How to Ditch Your Stuff & Travel The World

Many dream of escaping their routine to explore the world for a year or two—or even to start over as an ex-pat in a foreign land. I’ve done both, more than once.

In my youth, it was easy. Life was just beginning, and I had few responsibilities, commitments, or possessions to hold me back. But in my late 40s, choosing a life of nomadic uncertainty felt like a risk. I was terrified. Yet, I overcame my fears and doubts by constantly reminding myself why I was doing it.

 

My Why

I grew up in Santa Cruz, California, on the Monterey Bay, a stunning marine sanctuary. The community was active, open-minded, and deeply connected to nature. But when Silicon Valley’s tech boom erupted just 30 minutes away, everything changed. The influx of ‘dot comers’ brought unbearable traffic and soaring housing prices. Santa Cruz became California’s least affordable city—and the second least affordable place to live in the entire U.S.

As the fast-paced energy of the Valley spilled over the mountains, I longed for the simple life I had once known in the tropics, where floral fragrances drift on warm ocean breezes and stars shine over crystal-clear waters.

I wanted to wake up in awe of the natural beauty outside my door. But instead, I watched the river I played in as a child become polluted and neglected. The land could no longer support the growing population. It broke my heart.

Dissatisfaction has always been a powerful motivator for me. It forces me to take action.

I took extended vacations, searching for a new home, but there was always a return date—an obligation waiting for me. I was caught in a cycle of traveling only to come back and save for the next trip. It went on for years.

Then, I asked myself: What if I let go completely? What if I allowed myself to be truly free?

The truth was, I ached to experience that freedom. That was my why.

 

Letting Go of My Stuff

I never owned property, so my belongings were my sense of home, arranged just how I liked them. I was attached to my things, but over time, they became a burden—a beautifully decorated cage.

 

 

But letting go wasn’t easy. I often wandered my cabin, asking myself: How does a woman my age pare down to the contents of a backpack?

The task felt overwhelming. At times, I wished I could abandon this crazy idea. I was caught between my dream and my attachments. To move forward, I had to dig into the root of my own happiness. We all know, deep down, that possessions aren’t the key to happiness. I’m not the first traveler to notice that many of the poorest countries are filled with radiantly happy people.

“Don’t dream your life, but live your dream.”  ~ Mark Twain

 

There came a tipping point when the pain of staying in my old life became greater than the pain of letting go. I knew that I’d rather fail at chasing my dream than live with the regret of never trying at all.

So, I chose freedom.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”    ~Mark Twain

 

Going It Alone

This journey would have been easier with a companion, someone to reflect my choices back to me. But I was doing it alone. My friends didn’t understand the life I craved or what it took to make it happen.

I worked hard, forced myself to grow, and learned skills I had always resisted. I moved forward one step at a time, unsure if I’d actually follow through. But as momentum built, the path became clearer, and help appeared in unexpected ways.

“You will know a ‘Path With Heart’ when you have won with it.”   ~Carlos Castaneda 

 

 

The How-To’s

Stop Spending

It’s amazing how much unconscious impulse buying most of us do. When getting rid of everything, it didn’t make sense to buy more. So I stopped buying and used up what I already had. Now I only spend money intentionally.

 

Minimalism

It’s always made me nervous to own excess stuff. If it hasn’t been used in 6 months I get rid of it, and I don’t own anything I can’t pick up by myself. My bed, for example, was a firm foam ‘tri-fold’ with a memory foam topper, placed on a fold-out frame. It’s the most comfortable bed and the whole thing can be folded for storage.

I love living this way! I appreciate what I have and love the spaciousness. Everything around me is nice, useful, and has a purpose.

“Life is a bridge. Pass over it, but build no house upon it.” 

 

Where to Start

The first batch of stuff I got rid of through donations, give-aways, and yard sales. Feeling lighter and less burdened is encouraging!

Next, I got rid of my most treasured belongings. These items were too valuable (mentally and monetarily) to donate. Yet being non-essentials, they didn’t qualified for storage. I sold these items through Craigslist, eBay, and to friends and family.

After I got rid of my most prized possessions and found that I didn’t miss them, everything became easier. I began to trust the process and feel excited because every item released brought me closer to freedom.

