The Logistics

Western Europeans (and yes, culturaly, that includes Americans) have a unique ability to collect mass quantities of shit that they only think they need. We just use most of it to fill up our apartment to distract ourselves from the fact that we live in little plastic box. We are so reliant on corporations to tell us what we need, that most of us are out of touch with our ability to discern our wants from theirs. So, how do you find yourself again?

Make a list of everything that you've actally used or worn (don't include the things your job, or social circle dictates) in the past wek. If you end up with more than 30 items (unless your hobby comes with lots of paraphenalia), go over the list again. If it still won't budge, then you're just more attached to your things than you're desire to travel. No big deal, but maybe you're better off staying there.

Now, out of those 30 items, eliminate furniture and kitchen appliances. They aren't worth the shipping costs. What you're left with should fit into a large suitcase. That shock that you're feeling is just the shock from unplugging yourself from the machine. "But, I need it." whined the reader. You sound like a junkie, and you are. You've got to quit cold turkey. You won't know you won't need all that shit until its gone. And like any junkie, you'll learn to replace all that plastic, disposable shit with better more permanent things.