I'm leaving in six weeks to go vagabonding, starting in Indonesia/Australia and the itinerary is open ended for at least two years of travel.

I've lived in the same apartment for three years. Although I try to live a simple existence, there's always stuff that accumulates.

My question is: what do I decide that is important enough to pack away and store? My gut reaction is that I will save photos and only very important memorabilia. But then I think, should I save a few teacher outfits in case I have to come back here with no money and start teaching right away? I've already gotten rid of all my furniture, kitchen stuff, gone.

Have any of you left "home" for extended period and been glad to come back to "stuff"? Or regretted getting rid of "stuff"? What is something you wished you would've brought with you and you didn't?

My gut reaction is I'm just giving everything away and that way things will come back to me when I need them.

Any input appreciated, cheers!

Big question - can you store the things for free with relatives, or would you have to rent out a spot? If saving more things will cost you more money, think real hard about whether it's really worth it.

Clothes are a little tricky - when you come back, will you be the same size? Will they still be in style? Will you still want to return to the same type of job? Will they be devoured by moths? I'd stick to memorabilia and items that won't degrade or lose value over time. Look at those things you're keeping around for the next 6 weeks but not bringing with you. That's the sort of things you'll want as you settle back in later.

I found a couple of sturdy plastic trunks that are the maximum allowed luggage size for international flights and I'm limiting myself to that much stuff. I figure that's a good amount, the items will be well protected, easy for my parents to move around if they need to, and convenient to carry with me should I decide to move overseas permanently.

Get rid of as much as you can, especially if you are paying for space. It is hard to say what to save because that is up to you.

We are almost 2 years into our open ended trip around the world and only have a tiny amount left at home in a teeny tiny storage space ( we started out with a huge home and acreage). If you must do storage, do it where it is cheaper. We hauled ours a few hours drives worth near a relative where it is MUCH cheaper than it was in our area.

You are going to change and forget all about those "things" in VERY short order. You may even decide not to come back. Set yourself free and leave little behind.

Do scan your pictures and take them with you. It was one of our smartest choices. Bring a library card too ( e-libraries are stupendous when english books are expensive and hard to find). Scan anything important and store online.

We did not bring much and do not miss anything. You will manage to add "stuff" even as you go. Purging is good for the soul.

Have fun!

We are facing this exact same question - we're taking off in seven weeks and plan to be on the road for at least 2 1/2 years and very possibly longer. We are fortunate in that we have a barn behind our house, so will store our stuff there and rent out the house only. If we had to pay for storage, I'm sure we would have made very different choices. I'm figuring that anything with sentimental value is staying, as are all the items we know we would have to replace once we return. Again - we can do that because we have tons of free storage space. Good luck!

yes, i would keep some clothes, esp. work clothes.

You may come back and have to work immediately and you won't want to plunk down a couple hundred for clothes when you'll have to start getting all the other stuff for living again as well.

Don't save it all but keep the classics and anything that is well made. See if you have a friend w/ an extra closet or room in their basement.

I would def. keep some clothes.

If you leave indefinitely, leave NOTHING except for the most precious things. Everything that you leave behind will emotionally tie you to 'home' and impede on your decision making while on the road (somebody might offer you a job and ties to 'home' will influence you decision - as an example).

I have my books and a few traveling memorabilia in my parents attic. And that's it. My life has to fit into a backpack.

My opinion.

Hey thanks for all the responses. I know it's a personal decision, blah blah, but it's always good to hear about people's experiences.

So I'm still in the process (moving out of my place this weekend) but I think I will be packing up all my photos and precious items in a cedar chest. Maybe I'll need a box or two, but that's it. I'll leave behind a few "teacher outfits" but all my other clothes are going to be donated!
(BTW space isn't an issue, my sister has a basement)

Peace

I like the idea of a cedar chest to store all your important treasures. Probably keeps things in better condition than boxes that might get damp and moldy.

when I left "home" I knoew I was goingto be gone for at least two years, but I really had know idea. Now it's three and a half years later, and I have no desire to move back. I decided to leave my books, instruments, photo's/memorabilia. as these were the things that I know I would wand to have if and when I came back, or at lest have access to. Since I was just leaving the stuff at my parents house, I could leave a little more, so I packed up a box or so of kitchen stuff, a bunch of clothed that were still good, but I didn't have room for, and I can't remember what else. I've noticed that when I do visit "home" I'm glad to have the clothes there. since being overseas, I haven't had alot of money, so coming back to my old clothes, was a little like getting new clothes for free. and being on the road really does ware on what you have. and I don't agree with elAdi, having the stuff back at "home" doesn't tie me there in the least. but it's really just a matter of perception, and everyone is different.