How to Pack and Move Like a Minimalist | Moving with Intention

Today I want to share a few tips for packing! From a lot of moves in the past handful of years, I've developed strategies to make packing and moving homes run smoothly. I've also injected minimalist principles into these strategies, such as strategies for decluttering as you pack. A lot of these principles can also be applied to pursuing minimalism more generally. Let me know if any of you have a few good moving tips!

[herewegrow]

Me and my husband had to start minimalism. There was one time he was like I DONT HAVE SHIRTS TO WEAR! I counted all his shirts that night and counted 74 shirts and 8 pants. I told him afterwards, he was very disappointed with himself. We started to sort out his clothes, sold some and then donated most. Now he has 15 shirts and is very happy with it. He gets to wear all of them in 2 weeks (just in time for laundry) and we have so much closet space! IT is the way to go. Less anxiety really

[spring]

my tips:
• develop a nomad mindset, think of yourself as a traveler so you don't accumulate too many things
• make inventory of everything you own, this will help you decide what is worth moving
• do a practice move, lift up everything you own to see if you want to keep or donate it
• imagine you have to flee, what would you bring? This will help you declutter unnecessary things

[alexisbryanto]

Moving in November and I’m starting to get ready now. Something I moved away from was heavy furniture. Since we move so often, I try and buy furniture that can be broken down easily, plus it saves space in the truck! My only heavy items are my mattress, couch, tv stand and dining table. All of my dressers can be broken down, my bed frame is super light and easy to break down, and although my dining table is heavy it can be broken down. The sooner you can lock in your date and know your floor plan the better! It makes decluttering so much easier when you know the space you are moving to. My best move is when I started decluttering and packing 4 months in advance. My last two moves were so stressful, because we had less than 3 weeks notice, soooo much stuff, and had no idea where we were moving to and I was stuck downsizing on the spot because our first property fell through. We were forced into those situations, but start early! You need way more time than you think! Also, budget cleaning time. Ovens need time for the cleaner to sit and cleaning the wire racks takes time! Lastly, take wall art off early so you can fill holes.

[hopezhang]

A month before moving, I followed PickUpLime's 30 days to minimalism and decluttered my home. It made moving so much easier.

[_Becx]

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this tip yet, I can't remember who I heard this from but, when you pack, try and pack an essentials box and bag to put the things that you will use constantly like spare clothes and toothbrush, bodywash, any medications, towels, a bed sheet set, kettle, mugs, a couple of plates or just buy a pack of some plastic plates. I thought it was a really good tip to give and something you won't have to think about in the middle of unpacking in a new place.

[charisedaniels]

A good declutter before a move is always good. Less is best and easiest. Early in our marriage we moved a lot. We've been in the same small home now for 23 years. If I didn't watch what comes in and be deliberate about things going out on an ongoing basis, our house would become disasterous pretty quickly.

[therobotdevil]

I've known about my upcoming move for the past year so I've been slowly decluttering everything in my apartment, and it's been really freeing! I still own more than I would like but I've made a ton of progress and I'm not done yet. These tips are still very much needed and helpful, thank you!

[papayahzz]

This video came in my recommendations at the right time. I’d personally want to move with nothing and start over but this is much more realistic.

This will be my first cross country move alone so I’m excited!

[asmith]

Good tips. Speaking from experience as as a mom of 5, unpacking quickly is much better than slowly. I understand what you are saying about going through things one more time, but it helps with my sanity to have things normal as soon as possible.

[scoutmockingbird]

My suggestion when packing, is to separate "'rarely used' items into strong plastic containers. Number each container and file a list of what is in each. I can easily find a particular item if needed, but otherwise those containers stay packed.

[iceberrypink]

I have a potential move coming in the next few months. I have started asking myself if the value I place on this item is worth the cost of hiring a moving truck and people to put the items on the truck for me. This question has helped me to re-evaluate what I want to take with me.

[rgwak]

Me watching this 3 weeks before moving: **This is great, I'll plan ahead, get rid of stuff I don't need, everything will be fine!** 😛
Me the night before I have to move: **dumps stuff in to trash bags and whole drawers of stuff into a box** 😰

[gloriamcgee]

I’m moving out of state. My boyfriend already took some things and is there. We secured an apartment already & jobs. I’m a recent empty nester and thought I had downsized until packing for this move. I want to live a minimalist lifestyle. Your video brought some light. Thank you.

[MissCrazygirlie]

My ultimate moving tip is to have a suitcase or a small bag ready with things you need on the first evening/ first day in your new space. For example a few pieces of clothing, your toiletries, a towel, toilet paper, your favourite stuffed animal, a book, your phone charger, or whatever you think you’ll need on the first evening. I also packed my favourite piece of decor in that suitcase to give me a feeling of home faster.

[lourlopezsk]

When my friends move we always get the five (girls) of us together and help out. It works great and we have fun. I agree with you that the more the merrier, especially if there's organisation. I'm the one who loves moving in the group so I tend to organise the moves haha but I've only moved twice in my life.

[carriewyatt]

I happen to love moving! :) although the last two times I’ve moved have been company moves, so I haven’t even had to pack or unpack any boxes, they did all of that for me. I love making lists of things to declutter and figuring out what stuff I can get rid of before we move and see if I can get the overall inventory down. :)

[maryjothompson]

I am moving in a few months. Selling tons, sorting out and donating, so my inventory fits in my van. It's been an interesting project.

[ADayInTheLifeOfJames]

Life hack - want to be a good friend… don’t be stingy, pack yourself hire movers to lift your items & deliver. Then you’re not taking advantage of your friends save your back & when asked in the future say nah my backs not too good I hired movers… off the hook for life 👌 you’re welcome. Remember when friends ask you to help them move; they are really saying I’m stingy and I want to use your time for free.

[myhauntingromance]

Currently in flux and hoping to move in August to a university apartment. But I'm slowly decluttering and packing what I can. I appreciate all the tips

[EliseWood]

I’m moving next month and will definitely be applying this…I live in a 400sq ft tiny house and will be moving to 600 but have 2 little kids and need more peace of mind and more intentionality with the stuff I have!