How I became a minimalist, and then an extreme minimalist

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Simple cleaning, something that you have to do a lot during the process of becoming a minimalist
Simple cleaning, something that you have to do a lot during the process of becoming a minimalist

This article focuses on me and my process of becoming a minimalist. I will share my past, but also some techniques and tips which might help you too.

The beginning – become a minimalist

To quickly sum up my object related life, I cite my first article ‘What is minimalism’: Let’s begin with a personal story: Back when I lived with my family, I always had a lot of stuff, but really, a lot. This probably explains my opposite reaction as soon as I got older.

I got then in touch with minimalism through YT and long story short, I liked it. However, I didn’t do much. It was later, while there were some family issues, that lot of things changed. With this abrupt change came my motivation to do something in the apartment. Therefore, I threw away everything that looked like trash and didn’t like. After a few days, I ended up with a lot less, but there were still personal things, books and more. Actually, you could say that it was ‘normal’, not yet minimalistic.

I also began selling online a lot of things, from trains to furniture. There were binoculars, old phones, fans, books, mickey mouse, hundreds of movies, games etc listed on Ricardo.ch, the Swiss Ebay. In addition, I scanned my important paper and then recycled them. Books were donated, as were clothes.

The beginning of minimalism

The dust settled and my ‘activity’ began to fade. Yes, I had a decluttered home, but I wasn’t all the way happy. Fast forward two months and I decided to move to a city with my university, so that I could reduce drastically the commuting time (from 1h to 20mins).

I had to move soon and I began to throw away more stuff again. Because I had time and the possibility, I decided to move by train.
You might think that I’m joking, but I’m not. I moved daily for a few weeks two bags of stuff to my new apartment by train. Luckily, this system is excellent in Switzerland.

Moving with public transport - did you think I am joking? And do you see ‘H2’ ? This is for the document of my stuff on Google Docs.
Moving with public transport – did you think I am joking? And do you see ‘H2’ ? This is for the document of my stuff on Google Docs.

Every trip I made wasn’t really painful, but it still bothered me. This is how I almost forced myself to be a minimalist.

The last trip was made with a car, since I had plants, a big PC, chairs and more. However, it was only one trip with a van.

Moving with almost this van, but the clutter you see was intended for the trash.
Moving with almost this van, but the clutter you see was intended for the trash.

Moving away

I had reduced my possessions a lot, and when I looked around my little apartment, the shelves were a little bit empty. Actually, I still had furniture and more, but I could have stuffed everything I owned in my bedroom.

This is where I thought to be really minimalistic.

More decluttering

For convenience, I left most of my possessions in the cardboard boxes, which became my new furniture.  I continued my system where I had a complete list with my things on Docs and the location. 

I continued from time to time to throw a few things away, adapting in some form the one at a time method (How to declutter my home? 3 Methods), but generally I had really not much anymore and felt comfortable.

Although I moved to a new place, I knew that it was only for a few months, since I had to go to a foreign country for a year. For one month, I hadn’t decluttered much nor sold, but as the departure date came nearer, my activity rose again. 

Become an extreme minimalist

The problem: I had to go away for a year and so no stay in Switzerland. I could store some things in the cellar, but that’s it.

Next, I started to really narrow down on my things. I sold my PC, furniture, screens and/or  donated them like my toaster, sandwich maker, plates etc.

Then, I began to research extreme minimalism, watched videos, like the ones from Rob Greenfield, and when the day of departure came, I had my backpack and a big suitcase. I left at the cellar my rest, which was almost nothing anymore. Two pans, some electronics, some clothes and other utensils.

The packing method

During my trip I performed a double packing method, which I will explain shortly. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, take a look at my article How to declutter my home? 3 Methods and how to maintain a clean and decluttered home.

I had my suitcase with all my stuff, and I decided to only take out what I needed during this year. The rest I almost fully donated. At the same time, I had in Switzerland my “rest, which was almost nothing anymore”. Consequently, I thought about the One year rule and concluded that if I return from my trip, I could eliminate at least half of these items. (A pan, my microwave or the steamer will still be necessary if I return). 

To conclude my article, I need to say that it was an amazing experience and I enjoy every day thanks to minimalism. Going from a cluttered home to an extreme minimalist (not yet extremely extreme) was an interesting transformation and definitely a good thing. Still, the journey never ends, and that’s what motivates me. Well, see you in another article
Until then, happy decluttering

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Comments

2 responses to “How I became a minimalist, and then an extreme minimalist”

  1. pras Avatar
    pras

    Would you have become an extreme minimalist if you didn’t have to move from Switzerland for a year?

    1. Author Avatar
      Author

      Interesting question… Based on my experience moving form one place to another or going abroad shows you very easily how much stuff there is. We tend to accumulate slowly and forget about others if we stay at a place for a long time.
      However, you just need discipline and to control your things every semester or year.
      I wouldn’t have become an extreme minimalist without moving abroad, but it is still possible.
      Are you trying to become more minimalistic?

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