When we first started planning this big trip, we decided right away we wanted to sell all our shit. Bye, Felicia. Paying for storage of IKEA furniture and used dishes we got from Goodwill seemed like a waste.

I read up a lot on other people that did the same, and everyone had the same first rule: start early. There’s part of me that thinks we did start early (around 1.5 months before we left), but over our last few days, as I sat in our ransacked apartment, I was thinking we should have started even earlier. Nervous tummy.

If you could put a price on our life, which according to all our sales, you can…our life is worth $3,959. Strangely enough though, I feel pretty proud of that number. Much like I hope the Goodwill is pretty proud of our two car-loads of stuff we donated to them at the very end.

There’s something very freeing, yet terrifying, about owning only the things that you can carry on your back. It makes you feel like a turtle. It takes the stress out of what to wear. You no longer have to read a book about organization tips. Life feels simpler. Even if it’s not.

Just like we learned lessons on packing for a year-long trip, we also learned lessons on selling all your possessions. May this someday guide you, if you too decide you want to sell all your shit (which I highly recommend):

• Don’t be bummed when someone doesn’t see the “value” that you see in your stuff. That painting from your aunt Janice may be cool to you, but to others? Not so much.
• Start early. I already said that. But for the love of god, just do it.
• Utilize great sites like NextDoor. Craigslist can suck it.
• Post to eBay for small valuable things, like electronics, but be prepared for it to take a bit longer to run the sale, ship and get paid.
• Always say yes. If someones says they can pick something up that day, let them. If they offer you $10 less than what you think you should get, suck up your pride and give it to them.
• Create a tumblr, or whatever floats your boat, and post bigger items for sale. We did it and made a bunch of sales from friends…and strangers.
• If you have any sentimental things, mail those off to someone you trust.
• The word ‘FREE’ moves things along mighty fast, just like the word ‘surprise pregnancy’.
• When in doubt, just donate it (and make sure to get a tax receipt).
• Yard sales are only good in high-traffic areas.

Selling your entire life may seem overwhelming at first (because it is):

But it’s ok to sell out:

 

Because, in the end, it’s worth it:

It’s odd. To feel so full when your apartment sits so empty. Echo-o-o-o…

But one thing’s for sure, we’re going to miss this view every morning, afternoon and night: