Chapter 1: A Journey Towards Minimalism

For the past seven years, I have split my time between Atlanta and San Francisco. During this period, I accumulated a lot of unnecessary items that took up space in my apartment, offering me little value. As I prepared to relocate once more, I realized it was the ideal moment to undertake a major decluttering effort. In recent years, I have adopted a minimalist lifestyle, and I've made it a point to discard items that no longer serve a purpose. However, there always seems to be more to eliminate.

The Inspiration Behind My Move

I have been a strong proponent of minimalism for quite some time, striving to embody the principles I advocate. This move presented a unique opportunity to elevate my minimalist approach. As a Software Engineer, the pandemic has shown me that a significant portion of my work can be done remotely, which I thoroughly enjoy. Traveling more has always been a dream of mine, and now I have the chance to make it a reality.

However, traveling and living in various cities can be quite challenging when you have a mountain of belongings to move. This further fueled my desire to declutter.

Embracing the 80-20 Principle

During my decluttering process, I was astonished by how few items I actually utilized. This experience echoed the 80-20 principle: I used only 20% of my belongings 80% of the time. The remaining 80% sat unused, gathering dust and adding no real value to my life. It was time to part with these items.

My Decluttering Strategy

Letting go of possessions can be tough. Simply tossing everything in the trash doesn't make sense financially or environmentally. I wanted to be more thoughtful about my approach. Here’s the strategy I devised:

1. Sell items on Facebook Marketplace for cash.
2. Give away anything unsold for free.
3. Offer items to neighbors.
4. Reach out to friends and family to see if they wanted anything.
5. Donate to a local thrift store or charity.
6. Partner with a recycling service.
7. Dispose of the remaining junk.

This plan worked well for me, as I managed to earn around $1,200 through sales on Facebook Marketplace, while also giving away items to those who might actually use them.

What Did I Part With?

Here’s a brief overview of the items I decided to let go of, whether through sale, donation, or disposal:

• Pots and Pans: I discovered I owned five pots and pans, yet I only ever used one of each. The surplus was simply taking up space.
• Dishes and Utensils: I had an excess of plates and cutlery, which were of low quality. I opted to discard these and plan to invest in a few high-quality pieces later.
• Clothing and Footwear: This was where the bulk of my decluttering occurred. Historically, I haven’t been selective about what I wear, but I realized I needed to be more intentional. Ultimately, I eliminated around 80% of my clothes and shoes, which were often of poor quality and rarely worn.
• Furniture: While much of my furniture was functional, I had little emotional attachment to it. Selling my Ikea furniture saved me the hassle and expense of transporting it across the country.
• Charging Cables: With the evolution of technology, I found myself with numerous outdated charging cables. Once I streamlined my devices, I cleared out two entire drawers of unnecessary cords.
• Video Game Consoles: This was a tough decision. I used to game frequently, but I realized I hadn’t played in months. I sold all my consoles for a good price.
• Paper Clutter: Old receipts, cards, and documents had piled up. I took photos of important items and then disposed of the rest, aligning with my goal of minimizing paper use.
• Hygiene Products: Given my shift towards a more vegan lifestyle, many of my products no longer matched my values, prompting me to discard them.
• Physical Books: This was perhaps the hardest sacrifice. I had developed a love for reading during the pandemic, but moving books is cumbersome. I sold most of them, keeping only a select few.

What Made the Cut?

Now, let’s discuss what I chose to keep:

• 5 Short Sleeve T-shirts
• 3 Long Sleeve T-shirts
• 2 Hoodies
• 1 Pair of Jeans
• 4 Pairs of Joggers
• 2 Pairs of Shoes
• 16” MacBook Pro
• iPhone 12
• AirPods
• Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Apple Watch
• A few selected books: Sapiens, The Intelligent Investor, Token Economy, The Basics of Bitcoin & Blockchain
• 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
• Water Bottle
• Wallet, Passport, and Essential Documents
• Toothbrush

Future Investments

Now that I’m settled in my new home, I plan to make some purchases, including:

• Eco-friendly hygiene products
• A new desk setup
• High-quality cookware

Final Thoughts

As I integrate new items into my life, I will keep you all updated. Thank you for reading this far! I’d love to hear your packing tips and how you manage your belongings while traveling.

Chapter 2: Packing Tips and Tricks

In this section, I will share some valuable packing strategies that can help you travel light and efficiently.

This video titled "How To Pack In ONLY a CARRY ON (Packing Tips & Best Travel Gear)" provides insights into effective packing techniques and essential gear for your journeys.

Another useful video, "How I Pack for Carry-On Only Travel (1+ Month Trip)," showcases practical tips for traveling with only a carry-on bag for an extended period.