New York or Bust!—The Minimal Life, Part 1

If there is one thing that I've learned when I was in New York my first 2 years in college, it was the fact that tons of possessions are not cool, especially when you live on the opposite side of the country and are NOT interested in chucking out any of your stuff at the end of the year like most students do. Here is what I learned the hard way about having way too much of everything:

1. If you don't start mailing boxes of your stuff home in enough time, you will end up having to abandon and chuck stuff anyway.

2. Having "stuff" is not important, but having the bare necessities is.

3. You can always get by without much stuff, but you don't know that yet. :-)

4. Being unfettered by "stuff" is the best policy. You won't miss the extraneous stuff I promise.

5. It's a good idea to be as mobile with your possessions as possible, you never know when you may have to up and leave. An out of control rodent or bed bug issue could develop in your space or building and you'd fare better with good mobility.

6. Chances are you can get by with just: a laptop, thumb drive, digital camera, mp3 player, good mini speakers, 1 high capacity multi subject notebook for class notes, 1 personal journal, 1 agenda planner, 1 accordion folder, well stocked pencil pouch, basic bed set, bathroom, kitchen, closet, general and food storage essentials. (More about this in another post.)



7. Basic wardrobe including a carefully edited collection of the clothes, shoes and accessories you already wear A LOT. Don't take anything you never wear or think you might wear because you probably won't. (More about this in another post.)

8. Take basic winter gear: great warm boots, wool blend socks, wood blend sweater, hat, gloves and scarf (in your fave color), wool coat or waterproof nylon parka, cold weather thermal leggings, thick tights and your good! (More about this in another post.)



9. Basic skin and hair care products. Proper styling tools and accessories to fit your needs (keep it minimal) and your good! (More about this in another post.)
10. Anything beyond this and you run the risk of having unnecessary stuff.
Stay tuned for part 2 when I'll show you how to create your own minimal life for college.