“Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you stepped out of your comfort zone and let go of your attachments to material possessions?”
This was the question Aussie couple, Bessie and Geoff Barker asked themselves, only they decided to answer it…and in a big way.
The Barker’s answer took the form of The Life Change Experiment.
Step one was the bold task of giving away ALL that they own. Yes, they gave it all away. For free. Nothing was sold. Their car, bikes, scooters, laptops, jewelry, furniture, clothes, books, iPods and even their 2 businesses were up for grabs.
All the potential recipients of their possessions had to do was send them an email with what they wanted and why. Bessie and Geoff then chose the person who most needed each item.
Step one has been completed. They are now at the stage where they are possession free. In Geoff’s own words;
“It is a VERY surreal feeling. Sitting here today with little more than the clothes on my back as possessions. I feel so incredibly FREE for the first time in years. I feel almost ELATED!!……… WE DID IT!!
This crazy, stupid, irresponsible, wonderful, enlightening, thing! My god it was a trial, but stage one is over and I REALLY AM sitting here a changed person. With a spring in my step and lightness in my heart like I have not experienced since I was a teenager.”
For the Barkers, being possession free was really the beginning of the experiment.
So what now? Well, the short answer is; they don’t know!
Step two involves staying what they call “in the flow” and seeing what happens. On their site, The Life Change Experiment, they are calling for ideas on where they can go, who they can help and what they should do next (for Aussies, if you know a great location they should visit, a person they can help in some way or inspirational people they could visit, send them an email at help [at symbol] thelifechangeexperiment [dot] com).
Their plan is to travel Australia with their young daughter BlueBelle in a Winnebago “going with the flow and helping people as they go”.
In a world where most are consumed with consumption, control and achievement, the Barkers really stand out.
Having been through the post-divorce-let-go-of-possessions-and-take-off-overseas-with-2-bags thing myself, I can somewhat relate and am intrigued to see how they go. So intrigued in fact, I’ve invited them to stay if they ever make their way to the Sunshine Coast. Hope they can cope with impromptu Flashdance routines! 
So what do you think about the Barker’s experiment? How would you go giving away all your worldly possessions?
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1) These souls are brave!
2) I admire them!
3) Thank you for sharing!
I will definitely follow Bessie, Geoff and BlueBelle as they embark on their journey. And, Sami, that’s so great that you have offered your place as a rest stop for them! I’m glad, too, that you warned them about your Flashdance outbreaks…
Sami, thanks a bunch for sharing this info. I checked out their website and I’m unabashedly AWED at their life change! I’m expecting they may end up with not only a huge fan club and following, but even some copycats who will be inspired to do the same thing, somewhere else. Now that would be something!
Holy crap!!! That was my first reaction and then that gave way to hmmm in that circumstance what would I take? Is there anything (apart from family and pets) that means so much I couldn’t leave it behind or give it away?
We asked these questions not so long ago when Mackay got hit with the flood. Thank goodness we weren’t affected like so many other people, but it made me realise that there was nothing (ok, my photos meant a lot to me) that we couldn’t live without (family and pets aside) possessions-wise. It is a very interesting feeling!
I’m off to read their story – thank you!!
Sami,
Wow! Me? I’d have some fear issues to resolve in going through this. Makes me wonder why, though – what’s so important that I couldn’t get rid of it – and really, does the “stuff” tie me down, anyway?
I’m sure, should they make it your way…the Flashdance routine will provide hours of entertainment fun!
Wow, that is truly inspirational. I’m filled with admiration for courage, and off to check their site…
Wow, this sounds really interesting! Thanks so much for introducing me to this, Sami… Such great inspiration!
Thanks for this. I’ve never had much use for possessions — the walls of my place have always been white and the place is minimally furnished. Recently I’ve been exploring the part of me that wants more — it’s pretty quiet but it’s there. Maybe my personal challenge is the opposite of what these people did.
@Lori
Hey Lori.
1) Hell yeah!
2) Me too.
3) You’re welcome.
4) Yes, my Flashdance routines should come with a disclaimer!
@Jeanne
Hi Jeanne. It’s pretty amazing eh? They’ve already gotten a lot out of the experiment. I can only imagine what’s to come for them. And if it results in copycats, that can only be a good thing me thinks!
@Kirsty
Haha, yep, I had a fairly similar reaction to you. It’s so funny, Chris and I had a similar conversation ourselves recently. We decided the only thing we’d really want to take was our external hard drives full of photos. In the event of a fire or flood, the absolute focus for us would be making sure each other and those close to us were safe. You’re welcome by the way.
@Lance
Hey Lance, pre-divorce I think I would have had some serious fear issues to resolve too but having relocated to another country with 2 bags and surviving, I can safely say the fear would now be a lot less. It’s not easy at the time but it’s doable and what you find from being possession-free is much more valuable than any item.
I’m not so sure the Flashdance routine would provide hours of entertainment, maybe seconds!
@Hilda
Hi Hilda. Yes, they have more courage than most that’s for sure.
@Positively Present
You’re welcome PP!
@Chris
Hi Chris, wow, that’s interesting. It’s not common people have the opposite problem! Maybe you need to explore the consumption end so you can find a happy medium.