Our Wandering Pack

We are Jess and Maddy, and together with our two dogs, we make up Our Wandering Pack. Right now, we’re deep in the process of downsizing our lives to move into our travel trailer full-time. If you’re preparing for RV life or just curious about how to make the leap, we’re here to share our experience—what we’re keeping, what we’re letting go of, and what we wish we had known before starting this process.

Why Downsizing Is a Challenge

Let’s be real: downsizing is overwhelming. We’ve always loved the idea of minimalism, but when faced with actually choosing what to part with, it suddenly became a lot harder. Everything feels essential when you’re looking at it in your home, but in a 29ft travel trailer? Not so much.

We had to rethink our priorities and consider not just what fits but what truly adds value to our new lifestyle. Every item we keep has to earn its place—whether through function, versatility, or sentimental value.

What Stays: The Essentials for Full-Time RV Living

We focused on the things that are non-negotiable for comfort, function, and adventure:

• Multi-purpose Kitchen Items: Collapsible kitchen dishes, nesting mixing and measuring cups , and our absolute favorite—our cast iron cookware.
• Clothing for All Seasons: We’re sticking to layers, quality over quantity, and pieces that can handle trail dirt and town outings.
• Outdoor & Adventure Gear: Hiking boots, backpacking essentials, and the dog gear (yes, Moia and Dakota’s things take up their own storage section!).
• Tech & Work Must-Haves: Since we’re working remotely, our laptops, WiFi booster, and a portable standing desk setup are coming with us.
• Memory Keepers: A small box for sentimental items, photos, and a few mementos to make our trailer feel like home.

What Goes: Things We Thought We’d Need But Don’t

Some things were surprisingly easy to let go of, while others were painful but necessary:

• Excess Kitchen Gadgets: We love to cook, but we had to part with our bulky appliances (RIP to all of them, you will be missed).
• Books & DVDs: We’re embracing digital versions where possible, though a few favorites made the cut. Kindle readers are a great space-saving solution.
• Fancy Clothes & Shoes: Realistically, we’re not attending many formal events on the road.
• Decor & Knick-Knacks: We had to remind ourselves that our new “decor” is nature outside our window.

What We Wish We Knew Before Downsizing

If we could go back, here’s what we’d do differently (and what you should know before downsizing):

1. Start Sooner: We thought we had plenty of time, but sorting through years of belongings takes longer than expected.
2. Test Out Living Small: Before committing, spend time in a small space with only the essentials to see what you truly need.
3. Storage Solutions Are Key: Invest in good space-saving hacks early—over-the-hanging organizers , magnetic organizers, and over the door storage will be lifesavers.
4. Some Things Are Worth Storing: There were items we initially sold that we later regretted—having a small storage unit or family to hold onto a few things can be a good middle ground.
5. Emotional Attachment Is Real: It’s okay to struggle with letting go. Be patient with yourself and remember why you’re doing this.
   • We have a free guide that really helped us to prioritize and navigate the emotional attached to downsizing.

Final Thoughts

Downsizing isn’t just about getting rid of stuff—it’s about gaining freedom, clarity, and the ability to focus on what truly matters. Every item we part with brings us one step closer to the adventures ahead. If you’re considering full-time RV life, know that it’s a process, but one that’s entirely worth it.

Have you downsized for RV life or a big move? What was the hardest thing to let go of? Let’s chat in the comments below!

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