of clothes and some old vinyl records (thanks Mom and Dad!! You are THE BEST!).

And as for the rest: DISCARDED. The process of discarding technically started a few months ago when I moved back into my parents house. Anything that was glaringly obvious that I wouldn't need (kitchen appliances, for example) I gave away right away. In the past two days I've discarded much more than I thought I would... you know, it actually feels pretty good to realize how much junk you don't really need!

Whew! After some hard work, I'm nearly done converting my life-full-of-stuff into a life-out-of-a-suitcase (well technically, a suitcase, duffel bag and carry on). As always, there are mixed feelings, but the good far outweigh the bad. Feels great!