It's incredible how much stuff one young couple can acquire and store in a little townhouse, and how easily they can part with it when they learn how expensive it is to ship cargo halfway around the world. It's also incredible that I've managed to hold on to a report card from kindergarten, but can't seem to locate my 2009 tax return. I credit my mother for the report card-- pretty sure I didn't acquire that until she decided to clean out her own house a few years back!
I've moved around a fair amount in my lifetime, as has Karina, but this move is a different experience for us. We are literally examining every item in our house, and then performing complex calculations based on its Craigslist market price, its weight and volume, and level of personal attachment. In my kitchen, the Cuisinart SmartStick hand blender makes the cut and moves on-- the mandoline did not fare as well. Fortunately, we're finding good (or at least willing) homes for a lot of our items.
It remains to be seen whether or not we stay permanently downsized and also seize this opportunity to become far more organized with our stuff. Dewi is sort of the wild card, since families with kids seem to acquire new stuff at an exponential rate. We've been pretty restrained with regard to buying her toys here. Can I help it that her favorite toy is a plastic takeout container? I'm going to have to read up to see if one can build a tricycle out of household items.
Actually, I think living in a small space in Singapore will just force us to prioritize things that will get a lot of use. I can't tell you how many things I've pulled out of cupboards or boxes here that were barely touched. I have coats that I've worn maybe once a year. I have a silk robe with dragons on it. Okay, some things will be with me the rest of my life. But silk doesn't take up much space in a suitcase anway...
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