“The spiritual path is a path of death, a path of loss. In the willingness to lose everything, even for a moment, there is the possibility of recognizing the eternal truth of who you are.”    ~ Gangaji

 

Start Early

Letting go was a process for me. The willingness to release my possessions came in stages. From time to time, I had to stop and let my anxiety subside before proceeding. Give yourself some time.

 

Time Management

I didn’t want the stress of doing everything last minute with an international flight looming, so I had to stay focused. When I found myself teetering on wasting time, I’d pull out the to-do list and get started on a project.

I was also working full-time to save money for my travels, so socializing was not a priority.

 

Becoming Tech Savvy

I’m the least likely person to become tech-savvy. I used to say “I’d rather be hiking in the forest than sitting in front of a computer trying to figure it out.” I didn’t touch a computer until I was 35 years old when a generous friend bought one for me. And I did indeed spend years in frustration trying to figure it out, and then I kept going.

Technology has completely changed travel. When I started traveling back in the day, we had to walk from one guesthouse to the next wearing heavy packs, searching for an available room for the night. We had no cell phones, no social media, Skype, WhatsApp, or any app. It was adventurous, but also very hard and sometimes dangerous. I have more than my share of travel horror stories. But the world is connected now like never before. Everything you need is at your fingertips, so learn how to take advantage of it.

 

Go Digital

I studied cybersecurity, encrypted my computer, and set up online banking.

I went through all my paperwork, file cabinets, books, binders, and old photos. I scanned what I needed and threw it all away (liberating!).

I then organized files on my computer for this information and backed it up on two external drives: one in my sister’s attic and the other I took with me.

 

Luggage

I used two carry-on sized bags:

A backpack which I took on the plane carrying all my valuables, electronics, and a change of clothes. And a hard-case roller that I checked, which carried toiletries and the rest of my clothes.

This system worked great for me. If I wanted to travel lighter at times, I’d put a lock on the roller bag and leave it in a hotel storage room.

Once you’ve gathered your gear and bought the right luggage, do a test pack (reality check) with absolutely everything you plan to bring.

I absolutely LOVE my Osprey Farpoint 40 pack. It’s so comfortable, durable and even looks good. Click on the photo to check it out:

 

Storage

Past travel experiences taught me that belongings left behind are a ball and chain. For me, a storage locker made no sense. The cost of a locker would’ve paid for everything inside the locker within 2 years’ time. Plus, I wasn’t sure I’d be returning to the States, and secretly hoped I wouldn’t be.

The only viable long-term storage in my eyes is free, at the home of a stable friend or family member. I didn’t think I had that, but at the last minute, my sister offered space in her attic for 4-5 boxes. This felt like a miracle because those last boxes of necessities would’ve been really hard to get rid of.

 

Update

In 2016 flew out of San Francisco with a one-way ticket to Thailand, a country I knew well. I then went to India for yoga teacher training right in the middle of a financial crisis. After six months in India, I got a job working aboard passenger ships. I was supposed to visit Japan on the way to my first job in Alaska, but unfortunately, I missed my flight.

In summer 2017, I worked in Alaska. After departing the ship, I was ready for some sunshine and flew to Costa Rica to swing in a hammock in the jungle and make plans for the next few flights.

From Costa Rica, I flew to Oregon and worked on a ship up and down the Colombia River. After disembarking I flew to Australia and spent Christmas and 2018 New Year’s on a road trip down the east coast from far North Queensland to Northern New South Wales. I absolutely loved the country.

At the end of January 2018, I flew back to California for a couple of nights to re-pack and then flew down to Baja California to spend Spring visiting grey whales off the coast of Mexico. After that, I’d planned to spend summer in Southern France, but when I learned of a rental apartment right next to my sister’s house in Santa Cruz, I decided to take it.

That’s right, I’m back in Santa Cruz where I started. I don’t feel finished in the sense that I still want to find a more suitable long-term home, but I was worn out and I needed to re-group. I also couldn’t keep up working on ships and needed to figure out a new revenue source.

I’ve been enjoying a normal life and have ZERO regrets. I bought a car and a bike. Otherwise, I’ve remained minimalist. My life is better than it was before.