preparing for Life on the road

 

Preparing for Life on the Road – our journey from Home to Henry

 

As we prepare to embark on this new chapter of our lives – transitioning from the comfort of our small but much-loved shedhome, to the much more compact adventurous unknown of life on the road – we’ve been immersed in a whirl of organisation, downsizing, and thoughtful planning.

Here’s a glimpse into what is becoming our meticulous preparation processes, which will take us from short trips that we will begin doing very soon, to our long-awaited and much dreamt-about indefinite journey; and how we’re tackling the challenges that arise along the way.

A Deeper Dive into Decluttering

Our initial decluttering efforts were straightforward—old tech cords, mismatched socks, and clothes we never wore were easily tossed or donated. However, as we gear up for our new life on the road, we’ve embarked on a more comprehensive second round of decluttering.
This time, we’re digging deeper, scrutinising every draw, basket, nook and cranny of our home to ensure we keep only what truly serves us.
It’s a process that’s both liberating and challenging, as we confront sentimental items and make tough decisions about what to keep.

Reimagining Our Kitchen Essentials

In our current home, glass jars have been our go-to for food storage, as we love not only the aesthetic, but they’re admired for their eco-friendliness and durability.
However – as we prepare to downsize to the compact space in Henry, we’ve had to make some tough decisions.
Our beloved glass jars, though sturdy and reliable, are heavy and not ideal for our new lifestyle, so we’re transitioning to lighter plastic containers.
While this shift tugs at our environmentalist hearts, we’re repurposing existing plastic jars, ensuring they don’t go to waste and trying to minimize our footprint.

Our cookware – which is currently primarily cast iron has served us well but is also notably incredibly heavy.
We’re exploring lighter alternatives that retain functionality without the bulk.

Similarly, our favourite handmade pottery bowls, plates and platters – though cherished – will be packed up and left behind for the time being, and once we’ve settle into life on the road and with more clarity of what we do and dont need, we will probably select a few key pieces to accompany us.

The reality of weight constraints means some sacrifices, but it’s all part of adapting to our new way of life.

Culling the Cup Collection

One of us has a serious cup addiction, a collection built over years of various purchases and gifts…
As we prepare for our journey, it’s time for a serious culling.
We’re selecting a handful of our most beloved cups to bring along while packing up or letting go of the remainder.
This process is both a practical necessity and an emotional exercise.

Managing Our Food Stockpile

Living on the Farm has blessed us with an extensive stockpile of food, a comfort we deeply appreciated during the era of lockdowns.
Now, as we transition to an even more compact living space, we’re methodically working our way through our food reserves.
We’re prioritising using up as much as we can (that can’t be taken with us), rather than buying extras as we usually would; and will either leave behind whatever is left for when we next come back, or will share with other Families.

Simplifying Our Menu

Thankfully, we’re simple cooks, which makes the transition easier.
We’ve been reviewing our regular (bit ever-evolving) menu and focusing on versatile, easy-to-prepare meals that can be cooked with minimal equipment, but contain maximum nutritional benefits.
This simplicity will not only suit our new lifestyle, but also reduces the need for extensive kitchen gear and we’ll be eating healthy into the bargain!

Balancing Books and Digital Media

Over the years, we’ve transitioned many of our books to digital formats, but some tomes are too precious or useful to discard or leave behind.
We’re carefully selecting a few key physical books – like maps and guides – that are indispensable for our travels.
While e-books and audiobooks will supplement our reading, these physical books offer unique value that digital formats just can’t fully replicate.
We’ve even also evolved enough that all of our Music is now digital too!

Looking Ahead

Our preparation for this new adventure is a journey in itself – one of letting go, making thoughtful choices, and embracing a new way of life.
As we continue to streamline our belongings and adapt to what is to becoming our new reality, we’re excited and hopeful about the adventures that lie ahead.

Stay tuned as we share more about our preparations for ( and experiences of ) being “on the road”.
Here’s to decluttering, new beginnings and the adventures that await!