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Thursday, October 17, 2013

On Fitting Your Life into Suitcases

Space

I came with three suitcases and one backpack.  I don’t have an exact count on everything I had, but I have a general idea.

I brought comfort food, supplies for my smash book (I’ll talk more about that a little lower), clothing for all seasons and most occasions that I could think of (it’s changed around a lot, had to buy some really light shirts for the insanely hot weather in August and September), my computer and a few other electronics, trinkets to give to my families, and a few personal belongings.

That had expanded, adding books to study from, random gifts from family members and classmates, magazines that I wasn’t able to walk out of the store with.  You’d understand if you ever saw a Japanese fashion magazine, the things are wicked man.

Doesn’t sound like a lot, and it really isn’t a lot.  But when piled together, it takes up three suitcases and one large backpack.  When you think about it, this is my life support from one year.

I can’t go back and grab that book I should have brought, I can’t shift through my belongings in my room like I used to, I can’t add that one other shirt I thought didn’t look cute but now I want really badly, there is so much I can’t do that I feel like I need to do because the things to do it are in my room back home.

My life is convenient to move around.  I can easily pack up everything I need in under thirty minutes and be on my way.  I can cram everything I need into those three suitcases and backpack.  That’s not a lot of space when you really think about it.

We exchange students live a minimal life, or at least most of the ones I personally know do.  Anything you honestly don’t need can be thrown away to make room for something you do need.  Any extra clothing can be tossed into the next second hand shop so you can add that new shirt or pair of pants.  Those books can be passed onto others as well.

I don’t have much room for extras, but the extras I carry have a meaning.

Here’s just a few of the extra things I don’t need but keep with me anyway.

I keep a pink and white panda made from felt, with writing on it.  It was made by my cousin for me.

I keep a blue and white crochet afghan corner.  It was made for me by a dear friend.

I keep a stuffed cat toy.  I’ve had it for a long time and I personally felt bad leaving it behind as I went on my adventure.

I keep my baby blankies with me.  They are my baby blankies and will go everywhere with me in life.  I’m a Linus and am okay with this.

I keep my extra books.  I don’t know if I’ll need them again and will keep them until they are proven useless.

I keep a few plastic toys.  They were given to me by my host nieces and I would feel horrible throwing them out.

I keep a set of posters given to me by my host sister because I’m living in her room while she is away.  They are cool and I like them, so why not keep them?

I keep my smashbook.  It is a messy diary of sorts.  Everywhere I go, various receipts  pictures, and brochures are slapped, tapped, or glued into the poor thing.  I scribble down important notes, good thoughts, and many other things into.  It wasn't really a need at first but it's become a good way to remember the details of my exchange.  It had been officially placed up on my scale of important things to reside beside my Rotary Blazer.  You exchange students know the importance of such and item, you now understand what my abused smashbook is to me!

Everything else is needed in some form, worn in some form, can be eaten, or used for personal life in some form.

It was a shock to me, a semi-hoarder in my life in America, that I could live on minimal money and items.  That I could be content without my multitudes of trinkets I’m known to keep.  I can be content with a computer, Ipod, Wi-Fi, a small stash of food, and clothing.  I don’t honestly need much to survive and thrive, and I’m glad I learned this.

I now know I can make anywhere feel like home, as long as I have a suitcase, backpack, and Wi-Fi.

I like this feeling of being free.  Of not really owning much in my life here.  It’s a relief that I have so little to worry about, that I know if I have to I can easily move and go on with my life.

It’s not a lot of space, but it’s the only space I need.

Yes my small collection of items has surely grown, but I know I can thin it out easily.  Clothing can be replaced, hygiene products are easy to buy, and you can always find new books.  It’s the special ones you keep and the normal ones you get rid of.  Even then the decision is hard, but choices have to be made after all.

So to all of you packing out there for your own adventure, or thinking about it, take a minute would you?  Think, do I honestly need this?  Do I need it because it’s useful or because I want it?  Would I honestly wear this is a few months?  Could I save my money and buy something else with it?

I have a few pieces of clothing I wish I had saved money on and bought here in Japan instead.  Maybe my mind will change in the upcoming months.  Apart from that, I’m quite content with my living style.  It makes my life easier, less stressful, and a heck of a lot less cluttered.


I like being less cluttered.  It’s one thing I’ve noticed I’ve gained while being here for two months already.

See You Soon
Mata chikaiuchiniまた近いうちに

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