The Fire Drill Game: Decluttering for a move

If you had ten minutes to grab your most essential items, what would you choose?

In my latest adventure, I downsized to a charming 750-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. It’s a stone’s throw from my favorite beach, the perfect size for me, and fits my budget. The perks of being an empty nester! My old place was a 2-bedroom with a guest room/office—a luxury, until I realized my grown kids aren’t moving back in. I figured I could ditch the extra room for a better location.

From a spacious 2100-square-foot home to a cozy 750-square-foot apartment, my minimalism journey has been quite the ride. My last place was a third-floor walk-up in Phoenix—grueling in the summer. Now, in San Diego, I’m still on the third floor, choosing the view and quiet over ease of access. It’s cooler here, but those stairs still pack a punch!

To test my downsizing resolve, I played a game I call “fire drill.” Imagine there's a fire and you have 10 minutes to grab your most crucial items. What would you save? I realize real fires are terrifying and tragic, but for this game, let’s keep it light.

What did I save in my imaginary fire? My dogs, phone, purse, medication, and an emergency binder with essential documents. That’s about it—maybe a minute or two of running around. Clearly, I need more than those six things to get by day-to-day.

Next, I played another game: “What would I be willing to drag up three flights of stairs alone?” Furniture excluded, of course. If I had to move furniture solo, it’d be me and a sleeping bag. Not quite ready for that level of minimalism yet, and I’m not sure that’s “the joy of missing out”—at least not for me.

So, what did make the cut? A set of dishes for four, silverware, utensils, pots and pans, clothes, toiletries, my laptop, a box of books, office supplies, Christmas decorations, childhood memorabilia (more on that in a future post), lamps, linens, and two cherished pictures for the walls.

For furniture, I opted for multipurpose and low-maintenance pieces: an iron bed frame, a cubicle shelf doubling as a dresser, a TV console with book storage, and two cozy couches that double as guest beds. I skipped a dining table in favor of movable side tables that can adapt as needed.

I view my space as more than just 750 square feet—it includes the wider community. My apartment complex boasts a large viewing deck with sunset views, perfect for gatherings. For changing up my office environment, I can hit a local coffee shop, the co-working space in my building, a nearby hotel lobby, or even the balcony. I don’t feel the need to own everything beautiful; it’s all available in my community. (Stay tuned for a post on maximizing your community experience.)

How about you? How do you decide what to keep when moving or minimizing? How do you simplify your life when moving? xoxo j.