my minimalist motivations

06/20/25

I'm moving back into my mom's house at the end of this month in preparation for an even bigger move to the UK to finally close the distance with my wife (the timeline for that move is, unfortunately, indeterminate).

I want to use this as an opportunity to cut down on my possessions. If I can manage, I'd be thrilled to fit everything I own into only that which I can bring with me on a trans-Atlantic flight (without extra costs): a backpack, a carry-on suitcase, and one checked suitcase.

I've been watching a lot of minimalist videos on YouTube for a long time now. I started last year when I looked into minimalist travel; I visited my wife in the UK for a week in April 2024 and wanted to see how much I could get away with packing. My trip was a big success and I wanted to keep the experiment going once I got home.

I felt inspired to parse down my wardrobe. The past few weeks I've gone even more extreme. Every time I declutter and think I've cut down as much as I can, once I leave things alone for a few weeks and come back I realize that a lot of it isn't worth keeping after all. With clothes in particular I'm aiming for a simple capsule wardrobe following a bare minimum ratio of tops, sweaters, trousers, etc. Let's just say I've developed a newfound appreciation for the class white t-shirt!

Allowing myself to let go of my material possessions and say goodbye is such a relief. My family history is bookmarked with lots of different mental illnesses, with hoarding being one of the most prominent. I have struggled all of my life to keep myself in check and regulate my environment, my materialism, and my spending habits. For the first time in my life, I am being 100% intentional in what I keep and what I get rid of, and it's been a liberating process. The idea of being able to quickly envision and take stock of what I own sounds so rewarding and simple.

I'd like to make a post going through everything I own at some point once I'm settled at my mom's house. Until then, I'll share with you some of my favorite YouTube videos I've watched recently.