Our New Home
When we decided to hit the road full-time in our caravan, we knew downsizing was part of the deal — but we didn’t realise just how many coffee mugs two people could accumulate. What started as a simple “let’s pack the essentials” quickly turned into a full-blown domestic archaeology dig.
Challenge #1: The Emotional Baggage (and not the suitcase kind)
Every item suddenly had sentimental value. That cracked vase from Aunt Joan? A family heirloom. The old doona cover with a questionable stain? “Still good for the dog bed!” It turns out letting go of stuff is harder than we thought. We had to keep reminding ourselves: we were chasing freedom, not dragging our entire past along for the ride.
Challenge #2: The Great “Sell, Donate or Keep” Debate
We became experts in negotiation — mostly with each other.
- Richard: “Gotta watch the weight.”
- Coral: “There goes another thing to sell or donate.”
Our golden rule became: if it doesn’t serve a daily purpose and it doesn’t spark absolute joy (Marie Kondo style), it had to go.
Storage Solutions (aka: Where the heck will this fit?)
Living in a small space means every square inch counts. Here are a few clever tricks we swear by:
- Foldable everything – collapsible bowls, laundry baskets, even the kettle.
- Velcro & hooks – our best friends. If it sticks, it stays.
- Under-bed storage – perfect for those “I’ll definitely need this later” items.
- Vacuum-sealed bags – we now have winter clothes that fit into a bread bin.
Survival Tip: Be Ruthless but Kind
Downsizing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional too. We gave ourselves time, accepted the occasional meltdown, and celebrated small wins (like fitting all the cutlery into one drawer without it jamming). In the end, we learned that living with less doesn’t mean losing comfort — it means gaining freedom, mobility, and a whole lot of peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Letting go of a lifetime of belongings was tough — but trading it for a life of sunsets, starry nights, and waking up to the sound of kookaburras? Totally worth it. Downsizing may test your patience and your storage skills, but it’s the first real step toward a bigger, simpler life on the road.
So grab a box, pour a cuppa, and start sorting — your next great adventure might just begin with letting go of that fourth set of salad tongs.
“It’s never too late to live a life you love.”
— Unknown