Few things have made me reevaluate what is important in life more than packing up my entire life into a few bags. I have done it a few times now but never this permanently. This time my mom couldn’t mail me the sock I left in the laundry to complete the pair. I can’t pick something up at Target that was the same brand from home the same way I could when I moved away to school. I couldn’t grab that sweater at Christmas when I was home that I didn’t think I really wanted but actually miss. This time I had one chance to get all that mattered in to my 3 bags.
I carefully chose each piece I placed in those bags. I checked and rechecked; weighed and reweighed each bag. I left behind things I thought I could never live without; I chose to bring things others thought worthless because of what they mean to me. I packed up my childhood room, said I’ll see you later to the room in which I became the person I am today. I left a few old photos hanging on the walls. I left a half-finished art project on my desk and a wrapped gift for my sister in my closet.
I will not lie; it is not easy to leave a place you love.
It is not easy to pack all that matters into suitcases.
But it can also be surprisingly easy to leave behind things you thought you needed. It is not the things I left at home that I miss. I really did not need all of those high school and college mementos or the 6 pairs of black leggings and 8 other sweatshirts (ok a few of those I miss). I do not need them. I did not need them there and I do not need replacements here. I am fine with what fit in my three bags. I will make this place a place I love with the people who I am growing to love.
*Pictured are my bags as well as my 4 new team mates’