credit: freedigitalphotos.net by SundayMorning
This past week, my wife and I were busy with packing, moving and unpacking. As most who have moved know…moving can be a PAIN. I haven’t really had to move much in my life. Going off to college doesn’t count. And moving out of my parent’s house doesn’t really count for me either as I still have random stuff in their basement. Also, it wasn’t like we had a lease and I had to move EVERYTHING in a short amount of time.
So back to the packing part. We only had a one-bedroom so in my mind, it shouldn’t have been that bad. Although if you’ve been to our one-bedroom apartment, you can tell that it can get messy cluttered. Nevertheless, I figured we’d just buy a bunch of boxes and throw the stuff in there. We hired movers as it’s not a move that you can get done with a van and a couple of friends. We also made two trips to a thrift shop with a couple of bags of stuff to help de-clutter. We stopped buying anything for our kitchen pantry weeks in advance and vowed to finished everything in it and our refrigerator before our move. We were not successful (which makes me think we should clear out the pantry and fridge more often before buying more stuff). The evening before the movers were to come, we were still frantically trying to pack things up into boxes and bags. Granted it is a lot harder to move when your 14 month old likes to take stuff out of those boxes, and put himself into them! (I also learned that there isn’t much need to buy more toys when he’s content playing with boxes!)
In the earlier stages of packing, we were a little hesitant to throw things away. Some seemed to have sentimental value (however slight) and some seemed to have functional value, so we decided to keep it. But once we were into the wee hours of the night, still packing, we didn’t care anymore. We just told each other, “Don’t ask, just throw it out!” Yes, there were VHS tapes and cassette tapes in our junk. (You youngings may have to google those terms.) What am I gonna do with VHS tapes without a VCR? Surprisingly I do have a radio that plays cassette tapes though.
After the move, my wife and I made a pact to embrace minimalism and to stop buying things that we don’t need and to also get rid of stuff we don’t use. Many assume that minimalism is only for the frugal types who embrace minimalism to prevent any sort of spending. True, by embracing minimalism, you do spend less by buying less. But frugal types are not necessarily minimalists. Frugality can lead to clutter as well. I’m a frugal person and I tend to keep things since it still works, never mind the fact that I haven’t used it in ages. I’ve also bought things in bulk or on sale because it was a good deal which sometimes adds unnecessary items to my already cramped apartment.
Embracing minimalism doesn’t have to mean you have nothing but the clothes on your back and a few life essentials. To better explain this lifestyle, let me quote from the guys at The Minimalists who have a very interesting blog that I recommend.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution
One of the problems I have with getting rid of stuff is that I would think: you, know I just might need this, let me keep it…JUST IN CASE. The Minimalists have a great method to get out of this mindset and to get rid of things that you might hypothetically use in the future, but probably won’t. They call it the 20/20 theory. Basically, if it costs less than $20 and you can get the item within 20 minutes, then get rid of it. Chances are that the JUST IN CASE moment will never come.
Things with sentimental value are also tough to get rid of for many people. I still have stuff from when I was in grade school! The Minimalists also have a great post about letting go of sentimental items. After the death of the mother of one of the bloggers, he wanted to put everything she had in storage but then decided to give it all away. Here’s what he said:
That was a giant leap for me, but I felt as though it needed to be done to remove the weight—the emotional gravitas—of the situation from my shoulders.
You see, I don’t need Mom’s stuff to remind me of her. There are traces of her everywhere. In the way I act, in the way I treat others, even in my smile. She’s still there, and she was never part of her stuff.
I’m sure it’s going to be a tough transition, but I really think it will be freeing to get rid of a lot of the clutter. My wife agrees, though I’m not sure how far she’ll go in getting rid of things. =) We do already have a bag of stuff to donate to the thrift shop and a few things that we’ll try to sell on Amazon.
Are you a packrat and have a lot of clutter? Are you trying to get rid of it?
While I am not a minimalist, the last time we moved I said everyone should move every ten years just to get rid of the junk that accumulates. By the way, is it just me or do those who are truly minimalists seem to project a real self-superior attitude? Like they are better because they don’t need______________(fill in the blank).
Yea, moving definitely forces you to get rid of junk. I’m not sure which minimalists you’re referring to who project a self-superior attitude. don’t think I’ve really met too many people who consider themselves minimalists. I guess there are all types of people, not just minimalists, who can project a “I’m better than you attitude.” I hope I don’t project that when I talk about personal finances and other topics and write my opinions about those topics that I feel strongly about.
