How to Downsize Your Life: Easy Minimalist Tips
If you’re trying to figure out how to downsize your life, I think I can help. My husband is a digital nomad and we have to move again. This means I have to downsize my belongings one more time.
After one year in Serbia, we accumulated more possessions, so we had to figure out what we could leave behind. I need to make the entire bulk of my possessions fit into one big suitcase, one small suitcase, and a backpack, in addition to my camera and tripod.
When you stay in one location long enough you start noticing more and more unnecessary possessions start to accumulate around you. Although my husband and I are very thoughtful consumers who live a minimalist lifestyle, we still were surprised at how much we had to leave behind. We thought about it to try and figure out how we managed to acquire so much excess.
We think part of it was that we were in a foreign country far from home and we felt like we needed more homey things to make us feel better. We were seeking some comfort and stability. It’s all very understandable and we are not going to be hard on ourselves about it, but it did mean we had to get rid of a lot.
Post downsizing, my entire wardrobe right now is made up of 30-35 pieces not including socks and underwear. I don’t have a lot but I still seem to have much more than my husband. I decluttered a lot but I still think I can get rid of more to make more space.
1. Packing with laundry bags
We pack our clothes into laundry bags and then put those in the suitcase. The laundry bags are really helpful because they protect the clothes from pests like moths.
Essentially, we use our laundry bags as packing cubes because they are much lighter than packing cubes.
2. Art supplies
I have a small suitcase that is entirely dedicated to my art supplies. I have my collage materials, drawing utensils, and yarn. I need to be able to express myself creatively so my art supplies are very important to me.
3. Toiletries
We have two small cases for our toiletries and personal care products. We have another small bag for medications and health-related products. I also have a small case for my jewelry which includes some sentimental items.
4. Electronics
Our electronics take up a lot of space. We have two phones, two laptops, a camera, three hard drives, and one tablet. We also have one big tripod, one medium tripod, and one tiny one.
We have a bag for chords and charging devices. We have no choice but to keep all of our electronics because we make our living using our laptops and cameras.
5. Miscellaneous
I have multiple journals. I have a dream journal and a crafting journal. I also have a yoga mat that I’ve had for years and it is still in great shape. I have a travel cup that I have kept with me for 5 years.
Compared to most people, we do not have a lot. living a nomadic lifestyle forces us to be keenly aware of how much we still have. When we travel the two of us are left to carry all of our possessions and we still feel like we have too much.
Downsizing is an ongoing journey. No matter how much decluttering we do, with time more and more stuff seems to accumulate. I am sure this will not be the last time we downsize.
How to downsize your life
I love sharing my experience with you all and I hope that my sharing will help you in your downsizing journey. Stripping your possessions down to the bare necessities can feel scary at first but ultimately it will bring a sense of freedom.
Leave me a comment and tell me how your downsizing is going.
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