Buying less and keeping what I love: what moving house changed

Hello!

I lived in the same flat for nearly three years. It was spacious for one person, and I accumulated an incredible amount of stuff. As long as there’s another shelf, cupboard or corner for a new box, you can convince yourself everything is fine. It was only when I moved in with Greg that I saw just how much I’d kept.

There were books, decorative objects, all my drawing and painting materials, heels, trainers and vintage finds… it never seemed to end, especially when it came to clothes. Sometimes I’d bought almost the same thing twice, or even three times: a pair of jeans that looked remarkably like another pair but had a slightly different cut, so obviously they were “completely different”. You can always find a reason at the time, can’t you? Then you open your wardrobe and realise you still wear the same pieces every week.

The big clear-out before moving in with Greg

Moving in with Greg meant having a serious clear-out. I couldn’t box up my entire flat and take everything with me. At first, I found it hard to let go of certain things, especially if they had been expensive or reminded me of a particular time. But once you take everything out and look at it properly, you start to detach from it. A piece of clothing you haven’t worn for years is mostly just taking up space.

The clear-out also showed me how much I’d bought without really needing it. Jeans were a perfect example: in my head, they were all completely different, but laid out side by side, the distinction was sometimes rather subtle! I also rediscovered clothes I’d forgotten I owned and realised just how many different style phases I’ve been through. 😂

Vinted and the Villeneuve flea market

I started by selling a few pieces on Vinted. Then Greg and I took the boxes I’d prepared to the flea market in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Some clothes sold for one or two euros, others for much more, and some went as bundles. It turned out to be a very successful clear-out.

Even at low prices, it soon adds up. More than anything, watching the boxes empty throughout the day felt good. You really do feel lighter.

Some pieces had, of course, cost considerably more. Comparing the original price with the few euros I got back stung a little, but leaving them in a cupboard wasn’t going to bring that money back either. I preferred knowing they were going to someone who would actually wear them. By the end, I was happy to go home with fewer boxes and more space.

How the clear-out changed the way I shop

Since then, I’ve tried to think a little more before buying clothes. Do I need it? Do I already own something similar? When will I actually wear it? I certainly haven’t become a minimalist, and I still love clothes. Jackets are a particular weakness. I own plenty, but a jacket can change an entire outfit, so I’m not quite ready to be perfectly sensible about those.

I’m also keeping the pieces that mean something to me. My khaki Marni Trunk, for example, was a gift from my mum for my 21st birthday. I still wear it and have no desire to part with it. Having a clear-out doesn’t mean selling everything. I simply want to keep what I love and actually wear, rather than having no idea what is hiding in my cupboards.

These days, I’d rather spend my money on equipment for work, a new lens for my camera, or books about graphic design and typography. Books take up space too, I won’t pretend otherwise, but I open them, refer to them and use them for my projects. I’ve put together my favourite graphic design books in this article.

I’m not trying to live in an empty flat. I simply want to know what I own, keep the things I love and avoid buying a new version of something I already have at home. Moving house prompted this huge clear-out, but I don’t want to wait until the next move to do it again.

What about you?

Do you find it easy to part with clothes and belongings, or do you keep everything because it might come in handy one day?