Years ago, as I prepared to leave for Mozambique to serve in the Peace Corps, I found myself standing in my RV, packing away the last remnants of a life I had carefully built over decades. The RV was up for sale, and what few belongings I had left were heading to my mom’s house. From there, my next challenge was deciding which treasures and essentials could fit into just two suitcases for my two-year journey to Africa.
By then, most of my worldly possessions had already been passed on to my children or donated. What remained was a distilled collection of what mattered most to me—memories, tools for living, and a few small comforts.
Life Beyond Things
The process felt like a rebirth. With each item I released, I felt lighter, freer, and more prepared to step into the unknown. I was nearly 45 then, with (I hoped) many decades still ahead. I began to ask myself: If I have the chance to live another 40 or 50 years, what do I truly want that to look like?
My departure for the Peace Corps was more than an adventure—it was an intentional pause. A chance to see the world from a new perspective, to live without the weight of “stuff,” and to create space for what really matters. When I eventually returned to America, I knew I would be able to rebuild my life with deliberate choice, rather than out of habit.
What Really Matters
I didn’t feel sadness or nostalgia during this transition—only a sense of liberation. I realized that my greatest treasures were not things at all, but the connections I made with people and the moments we shared. Time, I learned, is the most precious commodity. How we spend it—and who we spend it with—matters more than any possession.
That experience taught me something I carry with me to this day: every season of life offers the opportunity to shed what no longer serves us, so we can step forward lighter, freer, and more intentional about the life we create next.
About the Author
Kandace Blevin is the author of How to Massage Your Lover, Living the Keto Life, and Connected By Touch, and a senior advertising executive with over 20 years of experience. Through her Vibrant Life blog, she helps midlife women thrive in health, finance, relationships, and personal growth.
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