First, adorable picture! He’s so big! My cats did the same thing when we were trying to pack. Boxes seem like a playground to those that can fit in them, I guess.
Isn’t it funny how moving inspires minimalism? It did for me. I watched my parents throw out a bunch of stuff because it didn’t fit into the truck, and as time passed, they also stopped caring as much. It was sad to see so much go to waste.
When we moved, I didn’t think we had that much either, as we were also coming from a 1-bedroom apartment. I was wrong! It’s crazy how much stuff finds its way into our lives. I’m thinking of doing another cleaning through our apartment so we have less to worry about next time.
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Thanks! Yea, boxes are lots of fun right? I think I remember you writing about your parents move. That was tougher since they were moving out of state…I was moving down the block! =)
“frugal types are not necessarily minimalists”- this is so true! I am always striving to be more minimalist, but it is tough with a little one. More stuff comes in than I can keep up with!
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Yea it can be tough with a little one, but I think there are a lot of things that we have for my son which we never use. Although there are a lot things that he outgrows which we don’t want to get rid of since he might have a sibling in the future who can use it.
Super cute pic of your little guy. 🙂 I think we’re doing better than many, but we still have a long way to go to be considered minimalists. Much of it for us is sentimental stuff, and the fear of wasting money. We’re working on finding that balance, though.
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Thanks Laurie! I think those the same 2 reasons why I have a hard time getting rid of stuff too. I’m not sure we’ll ever be minimalists (though I guess even that term is subjective), but I definitely want to make sure our place is not filled with junk.
I love that post by the minimalists – I always re-read it before tackling my closets!
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Yea, I need to re-read it and forward it to my wife.
You definitely find out you have accumulated so much stuff, it’s crazy. Then your parents drive up to give you all of the things they have been hanging on to for you and you have even more. Little steps help, I gave away a large amount of clothes, made be feel like a superstar, I suggest doing the same.
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Yea I’ve given away a lot of stuff…but need to give away some more.
When I moved from LA to NYC, I started to embrace minimalism. I had a studio apartment, yet had so much stuff! I realized it was stuff I was storing, but not using. It really is refreshing to let go and live with less. Minimalism is about living intentionally with things that bring you joy, not just take up space.
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Very true…I feel like I’m storing stuff, not using it. There are things I brought from our last move which were never touched until this move. I like your definition of minimalism.
I am definitely the minimalist in the family, but my wife recognizes her tendency toward clutter…..and gives me free reign to donate junk. I need very little and therefore want very little. God help us if we ever get a larger house……..
-Bryan
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My wife was on board to getting rid of junk but I’m not sure she’d give me free reign!
Great seeing that cutie in the box! I hope you packed him and took him with you! The 20/20 rule sounds great and I’m going to try to apply it. Because I’m living frugally I can’t seem to let myself get rid of stuff like that but the rule might just help me!
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Thanks Debs! Yep…he came with us! haha. The frugal me has a hard time getting rid of something that still works, but I think with a lot of “just in case” stuff…we really won’t ever use it. That just in case moment won’t come…and if in the rare instance that it does…you can go and get it. Honestly for us, I think even if we kept something “just in case,” I’m not sure we’d even find it and might have to go out and get another one!
I think having a house in the suburbs have made us a bit worse, mainly because we have plenty of space to store our stuff. We have been getting pretty good at listing things on Craigslist and eBay, so that’s helped us get rid of some of that stuff that just stays around. We have pretty small closets (by today’s standards) so that has helped both of us get rid of clothes we don’t wear.
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Making money off selling stuff is great incentive to get rid of it. Clothes can be tough to get rid of…but I try to go by the thinking that if I haven’t worn it in a year that chances are I won’t wear it or miss it so I donate it.
What’s with toddlers and boxes, right? Baby Romanian also loves boxes and opening all drawers and doors he can find. Also, we just went through a move to our new place soon and I know what you mean about things that you keep piling up: we were shocked to see how much stuff we had. We probably left behind about half the things we owed (including a ton of clothes), which was a clear eye opener regarding our spending habits. We were 100% sure that we’re smart buyers and only have just what we need, but the move proved us wrong.
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Yea, we need to get those safety guards so Little LRC can’t open all those drawers and doors. Moving really opens your eyes to all the stuff that you have that you never use!
