apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

you should check out the recent thread on zenhabits.com about just this thing!

oops. zenhabits.NET

I keep a large bag in my garage. Every week when I clean my house I look for items which we really don't need anymore and I add them to the bag (clothes, toys, etc.). My kids do the same, with much encouragement. Vietnam Vets collects the bag when I remember to call, which is every month or so. It's such a great feeling to unload that bag!

Take a promise that you wouldn't shop for a month. And you will realise that you will start using things around the house more than run out and buy it.

I buy new bottles of shampoo, hair products, cleansers, cleaning products, etc. until I'm done with the product I'm using.

My bathroom is completely decluttered and only contains the following necessities:

shampoo
conditioner
body wash
toothpaste
toothbrush
face cleaner
moisturizer
deodorant
contact solution and case

Even my boyfriend uses more products than I do.

I'm also not wasteful about the products that I do use. It takes me almost a year to go through a 10 oz shampoo bottle, whereas my old roommate would need to buy shampoo every 6 months.

Wow. I love BlackandWhite's suggestion. I'll have to try it. (Also, I know someone who travels constantly and packs unbelievably light. She swears she packs black and white clothing)

This site has loads of tips on traveling light: http://www.onebag.com/

Pack light and bring lots of money.

i just constantly take a look at what works, and what doesn't around our home. if something isn't being used, or bringing joy, it leaves. i think this is really important when you have a smaller home (and don't want, or can't buy a bigger one).

every time you see something in your home it either lifts you up or brings you down. personally, we choose things that lift us up. it makes it very easy to keep thing "light" following that as our rule.

Thanks Guys, I love the idea f not going out and buying things. I recently did that with clothes and rediscovered things in my closet. I also realized that there are things that I will just never wear.

loving the built in storage near the door!

I'm off for 6 weeks in ireland and can't do it with out my computer... but everything else can charge with my usb (ipod) charger. My cell phone, my camera batteries, my mom's cell, both ipod (hers and mine- Audio books for the flight- no paper) and her GPS.
It will save LOTS of space. The GPS will mean my paper maps (I've got a "few") can stay home.
I'll have washer/dryer everywhere i stay, so 2 pants, 2 skirts, and variety of tops that can layer.
One coat, one hat- This is for Ireland - It will rain- and its 65f in Donegal in summer.
I could theoretically fit it all in my backpack (or wear it)- I've tested it. But I'll check a bag anyway.

Laure,

You're quickly becoming one of my favorite AT writers. You really understand how clutter and ownership of objects empties life rather than fills it. You're really good!

I wish other AT writers shared your enthusiasm for such a clean, responsible, and serene way of living. Just this past week, your fellow writers pushed a couple of totally worthless products (which I then ranted about here and here).

Err, posted the same link twice. Should read "here and here."

Sorry about that.

I had a coworker once who believed that he should be able to move on a single day's notice and that he should require no help to do so. For a very long time, everything he owned could fit into a large duffel bag. That was pretty zen.

A long time ago I heard someone on television say that she will never own more than she can carry on her back for three miles... or something like that. My husband and I live very simple lives but I often feel weighed down and burdened by our possessions - sometimes it's the weight of the object and sometimes it's the past that the object represents. I regularly feel like only keeping the things necessary for survival and getting rid of everything else. It would leave the space, both physical and mental, for new experiences that hopefully don't come with a momento.

My fiance and I have been steadily working our way through our house trying to minimize the amount of stuff. We are trying to keep things that are very useful or we really love with ideal pieces being both functional and well loved. It's hard at first but gets easier with time. We actually took pictures of all the stuff we hauled out of our garage and it's amazing how much we had crammed in there. Now most of it has gone to charity and some was sold.

I think what helps me with decluttering at home is viewing thrift stores as my extended closet/attic. I buy something, I use it, I grow bored of it, I pass it along. I'm really just taking it out of the closet and putting it back in. Also, I love getting rid of stuff. My clutter downfall is art supplies.

It's a similar mentality when I pack to travel -- unless I'm going camping, the chances I won't be able to buy something if I really need it are slim. I traveled to Italy to work and vacation for a month with a backpack and a purse. Same thing for travelling to Ireland for three weeks. I'll likely switch to a rolling suitcase for future trips because it's easier to get to things, but there's generally too much room in the smallest non-kids ones. Love to pack for trips, though; it's one of my favorite parts.

Viadcole--I'm glad I'm resonating. I think it's because I grew up in a cluttered house that I have a real appreciation for letting things go and living lighter. Though I also have incredible sentimental attachments to things which often gets in the way of a clean space!

Happify--I'm fitting everything into the smallest carryon size of rolly suitcase and a purse. I realized today that I feel a little naked bringing so little, but am open to the experience. After all I can always bring more next time!

Sometimes the problem is not what you bring to a trip, but what you bring back. I usually have to pack a spare duffel bag in my suitcase.

i love the floors in this apartment! is it LA? i wish my floors were herringbone

When I went to China for 3 weeks, I had one rolly bag and a purse. I took some balance bars (No Unidentified Food Objects for this Lacto Ovo Vegetarian since I was 10 and gave up meat for Lent). I brought clothes that could interchange with each other and other things that were old and I could throw out along the way, like the equivalent of disposable underware, tights to wear under pants and throw out when I got runs, etc. I also had a colapsible bag, but didn't use it and let a fellow traveler use it and give it back when we were back in NYC.

Now, I have my packing lists: One for Park City in winter, one for NYC in summer, one for black-tie event, etc. so I don't forget to take an important thing I'll need and already own. I don't want to buy duplicates, just 'cause I could get it at Walmart in Park City for cheap. I also have mini bottles of cosmetics that I keep in a ziplock bag, ready to go.

I'm moving soon and decluttering beforehand, so I keep re-reading this to keep inspired :)

Happify, I'd love to hear about your strategies for packing so light!