As seen in the Dayton Daily News on October 25, 2014.
I just finished reading a book about backpackers who trek through the wilderness on the Pacific Coast Trail. Many of them spend months on the trail surviving with only the items in their packs, along with essentials they acquire in various towns along the way.
When a person takes to the trail, they are very cautious about the weight in their packs. I learned from the book that they will do things like break the handle off their toothbrush and burn chapters from the books they are reading as they finish them, in an effort to lighten their load.
They constantly think about what items are essential and those that no longer serve a purpose for their next milestone. For example, when they have made it through the snowy part of a trail, they will donate their pick axe and ice cleats in a special box for other backpackers to use on their journey through the snow.
When I finished the book, a few thoughts came to me, “Why don’t we live our lives more streamlined with just the essentials we need for the life we are living right now? Why do we save everything from our past milestones and burden ourselves with them throughout our lives?”
Backpackers don’t continually accumulate stuff and strap on additional backpacks loaded with unnecessary items. This would prohibit them from getting to hike the next part of their journey, and they wouldn’t reach the goal they have set for themselves.
So, why do we buy more storage containers, shelves and furniture to store so many things from our past experiences? We then spend our time moving these items from place to place around our homes. We even spend our weekends reorganizing this stuff instead of doing something we enjoy.
Many of you are not reaching the goals you have set for yourself, because you are not carefully considering what you are storing in your backpacks, a.k.a. your homes.
Before you touch your first item, sit back and write down what you want the next part of your life to look like. Who do you want to spend time with, what experiences do you want, what makes you happy?
Now think like a backpacker. Look around your home and see what is extra weight. You have many things you’ve treasured. They served their purpose when you needed them, but now they are just that, extra weight. These extras look like treasures, but they rob you of your time.
Backpackers have a kind of brotherhood. They help one another in many ways. They are quick to let go of items they no longer need knowing someone else will benefit from their kindness. In the book, one hiker found a ski pole left behind by a fellow hiker, which helped her navigate the snow. Because of her lack of experience she didn’t think to bring one. Thanks to a stranger, her life on the trail was made easier with this simple gift. What can you donate that may be useful to someone else?
Your life is a journey. Always changing with your age, people you meet and life’s circumstances. Organizing your stuff should coincide with your life journey.
As the backpacker who reaches their destinations has to stop and reevaluate their belongings so do you.