He he, I think we need to move, so that hubs starts throwing all this junk. This man is a coin collector (which is not bad), but he seems to have the same ‘issue’ with almost everything. He’s got a collection of cameras (digital and on film), a collection of everything. It drives me nuts, but that’s him 😀
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Haha, that’s the reason why you need to move right? =) Wow, your husband likes to collect a lot of different things. I’m hoping coins and film don’t take up much space. I used to collect shot glasses from each place I’ve been to, but I think I’ll stop that. Takes up too much space.
I’ve moved to a few different countries with my parents and because of that we have adopted a more minimalist approach to belongings: as a result we regularly get rid of unnecessary clutter and we have cut things down to the extent that we could be packed for the next move in a couple of days if we had to. That makes it sound like we’re on the run, doesn’t it?!
It’s funny because we’re the complete opposite of my grandparents who hoard everything they’ve ever owned in the basement 🙂
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I guess that’s one positive of moving around a lot…you adopt a minimalist approach and don’t have a lot of clutter.
Baby LRC is adorable, Andrew! He is getting so big. I didn’t realize he was already 14 months old. Yes, moving is such a pain. And I think it’s harder when you have kids because they have SO MUCH STUFF. I agree that being frugal doesn’t make you a minimalist. Sometimes I think it has the opposite effect in that you tend to keep things “just in case”. My husband is not a fan of clutter so that helps keep me and the girls in check.
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Thanks Shannon…and yea time flies. I think the frugal side of me does prevent me from being a minimalist. I tend to keep things that still work and that I MIGHT use. I’m pretty sure I won’t use it…but I might…
Your little guy is so cute! I am actively downsizing-even though I live in a 495 sqf condo. I just don’t want anything that is unnecessary or drags me down (literally or metaphorically). It has been very interesting seeing which items I have a hard time letting go….shoes and books!
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Thanks! Good for you for downsizing…I wish we had done that more before our move.
Oooo, I just wrote my own version of this post. Good to see that other people are thinking similar thoughts 🙂
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Just read it…pretty awesome how you decluttered!
I like the minimalist look—black and white and less is good. I find it very classic and classy. By the way, your baby looks so cute. Is he really 14 months old? He’s bigger than the average. I agree with you that moving is tasky and such a pain. So much stuff to take care…
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Probably 15 months in that picture, but yes, the doctor did say he’s pretty big.
LOVE that picture of your son!!! SO cute!!!! We moved a bunch over the first 10 years of our marriage and I always loved the move process as a way for us to de-clutter and minimize. You really had to want something to take the effort to not only pack it but also to know that you would have to unpack it when you got to your new home. We are in our permeant home now, though, and said that we need to pretend like we are moving every year and de-clutter to keep our stuff in check.
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Thanks! I hate the moving process but you’re right that I like being forced to de-clutter and minimize. Otherwise we’d probably never do it. How’s it going when you “pretend” like you’re moving? Motivation isn’t as strong right?
OMG, that pic is SO adorable!!! He might be distracting, but that’s the cutest distraction ever! 🙂 I moved around a lot in my 20’s, so I’ve tried to embrace minimalism ever since, as well. I’ve stayed at my current place for 3 years, though, so when it’s time to move, I’ll be curious how much I’ve actually ended up storing (no matter what, the ‘stuff’ seems never ending, especially for a move). Super big congrats on your new place – I’m very happy for you and your family!! 🙂
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Thanks and yea, he’s a cute distraction and my wife was taking many pics of him in boxes. Stuff really seemed never ending…there were things I didn’t even know we had.
I love to get rid of stuff…I love when everything is easily “findable.” It also keeps me a lot calmer. Whenever I walk into someone’s house and it’s messy and cluttered I just feel so icky.
I used to work in housing court and there were people who were hoarders. I’ve been to their houses and yes it does feel icky.
I hate moving. Unfortunately, it’s part of my reality as an actor. Living on the road and learning to live out of a suitcase for months at a time really helped me realize how very little I actually need.
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Hey if you can live out of a suitcase for months you can fit all your essentials into it, so no need to keep all the unnecessary clutter.
Thanks for sharing those are some good rules. I am also in the process of decluttering. We don’t have that many things but kids toys and papers seem to internally be moving in.
I implemented a kind of FiFo mentality not really first in first out. But I told my son before he can get something new he needs to sell something else
I told my wife the same thing. Before she can buy new stuff, she has to get rid of something else.
