Decluttering your house before the big move presents the opportunity to have a stress-free transition into your new humble abode. It also allows you to slash your moving budget costs, as many moving companies base their rates on the weight of the items being transported. However, the process of decluttering is often seen as easier said than done. It can be difficult to part from your belongings.
With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to walk around your home and quickly decide what items can be donated, tossed or stored while also keeping your emotions at bay.
Start The Decluttering Process As Soon As Possible
The main reason for decluttering is to avoid preparing, packing and transporting items that don’t need to make the move. As such, it’s imperative that you start the decluttering process as soon as possible, so you don’t have to do twice the amount of work.
This task can be combined with the packing process of items you will be moving. For every room you’re ready to pack, bring a box for items to toss. As you work your way through the space, you’ll easily be able to sort through your belongings and put anything you want to get rid of in the designated box.
Take On The Process One Room At A Time
Moving is no easy task and the mere thought of having to pack up all of your belongings can send you into a stressful frenzy. However, to avoid feeling overwhelmed, shift your mindset from “entire house” to “one room at a time”.
This is an important step to stress-free decluttering, as the process can be quite emotional. Give yourself plenty of time to work through the rooms in your home at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Place Everything into Categories
An excellent way to declutter your home before moving is to determine whether you have too much of one thing. This can be done in many ways. The first is to take inventory of all of your belongings. The second option is to empty everything out and place your items in categories. For example, all towels in one pile; all stockpiled shampoos and conditioners in another; all plates in another pile, bowls, cutlery, framed photos, etc.
You may be surprised to find that you’ve been holding onto 20 towels, 30 bowls, and 40 forks despite only needing a handful each week. Seeing these items, whether in an inventory list or in piles will help you come to terms with purging some of them.
Determine What You Need
No two households are the same and something your parents absolutely need in their home such as a toolbox or 2 shovels instead of 1, may not be a necessity for you. As you’re working your way through your home, ask yourself if not having the item will be that bad. For example, if you only use your blender once a year, can you live without it? Chances are, you’ll discover that there are many items you have because they were deemed useful at the time you acquired them, but are actually rarely used in your specific situation.
Store What You Can’t Part From
Decluttering doesn’t have to mean that you must get rid of your belongings. While there are likely many things you can part ways from, you will also find some items that you simply can’t throw out or donate. Perhaps it’s family heirlooms, your child’s artwork, or antiques you have yet to decide what you’re going to do with. For these items, keep them in a storage unit. Not only will this free up the space within your home but it’ll also keep your items safe and secure in a unit.
