How to adapt a minimalist lifestyle after moving.

If you’re moving, now’s a great time to purge. This is not just a time in your life when you’re going to be unpacking things in closets and garages you’ve forgotten about. This is also a great time to pick up on the minimalism movement. Since you’ll have a fresh beginning at your new home, and since you’re likely purging anyway, our Surrey movers will explain how to adapt a minimalist lifestyle after moving.

Why become a minimalist after moving?

Minimalism is seen as a way to make life more meaningful by getting rid of excess.

The Minimalism documentary describes how two guys became happier after reducing their belongings to nothing more than a suitcase (ok, maybe a bed and other necessities too). Then they travelled on tour to sell a book about their journey, and encouraged others to do the same.

Marie Kondo has gained international fame by her philosophy on ‘tidying up.’ Her principle is quite simple: if it doesn’t bring you joy, then get rid of it. Of course, she wrotea book about this, so there is more to say about her method! We won’t cover it all here though.

And, famous businessmen – even former president Barak Obama – have reduced their wardrobes to one outfit, citing an overwhelming amount of decisions as the reason why.

But minimalism is not new, make no mistake. It has been around for centuries, in the form of spiritual or philosophical teachings. It’s just that nowadays, we’re seeing the popularity of things like the capsule wardrobe, and YouTube videos on reducing ‘stuff’ in people’s lives. So it’s taking hold in our consumerist century as well.

In short: minimalism is being preached as the way to go if you want to enjoy your life, and your space, better. And who doesn’t want that?

Steps to adapting minimalism after you move.

Here are a few tips on steps to take to become a minimalist after you move. It starts before you move though!

Step 1: Donate or sell items of value before you move.

As you’re packing for your move, you’ll notice some obvious things that have value, and that you don’t need. Sometimes, getting rid of stuff is emotionally hard. But if you know you can get something out of it – be it monetary gain or a smile on someone’s face, it can be easier to get rid of. This is especially so if you don’t need it.

See or related articles on donating when moving:

• Packing food for donation
• Helping the Community When Moving in Greater Vancouver

Step 2: Trash the useless stuff before you move

You may have junk to remove during your move. Old broken parts of appliances, or bike tires that don’t work. They can go, and those will also be easier to identify, and part with. The more clear out the big obvious things, the easier it will be to deal with what’s leftover.

See our related articles on these subjects:

• Moving Tips, Metro Vancouver’s Landfill & Large Trash Options
• Vancouver Movers: Info on Recycling Your Mattress Before Your Move

Remember scrap metal can be sold! So don’t put that in the trash pile.

Step 3: Start reading and learning about minimalism after you move.

This is the part where you learn how it all works in the long run, and find out how other people did it. It sounds simple, and yet, when you think about what you have to get rid of, it suddenly becomes hard.

We found this great resource by the guys in the documentary mentioned above. It might help you get started with understanding minimalism:

https://www.theminimalists.com/start/

One important thing to note, as mentioned in their documentary, is that if something brings value to you, you may not have to get rid of it just because another minimalistdid. This is going to be a personal journey. In fact, the Guardian article about Marie Kondo above says not to start with what needs to go, but what needs to stay. That can put a new perspective on things.

Also, as you’ll read in the ‘start’ guide above, minimalism isn’t only about things. It can be about relationships and jobs too. It’s about all excess.

Step 4: Start practicing your clutter-free life slowly

This is the part that helps you get used to the idea of minimalism. It’s hard at first. But according to this article, you can do things like setting aside an area of your space that is going to be free of unneeded items, or at least be tidy. When you experience how ‘freeing’ it is to have that space always be neat, clear and usable, you can become encouraged to expand it to other parts of your home.

Step 5: Declutter your new home

You may have begun this process before you called in your Surrey movers. And it will continue after you move too!

Decluttering will involve asking yourself if you really need ‘X’ at every turn: when you’re shopping, when you’re putting clothes away, and all the time. It will be a goal toreduce, reduce, reduce.

Think you’ll have trouble with this step? Others have too. This article explains how to overcome common barriers to getting rid of things.

To make this easier, you can start by just removing things you have doubles of. Or, you can start one room at a time. Or, you can put things you think you won’t need away for a while, and see if you really miss them before totally getting rid of them.

Step 6: Start buying wisely

Articles on the web about this subject will mention buying higher quality, and more cherishable items going forward. That way, your things will last longer, and you won’t need as many things. Imagine how easy your next move will be!

To conclude: your move can make minimalism easier than if you weren’t moving!

As we mentioned above, the move itself will be a great fresh start, and a good excuse to start on the path of minimalism.

If you’re finding it hard, not to fear! The lightweight feeling of starting to purge will have its benefits. And you can go as slow or as quick as you want. The more you enjoy the benefits of minimalism, the more you’ll genuinely want to do it. And when you enjoy it, it won’t be hard at all!

See related articles:

• Moving to Vancouver? First, Hire a Professional Organizer!
• Easy Steps To Organize Your Office Move
• How to help a hoarder move
• Moving Tips: Six Great Tips For A Stress Free Move in Vancouver

Call Ferguson Moving & Storage

If you’re making a new move in Canada, you can count on Ferguson Moving to help you out. Ferguson Moving and Storage is an award-winning ‘Best of 2017’ moving & storage company – 5 years in a row. Give Ferguson Moving and Storage a call at 604-922-2212 or request a quote online.