I’m somewhere in between. I occasionally other our stuff (20/20 rule rocks!) But I’d have a hard time getting rid of my mom’s stuff in that situation.
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Me too, I can get sentimental. But there can be a balance between getting rid of it all and keeping all of it in a storage unit.
It’s hard for my wife to totally embrace it, but she is not a packrat. We have become much more minimalist in the last years and I love it!
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Yes I feel your pain, I’ve moved 3 times in 7 years. It is a hassle but every time we moved we de-cluttered a bit more. Its hard on the moving day, but once your settled in, its exciting to live in a new space.
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Yea, we really like the new space…more room for the little one. Moving often definitely helps you declutter.
Though I’m probably not a minimalist, I do think that it’s a logical and practical way to approach things. I’ve found that most things I’ve held on to “just in case” truly never get used again. Really, outside of pictures and some irreplaceable sentimental-type of items, I’m not sure a whole lot really needs to be saved. Except, money that is 🙂
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When I think of the things that I’ve kept “just in case” I don’t think that “just in case” moment every occurred. I think things that I’ve not touched since I last moved.
The little one is soo cute!! And congrats on the new place!
I’ve definitely been trying to embrace minimalism. I kind of great a thrill from throwing something away. Kind of weird, the opposite of hoarding I guess you could say?
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Just moving for the 19th time since I stopped living with my parents many years ago.
Our philosophy – don’t buy much, but when you do buy, make sure its good quality.
Buying cheap means that:
a) you accumulate more stuff
b) the stuff you are accumulating is cheap junk
c) you will end up throwing it out because it is cheap junk and you have so much of it
Buying quality means:
a) you accumulate less stuff as it costs more
b) what you have is worth keeping
c) it is usually nicer
Wow 19 times! That definitely helps to decrease clutter! I know what you mean about good quality…though good quality products are hard to find nowadays.
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I’m envious of you embracing minimalism. I constantly fight the internal struggle of finding the balance between enough and too much.
I think it all starts with the house (where I am now), I previously owned a 1500 square foot home and it was too much, but that was without children. There always is just a little grey in how much you actually need space wise. I’m a firm believer that smaller / nicer will always trump larger and more expensive.
I never heard the 20/20 rule, but thank you, it’s a solid concept.
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Well hopefully we’ll continue to embrace it! I think it’s common to struggle with finding that balance.
Mr. Maroon and I have started towards a lifestyle of minimalism along with our goals for financial independence. We recently moved to another state. We were fortunate enough to get a full moving package from Mr. Maroon’s new employer. This perk was especially appreciated since we had a two year old with one on the way. The downside was that we didn’t pack anything. I’m sure you ask how this was a downside… Nothing got thrown out! We even moved the trash from the junk drawer!!
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Hopefully the move is to a state with a lower cost of living…that definitely helps with the pursuit of financial independence. Congrats on the little one on the way. It’s tough moving and I’m sure it’s even tougher when you have a little plus another one on the way. Glad you didn’t have to pack. Did you have to unpack? Can try to get rid of stuff to make room for the new addition to the family.
We recently moved house to the Upper East Side from the upper West Side and when packing we de-cluttered and gave a lot to charity or family/friends who need stuff. By the way your son looks so cute! Our two cats looked adorable in the boxes as did my daughters and sons but when you are 16,18,18 and 20 you have to use the bigger boxes to fit into/use to take a group photo that Mum and Dad want to use first, moving house was really relaxed even with my daughters and sons sending snapchats and playing with some of the boxes which probably wasted some time but we had a inkling that we would lose time by our child-ish ‘grown up’ children XD. We moved just a month ago, all of the children were home (either from college or in my daughter’s case from England), and we kept some of my Mother’s things that held more sentimental value. When she passed we gave away her furniture and some of her clothes. We kept photo albums and family heirlooms/jewellery, we have too much space and what is a stranger going to do with our filled albums? We also kept her piano and guitar that she has been using since she was a girl (my daughter is starting to learn guitar so we gave her the guitar and my mothers singing equipment went to my other daughters). I kept my mother’s piano,flute,violin and saxophone and there were some stuff we gave to other family members and my sons.
Thanks! I think as New Yorkers, we are forced to de-clutter every so often. That’s just not much room. I think that I would have a hard time parting with things of sentimental value…but it’s great that you were able to make use of it and pass it on to your kids who will actually use it as well.