Packing Light

Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage

By: Allison Vesterfelt

Narrated by: Allison Vesterfelt

What do you need to leave behind?

When I was in college, I figured my life would come together around graduation. I'd meet a guy; we'd plan a beautiful wedding and buy a nice house - not necessarily with a picket fence, but with whatever kind of fence we wanted. I might work, or I might not, but whatever we decided, I would be happy.

When I got out of college and my life didn't look like that, I floundered around, trying to figure out how to get the life I had always dreamed of. I went down so many different paths for it. Career. Travel. Friends. Relationships. But none of them were as satisfying as I hoped they would be.

Like many 20-somethings, I tried desperately to discover the life of my dreams after college, but instead of finding it, I just kept accumulating baggage. I had school loans, car payments, electronics I couldn't afford, a house full of mismatched furniture I didn't love but that had become my own, hurt from broken relationships, and unmet expectations for what life was "supposed to be" like.

Just when I had given up all hope of finding the "life I'd always dreamed about," I decided to take a trip to all 50 states...because when you go on a trip, you can't take your baggage. What I found was that "packing light" wasn't as easy as I thought it was.

This is the story of that trip and learning to live life with less baggage.

©2013 Allison Vesterfelt (P)2013 Allison Vesterfelt

Loved it!

This was truly an amazing listen! Many things struck close as I have been a travel nurse for over a year now. Not that I’m moving about across all 50 states in six months, however, just the action of picking up and moving away from the home I’ve known most of my life. Walking into the unknown and not knowing how the next 13 weeks is going to go. If it’s going to be enjoyable or painful. Looking at life and enjoying the different scenery. Reflecting on myself and remembering who I’ve wanted to become.

Thank you for the insightful words on facing our fears and insecurities and pushing ourselves to jump through them and knowing we are never alone.

Definite must read/listen!!

Don't Relate to Author

I couldn't relate to the author, so listening to her life story was not very appealing to me. I read this for a book club assignment. I wouldn't have done it except to discuss later.

I will say this: I didn't think her road trip was nearly as courageous as she seems to, and I was so sick of her references to the rich ruler at the end... BUT, I appreciated how open and honest she was about her experiences that year. She tells the truth, and I respect that.

so good!

I didn't want to stop listening. This book spoke to me right where I am at. In an unsure place where God is asking me to step out in faith. I just might listen all over again. Such a real book full of things that I want to say and sometime lose the nerve. thanks so much!

Enjoyable Story

Enjoyable story with a lot of life lessons. I enjoyed riding along on her adventure.

Great book!

I appreciated how honest and vulnerable the author was in the book. I also appreciated her shared nuggets of wisdom. Traveling all 50 states is an amazing feat no matter the circumstances and the author and her friend did have some trials and triumphs. While some things could have gone a lot worse it wasn't all rainbows for them and the experience impacted them both in different ways.