By now, you’ve probably heard about the ‘life changing art’ of decluttering. Marie Kondo is a organizational mastermind who loves helping people do more with less. She asks people how their life would be different if they only owned objects that sparked joy. Sometimes when I travel, I have a tendency to over pack. I end up with a suitcase I have to sit on to close and a backpack that may burst if you look at it wrong. Whether you’re a seasoned travel nurse or hitting the road for the first time, here are some considerations to declutter your housing to make travel nursing between destinations a breeze.
Bring only clothes that make you feel good
Once on a trip up north, I brought the scratchiest wool sweater with me. I had never worn it once, but I figured it would be cold enough to wear while up north. It took up a lot of space, but it seemed like a good defense against the cold. I tried it on upon arrival, decided it was too itchy, and went to the mall to find something better. Not only did I now have to squeeze new clothes into my luggage, but I had to also lug the sweater back home. The lesson learned here is that if you don’t normally wear something, there’s probably a good reason why. Travel anxiety can make you think you *need* to bring something, but it’s best to go with your instinct. Let your wardrobe make you feel your best, at least for the 13 weeks of your assignment.
Find a designated location for important objects and papers
If you’re working back to back long shifts, it’s easy to come home and just throw everything in a pile. Marie Kondo swears by consistency in managing the neverending paper trail of modern life. Many receipts or expense documents can be scanned using your phone’s camera and thrown out promptly. Whenever I need to reference a document, it’s just a quick search away through photos and phone scans as opposed to rifling through messy piles of paper. This system works for other objects too. You can save a lot of time by keeping things in the same spot. For example, you can have a designated dish or hook for your keys and wallet. It takes a lot of stress out of moving between destinations when you declutter your housing and have a place for everything.
Collect only what you can care for
When I visit a new place, I have a huge urge to get souvenirs. There is a fun is acquiring new things, but Marie Kondo points out that objects can become stressful over time. You have to remember each object you own requires care, time, and energy to keep it at its best. If an object really fills a hole in my current wardrobe, I’ll still get it, but I’m more mindful of the process and commitment. This has allowed me to purchase a smaller amount of high quality, lasting pieces rather than blowing my paycheck at fast fashion retailers season after season. I’ve let go of clothing more readily because sometimes the value of an object is it teaching you more about your own style. I feel less guilty letting go now because I realize having a streamlined process getting dress is more valuable than having a higher volume of lower quality options. This frees up a lot of mental energy in my day and give me greater capacity for the decisions and relationships in my life that are meaningful.
Overall, when you’re on the road, don’t let your stuff weigh you down. Declutter your housing to make travel nursing easy. You’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime and deserve to focus on advancing your career. Ready to start a new adventure? Contact Gifted Healthcare today!
