Clearing Space and Filling It

These next few months will be all about clearing out our space in order to move into a new one (even more than we have in previous purges). And I don’t just mean physically, but also figuratively. Physically we have to sell, give away, donate, pack or toss almost all of our belongings. But as we do this, we are also figuratively making space for new things to move into it.

I think we all know the feeling of clearing off a table only for more things -keys, coins, papers, etc- to “magically” creep onto it again. We have to constantly keep a check on our space to make sure it holds what we want it to. In the same way, we must do that with our lives and what we bring in it: people, money, jobs, hobbies, our thoughts, our dreams, our purpose! Nothing stays a void very long. We are constantly filling and refilling. Creating and re-creating.

Often our physical artifacts are representations of our thought realm. When we aren’t careful and selective, it can be become cluttered -a mess. We must be careful what we bring into our lives- our home, our mind, our body – so that it will be a true reflection of what you want to see, to be.

And so in this way, it has been a real re-awakening to what is important to us, especially when we got new carpet and had to move everything that had been in every room. Most of our “stuff” really is just stuff. They are representations of things that were once important to us, and some of what still is. But most of it is not necessary in our transition to what we really want, and where we really want to be: which is 3000 miles away on four jungled acres in a tucked away surf town on a Caribbean isle.

I think we are coming close to a point where we will be looking more at what we want/need to take with us instead of what needs to be discarded. For instance, this is the list of things we will take so far:

Kumquat and Mexicola
The two plants I’d like to take

Clothing– we will need a little clothing to get us started. And most of my jewelry because it is small, easy to take and a lot have meaning (like our wedding rings for example).
Sentimental items– some physical photographs/albums, journals, small gifts, small wall decor items
Computer/lap top– for our music, files, blog, and digital photos
Paperwork-like licenses, titles, taxes, identification
Kitty- We have chosen to take Kitty. It will be a mini-adventure for sure to take our cat with us. And through his eyes we will see our reactions somewhat mirrored
A couple of houseplants– I would like to take our Mexicola avocado plant that I grew from seed and a kumquat tree.
Bikes -We are not sure on this one. I love my beach cruiser and it would be perfect in Rincon, but is it worth shipping? Same thing with Britton’s mtn bike. It is old but reliable.
Guitar/bass- We will probably be using a lot more acoustic instruments like bongo drums and acoustic guitars, but this perhaps will be a sentimental item for BK to bring. He is selling his amp, however, which will literally clear a lot of space.

Marshall Vintage
Amp for sale!

I think these are good representations for what we are bringing into this new space that we will be creating. Our knowledge, history and experiences. Responsibility. Living things. Love. Music. Hobbies and interests. Health.

In 7 short months, we will be walking into a new space and filling it with the building blocks of a new, exciting adventure. And we are thrilled!

Rincon House Fish Eye
Thanks to Linda for capturing this fish-eye picture of our place in Rincon!

 

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4 thoughts on “Clearing Space and Filling It

  1. Linda

    Cassie,
    I can’t imagine you riding a beach cruiser around Rincon. Have you met your street? Have you met those hills?? It would be the best and hardest workout of your life, but more than that..have you met the puerto rican drivers?? I can think of less painful ways to go. haha
    Reading your post though just makes me think of ALL the STUFF we have. In 3 houses!!! Holy holy crap.
    I think this spring I’m going to do a real spring clean and sell stuff on craigslist.
    thank you for the inspiration.
    Linda

    Reply
  2. Cassie

    Linda,
    That’s funny! The beach cruiser at least has 3 gears. I think we would probably walk the bike up the steep hills.
    It has been pretty fun cleaning out and selling off everything. Really makes you feel a lot lighter and that we are not as bogged down. We are ready to go!

    Reply
  3. Annie

    We are doing the same here in Cedar; although not ready to move completely to SB yet. Having the condo has shown us that living with less is not just possible, but easier.

    In downsizing the “stuff”, like you mentioned, it helps to bring one’s consciousness to what we are filling up physically (space) as well as internally (mind and body). As I’ve said before, you two are so young to have come to such profound conclusions!

    Reply
  4. Reinaldo

    Hello Annie haven’t been in CA in a long time.But i t looks too me i will see Santa Barbara and state of CA becoming tomorrows Mexico .il see the rest of the USA becoming todays CA

    Reply

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