Beginning

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Before becoming a New Yorker (end of June 2015)

Moving to New York was a big step. The one-way ticket was quite a scary purchase, but I knew it was going to lead to "bigger" and "better" things if I played my cards right. With that thought, I had no plan or money to haul all of my belongings to New York City.

So, I packed two suitcases and called it a day. The night of my packing, my close friends came and helped me sort through my closet and pick out the bare minimum I would need to look nice, dress appropriately at work, and attend school...at least until I was settled.

That was quite the addling process. What if I needed that fifth pair of jeans? What if all of the four I bring burn up in a fire?

All of this was revealing. I wanted all of my stuff with me. It was my security.

My nerves concerning the move along with my inherent anxiety were really taking a beating. But, I knew I must overcome and let go if I was to move forward. One suitcase (standard size)--shirts, jeans and slacks, socks, underwear. The other suitcase (small)--shoes, umbrella, blazers, and coffee grinder/french press and one glass. That was it.

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Eight months later (present day)

I keep looking around my small, SMALL apartment in Manhattan, New York thinking - "How do I maximize this space?" Being in the center of "the city that never sleeps," it is hard to walk by shop after shop and not peek in to see all of the things I think I need. I moved to New York to finish school, but I also was ecstatic to leave behind my small-town life for the Big Apple. I wanted to be in the epicenter of fashion, commerce, and marketing. I wanted to see Times Square (gets old real quick). I wanted to HAVE all of those things that I saw rich New Yorkers on TV had...the latest gadgets, designer-wear, furniture, SHOES.

Now that I am here and living the New York lifestyle day-to-day, I am slowly realizing that "stuff" is not going to work. My small apartment screams at me every time I walk through the door--"Hey you! I got stuff all over me! I can't breathe!" In effect, neither can I. Also, New York weather is unabashed and quick to change.

My twin bed, desk, and refrigerator take up over half of the available floor space in my room, my closet is about a third of the size of my room (hint: not a lot), and I have a small cove where the window is in the center of the room.

The Dreaded Closet

While I moved to NY with only two suitcases, my mother arranged to send my belongings in stages so I could have all of my "stuff." Books, holiday decorations, more clothing, memorabilia.

Now, my entire space is filled. My closet is just...I don't even like going in it at all. It hates me and I hate it back.

I have been into the minimalism movement for a minute. Sporadically, I have gutted out my desk in hopes it would make me feel better, and I would get the "minimalism idea" right.

So, I decided to read up on it more and really commit to living with less. I have always admired sustainability which I believe is inherently tied to minimalism. I am also a human rights major, so for me to purchase items such as clothing or "knick-knacks" that may not be ethically created gives me that gross feeling inside. Plus, I just like a clean space. I have always been somewhat of a clutter-bug growing up, but I knew this was not the lifestyle I wanted to lead or to carry over into romantic relationships. If I ever have kids, I want them to feel the freedom of open space and intentional style.

It is time to really change and set this into motion.

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My first challenge will be the dreaded closet. I am done staring at it and harboring its negative energy in my room (did I mention it was small?). I also have a captain's bed with drawers underneath. They also have clothing in them.

THE FIRST STEPS:

• Read the Becoming Minimalist blog often for philosophical nurturing of the minimalism change in my life. I have been reading the weekly e-mails for a while now, so the message is in my subconscious.
• Follow the Be More with Less blog post on cleaning out the closet. Possibly, I will follow all the way through and do the Project 333 challenge and post results on Instagram.

This blog is to follow my journey and my progress or failures. I don't want to discourage myself if I fail the first time, but it may lead to insights for future attempts.

I also plan on discussing philosophical issues with minimalism and consumerism. Mental moods and states will come into play here as well. Lastly, I hope that this blog will serve to inspire someone else who may have cramped quarters or may just need that push to do it, too!

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." -- Benjamin Franklin