Decluttering For a Big Move

Whether it’s a beautiful new home across the country or a cozy apartment in the city, moving is a great opportunity to tackle that clutter in your life. It can be daunting to think about everything you need to pack, but downsizing and decluttering before your move will save you time, money and energy in the long run. Unlike everyday decluttering, moving allows you to start over in an environment where you can separate the essentials from all the junk that’s been piling up throughout the years. Minimize your possessions now and get a head start on creating mindful new habits for your family and yourself!

Here are 5 useful tips to help you jumpstart your packing:

Start Today:

There’s no way around it – whether your move is two weeks or two months away, today is the perfect day to start decluttering. Decluttering might be the most time consuming part of the move and by getting a head start, you’ll be able to comfortably sort through what you need rather than throwing everything into boxes at the last possible minute and telling yourself you’ll deal with it later!

Keep it Simple:

While everyone has their own method for organizing their belongings, an easy approach is to go room by room. Number your boxes to correspond with the room you’re packing for. Make sure each room has a pile for what you plan to keep, donate or toss. If you’re downsizing, consider how valuable every square inch is and if there is a place for everything in your new home.

Let Go:

It may be hard to get rid of that sweater you used to love, the toys you grew up with or that still wrapped house warming someone gave you when you first moved in, but if these items are no longer useful or serve a purpose then it’s important to get them out of your home. Whether you’re holding onto certain items out of guilt or nostalgia, you need to be merciless with yourself. Your new home and lifestyle will thank you.

Papers, papers, papers:

Old bills, magazines, newspapers, books. If these are things that you’ve been meaning to get to but know you won’t or don’t plan on reading again then consider shredding or donating. Books and magazines can be donated to friends, libraries or a local shelter. Scan any important documents you do not need physical copies of to keep them but cut the clutter. Once they are scanned and backed up, you can shred and recycle them.

Keep Going:

The clutter doesn’t stop once you’ve made the big move. Clothes go unworn, books remain unread, utensils and dish ware stay packed up in the cupboards; it’s important to make decluttering a part of your daily routine. Set aside time on the weekends or once a month to prioritize what’s meaningful and what can be tossed, donated or sold.