Getting Rid of My “Stuff” For the Peace Corps

I was considering a storage unit for my Riccar vacuum cleaner

I never thought it would be this difficult to decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away, before I leave for the Peace Corps.

I only have one month before I leave for Lesotho, in southern Africa, and I’ve debated whether or not to rent a storage unit.

The cheapest storage unit I found was a 5’x5′ unit for $1, 950 for 28 months. Do I want to pay that much to store my clothes, shoes, and some files?

My mother’s silverware is going to my cousin’s house tomorrow, but since my cousin doesn’t have room for my files and my clothes, I decided to box everything, and store it with a friend for 3 months. If I’m not back before then–(I don’t plan on that,) my friend can either keep or donate my stuff to charity.

At first I contemplated a storage unit because I’m attached to my (old/expensive) vacuum cleaner, but then I asked myself: “Are you crazy Sonia? Are you really going to get a storage unit because you’re in love with your old vacuum cleaner?”

I have a thing about good quality vacuum cleaners, and spent a fortune on my Riccar, ten years ago, It still works well, and for some reason, this is one of the items I’m having a hard time releasing. (Any psychologists have an analysis of what this means?)

I started looking at all the “love letters and poems,” I received from my ex-husband when we dated, and during our marriage. That is a hard decision for me right now. Should I get rid of them? Part of me is tempted to, as my new life in Lesotho is starting, and I need to move on.

What about my sons’ Kindergarten and school papers? I cannot throw those away, even though they tell me they don’t want them.

Any advice from my friends? Have you had to make decisions like this? 

 

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