Life is a journey. The stuff you bring along on the journey either helps or hurts you. Much of what we are draging around with us we are barely aware of. In order to wake up to what is actually going on in your life you need to periodically stop and check what you are carrying along. And ask the question: “does this serve the journey now?” You may have picked the stuff up at one point when it felt necessary. But is it still? Yes each and every thing.
I am big on learning by doing so here comes another paractical exercise. It will take you less than 10 minutes to do and it will literally and figuratively lighten your load on the journey of life. Last week I took a look around the hotel room and questioned everything I saw. This week it is time to uppack the backpack.
The exercise:
Grab your backpack. Yea the thing you carry to and from work every day. Or your purse. Or Bike bag. Whatever you carry your stuff to and from work in, including your computer.
Put it on a scale and weigh it. Mine came in at 11.83 lbs.
Now unpack it. Here is an overall picture of what is in there then thrrr pictures of each compartment. 
Man that is a lot of stuff! All added to the pack at some time when they seemed important.
Now go through each and every item and ask the question:
“Does this serve me for my journey ahead?”
If it does leave it in the pack.
If it does not, take it out.
Re pack for the journey ahead. Weigh the backpack again.
The Results:
Here is a picture of the new contents with all the stuff taken out. And each pack section. It is noticeably less stuff.
Some of the stuff taken out:
6 pens (I only need one)
4 pairs of sunglasses (kept 2)
Fleece (I will pick the right one for the trip from closet)
Various trash items.
Keys I never use.
Out dated business cards.
Travelers checks that expired in 2008. (Yea I have been carrying them for almost 10 years).
Resulting new weight: 8.96 lbs. a reduction of 2.87 lbs. I have literally lightened my load in life. Going forward the journey will be easier and I will have more energy for the challenges ahead. I will not be bogged down with as much from the past.
Whar are you carrying around that no longer serves you? How much could you lighten your load? Go ahead. Try it. 10 minutes now could save you days of carrying around stuff you no longer need.
The science:
I am sure some attachment theory applies here. But I invented this one myself.
References:
Self invented.
George Carlin said commented on “stuff”
