Minimal approach for maximum pleasure

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” Well, in my case, the answer to the question posed in John Lennon’s seasonal song is that I traveled back to my home in the United Kingdom for the first time in 15 months

And what’s that other famous song by John Lennon? Ah yes — “Imagine no possessions ...” As it turns out, both of the late Beatle’s ditties have some relevance to my trip.

In retrospect, flying thousands of kilometers for such a brief visit might not have been the wisest thing to attempt — but I had a week’s leave and I’d found a cheap flight so I decided to leave Beijing for a whistle-stop trip to spend Christmas with the family.

However, I’d underestimated the reverse culture shock and general disorientation I’d have to deal with, compounded by jetlag playing havoc with my body clock.

Of course, it was wonderful to be reunited with family and friends, satisfy my cravings for fish and chips and a trip to the pub, and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner. But the fatigue and confusion I felt seemed to be reflected by the weather.

Our home in the UK is just a few kilometers from where Emily Bronte wrote Wuthering Heights and the 19th century novelist wasn’t wrong about the winter climate in Yorkshire. The wind howled, the rain lashed against the windows and it seemed to be dark all day long — and my week was capped off with a blizzard of snow a meter deep.

But inside our cozy home I was also overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff I possess. All I could bring with me to Beijing was the 20 kilos of luggage allowed by the airline — and I wouldn’t be surprised if I now have even less than that. At home in the UK, however, I have a house overflowing with stuff and a garage overflowing with stuff ... stuff everywhere. Far too much of it, in fact.

I admit to having been a bit of a hoarder. I don’t like to be wasteful or throw-away anything potentially useful, and I’ve also become sentimentally attached to some items. My son is now 20 but we still have cupboards full of his toys and games. I find it heartbreaking to consider getting rid of Buzz Lightyear, Woody and his other childhood favorites, even though he’ll never be needing them again.

But my minimalist life in China has inspired me to rethink my policy on possessions. I’ve learned that the less clutter you have to deal with, the more clearly you can think.

All those books? All I need is a Kindle. Records and CDs? Spotify will take care of them.

And when I do eventually return to the UK there will be the mother of all springcleans.

What I now realize is that the journey through life is far easier when you’re traveling light.