Major task accomplished: packing up my essentials for the next 3 years. It all fit into 3 boxes, shipped via UPS to Florida, where they will be loaded onto the ship. I will also bring one suitcase with me, mostly for a couple items that were too long for the boxes (yoga mat and tripod) and clothes to last me the two weeks between Istanbul and Florida, where my boxes will join me. Here is what’s coming with me:
Electronics
- Camera with two lenses (yes, that is always #1 on my list)
- Back-up camera with 3 lenses (old but still functional, just in case!)
- Various camera tools (blower brush, lens cleaner, remote, etc.)
- Tripod
- Flash unit
- Binoculars
- Laptop
- iPad
- iPhone, ear buds
- External backup drive (2)
- Portable charger
- Converter/adapter for electrical outlets
Shoes
- Hiking boots
- Sneakers
- Sandals
- Mules/flip flops
- Closed-toe shoes
- Slippers
Clothing
- Winter coat
- Light jacket
- Raincoat
- Hoodie
- Sweatshirt
- Sweaters (3)
- T-shirts & various tops (20)
- Leggings (4)
- Hiking pants (2)
- Casual pants (4)
- Shorts (4)
- Dresses (3)
- Bathing suit (2)
- Sleepwear
- Yoga/workout gear
- Salwars (6) – Indian-wear I purchased when I lived there, never thought I’d have the opportunity to wear it again!)
- Thermals for layering
Books
- Geographica Atlas of the World – I have this vision of starting each morning reading up on our next location over morning coffee
- The Ocean – I’ve had this book for decades, but never cracked it open. There has never been a better time…
- Wonders of the World – because we’re about to see them!
- 7 books for our onboard community library
Other
- Yoga mat
- Sun hat, visor hat
- Sticky bulletin board (thin strip of sticky board for pictures and things)
- Small magnets (we can’t put nails in the walls)
- Tiny pillow (I’ve never liked the big pillows hotels provide)
- My favorite light blanket
- Electric toothbrush, manual toothbrush
- Wrist bands for seasickness
- Head mosquito netting (especially for hiking in the Amazon)
- Roll-up jewelry case
- Hair brush, nail clippers
- Lightweight backpack
Consumables
(enough for a couple months, will replenish along the way)
- Toothpaste
- Prescription meds
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellant & After-Bite
- Vitamins/supplements
- Dramamine
- Advil
9 responses to “3 Years in 3 Boxes”
I so admire your adventurous spirit and efforts to subsist with essentials. Yes, downsizing is exhausting! Thank you for allowing us to cruise with you for 3 years!
Great job of narrowing down to essentials! A couple of things jumped out at me: Some people would say a computer, iPad and iPhone are electronic overkill. Personally, I need all three even when going away for a week, much less three years. I’d even want an external screen! And I’m with you on the pillow comment.
This is going to be fun! I mean for us, your subscribers. And for you too!
But I’m only bringing ONE of each!!
replenishing meds would be my concern – how will you coordinate that? Some years ago I got the internal message to downsize. Much much easier said than done when I have storage space to keep things. Your way necessitates trimming to bare essentials. Your list is remarkably tight (except for the 20 T-shirts “smiles”) I can make you a T-shirt memory quilt when your’re done.
Thanks Tereska, I may take you up on that T-shirt memory quilt! But on the other hand, I have a dozen quilts that I’m still trying to decide what to do with. Can you make a memory quilt out of a quilt collection? 🙂 And those 20 T-shirts – those are just the ones I’m taking with me. I have at least 50 others that I can’t seem to part with, which will have to go into storage. That’s in addition to the 20-30 that I threw out. Downsizing is exhausting…
It’s like living in a “tiny house” that floats around the world!
You become very focused. Your life will be as an explorer capturing in pictures all of the sights, sounds and cadence of life!
When you’ve completed your “3 Years in 3 Boxes” world journey – Think about a book or photo album where it can be both educational and exploratory.
You will be one of the view who have traversed all continents – so connecting with fellow explorers and photographers may give you different perspectives as well.
We love you and wish you many exciting moments as you reveal the complexities of our own human existence and Mother Nature’s infinite secrets!
Be happy and safe as you explore with gusto!
Thanks Kate! Happy to know you will be following along, and appreciate your words. Yes, it definitely will be like living in a tiny home. And a floating village. I’ve always wanted to try out a tiny home, so this is my chance.
Were you given requirements of what you could take to fit into your space? I can’t imagine trying to figure out how to sort through what I would be able to live with or without.
We were given a list of things we could NOT bring on board, which included things like irons, surge-protected power bars, knives, drugs, candles, incense, homemade food. Also a guideline about how much stuff could fit in the cabin (about 42 cubic feet, or 5 medium boxes). Beyond that, everyone’s packing list looks slightly different. Some people are coming with just a couple suitcases, while others are bringing their own shelf & closet organizers, e-bikes, scuba gear and pickleball gear. I’m probably somewhere in the middle!