Our family was together in Hilton Head last week for our annual family vacation, or at least, some of us were. This was an unusual year in that different schedule conflicts kept some away. I know that is bound to happen as the grandchildren age and have activities that conflict with the family vacation. So, this year our three youngest grandchildren were with us for some of the time, and the two oldest were not able to make it at all. In years past not only were all of the grandchildren present, but they also had friends join us. While it was a different year, we enjoyed the time together that we had.  

When traveling and staying in condos, I am always struck by how differently we live when at home. The difference was especially graphic this year for me. I think this has something to do with me going through a major downsizing in the past couple of years, and still trying to reconcile the possessions I need, and those that I can do without. While I realize that there is a difference between what we want to live within our own homes, and what we are willing to do without when staying in rental property, perhaps we need to pay attention to those things that we really don’t “need.”

I usually carry many more kitchen items than I took this year. While we usually have more people and cook more than I knew we would this year, I am still surprised that I did not feel the need to carry lots of kitchen stuff with me. I usually take my good knives, griddle, special mixing bowls, and various other items. I left all of that at home this year. And I did not miss any of it. I did cook one dinner meal and had everything I needed to do so, although I was worried initially that I might not. I made a chicken casserole and took spices for that with me, realizing that there was no need to buy those spices.

The kitchen was equipped with only one casserole dish, which was all that I needed. I probably have ten at home. While there really wasn’t a mixing bowl per se, there was a glass salad bowl, which sufficed fine as a mixing bowl. There was only one measuring cup, a one cup, and I use at least three when I am cooking at home. One was sufficient.

Thankfully, there was a cream pitcher, which I prefer to have, and I often find is missing in a rental. There was a large frying pan, and a small one, which was more than enough. There were two saucepans, which was enough. There was only one pan suitable for roasting vegetables, but one was enough. There were no baking pans at all, and I think there should have been at least a muffin tin, although we did not need it. In fact, there wasn’t any kitchen item that we needed that wasn’t stocked.  

There were plenty of plates, bowls, cups, and glasses. There was a pitcher, which we did not use. I had brought my tea pitcher with me. There were ample mixing spoons, although not nearly as many as I have at home. There was ample flatware.

There were two dish towels, but no cotton dishcloth, only a sponge. That was what I missed the most from my own kitchen. I prefer a cotton dishcloth.  

I realized that I took too many clothes. I found that I repeated what I wore, probably only wearing three different outfits the entire week, the ones that are most comfortable!  I do the same thing at home.

I need to cull my kitchen cabinets and greatly reduce the number of same items that I own, such as casserole dishes. I also need to do the same thing in my drawers and closet and get rid of the clothes that I am not wearing. Why have clogged cabinets and drawers of items that I am not using?

I have noticed some changes since we returned from vacation. I had planned to buy a couple of new clothes items but have not done so. I have consciously decided that if I only wear the same few things, why buy more? Another change. I also walked away from some dishes that I found on sale and loved, realizing that I should not bring any more dishes into our space unless and until I get rid of lots of what I have that I am not using.

I think I am ready to get rid of unnecessary duplicates, even of items that I love. If we have more than we can use, why do we keep it all? Just because we bought it, paid perhaps too much for it, and still find it beautiful?

My cabinets, drawers, and closets are stuffed so full that I can’t easily get to what I want to use. Thus, having so much that I can’t use what I have means I have less than I would if I had less and yet could easily use what I have!

I know that you have no idea what this is all about! Or do you? Are there some changes that you also need to make?