Moving and Minimalism. New State; Fresh Start.

[wealthviahealth]

Today is the day of my big solo move across the country.
I am flying out with a backpack and three suitcases, everything else has ben sold, donated, or tossed.

It feels great to have downsized so many of my possessions, aka junk however I realize that the battle is only half over
as I will soon be tempted to re-buy much of it when I am setting up my new place. I am moving into a furnished house with roommates so I really only need to buy things for my room/closet area.

Any tips on maintaining the minimalism momentum while getting everything set up? It unfortunately feels like there is something
comforting in buying lots of things I might "need" out of anxiety over the move and wanting to quickly feel at home.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

Mentally commit to waiting a week before buying anything except groceries.

[humbleMouse]

Buy a futon off craigslist for your bed.  Cheap, great for your back, super comfortable, doesn't take up a ton of space, easy to move.  They are the ultimate minimalist bed!

[Trudie]

Make a list of things you think you might want, then sit on it for a couple of weeks.  If you still want it after that, then go shopping.

I don't know if you're a reader/movie watcher, but when I'm hit with the shopping impulse I go to the public library.  I try to occupy my time with reading.  And of course, the library is free.

[PMG]

Wait.

Avoid situations where you will be encouraged to want. Shopping centers, advertisements. Be selective with your online browsing. Surround yourself with things/people/media that inspire contentment.

Lists.

Lists help me control impulse and control worry. They also help me think creatively and problem solve. If I make a list of what I need it sometimes jogs my memory and I can come up with a way to accomplish what I want with something I already have. Or I can prioritize the needs.  Or even labeling things as needs and wants physically on a piece of paper helps lead me to making decisions vs vaguely wanting and buying things that don't satisfy the wanting.

I also doodle a lot.  Drawing my living space is sometimes so helpful in arranging or rearranging, keeping or letting go. I can see space as lines and shapes versus stuff.

That said,  I've noticed that in transitions when I am out of rhythm and haven't found "home" yet I buy far more groceries than necessary!!  Perhaps an ancient survival instinct.

This is coming from small home minimalist perspective. Not backpack minimalist. Would love to hear more of your experiences as you transition.

[forummm]

Make a rule that if you want something you have to walk to wherever it is and carry it home. And do 10 pushups for every dollar it costs you.

[hodedofome]

My brother never unpacked in his last apartment in college. Just kept all his clothes in the boxes and never bought furniture. Don't think you want to be that extreme/lazy however.


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[Sailor Sam]

I have a flowchart for purchasing new things. Liberally stolen from other people's ideas. It goes a little something like this:

1. Is this item necessary?
                   Yes = research the best one, then buy;
                   No = go to question 2.
2. Will this item bring me satisfaction or joy?
                   Strong Yes = buy;
                   Medium Yes = put on a list and revisit in 30 days. Buy if still desired;
                   Weak Yes = it's probably crap, resist the temporary urge;
                   No = why am I still standing in front of this thing?

It's a pretty simple litmus test that takes about 5-10 seconds of thought. Though, you do have to calibrate the difference between a strong and medium yes response. For me, a strong yes should happen once or twice a year.

Once you reach a happy level of stuff-ness, you can institute a one-in, one-out system when dealing with medium and weak yes's.

[shadowmoss]

Wait until you actually need an item before buying it.  For me, when I moved with what was in my Jeep while most of my stuff was in storage, needs were 1 place setting of plate/utensils/coffee cup/glass.  A skillet and small saucepan, and a can opener.  I had everything with me except a skillet and a can opener.  I waited a week (ate fast food...) and then bought both at *Mart.  My motivation was that I had 2 huge storage units full of multiples of everything, they were just in MO (or on their way back from Honduras), and I was in Phoenix.