INA WO(A)NDERS: On Possession
When we're out and about, we use other people's things as a matter of course. Our author Ina thinks this is a good opportunity to question our own possessions.
Underwear, socks, clothes, a jingling toiletry bag, cell phone, laptop, camera, microphone, various chargers, wallet, headphones and something to read: although I try to live a minimalist life, when packing for a trip I am still quite far from the old saying pack his things removed. However, this saying also comes from the 17th century, when there were no computers, smartphones, headphones, microphones, cameras or charging cables. Nevertheless, it is astonishing that I often don't need anything other than the items mentioned above for days or weeks when I'm on the road. And that's not because of my minimalism. It's because we use other people's belongings as a matter of course when we travel.
When traveling, we can feel comfortable even without possessions
For example, my Visit to Suska and Nico im happy hamletThe soft mattress and the bed linen, which smelled of herbs, on the simple metal bed guaranteed me a comfortable night's rest. How many people had slept in my bed before me? In the huge communal kitchen, not only the classic quintet of salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar and oil were waiting for me, but also a full range of culinary equipment that took my breath away. There were also cups, glasses, eating and cooking utensils in all colours and shapes. How many people had already eaten from these little plates? There were also plenty of comfortable pillows, blankets and yoga mats. Who had already stretched and stretched on them? I certainly didn't lack anything. And that even though none of it belonged to me.
Travel as an opportunity to distance yourself from your own possessions
I think of my possessions, which I have spread out over the last few years as a digital nomad in various places. Cups, pillows, blankets, knives, pots. Clothes from another life. My parents still have a beautiful, ancient bed and a matching bedside table. Apart from my guitar, I admit to myself, everything is very interchangeable. Traveling is therefore an ideal opportunity to distance yourself from your own possessions for a while. It is comparable to one of my favorite decluttering methods: you pack things that you are not sure whether you still need into a box and put it in the basement or attic. If you soon no longer remember the contents of the box and do not miss any of it, then the box can be thrown away completely. So if you don't miss the old candlestick or the dusty coffee set in the corner cupboard at home while on vacation, you can safely take this as an opportunity to give it away or sell it straight away after the vacation. And maybe the corner cupboard too.
Experiencing versus having: who wins?
What is not interchangeable, however, are the experiences and encounters on a trip. The enjoyable hours spent eating together with my hosts. The walk between the edge of the forest and the sunflower fields, where two cheerful dogs accompanied me. Or the moment when I saw the peacock fly for the first time. There are numerous studies that prove that experiences make us happier than buying and owning things. – and that even before it even starts. Most people feel anticipation before a trip or a similar experience. Before buying things, however, we tend to be impatient.
What things do you miss when you are on the road? I am always happy to receive feedback, suggestions or questions – please leave them as a comment or send an email to [email protected].
© Photos: unsplash / East Riding Archives, Pexels / Timur Weber, Ina Hiester
Ina Hiester
Ina is a digital nomad and travels through Europe by land and sea. The journalist is always on the lookout for special places for Good Travel, philosophizes about travel in her column, takes photographs, makes music and writes articles on all kinds of environmental and sustainability topics.
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