possessed letter

Dearest Possessed,

tl;dr: I've gone from over ~1000 possessions, to about 680, by my estimations in preparation for the move.

The logistics of moving has been very time-consuming, and as a planning sort of person, particular emphasis has been placed on one thing:
My List of Possessions.

What is going, what is staying. Selling, donating? Kept just in case? Given away?

I prioritized small volume, light weight, non-electric (or at least dual voltage) tech, and sentimentality.

When I began to consult with friends and family, to ask if they might want anything from my list; I had a bit of a shock.

Not everyone has a list of possessions.

Even my husband had no such list (and, by coincidence, had a much harder time packing, imo).

I've been keeping and updating my list regularly since just before college, with my dorm packing lists. I've always enjoyed a packing list!

In late high school and into college (circa 2009-2014 for me), in the beginnings of reddit and tumblr, when personal websites and blogs were still common– "minimalism" and the counting of the objects you own, knowing the actual number, was an online trend.

There was a bullshit "the average american family owns 300,000 objects!" "European families own 10,000 objects!". And if you're counting every card in a deck of cards, every paperclip and hair tie– maybe so. But no one really knew what was average.

But we all basically agreed on what was DEFINITELY minimalist– 100 objects or LESS!

Honor and honors, for those who touted the smallest list, the least physical footprint and existence. 'I own only one hundred things!' 'I'm down to 30!' The pristine white minimalism of the 2010's emerged, hiding panic drawers and "catch-all" cabinets. Big arguments about whether socks should be counted individually, or as a pair. DRAMA when it turned out, someone wasn't counting any of their sports equipment, only their "domestic" items! The cheater!

I loved to pour over these blogs, loved the Japanese influence, adored the later Marie Kondo method, and dabbled in stoic philosophy and veganism-— but I knew I could never be a 'true' minimalist.

I had a distinctly anti-minimalist addiction to what I deem: Apex Hobbies.

This means I have far too many crafting supplies and tools to ever be called a minimalist, and trying to pare down my list of possessions in order to quickly and easily move across the ocean over the last few months WAS SO HARD.

Small Aside: What is an Apex Hobby?

Apex hobbies incentivize the accumulation of more hobbies. An apex hobby may begin with one objective; but many optional skills might be developed alongside it, with the aim of supporting the apex hobby.

My personal Apex Hobbies have been LARP and Cosplay. Say you want to go to a larp (live action role play) with your friends. This could mean dressing up as your own character, and camping. But as you sink your teeth in, an array of skills and side quests open to you;

• Sewing, historial garment patterns, cobbling
• Sword-fighting, archery, spears
• Historical war strategies, guerrilla warfare
• Make up, special effects, latex masks
• Leatherworking, Woodworking, Metalworking
• Blacksmithing, armor, swords, jewelry
• Public Speaking, acting, writing (so much writing)
• Medieval music, instruments, dance, choreography
• Firestarting, bushcraft, low-tech camping
• Medieval Pavilion Tents. Tent-making! oh no.
• and... so much more. so. much.

If you are a Larper, or heaven forbid, a Historical Reenactor, you may have long lists of Apex Hobby related hobbies! I know folks who have gotten into norse tablet weaving, historic Icelandic bread-baking, ancient forms of beer brewing, alongside stone-lifting, historic games and sports, and of course, all manner of fighting with so many exciting weapons!

anyway. it's hard to pare down when you have so many lovely hobbies. :'(

Packing and Partings...

So; as you can imagine, I have a lot of supplies, for a lot of different endeavors. I love tools, particularly when they have nice wooden handles. I also collect illustrated children's books from the late 1800's, when I can.

Partings... I parted with over 140 'lots' of my possessions; an incredible amount that makes me feel like a hoarder. Some lots only had one item, like my dearly beloved chaise lounge. Other lots were a set of things; like a beautiful crystal punch bowl set, with a dozen crystal cups! (used once, spectacularly, for 'poisonings' during a Murder Mystery Night!).

I am not entirely certain on the exact number of objects I parted with, but I estimate around 400, including things that were donated or tossed (like ill-fitting clothings I never got around to tailoring, or a collection of wood or fabric scraps I will definitely use some day).

Some of these things may be replaced eventually in England, but couldn't be brought with; my Sewing Machine, Vacuum, Blender, Scroll Saw, Table saw, Dremel– these are not dual voltage, with the wrong plugs, and would be a fire risk if I tried to plug them in with a UK converter.

Other things should not be replaced; wayward and ambitious purchases. Like my steel industrial #32 manual meat grinder, with a wooden crank, to make cat food at home; along with all of the supplements and materials to make said cat food. Did I make cat food? ....no. I got anxious about doing it wrong.

We parted with most of our furniture, with the exception of my writing desk with matching chest of drawers, which I filled and then prioritized on one of two pallets that will be shipped to us.

I've learned important lessons from many of these "things" acquired from estate sales for low prices, but never really used. I have always been quite selective about acquiring things; I ere towards vintage, high quality, and... as affordable as possible! Mother raised a deal-spotter, just like herself.

Final Tally; I moved with about 680 possessions.

To visualize that number, my 680 possessions took up three suitcases, three medium boxes, and about one pallet (the other pallet being mostly my husband's).

I say "moved", past tense, when really, I have a fraction of my things with me right now. I moved with the three suitcases in December; alongside my two cats, whose things got priority in my luggage.

Since then, I have been living a truly Minimalist lifestyle; no furniture, slept on a cot for a few weeks, living out of suitcases! ...I don't like it. There is very little glamour in sleeping basically on the floor.

The rest of our things will be on their way to us soon; our three priority boxes hopefully within a few weeks, and then two pallets, which will take a few months to get here.

All in all, 680 possessions, down from over a thousand. This number does include individual books, every item of clothing (including underwear and pairs of socks), my daily carry, every single 'beauty' item, and all of my remaining crafting, camping, music making, painting, and woodworking tools!

Categorical Possession Count Breakdown

I was tempted to post my actual list, but I think my category breakdown will be more than adequate for any interest. If any of you keep a List of Possessions, I would love to hear about it!

Daily Carry: 8

Important Papers: 14

Furniture: 11

Bags 19

Scarves: 9

Gloves: 8

Hats: 4

Belts: 8

Umbrellas: 2

Coats: 6

Outfits: 12

Blouses: 17

Bottoms: 14

Sweaters: 13

Pajamas: 4

Underwear and Socks: 37

Shoes: 13

Jewelry: 28

Personal: 29

Booth Kit: 3

Electronics Kit: 10

Gamer Kit: 5

Camping Kit: 7

LARP Soft Kit: 22

Cords & Adapters: 7

Writing Desk Kit: 36

Watercolor Kit: 15

Sewing Kit: 17

Music Kit: 3

Ceramics Kit: 9

Leatherworking Kit: 45

Woodwork Kit: 26

Hema Kit: 21

Fitness Kit: 13

Kitchen: 39

Hygiene: 21

Bedding: 16

Books: 78

Cat Kit: 31

woo! I would consider everything from booth kit to the end to be my "Hobby" possessions, so about 277 of those. A long way to go before I am a minimalist, but I think I'm doing well– it's not about what we acquire in this life, but surrounding myself with practical, beautiful things, that I've picked out with care, brings me joy.

Wishing you all a happy new year, with love and light,
Aimee